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REVISED EDITION
Bird Guide
Land Birds East of the Rockies
A ah ne. Bl
om a A "be Rie wre 5
PREPARING BREAKFAST
(Two adult Chipping Sparrows breaking worm into pieces to feed young.)
ACL
a BIRD GUIDE
GOS
LAND BIRDS EAST OF THE ROCKIES
FROM PARROTS TO BLUEBIRDS
PAY =
BY
‘4
CHESTER A. REED”
Author of North American Birds Eggs, and, with Frank M. Chapman, of Color Key to N
Birds. Curator in Ornithology, Worcester Museum of Natural History :
orth American
es
° v4 4 , m™\
TORONTO f At eee \
THE MUSSON BOOK COMPANY, ) W916 (987 4
Limited. ij
Copyrighted 1906
Copyrighted 1909
CHAS. K REED
Worcester, Mass.
Plates Engraved and Printed by
Quadri-Color Co.
Press of
A.M. Kddy. Albion, N F¥.
PREFACE.
The native birds are one of our nation’s most yal-
uable assets. Destroy them, and in a comparatively
few years the insects will have multiplied to such an
extent that trees will be denuded of their foliage,
plants will cease to thrive and crops cannot be rais-
ed. This is not fancy but plain facts. Look at the
little Chickadee on the side of this page. She was
photographed while entering a bird box, with about
twenty-five plant lice to feed her seven young; about
two hundred times a day, either she or her mate,
made trips with similar loads to feed the growing
youngsters.
It has been found, by observation and dissection,
that a Cuckoo consumes daily from 50 to 400 cater-
pillars or their equivalent, while a Chickadee will
eat from 200 to 500 insects, or up to 4000 insect or
worm eggs. 100 insects a day is a conservative esti-
mate of the quantity consumed by each individual
5
insectivorous bird. By carefully estimating the birds in several areas, I find that,
in Massachusetts, there are not less than five insect-eating birds per acre. Thus
this state with its 8000 square miles has a useful bird population of not less than
25,600,000, which, for each days fare, requires the enormous total of 2,560,000,000
insects. That such figures can be expressed in terms better understood, it has
been computed that about 120,000 average insects fill a bushel measure. This
means that the daily consumption, of chiefly obnoxious insects, in Massachusetts
is 21,000 bushels. This estimate is good for about five months in the year, May to
September, inclusive; during the remainder of the year, the insects, eggs and
larvae destroyed by our Winter, late Fall and early Spring migrants will be equi-
valent to nearly half this quantity.
It is the duty, and should be the pleasure, of every citizen to do all in his or
her power to protect these valuable creatures, and to encourage them to remain
about our homes. The author believes that the best means of protection is the
disseminating of knowledge concerning them, and the creating of an interest in
their habits and modes of life. With that object in view, this little book is pre
pared. May it serve its purpose and help those already interested in the subject,
and may it be the medium for starting many others on the road to knowledge of
our wild, feathered friends. CHESTER A. REED.
Worcester, Mass.,
October Ist, 1905.
6
INTRODUCTION.
It is an undisputed fact that a great many of our birds are becoming more
scarce each year, while a few are, even now, on the verge of extinction. The de-
crease in numbers of a few species may be attributed chiefly to the elements, such
as a long continued period of cold Weather or ice storms in the winter, and rainy
weather during the nesting season; however, in one way or another, and often
unwittingly, man is chiefly responsible for the diminution in numbers. If I were
to name the forces that work against the increase of bird life, in order of their
importance, I should give them as:—Man; the elements; accidents; cats; other
animals; birds of prey; and snakes. I do not take into consideration the death of
birds from natural causes, such as old age and disease, for these should be coun-
terbalanced by the natural increase.
There are parts that each one of us can play in lessening the unnatural dan-
gers that lurk along a bird’s path in life. Individually, our efforts may amount to
but little, perhaps the saving of the lives of two or three, or more, birds during
the year, but collectively, our efforts will scon be felt in the bird-world.
How Can We Protect the Birds?—Nearly all states have fairly good game
laws, which, if they could be enforced, would properly protect our birds from man,
but they can not be; if our boys and girls are educated to realize the economic
7
value of the birds, and are encouraged to study their habits, the desire to shoot
them or to rob them of their eggs will be very materially lessened. It is a com-
mon practice for some farmers to burn their land over in the Spring, usually about
nesting time. Three years ago, and as far back of that as I can remember, a small
ravine or valley was teeming with bird life; it was the most favored spot that 1
know of, for the variety and numbers of its bird tenants. Last year, towards the
end of May, this place was deliberately burned over by the owner. Twenty-seven
nests that I know of, some with young, others with eggs, and still others in the
process of construction, were destroyed, besides hundreds of others that I had
never seen. This year the same thing was done earlier in the season, and not a
bird nested here, and, late in Summer only a few clumps of ferns have found
courage to appear above the blackened ground. Farmers also cut off a great many
patches of underbrush that might just as well have been left, thus, for lack of
suitable places for their homes, driving away some of their most valuable assist-
ants. The cutting off of woods and forests is an important factor in the decrease
of bird life, as well as upon the climate of the ceuntry.
Our winter birds have their hardships when snow covers the weed tops, and
a coating of ice covers the trees, so that they can neither get seeds nor grubs.
During the nesting season, we often have long-continued rains which sometimes
cause an enormous loss of life to insect-eating birds and their young. In 1903,
after a few weeks’ steady rain and damp weather, not a Purple Martin could be
found in Worcester County, nor, as far as I know, in New England; they were
8
wholly unable to get food for either themselves or their young, and the majority
of them left this region. The Martin houses, when cleaned out, were found to
contain young, eggs and some adults that had starved rather than desert their
family. The Martins did not return in 1904 or 1905.
Birds are subject to a great many accidents, chiefly by flying into objects at
night. Telephone and telegraph wires maim or kill thousands, while lighthouses
and steeples often cause the ground to be strewn with bodies during migrations.
Other accidents are caused by storms, fatigue while crossing large bodies of
water, nests falling from trees because of an insecure support, and ground nests
being trod upon by man, horses and cattle.
In the vicinity of cities, towns, villages or farms, one of the most fertile
sources of danger to bird life is from cats. Even the most gentle household pet,
if allowed its liberty out of doors, will get its full quota of birds during the year,
while homeless cats, and many that are not, will average several hundred birds
apiece during the season. After years of careful observation, Mr. E. H. Forbush,
Mass. state ornithologist, has estimated that the average number of birds killed,
per cat population, is about fifty. If a dog kills sheep or deer, he is shot and the
owner has to pay damages; if a man is caught killing a bird, he pays a fine; but
cats are allowed to roam about without restriction, leaving death and destruction
in their wake. All homeless cats should be summarily dealt with, and all pets
AP be housed, at least from May until August, when the young birds are able
oO fly.
9
Of wild animals, Red Squirrels are far the most destructive to young birds and
eggs; Chipmunks and Grays are also destructive but not nearly as active or impu-
dent as the Reds. Skunks, Foxes and Weasels are smaller factors in the decrease
of bird life.
Birds of prey have but little to do with the question of bird protection for,
with a few exceptions, they rarely feed upon other birds, and nearly all of them
are of considerable economic value themselves. Jays, Crows and Grackles, by
devouring the eggs and young of our smaller birds, are a far greater menace than
are the birds of prey, but even these have their work and should be left in the
place that Nature intended for them; they should, however, be taught to keep
away from the neighborhood of houses.
How Can We Attract Birds About Our Homes?—Many birds prefer to live in
the vicinity of houses, and they soon learn where they are welcome. Keep your
premises as free as possible from cats, dogs, and especially English Sparrows, and
other birds will come. Robins, Orioles, Kingbirds, Waxwings and a few others
will nest in orchard trees, while in dead limbs or bird boxes will be found Blue-
birds, Wrens Swallows, Woodpeckers, Chickadees, etc.
A house for Purple Martins may contain many apartments; it should be erect-
ed in an open space, on a ten or twelve foot pole. Boxes for other birds should
have but one compartment, and should be about six by six by eight inches, with a
hole at least one and one-half inches in diameter in one side; these can be fas-
10
tened in trees or on the sides or cornices of barns or sheds. It is needless to say
that English Sparrows shculd not be allowed to use these boxes. By tying suet to
limbs of trees in winter, and providing a small board upon which grain, crumbs,
etc. may be sprinkled, large numbers of winter birds may be fed; of these, prob-
ably only the Chickadees will remain to nest, if they can find a suitable place.
How To Study Birds.—This refers, not to the scientific, but to the popular
study of our birds, chiefly in the field. We can learn many very interesting
things by watching our birds, especially during the nesting season, and the habits
and peculiarities of many are still but imperfectly known. One thing to be im-
pressed upon the student at the start is the need of very careful observation before
deciding upon the identity of a bird with which you are not perfectly familiar. A
bird’s colors appear to differ greatly when viewed in different lights, while in look-
ing up in the tree tops, it is often impossible to see any color at all without the
aid of a good field glass. By the way, we would advise everyone to own a good
pair of these, for, besides being almost indispensable for bird study, they are
equally valuable for use at the sea shore, in the mountains or at the theatre. [We
have examined more than a hundred makes of field glasses to select the one best
adapted to bird study, and at a moderate price. We found one that was far super-
ior to any other at the same price, and was equal to most of those costing three
times as much. It gives a very clear image, magnifies about four diameters and
has a very large field of view. It comes in a silk-lined, leather case, with cord for
11
suspending from the shoulder, and is of a convenient size for carrying in the
pocket. We have made arrangements so that we can sell these for $5.00, postpaid
(money refunded if they are not satisfactory after three days trial.) Order from
Chas. K. Reed, Worcester, Mass. ]
We should also advise everyone to keep a note book, apart from the Bird
Guide. At the end of the season you can write neatly with ink on the top of the
pages of the Guide, the dates of the earliest arrivals and latest departures of the
birds that you have recorded. If you see a bird that you do not recognize, make
the following notes, as completely as possible:—Length (approximately); any
bright colors or patches; shape of bill, whether most like that of a finch, warbler,
etc.; has it a medium or superciliary line, eye ring, wing bars, or white in the tail;
what are its notes or song; dees it keep on or near the ground, or high up; are its
actions quick or slow; upon what does it appear to be feeding; is it alone or with
other birds, and what kinds; where was it seen, in dry woods, swamp, pasture,
etc.; date that it was seen. With this data you can identify any bird, but usually
you will need only to glance over the pictures in the Bird Guide to find the name
of the bird you have seen.
I should advise anyone by all means to make a complete local list of all the
birds that are found in their neighborhood, but of far greater value than the
simple recording of the different species seen on each walk, will be the making
a special study of one or more birds, even though they be common ones. While,
12
of course, noting any peculiarities of any bird that you may see, select some
particular one or ones and find out all you can about it. The following most
necessary points are cited to aid the student in making observations:—Date of
arrival and whether in large flocks, pairs:or singly; where found most abundantly;
upon what do they feed at the different seasons; what are their songs and calls
at different seasons; when and where do they make their nests; of what are they
made and by which bird or both; how long does it take, and when is the first and
last egg laid; how long does it take them to hatch, and do both birds or only one
incubate them; upon what are the young fed at different ages: how long do they
remain in the nest, and do they return after once leaving; how long before they
are able to feed themselves, and do they remain with their parents until they
migrate. These and other notes that will suggest themselves, will furnish inter-
esting and valuable instruction during your leisure time.
Primaries
Primacy Covers SC SS
Greater Covers ASS
Middle Coverts —_\Q¥
Lesser Coveris eee ce ,
Alulas Spurious Wing ~ =e
Crown =
Median Line Fare
Mandibles (ee, Fa
Ore. ee ae S
aS
fe
Superciliary Line 7 NC yeast
SWabe Tibia
Ear Coverts Auriculars’ Throat nC
Side ~ Tarsus
TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD
BIRD GUIDE
PART 2
Land Birds East of the Rockies
The numbers and names used in this book are those adopted by the American
Ornithologists’ Union, and are known both in this country andabroad. The lengths
given are averages; our small birds often vary considerably and may be found
either slightly larger or smaller than those quoted.
On some of the pages a number of sub-species are mentioned. Sub-species
often cause confusion, because they are usually very similar to the original; they
can best be identified by the locality in which they are found.
Of course the writing of birds’ songs is an impossibility, but wherever I have
thought it might prove of assistance, I have given a crude imitation of what it
sounds like to me. The nests and eggs are described, as they often lead to the
identity of a bird. We would suggest that you neatly, and with ink, make a cross
against the name of each bird that you see in your locality, and also that you
write at the top of the page, the date of the arrival and departure of each bird as
you note it; these dates vary so much in different localities that we have not
attempted to give them.
As many will not wish to soil their books, we would suggest that they have a
leather covered copy for the library and a cloth one for pocket use.
16
CAROLINA PAROQUET.
382. Conuropsis carolinensis. 12% inches.
Adults have the fore part of the head orange, while
young birds have the head entirely green, with only
a trifle orange on the forehead.
With the exception of the Thick-billed Parrot which
is very rarely found in southern Arizona, these are the
only members of the Parrot family in the United States.
They were once abundant throughout the southern states,
but are now nearly extinet. They are found in heavily
timbered regions, usually along the banks of streams,
where they feed upon seeds and berries.
Note.—A sharp, rolling “kr-r-r-r-r.”. (Chapman.)
Nest.—Supposed to be in hollow trees, where they lay
from three to five white eggs (1.31 x 1.06).
Range.—Formerly the southern states, but now con-
fined to the interior of Florida and, possibly, Indian
Territory,
GROOVE-BILLED ANI.
384. Crotophaga sulcirostris. 14% inches.
Anis are fairly abundant in southern Texas along the
Rio Grande. Like all the members of the family of
Cuckoos, their nesting habits are very irregular; ofttimes
a number of them will unite and form one large nest in
a bush, in which all deposit their eggs. The eggs are
bluish-green, covered with a white chalky deposit
(1:25.95):
ROAD-RUNNER.
385. eococcyx californianus. 23 inches.
In the southwestern portions of our country, from
Texas and Kansas west to the Pacific, these curious
birds are commonly found. They are locally known as
“Ground Cuckoos,” “Snake-killers,” ‘Chaparral Cocks.”
They are very fond of lizards and small snakes, which
form a large part of their fare. They are very fleet
runners, but fly only indifferently well. Their four to
ten white eggs are laid on frail nests of twigs, in bushes.
MANGROVE CuUCcKOLt.
386. Coccyzus minor. 13 inches.
These buff-breasted Cuckoos are natives of Cuba and
Central America, being found in southern Florida only
during the summer. The habits of all the American
Cuckoos are practically identical and their notes or
songs can only be distinguished from one another by long
familiarity.
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.
387. Coccyzus americanus. 12% inches.
This species is the most abundant in the southern
part of its range, while the Black-bill is the most com-
mon in the North. Notice that the lower mandible is
yellowish, that the wings are largely rufous, and that the
outer tail feathers are black, “with broad white tips,
these points readily distinguishing this species from the
next. The eggs of this species are large and paler col-
ored than the next (UPAD se 20) They breed from the
Gulf to southern Canada and winter in Central America.
See Cena be biicinirais
19
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.
388. Coccyzus erythropthalmus. 11%, inches.
Cuckoos are of quiet and retiring habits, but on ac-
count of their mournful notes are often regarded with
awe by the superstitious. They are one of our most val-
uable birds, for they consume quantities of the fuzzy
Tent Caterpillars, that are so destructive.
Their short, rounded wings and long, broad tails give
them a silent, gliding flight that often enables them to
escape unnoticed.
Note.—A low guttural croak, “cow,” “‘cow,” ete., re-
peated a great many times and sometimes varied with
“cow-uh,” also repeated many times.
Nest.—Flat, shabby platforms of twigs placed at low
elevations in thickets or on the lower branches of trees.
The tour greenish-blue eggs are 1.15 x .85.
Range.—United States and southern Canada, east of
the Rockies. Arrives in May and leaves in September
for northern South America.
BELTED KINGFISHER.
390. Ceryle aleyon. 13 inches.
The male has the breast band and sides blue-gray, like
the back, while the female has chestnut-colored sides and
breast band in addition to a gray band.
Kingfishers may be found about ponds, lakes, rivers,
the sea-side or small creeks; anywhere that small fish
may be obtained. Their food is entirely of fish that they
eatch by diving for, from their perches on dead branches,
or by hovering over the water until the fish are in proper
positions and then plunging after them.
Note.—A very loud, harsh rattle, easily heard half a
mile away on a clear, quiet day.
Nest.—At the end of a two or three-foot tunnel in a
sand bank. The tunnel terminates in an_ enlarged
chamber where the five to eight glossy white eggs (1.35 x
1.05) are laid upon the sand.
Range.—Whole of North America north to the Arctic
regions. Winters from southern United States south-
ward.
TEXAS KINGFISHER.
391. Ceryle americana septentrionalis. 8 inches.
The adult male of this species has a rufous breast
band, while the female has only a greenish one.
The Texan Green Kingfisher is the smallest member
of the family found within our borders. You will notice
that all Ningfishers have the two outer toes on each foot
joined together for about two-thirds of their length. This
has been brought about through their habit of excavating
in sand banks for nesting sites. It is quite probable that
at some future distant period the three forward toes may
be connected for their whole length, so as to give them
a still more perfect shovel.
Note.—A rattling cry, more shrill than that of the
Belted Kingfisher.
Nest.—1he four to six glossy white eges are laid on
the sand at the end of a horizontal burrow in a bank,
the end being enlarged into a chamber sufficiently large
to allow the parent bird to turn about.
Range.—Southwestern border of the United States,
from southern Texas to Arizona.
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
392. Campephilue principalis. 20 inches.
Male with a scarlet crest, female with a black one.
These are the largest and most rare of the Woodpeck-
ers found within our borders. Their decline in numbers
is due, to a certain extent, to the killing of them because
of their size and beauty, but chiefly on account of cutting
off of a great deal of the heavy timber where they nest.
They are very powerful birds and often scale the bark
off the greater portion of a tree in their search for in-
sects and grubs, while they will bore into the heart of a
living tree to make their home.
Note.—A shrill two-syllabled shriek or whistle.
Nest.—In holes of large trees in impenetrable swamps.
On the chips at the bottom of the cavity, they lay from
three to six glossy, pure white eggs (1.45 x 1.00).
Range.—Formerly the South Atlantic States and west
to Texas and Indian Territory, but now confined to a few
isolated portions of Florida and, possibly, Indian Terri-
tory.
HAIRY WOODPECKER.
393. Dryobates villosus. 9 inches.
In summer these Woodpeckers are found in heavy
woods, where they breed, but in winter they are often
seen on trees about houses, even in the larger cities,
hunting in all the crevices of the bark in the hope of
locating the larva of some insect. They are usvally
more shy than the Downy, from which they can read-
ily be distinguished by their much larger size.
Note.—A sharp whistled “peenk.”
Nest.—In holes in trees in deep woods; three to six
glossy white eggs (.95 x .70).
Range.—Eastern U. S. from Canada to North Caro-
lina.
Sub-species.—393a. Northern Hairy Woodpecker
(leucomelas), British America and Alaska; larger.—
393b. Southern Hairy Woodpecker (audubonii), South
Atlantic and Gulf States; smaller. The difference be-
tween these birds is small and chiefly in size, although
the southern bird often has fewer white marks on the
wing coverts. Other sub-species are found west of the
tockies.
SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER.
394. Dryobates pubescens. 6 inches.
The male has a red nuchal patch while the female
has none. Downies are one of the commonest of our
Woodpeckers and are usually tame, allowing a very
close approach before flying. They remain in orchards
and open woods throughout the summer, and in win-
ter often come to the windows in places where they
are fed, as many people are in the habit of doing now.
Their food, as does that of nearly all the Woodpeckers,
consists entirely of insects, grubs and larvee.
Note.—A sharp “peenk” or a rapid series of the same
note, usually not as loud as that of the Hairy Wood-
pecker.
Nest.—In holes in trees in orchards or woods, the
four to six white eggs being laid on the bare wood;
size .75 x .60.
Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States.
Sub-species.—Northern Downy Woodpecker (me-
dianus), North America east of the Rockies and north
of the Carolinas. This variety is slightly larger than
the southern; others are found west of the Rockies.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER.
395. Dryobates borealis. 8%4 inches.
Male with a small patch of scarlet on both sides of
the head; female without. The actions and habits are
very similar to those of the Downy. The birds can
readily be identified at a distance by the cross-barring
of white on the back. Their notes are harsher than
those of the Downy and have more of the nasal quality,
like those of the nuthatches.
Range.—Southeastern United States, west to Texas
and north to Virginia.
TEXAN WOODPECKER.
396. Dryobates scalaris bairdi. 7% inches.
On account of its numerous cross bars, this species
is often known as the Ladder-backed Woodpecker. They
are quite similar to the Nuttall Woodpecker, that is found
on the Pacific Coast, but differ in having the underparts
brownish-white instead of white, and the outer tail
feathers heavily barred. They are found from Texas to
southeastern California and north to Colorado.
ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
400. Picoides arcticus. 9.5 inches.
Back glossy black, without any white. Only three
- toes, two in front and one behind. ‘This is the most
common of the two species found within the United
States. They breed from the northern edge of the Union
north to the limit of trees.
AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
401. Picoides americanus. 8°4 inches.
Back barred with white; outer tail feathers barred
with black; yellow crown patch on male mixed with
white. Except on some of the higher mountain ranges
these birds appear in the United States only during
winter. They are very hardy and commence nesting
before snow leaves.
Note.—A _ shrill, loud, nasal shriek, sometimes re-
peated.
Nest.—In holes of trees as is usual with Woodpeckers.
The white eggs measure .95 x .70.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.
402. NSphyrapicus varius. 8% inches.
Male with a scarlet crown and throat; female with
a scarlet crown and white throat; young with the head
and neck mottled gray and white, with a few scarlet
feathers.
This species has gained some ill-repute because of its
supposed habit of boring through the bark of trees in
order to get at the sap, and thus killing the trees.
However, [ very much doubt if they do any appre-
ciable damage in this manner. I have watched a great
many of them in the spring and fall and have clearly
seen that they were feeding upon insects in the same
way as the Downy.
Wote.—A loud whining “whee,” and other harsh calls
similar to the scream of a Blue Jay.
Nest.—In holes in trees, at heights from the ground
varying from eight to fifty feet, Late in May they lay
from four to seven white eggs (.85 x .60).
Range.—U. 8S. east of the Rockies, breeding from
Virginia and Missouri to Hudson Bay, and wintering
in southern U. 8.
PILEATED WOODPECKER.
405. Phleotomus pileatus. 17 inches.
Male with a scarlet crown and erest, and a red
moustache or mark extending back from the bill; female
with scarlet crest but a blackish forehead and no mous-
tache.
Next to the Ivory-bills, these are the largest of our
Woodpeckers. Like that species it is very destructive
to trees in its search for food. While engaged in this
pursuit, they often drill large holes several inches into
sound wood to reach the object of their search. Like
all the Woodpeckers, they delight in playing tattoos
on dry, resonant limbs with their bills.
Note.—A whistled “cuk,” “cuk,” “cuk,” slowly re-
peated many times, also a ‘“‘wick-up” repeated several
times.
Nest.—In large cavities in trees, in which they lay
four to six white eggs (1,30x 1.00).
Range.—Southern United States. The Northern
Pileated Woodpecker (abieticola) is locally found in
temperate N. A.
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
406. Melanerpes crythrocephalus. 9%4 inches.
Adults with entire head and breast red; young with
a gray head and back, streaked with darker.
This very handsome species is common and very
well known in the Middle and Central States. They
are the ruffians of the family, very noisy and quarrel-
some. One of their worst traits is the devouring of
the eggs and young of other birds. To partially offset
this, they also eat insects and grubs and a great deal
of fruit.
Note.—A loud, whining “charr,” “charr,’
numerous other calls and imitations.
Nest.—Holes in trees in woods, orchards or along
roadsides and also in fence posts or telegraph poles.
In May and June they lay four to six glossy white
eggs (1.00 x .75).
Range.—United States east of the Rockies, breeding
from the Gulf to New York and Minnesota. Winters
in southern United States.
J
besides
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
409. Centurus carolinus. 9% inches.
Male with whole top of head and back of neck red;
female with forehead and hind head red but crown gray.
Both sexes have the center of the belly reddish, and have
red eyes.
Like the Red-heads, these birds are noisy, but they
have few of the bad qualities of the others. Besides the
regular Woodpecker fare, they get a great many ants and
beetles from the ground and fruit and acorns from the
trees. They are said to also be fond of orange juice. In
most of their range they are regarded as rather shy and
retiring birds.
Note.—A sharp, resonant “cha,” “cha,” “cha,” re-
peated.
Nest.—In holes bored usually in live trees and at any
height from the ground. Their five or six eggs are glossy
white (1.00 x .75).
Range.—United States east of the Plains, breeding
from Florida and Texas to southern Pennsylvania and
Minnesota. Winters along the Gulf coast; occasionally
strays to Massachusetts.
FLICKER.
412. Colaptes auratus. 13 inches.
Male with a black moustache mark; female without,
although young females in the first plumage show some
black.
These birds are very often known as ‘“Golden-winged
Woodpeckers,” “‘High-holes” and about a hundred other
names in different localities. Flickers are found com-
monly in woods, orchards or trees by the roadside; on
pleasant days their rapidly uttered, rolling whistle may
be heard at all hours of the day.
Note.—A rapidly repeated whistle, “euk,” ‘“cuk,”
“euk”; an emphatic ‘“quit-u,” ‘‘quit-u,” and several
cthers of a similar nature.
Nest.—A cavity in a tree, at any distance from the
ground. The white eggs usually vary in number from
five to ten, but they have been known to lay as many as
seventy-one, where an egg was taken from the nest each
day.
Range.—South Atlantie States. The Northern Flicker
(luteus) is found in North America east of the Rocky
Mountains.
RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.
413. Colaptes cafer collaris. 13 inches.
Crown brown and throat gray, these colors being just
reversed from those of the common Flicker.
The male is distinguished by a red moustache mark,
which the female lacks. ‘The typical male Red-shafted
Flicker lacks the red crescent on the back of the head,
but it is often present on individuals, as there are nu-
merous hybrids between this species and the preceding.
