THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
Biology
BEQUEST OF
Theodore S. Palmer
O ,
, 3 ',
PURGATORY.
WHERE BARN SWALLOWS BREED.
THE
BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND
BY
REGINALD HEBER ^HOWE, JR.
Member of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,
EDWARD STURTEVANT, S. B.,
Instructor of Natural Sciences at Saint George's School, Newport.
Members of the American Ornithologists' Union.
ILLUSTRATED.
899.
COPYRIGHT, 1899.
BY R. H. HOWE, JR., AND E. STURTEVANT.
CONTENTS.
PREFACE. ...... 5
PART I.
•
REVIEW OF FORMER PUBLICATIONS ON RHODE ISLAND
BIRDS, AND OF STATE COLLECTIONS . . 7
MIGRATION, WITH LIST OF BREEDING BIRDS . . 10
CORMORANT ROCK . . , . . . 17
NOTE . . . . . 2,2
PART II.
ANNOTATED LIST . . .. . . .25
EXTIRPATED SPECIES . . . . ,.88
HYPOTHETICAL LIST . . . . .89
BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . 91
ERRATA, ADDITIONS, ETC. .... 102
i
INDEX, SCIENTIFIC NAMES ., . . .103
VERNACULAR AND LOCAL NAMES . . 107
x
ru
564
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PURGATORY, Middletown : — Frontispiece.
MOUNT HOPE ON NARRAGANSETT BAY . . .n
CORMORANT ROCK and Tern's Nest . .17
AN OSPREY'S NEST, Bristol . . . ,25
A BANK SWALLOW COLONY and Section of Single Nest,
Sachuest Point . . . . .89
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK'S NEST . . .91
PREFACE.
THIS volume on the Birds of Rhode Island, containing the first
complete list of the birds of the State, is offered with the hope
that it will lead to the further study of ornithology within Rhode
Island, and that it will give a basis on which to build such work.
The authors here wish to express their sincere thanks to Lieut.
Wirt Robinson, 4th U. &. Artillery, West Point, New York, Col.
J. H. Powel of Newport, Dr. Wm. C. Rives of New York, Messrs.
H. S. Hathaway of Cranston, F. T. Jencks of Drownville, J. M.
Southwick, Newton Dexter, F. E. Newbury, C. H. Smith, E. H.
Armstrong of Providence, George W. Field of Kingston, Owen
Durfee of Fall River, Mass., Glover M. Allen of Intervale, New
Hampshire, Walter Faxon of Arlington, Mass., H. W. H. Powel,
Le Roy King of Newport, William Brewster, Walter Deane of
Cambridge, Mass., Miss Louisa Sturtevant of Newport, and many
others.
REGINALD HEBER HOWE, JR.
EDWARD STURTEVANT.
RHODE ISLAND,
October, 1899.
PART I.
REVIEW OF FORMER PUBLICATIONS ON RHODE
ISLAND BIRDS, AND OF STATE COLLECTIONS.
RHODE ISLAND, though adjoining Massachusetts, a State whose
avi-fauna has had long and careful study, is remarkable in that
it has had but few ornithologists, and but little ever published in
regard to its birds.
The first publication that appeared on the birds for any portion
of the State was in 1884 when Dr. William C. Rives, M. A., pub-
lished a short paper, entitled " The Birds of Newport," in the
Proceedings of the Newport Natural History Society, 1883-4,
page 28. This paper was one of Dr. Rives' first pieces of ornitho-
logical work, and cannot be compared with his admirable work,
" A Catalogue of the Birds of the Virginias." The paper is of a
purely popular nature, mentioning some ninety-seven species.
It is annotated only in a casual way and contains little of
scientific value. In the same Proceedings of the Newport Society,
page 42, there is a bare " List of Birds Shot Near Newport," by
Col. John Hare Powel, unannotated. Col. Powel though an old,
well known sportsman in Rhode Island, does not pose as an orni-
thologist, and does not attempt to establish records upon his own
identification. In 1888, Mr. J. M. Southwick published a paper,
entitled " Our Birds of Rhode Island," in the Proceedings of the
Newport Natural History Society, 1887-8, page 3, of very much
the same character as Dr. Rives'. It contains, however, more of
value in regard to Rhode Island birds, perhaps the most of any
of the few existing papers. The paper speaks of some one
hundred and one species in detail, and Mr. Southwick states that
he could then report the "capture of at least two-hundred and
thirty species." In this same Proceedings there is a paper by
Mr. Charles H. Lawton called, " The Water Birds of Newport,"
8 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
page 1 6. This list, for it hardly amounts to anything more
than that, mentions forty-two species. Mr. Howe published
in the Bristol Phoenix for April loth, 1896, an annotated list
of the birds of that township, observed by him. This article,
called "A List of the Birds of Bristol, R. I., and Adjacent
Localities," contains, beside annotations on sixty-seven species,
a short account of the topography of Bristol, with a map showing
wooded areas. In a book by the same author, entitled " On the
Bird's Highway," 1899, there is in the appendix, an unannotated
list of the birds observed at Bristol, R. I. A series of articles
were published in the Providence Journal entitled " Birds during
January" and "February," issue of February 7, 1884, and
"Birds during March" and "April," issue of April 7, 1884, by
Mr. F. T. Jencks. An article called " Rhode Island Birds,"
by Mr. J. M. Southwick, was published in the same paper on
February 28, 1892, and another article, under the same title, by
Mr. N. W. Wright, on September 25, 1898. These, papers
cover the special literature on the birds of Rhode Island except
for the minor records which have appeared from time to time
in The Auk, Nuttall Bulletin, Random Notes, etc., of which
there are exceptionally few.1
COLLECTIONS.
There are a number of well known ornithological collections
within the State containing birds taken in Rhode Island. The
best no doubt is the one at Roger Williams Park, Providence,
under the curatorship of Mr. J. M. Southwick. This has been
assembled by Mr. C. H. Smith of Providence, and presented by
him to the city. During the summer of 1899, this collection'was
installed with other Rhode Island State collections of Zoology
and Mineralogy. The collection of some three hundred and
fifty specimens is intended to represent all species known to have
occurred within the State, and contains many of the rare Rhode
Island captures, reference to which are given in the annotated list.
1 See Bibliography.
REVIEW OF FORMER PUBLICATIONS. 9
There are also among the public collections, those of Brown
University at Providence, Rhode Island College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts at Kingston, Franklin Society at Providence,
Newport Natural History Society at Newport. Each of these
contain rare birds taken within the State. Among the private
collections, those of Mr. H. S. Hathaway of Cranston, Mr. Edward
Sturtevant of Newport, Mr. J. M. Stainton of Providence, Mr.
Harry A. Cash of Pawtucket, Mr. Walter Angell of North Provi-
dence, and the oological collection of Mr. B. La Farge of Newport,
Mr. F. E. Newbury of Providence, and Mr. C. E. Doe of Provi-
dence are deserving of mention. The State of Rhode Island is
much richer in collectors than in observers, although this is to be
lamented, yet the records we have are most of them substantiated
by the existence of specimens.
MIGRATION.
The migration of birds in Rhode Island is of such a peculiar
nature that it seems worthy of especial attention.
WATER BIRDS.
The migration of water birds (Pygopodes^ Longipennes, Tubi-
nares, Steganopodes , Anseres, and Limicohe} along the Rhode Island
coast is very much less pronounced than would be supposed.
The main line of migration going north and south, seems to be
to a great extent, off the coast a number of miles. From Watch
Hill to Point Judith and at Sakonnet Point the greatest migra-
tion movement is apparent, and yet, even at these points, the
most exposed to the ocean of any portion of Rhode Island, save
Block Island, the main line of migration still seems to be further
seaward. The centre of the migration flight apparently passes
just off, and along the ocean coast of Long Island, past Block
Island, to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket waters. Only the
edge of this migration, and a smaller migration that passes
through Long Island Sound, up Buzzard's Bay and across Cape
Cod, brings birds by the coast of Rhode Island. Therefore
many species of water birds which are common at Long Island,
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, are uncommon on the Rhode
Island coast. Few birds land on Block Island, and the move-
ment there is so strictly a direct migratory one that it cannot be
compared, as a point of observation, with the above named larger
islands.
There is but little migratory movement in Narragansett Bay
it being chiefly used by species as a locality in which to rest, or
in which to remain for certain seasons. There are, however, a
few quite marked local migratory movements both along the
coast and in the bay. The westward migration of White-winged
<
o ^
II
MIGRATION. II
Scoters (Oidcmia deglandi} in May is the most pronounced and
interesting of the local outside movements. In The Auk, Vol.
VIII, No. 3, page 285, there is a careful account of this migra-
tion by Mr. George H. Mackay, from which we here quote. The
Scoters wintering in southern Cape Cod waters migrate " to the
westward as far as Noank, Connecticut," past Seaconnet, Point
Judith and Watch Hill, reaching the north, Mr. Mackay suggests,
by " Connecticut River and Lake Champlain or Hudson River
routes." This migration lasts from "three to seven days, accord-
ing to the state of the weather," starting " May 7, which is
unusually early; the customary time being from the i2th to the
i5th, and the latest the 25th." The flight consists of " appar-
ently all old birds," and in such fine adult plumage and of such
large size that the local gunners believe them to be of a different
species from the other less mature White-winged Scoters seen
throughout the winter, and have named them May White-wings
or Great May White-wings for this reason. Mr. Newton Dex-
ter writes of this flight, uln May they gather in millions, I might
say, about Vineyard Sound, and farther east. About May iyth
if the conditions are right, fair weather, a clear sky to the west,
and a moderate southwest wind, the birds start, fly west along
the Rhode Island coast going higher and higher in the air as
they go west, and at or near Watch Hill go over the land and
take a northwest course for the Great Lakes." This flight
" begins about two hours before sunset, and on favorable occa-
sions several flocks are in sight all the time, from twenty to two
hundred in a flock. . . . Many leaders of flocks miss their bear-
ings and turn up into Narragansett Bay. They then follow up
to the head waters at the city of Providence, and follow a north-
west course from there. In Col. J. H. Powel's List he says "this
is the bird that comes from the east and flies to the west in
its spring migration in May, from the loth to the 2oth, and is
seen at no other time of year."
Mr. Dexter writes of the general Scoter migration, "There are
seasons when circumstances of wind and weather are favorable
in both spring and fall migration (in April and October), when
the Scoters {Americana deglandi and perspicillata) pass very near
our shores in vast numbers. On the i6th of last October, 1898,
12 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
I witnessed a flight past Sakonnet Point from 10 A. M. until
4 P. M. of an immense number. In the spring the same occurs,
but not with the regularity of former years. This spring,
1899, on the 28th of April, I am told, a very large flight oc-
curred, previous to which few birds had been seen."
The most interesting of the local bay migrations is that of the
Cormorants (Phalacrocorax car bo and dilophits). During the fall
and spring both the Common and Double-crested Cormorants
migrate up and down the bay, chiefly by the Sakonnet River,
from the " Cormorant Rocks " to the Kickamuit, Taunton and
other rivers, where they feed. During the winter, after the
Double-crested Cormorants have entirely or to a great extent left
these waters, the Common Cormorant still follows this migra-
tory movement, although to a less degree. Mr. Owen Durfee
of Fall River writes us that this migration is affected by whether
the herring are running in the Taunton River or not.
LAND BIRDS.
The land-bird migration is as peculiar, and of as much interest,
as that of the water birds. The spring migration along the coast
seems to turn in somewhere on the Connecticut coast, cutting
across through Providence, to the vicinity of Boston, and thence
northward and records for arrival at these three places follow
in order. The birds which breed in southern Rhode Island
seem to work down as offshoots from this main migration, for
arrival records for southern Rhode Island are invariably later than
for Providence and vicinity. This is also known to be true of the
migration at Fall River and Cape Cod region, which also seems
to be cut off from the main migration route. There are also a
number of local land migrations. The only one, however, worthy
of note is that of the American Crow (Corvus americanus} which,
like the Cormorant, during the winter months, feeds at low tide
along the Kickamuit, Taunton and other rivers, and migrates at
morning and evening through the Mount Hope lands, over Bristol
promontory and Prudence Island, to a roost in the Greenwich
woods.
The fall migration is so much more obscure and desultory, and
MIGRATION. 13
there is such a lack of observations with regard to it, that any-
thing definite cannot be stated, but from nocturnal observations
made in Narragansett Bay and along the coast, it would seem that
the main migration of land birds in the fall follows an outside
ocean route.
A LIST OF THE BREEDING BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND, in
SPECIES.
Giving earliest dates on which nests contain eggs.
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbtts podiceps) June 6.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) June 9.
Black Duck (Anas obscura) May 5.
Blue-winged Teal (Querquedula discors) ?
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) May 10.
Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicensis} ?
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) May 23.
Least Bittern (Ardetta exilis) May 23.
Green Heron (Ardea virescens} May 21.
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax n. ncevius) May 7.
Virginia Rail (Rallus virginianus) May 29.
Sora (Porzana Carolina] May 24.
Florida Gallinule (Gal/inn la galeata) ?
Woodcock (Philohfla minor) April 5.
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) ? [May 10.]
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) May 27.
Killdeer (sEgialitis vociferd) May 10.
Piping Plover (ALgialitis meloda) June 5.
Bob-white (Colinus virginianus} May 25.
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbdlus) May 8.
Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura) May 15.
Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius) May 25.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox) May 25.
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) May 14.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo borealis) April 5.
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) April 5.
Broad-winged Hawk' (Buteo latissimus) May 15.
American Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius) May 10.
14 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
American Osprey (Pandion h. carolinensis} May 7.
American Long-eared Owl (Asio wilsonianus} April 10.
Short-eared Owl (Asio accipitrinus) ? (April 15).
Barred Owl (Syrnium nebulosum] March 15.
Screech Owl (Megaseops asio} April 7.
Great Horned Owl (Biibo virginianus) February 28.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus} May 24.
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus} June i.
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryk alcyon) May 15.
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus} May 28.
Northern Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens medianus}
May 12.
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) [July 28.]
Flicker (Colaptes auratus} April 29.
Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus} June 8.
Nighthawk (Chordeiks virginianus} June 5.
Chimney Swift ( Chietura pelagica} June 10.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Trochilus colubris) May 20.
Kingbird ( Tyrannus tyrannus] May 31.
Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus] June 5.
Phcebe (Sayornis phoebe) May 7.
Wood Pewee (Contopus virens} June 15.
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus] May 24.
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata} May 2.
American Crow (Corvus americanus} April 13.
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus} June 3.
Cowbird (Molotlirus ater) May 16.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agela ius phceniceus} May 12.
Meadowlark (Sturnella magna} May 6.
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius} May 30.
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula} May 24.
Purple Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula} April 25.
Bronzed Grackle ( Quiscalus qu iscula ceneus} May i.
Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) May 19.
American Goldfinch (Astragalinus tristis} July i.
Vesper Sparrow (Poxcetes gramineus) May 5.
Savanna Sparrow (Atnmodramus sandwichen'sis savanna] May 17.
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramiis savanjiarum passerinus}
Junes.
MIGRATION. 15
Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus eaudacutus) May 24.
Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus) (May 31.)
Chipping Sparrow (Spizclla socialis) May 19.
Field Sparrow (SpizeUa pusilla} May 19.
Song Sparrow (Melospiza fasciatd) May i o.
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana} May 24.
Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus} May 21.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Zamelodia ludoviciand) May 23.
Indigo Bunting (Cyanospiza cyanea) June i.
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga erythromelas} May 22.
Purple Martin (Progne subis} May 25.
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons) May 31.
Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrogastrd) May 18.
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) May 25.
Bank Swallow (Clivicola riparia) May 26.
Cedar Waxwing (Ampelis cedroruni) June 7.
Red-eyed Vireo ( Vireo olivaceus) May 28.
Warbling Vireo ( Vireo gilvus} May 30.
Yellow-throated Vireo ( Vireo flavifrons} May 24.
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) May 25 to June 15.
White-eyed Vireo ( Vireo noveboracensis} June 2.
Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varid) May 21.
Blue- winged Warbler (Helminthophila pinus) [May 30.]
Nashville Warbler (Helminthophila ruficapilla) June i.
Parula Warbler (Compsothlypis americana usnece) June 2.
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica cestiva) May 25.
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pcnsylvanica} May 22.
Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) June 10.
Pine Warbler (Dendroica vigorsii} May 25.
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor} May 27.
Oven-bird (Seiurus aurocapillus) May 19.
Louisiana Water-Thrush (Seiurus motacilld) May 15.
Maryland Yellow-throat (Geothlypis trichas) May 2 to May 25.
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) May 3 i .
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) June i.
Catbird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis) May 25.
Brown Thrasher (Harporhynchus rufus) May 19.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) April 15.
1 6 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
House Wren (Iroglodytes aedon) May 27.
•Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothoms stcllaris) June 6.
Long-billed Marsh Wren ( Cistothorus palustris) May 31.
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) April 20.
Chickadee (Pants atricapillus} May 9.
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelinus] May 21.
Wilson's Thrush (Hylocichla fuscescens) May 26.
American Robin (Mcrula migratorici) April 25.
Bluebird (Sialia sialis) April 7.
NOTE : — ( ) indicate approximate date where data is lacking.
[ ] indicate date of only nest taken. ? indicates lack of really
good authentic data.
o
g £
i °
«
c
CORMORANT ROCK.
CORMORANT ROCK is situated one mile south from the most
southeasterly point of the Island of Rhode Island. This jagged
mass of weathered granite is about an acre in extent and rises
some twenty-five feet above the level of the ocean. The
highest point is nearest the northerly side, and the southerly
exposure is broader and somewhat flattened. Separated from
the larger rock by a deep, narrow channel, is another rock about
one fifteenth as large, but nearly as high. Opening to the north-
west, on the northerly side of the greater rock, is a small cove,
filled with boulders, which is partly encircled by an arm of the
rock that makes out to the north and west. It is only in this
cove that a landing can be made with safety in smooth weather,
for the ocean swell is constantly surging around the other sides
in a foreboding manner. No land vegetation ever grows on this
lonely rock, for whatever soil collects on the higher portions,
through the disintegration of the rock or the deposits made upon
it by birds, is swept away during heavy storms when the waves
make a clean sweep of the rocks. The average rise and fall of
the tide at this point is four feet, and the land around the rock,
below the high tide line, is covered with a luxuriant growth
of slimy ooze, rockweed (Fitciis) muscles, and barnacles.
Looking at the rock from a geologist's point of view, it is of
igneous origin, being composed throughout of gray granite of a
coarse crystalline structure and well seamed with cleavage planes
that divide it up in more or less regular parallelepipeds of varying
size, from a few cubic inches to as many cubic yards. The
rock rises abruptly in ten fathoms of water from a hard bottom,
and forms a line with outcroppings of similar rocks that occur on
Sakonnet Point and the southwesterly part of the Island of
Rhode Island. The mesa top of the rock always presents a whit-
ish appearance, which is owing to the lime deposited there by
the birds that roost on its summit. This lime has penetrated
1 8 THE BIRDS OF* RHODE ISLAND.
the rock to a considerable distance in many places, having been
carried there by the rain and sea water as they percolate through
the joints.
Few places present a more desolate or foreboding appearance
than this lonely rock after a cold spell of weather in the winter.
At such times it is a mass of snow and granular salt water
ice which freezes to a considerable thickness on all sides, where
wave after wave throws its spray high in the air only to be blown
on the rock to freeze and add one more layer to the rock's cold
blanket. But it is at just such times as these that Cormorant
Rock is a most fascinating place to the ornithologist, for then the
shoal waters of Narragansett Bay become excessively cold, and
parts that do not actually freeze over are full of drifting ice.
Driven from the sheltered waters, the sea fowl make their way
oceanward and seek some feeding ground where they can find a
lee and a roosting place, for birds are fond of having some place
of rendezvous that can be seen from a distance.
The most noticeable birds that are to be found on Cormorant
Rock are those from which the rock is named. These large
black birds may be seen from a distance, as one approaches,
sitting majestically upon the highest parts, in groups of varying
size, but never scattered over the entire rock. ' As one draws near,
they take wing and fly off, often alighting in the water about a
mile away. It is apparent that this rock has been the resort of
these birds for a great many years. In an article by Mr. George
H. Mackay, entitled " Habits of the Double-crested Cormorant
(Phalacrocorax dilophus) in Rhode Island " and published in " The
Auk," Vol. XI, No. i, Jan., 1894, he says, — " These low lying
black rocks have been in the past, and are still, the resort and
roosting place of all the. Cormorants living in and around these
waters, and as they undoubtedly received their name many years
ago from such occupancy it may be interesting to know that on a
map dated July 20, 1776, which is in an atlas called the 'Ameri-
can Neptune,' published in London in 1776, and surveyed by
Des Barres, that these identical rocks are correctly shown and
located under the name of the ' Cormorant Rock.' It would not,
therefore seem unreasonable to infer that they were so named
on account of being frequented by these birds at that early
CORMORANT ROCK. 19
period, or even before: If such a conclusion is admissible it
would show an occupancy of certainly one hundred and sixteen
years, and possibly for a longer period, as well known local
names are preserved, when feasible, in order to avoid confusion.
There is, however, other evidence of long occupancy of still
greater interest to the ornithologist, in the fact that I dis-
covered, on careful examination, that many of the projections
of the rock on the mesa top, which afford good standing places,
had apparently been worn smooth and glossy by long use."
There are two species of Cormorants that frequent this rock, the
Double-crested (P/ialaerocorax dilophits) and the Common
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo.) The former being most
common during the migrating season and the latter the perma-
nent winter resident. Although a few of these birds may be seen
around this rock at any time of the fall, winter and early spring,
they can best be studied toward sundown when they come to it to
roost for the night, from Narragansett Bay and its rivers. Before
alighting, the first arrivals fly around the rock in a suspicious way
and do not alight until they have encircled it several times,
but those that come later, alight at once without hesitation, the
presence of their companions who have already lit, no doubt
inspiring them with confidence. During the winter months when
the Cormorants frequent the rock, large numbers of gelatinous
balls or pellets are to be found on the rock. They average about
an inch in diameter and consist of a mass of vertebrae and other
bones of fishes which the Cormorants are unable to digest and
which they eject in this form. They are of particular interest as
showing the food of the Cormorants. Mr. S. Garman of Harvard
University has been good enough to examine a number of them
and has identified the bones as belonging to Porgies (Archosaugus
probatocephalus Walb.), and (Micropogon undulatus Linn.), young
parrot fishes (Labriods} , drums (Sdtenoids} , and Crabs ( Cancer irro-
ratus] . When the snow and ice have disappeared and the warm
lengthening days of spring add that indescribable charm to all
nature, the lonely Cormorants leave their winter home and follow
the retreating ice line north, as far as Labrador. Here they
breed and accustom their young to all the hardships of life in
northern waters. But Cormorant Rock is not left long unoccu-
20 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
pied. No sooner do the winter inhabitants leave, than a colony
of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), take up their abode and
rear their young in the crevices of the hard rock. This colony
consists of about 175 birds. They arrive in a large flock early
in May and at once take possession of the rock. We have already
observed that there is no land vegetation on the rock and as the
nearest land is one mile distant the Terns do not attempt to bring
material thence for their nests, but prefer to use the bleached
bones of the fish that have been devoured by Cormorants and left
to whiten in the crevices of the rock. These bones the Terns
arrange (we can scarcely say weave) in small crevices of the rock,
in such a way that they form a saucer-like depression and serve
to prevent the eggs from rolling around on the rock. The Terns
lay from one to five eggs which are hatched about the last of
June ; and the downy young may be found running nimbly over the
jagged rock. When any one lands on the rock the Terns rise in
a body with loud cries and circle around and around high over the
rock. Occasionally one, more daring than the rest, darts down-
ward toward the rock, uttering, as it does so, its sharp, pierc-
ing cry, and again, swooping upward, joins the excited throng.
Terns will fly miles in search of the small fish on which they feed,
and hence it is that one so often finds them on and about the
fish traps and pounds in Narragansett Bay, where they may be
seen sitting motionless side by side on the horizontal poles that
are used to stiffen the vertical piles. It is reasonable to sup-
pose that these birds come, for the most part, from the Cormorant
Rock colony, for the only other headquarters in Rhode Island is
Dyer's Island where some dozen pairs breed every year. (Auk,
Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 203.)
