'7 FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY s\ NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY OF ILLINOIS, STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL HISTORY, S. A. FORBES, Director. THE ORNITHOLOGY OF ILLINOIS. PART I, DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, By ROBERT RIDGWAY. VOLUME II. PART I. Published by Authority of the State Legislature. SI'IMNGFIELD, ILL. H. W. liOKKEB. PRINTKB AND BlNDEB. 1895. CONTENTS PA.OK Order Galling— The Gallinaceous Birds 3 Suborder Phasiana, 3.— Family Phasianida? (The Pheasants), 3.— Family Tetraonidae (The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails). 6. Order Limicol.e— The Shore Birds 18 Family Aphrizidaj (The Turnstones), 20. — Family Charadriidee (The PloTers), 22.— Family Scolopacidse (The Snipe Family), 32.— Family Recurvirostrida? (The Av- ocets and Stilts), 74.— Family Phalaropodidae (The Phalaropes), 77. Order Alectorides— The Cranes. Courlans, Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 82 Suborder Ralli, 83. -Family Rallidae (The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots), 83.— Family Gruidae (The Cranes), 98. Order Hebodiones— The Herons. Storks, Ibises, etc 101* Suborder Ibides (The Spoonbills and Ibises), 101*.— Family Plataleidae (The Spoon- bills). 102*.— Family Ibididae (The Ibises), 106*. Suborder Ciconiae (The Storks and Wood Ibises). 113*.— Family Ciconiidae (The Storks and Wood Ibises), 113*. Suborder Herodii (The Herons and Boatbills), lie*.— Family Ardeidae (The Herons), 117*. Order Anseres— The Lamellirostral Swimmers 102 Family Anatida? (The Swans, Geese, and Ducks), 103. Order Steganopodes— The Totipalmate Swimmers 193 Family Pelecanidas (The Pelicans), 195.— Family Phalacrocoracidas (The Cormorants), 202.— Family Anhingidaj (The Anhingas), 207. Order Lonqipennes— The Long- winged Swimmers 210 Family Stercorariidae (The Skuas and Jaegers), 211.— Family Laridae (The Gulls and Terns), 219. Order Ptgopodes— The Diving Birds Kl Family Urinatoridae (The Loons , 252.— Family Podioipidae (The Grebes PART I. (Concluded.) A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE Birds of Illinois By Robert Ridgway. ORDER GALLING— THE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order GALLIN-ffi.— The Gallinaceous Birds. The following families of GdUinm are represented in Illinois: A. Tarsi spurred, and head partly naked. 1. Phasianidae. B. Tarsi without spurs, and head entirely feathered, except, sometimes, a bare space over eyes. 2. Tetraonidae. Suborder PHASIANT. Family PHASIANIDiE.— The Pheasants. Chak. Hind toe short and elevated, as in Tetraonidae. Tarsi spurred. Head partly naked. Tail often vaulted or arched. Two subfamilies of Phadcmidce are represented in the Illinois fauna, one of them (Phasicmmce) , however, only by introduced species. Their characters are as follows: Phasianinae. Head mostly feathered, except round eyes. Tail elongated, graduated, arched, or vaulted. Plumage of sexes widely different, the female much smaller than the male and without brilliant coloring. (Introduced species only.) Meleagrinae. Head entirely naked, or else with only small hair-like feathers or short tufts oi imperfect feathers. Tail moderate as to length, flat, rounded, the feathers broad and nearly truncated at lips. Hexes essentially alike in plumage but females duller in color than males. Subfamily MELEAGRINiE— The Turkeys. Char. Head unfeathered, the skin wrinkled and often waited, the Forehead with a more or less developed extensile fleshy appendage (smaller in females). Nasal fossa' bare. Tail moderately lengthened, rounded at end. not vaulted nor arched, the feathers (more than twelve) broad and nearly truncated at tips. Hind toe elevated; tarsus armed with spurs in the male. Plumage of the sexes essentially alike, hut females somewhat duller in color than males. The subfamily AfeleagrmcB, or Turkeys, belongs to thai branch or section of the greal gallinaceous Order {GalUnm) to which Professor Huxley has given the name of Alectoropodes, ami which have been later named Gallina Alectoropodes l>y Messrs. 4 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sclater and Salvin. To the same suborder belong the common domestic fowl, the Guinea-fowl {Numida meleagris), the Old World Phasianidw, or Pheasants, and all of the Grouse and Partridge families {Tetraonidce and Perdicidce). To the other suborder (known as Gallium Peristeropodes) belong the tropical American Cracidce (Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas) and the Australian Megwpodidm (Mound-Fowl or Brush-Turkeys). The Meleagrmce, as at present known, include a single genus, Meleagris, which is peculiar to eastern and southeastern North America, its southern limit being the Peten district of Gua- temala and parts of British Honduras, where (as also in Yuca- tan) occurs the M. oeellata (the Ocellated or Honduras Tur- key)—a magnificent bird, almost rivaling the Impeyan Pheasant and Peacock in the brilliancy of its colors. Genus MELEAGRIS Linnaeus. Meleagris Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758. 156. Type, Meleagris gallopavo Linn. Gen. Char. Legs with transverse scutelloe before and behind ; reticulated laterally. Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers. Forehead with a depending fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck without feathers. Breast of male in one species with a long tuft of bristles. The two species of this genus (one of them with two very strongly marked geographical races) may be distinguished as follows : 1. M. gallopavo. Breast of the male with a tuft of long, coarse, hair-like black bristles. Tail bright umber- or dull ferruginous-brown, narrowly barred with black, and crossed near the end with a broad subterminal band of black. Spurs moderately developed. Female much smaller and duller colored than the male. a. gallopavo. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts dark chestnut; prevailing hue of metallic reflections coppery. Hab. Eastern United States and Canada. 6. mexicana. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts white or pale buff;* prevail- ing hue of metallic reflections greenish. Hab. The common domesticated bird, derived from the wild Mexican race; the latter ranging from southern Mexico north to mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, and western Texas. 2. M. oeellata. Breast of male without tuft of bristles. Tail ash-gray, narrowly barred with black, broadly tipped with refulgent copper-bronze, and ornamented with large subterminal eye-spots or ocellse of brilliantly metallic steel-blue, bordered with velvety black; longer upper tail-coverts similarly adorned, and body barred with richly lus- trous golden-bronze, steel-blue, green, etc., and velvety black. Spurs greatly devel- oped and very sharp in the male. Female decidedly smaller than the male but scarcely less brilliant. Hab. Yucatan, Peten district of Guatemala, and adjoining portions of British Honduras. * Some varieties, due to domestication, are wholly black, cream-colored, or tawny. PHASIANID.E — THE PHEASANTS. 5 Meleagris gallopavo (Linn.) WILD TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo LlNN. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 156; ed. 12, i. 1766, 208. — Aud. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 1, pis. 1, 6: v, 1839, 55'.t; Synop. 1839, 194; B. Am. v, 1812, 42, pis. 287. 288— Nutt. Man. i, 1832. 630— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 651; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 457— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874. 404.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 310.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 207. Meleagris americana Bakte. Travels. 1791, 290. Meleagri ■ gallopavo var. americana Coues, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 379 a ; B. N. W. 1874, 391. Meleagris gallopavo americana Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. 1881, No. 47<> a— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 554. Hab. Eastern United States, north to southern Minnesota and Dakota, Ontario, etc.— formerly to Massachusetts and Vermont, but now extinct in most parts of the northeast- ern States; south to the Gulf coast (including Florida); west to Iowa, eastern Kansas, In- dian Territory, and eastern Texas. Sp. Chab. The naked skin of the head and neck is blue: the excrescences purplish red and whitish. The legs dull red. The feathers of the neck and body generally are very- broad, abruptly truncate, and each one well defined and scale-like; the exposed portion coppery bronze, with a bright coppery reflection in some lights, most brilliant on the under parts. Each feather is abruptly margined with velvety black, the bronze assuming a greenish or purplish shade near the line of junction, and the bronze itself sometimes with a greenish reflection in some lights. The black is opaque, except along the extreme tip, where there is a metallic gloss. The feathers of the lower back and rump are black, with little or no coppery gloss. The feathers of the sides behind, and the coverts, upper and under, are of a very dark pui plish chestnut, with purplish metallic reflections near the end, and asubterminal bar of black; the tips are of the opaque purplish chestnut referred to. The concealed portion of the coverts is dark chestnut, barred rather finely with black, the black wider than the interspaces. The tail feathers are dark brownish chestnut, with nu- merous bars of black, which, when most distinct, are about a quarter of an inch wide and about double their interspaces; the extreme tip for about half an inch is plain chestnut, lighter than the general color; and there is a broad subterminal bar of black about two inches wide on the outer feathers, and narrowing to about three quarters of an inch to the central ones. The innermost pair scarcely show this band, and the others an- all much broken and confused. In addition to the black bars on each feather, the chestnut inter- spaces are sprinkled with black. The black bands are all must distincl on the inner webs; the interspaces are considerably lighter below than above. There are no whitish tips whatever to the tail or its coverts. The feathers on the mi. I. lie of the belly are downy, opaque, and tipped obscurely with rusty whitish. 7"DThe wing-coverts are like the back; the quills, however, are blackish brown, with numer- ous transverse bars of white, half the width of the interspaces. The exposed surfaces of Die wing, however, and most of the inner secondaries, are tinged with brownish rusty, the uppermost ones with a dull copper oi- e;re ujs|i gloss. The female differs in smaller si/.e, less brillianl colors, absence generally of bristles on the breast and of spur, and a much smaller fleshy pr s^ above the base of the bill. Vale. Length. 48.00 to 50.00; extent, 60.00; wing, 21.00; tail. 18.50. Weight, 16 to 10 ll.s. /•', male. Weight, about 12 lbs.; measurements smaller in proportion. Once abundanl throughout fche State, the Wild Turkey is now exterminated in some seel ions and reduced in numbers elsewhere. In some densely wooded districts <>i" the extreme southern coun- ties it is still common. bu1 is becoming less so every year. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family TETRAONHXaS. — The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails. Chak. Hind toe small (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and inserted above the level of the anterior toes. Tarsi without spurs. Head entirely feathered (in American species) except, sometimes, over eyes. Tail not vaulted or arched, The following subfamilies of Tetraonidse have usually been given full family rank, but almost without doubt are more closely related. Tetraoninse. Tarsi with at least the upper half feathered; sides of toes with decidu- ous comb-like pectinations (falling off in summer). Perdicinas. Tarsi entirely naked, and toes without pectinations at any season. Subfamily TETRAONTNiE .— The Grouse. Chae. Gallinaceous birds with the margins of the toes distinctly pectinated*, the tarsi at least half feathered, the nasal fossae densely filled with feathers (so as to completely en- close and partially conceal the nostril). Sides of neck often with an inflatable air-sac. A bare (usually red or yellow) space over eyes. The TetraonmcB are very strongly characterized among galli- naceous birds by the peculiarities of structure named in the above diagnosis. In addition, the following characters (not always present) may be mentioned. The superciliary region is usually more or less bare, and some- times (notably in the Ptarmigans) adorned with a comb-like, or ciliated, erectile process, of a brilliant red or yellow color during the breeding season. The tail is extremely variable in development and form, and may be either short and rounded (as in Tympomuchus and Lagopus), rather lengthened and fan- shaped (as in Dmdragapus and Bonasa), very short and grad- uated, with the middle feathers lengthened and nearly truncate (Pedioccetes), or considerably lengthened and much graduated, with the feathers acute (Centrocercus) . Some genera have an in- flatable air-sac on the side of the neck, while ornamental tufts of feathers on the neck are possessed by others, Tympomuchus and Bonasa. * These pectinations, however, are wanting in summer. TETRAONID.E — THE GEOUSE, ETC. 7 The subfamily is most numerously developed in North America, its other representatives belonging to the colder portions of Europe and Asia. Of the genera included in the following ana- lytical table all but one are to be found either within or very near to the geographical field of the present work. A. Legs feathered to and on the basal membrane of the toes, which are bare. No ruff on the side of the neck, which, however, has an extensible bare space. Dendragapus. Tail broad, nearly even, or truncate, and rounded laterally, two thirds the wing. Nasal fosste scarcely half the culmen. Centrocercus. Tail excessively lengthened and cuneate; longer than the wings, the feathers acuminate. Nasal fossa' two thirds the culmen. Shafts of feathers on the lower throat very spinous in the male. Pediocaetes. Tail very short, but graduated, and with the two middle feathers (per- haps tail-coverts) lengthened beyond the rest, and two thirds as long as the wing ; the next longest half the wing. Nasal fossae not half the length of culmen. Shafts of throat feathers normal. B. Legs feathered to the lower end of tarsus. Tympanuehus. Tail very short, truncate, but laterally graduated; half as long as the wings. Sides of neck with long, narrow, and rather stiff feathers. Nasal fossae scarcely one thii d the culmen. C. Legs feathered to the claws. Lagopus. Tail about two thirds the wing, truncate, of sixteen to eighteen feathers. Most species becoming white in winter; none of the other genera exhibiting this peculiarity. D. Lower half of tarsi bare, with two rows of scutellse anteriorly. Bonasa. Sides of neck with ruff of broad, truncate, soft feathers. Tail very broad, square or slightly rounded, as long as the wings. Genus BONASA Stephens. Bonasa Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool, xi, 1819,298. Type, Tetrao bonasia Linn. Tetrastes Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. lxiv. Gen. Chae. Tail fan- shaped, its feathers very broad, soft, as long as the wings; eighteen in number. Tarsi naked for the lower half ; covered with two rows of hexagonal scales anteriorly. Sides of toes strongly pectinated. Side of neck with a tuft of very broad soft feathers. Portion of culmen between the nasal fossa; about one third the total length. Top of head with soft crest. Although but one species of this genus has been detected in North America, this has a very extensive range, embracing nearly the entire continent; all the wooded portions, in fact, excepting, perhaps, the extreme southern parts. As is often the ease with birds whose range covers a large extent of territory, this species Varies remarkably in color in the different portions of its habi- tat; northern specimens and those from the Rocky Mountains having almost invariably ash-gray tails, with the whole plumage of a decidedly grayish casl . while specimens from t he grandly t im- bered and reekingly moisl region of t lie northwest coast (Oregon to Sitka) have I lie bails dark ferruginous, while rich rusty 8 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. and chestnut tints prevail in the plumage. Specimens from the more southern districts of the eastern United States, where the rainfall is abundant and the country (formerly at least) thickly forest-clad, are much like those from the last-mentioned region, having always rufous tails, but the general coloration is decid- edly paler. As we proceed northward (to New England and the British Provinces), and also in the mountain districts of the Middle States, the birds become gradually grayer (many New England specimens having distinctly gray tails) until finally, in the interior provinces of British America the extreme gray type (B. umhelloides Dougl.) is reached. A single species of this genus, the Hazel Grouse (B. bonasia), inhabits the northern portions of the Old World, from western Europe to Japan. It bears a general resemblance to B. umbel- lus, but is decidedly smaller, lacks the conspicuous neck-tufts (which, however, appear to be present in a rudimentary condi- tion), and has the throat black. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) RUFFED GROUSE. Popular synonyms. "Partridge" (in New England); "Pheasant" (in southern and western States); Ruffled Grouse; Drumming Grouse. Tetrao umbellus Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 275— Wils. Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 46, pi. 49— Nutt. Man. i, 1832, 657— Aud. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 211; v, 1839, 560, pi. 41; Synop. 1839, 202; B. Am. v, 1842, 72, pi. 293. Bonasaumbellus Steph. Gen.Zool. xi, 1819, 300.— Baibd. B. N. Am. 1S58, 630; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 465— Coues, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 385; 2d ed. 1882, No. 565; B. N. W. 1874, 420— B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 448, pi. 61, figs. 3, 9.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 473; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 197.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 300. Hab. Eastern United States, south to the Gulf coast (?). [Replaced from Manitoba, northwestward, and also in the Rocky Mountains, by a gray race, B. umbellus umbelloides (Dougl.), and on coast of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia by the dark rusty B. umbellus sabini (Dougl.)] Sp. Chae. Above ochraceous-brown finely mottled with grayish; the scapulars and wing-coverts with pale shaft- streaks, the rump and upper tail-coverts with median cordate spots of pal'1 grayish. Tail ochraceous-rufous, narrowly barred with black, crossed termi- nally with a narrow band of pale ash; then a broader one of black, this preceded by another ashy one. (In specimens from the Alleghany Mountains and New England States, the tail usually more or less grayish to the base, sometimes entirely destitute of rufous tinge.) Throat and foreneck ochraceous. Lower parts white (ochraceous beneath the surface), with broad transverse bars of dilute brown, these mostly concealed on the abdomen. Low- er tail-coverts pale ochraceous, each with a terminal deltoid spot of white, bordered with dusky. Neck- tufts brown or black. Length. 18.00; wing, 7.20; tail, 7.00. Female smaller, and with the neck-tufts less developed, but colors ^'similar. Young (No. 39,161, St. Stephen's TETRAONID.E— THE GROUSE, ETC. 9 N. B.; G. A. Boardman): Brown above, and dingy white beneath; a rufous tinge on the scapulars. Fea'hers of the jugulum, back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with broad median streaks of light ochraceous, and black spots on the webs; jugulum with a strong buff tinge. Secondaries and wing coverts strongly mottled transversely. Head dingy buff, the upper part more rusty ; a postocular or auricular dusky patch, and a tuft of dusky feathers on the vertex. Chick: Above light rufous, beneath rusty white; uniform above and below; a dusky postocular streak inclining downwards across the auriculars. Bill whitish." {Hist. N. Am. B.) The Ruffed Grouse or "Pheasant" as it is popularly known, is found throughout the State in wooded districts, becoming more rare southward. It is uncommon in the vicinity of Mount Carmel, and is growing less so as the woods become cleared. The Ruffed Grouse is a constant resident in the districts where it occurs, and, as a general rule, is in no sense migratory, though it is stated by Audubon that in some regions where they are very abundant they perform partial sorties at the ap- proach of autumn. These only occur in mountainous regions, in which during the winter months there is an insufficiency of food. "The flight of this Grouse is low, straightforward, and rarely protracted more than a few hundred yards at a time. It is somewhat stiff, and performed with frequent, almost continual, beatings of the wings. When it is flushed from the nest, or is suddenly startled from the ground by a dog, it rises with a long whirring sound, which noise, however, is not made when the bird rises of its own accord. Its movements on fehe ground are very stately and graceful, except when it is approached too near, when it runs in a rapid manner, lowers its head and spreads its tail, and either seeks shelter or takes to tlight. When it hides in the bushes, it usually squats and remains dose." (Brewer.) on Few matters pertaining to our birds has there been greater difference of opinion than as to the manner in which the drum- ni in-- sound of this species is produced. In the American Sports- man for February 21. L874, the writer gaveageneral review of whnt had I n published on the subject, supplemented l..\ some original information received from Mr. H. \Y. Henshaw, which were to the effecl that the sound was produced by hard strokes of the wings, both downward and forward,^ without touching thi /><>/ of' tin />//. Size . small. C. Bill variable, but never longer than the tarsus ; more or less depressed in the middle portion, the terminal portion of the culmen being more or less arched; never ex- panded laterally to the end. Hind toe usually absent. Charadriidae. Size large to very small. Bill slender or small, straight, always shorter than "the tarsus. D. Characters much the same as given for section "C," but toes, including the hallux, exceedingly lengthened, the claws also very much lengthened; scutellationof legs much as in the Rallidce. Jacanidae. Size medium or rather small. Claws very long and compressed, nearly straight, that of the hallux equal to or longer than its digit, linear, and slightly recurved. Bend of the wing (head of metarcapus) armed with a sharp conical horny spur. E. Bill exceedingly variable,— short or long, straight, slightly recurved or decidedly de- curved, but more or less expanded laterally at the end, which is more or less sensitive. Hind toe usually present, rarely absent. Scolopacidae. Tarsus rounded in front, where clothed with a single row of transverse scutellae. LIMICOL.E — THE SHORE-BIRDS. 19 F. Bill subulate (except in Crymophilus). Toes either partly webbed, or fringed by a lateral, usually lobed, margin. Plumage peculiarly soft and compact for this order, resembling greatly in this respect that of the Longipennes. Tarsi compressed, the anterior edge sharp. Fhalaropodidae. Size small: tarsi and bill rather short, or but moderately lengthened; toes edged with a lateral, usually scalloped, margin. Eecurvirostridae. Size large ; tarsi and bill very long; toes partly webbed, and without scalloped margin. 20 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family APHRIZID-ffi.— The Turnstones. Char. Rather small, plover-like birds, differing from the true Plovers (Vharadriidce) chiefly in the more robust feet, without trace of web between the toes, the well-developed hind toe, and the strong claws; the toes with a lateral margin, forming a broad flat under- surface (especially in Aphriza); the bill of one genus (Arenaria) peculiar. The two genera may be distinguished by the following characters: Arenaria. Bill compressed and pointed terminally, somewhat upturned at the end, the cul- men straight or even slightly concave; tarsus not longer than the bill; tail slightly rounded. Aphriza. Bill slightly swollen terminally, the terminal portion of the culmen decidedly convex; tarsus decidedly longer than the bill; tail slightly emarginated. Genus ARENARIA Brisson. Arenaria Bbiss. Orn. v, 17G0, 132. Type, Tringa interpres Linn. Strepsilas Illigee, Prodromus, 1811,263. Same type. Char. Form robust, the head small, neck short, wings long and pointed, feet stout. Bill straight along the culmen (or else slightly concave above), somewhat upturned termi- nally, compressed toward the end and pointed. Wings reaching beyond the tail, the first primary longest, the tertials not reaching to the end of the primaries. Tail slightly rounded. Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe, the latter shorter than the bill. Arenaria interpres (Linn.) TURNSTONE. Popular synonyms. Calico-back; Brant Bird; Chicaric (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Tringa interpres Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12, i, 1766, 248— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 32, pi. lvii. Strepsilas interpres Illig. Prodr. 1811, 263.— Swains. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 371.— Nutt. Man. Water Birds, 1834, 30— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 31, pi. 304; Synop. 1839, 227; Birds Am. v, 1842, 331, pi. 323,-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 701; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 515.— Coues, Key, 1872. 246; Check List, 1874, No. 406; 2d ed. 1882, No. 598— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 509— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 119. Arenaria interpres Vieill. Gal. Ois. ii, 1834, 102.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 283.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 180. Morinella interpres Stejn. Proe. U. S. Nat. Mus. iv, 1882, 32. Tringa morinellus Linn. S..N. i, 1766, 249 (young). Strepsilas collaris Temm. Man. ii, 1820, 553. "Charadrius cinclus Pallas" (Baird, 1. c.) Hab. Sea-coasts of nearly all counti'ies; in America, from Greenland and Alaska to Chili and Brazil; in the interior, more or less common along the shores of the Great Lakes and larger rivers. APHRIZID.E — THE TURNSTONES. 21 Sp. Char. Adult: Chin and throat, a large loral patch, another covering terminal half of the auriculars, border of the pileum, and lar^e transverse patch on each side of the jugu- lum, white ; stripe from the frontlet to the eye, squarish patch beneath the eye, malar stripe, side of the neck, jugulum, and sides of the breast uniform black, all these markings confluent and sharply denned. Remainder of the lower parts, upper part of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and ends of secondaries, pure white. Breeding plumage: Upper parts dusky blackish, the wing-coverts lighter, more brownish gray, the feathers showing darker centres; back and scapulars little, if at all, varied with rufous; crown dusky, uniform, or streaked. Spring (or winter) plumage: Upper parts mixed black and bright rufous, the latter color occupying chiefly the middle of the back (longitudinally) and the wing-coverts; the scapulars and tertials mixed black and rufous. Pileum more streaked with white, and markings about the head and neck more sharply defined than in the summer dress. "Bill black; iris hazel; feet deep orange-red, claws black." (Audubon.) Young: Head chiefly mottled grayish, without well-defined markings; black of the jugulum and breast indicated by mottled dusky, occupying the same area, but not sharply defined; upper parts grayish dusky, the feathers bordered terminally with buff or whitish. Total length, about 9 inches; wing, 6.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .80-90; tarsus, 1.00; middle toe, .75. The Turnstone occurs in Illinois only as a migrant, and is chiefly confined to the shores of Lake Michigan. There, accord- ing to Mr. Nelson (pp. 123, 124 of his list), it arrives "May 15th in full breeding plumage and is found until the first week in June. Returns early in August, still in breeding plumage, which is exchanged for that of winter during the last of the month. Departs about the 20th of September. While here they are generally found in company with flocks of the smaller species of sandpipers." 22 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family CHARADRIIDiE. — The Plovers. Chae. Small or medium-sized shore-birds (scarcely waders), with rather short, some- what pigeon-like bill, large round head, short neck, long and pointed wings, and moder- ately lengthened legs, the hind toe usually absent. The Plovers are quite distinct in their structural characters from the Sandpipes and other Scolopacidce, being- more nearly related to the Turnstones and Oyster-catchers, notwithstanding the fact that the latter are so different in appearance. Instead of wading about in the shallow ponds or the margins of streams, as is the custom of the Scolopacidce, they frequent meadows and sandy tracts, where they run swiftly along the ground, in a peculiarly graceful manner. The North American genera may be distinguished as follows : A. Size large (wing more than eight inches); head more or less crested; plumage more or less metallic above. Occiput with a slender recurved crest; a well-de- veloped hind toe, with claw ; wing rounded, first quill shorter than fourth. 1. Vanellus. Wing unarmed, or with rudimentary spur; tarsus not more than twice as long as the middle toe. B. Size medium or small (wing less than eight inches); head without crest, and plumage without metallic gloss above. c. Wing more than six inches ; plumage much speckled or spotted above ; lower parts chiefly black in summer. 2. Charadrius. A well-developed hind toe, without claw Subgenus Squatarola 3. No trace of hind toe; otherwise very similar to Squatarola, but smaller and more slender Subgenus Charadrius. d. Wing less than six inches; plumage nearly or quite uniform grayish or brownish above (the rump ochraceous in subgenus Oxyechus), the lower parts chiefly or entirely white at all stages. 4. .ZEgialitis. e1. Tail very long (half as long as the wing, or more), extending half its length beyond tips of closed wings ; rump and upper tail-coverts pale rufous or ochraceous in the American species. Bill slender, about equal in length to the middle toe; tarsus decidedly less than twice as long as middle toe ; rump and upper tail-coverts rufous or ochraceous (except in 0. tricollaris) Subgenus Oxyechus. e-. Tail short (less than half as long as the wing), reaching little, if any, be- yond ends of closed wings; rump concolor with the back. Bill variable, but usually shorter than middle toe, or, if longer, very slender; tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe. Subgenus JEQialitis. CHAKADKIID.E— THE PLOVERS. 23 Bill very large (as long as, or longer than middle toe), the terminal half of the culmen much arched, the base of the gonys forming a decided angle; tarsus about one and one half times to nearly twice as long as middle toe Subgenus Ochthodromus Bill slender, wide at base, much longer than middle toe; tarsus more than twice as long as middle toe Subgenus Podasocys. Genus CHARADRIUS Linx.ei s. Subgenus Squatarola Cuvier. Squatarola Cuviek, Reg. Anim. i, 1817, lfi7. Type, Tringa squatarola Linn. Chak. A rudimentary hind toe. Legs reticulated with elongated hexagons anteriorly, of which there are five or six in a transverse row; fewer behind. First primary longest. Tail slightly rounded. But a single species of this subgenus is known, this being- the well-known "Beetle-head'' or "Bull-head" Plover of eastern gunners, a bird of nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.) BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Beetle-head or Bull-head; Plover of eastern gunners and sportsmen; Bottle-head; Black-breast. Tringa squatarola Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12. 1766, 252. Charadrius s./uatarola Naum. Vog. Doutschl. vii, 1834.250.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 270— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 173. Tringa helveticalirsv. S.N. ed. 12, 1766. 250, S neck ami rump tinged with ashy, and ha\ ing irregular transverse spots >>f brownish black on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts; the brownish black frequently predomi- nating on those parts, and the rump also frequently with transverse bars of the same. Lower part "f tin' abdomen, tibia, and under tail-coverts, white, (.mills brownish black, light "i- on their inner webs, with a middle portion of their shafts white, and a narrow longi- tudinal strip.' of white frequent!: the shorter primaries and secondaries, Tail white, with transverse Imperfect narrow bands of black. The black color of the under parts gen- i ly with a faint i. ion . ,i or c 'pi" si y lustre, and presenting a ycale-like appearance; the brownish black of the upper parts with a greenish lustre. Bill and legs black; iris brown. Youngtr and winter i^umn^r . Entire upper parts dark brown, with oiroular and Irregular unall spots of white, and frequently of yellow, oaosl numerous on the wing-ooverts; upper 24 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. tail-coverts white. Under parts white, with short longitudinal lines and spots of dark brownish cinereous on the neck and breast; quills brownish black, with a large longitudi- nal space of white on their inner webs and also on the outer webs of the shorter pri - maries. Young: Upper parts lighter, and with the white spots more irregular or scarcely- assuming a circular shape; narrow lines on the neck and breast more numerous. Total length about 11.50 inches; wing, 7.50; tail, 3.00: culmen, about 1.10; tarsus, 1.95; middle toe, 1.15. In general coloration this species resembles very closely the Golden Plover {Charadrius dommicus), but, besides being much larger and stouter built, may always be distinguished by the blackish axillars, these feathers being smoky gray in the Golden Plover. This species, the largest of our Plovers, is more or less com- mon during the migrations. In Cook county, according to Mr. Nelson, it "arrives in full breeding plumage the last of May and after lingering a few days the majority pass north. A few re- main during the summer and undoubtedly breed. Returning early in September in fall plumage, they remain until well into October. While with us in the migrations this species is gen- erally solitary, sometimes a half dozen individuals joining com- pany, or a single specimen will be found leading a miscellaneous company of sandpipes and small plovers." Subgenus Charadrius Linnaeus. Gharadrius Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 150; ed. 12, 1766, 253. Type, C. apricarius Linn. Chae. Similar to Squatarola, but without any trace of hind toe. Plumage also very- similar, but form rather more slender. Only two species of Charadrius proper are known; one peculiar to the Pakearctic Region, but occurring accidentally in Greenland; the other spread over the remaining portions of the world, including the greater part of America, the islands throughout the Pacific, and the coasts of Asia. They differ chiefly in the color of the axillary feathers and the lining of the wings, which are white in ft apricarius, smoky gray in ft dominicus. Charadrius dominicus (Mull:) AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Green Plover; Squeeler (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Charadrius dominicus Muller. Syst. Nat. Suppl. 1776, 116.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881 No. 515; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 174.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 581.— B B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 139.— A. O. U., Check List, 188C, No. 272. Charadrius pluvialis Wilson, Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 71, pi. 50, fig. 6. (nee Linn.)— Swains. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 36!).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 16— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 623. Charadrius virginicus "Boeckhausen and Bechstein," Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, No. 729— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 690.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 503. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 25 Charadrius fulvus var. virginicus Coues, Key, 1872,243; Check List, 1874, No. 326; Birds N. W. 1874, 449 (synonymy). Charadrius marmoratus Wagl- Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 575, pi. 300; Synop. 1839,222; Birds Am. v, 1842, 203, pi. 31G. Hab. America in general, from the Arctic coast (including Greenland) to Paraguay and Chili; breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, winter migrant to southern localities. "Sp. Chak. Bill rather short, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe, tarsus covered be- fore and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales. Summer plumage: Upper parts brownish black, with numerous small circular and irregular spots of golden yellow, most numerous on the back and rump.and on the upper tail-coverts assuming the form of trans- verse bands generally; also with some spots of ashy white. Entire under parts black, with a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail-coverts mixed or barred with white. Forehead, border of the black of the neck, under tail-coverts, and tibia?, white; axillary feathers cinere- ous; quills dark brown; middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to the webs and forming longitudinal stripes on the shorter quills; tail dark brown, with numerous irregular bands of ashy white, and frequently tinged with golden yellow; bill black; legs dark bluish brown. Winter plumage {young and adult): Under parts dull a-hy, spotted with brownish on the neck and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black; many spots of the upper parts dull ashy white; other spots, especially on the rump, golden yellow. "Total length, 9.50 inches; wing, 7.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .92; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 90. " Specimens vary in the relative amount of the black and golden on the upper parts, in the width of the white on the forehead, and other details of coloration. Careful measure- ments of twenty-six specimens afford the lollowing results:— Eleven specimens in summer /damage: Wing, 6.80-7.35, average, 7.11; culmen, .85-1.00, average, .91; tarsus, 1.60-1.85. average, 1.73; middle toe, .85-1.05, average. .91. Six adults in changing plumage: Wing, 6.90- 7.30, average. 7.12; culmen, .90-1.00, average, .96; tarsus, 1.65-1.82, average, 1.70; middle toe. .80-.95, average, .90. Seven specimens in winter plumage [mostly young): Wing, 6.80-7.20, average, 7.03; culmen, .80-1.00, average, .91 ; tarsus, 1.55-1.75, average. 1.66; middle toe, .85-.05, average, .87. Average of the whole series: Wing, 7.09; culmen, .91; tarsus, 1.70; middle t( e, .9(i." [Water B.N. Am.) Iii Cook county, this species is, according to MY. Nelson, "a very abundant migrant," arriving "in large flocks early in April, and at this time the black of the breeding plumage lias just be- gun to mottle their white breasts. Frequents wet praries until the hist of the month, when it generally departs. Sometimes a few remain as late as May 5, and are then in perfecl br line,- dress. Returning early in September, with the fall plumage jusl appearing, it remains until October." Genus ^EGIALITIS Boie. Subgenus Oxyechus Reichenbach. • hut i; i mil. A.v. 8 j ' 1853, [ntrod. p. xviii. Type, ( 'Iiaradrius vo> Linn, Chab. Bill small, slender, about equal to 1 1 1 • • middle toe (without nail); tarsus nearly ' w as long as middle toe; tail long (about two thirds at long ah the wings), reaching half ogth beyond the ends of the primaries, graduated, the lateral feath than the middle pair; rump different In oolor from the i 26 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. , The single North American' species of this subgenus differs con- spicuously from the Plovers usually included together under jEglalitis in the broad, lengthened tail, and, so far as coloration is concerned, in the ochraceous rump and the pair of black bands across the breast. It may be remarked, however, that coloration alone is of slight importance as a character in this group. The Old World species appear to belong here rather than with true JEglalith, namely, Chwadrms tricollaris Vieill., of South Africa, and C. nigrifons Cuvier, of Australia. The former is much like a miniature Killdeer Plover, having two black pec- toral bands, like 0. vociferus (though their relative width is reversed, the posterior one being broader) ; the proportions and details of form are quite the same, but the rump and upper tail-coverts are concolor with the back. The Australian species agrees essentially with the above in size and proportions, but has broader and acuminate rectrices, and the tail is more nearly even, while the plumage is handsomer and more varied than in any other species of the group, the scapular region being adorned with a patch of rich maroon-chestnut, the upper tail-coverts rufous-chestnut, etc. -ffigialitis vocifera (Linn.) killdeer. Popular synonyms. Kill-dee; Killdeer Plover. Charadrius vociferus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 150 ; ed. 12, i, 1706, 253.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 73, pi. 59, fig. 6.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 22 — Aur>. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 191; v, 1839, 577, pi. 225; Synop. 1839, 222; B. Am. v, 1842, 207, pi. :;17. ^Egiahtis voiferus Bonap. 1838.— Cass, in Baird'.s B. N. Am. 1858, 692. — Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 504.-Coues. Key, 1872. 244 ; Check List, 1874, No. 397; 2d ed. 1882, No. 584. ^Egialitis vocifera A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 273. Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 174. Oxyechus vociferus Reich.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 516.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 148. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, migrating in winter into tropical Amer- ica as far as Colombia; West Indies in general; Bermudas: River Avon, England {fide Scl., Ibis, 1862, 275; one specimen taken April, 1857). Sp. Chae. Adult. Pileum and upper parts generally, grayish brown, inclining to umber; rump and upper tail-coverts ochraceous-rufous, lighter on the latter. Forehead and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuchal collar, and lower parts, white. Fore part of the crown, loral stripe, continued toward occiput, collar round neck, and band across breast, black. Primaries dusky, the inner quills marked on outer webs with white. Tail chiefly pale ochraceous-rufous, variegated with white, dusky, and grayish, chiefly toward the end . Bill black; iris dark brown; eyelids (in life) orange-red or scarlet; legs and feet pale pinkish grayish, or pale grayish yellow. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 27 " Young. Similar to adult, but feathers of the upper parts more or less conspicuously margined with pale rusty or fulvous. "Downy Young. Upper parts generally, including pileum, light grayish brown, the two areas of this color bounded all around by black, a wide collar of which crosses the jugulum, and, extending across the nape beneath a broad white collar, completely encircles the neck; a broad bar of velvety black down the middle of the humeral region, and a narrow, more interrupted stripe of the same down the rump. Forehead, throat, lower parts gener- ally, "hand-wing, " and posterior border of the humerus, pure white, the flanks and crissum more Isabella-color; a narrow black line running from the rictus to the eye. Total length, about 10 inches; extent of wings, 20.50; wing, 0.50; tail, 3.50. This common and well-known bird is found throughout the State, and is decidedly the most numerous member of its fam- ily except during the season of migTation. It is a great nui- sance to the gunner, being usually the first to take alarm at his approach, and starting up all birds in the vicinity by its loud cries. "Like most of its race, this Plover passes much of its time on the ground, over which it moves with great rapidity. It can run with such swiftness that — according to Audubon — to run "like a Kildeer" has in some parts of the country passed into a proverbial phrase. The bird is also equally active on the wing, and mounts at pleasure to a great height in the air with a strong and rapid flight, which can be continued for a long distance. Sometimes it skims quite low over the ground, and at other times mounts to a great height; and during the love seasons it is said to perform various kinds of evolutions while on the wing. "Its note consists of two syllables, resembling in sound kill- dee, rapidly enunciated; and occasionally, when the bird is much excited, only the last syllable is repeated after the firsl utterance of the double note. Generally it is sounded inn loud, clear tone and as a signal of alarm. It not unfrequentlv startles other birds and puts bhem on their guard, this habit rendering tic Kildeer an objed of dislike to the gunner. Dur- ing the summer— especially when it is breeding, and afterward, even when its young .'in- fully grown— tin' Kildeer is a noisy ami restless bird, and is disturbed by the near approach of man. It will often squal until one is close upon it. and will then suddenly fly up or run off, startling the unwary intruder bv a loud and clear erv. According to Audubon, during 1 he 28 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. winter it is an unusually silent bird. At this season it is found dispersed over the cultivated fields in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and other Southern States, diligently searching for food." (Brewer.) Subgenus -ffigialitis Bon:. JEgialitis Boie, Isis, 1822, 558. Type, Gharadrius hiatievla Linn. Char. Similar to Oxyechus, but the species of smaller size, with shorter and less gradu- ated tail (less than half as long as the wing), and rump concolor with the back (grayish). The numerous species of this subgenus vary greatly among themselves in the details of structure, although there is a general similarity of coloration throughout the group. The North American species may be distinguished as follows: A. Nape crossed by a more or less distinct white collar. a. Bill decidedly shorter than middle toe, very stout (except in JE. dubia), the basal half light colored (orange or yellow) in adults, except in JE. dubia. a'. A distinct web between base of inner and middle toes. 1. JE. semipalmata. Above, grayish brown; forehead, ring round neck, and lower parts white. In sumbner, fore part of crown, lores, and broad pectoral collar (continued round back of neck, below the white nuchal collar) black or dusky. In winter, these black markings replaced by grayish brown, like the back, etc. Young, like winter adults, but bill wholly black, and feathers of upper parts margined narrowly with buff. Wing, about 4.50-4.75; culmen, .45-50; depth of bill at base, .20; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .65-70. Hab. Nearly the whole of America. a". No web between base of inner and middle toes. 2. JE. hiaticula. Similar to JE. semipalmata, but pectoral band broader. Wing, about 5.00; culmen. .50-.55; depth of bill at base, .20-.22; tarsus, 1.00; middle toe, .00-05. Hab. Palasarctic region and portions of Arctic Am<'iica. 3. IE, dubia.. Similar to JE. hiaticula, but smaller and much more slender, espe- cially the bill, which is entirely black; middle of crown crossed by a more or less distinct whitish bar, immediately behind the black patch. Wing, 4.35-4.70; cul- men, .50-52; depth of bill at base, .15-18; tarsus, 1.00-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Palasarctic region generally; accidental in California and Alaska. 4. JE. meloda. Above, pale brownish gray; forehead, lores, nuchal collar, and lower parts white. In summer, a band across fore part of crown, and one across each side of breast (the latter sometimes connected, so as to form a con- tinuous pectoral band), black or dusky. In winter, these black markings replaced by light brownich gray, and the bill almost entirely, or wholly, black. Young, like the winter plumage, but feathers of upper surface with distinctly paler terminal margins. Wing, 4.50-4.80; culmen, .45-50: depth of bill at base, .20-22 ; tarsus, .85-1.00 ; middle toe, .55. OC. meloda. Black pectoral band wholly or partially interrupted in the mid- dle portion. Hab. Atlantic coast of United States. (3. circumcincta. Black pectoral band continuous. Hab. Missouri River region of United States, straggling eastward. b. Bill much longer than the middle toe, very slender, wholly black. 5. JE. alexandrina. Above, light brownish gray; forehead suporciliaries, nuchal collar, and lower parts white. In summer, fore part of the crown, a transverse patch on each side of breast (and sometimes a loral streak), black or dusky; pileum sometimes (especially in adult males) huffy or rufescent. Bill, legs, and feet, black or dusky. CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 29 a. alexandrina. Lores always crossed by a dusky stripe. In summer, pileum brownish gray or dull buff. Wing, 4.40 : eulmen, .r.5-.tj0 ; tarsus, 1.02-1.12; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Europe, etc. fi. nivosa. Lores usually entirely white (never with a continuous or distinct dusky streak). In summer, pileum pale brownish gray or grayish buff. Wing, 4.20-4.30; eulmen, .90; tarsus, .90-1.05; middle toe, .55-. CO. Hab. • estern America ; Yucatan ; Cuba. B. Nape without trace of white or dusky collar. a. Culmen equal lo or longer than the middle toe, the bill slender. 6. JE. mongola. In summer, whole breast and nape clear cinnamon-rufous, and top of head tinged with the same; lores, suborbital region, and auriculars black, the former bordered above by a white line, sometimes meeting over the forehead; chin, throat, foreneck, belly, and crissum pure white; upper parts brownish gray. In winter, the rufous entirely absent ; forehead and lower parts white, the breast crossed by a faint grayish brown bar, darkening into a dusky patch on each side; auriculars and loral streak somewhat dusky. Wing, 5.15- 5.40. Hah. Asia in general, breeding northward; Choris Peninsula, Alaska. JEgialitis semipalmata (Bona)).) SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Popular synonyms. Semipalmated Ring Plover; American Ring Plover-; Ring-neck; Beach Bird. Tringa hiaticula Wilson, Orn. vii, 1813, 65, pi. 59, f. 3 {nee Linn.). Charadrivs hialtcula Obd, ed. Wils. vii, 69. Charadrius semipalmatus Bonap. Comp. List. 1838, 15. JEgialitin semipalmatus Cab. 1856.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 094.— Baied. Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 507.— Coues, Key, 1872, 214; Check Listt 1874, No. 399; 2d ed. 1882, No. 586-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 517. jEgialitis semipalmata B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 154.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 274.-RIDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 176. Hab. North America in general, breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, migrat- ing south in winter throughout the tropical regions, as far as Brazil and Peru. Bermudas; whole of West Indies; Galapagos. "Sp. Char. Small; wing-s long; toes connected at base, especially the outer to the middle toe. Front, throat, ring around the neck, and entire under pars white; a band of deep black across the breast, extending around the back of the neck below the white ring. Band from the base of the bill, under the eye, and wide frontal band above the white band, black Upper parts ashy brown; quills brownish black, with their shafts white in middle portion, and occasionally a lanceolate white spot along the shafts of the shorter pri- maries; shorter tertiaries edged with white; greater coverts tipped with white. Middle feathers of the tail ashy brown, with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and nar- rowly tipped with white; two outer tail feathers white, others intermediate, like the mid- dle, but widely tipped with white. Bill orange-yellow al base, black terminally ; legs pale flesh color. Female similar, bu1 rath r lighter colored. Young with the black replaced by ashy brown, the feathers of the upper parts bordered with paler. Downy young. Above, pale grayish brown, mottled with black; a frontal orescent, broad nuchal collar, and entire lower parts white. "Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 1.75; tail, 2, "Common during the migrations, generally in small flocks. In spring the migrations extend from April 2 tfa bo May 30th, and in Fall from July 3ls1 to the lasl of October. The 2d of .Ink. lsT'l. I obtained several specimens of this Bpecies near Chicago. 30 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. From the condition of the abdomen and ovaries of one speci- men, and the presence of several recently fledged young, I came to the conclusion that they had nested in the vicinity. It is barely possible, however, that these birds were unusually early arrivals from more northern breeding grounds, although the arrivals from the north generally begin about the last of the month. My suspicions that the species either breed in this state, or at no far distant point, were strengthened the following sea- son when several females examined the last of May contained eggs which would have been deposited within a short time." (Nelson.) -ZEgialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw. BELTED PIPING PLOVEE. Popular synonyms. Ringed Piping Plover; White Ring-neck. JEgialitis melodus var. circumcinctus Ridgw. Am. Nat. viii, 1874, 109. JEgialitis meloda var. circumcincta Coues. Check List, 1874, App. p. 133, No. 400rt; Birds N.W. 1874.455. JEgialitis melodus circumcinctus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 520a.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 588. JEgialitis meloda, b. var. circumcincta B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 160. JEgialitis meloda circumcincta A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 277 a.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 178. Hab. Chiefly the Missouri River region, but also contiguous parts of the interior of North America. "Sp. Char. About the size of JE. s em ipalmata; bill short, strong. Adult male: Fore- head, ring around the back of the neck, and entire under parts, white ; a band of black in front above the band of white: band encircling the neck before and behind, black, imme- diately below the ring of white on the neck behind. Head above and upper parts of body light brownish cinereous; rump and upper tail-coverts lighter, and often nearly white ; quills dark brown, with a large portion of their inner webs and shafts white; shorter pri- maries with a large portion of their outer webs white; tail at base white, and with the outer feathers white; middle feathers with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and tipped with white. Bill orange at base, tipped with black; legs orange-yellow. Female: Similar to the male, but with the dark colors lighter and less in extent. Young: No black band in front; collar around the neck ashy brown. "Total length, about 7 inches ; wing, 4.50; tail, 2 inches." ( Water B. N. Am.) "Very common summer resident along the lake shore, breed- ing on the flat, pebbly beach between the sand dunes and shore. Arrives the middle of April and proceeds at once to breeding. "From a specimen shot the 24th of April, 1876, at Wauke- gan, I obtained a perfect egg, and the abdomen of several females obtained the same day exhibited unmistakable signs that they were already breeding, as did, also, the actions of the birds. Some thirty pairs were breeding along the beach at CHARADRIID.E — THE PLOVERS. 31 this place, within a space of two miles, and I afterwards found the birds as numerous at several points along the shore. Every effort was made to discover their nests but without suc- cess, although the birds were continually circling about or standing at a short distance uttering: an occasional note of alarm. The first of July, the year previous, Dr. Velie obtained young but a very few days old at this same locality, showing that there is considerable variation in the time of breeding. This was also shown by specimens obtained the last of May.— which I think were later arrivals than those found breeding; in April, — having- the ova just approaching maturity. "Departs the last of September. The larger portion of the specimens examined show the complete ring of circumcincta, while others exhibit but little more black than in meloda, or have the complete ring of the former indicated by faint I thick lips to the feathers across the breast." (Nelson.) 32 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family SCOLOPACID-ffi.— The Snipe Family. The characters of the family Scolopacidse having been given in sufficient detail on p. 18, in the analysis of the families of Limi- colse, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. The Scolopacidge are among the most widely dispersed of birds, a large propor- tion of the genera being nearly cosmopolitan. They embrace a very great variety of forms, from the diminutive " Peeps" (Actodro)nas and Er&imetes),, smaller than a Sparrow, to the large Curlews, of Ibis-like stature and appearance. The bill may be either straight, bent upward, as in the Avocets (e. g. Limosa and T&rekia), or strongly decurved like a sickle; nar- rowed at the end, or widely expanded into a paddle-shaped form (EurynorhynchMs). The legs may be short and stout (as in Arqtiatella, CaUdris, etc.), or of almost stilt-like length (as in Mlcropalamia, Totem -w, etc.). Between these wide extremes of form, however, there are others possessing characters interme- diate in almost every conceivable degree— so much so as to render it extremely difficult to tabulate the characters of the numerous genera. The following is an attempt at a diagnostic table of the North American genera.* A. Bill longer than the tarsus and middle toe, straight. B. Bill shorter than the tarsus and middle toe, straight or slightly curved (either up or down); wing lengthened, pointed. C. Bill widely expanded laterally at the end. D. Bill much longer than tarsus, decidedly decurved or arched. A. (Scolopacince.) a. Tibiae completely feathered. 1. Scolopax. Outer quill longest, broad, like the others. 2. Philohela. Outer quill shorter than the sixth, the three outer primaries abruptly much narrower than the rest. b. Tibiae partly naked. 3. Gallinago. Toes all cleft to the base. l. Macrorhamphus. A well-developed web between anterior toes, at base. * B. ( Tringince.) a. Feathers of the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all webbed at the base. * There are but two additional genera of this family in South America; viz., Phegomis Gray (type Leptopus mitchelli Fraser), and Iihynchcea. SCOLOPACID .E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 33 5. Micropalama. Bill and legs much elongated, the former much com- pressed, except at end; tarsus twice as long as middle toe; size medium; 6. Ereunetes. Bill and legs moderately elongated, or rather short, the former scarcely, if at all, compressed; tarsus muoh less than twice the middle toe; size small. . Feathers on the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all cleft to the base. §. A well-developed hind toe. 7. Tringa. Tarsus one third its length longer than the middle toe and claw; toes stout, the middle about half as long as the bill; bill stout, straight. Middle pair of rectrices not longer than the rest. Size rather large (wing more than 6. 00) Subgenus Tringa. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw; toes slender, the middle two thirds or three fourths as long as the bill; bill slender, much com- pressed, straight, or very slightly decuxwed at the end; size medium (wing less than 6.00) Subgenus Arquatella. Tarsus about equal to the bill; bill straight, moderately slender; toes slender, the middle one decidedly shorter than the tarsus; size medium to very small Subgenus Actodromas. Bill very long (nearly as long as the tarsus and the middle toe), decid- edly decurved terminally ; toes slender, the middle one decidedly shorter than the tarsus Subgenera Pelidna and Ancylocheilns. §§. No hind toe. 8. Calidris. Size rather small; bill short, straight, expanded at end. Feathers of forehead not reaching to nostril; a web between outer and middle toes at base (between all in Symphemia). 1 . ' Gape not extending back of the culmen . 0. Limosa. Size large (wing 8.00 or more); bill much longer than tarsus, tapering toward the end, where slightly but decidedly upturned, the lateral groove extending nearly to the tip. 1." Gape extending decidedly back of the base of the culmen. 2. ' Lateral groove of the maxilla extending scarcely more than half way to end of bill. .'$. ' Back of tarsus covered with transverse scutelhe, as in front. 10. Totanus. No web between inner and middle toes; size medium to large (but wing always less I ban 8 inches). Middle toe not more than half as long as tarsus Subgenus Totanus. .Midi lie toe nearly as long as tarsus Subgenus Helodromas. 11. Symphemia. A well-developed web between base of inner and middle toes; a large white patch on base of primaries; size large (wing more than 8 Inches). :;." Back of tarsus < overed with small roundish scales. 12. Heteractitis. No web between base of inner and middli toes; size medium (wing less than eight Inches). ■i." Lateral groove of maxilla extending nearly to tip of hill. 13. Pavoncella. Size large (wing 7 inches or more); tail short (less than half the wine), rounded. Adult male with the neck ruffed and anterior por- tion of head bare. II. Bartramia. Size large (wing nearlj ; indie-'; tail lengthened (more than halt the wing), graduated. Adult male without ruff, the anterior pari of the head uormall] feathered. 16. Actitis. Size small (wing less than 1.60); tail rather lengthened (more t ban half the « ing), graduated. Feathers of the forehead reaching to and pai Ing the nostril; an- t. rior toes ail clef! at the b i 34 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 16. Tryngites. Size small (a little lai-ger than Actitis) ; bill small and slender (shorter than the head, about equal to the middle toe), the lateral groove reaching nearly to the tip ; gape reaching back of the culmen ; middle toe more than half as long as the tarsus; inner webs of quills and under primary-coverts beautifully speckled. C. 17. Eurynorhynchus. Size small (among the smallest of the family); bill widely expanded laterally at the end; otherwise, much as in Acto- dromas. D. (Numenince.) 18. Numenius. Size large to very large (wing 7 inches or more) ; bill long (much longer than tarsus), decidedly decurved or arched. Of the above, the following genera are not represented, so far as known, in the bird-fauna of Illinois: Scolopax, embracing the European Woodcock {S. rusticola), which is merely acci- dental in the Atlantic States; Heter actitis, which embraces two species of Wandering Tatler (//. incanus and II brevvpes), belonging to the shores and islands of the Pacific ; and Enryno- rkynchm, including only the remarkable Spoonbill Sandpiper (E. pygmwm) , a bird of eastern Asia, which has occurred accidental- ly in Alaska. Subfamily Scolopacinse. Chae. Bill straight, longer than the tarsus and middle toe ; back of tarsus with a con- tinuous row of transverse scutellae. Ears situated directly underneath the eyes; tip of up- per mandible thickened, with cutting- edges brought near together; plumage the same at all stages and seasons. Genus PHILOHELA Gray. Philohela Gbay, List Genera, 1841, 90. Type, Scolopax minor Gmel. Chab. Body very full, and head, bill, and eyes very large. Tibia short, feathered to joint. Toes cleft to base. Wings short, rounded, the three outer primaries very narrow and much attenuated; the fourth and fifth equal to the longest. Tarsi stout, shorter than the middle toe. Hind claw very short, conical, not extending beyond the toe. Tail of twelve feathers. The present genus, embracing a single species, th a American Woodcock, is much like Scolopax, with the European Woodcock as type, in color and external appearance. The most striking difference is seen in the wings, which are short, rounded; the fourth and fifth primaries longest and the outer three abruptly attenuated; while in Scolopax the wings are long, the first primary longest, and none attenuated. Philohela minor Gmel. AMEBICAN WOODCOCK. Popular synonyms. Bog-sucker; Mud Snipe; Blind Snipe. Scolopax minor Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 661— Wils. Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 40, pi. 48, fig. 2.- Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 474, pi. 268. SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 35 Rusticola (Microptera) minor Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 134. Fhilohela minor Gkat, Genera B. 1841, 90— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1868, 709.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 522 — Coues, Key, 1872, 251, fig. 162; Check List 1874, No. 412; 2d ed. 1882, No. 605: Birds N. W. 1874, 472.— Kidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 525; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 150— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 183— A. O- U. Check List, 1886, No. 228. Microptera americana Aud. Synop. 1839, 250; B. Am. vi, 1843, 15, pi. 352. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, north to the British Provinces and west to Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas; breeding throughout its known range; no extra-limital record, except the Bermudas. Sp. Chae. Bill long, compressed, punctulated near the end; upper mandible longer than the under, and fitted to it at the tip; wings moderate, three outer quills very narrow; tail short; legs moderate; eyes inserted at an unusual distance from the bill. Adult: Occiput with three transverse bands of black, alternating with three much narrower ones of pale yellowish rufous; upper parts of body variegated with pale ashy, rufous, or yellowish red of various shades, and black; large space on front and throat reddish ashy; line from the eye to the bill, and another on the neck below the eye, brownish black; entire under parts pale grayish rufous, brighter on the sides and under wing-coverts. Quills ashy-brown; tail feathers brownish black, tipped with ashy, darker on the upper surface, paler and frequent- ly white on the under; bill light brown, paler and yellowish at base; legs pale brownish. Downy young: General color light reddish buff or isabella- color, uniform on the lower surface. Line from bill to eye, a large, somewhat ehiptical patch covering forehead and fore part of the crown, a patch on the occiput (connected with that on the crown by a nar- row isthmus), and a narrow mark behind the eye, with an oblique one below it, very dark chestnut; broad stripe down the rump, also dark chestnut; stripe down the nape, and vari- ous large blotches on the back, wings, etc., rather light snuff-brown. Total length about 11 inches; wing, 4.80-5.70; tail, 2.25; bill, 2.50 to nearly 3.00; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe, 1.37. The American Woodcock is found throughout the State, in suitable localities, and though known chiefly as a summer res- ident remains throughout the year in well-sheltered places es- pecially in the more southern districts. 'In its habits the Woodcock is nocturnal. It never flies vol- untarily by day only when forced from its retreats, usually keeping in close and sheltered thickets, and resorting at twilight to its favorite feeding-places. It feeds almost exclusively dur- ing the night, as its sight is very imperfect by day. Its eye is remarkably large and handsome, but unfit to bear the glare of the sun, its full and almost amaurotic appearance plainly suggest mg the crepuscular habits of the bird. During tin1 greater portion of the day tin' Woodcock remains closely concealed in marshy thickets or in rank grass, hut in the early morning or evening, and also on moonlight nights it seeks ils food ID open places, bul during i he day-time in dark and druse covert. "The favorite places of resort of this Bpecies are low marshy grounds, sw;iii)|)s, ,ind meadows with soft bottoms. During very wet seasons it seeks higher land— generally corn-fields 36 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. — and searches for food in the soft ploughed ground, where its presence is indicated by the holes made by its bill. In seasons of excessive drought the Woodcock resorts in large numbers to tide-water creeks, and the banks of fresh-water rivers; but so averse is it to an excess of water, that after continued or very heavy rains it has been known suddenly to disappear over widely extended tracts of country." (Brewer.) A curious habit of the Woodcock, and one which is compara- tively little known, is that of carrying its young in order to re- move them from danger. This has been attested by so many reliable observers that there can be little doubt as to its truth. Genus GALLINAGO Leach. Gallinago Leach, Cat. British Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Hcolopax major Linn. Chab. Lower portion of the tibia bare of feathers, scutellate before and behind, reticu- lated laterally, like the tarsi. Nail of hind toe slender, extending beyond the toe. Bill de- pressed at the tip. Middle toe longer than tarsus. Tail with twelve to twenty-six feathers Plumage the same in winter and summer; young like the adult in colors and markings. The more slender body, longer legs, partly naked tibia, and other features, distinguish this genus from Scolopax and PJdlolieia, and the cleft toes from 3facrorhamphus. The species of Gallinago are quite numerous, about fifteen be ing recognized, this number nearly equally divided between Amer- ica and various portions of the Old World. Of the seven Ameri- can species, North America claims but two, the common Wilson's Snipe, or, as it is perhaps more popularly known, the "English Snipe," from its very close resemblance to the Common Snipe of Europe, and the latter species itself, which has been taken in Greenland. With a few exceptions, the various species resemble one another very closely in colors and markings, — in some cases so much so that it is necessary to resort to the rectrices in order to discover tangible points of difference. The single species peculiar to North America has usually six- teen rectrices, of which the outer is not notably narrower than the rest; its nearest relative, the European G. gallinago, has usually but fourteen tail-feathers, of which the outer pair are differently marked from those of G. delicata ; and the several South American species possess from fourteen to eighteen rec- trices, of which the outer pair are very narrow. SCOLOPACIDiE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 37 Gallinago delicata (Ord). WILSON'S SNIPE. Popular synonyms. Englisn Snipe; American Snipe; Gutter Snipe. Scolopax gallinago Wilson. Am. Orn. vi, 1812. 18, pi. 47, f, 1 (nee Linn.). Scolopax wilsoni Temm. PL Col. v, 1824, livr. lxviii (in text).— S\v. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 401.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 185.— AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,322; v, 1839,583, pi. 243; Synop. 1839, 248; B. Am. v, 1842. 339. pi. 350. Gallinago wilsoni Bonap. 1838.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 710— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 523.— Coues, Key, 1872, 2G2; Check List, 1874, No. 414; 2d ed. 1882, No. 608; Birds N. W. 1874. 475.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 18X4, 188. (•'nllinago media wilsoni Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 526. Scolopax drummondi Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii. 1831, 400— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 190.— Aud. Orn. Bios:, v, 1839, 319; Synop. 1839,240; N. Am. vi, 1843, 9. Scolopax douglasii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A, ii, 1831, 400.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 491. Scolopax leucurus Sw. & Rich. 1. c. 501.— Nutt. 1. c, 617. Scolopax delicata Okd, Wils. Orn. ix, 1825. cexviii. Gallinago delicata Ridgw. in A. O. U. Check List. 1886, No. 230; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 150. Hab. The whole of North and Middle America, breeding from northern United States northward, migrating south in winter as far as Colombia and throughout the West Indies; Bermuda; accidental in England. Sp. Chae. Bill long, compressed, flattened and slightly expanded toward the tip, punc- tulated in its terminal half; wings rather long; legs moderate; tail short. Entire upper parts brownish black, every feather spotted and widely edged with light rufous, yellowish brown, or ashy white; back and rump transversely barred and spotted with the same; a brownish white or pale buffy line from the base of the bill over the top of the head. Throat and neck before, dull reddish ashy; wing-feathers marked with dull brownish black; other under parts white, with transverse bars of brownish black on the sides, axillary feathers, under wing-coverts, and under tail-coverts; quills brownish black; outer edge of first pri- mary white; tail glossy, brownish black, widely tipped with bright rufous, paler at the tip, and with a subterminal narrow band of black. Bill brown (greenish gray in life), paler at base and darker toward the end; legs dark brown (light greenish gray In life). Total length, about 10.50 to 11.50 inches; extent, 16.50 to 17.00; wing, 5.00 to 5.60; tail. 2.60; bill, 2.50 to 2.70; tarsus, 1.25. In a very large series of specimens from all parts of the con- tinent north of Panama, no variations are noticeable other than what appear to be of a purely individual character, and these are seldom very pronounced. This well-known bird is abundant, a1 the proper seasons, throughoui the State. In Cook county, according to Mr. Nel- son, it is "abundant during the migration and not n very rare summer resident. Arrives the tirsl of April and nearly .-ill are gone by the first of May. Returns in fall thefirsl of September and departs by the first <>f November. Mr. T. II. Douglas bas obtained its eggs Dear Waukegan, and while there in the spring of L876, I found several pairs during the breeding season, in various portions of the marsh near that place. 38 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. "Morning and evening and throughout cloudy days in the early part of the breeding season the male has a curious habit of mounting high overhead, then descending obliquely for some distance, and as it turns upwards strikes rapidly with its wings, producing a loud whistling sound with each stroke. This ma- noeuvre is repeated again and again, and appears to be per- formed for the same purpose as is the "booming" of the night hawk. Besides this sound the Wilson's Snipe has a peculiar, sharp cry during the season, which is uttered when the bird is disturbed. I first became acquainted with the note in May, 1876, when, while walking along a marshy strip of land, I was sur- prised to hear a loud ka-ka-kdr-ka-ka, uttered with great force and in a rather loud, harsh tone. Turning quickly I was still more astonished to find the author to be one of these birds. It was flying restlessly from post to post along a fence and showed the greatest uneasiness at my presence, the notes being repeated at short intervals. Although its nest was probably near, I could not discover it." Subfamily TRIXsTGINiE. Chab. Ears situated decidedly posterior to the eyes; tip of upper mandible thin, with cutting edges far apart; plumage very different in winter and summer, and young different in color from adult. Genus MACRORHAMPHUS Leach. Macrorhamphus Leach, Cat. Brit. Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Scolopax grisea Gmel. Char. General appearance of Gallinago. Tarsi longer than middle toe ; a short web be- tween the base of outer and middle toes. Plumage very different in winter and summer; young different from the adult. The membrane at the base of the toes will at once distinguish this genus from Gallinago, though there are other characters involved. The two North American species of this genus* are character- ized as follows: Common Characters. About the size of Gallinago delicata, or larger. Bill long, com- pressed, flattened and expanded toward the end, where (in dried specimens) punctulated and corrugated. Shaft of first primary strong, pure white. Axillars, tail-coverts, and lower part of rump, white, barred, or transversely spotted, with slate-color; upper part of rump white, usually immaculate. Tail slaty or dusky, barred with white (or, in summer adult, with pale cinnamon on the middle feathers). Adult in summer: Head, neck, and lower parts light cinnamon (the abdomen sometimes whitish), the foreneck and sides of breast speckled, the sides and crissum barred or speckled with dusky. Upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon, and white, the former prevailing. Adult in ivinter: Belly and anal region white, usually unspotted; rest of the plumage nearly uniform ash-gray, somewhat inter- *A third species, M. semipalmatus Bi.yth, occurs in eastern and southern Asia. It is much larger than its American relatives, and belongs to the subgenus Pseud oscolopax BLTTH. SCOLOPAC1D.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 39 mixed with white on the breast and sides; wing-coverts bordered with whitish; a whitish superciliary stripe. Young, first plumage: Back, scapulars, and tertials, variegated black and light clay-color, the latter chiefly on the edges of the feathers; lower parts dirty white, soiled with dull buff or pale clay color, especially across the breast; jugulum and sides us- ually indistinctly speckled with dusky. Total length, about 10 to 12.50 inches; extent, 17.50 to 20.25; wing, 5.30-6.00(5.73); culmen, 2. 00-3. 00; tarsus 1.25-1. 75 (1.53); middle toe, 90-1.10 (1.00). 1. M. griseus. Wing, 5.22-5.90 (5.65) ; culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.30); tarsus, 1.20-1.55 (1.35 ; middle toe, .90-1.05 (.95).* Adult in summer. Abdomen whitish; breast and sides speckled with dusky. Hab. Eastern Province of North America. 2. M. scolopaceus. Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74) ; culmen. 2.10-3.00 (2.72) ; tarsus, 1.30-1.75 (1.58); mid- dle toe, .95-1.15 (1.01).+ Adult in summer. Abdomen uniform cinnamon, without markings; breast speckled (usually scantily), and sides barred with dusky. Hab. Mississippi Valley and Western Province of North America, from Mexico to Alaska. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.) DOWITCHER. Popular synonyms. Gray Snipe; Gray-back; Dowitch; Driver (Plymouth Bay Mass.). Scolopax griseus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 658. Macrorhamphus griseus Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 31.— Cass, in Band's B. N. Am. 1858,712— Bated, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,No. 524— Coues, Key, 1872, 253; Check List, 1874, No. 415; 2d ed. 1882, No. 609; Birds N. W. 1874, 476— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am B. 1881, No. 527; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 231. Scolopax {Macrorhamphus) grisea Bonap. 1828.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 181. Macrorhamphus griseus, a, griseas B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196. Siolopax noveboracens is Gmel— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 45, pi. 68. fig. 1.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 398— Aud. Orn. Biog.iv, 1838, 388, pi. 399; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. vi, 1843, 10, pi. 351. Hab. Eastern Province of North America (breeding in the region about Hudson's Bay?). Sp. Char. About the size of Gallinago delicata. Shaft of the first primary strong, pure white; axillars, tail-coverts, and lower part of rump white, barred or transversely spotted with slate-color; upper part of rump white, usually immaculate: tail slate-colored or dusky, barred with white, (or, in summer adult, with a pale cinnamon on middle feathers). Adult in summer: Head, neck, and more or less of lower parts, light cinnamon, the abdo- men whitish, breast and sides speckled with dusky, the head and neck streaked with the same; upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon and white, the first prevailing. Winter plumage: Belly and anal region while, usually unmarked ; rest of plumage nearly uniform ash-gray, somewhat mixed with white on breast and sides; a whitish superciliary stripe, and wing-eoverts bordered with white. Young : Back, scapulars, and ten ials, varied with black and light clay-brown, the latter chiefly mi edges of the feathers: lower parts dull whitish, soiled with dull bull' it .day-color, especially across breast, the jugulum and sides usually indistinctly speckled with dusky. "Bill dark olive; iris reddish hazel; feet light yellowish olive; claws black." (Audubon.) Wing. 5.25 5.90 (5.65); culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.S0 : tarsus, 1.20 I middle toe, .90-1.1 Comparatively little is on record respecting (Ik- habits of this s|MM-ics. h is apparently more abundanl along the Atlantic coasl than in the interior, bu1 its presence in Illinois is attested by specimens in fche National Museum collection, received from Mr. II. K. Coale, and collected by him near Chicago. Along the i ttremes and average "f eighteen fully adult specimens. ernes and average of fori v fully adult specimens. 40 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. coast it is known to sportsmen as the Dowitcher, Dowitch, or Gray-back, and in the latter part of summer, when the immense flocks move southward, it is a favorite game bird. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. Popular synonyms. Greater Long-beak; Greater Gray-back; Red-bellied Snipe. Limosa scolopacea Say, Long's Exped. ii, 1823, 170. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus Lawk. Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 4, pi. 1 (Long island).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 712.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 525— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 232.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151. Macrorhamphus griseus var. scolopaceus Coues, Check List, 1874, No. 415a. Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 527a.— Coues. 2d Check List, 1882. No. 610. Macrorhamphus griseus, b, scolopaceus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196. Scolopax longirostris Bell, Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 3. Macrorhamphus griseus (part) Coues, Key, 1872, 253; B. N. W. 1874, 476. Hab. North America in general, but chiefly the western portions of the continent; east to the Mississippi Valley, north to Alaska, and south to South America and the West Indies. Occasional along the Atlantic coast of the United States during migrations. Sp. Chab. Adult in summer: Similar to M. griseus, butabdomen pale cinnamon, like rest of lower parts, and without markings, the breast scantily speckled and the sides barred with dusky. Winter plumage and young: Distinguishable from the corresponding stage s of M. griseus only (?) by larger size. Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74); eulmen, 2.19-3.00 (2.72); tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58); middle toe, .97- 1.15 (1.01). So far as known the habits of this species are essentially the same as those of the M. griseus. We have at present no means of knowing which is the commoner form in Illinois, but in all probability the present one is that which predominates. It is rather a straggler along the Atlantic coast, where, however, many specimens have been taken. Genus MICROPALAMA Baird. Micropalama Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 720. Type, Tringa himantopus Bonap. " Chak. Form slender, the legs very long, the bill long and much compressed, the an- terior toes all webbed at the base. Tarsus nearly twice as long as the middle toe, which is a little shorter than the bare portion of the tibia, this scutellate before and behind, like the tarsus. Bill slender, straight, about equal to the tarsus, greatly compressed, except at the end, which is decidedly expanded laterally. Tail nearly even, but the central and exterior feathers usually perceptibly longer than the rest. Wings long and pointed. "The present genus with a basal membrane to all the anterior toes, as in Erewietes, has this a little more deeply emarginate; the bill and legs much longer; the former more curved. The bare portion of tibia is covered before and behind by transverse scutelhe, like the tarsus. The tail is nearly even, with a double SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 41 emargination. The middle toe is not two thirds the length of the tarsus, and about equal to the bare portion of the tibia. The bill is much pitted at the end in the dry skin. "In many respects this genus approaches the Snipe, and its true place is probably very near Macrorkamphus. The legs, however, are much longer, and equal to the bill, instead of much shorter." ( Water />'. W. Am.) Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.) STILT SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Long-legged Sandpiper; Frost Snipe (coast Connecticut). Tringa himantopus Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ii. 1826. 157.-Sw. &Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 380-Aud. Orn. Biog. ii, 1838, 332, pi. 334; Synop. 1839, 235; B. Am. v. 1842. 271, pi. 334. Tringa [Hemipalama) himantopus Bonap. 1827— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 138. Micropalamalhimantopus Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 726; Cat. N. Am. B . 1859, No. 536- Coues, Key, 1872, 253; Check List, 1874, No. 416; 2d ed. 1882, No. 611; Birds N. W. 1874. 480-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 528; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 152.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 201— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 233. Tringa douglasii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 379, pi. 66. Tringa (Hemipalama) douglasii'SvTE. Man. ii, 1834, 141. Tringa {Hemipalama) andv.boni Nutt. 1. c. 141. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, Middle America, and greater part of South America; breeding north of the United States and visiting the southern localities in winter; Bermudas; West Indies, in generaJ; Brazil; Peru. Not recorded from west of the Rocky Mountains. Sp. Chab. A 'hilt, sum mer plumage: Above, variegated with black, whitish gray, and pale buff, the first prevailing on the back and scapulars; wings rather dark gray, the feathers edged with paler; primaries dusky slate; rump grayish, the feathers with darker centres; upp»u- tail-covers white, the longer ones barred, the anterior ones longitudinally marked, with dusky. Middle tail-feathers light gray, the others varied longitudinally with white and pale gray. Pilcum dusky, streaked with whitish; a dark brown loral stripe, from base of maxilla to the eyes; aurioulars and patch on each side of the occiput. light cinna- mon-rufous. Lower parts dirty white, the throat and jugulum streaked, other portions transversely barred with dusky. Lining of the wing, and axillars, white, the latter slightly marked with gray. Adult in winter: Above, uniform ash-gray, the upper tail-coverts, tail andwingsas in the summer plumage Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the nigulum, sides of neck, and crissum. streak, d with gray. Young: Back and scapulars blackish, all the feathers widely bordered with bully white; the middle of the back tinged with rusty; wing-coverts bordered with pale buff and white; upper tail-QOveite nearly im- maoulate white. Pileum streaked with dusky, pal.' buff, and grayish; nap.' nearly uniform ash-gray. died white, the breast and sides more • ongly suffused with bnff, the jugulum, sides of the i k, and Banks, Indistinctly Btreaked with grayish. "Bill black; bis brown; f".-i dull yellowish green, claws black." (Audi Wingabou oulmen, 1.60-1.76; tarsus.1.50 L.75; mm ^k85. We have no data a1 hand regarding the abundance of this species in Illinois, i.nt it is in all probability ;i more or less common migranl . "It moves in c pad Hocks, and often when aboul to alight, or after being disturbed, it inclines the body to either side, showing -«; 42 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. alternately the upper and the lower parts. On foot it moves more like a Curlew than a Tringa, and is more sedate in its motions than the true Sandpiper. At timesMon being approached, it will squat on the ground after the manner of the Esquimaux Curlew. Its flesh is said to be extremely delicate. In the stomachs of those he killed he [Audubon] found small worms, minute shell-fish, and vegetable substances, among which were hard seeds of some unknown plant. He found great differences in the color of the plumage of those he killed. He adds that its passage through the United States is very rapid, both in spring and in autumn. A few are said to spend the winter in lower Louisiana, but nearly all pass on southward beyond Texas." Genus TRINGA Linn^cus. Subgenus Tringa. Tringa Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 148; ed. 12, 1766, 247. Type, T. canutus Linn. Chab. Body robust; bill and legs short, the former straight, widened terminally, and scarcely longer than the head; tarsus about equal to the bill; or a little shorter; middle toe about two-thirds the tarsus. Wings long and pointed, reaching beyond the end of the tail. The above characters separate at once this subgenus from Arquatella, the one most nearly related, bufc which has the bill much more compressed, slightly but decidedly decurved toward the end, and much longer than the tarsus; the latter scarcely, if any, longer than the middle toe; the wings shorter, etc. The single species, T. canutus, is the largest of American Sand- pipers. Tringa canutus (Linn.) KNOT. Popular synonyms. Robin Snipe ; Knot Sandpiper; Red-breast(adult) ; Gray-back (young). Tringa canutus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12, 1766, 251— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 715.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 526— Coues, Key, 1872, 256; Check List, 1874. No. 426 ; 2d ed. 1882, No. 626 ; Birds N. W. 1874, 490-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, 529 ; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 211— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 234. Tringa cinerea Bkunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 53.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 36, pi. 57, fig. 2.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 387.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 125. Tringa islandica Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 682.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 130, pi. 315; Synop. 1839, 232; B. Am. v, 1842, 254, pi. 328. Tringa rufa Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 43, pi. 57, fig. 5. Hab. Chiefly northern portion of the northern hemisphere, but occasionally visiting the southern hemisphere during winter migration; chiefly littoral, but occurring also on the larger inland waters. Brazil; Australia; New Zealand. SCOLOPACTD^E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 43 Sp. Chae. Largest of American Sandpipers (Tringince). Bill straight, rather longer than the head, widened terminally, slightly compressed basally; tarsus about equal to the bill, or a little longer; middle toe about two thirds the tarsus; toes flattened beneath, with a rather wide lateral margin; lower third of the tibia bare, but the tips of the feathers reach- ing to the joint. Wings long and pointed, extending beyond the tail, which is short, and slightly graduated. Adult in summer: Above, mixed black, light gray, and pale rusty' these colors varying in relative extent with the individual, but the grayish usually prevail- ing; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with narrow bars and spots of blackish. Lower parts, and a distinct superciliary stripe, uniform vinaceous-rufous, or pinkish cinnamon, paler on the middle of abdomen; crissum, flanks, axillars, and lining of the wing white, usually with spots and bars of dusky. Primaries dusky, with white shafts; tail-feathers plain grayish, edged with whitish, and sometimes with a sub-edging of dusky. Young: Above light ash-gray, darker on the back, each feather bordered with whitish and marked with a sub-edging of dusky: upper tail-coverts white, marked with dusky crescents. Lower parts whitish (nearly pure white on the abdomen), the neck and breast marked with streaks and flecks of dusky, the sides with dim crescentic and irregular spots of the same. An in- distinct whitish superciliary stripe. "Bill and feet black; iris dark hazel" (Audubon). Total length, about 10 inches; wing, 6.50; tail, 2.50; bill, from gape, 1.50; tarsus, 1.25. Adult specimens vary individually in the relative extent of the black, gray, and reddish colors on the upper parts; gray usu- ally predominates in the spring, the black in midsummer. Sometimes there is no rufous whatever on the upper surface. The cinnamon-color of the lower parts also varies in intensity. So far as known, the occurrence of the Knot in Illinois is con- fined to the shores of Lake Michigan, but it no doubt some- times visits the shores of the larger rivers. Mr. Nelson says: "This is another of the so-called 'maritime species' which regularly visits its breeding grounds by way of the Great Lakes, as well as along the coast. It is not a common but a regular migrant, passing north during May. It returns early in September and remains until October. I have never observed it away from the vicinity of the lake shore, where it is generally found in company with one or two others of the same family" Subgenus Arquatella Baird. Arnuatella Baird, B. N. Am. 18.vs, 717. Typo, Trihga maritima Hkunn. Chab. Form very compact or robust, the legs espivially. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe, with olaw, the latter two thirds to three fourths as long as the t>ill. whioh Is slender, much compressed, straight, or very slightly decurved at th medium (wing loss than 6 indies). Although three species of this subgenus belong to North America, only one of them is known to visit the eastern United Stub's, ilif other two oeeiining iu the extreme northwest, one of them, (.1. ptiloonemis Coues), confined mainly to the Prybilov [slands. 44 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Tringa maritima Brunn. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Winter Snipe (Maine); Rock Snipe. Tringa maritima Beunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 54.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 382.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 115— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 558, pi. 284; Synop. 1839, 233; B. Am. v, 1842, 261, pi. 330.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 717— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 628.— Coues, Key, 1872. 255; Check List, 1877, No. 423; B. N. W. 1874, 488— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 235— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153. Arquatella maritima Ridgw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, July, 1880, 162; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 530— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 620.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 217. Hab. Northeastern portions of North America, breeding in the high north, and migrat- ing southward in winter to the Middle States, the Great Lakes, and shores of the larger streams in the Mississippi Valley. Bermudas? Also, the northern portion of the Paloe- arctic Region. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Above, dusky slate, the scapulars and inter- scapulars nearly black, and faintly glossed, the edge of each feather notched or indented with ochraceous or dull buff, the terminal portion bordered with dull white or pale buff; rump, upper tail-coverts, and middle tail-feathers glossy dusky-black, the feathers of the rump sometimes faintly bordered with grayish; remaining rectrices uniform grayish, with white shafts, the shade of gray becoming gradually lighter to the exterior feather. Lesser and middle wing- coverts bordered terminally with grayish white or pale ash; greater cov- erts tipped with pure white, forming a distinct bar across the wing; secondaries narrowly tipped with white and faintly edged with light ashy, the three or four feathers adjoining the tertials mostly white; primaries with white shafts, the inner quills edged, especially toward the base, with white. Pileum dusky, streaked with pale grayish buff (these streaks some- times nearly obsolete); a conspicuous superciliary stripe of grayish white, streaked with dusky; a broad grayish dusky streaked stripe across the lores, from the bill to and beneath the eye, and continued rather indistinctly across the auriculars ; cheeks, lower part of throat, and foreneck grayish white, streaked with grayish dusky; chin, and sometimes upper part of throat, unstreaked white; jugulum similarly but more broadly streaked; breast grayish white or pale ashy, irregularly spotted with dusky, these spots occupying chiefly the cen- tral portion of each feather; remaining lower part white, the sides irregularly streaked and spotted with grayish; crissum narrowly streaked with dusky; axillars and lining of the wing pure white, the latter bordered externally with grayish. "Bill brown, yellow at base; tarsi and toes dusky yellow; iris brown." (Kumlien, MS.) [Bill and legs dusky in dried skins.*] Winter dress: Above, uniform smoky plumbeous, the scapulars, interscapulars, rump feathers, and upper tail-coverts, darker centrally, where glossed with purple; wings and tail as in the summer plumage. Head and neck uniform smoky plumbeous, darker immediately before the eye, and, to a less extent, on the crown; the chin and upper part of throat, lower eyelid, and supraloral space, white; jugulum and breast light smoky plum- beous, squamated with white; remaining lower parts white, the sides broadly streaked with light brownish gray ; crissum with narrow mesial streaks of dusky. Young, first plumage: Above, quite, similar to the breeding adult, but the dorsal feathers lacking the lateral ochra- ceous indentations, and the light borders to the feathers rather more regular, and more creamy in tint, the light borders to the wing-coverts also broader, and pale grayish buff instead of white or pale ashy; nape and cheeks uniform smoky plumbeous; lower parts much as in the summer adult. Downy young: Above, brown, lighter and more gray- ish on the nape; the brown irregularly marbled with black; the wings, back, and rump thickly bespangled with whitish downy flecks on the tips of the down-tufts. Head pale fulvous, variously marked with black, the crown deep brown, variegated with black. Beneath, entirely grayish white. Total length, about 9 inches ; wing, 4.85-5.40(5.06); culmen, 1.10-1.45 (1.20); tarsus, .90-1.00 (.99); middle toe, .83-95 (.90). [Extreme and average dimensions of 13 adults.] * Audubon says: "Bill deep orange, toward the end dusky; edges of eyelids gray; iris orange ; feet light orange, claws dusky." SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 45 This is another of the "maritime," or, more properly littoral, species, which visits the shore of Lake Michigan, in Illinois. Mr. Nelson says that it is a "very rare migrant during migra- tions," and that "a fine adult male obtained on the Lake shore, near Chicago, November 7th, 1871, is in the collection of Dr. J. W. Velie. When first seen it was in company with a flock of Sanderlings." "This," adds Mr. Nelson, "is the only instance of the occurrence of this species of which I have learned." Subgenus Actodromas Kaup. Actodromas Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 37. Type, Tringa minuta Leisl. Heteropygia Coues, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 191. Type, Tringa bonapartei ScHLEG.= r fuscicollis VlEILL. Leimonites Kaup, 1. e. Type, Tringa temmincki Leisl. Delopygia Coues, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 190 {—Heteropygia). Chak. Size medium to very small (smallest of the family) ; form graceful, legs and bill slender, the latter straight, and little, if any, longer than the tarsus. Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe with its claw; toes slender, completely cleft. Wings long and pointed, then- ends when closed reaching beyond the tip of the tail. Although the species of this subgenus vary greatly in size, they all agree very closely in the details of structure. Besides the American species included in the following synoptical table, there are several Old World Actodromi, among which may be named Tringa mvrmta Leisl,, T. dafnacensis (Hobsf.)*, and /'. albescens, Tem.m., all nearly allied to, though quite distincl from, our A. mwmtilla. The American species may be distin- guished as follows : A. Size large (wing more than 5.50). 1. A. cooperi. Tail even, the middle feathers scarcely narrowed at the end. and not projecting notably beyond the rest. Lower parts white, the jugulum, breast, and Bides longitudinally decked with dusky. Above (in adult), brownish gray, the feathers marked centrally with black, producing conspicuous spots on th< and scapulars, streaks elsewhere. Upper tail-coverts white with irregular sagit- tate marks of dusky. Wing, 5.80; culmen. 1.25; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .80. Eab. Long Island. B. Size medium (wing less than 5.50 and more than • .00). 2. A. fuscicollis. Tail as in A. cooperi, but middle feathers slightly narrower at end and more projecting. Colors of adult as in .1. cooperi, but more tinged with lik'ht rufous on crown, back, and scapulars. Young: Back and scapulars mixed black and rusty, the feathers conspicuously bordered terminally with white; upper tail- i-ts white, In marked contrast with the dusky rump; breasl light grayish- brown, Btreaked with dusky. Wing about 1.90; culmen, .90 i 00; tarsus, .96 i 00; middle toe, .;n .;:.. Huh. Eastern North America; South America in migrations. A. bairdii. Tail a- in .1 . fuse u ■<> - i pper tail-coverts dusky, only the lateral whitish. Adult in summer: Back and scapulars black, irregularly rati (spotted and edged! with dull buff. Jugulum white, streaked with dusky. •This species has been taken in Alaska since the above was written. 