Flickers are more terrestrial in their habits than are any
others of the family; their food consists largely of ants
which they get from the ground.
Note.—Same as those of the last; both species often
utter a purring whistle when they are startled from the
ground.
Nest.—lhe nesting habits are identical with those of
the last and the eges cannot be distinguished.
Range.—From the eastern slope of the Rocky Moun-
tains to the Pacific.
3
CHUCK-WILL’S- WIDOW.
416. Antrostomus carolinensis. 12 inches.
Male with the end half of the outer tail feathers white,
and the edge of the outer vanes rusty; female with no
white ends to the feathers. Birds of this family have
small bills, but extremely large mouths adapted to catch-
ing night-flying moths and other insects. They remain
sleeping during the day, either perched lengthwise on a
limb or concealed beside a stump or rock on the ground,
their colors harmonizing with the surroundings in either
case. They fly, of their own accord, only at “dusk or in
the early morning. This species, which is much the
largest of our Ge yatsuckers, is known to, at times, devour
small birds, as such have been found in their stomachs.
Note.—A loudly whistled and repeated ‘“chuck-will’s-
widow.”
Nest.—None, the two eggs being laid on the ground
or dead leaves in underbrush. Eggs white, blotched
with gray and lavender (1.40 x 1.00).
Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding
north to Virginia and Missouri, west to Texas.
WHIP-POOR-WILL.
417. Antrostomus vociferus. 9%4 inches.
Male with broad white tips to outer tail feathers;
female with narrow buffy tips. ‘These birds are often
confounded with the Nighthawk, but are very easily
distinguished by the long bristles from base of bill, the
black chin, the chestnut and black barred wing feathers
and the rounded tail. Whip-poor-wills are more noc-
turnal than Nighthawks and on moonlight nights con-
tinue the whistled repetition of their name throughout
the night. They capture and devour a great many of
the large-bodied moths that are found in the woods, but
are never seen flying over cities like Nighthawks.
Note.—An emphatically whistled repetition of ‘“whip-
poor-will,” “whip-poor-will.”
Nest.—In June they lay two grayish or creamy white
eggs (1.15 x .85), mottled with pale brown, gray and
lilac. These are deposited on the ground in woods.
Range.—East of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf
to Manitoba and New Brunswick. Winters south of the
United States.
POOR-WILL.
418. Phalenoptilus nuttalli. 7% inches.
The female of this beautiful little Night-jar differs
from the male only in having narrow butfy tips to the
outer tail feathers instead of broad white ones. Like all
the members of this family these birds are dusk fliers,
remaining at rest on the ground in daylight. Their
frosted gray plumage harmonizes so perfectly with their
surroundings that it is almost impossible to see them.
Their eggs are nearly immaculate, but usually show
traces of the lavender blotches that mark others of the
family. Their call is a mournful “poor-will-ee.” They
are found from the Plains to the Pacific, but are not
common east of the Rockies.
MERRILL PARAQUE.
419. Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli. 13 inches.
As usual with birds of this family, sexual difference in
the plumage occurs chiefly on the tips of the outer tail
feathers. These birds are common in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley in Texas. Their eggs differ from any of
the preceding in having a salmon-colored ground.
NIGHTHAWK.
420. Chordeiles virginianus. 10 inches.
Male with white throat and white band across tail;
female with rusty throat and no white on tail. Notice
that the Nighthawk has a forked tail and white band
across the wings, thus being readily distinguished at a
distance from the W hip-poor- -will,
Note.-—A loud nasal ‘‘peent.”
Nest.-—None, the two mottled gray and white eggs
being laid on bare rocks in pastures, on the ground — or
under brush, or on gravel roofs in cities; size ‘1.20 x .£5.
Range.—United States east of the Plains, breeding
from Florida to Labrador; winters south of United
States. Three sub-species occur :—420a. Western Night-
hawk (henryi), west of the Plains; 420b. Florida Night-
hawk (chapmani) ; 420c. Sennett Nighthawk (sennetti),
a pale race found on the Plains north to Saskatchewan.
TEXAN NIGHTHAWK
421. Chordeiles acutipennis texensis.
This species is found in southern Texas and New
Mexico. It differs from the last in having the primaries
spotted with rusty, like those of the whip-poor-will.
SSR ai
i
2
CHIMNEY SWIFT.
423. Chatura pelagica. 5% inches.
Unused chimneys of old dwellings make favorite
roosting and nesting places for these smoke-colored
birds. They originally dwelt in hollow trees until the
advent of man furnished more convenient places, al-
though we would scarcely consider the soot-lined brick
surface as good as a clean hollow tree. Spines on the
end of each tail feather enable them to hang to their
upright walls, and to slowly hitch their way to the
outer world. Throughout the day numbers of them
are scouring the air for their fare of insects, but as
night approaches, they return to the chimney.
Note.—A continuous and not unmusical twittering
uttered while on the wing and also within the depths
of the chimney.
Nest.—Made of small sticks or twigs glued to the
sides of a chimney and each other by the bird’s saliva.
The three to five white eggs are long and narrow
(.75 x .50).
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from
Florida to Labrador; winters south of U, S.
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT.
425. Aeronautes melanoleucus. 6% inches.
This beautiful swift is one of the most graceful of
winged creatures. Its flight is extremely rapid and its
evolutions remarkable. They nest in communities,
thousands of them often congregating about the tops of
inaccessible cliffs, in the crevices of which they make
their homes. No bird has a more appropriate generic
name than this species—‘‘aeronautes,” meaning sailor of
the air; he is a sailor of the air and a complete master
of the art.
Note.—Loud, shrill twittering, uttered chiefly while
on the wing.
Nest.—Placed at the end of burrows in earthy cliffs
or as far back as possible between crevices in rocks:
usually in inaccessible places and as high as possible
from the ground. It is a saucer-shaped structure made
of vegetable materials cemented together with saliva,
and lined with feathers. The four white eggs measure
to) 3x ave
Range.—From the eastern foothills of the Rockies to
the Pacific; north to Montana and northern California.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
428. Archilochus colubris. 3% inches.
This little gem is the only one of the family found
within the territory included in this book. Owners of
flower gardens have the best of opportunities to study
these winged jewels, on their many trips to and fro
for honey, or the insects that are also attracted there-
by. With whirring wings, they remain suspended be-
fore a blossom, then—buzz—and they are examining
the next, with bill lost within the sweet depths. Their
temper is all out of proportion to their size, for they
will dash at an intruder about their moss-covered home
as though they would pierce him like a bullet. Their
angry twitters and squeaks are ee and surprising
as are their excitable actions.
Nest.—A most beautiful creation of plant fibres and
cobwebs adorned with lichens and resembling a little
tuft of moss upon the bough on which it is placed. In
June two tiny white egys are laid (.50 x .35).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from the
Gulf north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters south
of U.S
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER.
443. Muscivora forficata. 14% inches.
This pretty creature is the most graceful in appear-
ance of the Flycatcher family, if not of the whole order
of perching birds. In the southwest it is frequently
known as the “Texan Bird of Paradise.” Its habits are
very much like those of the Kingbird; as it gracetully
swings through the air in pursuit of insects, it fre-
quently opens and shuts its scissor-like tail. They are
usually found in open country or on the borders of
woodland. They rarely alight on the ground, for their
long tails make them walk very awkwardly, but when
they are a-wing they are the embodiment of grace.
Note.—A shrill “tzip,” “tzip,” similar to notes of
Kingbirds.
Nest.—Quite large; built of all kinds of trash, such
as twigs, grasses, paper, rags, string, etc.; placed in
any kind of a tree or bush and at any height. The
four or five creamy white eggs are spotted with brown
(.90 x .67).
Range.—Breeds from Texas north to Kansas; win-
ters south of U. 8.
KINGBiRD.
444. Tyrannus tyrannus. 8% inches.
Adults with a concealed orange crown patch; young
with none. From the time of their arrival in May
until they leave us in August, Kingbirds are much in
evidence in farmyards and orchards. They are one
of the most noisy birds, always quarreling about some-
thing, and usually coming off victorious in whatever
they may undertake. Crows are objects of hatred to
them, and they always drive them from the neighbor-
hood, vigorously dashing upon and picking them from
above and often following them for a great distance.
They have their favorite perches from which they watch
for insects, usually a dead branch, a fence post, or a
tall stalk in the field.
Note.—A series of shrill, harsh sounds like “thsee,”
“thsee.””
Nest.—Of sticks, rootlets, grass, string, etc., placed
in orchard trees or open w oods at any height. Four or
five creamy white eggs, specked and spotted with. red-
dish brown (.95 x .70).
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf to southern Canada.
GRAY KINGBIRD.
445. Tyrannus dominiscensis. 9 inches.
Differs from the common Kingbird in being larger
and gray above; has black ear coverts, and no white tip
to tail.
Like the last species, these are very noisy and pug-
nacious, and rule their domains with the hand of a
tyrant. After they have mated they quarrel very little
among themselves, and often several may use the same
lookout twig from which to dash after passing flies or
moths.
Note.—A rapidly repeated, shrill shriek: ‘pe-che-ri,”
=pe-che-r1.”
Nest.—Rather more shabbily built but of the same
materials as those used by our common Ningbird.
Placed in all kinds of trees, but more often in man-
groves, where they are commonly found. Three to five
pinkish-white eggs, profusely blotched with brown
(HOO MR e/2))e
Range.—West Indies and Florida, Georgia and South
Carolina. Winters in the West Indies and Central
America.
i
i
:
}
{
4
ARKANSAS KINGBIRD.
447. Tyrannus verticalis. 9 inches.
These tyrant flycatchers are abundant west of the Mis:
sissippi, where they are often, and perhaps more aptly,
known as the Western Kingbirds. If possible, they are
even more noisy and pugnacious than the eastern species.
They have a great variety of notes, all rather unpleasant
to the ear. Their food, like that of the other Kingbirds,
consists of moths, butterflies, ants, grasshoppers, crick-
ete., ete., most of which they catch on the wing.
Note.—A shrill, metallic squeak; a low twittering
and a harsh, discordant scream, all impossible to print.
Nest.—Quite large and clumsily made of paper, rags,
twigs, rootlets and grasses, placed in all sorts of loca-
tions, frequently in eave troughs or above windows.
The eggs are creamy white, spotted with brown (.95 x
65).
Range.—Western United States, breeding from Texas
to Manitoba and west to the Pacific; winters south of
Urs:
DERBY FLYCATCHER.
449. Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus. 10% inches.
This imposing flycatcher is the largest of the family
that is found in North America. As usual with mem-
bers of the family it is of a quarrelsome disposition,
but hardly so much so as either the common or Arkansas
Kingbirds. Their large, heavy bodies render them con-
siderably less active than the smaller members of the
family. On account of the size of the head and bill, they
are often known as Bull-headed Flycatchers.
Notes.—Very varied, but similar in character to
those of the eastern Kingbird.
Nest.—It is said to build its nest at low elevations
in trees or in thorny bushes—a large structure of twigs
and rubbish with an entrance on the side. The three
to five eggs have a cream-colored ground and are prom-
inently specked abeut the large end with brown (1,15 x
82).
Range.—A Mexican species that is fairly common in
the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
}
CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
452. Myiarchus crinitus. 9 inches.
These large flycatchers are very noisy in the
mating season, but theirnotes are rather more
musical than those of the Kingbirds. They ap-
pear to be of a quarrelsome disposition, for rarely will
more than one pair be found in a single piece of woods.
They also frequently chase smaller birds, but never
attack larger ones, as do the Kingbirds. They have a
queer habit of placing a piece of snakeskin in the hole
in which their nest is located, for what purpose, unless
to scare away intruders, is not known, but it seems to
be a universal practice.
Notes.—A clear whistle, “wit-whit,” “wit-whit,” re-
peated several times. This is the most common call;
they have many others less musical.
Nest.—Of straw, etc., in holes of dead limbs. Eggs
four to six in number; buffy white, streaked ard
blotched with brown.
Range.—LEastern N. A. from the Plains to the At-
lantic, breeding north to southern Canada.
PHOEBE.
456. Sayornis phoebe. 7 inches.
A Phoebe is always associated, in my mind, with old
bridges and bubbling brooks. Nearly every bridge
which is at all adapted for the purpose has its Phoebe
home beneath it, to which the same pair of birds will
return year after year, sometimes building a new nest,
sumetimes repairing the old. They seem to be of a
nervous temperament, for, as they sit upon their usual
lookout perch, their tails are continually twitching as
though in anticipation of the insects that are sure to
pass sooner or later.
Note.—A jerky, emphatic “phe-be,’ with the accent
on the second syllable, and still further accented by
a vigorous flirt of the tail.
Nest.—Of mud, grasses and moss, plastered to the
sides of beams or logs under bridges, culverts or barns.
In May or June four or five white eggs are laid (.75 x
Dd).
Range.—-N. A. east of the Rockies, north to southern
Canada; winters in southern U. S. and southward.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
459. Nuttalornis borealis. 7% inches.
These birds can scarcely be called common anywhere,
but single pairs of them may be found, in their breed-
ing range, in suitable pieces of woodland. I have al-
ways found them in dead pine swamps, where the trees
were covered with hanging moss, making it very difficult
to locate their small nests. ‘Their peculiar, loud, clear
whistle can be heard for a long distance and serves as
a guide-board to their location.
Note.—A loud, clear whistle, ‘“‘whip-wheeu,” the first
syllable short and sharp, the last long and drawn out
into a plaintive ending.
Nest.—A small structure for the size of the bird,
made of twigs and mosses firmly anchored to horizon
tal limbs or forks. Three to five eggs are laid; a ric’
creamy ground, spotted about the large end with brow
and lavender (.85 x .65).
Range.—N. A., breeding from the latitude of Mass
chusetts, and farther south in mountainous regio:
north to Labrador and Alaska.
WOOD PEWEE.
461. Myiochanes virens. 6% inches.
In life, the Pewee can best be distinguished from the
larger Pheebe, with which it is often confounded, by its
sad, plaintive ‘pe-ah-wee,” “pee-wee,’ which is strik-
ingly diflerent trom the brusque call of the Phoebe.
Pewees are aiso found more in high, dry woods where
they build their little moss-covered homes on horizon-
tal boughs at quite a height from the ground. Like the
other fiycatchers they always perch on dead twigs, where
their view is as little obstructed as possible.
Note.—A clear, plaintive whistle, “pe-ah-whee,
wee.”
Nest.—One of the most exquisite of bird creations,
composed of plant fibres quilted together and orna-
mented with rock lichens; situated at varying heights
m horizontal limbs, preferably oak or chestnut, and
sometimes in apple trees in orchards. Eggs creamy
yhite, specked with brown (.80 x .55).
Range.—U. 8S. from the Plains to the Atlantic and
orth to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in
Jentral America,
4
92 be
pee-
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.
463. Empidonax flaviventris. 51% inches.
These strange little Flycatchers are found in swamps
such as those usually frequented by Olive-sided Fly-
eatechers and Parula Warblers. They are one of the
few of the family to nest on the ground or very close
to it. Their homes are made in the moss-covered
mounds or stumps found in these swamps.
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains north to Labrador,
breeding from northern U. 8. northward.
GREEN-CRESTED OR ACADIAN FLYCATCHER.
465. Empidonax virescens. 5% inches.
This bird is very similar to the last, but the lower
mandible is light, and the throat and belly white.
Their favorite resorts are shady woods not far from
water. Here they nest in the outer branches of bushes
or trees at heights of from four to twenty feet from
the ground. The nests are shallow and composed of
twigs and moss. Eggs creamy with brown spots.
Range.—U. 8. east of Plains, breeding from the Gulf
to New England and Manitoba; winters in the Tropics.
ALDER FLYCATCHER.
466a. Hmpidonas trailli alnorum. 6 inches.
This species is very similar to, but larger, than the
well-known Least Flycatcher or Chebec. They are
found in swampy pastures or around the edges of
ponds or lakes, where they nest in low bushes.
Range.—U. 8. east of the Mississippi, breeding from
New York to New Brunswick.
LEAST FLYCATCHER.
467. Hmpidonax minimus. 5% inches. .
Smaller than the last and with the tail slightly
forked. Common everywhere in orchards, swamps or
along roadsides. They are very often known by the
name of “Chebec,”’ because their notes resemble that
word. Their nests are placed in upright forks of any
kind of trees or bushes; they are made of plant fibres and
grasses closely felted together. The eggs range from
three to five in number and are creamy white, without
markings; siz2 .65 x .50.
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
middle U. S. north to New Brunswick and Manitoba.
“ VERMILION FLYCATCHER.
471. Pyrocephalus rubinus mearcanus. 6 inches.
Female with only a slight tinge of pink, where the
male is brilliant vermilion.
This is the most gorgeously plumaged species of the
American Flycatchers. It has all the active traits of
the family and, to those who are only accustomed to
the demure gray plumage of most eastern species, the
first sight of this one as he dashes after an insect is
a sight | never to be forgotten.
Notes.— During the mating season the male often
gives a twittering song while poised in the air, accom-
panying it by loud snapping of the mandibles.
Nest.—Saddled on limbs of trees at low elevations
from the ground; composed of small twigs and vege-
table fibres closely felted together and often adorned on
the outside with lichens similar to the nests of the Wood
Pewee. The four eges are of a creamy-buff color with
bold spots of brown and lilac, in a wreath around the
large end (.73 x .54).
Range.—Mexican border of the United States, from
Texas to Arizona.
HORNED LARK.
474. Otocoris alpestris. 7°4 inches.
This variety, which is larger than its sub-species,
is only found in the U. 8. in winter, but several of the
sub-species are residents in our limits. During the
mating season they have a sweet song that is uttered on
the wing, like that of the Bobolink.
Notes.—Alarm note and eall a whistled ‘‘tseet,”
“tseet’; song a low, sweet and continued warble.
Nest.—A hollow in the ground lined with grass;
placed in fields and usually partially concealed by an
overhanging sod or stone. The three to five eggs have
a grayish ground color and are profusely specked and
blotched with gray and brownish (.85 x .60).
Range.—Breeds in Labrador and about Hudson Bay;
south in winter to South Carolina and Illinois.
Sub-species.—474b. Prairie Horned Lark (praticola).
A paler form usually with the line over the eye white.
found in the Mississippi Valley. 474c. Desert Horned
Lark (leucolema). Paler and less distinetly streaked
above than the Prairie: found west of the Mississippi
and north to Alberta.
AMERICAN MAGPIE.
475. Pica pica hudsonia. 20 inches.
This handsome member of the Crow family is sure to
attract the attention of all who may see him. He is very
pert in all his actions, both in trees and on the ground,
and is always ready for mischief. In a high wind their
long tail often makes traveling a laborious operation for
them, and at such times they usually remain quite quiet.
They are very impudent and always on the lookout for
something to steal; they are also very noisy and forever
scolding and chattering among themselves.
Notes.—A loud, harsh ‘‘eack,” ‘‘eack,” and an endless
variety of whistles and imitations.
Nest.—A large, globular heap of sticks placed in
bushes or trees from four to fifty feet from the ground.
The entrance to the nest is on one side and the interio1z
is made of grass and mud. The four to six eggs are
white, thickly specked with yellowish brown (1.25 x .90).
Range.—Western North America, east to the Plains
and north to Alaska; resident.
BLUE JAY.
477. Cyanocitta cristata. 11% inches.
These are one of the best known and most beautiful
birds that we have, but, unfortunately, they have a very
bad reputation. They often rob other birds of their eggs
and young as well as food and nesting material. They are
very active birds and are always engaged in gathering
food, usually acorns or other nuts, and hiding them away
for future use.
Notes.—A two-syllabled whistle or a harsh, discordant
scream. Besides these two common notes they make an
endless variety of sounds mimicking other birds.
Nest.—Of twigs and sticks in bushes or low trees,
preferably young pines. The four eggs are pale greenish
blue specked with brown (1.10 x .80).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies from the Gulf to
Labrador, resident in the U. S. The Florida Blue Jay
(florincola) is smaller and has less white on wings and
tail.
56
FLORIDA JAY.
479. Aphelocoma cyanea. 11% inches.
This Jay is locally distributed chiefly in the southern
parts of Florida, being found principally in scrub oaks.
Like the Blue Jay, their food consists of animal matter
and some seeds, berries and acorns. ‘lheir habits are
very similar to those of the northern bird and their calls
resemble those of our bird, too. They are rather slow in
flight and pass a great deal of their time upon the
ground.
Notes.—A “jay,” “jay,” similar to that of the Blue
Jay, and a great variety of other calls.
Nest.—In the latter part of March and in April they
build their flat nests of twigs, usually in bushes or serub
oaks, and lay three or four greenish-blue eggs, with
brown spots; size 1.05 x .80.
Range.—Middle and southern portions of Florida,
chiefly along the coasts.
GREEN JAY.
483. NXanthoura luxuosa glaucescens. 12 inches.
These Jays are very beautiful, and we are sorry to have
co admit that, like all the other members of the family,
they are merciless in their treatment cf smaller birds.
During the summer their diet consists of raw eggs with
young birds “on the side,” or vice versa; later they live
upon nuts, berries, insects; in fact, anything that is
edible.
Notes.—Practically unlimited, being imitations of
those of most of the birds in the vicinity.
Nest.—Not easily found, as it is usually concealed in
dense thickets. The nests are like those of other Jays,
loosely made of twigs and lined with black rootlets. ‘he
four eggs that are laid in May have a grayish ground
color and are thickly spotted with several shades of
brown and lilac. ‘hey measure 1.05 x .80.
Range.—Fairly common in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley in southern Texas.
CANADA JAY.
484. Perisoreus canadensis. 1114 inches.
These birds are well known to hunters, trappers and
campers in the northern woods. ‘They are great friends,
especially of the lumbermen, as some of the pranks that
they play serve to enliven an otherwise tedious day.
They seem to be devoid of fear and enter camp and earry
off everything, edible or not, that they can get hold of
They are called by guides and lumbermen by various
names, such as Whiskey Jack, Moose Bird, ete.
Notes.—A harsh ‘‘ca-ca-ca,” and various other sounds.
Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees at low elevations;
made of twigs, moss and feathers. The three or four
eggs are gray, specked and spotted with darker (1.15 x
80). They nest early, usually before the snow begins
to leave the ground and often when the mercury is below
zero.
Range.—EHastern North America from northern
United States northward. 484c. Labrador Jay (nigri-
capillus), which is found in Labrador, has the black
on the hind head deeper and extending forward around
the eye:
NORTHERN RAVEN.
486a. Corvus corax principalis. 25 inches.
The habits of all the ravens and crows are identical
and are too well known to need mention. They are all
very destructive to young birds and eggs. The
Raven can be known by its large size, its very large bill
and lanceolate feathers on the throat. They are found
in the mountains from Georgia and on the coast from
Maine northwards.
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN.
487. Corvus eryptoleucus. 184% inches.
This species has the bases of the feathers on the back
of the neck white. Found in southwestern United States.
AMERICAN CROW.
488. Corvus brachyrhynchos. 19 inches.
The common Crow of North America, replaced in
Florida by the very similar Florida Crow (pascuus).
FISH CROW.
490. Corvus ossifragus. 16 inches.
This small species is found on the Atlantic coast north
to Massachusetts.
GO
S
Sat
CLARKE NUTCRACKER.
491. Nucifraga columbiana. 12% inches.
Clarke Crows are found abundantly in all coniferous
forests on the higher mountains in their range. They
are very peculiar birds, having some of the traits of
Woodpeckers, but more of those of the Jays.
‘lhey are very active, very noisy and very inquisitive,
sharing with the Rocky Mountain Jay the names of
“Camp Robber,” “Moose Bird,” etc. They are great
travellers and may, one season, be absent where they
were abundant the preceding one.
Notes.—Various calls and imitations like those of all
others of the Jay family.
Nest.—Of sticks, at high elevations on horizontal
boughs of coniferous trees. The four eggs have a pale
ereenish-gray ground, thickly sprinkled with darker
(G12 Dexa 92 ie
Range.—Mountains of western North America, casu
ally east to IXansas.
STARLING.
493. NSturnus vulgaris. 8% inches.
Plumage metallic green and purple, heavily spotted
above and below with buffy or white.
These European birds were introduced into New York
a number of years ago, and are now common there and
spreading to other localities in Connecticut and about
New York City. They live about the streets and in the
parks, building their nests in crevices of buildings and
especially in the framework of the elevated railroads cf
the city, and less often in trees. They lay from four to
six pale-blue, unspotted eggs (1.15 x .85). How they will
affect other bird life, in case they eventually become
common throughout the country, is a matter of conjec-
ture, but from what I have seen of them they are quar-
relsome and are masters of the English Sparrow, and
may continue their domineering tactics to the extent of
driving more of our song birds from the cities.
6
2
BOBOLINK.
494. Dolichonyx oryzworus. 7% inches.
Bobolinks are to be found in rich grass meadows,
from whence their sweet, wild music is often borne to us
by the breeze. While his mate is feeding in the grass
or attending to their domestic affairs, Mr. Bobolink is
usually to be found perched on the tip of a tree, weed
stalk, or even on a tall blade of grass, if no other spot
of vantage is available, singing while he stands guard
to see that nu enemies approach. He is a good watch-
man and it is a difficult matter to flush his mate from
the nest, for she leaves at his first warning.
Song.—A wild, sweet, rippling repetition of his name
with many additional trills and notes. Alarm note
a. harsh “chah” like that of the Blackbird.
Nest.—Of grasses in a hollow on the ground, in
meadows. They lay four to six eggs with a white ground
color, heavily spotted, clouded and blotched with brown
(.85 x .62).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
New Jersey and Kansas north to Manitoba and New
Brunswick; winters in South America.
COWBIRD.
495. Molothrus ater. 7°4 inches.
Male glossy greenish black, with a brown head; fe-
male and young, dull gray.
Groups of these birds are often seen w alking sedately
about among the cows in the pasture, hence their name,
They are the only birds that we have that neither make
a nest of their own nor care for their young. ‘The fe-
male slyly deposits her egg in the nest of a smaller bird
when the owner is absent, leaving further care of it to
its new owner. W. arblers, Sparrows and Vireos seem to
be most imposed upon in this manner.
Notes.—A low “chack,” and by the male a liquid, wiry
squeak accompanied by a spreading of the wings and
tail.
