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FOR  THE  PEOPLE 

FOR  EDVCATION 

FOR  SCIENCE 

LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  AMERICAN  MUSEUM 

OF 

NATURAL  HISTORY 

BY  GIFT  OF 

ALBERT  S.  BICKMORE 

AND 

CHARLOTTE   B.  BICKMORE 


^oofefii  lip  f  lorence  Jilcrriam  ^ailep. 


BIRDS    THROUGH     AN     OPERA-GLASS.       In     | 

Riverside  Library  for  Young  People.    Illustrated,      i 

i6mo,  75  cents.  ! 

MY   SUMMER   IN  A  MORMAN  VILLAGE.     With      j 

an  Illustration.     i6mo,  $i.oo.  i 

A-BIRDING  ON  A  BRONCO     Illustrated.   i6mo,     j 

^1.25.  I 

BIRDS  OF  VILLAGE  AND  FIELD.     A  Bird  Book 

for  Beginners.     Fully  illustrated.     i2nio,  $2.00. 
HANDBOOK    OF    BIRDS    OF    THE    WESTERN 

UNITED    STATES.      With    many   illustrations. 

i2mo,  $3.50,  net. 

HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN  &  CO. 
Boston  and  New  York 


RING-BILLED  GULL  U'age  23) 


HANDBOOK  OF  BIRDS 


OF   THE 

Western  United  States 

INCLUDING 

THE  GREAT  PLAINS,  GREAT  BASIN,  PACIFIC  SLOPE, 

AND  LOWER  RIO  GRANDE  VALLEY 


BY 


FLORENCE  MERRIAM  BAILEY 


Wrril  THIRTY-THREE  FULL-PAGE  PLATES  BY  LOUIS 

AGASSIZ  FUERTES,  AND  OVER  SIX 

HUNDRED  CUTS  IN  THE  TEXT 


BOSTON    AND   NEW    YORK 

HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN  AND  COMPANY 

Cbr  nilicrsibi  press,  tiTambntioc 

I  i)0  2 


COPYRIGHT,    1902,    BY    FLORENCE    A.    BAILEY 
ALL    RIGHTS    RESERVED 

Published  November,  igo2 


PREFATORY   NOTE. 


The  preparation  of  this  book  has  been  facilitated  by  the  good 
offices  of  many  ornithologists.  To  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway  and  Dr.  C. 
Hart  Merriam  I  am  indebted  for  use  of  the  National  Museum  and 
Biological  Survey  collections,  and  to  Mr.  Ridgway  for  generous 
help  in  the  study  of  the  museum  skins.  I  am  also  indebted  to  Mr. 
Ridgway  for  use  of  the  proof  of  his  forthcoming  Part  II.  of  Birds 
of  North  and  Middle  America,  and  to  Dr.  Merriam  for  use  of  the 
Biological  Survey  records.  Dr.  X.  K.  Fisher  has  given  me  kindly 
advice  at  all  points  and  important  help  by  a  critical  reading  of  the 
entire  manuscript,  with  especial  examination  of  distributions.  From 
my  husband,  Mr.  Vernon  Bailey,  I  have  had  untiring  advice  and 
assistance,  in  addition  to  the  preparation  of  the  water  bird  descrip- 
tions and  keys,  and  a  large  number  of  biographies  of  both  water 
and  land  birds.  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson  has  generously  corrected  and 
extended  the  ranges  of  the  birds  in  Mexico,  and  Mr.  H.  C.  Ober- 
holser  has  rendered  much  valuable  critical  aid,  while  Dr.  T.  S. 
Palmer  has  contributed  an  important  chapter  on  bird  protection. 
Local  lists  of  much  value  to  students  have  kindly  been  furnished  by 
Mr.  A.  W.  Anthony,  ]\Ir.  Joseph  Grinuell,  Mr.  Walter  K.  Fisher, 
Mr.  William  II.  Kobb(^,  and  Mr.  Frank  Bond,  to  whom,  as  to  all 
those  who  have  helped  in  the  preparation  of  the  book,  I  would  ex- 
press my  sincere  gratitude  and  appreciation. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

List  of  Illustrations ix 

Introduction xxv 

Acknowledgments xxv 

Collecting  and  preparing  Birds,  Nests,  and  Eggs.     By  Vernon 

Bailey xxvi 

Collecting  Birds       .........  xxvi 

Measuring        ..........  xxvii 

Making  Bird  8kins xxviii 

Skinning  ..........  xxix 

Stuffing XXX 

Labeling  ..........  xxx 

Sexing     ...........  xxx 

Collecting  and  preserving  Eggs  and  Nests     ....  xxxi 

Note-Taking,  Note-Books,  and  Journals xxxiii 

Life  Zones xxxiii 

Migration    ...........  xxxvi 

Economic  Ornithology xxxvii 

Bird  Protection.     By  Theodore  S.  Palmer         ....  xxxix 

Local  Bird  Lists xliii 

Portland,  Oregon.     By  A.  W.  Anthony xliii 

San  Francisco  Bay.     By  William  H.  Kobb^  ....  xlviii 
Santa  Chira  Valley  and  Santa  Cruz  Mountains.     By  Waltt'r 

K.  Fisher     .       * .  li 

Pasadena,  California.     By  Joseph  Grinnell    ....  Ivi 

Fort  Sherman,  Idaho.     By  J.  C.  Merrill  ....  Ixiv 

Cheyenne,  Wyoming.     By  Frank  Bond  ....  Ixix 

Pinal,  Pima,  and  Gila  Counties,  Arizona.     By  W.  E.  I).  .Seott  Ixxiv 

Books  of  lioferenee Ixxxiii 

Use  of  Handbook  Keys Ixxxviii 

lilUDS   OF   THE   UNITED  ST.VTE.S   WEST   OF   THE  ONE 
IIUNDBEDTH    MEKIDIAN. 


Kkv    id  Ohdkus  ... 

Kky  to   Familiks  ok  Watkk  liiun.s 


CONTENTS 


Order  Pygopodes:  Diving  Birds 

Family  Podieipiclse  :  Grebes 

Family  Gaviidfe  :  Loons        .... 

Family  Alcidse  :  Aixks,  Murres,  and  Puflfins 
Order  Longipennes  :  Long-winged  Swimmers 

Family  Stercorariidse  :  Jaegers,  etc. 

Family  Laridse  :  Gulls  and  Terns 
Order  Tubinares  :  Tube-nosed  Swimmers  . 

Family  Diomedeidae :  Albatrosses 

Family  Procellariidse  :  Fulmars  and  Shearwaters 
Order  Steganopodes  :  Totipalmate  Swimmers 

Family  Anhingidse :  Darters 

Family  Phalacrocoraeidae :   Cormorants 

Family  Pelecanidse :   Pelicans 

Family  Fregatidse  :  Man-o'-War  Birds 
Order  Anseres  :   Lamellirostral  Swimmers 

Family  Anatidse  :  Ducks,  Geese,  and  Swans 
Order  Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  Ibises,  i 

Family  Ibididfe  :  Ibises         .... 

Family  Ciconiidae  :  Storks  and  Wood  Ibises 

Family  Ardeidse  :  Herons,  Egrets,  Bitterns 
Order  Paludicol^  :  Cranes,  Rails,  etc. 

Family  Gruidae  :  Cranes         .... 

Family  Rallidae  :  Rails,  Gallinules,  and  Coots 
Order  Limicol^  :  Shore  Birds 

Family  Phalaropodidse  :   Phalaropes     . 

Family  Recurvirostridaj :  Avoeets  and  Stilts 

Family  Scolopacidse  :  Snipe,  Sandi^ipers,  etc. 

Family  Cliaradriidse :  Plovers 

Family  Aphrizidte  :  Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones 

Family  Haematopodid?e  :  Oyster-catchers     . 

Family  Jacanidae  :  Jacanas  .... 
Key  to  Families  of  Land  Birds  . 
Order  Gallin/E  :  Gallinaceous  Birds  . 

Family  Tetraonidte  :  Grouse,  Partridges,  Quail,  etc 

Family  Phasianidas  :  Pheasants  and  Turkeys 

Family  Cracidae  :  Currassows  and  Guans 
Order  Columb^  :  Pigeons      .... 

Family  Columbidae  :   Pig'eons 
Order  Raptores:  Birds  op  Prey 

Family  Cathartid^e :  Vultures 

Family  Falconidae :   Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc 

Family  Strigidae  :   Barn  Owls 

Family  Bubonidae  :   Horned  Owls,  etc. 
Order  Psittaci  :  Parrots,  Macaws,  Paroquets,  etc 

Family  Psittacidae  :   Parrots  and  Paroquets  . 


CONTENTS  vii 

Order  Coccyges  :  Cuckoos,  etc 193 

Family  Cuculiclie  :   Anis,  Road-ruiuier.s.  and  Cuckoos  .          .          .  193 
Familj^  Trogonida? :  Trogons         .         .         .         .         .         .         .197 

Family  Alcedinidse  :  Kingfishers  .......  198 

Order  Pici  :  WooDrECKERS,  etc 200 

Family  Picidae :  Woodpeckers 200 

Order  Macrochires  :  Goatsuckers.  Swifts,  and  Hummingbirds  222 

Family  Caprimulgidfe  :  Goatsuckers     ......  222 

Family  "Micropodidse  :  Swifts 229 

Family  Trochilidte ;   Hummingbirds     ......  232 

Order  Passeres  :  Perching  Birds 245 

Family  Cotingidae  :  Cotingas         .......  245 

Family  Tyraunidae :  Tyrant  Flycatchers 245 

Family  Alaudidae :  Larks 265 

Family  Corvidag :  Crows,  Jays,  Mag-pies,  etc.         ....  269 

Family  Sturnidaj  :  Starlings 285 

Family  Icteridse  :  Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc.  .....  285 

Family  Fringillidje  :   Finches,  Sparrows,  etc.         ....  303 

Family  Tanagridje :   Tanagers       .......  379 

Family  Hirundinidae  :   Swallows  .......  382 

Family  AmpelidiB  :  Waxwings  and  Phainoijeplas          .         .         .  387 

Family  Laniidffi  :  Shrikes 391 

Family  Vireonidte :   Vireos   ........  394 

Family  Mniotiltid;«  :  Wood  Warblers  ......  401 

Family  Motaeillidce  :  Wagtails     .......  431 

Family  Cinclidaj :  Dippers    ........  432 

Family  Troglodytidae  :  Wrens,  Thrashers,  etc.     ....  433 

Family  Certhiidae :  Creepers 451 

Family  Paridae  :   Nuthatches  and  Tits 452 

Family  Sylviidie  :  Kinglets,  Gnatcatchers.  etc.     ....  463 

Family  Turdidae:  Thrushes,  Solitaires,  Bluebirds,  etc.                   .  467 

Appendix. 

Color  Key  to  Genera  of  some  of  the  Common  Passerine  Birds      .  470 

Index 4^1 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


FULL-PAGE  PLATES, 

I.  Ring-billed  Gull     . 
II.  Zone  Map  . 

III.  TOPOGKAPHY   OF    BlRD 

IV.  Eared  Gkebe    . 
V.  Forster  Tern  . 

VI.  Pelagic  Cormorant 
VII.  Shoveller 
VIII.  Black-crowned  Night  Heron 
IX.  Wilson  Phalakope 
X.  Black-necked  Stilt 
XI.  Long-billed  Curlew 
XII.  Snowy  Plover  . 

XIII.  Scaled  Partridge    . 

XIV.  Mearns  Quail  . 
XV.  White-tailed  Ptarmigan 

XVI.  Marsh  Hawk    . 
XVII.  Audubon  Caracara 
XVIII.  Poor-will 

XIX.    SCISSOR-TAILED    FLYCATCHER 

XX.  Arkansas  and  Cassin  Kingbirds 
XXI.  Ash-throated  Flycatcher 
XXII.  Magpie       .... 

XXIII.  Long-crested  Jay    . 

XXIV.  WooDHousE  Jay 
XXV.  Northern  Kaven     . 

XXVI.  Yellow-headed  Blackbird 
XXVII.  Western  Lark  Sparrow 
XXVIII.  Texas  Pyrrhuloxia 
XXIX.  Lark  Bunting 
XXX.  Pileolated  Warbler 
XXXI.  Rock  Wren       . 
XXXII.  Canyon  Wren 
XXXni.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren 


FACING   PAGE 


Frontispiece 


XXXIV 

1 

7 

29 

42 

54 

77 

85 

86 

101 

105 

118 

122 

129 

150 

171 

224 

240 

249 

253 

270 

273 

274 

280 

288 

336 

371 

377 

428 

44:3 

445 

450 


X  LIST   OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

XXXIV.  Pygmy  Nuthatch 454 

XXXV.  Mountain  Chickadep: 458 

XXXVI.  Varied  Thkush 474 

DIAGBAMS. 

Measurement  of  Bill    .         .         .         .         .         ...         .         .  xxviii 

Measurement  of  Tarsus xxviii 

FIGUEES  IN  THE  TEXT. 

FIGURE  PAGE 

1.  Western  Grebe,  foot .  2 

2.  Loon,  foot    ...........  2 

3.  Tufted  Puffin,  foot 2 

4.  Herring  Gull,  foot 2 

5.  Parasitic  Jaeger,  bill    .........  2 

6.  Short-billed  Gull,  bill 2 

7.  Black-footed  Albatross,  bill 3 

8.  Giant  Fulmar,  bill 3 

9.  Cormorant,  foot  ..........  3 

10.  Man-o'-War  Bird,  bill .  3 

11.  White-crested  Cormorant,  bill      .......  3 

12.  White  Pelican,  bill 3 

13.  Merganser,  foot    ..........  3 

14.  White-faced  Glossy  Ibis,  bill 4 

15.  Green  Heron,  head 4 

16.  Sandhill  Crane,  foot 4 

17.  Florida  Gallhiule,  foot 4 

18.  White -rumped  Sandpiper,  foot    .......  4 

19.  Killdeer,  foot 4 

20.  Western  Grebe,  head    .........  5 

21.  Horned  Grebe,  head 7 

22.  Least  Grebe 8 

23.  Pied-biUed  Grebe 8 

24.  Loon,  bill 9 

25.  Pacific  Loon,  head .11 

26.  Tufted  Puffin,  bill 11 

27.  California  Murre,  bill 11 

28.  Rhinoceros  Auklet,  bill 12 

29.  Pigeon  Guillemot,  bill 12 

30.  Paroquet  Auklet,  bill 12 

31.  Least  Auklet,  bill 12 

32.  Tufted  Puffin,  head 12 

33.  Rhinoceros  Auklet,  bill 13 

34.  Paroquet  Auklet,  bill .14 

35.  Least  Auklet,  bill         .........  14 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


3G. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 
44. 
4.5. 
46. 
47. 
48. 
49. 
50. 
5L 
52. 
53. 
54. 
55. 
56. 
57. 
58. 
59. 
60. 
6L 
62. 
63. 
64. 
65. 
66. 
67. 
68. 
69. 
.70. 
71. 
72. 

7;}. 

74. 
75. 
7(). 


80. 


Marbled  Murrelet 
Pigeon  Guillemot,  head 
California  Murre 
Long-tailed  Jaeger,  head 
Herring  Gull,  bill 
Forster  Tern,  bill 
Heermann  Gull    . 
Franklin  Gull,  head 
Franklin  Gull,  wing  tip 
Bonaj)arte  Gull,  wing  tip 
Sabine  Gull,  bill  . 
Sabine  Gull  . 
Caspian  Tern,  head 
Least  Tern  . 
Black  Tern  . 
Sooty  Albatross,  bill    . 
Black-footed  Albatross,  bill 
Sooty  Albatross,  bill     . 
Forked-tailed  Petrel,  bill 
Slender-billed  Fulmar,  bill 
Giant  Fulmar,  bill 
Slender-billed  Fulmar,  bill 
Kaeding  Petrel     . 
White  Pelican,  bill 
Man-o'-War  Bird,  bill 
Merganser,  bill     . 
Mallard,  bill 
Red-breasted  Merganser,  head 
Hooded  Merganser,  head 
Mallard,  head 
Baldpate.  head     . 
Green-winged  Teal,  head 
Blue-winged  Teal,  head 
Cinnamon  Teal,  head 
Pintail,  head 
Wood  Duck,  head 
Kedhead,head 
Canvas-back,  head 
Scaup  Duck,  head 
Golden-eye,  head  . 
Buffle-head,  head 
Old-squaw,  head  . 
Harlequin  Duck,  head 
White-winged  Scoter,  head 
Kuddv  Duck,  head 


xii  LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

8L  White-fronted  Goose,  head  ........  66 

82.  Canada  Goose,  head 67 

83.  White-faced  Glossy  Ibis,  head 71 

84.  Bittern,  head 73 

85.  Bittern,  foot 73 

86.  Green  Heron,  head        .........  76 

87.  Sandhill  Crane,  foot      .........  79 

88.  California  Clapper  Rail        ........  80 

89.  Virginia  Rail,  head 80 

90.  Virginia  Rail,  foot 80 

91.  Carolina  Rail,  head 81 

92.  Yellow  Rail 82 

93.  Black  Rail 82 

94.  Florida  Gallinule 82 

95.  Florida  Gallinule,  foot 83 

96.  Coot 83 

97.  Coot,  foot 83 

98.  Red  Phalarope,  foot 84 

99.  Red  Phalarope .84 

100.  Northern  Phalarope 85 

101.  Avocet,  head 86 

102.  Wilson  Snipe,  head       .........  88 

103.  Long-billed  Dowitcher 89 

104.  Stilt  Sandpiper 90 

105.  Knot 91 

106.  Pectoral  Sandpiper 91 

107.  White-rumped  Sandpiper     ........  92 

108.  Baird  Sandpiper 92 

109.  Least  Sandpiper  ..........  92 

110.  Red-backed  Sandpiper          ........  93 

111.  Semipalmated  Sandpiper      ........  93 

112.  Western  Sandpiper 94 

113.  Sanderling 94 

114.  Sanderling,  foot 94 

115.  Marbled  Godwit 95- 

116.  Greater  Yellow-legs "    .         .96 

117.  Lesser  Yellow-legs       .........  97 

118.  Solitary  Sandpiper 97 

119.  Black-bellied  Plover,  head 102 

120.  Killdeer,  head 104 

121.  Semipalmated  Plover,  head 104 

122.  Mountain  Plover 105 

123.  Surf  Bird 106 

124.  Black  Turnstone,  summer  plumage     ......  107 

125.  Black  Turnstone,  head,  winter  plumage 107 


LIST   OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


126.  Black  Oyster-catcher   . 

127.  Black  Oyster-catcher,  foot 

128.  Bob-white,  bill     . 

129.  Dove,  bill     . 

130.  Turkey  Vulture,  bill    . 

131.  Turkey  Vulture,  foot  . 

132.  Sparrow  Hawk,  bill     . 

133.  Fish  Hawk,  foot  . 

134.  Owl,  bill       . 

135.  Saw-whet  Owl,  head    . 

136.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 

137.  Kingfisher,  head  . 

138.  Kingfisher,  foot    . 

139.  Cuckoo,  foot 

140.  Cuckoo,  bill. 

141.  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus),  bill 

142.  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus),  tail 

143.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates),  foot 

144.  Woodpecker  (Picoides),  foot 

145.  Hummingbird,  bill 

146.  Swift,  bill     . 

147.  Nighthawk,  foot  . 

148.  Swift,  foot    . 

149.  Song-  Sparrow,  foot 

150.  Skylark,  bill 

151.  Horned  Lark,  foot 

152.  Flycatcher,  bill    . 

153.  Swallow,  wing' 

154.  Sprague  Pipit,  foot 

155.  Pipir,  foot    . 

156.  Warbler  (Dendroica),  bill 

157.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  foot 

158.  Song-  Sparrow^  bill 

159.  Goldfinch,  bill    .   . 

160.  Crossbill,  bill 

161.  Longspur,  bill 

162.  Evening-  Grosbeak,  bill 
16^j.  Scarlet  Tanag-er,  bill 
1(54.  .Summer  Tanager,  bill 
165.    Oriole,  bill    . 
16<).  Cowbird.  bill 
167.  Crow  Blackl)ir(l,  bill 
1(5S.  Shrike,  wing  feathers 
16t».   Loggerliead  Shrike,  head 
170.    Wnn.  bill     . 


xiv  LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

171.  Jay,  bill .112 

172.  Wren-Tit,  bill .112 

173.  Robin,  wing- feathers 112 

174.  Kinglet,  foot 112 

175.  Warbling  Vireo,  foot    .  . 113 

176.  Warbling-  Vireo,  bill 113 

177.  Vireo,  tail 113 

178.  Gnatcatclier,  tail 113 

179.  Sag-e  Thrasher,  foot      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .113 

180.  Bro-wn  Creeper,  bill     . 113 

181.  Brown  Creeper,  tail      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .113 

182.  Chickadee,  bill 113 

183.  Nuthatch,  bill 113 

184.  Sage  Grouse,  tail  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .113 

185.  Sharjj-tailed  Grouse,  tail       .  .  .         .         .         .         .         .114 

186.  Ptarmigan,  foot 114 

187.  Dusky  Grouse,  foot 114 

188.  Ruffed  Grouse,  foot 114 

189.  Mearns  Quail,  foot        .         .         . 114 

190.  Bob-white,  foot 114 

191.  Bob-white 115 

192.  Texan  Bob-white 116 

193.  Masked  Bob-white 116 

194.  Plumed  Partridge 117 

195.  Valley  Partridge,  female .     120 

196.  Valley  Partridge,  male 121 

197.  Gambel  Partridge,  male       . 121 

198.  Gambel  Partridge,  female .     121 

199.  Dusky  Grouse •         •         .124 

200.  Richardson  Grouse 126 

201.  Franklin  Grouse 126 

202.  Gray  Ruffed  Grouse 128 

203.  Southern  White-tailed  Ptarmigan 129 

204.  Prairie  Hen 1.30 

205.  Prairie  Sharp-tailed  Grouse 132 

206.  Sage  Grouse  .......-••     133 

207.  Band-tailed  Pigeon .  138 

208.  Mourning  Dove    .         . 140 

209.  White-winged  Dove     . 142 

210.  Mexican  Ground  Dove 143 

211.  Inea  Dove .^    •          •  143 

212.  Turkey  Vulture,  head 145 

213.  Fish  Hawk,  foot 146 

214.  Prairie  Falcon,  feather 147 

215.  Sparrow  Hawk,  bill     .         .         .       ^         .         •         =         •         .147 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


216.  Swallow-tailed  Kite,  tail 

217.  White-tailed  Kite,  foot 

218.  Audubon  Caracaia,  bill 

219.  Mexican  Goshawk,  feather 

220.  Swallow-tailed  Kite      . 

221.  Mississippi  Kite    . 

222.  Sharp-shinned  Hawk    . 

223.  Cooper  Hawk 

224.  Goshawk       . 

225.  Sennett  White-tailed  Hawk 

226.  Red-bellied  Hawk,  primar; 

227.  Zone-tailed  Hawk,  tail 

228.  Red-tailed  Hawk 
220.  Zone-tailed  Hawk,  tail 

230.  Swainson  Hawk   . 

231.  Rough-leg-ged  Hawk    . 

232.  Ferruginous  Rough-leg 

233.  Golden  Eagle 

234.  Bald  Eagle  . 

235.  Duck  Hawk 

236.  Pigeon  Hawk 

237.  Sparrow  Hawk     . 

238.  Fish  Hawk  . 

239.  Earn  Owl,  foot     . 

240.  Barn  Owl      . 

241.  Saw-whet  Owl 

242.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 

243.  Long-eared  Owl  . 

244.  Short-eared  Owl  . 

245.  Barred  Owl . 

246.  Saw-whet  Owl,  head    . 

247.  Screech  Owl 

248.  Dwarf  Screech  Owl 

240.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 

250.  Snowy  Owl  . 

251.  Hawk  Owl    . 

252.  Burrowing  Owl     . 

253.  Pygmy  Owl . 

254.  Elf  Owl 

255.  Groove-billed  Ani 

256.  Road-runner 

257.  Yellow-billed  (^ukoo  . 

258.  Black-l)illed  Cuckoo,  tail 
250.  C()p])ery-tailod  Trogon 
2(»(t.   Ht'licd  Kingfisher 


primaries 


XVI 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


261.  Texas  Kingfisher 

262.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates),  foot 
268.  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus) ,  bill 

264.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates).  bill 

265.  Woodpecker  (Picoides),  foot 

266.  Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker 

267.  Flicker  .... 

268.  Northern  Hairy  Woodpecker 

269.  Harris  Woodpecker 

270.  Gaii-dner  Woodpecker  . 

271.  Texan  Woodj)ecker 

272.  Nuttall  Woodpecker    . 

273.  White-headed  Woodpecker 

274.  Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker 

275.  Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker 

276.  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker    . 

277.  Red-naj)ed  Sapsucker  . 

278.  Red-breasted  Sapsucker 

279.  Williamson  Sapsucker 

280.  Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker 

281.  Red-headed  Woodpecker 

282.  Ant-eating-  Woodpecker,  head 

283.  Lewis  Woodpecker 

284.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker,  head 

285.  Golden-fronted  Woodpecker,  head 

286.  Gila  Woodpecker 

287.  Northern  Flicker . 

288.  Whip-poor-will,  head  . 

289.  California  Poor-will      . 

290.  Nighthawk,  foot  . 

291.  Nig-hthawk,  head 

292.  Nig-hthawk,  wing- 

293.  Texas  Nig-hthawk.  wing- 

294.  Swift,  tail  feather 

295.  Black  Swift 

296.  Chimney  Swift     . 

297.  Vaux  Swift .... 

298.  White-throated  Swift  . 

299.  Lucifer  Hummingbird,  bill 

300.  Calliope  Hummingbird,  tail 

301.  Anna  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 

302.  Black-chinned  Hummingbird,  tail 

303.  Rivoli  Hummingbird    . 

304.  Blue-throated  Hummingbird 

305.  Ruby-throated  Hummingbird,  wing- 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


306. 
307. 
308. 
309. 
310. 
311. 
312. 
313. 
314. 
315. 
316. 
317. 
318. 
319. 
320. 
321. 
322. 
323. 
324. 
325. 
326. 


327.  Flycatchers 


328. 
329. 
330. 
331. 
332. 
333. 
334. 
335. 
336. 
337. 
338. 
339. 
340. 
341. 
342. 
343. 
344. 
345. 
346. 


Ruby-throated  Hummingbird 

Black-chinned  Hummingbird,  tail 

Anna  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 

Anna  Hummingbird,  male,  tail    . 

Costa  Hummingbird    . 

Anna  Hummingbird 

Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  outer  primaries 

Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  male,  tail 

Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 

Rufous  Hummingbird,  male,  tail 

Rufous  Hummingbird . 

Allen  Hummingbird,  male,  tail    . 

Allen  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 

Calliope  Hummingbird,  tail 

Calliope  Hummingbird 

Lucifer  Hummingbird 

Broad-billed  Hummingbird 

Xantus  Becard     .... 