46 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. in winter: Above nearly uniform grayish brown, tinged with clay-color ; jugulum and sides deeply suffused with clay-color or dirty buff, the former very indistinctly streaked. Young: Above, light buffy brown, streaked with dusky, the feathers of the back and the scapulars blackish, conspicuously bordered terminally with dull white; wing-coverts dark grayish, also bordered terminally with white or light buff. Jugulum suffused with buff and indistinctly streaked. Wing, about 4.75- 5.00; culmen, about .90; tarsus, .90; middle toe, .70. Hab. Western America, from the arctic regions to Patagonia; straggler in eastern North America. 4. A. maculata. Middle tail-feathers wedge-shaped at the end and projecting a quarter of an inch or more beyond the rest. Upper tail-coverts dusky, like the rump, the outer feathers whitish, marked with dusky. Jugulum and breast light clay-color, streaked with dusky. Adult: Above, without white markings. Young: Scapulars bordered terminally with white. Wing, about 5.00; culmen.1.10; tarsus 1.00-1.10; middle toe, .90. Hab. America in general, breeding in the arctic regions. 5. A. acuminata. Similar to A. maculata, but with the middle tail-feathers still nar- rower and more pointed, the bill smaller, the jugulum and breast scarcely streaked; lower tail-coverts marked with shaft-streaks of dusky (entirely absent in maculata); pileum deep rusty, in strong contrast. Adult in winter: Upper parts brownish gray, the feathers marked centrally with blackish; jugulum and breast pale grayish buff, very sparsely streaked; pileum cinnamon-brown streaked with blackish. Young: Above, rusty fulvous, the feathers of the back and the scapulars black centrally, the larger feathers edged terminally with white; pileum bright rusty rufous, in very sharp contrast with a whitish superciliary stripe, and streaked with black ; throat immaculate white; jugulum and breast deep rusty ochraceous, the former narrowly streaked anteriorly. Wing, about 5.00; culmen scarcely 1.00; tarsus, 1.20 ; middle toe, .85. Hab. Australia, etc.; abundant in autumn on coast of Alaska. C. Size very small (wing less than 4.00). 6. A, minutilla. Middle tail-feathers slightly projecting, narrow and somewhat pointed at end in summer, broader and rounder in winter plumage. Upper tail- coverts blackish, the lateral ones white, marked with dusky. Adult in summer: Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered and irregularly barred with rusty ochraceous; tertials bordered with the same. Jugulum dull white, streaked with dusky. Adult in winter: Above uniform brownish gray, the feathers with indistinct dusky mesial streaks, most distinct on the back. Jugulum pale grayish indistinctly streaked. Young: Similar to the adult in summer, but the scapulars and exterior feathers of the back bordered terminally on outer webs with white and lacking the concealed ochraceous bars. Jugulum very indistinctly streaked as in the winter plumage. Hab. North America, migrating into South America in winter. Tringa maculata Vieill. PECTORAL SANDPIPEK. Popular synonyms. Jack Snipe; Grass Snipe; Marsh Plover; Meadow Snipe; Creaker. Tringa maculata Viell. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv,' 1819, 465.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 720.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1850, No. 531— Coues, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No. 420; B. N. W. 1874, 486.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 239,-Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 156. A ctodromas maculata Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. 1861, 179, 230; Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No. 616.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 534.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 232. Tringa pectoralis Say, Long's Exp. i, 1823, 171.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 111.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 601; v, 1839, 582, pi, 294; Synop. 1839, 232; B. Am. v, 1842, 259, pi. 329. EM OLOPA< ID.E— THE SNIPE FAMIEY. -4-7 Hab. The whole of North and the greater part of South America, ranging south in winter to southern Brazil and Chili; "West Indies in general; Bermudas; frequent in Europe ; North China? (Swixh. Ibis, 1863, 97.) Sp. Chae. Adult in summer: Above, light clay-color, the crown, back, scapulars, and tertials washed with light rufous or rusty orchraceous ; the feathers black centrally, pro- ducing conspicuous streaks, which widen into spots on the scapulars and back; rump and middle upper tail-coverts brownish black; lateral upper tail-coverts white, with dusky shaft- streaks. Middle tail-feathers dusky, edged with lighter; other rectrices pale brown- ish gray, bordered with white. Wing-coverts light grayish brown, with paler borders and darker centres; a light superciliary stripe, and a darker loral one. Cheeks, sides of the neck, whole jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color or light grayish buff, streaked with d\ - sides sparsely streaked. Remaining lower parts immaculate white. "Basal half of bill dull greenish yellow." (Nelson, MS.) Adult in -imilar to summer plumage, but the rusty tint above almost or wholly absent, and the black markings less sharply defined. Young, first plumage: Quite similar to the summer adult, but the scapulars and outer interscapulars conspicuously tipped externally with white, the breast, etc., more distinctly buff, and rather more narrowly streaked. Total length, about 9.00 inches; wing, about 5.00; eulmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1,00-1.10; middle toe. .90. This .veil-known Sandpiper is one of the most abundant spe- cies of its family during- its migrations. In the northeastern portion of the State, it i.-. says Mr. Nelson, a very abundant migrant, "sometimes uniting into large flocks containing - eral hundred, and frequenting wet prairies or marsh'-.-. At other times it can only be found singly, scattered over the same ter- ritory. March 25th to May 10th. and the middle of Septem- ber to the first of November. A few remain through the sum- mer, but whether they breed or not I have been unable to decide."' Tringa fuscicollis Vieill. BONAPAETES SANDPIPER. Popular synonym. White-tail Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.). Tringa Vieill. Nouv. Diet. xxxiv, 1819,461.— Coces, B.N. W A. <>. U. Check List, 1886, No. 240.— Redgw. Man. N. Am B. lv«7. 1". >Uis Redgw. Nom. N. Am. I; Am. i,1884. 227. sap. Synop. Lm.Orn.iv n'utt. Man. li, 1831. 109.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. il, ; B. Am. v. 1812, 275. p Tring v. Crit. Oi- in Baird's B. N. Am. part).— Baikd. Cat. N. Am. B. 1- I . - •.']. H«. thw&rd; in winter, th^ wh< viand Islar _• onti Ik contrail-. 48 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. scapulars, streak-like elsewhere, the streaks broadest on the crown and back; rump dusky blackish, the feathers bordered with light gray; upper tail-coverts pure white, in marked contrast, some of the feathers having irregular sagittate, mostly concealed, spots of dusky. Tail brownish gray, the middle feathers blackish, and all slightly edged with whitish. Wing-coverts and tertials brownish gray, lighter on edges and dusky centrally, the shafts nearly black., Superciliary stripe and entire lower parts pure white; auriculars light buff, indistinctly streaked: sides of head and neck, foreneck, jugulum, and upper part of breast, streaked or dashed with dusky ; sides and flanks with larger irregular markings of the same. Adult in winter: Wings, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail as in summer plumage ; rest of upper parts continuous brownish gray, relieved by rather indistinct mesial stieaks of black ; streaks on jugulum, etc., less sharply defined than in the summer plumage. Young, first plumage : Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered terminally with pure white, and laterally with ferruginous, those of the middle of the back also tipped with this color; feathers of the pileum and rump, as well as the tertials, also' bordered with rusty ; wing-coverts bordered with pale grayish buff. Otherwise as in the winter plumage, but breast, jugulum, etc., suffused with pale fulvous. Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 4.90; culmen, .90-1.00; middle toe, .70-75. Specimens from South America are exactly like northern ones, among which there is the usual amount of individual variation. In midsummer the black of the back and scapulars increases in relative extent, partly by the wearing away of the rusty borders to the feathers, until, in some examples, the dorsal aspect is chiefly black. The habits of this species are, so far as known, so much like those of the Pectoral Sandpiper that we shall not enter into detail concerning them. It is comparatively a rare species in Illinois, Mr. Nelson referring to it as follows: "Rather uncom- mon migrant. Dr. Hoy writes 'that it was formerly abundant during the migrations, but is now rare,' (at Racine). June 9th, 1876, 1 obtained one specimen and saw quite a number of others upon the Lake shore near Waukegan. Mr. R. P. Clarke informs me that he has taken it late in autumn upon the Lake shore near Chicago." Tringa bairdii (Coues). BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Actodromas bairdii Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 194; Check List, 2d ed. 1882^ No. 615— Ridgw. Norn. Am. B. 1881, No. 537— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 230. Tringa bairdii Scl. P. Z. S. 1867, 332 (Chili).— Coues, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No. 419; Birds N. W. 1874, 484— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 241— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 157. Hab. America in general, but chiefly the interior of the northern and western portion of the southern continent ; ranging from Alaska to Chili and Argentine Republic ; rare in the Eastern Province, and not yet recorded from the Pacific coast of the United States; acci- dental in southern Africa. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 49 Sp. Chak. Adult in summer: Above, variegated with black and grayish buff, the former prevailing, in the form of irregular, somewhat diamond- shaped spots on the back and scapulars, the buff occupying most of the border of the feathers, and sending indentations toward the shaft; elsewhere, the black forms distinct streaks, widest on the crown and anterior part of the back; rump and upper tail-coverts dusky brownish black, feathers bor- dered with dull clay-color, the anterior ones of the latter chiefly white, with irregular U-shaped markings of dusky. Tail light brownish gray, the middle feather nearly black, all narrowly edged with whitish. Wing-coverts and tertials grayish brown, with lighter edges and darker centres ; remiges dull slate. Lower parts white, the sides of the head and neck, the jugulum, and anterior portion of the sides, streaked with dusky. Adult in winter: Above, continuous grayish clay-color, the feathers with darker mesial streaks: rump and middle upper tail-coverts dusky, the feather* bordered terminally with dull clay- color; lateral upper tail-coverts brownish white, Beneath, brownish white, the jugulum, breast, sides (anteriorly), and sides of the neck, deeply suffused with clay-color or buff. Young, first plumage: Above, grayish clay-color, the scapulars and interscapulars black- ish centrally, and conspicuously bordered with whitish terminally; the feathers of the crown and nape streaked with dusky. Wing-coverts, rump, etc., much as in the winter plumage ; sides of the head and neck, the jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color, rather indis- tinctly streaked with dusky. Other lower parts white. Total length, about 7.00 to 7.50 inches; extent, about 15.00; wing, about 4.75; culmen, usually less than 1.00 inch; tarsus, nearly 1.00; middle toe, about .70. Bill black; iris dark brown; legs and feet slate-black. This species, like Bonaparte's Sandpiper, is one of the less abundant of the Limicohe in Illinois. Mr. Nelson says that it is "a rather uncommon migrant during the middle of May, and the last of August and first of September. It is generally found in small parties or singly, with other species of Sandpipers, but it sometimes occurs in large flocks." Tringa minutilla Yieill. LEAST SANDPIPER Popular synonyms. Peep ; Ox-eyo ; Bumble-bee ; Wilson's Sandpiper. Tringa minutilla Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 452.-Coues. Key, 1872. 254; Check List, 1874.No. lis; B. N. W. 1874. 482.-A. 0. U. Check List. 1886. No. 2I2.-Ridg\v. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 158. Actodromas minutilla Bonap. 1856.-Bn>aw. Norn. N. Am, B. 1881. No. 53*.-Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882. No. 6I4.-B. B. & K. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 236. Tringa pusilla Wn.s. Am. Orn. v, 1813, 32. pi. 37. f. 4 (nee Lnra.).-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. U. 1831.386.— Aud. Orn. JJiot,'. iv, is:w. iso.pl. 32"; Svnop. 1839. 237; B. \m v. 1842 280 pi. 337. Tringa wilaonii Hutt. Man. ii, 1834, 121.-Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 7H.-Baibd Cat. N. Am. B. 1869, No. 532. Hah. The whole of America, but breeding (so far as known! only north of the United Bp.Ohab. Adult, summer plum t and scapulars black, the feathers bordered and somewhat barred (not continuously, and mostly beneath the surface) with ru oeous, the tips ofsoi tthe feathers often whitish; rump and middle upp b™"™°W lateral upper tail-ooverts white, with wedge-shaped markings of grayish; aUddletail-fi dusky, with paler edges; other reotrloes light brownish gray with 50 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. white shafts. Crown light grayish fulvous or oohraceous. heavily streaked with black; wing-coverts brownish gray, with darker centres and paler edges, the shafts blackish; ter- tials edged with ochraceous ; primaries dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a darker one on side of the head; neck and jugulum very pale grayish fulvous or fulvous-ashy streaked with dusky; sides and crissum narrowly streaked; other lower parts immaculate white. Adult in winter: Above, rather dark brownish-gray, the feathers with indistinctly darker centers; rump, etc., as in summer plumage. Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the jugulum light ashy, indistinctly streaked. Young, first plumage: Very similar to the summer plumage of the adult, but many of the scapulars and interscapulars tipped with white, these feathers without any bars; wing-coverts bordered with ochraceous. Jugulum suffused with pale fulvous, and indistinctly streaked.* Total length, about 5.50 to 6.50 inches; extent 11 to 11.50; wing, about 3.50 to nearly 4; culmen, about .75 to .92; tarsus, .75; middle toe, .60. Bill dull black; iris dark brown; legs and toes dusky. This abundant and extensively diffused little species resembles very closely, both in its small size and in its colors, at all sea- sons, the equally common and widely distributed Semipalmated Sandpiper {Ereunetes puslUus). It may be immediately distin- guished, however, by the completely cleft toes, the other species having all the anterior toes webbed at the base. Little need be said about the habits of so common a bird as the present species, especially since it so much resembles its con- geners in this respect. Mr. Nelson refers to its occurrence in Cook county as follows: "Common migrant. Not so numerous as the preceding [_E/reu- netes pusilhis]. Arrives the 1st of May and remains until the last of the month ; returns with the preceding. The 5th of June, 1875, I found one of these birds building its nest near the Calumet Eiver. When first observed it was busily at work in the midst of a small bunch of grass, but upon my approach it ran a few feet to one side and watched my movements. The nest was nearly finished, and was a shallow depression in the center of the tuft of grass, formed by the bird, which had just commenced lining it with small straws. Unfortunately work was not resumed upon the nest after my visit, but the birds were noticed several times in the vicinity, and they probably had a nest in some safer spot. Several Least Sandpipers were ob- served near Waukegan, the first of July, 1875, by Mr. Rice, who is certain they had nested in the vicinity." ♦Some young specimens in the collection, apparently of the same age and almost cer- tainly the same species, differ very strikingly from the above description in the less amount or total absence of rufous above, the feathers having merely narrow ochraceous borders, and scarcely any white on the ends of the feathers; the whole plumage being thus very much duller. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 51 Subgenus Pelidna Cuvier. Pelidna Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817. 490; ed. 2, 1829, 526. Type, Tringa alpina Linn. Char. Bill slender, longer than the head, deep through the base, compressed, scarcely or not at all expanded at the tip, and decidedly decurved terminally. Tarsus shorter than the bill, longer than the middle toe. Wings reaching beyond end of tail. The subgenus Pelidna includes two well-known Sandpipers, botli of which are common to North America and Europe, although one of them, the Curlew Sandpiper, P. ferruginea, can scarcely be considered as more than a straggler here. The other is repre- sented in the two continents by distinguishable races. The char- acters of the species and races of Pelidna are as follows: 1. T. alpina. Upper tail-coverts dusky. Adult in summer: Belly black, other lower parts whitish. Winter plumage: No black beneath; above, uniform brownish gray. Young: Belly and breast spotted with black. a. alpina. Wing, 4.30-4.75; culmen, 1.15-1.40; tarsus, .85-1.00; middle toe, .70-.75. Hab. Europe, etc. ft. pacifica. Wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75; tarsus, 1.00-1.15; middle toe, .7H-.75. Hab. North America and Eastern Asia. 2. T. ferruginea. Upper tail-coverts white. Adult in summer: Beneath, including belly, doep cinnamon- rufou . Winter plumage: Beneath, white, indistinctly streaked on the jugulum; above, brownish gray. Young: Belly and breast unspofte:! Y Palaearctic Region; occasional in northern and eastern North America. Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues). RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); American Dunlin. Tringa alpina Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 25, pi. 56, fig. 2 {nee Linn.).— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii. 1831, 383.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 106.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 580, pi. 290. Synop. 1839, 234; B. Am. v, 1842,266. Tringa cinclus Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 39, pi. 57, fig. 3 (nee Linn.). Tringa alpina var. amerioana Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 719.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B, 1859, No. 530.— Coues, Key. 1872, 256; Check List. 1874, 424; Birds N. W. 1874, 489. Pelidna alpina americana Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1881. 200; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 539a.— Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 624. Pelidna pacifica Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 189 (in text). Tringa alpina pacifica Ridgw. in A. O. U. Check List. 1886.JNO. 243«; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 160. Pelidna alpina, (i. pacifica B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 242, Hab. North America in general; breeding far northward; eastern Asia. Sp. Char. Adult in summer: Grown, back, scapulars, romp, and upper tail-ooverts, Hunt rufous, tin: crown streaked, other parts spotted with black; wing-coverts brownish gray, the greater broadrj tipped with whit'-. pt crown), neck, jugulum. and breast, grayish white, streaked with dusky; abdomen black; sides, flanks, anal region, tun, and lining of the wing, pure white, the Bides, flanks, and orlssum aparsely aked Adult and young in winter: above, entirely plain ash-gray, sometimes with Indistinct dusky shaft-etreaks; Indistinct Buperolliary Btripe and lower part- white. 52 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the neck and jugulum indistinctly streaked with grayish, the sides, flanks, and crissum sometimes sparsely streaked. Young: Back and scapulars black, the feathers broadly bordered with rusty ochraceous, this becoming paler, or even white, on the ends of some of the feathers; lesser and middle- wing coverts bordered with buff; rump plain brownish slate; upper tail-coverts darker, tipped with rusty; crown light rusty, streaked with black. Head and neck (except crown and throat) dull dingy buff indistinctly streaked with dusky; remaining lower parts, including throat, white, the breast and belly with numerous irreg- ularly cordate spots of black, the flanks, crissum, and lining of the wing immaculate. "Bill and feet black ; iris dark brown." (Audubon.) Total length about 8.50 inches; wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75 tarsus, 1.00-1.15: middle toe, .70-.80. There is a considerable amount of individual variation in this species, especially noticeable in the extent and continuity of the black abdominal area, the distinctness of the black markings above, and the depth of the rufous tint; not unfrequently the latter is mixed with grayish. In the winter plumage some ex- amples have the sides and crissum narrowly streaked, while in others these parts are immaculate. The Red-backed Sandpiper is an abundant species during the spring and fall migrations. Mr. Nelson records it as "a very abundant migrant" in Cook county, and says that it "arrives in full breeding plumage the last of May, and is found about muddy pools and flats near the Lake until the 5th of June. Returning in winter dress during September it remains well into October. At this season it is generally found in small parties, while in spring the flocks often contain hundreds of individuals." Genus EREUNETES Illiger. Ereunetes Illiger, Prodromus, 1811, 262. Type, E. petriftcatus Illig.,= Tringa inisilla Linn. Chae. Size small; anterior toes webbed at the base; a well-developed hind toe. Bill about as long as or a little longer than the head, straight, somewhat expanded at the end, about as long as the tarsus; middle toe more than half as long as the tarsus; bare portion of tibia nearly equal to the middle toe. The bill of Ereunetes is quite stout and considerably expanded, by which it is really distinguished from Tringa mvrmtilla inde- pendently of the semipalmated feet. The tarsus and middle toe are about equal; the tibia denuded anteriorly for about two thirds the length of tarsus. The basal membrane of toes is more scalloped out interiorly than exteriorly; the notch exter- nally not quite as deep as to the first joint, although the SCOLOPACIDiE— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 53 membrane extends beyond the second. There is a tendency to hexagonal subdivision in the bare portion of tibiae anteriorly. The tail is doubly emarginate. Two species are known, the common Semipalmated Sand- piper or "Peep," and a northwestern relative. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.) SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Peep; Ox-eye; Bumble-bee. Tringa pusilla Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 252. Ereunetes pusillus Cass. Proe. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. xiii, 1860, 195.— CouES.Key, 1872, 254; Check List, 1874, No. 417; 2d ed. 1880, No. 612; Birds N. W. 1874, 481 (part).- Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 541; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 161.— A. O. U. Cheek List. 1886. No. 246. Ereunetes pusillus, a, pusillus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205. Ereunetes petrificatus Illig. Prodr. 1811, 262 (Bahia).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 724 (part).— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 535. Tringa semipalmata Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 131, pi. 63, flg. 3.-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 381.— Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 111, pi. 408; Synop. 1839, 236; B. Am. v, 1842, 277. pi. 336. Tringa (Eeteropoda) semipalmata Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 136. Hab. The whole of North and Middle, and a considerable portion of South America; throughout the West Indies, Bermuda; south to Colombia and Brazil; breeding chiefly, if not exclusively, north of the United States. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Uppersurface light grayish brown, the sides ofthe pileum and edges of some of the scapulars and interscapulars tinged with pale buff y cinna- mon, but this sometimes almost wholly absent ; pileum heavily streaked, and dorsal region heavily spotted with black, the latter color occupying the central portion of each feather. A streaked white superciliary stripe, and dusky loral space, the latter usually very dis- tinctly denned along its upper edge, the lower part broken into streaks, which extend back- ward across the cheeks; auriculars streaked grayish brown. Lower parts pure white, the jugulum and breast tinged with ashy and streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above brownish gray, relieved by dusky shaft- streaks; superciliary stripe and lower parts pure white, the jugulum faintly streaked. Young: Similar to the summer adult, but jugulum tinged with pale grayish buff, and without well-defined streaks or spots, the scapulars and interscapulars bordered terminally with white, and the brown usually less rusty. Downy young: Forehead dingy white, divided by a mesial line of black; crown light chestnut, marbled posteriorly with black and white; occiput mottled whitish. A distinct loral line of black, forking just before the eye, the upper branch running toward the anterior corner of the eye, the other inclining downward. Throat fulvous- white; other lower parts whitish, nearly pure on the abdomen. Upper parts pale fulvous-brown laterally, blank centrally, the whole surface thickly bespangled with one white tufts, terminating the down-filaments. Wing, 3,50-4.00(3.88); culmen, .68-.92 (.77); tarsus, .80-. 95 (.86); middle toe. .65-.6S (.61). [Eighteen summer adults measured, i This is perhaps the mosl abundanl of bhe Sandpipers during the migrations, when several hundred may sometimes be seen in a single flock. Its habits are so much like those of other species that no special description is required. 54 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. WESTERN SANDPIPER. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 107.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 247— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 162. Ereunetes pusillus var. occidentalis Coues, Check List, 1874, No, 417 a. Ereunetes pusillus occidentalis RiDGW.Nom.N. Am. B. 1881, No. 541 a.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 713. Ereunetes pusillus, b, occidentalis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205. Ereunetes pusil dllus | rificatus \ Ereunetes petri* - Hab. North America in general, except portion east of the Rocky Mountains north of the United States boundary. Breeding along western coast of Alaska (Bering's Sea, Nor- ton Sound, etc.), and thence southward for an undetermined distance; migrating chiefly through the Western Province, but frequently straying to the Atlantic coast of the U. S. (Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, etc.); Curaeoa, Venezuela, and some of the West Indies in winter. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Upper surface bright rusty cinnamon, the feathers spotted centrally with black, the cinnamon sometimes nearly uniform along the sides of the crown; a white superciliarly stripe streaked with dusky grayish, this bordered below by a stripe of light rufous or rusty on the side of the head, from the bill across the lores, and beneath the eyes across the auriculars ; remainder of the head white, streaked, ex- cept on the throat (where also sometimes finely flecked) with grayish dusky. Lower parts pure white, the jugulum and breast thickly marked with broad streaks of dusky, these broadest and of triangular form on the sides of the breast; sides marked with sagittate dusky spots. Adult, winter plumage: Not distinguishable from E. pusillus in the same stage, except by greater average length of bill and tarsus. Young: Similar to young of pusillus, but with rusty ochraceous prevailing on the dorsal region and pileum. Downy young: Similar to the same stage of E. pusillus, but the rusty areas of the upper parts more extended and more castaneous. Wing, 3.60-3.90 (3.74); culmen, .85-1.15 (.95); tarsus .85.-95 (.89); middle toe, .55-.65 (.60). [Eighteen summer adults measured.] This western species is not uncommon during the migrations, usually mixed in with flocks of the E. pusilhis, but sometimes in small companies by itself. Genus CALIDRIS Cuvier. Oalidris Cuvier, Anat. Comp. i, 1799-1800, tabl. ii. Type, Tringa arenaria Linn. Char. General characters of Tringa, but hind toe entirely absent. Bill straight, rather longer than the head, slightly expanded or spoon-shaped at end. Toes short, the middle one scarcely two thirds the tarsus. SCOLOPACID^E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 55 Calidris arenaria (Linn.) SANDEELING. Popular synonyms. Skinner (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); White Snipe. Tringa arenaria Linn. S. N. ed. 12,i, 1766,251.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,231; Synop. 1839,287; B. Am. v, 1812, 287, pi. 338. ( •alidrls arenaria Leach, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 28.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A, ii, 1831, 366.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 4.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 723— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 185!). No. 534.— Coues, Key, 1872, 257, fig. 167; Check List, 1874, No. 427; 2d ed. 1882. No. 627; Birds N. W. 1874, 492.-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am.-B. 1881, No. 542; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 162.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 249. -A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 248. Charadrius calidris Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 255.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 68, pi. 59, fig 4. Charadrius rubidus Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 688.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 129, pi. 58, fig. :;. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in the Arctic and Subarctic districts; in America migrating south to Patagonia and Chili. Chiefly littoral, but freauenting also the larger inland waters. " Sp. Chab. No hind toe; front toes moderate or rather long, flattened underneath, dis- tinctly margined with a membrane. Bill rather longer than the head, straight, rather thick; edge of upper mandible flattened ; nasal groove deep and nearly as long as the upper man- dible, not so distinct in the lower; both mandibles widened and flattened at the tip; aper- ture of the nostril large and covered with a membrane. Wing long; tail short, with the middle feathers longest; under coverts long as the tail; legs moderate; lower third of the tibia naked. Lower parts white, immaculate on the belly, sides, flanks, axillary, anal region, andcrissum; greater wing-coverts broadly tipped with white, and inner primaries white at base of outer webs. Adult in summer: Above, light rufous, broken by large spots of black, the feathers mostly tipped with whitish. Head, neck, throat, and jugulum, pale cin- namon-rufous, speckled below and streaked above with blackish. Adult in winter: Above very pale pearl-gray (the lesser wing-coverts darker anteriorly), relieved only by faint darker shaft-streaks of the feathers. Throat and jugulum immaculate pure white. Adult in spring: Above, light grayish, with large black spots (streaks on the crown), here and there tnix^d with rufous; jugulum speckled with dusky on a white ground. Young: Above pale gray, spotted with black and whitish, the latter on tips of the feathers; jugulum im- maculate white, faintly tinged with dull buff. " Bill and feet black; iris brown." (Audubon.) "Total length, about 7.75-8.00 inches; wing, 4.70-5.00; culmen, .95-1.00; tarsus, .90-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60. (Water B. N. Am.) The Sanderling is not uncommon in Illinois during the migrat- ing seasons, but is chiefly confined to tin- shores of the larger bodies of water. Near Chit-ago, Mr. Nelson says that it is ;in "abundant migrant along the Lake shore," and adds the fol- lowing: "Arrives in full breeding plumage— which varies greatly with individuals— about the 20th of May. and is found in Hocks, numbering from five to seventy-live, along the shore, until June 10th. Returns tin- first of August, still wearing its breeding dress, which is changed the hist of the month for the duller garb of winter. Departs for the south by bhe 20th of October. This species, with ./;'. rneloda, is found almosi exclusively along the bare sandy beach, where it would seem an impossibility for ii to obtain ;i living." 56 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus LIMOSA Brisson. Limosa Brisson, Orn. v, 1760, 261. Type, Scolopax limosa Linn. Chae. Bill lengthened, exceeding the tarsus, slender, and curving gently upwards, grooved to near the tip, the latter not attenuated. Tarsus with transverse scutellse before and behind, reticulated laterally. A short basal membrane between the middle and outer toes. Bill much longer than head, nearly equaling tarsi and toes together, curving gently upwards from the base, where it is elevated and compressed, depressed, however, at the end. The grooves on sides of bill and beneath extend nearly to the tip : the tip of the upper mandible is thickened, and extends a little below the lower. The gape is slight, not exceed- ing beyond the base of culmen; the feathers on the side of the bill reach forward to about the same point, those on the chin a little farther. Tarsus more than one and one half times the toes, twice the bare part of tibia?; hind toe lengthened; outer toe webbed as far as end of first joint, inner toe with only a short basal web. Tail short, even, two fifths the wings. In some respects the bill of this genus resembles that of Macro- rhampfms, the chief apparent difference being the upward curve of the one and its straightness in the other. But two species are known to occur in Illinois. Two others are included in the North American fauna, one, L. limosa (Linn.) — the Black-tailed Godwit — by reason of its accidental occurrence in Greenland, the other, L. lapponica haueri (Naum.) — the Pacific Godwit — occurring abundantly on the coasts and islands of Alaska. Since the occurrence of either of these species in Illinois is very unlikely, it is not thought worth while to in- clude them in the following synopsis: 1. L. fedoa. Tail narrowly barred; axillars and lining of wing ochraceous. Prevailing color ochraceous. the head and neck streaked, the remaining upper parts barred with brown- ish dusky ; axillars and lining of the wing deep cinnamon-ochre. Wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 2.75-3.00; middle-toe. 1.40. 2. L. haemastica. Tail black, with white base and tip; axillars uniform smoky blackish. Upper tail-coverts crossed by a wide band of pure white; longer upper tail-coverts, en- tire rump, and axillars, uniform dusky; lining of wing dusky, spotted with white out- wardly. Summer plumage: Beneath, chestnut barred with dusky; above, mottled black- ish. Winter plumage: Beneath, whitish, without markings, the breast and jugulum gray- ish; above, uniform brownish gray, except rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail. Young: Beneath, light grayish clay-color, darker on breast; above, brownish gray, feathers bordered with ochraceous, and somewhat spotted with dusky. Wing, 8.10-8.60; culmen, 2.85-3.45; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle-toe, 1.15-1.30. SCOLOPACID^C — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 57 Limosa fedoa (Linn.) MAKBLED GODWIT. Popular synonyms. Marlin; Straight-billed Curlew. Scolopax fedoa Linn. S. N. i. ed. 10, i. 1758, 146; ed. 12, 1766, 244.— WrLS. Am. Orn. vii. 1813, 30, pi. 56, f. 4. Limosa fedoaOnv, ed.Wilson, vii, 1824,30— Sw.& Rich. RB.-A.ii, 1831, 335.-NuTT.ii, 1834- 173.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 287; v, 590, pi. 238; Synop. 1830, 246; B. Am. v, 1812, 331, pi. 348.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 740.— Baibd, Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 547.— Coues, Key, 1872, 257; Check List, 1874, No. 528; Birds N. W. 1874, 492— B. B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 255— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 249— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 163. Limosa fceda Ridgw. Norn N. Am. B. 1881, No. 543.— CouES.Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 628. Hab. North America; breeding in the interior of the continent (Missouri region and northward), wintering southward to Yucatan and Guatemala; Cuba. Sp. Chab. Bill long, curved upwards; both mandibles grooved; wings long; tail short; legs long; tibia with its lower half naked; toes rather short, margined and flattened under- neath ; the outer and middle toes united by a large membrane. Entire upper parts varie - gated with brownish black and pale reddish, the former disposed in irregular and confluent bands, and the latter in spots and imperfect bands; in many specimens the black color pre- dominating on the back, and the pale reddish on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Under parts pale cinnamon, with transverse lines of brownish black on the breast and sides; under wing-coverts and axillaries darker cinnamon ; outer webs of primaries dark brown, inner webs light cinnamon; secondaries light cinnamon ; tail light blackish brown; iris brown; feet bluish gray. (Audubon.) Total length about 18.00 inches; wing, 9.00; tail, 4.00-5.00; tarsus, 3.00 inches. * The plumage of this bird is in some stages wonderfully similar to that of Nwnervms longvrosbris; in fact the resemblance is so great that were it not for the conspicuous generic difference it would be rather difficult to distinguish them specifically. Both have precisely the same tints of color, and also a nearly identi- cal distribution of the markings. The main differences appear to be the following: In Nivmenim the black bars of the upper parts are connected by broad stripes along the middle of the feathers, while in Lvmosa these bars are all isolated and nar- rower, as well as of a less deep black. The longitudinal streaks on the head and neck arc much less conspicuous in Limosa; in the latter there is also oftener a tendency to transverse- bars on the crissnm, and less often to streaks on the foreneek. This fine bird is a rather common migrant in Illinois, known to sportsmen by the names of Marlin. Godwit, and Straight- hilled Curlew. We have nothing special bo offer concerning its habits. ♦ \ series of ten specimens, Including an eqrual number of males and female*, ahol by Mr. Franklin Banner, In Minnesota, between Jnne 5th and loth, was carefullj measured, with the following results: Vales. Total length, lti e. 17.00; extent, ige, 31.10; bill. 3. 6fi 1.00, average, 8.84 Total length, 18. 12-19 age, 19.10; extent, 32 00-83.87, a 32; bill, 1.64 5.06, average, i". I8ee "BulL Xutt. Orn. I v, J in 1880, p. 18.) - 8 58 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Lirnosa haemastica (Linn.) HTIDSONIAN GODWIT. Scolopax hcemastica Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 147. Lirnosa hcemastica Coues, B.N. W. 1874, 760; Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1880, 100; Check List, ed. 2, 1882, No. 629.— Ridsw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 545; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 164— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 260.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 251. Scolopax hvdsonica Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 720. Lirnosa hudsonica Sw. &Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 396.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 175.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1S%, 426; v, 592, pi. 258; Synop. 1839, 247; B. Am. v, 1842, 335, pi. 349.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 741.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 548.— Coues, Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 429; Birds N. W. 1874, 494. Hab. Eastern North America and the whole of Middle and South America. No West Indian localities recorded except Cuba. Breeds only northward. Sp. Chab. Smaller than L . fedoa. Summer adult : Above, blackish brown, irregularly spotted and barred with pale ochraceous.the rump plain brownish black; upper tail-coverts immaculate white; wing-coverts and shorter quills plain dark brownish gray; primaries brownish black, their shafts white. Lower parts chestnut-rufous, narrowly barred with brownish black, the feathers of the belly, etc., often tipped with white. Tail black, with the base and tip (narrowly) white. Lining of wings and axillars plain smoky black. Winter plumage : Above, plain dull brownish gray; beneath, white, the breast shaded with brown- ish gray. Other characters as in summer dress. Young : Somewhat like the winter plum- age, but each feather of dorsal region marked with a subterminal dusky crescent and a narrower terminal one of dull ochraceous ; beneath very pale drab, or dull light buff, the abdomen whitish, and the jugulum more grayish. " Bill grayish yellow, dark brown along the ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish towards the tips of both; iris brown; feet light grayish blue." (Audubon.) This species resembles somewhat the European L. lirnosa, having the tail marked much the same as in that species. The latter, however, has two white patches on the wing (which in. the present bird has no white at all, except the shafts of the primaries), and the axillars pure white instead of brownish black. There are also other differences of coloration, while the proportions are quite different, L. lirnosa having the bill and legs much longer. South American specimens are quite identical with northern ones. This species is an abundant migrant in our State, making its appearance both in April and October. Like the Marbled God- wit it is fine eating, and on account of its size is, like that species, much sought by gunners. SCOLOPACLTLE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 59 Genus TOTANUS Bechstein. Subgenus Totanus. Totanus Bechst. Orn. Taschenb. 1803,282. Type, Scolopax totanus Linn. Chab. Bill usually slender, and slightly upturned terminally, the lateral groove of the maxilla extending about half way to the tip. No web between the middle and inner toes. Tarsus about twice as long as the middle toe. The subgenus Totanus is very closely allied to Helodromas (see page 62), but differs as follows: Totanus. Middle toe not more than half as long as the tarsus; bill decidedly shorter than tarsus. Helodromas. Middle toe nearly or quite as long as the tarsus; bill longer than tarsus. The two North American species of Totanus, while resembling each other minutely in coloration, are very different in size and proportions, as the following comparative measurements will show : 1. T. melanoleucus. Size large— wing more than 7 inches. Terminal half of bill slightly recurved. Wing, 7.40-8.00; cul men, 2.05-2.40; tarsus, 2.35-2.70 ; middle toe, 1.25-1.50. 2. T. flavipes. Size small— wing less than 7 inches. Terminal half of bill not perceptibly recurved. Wing, 6.10-6.65; culmen, 1.30-1.55; tarsus, 2.00-2.15 ; middle toe, 1.00-1.15. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.) GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Popular synonyms. Big Yellow-legs; Stone Snipe; Tell-tale; Big Cueu (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); Yelper. Scotomas melanoleuca Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 659. Totanus melanoleucus Vieill. Nouv. Diet, vi, 1816, 398.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 68, pi. 308— COUES, Key, 1872, 268; Check List, 1874, No. 432; 2d ed. 1882, No. 633 ; B. N. W. 1874, 4%-Ridow. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 548; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 168.— B. B. & Et. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 269— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 254. Gambetta melanoleuca Bonap. 1856.— Cass. inBaird's B. N. Am. 1858,731.— Baibd. Cat. N. Am. B. No. 589. 8colopax oociferus \\ ils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 57, pi. 58, lit:. 5. Totanus vociferus Vieill. 1816.— Sw. & Rich.F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 389.— Aud. Synop. 1839,314; B. Am. V, 1842, 316, pL 346. Hab. America in general, but breeding only in cold-tcmp»Tatt> and subarctic r Tell-tale ( '/'. melanoleucus) so far as appearance is concerned; and in its general habits is not conspicuously dif- ferent. t, I MUDS OF ll-l-lNnis Mr. Nelson refers to ii< as being much iiiKiv numerous in n < mi lioasteru Illinois than the /'. md n,\ . near 8 prairie slough bhe flrst of ,iui\ is, i. :i i<-\\ miles from Chiuago, aud have since observed several pairs during the breeding season aboul the Calumel inarshe Si i;«, i ini s Elelodromai K hup, u ht, \ M ij ii i s •■>. 111 T) i"'. /'- Inga oohropua Lnw. (',,w, Similar t.e but imallor, and with middlo too uo.trly at long as tarsu There Is bu1 one American speeios of Ihis subgenus, and bhifl lias n single Old World representative, Hi Dlol vl, 1816, 10 '•« \ R» B F B \ U, 1883 \r ir M:in ii. 1884, i ■" iW Orn BlOl lit 183S s;. pi 89 u M. pho whole of North and Middle Vmorion andUie trroater pari of Bouth /Lmerioa, ranging south to Braail and Porui b broughout temperate North amerioa, but ohtcih northwards ao< Idontal In] :.r Okas i .7 in 8m»m • s.bove oil vaoeous-slato, rather sparse!] speckled with wiiu.-. the orown and nape Indistinetlj streaked with the same; outer upper tall ooverta .,i with white; primaries end primary oovorta plain slate blaok Tail white (the mid die toatitera dusky), all the feathers wldel> barred with dusky, these baraiaost numerous on outer wol «. s ondiug to Uie baso of the feathers Eyelids* supraloral stripe, and lower parts white, iit>' sides of the head, nook (all round), and jugulum streaked with ivnlali glnto; renminbi urts immaculate Liningof wing and axiliars slate color, regularh barred with white H Biroilar tothesummer dress, but dark ash] above, less distinctly speoklod, andforonook verj IndistinoUj streaked, or sinud) washed withaahy, 1'ownc, \ >ove ayish brown (lighter and more oltvaoeous Hon the adult), thiakU speckled with buff; crown and nape plain brownish gray; oheeka und sides of neck nearl) uniform ked, as in the adult CjOLOVACADM mil ill. i '. 111. , 00 I M Inch .•- '•.' . i IMI Bill Hid fft*st OlIV'l V'.i • • n in if I nil. mi, i I I (f I ii i 1 1 .n '.'iii^, Willi th«- oxception ol the Hpottod Sandpiper this is Hi<- 011I3 pecie of the smaller ScolojnwUla vhich breeds throughout the . 1 .1 be 1 'i not ii ii 1 .1 nding 1 in ■ ).i< 1 ii egg ho >■ ne er el 1 1 .1 1 ;■. 1. riown 1 o 1 he writer, been 1 nken In Long I land, according bo Giraud 11 1 uo ■ r abund ant ol I-, no mean rare I1 i di bributed 1 1 1 • - 1 . or in pain along such creel a are reached by the bide and i1 1 al 0 ob erved aboul pools and rivulet more remote From bhe oa M H<-I*l')ui 1 ii bhe beach and 1 ory rarel( tnel -. 1 1 1 1 in the ;ilt marshes on the bayn. Ii often bakei up ii ; • t > » > « I < - near bhe habitation ol man preferring hi ooioty to bhal of bhe numer on specie of shore-birds frequenting the seaside. Ii 1 nol con sidorod game and 1 nol hunted and thu become • | • 1 i 1 « - famil 1. 11 When nearly approached ii flies bul aHhorl
  • > habit if in by some known us the 'Wood Tatlor." When surprised ii uttem .1 sharp whi bling note rai b ii ing and run nimbrj 0 er the miry ground If closely pursued, it retreats to the opposite ide ni the pond arrange iti feather and oon re ume it u ual gentle manner 'I In bird in \<-i . n-i i vr* 011 the wing, and n sometimes be seen darting after winged in ects, which it is \<-rv expert in catching and when flying, ii long and gracefulh curved wingi add greatly to the effect ol iti neat plumage. Ii arrives "ii Long 1 land in Ma and 1 not eeii thereafter Sep bomber \\ il 'in bate Mi. 1 1 1 in pecie 1 f< mnd in 1 he summer in damp meadowi among our highest mountains, from Kentui to New Vorl., mi the mossy margin of mountain pring He found ii unsuspiciou and permitting h neai approach without appearing to be in the loa 1 alarmed ho had no doubt that the ' bird rogularlj bred on Po 1 Mountain, near iCaaton, mprobabl Iplpor 1 / HI, 'I Ol 64 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. though he could never find their nests. He notes its resemblance, both in manners and markings, to the Totanus ochropus, or Green Sandpiper, of Europe. "Nuttall states that a pair frequented, very familiarly, the small fish-pond in the Botanic Garden in Cambridge, attracted by larva? that fed on the water-lily. They would trip over the sinking leaves with all the lightness and agility of the Kail." (Brewer.) In Cook county, Mr. Nelson says that it is a "common mi- grant," arriving the first of May and remaining until about the 25th, when the majority go farther north. He says: "I have several times taken young of this species just able to fly, and have observed the adults throughout the breeding season. I do not think there is the slightest doubt of its breeding in this vicinity. Departs for the south in August and September." Genus SYMPHEMIA Rafinesque. Symphemia Rafinesque, Jour, de Phys. vii, 1819, 418. Type, Scolopax semipalmata Gmel. Char. Bill compressed, very thick, the culmen rounded. The lower mandible scarcely grooved, the upper grooved to about the middle. Culmen slightly convex; gonys ascend- ing. Bill cleft but little beyond base of culmen. Feathers of sides of both mandibles fall- ing short of the nostrils, the lower rather farther forward. Chin-feathers reaching to mid- dle of nostrils. Bill longer than head ; about equal to tarsus, which is more than one and one half times the middle toe. Both toes webbed; the emargination of inner web as far forward as the middle of basal joint of middle toe, the outer reaching nearly to the end. Bare portion of tibia rather less than middle toe without claw. Tail nearly even, or a little rounded, not half the wings. Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.)* WILLET. Scolopax semipalmata. Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, C59.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 27, pi. 56, fig. 3. Totanus sem.ipalmatus Temm. 1828.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 388, pi. 67— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1836, 510; v, 1839, 585, pi. 574; Synop. 1839, 245; B. Am. v, 1842,324, pi. 347.— Coues, Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 431; Birds N. W. 1874, 494. Totanus [Oatoptrophorus) semipalmatus Bonap. 1827.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,144. Symphemia semipalmata Hartl. Rev. Zool. 1845. 342.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 729.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No, 537.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 552; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 167— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 632.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. A.m. i, 1884, 285— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 258. Hab. Temperate North America, south to Brazil ; West Indies. Accidental in Europe, Sp. Char. Largest of American Scolopacidae, except genera Numenius and Limosa. Primaries black, with nearly the basal half white, producing a very conspicuous patch on the spread wing Summer adult : Above, light brownish gray, streaked on head and neck, * The western birds have recently (Ank, iv, April, 1887, p. 145.) been separated by Mr. Brewster as S. semipalmata inornata. This form occurs in Illinois, but whether the true S. semipalmata does also, I am not at present able to state. SCOLOPACID.E — THE SNIPE FAMILY. G5 and spotted and barred on the back, etc., with blackish; beneath, white, tinged with ashy on foreneck and with buff along sides, the former, with jugulum, spotted with dusky, and the latter barred with the same; upper tail-coverts white; tail ashy, more or less distinctly mol tied transversely with a deeper shade of the same; wing-coverts plain ash-gray ; axil- lars and lining: of wing plain sooty'black. Winter plumage: Above, plain ash-gray ; beneath, immaculate dull white, the foreneck shaded with grayish. Young: Above, lnownish gray, the feathers margined with pale ochraceous; sides much tinged with the same, and finely mottled transversely with grayish. Bill black; legs and feet grayish. In life, "liill light blue, dusky toward end; iris brown ; feet light blue, claws black." (Audubon.) Total length, about 15.00-17.00 inches; extent, 25.00-30.00 ; wing, 8.00-9.00; culmen, 2.30-2.60; tarsus, 2.40-2.85; middle toe, 1.35-1.40. "The Willet," says Dr. Brewer, "is one of the most extensively distributed of North American birds. It is not only found along the entire Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, and along* the entire Gulf coast, but is equally abundant on the Pacific and through nearly all the marshy regions of the in- terior; it also occurs throughout Central and South America as far south as the Pampas, where it breeds in large numbers." "Mr. Nelson refers to this species as being a rare summer resi- dent in the marshes and on the wet prairies of northwestern Illinois, where it arrives the last of April, leaving by the first of October. The same writer afterward found it abundant on the shores of Salt Lake, in company with Avocets, where its clamor made it a perfect nuisance to the sportsman. Captain Bendire also noticed it as an abundant summer residenl in southeastern Oregon, where he procured several sets of its eggs, which began to be laid about the 10th of May. These birds were quite as abundant in the higher mountain valleys, .11 an altitude of six thousand feet, as they were in the lower regions, apparently frequenting all marshy localities. Dr. Bryanl found this to be an abundant species in the Bahamas, where it was also resident, breeding in all suitable Localities, and being known as the 'Duck Si»i ] >< -. ' * ' (BREWER.) Genus BARTRAMIA Lesson. Bartramia Lesson. Traite d'Orn. lfcSl, 663. Type, /•'. ' ,.=Tringa oauda Beohst. Oh \i:. Upper mandible grooved laterally to within the terminal fourth, tho lower aot quit! 10 far. Oulmei noave to near the tip, where it is slightly deourved;gonys Btraight. Month deeply oleft, olmosl as far back oa the anterior eanthua of the eye. The eulmi a I ii >ut two thirds Mi unissure, shorter than the head <>r tarsu9,andaboa1 equal to middle toe, without olaw. Feathers extending much farther forward on the upper jaw than "ii the lower, although those of ohin reaoh nearly to end of nostrils. Tarsus one and "tie half middle toe and olaw; the bare part of tibia nol Quite equal to the mlddl outer toe united at base a far as first it; web of inner I gradu more than half the wings. —9 06 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) BARTRAM'S SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Bartramian Tatler ; Field Plover; Upland Plover ; Prairie Plover. Tringa longicauda Bechst. Uebers. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1812, 453. Bartramius longicaudus Bonap. Rev. et Mag. Zool. xx, 1857, 59. Bartramia longicauda Coues, Bull. N. O. C. Apr. 1880, 100; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 640.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 555; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 169.-B.B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 296- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 261. Tringa bartramia Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 63, pi. 59, fig. 2.— Aud. Synop. 1839, 231; B. Am. v, 1842, 248, pi. 327. Tringa {Euliga) bartramia Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 168. Totanus bartramius Temm. 1820— Sw. & Rich. P. B.- A. ii, 1831,391— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 24, pi. 303. Actiturus bartramius Bonap. 1831.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 737.— Baibd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 545— Coues, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1874, No. 438; Birds N. W. 1874, 502. Hab. Eastern Province of North America, migrating south to Brazil and Peru, and ex- tending north to the interior of Alaska and to Nova Scotia. Breeds throughout its North American range. Occasional in Europe. Sp. Chae. Bill about as long as the head, rather wide and flattened at base, slightly curved at the tip; nostril with a large membrane; nasal groove long; wing long; tail long for this group; legs moderate or rather long; lower half of the tibia naked; toes moderate, the outer and middle united by a membrane, inner and middle free to the base, hind toe small. Adult: Above, grayish brown, the feathers paler and more ochraceous toward their edges, spotted and barred with black; head and neck (except throat) streaked with blackish; crown blackish, divided by a mesial line of buff; throat, belly, and crissum plain buff y white ; axillars pure white and clear dusky slate in regular bars of nearly equal width; tail feathers (except middle pair) creamy buff, broadly tipped with white, crossed by a broad subterminal black spot, and with a few irregular narrow bars anterior to this; outer webs of primaries plain dusky slate, the inner webs with wide transverse bars of white on the outer quill, on the others broken into a confused mottling. Rump and upper tail- coverts nearly uniform blackish, the lateral feathers of the latter with their outer webs partly white. Young: Similar to the adult, but the buff of the head, jugulum, wings, etc., much deeper, the streaks on the foreneck and jugulum much less distinct, and the back plain black, the feathers bordered with buff. "Bill yellowish green, the tip dusky, the edges toward the base yellow; iris dark hazel; legs and tarsi light yellowish gray, toes rather darker, claws brownish black". Downy Young: Above coarsely and irregularly mottled with black on a grayish-white ground, tinged with light rusty. Lower parts buffy white, with about thiec blackish spots on the flanks, one beneath the eye, a smaller one on the lores, about half-way between the bill and the eye, and a large, nearly vertical, one back of the ears. Total length, about 12 inches; wing, 6.50-7.00; culmen, 1.10-1.15; tarsus, 1.90—1.95; middle toe, .90-1.05. To the residents of the prairie districts of our State, the "Up- land Plover," or "Field Plover," as this bird is usually named, is as familiar a bird as the Prairie Chicken or Meadowlark. The following- observations by Mr. Nelson, will apply to almost any portion of the State with reference to this species : SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 67 "Very common summer resident. Arrives early in April and departs in September. Frequents in greatest abundance the borders of marshes and half wild prairies. Quite difficult to approach when.it first arrives, but during the breeding season becomes perfectly reckless, and hovers over head or follows through the grass within a few yards until it has escorted the intruder well off its domain. The presence of a dog in the vicinity of its nesting place is the signal for a general onslaught by all the birds in the vicinity, which hover over the dog, and with loud cries endeavor to drive it away. Being but little ap- preciated as game it is seldom hunted in this vicinity. ;" Genus ACTITIS Llliger. Actitis Illiger, Prodr. 1811, p. 202. Type, by elimination, Tringa hypoleiica Linn. Tr inanities Bonap. Saggio di una dist., etc.. 1831, 58. Same type. Char. Upper mandible grooved to the terminal fourth: the bill tapering and rather acute. Cleft of mouth only moderate; the culmen about five sixths the commissure. Feathers extending rather farther on side of lower jaw than upper, the former reaching as far as the beginning of the nostrils; those of the chin to about their middle. Bill shorter than the head, straight, eaual to the tarsus, which is of the length of middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia half the tarsus. Outer toe webbed to first joint; inner cleft nearly or quite to the base. Tail much rounded, more than half the wing. Actitis macularia (Linn.) SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Popular synonyms. Sand Snipe; Sand Lark; River Peet-weet or Tip-up; River Snipe. Tringa macularia Linn. S. N. ed. 12. i. I76f», 249.— Wn.8. Am. Orn. vii, 1813. 60, pL 59. llg. 1. Totanus macularius Temm. 1815.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 162.— AUD. Orn. Bi"t:. iv. 1839, M. pi, 310; Synop.1839, 242; B. Am. v. is 12. 30S.pl.342. Tringoides macularius Gray, 1849.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 735.— Baxbd.I Am. B.18.V1, No. 543.— Coues. Key, 1872, 260; Cheek List. 1873, No. 346; 2dv,|. It 638; B.N. W. 1874, 501.— Redow. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. 557.— B. B.& B. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884.301. Actitia macularia Natjm. Vog. Deutsohl. vili. 1836, 34.— A. O. V. Check List, 1886, No. 263.— Redow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170. Hab. The whole of North and Middle America, and Sooth Amerloa as far occasional in Europe; no Greenland record. Br is throughout temperate North Amerloa. Bp. Chab. small, bill rather longer than the head, straight, slender; long grooves In both mandibles; wing rather \<>\\k. pointed; tail medium, rounded; legs rather long; lower third of the tibia naked; toes long, margined, and Rattened underneath, the outer con- nected with the middle toe by a large □ ibrane, the Inner very -lightly oonnec middle toe. Adult: Upper parts greenish ashy, with a Borneo hat metallic or broni ed luster and with numerous sagittate, Ian late, and Irregular, mo J brown- ish black, having the same lustre. Lino over the eye and entire under parts white, with numerous circular and oval M">t^ "f brownish blaok over the whole Burfaoe, smaller on the 68 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. throat, largest on the abdomen. Primaries plain dusky; tail dark ashy, the outer feathers with dusky and white transverse spots on their terminal portion; axillars immaculate white. Young: Above, greenish ashy, the wings with narrow transverse bars of black and buffy most numerous on the coverts. Beneath, white, without any spots, and with an ashy suffusion across the jugulum. Downy chick: Above, yellowish gray, with a nar- row black dorsal stripe from the bill to the tail; a narrow black line through the eye. Be- neath, dull white. Total length, about 7.75 inches; extent, 13.00-14.00; wing, 4.05-1.30; culmen, .90-1.00; tarsus .90-1.05; middle toe, .70.-80. Mandib'e and edge of the maxilla pale wax-yellow (in life); rest of bill black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pale grayish olive. This is probably the most generally distributed species of the family, since it is to be found along the banks of nearly every stream, large or small, in the land. In Cook county, the Spotted Sandpiper is, according to Mr. Nelson, a "very common summer resident." Mr. Nelson's note concerning it continues as follows: "Arrives in April and departs late in autumn. Breeds in abundance among the small sand hills, along the Lake shore. Near Waukegan, the first of June, 1876, I saw Mr. T. H. Douglas secure over two dozen of their eggs in considerably less than an hour. The nests were generally placed under a small shrub or in a thin tuft of grass and the eggs could be seen several yards away." Genus TRYNGITES Cabanis. Tryngites Cab. Journ. fiir. Orn. 1856, 418. Type, Tringa rufescens Vieill.,= 2'. subru- ficollis Vieill. Char. Upper mandible grooved to about the terminal fourth; the lower not quite so far. Culmen and gonys about straight. Mouth deeply cleft more than half way to the eye ; the culmen about two thirds the commissure. Culmen much shorter than the head, and about equal to middle toe without claw. Tarsus about one and one sixth as long as middle toe and claw. Bare part of tibia decidedly shorter than middle toe without claw. Toes cleft to the base, with only a very rudimentary web. Upper jaw feathered to the nostrils; the side of the lower, and beneath, feathered much farther, or to the end of the nostrils ; the interspace of the rami entirely filled. Tail somewhat graduated, not half the wing. Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. Tringa subruficollis Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 465. Tryngites subruficollis Bidgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 169-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 262. Tringa rufescens Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xxxiv, 1819, 470 (Louisiana).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 113— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 451, pi. 265; Synop. 1S39, 235; B. Am. v, 1842, 264, pi. 271. Tryngites rufescens Caban. J. f. O. 1856, 418 (Cuba).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 739.— Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 546— Coues, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1873, No. 439; 2d ed. 1882, No. 641; B. N. W. 1874, 506— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 556.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 305. Actidurus ncevius Heekm. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 1854, 178; Pacific R. R. Rep. x, pt. vi, 1859, 20, pi. 6 (Texas). SCOLOPACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 69 Hab. North America in general, especially the interior: breeding chiefly in the interior of British America and the Yukon district; migrating south to Peru and Uruguay. Fre- quent in Europe. No West Indian record, except Cuba. Sp. Chak. Bill shorter than the head, straight, compressed, narrow at the poinl : nasal groove long; wings very long, first quill longest, the tertials rather shorter; tail moder- ate or longer than usual in this group: legs rather long, lower third of the tibia naked; toes free at base, flattened underneath, and slightly margined; hind toe small. Upper parts pale and dull ochraceous, with an ashy tinge; every feather with a large central, lanceolate, crescent-shaped, or oblong spot of black, frequently with a glossy green tinge, especially on the back and shorter tertials. Under parts light ochraceous or p le fawn-color, many feathi is tipped with white, and paler on the flanks and abdomen, on the breast with par- tially concealed small spots of black; axillary feathers white. Quills white, their outer webs light brown, inner webs ashy whito marbled with black and narrowly tipped with white; middle tail-feathers brownish black; outer feathers lighter, with transverse waved lines of black on the terminal half, and tipped with white; under primary- coverts beautifully marbled with black. Bill greenish black; legs greenish yellow. Young. Generally simi- lar, but the upper parts with the black and fawn-color less sharply contrasted, and each feather with a conspicuous terminal border of white. Marbling on inner webs of primaries and on under primary-coverts much more minute and delicate than in the adult. "Bill dull olive-green, dusky toward the point: iris hazel; feetdull yellowish green, claws dusky." (Audubon.) Total length, about 7. 511-8. 0(» inches; wing, 5.10-5.50; culmen, .75-.80; tarsus. 1.15-1.30; middle toe, .75-. 85. This handsome species is, so far as we know, one of the rarer migrants in Illinois. Mr. Nelson mentions a single specimen "in the collection of Mr. R. P. Clarke, obtained upon the Lake shore, at Chicago, September 1th, 1873," and is inclined bo doubt Dr. Hoy's statemenl (Wis. Agr. Rep. 1852) thai ii is "quite common" near Racine, Wis., from September 15th to October 10th. It may be, however, that it is not so rare as Mr. Nelson supposes, but has escaped his observation, since in other portions of the Mississippi Valley it is very abundant. Subfamily NUMENINJE. Chak. Back of tarsus covered with small hexagonal scales ; i • ■ 1 1 much longer than tar- sus, decided!} decurved or arched. Genus NUMENIUS Brisson. i ■ i.iss. ( >rn. \ i. 1760, :n i. Type, Scolo Chab. Legs covered anteriorly with transverse Boutellas, laterally and behind with -mall hexagonal scales. Bill rorj long, exceeding the tibia, and curved downward for the terminal half; the culmen rounded. Tip of bill expanded laterally and olnb-shaped. i of bill not reaching beyond the middle. T< ong as prima Kill variable In length, alVi •M at the base, then deoui • upper mandible is thickened downward beyond and over the upylng 70 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. only the basal half or third of the bill; under mandible not grooved beneath. Cleft of mouth extending but little beyond the base of culmen. Feathers of head extending about the same distance on both mandibles; those of chin to opposite the anterior extremity of the nostrils. Tarsi nearly twice as long as middle toe, rather more than twice the bare part of tibia. It is covered behind by hexagonal scales larger than the lateral ones. Outer toe webbed at its basal joint; inner for half this distance. Tail short, nearly even, not quite half the wings. Of the genus Numenms several species are found in North America, none of them occurring regularly in the Old World, as is the case with so many of the Trmgince. The three species occurring in eastern North America may be distinguished as follows: 1. N. longirostris. Wing, 10.00-12.00; culmen, 3.80-5.90; tarsus, 2.25-3.50; middle toe, 1.30- 1.55. Lower parts pale cinnamon ; axillars deep cinnamon, without distinct bars ; crown uniformly streaked, without median stripe. Hab. Temperate North America south to Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil (?). 2. N. hudsonicus. Wing, 8.00-10.25; culmen, 3.00-4.00; tarsus, 2.25-2.30; middle toe, 1.35- 1.40. Lower parts pale buff, the breast marked with linear streaks ; inner webs of primaries spotted with buff toward edges; axillars deeper buff, distinctly barred with dusky; crown uniform dusky, divided by a median stripe of pale buff. Hab. The whole of America, including West Indies, but breeding only in the colder regions; Greenland. 3. N. borealis. Wing, 8.00-8.50; culmen, 2.25-2.50; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe, 1.00. Very similar to If. hudsonicus, but breast with V-shaped dusky markings, axillars pale cinnamon, barred with dusky, inner webs of primaries uniform dusky, the whole crown streaked, and without distinct median stripe. Hab. Northern and eastern North America, and southern South America; no West Indian record; Greenland; occasional in Europe. Only two others are known to occur in the New World. One of these (JV. femoralis), which has been taken in Alaska, is dis- tinguished by having the thighs ornamented by long bristles, the tail and its coverts ochraceous, the latter crossed by nar- row bands of dusky brown; the size and general coloration much as in JV. hudsonicus. JV. phceopus, an Old World species which occasionally visits Greenland, is still more like JSf. hud- sonicus, from which it differs chiefly in having the rump pure white. Numenius longirostis Wils. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Sickle-bill, or Sickle-bill Snipe or Curlew; Snipe (Salt Lake Val- ley); Big Curlew. Numenius longirostris Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 24, pi. 04, fig. 4— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 370— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 04.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 240; v, 1839, 587, pi. 231; Synop. 1839,254; B. Am. vi, 1843,35, pi. 355.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 743.— SCOLOI'ACID.E— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 71 Baied. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 5l'.i— Coues. Key, 1872, 202; Check List, 1873, No. 441; 2d ed. 1882, No. 643; Birds LN. W. 1874, 508— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 558; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 311.-A. O. U. Checklist. 1886, No. 264. Numenius occidentalis Woodh. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. vi, 1852, 194; Sitgreaves' Rep. 1853, 98, pi. 6 (= young; Albuquerque, N. M.h Hab. Temperate North America, migrating south to Guatemala. Cuba; Jamaica; Brazil (V). Sr. Char. The largest American species of this genus. Bill very long, much curved ; upper mandible longer than the under, somewhat knobbed at the tip; wing rather long; legs moderate; toes united at base. Entire upper parts pale rufous, tinged with ashy; every feather with transverse and confluent bands of brownish black, most numerous and predominating on the back and scapulars; secondary quills, under wing-coverts, and axillars, cinnamon-rufous; primaries with their outer webs brownish black and their inner webs rufous, with transverse bands of black. Under parts pale rufous, with longitudinal lines of black on the neck and sides; tail rufous, tinged with ashy, transversely barred with brownish black. Bill brownish black; baso of under mandible reddish yellow; legs bluish brown. Specimens vary to some extentin the shade of the rufous color of the plum- age, and very much in the length of the bill. The rufous color is probably more distinct in the young. Total leDgth, about 25.00 inches ; extent, about 40.00; wing, 10.00-11.00; tail, 4.00; bill, 2.30 (immature individual) to 8.50; tarsus, 2.25. Bill black, becoming dull light lilac- brown on basal half of the mandible; iris brown; legs and feet gray. Downy young. Very pale oehraceous with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, rather deepei be- low than above. Upper parts marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill straight, about 1.40 inches long. This bird appears to vary in size quite materially, and in the length of bill in different specimens so much so as to be quite perplexing; in fact, the bills of scarcely any two specimens are of the same length. In color, also, there is considerable variety, but the species can readily be distinguished. There are in the National Museum rolled ion specimens which are undoubtedly .V. occidentalis, Woodhouse, as above cited. The clear rufous of the plumage and the shorter hill, as given by Dr. Woodhouse, are present in these specimens : hut the rufous color is very probably characteristic ofyoung age. while in I he col- lection almost any length of bill can l»<' produced, the extremes being aboul 2.30 and 8.50. The Long-billed Curlew or "Sickle-bill" is more or les> com- mon, according to the locality, during the migrations. Mr. Nelson refers t<> it in his list (p. 130) as follows: "Formerly \rery abundanl during the migrations and a com- mon summer resident. Now rather unco ion in the migra- tions and ;i very rare summer resident. A pair nested on the Calumet Marshes the spring of 1873. Mure numerous on the large marshes in central Illinois. Arrives the last of April and departs in < October." 72 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Numenius hudsonicus (Lath.) HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Jack Curlew; Short-billed Curlew. Scolopax borealis Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 22, pi. 56, fig. 1 (nee Forster 1772). Numenius borealis Ord, eel. Wilson, 1825— Brewer, ed. Wilson, 1840, 473 (excl. syn.). Numenius hudsonicus Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, 712.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 377- Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 97— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 283; v, 1830, 589, pi. 237; Synop. 1839, 554; B. Am. vi, 1843, 42, pi. 356.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. A. 1858, 744— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 550— Coues. Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 442; 2d ed. 1882, No. 645; Birds N.W. 1874, 509.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 559; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 171. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 315.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 265. Numenius intermedins Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 100. Hab. The whole of America, including the West Indies ; breeds in the high north, and winters chiefly south of the United States. Greenland. Sp. Char. Adult. Crown dark sooty brown, divided longitudinally by a mesial stripe of buff; a narrow dusky stripe on side of head, from bill to anterior angle of the eye, con- tinued back beneath the eye and along upper edge of auriculars, separated from the dusky of the crown by a wide, well-defined superciliary stripe of light buff, the chin, throat, and abdomen immaculate; other portions, including cheeks, entire neck, jugulum, and breast marked with linear streaks of dark brown; axillars pinkish buff or dilute cinnamon, barred with dark brown. Upper parts spotted with dark sooty brown and light buff, the latter pre- vailing on the wing-coverts, the former on the back; rump and upper tail-coverts similarly spotted; primaries dusky, the inner quills spotted with buff. This species is much rarer than the Long-billed Curlew, and never remains within the State during the breeding season. We are unfortunately unable to present any information of partic- ular interest respecting its habits. Numenius borealis (Forst.) ESKIMO CURLEW. Popular synonyms. Little Curlew; Dough-bird; Futes (Long Island). Scolopax borealis Forst. Phil. Trans, lxii, 1772, 411, 431 (Albany Fort). Numenius borealis Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 712.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 378, pi. 65.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 101.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 69; v, 1839, 590, pi. 208; Synop. 1839, 255; B. Am. vi, 1843, 45, pi. 357.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 714.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 551.— Coues, Key, 1872,262; Check List, 1873, No. 443; 2d ed. 1882, No. 646; B. N. W. 1874, 510.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 560; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 171 — B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,318.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 266. Hab. Eastern Province of North America; breeding in Arctic districts, where extend- ing from the Prybilof Islands (not breeding) to Greenland: migrating south to extremity of South America (Falkland Islands, Patagonia, and Chili); no West Indian record, but noted from Bermuda and Trinidad (Leotaud). Occasional in Europe. Not recorded from western North America. Sp. Char. A dult. Crown dusky, streaked with buff, but without distinct mesial stripe ; a dusky stripe of aggregated streaks on side of head, from bill to and behind the eye; rest of head, neck, and entire lower parts light buff, the cheeks and neck streaked, the breast, SOOLOPACHXE — THE SNIPE FAMILY. 73 sides, flanks, and crissum with V-shaped markings of dusky brown; axillars and lining of the wing pale cinnamon, the former narrowly barred with dusky. Upper parts dusky and buff, the wing-coverts more grayish brown, with dusky shaft-streaks ; primaries , including their inner webs, plain brownish dusky. Rump and upper tail-coverts spotted dusky and light buff. Tail brownish gray, barred with dusky. In plumage, this little Curlew closely resembles N. hudsonicus, but has the inner webs of the primaries either plain dusky or else finely and confusedly mottled, instead of being marked with very distinct and regular ochraccous spots; the breast with transverse V-shaped markings instead of linear, longitudinal streaks, while then: are other differen- ces, besides the important one of size, which servo to readily distinguish them. The Little Curlew or "Dough Bird" is of rather common oc- currence in Illinois during the migrations, arriving, according to Mr. Nelson, a little later than AT. hudsonicus, passing north with short delay, and returning the last of September and in October, While lingering with us it frequents chiefly the wet prairies, in company with the Golden Plover. -10 74 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family RECUR VIROSTRIDiE.— The Avocets and Stilts. The Jiccxroirostridce, in addition to the features already men- tioned (see p. 19), are characterized by the excessive length of the legs, with very long slender neck and subulate, elongated bill. The plumage has the same dense, soft character as that of the Pkalaropodidce, Falicinie, and Longipermes. Genera. A. Hind toe present. 1. Recurvirostra. Anterior toes all webbed; bill recurved. B. Hind too wanting. 2. Himantopus. No web between middle and inner toes, and web between outer and middle toes Quite small; bill slightly upturned from the middle, cylindrical or scarcely depressed ; tarsus much longer than the bill. Genus RECURVIROSTRA Linn^us. Recurvirostra Linn. Syst. Nat. ed, 10, i, 1758, 151. Type, R. avosetta Linn. Chab. Hind toe rudimentary, but distinct; anterior toes united by a much emarginated membrane. Bill depressed, decidedly recurved, extended into a fine point, which is slightly decurved. Tail covered by the wings. The species of Avocet are few in number, there being one pe- culiar to North America, South America, Australia, and Europe respectively. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. AMERICAN AVOCET. Popular synonyms. White Snipe (Salt Lake Valley) ; Yelper; Lawyer; Scooper. Recurvirostra americana Gmel. S. N. ed. 13, i, 1788,693.— Wilson, Am. Orn.vii, 1813, 126, pi. 63, fig. 9— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 75.— Aud. Orn, Biog. iv, 1838, 168, pi. 318 ; Synop. 1839,252 ; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 24. pi. 353— Baied, Birds N. Am. 1858, 703; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 517.— Coues, Key. 1872, 147; Check List. 1873, No. 407; 2d ed. 1882, No. 600.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 566; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 146.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 341— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 225. Recurvirostra occidentalis Vig. Zool. Jour, iv, 1829, 356 ; Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1839, 28, pi 12.— Cass. Illustr. B. Cal., Tex., etc. 1855, 232, pi. 40 (^winter plumage!). RECURVIROSTRID.E— THE AVOCETS AND STILTS. 75 Hab. Temperate North America; north to the Saskatchewan and Great Slave Lake, south (in winter) to Guatemala, Cuba, and Jamaica. Much rarer in the Eastern than in the Western Province. Sp. Char. Wings (except secondaries, terminal half of greater coverts, and inner secondaries), inner scapulars, and adjoining feathers of the back, brownish black; lower parts, rump, outer scapulars, and middle of the back white ; tail ashy white or pale ashy. Adult in summer: Head, neck, and breast, light cinnamon, becoming white around the bill and fading gradually into the white of the body. Tertials brownish gray. Adult [and young) in winter: Head, neck, and breast, white, more or less tinged with pale bluish gray, especi- ally on crown and nape. Young: Primaries slightly tipped with whitish; scapulars and feathers of back tipped or transversely mottled with pale fulvous or buff. Crown dull gray- ish; nape tinged with light rufous. Total length, about 17.00 to 18.75 inches; extent, 30.00 to 36.00; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, 3.40-3.65; tarsus, 3.70-3.80; middle toe, 1.60-1.70. Bill deep black; iris, deep brown; legs and feet ashy blue. The intensity of the cinnamon-color on the head and neck varies with the individual; sometimes there is a dusky gray suffusion around the eye, this being especially characteristic of younger birds. Mr. Nelson says that in the northeastern portion of Illinois, the Avocet ''generally occurs in small parties the last of April and first of May, and during September and the first of Oc- tober," and that it "frequents the borders of marshy pools." Genus HIMANTOPUS Brisson. Hvmantopus Bbiss. Orn. vi. 1760, 33. Type, Oharadrius himantopus Linn. Char. Hind toe wanting; outer and middle toes connected at the base by a short web; the inner toe completely separated from the middle. Bill subulate, deeper than broad, slightly upturned toward the end. Legs excessively lengthened, the bare part of the tibia about half as long as the tarsus, which greatly exceeds the bill in length, the latter being nearly twice the length of the middle toe. The Stilts have much the same range as the Avocets, but the species are more numerous, there being at the present time about seven recognized by authorities. Like Reewrwrostra, the genus Himcmtopus is represented in America by two very distinct spe- cies; one belonging to North, Central, and northern South America, the other peculiar to the southern portion of the southern continent. 76 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Himantopus mexicanus (Mull.) BLACK-NECKED STILT. Popular synonyms. Lawyer; Long-shanks; Pink- stockings. Gharadrius mexicanus Mulleb, S. N. Suppl. 1776, 117. Himantopus mexicanus Obd, ed. Wilson, vii, 1824, 52.—Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 54.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 567; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 147.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 601.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 345— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 226. Becurvirostra himantopus Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 48, pi. 58, fig. 2. Himantopus nigricollis Vieill. 1817.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 8.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 247, pi. 328; Synop. 1839, 252; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 31, pi. 354— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1851,704; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 518-Coues, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1874, No. 408; Birds N. W. 1874, 462. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, Middle America, and northern South America, south to Peru and Brazil; Galapagos; West Indies in general, and Bermudas; north, on the Atlantic coast, to Maine. More generally distributed and more abundant in the Western than in the Eastern Province. Sp. Chab. Adult mate: Forehead, a large postocular spot, lores, entire lower parts rump, and upper tail-coverts white. Remainder of the head, whole nape, back, scapulars, and wings (both surfaces), glossy black, with a greenish blue reflection. Tail pale grayish- Bill black; iris crimson; legs and feet lake-red or beautiful pink in life, yellowish in the dried skin. Adult female: Similar to the male, but back and scapulars brownish slate, and the black of other portions duller. Young, first plumage: Similar to the adult female, but the feathers of the back, the scapulars, and tertials bordered with deep buff or whitish, the black of the head and nape finely mottled with the same. Downy young: Above light ful- vous-grayish, mottled with dusky, the back and rump relieved by several large black blotches. Head, neck, and lower parts fulvous-whitish, the crown, occiput, and nape gray- ish, the crown with a mesial black streak, the occiput with coarse spots of the same. Total length, about 14-15.50 inches; extent, 27-30 ; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, about 2.50; tar- sus,4.00; middle toe, 1.37. Bill deep black; iris rosy carmine; legs and feet fine rose-pink or delicate pal© lake-red (in life). Adult specimens in high breeding plumage sometimes have the white of the breast, etc., tinged with soft creamy pink. While on record only as a summer visitant to Illinois, the Stilt undoubtedly breeds in some portion of the State. Mr. Nel- son says that it is "an exceedingly rare visitant" to Cook county, and mentions the fact that there is in the collection of the Illi- nois Natural History Society, at Normal, a fine specimen taken in McLean County. He also says that Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine, Wisconsin, records the occurrence of a small flock near that place in April, 1847. PHALAROPODID.E — THE PHALAROPES. < I Family PHALAROPODIDiE.— The Phalaropes. Char. Small birds of Sandpiper-like appearance, but with very full, compact |.]iiiij;i un- like that of the Coots, Gulls, and Petrels; the tarsus greatly compressed, and the toe partlj webbed as well as fringed by a lateral, sometimes scalloped, margin. The Phalaropes are small northern birds combining the habits, as well as to a certain extent the appearance, of the Waders and Swimmers. The two recognized genera may be distinguished as follows: Crymophilus. Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and middle toe extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of all the toes deeply scalloped. Phalaropus. Bill subulate, the nostrils strictly basal. Subgenus Pha laropus. Feet as in Grvmoph lus. Subgenus Steganoims. Web between outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint <>f latter; lateral membrane to all the toes narrow and scarcely scalloped. Genus CRYMOPHILUS Vieillot. Crymophilus Vieill. Analyse, 1810, ti2. Type, Tringa Linn. Chak. Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and middl extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of the toe- broad and deeply sealloped. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.) RED PHALAEOPE. Tringa fulicaria I. inn. s. n. ed. 10, 1,1758, 148; ed. 12. i. 1766,249. aropus fulicarius Sw. & BlOH. V. I'.. -A. 11,1831, t"7.- NuTT. Man.ii. 1834, Orn. Biog. iii. 1885, 104, pi. 265; By nop. 16 19, 239; B Am. n. 1842, 291, pi. B Balrd'sB. N. Am. 1858,707, Baibd. Cal N Jim. B U Cooks. B 248; Check List, 1874, No 111 ; 2d ed. 1882, No. 604 ; I'. N W. 1874.471 R] i Nom. N \m. B 1882, No i63 B. B. \ R. Water B. N \n Crymophilus fulicarius %tzsv. Auk. ii. 1885,183 \ . 0 I . Chook Li l;ii.,.v.. Ban. N. Am !'.. 1887, in. live. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding In ?erj nigh latitudes, and migrating southward in winter; chiefly maritime; in america, recorded Iron Boutb a- Ohio, Illinois, and Oape Bl I 78 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Char. A dult, summer plumage : Entire lower parts deep purplish cinnamon ; sides of head white. Back and scapulars light ochraceous or buff, striped with black; wing- coverts deep bluish plumbeous, the greater widely tipped with pure white; remiges plum- beous-dusky. Lining of the wing white, bordered exteriorly with dusky grayish. Male: Crown and nape streaked, like the back ; white on side of head not well defined. Female : Crown uniform plumbeous-black or dark plumbeous, the white on side of the head sur- rounding the eyes, and abruptly defined, the nape unstreaked cinnamon and plumbeous. Adult and young in winter: Head, neck and lower parts pure white, the occiput and a space partly or completely surrounding the eyes dark plumbeous. Upper parts uniform fine pearl-gray or light bluish plumbeous, the remiges slate-color. Young, first plumage. : Crown, nape, back, and scapulars dull black, the feathers edged with ochraceous; wing- coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle coverts bordered with pale buff, the tail-coverts with ochraceous. Head (except crown) and lower parts generally, white ; the throat and jugulum suffused with brownish buff. Downy young : Above, bright tawny-buff, marked with broad irregular stripes of black; superciliary stripe bright tawny buff, 1he two of opposite sides separated only by a narrow and sometimes interrupted dusky streak; pileum bright raw-umber brown, bordered exteriorly with black; chin and throat light fulvous- buff, changing to smoky buff on jugulum; rest of lower parts dull whitish. Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, about 5.25-5.50; culmen, .80-.95; tarsus, .80-.85; middle toe, .75-.80. The Ked Phalarope occurs in Illinois as a rare migrant. Its summer home is in the Arctic regions, which it leaves after the assumption of its winter plumage, which is so unlike that of summer as to give the bird a totally different appearance. Genus PHALAROPUS Brisson. Subgenus Phalaropus. Phalaropus Briss. Orn. vi, 1700, 12. Type, by elimination, Tringa lobata Linn. Lobipes " Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817." Type, Tringa hyperborea Linn.,= T lobata Linn. Char. Similar to Grymophilus, but bill subulate, and the nostrils strictly basal. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.) NORTHERN PHALAROPE. Tringa lobata Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12. i, 17G6, 249. Lobipes lobatus B. B. & R. Water B.N. Am. i, 1884, 330. Phalaropus lobatus Stejn. Auk, ii, 1885, 183.-A. O. U. Check List, 1880. No. 223.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 145. Tringa hyperborea~Lmx. S. N. ed. 12, i, 17G6, 249 (based on Faun. Suec. 179; Edw. 143; Will. 270; Ray, 132.— Phalaropus cinereus Briss. Orn. vi, 5). Phalaropus hyperboreus (male) Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 775 (excl. syn.; supposed female —G. fulicarius). — Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 239.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835. 118; v, 1839. 595, pi. 215.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 706— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 520. Lobipes hyperboreus Cuv. Beg. Anim. i,ed. 1829, 532.— Aud. Synop. 1839, 240; B. Am. v. 1842. 295, pi. 340,-Coues, Key, 1872, 248; Check List, 1873. No. 410; 2d ed. 1882, No. 603; B. N. W. 1874, 469.-RIDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 564. PHALAROPODID.E — THE PHALAROPES. 79 Hab. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere ; breeding very far north, and not penetrating far within the tropics in winter; chiefly, but not strictly, maritime. In America, recorded from the following southern localities: Bermudas; Duefias, Guatemala; Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Sp. Chae. Adidl : Above dark plumbeous, the back striped with ochraceous; wings dusky, the greater coverts widely tipped with white; lower parts chiefly white, the neck with more or less rufous. Female, with the sides of the neck and jugulum uniform cinna- mon-rufous, the plumbeous above pure and continuous. Male, with the rufous confined chiefly to the sides of the neck, the jugulum being mixed white and grayish, tinged with rufous; plumbeous above duller and less continuous than in the female. Young, first plum- age: Crown plumbeous-dusky, with or without streaks; back and scapulars black, dis- tinctly streaked with buff or ochraceous; wings as in a^lt, but middle coverts bordered with buff or whitish. Forehead, supra-auricular stripe, lores, and lower parts white, the jugulum and sides of breast sometimes suffused with dull brownish; auriculars dusky. Downy young : Above, bright tawny, the rump with three parallel stripes of black, enclos- ing two of lighter fulvous than the ground-color; crown covered by a triangular patch of m ttled darker brown, bounded irregularly with blackish; a black line over ears, not reach- ing to the eye; throat and rest of head light tawny-fulvous; rest of lower parts white, be- coming grayish posteriorly. Total length, about 7.00 inches; wing, 4.00-4. 15 ; culmen, .80-/K); tarsus, .75-85; middle toe, . 65-. 75. This species, which is a rather rare migrant in Illinois, is es- sentially similar in its habits and distribution to the Red Phal- arope. Mr. Nelson's record concerning it is as follows : "Rather rare migrant the first of May, and the last of Sep- tember and first of October. Frequents slow streams or marshy pools, where, swimming gracefully from one patch of floating weeds to another, it obtains its food. It is quite gentle and unsuspicious, and I have approached in a boat within five yards of one without its showing the least concern."" Subgenus Steganopus Vieillot. Steganopus Vieill. Nouv. I'i.-t. d'Hist. Nat. xxxii.1819, 136. Type, 8, tricolor Vieill. Chab. Bill slender and subulate, with strictly basal nostrils, as in s ; web be- tween outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint, the lateral membrane of all the U>"s narrow and scarcely scallops I. Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.) WILSONS PHALAROPE. Phalaropus lobatua Wn.s. Am. Orn. i\. \^s>.7'.. pi. ?:(. tig. 3 (nee Tringa • i • LlM Phalaropus in/sum Sabinb, App. Frankl. Journ. 1823,691. Bw, \ Rich, i . I I06.pl.69.- \' it. Man. n. 1834, 246.- Aim. Orn. Biog. Ill, 1636, 100, pi. 2E Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 706, Baebd, OatN. \m B. 1869, No. 619. Phalaropus [Holopodius] wilsoni Bonap. Synop. 1828, :u Nin r. Man. II, [834, 246. /<■<>>• iwi oni Lud. Synop. 1839. 241 ; B Lm. v, 1812. 299. pi. 341, 80 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Steganopus wilsoni Coues, Ibis, Apr. 1865, 158; Key, 1872, 248; Chock List, 1874, No. 409; 2d ed. 1882, No. 602; B. N. W. 1874, 467— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 565— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 335. Steganopus tricolor Vieill. Nouv.Dict. xxxii, 1819, 136. Phalaropus tricolor Stejn. Auk, ii, 1885, 183.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 224.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 145. Hab. Temperate North America, chiefly inland; north to eastern Oregon, Saskatche- wan, and Nova Scotia; south, in winter, to Brazil and Patagonia. (Not recorded from the Pacific coast of North America,) Sp. Chab. Adult female in summer: Forehead and crown pale pearl-gray, the former with a blackish line on each side; occiput and nape white, changing to piumbeous- gray on the back and scapulars. Stripe on side of head (chiefly ba?k of the eye), and con- tinued down sides of neck, deep black, changing on lower part of the neck into rich dark chestnut, which extends backward, somewhat interruptedly, on each side of the interscapu- lar region; outermost scapulars marked with a similar stripe. A short stripe above the lores and eyes (not reaching to the bill), cheeks, chin, and throat, pure white; foreneck and chest soft buffy-cinnamon, deepest laterally and posteriorly, and fading gradually into creamy buff on the breast; remaining lower parts white. Wings brownish gray, the coverts and tertials margined with paler; rump brownish gray; upper tail-coverts pure white. Adult male in summer: Smaller and much duller in color than the female, with the beautiful markings of the latter usually but faintly indicated. Adult and young in winter: Above plain light ash-gray; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts, white, the chest and sides of breast faintly tinged with pale ashy. Young r Crown, back, and scapulars blackish dusky, the feathers conspicuously margined with buffy ; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff. Downy young: General color bright tawny, or tawny-brown, paler beneath, the belly nearly white; occiput and nape with a distinct median streak of black, on the former branching laterally into two narrower, somewhat zig-zag lines; lower back and rump with three broad black stripes ; flanks with a black spot, and caudal region crossed by a wide sub- terminal bar of black. Female. Length, about 9.40-10.00 inches; wing, 5.20-5.30; culmen, 1.30-1.35; tarsus, 1.30- 1.35; middle toe, .90-1.00. Male. Length, about 8.25-9.00; wing, 4.75-4.80; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, 1.20-1.25; middle toe, .90. This beautiful bird, the adult female of which is by far the handsomest of our small Waders, is a common summer resi- dent in the prairie districts of Illinois. Mr. Nelson publishes an interesting account of the peculiari- ties, or characteristics, of this species, in his catalogue of the Birds of Northeastern Illinois (p. 124), which is as follows: "Very common summer resident in this vicinity. Found in abundance about damp prairies and on grassy marshes. Arrives about the middle of May and remains until into August. I have found its nest from the 25th of May to June 25th. The young usually appear about the middle of June and commence to fly the first of July. The breeding plumage of the female of this species is much brighter and richer than that of the male, as has been recently announced by Mr. A. L. Kumlein {Field mid Forest, July, 1876). The male builds the nest and attends exclusively to the duties of incubation, it alone possessing the PHALAROPODID.E— THE PHALAROPES. 81 naked abdomen during- the breeding season. The female always remains near, and shows great solicitude upon the nests' being approached. The first plumage of the 3roung, described by Dr. Coues on page 467, "Birds of the Northwest," is retained until they depart for the south, the last of July or early in August . The adults assume the winter plumage during July. This plum- age is much like the breeding plumage of the male, except that there is a hoary cast over the back and neck caused by grayish tips to the feal hers, and the female has a greater amount of dull chestnut on the sides of the neck. * * * "The nest is a simple structure of fine grass blades placed in a small saucer-shaped depression, generally in a perfectly open situation, where but slight concealment is afforded by the few surrounding grass blades. Sometimes the eggs are deposited directly upon the ground, without any nest other than the slight hollow. The eggs usually number four and are very dark. Their general appearance is much like that of a small killdeer's egg, with an unusual amount of dark markings." 1 1 82 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order ALECTORIDES.— The Cranes, Courlans, Rails, Gal- LINULES, AND COOTS. The Alectorides are a tolerably well-defined group of birds, related somewhat closely to the Limicolce, but very distinct from the Herodiones, to which some of the forms (more es- pecially the Gruidm) bear a teleological resemblance. Typical families of this Order are the Gruidm (Cranes), Aramidce (Cour- lans), and Rallidce (Rails), all represented in North America. In addition to these families, South America possesses several others which have been placed here, but whether rightly or not, we cannot say. These extralimital families are the Eurypygidm (Sun Bitterns), Cariamidw (Cariamas), and PsophUdm (Trum- peters). The typical members of the group are prsecocial and ptilopeedic. The North American families are the following: A. Size small or medium; head normally feathered or with a frontal shield; middle toe nearly as long as the tarsus; hallux well developed (nearly as long as the first joint of the middle toe), nearly incumbent. [Ralli.) Rallidae. Size medium to very small; outer primary longer than the sixth, very broad ; second nearly or quite equal to the longest. Rectrices almost rudimentary, soft, nearly hidden by the coverts. Bill not curved to one side at tip (usually shorter than the tarsus). Aramidae. Size medium or rather large ; outer primary shorter than seventh, the inner • web very narrow, except at end ; second quill much shorter than the longest (fifth). Rectrices well developed, firm, twelve in number. Bill curved to one side at tip, equal to or longer than the tarsus; inner secondaries broad, reaching to end of primaries, their webs partially decomposed. B. Size large; head partly naked (except in young), or with ornamental plumes; middle toe less than half the tarsus; hallux small, much elevated. (G-raes.) Gruidae. [Characters as^above.] KALLIIEE— THE HAILS, GALLINULES, AM) COOTS. 