Range.—U. S., chiefly east of the Rockies, breeding
from the Gulf to Manitoba and New Brunswick; win-
ters in southern U. 8S. A sub-species, the Dwarf Cow-
bird (obscurus), is found in southwestern United States;
it is slightly smaller.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
497. NXanthocephalus xcanthocephalus. 10 inches.
Male black, with head and breast bright yellow;
female more brownish and with head paler and mixed
with brown.
These handsome birds are common locally on the
prairies, frequenting sloughs and extensive marshes and
borders of lakes. ‘They are very sociable birds and breed
in large colonies, sometimes composed of thousands of
birds.
Notes.—A harsh ‘“chack,” and what is intended for a
song, consisting of numerous, queer sounding squeaks,
they being produced during seemingly painful contor-
tions of the singer.
Nest.—Of rushes woven around upright canes over
water, in ponds and sloughs. The nest is placed at from
tour inches to two feet from the water and is quite deep
inside. ‘The four to six eggs are grayish, profusely
specked with pale brown (1.00 x.70).
Range.—U. S., chiefly west of the Mississippi, north
to Britisn Columbia and Hudson Bay; winters on south-
western porder of the U 8.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
498. Agelaius pheniceus. 9% inches.
Male black, with scarlet and buff shoulders; female
brownish black above and streaked below. Nearly all
our ponds or wet meadows have their pair or colony of
Blackbirds.
Note.—A harsh cack; a pleasing liquid song, ‘‘ conk-
err-ee,’’? given with much bowing and spreading of the
wings and tail.
Nest.—Usually at low elevations in bushes, in swamps
or around the edges of ponds, or frequently on the
ground or on hummocks in wet pastures. The nest is
made of woven grasses and rushes, and is usually partial-
ly suspended from the rim when placed in bushes. The
three to five eggs are bluish white, scrawled, chiefly
around the large end, with blackish (1.00 x .70).
Range.—East of the Rockies, breeding north to Mani-
toba and New Brunswick; winters in southern U. S.
Sub-species.—498b. Bahaman Redwing (bryanti).
498c. Florida Redwing (floridanus).
i)
MEADOWLARK.
501. Sturnella magna. 10°%4 inches.
Meadowlarks are familiar friends of the hillside and
meadow; their clear fife-like whistle is often heard,
while they are perched on a fence-post or tree-top, as
well as their sputtering alarm note when they fly up
before us as we cross the field.
Song.—A clear, flute-like ‘tseeu-tseeer,’
sputtering alarm note.
Nest.—Of grasses, on the ground in fields, usually
partially arched over. Three to five white eggs specked
with brown (1.10x.80).
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains and north to south-
ern Canada; winters from Massachusetts and Illinois
southward.
Sub-species.—501.1. Western Meadowlark (neglecta) .
This race has the yellow on the throat extended on the
sides; its song is much more brilliant and varied than
the eastern bird. It is found from the Plains to the
Pacific. 501¢e. Florida Meadowlark (argutula) is smaiter
and darker than the common.
2
and a rapid
AUDUBON ORIOLE.
503. Icterus melanocephalus audubonit. 9% inches.
Within the United States, these large Orioles are
found only in southern Texas. They are not uncommon
there and are resident. Their notes are loud, mellow
whistles like those of the other Orioles. Their nests are
seml-pensile and usually placed in mesquite trees not
more than ten or fifteen feet; from the ground.
SCOTT ORIOLE.
504. Icterus parisorum. 8 inches.
These beautiful birds are found in southwestern
United States, from California to western Texas.
They are said to sing more freely than other members
of the family, but the song, while loud and clear, is of
short duration. Their nests, which are semi-pensile, are
often places in giant yucca trees, or in vines that are
suspended from cacti. The three or four eggs are pale
blue, scrawled and spotted with black and lavender
(.95x.65).
HOODED ORIOLE.
505. Icterus cucullatus sennetti. 8 inches.
This very brilliantly plumaged Oriole is, perhaps, the
most abundant of the family in southern Texas. It is
not as shy a bird as the two preceding species and is
more often found in the neighborhood of houses.
With the exception of a few kinds of fruits, their
food consists almost entirely of insects; all the Orioles
are regarded as among our most beneficial birds.
Notes.—A harsher and more grating whistle than that
of most of the Orioles.
Nest.—Usually in bunches of hanging moss, being
made by hollowing out and matting the moss together
and lining it with finer wiry moss. Others are placed
in yucca trees, such nests being made of the fiber of the
tree. Eggs dull white, scrawled about the large end
with black and lavender (.85 x .60).
Range.—Found only in southern Texas. <A_ sub-
species (nelsoni) is found in New Mexico, Arizona and
southern California.
ORCHARD ORIOLE.
506. Jcterus spwriws. 7% inches.
Male chestnut and black; female dull yellowish and
gray; young male, second year, like female, but with
black face and throat. These Orioles are usually found
in open country and, as their name suggests, have a
preference for orchards. They are also found abundantly
in shrubbery along streams and roadsides. They feed
chiefly upon worms, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers,
ete., and are one of the most beneficial birds that we
have.
Song.—A rich, loud and rapid warble, cheery and
pleasing but impossible to describe; a chattering note of
alarm.
Nest.—A beautiful basket of grasses woven into a
deeply cupped ball and situated in forks of trees or
bushes; often they are made of green grasses. our
to six white eggs, specked, scrawled and spotted with
black and brown (.80 x .55).
Range.—U. S. east of the Plains, breeding from the
Gulf to Massachusetts and Michigan; winters in Central
America.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
507. Icterus galbula. 742 inches.
Male orange and black; female dull yellowish and
gray.
They are sociable birds and seem to like the company
of mankind, for their nests are, from choice, built as
near as possible to houses, often being where they can
be reached from windows. As they use a great deal
of string in the construction of their nests, children
often get amusement by placing bright-colored pieces
of yarn where the birds will get them, and watch them
weave them into their homes.
Song.—A clear, querulous, varied whistle or warble;
call, a plaintive whistle.
Nest.—A pensile structure, often hanging eight or ten
inches below the supporting rim, and swaying to and
fro with every breeze. They lay five or six white eggs,
curiously scrawled with blackish brown (.90 x .60).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies and breeding north
to New Brunswick and Manitoba. Winters in Central
America.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
510. Euphagus carolinus. 9% inches.
Male glossy black; female grayish; both sexes in
winter with most of the head and breast feathers tipped
with rusty. In the United States we know these birds
chiefly as emigrants; but a few of them remain to breed
in the Northern parts. Their songs are rather squeaky
efforts, but still not unmusical. These birds are found
east of the Rockies.
BREWER BLACKBIRD.
510. Euphagus cyaneocephalus. 10 inches.
Male with a glossy purplish head and greenish-black
body; female gray ish brown. This is the Western rep-
resentative of the preceding; it is most abundant west
of the Rockies, but is also found on the Plains. Its dis-
tribution is not so northerly and it nests commonly in
its United States range. Their eggs are whitish, very
profusely spotted and blotched with various shades of
brown (1.x.75).
PURPLE GRACKLE.
511. Qwiscalus quiscula. 12 inches.
Male with purple head and greenish back; female
brownish gray. All the Grackles are very similar in
appearance, the colors varying with different individuals
of the same species. Their habits are alike, too, and I
consider them one of the most destructive of our birds.
Notes.—A harsh “tchack,” and a squeaky song.
Nest.—Of sticks and twigs. usually in pines in the
North and bushes in the South. Four eggs, pale bluish
gray with black scrawls (1.10 x .80).
Range.—Hastern U. 8., breeding north to Mass.
Sub-species.—5lla. Florida Grackle (agleusj,
slightly smaller. 5llb. Bronzed Grackle (gneus, with
a purple head and usually a brassy back. Eastern U. S.,
breeding north to Labrador and Manitoba.
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE.
513. Megaquiscalus major. 15 inches.
Similar in color to the last but much larger, and hav.
ing the same habits. Eggs also larger (1.25 x .95).
Southeastern U. 8S. The Great-tailed Grackle (ma-
crourus), found in Texas, is still larger.
EVENING GROSBEAK.
514. Hesperiphona vespertina. 8 inches.
Female paler and with white on upper tail coverts.
As would be judged from the large bills that these
birds have, their food consists almost entirely of seeds,
with occasionally a few berries and perhaps insects.
In certain localities they are not uncommon, but, ex-
cept in winter, they are rare anywhere in the U. S.
and east of the Mississippi they can only be regarded
as accidental even in winter. They have been taken
several times in Massachusetts. In winter they usu-
ally travel about in small bands, visiting localities
where the food supply is the most abundant.
Song.—A clear Robin-like whistle; call, a short
whistle.
Nest.—A flat structure of twigs and rootlets placed
at low elevations in trees or bushes. Four eggs, green-
ish white, spotted with brown (.90 x .65).
Range.—Breeds in mountains of western British
America and northwestern U. 8. South and east in
winter to the Mississippi and rarely farther.
PINE GROSBEAK.
515. Pinicola enucleator leucura. 81% inches.
Male rosy red; female gray and yellowish.
These pretty birds visit us every winter, coming
from Canada and northern New England, where they
are found in summer. They are very fearless birds and
might almost be regarded as stupid; when they are
feeding you can easily approach within a few feet of
them, and they have often been caught in butterfly
nets. They may, at times, be found in any kind of trees
or woods, but they show a preference for small growth
pines, where they feed upon the seeds and upon seeds
of weeds that project above the snow.
Song.—A low sweet warble; call, a clear, repeated
whistle.
Nest.—In coniferous trees, of twigs, rootlets and
strips of bark; eggs three to four in number, greenish
blue spotted Sine brown and lilae (1.00 x .70).
Range.—Breeds in eastern British America and north-
ern New England; winters south to New York and
Ohio. Several sub-species are found west of the Rockies.
PURPLE FINCH.
517. Carpodacus purpureus. 61, inches.
Male dull rosy red; female streaked brownish gray.
These beautiful songsters are common in the north-
ern tier of states and in Canada. In spring the males
are usually seen on, or heard from, tree tops in
orchards or parks, giving forth their glad carols. They
are especially musical in spring when the snow is just
leaving the ground and the air is bracing. After fam-
ily cares come upon them, they are quite silent, the
male only occasionally indulging in a burst of song.
Song.—A loud, long-continued and very sweet warble;
eall, a querulous whistle.
Nest.—Of strips of bark, twigs, rootlets and grasses,
placed at any height in evergreens or orchard trees.
The eggs resemble, somewhat, large specimens of those
of the Chipping Sparrow. They are three or four in
number and are greenish blue with strong blackish
specks (.85 x .65).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
Pennsylvania and [Illinois northward; winters through-
out the United States.
AMERICAN CROSSBILL.
521. Loxia curvirostra minor. 6 inches.
These curious creatures appear in flocks on the out-
skirts of our cities every winter, where they will be
found almost exclusively in coniferous trees. They
cling to the cones, upon which they are feeding, in
every conceivable attitude, and a shower of seeds and
broken cones rattling through the branches below shows
that they are busily working. They are very eccentric
birds and the whole flock often takes flight, without ap-
parent cause, only to circle about again to the same
trees. The flute-like whistle that they utter when in
flight sounds quite pleasing when coming from all the
individuals in the flock.
Song.—A low twittering; call, a short, flute-like
whistle.
Nest.—In coniferous trees, of spruce twigs, shreds
of bark and some moss or grass. The three or four
eggs are greenish white spotted with brown (.75 x .5d).
Range.—Breeds from northern New England north-
ward and westward, and south in mountains to Georgia;
winters in the northern half of the U.S.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
522. Loxia leucoptera. 6 inches.
Male, rosy; female, with yellowish.
This species seems to be of a more roving dispo-
sition, and even more eccentric than the last. They
are not nearly as common and are usually seen in
smaller flocks; occasionally one or two individuals of
this species will be found with a flock of the American
Crossbills, but they usually keep by themselves. While
they may be seen in a certain locality one season, they
may be absent for several seasons after, for some rea-
son or other. They feed upon the seeds of pine cones,
prying the cones open with their peculiar bills.
Notes.—Do not differ appreciably from those of the
last.
Nest.—The nesting habits of this species are like
those of the last, but the eggs differ in being slightly
larger and in having the markings of a more blotchy
character (.80 x .55).
Range.—Breeds from the northern parts of the
northern tier of states northward. Winters in the north-
ern half of the U. S.
GRAY-CROWNED LEUCOSTICTE.
524. Leucosticte tephrocotis. 6% inches.
Female similar to, but duller colored than the male.
All the members of this genus are western and
northern, this one only being found east of the Rockies
and then only in winter, when it occasionally is found
east of the Mississippi. They wander about in rocky
mountainous regions, feeding upon seeds and berries.
They are very restless and stop in a place but a short
time before flying swiftly away, in a compact flock,
to another feeding ground.
Note.—An alarm note of a short, quick whistle.
Nest.—Built on the ground, usually beside a rock or
in a crevice; composed of weeds and grass, lined with
finer grass. They lay three or four unmarked white
eges in June.
Range.—Western U. S., breeding in the higher moun
tain ranges; in winter sometimes wandering east to
the Mississippi.
REDPOLL.
528. Acanthis linaria. 5% inches.
Male with a rosy breast; female without.
In winter these northern birds may be found in flocks
gathering seeds from weeds by the roadside and stone
walls. Their actions greatly resemble those of our
Goldfinch, but their flight is more rapid.
Song.—Strong, sweet and canary-like.
Nest.—At low elevations in bushes or trees; eggs
three to five, pale greenish blue with brown specks.
Range.—Breeds in the extreme north; winters south
to northern U. 8S.
Sub-species.—528a. Holboell Redpoll (holboelli),
slightly larger. 528b. Greater Redpoll (rostrata),
larger and darker.
GREENLAND REDPOLL.
527. Acanthis hornemannii. 6 inches.
A larger and much whiter species found in Green-
land and migrating to Labrador in winter. 527b.
Hoary Redpoll (exilipes), smaller and darker, but still
lighter than the Redpoll; winters south to Massachusetts.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
529. Astragalinus tristis. 5% inches.
These beautiful little creatures are often known as
Thistle-birds and Wild Canaries, the former name be-
cause they are often seen on thistles, from the down of
which their nests are largely made, and the latter name
because of the sweet canary-like song. Their flight is
a peculiar series of undulations accompanied by an in-
termittent twitter. They are very sociable and breed
usually in communities as well as travel in flocks in
the winter. Their food is chiefly of seeds and they
often come to gardens in fall and winter to partake of
sunflower seeds, these flowers often being raised for the
sole purpose of furnishing food for the finches in the
winter.
Song.—Sweet, prolonged and canary-like; call, a
musical “tcheer,” and a twittering in flight.
Nest.—Of thistle down, plant fibres and grasses, in
forks of bushes. most often willows or alders near
water. Four or five unmarked, pale bluish eggs.
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies; breeds from Vir
ginia and Missouri north to Labrador; winters in U. 8.
WESTERN GOLDFINCH.
530. Astragalinus psaltria. 4% inches.
Cap, wings and tail black; sides of head and back
greenish. Female much duller and with no black in the
crown. These little Goldfinches are very abundant
throughout the West. ‘Their flight is undulatory like
that of the preceding, and all their habits are very sim-
ilar. They spend the winter in bands, roving about the
country, feeding on weed seeds; in summer they repair.
either in small bands or by single pairs, to the edges
of swamps or woodland near water, where they construct
their compact homes in the forks of bushes. Their eggs
are pale blue like those of the American Goldfinch, but
of course are much smaller (.62 x .45). They are laid in
May or June, or even earlier in the western portions of
their range.
Song.—Sweet and musical, almost like that of the
last species.
Range.—Western United States from the Plains to
the Pacific, being abundant west of the Rocky Moun-
tains.
0
PINE FINCH OR SISKIN.
533. Spinus pinus. 5 inches.
These are also northern birds, being found in the U.
S., with the exception of the extreme northern parts,
only in winter and early spring. Their habits are just
like those of the Goldfinches, for which species they are
often mistaken, as the latter are dull-colored in winter.
Their song and call-notes are like those of the Gold-
finch, but have a slight nasal twang that will identify
them at a distance, after becoming accustomed to it.
They are often seen hanging head downward from the
ends of branches as they feed upon the seeds or buds,
and when thus engaged they are very tame.
Song.—Quite similar to that of the Goldfinch.
Nest.—In coniierous trees at any elevation from the
ground. They are made of rootlets and grasses, lined
with pine needles and oair; the three to five eggs are
greenish white, speckea with reddish brown (.65 x .45).
Range.—North America, breeding northward from
the northern boundary of the U. 8. and farther south
in mountain ranges; winters throughout the U. 8.
SNOWFLAKE.
534. Plectrophenax nivalis. 7 inches.
Adults in summer black and white; in winter, washed
with brownish.
When winter storms sweep across our land, these
birds blow in like true snowflakes, settling down upon
hillsides and feeding upon seeds from the weed stalks
that are sure to be found above the snow somewhere.
They are usually found in large flocks, and are very
restless, starting up, as one bird, at the slightest noise,
or continually wheeling about from one hill to another,
of their own accord.
Song.—A low twittering while feeding and a short
whistle when in flight.
Nest.—Of grass and moss lined with feathers and
sunk in the spagnum moss with which much of Arctic
America is covered. Three to five eggs, pale greenish
white, specked with brown. Size .90 x .65.
Range.—Breeds from Labrador and Hudson Bay
northward; winters in northern United States.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR.
536. Calcarius lapponicus. 6Y%4 inches.
Male in summer with black crown and throat. and
chestnut nape; female similar but duller; winter plu-
mage, with feathers of head and neck tipped with
grayish so as to conceal the bright markings.
As indicated by its name, this is a Northern species,
which spends the cold months in northern U. 8., trav-
eling in flocks and resting and feeding on side hills,
often with Snowflakes, or on lower ground with Horned
Larks.
Song.—A sweet trill or warble, frequently given
while in flight; call, a sharp chip.
Nest.—Of mosses, grasses and feathers placed on the
ground in tussocks or on grassy hummocks. In June
and July they lay from four to six eggs having a gray-
ish ground color, which is nearly obscured by the
numerous blotches of brown and lavender (.80 x .60).
Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward and win-
ters south to South Carolina and Texas. A sub-species
is found in the West.
SMITH LONGSPUR.
537. Calcarius pictus. 6% inches.
Male in summer with the underparts buffy and sides
of head marked with black; female, and male in winter,
much duller with all bright markings covered with a
brownish-gray wash.
Like the last species, these are Arctic birds found,
in winter, on the plains and prairies of middle U. 8.
They are rarely found within our limits when in their
beautiful spring plumage. They are most always found
in company with the following species feeding upon
seeds, buds and small berries.
Song.—A sweet warble rarely heard in the United
States; a clear “cheer-up” constantly uttered while on
the wing.
Nest.—Of grasses, weeds and moss, lined with
feathers; located on the ground in similar locations to
those of the last species. The four or five eggs are
similar to those of the last but lighter (.80 x .60).
Range.—Breeds about Hudson Bay and northward;
winters in middle United States.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR.
538. Calcarius ornatus. 6% inches.
Male in summer with a black breast and crown, and
chestnut nape; female, and male in winter, much duller
and with all bright markings covered with grayish.
Unlike the preceding Longspurs, these are constant
residents in the greater part of the Western Plains, in
some localities being classed as one of the most abun-
dant birds. They have a short, sweet song that, in
springtime, is frequently given as the bird mounts into
the air after the fashion of the Horned Larks. They
commonly feed about ploughed fields, along the edges
of which they build their nests.
Song.—A short, sweet trill; alarm note a sharp chip,
and call note a more musical chirp.
Nest.—Of fine grasses, placed on the ground in open
prairies or along the edges of cultivated fields, often
being concealed beside a tussock; their four or five
eges are clay color marked with reddish brown and
lavender (.75 x .55).
Range.—Breeds in the Great Plains from Kansas
and Colorado north to Manitoba; winters south te
Mexico.
M’COWN LONGSPUR.
539. Rhynchophanes mecownii. 6 inches.
Male with a black crown and patch on breast, and
chestnut shoulders; female, and male in winter, dull
colored with all bright markings obscured by brownish
gray.
These are also common birds on the plains of middle
U. S., but perhaps not so much so as the last species,
with which species they are often found breeding.
These finches show their close relationship to the
famous Skylark of Europe by frequently indulging in
the same practice of soaring aloft and descending on
set wings, rapturously uttering their sweet song.
Song.—A shrill, twittering warble; call a musical
chirp.
Nest.—A neat cup of grasses in a hollow in the
ground on prairies or in fields. Their four to six eggs
are dull whitish clouded with brownish, the marking
not being as distinct as in those of the last species
(.75 x .55).
Range.—Breeds on the Great Plains from Kansas
north to Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexice
ENGLISH SPARROW.
*** Passer domesticus. 6% inches.
These street urchins were introduced into our coun-
try from Europe about 1850, and have since multiplied
and spread out so that they now are found in all parts
of our land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Hereto-
fore they have confined themselves chiefly in the im-
mediate vicinity of the larger cities and towns, but it is
now noted with alarm that they are apparently spread-
ing out into the surrounding country. They are very
hardy creatures, able to stand our most rigorous winters.
They are fighters and bullies from the time they leave
the egg, and few of our native birds will attempt to live
in the neighborhood with them.
Notes.—A harsh, discordant sound, which they com-
mence early in the morning and continue until night.
Nest.—Of straw and rubbish piled behind blinds, in
the tops ef electric lights or crevices of buildings, and
sometimes large, unsightly heaps of straw in trees.
‘They raise three or four broods a year and in all sea-
sons; five to seven whitish eggs scratched with black.
Range.—Whole of U. S. and southern Canada.
VESPER SPARROW.
2
040. Poewcetes gramineus. 6 inches.
The chestnut shoulders and white outer tail feathers
distinguish this from any other of our Sparrows.
The name Vesper Sparrow is given this bird because
of its habit of tuning up along towards evening; it is
perhaps more often known as the “Bay-winged Sparrow”
“Grass Finch.”
They are found chiefly in dry pastures or along dusty
roadsides, where they start from the ground in tront of
us, their white tail feathers s showing prominently as they
fly, so that there will be no mistake as to their identity.
Song.—A clear, ascending series of whistles, given
from a fence post or bush top; call, a sharp chirp.
Nest.—Of grasses in weedy fields or pastures; four or
five whitish eggs marked and blotched with brownish
(.80 x .60).
Range.—Hastern N. A. from Virginia to southern
Canada; winters in southern U. S. The similar Western
Vesper Sparrow (confinis) is found from the Plains to
the Pacific coast ranges.
IPSWICH SPARROW.
541. Passerculus princeps. 6%, inches.
This species is larger and paler colored, but very sim-
ilar to the more common and better known Savanna
Sparrow. Its habits are the same. It breeds on Sable
Island, Nova Scotia, and winters along the Atlantic
coast to Virginia.
SAVANNAH SPARROW.
d42a. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. 5% inches.
Breast and sides streaked with brownish, and yellow
before the eye and also on bend of wing.
These finches are very abundant in eastern U. 8.
during migrations and a few remain in the northern
parts through the summer.
Song.—A weak trill or twitter: a short chip.
Nest.—Of grasses in hollows in the ground and con-
cealed by grass or weeds. The four grayish eggs are
spotted with brown (oD) 52 5D)
Range.—Winters in southern U. S.; breeds from
northern U. §. northward. 542b. Western Savanna
Sparrow (alaudinus) is found from the Plains west to
the coast ranges. It is slightly paler.
BAIRD SPARROW.
545. Ammodramus bairdi. 5°*4 inches.
Crown and nape brownish yellow streaked with black;
underparts white streaked on the throat, breast and
sides with blackish; tail slightly forked and the feathers
pointed. ;
In summer the western plains and prairie ring with
the tinkling songs of these little Sparrows; they are
especially abundant in Dakota and Montana.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
546. Ammodramus savannarum australis. 51 inches.
Crown blackish with a central buffy stripe; nape
brown and gray; sides of head, breast and flanks, buffy
without streaks.
Song.—A weak, insect-like ‘‘zee-e-e-e-e.”
Nest.—A grass-lined hollow in a field, with the top
arched over so as to keep off the sun and conceal the
eggs. In June four or five white, brown-specked eggs
Aen latdee (See 5))|s
Range.—U. 8. east of the Rockies; winters in south-
ern U.'S:
546b. Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (floridanus), a
darker race found on the plains of interior Florida.
HENSLOW SPARROW.
547. Passerherbulus henslowii. 5 inches.
Crown and nape greenish, streaked with black; breast
and sides buffy, streaked with black; tail feathers nar-
row and pointed.
This species is of a more southern distribution than
the last, being rarely found in New England, but quite
common in favorable localities south of Virginia.
LECONTE SPARROW.
5048. Passerherbulus lecontei. 5 inches.
Hind head chestnut and gray; sides of head, throat
breast and flanks a rich buff color.
Song.—A grasshopper-like squeaking.
Nest.—Of grasses in hollows of the ground on
prairies; eggs greenish white thickly specked with
brownisn (.65 x .50).
Range.—Breeds in the Great Plains from Dakota to
Manitoba, and winters southeastward to the South At-
lantic and Gulf States.
SHARP-TAILED SPARROW.
549. Passerherbulus caudacutus. 5°4 inches.
Back of head greenish; sides of head, breast and
flanks buff with black streaks; tail feathers sharp.
Salt marshes along the seacoast or along streams
emptying into the ocean are the dwelling places of these
finches. They creep about like mice in the salt grass,
now running across an open space, now threading their
way through the upright stalks.
Song.—A rather weak, squeaky trill.
Nest.—Of seaweed and marsh grass, attached to the
grass stalks several inches above ground and often cov-
ered by a mass of dry seaweed. Eggs greenish white
specked with brown (.78 x .56).
Range.—Atlantic coast of the U.S.
NELSON SPARROW.
549a. Passerherbulus nelsoni. 5% inches.
Similar to the last but brighter colored and _ not
streaked below. In the Mississippi Valley north to Man-
itoba. 549a. Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow (sub-vir-
gatus), Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to New
Brunswick.
94
SEASIDE SPARROW.
550. Passerherbulus maritimus. 6 inches.
Yellow spot before the eye. General plumage a ove
grayish green with no black markings. All the habits
of the Seaside Sparrows are precisely like those of the
Sharp-tailed Sparrows. ‘The nests and eggs are indis-
tinguishable and are often found in the same marshes.