Kingbird 

Arkansas  Kingbird,  wing-  tip 
Cassin  Kingbird,  wing-  tip    . 

f  Crested  Flycatcher 

I  Wood  Pewee 
Phoebe 

I  Kingbird 

[  Least  Flycatcher 
Flycatcher  (Myiarchus).  foot 

Phoebe 

Western  Black  Phcebe,  head 
Flycatcher  (Contopus),  foot 
Olive-sided  Flycatcher 
Coues  Flycatcher 
Western  Wood  Pewee  . 
Flycatcher  (Empidonax),  foot 
Western  Flycatcher,  bill 
Hammond  Flycatcher,  bill  . 
Wright  Flycatcher,  bill 
Western  Flycatcher,  bill 
Hammond  Flycatcher  . 
Hammond  Flycatcher,  bill    . 
Wright  Flycatcher,  bill 
Horned  Lark,  head 
P.illid  Horned  Lark      . 
Blue  Jay       .... 
iJoeky  Mountain  .lay,  head  . 


xviii  LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

347.  Oregon  Jay,  head 278 

348.  Crow,  bill 279 

349.  Clarke  Nutcracker 282 

350.  Bobolink,  tail       . 285 

351.  Bobolink,  head .  285 

352.  Cowbird,  bill        .        .        .        .        , 285 

353.  Meadowlark,  head 285 

354.  Bronzed  Grackle,  bill 285 

355.  Oriole,  bill 285 

356.  Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  foot 285 

357.  Red-wing,  head 286 

358.  Bobolink 286 

359.  Cowbird 287 

360.  Red-winged  Blackbird 290 

361.  Meadowlark 292 

362.  Scott  Oriole 294 

363.  Arizona  Hooded  Oriole 296 

364.  Baltimore  Oriole 297 

365.  Bullock  Oriole,  head 298 

366.  Brewer  Blackbird 300 

367.  Bronzed  Grackle 301 

368.  Redpoll,  wing- 303 

369.  Crossbill,  bill 303 

370.  Western  Evening  Grosbeak,  bill 303 

371.  Redpoll,  head 304 

372.  Snowflake,  head 304 

373.  McCown  Longspur,  tail         ........  304 

374.  Pine  Finch,  head 304 

375.  Black-headed  Grosbeak,  head 304 

376.  Western  Lark  Sparrow 304 

377.  Longspur,  foot 304 

378.  Vesper  Sparrow,  tail 304 

379.  Dickcissel,  head 305 

380.  English  Sparrow,  male         ...  ....  305 

381.  Pine  Grosbeak,  head 305 

382.  Pyrrhuloxia 305 

383.  Cardinal,  head 305 

384.  Arctic  Towhee 305 

385.  Slate-colored  Junco,  head    ........  305 

386.  Sparrow  (Aimophila),  wing  .......  306 

387.  White-crowned  Sparrow .         .  306 

388.  Green-tailed  Towhee,  head 306 

389.  Fox  Sparrow,  head 306 

390.  California  Towhee        .  .......  306 

391.  Bunting  (Cyanospiza),  bill   .....         o         ..  306 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS  xix 

392.  Song-  Sparrow,  head 306 

393.  Western  Evening-  Grosbeak 307 

394.  Pine  Grosbeak 308 

395.  California  Purple  Finch,  tail 310 

396.  Purple  Finch 311 

397.  Cassin  Purple  Finch,  liead 312 

398.  House  Finch,  male 312 

399.  House  Finch,  female 312 

400.  Crossbill,  bill 313 

401.  White-winged  Crossbill 315 

402.  Gray-crowned  Leucosticte,  head  .         .         .•        .         .         .         .  315 

403.  Hoary  Redpoll 318 

404.  Redpoll,  head 319 

405.  Goldfinch 321 

406.  Arkansas  Goldfinch      .         .         .         .    " 322 

407.  Mexican  Goldfinch 323 

408.  Lawrence  Goldfinch 323 

409.  Pine  Finch 323 

410.  English  Sparrow,  male 324 

411.  English  Sparrow,  female      ........  824 

412.  Snowflake 325 

413.  Lapland  Longspur,  summer  male 326 

414.  Lapland  Longspur,  winter  male 326 

415.  Smith  Long-spur,  summer  male 327 

416.  Chestnut-collared  Longspur,  summer  male 328 

417.  Chestnut-collared  Longspur,  winter  male 328 

418.  McCown  Long-spur        .........  328 

419.  Western  Vesper  Sparrow,  tail 329 

420.  Sandwich  Sparrow        .         .  •         •         •         •         •         .331 

421.  Large-billed  Sparrow 333 

422.  Baird  Sparrow      ..........  333 

423.  Western  Grasshopper  Sparrovv'     . 334 

424.  Sharp-tailed  Sparrow,  tail    ........  335 

425.  Harris  Sparrow     ...                  ......  337 

426.  White-crowned  Sparrow        ........  338 

427.  Gambel  Sparrow,  head 339 

428.  Golden-crowned  Sparrow 340 

429.  White-throated  Sparrow,  head 340 

430.  Western  Tree  Sparrow          ........  341 

431.  Western  Chipping  Sparrow,  head 342 

432.  -Brewer  Sparrow,  head          ........  343 

433.  Worthen  Sparrow,  head        ........  344 

434.  Black-chinned  Sparrow 345 

435.  Slate-colored  J  unco       .........  340 

436.  Thurber  J  unco      .....•-•  348 


XX  LIST  OF  ILLUSTKATIONS 

437.  Red-backed  Juneo 349 

438.  Black-throated  Sparrow,  head 350 

439.  Sag-e  Sparrow,  head 352 

440.  Cassin  Sparrow     ..........  353 

441.  Rufous-winged  Sparrow,  head 354 

442.  Rufous-crowned  Sparrow,  head    .......  354 

443.  Song-  Sparrow,  head 356 

444.  Desert  Song-  Sparrow    .........  357 

445.  Mountain  Song-  Sparrow 357 

446.  Samuels  Song'  Sparrow          ........  358 

447.  Rusty  Song  Sparrow 358 

448.  Lincoln  Sparrow  ..........  359 

449.  Fox  Sparrow 361 

450.  Townsend  Sparrow       .........  361 

451.  Thick-billed  Sparrow,  bill 362 

452.  Slate-colored  Sparrow,  bill  ........  363 

453.  Stephens  Sparrow,  bill 363 

454.  Calif ornia  Towhee 363 

455.  Towhee,  head 363 

456.  Towhee,  head 364 

457.  Arctic  Towhee 364 

458.  Spurred  Towhee 365 

459.  Oregon  Towhee 365 

460.  California  Towhee,  head .  367 

461.  Green-tailed  Towhee,  head 368 

462.  Cardinal,  head 369 

463.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak       ........  372 

464.  Black-headed  Grosbeak,  head 372 

465.  Bunting-  (Cyanospiza),  bill  ........  374 

466.  Dickcissel,  head 377 

467.  Scarlet  Tanager,  head 379 

468.  Summer  Tanager,  bill 379 

469.  Scarlet  Tanager,  bill 380 

470.  Summer  Tanager,  bill 382 

471.  Barn  Swallow,  tail 382 

472.  Rough-winged  Swallow,  feather 382 

473.  Cliff  Swallow,  head .         .384 

474.  Barn  Swallow,  foot 385 

475.  Barn  Swallow 385 

476.  White-bellied  Swallow 386 

477.  Bank  Swallow 386 

478.  Rough- winged  Swallow,  feather 387 

479.  Rough- winged  Swallow,  head 387 

480.  Cedar  Waxwing 389 

481.  Phainopepla         ..........  390 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


head 


head 


482.  Shrike,  bill  .... 
483o  Northern  Shrike  . 

484.  White-rumped  Shrike  . 

485.  Black-capped  Vireo,  head    . 

486.  Cassin  Vireo,  head 

487.  Red-eyed  Vireo,  head  . 

488.  Warbling-  Vireo.  head  . 

489.  Red-eyed  Vireo,  head  . 

490.  Warbling-  Vireo,  head  . 

491.  Cassin  Vireo,  head 

492.  Black-capped  Vireo,  head    . 

493.  Redstart,  bill 

494.  Red-faced  Warbler,  bill 

495.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  head 

496.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  foot 

497.  Warbler  (Helminthophila),  foot 

498.  Chat,  head    .... 

499.  Northern  Parula  Warbler. 

500.  Warbler  (Uendroica),  bill 

501.  Black  and  White  Warblei 
502o  Calaveras  Warbler,  head 

503.  Calaveras  Warbler,  head 

504.  Northern  Parnla  Warbler,  head 

505.  Warbler  (Dendroica),  foot  . 

506.  Blackburnian  Warbler,  head 

507.  Yellow  Warbler,  head 

508.  Magnolia  Warbler,  head 

509.  Olive  Warbler       . 

510.  Black-throated  Bine  Warbler,  head 

511.  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler,  head 

512.  Hermit  Warbler,  head 

513.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  head 

514.  Golden-cheeked  Warbler,  head 

515.  Townsend  Warbler,  head     . 

516.  Black-poll  Warbler,  head    . 

517.  Yi41o\v-rnniped  Warbler,  head 

518.  Chestnnt-sided  Warbler,  head 

519.  Olive  Warbler 

520.  Yellow  Warbler,  head 

521.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  head 

522.  Yellow-rnniped  Warbler,  head 

523.  Audnl)on  Warbler 

524.  Maon„li;,.  W.irbh-r,  head 

525.  Chestnnt-sid.'d  Warbler,  head 
520.   Black-puU  Wail.l.-r.  lu-ad     . 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


527.  Blackburnian  Warbler,  head 

528.  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler,  head 

529.  Golden-cheeked  Warbler,  head 

530.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  head 
53L  Towiiseiid  Warbler,  head     . 

532.  Hermit  Warbler,  head 

533.  Oven-bird,  head  . 

534.  Grinnell  Water-Thrush 

535.  Maegillivray  Warbler,  head 

536.  Western  Yellow-throat,  head 

537.  Long-tailed  Chat 

538.  Wilson  Warbler,  head  . 

539.  Canadian  Warbler,  head 

540.  Redstart,  head 

541.  Pipit     .... 

542.  Pipit,  foot     . 

543.  Sprague  Pipit,  foot 
544o  Water  Ouzel 

545.  Sag-e  Thrasher 

546.  Brown  Thrasher,  head 

547.  California  Thrasher,  bill 

548.  Mockingbird,  head 

549.  Catbird,  head 

550.  Cactus  Wren 

551.  Canyon  Wren 
552„  Rock  Wren  . 

553.  Western  Winter  Wren 

554.  House  Wren,  head 

555.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  head 

556.  Carolina  Wren,  head    . 

557.  Sage  Thrasher      . 

558.  Eastern  Mocker    . 

559.  Catbird 

560.  Brown  Thrasher  . 

561.  Sennett  Thrasher 

562.  Curve-billed  Thrasher  . 

563.  Palmer  Thrasher  . 

564.  Bendire  Thrasher 

565.  Calif ornian  Thrasher    . 

566.  Leconte  Thrasher 

567.  Crissal  Thrasher  . 

568.  Cactus  Wren 

569.  Rock  Wren  . 

570.  Canyon  Wren 

571.  Carolina  Wren,  head    . 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


572.  Vigors  Wren 

573.  Parkmaii  Wren     . 

574.  Western  Winter  Wren 

575.  Brown  Creeper,  bill 
570.  Brown  Creeper,  tail 

577.  Californian  Creeper 

578.  Slender-billed  Niithateli,  feather 

579.  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  feather 

580.  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  head 
581=  Red-breasted  Nuthatch,  head 

582.  Plain  Titmouse     . 

583.  Bridled  Titmouse,  head 

584.  Chickadee,  head  . 

585.  Wren-Tit      . 

586.  Bush-Tit       . 

587.  Lloyd  Bush-Tit    . 

588.  Kinglet,  bill 

589.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  head 

590.  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  head 

591.  Gnatcatcher,  tail  . 

592.  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher,  head 

593.  Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher,  feather 

594.  Black-tailed  Gnatcatcher,  feather 

595.  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher 
596o  Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher 

597.  Townsend  Solitaire 

598.  Wood  Thrush       . 

599.  Robin,  bill    . 
GOO.  Robin   . 
001.  Bluebird       . 


XXlll 

447 
448 
449 
451 
451 
452 
453 
453 
453 
454 
456 
457 
457 
460 
461 
462 
463 
463 
464 
465 
465 
465 
465 
465 
466 
467 
469 
472 
472 
475 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  classification,  nomenclature,  and  numeration  used  in  this 
book  are  those  of  the  A.  0.  IT.  Check-List  of  Worth  American  Birds, 
except  that  modern  scientific  usage  has  heen  followed  in  dropping 
the  possessive  form  in  the  vernacular  names  of  species,  as  Clarke 
nutcracker  and  Steller  jay,  instead  of  Clarke's  nutcracker  and  Stel- 
ler's  jay.  The  rulings  of  the  nomenclature  committee  of  the  Amer- 
ican Ornithologists'  Union  have  been  followed,  but  new  species  upon 
which  the  committee  has  not  yet  ruled  have  been  included  in  foot- 
notes under  their  proper  places. 

In  the  matter  of  authorities,  Ridgway's  Manual  of  North  Ameri- 
can Birds,  his  Hummingbird  paper,  and  Birds  of  North  and  Middle 
America  (Parts  I.  and  II.)  have  been  used  at  all  points  as  standard 
authorities,  and  the  substance  of  keys  and  descriptions  frequently 
quoted. 

In  the  general  treatment  of  species  various  authorities  have  been 
followed. 

General  Characters.  —  These  summaries  of  technical  characters 
have  been  abridged  from  the  generic  descriptions  in  Parts  I.  and  II. 
of  Pidgway's  BirdK  (f  North  and  Middle  America,  his  monograph 
on  the  Jfumminf/hirds,  and  Coues's  Kei/  to  North  American  Birds. 

Measurements.  —  The  measurements  have  been  taken  from  the 
second  edition  of  Kidgway's  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  from 
Parts  I,  and  II.  of  North  and  Middle  America,  with  the  centimeters 
converted  into  inches,  and.  in  the  case  of  sjx'cics  not  included  in 
thes(;  books,  from  the  original  descriptions. 

Nest  and  Kijfjs.  —  Descriptions  of  nests  and  eggs  are  taken  mainly 
from  IJendire's  Life  llifttoriex  of  North  American  Birdu,  Uitlgway's 
Mamial,  .s(jcond  edition,  The  A^lk,  Tlie  Condor,  Tlie  Osprey,  The 
Nidolof/hst,  The  Ornitholof/ist  and  Oiilof/ist,  Goi^' a  lUrds  of  Kansas, 
The  Biolof/iral  Survey  Records,  and  from  specimens  in  the  Hendire 
and  Ralph  coHectious  of  the  United  States  National  Museum. 


xxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Food. — Food  notes  have  been  made  up  mainly  from  Bendire's 
Life  Histories,  Fisher's  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States,  Goss's 
Birds  of  Kansas,  and  the  records  of  the  Biological  Surve3\ 

Distribution.  —  The  distributions  have  been  compiled  from  the 
manuscript  maps  and  reports  of  the  Biological  Survey,  and  the  North 
American  Fauna,  (3)  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona;  (7)  Death 
Valley,  and  (16)  Mount  Shasta,  California;  (22)  Hudson  Bay;  (5) 
Idaho;  (21)  The  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  British  Columbia;  and 
(14)  The  Tres  Marias  Islands,  Mexico;  The  A.  0.  U.  Check-List  of 
North  American  Birds;  Belding's  Land  Birds  of  California;  Bendire's 
Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds;  Bruner's  Birds  of  Nebraska ; 
Bryant's  Birds  and  Eggs  of  the  Farallon  Islands;  Cooke's  Bird  Mi- 
gration in  the  3Iississippi  Valley,  and  Birds  of  Colorado;  Fannin's 
Check-List  of  British  Columbia  Birds;  Goss's  Birds  of  Kansas;  Grin- 
nell's  Birds  of  the  Pacific  Slope  of  Los  Angeles  County;  Loomis's  Cali- 
fornia Water  Birds;  Macoun's  Catalogue  of  Canadian  Birds;  Mc- 
Gregor's Pacific  Coast  Avifauna;  and  Silloway's  Summer  Birds  of 
Flathead  Lake,  Montana;  together  with  local  lists  in  The  Auk,  The 
Bulletin  of  the  'Cooper  Ornithological  Club,  The  Condor,  and  The 
Osprey. 

Illustrations.  — The  new  heads  and  full  figures  of  birds  are  by 
Louis  Agassiz  Fuertes,  the  outlines  by  Miss  Franceska  Weiser,  the 
old  material  from  drawings  of  Louis  Agassiz  Fuertes,  Ernest  Thomp- 
son Seton,  Robert  Ridgway,  John  L.  Ridgway,  and  Frank  Bond, 
published  previously  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  the  Biological 
Survey,  The  Auk,  The  Osprey,  and  Houghton,  IMifflin  &  Company 
in  Birds  of  Village  and  Field  and  A-Birding  on  a  Bronco. 

COLLECTING   AND   PREPARING   BIRDS,  NESTS, 
AND   EGGS. 

By  Vernon  Bailey. 

Collecting  Birds.  —  Our  present  knowledge  of  birds  and  their 
classification  has  come  from  a  study  of  specimens,  of  the  dead  bird 
in  the  flesh,  of  crops  and  stomachs,  stuffed  skins,  and  skeletons ; 
and  without  this  foundation  the  study  of  birds  would  not  have  its 
deep  interest  and  meaning  nor  its  practical  bearing  on  the  economy 
of  our  lives.  Even  our  enjoyment  of  the  birds  in  life,  their  beauty, 
song,  and  friendship,  would  be  far  less  than  it  is  without  the  un- 
derlying knowledge  of  their  life  history,  the  place  they  fill,  and 
their  importance  to  us. 


INTRODUCTION  xxvii 

Naturalist  collectors  are  far  from  being  the  ruthless  destroyers  of 
life  they  are  often  supposed  to  be.  It  is,  indeed,  those  who  collect 
the  birds,  study  them  most  deeply,  and  know  them  best,  who  are 
doing  the  most  for  their  protection.  Most  ornithologists  have  begun 
their  study  of  birds  by  making  private  collections,  and  have  turned 
the  knowledge  thus  gained  to  the  best  good  of  the  birds,  while  their 
collections  have  finally  gone  to  museums,  where  they  could  benefit 
the  greatest  number  of  students. 

In  most  museums,  it  is  true,  there  are  large  collections  of  bird 
skins,  often  hundreds  of  specimens  of  a  single  species,  showing 
every  shade  of  variation  due  to  age,  sex,  season,  moult,  and  wear  of 
plumage,  and  endless  geographic  variation  over  a  wide  range  of 
country ;  but  to  many  of  those  who  have  the  best  chance  to  study 
the  birds  ia  life  these  collections  are  inaccessible. 

There  are  still  unknown,  rare,  and  little  known  species  of  birds 
that  must  be  obtained  before  our  knowledge  of  our  own  species  can 
be  approximately  complete  and  our  system  of  classification  firmly 
established.  But  the  more  immediate  and  pressing  question  before 
the  young  ornithologist  is  how  to  identify  the  obscure  species  and 
the  females  and  young  of  better  known  birds.  In  many  cases  the 
bird  must  be  shot  to  be  identified,  and  not  infrequently  it  must  be 
sent  to  some  large  museum  collection  for  comparison  for  satisfactory 
determination.  Collecting,  therefore,  has  not  only  a  legitimate  but 
fundamental  place  in  ornitholog}-  as  a  scientific  study. 

Measurements.  — It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  measurements 
are  not  infallible,  and  even  Avhere  the  maximum  and  minimum  of  a 
series  are  given,  still  larger  or  smaller  specimens  may  be  found. 
In  many  cases  measurements  are  useless  in  determining  characters, 
but  in  others  they  are  the  all  important  differences  between  species 
and  subspecies.  The  total  length  is  the  most  variable  measurement, 
and  when  taken  from  a  skin  instead  of  a  bird  in  the  flesh  is  only 
intended  to  give  a  general  idea  of  the  size  of  the  bird.  In  quoting 
Mr.  Kidgway's  measurements  throughout  this  book  tlie  word 
'about'  has  been  omitted  from  liis  lengtlis,  as  it  applies  to  all  length 
measurements.  Lengtlis  are  taken  from  the  birds  in  the  flesli,  if  not 
specifically  stated  to  be  from  skins.  All  measurements  in  the  book 
are  in  inches.  AVing,  tail,  bill,  and  tarsus  measurements  are  the 
important  ones  in  most  species,  especially  so  beca\\se  they  can- be 
taken  from  the  dry  skin  as  well  as  from  the  fresh  specimens.  iVIea- 
surementssliould  l)e  taken  in  the  following  manner:  — 

Liitijih.  —  From  tip  of  bill  to  tip  of  tail.      To  get  this  lay  the 


xxviii  INTRODUCTION 

bird  on  its  back  ou  a  rule  or.  tape-measure,  with  neck  and  body 
straiglit. 

Wing.  — From  the  front  of  the  bend  of  the  wrist  joint  of  the 
wing  to  the  tip  of  the  longest  feather.  This  can  be  taken  with  either 
tape  or  dividers. 

Tail.  —  From  the  extreme  base  of  the  tail  to  its  tip.  To  get  this 
exactly  place  one  point  of  the  dividers  at  the  base  of  the  tail  be- 
tween the  two  middle  tail  feathers,  and  the  other  point  of  the 
dividers  at  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

Bill.  —  From  edge  of  feathers  on  top  of  bill  to  tip 
of  bill.  When  it  would  be  necessary  to  part  the 
feathers  to  reach  the  base  of  the  bill  the  expression 
'  exposed  culmen '  is  used  for  the  mea- 
sui'eraent. 

Tarsus.  —  From  heel  joint  to  angle 
!^^  of  toe  with  tarsus.     If  this  is  difficult 

to  determine,   put  the  dividers  on  the   outside  and 
bend  the  toes. 

Middle  toe.  —  From  angle  of  tarsus  and  toes  to  base  of  claw,  the 
length  of  the  claw  not  being  taken  unless  specified. 

Such  measurements  as  length  of  toes,  depth  of  bill  at  base,  at 
nostril,  etc.,  and  relative  lengths  of  certain  feathers  and  spots  and 
markings  can  usually  be  taken  most  accurately  and  conveniently 
with  dividers. 

Making  bird  skins.  — For  making  bird  skins  a  few  simple  tools 
and  materials  are  needed,  —  two  sizes  of  scalpels  or  slender-bladed 
knives  for  skinning,  a  pair  of  stout,  sharp  scissors,  and  a  pair  of 
forceps,  some  powdered  arsenic  and  corn-meal,  cotton  (for  large 
species  tow),  a  round-pointed  needle,  thread,  and  labels. 

The  English  sparrow  is  a  good  bird  to  begin  with  and  practice  on 
until  skins  can  be  made  that  are  worth  keeping,  an  end  not  attained 
without  patient  and  painstaking  effort. 

Having  shot  a  bird,  examine  it  for  bloody  or  soiled  spots,  and 
sprinkle  any  that  are  found  with  corn -meal  or  fine  sand,  and  plug 
the  throat  with  cotton  to  keep  any  blood  or  liquids  from  coming  out 
and  soiling  the  feathers.  If  an  eye  is  broken  remove  it  with  the 
forceps,  and  fill  the  orifice  with  cotton  and  corn-meal,  to  prevent  the 
fluids  from  soiling  the  feathers  of  the  head.  To  keep  the  bird  from 
injury  until  you  can  skin  it,  make  a  paper  cornucopia,  and  after 
smoothing  the  feathers  drop  the  bird  in  bill  first  ;  then  fold  together 
the  gaping  edges  of  the  cornucopia,  and  your  bird  will  carry  safely 
in  your  game-bag  or  hunting-coat  pocket. 


INTRODUCTION  xxix 

Skinning.  —  Place  the  bird  on  its  back  Avitli  its  bill  to  your  left, 
and  part  the  feathers  along  the  breast  and  belly.  In  most  species  a 
strip  of  naked  skin  will  appear.  Holding  the  feathers  back  with 
the  thumb  and  finger  of  the  left  hand,  cut  with  a  down  stroke  of  the 
scalpel  just  through  the  skin  from  about  the  middle  of  the  sternum 
back  to  the  vent.  Catch  the  edge  of  the  skin  at  one  side,  and  with 
the  end  of  the  scalpel  handle  or  your  fingers  work  it  back  from  the 
body  until  the  knee-joint  of  the  leg  appears,  sprinkling  in  plenty  of 
corn-meal  as  you  go  to  absorb  blood  and  juices  and  keep  your  fingers 
dry  and  the  feathers  from  sticking.  Cut  the  bone  at  the  knee-joint 
with  scissors  or  knife,  and  draw  it  up  out  of  the  flesh,  which  can 
be  cut  off  nearer  the  heel  and  left  fast  to  the  carcass.  Loosen  the 
skin  farther  back,  then  treat  the  other  side  in  the  same  manner,  fre- 
quently using  corn-meal. 

Then  turn  the  bird's  bill  from  you,  and  cut  across  below  the  tail 
to  the  bone,  and  either  unjoint  or  snip  the  bone  with  the  scissors 
just  in  front  of  the  base  of  the  quills,  keeping  the  forefinger  of  the  left 
hand  at  a  point  opposite  on  the  outside  as  a  guide  to  prevent  cut- 
ting the  skin,  and  work  the  skin  up  over  the  rump.  At  this  point 
a  small  hook,  suspended  in  front  and  hooked  into  the  bird's  rump, 
will  help  the  beginner,  but  he  will  soon  learn  to  hold  up  the  body 
between  the  tips  of  the  first  two  fingers  of  the  left  hand,  using  the 
thumb  and  third  or  little  finger  of  the  same  hand  to  draw  down  the 
skin  as  he  cuts  with  the  scalpel  in  the  right.  Work  the  skin  from 
the  edges,  being  careful  not  to  stretch  it.  As  the  wings  are  reached 
draw  them  back  out  of  the  skin  to  near  the  second  joint,  break  the 
first  bone  in  the  middle  and  remove  tlie  flesh.  Keep  the  body  well 
sprinkled  with  meal,  and  work  the  skin  carefully  down  over  the 
neck  to  the  head  until  the  ears  appear,  picking  them  out  rather 
than  cutting  them  off  ;  then  working  the  skin  along  mainly  with  the 
finger  nails  over  the  eyes  (cutting  the  transparent  membrane  without 
inj\iry  to  the  lids),  and  carrying  it  down  to  the  base  of  the  bill. 

Next  remove  the  ej'cs  and  cut  off  the  base  and  lower  part  of  the 
skull,  which  can  be  done  so  as  to  leave  brains,  tongue,  and  fleshy 
part  of  mouth  attached  to  the  neck,  and  the  skull  and  bill  clean  and 
free  attached  to  the  skin.  If  any  bits  of  flesh  or  fat  have  been  left 
on  the  skin,  remove  tlieni.  and  then  dust  dry  arsenic  over  the  inside 
of  the  skill,  till  the  eye  sockets  with  pellets  of  cotton,  and  reverse 
the  skin  by  pushing  tlie  bill  carefully  back  through  the  neck.  Willi 
the  beginner  the  skin  will  become  dry  before  it  is  ready  to  be 
turned  l>aek,  and  will  need   moistening,  l)ut  after  some  practice  the 


XXX  INTRODUCTION 

whole  process  of  skinning  should  take  only  from  two  to  four  min- 
utes. 

As  soon  as  tlie  skin  is  turned  back,  the  feathers  should  be  smoothed 
and  arranged,  the  eyelids  adjusted,  and  the  edges  of  the  opening  of 
the  skin  laid  together  before  it  is  put  down. 

Stuffing.  —  For  the  sparrow,  take  a  short  thick  piece  of  cotton  — 
tow  for  large  birds — that  will  make  a  form  the  size  of  the  body 
that  has  been  removed  from  the  skin,  and  press  it  firmly  together 
with  the  fibers  all  one  way.  To  fill  the  skull  and  make  a  firm  neck, 
pinch  one  end  of  the  cotton  flat  and  double  it  over  twice,  holding  it 
firmly  after  each  time  between  the  thumb  and  finger  of  the  left 
hand.  Then  catch  the  hard  compact  point  of  cotton  between  the 
forceps  in  a  position  to  hold  it  securely  and  push  it  into  the  bird 
skin,  forcing  the  point  up  through  the  neck  and  base  of  the  skull, 
catching  it  again  with  the  left  thumb  and  finger  in  the  mouth  of 
the  bird.  Loosen  and  draw  out  the  forceps,  but  hold  the  cotton  in 
the  mouth  until  the  skin  is  drawn  back  and  adjusted  over  the 
stufling,  and  superfluous  bits,  of  cotton  removed  or  tucked  in. 

Then  draw  together  the  edges  of  the  skin  and  catch  with  a  couple 
of  stitches.  When  the  wings  have  been  put  in  place  under  the 
feathers  at  the  sides,  and  the  feathers  properly  arranged  and 
smoothed,  the  skin  is  ready  to  be  labeled  and  wrapped  in  a  thin 
film  of  cotton.  Then  the  bill  can  be  tied  shut  with  a  thread  and 
the  bird  laid  away  to  dry. 

A  beginner's  skins  are  often  greatly  distorted,  and  only  practice 
can  teach  the  correct  amount  of  cotton  to  use  and  its  proper  form 
and  proportions.  The  best  way  is  to  keep  in  mind  the  size  and 
form  of  the  bird's  body,  and  try  to  reproduce  them.  Be  careful  not 
to  make  bulging  or  weak  necks.  Leave  each  skin  straight  and 
symmetrical  when  put  away  to  dry,  and  each  feather  back  in  its 
original  place. 

Laheling.  — Skins  should  be  fully  labeled  with  locality,  date,  sex, 
number,  and  collector's  name,  while  such  additional  data  as  color  of 
eyes,  bill,  feet,  or  any  parts  that  fade,  notes  on  breeding  or  locality 
where  taken,  stomach  contents,  etc.,  can  be  placed  on  the  back  of 
the  label  or  kept  in  a  catalogue  under  the  number  of  each  specimen. 


^-n\  Collection  of  Vernon  Bailey. 

vol  Washingto'n,  D.  C.^      ^Vc^    >4-    190  2  V.  B. 


Sexing.  —  To  determine  the  sex,  cut  through  the  side  of  the  ab- 
dominal wall,  push  away  the  intestines,  and  close  against  the  small 


INTRODUCTION  xxxi 

of  the  back,  if  the  bird  is  a  male,  you  will  see  the  two  oval,  usually 
light  colored  testes,  —  in  the  breeding  season  large  and  conspicuous, 
at  other  seasons  small,  and,  in  immature  specimens,  often  difficult  to 
find.  If  the  bird  is  a  female,  in  place  of  the  two  oval  bodies  there 
will  be  the  ovary,  a  mass  of  spherical  ovules,  large  or  small  ac- 
cording to  the  season,  and  often  obscure  in  immature  specimens. 
The  male  sign  is  Mars'  arrow  {$),  the  female,  Venus'  mirror  (9). 

Collecting  and  preserving  eggs.  —  Egg  collecting  is  justifiable  only 
when  the  collector  s  earnestness  of  purpose  warrants  the  sacrifice  of 
happy  bird  homes,  and  no  amount  of  pains  and  care  should  be 
spared  to  make  each  set  a  permanent  and  valuable  illustration  of 
the  life  history  of  the  species.  So  far  as  possible  only  complete 
sets  of  fresh  eggs  should  be  taken.  An  incomplete  set  is  of  sec- 
ondary importance,  and  eggs  in  which  incubation  is  advanced  are 
not  worth  troubling  with  unless  very  rare. 

The  first  step  is  to  identify  the  nest  positively,  which,  in  cases  of 
rare  species,  can  often  be  done  only  by  collecting  one  or  both  of  the 
birds.  Eggs  are  worse  than  worthless  if  there  is  any  question  of 
their  identity. 

The  next  step  should  be  to  photograph  the  nest  from  at  least  two 
points,  one  to  show  general  setting  and  one  at  closer  range  to  give 
detail  of  form  and  structure.  Then  notes  should  be  made  on  the 
position,  structure,  and  materials  of  the  nest,  the  actions  of  the  old 
birds,  and  the  manner  of  identification,  etc.  When  possible  the 
nest  should  also  be  collected. 

Each  Qgg  shoidd  be  wrapped  in  cotton  and  each  set  packed  snugly 
in  a  wooden  box  with  plenty  of  cotton  for  carrying  home. 

The  tools  necessary  for  blowing  eggs  are  a  slender  blowpipe  and 
two  drills,  large  and  small,  which  can  be  bought  of  any  dealer  in 
naturalist's  supplies. 

For  drilling,  hold  the  egg  lightly  between  the  thumb  and  two 
fingers  of  the  left  liand,  and  placing  the  sharp  point  of  the  drill 
against  the  side  twirl  it  evenly  with  a  slight  pressure  until  it  sinks 
into  the  shell,  grinding  out  a  smooth  round  hole  which  points  down- 
ward, fnmi  the  size  of  a  pin-head  in  a  fresh  sparrow's  egg  to  an 
eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter  in  a  larger  or  j^artly  incubated  egg. 
In  much  incul)ated  eggs  it  is  often  necessary  to  make  a  much  larger 
opening.  A  fine  stream  of  air  shoidd  be  forced  into  the  egg  without 
touching  the  blowpipe  to  the  opening,  and  the  contents  gently  forced 
out.  When  the  shell  is  empty,  witli  mouth  full  of  water  blow  a 
stream  into  it  and  rinse  out  thoroughly,  afterwards  blowinir  all  the 
water  out  and  laying  carefully  away  to  dry. 


xxxii  INTRODUCTION 

Incubated  eggs,  though  almost  at  the  point  of  hatching,  are 
made  by  experts  into  nearly  perfect  specimens.  Following  their 
methods,  drill  the  hole  and  then  coat  the  shell  with  flexible  collodion. 
After  removing  a  small  part  of  the  fluid,  if  the  egg  is  small,  insert 
a  solution  of  pepsin  or  of  chlorinated  soda,  — Labarraque's  solution, 
—  and  let  the  egg  stand  for  a  few  hours,  after  which  blow  out  the 
softened  portion  of  the  contents.  Add  more  of  the  solution,  and 
let  the  eggs  stand  again,  keeping  on  until  you  have  emptied  the 
shell.  Large  eggs  may  be  treated  with  a  solution  of  caustic  potash, 
care  being  necessary  not  to  allow  the  alkali  to  touch  the  shell.  To 
prevent  accident  it  is  well  to  have  a  basin  of  water  near  in  which  to 
immerse  the  egg  if  necessary.  The  collodion  is  removed  after  the 
completion  of  the  work  by  the  use  of  ether. 