83 Subordeh RALLI. Family RALLID.ZE.— The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. Chae. Small or medium- sized wading or swimming birds, with compressed body, very long toes, which are sometimes (in tho Coots) lobed along the edges, short, rounded, concave wings, and very muscular t highs. The brief diagnosis given above is sufficient to distinguish the Rails, of whatever subfamily, from the Courlans and Cranes, their only near allies. The typical Rails (Rail lure) are of very small to medium size, the typical genus, RaZlus, being charac- terized particularly by a lengthened slender bill, while other gen- era, as Porza/iia and Ofex, have this member comparatively short and thick. The Coots and Gallinules have the base of the culmen continued upon the forehead, where it widens out into a more or less gibbous or expanded plate or frontal shield. The Coots, however, are peculiar in having the toes fringed with scalloped flaps or lateral lobes. The three subfamilies occurring in North America may be thus distinguished: Rallinae. No frontal process; toes without lateral lobes ; size variable ; bill sometimes much elongated. Gallinulinae. A frontal process, as in Fulicincs ; toes without lateral lobes; size large. Fulicinae. A frontal pn ss, aa in Gallinulinae; toes with a lateral lobed margin; size large. The several subfamilies having thus been defined, the North American genera may be characterized as follows: Subfamily RALLINJE.— The Rails. A. Bill Blender, equal to or longer than the tarsus. 1. Rallus. i Page 89.) B. Bill stout, doI more than two thirds the tarsus (usually much li 2. Porzana. Middle toe about equal to or slightly longer than tarsus; base "f gonys ii'. i forming a decided angle; middle of culmen decidedlj d< pressed or concave. (Page 92.) 3. Crex. Middle toe shorter than tarsus; base ol gonys forming a deoided angle; middle ofoulmen scarce!] appreciably depressed. \ el found In Illinois.) Subfamily GALLINULINJE. -The Gallinules. i. Ionornis. Nostril small, oval; middle toe shorter than tarsus: toes without I of lateral membrane; Inner posterioi fa f tarsus with a single row of large quadrate souteUre. ■V Gallinula. Nostril elongated, slit-like : middle toe long* nrltha deoided indication of lateral membrane; Im ' tarsus e with leveral irregulai ro^i of mall hexagonal 84 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily FULICIN-ffi.— The Coots. 6. Fulica. Nostrils, and proportionate length of toes and tarsus, as in Gallinula; toes bordered with a very wide, scalloped, lateral membrane; inner posterior face of tarsus covered with small scales, as in Gallinula.1 Subfamily FULICIN-ffi. Genus FULICA Linn.eus. Fulica Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 152; ed. 12, i, 1766, 257. Type, F. atra Linn. Chab. Very similar to Gallinula, but the toes margined by a broad, deeply scalloped lateral membrane. Bill shorter than the head, straight, strong, compressed, and advancing into the feathers of the forehead, where it frequently forms a wide and somewhat project- ing frontal plate; nostrils in a groove, with a large membrane, near the middle of the bill. Wings rather short, second and third quills usually longest; tail very short; tarsus robust, shorter than the middle toe, with very distinct transverse scales: toes long, each having semi-circular lobes, larger on the inner side; hind toe rather long, lobed. Almost the only difference between Fulica and Gallinula consists in the single character of the toes, as pointed out above. The two genera are, however, quite distinct, since there appears to be no species known that is intermediate in the charaoter of the feet. Fulica americana Gmel. AMERICAN COOT. Popular synonyms. Mud-hen; White- billed, or Ivory-billed, Mud- hen; Crow Duck. Fulica americana Gmel. S. N. i,pt. ii, 1788, 704.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 404.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 229.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835. 291; v, 1839, 508; Synop. 1839, 212; B. Am. v, 1842, 138, pi. 305.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 751.— Baied, Cat. N.Am. B 1859, No. 559. -Coues, Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 474; 2d ed. 1882, No. 686;' Birds N. W. 1874, 541.— Ridgw. Norn. N. A. B. 1881, No. 580; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 142 — A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 221. Fulica wilsoni Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, 236. Fulica atra Wils. Am. Orn. ix, 1825, pi. 73, flg. 1 (nee Linn.). Hab. The whole of North America, Middle America, and West Indies; north to Green- land and Alaska, south to Veragua and Trinidad. Sp. Chab. Adult: General color uniform slate-color or slaty plumbeous, the head and neck and anterior central portion of the crissum black ; lateral and posterior portions of the crissum, edge of wing, and tips of secondaries white. (In winter the belly suffused with whitish.) Bill milk-white, more bluish terminally, each mandible with a spot of dark brown near the end, bordered anteriorly with a more or less distinct bar of reddish chestnut; frontal shield dark chestnut, or liver-brown, the culmen just in front of this tinged with greenish yellow; iris bright crimson; legs bright yellowish green, the tibiae tinged behind and above with orange-red; toes light bluish gray, tinged with yellowish green on scutellae of basal phalanges.2 Young: Similar, but lower parts more gray, and much suffused. 1 A South American genus, Porphyriops Pucheean, belonging to the Gallinulinas, is much like Gallinula, but has the lateral margin to the toes more decidedly developed the gonys very short, and much ascending terminally, the culmen very straight and the front- al shield small and very pointed. 8 Fresh colors of an adult male killed at Wheatland, Indiana, April 15, 1881. RALLID^E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 85 with whitish, especially on the throat and belly; bill dull flesh-color, tinged with olive- greenish, the frontal shield rudimentary; iris brown. Downy young: Prevailing color blackish plumbeous; head, neck, and upper parts relieved by numerous crisp, elongated, somewhat filamentous bristles, these sparse, light orange-buff and white on the upper parts, but dense and deep salmon-orange on the head and neck, where the dark plumbeous down is almost or quite concealed; these colored filaments entirely absent from the whole pileum. which is mostly bald toward the occiput, elsewhere covered with closely appressed black bristles; lores densely covered with short, stamen-like, orange-red papillie. Bill orange-red, the tip of the maxilla black ; feet dusky (in skin). Total length, about 14 inches; wing, 7.25-7.60; culmen (to commencement of frontal shield), 1.25-1.50; tarsus, 2.00-2.20; middle toe, 2.45-2.65. The Coot is an exceedingly abundant summer resident in the more northern portions of the State. Mr. Nelson, in his list of the birds of Cook and adjacent counties {Hull. Essex Inst. VIII., 187G, pp. 185, 136), says the following concerning it : "Exceedingly abundant. Summer resident in large marshes, and it is far from rare in any marshy situation. Arrives the last of April and remains until the last of November. Nests ;it the same time as the Florida Gallinule, but shows a greater preference for reed patches, in which its nests are usually located, often in from two to four feet of water. The nests are gener- ally larger than those of gallinules, and rarely composed of other material than the dry stalks of reeds. Dr. Coues's descrip- tion of the nidification of this species will answer lor most of the eases I have observed, and I have examined a large number of nests. (See ''Birds of the Northwest." p. 512.) As winter approaches, and the marshes and shallow pools become covered with ice, these birds congregate in immense Hocks on the rivers and sih.m11 lakes, and remain until the cold weather closes the streams. "This bird has a curious habii when approached by a boal in .i stream, rising often before the bbal is within gunshot, and flying directly by the boatman, generally so near that it may he easily broughl down. The abundance of ducks and other game birds has caused the birds of this family to he hut little molested, until within a few years, when the amateur sportsmen from Chicago, finding the ducks difficult to obtain, ami "mud- hens," as coots ami gallinules are called, conveniently tame. have turned their batteries upon them ami have caused a dimi- nution iu their numbers aboul the Calumet Marshes. But in i he more retired marshes they si ill br I in undiminished num- bers." 86 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily GALUNULIN-ffi. Genus GAL.LINULA Brisson. Gallinula Bbiss. Orn. vi, 1760, 3. Type, Fulica chloropus Linn. Char. Bill shorter than head, compressed, its vertical outlines convex terminally, straight or slightly concave opposite the nostril; nostril elongated, longitudinal, slit-like; forehead covered by an extension of the horny covering of the bill (rudimentary in the young). Middle toe longer than the tarsus; toes with a slight lateral membrane or margin. The above characters will serve readily to distinguish the species of this genus from the American genera, Ionornis and Porphyriops, the former having the nostril small and oval, the middle toe shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace of lateral membrane, while the latter (an exclusively South American genus) has the frontal shield small and conical, and is, moreover, composed of birds of small size. Two American species of Gallinula are known, one of them (G. ga/nmami Allen) peculiar to the basin of Lake Titicaca, Peru. Both are more nearly allied to the G. chloropus of Europe than to any other species, but are very distinct from that, as well as from each other. Gallinula galeata (Licht.) FLORIDA GALLINULE. Popular synonyms. American Gallinule; Scarlet-fronted Gallinule; Red-billed Mud-hen. Crex galeata Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 80, No. 826. Gallinula galeata Bonap. Am. Orn. iv, 1832, 128.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 221.— Cass, in Bairds B. N. Am. 1858, 752— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1859, No. 560— Coues. Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 472; 2d ed. 1882, No. 684; Birds N. W. 1874. 540.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 579; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 141.-A. O. U. Check List,1886,No. 219. Gallinula chloropus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 336 (nee Lath.).— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 330, pi. 224; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 132, pi. 304. Hab. The whole of tropical and temperate America, from Canada to Brazil and Chili. Sp. Chab. Adult: Frontal plate large, obovate, truncated or slightly convex posteri- orly, flat and smooth, or tumid and corrugated. Bill shorter than the head, rather thick, compressed. Head, neck, and entire lower parts dark plumbeous, with a bluish cinereous cast, frequently nearly black on the head and neck, and generally lighter (in autumnal and winter specimens quite white) on the abdomen. Crissum white, the middle feathers black; feathers of the flanks widely edged with white, producing broad stripes ; edge of the wing and edge of outer primary white. Upper parts dark russet, or sepia-brown, darker on the rump. Bill and frontal shield bright vermilion in life, the end of the former greenish yellow or bright yellow; iris brown; legs and feet yellowish green, the joints ashy blue; upper HALLID.K — THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 87 part of the naked tibiae scarlet. Young: Similar, but frontal shield rudimentary, the bill orownish, paler at the tip; the whole lower parts suffused with whitish, and the head mixed with th<> same, particularly the throat, whi-h is sometimes wholly white. Stripes on the flanks less distinct or nearly obsolete. Downy Young: Glossy black, the median lower parts fuliginous; throat and cheeks interspersed with silvery white hairs; bill yel- lowish (red in life?) crossed about the middle by a dusky bar. Total length, about 12.00-13.00 inches; extent, 20.00 to 21.00; wing, 6.85-7.25; culmen (to end of frontal shield) 1.70-1.85; tarsus, 2.10-2.30; middle toe. 2.50-2.60. This species much resembles the Moor-hen, Water-hen, or Gal- linule of Europe (G. chlorqpus), but is larger, has the frontal shield truncated instead of pointed posteriorly, and is other- wise different. It likewise resembles other exotic species, par- ticularly G. garrrwmi of the Peruvian Andes, but is quite dis- tinct. Specimens vary a great deal in the size and shape of the frontal shield, and in the amount of white on the abdomen. These variations are by no means dependent on locality, how- ever, but upon the individual, having doubtless some connec- tion, with age and season, the white on the abdomen being more marked on winter specimens. Although in most places less numerous than the Coot (ttt- Uca americcma), the Florida Gallinule is, in favorable localities. a common summer, resident throughout the State. Mr. Nelson bears witness to its abundance in Cook county, and in his ex- cellent list gives us the following information concerning it: "Abundant summer resident everywhere in marshes and the larger prairie sloughs. Arrives the last of April or the first of May. Generally has a full set of eggs, numbering from seven to twelve, the first week of June. Its nests are placed wherever fancy dictates; on low ridges a rod or more from the water; in perfectly bare situations on the borders of marshes, or in the midst of bulrushes or wild rice growing in several feel of water. The material used varies with the situation, from fine grasses bo the coarsest rushes and fragments of wild rice stalks. In the latter case fche uesl often floats in the water and is held in place by the surrounding reeds. The young possess the usual black down and disproportionate feel of members of this family a1 an early age. hut the basal two thirds of the bill is bright red, the tip only being yellow. I have placed eggs under a hen, bu1 the young, unless removed as soon as hatched, would scramble oul and manage to get away, A.1 this age they have a clear metallic | p, quite unlike thai of a chicken." 88 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus IONORNIS Reichenbach. ? Porphyrula Blyth, Cat. B. Asiat. Soc. 1849, 283. Type, P. chloronotus Blyth. > Ionornis Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1853, p. xxi. Type, Fulica martinica Linn. Chae. Similar to GalUnulabnt form more slender, nostrils small and oval, middle toe shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace of lateral membrane. Colors very hand. some (chiefly opaque blue, purple, and green). Whether the American species, to which the generic name adopted above is properly applicable, is congeneric with the old world species {Porphyrio chloronotus Blyth, nee Vieill.), which is the type of the genus Porphyrula Blyth, is at present un- certain. [6Y. D. G. Elliot: "The Genus Porphyrio and its Species;" separate pamphlet, from "Stray Feathers," pp. 1-20.] Ionornis martinica (Linn.) PURPLE GALLINTJLE. Popular synonyms. Blue Coot; Blue Peter; Blue Mud-hen. Fulica martinica Linn. S. N. i, 1766, 259. . G-allinula martinica Lath. 1790.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 221.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 37, pi. 305; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 128, pi. 303— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 753-Baikd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561. Porphyrio martinica Gosse, Birds Jam. 1847, 377.— Coues, Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 473. Ionornis martinica Reich. Av. Syst. 1853. 21.— Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1881, 202, 227; Norn. N. Am. B.1881. No. 578; Man. N.Am. B. 1887, 141.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 685; A. O. U. CheckList 1886, No. 218. Oallinula porphyrio Wils. Am. Orn. ix, 1824, 69, pi. 73. Hab. The whole of tropical and warm-temperate America, south to Brazil; north, cas- ually, to Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. Ber- mudas and throughout West Indies. Not recorded from any part of the United States west of the Rocky Mountains. Sp. Chab. Adult: Head, neck, and lower parts slaty bluish purple, darker (sometimes nearly black) on abdomen and tibiae; crissum pure white; upper parts bright olive-green, changing to bright verditer-blue toward the purple of the lowerTparts, the sides and lining of wing also greenish blue; wings brighter green than the back, and shaded with bright ver- diter-blue. Frontal shield bright blue in life (greenish or olivaceous in dried skin); bill bright red, tipped with yellow; iris crimson; legs and feet yellowish. Young: Above, light fulvous-brown, tinged with greenish on wings ; beneath, fulvous or buff y, the belly whitish ; frontal shield smaller than in adult, dusky (in skins); bill dull yellowish. Downy young : "Entirely black," (Audubon). Total length about 12.50 inches; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen (in- cluding frontal shield), 1.85-1.95; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle toe, 2.25-2.35. Specimens vary remarkably in the size and form of the frontal plate. In 36,785 Ceara, Brazil, it is broader than long, and its posterior margin rounded; usually it is longer than broad, and its posterior extremity an angle — sometimes acute. There is also much difference among individuals in the intensity of the colors. 1 The interrogation mark here implies the doubt as to whether the Indian bird is con- generic with the American species. Should such prove to be the case, which we do not re- gard probable, our bird would stand as Porphyrula martinica. RALLID.E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 89 All these variations appear, however, to be purely individual (perhaps partially seasonal), or at least entirely independent of locality. This essentially southern species is comparatively a rare bird in Illinois, though it may be more common than the records show. According to Mr. Nelson, a male specimen was taken in May, 1886, by Mr. C. N. Holden, Jr., near Chicago, and he was informed by Dr. Hoy that a specimen had been captured at Racine. Its general habits are much like those of the Florida Gallinule (Gallinula galeata). Subfamily RALLINiE Genus RALLXJS Linn.eus. Rallus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758. 153; ed 12. 1766.261. Type. //. aquaticus Linn. Char. Bill longer than the head, rather slender, compressed; upper mandible slightly curved; nostrils in a long groove, and with a large membrane; wings short ; tertiary quills long, frequently longer than the primaries; tail very short; lees moderate; tarsus shorter than the middle toe, and covered on all sides with transverse scales; toes l'>ng and rather slender; inner toe rather shorter than the outer; hind toe short and weak. This genus contains numerous species, inhabiting all the tem- perate countries of the world. They are very similar in their habits, and frequently in appearance. Their long toes enable them to run over and climb amongst aquatic plants with great facility. Synopsis of tht North American Species. Common Characters. Above olive or ashy, with more or less distinct broad longitudi- nal strip.- of darker; beneath concolored anteriorly, variegated wit h bar- on the Hanks and crissum. Breast more or less reddish; flanks and crissum with brown and white transverse bars; a supraloral light stripe. Wing-coverts usually more rufesoenl than back. A. Size large (wing more than Ave inches). a. Axillars and Hanks dusky, with wide white bars (bars aboul .15 of an Inch wide on Hanks). l. R. elegans. Back and scapulars ochraoeous-olive or yellowish drab, sharply and conspicuously striped with black; breasl deep cinnamon. Wing, •"■.'."' ,;>n; cul- men, 2.10-2.50; least depth of bill. .22-.S5; tarsus, 1.90 2.40; middle toe, 1.70 J. in. ffdb. Fresh-water marshes of eastern North America. i>. Axillars and flanks brownish eray, with narrow white bars (bars about .10 of aninoh wide on Hanks). -'. R. crepitans. Back and Boapulars brownish gray or ashy, obBQletely striped with brown (in Gulf coast specimens distinctly 9triped with dusky); breast pale buff (Id Gulf coast i [mens dull oinnamon). Wing. 5.20-6.00; culmen, 2J least depth of bill, .22-.S6; tarsus, 1.86-2.10; middle toe, 1.76-2.00. Uab. Bait- marshes of ea B. Size -mall (wing less than 1.50 inches). :t. R. virginianus. similar to /.'. - egans, but rather more deeply colored. ffo©. i and Middle Am —12 90 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Rallus elegans Aud. KING KAIL. Popular synonyms. Red-breasted Rail: Great Red-breasted Rail; Marsh Hen; Sedge Hen; Mud-hen. ' Ealhis crepitans Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, pi. 62, fig, 2 (fig. but not descr. Not R. crepitans Gmel.).— (?) Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. iii, 1872, 182 (Great Salt Lake, Utah).1 Rallus elegans Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 27, pi. 203; Synop. 1839,215; B. Am. v, 1842, 160. pi. 309.-BAIKD, B. N. Am. 1858, 746; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 552.— Coues, Key, 1872, 273; Check List, 1873, No. 466; 2d ed. 1882, No. 676; Birds N. W. 1874, 535.-Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 569; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 138.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 208. Hab. Fresh-water marshes of the Eastern Province of the United States, north, casu- ally, to Massachusetts, Maine, and Ontario, regularly to the Middle States and northern Illinois; west to Kansas (Great Salt Lake, Allen?2). Replaced in the salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts by representative forms of R. crepitans. Sp. Chak. Adult: Above, yellowish olive or ochraceous-drab. very conspicuously and sharply striped with black; crown dark brown; asupfaloral streak of brownish white, con- tinued to the occiput in a broader stripe of brownish gray; lores and suborbital region brownish gray or dull brownish; chin and throat white; remainder of head and neck, in- cluding chest and breast, light cinnamon; flanks and sides dark brownish or blackish dusky, barred with white, the white bars averaging about .10-.15 of an inch in width, the in- terspaces more than twice as wide; crissum mixed dusky and white, the lateral feathers almost immaculate white; middle of the abdomen considerably lighter than the breast, sometimes quite white; axillars and lining of the wing similar to the flanks, but white bars narrower, and less distinct. Wing-coverts rusty brownish, sometimes inclining to chest- nut, and not infrequently more or less barred with reddish white; tertials widely striped, like the scapulars: remiges plain umber brown; rectrices raw- umber, with a dusky medial stripe. "Lower mandible and edges of upper brownish yellow; ridge of upper, and tfps ot both, deep brown; iris bright red; feet yellowish brown, tinged with olive; claws of the same color" (Audubon). Bon-ny young: Uniform glossy black: bill dusky, the end, and in- complete wide band near the base (enclosing the nostril), pale yellowish or whitish (in the skin); legs and feet brownish (in skin). Total length, about 17 inches; wing. 5.90-6.80; culmen, 2.12-2.50; depth of bill in middle. .27-.35; tarsus, 2.20-2.40; middle toe, 1.80-2.10. The individual variation in this species is very considerable, both as regards coloration and the proportions; but it may always be readily distinguished from the allied forms by the characters pointed out above, the very conspicuous, sharply- defined, and broad black stripes above, upon an ochrey brown or yellowish olivaceous ground-color, combined with the cinna- mon breast and dark flanks, being the prominent distinctive features. The chief variation in colors consists in the degree of ashiness on the side of the head (some examples being distinctly ashy, as in most specimens of B. crepitans), and in the precise shade of the ground-color of the upper parts, which, however, is never ashy. 1 May possibly be R. obsoletus. 2 No specimens seen: may possibly be R. obsoletus. RALLIDvE— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 91 This fine bird, the largest of the American true Rails, is a common summer resident, in suitable localities, throughout the State. In Cook county it arrives, according to Mr. Nelson, "the last of April and departs in October." Rallus virginianus Linn. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus virginianus Linn.S.N. ed. 12, i,1766,263.-WiL8. Am. Orn. vii.1813.109.pl. G2, fig. 1.- Nutt. Man. ii, 1834.205; Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 41; v, 1839, 573, pl.205;B. Am. v, 1842. 174, pi. 311,-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 748; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 554,-Coues, Key. 1872,273: Check List, 1873. No. 4(57; 2.1 ed. 1882, No. 677; Birds N. W. 1874. 536.-Ridgw. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, No. 3. 1880, 140; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 572; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 138- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 212. Hab. The whole of temperate North America as far as the British Provinces, south to Guatemala and Cuba; winters a'most to the northern limit of its range.1 Sp. Char. Adult: A miniature of R. elegans. but more deeply colored. Above oliva- ceous,'heavily striped with black; wing-coverts chestnut-rufous; remiges plain dusky; crown and nape dusky, sometimes uniform, usually indistinctly streaked with olive; a brownish white supraloral line; side of head uniform plumbeous (sometimes obscured with a brownish wash); malar region, forene-k. chest, breast, sides, and abdomen, some- times throat also, cinnamon, the middle of the belly lighter (sometimes whitish): flanks (not sides) and axillars dusky, barred with white; lining of wing dusky, the feathers tipped and bordered with white. Downy young: Glossy black; bill scarlet or orange-red in life (whitish or pale yellowish in the skin), slightly marked with blackish in front of the nostril and on the base of mandible. Voung (first plumage): "Top and sides of head, neck behind. back anteriorly, rump, breast, and sides, dull dead black. Interscapular region black, with a few of the feathers margined with brownish olive. Wing-coveits and wings nearly as in adult a little duller and darker, perhaps. Superciliary line obscure ashy. Throat ashy white, finely spotted with black. Central region of lower breast and abdomen, with a few of the feathers on the sides, tinged with white. Anal region and crissum dull reddish chestnut. In my cabinet, from Cambridge, Mass.. August, 1875. Several other specimens of corresponding ages agree closely with the one above described. A male, however (Cam- bridge, Aug. 9, 1875), differs in having a faint reddish wash over the white on the breast and abdomen." (Bkewstf.h. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club.Jan, 1879, p. 45). Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, 3.90-4.25; culmen. 1.45-1.60; tarsus, 1.30-1.40: middle toe. L.20-1.40. "Bill dark brown, the lower mandible and edges of upper yellowish brown; iris bright red; Eee1 yellowish brown tinged with olive; claws more dusky." (Au- dubon.) This species is very much like A', elegans in miniature, being exc lingly similar to thai species in colpration. Close exam- ination, however, reveals several importanl differences, the more obvious of whirl] are fche following: The whole plumage is darker; the sides of the head more uniformly and distinctly plumbeous; the sides and abdomen are cinnamon, like the breast, instead of being respectively barred, like the Banks, and i \ Bpeoimen was 3en1 by C ":i1 Museum from Walla Walla, Washington, which waa Bhol Jan. 16. 1879. when th. 679; Birds N. W. 1874, .538— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B 1881, No. 574; .Man. V Am. I'... 1887, 139.— \. o. (J., Cheok List, 1886, No. 214. Bab. The whole oftemperate North a rioa, bul most common In the Eastern Prov- ince; Wesl Indies in general; whole of Middle America, Bouth t.> Colombia ami Venezuela; accidental in Greenland ami Europe; Bermudas [numerous in migration: Bi • • da ohlefl) in Ihe northern pa' is of its range. 94 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Chab. Adult: Above bright olive-brown, with longitudinal spots of black, some of the feathers edged with white; tori of head with a long longitudinal stripe of black; ante- rior portion of head, with chin and throat, black; sides of head and nsck (except as de- scribed), chest, and breast light plumbeous; abdomen white; anal region and crissum creamy white or pale buff; flanks sharply barred with white and slate-color. Young: Similar, but lores and superciliary stripe brownish, the chin and throat whitish; rest of neck, with chest and breast, light brownish. Bill greenish yellow (more orange, espe- cially at base, in summer adults); iris brown; legs and feet greenish. "Downy stage— chick a few days old: Bill short, exceedingly depressed, high at base, rapidly tapering, the tip deflected. The whole body densely covered with dull black down, beyond which are produced abundant long, glossy, black hair-like filaments. Upon the throat is a tuft of stiff, coarse bristle-like feathers of a bright orange-color. These are directed forward, and give the bird a most singular appearance. (Prom a specimen in my cabinet collected at Cam- bridge, Mass., June 24, 1874.) This bird, although the only specimen of the kind now at hand, is one of a large brood which was attended by the female parent. Several of Ihe others were distinctly seen and closely examined at the time. All had a similar orange tuft upon the throat." [Bkewsteb, in Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January 1879, p. 48.] The most abundant and most universally known bird of its genus inhabiting the United States, and variously known as the "Kail," ''Sora," or "Ortolan," according to locality. It is especially numerous along the creeks and rivers on the Atlantic during the autumnal migration, when excursions for obtaining it are a favorite amusement of gunners and sportsmen. It appears to inhabit the entire temperate regions of North America. There is apparently little, if any, geographical varia- tion noticeable in a large series of specimens, and the principal individual variation consists in the extent of the black on the throat, which in some examples extends back as far as the middle of the abdomen. Mr. Nelson thus describes the nesting habits of the Sora: "Exceedingly abundant summer resident in all marshy situa- tions. Arrives the first of May and departs in October. Nests along the borders of prairie sloughs and marshes, depositing from eight to fourteen eggs. Their nest may often be discovered at a distance by the appearance of the surrounding grass, the blades of which are in many cases interwoven over the nest, apparently to shield the bird from the fierce rays of the sun, which are felt with redoubled force on the marshes. The nests are sometimes built on a solitary tussock of grass, growing in the water, but not often. The usual position is in the soft, dense grass growing close to the edge of the slough, and rarely in grass over eight inches high. The next is a thick matted platform of marsh grasses, with a medium-sized depression for the eggs." RALLID.E THE— RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 95 Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.) YELLOW KAIL. Popular synonym. Little Yellow Rail. Fulica noveboracensis Gmel. S. N. i.pt. ii. 1788, 701. Ortygometra noveboracensis Stephens, 1824.- Aud. Synop.1830. 213; B. Am. v. 1S!2, 152. pi. 307. Eallus noveborncmsis Bonap. 1827; Am. Orn. iv. 1832. 136, pi. 27. fig. 2.-Nutt. Man. 11. 1831 215 -Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. ii, 1831. 402- Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 251, pi. 32tf. Porzana noveboracensis Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 750.-Baird, Cat. N. Am.B. 1859, No. 557.-C0UES.Key, 1872, 274; Check List, 1873,No. 469; 2d ed. 1882, No. 680; Birds N. W. 1874,539-Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881> No. 575; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 140- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 215. "Porzana jamaicensis (?)" (error) Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. Exp. 1877, 613 (Nevada and Utah).i Hab. Eastern North Ameriea, north to Hudson's Bay. Nova Scotia, west to Utah and Nevada. No extralimital record except Cuba and the Bermudas. Sp. Char. Adult. Yellowish ochraceous, very glossy above, where broadly striped with black, the black intersected by narrow bars of white; belly whitish; flanks dusky narrowly barred with white ; crissum light cinnamon ; axillars, lining of wing, and exposed portion of secondaries, white. "Bill greenish black, with the base dull yellowish orange: iris hazel; feet and claws light flesh-color" (Audubon). Total length about 6.00 inches; wing 3.00-3.50; culmen, .50.55; tarsus, .90-1.00; middle toe, .90. There is considerable individual variation, both in size and markings, even among specimens from the .same locality. Although very rarely seen, on account of its skulking habits and extreme reluctance to take wing, the little Yellow Rail is not an uncommon bird in Illinois. Mr. Nelson gives it as "not very rare'' in Cook county, where it arrives early in May. Sev- eral specimens, he says, are taken each spring, before the grass becomes sufficiently high to effectually conceal them. The National Museum possesses its eggs from Winnebago, taken by Mi-. .1. \V. Tolmaii. thus proving that it breeds in the northern pari of the State. i The small Kail referred by me, with greal hesitation, to /'. iamaicensis. in ,1U '-Report of the Ornithology of the Fortieth Parallel Expedition" (Vol I v.. Pt Hi, p. 613), was undoubtedly this species, which is the only one sho wing white alone the hinder margin ofthewlng a] ulii d ol the birds observed. The apparently "blackish ci was .in.' to Imperfect observation. 96 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.) BLACK RAIL. Popular synomym. Little Black Rail. Rallus jamaicensis Gmel S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 718— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 359, pi. 349. Ortygometra jamaicensis "Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool."— Aud. Synop. 1839, 2i4; B. Am. v, 1842, 157, pi. 308. Porzana jamaicensis Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858.749.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No- 556— Coues, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1873, No. 470; 2d ed. 1882, No. 681 : Birds N. W. 1874, 539— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 576; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 140.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 216. Hab. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois (breeding), Utah, Nevada, and California; south through western South America to Chili; Cuba; Jamaica; Bermudas. Sp. Char. Smaller than P. noveboracensis, and the smallest of North American Ral- lidee. Adult: Head, neck, and lower parts dark plumbeous or slate-color, darkest, and often nearly black, on the pileum; abdomen and crissum brownish black, marked with transverse bars of white; nape and back dark chestnut or reddish sepia-brown, the other upper parts brownish black, with small dots and irregular transverse bars of white; prima- ries immaculate dusky, or with small spots of white. Young: Similar, but lower parts dull ashy, the throat inclining to white, and the crown tinged with reddish brown. Downy young: "Entirely bluish black" (Cassin). Bill black; iris red; "feetbright yellowish green" (Audubon1). Total length, about 5.00 inches; wing 2.50-3.20; culmen, .50-.60; tarsus, 85-.90 ; middle toe, 80-1.00. Like its relative, the Yellow Rail, the present species is much more numerous than one not familiar with its habits would suppose. Mr. Nelson's memoranda concerning it {Bull. Essex Inst., VIII., 1876, pp. 134, 135) are as follows: "Like the preceding, of not very rare occurence. Breeds, Dur- ing the spring of 1875 I saw three specimens in the Calumet Marshes. The first was observed early in May. On the 19th of June, the same season, while collecting with me near the Calumet River. Mr. Frank DeWitt, of Chicago, was fortunate enough to discover a nest of this species containing ten freshly laid eggs. The nest was placed in a deep cup-shaped depression in a per- fectly open situation on the border of a marshy spot, and its only concealment was such as a few straggling carices afforded. It is composed of soft grass blades loosely interwoven in a cir- cular manner. The nest, in shape and construction, looks much like that of a meadow lark. The following are its dimensions in inches: Inside depth, 2.50; inside diameter, 3.25; outside depth, 3.50; outside diameter, 4.50. The eggs are a cream-white 1 In an adult male, killed June 6, 1879, near Washington, D. C, the fresh colors of the "soft parts" were as follows: Bill entirely deep black; iris bright brick-red; legs and feet brown, much the same color as the wing-coverts. RALLID.E— THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 97 instead of clear white, as I stated in a recent article {Bull. Wutt. Orn. CI iih, Vol. I., p. 43), and average 1.00 by .81 inches. They are nearly perfectly oval, and are thinly sprinkled with fine reddish-brown dots, which become larger and more numerous a1 one end. Minute shell markings in the form of dots are also visible. Owing to the small diameter of the nest, the eggs were in two la vers." -13 98 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family GRUID-ffi— The Cranes. The diagnosis of this family has already been given on page 82. The species are all of very large size, and inhabit grassy plains, as well as marshes. The bill is moderately long; the nostrils broad and pervious, the nasal groove extending but little beyond them. The legs are long, but the toes are short; the hind toe is very short and much elevated, the claw scarcely touching the ground. The genera are few in number, but one, Crrus, belonging to North America. Genus GRUS Pallas. Grus Pall. Misc. Zool. 1766, 66. Type, Ardea grus Linn. Chak. Bill lengthened, straight, the upper mandible only slightly decurved at the ex- treme tip ; the commissure and other outlines straight. Nasal groove very large and open, extending over the basal two thirds of the bill. Nostrils broadly open, pervious ; the ante- rior extremity half way from the tip of bill to eye. The upper half of the head naked, warty, but with short hairs. Legs much lengthened; toes short, hardly more than one third the tarsus. Inner toe rather longer, its claw much larger than the outer. Hind toe elevated, short. Toes con- nected at base by membrane. Tarsi broadly scutellate anteriorly. Tertials longer than primaries, decurved; first quill not much shorter than second. Tail of twelve feathers. Synopsis of Species. A. Adult plumage white, the primaries black ; cheeks naked. Bill very thick, the gonys strongly convex. 1. G. americana. B. Adult plumage grayish or plumbeous, the primaries slate-color; cheeks always feath- ered. Bill slender, longer than middle toe ; gonys straight. 2. G. canadensis. Wing, 17.75-19.00 inches ; culmen, 2. 90-3.70 ; tarsus, 6.70-8.00 ; middle toe 2.80-2.95. Hah. Alaska to New Mexico and Texas, breeding (exclusively?) far northward. 3. G. mexicana. Wing, 22.00 inches; culmen, 5.00-6.00; tarsus, 10.00; middle toe, 3.50 or more. Hah. Western United States and Gulf States from Washington to Florida. GRITID.E— THE CRANES. 99 Grus americana (Linn.) WHOOPING CRANE. Popular synonym. Great White Crane. A rdea americana Linn. S. N. ed. 18, i. 1766, 234.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 20, pi. 64, fig. 3. Grus americana Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 372.— Nutt. Man. 1834, 34.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 202, pi. 226; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. V.1842,188,pl.313.-BAIBD, B. N. Am. 1858, 654; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 478.— Coues, Key, 1872. 271; Check List, 1873, No. 462; ed. 2, 1882, No. 668; Birds N. W. 1874, 530, Redgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582; Man. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 204. Grus hoy anus, Dudley, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 1854. 64 (young).— Stimpson, Mem. Chicago Acad, i, 1868, 129, pi. 19. Hab. The interior of North America from Texas and Florida to the Fur Countries, and from Colorado to Ohio; south to Guanajuato, Central Mexico?1 Formerly found, casually, in the Atlantic States. Sp. Chab. Adult: Whole crown and occiput covered by a warty or granulated skin almost bare on the occiput, but covered anteriorly by black hair-like bristles; the color of this skin reddish in life. Lores and malar region, including a narrow angular strip extending from the latter down each side of the throat, also naked, and similarly bristled, the bristles denser anteriorly. Color entirely puro white, excepting the primaries and their coverts, which are uniform slate- black, and a patch of plumbeous on the upper part of the nape, adjoining the bare skin of the occiput and extending downward for the distance of about two inches. "Bill wax-yellow; iris gamboge-yellow; bare skin of head dull orange-color; legs blue-black." (Sw. & Rich. 1. c.) Young: Head completely feathered. General color white, with large patches here and there, especially above, of light cinnamon, the head and neck almost continuously of this color. The primaries and their coverts uniform dull black, as in the adult, Bill dull wax-yellow, the terminal portion blackish; lees and feet blackish. Immature: Bare portions of the head indicated by feathers of a harsher texture and darker color than elsewhere, occupying the areas which are naked in the fully adult. Plumage much stained with pale cinnamon, as in the first plumage. Total length, about 52.00 inches; extent, 92.00; wing, 24.00; culmen, 5.35; tarsus, 12.00; middle toe, 4.25. Once an abundant migrant, and in some localities a common summer resident, this grand bird is now rare in most parts of the State, and is becoming yearly more so. Mr. Nelson remarks of it: "Along the Illinois River and more thinly settled portions of the State it is still common during the migrations, and a few pairs breed upon the large marshes in central Illinois." Grus mexicana (Mull.) SAND HILL CRANE. Popular synomym. Brown Crane. Ardea {grus) mexicana Muli,. s. N. BappL 1776. 110 (6Z BBIS8. Orn. v. 380). Grus oanadensia, />. mi ticana B. B. ft K. Water 15. N. Am. 1, 1884. 107. Grus mexicana Riuow. Proc. U. S. Nut. MUB. vffl.1885, SM; Man. N. Am. B, 1887.135. A. O. U. ( 'lHK'k. List. 1886. No. 106. i Fide Professor A. Duges, in eplst 100 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea canadensis, var. /3. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 676 (Mexico). Grus pratensis Babte. Travels, 1791, 144, 218— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 670. Grus fusca (part) Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xiii, 1817, 558. Grus canadensis Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 38 (nee Ardea canadensis Linn.).— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 655 ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 479— Coties, Key, 1872,271 ; Check List, 1873, No. 463 ; B.N. W. 1874, 532.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 467.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 611 ; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 583. Grus americana (supposed young) Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 441, pi. 261; Synop. 1839, 219; B. Am. v. 1842, 188, pi. 314. Hab. Southern half of North America, but now very rare along Atlantic coast north of Georgia; south to central Mexico; breeding in Florida and Cuba, and from the States im- mediately west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and in Mexico. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire pileum, including lores, covered with a bare, granulated skin (reddish in life), interspersed with scattered fine blackish hairs; the posterior margin of this bare skin divided medially, on the occiput, by an angular projection of the feathers on the upper part of the nape. General color of the plumage continuous and nearly uniform slaty gray, this frequently stained or overlaid in places by a rusty wash, the primaries slate-colored, with whitish shafts. Cheeks and throat sometimes distinctly whitish. Legs and feet blackish; bill blackish, paler at tip; iris crimson? Young: Head entirely feath- ered. Plumage much as in the adult, but of a lighter and more brownish gray, and always conspicuously stained, especially on upper parts, with tawny-cinnamon or rusty. Sandhill Cranes usually arrive in Illinois on their way north- ward during the latter half of March, and return in October or November. Formerly, large numbers remained within the State to breed, but so thickW has the country become settled, that those which now do so are very few indeed — at least in com- parison with former years. As long ago as 1876, Mr. Nelson stated that, while formerly nesting abundantly on all the large marshes, but few then bred except on one or two large marshes in the central part of the State, where he was informed they were "still quite numerous". Just where the large marshes in question are located, Mr. Nelson has not told us. During their migrations they pass high in the air, often be- yond the limits of sight, but making their presence known by their sonorous, rattling, trumpet-like notes, which have been aptly compared to the sound "made by the blocks and ropes when hoisting sail on a vessel". Unlike the Great Blue Heron, which usually passes under the name of "crane" or "blue crane," the Sandhill Crane feeds more in meadows, prairies, and plowed fields than in marshes, and its food, instead of being chiefly frogs, crayfish, and fishes, con- sists largely of field-mice and other small mammals, grasshop- pers, succulent roots, seeds, etc., potatoes, and especially sweet GRUED2E — THE CRANES. 101 potatoes, being greatly relished. In fact, it is practically om- nivorous; and when domesticated will devour almost anything eatable that is presented to it. Like the heron, however, it is extremely wary, and cautious indeed must be the hunter who approaches within gunshot. The nest of the Sandhill Crane is placed on the ground among vegetation, which conceals it, sometimes in a marsh, but often on dry spots. The eggs are usually two in number, their average size being about 3.98 by 2.44 inches, and their color some shade of pale olive-brown, or drab, spotted with darker brown, red- dish brown, and purplish gray. The young are at first covered with a soft dense down, bright rusty on the upper parts and pale grayish on the lower, and are said to be unable to fly until they become nearly as large at their parents, whom they follow about until able to take wing, before which time they elude pur- suit by swiftly running and then hiding among the grass and weeds. Taken when quite small, they are very easily domesti- cated and become most amusing pets; but are somewhat dan- gerous on account of their propensity to use their sharp bills, thus endangering the eyesight of persons who allow them to become too familiar. —A. 101* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order HERODIONES.— The Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Characters. Altricial ptilopasdic Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened and nearly or quite incumbent; palate desmognathous; carotids double; habits more or less arboreal. The Order Herodiones includes several distinct gvoups, which may be defined as follows: a1. Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterruptedly from the nostrils to the tip Suborder Djides. is. Sides of upper mandible without any groove. b1. Hind toe inserted above the level of the anterior toes; claws broad and flat, resting on a heavy pad or shoe, the middle one not pectinated. Suborder Cicoaiae. b2. Hind toe inserted on the same level as the anterior toes; claws narrow, arched, the under surface free, and the middle one with its inner edge pectinated. Suborder Herodii. Suborder IBIDES.— The Spoonbills and Ibises. Families. a1. Bill very broad and excessively flattened, greatly widened toward end, only the ex- treme tip decurved Plataleidae. «*. Bill slender, nearly cylindrical, or even narrower than deep toward end, gradually but decidedly decurved for nearly whole length Ibididae. PLATALEID-E— THE SPOONBILLS. 1024 Family PLATALEID^E.— The Spoonbills. Chae. Large-sized Ibis-like birds, with the bill greatly flattened and expanded term- inally. Bill deep through the base (the culmen ascending), but immediately flattened ; nar- rowest across the middle portion, the end widely expanded, the tip rounded and decurved. Nostrils superior, longitudinal, without surrounding or overhanging membrane; nasal fossse prolonged forward in a narrow, continuous groove to the extreme tip of the bill (as in the Ibises), its course nearly (or in some genera quite) parallel with the lateral outline of the maxilla; approximate surfaces of maxilla and mandible with one or two rows of more or less prominent tooth-like papillce along each side. Tarsus longer than middle toe, and with small longitudinal hexagonal scales in front; outer toe decidedly longer than inDer, its claw reaching to the base of the middle claw; hallux nearly incumbent, about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; bare portion of tibia longer than outer toe; web between inner and middle toes well developed. Wings ample, reaching about to the end of the tail, the primaries a little longer than the tertials. Tail short, even, of twelve stiff, broad, round-ended feathers. The Spoonbills are closely related to the Ibises, but differ con- spicuously in the flattened, paddle-shaped bill, as well as in some other minor characters. They belono- chiefly to the east- ern hemisphere, where six or seven species, representing three genera, occur, the western hemisphere possessing but a single species, of different generic type from those of the Old World. Genus AJAJA Reichenbach. Ajaja Eeichenb. Handb. 1851, xvi. Type, Platalea ajaja Linn. Gen. Chab. Bill much expanded and excessively depressed terminally, (ho tip de- curved, much broader than deep at the base, the middle portion contracted to considerably less than one half the width of the terminal "disk." Nostrils sub-basal, superior, near to- gether, longitudinal, and without adjacent membrane. Head completely bald in the adult (feathered almost to the bill in the young). Legs comparatively short, the tarsus but little longer than the middle toe, covered in front, as well as all round, with small, longitudinal. hexagonal sealos. Plumage of the neck short, downy.1 > A Rpeeiitl modification of the trachea further distinguishon the genus Ajaja from riatalea. according to Professor Garrod (P. Z. 8. 1875, p. »9. fig. 2), who describes this organ 88 "simple, straight, of uniform calibre, and peculiarly short, extending only two thirds the neck, whore the uncomplicated syrinx is situated, 88*1 the bifuroatiOD of th« bronchi occurs." In Platalea, on the other hand, the trachea is "eousoluud within th« thorax," etc. (Soo Yarbell. liitt. Brit. S. vol. ii, i 103* BIRDS OP ILLINOIS. Ajaja ajaja (Linn.) KOSEATE SPOONBILL. Popular synonym. Pink Curlew (Florida). Platalea ajaja Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 140 (ex Sloank, B. Jam. ii, 316; Mabcgb.; Rat); ed. 12, i, 1766, 231.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 123, pi. 62 (immature).— Nutt. Man. ii,1834, 79.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 188; B. Am. vi, 1843, 72, pi. 362 (adult).— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 686.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 501.— Coues, Key. 1872, 264; Check List, 1873, No. 448. Ajaja ajaja Bouo. Cat. Av. 1876, 54.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 183.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 123. Platea mexicana ("Willoughby") Gamb. Jour. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. Ser. 2, I, 1849, 222 ("San Francisco"). Ajaja rosea (ex Platea rosea Beiss.) Reich. "Nat. Syst. 16".— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 505.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 653.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 102. Hab. Whole of tropical and subtropical America; north regularly to Gulf coast of the United States; formerly ranging northward in Mississippi Valley to southern Illinois. Sp. Chae. A dult: Head entirely bare. Neck, back, and breast, white ; tail orange-buff, the shafts of the feathers deep pink, the inner webs inclining to pale pink. Rest of the plumage pale rose-pink, the lesser wing-coverts' region, and upper and lower tail-coverts, brilliant, intense carmine. Chest with a tuft of light carmine, somewhat twisted, or curled, narrow plumes. Sides of the breast, at base of the wings (concealed by the latter), pale creamy buff. "Bill yellowish gray at the base, mottled with brownish black, in the rest of its extent pale greenish blue, light on the margins; base of margin of lower mandible greenish yellow; iris bright carmine; feet pale lake; claws brownish black; head yellowish green; space around the eye and the gular sac orpiment-orange; a band of black from the lower mandible to the occiput" (Audubon). Immature: Like the adult, but lacking the brilliant carmine of the lesser wing-coverts' region, tail-coverts, etc., these portions being pale peach-blossom pink. Tail delicate peach-blossom pink, instead of orange-buff. Nuchal and pectoral colored tufts absent. Young: Head completely feathered, except im- mediately around the base of the bill. Head, neck, back, and anterior lower parts white, in some specimens more or less tinged, especially above, with orange-buff;1 wings, tail, and posterior part of the body delicate pale peach-blossom pink, the shafts of the remiges and rectrices deeper pink. Outer webs of alulae, outer primary-coverts, and wide borders to outer primaries (principally on outer webs), clear snuff-brown. [Note. We have not seen the young in down, nor when first feathered. The latter is described by Audubon as follows: "The young, . . . when able to fly, . . . are grayish white. The bill is then quite smooth, of a yellowish green color, as are the legs and feet, as well as the skin on part of the head. Young birds in their second year have the wings and the lower wing-coverts of a pale roseate tint, the bill more richly colored, and the legs and feet dark brownish red or purplish. At this age they are unadorned with the curling feathers on the breast; but in the third spring the bird is perfect, although it in- creases in size for several seasons after."] Length, about 28,00-35.00 inches ; expanse of wings, 48.00-53.00; wing, 14.10-15.30; tail, 4.20-5.20; culmen, 6.20-7.15; width of bill, 2.00-2.20; tarsus, 3.75-4.65; middle toe, 2.95-3.35; bare portion of tibia, 2.80-3.20. Although, like the Carolina Parrakeet and Ivory-billed Wood- pecker, the Roseate Spoonbill may not now be found in Illinois, I was informed, in 1879, by a taxidermist2 whom I have every 1 Qu. An accidental stain? * Mr. Alexander Wolle, Sr„ of Baltimore. Md. (See Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, Jan. 1880, p. 31.) FLATALElDiE— THE SPOONBILLS. 104* reason to believe reliable, that some twenty years previously, or about 1859, he shot several specimens about some ponds in the Mississippi Bottoms, below St. Louis. More recently, I have received a letter from Mr. R. E. Kirkman, of Richmond, Indiana, giving the information that a specimen was shot in Jay Co., that state, July 14th, 1889. "According to Audubon the Roseate Spoonbill is to be met with, for the most part, along the marshy or muddy borders of estuaries, the mouths of rivers, on sea islands, or keys par- tially overgrown with bushes, and still more abundantly along the shores of the salt-water bayous so common within a mile or two of the shore. There it can reside and breed, with almost complete security, in the midst of an abundance of food. It is said to be gregarious at all seasons, and that seldom less than half a dozen may be seen together, unless they have been dis- persed by a tempest, At the approach of the breeding-season these small flocks collect together, forming immense collections, after the manner of the Ibis, and resort to their former breed- ing-places, to which they almost invariably return. Their moult takes place late in May; during this time the young of the pre- vious year conceal themselves among the mangroves, there spending the day, and returning at night to their feeding-grounds, but keeping apart from the old birds, which last have passed through their spring moult early in March. Like the several species of Ibis, this bird is said occasionally to rise suddenly on the wing, and ascend gradually, in a spiral manner, to a great height. It flies with its neck stretched forward to its full lengi li, and its legs and feet extended behind. It moves in the manner of a Heron, with easy flappings, until just as it is about to alight, when it sails over the spot with expanded wing, ami comes gradually to the ground. It flies in a confused manner, except when on one of its extended movements. "It is usually found in the company of differenl Eerons, whose vigilance apprises it of any danger. It can usually be ap- proached, when feeding, with proper care. When one is wounded in the wing it usually makes for deep water, and swims for some distance without attempting to dive. If the wing is un- injured, this bird, even though mortally wounded, will fly until it drops dead. It is as nocturnal as the Night Heron, and its 105* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. principal feeding time is from near sunset until daylight. In procuring its food the Spoonbill usually wades up to the tibse, immerses its bill in the soft mud, with the head, and even the whole neck, beneath the surface, moving its partially opened mandibles to and fro laterally, munching the small fry — insects or shell-fish — before it swallows them. Where many are together, one usually acts as a sentinel. He did not see it feeding in fresh water, though he was told that it does so occasionally. "It can alight on a tree and walk on the large branches with all the facility of a Heron." ( Water Birds of North America, Vol. I., pp. 105, 106. IBIDID.E— TIIE IBISES. 106* Family IBIDID^ — The Ibises. Chae Wading birds of medium to rather large size, the bill much elongated more or less attenuld toward the end. and bent downward, more or less decidedly, in sickle- Isnion Ske tha oT the Curlews {NumeniuS). Nostrils sub-basal, latero-superior, with ror^leL^Ta membrane above and behind; ^^™^»™*^Z extremity of the maxilla in the form of a deep, narrow, continuous groove. Hallux almost incumbent; claws slender, projecting far beyond the ends of the toes. The true Ibises form an eminently natural group of wading birds, distinguished from their nearest allies by the above char- acters The species are moderately numerous (about twenty-six beino- known), and are dispersed over the warmer regions of the the earth-America possessing a larger number than any other country (ten species, all but one of which are peculiar, or more than one third of those known). Of the exotic species, Africa possesses about nine (two of them in common with south- ern Europe), Asia five, and Australia two. A very great diver- sity of form and plumage is to be seen among the various species, some being trim and graceful in their build, and others uncouth with Vulture-like head and neck-some plain in colors, while others are among the most brilliant of birds. The scarlet plumage of Guara rubra is not surpassed in nature for pureness and intensity of color, and the beautiful decomposed tertial plumes of Ibis athiopica are scarcely excelled in gracefulness. The species of MolyUophomes, T/wistioua, and Cercibis, however, possess but little beauty. The family is divisible into two well-defined sections, which may be termed subfamilies, distinguished mainly by the character of the tarsal scutellation. They may be defined as follows: in a more or les* continuous single aeries. 107* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Both of the above subfamilies are represented in America, but only the latter in the northern continent. The North American genera may be recognized by the following characters: Subfamily GUARIN-ffi. Guara. Head of adult wholly naked anteriorly. Feathers of the pileum short, close, and blended, and those of the neck not distinctly lanceolate. Colors plain white or red, with black wing-tips, in adults ; dull gray and white in young. Plegadis. Head of adult wholly feathered, except the lores; feathers of the pileum distinctly lanceolate and slightly elongated, forming a slightly rounded crest when erected. Colors highly metallic, of varied tints; motallic greenish, bronzo or purple above; neck and under parts chestnut in adults; neck streaked with white and under parts grayish brown in young. Genus GUARA Reichenbach. Eudocimus WAGii. Isis, 1832, 1232 (nee Eudocima Billbeeg, 1820). Type, Soolopax rubra Linn. Guara Reich. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopax rubra Linn. Leucibis Reich. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopax alba Linn. Gen. Chae. Bill moderately slender, attenuated toward the end, strongly decurved; bare portion of the tibia eaual to or rather shorter than the outer toe ; middle toe, with claw, shorter than the tarsus ; inner toe (without claw) reaching to or a little beyond the sub- terminal articulation of the middle toe; outer toe reaching to or beyond the middle of the Bubterminal phalanx of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; claws short, moderately curved, that of the middle toe more or less bent outwardly to- ward the tip, its inner projecting edge convex. Anterior half of the head bare (in the adult) including the forehead, lores, orbital and malar regions, chin, and more or less of the throat; in the young, this bare skin more restricted. Feathers of the head and neck dense but rather soft, with rather distinct outlines, but with somewhat truncated tips. Primaries ex- tending a little beyond the tertials, the second and third quills longest and nearly equal, first a little shorter than the fourth ; inner webs of outer four slightly sinuated toward their ends. Adults with the plumage entirely uniform white or scarlet, except tips of the longer quills, which arelglossy black. Young, uniform dark brownish gray, the belly white. Species. a\ Adult, pure intense scarlet, the tips of the longer primaries glossy blue-black. Young, dark brownish gray, with belly white G. rubra. a8. Adult, pure white (sometimes tinged with pink in the breeding season or in freshly killed specimens), the tips of longer primaries glossy greenish black. Young, gray- ish brown, the rump, tail-coverts, base of tail, and under parts white G. alba. Both the Scarlet and the White Ibises are peculiar to the warmer parts of America. They are in a measure complementary to one another in their distribution, for, while their respective ranges overlap in Central America the former is found chiefly in the northern parts of South America and the latter in the more southern United States and in Mexico. So similar are these spe- cies in size, proportions, and pattern of coloration, and to a cer- roiDID^E— THE IBISES. 108* tain extent in color also, that the question has been raised,1 whether they are not really offshoots from a common ances- tral stock, which, like a species of eastern Asia (Ibis nippon) and certain herons, was at one time "dichromatic." Guar a alba (Linn.) WHITE IBIS. Popular synonyms. White Curlew; Spanish Curlew (Florida); Gray Ibis, Brown Ibis (young); Coco (Cuba); Ibis bianco (Mexico). Scolopax alba Linn. S. N. i, ed. 10, 1758, 145. Tantalus albus Gmel. S. N. i. 1788, 651.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 43, pi. 60. Ibis alba Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xvi, 1817, 16.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 86.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 178; v, 1839.593.pl. 222; Synop. 1839. 257; B. Am. vi, 1843, 54, pi. 360.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 684.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 499— Coues, Check List, 1873, No. 446. Eudocimus albus Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1232.— Bidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.' 501.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 651. Guar a alba Stejn. Stand. Nat. Hist, iv, 1885. 9.— A. O. 0. Check List, 1886, No. 184.— Bidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 13, 1887, 123. Tantalus after Linn. S. N. i. 1766. 242. Tantalus coco Jacq. Beitr. 1784, 13. Tantalus griseus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 653 (young). Eudocimus longirostris Wagl. Isis, 1829, 760. Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and tropical South America; north to Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Great Salt Lake, Utah; south to Brazil. Sp. Chab. Adult: Terminal portion (beyond the omargination) of three to live2 outer primaries, glossy greenish black, with a bright metallic green lustre. Best of the plumag<' entirely pure white. Bill, bare skin of the head, legs and feet, bright carmine in tin- ' ing season; at other times paler, or orange-red; iris fine pearly blue (Audubon).3 End of 1 See The Auk, vol. i. 1884, pp. 239, 240. 2 According to Audubon, "There is a curious, though not altogether general, difference between the sexes of this species as to plumage,— the male has five of its primaries tipped with glossy black for several inches, while the female, which is very little smaller than the mal'-, has only four marked in this manner. On examining more than a bundled individ- uals of each sex. I found only four 3xceptions, which occurred in females that - ere very old birds, and which, as happens in some other species, might perhaps have been under- going the curious change ex hi l lit. '.l by Ducks, Pheasants, and some other birds, the females of which, when old, sometimes assumo the livery of the males." This supposed sexual difference we have been unable to verify with the series before us, though it is vei Bible that some specimens may not have the sex correctly determined. '"Bare parts of the head Lin the adult male] light orange-red; bill the samo. but towards the tip dusky. Iris of a One pearly blue. Legs and toes paler than the bill; claws dusky. tipped with horn color. "After the ilrst moult, the bill is pale yellowish orange, toward the base greenish; the naked parts of the* head are pale orange yellow, inclining to flesh-color; the eyi brown ; the feel pale blue. "The change in the coloring of the bill, legs, and feet of this bird, that takes plaoe in the breeding season, is worthy erf remark, the bill being then of a deep orange-red, and the legs and feet of a red nearly amounting to carmine. The males at this season have the gnlar pouch of a rloh '.range color, and Borneo hat resembling in Bhape thai of the Frigate Pelican, although proportionally less. During winter these parts are of a dull dash The Lrides also lose much of their clear blue, and resume in some degree the umber color of the young birds, tamthu particular in these m it is doubtful if any one ever paid attention to them." (Audubon.) — B. 109* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the bill sometimes blackish. Young: Uniform, rather dark, grayish brown, the rump, upper tail-coverts, basal half of tail, and entire lower parts, including axillars and lining of the wing, continuous white; head and neck streaked with dusky or grayish brown on a grayish or dull whitish ground-color. Feathering of the head extending forward almost to the bill. Length, about 24.00-26.00; expanse, about 40.00; wing, 10.30-11.75; tail, 4.00-5.00; culmen, 4.15-G.30; depth of bill, .60-72; tarsus, 3.10-4.00; middle toe, 2.15-2.70; bare portion of tibia, 2.00-2.S0. Downy young. "The young birds are at first covered with a thick down of a dark gray color." (Audubon.) Immature specimens show, according to age, all possible stages of plumage intermediate between the pure white adult and gray young. I have very little information respecting the White Ibis in Illinois, having observed it but once, a flock of seven or eight examples, all in the gray plumage, having been seen by Mr. William Brewster and myself about the 8th of May, 1878, fly- ing along the Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel. Genus PLEGADIS Kaup. "Falcinp.Uus Bechst." Auct. (ncc Bechstein). Plegadis Kaup, Skizz. Entw. Gesch. 1829, 82. Type, Tantalus falclnellus LlNN. Tantalides Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1231. Type, Tantalus falclnellus Linn. Gen. Chab. Bill shallow through tho base, moderately tapering, and gently curved; the base not turgid, and the basal outline of the maxilla deeply concave; bare portion of tibia equal to or longer than outer toe; middle toe about three fourths the tarsus; inner toe reaching past the subterminal articulation of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe. Forehead and orbital, malar, and gular regions completely feathered, the lores and interramal space only being naked, the feathering on the chin forming an acute angle which advances to as far as the middle of the nostrils; feathers of the pileum elongated, lanceolate, and distinct, forming, whon erected, a sort of full, round- ed crest; those of the occiput and nape, and upper half of the neck all round, also distinct and lanceolate. Plumage chiefly metallic green above: the adults with head and upper part of neck chestnut, and lower parts chestnut {autumnalis and guarauna) or violet- blackish (ridgwayi); the young with head and^upper part of neck streaked grayish brown and white, the lower parts grayish brown (autumnalis and guarauna) or violet-dusky (ridgwayi). This genus differs conspicuously from Guara in the complete feathering of the head (excepting only the lores and tho space between the mandibular rami) and in the brilliantly metallic plumage. There are two species in North America, one, P. autumnalis, inhabiting the eastern portion, and identical, apparently, with the Old World species, the other, P. guarauna, replacing it in the western parts of the United States and southward through IBIDIDJ3— THE IBISES. 110* Mexico and Central America and over the greater part of South America. A third species, P. ridgwayi (Allen *) inhabits the highlands of Peru. The two North American species are almost exactly alike in plumage, and probably cannot be distinguished with certainty in the immature stage. When fully adult, however, they may readily be recognized by the followiug characters: a1. Feathers around base of bill blackish; lores greenish in life, and bill and legs green- ish, or at least not red P. autumnalis. a2. Feathers around base of bill white; lores lake-red in life; bill more or less reddish, and legs lake-red P. guarauna2. P. guarauna very likely occurs occasionally in Illinois, having been taken in Nebraska, Kansas, and other States immediately west of the Missouri River; but so far as I know it has not been detected within our limits. Plegadis autumnalis (Hasselq.) GLOSSY IBIS. Popular synomyms. Bay Ibis; Green Ibis (young); Black Curlew. Tringa autumnalis Hasselq. Reise nach Palast. Deutsche Ausg. 1762, 306. Plegadis autumnalis Stejn. Stand. Nat. Hist, iv, 1885, 160.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 186.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 124. Tantalus f ale melius Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 241. Ibis falcincellus Vjeill. N. D. xiv, 1817, 23.— Bonap. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 19:1.— Nutt. Man. ii, 183-1. 88.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 608, pi. 387; Synop. 1839,257; B. Am. vi, 1843,50, pi. 358 (adult). Plegadis falcinellus "Kaup." FRiTSCH.Vog. Eur. 1869, Taf. 43. fig. 3, p.378.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 603.— Coues, 2d Chock List, 1882, No. 649.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 94. Tantalus castaneus Mull. 8. N. Suppl. 1766, 112 (adult). Tantalus viridis Gmel. 8. N. i, 1788, 648 (young). Tantalus igneus Gmel. S. N. i, 1788,649 (adult). Falcinellus igneus Gray, Gen. B. ed. 2, 1841, 87.— Elliot, P. Z. 8. 1877,503. Tantalus mexicauus (nee Gmel.) Ord., Journ. Acad. Nat. 8ci. Phila. i, 1817. 52. Ibis ordii Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 49.— Cass, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 635 (part).— Baird, Cat. N. Am. 1859. No. 500. Ibis falcinellus, var. ordii Coues. Key. 1872. 263; Check List, 1873. No. 445; B. N. W. 1874, 517. us ridgwayi Allen, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. iii, July, 1876. S55 (vicinity of Lake Titk-aca, Peru).— Plegadis ridgwayi B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 94, 'Soolopax guarauna Linn. 8. N. od. 12, i. 1766, 212.— Plegadis guarauna Kidow. Proo. U. B. Nat. Mus. i, Oct. 2. 1678, 163. HI* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. ilbis guarauna (nee Linn.) Cabot, Proc. Bost. Soc. ii, 1850, 313, 332. .Numenius longirostris (nee Wils.) Gosse, B. Jam. 1847, 348. Tantalus bengalensis "Licht." Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 158. Ibis peregrina "Mull." Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 159. Hab. Warmer parts of the eastern hemisphere; Westlndies, and eastern United States. Of irregular distribution and only locally abundant in America. Sp. Chak. Adult. Feathers bordering the base of tho bill all round, blackish, Pileum, cheeks, and chin glossy greenish black, with purplish reflections. Hinder part of head, whole neck, anterior portion of back, and anterior half of lesser wing-covert tract rich reddish chestnut, darkest on back. Lower parts, except under tail-coverts, axillars, and under wing-coverts, uniform bright reddish chestnut, lighter, brighter, and less purplish than neck. Upper parts (except as described), under wing-coverts, axillars, and under tail- coverts, glossy metallic dark purple, green, and bronze; the posterior portion of back, pos- terior scapulars, wing-coverts, tertials, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail nearly uniform dull violet-purple, changing to bottle-green in certain lights; alula?, primary-coverts, pri- maries.and lower secondaries brighter bronze-green; upper secondaries more bronzy, with a purple shade in certain lights. Under surface of wings and tail more burnished, metallic green, bronze, and purple, the tint varying with the inclination to the light; axillars less shining, and more violaceous; crissum violet-purple and green, like the rump. Bill black; bare loral space greenish or bluish; legs and feet greenish blackish.1 Young (changing from first to second plumage): Head and neck distinctly streaked with dusky brown and white, the dusky streaks wider and more blackish on the pileum, the whitish streaks gradually becoming more indistinct below. Entire lower parts plain snuff-brown, with a soft purplish tinge, especially on the breast and tibiae; crissum, metal- lic green and violet. Upper parts dark, metallic violet-purple, green and bronze, the first largely predominating, the last in traces; the back darkest and most uniform, the rump in- terspersed with bright dark green feathers. A few dark chestnut feathers interspersed over the anterior portion of the lesser wing-covert region (No. 57, 003, Greece). Young (changing from second to third plumage): In general appearance much like the preceding, but breast, abdomen, and tibise mostly reddish chestnut, and the anterior portion of the back and scapulars mixed with many feathers of the same color; head and neck much tinged with chestnut, the streaks indistinct (No. 17,493. female, Hungary). [Note. The Tantalus viridis of Gmelin (Syst. Nat. ii, pt. i, p. 648, No. 8, based on Green Ibis of Latham, Synopsis, iii, pt. i, p. 114, No. 13) seems to be this species in incomplete first plumage, or still retaining the downy covering of the head and neck.] Length, about 25 inches; expanse, 42; wing, 10.20-11.85; tail, 4.30-4.50; culmen, 4.30-5.45 ; depth of bill, .50-.60; tarsus, 2.90-4.30; middle toe, 2.10-2.80; bare portion of tibia, 1.70-3.10. The young of P. autumnalis closely resembles that of P. guarauna, but is rather darker colored, the upper parts being much more violaeeous. and the lower parts less grayish. The Glossy Ibis, like its white relative, is an irregular sum- mer visitor to Illinois, and is not known to breed within our limits. Mr. Julius Hurter, of St. Louis, Mo., took one speci- 1 Audubon says: "Bill black; bare part of head grayish blue; iris hazel; feet grayish black, claws brown." IBIDID^J— THE IBISES. 112* men and saw two others at a small lake in Madison Co., seven miles from St. Louis, on February 27, 1880. * ^ee Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, April, 1881, p. 124. This specimen was kindly sub- mitted to me for examination by Mr. Hurter, and I identified it as P. autumnalis in immature plumage, but I now fear that my identification is open to question. I have just re-read a letter from Mr. Hurter (dated April 12, 1881), in which he describes the fresh colors of the soft parts as follows: "Iris reddish; bill slate-color with a very slight reddish tint; legs slate with also a reddish tint on the upper parts; bare skin in front of the eye brownish red." (Italics my own.) The presence of a reddish tint to the soft parts point rather to P. guarauna, and the specimen should be carefully re-examined. 113* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Suborder CICONL3E.— The Storks and Wood Ibises. Family CICONIID.SJ.— The Storks and Wood Ibises. Chab. Large, Heron-like birds, with bill much longer than the head, thick through the base, and more or less elongate-conical; the nostrils sub-basal, more or less superior, and bored into the bony substance of the bill, without overhanging or surrounding membrane; maxilla without any lateral groove. Legs covered with small, longitudinally hexagonal scales ; claws short, depressed, their ends broad and convex, resting upon horny, crescentic "shoes;" hallux with its base elevated decidedly above the base of the anterior toes. The above characters are sufficient to define this family, which is related to the Ibises (Ibididce) and Spoonbills (Plataleidw) as well as to the Herons. There are two well-marked subfamilies, with the following characters: Subfamily Ciconiinse. Bill elongate- conical, acute, compressed, the end not decurved, though sometimes recurved. Nostrils rather lateral than superior. Toes very short, the middle one much less than half the tarsus (only a little more than one third); lateral toes nearly equal; claws short, broad, nail-like. Subfamily Tantalinae. Bill elongated, subcorneal, subcylindrical, the end attenuated and decurved, with the tip rounded; nostrils decidedly superior; toes long, the middle toe one half or more the length of the tarsus; lateral toes unequal, the outer decidedly longer than the inner; claws normal, moderately lengthened, rather narrow. Subfamily TANTALIN-3E.— The Wood Ibises. Genus TANTALUS Linn^us. Tantalus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 140; ed. 12, i, 1766, 240. Type, T. locutator Linn. Tantalides Reichenb. Hand-b. 1851, p. xiv. Same type. (Not of Waoleb, ld32,=Pleffadis Kaup.) Tantalops Coues, Key, 2d ed. 1882, 653. Same type. Gen. Chab. Large. Stork-like birds, with long legs, neck, and beak, the latter attenu- ated and decurved terminally, much as in the true Ibises. Bill much thickened at the base, both vertically and laterally, much attenuated terminally, where almost abruptly, but no greatly, decurved. Nostrils bored directly into the bony substance of the bill, the maxilla destitute of any trace of a nasal groove. Legs covered with small longitudinally hexagonal Bcales. Toes long, very slender, the middle one about, or a little more than, half the length of the tarsus, the outer one reaching to the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle toe, the inner much shorter, not reaching the subterminal articulation of the middle toe; CICONIID.E— THE STORKS AND WOOD IBISES. 114* hallux about eaual to the inner toe and claw; bare portion of the tibia longer than the mid- dle toe, the upper third, or more, without scales, and smooth; web between inner and mid- dle toes well developed, but smaller than the outer web. Plumage compact above, loose below, the feathers of the neck small, their webs somewhat decomposed. Remiges well developed, the tertials reaching to the end of the primaries, the latter hard, concave be- neath, the outer four with their inner webs deeply sinuated at or anterior to the middle portion; second, third, and fourth Quills nearly equal, or longest. Tail short (shorter than bill or tarsus), even, of 12 broad, stiff feathers. Adult, with the whole head and upper half of hind neck bare, covered with a hard, scurfy, and more or less corrugated skin. Young, with the whole head and neck, except the chin and forehead, feathered. Tantalus loculator Linn. WOOD IBIS. Popular synonyms. WoodPelican; Gannet (Florida) ; Colorado Turkey (Arizona); Sowewies, Negroscopes (Brit. Guiana); Tagarote, Galambas, Garzon (Mexico). Tantalus loculator Linn . S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758.140, No. l (ex Klein,127; CATESBY,i,81); ed. 12, 1766, i. 241, No. 1.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,39, pi. 66. fig. 1.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,^.- Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,128, pi. 216; Synop. 1839, 259; Birds Am. vi. 1843, 64, pi. 361 (adult).— Cass, in Band's B. N. Am. 1858, 682-Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 197. Coues, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 444; 2d ed. 1882, No. 648; Birds N. W. 1874. 513— Eidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 500; Man. N. Am. B. 1887.125— A. 0. 0. Check List, 1886, No. 188. Tantalus plumicollis Spix, Av. Bras. pi. 85 (young). "Ibis nandasson; I. nandapoa, Vieill." (Gbay & Bonap,) Wood Pelican Catesbx, Carolina, pi. 81. Le Curiaca de Cayenne Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pi. 868 (adult). Wood Ibis Penn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1785, 458. No. 360. Tantalus ichthyophagus, the Gannet, Babtbam, Travels, 1791,293. Hab. The whole of tropical and most of warm- temperate America; north to New York (casual), Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California; south to Ecua- dor and Argentine Republic. Sp. Chae. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck naked, and covered with a hard, scurfy skin, of a dusky color; the vertex covered by a somewhat shield-shaped horny plate, of a lighter color, the neck with transverse, somewhat ovate, bark-like, rugose scales. Plum- age in general uniform white, the primary-coverts, remiges, and rectrices black, with me- tallic purple, bronze, and green reflections. Under wing-coverts pale rose-pink in breed- ing season. "Bill dusky yellowish brown, the edges yellow; sides of the head dark bluish purple, upper part of the head horn-color, or dull grayish yellow, the rest of the bare skin of the same tint, many of the scales anteriorly blue ; iris deep brown, at a distance seeming black : tibia and tarsus indigo-blue ; toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, however, many of the scutellee bluish gray, the webs pale yellowish flesh-color; claws black" (Audu- bon). Young: Head and neck covered with rather scant, somewhat "woolly," feathers, ex- cepting the forehead, anterior part of the crown, lores, anterior portion of malar region, chin, and anterior part of throat, which are covored with a smooth skin. Head and neck grayish brown, darkest on the occiput (where dark sooty), growing gradually paler below. Rest of the plumage as in the adult, but the black feathers of wings and tail less metallic.1 Immature: Head bare and corrugated, as in the adult; neck feathered, as in the young. T jtal length, about 35.00-45.00 inches; extent of wings, 62.00-70.00 ;lwing, 17.60-19.50; tail, 6.10- culmen. 7.55-9.30; depth of bill through nostril. 1.55-1.90; tarsus. 7.00-8.50; middle toe. 3.85-4.30; bare part of tibia, 5.00-6.25 \" weight UK lbs. » According to Audubon, "the young are dusky gray all over, the quill-; and tail In black; the head all covered with down, excepting just al the base of the bill. After the flrsl moult, the bare space extends over the head and cheeks; the downy feathers of the hind head and neck are dusky ; the general color of the plumage is white, the Quills and tail as in the adult, but with less gloss." * Ton adults measured. 115* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. This remarkable bird is an irregular summer visitor to Illi- nois, particularly the more southern counties, where it occurs, usually in small flocks, about the secluded, forest-hemmed ponds and sloughs. It probably breeds in the extreme southern portion, though oftenest seen during the latter part of summer, when small companies, composed chiefly of young birds, straggle northward. As described by Bartram, it may often be seen stand- ing listless and alone on the topmost limb of some tall dead cypress, its neck drawn in upon its shoulders, and its enormous bill resting, like a scythe, upon its breast. The writer has fre- quently seen it soaring majestically in broad circles over the Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel, its large size and pure white color rendering it at such times very conspicuous. Audubon describes its flight as heavy on rising from the ground: its neck is then deeply curved downward, its wings flap heavily, and its legs are not stretched out behind until it has proceeded several yards. It then ascends with great celerity, generally in a spiral direction, in silence unless alarmed; if frightened, it utters a rough guttural croaking note. It pro- ceeds in a direct flight, with alternate flapping and sailing, the latter being more prolonged. It alights on trees with more ease than the heron, and either stands erect, or crouches on the branch in the manner of a wild turkey. When at rest it places its bill against its breast, while the neck seems to shrink be- tween the shoulders. In this position one may sometimes see fifty on the same tree. In the spring months it collects in large flocks before returning to its breeding-place. When a breeding- place has been once chosen, it is resorted to for many years in succession, and the birds are with difficulty made to abandon it. The Wood Ibis feeds largely on fishes, but also devours frogs, young alligators, wood-rats, various kinds of young birds, crabs, snakes, turtles, and the like. It is very tenacious of life, and if wounded resists vigorously, and is dangerous to approach. It is very tough and oily, and unfit for food. THE HERONS AND BOATBIEL&. 116* Suborder Herodii — HERON'S AND BOATBILLS. The Herodii contain two families, distinguished by the folio w- characters : a.1 Bill lance- shaped, or compressed, narrow, and pointed, its lateral outlines nearly straight, the gonys several times longer than the width of the under mandi- ble Ardeidae. a.- Bill shaped like a broad inverted boat; its lateral outlines much bowed, and the gonys not longer than width of under mandible CochleariidEe, The Cochlea I'Lidw are not represented in our fauna, being peculiar to tropical America. 117* BIRDS OF ILljlNOia. Family ARDEID^.— The Herons. Char. Altricial waders having the bill compressed, pointed, all the outlines nearly straight; the lores and orbits naked: the rest of the head (except, sometimes, the malar region, or part of the throat) feathered, the occiput, also lower foreneck, back, or scapu- lars, frequently with ornamental plumes. Plumage generally handsome and variegated. Two to three pairs of powder-down tracts. Other characters variable. The Herons are among the most widely diffused of birds, one species, the common Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) being nearly cosmopolitan. Many of the Old World forms have not been examined in the present connection, but there is good reason for believing that the number of subfamilies here recog- nized as represented in America can be consistently increased. Ardeinse. Tail-feathers 12, more lengthened, and decidedly more stiff than the coverts; outer toe as long as or decidedly longer than the inner; claws comparatively shoit and strongly curved. Botaurinse. Tail-feathers 10. very short, scarcely more stiff than the coverts; outer toe de- cidedly shorter than the inner; claws lengthened, slightly curved. Subfamily ARDEINiE.— The True Herons and Egrets. Analysis of Genera. Bill comparatively long and narrow, the culmen longer than the tarsus, and equal to at least Ave times the greatest depth of the bill ; plumage of the young not conspicu- ously different in pattern from that of the adult Ardea. Bill comparatively short and thick, the culmen not longer than the tarsus, and equal to not more than four times the greatest depth of the bill; plumage of the young con- spicuously different in pattern from that of the adult Nyetioorax, ARDEIDA/— THE HERONS. 118* Genus ARDEA Linnaeus. Ardea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea Linn. Analysis of Subgenera a1 Culmen decidedly shorter than tarsus, the latter more than one and a half times as long as the middle toe, without claw. b1 Tarsus much less than twice as long as middle toe, without claw. c1 Wing more than 13 inches. dl Wing more than 17 inches. Adults with scapular plumes narrowly lanceolate, with compact webs: head crested, the occiput, during pairing season, with two or more long, slender, compactly webbed plumes: plumes of lower neck stiffened, narrowly lanceolate, or acicular Ardea. d2 Wing less than 17 inches. Adults in nuptial plumage with the scapular plumes excessively elongated, reaching far beyond the tail, their shafts thick and stiffened, their webs decomposed; head without crest or plumes, and feathers of lower neck (in American species) soft, broad, and not lengthened; color, always wholly pure white Herodias. c- Wing less than 11 inches. dl Adults with occipital, jugular, and scapular plumes greatly developed, with much decomposed webs (occipital and jugular plumes with compact webs in exotic species); the scapular plumes extending to or beyond end of tail and recurved at tips; color of plumage always wholly pure white. Garzetta. d- Adults with jugular and scapular plumes much elongated; the former nar- rowly lanceolate, with compact webs, the latter also narrow, but more loosely webbed, and often extending far beyond the tail; color of plumage varying from uniform dark slate-blue, with maroon-colored head and neck an most adults), to pure white with only the tips of some prima bluish (in young) ; adults sometimes mixed white and bluish Florida . h* Tarsus twice as long as middle toe, without claw. Adults with feathers of entire head and neck, except throat and upper foreneck, elongated and narrowly lanceolate, especially on occiput and lower foreneck; scapular plumes much elongated, extending beyond end of tail, with shafts straight and stiffened, and webs decomposed, but the hair-like librilke rather close together: color of plum- age uniform bluish and reddish, uniform white, or pied Dichromanassa. a* Culmen equal to or longer than tarsus, the latter less than on© and a half times as U-imz as middle toe without claw. b1 Wins morr th".n 8 inches; culmen and tarsus more than 3 inches. Adults with an occipital tuft of several moderately lengthened, lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers; jugular plumes broadly lanceolate, with oompaot webs; scapular [■lurnes greatly elongated, extending to night, hair-like; color of plumage mixed grayish or bluish ami white, never entirely white. Hydranassa. b* Wing not more than 8 inches; culmen and tarsus less than Adults with isular plunvs and feathers on top of head moderately lengthened, lane* with compact webs; jugular plumes broad, soft, and blended; color of plumage more or less metallic, in adults, on upper farts, grayish or rusty beneath; never white ButorluV. 119* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Seyeral of the above are unquestionably good genera; but having announced my determination to follow the A. 0. U. classification and nomenclature in this work I am obliged to do so in this case. With the exception of Dichromanassa and Hydranassa (which are related most nearly to Demiegretta, of south- eastern Asia, Polynesia, etc.) and Florida, all the groups are cosmopolitan, being represented in different regions by distinct species, all agreeing minutely in structural characters. Butorides, for example, has, besides the North American species, one in Cuba, another in South America, a third in the Galapagos Archi- pelago, and several others in various parts of the eastern hem- isphere. Subgenus Ardea Linnaeus. Ardea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758. 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea Linn. Subgen. Chab. Herons of largest size (of Stork-like stature), the adults distinguished by lengthened, narrowly-lanceolate, acute jugular and scapular plumes (the former rather rigid, the latter overhanging the wings and rump); a tuft of broad feathers on each side the breast (having a different color from adjacent parts), and, in the breeding season, by the presence of two or three extremely lengthened, narrow, pendant, c ccipital plumes. Culmen almost straight; gonys ascending, slightly convex, about equal in length to the mandibular rami ; upper and lower outlines of the bill parallel for the basal half. Mental apex anterior to half-way between point of bill and anterior angle of the eye; frontal apex a little posterior to the nostrils and a little anterior to the malar apex.* Middle toe more than half the tarsus, and about equal to bare portion of tibia; outer toe reaching to abouc the middle of the penultimate phalanx of the middle toe; inner toe decidedly shorter, reaching only to the second articulation of the middle toe; hallux a little longer than the basal phalanx of the outer toe ; claws rather short, strongly curved. Front of tarsus with broad, transverse scutellaa, in single series, for upper half. Pileum crested, the feathers of the crown and occiput being elongated, lanceolate, and decurved. Primaries reaching de- cidedly beyond tertials. Second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal, and longest; first longer than fifth; inner webs of outer three slightly sinuated near ends. Synopsis of Species. a1. Color of plumage entirely pure white. Hab. Southern Florida A. oecidentalis. a*. Color of plumage chiefly bluish or grayish. 61. Adult with head entirely white, except (usually) black or dusky streaks on fore- head, or (rarely), a blackish patch on sides of crown or occiput, beneath edge of crest; more white on under parts, edge of wing, etc. Hab. Southern Florida: accidental in southern Illinois A. wuerdemannii. &a. Adult with top of head, including occipftai plumes, black, with a large white patch covering forehead and center of crown; more black on lower parts and more rufous on edge of wing. c1. Larger, with legs and feet yellowish brown or olive-yellowish ; total length, about 48 to 54 inches; wing, 19.50-21.00; exposed culmen, 5.90-0.90 ; tarsus, 7.85-8.40. Hab. Florida .«— A. wardi. * The terms "mental apex", "malar apex", and "frontal apex" are here employed to de- note the apices, or points of the feathering of the head at the base of the bill. ABDEID.E — THE HERONS. 120* c2. Smaller, with legs and feet black or dusky, only the tibiaa yellowish; total length about 40 to 48 inches; wing, 18.00-19.50; exposed culmen, 5.45-5.95; tarsus, 6.75- 7.85. Hab. Whole of temperate North America and parts of tropical Amer- ica A. herodias. The relationship between these four species or races is very puzzling, and no one, apparently, fully understands the case- While each of the four forms is easily recognized by the char- acter given above, and while a large majority of specimens are typically either one or the other of them, intermediate examples not unfrequently occur. The only apparent difference between A. herodias and A. wa/rdi consists in general dimensions and in the color of the legs; but in both respects there seems to be a complete intergradation among Florida specimens. On the other hand, A. wardi, A. wuerdemannii, and A. occidentalis agree minutely in measurements and in the color of the legs; and the first two unquestionably intergrade. The writer has already expressed the hypothesis that A. wuerdemannii and A. occidentalis are merely dichromatic phases of one species, corresponding to the colored and white phases of the Keddish Egret (A. rufescens and A. "pealei"). This hypothesis he would now modify by sug- gesting that A. wardi is the perfect colored phase of A. occi- dentalis, and that A. wuerdemannii is merely an intermedial.1 phase, — a suggestion prompted by the circumstance that A. wuerdemannii varies more in coloration than either of the others, the variations moreover tending toward both A. wardi and A. occidentalis. Whether the intergradation between A. wa/rdi and A. herodias is the result of hybridization or an evidence of their specific identity remains to be determined, if it be possible to determine it. The whole question is indeed so complicated thai much patient research will be necessary before we can hope to know more about it. Ardea wuerdemannii Caird. WIEDEMANN'S HEKON, Ardea wurdemannii P.atrd, B. N. Am. 1858, 609, ed. 18C0. atl. pi. 86; Cat. N. Am. B, li No. 488.— Coues. Key. 1872. 207; Check List, 1873, No. 460— Nels. Bull. Essex In !. Dec. 1876. 11. Ardea wiwrdemannii A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, 351 ( "Hypothetical List," No. 9).— BXDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 128, 583; Proo. U. B. Nat. Mus. x. 1887. 112-115 (critical). - Auk. Jan. 1889, 16-17 (description, etc.). 121* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea oecidentaHs (supposed colored phase) Ridgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Surv. Terr, iv, No. 1, Feb. 5, 1881, 227-237 (descriptive and critical) ; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 486 (part).-CouES, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 656; 2d Key, 1884, 658.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 6. Hab. Southern Florida; Cuba; Jamaica; accidental in southern Illinois. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire head, including occipital crest, pure white; the forehead streaked with black (the feathers edged with black, the median stripe being white). Abdo- men and under tail -coverts pure white, the former sparsely streaked with black (these streaks on the inner edge of the feathers, and broader anteriorly), the latter immaculate. Neck deep violaceous-drab (darker and more violaceous than in A. herodias, and. ending almost abruptly against the white of the head) ; the throat with a narrow series ef black and rufous dashes on a white ground; plumes of the lower neck white, most of them edged with black, but the longer without grayish tinge. Lateral jugular tuft3 blue-black, with wide median stripes of pure white. Upper parts exactly as in A. herodias, except that the outermost wing-coverts have conspicuous median streaks of white, while the edge of the wing from the carpus back is white, tinged with rufous, instead of wholly rufous. Tibial feathers paler rufous than in A. herodias, growing almost white next the body on the in- ner side Naked tibiae yellow; under side of toes yellow; rest of legs and feet yellowish olive. Young: Similar to young of A . herodias, but lesser wing-coverts widely tipped with bright ferruginous, producing thereby a conspicuous spotting of this color; all the more exterior wing-coverts, large and small, with a large, terminal, wedge-shaped spot of white. Forehead and crown dusky slate-color, most of the feathers with whitish shafts; occipital plumes all whitish at the base, only the ends being dusky. Total length, about 48 to 54 inches; wing, 18.75-21.00; tail, 6.25-8.00; exposed culmen, 5.75-6.70; tarsus, 7.30-8.75; middle toe, 4.20-5.20. The habits of this bird are essentially the same as those of the Great Blue Heron. Its right to a place in the Illinois fauna may seem questionable, in view of the southern location and restricted area of its proper range, but a single specimen was seen on several occasions by the writer from September 11 to 22, inclusive, in the Wabash River, at the Grand Rapids, near Mt. Carmel. Even at a distance which rendered it secure from gunshot, it could at once be distinguished, by its white head and greater size, from individuals of the common species, from which it kept aloof. Unfortunately it could not be secured. Ardea herodias Linn. THE GREAT BLUE HERON. Ardea herodias Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143; ed. 12, i. 1766, 237.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 28, pi. 65. fig. 5— Sw. &RIOH. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 373.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 42.— Aud. Orn. Biog. ii, 1835, 87; v, 1839, 599, p!. 211; Synop. 1839, 265; B. Am. vi, 1843, 122, pi. 369.— BaiedB. N. Am. 1858, 668; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 487.— Coues, Key, 1872, 267; 2d ed. 1881; Check List, 1873, No: 449; 2d ed. 1882, No. 655; Birds N. W. 1874,517.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 487; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 129.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 13— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 194. Ardea hudsonias Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 238. Ardea lessoni Wagl. Isis, 1831. 531.— Reichen. J. f. O., 1877, 263. ARDEID.E — THE HERONS. 