Sub-species.—550a. Scott Seaside Sparrow (penin-
sule), slightly smaller and with the back marked with
black and brownish green; South Atlantic coast. 550b.
Texas Seaside Sparrow (sennetti), greener above than
No. 550; coast of Texas. 550c. Fisher Seaside Sparrow
(fisheri), darker above than scotti and with the breast
and sides heavily washed with rusty and streaked with
black; coast of Louisiana. 550d. Macgillivray Seaside
Sparrow (maegillivrayii), coast of South Carolina.
DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW.
551. Passerherbulus nigrescens. 6 inches.
Darkest of the Seaside Sparrows. Found only in
marshes at head of Indian River, Florida.
LARK SPARROW.
552. Chondestes grammacus. 6%, inches.
These handsome sparrows are very abundant in the
Mississippi Valley; their favorite resorts are fields,
pastures and prairie lands, or along dusty roadsides.
Their song is one of the sweetest of any of the Spar-
rows, and is freely given throughout the summer.
Song.—A hurried gush of silvery tremulous notes.
Nest.—Sometimes in bushes but usually on the
ground; of grasses arranged in a hollow to form a little
cup, and usually concealed under a tuft of grass or
bunch of clover. The birds usually run some distance
from the nest before flying, so that they are quite hard
to find. They lay three to five eggs, white, speckee
and scrawled sparingly with blackish (.80 x .60.),
wholly different from those of any other Sparrow.
Range.—Mississippi Valley, breeding from Texas to
Manitoba; winters in southern U. S. and Mexico.
Sub-species.—552a. Western Lark Sparrow (striga-
tus) is slightly paler ‘and less heavily marked; found
from the Plains to the Pacifie.
HARRIS SPARROW.
553. Zonotrichia querula. 7% inches.
Adults in summer with the crown, face and throat
black; in winter with the black areas mottled with
gray.
This species is one of the largest of the Sparrows. It
is found abundantly on the prairies during migrations,
but about nesting time they all seem to disappear and
no one has, as yet, been able to locate their exact
breeding range. It is supposed to be among some of
the foothills of North Dakota and northward through
Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as they have been found
during the summer in all these localities. Nests sup-
posed to belong to this species have been found, but
they lack positive identification.
Song.—A series of musical, piping whistles.
Nest.—Supposed to be of grass and bark, a few
inches above the ground in weed stalks or small shrubs;
eggs whitish, thickly spotted with brown (.95 x .65).
Range.—Interior U. S. from Texas (in winter) north
through the Plains and Mississippi to Manitoba.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
554. Zonotrichia leucophrys. 7 inches.
Adults with a white crown bordered by black, the
black covering the lores or space before the eye (the
sub-species found west of the Rockies have the lores
white).
We know these birds in the U. S., except in moun-
tain ranges or in the extreme northern parts, only as
migrants, they then being found in brushy woodlots or
along roadsides. In the north they are found in deep-
ly wooded ravines and on side hills. While with us
they rarely if ever sing, but in their summer home
they have a clear tinkling song like that of the White-
throated Sparrow, with which we see them associated
here.
Song.—A clear, sweet, piping ‘“see-dee-dee-dee-de-e ;”
call note a sharp chip.
Nest.—Usually on the ground under patches of brush
or bushes. The four or five eggs are whitish profusely
spotted with brown (.90 x .63).
Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. 8. north-
ward and in high ranges south to Mexico.
7
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
558. Zonotrichia albicollis. 6°4 inches.
In thick underbrush, we hear these birds scratching
about among the leaves; occasionally one of them will
hop up on a twig and give his clear peabody song, or,
hearing or seeing you, give a sharp chirp and dash out
of sight again. They are birds of the ground, always
busy and always happy. I think that without any ex-
ception, they are the handsomest of our Sparrows, their
colors are so rich and harmonize and blend together se
well.
Song.—A high-pitched, very clear and sweet whistle,
“yea-bo-dy-bird.” Call and note of alarm, a metallic
chirp.
Nest.—Usually on the ground on the borders of
woods or in swamps; of grass and leaves, similar to,
but larger, than that of the Song Sparrow. four or
five eggs, pale greenish blue, thickly spotted with
brown (.85 x .63).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
northern U. S. to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters
in the southern half of U. S.
TREE SPARROW.
559. WSpizella monticola. 6% inches.
A blackish-brown spot in middle of breast; crown
reddish brown with no black about the head; back and
wings with considerable brown.
These Sparrows are summer residents of the Arctic
region, passing the winter in the northern half of the
U. 8. They bear considerable resemblance to our com-
mon Chipping Sparrow, but are larger and have char-
acteristic markings as noted above. They appear in
the U. 8S. in October and many of them pass the win-
ter in the fields and gardens in our northern states.
Note.—A musical chirp; song, strong, sweet and
musical and ending in a low warble.
Nest.—Usually on the ground, but sometimes at low
elevations in bushes. Eggs pale greenish blue with
brown specks over the whole surface, thus being very
different from those of the Chipping Sparrow (.80 x .60).
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains, breeding in Labra-
dor and about Hudson Bay; winters in northern half
of the U. S. A-sub-species, 559a.- Western Tree Spar-
row (ochracea) is paler; it is found from the Plains to
the Pacific, breeding in the north.
100
CHIPPING SPARROW.
560. Spizella passerina. 5% inches.
Crown chestnut; forehead black; line through the
eye black.
One of the commonest and most useful of our Spar-
rows, frequenting orchards, yards and bushy pastures.
They are not at all timid and frequently nest in vines,
covering porches or the side of the house, provided
that English Sparrows are not too plenty. They eat
great quantities of insects and worms, and some seeds,
feeding their young wholly upon the former.
Song.—A very rapidly chanted chip, chip, chip, chip,
continued for several seconds; call, a sharp chip.
Nest.—A small cup-shaped structure of rootlets,
lined with horsehair; placed in bushes, trees or vines;
eges three to five, bluish green, specked, chiefly around
the large end, with blackish brown (.65 x .50).
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from the
Gulf of Mexico north to Newfoundland and Hudson
Bay; winters in the Gulf States. A sub-species is found
west of the Rockies.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.
561. NSpizella pallida. 5% inches.
No reddish brown in the plumage; crown largely
black, with a whitish stripe in centre. The habits of
these birds are the same as those of the Chippy; they are
abundant on the Plains north to Saskatchewan and breed
south to the northern portion of the United States.
They spend the winter in Mexico. Their nests and eggs
cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding, ex-
cept, perhaps, by the fact that the nest has more grass
than hair.
BREWER SPARROW.
562. Spizella breweri. 51% inches.
Like the lest species, the general tone of plumage of
this is gray. It differs, though, in having the crown
finely streaked with blackish. It is a more western
species than the last and is rarely found east of the
Rockies. It ranges from British Columbia southward
into Mexico.
102
FIELD SPARROW.
563. NSpizella pusilla. 5% inches.
Bill pinkish-brown; crown and ear covert brown with
no black markings; back reddish brown and breast and
sides washed with brown.
You will find these birds in dry pastures, stubble
fields and side hills. The hotter and dryer a place is,
the better they seem to like it. They are often the
only birds that will be found nesting on tracts of land
recently burned over, upon which the sun beats down
with stifling heat.
Song.—A series of shrill piping whistles on an as-
cending scale and terminating in a little trill, ‘“swee-
see-see-se-e-e.”
Nest.—A frail structure of grasses and weeds, lined
with finer grasses; placed either on the ground or in
bushes, briars or weed patches; four or five whitish
eggs marked with reddish brown (.68 x .50).
Range.—Breeds from the Gulf States north to south-
ern Canada; winters in southern United States.
Sub-species.—-563a. Western Field Sparrow (arena-
cea), a paler race found on the Great Plains.
WHITE-WINGED JUNCO.
566. Junco aikeni. 6% inches.
Slightly larger than the common eastern Junco, and
with two white bars on the wing and more white on
the tail.
This species cannot be regarded as common anywhere,
even locally, and in most sections of its range it is rare.
There are no peculiarities in its habits and I believe that
its nests and eggs have not, as yet, been discovered.
Range.—Breeds in Wyoming and the Dakotas and
winters in Colorado and eastward to Kansas.
SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.
567. Junco hyemalis. 6% inches.
These are one of our most common winter birds, easily
recognized, while perching or on the ground, by the
white or pinkish bill, and when flying by the white outer
tail feathers and the gray and white plumage. They are
very common about houses as well as on the edges of
woods and in pine groves, being very tame and coming
into the dooryard to feed upon crumbs or chaff which is
often thrown out for them.
Song.—A sweet simple trill, which has a beautiful
effect when given by a whole flock in unison.
Nest.—Of grasses, on the ground, usually beside
a stone, in a bunch of weeds or under a small shrub,
where it is well concealed. ‘The three or four eggs are
whitish, sprinkled with reddish brown (.75 x .55).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern
parts of the northern tier of states northward; winters
south to the Gulf.
Sub-species.—567e. Carolina Junco (carolinensis) ,
found in the Alleghanies from Virginia to Georgia;
there are several races found west of the Rockies.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW.
573. Amphispiza bilineata. 5% inches.
These little Sparrows are entirely unlike any other
North American species. They are found in the south-
western deserts, where they are not uncommon in cer-
tain localities, being found in mesquite or chaparral
brush.
Note.—An ordinary Sparrow chip; song, a rich me-
tallie ‘*zip-zip-zip-zee-zee-zee,” the first three ascending,
the second three notes descending.
Nest.—In bushes or cacti at low elevations; eggs
plain bluish white (.70x .50).
Range.—From Texas north to Kansas in summer. A
paler sub-species, the Desert Sparrow (deserticola), is
found westward to southern California.
SAGE SPARROW.
574.1 Amphispiza nevadensis. 6%4 inches.
These birds are found in arid regions, frequenting the
sage brush that is found in the Great Basin region, from
western Texas to California.
PINE-WOODS SPARROW.
575. Peucewa estivalis.. 5°%4 inches.
Upper parts streaked with black; back chestnut and
gray; under parts buffy white; tail rounded.
These dull-colored birds are abundant on some of the
southern pine barrens. ‘Their habits are similar to those
of the Henslow Sparrow; they are quite shy and it is
almost impossible to make one show itself above the
grass, through which it runs and dodges with great
swiftness. If it is surprised into taking wing it goes
but a few feet, then drops out of sight again.
Note.—A metallic chip; song, similar to that of the
Field Sparrow, but reversed; that is, with the trill first.
Nest.—-Of grasses, on the ground, under shrubs or in
tufts of grass; not usually arched as those of Bachman
Sparrow seem to always be; four or five pure white eggs
(.72 x .60).
Range.—Georgia and Florida. 575a. Bachman Spar-
row (bachmannii) is brighter above but has fewer black
streaks; found in the South Atlantic and Gu'f States
and north to Indiana.
SONG SPARROW.
581. Melospiza melodia. 6% inches.
This is probably the best known, most abundant and
most widely distributed (in its numerous sub-species)
of all our birds. ‘They are quite hardy and many of them
winter in the northern states, but the majority go far-
ther south, returning to their summer homes about the
first of March. They may be found anywhere where there
are bushes, vines or hedges, and very often about houses,
even in large cities.
Song.—Very pleasing and musical, strongly resem-
bling brilliant’ measures from that of the Canary.
Nest.—Of grass, either on the ground or in bushes;
three to five bluish-white eggs, profusely spotted with
brown (.80x .58).
Range.—Eastern N. breeding from Virginia and
Missouri north to aati n Canada. Winters from
Massachusetts and Ohio southward. Many local races
are found west of the Rockies, but only one east of
there. 581}. Dakota Song Sparrow (juddi) is found in
the vicinity of Turtle Mountains, North Dakota; it is
said to be lighter above and brighter below.
LINCOLN SPARROW.
583. Melospiza lincolnit. 5%4 inches.
Upper parts extensively brown and black; breast and
sides bright buff with fine black streaks.
These flinches are quite abundant in the West, especial-
ly during migrations, but are rather uncommon in the
eastern states. Their habits are similar in some respects
to both those of the Song Sparrow and of the Grass-
hopper Sparrow. They are very lively at all times and
in the mating season quite pugnacious. ‘They sit for
minutes at a time upon the top of a busn pouring forth
their melody, and they have one of the most brilliant
songs of any of the family.
Song.—Loud, clear and gurgling, after the style of
the house Wren; call, a metallic chirp.
Nest.—Of grass, on the ground, in tufts of grass or
under small shrubs; eggs pale greenish white, heavily
marked with chestnut (.80 x .58).
Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. S. to
Labrador and Alaska; winters in southern half of U.S.
SWAMP SPARROW.
584. Melospiza georgiana. 5%4 inches.
Forehead black; crown chestnut with a gray median
stripe; whole upper parts very dark; under parts gray-
ish with brown sides.
A very quiet and unobtrusive species that dwells, as
its name implies, chiefly in swamps. They creep about
under the rank weeds and underbrush like so many mice;
they are especially fond of the soft mires where walking
is so difficult for human beings; they patter around on
the soft mud with evident enjoyment, occasionally walk-
ing across an open space of water on what floating
debris they may find available.
Song.—A feeble chant; call, a sharp metallic cheep.
West.—Of grasses, on the ground in damp places;
four or five eggs, having a pale greenish-blue color heav-
ily blotched and clouded with shades of brown (.80 x .55).
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from
New Jersey and Missouri north to Labrador and Hud-
son Bay; winters in southern half of the U. 8.
110
FOX SPARROW.
585. Passerella iliaca. 714 inches.
Above bright reddish brown and gray; rump and tail
wholly reddish brown, and spots on the breast and sides
of the same color.
In winter we find these large Sparrows in quiet
swamps and open woods, where they scratch about
among the fallen leaves, after the manner of domestic
fowls; they will scratch energetically for a few seconds,
then pause to see what they have uncovered. They have
a short but loud and joyful song, with which they greet
you on clear frosty mornings, and the effect is very beau-
tiful when a large flock of them are singing in chorus.
Song.—A loud, clear and melodious earol; call, a soft
chip.
Nest.—Of grass and moss, lined with fine grass and
feathers; four or five pale bluish-green eggs, spotted
with reddish brown and chestnut (.90 x .65).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
New Brunswick and Manitoba northward; winters in
the southern states.
TOWHEE OR CHEWINK.
587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. 8 inches.
A bird of swamps, brushy pastures and open wood-
jands. They are ground birds and usually found
scratching among the leaves; the male, with his black,
white and brown clothes, makes a conspicuous object,
while the female, with her brown and white dress,
harmonizes with the leaves so that it is difficult to
see her. While his mate is sitting on her nest, the
male will frequently sit in a tree top and persistently
sing for many minutes at a time.
Song.—Loud and clear, “tow-hee-e-e” or “see-tow-
hee-e-e,” with the last notes tremulous; call, a sharp
“cherink.”
Nest.—Usually on the ground, but rarely in bushes;
of strips of bark, grass and leaves; eggs white with
reddish-brown dots over the whole surface (.90 x .70).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf
States to southern Canada; winters in southern U. 8.
Sub-species.—587a. White-eyed Towhee (alleni) has
white eyes instead of red and less white on the tail;
found on the South Atlantic coast.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE.
592.1. Oreospiza chlorura. 7 inches.
These are characteristic birds of the Western moun-
tains. They are typical brush birds, satisfied in living
a life of security in their own way, and rarely appear
above the surface of the thick shrubbery except to
mount to a conspicuous twig, pour forth their sweet
melodies and then retreat again.
Notes.—A loud chip; a soft, mewing note; song,
finch-like, musical but rather simple.
Nest.—KHither on the ground or in bushes near the
ground. Made of grasses the same as that of any of the
sparrows. Eggs pale bluish gray, thickly speckled with
reddish brown. The nests are built in very thickly
tangled underbrush and are difficult to locate.
Range.—Western United States, from the eastern
base of the Rockies west to the eastern slope of the
Sierra Nevadas.
CARDINAL.
593. Cardinalis cardinalis. 9 inches
Noble in carriage, beautiful of plumage, amiable in
disposition and excellent singers are some of the quali-
fications of these large- billed. birds. They are southern
birds, rarely seen in northern U. S. unless in cages, for
large numbers of them are trapped for this purpose, a
practice that is being stopped as rapidly as_ possible
by enforcing the laws which protect them. They are
hardy birds, often passing the winter in the northern
parts of their range when the ground is covered with
snow. They frequent gardens, plantations and open
woods, where they glean their food of seeds, berries,
fruit and insects.
Song.—A loud, clear and lively warble; call, a low
chip.
Nest.—A frail structure of twigs, in thickets or
bushes; eggs greenish blue with reddish-brown spots
(ECO Tae
Range.—Resident and breeding from the Gulf to
New York and Towa. 593. Florida Cardinal (flori-
cane) is supposed to be slightly smaller and brighter.
TEXAN CARDINAL; PYRRHULOXIA.
594a. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata texensis. 8% inches.
Notice that the bill of this species is very stout and
short, more like that of a parrot. The crest is also
composed of fewer feathers than that of the Cardinal.
It is only in the highest of plumages that the red on
the underparts is continuous from bill to tail; usually
it is broken into patches. The female is much duller
in color than the male, but always has a strong tinge
of rose color. They frequent more open and exposed
positions than do Cardinals and are more shy in their
disposition.
Nest.—Shabby platforms of twigs and grasses placed
at low elevations in thickets. The three or four eggs
are whitish, specked with dark brown, most profusely
at the large end (.90 x .70).
Range.—Abundant in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
in southern Texas.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.
595. Zamelodia ludoviciana. 8 inches.
Male, black and white with rose breast and under
wing coverts; female resembling a large striped Spar-
row in color.
The center of abundance of these beautiful creatures
is in the northern half of eastern U. 8. In beauty and
song he fully atones for what we northerners lose be-
cause of the southerly distribution of the Cardinal. We
find them in swamps, small patches of woods, and, some-
times, in orchards. ‘They are rather quiet birds, that is
they do not move about much, but they can easily be
found by their song.
Song.—A rich, full, whistling carol, almost without
exception immediately preceded with a sharp chip. Call,
a deep-toned chirp.
Nest.—A loose, frail cradle of twigs at low eleva-
tions in trees or thickets; eggs bluish green spotted
with brown (1.00 x .75).
Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies, breeding in the
northern half and in southern Canada; winters in Cen-
tral America.
BLUE GROSBEAK.
597. Guwiraca cerulea. 7 inches.
Male, deep blue with chestnut shoulders; female,
grayish brown above and grayish white below.
Open woods, small groves and roadsides are the lo-
cations in which these birds will be apt to be found.
In some places they are fairly common, but nowhere
abundant. Their habits are very similar to those of
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Song.—A rapid varied warble, similar to but louder
and stronger than that of the Indigo Bunting.
Nest.—Of twigs, weeds and grasses, lined with fine
rootlets; placed in thickets, bushes or low trees; four
or five plain bluish-white eggs (.85 x .62).
Range.—Fastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to
Maryland and Illinois; winters south of U. 8.
Sub-species.—597a. Western Blue Grosbeak (la-
mula). Male of a brighter shade of blue than the east-
ern; found from the Mississippi to the Pacific, breeding
north to Kansas, Colorado and northern California.
INDIGO BUNTING.
598. Passerina cyanea. 5, inches.
Male, indigo blue; female, brownish but usually with
a faint indication of blue on the wings or tail.
A jolly summer songster, dwelling with us from the
latter part of May until September. You will meet
with these Buntings along roadsides lined with serubby
trees or bushes, or in pastures or along the edges of
swamps. The male usually has some favorite perch
upon which he spends a large portion of his time sing-
ing; it is nearly always the top of a tall bush or tree.
Song.—A sprightly little warble with many canary-
like notes. Call, a sharp chip.
Nest.—Of grasses at low elevations in shrubs or
bushes; eggs four or five in number, very pale bluish
white (.75 x .52).
Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies, and most abun-
dant east of the Mississippi: breeds north to Manitoba
and New Brunswick; winters in Central America.
LAZULI BUNTING.
599. Passerina amoena. 5% inches.
This species replaces the preceding one west of the
Plains. While the plumage of the males is entirely
distinctive, that of the females is often confusing. The
present species has quite a conspicuous band cf rusty
buff across the breast and lacks any sign of stripes on
the sides, such as show faintly on the last species. Its
habits are just like those of the Indigo and it frequerts
the same kind of territory.
Nest.—Built in a bush or on the lower branches of
trees, only a few feet from the ground. The eggs are
very pale bluish white (.75 x .58).
Range.—Western United States from the Great
Plains to the Pacific coast; north along the coast to
British Columbia; south in winter to Mexico.
VARIED BUNTING.
600. Passerina versicolor. 51% inches.
This beautiful species is less common than any others
of the genus and has a very restricted range in the
United States. The plumage of the male birds varies a
great deal; that shown in the accompanying illustra-
tion is from a, brightly colored specimen. They will
average duller than this. These birds frequent thickets
or brush-studded pasture land. Their song is described
as weaker than that of the Indigo Bunting, but having
much of the same character.
Nest.—Built of grasses, bark and fine rootlets; a
cup-shaped structure placed in forks of bushes, usually
in tangled thickets. The three or four eggs cannot be
distinguished from those of the last species.
Range.—The Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern
Texas. <A sub-species (pulchra) is also found in Lower
California and southern Arizona.
119
PAINTED BUNTING.
601. Passerina ciris. 5% inches.
Male, vari-colored; female, greenish gray.
Without any exception, these are the most gaudily
plumaged North American birds, but their colors have
a harshness cf contrast that renders them far less
pleasing to the eye than many others of our birds.
They are often caged, but in confinement soon lose the
natural brillianey of their plumage. Like the Indigo
Bunting, they are found in thickets and hedges; their
habits seem to be precisely like those of the last species.
Song.—Similar to that of the Indigo but lacking the
brilhancy of that of the latter bird.
Nest.—Of grasses, leaves, strips of bark and _ root-
lets, compactly compressed and woven together, situ-
ated at low elevations in thickets and low bushes; eggs
whitish, specked and blotched with reddish brown (.78 x
58).
Range.—Southeastern U. 8.. breeding from the Gulf
north to Virginia, Ohio and Kansas; winters in Cen-
tral America.
MORELLET SHEED-EATER.
602. Sporephila morelieti sharpei. 4% inches.
The male of this interesting little species requires at
least three years in which to obtain the perfect plumage
as shown in our illustration. The majority of birds
seen will be in intermediate stages of plumage between
that of the adult female and this one. These little fel-
lows are usually found in thickets or patches of briars
and are quite tame.
Note.—During the breeding season the male has a
sprightly song similar to that of the Indigo Bunting.
Nest.—The nests are made of fine grass and placed
in bushes or young trees. The eges are bluish green
spotted rather evenly with brown (.65 x .48).
Range.—Southeastern Texas and southward into
Mexico.
DICKCISSEL.
604. Spiga americana. 6% inches.
Male beautifully blended with yellow, white and
gray, and with a black throat patch and brown shoul-
ders; female duller.
In the middle portions of the U. S. these birds, or
Black-throated Buntings, as they are commonly called,
are very numerous, frequenting dry, bushy fields or
prairies. They are very persistent songsters, although
their song is weak and has little meiody. In July and
August, when many birds are silent, they continue
their plaintive chant even on the most sultry days.
Song.—A simple chanting ‘chip, chip, che-che-che.”
Nest.—Either on the ground, in bushes or thistles,
or in trees; of weeds, grasses, rootlets, corn husks, ete.;
eggs four or five in number, plain bluish white and
hardly distinguishable from those of the Bluebird; size
sell) 5x _f6{0).
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from
the Gulf States north to northern U. 8.; rare in the
Atlantic States north to Connecticut.
LARK BUNTING.
605. Calamospiza melanocorys. 7 inches.
Male, black and white; female, brown and gray.
This species is often known as the White-winged
Blackbird, not because it bears any resemblance to any
of the Blackbirds, nor because any of the habits are the
same, but simply because of its plumage. They are
very gregarious and usually fly in flocks even in nesting
time.
They seem to be very methodical and well trained;
if one of a flock takes wing, the entire flock rises
simultaneously and in a very compact body they fly
until some leader chooses the next stopping place, when
they as suddenly alight. They have the habit of Sky-
larks in mounting into the air while singing and then
descending on set wings.
Song.—A very lively, sweetly modulated warble.
or small bush; four or five eggs of a bluish color (.85
x .65), brighter than those of the Dickcissel.
Range.—Western U. $., most abundant from Kansas
to Colorado and north to Assiniboia.
124
SCARLET TANAGER.
608. Piranga erythromelas. 7% inches.
Male, scarlet and black; female, greenish yellow and
blackish.
These beautiful birds are found in open woods, but
they often come out in fields, parks, orchards and
sometimes in yards when feeding; one of the prettiest
sights that I ever saw was of about a dozen of these
birds tripping along the furrows of a ploughed field,
where they were feeding on insects. Besides berries
and seeds, they lve upon quantities of insects, fre-
quently catching them on the wing in true Fiyeatcher
style.
Song.—Resembling that of the Robin, but harsher,
less varied and higher pitchea. Call, a sharp chip or
“chip-churr.”’
Nest.—Loosely made of twigs and rootlets, on lower
branches of trees; eggs four, pale bluish green, spotted
with brown (.95 x .65).
Range.—Breeds in the northern parts of the U. S.
from the Atlantic to the Plains; winters in the tropics,
whence it arrives about May 15.
SUMMER TANAGER.
610. Piranga rubra. 7% inches.
Male, rosy red; female, greenish yellow.
These Tanagers have a more southerly distribution
than the Scarlet variety, but are found in the same
kind of territory. In its localities it is rather more
abundant and less retiring than is the latter bird in
the north, and more often dwells in public parks. This
bird is often called the Redbird and in localities where
both the Scarlet Tanager and this species are found,
they are frequently known by the same name, as their
habits and notes are similar.
Song.—Similar to that of the Scarlet Tanager but
said to be sweeter and clearer, and to more nearly re-
semble that of the Robin.
Nest.—On the outer horizontal limbs of trees in open
woods or groves; nest of twigs and rootlets: eggs bluish
green, spotted with brown (.95 x .65).
Range.—U. §. east of the Rockies, breeding from
the Gulf to New Jersey and Kansas; winters in Central
America, <A sub-species is found west of the Rockies.