Each  set  of  eggs  and  each  nest  should  be  kept  in  a  box,  with  a  label 
something  like  the  following,  from  the  Bendire  and  Ralph  collection 
in  the  National  Museum  :  — 


A.  0.  U.  No. Scientific  name, 

Private  No. Common  name, 

Collector, 

Locality, 

Date, No.  of  Eggs  in  Set, 

Identification, Incubation, 


Nest  :      Diameter, Depth,. 

Composed  of 


Location,. 


Of  whom  and  when  received,. 


Nests    should  be  kept    in  boxes   to   fit   their   size.     Great   care 
should  be  taken  to  protect  them  from  moths  and  other  destructive 


INTRODUCTION  xxxiii 

iDsects,  as  not  only  wool  but  hair  and  all  other  animal  substances  will 
be  eaten  and  the  nests  ruined  if  they  are  not  well  looked  after.  The 
best  protection  for  a  r^est  is  a  spray  of  a  solution  of  corrosive  sub- 
limate, which  can  be  used  in  a  common  atomizer,  —  with  a  warning 
red  label,  bearing  the  word  '  Poison.' 

NOTE-TAKING,  NOTE-BOOKS,  AND  JOURNALS. 

The  value  of  collections  is  increased  many  fold  by  the  fleld-notes 
which  accompany  the  specimens,  and  the  bird  lover  who  does  not 
collect  may  add  most  valuable  material  to  our  meagre  knowledge  of 
the  life  histories  of  our  birds. 

A  compact,  statistical  journal  may  be  made,  as  Mr.  Chapman  i 
and  Mr.  Felger^  suggest  by  means  of  a  -  roll  or  time  book,'  or  any 
sheets  ruled  in  squares  in  pad  form  and  punched  along  the  sides  to 
fasten  into  a  cardboard  cover.  The  squares  should  be  used  for  daily 
records,  the  top  or  top  and  margin  being  used  for  headings,  such  as 
locality,  zone,  zonal  plants  and  trees,  slope  exposure,  temperature, 
condition  of  weather,  direction  and  force  of  wind,  amount  of  rainfall 
or  snowfall,  advance  of  vegetation',  new  insects  abroad,  indications 
of  mating  and  of  nest-building,  number  of  nests  found  with  eggs 
and  with  nestlings,  number  of  young  on  the  wing,  condition  of 
plumage,  stage  of  moult,  food,  food  habits,  stomach  contents  of 
specimens  taken,  time  spent  in  field,  number  of  birds  seen  in  tlocks, 
number  seen  in  migration  flights. 

For  more  detailed  life  history  notes,  card  catalogues,  with  family, 
generic,  and  specific  divisions,  are  popular  with  many  ornithologists. 
A  convenient  form  of  field  journal  is  a  pad  punched  at  the  sides  to 
fit  into  a  stiff  cover,  each  sheet  to  be  devoted  to  a  species  so  that 
the  sheets  can  be  slipped  out  and  arranged  by  species,  alphabeti- 
cally. On  the  return  from  the  field  these  can  l)e  dropped  into  bo.x 
manuscript  trays  and  arranged  by  the  check-list. 

LIFE   ZONES. 

The  physical  geographies  have  long  taught  the  division  of  the 
earth  into  life  zones,  from  the  arctic  to  the  tn)i>i(;il  regions,  with 
the  corresponding  vertical  divi.'^ions  from  the  tropical  base  of  ecjua- 
torial  mountains  to  tlieir  snow-clad  arctic  summits,  and  naturalists 
Iiavc  l(.ng  since  worked   out  the   distribution  of  animals  and  plants 

'   //miilhnt/L  iif  /Unls  of  h'dsti-ni  yintli  America,  pp.  '2()-'J'_'. 
-  "  Vhiu  for  K.'CDnliiiK  Field  Notes,"  T/u-  Auk;  xix.  1S'.»-ll)3. 


xxxiv  INTRODUCTION 

along  these  lines  in  Europe  and  eastern  North  America.  But  it  is 
only  within  recent  years  that  the  Biological  Survey  carried  on  by 
the  government  has  studied  the  old  familiar  generalizations  in  the 
western  states  in  detail  and  mapped  the  life  zones  of  the  United 
States  as  a  whole. 

The  generally  accepted  theory  that  the  distribution  of  mammals, 
birds,  reptiles,  insects,  and  plants  depends  on  temperature  has  been 
demonstrated  by  Dr.  Merriam  as  a  physical  law  that  "the  northward 
distribution  of  terrestrial  animals  and  plants  is  governed  by  the  sum 
of  the  positive  temperatures  for  the  entire  season  of  growth  and 
reproduction,  and  that  the  southward  distribution  is  governed  by 
the  mean  temperature  of  a  brief  period  during  the  hottest  part  of 
the  year."i  With  this  as  the  working  basis  he  has  divided  the 
United  States  into  three  parts,  having  the  northern  (Boreal),  south- 
ern (Austral),  and  intermediate  (Transition)  climates  and  flora  and 
fauna.  By  subdivision  seven  zones  are  made,  known  as  Alpine, 
Hudsonian,  Canadian,  Transition,  Upper  Sonoran,  Lower  Sonoran^ 
and  Tropical.  East  of  the  hundredth  meridian,  which,  broadly 
speaking,  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  eastern  or  humid  and 
western  or  arid  sections,  the  Austral  zone  is  known  as  Austral 
rather  than  Sonoran,  and  divided  into  Alleghanian,  Carolinian,  and 
Austroriparian  Faunas. 

The  Alpine  Zone  lies  above  the  limit  of  trees,  and  is  characterized 
by  dwarf  shrubs  and  plants,  the  polar  bear,  arctic  fox,  reindeer, 
the  snow  bunting,  snow^y  owl,  ptarmigan,  pipit,  and  leucosticte. 

The  Hudsonian  Zone  is  marked  by  dwarfed  timber  along  "the 
northern  or  higher  parts  of  the  great  transcontinental  coniferous 
forest,  .  .  .  stretching  from  Labrador  to  Alaska.  It  is  inhabited  by 
the  wolverine,  woodland  caribou,  moose,  great  northern  shrike,  pine 
bullfinch,  and wiiite-winged  crossbill."-  On  Mt.  Shasta  its  only  trees 
are  the  black  alpine  hemlock  and  white-barked  pine,  its  character- 
istic mammal  is  the  cony  {Ochotona),  and  its  characteristic  bird  the 
Clarke  crow.  It  is  also  frequented  by  the  sooty  grouse,  western 
goshawk,  Williamson  sapsucker,  rufous  hummingbird,  Oregon  jay, 
pine  siskin,  junco,  Audubon  and  hermit  warblers,  creeper,  red- 
breasted  nuthatch,  kinglets,  and  solitaire.^ 

1  Merriam's  "  Laws  of  Temperature  Control  of  the  Geographic  Distribution  of  Ter- 
restrial Animals  and  Plants,"  National  Geographic  Magazine,  vi.  229-238. 

-  Merriam,  C.  Hart,  "Life  Zones  and  Crop  Zones  of  the  United  States,"  Bull.  No.  10, 
Biological  Survey  ;  "  Geographic  Distribution  of  Animals  and  Plants  in  North  America," 
YearbooJ;  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  1894. 

3  Merriam,  C.  Hart,  North  American  Fauna,  No.  10,  "  Result  of  a  Biological  Survey 


-^"^C"'^ 


Ta 


4s 


S//V/ 


Q  I  A 


O/y 


■^4  ^ 


4/^ 


^vo 


_/  N  G 


^•r 


south'! 

^-A^O-TA 


NEBRASKA 


^H 


Upper  So 


J'/ic  ilutlid  jiarts  of  the  Sonoi  (III  Xoiiff  cast 
u/t/ii.  (.rml  riditi.i  iiidicati  Hit-  v:c<fcni  limit 
of  the  hiiiiitd  dhisiuns  nt  thn«  /., 


LIFE  ZONES 

BY    C.    HART    MERRIAM 


INTRODUCTIOX  xxxv 

The  Canadian  Zone  comprises  "  the  southern  or  lower  part  of  the 
great  transcontinental  coniferous  forest."  It  is  the  zone  of  firs, 
spruces,  and  white  pines,  which  on  Mt.  Shasta  are  represented  by 
the  Shasta  fir  and  the  silver  pine.  One  of  its  characteristic  animals 
is  the  mountain  heaver,  and  it  has  also  the  porcupine,  pine  squirrel, 
bear,  wild  cat,  wolf,  and  other  mammals.  It  is  the  home  of  the 
crossbill,  J  incoln  sparrow,  and  Arctic  three-toed  woodpecker,  and 
frequented  by  birds  found  in  the  Hudsouian  zone,  such  as  the  sooty 
grouse,  rufous  hummingbird,  siskin,  j uncos,  warblers,  kinglets,  and 
solitaire,  together  with  a  number  found  also  in  the  next  lower  zone 
(the  Transition),  such  as  the  white-headed,  hairy,  and  pileated 
woodpeckers,  uighthawk,  olive-sided,  Hammond,  Wright,  and  west- 
ern flycatchers,  Steller  jay,  Louisiana  tanager,  Macgillivray  war- 
bler, and  robin. 

TJie  Transition  Zone,  in  which  northern  and  southern  elements  of 
flora  and  fauna  often  overlap,  is  characterized  in  the  west  by  the 
yellow  pine  {Finns  ponderosa),  several  species  of  oaks  and  manza- 
nita.  together  with  buck  brush  and  sage  brush.  Some  of  the  char- 
acteristic mammals  are  the  big  gray  pine  squirrel,  the  gray  fox, 
and  various  species  of  chipmunks,  spermophilcs.  and  pocket  go 
phers.  Among  birds  there  are  the  western  wood  pewee,  Gairdner 
woodpecker,  Lewis  woodpecker,  California  pygmy  owl,  green-tailed 
towhee,  pygmy  nuthatch,  red-breasted  sapsucker,  and  Brewer  spar- 
row, mixed  with  many  species  from  the  Upper  Sonoran,  the  zone 
below,  such  as  the  California  jay,  valley  quail,  California  wood 
pecker,  and  spurred  towhee. 

The  Upper  Sonoran  Zone  of  the  west  is  characterized  by  junipers, 
pifion,  and  various  oaks,  jack  rabbits,  cottontails,  five-toed  kangaroo 
rats,  and  several  species  of  wood  rats,  the  canyon  wren,  western  lark 
sparrow.  California  chewink,  and  California  bush-tit,  while  many 
Transition  zone  species  also  occur. 

The  Lower  Sonoran  Zone,  coming  iie.xt  above  the  Tropical  zone, 
is  the  zone  of  the  hot  valleys,  where  live-oaks,  mes(iultes,  and  creo- 
sote bushes  abound,  and  the  characteristic  mammals  and  birds  an- 
the  four-toed  kangaroo  rat,  cotton  rat,  and  spottctl  skunk,  the 
mockingbird,  nonpareil,  verdin.  pyrrhuloxia,  road  runner,  caracara, 
white-necked  raven,  i)liain()i)('pla,  and  scaled  (juail. 

of  Mt.  Sliasta ;  "  Sorth  Americdu  Ftnni/i,  No.  3,  "  UcHults  of  a  BioloRioal  Survey  of  San 
Francisco  Mountain  ReRion  and  Desert  of  the  Little  Colorado;  "  "  The  Geographic  Dis- 
tribution of  Life  in  North  America,  witli  Si>ecial  Reference  to  the  Munmialiu,"  Pun: 
Biol.  Soc.  Wash.  vii.  April,  IS'JJ,  1-G4. 


xxxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Birds  are  naturally  less  restricted  to  zoues  than  mammals  and 
plants,  find  in  the  held  the  question  of  correlating  them  to  zones  is 
rendered  difficult  by  the  modifying  conditions  which  complicate  the 
zones  themselves.  Local  conditions  are  constantly  being  met  which 
produce  a  change  of  temperature  within  a  zone,  resulting  in  the 
intrusion  of  a  tongue  of  a  higher  or  lower  zone.  Forest  fires 
make  an  artificial  change  in  zones,  a  Canadian  fir  forest  sometimes 
being  replaced  by  Transition  zone  chaparral.  Natural  modifying 
conditions  are  many,  and  not  always  so  patent.  Slope  exposure  is 
the  most  important.  If  a  ridge  runs  north  and  south,  its  southwest- 
ern slope,  which  receives  the  hot  afternoon  sun,  will  have,  we  may 
say,  a  Transition  zone  flora  and  fauna,  while  its  cold  northeast  slope 
will  have  a  Canadian  zone  flora  and  fauna.  A  cold  mountain 
stream,  on  the  other  hand,  will  bring  down  the  flora  and  fauna  of 
one  or  two  higher  zones;  and  Canadian  and  even  Hudsonian  plants 
and  trees  bordering  such  a  stream  may  thrive  on  its  banks  in  the 
Transition  zone. 

So  many  other  modifying  conditions  are  found  that  the  determi- 
nation of  zones  is  a  complex  matter,  and  must  be  based  largely  on 
the  study  of  trees  and  shrubs,  as  they  are  the  most  stable  part  of  the 
life  of  a  region.  In  relating  the  flora  to  the  fauna  the  greatest  care 
should  be  taken  with  the  bird  life,  as  a  bird  can  at  will  change  his 
zone  by  a  few  hours'  travel.  Zonal  notes  should  always  be  accom- 
panied by  dates,  as  breeding  zones  alone  are  of  much  significance, 
birds  wandering  widely  after  tlie  breeding  season.  The  Lewis 
woodpecker  is  a  striking  example  of  this,  for,  while  breeding  in 
Transition  zone,  after  the  breeding  season  it  wanders  up  into  Cana- 
dian and  down  even  into  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  its  search  for 
mast.  Most  mountain  birds  that  do  not  migrate  to  the  south 
change  their  zones  in  this  way,  Canadian  zone  birds  being  found  in 
Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  fall  and  winter. 

MIGRATION. 

Many  birds  wander  widely  east  and  west  after  the  breeding  sea- 
son, and  some  even  go  north  for  a  short  distance.  With  many 
mountain  birds  the  Avandering  movements  after  the  breeding  season 
amount  to  a  vertical  migration.  Birds,  like  the  grouse  and  quail 
and  certain  species  of  juncos,  that  make  only  a  vertical  migration 
merely  come  down  from  the  snow-covered  mountains  into  the  warm 
valleys.     A  number  of  hummingbirds  perform  vertical  migrations 


INTRODUCTION  xxxvii 

between  their  first  and  second  broods,  following  the  seasons  of 
flowers  from  the  valleys  where  they  raise  their  first  broods,  to  the 
mountain  parks,  where  they  rear  a  second  family,  retreating  rapidly 
down  the  mountain  as  soon  as  the  frosts  kill  the  flowers. 

Among  land  birds  a  north  and  south  migration  is  not  as  vital  in 
the  west  as  the  east,  especially  for  the  seed-eaters,  for  the  lowland 
winters  are  so  mild  that  the  food  supply  is  not  as  extensively  de- 
stroyed as  in  the  east,  and  accordingly  a  much  larger  number  of 
birds  winter  in  the  valleys  of  the  western  states  than  in  the  eastern. 
But  while  the  western  north  and  south  migratory  movement  is  less 
striking,  the  absence  of  winter  birds  less  felt  than  in  the  east,  the 
vertical  migrations,  from  the  superior  height  of  the  mountains  and 
the  preponderance  of  the  mountain  ranges,  assume  great  impor- 
tance; and  accordingly,  while  the  total  winter  population  may  be 
large,  the  species  in  a  locality  will  be  markedly  different  in  summer 
and  winter. 

Careful  notes  should  be  taken  on  all  these  phases  of  the  migratory 
movements  to  ascertain  the  exact  migratory  habits  of  each  species 
of  bird,  and  the  character  of  the  bird  population  in  every  season. 

As  the  mildness  of  climate  which  lessens  the  impulse  to  south- 
ward migration  in  the  western  land  birds  does  not  affect  the  water 
birds  breeding  in  the  arctic  regions,  the  southward  migration  is 
found  in  full  force  along  the  coast.  At  suitable  points,  like  Mon- 
terey, vast  multitudes  of  birds  may  be  seen  passing  on  their  way 
from  the  arctic  regions  to  the  southern  seas,  and  migration  waves 
and  other  phenomena  studied  to  the  best  advantage.  INIr.  Loomis's 
observations  at  Monterey  have  thrown  a  great  deal  of  light  on  this 
most  interesting  subject,  and  demonstrated  the  richness  of  the  field 
for  future  investigations. 

ECONOMIC   ORNITHOLOGY. 

The  question  of  the  food  of  birds  assumes  peculiar  importance  in 
the  west  from  the  extent  of  the  fruit  industry,  and  the  consequent 
magnitude  of  the  depredations  of  insect  and  rodent  pests.  Birds  if 
left  to  themselves  keep  down  the  insect  life,  and  the  question  is  in 
each  case  if  the  harm  a  bird  does  in  eating  fruit  in  June  equals  the 
good  he  does  the  rest  of  the  year  in  eating  scale  insects  and  otlier 
pe.sts  that  take  off  tlie  profits  of  fruit  growing.  As  it  is  a  matter  of 
statistics,  observers  should  make  careful  field  notes  on  what  birds 
are  actually  seen  eating,  and  especially  eareful  records  of  the  stom 


xxxviii  INTRODUCTION 

acli  contents  of  birds  shot.  When  these  cannot  be  determined  with- 
out microscopes  and  collections  of  insects  and  seeds  for  comparison, 
the  stomachs  should  be  sent  for  examination  to  Professor  F.  E.  L. 
Beal,  of  the  Biological  Survey,  Department  of  Agriculture,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.i  In  general  it  may  be  said  that  the  thousands  of 
stomachs  which  have  already  been  examined  have  shown  that  birds 
are  divided  into  three  classes,  — 

1.  Those  that  are  injurious  at  all  times,  as  the  three  accipitrine 
hawks,  which  live  mainly  on  small  birds,  game,  and  poultry. 

2.  Those  that  are  injurious  part  of  the  year  and  beneficial  the 
rest  of  the  time^  such  as  blackbirds  that  come  in  hordes  in  the  fall 
and  destroy  the  crops,  but  which  when  scattered  out  over  the  coun- 
try at  other  times  of  the  year  do  an  immense  amount  of  good  by  de- 
stroying injurious  insects. 

3.  Those  that  are  beneficial  at  all  times,  as  many  hawks  and  owls 
and  a  large  number  of  insectivorous  and  weed-seed-eating  birds. 

As  Professor  Beal  says:  "If  crows  or  blackbirds  arc  seen  in  num- 
bers about  cornfields,  or  if  woodpeckers  are  noticed  at  work  in  an 
orchard,  it  is  perhaps  not  surprising  that  they  are  accused  of  doing- 
harm.  Careful  investigation,  however,  often  shows  that  they  are 
actually  destroying  noxious  insects ;  and  also  that  even  those  which 
do  harm  at  one  season  may  compensate  for  it  by  eating  noxious 
species  at  another.  Insects  are  eaten  at  all  times  by  the  majority  of 
land  birds,  and  during  the  breeding  season  most  kinds  subsist  largely 
and  rear  their  young  exclusively  on  this  food.  When  insects  are 
unusually  plentiful,  they  are  eaten  by  many  birds  which  do  not 
ordinarily  touch  them.  Even  birds  of  prey  resort  to  this  diet,  and 
when  insects  are  more  easily  obtained  than  otlier  fare,  the  smaller 
hawks  and  owls  live  on  them  almost  entirely.  This  was  well  illus- 
trated during  the  recent  plague  of  Rocky  IMountain  locusts  in  the 
western  states,  when  it  was  found  that  locusts  were  eaten  by  nearly 
every  bird  in  the  region,  and  that  they  formed  almost  the  entire 
food  of  a  large  majority  of  the  species.""-^ 

1  Tlie  Survey  will  furnish,  on  application,  blank  schedules  for  recording  data,  tags 
for  numbering  the  stomachs,  and  franked  envelopes  for  mailing.  When  collected,  the 
stomachs  (crops  and  gizzards)  should  be  placed  in  alcohol  or  formalin  for  at  least  a 
week.  Before  forwarding  to  the  department,  they  should  be  taken  from  the  fluid,  spread 
out  on  a  newspaper,  and  dried  for  several  hours,  then  placed  in  a  baking  powder  can  or 
cigar  box,  wrapped  with  a  franked  envelope  on  the  outside,  and  mailed.  The  collector 
will  be  reimbursed  for  the  outlay  for  alcohol,  and  will  receive  five  cents  apiece  for  a 
limited  number  of  stomachs  of  certain  species. 

-  Beal,  F.  E.  L.,  "  Some  Common  Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Agriculture,"  Farmer^s 
Bulletbi,  No.  54,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 


INTRODUCTION  xxxix 

As  birds  are  the  check  nature  has  put  upon  insect  life,  the  pro- 
blem is  a  grave  one.  How  shall  we  profit  by  the  good  offices  of 
the  l)irds,  and  prevent  the  injury  they  in  turn  are  capable  of  doing 
to  our  crops? 

In  the  east  Professor  Beal  lias  found  that  birds  as  a  rule  prefer 
wild  fruit  to  cultivated,  and  are  drawn  away  from  the  orchard  and 
garden  by  the  cultivation  of  wild  fruit-bearing  bushes.  In  parts  of 
the  west  the  mulberry  and  elder  and  pepper  are  favorite  bird  foods, 
and  might  be  useful  for  such  purposes.  The  question  is  a  large  one, 
however,  and  can  only  be  settled  by  patient  study  and  investiga- 
tion on  the  part  of  earnest  bird  students. 

BIRD   PROTECTION. 

By  T.  S.  Palmer. 

Laws  for  the  protection  of  birds  are  necessary  even  in  sparsely 
settled  regions.  No  place,  however  remote,  is  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
market  hunter,  provided  a  demand  for  game  or  feathers  for  millinery 
purposes  exists,  and  prices  are  sufficient  to  warrant  capture  of  the 
birds.  Game  birds  have  been  shipped  by  thousands  from  the  states 
beyond  the  Missouri  River ;  pelicans,  terns,  and  gulls  have  been 
decimated  along  the  gulf  coast  of  Texas;  and  grebes  have  been 
slaughtered  on  their  breeding  grounds  on  distant  lakes  in  the  interior 
of  Oregon,  — all  to  supply  eastern  markets.  To  meet  such  conditions 
every  western  state  and  territory  now  has  its  game  law;  but  few 
of  these  laws  protect  all  the  birds  within  the  state,  and  several  of 
tliem  are  capable  of  being  improved  and  made  much  more  effective. 

From  the  legislative  standpoint  birds  may  be  divided  into  three 
categories :  (1)  Game  birds,  such  as  quail  and  ducks,  which  are 
luinted  at  stated  seasons  for  food  or  sport.  (2)  Non-game  birds,  sucli 
as  thrushes  and  gulls,  which  are  valuable  as  insect  destroyers  or 
scavengers,  and  hence  are  protected  throughout  the  year.  (3)  Inju- 
rious species,  such  as  the  English  sparrow  and  the  great  horned 
owl.  which  are  given  no  protection.  Under  the  definition  framed 
by  the  Committee  on  Protection  of  Birds  of  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union,  game  birds  are  restricted  to  four  or  five  well 
marked  groups:  the  Anatida',  comjirising  ducks,  geese,  and  swans; 
the  Itallida".  including  rails,  coots,  and  gallinules  ;  the  Limicola*,  or 
shore  birds  in  i:<'ii('ral  ;  the  (tallina-,  including  ([uails,  plieasants, 
grouse,  and  wild  turkeys;  and  (in  sonu'  states)  the  Columba',  in- 
cludini:   wild   pigeons   and  doves.      All  other   birds   are   classed  as 


xl  INTRODUCTION 

non-game  birds,  and  the  few  injurious  species  are  mentioned  by 
name.  Such  a  division  provides  for  all  the  birds,  leaves  no  ambigu- 
ity as  to  which  may  be  killed  as  game,  and  defines  each  group  in 
the  simplest  and  most  satisfactory  manner.  A  game  law  framed  on 
this  basis  has  been  adopted  with  excellent  results  in  some  states, 
but  in  the  west  is  still  an  ideal  toward  whiqli  to  work  rather  than 
an  accomplished  fact.  California,  Colorado,  and  Nebraska  have 
excellent  laws  for  game  birds,  but  they  do  not  provide  equally  well 
for  insectivorous  species.  Nevada,  New  Mexico,  and  Wyoming 
have  comprehensive  statutes  for  non-game  birds,  but  do  not  afford 
complete  protection  to  all  their  game  birds. 

O ante  Birds. — Experience  has  shown  that  a  modern  game  law 
must  do  much  more  than  merely  prohibit  the  killing  of  certain  spe- 
cies at  stated  times.  It  must  regulate  methods  of  hunting,  restrict 
shipment  and  sale,  and  also  prescribe  means  for  carrying  its  pro- 
visions into  execution.  It  should  contain  the  declaration  that  all 
wild  birds  and  animals  are  the  property  of  the  state.  This  fact, 
based  on  the  decisions  of  the  highest  courts,  is  now  generally  ac- 
cepted, but  it  is  well  to  have  it  incorporated  in  the  law,  as  is  the 
case  in  the  game  laws  of  Colorado,  Texas,  and  other  states.  Next  in 
importance  is  a  comprehensive  definition  of  game  birds  like  that 
given  above.  Another  important  point  not  fully  appreciated  is  that 
a  law  which  prohibits  killing  certain  species  is  much  less  effective 
and  permanent  than  one  which  simply  permits,  by  declaring  that  it 
shall  be  unlawful  to  kill  or  have  in  possession  '  any  birds  except  as 
hereinafter  provided.'  This  simple  statement  renders  the  law  to  a 
certain  extent  automatic,  since  all  birds  will  be  protected  until  pro- 
vided with  an  open  season.  Changes  in  season,  the  bane  of  game 
legislation,  cannot  be  made  so  readily  without  attracting  attention, 
and  if,  as  often  happens,  a  proposed  change  in  season  fails  of  enact- 
ment, the  species  is  left  with  complete  protection  instead  of  being 
without  protection  as  under  the  old  method.  Little  need  be  said  as 
to  seasons  except  that  they  should  conform  as  nearly  as  possible  to 
those  of  adjoining  states.  With  improved  guns,  smokeless  powder, 
and  other  modern  appliances  for  himting,  no  state  can  afford  to 
maintain  an  open  season  from  the  time  the  birds  are  mature  until 
they  begin  to  breed  the  following  year,  for  no  species  can  withstand 
such  an  ordeal  and  not  be  locally  exterminated  in  a  few  years.  Open 
seasons  are  constantly  growing  shorter,  and  as  they  undergo  change 
should  be  shifted  to  correspond  more  and  more  closely  with  those  of 
other  states.     Above  all,  spring  shooting  should  be  abolished,  and 


INTRODUCTION  xli 

the  close  season  begin  as  near  the  first  of  January  as  possible.  Big- 
guns  are  very  properly  made  illegal,  and  an  unsuccessful  attempt 
was  recently  made  in  California  to  prevent  the  use  of  magazine  or 
'  pump  guns,'  on  the  ground  that  they  were  too  destructive.  The 
same  might  be  said  of  the  air  gun  or  parlor  rifle,  which  in  the 
hands  of  the  reckless  small  boy  is  not  only  an  effective  but  a  dan- 
gerous weapon  of  destruction.  Night  hunting  in  all  its  forms,  bait- 
ing, pursuing  game  with  launches  or  even  sailboats,  are  condemned 
by  true  sportsmen,  and  should  all  be  prohibited.  Trapping  and 
netting  should  likewise  be  made  illegal,  but  with  some  provision  for 
taking  a  reasonable  number  of  birds  for  propagation  under  the  super- 
vision of  competent  state  ofl^icers.  Kestrictions  on  the  trade  are 
becoming  more  general  and  more  necessary  every  year.  Prohibition 
of  shipment  out  of  the  state  is  effective  if  it  can  be  enforced,  and  it 
can  be  made  easier  to  enforce  if  transportation  of  all  game  for  market 
purposes  is  prohibited,  as  is  done  in  Iowa  and  Texas,  but  with  some 
provision  for  carrying  a  limited  amount  of  game  for  private  pur- 
poses. Sale  is  the  keynote  to  the  situation,  and  if  it  can  be  pro- 
hibited the  question  of  protection  will  be  greatly  simplified.  It  is 
now  prohibited  in  a  number  of  states,  and  probably  the  day  is  not 
far  distant  when  most  if  not  all  game  birds  will  be  withdrawn  from 
sale. 