122* Hab. The whole of North and Middle Amorica, excepting Arctic districts; north to Hudson's Bay, "Fur Countries," and Sitka; south to Colombia, Venezuela, and the Galapagos; Bermudas, and throughout the West Indies. Sp. Char. Adult: Length, about -12.00-50.00; extent, 72.00; weight, b to 8 pounds. Forehead and central feathers of the crown pure whito; sides of crown and whole of the occiput, including the long plumes, blue-black. Chin, throat, and malar region pur- white. Nock lavender-gray, fading gradually above into the white of cheeks and throat. Foreneck with a narrow median series of black and ferruginous dashes mixed with white; lower neck-plumes pale lavender-gray. Lateral jugular tufts uniform blue-black; br- and abdomen black, almost uniform laterally, but the middle feathers with broad median stripes of white. Under tail-coverts white, sometimes edged with rufous. Tibial leath- ers deep chestnut-rufous, not growing conspicuously paler toward the body. Upper parts fine slate-blue, the dorsal and scapular plumes paler, more pearl-gray-the lightness of the tint proportionate to the length of the plume; remiges black, the inner secondaries growing gradually more slaty, so that the innermost are scarcely darker than the tertials. Tail d«ep slate-blue, a shade darker than the tertials. Entire border of the wing, from the armpit to the metacarpophalangeal joint, rich purplish rufous, scarcely mixed anywhere with white, and much the widest at the bend. Bill olive above, the culmen blackish; lower mandible wax-yellow, brighter terminally (sometimes wholly yellow); iris bright yellow; bare loral space cobalt- blue in spring, olive-greenish or yellowish after breeding season. Leg* and feet dusky-black, the tibiee paler, more olivaceous, sometimes tinged with yellow- ish Young : Above slate-gray (less bluish than in the adult), destitute of any penicillate plumes; anterior lesser wing-coverts bordered terminally with light rufous; border of the wing (broadly) white, more or less tinged with rufous, especially at and near the bend, where this color prevails. Entire pileum, including all the occipital feathers, blackish- sla-e, with a narrow median crest of more elongated darker-colored feathers, with pale ful- vous shaft-streaks. Cheeks dark grayish; malar region, chin, and throat only, pure wl Neck dull gray, sometimes tinged with rufous, some of the feathers with indist.i lighter shaft-streaks; foreneck with a narrow longitudinal series of black, rufous, and whitish dashes, much as in the adult. Breast and abdomen broadly striped with dark cinereous and white, in nearly equal amount (sometimes suffused with rufous . Tibia: very pale rufous, sometimes almost white; crissum white. Upper mandible black, paler, or horn-color, along the tomium; lower, pale pea-green, deepening into clear horn-yellow on terminal half; eyelids and horizontal space on lores light apple-green; iris gamboge yellow; tibia and soles of toes, apple-green; rest of logs and feet black. Wing 17 90-19 85; tail. 7.30-8. 00; culmen, 4.30-6.00; depth of bill, through middle of nos- tril. 0.85-1.10; naked portion of tibia, 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 6.00-8.00; middle toe. 3.50-4.50. [Extremes of 17 adult specimens.] The Great Blue Heron is a common bird throughout the State, except in localities far removed from streams or ponds which furnish its food supply. It sometimes winters in the ex- fcreme southern counties, but it is usually a migrant, returning from the south in February, March, or early April, according to t he Ia1 i' NA.TH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1791. 688. Ardea carolinensis Oed, ed. Wils. vii, 1825, 125. Ardea lactea "Cuv." Less. Traite, i, 1831. 575 (Cayenne). Hab. The whole of temperate and tropical America, from the northern United States to Chili and Argentine Republic ; summer or autumnal visitant only at the northern and southern extremes of its range. West Indies. Sp. Chab. Plumage entirely pure white, at all ages and seasons. Bill black, the basal portion of the under mandible (sometimes one half) yellow or otherwise pale-colored ; lores, iris, and eyelids yellow or orange-yellow; tibia? and tarsi black, the lower portion of the latter, with the toes, yellow; claws blackish. Nuptial plumes slender-shafted and loose-fibred, those of the back reaching to or slightly beyond the end of the tail, and, normally, recurved terminally; those of the occiput sometimes exceeding the bill in length; those of the jugulum slightly less developed. In the young theso are all absent, except on the occiput, where they are but slightly de- veloped; in the adults the occipital plumes appear to be permanent, the others assumed only during the breeding season, ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 126" Total length, about 20.00-27.25; expanse of wings, about 36.00-40.00; wing, 8.20-10.50; tail, 3.00-4.80; culmen, 2.08-3.G5; depth of bill, .40-.55; tarsus, 3.15-4.50; middle toe, 2.20-3.20; bare portion of tibia, 1.70-2.75; weight, about 10-14 ounces. This beautiful e«ret occurs during summer in various parts of the State, but probably not abundantly except in the more southern portions. Subgenus Dichromanassa Ridgway. Bichromanassa Ridgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Survey, Terr, iv, No. 1, Feb. 5, 1878,246. Type, Ardearufa Bodd., =A. rufescens Gmel. Subgen. Char. Medium-sized Herons, of uniform white or plumbeous plumage, with (adult) or without (young) cinnamon-colored head and neck; the form slender, the toes very short, and the legs very long; the adults with the entire head and neck (except throat and foreneck) covered with long, narrowly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, which on the occiput form an ample crest, the feathers of which are very narrowly lanceolate and decurved. Bill much longer than the middle toe (about two thirds the tarsus), the upper and lower outlines almost precisely similar in contour, being nearly parallel along the middle portion, where slightly approximated; the terminal portion of both culmen and gonys gently and about equally curved. Mental apex extending to a little more than one third the distance from the middle of the eye to the tip of the bill, or to about even with the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex about even with that of the frontal feathers. Toes very short, the middle one less than half the tarsus, the hallux less than half the middle toe; bare portion of tibia more than half as long as tarsus; scutellation.of tarsus, etc., as in Herodias, Gar- zetta, and al ied subgenera. Plumes of the adult consisting of a more or less lengthened train of fastigiate, stiff- shafted feathers, with long, loose, and straight plumules, and extending beyond the tail; in addition to this train, the scapulars and the feathers of the whole head and neck, except the throat and foreneck, are long and narrow, distinctly lanceolate, and acuminate, with com- pact webs, and on the occiput are doveloped into an ample decurved crest. There is only one species belonging to this subgenus, the di- chromatic Ardea rufescens Gmel., the white phase of which was formerly considered a distinct species, under the name of Peale's Egret {Ardea i>ealel Bonap.). Ardea rufescens fimel. REDDISH EGRET. Popular synonyms. Russet Egret; Peale's Egret a. Colored Phase, L' Aigrette rousse, de la Louisiana Buff. PI. Enl. 1777-1781, pi. 002 (adult). Ardea riifu Vow. (nee Scop. 1769) Tab!. P. I ksed on PL EnL 902).— CoUE3, Kny. 1872,268; Check List. ! ,.— RkichkNOW, J. £. 0. 1877, 269 A.o. I < heck List, . No. m8.-Uinn\v. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 11. Demiegretta rvfa Baibd. Birds N. Am. 1838,662; Cat. N. Am. B. Is 127* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Dichromanassa rufa Eidgw. Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geog. Surv. Terr. iv. No. 1, 1878, 236 (in text); Nom. N. Am.B. 1881, No. 491— CouES.Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 661— B.B. & K. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 33. Reddish Egret Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 88 (quotes PL Enl. 902). Areda rufescens Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1783,628, No. 33 (based on PI. Enl. 902L— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,411; v. 1889, 604, pi. 256; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 139, pi. 371 (adult: both phases).— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 131. Ardea cub en sis "Gundl. MSS." Lemb. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 84, pi. 13, fig. 1 (young). 6 . White phase. Ardea pealei Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. T. ii, 1826, 154.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 49— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 181. Demiegretta pealei Bair-d, B. N. Am. 1858, 661; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 182. Ardea rufa, var. pealei. Eeichenow, J. f. 0. 1877, 270. Ardea (Dichromanassa) pealei A. O. U. Check List, 1886, 352 (hypothet. list, No. 10). Hae. Warm-temperate and tropical North America, south to Guatemala; in the United States, apparently restricted to the Eastern Province, but in Mexico occurring on both coasts; north to southern Illinois; Jamaica; Cuba. Colored phase. Adult. Plumage in general uniform slate-gray, darker on the back, a little lighter be- neath; entire head and neck rich vinaceous-cinnamon, ending abruptly below; the penieil- late tips of some of the longer feathers, particularly on the occiput, lighter; train similar to the back anteriorly, but passing into a more brownish tint towards the end, the tips some- times whitish. Terminal half of the bill black; basal half, including the lores and eyelids, pale flesh-color or pale grayii-h (according to season); iris yellow or white; legs and feet black, or (in breeding season) ultramarine blue, the seutellae and claws black. (Audubon.) Young. No train on the back, and no lanceolate feathers on head or neck, except some- times (in older individuals) on the occiput or lower neck. Prevailing color dull bluish ashy, tinged here and there with reddish cinnamon, principally on the throat and lower neck. White phase. Adult. Plumage entirely pure white, the plumes exactly as in the adult of the colored phase. Iris white; color of bill, lores, and eyelids in life also similar; but legs and feet sometimes "dark olive-green, the soles /greenish yellow." (Audubon.) Young . Entirely pure" white, and destitute of the plumes and train of the adult. • Total length, a oul 27.00-32.00; expanse, about 45.00-50.00; weight, about 1J6 pounds. (Audubo.sj Wing, 11.90-18.60; tail, 4.10-5.00; culmen,3.30-4.00; depth of bill. .55-. 70; tarsus, 4.90-5.75; middle toe, 2.50-2.85; bare portion of tibia, 2.60-3.75. The inclusion of this southern species of heron in the Illinois fauna rests on the statement of Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his paper on the birds of southern Illinois,* that he found it "quite com- mon in the vicinity of Cairo during the last week in August, 1875," the unusually high water of that season having caused a much larger number of herons than usual to make their ap- pearance. He observed that "although Ardea egretta and A. ccerulea— both of which were seen by the hundred daily— were quite unsuspicious, A. rufa was so exceedingly shy that it was almost impossible to get within gunshot of one." ♦Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, i. 1876, p. 40. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 128 According to Dr. Brewer, the flight of this species is said to be more elevated and regular than that of the smaller herons. It is peculiarly graceful during the mating season, especially when one unmated male is pursuing another. It is said to pass through the air with great celerity, turning and cutting about in curious curves and zigzags, the pursuing bird frequently erecting its beautiful crest and uttering a cry at the moment it is about to give a thrust at the other. When travelling to and from their feeding-grounds, it propels itself with the usual regular flapping, and in the customary manner of flight oi other herons. On approaching a landing-place, it performs several circumvolutions, as if to satisfy itself that all is safe before alighting. It is much more shy and wary than the smaller herons; and after the breeding season is over it is almost im- possible to shoot one, except when it is taken by surprise, or when flying overhead among the mangroves. Subgenus Florida Baird. Florida Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 671. Type, Ardea ccerulea Linn. Gen. Char. Small Herons, dark plumbeous, with maroon-colored necks; pure white, with bluish tips to some of the primaries; or with the plumage variously intermediate l e- tween these extremes. Bill slender, appreciably curved toward the tip, the culmen some- what depressed just above the anterior end of the nostril; lower edge of the mandibular rami slightly concave, the gonys nearly straight but ascending; anterior point of the malar feathers reaching just about as far forward as that of the frontal feathers, and very far posterior to the posterior end of the nostril; anterior point of chin feathers almost di recti y beneath the anterior end of the nostril, and a little over two thirds the distance from the middle of the eyo to the point of the bill. Toes long, the middle one two thirds, or more, as long as the tarsus, the hallux a little less than half its length; bare portion of tibia considerably less than middle toe. Tarsal scutellse as in Garzetta and Herodias. Nuptial plumes (occipital, jugular, and scapular) long, slenderly lanceolate, the webs rather compact, especially those of the dorsal region, the longer scapulars, however, loose- webbed, those of the back reaching, when fully developed, far beyond the tail. This subgenus also is peculiar to America, and contains a single species, the Little Blue Heron (Ardea carrulea Linn.), the adults of which are usually dark slaty blue with maroon-chest- nut head and neck and the young pure white with bluish tips to some of the longer primary quills. 129* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Ardea cserulea Linn. LITTLE BLUE HERON. Popular synomyms. Btue Egret; Little White Heron (young); Booby (parts of Florida); Garza azul (Mexico). A rdea ccerulea Catesby, Carolina, i, 1731, pi. 76 (blue adult). II won bleuatre de Cayenne Buff. PL Enl, 1770-84, pi. 319 (blue adult). Ardea ccerulea Linn. S. N. ed. 10. i, 1758, 143, No. 13 (ex Brown, Jam. 478; Catesby, I. c), i, 1766, 238, No.l7— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 117, pi. 62— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 58 — Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 58, pi. 307; Synop. 1839, 266; B. Am. vi, 1843, 148, pi. 372— CoUES, Key, 1872, 268; Cheek List, 1873, No. 456.— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 200— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 130. Florida ccerulea Baikd. Birds N.Am. 1858.671; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 490— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 493— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 662.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 43. Blue Heron, var. A. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 79 (blue adult. Quotes PL Enl. 349). Ardea ccerulescens Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 690, No. 49 (based on the above). Le Crabier bleu a cou brun Buff. Ois. vii, 399 (blue adult). Blue Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 78 (quotes Ardea ccerulea, Linn.). ? Little White Heron, var. B. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 94 (Mexico. Probably young white bird). Ardea ardesiacea Less. Traite, i. 1881,575 (Cayenne. Individual in pied plumage). Herodias poucheti Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 123 (blue adult). "Egretta nivea" Gosse, Birds Jam. 1847, 334; Illustr. R. Jam. pi. 90 (young white bird). Ardea ccerulea, var. alba, Reichenow, J. f. O. July, 1877, 264 (white phase). Ardea ccerulea, var. cyanopus, Reichenow, 1. c. (intermediate, or pied, phase. Ex Ardea cyanopus Gmel. S. N. i. pt. ii, 1788, 644). A rdea mexicana cinerea Bbiss. Orn. v, 1760, 404 (intermediate phase). Ardea americana cinerea Bbiss. t. c. 406. Ardea cancrophagus brasiliensis Bkiss. t. c. 479. Ardea chalybea Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Z06I. xi, ii, 1819, 582. A rdea cristata Mull. S. N. Suppl. 1766, 111 (based on PI. Enl. 349). Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, the whole of the West Indies and Mid- dle America, and northern South America; north to Massachusetts (accidentally to Maine), Illinois, Kansas, etc.; south to Colombia and Guiana. Colored phase. Adult: Head and neck rich purplish maroon, with a ghucous cast, the feathers more chestnut beneath the surface; rest of the plumage uniform dark bluish plumbeous, the plumes with a glaucous cast, the maroon and plumbeous gradually blended. In breeding season, bill ultramarine-blue at the base, the end black; lores, eyelids, and base of bill, ultramarine-blue; iris pale yellow1; tibae, tarsi, and toes black (Audubon). In autumn, bill light plumbeous on the basal half, the terminal half black; lores and eyelids very pale dull greenish; iris sulphur-yellow; legs and feet uniform pea-green, darker at the joints2. Young: Similar in color to the adult, but with less developed plumes, or with none at all; the head and neck more plumbeous. 1 According to Mr. W. E. D. Scott (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1880, p. 20), the color of the iris in specimens collected March 20, when they had just begun to breed, at Clearwater, Florida,' was "deep lead-color" in eleven and "brown or hazel" in another. 2 From a fresh specimen killed August 6, near Washington, D. O. ARDEIDvE— THE HERONS. 130* White phase. A dult: Prevailing color white, with the ends of several outer primaries plumbeous, the plumage tinged here and there (in Quantity varying with the individual) with delicate pale bluish pearl-gray. Colors of the soft parts as in the blue adult. Young: Similar to the adult, but with the plumes absent or but slightly developed. Bill pale lilaceous, becoming gradually black on terminal third, the lores, orbits, and base of under mandible pale apple- green; legs and feet uniform pea-green, lighter and brighter than in the blue phase; iris Naples yellow1. Pied, or intermediate, phase. The plumage mixed white and plumbeous, in proportion varying with the individual, forming a series connecting unbrokenly the two extremes described above. Total length, abort 20 UO-25.00 inches; expanse, 40 .00-42.00; wing, 0.00-10.60; tail, 3.60-4.70; culmen, 2.70-3.30; depth of bill, .45-.5S; tarsus, 3.15-4.00; middle toe, 2.35-55.60 ; bare portion of tibia. 2.00-2.90. Weight, about 11-16 ounces. While there is evidently such a thing as an intermediate phase among fully adult birds, specimens representing; it appear to be excessively rare. The young in blue plumage seems to be equally uncommon. It may be, however, that all birds become blue at some time of their existence, and it is quite certain that a very great majority of the youug are white, only one unques- tionably young bird in blue plumage having come under my notice. The Little Blue Heron is a common bird during the latter part of summer, particularly during August, when (in 1875) Mr. E. W. Nelson found it exceedingly abundant near Cairo. Considerable numbers make their appearance along the Wabash River, at least as far north as Mt. Carmel, and doubtless it occurs generally throughout the State. Subgenus Butorides Blyth Butorides "Blytii. 1810," Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 128. Type, -I rd< a 'avanica Horsf. Oniscus Caban. J. f. O. iv, 1856. :?43. Typo, Ardea virescens Linn. Gbn. Chak. Small Herons, of darkish, moro'or less variegated, colors, the pileum and occiput crested. Bill rather stout, decidedly longer than the tarsus. Mental apex reach- ing to a little less than half-way (in B. brunnescena exactly half-way) f rem the middle of (ho '■ye to the point of the bill, and to decidedly beyond the anterior end of the nostril; malar c about even with the frontal, and decidedly posterior to the hinder end of the nostril In /:. brunnescena this point falls considerably short of the frontal one). Middle toe very nearly or quid- equal to the tarsus (equal to it In B. javanicua, a little shorter in the American forms, the difference being most marked In - taroely or no) al all longer than the Inner (except In /:. bn out half the length of the middle toe; ba ol tibia equal to or Bhorter than the hallux. 1 Fresh colors of a specimen killed .\u-\i>' ■ hjngton, 1 1 131* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Tileum with a full crest of broadly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, these longer and more narrowly lanceolate on the occiput. Scapulars and interscapulars elongated and lanceolate in the adult, but not reaching the end of the tail (very much as in Ardea). Ardea virescens Linn. GREEN HERON. Popular synonyms. "Schytepoko;" "Squawk;" Fly-up-the-Creek; Booby (parts of Florida); Crab-catcher (Jamaica); Martineta cangrejero (Mexico). Ardea stellaris minima'GATESBY, Carolina, i, 1754, pi. 80 (adult). Ardea virescens Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 144, No. 15 (based, in part, on the above) ; ed. 12, 1766, i, 238, No. 20— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 97, pi. 61.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 63.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 217, pi. 333; Synop. 1839, 264; Birds Am. vi, 1843. 105, pi. 367— Coues. Key, 1872, 268; Check List. 1873, No. 457; Birds N. W. 1874, 522— Reichenow, J. f. O. 1877, 255— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 201— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 132. Butorides virescens Bonap. Consp. ii, 1855, 128— Baibd, Birds N. Am. 1858, 676; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 493— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 494— Coues, Check List, 2d. ed. 1882. No. 663— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1834, 50. Crabier, de la Louisiane Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pi. 909 (adult). Crabier tachete, de la Martinique Buff. PL Enl. 912 (young). Green Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 68. Louisiana Heron Lath. t. c. 81. Ardea ludoviciana Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 630. No. 39 (based on PI. Enl. 909). ? Blue Heron, var. B. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 75 (Queen Charlotte's Sound). A rdea chloroptera Bodd. Tabl. P. E. 1783, pi. 909. Cancroma maculata Bodd. t. c. pi. 912. ? Ardea virgata, Gmel S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 643. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, to Venezuela; north to Ontario and Oregon; abundant both in the Pacific States and Eastern Province, but apparently wanting in the Middle Province; Ber- mudas. Sp. Chab. Adult: Entire pileum, including oocipital crest, glossy darn metal'ic bottle- green; rest of the head and neck, except throat and foreneck, rich chestnut, varying from a cinnamon shade to a fine purplish maroon; bare orbital space bordered posteriorly with greenish black, from the lower part of which projects backward, from the rictus, a short stripe of the same; below this, along the upper edge of the malar region, a narrow stripe of white, the lower malar feathers being mixed black and rufous, forming another stripe; th oat and foreneck, from chin to chest, white, marked with broad longitudinal dashes of dusky. Lower parts ash-gray, the lining of the wing somewhat spotted, and distinctly bordered, outwardly, with creamy white. Scapular plumes glaucous-plumbeous, with a green reflection in certain lights, the shafts white. Wing-coverts and rectrices brilliant metallic bottle-green, the former distinctly bordered, narrowly, with fulvous-white; these borders on the lesser-coverts, more rusty or fulvous ; rectrices immaculate bottle-green; remiges and primary-coverts plumbeous, with a green reflection, the inner primaries and adjoining secondaries with narrow crescentic tips of white, the coverts with terminal del- toid spots of the same. Bill deep black, the lower mandible sometimes partly yellowish or greenish; lores and orbits varying from olive-green to bright yellow; iris gamboge-yellow; legs and feet olive-green or olive-yellow, the scutellae more greenish; claws horn-color. Young: Pileum, including crest, as in the adult, but usually streaked with dark rusty an- teriorly; sides of the head and neck dull dark rusty, indistinctly streaked with light ochra- ceous, or buff; lower parts white, tinged with buff, and striped with dusky. Back, scapu- ,ars. and rump uniform dull dusky-green, some of the feathers indistinctly bordered with ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 132* rusty; wings and tail as in the adult, but light borders to larger wing-coverts more ochra- ceous.and the two or three middle rows marked with median wedge-shaped dashes of the same. Bill lighter colored than in the adult, dull greenish prevailing, only the culmen dusty, the lower mandible mostly pale yellowish; legs and feet dull greenish yellow or olivaceous. Length, about 15.00-22.50; expanse, 25.00-27.00. Weight, 6% ounces (A.udubon). Wing, 6.30-8.00; tail, 2.40-3.40; culmen, 2.00-2.55; depth of bill, .40-.60; tarsus, 1.75-2.15; middle toe, 1.05-1.95; bare portion of tibia, .70-.90. This small and very handsome heron is perhaps the most generally distributed species of the family, being found along all streams which pass through or near wooded tracts. It comes from the south in April, and departs in September or October. According to Mr. N. B. Moore (as quoted by Dr. Brewer in the Water Birds of North America), "this heron has its own pe- culiar manner of searching for its food, which, in some respects, differs from that of all the other kinds. It fishes from the shore or from a log, root, snag, or shelving rock, preferring not to wade into the water or to stand in it; still, on seeing a tempt- ing morsel, it will quit its point of observation and walk into the water towards it. Its approach at such times is peculiar; though the Louisiana Heron seems occasionally to copy its style, except that the latter is constantly in the water at the time of fishing. The Green Heron, however, on seeing a fish, crouches low on its legs, draws back its head, crooks its neck, creeps slyly along, laying its tarsi almost down on the rock or the ground, carries the bill level with the top of the back, and, when near enough, darts the bill forward towards it, sometimes with such force as to topple forward a step or two. It seldom immerses its head in fishing, is always disposed to steal upon its prey in a sly, cat-like, crouching manner, remaining quite motionless for a long time, and often advancing so slowly ami stealthily that even a keen-eyed observer would hardly perceive Hie motion. Its ant i | hi thy to and jealousy of its own species at the t*ecdinTounds is decided." "i-> n Genus NYCTICORAX Stephens. Nyoticorax Btephhns, Shaw's Gon. Zool. xi, 1819,603. Type, Ardea nycticorax Linn. i Ihab. Bill comparatively short ami thlok, the '-11111100 not longer than the tarsus, nan four times the greatest ■/.. (Audubob). Wing, 11.00- 12 B0; tail, 4.20 5.80; culmen, 2.80 3.10; a I Ny etcmai »Hn in. Proc.U. S.Nat. Mus.x.sig. 19, Aug. 3,188; , l cab. If edlum-slzed Heron , of short, thick build; the bill extremely thick and stout, with both outlines strongly convex; the lega long ari'l slender; the dorsal plumes much elongated and very na beyondthe tall; the occiput (In ad with everal extremi ly long, linear whiti feat! Bill short, and yery stout, the culmen curved regularly from tfa cidedlycbi much ascending;4 maxlllai , straight throughout, bul appreciabl theba e; mandibular tomlumne: rht, butpen 1 A cap men had the Iris and - m to June 80th, the only portion of thi d feet uniform lli ' neck, without -• rton, /' C ! irth and Middle \ i * Thi tllne of the bill is, in fact, m d< rable yai • decidedly < onvex in the middi ii U and thi an I 135* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. apex less than half-way from centre of eye to end of bill, and about even with anterior end of nostril; apex of malar region a little posterior to the frontal' apex. Tarsi long and slender, exceeding the middle toe by more than half [the length of the latter; outer toe de- cidedly longer than inner; hallux slightly longer than the first phalanx of the middle toe; bare portion of tibia as long as the outer toe; tarsal scutellae with a tendency to form trans- verse plate- on the upper half, in front; claws exceedingly short, strongly curved, and blunt. Inncj we = of two outer primaries emarginated near the end; tail of twelve broad, moderately hai-.i feathers; interscapular plumes greatly elongated (extending beyond the tail), narrow, the plumulne thread-like and soft, and separated outwardly. Occipital plumes linear, flattened, longer than the head and bill, when fully developed, half a dozen or more in number, and graduated in length. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.) YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Popular synonyms. White-crowned Night Heron: Pedrete de marcara (Mexico). Ardea stellaris cristata americana Catesby, Carolina, 1754. pi. 79 (adult). Bihoreau de Cayenne Buff. PI. Enl. 1770-84. pi. 899 (adult). Ardea violacea Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143, No. 12 (ex Catesby, 1. a); ed. 12. i, 1766. 238, No. 16.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 26, pi. 65.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 52.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 290, pi. 336; Synop. 1839, 262; Birds Am. vi, 1843. 89, pi. 364 (adult and young). Nyctiardea violacea Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837. 354— Coues, Key, 1872, 269; Check List, 1873, No. 459. Nyctherodius violaceus Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1851, p. xvi.— Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858,679; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 496— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1831, No. 496.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 665 [Nycterodius).—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 61. Nycticorax violaceus Vig. Zool. Jour, iii, 1827, 446— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 203.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 133. Cayenne flight Heron Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 56 (quotes PI. Enl. 899). Yellow-crowned Night Heron Lath. t. c. 80. Ardea cayennensis Gmel. S. N. i.'pt. ii, 1788, 626, No. 31 (based on PL Enl. 899). Ardea sexsetacea Yieill. Enc. Meth. iii, 1823, 1130 (Reichenow). Ardea callocephala Wagl. Syst. A v. 1827, Ardea, sp. 34. Hab. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, breeding north to southern Illinois and Indiana. On Atlantic coast north to Pennsylvania (rare). West to Colorado, south to western Ecuador and the Amazonian regions. Bermudas. Sp. Chak. Adult. Forehead, middle of the crown, long occipital plumes, and a large longitudinal patch from the rictus to the ears, pure white;1 rest of the head deep In living and freshly killed specimens the forehead is a delicate creamy sulphur- yellow color; but this fades perceptibly in a very short time after death, and finally disap- appears entirely. Audubon (Birds of America, Vol. YL, p. 91) says, however, that this is characteristic of the breeding season, and "disappears at the approach of autumn, when the bird might with all propriety be named the White-crowned Heron." In view of the fact that this beautiful yellow color is seldom if ever to be seen in dried skins, the term "yello w- crowned" is a decided misnomer; and since it is thus calculated to mislead the student, we prefer the name "white-crowned," and have. On previous occasions, adopted the latter in this work. In many skins the white of the forehead is tinged more or less with ochrace- ous, or cinnamon-brown; but this is without much doubt an actual stain caused by contact with the slimy coating of leaves of aquatic plants, ferruginous mud, etc. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 136* black. Plumage in general, clear bluish gray, or cinereous, lighter beneath (the de- gree of blueness probably depending on the age of the bird): all the feathers of the upper surface marked with a median stripe of black; the secondaries and rectrices dark plumbe- ous, bordered with a lighter shade of tho same; primaries plain bluish plumbeous. Bill deep black, the lower basal portion of the mandible, in some specimens, greenish yellow; lores and eyelids greenish yellow; iris pale orange; legs dull yellowish green, the large scutellaj and the claws dusky.1 Young. Above, dark sooty grayish brown, sometimes of a slightly olive east, the feathers of the pileum and wings (in youngest individuals the entire upper surface?) marked with median streaks of white or pale buff; these streaks assuming on the wintr coverts a narrowly cuneate form. Lower parts soiled whitish, striped with brownish gray. "Bill greenish black, the lower and basal part of the lower maDdible greenish yellow, as are the eyelids and bare space before the eye. Iris pale orange. Legs and feet dull yellowish green, the scutella and scales in front, as well as the claws, dusky." (Audubon.) Length, about 23.00-25.00; expanse, 40.00-45.00; weight, 1 lb. 7 oz. to 1 lb. 9 oz. (Audubon.) Wing, 10.50- 12.65; tail, 4.20-5.10 ; culmen, 2.50-3.00; depth of bill, .70-.92; tarsus, 3.10-4.20 ; middle toe, 2.20- 2.55; bare portion of tibia, 1.60-2.40. The Yellow-crowned Night Heron occurs during summer throughout at least the southern third of Illinois, though of course only in such localities as are suited to it. These consist of timbered swamps, where the principal food of the species, consisting of crawfish, frogs, and the smaller reptiles, is to be found in abundance. It first became known to the writer as an Illinois bird through Mr. Samuel Turner, of Mt. Carmel, who obtained specimens of the bird and its eggs in the Coffee Flats, a few miles south of that place. At Monteur's Pond, about eight miles east of Yincennes, Indiana, the writer found it to be much the most numerous species of heron, far outnumbering all other kinds together, during several visits there, in different years. Many nests were found, but all inaccessible except by special and in most cases extraordinary effort, being built not only high up in the tallest sweet gum and oak trees but far out upon the branches. 1 In an adult female shot from the nest, at Wheatland. Indiana, April 27, 1881, the bill and naked lores were wholly slate-black, the eyelids similar, but tinged with green anteriorly; iris Mars-orange; legs palo olive-buff, the large scutell.'e of tarsus and toes deep brownish. In the adult male in spring, according to Audubon, tho unfoathered parts are colored as follows: "Bill black. Iris reddish-orange; margins of eyelids and bare Bpaee in front of the eye dull yellowish green. Tibia, upper part of the tarsus, its hind part and soles, bright yellow; the scutellSB and sculos, the fore part of the tarsus, tho toes, and the claws, black. " 137 ; BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily BOTAUBJN^.— The Bitterns. Genus BOTAURUS Hermann. Botaurus Heemann, Tabl. Affln. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris Linn. Gen. Char. Tail-feathers ten, very short and soft; outer toe shorter than inner; claws lengthened, slightly curved. Two really distinct genera are comprised in the so-called genus Botaurus, as above denned, but in order to be consistent in the classification and nomenclature of this work we are compelled to follow the A. O. D. Check List and call them subgenera. They may be distinguished by the following char- acters: a.1 Size large (wing more than 9.50 inches); sexes alike in coloration, and young not ob- viously different in color from adults Botaurus. a.a Size very small (wing less than 6.00 inches); sexes more or less different in color, (in North American species, at least), and young obviously different from adults Ardetta. Subgenus Botaurus Hermann. Botaurus Hermann. Tabl. Affln. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris Linn. Butor Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354. Same type. Gen. Char. Medium-sized, or rather large, Herons, with the plumage much mottled or striped with different shades of brown and ochraceous (the plumage essentially the same in both sexes and at all seasons); the plumage, particularly of the lower neck in front, exceedingly soft and full, and destitute of any ornamental plumes; the bill comparatively small and short (shorter than the middle toe); the tibiae almost completely feathered, and the claws very long and but slightly curved. Tail, of ten short, soft feathers, slightly rounded or nearly even. Bill gradually tapering from the base to the point, the upper outline more convex than the lower, the gonys very slightly convex and gently ascending, the lower edge of the max- illary rami perfectly straight; mental apex extending forward about half-way from the centre of the eye to the point of the bill, and slightly in advance of the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex falling far short of that of the frontal feathers. Toes very long, the middle one considerably exceeding the bill and almost equaling the tarsus ; inner toe decid- edly longer than the outer; hallux about half the middle toe; claws very long (that of the hallux nearly equal to its digit), and but slightly curved; bare portion of the tibia shorter than the hallux. Tarsi with large regular scutellse in front. ARDEID.E— THE HERONS. 138* Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.) AMEEICAN BITTERN. Popular synonyms. Stake-driver; Post-driver; Thunder-pump Water-belcher; Bog-bull; Bog- bumper; Mire-drum; Look-up; Indian hen; Indian pullet, etc. Ardea mugitans Bartr. Travels. 17i»2, (nomen nudum). Botaurus mugitans Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 666. Ardea lenliginosa Montague, Orn. Diet. Suppl. 1813.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831,374.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831. 00.— Aud. Synop. 1839. 263; Birds Am. vi. 1813. 94, pi. 365 Botaurus lentiginosus Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, 1819, 596.— Baibd, Birds N. Am. 1858, C74: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 492.-:Reichenow. J f. O. 1877. 218.— RlDGW. Nom. Am. B. 1881, No. 497; Man. 1887. 120..— A. O. U. Check List, 1S86, No. 190. Ardea hudsonias Merrem, Ersch. Grub. Ency. v. 1820, 175. Ardea minor WiL3. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 35, pi. 65, fig. 3. Botaurus minor Boie, Isis, 1826, 979— Coues, Key, 1872, 209; Check List, 1873, No. 460; Birds N. W. 1874, 523. Butor americanus Swains. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 351. Ardea mokoko Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xiv, 1817, 440. Botaurus adspersus "Cab.," Bonap. Consp. ii. 1857, 156. Ardea stellaris canadensis Edwards, Nat. Hist. pi. 136. Le Butor de laBaye de Hudson Edwards, I. c. Botaurus Freti-Hudsonis Briss. Orn. v, 1700, 450. pi. 37, (ig. 1. Ardea stellaris Varietas Forst. Philos. Trans. l»ii, 1772, 410. No. 38 (Severn R.). Bittern Var. A. Lath. Synop. iii, 1785, 58. Ardea stellaris B. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790. 680, No. 18 B. (ex Edwards, pi. 136 . Hab. The whole of temperate and tropical North America, north to latitude about 00°, south to Guatemala. Cuba; Jamaica; Bermudas. Occasional in Europe (18 British records). Sp. Char. Adult: Ground-color of the plumage ochraceous-buff; but this densly mot- tled and iinely sprinkled above with reddish brown and blackish, the latter color prevailing on the dorsal and scapular regions, where the feathers have lighter edges, the butt prevail- ing on the wing-coverts, where the variegation consists of a liner and sparser sprinkling of the dusky and brown; on the tertials and ends of the secondaries, the reddish (a sort of cin- namon shade) forms tin- ground-color, and is thickly sprinkled with irregular dusky dot- i 1 zigzags; pectoral tufts nearly uniform dark brown, the feathers with broad lateral borders of clear yellowish ochraceous. Pileum rusty brown, darker anteriorly, changing gradually backward into the greenish olive-gray of the nape; sides of the head and neck yellowish ochraceous; a malar stripe of dark rusty, changing posteriorly into a wry conspicuous stripe of blue-black (or in somo specimens dull grayish) down each side of the neck; chin and throat white, with a very narrow median dusky streak, suffused with ceous; foreneck pale bull, with sharply defined stripes of cinnamon-brown edged with a black line; lower parts pale buff, with narrower brownish stripes; tibise and orissum plain light or eamy buff; primary-coverts and primaries dark slate, tipped with pale reddish ochracei . but not densely, sprinkled with dusky. Upper mandible olive. black, the tomium (broadly) lemon- yellow; lower mandible pale lemon-yellow, deeper i.asally, with astri] f dusky bro^ I the tomium; loi eyelids lemon- yellow, the former divided longitudinally by a median stripe of dusky olive, from the eye to the base of the upper mandible; Iris clear, light sulphur-yellow next the pupil, shadin ige-brownish, this encircled narrowly with blaok; lege and feet bright yellowish green ; olaws pale brown, dusky toward po ig: Similar to the adult, but more reddish, the mottling coarser, and with a tender.. transvi illy on the posterior upper parts. Imens (male and female) killed Nevada, Nov. 18, and Deo. 11, 18 ■■ 139* BIEDS OF ILLINOIS. Length, about 24.0U-28.00; expanse, 37.00-45.00; weight about V& lbs. (Audubon); wing, 9.80- 12.00; tail. 3.10-4.40; culmen, 2.50-3.20; depth of bill. .50-.65; tarsus, 3.10-3.85; middle toe, 2.90-3.00; bare portion of tibia, 1.00-1.35.1 Subgenus Ardetta Gray. Ardeola Bonap. Synopsis, 1828 (teste Gkat, Gen. & Subg. 1855. 113). Type, Ardea exilis Gmel. (Not of Boie, 1822!) Ardetta Gray, List of Genera, App. 18(2, 13. Type, Ardea minuta Linn. Erodiscus Gloger, Handb. i, 1842, 410. Same type. "Ardeiralla" (1855) Vebeeaux (teste Habtl. Orn. Westafr. p. 224). Type, Ardea sturml Wagl. Subgen Char. Extremely small (the smallest of) herons, or miniature bitterns; dif- fering from the true bitterns chiefly in their diminutive size, and in the fact that the sexes differ in color.2 Although only two species of Ardetta are known to occur in North America (with one additional species in South America), there are various species in other parts of the world. The two North American species differ as follows: o1. Primaries tipped with cinnamon-rufous or pale cinnamon; adults with a distinct nar- row stripe of buff along each side of back B. exilis. a". Primaries without rufous or cinnamon tips; adults without trace of lighter stripe along sides of back B. neoxenus.;i This species, which was originally discovered in southern Florida, has also been taken in Ontario, Canada, and may possibly occur in Illinois. It is very different in color from B. exilis, the prevailing colors being black and rich chestnut. Botaurus exilis (Gmel.) LEAST BITTERN. Popular synonyms. American Least Bittern; Tortoise-shell Bird, or Tortoise-shell Bittern (Jamaica) ; Little Yellow Bittern; Ardeola and Pescadora (Mexico). Little Bittern Penn. Arct, Zool. ii, 1785, 453, No. 359 (part). Minute Bittern Lath. Synop. iii. 1785, 66 (Jamaica); = female ad.). Ardea exilis Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 645, No. 83 (based on the Minute Bittern of Lath. t# c.).— Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 37, pi. 65, fig. 4.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 66.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 77; v, 1839, 606. pi. 210; Synop. 1839, 263; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 100, pi. 366. Ardetta exilis Gundl. J. f. O. 1856, 345. -Baied. B. N. Am. 1858, 673; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 491.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 498.— Coues, Check List 2d ed. 1882, No. 667. Botaurus exilis Reichen. J. f. 0. 1877, 244.— A. O. U. Cheek List, 1886. No. 134.— Ridgw. Man. 1887, 127. ? Ardea spadicea Gmel. t. c. 641 (Reichenow). 1 From measurements of twenty-five adult specimens. 2 We can find no other difference in form or proportion between Botaurus and Ardetta. In the sexed specimens of A . involucris which we have been able to examine there is no sexual difference of plumage. The sex of the single supposed female, however, may have been incorrectly determined. » Ardetta neoxena Cory, Auk, iii, Apr. 1886, 262.— Botaurus neoxenus Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 127. AKDEID/E — THE HERONS. 140* Hab. The whole of temperate North America, north to the British Provinces; West Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, to Brazil. Bermudas. Sp. Chak. Adult male: Pileum, including slight occipital crest, with entire hack, scapu- lars, rump and tail, glossy greenish black, the outer webs of the outermost row of scapu- lars edged with pale buff, forming a narrow longitudinal stripe. Sides of the head and neck bright ochraceous, deepening into reddish chestnut on the nape; chin, throat, and foreneek paler, the first sometimes whitish, with a mediansories of dusky and yellowish butl'dashes; the foreneek and chest faintly striped with white and pale orange-bull', the latter pre- dominating; on each side the breast a patch of maroon-dusky, the feathers tipped with paler and suffused with blackish, forming tufts of large loose feathers, partly concealed by the large feathers of the chest; lower parts whitish, washed with pale creamy-buff . Carp;il region, greater wing-coverts, lower webs of tertials and tips of primary-coverts, second- aries, and innermost primaries, rich cinnamon- rufous; large area covering middle wing- covert region, pale ochraceous or buff; remiges and primary-coverts blackish slate, except at tips. "Bill dark olive-brown above, edge of upper mandible and bare frontal space yel- low; lower mandible pale yellow, inclining to flesh color; iris yellow; feet dull greenish yel- low; claws brown." (Audubon.) Adult female: Similar to adult male, but the greenish- black replaced by brown (varying from umber-drab to cinnamon; the pileum darker, usu- ally auite dusky); the buff stripe along outer edge of scapular region much broader, and the stripes on the foreneek usually more distinct. Young: Similar to the adult female, but feathers of the back and scapulars tipped with buff, and si ri pes on foreneek usually still more distinct. Downy young: Above uniform buff, or brown is li buff, beneath dull white. Total length, about 12.00-1:1.50 inches; extent of wings, 17.00-18.00; wing, 4.80-5.25; tail. 1.60- 2.10; culmen, 1.60-1.90; depth of bill at base, .28-.3S; tarsus, 1.50-1.75; middle toe. 1.40-1.60; bare portion of tibia, .45-.50. The Least Bittern, although comparatively seldom seen, is an abundant summer resident in marshy localities throughout Illinois, but keeps well hidden among the tall sedges, cat-tails, and other aquatic plants among which it dwells, often permit- ting itself to be almost brushed against before it will take wing. Mr. Nelson says it breeds abundantly in the marshes and sloughs of the northeastern counties, where it arrives about May 1, and breeds in June. He always found its nest sup- ported, at from two to three feet above the water, by the surrounding rushes, and describes it as a very frail structure— a thin platform from one to three inches thick, with scarcely de- pression enough in the center to prevent the eggs from rolling out. Small dry pieces of reeds are used in building it. The eggs are usually from two to six in number. If approached while on the nest, the female generally stops quietly to one side; but if suddenly surprised, takes to flight. Bach nest is asually placed by itself, but sometimes six or eight may be found in close proximity. — F. lOSJ BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Order ANSERES.— the Lamellirostral Swimmers. Characters. Lamellirostral swimming birds, with straight bills, short legs (always shorter than the wing), the tibiae usually completely feathered, and scarcely free from the body ; hallux well developed, though usually small, never absent. Reproduction prsecocial, and young ptilopasdic; eggs numerous and unmarked, with a hard, usually very smooth, shell. Bill flattened terminally, and provided at the tip with a more or less hooked nail or "unguis", and along the edges with distinct vertical lamella? or strainers (more tooth-like in the subfamily Mergince). The Order Anseres is composed mainly of a single family {Anat- idw),1 which, however, includes very numerous genera and species. The order is represented in every portion of the globe, but most numerously in the northern hemisphere. It is allied most nearly to the orders Phmdcopteri (Flamingoes) and Palamedm (Screamers), the former Tropicopolitan, the latter confined to the central portion of the Neotropical Region. 'Extralimital families, are (1) Anse.rantidcp (Semipalmated Geese), and (2) Cereopsic'ce (Capo Barren Geese), both peculiar to Australia. ANATIDJ3— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 103 Family ANATID-ffi.— The Swans, Geese, and Ducks. Chabactees. The same as those of the Order. (See Volume I, page 45.) The family Anatidce, which includes all the North American Ans&res, constitutes so well-marked and natural a group of birds as to need no further definition than has already been given. The species, being very numerous, naturally fall into several more or less well-defined groups, which have been accorded the rank of subfamilies. These, however, grade so insensibly into one another that it is extremely doubtful whether this rank can be maintained for them.1 Birds of this family are found in every known part of the world; but they abound most in the northern hemisphere, particularly in boreal regions. The North American representatives may, for convenience of classification, be divided into four tolerably well-defined groups, as follows: Cygninae. Neck extremely long (as long as or longer than the body); size very large; bill long as or longer than the head, the edges parallel, the nail small; tarsi shorter than middle toe ;lores naked; tail-feathers 20-24; color chiefly or entirely white (except in Ghenopis atrata, the Black Swan, of Australia). Anserinae. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually medi- um, never very large): bill not longer than the head, tapering to the end, which is chiefly occupied by the large, broad nail; tarsus longer than the middle toe; lores feathered; tail-feathers 14-20; color extremely variable. Anatinae. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually small or medium); bill extremely variable; tarsus shorter than the middle toe; lores usually feathered; tail-feathers 14-18; color extremely variable. Merginae. Similar to the Anatince, but biU narrow, with tooth-like processes instead of fine lamelkr. The genera which have representatives within our limits may be distinguished by the following characters: '"The whole family Inatidce forms, as to structural features, a very homogeneous group, and Intermediate links are everywhere to be found. Thus it is very difficult to de- fine the subfamilies anatomically, and to give the atruotural differences by which they are to be separated, so that I And it not improbable that an exact Investigation, based on a more abundant material than I can at present procure, will reduce the subfamilies to groups of lower rank." Ste.tnecser, in Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 5, 1S82, pp. 174. 175. I ^ 1 iukps or U 1 INiMS Subfamily OYQNINJB. Dhe Swans length more th&athn ■ Subfamily anskrinjk Phe Geese a. • atsMe through i Qfc ■ . o than half with Haokish priUMkl \-.. hrough the base loss than head, nor n. s the mouth, the .•. blaofctsh ftNAta PPtw w»e without .v - I i - S l ( I : tail. s . - - 1«» Glauciont:' ■ I - / - ■■ I - ' V.: .;./ MJZRGIWJE A. :. . . CYQWLMM CfUOR ■.;.■ :.■-.;. , : ■ ;. riant - -. as ■ . ■ >~ :. ■ I | — 11 106 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Common Chabactebs. Adults with whole plumage pure white, the head often stained with rusty; bill either entirely black, or black and yellow; iris dark brown; feet blackish. Young ashy, sometimes tinged with brownish, the bill flesh-color (or at least partly of this color) and feet grayish or whitish. 1. 0. columbianus. Tail-feathers usually 20 ; bill not longer than the head, the anterior end of the nostrils considerably anterior to the middle of the maxilla; naked loral skin usually with a yellowish oblong spot. 2. 0. buccinator. Tail-feathers usually 24; bill longer than the head, the anterior end of the nostrils reaching to about the middle of the maxilla; naked loral skin entirely black. Size considerably larger. They are both found, at one time or another, entirely across the continent, though O. buccinator is rare on the Atlantic coast. Olor buccinator (Rich.) TRUMPETER SWAN. Cygnus buccinator Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 464 (Hudson Bay).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 370.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 536; v, 1839,114, pis. 406. 376; Synop. 1839, 74; B. Am. vi, 1843, 219, pi. 382, 383,-Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 562— Coues, Key, 1872, 281 : Check List, 1873, No. 476; 2d ed. 1882, No. 688; Birds N. W. 1874,544.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619. Olor buccinator Wagl. Isis, 1732, 1234— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 589; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 120; Proc. U. S.Nat. Mus. iii, 1882, 216.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i 1884. 430— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 181. Cj/grawspasmoreiHiNCKS, Proc. Linn. Soc.viii. 1864,1 (Toronto); P. Z. S. 1868,211.— Mooee. P. Z. S. 1867, 8 (critical). Hab. Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic. Accidental in England. Sp. Chab. Tail usually of 24 feathers; bill longer than the head. Adult: Plumage entirely pure white, the head, sometimes the neck also, or even the entire lower parts, tinged with rusty. Bill, naked lores, legs, and feet, uniform deep black, the "outer lamel- late edges of the lower mandible and the inside of the mouth flesh-eolor," (Audubon); iris brown. Young: "In the winter the young has the bill black, with the middle portion of the ridge, to the length of an inch and a half, light flesh-color, and a large elongated patch of light dull purple on each side ; the edge of the lower mandible and the tongue dull yellowish flesh-color. The eye is dark brown. The feet are dull yellowish brown, tinged with olive; the claws brownish black, the webs blackish brown. The upper part of the head and the cheeks are light reddish brown, each feather having toward its ex- tremity a small oblong whitish spot, narrowly margined with dusky ; the throat nearly white, as well as the edge of the lower eyelid. The general color of the upper parts is grayish white, slightly tinged with yellow ; the upper part of the neck marked with spots similar to those on the head." (Audubon.) Total length, about 58.50 to 68.00 inches ; extent, about 8.00 to nearly 10.00 feet ; wing, 21.00-27.25 inches ; culmen (from frontal feathers) 4.34-4.70 ; tarsus, 4.54-4.92 ; middle toe 6.00-6.50 ; weight, of adults, about 28 to nearly 40 lbs. The arrangement of the trachea in this species is very different from that in O. columbianus, in having, besides the horizontal bend, a vertical flexure, occupying a prominent protuberance on the anterior portion of the dorsal aspect of the sternum. The Trumpeter Swan is chiefly a transient visitor to Illi- nois, but undoubtedly once bred within the State, since it ANATLD.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 107 is now known to do so in Iowa. It is said to occasionally winter in the southern counties, where migrating flocks arrive from the South about, or a little after, the middle of March, and return from the North about the last of October. It is a grand bird, weighing often as much as thirty pounds and sometimes nearly forty, with a spread of wings of eight to nearly ten feet — much greater than any other American bird excepting only the Condor and the California Vulture, both of which are considerably inferior in weight. Its eggs, averag- ing about 4.46 by nearly 3.00 inches in size, are so large thai one of them is said to be a sufficient meal for a moderate man. Although so large, it is very swift of wing, and Hearne states that in his opinion it is more difficult to shoot when flying than any other bird. The name ''Trumpeter'' is derived from its ringing note, much more sonorous than that of the common species (O. cokim- bicmus), and said to resemble a blast upon a French horn. Olor columbianus (Ord). WHISTLING SWAN. Popular synomym. American Swan. Cygnus musicua Bonap. Synop. 1828, 379 (nee Bechst. 1809). Cygnus bewicklSw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831. 465 (nee Yarr.).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834. 372. Cygnus ferus Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 306 (nee Leach, 181ti). Cygnus americanus Sharpless, Doughty's Cab. N. H. i. 1830, 185, pi, 16.— And. Orn. Biog. v, 1839.133, pi. 411; Synop. 1839, 274; B. Am. vi, 1843, 226, pi. 384.— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858,758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561a.-CouES. Key, 1872, 281; Check List, is;;. \ >. 477; B. N, W. 1874,545. Olor americanus Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1844, 131.— Bonap. Compt. Rend, xliii. 1856.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 558. A nas columbianus Ord, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 181;".. 819. Cygnus oolumbianus Coues, Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr, 3d series, No, 6, 1876, 444; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 689. Olor columbianus Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v, 1882. 210.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884. 425.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 180.— Ridgw. Man.N. Am. B. 1887. 120. Hab. The whole of North america, breeding far north; accidental In Scotland. 8p. Char. Tall usually of twenty feathers; bill not longer than the head. Ad\ I En- tire plumage pur-' white, the head, sometimes the neck, or even entire under parts, tinged with rusty. Bill, and bare loral Bpaoe black, the latter usuall] marked by an oblong spot of orange or yellow (dull pale reddish, yellowish, or whitish In the skin); iris brown; legs and feet slate-black or dark -late-color. Voting: Light ashy gray, paler beneath, the tore] and top of the head tinged with reddish brown Bill reddish flesh-color, dusky al the tip; feet dull yellowish flesh color, or graj Ish, Total length, about 63.00-65.50 Inches; extent aboul r.00 [eet; wink'. 21.60-22.00 Inches; oulmen. 3.8^-4.20; tarsu-. i 06-4.32; middle toe, 5.40 :..'.'•. Weight of adults aboul 18 to 26 lbs 108 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. The common American or Whistling* Swan is a more northern species, as to its breeding range, than the Trumpeter, but at the same time it is a more abundant or at least more widely distributed species, and therefore better known. It does not, apparently, breed within the limits of the United States, but betakes itself during summer to the desolate lands near and beyond the Arctic circle, where it rears its young in compara- tive security. It is said to occasionally winter in southern Illinois, but ordinarily its principal winter residence is the Gulf and south Atlantic coasts, including their various bays and estuaries. The best account of the habits of this species is that furnished by Dr. Sharpless, of Philadelphia, to Mr. Audubon, supple- mented by articles, presumably of the same writer, in "Dough ty's Cabinet." Dr. Sharpless states that in its migrations south- ward it collects in flocks of twenty or thirty, and moves only when the wind is not opposed to the direction of its flight. It mounts high in the air, forms an elongated wedge, and utters loud screams as it departs, these cries being occasionally re- peated as the bird moves on its way. When flying, the wings seem almost without movement, and their sweep is very unlike the semicircular movements of geese. He estimates that this bird travels at the rate of at least a hundred miles an hour when at a high elevation and with a moderate wind in its favor. Its flight is estimated to be twice as rapid as that of the Wild Goose. In traveling from its summer abode to its winter resi- dence it keeps far inland, mounted above the highest peaks of the Alleghany, and rarely follows the watercourses. It usually arrives at its regular feeding-grounds at night, and signalizes its coming by loud and vociferous screaming, with which the shores ring for several hours. In the spring these birds again assemble, as early as March, and after many preparations by incessant washings and dressings, meanwhile disturbing the neighborhood with their noise, they depart for the north with a general clamor of unmusical screams. In the Chesapeake they collect in flocks of from one to five hundred on the flats near the western shores, from the mouth of the Susquehanna almost to the Rip Raps. When alarmed they become instantly silent, and they depend much more on swimming than on flying for effect- ANATIDjE— the swans, geese, and ducks. 109 ing an escape. When feeding, or dressing their plumage, this Swan is usually very noisy, and at night these clamors may be heard to the distance of several miles. Their notes are varied, some resembling the lower ones made by the common tin horn, others running through the various modulations of the notes of the clarionet. The differences are presumed to be dependent upon age. Regarding the edible qualities of the swan there is great di- versity of opinion among persons who have eaten its flesh, but it is probable that due allowance has not been made for the remarkable difference which exists between the tender, juicy flesh of a young bird, and the tough, dry meat of a very old one. A writer in "Doughty's Cabinet," above mentioned, (probably Dr. Sharpless), referring to swans on Chesapeake Bay, says that this bird, when less than five years old, is by far the finest eat- ing of any of the waterfowl found on that bay. It possesses the flavor of the finest goose, and is far more tender. The length of time that its flesh can be preserved untainted is also mentioned as remarkable, this same writer having seen one still perfectly sweet four weeks alter its death, no other method of preservation than an exposure to air having been employed. The age of this swan may be known by the color of the feathers, the yearling being of a deep leaden tint, with a deli- cate red bill. In the second year it has a lighter color, and a white bill. In the third season the bill has become jet. black, and about one third of the plumage is still tipped with gray; and until it is fully five years old an occasional feather will pre- sent this tint of youth. This bird is supposed to live to a great age, and its flesh becomes exceedingly tough and tasteless. In consequence of this, the more experienced hunters of the Chesa- peake usually allow the patriarchs of the flock, who lead in their flight, to pass unharmed. These old lenders have a note thought to resemble in a remarkable degree the sound of a common tin horn; and the unmusical character of their cries increases in in- tensity wit h their age. 110 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subfamily ANSERIN-flB— The Geese. Genus CHEN Boie. Chen Boie, Ms, 1822, 563. Type, Anser hyperboreus Pallas. Exanthemops Elliot, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1868. Type, Anser rossii Baird. Of the three North American species of this genus, two. G. hyperborea, the type, and C. ccerulescens, are precisely alike in the details of form, the only difference being the coloration, which is very distinct in the two; the third species, O. rossii, while agreeing strictly with C. hyperborea in plumage, both in the adult and young stages, differs decidedly in the form of the bill, which is quite peculiar. It seems unnecessary, however, to adopt the generic term Exanthemops, proposed for it by Mr. D. G. Elliot, since the difference in the character of the bill from that of the typical species of the genus is hardly of generic value. The species may be distinguished as follows: Synopsis of Species. Common Characters. Adult with whole head and at least part of the neck white (in two of the three species the plumage entirely white, except quills, which are blackish) ; the bill dull purplish red (in life) with whitish nail, and feet purplish red. Young with head and neck grayish, the rest of the plumage either chiefly grayish brown or else striped with grayish on a whitish ground ; bill and feet dusky. A. Plumage never chiefly white; the adult mainly grayish brown, with bluish-gray rump and wing-coverts, the head and part of the neck white. Young almost wholly grayish brown, including head and neck. 1. C. ceeruleseens. Bill very robust, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla de- cidedly concave ; commissure widely gaping, and lower outline of the mandible decidedly convex. (Page 110 . ) B. Plumage of the adult pure white, the primaries black, more grayish toward the base ; young grayish white, the centres of the feathers darker gray. 2. C. hyperborea. Bill robust, and shaped like that of G. coerulescens. 13. C. rossii. Bill small, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla almost perfectly straight, the tomia closely approximated, and the lower outline of the mandible scarcely convex; in older specimens the base of the maxilla corrugated or warty. Wing, 13.75-15.50 inches; culmen, 1.50-1.70; depth maxilla at base, .85-.95; tarsus, 2.30-3.00; middle toe, 1.80-2.05. Hab. Northwestern North America.] Chen cserulescens (Linn.) BLUE-WINGED GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Blue Brant; Blue Goose; White-head; White-headed Brant, or Goose; Bald Brant ;IBlue Wavey (Hudson Bay). Anas coerulescens Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198.-Gmel. S. N. i, 1788, 513,-Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790. 836. ANATID.E — THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. Ill Anser cfzrulescens Vieill. Enc. Meth. I, 1823, 115.^-Baibd, Cat. N. Am. B. 1869, No. 564,-Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 479; Birds N. W. 1874, 553. Chen ccerulescens Ridgw. Proc. U. S.Nat. Mus., iii, 1880, 202; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 590;Man. N. Am B. 1887, 115— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 694— B. B. & R. "Water B. N. Am. i. 1884, 436.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, p. 351, hypthet. list, No. 8. Anser hyperborevs (supposed young) Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, ii, 1824, 33.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 760. Hab, Interior of North America, east of Rocky Mountains, breeding in the interior of Labrador; migrating south, in winter through the Mississippi Valley, occasionally along the Atlantic coast also. Sp..Chak. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck white, or mostly white, the former frequently washed with orange-rufous anteriorly; lower neck and body grayish brown, the feathers bordered terminally with paler, these pale edgings, however, nearly obsolete on the neck, where the tint is darker, and joins irregularly against the white above it. Rump and wings plain pearl-gray or bluish cinereous (the former sometimes white), in striking contrast to the deep grayish brown of the scapulars, sides, etc.; that of the rump fading into/white on the upper tail-coverts, and that of the greater coverts edged externally with the same. Primaries black, fading basaily into hoary gray; secondaries deep black,' nar- rowly edged with white; tail deep ash-gray, the feathers distinctly bordered with white Bill reddish, the commissural space black; feet reddish, Young: Very similar, but the chin, only, white, the rest of the head and neck being uniform dark grayish brown or brown- ish slate, like the breast, only darker in shade; body more cinereous than in the adult, the pale tips to the nearly truncated contour feathers being obsolete. Rump, wings, and tail as in the adult. Bill and feet blackish. Downy young, not seen. Total length, about 30.00 inches; wing, 15.00-17.00; eulmen, 2.10-2.30; tarsus, 3.00-3.30; mid- dle toe, 2.15-2.50. The chief variation in the plumage of adults of this species consists in the extent and continuity of the white of the neck. This is usually more or less broken, the dusky of the lower por- tion running upwards in irregular spots or projections; it ex-, tends highest on the nape, where it sometimes reaches to the crown. The bright orange-rufous tinge to the anterior portion of the head, being an adventitious stain, is frequently entirely ab- sent. The color of the abdomen also varies from nearly pure white to a tint hardly paler than the breast; the rump is also sometimes, but rarely, entirely white, while occasionally white feathers are irregularly interspersed among the dark feathers of t hf body. In both the adull and young stages of this goose the plumage is so very distinct from that of C. hyperborea that there is no occasion for confounding the two when the points of distinction are understood. We are unable, however, to find the slightest difference in the details of form or in proportions— a fact which suggests the mere possibility of their being white and colored phases of the same Bpecies, as in some Herons; bul we do not 112 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. consider this as at all probable, although in view of their sim- ilarity of form and size, and the fact that the chief variations are a tendency toward partial albinism, the possibility of such a relationship should be borne in mind. A specimen figured in the "Transactions'1 of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, Vol. I., 1869, pi. 18, has the whole under parts, posterior to the chest, pure white. We have also seen examples in which not only the abdomen, but also the rump, was white ; while, as noted above, white feathers are sometimes interspersed irregularly in the dark plumage of the body. There is also something very "unsatisfactory" or suspicious in the irregular, variable, and undecided way in which the white of the neck joins upon the dark color below it. Mr. E. W. Nelson, of Chicago, who has enjoyed the advantage of inspecting very numerous specimens in the markets of that great game center, writes as follows (Bull. Nutit. Orn. Club, VIII., 1876, p. 137) with regard to the changes of plumage in this species: "The adults of this species invariably possess the white head and upper part of the neck, which in the younger specimens is more or less variegated with dark feathers. These disappear as the bird becomes older ; and in many the head is a pure snowy white, in sharp contrast to the dark plumage of the rest of the upper parts. The young would appear at first sight to be a distinct species, so different is the pattern of coloration. The white of the head, neck, abdomen, and tail-coverts is entirely absent, and the bird is of an almost uniform ashy plumbeous, slightly darker about the head, and lighter on the abdomen. This plumage is retained until the second year at least, as many specimens are procured in the spring with the dark head, neck and abdomen still immaculate ; and these, I think, are young of the preceding year. At the same time specimens are found with the dark feathers about the head well mixed with white, repre- senting the second year. In birds of the third year the white predominates; but not until the fourth or fifth year does the plumage become perfect.'' The Blue Goose is a common species in Illinois during the migrations, sometimes mixed in with flocks of the Snow Goose, but often in flocks composed entirely of its own species. In his ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 113 paper on the birds of northern Dakota, Dr. McChesney, referring to its migrations, mentions as a singular fact that he never observed this goose during the spring migrations when the Snow Goose is so abundant, and with which it makes its ap- pearance in the fall — being afterwards constantly found mixed with the flocks of that goose, and associating with it on terms of such familiarity as to suggest the query whether there may not be a doubt as to its distinctness from that species, and whether it may not in reality be the young, or a semi-melanotic condi- tion. He saw flocks of the Snow Goose covering acres of ground, with here and there a Blue Goose scattered through the flock, and he also saw them associated on the wing. "The case of this goose and that of the Black-bellied Plover" says he, "constitute the only exceptions falling under my notice of a migrator}' bird appearing in the fall that does not pass this region during the spring migrations. This goose departs with the preceding about the end of October." On the other hand, Prof. Cooke says that it migrates through the Mississippi Valley, and winters along the Gulf coast, in mild winters extending up to northern Mississippi and southern Illinois;" and that "during migration it was noticed at Burling- ton, Towa, where bulk arrived March 20, 1884" — thus showing that, nearer the Mississippi River at least, it does pass north- ward in the spring. The breeding ground of the Blue Goose is not known with cer- tainty, but, according to Mr. Barnston, the Indians of the Hud- son's Bay district report that it is the country lying in the interior from the northeast point of Labrador, where extensive swamps and impenetrable bogs prevail, and where these geese ni'st on the more solid tufts interspersed through the morass, safe from man or any other than winged enemies. Chen hyperborea (Pall.) LESSER SNOW GOOSE, Pomilar synonyms. Lesser Snow Goose ; White Brant. Anter hyperboreua Paul. Spio. Zool. vlli, 1767, 25, pi. 65 (Eastern Siberia ;Z -As. ii. 1896, 297. Bw. \ Rl( B. P. B. A II, 1831, 167.— NtJTT. Man.il, 1884. 844.— AUD. Orn. BiOtf, lv.1888, 562, pi 581; B nop. 1839,278; B. Am. vl. 1848, 212, pi. 881.— lUmn. B. N. \m. 1868, 760; Oat. v Lm. B. I860, No 563. Coobb, ttej neok List, 1873, No, - N w. 1874. 648.— Henbh. ZooL Wheeler's Exp 181 -15 114 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Anas hyperboreus Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 501.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 76, pi. 68, f. 3. Chen hyperboreus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 591.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 695.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 139. Chen hyperborea Boie, Isis, 1822, 563— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 115. Anser albatus Cass. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1856, 41— Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 925; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.. 563a— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619. Chen albatus Elliot, Illust. Am. B. ii, 1869, pi. 42. Anser hyperboreus, var. albatus Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 480a. Anser hyperboreus, b. albatus Coues, Birds N. W. 1874, 549. Chen hyperboreus albatus Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880. 202; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 591a— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 696. Snow Coose Penn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1790, 479.— Lath. Synop. vi, 1885, 445. Hab. Northern Asia (as far west as European Russia) and western North America, breeding in the Arctic districts (Alaska, etc.), migrating south in winter to southern Cali- fornia, Mexico, and the Gulf coast; occasional on the Atlantic coast during migrations, in Asia, as far south as Japan in winter; casual in various parts of Europe, including Ireland. Sp, Char. Adult: Entire plumage, except the primaries, snow-white, the head some- times stained with orange-rufous anteriorly; primaries deep black, fading basally into grayish, the primary coverts and alula being hoary ash. Bill purplish red or flesh-color, the nail whitish, and the intertomial space black ; iris dark brown ; eyelids whitish or flesh- color; feet purple- or orange-red, the soles dingy yellowish. Young: Above, including the head and neck, pale ashy, the feathers of the dorsal region more whitish on their edges ; wing- coverts and tertials dark ashy or slate -grayish centrally, their edges broadly pure white; secondaries mottled ashy, edged with white; primaries as in the adult. Rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and lower parts, immaculate pure white, the tail and breast tinged with pale ash. Head usually more or less tinged with orange-rufous, this deepest anteriorly. Bill and feet dusky. Downy young not seen. Total length, about 23,00 to 28.00 inches; wing, 14.50-17.00 (average, 16.36); culmen 1.95- 2.30 (2.15) ; tarsus, 2.80-3.25 (3.01) ; middle toe, 2.00-2.50 (2.34). The Snow Goose, more commonly known as the "White Brant," is an abundant migrant in Illinois, coming south in October and returning in January to March, according to the character of the season. According to Mr. Nelson it visits us in large flocks, either composed entirely of its own species or mixed with indi- viduals of the larger race {Chen hyperborea nivalis) and the Blue Goose, and in the central portion of the State frequents corn- fields. The summer home of the Snow Goose includes the vast extent of territory stretching from the "barren-grounds" of middle Arctic America to Bering's Strait, and also a considerable por- tion of northern Asia, which it traverses until the eastern portion of European Russia is reached. Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.) GREATER SNOW GOOSE. Popular svnonyms. Wavey, or Common Wavey (Hudson's Bay); Mexican Goose (Rhode Island): Red Goose (New Jersey); Texas Goose (New Jersey). Anas nivalis Fokst. Philos. Trans, lxii, 1772, 413 (Severn R.). ANATID.E— THE SWAN'S, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 115 Chen hyperborea nivalis RlDGW. Proe. Biol. Soo. Wash, ii, 1884, 107; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 115— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169a. Tadorna nivea Beehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 854. Hab. Eastern North America; breeding grounds unknown, but probably region be- tween McKenzie River and Hudson's Bay; migrating south in winter through eastern United States, including Mississippi Valley, to the Gulf coast, even reaching Cuba; occa- sional or accidental in the Bermudas. Subsp. Chak. Entirely similar i" C. hyperborea except in size, being considerably- larger; young somewhat darker in color than in true C. hyperborea? Total length, about 30.00-38.00; wing, 17.35-17.50 (17.42); culmen, 2.55-2.70(2.63); tarsus, 3.15- 3,50 (3.28) ; middle toe, 2.60-2.80 (2.70). This is simply a larger race of the Snow Goose, and occurs with the smaller form throughout the Mississippi Valley during its migrations. Mr. Nelson is of the opinion that in Illinois the two occur in about equal numbers. Farther eastward, however, particularly along the Atlantic coast, the larger form is decidedly the prevailing one. while west of the Rocky Mountains it prob- ably does not occur at all, though the smaller race is abundant there. According to Mr. Boardman, it is common during migration in eastern Maine, and it is said to be more or less common, according to the locality and other circumstances, at various points along the coast farther south. Genus ANSER Brisson. Anser Briss. Oru. i, 1760, 261. Type, Anas anser Linn.,=.1. cinereua Meter. Gen. Char. Bill much weaker or less -wollenthan in Chen (depth through baseless than half the length of the culmen); plumage never whit'-,* nor with white head, nor bluish wing-coverts. This genus differs from Chen chiefly in the form of the bill, which is much less robust, more depressed terminally, the nails thinner and less arched, the toniia less divergent, etc. In fact, the bill of some species is quite identical in form with that of larger species of Brcmta (canadensis and h/utchinsii). The type of the genus, however, A. (cinereus Meyer), has the bill decid- edly approximating lo thai of Chen, the commissure gaping quite widely. Only one species occurs in America, the common White-fronted Goose (Anser gambeli Bartlaub). The same species occurs also in Europe in a representative form — the A. albifrons Gmel. The difference between them is chiefly one of size, the American bird being decidedly the larger Another • I i apt sometimes in si lea whiob have been i"m: domestioated. 116 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. European species or race resembling A. albifrons, but much smaller, seems to bear to the latter about the same relation which Branta JmtcMnsii or B. minima do to B. canadensis. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.) AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Popular lynonyms. Brant; Speckle-belly; Laughing Goose; Pied Brant; Speckled Brant; Gray Brant; Harlequin Brant; Prairie Brant or Goose; Yellow-legged Brant or Goose; Ansar salvage {Mexico). Anser albifrons Bonap. Synop. 1828, 376.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 466— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 346— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 568, pi. 286; Synop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1843, 209, pi. 380, Anser gambeli Haktlaub, Rev. et Mag. Zool.1852, 7.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 761; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 565. Anser albifrons, var, gambeli Coues, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873. No. 487; B. N. W . 1874, 546. Anser albijrons b. gambeli B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, i, 1884, 448. Anser albifrons gambeli Ridgw. Proc.U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880,203; Nom.N. Am. B.1881, No. 593 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 116-Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 693- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 171 a. Anser erythropus Baird, Stansbury's Rep. 1852, 321 Jnec Linn.). Anser frontalis Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 562 (= young; New Mexico) ; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 566. Hab. The whole of North America, breeding far northward; Cuba. Sp. Char. Adult: Prevailing color brownish gray, this uniform on the head and neck, and becoming much darker on the flanks; feathers of mantle, wings, sides, and flanks dis- tinctly bordered terminally with pale brownish gray (sometimes approaching grayish white); upper edges of the upper layer of flank- feathers pure white, producing a conspicu- ous white stripe when the feathers are properly adjusted. Breast and abdomen grayish white, mixed more or less with irregular spots and patches of black, sometimes scattered and isolated, but often more or less confluent. Anal region, crissum, and upper tail-coverts immaculate pure white; rump brownish slate; greater wing-coverts glaucous gray tipped with white; secondaries black, their edges narrowly white; primaries slaty black, growing ashy basally; primary-coverts glaucous-gray. Tail brownish slate, broadly tipped with white, the feathers narrowly edged with the same. Front of the head, from the base of the bill to about half way across the lores and ' forehead, including the anterior border of the chin, white, bordered behind by brownish black, which gradually fades into the grayish bro\wn of the head and neck. Bill reddish (waxy-yellow, fide Nelson), the nail white; feet reddish.* Young (= A. frontalis Baird): Nearly similar to the adult, but the anterior portion of the head dark brown, instead of white; wing-coverts less glaucous; black blotches of the under surface absent. Nail of the bill black. Downy young: Above, olive- green; beneath, dingy greenish yellow, deepest yellow on the abdomen. (Hardly distin- guishable trom young of Branta canadensis, but apparently more deeply colored, and with greater contrast between color of upper and lower surfaces). Total length, about 27.00—30.00 inches ; extent, about 60.00; wing, 14.25—17.50 ; culmen, 1. 10— 2.35; tarsus. 2.60—3.20; middle toe, 2.35-2.70. Tail-feathers 16 to 18. usually the former. The principal variation among individuals of this species is in the amount of the black blotching on the lower parts. In ♦"Color of bill varying with different specimens, from flesh-color and yellowish, to darker and more reddish tint; the nail at end white or nearly so. Legs and feet orange, the webs lighter, and claws white." (Gurdon Trumbull, Names and Portraits of Birds, p. 11. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, OEESE, AND DUCKS. 117 some specimens (as No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas), there are only two or three small spots, while in others (as No. 16,788, Hudson's Bay Territory) the black predominates over the lower parts, being continuous on the abdomen, and only broken on the breast by the admixture of a few pale grayish feathers. In No. 4,517, Washington, D. C, the whitish gray of the lower parts is strongly tinged with ochraceous-rufous— without doubt merely an adventitious stain from ferruginous matter. There is also a slight range of variation in the shade of the brownish tints of the body, some specimens inclining to ashy and others ap- proaching a decided brownish hue. The smallest specimen (see measurements above) is No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas; the larg- est is No. 16,788, Washington, D. C. In No. 20,138, Fort Reso- lution, the white of the forehead is more extended than in any others, reaching as far as the middle of the eye, and sending back a stripe over the eye to its posterior angle, and another on each side the throat. The variations of plumage in this species are thus discussed by Mr. E. W. Nelson, in the "Bulletin of the Essex Institute," Vol. VIII. (1876), pp. 136, 137: "The individual variation in this species is very great. A large majority have the ordinary white frontal band and the under parts plentifully mottled with black. In others the black grad- ually decreases, until some specimens do not show the leas! trace of dark on the abdomen; in such instances the frontal white band is usually present. The young exhibited a dark brown frontal band in place of white, but with more or less dark spots on the abdomen. In very high plumage t he abdomen becomes almost entirely black, only a few rusty-colored feathers being interspersed through the black. The white nail on the bill is generally crosseil by one or more Longitudinal stripes of dark horn-color. In spring, as the breeding season approaches, the bill becomes a clear waxy yellow. There is also much varia- tion in size among adults of this species. I have examined a number of specimens, which by correci comparison were a1 leasl oru fowrth smaller bhan the average." The White-fronted Goose is another species which visits Illi- nois only during its migrations, coming some time in October or early in November, and returning in March or April. 118 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. During its sojourn in this State it frequents chiefly open prairies, or wheat fields, where it nibbles the young and tender blades, and corn-fields, where it feeds upon the scattered grains. In California, it is so numerous in winter as to be very destruc- tive to the growing wheat crop, and it is said that in the Sac- ramento and San Joaquin valleys farmers often find it neces- sary to employ men by the month to hunt and drive them from the fields. This is most successfully accomplished by means of brush hiding-places, or "blinds,"' or by approaching the flocks on horseback, by the side of an ox which has been trained for the purpose. The present species is greatly esteemed for the excellent qual- ity of its flesh, which, by those who have learned to appreciate it, is generally considered superior to that of any other goose. Genus BRANTA Scopoli. Branta Scop. Ann. i, Hist. Nat. 1709, 67. Type, Anas bernicla Linn. Bernicla Stephens, Gen. Zool. xii, ii, 1824, 45. Type, Anas bernicla Linn. Leucopareia Reich. Syst. Av. 1853, pi. ix. Type, Anser leucopsis Bechst. Leucoblepharon Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 703. Type, Anas canadensis Linn. Gen. Char. Serrations on edge of upper mandible visible (from the outside) only near angle of the mouth, the edge (tomium) itself very slightly or not at all sinuated; otherwise much like Anser, but bill and feet always black, and the head and neck also chiefly black. With much the same form throughout as the species of Anser, the birds belonging to the genus Brcmta are distinguished by the darker plumage, with the head and neck chiefly black, and the bill and feet entirely deep black, at all ages. All the known species occur in North America, and all but two of them in Illinois : Our species may be distinguished by the following characters : A. Head and neck black, with a somewhat triangular patch of white on each cheek, usu- ally confluent underneath the head, but sometimes separated by a black stripe or "isthmus" along the throat; in some specimens a white collar around the lower neck. Tail, rump, and primaries brownish black; upper tail-coverts, crissum, and anal region white; rest of the plumage grayish brown, lighter below, the feathers tipped with paler. a. Lower parts light brownish gray; white cheek-patches usually confluent on the throat; white collar round lower neck usually wanting, rarely distinct. 1. B. canadensis (proper). Larger (wing usually more than 16.00 inches, culmen more than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 18-20; length about 35.00-43.00; wing 15.60- 21.00; culmen 1.55-2.70 ; tarsus 2.45-3.70. 2. B. canadensis hutchinsii. Smaller (wing usually less than 16.00 inches ; culmen less than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 14-16; length about 25.00-34.00; wing 14.75-17.75; culmen 1.20-1.90; tarsus 2.25-3.20. ANATIDvE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 119 b. Lower parts deep grayish brown or brownish gray (often but little paler than up- per parts), abruptly contrasted with white of anal region; white cheek- patches usually separated by a black throat-stripe ; white collar round lower neck usually very distinct. 3. B. canadensis minima. Smallest (wing less than 16.00 inches, culmen less than 1.25); tail-feathers 11-16; length about 23.00-25.00; wing 13.60-14.50; culmen 0.95-1.15; tarsus 2.40-2.75. B. Head, neck, and chest black, the middle of the neck with a white patch on each side, or a wide collar of the same, interrupted behind. 4. B. bemicla. Wing, 12.30-13.60 inches; culmen, 1.20-1. 50; tarsus, 2.10-2.40; middle toe 1.70-2.10. White of the neck confined to two broken (streaked) patches on each side. Above, brownish gray, the feathers narrowly tipped with grayish white ; wing-coverts nearly uniform, more bluish gray; remiges, rump, middle upper tail-coverts, and rectrices, brownish black;" terminal and lateral upper tail-coverts, crissum, and anal region white; lower parts pale gray, the feathers tipped with grayish white, abrubtly and strongly contrasted with the black of the chest and fading insensibly into the white of the anal region. There is probably 110 more perplexing- problem in North American ornithology than the relationship of the three forms which are named above as races of B. ccmadensis. Comparing a very large true B. ccmadensis with a small B. mdnima, no one probably would for a moment think of considering them the same species; yet in a large series of specimens so many exam- ples occur which seem to connect both these extremes with the middle-sized B. hutchmsii, that the chain appears to be com- plete; not only is the size thus variable, but every character of coloration also appears to be unreliable. It may be that these intermediate specimens are hybrids, but whether such is the true explanation or not cannot now be determined. Branta canadensis (Linn.) CANADA GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Common Wild Goose; Big Wild Goose; Honker; Reef G i arolina); Bay Goose (Texas); Cravat (ioose. Anas canadensis Linn. 8.N. ed.10, i. 1758,123; ed. L2, i. 1766, 198.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814. 52. 67. f. 4. , . canadensis Yikij.i.. Eno. Meth. 1823. 114.— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. Ii, 1831, 188. Man. ii. 1834,349. AUD.Orn. Biog. HI, 1835,1; v. 1839. 607, pi. 201; Synop. 1839,270; B. Am. \\. 1843. 178. pl.376. Bernicla canadensis Bora.] I ,1826.921. Band, B N. Am. 1858, xllx.764; Cat. N. Am. B. \ i, .>,; Ridow. Nqm. N. Am. B. 1881. N< r. Check List. 2d ed. ,No. 702. Branta canadensis Bannist. Proa Acad. Nat Boi. Phila. 1870, 131. ouks, Key. 1872, 283; Check List, 1873. No. 485; Birds N. W. 1874. 554. Henbh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, t:i. A. o. r. Check List, 1886, No. 172. Ridow. Orn. 10th Par. 1877, 620; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117. 120 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Bernicla canadensis a. canadensis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 457. ? Bernicla barnstoni Koss, Canad. Nat. vii, Apr. 1862, 152. Hab. Temperate North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States, Canada, Newfoundland, etc. Sp. Chab. Adult: Head and neck deep black, the former with a white patch covering the throat and extending up over the cheeks to behind the eyes, growing gradually nar- rower above, the upper outline usually more or less truncated; this white patch, however, sometimes interrupted on the throat by a narrow black stripe or isthmus. Very rarely, a broad white band, more or less distinctly indicated, crosses the forehead between the eyes. Black of neck frequently bordered below by a white collar, more or less distinct. Upper surface grayish brown, each feather bordered terminally by a paler shade; lower parts with the exposed surface of about the same shade as the tips of the feathers of the upper parts, the concealed portion of the feathers of the shade of the prevailing color above— this much exposed along the sides and on the flanks. Primaries and their coverts plain dusky, the former growing nearly black terminally. Anal region, crissum, and lower tail-coverts im- maculate white. Tail plain deep black; rump plain blackish slate. Bill and feet deep black. Young: Similar to the adult, but the colors duller, the markings less sharply defined; black of the neck passing gradually below into the grayish of the chest; white cheek- patches usually finely speckled with dusky; light-colored tips to the contour-feathers broader. Downy young: Above, including an occipital patch, golden olive-green; beneath pale greenish ochre, the head rather deeper. Total length/about 35. 00-43. 00 inches; wing, 15. 60-21. 00; culmen. 1.55-2.70; tarsus, 2.45-3.70. According to Professor Cooke,* the Canada Goose "winters in the southern half of the United States, and breeds on both sides of our northern boundary. It breeds regularly at Heron Lake, Minn., and has been known to breed in southern Illinois (Nel- son)." This statement of course applies to the present time, its former breeding range being undoubtedly far more exten- sive, and including a large portion of the United States to the southward, where the settlement of the country has driven it to more secluded haunts. Even yet a few pairs seem to linger in the more retired spots of its former range. Mr. Nelson's rec- ord for Union Co., Illinois (vicinity of Anna), is one case in point, while the more recent record of its breeding at Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee (L. O. Pindar, in The Auk, for October, 1886, p. 481) is another. The general habits of this species are so well known that it is scarcely necessary to speak of them here at any length. It maybe mentioned, however, that in certain portions of the "North- west, " especially in parts of Montana and Dakota, the Canada Goose is said to sometimes nest in trees, possession being taken of a deserted nest of a Fish Hawk or some other large bird of prey. * Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 75. ANATID.E— -THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 121 This circumstance, mentioned by Dr. Coues and Dr. Merrill has, however, been discredited by Dr. Agersborg, who says'" that he has "several times been shown nests in trees, claimed by the settlers to be the nests of geese; but the "geese" have invari- ably turned out to be cormorants (Phalacrocorax dilqphus). Of the few nests of the Canada Geese found, the majority have been far away from any water, far out on the prairie; but one nest was built among some large boulders, two feet from the water's edge * * * May not many, if not all of the nests seen in trees by other observers have belonged to the shag?" The following interesting notes on domesticated Canada Geese are given by Mr. Win. Dutcher, in The Auk, for January, 1885, p. Ill: During the last week in May, 1870, I saw some goslings, just hatched, belonging to Capt. Lane, of Shinnecock Bay, Long Island, N. Y. August 16, I saw them again and was unable to distinguish them from the rest of the nock by their size or plumage. The present season ('apt. Lane raised nineteen geese I saw the flock daily from June 26 to July 25, and during the Lit lei' pari of the time the young birds were hardly distinguish- able from the old ones, except by the solicitude the parents dis- played for the safety of their progeny. Capt. Lane has had re- markable success in breeding Canada Geese in confinement, and has kindly furnished me with the following information regard- ing their habits during the incubating season : "They make their nests of dried grass, raising them about twelve inches from fche ground. They feather them when they begin to lay. which is aboul May 1. None lay until three years old: the Brs1 season four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when older six and seven. A goose never has more than one mate. The gander never sits on the nest, but while the goose is sitting never leaves her. The time of incubation is four weeks. The young when hatched are strong enough to take care of themselves, ih.-ii is. theye.-il grass and walk' and swim us soon as they get dry. They will ea1 meal on the second day. They are in the down four weeks, and no- fully grown in six weeks, When swimming, i he gander goes ahead, (he young next, and the goose follows, invariably." —16 122 BIEDS OF ILLINOIS. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.) HUTCHINS'S GOOSE. Popular synonyms. Lesser Canada Goose; Small Gray Goose; Little Wild Goose; Eskimo Goose; Mud Goose (Long Island); Marsh Goose (North Carolina); Prairie Goose; Bay Goose (Texas). Anas bernicla, var. b. Kich. App. Parry's Voy. 368. Anser hutchinsii Sw. &Rich. E. B.-A, ii, 1831, 470.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 362.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,226, pi. 277; Synop. 1839,271; B. Am. vi, 1843, 198, pi. 377. Bernicla hutchinsii Woodh. Sitgr. Exp. 1853, 102.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, pp. xlix, 766; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 569. Branta hutchinsii Bannist. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877,620. Branta canadensis, var. hutchinsii Coues, Key, 1872, 284; Check List, 1873, No. 485?>. Branta canadensis, c. hutchinsii Coues, B .N. W. 1874, 554. Bernicla canadensis hutchinsii, Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 203; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 594a.-CouES, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 704. Bernicla canadensis y. hutchinsi B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 458. Branta canadensis hutchinsii A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 172a.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117. Anser leucopareius Brandt, Bull. Sc. Ac. St. Petersb. i, 1836, 37. Hab. North America in general, breeding in the Arctic districts, and migrating south in winter, chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley; northeastern Asia. Subsp. Char. Exactly like B. canadensis in plumage, but considerably smaller, and tail-feathers usually 14 or 16. Total length about 25.00-35.00 inches; wing, 14.75-17.75; culmen, 1.20-1.90; tarsus, 2.25-3.20. In a large series of specimens, the following variations are noted: The ashy beneath varies from a pale tint of canadensis to the dark shades of minima and occidentaUs, but is usually about intermediate between the two extremes; the white collar round the neck, at the lower edge of the black, is seen only in autumnal or winter specimens. The white of the head is usually uninterrupted on the throat, even in very dark-plum aged ex- amples, but occasionally is separated into two patches by a black throat-stripe, as in minima and occidentalism the plumage other- wise being light colored. This small form of the Canada (Joose is abundant in Illinois during its migrations, and has little to distinguish it from the larger kind beyond its smaller size, proportionally smaller bill, and the possession, ordinarily, of fewer tail-feathers (one or two pairs less). anatid^e— the swans, geese, and ducks. 123 Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. cackling ooose. Popular synonyms. Little Cackling Goose; Little White-cheeked Goose; Chornie Goose (Prybilov Islands). Bernicla leucopareia Cass. Illustr. B. Cal. Tex., etc., 1853, 272, pi. 45, nee Anser leucopareius Brandt. (California.) Branta canadensis var. leucopareia Coues, in Elliott's "Affairs in Alaska," 1875, 190; not of Key, 1872, p. 284, which = B. occidentalis Baird. (Prybilov Islands.) Bernicla canadensis leucopareia Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 594fr.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 703; 2d Key, 1884, No. C89. Bernicla canadensis, (3. leucojiareia B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 456, 459. Branta hutchinsi, fi. leucoparia Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.i, 1878, 445. (Stockton, Cal.) Branta canadensis, b. leucopareia Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 554. Branta minima Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, Apr. 20, 1835, 23.— Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtseh. 1885, 147 (in text). Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 355; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 117— Turner, Contr. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1886, 139 (habits).— A. O. U. Check List, 1887, No. 172c. —Nelson, Rep. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1887, 86 (habits). Branta canadensis Elliott, Monog. Seal Islands, 1882, 130. Hab. Pacific coast of North America, breeding abundantly about the Yukon delta and contiguous shores of Norton Sound, and migrating south in winter to California; occasional migrant to Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, etc.). Subsp. Char. Similar to B. canadensis occidentalis, Baird, but very much smaller. Differing from B. canadensis hutchinsii in smaller size, especially the bill, and much darker coloration. White cheek-patches usually separated by a black stripe or spotting on the throat, and lower part of neck encircled by a more or h>ss distinct white collar. Lower parts dark grayish brown, abruptly defined against the white of the anal region. Total length, about 22.00-25.00 inches; wing, 13.60-14.50; culmen, 0.95-1.35; depth of bill at base, .60- .7:.; width, .52-60; tarsus, 2,40-2.75; middle toe, 1.90-2.30; tail-feathers, 14 or 16. Adult (No. 68,526, male ad., St. Paul's Island, Aiaska. May 14, 1872: H. W. Elliott). Throat with a black "isthmus" .75 of an inch broad, separating widely the white cheek- patches. A distinct white collar between the black of the neck and dark brownish gray of the chest, this about .75 of an inch wide in front, and extending completely around, though much narrower, and some- what interrupted, behind. Lower parts dark brownish gray, abruptly defined against the white of the crissum. Wing, 1 1.25 inches; culmen. 