PURPLE MARTIN.
611. Progne subis. 7° inches.
Male, blue black; female, dull black and grayish.
These large, jolly Swallows are commonly seen about
cities and towns within their range. Originally they
dwelt in hollow trees, and some do yet, but the ma-
jority have recognized the superiority of man’s dwell-
ing and now live in houses built especially for them
or in cornices of houses or barns. It is no uncommon
sight to see a handsome gabled structure of many
rooms, perched upon a twelve-foot pole, on the lawns
of many wealthy residents; others less bountifully sup-
pled with this world’s goods use plain soap boxes for
the same purpose, and the Martins seem to like the one
as well as the other.
Song.—A strong, varied grating warble or twitter,
more forcible than melodious.
Nest.—Of straw, paper, rags, ete., in bird houses,
gables or hollow trees; eggs dull white (.98 x .72).
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New
Brunswick and Saskatchewan; winters in northern South
America.
CLIFF SWALLOW.
612. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 5% inches.
Adults similar in plumage but the female slightly
paler. Easily distinguished from the Barn Swallow by
the square tail and light buffy forehead and rump.
This is what is commonly called the Eave Swallow
in the East, because of its habit of plastering its nests
on the outside of barns or other buildings, up under
the eaves. In the West they usually resort to cliffs
where, sometimes, large sections of the face will be
completely covered with the little mud flasks; often
colonies of several thousand will build their nests to-
gether.
Song.—A continuous twitter, uttered while on the
wing or at rest.
Nest.—A flask or gourd-shaped structure of mud,
lined with straw and feathers, attached under the
eaves to the outside of buildings or on the faces of
cliffs; five to seven eggs are laid; white dotted and
spotted with reddish brown (.80 x .55).
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to Greenland
and Alaska; winters in the Tropics.
[re
BARN SWALLOW.
618. Hirundo erythrogastra. 7% inches.
Female duller plumaged and with a less deeply forked
tail than the male. Forehead and throat chestnut and
entire under parts buffy; tail deeply forked and with
a white spot on the inner web of each feather except the
central pair.
This is the most graceful and beautiful of all our
swallows, and is the most common about farm houses,
the inside beams and rafters of which they appropriate
for their own use. They delight in skimming oyer the
rolling meadows or the gsurtace of ponds, now rising
with the wind, now swooping downward with the speed
of an arrow.
Song.—A continuous, rapid twitter.
Nest.—A bowl-shaped structure made up of pellets
of mud cemented together with the birds’ saliva, and
lined with feathers - attached to rafters in barns, the
opening being at the top and not at the side as in the
last; eggs exactly like those of the last.
Range.—N. A., breeding north to the limit of trees;
winters in northern South America.
TREE SWALLOW.
614. Jridoprocne bicolor. 6 inches.
Male, steely blue or greenish above; female, duller
and often plain gray above, but both sexes always en-
tirely white below.
These Swallows are also abundant about farmyards;
except when they are skimming over~ponds, they are
almost always scouring the air above buildings or
fields, at higher elevations than the Barn Swallows.
When weary they roost on dead twigs or telephone
wires, hundreds often being seen in rows on the latter.
Like the Martins, these birds frequently nest in bird
boxes, but usually not more than one or two pairs in
a single house.
Notes.—A twittering like that of the other Swal-
lows.
Nest.—Of erass, lined with feathers, in hollow trees
on the border of water or in orchards, or in bird boxes
erected for their use; eges white (.75 x .52).
Range.—Breeds in the northern half of the U. S$.
and northward to Labrador and Alaska; winters in
southern U. §. and southward.
9
BANK SWALLOW.
616. Riparia riparia. 5% inches.
These are the smallest of our Swallows; this species
can be distinguished, even at a distance, by the con-
spicuous band across the breast, showing in bold relief
against the lighter throat. They are found throughout
North America, breeding from the middle of the U. 8.
north to the Arctic regions.
They nest in colonies in holes in banks, laying the
four to seven white egos on a grass nest in an ‘enlarged
chamber at the end of the tunnel.
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW.
617. Stelgidopterysx serripennis. 5% inches.
In this species the throat 1s gray as mel as the breast.
The outer vane of the outer primary is stiff and bristly,
thus giving the species its name. These birds breed
from the Gulf north to Massachusetts and Washington,
in banks or in crevices of stone bridges. The eggs can-
not with certainty be distinguished “from those of the
Eank Swallow. They measure .75 x .52.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING.
618. Bombycilla garrula. 8 inches.
Larger and grayer than our common Cedar Waxwing
and with yellow and white on the w ing; it is a north-
ern species and is only casually found in eastern U.
They nest within the Arctic Cirele and only a few a
their nests have ever been found. In winter they are
found in flocks, roving restlessly about the country,
often appearing where least expected and utterly desert-
ing other places where they are usually found.
Nest.—Of small twigs and moss, lined with feathers,
usually placed at low elevations in spruce or conif-
erous trees; eggs dull bluish white specked sparingly
with black (1.00 x .70), similar to those of the Cedar
Waxwing but larger.
Range.—Northern parts of the northern hemisphere,
breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering cas-
ually south to Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kansas and
California.
CEDAR WAXWING.
619. Bombycilla cedrorum. 7 inches.
Plumage very soft colored with a general brownish
tone, shading to gray on the rump. The Waxwings
are named from the curious wax-like appendages at-
tached to the tips of the secondaries, and rarely to
the tail feathers. They are very sociable and usually
feed in flocks. They live chiefly upon fruit and are
especially fond of cherries, for which reason they are
very often known as Cherry-birds. They are very tame
and allow anyone to almost touch them while they are
feeding or sitting upon their nests.
Note.—An insignificant lisping hiss.
WNest.—A substantial structure of twigs, mosses,
twine, ete., lined with fine grasses; placed in cedar
trees or, when near habitations, usually in orchard trees;
the four or five eggs are dull bluish white, specked with
black (.85 x .60).
Range.—N. A., breeding from Virginia, Missouri and
northern California north to Labrador and southern
Alaska; winters throughout the United States.
NORTHERN SHRIKE.
621. Lanius borealis. 10 inches.
This shrike is larger than any of the species found
in summer in the United States and has the breast
quite distinctly barred.
Shrikes are cruel, rapacious and carnivorous birds,
feeding upon insects, grasshoppers, lizards and small
birds. As they have passerine feet, the same as ail
our small birds, they are unable to hold their prey be-
tween the feet while tearing it to pieces, so they im-
pale it upon thorns or the barbs of a wire fence, so
they may tear it to shreds with their hooked bill.
Song.—Loud snatches consisting of various whistles
and imitations suggesting that of a Catbird.
Nest.—Vhey breed chiefly north of the U. S., placing
their rude, bulky structures of twigs and weeds in
thorny trees or hedges; their four to six eggs are gray-
ish white with spots of light brown and darker gray
(1.08 x .80).
Range.—N. A., breeding chiefly in the northern parts
of Canada; winters south to Pennsylvania, Kansas and
California.
133
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.
622. Lanius ludovicianus. 9 inches.
Pure white below and with the markings above, in-
tense black instead of the brownish or grayish black
of the last species. Although smaller, these Shrikes
have the same destructive habits of the northern species.
All the Shrikes do considerable good to mankind, for
they eat quantities of grasshoppers and mice, and prob-
ably resort to their diet of small birds when other
food is unusually scarce. It cannot be denied that
they are cruel, for they often kill more than they can
eat and leave it impaled on thorns to decay.
Song.—Of harsh, discordant whistles.
Nest.—In scrubby hedges and thickets; of twigs,
weeds, leaves, ete.; eggs four to seven in number, gray-
ish white, spotted with shades of brown and gray.
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to
southern New England and Manitoba; winters in south-
ern states.
Sub-species.—622a. White-rumped Shrike (exeubi-
torides), paler and with a white rump; found from the
Plains to the Pacific in the U. S.
RED-EYED VIREO.
624. Vireosylva olivacea. 6 inches.
Crown slaty gray with a black border; white stripe
above eye; eye reddish brown.
Throughout the United States this is one of the most
abundant of the family. All through the spring and
summer months their warble is heard from woodland
and roadside, often becoming so monotonous as to be
irritating. Oftentimes during the spring migrations of
Warblers, Vireos are so numerous and singing so lustily
that it is impossible to hear or distinguish the songs
of any of the smaller birds.
Song.—Delivered in parts with intermission of a few
seconds between, from morning until night; a short
varied warble; call, a petulant mew.
Nest.—A basket woven of strips of bark and fibres,
and often with pieces of newspaper worked in, lined
with fine grass; eggs white with a few blackish-brown
specks on the large end (.85 x .55).
Range.—U. S. east of the Rockies, breeding from
the Gulf to Labrador and Manitcba; winters in Central
America.
PHILADELPHIA VIREO.
626. Vireosylva philadelphica. 5 inches.
This is one of the least common of the eastern Vireos,
although it is more common than most people know;
its song is not distinctive and it keeps high up in trees,
so it is not usually noticed. Their nests are swung from
branches at high altitudes and are seldom found.
WARBLING VIREO.
627. Vireosylva gilva. 5 inches.
Above clive-green; crown grayer but with no black
border. ‘These are among the most common of the
Vireos and may be found eyen in the hearts of large
cities, swinging their pretty little nests high up in shade
trees. Their song is after the style of that of the Purple
Finch, very different from that of the Red-eye. The
eggs are white with a few brown specks on the large end.
These birds breed throughout the U. 8S. and southern
Canada.
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
628. Lanivireo flavifrons. 5%4 inches.
Upper parts greenish; throat, breast and line over
eye yellow; two ‘prominent whitish wing bars.
A handsome Vireo found in localities such as are
frequented by the Red-eyed species. Nowhere do they
appear to be as abundant as that species, however; they
are more abundant than many suppose, but the difficulty
of clearly seeing the yellow breast when they are feeding
in the tree tops, combined with the similarity of their
songs, usually caused them to be passed by without in-
spection.
Song.—Similar to that of the Red-eye, but louder
and more nasal, less varied and not uttered as often.
Nest.—A pensile structure of strips of bark, grasses,
ete., with the outside often ornamented with lichens;
three to five eggs with a creamy or rosy-white tint,
specked, more profusely than those of the Red-eye, with
reddish brown (.82 x .60).
Range.—LEastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to
southern Canada; winters in Central America.
138
BLUE-HEADED VIREO.
629. Lanivireo solitarius. 5%4 inches.
Crown and sides of head bluish slate; lores, eye-ring
and underparts white; back and flanks greenish yellow;
two whitish wing bars.
This species, to my eye, is the prettiest of the Vireos,
all the colors being in just the right proportion and
blending and harmonizing perfectly. They are solitary,
in that they are usually found in deep woods, glens or
ravines, and seldom is more than one pair found in a
single woods.
Song.—Similar to that of the Yellow-throated Vireo
but longer and more varied.
Nest.—A handsome, finely woven basket, with the
outside covered with spider webs and often with lichens ;
eggs pale creamy white with chestnut specks.
Range.—Fastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf to
New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters south of the
United States.
Sub-species.—629c. Mountain Solitary Vireo (alti-
cola), head darker and back less greenish; Alleghanies
from North Carolina to Georgia.
BLACK-CAPPED VIREO.
630. Vireo atricapillus. 4% inches.
Male, with crown and sides of head glossy black,
lores and eye-ring white; female, duller colored.
This strange and comparatively rare Vireo frequents
brushwood on the prairies of Kansas, Indian Territory
and central and western Texas. Their habits in all
respects resemble those of the more common Vireos or
Greenlets as they are otherwise called.
Notes.—Similar to those of the White-eyed Vireo.
Nest.—Suspended as usual from forked branches at
low elevations; made of fibres and bark strips closely
woven together with spider webs. The four eggs are
pure white, unmarked (.70 x .52).
Range.—Breeds from central and western Texas
north to southern Kansas; winters in Mexico.
WHITE-EYED VIREO.
631. Vireo grisews. 5 inches.
This species shows a partiality for low, swampy
places, covered with briars or tangled thickets of black-
berry vines. ‘Their habits are entirely different from
any of the preceding Vireos. They do not seem to sing
as they eat, but feed in silence, then, the task ended,
mount to the tops of the brush and indulge in an end-
less variety of calls and whistles.
Song.—A great variety of clear whistles and squeaky
notes.
Nesi.—A bulky structure of strips of bark, leaves,
paper, ete., either placed in the branches or partially
suspended in a fork; eggs white with minute brown
specks (.75 x .55).
Range.—EHastern United States, breeding from the
Gulf to Massachusetts and Manitoba; winters in Mexico.
Sub-species.—63la. Key West Vireo (maynardi),
southern Florida. 631b. Bermuda White-eyed Vireo
(bermudianus), resident in the Bermudas. 631le. Small
White-eyed Vireo (micrus); southeastern Texas.
BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.
636. Mniotilta varia. 5% inches.
Male, heavily streaked with black below; female, with
only a few streaks on the sides.
These Warblers are usually known as Black and
White Creepers because of their habit of creeping along
the limbs and branches of trees. They are abundant in
northern United States, being found in open woods,
swamps and often in parks, gleaning insects and grubs
from crevices in the bark.
Song.—aA weak, thin, wiry “tsee, tsee, tsee.”
Nest.—Of grasses and strips of bark on the ground
at the foot of a stump or tree trunk or beside a rock;
they lay four or five eggs, white with a wreath of red-
dish brown around the large end (.65 x .55).
Range.—Kastern N. A., breeding from Virginia and
Louisiana north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; win-
ters in northern South America.
141
i
me
A
i]
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.
637. Protonotaria citrea. 5% inches.
Whole head and underparts intense yellow, almost
orange on the head of the male; tail with white spots
near the tip; female, duller.
A common species in the interior, found in bushy
swamps and the willows around the borders of pools
and lakes; they are found in the latter localities with
Tree Swallows and often Chickadees all nesting in
holes in hollow stubs along the bank, they being one of
the few members of this family to make use of such
locations for their nests.
Song.—A loud, ringing “tweet, tweet, tweet.”
Nest.—In hollow stubs near or over water, the cay-
ity of the stump being partially filled with moss, leaves
and grasses hollowed on the top to receive the four to
six creamy-white eggs which are heavily spotted over
the entire surface with reddish brown (.72 x .55).
Range.—Kastern U. 8., breeding from the Gulf north
to Virginia, Illinois and Minnesota ; winters in Central
America.
SWAINSON WARBLER.
638. Helinaia swainsonii. 5 inches.
Upper parts brownish; underparts whitish; a white
superciliary stripe and a brown stripe through the eye.
Some of the habits of this species are similar to
those of the last but they are even more aquatic; they
like swamps or stagnant pools thickly grown with rushes
and tangled underbrush; unless ‘eoonizant of their
habits, one would never look for a Warbler in the places
frequented by these birds in company with Least Bit-
terns and Marsh Wrens. Until within a few years these
were regarded as rare birds but are now found to be
not uncommon in certain of the South Atlantic states,
notably Georgia.
Song.—A series of descending, loud, clear whistles
with a ventriloquial effect.
Nest.—Quite large structures consisting mostly of
leaves with strips of bark, roots and pine needles. The
four or five eggs are plain white, being the only eges
of American Warblers that are unmarked.
Range.—Southeastern U. 8. from Georgia to Louis-
jana and north to North Carolina and Missouri.
WORM-EATING WARBLER.
639. Helmitheros vermivorus. 5% inches.
Crown buffy with two black stripes; back, wings
and tail olive green with no white markings; below
buffy white.
These birds are very unsuspicious and easy to ap-
proach; they spend the greater portion of their time
on or near the ground; they are very fond of spiders
and find quantities by overturning bits of bark and
leaves. They also glean part of their living from the
under side of the foliage much as do the Vireos. They
are met with in open wocds and brush-grown pastures.
Song.—A weak, rapid chipping.
Nest.—On the ground in depressions under logs,
stones or bushes; of leaves and grass, lined with fine
grass or hair; eggs four or five in number, white, spot-
ted principally around the large end with brownish
(a0) Ss 4515)
Range.—Hastern U. 8., breeding from the Gulf north
to Connecticut, Ohio and Jowa; winters in Central
America.
BACHMAN WARBLER.
640. Vermivora bachmani. 414 inches.
Male, with a yellow forehead, shoulders and under-
parts; black cap and breast patch; female, duller and
with less black.
This species was first discovered by Dr. John Bach-
man near Charleston, 8. GC,
Song.—An insignificant warble or twitter, similar to
the song of the Parula.
Nest.—In low bushes or briers, one to three feet above
ground. Made of fine grasses and leaf skeletons, lined
with black fibres. Found breeding by Widmann in
Missouri, by Embody in Kentucky and by Wayne in
South Carolina. Eggs 4 in number; pure white (.63 x
-48).
Range.—Southeastern U. S., north to North Carolina
and west to Missouri. Rare and local in distribution.
10
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER.
641. Vermivora pinus. 4°%4 inches.
Crown and underparts yellow; a narrow black line
through the eyes; two broad whitish wing bars.
A common bird of the southeastern states and north
to Connecticut, frequenting open woods, thickets and
gardens. They are ground birds, spending most of their
time on the ground or in low bushes which they clean
of the insects which are destructive.
Song.—A loud, rapid chirrup, similar to that of the
Grasshopper Sparrow but loud and distinct.
Nest.—Of leaves and strips of bark, lined with fine
erasses; on the ground in clumps of weeds or black-
berry vines; eggs white, sparingly spotted around the
large end with rufous (.65 x .50).
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding north to southern
Connecticut and Wisconsin; winters in the tropies.
Hybrids.—Lawrence Warbler, which is a hybrid be-
tween this species and the next; it has the general
plumage of this species with the black ear patches and
throat of the Golden-winged Warbler. It is found
chiefly in southwestern Connecticut and New York.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.
642. Vermivora chrysoptera. 5 inches.
Crown and two large wing bars yellow; throat and
ear patches black; rest of plumage gray and white;
female with less black.
The distribution of this beautiful Warbler is about
the same as that of the last, with which it seems to
have many habits incommon. It seems to prefer
low ridges and side hills covered with small bushes.
Song.—A_ buzzing ‘‘zwee-ze-ze.’’
Nest.—Of leaves, rootlets, strips of bark and grass;
located on the ground among clumps of weeds, usually
in moist places; eggs white with brown specks (.62 x
.48).
Range.— Eastern U. 8., breeding north to Connecti-
cut and Michigan; winters in Central America.
Hybrid.—Brewster Warbler is a hybrid between this
species and the last. It resembles the Golden-winged
Warbler without the black, but with a yellow patch
on the breast and the black line of the Blue-wing through §
the eye.
1438
NASHVILLE WARBLER.
645. Vermivora rubricapilla. 434 inches.
Male with a brown crown patch; female duller colored
and with no crown patch. Dry side hills covered with
young trees are favorite resorts for the Warblers. They
conceal their nests on the ground under tufts of dead
grass or overhanging stones. They are often rather shy
and hard to sight, but you can usually hear their song,
a lazy sounding ‘“ker-chip-chip-chip-cherr-wee-e-e,”” ending
in a short trill. These birds breed in the northern half
of the U. S. and southern Canada, wintering in Central
America. A sub-species is found on the Pacific coast.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
646. Vermivora celata. 5 inches,
This species is fairly common in the Mississippi Valley
but is rare in New England. Its habits are much lke
those of the last species and it is often mistaken for
that bird. These birds breed only north of the U. S.
and winter in Mexico. <A sub-species, the Lutescent
Warblers, nests from California to Alaska.
TENNESSEE WARBLER.
647. Vermivora peregrina. 5 inches.
Male, with a gray head and greenish back; female,
with the top of the head the same color as the back.
A dull-colored bird that, with the exception of the
bill, bears a strong resemblance to some of the Vireos.
Like many others of our birds, this one has received
an inappropriate name, because the first specimen was
shot on the banks of the Cumberland River, while the
bird is no more abundant in Tennessee than in other
states during migration.
Song.—A simple ditty similar to that of the Chip-
ping Sparrow.
Nest.—Hither on the ground or at low elevations in
bushes; of grasses and fibres lined with hair; eggs
white, sparsely specked with reddish brown (.62 x a4)
Range.—Fastern N. A., breeding from the northern
parts of the northern tier of states northward to the
limit of trees; winters in Central and South America.
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PARULA -WARBLER.
648. Compsothlypis americana. 4% inches.
In the summer Parulas are found in wet swamps
where the ground is covered with a carpeting of moss
which only partially keeps your feet from the water
below; the dead trees are covered with a growth of long,
drooping moss; the ends of this moss are turned up
and formed into a neat cradle within which the eggs
are laid.
Song.—A little lisping trill.
Range.—Breeds in the southern half of the U. S.
The Northern Parula (usnea), No. 648a, breeds in the
northern half of the U. 8. and southern Canada; it is
brighter colored than the southern form. Both varie-
ties winter from the Gulf States southward.
SENNETT WARBLER.
649. Compsothlypis nigrilora. 4% inches.
A smaller similar bird from southern Texas. Note
the black ear patches and lack of black on breast.
CAPE MAY WARBLER.
650. Dendroica tigrina. 5 inches.
Male, with a chestnut wash on the ears and throat;
female, duller and with little or no chestnut.
In the greater part of eastern North America, Cape
May Warblers are regarded as rare birds; they appear
to migrate in compact bodies, not Spreading out over
the country as do most of the others; consequently
they may be very common in restricted areas while
lacking entirely in others. I have never met with but
two specimens in Massachusetts. While passing through
the United States you may meet with them in open
woods, parks or in shade trees along the streets of cities.
Song.—A thin, high-pitched whistle repeated several
times.
Nest.—Of small cedar twigs lined with horse hair,
placed within a few feet of the ground in small cedar
trees; eggs white spotted with brown (.68 x .50).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in eastern Canad1
and, rarely, northern New England; winters south of
the U. S.
YELLOW WARBLER.
652. Dendroica ewestiva. 5 inches.
Male. with chestnut streaks on the sides; female,
duller and without the streaks.
An abundant bird everywhere in woodland, park,
orchard or garden and one of the most vivacious of the
family. Arrives in the north soon after May first and
is seen fiitting about like a gleam of sunshine snatch-
ing insects from the foliage or darting after them in
the air. Often known as the Summer Yellowbird. It
frequently nests in garden or orchard trees, where it is
a most welcome tenant.
Song.—A sharp, vigorous “che-wee, che-wee, che-wee.”’
Nest.—A beautiful and compact structure of vege-
table or plant fibres firmly quilted together, and fast-
ened to upright forks of bushes or trees at low eleva-
tions. Willows along creeks, ponds or rivers are favorite
resorts.
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to Labrador
and Alaska; winters in Central America.
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.
654. Dendroica cerulescens. 5%, inches.
Male, gravish blue above and with a _ black face,
throat, breast and sides; female, grayish olive above,
whitish below. Both sexes always have a white patch
or speck at the base of the primaries.
You will find these birds in damp woods or swamps,
or less often in parks or open woods. They are usually
seen at low elevations in scrubby underbrush. Their
notes are very peculiar and will draw attention to them
anywhere.
Song.—A deep grating whistle with a sharply rising
inflection, ‘‘zee-zee-zwee.”
Nest.—In deep, swampy woods, especially common
in laurel; of grape vine bark and rootlets lined with
fine black roots and hair; the four eggs are white or
buffy white with reddish-brown spots and blotches.
Range.—EKastern N. A., breeding from Connecticut
(sparingly) and Michigan north to Labrador and Hud-
son Bay; winters in Central America. 654a. Cairns
Warbler (cairnsi) is said to be darker on the back;
found in the southern Alleghanies.
MYRTLE WARBLER.
655. Dendroica coronata. 51% inches.
Yellow patches on crown, sides and rump; outer tail
feathers with large white spots; female duller and
browner.
During migrations these pretty birds are very abun-
dant in the United States. They usually travel in
large flocks so that a small piece of woodland is liter-
ally flooded with them when they pause in the flight
to feed upon insects or small berries. They are often
known as Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Song.—A clear, broken trill or warble.
Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, though sometimes
in others, and at low elevations; of plant fibres and
grasses; the four or five eggs are white, spotted and
blotehed with reddish brown (.70 x .54).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from northern New
England and Minnesota northward; winters south of
theiU= S;
MAGNOLIA WARBLER.
657. Dendroica magnolia. 5 inches.
Male, with black ear patch, back, and necklace: fe-
male, with the black replaced with grayish; both sexes
have a yellow rump and white spots midway of the
tail feathers.
One of the prettiest of the Warblers and one of the
least timid. I have often had one or more of these
birds follow me the whole length of a piece of woods
apparently out of curiosity, coming down to the near-
est twigs within arms’ reach of me. Birch woods are
their favorites during migrations, although a few of
them will be found almost anywhere.
Song.—A short, rapidly uttered warble.
Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees, far out on the
longer branches, where they are often difficult to get
at; of rootlets lined with fine black rootlets and hair;
four or five white eggs with small spots of ehestnut
around the large end (.60 x .48).
Range.—Fastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts
and Michigan northward: winters south of the U. §S.
CERULEAN WARBLER.
658. Dendroica cxrulea. 5 inches.
Above grayish blue with black streaks, below white
with a bluish breast band and streaks on the sides;
female washed with greenish above and yellowish be-
low; both have white patches near the ends of the tail
feathers.
These dainty little Warblers are not abundant any-
where, but seem to be most so in the central states.
‘they are birds of the tree tops, rarely coming down so
that they can be distinctly seen. They may be more
common than supposed, for so small a body at such
heights can readily be overlooked.
Song.—A little warbling trill, “zee-zee-ze-ee-eep.”
Nest.—In the higher outer branches of large trees
usually in deep woods; compactly made of dry grasses
and cobwebs, adorned with a few lichens; eggs white
specked at the large end with brownish (.65 x .50).
Range.—lInterior portions of the U. S., breeding
north to Michigan and Minnesota; east to western New
York and, rarely, southern New England; winters in
northern South America.
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.
659. Dendroica pensylvanica. 5 inches.
Yellow crown, black line through eye and on side of
throat, and broad chestnut Stripe on sides; female,
paler and with less chestnut ; young greenish yellow
above and with no chestnut.
Nearly every Swamp or bush-covered pasture within
their range shelters one or more pairs of these Warb-
lers. While they sometimes feed in the tree tops, they
are birds of the lower foliage and are usually seen in
low bushes.