Non-game  Birds.  —  Even  more  important  than  laws  for  the  pro- 
tection of  game  birds  (because  applying  to  a  much  larger  number 
of  species)  are  the  statutes  for  the  preservation  of  birds  which  are 
not  game,  and  which  apply  to  '  song,'  'insectivorous,'  and  '  jilume' 
birds.  In  order  to  accomplish  their  purpose  they  must  be  compre- 
hensive, and  as  already  stated  they  should  cover  all  birds  except 
game  birds  and  a  few  injurious  species  mentioned  by  name.  If 
made  applicable  to  certain  species,  or  even  to  song,  insectivorous,  or 
plume  birds,  some  species  are  sure  to  be  omitted,  and  often  these 
will  be  the  very  ones  most  in  need  of  protection.  Not  only  killing, 
but  also  nest  robbing,  trapping,  possession,  shipment,  and  sale 
should  be  prolnbited.  The  traffic  in  cage  birds,  unless  checked  by 
strict  regulations,  may  sometimes  decimate  certain  species,  ]mrticu- 
larly  those  distinguished  for  their  vocal  powers  or  bright  colors.  A 
provision  prohibiting  possession  of  plumage  or  '  any  part  of  a  bird  ' 
is  necessary  to  jirevent  sale  of  birds  for  millinery  purposes,  and 
overcome  the  objection  wlu'eh  is  sometimes  raised  tliat  ]irohibitions 
against  the  killing  and  i^os.session  of  a  bird  do  not  ai>ply  to  its 
plumage  or  to  one  of  its  wings  when  used  as  a  liat  decoration. 


xlii  INTRODUCTION 

On  the  other  hand,  provision  must  be  made  for  collecting  birds 
for  scientific  purj^oses,  both  for  educational  institutions  and  for 
private  collections,  and  also  for  keeping  birds  in  captivity  for  study 
or  as  pets.  These  requirements  can  readily  be  met  by  having  per- 
mits issued  under  the  supervision  of  some  state  officer  to  properly 
accredited  collectors  and  students.  In  case  it  is  desirable  to  allow 
certain  birds  to  be  kept  in  captivity,  sale  and  shipment  out  of  the 
state  should  be  prohibited  in  order  to  avoid  abuse  of  the  privilege 
and  prevent  wholesale  bird-trapping  for  market,  i 

Injurious  Species.  — In  every  state  there  are  a  few  injurious  spe- 
cies from  which  protection  should  be  withdrawn.  In  general  these 
species  comprise  the  English  sparrow,  great  horned  owl,  goshawk, 
duck  hawk,  sharp-shinned  hawk.  Cooper  haw^k,  crow,  linnet  or 
house  finch,  and  occasionally  some  of  the  blackbirds.  Sweeping 
provisions  excluding  hawks  and  owls  from  protection  should  be 
carefully  avoided,  as  most  of  the  species  are  beneficial,  and  a  clause 
covering  birds  of  prey  in  general  without  naming  the  injurious 
species  will  result  chiefly  in  the  destruction  of  those  which  are  bene- 
ficial. It  is  useless  to  attempt  anything  more  by  legislation  than 
simple  removal  of  protection.  No  means  have  yet  been  devised  by 
wiiich  an  injurious  species  can  be  legislated  out  of  existence,  and  the 
various  methods  which  have  been  advocated  have  almost  uniformly 
resulted  in  failure.  Bounties  for  birds  and  eggs  have  little  effect 
except  to  drain  the  state  or  county  treasury.  The  Colorado  hawk 
bounty,  which  was  in  force  from  1877  to  1885,  seems  to  have  re- 
sulted chiefly  in  the  diminution  of  the  sparrow  hawk,  one  of  the 
most  useful  birds  in  destroying  grasshoppers.  The  Utah  bounty  on 
English  sparrows,  in  force  since  1888,  has  not  exterminated  the  spar- 
row in  the  state,  and  the  provision  of  1896,  offering  five  cents  per 
dozen  for  eggs,  must  have  resulted  disastrously  to  the  native  birds, 
for  a  year  or  two  after  it  went  into  effect  reports  showed  that  in 
Weber  County  alone  payments  had  been  made  on  990  dozen  (nearly 
12,000)  eggs,  while  during  the  same  period  only  640  sparrows  had 
been  presented  for  bounty.  The  sparrow  bounties  in  Illinois  and 
Michigan  and  the  hawk  and  owl  bounty  in  Pennsylvania  all  failed 
to  accomplish  their  objects,  although  each  cost  the  state  from 
§50,000  to  S100,000.  The  expense  attending  bounty  legislation  can 
be  readily  illustrated  by  the  records  of  payments  for  coyotes  and 

1  The  bill  prepared  by  the  Committee  on  Protection  of  Birds  of  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union  covers  all  of  these  points.  See  "  Legislation  for  the  Protection  of 
Birds  other  than  Game  Birds,"  Bulletin  No.  12,  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agricul- 
ture, pp.  56-60, 1902. 


INTRODUCTION  xliii 

wolves  in  Wyoming,  Montana,  and  California.  The  coj^ote  bounty 
law  in  California  remained  in  force  only  four  j^ears,  but  actually  cost 
the  state  §187,485,  while  the  claims  filed  aggregated  about  $400,000.1 
In  the  west  bounties  on  birds  are  now  paid  only  in  Utah  and  Oregon, 
and  in  the  latter  state  are  restricted  to  cormorants  and  sheldrakes. 

Enforcement.  —  The  enforcement  of  game  laws  depends  largely  on 
public  sentiment.  Although  most  of  the  western  states  have  game 
wardens,  the  laws  are  not  enforced  as  they  should  be.  Better  results 
are  attained  where  local  wardens  are  under  the  authority  of  a  state 
officer  or  state  board.  Unfortunately  the  liberal  appropriations  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  expenses  incident  to  warden  service  are  not  often 
available,  but  game  protection  might  be  made  almost  self-support- 
ing if  the  money  derived  from  licenses,  fines,  sale  of  contraband 
game,  and  similar  sources,  were  all  turned  into  a  state  game  pro- 
tection fund  instead  of  going  into  several  different  funds,  no  one  of 
which  is  available  for  work  of  this  kind. 

A  potent  influence  in  bird  protection  is  the  federal  law  popular!}' 
known  as  the  Lacey  Act,  which  went  into  effect  on  Maj'  25,  1900. 
Under  this  act  interstate  commerce  in  birds  killed  in  violation  of 
l(K-al  laws  is  prohibited,  and  through  cooperation  between  federal 
and  state  authorities  statutes  which  were  formerly  dead  letters  are 
now  being  enforced.  The  chief  value  of  the  law,  however,  lies  in 
the  interest  in  protection  which  it  has  aroused  throughout  the  coun- 
try even  among  persons  who  formerly  gave  the  subject  no  thought. 
T.argely  through  its  influence  game  protection  is  now  being  estab- 
lished on  broader  lines,  rapid  progress  is  being  made  in  legislation, 
and  the  laws  are  better  observed  than  ever  befon-. 


LOCAL   LISTS. 

LLST   OF   BIRDS   IN  THE  VICINITY  OF  PORTLAND.  OREGON. 

By  a.  W.  Anthony. 

The  country  embraced  in  this  list  is  about  ten  S(|uare  miles  in 
extent.  The  region  between  llie  city  of  Portland  and  the  Columbia 
River  perhai)s  furnishes  most  of  the  sju'cies,  and  is  farming  land 
diversilied  ])y  forest  land,  brush  patches,  and  low  wet  meadows. 
wliicli   in  winter  are  ponds  upon  whicii  are  I'ound  all  of  our  species 

'  Sec  I'ahiipr,  "  Extcriniiiiitioii  of  Noxious  Anini.ils  liy  Bounties,"  Yidiliintk  Dept. 
Agr.j'or  18%,  pp.  55-G8. 


xliv  INTRODUCTION 

• 

of  waterfowl.  The  high  hills  west  of  the  city  are  less  prolific.  The 
heavy  forest  is  cleared  in  places,  offering-  homes  for  such  species  as 
white-crowned  sparrows,  juncos,  and  wrens,  while  the  woodpeckers 
and  forest-loving  species  dwell  in  the  undisturbed  parts  of  the  region, 
which  is  as  wild  as  a  hundred  years  ago.  Here  also  is  found  the 
russet-backed  thrush  nesting  in  the  thickets  and  deep  ravines, 

Colymhus  nigricollis  californicus :  Eared  Grebe.  —  Rather  common  on  the 
ponds  along-  the  Columbia. 

Podilymbus  podiceps  :  Pied-billed  Grebe.  —  Common  with  the  eared  grebe. 

Gavia  imher :  Loon.  —  Seen  only  as  a  migrant. 

Larus  glaiicescens :  Glaucous-wing-ed  Gull.  —  Five  species  of  g-ull  are  seen 
along  the  river  during'  the  winter,  but  the  glaucous-winged  is  the  com- 
monest. 

Larus  argentatus  :  Herring-  Gull. 

Larus  californicus  :  California  Gull. 

Larus  delawarensis  :  Ring--billed  Gull. 

Larus  brachyrhynchus :  Shoi-t-billed  Gull  ('?). 

Phalacrocorax  dilophus  cincinatus :  White-crested  Cormorant.  —  In  the 
winter  a  species  is  found  on  the  river  about  Portland,  which  is  probably 
the  white-crested,  but  as  no  specimens  have  been  taken  I  am  in  doubt 
about  it. 

Merganser  serrator :  Red-breasted  Merganser.  —  A  common  winter  visitor. 

Lophodytes  cucullatus  :  Hooded  Merganser.  —  A  winter  visitant,  less  com- 
mon than  the  red-breasted. 

Anas  boschas  :  Mallard.  —  Very  common. 

Chaulelasnms  streperus :  Gadwall.  —  The  gadwall  and  the  baldpate  are 
about  equally  common,  but  less  so  than  most  of  the  ducks  found. 

Mareca  americana :  Baldpate. 

Spatula  clypeata  :  Shoveller.  —  Common  during  fall  and  wintero 

Dajila  acuta  :  Pintail.  —  Common  during  fall  and  winter. 

Aix  sponsa  :  Wood  Duck.  —  Common  summer  resident.  A  few  winter 
about  Portland. 

Aythya  americana  :  Redhead.  —  Common  in  fall  and  winter. 

Aythya  vallisneria  :  Canvas-back.  —  Common  in  fall  and  winter. 

Chen  hyperborea  :  Lesser  Snow  Goose.  —  One  or  more  species  of  snow 
geese  are  common.  During  mild  winters  all  the  ducks  and  geese  are 
apt  to  winter  about  Portland,  but  a  hard  season  drives  them  south. 

Anser  albifrons  gambeli :  White-fronted  Goose.  —  Common  migrant. 

Branta  canadensis  minima :  Cackling  Goose.  —  Two  or  more  races  of 
canadensis  are  common,  but  the  only  species  I  have  taken  is  the  cack- 
ling goose. 

Olor  columbiaiius  :  Whistling  Swan.  —  Not  uncommon  migrant  and  winter 
resident. 

Ardea  herodias  :  Great  Blue  Heron.  —  Common  in  summer ;  a  few  winter. 

Ardea  virescens :  Green  Heron.  —  A  few  herons  seen,  probably  of  this 
species. 

Grus  canadensis  :  Little  Brown  Crane.  —  Common  fall  migrant,  but  very 
rare  in  spring. 

Rallus  virginianus  :  Virginia  Rail.  — Like  the  sora,  more  or  less  common, 
nesting  in  wet  bottoms. 

Porzana  Carolina :  Sora. 

Fulica  ameripana '   Coot.  —  Not  very  abundant ;   nests. 


INTRODUCTION  xlv 

Tringa  minutilla  :  Least  Sandpiper.  —  Abundant  for  a  few  days  during- 
migration. 

Tringa  alpina  pacijica  :  Red-backed  Sandpiper. — Mig-rant ;  less  common 
than  the  least  or  western  sandpipers. 

Ereunetes  occidentalis  :  Western  Sandpiper.  —  Abundant  during-  migration 
for  a  few  days. 

Totanus  melanoleucus  :  Greater  Yellow-leg's.  —  Migrant ;   not  uncommon. 

Symphemia  semipalmata  inornata :  Western  Willet. — Kather  rare  mi- 
grant. 

j^gialitis  vocifera  :  Killdeer.  —  (^ommon  summer  resident. 

Oreortyx  pictus  :  Mountain  Partridge.  —  Conmion  resident. 

Dendragapus  obscurus  ful iginosus  :  Sooty  Grouse.  —  Common  resident. 

Columha  fasciata  :  Band-tailed  Pig-eon.  — Not  uncommon  in  suitable  local- 
ities, but  rare  near  Portland. 

Zenaiclura    macroiira  :  Mourning-  Dove.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Cathartes  aura  :  Turkey  Vulture.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Circus  hudsonius :   Marsh  Hawk.  —  Rnre. 

Accipiter  velox :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  Common,  especially  during-  mi- 
grations. 

Accipiter  cooperii :  Cooper  Hawk.  —  Not  common, 

Buteo  borealis  caluriis  :  Western  Red-tail.  —  Common. 

Haliceetus  leucocephalus :  Bald  Eag-le.  —  Seen  at  times  along-  the  river. 

Falco  peregrinus  anatum  :  Duck  Hawk.  — Seen  only  once  or  twice. 

Falco  columbarius  :  Pigeon  Hawk. 

Falco  columbarius  suckleyi :  Black  Merlin.  —  The  pig-eon  hawk  and  the 
black  merlin  are,  perhaps,  equally  common ;  more  common  during-  fall 
and  winter. 

Megascops  asio  kennicottii :  Kennicott  Screech  Owl.  —  Quite  common 
among-  the  oaks  along-  the  river. 

Bubo  virginianus  saturatus :  Dnsky  Horned  Owl.  —  Not  uncommon  in 
heavy  timber. 

Nyctea  nyctea :  Snowy  Owl.  —  A  few  have  been  taken  near  Portland  in 
winter. 

(wlaucidinm  gnoma  califoruicum  :  California  Pygmy  Owl.  —  Rather  com- 
mon ;  often  seen  in  the  daytime. 

Coccyzus  americanus  occidentalis  :  California  Cuckoo.  —  Rare  ;  a  few  seen 
in  low  marshy  places  along-  the  Columbia. 

Ceryle  alcyon  :  Belted  King-fi.sher.  —  Quite  common  along  all  water- 
courses. 

Dryobates  villosus  harrisii :  Harris  Woodpecker.  —  Common  in  all  tim- 
ber. 

Dryobates  pubescens  gairdncrii :  Gairdner  Woodpecker.  —  Coimimii  in  all 
timber. 

Sphyrapicus  ruber  notkensis  :  Northern  Red-breasted  Sa])sueker.  —  Com- 
mon;   more  often  seen  in  alder  or  dogwood  than  in  Hr  growth. 

Ceojj/iltius  pile<ttns  (diieticoia  :  \ortliein  Pileated  \Voodpecker.  —  Less  com- 
mon than  formerly,  but  still  found  in  heavy  fir  growth. 

Melauerpes  torrpiatus  :   Lewis  Woodpecker.  — Common  sunnner  resident. 

Colaptes  cafer  saturatior:  Northwestern  Flicker.  —  Abundant  resident. 
The  flickers  of  this  region  are  not  constant  t«)  any  race. 

I'fialininptilus  uultallii  c<dij'oruicus  :  Dusky  Poor-will.  —  .\poor-\\ill  has 
been  described  to  nn*. 

Chordcilt's  virgini(tuus  :  Niglitliawk.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Chdtura  vaurii  :    \'aux  Swift. —  Rather  common  summer  resident. 

Selasphorus  ritf'us  :  Ifufoiis  lluinmingliird. —  \'ery  common  sunimer  resi- 
dent. 


xlvi  INTRODUCTION 

Tyrannus  verticalis  :  Arkansas  Kingbird.  —  A  kingbird  is  found  at  Port- 
land, but  is  rare,  and  the  species  not  determined. 

Contopus  borealis  :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  —  Common  in  tall  firs. 

Contopus  richardsonii :  Western  Wood  Pewee.  —  Very  common  every- 
Avhere  ;  often  seen  in  shade  trees  about  the  city. 

Empidonax  dijficilis :  Western  Flycatcher.  —  Probably  taken  in  migra- 
tion. 

Empidonax  trail  Hi  :  Traill  Flycatcher.  —  Very  common  in  alder  and 
vine  maple  thickets. 

Alauda  arvensis  :  Skylark.  —  Introduced.  Common  in  open  fields  on  the 
east  side  of  the  I'iver  ;  not  seen  elsewhere. 

Otocoris  alpestris  strigata  :  Streaked  Horned  Lark.  —  Not  uncommon  in 
suitable  localities. 

Pica  pica  hudsonica  :  American  Magpie.  —  Not  common ;  a  few  are  found 
along-  the  Columbia. 

Cyanocitta  stelleri :  Steller  Jay.  —  Common  everywhere  in  the  region  of 
Portland. 

Aphelocoma  californica  :  California  Jay.  —  Rare  ;  more  common  during 
migrations. 

Perisoreus  obscurus  :  Oreg-on  Jay.  —  Rare. 

Corvus  caurinus :  Northwest  Crow  (?).  —  Crows  are  abundant,  but  species 
not  determined. 

Sturnus  vulgaris  :  Starling-.  —  Introduced  ;   still  rare. 

Agelaius pha;7iiceus  c<iuri)ius:  Northwestern  Redwing-.  —  More  or  less  com- 
mon. 

Sturnella  magna  neglecta  :  Western  Meadowlark.  —  Abundant  resident. 

Icterus  bullocki :  Bullock  Oriole. — Rather  common  in  cottonwoods  and 
oaks  along'  the  river. 

Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus  :  Brewer  Blackbird.  —  Abundant  resident ; 
more  common  in  open  fields. 

Coccothraustes  vespertinus  montanus  :  Western  Evening-  Grosbeak.  —  Abun- 
dant winter  resident,  flocking-  about  the  maples  in  the  streets ;  remark- 
ably tame. 

Carpodacus  purpureas  calif ornicus  :  California  Purple  Finch.  — Common  in 
fields  about  the  city. 

Loxia  curvirostra  minor:  Crossbill. — Rare. 

Astragalinus  tristis  salicamans  :  Willow  Goldfinch,  —  Abundant. 

Astragalinus  }}saltria  :  Arkansas  Goldfinch.  —  Not  uncommon. 

Spinus  jnnus :  Pine  Siskin.  —  Not  uncommon  ;  nests  about  the  city  in 
large  firs  {?). 

Passer  domesticus  :  English  sparrow.  —  Abundant  in  the  city. 

Poxcetes  gramineus  affinis :  Oregon  Vesper  Sparrow.  —  Common  in  open 
fields. 

Ammodramus  sandwichensis  :  Sandwich  Sparrow. — Specimens  taken  dur- 
ing migrations  were  nearer  this  form  than  any  other,  but  not  typical. 

Ammodramus  samhvichensis  alaudiyms  :  Western  Savanna  Sparrow.  —  Com- 
mon in  cultivated  fields. 

Zonotrichid  leucophrys  gambelii :  Gambel  Sparrow.  —  Common  during  mi- 
grations. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  nultalli :  Nuttall  Sparrow.  —  Abundant  summer 
resident ;  nests  in  thickets  and  low  brush. 

Zonotrichia  coronata  :  Golden-crowned  Sparrow.  —  Common  during  migra- 
tion for  a  few  days. 

Spizella  socialis  arizonce :  Western  Chipping-  Sparrow.  —  Abundant  sum- 
mer resident. 

Junco  hyemalis  oreganus  :  Oregon  Junco.  —  Abundant  resident. 


INTRODUCTION  xlvii 

Melospiza  melodia  ynorpkna  :  Rusty  .Song'  Sparrow.  —  Abundant  resident. 

Melo.spiza  Uncolnii  striata  :  Forbush  Sparrow.  —  A  sparrow  probably  of 
this  species  seen  a  few  times  during-  migrations. 

Passerella  iliaca  annectens :  Yakutat  Fox  Sparrow.  —  Common  winter  resi- 
dent ;   usually  seen  with  i-usty  sparrows. 

Pipilo  macidatus  oreyonus  :  Oregon  Towhee. —  Common  resident ;  found  in 
thickets  all  about  the  city. 

Cardinalis  cardinalis :  Cardinal.  —  Several  birds  were  released  by  a  dealer 
a  few  years  ago  and  are  still  seen  in  the  i-esidence  part  of  the  city. 

Zamelodia  melanocephala  :  Black-headed  Grosbeak.  — Not  uncommon. 

Cyanospiza  avuena :  Lazuli  Bunting.  —  Common  along  the  bottom  lands 
of  the  Columbia. 

Piranga  litdoviciana  :  Louisiana  Tanager.  —  Common  in  the  firs  and  alders, 
nesting"  in  the  firs. 

Progne  suhis  hesperia  :  Western  Martin.  —  Not  common. 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  :  Cliff  Swallow.  —  Common. 

Hirundo  erythrogastra  :  Barn  Swallow.  — Not  common. 

Tachycineta  hicolor  :  Tree  Swallow\  —  Not  common. 

Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida :  Northern  Violet-g-reen  Swallow.  —  Very 
abundant  ;  nesting  in  barns  and  outhouses,  entering-  through  knot- 
holes. 

Itijiaria  riparia  :  Bank  Swallow  (?). 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis :  Rough-winged  Swallow.  —  Of  the  bank  and 
rough-wing  one  or  both  have  been  seen,  but  neither  is  common. 

Ampelis  cedrorum  :  Cedar  AVaxwing.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Lanins  hurealis  :  Northern  Shrike.  —  Rare  winter  visitant. 

Vireo  gilvus  :  Warbling  Vireo.  —  Common ;  nests  in  the  alder  and  dog- 
wood tliickets. 

Vireo  solitarius  cassinii  :  Cassin  Vireo.  —  Common  with  the  warbling. 

Vireo  htittoni  obscurus  :  Anthony  Vireo.  —  Rare  ;  seen  only  about  oaks. 

Dendroica  izstiva  :  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Very  common  everywhere  about 
the  city. 

Dendroica  coronata  :  Myrtle  Warbler.  —  Rare  migrant. 

Dendroica  auduboni :  Audubon  Warbler.  —  Common:  nests  in  the  small 
firs. 

Dendroica  nigrescens  :  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler.  —  Common  summer 
resident. 

Dendroica  townsendi :  Townsend  Warbler.  —  Not  rare. 

Dendroica  occidental  is  :  Hermit  Warbler.  —  Not  rare. 

Geothlypis  trichts  arizela  :  Pacific  Coast  Yellow-throat.  —  Common  in  open 
fiehls  about  the  water. 

Icteria  virtns  loiigicauda  :  Long-tailed  Chat.  Rare  ;  seen  only  a  few 
times. 

Wilsonia  pusilla  piholata  :  PiUM»lat('(l  Warbh-r.  Common  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Anthus pensilvunicHs  :  Pij)it.        ('nininoii  wintt-r  resident. 

Salj)inctfs  obso/etiis  :   Rock  Wren.        Ifarc 

Thryoniani's  beirirkii  ctdopltonus  :   Vigors  Wren.  — (\mim()n  resident. 

Troghidytt's  ai'-don  /xirkmanii :  Parknian  Wren.  —  Ctimnuni  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Olbiorcfiilus  fiitiii(dis  jtarifiiiis  :  Wesl.rii  Wiiitei-  \\  ren.  IJesidt'iit  ;  com- 
mon in  deep  sliailed  thickets. 

Cistot/ionis  jxdustris  puludimla  :  Tnle  NVrcii.  Not  uncommon  in  the 
marshes  along  tlie  Columbia. 

Certhia  J'aniiliaris  occidcnialis  :  ( "alitotnian  Creeper.  Resident  in  the  tir 
fore.st.s ;  not  rare. 


xlviii  INTRODUCTION 

Sitta  carol inensis  acideata  :  Slender-billed  Nuthatch.  —  Common. 

Sitta  canadensis  :  Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  —  Common  fall  migrant ;  does 
not  seem  to  be  so  abundant  in  spring-. 

Parus  atricapillus  occidentalis  :  Oregon  Chickadee.  —'Very  common  resi- 
dent. 

Poriis  rufescens  :  Chestnut-backed  Chickadee.  —  Common  resident. 

Psaltriparus  minimus :  Bush-Tit.       Abundant  resident. 

Regulus  satrapa  olivaceus  :  Western  Golden-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Abundant 
winter  resident. 

Pegulus  calendula  :  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Common  migrant. 

Myadestes  townsendii :  Townsend  Solitaire.  —  Seen  once  or  twice  in  the 
residence  part  of  the  city. 

Hylocichla  ustulata :  Russet-backed  Thrush.  —  Common  in  the  city  and 
wooded  thickets  along-  the  river. 

Hylocichla  guttata  :  Alaska  Hermit  Thrush.  —  A  few  seen .  during  migra- 
tions. 

Merula  migratoria  propinqua  :  Western  Robin. — Abundant;  a  few  win- 
ter. 

Ixoreus  ncevius  :  Varied  Thrush.  —  Abundant  winter  resident. 

Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis  :  Western  Bluebird.  —  Common. 

LIST  OF  WATER   BIRDS  OF  SAN  FRANCISCO  BAY. 
By  William  H.  Kobbk. 

^chmophorus  occidentalis :  Western  Grebe.  —  Abundant  throug-hout  the 
winter  and  spring-. 

Colymhus  holbaellii :  Holboell  Grebe.  —  Rare  ;  two  winter  visitants  taken. 

Coli/mbus  auritus  :  Horned  Grebe.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 

Colymhus  nigricollis  californicus :  American  Eax'ed  Grebe.  —  Winter  vis- 
itant, most  commonly  at  Oakland  and  Alameda. 

Podilymhus  p)odiceps :  Pied-billed  Grebe.  —  Common  in  the  fall;  probably 
resident  in  favorable  situations. 

Gavia  imher  :  Loon.  —  Spring-  mig-rant. 

Gavia  pacijica  :  Pacific  Loon.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 

Gavia  lumme :  Red-throated  Loon.  —  Winter  visitant ;  abundant  about 
Oakland. 

C yclorrhynchus  p)sittacidus  :  Paroquet  Auklet.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Synthliboramphus  antiquus  :  Ancient  Murrelet.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Brachyramphus  marmoratus  :  Marbled  Murrelet.  —  Taken  off  Goat  Island 
by  Bryant. 

Uria  troile  calif ornica  :  California  Murre.  —  Visitant ;  mainly  fall,  winter, 
and  spring- ;  probably  occurs  in  summer. 

Stercorarius  parasiticus  :  Parasitic  Jaeg-er.  —  Fall  mig-rant. 

Rissa  tridactyla  pollicaris  :  Pacific  Kittiwake.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Larus  delawarensis :  Ring--billed  Gull.  —  Common  about  Oakland  from 
the  last  of  autumn  until  summer. 

Larus  glaucus :  Glaucous  Gull.  —  One  noted  by  Cooper  (Proc.  Col.  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences,  iv.  9-10)  and  one  seen  by  Kobb^. 

Larus  glaucescens  :  Glaucous-wing-ed  Gull.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant. 

Larus  occidentalis  :  Western  Gull.  —  Abundant  resident. 

Larus  argentatus  :  Herring-  Gull.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant. 

Larus  vegce  :  Vega  Gull.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant. 

Larus  californicus  :  California  Gull.  —  Abundant  resident. 

Larus  hrachyrhynchus  :  Short-billed  Gull. — Abundant  from  November  to 
February. 


INTRODUCTION  xlix 

Larus  canus  :  Mew  Gull.  —  Very  abundant  from  November  into  February. 

Larus  heermanni  :  Heermann  Gull.  —  Abundant  on  bay  in  summer,  rare  in 
winter. 

Larus  Philadelphia  :  Bonaparte  Gull.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 

Xema  sabinii :  Sabine  Gull.  —  One  taken  by  Lorquin,  October  (10  ?). 

Sterna  caspia  :  Caspian  Tern.  —  One  taken  by  Bryant,  December  2. 

Sterna  maxima  :   Roval  Tern.  —  One  taken  at  Oakland  by  Bryant,  August 
27.  ■ 

Sterna  elegans  :  Eleg-ant  Tern.  —  One  taken  by  Lansing,  September  IT. 

Sterna  forsteri :  Forster  Tern.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Diomedea  albatrus :  Short-tailed  Albatross.  —  One  taken  near  Goat  Island 
by  Bryant,  March  10. 

Fidmarus  glacialis  ylapischa  :  Pacific  Fulmar.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Phalacrocorax  dilophus  cincinatus  :   White-crested  Cormorant.  —  Occurs  in 
winter. 

Phalacrocorax   dilophus   alhoriliatus :    Farrallone    Cormorant.  —  Common 
resident. 

Phalacrocorax  penicillatus :  Brandt  Cormorant.  —  Common  resident. 

Phalacrocorax  pelagicus  :  Pelagic  Cormorant.  —  Common  resident. 

Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos :  American  White  Pelican.  —  Rather  rare    win- 
ter visitant. 

Pelecanus   calif ornicus :    California    Brown    Pelican.   —   Common    winter 
visitant. 

Merganser  americanus  :  American  Merganser.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Merganser  serrator  :  Red-breasted  Merganser.  — Spring  and  fall  migrant. 

Anas  boschas  :  Mallard.  —  Winter  visitant  in  all  marshes  bordering  bay. 

Mareca  americana  :  Baldpate.  —  Winter  visitant  at  Vallejo  and  Oakland. 

Nettion  carolinensis  :  Green- winged  Teal.  —  Common  in  winter  throughout 
the  bay  region. 

Querquedula  discors  :  Blue-winged  Teal.  —  Taken  at  Vallejo  by  Golcher. 

Querquedula  cyanopfera  :  Cinnamon  Teal.  —  Winter  visitant  at  Vallejo. 

Spatula  clypeata  :  Shoveller.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Dajila  acuta  :  Pintail.  —  Fall  and  winter  visitant  at  Miller,  Marin  County, 
and  Vallejo. 

Aix  sponsa  :   Wood  Duck.  —  Taken  by  Slevin  at  Cordelia,  November  8. 

Aytliya  vallisneria  :  Canvas-back.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant  at  Vallejo. 

Aythfja  marila  :  Scaup  Duck.  — Winter  visitant  to  all  parts  of  bay. 

Aythya  affinis  :  Lesser  Scaup  Duck.  —  Winter  visitant  at  Vallejo  and  Oak- 
land. 

Aythi/a  collaris  :  Ring-necked  Duck.  —  Two  taken  by  Ilornung,  February  T). 

Clangula   clangida  americana  :  American   Golden-eye.  —  Fall  and  winter 
visitant. 

Clangula  islaiidica:  Barrow  Golden-eye.  —  Two  taken  by  Bryant,  Novem- 
ber It)  and  December  '■). 

Charitonetta  alheola  :   Bnffle-head.  —  Wint«'r  visitant. 

Oidenua  })ers})icillata  :  Surf  Scoter.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 

Oideiiiia  drghuidi  :   White-wiiigcd  Scoter.  —  Conimon  winti*r  visitant. 

KrisuKitura   jauiairensis :    Buddy  Duck.  —  Found  in  lagoons  from  October 
until  tln'  middle  of  February. 

All   (\ilifornia  'geese  occur  in   grcatj'r   or  less   abundance   in  the    inner 
portions  of  the  bay. 

Olor  columbianus  :  Whistling  Swan.  —  One   taken   by  Kellogg  at  Cordelia, 
December  IS. 

liotaurus  le)itiginosus  :   American  Bittern.  —  One  taken  by  Bryant  and  one 
by  Ilornung.      I  h.ive  found  it  fairly  coninion  in  the  marshes. 

Ard,'„  Lrndi:,<:   C,,..-.!    lUue   Hen.u.  —  lireeds  at    .M.imed;.  :    resid.-ut. 