1.30; depth of maxilla at base. .75; width, .65; tarsus, 2.55; middle toe, 2.30; tail-feathers. 11. Other specimens in the collection are chiefiy in summer plumage, having paler lower parts and less conspicuous white collar; but~noarly all havo the two cheek-patches com- pletely separated by a broad black Isthmus on the throat. With only two exceptions, the specimens are from the Pacific coast, ohlefly the northern portion. • (No. '.'.'.'".•;. North Red Biver, Manitoba, September: R. Kennioott). Hnoh like the adult, but tin' black of tin' aeok fades gradually Into the Bmoky gray of the chest, wlth- oul being separated by tin' usual white Dollar; the white- oheek-patohes are thiokly, though minutely, speckled with black; the feathers <>f the lower parts, and also the upper tail- ooverts, have blackish shaft-, it measures as follows: Wing. 18.70: oulmen, L25; tarsus. . -'.Id. V24 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. The smallest examples seen are the following : No. Locality. B Date. O e B CD P ctcd CD P : ° \ & : p CD t> : o : £ p CO C CO P 5" O B CD O CO Fort Klamath, Or . ] 4.20 3.60 4.25 4.15 4.25 .95 1.10 1.25 1.05 1.12 .60 .60 .70 .60 .70 .55 .52 .65 .55 .55 2.50 2.60 2.10 2.60 2.40 1.00 1.90 1.80 1.90 1.95 16 77164 Stockton, Cal December ] ] 15 70806 Andalusia, 111 10 73130 72744 St. Michael's, Alaska .. Washoe Lake, Nev Sept. 13... ] Nov. 12.... 1 15 16 There are others but slightly larger. Any of the above could stand, in a natural atti- tude, beneath the breast of some of the larger examples of the true Canada Goose. This diminutive goose, hardly larger than a Mallard Duck, is rare in Illinois, being chiefly a bird of the western portions of the continent. It is very abundant during winter in California, where it is known as the "Cackling Goose," on account of its peculiar notes. Mr. Nelson informs us* that it "is the most common and gen- erally distributed goose found breeding along the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea," and that its breeding grounds extend along the courses of the great rivers far into the interior. "As May advances and one by one the ponds open the flocks come cleaving their way from afar, and as they draw near their sum- mer homes raise a chorus of loud notes in a high-pitched tone like the syllable 'Ink,' rapidly repeated, and a reply rises upon all sides, until the whole marsh re-echoes with the din, and the new-comers circle slowly up to the edge of a pond amid a per- fect chorus raised by all the geese about, as if in congratula- tion." Mr. Turner saysf that this is the first of the geese to visit the vicinity of St. Michael's, where it arrives about the first of May, or even earlier. He states that it is the commonest of all the geese that abound there, and that while it breeds all along the coast of the Yukon district it is reported to be rare in the in- terior, .where it is replaced by Hutchins's Goose. * Report upon Natural History Collections in Alaska, 1887, p. 86. t Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska, 1886, pp. 139-141. ANATTDJ3— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 125 Branta bernicla (Linn.) BRANT. Pouular synomyms. Brant Gooso; Brent Goose; Common Brant. Anas bernicla Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198-Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, pi. 72, fig. 1. Anser bernicla Illig. Prodr. 1811, 277,-Sw. & RicttJ'. B.-A. ii, 1&31,469.-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 359. -Aud. Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 21, 610, pi. 39flpfcynop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1SI3, 203, pi. 379. Branta bernicla Scopoi.i.A.mi.I. Hist. Nat. 1769, 67— BANNiST.Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.-Coues, Key, 1872,284; Check List, 1873, No. 484; B. N. W. 1874.55G.-A. <>. U. Check List, 1886, No. 173.-Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887,118. A nser brenta Pall. Zoog. Rosso. -As. ii, 1826, 223. Bernicla brenta Stephens, Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1821, 46.— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 767; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859.No. 570.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 595— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 700. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 467. Anser torquata Fkisch, Vug. Deutschl. ii.pl. 156. Bernicla mela ,, opis MACGlLL.Man. Orn. ii, 1842, 151. Hab. Eastern North America in general, but chiefly the Atlantic coast ; rare in the in- terior, or away from salt water; breeds in hyporborean latitudes. Palaearcl ie Regii m. Sp. Chab. Adult (No. 63,616. New York market: J. H. Batty). Head, neck, and chest continuous black, the anterior portion of the head having a brownish cast ; posterior out- line of the black on the chest very regular and sharply-defined against the brownish gray of i he breast. Middle of the neck with a t ransverse crescentic patch of white on each side, Eormed of white tips and sub-tips <>f the feathers, the black showing through in places so o form oblhiue lines. Above,' smoky- slate, the fea'hers distincly bordered termi- nally with a much paler and more brownish shade. Wings like the back, but with a -ome- whatless brownish cast, the paler margins nearly obsolete Secondaries blackish brown; primaries brownish black. Tail uniform black, but almost concealed by the snow-v lengthened coverts, the uppor of which, however, are invaded by a median stripe of black- ish brown from the rump, in east, abdomen, sides, ami Hanks much like the upper parts, bu1 the light tips to the feathers whiter, broader, and more conspicuous; anal region an. I crissum immaculate pure white. Wing, 12.30 inches; culmon, 1.20; tarsus, 2.05; middle l.Tn. Young (No. 12,786, Washington. D. G, Decomber, 1X58: C. Deexleb). Similar to tho adult, but the wing-coverts and secondaries broadly tipped with pure white, formingvery conspiouous bars. Lower parti paler and more uniform; white on middle of the neck re- duced to small sp The Branl is chiefly a salt-water species, and therefore not often see n in tin- interior, though, as Professor Cooke, in his "Bird Migration in tin- Mississippi Valley" (|>. 78) has correctly st Mini, "there is much uncertainty in using the records concern- ing this species, because it is so commonly confounded with the Snow Goose, which is locally known as Branl nil through the West. From the few records thai can be depended on it would seem to have migrated a1 aboul tin- same time as Brcmta >;/,,- Professor Cookesays thai "duringthe winter of L883 84 this s|M'ri.'s was represented from Illinois southward by a i'ow rare 126 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. visitants. In the spring it was rare south of Minnesota, but by the time it reached that State its numbers had been in- creased by recruits from the southeast, and it became almost common." Subfamily ANATINJ33.— The Ducks. Genus ANAS Linn/EUS. Anas Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 122; ed. 12, i, 17G6, 194. ,Type, by elimination, A. bosckas Linn. Gen. Chae. Hind too without a membranous lobe, or "flap"; bill not spatulato; tail- feathers 14, narrow and pointed at the tip, but the middle pair not conspicuously elongated, the graduation amounting to less than one third its total length ; culmen shorter than mid- dle toe without tarsus. Having in the introduction to this work stated my intention to follow the classification and nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union's ''Check List of North American Birds", I find myself obliged to group several very strongly marked and obviously distinct generic types under the generic name Anas, these groups being admitted to merely subgeneric rank in the scheme referred to. These so-called subgenera are char- acterized as follows: A. Culmen longer than middle toe without claw. a. Width of upper mandible near tip more than one third the culmen, the upper and lateral outlines more or less convex for the terminal half. 1. Anas. Wing more than 8.00 inches; scapulars and tertials in adult males broad, and without light-eolored median stripes. 2. Querquedula. Wing less than 8.00 inches ; scapulars and tertials in adult males lan- ceolate, and marked with buff y or whitish median stripes. b. Width of upper mandible near tip less than one third the length of the culmen, the upper and lateral outlines straight for the terminal half. I (Wing less than 8.00 inchos.) 3. Nettion. B. Culmen shorter than middle toe without claw. 4. Chaulelasmus. Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible more than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers; lamellae fine and very numerous (more than 30 visible from the outside); tail- feathers 16. 5. Mareca. Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible less than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers; lamel- lae coarser and less numerous (fewer than 15 visible from the outside) ; tail-feathers 14, the tail much graduated. For the greater convenience of the reader, keys to the species are given under the separate subgeneric headings, which follow. ANAT11LE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 127 Subgenus ANAS Linn.eus. Anas Linn. S. N. cd. 10, i, 1758, 122: ed. 12, i, 17C0, 194. Type, by elimination, A. bos- chas Linn. Subgkn. Char. Usually rather large-sized ducks (wing, in North American species, 10 inches or more), with the bill a little longer than the head or foot, rather broad, de- pressed, the edges parallel, the end rounded; speculum metallic green, blue, or violot, in both sexes, usually bordered posteriorly by a black band, this generally succeeded by a white one. The two species which are known- to occur in Illinois are characterized as follows: A. Adult male, except in breeding season, very different from the female, the plumage varied and brilliant; secondaries tipped with white, and greater coverts crossed by a subterminal bar of the same. 1. A. boschas. Adult rhale: Four middle tail-feathers strongly recurved; head and neck brilliant velvety green; chest rich chestnut, with a white collar between it and the green of the neck; speculum rich metallic violet, bounded anteriorly by a black bar, this preceded by a white one, and posteriorly by a black subterminal and white terminal band. Adult female and main in breeding season: Wings as in the above; elsewhere variegated with dusky and ochraceous, the former on the centres of the feathers, and predominating on the upper parts, the latter on the borders, and prevailing beneath. B. Sexes alike, at all ages and seasons; no white on the outer surface of the wing. 2. A. obscura. Prevailing color dusky, iho feathers bordered with dull ochraceous ; head and neck dull buff, everywhere streaked with dusky; no black at b the bill; speculum usually deep yiolet. Anas boschas Linn. MALLARD. Popular synonyms. Green-head; Wild Drake; Wild Duck; English Duck (Florida'; h Duck (Louisiana); Gray Duck; Gray Mallard. Anas boschas LlNN. S. N. ed, 10, i, 17.",s, 1.7; ed. 12, i. 1766. 205.- Wins. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 112, pi. 70. f. 7.-Aur>. Orn. Biog. iii. 18:;:., Pit, pi. 221; Synop. 1839, 276; B. Am. vi. 1843, 236, pi. 885.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1 it. X. Am. B. 1859, No. 576.— Coues, Key, L872, : List, 1873, 188; B. N. W. 1874, 559. B. B, & R, Water ];. N. Am. i. 1884, 491.— Hbnsh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 172.— A. 0. U. Cheok I t. 1886. No. 132.— BlDGW. Orn. 40th Par. Is;;, 621; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91. Anasboscas Whabton, l; 153.— Bidgw. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 601. Q< Check List, 2d od. 1882, No. 707. domestica Gmel. 8. N. i, pt. Li, 1788, sw. & Rich. f. B.-A. Ii, 1831, Man. ii. is;i. :;;s. :. Mus. 1811 Anas ed. 12, I, 1766, 206.— Gmhi.. S. N. i. pt ii. 1788 ii u . d hemisphere; In North America, generally distributed, migrating south in winter to Panama, Cuba, and Sr. CHAB. f| liril- lianl metallic green, showing purple and golden-bpron In different lights. A ring ol pure white round the lowi tpted behind; oh 128 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. upper part of the breast rich dark chestnut. Interscapulars brownish gray, finely waved with grayish white; scapulars and lower parts grayish white, delicately waved with dark ash. Outer webs of tertials dark umber-brown, this also tinging the adjoining scapulars; wing-coverts uniform deep brownish gray, the last row tipped with opaque velvety black, and with a subterminal bar of pure white ; speculum rich metallic violet, with a subterminal velvety black, and terminal pure white bar; primaries plain brownish gray. Rump, upper tail-coverts, and crissum. intense velvety black, showing faint reflections of bluish green. Tail whit \ the feathers grayish centrally. Two middle feathers black, slightly recurved; the two longer upper tail-coverts greatly recurved. Bill olive-yellow or ochraceous-olivo (in life), the nail black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes fine rich orange-red (changing to yellowish in dried skin). Length, about 24.00 inches; extent, 38; wing, 11.00-11.85; culmen, 2.10-2.40; tarsus, 1.60-1.80; middle toe, 2.00-2.15. Adult male in summer: "Closely resembling the female, being merely somewhat darker in color. This plumage is donned by degrees early in June; and in August the full rich winter dress is again resumed" (Shaepe & Deessee). Adult female: Wing as in the male. Above, brownish dusky, much varie- gated by broad pale ochraceous edges to the feathers; beneath pale ochraceous, the feathers dusky centrally, producing a thickly spotted or striped appearance. On the top of the head the dusky predominates, as it also does in a loral and auricular line, form- ing a lighter superciliary stripe between this and the crown. Bill dark olive-greenish, becoming olivaceous-yellow along edges; feet lighter orange-red than in male. Length, about 20.00-21.50 inches; wing, 10.25-11.50; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.50-1.80; middle toe, 1.90-2.05. Downy young: Above, deep olivaceous, relieved by two pairs of yellowish buff spots, the first pair on the back, just behind the wings, the second at the base of the tail, the first not confluent with the buff of the lower parts; wings deep olivaceous, varied on both edges with dull greenish yellow; pileum and nape olivaceous, darker on the occi- put, lighter on the forehead; a broad superciliary stripe, including the sides or the fore- head, sides of the head and neck, and entire lower parts, yellowish buff, deepest on the head, paler on the anal region and crissum; sides more grayish, and crossed, between the wings and thighs, by two wide patches of dark olive projecting from that of the back. Side of the head marked by a narrow but very distinct stripe of dark brown from the upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye. thence back to and confluent with the oliva- ceous of the occiput; beneath the latter, almost directly over the ear, an isolated spot of the same. The adult males in winter plumage vary chiefly in the extent and richness of the chest- nut of the chest. Sometimes this is restricted to the chest, but occasionally it spreads over the breast, as in No. 12,718, Washington, D. C. (December), in which the entire lower parts, except the sides, are tinged with rich cream-color. The Mallard is probably the best known of all our wild ducks, being both plentiful and conspicuous on account of its size, Although chiefly a migrant, a few sometimes remain during mild winters in the southern portion of the State, and isolated pairs undoubtedly breed in a few of the more secluded localities, where they are reasonably free from danger of molestation. "Marshy places, the margins of ponds and streams, pools and ditches, are its favorite resorts. It walks with ease, and can even run with considerable speed, or dive, if forced to do so ; but never dives in order to feed. Its food consists chiefly of the seeds of grasses, fibrous roots of plants, worms, mollusks, and insects. In feeding in shallow water it keeps the hind part of its body erect, while it searches the muddy bottom with its bill. When ANATIDiE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 129 alarmed and made to fly, it utters a loud quack, the cry of the female being- the louder. It feeds silently; but after hunger is appeased, it amuses itself with various jabberings, swims about, moves its head backward and forward, throws the water over its back, shoots along the surface, half flying, half running, -and seems quite playful. If alarmed, it springs up at once with a bound, rises obliquely to a considerable height, and flies off with great speed, the wings producing a whistling sound. It flies by repeated flaps, without sailing or undulations; and when in full flight its speed is hardly less than a hundred miles in an hour. "The Mallard pairs early in the spring, and soon disperses. each pair seeking its breeding-place, and nesting on the ground, in the midst of marshes or among water plants, occasionally on higher ground, but always in the vicinity of water. Its nest is usually large, and rudely constructed of sedges and coarse grasses, rarely lined with down or feathers. It has been known in rare instances to nest in a tree; in such cases occupying the deserted nest of a Hawk, Crow, or other large bird. The eggs, usually six or eight in number, are pale dull green or greenish white, and measure 2.25 inches by 1.00 inches. "The female alone incubates, the male leaving her to undergo his annual moult. The female sits very closely, and will some- times even allow herself to be taken on the nest, or permit the eggs to be removed while she is sitting. When she leaves the nest she conceals the eggs with hay, down, or any convenient material, The period of incubation is four weeks. The young, when hatched, immediately follow their mother to the water, where she attends them devotedly, aids i hem in procuring food, ;ind warns them of the approach of danger. While fchey are at- tempting to escape, she feigns lameness, to attrad to herself the attention of the enemy. The young are extremely active, dive with surprising celerity, and remain under water with only the bill above the surface. When the young are full grown, the male rejoins the brood: and several families unit.' bo form ;i small Bock." ( Water Birds of North America.) -1 130 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Anas obscura Gmel. DUSKY DUCK. Popular synonyms. Black Mallard; Black Duck; Black English Duck (Florida). Anas obscura Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 541— WlLS. Am.0rn.viii,1814,141,pl.72,fig.5.— Nutt Man. ii, 1834,392— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 15, pi. 302; Synop. 1839,276; B. Am. vi, 1843, 244,pl. 386— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 775; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 577.-Coues, Key. 1872, 285; Check List, 1873, No. 489; 2d ed. 1882, No. 708; B. N. W, 1874, 560— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 602; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91— B. B. &R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,499. —A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 133. , Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Mississippi Valley, north to Labrador and Fort Anderson and York Factory; breeding from Long Island, northern Illinois, and Iowa, northward. Sp. Chae. Adult. Prevailing color brownish black or dusky, the feathers edged, more or less distinctly, with pale grayish fulvous. Head and neck about equally streaked with grayish white (more ochraceous near the bill) and dusky; pileum nearly uniform dusky, and a dusky stripe back from the eye. Speculum violet, changing to green in some lights, narrowly tipped with white, and with a broad subterminal bar of velvety black; last row of coverts dusky brownish, broadly tipped with black. Sexes alike. "Bill yellowish green, the unguis dusky; iris dark brown; feet orango-red, the webs dusky" (Audubon). Wing, 10.50-11.50 inches; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe. 1.90-2.10. Downy young. Above olivaceous-brown, faintly relieved by six inconspicuous mark- ings of light brownish buff, situated as follows: one on the posterior border of each arm- wing; one (small and sometimes nearly obsolete) on each side of the back, behind the wings, and one, more distinct, on each side the rump, near the base of the tail. Pileum and hind neck (longitudinally) brown, like the back; rest of the head and neck, with lower parts, light dingy brownish buff, paler on the abdomen ; side of head marked with a narrow dusky stripe running from the upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye, thence back toward the occiput, but scarcely confluent with the brown on the latter; an indistinct spot on the auricular region, with a still less distinct dusky mark extending back from this to the nape. A summer specimen from Moose Factory, Hudson's Bay Territory (No. 17,971, John Mo- Kenzie), differs from fall, winter, and spring examples from the United States in having the pale edges of the feathers nearly all worn off, so that the plumage appears to be almost uniform black, while the lower parts are strongly tinged with rusty, this approaching a bright ferruginous tint on the breast. Some examples have a slight tinge of metallic green on the sides of the head, behind the eye. The Dusky Duck is chiefly an eastern species, and reaches nearly the western limit of its range in Illinois. Just how far to the west and southwest it extends is unknown, but Col. N. S. Goss is convinced that it does not occur in Kansas, where a quite distinct though a somewhat similar species, Anas fulvigula maculosa (Senn.), replaces it. It has been recorded from Utah Lake, Utah, but in view of what we now know the record in question doubtless refers to the species just mentioned. Professor Cooke says that "though principally a bird of the Eastern States, the Black Duck is not rare in the northern part of the Mississippi Valley," and that it breeds in Iowa and Illi- nois, but he does not give particulars as to its breeding in the latter State. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 131 Subgenus Querquedula Stephens. Querquedula Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824,142. Type, Anas querquedula Linn. Cyanopterus Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 38. Type? (Not of Halliday, 1835.) Pterocyanea Bonap. Cat. Met. 1842, 71. Type? Subgen. Char. Size small (wing less than 8 inches). Bill slightly longer than the head, the edges nearly parallel, the maxillary tomium sinuated, so as to distinctly ex- pose the lamellaa for the basal half, and the terminal half of the culmen slightly but dis- tinctly arched. Otherwise much like Nettion. The two North American species of Querquedula agree very closely in the details of form, in which respect they scarcely differ from the type of the genus, the Q. querquedula of Europe. The coloration of the wing, which is almost exactly that of Spatula, is also essentially the same in these three species. The females are very different from the males, except in the colors of the wing, being much duller. The following are the main differential characteristics of the North American species: 1. A. discors. Adult male: Head and neck dull plumbeous, with a faint lavender- purple gloss on the sides of the occiput; pileum blackish; a large white, some- what crescent-shaped, mark before the eye, entirely across fore part of the head; lower parts pale reddish, spotted with black. 2. A. cyanoptera. Adult male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich uniform chestnut, the abdomen duller (sometimes dusky), the pileum blackish. Anas discors Linn. THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Popular synonyms. Blue-wing; White-face, or White-faced Teal; Summer Teal; Cer- ceta comun (Mexic >). Anas discors Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i. lTf.G. 2r reddish buffy, thickly spotted with i>l:i--k. the oriseum uni- form black. Back and anterior Bcapulars dusky, marked with concentric or (T-shaped l>ars of pale reddish buff; lesser wing-coverts and outer webs of some of the longer ■oapulare pale blue; middl white forth , forming a bar act the wing; Bpeoulum bronzy green, dusk] terminally, with a yery narrow white tip; ter- 132 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. tials black, with a central stripe of buff; a white patch at the base of the tail on each side; axillars immaculate pure white. Bill uniform black; iris brown; feet yellowish, with dusky webs. Adult female: Wings, only, as in the male; upper parts dusky, the feathers bordered with dull buff, the pileum and nape finely streaked; rest of head and neck, and lower parts generally, brownish white, the head and neck streaked with dusky, except on the chin and upper part of the throat, the streaks more dense immediately before and behind the eye; thus forming an indistinct stripe on the side of the head; feathers of the lower parts generally with dusky grayish brown centres, forming spots when exposed, less distinct on the abdomen, where sometimes obsolete. Total length, about 16 inches; extent, about 25; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen, 1.40-1.65; tar- sus, 1.20-1.30; middle toe, 1.40-1.45. The Blue-winged Teal is probably the most numerous of our smaller ducks, and, though by far the larger number occur only during the migrations, individuals may be found at all times of the year under favorable circumstances of locality and weather. The bulk of the species, however, winter in the Gulf States and southward, while the breeding range is difficult to make out, owing to the fact that it is not gregarious during the breeding season, but occurs scatteringly in isolated localities where it is most likely to escape observation. "The flight of this duck is extremely rapid, fully as swift as that of the Passenger Pigeon. When advancing against a stiff breeze it shows alternately its upper and lower surface. During its flight it utters a soft, lispiug note, which it also emits when apprehensive of danger. It swims buoyantly, and when in a flock so closely together that the individuals nearly touch each other. In consequence of this habit hunters are able to make a frightful havoc among these birds on their first appearance in the fall, when they are easily approached. Audubon has seen as many as eighty-four killed by a single discharge of a double- barelled gun. "It may readily be kept in confinement, soon becomes very docile, feeds readily on coarse corn-meal, and might easily be domesticated. Professor Kumlien, however, has made several unsuccessful attempts to raise this duck by placing its eggs under a domestic hen. He informs me that this species is the latest duck to arrive in the spring. It is very common, and breeds abundantly, in southern Wisconsin, especially on the borders of Lake Koshkonong. It nests on the ground among the reeds and coarse herbage, generally near the water, but he has met with its nest at least half a mile from the nearest water, though always on low land. The nest is simply an accumula- ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 133 tion of reeds and rushes lined in the middle with down and feathers. This duck prefers the dryer marshes near creeks. He has always found its nests well lined with down, and when the female leaves her nest she always covers her egos with down, and draws the grass, of which the outside of the nest is com- posed, over the top. He does not think that she ever lays more than twelve eggs, the usual number being eight to twelve. These are of a clear ivory white, without even the slightest tinge of green. They range from 1.80 to 1.95 inches in length, and 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth." (.Water Birds of North America.) Anas cyanoptera Vieill. CINNAMON TEAL. Popular synonyms. Eed-breasted Teal; Red Teal; lied Duck; Cerccta cafe (Mexico). Anas cyanoptera Vieill. Nouv. Diet, v, 1816, 104.— A. O. U. Check List, 188C. No. 111.— Eidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 93. Querquedula cyanoptera Cass. U. S.N. Astr. Exp. ii, 1855, 202 (Chili); Illustr. B. Cal. Tex. etc. 1855, 82, pi. 15.— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 780; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 582.— Coues, Key, 1872, 288; Check List, 1873, No. 497; 2d ed; 1882, No. 717; B. N. W. 1874, 567.— Hensh. Zool. Wheelers Exp. 1875, 477— Bidgw. Orn. 40th Tar. 1^77, 623; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 610.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,535. Anas rafflesi, King, Zool. Jour, iv, 1828, 87; Suppl. pi. 29 (Straits of Magellan). Pterocyanea creruleata "Licht." Gbay, Gen. B. iii, 1849, 617. Hab. Western America, from the Columbia Eiver to Chili, the Argentine Eepublic.and Falkland Islands. Casual in Eastern North America (Louisiana, Illinois, Florida?). Sp. Chab. Ad 'a I It male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich purplish ehestnut, duller —sometimes quite dusky— on the abdomen; pileum and crissum black; scapulars and part of the back chestnut, marked with U-shaped bars of black, the middle of the back more dusky; tertials Mark, with a central stripe of buff; longer scapulars similar, the outermost feathers with tin- outer webs light blue; lesser wing-coverts plain light blue; middle coverts dusky, tipped with white; si ulum uniform green, varying from metallic grass-green to bronze; primaries ami primary-coverts dusky; upper tail-coverts dusky, edged with pale fulvous; rectrices dusky, edged with brownish white or pale brownish gray; axillar s immaculate pure white. Bill deep black; iris orange; feel orange, joints and webs blackish. A Similar to thai <>f .1. discors, but larger and deeper colored, only the upper pari of the throat (sometimes only the chin) unstreaked. the ab- domen usually distinctly spotted; chest deeply tinged with b"ght brown. Bill dusky, paler beneath and along edge; Iris ;s and feel ochr»eous-drab. )'■■ Similar to the adult female, bul markings on the lower parts all dlstinotly longitudinal break-like. Downy young: Above dark olivaceous, relieved by a longitudinal ob- long oblique Bpot of deep greenish buff on each Bide the baou ■!" bind the wings), an i a similar spot of clearer yellowish on each side "f the base of tie' tail; the anterior fluent with the the Miles the i" is isolated by the ext beneath them of the olivaceous of the tail. I 'ileum and hind ueek similar to the back, but darker; forehead, broad superciliary Btripe, and resl "f the head and neck, except desoribed, with entire lowei p yellowish buff, the Bide "f the head marked with a distinct narrow stripe ,,f dark brown extending from the upper base of the max- illa to the eye, and thOnOe buck to the OCOiput. 134 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Total length (adult), about 15.50-16.50 inches; extent, 24.00-24.50; wing, 7.20-7.75; eul- men, 1.65-1.85; tarsus, 1.25-1.35; middle toe, 1.40-1.50. Examples from Chili and the Argentine Republic are larger and more richly colored than those from the United States ; the white bar across the end of the middle coverts narrower, and nearly con- cealed by the overlying last row of lesser coverts. The differ- ences, however, may not prove constant. The female of this species is very difficult to distinguish from that of A. discors, and it is probably not possible always to separate them with certainty. The present species averages considerably larger, however; the wings in the adult female ranging from 7.20 to 7.50 inches, the culmen 1.70 to 1.75, against 6.70 to 7.00, and 1.40 to 1.50, as in A. discors. The colors are also deeper, nearly the whole throat being streaked, the breast deeply tinged with light brown, and the abdomen almost always distinctly spotted. This western representation of the Blue-winged Teal, is com- mon as far east as middle Kansas, where, according to Col. N. S. Goss, it probably breeds, but nearer the Mississippi River it is of irregular and uncertain occurrence, having been only once or twice taken in Illinois. Its habits are very similar to those of the Blue-wing. Subgenus Nettion Kaup. .Xrftion Kaup, Entw. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 95, 196. Type, Anas crecca Linn. Subgen. Chae. Bill shorter than head, narrow, depressed (except at base), the edges parallel; tarsus shorter than bill or middle toe; nape with a small mane-like tuft; rec- trices more or less acuminate, the middle pair longest. This subgenus is very readily distinguished from Querquedwld by the conspicuously different form of the bill, which is far more like that of Daftla, though much smaller, being conspicuously more depressed terminally and proportionally deeper through the base than in Querquedula, while the lower edge or maxillary tomium is either gently convex throughout (as in the southern species), or straight anteriorly and decidedly convex posteriorly (as in the northern forms), the lamellae being thus completely hidden. In Querquecktla, on the other hand, the terminal portion of the tomium is strongly convex, and the posterior half cut away, as ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 185 it were, so as to fully expose the lamellae. Through the forms occurring in the southern hemisphere, this genus leads directly to PcecUonetta, which in turn is intermediate between Nettion and Dafila. The two species of Nettion occurring in the northern hemi- sphere are much alike, the males being very handsome in plumage. They may be distinguished as follows: Common Characters. A dull males: Head and upper half of the neck chestnut-rufous, marked with a large patch of metallic green on each side of the head, behind the e chin and upper part of throat dull black; nuchal tuft blue-black; lower part of the neck, upper part of the back, scapulars, and lateral parts of the body beneath, undulated with black and white; outer scapulars marked with black and white; speculum bright met, green the lower feathers black, tipped with white; crissum black centrally, creamy buff laterally Adult females: Wing, only, as in the males; elsewhere varied with dusky and brownish white, the former prevailing above, the latter beneath; the abdomen nearly or quite immaculate. 1 A carolinensis. A broad white bar aeross side of breast, before the wing; inner webs of outer scapulars vermiculated with dusky and brownish white, the outer webs marked with a longitudinal lanceolate spot of black, bordered internally with a white line. i> A crecca. No white bar on side of breast; inner web of outer scapulars wholly. and outer web partly, white, the exposed surface of outer webs almost entirely black: undulations of sides, etc., much coarser than in A. carolinensis. Hah. Pakearctie Region, occasional in eastern North America.] .1. orecca, the common teal of Europe, has several times been taken in (he Atlantic States, but has not yet been detected in Illinois. Anas carolinensis Gmel. GREEN -WINGED TEAL. Popular synonyms. Green-wing; American Green-winged Teal; Red-headed Teal: Mud Teal '.Main.'; Winter Teal (Long Islandi; Cerceta de listo verde (Mexico). OBST. Philos. Trans, lxii. 177.'. 883, 119. Anas [Boschas) crecca, vex. Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1851, 443,-NtJTT. Man. u 100. ecoa Wn.s. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 101. pi. 60, Bg. 1 (not of Linn.).-Aod. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, Jl^; v, L839, 616, pi. 228. inaa carolinensis dun,. 8. N. I. pt.il, 1878.633, atro. Synop. 1839.281; B. am vi. 1843. .., p] 392 -a. ... r. Oheok List 139, Rmow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887.94. Querqued Btbphbnb. Shaw's Gen. Zool.xii.pt ii.1824, 1872, >7; Check List. 1873, No. 195; 2d ed. 1882. No. 715; B. N. W. L874, 16 . Zool. Wheeler's Exp. L875, 175. fa Bakd. B. n. Am v am. B. L85 Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 612. B. B.&B.Wal Am. ii. 1884, 2. i \ ii.ii i . i no. Meth, I-- ;. i ••'■■ ".l not «i/l ' mi. 136 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Hab. North. America in general, breeding chiefly north of the United States, migrat- ing south as far as Honduras and Cuba. Greenland. Sp. Chab. Adult male: Head and neck rich chestnut-rufous, inclosing a broad patch of soft dark metallic green on each side of the occiput, from the eye (which it sur- rounds) down the sides of the nape, where the two areas of the opposite sides touch a short nuchal crest of bluish-black. The green patch bordered anteriorly and beneath by a yellowish white line, and a less distinct line of the same bordering the base of the upper mandible, extending thence back to, and indistinctly following, for a short dis- tance, the upper anterior portion of the green patch. Chin and upper part of the throat dull black. Front of the chest deep pinkish cream-color, with roundish and transverse- ly ovate spots of black. Collar round the lower neck, sides of the chest, sides, and flanks, very delicately and beautifully waved with black upon a white ground; outer scap- ulars similarly waved. Sides of the breast with a large transverse bar of plain white. Cris- sum rich deep cream-color, bounded anteriorly, and divided medially, with velvety black : post-femoral region waved like the flanks : rest of lower parts plain white, sometimes tinged with cream-color. Back, scapulars, rump, wing-coverts, primaries, and tail, plain slate- grayish. Outer row of scapulars with their outer webs about half velvety black bordered interiorly with a white line. Last row of coverts broadly tipped with deep ochraceous ; speculum opaque black, narrowly tipped with white, the four or five upper feathers with their outer webs richly brilliant soft metallic green, varying from golden to violaceous, ac- cording to the light. Bill black; iris brown ; feet light fleshy (horn-color when dried). Adult female: Wing as in the male, but duller. Above grayish dusky, variegated with edgings and transverse bars of ochraceous-white. Ground-color of the head, neck, and jower parts, dingy whitish, more or less tinged with ochraceous ; head and neck speckled with dusky, the spots enlarged and aggregated on the pileum, so as to form the prevailing color, and also along the upper border of the ear-coverts, producing a stripe behind the eye. Chest, sides, and flanks more heavily spotted with dusky. Abdomen sometimes plain, but usually speckled. Bill brownish ; iris brown ; feet pale brown (fleshy in life) Young . male: Similar to the adult female, but entire abdomen and sides immaculate white. Downy young: Above grayish brown, with a light grayish-buff spot on each side the back, and a similar pair on the rump; wings crossed near the end by a light grayish- buff bai\ Head, neck, and lower parts light dull buff ; crown and occiput covered by an elongated patch of grayish brown (darker than the back), this scarcely reaching the fore- head, but continued down the hind neck to the brown of the back ; a dusky streak behind the eye, not reaching to the occiput ; below the posterior end of this, an oblong spot of grayish brown. Total length, about 14 inches; extent 20.00-24.50; wing, 6.25-7.40; culmen, 1.40-1.60; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe, 1.30-1.35. Many specimens, both males and females, have the lower parts tinged with orange-rusty like the stain on the head of the swans and white geese. Sometimes this tinge pervades the whole under surface, and is occasionally so deep as to give the lower parts a uniform rusty or almost chestnut aspect. Adult females usually have the abdomen and sides thickly spotted or necked with brown, being thereby readily distinguished from the young males, which have the whole abdomen, etc., immac- ulate white. This beautiful little duck is a common species during migra- tions, and sometimes passes the winter in the southern portions of the State. Although stated by Kennicott to breed in the ANATID.K— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 137 northern part, there appears to be no recent record of its doing so. Professor Cooke says that it "breeds in Manitoba and along onr northern border." "Mr. Robert Kennicott, in his notes on this species, states that it is very rare on the upper Yukon River, although he found it abundant in Oregon and in Washington Territory, and throughout British America as far north as latitude 70° ; but he did not see it anywhere in the Mackenzie Region in any considerable abundance. As it is more common in the Atlantic States than in the valley of the Mississippi, the main body breed more toward the northeast, beyond the limits of the United States in the region of Hudson's Bay. Though arriv- ing in this country among the earliest of the migrating ducks, this species is quite late in leaving the Yukon and the Mackenzie. Mr. Kennicott saw it October 2 at Fort Liard. The nests found by him were in nearly open ground, among moss, and generally far from water. In one instance he saw the nest of this duck at the foot of a small spruce in a mossy, half-barren, small dry plain, and at least forty rods from water. This nest was a simple depression in the moss, but thickly lined with down, and well protected by the overhanging branches of the spruce The female fluttered slowly off along the ground at his approach, and the nest was found to contain eight eggs. According to Mr. Dall nests of this species frequently have from sixteen to eighteen eggs. "Audubon says that the food of the Green-winged Teal con- sists principally of the seeds of grasses— which are collected when floating, or while still adhering to their stalk-small acorns, fallen grapes or berries, as well as aquatic insects, worms, and small snails. It is much more particular in the selection of its food than are most ducks, and its flesh is there- fore delicious, and probably better thai bhal of any other of the duck bribe. Audubon adds that when this bird has fed on wild oats a1 Green Bay, or soaked rice in the fields of Georgia or Carolina, it is much superior to the Canvas-back in tender- ness, miriness, and flavor. •on land 'n ves with more grace and ease than any other species except the Wood Duck, and it can run with considerable -is 138 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. speed without its feet becoming entangled. In the water also it moves with great ease and rapidity, and on the wing it is one of the swiftest of its tribe. It rises from the water with a. single spring, and so swiftly that it can only be hit by a very expert marksman; and it also dives readily when wounded. This is a fresh-water bird, and it is very rarely met with near the sea. Its migrations are over the land, and not along the sea-shore." (Water Birds of North America.) A nest containing ten eggs was found by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, near Ft. Garland, Colorado, under a sage-bush, perhaps thirty feet from the water's edge. A deep hollow had been scooped in the sand, and lined warmly with fine grass and down, evidently taken from the bird's own breast, which was plucked nearly bare. The eggs were of a pale yellowish color, and averaged 1.81 in length by 1.31 in diameter. Subgenus Chaulelasmus Gray. Chaulelasmus Gbay, 1838, 56. Type. Anas strepera Linn. Chauliodus Swains, F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440. Type, Anas strepera Linn. (Not of Bloch, 1801.) (Jhauliodes Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 43. Same type. (Not of Latreille, 1798.) Subgen. Chad. Culmen shorter than middle toe, without claw; distance from an- terior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible mote t han three times the distance from the same point to the nearest loral feathers; lamellae very fine and numerous, more than 30 being visible from the outside; tail-feathers 16. But two species of this subgenus are known; the common and widely diffused A. strepera and the more recently discovered A. couesi (Streets) of Washington Island, in the South Pacific Ocean. The latter is very similar to A. strepera, having the same form and essentially the same coloration, but is much smaller, with several differences in plumage. The sides are white, coarsely spotted with grayish, instead of finely undulated with the same, as is the case with the adult male of A. strepera; but this may be owing to a difference of age, the type of A. couesi being an immature bird. ANATID/E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 139 Anas strepera Linn. GADWALL. Popular synonyms. Gray Duck ; Gray Widgeon (Savannah, Ga.) ; Speckle-belly ; Creek Duck 'Long Island); Blaten Duck (coast of New Jersey); Pato pardo de Grupo (Mexico). Anas strepera Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758,125; ed. 12,i,1766,200.-WiLS. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,120, pi. 71-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 383— Aup. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 353, pi. 348; Synop. 1839, 378; B. Am.,vi, 1843, 254, pi. 388— A. O. U. Check List,1886, No. ia5.-RiDGW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 95. Anas (Ghavlindus) streperus Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440. ( 'haulelasmus streperus "Gray. 1838;" List B. Br. Mus. 1844, 139-Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 782; Cat. N.Am. B. 1859, No. 584— Coues, Key, 1872. 280; Check List, 1873, No. 491; 2d ed. 1882, No. 711; Birds N. W. 1874,5i13.—Hensh.Zo6I. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 474.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 622; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 604.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 506. Anas strepera americana Max. Jour, fiir Orn. ii, 1842, 169. "Chaulelasmus americana, Br." (Gray). "Anas cinerea et subulata, S. G. Gmelin." (Gray). Anas kekuschka Gmel. S. IS. i, pt. ii, 1788, 531. "Anas mail, Hodgson" (Gray). "Anas capensis, SWAINSON" (Gray). Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America). Temperate North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States; West Indies. Sp. Char. Adult male tnfall, winter, and spring: Ground-color of the head and neck pale brown, or brownish white, thickly speckled with black; on the pileum the brown more uniform, and the specks obsolete; on the occiput, when present, they incline to the form of transverse bars. Chest marked with horseshoe-like bars, or crescents, of white and black, the bars of the latter wider. Lateral portions of the body beneath, back, and scapulars finely waved, in curved transverse lines, with slate-color and white. Many of the longer scapulars plain brownish gray, broadly edged with a lighter, more fulvous tint. Bump plain dull slate. Tail-covorts. above and below, intense opaque velvety black. Tail ashy, faintly edged with white. Middle rows of wing-coverts bright chestnut, the anterior coverts brownish gray, and the posterior ones deep black; last row deep velvety black. Speculum immaculate pin-.' white, the lower feathers ashy (some with black on outer webs.) narrowly tipped with white; tortials plain pale ash. the primaries a darker shade of the same. "Bill bluish black. Iris reddish hazel. Feet dull orange-yellow, claws brownish black, webs dusky" (Audubon). Adult male, in summer: "Crown brownish black, with a greenish tinge; anindistinot Btreak through the eye, dark brown; rest of the head and nock dull brownish white, marked with blackish brown, as in the previously described bird [adult male in spring]; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts dark blackish brown, each feather margined with rustj re I ; wings and tail as in the bird abovo described; breast dull rusty red, each feather with a central black spot; Hanks dark brown, broadly marked and margined with dull rufous; the rest of the under parts dull white, each feather having a central blackish brown drop-shaped mark". (Shabpb & Dresser.) lale: Colors chiefly brownish dusky and brownish white, in longitudinal aks on the head and neok, and in Irregular transverse spots and bars on other portions. !.• upper surface the dusky prevails,and on the lower parts the whitish predominates. Wing nearly as In the male, but the chestnut usually absent, the blank less extended, and the gray of the coverts generally more or less barred and tipped with white. Abdomen and lower part of the breasl pure w hlte; throat finely Btreaked with dusky. Oovmy young: "Covered with Bofl Bhorl down; head, nape, back, and rump, dark dull brown, on ea >\\ Bide of the rump and baok of eaoh wing-jolnl a sulphur yellow spot, the wing-joints being marked with that oolor; forehead, spa -ound the eye, throat, and chest pale sulphur- yellow; abdomen white, Bhaded with Bulphur-yellow, on the lower part Booty may." (BRIBPB A I ' k i BBRB.) 140 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Male. Wing, 10.25-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.60-1.75 ; width of bill. .60-75; tarsus, 1.45-1.70; middle toe, 1.80-1.90. Female. Wing, 10.00-10.10; culmen, 1.55-1.65; width of bill, .60-.70; tarsus. 1.60; middle toe, 1.75-1.80. Although one of the above diagnoses will fit almost any ex- ample of this species, there is yet a very considerable extent of individual variation noticeable in a large series. Thus, No. 17,04:0 (Washington, D. C, Feb. 25, 1860; C. Drexler) has the uniform brown of the pileum coming down over the side of the head to a line on a level with the lower eyelid, the whole upper half of the head being thus nearly free from specks; while that portion behind the eye has a faint, but very perceptible, rose- purple reflection — this part of the head calling strongly to mind the head-pattern of A. caroUnensis and .1. a/m&riccma. On the other hand, an adult male from Philadelphia (No. 40,658, J. Krider) has even the top of the head spotted. No. 9,791, adult male, Fort Steilacoom, Washington (Dr. George Suck- ley), has the pileum almost chestnut, the brown having there so deep a reddish cast; the lower neck is nearly plain pale ochraceous, abruptly defined against the darkly colored jugulum. Specimens from Cape St. Lucas and Utah present no unusual features. All American specimens differ uniformly from the single Euro- pean pair before us, in several very tangible respects. The European male has the neck quite deeply ochraceous, while in the American ones there is seldom more than a mere tinge of this color; the chest is pervaded by a wash of a more pinkish tinge of ochraceous, while there is appreciably less regu- larity and clearness in the markings of that region. The longer scapulars are more deeply tinged with fulvous, and the finely undulated portions are pervaded with a brownish wash, entirely wanting in the American series. The measurements of this specimen (No. 57,187, Europe; Schluter Collection) are as fol- lows: Wing, 10.80 inches; culmen, 1.65; width of bill, .70; tarsus, 1.55 ; middle toe, 1.85. The female specimen from Eu- rope is very similar to North American examples, but is rather more deeply colored, the dark centres to the feathers being nearly deep black. The whole throat is immaculate white. The measurements are as follows: Wing, 9.50 inches; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.60. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 141 According to Professor Cooke," the Gad well "winters abun- dantly in the Gulf States and sometimes in Illinois in mild win- ters ; it is also known to winter near a warm spring in Wyo- ming. It breeds locally throughout most of its range." Subgenus Mareca Stephens. Mareca Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool.xii, pt. ii. 1824, 130. Type, Anas penelope Linn. Subgen. Chak. Bill small, shorter than the head, rather narrow, the edges parallel to near the end, where they gradually converge to a rounded tip; culmen gently concave; lamellae of the maxilla? almost concealed; feet small, the tarsus about as long as the bill. Adult male in winter with the scapulars and tertials (in the North American species the tail-coverts and rectrioes also) lanceolate. The two North American species of the subgenus Mareca may be distinguished as follows: Common Characters (adult males in winter dress). Forehead white; posterior half of the middle wing-covert region white, forming a large patch of this color: abdo- men immaculate white; speculum velvety black, with or without green. 1 . A. penelope. Head and neck plain rufous, the forehead and part of the crown white ; ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, whitish. 2. A. amerieana. Head and neck whitish, speckled with black, and with a dark metal- lic-green space on the side of the occiput (sometimes continued down the nape); ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, vinaceous or pinkish cinna- mon. Anas penelope Linn. WIDGEON. Popular synonyms. Europeon Widgeon; Red-headed Widgeon. Anas penelope Linn. S. N. ed. 10. i, 1768, 126; ed. 12, i, 1766, 202. -NAUM. V6g. Deutsehl. xi, 1*12. 724, pi. 305.— Reinh. Ibis, iii, 1861, 12 (Greenland).— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 13G. — Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96. Mareca penelope SELBY.Br. Orn. ii, 324. — Baird. B. N. Am. 1858, 784; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 586— Coues, Proc. Essex Inst, v, 1868, 2'. »9 (Now England); Key. 1872,268; ( 1 k List, 1873, No. 192; 2d ed. 1882, No. 712; B. N. W. 1871. 5(il (foot-note).— Ridgw. Nora. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 606. -B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am.i, 1884,517. .1 nos eagolca S. G. Gmel. Reise i, 1770, 77. Mareca fistularis Stephens. Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii. pt. ii. 1824, 131, pi. 50. 11 ieon, 5 w:k. Brit B.ed.2,iii,286; ed.3,iii, 287. flg. II lb. Northern hemisphere in general, bu1 less uniformly distributed In North Amer- ica, where, howevi ring not uncommonlj in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, etc.; br ling in the Aleutian island-. Alaska. Bird Migration in tin- Mississippi Valley, p. 65. 142 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Chae. Adult male in winter. Head and neck plain cinnamon rufous, abruptly de- fined below, and becoming paler next the bill; forehead and pileum medially immacu- late white; a few blackish feathers around the eyelids. Chest and sides of the breast pinkish vinaceous, the tips of the feathers paler. Sides, flanks, and entire dorsal surface delicately waved with transverse zigzag bars of black and pure white, the bars of the latter rather the narrower. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, except the anterior portion of the lesser-covert region, which is deep ashy; last row of coverts tipped with velvety black; tertials velvety black, shafted and edged with pure white, the lower one with the entire lower web pure white. Speculum soft metallic green on the anterior half or two thirds, the terminal portion velvety black. Primaries plain slate-grayish. Tail-coverts (both upper and lower) deep black, with a very faint bluish gloss; rest of the lower parts immaculate white. Tail-feathers dark ashy, edged with ashy white. Bill "light grayish blue, with the tip, including the unguis, black;'' iris "hazel brown;" legs and feet "light grayish blue." (Macgillivbay.) Wing, 10.00-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.35-1.45; tarsus, 1.15-1.60; middle toe, 1.65-1.75. Adult female! "Much smaller and differently colored. The bill, iris, and feet, how- ever, are as in the male. The head and upper neck are yellowish red, with small green- ish black spots, the feathers being barred with that color, of which there is more on the upper part of the head. The feathers of the upper parts in general are dusky brown, edged with brownish red or whitish, and barred with the same. The wings are dusky gray; the coverts in the part which is white in the male tipped with that color, the secondary coverts with an indication of a dark terminal bar: the speculum grayish, without lustre; the inner secondaries marked somewhat as in the male, but with dark gray in place of gray. The tail-feathers brownish gray, edged with brownish white. On the lower forepart and sides of the neck the feathers are obscurely barred with reddish brown and brownish gray; the sides are similar; the breast and abdomen white; the feathers under the tail white, barred with brown, as are the smaller lower wing- coverts; the larger pale gray." (Macgillivray.) Length, about 19.25 inches; extent, 32.50; wing, 10.00; tail, 4.00; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 1.25. Young male. Head, neck, chest, sides, and flanks, umber-brown, varying to a cinna- mon shade, the head and neck thickly streaked with black, and the feathers of the chest sides, etc., centred with dusky. Back and scapulars dusky, the feathers broadly bordered with dull fulvous; crissum irregularly streaked and spotted with dusky; rump and upper tail-coverts slaty brown, bordered with dull whitish. Wing as in the adult, except that the coverts are dull cinereous broadly bordered with white. Lower parts, except as described, pure white. An adult male from Alexandria, Va. (No. 29,519), has the rufous of the head perfectly uniform, with only a few blackish feathers immediately around the eye, and a suffusion of the same on the chin; while the pinkish of the chest joins the rufous of the neck. No. 1,271, New York market, has the sides of the head speckled minutely with greenish black, the nape and entire throat clouded with the same, and the pinkish of the chest separated from the rufous of the neck by a narrow indistinct collar of whitish, undulated with blackish. No. 10,376, from Florida, approaches still more closely to A. wnericcma in having also the occiput spotted with black, the eye more broadly surrounded with greenish, the ground-color of the cheeks nearly white, and the sides pervaded by a tinge of the ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 143 pinkish of the chest. No. 62,525, from St. Paul's Island, Alaska, is most like the Alexandria specimen. A young male (No. 57,119, Europe) has the brown of the head, neck, sides, and flanks, almost chestnut; the wing as in the adult, and the dorsal region mostly clothed with feathers of the adult dress. According to Dr. Brewer ( Water Birds of North. America, Vol. I., p. 519), "two instances are on record" of the occurrence of the Widgeon in Illinois. Its habits are quite similar to those of the Baldpate. Anas americana Gmel. BALDPATE. Popular synonyms. American Widgeon; Green-headed Widgeon; Bald-head; Bald-face; Bald-crown; White-belly; Poacher (Detroit, Mich.); Wheat Duck (Oregon). Anas americana Gmel. S. N. i,pt. ii, 1788, 526— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 86, pi. 09, fig. 1.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 337, pi. 315; Synop. 1839, 279; B. Am. vi, 1843, 259, pi. 389.— A. O. U. Check List, ISSt;, No. 137— Kidgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96. Mareca americana Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1821, 135.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 445— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 783; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 585— CouES.Key, 1872, 286; Check List, 1873, No. 493; 2d ed. 1882, No. 713; Birds N. W. 1874, 561.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 475— Bidgw. Orn. 40th Tar. 1877, 622; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 607.— B. B. & 11. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 520. Mareca penelope, b., Blasius, B. Eur. 1862, 21. Hab. North America in general, north to Arctic Ocean, south, in winter, to Guatemala and Cuba. A' -cidental in Europe. Breeds nearly throughout its range. Sp. Char. Adult male in winter: Forehead and middle of crown (lbngitudinallyi white, generally immaculate; ground-color of head and neck white, sometimes more or less soiled with grayish or brown, and thickly speckled with black; a broad space of metallic blackish green on the side of the occiput, running forward to the eye, and sometimes down the nape, where the two spaces are confluent. Chest plain pinkish vinaceous; sides and flanks the same, delicately waved with black; lower tail-coverts velvety black; rest of lower parts pure white. Lack am - grayish white, more or less tinged with the color of the sides, and similarly wared with black. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, the an- terior portion of the lesser-covert region ashy, and the last row tipped with velvety black : speculum soft metallic green anteriorly, velvety black posteriorly; tertials velvety black, sharply edged with white, the lower one with its lower edge entirely pure white; primaries plaiD slate-grayish. Bump ashy, minutely waved en the edges oi the feathers; upper tail- coverts velvety black, the inner webs mostly grayish: tail hoary grayish. Bill light grayish blue, the end black; iris b;own; legs an.! leet light bluish. Length, about 20.00 inches; wing. 10.25-10.75; culmen.l 1.45-105; middle lee, 1.65-1.85. Adult I Lbove, .in i.\ grayish brown, with trans erse, rather distant, bars of dull white or light ochrai us. Wing-coyerts dark dull ashy, broadly tipped and bordered with white: speculum dullbl Eeadand ueck streaked with blackish upon a dull whitish ground, the former color pre- vailing "ii the nape and behind the eye, Chest pale grayish vina us, the feathers darker : sides and flanks deeper vinaceous; lower tail-coverts transversely ted with brown; reel of lower parts pure white. Somewhat smaller than the male (length aboul 18.00 inches). Young malt : Similar to the adult female, bid the colors more pronounced and the pattern ben. r defined, especially on the wing. Downy young: Above, 144 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. dark olive, with a sepia tinge ; a spot of pale greenish fulvous on the posterior half of the wing, one on each side of the back, and one on each side of the rump. Lower parts, includ- ing head and neck, pale fulvous; a distinct blackish olive stripe from bill to and back from the eye, with a wide and conspicuous superciliary stripe of fulvous above it. The chief variation in the plumage of adult males of this spe- cies consists in the extent of the green patch and the amout of black spotting on the head, the pureness of the white on the forehead, and the extent of the white patch on the wing-coverts. The green patch on the sides of the occiput is usually poorly de- fined, and broken up by lighter spotting; but in No. 21,426, Washington, D. C, and No. 84,712, from southern Ohio (Dr. F. W. Langdon), it is as conspicuous as in the adult male of A. catolinensis, and of very similar extent and form. Anteriorly it surrounds the eye, and posteriorly it passes down the nape, where the two opposite spaces are confluent for the entire length of the neck); its outlines are firm throughout, and its surface is entirely unbroken by admixture of white. In the former speci- men the black spotting is so aggregated on the throat that the gular region is almost uniformly dusky, while the spots at the lower end of the white portion of the neck are so large as al- most to blend into a collar, uniting the green of the nape with the black of the throat. All the other characters of the species are very much exaggerated in this specimen. Younger speci- mens, just possessed of the adult dress, are usually distinguished by having the white wing-covert patch clouded with ash, the green of the head poorly defined, and the white of the forehead more or less speckled. "The Baldpate ranges over the whole of North America. In winter it is common in the Gulf States and lower part of the Misissippi Valley. It breeds chiefly in the North, but is known to breed in Manitoba, Dakota. Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, and Texas. Its movements in migration resemble those of the Gadwall." (Cooke.) "The Widgeon breeds rather abundantly throughout the whole of British America, as far north as the Arctic Ocean, but only rarely in the extreme northern pa,rts of the United States, both east and west of the Rocky Mountains. In October and April it visits in large numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both sea-coasts, of the northern United States, and is much sought by hunters, its flesh being excellent, and the bird generally in good ANATIILE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 145 condition. It winters in the Southern States, Mexico, and the West Indies. Though in winter the Widgeon collects in very large flocks, it passes over the northern parts of the Mississippi Valley in small bands, and usually arrives at the Mackenzie and the Yukon in pairs, or in small parties of three or four together. It reaches Slave Lake and the Yukon early in May, and begins to nest about the middle of that month, though some do not do so till the early part of June. It is rather more common west of the mountains than in the Mackenzie region, and con- siderable numbers are found in the breeding season on Lake Winnipeg, where several were obtained by Mr. Donald Gunn. In the north the Widgeon exhibits a greater preference for rivers and open lakes than most of the other fresh-water ducks, which prefer the grassy lakes and marshes. Most of the nests which Mr. Kennicott observed were near rivers in places not frequented by other ducks, except sometimes by the Mallard. The favorite situation for the nest is remarkable ; for while the other ducks — except, perhaps, the teal — choose the immediate vicinity of water, he found the Widgeon always breeding at some consider- able distance from it. Several of the nests obtained on the Yukon were fully half a mile from the river — the nearest water. He invariably found the nest among dry leaves, upon high, dry ground, either under large trees or in thick groves of small ones — frequently among thick spruces. The nest is rather small— simply a depression among the leaves — but thickly lined with down, with which, after incubation is begun, the eggs are covered when left by the parent. The nest is usually placed at the foot of a tree or bush, with generally no attempt at concealment. The female, when started from her nest, rises silently into the air, ;uif rich dark metallic maroon-purple ">> each side of the rump, Immediately behind the flanks; i ■- iculata Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 128.— Au BoiB,Isi8,18S -20 154 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. just behind this, the two or three elongated lateral upper tail-coverts are marked with a central stripe of deep fulvous, falling gracefully over the sides of the crissum. Tertials and posterior scapulars intense black, with rich velvety reflections of blue, green, and purplo (chiefly the first), in certain lights; the longest tertial tipped with a wide bar of white, the next black to the end, the third much shorter, much narrower than the rest, pointed, and of a dull greenish-bronze color;1 middle and greater wing-coverts steel-blue, narrowly tipped with black; secondaries ("speculum") purplish steel-blue, narrowly tipped with white, and with a narrow sub-terminal black bar; primary-coverts slate-color; primaries with the exposed ends of the inner webs steel-blue, the ends of the outer webs grayish or glaucous-white, becoming slate-color basally; lining of the wing spotted with slate-color and white. Sagittate longitudinal space on the culmen, and terminal "nail" of the bill deep polished black; an oblong space of milk-white from nostril to the 'nail;" a line or border of gamboge-yellow following the basal outline of the bill; rest of bill dark purplish red, deepening into scarlet just behind the nostril. Iris bright orange-red; eyelids deep ver- milion; legs and feet dull chrome-yellow, the webs and joints dusky.2 Total length, about 19.00 inches; extent, 29.00; wing, 9.00-9.50; culmen, 1.40; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, 1.70. Adult female: Feathers bordering the base of the bill all round, a space on side of the head sur- rounding the eyes and extending backward in a point toward the occiput, chin, and whole throat white; remainder of the head plumbeous or slate-gray, the crown and slight occip- ital crest glossed with metallic green; chest brownish, the feathers marked centrally with fulvous-buff, those toward the breast tipped with white; remaining lower parts white, the crissum freckled with dusky grayish, the sides and flanks raw-umber brown, spotted with brownish white; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts hair-brown, glossed, in certain lights, with bronze and reddish purple; tail brightly glossed with greenish bronze; scapulars and tertials olive-brown, richly glossed with reddish purple and bronze; wings as in the adult male, but secondaries more widely tipped with white, and the four upper greater- coverts rich metallic reddish purple, more bluish in the centre, bronzy toward the edge and base, and narrowly tipped with velvety black. Bill dark plumbeous, the nail and lon- gitudinal space on the culmen black; eyelids chrome-yellow; iris raw -sienna; legs and feet yellowish brown.3 Total length, about 17.75 inches; extent, 28.00; wing, 8.50; culmen, 1.30; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.60. Downy young: Above, deep hair-brown, darker, or clove-brown, on the pileum and tail; a dingy whitish bar along the posterior border of the arm-wing, and a roundish spot of the same on each side of the rump. Lores, superciliary stripe extending back nearly to the occiput, with lateral and under parts of the head gen- erally, bright sulphury-buff, crossed by a wide stripe of blackish brown extending from the occiput forward to the eye; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brownish, this crossed on the flanks by an indistinct whitish bar.4 1 There is in this species a very strange and probably altogether peculiar arrangement of the tertials, longer scapulars, and inner secondaries, both as to form and colors. The exposed surface of the first appears continuously intense black, as described above; but upon lifting the feathers it is seen that between each two there is a concealed one of differ- ent form and <5olor— narrow and pointed, instead of broad and nearly truncated, and dull bronzy, instead of deep black. Of these bronzy feathers, only the last (or the longest scap- ular) has its tip exposed; the innermost secondary is the longest, and is entirely intense black to the tip ; the next is very much (nearly an inch) shorter, entirely concealed, and also wholly black; the third is little, if any, shorter than the first, but is marked at the end by a broad bar of pure white; the fourth is a little shorter, without any white at the tip, and the outer web chiefly reddish purple; this, like the third, bas the outer web much widened terminally. 2 Fresh colors of a specimen killed October 19, at Mount Carmel, 111. 3 Fresh colors of a specimen killed October 14, at Mount Carmel, 111. * Described from No. 84,725, obtained at Mount Carmel, 111., July 17, 1871. ANATIDyE— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 155 The exquisitely beautiful Wood Duck, or Summer Duck, is very generally distributed throughout the timbered portions of Illinois, its favorite haunts being wooded bottom-lands, where it frequents the streams and ponds, and nests in hollows of the largest trees. It usually comes from the south very early in the spring (February or March, according to the latitude and the character of the season), departing again in September or Oc- tober. Sometimes, however, it may be found during mild win- ters in the southern parts of the state. "Wilson narrates that on the 18th of May he visited a tree containing a nest of a Summer Duck, on the banks of Tuckahoe River, New Jersey. This tree stood on a declivity twenty yards from the water; and in its hollow and broken top, about six feet down, on the soft decayed wood, were thirteen eggs covered with down from the mother's breast. The eggs were of an ex- act oval shape, the surface finely polished and fine grained, of a yellowish color, resembling old polished ivory, and measured 2.12 by 1.50 inches. This tree had been occupied by the same pair, during the breeding-time, for four successive years. Wil- son's informant, who lived within twenty yards of the tree, had seen the female, the spring preceding, carry down thirteen young, one by one in less than ten minutes. She caught them in her bill by the wing or the back of the neck, and landed them safely at the foot of the tree, and finally led them to the water. In evidence of the unwillingness of this species to abandon its breeding-place, Wilson mentions that under this tree a large sloop lay on the stocks, its deck not more than ten feet distant from the nest. Notwithstanding the presence and noise of the work- men, the Ducks would not abandon their old home, but contin- ued t<> pass out and in, as if no person were near. While the female was hiving, mid afterward, when she was setting, the male usually perched on an adjoining limb, and kept watch. The common note of the drake was peet-peet, and when, stand- ing sentinel, he apprehended danger, he made a noise not unlike the crowing of a young cock, <""/■. ■■Tin- Wood Duck, has been repeatedly tamed and partially domesticated, and of this statement there are many well-at- tested eases OII record. My own ;i1telll|>ts to effect this, how- ever, have I n unsuccessful, the old birds remaining wild, and 156 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. not breeding. Wilson was informed of an instance where a resi- dent near Gunpowder Creek had a yard swarming with Wood Ducks which were completely domesticated. Audubon also gives an interesting account of his attempts to tame and domesticate this duck, in which he so far succeeded that the birds bred with- in his grounds, in boxes. The wild ducklings when taken were put in the bottom of empty flour-barrels; but he soon found that they could raise themselves from the bottom to the brim by moving a few inches at a time up the side, lifting foot after, foot, by means of their diminutive hooked claws, when they would tumble over, and run in every direction. They fed freely on corn-meal soaked in water, and, as they grew, caught flies with great expertness." ( Water Birds of North, America.) Genus AYTHYA Boie. Ay thy a Boie, Isis, 1822, 564. Type, by elimination. Anas ferina Linn. Gen. Char. Hind toe with a broad membranous lobe, or "flap": feathering on lores or forehead Hot reaching beyond posterior border of nostril ; graduation of tail less than length of bill from nostril ; loral feathering with a decidedly convex anterior outline; width of nail less than one third the width of the bill across middle portion. Adult males with the head and part of the neck uniform chestnut or black, the lower neck uniform black (ex- cept in a few exotic species); back and scapulars waved with white and black; speculum bluish gray, or white tipped with black; lower parts white. Adult females with head, neck, chest, and upper parts plain brownish, the head paler, or whitish, next the bill; specu- lum as in the male. The American species of this genus are ranged under three sub- genera, as follows: A. Culmen longer than inner toe, with claw; bill not wider near end than at base; head and neck reddish in adult males. 1. Aythya. Bill much shorter than middle toe, without claw, its greatest width nearly half the^ength of the culmen, the end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly hooked. 2. Aristonetta. Culmen as long as middle toe, without claw, its greatest width not more than one third the length of the culmen; the end much flattened, and nail very slightly hooked. * B. Culmen as long as outer toe, with claw, bill wider at end than at base; head and neck black in adult males. 3. Fuligula. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 157 Subgenus Aythya Boie. A ythya Boie, Isis. 1822, 501. Type, by elimination, Anasferina Linn. Subgen. Char. Culmen longer than inner toe, with claw; bill not wider near end than at base, much shorter than middle toe without claw, its greatest width nearly half the length of the culmen, the end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly hooked. Adult males with the head and upper neck reddish. Only one American species, the common Red-head (J. wineri- ccma), belongs to this subgenus. It is a near relative of, but is decidedly distinct from, the Pochard, of Europe, .1. ferina (Linn.). Aythya americana (Eyt.) RED -HEAD. Popular synomyms. Red-headed Duck; American Pochard; Red-headed Broad-bill: Red- headed Raft Duck. Anas /erma- Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 110, pi. 70 tig. <; (not Linn.). Fuligula ferbna Bonap. Synop. 1828, 392— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 452-Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 134— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 198, pi. 322; Synop. 1839, 287; B. Am. vi, 1843, 311, pi. 396. Fuligula americana Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838,155. Aythya ferina 6 americana Bonap. Compt. Bend, xliii, Sept. 1856, 051. Aythya americana Baird, B. N. Am. 1858,793; Cat. N. Am. P.. is:.'.'. No. 591.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 624; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 101.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 146. Mthyia americana Scl. & Salt. Nom. Neotr. 1873.— Ridgw. Norn. B. 1881, No. 618. — B. B. & R. Water B.N. Am. ii, 1S84, 36. Aythya ferina, vur. americana Allen, Bull. M. C X. iii, 1872, 183. Fuligula ferina, var. americana Coues, Key, 1872. 289; Check List, 1873, No. 503; B. N. W. 1874, 575.— HBNSH. Zool Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 480. Fuligula ferina americana Coues, Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No. 72:;. Aythya erythrocephala Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. Had. Tho whole of North America, breeding from central California. Minnesota, nor- thern Iowa. Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maino, to the Fur Countries: Bahamas, Central A tnerioa, etc., In winter. sr. Char. Bill much shorter than the middle toe (without claw), broad, tho end mod- erately depressed, and wiih the nail decidedly deeurved, the culmen about two and a half times the greatest width of the maxilla, and decidedly concave. Adult male: Head and upper half, or more, of the neck rich reddish chestnut, the latter glossed with reddish pur- ple; lower part of tho neck, ohest, anterior part of the back, lower part of the rump, upper tail-coverts, andorissum, black; back, scapulars, sides, and Hanks, densely vermiculated with white and dusky in about equal proportion: anal region similarly, but more faintly. marked; entire abdomen Immaculate white; wing-coverts deep plumbeous-gray, faintly and minutely sprinkled with whi de bluish gray, tho upper feati "it black, the others narrowlj tipped with white; primaries dusky, the [n- aer quills slate-gray, exoepl al end-; tail dusky. Bill pale blue, the end black; iris bright low: feet light gray. Adultjema < Head and neck grayish brown, darkest above ;th interior par! "f the head lighter, almost white on the chin and upper part of the thr Ides, and Banks dull grayish brown, the feathers tipped with fulvous; wings as in the male, but theooverta plain slate-color; baokand Boapulars grayish brown, the feathers with paler 158 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. tips; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail dusky grayish brown; anal region paler; lower tail- coverts whitish. Bill grayish, the end black; iris yellow; feet grayish. Downy young: Above, ochreous olive-brown, indistinctly relieved by an oiive-yellow spot back of each wing, one on the hind border of each arm- wing, and one on each side of the rump; entire head and neck (except pileum and nape), with whole lower parts deep, buff-yellow, paler and less yellow on abdomen and anal region. No dark markings whatever on side of head. Bill and feet light colored (brownish in dried skin). Total length, about 20. 00-21. 00 inches; extent, 33.00; wing, about 8.50; culmen, 2.05-2.25; greatest width of bill, .75-.85; tarsus, 1.60-1.65; middle toe, 2.30-2.40. The Red-heads arrive in Illinois from the south in March, and continue northward to their breeding grounds, which extend from Wisconsin, Michigan, and others of the "northern tier" of States, to the Fur Countries. They return in October. Where it can obtain the same food, the Red-head is quite as good eating as the celebrated Canvas-back {A. vallisneria), though it never commands so high a price in the markets. In short, it is more the costly character of the latter, together with its high reputation, than any real superiority of its flesh, that creates the greater demand for it. The Red-head was found nesting on the St. Clair flats, Michi- gan, by Mr. W. H. Collins, who thus describes some of its breeding habits:1 "The past season I had the good fortune to find two nests of the Red-head Duck (Aythya americcma), containing respec- tively seven and eight eggs. The first was placed on some drifted rushes on a sunken log, and was composed of flags and rushes evidently taken from the pile of drift upon the log, as they were short pieces, so short, in fact, that the nest when lifted with the hands fell in pieces. The nest was about four inches deep, and lined with down from the female. This nest contained seven fresh eggs of a creamy color, and [sic\ varied in measurements from 2.30X1.75 to 2.22X1.66 inches, and were of a uniform oval shape, very little smaller at one end. The other nest was built similar to a Coot's nest, that is, of flags and grass interwoven at the base of a bunch of flags, growing in water three or four feet deep. It was built in such a way that the nest would rise and fall with the water. This nest also contained down and eight fresh eggs, uniform in size, shape, and color with the others. The birds, male and female, were flying around, and often came quite close to me. The cry of the 1 Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, v, 1880, pp. 61-C2. ANATID.E — THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 159 female resembled the cry of the Mallard so nearly that, had I hoard and not seen the bird, I should have supposed it to be the Mallard." Subgenus Aristonetta Baird. Aristonetta Baikd, B. N. Am. 1S58, 793, in text. Type, Anas vallisneria Wels. Subgen. Char. Culmen noarly or quite as long as middle toe, without claw, and equal to three times the neatest width of the bill; end of bill much flattened, and nail very slightly hooked. Otherwise like Aythya, the coloration, in particular, very similar. This subgenus contains only one species, the celebrated Canvas- back of wide range but local fame. Aythya vallisneria (Wils. CANVAS-BACK. Popular synonyms. Canvas-back Duck; White-back; Canard Cheval (New Orleans); Bull- neck; Red-headed Bull-nock. Anas vallisneria "Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 103, pi. 7, fig. 3. Fuligula vallisneria Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 196.— Sw. & Rich. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 151.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 430— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 1, pi. 301; Synop. L839, l'S">; B. Am. vi, 1843, 299, pi. 395.— Coues, Key. 1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 501; ed.2, 1882, No. 724; I'.. N. W. 1874, 575. Aythya vallisneria Bora, Isis. 1826, 980.— Baird, B.N. Am. 1858. 794; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, N.i. 592.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 147.— RrDGW. Orn. 10th Bar. 1877, 625; Man. N. Am. B. 1>87, 102. Mthyia vallisneria Sol. & Salv. Nom, Neotr. 187:!.— Kidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 617.— B. B.& Et. Water 1',. N. Am. ii, 1881. 30. Aristonetta vallisneria Baird, B.N. Am. 1858, 793 (in text). HAB. Nearly the whole of North America, breeding from the northwestern States northward to Alaska; south in winter tot luatemala. sp. Char Bill long and narrow, tho end much depressed, with the nail Bcarcely de- curved, thi b, with the culmen Lrradually sloping and scarcely concave; culmen nearly as Ions as the middle toe (without claw), and about three tinier the greatesl width of the maxilla. Adult male: Head and neck chestnut-rufous, the former brownish dusky (sometimes quite blackish) anteriorly and on top; chest and anterior part of the back, lower part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and posterior part of crissum black: back, scapulars, Hanks, sides, ami anal region white, finely and delicately vermioulated with dusky; bi aid abdomen Immaculate white. Wing-coverts deep ash-gray, finely sprinkled with white; secondaries ("speculum") lighter, mine bluish, may, the upper feathers edged with irimariess) tie Inner quills more ashy, where dusky; tail dusky. Bill entirely greenish black; Iris carmine-red ; Head, ii ml anterior part of baok raw-umber brown, a postocular space and the foreneok whitish, the chin, throat, and oheeks tinged with fulvous; w bags as in the male, but coverts alim>st or quite uniform gray ; baok, soap- Hi. ii th only, the ads of the feathers vermioulated with white and dusky, the remainder -being grayish brown. Bill greenish black; iris brownish i .:ui> ish. 160 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Totallength, about 20.00 to 22.00 inches; extent, 30.00 to 33.00; wing, 8.75-9.25; culmen, 2.10-2.50; greatest width of bill, .75-80; tarsus, 1.70; middle too, 2.60-2.65. Many persons experience difficulty in distinguishing the Can- vas-back from the Red-head. An examination of the bill alone, however, is sufficient to distinguish them with absolute cer- tainty, this member being radically distinct in shape in the two birds, as shown by the diagnostic character of the subgenera which they respectively represent, on page 156. The plum- age of the adult males, while somewhat similar, will be seen on comparison to be really quite different. The Canvas-back has the front part of the head dusky, or blackish, the rest of the head, with the whole neck, being rusty chestnut. The Red- head, on the other hand, has the whole head, and only the upper half of the neck, a much brighter reddish chestnut, with purple gloss. The back and scapulars are much whiter in the Canvas-back, and this species has a wholly blackish bill and red eyes, while the Red-head has a leaden-blue, black-tipped bill and yellow eyes. The famous Canvas-back, so higly prized by eastern epicures, is an abundant migrant in Illinois, as indeed it is entirely across the continent. It breeds from Minnesota northward, and winters in the Southern States, chiefly along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, though it has been known to occur in mild winters in the southern part of Illinois. Whatever the cause may be, the opinion held as to the edi- ble qualities of this species varies greatly in different parts of the country. Nowhere has it so high a reputation as in the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay, where the alleged superior quality of its flesh is ascribed to the circumstance that it there feeds chiefly on the " water celery " (Vallisneria spiralis). That this supposed explanation is wholly fallacious, however, is evident from the fact that the same plant grows in far greater abund- ance in the upper Mississippi Valley, where, also, the Canvas- back feeds on it. Hence it is highly probable that fashion and imagination, or perhaps a superior style of cooking and serving, play a very important part in the case. In California, however, where the Vallisneria does not grow, the Canvas-back is considered a very inferior bird for the table. ANATID.E — THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 161 "This species," says Dr. Brewer, "in and around Chesapeake Bay, has long been regarded as preeminent for the richness and delicacy of the flavor of its flesh: and it is claimed by many that no wild-fowl in any part of the world can vie in this re- spect with the Canvas-back of these waters. It has been hunted on the Chesapeake and its tributaries with unrelenting greed, until its numbers have been greatly reduced, and many have been driven to more southern regions. This bird always com- mands a read}' sale; and even when sent to the market by thousands, always brings a high price. While a few Canvas- backs are met with in the waters of the Hudson, the Delaware, and in other eastern rivers, by Ear the larger portion of them resort to Chesapeake Bay and adjacent waters. Of late years, its numbers have greatly increased along the short rivers of North Carolina. It is also found in abundance on the western lakes, and is particularly numerous on Lake Koskonong, in southern Wisconsin. In March I have seen the markets of Chicago well supplied with this duck; and although they are in no wise superior to the Mallard, the Pin-tail, the Teals, and other ducks, yet commanding twice the market price of any other species." Subgenus FUUGULA Stephens. Fuliaula Stephens, Gen. ZooL xii, pt. ii, 1824,187. Type, by elimination. Atias fuligula Linn. /•'»//./• Sundev. Kong. Vet. Ak. Hand. 1855. 129. (No type designated, but restricted to the group of which Anas marila Linn, is typical, by Professor Baird, in B. N. Am. 1858, 7'JO.) Marila Bonap. Compt. Rend, xliii. Sept. 1856, 65L (Not of Reichenbach. 1852.) Nettarion Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 790 (in text). Type, Anas marila, Linn. SuBtiEN. Chak. Bill longer than tho tarsus (about as long as the head), very broad and much depress*'.! for the terminal half, the edges nearly parallel or slightly divergenl termi- nally; lower edge of the maxilla strongly convex, concealing all of the mandible exoepl the basal portion. Colors chiefly black and white (the head, aeok, and oheBl black, lower parts white) Id the adult male; the black replaced by brownish In the female. The North American species, all of which occur in Illinois, ma \ be ilisi inguished as follows: A. Si alum white, tipped with black. l. A. marila nearctica. Flunks usually Immaoulate white; length 18.00— 90, oulmen r brad glossed with s -21 162 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 2. A. affinis. Flanks vermiculated or zigzagged with blackish. Similar to A. mari la nearctica (including absence of distinct white spaces on six inner quills), but black of head in male glossed with purplish, instead of green; length 15.00-Ki.50, culnien 1.58-1.90. B. Speculum bluish gray. 3. A. collaris. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK. Popular synonyms. Big Black-head; Big Blue-bill; Lake Blue-bill; Broad-bill; Bay Broad-bill; Raft Duck (Virginia); Big Fall Duck (Huds. Bay Terr.); Shuffler; Bay Shuffler; Troop Duck; Flock Duck (Maryland); Bull-neck. ? Anas marila 'Wiz.s. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 84, pi. 69, fig. 3 (may be F. affinis). Fuligula marila Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1S31, 453 (part; includes F. affinis).— -Nuit. Man. ii, 1834, 437 (do.).— Aud. B. Am. vii, 1843, 355, pi. 498 (not of vi, 1843 316, pi. 397, nor of his earlier works, which = F. affinis).— Coues, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, No. 500; ed. 2, 1882, No. 720; B. N. W. 1874, 573— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 479. Fulix marila Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 791; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 588— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 625; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 614.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 18. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 161.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 148.— Ridgw. Man, N. Am. B. 1887, 103. Hab. North America in general, breeding far north; in winter, as far south as Central America and the West Indies. Sp. Char. Adult male: Head, neck, and chest black, the first with a greenish gloss; back and scapulars white, irregularly waved or vermiculated with zigzag lines of black; wing-coverts dusky, finely grizzled with grayish white ; secondaries white, tipped, and sometimes narrowly edged, with black; tertials black, with a very faint bottle-green reflec- tion; primary-coverts dusky black; primaries similar, but the inner quills pale grayish on outer webs, except at ends, the gray growing whiter on the shorter feathers ; rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and crissum, dull black. Lower part s between the «hest and crissum white, the posterior portion (and sometimes the sides and flanks) zigzagged with dusky. Bill pale blue (or bluish white) in life, the nail black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale slate. A dii It female: Head and neck sepia-brown, the anterior portion of the former, all round the base of 'the bill, white; chest, anal region, and crissum, pale grayish brown, fading gradually into the white of the breast and abdomen; sides and flanks deeper brown; above, brownish dusky, the back and scapulars but faintly or not at all grizzled with white ; wings much as in the male . Total length, about 18 to 20 inches; extent. 29.50 to 35.00; wing, 8.25-9.00; culmen, 1.85- 2.20; width of bill near end, .85-1.05, at base, .70-90; tarsus, 1.40-1.60; middle toe, 2.25-2.45. While usually, perhaps, only a transient migrant, the Bio- Black-head not unfrequently ('passes the winter in the southern portions of Illinois. Its breeding- range extends from Manitoba to the Arctic coast. Like the Canvas-back, the Black-head is very fond of the roots of the "water celery" ( Vallisneria spiralis), aud, accord- ing to Dr. Brewer, is one of the very few ducks that are able to dive and pull up these roots. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 163 Aythya affinis (Eyt.) . LESSER SCAUP DUCK. Popular synonyms. Littlo Black-head; Little Blue-bill; River Blue-bill; March Blue- bill; Mud Blue-bill; Broad-bill; Creek Broad-bill (Long Island); pato boludode cabezacafe (Mexico); River Shuffler. Fuligula marila Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 226.; v. 1839, 61 1, pi. 229; Synop. 1839, 286; B. Am. vi, 1843. 31G. pi. 397. Fuligula affinis Evton, Ion. Anat. 1838, 157 -Coues, Key, 1872. 280; Check List, 1873, No. 501; 2d ed. 1882. No. 721; B. N. W. 1874, 573. Fulix affinis Uaird, B. N. Am. 1858, 7'M : Cat. X. Am. B. 1859, No. 589-Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 625; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 615.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 22. Aythya affi7iis Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtseh. 1885, 161.— A. O. U. Check List. 188C, No. 149- Ridgw. Man. N. Am. Jl. 1887, 103. Fuligula minor Bell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. i, 1842, 141— Gibaub, B. Long, i, 1844. 323. Hab. The whole of North America, south to Guatemala and the West Indies; breeds chiefly north of the United States. Sp. Chae. Similar to A. marila nearctica, but considerably smaller; adult male with the head less glossy and the gloss usually purplish instead of green; Hanks waved or zig- zagged with blackish. Total length, about 15.0n-17.00 inches: extent, 26.00-27.75; wing. 7.50- 8.25 (average 7.81).; culmen, 1.58-1.90 (1.75); greatest width of bill, .80-.95 (.89); least width of bill .tlO-78 (.69); tarsus, 1.15-1.50; middle toe, 2.00-2.25. In addition to the characters of coloration mentioned above, the lower part of the neck is usually dull brownish and quite lustreless, in many examples forming as distinct a collar as in some specimens of F. collwris, though the color is never so rufescent as in the latter species. The Little Black-head has much the same range and essen- tially the same habits as its larger relative {A. marila nearctica), though, as Dr. Brewer lias truly said, it is extremely difficult, if not at present quite impossible, to state just wherein the two differ in these respects, in consequence of the confusion of their history resulting from the greal similarity of their appearance Dr. Brewer further states th.it so Ear as his own observations go, he is inclined t<> agree with Dr. Uoopei in regarding the |, resent species ns a much more decided frequenter of the land than the other, and adds that "i1 is quite probable thai much that has been written by Audubon and others in regard to the Scaup Duck, ns seen on our rivers and lakes, may have had reference only to this species." "A careful examination," Bays he, "of A-udubon's accounl of the babits of the Scaup Duck dearly indicate, i n nearly all he says of it belongs in reality in this species; auJ this supposition is strengthe 1 bythefacl 164 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. that he figures and describes the affmis rather than the larger Black-head. He speaks of observing the Scaup Duck by the thousand on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, from Pittsburg to New Orleans, where it occurred in such bands that it was generally known as the 'Flocking Fowl.' These ducks were seldom seen close together, and rarely associated with birds of qther species. They seemed fond of large eddies below projecting points of land, frequently diving to a considerable distance in search of food. In such situations they might easily be approached and shot; and when danger was near they seemed to prefer to escape by swimming and diving rather than by flight, and they rose with some difficulty from the water. Audubon noted that these ducks differed greatly in size, but does not seem to have been led from this to suspect that they really belonged to two distinct species." Ay thy a collaris (Donov.) KING-NECKED DUCK. Popular synonyms. Ring-billed Black-head; Ring-bill; Ring-billed Shuffler; Ring-necked Scaup Duck, or Blue-bill; Bastard Broad-bill (Long Island); Fall Duck (Minnesota); Black Jack (Illinois); Moon-bill (South Carolina); Pato boludo prieto (Mexico). Anas collaris Donovan, Br. Birds, vi, 1809, pi. 147 (England). Fuligula collaris Bonap. List B. Eur. 1842, 73— Coubs, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, No. 502; 2d ed. 1882, No. 722; B. N. W. 1874, 574— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 479. Fulix collaris Baird. B. N. Am. 1858, 792; N. Am. Cat. B. 1859, No. 590— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, G25; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 616— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 25. Aythya collaris Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 104— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 150. Anas fuligula Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 66, pi. 67, fig. 5 (not of Linn. 1766). Anas (Fuligula) rufitorqit.es Bonap. Jour. Phila. Acad, iii, 1824, 381. Fuligula rufitorques Bonap. Synop. 1828, 393— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 454— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 439— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 259.pl. 234; Synop, 1839, 287; B. Am. vi, 1843, 320, pi. 398. Hab. The whole of North America, south to Guatemala and the West Indies; breeding from Iowa, southern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maine northward. Accidental in Europe. Sp. Char. Adult male: Head, neck, chest, crissum. and upper parts generally, black, the head and neck with a faint violet gloss, the wing-coverts inclining to slate; secondaries ("speculum") bluish gray, darker sub-terminally, and very narrowly tipped with white; primaries slate -gray, the outer quills and ends of the others dusky. A triangular spot of white on the chin, and a more or less distinct collar of chestnut round the lower neck; breast and abdomen white, abruptly defined anteriorly against the black of the chest, but changing insensibly into the black on the crissum, through a graduated barring or trans- verse mottling of white and dusky; sides white, delicately waved with grayish dusky. Axillars and lining of the wing immaculate white. Bill lead-color, with a narrow basal and broad sub-terminal band of bluish white, the end black; iris bright yellow; legs andl'et ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 165 pale slaty. Adult female: Crown and nape dull dark brown, becoming gradually lighter below; rest of the head paler and grayer, the anterior half of the lores, the chin, throat, and oreneck nearly or quite white; chest, sides, and flanks, deep fulvous or raw-umber brown; breast and abdomen white ; anal rogion dull brown, longer feathers of the crissum whitish; wings as in the male; remaining upper parts dull dark brown, the feathers of the back nar- nowly tipped with fulvous. Bands on the bill narrower and less distinct than in the male; iris yellow; feet, slaty. 'Total length, about 10 to 18 inches; extent, 24-27; culmen, 1.75-2.00; tarsus, 1.30-145; middle toe, 2.00-2,15. Downy young: Above, grayish umber-brown, relieved by seven spots of light buff, as follows: A small and inconspicuous spot in the middle of the back, between, and a little anterior to, the wings; a large patch on each side the back; another on each side the rump, at the base of the tail; and a bar across the posterior border of each wing. Crown, occiput, and nape crossed longitudinally by a wide stripe of deep grayish umber; a roundish isolated spot of light grayish brown directlv over the ears; remainder of the head, Including the forehead, and lower parts generally, light dingy buff, the flanks crossed by a 1 1 ro \vn transverse stripe from the rump to the tibia. Side of the head without any longi- tudinal stripes. The chief variation in the plumage of this species consists in the distinctness of the chestnut collar in the male. In some ex- amples this is scarcely more conspicuous than in A. ajjmis, being dull brown instead of reddish; but usually the color is a well- defined chestnut, particularly in front. The female of this species resembles very closely in coloration that of the Red-head (J. americcwia) , but may be readily dis- 1 inguished by the very different proportions, the average measurements of the two being about as follows : A. americana. Wing 8.50, culmen 1.90, greatest width of bill .85, least width .7.".. tarsus 1.60, middle toe 2.30. A. collaris. Wing 7.50, culmen 1.80, greatest width of bill .85, least width .65, tarsus 1.35, middle toe 2.00. There is very little in the habits of (his species <<> distinguish it from the other "black-heads." Like bhem, it usually asso- ciates in small flocks, and its flesh is excellent , beingfat, tender, and juicy. M often passes the winter in the southern portions of Illinois. Genus GLAUCIONETTA Stejneger. ' l 1 1 m. Phllos. Jour. 11, 1822, 260. Type, ^noa 1 - ■ Leach, 1819 Ent Eur. Thierw. 1829, 53. Bametype. tffei Okbn1816 Glaucionetta Btbjn. Proo. l:. B. Nat Mus. viii. Bept 14, 1885, 109. Same type. Chab. Bill much shorter than the head, deep through 1 1 1 # - base, the lateral ou( onverrfng toward the dp, which Is rather pointed than rounded; lamella completers hidden bj the overham f the maxilla; Dostrils situated aboul midway between 166 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the base and end of the bill; tarsus longer than the culmen; tail rather long (about half the , wing), of sixteen feathers. Colors, pied white and black in the male, brown and white in the female. Adult males have the head and upper neck black, glossed with green, blue, or violet, and relieved by a white patch between bill and eye; upper parts pied black and white, lower parts entirely white, the flanks streaked with black. Females with head and upper neck brown, chest and part of upper surface grayish, collar round neck and most of lower parts white; wing dusky, with white on wing-coverts and secondaries. Young males similar to adult females, but white loral spot of adult more or less distinctly indicated, and gray of chest less extensive (sometimes quite obsolete). Males in post-nuptial plumage are similar to young male, but wing-coverts more continuously white. Two species are known, both of which occur in North America, though one of them is here represented by a race or sub-speeies distinguished from the Old World typical form by its large size. The two species may be distinguished as follows: 1. G. clangula americana. Height of upper mandible at base, measured from extremity of frontal angle to nearest point on cutting edge, less than distance from anterior point of loral feathering to anterior end of nostril; and usually little if any greater than distance from the latter point to tip of upper mandible. 