Song.—Similar to that of the Yellow Warbler but
more choppy.
Nest.—In low bushes or weeds, and often in sweet
fern or briars: similar to that of the Yellow Warbler
but coarser, being made more with grasses than with
fibres, situated in upright forks or attached to several
weed stalks; egos white, specked around the large end
with reddish brown (.68 x .50).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from New Jersey
and Ohio north to Manitoba and New Brunswick; win-
ters south of U.S.
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BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.
660. Dendroica castanea. 5% inches.
Male, with crown, throat and sides rich chestnut;
female, paler; young and adults in winter, greenish
above, streaked with black and with a trace of chest-
nut on the flanks.
These Warblers are only locally abundant during mi-
erations, while in eastern New England they are rare.
They are active insect hunters, darting rapidly about
the ‘tree tops or, less often, in brush; their habits most
nearly resemble those of the Chestnut-sided Warbler.
Song.—A low, liquid warble.
Nest.—At low elevations in trees in swampy woods;
compact, cup-shaped structures made of fine shreds of
bark, rootlets and grass; eggs bluish white, finely
specked around the large end with reddish brown (70x
4540))) 6
Range.—Fastern N. A., breeding from the northern
edge of the U. S. northward; winters south of the U. 8.
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
662. Dendroica fusca. 5% inches.
Male, black above with large white patch on wing,
and bases of outer tail feathers white; throat and
breast intense orange; female, duller and with the
orange replaced by dull yellow.
Without exception, this is the most exquisite of the
whole family; it is the most eagerly sought bird by
bird lovers, in the spring. Some years they are very
abundant, while others few are seen, their routes of
migration evidently varying. They arrive about the
time that apple trees are in bloom, and are frequently
seen among the blossoms, dashing after insects.
Song.—A high-pitched lisping ‘ ‘“ZWe-ZWe-ZWe-see-ee-ee, ”’
ending in a thin, wiry tone, almost a hiss; it is very
distinct from the song of any other bird.
Nest.—In coniferous trees at any height from the
ground; of shreds of bark, fine cedar twigs, rootlets,
etc.; eggs greenish white blotehed with brown.
Range.—Kastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts
(varely) and Minnesota northward; winters in Central
America,
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BLACK-POLL WARBLER.
661. Dendroica striata. 5% inches.
Whole crown black; female, without black cap, green-
ish gray above streaked with black; young paler than
the female.
These birds are one of the latest of the migrants to
arrive, reaching northern United States about the last
of May, but coming in such numbers that they are
found everywhere. While their plumage somewhat re-
sembles that of the Black and White Warbler, their
habits are entirely different.
Song.—A high-pitched, hissing whistle similar to
that of the Black and White Warbler but uttered more
deliberately and with an instant’s pause between each
note.
Nest.—At low elevations in thick coniferous trees;
made of slender twigs, rootlets and lichens, lined with
hair or feathers; eggs whitish, thickly spotted with
brown (.75 x .52).
Range.—HEastern N. A., breeding from northern New
England, Minnesota and Wyoming north to the Arctic
rezicns; winters south of the United States.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER.
663. Dendroica dominica. 5% inches.
Throat, breast and line from eye to bill yellow.
This species has habits very similar to those of the
Black and White Creeper, being often seen creeping
around the trunks or over the branches of trees with
almost as much facility as the Nuthatches. They are
southern birds and are only rarely or accidentally found
in the northern half of the U.8., and they are one of the
few members of the family that winter in the southern
parts of our country.
Song.—Loud and similar to that of the Indigo Bunt-
ing, but shorter.
Nest.—Usually high up in pines and often concealed
in tufts of moss; made of fine twigs and strips of bark,
held together with cobwebs and “Spanish moss; eggs
greenish white, spotted with various shades of brown.
Range.—Southeastern U. S., breeding north to Vir-
ginia; winters in the West Indies. 663a. Sycamore
Warbler (albilora) is like the Yellow-throated, but is
white before the eye; found in the Mississippi Valley
north to Illinois and Iowa; winters in Mexico
11
GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER.
666. Dendroica chrysoparia. 4°, inches.
In some plumages these birds may be confused with
the Black-throated Green. Notice that the adult male
has a short median line of yellow on the crown, other-
wise the top of head and entire back are intense black.
Young birds, which bear the closest resemblance to the
next species, can be distinguished because their under-
parts are white, those of the Black-throated Green being
tinged with yellow.
These rare Warblers have a very restricted distribu-
tion, but are said to be not uncommon within their range.
Notes.—Song with the usual Warbler quality, but en-
tirely distinctive: ‘*sweah-sweah-swee-e-e.”
Nest.—Of strips of bark, usually located in juniper
trees six to twenty feet above ground. Eggs white,
splashed about the large end with reddish brown
(.65 x .50).
Range.—Central Texas southward into Mexico.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
667. Dendroica virens. 5 inches.
Throat black; two wing bars and outer tail feathers
white; female with little black on the throat.
A common bird in pine groyes in northern United
States, or during migrations in birch woods. I have
found them most abundant on side hills covered with
low-growth pines. They seem to be very nervous and
are greatly excited if you appear near their nests. They
often have the habit of building several nests, whether
with the deliberate intent to deceive or whether because
the first was not satisfactory as to location is not known.
Song.—Entirely different from that of any other bird;
a rather harsh ‘‘zee’’ repeated six times, with the fourth
and fifth syllables lower.
Nest.—Of rootlets and fine grasses, lined with hair;
placed high up in pine trees; eggs white with fine brown
specks around the large end (.60 x .50).
Range.—Eastern North America, breeding from
southern New England and Illinois north to Nova Scotia
and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America.
KIRTLAND WARBLER.
670. Dendroica kirtlandi. 51% inches.
Above bluish gray streaked with black; underparts
pale yellow streaked on the side with black.
‘this is one of the rarest of American Warblers, and
unti! 1903 but little was known of their habits or range;
in that year they were discovered nesting in Oscoda
County, Michigan. They were found near the banks of
a river in Jack pines, building on the ground and remain-
ing in the underbrush near it.
Song.—Loud and clear and said to resemble that of
the Maryland Yellow-throat.
Nest.—In depressions in the ground at the foot of pine
trees and probably also under bushes; made of strips of
bark and vegetable fibres; eggs white, wreathed about
the large end with brown ( 72x =X0)}) -
Range.—Breeds in Michigan and migrates southeast
through Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, the Caro-
linas and Florida to the bahamas.
PINE WARBLER.
671. Dendroica vigorst. 5% inches.
Greenish yellow above, brighter below: two white
wing bars and white Spots on outer tail feathers: female,
duller and grayer.
Found only in tracts of coniferous trees, except during
migrations, when they are often in company with other
kinds of Warblers. They like dry hillsides covered with
scrub pines and are often quite abundant in such locali-
ties. ‘They are rather quiet in their manners, creeping
about «unong the tree tops like Black and White Warblers
and occasionally giving their clear little trill.
Song.—Nearest like that of the Chipping Sparrow,
but easily distinguishable: a long, clear trill.
Nest.—A small, compact structure of black rootlets
lined with hair; placed in the extreme tops of serub
pines, where it is very difficult to see them; eges white
specked with reddish brown (-62)'x .50). :
Range.—Eastern N. A. breeding from the Gulf north
to southern Canada; winters in southern U.S,
PALM WARBLER.
672. Dendroica palmarum. 5Y%4 inches.
No wing bars, but white spots on the outer tail
feathers: crown, cheeks and streaks on the sides chest-
nut.
During migrations you will find these Warblers along
roadsides, in open woods and scrubby pastures. They
are of a very nervous temperament and, when at rest or
when walking, are continually flirting their tail, a habit
which none of the Warblers, except the Water-thrush,
seem to have. They are one of the earliest of the family
to appear in the spring, reaching northern United States
in April.
Song.—A short trill; an ordinary Warbler chirp.
Nest.—(n the ground under shrubs, or sunken in
moss; made of fine grasses, bark and moss; the four eggs
are creamy white with reddish-brown spots.
Range.—Interior of N. A., breeding in the interior of
British America; winters in southern U. 8. 672a. Yel-
low Palm Warbler (hypochrysea) is brighter yellow be-
low; it is found in eastern N. A., breeding north of Nova
Scotia; winters along the Gulf.
PRAIRIE WARBLER.
673. Dendroica discolor. 4%, inches.
Above greenish with chestnut spots on the back;
below yellow with black markings; female paler.
These are very locally distributed birds and will often
be found breeding abundantly in a small patch of brush-
covered pasture, while many others apparently just as
well suited for their purposes will be shunned by them.
They are very active, flitting rapidly from one bush to
another, the male occasionally mounting to a bush top
to hurriedly deliver his song, then diving out of sight
below the foliage.
Song.—An energetic, rather harsh ““Zee-Zee-zee-ee” on
an ascending scale.
Nest.—A neat cup of grasses and vegetable fibres,
lined with black rootlets or horsehair; located in low
shrubs or bushes from one to two feet above ground;
eggs whitish with blackish-brown specks about the large
end a(Gbix04.8))\p
Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to
Massachusetts and southern Michigan; winters in the
West Indies.
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OVEN-BIRD.
674. Seiurus auwrocapillus. 6 inches.
Crown orange brown bordered by black; no white in
wings or tail.
This bird is found in open woods, where it builds its
arched nest on the ground among the leaves or pine
needles. It is the peculiar oven-like construction of their
nests that gives them their name. ‘They are essentially
ground birds, only mounting to the lower branches of
trees to sing or when scolding an intruder.
Song.—A peculiar ascending song resembling the word
teacher, repeated five or six times and gathering strength
and volume with each syllable; call, a sharp chip.
Nest.—Of leaves, strips of bark and grass arched over
the top so as to leave a very small opening; placed on
the ground in woods; four to six white eggs spotted with
reddish brown (.78 x .58).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern heart
of the U.S. and north to Labrador; winters chiefly south
of U.S.
WATER-THRUSH.
675. Seiwrus noveboracensis. 6 inches.
This species always has a yellowish tinge to the under-
parts and the stripes beneath are narrow, but prominent.
These Warblers are found in tangled underbrush near
water. They have a habit of continually flirting their
tails, thus giving them the local name of Water-Wagtail.
Their call is a sharp metailic “chink”; their song a ‘loud,
liquid “‘quit-quit-quit-que-quewe-u.” "Breeds from the
northern edge of the U. 8. northwards; winters south of
Vig Se
LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH.
676. Seiurws motacilla. 64 inches.
Larger, grayer above and whiter below than the pre-
ceding; stripes fewer and broader. ‘his is a more south-
ern species and breeds from the Gulf to Connecticut and
southern Minnesota. Its notes are wild and ringing, like
those of the last. They build their nests under ‘the roots
of trees or under the edges of overhanging banks. ‘The
egos are creamy white, boldly blotched with brown.
KENTUCKY WARBLER.
677. Oporornis formosa. 5% inches.
Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over
eye yellow; no white in the plumage.
These birds are found in about such localities as are
frequented by Ovenbirds, but with a preference for woods
which are low and damp. ‘They are locally common in
some of the southern and central states. They are
active gleaners of the underbrush, keeping well within
the depths of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yel-
low-throat, which has similar habits to those of this
bird, they are quite inquisitive and frequently come close
to you to investigate or to scold.
Song.—A loud, musical, Wren-like warble.
Nest.—A bulky structure of leaves, bark and grasses,
lined with black rootlets or horsehair; placed on the
ground in bunches of weeds or at the foot of a small
bush; the four or five eggs are quite heavily speckled,
chiefly at the large end, with reddish brown.
Range.—Eastern U. 8., breeding from the Gulf north
to New York and southern Michigan; winters in north-
ern South America.
CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
578. Oporornis agilis. 51 inches.
Male with a bluish slate-colored head; eye ring white
and completely encircling the eye; female with a saffron-
colored head.
In the United States we find this Warbler only in
spring and fall migrations. They appear to be much
more rare in the spring than in the fall; while I have
seen perhaps a hundred in the fall I have never seen
but one in spring. They frequent wild tangled thickets,
such as you often find Maryland Yellow-throats in. As
they do most of their feeding upon the ground and _re-
main in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen
unless attention is drawn to them.
Song.—Somewhat like that of the Maryland Yellow-
throat; call, a sharp, metallic “peenk.”
Nest.—In thickets or clumps of briars, either on the
ground or just above it; made of strips of bark and
skeletons of leaves, lined with hair; eggs whitish spar-
ingly specked at the large end with brown (.75 x .56).
Range.—Hastern N. A., breeding north of the U. S.;
winters in northern South America.
‘4
MOURNING WARBLER.
679. Oporornis philadelphia. 52 inches.
Similar to the last, but with no eye ring and with a
black patch on the breast.
These birds are found in swamps and thickets, as
well as among the bushes and weeds along walls, fences
and the edges of woods. Their habits are like those of
the Maryland Yellow-throats, they being found cn or
near the ground, seratching about among the leaves or
gleaning insects from the foliage of the low shrubbery.
‘they appear to be the most abundant in the middle
States and northward.
Song.—Similar to the liquid song of the Water-
Thrush; call, a sharp “peenk,” like that of the last.
Nest.—On or near the ground in thickets or tangled
vines: made of fine bark strips and fibres, lined with
hair; eggs white speecked with reddish brown (.71 x .54).
Range.—Fastern U. S., breeding from northern New
England, Ohio and Michigan north to southern Canada;
winters south of the U.S.
MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.
681. Geothlypis trichas. 5, inches.
One of our most common birds in swamps and also in
shrubbery along roadsides or walls. They are very in-
quisitive, and their bright eyes will peek at you from
behind some leaf or shrub as long as you are in sight.
Song.—A lively “witchity-witchity-witch”’; call, a
deep chip; also a rattling note of alarm.
Nest.—Of grapevine and grasses, located in clumps
of weeds on or nearly touching the ground; eggs white
with brown specks (.70 x .50).
Range.—Hastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf to
New Jersey.
Sub-species.—68la. Western Yellow-throat (occiden-
talis), said to be brighter; found chiefly west of the
Rockies, but east to the Plains. 681b. Florida Yellow-
throat (ignota), South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 681d.
Northern Yellow-throat (brachidactyla), slightly larger
and deeper colored; found in northeastern U. 8. and
southeastern Canada, west to Dakota and south through
the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
683. Icteria virens. 7% inches.
Breast yellow, lores black, line over the eye and under-
parts white; no white on wings or tail.
Dry side hills and ravines covered with thick under
prush are the places to look for Chats. Usually if they
are present they will make themselves heard long before
you see them. They are one of the most odd birds both
‘n action and song. They are mimics of the highest
order and can make any kind of whistle or squawk, but
all their vocal efforts seem to require a great deal of
flirting of the tail and twisting of the head. They even
jerk their tail up and down while flying, this making
them appear extremely ludicrous.
Songs.—A varied medley of whistles and calls.
Nest.—Near the ground in tangled thickets; of grass,
weeds, ete.; eggs whitish plentifully specked with reddish
brown (.90x .70).
Range.—FEastern U. &., breeding north to Massachu-
setts and southern Minnesota ; winters in Central Amer-
ica. 683a. Long-tailed Chat (longicauda) is found in the
U.S. from the Plains to the Pacific.
HOODED WARBLER.
684. Wilsonia citrina. 51% inches.
Male with yellow forehead and cheeks, the rest of the
head and throat being black; female much duller with
little or no black; both sexes have white spots on the
outer tail feathers, but no bars on the wings.
This is one of the liveliest of the family, being very
active in catching insects on the wing like a true Fly-
catcher; because of this habit all the members of this |
genus are often called Fly-catching Warblers. Theyalso |
have a habit of often spreading and folding the tail as
they flit through the underbrush that they frequent.
Song.—A clear, liquid series of whistles; call, a sharp
ebip.’?
Nest.—Within a few inches of the ground in low
underbrush or vines; made of leaves, bark, etc., held
firmly together with cobwebs; the four or five eggs are
white, profusely spotted with reddish brown.
Range.—Eastern U. §., breeding from the Gulf to
southern Connecticut and Michigan; winters south of
the U. S.
WILSON WARBLER.
685. Wilsonia pusilla. 5 inches.
Male, with black crown pateh ; female, with the crown
greenish like the back.
These little fty-catching Warblers are abundant in
the United States during migrations, being found in
woods or swamps, and very often in apple trees when
they are in bloom. They fly about among the outer
branches snatching insects from the foliage or blos-
soms, and often dashing out to catch one that is flying
by. Their natural pertness is intensified by their very
attractive plumage which harmonizes perfectly with
green leaves.
Song.—A simple and rather weak trill.
Nest.—Of leaves and bark, imbedded in the ground
under bushes on the edges of swamps or woods; eggs
white, speeked with reddish brown (.60 x .48).
Range.—LHastern N. A.. breeding from the northern
edge of the U. 5. northward; winters in Central America.
Two sub-species are found west of the Rockies.
CANADIAN WARBLER.
686. Wilsonia canadensis. 5% inches.
Male, with a necklace of black spots, white eye ring
and lores; female, and young, with only a slight in-
dication of the necklace,
These Warblers travel northward in company with
many other kinds, always keeping in the underbrush
near the ground, except when they come out into
orchards and parks. Like the two last, they are very
lively, rarely remaining still for more than a few
seconds, before they must dash after some tempting
morsel that is flying by.
Song.—A loud liquid warble, most nearly resembling
that of the Water-Thrush; call, a sharp, querulous chip.
Nest.—Of rootlets and strips of bark, under roots of
trees or shrubs or at the foot of stumps in the moss;
the four eggs are white with a wreath of chestnut
spots around the large end (.68 x .50).
Range.—Kastern N. A., breeding from Massachusetts
and Michigan northward; winters in northern South
America,
12
AMERICAN REDSTART.
687. NSetophaga ruticilla. 5% inches.
Male, black, orange and white; female, grayish, yel-
lcw and white; it requires two or three years to attain
the black plumage of the male, in the intermediate
stages they are sometimes strangely mottled.
in the northeastern half of the United States, these
are one of the commonest and most active of the species.
30th the males and females seem to be proud of their
handsome plumage and are continually spreading and
closing their tails. They are equally happy whether in
the tree tops or near the ground, and are as often found
in the one place as the other.
Song.—Che-wee, che-wee, che-wee,” very similar to
that of the Yellow Warbler and also the Chestnut-sided
Warbler.
Nest.—Of plant fibres and grasses in forks of bushes
or trees, usually at greater heights than those of the
Yellow Warbler; eggs whitish specked with brown.
Range.—N. A., rare west of the Rockies, breeding
from North Carolina and Missouri northward; winters
south of the U. S.
AMERICAN PIPIT; TITLARK.
697. Anthus rubescens. 6% inches.
These are Arctic birds that spend the winter months
in the United States. We find them in flocks along
roadsides or in fields, feeding upon weed seeds. They
are shy and take wing readily, uttering sharp whistles
as they wheel about in the air. They are always rest-
less and stay in a place but a short time. They nest
on the ground in northern Canada. Eggs grayish, pro-
fusely specked with brown.
SPRAGUE PIPIT.
700. Anthus spraguei. 6% inches.
Upper parts streaked with buff and blackish; below
pale buffy with black markings. These birds are found
on the Plains from the Dakotas to Hudson Bay in sum-
mer, migrating to Mexico in winter. They resemble the
European Skylark in their habit of soaring to a great
height while singing. Their song is very melodious,
resembling that of the Bobolink. Their nests are de-
pressions in the ground, lined with grasses. Eggs gray-
ish, finely specked with purplish gray (.87 x “67).
SAGE THRASHER.
702. Oroscoptes montanus. 8° inches.
This species is often known as the Mountain Mocking-
bird because of the brilliance of its song, a very varied
performance, long continued and mocking that of many
cther species. They inhabit sage-brush regions and are
partial to the lower portions of the country, although
frequently met in open mountains. They are not shy
and can readily be located by their voices.
Nest.—In bushes, especially the sage and eactus; a
loose structure made of bark-strips, small twigs and
coarse grasses, lined with fine rootlets. The three or
four eggs have a rich ereenish-blue ground, spotted with
bright reddish brown (Sia oe SUN
Range.—Sage-brush regions of western United States
from the Plains to the Pacific; winters in Mexico and
Lower California.
MOCKINGBIRD.
703. Mimus polyglottos, 101% inches.
General colors, gray and white; bases of primaries
and outer tail feathers with white.
This is the great vocalist of the south, and by many
is considered to be the most versatile singer in America.
It is found in gardens, pastures and open woods. All
its habits are similar to our Catbird, and like that
species, it is given to imitating the notes of other birds.
Song.—An indescribable medley, sometimes very
Sweet and pleasing, at others, harsh and unmusical.
Nest.—Usually built in impenetrable thickets or
hedges, or again in more open situation in the earden;
made of twigs and rootlets, lined with black rootlets;
the four or five eggs are bluish green with blotches of
reddish brown (.95 x .70).
Range.—Southern U. §., breeding north to New Jer-
sey (and casually farther) and Ohio; winters in the
South Atlantic and Gulf States. 703a. Western Mock-
ingbird (leucopterus) is found in southwestern U. S.,
north to Indian Territory and California.
CATBIRD.
704. Dumetella carolinensis. 9 inches.
General color dark gray with a black cap and chest-
nut under tail coverts.
This is one of the most common birds throughout
the United States, being found equally abundantly in
gardens, swamps and scrubby pastures. They are very
persistent songsters and have a large repertoire of
notes, as well as being able to imitate those of many
other birds. They delight i in spending an hour or more
at a time, perched in a bush or tree top, singing, and
apparently making their song up as they go along, for
it is an indescribable medley interspersed with various
mews and cat calls,
Song.—A medley like that of the Mockingbird; some-
times pleasing, sometimes not.
Nest.—In hedges or thickets; made of twigs, root-
lets and grass, lined with fine black roots; the four
eggs are plain greenish blue (.95 x .70).
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New
Brunswick and Hudson Bay; rare west of the Rockies;
winters from the Gulf States southward.
BROWN THRASHER.
705. Toxostoma rufum. 11% inches.
Above bright reddish brown; below white with black
spots.
Taken as a whole, I think that the song of this
Thrasher is the most musical and pleasing of any that
I have ever heard. It has a similarity to that of the
Catbird, but is rounder, fuller and has none of the
grating qualities of the song of that species. They ap-
parently have a song of their own and do not deign to
copy that of others. ‘They are one of the most useful
end desirable birds that we have.
Song.—A bright and cheerful carol, cften long con-
tinued, but always clear and sweet; call, a clear whistled
“wheuu.”
Nest.—Of twigs and rootlets, in hedges, thickets or
thorn bushes; the four or five eggs are bluish white with
numerous fine dots of reddish brown over the entire sur-
face (1.08 x-80).
Range.—KEastern N. A., breeding from the Gulf to
southern Canada; winters in the southern half of the
(WETS
ee
a
CACTUS WREN.
713. Heleodytes brunneicapillus. 814 inches.
Cactus groves are the favorite resorts of these large
Wrens. Often a bed of cactus not more than thirty
feet square will contain the homes of half a dozen pairs
of them. Like all the members of the family, they are
very sprightly and have violent tempers, scolding anyone
or anything that incurs their displeasure.
Nest.—lheir nests are placed in cactus or other
thorny shrubs; they are very large, purse-shaped affairs
with an entrance on the side; they are made of little
thorny twigs and grasses woven together, and the in-
terior is warmly lined with feathers. The four or five
egos are creamy white, finely sprinkled with reddish
brown (.95 x .65). Two or three broods are often raised
in a season.
Range.—Southwestern border of the United States,
ranging from southern Texas to California.
ROCK WREN.
715. NSalpinctes obsoletus. 5% inches.
Upper parts stone color, specked with black; rump
brownish; underparts whitish with indistinct streaks
on the throat.
A common bird on the dry, rocky foothills of the
Rockies and westward. They are well named, for their
favorite places are among the rocks, where they are
always busily engaged in hunting insects or spiders in
the crevices. Owing to their colors and their habits of
slinking away behind the rocks they are quite difficult
to see, but their sweet song is always heard if any of
the birds are in the vicinity.
Song.—Very sweet and varied, almost canary-like,
but impossible to describe; call, a harsh grating note.
Nest.—Of sticks, weeds, grasses, ete., concealed in
crevices among the rocks; the five or six eggs are white,
sparingly specked with reddish brown (.72 x .54).
Range.—Western U. 8. from the western border of
the Plains to the Pacific, north to Dakota and British
Columbia; winters from southwestern U. 8. southward.
185
CAROLINA WREN.
718. Thryothorus ludovicianus. 5% inches.
Above rusty brown and below washed with the same,
the throat and line over the eye being white.
Like all the Wrens, this one commonly sits or flits
about in the brush, with the tail erect over the body;
only when singing is it held downward. ‘Their flight
is usually only for a short distance, accomplished by
rapid wing beats and with a jerking motion of the tail.
Song.—Loud and tinkling, and utterly impossible to
describe.
Nest.—In brush heaps, holes in trees, bird boxes or
bushes; made of weeds, grass and any trash that they
may pick up; eggs, five to seven in number, white,
specked with reddish brown (.74 x .60).
Range.—Fastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf north
to Connecticut and Illinois; resident. 718a. Florida
Wren (miamensis) is found in southern Florida. 718b.
Lomita Wren (lomitensis), found in southern Texas.
: BEWICK WREN.
719. Thryomanes bewickti. 5 inches.
Above dark brown; below and line over eye whitish;
tail blackish with the outer feathers barred with white.
Like all the Wrens, these seem to be very restless and
are continually creeping about in brush heaps or along
stone walls, fences or over fallen trees or stumps. They
are locally abundant in interior United States, in some
sections entirely replacing the House Wren.
Song.—A sweet chant of liquid melodious notes.
Nest.—In any location that happens to take the bird’s
fancy, such as holes in trees, bird boxes, in barns, sheds,
etc.; made of straw, grass and trash; eggs white profuse-
ly specked with reddish brown.
Range.—Mississippi Valley and the Plains north to
South Dakota; east to the Alleghanies and casually to
the South Atlantic States. 719¢. ‘exas Bewick Wren
(eryptus) is found from Texas north to Indian Territory.
HOUSE WREN.
721. Troglodytes wdon. 44 inches.
Above brownish with tail and wings barred; below
dull grayish, barred on the flanks with brown.