1  INTRODUCTION 

Nycticorax  nycticorax  ncevius :  Black-crowned  Night  Heron.  —  Abundant 
at  Alameda  in  winter ;  also  a  colony  at  Tiberone  ;  resident. 

Rallus  obsoletus  :  California  Clapper  Rail.  —  Abundant  in  marshes  border- 
ing- the  bay  in  fall  and  early  winter. 

jRallus  virginianus  :  Virginia  Rail.  —  Fall  migrant. 

Porzana  noveboracensis  :  Yellow  Rail.  —  Two  taken  by  Bryant  in  Decem- 
ber. 

Porzanajamaicensis:  Black  Rail.  — Locally  common  in  winter;  probably 
breeds. 

Fulica  americana  :  American  Coot.  —  Common  everywhere  ;   resident. 

Crymophilus  fulicarius  :  Red  Phalarope.  —  Found  commonly,  especially  in 
calmer  waters  on  bay,  from  October  to  January. 

Phalaropus  lobatus  :  Northern  Phalorope.  —  Fall  mig-rant. 

Pecurvirostra  americana  :  American  Avocet.  —  Reported  from  Redwood 
City  (Slevin). 

Himantopus  mexicanus  :  Black-necked  Stilt.  —  Fall  and  winter  migrant  at 
Miller,  Marin  Co. 

Gallinago  delicata  :  Wilson  Snipe.  —  Fall,  winter,  and  spring  visitant. 

Macrorhamphns  scolopaceus  :  Long-billed  Dowitcher.  —  Fall  and  early  win- 
ter visitant. 

Tringa  maculata  :  Pectoral  Sandpiper.  —  One  taken  by  Bryant,  October  8. 

Tringa  minutilla  :  Least  Sandpiper.  —  Abundant  in  fall  and  winter. 

Tringa  alpina  jmcijica :  Red-backed  Sandpiper.  —  Abundant  from  the 
middle  of  October  till  the  middle  of  May. 

Ereunetes  occidentalis  :  Western  Sandpiper.  —  Abundant  migrant. 

Calidris  arenaria  :  Sanderling.  —  Common  migrant  at  Oakland. 

Limosafedoa  :  Marbled  Godwit.  —  Fall  and  winter  visitant. 

Totanus  melanoleucus  :  Greater  Yellow-legs.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Helodromas  solitarius  cinnamoriieus :  Western  Solitary  Sandpiper.  —  Two 
taken  by  Bryant,  April  and  September. 

Symphemia  semipahnata  inornata :  Western  Willet.  —  Common  in  sum- 
mer (Bryant). 

Heteractitis  incanus  :  Wandering  Tatler.  —  Two  taken  by  Kobb^  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Actitis  macidaria  :  Spotted  Sandpiper.  —  Taken  at  Tiberone  and  Angel 
Island  in  May  and  November. 

Numenius  longirostris :  Long-billed  Curlew.  —  Common  at  Oakland  in 
August  (Bryant). 

Numenius  hudsonicus  :  Hudsonian  Curlew.  —  Taken  at  Oakland  in  August 
and  September  (Bryant). 

Squatarola  squatarola  :  Black-bellied  Plover.  —  Fall  and  winter  visitant. 

Charadrius  dominicus  :  American  Golden  Plover.  —  Taken  at  Vallejo  and 
Menlo  Pai'k  (Hornung). 

^gialitis  vocifera  :  Killdeer.  —  Common  everywhere  in  fall,  winter,  and 
spring. 

yTJgialitis  nivosa  :  Snowy  Plover.  —  Taken  on  Presidio  beach  (Slevin). 

Aretiaria  melanocephalo  :  Black  Turnstone.  —  Two  records  from  Angel 
Island. 


INTRODUCTION 


LIST   OF   BIRDS   OF   SANTA    CLARA   VALLEY   AND  SANTA 
CRUZ  MOUNTAINS,  EXCLUSIVE  OF  WATER  BIRDS. 

By  Walter  K.  Fishek. 

Resident  =:  Permanent  resident. 

Winter  visitant  =  Winter  resident. 

Summer  visitant  =  Breeding  bird  not  occurring  in  winter. 

The  country  covered  by  this  list  includes  practically  all  of  the 
Santa  Clara  Valley  and  the  northern  half  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Moun- 
tains. The  Santa  Cruz  Mountains  send  a  long  spur  northward  to 
form  the  backbone  of  the  San  Francisco  peninsula.  This  ridge  has 
numerous  lateral  spurs,  particularly  toward  the  sea.  On  the  east 
the  mountains  slope  down  into  low  foothills  rather  abruptly,  and 
these  foothills  gradually  merge  into  the  floor  of  the  valley,  which, 
north  of  San  Jose,  is  largely  occupied  by  the  bay  of  San  Francisco 
and  its  environing  marsh.  To  the  east  of  the  bay  is  the  Mount 
Hamilton  range. 

To  the  Transition  zone  belong  most  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Moun- 
tains, and  the  country  between  them  and  the  seacoast.  In  the 
mountains  are  magnificent  stretches  of  redwood  forest,  mixed  with 
Douglas  spruce,  tan-bark  oak,  and  madrone,  and  underbrush  of 
evergreen  huckleberry,  myrtle,  azalea,  rhododendron,  wild  lilac 
{Ceanothus  thyrsiflorus),  and  several  species  of  manzanita. 

The  Upper  Sonoran  zone  includes  all  the  main  foothill  region  and 
many  of  the  outlying  spurs  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains,  much  of 
the  Mount  Hamilton  range,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  floor  of  the 
valley.  The  valley  contains  an  infusion  of  Lower  Sonoran  ele- 
ments, but  the  proximity  of  the  sea,  with  its  tempering  breezes, 
many  high  fogs  during  summer,  and  a  rather  heavy  rainfall  (for  a 
valley),  so  reduces  the  total  (luantity  of  lieat  for  the  year  that  the 
region  is  really  a  peculiar  humid  Upper  Sonoran,  or  perhaps  a  mix- 
ture of  the  two  Sonoran  zones.  Characteristic  vallej^  types  are  the 
white  oak  {Qiurnis  lolxitu),  blue  oak  ((^.  doiigluiiii),  valley  live-oak 
{Q-  nrjrifoUa),  bay  tree,  buckeye,  Christmas  berry  {ILteronieJcs  arhu- 
tifolia),  and  sycamore.  In  the  ]\Iount  Hamilton  range  is  found  the 
digger  june,  and  on  many  of  the  foothills  of  this  range  and  of  the 
Santa  Cruz,  chamiso  (A(f<  nostoma  fnKcicitbitiiin),  .sage  {Artinrisia 
Cdlifnniird),  highland  o'i\\<.  (Qiicirns  irializcni),  scrub  ox\\i{Q.  dinnoxa), 
ceanothus,  and  various  manzanitas  form  larire  areas  of  d<'!i«'  chap- 
arral. 


lii  INTRODUCTION 

The  broad   Salicornia    marshes  surrounding  the   bay   support  a 
rather  numerous  fauna  that  does  not  occur  inland. 

Lophortyx  californicus  :  California  Partridge.  —  Abundant  resident  in  hills 
and  valleys, 

Coluinha  fasciata  :  Band-tailed  Pigeon.  —  Autumn  and  winter  visitant. 

Zenaidura  macroura  :  Mourning  Dove.  —  ISummer  visitant;  occasionally 
seen  in  winter  ;  open  valleys. 

Gymnogyps  calif ornianus  :  California  Vulture.  —  Occasional  visitant  in 
Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

Cathartes  aura  :  Turkey  Buzzard.  —  Summer  visitants  of  valley  and  moun- 
tain. 

Eianus  leucurus  :  White-tailed  Kite.  —  Resident  among  oak  groves  of  the 
valley. 

Accipiter  velox :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 

Accipiter  cooperii :  Cooper  Hawk.  —  Occasional  transient  visitant. 

Circus  hudsonius :  Marsh  Hawk.  —  A  resident  of  the  marshes  about  San 
Francisco  bay. 

Biiteo  horealis  calurus  :  Western  Red-tail.  —  Common  resident  of  the  val- 
ley and  mountains. 

Buteo  lineatus  elegans  :  Red-bellied  Hawk.  —  Rare  resident  of  the  valley. 

Biiteo  swainsoni :  Swainson  Hawk.  —  Rare  transient  visitant. 

Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis :  American  Rough-legged  Hawk.  — 
Rare  transient  visitant. 

Archibuteo  ferrugineus :  Ferruginous  Rough-leg.  —  Irregular  winter  vis- 
itant near  San  Jos^  (R.  H.  Beck). 

Aquila  chrysa'etos  :  Golden  Eagle.  —  Common  resident  of  valley  and  foot- 
hills. 

Haliceetiis  leucocephalus  :  Bald  Eagle.  —  Occasional  visitant. 

Falco  sparverius  deserticola  :  Desert  Sparrow  Haw^k.  —  Common  resident. 

Falco  mexicanus :  Prairie  Falcon.  —  Occasional  winter  visitant  in  valley ; 
resident  near  Santa  Cruz. 

Falco 2Jeregrinits  anatum  :  Duck  HaAvk.  —  Marshes. 

Falco  columbarius  :  Pigeon  Hawk.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant. 

Strix  pratincola :  Barn  Owl.  —  Common  resident  in  valley. 

Asio  wilsonianus :  Long-eared  Owl.  —  Recorded  from  Santa  Cruz  Moun- 
tains. 

Asio  accipitrinus :  Short-eared  Owl.  —  Common  resident  on  the  broad 
marshes  about  San  Francisco  bay. 

Megascops  asio  bendirei  :  California  Screech  Owl.  —  Common  resident. 

Bubo  virginianus  pacijicus  :  Pacific  Horned  Owl.  —  Permanent  resident  of 
the  valleys. 

Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea  :  Burrowing  Owl.  —  Common  resident  of  the 
low  valleys. 

Glaucidium  gnoma  californicum  :  California  Pygmy  Owl.  —  A  fairly  com- 
mon but  inconspicuous  resident  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

Geococcyx  californianus :  Road-runner.  —  Uncommon  resident  in  hot  val- 
leys. 

Coccyzus  americanus  occidentalis  :  California  Cuckoo.  —  Summer  visitant  in 
heavy  thickets. 

Ceryle  alcyon  :  Belted  Kingfisher.  —  Resident  along  the  larger  streams. 

Dryobates  villosus  harrisii  :  Harris  Woodpecker.  —  Resident  in  Santa  Cruz 
Mountains. 

Dryobates  pubescens  gairdnerii  :  Gairdner  Woodpecker.  —  Common  resident 
in  Santa  Cruz  Mountains,  and  breeds  sparingly  in  valley. 


INTRODUCTION  liii 

Dryobates  nuttaUii :  Nuttall  Woodpecker.  —  Recorded  from  Mount  Haiii- 
iltoii. 

Sphyrapicus  ruber :  Red-breasted  Sapsucker.  —  Fairly  connuon  winter 
visitant,  principally  to  Nmta  Cruz  Mountains. 

Melaneipes  for  in  iri  varus  bairdi  :  (\ilit"ornia  Woodpecker.  —  Abundant  resi- 
dent among-  the  oaks  of  the  valleys. 

Melanerpes  torquatus  :  Lewis  Woodpecker.  — Winter  visitant. 

Colaptes  cafer  collaris  :  Red-shafted  Flicker.  —  Abundant  resident. 

PhaUanoptilus  nuttallii  calif ornicus :  Dusky  Poor-will.  —  Uncommon  resi- 
dent. 

Chcetura  vauxii  :  Vaux  8wift.  —  Summer  visitant  among-  redwoods  ;  occa- 
sionally seen  in  valley. 

Ai'ronautes  melanoleucus :  White-thi*oated  Swift.  —  Occasionally  seen  in 
migration  ;   breeds  near  Santa  Cruz. 

Calypte  anna  :  Anna  Hummingbird.  —  Abundant  resident  in  valleys. 

Selaspharus  rufus :  Rufous  Hummingbird.  —  Occurs  plentifully  in  the 
spring-  as  a  migrant. 

Selaspliorus  alleni :  Allen  Hummingbird.  —  Abundant  summer  visitant  in 
valley  and  hills. 

Tyrannus  verticalia :  Arkansas  Kingbird.  —  Rather  common  summer  vis- 
itant. 

Myiarchus  citierascens  :  Ash-throated  Flycatcher.  —  Summer  visitant. 

Sayornis  saya  :  Say  Plujebe.  —  Rather  common  winter  visitant. 

Say(jrnis  nigricans  semiatra  :  Western  Black  Phoebe.  —  Common  resident, 

Contopus  boreal  is  :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher. — Summer  visitant  in  Santa 
Cruz  Mountains  ;  not  common. 

Contopus  richardsonii :  Western  Wood  Pewee.  —  Common  summer  vis- 
itant. 

Empidonax  difficilis  :  Western  Flycatcher.  —  Common  summer  visitant. 

Empidonax  traillii :  Traill  Flycatcher.  —  Summer  visitant  in  willow 
patches  along-  creeks. 

Otocoris  alpestris  chrysoUvma :  Mexican  Horned  Lark.  —  Common  in  the 
open  valley. 

Pica  nuttall i :  Yellow-billed  Magpie.  —  Resident  in  colonies  south  of  San 
Jo.s^. 

Cyanocitta  stelleri  carbonacea  :  ^  Coast  Jay.  —  Abundant  permanent  resi- 
dent in  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

Aphelocoma  californica  :  California  Jay.  —  Abundant  resident. 

Corvus  auieriranas :  American  Crow.  —  Resident  in  southern  part  of  Santa 
Clara  valley. 

Agelaius  gubernafor  culiforuicus :  Bicolored  Blackbird.  —  Breeds  aluin- 
dantly  in  meadows  bordering  niarshes. 

Agelaius  tricolor  :  Tricolored  nia<-kl)ii-(l. — Occurs  locally;   rare. 

A'anthorepfialus  xanthocephalus :  Yellow-headed  Blackbird.  —  Breeds  in  the 
marshes  south  of  San  Jos(5. 

Sturnella  magna  neglecta :  Western  Meadowlark.  Abundant  permam-nt 
resident. 

Icterus  bullocki :   Bullock  Oriole.  —  Resi<lent  for  nesting  season  ;  common. 

Scolecopfiagus  cyanocejjfialus  :  Brewer  IJlackbird. — Abundant  permanent 
resident. 

Coccothraustes  vespertinus  montanus :  Western  Evening  Grosbeak.  —  Occa- 
sional winter  visitants  in  tit)eks. 

(Jarpodarus  purjiureus  r(di/i>rnirus :  California  Purple  Finch.  —  Coniinou 
resident  in  valley  and  mouut.-iins. 

»  A  form  coiiiiiKtiily  ••iilU-il  jnui/ithx.  hut    reiilly  cloMer  to   typioiil  slilliri  tliiin  to  tin- 
Sierr.iii  form. 


liv  INTRODUCTION 

Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis  :  House  Fliieli.  — Abundant  resident. 
Astrayalinus  tristis  salicamans  :  Willow  Goldfinch.  —  Resident  in  willows 

and  mustard  patches. 
Aatrayalinus  lisaliria  :  Arkansas  Goldfinch.  — Abundant  resident. 
Astragulinus  laicrencei :  Lawrence   Goldfinch.  —  A  rare  summer  visitant, 

and  erratic  in  its  visits. 
Spinas  pi  nils :  Pine  Siskin. — Resident   in   the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains  ;   mi- 
grant in  valley. 
Ammodramus    sandwichensis    alaudinus :    Western    Savanna   Sparrow. — 

Abundant  fall  and  winter  visitant  in  valley  fields. 
Ammodramus  sandwichensis  bryanti  :  Bryant  Marsh  Sparrow.  —  Abundant 

resident  in  marshes  about  San  Francisco  bay. 
Ammodramus  savannarum  bimaculatiis  :  Western  Grasshopper  Sparrow.  — 

Recorded  from  near  San  Jos^  (R.  H.  Beck). 
Ammodramus  nelsoni :    Nelson  Sparrow. —  Two    records    from    Milpitas 

marshes. 
Pooecetes  gramineus  conjinis  :  Western  Vesper  Sparrow.  —  Recorded  from 

near  San  Jos^  (McGreg-or). 
Chondestes  grammacus  strigatus :  Western  Lark  Sparrow.  —  Commoner  on 

the  east  than  on  the  west  side  of  the  bay. 
Zonotrichia  leucophrgs  gambelii :   Gambel  Sparrow.  —  Abundant  winter  vis- 
itant, leaving-  in  April. 
Zonotrichia    leucophrys    nuttalli :    Nuttall    Sparrow.  —  Resident   in    damp 

coast  belt ;   winter  visitant  in  Santa  Clara  valley. 
Zonotrichia   coronata :  Golden-crowned   Sparrow.  —  An    abundant    winter 

visitant. 
Spizella  socialis  arizome  :  Western   Chipping-  Sparrow.  —  Not  a  very  com- 
mon resident. 
Junco  hyemalis  thurberi :  Sierra  Junco.  — Winter  visitant ;  not  common. 
Junco   hyemalis  pinosus :  Point    Pinos  Junco. — Resident   in   Santa  Cruz 

Mountains,  and  south  in  humid  coast  belt ;   commonest   junco  in  valleys 

in  winter. 
Amphisjjiza  belli:  Bell  Sparrow.  —  Said  to  breed  near  Los  Gates  (J.  Van 

Denburgh). 
Aimophila  rujiceps  :  Rufous-crowned  Sparrow.  —  Resident,  locally,  on  east 

side  of  valley  in  sage-brush  districts. 
Melospiza    melodia    heermanni :  Heermann    Song-    Sparrow.  —  Resident   in 

southernmost  portions  of  Santa  Clara  valley  uplands. 
Melospiza    melodia   santcecrucis :  ^    Santa    Cruz  Song  Sparrow.  —  Common 

permanent  resident  along  streams  flowing  into  San  Francisco  bay  and 

into  Pacific  Ocean  from  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Melospiza  melodia  pusillula}  —  Resident  in  Salicornia  marshes  about  San 

Francisco  bay. 
Melospiza    melodia    morphia  :  Rusty  Song  Sparrow.  —  Winter  visitant  in 

Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Melospiza  lincolnii :  Lincoln  Sparrow.  —  Winter  visitant. 
Melospiza  lincolnii  striata  :    Forbush    Sparrow.  —  Casual  winter  visitant ; 

marshes. 
Passerella    iliaca    unalaschcensis :  Townsend    Sparrow.  —  Common   winter 

visitant  in  vallej'  and  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Pipilo    maculatus    megalunyx :  Spurred    Towhee.  —  Abundant  resident  in 

valley  and  in  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Pipilo  jfuscus  crissalis  :  California  Towhee. — Abundant  resident  in  valley 

and  mountains. 

1  A  local  race  not  yet  acted  upon  by  A.  O.  U.  committee. 


INTRODUCTION  Iv 

Zamelodia  melanocephala  :  Black-lieuded  (iiosbeak.  —  Abundant  spring' 
and  summer  visitant ;  departs  after  nesting-. 

Cyanospiza  amrena  :  Lazuli  Bunting-.  —  A  common  summer  visitant  during- 
nesting-  season. 

Piranga  ludovicianu  :  Louisiana  Tanager. — Occurs  in  Santa  Cruz  Moun- 
tains during  migrations. 

Progne  subis  hesperia  :  Western  Martin.  —  Reported  from  Mount  Hamilton 
range. 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  :  Cliff  Swallow.  —  Common  summer  visitant. 

Hirundo  erythrogastra  :   Barn  Swallow.  —  Summer  resident. 

Tachycineta  birolor  :  Tree  Swallow.  —  Abundant  in  spring-  and  summer  : 
rare  in  winter. 

Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida  :  Northern  Violet-green  Swallow.  —  Common 
summer  visitant. 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  :  Rough-winged  Swallow.  —  Reported  as  breed- 
ing at  San  Jos^  (J.  Van  Denburgh)  ;  migrant  at  Palo  Alto. 

Ampelis  cedrorum  :  Cedar  Waxwing.  —  Irregular  winter  visitant. 

Phainopepla  nitens  :   Phaiuopepla.  —  Recorded  from  near  San  Jos^. 

Lanius  ludovicianus  gaiiibeli :  California  Shrike.  —  Abundant  resident  in 
valley. 

Vireo  gilvus  :  Warbling  Vireo.  —  Common  summer  visitant. 

Vireo  huttoni :  Hutton  Vireo.  —  Abundant  resident  in  Santa  Cruz  Moun- 
tains ;  common  simmier  visitant  in  valley. 

Vireo  solitarius  cassinii :  Cassin  Vireo.  —  Summer  visitant  in  Santa  Cruz 
Mountains. 

Helmitithophila  celata  lutescens  :  Lutescent  Warbler.  —  Summer  visitant  on 
chaparral  slopes  of  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

Dendroica  testiva  :  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Abundant  summer  resident. 

Dendroica  auduboni :  Audubon  Warbler.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant. 

Dendroica  coronata  :  Myrtle  Warbler.  —  leather  common  winter  visitant. 

Df^ndroica  nigrescens :  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler.  —  Reported  from 
Mount  Hamilton  Range. 

Dendroica  toirnsendi :  Townsend  Warbler.  —  Common  winter  visitant  in 
Santa  Cruz  Mountains  and  about  Monterey  Bay. 

Dendroica  occidentalis :  Hermit  Warbler.  —  Occurs  rarely  during  migra- 
tions. 

Geothlypis  tohniei :  Tolmie  Warbler.  — Recorded  from  Los  Gatos  ;  rare. 

Geothlypis  trichas  sinitosa  :  ^  Western  Yellow-throat.  —  Breeds  about  edges 
of  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 

Icteria  riren.s  longicauda  :  Long-tailed  Chat.  —  Summer  visitant  along  water- 
courses. 

Wilsouia  pusilla  pileolata  :  Pileolated  Warbler.  —  Connnon  in  copses  and 
willow  thickets. 

Anthiis pensilvanirns  :   American  Pipit. — Abundant  duiing-  winter  months. 

Cinrliis  /iiejrirdnus :  Water  C)uzel. —  Permanent  resident  on  streams  in 
Santa  ( 'rnz  Mountains. 

Mimits  pdlyglottos  leiiro/jfrrus  :  Western  M()ckingl)ird. —  Occasional  visitant 
at  Stanford  University. 

ToTostonia  retlirirum  :  Califoniian  Thrasher.  —  Common  resident  in  thickets. 

Salpinctes  obsoletus  :  Ivock  Wn-n.  —  Permanent  resident  in  eastern  and 
.southern  valley  foothills,  in  dry.  rocky  places. 

Catherpes  inexiranns  pnnitidatns  :  Dotted  Canyon  Wren.  —  Breetls  in  foot- 
hills east  of  San  Jose';. 

'   Ovcidi-ntalis  ol%ui\\OT».     Tliis  form  lias  not  U'cii  acti-il  upon  In  tin-  A.  O.  I',  com- 
niittee.     It  is  nearer  (tri-iln  than  mcidrnfiilis. 


hi  INTRODUCTION 

Thryomanes  bewickii  spilurus :  Vigors  Wren.  —  Common  resident. 
Troglodytes  aedon  parkmanii :  Parkman  Wren. — Summer  visitant  among 

live-oaks. 
Olbiorchilus  hiemalis  jiaciJicHs  :  Western   Winter  Wren. — Resident  in  the 

Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Cistothorus  palustris  jmludicola :    Tule    Wren.  —  Resident    on    Salicornia 

marshes  ;  breeds  in  seirpns  patches  altogether. 
Certhia  familiar  is  occid  entails  :  Calif  ornian  Creeper.  —  Resident  in   Santa 

Cruz  Mountains. 
Sitta  carolinensis  aculeata :  Slender-billed  Nuthatch.  —  Resident  in  Santa 

Cruz  Mountains ;  oaks. 
Parus  inornatus :  Plain  Titmouse.  —  Permanent  resident  among  live,  white, 

and  blue  oaks. 
Parus  rafescens  harlowi :  ^  Barlow  Chickadee.  —  Resident  in   Santa  Cruz 

Mountains,  migrating  to  the  valleys  in  winter. 
ChaniKafasciata  intermedia  :  '^  Wren-Tit.  —  Common  permanent  resident  of 

Santa  Cruz  Mountains  and  of  valle5^     Found  usually  on  chaparral  hills. 
Psaltriparus  minimus  californicus  :  California  Bush-Tit.  —  Common  perma- 
nent resident. 
Begulus  satrapa   olivaceus :  Western    Golden-crowned    Kinglet.  —  Winter 

visitant  in  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Begulus  calendula  :  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant  in 

valley  and  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Begulus  calendula  grinnelli :  Sitkan  Kinglet.  —  Winter  visitant  to  Santa  Cruz 

Mountains  and  to  Monterey. 
Polioptila  carulea  ohscura :  Western  Gnatcatcher.  —  Recorded  from  near 

Mount  Hamilton. 
Myadestes  townsendii :  Townsend  Solitaire.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant 

to  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Hylocichla  ustulata  :  Russet-backed  Thrush.  —  Abundant  summer  visitant, 

arriving  in  April. 
Hylocichla  guttata  :  Alaska  Hermit  Thrush.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant  in 

valley  and  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 
Hylocichla  guttata  slevini  :^  Monterey  Hermit  Thrush.  —  Svimmer  visitant 

in  Santa  Crviz  Mountains,  south  in  humid  belt,  along  coast. 
Merula  migratoria  py-opinqua  :  Western  Robin.  —  A  very  abundant  winter 

visitant. 
Ixoreus  tuevius :  Varied  Thrush. — Abimdant  winter  visitant:   November 

till  last  of  March. 
Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis  :  Western  Bluebird. — Common  resident. 
Sialia  arctica :  Mountain  Bluebird.  —  Rare  or  casual  winter  visitant. 


LIST  OF  BIRDS  TO  BE  LOOKED  FOR  IN  THE  VICINITY  OF 

PASADENA. 

By  Joseph  Grinnell. 

This  list  inchides  only  svicb  species  as  are  believed  to  be  of  more 

or  less  regular  occurrence  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles  of  Pasadena. 

1  A  form  occupying  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountain  district  and  distinguished  from  neglectus 
by  absence  of  browii  on  flanks. 

2  Not  yet  acted  on  by  A.  O.  U.  committee.     (F.  M.  B.) 

3  This  remarkable  little  thrush  has  been  recently  described  by  Joseph  Grinuell,  and 
can  be  at  once  distinguished  by  its  very  small  size  and  pale  coloring.  {The  Aid;  July, 
1901,  xviii.  258.) 


INTRODUCTION  Ivii 

This  area  consists  of  *  mountains '  (Sierra  Madre),  and  '  valley '  (San 
Gabriel).  The  mountains  are  divided  into  spruce-wooded  'higher 
mountains,'  such  as  Wilson's  Peak  and  Mt.  Lowe,  and  brush-cov- 
ered 'foothills.'  The  valley  is  separated  into  a  'mesa,'  the  dry 
elevated  plain  sloping  down  from  the  foothills ;  and  the  '  lowlands,' 
which  include  the  'willow  bottoms,'  such  as  the  San  Gabriel  river 
bed  in  the  neighborhood  of  El  Monte.  The  'oak  regions '  occupy 
an  intermediate  area,  in  places  running  up  on  to  the  foothills. 

In  general,  as  far  as  I  know,  it  may  be  said  that  the  '  lowlands,' 
the  'mesas,'  and  tongues  extending  up  into  the  foothills  are  Lower 
Sonoran;  that  the  'oak  regions,'  and  'foothills,'  and  even  the  hot 
slopes  of  the  highest  peaks,  are  Upper  Sonoran  ;  while  the  north 
slopes  and  deep  canyons  of  the  '  mountains '  to  their  summits,  within 
the  ten  mile  radius  of  the  list,  are  mainly  Transition,  but  with  a 
trace  of  Canadian,  and  with  such  characteristic  birds  as  the  mountain 
chickadee,  blue-fronted  jay,  plumed  partridge,  junco,  and  slender- 
billed  nuthatch.  Pasadena  itself  is  Lower  Sonoran,  having  such 
birds  as  the  phaiuopepla,  mockingbird,  road-runner,  Texas  night- 
hawk,  and  Costa  hummingbird. 


j3£chnnphorus  orridentalis :  Western  Grebe.  —  Occasional  winter  visitant 

on  tlie  l;ir<;vr  ponds. 
Podilymbm  podiceps :  Pied-billed    Grebe.  —  Fairly  common    resident   on 

tule-margined  ponds. 
Guria  imher  :  Loon.  —  Frequent  in  winter  on  large  ponds  and  reservoii-s. 
Larus  ralifhrnicus :  California  Gull.  —  Occasional   in  winter  about    ponds 

and  streani.s. 
Phalarrocorax  dilophni^  nlbnciliatus :  Farallone  Cormorant.  —  Frequent  in 

winter  on  the  lar<;er  ponds. 
Pelecanus  erythrorhijnrhos :  American  White    Pelican.  —  Occurs  in  migra- 
tion ;  also  more  rarely  about  ponds  in  winter. 
Merganser    serrator :      Red-breasted    Merganer  —  Occasional    midwinter 

visitant  f»n  the  lowlands. 
Anas  bosrhds :   Mallard.  —  Fairly     connnon    resident    in     the     vicinity    of 

streams  and  ponds. 
Marera  anteriraua  :   Baldpate.  —  Conmion  winter  visitant. 
Neltion  raro/inensis  :  Groen-winyed  T»*al.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 
Querr/itedula  ri^anojjtfra  :   Cinnamon  Teal.  — Cominoii   si>riii<;-  and  summer 

visitant  on  ponds  and  marslics. 
S/xitida  rli/peata  :  Shoveller.  —  Common  winter  visitant. 
Erisnidtura  jamaivensis:   KuddyDnt-k.  —  Connnon  resident    on   tlu>   larger 

l)onds. 
lintanrus   Icntiginosus  :   Ann-rican    IWttern.  —  Common    winter    visitant    on 

niarsli  lands. 
Ardea   /lerodias:  (Jreat     lUue    Heron.  — Common    resident     in     the   lower 

country. 
Ardea  riresrcns  autlnmiii :  Anth(»ny  (ireen  Heron.  —  Common  migrant  ahoui 

streams  and  ponds. 


Iviii  INTRODUCTION 

N ycticorax  nycticorax  mevius :  Black-crowned  Night  Heron.  —  Common 
migrant  about  streams  and  ponds. 

Grus  mexicana :  Sandhill  Crane.  —  Conmion  in  migration  and  occasional 
during  winter. 