2. G. islandica. Height of upper mandible at base, measured from extremity of frontal angle to nearest point on cutting edge, equal to distance from anterior point of loral feathering to anterior end of nostril, and much greater than distance from the latter point to tip of upper mandible. Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonap.) AMERICAN GOLDEN EYE. Popular synonyms. Whistler; Whistle- wing; Great Head; Brass-eye; Merry- wing; Cob- head or Cub-head; Iron-head. Anas clangula Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 62, pi, 07, fig. 5. (Nee Linn.) Vu ligu la clangula Bonap. Synop. 1828, 393.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 441— Aur>. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 318, pi. 342; Synop. 1839, 292; B. Am. vi, 1843, 362, pi. 406 (includes isla7idica). Bucephala clangula Coues, Key, 1872, 290; Check List, 1873. No. 505; B. N. W. 1874, 576- Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 480. Clangula glaucium Coues, Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No, 725. Clangula vulgaris Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 456. Clangula americana Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. Bucephala americana Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 796; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 593. Clangula glaucium americana Kidgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 204; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No, 620.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 44. Bucephala clangula b. americana Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 626. Glaucionetta clangula americana Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 409.— A. 0. U, Check List, 1886, No. 151— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 105. Hab. The whole of North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces northward; south to Cuba in winter. Sp. Char. Adult male: Head and upper half of neck black, glossed with dark green, varying to violet; a roundish white spot between the rictus and the eye, but not reaching to the latter; back, inner scapulars, tertials, rump, and upper tail-eoverts, deep black; lower half of the neck (all round), lower parts, outer scapulars, posterior lesser, middle, and greater ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 167 wing-coverts, and secondaries, pure white; anterior lessor wing- coverts, and outer edges of scapulars ami flank feathers, and concealed portion of greater coverts, deep black; pri- maries blackish dusky; tail dull slate; sides of the anal region behind the flanks clouded with grayish. Bill black; iris bright yellow: feet orange-yellow, with dusky webs. Adult female: Similar to that of C. islandica, but head and neck hair-brown or grayish brown, rather than purplish sepia or snuff-brown; and white on the wing usually not interrupted by a distinct black bar. Downy young. Upper parts generally, including the whole upper half of the head, to the rictus, and considerably below the eyes, the chest, sides, and thighs deep sooty brown, lighter and more grayish on the chest; the brown of the upper parts relieved by a1>out eight spots of grayish white, as follows: one on the posterior border (secondary region) of each wing: one on each side the back; one on each side the rump, at the base of the tail; and one on each flank just before the brown of the thighs. Chin, throat, ami cheeks pure white, in abrupt and decided contrast to the brown, which entirely surrounds it; remaining lower parts grayish white. Bill brownish; nail yellowish. Adult n"'h-: Total length, about 18.50 to 20.00 inches; extent 31.00; wing, aboul :>.L':>; length of bill, lromtip to end of basal angle, 1.85; depth at base, 1.00; width, .8.".; tarsus, 1 60; middle toe, 2.50. Adult female: Total length. 16.50; extent, 26.75; wing, 8.25; culnien, 1.60; depth of bill at base, .90; width. .70; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe. 2.20. As stated under the head of G. islamMca (p. 109), we are un- able to discover, in the material at our command (consisting of upward of twenty specimens, including six unquestionable G. islwuMca and many more equally undoubted G. clcmgula mm /■<'<■"»>>) positive points of distinction between the female of the common and that of Barrow's Golden-eye. All specimens, however, pos- sessing no dusky bar across the ends of the greater wine, coverts, interrupting the white wing-patch, should probably be referred bo the present species. The females of both species are so variable in every character we have tested that it is quite impossible 1o say to which some examples should be referred. Upon comparing a series of two males and as many females of the European Golden-eye (G. clcmgula) with a very Large number of American specimens, we are unable to deted any dif- ference in coloration. The difference in size, however, is so great, and. moreover, constant, as fully bo justify their separation as distinct races. The Golden-eye is ;i winter visitant to Illinois, its breeding range extending, ••from the bhe 1-M parallel northward" (Brewer), while its winter home is from about the same lat- it mle sont hward. ■■()ii Lon-' [aland, as Mr. Giraud states, the Golden-eye is better known among the hunters as bhe 'Whistler,' from the peculiar noise produced by its wings when Hying. By others i1 is also called the "Great-head," from its beautifully rich and thickly crested head. On thai island il is said to be ;) not very 168 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. abundant species, arriving there in company with other migra- tory ducks. He met with it in the fall and spring on the Del- aware and in Chesapeake Bay, as well as at Egg Harbor and on Long Island. In the interior it is said to be much more common. Its food seems to consist of small shell and other fish, which it procures by diving. In the fall its flesh is said to be about equal or even superior to that of the Scaup Duck. It is very shy, and is decoyed with great difficulty. In stormy weather it often takes shelter in the coves with the Scaup Duck, and there it may be more readily killed. It usually flies very high, and the whistling sound produced by the action of its wings is the only noise that it makes as it proceeds. "Audubon found the Golden-eye abundant in South Carolina during the winter, where at times it frequented the preserves of the rice-planters. He also met with it at that season on the water-courses of Florida. In the Ohio River he found it prefer- ring the eddies and rapids, and there it was in the habit of diving for its food. Naturally the Golden-eye is chiefly seen in company with the Buflie-head, the Merganser, and other species that are expert divers like itself. When wounded, unless badly hurt, its power of diving and of remaining under water is so remarkable that it cannot be taken." ( Water Birds of North America. ) Glaucionetta islandica (Gmel.) BARROWS GOLDEN-EYE. Popular synonyms. Rocky Mountain Golden-eye; Rocky Mountain Garrot. Anas islandica Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii. 1788, 541. Bucephala islandica Baied, B.N.Am. 1858,796; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 594-Coues. Key, 1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 506; Birds N. W. 1874, 577. Clangula is landica Bonap. Cat, Met. Ucc. Eur. 1842, 74— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 619.— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 726— B. B.:& R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 41. Glaucionetta islandica Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 409— A. O. U. Cheok List, 1886, No. 152— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 105. Clangula barrovii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 456 pi. 70 (male). Fuligula barrovii Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 444. Clangula scapularis Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 932. Fuligula clangula, var. Aud. Orn. Biog. v.1839, 105, pi. 403; Synop. 1839, 292 (part); B. Am. vii, 1843, 362 (part; describes the species as supposed summer plumage of B. clangula). Hab. Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois, Utah, etc.; breeding in high north, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. Greenland; Ice- land; accidental in Europe. ANATHXE— THE SWANS, OEESE, AND DICKS, 169 Sp. Chab. Adult male: Head ami upper half of the neck glossy blue-black, with re- flections of green, blue, and violet, according to the light; a somewhat wedge-shaped ver- tical patch of white across the anterior half of the lores, bordering the lateral base of the bill, the upper part forming an acute angl<' on each side of the forehead, the lower part rounded. Upper parts velvety black, with a soft bluish violet ting •; outer row of scapulars marked with a mesial cuneate stripe of satiny white, the greater portion of the stripes con- cealed, so that the exposed portion forms roundish or oblong spots; middle wing-coverts white, producing a broad bar: exposed terminal half of greater coverts, with the whole of the exposed portion of the live or six inner secondaries, white, forming a large, somewhat cuneate, patch. Outer feathers of the sides and flanks widely edged exteriorly with deep black; femoral region and sides of crissum dull black. Lower half of neck (all round) and entire lower parts (except as described) pure white. Bill black (in skin); iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale. Adult female: Head and upper half of the neck dark sepia-brown, considerably darker and somewhat more purplish than in the female ',. clangula araeri- cana; lower part of the neck, all round, white, sometimes tinged with gray on the nape. Upper parts dark grayish brown, the scapulars, interscapulars, and smaller wing-coverts tipped with lighter ash-gray ; last two ur three rows of middle wing-coverts tipped with white, forming a broken, rather narrow, transverse patch; greater coverts with the ter- minal half of their exposed portion white, as in the male, but distinctly tippped with black- ish, forming a conspicuous dusky bar between the white of the coverts and that of the in- ner secondaries. Chest and sides ash-gray, the feathers darker and more uniform, the flanks darker; other lower parts pure white. Bill usually parti-colored (black and yellow), bin sometimes wholly black. Adult male: Wing, 9.00-9.40 inches: culmen, 1.05-1.80; depth of bill at base, 95-1.10, width, ,75-.85; tarsus, 1.00-1. CO; middle, too, 2,45-2.50. Adult female: Wing, 8.25-8.75 inches; cul- men, 1.40-1.00; depth of bill, .85-, 90; width, .70; tarsus, 1.30-1.60; middle toe, 2.15-2.20. Bearing; in mind' the salient points 01 difference,- as given above and on page 166, there need be no difficulty in distinguishing the adult male of this very distinct species from that of the com- i!) >n Golden-eye Willi the female, however, the case is very dif- ferent; the two species being so much alike that, with the series at our command (about twenty specimens, including six un- questionably referable to G. islcwuMca), we must acknowledge our inability to give infallible points of distinction. The ex. amples which are known to represent G. islamdica differ from the positively determined females of G. claaigula amiericcma in the following respects: (1) The color of the head and upper half of tip- neck is considerably darker, being a rich sepia- or snuff-brown, rather than grayish brown; (2) the greater wing- coverts are distinctly tipped with black, forming a conspicuous dusky stripe I. ei ween the two larger white areas of the wing, which in G. clangida americcma are (usually, ;n least) merged into <>iH' continuous space. Further than these we find no dis- tinction, while indeed some examples are so decidedly inter- mediate in both respects as to render it quite uncertain to —22 170 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. which species they belong. Of the two characters named, how- ever, the color of the head seems far the more constant, and may, perhaps, be found quite distinctive. All that can at present be said of Barrow's Golden-eye as a bird of Illinois is that it is a rare winter visitant, reaching here about the southern limit of its distribution. Comparatively little is known as to its habits, which, doubtless, in the main, closely resemble those of the common species. Genus CHARITONETTA Stejneger. Charitonetta Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 163. Type, Anas albeola Linn. Gen. Chab. Similar to Glaucionetta, but nostril narrower and situated much farther back, being behind the middle of the upper mandible instead of slightly anterior to the middle; lamella? hidden behind the edge of the maxilla; outer toe, with claw, decidedly 1 onger than middle toe, and tip of inner toe, without claw, reaching only to second joint of middle toe; tail more than twice as long as tarsus, reaching beyond the folded wings by nearly twice the length of the culmen. This genus contains a single species, the beautiful little But- ter-ball or Buffle-head (O. albeola). Charitonetta albeola (Linn.) BUFFLE-HEAD. Popular synonyms, Butter-ball; Butter-box; Butter Duck; Spirit Duck; Dipper, or Di- dipper, or Di-dapper: Marionette (New Orleans); Robin Dipper; Scotch Dipper, Scotch Duck, Scotch Teal, or Scotchman (North Carolina); Wool-head (Currituck Sound, N. C). Anas albeola Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 190-Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 51, pi. 62, figs. 2,3. Fuligula albeola Bonap. Synop. 1828, 394.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1831, 445.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1837, 217, pi. 225; Synop. 1839, 293; B. Am. vi, 1843, 369, pi. 408. Clanaula albeola Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii. ii, 1824. 184.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 458.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 621— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 727— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 48. Bucephala albeola Baikd, B. N. Am. 1858, 797; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 695— Coues, Key, 1872,290; Check List, 1873, No. 507; Birds, N. W. 1874, 577— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 482— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 626. - Charitonetta albeola Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 166— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 153— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 106. Anas bucephala Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 125; ed. 12, i, 1766, 200 (male). Anas rvstlca Linn. 1. c, 201 (female). Hab. North America, [breeding from Iowa (?) and Minnesota northward; wintering from United States south to Cuba and Mexico. Sp. Chab. Adult male: Head and upper half of the neck rich silky metallic green, violet-purple and greenish bronze, the last prevailing on the lower part of tho neck, the green on the anterior part of the head, the purple on the cheeks and crown; a, large patch ANATIDJ3— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 171 of pure white on the side of the head, extending from the eye backward to and around the occiput; lower half of the neck, lower parts generally, wing-coverts, secondaries, and outer scapulars pure white, the latter narrowly, and the feathers of the flanks more widely, edged with black; posterior parts of the body beneath tinged with pale ash-gray; upper tail-cov- erts light hoary gray ; tail slate-gray, the shafts black. Bill bluish plumbeous, dusky on the nail and at base ; iris very dark brown; legs and feet pinkish, or lilaceous, white. Total length, about 14.50 inches; extent, 24.50; wing, 6.75-6.90; culmen, 1.10-1.15; tarsus, 1.30; mid- dle toe, 1.90-2.00. Adult female: Head, neck, and upper parts generally dusky grayish brown; an oblong or somewhat ovate white longitudinal patch on the auricular region, and the inner secondaries (sometimes also the greater wing-coverts, except at ends), white; lower parts white, tinged with brownish gray posteriorly, anteriorly, and laterally. Bill dusky, inclining to plumbeous at end and along commissure; iris very dark brown; legs and toes dilute lilac-pink, the webs and joints darker. Length, about 12.50 inches; extent, 21.00; wing. 5.90-0.00; culmen, .95-1.00; tarsus, 1.15-1.20; middle toe, 1.75. There is very little variation among the males of this species. The females vary in the markings of the wing-, some having the greater coverts white, tipped with dusky; while in others only the inner secondaries are white. This very beautiful little duck is a winter resident in the southern portions of Illinois, its summer home being chiefly to the northward of the United States. Audubon "met with it, during extremely cold weather, on the Ohio, when the river was thickly covered with floating ice, among which it was seen diving, almost constantly, in search of food. When the river was frozen over, these birds sought the headwaters of rapid streams, and in their turbulent eddies found an abundance of food. Apparently feeling; secure in the rapidity with which they can dive, they allow a very near approach; but at the first snap of the gnu dive with the quickness of thought, and often as quickly rise again within a few yards of the same spot." Genus HISTRIONTCUS Lesson. Hiatrionicua Less. Man. ii. 1828, 415. Type, Anaa hiatrionica Linn. Coamone8aa Kaup, Entw. Europ. ThierW. 1829, 16. Same ;ype. \,onetta Kaup. 1 c. 196. Phylaconetta Bbandt, .Mem. Ac. 8t. Petersb. \ i. 1849, i. Same type. 1 1 r.N. < 'iiak. BIosl like Glancionetta. Bill very small (shorter than the tarsus), the lateral outlines converging rapidly to the tip, which is upled entirely by the very large nail; depth of the maxilla at the base about equal to its width ; lamellae entirely hidden by the overhanging inaxiliai'. tomlum; upper basal portion of the maxilla forming a decided angle, inserted between the feathering of the forehead and that of the lores, the former r farther forward; a Bllghl membranous lobe at the lower base of the me cilia, overhanging the rictus. Tail rather long (more than half the wing), moon gradu- ated, consisting of fourl there. Plumage of the sexes yery different, the male very handsomely marked, the i male very sombre. 172 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. But a single species of this well-marked genus is known. This, the Harlequin Duck, is common to both continents of the north- ern hemisphere, where it inhabits chiefly high latitudes. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn). HAELEQUIN DUCK. Popular synomyms. Lord and Lady (Maine, New Brunswick, etc.); Painted Duck and Mountain Duck (Hudson's Bay); Rock Duck (Nova Scotia); Squealer (Maine). Anas Mstrionica Linn. S. N- ed. 10, i. 1758, 127; ed. 12, i, 1766, 204— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 139, pi. 72 fig. 4. Fuligula {Clangula) Mstrionica Bonap. Synop. 1828, 394.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 448. Fuligula Mstrionica Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 612; v, 1839, 617; Synop. 1839, 617; B. Am. vi, 1843, 374, pi. 409. Histrionicus Mstrionicus Bouc. Cat. Av. 1876, 60— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 155.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 107. Clangula torquata Beehm, Vogelf. 1855, 385. Histrionicus torquatus Bon ap. Comp. Rend, xliii, 1856.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 798; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 596.— Coues, Key, 1872, 291; Check List, 1873, No. 510; B. N. W. 1874, 578. Anas minuta Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 127; ed. 12, i, 1766, 204 (female.) Histrionicus minutus Dresser, Birds of Europe (in text).— Coues, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, Apr. 1880, 101 ; Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No. 730.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 622.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 52. Hab. Northern North America, Europe. and Asia; south In winter to the Middle States, Illinois, Missouri, California, etc.; breeding south to Newfoundland, the Northern Rocky Mountains, and in the Sierra Nevada to lat. 38° or farther; Iceland; Eastern Asia. Sp. Char. Adult male: Entire loral region, continued backward from its upper part in a stripe on each side of the crown, an oval spot over the ears, a stripe of a little more than an inch in length down each side of the nape, a narrow collar completely encircling the tower neck, a broad bar across each side of the breast, the middle portion (longitudinally) of the outer scapulars, the greater part of the tertials, a spot near the tip of the greater wing-coverts, and a small spot on each side of the crissum, at the base of the tail, white. A broad longitudinal stripe on each side of the crown and occiput, with entire sides and flanks, bright rufous. Head and neck, except as described, dark plumbeous, with a faint violaceous cast, becoming gradually black along the border of the white markings; pileum with a median stripe of blue-black extending from the base of the culmen to the occiput. Back, chest, and sides of the breast bluish plumbeous, the white collar and the white bat- on the sides of the breast bordered on each side by deep blue-black; rump, upper tail- coverts, and crissum deep blue-black ; abdomen dark sooty grayish, blending insensibly into the plumbeous of the breast and the black of the crissum, but distinctly denned against the rufous of the sides and flanks; wing-ooverts plumbeous-slate; primaries and rectrices dusky black; secondaries ("speculum") metallic dark violet-blue ; tertials white, the outer webs edged with black, the inner with dark plumbeous. Bill light yellowish olive, the ex- treme tip paler; iris reddish brown; feet pale bluish, the webs dusky, the claws whitish. Adult male in post-nuptial plumage: Pattern of the head- markings same as in the preced- ing, but the plumbeous much duller, the black stripe of the pileum dusky, the rufous on the sides of the crown and occiput wanting, or but faintly indicated. Upper parts in general nearly uniform dusky grayish brown, without well-defined white anywhere, no blue-black, and the speculum dull dusky brownish gray, with little, if any, gloss. Lower parts grayish white, each feather marked with a subterminal transverse spot of grayish brown, the sides, flanks, and crissum nearly uniform grayish brown; no rufous on sides or flanks, and col- lar round the lower neck imperfect, or only slightly indicated. Adult female: Somewhat ANATIDjE— the swans, geese, and ducks. 173 similar to the male, but the head, neck, and chest grayish brown, with a distinct white spot on the auricular region, and the lores and sides of the forehead inclining to white. Chest, sides, flanks, and crissum entirely uniform grayish brown- "Bill and feet dull bluish gray ; iris brown" (Audubon). Young. Similar to the adult female, but above browner and more uniform, the chest, sides, flanks, and crissum tinged with umber. Total length, about 17.50 Inches; extent, 27.00; wing, 7.40 to nearly 8.00; culmen, 1.05-1.10; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 2.00. Female slightly smaller. The Harlequin Duck is a winter visitant or resident in Illi- nois, but is probably not at any time a common species. In its summer home, which is in more northern or mountainous regions, it frequents swiftly running- streams, where it delights to sport among the eddies below water falls or in the brawling rapids. Its nest is often placed in a hollow of a tree, but fre- quently in other situations. Genus CLANGTJLA Leach. Clang ula Leach, in Ross's Voy. Disc. 1819, App. p. xlviii. Type, Anas glacialis Linn. Harelda Leach, Steph. Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, 174. Type, Anas glacialis Linn. Pagonetta Kaup, Ent. Europ. Thierw. 1829, 66. Same type. Crymonessa Macg. Man. Brit. Orn. ii, 1842, 185. Same type. Melonetta Sund. Tent. 1872, 149. Same type. Gen. Chae. Bill small (much shorter than the tarsus), all its outlines tapering rapidly to the end, which is occupied entirely by the very large broad nail ; lower edge of the max- illa nearly straight for the basal half, then suddenly rising to the prominently decurved nail; lamella} slightly exposed along tho straight basal portion of the maxillary tomium; feathering at the base of tho bill forming a nearly straight oblique lino, advancing farthest forward on the forehead, and scarcely interrupted by any re-entrant angle, so prominent in most ducks. Adult male with the longer scapulars elongated and lanceolate, the reotrices (14 in number) acute, the middle pair slender and greatly lengthened. The most important peculiarity of structure in this well- marked genus consists in the almost unique outline of the Feathering at the base of the bill, this outline advancing grad- ually Farther forward from the rictus bo the base of theculmen, the continuity of the slightly curved line interrupted by only a very Faint, sometimes scarcely perceptible, indentation at the place of the deep angle seen in most ducks. The only other genus showing an approach to this character is Camptolmnws, which, however, has the bill and other Features very different. I'm a single species is known, which, like Histrimiicus, is cir- eumpolar in its distribution, bu1 descends to lower latitudes in winter. 174 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Clangula hyemalis (Linn.) OLD SQUAW. Popular synonyms. Old Wife; South Southerly; Long- tailed Duck; Caca- wee (Canada); Swallow-tailed Duck; Hound (Newfoundland); Old Injun (Massachusetts and Con- necticut) ; Old Molly ; Old Billy ; Coween or Cowheen (Ontario) ; Scolder or Scoldenore (New Hampshire and Massachusetts). Anas hyemalis Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 126; ed. 12, i, 1766, 292. Anas hiemalis Beunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 17. Harelda hyemalis B. B. & R. Water B. N. A.m. ii, 1884, 57. Clangula hiemalis Beehm, Handb. Vog. Deutschl, 1831, 933. Clangula hyemalis A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 154.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 100. Anas glacialis Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i. 1766, 203— Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 93, 96, pi. 70. Harelda glacialis "Leach," Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt, ii, 1824, 175. pi. 58.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 460— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 800; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 597 — Coues, Key, 1872, 291; Check List, 1873, No. 508; 2d ed. 1882, No. 728; B. N. W. 1874, 579- Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 623. Fuligula (Harelda) alacialis Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 453. Fuligula glacialis Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 403, pi. 312; Synop. 1839, 295; B. Am. vi, 1843, 379, pi. 410. Anas miclonia Bodd. Tab!. P. E. 1783, 58. Anas longicauda Leach, Syst. Cat. Mam. and Birds Brit. Mus. 1816, 37. Anas brachyrhynchos Beseke, Yog. Kurl. 1792, 50. Flatvpus faberi Beehm, Lerb. Eur. Vog. ii, 1824, 1004. Clangula faberi, megauros, musica, brachyrhynchos Beehm, V. D. 1831, 935, 936, 937, 938. Hab. Northern hemisphere; in America, south in winter to nearly the southern bor- der of the United States. Sp. Chae. Adult male in winter: Forehead, crown, occiput, nape, chin, throat, lower part of the neck (all round), and upper part of the chest and back, white ; lores, cheeks, and orbital region light mouse-gray, the eyelids white; a large oblong space cover- ing the sides of the neck, black, becoming light grayish brown in its lower portion. Middle of the back, rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, wingfr, lower part of the chest, whole breast, and upper part of the abdomen, black; the pectoral area very abruptly defined both anteriorly and posteriorly— the latter with a strongly convex outline. Scapulars glauoous-white or very pale pearl-gray; posterior lower parts white, the sides strongly shaded with pearl- gray. Basal half of the bill black, the terminal portion orange-yellow or pinkish, with the nail bluish gray; iris bright carmine; feet light plumbeous, the webs dusky, and claws black. "The outer half of the bill rich orange-yellow, that color extending to the base along the ridge, the unguis and the basal half black, as well as the unguis and edges of the lower mandible" (Audubon). Adult male, in summer: Lores, cheeks, and sides of the forehead, pale mouse-gray ; eyelids, and a postocular longitudinal space, white ; rest of the head, whole neck, and upper parts generally sooty-black; upper part of the back more or less variegated with fulvous; scapulars widely edged with the same, varying on some feathers to ochraceous and pale puff. Breast and upper part of the abdomen dark sooty- grayish, abruptly denned behind with a semicircular outline, as in the winter plumage; re- maining lower parts white, shaded on the sides with pale pearl-gray. Bill black, crossed, in front of the nostrils, by a wide band of orange; iris yellowish brown; feet bluish black, the joints and under surface of the webs black. Adult female, in winter: Head, neck, and lower parts, chiefly white; forehead, medially, and crown, dusky; auricular region, chin, and throat, tinged with the same; chest light dingy gray. Upper parts dusky brown, the scapulars bordered with grayish fulvous or light raw-umber brown, some of the feathers tipped with pale ashy. Adult female, in summer: Head and neck dark grayish brown, with a large space surrounding the eye, and another on the side of the neck, gray- ish white; upper parts as in the winter plumage, but upper part of the back variegated ANATID.E — THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 175 with light brown, the scapulars chiefly of this color, with the central portion dusky. "Bill and feet dusky green; iris yellow" (Audubon). Young: Somewhat similar to the winter female, but much more uniform above, with scarcely any lighter borders to the scapulars, the head and neck light brownish gray, darker on the pileum, and indistinctly whitish be- fore and behind the eye. Downy young: Above, uniform dark hair-brown, relieved only on side of head by a grayish white space on lower eyelid, a similar but smaller spot immediately above the eye, a light brownish gray loral stripe, and a light brownish gray postocular spot; brown on side of head forming a broad stripe from the rictus back to occiput. Lower parts white, interrupted by a distinct jugular collar of sooty hair-brown. Bill and feet dusky (in dried skins). Adult male: Total length, about 23 inches; extent, 30.00; wing, 8.50-9.00; tail, 8.00-8.50; culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.90. Female, smaller, the total length considerably less, owing chiefly to the abbreviation of the middle rectrices. The Old Squaw or South-Southerly is a winter visitant to Illinois, its breeding range being far to the northward. Mr. Nel- son found it to be an abundant winter resident on Lake Michi- gan, where the first stragglers arrived about the last of Octo- ber, the main body arriving about a month later and depart- ing about the first of April, a few lingering until about the last of the month. Farther south it is of less regular occurrence as well as less numerous, though doubtless occurring "off and on'' through the winter on the larger rivers. In its habits there is nothing particularly distinctive of this species, except the character of its notes, which are described as being loud and somewhat musical. Dr. Brewer says that its voice is one of its great peculiarities, and is very distinct from that of any other of the ducks, being really musical wh en heard from a distance, especially if there are a large number of indi- viduals joining in the refrain. The words svutfaautfirsautherly, which some have fancied to resemble its cry and which have accordingly been used as one of its local names, did not, how- ever, to his ear, in the least resemble the sounds which the bird makes: but he adds thai the names "Old Wives" and "Old Squaws" as applied bo the species are not inappropriate, Bince when many are assembled their notes resemble a confused gabble. Geni b SOMATERIA Leach. •s'"'""' ' lOH, q] 1819. App. p. xlvili. Type, Inoj • l.iw. in about as long as the bead, narrower than deep, the tip formed by the very broad, large nail: feathers <>f the forehead advancing forward in a long narrow- pointed Btrlp, between two backward extensions ol the maxilla, which, Intervening b 176 IURDS OF ILLINOIS. the frontal feathers and those of the cheeks, form a distinct basal angle or lobe; maxillary tomium regular and nearly straight, the lamelte completely concealed. Head with some portions bristly feathered (in males); tertials falcate ; tail small, short, and pointed, com- posed of fourteen pointed feathers. Adult males with the plumage pied black and whito (the lower parts chiefly black, the upper surface mostly white), the breast more buff or cream colored, the head varied with light, green, black, etc. Females aadyoung with the plumage barred with dusky and pale fulvous or rusty, the head and neck streaked with the same. Length about 20.00-26.00 inches. The four species which compose this genus differ more or less from one another in form, but they all possess the characters defined above. Like the more or less nearly related genera Arctonetta, Ehiconetta, Histrionicus, and Ccmjrtolawvus, they are birds of high northern latitudes, barely entering the warm tem- perate zone in winter. This genus includes two subgenera, the characters of which are as follows: Somateria. Frontal feathers reaching about half way from the base of the maxilliary angle or lobe to the nostril; feathering of lores extending forward to beneath the middle of the nostril; adult males with scapulars and tertials white and top of head black. Erionetta. Frontal feathers reaching forward as far as the nostrils ; feathering of the lores extending only about half way to the nostrils; adult males with scapulars and tertials black, and top of head light grayish blue. Subgenus SOMATERIA Leach. Somateria Leach, in Ross's Voy. Disc. 1819, App. p. xlviii. Typo, Anns mollissima Linn. Subgen. Chae. Anterior point of feathering on forehead reaching only about half way from the point of the naked angle on side of forehead to nostril; feathering of lores extend- ing forward to at least beneath the posterior end of the nostril; adult males with scapulars and tertials white, the top of head chiefly black. Three species of this subgenus occur in North America, one of them being only subspecifically distinct from the European Eider {8. mollissima). One of them visits northern Illinois dur- ing winter, while another may reasonably be expected to occur there, since farther eastward it is found not uncommonly in Massachusetts. The differential characters of these two species are as follows : S. mollissima borealis. A dul} male with lobe or angle of bill narrow and pointed, its length, from anterior extremity of loral feathering, 1.38-1.52; width across middle, not more than .80; black of head bordered below by pure white, except at posterior extremity; female with angle of bill 1.20-1.40, depth of upper mandibie at base 0.78-0.95. Hab. Green- land, shores of Cumberland Gulf, and northern Labrador, south in winter to Massachu- setts. AXATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 177 S. dresseri. Adult male with lobe or angle of bill broad and rounded at posterior ex- tremity, its length, from anterior extremity of loral feathering, 1.75-2.00; width across middle, not less than .45; black of head bordered below by pale green for nearly the whole length; female with angle of bill about 1.87x.22, depth of upper mandible at base .78. The third American species, the Pacific Eider (S. v^higra) is a larger and finer bird than either of the eastern species. It resembles them in color but has a large V-shaped black mark on the throat and a bright orange-colored bill. It inhabits the northwestern parts of the continent, as well as northeastern Asia. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. AMERICAN EIDER. Popular synonyms. Wamp (Connecticut); Squam Duck (Maine); Big Sea Duck (Long Island). Ana* mollissima Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 122, pi. 71 (nee Linn.). Fuligula [Somateria) mollissima Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 107. Fuligula mollissima Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 344; v.1839,611, pl.246; Synop. 1839,291; B. Am. vi, 1843,349. pi. 405. Somateria mollissima Bonap. Comp. List, 18S8, 57 (part).— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858,809; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 606.— Coues. Key. 1872, 293; Check List, 1873, No. 513. 8omateria dresseri Sharpe, Ann. Mag. N. H. July, 1871, 51, flgs. 1.2.— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 7*;.— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 160— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. E. 1887,110. Somateria mollissima, var. (?) dresseri Coues, Birds N. W. 1874, 580. Somateria mollissima dresseri Ridgw. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 205, 222; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 627 a— Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 731. Had. American coasts of the North Atlantic, from Maine, Newfoundland, etc., to ; in winter, south to Long Island, Delaware, Ontario, Wisconsin, and northern Ohio and Illinois. Sp. Char. Adult male: Similar to S. mollissima, but the "cere" very much bi (.38 to .50 of an inch wide anteriorly), much corrugated, the posterior extremity broad and rounded; green of the head rather more extended, usually following along under- neath the black almost or quite to the bill. "Bill pale grayish yellow, the unguis lighter, the soft tumid part pale flesh- color; iris brown; feet dingy light green, the webs dusky" (Audubon^. A ■ arcely distinguishable from that of 8. mollissima, but basal angles of the maxilla deeper and broader. "Bill pule grayish green; iris and feet as in the male" (Audubon)*, Downy young: Not distinguishable from thai of 8. moUissimail). Total length, about 21.00 to 26.00 inch- . 39.00 to 42.00; wing. 11.15-11.50; culmen. 1.95-2.10; from tip of bill to end of basal angle, 2.75-3.35; greatest width of angle. .38-.50; tarsus, 2.00-2.20; mif bill horn-grayish; feet litcht yellov the webs grayish dusky. -23 178 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Subgenus ERIONETTA Coues. Erionetta Coues, Key to N. Am. Birds, ed. 2. 1884. 709. Type, Anas spectabilis Linn. Subgen. Chab. Anterior point of feathering on forehead reaching as far forward as posterior end of nostril, the loral feathering extending on y about half as far. A dult male with scapulars and tertials black, the top of the head light bluish gray ; lateral base of upper mandible, in adult male, enlarged into a very conspicuous broad lobe, the width of which at widest part exceeds the depth of upper mandible at anterior end of nostril. The single species belonging to this subgenus is the beautiful King Eider (S. spectabilis). Somateria spectabilis (Linn.) KING EIDER. Anas spectabilis Linn. B. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 123; ed. 12, i, 1766. 195. Somateria spectabilis Leach, in Boss's Voy. 1819, App. p. xlviii— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831. 447— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858, 810; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 608. Coues, Key, 1872, 293; Check List, 1873, No. 515; 2d ed. 1882,No. 736; B. N.W. 1874, 581 .— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 629; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 110.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 83— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 162. Fuligula {Somateria) spectabilis Bonap. Synop. 1828, 389.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 414. Fuligula spectabilis Auu. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 523, pi. 276; Synop. 1839, 291; B. Am. vi, 1843, 347, pi. 404. Anas beringii Gm. S. N. i. 1788, 508. Anas superba Leach, Syst. Cat. 1816. Hab. Northern part of the northern hemisphere; in America, south, in winter, to New J-ersey and the Great Lakes, casually to Georgia and coast of California. Sp. Chab. Adult male: Feathers bordering the base of the maxilla all round, a spot beneath and behind the eye, and a large V-shaped mark on the throat, black; entire top of the head and upper part of the nape delicate pearl-gray, or glaucous-blue, growing grad- ually deeper behind, where sometimes bordered by an indistinct blackish line; upper and anterior portion of the cheeks, below the eye and immediately behind the black bordering the side of the bill, and an oblique patch on the auricular region delicate sea-green, the auricular patch abruptly denned anteriorly, but above gradually fading into white along the edge of the bluish gray of the occiput and nape; remainder of the head, neck, middle of the back, wing-coverts (except greater coverts and exterior border of lesser coverts), lining of wing, and a patch on each side of the lump white; breast and chest deep creamy buff. Remainder of the plumage dull black, the falcate tertials with a narrow and rather indistinct central stripe of dull brownish. " Bill flesh-colored, the sides of the upper mandible and soft frontal lobes bright orange; iris bright yellow; feet dull orange, the webs dusky, the claws brownish black" (Audubon). Adult female, in summer: Pale fulvous, varied with black, the latter occupying the central portion of the feathers on the dorsal region, forming streaks on the head and neck, and bars on the chest, sides, flanks, and upper tail-coverts; abdomen and anal region nearly plain grayish brown; wing-coverts, remiges, and rectrices plain grayish dusky, the primaries darker; greater coverts aftd secondaries scarcely, if at all, tipped with white; rump nearly plain dusky. Adult female, in autumn: Rich cinnamon-rufous, varied with black much as in the sum- mer plumage; abdomen and anal region plain' brown; greater coverts and secondaries distinctly tipped with white. Young male: Head and neck plain umber-brown; upper parts dusky, the feathers bordered with fulvous, especially the scapulars; rump, greater ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 179 wing-coverts, remiges, and tail plain dusky; upper tail-coverts and lower parts barred with pale fulvous and dusky, the abdomen nearly plain grayish brown. "Bill pale green- ish gray; iris dull yellow; feet dull ochre" (Audubon). Young female: Similar to the young male, but head and neck grayish-buff, finely streaked with dusky. Total length, about 20.00-25.00 inches; wing, 10.50-11.25; bill, from base of frontal lobe to tip, in the male, 1.20-1.30; tarsus, 1.80-1.86; middle toe, 2.20. The female of this species may be easily distinguished from that of S. dresseri by the very different outline of the feathering at the base of the bill, as explained, page 176. This is the only one of the Eiders the range of which extends com- pletely across the northern portion of the northern hemisphere. Its habits are essentially the same as those of the other species of the same genus. It migrates south in winter to a greater or less distance, but in varying numbers, according to the character of the season. It breeds in the arctic regions. Genus OIDEMIA Fleming. Oidemia Flem. Philos. Zool. ii, 1822,260, Type, by elimination. Anas nigra Linn. Gen. Chab. Distance from posterior border of nostril to angle of mouth eaual to or greater than distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of upper mandible. Adult males uniform black, with or without white speculum, and with or without white patches on head ; bill brightly colored in life with tints of yellow, orange, or red, but partly Dlack. Adult fe- males plain brownish, lighter and more grayish beneath, the white head-markings of the male (if any) indistinctly indicated. This genus includes three subgenera, with the following char- acters : A. Longth of commissure much less than inner toe, without claw; adult males entirely uniform black; bill of adult male much swollen on top at base; distance from anterior end of nostril to nearest feathers of forehead greater than distance from same point to tip of bill. 1. Oidemia. B. Length of commissure much more than length of inner toe without olaw. «. Feathering of head advancing nearly or quite as far forward on lores as on forehead : wing with a white "speculum." 2. Melanitta. b. Feathering of head advancing much farther forward on forehead than on lores; wing without white "speculum." S. Pelionetta. Subgenus OIDEMIA Fleming. 'lift Flem. Philos. ZooL Ii. 1822,260. Type, by elimination, Anas nigra Link. Subgen. Chab. Feathers at the base of the maxilla forming a nearly straight oblinur liae from the forehead baok to fclje riotus, advancing BOaroely, if at all. on the forehead; bill very deep through the base, where sometimes elevated into a roundish knob, and much do- 180 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. pressed toward the end. No white whatever on the plumage, which is deep black, the bill partly orange, in the males. Females dull grayish brown (lighter below), the bill wholly- black. Two species only of this genus are known, one European, the other American. They are much alike, but may be distinguished by the shape and coloration of the bill. Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich. AMERICAN SCOTER. Popular synonyms. American Black Scoter; Butter-bill, Butter-billed Coot, Hollow- billed Coot (New England); Scoter Duck: Yellow-bill; Copper-bill; Copper-nose; Pumpkin-blossom Coot; Smutty; Fitzy ; Sleigh-bell Duck (Maine). * Anas nigra Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 135, pi. 72 (not of Linn.). Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 450— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858,807; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 604— A. O. U. Check List,1886, No. 163— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887,111. (Edemia americana Coues, Key, 1872, 293; Check List, 1873, No. 516; 2d ed. 1882. No. 737; B. N. W. 1874, 581.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 630— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884,89. Fuligula (Oidemia) americana Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,422. Fuligula americana Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 117,pl.408; Synop. 1839,290; B. Am. vi,1843, 343, pi. 403. Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of northern North America, south in winter to the Ohio River, New Jersey, and California. Mountains of Colorado (Boulder Co., June! ; Mrs. M. A. Maxwell). Sp. Chae. Adult male: Entire plumage uniform deep black, the neck very faintly glossed with dull violaceous, the feathers somewhat distinctly defined; basal half of the maxilla, except a stripe along the tomium, bright orange (yellowish in the dried skin), the remainder of the bill black; iris hazel; legs and feet dull black. "The bulging part of the upper mandible is bright orange, paler above, that color extending to a little before the nostrils; the rest of the upper mandible, including its basal margin to the breadth of from three- to two-twelfths of an inch, black, as in the lower mandible. Iris brown. Feet brown- ish black" (Audubon). Adult female: Above, dull dark grayish brown, feathers of the back and scapulars tipped with lighter; lower parts lighter, the pale t ps broader, though lacking on the posterior portions; lateral and lower parts of the head and neck nearly uni- form very pale grayish brown, quite abruptly defined against the uniform dark brown of the pileum and nape. Bill entirely black. Young: Upper parts, chest, sides, and flanks, uniform dark grayish brown; sides of head and neck, chin and throat, dirty whitish, tinged with brownish gray, quite abruptly defined against the dark brown of the pileum and nape; abdomen whitish, each feather marked with a dusky grayish brown bar just beneath the surface, some of these bars exposed; anal region and crissum grayish brown, the feathers tipped with w^hite. Bill and feet black. Total length, about 17 to 19 inches; extent, 29 to 34. Male: Wing. 8.75-9.50; culmen, 1.65- 1.80; tarsus, 1.65-2.00; middle toe, 2-50-2.80. Female, slightly smaller. The Black Scoter is a northern species which visits the United States in winter. It is another of those species, usually classed as "sea ducks," which occur more or less numerously on the larger waters of the interior. Professor Cooke, in his "Bird Cf. Tkumbull, Names and Portraits of Birds. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 181 Migration in the Mississippi Valley" (p. 73), states that Mr. C. W. Butler informed him that on May 2, 1883, he saw fifty of these ducks at Anna, Union county, all busily engaged in picking up millet seed that had just been sown. If no mistake of identification was made in this case, the observation in ques- tion apparently reveals a new feature in the habits of the species, which has been supposed to feed exclusively in the water and to subsist chiefly on fishes and their spawn and other aquatic animal food. Subgenus MELANITTA Boie. Melanitta Boie, Isis, 1822, 564. Type, by elimination. Anas fusca Linn. Melanetta Geay, 1840; List Gen. 1841, 95.— Baibd. B. N. Am. 1858, 805. Maceranas Less. Man. ii, 1828,'414. Same type. Subgen. Chab. Feathers at the base of the bill extending forward almost to the nostril in three prominent angles— one on each side of the maxilla, the other on top, at the base of the culmen; sides of the maxilla rather sunken or compressed above the tomium. Colors uni- form black or brown, with a white speculum on the wings, the adult male with a white spot immediately beneath the eye. This subgenus differs from Oidemia and Pelionetta in the form of the bill, particularly in the outline of the feathering at the base, as defined above. Three species only are known, one peculiar to northern North America, one to northern Europe, but occurring also in Greenland, and the other to northeastern Asia. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Popular synomyms. American Velvet Scoter; Velvet Duck; White- winged Coot; In Coot; Bull Coot; Assemblyman (Maryland). Ams fusca Wils. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 137, pi. 72 (not of Li Fuligula [Oidemia) fusca Bonap. Synop. 1&28. S90.->NuTT. Man. ii. lN3t. 41!>. Oidemia fusca Sw. & Run. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, K9. (Edemia fusoa Coues. Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No. 738. Fuligula fusca Aud. Orn. Blog. iii, 1835, 154, pi. 247; Synop. 1839, 280; B. Am. Yl. 1843, 382, pi. 401. - Fuligula bimaculata Hebbebt. Field Sports. 2d ed. ii. 1848.366, flg. (young Oidemia [Pelionetta) bimaculata Baibd, B \. Am. 1868,808. Oidemia v Load. Nat. Sol. Phils, v, 1850, 126. Vela ina Baibd, B. N. An . B. 1869, No. 60L— Rmow. \ ..m. N. Am. B. 1831, No. 632.— B. B. & R. Water B, V Am. ii, 1884 182 BJRDS OF ILLINOIS. (Edemia fusca, b. (?) velvetina Coues, Birds N. W. 1874, 582. (Edemia fusca var. (?) Coues, Key, 1872, 294; Check List, 1873, No. 517. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. Rev. Crit. de l'Orn. Europ. de Degl. 1850,108.— A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 165— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 112. Hab. Northern North America; chiefly maritime, but occurring on various inland waters; south in winter to the Middle States, Great Lakes, Mississippi River near St. Louis, Illinois River, and southern California. Sp. Chae. Adult male: Base of the culmen eleyated into a prominent knob; lateral base of the maxilla sunken beneath the feathers of the lores. Plumage uniform brownish black. A crescentic spot beneath the eye, and extending backward for half an inch or more, secondaries, and greater wing-coverts, white. Knob of the bill, with base, and mar- gin of the maxilla, black; "sides of the bill red-lead, fading into orange;" "nail vermilion, the anterior flat portion of the upper mandible whitish;" iris "white tinged with straw-yel- low; legs scarlet, with black webs, and a tinge of black in the joints" (Nuttall). Young male: Dark sooty brown, the head and neck sooty black; white on wings as in the adult, but no white spot beneath the eye. Adult female: Uniform grayish fuliginous, the wings darker: white speculum as in the male, but no white about the head, or with faint indica- tions of white spot at base of maxilla and behind the eye. In summer, feathers of the back, scapular region, and che3t narrowly tipped with light brownish gray. Bill uni- form dusky; iris yellow; feet as in the male, but duller in color. Total length, about 19.75 to 22.50 inches; extent, 36.00 to 40.00; wing, 10.75-12.00; com- missure, 2.82; tarsus, 2.08. Professor Cooke records the White- winged Scoter as being "generally distributed throughout Illinois in winter, but most common on Lake Michigan." Like the common species (O. americana) it frequents the larger bodies of water, usually riding far out from the shore, and in general habits is very much like its relatives. Subgenus PELIONETTA Kaup. Pelionetta Kaup, Sk. Entw. Europ. Thierw. 1829, 107. Type, Anas perspicillata Linn. Subgen. Chae. Feathers on the forehead extending in a broad strip nearly or quite as far as the posterior end of the nostrils, but those of the lores not advancing forward of the rictus ; the lateral base of the maxilla in the adult male greatly swollen, and with the basal outline convex; nail very large and broad, but narrow terminally. No white on the wing, but the head with large white patches (indistinct in the female and young). Except in the form of the bill, as described above, this subgenus very closely resembles Melanitta and Oidemia, but is sufficiently distinct. Only one species is known. ANATIDJS— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 183 Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.) SURF SCOTIR. Popular synonyms. Surf Duck; Sea Duck; Skunk-bill; Skunk-head Coot; Horse-head Coot, or Horse-head; Hollow-billed Coot (New England); Gray Coot; Spectacled Cool; Surf Coot (Long Island); Google-nose; Patch-head; Plaster-bill; (Snuff- taker; Morocco-jaw; Blossom-bill, etc., etc.* Anas perspicilbita Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 125;!ed. 12,3, 1766, 201.— Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1821. 49, pi. 6?. Oidemia perspicillata STEPHENS.Gen.Zo61.xii.pt. ii, 1821, 219.— Sw. &Uich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 449.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 166.— Rldgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 113. Fuligula {Oidemia) perspicillata Bonap. Synop. 1828, 389.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 416. (Edemia perspicillata Coues, Key, 1872, 294; Check List. 1873, No. 518; 2d ed. 1882. No. 739; B. N. "W. 1874, 582. Pelionetta perspicillata Reich. Syst. Av. 1852, p. viii.— Baird. B. N. Am. 1858. 806; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 602.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 633.— B. B. & ft. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 98. Fuligula perspicillata Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838/16], pi. 317; Synop. 1839,289; B. Am. vi 1843, 337, pi. 402. Pelionetta trowbridgii Baird, B. N. Am. 1858. 806; Cat. N.iAm. B. 1859. No. 603. (Edemia perspicillata, var. trowbridgii Coues, Key, 1872. 295; Check List, 1873, No. 518 a. (Edemia perspicillata, b. trowbridgii Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 592. (Edemia perspicillata trowbridgii Coues. Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 740. Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of northern North America; south in winter to Atlantic coast. of the United States, to the Ohio River, Kansas, etc.. in the interior, and Lower California, on the Pacific side; accidental in Europe. Jamaica (and other West India islands?) in winter. Sp. Chae. Adult male: General color deep black, very intense above, more sooty on the lower surface; a white patch on the forehead, the anterior outline Isemicireular or somewhat angular, and reaching forward a little in advance of the lateral base of the bill, the posterior outline almost directly transverse, and la little posterior to the middle of the eye; nape with a somewhat shield-shaped, or cuneate. longitudinal patch of pure white, having the upper outline almost directly transverse. Bill chiefly orange-red. deeper (intense red in some specimens) above the nostrils: swollen base of the maxilla with a large, irregularly roundish, somewhat quadrate, or trap.- of deep black, with a light-colored space (bluish white in life) in front, as far as the trils; nails duller orange, or dingy grayish; iris yellowish white; feet orange-red, the webs greenish dusky; elaws black. "Upper mandible with a nearly square black patch at the base, margined with orange, except in front, where there is a patch of bluish white extending to near the nostrils, prominent partoverthe nostrils deep reddish orange, becoming lighter toward the unguis, and shaded Into rich yellow I margins; the unguis dingy grayish yellow; lower mandible flesh-colored. Unguis darker. Iri- brighl yellowish white. Tarsi and toes orange-red. with webs dnsky, tinged with gi olaws black" (Audubon). Adult/em «n and nap a blaok; rest of the head ashy brown, with an Indistinct whitish patch (n I always Indi anterior portion of the lores, bordering the lateral I i bill; upper parts brownish ''"^k>' "' ''"'"' feathers sometimes showing paler tip 1 oming nearly white ,,,, the abdomen, the feathers of the breast and side- tipped with "'" •;l",'•• ,l"' ;i"'''i region and crlssum uniform dusky. Bill greenish black, scaroelv swollen at the base, where the black spol ol the male is Bllghtly, if at all. Ind oatedj iris ■ wish whit,-; -feet yellowish orange, webs graj Young: similar to the adult female, but head with • .•» and Portraits of Birds. 184 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. one against the lateral base of the bill, the other over the auriculars, behind and below the eye; plumage above, more uniform than in the adult female, and feathers every- where of a softer texture. Total length, about 19.00-20.00 inches; extent, 31.00-34.00; wing, 9.25-9.75; culmen, 1.30-1.60; from tip of bill to lateral base. 2.35-2.60; distance through base of bill horizontally, be- tween most prominent point of lateral swellings, 1.10-1.40; tarsus, 1.55-1.85; middle toe. 2.15-2.55 (twenty examples). The handsome Surf-Duck is also a winter visitant to Illinois, where, according to Professor Cooke, it occurs on all the larger streams, as well as on Lake Michigan. Mr. Nelson records it as numerous on the Calumet marshes, during the fall and winter of 1875, where it arrived the last of October and remained until toward the end of March. The following summary of its habits is given by Col. N. S. Goss, in The Auk, for April, 1889, p. 123: "This species of sea duck is abundant upon both coasts, and during the breeding season is quite common upon the large northern inland waters; breeding from Sitka, Alaska, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence north to the Arctic coast. Its food consists largely of shell-fish (the mussel is a favorite, the shells of which appear to digest as easily as the animal within them) and fishes, and various forms of life also help to make up the bill of fare. Its flesh is coarse, and rather rank in flavor. The birds are at home as well in the surging surf as upon the smoother waters, resting and sleeping at night far out from the shore. They rise from the surface in a running, laborious manner, but when fairly on the wing fly rapidly, and in stormy weather hug close to the water. While feeding they are very active, constantly and rapidly diving, one after the other, con- tinually disappearing and popping up." Genus ERISMATURA Bonapakte. Oxyura Boxap. Synop. 1828, 390. Type Anas rubida Wils. (Sec Oxyurus Swains. 1827). Erismatura Bonap. Saggio. Distr. Met. 1832, 143. Same type. Gymnura Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 426. Same type. Undina Gould, Birds Eur. v, 1836. pi. 383. Type. Anas mersa Pall,= .4. leucocephala Scop. Cerconecles Wagl. IsK 1832,282. Type, A. leucocephala Scop. Bythonessa Glog. Handb. 1842. 472. Type, A. leucocephala Scop. Gen. Chab. Bill about as long as the head (much longer than the tarsus), very broad, widened toward the end, elevated at the base, the nostrils very small, and situated very near the culmen; maxillary unguis very small, narrow, and linear, the terminal half bent ANATIDjE— the swans, geese, and ducks. 185 abruptly downward and backward, so as to be Invisible from above; tall more than half as long as the wings, much graduated, consisting of eighteen very stiff, narrow feathers, with the shafts strong and rigid, and grooved underneath, toward the base; the tail-coverts extremely short, scarcely covering the base of the tail; wings very short, and very con- cave beneath, the primaries scarcely or not at all ext -nding beyond the tertials; tarsus very short, much less than one half as long as the iongest toe. Only one species, the common Ruddy Duck {E. rubida) occurs in North America. Erismatura rubida (Wils.) RUDDY DUCK Popular synonyms. Spine-tailed Duck; Heavy-tailed Duck; Quill-tail Coot, Stiff-tail. Bristle-tail; Rook, or Rook Duck (Potomac River), Sleepy Duck. Sleepy Coot, Sleepy Brothe ; Fool Duck, Deaf Duck, Shot-pouch, Daub Duck. Stub-and-twist. Booby Coot, Batter Scoot. B:ather-scoot.etc.,etc.; *Pato zambullidor de pico azul (Mexico). A nas rubida Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 128, 131 pi. 71, fig. 5. 6. Fuligula (Gymnura) rubida Nutt. Man. ii, 1831,426. Fuligula rubida Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A ii, 1831, 455.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 326; pi. 343; Synop. 1839, 288; B. Am. vi. 1843. 324. pi. 399. Erismatura rubida Bonap. Comp. List. 1838, 59— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858. 811; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 609.— Coues, Key, 1872, 295; Check List, 1873, No. 519; 2d ed. 1882. No. 741; Birds N. W. 1874, 583.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 483.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877. 626; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 634; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 113.- B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1884, 104.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886. No. 167. Anas jamaicensis Ord, ed. Wils. viii, 1825. 138. Hab. The whole of North America, breeding nearly throughout its range, which ex- tends south to Guatemala and Colombia; Cuba and other West India Islands, Sp. Char. Adult male, full plumage: Pileum and upper half of the nape uniform black; entire side of the head, below the eyes, including the malar region and chin, puEe white; rest of neck, entire upper parts, sides, and flanks, rich chestnut-rufous or purplish ferruginous; wing-coverts and middle of the rump dusky grayish brown, minutely mottled with paler; remiges dull brownish dusky; rectrices brownish black, the shafts deep black; lower parts white on the surface, but the concealed portion of all the feathers dark brown- ish gray, showing when the feathers are disarranged, and in midsummer specimens com- pletely exposed by abrasion of the tips of the feathers; chest strongly washed withrulvous- buff, this sometimes invading the abdomen. Lower tail-coverts entirely white, to the roots of the feathers. "Bill and edge of the eyelids grayish blue; iris hazel; feet dull grayish blue, webs inclining to dusky ; claws grayish brown" (Audubon). Adult female: Top of the bead, down to below the eyes, and upper parts generally, du-ky grayish brown, minutely freckled with pale grayish fulvous (more reddish on the head): remainder of the head dirtv grayish white, crossed longitudinally by astripe of speckled dusky, running from the rictus backward across the auriculars, parallel with the lower edge of the brown of the top Of the head; neck pale brownish gray, fading gradually into the white of the chin; lower parts, except Bides and Hanks (winch are similar to the abdomen, but darker), as in tho adult malr. foung: Similar to the adult female. Down;/ young: Above, dark smoky brown, darker on tho head; a whitish spot on each -ide the bark; a brownish white stripe beneath the eye. from tho bill to near tho occiput; beneath this, a narrower dusky • Also, Hiekory-head, Greaser, Paddy, Noddy. Paddy-whack, Dinkey, Light-wood knot. Hard-tack, and so forth, according to tho locality or the particular individual who is asked to name the Bpeoieel S«e Tbumbull'8 Aot)w« ana I'ortraita of Birdt. —21 186 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. brown one, confluent with the brown of the nape, reaching almost or quite to the rictus Lower parts grayish white, strongly shaded with sooty brown across the chest. Length, about 13.50-16.00; wing, 5.75-6.00; culmen, about 1.50-1.60. Although the collection of the National Museum contains nu- merous examples of this species, only a small portion of them have the sex indicated, while on a still smaller number is the date noted. It is therefore difficult to determine satisfactorily, from the material at hand, the seasonal and sexual differences of plumage. Certain it is, however, that specimens in the plumage described above as that of the adult male in full plumage occur both in summer and winter. Audubon says that the "adult female in summer" "presents the same char- acters as in the male;" but although this may be true, the series under examination affords no indication of it. He de- scribes the "male one year old" as having "a similar white patch on the side of the head; upper part of head and hind neck dull blackish brown; throat and sides of neck grayish brown, lower part of neck dull reddish brown, waved with dusky; upper parts as in the adult, but of a duller tint; lower parts grayish white." Probably no North American duck has so extensive a breed- ing range as the present species, since it breeds as far south as Guatemala — perhaps even farther; as far north as Great Slave Lake, York Factory, and other localities in the subarctic portions of the continent, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. According to Professor Cooke, it winters from southern Illinois southward. "Audubon noticed it in large numbers during the winter months in Florida, sometimes shooting upwards of forty in a single morning; and he was informed by Dr. Bachman that this species had been becoming more and more abundant in South Carolina; yet he had never met with an example in full summer plumage. This duck seemed to be equally fond of salt, brackish, and fresh water. In the Southern States it congregates in great flocks. Its flight is rapid, with a whirring sound, occasioned by the concave form of the wings. It rises from the water with considerable difficulty, being obliged to assist itself with its broad webbed feet, and for that purpose to run on the surface for several yards. From the ground, howeyer, it can spring up at once. This duck swims with ease and grace and deeply im- ANATID.E— the swans, geese, and ducks. 187 mersed, It is also extremely expert at diving; and when wounded, often escapes by doing this, and then hiding in the grass, if there is any accessible." ( Water Bird* of North America.) Mr. Salvin found this species more easily procurable than any other of the ducks frequenting the lake of Dueiias, in Guatemala, on account of a peculiarity in its powers of flight which renders its escape less easy than it would otherwise be. It can fly as well as any other when it is once fairly started, but rises with great difficulty from the water; and, in consequence of this, it can be approached within easy gunshot by sailing down upon it before the wind. Sometimes, however, it seeks safety by div- ing; and when it does this, so rapid are its motions that it is almost certain to escape. The eggs of the Ruddy Duck are remarkably large in propor- tion to the size of the bird, and are distinguished from those of every other North American duck by the roughness of the shell. Subfamily MERGING— The Mergansers. Genus MERGANSER Brisson. Merganser Bkiss. Orn. vi. 1760, 230. Type, Mergus merganser Linn. Gen. Char. Bill longer than the head, the breadth uniformly about equal to the depth, the serrations conical, a.-ute, an 1 pointed backward; crest occipital, pointed, or scarcely developed and depressed. Tarsus nearly three fourths the middle toe. with claw. Tail about half the length of the wings Bill mostly re Idish. Adult maleswitb head and upper neck greenish black, the occiput crested; rump, upper tail-eoverts.an I tail, plain ash-gray; rest of upper parts mainly pied black and whi.ish: lower parts rioh creamy white or pale salmon-color. Adult females with head and upper neck cinnamon-brownish (occiput crested, as in the male), chin aud part of throat white; upper parts grayish, with some white on wings; lower parts bully white. The two North American species of this genus may be readily distinguished as follows, the females alone resembling one anot her: 1. M. americanus. Nostrils situated near the middle of the maxilla; frontal feathers extend- ing farther forward than hose on lateral base of bill. Adult male: Head and most of the neck greenish black; head slightly orested; ones! and oth«r lower parte creamy white, or pale salmon-color. Adult female ii.il end neok reddish (ohln and white), the occlpul withaful cresl of lengthened feathers. Above, ohlefly bluish gray. 2. M. serrator. Nostrils Bltuated ne ir the b is,, ol the m ixllla; feathers on lateral base ol bill extending farther forward than those onthe fdrehead. Adult maU Bead dull greenish black, the ocolpul with a longpoii [narrow feathe b; neok and sides ,,f th> ill buff, or lik'ht cinnamon, streaked with blaok: other lower parts 188 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. mainly white. A dult female: Very similar in color to that of M. americanus, but dis- tinguished by different position of the nostrils, and different outline of the feathering at base of the bill, fcize also smaller. Merganser americanus (Cass.) AMERICAN MERGANSER. Popular synonyms. Buff-breasted Merganser; Buff- breasted Sheldrake: Saw-bill; Fish Duck; Sheldrake, etc. Mergus merganser Wils. Am. Orn. viii. 1814, 68, pi. 68 (nee Linn.).— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 461.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 460.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838,261, pi. 331; Synop.1839, 297; B. Am. vi. 1843, 387, pi. 411.— Coues, Key, 1872, 296; Check List, 1873, No. 521; 2d ed. 1882, No. 743; Birds N. W. 1874, 583.— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 483. Mergus americanus Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vi, 1853, 187— Baied, B. N. Am. 1858, 813; Cat. N. Am B. 1859, No. 611. Mergus castor, a. americanus Bonap. Comot. Rend, xliii, 1856. 652. Mergus merganser ft. americanus Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 627. Mergus merganser americanus Ridgw. Proc. U. S.Nat. Mus.iii, 1880, 205; Nom. N. Am. B- 1881, No. 636.— B. B. A R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 112. Merganser americanus Stejn. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 177.— A.O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 129— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 89. Hab. Whole of North America, breeding from northern border of United States north- ward. Sp. Chae. Adult male: Head and upper half (or more) of the neck deep black, the elongated feathers of the pileum and nape distinctly, other portions faintly, glossed with greenish; wholeback and innermost scapulars deep black; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail, plain cinereous; sides of the crissum (anteriorly) and femoral region, whitish, narrowly barred with slate-color; primary-coverts, primaries, and outer secondaries, plain blackish dusky. Remainder of the plumage fine light salmon-buff in life, fading to buffy white in dried skins; innermost secondaries narrowly skirted with black; base of the ■ reater cove ts deep black, forming a distinct bar about half way across the wing; anterior border of the wingdusky grayish or blackish. Bill deep vermilion-red, the culmen and nail black; feet deep red ; iris carmine. A dull female: Head and upper halt of the neck reddish cinna- mon, the pileum a' d occipital crest (the latter much longer than in the male) more brown, the lores grayish; chin, throat, and malar region, white; upper parts, sides, and flanks bluish gray, the innermost secondaries white, the exposed portion of the lower greater coverts white, tipped with dusky; outermost secondaries, primary coverts, and primaries, uniform slate-color. Lower pa7ts, except laterally, pale creamy salmon-c olor, fading to nearly white in dried specimens, the feathers of the chest ash-gray beneath the surface. Bill, eyes, and feet, as in the male, but less brilliant in color. Downy Young. Upper hall of the head, with nape, reddish brown, more reddish on the nape, where encroaching on the sides of the neck; remaining upper parts hair-brown, or grayish umber, relieved by four white spots, one on the posterior border of each wing, and one on each side the rump; lower parts white; a stripe on the lower half of th • lores, run- ning backward beneath the eye, white; below this a narrower st. ipe of deep brown, from the rictus to the auricular region; a wide stripe, occupying the upper half of the loies, from the bdl tothe eye, bla kish brown, this separated from the umber of the forehead by a very indistin t streak of brownish white or pale brown.* Adult male. Total length, about 27 inches, extent, 36; wing, 10.50-11.25; culmen, 1.90-2.20; tarsus, 1.90-2.00; middle toe, 2.10-2.50. Adult female. Total length, about 24 inches, extent, 34; wing, 9 60-9.75; culmen, 1.80-2.00; tarsus, 1.85-1.90; midde toe. 2.25-2.40. * Described from No. 5,783, Briber's Pass, Rocky Mountains, Aug. 13, 1856; W. S. Wood. Distinguishable with certainty from the young of M. serrator by the different position of the nostril. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 189 Apparently the only difference of coloration between this spe- cies, and the European M, merganser, is that adult males have the black at the base of the greater wing-coverts exposed, so as to form a very distinct band about half way across the wing, while those of the latter have this black entirely concealed by the overlying middle coverts. There is, however, a difference in the proportions of the bill in the two forms which seems to be of specific importance. In the females, this difference in the bill is apparently the only obvious distinguishing character. The American Merganser, more commonly known as the Shel- drake, Fish Duck, or Saw-bill, winters from Illinois and other states in the same latitude southward, and breeds from Iowa, Minnesota, etc., north to the Arctic districts. Formerly it nested in Pennsylvania and other portions of the more eastern United States, and in the western portions it still breeds verv much farther south than it is known to do on the eastern side of the Mississippi, Dr. Mearns having found it nesting along various mountain streams which are tributary to the Verdi and Salt Rivers in Arizona. The Merganser feeds chiefly on fish, and for this reason its flesh is rank and unpalatable. Hearne says that it devours its food in such quantities that it is frequently obliged to disgorge several timts before it can rise from the water, and that it can swallow fishes six or seven inches in length. Its nest, like that of many other ducks, is usually p'aced in cavities of trees. Merganser serrator (Linn.) RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Popular synonyms. Red-breasted Goosander or Sheldrake; Gar-bill; Sea- Robin. MerguM serrator Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, ]29j ed. 12, i. I7fit;. 808.— Was. Am. Orn. viii, 1811. 81. pi. 69.-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii. 1831, 462.— NUTT. Man. h. [884, 468.— Ato! Orn. Biop. v. 18(9. 92, pt. 401; Bynop. 1889, 298; B. Am. vi. 1843, 895, pi. 412.— Baibd] B. N. Am. 1-:,^. 814; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. CIU.-Coues. Key, 1872, 296; Oheok List, 1873, No. 522; 2d ed. 1882, No. 744; B. N. w. I- ssit. /..,,!. wi,... Exp. 1875, •181,-Ridow. Orn. 40th Tar. lsTT. <.jr: V >m, N Am. ]:. 1881, N B. B. & B. Water B. X Am. ii. 1884, 116. Mergarmer nerrator BchIff. Mus. Orn. 1789, basal half black, partly exposed, thus forming a narrow band or bar across the wing; two innermost tertials wholly black, the rest white, edged with black ; innermost secondaries entirely white ; outer secondaries, primary-coverts, and primaries black. Rump and upper tail-coverts dark ash-gray with black shafts, centrally, finely mottled laterally with white-and-black zigzags. Tail slate-gray, with black shafts. Bill deep carmine, the culmen black, the nail yellowish; iris carmine; feet bright red.* Adult female: Headani neck cinnamon-brown, duller or more grayish on the pileum and nape, the crest shorter than in the male ; throat and lower parts white, the sides and flanks ash-gray. Upper parts dark ash-gray, the feathers with darke shafts; exposed portion of greater coverts and secondaries white, the base of the latter black, but seldom showing as a narrow bar; primaries bla k. Bill, eyes, and feet as in the mal>\ but less intense in color. Young: Similar to the adult female, but chin and throat pale reddish, instead of pure white, tne lo > er part of the neck and chest, brown- ish white, with the feathers mouse-gray beneath th ^ surface; black at base of the second- arie exposed, forming a narrow bar between two white areas. Downy young: Above, hair-brown, the posterior border of each wing, and a large spot on each side of the rump, yellowish white; lower parts including th ■ malar region, yellowish white; side of head and neck reddish cinn imon, paler on the lores, which are bordered above by a dusky stripe running backwai d to the anterior angle of the eye, and below by a dark brown, rather indistinct, riotal stripe; lower eyelid white. Total length, about 20.00 to 25.00 inches: extent, 32.00 to 35.00; wing, 8.60-9.00; culmen, 2.50; tarsus, 1.80-1.U0; middle toe, 2.40. The Red-breasted Merganser (sadly mis-named, since the breast does not even approach red in color), is a winter resi- dent throughout Illinois and breeds from the northern portion of the State northward. Its habits are so like those of the buff-breasted species {M. americanus) as to require no special description here. Genus LOPHODYTES Reichenbach. Lophodytes Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1852, p. ix. Type, Mergus cucullatus Linn. Gen. Char. Bill shorter than the head, black; serrations compressed, low, short, inserted obliquely on the edge of the bill. Tail more than half as long as the wings. Tarsus about two thirds as long as the longest toe (with claw). Head with a full, semi- circular, compressed crest of hair-like feathers. * Two adult males received at the National Museum from Wood's Holl. Mass., April 14, 1886, had the soft parts colored as follows: Lower mandible and feet rich scarlet-lake, the webs of the latter brownish, becoming neaily black on the median portion; ujper mandible blackish brown, becoming dull red along edges. Total length, before skinning, 23.50 and 24 inches respectively. ANATID.E— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 191 The genus Lophodytes is quite distinct from Merganser in the possession of the above characters. The bill is also much more depressed terminally, and, in proportion to its length, deeper through the base. The nostrils are situated far back, as in M. serrator. But one species is known, unless the Mergus octo- setaceus of Vieillot, a South American bird, which we have not seen, be referable to this genus rather than to Mergus. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.) HOODED MERGANSER. Popular synonyms. Hooded Sheldrake; Fan-crest; Round-crest; Pi kaxe Sheldrake; Wood Sheldrake; Wood Duck; Swamp Sheldrake; Pond Sheldrake; Cock Robin Duck; Hairy-head; Snowl (Maryland); Moss head; Tow-head; Tadpole, etc.. etc. Mergus cucullatus Linn. S. N. ed, 10, i, 1758, 129; ed. 12, i, 17G6, 207.— Wll8. Am. Orn. viii 1814, pi. lxix, lig. 1— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii,1831,403.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834,465 — Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835. 246, pi. 233; Synop. 1839. 2'9; B. Am. vi, 1843, 402, pi. 413.— Coues, Key, 1872, 296; Check List, 1873. No. 523; 2d ed. 1882, No. 74",; B. N. W. 1874, 581.— Hensh. Zoo!. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 481. Lophodytes cucullatus Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1852. p. ix — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 816; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 613.— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 627; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 638; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 89.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 121- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 131. Hab. All of North America, south to Mexico and Cuba, north to Alaska, and acci- dentally to Greenland; breeds nearly throughout its range; Bermudas in autumn; casual in Europe. Sp. Char. Adult male: Head, neck, back, and scapulars black: crest ch'efly pure white, but bordered by a distinct "rim" of black; forehead, and feathers round base of the bill, dark fuliginous, but this blending insensibly into the deep black. Wing-coverts dark gray, lighter and more ashy posteriorly: greater coverts broadly tipped with white, the black, this exposed sufficiently to show a distinct band; inner secondaries with th ir ex- posed surface (in closed wing) white, the basal portion black, showing narrowly b' yond the end of the greater coverts; tertials with a central stripe of whit'-. Primaries, primary cov- erts, rump, upper tail-coverts, ami tail brownish dusky. Sides of the breasteroesed by two black crescents, project in',' from the black of the back, these interdigitating with two white ones, tie- last crescent being black. Sides and flanks rusty cinnamon (more grayish ante- riorly), narrowly undulated with black; remaining.lower parts white, the posterior part of tie- orissum mottled with grayish brown. Bill deep black; ii is bright yellow; legs and feet yellowish brown, the claws dusky. Adult f emu '<-: Head, neck, chest, and upper parts generally, grayish brown, darker above, the crest reddish hair-brown, or doll cinnamon, smaller and of looser texture than in the male; chin, upper part of the throat, and lower parts, except sides, and posterior part of the orissum, white; middle feathers of the grea'er wing-coverts tipped with white; innermost secondaries with their ez osed surface white, exoi pi at tic base, Maxilla Mack, edged with orange; mandible orange; iris hazel; feet dusky. Young; Similar to the adult female, but orest ru- dimentary, or wanting, the >ides and posterior part of the orissum more distinctly brown. Downy young: Above, deep hair-brown, darkest on the hack and rump: 192 • BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. posterior border of the arm-wing, a sma'l spot on each side of the back (nearly con- cealed by the closed wing), and a larger one on each side of the rump grayish white. Lower half of the head (from about on a line with the eye) brownish buff, paler on the chin and throat; chest light dingy brownish; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brown, like the upper parts. Total length, about 17.5d-19.00 inches; extent, 24.00-26.00; wing, 7.50-7.90 ; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.25-1.30; middle toe, 1.90-1.95. , The Hooded Merganser is a common summer resident in Illi- nois, inhabiting wooded swamps and the dense timber along streams, where it may be seen perching high in the lofty trees, in knot-holes and other cavities of which it makes its nest. OEDER 8TEGANOPODES— THE TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. 195 Order STEGANOPODES — The Totipalmate Swimmers. Characters. Hind toe lengthened, united by a web with the inner toe; bill longer than the head, with sharp cutting edges, and usually with a curved maxillary unguis or terminal hook (wanting in Anhingidce and Phaethontidce). Throat usually with a more or less distensible pouch of naked skin, situated between the mandibular rami (wanting in Phaethontidce). Nostrils obsolete (except in Phaethont idee). Leaving out the genus Phoethon which, if truly belonging to this order, is at least an aberrant form, the Steganopodes con- stitute a very natural group of birds, the main characters of which are as given above. So far as its external appearance goes, Phoethon is very similar to the larger Terns, the most obvious difference being in the character of the feet. Following are the characters of the several families belonging to this order, the names of those represented in the Illinois fauna being in heavy-faced type, the others in italics: A. Bill terminated by a oonspicuous, strongly curved hook. a. Tarsus excessively short, scarcely equal to the hallux, including it3 claw. 1. Fregatidce. Wings and tail excessively elongated, the latter deeply forked; middle toe much longer than the outer, its claw flattened and pectinated on the inner edge; webs very small, occupying less than half the space between the toes. b. Tarsus moderately lengthened, much longer than the hallux, including its claw, (sometimes more than twice as long). 2. Pele^anilae. Bill excessively elongated (much longer than the tarsus and middle toe), greatly depressed, the gular pouch very large, and greatly dis- tensible Middle toe longer than the outer. 3. Phalacrocoraoidse. Bill moderately elongated, or rather short (shorter than the middle toe), compressed; gular pouch small, scarcely distensible. Outer toe much longer than the middle. B. Bill tapering to the point, which is without a terminal hook or unguis (very faintly Indicated in SvKda). a. N<.stiiU obliterated; outer and middle toes nearly equal in length, and much I, nger than the Inner; lores, orbital rogion. lower jaw. ohin, and throat, naked. i. Anhingidae. Bill Blender, heron-like, the outlines nearly straight (the oulmen feotly BO); lead very small, neck extremely long and Blender. Tail long and tan-ehaped (nearly as long as the wing), rounded, the feathers broad, the middle rootrieos tiansvorsely eorruguted in the adult. -2.' 194 BIRDS OP ILLINOIS. 6. Sulida. Bill very thick through the base, but tapering rapidly to the tip. which is very slightly curved, with the maxillary unguis faintly indicated. Tail short (about half the wing), cuneate, the feathers narrowed toward the end. b. Nostrils distinct (as in the Laridce); lateral toes nearly equal, and nearly as long as the middle: whole head normally feathered. 6. Phaethontidm. Bill conical, much compressed, the culmen curved; maxillary tomlum very concave. Tail short, graduated, the central pair of rectrices linear and excessively elongated. PELECANID^E— THE PELICANS. 195 Family PELECANIDiE — The Pelicans. Characters. Bill greatly elongated and excessively depressed, the terminal unguis very prominent and strongly hooked; gular pouch exceedingly large and greatly distensi- ble; lores and orbital region— sometimes other parts of the head also— naked. Toes fully webbed, the outer almost as long as the middle, the inner much shorter. Tail very short, nearly even, or slightly rounded. Size usually very large. The Pelicans include about ten species, which are found mostly in the warmer parts of the world, although two of them — the common American P. erythrorhynchos and the Paloearctic P. cris- pus — extend in summer to high northern latitudes. As may be seen from the synonymy of the genus Pelecanus, these birds have been divided into several genera by authors; but each species possesses so many peculiarities of external structure that it is doubtful whether the differences between the supposed genera are of more than subgeneric importance. Genus PELECANUS Li.vweus. Pelecanus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758.132; ed 12. i, 1766, 215. Type. P. onocrotalus Linn. (Jnocrotalus Bkiss. Orn. vi, 1760, 519. Type, Pelecanus onocrotalus Linn. Cyrtopelicanus Reich. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Type, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel.. Leptopelicanus Reich. 1. c. Type, Pelecanus fuscus Linn. Catoptrupelicanus Reich. 1. c. Type, Pelecanus conspicillatus Temm. The characters of this genus being the same as those given above for the Family Pelecanidce, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. It is possible, however, that the genus as here used in a comprehensive sense should be subdivided, as indicated by the above synonymy. The species which occur in Illinois may be thus distinguished: A. Lower jaw densoly feathered to the base <>f the mandible. Tail-feathers 21. (Subgenus Cviopeboanun.) i. P. erythrorhvnohog. Color white, the primaries blackl«h. B1U and feet yellowish, deepening to red in the brooding-season. Wiug, 22.oo-20.25 Inchoa: ouunou, 11.30- 13.85. 196 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. B. Lower jaw wholly naked. Tail-feathers 22. (Subgenus Leptopelicanus.) 2. P. fuscus. Prevailing color dusky, the upper parts silvery-striped in adults, grayish brown in the young; bill dull grayish, or purplish brown, stained with red toward end (inbreeding season); pouch greenish brown, grayish, or dusky. Wing, 19.00-21.00 inches; culmen, 9.40-12.20. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Popular synonym. Rough -billed Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel. S. N. i. pt. ii, 1788, 571.— Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 868; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 615— Elliot, P. Z. S. 18(59,588 (monograph^).— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877,627 (habits, e'c); Norn. N. Am. B. 1881,640; Man N. Am. B. 1887,82— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 131.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 125. Pelecanus trachyrhy elms Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790,884— Coues, Key 1872,300; Check List, 1873, No. 526; 2d ed. 1882. No. 748; B. N.W. 1874,586— Bendike, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1877, 146 (habits, nest and eggs, etc.) Pelecanus onocrotalus ("a variety") Fobst. Philos. Trans. Ixii. 1772, 419. Pelecanus onocrotalus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 400 (nee Linn.).— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1881, 472.— N utt. Man. ii. 1834, 471. Pelecanus thagus Steph. Gen. Zool. xiii, 1826. 117 (Mexico; nee Molina). Pelecanus hernandezii Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1233 (Mexico). Pelecanus americanus Aud. Orn, Biog. iv, 1838, 88, pi. 311; Synop. 1839. 309, B. Am. vii, 1844, 20, pi. 422. Pelecanus occipitalis Ridgw. Am. Sportsman, iv, 1874, 297 (Nevada). Hab. The whole of North America, north in the interior to about 61°, south to Mexico and Central America in winter; now rare or accidental along the Atlantic coast north of Florida. Sp. Chae. Tail-feathers 24; malar region completely feathered; color chiefly white; bill, pouch, and feet yellowish or reddish. Adult, nuptial plumage: Culmen with a narrow median horny excresence, situated a little anterior to the middle, the upper outline more or less convex, its fibres obliquely vertical, its size and exact shape variable. Plumage white, sometimes tinged with pale pinkish, the narrow lesser wing-coverts and jugular plumes straw-yellow or (rarely?) purplish buff; primaries dull black, their shafts white toward the base; secondaries dusky, both webs edged with grayish white. Upper part of the nape with a pendent crest of long, narrow, silky feathers of a pure white or delicate straw-color. Bill chiefly orange, paler on the culmen. the nails and edges of the maxilla and mandible more reddish; nmndible deeper red than the maxilla, growing al- most brick-red basally; pouch dirty whitish anteriorly, where suffused with blackish, passing suoces-ively through yellow and orange into intense dragon's-blood-red, or brick- red, at the base; lower edge of the mandible sometimes blackish, and side of the mandible sometimes marked, nearly opposite the maxillary crest, with a somewhat quadrate black spot; baie skin of the lores and oibital region rich orange- yellow; eyelids dark reddish; iris penrl- white1; legs and feet intense orange-red. Adult, post-nuptial plumage {=P. oc- cipitalis Ridgw.): Similar to the above, but maxillary excrescence wanting (having been cast), and the nuchal crest replaced by a patch of brownish gray. A dult infall and winter: Similar to the last, but no grayish patch on the occiput (crest also absent), the bill and feet clear yellow. Young: Similar to the winter adult, but lesser wing-coverts biownish gray centrally, pileum similarly marked; jugular feathers short and broad, and pure white, like the other feathers of the lower surface; bill, pouch, and feet pale yellow. Total length about 53.50-61.00 inches; extent, 7.50-9.00 feet; wing, 22.25-25.25 inches; cul- men, 11.30-15.00; tarsus, 4.30-4.65; middle toe, 3.70-4.25.2 Weight of adult, about 17 pounds. iThe iris is said to be sometimes hazel. *The average of a series of eight adult examples is as follows: Wing, 23.55 inches; cul- men. 12.62; tarsus, 4.50; middle toe, 3.98. PELECANID.E— THE PELICANS. 197 Individual variation, both in size and in the details of colora- tion, is very considerable in this species. Most descriptions of the perfectly adult bird say that the plumage is tinged with peach-blossom pink; but in only a single example among the very large number examined by me (including both skins and freshly killed birds) was the faintest trace of this color visible, and that confined to a few feathers of the back. The straw- yellow color of the narrow jugular feathers and lesser wing- coverts, however, seems to be always a characteristic of the adult birds, both in winter and summer, though much paler in the former season. The black along the lower edge of the mandible and the squarish spot on its side are not infrequently entirely absent. The maxillary excrescence varies greatly both in size and shape. Frequently it consists of a single piece, nearly as high as long, its vertical outlines almost parallel, and the upper outline quite regularly convex, the largest speci- men seen being about three inches high, by as many in length. More frequently, however, it is very irregular in shape, usually less elevated, and not infrequently with ragged anterior, or even posterior, continuations. This excrescence, which is assumed gradually in the spring, reaches its perfect development in the pairing season, and is dropped before or soon after the young are hatched; simultaneously with the shedding of this append- age the nuchal crest falls off, and in its place a patch of short brownish gray feathers appears; this disappears with the fall moult, when the occiput is entirely unadorned, there being neither crest nor colored patch. The White Pelican passes through Illinois in its northward journey from the southern waters to its breeding grounds in April, and returns to its winter quarters during the latter half of September and first half of October. Its breeding places are scattered, localities which are sufficiently secluded being now "few and far between." It is said to breed in portions uf .Minne- sota, as it does in many places farther to the west and north. and there are reasons for supposing thai it may breed in Florida and Texas, as well as in intermediate portions of the Gulf coast. In a very excellent account of the feeding habits of this bird. Col. N. S. Goes observes that naturalist* who "have not sen the White Pelicans upon their feeding grounds, have without doubt read Audubon's interesting description of the manner iu 198 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. which the birds unite and drive the fishes into shallow water, where they can catch them, which they cannot well do in deep water, as their skins are honeycombed with air cells that buoy them up like cork, and prevent their diving, and they do not plunge for their food when upon the wing, like their cousins, the Brown Pelicans, and therefore have to adopt fishing habits suited to shallow waters. I have often noticed the birds in flocks, in pairs, or alone, swimming on the water with partially opened wings, and head drawn down and back, the bill just clearing the water, ready to strike and gobble up the prey within their reach; when so fishing, if they ran into a shoal of minnows, they would stretch out their necks, drop their heads upon the water, and with open mouths and extended pouches scoop up the tiny fry. Their favorite time for fishing on the seashore is during the incoming tide, as with it come the small fishes to feed upon the insects caught in the rise, aud upon the low forms of life in the drift, as it washes shoreward, the larger fishes following in their wake, each from the smallest to the largest eagerly engaged in taking life in order to sustain life. All sea-birds know this and the time of its coming well, and the White Pelicans that have been patiently waiting in line along the beach, quietly move into the water, and glide smoothly out, so as not to frighten the life beneath, and, at a suitable distance from the shore, form into line in accordance with the sinuosities of the beach, each facing shoreward and awaiting their leader's signal to start. When this is given, all is com- motion; the birds, rapidly striking the water with their wings, throwing it high above them, and plunging their heads in and out, fairly make the water foam, as they move in an almost unbroken line, filling their pouches as they go. When satisfied with their catch, they wade and waddle into line again upon the beach, where they remain to rest, standing or sitting, as suits them best, until they have leisurely swallowed the fishes in their nets; then, if undisturbed, they generally rise in a flock, and circle for a long time high in air. Several years ago, in the month of September, I had the pleasure of observing a small flock of the birds fishing in the Neosho River, Kansas. When late at evening they were forced by tired wings to stop in their southward flight, the place selected was in still deep water, at the head of a fall, or rapids, in the stream, PELECANID^E— THE PELICANS. 199 where the water for some fifteen rods, and with a depth of about six inches, was rippling and dashing over the rocks, a natural feeding ground for the fishes. The birds, after first bathing and dressing their feathers, giving particular attention to their pri- maries, without any unity of action, as hunger moved them, floated down over the rapids, picking up the fishes here and there, until the still water below was reached, when the}' would rise and fly back, to float down again, leisurely repeating this mode of fishing until it was quite dark." Captain Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., while stationed at Camp Harney, enjoyed unusual opportunities for observing the breed- ing-habits of this species in eastern Oregon. He found it a very common summer resident in that region, making its appearance early in spring, before the lakes are free from ice, and moving south early in November. It bred in large numbers on several of the small islands in the eastern part of Lake Malheur, begin- ning as early as April 12, the nest being a mere depression scraped in the sand. The number of eggs in a nest was usually two, occasionally three, and in rare instances five were found in the same nest; but these were perhaps the product of more than one female. It bred in communities, the nests being about a yard apart. Eggs placed under a hen were hatched out in twenty- nine days. The eggs of this species have a rough surface, on account of the very uneven thickness of the chalky exterior coat, which has a tendency to form irregular corrugations and other inequalities of surface. The normal color is chalky white, but this is often discolored by conspicuous blood-stains. Their dimensions aver- age about 3.45x2.30 inches. Pelecanus fuscus Linn. BHOWN PELICAN. Popular synonyms. Pelocano: Alcatraz (Mexico). anuafuaoua Linn. S. If.ed. 12, 1, 1766, 215.— NuTT Man. ii. 1*31.476.— Aun.Orn. Bi.>>;. lii, 1886, 876; V. 1889, J1J; Nynop. 1839, 212; B. Am. vii. 1844, 82, pla. 423, 434.— LAWS, in Bair.Ts B. N. Am. 1*58. 870. — Baibd. Cat. B. N. Am. 1859. No. 816.— Cites. Key, 1872, 300; Cheok List, 1873. No. r,27: 2d ed 1882, No. 749-Kidow. N.mi. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 641; Kan. N. Am. B. 1887, hj.-B. B. & R. Water B. v am u. 1884, 188.— A. 0. U. Check List. 1886. No. 126. Leptopelicnnua fuscus Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1852, v- vii Orviomtnb'* ftttOVI BOWAV. OODBD, ii. 1*5*. 1M. 200 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Hab. Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America, north in the United States to North Carolina. Accidental in Illinois (C. K. Woethen; cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January. 1880, p. 31). Sp. Chak. Tail-feathers 22. Malar region entirely naked: color silvery gray above and dusky beneath in the adult, brown or grayish above and white beneath in the young; bill grayish; pouch and feet dusky. Adult in full breeding-plumage: Head, and feathers of the neck bordering the base of the gular pouch, white, the forehead sometimes tinged with straw-yellow; rest of the neck rich chestnut or seal-brown, the upper part of the nape with a narrow crest of lighter reddish. Upper parts nearly uniform velvety light ash- gray, the feathers of the upper part of the back, the smaller lesser wing-coverts, the rump, and upper tail-coverts edged with dark snuff-brown. Lower parts uniform dark brownish gray, the feathers of the sides, flanks, and crissum streaked centrally with silvery white. Under wing-coverts and exterior border of wing, snuff-brown, streaked with silvery white. "Bill grayish white, tiDged with brown, and marked with irregukr spots of pale carmine; upper mandible dusky toward the end, lower blackish from the middle to near the end ; bare space between the bill and eye deep blue; eyelids pink; iris white; feet black; gular pouch greenish black, the ridges of its wrinkles lighter" (AudubonK Adult in winter: Similar to the above, but head and neck wholly white, the head and lower part of the foreneck usu- ally tinged with straw-yellow. Young, first plumage: Head and neck light brownish gray, lighter on the nape, the tips of the feathers paler; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts dull brown, the feathers tipped with light fulvous; secondaries, tertials. and rectrices silvery gray, edged with paler; rump and upper tail-coverts similar. Lower parts white, the sides, flanks, and crissum tinged with brownish gray. "Bill grayish blue, its edges and unguis grayish yellow; gular pouch dull grayish blue; iris brownish yellow; bare space around the eye dusky blui-h; feet and claws dull lead-color" (Audubon). Young in autumn: Similar to the adult, but head and neck dull light ash-gray, the feathers bordering the base of the gular pouch white, the occiput dark plumbeous or slaty, the feathers streaked centrally, or tipped, with white. Upper parts less uniform and more tinged with brownish than in the adult. Total length, about 44.00 to 56.00 inches; extent. 