Among the occasional visitors to Cormorant Rock are the
Turnstones (Arenaria interpres} which have been found there in
the fall and spring, during their migrations. And it is surprising
to find them so tame that one may approach within a few feet,
before they take wing. Even then they rarely go far, never leav-
ing the rock, but merely changing their position on its collar of
seaweed and barnacles. They have never been seen to alight on
the rock more than three or four feet from the water, and accord-
ingly it would appear that they find food by the water's edge.
CORMORANT ROCK. 21
Still another visitor at the rock during the late spring and sum-
mer is the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) which occa-
sionally makes a "flying trip" off from Sachuest Point and awak-
ens the stillness of this out of the way spot by its bright, clear
whistle. It is not thought that these Sandpipers have any definite
aim in coming to the rock, further than the fact that it makes an
interesting spot to visit, when they feel vigorous, and like making
a trip across one mile of intervening ocean. On a visit to the
rock on the i8th of April, 1899, Mr. Sturtevant was suddenly
surprised to see a Vesper Sparrow flit past and light on the rock
only a few feet away. It appeared nervous and not at home,
moving from place to place on the rock as if worried and unable
to make up its mind to resume its migratory flight.
Among the most interesting of the smaller birds that make
their way here are the Purple Sandpipers (Tringa maritima) .
When the winter winds are penetrating and bleak, these little
fellows will stand motionless upon the cold rock just out of reach
of the waves, and facing the wind, their backs arched and their
heads drawn down upon their shoulders, they present a most cold
and cheerless appearance. At such times they are remarkably
tame, allowing one to approach within ten feet of them, without
showing the least alarm. Finally, if one draws too near, they
will fly off a few feet, or, more often, around to the other side of
the rock, uttering as they do so their plaintive whistle.
We have devoted a chapter to this rock as it presents an
ideal point of observation from which to study maritime avifauna.
It is difficult to steal into the very environment of sea-birds as
one can into that of land-birds, but hidden in one of the natural
crevices of this rock, with the roar of the sea continually in
one's ears, and with Stolid Sandpiper and shy Black Duck almost
within reach, one feels an intruder, a traveller, as it were, in a
foreign land.
A list of species observed upon the rock or immediately sur-
rounding it is here given.
Holboell's Grebe (Colymbus holbwllii} .
Horned Grebe {Colymbus aurifus).
Loon (Gavia imber) .
Red-throated Loon {Gavia lumme) .
22 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marimts).
American Herring Gull (Larus a. smithsoniamis) .
Bonaparte's Gull (Larus Philadelphia} .
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo} .
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougalli) .
Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbd}.
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax dihphus),
Red-breasted Merganser (Merganser serrator) .
Mallard (Anas bos f has) .
Black Duck (Anas obscurd] .
Old- Squaw (Harelda hy emails} .
American Eider (Somateria dresseri] .
American Scoter (Oidemta amcricand) .
White-winged Scoter (Oidemia deglandi) .
Surf Scoter (Oidemia per spicillata).
Purple Sandpiper (Tringa maritima} .
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia] .
Turnstone (Arenaria inferpres).
Vesper Sparrow (Poctcetes gramincus}.
NOTE.
In the Annotated List in regard to the arrival and departure
of each species — the date given in brackets — is approximate
date when the species should arrive and depart in Rhode Island.
The English name of the species following the Latin name, is
the one authorized by the American Ornithologists' Union, the
names following in italics are the local names of the species in
Rhode Island, given in the order of their use and familiarity.
Footnotes marked with an asterisk (*) refer to general records
of species of no particular significance.
ABBREVIATIONS.
Auk. — The Auk, A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, published
for the American Ornithologists' Union, New York, L. S.
Foster.
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club. — Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological
Club, A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology, published by
the Club, Cambridge, Mass.
F. & S. — Forest and Stream, A Weekly Journal of the Rod and
Gun. Published by the Forest and Stream Publishing Com-
pany, New York.
Nid. — The Nidiologist, published by Harry Reed Taylor at
Alameda, Cal., from Sept., 1893, to Feb., 1895, at New York
from Mar. to Nov., 1895, The Nidologist at New York from
Dec., 1895, to April, 1896, and at Alameda from May, 1896, to
May, 1897.
O.&O. — Ornithologist and Oologist (formerly, The Oologist)
published by Frank Blake Webster Company, Hyde Park,
Mass.
Ran. Notes. — Random Notes on Natural History, published by
South wick and Jencks, Providence, R. I., No. 12 of Vol. II
and Vol. Ill published by James M. South wick, Successor.
Dr. Rives' List. — " The Birds of Newport," by William C. Rives,
Jr. M. I). Proceedings of the Newport Natural History
Society, 1883-4, page 28, Newport, R. I.
Col. Powel's List. — "List of Birds Shot near Newport," by Col.
24 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
John Hare Powel, Proceedings of the Newport Natural
History Society, 1883-4, page 42, Newport, R. I.
Southwick's List. — "Our Birds of Rhode Island," by James M.
Southwick, Proceeding of the Newport Natural History
Society 1887-8, page 3, Newport, R. I.
Lawton's List. — "The Water-Birds of Newport, R. I.," by
Charles H. Lawton, Proceedings of the Newport Natural
History Society, 1887-8, page 16, Newport, R. I.
AN OSPREY'S NEST.
BRISTOL.
From " On the Birds' High-way.'11
PART II.
ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(1) 2. Colymbus holbcellii (Reinh.) . HOLBCELL'S GREBE.
Red-necked Grebe. American Red-necked Grebe. — An irregular
winter visitor. It is found in Narragansett Bay, though more
commonly along the coast. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that in
the Bay it is " common in October." Mr. G. W. Field writes
that he " took two in the Seekonk River near Red Bridge in
November, 1885." On account of its often being mistaken, by
the local gunners, for the Red-throated Loon (Gavia lumme)
and vice versa, notes in regard to it are somewhat untrustworthy.
In Lawton's List J he says that " the American Red-necked
Grebe .... is very rare." Two birds were seen, and one was
shot, by Mr. Owen Durfee on the ice in the Taunton River on
February 19, 1895.
(October) November to April.
(2) 3. Colymbus auritus Linn. HORNED GREBE. Hell-
diver, Little Diver, Tinker Loon, Tinker. — A common winter
resident along the ocean cliffs, rocky shores, beaches and in Nar-
ragansett Bay. It is without doubt our most common Grebe. In
the late spring, for a week or so before going north, they seem to
move off shore about a mile, and change of plumage at this time
also takes place. Mr. J. M. Southwick tells me that Mr. Benja-
min Earle, of Providence, took a Horned Grebe in full plumage
in the latter part of May in Narragansett Bay.
October to April 24.
(3)6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). PIED-BILLED GREBE.
Dabchick. — An uncommon summer resident, and a somewhat
irregular visitant in the fall, found only to our knowledge, in the
1 Lawton's List, p. 17.
25
26 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
brackish and fresh water ponds. It is often common in Easton's
Pond, Newport, and in the ponds at Little Compton, and some-
times not uncommon more inland, having been taken at Peace-
dale, Cranston and other localities. Of late years the species
seems to have become more uncommon, for now it certainly is
not the most common of our Grebes as Lawton called it in his
List.1 Mr. Newton Dexter writes that it is "common in sum-
mer, breeding at Long Pond, Sakonnet Pt, and that he has seen
old birds with young and has taken eggs." Mr. G. W. Field
also writes that " a pair nested in Point Judith Pond in 1897."
May to October (April) . Summer.
(4) 7. Gavia imber (Gunn.). LOON. Big Loon. — A com-
mon winter resident along the ocean beaches and cliffs, and is
frequently seen in Narragansett Bay, where, however, it is
less common than outside. Most of the northward migration is
over in April, but they are seen, usually singly, in May still migrat-
ing. Crippled and. barren birds remain not infrequently through-
out the summer in our waters.
(September) November 16 to May 24 (June). July and
August.
(5) ii. Gavia lumme (Gunn). RED-THROATED LOON.
Little Loon. — An uncommon winter resident off the ocean
cliffs and beaches, and occasionally seen in Narragansett Bay.
During the summer small flocks of three or four birds, generally
young, are often seen which, for want of better explanation, one
may call crippled or barren birds. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that
this species "passes the coast in fall and spring in great num-
bers." He took a bird in adult plumage in April, 1874, at Sakon-
net Point, now in the Brown University collection, and he has
since taken two others. Mr. J. M. Southwick also writes that
there was a bird in full plumage taken at Prudence Island in the
autumn of 1898 which is now in the Smith collection.
October i to April 27. June, July and August.
Lawton's List, p. 17.
ANNOTATED LIST. 27
(6) 27. Cepphus grylle (Linn.). BLACK GUILLEMOT. — An
extremely rare, irregular winter visitant. There are but three
records for the species. A bird taken by Mr. Newton Dexter
in January, 1859, in Mount Hope Bay. Mr. Dexter writes me
that this "went to the Franklin Society at the time," but he
believes it is not in existence now. One shot in Narragansett
Bay, Bullocks Point, by Mr. S. W. Thayer of Pawtucket,1 and a
young male taken by Mr. Newton Dexter off Sakonnet Point,
November iSth, 1892.
(7) 30. Uria troile (Linn.). MURRE. — There is a record
of one bird being taken at Point Judith, and which is now in the
possession of Mr. Silas Wright of Wakefield. Mr. F. T. Jencks
is the authority for this record. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that
"one was taken at Sakonnet in 1894."
(8) 31. Uria lomvia (Linn.). BRUNNICH'S MURRE. Sea
Crow. Foolish Guillemot. Brunnich's Guillemot. — An irregular
winter visitant along the coast, and has been taken in Narragan-
sett Bay,2 near Bristol,8 and off Warwick, 4 and in the Black-
stone River, above Pawtucket, where, Mr. H. S. Hathaway in-
forms me, a small flock were seen, and one was shot on Decem-
ber 16, 1894. This bird is now in the collection of Mr. Harry A.
Cash of Pawtucket.
(9) 32. Alca torda Linn. RAZOR-BILLED AUK. — A rare
winter visitant along the coast. It has been taken a number of
times off Sakonnet Point, West Island, and Newport.5
November 18 to February 4.
(10) 34. Alle alle (Linn.). DOVEKIE. Sea Dove. — A rare
irregular winter visitant, both along the coast and in Narragansett
Bay. It has been taken at West Island, Sakonnet River, New-
1 O. & O. Vol. n, No. i, p. 16.
2 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 2, p. 8.
3 Dr. Rives' List, p. 41.
"Ran. Notes, VoL I, No. i, p. 6.
5 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 12, p. 91.
28 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
port, Riverside on the Providence River, and Mr. A. C. Bent of
Taunton writes us that "one was taken at Rehoboth, Mass., on
November 25, 1885," probably driven inland from the Rhode
Island coast by severe weather. Mr. H. S. Hathaway, also
writes that in November, 1893, "one was shot in Attleboro,
Mass., in a mud puddle, formed by a wagon rut."
November to April 27.
(u) 36. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.). POMARINE
JAEGER. — A bird was taken at Newport on October 9, 1892.
The bird was mounted by Messrs. Southwick and Critchly of
Providence, for Mr. J. M. K. Southwick of Newport. There is
also a bird in the Smith collection, taken off Block Island, Octo-
ber ii, 1895. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that "they are rather
common off shore in the summer."
(12) 40. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.). KITTIWAKE. — An
uncommon winter visitant, most common in the fall. It being an
off-shore species it is not uncommonly seen at Block Island,
much less commonly off Narragansett Pier, and Charlestown
Beach, and very rarely off Newport. Mr. Newton Dexter writes
that they are very abundant off Point Judith in November at
times, and he has noted them in large numbers off Sakonnet
Point as early as September 15. Mr. F. T. Jencks writes that
Messrs. Southwick and Jencks received several one winter taken
at Wickford. Mr. Joseph Horton, who he believes got them, said
they were common in the harbor.
(13) 47. Larus marinus Linn. GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL. — A not uncommon winter resident along the coast, and
occasionally seen in Narragansett Bay, though much less com-
monly.
August 26 to April 23.
(14) 5 1 a. Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues.
AMERICAN HERRING GULL. Sea Gull. Winter Gull — An
abundant winter resident along the coast, and in Narragansett
Bay and rivers. Barren and crippled birds remain all summer
ANNOTATED LIST. 29
in the Bay and can be seen on the Halfway Rocks off Prudence
Island. The Gull ' Dick V whose long life and history has
interested so many observers, we are glad to be able to include
among Rhode Island birds.
September 9 to May 16. June, July, and August.
(15) 58. Larus atricilla Linn. LAUGHING GULL. — Mr.
Newton Dexter killed a bird at Sakonnet Point in September,
1884.
(16) 60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord). BONAPARTE'S GULL. —
A winter visitor, common in spring and fall along the coast,
generally observed in small flocks. Out of a flock of ten, seven
were shot near Warwick Neck Light by the keeper, "May 18,
1888, and three young birds, Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes us, have
been taken on the Seekonk River during three successive falls,
the last on September 25, 1895. Mr. Newton Dexter also writes
" that a bird was taken in the fall, years ago, in full plumage on
the same river." Lt. Wirt Robinson says that he has " seen
flocks in Newport Harbor of certainly two hundred individuals."
September 25 to May 18. There are also two August records
for Newport, one on the 27th, and one for Westerly.
(17) 64. Sterna caspia Pallas. CASPIAN TERN. — An
accidental visitant. Three records, a bird taken about Septem-
ber i, 1878, at Brightman's Pond, near Noyes Beach by Mr-
Wm. Gudgeon,2 another, a female, taken at Westerly on July 27,
1 88 1, by Mr. J. B. Dunn,3 and still another reported to have been
1 Auk, Vol. IX p. 227; Vol. X, p. 76; Vol. XI p. 73; Vol. XII p. 76;
Vol. XIII p. 78 ; Vol. XV p. 49.
2 Oologist Vol. 5, No. 4, p. 32.
3 O. & O., Vol. 6, No. 6, p. 44.
Coues and Stearns's, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 357.
Note: (69) Sterna forsteri Nutt. FORSTER'S TERN. — In Coues and
Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life "Mr. N. T. Lawrence speaks of two R. I.
specimens (For. & Str., Vol. X, 1878, p. 235)." This is an error, for on
looking up the record we find it reads " L. I." (Long Island) instead of " R. I."
(Rhode Island).
30 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
taken on May ic, 1892, by Mr. Claude Dunn of Ocean View.1
Mr. Newton Dexter writes, " have noted very many in the past ten
years migrating from the north in August and September at
Sakonnet Point. They usually fly high and are rarely killed."
(18) 70. Sterna hirundo Linn. COMMON TERN. Mackerel
Gull. — A common summer resident, breeding on Cormorant
Rock and Dyer's Island.2 The nests on the Cormorant Rock
are constructed of fish bones, as there is no vegetation. The
bones are gathered together after the weather has washed them
free from the Cormorant pellets with which the rock is strewn.
(See Cormorant Rock.)
May 1 6 to September 20. One doubtful record for October 24,
1891. There is also a record of two being taken in October.8
(19) 72. Sterna dougalli Montag. ROSEATE TERN. Mack-
erel .Gull. — An uncommon summer resident, not uncommon in
August and September, straying probably from the Penikese Island
colony, Mass., as it does not breed to our knowledge within the
State.
(May) to (October) .
(20) 74. Sterna antillarum (Less.). LEAST TERN. — One
was taken at Bench Mark Rock, off Nayatt Point by Mr. Thomas
Adcock in 1885. Others are said to have been taken. Mr.
Newton Dexter writes that this specie? " was formerly common in
Narragansett Bay, and reports the capture of one at Sakonnet on
August 20, 1897, now in the Smith collection."
(21) 75. Sterna fuliginosa Gmel. SOOTY TERN. — An acci-
dental visitant. Mr. Fred. T. Jencks took a specimen at Point
Judith in September i876.4 Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes, that
JO. & O., Vol. 17, No. 6, p. 96.
2 Auk, Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 203.
3O. & O., Vol. 18, No. 10, p. 141.
4 Osprey, Vol. II, Nos. 6 and 7, p. 91.
Birds of Connecticut by C. Hart Merriam, Conn. Acad. IV, 1887, p. 134.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. 7. Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist.,
p. 227.
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 374.
ANNOTATED LIST. 31
another, though he questions it, was found dead in Newport in
1877, and still another, a male, in full plumage, was taken at
Woonsocket on July 16, 1897, now in the Smith collection.
(22) 77. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.).
BLACK TERN. — An irregular spring and fall migrant. A fine
adult was taken at Newport by Dr. Henry F. Marshall on August
16, 1880. l Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that five, all young, and
in fall plumage were shot at Sakonnet Point on August 24, 1891.
Mr. Newton Dexter says that they are " very abundant off
Sakonnet at times, usually after a heavy southeaster in early
September."
August. September.
(23) 88. Puffinis borealis Cory. CORY'S SHEARWATER.
Grew Gull. — An uncommon summer visitant. A bird was sent
Dr. Wm. C. Rives, on September 30, 1886, by Mr. J. Glynn, Jr., of
Newport,2 and a bird was taken near Point Judith in October,
1886, which was stuffed by Mr. John Hague, and is now in collec-
tion of Brown University, and a male was taken at Newport on
August 27, 1886, collection of Mr. R. L. Agassiz, now in the col-
lection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
The capture of these birds would tend to show, as Dr. Rives sug-
gests, "that the flight of these birds extended as far west as the
mouth of Narragansett Bay." 2 This was the year of that remark-
able flight. Since then the following have been reported : Mr.
A. C. Bent took a female near Cormorant Rock on October
26, 1890, one was taken in 1891 in Narragansett Bay, four were
taken at Newport, October 9, 1892, and mounted for Mr. J. M. K.
Southwick of Newport, by Messrs. Southwick and Critchly of
Providence. Two were shot at Point Judith by Mr. N. N. Bishop
and others, one on Aug. 15, 1894, which is in the collection of
Mr. H. S. Hathaway, and the other a few days later, which is
now in the Smith collection. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that
" the bird has been taken off Block Island, and that he took one
1 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 4, p. 237.
2 Auk, Vol. V, No. i, p. 108.
32 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
on September 28, 1898, off Warren's Point, West Island, and
saw several others."
(24) 89. Puffinus gravis (O'Reilly). GREATER SHEAR-
WATER. Hagdon. — Mr. Newton Dexter writes that he has
'" seen them off shore following mackerel fleets."
(25) 94. Puffinus fuliginosus Strickland. SOOTY SHEAR-
WATER. Black Hagdon. — Mr. Newton Dexter obtained two
specimens at Sakonnet Point in May, 1890, he writes, " one, a
male, is now in Dr. C. T. Gardner's collection, the other had
been picked by a frugal fisherman, but was fully identified." He
has seen others at various times. During the great flight in
August and September, 1886, which extended from Point Judith
to Buzzard's Bay a few of this species were among the Cory's
Shearwaters (Puffinus borealis). It is not unlikely therefore, that
they were within Rhode Island waters at this time.1
(26) 106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieill.) . LEACH'S
PETREL. Stormy Petrel. Mother Carey's Chickens. — An uncom-
mon transient visitant. Dr. Rives in his paper writes " are found
.... the particular variety being probably Leach's Petrel." On
June 9, 1889 a solitary bird was taken off Portsmouth Grove,
and another bird was taken on October 14, 1891, in Narragansett
Bay. On August 29, 1898, eight birds were seen together in
Newport outer harbor. Mr. Newton Dexter calls the bird rather
rare.
June 9 to October 14.
(27) 109. Oceanodroma oceanicus (Kuhl.). WILSON'S
PETREL. — A not uncommon transient visitant. Mr. Fred T.
Jencks took a male in spring plumage at Newport on August 2,
i88o,2 Mr. J. M. South wick writes, Mr. G. M. Gray, of Providence,
took ten or twelve off Narragansett Pier in July, 1881, and Mr.
Newton Dexter writes that " it is very common off shore in July
and August, often coming some distance up the Sakonnet River."
1 Auk, Vol. IV, No. i, page 71.
2 Auk, Vol. V, No. 4, page 237.
ANNOTATED LIST. 33
Two were taken at Newport on August 4 and 8, respectively,
1899. Mr. Sturtevant and Mr. LeRoy King observed a great
number, estimated in the thousands, off Point Judith, August
14, 1899.
(May) to (September).
(28) 115. Sula bassana (Linn.). GANNET. Solan Goose.
— A migrant off the coast, not uncommon at Block Island, but
rarely seen near the coast line. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that
two were taken on Narragansett Bay, October, 1891, and there
is a specimen in the collection of the Newport Natural History
Society, taken off Sachuest Point in 1891. Mr. Newton Dexter
says that they " pass over the sea usually well off shore on their
southern migration from the loth of September, and later gener-
ally in flocks of from six to twenty, old and young together, and
that they return in April, going north singly, sometimes two or
three are in sight at once but never in close company. In Octo-
ber," he adds, " they are common between Brenton's Reef and
Block Island."
October 26 to May 16, rare in winter.
(29) 119. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.). CORMORANT.
Common Cormorant. Shag. " Taunton Turkey" " Taunt on
Shag." — A not uncommon winter resident in the vicinity of
Cormorant Rock. Migrating up and down Narragansett Bay,
generally by the Sakonnet River, to the Taunton, and other
rivers to feed. This bird has been considered much rarer than
it really is in Rhode Island. Cormorant Rock is probably about
as far south as they winter in any numbers. There is a speci-
men taken in Narragansett Bay by the Rev. James Coyle (no
other data) in the Newport Natural History Society collection.
Mr. Geo. H. Mackay shot one bird at West Island on April 21,
1889, and one bird at Cormorant Rock on April 19, 1892. On
October 26, 1890, Mr. A. C. Bent took three birds off Cormorant
Rock, the one that is in his collection is P. carbo, and he believes
without doubt the other two were the same. One bird was taken
March 27, 1885, at Newport, 1 and one at Nayatt Point on
1 Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His., p. 229.
34
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
April 10, 1885,* Mr. Edward Sturtevant has taken them at Cor-
morant Rock, on the following dates, November 4, 1898, March
10 and April 24, 1899. Lt. Robinson writes that he observed
this species frequently between 1888 and 1890 at Newport, and
gives many dates of birds observed and taken between Septem-
ber 29 and June 3. Undoubtedly the small colony of about fifty
to seventy-five birds that winter regularly about Cormorant Rock
are P. carbo, no specimens of P. dilophus having ever been taken
during the mid-winter months.
(See Cormorant Rock).
September 29 to June 3.
(30) 120. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swain.). DOUBLE-
CRESTED CORMORANT. Shag. " Taunton Turkey" " Taunton
Shag? — A common fall and spring migrant. This species
migrates like the preceding up and down the Sakonnet and Middle
passages of Narragansett Bay to the Taunton and other rivers
where they spend the days feeding. Mr. Newton Dexter writes
that they sometimes migrate overland. (See Migration). A
single bird, probably of this species rather than the preceding,
was seen by Mr. Sturtevant flying east on August 9, 1899, over
Brenton's Reef.
September 16 to November. April 22 to May 16.
(31) 129. Merganser americanus (Cass.). AMERICAN
MERGANSER. Goosander. Buff-breasted Merganser. — An un-
common winter visitant, principally to the rivers and inland
ponds. Col. J. H. Powell writes that he has taken only two near
Newport, but that they are common in the Taunton River.
(November) to (March).
(32) 13*0. Merganser serrator (Linn.). RED-BREASTEI>
MERGANSER. Sheldrake. Common Sheldrake. — A common win-
ter resident along the coast, and in Narragansett Bay, often
abundant outside on migrations. The birds are generally found
near the rocky shores and cliffs, upon which they are often
1 Ran. Notes, Vol. II, No. 3, page 23.
ANNOTATED LIST. 35
observed sitting. Crippled and barren birds remain throughout
the summer.
October 29 to May 16, July and August.