Ballus  virginianus :  Virginia  Rail.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  on  marsh 
lands  and  along  streams. 

For  zona  Carolina  :  Sora.  —  Fairly  common  resident  of  marsh  lands. 

GalUnula  galeata  :  Florida  Gallinule.  —  Fairly  common  resident  on  the 
larger  tule-bordered  ponds. 

Fulica  americana  :  American  Coot.  —  Common  resident  on  any  body  of 
water. 

Himantopus  mexicanus  :  Black-necked  Stilt. — Fairly  common  migrant  in 
the  lower  coixntry. 

Gallinago  delicata :  Wilson  Snipe.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant  to 
lower  grass  lands. 

Tringa  minutilla  :  Least  Sandpiper.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  and  winter 
visitant  about  streams  and  ponds. 

Tringa  alpina  pacijica  :  Red-backed  Sandpiper.  —  Occasional  migrant, 
occurring-  at  ponds. 

Helodromas  solitarius  cinnamomeus  :  Western  Solitary  Sandpiper.  —  Fairly 
common  migrant  along  streams. 

Actitis  macidaria :  Spotted  Sandpiper.  —  Common  migrant,  occurring 
about  any  ]ionds  or  streams. 

^gialitis  vocifera :  Killdeer.  —  Abundant  resident  on  any  marsh  lands. 

Oreortyx  pictus  plumiferiis  :  Plumed  Partridge.  —  Common  resident  of  the 
mountains  ;  occasional  along  their  bases. 

Lophortyx  calif ornicus  vallicola  :  Valley  Partridge.  —  Abundant  resident 
of  brush  lands. 

Columba  fasciata  :  Band-tailed  Pigeon.  —  Common  winter  visitant  to  the 
oak  regions. 

Zenaidura  macroura  :  Mourning  Dove.  — Abundant  resident  everywhere. 

Gymnogyps  californianus :  California  Vulture.  —  Fairly  common  resident 
of  the  mountains. 

Cathartes  aura  :  Turkey  Vulture.  —  Abundant  resident  everywhere. 

Circus  hudsonius  :  Marsh  Hawk.  —  Common  resident  in  the  loAver  coun- 
try- 

Accipiter  velox :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  Common  winter  visitant  every- 
where. 

Accipiter  cooperii :  Cooper  Hawk.  —  Fairly  common  resident  along  the 
foothills. 

Buteo  horealis  calurus :  Western  Red-tail.  —  Common  resident  every- 
where. 

Buteo  lineatus  elegans :  Red-bellied  Hawk.  —  Fairly  common  resident  in 
the  lower  country. 

Buteo  swainsoni :  Swainson  Hawk.  —  Common  spring  and  summer  vis- 
itant. 

Aquila  chrysa'etos  :  Golden  Eagle.  —  Fairly  common  resident  of  the  moun- 
tains. 

Falco  mexicanus  :  Prairie  Falcon.  —  Rare  visitant  to  the  foothill  regions. 

Falco  columharius  :   Pigeon  Hawk.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant. 

Falco  sparverius  deserticola  :  Desert  Sparrow  Hawk.  —  Abundant  resident 
everywhere. 

Strix  pratincola  :  American  Barn  Owl.  —  Common  resident  of  the  oak 
regions. 

Asio  v'ilsonianus :  American  Long-eared  Owl. — Fairly  common  resident 
of  the  lowlands. 


INTRODUCTION  lix 

Asio  accipitrinua  :  Short-eared  Owl.  —  Rare  Avinter  visitant  to  the  low- 
lauds. 

Syrnium  occidentale  :  vSpotted  Owl.  —  Resident  of  the  mountains  ;  perhaps 
fairly  connnon.  thoiij^h  not  often  met  with. 

Megascops  asio  bendirei :  California  Screech  Owl.  —  Common  resident 
everywhere. 

Bubo  virginiaii'is  parijicHs :  Pacific  Horned  Owl. — Fairly  common  resident 
in  the  oak  rej^ion. 

Speotyto  cuniculuria  hypvyaa  :  Burrowing-  Owl. —  Common  resident  of  the 
mesas  and  lowlands. 

Glaucidium  ynoma  :  Pygniy  Owl. — Resident  of  the  moimtains  ;  perhaps 
fairly  common,  tliouj;!!  by  nature  of  its  habits  not  often  seen. 

Geococcyx  culifornianus :  Road-runner.  —  Fairly  conmion  resident  of  the 
mesas  and  foothills ;   rai)idly  becoming-  scarce. 

Coccyzus  americuniis  occidentaUs  :  California  Cuckoo. — Rai'e  summer  vis- 
itant to  the  willow  bottoms. 

Ceryle  alcyon :  Belted  Kingfisher.  —  Common  migrant,  appearing-  at  re- 
servoirs and  ahmg-  streams. 

Dryobates  villosus  hyloscopus :  Cabanis  Woodpecker. — Fairly  common  in 
the  mountains  ;  resident. 

Dryobates pubescens  turati :  Willow  Woodpecker.^  —  Fairly  common  in  the 
willow  regions  ;   resident. 

Dryobates  nuttallii :  Nuttall  Woodpecker.  —  Common  resident  in  the  oak 
and  foothill  regions  ;  visits  the  willow  botton)s  in  fall  and  winter. 

Xenopirus  albolarvatus  :  White-headed  Woodpecker.  —  Fairly  common  re- 
sident in  the  higher  mountains. 

Sphyrapicus  variiis  nuchalis  :  Red-naped  Sapsucker.  —  Bare  midwinter  vis- 
itant along-  the  foothills. 

Sphyrapicus  varius  daggetti :  -  Sierra  Sjip.sucker.  —  Common  winter  visitant, 
often  about  orchards  and  on  pepper-trees  along  the  city  streets. 

Sphyrapicus  thyroideus  :  William.son  Sapsucker.  —  Bare  winter  visitant  on 
the  mountains. 

Mehnwrpes  forinicivorus  bairdi :  Californian  Woodpecker.  —  Common  resi- 
dent of  tlie  oak  regions. 

Melanerpes  torquatus  :  Lewis  Woodpecker.  —  Fairly  common  winter  vis- 
itant to  the  oak  regions. 

Colaptes  cafcr  coUaris  :  Bed-shafted  Flicker.  —  Common  resident  of  both 
the  mountains  and  lowlands. 

Phahi  ni>j)tdus  nuttallii  californicus  :  Dusky  Poor-will.  —  Common  resident 
of  the  foothills. 

Chordeiles  acutipennis  texensis  :  Texas  Nighthawk.  —  Common  summer  vis- 
itant, chiefly  on  the  dry  mesas. 

Cht^tura  vauxii :  Vaux  Swift.  —  Common  migrant  .-ilong  the  foothills. 

^liroiiautts  iiicldiKihucHs  :  White-tliroated  Swift.  —  Fairly  common,  except 
in  midwinter,  along  the  foothills  and  in  tlie  mountains. 

Trochilus  alcxandri :  Black-cliinued  Hummingbird. — ('ommou  sunnmr 
visitant  along  the  ftjothills  and  in  the  mountain  canyons. 

(Jalypte  costa  :  Costa  Hummingbird. — Common  summer  visitant  to  tlie 
dry  mesas. 

Caly/ite  a)iu(i  :   Anna  Hummingbird. — Common  resident  anywhere. 

Srlas/ihorus  ruf'us  :  Kufous  Hummingbird.  —  Common  migrant  everv- 
wbere. 

Scl(tsj)h()rus  alleni  :  Allen  Hummingbird.  —  F.iirly  common  spring  migr;Mil 
along  the  foothills. 

'  Not  vet  acted  on  by  A    O.  U.  foiimiitl.-f.     (  F.  .M    H.)  =  .V.  rutin-  of  tin-  Clieck-LiHt. 


Ix  INTRODUCTION 

Stellula  calliope:  Calliope  Hummingbird. — Fairly  common  summer  vis- 
itant on  the  mountains. 

Tyrannus  verticalis  :  Arkansas  Kingbird.  —  Common  summer  visitant  to 
the  valley. 

Tyrannus  vociferans  :  Cassin  Kingbird.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant 
to  the  valley. 

Myiarchus  cinerascens  :  Ash-throated  Flycatcher.  —  Fairly  common  sum- 
mer visitant  in  the  oak  and  foothill  regions. 

Sayornis  saya  :  JSay  Phoebe.  —  Common  winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Sayornis  nigricans  semiatra :  Western  Black  Phoebe.  —  Common  resident 
of  the  valley. 

Contopus  borealis :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  —  Fairly  common  summer  vis- 
itant on  the  mountains  ;  migrant  through  the  valley. 

Contopus  richardsonii :  Western  Wood  Pewee.  —  Common  summer  visitant 
to  the  canyons  and  mountains. 

Empidonax  difficilis  :  Western  Flycatcher.  —  Common  summer  visitant  to 
the  mountain  canyons. 

Empidonax  ti-aillii :  Traill  Flycatcher.  —  Common  summer  visitant  to  the 
willow  bottoms. 

Empidonax  hammondi :  Hammond  Flycatcher. — Fairly  common  mig-rant 
along  the  foothills. 

Empidonax  griseus :  Gray  Flycatcher.  —  Rare  winter  visitant  to  the  val- 
ley. 

Otocoris  alpestris  actia  :  California  Horned  Lark.^  —  Common  i-esident  of 
the  lowland  plains. 

Cyanocitta  stelleri  frontalis  :  Blue-fronted  Jay.  —  Common  resident  of  the 
mountains. 

Aphelocoma  californica  :  California  Jay.  —  Common  resident  of  the  foothill 
regions. 

Corviis  corax  sinuatus :  American  Raven.  —  Frequent  but  irregular  tran- 
sient visitant  to  the  valley. 

Corvus  americanus  hesperis :  ^  California  Crow. — Common  resident  of  the 
lowlands. 

Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus  :  Piuon  Jay. — Irregular  fall  visitant  to  the 
mesas  and  mountains. 

X anthocephalus  xanthocephalus :  Yellow-headed  Blackbird.  —  Rare  and 
irregular  winter  visitant. 

Agelaius  phneniceus  neMralis  :  San  Diego  Redwing.  —  Common  resident  of 
the  lowlands. 

Sturnella  magna  neglecta :  Western  Meadowlark.  —  Common  resident  of 
the  valley. 

Icterus  cucullatus  nelsoni :  Arizona  Hooded  Oriole.  —  Common  summer  vis- 
itant to  the  mesas  and  canyons. 

Icterus  bullocki :  Bullock  Oriole.  —  Common  summer  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Scolecojjhagus  cyanocephalus :  Brewer  Blackbird.  —  Abundant  resident  of 
the  lowlands  and  cultivated  mesas. 

Coccothraustes  vespertinus  montanus  :  Western  Evening  Grosbeak.  —  Rare 
and  irregular  winter  visitant  along  the  mountains. 

Carpodacus  purpureus  californicus  :  California  Purple  Finch.  —  Fairly 
common  winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Carpodacus  cassini  :  Cassin  Purple  Finch.  —  Fairly  common  resident  on  the 
higher  mountains. 

Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis  :  House  Finch.  —  Abundant  resident  of  the 
valley  everywhere. 

1  Not  yet  acted  on  by  A.  0.  U.  committee.     (F.  M.  B.) 


INTRODUCTION  Ixi 

Loxia  ciirvirostra  bemlirei :  ^  iSierra  Crossbill.  —  Rare  and  irregular  winter 
visitant. 

Astragalifius  tristis  aalicainans :  Willow  Goldfinch.  —  Common  resident  of 
the  lowlands. 

Astragalinus  psaltria  :  Arkansas  Goldfinch.  —  Abundant  resident  of  the 
valley. 

Astragalinus  laurencei :  Lawrence  Goldfinch.  —  Fairly  common  spring  and 
summer  visitant  to  the  mountains  and  mesas. 

Spimts pinus  :  Pine  Siskin.  —  Irregular  winter  visitant  anywhere. 

Pocecetes  gramineus  conjinis  :  Western  Vesper  Sparrow.  —  Fairly  common 
winter  visitant  on  the  mesas. 

Pocecetes  gramineus  a  (finis:  Oregon  Vesper  SpaiTow.  —  Fairly  common 
winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Ammodramus  sandwichensis  alaudinus:  Western  Savanna  Sparrow. — 
Abundant  winter  visitant  to  the  Rowland  plains. 

Ammodramus  savannarum  bitnaculatus  :  Western  Grasshopper  Sparrow. — 
Rare  winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Chondestes  grammarus  strigatus  :  Western  Lark  Sparrow.  —  Common  resi- 
dent of  the  valley. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  gambelii :  Intermediate  Sparrow.  —  Abundant  winter 
visitant  to  the  valley. 

Zonotrichia  coronata  :  Golden-crowned  Sparrow.  —  Common  winter  visitant 
to  the  foothill  regions. 

Spizella  sorialis  arizome  :  Western  Chipiiing  Sparrow.  —  Common  summer 
visitant  everywhere  ;  less  common  during  the  winter  on  the  mesas  only. 

Spizella  hreweri :  Brewer  Sparrow.  —  Rare  migrant  along  the  foothills. 

Spizella  atrogularis  :  Black-chinned  Sparrow.  —  Rare  summer  visitant  on 
the  mountain  slopes. 

Junco  ht/emalis  :  Slate-colored  Junco.  —  Rare  winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Junco  hyemalis  thurberi :  Sierra  Junco.  —  Common  midwinter  visitant  to 
the  valley  :  resident  in  the  mountains. 

Amphispiza  belli :   Bell  Si)arrow.  —  Fairly  common  resident  on  the  mesas. 

Aimophila  rnjireps :  Rufous-crowned  Sparrow. —  Rare  resident  of  the 
foothills. 

Melospiza  cinerea  cooj)eri :  ^  San  Diego  Song  Sparrow.  —  Common  resident 
of  the  lowlands. 

Melospiza  linrolnii  :  Lincoln  S))arrow.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  and  winter 
visitant  in  the  valh-v. 

Passerella  iliaca  insutaris  :  Kadiak  Fox  Sparrow.^  —  Common  winter  vis- 
itant on  the  mountains. 

Passerella  iliaca  megar/if/ncha  :  Thick-billed  Fox  Sparrow.  —  Fairly  com- 
mon winter  visitant  on  the  mountains. 

Pipilo  macnlatns  megaloni/.r :  Spurred  Towhee.  —  Common  resident  of 
brushlands  everywhere. 

I*ij)ih)  fuscus  senicula  :  Anthonv  Towhee.  —  Abundant  resident  of  the  val- 
ley. ■  '  ^ 

(heospiza  rhlorura  :  Green-tailed  Towhee.  —  Rare  migrant  along  the  foot- 
hills. 

Zamelodia  mtlanoiip/ndti  :  IJ]ack-ln';idi'd  (irosbeak.  —  Common  summer 
visitant  to  the  vallt-y. 

(iniraca  carulni  lazula  :  WestcMii  Blui'  (irosbeak.  —  Rare  summer  visitant 
on  tlu'  mnsas. 

Cjianospiza  fiinniiii:  L.r/.uli  iJunting.  Ccimmou  summer  visit.iut  to  tlu' 
foothills  and  nx-sas. 

'  Not  yet  a<t«'(l  on  by  A.  0.  U.  couiiuittcf.     (F.  M.  B.) 


Ixii  INTRODUCTION 

Piranga  ludoviciana  :  Western  Tanager.  —  Common  summer  visitant  on 

the  mountains  ;  common  migrant  on  the  mesas. 
Progne  subis  hesperia  :  Western  Martin.  —  Fairly  common  summer  visitant 

to  the  mountains. 
Petrochelidon  lunifrons :  Cliff  Swallow. — Abundant  mig'rant . and  summer 

visitant  to  the  valley. 
Hirundo  erythrogastra  :  Barn  Swallow  —  Fairly  common  migrant  through 

the  valley. 
Tachycineta  bicolor :  Tree  Swallow.  —  Common  resident  of  the  lowlands,  a 

feAV  wintering. 
Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida  :  Northern  Violet-green  Swallow.  —  Common 

summer  visitant  to  the  mountains  ;  abundant  migrant  thi'ough  the  valley. 
Stelgidopteryx  serripe^inis :  Rough-winged  Swallow.  —  Fairly  common  sum- 
mer visitant  to  the  mesas. 
Ampelis  cedrorum :  Cedar  Waxwing.  —  Common    winter    visitant   to   the 

valley. 
Phainopepla    nitens :  Phainopepla.  —  Common    summer    visitant    to    the 

mesas. 
Lanius  ludovicianus  gamheli :  California  Shrike.  —  Common  resident  of  the 

valley. 
Yireo  gilvus  swainsoni:^  Western  Warbling  Vireo. — Abimdant  migrant 

through  the  valley  ;  fairly  common  summer  visitant  locally. 
Vireo  solitarius  cassinii :  Cassin  Yireo.  —  Common  summer  visitant  in  the 

mountain  canyons. 
Vireo   huttoni :    Hutton   Vireo.  —  Fairly    common    resident    of    the  oak 

regions. 
Vireo  pusillus  :  Least  Vireo.  —  Common  siimmer  visitant  to  the  valley. 
Hebninthophila  rubricajnlla  giitturalis :  Calaveras   Warbler.  —  Fairly  com- 
mon migrant  through  the  valley. 
HelminthojMa   celata  hitescens  :  Lutescent  Warbler.  —  Common  migrant 

through  the  valley  ;  rare  summer  visitant  to  the  foothills  and  canyons. 
Helminthophila  celata  sordida  :  Dusky  Warbler.  —  Common  fall  visitant  to 

the  valley  and  foothills. 
Dendroica  a^stiva  morcomi  :  ^    Western  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Common  sum- 
mer visitant  to  the  willow  bottoms  and  mountain  canyons. 
Dendroica  coronata :  Myrtle  Warbler.  —  Rare  midwinter  visitant   to  the 

valley. 
Dendroica    aiiduboni :    Audubon    Warbler.  —  Abundant    w  inter    visitant 

everywhere. 
Dendroica  nigrescens  :  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler.  —  Common  summer 

visitant  to  the  mountains ;  migrant  through  the  valley. 
Dendroica  townsendi :  Townsend  Warbler.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  over 

the  mesas  and  foothills. 
Dendroica  occidentalis  :  Hermit  Warbler.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  along 

the  foothills  and  mesas. 
Geothlyjns  tolmiei :  Tolmie  Warbler.  —  Fairly  common  migrant  along  the 

foothills. 
Geothlypis  trichas  arizela :    Pacific  Yellow-throat.  —  Common    resident   of 

the  lowlands  and  migrant  along  the  foothills. 
Geothlypis  trichas  scirpicola  :  -^  Tule  Yellow-throat.  —  Common  resident  of 

the  lowlands. 
Icteria    virens    longicauda:  Long-tailed    Chat.     Fairly   common   sumftier 

visitant  to  the  willow  bottoms. 

1  rfreo  fir?7TOS  of  Check-List.     (F.  M.  B.) 

2  X).  ifstiva  of  Check-List.     (F.  M.  B.) 

»  Not  yet  acted  ou  by  A.  O.  U.  committee.     (F.  M.  B.) 


INTRODUCTION  Ixiii 

Wilsonia  pusilla  pileolata  :  Pileolated  Warbler.  —  Abundant  migrant 
through  the  valley ;  conuuou  summer  visitant  to  the  willow  bottoms. 

Anthus  pensilvanicus  :  American  Pipit.  —  Common  winter  visitant  to  the 
lowlands. 

Cindus  mexicanus :  American  Dipper.  —  Rare  resident  of  the  mountain 
canyons. 

Mimus  polyglottos  leucopterus  :  Western  Mockingbird.  —  Abundant  resident 
of  the  valley,  especially  on  the  mesas. 

Toxostoma  rediriviim  pasadenense  :  Pasadena  Thrasher.  —  Common  resi- 
dent of  brush  lands  anywhere. 

Ileleodytes  brunneicapillus:  Cactus  Wren.- — Rare  resident  locally  on  the 
mesas. 

Salpinctes  obsoletus  :  Rock  Wren.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visitant  to  the 
valley. 

Catherpes  mexicanus  punctulatiis :  Dotted  Canyon  Wren.  —  Fairly  common 
resident  of  the  mountain  canyons. 

Thryomanes  bewickii  charienturus  :  San  Dieg-an  Wren.  —  Common  resident  of 
the  mountains  ;  common  winter  visitant  to  the  brush  lands  in  the  valley. 

Troglodytes  ai'don  parkmanii :  Parkman  Wren. — Fairly  common  summer 
visitant  everywhere. 

Olbiorchilus  hiemalis  parijicus  :  Western  Winter  Wren.  —  Rare  midwinter 
visitant  to  the  mountains. 

Cistothorus  palitstris  paludicola  :  Tule  Wren.  —  Common  resident  of  the 
lowland  marshes. 

Certhia  familiaris  zelotes  :  Sierra  Creeper.  —  Fairly  common  resident  on 
the  mountains. 

Sitta  carolinensis  aculeata  :  Slender-billed  Nuthatch.  Fairly  common  resi- 
dent on  the  mountains. 

Sitta  canadensis  :  Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  —  Irregular  winter  visitant  to 
the  mountains. 

Sitta  jiygmcea :  Pygmy  Nuthatch.  —  Fairly  common  resident  of  the  higher 
mountains. 

Pants  inornatus  :  Plain  Titmouse.  —  Common  resident  of  the  oak  regions. 

Pants  gambeli :  Mountain  Chickadee.  —  Common  resident  on  the  moun- 
tains. 

Chanuea  fasciata  :  Wren-Tit.  —  Common  resident  of  brush  lands  every- 
where. 

Psaltriparns  minimus  californicus :  California  Bush-Tit. — Abundant  resi- 
dent of  tlie  oak  regions  of  the  valley  and  foothills. 

Pegulus  satrapa  olivaceus :  AVcstein  Golden-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Rare  mid- 
winter visitant  to  the  inoiiiitaiiis  and  mesas. 

Hegulus  calendula:  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Abundant  winter  visitant 
everywhere. 

Polioptila  c(trulea  obscnra :  Western  Gnatcatcher.  —  Common  resident 
everywliere. 

Polioptda  calif  or  nica  :  RLick-tailed  Gnatcatcher.  —  Rare  resident  locally 
on  brnsliy  mesas. 

Myadestes  townstndii :  Townsend  Solitaire.  —  Fairly  common  winter  visit- 
ant t<»  the  mountains. 

Ilylocichla  nstulata  :  Rus.set-backed  Thrush. — Common  summer  visitant 
to  the  willow  bottoms  ;    migrant  along  the  foothills. 

Ilylocirfila  guttatd  :  -Vlask.-i  Hermit  Tlinish.  —  .Vbnndant  wintei-  visitant 
everywhere. 

Ilylocichla  guttata  slt^vini :  ^  Monterey  Hermit  Thrush.  —  Rare  spring 
migrant  over  the  mesas. 

>  Not  yet  acted  on  by  A.  O.  U.  cominittff.     (F.  M.  B.) 


Ixiv  INTRODUCTION 

Merula  migratoria  propinqua :  Western  Robin.  —  Common  winter  visitant 
to  the  valley. 

Ixoreus  ncEvius  meruloides :  Northern  Varied  Thrush.  —  Common  mid- 
winter visitant  to  the  mountains  and  mesas. 

Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis  :  Western  Bluebird.  —  Common  summer  visit- 
ant on  the  mountains  ;  common  winter  visitant  to  the  valley. 

Sialia  arctica :  Mountain  Bluebird.  —  Fairly  common  midwinter  visitant 
to  the  valley. 

LIST  OF  THE  BIRDS  OF   FORT  SHERMAN,  IDAHO. 

From  Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill's  Notes  in  The  Auk,  vol.  xiv.  347-357,  1897,  and 
vol.  XV.  14-22,  1898. 

Fort  Sherman  is  in  northern  Idaho,  on  Coeur  d'Alene  Lake,  which 
is  encircled  by  hills  clad  with  conifers,  and  near  the  Ca?ur  d'Alene 
Mountains.  The  mouths  of  streams  flowing  into  the  lake  afford 
flats  with  tules,  water  grasses,  willows,  and  a  few  cottonwoods, 
which  are  frequented  by  land  birds  and  a  few  marsh  birds  and  ducks. 
At  the  southern  end  of  the  lake  the  marshy  valley  of  the  St.  Joseph 
River  affords  good  nesting  and  autumnal  feeding  ground  for  water 
birds.  When  the  lake  is  open  a  few  birds  remain  on  it,  going  from 
it  to  the  Spokane  River  when  driven  out  by  ice.  The  local  cli- 
matic conditions  somewhat  resemble  those  of  the  Northern  Cascade 
Range,  and  while  the  avifauna  is  essentially  that  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  it  has  Cascade  Mountain  elements. 

JEchmophorus  occidentalis  :  Western  Grebe.  —  A  single  specimen  taken. 

Colymbus  holboeUii :  Holbcell  Grebe.  —  Resident,  but  most  common  during- 
migrations. 

Podilymbus  j^odiceps  :  Pied-billed  Grebe.  —  Common  on  the  lake  in  spring 
and  fall. 

Gavia  imber  :  Loon.  —  Resident  and  quite  common  except  in  winter. 

Larus  argentatus  :  Herring  Gull.  —  Several  taken  on  the  lake  during  fall 
and  winter. 

Larus  delawarensis :  Ring-billed  Gull.  —  Fall  and  winter  visitant. 

Larus  Philadelphia :  Bonaparte  Gull.  —  One  taken  and  several  seen  in  No- 
vember. 

Sterna.  —  A  small  white  tern  breeds  about  the  lake,  but  no  specimens 
were  taken. 

Phalacrocorax  dilophus  cincinatus :  White-crested  Cormorant.  —  Several 
cormorants,  probably  of  this  form,  were  seen  in  September. 

Merganser  americanus  :  Merganser.  — Common  during  fall  and  winter. 

Merganser  serrator  :  Red-breasted  Merganser.  —  A  single  specimen  taken. 

Lophodytes  cucullatus  :  Hooded  Merganser.  —  The  most  abundant  of  the 
mergansers,  frequenting  especially  the  rivers,  and  in  the  fall  collecting 
in  flocks  of  forty  or  fifty  individuals. 

Anas  boschas  :  Mallard.  —  The  commonest  duck  of  tlie  vicinity,  a  few  re- 
maining throughout  the  winter. 

Mareca  americana :  Baldpate.  —  Common  fall  visitant  on  marshes  at 
southern  end  of  lake. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixv 

Nettion  carolinensis  :  Green-winged  Teal.  —  Quite  common,  especially  dur- 
ing migrations. 

Querquedula  cyanoptera  :  Cinnamon  Teal.  —  Rare;  a  female  with  several 
young-  two  or  three  days  old  seen.  June  11. 

Spatula  dypeata  :  JShoveller.  —  Common  ;   breeds  in  St.  Joseph  marshes. 

Dajila  acuta:  Pintail.  —  Common  migrant. 

Aix  sponsa  :  Wood  Duck.  —  Common  summer  visitor,  especially  abun- 
dant in  early  fall. 

Aythya  collaris :  Ring-necked  Duck.  —  Seems  to  be  more  common  than 
the  other  '  blue-bills,'  one  or  both  of  which  occur  but  Avere  not  certainly 
identified. 

Clangula  islandica  :  Barrow  Golden-eye.  —  Abundant  throughout  the  win- 
ter ;  all  the  golden-eyes  seen  Avere  of  this  species,  although  the  other 
doubtless  occurs. 

Charitonetta  albeo/a  :  Buffle-head.  —  Common  during  winter. 

Histrionicus  histrionicus  :  Harlequin  Duck.  —  Rare,  but  occasionally  taken 
on  the  St.  Joseph  and  Coeur  d'Alene  rivers. 

Erismatura  jamaicensis :  Ruddv  Duck.  —  Not  uncommon  in  siiring-  and 
fall. 

Chen  sp.  '? :  Ross  Snow  Goose.  —  Reported  by  hunters,  but  decidedly 
rare. 

Anser  albifrons  gambeli :  "White -fronted  Goose.  — Reported  by  hunters,  but 
rare. 

Branta  canadensis :  Canada  Goose.  —  Common  in  spiing-.  rare  in  fall. 
Most  abundant  goose,  especially  on  prairie  at  southern  end  of  lake  ;  a 
few  nest  near  the  lake  ;  on  the  fall  flight  they  and  many  of  the  ducks 
pass  south  over  the  open  prairie  fifty  miles  Avest  of  the  lake. 

Olor  sp.  ?  —  In  spring  swans  are  sometimes  quite  common  on  lake  and 
marshes.     No  specimens  taken. 

Botaiirus  lentiginosus  :  Bittern.  —  Rather  common  in  suitable  localities 
about  the  lake. 

Grtis  mexicana  :  Sandhill  Crane.  —  Not  uncommon  migrant;  a  few  prob- 
ably breed. 

Porzana  Carolina  :  Sora.  —  Not  rare  in  marshes;  breeds. 

Fitlicu  ainericana  :  Coot.  —  Common,  e.specially  in  autumn. 

Fhalaropiis  lohatus :  Northern  Phalarope.  —  Common  fall  migrant. 

liecurvirostra  americana  :  Avocet. — A  pair  seen  and  one  taken  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Gallinago  delirata  :  Wilson  Snipe.  —  I  sually  rather  uncommon  migrant- 

Macrorhainjjfius  yriseus  :  Dowitcher.  —  Five  taken  in  September  on  St.  Jo- 
scpli  marshes. 

Trinya  maculata :  Pectoral  Sandpiper. — Common  in  18U()  from  last  of 
August  till  early  Octoljer. 

Trinya  mimitilla  :   Least  Sandpiper.  —  Three  taken  in  August. 

Ereunetes  occidentalis  :  Western  Sandpiper.  —  One  taken  w  ith  the  least 
sandj)ipers. 

Tutauus  mehnwleiirus  :  Greater  Yellow-legs.  —  Rather  common  fall  mi- 
giant  ;   one  heard  in  .lune. 

lhlinlromtis  salitariuK  :  Stilitary  Sandpiper.  —  A  young  bii-d  taken  in  August. 

liartruiniu  lunyicuuda  :  Bartramian  Sandpiper.  —  Breeds  not  luieoinnmnly 
on  prairie  north  of  fort. 

Actitis  iiiacnlaria  :  Spotfeil  .'"sandpiper.  —  Common  summer  visitor. 

Nnineniiis  liinyirostris  :    Ji(»ng-hine<l  Curlew.  —  Not  uncommon  on  ])rairie. 