6.50 to 7.75 feet ; wing, 19.00-21.00 in hes; culmen, 9.40-12.20; tarsus, 2.60-3.05; middle toe. 3.40-3.95. (Average of seven specimens, 19.79, 11.12, 2.84, 3.70.) Weight, about 7-8 lbs. It was supposed by Audubon and other earlier writers that the white-necked plumage, described above as the winter dress of both sexes, represented the peculiar garb of the female. It is now known, howevever, that both sexes assume this plumage after the breeding season, there being at no time any obvious difference in the colors of the plumage between the male and fe- male. (Cf. Sclater, Proc. Zool Soc. Lond., 1868, p. 268.) The Brown Pelican is barely entitled to a place in the list of Illinois birds, on account of a single specimen having been seen (not taken) by Mr. C. K. Worthen, near Warsaw (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, V., 1880, p. 31). It is a tropical and subtropical species, and, unlike the White Pelican, inhabits exclusively the salt-water seas, bays, and estuaries, its occurence inland being purely fortuitous. In many of its habits it is very different from the White Peli- can, its manner of feeding being conspicuously so; for. while the latter collects in companies which, swimming, drive their prey PELECANID.E — THE PELICANS. 201 before them into shallow water and then scoop it into their ca- pacious pouches, the Brown Pelicans soar above the water, into which they plunge from varying heights, in the manner of a Fish Hawk, only their prey is seized by the bill instead of the feet. "Birds of this species are said to feed chiefly during the rising- tide, wandering in extended trains along the shore, and diving occasionally, one after the other, when they meet with a shoal of fish. The3' are very regular in their motions when flying, keeping at uniform distances, alternately flapping and sailing, in imitation of their leader. They usually fly very close to the surface of the water, and then merely plunge obliquely, holding the bill so as to scoop up the small fish sideways; then, closing the wings, they hold up the head with the bill down, so as to allow the water to run out. This permits the escape of some of the fish, and gives the parasitic gull a chance to obtain a share of the plunder, without in the least offending the dignified peli- can. Sometimes this bird dives from a considerable height, plunging downward with a spiral motion, although scarcely ever going beneath the surface, but immediately raising its bill from the water — usually with a stock of young fish in it. As a gen- eral rule this pelican does not catch fish more than six inches long; but occasionally one weighing more than two pounds and a half may be found in its pouch. Like most fish-eaters, the pelican is a stupid bird, seeming to have no ideas beyond the supplying of its immediate wants." ( Water Birds of North America.) Not only does the Brown Pelican, when so inclined, perch eas- ily and gracefully upon the branches of trees, but it frequently also builds its nest on the tops of the mangroves which line the shores of its habitat. The eggs are like those of the White Pelican, except in size, their dimensions [averaging only about 3.01x1.95 inches. -ii<; 202 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Family PHALACROCORACID-ffi.— The Cormorants. Chabactebs. Bill comparatively small (shorter than middle toe), variable as to out- lines, but maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked; nostrils obliterated; lores, orbital region, lower jaw. chin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe longer than, or about equal to, tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner toe about as much shorter. "Wings rather short, concave beneath, rea -hing but little, if any, beyond base of the tail; the latter variable as to length, usually rounded or graduated, com- posed of twelve to fourteen stiff feathers with very rigid shafts, which are exposed al- most to the extreme base, on account of the slight development of the tail-coverts. Plumage very compact, usually dark colored and glossy, but lower parts sometimes, in part at least, whitish. The Cormorants are funereal-looking, long-necked water birds, which have a habit of perching in rows upon dead trees, or upon rocks by the sea-shore, or swimming in loon-like fashion upon the water. Only one genus is recognized, but it is a question whether this should not be subdivided. Genus PHALACROCORAX Brisson. Phalacrocorax Bbiss. Orn. vi, 1760. 511. Type, Pelecanus carbo Linn. "Carbo L>cep. Mem. de l'Inst. 1800-1801." Urile Bonap. Oonsp. ii. 1856, 175. Type, Pelecanus urile Gmel. Hypoeucus Reich. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Type, Pelecanus varius Gmel. Stictocarbo Bonap. "1854"; Consp. ii, 1856, 174. Type, Pelecanus punctatus Gmel. Microcarbo Bonap. Type, Phalacrocorax pygmceus Pall. Compsohalieus Ridgw. in B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 145. Type, Carbo penicil- latus Bbandt. Gen. Chae. Same as those of the family Phalacroco^acidce (see above). The following species are known to occur in Illinois: A. Larger (wing more than 11.00 inches); adults without white round base of gular pouch; the nuptial plumage with superciliary tufts. 1. P. dilophus. Larger. 2. P, dilophus floridanus. Smaller. B. Smaller (wing less than 10.50 inches); adults with white line around base of gular pouch, but without superciliary tufts. 3. P. mexioanus. PHALACROCORACID^E— THE CORMORANTS. 203 Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swains.) DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Popular synonyms. Black Loon; Nigger Goose (coast of Virginia): Black Swan (Nevada). Pelecanus {Carbo) dilophus Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 473. Phalacrocorax dilophus JMutt. Man. ii, 1834, 483.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii,1835. 420; v. 1839, 629, pi. 257; Synop. 1839, 302; B. Am. vi, 1844, 423. pi. 416— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am, B. 1881. No. 643; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 78— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 751.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 149.-A. O. Q. Check List, 1886, No. 120. Qraculus dilo hus Gbay, Gen. B. iii, 1849.— Baibd, B. N. Am. 1858,877; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 623.— Coues, Key, 1872. 303; Check List, 1873, No. 530. Qraculus dilophus a. dilophus Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 587. Hab. Northeastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward; south in winter to the Gulf coast. Sp. Chae. Basal outline of the gular pouch extending straight across the throat or projecting slightly back along the median line. Adult, in full breeding plumage: Head, neck, rump, and enti e lower parts, glossy black, with a faint luster of dull bluish green; back, scapulars, and wings, dull grayish brown, each feather conspicuously and broadly bordered with black. A tuft of narrow, engthened, curved feathers on each side the crown, springing from behind and above the eye, these feathers either wholly black (in eastern specimens), mixed black and white (in specimens from the interior), or wholly pure white (in Pacific coast examples); neck sometimes, but rarely, with a few scattered white filamentous feathers. Maxilla black, mottled with grayish or dull yellowish along the sides; mandible yellowish or pale bluish, mottled with dusky; loral region and gular sac deep orange ; eyelids and whole interior of the mouth bright cobalt-blue, the former sometimes dotted with white; iris bright grass-green; legs and feet deep black.* Adult in winter: Similar to the above, but tults of the head wanting, and the bare skin of the lores, gular pouch, etc., deep yellow instead of orange, and the bluish of the mouth and eyelids absent. Young, first plumage: Head and neck grayish brown, lighter next to the gular sac, darker on the crown and nape; back, scapulars, and wings, dull brownish gray, the feathers bordered with dusky brown; rump dusky brown; primaries and tail dull grayish black; lower parts light fawn-color, darker on the sides, anal-region, aud crissum. Bill dull brownish yellow, nearly black on the culmen; gular sac deep chrome- yellow; iris greenish gray; legs and feet deep black. Young, in winter: Similar to the above, but throat, chest, and breast paler, sometimes quite white. Total length, about 29 to 33.60 inches; extent, 45 to 55; wing, 12.00-13.00 (average 12.50) ; tail, 6.50-7.80 (7.15) ; culmen, 2.00-2.45 (.'.25). The Double-crested Cormorant is a transient visitor in Illinois, arriving from the North in September or October and returning from its winter quarters in the Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley in March or April, according to the latitude. It doubt- less occasionally remains (luring mild winters in the southern portion of the State. "Like the common Black Cormorant (/'. carbo), this bird li\ entirely on fish, which it catches by pursuing them underwater, * Audubon gives the fresh colors as follows: "Adult male, at commencement of the < ntg season: Upper mandl 1" dusky, along the edges grayish-yellow; lower yellow, irrogularly marked with dusky toward the edges. Iris bright green, margin of eyelids, bare Bpace on the head, and gular sac, rich orange. Feet and claws blaolc." 204 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. diving only from the surface, and never when flying. Its power of swimming is very great, and it can remain under the water for a long time, so that when only wounded its pursuit in a boat is use- less. Individuals of this species occasionally seem to prefer in- land waters during the summer, while others breed on the islands at sea and along the large rivers. They may often be seen sit- ting on snags or on rocks ; but are so shy that they cannot be approached in a boat, although in flying they often pass very near the hunter, and thus afford an opportunity for a shot. In winter they associate in small numbers with the more marine species. This seems to be an altogether silent species. In flying it proceeds by constant and laborious flappings, and moves with great rapidity. Occasionally it sails for a short distance." ( Water B. N. Am.) Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Aud.) FLORIDA CORMORANT. Popular synomyms. Southern Double-crested Cormorant; Black Loon (Wabash River); Nigger Goose (Southern States). Phalacrocorax floridanus Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 387; v, 1839, 632, pi. 251 ; Synop. 1839, 303; B. Am. vi, 1813, 430, pi. 417. Oraculus floridanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 172— Lawk. inBaird's B. N. Am. 1858, 879.— Baibd. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 624. Oraculus dilophus, var. floridanus Coues, Key, 1872, 303; Check List, 1873, No. 530 a.— Coey, B. Bahama I., 1880, 198. Oraculus dilophus, b. floridanus Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 587. Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus Ridgw. Proc. Q. S. Nat. Mus. iii, Aug. 24, 1880, 205; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 6)3 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 78— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 753.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 120 a. Phalacrocorax dilophus, b. floridanus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 150. Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley, north, in summer, to Illinois, Iowa, etc.; occasional in Bahamas and Cuba. Subsp. Char. Exactly like O. dilophus, except In size, being smaller. Total length, about 21.25-30.00 inches; wing, 11.20-12.50 (11.75); culmen, 2.00-2.40 (2.17). The difference between the so-called Florida Cormorant and the true Double-crested Cormorant (G. dilophus) being appar- ently only an average one of size, it is very doubtful whether it should be recognized as a separate race, since it is quite impossi- ble, so far as I have had the opportunity of judging, to detect any differences of coloration. Not having been able to exam- ine a very large series, however, the number of specimens repre- senting the true G. dilophus being exceedingly small, I prefer to PHALACROCORACID*:— THE CORMORANTS. 205 keep the two supposed forms separate until more satisfactory material can be compared. According to Audubon, there is a difference in the coloration of the unfeathered parts of the head, in the breeding season, the Florida Cormorant having the basal margins of the upper mandible bright blue, the lower mandible bright blue "curiously spotted with white," and the margins of the eyelids light blue spotted with white. But as the Cormorants which I shot at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, in May were thus marked with blue, while those shot at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in the spring were similarly marked, it is probable that the blue eyelids, etc., are characteristic of the nuptial season, and common1 to all the geographical forms of the species. The Florida Cormorant, or at least specimens of G. dilopkus in no wise distinguishable from birds of the same species breeding in Florida, is common in early spring on the Wabash River as far north as Mt. Carmel, and no doubt occurs along- other rivers in the southern portion of the State. While I have never actually found it breeding there, I have no doubt that it does so. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt). MEXICAN CORMORANT. Popular synonym. Sargento (Mexico). Carbo mexicanus Beandt, Bull. Sc. Acad. £t. Petersb. iii, 1838, 55.— Gundl. Rep. Fis.-Nat. Cuba, i. 1866, 395; J. f . 0. 1875, 401 (Cuba). Kraculits mexicanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 173.— Coues, Key, 1872, 203; Check List, 1873, No. 531 ; B. N. W. 1874, 588— Snow, Cat. B. Kans. 1873, 12 (Lawrence, Kansas).— Ridow. Bull. Nutt. Orn. CI. v, 1880, 31 (Cairo, Illinois). Phalacrocorax mexicanus Brewer, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. vii, 1860, 308 (Cuba).— Scl. & Salv. Nora. Neotr. 1873. 121.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 614; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 79.— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882. No. 754.-B. B. & R. Water B. X. Am. ii. 1S84, 155.- A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 121— Cory, B. W. 1. 1889, 272, (Cuba). rocorax resplendens Lemb. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 119 (= adult; nee Audubon). Phalacrocorax townsendii Lemb. Aves do Cuba, 1850,120 [= young; nee Audubon). Hab. Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and southern United States, north in the Missis- sippi Valley to Kansas and southern Illinois; south to Costa Rica. Sp. Char. The smallest American species of the genus. Tail-foathers 12. Bill mod- erately robust, the unguis ar.-hed and strongly hooked, the eulmen slightly concave in the middle portion and gently ascending at th" base. Bare skin of face extending farthest back on side of hoad. forming quite an angle behind the riotus; feathers of the ihroat ad- rancing forward on the median line, tho apex sometimes divided or indented by a slight intrusion of tho naked skin of the gular pouch. Scapular-; and wlng-ooverts narrow and tapering, almost pointed. 206 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Adult, nuptial plumage. Feathers bordering the gular sac white, forming a more or less distinct transverse line, reaching upward nearly or quite to the eye. Head, neck, rump, and entire lower parts silky brownish black, with a very faint purplish brown gloss in certain lights; ba:k, scapulars, and wing-coverts dark brownish slaty, each feather nar- rowly bordered with black; primaries slate-black. Tail uniform deep bla k, including the shafts. Superciliary region, sides of neck, and anal region, ornamented by scattering nar- row filamentous white feathers. Bill (in skin) light- colored, mottled with daiker, the cul- men dusky; gular sac brownish (dull orange-red in life?); iris green; legs and feet deep black. Adult, post-nuptial and winter plumage. Similar to the nuptial plumage, but lacking the white filamentous feathers of head, neck, etc. Young, first plumage. Head, neck and under parts grayish brown, becoming gradu- ally darker (nearly black) on the hind neck, sides, flanks, anal region and under tail-coverts* and whitish on upper part of throat (next to gular pouch); upper parts as in the adult. "Iris green; bill dark fleshy, culmen and upper part of lower mandible dusky; gular sac brownish: feet deep black." (Sumicheast. U. S.) Young, in winter. Similar to first plumage, but throat, foreneck, chest, and breast much lighter colored— sometimes almost white. Total length, about 23.00-28.75 inches; extent, 38.00-42.75; wing, 9.95-10.40; tail, 6.75-8.30; culmen, 1.70-2.00; tarsus, 1.85-2.10; middle toe, 2.15-2.85. The Mexican Cormorant is said to be a common resident along the coast of Texas, and doubtless also breeds in portions of the lower Mississippi Valley, specimens having been taken in April near Lawrence and in Mitchell Co., Kansas, and near Cairo, Illinois.* Its habits are said to be essentially the same as those of the Florida Cormorant, with which it doubtless may easily be con- founded when seen at a little distance. * Fide Chas. K. Wobthen; see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan. 1886, p. 31. ANHINGIDjE— THE ANHINGAS. 207 Family ANHINGID^.— The Anhingas. Characters. Bill slender, pointed, compressed, and very heron-like in shape, the culmen and commissure almost straight, the gonys slightly ascending; terminal half of the tomia finely serrated, the serrations directed backward, and forming a series of close-set, sharp-pointed, fine bristly teeth; nostrils obliterated. Head small, neck slender and greatly elongated (nearly as long as the wing); outer toe about as Jong as the middle, or slightly shorter. Tail very long, fan-shaped, rounded, the feathers widened toward the ends, the outer webs of the intermedin in fully adult birds transverety cor- rugated or "fluted." This singular family consists of but one genus, Anhmga, which has a representative in the warmer parts of each of the great divisions of the earth. Genus ANHINGA Brisson. Anhinga Bkiss. Orn. vi. 1760, 476. Type, Anhinga Maecge., —Plotus anhinga Linn. Plotus Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, i, 1766, 218. Type, P. anhinga Linn. Gen. Chae. The same as those of the family (see above). ( )nl v one species of this genus occurs in America. This is rep- resented in Africa by the A. levaillantil, Licht.; in India by A. melanogaster, GrMEL.; and in Australia by A. novcz-hollandice, Gould. They all closely resemble A. anhmga, but are quite distinct. Anhinga anhinga Linn. ANHINGA. Potmlar synomyms. American Anhinga; Snake Bird; Black-bellied Darter; Darter; Water Grow (mouth of the Mississippi); Water Turkey; Grecian Lady (Florida); Bee a Lancette (Louisiana French). Plotus anhinga I. inn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 218.- Nrrr. Man. ii, 1834, 507— BONAP. I ii. isv,, l.so.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. [838, 136; By nop. 1839, :S0ti; B. Am. vi. 1813, n:<, pi. ■120— Lawi:. in Baird' B. N. Am. 1858, 883.— Baibd, Oat. V Lm. B. 1859, No. 68 Coues. Key, 1872,806; Check List, 1873, No. 536; 2d ed. 1882, No. 760.— Kiuow \. Am B. 1881, No. 649.— B. H. & R. Water 1!. N. Am. ii. 1881, 166. Anhinga anhinga Btbjn. Stan. I. Nat. Hi-t. iv. 1885, 198.— A. 0. U. Check List. 18S Lift !;iim,-.v. Man. N. Am. I'.. L887.77. Plotus melanogaiter Wii.s Am. Orn. ix. 1824. 73. 82. pi. 74 mot of GMELA 208 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Hab. Tropical and subtropical America; Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley, north to southern Illinois, Kansas, etc. Sp. Chab. Adult male in full breeding plumage: Plumage of the neck and body deep glossy black, with a faint greenish gloss; scapulars and lesser -wing coverts marked centrally (longitudinally) with light hoary ash, these markings elliptical on the upper part of the scapular region, linear or nearly acicular on the longer scapulars, and broadly ovate on the wing coverts; exposed surface of the middle and greater wing-coverts light hoary ash; remainder of the wings, with the tail, deep black, the latter less glossy, and broadly tipped with pale brown, passing into dirty whitish terminally. Sides of the occiput and neck ornamented by lengthened, loose-webbed, hair-like feathers of a dirty white or pale gravish lilac; nuchal feathers elongated, hair-like, forming a sort of loose mane. "Upper mandible dusky-olive, the edges yellow; lower mandib e bright yellow, the edges and tip greenish; bare space about the eye bluish green; gular sac bright orange; iris bri ht car- mine; tarsi and toes anteriorly dusky-olive, the hind parts and webs yellow, claws brown- ish black" (Audubon). Adult male in winter: Similar to the above, but destitute of the whitish feathers of the head and neck. Adult female in full breeding plumage: Head, neck, and breast grayish buff, becoming grayish brown (sometimes quite dusky) on the pileum and nape, the breast lighter, and bounded below by a narrow band of dark chestnut, bordering the upper edge of the black abdomen; sides of the upper part of the neck adorned with an inconspicuous longitudinal stripe of short white loose-webbed feathers. Rest of the plumage as in the male. Bill, et<\, colored much as in the male, but iris paler red (pinkish). Young in fir.it winter: Similar to the adult female, but lower parts duller black (the feathers usually indistinctly tipped with grayish brown), the chestnut pectoral band entirely absent; upper parts much duller black (the back decidedly brownish), the light markings much smaller and more indistinct. Young first plumage: Similar to the above, but entire lower parts light grayish buff, darker posteriorly. Transverse corruga- tions of the middle rectrices quite obsolete. Nestli7ig: Covered with uniform buff-colored down. Total length, about 32.50 to 36.00 inches; extent, 43.00 to 44.00; wing. 14.00; tail, 11.00; bill. 3.25; tarsus, 1.35. This remarkable bird, while resembling in general habits the Cormorants, has marked peculiarities which enable the casual observer to readily distinguish it. Like the Cormorant, it has the habit of perching upon trees overhanging the water, and is an expert diver, remaining long beneath the surface, and when swimming usually showing but little of its body above the water. "Audubon never saw the Anhinga plunge or dive for its prey from an eminence. It is more or less gregarious by habit, the number seen together varying with the attractions of the local- ity, and ranging from eight or ten to thirty, or even several hundred. In the breeding season it moves in pairs. It is a diurnal bird, and if unmolested, returns each night to the same roosting place. When asleep it is said to stand with its body almost erect. In rainy weather it often spends the greater part of the day standing erect, with its neck and head stretched up- ward, remaining perfectly motionless, so that the water may glide off its plumage. The roosting place of the Anhinga is generally over water, often in the midst of some stagnant pool. anhingid.e— thp: anhingas. 209 "This is said to be the very first among fresh- water divers, disappearing beneath the surface with the quickness of thought, leaving scarcely a ripple on the spot, and reappearing, perhaps with its head only above the water for a moment, at a place several hundred yards distant. If hit, and only wounded, this bird readily baffles all the endeavors of the sportsman to secure it. When swimming, and unmolested, it is buoyant, and moves with its whole body above the water; but when in danger it sinks its body, leaving only the head and neck out of the water, presenting the appearance of a portion of a large snake.'' ( Water Birds of North America.) The Anhinga appears to be a regular summer resident, in the extreme southern portion of Illinois, since Mr. Kennicott found it to be common in the vicinity of Cairo, in 1865, while Mr. Nelson observed it in the same locality twenty years later. -27 210 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS, Order LONGIPENNES— The Long-winged Swimmers. Chaeactees. Nostrils lateral and perforate, never tubular; covering of the bill simple, or broken only by a sort of imperfect cere (in Stercorariid.ee). Tip of the maxilla never strongly hooked, often straight. Antex-ior toes webbed. Hallux small and elevated, some- times rudimentary. Basipterygoid bones absent. Palate schizognathous. Carotids double. Eggs several, colored. Young altricial and ptilopasdic. Habit highly vomeral. The Longipennes are so closely related in their structure to the Limicolce that some systemists unite them in one group*. There seems to be no osteological character separating the two groups, except that the Limicolce possess "basipterygoid processes," while the Longipennes do not; and the external differences are chiefly teleological in their character, the Longi- pennes being adapted to a natatorial life, while the Limicolce, with their longer legs and (usually) cleft toes are more waders than swimmers, though some of them, notably the Phalaropes, are as much at home on the surface of deep water as the gulls themselves, In both groups, the young, when hatched, are covered with a dense soft down; but those of the Longipennes are reared in the nest, while those of the Limicolce run about as soon as hatched. Three families are recognized, of which two occur in Illinois, their characters being as follows: A. Bill with the lower mandible not longer than the upper, and not excessively com- pressed. 1. Stercorariidse. Covering of the upper mandible composed of four distinct pieces— a terminal unguis, or hook, two lateral pieces and a cere-like piece saddled upon the culmen, its edges overhanging the nostril. 2. Laridae. Covering of upper mandible consisting of a single piece through which the nostrils are pierced. B. Bill with lower mandible much longer than the upper, both mandibles excessively compressed, like a thin knife-blade, for terminal portion. 3. Kynchopidae. (Extralimital to Illinois.) * Gavio-Lirnicolce: Seebohm, The Ibis, Oct. 1888, pp. 431-433. STERCORARIID.E— THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 211 Family STERCORARIIDiE — The Skuas and Jaegers. Chaeactees. Covering of the maxilla, not entire as in the Larida, the basal half being furnished with a saddle-like horny cere, the lower edge of which overhangs the nostrils; toes fully webbed, the claws strongly curved and sharp ; posterior side of tarsus roughened ; tail more or less graduated, the middle pair of feathers projecting more or less beyond the rest. The Family Stercorm^iidm is separated from the Lwidcz chiefly on account of the peculiar bill, which shows a not distant re- semblance to that of some raptorial birds. The species are all predatory in their nature, being, in fact the most predaceous of sea-fowl— veritable "robbers of the sea." The smaller Jaegers (genus St&rcorwrius) pirate upon gulls and other sea-fowl, thus earning the common names of "gull chaser," "jaeger" (hunter), etc.; while the larger skuas (genus Megalestris) , also beat along the shores or even over the land, and besides forcing gulls and other birds to disgorge or relinquish their food, prey on various birds much in the manner of hawks and falcons. Indeed, it is said that at Kerguelen Island, in the Antarctic Ocean, the .'/ - ale8tris cmtwrcticw keeps strictly to the land, where it is very de- structive to ducks and other water-fowl. Only two genera are recognized, their characters being as fol- lows : 1. Megalestris. Size large tin bulk equal to the largest gulls), and form robust; depth of bill at base equal to not loss than half of the length <>f the upper mandible, measured along the side; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw; tail short nearly even, the middle pair of feathers a ■arcely projecting beyond the real ; color dull brownish,- times streaked (never barredlwith paler, the baseof the primaries with a whitish patch, 2. Stercorarius. Size medium or inther small (noi exceeding the medium-sized gulls), and form more slender and graceful; depth of bill at base less than half the length of the upper mandible, measured along the aide; tarsus decidedly longer than middli witholaw; middle reotrloes in the adult projecting far beyond ther< plain ■ or dusky, often rarled with white or yellowish, in the adult; dusky barred i' iler in young; no white at base "i primai 212 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus MEGALESTRIS Bonaparte. Catharacta Beunn. Orn. Bor. 1764,32. Type, C. s/ata Beunn. (Nee Catarractes Beiss. 1760.) Megalestris Bonap. Cat. Parzudaki, 1856, 11. Type, Larus catarractes Linn. = Catha- racta skua Beunn. Buphagus "Moehr." Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 124. Same type. Gen. Chab. Size large (about equal to Larus argentatus); form robust and powerful; depth of bill through the base equal to or exceeding half the length of the mandible, measured along the side; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw; tail short, the middle pair of feathers scarcely projecting beyond the rest. General color nearly uniform grayish brown or sooty, usually indistinctly streaked with light rusty, or cin- namon, especially around neck and on back: quills whitish at base. Besides the northern M. skua, two other species, or sub spe- cies, M. antarcticus (Less.) and 3L chilensis (Bonap.) are known, the geographical ranges of which are indicated by their specific names. Megalestris skua (Briinn.) SKUA. Popular synonyms. Skua Gull: Gull-chaser; Sea-hen. Catharacta skua Beunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 33. Buphagus skua Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 125; B. N. W. 1874, 604. Stercorarius {Buphagus) skua Coues, Key, 1872, 309. Stercorarius skua Coues, Check List, 1873, No. 539;2d ed. 1882, No. 764. Megalestris skua Bidgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880,208; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 696; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 21— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. B. ii, 1884, 328— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 35. Larus catarractes Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 226. Lestris catarractes Illig. Prodr. 1811, 272.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 312. Stercorarius catarractes Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 206.— Lawe. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 838— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 652.— Elliot, Iliust. B. Am. ii, 1869, pi. 56.— Saundees, P. Z. S. 1876, 319. Catarractes fusca Leach, Syst. Cat. 1816, 40. Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly on the eastern side, where south as far as Spain in winter. On the American side, south, in winter, to coast of Massachusetts, Long Island, and even to North Carolina. Accidental in Illinois. Coast of California.* Sp. Chab. Adult: Prevailing color dull brownish, the interscapulars, scapulars, and wing-coverts marked with median streaks of pale cinnamon; feathers of head and neck with similar but narrower streaks; lower parts mixed cinnamon and grayish brown, nearly uniform on breast and belly, but forming indistinct stripes on sides and flanks. Remiges, primary-coverts, and alulae brownish dusky, the first white at the base, this white concealed on secondaries, but showing as a distinct patch on tbe pri- maries. Tail uniform dusky. Bill dusky; iris brown; legs and feet black. Young: Head, neck, and lower parts plain grayish brown, the latter tinged with cinnamon; upper parts dark grayish brown, palest on back and lesser wing-coverts, where indistinctly spotted with runty cinnamon. Bill and feet brownish. Downy young: "Covered with soft, close, uniform brownish or cinnamon-gray down; rather darker in color on the upper parts than on the under surface of the body." (Deesseb.) Length, about 22.00; extent, 54.00; wing, 15.75-16.15; [exposed culmen, about 2.05; depth of bill at base, .80; tarsus, 2.40-2.70; middle toe, 2.15-2.45. * California examples may be the Pacific South- American M. chilensis. STERCORARLID.E— THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. !213 The Skua is a maritime bird of irregular and uncertain distri- bution, but by no means common anywhere along the coasts of North America. According to Captain J. W. Collins, of the United States Fish Commission, whose knowledge of our sea- birds is probably greater than that of any other person on ac- count of his long connection with the cod-fisheries of the New- foundland Banks, informs us* that this bird, the ic Sea-hen" of the fishermen, is occasionally seen on the fishing grounds at all seasons, but is never abundant, one, two, or three birds, being generally seen at a time, while on very rare occasions perhaps half a dozen will gather round a vessel from which offal is being thrown. He found them most common on the Grand Bank in autumn, and in the fall of 1875 shot several fine specimens thai were used as bait. Genus STERCORARIUS Brisson. Stercorariui Briss. Orn. v, 17fi0, 149. Type, Lams parasiticus Linn. Lestris Illig. Prodr. 1811, 272. Same type. Gen. Char. Size medium (about that of Larus delawarensis and L. canus);. form more graceful and slender than Megalestris; depth of bill through base less than half the length of the mandible, measured along its side; tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe and claw; middle pair of tail-feathers (in adults) projecting far beyond th'' rest. This genus differs from Megalestris chiefly in the smaller size and more slender, graceful form of its members, the increased slenderness extending to all parts of the organization, as indi- cated in the above diagnosis. Of the three known species, one differs considerably in form from the other two, which are sometimes so much alike as to be with difficulty distinguished from one another. Their different in 1 characters are as follows : A. Culmen 1.46 or more, tarsus 2.00 or more, wing usually more than 13.50; lengthened middle tail-feathers broad and rounded at ends. 1. S. pomarinus. B. Culmen less than L46, tarsus Less than 2.00, wing usually Less than 18.60; Length) middle tail-feathers narrow and pointed at ends. '-'. S. parasiticus. Length of nasal shield or cere, from base of ungui- to frontal feath- ers, decidedly greater than from the former point to the tip of upp.>r mandible. S. longicauduB. Length of nasal shield from base of unguis to frontal feathers uol greater than distance fmm former point to tip .>f upper mandihk. ♦ The Auk 1, 188C p, 88. 214 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Stercorarius pomarinus (Teinm.) POMARINE JAEGER. Popular synomyms. Pomarine Skua; Gull-chaser; Gull-hunter; Marling-spike (Newfound- land Banks). Larus pomarinus Temm. Man. Orn. 1815, 514-Sw. & Rich F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 429.-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 315— Aur>. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 396; Synop. 1839, 332; B. Am. vii, 1844, 186, pi. 451. Stercorarius pomarinus Vieill.Nouv. Diet, xxxii, 1819, 158— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 838-Baied, Cat, N. Am. B. 1859, No. 653.-B. B. & E. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 332. —A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 36— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 22. Stercorarius pomatorhinus Newton, Ibis, 1865, 509.— Coues, Key, 1872, 309; Check List, 1873, No. 540; ed. 2, 1882, No. 765; B.N. W. 1874,607.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 697. Hab. Northern portion of northern hemisphere, on the seas and larger inland waters, but chiefly maritime. In winter, south, in North America, to New Jersey, the Great Lakes, Nebraska, etc.; coast of Peru. Sp. Chab. Adult, lightest phase: Pileum, lores, and malar region, with entire upper surface, except the nape, uniform dark sooty slate, with a slight plumbeous tinge in certain lights; anal region and crissum uniform plumbeous-slate, sometimes mixed with whitish. Rest of the head and neck (including entire nape), and lower parts, except as described, immaculate white, the auricular region more or less deeply tinged with straw-yellow. Bill brownish white (dull brownish in the dried skin), the terminal third black, sometimes clouded with bluish.* Adult, usual plumage: Similar to the above, but chest and nape barred or transversely spotted with dusky, and the sides irregularly barred with the same. Adult, melanotic phase: Entirely dark sooty slate, with a plumbeous cast in certain lights. Young, light phase: Head, neck, and lower parts dull buff, everywhere barred with dusky ; the bars broad and sharply defined on the crissum and flanks, faint or nearly obsolete on the head and neck. Upper parts brownish dusky, the scapulars and interscapulars tipped with buff, the rump and upper tail-coverts spotted with the same. Young, dark phase: Whole plumage sooty slate, the breast, abdomen, and sides narrowly and rather indis- tinctly, the crissum and upper tail-coverts broadly and sharply, barred with deep buff. Total length, about 20.00 inches; extent, 48.00 ; wing, 13.50-14.00 ; tail, 8.00-9.00; culmen, 1.45-1.75; tarsus, 2.00-2.10; middle toe (without claw), 1.60-1.75. In the above diagnosis are described the light and dark extremes of coloration, with an intermediate phase which char- acterizes perhaps a majority of individuals of this species. Scarcely two specimens are exactly alike, however, in the details of coloration, every condition between the light and dark ex- tremes existing in a large series. The Pomarine Jaeger is a northern species which doubtless visits Lake Michigan in winter, though the evidence on which it is included as a bird of Illinois is unsatisfactory. In the Bulletin of tlie Nuttall Ornithological Club, for July, 1876, p. 41, Mr. * Adult male. "Bill blackish brown at the end, dingy yellow toward the base; iris brown; tibia, toes, webs, and lower half of tarsus black; the upper half light blue; claws black" (Audubon). According to Macgillivbay (History of British Birds), the unfeathered parts are colored as follows: "Bill bluish gray, tinged with green, dusky at the end. Feet black; the upper half of the tarsus grayish blue." STERCOUAttllD.E — THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 215 Nelson mentions it as follows: "From the description of a bird seen with a flock of gulls near Evanston, 111., by F. L. Rice of that place, and the account of a strange gull occasionally seen by a sportsman who does considerable shooting- on Lake Michi- gan, I am certain this species is a rare visitant during severe winters.*' The general habits of this species have been mentioned under the Family St< rcorariidce, on page 211; but the following notes by Mr. William Dutcher, on observations* made by him on the coast of Long Island are worth quotiug: 'From three to ten in- dividuals could be seen any day at the fishing grounds, filing around among the Terns, chasing them about and compelling them to drop their fish. Every day on the 'slack' of the tides, when the bluefish bait seemed to be more abundant than at other times, the Terns would go over in crowds from Great Gull to the 'Race' to fish, and though no Jaegers could be seen in the air before the arrival of the Terns, no sooner would the latter begin to fish than the Jaegers would gather around to pursue their regu- lar business of robbery. As soon as a Jaeger would spy a Tern with a fish in its bill, off it would start in pursuit, and dodge and dart as the Tern would, the Jaeger was always right in its track, pressing it closer and closer, until despairing of ever eluding its pursuer, the poor Tern would drop the fish, which would be caught by the Jaeger before it reached the water. Although the Terns were swift and graceful flyers, they were no match for their larger and more powerful enemies, who, when not engaged in pursuing the Terns, might sometimes be seen resting singly or in flocks of four or five on the surface of the water. "Chas. B. Field informed me that the Jaegers, or 'Hawks', arrived about the same time as the bluefish, and stayed as long as the bluefish were there, but that he never saw them in winter. "When I arrived at Little Gull both Jaegers and Shearwaters were wrv tame indeed, not seeming to pay the leasl attention to us when we went out among I hem after bluefish; in fact. I was told thai a bird of one of these species had, a shori time before, been knocked down with an oar. Bui after we had shot * 271 [-11,1889, pi'- 125 126. The observations in question refer both (■• this species and the Parasitic Jaeger. 216 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS, three or four of them, they seemed to grow wilder. The Jaegers while on the wing keep the tail widely spread, in the shape of a fan, the long feathers, when the birds have them, being kept close together." Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.) PARASITIC JAEGER. Popular synonyms. Richardson's Jaeger (= dark phase); Teaser; Bosun; Marling-spike (cod-fishermen). Larus parasiticus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 226. Stercorarius parasiticus Schafe. Mus. Orn. 1779, 62, pi. 37.— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 839— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 654— Coues, Key, 1872, 309; Check List, 1873, No. 541; ed. 2, 1882, No. 766; B. N. W. 1874, 611.— B. B. & R. Water B. ii.1884.335.- A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 37. —Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 22. Larus crepidatus Banks, Hawkesworth's Voy. ii, 1773, 15. Stercorarius crepidatus Vieill. Nouv. Diet. 1819, 155.— Saundees, P. Z. S. 1876, 326.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 698. Lestris richardsoni Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 433, pi. 73.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,319.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 503; Synop. 1839, 332; B. Am. vii, 1844, 190, pi. 452. Hab. Northern part of northern hemisphere ; south in America, in winter, to New York, Illinois, and Colorado, and even to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro; fide Saundees, Jour. Linn. Soc. xiv, 392). Breeds in the "Barren Grounds" of Arctic America. Sp. Chae. Adult, light phase: Entire pileum, with lores, grayish brown; rest of the head, with entire neck and lower parts as far as the crissum, white, the head and neck more or less tinged with straw-yellow. Upper parts uniform brownish slate, becoming gradually darker on the primaries and tail. Crissum uniform brownish gray. "Bill grayish black, the uDper parts bluish; iris brown; legs and feet black." (Audubon).* Adult, dark phase: Entirely uniform dark sooty slate, the remiges darker, nearly black termi- nally. Young, light phase: Head and neck streaked with dusky brown and fulvous -buff, the latter usually predominating; lower parts more or less distinctly barred, or spotted transversely, with the same. Upper parts brownish dusky, all the feathers bordered ter- minally with fulvous-buff. Young, dark phase: Prevailing color dark brownish slate, the wings and tail darker. Middle of the neck, all round, indistinctly streaked with grayish white; lower parts, except chest and upper parts of breast, barred with grayish white, the bars broad and sharply defined on the crissum. Scapulars, interscapulars, wing- coverts, upper tail-coverts, and feathers of the rump narrowly tipped with pale dull buff. "Bill light blue, dusky at the end; iris brown; tarsi and basal portion of the toes and webs light blue, the rest black" (Audubon). Downy young: Entirely silky grayish brown, lighter on the under surface. Total length, about 18.50 inches; extent, 40.00; wing, 11.80-13.15 (average, 12.67); middle tail-feathers, 7.70-10.25 (8.66), the lateral rectrices, 4.90-6.25 (5.40); culmen, 1.15-1.40 (1.27); tarsus, 1.50-1.85 (1.70); middle toe, 1.20-1.45 (1.34). Between the extreme phases of plumage described above there is in different specimens every possible intermediate coloration, the individual variation being fully as great as in the case of ♦According to Macgillivrax (History of British Birds), the adult male in summer has the bill grayish black, tinged with blue above, the base of the lower mandible slightly fleBh-oolored, andjthejfeet and claws black. STERCORARIIDjE— the skuas axd jaegers. 217 S. pomwrmus. Occasionally the middle rectrices are nearly as long and attenuated as in S. longicaudus, and in the plumage there is sometimes hardly any difference between examples of the two species. They differ constantly, however, in the form of the bill and, in adult birds, in the color of the tarsi; a bird with black tarsi and* having the nasal shield (measured along the culmen) decidedly longer than the terminal portion of the bill (from the point to the anterior edge of the nostril) being with certainty S. parasiticus, while an example in adult plumage having pale bluish tarsi and the nasal shield not longer than the terminal portion of the bill, is sure to be S. longicaudus. 1 1 is scarcely probable that the two forms are eonspecifie, but possibly they may interbreed to -a slight extent, and thus pro- duce hybrids. The Parasitic Jaeger is known as an Illinois bird only on ac- count of its occasional occurrence on Lake Michigan during winter. Its habits are not obviously different from those of the Pomarine Jaeger (S. pcmarinits), as briefly described on page 214. Stercorarius longicaudus Yieill. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. Popular synonyms. Arctic Jaeger; Buffon's Skua; Long-tailed Skua; Whip-tail (eod- flshermen); Marling-spike (do.). Stercorarius longicaudus Vieii/l. Nguv. Diet, xxxii, 1819. 157.— Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v, 1882, 42— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, ii, 1884, 339.— A. O. U. Cluck List. 1886*. No. 38— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 23. Stercorarius longicaudatus De Selys, Faun. Bolg. 1842, 156. Lestris parasitica Ii.lk;. Prodr. 1811, 273 (nee Larus parasiticus Linn.).— Less. Man. ii. 1828. 288— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 430.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834, 317. Lestris parasiticus Tkmm. Man. Orn. ed. 1815, 512.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii. L8S Bynop. 1839, 333; B. Am. vii. 1844, 192, pi. 152. Stercorarius parasiticus Saund. P. Z. 8. 1876, 330*.— Ridgw. Nom. X. Am. B. L881. No. 699. Larus orepidata Bbbhm & Si hill. Beit. Z. Vog. in. 1822, 212 inec Banes). /., stris buffoni BOH . M ■ ■ < Tasch. iii. 1822, 212.— DeKay. N. Y. Zool. ii. 1844, 315. pi. 133, flg. 291. Stercorarius buffoni CouEB.Proo. Acad. Soi.Phila. 1863. 136; Key, 1872, 309; Cheok List, 1873, No. 542; 2d ed. 1882, Xo. 767; B. X. W. (874,615. Stercorarius cepphus Stephens, Bhaw's Gen. Zool. sili.1826, 211,pl. 2S.-rLAWB. In Baird's B V Am. 1858,840. Baibd, Cat. \. am. B. 1859, No.655. Lestris microrhynchus Bbi bm, Bandb. Vog. Deutsohl. 1831 lessoni Dbol. Mem. ao. R. Lille, 1838, 108. is brachyrhj/nchiu Bbbbm, TogelLlPSE —28 218 UIIIDB OF ILLINOIS. Leatris hardy i Bonap. Tabl. de Longip. Compt. Rend, 1856,770; Consp. ii, 1857, 210. Lestris brissoni "Boie," Degl. & Gekbe. Orn. Eur. ii, 1867,400. Hab. Northern parts of northern hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic districts, and mi- grating south in winter to the more northern United States, occasionally as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Sp. Char. Adult. Entire pileum and upper part of nape, together with lores, malar region, and orbital region, sooty black, or dull slate-black; rest of head and neck, including lower portion of hind neck, straw-yellow, paler on the chin and throat. Upper parts, ex- cept as described, rather dark brownish gray or slate-color (more ashy on the back, where paler anteriorly), the remiges and rectrices darker, especially toward ends, wheie nearly black. Chest (sometimes breast also, or, rarely, even the belly) white, shading gradually into grayish, the under tail-coverts, anal region, flanks, sides, and usually the abdo- men, being deep ash-gray, becoming gradually paier anteriorly. Bill blackish, said to be partly bluish in life; iris brown; feet black, the tarsus light grayish blue in life (changing to yellowish in dried skin). Length, about 20.00-23.00 inches; extent, 36.00-38.50; wing, 11.55-12.85; tail, elongated mid- dle feathers, 10.50-14.50, outer feathers, 4.75-6.00; culmen, 1.10-1.30; tarsus, 1.50-1.80; middle toe, 1.08-1.30. This species apparently has no dark phase, like that of S. parasiticus. The Long-tailed Jaeger is included in this work on Illinois birds on the strength of the following information received from Mr. W. H. Ballou, in a letter dated March 11, 1878: "It may be of some value to you to know that I picked up dead on the Mississippi shore of Cairo, 111., one specimen of Buf- fon's, or the Long-tailed Jaeger. The specimen was obtained in November, 1876. It might have been killed or died in the head- waters of the Mississippi or Missouri River and floated down for all I know. It was too much decayed to preserve, and seemed to have been dead a number of days. After an examination by myself and another gentleman we were compelled to throw it away." LARID.E— THI-] GULLS AND TERNS. 219 Family LARID.ZE.— The Gulls and Terns. Characters. Bill moderately compressed, or sometimes nearly cylindrical, its • ing entire; the tip of the maxilla overhanging, or at least meeting, that of the mandible ; the culmen more or less curved, but never arched, terminally— sometimes nearly straight throughout; symphysis of the m mdible usually forming more or less of an angle, this, in most cases, prominent in proportion to the relative depth of the bill; nostrils sub-basal, perforate; legs and feet of proportionate size. Tail extremely variable in form an I length. Although including among its very numerous members great extremes of size and form, the family Zqridce as here restricted is not divisible into more than two subfamilies; and these are so nearly united through certain forms as to be really more artificial than natural. They may, with considerable difficulty, be defined as follows : Subfamily Larinae. Depth of bill decidedly greater at the angle than at the nostril; terminal portion of culmen decidedly curved; angle at lower mandible always distinct, often very prominent; tail usually even, but sometimes slightly emarginate (Iiissa), deeply emarginate (Xema), forked {Creagrus) or graduated llthodostethia). Size, extremely variable (wing 8.75-20.00). Subfamily Sterninae. Depth of bill at angle less than at middle of nostrils; terminal portion of culmen straight, or but slightly curved, the bill being narrow and pointed; angle of lower mandible seldom prominent; tail more or less forked (except in Anous). Size extremely variable (wing 6.50J17.5O). The North American genera may be distinguished by the fol- lowing; charnchTs : Srr.i amii.v LARIN^ffi.— Tin-: Gulls. A. Tarsus roughened or serrate behind. 1. Gavia. Tail even; tarsus shorter than middle toe with ''law; bind toe perfectly developed, bul small; size medium (wing about 13.25); color entirely white, the younc scantily spotted with dusky. (Nol represented in the Illinois raw B. Tarsus no1 roughened or sit, ate behind. ,i\ Hind ton rudimentary or altogether absent. 2. Rissa. Tail Bllghtly emarginate; tarsus shorter than middle toe without .'law; size medium (wing about 12.00 18.00) ; adult white, with bluish gray mantle; f/oung, .similar to adult, but. hind neok with a blaoktsb patch, and !■ coverts sometimes (in one speoles) also with a blaok patch. --. Hind too perfoctly developed, though small. 220 BIRTH OF ILLINOIS. b1. Culmen decidedly more than two thirds as long as tarsus. c1. Tail even; size, color, and all other characters extremely variable. 3. Larus. c-. Tail emarginate or forked. 4. Xema. Tail much less than half as long as wing, and forked for not more than one eighth its length. 5. Creagrus. Tail nearly half as long as wing, and forked for about one third its length. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.) b-. Culmen decidedly less than two .thirds as long as tarsus. 6. lihodostethia. Tail graduated, the lateral feathers .75-1.25 shorter than the middle pair. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.) Subfamily STERNINiE.— The Terns. A. Tail more or less forked, the outer feather longest. a. Tail much more than one third &-, long as wing, usually (except in subgenus Thalasseus) forked for more than one fifth its total length, the outer feathers na'rrow and pointed at tips; webs of feet occupying more than half the interdigital space. 7. Gelochelidon. Depth of bill at base equal to one third the length of the exposed cul'nen; gonys shorter than inner toe, without claw. 8. Sterna. Depth of bill at base less than one third the length of the exposed cul- men; gonys longer than inner toe, without claw. b. Tail little more than one third as long as wing, forked for less than one fifth its total length, the outer feathers broad and rounded at tip; webs of feet oc- cupying less than half the interdigital space. .9. Hydrochelidon. B. Tail graduated. 10. Anous. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.) Subfamily LAEJN-ZE— The Gulls. Genus RISSA Leach. Jiissa Leach, Stephens's Gen. Zool. xiii, 1825, 180. Type, Larus 7'issa Bkunn.=Z. tri- dactylus Linn. Gen. Chae. Size medium; tail even, or slightly emarginate; hind toe rudimentary or entirely absent, the nail usually obsolete; tarsus much shorter than the middle toe without its claw, not rough or serrate behind. Adults with head, neck, rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, tips of secondaries, and entire lower parts pure white; mantle bluish gray, the quills varied with white and black; bill yellowish, feet blackish or bright red in life. Young similar to adults, but hind-neck crossed by a blackish collar or patch, and sometimes 'in R. tridactyla) a blackish patch on lesser wing-cuverts and black band across tip of tail. Downy young white, tinged above with buffy and yellowish gi ay, but without spots or other distinct markings. Eggs 2—5, ovate, or short-ovate, oliva- ceous white, grayish white, brownish whit'-, or buffy, blotched and spotted with brown and lavender-gray. LAIJin.F— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 221 Only two species of Rissa are known, both of which belong to the North American fauna. They may readily be distinguished by the following; characters: 1. E. tridactyla. Legs and fe t black; wing, about 12.25 inches; culmen. 1.40-1.50; depth of bill at lias.-, .59; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe with claw. I 2. E. brevirostris. Legs and feet deep coral- or vermilion-red (drying yellowish); wing, about 13.00 inches: culmen, 1.20; depth of bill through base, 50; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe with claw, nearly 2.00. Hab. North Pacific, particularly the American side. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.) KITTIWAKE. Popular synonyms. Kittiwake Gull; Tarrock (England, name for young): Winter Gull, Pinyole, or Pinny Owl (Newfoundland Banks). Larus tridactylus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758. 13<->; ed. 12, i, 1766, 224.— Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831 . 423-Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 298— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,186, pi. 224; Synop. 1830, 326; B. Am. vii, 18 U, 146 pi. 444— Coues. Key, 1872. 314; Check List, 1873. No Rissa tridactyla Bonap. Comp. List. 1838, 62.— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 854. — Bairo, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 072.— Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, 103 (synonymy, et .). — Kidgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 658; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 25— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 782.-A. O. U. Check List, 1880, No. 40. Rissa tridactyla, a. tridactyla B. B. & E. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 202. Larus CRissa) tridactylus Coues. B. N. W. 1874, 644. Larus rixsa Brunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 42 —Linn. S. N. ed. 12, i. 1700, 224. Larus alius Muller, Natursyst. 1776, 10s (based Buffon's Monetti- Cendree tachettee). Larus cinerarius Fabr. Fauna Groenl. 1780, 101 (not of Linn. 1700.— Winter plumage). Larus nazvius Schaff. Mus. Orn. 1789, 64 (not of Linn.). Larus torquatvs Pall. Zoog. Hosso-As. ii. 1*20. 328. Larus canus Pall. 1. c. 330 (not of Linn.). Larus gavia Pall. 1. c. 329. Larus riga Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii. 1788, 59 1 (misprint). Rissa brunnichii Leach, Stephen's Gen. Zool. xiii, pt. i, 1826, 181, pi. 21, Bissa cinerea Eyton, Cat. Br. B. 1830, 52, Laroides miner Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 756. Rissa b red/is Brehm. Naum. 1855,294 (not Larus borealis Bbucs). Rissa gregaria Bbehm, 1. c. Hab. Olrcumpolar regions in summer, coming south in winter to the Middle : and < • i eal Lakes. Bp. Chae. Adult in s a m mer: Mantle deep pearl-gray (about the same shade as Larus brachyrhynchus and I., californicus), the secondaries passing into white terminally. Pri- maries pa l.'i- p*earl-gray, the five outer r Intermediate extent on those between ; outer web of the exterior quill almost wholly black ; inner quill ■ pale pearl-blue, scaroelj paler terminally, the sixth sometimes marked with a black spot near the end of the outer \> eb; fifth quill tipped with white, and fourth with a minute apical spot (when not worn off). Rest of the plumage snow-white. Bill pale ypllow, sometimes tinged with greenish; inside of mouth vermilion-red: eyelids red; Iris brown ; legs and teet black oi dusky brown, i lull in winter: Similar, but nape and put washed with th lor "f the back, the auricular r< *^:i < ■ n. and immediately in front of the eye, with a dark pluml is Buffusion, bod tending across the occiput. Young, 222 turds of Illinois. first plumage: Somewhat similar to the winter adult, but lower part of nape covered by a large transverse patch of black, the anterior lesser wing-coverts also more or less black, as are the centres of the innermost lesser coverts and tertials ; primary coverts and outer webs of four or Ave outer primaries also black. Tail crossed at the end (except lateral pair of feath- ers) by a broad black band, widest on the intermedia?. Bill wholly black; "edge of eyelids and iris as in the adult" (Audubon); legs and feet dusky brownish. Downy young: Head, neck, wings, and lower parts, immaculate white, the neck and base of the wings more or less tinged with buff; back, rump, and flanks, yellowish gray, the down darker at the base. Wing, about 12.25 inches; culmen, 1.40-1.50; depth of bill at base, .59, through angle, .40; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe (with claw), 1.80. The Kittiwake is a northern gull which visits the Great Lakes in winter, having been observed in the vicinity of Chicago by Mr. Nelson, near Racine, Wisconsin, by Dr. Hoy, and in Min- nesota, by Dr. Hatch. During the breeding season, however, it is strictly a littoral and maritime species, its summer home, on the American side of the Atlantic, extending from the lower St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, etc., to Greenland, throughout which extensive region it is perhaps the most numerous species of the family. It is said to have become much less abundant than formerly on the New England coast (where it used to pass the winter in immense numbers), on account of its destruction by the fishermen for food and slaughter by city gunners for "sport" — the latter, it is said, shooting them for sport or prac- tice, and leaving the dead and wounded to float out to sea with the ebbing tide. Genus LARUS Linn.eus. Larus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 130; ed. 12, i, 176(i, 224. Type, by elimination, L. canus Linn. Leucus Kaup. Nat. Syst. Eur. Thierw. 1829,86. ("Includes L. marinus, glaucus and fuscus".) La ro ides BBEHM.Vog. Deutschl. 1831,738. ("Includes most of the European hoodless Gulls".) Gavina Bonap. Naum. 1854, 212. ("For L. canus and allies and for L. ado «m?'."— Saunpebs). Chroicocephalus Exton, Brit. B. 1836, 53. Type, Larus capistratus Temm. Atricllla Bonap. Naum. 1854, 212. Type, A. catesbcei Bp.,=Lar«s atricilla Linn. Dominicanus Bbuch, J. f. 0. 1853, 100. Type, Larus marinus Linn. Glaucus Bbuch, 1. c. 1853, 101, Type, Larus glaucus Linn. Blasipus "Bp." Bbuch, 1. c. 1853, 108. Type, Larus modestus Tschudi. Melagavia Bonap. Naum. 1854, 213. Type, Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich. Gen. Chab. Size exceedingly variable, ranging from that of the smaller Albatrosses down to that of the medium-sized Terns; tail even; tarsus always longer than the middle toe with its claw (except in L. minutus), and smoothish behind; colors extremely variable, but young always widely different from the adult. The genus Larus, in the comprehensive sense in which it is here adopted, includes many very dissimilar forms, which pro- bably represent distinct genera. LARID.E— THE GULLS AM) TERNS. 223 The species belonging to eastern North America may be char- acterized as follows : A. Adult with the entire head, neck, lower parts, anil tail pun' white. (Lams, LlNN.) a. Mantle very pale pearl-blue; primaries the same, fading into white toward the ends. 1. L. tlaueus. Wing, 16.75-18.f0 inches; culmen, 2.15-2.65; depth of lull through the angle, .75-1.00; tarsus, 2.30 3.00; middle toe, L.95-2.50. Eyelids in summer adult, red- dish purple; feel flesh-color. 2. L. leucopterus. Wing, 15.40-16.50 inches; culmen, 1.65.-1.90; depth of bill through angle, .60-.70; tarsus. 2.05-2.20 ; middle toe, 1.70-1.95. Eyelids in summer adult.ffesh- color; feet inclining to orange-red. b. Mantle pale pearl-blue; primaries similar, but abruptly tipped with white. 3. L. kumlieni. Five outer primaries marked with slate-gray spaces immediately he- fore the white tips; color of ihe mantle, as in A. leucopterus, and size about the same. Eyelids in summer adult reddish purple, or purplish flesh-color; feet flesh- color. Wing, 15,00-17.00 inehes; culmen, 1.60-1.90; depth of hi!! through angle ,55-.66; tarsus, 2.10-2.40. JIab. North Atlantic coast, breedingin Cumberland Sound, and migrating south in winter to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New York. c. Mantle dark slate-eolor. the primaries marked with black and white terminally. 4. L. marinus. Wing. 17.60-19. 50; culmen, 2.40-2.60; depth of bill at angle; .98-1.05; tarsus, 2.70-3.10. llah. Coasts of the North Atlantic. (I. Mantle some shade of bluish gray ; primaries marked with black and white at and near the end. 5. L. argentatus. Wing, 15.75-17.90 inches; culmen, 1.85-2.20; depth of bill through angle, .70-.80; tarsus, 2.30-2.72; middle toe, 1.85-2.25. Mantle pale pearl-blue. Bill deep yellow, the mandible with red subtermina] spot; eyelids yellowish; iris sil- very while or pale ..riiow; legs and feel flesh-color. •*>. L. argentatus smithsonianus. Similarto true /-. argentatus, but averaging larger and with less while and more black on primaries. Wing, 16.25 17.50; culmen, 1.95- 2.50; depth of bill through angle, .68-.85; tarsus. 2.30-280: middle toe.l 7. L. delawarensis. Mantle pale pearl-blue (much as in L. argentatus). Wing, 13.60- 15.75 inches; culmen, L.55-1.75; depth of bill through angle, .50-.65 ; tarsus, I, middle toe, 1.30-1.60. Bill greenish . ed near the end by a blackish band, the tip sometimes tinged with orange; eyelids vermilion-red; iris clear pale yellow; legs an> inged with greenish. 8. L. canus. Mantle pale ashy blue [as in I., brachyrhynchus). Wing, 13.90-14.50 inehes; culmen, 1.35-1.60; depth of bill through angle, .45-.50; tarsus, 1.90-2.25; mid- dle toe, 1.35 1.45. Bill greenish olivaceous (in the dried skin), the terminal third yellow; eyelids vermilion- red ; iris grayish brown; legs and feel yellowish green. Hab. Pal ■ii.ii ; accidental in Labrador? B. Adult with the head and upper part of black or slaty in summer, forming a well deti ned "hood;" plumage of the lower parts rose-tinted; size medium b small; the hill slender. (Chroicocephalus, Eyton.i a. Tarsus longer than the middle t, e and claw. '•', L. atricilla. Bill and feet dark brownish red, the former .-• pped with brighter red; eyelids dull red; iris dark brown; hood dai slate; mantle p plumbeous- slab . Wing, about 13.00 inch !», Tarsus shorter ti i olav . 10. L. franklinii. Bill and feet carmini • : brown; hood pluml us mantle deep bluish plumbeous. Wing, about 11,25 ln< u. L. Philadelphia. Bill uniform deep black ; legs and feet One orange-recfin summer, flesh-color in wi dark brown; hood dark plumbeous; mantle delicate pearl-blue; Wing, about 10.25 inohes. 12. L. m'nutus. Bill reddish dusky; legs and feel vermilion- or coral-red; hood deen black; mantle d ■ loate pearl-gray; primaries without any black markings. Wing, 9.00 inohes, flab. Palaaarotic liegion ; accidental in Ma "sand Bei mudas. 224: BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Larus glaucus Briinn. GLAUCOUS GULL. Popular synonyms. Burgomaster; White Gull; Hutehins's Gull. Larus glaucus Bbunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 44— Fabe. Faun. Grcenl. 1780, 100.— Gmel. S. N. i,pt. ii, 1788, 600.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 306.-AUD. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 59, pi. 396; Synop. 1839, 329; B. Am. vii, 1844, 170, pi. 449.— L vwk. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 842— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 656-Coues, Key, 1872, 311: Check List, 1873, No. 543; 2d ed. 1882, No. 768; B. N. W. 1874. 620.— Saundees, P. Z. S. 1878. 165.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B.1881, No. 660; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 26.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 211.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 42. Larus hyperhoreus Gunn. in Leem's Lapp. Beskr. 1767, 283— Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v, 1882, 39. Larus glacialis "Benicke," Macgill. Mem. Wern. Soc. v, pt. i, 1824, 270. Larus giganteus "Temm." Benicke, Ann. Watterau. Gesellsch. iii, 1814, 140. "Larus consul Boie, Wiedemann, Zool. Mae. i, 126" (Saundees). Larus leuceretes Schleep, N. Ann. Wetterau. Gesellsch. i, 1819, 314. Larus islandicus Edmondst. Mem. Wern. iv, 1822, 185 (nee Edmonst. op. cit. p. 506 = L. leucop terns). Larus hutchinsii Bich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 419 (note).— Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862. 294.— Elliot, Illustr. Am. B. ii, 1869, pi. 53. Hab. Circumpolar regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, and (acci- dentally) Texas. Sp. Chae. Adult in summer: Mantle very pale pearl-blue; primaries still paler pearl-blue, or bluish white, fading gradually into white at ends, their shafts yellowish white or pale straw-color. "Iris golden yellow; eyelids orange-yellow; bill lemon-yel- low, greenish toward tip, crimson spot on lower mandible; tarsi and toes flesh-color (L. Kumlien, MS.*). Adult in winter: Similar to the summer plumage, but head and neck streaked with pale brownish gray. "The bill is wine-yellow, the lower mandible with an orpiment patch near the end; the edges of the eyelids pale yellow; the feet flesh-col- ored, the claws bluish black" (Macgillivbay). Young, first plumage: Ashy white, more or less tinged with pale brownish ash below, the upper parts more or less mottled trans- versely with the same : head and neck faintly streaked with the same. Terminal third of bill dusky, basal portion flesh-color; "iris yellowish brown" (Kumlien, MS.+). Young-, in second winter: Wholly pure white, the bill and feet colored as above. Downy young (No. 76,217, Kinjuah Fiord, Cumberland Gulf, June 24, 1878; L.Kumlien): Grayish white, paler below; head and neck irregularly marked with scattered large spots of dusky; back, wings, and rump irregularly clouded with dark grayish. Bill brownish, crossed by a broad dusky band; feet light brown. Total length26.00 to 32.1)0 inches; extent, 57.00 to 65.00; wing, Pi.75-18.70 (average L7.93); culmen, 2.30-2.70 (2.52); depth of bill through angle, .80-1.00 (.88); tarsus, 2.60-3.05 (2.85); mid- dle toe, with claw, 2.68 3.00 (2.841. * According to Audubon, the adult male has the bill, etc., colored as follows: "Bill gamboge-yellow, with a carmine patch toward the end of the lower mandible, and the cdo(.s of bcth mandibles at the base of the same color. Edges of eyelids red, iris yellow. I 'eel flesh-colored, daws yellowish." The young are described as having the bill yellow to beyond the nostrils, the end black; the feet flesh-colored, with dusky claws; and the iris brown. + Macgillivray {"Hist. Brit. 2?." v, 5.63, 564) describes the freshcolors of the bill, etc., in the young as follows: "Young: The bill is horn-color, or pale yellowish gray; the upper mandible brownish black beyond the nostrils; the lower beyond the angle. The feet are flesh-color; the claws lightish brown. Young, in thirdwinter: The bill is yellowish flesh- color, with only a dusky spot on each mandible toward the end; iris dull gray; the edges of the eyelids yellow; the feet flesh-color; the claws light grayish black." LARIDiE — THE GULLS AND TERNS. 225 The great Burgomaster Gull is an Arctic species which occa- sionally visits Lake Michigan in winter. It is the largest of the gulls, excepting only the Black-backed Gull, or ''Saddle- back" (Z. marni'ix). In Greenland, where it is almost a resident species, a few in- dividuals (chiefly young birds) being seen in the very coldest weather, it is said to pirate upon the eiders (Somateria mollis- sima horeaUs), often compelling them to surrender the mussels which they have brought up from the bottom of the bays or fiords. There, "the principal breeding place of this gull in the vicinity of Ivigtut is close by the open sea, near the mouth of the fiord, where they congregate in considerable numbers. In August the young birds assemble in the fiord, especially near the narrow channels, as at Karsuk and Ellerslie, and feed dur- ing that month and the next on the berries of Empetrum ni- grum. At that season they are easily shot, and their flesh is of a very savory flavor. The breasts of the young of all species of gull are eaten here as a delicacy." * Larus leucopterus Faber. ICELAND GULL. Popular synonym. White-winded Gull. Larus argentatus Sabine, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii, 1818. 546 (Dot of Bru.vn. 1764). Larus leucopterus Faber, Prodr.Isl. Orn.1822. 91.-Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 41S.-Nuit. Man. ii, 1831, 3H5— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 553. pi. 282; Synop 1839, 327: 15. Am. vii.1814. 159. pi. 417— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 843 — Baird, Cat.'N. Am. B. 1S59. No. 658. -Coues, Key, 1872, 311; Cho.-k List, 1873, No. 511; 2d ed. 1882, No. 769; B. X.W.I 374 622-Ridgw. Noni. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 661; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 26— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1834, 216.— A. O. U. Chock Li-t, 1886, No. IS. Larus arclicus Macgill. Mem. Wern. Soc. v. 1824,-08. Laru* glaucoides "Temm." MEYER.Tasehenb. Vog. Deutsohl. iv,lS22.197.-TEMM. PL Col. 77.> livr. Intro. i. Larus, 1828. Larus islandicus Edmonst. Mem. Wern. Soc iv. 1823, 506 (noc op. cit. p. 185=/,. glauous). Larus minor Bbehm, Vog, Deutsohl. 1831, t:;>'>. Laroidea subleucoplerus Bbehm, t. o. "in. Larus tOlaucus) glaeialis Bkuch. J. f. 0.1853. 101 (nee U looell. I Hab. Range about the same as that of L. glaucuB. South in winter to coast of Massa- chusetts ami tip- Greal Lakes. Sp. Char. Similar to /.. glaucus, bul much Bmaller, the young darker oolored. in summer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (a Bhade darker than in /.. glaucus); remlges similar, hut slightly paler, passing terminally Into pure white. Seal <>i the plumage Bnow-white, • M. Chamberlain, in / '-. ±uk, July 1889, pp. 211-215. —29 226 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. "Bill bright orange-yellow, tipped with yellowish green; vermilion spot on lower mandible: tarsi and toes flesh-color; iris cream-color" (L. Kumlien, MS.1). Adult, in winter: Simi- lar, but head and neck streaker! with dusky grayish. "The bill is wine-yellow, the lower mand;ble with an orpiment patch near the end; the edges of the eyelids yellow; the feet pale flesh-colored, the claws grayish brown; the iris pale yellow" (Macgill vray). Young, first plumage: Grayish white, the head and neck broadly streaked, the upper parts coarsely spotted, with brownish ash-gray; lower parts nearly uniform light brownish ash, the chin and throat white; bill wholly blackish; feet brownish. "The bill is very pale flesh- colored as far as the anterior extremity of the nostrils, beyond which both mandibles are brownish black. The feet are pale flesh-colored, the claws brownish black" (Macgilliv- bat).2 Wing, 15.40-16.50 (15.76) inches; culmen, 1.65-1.90 (1.75); depth of bill through angle, .60-70 (.66) ; tarsus, 2.05-2.20 (2.14) ; middle toe, 1.70-1.95 (1.81). [Four adults.] The Iceland Gull has nearly the same distribution as its larger relative, the Burgomaster (Z. glaiieus), though breeding much farther south, and in appearance is almost exactly a miniature of that species. The name which has been adopted for it is, however, not very appropriate, since it is said not to breed at all in Iceland, merely passing the winter there. According to Faber,* the first specimens arrive in Iceland just after the middle of September, when both old and young make their appearance, confining themselves to the northern part of that island, among the small inlets, where great numbers pass the winter. Toward the end of April their numbers decrease, and by the end of May nearly all have disappeared. These birds were Faber 's daily guests. They came on land to his winter dwelling, and snapped up the entrails thrown to them, fighting. fiercely for them with the Havens. One was so tame that it presented itself at his door every morning at a certain time, that it might be fed, and always gave notice of its arrival by a cry. This Gull would in- dicate to the seal-shooters in the fiord where the seals were to be looked for, by following their track to the sea, and hovering over them in flocks, with incessant cries. It is said to follow, in the same manner, the track of the codfish in the sea, in order to feed upon the booty hunted up by this fish. Faber further states that in the winter (1821) which he passed at Debratte, on the southern coast, not a single bird of this species was to be seen. On the 1st of March the shore was free of Sea-Gulls; but early 1 "Bill gamboge-yellow, with a spot of orange-red near the end of lower mandible; the angle of the mouth and the edges of the eyelids are also orange-red. Iris pale yellow. Feet pale fledi-eolor; claws grayish brown" (Audubon). 2 "Bill yellow, the tips black. Edges of eyelids pale reddish orange; iris brown. Feet yellowish flesh-color; claws grayish brown" (Audubon). * As quoted by Dr. Brewer, in The Water Birds of North America. LARID.E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 227 on the 2d the air was filled with numbers of this species which had arrived during the night. The Icelanders concluded from the sudden appearance of the birds that shoals of codfish must have arrived on the coast, and it was soon found that this con- jecture was correct. And there, where but a short time before an ornithological quiet had reigned, everything became enlivened by the coming of these birds, which hovered over the nets with- out intermission, and with incessant cries. During the winter these Gulls were Faber's weather-guide. If they swam near the shore with their feathers puffed out, then on the following dajr storms and snow were to be expected. In fine weather the birds soared high in the air. These Gulls often sat by hundreds on a piece of ice, and in this way were drifted many miles. Their habits differ from those of the Glaucous Gull, which moves with more energy, while the leucopterw in its flight and deportment is the more graceful of the two. The latter is said to hover over its prey, to be somewhat greedy, always active, and never afraid to fight for its food with antagonists of equal or even superior strength. Larus marinus Linn. BLACK-BACKED GULL. Popular synonyms. Saddle-back; Farmer Gull (Bay of Fundy). Larua marinus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 17">8, 136; ed. 12, i, 17.;6, 22.").— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 308 — Aud. Orn. Biot,'. iii, is::;,, 305; v> 183', 636, pi. 241; Synop. 1839, 329; B. Am. vii, 1844. 172. pi. 450.— Lawk, in Barrel's B. N*. Am. 1858, 814— Baird, Ca'. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 660 — Coues, Key, 1872, :;i2; Check List, l878.No.546; 2.1. ed! 18v2, No. 771; B. N. W. 1874,621- Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 663; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 2i— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1881, 2J5.— A. O. U. Cheok List, 1886, No. 47. Larus niger Bbiss. Orn. vi. 1760, 158. Larus ncevius Linn. s. N. Pd. 12, i, 1766, 225. Larus maculatus Bodu. Tabl. P. E 1783, 16 (nee Bkunn. 1764). Larus maximus Leach, Gat. 1816, 10. Larus mulleri Brehm, Vug. Deutschl. 1831,729. Larus fabricii Buehm. t. 0. 730. Hab Coasts of the North Atlantic; in amerloa, south in. winter to Florida and the Great Lakes. Bp. Chab. Bize very large (about equal to A. alaucus). Adu Mantle tanoe and I he Bpeolmen should, if it can be tn ixamined, 230 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues. AMEEICAN HERRING GULL. Popular synomyms. Sea Gull; Gray Gull (young). Larus argentatoides Bbehm, Beitr. Vog. iii. 1822, 791. 799 (part).— Sw. &Rich. F. B.-A. ii' 1831. 417 (?). Larus argentatus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 360, No. 300 (not of Linn.).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 304 — Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 588; v, 1839, 638; Synop. 1839, 328; Synop. 1839, 328; B, Am. vii, 1844, 163, pi. 448— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 844.— BAiRD.Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 661.— Coues, Key, 1872, 312.— Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, 167 (part). Larus smithsonianus Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 296. Larus argentatus, var. smithsonianus Coues, Check List, 1873, No. 547 b. Larus argentatus, b. smithsonianus Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 625. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 666 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 31.-Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 773— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 51 a. Larus argentatus, fi. smithsonianus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 235. Hab. North America in general, more especially the Atlantic coast, where extending from Labrador to Cuba; breeding from eastern Maine northward; frequent throughout the interior, on the larger inland waters, and occasional on the Pacific coast. Subsp. Char. Similar to true L. argentatus, but averaging larger, and adult with the white on the outer quill crossed by a subterminal bar or spot of black, this rarely less than .50,of an inch wide, and often extending to the extreme tip, thus reducing the white to a subterminal spot. Length, 22.50-26.00 inches; wing, 16.25-17.50 (average, 17.24); culmen, 1.95-2.50 (2.24) ; depth of bill through angle, .68-.85 (.79); tarsus, 2.30-2.80 (2.57), middle toe, without claw, 1.85-2.25 (2.10). The character of the markings on the outermost quill is more to be depended on as a distinctive character of the American Herring Gull than the difference of size, which is far less con- stant, many specimens, especially among those from Cumber- land Gulf a,nd other extreme northeastern localities combining the smaller size of the European with the wing pattern of the American bird. With perhaps the exception of the Ring billed Gull (Z. clela- warensis), this is the commonest gull of eastern North America in general, and the only one which is found in considerable num- bers during winter on the waters, both coast and inland, of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It breeds from the coast of Maine and southern Minnesota northward, and winters nearly throughout the country to the southward. According to Professor Cooke* it was seen at Chicago in the winter of 1888-84, and usually a few winter on Lake Michigan. As a rule it is found in winter throughout Illinois * Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 55. LARID;E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 231 and thence southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The severe cold of January, 1884, drove it almost entirely out of Illinois. One was seen at Saint Louis after the river began to be full of fioat- ing ice. It returned to Saint Louis January 29; two days later a party of eighteen went north above the Mississippi. The following very interesting account of the manner in which the inhabitants of Newfoundland rear these gulls for food is published by Mr. Win. Palmer, in the "Proceedings" of the United States National Museum (Vol. XIII., pp. 254-255): "The well-fattened young of this species may be said to form a not insignificant part of the winter diet of the Newfoundland fishermen at outlying places. Capt. J. W. Collins in an inter- esting paper on sea birds, in the Report of the U. S. Fish Com- mission for 1882, alludes to this habit of the coast fishermen as follows: 'It may be of interest to mention in this connection that the coast fishermen of Newfoundland capture the young of the sea- gulls (generally of the larger species) while they are yet nest- lings, and carefully rear them until they are full grown, feeding them chiefly on fish A single family may have a dozen or twenty of these young birds. I have frequently seen ten or a dozen young gulls in a pen at Belloram, Fortune Bay, and there were a number of such pens in the little village. In many places on the Newfoundland coast these birds, 1 have been told, occupy the same place that with us is filled by the domestic fowls. Instead of the conventional turkey for the holidays, the coast fisherman is satisfied with the young ami fat guUs which he has raised.3 ■I have been unable to find any other published accounl of the utilization of the young of this species as food. While bhe <; nunim* was at Little-Seldom-Come-By Harbor, Fogo Island, I had an opportunity of examining a pen of these birds, which ;nv kepi in bhe same manner as one keeps pigs. The birds, of which there were eight of differenl sizes, belonged to an appar- ently prosperous fisherman. A corner of the garden had been converted into a pen aboul 5 feel square. Wishing to obtain ;i specimen of the young, I made known bo bhe good housewife my reasons inr desiring one, but she simply could not under stand that I wanted it as a specimen, bo the husband was 232 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. called in and the matter explained. After considerable talk and explanation, and the promise on my part that if they would visit the vessel I would be only too glad to recompense them with some powder and shot, I succeeded in obtaining- their con- sent to select a specimen. I doubt if to this day they have been able to comprehend my reasons for desiring the specimen. "The birds are fed mostly on fish offal; in fact, nothing comes amiss to them, their ability to swallow being only limited by their size and the extent to which they can expand their jaws. As a consequence, they become very fat and tame, following one about like a dog, and occasionally going to the water and help- ing themselves to what they can find, but invariably returning to their homes. In January and February, when other food is scarce, the gulls are killed and return to the sometimes fam- ished fishermen and their families, in another and more palat- able form, some of that abundance which could not be other- wise utilized during the fishing season." Larus delawarensis Ord. KING-BILLED GULL. Larus delawarensis Ord, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 1815, 319.— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 846— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 664— Coues, Key, 1872, 303; 2d ed. 1884; Check Li^t, 1873, No. 548; 2d ed. 1882, No. 778; B. N. W. 1874,636— Ridgw. Orn. 40th par. 1877, 638; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 669; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 32— Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, 176— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 244— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 54. Larus canus Bonap. Specc. Comp. 1827, 69 (nee Linn.). PLarus argentatoides "Brehm," Bonap. Synop. 1828, 360 (nee Brehm). Larus zonorhynchus Richards. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 421— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 98; v, 1839, 638, pi. 212; Synop. 1839, 327; B. Am. vii, 1844, 152, pi. 446. Gavma brachii Bonap. Naum. iv, 1854, 212. Larus zonorhynchus, var. mexicanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1857, 224. Has. North America at large, breeding "from the northern tier" of the United States northward, and wintering from the United States (at large) to Cuba and Mexico. Sp. Char. Smaller than L. californicus, the bill more slender, and without red spot, the mantle much paler, the iris yellow, and feet greenish yellow in the adult. Adult, in summer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (much as in L. argentatus, much paler than in L. brachy- rhyncJius or L. canus), the secondaries and tertials passing terminally into pure white. Outer primary black, with a white space 1.25 to 1.50 inches long near the end, involving both webs, the shaft, however, black; second quill similar, but with the white space small- er, and the extreme tip also white; third, with the basal half pale pearl-gray, and the apical white spot larger; next, similar, but the subterminal black more restricted, the line of de- markation between it and the pale pearl-gray still more sharply defined; fifth, pale pearl- gray, passing terminally into white, but crossed near the end by a wide band of black, about .75 of an inch wide; sixth quill pale pearl-gray, passing into white terminally, and marked near the end by a more or less imperfect black spot; remaining quills pale pearl- larltle— the gulls and terns. 233 gray, passing terminally into white, and without a trace of black. Bill greenish yellow, cross ; near the end by a blackish band, the tip sometimes tinged with orange; i ictus and eyelids vermilion-red: interior of mouth rich orange red, more intense posteiiorly; iris clear pale yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish; claws black.1 Adult, in winter: Sim- ilar, but the head and n^ck, except beneath, strraked with brownish gay. Young, first plumage: Above, brownish dusky, the feathers bordered with pa'e grayish buff; primaries black sh dusky, the inner quills bluish gray basally, and tipped with white; secondaries bluish gray on basal half, dusky black terminally where edged with white ; basal two thirds of the tail pale gray, more whitish ba-ally, mottled with deeper grayish: terminal third dusky black, narrowly tipped with white. Lower parts white, spotted laterally with gray- ish bn>wn. "Bill black, base of lower mandible and edges of the uppe-, toward the base, livid flesh-color; edges of eyelids livid blue; iris hazel; feet purplish gray, claws brownish black" (Audubon). Length, about 18. (10-20.00 inches; wing, 13.60-15.75 (average, 14.45); culmen, 1.55-1.75 (1.61); depth of bill through angle. .50-65 (.56); tarsus. 1.90-2.45 (2.14); middle toe. 1.30-1.60 (1.46). [Sixteen adults.] Like the Herring Gull (Z. argentatus smitJisonianus) , this is a common species throughout eastern North America, the north- ern border of the United States being, approximately, the southern limit of its summer home, and the northern limit of its winter range. Its habits are essentially like those of its larger relative. Larus atricilla Linn. LAUGHING GULL. Popular synomyms. Black-headed Gull; Apipisca grande de alas largas (Mexico); Gaviota (Mexico). Larus atricilla Linn. S. N. ed. 10. i, 1758,1311; ed. 12, i, 1766, 225 (based on Larus major Catesb. i, 89, but also includes the European species. L. ridibundus Linn.). — Nutt. Man. ii. 1831, 291.— AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 118, pi. 314; Synop. 1839, 321; B. Am. vii, 1811. 136. pi. 413— Coues. Key, 1872, 315; Check List, 1873. No. 551.— Saunders. P. Z. S. ' 1878. 19t.-HiDc:w. Norn. N. Am. B. 18sl, No. 673; Man. N. Am. B. 18b7. 35.-B. B. & R. Water B N. Am. ii, 1884, 251— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 58. Larus (Chroieocephalus atricilla Bkuch. J. f. O. 1853, 106.— Coues, B. N. W. 1S7I. 650, OhroicocephaluH atricilla Lawr. in B ird's 15. N. Am. 1858, 850.— Baibd, Cat. X. Am. B. I 159, No. 607.— COUES, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 8l0;2d Check List, 1882, No. 786. Larus ridibundus Wils. Am. Orn. ix, 1811. 89. pi. 74, Ug. 4 (not of Linn.). Larus pluiabiceps Brehm, Lohrb. 722 (Gray). Larus {Atricilla) megalnpterus Bruch, J. f. 0. 1855, 287. 1 trioill* ca'esbcei Bon'ap. Naumannia. 1854, 212. Atricilla minor Bonap. l.o. Atricilla marro.utera Bonap. i.e. Larus {Atricilla) microplerus Bruch. t. o. 28?. i" Adult male, in summer. Bill marked opposite the angle with a broad trnnsvorse band of brownish black, between which and the base it is light greeuish >ellow. the tips orauge-yollow. Edges of eyell Is greenish yellow; iris bright yellow. Feet greenish yel- low, the webs tlncod with orange, olawa black" (Audubon). -30 234 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Hab. Tropical and warm-temperate America, north to Maine, Ohio, Illinois, etc. but chiefly along the sea-coast; south to the Lower Amazon; both coasts of Mexico and Cen- tral America. Casual in Europe. S?. Char. Adult in summer: Head and upper half of the neck (extending farther down in front than on the nape) dark slate-color, with a slight brownish tinge, darkest on the neck; an elongated white spot on each eyelid; lower half of the neck, all round, entire lower parts, upper tail-covertc, and tail, pure white, the under surface with a delicate roseate tinge in fresh specimens; mantle deep plumbeous, the secondaries and tertia's broadly tipped with white. Outer Ave primaries black, with or without a small white apical spot, the bases of the third, fourth, and fifth slaty for a greater or less distance, this some- times abruptly defined against the black, but oftener grading insensibly into it; remaining quills hoary plumbeous, tipped with white, the sixh sometimes with a subterminal black spot. Bill dark brownish red, terminal third of the culmen (sometimes whole tip of upper mandible) and the gonys blood-red or carmine, the two colors sometimes separated by a more or less distinct dusky bar or transverse sp >t; eyelids dull dark red; rictus and inte- rior of mouth fleshy red; iris dark grayish brown; legs and feet dark reddish brown, the webs darker; claws black. Adult in winter: Similar, but h^ad and neck white, the occi- put and auricular region spotted or mottled with brownish gray, and the eyes more or less surrounded by the same. Bill and feet more dusky. Young, first plumage: Inter capu- lars, scapulars, and wing-coverts, grayish brown centrally, boadly bordered with pale grayish buff or clay- color; greater wing coverts ash-gray, tinged on terminal edges with pale grayish buff; secondaries dusky, abruptly tipped with white; primary coverts and primaries black, the latter narrowly tiDped with white. Central portion of the rump light, brownish ash; lateral an i posterior portion of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and postei ior ower parts, white. Basal half of the tail light ash-gray; terminal portion black, narrowly tipped with white. Head, neck, breast, and sides, nearly uniform brownish giay, darker on the occiput and nape, and more or less tinged with pale buffy beneath, especially in younger individuals; abdomen grayish white or pale brownish gray. Bill and feet dusky brownish (in skin). Down}) young: Above, grayish fulvous, the head irregularly striped or spotted, the back, wings, and rump irregu'arly marbled with dusky. Lower parts light grayish fulvous, inc ining to ochraceous on the breast and middle of the abdomen, which are immaculate; lateral and under pa ts of the head marked with several large and distinct spots of bl.ick; forneck, sides, fl.inks. and anal region dull fulvous-grayish, faintly mottled with darker. Bill dull light brown; legs and feet dull dusky brown. Total leng h, about 16.50 inches; wing, 13.00: tail, 5.00; culmen, 1.75; depth of bill through nostrils, 45; tarsus, 2.00; middle toe with claw, 1.50. Essentially a coast bird, the Laughing Gull is probably only an irregular or casual visitor to the Mississippi Valley. Accord- ing to Professor Cooke a few pass up the Mississippi duiingthe summer as far as southern Illinois, while it was recorded by Mr. Powell at Alden, Nebraska, in July, 1880. May not, how- ever, Franklin's Gull (Z. franklinii) have been mistaken for it? Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich. FRANKLIN'S GULL. Popular synonyms. Franklin's Rosy Gull; Hooded Gull; Apipisca (Mexico). Larus atricilla Sabine. A.pp. Franklin's Polar Sea, 1823, 615 'not of Linn. 1758). Larus frav klinii Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A.ii 1831,424. pi. 71.— Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839.324; Synop. 1839, 325; B Am. vii. 1844,145.— Coubs, Key, 1872,316; Check List, 187:i, No. 555.— Saun- ders, P. Z. S. 1878,195.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881. No. 674; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 36.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1881, 258.-A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 69. LARID.E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 235 Larus (Chroicocephalus) franklinii Beuch, J.f. 0. 1855,289.— Coues, B. N. W. 1874,653. Chroicocephalus irankllnii Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,851.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 668— Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 787. Larus pipixcan Wagl. Isis, 1811,515. Larus cucullatus Licht. Nomencl. 1851,98 no description). (Mexico.) Larus (Chroicocephalus) cucullatus Bkuch, J. f. O. 1855, 290.— Lawb. In Baird's B. N Am. 1858, 851— Baird. Cat. N. A m. B. 1859, No. 669. Larus cinereo-caudatus Phil & Landb. Wtegm. Archiv. 1861, 293 (Chill). ? Larus (Chroicocephalus) hittlitzii Beuch, J. f. O. 1853.104. Chroicocephalus schimperi Beuch, 1. c. (not of Schleg., 1863,1 which=Z. saundersi Swinhoe). Hab. The interior of North America, chi»fly the Mi-sissippi Valley and northward, breeding from Dakota, Minnesota, etc., northward; Central and South America, during mi- grations, as far as Chili; part of the West Indies, 8p. Chab. Adult, in summer: Head and upper part of the neck plumbeous-b!ack (more plumbeous anteriorly); an elongated white spot on each eyelid; lower part of the neck (all round), entire lower parts, lower part of the rump, and upper tail coverts snow- whit*', the neck and lower parts with a deep tinge of delicate rose-pink in fresh specimens. Mantle deep bluish plumbeous, a little lighter than in L. atricilla, the secondaries and ter- tials broadly tipped with white. Tail white, the fourto six central feathers tinged wi'hpale grayish blue, deepest on the intermedia?. Primaries bluish gray, the shafts white, the five outer quills marked with a subterminal space of black, varying in extent from nearly 2.00 Inches on the second quill to about .50 on the fifth, each quill broadly tipped with white, this occupying on the first about 1.50 inches of the terminal portion, on the rest less than .50 of an inch, the bluish gray of I he basal portion of the quills becoming nearly or quite white adjoining the black, and the shaft of the black portion al.-o black ; remaining quills light grayish blue, broadly, but not abruptly, lipped with white, 'he sixth sometimes marked with a subterminal black spot or bar. Bill de p red. with a more or less distinct darker subterminal band; eyelids red; feetdeepred. Adult, in winter: Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput, with orbital and auricular regions grayish dusky. Bill and feet brownish, the former tipped with orange-reddish. Young, first plumage: Top and sides of the head (except forehead and lores), back, and scapulars grayish brown, th longer scapulars bordered terminally with pale grayish huff; wing-coverts bluish gray, tinged with grayish brown; secondaries dusky, edged with pa'e gayi.-h blue, and broadly tipped with white; primaries dusky, the innermost ones more plumbeous, all rather broadly tipped with white. Central portion of the rump uniform light bluish gray; lateral and posterior pottions of the rump, upper tail-coverts, entire lower parts, forehead, lores, and oyelids white. Bill brownish, dusky terminally; feet brown (in skin). Total length, about 14.00 inches; extent, 35.00: wing, 11.25; culmen, 1.30; depth of bill through nostrils, .35; tarsus. 1.60; middle toe, with claw, 1.60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord). BONAPARTE'S GTJLL. Sterna Philadelphia Obd, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 11, 1815, 319. Chroicocephalus Philadelphia Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1838, 852.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1869, No. 670,— Newton, P. /. S. 1871, 27, pi. i. flg. 6 (egg).— Couks, Proo. Acad Sd..Phila. 1862, 810; -J i Check List, 1882, No 788. Ridow. Orn. 10 b Tar. i-:;. Larus Philadelphia Quay, Ltsl Brit, B. 1863, 285 (Great Britain). Check List, 187:1. No. 656.— B. B. & B. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 260.— A. O. U. Check List. 1886, No. W.— BXDOW. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 36. 236 BIRDS Or ILLINOIS. Larus Philadelphia Saundebs.P. Z. S 1878, 206,-Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 675. Larus (Chrozcocephalus) Philadelphia Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 655. Larus minutus Sabine, App. Franklin's Voy. 1823, 696.— Sw. & Rich.F. B.-A.. ii, 1831, 426 (not of Pall. 1776 . Larus capistratus Bonap. Speec. Comp. 1828, 69 (not of Temm. 1820). ? Larus melanorhynchus Temm. PI. Col. livr. 85, pi. 504 (1830; Chili). Larus bonapartii Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii. 1831, 425, pi. 72— Nutt Man, ii, 1834, 294.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 212 pi. 321; Synop. 1839, 323; B. Am. vii, 1814, 131, pi. 452. Larus ( hroicocephalus) subulirostris "Bp," Bruch, J. f. 0. 1853, 105 (type in Mus. Mainz). Hab. The whole of North America, but no valid record of its occurrence south of the United States, except Bermudas (Hubdis). Breeds from Manitoba (probably also northern Minnesota) northward. Sp. Chab. Adult, in summer: Head and upper part of the neck dark plumbeous, the eyelids marked by an elongated whi.e spot. Lower part of the neck, entire lower parts, tail, upper tail coverts, lower and lateral portions of the rump, border of the wing, alulae, primary coverts, and greater portion of the primaries snow white, the nedostethia rosea! Cf. Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 209). Hab. Circumpolar Regions; in winter migrating south, in America, to Massachusetts. New York, the Great Lakes, Kansas, and the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Very abun ant in Alaska. Bermudas, one instance (Saunders). Macabi Island, coa~t of Peru, lat. 8° S. (one specimen, fide Saunders, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 210). * Sp. Chab. Adult, in summer: Head and upper part of neck plumbeous, bounded below by a well-defined collar of black, widest behind; lower part of the n>'ek. entire lower parts, tail, upper tail-coverts, and lower part of rump snow-white, the lower part faiutly tinged with delicate rose pink in some freshly killed specimens. Mantle deep bluish gray (nearly the same shade as in Larus franklinii) the secondaries pure \hite, becoming grad- ually pale grayish blue toward"base«; most of tho exposed portion of the greater coverts also white, forming, together with the secondaries, a conspicuous longitudinal whie stripe on the closed wing. Four ou'er prima1 les black, broadly tipped with white, the inner weba broadly margined with tho same; fifth quill with tho greater part of tho inner web. and about 1.75 inches or tho terminal portion of the outer, white, ihe remainder black; remain- ing quills white; outer border of the wing, from the carpal joint back to the primary coverts, including the latter and the alulffl, uniform black. BUI black, tipped with yellow; eyelids re i ; iris brown; feet dull lead-color, claws blaok" (L. H. Turner, M.S.). Adult, in winter: Similar to tho summer plumage, but head and n ck white, except occiput, nape, and auricular region, whioh are dull dusky pmubeous. Young, first plumage: Crown, nape, baok, scapulars, wing-coverts, and rump brownish gray, each feather bordered ter- minally with light fulvous or pale grayish bull, this fulvous border preceded on the tertials. £38 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. longer scapulars, etc.. by a dusky Internal sub-border; greater wlng-coverts and second- aries white, as in the adult; primaries much as in the adult. Tail white, with a broad sub- terminal band of black, the tip narrowly white or pale fulvous; upper tail-coverts and en- tire lower parts white. Bill dusky, brownish toward the base: feet light brownish (in the skin). Wing, about 10.75 inches; culmen, 1.00; depth of bill through angle, .30; tarsus. 1.25; middle toe and claw. 1.25. According to published records only one specimen of tbis Arc- tic gull has been observed in Illinois, and that, unfortunately, was not secured. It was shot by Mr. E. W. Nelson* on the shore of Lake Michigan, April 1, 1873, was in breeding plum- age, but falling beyond his reach, was drifted off from the shore by the wind. Subfamily STERNIN-ffi.