(33) I3I- Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.). HOODED
MERGANSER. Hooded Sheldrake. Smew. — A rare winter visitor,
but not uncommon migrant. Mr. Newton Dexter writes " that
a full plumaged male is very rarely seen."
(November) to (May) .
(34) 132. Anas boschas Linn. MALLARD. Wild Mallard.
Green-head. — An uncommon winter visitor along the coast and
to Narragansett Bay and inland ponds. Mr. A. C. Bent writes
" that he has seen specimens taken at Hundred Acre Cove, Bar-
rington." There is a record of capture at Newport, November i,
1875, wnere it is stated that they are very rare in the locality.1
Mr. Southwick,2 however, states in his List, (1887-8) that it "is
not uncommon." A fine male was taken at Nayatt by Mr. R. H.
Gibbs in spring of 1899.
October to (April).
(35) *33- Anas obscura Gmel. BLACK DUCK. Dusky
Duck. — An abundant winter and rare summer resident, breed-
ing sparingly. Both the red-legged and green-legged varieties
are found, perhaps the green-legged the more commonly.
September 29 to April 24, a few in summer.
(36) 135. Anas strepera Linn. GADWALL. — The Wid-
geon (Mareca americana) , and female Pintail (Dafila acuta) are
so often taken for this species that it is difficult to secure any
accurate data. There is a record for a female taken on Febru-
ary 26 at Newport by Mr. F. T. Jencks,8 and there is a badly
mutilated specimen in the Rhode Island College collection at
Kingston, which was shot by Mr. John Hoxie at Carolina, May 4,
1 F. & S., Vol. 5, No. 13, p. 204.
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 305.
2 Southwick's List, p. n.
3O. & O., Vol. 7, No. 15, p. 114.
36 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1892. Lawton states in his list that it has been taken at New-
port.1
(37) J37- Mareca americana Gmel. BALDPATE. Ameri-
can Widgeon. — A rare winter visitant. Mr. Sturtevant took a
bird at Middletown on September 20, 1889. Mr. F. T. Jencks
recorded the species " as unusually abundant in the waters of
southern Rhode Island during November and the first week of
December, 1882, "2 and Mr. Newton Dexter writes that " they are
not uncommon in the ponds along shore in the fall."
September 20 to (April).
(38) 139. Nettion carolinensis Gmel. GREEN-WINGED
TEAL. — An uncommon migrant and rare winter visitant to the
ponds, much the rarer of the Teals.*
October 7 to (April).
(39) 140. Querquedula discors Linn. BLUE-WINGED
TEAL. — Not an uncommon migrant, rarer in the spring. Breeds
locally. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that a nest with eggs which
he saw was taken at Sakonnet in May, 1890, by a Mr. Sisson.
Lawton says this species is " always to be met with after the first
northwest wind in September." 8
September, October, May.
(40) 142. Spatula clypeata Linn. SHOVELLER. Shoveller
Duck. Spoonbill. — Lawton's List states that it has been taken
at Newport.1 Mr. Newton Dexter says that a pair were taken
near Newport in 1858. One was killed at Quonocontaug Pond by
Mr. E. W. Champlin, April 10, 1894. Mr. S. W. Field writes
that the older natives say that it was one of the common Ducks
that fed in Point Judith Pond.
'Lawton's List, p. 17.
2 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, No. i, p. 62.
*F. & S., Vol. 15, No. 14, p. 271, and Vol. 17, No. n, p. 211.
3 Lawton's List, p. 16.
ANNOTATED LIST. 37
(41) 143. Dafila acuta (Linn.). PINTAIL. Gray Duck.
Sprig-tail. — An uncommon migrant along the coast at Sakonnet,
Newport, and Point Judith. Lawton's List states that this species
" is occasionally met with round our bay, and is very abundant
at Block Island."1 Mr. F. T. Jencks, with Dr. H. F. Marshall,
shot three at Point Judith on September 4, 1879.
September 4 to (April 15).
(42) 144. Aix sponsa (Linn.). WOOD DUCK. Summer
Duck. — A regular migrant and uncommon summer resident.
Mr. O. Durfee writes that " it used to breed and he believes still
does about the Tiverton and Little Compton ponds." Lawton
also speaks of its breeding in the "western part of the State."1
(March) to (November), uncommon in summer.
(43) 146. Aythya americana (Eyt.). REDHEAD. Red-
headed Duck. — A rare migrant and winter visitant. Both Dr.
Rives' 2 and Southwick's 3 List states that it has been taken, and
Lawton 1 says that it " is very plentiful (?) in the salt pond on
Block Island going out of the pond every night toward the west
and returning at daybreak." Mr. Newton Dexter writes that a
few are taken every fall at Sakonnet. One was killed at Paw-
tucket February 5, 1898.
(October) to (April).
(44) 147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). CANVAS-BACK. Can-
vas-backed Duck. — A very rare and irregular visitant. Dr. Rives,2
Southwick 8 and Lawton 4 say that it has been taken at Newport.
There is a record of four birds being taken at Point Judith, in
November, 1881, by Mr. Fred. Skinner.5
October 2 to November.
Lawton's List, p. 16.
2 Dr. Rives' List, p. 40.
3 Southwick's List, p. n.
4 Lawton's List, p. 17.
5F. & S., Vol. 15, No. 23, p. 417.
38 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(45) 148. Aythya marila (Linn.). AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK.
Broad-bill. Blue-bill. Greater Scaup. Widgeon. — Not an
uncommon migrant and rare winter visitant. Mr. A. C. Bent
writes "that they used to be found in large numbers off Bullock's
Point, Providence River, in the late fall," and Mr. O. Durfee
writes "that at Quicksand Pond, Little Compton, he should call
the Blue-bills common migrants, if not winter residents." There
is a record, stating that they were very plenty at Newport on
October 27, iSSo.1 Lawton says " that they are quite abundant
during the fall and winter migration." 2 and Mr. Newton Dexter
writes that they are common in fall and spring in Narragansett
Bay.
October to (May).
(46) 149. Aythya affinis (Eyt.). LESSER SCAUP DUCK.
Blue-billed Shoveller. Creek Broad-bill. Little Black-head Duck.
— Not an uncommon transient visitant. Lawton says2 "that
they are quite abundant " at Newport. There is a female in
the collection of Brown & Nichol's School, Cambridge, Mass.,
taken on February 25, 1886, at Newport, by Mr. R. L. Agassiz,
and one was taken at Field's Point, 'February, 1899, by Mr. E. H.
Armstrong.*
(October 15 to November 25) February to (April).
(47) 150. Aythya collaris (Donov.). RING-NECKED DUCK.
Bastard Broad-bill. — A very rare visitant. Col. J. H. Powel
writes he has taken one, which was sent to the Academy of Nat-
ural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa. Lawton states in his List 2
"that they are quite abundant in this vicinity (Newport) during
the fall and winter migration," but we feel quite sure he must
have mistaken the species.
(48) 151. Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.).
AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. Whistler. Whistler-wing. Golden-
eye. — A common winter resident in Narragansett Bay and tide
1 F. & S., Vol. 15, No. 14, p. 271.
2 Lawton's List, p. 16.
* O. & O., Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 14.
ANNOTATED LIST.
39
rivers, but uncommon along the coast except on migration, and
when the Bay is frozen over.
(November 15) to April 20.
(49) 153. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). BUFFLE-HEAD.
Butter Ball. Buffle-head Duck. Dipper. — A not uncommon,
and regular migrant along tlie coast and in Narragansett Bay.
Mr. O. Durfee writes that it is " a regular migrant in the Little
Compton Ponds."
October 13 to November 4. (April).
(50) 154. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). OLD-SQUAW. Long-
tailed Duck. South-southerly. — An abundant winter resident
along the coast. Lawton calls it " our most common sea duck," *
which it is not, compared with White-winged or Surf Scoter.
November 7 to May 4.
(51) 155. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.). HARLE-
QUIN DUCK. Harlequin. — A rare winter visitant. Southwick
includes it in his list as having been taken at Newport. '2 Lieut.
Wirt Robinson writes that he saw " several on January 29, 1895,
below Dutch Island toward Narragansett Pier." Mr. Newton
Dexter took three at Sakonnet Point, and a young male in nearly
adult plumage was shot at Narragansett Pier on December 28,
1893, now in Rhode Island College collection at Kingston.
December 29 to January 29.
(52) 1 60. Somateria dressed Sharpe. AMERICAN EIDER.
Wamp. Eider Duck. — A common winter resident and migrant
along the coast. It is rarely seen in Narragansett Bay. Mr.
Newton Dexter writes that "four specimens, a female and three
young in first plumage were taken in Moswansicut Pond, Scit-
uate."*
(53) 162. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). KING EIDER.
1 Lawton's List, p. 16.
2 Southwick's List, p. n.
*F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 228.
40 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
— An irregular winter visitant. Dr. Rives says it "has been
obtained this winter up the bay" (1884-5), l Lawton says2 the
bird is "now and then met with " at Newport. Mr. O. Durfee
writes that he is informed that " this bird is tolerably common
off Sakonnet Point in winter, one was shot there about the
middle of February, 1899." Two were found in the collection
of Mr. R. L. Agassiz, taken in December. 1885, at Newport now
in the collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cam-
bridge, Mass. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that a female was
taken at Nayatt Point on November 27, 1879, one at Wickford
in February, 1895, a male at Nayatt Point, January i, 1884,
probably the bird Dr. Rives referred to, and a male at Nar-
ragansett Pier about January 30, 1898, now in the collection.
November 27 to February.
(54) 163. Oidemia americana Swains. AMERICAN SCO-
TER. Butter-bill. American Scoter Duck. Butter-bill Coot.
Yellow-billed Coot. — A common winter resident along the coast,
not often met with in Narragansett Bay.
October to May n.
(55) *65- Oidemia deglandi Bonap. WHITE-WINGED SCO-
TER. Great May White-wing. May White-wing. Velvet Duck.
Velvet Scoter. — A common winter resident along the coast and
in Narragansett Bay. The most common of the Scoters. Its
peculiar May migration to the westward is spoken of at length
under " Migration. " Crippled and barren birds are seen through-
out the summer, perhaps most commonly in the Bay.
September 15 to June 7. June, July and August.
(56) 166. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). SURF SCOTER.
Patch-poll Coot. Skunk-head. Surf Duck. -Patch-bill Coot. Fe-
males are called Gray Coot. — A common wiriter resident along
the coast and in Narragansett Bay. Crippled and barren birds
are seen during the summer months.
September i to May 14. July and August.
1 Dr. Rives List, p. 40.
2 Lawton's List, p. 16.
ANNOTATED LIST. 4!
(57) 167. Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmel.). RUDDY
DUCK. Broad-bill. Booby. — A not uncommon migrant along
the coast and to the inland ponds, breeding locally. Lawton
calls this bird the " most abundant of the migratory ducks, of
which large numbers are shot at Easton's Pond every season."1
In a note in " The Auk " by Mr. G. S. Miller, Jr., he speaks of
a number of specimens in adult plumage, being taken during
July at Sakonnet Point.2 Mr. Newton Dexter writes that two
broods were hatched in Long Pond, Sakonnet, in 1895 ; when
about half grown the young disappeared.*
March and October. July.
(58) 169.1. Chen caerulescens (Linn.). BLUE GOOSE. A
young bird was taken at Charlestown Beach on October 16, 1892,
by Mr. F. L. Glezen and identified by Mr. Newton Dexter.8 Mr.
Dexter writes that he presented two, killed near Newport, to the
Brown University collection.
(59) 169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.).? LESSER SNOW GOOSE.
Goose. Snow Goose. Mexican Goose. — A rare and irregular
winter visitant. Whether the birds recorded are of this race or
Chen hyperborea nivalis cannot be determined.
(October) to (April).
(60) 172. Branta canadensis (Linn.). CANADA GOOSE.
Wild Goose. — A common migrant. Three or four flocks com-
prising some two hundred birds were observed at Newport,
bound south on December 17, 1898.*
March 13 to April 29. October.
(61) 173. Branta bernicla (Linn.). BRANT. Brant Goose.
— A not uncommon migrant, and rare winter visitant. Lawton
1 Lawton's List, p. 16.
2 Auk, Vol. XVIII, No. i, p. 118.
* F. & S. Vol. XVII, No. 11, p. 211.
3F. & S., Vol. XXX, No. 3, p. 48, and Providence Journal, Jan, 16, 1893.
Prov. Journal, Jan. 25th, 1893.
* F. & S. Vol. XV, No. 20, p. 389.
42
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
states that it is " a regular spring migrant,"1 and Dr. Rives2
that it is "of extremely rare occurrence." Mr. J. M. Southwick
writes that one was killed on the Austin farm at Exeter in April,
1894, and Mr. H. S. Hathaway, that a fine adult was shot at
Sabin's Point, December 31, 1894. Mr. Newton Dexter writes
that it is common off the coast in fall and spring migrations, and
is frequently seen in Narragansett Bay.*
(November) to April 18.
(62) 180. Olor columbianus (Ord.). WHISTLING SWAN.
American Swan. — Mr. Newton Dexter records in Forest and
Stream 8 the capture of one bird by Mr. A. F. Stanton, about
November 13, 1879, a* Quonochontaug Pond, Westerly. Mr.
Stanton is said to have seen two birds, but only one was taken.
They were flying from the east. The skeleton of this bird was
in the Brown University collection. Southwick's List speaks of
a Trumpeter Swan being taken in the State, but he undoubtedly
was referring to the above record.4
(63) 188. Tantalus loculator Linn. WOOD IBIS. — Mr.
H. S. Hathaway writes that " a young bird was shot at Barring-
ton on August 8, 1896, by Mr. Charles Miller. It was seen
coming up the river in company with a large Heron, which, from
description, must have been a Great-Blue (Ardea herodias}.
It was given to Dr. Nelson R. Hall by Mr. Miller and to Mr.
William Mathewson by Dr. Hall, it has since been placed in the
Smith collection." 6 There is also a record of one being taken at
Seekonk, Mass., just over the Rhode Island border.6
1 Lawton's List, p. n.
2 Dr. Rives List, p. 40.
* F. & S. Vol. XVIII, No. 6, p. 107.
3F. & S. Vol. XIII, No. 17, p. 848.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. Vol. i,
P- 233-
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 297.
4 Southwick's List, p. 4.
5Osprey, Vol. I, No. 5, p. 67.
6 Auk, Vol. XIII, No. 3, p. 341.
ANNOTATED LIST. 43
(64) 190. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). AMERICAN
BITTERN. — A common migrant and uncommon summer resident.
April 6 to November 10.
(65) 191. Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). LEAST BITTERN. — A
common summer resident. It breeds in all the reedy marshes
of the State. 1 There is a record for early arrival, March i,
1 88 1, at Providence,2 and also a winter record for February 28,
i88i.3
March i to September 3.
(66) 194. Ardea herodias Linn. GREAT BLUE HERON.
Crane. — Common migrant, seen feeding during migrations along
the rocky shores and about the inland ponds.
April 17 to 30. July 15 to October 16.
(67) 196. Ardea egretta Gmel. AMERICAN EGRET. — A
bird was shot on Prudence Island, August 17, i888,4 in the col-
lection of Brown University, another was shot by Mr. E. W.
Champlin, in a cedar swamp, at Ocean View, on June i, 1893^
and Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that "after a severe northeast
storm one was shot near Tiverton Four Corners on October 12,
1894, now the property of Mr. S. W. Williams of Providence,"
and one was also killed near Newport in 1896. Mr. Hathaway
also writes "that an adult male has lately come into his pos-
session, shot on the Sakonnet River at Tiverton, by an Italian
farmer, on August 15, 1899. Mr. Newton Dexter writes in
regard to a rumor of the possible breeding of this species in the
State, " Five years ago this summer (1894) I noted a pair of
Egrets in early June, which were every day to be seen about
Narrow River and Wesquage Pond (Narragansett Pier). On
the northwest side of the pond is a dense swamp, or was then,
and the birds frequented that. The pond was then under the
10. & O., Vol. 5, No. 10, p. 78.
2 Nut. Orn. Club Bull., Vol. VI, No. 3, p. 186.
30. & O., Vol. 6, No. i, p. 8.
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 274.
4O. & O., Vol. 14, No. 4, p. 63.
5O. & O., Vol. 18, No. 6, p. 94.
44 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
control of my friend, the late H. S. Bloodgood, who gave orders
that the birds should not be disturbed or molested in any way.
He informed me that in August he noted five birds there on
several occasions, and was sure three of them were young birds,
and that they were raised there. It certainly looks as if it were
possible." On account of the uncertainty of this record, how-
ever, the species has not been included in the List of Breeding
Birds.
(68) 200. Ardea cserulea Linn. LITTLE BLUE HERON.—
A young bird, in white plumage, was taken at Warwick, on
July 13, iSyS.1 Mr. H. A. Talbot records several Snowy Herons
(Ardea candidissimd) being seen on June 7, 1884, in the south-
ern part of the State, but Mr. F. T. Jencks corrects this state-
ment, and suggests that the birds he saw might have been Little
Blue Herons.2 Mr. Newton Dexter writes that a young male
was taken at Sakonnet, August, 1892, now in Dr. Gardiner's col-
lection, and he recalls an adult bird that was taken near Provi-
dence and mounted by Mr. John Hague, Taxidermist, about
twenty-five years ago. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that Mr. J.
W. Critchley, Taxidermist, "had a young bird sent in to him on
July 24, 1899, from'Wakefield by Mr. Silas Wright."
(69) 201. Ardea virescens Linn. GREEN HERON. " Fly-
up-the-creek" — A common summer resident.
April 20 to September 10 (October).
(70) 202. Nycticorax nyticorax naevius (Bodd.). BLACK-
CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Night Heron. Shitepoke. Qitwark. —
A common summer resident, wintering rarely, certainly very much
less commonly than in Massachusetts. Formerly there was a
large herony near Mount Hope, and Mr. O. Durfee writes that
" as late as 1894 there was a large one on Prudence Island,"
1 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 2, p. 123.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 235.
2 O. & O., Vol. 9, No. 7, p. 80 and No. 8, p. 103.
ANNOTATED LIST.
45
which Mr. F. W. Field says still exists, but much depleted. The
inhabitants slaughtering the birds to "feed the pigs."
April i to September 23, also in winter, January.1
(71) 203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.). YELLOW-
CROWNED NIGHT HERON. — A male was shot by Mr. Charles H.
Kennedy on April 23, 1886, in Tiverton, less than a third of a
mile south of the Fall River line.2 A young female was taken
in August, 1892, at Newport, by Mr. J. Livermore.8
(72) 205. Grus canadensis (Linn.). LITTLE BROWN
CRANE. — A straggler from the West. Mr. Benjamin Burlingame
took one October 9, 1889, at Natick Hill, now in possession of
Mr. J. M. Nye,4 of River Point. Two were reported seen.
(73) 208. Rallus elegans Aud. KING RAIL. — There are
but three records for this species. One killed at Wakefield on
February 12, 1889, by Mr. N. R. Potter. This bird was mounted
for Mr. Frank Phillips by Mr. J. M. Southwick. It was shot
near a partly open brook, the snow along the brook being about
five inches deep and covered with its tracks, and Mr. Potter says
he killed one near the same place in the fall of 1888. A fine
male was taken at Newport, January 21, 1896, and is now in Mr.
H. S. Hathaway's collection.
(74) 212. Rallus virginianus Linn. VIRGINIA RAIL. Red-
breasted Rail. ? — A common summer resident and migrant. It
has been observed as late as November 2.5
(April) to November 2.
(75) 214. Porzana Carolina (Linn.). SORA. Carolina Rail.
1 Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. i, p. 9, and No. 2, p. 8.
2 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. 49.
3 Auk, Vol. XI, No. 2, p. 177.
4 Auk, Vol. VII, No. i, p. 89. O. & O., Vol. 14, No. 10, p. 15.
F. & S. Vol. XXXIII, No. 19, p. 264.
Independent Citizen, Providence, Nov. 16, 1889.
5 Dr. Rives' List, p. 36.
46 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
— A common migrant and summer resident, the most common of
our Rails.
(April) to October 12.
(76) 215. Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.). YELLOW
RAIL. — There are four records for this species. Mr. F. L.
Glezen, of Providence, shot a bird at Charlestown Beach on
September 28, 1886, 1 and a specimen was received from Mr.
C. H. Lawton by Mr. J. M. Southwick on September 23, 1887,
shot by a Newport gunner. One was killed by flying against
a telegraph wire in Cranston. One was taken September 14,
1894, (exact locality unknown) by Mr. H. O. Havemeyer, Jr.
(77) [217]. Crex crex (Linn.). CORN CRAKE. — A strag-
gler from Europe. Mr. Newton Dexter killed one in Cranston in
1857, and it is now in the Franklin Society collection at Provi-
dence.2
(78) 218. lonornis martinica (Linn.). PURPLE GALLI-
NULE. — An accidental visitant. A bird was taken at Westerly,
in 1857?,* and another in 1875 by Mr. Newton Dexter. One
at Warwick about August, 1886, and lived at least a year in
Handy's Dime Museum, Providence,4 one was found dead on
January 13, i8Sg,5 now in Dr. Gardiner's collection. Mr. New-
ton Dexter writes that it was picked up dead on Mr. Warren
Kempton's farm, and was mounted by him in crude fashion.
Mr. Dexter obtained it of him and remounted it. Another was
killed at Sakonnet in the fall of the same year by Mr. Newton
Dexter, another flew aboard a schooner at Wilkesbierre Pier,
Providence, May 13, 1890, and was brought to Mr. J. M. South-
wick for identification by Mr. G. F. Snow. A male was shot at
'O. & O., Vol. 12, No. 2, p. 32.
2 Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. VI, p. 3.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass." Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 265.
3 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, No. 2, p. 124.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 236.
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 293.
4 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. X, p. 79.
5F. & S., Vol. XXXIII, No. 19, p. 364.
ANNOTATED LIST. 47
Newport about May 24, 1893, and mounted for the Newport
Natural History Society collection.
(79) 219. Gallinula galeata (Licht.). FLORIDA GALLI-
NULE. — A not uncommon migrant and local summer resident.
Mr. Newton Dexter says " it is common at Long Pond, Sakon-
net, in summer and fall. Breeds there, have taken eggs and
young birds." Lt. Wirt Robinson in October, iSSS,1 took two,
and saw at least a dozen others, and saw one at Almy's Pond on
October 10, 1889.*
(May). September 10 to November.
(80) 221. Fulica americana Gmel. AMERICAN COOT. —
Coot. Marsh Hen. Mud Hen. — A not uncommon migrant, to
the fresh water ponds, sometimes fairly abundant. Mr. Newton
Dexter writes that it is very abundant in latter part of September
and through October at Sakonnet. Mr. Howe took a male,
September 6, 1898, off Jamestown, Newport outer harbor, and
Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that he has a bird in his collection,
taken at Field's Point, October 15, 1894.
(April) September, October 15.
(81) 222. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). RED PHAL-
AROPE. — An uncommon migrant. Lt. Wirt Robinson took
one at Newport, on October n, 1888 ;* another, in full plumage,
was taken at Sakonnet on August 26, 1889 ; and another Octo-
ber 26, 1887, at the same place, and one at Newport, September
27, i89o.2 Other records are one taken at Ocean View, May 24,
1892, one at Newport on May 23, of the same year, and one at
Gaspee Point in the fall of 1898.
May, October.
(82) 223. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.). NORTHERN PHAL-
AROPE. — A not uncommon migrant. Dr. Rives records the cap-
'Auk, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 194.
* F. & S., Vol, XV, No. 19, p. 371 and Vol. XVII, No. n, p. 211.
2O. & O., Vol. 15, No. n, p. 116.
48 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
ture of a bird at Newport on August 30, 1876, by Mr. F. W.
Hhinelander.1 Mr. F. T. Jencks took one at Point Judith, Sep-
tember 5, 1879, Mr. Sturtevant took two on Sakonnet River,
May 15, 1892, and saw five on September 4, 1899, near Gull
Rock, Narragansett Bay. There is one taken in August, 1894,
and a female on May 1 1,' 1898, at Newport, now in the Smith col-
lection. Mr. Newton Dexter writes " a remarkable flight of
these birds occurred at Sakonnet on May 15, 1895. A heavy
southeast gale was blowing with much rain. Hundreds of flocks
passed over the land at a point near the breakwater flying south-
•east. From a dozen to fifty in a flock."