Squatarola  si/iiatarola  :  Bhuk-bellied  Plover.  —  Four  taki'U  in  .^ejitember 
on  St.  Joseph  uiai-slies. 


Ixvi  INTRODUCTION 

Charadrius  dominicus  :  Golden  Plover.  —  Usually  rare. 

/EgiaUtis  vocifera :  Killdeer.  —  A  few  pairs  breed  on  the  prairie  near  the 
Spokane  River. 

Uendragapus  obscurus  richardsonii :  Richardson  Grouse.  —  Occasionally 
found  about  the  fort ;   breeds  from  lake  level  to  top  of  mountains. 

Canachites  franklinii  :  Franklin  Grouse.  —  Common  in  surrounding-  woods. 

Bonasa  umbellus  togata :  Canadian  Ruffed  Grouse.  —  Exceedingly  abun- 
dant. 

Pedioecetes  phasiandliis  columhianus :  Columbian  Sharp-tailed  Grouse.  — 
Quite  common,  particularly  about  ranches  on  prairie  north  of  fort ;  win- 
ters in  pine  woods. 

Zenaidura  macroura  :  Mourning  Dove.  —  Not  common,  but  generally  dis- 
tributed. 

Cathartes  aura:  Turkey  Vulture.  —  A  few  seen  at  intervals  during  the 
summer. 

Circus  hudsonius :  Marsh  Hawk.  —  Not  uncommon  in  autumn. 

Accipiter  velox :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  One  taken  in  May. 

Accipiter  atricapillus :  Goshawk.  —  Rather  common  in  migrations  and 
winter,  and  probably  breeds. 

Buteo  swainsoni :  Swainson  Hawk.  —  A  young  bird  taken  in  September. 

Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  :  Rough-legged  Hawk,  —r  Occasionally 
seen  in  spring  and  fall. 

Aquila  chrysaetos :  Golden  Eagle.  —  Occurs  sparingly  throughout  the 
year. 

Haliteetus  leucocephalus :  Bald  Eagle.  —  A  few  pairs  breed  about  the  lake  ; 
an  adult  seen  in  February. 

Falco  mexicamis  :  Prairie  Falcon.  —  Rare  ;   taken  in  September. 

Falco  richardsonii :  Richardson  Merlin.  —  Taken  in  August  and  October. 

Falco  sparverius  deserticola :  Desert  Sparrow  Hawk.  —  Summer  resi- 
dent. 

Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  :  Fish  Hawk.  —  Frequently  seen  in  summer. 

Asio  wilsonianus  :   Long-eared  Owl.  —  A  single  specimen  examined. 

Asio  accipitrinus :  Short-eared  Owl. —  Often  flushed  on  prairie  and' 
marshes. 

Nyctala  tengmalmi  richardsoni  :  Richardson  Owl.  —  Three  specimens  seen. 

Nyctala  acadica  :  Saw- whet  Owl.  —  A  specimen  taken  in  January.  Notes 
frequently  heard  in  spring. 

Megascops  asio  subsp.  ?  —  Screech  owls  occasionally  heard,  doubtless  ynac- 
farlanei.     Apparently  quite  rare. 

Bubo  virginianus  pallescens  :  Western  Horned  Owl. 

Bubo  virginianus  saturatus :  Dusky  Horned  Owl.  —  Both  forms  of  the 
great  horned  owl  occur  commonly. 

Ni/ctea  nyctea  :  Snowy  Owl.  —  Irregular  winter  visitor. 

Glaucidium  gnoma  :  Pygmy  Owl.  —  A  not  uncommon  resident. 

Coccyzus  americanus  occidentalis :  California  Cuckoo.  — One  seen  in  July. 

Ceryle  alcyon :  Belted  Kingfisher.  —  Common  in  summer  ;  a  few  winter. 

Dryobates  villosus  kyloscopus :  Cabanis  Woodpecker.  —  Abundant  in  win- 
ter ;  breeds  sparingly. 

Dryobates  pubescens  homorus  :  Batchelder  Woodpecker.  —  Rather  uncom- 
mon resident. 

Xenopicus  albolarvatus  :  White-headed  Woodpecker.  —  Rare  resident. 

Picoides  arcticus :  Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker.  —  Fairly  common  resi- 
dent. 

Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis :  Red-naped  Sapsucker.  —  A  few  pairs  breed 
among  the  cottonwoods. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixvii 

Sphyrapicus  thyroidens :  Willi;imson  Sapsucker.  —  Seen  near  Coeur 
d'Alene. 

Ceophlatus  pileatus  abieticola  :  Pileated  Woodpecker.  —  Rather  common 
resident. 

Melanerpes  torquatus :  Lewis  Woodpecker.  —  Summer  resident,  breeding 
in  cottonwoods  and  pines. 

Colaptes  cajer  collaris :  Ked-shafted  Flicker.  —  Common  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Chordeiles  virginianus  :  Niglitbawk.  — Common  summer  resident. 

Chcetura  vauxii :  Vaux  JSwif t.  —  Seen  in  May  and  July  ;  some  probably 
breed. 

Trochiliis  alexandri :  Black-chinned  Hummingbird.  —  Fairly  common  in 
spring ;   a  few  remain  to  breed. 

Selasphoriis  rufus  :  Rufous  Hummingbird.  —  Conimon  spring  migrant ; 
probably  breeds- 

Stellula  calliope  :  Calliope  Hummingbird.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Tyrannus  tyrannus  :  Kingbird.  —  Fairly  common  summer  resident. 

Tyrannus  verticalis :  Arkansas  Kingbird.  —  Rare  ;  a  paii-  or  two  breed 
near  the  fort. 

Sayornis  saya  :  Say  Flycatcher.  —  Common  at  Coeur  d'Alene. 

Contopus  boreal'is :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  —  Breeds  sparingly  on  hill- 
sides. 

Contopus  richardsonii :  Western  Wood  Pewee.  —  Very  common  in  pines  and 
cottonwoods. 

Empidonax  hammondi :  Hammond  Flycatcher. — Common  summer  resi- 
dent among  cottonwoods  and  willows  along  the  river  and  near  swamps. 

Empidonax  icrightii :  Wright  Flycatcher.  —  A  single  specimen  taken  in 
May. 

Otocoris  alpestris  arcticola  :  Pallid  Horned  Lark.  —  One  specimen  taken 
in  September. 

Otocoris  alpestris  merrilli  :  Dusky  Horned  Lark.  —  Conmion  in  spring  and 
summer. 

Pica  pica  hudsonica  :  Magpie.  —  Not  uncommon  in  Avinter, 

Cyunocitta  stelleri  anneciens  :  Black-headed  Jay.  —  Fairly  common  in  spring 
and  fall,  a  few  wintering. 

Perisoreus  canadensis  capitalis  :  Rocky  Mountain  Jay.  —  Rather  common 
resident. 

Corvus  corax  sinuatus  :  Raven,  —  Probably  resident. 

Corvus  americanns :  Crow.  —  Common  during  migrations,  a  few  pairs 
breeding. 

Nurifraga  columh'iana:  Clarke  Nutcracker.  —  Irregular  visitant;  abun- 
dant in  good  pine  cone  winters. 

Dolichonyx  oryzivarus  :   Bobolink.  —  Breeds  on  St.  Jose])h  River. 

Mo!ot/irus  aler  :  Cowbird.  — R:ire. 

Agelaius  /jhonireiis  cauriniis  :  Northwestern  Red-wing.  —  Breeds  sjiariiigly 
about  the  lake. 

Stiirnflld  iiiagiKi  nfglerta  :  Western  Meadowlark.  —  Common  in  summer. 

Icttrus  bnlliicki :  Bullock  Oriole.  —  Bn^eds  sparingly  in  cottonwoods  along 
the  river. 

Scolerophagns  cyii>i(icf'ji/i(diis  :  Rrcwcr  Hlackbiid.  —  A  ffw  hn-i-d  ahmg  the 
river. 

Coccot/iraiistes  cespcrdnus  iiKinluniis  :  W«'storn  Evening  Grosbeak.  —  ProI)a- 
bly  conimon,  but  irregular  summer  visitor. 

Carpodacits  russini  :   Ca.ssin  Finch.  —  Abundant  sumnu^r  resident. 

Loxia  rurvirostra  minor:  Crossbill.  —  Irregular  visitor,  breeding  in  hills. 


Ixviii  INTRODUCTION 

Leiicosticte  tephrocotis  littoralis  :  Hepburn  Leueostiete.  —  Apparently  an 
irregular  fall  and  winter  visitant. 

Acanthis  linaria  :  Redpoll.  —  Winter  visitant. 

Astragalinus  tristis  :  Goldfinch.  —  A  fairly  eonniion  summer  resident. 

Spinus  pinus  :  Pine  Siskin.  —  Resident. 

Passerina  nivalis  :  Snowflake.  —  An  irreg-ular  winter  visitor. 

Calcarius  lapponicus :  Lapland  Longspur.  —  A  single  specimen  taken  in 
November. 

Pooeceles  yramineus  conjinis :  Western  Vesper  Sparrow.  —  Breeds  spar- 
ingly. 

Ammodramus  sanduichensis  alaudinus  :  Western  Savanna  Sparrow.  —  Com- 
mon migrant,  a  few  breeding. 

Ammodramus  leconteii :  Leconte  Sparrow.  —  A  single  specimen  taken. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  gambelii :  Gambel  Sparrow.  —  Fairly  common  mi- 
grant. , 

Spizella  monticola  ochracea :  Western  Tree  Sparrow.  —  Rare  in  winter. 

Spizella  socialis  arizome :  Western  Chipping-  Sparrow.  —  One  of  the  com- 
monest summer  residents. 

Junco  hyemalis  connectens  :  Intermediate  Junco.  —  Migrant. 

Melospiza  fasciata  merrilli :  Merrill  Song  Sparrow.  —  Common  summer 
visitor. 

Passerella  iliaca  schistacea  :  Slate-colored  Sparrow.  —  Rare  migrant. 

Pipilo  macxdatus  megalonyx :  Spurred  ToAvhee.  — Generally  but  sparingly 
distributed  in  summer. 

Zamelodia  melanocephala  :  Black-headed  Grosbeak.  —  Not  uncommon. 

Cyanospiza  amcena  :  Lazuli  Bunting.  —  Not  common. 

Piranga  ludoviciana  :  Louisiana  Tanager.  —  Common  in  migrations  ;  a  few 
breed. 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  :  Cliff  Swallow.  —  Common  summer  visitor. 

Hirundo  erythrogastra  :  Barn  Swallow.  —  Occasionally  seen  near  prairie  in 
summer. 

Tachycineta  hicolor  :  White-bellied  Swallow.  —  Breeds  abundantly  in  cot- 
tonwoods. 

Biparia  riparia  :  Bank  Swallow.  —  Breeds  on  Coeur  d' Alene  River. 

AmpeJis  garruhis  :  Bohemian  WaxAving.  —  Irregular  winter  visitant. 

Ampelis  cedrorum  :  Cedar  Waxwing.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Lanius  boreaiis  :  Northern  Shrike.  —  Common  in  fall;  a  few  winter. 

Vireo  olivaceus :  Red-eyed  Vireo.  —  Abundant  summer  visitor. 

Vireo  gilvus:  Warbling  Vireo.  —  Breeds  somewhat  sparing!}'. 

Vireo  solitarius  cassinii :  Cassin  Vireo.  —  Breeds  in  moderate  numbers. 

HdminthophUa  ruhricapilla  gntturalis  :  Calaveras  AVarbler.  —  Breeds. 

Helminthophila  celata  lutescens :  Lutescent  W^arbler. — Several  taken  in 
May. 

Dendroica  cestiva  :  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Abundant  summer  resident. 

Dendroica  auduboni :  Andubon  Warbler.  —  Summer  resident. 

Dendroica  townsendi :  Tom  nsend  Wai^bler.  —  Breeds. 

Geothlypis  iolmiei  :  Macgillivray  Warbler.  —  Breeds  rather  commonly. 

Geothlypis  trichas  occidentalis :  Western  Yellow-throat.  — Breeds  sparingly. 

Icteria  virens  longicauda  :  Long-tailed  Chat.  —  Common  at  Coeur  d'Alene. 

Wilsonia  pusilla  pileolata  :  Pileolated  Warbler.  —  Occasional  migrant. 

Setophaga  ruticilla  :  Redstart.  —  Abundant  summer  visitor. 

Anthus ptensilvanicus :   Pipit.  —  Rare  in  spring-,  abundant  in  fall. 

Cinclus  mexicaniis  :  Dipper.  —  Fairly  common. 

Galeoscoptes  caroUnensis :  Catbird.  —  Common  summer  visitor. 

Salpinctes  obsoletus  :  Rock  Wren.  —  A  pair  found,  evidently  nesting. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixix 

Troglodytes  aedonparkmanii  :  Parkmau  Wren.  —  Breeds  rather  commonly. 
Olbiorchilus  hiemalis pacijicus  :  Western  W^inter  Wren.  —  Kather  common 

resident. 
Cistothorus  palustris  jmludicola  :  Tule  W'ren.  —  Rare  in  fall. 
Certhia   faniiliaris    montana  :  Rocky   Mountain   Creejier. —  Abundant   in 

winter. 
Sitta    carolinensis   aculeata :    Slender-billed    Nuthatch.  —  Breeds   rather 

sparingly. 
Sitta   ciinadensis :   Red-breasted   Nuthatch.  —  Common  winter   resident, 

breeding  less  plentifully  near  the  fort. 
Sitta pygmcea  :  Pygniy  Nuthatch.  —  Most  abundant  resident. 
Parus  atricapillus  :  Chickadee.  —  A  common  resident. 
Parus  grimbeli:  Mountain  Chickadee.  —  Abundant  resident. 
Parus  rufescens  :  Chestnut-backed  Chickadee.  —  Resident. 
Hegulus  satrapa  olivaccns  :  Western  Golden-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Resident 
Begidus  calendula  :  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Summer  resident. 
Myadestes  townsendii :  Solitaire.  —  Not  uncommon  migrant,  one  pair  found 

breeding. 
Hylocichla  fuscescens  salicicola  :  AYillow   Thrush.  —  Rather  common  sum- 
mer resident  among  cottouwoods. 
ITylocichla  ustulata  ahme  :  Alma  Thrush.  —  Breeds  rather  commonly  about 

the  lake  and  on  nu)untain. 
Merula  inigratoria propinqua  :  Western  Robin.  —  Abundant  summer  resident. 
Ixoreus  luevius  :  Varied  Thrush.  —  Migrant. 
Sialia  mexicana  hairdi :  Chestnut-backed  Bluebird.  —  Abundant  summer 

resident. 
Sialia  arctica  :  Mountain  Bluebird.  — Summer  resident. 

LIST  OF   BIRDS  OF  CHEYENNE  AND   VICINITY. 

By  Fkank  Bond. 

Cheyenne;  is  located  in  the  midst  of  the  Great  Plains  resion,  a 
little  over  6000  feet  above  the  ocean,  with  an  annual  rainfall  of 
thirteen  inches.  The  plains  around  Cheyenne  are  drained  b}'  streams 
fringed  by  cottonwoods  and  willows  Avhicli  attract  the  migrants. 
One  of  these  streams  flows  through  the  city,  whicli  by  persistent 
arboriculture  has  been  made  an  immense  grove  of  trees,  an  oasis  in 
the  desert.  Five  small  lakes,  from  within  the  city  limits  to  a  mile 
and  a  half  bc3'ond,  offer  resting  places  to  waterfowl  of  all  descrip- 
tions. Tlie  mountain  range  twenty  miles  west  of  the  city,  acting 
as  a  barrier  to  flight,  completes  the  conditions  which  give  Cheyenne 
a  peculiar  and  diversifled  avifaima.  The  list  covers  a  radius  of  about 
three  miles  from  the  eily  limits 

^Krhmo])horus  occidf  nta/is  :  Wcstei-n  Grebe.  —  Rare  visitant. 

(^olynibits  hoUmllii  :   Ilolhtell  Grelx'. —  Hare  visitant. 

Colymhns  nigricoUis  ralifoniirus  :  Eared  (Jrebe.  —  Common  during  inigra- 

tioiis. 
Gavin  iiiiher  :   Loon.  —  Not  common    but    tolerably    regulai'  \  i-<iior  (hiiini; 

migrations. 


Ixx  INTRODUCTION 

Lams  argentatus  :  Heriing-  Gull.  —  Rare  visitor, 

Larus  delawarensis  :  Ring-billed  Gull.  —  Common  during  migrations. 

Larus  Philadelphia :  Bonaparte  Gull,  —  Regular   but   not   very  common 

visitor. 
Sterna  for  ster  i :  Forster  Tern.  —  Rare  visitor. 
Sterna  hirundo  :  Common  Tern,  —  Occasional  visitor. 
Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  :  Black  Tern.  —  Regular  visitor. 
Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos :  White  Pelican,  —  Occasional  visitor. 
Pelecanus  occidentalis  :  Brown  Pelican.  —  One  specimen  taken  in  1900. 
Merganser  americanus :  Merganser.  —  Not  common  ;  sometimes  winters  at 

springs  in  Laramie  County. 
Lophodytes  cucullatus  :  Hooded  Merganser.  —  Rare. 
Anas  boschas  :  Mallard. —  Common  migrant. 
Chaulelasmus  streperus :  Gadwall,  —  Common, 
Mareca  americana :  Baldpate.  —  Common. 
Nettion  carolinensis  :  Green-winged  Teal.  —  Common. 
Querquedula  discors  :  Blue-winged  Teal.  —  Common. 

Querquedula  cyanoptera  :  Cinnamon  Teal.  —  Occasional  on  city  reservoirs. 
Spatida  clypeata  :  Shoveller,  —  Common,     The  blue  and  green  winged  teal 

and  the  shoveller  breed  commonly  in  suitable  localities  a  few  miles  from 

town, 
Dajila  acuta :  Pintail.  —  Common. 
Aix  sponsa  :  Wood  Duck.  —  Very  rare  visitor. 
Aythya  americana :  Redhead,  —  Common  migrant. 
Aythya  vallisneria :  Canvas-back.  —  Common  migrant,  but  not  so  common 

as  the  redhead. 
Aythya  marila  :  Scaup  Duck.  —  Not  common. 
Aythya  affinis  :  Lesser  Scaup  Duck.  —  Rare. 
Aythya  collaris  :  Ring-necked  Duck.  —  Not  common. 
Clangida  clangula  americana:  American  Golden-eye.  —  Rare. 
Clangula  islandica  :  Barrow  Golden-eye.  —  Rare, 
Charitonetta  albeola  :  Buffle-head.  —  Tolerably  common. 
Oidemia  americana  :  Scoter.  —  Rare. 

Erismatura  jamaicensis  :  Ruddy  Duck.  —  Very  common  migrant. 
Chen  hyperborea  :  Lesser  Snow  Goose.  —  Rare  visitor. 
Anser  albifrons  gambeli  :  White-fronted  Goose.  —  Rare  visitor. 
Branta  canadensis  :  Canada  Goose,  —  Not  common, 

Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii :  Hutchins  Goose.  —  Common  for  the  species. 
Olor  columbianiis  :  Whistling  Swan,  —  Rare, 

Ardea  herodias  :  Great  Blue  Heron.  —  Common,  for  the  species. 
Nycticorax  nycticorax  noivius  :  Black-crowned   Night   Heron.  —  Not   com- 
mon. 
Porzana  Carolina :  Sora.  —  Tolerably  common. 
Fulica  americana  :  Coot.  —  Very  common. 
Phalaropus  lobatus  :  Northern  Phalarope,  —  Rare, 
Steganopus   tricolor :    Wilson    Phalarope.  —  Tolerably   common ;    breeds 

abundantly  on  Laramie  plains  fifty  miles  west  of  Cheyenne. 
Becurvirostra  americana :  Avocet.  —  Tolerably  common   for   the    species 

during  migrations. 
Gallinago  delicata  :  Wilson  Snipe.  —  Not  very  common. 
Macrorhamphus  scolopaceus :  Long-billed  Dowitcher,  —  Rare, 
Micropalama  himantopus :  Stilt  Sandpiper.  —  Very  rare. 
Tringa  bairdii :  Baird  Sandpiper.  —  Very  common. 
Tringa  minutilla  :  Least  Sandpiper.  —  Very  common. 
Limosa  fedoa  :  Marbled  Godwit. —  Tolerably  commoHo 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxi 

Totanus  melanoleucus  :  Greater  Yellow-legs.  —  Rare. 

Toianus  flavipes  :  Yellow-legs.  —  Tolerably  coniiuon. 

Symphemia  semipalmata  inornata  :  Western  Willet.  —  Comnion  migrant. 

Bartramia  lohgicauda  :  Bartramian  Sandpiper.  —  Not  eonimou. 

Actitis  macularia  :  Spotted  Sandpiper.  —  Common  ;   breeds. 

Numenius  lonyirostris  :  Ijong-billed  Curlew.  —  Common  migrant. 

Squatarola  squatarola  :  Black-bellied  Plover.  —  Rare. 

Charadrius  dominicus :  Golden  Plover.  — Rare. 

u^gialitis  vocifera  :  Killdeer.  —  Common  ;  breeds. 

j^gialitis  semipalmata  :  Semipalmated  Plover.  —  Rare. 

j^gialitis  meloda  circumcincta  :  Belted  Piping-  Plover.  —  Rare. 

^^gialitis  nivosa  :  Snowy  Plover.  —  Rare. 

jJ^gialitis  montana  :  Mountain  Plover.  —  Common. 

Zenaidura  macroura  :  Mourning-  Dove.  —  Common  ;   breeds. 

Cathartes  aura  :  Turkey  Vulture.  —  Rare. 

Accipker  velox :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  Tolerably  common. 

Accipiter  cooperii :  Cooper  Hawk.  —  Not  common. 

Buteo  borealis  calurus  :  Western  Red-tail.  —  Not  common. 

Buteo  swainsoni  :  Swainson  Hawk.  — Tolerably  common. 

Arcliibuteo  ferrugineus  :  Ferruginous  Rough-leg'.  —  Common. 

Haliceetus  leucocephalus  :  Bald  Eagle.  —  Rare. 

Falco  rnexicanus  :  Prairie  Falcon.  —  (/'ommon. 

Falco  peregrinus  anatum  :  Duck  Hawk. —  Rare. 

Falco  sparverius  :  Sparrow  Hawk.  —  Common  ;   breeds. 

Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  :  Osprey.  —  Not  common. 

Asio  wilsonianus  :  Long--eared  Owl.  —  Common. 

Asio  accipitrinus  :  Short-eared  Owl.  —  Rare. 

Nyctala  acadica  :  Saw-whet  Owl.  —  Not  common.  ^ 

Nyctea  nyctea  :  Snowy  Owl.  —  Rare. 

Speotyto  cunirularia  hypogaa  :  Burrowing-  Owl.  — Common  ;   breeds. 

Ceryle  alct^on:  Belted  Kingfislier.  —  Tolerably  common. 

Sphyrapirufi  tityroideus  :  A\'illiamson  Sapsucker.  —  Rare. 

Melanerpes    erythrocephalus :  Red-headed   Woodi^ecker.  —  Tolerably    com- 
mon. 

Melanerpes  torquatus  :  Lewis  Woodpecker.  —  Occasional  visitor. 

Colaptes  cafer  collaris :  Red-shafted  Flicker. — The   most  comnion   wood- 
pecker. 

Phahenoptilus  nuttalUi :  Poor-will.  —  Not  common. 

Chordeiles  virginiayins  henryi  :  Western  Nighthawk.  —  Common. 

Selasjjhorus  ptatyterriis  :   Brojid-tailed  Huniniingbird.  —  Not  very  common 

Selasj)/i(>rus  riij'u>::   Kufoiis  llumiiiiugbird.  —  Not  very  common. 

Tyraniius  tyrunnus  :   Kingbird.  —  (  Oninion  ;  breeds. 

Tyrannus    verticalis :     Arkansas    Kiugl)ird. —  Most    comnion    kingbii-d  : 
breeds. 

Tyrannus  voriferaus :  Cassin  Kingbird. —  Not  common. 

Myiarrhus  cinerascens  :  Ash-throated  Flycatcher.  — l\are. 

Cnntopus  horf(dis  :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  —  Not  common. 

Coiitdfjus  rir/tardsoiiii  :   ^V(■st(■ru  Wood  Pewee.  —  Tolerably  comnutn. 

Empidomix  Iraillii :  Traill  Flycatcher. —  Bare. 

Fmpu/ouax  minimus:   Least  Flycatcher.  —  Tolerably  conuuon. 
I'irajjira  hudsonica  :   Magpie.  —  Hare  in  the  city. 

Cyanoiitta  sttlleri  diademata  :   Long-crested  .Jay.  — Rare  in  the  city. 

Nuri/'raga  rulumhiana  :  Clarke  Niitcracker.  —  Autumnal  Hocks  of  young 
tolerai)ly  common. 

Cyani>njt/i(dus  rijanonpludus  :   Pinon.Iay.  —  Ueguhir  :iiituuin  visitor,  stuue- 
times  wintering-. 


Ixxii  INTRODUCTION 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  :  Bobolink.  —  Occasional  summer  resident. 

Molothrus  ater  :  Cowbird.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

X anthocejihalus  xanthocephalus  :  Yellow-headed  Blackbiixl.  —  Not  com- 
mon. 

Agelaius  phieniceiis  :  Red-wing-ed  Blackbird.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Sturnella  magna  neglecta  :  Western  Meadowlark.  —  Common  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Icterus  hullocki  :  Bullock  Oriole  :  Tolerably  common  summer  resident. 

Scolecophagus  cyanocejjhalus  :  Brewer  Blackbird.  —  Common. 

Quiscalus  quiscula  (eneus  :  Bronzed  Grackle.  —  Rare. 

Coccothraustes  vespertinus  montanus :  Western  Evening  Grosbeak.  —  Visit- 
ant ;  does  not  breed. 

Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis  :  House  Finch.  —  Abundant  summer  resi- 
dent ;  sometimes  also  winter  resident. 

Leucosticte  tephrocotis :  Gray-crowned  Leueosticte.  —  Frequent  winter 
visitor. 

Acanthis  linaria  :  Redpoll.  —  Occasional  winter  visitor. 

Astragalinus  tristis  :  Goldfinch.  —  Common  summer  i-esident. 

Astragalinus  psaliria  :  Arkansas  Goldfinch.  —  One  taken  in  Cheyenne. 

Spinus pinus  :   Pine  Siskin.  — Regular  autumn  visitor. 

Passerina  nivalis  :  Snowflake.  —  Regular  winter  visitor,  often  in  very  large 
flocks. 

Calcarius  ornatus :  Chestnut-collared  Longspur.  —  Summer  resident ;  not 
common. 

Bhynchophanes  mccoumii :  McCown  Longspur.  —  Abundant  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Pooecetes  graminens  con  finis  :  Western  Vesper  Sparrow. — Common  mi- 
grant ;   probably  breeds  near. 

Ammodramus  sandwichensis  alaudinus  :  Western  Savanna  Sparrow.  —  Com- 
mon migrant. 

Chondestes  gramniacus  strigatus  :  Western  I^ark  Sparrow.  —  Common  mi- 
grant. 

Zonotrichia  lencophrys  gambelii :  Gambel  Sparrow.  —  Common  migrant. 

Spizella  monticola  ochracea  :  Western  Tree  Sparrow.  —  Common  migrant. 

Spizella  socialis  arizonce :  Western  Chipping  Sparrow.  —  Tolerably  com- 
mon migrant. 

Spizella  jmllida  :  Clay-colored  Sparrow.  —  Common  ;  probably  breeds. 

Spizella  hreweri :  Brewer  Sparrow.  —  Tolerably  common. 

Junco  hyemalis  :  Slate-colored  Junco.  —  Tolerably  common. 

Junco  hyemalis  connectens  :  Intermediate  Junco.  —  Tolerably  common, 

Junco  mearnsi  :  Piuk-sided  Junco.  —  Common  migrant. 

Amphispiza  belli  nevadensis  :  Sage  Sparrow.  —  Rare  visitor. 

Melospiza  melodia  montana  :  Mountain  Song  Sparrow.  —  Tolerably  com- 
mon migrant. 

Melospiza  lincolnii :  Lincoln  Sparrow.  —  Common  migrant. 

Oreospiza  chlorura  :  Green-tailed  Towhee.  —  Common  migrant. 

Zamelodia  melanocephala  :  Black-headed  Grosbeak.  —  Occasional  city  vis- 
itor only. 

Cyanospiza  amxena  :  Lazuli  Bunting.  —  Summer  resident ;   not  many  nest. 

Calamospiza  melanocorys  :  Lark  Bunting.  —  Abundant;  breeds. 

Piranga  ludoviciana  :  Louisiana  Tanager.  —  Common  migrant. 

Piranga  erythromelas  :  Scarlet  Tanager.  —  Rare  visitor. 

Progne  subis :  Purple  Martin.  —  Rare  visitor. 

Petrochelidon  lunifrons  :  Cliff  Swallow.  —  Common  ;  l)reeds. 

Hirundo  erythrogastra  :  Barn  Swallow.  —  Common  ;  breeds. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxiii 

Tachycineta  bicolor  :  White-bellied  Swallow.  — Not  very  common. 

Hiparia  riparia  :  Bank  Swallow.  —  Tolerabh'  common. 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  :  Kougli-winged  Swallow.  — Tolerably  conmion. 

Ampelis  garrulus  :  Bohemian  AVaxwing-.  —  Rare. 

Ampelis  cedroruvi :  Cedar  Waxwing-.  —  Rare. 

Lanius  borealis  :  Northern  Shrike.  —  Regular  winter  visitor. 

Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides:  White-rumped  Shrike.  —  Common  sum- 
mer resident. 

Vireo  oUvaceus  :  Red-eyed  Vireo.  —  Not  common. 

Vireo  gilvus  swainsoni  :  ^  Western  Warbling-  Vireo.  —  Common. 

Helminthophila  celata  :  Orange-crowned  Warl>ler.  —  Common  migrant. 

Helininthophila  peregrina  :  Tennessee  Warbler.  —  Rare. 

Coinpsot/ilypis  americana  usnece  :  Northern  Parula  Warbler. — Rare. 

DendroUa  (estiva  :  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Common  summer  resident. 

Dendroica  coronata  :  Yellow-rumped  Warbler.  —  Common  migrant. 

Dendroica  auduboni :  Audubon  Warbler.  —  Common  migrant. 

Dendroica  striata  :  Black-poll  Warbler.  —  Tolerably  common  migrant. 

Seinrus  noveboracensis  notabilis  :  Grinnell  Water-Thrush.  —  Rare  visitor. 