— The Terns. Genus GELOCHELIDON Brehm. Gelochelidon Bbehm. Naturg Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 774. Type, 8. Young, first plumage: Above, pale pearl-gray, the feathers more or less tipped with light clay-color, this sometimes almost uniform over the back and scapulars, where the feathers are bluish only beneath the suface; a blackish crescentic spot immed'ately in front of the eye. and a dusky grayish suffusion on the auriculars. forming a more or less distinct postcular stripe. Lower parts entirely pure white. Rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, and wing-coverts nearly uniform pale pearl-gray; remiges deeper silvery gray, the secondaries and inner primaries tipped with white; recirices darker subterminally, and tipped w:th white or pale oehraceous-buff. Pileum. back, and scapulars sometimes streaked with dusky, oftener immaculate. Bi'l dusky brownish, the mandible dull orange- brown, except terminally; legs and feet varying from dull reddish brown to dusky brown, the soles more reddish. Downy young: Abov<», light grayish buff, with several la: ge and to'erably well-defined dusky spots on the hind half of the head, most distinct on the latero- occipital region; a distinct longitudinal stripe of dusky down each side of the lower nape and upper back; wings, rump, and flanks, with large, rather distinst. spots of dusky. Lower parts white, the sides of I he throat faintly tinged with grayish. Bill dull brownish, the mandible more oiango; legs and feet dull brownish oiange. Total length, about 13.00 to 15.23 inches; extent, 33.00 to 37.50; wing, 11.75-12.25; tail, 5.50; depth of fork, 1.50-1. 75; eulmen. 1.40; depth of bill through base, .45: tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, with claw, 1.10. The Gull-billed Tern breeds abundantly along the Atlantic coast of the United States, especially on the islands off shore, which it inhabits in company with the Common Tern (S. hirundo), Forster's Tern (S. forsteri), the Least Tern {S. antiUarum), the Black Skimmer (Bynchops nigra), and the Black- headed Gull {Zarm atricilla), in some localities outnumbering any of the before-mentioned species. In those localities which 1 have visited its nest was usually placed on the dry Band, just beyond reach of the surf, but not unfrequently at a considerable distance from the shore. It is very hold in defence of its eggs or young:, darting down ai an intruder with such impetuosity as almost to strike him, scolding all the while with a harsh chattering note, which may he compared to a discordant laugh. 240 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus STERNA Linnaeus. Sterna Ltnn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758,137, ed. 12,1, 1766, 227. Type, by elimination. Sterna hirundo Linn. Ste.rnula Boie, Isis, 1822. 563. Type, Sterna minuta Linn. Thalaseeus Boie, lsis, 18.'2. 563. Type. Sterna caspia Pall. Thalassea Kaup. Sk. En*w. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 97. Type. Sterna paradiscea Brunn. Sylochelidun Bkehm. Vog Deutschl. 1830, 767. Type, Sterna caspia Linn. A ctochelklon Kaup. Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 31. Type, Ste na cantiaca Gmel. Haliplana Wagl. Isis, 1832. 1224. Type. Sterna fulignosa Gmel. Sp. Char. Bill much more slender than in Gelochelidon, its depth through the base less than one third the length of the exposed culmen, its upper outlines never strongly curved and its lower outline always straight, or nearly so. Size exceedingly variable, the form and colors less so; tail always decidedly forked, and toes almost fully webbed, but the webs concave, or "scalloped out," anteriorly. The above diagnosis covers several groups of species, usually ranked as subgenera, some of which are possibty entitled to full generic rank, since they appear to be quite as distinct from typ- ical Sterna as is Gelochelidon. The species occurring in eastern North America are the fol- ' lowing: A. Wing more than 9.00 inches. a. Size very large (wing 15.00 inches or more); tail emarginate; occipital feathers soft and blended, not forming a crest; inner webs of primaries concolored (dusky grayish); adult, above, pale pearl-gray, beneath, white: hood wholly black in summer, wholly streaked or speckled with white in winter. ( -iubgenus Thalasseus Boie.) 1. S. tschegr va. Bill very robust (the depth through the base a little less than one third the length of the culmen), deep red. o. Size large or medium (wing 12.50-15 inches); tail deeply forked; occipital feathers pointed and somewhat lengthened, forming a short but distinct crest; inner webs of primaries bicolored (dusky in a weli-deflned stripe next the shaft, the inner edge broadly and abruptly white); adult, pale pearl-gray above, white beneath; pileum wholly black in spring, the forehea2. .".38 (text; Labrador). Sterna caspia, var. imperator Ridgw. Ann. Lye. N. Y. x. 1874,891. Sterna n gia (neo Gamb.) Bidqw. Oni. 40th Par. P77. 639 Humboldl Lake, Nevada). Hah. Palaearotlc Region. North Amerioa In general, but very Irregularly distributed; breeding in Labrador, along the Arctio coast, on islands LtLake Michigan and along coast of Virginia and T< Las I Bumboldl Marshes, N\ a. la, numerous; coast of California; Aus- -31 242 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Sp. Chak. Largest of the Terns (wing not less than 15.00 inches). Bill very robust, red- dish; tail short and but slightly forked: inner webs of primaries wholly dark slaty. Adult, in summer: Entire pileum, including upper half of lores, deep black, the lower eyelid with a white crescentic spot. Upper parts very pale pearl-gray, fading in- sensibly to white on the upper tail-coverts, the tail bluish white; outer surface of the primaries light hoary ash, their inner webs uniform slate or dark hoary gray. Best of the plumage snow-white. Bill deep coral-red, with a dull suffusion subterminally, the tip orange or yellowish; iris dark brown; legs and feet deep black. Adult, in winter: Simi- lar, but the black of the head streaked with white. Young, first plumage: Similar to the adult, but with the following differences: Pileum (including occiput and upper two thirds of lores) grayish white, thickly streaked with dull black; side of head with a uniform dull black bar, beginning before and beneath the eye and extending back over upper portion of auriculars ; lower portion of lores and auriculars grayish white, mottled with darker gray- ish. Mantle pale pea>l-gray. sparsely marked with irregular spots, mostly inclining to crescentic or V-shaped form, of brownish dusky, the wing-coverts, however, nearly im- maculate; the markings largest on longer scapulars and terminal portion of tertials; primaries hoary gray, with white shafts, the shorter ones margined with white; rump and upper tail-coverts immaculate pearly white ; rectrices hoary gray, distinctly spotted with blackish toward tips. Best of plumage plain white. Bill dull orange (in dried skin), dusky subterminally: feet brownish (in skin). (No. 93,033, Warsaw, 111., Sept. 21, 1883; Chaeles K. Worthen.) Downy Young: Above, grayish white, the down of the head dusky grayish at the base; back and rump finely and indistinctly mottled with grayish: throat and fore- neck uniform pale grayish; remaining lower parts, including the chin, immaculate white. Bill, legs, and feet dull orange, the former with the tip blackish. Total length, about 20.00-22.50 inches; extent, 51.00-55.50; wing, 15.00-17.40; tail, 5.30-i:.75, depth of its forking, .75-1.60; culmen, 2.48-3.10; depth of bill through base, .75- .95; tarsus, 1.60- 1.95; middle toe. 1.15-1.40. The great Caspian Tern is a bird of very irregular distribu- tion, even its breeding grounds being scattered about at dis- tant points, not only in North America but other parts of the world as well. In North America it has been found breed- ing at several localities in the Arctic district, on islands off the coast of Virginia, in Lake Michigan and on the coast of Texas; and the writer found it to be more or less common about Washoe Lake and the Humboldt Marshes, Nevada, and the Great Salt Lake, Utah, where it was no doubt breeding.* Unlike most other terns, and conspicuously unlike the almost equally large Royal Tern (,6'. maxvma), the Caspian Tern ap- pears to breed in isolated pairs instead of large colonies, its nest being usually far removed from that of any other bird, and consisting merely of a shallow depression scooped in the sand, in which its two eggs are laid, with little if any lining, though a few grass, or sedge, blades or other vegetable sub- stance are sometimes added. It is very bold in defence of its eggs or young, darting impetuously at the intruder, uttering meanwhile hoarse barking or snarling cries. * The species was given in the author's "Ornithology of the Fortieth Parallel" as the Royal Tern, but I am now quite certain that it was this species instead. LARID.E— THE GULLS AND TERXS. 243 Subgenus ACTOCHELIDON Kaup. A ctochelidon Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 31. Type, Sterna canliaca Gmel.,= S. sanaoicensis Gmel. Subgen. Chae. Next to Thalasseus the largest of the Terns. Tail more than half as long as the wing, forked for at least half its length; feathers of occiput lengthened, pointed, lorming a distinct crest; depth of bi 1 at base much less than one third the length of ex- posed culmen; inner webs of primaries bicolored (dusky or slaty next to shaft, white along edge). Sterna maxima Bodd. ROYAL TERN. Popular synonyms. Gannet, or Gannet Striker, (Coast of Virginia); Redshanks (Florida*); Gaviota (Mexico). La Grande Hirondelle de Mer, de Cayenne Buff. Ois. viii, 316. HirondeVe de Mer, de Cayenne, Buff. PL Enl. 988. Sterna maxima Bodd. Tabl. 'P. E. 1783, 58 (ex PI. Enl. 988).— Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1871, 567 (critical).-SAUNDERS. P. Z. S. 1878, 655 (do.).— Coues, 2d Check List. 1882. No. 791.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1881, 281. -A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 65— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 40. Sterna cayennensis Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788,604. Sterna cay ana Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 801, No. 2.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 268.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 505; v, 1839, 639. pi. 273; Synop. 1839, 316; B. Am. vii, 1844, 76, pi. 429. Sterna galericulata Licht. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 81 (typj in Berlin Mus. ; determined by H. S.). Sterna erythrorhynchus Wied, Beitr. iv, 1833, 857. Sterna cristata Swains. B. W. Afr. ii, 1837, 247. pi. 30 (type in Cambridge Mus.; ex- amined by H. S.). Sterna regia Gamb. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1818. 228.— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 859.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 683,-Coues, Key, 1872, 319; Check List, 1873, No. 562.— Ridgw. Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 681. Thalasseus regius Gamb. Journ. A^ad. Nat. Sci. Phila. i,2d ser. 1819,223.— Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 539 (critical). Sterna {Thalasseus) regia Coue3, B. N. W. 1871. 669. "Sterna bergii" Irbt, Orn. Str. Gibr. 1875, 209 (specimen examined by H. S.). Not S. bergii, LiCHT. 182S. Hab. Tropical and warm-temperate parts of America, north to Long Island, Massa- chusetts Great Lakes, Utah (?), Nevada (?), and co ist of California; South to Brazil and Peru. West coast of Africa, north to Tangiers (Dalgleish, "Auk," January, 1884. p. '.'7). 8p. Chae. Nearly as large as S. tschegrava. Bill deep orange-red or orange. Tail quite deeply forked. Adult, in spring: Entire pileum, Including ooolpital 'nest and upper half of tiio lores, deep black. Upper parts pale pearl-gray (about as in 8. tschegrava), be- coming whito on the rump and upper tail-ooverts. Tail grayish white, tinged with pearl- gray. Outer webs of primaries pale silvery gray, the outer quill darker; inner webB slaty In a broad stripe next the shaft, the Inner portion abruptly white, the dusky extending an- teriorly near the Inner edge of the web, except on the outer quill, is ill deep orange-red; iris dark brown; legs and feet deep bla %er: Similar, but the forehead, loros. ami fore part of or own white. Bill uniform deep orange-ohrome, paler at tip; edges of eyelids blaok; iris dark brown; legs and feet deep blaok. Adult, in winter: "Young of 'Fide W. E. D. Scott, in The Auk, Oot., 1890 But why?) 244 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. the year in August: Bill considerably smaller and shorter than in the adult, its tip less acute, and its angles and ridges less sharply defined, mostly reddish yellow, but light yel- lowish at tip. Crown much as in the adults in winter, but the occipital crest scarcely rec- ognizable as such. Upper parts mostly white, but the pearl-gray of the adult appearing in irregu'ar patches, and the whole back marked with small irregularly shaped, but well-de- fined spots of brown. On the tertials the brown occupies nearly the whole of each feather, a nan ow edge only remaining white. Lesser wing-coverts dusky plumbeous. Primaries much as in the adults, but the line of demarkation of the black and white wanting sharp- ness of definition. Tail basally white, but soon becoming plumbeous, then decidedly brownish, the extreme tips of the feathers again markedly white. Otherwise as in the adults" (Coues). Total length, about 18.00 to 20.00 inches; extent, 42.00 to 44.00; wing, 14.00-15.00; tail, 6.00- 8.00; the depth of its fork, about 3.00-4.00 ; culmen, 2.50-2.T5 ; depth of bill through base, 70; tarsus, 1.37; middle toe, with claw. 1.40. It is very questionable whether the bird with entirely black pileum can be regarded as in full breeding-plumage. In July, 1880, I found a colony consisting of several thousands of this species breeding on Cobb's Island, Va. Dozens were shot as they flew from their eggs, and not one could be secured, or even observed, which did not have the forehead and fore part of the crown white. All the eggs were quite fresh; but it is barely possible that the birds may have previously laid in some other place, and their eggs have been taken by fishermen. It seems, therefore, most probable that the wholly black pileum repre- sents the full spring, or perhaps pairing, dress, rather than the livery of the breeding-season. This is a truly "royal" bird, for, though somewhat smaller than the Caspian Tern {S. tschegrava), it is altogether of more elegant form and more striking appearance. It is one of the most gre- garious species of the family, usually nesting in immense colo- nies, some of which number thousands of pairs, their nests occu- pying a comparatively limited area, being often so closely crowded that it is difficult to walk among them without stepping on the eggs. Although accredited to Illinois as an irregular or casual sum- mer visitor, it is possible that individuals of the Caspian Tern have been mistaken for it. Subgenus STERNA Linn. Sterna Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 137. Type, by elimination, S. hirundo Linn. Subgen. Chae. Size medium (wing between 9.00 and 12.00 inches). Tail deeply forked, with lateral feathers much lengthened and narrow towards ends. Feathers of occi- put normal (short and blended, not forming a crest). LARID.E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 245 Sterna forsteri Nuttall. FORSTER'S TERN. Popular synomyms. Havell's Tern; Striker (coast of Virginia). Sterna hirundo Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 412 (not of Linn.). Sterna forsteri Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 274 (foot-note).— Lawr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 862.— Baied. Cat. N. Am. B. 1839, No. 691— Coues. Key, 1872, 321; Check List, 1873, No. 566; 2d ed. 1882, No. 798; Birds N. W. 1874, 676— Henshaw, Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 486 — Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 639; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 685; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 42. — B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 292— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 69. Sterna havelli Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 122, pi. 409, fig. 1 (young in winter); Synop. 1839, 318; B. Am. viii, 1844, 103, pi. 431.— Laws, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 861.— Baied, Cat. N . Am. B. 1859, No. 686. Hab. North America generally, breeding from interior of British America south to the coast of Virginia, Illinois, Southern Texas, Nevada, California, etc.; migrating south to Brazil. Sp. Chae. Adult, in summer: Pileum and nape deep black. Upper parts, including rump and tail, light pearl-gray, the primaries and tail paler and more silvery, the inner webs of the outer pair of rectrices usually darker (sometimes quite dusky) for that portion beyond the tip of the next feather. Inner webs of primaries without any well-defined white space, except on two outer quills, but the edge usually more or less dusky. Tips of second- aries, anterior upper tail-coverts, sides and under part of head and neck, and entire lower parts pure white. Bill dull waxy orange, the terminal third or more blackish, with the tip usually paler; mouth orange; edges of eyelids black; iris dark brown; legs and feet very fine orange-red, the claws black. A dult, in winter: Similar, but the head and neck white, the occiput and nape more or less tinged with grayish, the sides of the head marked by a broad space of black surrounding the eyes and extending back over the auriculars. Tail less deeply forked than in summer, the outer rectrices broader and less elongated. Young, first plumage: Similar to the winter plumage, but the pileum, nape, back, scapu- lars, tertials, and wing-coverts overlaid by a wash of raw umber browa, chiefly on the ends of the feathers, but appearing nearly uniform on the back and crown; sides of the breast tinged with the same. Rectrices all distinctly dusky terminally, especially on inner webs (the outer web of the lateral feather hoary whitoto the tip), the middle feathers tipped with raw umber. Bill dusky, more brownish on basal portion of the mandible ; legs and feet light brown in the dried skin. Downy young: Prevailing color light brownish buff, the breast and abdomen white; lower surface entirely immaculate, but upper parts coarsely and irregularly marbled with black, the sides of the head with a few scattered irregular . minuto markings of the same. Length, about 3.50 inches, the culmen .35 of an inch. To'al length, about 12.00 to 15.00 in -lies; extent. 30.00; wing, 9.50-10.30; tail. 5.00-7.70; depth of its fork. 2.30-5.00; culmen, 1.50-1.65; depth of bill through base, .35-. 49; tarsus, .90-.9J; mid- dle toe, 1.05-1.15. This is the common tern of the Mississippi Valley, and proba- bly the only species of the genus which breeds in Illinois. Al- though tli»' writer found it common and undoubtedly breeding at Sacramento, California, aud at various localities in Nevada and rtah, he became intimately acquainted with its breeding habits only on Cobb's and adjoining islands, off the coast of Virginia. There, although fairly common, it was Less numerous than the Common, Least, and Gull-billed 'rein {8. hirxmdo% s 24G BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. antillarum, and Gelochelidon nilotica,), and kept apart from them, though usually nesting in company with the Laughing Gull (Zarus atricilla). Its nests were usually made on the tide-rows of drift-weed on marshy places, while the other terns nested in the sand or, in the case of the Least Tern, on the "shingle" beach. Its note is quite different from that of the species mentioned, but bears some resemblance to the sonorous qua-a-a of the Loggerhead Shrike (Zanius hidovicianus) . Sterna hirundo Linn. COMMON TERN. Popular synonyms. Wilson's Tern; Striker (coast of Virginia); Sea Swallow; Summer Gull (coast of New Jersey). Sterna hirundo Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 137; ed. 12, i, 1766, 227.— Wils. Am. Orn. vii, 1813. 76, pi. 60. fig. 1.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834,271.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838,74,pl. 309; Synop. 1839, 318; B. Am. vii, 1844, 97, pi. 433.— Coues, Key, 1872, 320 ; Check List, 1873. No. 565; 2d ed. 1882, No. 797; B. N. W. 1874, 680.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 295.— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 70.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887,43. Sterna fluviatilis Naum. Isis, 1819, p. 1847-48.— Sharpe & Dresser, B. Eur. Pt. xi, (1872).— Saunders, P. Z. S. 1876, 649. Sterna senegalensis Swains. B. W. Afr. ii, 1837,259. Sterna wilsoni Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 61.— Lawr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,861.— Baibd. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 689. Hab. Palaearctic region and eastern North America, chiefly near the coast. Winters north to about 37°; breeds irregularly nearly throughout its range. Arizona; Bermudas (summer resident). Sp. Char. Adult, in summer: Pileum and nape, including upper half of the iores, uniform deep black. Upper parts deep pearl-gray (much the same shade as in paradiscea), the border of the wing, tips of secondaries, lower part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and greater portion of the tail pure white. Lower parts pearl-gray or grayish white (much lighter than the upper parts), becoming gradually white on the under parts and sides of the head, and pure white on the crissum. Outer web of lateral tail-feather ash-gray, darker terminally, in abrupt contrast with the pure white of the inner web; outer webs of remaining rectrices, except the intermedin, paler grayish. Outer web of outer primary blackish slate; outer surface of other primaries light silvery gra*-, slightly paler than the back; in- ner webs chiefly white, with a stripe of grayish next the shaft, this stripe abruptly defined on the first five quills, but growing gradually broader and paler toward the fifth, and ex- tending, near the end of the feathers, a greater or less distance toward the base, but the edge itself narrowly white; five inner quills pale silvery gray, the inner webs edged with white. Bill bright vermilion, blackish terminally, except on the tomia: inside of mouth or- ange-vermilion; edges of eyelids black; iris very dark brown ; legs and feet orange-vermil- ion, lighter than the bill; claws black, Adult, in winter: Similar, but forehead, crown, and anterior part of lores white, the vertex mixed with black; entire lower parts pure white. Young, first plumage: Orbital region, occiput, and nape deep black; crown mixed black and grayish white; forehead and lores, with entire lower parts, upper tail-coverts, inner webs of rectrices, and tips of secondaries, white. Upper parts pale b uish gray, the scapu- lars, interscapulars, and tertials tipped with pale buff, and marked with an indistinct sub- terminal lunule of dusky brown; anterior lesser wing-coverts dusky, forming a broad bar across the wing; primaries much as in the adult, but darker; wing- coverts paler than the back, and bordered indistinctly with white. Outer webs of rectrices grayish, deepening on LARID.E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 247 outer feathers into slate. Bill dusky brownish, the base of the mandible paler and more reddish; feet pale yellowish (in the dried skin). Downy young: Not distinguishable with certainty from that of S. paradisoza {?). Total length, 13.00-16.00 (14.50) inches; extent, 29.00-32.00 (31.00); wing, 0.7.5-11.75 (10.50); tail, 5.00-7.00(6.00); depth of its fork, about 3.50 (average) ; culmen, 1.25-1.50(1.35); depth of bill through base, about .33; tarsus, .66-. 87; middle toe, .75. The Common Tern is less numerous in the interior than For- ster's Tern (S. forsteri), but along the Atlantic coast is far more so. A few pairs, however, breed about Lake Koshkonong, in southern Wisconsin, and doubtless also in other parts of the Mississippi Valle}', but to what extent is very uncertain, owing to the ease with which the species may be mistaken for Forster's Tern. Subgenus STERNULA Boie. Sternula Boie, Isis. 1822, 563. Type, Sterna minuta Linn. Subgen. Chak. Smallest of the Terns (wing less than 7.00 inches in the American spe- cies). Tail about half as long as wing, forked for about half its length. Adults pearl-gray above, white or pale pearl-gray beneath; top of head black, with a broad white "lunule" covering forehead and side of crown. Sterna antillarum (Less.) LEAST TEEN. Popular synonyms. Little Striker (coast Virginia) ; Sandpeter (Dry Tortugas). Sterna minuta WlLS. Am. Orn. vii. 1813, 80, pi. 70, fig. 2 (not of Linn.).-Aud. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 175, pi. 319; Synop. 1839, 321; B. Am. vi. 1814. 119, 439. Sterna argentea Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 280 (not of Max. 1820). Sternula antillarum Less. Desor. Mam. et OIs. 1847,256. Sterna antillarum Coues. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1865, 552.— Scii. & Salt. P. Z. S. 1871. 571— Saunders. T. Z. B, 1876, 661.— BlDGW. Num. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 690; Mai Am. B. 1887. 46.-B. B. &R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1881. S09.-A. O. U. Check Li.-l.1886. No. 74. Sterna superciliaris b. antillarum Coues. B. N. W. 1874, 692. Sterna superciliaris antillarum Coues. 2d Check List, 1882, No. 801. Sterna frenata Gamb. Proc. Acad. Nat Sci. Phila, 1848.128.— Lawb. in Baird'sJB. X. Am. 18 8, l'.Aini.. Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No.694. Sterna superciliaris (Iundl. & Caban. J. f. O. 1857, 232 (notofVuHLL.).— GouM. Key, 1872, :«j ; Click List, 1878, No. 570. Hah. Temperate and tropical North America in general; Bonth to Trinidad, Both b of Central America; north to Massachusetts. Illinois, Minnesota, Dakota, and south- ern California; casually to Labrador. si-, cm mi. Smallest of the Terns twing less than Beven Inches). Adult, in summer: Pilenm and nape deep black, the forehead cover ad lunule of white extending hack laterally to the eyes, the lores being crossed hy a hiack line or narrow Btripe extend- ing from the eye to the lateral base of the maxilla, immediately behind the nostril. Entire 248 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. upper parts, including lower part of the nape, upper tail-coverts, and tail pale pearl-gray, deepest on the dorsal region and wings. Two to three outer primaries dusky slate, the inner webs broadly edged with white; remaining quills pale pearl-gray, like the coverts, the edge of the inner webs white. Entire lower webs pure white. Bill bright yellow, usu-> ally (but not always) tipped with black; iris dark brown; legs and feet bright orange-yellow. Adult, in winter: Similar, but lores, forehead, and crown grayish white (purer white ante- riorly); an occipital crescent and a stripe forward from this to and surrounding the eye blackish. Bill dusky; legs and feet dull yellowish. Young, first plumage: Somewhat similar to the winter plumage, but humeral region marked by a wide space of dusky slate, the scapulars and interscapulars with submarginal V- or U-shaped marks of dusky, the crown streaked and the occiput mottled with dusky, and the primaries darker than in the adult. Bill dusky, brownish toward the base; feet brownish. Downy young: Above, grayish white, finely mottled with dusky grayish, the head distinctly marked with irregular dots of dusky black; lower parts entirely immaculate white. Bill dull yellow, tipped with dusky ; legs and feet clear pale yellow. Total length, about 9.00-9.40 inches; extent, 18.75-20.00; wing, 6.60; tail, 3.50, its fork, 1.75 ; culmen, 1.20; depth of bill at base, .28; tarsus, .60; middle toe. with claw, .72. This beautiful little tern occurs iu summer nearly throughout the Mississippi Valley, and, doubtless, breeds somewhere within the limits of Illinois, although there is not, to my knowledge, any record of its doing so. It is much more abundant along the Atlantic coast, where it formerly bred regularly as far north as Massachusetts, but on accouDt of the increasing summer population of the localities most frequented by it (the islands just off the coast), it, like other terns, is said to be growing every year less numerous, and has even quite abandoned many of its former breeding grounds. Its habits are quite similar to those of other species of the same genus. It is equally bold and pugnacious when its eggs or young are menaced, when it keeps up a protesting cry of uiW, uik', ui¥, sounding very much like the querulous grunt of a young pig whose mother has left it too far in the rear. Its eggs are deposited on the bare sand, gravel, or "shingle" beyond reach of the highest tides, and in color assimilate so closely to their surroundings as to be with great difficulty detected. Genus HYDKOCHELIDON Boie. Hydroc elidon Boie, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, Sterna nigra Linn. Gen. Chab. Similar to the smaller species of Sterna, but tail only very slightly forked or emarginate, the rectrices not attenuated at ends, and the webs of the toes filling loss than half the interdigital spaces. Adults gray or blackish beneath, as dark as, or darker than, the color of the upper surface. LARID-E— THE GULLS AND TERNS. 249 Only one species of this genus belongs properly to North America, although a single specimen of a European species was taken at Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, by the late Professor Thure Kumlien, July 5, 1873. The common North American bird has been generally referred to the European II. nigra (Linn.), but is so different that little, if any, harm would be done by considering it a distinct species.* Hydroclielidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.) BLACK TERN. Popular synonyms. American Black Tern; Short-tailed Tern ; Golondrina de mar (Mexico). Stoma surinamensis Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 604. Hydrochelidon surinamensis Bonap. Compt. Rend. 1856,773. Hydrochelidon lariformis surinamensis Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 693. Eydrochelidon nigra surinamensis Stejn. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. 5, 1882, 40.— B. B. & It. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 318— A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 77— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 17 Sternaplumbea Wixs. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 83. pi. 83 (young). Hydrochelidon plun.bea Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858. 864.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 695. Sterna nigra Svf. &Rich. P. B.-A. ii, 1831, 415 (nee Linn.).— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 282— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 593; v. 1839. 642, pi. 180; Synop. 1839, 320; B. Am. vii, 1844, 116. pi. 438. Hydroch \ra (part) Saunders, V. Z. S. 1878. 642. Eydrochelidon fissipes (part) Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. S.-i. Phila. 1S62, 554 (nee Sterna lisstjjes Linn.); Key, 1872, 323; Check iJsf, is':;. No. 575. Eydrochelidon lariformis (part) Coues, B. X. W. L874, 704(nec Rallus lariformis Linn.); 2d Check List, 1882, No. 806— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 640. Hab. The whole of temperate North America, and portions "f tropical America; north to Alaska, south to Chili: breeds nearly throughout its North American range, except along Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Sp. Chap. Adult, in summer: Head, neck, and lower parts sooty black, the head and neck, especially above, nearly pure black; anal region and crissum pure white. Entire upper parts uniform plumbeous, the border <>f the wing, from the shoulders to the carpo- metacarpal .loint. while. Lining of the wing light plumbeous-gray. Bill deep blaok, the rictus lake-red, the interior of the mouth pinkish; iris dark brown; legs and feet purplish dusky. Adult, in winter: Head, neck, and lower parts pure white ; orbital and auricular regions dusky; crown and occiput dark grayish, the feathers bordered with paler. Upper parts as in the summer plumage, but rather paler plumbeous. Young, >ir., 125. Meraus ncevius Bonnat. Enc. Meth. Orn. i. 1790, 7:;. Colymbus atrogularis Meyer & Wolfe, Tasch. Vog. Deutschl. ii, 1810. 449 (part). Colymbus hyemalis Brehm, Lohrb. Eur. Yog. ii, 1821,883. Had. Northern part of northern hemisphere. In America, breeding from Minnesota, northern Illinois, northern New York. New Hampshire, Maine, and mountains of California northward; wintering south to the Gull of Mexico; no extralimital American record. Sp. Char. Adult. Head and neck dull black, with a greenish refleotion, this brightest on the lower part of the neck; fore-neok crossed by a narrow bar of white longitudinal ob- long dots or sh'>rt Btreaks; sides of the neck some distanoe below this crossed by a broad bar of longitudinal white streaks; upper parts black, beautifully variegated with white dots, these largest, quadrate In form, and arranged In transverse series on the Bcapulars. minute and dot-like on the rump. Lower parts Immaculate white, the sides of the chest narrowly iked with black, the Bides and flanks black, dotted with white. Bill black, paler at the Up; iris carmine; legs and feet "livid grayish blue, their ini tinged with pale yel- 254 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. lowish flesh-color; claws black, lighter at the base; webs brownish black, lighter in the middle" (Audubon). Young: Upper parts dusky, the scapulars, interscapulars, and upper tail-coverts bordered terminally with plumbeous-gray; lower parts, including malar region, chin, throat, and fore-neck, white, the sides and flanks dusky brown, squamated with grayish. "Bill rale yellowish green, the ridge and tip of upper mandible du>ky; iris brown; feet dusky externally, pale yellowish flesh-color internally, webs dusky, but yellow in the middle" (Audubon). Downy young: Uniform dark fuliginous, lighter and more slaty on the throat, fore-neck, chest, and sides, the entire abdomen velvety yellowish white, shaded with pale ash-gray exteriorly. The down short and very dense, very similar to the fur of an otter or other fur-bearing mammal. Total length, 28.00 to 36.00 inches; extent, 52.00 to 57.50; wing, 13.05-15.25 (average 14.06); culmen, 2.75-3.50 (3.07); depth of bill through base, .00-1.06 (.96); tarsus, 2.75-3.85 (3.35) ; outer toe, 3.85-4.65 (4.22). [Thirteen adults.] This handsome water bird is a more or less common winter resident on the larger waters throughout the State of Illinois, and breeds in the northern portion, although according to Mr. Nelson it was, as long ago as 1876, "of uncommon occurrence during summer" in Cook county.* The following description of the leading characteristics of the Loon is partly condensed from Dr. Brewer's account in Water Birds of North America, Vol. II., pages 447-450: The Loon very rarely associates in flocks, and then only ap- parently from necessity— as when a limited surface of open water compels them to crowd together. During the winter, either singly or in pairs, or in small parties, they are dispersed through- out the United Stales. Knowing that man is its mortal enemy, this bird is constantly on the watch. When it meets a passing- boat it widens the distance by immediately steering off, is active in diving, and when sitting, defies the keenest sportsman. It is a very hardy bird, and is said to live to an incredible old age. It subsists almost entirely on fish, is an excellent diver, and when alarmed, eludes pursuit by passing swiftly to a consider- able distance under the water. Its habits are strictly aquatic. When, in its migrations, it passes over the land, it flies at a great height and very rapidly. In stormy weather it takes shelter in coves and creeks, and occasionally in mill ponds. The loon swims very low in the water, hardly more than the head and neck being exposed, and is so alert and active as to dive readily at the flash of a gun, rendering it almost impossi- ble to kill the bird with a charge of shot unless very close to it. It prefers to escape pursuit by diving rather than flying, and * Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vol. viii, p. 150. URINATORIDiE — THE LOONS. 255 remains under water so long and comes to the surface at so great a distance from the pursuer and in such unexpected places that the pursuit of one that has been made wary by attempts on its life is exciting though often tedious. The cry of the loon is loud and melancholy, being likened by some to the howl of a wolf or the prolonged scream of a human being in distress. Its flesh is dark, lough, and fishy, but is eaten by Indians. Urinator arcticus (Linn.) BLACK -THROATED LOON. Popular synonyms. Arctic Loon or Diver; Black-throated Diver. Colymbus arcticus Linn. S.N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135; ed. 12, 1766, 221.— Rich. & Sw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 475— Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 517.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 345; B. Am. vii, 1814, 295, pi. 477.— Gray, Gen. B. iii, . pi. 171.— Lawe. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 888.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. 099— CouES.Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1802,228; Key, '■ 872,334; Check List, 1873, No. 600; ed. 2, 1882, No. 842; Birds N. W. 1S74, 721-Ridgw. Nom. X. Am. B. 1881, No. 738. Urinator arcticus Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v, 5, 1882,43,-B. B. & R. Water B. Am. ii, 1881, 452— A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 9— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. 1887, 7. Colymbus macrorhynchos Beehm, Yog. Deutschl. 1831, 974. Colymbus megarhynchos Beehm, Naum. v, 1855,300. Colymbus ignotiin Bkchst. Gemein. Nature:. Deutschl. ii, 1791, 782. Colymbus leucopus Bechst. Naturg. iv, 1809, 625. Hab. Northern portions of northern hemisphere, breeding in Arctic districts. In America, migrating south in winter, through the Eastern Province, to the northern United States. Sp. Char. Adult: Chin, throat, and fore-neck velvety purplish black, with a purplish violet reflection, this black bounded sharply below, bul >>n the sides of the head blending gradually into the color of the cheeks and loi es, which are smoky slate, this color gradually fading into a rather light smoky cinereous, which < ■•■ whole upper part ol the head and the entire nap"; across the fore-neck, just below the throat, a bar of white streaks; on the sides of th • neck, between the purplish black of the fore-neck and the ash of the nape, several longitudinal rows of black and wh te streaks, the latter narrowet parts deep black, the upper part of the back with two parallel longitudinal series oi broad white bars, the Inner - apulai with a sing] tmuoh larger, bul otherwise similar. bars, and the wing-ooverts marked with small ovate spots of white, I irta white, the Bides of the chest Btreaked with black; entire sides uniform intense black. Bill black, the tip lighter; Iris bright carmine; legs and feet "grayish blue, their inner sides tinged with ye] black, that of the Inner toe yellowish at the ba<=e"(AuT>U] -. Young: Similar to thai of U. much smaller, the angle of the mandible pi omlnent. Total length, about 26.00 to 29.00 inches; i stent, 39.50; wing. 12.1 oulmen, 2 ; depth ol bill through base, .: Ill); outer re adults.] The young of this species, particularly full grown specimens, are sometimes difficult to distinguish from Immature specimens of but the m its win in most 256 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. cases determine the species, TJ. arctic us being decidedly smaller; the two comparing about as follows: Wing. Culmen. Gonys. Tip of bill to nostril. Depth of bill at nostril. Tarsus. 12.00 *13.00 2.53 3.20 1.18 1.43 1.85 2.43 .67 .94 3.10 2.75 3.85 *Or more. The Black-throated Loon is essentially an Arctic bird, but is said to be a very rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan, thus doubtless occasionally occurring- within the limits of Illinois. I am not, however, able to cite any record of its actual occur- rence, and Mr. Nelson mentions onty specimens taken at Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its habits are essentially the same as those of the larger and more common species ( U. imher). Urinator lumme (Guun.) RED-THROATED LOON. Popular synonym. Red-throated Diver. Colymbus lumme Gunner. Trond. Selsk. Skr. i, 1761, pi. ii, fig. 2— Brunn. Orn. Bor. 1761, 39 (adult). Urinator lumme Stejn. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 5, 1882, 43.-B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 457 —A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 11— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 8. Colymbus septentrionalis Ltnn. S. N. ed. 10,i, 1766, 220 (adult). -Sw. & Rich. F. B.-A. ii,1831, 476.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 519.— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 20, pi. 202; Synop. 1839,35-1; B. Am, vii, 1844, 299. pi. 478.— Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 890.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 701.— CouES.Koy, 1872, 335; Check List, 1873, No. 607; ed. 2, 1882, No. 844; B. N. W. 1874, 724.— Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 740. . Colymbus stellatus Brunn. t. c. No. 130 (young). Colymbus borealis Brunn. t. c. No. 131. Colymbus striahcs Gmel. S. N. i.pt. ii, 1788, 586 (young). Colymbus rvfogularis Meyer, Tasch. Vog. Deutsch. ii, 453 (adult). Colymbus microrhynclios Brehm, Naum. v, 1855, 300. Hae. Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding from Labrador and Mani- toba northward. South, in winter, entirely across the United States. Sp. Char. Adult, summer plumage: Head and neck soft velvety cinereous, the crown streaked with dusky; nape dusky, streaked with white; a longitudinal, wedge- shaped patch of rich chestnut covering the fore-neck, the lower, truncated, edge adjoining the white of the chest, the upper point reaching to the lower part of the throat. Upper parts dusky slate, more or less speckled with white. Lower parts entirely pure white, except along the sides, beneath the wings, and on the crissum, where more or less mixed with slate-color. Bill deep black, the extreme point yellowish, and the culmen sometimes bluish; iris carmine; "tarsi and toes bluish white, each joint of the latter, and the whole of URINATOR1TLE— THE LOONS. 257 the outer toe, black" (L. M. Turner, MS.). Winter plumage: Similar to the above, but the whole lower half of the head, with entire fore-neck, white, the nape and upper half of the head uniformly marked with broad streaks of dusky and narrower ones of white, and the upper parts more uniformly and distinctly speckled with white. Bill brownish or grayish. Downy young: "The young are at first covered with a dense elastic down of a grayish black color, tinged with brown. The bill is bluish black, its basal edges yellow; the iris reddish brown" (Audubon). Total length, 18. 0(M?7. 00 inches; extent, 38.50-44.00; wing, 10.00-11.50; culmen, 2.25; tar- sus, 2.75. -33 258 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS, Family P0DICIPID2E— The Grebes. Characters. Swimmers resembling the Loons in the posterior insertion of the legs, but the toes lobate and semipalmate, instead of completely webbed, the claws broa ', flat, and nail-like, instead of normally narrow and curved. Bill variable in shape; nostrils vari- able, but without an overhanging lobe; wings very short and concave, the primaries cov- ered by the secondaries in the closed wing; tail rudimentary, consisting of a mere tuft of downy, loose-webbed feathers, without perfectly formed rectrices; plumage of the lower surface remarkably silky and lustrous, usually white. The Grebes are aquatic birds, poorly adapted for protracted flight, on account of the smallness of their wings, but among the most expert of divers. Their nest is a thick matted plat- form of rushes, sedges, etc., usually floating upon the surface of the water in grassy or sedgy ponds or marshes. The eggs are 2-5, dull white, bluish white, or very pale bluish green, usually stained more or less (often quite deeply) with light brown, by contact with decomposed vegetable matter. The recognized North American genera may be distinguished as follows: A. Bill slender, the length of the culmen much more than twice the depth of the bill at the base. [I. JEchmophorus. Length of culmen at least five times the greatest depth of the bill; neck nearly as long as the body. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)] 2. Colymbus. Length of culmen less than four times the greatest depth of the bill; neck much shorter than the body. B. Bill very stout, the length of the culmen less than twice the greatest depth of the bill, 3. Podilymbus. Genus COLYMBUS Linn.eus. Colymbus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135; ed. 12, i, 1706, 220. Type, by elimination, Colymbus cristatus Linn. Podiceps Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 780 (part ; but, type, by elimination and restriction, Colym - bus fluviatilis Tunst.). Dytes Kaup. Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 49. Type, Colymbus cornutas Gmel.,= 6'. auritus Linn. Proctopus Kaup. 1. c. Type, Podiceps nigricollis Brehm. Otodytes Reich. Syst. Nat. 1853, p. Ill (same type). Tachybaptus Beichenb. Syst. Av. 1852. p. iii. Type, Colymbus 'minor Gmel.,= ' ,',//«r la tills Tunst. Gen. Char. Neck much shorter than the body; bill not longer than the head, more or less slender, its depth nevermore than one third the length of the culmen; tarsus decidedly shorter than middle toe with claw. Nuptial plumage ornamented by colored tufts, ruffs, or patches about the head, and very different in this respect from the winter plumage- PODICIPID.E— THE GREBES. 259 This genus includes several subgenera (more or less distinct), of which the following are represented in North America: A. Bill about as long as the head ; size large (wing more than 6.00 inches). 1. Colymbus. B. Bill decidedly shorter than head; size smaller (wing less than 6.00 inches). 2. Dytes. Size medium (wing more than 5.00 inches); nuptial plumage with conspicu- ous head-tufts or ruffs, as in Colym b us. [3. Podiceps. Size small (wing less than 5.00); nuptial plumage without head-tufts or ruffs. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)] Subgenus COLYMBUS Linn.eus. Colymbus Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135. Type, by elimination, C. cristatus Linn. Subgen. Chab. Neck much shoiter than the body; bill about equal to the head, stout (length of the culmen about three and a half times the depth through the base), the tip blunt, and the outlines more or less convex; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw. Breeding plumage ornamented by colored tufts or patches about the head, the winter plumage and the young very different. Only one species of this subgenus belongs to North America, the occurrence of C. cristatus — which for half a century or more has been included in most works on North American orni- thology, and generally considered a common bird of this coun- try—being so very doubtful that there is not a single reliable record of its having been taken on this continent. For conven- ience of identification, however, in case it should be found in America, its characters are given below. 1. C. holboellii. Feathers of lower parts white only superficially, the ba«es of the feathers b sing grayish, this often partly exposed and showing as a more or less distinct spotting. Nuptial plumage with top of head black, rest of head ash-gray, bordered above and be- hind by whitish, the neck rusty. 2. C. cristatus. Feathers of the lower parts pure white to the extreme base. Nuptial plum- age with top of head and elongated tufts on each side of occiput glossy black; chin and throat bully white, this passing behind into bright rusty on a very prominent auricu- lar frill, which is tipped with black. Ua\>. Nearly cosmopolitan, but no reliable North American record. Colymbus holboellii (Reinh.) HOLBCELL'S GREBE. Popular synonyms. American Red-necked (irebo; Cooper's Grebe, Podiceps rubricollia "Lath." Bonap. Synop 1828, H7. Bw, EtlCH. F. B.-A. li,1831, ill.— N'ctt. Mail. ii. 1884, 253.— Aud. Orn. Biog. Ul, U}35,617, pi. 298; By nop, 1839,367; B. Am, vii. 1844,312, p] Po rubricollia jfnajor Tkmm. \ Bi in. Jap. 1849, pi. 78 i> (nol Colymbus ir Bod ceps holboellii Reinh. Vid. Meddel. I . 1861, U [Greenland).— CouBS.Proo, : Nat. Sol. Phila. 1882,231, Redqw, Nona, Am. B, 1881, No. 731, 260 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Podiceps griseigena, \ar. Jiolbollii Coves, Key, 1872,337; Check List, 1873; No. 610; Birds N. W. 1874, 730. Podicipes griseigena holboelli Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 847. Colymbus holboellii B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1S84, 428. -A. 0. U. Check List, 1886, No. 2.— Ridgw. Man. N. Am. B. 1884, 57. Podiceps griseigena (nee Bodd.) Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 892.— Baird, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 702. Podiceps cooperi Lawk, in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 893 (in text). Podiceps subcristatus Kittl. Denkw. ii, 1858, 313 (not of Jacq. 1784). Podiceps affinis Salvadoki, Atti Soc. Ital. viii, 1866, 45. Podiceps cucullatus Tacz. J. f. O. 1874, 336 (not of Pall. 1826). Podiceps cristatus Ridgw. Orn 40th Par. 1877, 642. - Podiceps occidentalis Tristkam, Ibis. Jan, 1887,98,99; Apr. 1887, 258,259.* Hab. North America in general, including Greenland; breeding from Minnesota, Maine, etc., northward, migrating south, in winter, quite across the United States. Eastern Siberia, and south to Japan. Sp. Char. Adult, breeding plumage: Pileum (including lores and depressed occipital tuft) and nape glossy black; rest of the head light ash-gray, bordered above and below by whitish, this most distinct along the upper border, from the eyes backward; neck (except nape) rich rufous, abruptly denned above against the ashy of the throat, but below gradually merging into the whitish of the breast. Upper parts blackish dusky, the feathers some- times with paler margins ; secondaries chiefly white. Lower parts grayish white, faintly spotted, except on the abdomen, with dusky grayish; sides and flanks nearly uniform grayish. "Bill brownish black, bright yellow at the base; iris carmine; tarsi and toes greenish black externally, yellow on the inner side, the edges of the lobes dusky" (Audu- bon). Winter plumage: Pileum dusky, the occiput without elongated feathers; neck smoky grayish brown, lighter in front, dusky on the nape; chin, throat, and malar region whitish. Otherwise as in the summer plumage. Young: Pileum and sides of the head dusky, marked with several ■ white stripes— one originating at the sides of the forehead, and passing over and behind the eye, another extending from the eye backward over the auriculars, and another dividing the cheeks; a short whitish stripe on each side of the upper part of the nape; fore part and sides of the neck light ferruginous. "Culmen black, all the rest of the bill yellow: iris yellow; outer side of tarsus and under web blackish, the rest of the feet bright greenish yellow" (L. M. Turner, M. S.+). Otherwise as in the adult. Total length, about 18.00 to 20.00 inches ; extent, about 32.00 ; wing, 7.30-8.10 (average, 7.65) ; culmen, 1.65-2.40 (2.02) ; depth of bill at base, .52-62 (.57) ; tarsus, 2 25-2.75 (2.53) ; outer toe. 2.50- 3.05 (2.76). [Seventeen specimens.] Holbcell's Grebe, the American representative of the much smaller Ked-necked Grebe (O. griseigena Bodd.) of Europe, is a winter visitant to Illinois. Its summer home is much farther northward, west-central Minnesota being the nearest point where it has been found breeding. $ Mr. Robert Kennicott found it breeding in the neighborhood of Fort Yukon, Alaska, and, on the 14th of June, took the eggs from a nest which was floating on the water among the grass on the borders of the lake. It was nearly flat on the top, and * Cf Ridgw. Ibis, July, 1887, 361, 362, and Tristram, id. Jan. 1888. 148 ; April, 1889. 227, 228. + Fresh colors of No. 70,303, U. S. Nat. Mus., collected at St. Michael's, Alaska. Sept. 25, 1874, by Lucien M. Turner. (Length 20.00, extent 32.00, inches.) X Dr. T. S. Roberts, in The Auk, April, 1890, p. 213. PODICIPID.E— THE GREBES. 261 very little above the surface of the water, and contained three eggs. He saw the female, but only at a distance; both this species and the Horned Grebe (('. auritus) being seldom or never seen to leave their nests, as they quietly slip into the water and dive at once. After incubation has begun, the female, when she leaves her nest, covers up her eggs with wet grass taken from the bottom of her nest, unless compelled to depart on the in- stant. In several cases Mr. Kennicott found the eggs quite warm when thus hidden; and he was convinced that the bird could only have just left the nest on his approach, but that she had stopped long enough to conceal her eggs. The top of the nest is always more or less wet, and this causes the discol- oration of the eggs. ( Wat, ,■ Birds of North America, Vol. II., p. 430.) Subgenus DYTES Kaup. Dytes Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur Thierw. 1829, 49. Type, Colymbus cornutus Gmel.,= C. auri- tus Linn. Prortopus Kaup, 1. c. Type, Podiceps nigrlcollis Brehm. Otodytes Reich. Syst. Nat. 1853, p. iii. T> pe, P. nigricollis. Subuen. Char. Bill much shorter than the head, the culmen equal to about 3 to S1- times the basal depth. Otherwise like Colymbus, but size less (wing not more than 6.U0 inches). The two North American species of this subgenus, both of which occur in Illinois, though very distinct in their nuptial livery, are much alike in their winter and immature plumages. The shape of the bill, however, will enable one to distinguish them readily if the following differences are kept in mind: 1. C. auritus. Bill compressed (deeper than wide at tin' base); nuptial plumage with lower neck and chest rufons. sides of the occiput with a very lull dense tuft of soft, blended, oohraoeous feathers. J. C. nigricollis californicus. Bill depressed broader than deep at the base : nuptial plumage, with head, neck, and chest black, the sides of the head, behind eyes, with a somewhat fan-shaped, loose patch of slender ochraceous feathers. Colymbus auritus Linn. HORNED GREBE. Popular synonyms. Dusky Grebe; Bolavonlai Hell-diver; Di-dipper. ibus auritus I. inn. s. n. ed. 10 I, 1758, 135: ed. 12, 1. 1766,828.— A. o. I. Oheok List, I8W, K W. Man. \. Am. I'.. I Dytes auritus Uiim.w. Num. n. Am. B. 1831, \ ■ 738 B. B. A R, Water B. N. Am. ii. 1881. 4:rj. 262 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Colymbus comutns Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 591. Podiceps comutus Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 179;), 783— Sw. & Rich. F. B.- A. ii, 1831, 411.— Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 254— Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835. 429, pi. 259; Synop. 1839, 357; B. Am. vii, 1844, 316, pi. 481— Lawe. in Baird's B. tf . Am. 1838, 895— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 706-Coues, Key, 1872, 337; Check List, 1873, No. 611; Birds N. W. 1874, 731. Podicipes comutus Coues, 2d Check List, 18S2, No. 848. Colyrnbu.i obscurus Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 592. Colymbus caspicus S. G. Gmel. Reise, iv, 1771-1784, 137— Gmel. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788,593. Podiceps bicornis Beehm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 96. pi. 44. tig. 4. Hab. Northern hemisphere in general. Breeds in the northern United States and northward. Sp. Chae. Adult, breeding-plumage: Head generally, including the fluffy tufts on each side of the upper neck, slightly glossy dull greenish black, becoming grad- ually dull sooty slate on the forehead; lores dull ochraceous-ruious, communicating with a broad superciliary stripe of bright ochraceous. which continues, gradually widening, to the sides of the occiput: fore-neck rich rufous. Upper parts dusky, the f jath- ers sometimes with indistinctly paler margins; secondaries chiefly or entirely white. Lower parts white, the sides mixed chestnut- rufous and grayish dusky. ' 'Bill bluish blacR, its tip yellow; short loral space bright carmine, as is the iris, its inner margin white; edges of eyelids grayish blue; feet dusky externally, internally, and on anterior and pos- terior ridges of the tarsus dull yellow; claws dusky" (Audubon).* Winter plumage: Pileum, nape, and sides of the chest smoky slate; under part and sides of the head, lores, and lower parts generally, white; chest faintly shaded with pale grayish, and sides clouded with dark grayish. Upper parts as in the summer plumage, but more slaty. "Bill bluish gray, as in the bare loral space; the eye bright carmine, with an inner white edge; the feet bluish gray" (Audubon). Downy young (half-grown): Pileum and nape dusky; sides of the head with two dusky stripes and several irregular spots of the same co.or; throat with a dusky streak on each side. Otherwise similar in color to the winter plumage. Total length, about 14.75 inches; extent, 25.50; wing, 5.75; culmen, 1.00; tarsus, 1.75. The Horned Grebe is said to breed in northern Illinois, but in other portions of the State is only a winter resident. Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.) AMERICAN EARED GREBE. Popular synonyms. California Grebe; Zambullidor de pico delgado (Mexico). Podiceps auritus Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 256 (nee Colymbus auritus Linn.).— Aud. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 108, pi. 401; Synop. 1839, 358; B. Am. vii, 1814, 322, pi. 482— Lawe. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 897 (excl. syn.). Podiceps californicus Heeem. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1854, 179; Pacific R. R. Rep. x, 1859, 76, pi. 8 (young).— Lawe. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 896.— Baied, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 707. *An adult male killed at Washington, D. G, April 21, 1885, had the unfeathered parts colored somewhat differently, as follows: Bill black, with the tip and a considerable por* tion of the base of the lower mandible pale lilac-gray; line of bare skin runningfrom rictus to eye, pale lake-red; iris scar let -lake, with a narrow ring of white next to pupil; outer side ot tarsus ami under side of toes, black; inner side of tarsus and upper surface of toes gray- ish white, tinged with bluish, especially on toes, the innermost of which was tinged with salmon-color. PODICIPID.E— THE GREBES. 263 Podiceps (Proctopus) californicus Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 231. 404. Podiceps auritus, var. californicus Coues. Key, 1872, 337; Check List. 1873, No. 612; Birds N. W. 1874, 733-Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 489. Podicipes auritifs californicus Coues, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 850. Bytes nigricollis californicus Ridgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 733 a. Dytes nigricollis \>. californicus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii. 1884, 434. Colymbus nigricollis californicus Ridgw. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 6. -A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 4. Podiceps auritus ft californicus Ridgw. Or n. 40th Par. 1877. 645. Hab. Northern and western North America, north to Great Slave Lake, south to Guatemala, and east to Mississippi Valley. Breeds nearly throughout its range. Sp. Chab. Adult, breeding-plumage: Head. neck, and upper raits dull black; on each side of the head, behind the eyes, and occupying the whole of the pot«tocular and auricular regions, a flattened tuft of elongated, narrow, and pointed feathers of an ochraceous color, those of the lower part of the tuft inclining to rufous or ferruginous, those along the upper edge straw-yellow or buff, sometimes, but rarely, forming a rather well-defined streak; fore part of the head sometimes inclining to grayish or smoky dusky. Upper parts blackish dusky, the secondaries— sometimes also the inner primaries— mostly or entirely white. Lower parts satiny white, the sides mixed chestnut-rufous and dusky. Bill deep black: iris bright carmine, with an inner whitish ring; legs and feet "dusky gray externally, green- ish gray on the inner side" (Audubon). Winter plumage: Pileum. nape, and upper | sooty slate or plumbeous-dusky; malar region, chin, and throat white; auricular region white, sometimes tinged with pale grayish buff or light grayish; fore pan and sides of the neck pale dull grayish; lower parts satiny white, the sides plumbeous dusky. "Upper mandible greenish black, growing pale ashy olive-green on basal third of the commi (broadly) and on the culmen; lower mandible ashy olive-green, paler below, and more yel- lowish basally; iris bright orange-red, more scarlet outwardly, and with a Qne thread like white ling around the pupil; tusiand toes dull blackish on the outer side, passing on the edges into olive-green; inner side dull light yellowish green: inner toe apple-green."* Young, first plumage: Similar to the wintor adult, but colors more brownish. Downy young: Top of the head, as far down as the aurieulars, dusky, the forehead divided medially by a white line, which soon separates into two, each of which again bifurcates on the side of the crown (over the eye), one branch running obliquely downward and backward to the sides of the nape, the other continued straight back to the occiput; middle of the crown with a small oblong or elliptical spot of bare reddish skin. Suborbital, auricular, and malar regions, chin, and throat immaculate white; fore-neck pale grayish; lower pa ts white; becoming grayish laterally and posteriori.. ; upper parts dusky grayish. Total length, about 13.00 inches; extent, 21.00; wing, about 5.20-5.50; culmen, .95-1.10. Although possibly breeding in Illinois, the American Eared Grebe is known only as a transient (spring and fall) visitor, or occasional winter resident. lis habits, which are essentially like those of other species, are very interestingly described by Col. N. S. (loss, in T/u Auk for January, L884 (pp. L8-20), to wh very interesting accounl the render is referred. -h colors of a B] Imen adult male) obtained by the wril I la, December 21, 1867, 264 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. Genus PODILYMBTJS Lesson. Podllymbus Lesson, Traite, i, 1831, 596. Type, Podiceps earolinensis Lath., = Colymbus podiceps Linn. Sylbeocyclus Bonap. Saggio, 1832, 144 (same type; cf. Scl. Ibis, 1874, p. 98). Gen. Char. Size medium (wing about 4.50-5.00 inches'; bill much shorter than the head, very stout, the length of the culmen less than twice the basal depth; the culmen much curved terminally; tarsus shorter than the middle toe without claw. No tufts in summer plumage, but bill parti-colored, and throat ornamented by a black patch. Only one species of this genus is known, although the South American bird is considered by some authors distinct from that of North America, under the name P. antarcticus (Less.). Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.) PEED-BILLED GREBE. Popular synonyms. Thick-billed Grebe; Carolina Grebe; Water Witch; Di-dipper; Hell- diver; Zambullidor de pico grueso (Mexico). Colymbus podiceps Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 223 (based on Podiceps minor rostro vario, Catesbt, Carol 91.— Colymbus fluviatilis earolinensis, Beiss. Orn. vi, 1760, 63). Podilymbus podiceps Lawr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 898— Baird. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 709— Coues. Key, 1872. 338 ; Check List, 1873, No. 614; 2d ed. 1882, No. 852; Birds N. W. 1874, 737— Hensh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 490— Ridgw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 643; Norn. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 735; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 6.— B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 440— A. O. U. Check List. 1886, No. 6. Podilymbus podicipes Coues 2d Check List, 1882, No. 852. Podiceps ludovicianus Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. 1790, 785. Podiceps earolinensis Lath. 1. c-Sw. & Rich. F.-B. A. ii, 1831, 412.— Nutt. Man. ii. 1834,259. —Aim. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 359; Synop. 1839, 358; B. Am. vii. 1844, 324, pi, 483. Podilymbus lineatus Heerm. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1854,179; Pacific R. R. Rep. x, 1859, 77, pi. 9, (young). Podiceps antarcticus Less. Rev. Zool. 1842, 209. Podilymbus antarcticus Gray, Hand-list.iii, 1871,95, No. 10,771. Podilymbus podiceps, b. antarcticus Coues, Birds N. W. 1874,737. Podiceps brevirostris Gray, Gen. B. iii, 1839, pi. 172, Hab. Whole of temperate North America, Middle America, West Indies, and greater part of South America, breeding nearly throughout its range. South to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Chili, north to British Provinces.' Bermudas. Sp. Char. A dult, breeding plumage: Chin, throat, and a spot at the base of the man- dible, black; rest of the head and neck brownish gray, darker on the pileum and nape, lighter on the sides of the head, the malar region light ashy, streaked with dusky. Upper parts uniform dusky grayish brown, the remiges paler, the inner webs of the secondaries tipped with white ; lower parts grayish white, everywhere spotted with dusky grayish. Bill milk-white, crossed past the middle by a black band, the terminal portion more bluish; eye- lids white ; naked lores bluish; iris rich dark brown, with a narrow outer ring of ochraceous- white, and an inner thread-like ring of pure white; tarsi and toes greenish slate-black on the outer, plumbeous on the inner side.1 Winter plumage: Head and neck dull brownish, darker on the pileum and nape, and becoming white on the chin and throat (sometimes also i Fresh colors of an adult female killed March 24 at Carson City, Nevada. PODICIPID.E— THE GREBES. 265 on the malar region); lower parts silvery white, brownish laterally and posteriorly; upper parts as in the summer plumage. Bill horn-color, becoming blackish basally and on the culmen; lower mandible more lilaceous, with a dusky lateral stripe; iris of three distinct colors, disposed in concentric rings, the iirst (around the pupil) clear milk- white, the next dark olive-brown, the outer pale ochraceous-brown, the dark ring reticulated into the lighter; tarsi and toes greenish slate, the joints darker.1 Young, first plumage: Similar to the winter dress, but sides and under part of the head white, indefinitely pti iped with brown, the throat sometimes immaculate. Downy young: Head and neck distinctly striped with white and black; a spot of rufous on the middle of the crown, one on each side the occiput, and one on the upper part of the nape; the latter confluent with two white stripes running down the nape, tho others entirely surrounded with black; upper parts blackish dusky, marked with four longitudinal stripes or lines of grayish white running the whole length of the body; lower parts immaculate white medially, dusky grayish anteriorly, laterally, and posteriorly. Total length, about 13.25 to 15.00 inches: extent, 20.00—23.00; wing, 4.59—5.00 ; culmen, .75; depth of bill at base, .45; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, without claw, 1.80. I am unable to discover any tangible difference between several South American ex- amples, in different stages of plumage, and North American specimeas, and can therefore see no reason for admitting the so-called P. antarcticus (Less.). The Pied-billed Grebe, according to Professor Cooke,2 "winters wherever there is open water, from Illinois southward, and breeds from southern Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and eastern Kansas northward." It breeds, however, very much farther southward than the limit above indicated, environment far more than lat- itude being the controlling factor. "Mr. N. B. Moore, writing from Sarasota Bay, Florida, states that in the spring of 1870 he killed a bird of this species in which he found an egg of nearly full size; and in a day or two afterward found her nest, containing one egg. In April, 1873, he found another nest on the same pond. The young, five in number, stood in the nest uttering a faint peep, something like the cry of a very young duckling. They all toddled overboard on his approach. The terrified mother in the meanwhile swimming rapidly about, frequently diving a 1 1 « 1 uttering Bad notes of alarm, .villi scarcely a feather of her back above the water. The nest was composed of broken stems of dog-fennel, matted together with a large portion of decayed and withered aquatic plants, presenting, when Found, a wet, black, and soggy bed, to all appearances as uncomfortable a nesl as ever fell to the lot of delicate and beautiful downy creatures Buch as these were. The nesl was ten yards from the shore, within the pond, and situated in a thick clump of ered dead stems of the fennel iProm a ipe iimen killed "^ J, 1867, al Truoki ■>/;,, m in the M isui.tippt Valley, Page M. — :. 266 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. where it rested on the bottom of the pond, the water being about eight inches deep. The part above the water was cir- cular, twelve inches in breadth, the central depression being rather shallow, and an inch in depth and five or six in breadth. There was no lining, and the whole presented an appearance of solidity resembling masonry. The upper part of the rim was only about two and one half inches above the surface of the pond, and could not possibly have floated had the water risen to any height. When about three weeks old the young dive for their own food, though the mother feeds them long afterward. The young have been caught as late as September 15, and it is probable that this bird has two or three broods in a sea- son. * * * * "These birds are usually perfectly fearless, swimming quite near to the spectator, and trusting to their power of diving to escape from danger. They become suspicious, however, after having been shot at. They can swim to a long distance under water, merely raising the bill above the surface occasionally, and they are somewhat nocturnal in habit. In the spring they make a loud and sonorous braying noise. They feed on small fish and insects, and prefer to hunt for them in places covered with dense aquatic vegetation, being chiefly fresh-water birds, though seek- ing the bays in the winter. This bird has the singular habit, in common with all the other Grebes, of sinking down gradually and backwards into the water until it entirely disappears, not leaving a ripple on the surface. This it does in order to escape, when not compelled to dive quickly." ( Water Birds of North America, Vol. II., pp. 4A2, 4A'6.) i.VMl-.X. 267 INDEX. Actidurus naevius, 68. Actitis. 33, 67. maeularia, 67. Aetiturus bartramius, 66. Actocholidon. 210.243. Actodromas, 33,45. acuminata. 46. bairdii, 45,48. bonapartei, 17. eooperi, 45. fuscieollis, 45,47, maculata, 46. minutilla, 46,49. iEchraophorus, 258. JEgialitis, 22,25,28. alcxandrina, 28. alexandrina nivosa, 29. i labia, 28. hiaticula, 28. meloda, 28. moloda eircumcincta, 28,30. mongola, 29. semipalmata, 28. 29. vocifcra, 26. 2Ethyia americana, 157. vallisneria, 159. Aigrette d' Amerique, La Grande, 121*. rousse, do la Louisiana, 126*. Ai\. 101,152. sponsa, 153. Ajaja. 102*. ajaja, 103*. rosea, 103*. :, 199. Aloidae.251. Aleotorides, 32. An:i>. 104,126,127. acuta, 146,147. adunoa, 127. alandioa, l it. alb'dla. I7i». ■ in . in, i IS, anser, h ■. 1" rinirii, 178. 18, 123, 12.".. J>, 127. bi 'i'h > i ir. oohos, 174. hala, 170. Anas cn?ruleseens, 110. cagoica, 141. canadensis, 118,119. capensis, 139. carolinensis, 135. caudacuta, 147. caudata, 147. cinerea, 139. clangula, 165,160. clypeata, 150,151. collaris, 164. columbianus, 107. crecca, 134, 135. (Boschas) crecca, 135. cyanoptera, 131,133. cygnus, 105. discors, 431. domestica, 127. (Bochas) domestica, 127. fera. 127. ferin a, 156,157. fuligula. 161,164. fusca, 181. galericulata, 152. glacialis, 173,174. histrionica, 171, 172. hyemalis, 171. hyperboreus, 111. islandiea, 168. jamaioensi kckuschka, 139. longicamla. 117.174. mail. 139. niarila, 161,162. mexicana, 151. miolonia, 174. mimita. 172. mollissima, 175. 176, 17?. nigra, 179,180. nivalis. 11 ;. obseura, 127. ISO penelope, 1 11. querquedula, 131. raffles!, 133. rabena, 161, rabid (Fuligula) rafltorqui 268 INDEX. Anas rustica, 170. sparrm&nni, 147. spectabilis, 178. sponsa, 152,153. strepera, 138,139. strepera americana, 139. (Chauliodus) streperus, 139. superba, 178. sylvatica, 135. vallisneria, 159. Anatidse, 103. Anatinse, 103,104,126. Ancylocheilus, 33. Anhinga, 207. American, 207. anhinga, 207. Anhingas, 207. Anhingidse, 193,207. Anous. 220. Ansar salvage, 116. Anser, 104,115. albatus, 114. olbifrons, 116. albifrons gambeli, 116. bernicla, 125. brenta, 125. CEerulescens.lll. canadensis, 119. cinereus,115. erythropus,116. frontalis, 116. gambeli, 116. nutchinsii,122. hyperboreus, 110, 111, 113. hyperboreus albatus, 114. leucopareius,122. leucopsis, 118. rossii.110. torauata,125. Anseres,102. Anserine, 103,104,110. Aphriza,20. Aphrizida3,18,20. Apipisca,234. grande de alas largas,233. AramidEe,82. Ardea,117*,118*,119*. alba, subsp. galatea,124*. ameticana,99. amerioana cinerea,129*. ardesiacea,129*. ca3rulea,128*,129*. coeruleavar. alba, 129*. casruleavar. cyanopus,129*. cserulescens.129*. callocephala,135*. cana,133*. , canadensis. 100. cancrophagus brasllien9is,129*. candidissima,125*. carolinensis, 125*. cayennensis, 135*. chalybea,129*. chloroptera,131*. Ardea cinerea,118*,119*. ccerulea,128*. eristata,129*. cubensis,127*. cyanopus,129*. discolor, 133*. egretta,123*,124*. exilis,139*. gardeni,133*. garzetta,125*. grus,98. herodias,120*,121*. hoactle,133*. hudsonius,12l*,138*. javaniea,130*. lactea,125*. Ientiginosa,138*. lessoni,121*. leuce,124*. ludoviciaha,131*. (Grus) mexicana,99. mexicana cinerea.129*. minor, 138*. minuta,139*. mokoko,138*. mugitans,138*. nsevia,133*. nivea,125*. nycticorax,132*,133*. occidentalis,119*,121*. oula,125*. pealei,127*. (Dichromanassa) pealei,127*. rufa.126*. rufa var. pealei,127*. rufescens,126*,127*. sexsetacea,135*. spadicea,139*. stellaris,137*,138*. stellaris canadensis, 138*. stellaris cristata americana,135v. stellaris minima, 131*. sturmi,139*. thula,125*. violacea, 135*. virescens, 180*, 131*. virgataJSl*. wardi,119*. wuerdemannii, 119*, 120*. Ardeidae,116*,117*. Ardeinae.117*. Ardeiralla,139*. Ardeola,139*. Ardetta,137*,189*. exilis.139*. Arenaria,20. interpres,20. Aristonetta, 156,159. vallisneria, 159. Arquatella.33,43. maritima,44. Assemblyman, 181. Atricilla.222. catesboei, 222,233. INDEX. 209 Atricilla maoroptera,233. minor, 233. Avocet, American, 74. Avocets and Stilts, 74. Aythya, 104, 156,157. affinis.162,163. amoricana, 157, 165. collaris, 162, 164,165. erythrocephala,157. ferina americaua, 157. marila,161. marila nearctica.161,162. Bald-crown, 143. Bald-face, 143. Bald-head, 143. Baldpate,143. Bartramia.33,65. laticauda,65. longicauda,66. Batter Scoot. 185. Beac-h Bird, 29. Bee aLancette,207. Beetle-head, 23. Bernicla,118. barnstoni,120. brenta.125. canadensis, 119. canadensis hutchinsii, 122. canadensis leucopareia,123. hutchinsii,122. leucopareia, 123. melanopis, 125. Bihoreau de Cayenne, 135*. Bird. Brant. 20. Qua, 133*. Tortoise-8hell,;i39*. Birds, Diving, 251. Gallinaceous, 3. Bittern. 138*. American, 138*. American Least, 139*. Least, 139*. I, in 1<\ 139*. Little Yellow. 139*. Minute. 139*. Tortoise-shell. 189*. Bitterns, 137*. Black-breast, 23. Black-head. Big, 162. Little, 163. Ring billed, 164. .lark. 164. [pus. 221. Blather- sooot, 185. Blossom-bill. 183. Blue-bill, Big, 162, Lake, 102. Little, 168. Marc Mud, g-necked, L64. Rlv< . Blue wiiii.-. 1:11. Blue Peter. 88. Bob-white, 15. Bog-bull, 138*. Bog-bumper, 138*. Bog-sucker, 84. Bonasa, 7. umbellus, 8. umbellus sabini. 8. umbellus umbelloides, 8. Booby. 129*. 131*. Bosun, 216. Botaurinse, 117*. 137*. Botaurus, 137*. adspersus, 138*. exilis, 139*. Freti-Hudsonis. 138*. lentiginosus, 138*. minor, 138*. mugitans, 138*. neoxenus, 139*. Bottle-head, 23. Brant, 116, 125. Bald, 110. Blue. 110. Common, 125. Gray, 116. Harlequin, 116. Pied, 116. Prairie, 116. Speckled. 116. "White, 113. White-headed, 110. Yellow-legged, 116. Branta, 104, 118. berniela, 119, 125. canadensis, 118, 119, 120, 123. canadensis hutchinsii, IIS. 122. canadensis var. leucopareia, 123. canadensis minima, 119, 133. hutchinsii, 122. hutchinsi leucoparia. 123. minima, 123. Brass-eye, 166. Bristle-tail, 185. Broad-bill, 162, 163. Bastard. 164. Bay. 162. Creek. 163. Red-headed, 157. Broady, 151. Brother, Sleepy, 186. Bueephala albeola, 170. loana, 166, olangula, 166. olangnla americana, is'.',: Buffle-head. 170. Bu l-head, Bull-neck, 159, 162. Red-headed, 159. B u ph .. 212. 1 270 INDEX Butor, 137*. americamis, 138*. de la Baye de Hudson, 138*. Butorides, 118*. 130*. virescens, 131*. Butter-ball, 170. Butter-bill, 180. Butter-box, 170. Bythonessa,184. Caca-wee, 174. Calidris, 33, 54. arenaria, 55. Calico-back, 20. Canard Cheval, 159. Cancroma maculata, 131*. Canvas-back, 159. Carbo, 202. mexicanus, 205. penicillatus, 202. Catarractes, 212. fusca, 212. Catharacta, 212. skua, 212. Catoptropelicanus. 195. Centrocercus, 7. Cepphi, 251. Cerceta cafe, 133. comun, 131. de listo verde, 135. Cerconectes, 184. Charadriidse, 18, 22. Charadrius, 22, 23, 24. apricarius, 23,24. calidris, 55. cinclus, 20. dominicus, 24. fulvus var. virginicus, 25. helveticus, 23. hiaticula, 28, 29. himantopus, 75. marmoratus, 25. mexicanus, 76. pluvialis, 24. rubidus, 55. semipalmatus, 29. squatarola. 23. virginicus, 24. vociferus, 25. 26. Charitonetta, 105, 170. albeola, 170. Chaulelasmus, 120, 138. americana, 139. streperus, 139. Chauliodes, 138. Chauliodus, 138. Chen, 104, 110. albatus, 114. casrulescens, 110, 111. hyperborea, 110, 113, 114. hyperborea nivalis, 114, il5. hyperboreus albatus, 111. rossii, 110. Chenopis atrata, 103. Chicaric, 20. Chicken, 11. Prairie, 11. Chroicocephalus, 222, 223. atricilla, 233. franklinii, 235. Philadelphia, 285. schimperi, 235. Ciconias, 101*,113*. CicoDiidre, 113*. Ciconiinas, 113*. Clangula, 105, 165, 173. albeola, 170. americana, 166. barrovii, 168. brachyrhynchos, 174. faberi, 174. glaueium, 166. glaucium americana, 166. hyemalis, 174. island ica, 168. megauros, 174. musica. 174. scapularis, 168. toi quata, 172. vulgaris, 166. Clypeata brachyrhynchos, 151. macrorhynchos, 151. platyrhynchos, 151. poinarina. 151. Cob-head, 166. Cochleariidae, 116*. Coco, 108*. Colin, 15. Colinus, 15. virginianus, 15. virginianus floridanus. 16. virginianus texanus, 16. Columbus imber, 253. Colymbus, 252, 258. 259. arcticus, 255. atrogularis, 253. auritus, 258, 261. borealis, 256. easpicus, 262. cornutus, 258, 261, 262. cristatus, 258, 259. nuviatilis, 258. fluviatilis carolinensis, 264. glacialis, 253. holbcellii, 259, 260. hyemalis, 253. ignotus, 255. imber, 252. immer, 253. leucopus, 255. lumme. 256. major, 259. macrorhynchos. 255. maximus, 253. megarhynchos, 255. microrhynchos, 256. minor. 258. INDEX. 271 Colymbus nigricollis calif ornicus, 261, 262,263. obscuru3, 262. podiceps, 264. rufogularis, 256. septentrionalis, 256. Btellatus, 256. striatus, 256. torquatus, 253. Compsohiili. Wlld.127. Driver. 39. Duok, Ameii nn Bcaup, L62. 162. 177. Blaok.lSO. Blaok EngUeh.lSO. Blaten.189. Bridal. 153. Butter. 161 Oanvaa-baok.169. 272 INDEX. Duck, Cock Robin, 191. Creek. 139. Crow, 84. Daub, 185. Deaf, 185. Dusky, 130. English, 127. Fall, 164. Fish, 188. Flock, 1«2. Fool, 185. French, 127. Gray, 127,139. Guinea, 253. Harlequin, 172. Heavy-tailed, 185. Lesser Scaup, 163. Long-tailed, 174. Mountain, 172. Painted, 172. Pheasant, 147. Raft, 162. Red, 133. Red-headed, 157. Red-headed Raft, 157. Ring-necked, 164. Ring-necked Scaup, 164. Rock. 172. Rook, 185. Ruddy, 185. Scotch, 170. Scoter, 180. Sea, 183. Sleepy, 185. Sleigh-bell, 180, Spine-tailed, 185. Spirit, 170. Squam, 177. Summer, 153. Surf. 183. Swallow-tailed, 174. Tree, 153. Troop, 162. Velvet, 181. Wheat, 143. Wild, 127. Wood, 153,191. Ducks, 104,126. Dunlin, American, 51. Dytes. 258,259,261. auritus, 261. nigricollis californicus, 263. Egret, American, 124*. Blue, 129*. Great, 124*. Great White, 124*. Little, 125*. Peale's, 126*. Reddish, 126*. 127*. Russet, 126*. White-crested, 125*. Egretta nivea, 129*. Eider, American, 177. King, 178. Ereunetes, 33,52. occidentalis, 54. petrificatus, 52,54. pusilius, 53,54. pusillus occidentalis, 54. Erionetta, 176,178. Erismatura, 105,184. rubida. 185. Erodiscus, 139*. Eudocima, 107*. Eudocinius, 107*. albus, 108*. longirostris, 108*. Eudytes, 252. Eurynorhynchus, 34. Exanthemops, 110. Falcinellus. 109*. igneus.'HO*. Fan- crest, 191. Fitzy, 180. Florida, 118*. 128*. caerulea, 129*. Fly-up-the-Creek, 131*. FregatidaB, 193. Fulica, 84. americana, 84. atra, 84. chloropus, 86. martinica, 88. noveboracensis, 92,95. wilsoni, 84. Fulicina?, 83,84. Fuligula, 156,161. afflnis, 163. albeola, 170. americana, 157, 180. (Oidemia) americana, 180. barrovii, 168. bimaculata, 181. clangula, 166,168. collaris, 164. ferina, 157. ferina americana, 157. fusca, 181. (Oidemia) fusca, 181. glacialis, 174. (Harelda) glacialis, 174. histrionica. 172. (Clangula) histrionica, 172. marila, 162,163. minor. 163. mollissima, 177. (Somateria) mollissima, 177. perspicillata, 183. (Oidemia) perspicillata, 183. rubida, 185. (Gymnura) rubida. 185. rufl torques, 164. spectabilis, 178. (Somateria) spectabilis, 178. vallisneria, 159. INDEX. 273 Fulix, 161. affiiiis. 163. collar is, 164. marila, 162. Futes. 72. Gadwall, 139. Galambas, 114*. Gallinae. 3. Gallinago, 32,36. delicata, 37. media wilsoni, 37. wilsoni, 37. Gallinula, 83,86. ehloropus, 86. galeata, 86. martinica, 88. porphyrio, 88. Gallinule, American, 86. Florida, 8G. Purple, 88. Scarlet-fronted, 86. Gallinules, 83. Gallinulina?, 83,86. Gambettaflavipes 61. melanoleuca, 59. Gaunet, 111*, 211, 243. Gar-bill, 189. Garrot, Rocky Mountain, 168. Garza azul, 129*. blanca chica, 125*. blanca grande, 124*. Garzetta, 118*. 125*. eandidissima, 125*. Garzon, 114*. Gaulin, Black-legged, 125*. Gavia, 219. Gavina, 22-.'. Gaviota, 233,243. Geese. 101, no. Gelochelidon. 220,238. agraria, 239. anglica, 238. balthica, 239. meridionalis, 238,239. nilotica. 238. palustris, 239. Glaucion, 165. Glauolonetta, L04, 166. olangnla amerioana, L66. islandioa, ]<;•;. 1G8. < Hanous, 222. Godwil Hudsonlai liarbled, 57. I a mantei Golden-eye. km< ■ w's, 168 Rooky Bfountai . Golondrina de mar, -i\k . 183. inder, Red-breaate< . 189 American White-fronted 116 —35 Goose, Bay, 119,122. Big Wild, 119. Blue.llO. Blue- winged, 110. Brant, 125. Brent, 125. Cackling, 123. Canada. 119. Chornie. 123. Common Wild, 119. Cravat, 119. Eskimo, 122. Greater Snow, 114. Hutchins's, 122. Laughing, 116. Lesser Canada, 122. Lesser Snow. 113. Little Cackling, 123. Little White-cheeked, 123. Little Wild, 122. Marsh, 122. Mexican, 114. Mud, 122. Nigger, 203,204. Prairie, 116, 122. Red, 114. Reef, 119. Small Gray, 122. Snow, 114. Texas, 114. White-headed. 110. Yellow-legged. 116. Graculus dilophus, 203. dilophus var. floridanus, 201. floridanus, 204. mexicanus, 205. Gray-back, 89,42. Greater, 40. Greaser, 185. Great Head. 166. Grebe. American Eared. 262. American Red-necked, 259. California, 262. Carolina, 264. Cooper's, . Dusky, 261. HolboBll's.259. Home, |, 261. Pied-billed, 264. Bclavonian, 861. Thiak-billed. 264. Grebes. 258. Green-head, 127. Green-winer, 13 i. Grouse, 6. i tramming, B. Partridges and Quails, 6. Pinnated, 11. iharp-tailed. i I. Raffed, 8. Ruffl Willow, i". 274 INDEX. Grues, 82. Gruidae, 82,98. GruH, 98. americana, 98,99,100. canadensis, 98,100. canadensis mexicana, 99. fusca, 100. mexicana, 98,99. hoyanus, 99. pratensis, 100. Guara, 107*. alba. 107*. 108*. rubra, 107*. Guarinas, 106*. 107*. Gull, American Herring. 230. Black backed, 227. Black-headed, 233. Bonaparte's, 235. Farmer, 227. Fork-tailed. 237. Franklin's, 231. Franklin's Rosy. 234. Glaucous, 224. Gray, 228,230. Herring, 228. Hooded, 234. Hutchins-'s, 224. Iceland, 225. Kittiwake, 221. Laughing, 233. King-billed, 232. Sabine's, 237. Sea, 228.230. Skua, 212. Summer, 246. White, 224. White-winged. 225. Winter, 221. Gulls. 219,220. and Terns, 219. Gull-chaser, 212,214. Gull-hunter, 214. Gymnura, 184. Haematopodidae. 18. Hairy-head. 191. Haliplana, 210,241. Hard-tack. 185. Harelda, 173. glacialis, 174. hyemalis, 174. Hell-diver, 261,234. Helodromas, 33,59,62. Hen, Indian, 138*. Herodias. 118*. 123*. alba egretta, 124*. egretta, 121*. egretta var. californica, 121*. poucheti, 129*. Herodii, 101*,116*. Herodiones, 101*. Heron, American Black-crowned Night,133*. Black-crowned Night. 133*. Heron, bleuatre de Cayenne. 129*. Blue, 129*,131*. Cayenne Night, 135*. Gardenian Night, 133*. Great Blue, 121*. Great White, 121*. Green, 131*. Little Blue, 129*. Little White, 125*. 129*. Louisiana, 131*. Snowy, 125*. White-crowned Night. 135*. Wuerdemann's, 120*. Yellow-crowned Night, 135*. Herons, 117*. and Boatbills, 116*. Storks, Ibises, etc., 101*. True, and Egrets, 117*. Heteraetitis, 33. Heteropygia, 45. Hiekory-head. 185. Himantopus, 74,75. mexicanu^, 76. nigricollis, 76. Hirondelle de Mer de Cayenne, 243. la Grande, 243. Histrionkus, 105,171. histrionicus, 172. minutus, 172. torquatus. 172. Honker, 119. Horse-head, 183. Hound. 174. Hydranassa, 118*. Hydrochelidon. 220,248. flssipes, 249. lariformis, 249. lariformis surinamensis. 249. nigra, 249. nigra surinamensis, 219. plumbea, 249. sutinamensis, 249. Hypoleucus, 202. Ibides. 101*. Ibididge, 101*. 106*. Ibidinte. 106*. Ibis alba. 108*. Bay. 110*. bianco. 108*. Brown, 108*. ialcinellus, 110*. falcinellus var. ordii, 110*. Glossy, 110*. Gray, 108*. Green, 110*. guarauna, 111*. nandapoa, 114*. nandasson, 114*. ordii, 110*. peregrina, 111*. White, 108*. Wood, 114*. INDEX. 275 Ibises, 106*. Wood, 113*. Inanite pinto elote. 133*. Ionornis, 83,88. martiuica, 88. Iron-head, 1(56. Jacanidoe, 18. Jaeger, Arctic, 217. Long-tailed, 217. Parasitic, 216. Pomarine, 211. Richardson's, 216. Kill-dee, 26. Killdeer, 26. Kittiwake, 221. Knot, -)2. Light-wood, 185. Lagopus, 7,10. albus. 10, lagopus, 10. Lampronessa. 152. Larida', 194,210,219. Larinoe, 219,220. Latk. Sand, 67. Laroides, 222. americanu?, '_-.». minor, 221. suideucopterus, 225. Larus, 220, 222 223. adouini, 222. albus, 221. arcticus, 225. argentaceus, 229. argentalus 223. 225, 228. 230. argentatus smith^onianus, 223, 230. argentatoides. 229, 230, 232. argenteus, 229. atrlcilla. 222, 223,233.231. (Chroicocephalus) atricilla. 233. bonapartii, 236. borealis, 221. canus. 221, 222. 22 capietratus, 222, 236. oatarraotes, 212. olnerarius, 221. cinereua, 22s. i-caudatu8, 236. il, 221. pidatus, 211;. 217. ououllat us, j 15. (Chroicooeptaalu delawarensls, 223, 232. [abrioii, 227. fu .-iih. 222, ^'Hvin. 221. rfganteuB, 224, glaoialis, 224. [Qlauousl KlacluliH. I glau. Larus. glaucus, 222. 223, 224, 225, 229. hutchinsii, 224. hyperboreus, 224. Mandicus. 221. 225. (Chroicocephalus) kittlitzii, 235. kumlieni, 223. leucerotes, 224. leucopterus, 223, 224, 225. maculatus, 227. major, 229. marinus, 222, 223, 227, 229. maximus, 227. (Atricilla; megalopterus, 233. melanorhynchus, 236. (Atiicilla) micropterus, 233. minor, 225. minutus, 223. 236. modestus, 222. mulleri, 227. nsevius, 221, 227. niger. 227. parasiticus, 213, 216. Philadelphia, 223, 235, 236. (Chrcecocephalus) Philadelphia, 236. pipixcan, 235. plumbicei>s,233. pomarinus, 214. rldibundus, 233. riga, 221. rissa. 220, 221. sabinii, 237. smithsonianus, 230. (Chrcecocephalus) subulirostris. 236. tridactylas, 220. 221. (Rissai tridactylus, 221. torquatus, 221. zonorhynchus, 232. zonorhyn<'hus, var. mexicanus, 232. Lawyer, 71, 76. I.eimonites, 45. Lepiopelicanus, 195, 106. fuscus, 199. Lestris, 213. lua ■•liyrhynchus. 217. brissoni, 218. buffoni,217. catarractes, 212. hardyi, 218. lessoni, 217. mioroi bynchus, 217. parasitica, 217. riohardaonl, 211;. Loucibis. PC*. Leuooblepbar us. Lena pareia, 118. Leuons, 222. Light-wood Knot, L86. Llmlcol e, 18. Umoea, 33,66, fadoa, 66, ''7. ho 1 0 laoea, (0. badsonioa, 276 INDEX. Lobipes, 78. hyperboreus, 78. lobatus, 78. wilsoni, 79. Long-beak. Greater, 40. Long-neck, 147. Long-shanks, 76. Look-up, 138*. Loon. 253. Arctic, 255. Black, 203, 204. Black-throated, 255. Pacific, 253. Red-throated. 256. Yellow-billed, 252. Loons, 252. Lophqdytes, 105,190. cucullatus, 191. Lord and Lady, 172, Maceranas, 181. Macrorhamphus, 32, S8. griseus, 39, 40. griseus scolopaceus, 40. scolopaceus, 39, 40. Mallard, 127. Black. 130. Gray, 127. Mareca, 126, 141. americana, 143. fistularis, 141. penelope, 141, 143. Marila, 161. Marionette, 170. Marlin, 57. Marling- spike, 214. 216, 217. Marsh-hen, 90. Martineta cangrejero, 131*. Megalestris. 211. 212. skua, 212. Melagavia, 221 Melanetta. 181. velvetina, 181. Melanitta. 179, 181. Meleagrinse, 3. Meleagris, 4. americana, 5. gallopavo, 4, 5. gallopavo americana, 5. gallopavo mexicana, 4. ocellata, 4. Melonetta, 173. Merganser, 105, 187. American, 188. amerieanus, 188. Buff-breasted, 188. Hooded. 191. Red-breasted, 189. Berrator, 187, 189. Mergansers, 105, 187. Merginoe, 103, 105, 187. Mergus, 252. amerieanus, 187, 188. castor amerieanus, 188. cristatus, 189. Mergus cucullatus, 190, 191. leucomelas, 189. merganser, 187, 188. merganser amerieanus, 188. nasvius, 253. niger, 189. serrator, 189. Merry-wing, lfc'6. Microcarbo, 202. Micropalama, 33, 40. himantopus, 41. Microptera americana, 35. Mire- drum, 138*. Moon-bill, 1G4. Morinella interpres, 20. Morocco-jaw. 183. Moss-head, 191. Mouette cendree tachettee, 221. Mud-hen, 84, 90. Blue, 88. Ivory- billed, 84. Red- billed, 86. White-billed. 84. Mud-shoveller, 151. Nogroscopes, 114*. Nettarion, 161. Nettion, 126, 134. carolinensis, 135. Noddy,- 185. Nurneninse, 34, 69. Numenius, 34, 69. borealis, 70, 72. hudsonicus, 70, 72. longirostris, 70. 111*. occidentalis. 71. Nyctanassa, 133*, 134*. Nycterodius, 134*. Nyctherodius, 131*. violaceus, 135*. Nyctiardea, 133*. gardeni, 133*. grisea nasvia, 133*. violacea, 135*. Nycticorax, 117*, 132*, 133*. amerieanus, 134*. griseus, 131*. griseus naevius, 133*. nycticorax nasvius, 133*. violaceus, 135*. vulgaris, 134*. Ochthodromas, 23. Odontophoreaa, 14. (Edemia americana, 180. fusca, 181. 182. fusca velvetina, 182. perspicillata, 183. perspicillata trowbridgii, 183. Oidemia, 105. 179. americana, 180. (Pelionetta) bimaculata. 181. deglandi, 181, 182. fusca, 181. INDEX. 277 Oidemia perspicillata, 183. velvetina, 181. Old Billy, 174. Injun, 174. Molly. 174. Squaw, 174. Wife, 174. Olor, 101, 105. americanus, 107. buccinator, 100. columbianus, 106, 107. Oniscus, 130*. Onocrotalus, 195. fuscus, 199. Ortolan, 93. Ortygometra Carolina, 93. jamaicensis, 96. noveboracensis, 95. Ortyx, 15. virginianns, 16. Otodytes, 258, 261. Owl, Pinny, 221. Ox-eye, 49, 53. Oxyechus. 22, 25. tricollaris, 22. vociferus. 26. Oxyura, 181. Paddy, 185. Paddy-whack. 185. Pagonetta, 173. Partridge, 8,15. Partridge-, 14. Patch-head, 183. Pato boludo de cabeza cafe, 163. boludo prieto, 164. golondrino, 147. pardo de Grupo, 139. zambullidor de pico azul. 183. Pavoncella, 33. Pediocietes, 7,12. columbianus, 13. phasianellus, 13. phasianellus campestris, 13. phasianellus var. columbianus, 13. Pedrete de marcara, 135*. Peep, 49,53. Peet-weet, 62. Pond, 62. River, 67. Pelecanid;!', 193,195. Pelecano, 199. Pelecanus. 196. americanus, 196. carbo. 202. oonspiolllatue, 19 ■ (Carbo) dilophus, 203. erythrorhynchos, 196, 196 fUBOUB, 196.196, ! aernandez . occipitalis. 196. onoorotalt punctata . tlmgus. 196. Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, 196. urile, 202. varius. 202. Pelican, American White, 196. Brown, 109. Rough-billed, 196. Wood, 114*. Pelicans, 195. Pelidna, 33,51. alpiiui, 51, alpina americana, 51. paciflca, 51. Pelionetta, 179,182. perspicillata, 183. trowbridgii, 183. Perdicinae, 6,14. Perdix virginiana, 15. Pescadora, I I': aethontidi i, 194. Phalacrocoracida^, 193,202. Phalacrocorax, 202. dilophus, 202,203. dilophus floridanus. 202,2AM. floridanus, 204. mexicanus. 202,205. pygmaeus, 202. " resplendens, 205. townsendii, 205. Phalarope, Northern, 78. Red. 77. Wilson's, 79. Phalaropes, 77. Phalaropodidae, 19,77. Phalaropus, 77,78. cinereus, 78. fulicarius, 77. hyperboreu-. 78. lobatus, 78,79. tricolor. 79,80. (Hoplopodius) wilsoni. 79. Phasiani, 3. Phasianidse, :;. Phasianinae, 3. Phasianurus, 14f>. Pheasant, 8. Sea, 147. Water, 147. . 3. Pbilohela.32.34. minor, 84,35, Phylaconetta, 171. Picket-tail, 147. tail. 117. Pink-stockings. 76. Pin-tall, 13,147. Pinyole.221 bill, 183. Platalea ajaja, 1021 174. " 109 . 118*. autumnal! 278 INDEX. Plegadis falcinellus, 110*. guarauna, 110*. Plotus, 207. anhinga, 207. melanogaster, 207. Plover, 23. American Golden, 24. American Ring, 29. Belted Piping. 30. Black-bellied, 23. Field, 66. Green, 24. Killdeer, 26. Marsh, 46. Prairie, C6. Ringed Piping, 30. Semipalmated, 29. Semipalmated Ring, 29. Upland, 66. Plovers, 22. Poacher, 143. Pochard, American, 157. Podasocys, 23. Podiceps. 258,259. affluis, 260. antarcticus, 264. auritus, 262. auritus californicus, 263. bicornis, 262. brevirostris, 264. californicus, 262. (Proctopus) californicus, 263. carolinensis,264. cooperi,260. cornutus,262. cristatus,260. cucullatus,260. griseigena,260. griseigena holboellii,260. holbcellii,259. ludovicianus,264. minor rostro vario.264. nigrijollis.258,261. occidentalis.260. rubrieollis,2}9. rubricollis major, 259. subcristatus,260. Podicipida;, 251,258. Podicipedes,251. Podicipes cornutus.262. Podilymbus.258,264. antarcticus, 264. lineatus,264. podiceps, 264. podiceps antarcticus, 264. podicipes, 264. Poke, "White, 125*.. Porphyrio martinica,88. Porphyrula,88. chloronotus,88. Porzana.83,92,93. Carolina, 93. ]amaicensis,93,95,96. noveboracensis, 93, 95. Post-driver, 138*. Prairie Chicken, Sprig-tail, 13. Hen, 11. Proctopus, 258, 261. Ptarmigan, White, 10. Willow.10. Pterocyauea,131. ca3ruleata,133. Pullet, Indian, 138*. Pygopodes,251. Quail, 15. American, 15. Virginia, 15. Quails, 6. Quau,133*. Quawk,133*. Querquedula, 126,131. caroliuensis,135. cyanoptera,133. discors,131. Quok,133*. Rail, Black, 96. Carolina, 93. Common, 93. Great Red-breasted, 90. King,90. Little Black,96. Little Yellow, 95. Red-breasted, 00. Sora,93. Virginia, 91. Yellow,95. Hails, Gallinules, and Coots, 83. Ralli, 82,83. Rallid«,82. Rallina3.83.89. Rallus.83,89. aquaticus,89. carolinus,93. (Crex) carolinus,93. crepitans, S>9, 90. elegans.89,90. jamaicensis, 92, 96. lariformis,249. noveboracensis, 95. porzana,92. virginianus, 89,91. Recurvirostra,74. americana,274. avosetta,74. himantopus,76. occidentalis,74. Recurvirostnda3,19,74. Red-breast, 42. Red-head, 157. Redshanks, 213. Rhodostethia.220. rosea, 237. Rhyacophilus solitarius,62. Rhynchaspis,150. Rhyncopida3,210. INDEX. 279 Ring-bill, 164. Ring-neck, 29. White,30. Rissa.219,220. boreali8,221. brevirostris,281. brunnichii.221. cinerea,221. gregaria,221. tridactyla,221. Round-crest, 191. Rook, 185. Rusticola (Microptera) minor,35. Saddle-back. 227. Sanderling,55. 8andpeter,247. Sandpiper, Baird's,48. Bartram's,66. Bonaparte's. 47. Buff- breasted, 68. Knot, 42. Least, 49. Long- legged, 41. Pectoral, 46. Purple, 44. Red-backed, 51. Semipalmated, 53. Solitary, 62. Spotted. 64. Stilt. 41. Western, 54. Wilson's. 49. Wood,62. Sarcelle male de Cayenne. 131. Sargento.205. Saw-bill, 188. Schytepoke,131*. 8col'lemore,174. Scolder, 171. 8colopacida\18.32. Scolopacinai,32,34. Scolopax,32. alba. lit"*. 108*. aro.uata.69. borealis,72. delicata. 37. douglasii. 37. drummondi, 37. fedoa, 57. flavipes, 61. galllnago, 7 grisea, 33,89. (Maororhampho heemastlca, 58 hndi leoouroa, 37. Umosi longlrostrls, 10. r. Hl">. melanole«] minor, 84. noveboraoi d il rubra. W7*. Scolopax semipalmata, 64. totanus, 59. vociferus, 59. wilsoni, 37. Scooper, 74. Scotchman, 170. Scoter, American, 180. American Black, 180. American Velvet, 181. Surf. 183. White-winged, 181. Sea-hen. 212. Sea-robin, 189. Sedge-hen, 90. Sheldrake. 188. Buff- breasted, 188. Hooded, 191. Pickaxe, 191. Pond. 191. Red-breasted, 189. Swamp, 191. Wood. 191. Shore-birds, 18. Shot-pouch. 185. Shovel-bill, 151. Shoveller, 151. Bhuffler.162. Bay, 162. Ring-billed, 164. Siekle-bill,70. Skinner, 55. Skua. 212. Button's, 217. Long-tailed, 217. Pomarine, 214. Skuas and Jaegers. 211. Skunk-bill, 183. siri-h-bell Duck, 180. 8mee, 147. Smees, 117. Smethe, n7. Smutty, 180. SuaU.' Bird.207. Bnipe, 32.70. American, '■'•'■ Blind. 31. English. 37. Frost. 41. SB, II''. (ira. Gutter. 37. Jack, 46. Mi adow, ni. Mud. 34. Red-bellied, i». River, 67. It,. bin. 12. Rook, II. Sickle-bill. 7». SI..!. Wli !■•. '•"•.71 W i | T. II. 280 INDEX. Snipe, Wood. 62. Yellow-leg, 61. Snowl. 191. Snuff-taker, 183. Somateria, 105,175,176. dressed, 177. mollissima, 177. mollissima borealis, 176. mollissima dresseri. 177. spectabilis, 178. Sora, 93. Souerourou, 131. South Southerly, 174. Sowewies, 114*. Spatula. 104,150. clypeata, 151. Speckle-belly, 116, 139. Spike-tail. 13,147. Spoonbill, 151. Roseate, 103*. Spoonbills, 102*. and Ibises, 101*. Sprig-tail, 147. Squatarola, 22,23. helvetica, 23. Squawk, 131*. Squealer, 24,172. Stake-driver, 138*. Steganopodes, 193. Steganopus, 77,79. tricolor, 79,80. wilsoni, 80. Stercorariidse, 210,211. Stercorarius, 211,213. buffoni, 217. catarractes, 212. cepphus, 217. crepidatus, 216. longicaudatus, 217. longicaudus, 213,217. parasiticus, 213,210,217. pomarinus 213,214. pomatorhinus, 214. skua, 212. (Buphasus) skua, 212. Sterna, 220.240,244. afhnis. 239. anaBthetus, 241. aranea, 238. anglica, 238. (Gelochelidon) anglica, 238. antillarum, 211,247. argentea, 247. bergii, 243. cantiaca, 240,243. caspia, 210,211. (Thalasseus) caspia, 241. caspia var. imperator, 211. caspica, 241. cayana, 213. cayennensis, 213. cristata, 243. dougalli, 241. Sterna erythrorhynchus, 243. flssipes, 249. nuviatilis, 246. f or steri. 210,245. frenata, 247. fuliginosa, 240,241. galericulata, 243. havelli, 245. hirundo, 240,244,245,246. macrotarsa, 239. major, 241. maxima, 240,243. megarhynchos, 211. minuta, 240.247. nigra, 248,249. nilotica, 238. paradisasa, 240,241. Philadelphia, 235. plumbea, 249. regia, 241,243. (Thalasseus) regia, 243. risoria, 239. sandvicensis. 243. sandvicensis acuflavidus, 240. senegalensis, 246. superciliaris, 247. superciliaris antillarum, 247. surinamensis, 249. tschegrava, 240,241. wilsoni, 246. Sterninse, 219.220,238. Sternula. 240,241.247. antillarum. 247. Stictocarbo,202. Stiff-tail, 185. Stile, 51. White-tail. 47. Stilt, Black-neeked, 76. Storks and Wood Ibises, 113". Strepsilas, 20. collaris, 20. inter pres, 20. Striker, 215.246. Gannet, 243. Little, 247. Stub-iind-twist, 185. Sulidas. 193,194. 8wallow, Sea, 246. Swan. American, 107. Black, 103,203. Trumpeter, 106. Whistling, 107. Swans, 104,105. Geese, and Ducks, 103. Swimmers, Lamellirostral, 102. Long- winged, 210. Totipalmate, 193. Sylbeocyclus, 264. Sylochelidon. 240,241. balth'ca, 241. schillingii, 241. strenuus, 241. Symphemia, 33,64. INDEX. 281 Symphemia semipalmata, 64. Tachybaptus, 258. Tadpole, 191. Tadorna nivea, 115. Tagarote, 114*. Tantalides, 109*. 113*. Tantalinae, 113*. Tantalops, 113*. Tantalus. 113*. alber, 108*. albus, 108*. bengalensis. 111*. castaneus, 110*. coco. 108*. falcinellus. 109.110*. griseus. 108*. ichthyophagus, 114*. igneus, 110*. loculator, 113*. 114*. mexicanus. 110*. plumicollis. 114*. viridis, 110*. Tarrock. 221. Tatler, Bartramian. 60. Teal, American Green- winged, 135. Blue-winged, 131. Cinnamon, 133. Green-winged, 136. Mud. 135. Red. 133. Red-breasted. 133. 135. Scotch. 170. Summer, 131. White-faced, 131. Winter, 135. Teaser, 216. Tell-tale, 59. Tern. American Black. 24y. Black. 249. Caspian. 241 . Common, 246. Porster's. 245. Gull-billed, 23$. Havell'e, 245. Least. 217 Marsh. 238. Royal. 243. Hhort-tailrd.249. Wilson's 246. Terns, 220,288. Tetrao ulbus. 10. bonasia, 7. do, n. lagopus, in. phasianellue, 12, 18, Balioetl, n». umbellu virgin Tetraonlde, :>.'■. TetraoninaB, 6 os. 7. '1 halaeseus, 240,241,243, oaspm-. 241, Imperator, 241 . -86 Tlialasseus regius, 243. Thalassites melanotis, 241 . Thunder-pump, 138*. Tiitup, Pond, 62. Tip-up, River, 67. Totanus. 33.59. bartramius. 66. chloropygius, 62. tlavipes, 59, 61. macularius. 67. melanoleucus. 59. semipalmatus, 64. Catoptrophorus) semipalmatus. 64. 80litarius, 62. vociferus, r.u. Tow-h' ad. 191. Tringa. 33, 42. alpina. 51. alpina var. americana, 51. alpina paciflca, 51. arenaria, 54, 55. (Hemipalama) auduboni, 41. autumnalis, 110*. bairdii, 48. barlramia, 66. (Euliga) bartramia, 6H. bonapartei, 45, 47. canutus, 42. cinclus, 51. cinerea. 42. douglasii. 41. (Hemipalama) douglasii. 41. ferruginea. 51. fulicaria, 77. fuscicollis, 45, 47. helvetica, 23. hiaticula, 29. himantopu^, 10. (Hemipalama) himantopus. II. hyperborea, 78. hypoleuca. 67. interpres. 20. islandioa, 42. lobata. 7H. 79. longicauda, ii".. 66. maoularia, <•'• . maculata, 46. maritima, 13, 11. mlnuta, 15. minutiUa, n». morinellu oohropui pusU rufa, 12 rule 17. semipalmat 11 emipalmafa suln D temminoh Wilson!!, i'j. 282 INDEX. Tringinse, 32, 38. Tryngites.34, 68. rufescens, 68. subruflcollis, 68. Tringoides, 67. maoularius, 67. Turkey, Colorado, 114.* Water, 207. Wild, 5. Turkeys, 3. Turnstone, 20. Turnstones, 20. Tympanuchus, 7, 11. araericanus, 11. pallidicinctus, 11. Undina, 184. Uria, 202. Urile, 202. Urinator, 252. adamsii, 252. arcticus, 253, 255, 256. imber, 252, 253, 256. lumme, 253, 256. paciflcus, 253. Urinatoridas. 251, 252. Vanellus, 22. Walloon, 253. Wamp, 177. Water Witch. 264. Water- belcher. 138.* Wavey, 114. Wavey. Blue, 110. Common, 114. Whip-tail, 217. Whistle-wing, 166. Whistler, 166. White-back, 159. White-belly, 143. White-face, 131. White-head, 110. Widgeon, 141. American, 143. European, 141. Gray, 139. Green- headed, 143. Bed-headed, 141. Wood, 153. Wigeon, 141. Willet, 64. Woodcock, American, 34. Wool-head, 170. Xema, 220,237. collar is, 237. sabinii, 237. Yellow-bill, 180. Yellow-legs, 61. Big, 59. Greater, 59. Yelper, 59. 74. Zambullidor de pico delgado, 262. de pico grueso, 264. Meleagris gallopavo. m&tk Bonasa urn Laoopns lagopvs. (Winter plumageO Tyrtipanuchus americanus. Pediocaetet phaaiant Uuu campestris. CENT- NEW YORK, Ill Colinas oirgimanus. A ria interpres . . S IV Charadrius dcmiaicus. itis 8t mipalmata. JEgialiti <> cifera. L# Philohcla minor. Qallina ¥4 vr VII Tringa (Actodromas) maculata. Trni VIII • . / IX Totanua nebularius. in ■ ipalm >(■< $ *C£ h *S Bartramia longicauda. Ai-titis macularia. Try >unte.< subruflcollis. XI CENTRA) 1T0RK. XII Phnlaropus lobat»s. .\ u meti i us borealis. C 'ru moi>h ilus fu Hear i u ••>•. XIII Phalaropus (Steganopux) tricolor. Fulica tunri icana. hJ&* XIV Gallinula galeata. litillus virginianu8. Ionornis martinioa. 1335 XV Porzana Carolina. Porzava (Cotumicops) novehoracensis. I'di- ana (Cr< i iscui i ja rna ■ Qrus americana. XVI \ • (•'nis americana. .'< K VII ,..-.. ■ .. .-T.1 c ,LI? XVIII Ardea [Berodias] egretta. arzetta) cant : XIX Ardea [Dichromanassa) rufescens Ardea (Florida) ca Ardt a XX Nycticorax nycticorax ncevius. Nycticorax [Nye then XXI .Xycticorax [Nyctanassa] oiolaceus. /....'< in/-- g ■'• XXII rus lentig inosus . Botaurus [Ardetta XXIII A nser a Cher, hyperborea. £ A XXIV v- Anas [Querguedula] discors Anas Arias C // us) strepera. Aim.* U XXV v A yt/iyu americaiia. I A ix sponsa. Ayihya [Fuligula] mari corariuM pan XXX Larus marinus. liissa tridactyla. .\ I'lim 8abin a. . xxxr Sterna [Thalasseus tschegrava. mm. XXXII ' sterna hirundo. \\ llll'lr | * XXXIII Colgmbus (Bytes) californicus. ymbus podiceps. rclicin