May, August 16 to September 15.
(83) 224. Steganopus tricolor Vieill. WILSON'S PHALA-
HOPE. — Dr. Rives records the capture of a bird taken by Mr.
F. T. Jencks at Newport on August 2, 1880. 1 There is also a
female taken at Newport on August 20, 1883, in the collection
of the Boston Society of Natural History. Mr. J. Glynn, Jr.,
secured an immature bird from a local sportsman of Newport, on
September 13, i886.8 Mr. Newton Dexter took one at Sakonnet,
August 24, 1899, now in Dr. G. T. Gardiner's collection, which
also contains another specimen.
(84) 228. Philohela minor (Gmel.) . AMERICAN WOOD-
COCK. — A common migrant, and formerly common summer resi-
dent, now becoming almost rare as a breeding bird. There is a
record for very early nesting, April 16, young having just left the
nest.4*
(March) to December 4.
(85) 230. Gallinago delicata (Ord.). WILSON'S SNIPE.
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 39.
2 Dr. Rives' List, p. 39.
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 4 p. 237.
Coues and Stearns, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 187.
3 Auk, Vol. IV, No. i, p. 73.
4 Ran. Notes, Vol. II, No. V, p. 8.
* F. & S., Vol. XV, No. 19, p. 371, Vol. XXI, No. 25, p. 498. Vol. XXXV,
No. 1 6, p. 312.
ANNOTATED LIST. 49
English Snipe. Common Snipe. — A common migrant to the
fresh, and not uncommonly to the salt water marshes. This spe-
cies has been taken in December and January. Mr. W. Hare H.
Powel writes that " at first the birds are found where fresh and
salt water meet, and as the season advances they work back to
the more upland ponds, springs and slews, especially so in the
autumn."
March 9 to April 30. September 15 to November i. Decem-
ber and January.
(86) 231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). Dow-
ITCHER. Red-breasted Snipe. Brownback. "Detitscher" German
Snipe. Fool Plover. — A not uncommon migrant.*
(May). July 5 to October 8.
(87) 232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say). LONG-
BILLED DOWITCHER. — Mr. Sturtevant took a female at Middle-
town on October 8, 1890 now in the collection of Mr. William
Brewster, Cambridge.
(88) 233. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.). STILT
SANDPIPER. Mongrel. Bastard Yellow-leg. — An uncommon
spring, but not uncommon fall migrant. Mr. F. T. Jencks took
a male in the spring plumage on August 2, 1880, at Newport,1
and another at Point Judith on September 5, 1879. Mr. H. S.
Hathaway writes " that Mr. Newton Dexter took one at Sakonnet
Point on May 9, 1895, now in the Smith collection." Mr. LeRoy
King took a female on August i, 1899 an(^ two on August 13,
1899 at Middletown. Mr. F. T. Jencks writes that they are not
uncommon at Point Judith in the fall. Mr. Newton Dexter writes
"that he has taken a dozen this season." (August 1899).
May, August i to September 5.
(89) 234. Tringa canutus Linn. KNOT. Robin Snipe.
* F. & S., Vol. VI, No. 23, p. 376.
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club. Vol. V, No. 4, p. 237.
50 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
Red-breasted Sandpiper. — A common migrant. Dr. Rives
calls it " a somewhat rare species " at Newport.1
(May 15) to (June 10), July TI to (November).
(90) 235. Tringa maritima Briinn. PURPLE SANDPIPER.
— A common winter resident on Cormorant Rock, and during
severe weather found on Sachuest Point. Mr. H. S. Hathaway
writes that " Dr. H. F. Marshall shot four on the rocks off New-
port, November 27, 1879."
September 13 to February 5 (March). One late record, May
(91) 239. Tringa maculata Vieill. PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
Kreiker. Creaker. Grass Snipe. Pert. — An abundant migrant.
Found on the small salt marshes on Narragansett Bay, as well as
on those along the coast. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that one,
a female, was shot at Hammond's Pond, Pawtucket, on Septem-
ber 13, 1894.
(Spring, rare) July 16 to October 14 (November).
(92) 240. Tringa fuscicollis Vieill. WHITE-RUMPED SAND-
PIPER. — An uncommon fall migrant associating with Tringa
minutilla and Ereunetes pusillus. Mr. Howe has taken it at
Jamestown and Middletown.
July ii to (October).
(93) 241. Tringa bairdii (Coues). BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. —
Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that " one was shot at Point Judith,
September 4, 1892, by Mr. I. B. Mason's son, who has it in his
possession. Mr. J. M. Southwick writes that there is one in the
Smith collection, taken August 26, 1895, at Sakonnet.
(94) 242. Tringa minutilla Vieill. LEAST SANDPIPER.
Peep. Wilson's Sandpiper. — An abundant migrant to the salt
marshes, beaches and rocky shores along the coast, bays and
tide rivers.
(April 25) to May 18, July 15 to October.
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 36.
ANNOTATED LIST. 51
(95) 243a. Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues). RED-BACKED
SANDPIPER. Winter Snipe. — A not uncommon fall migrant. A
bird was taken October 3, 1890, on the Second Beach marshes,
Middletown, and Mr. A. C. Bent writes that they were " common
at Hundred Acre Cove, Barriftgton on August 29, 1891, noted
fifty there." They have been taken at Sakonnet and Point
Judith.
(April) to (May 30) August 29 to October 20.
(96) 246. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn). SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER. Peep. — An abundant migrant, associating with
Tringa minutilla.
May 13 to June 2, July 15 to October 10.
(97) 247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. WESTERN SEMI-
PALMATED SANDPIPER. — An uncommon migrant; as it occurs with
both species of " peep," T. minutilla and E. pusilhis, it is often
overlooked. Mr. LeRoy King took one on August 25, 1899,
and Mr. Sturtevant took one on August 29, 1899, at Middletown.
(May) (July to October).
(98) 248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). SANDERLING. San-
derling Sandpiper. — A common migrant along the ocean beaches.
Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that " one was shot on Hammond's
Pond, Pawtucket, between September 6 and 9, 1892," this is the
only inland record.
March 20 to June. August i to September 27.
(99) 249. Limosa fedoa (Linn.). MARBLED GODWIT.
Common Marlin. — A rare migrant. Dr. Rives states that they
are " met with rarely" at Newport.1 Dr. H. F. Marshall killed
two, one at Newport, and one at Westerly. Mr. Newton Dexter
" writes that they are very rare."
(August, September).
(100) 251. Limosa haemastica (Linn.). HUDSONIAN GOD-
WIT. Ring-tailed Marlin. — A rare migrant, a few, however, are
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 37.
52 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
killed each year. Dr. Rives states as of the preceding species
that it is " met with rarely " at Newport.1
August, September.
(101) 254. Tetanus melanaleucus (Gmel.). GREATER
YELLOW-LEGS. Winter Yellow-leg. Great Yellow-leg. — A com-
mon migrant to the ocean marshes, but rarely to the marshes of
Narragansett Bay, though frequently seen at inland ponds. Mr.
O. Durfee writes that one was " reported on good authority on
March 10, 1899, at Westport Harbor," just over the Rhode
Island line.
April 10 to May 24, August 8 to October 15.
(102) 255. Tetanus flavipes (Gmel.). YELLOW-LEG.
Lesser Yellow-leg. Summer Yellow-leg. — A common fall migrant
to the ocean and Narragansett Bay marshes. One spring record.
April 28, July 3 to September 28.*
(103) 256. Helodromas solitarius (Wils.). SOLITARY
SANDPIPER. — An uncommon migrant. It has been taken at
Easton's Pond, Newport, and on the Second Beach marshes,
Middletown, and at Sakonnet, as well as inland. Mr. F. T.
Jencks writes that he has " observed this species during the
summer several times at Mashapaug Pond, Providence."
May 3 to 18, July 18 to September 25.
(104) 258. Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.). WILLET.
— A rare spring, and uncommon fall wandering visitant. Dr.
Rives states that at Newport it is " a comparatively rare spe-
cies."1 Mr. O. Durfee writes that "on September 2, 1882, he
took one, and saw another at Quicksand Pond, Little Compton."
Mr. H. S. Hathaway reports the capture of one at Newport in the
fall of 1897, by Mr. H. Havemeyer. Mr. LeRoy King of
Newport killed a female, and saw a market hunter with two
others, on August 12, 1898, taken on the Second Beach marshes,
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 37.
* F. & S. Vol. 6, No. 23, p. 376.
ANNOTATED LIST. 53
Middletown. These birds were the only ones heard of or seen
that season. Mr. G. W. Field says that several are shot annually
on the Point Judith marshes.
(May) August 12 to September 2.
(105) 261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). BARTRAMIAN
SANDPIPER. Grass Plover. Upland Plover. — Not an uncommon
migrant, probably breeds. This species was formerly much
more common in the State than it is now, Prudence Island
being a famous shooting ground for them. Dr. Rives states
" the much sought after Grass Plover, — now no longer common
here (Newport)" etc., showing that early in the '8o's it had grown
rare.2 On the uplands of Conanicut Islands, near Beavertail
Light they are perhaps the most common of anywhere along the
coast.
(April), August 14 to (September).
(106) 262. Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.) . BUFF-
BREASTED SANDPIPER. — Mr. Newton Dexter states "that he has
taken one or two nearly every season." There is one he took
in September, 1896, now in the Smith collection.
(107) 263. Actitis macularia (Linn.). SPOTTED SAND-
PIPER. Tip-up. Peet-weet. — An abundant summer resident
throughout the State.
April 18 to September 13. (October 20).
(108) 264. Numenius longirostris Wils. LONG-BILLED
CURLEW. Sickle-bill. — Mr. Newton Dexter writes that " the last
one he killed or has seen in Rhode Island was about 1862."
A bird was taken by Mr. Thomas R. Stetson, at Round Swamp,
Jamestown, on September 9, 1897, which was mounted by Mr.
J. W. Critchley, Taxidermist, and now is in the collection of Mr.
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 36.
2 Dr. Rives' List, p. 37.
54
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
William Brewster of Cambridge.1 Dr. Rives states that at
Newport they have this species.2
(109) 265. Numenius hudsonicus Lath. HUDSONIAN
CURLEW. Jack Curlew. — An uncommon migrant to coast
marshes. Mr. F. T. Jencks writes that " he shot one at the
mouth of the Pawtuxet River about 1876."
(May) July to September 12.
(no) 266. Numenius borealis (Forst.). ESKIMO CUR-
LEW. Esquimaux Curlew. Doughbird- — A very rare migrant in
the fall. Formerly quite abundant migrating with the Chara-
drius dominicus. Dr. Rives 2 states that if he is " not mistaken,"
it has been taken at Newport. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes
that "Dr. H. F. Marshall killed six at Little Compton in 1886.
(September) .
(in) 270. Squatarola squatarola (Linn.). BLACK-
BELLIED PLOVER. Beetle-head. Black-breast. Frost-bird. — A
not uncommon migrant. There has been a noticeable increase
in their number during the last two seasons.
(May) August 9 to September 12 (October 15).
(112) 272. Charadrius dominicus Mull. GOLDEN PLOVER.
Green-head. Muddy-breast. — An uncommon migrant, apparently
becoming scarcer and scarcer each season. Mr. Newton Dexter
writes " that they were very abundant formerly in August."
(May), August 28 to October 15 (November 10).
(XI3) 273- -dEgialitis vocifera (Linn.). KILLDEER. Kill-
deer Plover. — An uncommon migrant and rare summer resident.
This species has been reported from .almost all parts of the State,
Providence, Newport, Middletown, Wickford, Drownville, King-
ston, Bristol, Warwick, Cranston, Conanicut Island, Point Judith,
Sakonnet, Little Compton, Watch Hill, Block Island, and Coles
1 Auk, Vol. XVI, No- 2, p. 189.
2 Dr. Rives' List, p. 37.
ANNOTATED LIST. 55
River. There was a great flight of them in November, 1888,
along the New England coast.1 " Mr. Charles Doe took a set
of four eggs at Wickford, May n, 1894, and another at Crans-
ton, May 30, 1896. Mr. H. A. Talbot reported them breeding
at Warwick,2 and Mr. F. E. Newbury, of Providence, found a
pair nesting at Warwick in 1894 and 1895. 8 Mr. F. T. Jencks
writes that a pair bred in Drownville in 1899.*
March, April, May, August, September, November, December,
January and February.
(114) 274. ^gialitis semipalmata Bonap. SEMIPAL-
MATED PLOVER. Ring-neck. Little-ring Plover. Ring Plover. —
An abundant migrant to the coast and Bay beaches and marshes.
April 19 to May 15, July 6 to September 25.
(115) 277. ^gialitis meloda (Ord.) . PIPING PLOVER.
Ring-neck. — Not an uncommon migrant, and uncommon summer
resident. Mr. O. Durfee writes that " a few breed along the
Westport and Little Compton beaches," and Mr. H. S. Hathaway
writes that " an adult and two young were shot at Charlestown
Beach in June, 1895," now in the Smith collection.
(March) June, August (September) .
(116) 283. Arenaria interpres (Linn.). TURNSTONE.
Rock Plover. Brant-bird. Horse-foot Snipe. Calico-bird. —^ A
common migrant to the rocky shores, and Cormorant Rock.
May, August 4 to September 13. There is a questionable
record of four birds reported from Middletown on January 7,
1891.
(117) 289. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). BOB-WHITE.
Quail. American Quail. — A common, and in some seasons,
abundant resident. Reservations in different parts of the State
have from time to time been established and stocked. There is
1 Auk, Vol. VI, No. 3, p. 255.
2 O. & O., Vol. 9, No. 5, p. 58.
3Nid., Vol. 8?, No. 3, 4, 5, p. 43.
*F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 249, and Vol. XXVIII, No. 12, p. 225.
56 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
a record of a nest with ten eggs being found on October 10,
1894, near Wakefield by Mr. E. O. Schuyler.1
(118) 300. Bonasa umbellus (Linn.). RUFFED GROUSE.
Partridge. A common resident in the northern and western
portions of the State. Absent as far as our knowledge extends
on Bristol promontory, and all the islands of Narragansett Bay.
(119) 316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). MOURNING
DOVE. Long-tailed Dove. Carolina Dove — A not uncommon
summer resident in the northern and western portions of the
State. At Bristol, and on all the islands in Narragansett Bay,
except perhaps on the Island of Rhode Island it is rare or absent.*
April 3 to October 6.
(120) 325. Cathartes aura (Linn.). TURKEY VULTURE.
— A rare straggler from the South. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes
that a bird was taken at Niantic in the summer of 1861, which
was mounted and presented to the Franklin Society collection
by Mr. Newton Dexter. Another was taken in November, 1890,
at the northeast end of Conanicut Island by Mr. E. D. Arnold,
son of the lighthouse keeper. Mr. LeRoy King of Newport
secured a specimen that was shot by a workman on June 20,
1893, on the King Farm, Brenton's Point, Newport. At the time
it was feeding on some kind of a dead animal, probably a cat.
The bird was mounted by Messrs. Southwick and Critchley and
is now in Mr. King's possession. One, which is now in the Smith
collection, was brought to Mr. J. W. Critchley, Taxidermist,
about May 10, 1896 (exact locality unknown).
(121) 331. Circus hudsonius .(Linn.). MARSH HAWK.
— A common migrant and summer resident. This species is
fast becoming rare.
(March 15) April 17 to October 29.
1 Prov. Journal, Oct. 27, 1894.
* Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
ANNOTATED LIST. 57
(122) 332. Accipiter velox (Wils.). SHARPED-SHINNED
HAWK. — A rather uncommon migrant, and summer resident.
Probably occurs rarely in winter.
(April) to (November) .
(123) 333. Accipiter cooperii (Bonap.) . COOPER'S HAWK.
Chicken Hawk. — A common migrant and summer resident, prob-
ably occurring rarely in winter.
(April) to (November).
(124) 334. Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.). AMERICAN
GOSHAWK. — An irregular and rare winter visitant. Mr. F. T.
Jencks writes that " large numbers were killed in a winter about
twenty-five or twenty years ago." Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes
that " Mr. Patrick Wally shot an adult female at Scituate, on
October 30, 1893, and that during the winter of 1896 twenty-nine
birds, twenty-two adults, and seven young were brought in from
nearby towns in Rhode Island and Connecticut to Mr. J. W.
Critchley, Taxidermist, to be mounted, one of which he bought,
a female shot at Scituate, on November 24, 1896. >M Mr. O.
Durfee also writes that he saw " one near the mouth of Lee's
River, on February 14, 1897." There is an adult taken at Che-
pachet, January 22, 1898, and a young bird taken at West Green-
wich December 2, 1890 in the Smith collection.
(125) 337. Buteo borealis (Gmel.). RED-TAILED HAWK.
Hen Hawk. — A not uncommon winter visitant, and uncommon
summer resident. Lt. Wirt Robinson saw one at Newport,
December 25, 1890, took others on January 21, 31, March 25,
i $9 1. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that " a male was taken at
Phillipsdale, on December 25, 1892, by Mr. Walter Barstow, a
female at Pine Hill, Exeter, November 30, 1893, a male, in
adult plumage, at Scituate on December 2 ?, 1893, and one in
January, 1894." There are numerous other records.
(126) 339. Buteo lineatus (Gmel.). RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK. Hen Hawk. — A common resident throughout the year.
1 Osprey, Vol. I, No. 8, p. in.
58 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(127) 343. Buteo latissimus (Wils.). BROAD-WINGED
HAWK. — An uncommon migrant, and rare summer resident.
Nests have been taken at Gloucester, Johnston, Smithfield, and
Kingston.
(April) to (October).
(128) 34ya. Archibuteo lagopus sancti johannis
(Gmel.) . AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. — A not uncom-
mon migrant and winter visitant. Lt. Wirt Robinson saw one
catch a rat on the beach near Fort Adams at Newport about
October, 1887, he found two on April 12, 1888, shot by a farmer
(Peckham) some weeks before, he saw one on January 16, 1889,
two on February 24 and 27, 1889, three on March 14, one on
March 22 and 26, 1889, one on December 16, 17 and 23, 1890,
and two on January 6, 1891, all of these latter, including the two
found dead, he writes " were seen in the valley that is now a
part of the Newport golf grounds, attracted there by swarms of
meadow mice." Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that "a fine male
was shot at Narragansett Pier, November 24, 1894, now in my
collection, one in December, 1894, at Newport, and five were
sent into Mr. J. M. Southwick's to be mounted in the fall of
(129) 349. Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). GOLDEN EAGLE.
— Mr. J. M. Southwick recorded the capture of one " at West-
erly, by Mr. J. B. Chapman," on February 17, I887.1 A young
male was shot by Mr. Newton Dexter at Sakonnet in October,
1893, 2 and Mr. J. Hague had one alive in captivity for two or
three years which, he stated, was taken in the State." An imma-
ture female was shot at Little Compton on December 13-15,
1898, by a Mr. Grinnell. Mr. F. T. Jencks writes that one was
taken by Mr. Amasa Matheuson at Rockland (date unknown) .
(130) 352. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.). BALD
EAGLE. — An irregular visitant. There was a pair reported to
have remained the summer of 1882, near Pawtucket, and Mr.
1 Southwick's List, p. 6.
2 F. & S., Vol. XXVIII, No. 6, p. 106.
ANNOTATED LIST.
59
J. M. Southwick states that "during the past season (1887)
a pair were located somewhere about the Seekonk River in East
Providence." There are, however, no definite breeding records.
It has been taken at Pawtucket, October 19, 1880, at Charles-
town, December 8, 1894, at Block Island, July 25, 1897 at
Charlestown Beach, November, 1886, at Warwick, 1862, and at
Newport. There are numerous other records.*
(131) 354a. Falco rusticolus gyrfalco (Linn.). GYRFAL-
CON. — One was taken near Providence by Mr. Newton Dexter
in the winter of 1864-5, now in the Museum of Comparative
Zoology collection, Cambridge, Mass., l one at Point Judith, by
Mr. J. S. Hopkins, October n, 1883, now in the New England
collection of the Boston Society of Natural History. 2
(132) 353b. Falco rusticolus obsoletus (Gmel.) . BLACK
GYRFALCON. — A female was taken by Mr. A. O'D. Taylor on
November 22, 1891, on Conanicut Island, now in the Newport
Natural History Society collection,8 and another female was taken
by Mr. Arthur Scudder at Tiverton on December 26, 1896, now
in the collection of Mr. A. C. Bent's of Taunton, Mass.4 There
is also a bird in the Smith collection taken at Newport, October
28, 1896.
(^S) 356- Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.). DUCK
HAWK. — A rare migrant. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that " a
*F. & S., Vol. XIX, No. 4, p. 65.
'Notes Rarer Birds Mass. J. A. Allen, Am. Nat. Vol. Ill, No. 10, p. 513,
as Falco sacer\ Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, His. No. Am. Birds, Vol. Ill, p.
115 ; in Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life, Vol. II, p. in as F. gyrfalco
islandicus, in Samuel's Birds New Eng. and Ad. States, p. 576 as F. sacer;
Allen's, Revised List Birds, Mass. Bull. Am Mus. Nat. His. Vol. I, No. 7,
p. 244. Revised Minot's Land and Game Birds, p. 479.
2 Auk, Vol. i, No. I, p. 94; Ran. Notes, Vol. i, No. i, p. 6; O & O., Vol.
8, No. 12, p. 91. Allen's, Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His.
Vol. I, No. 7, p. 244. Revised Minot's Land and Game Birds, p. 479.
3 Auk, Vol. IX, No. 3, p. 300, 301, Revised Minot's Land and Game Birds,
p. 480.
4 Auk, Vol. XV, No. i, p. 54.
60 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
Mr. Barstow shot one on the Seekonk River in 1881 or '82. The
bird flew at his duck decoys ; and that a young female, now in
his collection, was shot at Newport on October 10, 1894, two
days after a big northeast storm." Two were also taken at
Point Judith,1 and there are a number of other records without
exact data. Mr. Newton Dexter writes "that they are not
uncommon along shore in October." There is a female in the
Smith collection taken on May 8, 1896, at Prudence Island.
(134) 357. Falco columbarius Linn. PIGEON HAWK.
— A common migrant, especially in the fall*
(April 5) to (May), September 3 to October 25.
(135) 360. Falco sparverius (Linn.). AMERICAN SPARROW
HAWK. — An uncommon summer resident. Warwick, 1899.!
(February) to (November) .
(136) 364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.).
AMERICAN OSPREY. Fish Hawk. — A common summer resident
on Narragansett Bay. The birds at Bristol build their nests on
cartwheels placed on poles by the farmers, as well as in trees,2
and two nests, one on a flat steeple of a meeting house (Ports-
mouth, i899)8 and the other on a house chimney (Bristol, 1899)
have been observed.
March 24 to October 21.
(137) 365. Strix pratincola Bonap. AMERICAN BARN
OWL. — Of very rare occurrence. One was captured in Novem-
ber, 1886, by Mr. John Ryder (at Sand Pond) in Norwood,
Warwick.4 Col. J. H. Powel also includes this species in a list
]O. & O., Vol. 8, No. 12, p. 92.
* F. & S., Vol. XXXI, No. 15, p. 285.
t O. & O., Vol. 8, No. 8, p. 24.
2 Auk, Vol. XII, No. 3, p. 300, and No. 4, p. 389.
Amer. Nat., Vol. IV, No. i, p. 57.
Nid., Vol. I, No. 5, p. 72.
3Osprey, Vol. IV, No. i, p. 13.
4 Southwick's List, p. 7.
Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 12, p. 91.
ANNOTATED LIST. 6 1
sent to Mr. Sturtevant of birds taken near Newport. Mr. H. S.
Hathaway writes that Mr. J. Baxter of Pawtucket shot one in
Cumberland, and that a male was taken in December, 1891, now
in the Brown University collection. There was also one taken
by Mr. J. H. Tower at Charlestown on January 23, 1896.
(138) 366. Asio wilsonianus (Less.) . AMERICAN LONG-
EARED OWL. Cat Owl. — An uncommon resident. Mr. J. M.