These are bold, sociable and confiding birds, seeming
to prefer men’s society, building their nests in bird
boxes that are erected for them, or in the most unex-
pected situations about buildings. ‘They are one of the
most beneficial birds that can be attracted to one’s yard,
feeding wholly upon insects.
Song.—Loud, clear and bubbling over with enthusi-
asm.
Nest.—Of grass or weeds, stuffed into any crevice that
takes their fancy, frequently in bird boxes and holes in
orchard trees; eggs white, so minutely and thickly dotted
with pinkish brown as to nearly conceal the ground
colon (264x252)
Range.—Kastern N. A., breeding north to Maine and
Manitoba: winters along the Gulf coast. 721b. Western
House Wren (aztecus) is found from the Plains to the
Pacific coast ranges.
WINTER WREN.
22. Nannus hiemalis. 4 inches.
Above bright cinnamon, below paler; sides, wings and
tail heavily barred with black.
This is the shortest and most stoutly built Wren that
we have. They look very pert with their little stubby
tail erect over their back. In most of the United States
we only see them in the winter, and they are associated,
in my mind, with brush heaps in woods and gardens.
‘They will hide in a small pile of brush, running from side
to side, so that it is almost impossible to make them
leave it.
Song.—A rippling flow of melody, not as loud, but
more musical than that of the House Wren.
Nest.—In brush heaps, tin cans, hollow stwnps or
crevices in unoccupied buildings; made of piles of grass,
weeds, ete.. lined with feathers; eggs white, sparingly
specked with reddish brown (.65 x .50).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the northern
edge of the U. 8. northward; winters from its breeding
range to the Gulf.
“I
x
SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN.
724. Cistothorus stellaris. 5% inches.
This species can readily be distinguished from the
next, as the whole crown is streaked with black and
white, whereas that of the Long-bill is uniformly col-
ored. Both species are marsh birds, at home among
the reeds, to which they attach their globular woven
nests, with the little entrance in the side. The eggs of
this species are pure white. It is found in eastern N. A.,
from the Gulf to southern Canada.
LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.
725. Telmatodytes palustris. 5%, inches.
The bill of this species is .5 inch or more in length;
that of the last is .4 inch or less. ‘lhis species is by
far the most abundant. Its eggs are so profusely dotted
with dark brown as to appear a chocolate color. Breeds
from the Gulf to Massachusetts and Manitoba.
BROWN CREEPER.
726. Certhia familiaris americana. 5% inches.
Tail feathers stiffened and pointed; rump rusty.
These odd birds are fairly common throughout the
United States in winter. Lney will be found in woods
always climbing up tree trunks, carefully investigating
every crevice in the bark for larve or erubs. When they
reach the top of one tree, they drop ‘to the foot of the
next and continue the operation. They are very tame,
not seeming to comprehend that danger can befall them,
for they will allow anyone to approach very closely, so
that they have been caught under a hat.
Song.—A very faint trill; call, a weak “tseep,”
hardly noticeable unless very near them.
Nest.—Of twigs, moss and bark, behind locse bark
on dead trees or stumps, usually not high above the
ground; eggs white, specked with reddish brown.
Range.—Fastern N. A., breeding from northern New
England and Minnesota northward; winters throughout
the. U.S.
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
727. NSitta carolinensis. 6 inches.
Male with the crown bluish black; female with the
crown gray; both sexes with chestnut under tail coverts.
These birds seem to be the very opposite of the Brown
Creepers. Their tails are short and square, and nearly
always pointed toward the zenith, for Nuthatches usually
clamber among the branches and down the tree trunks,
head first.
Note.—A nasal “yank-yank,” and a repeated ‘“ya-ya,”
all on the same tone.
Nest.—In cavities of hollow limbs and trunks of
trees at any elevation from the ground; the cavity is
filled with leaves and usually lined with feathers; eggs
white, spotted with reddish brown (.75 x .55).
Range.—Fastern United States, breeding from the
Gulf to southern Canada; resident in most of its range.
727b. Florida White-breasted Nuthateh (atkinsi) is
slightly smaller; other races are found west of the
Rockies.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
728. Sitta canadensis. 4% inches.
These birds have the same habits as the larger Nut-
hatch, but are often found in flocks, while the White-
breasted are usually in pairs and in the fall accompanied
by their young. In the winter we usually find them
m coniferous trees, where we can locate them by their
nasal calls or by the shower of bark that they pry
from the tree in their quest for grubs.
Song.—A nasal “yank-yank,” like that of the last,
but not so loud, and usually repeated more times.
Nest.—In hollow stumps and limbs, the area about
the opening nearly always being coated with fir bal-
sam, for what purpose is not known; the cavity is lined
with grasses and feathers; they lay from four to seven
white eggs, which are very thickly spotted with reddish
brown (.60 x .50).
Range.—N. A., breeding from the northern parts of
the northern tier of states, northward; winters south
nearly to the Gulf and southern California.
13
194
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH.
729. Sitta pusilla. 4% inches.
Crown brownish with a white patch on the nape.
These diminutive Nuthatches are found in the south-
ern states. Their general habits do not appear to differ
from those of other members of the family. They nest
very early, commencing to excavate their holes in Janu-
ary and having complete sets of eggs as early as the
middle of February.
They usually are found in small flocks and at night
they will often be seen flying to the top of a pine
where they sleep, all huddled together.
Notes.—A continued twittering “nya-nya.”
Nest.—In cavities of dead limbs or stumps, some-
times only a few inches from the ground, and again
as high as fifty feet; they lay five or six eggs, white
with numerous spots of reddish brown (.62 x .49).
Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding
north to Virginia.
TUFTED TITMOUSE.
731. Beolophus bicolor. 6 inches.
Head crested, forehead black, flanks brownish. The
habits of this large Titmouse are almost identical with
those of Chickadees. They swing from the ends of twigs
in all manner of positions and creep about trunks, peer-
ing in crevices of the bark for insects. They are com-
mon in the southern states, breeding from the Gulf to
New York and Illinois; they are resident in the southern
portion of their range. Their eggs are laid in soft nests
of down and feathers in hollow stumps. Their notes are
loud, clear whistles.
BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE.
732. Baolophus atricristatus. 6 inches.
Crest black, forehead white, flanks rusty. The habits
of this species are just like those of the very similar
preceding one. The birds are very tame, especially so
during the nesting season, when they will allow them-
selves to be lifted from the nest by hand. They are
found in southern and western Texas.
195
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.
735. Penthestes atricapillus. 51%, inches.
The Chickadees are one of the most popular birds
that we have, owing to their uniform good nature even
in the coldest weather, and their confiding disposition.
They are common about farms and even on the outskirts
of large cities they will come to feasts prepared for
them on the window sill.
Notes.—A clear “phe-be”; a “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” or
“dee-dee-dee,” and several scolding or chuckling notes.
Nest.—In hollow stumps at any elevation from the
ground but usually near the ground, and most often in
birch stubs; eges White, sparingly specked with reddish
brown.
Range.—Hastern N. A.. breeding in the northern half
of the U. S. and northward: resident.
736. Carolina Chickadee (Parus carolinensis) is sim-
ilar to the last but smaller and with no white edges to
the wing feathers: length 41% inches; found in south-
eastern U. S., breeding north to Virginia and Ohio.
HUDSONIAN CHICKADES.
740. Penthestes hudsonicus. 5 inches,
Crown and back brownish.
The habits of this httle northerner are like those of
the bird that we know so well; if anything they are even
more tame than our bird, especially in the vicinity of
lumbermen’s camps. ‘Lhey are only met with along our
northern border or casually farther south; I have seen
one individual in company with other Chickadees in
Massachusetts.
Song.—Not distinguishable from that of our Chick-
adee, but uttered more incessantly.
Nest.—In cavities of stumps, trees, posts or telephone
poles, the cavity being lined with grass, feathers and fur;
the six or seven eggs are white sprinkled with brown
(.60 x .46).
Range.—Resident in Canada and the northern border
of the U.S.
VERDIN; YELLOW-HEADED TIT.
746. Auriparus flaviceps. 41%, inches.
Adult male with the head and throat yellow, usually
with some concealed orange-brown on the forehead; lesser
wing-coverts reddish brown. ‘lhe female 1s coiored very
similarly, but is much duller. ‘These are among the
smallest of N. A. birds; they are even smaller than their
length would indicate, for their bodies are slender. The
birds are usually found in high dry portions of the
country where cacti and thorny bushes predominate.
Nest.—lheir nests are remarkable structures for so
diminutive birds; flask-shaped, the outside being a mass
of thorny twigs and stems interwoven; this is lined with
feathers and the entrance is a small circular hole near
the top. ‘lhe eggs are bluish white specked around the
large end with reddish brown.
Range.—Mexican border of the United States from
southern Texas to Arizona and Lower California.
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.
748. Regulus satrapa. 4 inches.
Male with crown orange and yellow, bordered with
black; female with yellow crown.
Although very small, these birds are very rugged and
endure the severe storm and low temperatures of our
northern states apparently with little concern, for they
always seem to be happy. ‘They are always busily en-
gaged among the underbrush of side hills and along the
banks of brooks, hunting for the scanty fare that awaits
them.
Song.—A few weak chips, chirps and trills.
Nest.—A large ball of soft green mosses and feathers,
suspended from the small twigs in the tops of coniferous
trees; it is neatly hollowed out for the reception of the
six to nine eggs that are laid; eggs creamy white, mi-
nutely but profusely specked with brown (.56 x .44).
Range.—N. A., breeding from northern U. 8. north-
ward and farther south in mountain ranges; winters
throughout the U. 8.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.
749. Regulus calendula. 4% inches.
Male with a concealed patch of red on the crown; fe-
male with no red.
Like the last, these are chiefly winter visitants in the
United States and they do not remain with us in the
coldest weather, but pass on to the southern half of our
country. ‘they are nearly always met with in pine or
other coniferous trees, being very abundant in spring in
open pine woods and parks.
Song.—A clear warble, surprisingly loud and varied
for so small a bird; call, a grating chatter.
Nest.—A ball of moss, grass and feathers, deeply
cupped, like that of the last; partially suspended among
the small twigs in the tops of coniferous trees; eggs
white, more sparingly marked than those of the last
(.55 x .48).
Range.—N. A., breeding northward from the north-
ern boundary of the U. S. and farther south in moun-
tains: winters in the southern half of the U.S.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.
751. Polioptita cerulea. 41% inches.
Forehead black; tail plack with white edges and tips
to the outer ones.
Their food is chiefly insects, which they are very ex-
pert in catching, taking them on the wing with great
celerity. Their movements are all very rapid, flitting
from one part of a tree to another, but usually among
the upper branches, Their nests are among the most
beautiful of bird architecture, even Surpassing that of
the Hummingbird.
Song.—Sweet, but very faint.
Nest.—Situated on horizontal limbs of trees at me-
dium heights; made of plant fibres, woolly substances
and cobwebs, adorned with handsome lichens; the walls
are very high and thick, the bird sitting so low inside
that only her tail is visible; the four or five eges are
bluish white specked with reddish brown ((06) x 144).
Range.—Eastern U, S., breeding north to New Jersey
and Illinois,
WOOD THRUSH.
755. Hylocichla nustelina. 8 inches.
Reddish brown above, brightest on the head; below
white heavily spotted with black.
‘these large ‘Ihrushes are locally abundant in swamps
and moist woodland. They are one of our best songsters,
their tones being very rich and flute-like, and, like most
of the Thrushes, their songs are most often heard along
toward night.
Song.—Very clear and flute-like, containing many
notes of the scale; often two or more birds answer back
and forth from different parts of the woods; calls, a
sharp “quit, quit” and a liquid ‘“‘quirt.”
Nest.—Either in forks or on horizontal boughs of
bushes or trees, usually not more than ten feet from the
ground; made of grass, weeds, leaves and some mud; the
three or four eggs are bluish green (1.02 x .75).
Range.—FEastern U. 8., breeding from Virginia and
Missouri north to Maine, Ontario and Minnesota; win:
‘
ters south of the U.S
WILSON THRUSH OR VEERY.
756. Hylocichla fuscescens. 715 inches.
Entire upper parts a uniform reddish brown; below
soiled white with a few faint marks on the breast.
This species is more abundant than the last. It is
found in swamps and also in dry open woods, they being
especially numerous where ferns grow luxuriantly.
Song.—Very peculiar and not nearly as melodious as
that of the Wood Thrush, but still attractive; a slightly
descending “too-whe-u-whe-u-whe-u”; call, a clear “whee-
Vy
Nest.—On the ground among the leaves, on hum-
mocks, or in tangled masses of briars; made of strips ef
bark and leaves; eggs greenish blue, darker and smalier
than those of the Wood Thrush (.88 x .65).
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding’ in the northern
half of the United States and southern Canada; winte:s
in Central America. 756a. Willow Thrush (salicicola)
is more olive above; it is found in the Rockies and east-
ward to the Mississippi River.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH.
757. Hylocichla alicie. 7% inches.
Quite similar to the following but with the eye ring
white and the sides of head and breast much paler.
Breeds in northern Canada and migrates through the
eastern states to Central America. 757a. Bicknell
Thrush (bicknelli) is similar to the Gray-cheeked but
smaller. It breeds in Nova Scotia.
OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.
758a. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. 7% inches.
Upper parts wholly olive gray, with no brownish
tinge; eye ring, sides of head and breast distinctly buff;
breast spotted with blackish.
Song.—Quite similar to that of the Veery.
Nest.—Composed of leaves, grass and strips of bark,
located in bushes or small trees near the ground; the
four eggs are greenish blue spotted with reddish brown
(90) x65).
Range.—Hastern N. A., breeding from northern U.
S. to New Brunswick and Manitoba.
HERMIT THRUSH.
759b. Hylocichla guttata pallasti. 64 inches.
Tail reddish brown, much brighter than the back
and head; breast quite heavily spotted with black,
During its migrations it rarely sings but in its sum-
mer home it is regarded as a remarkable musician. Its
song has the sweetness and purity of tone of that
of the Wood Thrush, and is, perhaps, more varied, but
it is not nearly as powerful, and has a ventriloquial
effect. I watched one that was perched on a dead stump,
about twenty feet from me. for several minutes with a
pair of glasses before I could make sure that he was
the author of the song I heard, for it sounded as though
coming from across the next field.
Nest.—Similar to that of the Wilson Thrush and
like that, placed on the ground or very near it; the
eges are plain greenish blue (.85 x .65).
Range.—Breeds from northern U. S. northwards, and
farther south in mountains; winters in the Gulf States.
AMERICAN ROBIN.
761. Planesticus migratorius. 10 inches.
Male with a black head and bright reddish-brown
breast; female with a gray head and much paler breast ;
young intermediate between the two and with a reddish-
brown breast spotted with black.
These well-known birds are very abundant in the
northern half of the United States, being found most
commonly about farms and dwellings in the country,
and also in cities if they are not persecuted too severely
by English Sparrows.
Song.—A loud cheery carol, “cheerily-cheerup, cheer-
ily-cheerup,” often long continued.
Nest.—A coarse but substantial structure of mud
and grass, placed on horizontal boughs or in forks at
any height, or in any odd place about dwellings; the
four or five eggs are bluish green (elaaeser-8 Oe
Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding from the middle of
the U. S. northward; winters throughout the U. Ss.
761b. Southern Robin (achrustera) is a paler form
found in the Carolinas and Georgia.
GREENLAND WHEATEAR.
765a. Sazxicola cenanthe leucorrhoa. 6 inches.
The Wheatear is a Eurepean bird, but this sub-species
is found in Greenland and oceasionally in Labrador.
Their habits are about the same as those of the Blue-
bird. They feed upon insects, larvae, fruits, berries and
Some seeds. They are essentially ground birds and are
isually found in rocky country.
Nest.—Their nests are made of grasses, hair or any
rubbish obtainable, and are hidden in the innermost
recesses of crevices among rocks, in deserted Bank
Swallow nests or even in rabbit burrows.
The four to six eggs are pale greenish blue, a little
brighter in shade than those of the Bluebird. They
measure .94 x .60.
BLUEBIRD.
766. Sialia sialis. 7 inches.
These beautiful, gentle and well-known birds spend
the winter in the southern parts of the United States
and north to the snow line; some more hardy than the
rest are found throughout the winter in southern New
England.
Call.—A short sweet warble; song, a continued
warbling.
Nest.—In holes in trees, particularly in orchards, in
bird boxes or crannies about the buildings. The bot-
tom of the cavity is lined with grasses for the reception
of the four or five pale bluish eggs, which measure
84 x .62.
Range.—Fastern United States, breeding from the
Gulf to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters chiefly
in the southern parts of the United States. 7T66a.
Azure Bluebird (azurea) is found in the mountains of
eastern Mexico and north casually to southern Arizona.
It is paler both above and below than our eastern bird.
FIELD KEY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS
BY CONSPICUOUS MARKINGS.
We have added this key at the request of many of our readers for a color
scheme for identification. It includes all the birds that have markings of sufficient
prominence to be readily noticed in the field.
1. BIRDS WITH RED OR ORANGE MARKINGS.
Scarlet body; black wings and tail; 7% in.SCARLET TANAGER.
Red; darker above; crested; black face; 9 in—CARDINAL.
Rosy-red; wings and tail slightly darker: 7% in.—SUMMER TANAGER.
Rosy-red; white wing bars; crossed bill; 6 in.—WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.
Rosy-red; Gray back, wings and tail: stout bill; 8% in—PINE GROSBEAK.
Brick-red; wings and tail darker; crossed pill: 6 in.—CROSSBILL.
Purplish-red, streaked with darker; dark wings and tail—PURPLE FINCH.
Red below; blue head; yellow back; 514 in—PAINTED BUNTING.
Red patch on crown (concealed); greenish back; 41%4 in—KINGLET.
Red cap; black chin; rosy breast; streaked; 51% in—REDPOLL.
Pink breast and under wings; black head and back; 8 in—ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK.
Ruby throat; metallic green back; tiny birds—HUMMINGBIRD.
209
Orange-red under wings and patch on crown; long forked tail—SCISSOR-TAILED
FLYCATCHER.
range; black head, wings and tail (marked with yellow)—BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Orange breast, crown patch and above eye; black and white back, wings and tail
—BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
Orange crown patch, edged with black; green back; 4 in—KINGLET.
Orange on sides, wings and tail; black above; 5% in—REDSTART.
Orange-brown crown edged with black; green back; spotted breast—OVENBIRD.
2. BIRDS PROMINENTLY MARKED WITH BLUE.
Blue, shading to purplish on head; 5% in—INDIGO BUNTING.
Blue; chestnut shoulders; black face; 7 in—BLUE GROSBEAK.
Blue above; brownish breast; 7 in—BLUEBIRD.
Blue above; black collar, bars on wings and tail (also white)—-BLUE JAY.
Pale Blue above and streaks below; white on wings and tail—CHRULEAN WARB-
LER
Dark blue ‘above: black throat and sides; white on wing—BLACK-THROATED
BLUE WARBLER.
Light blue head and back; brown breast; 51% in.—LAZULI BUNTING.
210
3. BIRDS WITH YELLOW AS PROMINENT COLOR.
Yellow below; green back; black mask—MARYLAND YELLOWTHROAT.
Yellow below; gray head and breast; 5% in—MOURNING WARBLER.
Yellow below; gray head and breast; white eye ring—CONNECTICUT WAR-
BLER.
Yellow below; black crown and ears; yellow over eye—KENTUCKY WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; brown spots on back; black stripes on side—PRAIRIE
WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; brown crown and streaks on side; white on tail—
PALM WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; yellow crown; brown stripes on sides—YELLOW
WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; brown ear patch and streaks on sides—CAPE MAY
WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; brown patch on crown; head gray above—NASHVILLE
WARBLER.
Yellow below; green back; orange-yellow head; white on tail—PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER.
211
Yellow forehead, ears and below; green back; cap and throat black—HOODED
WARBLER.
Yellow breast; gray back; black spotted necklace—CANADIAN WARBLER.
Yellow breast; green back; gray head; white over eye—YELLOW-BREAS TED
CHAT.
Yellow breast; gray back; black through eye and down sides—YHLLOW-
THROATED WARBLER.
Yellow breast; yellowish patch on back; brown on throat—PARULA WARBLER.
Yellow breast; green above; black throat and down sides—BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLER.
Yellow breast with black crescent; streaked above; 11 in—MEADOWLARK.
Yellow above and below; black cap, wings and tail—GOLDFINCH.
Yellow head; black body; white patch on wing—YELLOW-HHADED BLACK-
BIRD.
Yellow head; gray body; brown on shoulders; 4% in—VERDIN.
Yellow crown; chestnut on sides; streaked above—CHESTNUT-SIDED WAR-
BLER.
Yellow below and on rump; black back and spots on breast—MAGNOLA WAR-
BLER.
Yellow patch on crown, rump and side; streaked with gray above—MYRTLE
WARBLER.
4. BIRDS WITH BROWN MARKINGS MOST PROMINENT.
Small brewn birds (4 to 6 in.) with barred wings and tail—WRENS.
Uniform brown above, gray below; long broad tails—CUCKOOS.
Bright reddish brown above; spotted breast; 11% in—BROWN THRASHER.
Brown body; black head, wings and tail; 7% in—ORCHARD ORIOLE.
Reddish brown breast; slate back; dark head; 10 in.—ROBIN.
Dull brown back; grayish, more or less spotted breasts—THRUSHES.
Brown belly; black crown and stripe through eye; gray back—NUTHATCH.
Streaked brown and white; curved bill; climbs up trees—BROWN CREEPER.
Brownish gray; crested; yellow tip to tail; black through eye—WAX WING.
Brown crown, throat and streaks on sides; black maskK—BAY-BREASTED WAR-
BLER.
Brown sides; black head, throat and back; white on wings and tail—TOWHEE.
Brown rump and tail; gray back; streaked above and below—¥OX SPARROW.
Brown. shoulder, yellow breast patch; black on throat—DICKCISSEL.
Brown shoulder; streaked above; white outer tail feathers—VHSPER SPARROW.
Brown shoulder; black cap and patch on breast—McCOWN LONGSPUR.
Brown nape; black breast and cap; light throat—CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONG-
SPUR.
213
5. SHARPLY DEFINED BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS.
Black crown and throat; gray back; 5 in—CHICKADEE.
Black and white streaked bird; black crown; 5 in—BLACK POLL WARBLER.
Black and white streaked bird; striped crown—BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.
Slate head, breast and back; white below and outer tail feathers—JUNCO.
White throat; gray breast; crown striped black and white—WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW.
Large white crown patch edged with black; light below—WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROW.
Black body; yellowish nape; white rump and on wings—BOBOLINK.
Black crown; gray back; climbs down trees—WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
Dull gray birds with no markings may be FLYCATCHERS.
Dull brownish, streaked birds are probably species of SPARROWS.
Plain greenish backs and dull white underparts denote VIREOS.
Glossy blackbirds are GRACKLES or CROWS; if with red shoulders, RED-WING-
ED BLACKBIRD; with dull brown head, COWBIRD.
214
te
rey
ou?
CLASSIFIED TABLE OF EASTERN LAND BIRDS.
Showing Divisions into Orders, Families and Genera, as Adopted by the American
Ornithologists’ Union.
ORDER PSITTACI. Parrots, Macaws, etc.
Family PSITTACIDAS. genus
CONUROPSIS. Carolina Paroquet.
ORDER COCCYGES. Cuckoos, Kingfishers, etc.
Family CUCULID2. Genus
CROTOPHAGA. Anis
GEOCOCCYX. Road-runner.
COCCYZUS. Cuckoos.
Family ALCEDINIDAS. Genus
CERYLHE. Kingfishers.
ORDER PICI. Woodpeckers.
Family PICIDAS. Genus
CAMPHPHILUS. Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
DRYOBATES. Hairy to Texan Woodpecker.
PICOIDES. Three-toed Woodpeckers.
SPHY RAPZCUS: Sapsuckers.
PHILGOTOMUS. Pileated Woodpeckers.
MELANERPES. Red-headed Woodpeckers.
216
Family PICID4. Genus
CENTURUS.
COLAPTHS.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Flickers.
ORDER MACROCHIRES. Goatsuckers, Swifts, Hummingbirds, etc.
Family CAPRIMULGID4. Genus
ANTROSTOMUS.
PHALASNOPTILUS.
NYCTIDROMUS.
CHORDEILES.
Family MICROPODID4). Genus
CHADSTURA.
AHRONAUTHES.
Family TROCHILIDA. Genus
TROCHILUS.
ORGER PASSERES. Perching Birds.
Family TYRANNIDA. Genus
MUSCIVORA.
TYRANNUS.
PITANGUS.
MYIARCHUS.
SAYORNIS.
217
Whip-poor-will.
Poorwill.
Paraque.
Nighthawks.
@himney Swift.
White-throated Swift.
Ruby-thr. Hummer.
Scissor-tail Flycatcher.
Kingbirds.
Derby Flycatchers.
Crested Flycatchers.
Phoebes.
Family TYRANNIDAS. Genus
NUTTALLORNIS.
MYIOCHANES.
EMPIDONAX.
PYROCHPHALUS.
Family ALAUDIDA). Genus
Family CORVIDAH.
OTOCORIS.
Genus
TRIOUN
CYANOCITTA.
APHLECOMA.
XANTHOURA.
PERISOREUS.
CORVUS.
NUCIFRAGA.
Family STURNIDAS. Genus
STURNUS.
Family ICTERIDA®. Genus
DOLICHONYX.
MOLOTHRUS.
XANTHOCEPHALUS.
218
Olive-sided Flycatchers.
Pewees.
Least Flycatchers.
Vermilion Flycatchers.
Horned Larks.
Magpie.
Blue Jays.
Non-crested Jays.
Green Jay.
Canada Jay.
Crows and Ravens.
Clarke Nutcracker.
Starling.
B: bolink.
Cowbirds.
Yellow-head Blackbird.
Family ICTERIDA®. Genus
AGELAIUS.
STURNELLA.
ICTERUS.
SCOLECOPHAGUS.
QUISCALUS.
Family FRINGILLIDA. Genus
HESPERIPHONA.
PINICOLA.
CARPODACUS.
LOXIA.
LEUCOSTICTE.
ACANTHIS.
ASTRAGALINUS.
SPINUS.
PLECTROPHENAX.