Southwick includes this species,1 and Mr. H. S. Hathaway has a
bird in his collection taken December 2, 1891. Mr. Sturtevant
has an adult taken at Newport, March 21, 1899, by Mr. R. Pum-
pelly. Lt. Wirt Robinson writes that he shot one on October
2, n, and November 13, 1888, at Newport.
(139) 367. Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). SHORT- EARED OWL.
— An uncommon, but regular migrant. There is a questionable
record of its breeding in late years. Mr. J. M. Southwick calls
them less common than the preceding species, but we believe
this not to be the case.2 Mr. Hathaway writes that they were
very plentiful in October, 1895, eight birds being brought in to
Messrs. Southwick and Critchley to be mounted. Mr. Sturte-
vant has taken a number at Newport on the following dates :
April 15 and August 14, 1896.* October 26 and November 18,
1890.
April, October 26 to December 23. A few undoubtedly winter.
(140) 368. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst.). BARRED OWL.
Hoot Owl. — An uncommon resident, breeding regularly. Mr.
J. M. Southwick calls it "one of our most common species."
" During the winter of 1883 and 1884 they were wonderfully
common and I was cognizant to the capture of more than fifty."*
They are now, however, found in no such numbers.
1 Southwick's List, p. 7.
2 Southwick's List, p. 7.
3 Auk, Vol. XIII, No. 3, p. 257.
4 Southwick's List, p. 7.
62 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(141) 370. Scotiaptex cinereum (Gmel.). GREAT GRAY
OWL. Spectral Owl. — An extremely rare winter visitant. Mr.
Newton Dexter writes that one was taken near Providence in
1870 and brought to Mr. John Hague, Taxidermist. Mr. J. M.
South wick records the capture of one in February 1883 (the
correct date being March 25, 1883) at Fox Island, near Wickford.
Mr. G. M. Gray purchased and mounted the bird and it is now
in Mr. H. S. Hathaway's collection.1 There was also one taken
at Seekonk, Mass., just over the State line, about 1864, now in
the Brown University collection.2
(142) 371. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.).
RICHARDSON'S OWL. Sparrow OwL — A very rare and irregular
winter visitant. One was taken near Providence during the win-
ter of 1880-81, a male was taken probably in Seekonk, Mass.,
December 18, 1882, 8 and one at Scituate during the winter of
1882-83, mounted by Mr. Daniel Seamans.4 There is also a
record of one brought to Mr. Hague, Taxidermist, by a young
lady, taken in an old house in North Providence, January, 1881,
now in Brown University collection.5 A small Owl was captured
by a farmer in a dog kennel on a Bristol farm and was kept in
captivity a week or so. The bird finally died. Mr. Howe vis-
ited the farm a few days after and found the remains, the white
beak and reddish plumage made its identification almost posi-
tive. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that he has one in his collec-
tion that was killed in the northern part of the State several
years ago.
1 Southwick's List, p. 9,
Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. 7, p. 3.
Allen's, Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His. Vol. I, No.
7, P- 245-
2 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, No. 3, p. 183.
3 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 123 and Vol. VIII, No. 2, p.
122.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His., Vol. I, No. 7,
P- 245-
Coues and Stearns's, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 98.
4 Ran. Notes, Vol. II, No. 5, p. 8.
5O. & O., Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 14.
ANNOTATED LIST. 63
(143) 372. Nyctala acadica (Gmel.). SAW-WHET OWL.
Acadian Owl. — A not uncommon winter visitant. Mr. J. M.
Southwick states that between January 8 and 21, 1887, he knew
of the taking of several at Johnston, Seekonk, Mass., and at Arc-
tic.1 They have also been taken in Kingston 2 and Smithfield.
(November) January 8 to 21. (February).
(144) 373. Megascops asio (Linn.). SCREECH OWL.
Cat Owl. — A common resident. The most common of our Owls.
December to (March). f
(145) 375. Bubo virginianus (Gmel.) GREAT HORNED
OWL. — A rare, irregular visitant, and rare summer resident.
Nests have been taken at Albion, Washington County, and else-
where. Mr. J. M. Southwick states that " they are not scarce,"
and that they breed, " proven by three fledglings taken from
the old nest of a Fish Hawk, by Dr. Hall of Warren." 8 Mr. O.
Durfee writes that " young birds have been brought up to Fall
River from Tiverton."
(146) 376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). SNOWY OWL. White
Owl. Arctic Owl. — An uncommon irregular winter visitant.
They have been taken at Point Judith, Little Compton, Ports-
mouth, Tiverton, Bristol, Middletown, Providence,4 Newport4
Barrington, Warwick, and Pawtucket River.
(147) 377a. Surnia ulula caparoch (Mull.). AMERICAN
HAWK OWL. — The only record is of one taken by Mr. W. A.
Aldrich (exact locality not known.)
(148) 387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). YELLOW-BILLED
CUCKOO. — A common summer resident, varying very perceptibly
in numbers in different seasons.
1 Southwick's List, p. 7.
2 Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. I, p. 4.
3 Southwick's List, p. 8.
Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. 7, p. 3.
4 O. & O., Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 24, and Vol. 10, No. 3, p. 48.
64 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
May 9 to September 25. One record for October 23.
(149) 388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.). BLACK-
BILLED CUCKOO. — A not uncommon summer resident.
May ii to (September 25).
(150) 390. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). BELTED KINGFISHER.
Kingfisher. — A common summer resident, and not uncommon in
winter about open water.
April 2 to October 20.
(151) 393- Dryobates villosus (Linn.). HAIRY WOOD-
PECKER. — An uncommon winter visitant, and rare summer resi-
dent. Nests have been taken at Chepachet, Cranston, and else-
where.
September 28 to (March). Rarely in summer.
(152) 3940. Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains.).
DOWNY WOODPECKER. — A common resident, more abundant
during the winter months.
(153) 402. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.). YELLOW-BEL-
LIED SAPSUCKER. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. — A not uncom-
mon migrant.
March 23, April, October.
(154) 406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.). RED-
HEADED WOODPECKER. — An irregular, but sometimes not uncom-
mon migrant in the fall. It has been known to breed. Speci-
mens have been taken at Prudence Island, Conanicut Island,1
Newport, Warren, Providence, Point Judith, Oakland Beach,
Warwick, where on July 28, 1882, a nest with young was found in
a small oak.2
(155) 409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.). RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER. — There are two birds, taken near Providence,
1 Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 189.
2F. &S., Vol. XIX, No. 4, p. 65.
ANNOTATED LIST. 65
in the New England collection of the Boston Society of Natural
History.
(156) 4i2a. Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs. NORTHERN
FLICKER. Flicker. Yellow-hammer. Pigeon Woodpecker. Gold-
en-winged Woodpecker. High Hole. Wake-up. Harry Wicket.
Yellow Jay. — An abundant resident. This species in this State
does damage to buildings by making its holes under eaves and
porches, and by pecking blinds etc., during the winter months.*
March 18 to November 14, common in winter.
(157) 417. Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.). WHIP-POOR-
WILL. — A common summer resident. This species is almost
entirely absent on many of the islands in Narragansett Bay and
on Bristol promontory.
April 25 to (October).
(158) 420. Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.). NIGHTHAWK.
Bull Bat. — A rare migrant, (except in the northern and western
portions of the State, where it is not uncommon) , and summer
resident. Dr. Rives also states that this species breeds.1 Mr.
O. Durfee writes that " until recently, if not at present it bred
commonly on the islands of Rhode Island and Prudence." Mr.
F. E. Newbury reports it breeds at Portsmouth and Mr. J. M.
Southwick at Providence.
April 7 (May) September, October.
(159) 423. Chaetura pelagica (Linn.). CHIMNEY SWIFT.
Chimney Swallow. — A common summer resident.*
April 26 to September 17.
(160) 428. Trochilus colubris Linn. RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD. — A common summer resident.
May 6 to September 23.
* Nid. Vol. II, No. 12, p. 170.
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 36.
*F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
66 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(161) 444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). KINGBIRD. —
An abundant summer resident.
May i to September 28.
(162) 452. Myiarchus crinitus (Linn.). CRESTED FLY-
CATCHER. Great Crested Flycatcher. — An uncommon summer
resident. Formerly it nested regularly at Bristol, but of late
years has become rare. In the northern portions of the State
it seems however to have increased.
May 2 to (August).
(163) 456. Sayornis phcebe (Lath.). PHCEBE. Bridge
Pewee. — A common summer resident of the northern and west-
ern portions of the State, but uncommon in southeastern por-
tions.
March 28 to October 17.
(164) 459. Contopus borealis (Swains.). OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHER. — Mr. Eric Green took one on May 14, 1893
(exact locality not known). It is now in the Smith collection.
Mr. F. T. Jencks reports having seen two in the spring of 1895.
(165) 461. Contopus virens (Linn.). WOOD PEWEE. — A
common summer resident.
May 12 to September 24.
(166) 463. Empidonax flaviventris Baird. YELLOW-
BELLIED FLYCATCHER. — An uncommon migrant. Mr. H. S.
Hathaway writes "that Mr. C. H. Lawton took a pair on July
27?, 1885, m tne extreme northeast end of the island of Rhode
Island, and that another one was taken on August 7, 1887,
and that Mr. George Gray informed him that he shot one at
Centerdale."
(167) 467. Empidonax minimus Baird. LEAST FLY-
CATCHER. — A common summer resident, especially in all the
towns and villages.
April 22 to (November).
ANNOTATED LIST. 67
(168) 474. Otocoris alpestris (Linn.). HORNED LARK.
Shore Lark. — A common migrant and winter resident.*
September 25 to April 15.
(169) 4740. Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh. PRAI-
RIE HORNED LARK. — There is one bird in the Smith collection
taken at Pawtuxet, November 25, 1889, by Mr. J. W. Staintor.
(170) 477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). BLUE JAY. — An
abundant resident throughout the wooded portions of1 the State.
(171) 488. Corvus americanus Aud. AMERICAN CROW.
Crow. — An abundant resident. During the fall and winter
months there is an interesting daily migration at sunrise and
sunset to and from their roosts. (See Migration.)
(172) 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). BOBOLINK.
Reed Bird. — An abundant summer resident. f
Ma'y 10 to September 25.
(X73) 495- Molothrus ater (Bodd.). COWBIRD. Lazy-bird.
Cow Blackbird. Cow Bunting. — An abundant summer resident.
One winter record of a pair taken January 19, 1887. 1
March 14 to November 3.
(174) 498. Agelaius phoeniceus (Linn.). RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD. Red-winger. Quonk-a-ree. Red and Buff Should-
ered Blackbird. — An abundant summer resident. There is a
young male taken at Cranston, on December 15, 1894, now in
the Smith collection. :{:
March 7 to October 13. One record for early arrival, Febru-
ary 10 to 13.
* F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 225.
t F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
1 South wick's List, p. 10.
J Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 27.
F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 165.
68 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(175) 501. Sturnella magna (Linn.). MEADOWLARK.
Marsh Quail. — An abundant resident. This species winters in
large numbers, flocks of over one hundred birds often inhabiting
a salt marsh, which they prefer to meadows in winter, on
account of their remaining open. They sleep at night in the
long salt grass huddled together, and when disturbed rise in a
body and fly wildly about.
(176) 506. Icterus spurius (Linn.). ORCHARD ORIOLE.
— A rare summer resident, perhaps increasing in numbers.
Nests have been found at Warwick Neck, Barrington, Newport
and elsewhere. They were undoubtedly more common in past
years, they certainly were so at Bristol. Mr. J. S. Rowland
records their arrival at Newport from May 14 to 19, in 1876, as
if they were somewhat regular and common in their occurrence.1
May 14 to (July).
(177) 507. Icterus galbula (Linn.). BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Firebird. — A common summer resident.1*
May 4 to August 28.
(178) 509. Scolecophagus carolinus (Miill.). RUSTY
GRACKLE. — A not uncommon migrant, though perhaps less so
than in Massachusetts.
March 13 to June 5. (September) to October 23.
(179) 511. Quiscalus quiscula (Linn.) . PURPLE GRACKLE.
Crow Blackbird. — A common summer resident in the southern
portions of the State. A series of specimens taken at Middle-
town, Newport and Bristol were typical quiscula with but few
intermediates between the two races. Specimens from Provi-
dence, beside a few intermediates, and one from North Smithfield
were typical ceneus. This State therefore seems to be on the
border line between the two races.f
JF. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p, 266.
* F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
t F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 165.
Nid., Vol. II, No. 12, p. 170.
ANNOTATED LIST. 69
March 6 to September 21 (November).
(180) 5 nb. Quiscalus quiscula seneus (Ridgw.).
BRONZED GRACKLE. — A common summer resident in the north-
ern portions of the State. (See preceding species) .
March 5 to November i.
(181) 515. Pinicola enucleator canadensis (Cab.)
CANADIAN PINE GROSBEAK. Pine Grosbeak. — A rare and irreg-
ular winter visitant. Mr. Newton Dexter writes that it was very
abundant in winter of 1853. Dr. Rives states that this species
visited Rhode Island during the winter of 1863-4, as it did all New
England. Only a few full plumaged males were seen, most of the
birds being females and young.1 Mr. F. T. Jencks writes that
" during the winter of 1872-3 and again ten years later they were
quite plentiful." During the winter of 1892-3, the year of the
remarkable flight, they visited the State in large numbers.2 Mr.
H. S. Hathaway writes " that a few flocks were seen at Smithfield
during the week of February 2-8. 1896, a large portion of them
being in the red plumage." Mr. O. Durfee says "that these
birds Barely leave the pine timber of Taunton to come down the
river."*
(182) 517. Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.) . PURPLE
FINCH. Red Linnet. — A common summer resident, and fre-
quently seen during the winter months.
April 14 to October. Winter.
(183) Passer domesticus (Linn.). HOUSE SPARROW.
English Sparrow. — An abundant resident. Not only is it an
inhabitant of the towns and villages, but also of the farms. It
even builds its nest under the Osprey's, among the larger sticks
of the foundation. f
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 32.
2 Auk, Vol. XII, No. 3, p. 254.
* F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 5, p. 83.
Southwick's List, p. 9.
t Am. Nat., Vol. VIII, No. n, p. 692. '
7o
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(184) 521. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). AMERI
CAN CROSSBILL. Red Crossbill. — A common, but irregular visi-
tant, generally in winter and spring.*
January, February, March, April, May, and December.
(185) 522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. WHITE-WINGED
CROSSBILL. — An extremely rare and irregular visitant in winter.
Southwick includes it in his List,1 and Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes
that it is rare. Mr. F. T. Jencks took a pair just east of the
Rhode Island line in Seekonk, Mass., in the winter of 1874 or
1875-
(186) 528. Acanthis linaria (Linn.). REDPOLL. — An
irregular winter visitant, during some seasons common. Mr. F.
T. Jencks writes that flocks of hundreds were seen in the winter
of 1874-75. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes " that he saw a flock of
over one hundred, March 25, 1880." Lt. Wirt Robinson took
two at Newport on March 14, 1888. Mr. F. E. Newbury saw
a small flock near Greenville on March 7, 1897. Undoubtedly
the Greater Redpoll (A. linaria rostratd) also occurs.
• (October) to (April).
(187) 529. Astragalinus tristis (Linn.). AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH. — Summer Yellowbird. Yelloivbird. Thistlebird. —
An abundant summer, and common winter resident.
(188) 533. Spinus pinus (Wils.). PINE SISKIN. Gray
Linnet. — An irregular winter visitant, often common. f
October to April 17.
(189) 534. Passerina nivalis (Linn.). SNOWFLAKE. Snow
Bunting. — A common winter resident, abundant on migrations.
They appear and leave inland, with heavy snows.!
November 25 to March 29.
* Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. 6, p. 6.
1 Southwick 's List, p. 10.
f F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 5, p. 83.
Coues and Stearns's, "New Eng. Bird Life," Vol. I, p. 229.
£ F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 225.
ANNOTATED LIST. 7 I
(190) 536. Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.). LAPLAND LONG-
SPUR. — A probably not uncommon migrant, of which we have,
however, but a few records. It has been reported by Mr. C. H.
Lawton from Newport, and Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes that he
bought an adult bird shot at Warwick, on January 6, 1891. A
male was also taken at Gaspee Point, February 16, 1899, now in
the Smith collection.
(191) 540. Pocecetes gramineus (Gmel.) . VESPER SPAR-
ROW. Grass Finch. — A common summer resident. During the
summer of 1899, however, very rare on account of the blizzard
in the South in February.
March 19 to October 17.
(192) 541. Ammodramus princeps (Mayn.). IPSWICH
SPARROW. — A common migrant, and not uncommon winter resi-
dent l on the sand dunes along the coast.*
(October 20) November 6 to April n.
(193) 542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna
( Wils.) . SAVANNA SPARROW. — An abundant migrant, and not
uncommon summer resident, especially near salt water.f
April 4 to October 20.
(194) 546. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus
(Wils.). GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. Yellow-winged Sparrow. —
A not uncommon summer resident, though somewhat local in
its distribution.
May 8 to October 8.
(195) 547. Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.). HENSLOW'S
SPARROW. — Mr. F. T. Jencks took a male the last of April,
1874, in Cranston. Lt. Wirt Robinson's record, he writes,
1 Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 89.
* Ran. Notes, Vol. II, No. 3, p. 17.
t F. & S., Vol. XV, No. 17, p. 266.
72 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
should be expunged, he having made a mistake in identification
at the time.1
(196) 549. Ammodramus caudacutus (Gmel.). SHARP-
TAILED SPARROW. — A common summer resident in all the salt
marshes.*
(May) to October 2.
(197) 549b. Ammodramus caudacutus subvirgatus
Dwight. ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. — Undoubtedly
not an uncommon migrant with A. nelsoni, but we have only one
record of a bird taken at Point Judith on the very early date
of April 27, i887.2
April 27 (September, October).
(198) 550. Ammodramus maritimus (Wils.). SEASIDE
SPARROW. — A not uncommon summer resident at Point Judith
marshes. It also has been taken in the Middletown marshes,
in spring and summer.8 1
(199) 554. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.). WHITE-
CROWNED SPARROW. — An uncommon migrant. Mr. F. T. Jencks
shot one at Drownville in the spring of 1891 and also took one
in the fall, and has seen others. Lt. Robinson shot one at New-
port, October 9, 1888, and on October n, 1889, and also saw
several on October 12, 1889. One was taken by Mr. Erik Green
in Cat Swamp, Providence, on July 9, now in the Smith collection.
(May), October 12.
(200) 558. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.). WHITE-
THROATED SPARROW. — A common migrant. It has wintered at
Drownville. \
-1 Auk, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 194 and Vol. XVI, No. 4, p. 356.
* Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 229.
2 Auk, Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 136.
3 Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 229 and No. 2, p. 322.
t Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 229.
% F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 225.
ANNOTATED LIST. 73
March 29 to April 28 (May 10), (October i) to November i.
(201) 559. Spizella monticola (Gmel.). TREE SPARROW.
— An abundant winter resident.
November 14 to April n.
(202) 560. Spizella socialis (Wils.). CHIPPING SPARROW.
Chippy. — An abundant summer resident.
April (4?) 20 to October 17.
(203) 563. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) . FIELD SPARROW.
Ground Sparrow. — A common summer resident. Mr. Eli W.
Blake took one at East Providence in January, 1886, and Mr.
James Bilson found one dead in Roger Williams Park, Providence,
on February 6, now in the Smith collection.
March 5, April to October 23. January. February.
(204) 567. Junco hyemalis (Linn.). SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.
Junco. Snowbird. — A common winter resident.
October 2 to April 4, May 19.
(205)581. Melopiza fasciata (Gmel.). SONG SPARROW. —
An abundant summer resident, and not uncommon winter resi-
dent*
March i to November 14. Winter.
(206) 583. Melopiza lincolni (Aud.). LINCOLN'S SPAR-
ROW. Lincoln's Finch. — An uncommon migrant. Mr. F. B.
Webster took one in 1880 on Bucklin's Island, Pawtucket
River, now in the Smith collection, and Mr. Howard Mason took
one at Cranston in the fall of 1897. Mr. Hathaway took a male
on September 28, 1898, in Warwick.1
(May), September.
(207) 584. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.). SWAMP SPAR-
* Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 27.
F. & S., Vol. VI, No. 17, p. 266.
^sprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. no.
74
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
ROW. — A common summer resident, somewhat locally distributed.
Very abundant during fall migration.
April 4 to November 14.
(208) 585. Passerella iliaca (Merr.). Fox SPARROW. —
A common migrant. Mr. H. S. Hathaway writes " that one was
killed at Johnston May 21, 1891," a late date. A bird wintered in
Cranston in 1899, near Mr. Hathaway's house.1
March 19 to April 20, October 13 to November 14.
(209) 587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.). TOWHEE.
Chewink. — A common summer resident. Mr. W. W. Bull shot
a female at Newport on January 14, 1896.
April 19 to October 13.
(210) 595. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.). ROSE-
BREASTED GROSBEAK. — A common summer resident in the north-
ern portions of the State, but rare in the southeastern portions.
May 5 to October 2.
(211) 598. Cyanospiza cyanea (Linn.). INDIGO BUNT-
ING. Indigobird. — A common summer resident, like the fore-
going species, of the northern and western portions of the State,
absent or rare in the southeastern portions.
(May 10) to (September 25).
(212) 601. Cyanospiza ciris (Linn.). PAINTED BUNTING.
— Nonpareil. An accidental visitant, or escaped cage bird. Mr.
Daniel Seamans took one at Scituate in the summer of 1882. 2
(213) 604. Spiza americana (Gmel.). DICKCISSEL. Black-
throated Bunting. — Lt. Wirt Robinson shot a young bird at
Newport, September 25, 1888. The bird, he writes, he shot by
mistake, when he was after some Bobolinks, in a cornfield on
1 Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. in.
2 Ran Notes, Vol. II, No. 5, p. 8.
ANNOTATED LIST.
75
Peckham's place. It was perched on a corn tassel. Dr. W. C.
Rives now has the skin. This is the only record for this species.1
(214) 608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill. SCARLET TAN-
AGER. — A common summer resident of all but the southeastern
portions of the State, where it is uncommon. A male, in full
spring plumage, was taken at Apponaug on April 4, 1891?
May 4 to October 9.
(215) 610. Piranga rubra (Linn.). SUMMER TANAGER.
Mr. Newton Dexter reports two seen in Providence, and one was
taken on the Ten Mile River by Mr. C. M. Carpenter,8 now in
the Smith collection.
(216) 611. Progne subis (Linn.). PURPLE MARTIN. —
An uncommon summer resident, and common migrant. Formerly
much more abundant.*
April 25 to September 16.
(217) 612. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). CLIFF SWAL-
LOW. Eave Swallow. — An uncommon summer resident, becom-
ing rarer each year.
(May) to August 28.
(218) 613. Hirundo erythrogastra (Bodd.). BARN
SWALLOW. — An abundant summer resident. Mr. T. M. Brewer
in an article entitled " Sea-side Ornithology" published in 1870,
writes " yet we can remember when the rocks of Newport and
Nahant were their primitive breeding ground."4 At the present
1 Auk, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 194.
NOTE: There was a South American Finch (Gtibernatrix cristatella] taken
near Providence by Rev. C. H. Baggs on July 7, 1880. Bull. Nut. Orn. Club,
Vol. V, No. 4, p. 240. Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life, Part I, p. 29.
2 O. & O., Vol. 16, No. 5, p. 78.
3 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. II, No. i, p. 21.
Birds of Conn. Merriam, Trans. Conn. Acad. Vol. IV, p. 21.
Coues and Stearns's, New Eng. Bird Life, Part I, p. 180.
* F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
4 Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 228.
76 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
day this species still nests where it has for years in the chasm
called " Purgatory " at the westerly end of the Second Beach,
Middletown (see Frontispiece) ; building their nests in the little
inaccessible crevices of the vertical walls, where they usually
select a spot that is protected from rain by a projecting bit of
rock. No Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon lunifrons) breed in this
chasm, a place apparently more suited to them, than to the Barn
Swallows.
April 10 to September 17.
(219) 614. Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.). TREE SWAL-
LOW. White-breasted Swallow. — A common summer resident,
and abundant migrant. One winter record.1 *
March 12, March 28 to October 17.
(220) 616. Clivicola riparia (Linn.). BANK SWALLOW.
— A common local summer resident (see Illustration). Colonies
at Sachuest Point, Conanicut Island and elsewhere.
April 30 to August 29.
(221) 619. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.). CEDAR WAX-
WING. Cedarbird. — A common summer resident. Occasionally
seen during the winter months.
February i to September 27. January.
(222) 621. Lanius borealis Vieill. NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Butcherbird. — A not uncommon winter visitant, but varying in
numbers in different seasons.
(November i) to March 23.
(223) 62 2a. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.).
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. — A rare autumn and winter visitant.
Mr. F. T. Jencks took a bird in Cranston on September 2, 1873, 2
1 F. & S., Vol. XVII, No. 9, p. 203.
* F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266 and Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 165.
2 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. II, No. i, p. 21
Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life. Part I, p. 212.
ANNOTATED LIST.
77
and Mr. LeRoy King shot one at Newport on August 29, 1898,
which is now in his collection.1
(224) 624. Vireo olivaceus (Linn.). RED-EYED VIREO. —
An abundant summer resident.
April 29 to September 24.
(225) 626. Vireo philadelphicus(Cass.). — PHILADELPHIA
VIREO. — A very rare migrant. One was shot by Mr. Kristian
Hansen at Drownville on May 31, 1891, recorded by Mr. F. T.
Jencks, it is now in the Smith collection.2
(226) 627. Vireo gilvus (Vieill.). WARBLING VIREO. A
common summer resident, especially in cities and villages.*
May 5 to (September 25.)
(227) 628. Vireo flavifrons Vieill. YELLOW-THROATED
VIREO. — A not uncommon summer resident.
May i to (September).
(228) 629. Vireo solitarius (Wils.). BLUE-HEADED
VIREO. Solitary Vireo. — An uncommon summer resident,
.(Washington) , and common migrant.
April 23 to October 22.
(229) 631. Vireo noveboracensis (Gmel.). WHITE-
EYED VIREO. — A rather common summer resident, though some-
what local.t
May 7 to September 18.
(230) 636. Mniotilta varia (Linn.). BLACK AND WHITE
WARBLER. Black and White Creeper. Black and White Creep-
ing Warbler. — A common summer resident.
April 15 to September 24.
1 Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 190.
2 Collector's Monthly, Conn. Vol. 2, No. 12, p. 72.
*F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
fO. & O., Vol. 9, No. 5, p. 58.
78 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(231) 637. Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.). PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER. Golden Swamp Warbler. — A male was shot on
April 20 or 21, 1884, at South Kingston by Mr. Herbert Hol-
land, and recorded by Mr. R. G. Hazard 2nd,1 and Mr. H. S.
Hathaway writes that Mr. William Deardon shot one at Lons-
dale, April 29, 1892, now in the Smith collection, and a male in
the same locality on April 19, 1893.
(232) 641. Helminthophila pinus (Linn.). BLUE-WINGED
WARBLER. — A very rare or accidental summer resident. A nest
was taken at Gloucester by Mr. C. E. Doe, on May 30, 1890, on
the authority of Mr. F. E. Newbury.
(233) 642. Helminthophila chrysoptera (Linn.).
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. — A very rare summer resident. Mr.
F. T. Jencks saw one in Providence in May, 1880.
May to (August 25).
(234) 645. Helminthophila rubricapilla (Wils.). NASH-
VILLE WARBLER. — An uncommon summer resident, but not
uncommon migrant.
May 4 to (October) .
(235) 646. Helminthophila celata (Say.). ORANGE-
CROWNED WARBLER. A very rare migrant. One was shot by
Mr. F. T. Jencks at Cranston, December 3, i874.2 A male was
taken in East Providence on May 9, 1891.
(236) 647. Helminthophila peregrina (Wils.). TENNES-
SEE WARBLER. — A rare migrant. A male was taken at Centre-
dale by Mr. Walter Angell on September 18, i886,8 now in the
1 Auk, Vol. I, No. 3, p. 290.
Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. 6, p. 3, and Vol. II, No. 5, p. 8.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His. Vol. I, p. 255.
2 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. II, No. i, p. 121.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His. Vol. I, p. 256.
Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life. Part I, p. 119.
3 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 10, p. 79.
ANNOTATED LIST. 79
Smith collection,1 and Mr. H. S. Hathaway took a male at War-
wick on May 18, 1898. l
May 1 8 to September 18.
(237) 648. Compsothlypis americana usneae Brewster.
NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. — A common migrant, and local
summer resident, breeding in the southern portions of the State.
Kingston, Tiverton, Mount Hope, and elsewhere.
April 30 to October i.
(238) 650. Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.). CAPE MAY
WARBLER. — A rare migrant. Mr. F. T. Jencks shot one in
Cranston about 1879. A. male was shot at Lonsdale, May 14,
1890, which is now in the Brown University collection. Another
male was also taken in Lonsdale between May 20 and 25, 1890,
now in Mr. H. S. Hathaway's collection. There is also one in
the Smith collection.
May 13 to (25) (August 25 to September 15).
(239)652. Dendroica aestiva (Gmel.). YELLOW WARBLER.
Summer Yellowbird. Wild Canary. Cotton Wren. A common
summer resident.
April 17, May i to (September 30).
(240) 654. Dendroica caerulescens (Gmel.). BLACK-
THROATED BLUE WARBLER. — A not uncommon migrant.
May 14 to 22 (September 25) to October 17.
(241) 655. Dendroica coronata (Linn.). MYRTLE WAR-
BLER. Yellow-rump ed Warbler. Golden-crowned Warbler. — A
common winter resident, and abundant migrant.
September 24 to April 20.
(242) 657. Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.). MAGNOLIA
WARBLER. — A not uncommon migrant.
May 14 to (25) (September 14) to October 8.
1 Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7. p. no.
80 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(243) 658. Dendroica rara Wils. CERULEAN WARBLER. —
A very rare, or accidental migrant. One was reported by Mr.
Ruthven Deane, a male, taken by Mr. C. M. Carpenter near
Cumberland Hill, May 22, iSyS.1 A male was taken by Mr.
William Deardon on May 14, 1893, at Lonsdale.
(244) 659. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn.) . CHESTNUT-
SIDED WARBLER. — A common summer resident.
May i to (September 15).
(245) 660. Dendroica castanea (Wils.). BAY-BREASTED
WARBLER. - — An uncommon migrant.
May 9 to (20). (September 15 to 30).
(246) 66 1. Dendroica striata (I^orst.). BLACK-POLL
WARBLER. — A common migrant in the spring ; very abundant in
fall.
May 10 to 31, September 23 to October 23.
(247) 662. Dendroica blackburniae (Gmel.). BLACK-
BURNIAN WARBLER. — An uncommon migrant.
May 14 to (20) (September 17 to October).
(248) 667. Dendroica virens (Gmel.). BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLER. — A common summer resident.
April 25 to October 13.
(249) 671. Dendroica vigorsii (Aud.). PINE WARBLER.
Pine-creeping Warbler. — A common summer resident wherever
there is pitch pine growth. Lt. Wirt Robinson reports one at
Newport on November 15, 1890.
April 9 to October 29.
(250) 672. Dendroica palmarum (Gmel.). PALM WAR-
BLER.— A rare fall migrant. Mr. H. S. Hathaway took one at
Brightman's Pond, Westerly, September 21, 1896, now in the
Smith collection.
1 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. IV, No. 3, p. 185.
Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life. Part I, p. 130.
ANNOTATED LIST. 8 1
(251) 6;2a. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea Ridgw.
YELLOW PALM WARBLER. — A common spring, but uncommon fall
migrant.
April 5 to 22 (October i to 15).
(252) 673. Dendroica discolor (Vieill.) PRAIRIE WAR-
BLER. — A common, local summer resident, nesting in bay bushes.
May 4 to (September 20).
(253) 674. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.). OVEN-BIRD. —
An abundant summer resident.
May 2 to September 28.
(254) 675. Seiurus noveboracensis (Gmel.). WATER-
THRUSH. — A not uncommon migrant.
May 9 to (20), (August 15 to October 15).
(255; 676. Seiurus motacilla (Vieill.) LOUISIANA WATER-
THRUSH. Large-billed Water-Thrush. — A rare summer resident.
Mr. F. T. Jencks writes " probably generally distributed in the
wilder portions of the southwestern section of the State." Mr.
Ruthven Deane reports that Mr. F. T. Jencks took a pair on
May n, 1877, at Johnston; on May 2, 1879, m West Greenwich he
took two males. About the middle of the same month he found
a pair at the same locality, and another pair at a point some
four miles distant. He also secured one at Point Judith.1 A
female was also taken in West Greenwich on May 17, 1887.
(256) 677. Geothlypis Formosa (Wils.). KENTUCKY
WARBLER. — Lt. Wirt Robinson writes that he observed a bird
near Fort Adams, Newport, in the spring of 1890. Although he
was unable to secure the bird, he is practically sure of its identity.
(257) 678. Geothlypis agilis (Wils.). CONNECTICUT
1 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 2, p. 116.
O. & O., Vol. 7, No. 15, p. 114.
Allen's Revised List Birds of Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His. Vol. I,
p. 258.
Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life. Part I, p. 159.
82 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
WARBLER. — An uncommon autumn migrant. Mr. H. S. Hatha-
way writes that a young male was shot in Warwick on November
12, 1898*
September 24 to October 2.
(258) 679. Geothlypis Philadelphia (Wils.). MOURNING
WARBLER. — A rare migrant. Has been taken at Warwick,
Cranston, Pawtuxet, and elsewhere.1 There is one in the Smith
collection.
May 21 to June 5 (September 12 to 30).
(259) 681. Geothlypis trichas (Linn.) . MARYLAND YEL-
LOW-THROAT. — An abundant summer resident.
April 22 to October 17. Possibly winters.
(260) 683. Icteria virens (Linn.). YELLOW-BREASTED
CHAT. — A locally common summer resident in the southern
portions of the State. It has shown a perceptible increase in
numbers during the past twenty years.
May 3 to .
(261) 684. Wilsonia mitrata (Gmel.). HOODED WAR-
BLER.— A female, taken at Kingston, is in the New England
collection of the Boston Society of Natural History.
(262) 685. Wilsonia pusilla (Wils.). WILSON'S WAR-
BLER.— An uncommon migrant. There is a record for Novem-
ber 30, 1882, by Mr. C. M. Carpenter at French Camp. Mr. F. P.
Drowne, took one in North Providence, May 15, 1897, now in
the Smith collection.
May 15 to 22 (September i to 25).
(263) 686. Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.). CANADIAN
WARBLER. — An uncommon migrant, and summer resident. Mr.
*Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. n, p. 7.
1 Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. no
ANNOTATED LIST. 83
J. H. Sage reports them breeding near Noyes ' Beach, and Mr.
F. T. Jencks in June at Johnston.*
May (16) to 20 (September 5 to 25).
(264) 687. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.) . AMERICAN RED-
START. — A common summer resident.
May i to (October 5).
(265) 697. Anthus pensilvanicus (Lath.). AMERICAN
PIPIT. — A common migrant.f
September 25 to October 16, March 29 to (May 15).
(267) 703. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.). MOCKINGBIRD.
— A very rare summer resident. Mr. N. W. Thatcher took a
bird in East Providence in 1877. Mr. Harry G. White reported
one singing at Newport on November 2, 1888. l Mr. F. T.
Jencks observed one at Drownville, October 18, i89i,2 and he
has since seen two others there. Lt. Wirt Robinson writes that
he saw one at Newport on November 5 and 12, 1889. There
was a pair in Roger Williams Park, Providence, in the autumn
of 1897. How many of the Mockingbirds recorded are escaped
cage birds it is impossible to state, the species no doubt occurs,
however, in its wild state. $
(March) to November 2.
(267) 704. Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.). CATBIRD.
— An abundant summer resident. There is one very early
record, March 19, 1897, at Bristol. The bird may have wintered.§
April 24 to October 2.
(268) 705. Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.). BROWN
THRASHER. Brown Thrush. — A common summer resident.
* Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. no.
fF. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12, p. 225.
1 O. & O., Vol. 13, No. 12, p. 192.
2 Collector's Monthly, Conn. Vol. 2, No. 12, p. 73.
% Coues and Stearns's, New Eng. Bird Life, Part I, p. 62.
§ F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
84 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
There is a record for January 30, 1886, at Johnston, and a doubt-
ful one for February, 1882, at Pawtucket.1*
April 14 2 to September 29 (October 20). January.
(269) 718. Thryothorus ludovicianus (Lath.). CAROLINA
WREN. — A very rare summer resident. A male was taken by
Mr. G. M. Gray on August 14, 1880, at Bristol.8 There is also
an interesting record for this species at Peacedale, summer and
autumn of i898.4 Mr. F. T. Jencks reports having seen one
near his house in Barrington for three successive summers.
Last year they were not noted but a male arrived on April 9,
1899. They have occurred usually up to October, and have
probably bred. Mr. Sturtevant took a male, and three young
just able to fly on May n, 1899, at Middletown ; the young on
account of their age could not have been far from their nest.
This is the first actual breeding record for New England.6
April 9 to November 28.
(270) 721. Troglodytes aedon Vieill. HOUSE WREN. —
Formerly a common summer resident, but now only locally com-
mon.
April 26 to (September 25).
(271) 722. Anorthura hiemalis Vieill. WINTER WREN. —
A not uncommon fall migrant, and rare winter resident. Mr.
H. S. Hathaway and Mr. F. ,T. Jencks record the wintering of this
species near their homes in Cranston and Drownville, winter of
1898-9.°
(September 25) to November 14 (April 5) to (May).
1 O. & O., Vol. II, No. 6, p. 84.
* F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266.
2 Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 5, p. 37.
3 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 4, p. 237.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. His. Vol. i, p. 260.
4 Auk, Vol. XVI, No. i, p. 83 and 5 No. 3, p. 284.
6Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. in.
ANNOTATED LIST. 85
(272) 724. Cistothorus stellaris ( Licht.). SHORT-BILLED
MARSH WREN. — A rare summer resident. Mr. B. LaFarge
found it nesting at Newport.1
(May 15) to (October i).
(273) 725- Cistothorus palustris (Wils.). LONG-BILLED
MARSH WREN. — An abundant local summer resident. It is
found in the Newport, Middletown and Point Judith marshes.
They can be heard singing all night throughout the summer.
May (15) 30 to October 6, a few possibly winter.
(274) 726. Certhia familiaris fusca (Barton). BROWN
CREEPER. — A common migrant, and winter resident.
September 2 to April 26.
(275) 727. Sitta carolinensis Lath. WTHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH. — A not uncommon migrant, and winter resident,
breeding locally.
September 14 to April 22, a few in summer.
(276) 728. Sitta canadensis Linn. RED-BREASTED NUT-
HATCH. — A not uncommon spring, and fall migrant, and winter
resident.
September 9 to October 3 (November 25).
(277) 735- Parus atricapillus (Linn.). CHICKADEE. Black-
capped Titmouse. — An abundant resident, observed more often,
however, during the winter months.
(278) 740. Parus hudsonicus Forst. HUDSONIAN CHICK-
ADEE. — A casual winter visitant. A bird was taken at Smith-
field on November i, 1880, by Mr. Thomas Adcock, and recorded
by Mr. F. T. Jencks.2
1 Dr. Rives' List, p. 35.
2 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No.— p. 54.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. I,
p. 261.
86 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(279) 748. Regulus satrapa Licht. GOLDEN-CROWNED
KINGLET. Golden-crested Wren. — A common migrant, and win-
ter resident.
October 12 to April 2.
(280) 749. Regulus calendula (Linn.). RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET. — A common migrant.
April (10) 25 to May 6 (October 10 to November 5).
(281) 751. Poliotila caerulea (Linn.). BLUE-GRAY GNAT-
CATCHER. — A casual visitant. Mr. H. A. Purdie reported three
or four seen by Mr. F. T. Jencks in Providence, May 23, 1875. *
A male was shot by a Mr. E. I. Shores, at Silver Spring, June 24,
1875. -^r- C. M. Carpenter has shot one or more in the State.
(282) 755. Hylocichla mustelinus Gmel. WOOD THRUSH.
— A common summer resident in the wooded portions of the
State.
May 4 to (September 15).
(283) 756. Hylocichla fuscescens Steph. WILSON'S
THRUSH. Veery. — An abundant summer resident.
April 29 to (September 8).
(284) 756a. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola (Ridgw.).
WILLOW THRUSH. — A bird was taken on September 25, 1885,
by Mr. R. L. Agassiz at Newport, and a male at Bristol, on
September 24, 1899, by Mr. Howe.
(285) 757. Hylocichla alicise Baird. GRAY-CHEEKED
THRUSH. Alice's Thrush. — A not uncommon migrant. There
is one in the Smith collection, taken at Johnston on September 23,
1889.
1 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. 2, No. i,p. 21.
Birds of Conn. Merriam. Trans. Conn. Acad. Vol. IV, p. 9.
Allen's Revised List Birds Mass., Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. I, p.
261.
Coues and Stearns's New Eng. Bird Life, Part I, p. 80, 81.
Allen's List Birds Mass. : with Anno. Bull. Essex Inst. Vol. X, p. 3.
ANNOTATED LIST. 87
(286) 75;a. Hylocichla aliciae bicknelli (Ridgw.) . BICK-
NELL'S THRUSH. — .A not uncommon migrant. Mr. H. S. Hatha-
way took a young male on October 9, 1898, at Warwick,1 now in
the Smith collection.
(May 10 to 20), (September 28) to October 9.
(287) 7$8a. Hylocichla ustulatus swainsonii (Cab.).
OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. — A not uncommon migrant.
May 8 to (June), (September 10) to October 2.
(288) 759b. Hylocichla aonalaschkae pallasii (Cab.).
HERMIT THRUSH. — A common migrant. Mr. H. S. Hathaway
records one in winter from Escoheag.2
April 19 to (May 5) (October 5) to October 20 (November
20), winter.
(289) 761. Merula migratoria (Linn.). AMERICAN ROBIN.
Migratory Thrush. — An abundant summer, and winter resident.*
March 13 to November n. Winter.
(290) 766. Sialia sialis (Linn.). BLUEBIRD. — A common
summer resident. Stray birds, and small flocks are occasionally
seen during the winter.t
March 2 to November 27. Winter.
1 Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. no.
2 Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. in.
* Ran Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 27,
F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 5, p. 183.
Nid., Vol. II, No. 12, p. 170.
t Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. 4, p. 27.
F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 266, and Vol. XXII. No. 9, p. 203.
EXTIRPATED SPECIES.
(1) 305. Tympanuchus cupido (Linn.). HEATH HEN.
The assumption is that the species formerly common here was
the Heath Hen, not the Prairie Hen of the West. Dr. Rives
states that " The Pinnated Grouse or Prairie Hen, once very
common all over this part of the country, is now no longer found
east of the Ohio River, with the exception of a few which, I
believe, are still in existence on the Islands of Martha's Vineyard
and Naushon,"1 and Mr. J. M. Southwick also makes mention
of their occurrence.2 Since Dr. Rives' paper appeared it has
been shown that the Martha's Vineyard bird was different from
the Western Prairie Hen now known as Tympanuchus amcricanus *
The Heath Hen is now confined to the island of Martha's Vine-
yard, where it is at present nearly, if not, extinct. There is a
record of no value that it may be well to mention here of the " Pin-
nated Grouse " in the State in 1897, by Mr. Edwin R. Lewis. The
bird was undoubtedly (T. americanus) introduced4 from the West.
(2) 310. Meleagris gallopavo fera Vieill. WILD TURKEY.
— Formerly common, as it was known to be, all over Southern
New England.5
(3) 315. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.). PASSENGER
PIGEON. Wild Pigeon. — Formerly a common migrant. Mr.
Newton Dexter presented in 1861 a pair to the Franklin Society
collection. Col. Powel includes it in his List of Birds shot near
Newport (1883-4) .6 It is stated that Mr. Walter Angell saw a
flock of eight in August, 1893. The last bird, however, taken
within the State seems to have been killed in 1886.
1 Dr Rives' List, p. 31.
2 Southwick's List, p. 4.
3 Auk, Vol. II, No. i, p. 80.
4F. & S., Vol. XLVIII, No. 2, p. 285.
5 Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. i, No. i, p. 55."
*Dr. Rives' List, p. 31.
Southwick's List, p. 5.
6 Col. Towel's List, p. 42.
fc
fc Q
o o
s
9 e |
m s g
^ o Sj
" (f)
o
%
I
s
CD
HYPOTHETICAL LIST.
Containing species for which we have some, but not conclusive, evi-
dence of their occurrence.
(1) 13. Fratercula arctica (Linn.). PUFFIN. — Dr. Wil-
liam C. Rives in his paper says "if I am not mistaken have been
found here " (Newport).1
s
(2) 42. Larus glaucus Briinn. GLAUCOUS GULL. Burgo-
master. — Included in Col. Powel's list.2
(3) 62. Xema sabinii (Sab.). SABINE'S GULL. Forked-
tailed Gull. — Included in Col. PowePs list.8
(4) 63. Helochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.) . MARSH TERN.
Gull-billed Tern. — Included in Col. Powel's list4 as taken near
Newport.
(5) J59- Somateria mollissima borealis C. L. Berhm.
NORTHERN EIDER. Greenland Eider. There was found in the
collection of Mr. R. L. Agassiz who made the greater part of his
collection at Newport, a bird in a tray with two King Eiders
(Somateria spectabilis} taken at Newport in December, 1885, and
although without a label, probably taken with these two birds.
The specimen is now in the collection of the Museum of Com-
parative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
(6) 211. Rallus crepitans Gmel. CLAPPER RAIL. — In-
cluded in Col. J. H. Powel's List.5
1 Rives' List, p. 41.
2 Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
3 Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
4 Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
5 Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
* Coues and Stearns's, New Eng. Bird Life, Part II, p. 279.
89
9o
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
(7) 244. Tringa ferruginea Brtinn. CURLEW SAND-
PIPER. — Included in Col. Towel's List.1
(8) 280. JEgialitis wilsonia (Ord.). WILSON'S PLOVER.
— Included in Col. Powel's List as a doubtful species.1
(9) 301. Lagopus lagopus (Linn.)- WILLOW PTARMI-
GAN. White Partridge. — It is reported that several White Par-
tridges, supposedly Ptarmigans, were seen during the winter of
1887.
(10) 735a Parus atricapillus septentrionalia (Harris).
LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. — A straggler from the West. Mr.
J. M. Southwick writes that he shall soon have in the Smith
collection a Long-tailed Chickadee, killed in Johnston by a
brother of Mr. Walter Angell. Full data is now with the bird,
which is mounted. This specimen was for some time lost and
lately again found. It has been thought best not, as yet, to
include this species in the Annotated List.
1 Col. Powel's List, p. 42.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1867 Samuels, Edward S. "Ornithology and Oology of New
England." Nichols and Noyes, Boston.
1869 Allen, J. A. "Notes on Some of the Rarer Birds of Mass-
achusetts." 1864-5 Gerfalcon record. Amer. Nat., Vol.
Ill, No. 10, p. 513.
1869 Samuels, Edward S. "The Birds of New England and
Adjacent States.'' Several editions. Noyes, Holmes & Co.,
Boston.
1870 Brewer, T. M. u Sea-side Ornithology." Amer. Nat, Vol.
Ill, No. 4.
1871 Collete, J. R. "The Osprey." Amer. Nat., Vol. IV, No.
i, P- 57-
1873 Editors. Quail and Snipe. F. & S., Vol. I, No. 15, p. 235.
1874 Baird, Brewer and Ridgway. "History of North American
Birds." 1864-5 Gerfalcon record. Vol. Ill, p. 115
1874 Gould, Stephen. " English Sparrow." Introduction into
Newport. Amer. Nat, Vol. VIII, No. n, p. 692.
1876 Rowland, J. S. " Arrival Notes." F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 17,
p. 266.
1876 "Shot." Snipe, Summer Yellow-legs and Dowitchers at
Newport. F. & S., Vol. 6, No. 23, p. 376.