CALCARIUS.
RHYNCOPHANES.
POCECETES.
PASSER.
PASSERCULUS.
219
Red-winged Blackbirds.
Meadowlarks.
Orioles.
Rusty Blackbirds
Grackles
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeaks.
Purple Finches.
Crossbills.
Leucostictes.
Redpolls.
Goldfinches.
Pine Siskin.
Snowflakes.
Longspurs.
McCown Longspurs.
Vesper Sparrow.
Hnglish Sparrow.
Ipswich Sparrow.
Family FRINGILLIDAS. Genus
COTURNICULUS.
AMMODRAMUS.
CHONDESTHS.
ZONOTRICHIA.
SPIZELLA.
JUNCO.
AMPHISPIZA.
PEUCAHA.
MELOSPIZA.
PASSERELLA.
IPAL PALO).
OREOSPIZA.
CARDINALIS.
PYRRHULOXIA.
ZAMELODIA.
GUIRACA.
PASSERINA
SPOROPHILA.
SPIZA.
CALAMOSPIZA.
2
ra)
20
Grasshopper, Leconte.
Sharp-tail Seaside.
Lark Sparrow.
Harris and Crowned Spar.
Chippy, Tree, Field.
Juncos.
Black-throated, Bell.
Pine-wood Sparrow.
Song, Swamp Sparrow.
Fox Sparrow.
Towhees.
Green-tailed Towhee.
Cardinal. s)
Pyrrhuloxia.
Rose-breast Grosbeak.
Blue Grosbeak.
Buntings.
Seed-eater.
Dickcissel.
Lark Bunting.
Family TANAGRIDA. Genus
PIRANGA.
Family HIRUNDIOIDA. Genus
PROGNE.
PETROCHELIDON.
HIRUNDO.
IRIDOPROCNE.
RIPARIA.
STELGIDOPTERYX.
Family BOMBYCILLIDAS. Genus
BOMBYCILLA.
Family LANIIDA. Genus
LANIUS.
Family VIREONIDA. Genus
VIREOSYLVA.
LANIVIREO.
VIREO.
Family MNIOTILTIDA. Genus
MNIOTILTA.
PROTONOTARIA.
HELINAIA.
221
Tanagers.
Purple Martin.
Cliff Swallow.
Barn Swallow.
Tree Swallow.
Bank Swallow.
Rough-wing. Swallow.
Waxwings.
Shrikes.
Red-eye., Warbling Vireo.
Yell.-thr., Blue-head.
White-eye Vireo.
Black and White Warbler.
Prothonotary.
Swainson Warbler.
Family MNIOTILTID4. Genus
HELMITHEROS.
HELMINTHOPHILA.
COMPSOTHLYPIS.
DENDROICA.
SEIURUS.
OPORORNIS.
GEOTHLYPIS.
ICTERIA.
WILSONIA.
SETOPHAGA.
Family MOTACILLIDA. Genus
ANTHUS.
Family TROGLODYTID4. Genus
OROSCOPTES.
MIMUS.
DUMATELLA.
TOXOSTOMA.
HELEODYTES.
SALPINCTES.
THRYOTHORUS.
222
Wornm-eating Warbler.
Bachman to Tennessee.
Parula Warbler.
Cape May to Palm Warbler.
Oven-bird, Water-Thrush.
Ky., Conn., and Mcurning.
Yellow-throats.
Chat.
Hooded to Canadian.
Redstarts:
Pipits.
Sage Thrasher.
Mockingbird.
Catbird.
Thrashers.
Cactus Wren.
Rock Wren.
Carolina Wren.
Family TROGLODYTIDA. Genus
THRYOMANHS.
TROGLODYTES.
NANNUS.
CISTOTHORUS.
TELMATODYTES.
Family CERTHIDA. Genus
CERTHIA.
Family PARIDAD. Genus
SITTA.
BASOLOPHUS.
PENTHESTES.
AURIPARUS.
Family SYLLVIIDA. Genus
REGULUS.
POLIOPTILA.
Family TURDIDA. Genus
HYLOCICHLA.
PLANESTICUS.
SAXICOLA.
SIALIA.
223
Bewick Wren.
House Wren.
Winter Wren.
Short-bill Marsh Wren.
Long-bill Marsh Wren.
Brown Creeper.
Nuthatches.
Titmice.
Chickadees.
Verdin.
Kinglets.
Gnatcatchers.
Thrushes.
Robins.
Wheatear.
Bluebird.
INDEX
Ail Groowe-DileEd. asics ere reas 18 CrossbilleAmenicanm seer eee 77
BlAckbing=s sSrewer: o4 sake sce 71 Crossbill, Whitewinged ...,.2..2:. 76
Blackbird, Red-winged ........... 65 Crow, American 5)... .-28) , 4beu 59
Blaclsbinds se lomida:. Wise encs ne cere 65 Crow, Clarke ik fio. acd ee) Goo eer arb O
IBIaeks birdy Rvusitiy © .)ctctaeeieie sce ee ial Crowe Hise. Pee. scat ote 59
Blackbird, Yellow-headed ......... 64 Crowe Mloridark wa: onde 59
IS INSDITG ey crab roetei ot Malone, Gee 208 Cuckoo, Black-billed ..:.2......22% 20
Blwebirds) Azure ets. cis ates et oe 208 CuckoowMansrovel...ysceccnce oo 19
Buntine Black-throated ss. .). 20. 122 Cuckoo; Yellow-hbilled )..7.5>.222%,. 19
UES en GiSOw.s wees cores cate 117 DIGICISSSIiP ee eee we ete ours 122
Bie Gare ee eke oe Be ois eds} Inch sauGEplekee me ech oe ten 15
SLUMS eC aeLZ TIT etme. © woe te chee 118 ERMNCICETAl Pee el Pte ty Ostet ere eet 32
SUMMIT. &:, crocs «a hierecn co nlerant 119 BhickenrwLved=siiatieds scene oc: 33
Birmitinics| APaimted: arises chided ces 120 bly catcher. Xcadian. jsoe ce seen 50
SOD OMIM Me ers Sackett ones 62 Hilycatchier) (Oresteds 2000) ooh eeeee 46
Car ale meena siaioina nhecest fevers ane 113 Mlvicatchers serbian jane eed pei 45
MO CHUN neem cron nurs ia ote Sena eR Be ae 182 Flycatcher, Green-erested ........ 50
Chat, Yellow-breasted ...0)!).!..7; 174 EMiviGatehers MuGasity esac nies tenes 51
BOXES" Ei ies CHOI Eee eat aren RE 51 Hly.cateher> Olivie-sidedy 7. ssl5.. .. 48
POWA TAG Harrod eee tol che Coats escent ctot ital Hlycatcher, Scissor-tailed ........ 41
~hickadee, Black-capped .......... 196 niyecatchers svermiliony s,s eo clh ces 52
Chickadee, Garolinay =. 28 32s. ee 196 Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied ........ 50
Chickadee, Hudsonian ............ 197 Gnateatcher) Blile-araye oo.» ose 201
ee nie avril? Se WWalilloiyye isis cet ce coe suse 34 Goldfinch) Americanmoeerein esos. 80
COOOL VES ees ee ay eee rae Meee 63 Goldfinch apAr ams aspera nn c.5 cee 81
PSreene4nBrOWN <<less ec cb.o4 eve name 191 GracklemBoat-tailedsmesws) ee 79.
Fede I Coa Pen Se
Grackles Bronzed i wicieieed se) eis eanial ie 72 Wark, ‘lorned eh oye. aes pecan ere 53
Grackle, SWloridayias cs--tan cis erieteienet= 72 Hark SHoOrned. 2 rai wea) chen chester 53
Grackle, Great-tailed ....:.....:-. 72 Leucosticte, Gray-crowned ........ 78
Grackles (Purple) eis cve ace ee ete clerenens (2 Longspur, Chestnut-collared ...... 86
Grosbeak wBle ems sac Gals iomuone hota 116 IbOinsjoeor Ilene so bougooemobodos 84
Grosbeak. WieSsterm env. elena 116 ID opaversjosie, WK Cena Shoacaocusn coos 87
Grosbeake) E\Venminiey oes se seen ore 73 IWOseyasyouois> Shemlda” Sod qgbsn cook coe dc 85
Grosbeak Pimes sae. octaves wheels cnste 74 Maspien AM eniGariiieg. eit la ere 54
Grosbeak, Rose-breasted ......... 11k Martin s2urple meeps ic aicrcaeraier: 12
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated ..... 40 Wises adele oho sos sonaaaob a oad oo 66
Ajai IBIS Sacin ooacopeuomlnoododumade 55 Meadowlark Wilonidase ess). errae 66
iene, phi IM elk Goaechamoposnon< 55 Meadowlarks Wiestern "sects oere 66
Jjenpe CERNEIGE, Baan eveuducodnog oon 58 WiKoy ohaylnvcl SanonoopodcoocCagodor 181
Ajay TaMiloweciisthins Aad ocdeme conto odio oon 56 NPM ITE A Geo eaonueducosaeobuos SIL /
UES pe ICE” GG odio oe els Dom Oscar O 57 Hsia yd. IMloyatley Gaoocoodsooace 37
live, Ibo Shs540besnecosus noo. 58 Nishthawk, Texan ieee etme ierr: 37
Ajay CRN, Jeee ko ddooagocoou.. 104 Nighthawk, Western ..........-..- 37
Junco, Slate-colored .....-.......- 104 INNA Sopobdondnoecechedrecoes 120
JUNCOs WNL te= Wall eseG eerste ene eels ole 103 Nuthatch, Brown-headed ......... 194
LVel=lopbasl” Sa Ggedou dou owco so suomoGn 42 Nuthatch, Red-breasted ........... 193
N<ihslovbaolh, UNalenaseisy Boat pouoo oo dos 44 Nuthatch, White-breasted ......... 192
ibovesathaere 1eahyevel AA Gag sacs adouos oe 21 Nuthatch, Florida White ......... 192
Libal=d obo, (gehen gands asabsaooodod oc 43 Oriole, Aqidubony yi) 2peteree eel 67
LHe afesaeiaveres UESeha G56 ao oun ooo Ooe 22 Oriole; Baltimore) es oe ce ie 70
Kinglet, Golden-crowned ......... 118) Orioles Mooded! Fag. esc ero 68
Keinelet, EeWby— CrOwamledsy .jey-)s)en-)renen: 200 Oriole, Orehard sere ole rie 69
ISP ME KoA ae ean lod one boog hope oc 53 (OV idevall oats bn A Ag tols How omko oo Do eto 168
Marnk® Horned Desert a. seems aeeea 7133 Paragque; Merrill, .o)2)5s weve: eneyaioloh-een 36
ERY CE ITULO KT Abe ers |v warsaciere ey oe oe 114 Sparrow, Chipping). +. seme eee 100
Raroduer Carolina, sales een a. 17 Sparrow, Clay-colored ............ 101
EWC mVVOOCMMAR em Pum i ah. Suet at 49 Sharrow. bnelish! foi sek ee 88
TEA AWOXS) OS) eset oho RN ac ee eae DAE 47 SParr Ow Eel eps te eect ns ee 102
BIplty AMERICAN se a. cheno ese. 179 Sparrow, Field Western .......... 102
Tei oul te (Srengeelenbi(s AUR mee ene eA on 179 SPAT O Wea WOR yar te oe ae ee 110
AGOLRAWiHll Manu an cscs enema Men meee 33 Sparrow, Grasshopper ..-......... 91
EeAav.en NO ntMern) a= an aeynn. 8 opel be 59 Sparrow, Harnisit: 600 1c ee 96
Raven, White-necked ............ 59 Sparrows Lenslow) 9210 4h eee 92
UCDO anes coe Ae een ee 79 Sparrow, Henslow Western ....... 92
Redpolly Greater. sss nue elas 79 SpPacrows lpswiChe == aes. s ees 90
edpollsGreenland) .. 505. 2.2) 60) 79 SPAT Ow, Wail Me) Pens ot yk oe en oe 95
Red poll eEloarvaeesns ates one a 79 Sparrow, Lark Western .......... 95
Redpoll Eolboelive. ss c50. os saae Ty SParrow.swueconte) | she. 425 ee 92
Redstart; American ..5555... 0.08: 178 Sparrows Wincoln - .oyceccceo a 108
IRS OVENS les Lb oi oys) > balay A Ne ay SENSE nate 18 Sparrow, Piné=woods ............. 106
TROL, SAUSAGE ene M8 Ne 206 SDALEOWs Savanna ei. eee 90
InGlonn, onan Shee ge hs ewe 206 Sparrows Seaside) .soensos..2 50 ue ne 94
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied ......... 28 Sparrow, Seaside Dusky ......... 94
secdentere Sharp .5)065 008s ts 121 Sparrow, Sharp-tailed |....)...).: 93
shmilke, Morsrerhead : 62 55.0.00..0. 134 Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Acadian .... 93
hipilice NORthern) joss noc scc) e 133 Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Nelson ..... 93
Shrike, Wihtte-rom ped) 2s 5..5 5. 7.) 134 PALO Wa SONn Si mee “bes ees 107
SUSI Fcilbal. IES HOWEy esp ne oe AR ies 82 Sparrow, Seng Dakota ............ 107
SHAG AMET TY AG Se en San, iene 83 SDALEO Wan SW AIM ae a Aes ere 109
Spacrow, Bachman 25.05...) i8... 106 SPArTOWsA BLee oman ee ae ee! 99
EEE OW ear is rte 8 vn, ey Sl 91 Sparrow, Tree Western ........... 99
Sparrow, Black-throated .....___- 105 Sparrow. Vesner ea
Sparrow, White-crowned ......... 97 Wireo,. Black-capped saa. sierra 139
Sparrow, White-throated ......... 98 Mineo we hiladelpinian erictecnenceden she 136
Ea el Wi eee ta ires co check ChoheR Aaa FOO Loar hcrcwok 61 Vireo, IRe6G-CViCds at renee eae eter toe 135
Swallow? (Bam seis ieusle = acs oc sedate 130 Vireos “Solitarya tints ccet easier: ceteris 138
Swallows Voarny fence seve cr. lace eit 128 Vireo, Solitary Mountain ......... 138
Swallows Clitharrwtas cscs: OG ccoceren es PALA Wales, Machol loiter SA a aloacogoosmne doc 136
Swallow, Rough-winged .......... 13 Vireo Wihite=eyed! 2008 fr. eieecdetocacs. 140
Swallows. “Preee cies cere cuss chews hetero 129 Vireo, Yellow-throated ........... ileye
Switt, ©lhimmey: Siosies neces es eae 38 Wiehe oss IEBelbrh Son goaoadeand as 145
Swift, White-throated ............ 39 Warbler, Bay-breasteds se= s.r: 158
Tanager, Scarlets ciict. 0 cs ccs eel cts see 124 Warbler, Black and White........ 141
Tanaeer, Summers sen. .o: 22s os eee 125 Warbler, Blackburnian So..-5--)-- 160
FEhrashen) SS rOWii ssi. = sts eletche ns 183 Warbler, Black=polle ice eeselet 159
TTHTASH ET SAE Cie rs fers sce scta «mle see ce ens 180 Warbler, Black-throated Blue .... 153
Thrush, “Bicknell 24.45.2505 je... 205 Warbler, Black-throated Green.... 1638
Thrush, Gray-cheeked ............ 204 Warbler, Blue-winged ............ 146
Thrwshe JELermiiit) Waites ates se se oe te ces 205 Wiatblers) BrewSter me cis moiecieresicasn-l= 146
Thrushy/Olive-packed se a. cbyess snc 204 Migmeloisiay Gebbdag has don ob Coodnmos ne 153
ATS Val SOM ere caey cittiaeate tareiccctens. se 203 Wwe olsies (Cenmchenly . 5354060 Foo dos altar
Ub TANG, CYANO! Meera Att ai. oiolbro om otal 202 Wwencloikeie (Ghiyse WEAR Sac coobonbooos P51
Mitlariky Americanr. on. - = heen. hoes 78) Warblers Gernileamn semesecuct cena 156
TItMOUSE LU ELCO ae tei eionsteeasieaaes 195 Warbler, Chestnut-sided .......... 157
Titmouse, Black-crested .......... 195 Warblers ConnecttGlutm arcsec intent algal
TO WHEW aioe sal Seas cacthethce ev eietene eral Wala Warbler, Golden-cheeked ......... 162
Towhee, Green-tailed ... ......... alate Warbler, Golden-winged ......... 147
NASTY ok Fal POTS CN CEER AION AORN (eit cae REEL ane 203 Wiarblers seo OWE irs gst lene eae alga}
WET OIEN Nabe) Late esl Soe Sosa re hese nrpate.ccatepene!s 198 Wiarbilenr, sientielsys es. crrcciensie veer 170
PSliron Pluo-headed 138 AW ocr ed Oho en Oli eb Roos ag naa sf 164
NWambler, lawrence»... 2.4.0... 147 Woodpecker, Arctie Three-toed....
Warbler, Maemolia 10) i602) uy 1115)5) Woodpecker, LD OMT ys Ont Pen Se Re
Warbler, WOE aOMEy Cae Ae BOE 172 W oodpecker, Downy Northern.....
Dierblor: Myrtle: fee . oe. yas 154 Woodpecker, Downy Southern ....
Wir bier. Nashwille suey ec.) aoe 148 W oodpecker, Golden-winged ......
Warbler, Orange-crowned ......... 148 Woodpecker, 1S EW Ncep cee mee megs pee ee
Pieiniten. Palme oad... ee 166 Woodpecker, Hairy Northern .....
Wambler, Palm Yellows. .-...cc. 0.) 166 Woodpecker, Hairy Southern .....
Winco: Panulay.. sus. ee 150 Woodpecker, Ivory-billed ......._
Warbler, Parula Northern). eee 150 Woodpecker, /Pileated .; oy. 1.005
DEER BE iine yess 85, Poh ae Ue ee Pet 165 Woodpecker, Pileated Northern....
Weabier " Weairige hs. gue. se een. 167 Woodpecker, Red-bellied ........!
Warbler, ETOLMOMOtATy eae lea eee 142 Woodpecker, Red-cockaded .......
Warbler Senmett...... 5 io ee 150 Woodpecked, Red-headed .....___.
Warbler Swainson...) fe. 143 Woodpecker, Texan. )...5505... cn
Miarbler, Sycamore,...2).,.......7 161 INGTON SOS CWC ts). eager eas aad
Warbler, \Nennesee. 2.02... 0... 149 Wienrm CA Ct, 1) tebin] wae, ne
Warbler, GWHSORL oo. ook soe 176 Winen a @airolimeaes > eos ys (ha) aia
Warbler, Wiornm-eatings -55: 45.050. 144 Ver EIONGEAAG 1:70 cryin es Sal a cee
Duawoler Mellow, 02.62.65. e.. alts) Wiren, House: Western: 3... 4... oe
Warbler, Yellow-throated ..111)"! 161 Wren, Long-billed Marsh ....____
MRSEet ENTS ice ft ns. 169 NV er RO CIC. Je pains ees ies met Ree tes
Water Thrush, Louisiana .._._ 1 7° 169 Wren, Short-billed Marsh ........
Waxwing, Bohemian ............. 131 AW CaN VALIEG Te: Seaap ee) meee i ae ma
PSSA a est GGG oT ae ee ae eat 132 Yellow-throat, Mlorida {/). 21)...
Wheatear, Greenland ........../ 7" 207 Yellow-throat, Maryland .........
MiRip-HOOr-Wwill ...-.j22..0.0.00 0... 35 Yellowthroat, Northern ......_....
ee ts
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Wen
news s
WATER BIRDS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This book is uniform in size and scope with LAND BIRDS. It includes all of
the Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, east of the Rockies. Each species
is ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR from oil paintings; the bird, its habits and nesting
habits are described.
The pictures show more than 230 birds in color, every species found in our
range. They exceed in number those in any other bird book. In quality they can-
not be surpassed—exquisite gems, each with an attractive background typical of
the habitat of the species.
“LAND BIRDS” and “WATER BIRDS” are the only books, regardless of price,
that describe and show in color every bird. 250 pages, neatly boxed.
Bound in Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage, 5c.
CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass.
FLOWER GUIDE
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
A guide to the common wild flowers found in the Eastern and Middle States
Wild Flower Guide is the same size and scope as Bird Guide. It has had an
extraordinary sale and has been adopted and used in quantities in many of our
leading colleges and schools.
The COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS, 192 in number, are beautiful, artistic and
accurate reproductions from oil paintings; the finest series ever made. The text
tells where each is found, when it blooms, whether in woods, fields, swamps, etc.,
the height that the plant attains, whether it is self-fertilized or cross fertilized by
insects and how; in fact it gives a great deal more information than one would
think possible in a book to fit comfortably in the pocket.
Bound in Cloth, 75c.; in Leather, $1.00; postage, 5c.
CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass.
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS’ EGGS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This is the only book on the market that gives illustrations of the eggs of all
North American birds. Hach egg is shown FULL SIZE, photographed directly
from an authentic and well marked specimen. There are a great many full-page
plates of nests and eggs in their natural situations.
The habitat and habits of each bird are given.
It is finely printed on the best of paper and handsomely bound in cloth. 350
pages—6 x 9 inches.
$2.50 net; postage 25c.
COLOR KEY TO N. A. BIRDS
By F. M. CHAPMAN and C. A. REED
This might well be called an illustrated dictionary of North American birds,
the male of each species being shown in COLOR from pen and ink drawings.
Uniform with Egg Book. 3850 pages.
$2.50 net; postage 25c.
CHAS. K. REED, Worcester, Mass.
Wild Flowers East of the Rockies
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
LARGER AND EVEN MORE COMPLETE
THAN FLOWER GUIDE.
SIZE—4 x 6 in.; 450 pages. THXT—Complete, interesting and instructive.
ILLUSTRATIONS—320 Flowers beautifully illustrated IN NATURAL COL-
@®RS; painted from life by the author.
Finely printed and handsomely bound in cloth.
$2.50 net; postage 15c.
CHAS. K. REED - - - Worcester, Mass.
Nature Studies---Birds
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
A Book for Boys and Girls and for Beginners in Bird Study.
The first chapters deal with bird lore in general: Migration, Moulting, Flight,
Nest-building, etc. ;
The second part, and major portion of the book contains interesting bird
stories as related to Dorothy and Dick, by their Uncle George. These stories are
true sketches of bird life and give one accurate knowledge of the habits of birds
representing nearly all the families.
SIZH—514% x 7% in.; 112 pages.
ILLUSTRATIONS—Forty in Color.
PRICE and BINDING—Neatly bound in gray cloth.
60c net; postage 10c.
Nature Studies---In Field and Wood
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
A study of the Animate and Inanimate Things to be found in the Country.
A very interesting and popular account of the many common and curious
creatures and flowers that one finds during a ramble in field or wood.
This book is very valuable for developing the powers of observation in boys
and girls, by calling their attention to the very interesting phenomena that
usually are passed by without notice. ;
Every page is a page of interest,—a page of facts; facts that you may not
have noticed or had called to your attention, but which you can take the greatest
of pleasure in verifying during your future rambles.
112 pages, size 5144x7% in. 40 illustrations in color and black and white.
60c net; postage 10c.
CHAS. K. REED - - - Worcester, Mass.
Camera Studies of Wild Birds In Their Homes
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
DIED Y.O) Ur? EVER WATCH BIRDS?
Building their homes?
Sitting upon their eggs?
Feeding their little ones?
Shading them from the hot sun-rays?
Sending them into the wide, wide World?
CAMERA STUDIES not only tell you about these things but SHOWS YOU.
It is illustrated by more than 200 photographs of bird life. These are selected
as the very best from the author’s collection of more than 2000 subjects.
-3850 pages, 544 x7% in: handsomely bound in cloth.
$2.00 net; postage 20c.
CHAS: Kerth EE Die clue Worcactan iN accn uu
GUIDE TO THE MUSHROOMS
My EMMA TAYLOR COLE
Tells HOW, WHEN and WHERE they grow; how to collect and prepare them
for the table; describes the common kinds both edible and poisonous. Hand-
somely illustrated with about 70 halftones from photographs of living mushrooms
and five PLATES IN COLOR. Uniform with “Wild Flowers.”
$1.50 net; postage 10c.
GOLDFISH, AQUARIA and FERNERIES
How to make aquaria. How to fit them up; all about goldfish and fresh water
fish that are suitable for the aquarium. Water plants are described, as well as
many curiosities that can be kept in the tank. All these things are FINELY
ILLUSTRATED. Cloth bound, 50c.; postage, 5c.
GUIDE TO TAXIDERMY
A practical and thorough instructor in the art of mounting birds, mammals,
head, fish, etc. We have an illustrated prospectus for those interested. Fully
illustrated; cloth bound; 310 pages. $1.65 postpaid.
= mee se | NAlamnanctan Mace
COLORED BIRD PICTURES
We have the 40 birds, listed below, each printed on paper 3x4 in. USED IN
SCHOOLS for compositions and decorations. Artistically grouped and framed,
they make beautiful pictures for home or school.
Bluebird, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Wren, Catbird, Redstart, Black-throated Green
Warbler, Shrike, Barn Swallow, Tanager, Towhee, Junco, Chipping Sparrow,
Goldfinch, Oriole, Redwing Blackbird, Cowbird, Pewee, Kingbird, Jay, Hum ming-
bird, Downy Woodpecker, Nighthawk, Kingfisher, Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Osprey,
Sparrow Hawk, Dove, Grouse, Quail, Sandpiper, Woodcock, Heron, Wood Duck,
Pelican, Cormorant, Tern, Gull, Loon.
FORTY BIRDS—ONE CENT EACH. In lots of ten or more; assorted or alike.
FORTY BIRDS—ONE CENT EACH.
In lots of ten or more; assorted or alike.
CHAS. K. REED - - . .- Worcester. Masc.
FIELD GLASSES FOR BIRD
STUDY
or equally good for the mountain, sea shore
or theatre, or wherever a large, clear image
of an object is desired.
We carefully examined more than a hun-
dred makes of field glasses, to select the
ones best adapted for bird study.
We found one make that was superior to
any other of the same price and equal opti-
cally, and nearly as well made as those cost-
ing three times as much.
They magnify about three diameters, and
have an unusually large field of vision or
angle of view, making it easy to find a bird
or keep him in sight. Price $5.00 postpaid.
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