1875 Brewer, T. M. " Catalogue of the Birds of New England
and Adjacent Localities." Pro. Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist.,
Vol. XVII, Mar. 3, p. 436.
1875 Editors. "Mallard." One shot at Newport Nov. i, 1875.
F. & S., Vol. V, No. 13, p. 204.
1877 Editors. " The Little Auk." F. & S., Vol. 7, No. 25, p. 388.
1877 Merriam, C. Hart. "The Birds of Connecticut" Trans.
of Conn. Acad., Vol. IV, p. 9.
1877 Minot, H. D. "The Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New
England." Naturalist's Agency, Salem, Mass. Estes &
Lauriat, Boston.
^
91
92 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1877 Purdie, H. A. "Notice of a Few Birds of Rare or Acci-
dental Occurrence in New England." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club,
Vol. II, No. i, p. 22.
1878 Allen, J. A. "A List of the Birds of Massachusetts, with
Annotations." Bull. Essex Institute, Vol. X, p. 3.
1878 Editors. Snipe-winter record. F. & S., Vol. 9, No. 26,
p. 489.
1879 Deane, Ruthven. " Additional Capture of the Caerulean
Warbler in New England.'' Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. IV,
No. 3, p. 185.
1879 Dexter, Newton. "Capture of a Swan in Rhode Island."
F. & S., Vol. XIII, No. 17, p. 848.
1879 Peckham, B. J. « Sterna caspia in Rhode Island." Ool.
Vol. 5, No. 4, p. 32.
1880 Allen, J. A. " Capture of a South American Finch near
Providence, R. I." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 4,
p. 240.
1880 Deane, Ruthven. "The Large-billed Water Thrush in
Eastern Rhode Island." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No.
2, p. 116.
1880 Deane, Ruthven. " The Little Blue Heron in Rhode
Island." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. V, No. 2, p. 123.
1880 F. Winter record of Woodcock and Florida Gallinule. F.
& S., Vol. 15, No. 19, p. 371.
1880 Jencks, Fred. T. " Capture of the Carolina Wren and
other Rare Birds in Rhode Island." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club,
Vol. V, No. 4, p. 237.
1880 Jencks, Fred. T. " Capture of the Hudsonian Titmouse
in Rhode Island." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No. i,
P- 54-
1880 Jencks, Fred. T. "Least Bittern." O. & O., Vol. 5,
No. 10, p. 78.
1880 Occasional. Teal and Broadbill, etc., at Newport. F. & S.,
Vol. 15, No. 14, p. 271.
1880 Slade, Elisha. " Notes on the Fish Hawks." Amer. Nat.,
Vol. XIV, No. 7, p. 528.
1880 X YZ. Record of Wild Geese. F. & S., Vol. 15, No. 20,
p. 389.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 93
1880 X Y Z. Winter record for Snipe. F. & S., Vol. 15, No. 22,
P- 43-
1 88 1 Brewster, William. " Early arrival in New England of the
Least Bittern." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No. 3, p.
186.
1881 Bumpus, H. C. " Breeding Habits of the Fish Hawk."
Am. Nat., Vol. XV, No. 10, p. 809.
1 88 1 Bumpus, H. C. Record of Richardson's Owl. O. & O.,
Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 14.
1881 Collins, W. H. "Note on Least Bittern." O. & O., Vol.
6, No. i, p. 8.
1 88 1 Coues and Stearns. " New England Bird Life," part I.
Various Notes.
1881 Editors. ''Caspian Tern in Rhode Island, a correction."
O. & O., Vol. 6, No. 7, p. 52.
1881 Jencks, Fred. T. "Catching a Tartar." O. & O., Vol. 6,
No. 2, p. 14.
1881 Jencks, Fred. T. " Least Bittern." O. & O., Vol. 6, No. i,
p. 6.
1881 Jencks, Fred. T. ''Richardson's Owl in Rhode Island."
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VI, No. 2. p. 123.
1881 Skinner, Fred'k. "Canvas-Backs in Rhode Island." F.
&S., Vol. 15, No. 23, p. 447.
1 88 1 Southwick and Jencks. " Addition to the Rhode Island
fauna." O. & O., Vol. 6, No. 6, p. 44.
1882 Jencks, Fred. T. "Large-billed Water Thrush." O. & O.,
Vol. 7, No. 15, p. 114.
1882 Jencks, Fred T. " Purple Gallinule in Rhode Island."
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VII, No. 2, p. 124.
1882 X. Brant in Narragansett Bay. F. & S., Vol. XVIII,
part II. No. 6, p. 107.
1883 Jencks, Fred. T. "Capture of the Richardson's Owl near
Providence, R. I." Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, No.
2, p. 122.
1883 Jencks, Fred. T. "Duck Hawks." O. & O., Vol. 8, No.
12, p. 92.
1883 Jencks, Fred. T. "Great Gray Owl in Rhode Island."
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, No. 3, p. 183.
94 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1883 Jencks, Fred. T. Gerfalcon killed at Pt. Judith 1883.
O. & O., Vol. 8, No. 12, p. 91.
1883 Jencks, Fred. T. "The Baldpate in Rhode Island."
Bull. Nut. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII, No. i, p. 62.
1883 Southwick and Jencks. Capture of Sparrow Hawk and
Snowy Owls. O. & O., Vol. 8, No. 3, p. 24.
1883-4 Powel. Col. J. H. "List of Birds Shot near Newport."
Pro. New. Nat. His. Soc. 1883-4, p. 42.
1883-4 Rives, William C., M. D. "The Birds of Newport."
Pro. New. Nat. His. Soc. 1883-4, p. 28. Also in Newport
Daily News. March n, 1884.
1884 Aldrich, T. M. Winter Notes. F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 5,
P- 83.
1884 Dexter, S. F. Albinos. F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 165.
1884 Editors. "A New Bird for Rhode Island and Second for
New England." Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. V, p. 8.
1884 Editors. "A Very Rare Bird in Rhode Island." Ran.
Notes, Vol. I, No. I, p. 6.
1884 Editors. "A Nonpareil in Rhode Island." Ran. Notes,
Vol. I, No. V, p. 8.
1884 Editors. " An English Corn-Crake in Rhode Island." Ran.
Notes, Vol. I, No. VI, p. 3.
1884 Editors. "Common Cormorant in Rhode Island." Ran.
Notes, Vol. II, No. V, p. 34.
1884 Editors. " Curious Death of a Saw-whet Owl." Ran.
Notes, Vol. I, No. I, p. 4.
1884 Editors. " Early Woodcock." Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No.
V, p. 8.
1884 Editors. "Great Gray Owl, Spectral Owl." Ran. Notes,
Vol. I, No. VII, p. 3.
1884 Editors. "Late Crossbills, L'americana." (Sit.) Ran.
Notes, Vol. I, No. VI, p. 6.
1884 Editors. " Night Heron in Winter." Ran. Notes, Vol. I,
No. I, p. 9.
1884 Editors. Note on Connecticut Warbler, Scarlet Tanager,
and Maryland Yellow-throat. Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. XI,
p. 6.
1884 Editors. " Prothonotary Warbler." Ran. Notes, Vol. I,
No. VI, p. 3.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
95
1884 Editors. Two Brtinnichs Murres and Night Heron, winter
record. Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. II, p. 8.
1884 F. H. " Rhode Island Game." F. & S., Vol. XXI, No. 25,
p. 498.
1884 Hazard, R. G. 2nd. "The Occurrence of the Golden
Swamp Warbler in Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. I, No. 3,
p. 290.
1884 Jencks, Fred. T. "Another Gyrfalcon in Rhode Island."
Auk, Vol. I, No. I. p. 94.
1884 Jencks, Fred. T. " A Trip to a Heronry." O. & O., Vol.
9, No. 8, p. 103.
1884 Jencks, Fred. T. " Birds During January " and " Feb-
ruary." Prov. Journal, Feb. 7.
1884 Jencks, Fred. S. "Birds during March" and "April"
Prov. Journal, April 7.
1884 Talbot, H. A. " A Trip to a Heronry." O. & O., Vol. 9,
No. 7, p. 80.
1884 Talbot, H. A. " Brunnich's Guillemot in Rhode Island."
Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. I, p. 6.
1884 Talbot, H. A. "Notes from Warwick Neck, R. I." O.
& O., Vol. 9, No. 5, p. 58.
1884 Water Fowl. Wintering of Tree Swallows, Bluebirds, etc.
at So. Kingston. F. & S., Vol. XXII, No. 9, p. 203.
1885 Brown, F. C. "Another Richardson's Owl in Mass."
Reference to Jencks' birds of 1881-82. Auk, Vol. II, No.
4, p. 384.
1885 C. H. L. "Spring Notes." F. & S., Vol. XXIV, No. 12,
p. 225.
1885 Editors. « A King Eider." Ran. Notes, Vol. I, No. II,
p. 9.
1885 Editors. Snowy Owl at Newport. Ran. Notes, Vol. II,
No. Ill, p. 23.
1885 J. A. A. "Rives on the Birds of Newport, R. I." Auk,
Vol. II, No. 2, p. 208.
1885 Southwick and Jencks. " Snowy Owl." O. & O., Vol. 10,
No. 3, p. 48.
1885 Editors. " The Ipswich Sparrow in Rhode Island." Ran.
Notes, Vol. II, No. Ill, p. 17.
i
96 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1885 W. M. H. " Fowl in Rhode Island." F. & S., Vol. XXIV,
No. 12, p. 228.
1886 Allen, J. A. " A Revised List of the Birds of Massachu-
setts." Bull. Amer. Museum of Nat. History. New York.
Vol. I, No. 7, p. 221.
1886 American Ornithologists' Union. " Check-List of North
American Birds." New York.
1886 Editors. Capture of Barn Owl and Razor-billed Auk,
Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. XII, p. 91.
1886 Editors. " Arrival Notes." Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. IV.
p. 27.
1886 Editors. Capture of Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Tiv-
erton. Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No. VII, p. 49.
1886 Editors. Note on a scarcity of Snowy Owls. Ran. Notes,
Vol. Ill, No. II, p. 9.
1886 Brewster, Wm. " Occurrence of the Prothonotary Warbler
in Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. Ill, No. 3, p. 411.
1886 Editors. "Purple Gallinule." Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No.
X, p. 79.
1886 Editors. " Seasonable Notes." Ran. Notes, Vol. Ill, No.
V, p. 37-
1886 Editors. " Tennessee Warbler in Rhode Island." Ran.
Notes, Vol. Ill, No. X, p. 79.
1886 Editors. Wintering of Brown Thrasher in Rhode Island.
O. & O., Vol. ii, No. 6, p. 84.
1886 F. B. W. Black Guillemot. O. & O., Vol. n, No. i, p.
16.
1886 T. M. A. Grouse, Quail and Woodcock Note. F. & S.,
Vol. XXVI, No. 25, p. 489.
1887 Andros, Fred. W. "A List of Birds of Bristol County,
Mass." O. & O., Vol. 12, No. 7, p. 138. Note.
1887 Editors. Capture of Yellow Rail. O. & O., Vol. 12, No.
2, p. 32.
1887 Baird, S. F. " Occurrence of Cory's Shearwater and several
species of Jaegers in large flocks in the vicinity of Gay
Head, Mass., during the autumn of 1886." Auk, Vol. IV,
No. i, p. 71.
1887 Dexter, Newton. " Golden Eagle in Rhode Island." F. &
S., Vol. XXVIII, No. 6, p. 106.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 97
1887 Dwight, Dr. Jonathan, Jr. " A New Race of Sharp-tailed
Sparrows." Auk, Vol. IV, No. 2, p. 136.
1887 G. B. R. Two Killdeers taken at Newport. F. & S., Vol.
XXVIII, No. 12, p. 249.
1887 Rives, Wm. C., Jr., M. D. "Wilson's Phalarope in Rhode
Island." Auk, Vol. IV, No. i, p. 73.
1888 Dexter, Newton. "Whose Hawk was This?" F. & S.,
Vol. XXXI, No. 15, p. 285.
1888 Lawton, Chas. H. "The Water-Birds of Newport." Pro.
New. Nat. His. Soc., 1888, p. 16.
1888 Rives, Wm. C., Jr., M. D. « Cory's Shearwater at Newport,
R. I." Auk, Vol. V, No. i, p. 108.
1888 Southwick, James M. "Our Birds of Rhode Island."
Pro. New. Nat. His. Soc., 1888, p. 3.'
1888 Trumbull, Gurdon. "Names and Portraits of Birds."
Harper & Bros., New York, 1888. R. I. local names.
1888 White, Harry Gordon. Mocking-Bird at Newport. O.
& O., Vol. 13, No. 12, p. 192.
1889 Chadbourne, Dr. A. P. "An unusual Flight of Killdeer
Plover (sEgialitis vodferd) along the New England Coast."
Auk, Vol. VI, No. 3, p. 255.
1889 Dexter, Newton. " Rare Birds in Rhode Island." F. & S.,
Vol. XXXIII, No. 19, p. 364.
1889 Jencks, Fred. T. "A Little Brown Crane in Rhode
Island." Independent Citizen, Nov. 16. Providence.
1889 Robinson, Lieut. Wirt. " Some Rare Rhode Island Birds."
Auk, Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 194.
1889 Southwick, J. M. "Capture of the American Egret on
Prudence Island." O. & O., Vol. 14, No. 4, p. 63.
1889 Southwick, J. M. Capture of the Little Brown Crane.
O. & O., Vol. 14, No. 10, p. 159.
1890 Brewster, Wm. "The Little Brown Crane in Rhode
Island." Auk, Vol. VII, No. i, p. 89.
1890 E. Woodcock's Notes. F. & S., Vol. XXXV, No. 16, p.
312.
1890 Mackay, G. H. " Somateria dresseri. — The American
Eider." Auk, Vol. VII, No. 4, p. 318.
1890 Southwick and Critchley. " Red Phalarope in Rhode
Island." O. & O., Vol. 15, No. n, p. 166.
98 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1890 F. L. G. "Wilson's Snipe in Rhode Island." F. & S.r
Vol. XXXVI, No. 6, p. 105.
1891 Jencks, Fred. T. "A Rare Capture in Rhode Island."
The Collector's Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 12. p. 72.
1891 Mackay, G. H. "The Scoters in New England." Aukr
Vol. VIII, No. 3, p. 279.
1891 Miller, G. S., Jr. " Further Cape Cod Notes." Auk, Vol.
VIII, No. i, p. 117.
1891 Southwick and Critchley. " Early Arrival of Scarlet Tana-
ger at Apponaug, R. I." O. & O., 16, No. 5, p. 78.
1892 Dunn, Claude. "The Caspian Tern at Rhode Island."
O. & O., Vol. 17, No. 6, p. 76.
1892 Mackay, G. H. 'Gull Dick.' Auk, Vol. IX, No. 2, p.
227.
1892 Southwick, J. M. " Rhode Island Birds." Prov. Journal.
Feb. 28.
1892 Taylor, A. O. D. " Occurrence of the Black Gyrfalcon in
Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. IX, No. 4, p. 300.
1893 Dunn, C. G. "An American Egret taken in Rhode
Island." O. & O., Vol. 18, No. 6, p. 94.
1893 Glezen, F. L. Capture of Blue Goose at Charlestown
Beach. Providence Journal, Jan. 25.
1893 Glezen, F. L. "Blue Goose in Rhode Island." F. & S.
Vol. XL, No. 3, p. 48.
1893 Mackay, G. H. " Larus argentatus smithsonianus." Auk,
, Vol. X, No. i, p. 76.
1894 Editors. "A Quail's Nest in October." Prov. Journal,
Oct. 27.
1894 L. A. C. "Transplanting Quail." F. & S., Vol. XLII,
No. 12, p. 248.
1894 Livermore, J. "The Yellow-crowned Night Heron in
Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. XI, No. 2, p. 177.
1894 Mackay, G. H. "Further News of the 'Gull Dick.'"
Auk, Vol. XI, No. i, p. 73.
1894 Mackay, G. H. "Habits of the Double-crested Cormorant
in Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. XI, No. i, p. 18.
1894 Roberts, S. H. "Rhode Island Quail." F. & S., Vol.
XLII, No. 14, p. 291.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 99
1894 Schuyler, E. O. "A Quail's Nest in October." F. & S.,
Vol. XLIII, No. 17, p. 355.
1894 Schuyler, E. O. "Quail's Nest with ten eggs in October. "
Prov. Journal, October 28.
1894 Tode. Restocking Rhode Island with Quail. F. & S., Vol.
XLII, No. 3, p. 49-
1895 American Ornithologists' Union. "Check-List of North
American Birds." Second and Revised Edition. New
York.
1895 Brewster, Wm. "A Remarkable Flight of Pine Grosbeaks
(Pinicola enucleator)." Auk, Vol. XII, No. 3, p. 245.
1895 Brewster, William. Minot's " The Land- Birds and Game-
Birds of New England." Revised second edition. Hough-
ton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. Footnotes on distribution.
1895 Chapman, Frank M. " Handbook of Birds of Eastern
North America." Several editions. D. Appleton & Co.,
New York.
1895 Doe, Chas. E. Killdeer Nesting. Nid. Vol. II, No. 12,
p. 179.
1895 Howe, R. H., Jr. "A Large Brood of Ospreys." Auk,
Vol. XII, No. 4, p. 389.
1895 Howe, R. H. Jr. " Ospreys at Bristol, R. I." Auk, Vol.
XII, No. 3, p. 300.
1895 Mackay, G. H. "'Gull Dick' Again." Auk, Vol, XII,
No. i, p. 76.
1895 Newbury, F. E. "Three Families — One Hole." Nid.
Vol. II, No. 12, p. 170.
1896 Brewster, Wm. "Occurrence of Wood Ibis in Bristol
County, Mass." Auk, Vol. XIII, No. 3, p. 341.
1896 G. C. Note on Bluebirds. F. & S., Vol. XLVI, No. 15,
p. 293.
1896 Hathaway, H. S. "A Wood Ibis in Rhode Island."
Osprey, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 67.
1896 Howe, R. H., Jr. " Four Winter Records of the Short
eared Owl on the Mass. Coast." Auk, Vol. XIII, No. 3,
P- 257-
1896 Howe, R. H., Jr. "A List of the Birds of Bristol, R. I.
and Adjacent Localities." Bristol Phoenix, April 10.
100 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
1896 Howe, R. H., Jr. "Every Bird." Bradlee Whidden,
Boston. Various Notes.
1896 Mackay, G. H. '"Gull Dick' Again." Auk, Vol. XIII,
No. i, p. 78.
1896 Nuthatch. "A Nuthatch's Device." F. & S., Vol. XLVI,
No. 6, p. 215.
1896 Nuthatch. "Rhode Island Bird Notes." F. & S., Vol-
XLVI, No. 10, p. 195.
1896-7 Newbury, F. E. "Finding the Killdeer's Nest." Nid.,
Vol. IV, No. 3, 4, 5? P- 43-
1897 Howe, R. H., Jr. "The Sea-side Sparrow at Middletown,
R. I." Auk, Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 219.
1897 Howe, R. H., Jr. "The Terns of Dyer's and the Weepec-
ket Islands." Auk, Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 203.
1897 Hughes, W. M. "Wintering of Robins, etc. at Ports
mouth." F. & S., Vol. XLVIII, No. n, p. 204.
1897 Lewis, Edwin R. "Pinnated Grouse in Rhode Island."
F. & S. Vol. XLVIII, No. 20, p. 285.
1897 Sturtevant, Edward. " The Sea-side Sparjrow at Middle-
town, R. I." Auk, Vol. XIV, No. 4, p. 322.
1897 W. H. M. Rhode Island Game. F. & S., Vol. XLVIII,
No. 4, p. 90.
1897 W. H. M. Woodcock Note. F. & S., Vol. XLVIII, No. 13,
p. 249.
1897 W. H. M. The Taking of Widgeon, F. & S., Vol. XLIX,
No. 18, p. 348.
1898 Bent, A. C. "Black Gyrfalcon in Rhode Island." Auk,
Vol. XV, No. i, p. 54.
1898 Hathaway, H. S. " A Rare Bird in Rhode Island.''
Osprey, Vol. 2, No. 6, 7, p. 91.
1898 Mackay, G. H. 'Gull Dick.' Auk, Vol. XV, No. i,
p. 49.
1898 Wright, N. M. « Rhode Island Birds." Prov. Journal,
Sept. 25.
1899 Hathaway, H. S. " Birds Wintering in Rhode Island."
Osprey, Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. m.
1899 Hathaway, H. S. " Rare Birds in Rhode Island." Osprey,
Vol. Ill, No. 7, p. 1 10.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. IOI
1899 Hazard, R. G. "The Carolina Wren at Peacedale,
R. I." Auk, Vol. XVI, No. i, p. 83.
1899 Howe, R. H., Jr. "On the Birds' Highway." Small,
Maynard & Co., Boston. Containing two chapters and an
annotated list of 82 species observed at Bristol, R. I. pp.
12, 69, 153.
1899 Howe, R. H., Jr. " Notes from Rhode Island." Auk,
Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 189.
1899 Howe, R. H., Jr. " Sexual Difference in Size of the Pec-
toral Sandpiper." Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 2, p. 179.
1899 Howe, R. H., Jr. "Revival of the Sexual Passion in
Birds in Autumn." Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 286.
1899 Sturtevant, Edward. "The Carolina Wren Breeding in
Rhode Island." Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 284.
1899 Robinson, Wirt. "- Ammodramus hensloivii. A correction."
Auk, Vol. XVI, No. 4, p. 356.
ERRATA, ADDITIONS, ETC.
Page n. " {Americana deglandi and perspicillata} " should read, (ameri-
cana, deglandi and perspicillata}.
Page 13. "Woodcock" should read, American Woodcock.
Page 14. " Flicker" should read, Northern Flicker.
Page 15. " Helminthophila rtificapilla" should read, Helminthophila
ru b ricap ilia .
Page 17. "and the land around the rock" should read, and the band
around the rock.
Page 21. " Stolid Sandpiper " should read, stolid Sandpiper.
Page 30. The following reference should also be added to those for the
1876 Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosd} record, Allen's List
Birds Mass, with Anno. Bull. Essex Inst. Vol. X, p. 30.
Page 34. " Col. J. H. Powell " should read, Col. J. H. Powel.
Page 35. "Anas strepera Linn." should read, Chaulelasmus streperus
(Linn.)-
Page 45. Little Brown Crane. The specimen has just been placed in the
Smith collection.
Page 49. " W. Hare H. Powel " should read, H. W. Hare Powel.
Page 85. "2Bull. Nut. On. Club, Vol. VI, No.— p. 54," should read,
2 Bull. Nut. On. Club, Vol. VI, No. i, p. 54.
(291) 597 Guiraca caerulea (Linn.). BLUE GROSBEAK. — We have
just received word from Mr. F. T. Jericks of the capture of a young bird
by him on his farm in Drown ville, on October 12, 1899. The bird was
in some blackberry bushes, and from its actions attracted his attention.
Mr. Jencks sent the bird to Mr. J. M. Southwick. It will undoubtedly be
placed in the Smith collection. This is the first capture of this species
in the State.
INDEX.
SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
Acanthis linaria, 70.
linaria rostrata, 70.
Accipiter atricapillus, 57.
cooperi, 13, 57.
velox, 13, 57.
Actitis macularia, 13, 21, 22, 53.
^Egialitis meloda, 13, 55.
semipalmata, 55.
vocifera, 13, 54.
wilsonia, 90.
Agelaius phoenicius, 14, 67.
Astragalinus tristis, 14, 70.
Aix sponsa, 13, 37.
Anorthura, hiemalis, 84.
Alca torda, 27.
Allealle, 27.
Ammodramus caudacutus, 15, 72.
caudacutus subvirgatus, 72.
henslowii, 71.
maritimus, 15, 72.
nelsoni, 72.
princeps, 71.
sandwichensis savanna, 14,
71-
savannarum passerinus, 14,
7i-
Ampelis cedrorum, 15, 76.
Anas boschas, 22, 35.
obscura, 13, 22, 35.
Anthus pensilvanicus, 83.
Antrostomus vociferus, 14, 65.
Aquila chrysaetos, 58.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johan
nis, 58.
Ardea candidissima, 44.
caerulea, 44.
egretta, 43.
herodias, 42.
vlrescens, 13, 44.
Ardetta, exilis, 13, 43.
Arenaria interpres, 20, 22, 55.
Asio accipitrinus, 14, 61.
wilsonianus, 14, 61.
Aythya affinis, 38.
americana, 37.
collaris, 38.
marila, 38.
vallisneria, 37.
BARTRAMIA longicauda, 53.
Bonasa umbellus, 13, 56.
Botaurus lentiginosus, 13, 43.
Branta bernicla, 41.
canadensis, 41.
Bubo virginianus, 14, 63.
Buteo borealis, 13, 57.
latissimus, 13, 58.
lineatus, 13, 57.
CALCARIUS lapponicus, 71.
Calidris arenaria, 51.
Carpodacus purpurens, 14, 69.
Cathartes aura, 56.
Cepphus, grylle, 27.
Certhia familiaris fusca, 85.
Ceryle alcyon, 14, 64.
Chaetura pelagica, 14, 65.
Charadrius dominicus, 54.
Charitonetta albeola, 39.
Chaulelasmus streperus, 35.
Chen caerulescens, 41.
hyperborea, 41.
hyperborea nivalis, 41.
Chordeiles virginianus, 14, 65.
Circus hudsonius, 13, 56.
Cistothorus palustris, 16, 85.
stellaris, 16, 85.
Clangula clangula americana, 38.
Clivicola riparia, 15, 76.
Coccyzus americanus, 14, 63.
erythrophthalmus, 14, 64.
Colaptes auratus luteus, 14, 65.
Colinus virginianus, 13, 55.
Colymbus auritus, 21, 25.
holboellii, 21, 25.
Compsothlypis americana usneae,
!5> 79-
Contopus borealis, 66.
virens, 14, 66.
Corvus americanus, 12, 14, 67.
Crex crex, 46.
Crymophilus fulicarius, 47.
Cyanocitta cristata, 14, 67.
Cyanospiza ciris, 74.
cyanea, 15, 74.
103
104
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
DAFILA, acuta, 35, 37.
Dendroica cestiva, 15, 79.
blackburniae, 80.
cserulescens, 79.
castanea, 80.
coronata, 79.
discolor, 15, 81.
maculosa, 79.
palmarum, 80.
palmarum hypochrysea, 81.
pensylvanica, 15, 80.
rara, 80.
striata, 80.
tigrina, 79.
vigorsii, 15, 80.
virens, 15, 80.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus, 14,67.
Drjobates pubescens medianus, 14,
^64.
villosus, 14, 64.
ECTOPISTES migratorius, 88.
Empidonax flaviventris, 66.
minimus, 14, 66.
Ereunetes occidentalis, 51.
pusillus, 50, 51.
Erismatura jamaicensis, 13, 41.
FALCO columbarius, 60.
gyrfalco islandicus, 59.
peregrinus anatum, 59.
rusticolus gyrfalco, 59.
rusticolus obsoletus, 59.
sacer, 59.
sparverius, 13, 60.
Fratercula arctica, 89.
Fulica americana, 47.
GALEOSCOPTES carolinensis, 15,83.
Gallinago delicata, 13, 48.
Gallinula galeata, 13, 47.
Gavia imber, 21, 26.
lumme, 21, 25, 26.
Geothlypis agilis, 81.
formosa, 81.
Philadelphia, 82.
trichas, 15, 82.
Grus canadensis, 45.
Gubernatrix cristatella, 75.
HALI^ETUS leucocephalus, 58.
Harelda hyemalis, 22, 39.
Harporhyncus rufus, 15, 83.
Helminthophila celata, 78.
chrysoptera, 78.
peregrina, 78.
pinus, 15, 78.
Helminthophila rubricapillus, 15,
78.
Helochelidon nilotica, 89.
Helodromus solitarius, 52.
Hirundo erjthrogastra, 15, 75.
Histrionicus histrionicus, 39.
Hjdrochelidon nigra surinamensis,
31-
Hylocichla mustelinus, 16, 86.
fuscescens, 16, 86.
fuscescens salicicola, 86.
alicize, 86.
alicire bicknelli, 87.
ustulatus swainsonii, 87.
aonalaschkge pallasii, 87.
ICTERIA virens, 15, 82.
Icterus galbula, 14, 68.
spurius, 14, 68.
lonornis martinica, 46.
JUNCO hjemalis, 73.
LAGOPUS lagopus, 90.
Lanius borealis, 76.
ludovicianus excubitorides,
76.
Larus argentatus smithsonianus,
22, 28.
atricilla, 29.
glaucus, 89.
marinus, 22, 28.
Philadelphia, 22, 28.
Limosa fedoa, 51.
haemastica, 51.
Lophodjtes cucullatus, 35.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 70.
leucoptera, 70.
MACRORHAMPUS criseus, 49.
scolopaceus, 49.
Mareca americana, 35, 36.
Megascops asio, 14, 63.
Melanerpes carolinus, 64.
erythrocephalus, 14, 64.
Meleagris gallapavo fera, 88.
Melospiza fusciata, 15, 73.
georgiana, 15, 73.
lincolni, 73.
Merganser americanus, 33.
serrator, 22, 33.
Merula migratoria, 16, 87.
Micropalama himantopus, 49.
Mimus polyglottos, 83.
Mniotilta varia, 15, 77.
Molothrus ater, 14, 67.
Myiarchus crinitus, 14, 66,
INDEX.
105
NETTION carolinensis, 36.
Numenius borealis, 54.
hudsonicus, 54.
longirostris, 53.
Nyctala acadica, 63.
tengmalmi richardsoni, 62.
Nyctea nyctea, 63.
Nycticorax nycticorax naevius, 13,
44-
violacens, 45.
OCEANODROMA leucorhoa, 32.
oceanicus, 32.
Oidemia americana, n, 22, 40.
deglandi, n, 22, 40.
perspicillata, u, 22, 40.
Olor columbianus, 42.
Otocoris alpestris, 67.
alpestris praticola, 67.
Pandion halisetus carolinensis, 14,
60.
Parus atricapillus, 16, 85.
atricapillus septentrionalis,
90.
hudsonicus, 85.
Passer domesticus, 69.
Passerella iliaca, 74.
Passeiina nivalis, 70.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 15, 75, 76.
Phalacrocorax carbo, 12, 19, 22, 33.
dilophus, 12, 18, 19, 22, 33.
Phalaropus lobatus, 47.
Philobela minor, 13, 48.
Pinicola enucleator canadensis, 69.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus, 15, 74.
Piranga erythrornelas, 15, 75.
rubra, 75.
Podilymbus podiceps, 13, 25.
Polioptila caerulea, 86.
Pocecetes gramineus, 14, 22, 71.
Porzana Carolina, 13, 45.
noveboracensis, 46.
Progne subis, 15, 75.
Pronotaria citrea, 71.
Puffinus borealis, 31, 32.
gravis, 32.
fuliginosus, 32.
QUISCALUS quiscula, 14, 68.
quiscula aeneus, 14, 68, 69.
Querquedula discors, 13, 36.
RALLUS crepitans, 89.
elegans, 45.
virginianus, 13, 45.
Regulus calendula, 86.
satrapa, 86.
Rissa tridactyla, 28,
SARORNIS phoebe, 14, 66.
Scolecophagus carolinus, 68.
Scotiaptex cinereum, 62.
Seiurus aurocapillus, 15, 81.
motacilla, 15, 81.
noveboracensis, 81.
Setophaga ruticilla, 15, 83.
Sialia sialis, 16, 87..
Sitta canadensis, 85.
carolinensis, 16, 85.
Somateria dresseri, 22, 39.
mollissima borealis, 89.
spectabilis, 39, 89.
Spatula clypeata, 36.
Sphyrapicus varius, 64.
Spinus pinus, 70.
Spiza americana, 74.
Spizella monticola, 73.
pusilla, 15, 73.
socialis, 15, 73.
Squatarola squatarola, 54.
Steganopus tricolor, 48.
Stercorarius pomarinus, 28.
Sterna antillarum, 30.
caspia, 29.
dougalli, 22, 30.
forsteri, 29.
fuliginosa, 30.
hirundo, 13, 20, 22, 30.
Strix pratincola, 60.
Sturnella magna, 14, 68.
Sula bassana, 33.
Surnia ulula caparoch, 63.
Symphemia semipalmata, 52.
Syrnium nebulosum, 14, 61.
TACHYCINETA bicolor, 15, 76.
Tantalus loculator, 42.
Thryothorus ludovicianus, 15,
Totanus flavipes, 52.
melanoleucus, 52.
Tringa alpina pacifica, 51.
bairdii, 50.
canutus, 49.
ferruginea, 90.
fuscicollis, 50.
maculata, 50.
maritima, 21, 22, 50.
minutilla, 50, 51.
Trochilus colubris, 14, 65.
Troglodytes ae'don, 16, 84.
Tryngites subruficollis, 53.
Tympanuchus americanus, 88.
cupido, 88.
Tyrannus tyrannus, 14, 66.
106 THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
URIA lomvia, 27. WILSONIA canadensis, 82.
troile, 27. mitrata, 82.
pusilla, 82.
VIREO flavifrons, 15, 77. XEMA sabinii, 89.
gilvus, 15, 77.
noveboracensis, 15, 77. ZAMELODIA ludoviciana, 15,
olivaceus, 15, 77. Zenaidura macroura, 13, 56.
philadelphicus, 77. Zonotrichia albicollis, 72.
solitarius, 15, 77. leucophrjs, 72.
VERNACULAR AND LOCAL NAMES.
AUK, Razor-billed, 27.
BALDPATE, 36.
Beetlehead, 54.
Bittern, American, 13, 43.
Least, 13, 43.
Blackbird, Cow, 67.
Crow, 68.
Red and Buff Shouldered, 67.
Red-winged, 14, 67.
Black-breast, 54.
Blue-bill, 38.
Bluebird, 16, 87.
Bobolink, 14, 67.
Bob-White, i^SS-
Booby, 41.
Brant, 41.
Brant-bird, 55.
Broad-bill, 38, 41.
Bastard, 38.
Creek, 38.
Brownback, 49.
Bunting, Black-throated, 74.
Cow, 67.
Indigo, 15, 74.
Painted, 74.
Snow, 70.
Buffle-head, 39.
Bull Bat, 65.
Butcherbird, 76.
Butter-ball, 39.
Butter-bill, 40.
CALICO-BIRD, 55.
Canary, Wild, 79.
Canvas-back, 37.
Catbird, 15, 83.
Cedarbird, 76.
Chat, Yellow-breasted, 15, 82.
Chewink, 74.
Chickadee, 16, 85.
Hudsonian, 85.
Long-tailed, 90.
Chippy, 73.
Coot, 47.
American, 47.
Butter-bill, 40.
Gray, 40.
Patch-bill, 40.
Patch-poll, 40.
Yellow-billed, 40.
Cormorant, 30, 33.
Common, 12, 19, 22. 33.
Cormorant, Double-crested, 12, 18,
i9» 22, 34.
Cowbird, 14, 67.
Crake, Corn, 46.
Crane, 43.
Little Brown, 45.
Creaker, 50.
Creeper, Black and White, 77.
Brown, 85.
Crossbill, American, 70.
Red, 70.
White-winged, 70.
Crow, 67.
American, 12, 14, 67.
Cuckoo, Black-billed, 14, 64.
Yellow-billed, 14, 63.
Curlew, Eskimo, 54.
Esquimaux, 54.
Hudsonian, 54.
Jack, 54.
Long-billed, 53.
DABCHICK, 25,
" Deutscher," 49.
Dickcissel, 74.
Dipper, 39.
Diver, Little, 25.
Doughbird, 54.
Dove, Carolina, 56.
Mourning, 13, 56.
Long-tailed, 56.
Dowitcher, 49.
Long-billed, 49.
Dove, Sea, 27.
Dovekie, 27.
Duck, American Scaup, 38.
American Scoter, 40.
Black, 13, 21, 22, 35.
Buffle-head, 39.
Canvas-backed, 37.
Dusky, 35.
Eider, 39.
Gray, 37.
Harlequin, 39.
Lesser Scaup, 38.
Little Black-head, 38.
Long-tailed, 39.
Red-headed, 37.
Ring-necked, 38.
Ruddy, 13, 41.
Shoveller, 36.
Summer, 37.
Surf, 40.
107
io8
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
Duck, Velvet, 40.
Wood, 13, 37.
EAGLE, Bald, 58.
Golden, 58.
Egret, American, 43.
Eider, American, 22, 39.
Greenland, 89.
King, 39.
Northern, 89.
FINCH, Grass, 71.
Lincoln's, 73.
Purple, 14, 69.
South American, 75.
Firebird, 68.
Flicker, 14, 65.
Northern, 65.
Flycatcher, Crested, 14, 66.
Great-crested, 66.
Least, 14, 66.
Olive-sided, 66.
Yellow-billed, 66".
" Fly-up-the-creek," 44.
Frost-bird, 54.
GAD WALL, 35.
Gallinule, Purple, 46.
Florida, 13, 47.
Gannet, 33.
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 86.
Godwit, Hudsonian, 51.
Marbled, 51.
Golden-eye, 38.
American, 38.
Goldfinch, American, 14, 70.
Goosander, 34.
Goose, 41.
Brant, 41.
Blue, 41.
Canada, 41.
Mexican, 41.
Lesser Snow, 41.
Snow, 41.
Solan, 33.
Wild, 41.
Grackle, Bronzed, 14, 69.
Purple, 14, 68.
Rusty, 68.
Great May White-wings, u, 40.
Grebe, American Red-necked, 25.
Holboell's, 21, 25.
Horned, 21, 25.
Pied-billed, 13, 25.
Red-necked, 25.
Green-head, 35, 54.
Grosbeak, Canadian Pine, 69.
Grosbeak, Pine, 69.
Rose-breasted. 15, 74.
Grouse, Ruffed, 13, 56.
Gull, American Herring, 22, 28.
Bonaparte's, 22, 29.
4 Dick,' 29.
Glaucous, 89.
Great Black-backed, 22, 28.
Grew, 31.
Laughing, 29.
Mackeral, 30.
Sabine's, 89.
Sea, 28.
Winter, 28.
Guillemot, Black, 27.
Gyrfalcon, Black, 59.
Gyrfalcon, 59.
HAGDON, 32.
Black, 32.
Harlequin, 39.
Harry Wicket, 65.
Hawk, American Sparrow, 13,60.
American Goshawk, 57.
American Rough-legged, 58.
Broad-winged, 13, 58.
Cooper's, 13, 57.
Duck, 59.
Fish, 60.
Hen, 57.
Marsh, 13, 56.
Pigeon, 60.
Red-shouldered, 13, 57.
Red-tailed, 13, 57.
Sharp-skinned, 13, 57.
Hell-diver, 25.
Hen, Heath, 88.
Marsh, 47.
Mud, 47.
Heron, Black-crowned Night, 13,
44.
Great Blue, 42, 43.
Green, 13, 44.
Little Blue, 44.
Night, 44.
Snowy, 44.
Yellow-crowned Night, 45.
High Hole, 65.
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 14,
65-
IBIS, Wood, 42.
Indigobifd, 74.
JAEGER, Pomarine, 28.
Jay, Blue, 14, 67.
Yellow, 65.
INDEX.
109
Junco, 73.
Slate-colored, 73.
KlLLDEER, 13, 54.
Kingbird, 14, 66.
Kittiwake, 28.
Kingfisher, 64.
Belted, 14, 64.
Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 86.
Ruby-crowned, 86.
Knot, 49.
Kreiker, 50.
LARK, Horned, 67.
Prairie Horned, 67.
Lazy-bird, 67.
Linnet, Gray, 70.
Red, 69.
Longspur, Lapland, 71.
Loon, 21.
Big, 26.
Little, 26.
Red-throated, 21, 25.
Tinker, 25.
MALLARD, 22, 35.
Wild, 35.
Marlin, Common, 51.
Ring-tailed, 51.
Martin, Purple, 15, 75.
May, White-wings, n, 40.
Meadowlark, 14, 68.
Merganser, American, 34.
Buff-breasted, 34.
Hooded, 35.
Red-breasted, 22, 34.
Mockingbird, 83.
Mongrel, 49.
Mother Carey's Chicken, 32.
Muddy-breast, 54.
Murre, 27.
Brunnich's, 27.
NIGHTHAWK, 14, 65.
Nonpareil, 74.
Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 85.
White-breasted, 16, 85.
OLD-squAW, 22, 39.
Oriole, Baltimore, 14, 68.
Orchard, 14, 68.
Osprey, American, 14, 60.
Oven-bird, 15, 81.
Owl, Acadian, 63.
American Barn, 60.
American Hawk, 63.
American Long-eared, 14, 61.
Owl, Arctic, 63.
Barred, 14, 61.
Cat, 61, 63.
Great Gray, 62.
Great Horned, 14, 63.
Hoot, 61.
Richardson's, 62.
Saw-whet, 63.
Screech, 14, 63.
Short-eared, 14, 61.
Snowy, 63.
Sparrow, 62.
Spectral, 62.
White, 63.
PARTRIDGE, 56.
Peep, 50, 51.
Peet-weet, 53.
Pert, 50.
Petrel, Leach's, 32.
Stormy, 32.
Wilson's, 32.
Pewee, Bridge, 66.
Wood, 14, 66.
Phalarope, Northern, 47.
Red, 47.
Wilson's, 48.
Phcebe, 14, 66.
Pigeon, Passenger, 88.
Wild, 88.
Pintail, 35, 37.
Pipit, American, 83.
Plover, Black-billed, 54.
Fool, 49.
Golden, 54
Grass, 53.
Killdeer, 54.
Little-ring, 55.
Piping, 13, 55.
Ring, 55-
Rock, 55.
Semipalmated, 55.
Upland, 53.
. Wilson's, 90.
Ptarmigan, Willow, 90.
Puffin, 89.
QUAIL, 55.
American, 55.
Marsh, 68.
Quonk-a-ree, 67.
Quwark, 44.
RAIL, Carolina, 45.
Clapper, 89.
King> 45-
Red-breasted?, 45.
I 10
THE BIRDS OF RHODE ISLAND.
Rail, Virginia, 13, 45.
Yellow, 46.
Redhead, 37.
Redpoll, 70.
Greater, 70.
Redstart, American, 15, 83.
Red-winged, 67.
Reed Bird, 67.
Ring-neck, 55.
Robin, American, 16, 87.
SAPSUCKER, Yellow-bellied, 64.
Sanderling, 51.
Sandpiper, Baird's, 50.
Bartramian, 53.
Buff-breasted, 53.
Curlew, 90.
Least, 50.
Pectoral, 50.
Purple, 21, 22, 50.
Red-backed, 50.
Red-breasted, 50
Sanderling, 51.
Semipalmated, 51.
Solitary, 52.
Spotted, 13, 21, 22, 53.
Stilt, 49.
Western Semipalmated, 51.
White-rumped, 50.
Wilson's, 50.
Scaup, Greater, 38.
Scoter, American, 22, 40.
Surf, 22, 40.
Velvet, 40.
White-winged, 10, n, 22, 40.
Shag, 33,34.
" Shag, Taunton," 33, 34.
Shearwater, Cory, 31, 32.
Greater, 32.
Sooty, 32.
Sheldrake, 34.
Common, 34.
Hooded, 35.
Shitepoke, 44.
Shoveller, 36.
Blue-billed, 38.
Sickle-bill, 53.
Shrike, Northern, 76.
White-rumped, 76.
Siskin, Pine, 70.
Skunk-head, 40.
Smew, 35.
Snipe, Common, 49.
English, 49.
German, 49.
Grass, 50.
Horse-foot, 55.
Snipe, Red-breasted, 49.
Robin, 49.
Wilson's, 13, 48.
Winter, 51.
Snowbird, 73.
Snowflake, 70.
Sora, 13, 45,
Sparrow, Chipping, 15, 73.
English, 69.
Field, 15, 73.
Fox, 74.
Grasshopper, 14, 71.
Ground, 73.
Henslow's, 71.
House, 69.
Ipswich, 71.
Lincoln's, 73.
Savanna, 14, 71.
Seaside, 15, 72.
Acadian Sharp-tailed, 72.
Sharp-tailed, 15, 72.
Song, 15, 73.
Swamp, 15, 73.
Tree, 73.
Vesper, 14, 21, 22, 71.
White-crowned, 72.
White-throated, 72.
Yellow-winged, 71.
Spoonbill, 36.
Sprig-tail, 37.
South-southerly, 39.
Swan, American, 42.
Trumpeter, 42.
Whistling, 42.
Swallow, Bank, 15, 76.
Barn, 15, 75, 76.
Chimney, 65,
Cliff, 15, 75. 76.
Eave, 75.
Tree, 15, 76.
White-breasted, 76.
Swift, Chimney, 14, 65.
TANAGER, Scarlet, 15, 75.
Summer, 75.
Tinker, 25.
Teal, Blue-winged, 13.
Green-winged, 36.
Tern, Black, 31.
Caspian, 29.
Common, 13, 20, 22, 30.
Forster's, 29.
Gull-billed, 89.
Least, 30.
Marsh, 89.
Roseate, 22, 30.
Sooty, 30.
INDEX.
Ill
Tip-up, 53.
Titmouse, Black-capped, 85.
Thistlebird, 70.
Thrasher, Brown, 15, 83.
Thrush, Alice's, 86.
Bicknell's, 87.
Gray-cheeked, 86.
Hermit, 87.
Large-billed Water, 81.
Louisiana Water, 15, 81.
Olive-backed, 87.
Water, Si.
Willow, 86.
Wilson's, 16, 86.
Wood, 1 6, 86.
Towhee, 15, 74.
"Turkey, Taunton,"' 33, 34.
Wild, 88.
Turnstone, 20, 22, 55.
VEERY, 86.
Vireo, Blue-headed, 15, 77.
Philadelphia, 77.
Red-eyed, 15, 77.
Solitary, 77.
Warbling, 15, 77.
White-eyed, 15, 77.
Yellow-throated, 15, 77.
VULTURE, Turkey, 56.
WAKE-UP, 65.
Wamp, 39.
Warbler, Bay-breasted, 80.
Black and White, 15, 77.
Black and White Creeping,
77-
Blackburnian, 80.
Black-poll, 80.
Black-throated Blue, 79.
Black-throated Green, 15, 80.
Blue-winged, 15, 78.
Canadian, 82.
Cape May, 79.
Cerulean, 80.
Chestnut-sided, 15, 80.
Connecticut, 81.
Golden-crowned, 79.
Golden Swamp, 78.
Golden-winged, 78.
Hooded, 82.
Warbler, Kentucky, 81.
Mourning, 82.
Magnolia, 79.
Myrtle, 79.
Nashville, 15, 78.
Northern Parula, 79.
Orange-crowned, 78.
Palm, 80.
Parula, 15.
Pine, 15, 80.
Pine-creeping, 80.
Prairie, 15, 81.
Prothonotary, 78.
Tennesee, 78.
Wilson's, 82.
Yellow, 15, 79.
Yellow Palm, 81.
Yellow-rumped, 79.
Wax-wing, Cedar, 15, 76.
Whip-poor-will, 14, 65.
Whistler, 38.
Whistler-wing, 38.
Widgeon, 35, 38.
American, 36.
Willct, 52.
Woodcock, American, 13, 48.
Woodpecker, Downy, 14, 64.
Golden-winged, 65.
Hairy, 14, 64.
Pigeon, 65.
Red-bellied, 64.
Red-headed, 14, 64.
Yellow-bellied, 64.
Wren, Carolina, 15, 84.
Wren, Cotton, 79.
Golden-crested, 86.
House, 16, 84.
Long-billed Marsh, 16, 85.
Shore-billed Marsh, 16, 85.
Winter, 84.
YELLOWBIRD, 70.
Summer, 70, 79.
Yellow-hammer, 65.
Yellow-leg. 52.
Bastard, 89.
Great, 52.
Greater, 52.
Lesser, 52.
Summer, 52.
Winter, 52.
Yellow-throat, Maryland, 15, 82.
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11