Geothlypis  tolmiei :  Macgillivray  Warbler.  —  Common  migrant. 

Geothlypis  trichas  occidentalis.  —  Western  Yellow-throat.  —  Common  mi- 
g-rant. 

Setophaga  ruticilla  :  Redstart.  —  Tolerably  common  migrant. 

Anthxis  spragueii :  Sprag'ue  Pipit.  —  Common  migrant. 

Cinclus  mexicanus  :  Dipper.  —  Rare  visitor. 

Oroscoptes  vtontanus  :  Sage  Thraslier.  —  Common  migrant. 

Mimus  polyglottos  leucopterus :  Western  Mockingbird. — Regular  summer 
resident ;  a  few  pairs  breed. 

Galeoscoptes  caroliiiensis  :  Catbird.  —  Tolerably  common  migrant. 

Toxostoma  rufum  :  Brown  Thrasher.  —  Common;  breeds. 

Salpinctes  obsoletiis:  Rock  ^^'ren.  —  Conmion  migrant. 

Troglodytes  ai'don  aztecus :  Western  House  Wren.  —  Tolerably  common 
migrant. 

Certhia  fa  miliar  is  mnntana  :  Rocky  Mountain  Creeper.  —  Casual  visitor. 

Sitta  carolinensis  aculeata  :  Slender-billed  Nuthatch.  —  Rare  visitor. 

iSitta  canadensis  :  Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  —  Occasional  visitor. 

Sitta  pygntcea  :  Pygmy  Nuthatch. — Rare  visitor. 

Parus  gatnbeii :  Mountain  Chickadee.  —  A  flock  occasionally  visits  the 
city. 

JRegtdus  calendula  :  Rul)y-crowned  Kinglet.  —  Tolerably  regular  spring- 
migrant. 

Myadestes  tnwnsendii  :  Townscnd  Solitaire.  —  Regular  migrant  :  tolerably 
common. 

llylocichhi  ustulata  sirainsoni :  Olive-backed  Thrush.  —  Common  migrant. 

Mf^rtiia  iiiigratoria  :  Robin.  —  Tolerably  common  summer  resident. 

Merula  iiiigratoria  jtropinqua  :  Western  Kobin.  —  Frequently  winters. 

Sialia  sialis  :  Bluebird.  —  Occa.sionally  seen  both  in  winter  and  in  midsum- 
mer ;  may  breed. 

Sialia  arctica  :  Mountain  liluebird.  —  .\bundant  l)reeder  tor  species. 

'    r.  ,jilriis  of  Check-List.     (F.  M.  IJ.) 


ixxiv  INTRODUCTION 


BIRDS  OF  PINAL,   PIMA,  AND  GILA  COUNTIES,  ARIZONA. 

From  W.  E.  D.  Scott,  in  The  Aul\  vol.  iii.  383,  421,  1886  ;  vol.  iv.  16,  196, 
1887 ;  vol.  V.  29,  159,  1888. 

The  region  covered  by  Mr.  Scott's  paper  extends  eighty  miles 
north  and  forty  miles  south  of  Tucson.  The  Santa  Catalina  Moun- 
tains form  its  backbone,  and  the  Gila,  Santa  Cruz,  and  San  Pedro 
rivers  flow  through  it.  The  region  about  Tucson  is  a  plain  of  about 
2300  feet  altitude,  arid  and  cactus-grown  except  where  it  is  watered 
by  springs  and  sporadic  streams  which  support  cottonwoods  and 
other  trees.  The  Florence  region  in  the  valley  of  the  Gila  is  similar 
to  that  about  Tucson.  At  Riverside  the  valley  is  much  narrower. 
Mineral  Creek  rises  at  about  5000  feet  altitude  in  the  Pinal  Moun- 
tains. The  birds  of  the  entire  region  may  be  divided  into  birds  of  the 
plains  and  valleys,  birds  of  the  oak  belt,  and  birds  of  the  pine  re- 
gions, though  of  course  the  species  shift  back  and  forth,  the  vertical 
migration  being  here  as  important  as  the  north  and  south  migra- 
tions. 

Podilymbus  podiceps :  Pied-billed  Grebe.  —  Two  taken  by  Mr.    Herbert 

Brown  near  Tucson  in  February. 
Gavia  lumme  :  Red-throated  Loon.  —  One  taken  in  December  near  Tucson. 
Merganser  aviericanus  :  Merganser.  —  Seen  at   San    Pedro  River  in  Jan- 
uary. 
Lojjhodytes  cucuUatus  :  Hooded   Merganser.  —  One   taken  by  Mr.   BroAvn 

near  Tucson  in  December. 
Anas  boschas :  Mallard.  —  One  of  the  commonest  ducks  about  Tucson  in 

fall  and  winter. 
Chaidelasnius  streperns  :  Gadwall.  —  One  taken  by  Mr.  Brown  near  Tuc- 
son. 
Mareca  americana  :  Baldpate.  —  Found  on  San  Pedro  River  in  small  flocks 

in  January. 
Nettion   carolinensis :    Green-winged   Teal.  —  Abundant   about  Tucson  at 

times  during  the  winter  (Brown). 
Querquedula   discors :    Blue-winged   Teal.  —  A    few    seen    on   San   Pedro 

River;  uncommon  about  Tucson  (Brown). 
Querquedula  cyanoptera  :  Cinnamon  Teal.  —  Common  winter  visitant  about 

Tucson  (Brown). 
Spaitda  clypeata  :  Shoveller.  —  Common  about  Tucson  in  winter  (Brown). 
Dajila  acuta  :  Pintail.  —  Not  uncommon  on  San  Pedro  River  in  March. 
Aythya  americana  :  Redhead.  —  Common  about  Tucson  in  winter  (Bjown), 

and  found  in  small  flocks  on  San  Pedro  River  in  January. 
Aythya  vallisneria :  Canvas-back.  —  A  small  flock  seen  on  San  Pedro  in 

January. 
Aythya   marila  :  Scaup   Duck.  —  Rather  common  on  San   Pedro  River  in 

winter. 
Aythya  affinis  :  Lesser  Scaup  Duck.  —  A  few  seen  on  the  San  Pedro  in 

January. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxv 

Charitonetta  albeoia  :  Buffle-head.  —  One  taken  in  December  near  Tucson, 

and  one  on  San  Pedro  in  January. 
Erismatura  jamaicensis  :  Ruddy  Duck.  —  Not  uncommon  about  Tucson  at 

times. 
Branta  canadensis  (subsp.  ?):    Canada  Goose.  —  Three  seen  on  pond  near 

the  San  Pedro  in  January. 
Plegadis  autumnalis:  Glossy  Ibis.  —  Not  infrequent   about  bottom  lands 

near  Tucson  (Brown). 
Plegadis   guarauna  :  White-faced    Glossy    Ibis.  —  Common   in  May  near 

Tucson. 
Tantalus  loculator  :  Wood  Ibis.  —  Rather  common  on  (jila  and  San  Pedro 

rivers  most  of  the.  year. 
Botaurus  lentiginosus  :  Bittern.  — Rare  about  Tucson  (Brown). 
Ardea  herodias  :  Great  Blue  Heron.  —  Rather  common  resident. 
Ardea  egretta  :  Egret.  —  Rather  common  about  Tucson  in  May. 
Ardea  candidissima  :  Snowy  Heron.  —  Five  seen  near  Tucson  in  May. 
Ardea   virescens   anthoni/i  :  Anthony  Green  Heron.  —  Rather  rare   about 

Tucson  (Brown). 
Nycticorax   ni/cticorax    nceviits :    Black-crowned    Night    Heron.  —  Rather 

rare  about  Tucson  (Brown)  ;  found  on  the  Santa  Cruz  in  May. 
Ealliis  virginianus :  Virginia  Rail.  —  One  seen  on  the   San   Pedro  in  Jan- 
uary. 
Porzana  Carolina:  Sora.  — One  taken  at  Tucson  in  April  (Brown). 
Gallinula   galeata :  Florida    Gallinule.  —  Not    uncommon    about    Tucson 

(Brown)  ;  rare  on  San  Pedro  in  late  January. 
Ftdica  americana :  Coot.  —  Common  except  in  summer. 
Steganopus  tricolor  :  Wilson  Phalarope.  —  Common  during  migration  about 

Tucson. 
Becurvirostra  americana  :  Avocet.  —  Common   at  times  in  fall  migration 

near  Tucson  (Brown). 
Gallinago  delicata  :  Wilson  Snijje.  —  Common  in  migrations  about  Tucson. 

a  few  wintering-  there  and  in  San  Pedro  River  region. 
Tringa   minntilla  :  Least  Sandpiper.  —  Common   about  Tucson  in   migra- 
tions (Brown). 
Tringa  alpina  pacijica :  Red-backed  Sandpiper.  —  Flocks  seen  in  April 

near  Tucson. 
Erennetes   occidentalis :    Western   Sandpiper.  —  Common    migrant    about 

Tucson, 
Limosa  fedoa:  Marbled   Godwit(?). — A  godwit  probably  of  this  species 

seen  in  January  on  San  Pedro  River. 
Totanus    riulanoleucus :  Greater  Yellow-legs.  —  Two   taken   by  Mr.  Brown 

near  Tucson  in  October. 
Helodroinas  solitarius  cinnainomens  :    Western   Solitary   Sandpiper.  —  Not 

unconmion  about  Tucson  in  migrations. 
Actitis     macularia  :    Spotted    Sandpiper.  —  Occasional    about    Tucson    in 

spring. 
Ntnuf  nius  lonf/iro.^tris  :  Lonu-l)illed  Curlew.  —  Not  common  in  migrations 

al>out  Tucson  (Broun). 
^■Ktji(dilis    vorifrrii:  Killdeer.  —  Common   about  Tucson  in  spring  and  fall. 

bn*eding  in  small  numbers  in  the  San  Pedro  region. 
zEglalitis  senti/ialmata  :  Scmipalniated  Plover.  —  Doubtless  common  about 

Tucson  in  niigratioiis. 
Colinits    ridiiHdi/i  :    Masked    Dob-w  liitf.  —  Found    by    Mr.     Bntwu    in   the 

Barbo([uivari  Mount. lins. 
Callipepla  sf/iiainatft  :  Scab'd  P.iit ridge.  —  Most  al)undant  on  the  dry  mesjus 

of  the  San  Pedro  slope  ot  the  Sauta  Catalina  Mountains. 


Ixxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Lophortyx  gambelii :  Gambel  Partridge.  —  Common  below  5000  feet. 

Cyrtonyx  montezumce.  mearmi :  Mearns  Massena  Partridge.  —  Common  in 
oak  regions  of  the  mountains. 

Meleagris  gallapavo  merriami :  Merriam  Turkey.  —  Found  on  the  San  Pedro 
River  and  in  oak  and  pine  regions  of  the  Catalina  Mountains. 

Coltimba  fasciata :  Band-tailed  Pigeon.  —  Common  in  Catalina  Moun- 
tains. 

Zenaidura  n.acroura:  Mourning  Dove.  —  Resident  except  in  pine  region. 

Melopelia  leucoptera :  White-winged  Dove.  —  Generally  distributed  up  to 
o500  feet. 

Columhigallina  passerina  jiallescens  :  Mexican  Ground  Dove.  —  Not  uncom- 
mon about  Tucson,  Riverside,  and  Florence. 

Scardafella  inca  :  Inca  Dove.  —  Found  at  Tucson  and  Florence. 

Cathartes  aura  :  Turkey  Vulture.  —  Common  at  low  altitudes  throughout 
the  year. 

Circus  hudsonius  :  Marsh  Hawk.  —  Recorded  from  Tucson  in  fall,  winter, 
and  spring. 

Accipiter  velox  :  Sharp-shinned  Hawk.  —  Common  in  fall  migration  in  oak 
region  of  Santa  Catalina  range. 

Accipiter  cooper ii :  Cooper  Hawk.  —  Common  resident. 

Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi :  Harris  Hawk.  —  One  taken  by  Mr.  Brown 
near  Tucson. 

Buteo  borealis  calurus :  Western  Red  Tail.  —  Abundant  resident  through- 
out the  entire  region. 

Buteo  abbreviatm  :  Zone-tailed  Hawk.  —  Breeds  throughout  the  region. 

Buteo  swainsoni :  Swainson  Hawk.  —  Common  near  Tucson  in  warmer 
part  of  year. 

Asturina  plagiata  :  Mexican  Goshawk.  —  Not  uncommon  in  spring  and 
summer  about  Tucson. 

Aquila  chrysaetos :  Golden  Eagle.  —  Common  resident  above  4000  feet. 

Falco  niexicanus :  Prairie  Falcon.  —  Rather  common  resident  of  the 
plains. 

Falco  columbarius  :  Pigeon  HaAvk  ('?).  — A  small  falcon  seen  at  a  distance 
in  the  Catalina  pine  region. 

Falco  sparverius  deserticola  :  Desert  Sparrow  Hawk.  —  Common  resident 
up  to  5000  feet.     Breeds  in  woodpecker  holes  in  giant  cactus. 

Polyborus  cheriway  :  Audubon  Caracara.  —  Rather  common  about  Tucson 
in  warmer  part  of  year  ;   a  few  apparently  resident. 

Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis :  Osprey.  —  Not  uncommon  along  large 
watercourses. 

Strix  pratincola  :  Barn  Owl.  —  Three  specimens  taken  near  Tucson. 

Megascaps  trichopsis :  Spotted  Screech  Owl.  —  Common  resident  about 
Tucson  :  also  taken  at  Riverside  and  in  Catalinas. 

Bubo  virginianus  pallescens  :  Western  Horned  Owl.  —  Common  resident. 

Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea  :  Burrowing  Owl.  —  A  colony  reported  from 
near  Benson  and  another  near  Florence,  but  unusual  in  region. 

Glaucidium  j^halcenoides :  Ferruginous  Pygmy  Owl.  —  Not  uncommon 
about  Tucson. 

Micropallas  whitneyi  :  Elf  Owl.  —  Commonest  resident  owl  up  to  5000  feet. 

Geococcyx  californianus  :  Road-runner.  —  Common  resident  up  to  4000 
feet. 

Coccyzus  americanus  occidentalis  :  California  Cuckoo.  —  Rare  in  June  and 
July  on  San  Pedro  slope  of  Catalinas. 

Trogon  (sp.  ?). —  A  species  of  trogon  undoubtedly  occurs  in  Catalina  Moun- 
tains.    Reported. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxvii 

Ceryle  alcyon :  Belted  King-fisher.  —  Resident. 

Dryohates    villosus  kyloscopus :  Cabunis  Woodpecker.  —  Resident   in  pine 

forest ;   winter  visitor  to  lower  altitndes. 
Dryohates  jmbescens  homorus  ;  Eatchelder  Woodpecker.  —  One  seen  on  Gila 

River. 
Dryobaies  scalaris  bairdi:  Texan  Woodpecker.  —  Common  below  4000  feet. 
Dryohates  arizonce  :  Arizona  Woodpecker.  —  Not  uncommon  in  Santa  Ritas 

and  Catalinas. 
Sphyrapicus  varins  nnchalis  :   Red-naped  Sapsucker.  —  Migrant. 
Sphyrapicus  thyroUhus :  Williamson  Sapsucker.  —  Found  in  pines  of  Cata- 

lina  Mountains. 
Melanerpes  formicivorus  :  Ant-eating- Woodpecker.  —  Common  resident  of 

mountains  down  to  4(U)()  feet. 
Melanerpes  torquatus  :  Lewis  Woodpecker. — Abundant  though  irregular 

migrant  in  Catalina  Mountains  at  low  altitudes. 
Melanerpes  uropygialis  :  Gila  Woodpecker.  —  Common  resident,  especially 

in  giant  cactus  region,  and  occurs  in  numbers  up  to  4500  feet. 
Colaptes    cafer   rollaris  :  Red-shafted  Flicker.  —  Common  throughout  the 

region,  but  breeding  above  OOOO  feet 
Colaptes  rhrysoides  :  Gikled  Flicker.  —  Rather  common  resident  in  giant 

cactus  belt. 
Antrostotiuis  vociferus  iiiacromystax  :  Stephens  Whip-poor-will.  —  A  whip- 
poor-will,  undoubtedly  of  this  species,  lieard  in  the  Catalinas. 
Phakcnopl ilus    nuttalUi :  Poor-will.  —  An    abundant    migrant ;    breeds   in 

mountain  regions. 
Chordeiles  virginianus  henryi :  Western  Nighthawk.  —  Seen  in  Catalinas  in 

early  spring-  above  40C0  feet. 
Chordeiles  acutipenms  texensis :  Texan  Nighthawk.  —  Abundant  migrant 

below  4r)00  feet. 
Chi^tura  vauxii  :  Vaux  Swift.  —  Seen  between  8000  and  4000  feet  in  the 

Catalinas  in  October. 
Aeronautes  )iielanolfiirHs  :  White-throated  Swift.  —  An  abundant  migrant; 

a  few  proba])ly  winter. 
Trochilus  alexandri :    Rlack-chinned   Hummingbird.  —  Common    summer 

resident  in  Catalina  Mountains. 
Calypte  cost(v  :  Costa  Hummingbird.  —  Conmion  in  Catalinas. 
Calypte  anna  :  .\nna  Hummingbird.  —  One  seen  in  Catalina  Mountains  at 

.■)()00  feet  in  October. 
Selasphorus  j)/atynrrus  :   Broad-tailed  Ilnuimingbird.  —  Common  migrant, 

doubtless  bn-eding  in  Catalinas. 
Selaspliorus  rufus  :   Rufous  Ilumniingbird.  —  Probably    breeds    at   higher 

altitudes  in  Catalinas ;   abundant  in  August  and  September  from  4000 

toOOOOfeet. 
Selasphorus  alien i :  Allen  Hunmiingbird.  —  One  taken  in  Catalina  Moun- 
tains. 
Stellnia    callioj)r :    Calliope    llumniingl)ir(l.  —  Two  taken    in  (\-italinas   at 

.■■)(M)0  fp«>t. 
lar/if  latirostris  :   Bro.Kl-l.ilIrd  Huniniini^liird. — Summer  resident   in  Cat- 
alina Mountains. 
TyrattuHx  ffrtindis :   .\rkansas  Kingbird.  — One  of   the   coinincincst    sum- 
mer resident  binls  of  tlie  plains,  and  (Munnion  in  X\n'\\  up  to  0000  feet. 
TyrnuuHs  voriftrans :  Cassin  Kingbinl. —  Found  in  footliills  aluuit    Hivcr- 

sidc  :ind  in  Catalina  Mountains. 
Myidrc/iiifi  i/ie.riraiiits  niagistrr  :  .Arizona  Crested  Flypatchcr.  —  Common  in 

spring  and  summer  al)out  Tucson.  Florence,  Rivei-side.  and  the  Catalinj^s 

up  to  4r><)0  feet. 


Ixxviii  INTRODUCTION 

Myiarrhus  cinerascens  :  Ash-throated  Flycatcher.  —  Abundant  migrant  and 
summer  resident. 

Myiarchus  lawrencei  olivascens :  Olivaceous  Flycatcher.  —  One  taken  at 
5000  feet  in  Catalina  Mountains  ;  common  in  Santa  Rita  Mountains 
(Stephens). 

Sayornis  saya  :  Say  Phcfibe.  —  Common  winter  resident,  breeding-  sparingly 
in  Catalina  Mountains. 

Sayornis  nigricans:  Black  Phoebe. — Regular  resident  in  valleys  about 
watercourses,  and  summer  resident  of  mountains. 

Contopus  borealis  :  Olive-sided  Flycatcher.  —  Rather  common  migrant  in 
mountains. 

Contopus  pertinax  j^allidiventris  :  Coues  Flycatcher.  —  Two  recorded  from 
the  Catalinas. 

Contopus  richardsonii :  Western  Wood  Pewee.  —  Common  summer  resident 
in  Catalina  Mountains. 

Empidonax  dijficilis :  Western  Flycatcher.  —  Found  in  Catalinas  from 
June  till  last  of  October. 

Empidonax  traillii :  Traill  Flycatcher.  —  Two  taken  in  the  Catalina  Moun- 
tains. 

Empidonax  hammondi :  Hammond  Flycatcher.  —  Migrant  in  Catalina 
Mountains. 

Empidonax  wrightii :  Wright  Flycatcher.  —  Four  taken  in  Catalina  Moun- 
tains, 3500  to  4500  feet. 

Pyrocephalus  ruhineus  mexicanus :  Vermilion  Flycatcher.  —  Resident  at 
Tucson  and  Florence  ;   a  few  breeding  up  to  4500  feet  in  the  Catalinas. 

Otocoris  alpestris  (subsp.  ?)  :  Horned  Lark.  —  Found  about  Tucson  in  fall 
and  winter. 

Cyanocitta  stelleri  diademata :  Long-crested  Jay.  —  Resident  in  pines  in 
Catalina  Mountains,  descending  to  oak  region  in  winter. 

Aphelocoma  woodhouseii :  Woodhouse  Jay.  —  Common  resident  at  head- 
waters of  Mineral  Creek  and  in  foothills  of  the  Catalinas. 

Aphelocoma  sieberii  arizonce :  Arizona  Jay. — Abundant  resident  in  oak 
region  of  Catalinas. 

Corvus  corax  sinuatus :  Raven.  —  Common  about  Tucson  throughout  the 
year. 

Corvus  cryptoleucus :  White-necked  Raven.  —  Common  at  times  about 
Tucson  and  other  jioints.  ' 

Corvus  americanus  :  Crow.  —  Large  flocks  seen  in  spring  and  fall  on  foot- 
hills of  Catalinas. 

Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus  :  Pifion  Jay.  — Seen  in  oak  belt  of  Catalinas. 

Molothrus  ater  obscurus  :  Dwarf  Cowbird.  —  Common  at  Riverside  and  not 
uncommon  about  Tucson  and  Florence. 

XanthocephaJus  xanthocephalus :  Yellow-headed  Blackbird.  —  Abundant 
about  Tucson,  Florence,  and  valley  of  the  San  Pedro  in  winter. 

Agelaius  j^hoeniceus  sonoriensis  :  Sonoran  Red-wing.  —  Common  resident. 

Sturnella  magna  hoopesi  :  Rio  Grande  Meadowlark.  —  Resident. 

Icterus  parisorum  :  Scott  Oriole. — Breeds  near  water,  and  on  arid  plains 
and  mesas  from  oOOO  to  8000  feet. 

Icterus  cucullatus  nelsoni  :  Ainzona  Hooded  Oriole.  —  Common  throughout 
the  region,  being  absent  only  about  four  months,  ranging  in  summer  up 
to  nearly  6000  feet. 

Icterus  bxdlocki  :  Bullock  Oriole. —  Not  uncommon  about  Tucson  and  Flor- 
ence ;  rare  in  the  Catalinas. 

Scolecophagus  cyanocephalus  :  Brewer  Blackbird.  —  Abundant  winter  resi- 
dent below  3000  feet. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxix 

Coccothraustes  vesj)ertinus  montanus  :  Western  Evening-  Grosbeak.  —  Seen  in 
pine  woods  of  Catalinas. 

Carpodacus ])urpureus  califoniicus  :  California  Purple  Finch.  —  Large  flocks 
seen  in  Catalina  Mountains  in  fall  and  winter  of  1885. 

Carpodacus  cassini  :  Cassin  Purple  Finch.  —  Seen  in  Catalinas  in  winter. 

Carpodacus  uiexicanHs  frontalis :  House  Finch.  —  Abundant  summer  resi- 
dent ;  less  common  winter  resident. 

Loxia  curvirostra  stricklandi  :  Mexican  Crossbill.  —  Irregularly  abundant 
in  Catalinas. 

Astragalinus  tristis  pallid  us  :  Western  Goldfinch. — Seen  in  Catalinas  in 
winter. 

AstragaUnus  psaltria  :  Arkansas  Goldfinch.  —  Nomadic  and  not  very  com- 
mon in  the  Catalinas. 

Astragal inus  psaltria  arizomv  :  Arizona  Goldfinch.  —  Less  common  than 
the  Arkansas. 

Astragalinus  laicrencei :  Lawrence  Goldfinch.  —  One  taken  by  Mr.  Brown 
in  February. 

' Spinus  pinus  :  Pine  Siskin.  —  Common  and  at  times  an  abundant  winter 
visitor  in  the  Catalinas. 

Calcarius  ornatus  :  Chestnut-collared  Longspur.  —  A  large  flock  seen  in 
November  on  mesa  of  Catalina  foothills. 

Pooecetes  gramineus  conjinis  :  Western  Vesper  Sparrow. — Migrant  in  Cat- 
alina region. 

Ammodranius  sandwichensis  alaudinus  :  Western  Savanna  Sparrow.  —  Oc- 
curs rather  sparingly  about  Tucson  in  fall,  winter,  and  spring  (Brown). 

Ainmodramus  savannarum  bimaculatus  :  Western  Grasshopper  Sparrow.  — 
Apparently  rather  an  uncommon  resident  of  the  mesas  of  the  Catalina 
foothills. 

Chondestes  grammacus  strigatus  :  Western  Lark  Sparrow.  —  Resident  about 
Tucson  and  common  in  .the  Catalina  region  up  to  ;j(JOO  feet  in  the 
warmer  months. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrijs  :  White-crowned  Sparrow.  —  Apparently  rare. 

Zonotrichia  leucophri/s  gamhelii  :  Intermediate  Sparrow.  —  Winter  resident. 

Spizella  socialis  arizonw  :  Western  Chipping"  sparrow.  —  In  Catalinas  ;  rare 
in  summer,  abundant  in  fall,  winter,  and  spring. 

Spizella  pallida  :  Clay-colored  Sparrow.  —  Seen  at  Mineral  Creek  in  Octo- 
ber. November,  and  March. 

Sjjizella  utrogularis  :  Black-chinned  Sparrow.  —  Apparently  rare. 

Jwico  hi/emalis  :  Slate-colored  Junco.  —  Rare,  but  of  regular  occurrence  in 
the  Catalina  region. 

Junro  hijevialis  connectens  :  Intermediate  Junco.  —  Common  winter  resident. 

Junco  niearnsi  :  Pink-sided  Junco. — Apparently  not  very  common  in  the 
Catalinas. 

Junco  caniceps  :  Gray-headed  Junco.  —  Common  in  winter  in  foothill  n'gion 
of  the  Catalinas. 

Junco  jjliiionotiis  palliatus  :  Arizona  Junco.  —  Found  in  Catalinas  and  Pinal 
mountiiiiis  in  pine  woods  in  fall  and  winter. 

Junco  }>h(f<)notus  dorsaiis  :  Ited-bacUcd  Junco. — Three  specinifus  taken  in 
the  Catalinas. 

Anijtliis/iizd  bilineata  dtserticola :  Desert  Sparrow.  —  Coninion  resident  of 
the  foothill  ri'gion  of  the  Catalinas.  and  abundant  al»out  'i'licson. 

Aiiiphis/)iz(i  In  Hi  n(  radcnsis  :  Sage  Sparrow.  —  One  seen  in  Catalina  Moun- 
tains ;  not  coninion  at  Tucson.  A  number  seen  on  low  mesa  near  the 
S;in  Pedro  in  November. 

Ainitijihila  r<irj)alis  :  Rufous-winged  Sparrow.  —  Common  in  Cat.ilina  foot- 
hills in  migrations.  oOOD  to  4'*(H)  feet. 


Ixxx  INTRODUCTION 

Aimophila   rujiceps   scottii :  Scott   Sparrow.  —  Resident   in   the    Catalinas 

down  to  oOOl J  feet  in  winter. 
Melospiza  melodia  fallax :  Desert   Song'  Sparrow.  —  Apparently   resident 

about  Tucson. 
Melospiza  melodia  montana  :  Mountain  Song  Sparrow.  —  Not  uncommon  on 

San  Pedro  River  in  January  ;   irregular  winter  visitor  about  Tucson. 
Melospiza  lincolnii  :  Lincoln  Sparrow.  —  Regular   migrant  in  the  Catalina 

Mountains  ;  a  few  probably  winter. 
Pipilo  maculatus  megalonyx :  Spurred  ToAvhee.  —  Common  resident  of  the 

Catalinas,  breeding'  above  5000  feet. 
Pipilo  fuscus  mesoleucus  :  Canyon  Towhee.  — Common  resident  throughout 

the  entire  region,  ranging  up  to  pine  forests  in  warmer  months. 
Pipilo  aberti :  Abert  Towhee.  —  Resident  about  Tucson  and  Florence. 
Oreospiza     chlorura :    Green-tailed    Towhee.  —  Common   migrant    in   the 

Catalinas,  a  few  wintering. 
Cardinalis  cardinalis  superbus  :  Arizona  Cardinal.  —  Generally  distributed, 

ranging-  up  to  about  5000  feet. 
Pyrrhuloxia  sinuata  :  Arizona  Pyrrhuloxia.  —  Rare  or  casual  in  foothills  of 

the  Catalinas.     Rather  common  about  Tucson. 
Zamelodia  melanocephala  :  Black-headed  Grosbeak.  —  Found   breeding  at 

5000  feet  at  Mineral  Creek ;  found  also  in  Catalina  Mountains. 
Guiraca  ccerulea  lazula  :  Western   Blue   Grosbeak.  —  Rather  rare   about 

Tucson  in  spring  (Brown). 
Cyanospiza  amcena :  Lazuli  Bunting.  —  Found   at  Mineral  Creek  and  in 

Catalinas  ;  breeds,  but  not  commonly,  about  Tucson. 
Spiza  americana :  Dickcissel.  —  One  taken  near  Tucson  in  September  by 

Mr.  Brown. 
Calamospiza  melanocorys :  Lark  Bunting.  —  Seen   nearly  throughout  the 

year,  sometimes  in  enormous  flocks. 
Piranga   ludoviciana :  Louisiana   Tanager.  —  Summer    resident    in    pine 

forests  of  the  mountains. 
Piranga  hepatica  :  Hepatic  Tanager.  —  Summer  resident  in  the  oak  regions. 
Piranga  rubra  cooperi  :  Cooper  Tanager.  —  Common  sunnner  resident  about 

Tucson,  Riverside.  Florence,  Mineral  Creek,  and  the  San  Pedro  Valley. 

A  few  breed  in  the  Catalinas. 
Progne  subis  hesperia  :  Western  Martin.  —  Rather  uncommon  about  Tucson. 
Petrochelidon  lunifrons  :  Eave  Swallow.  —  Seen  in  numbers  about  Riverside 

in  April. 
Hirundo  erythrogastra  :  Barn  Swallow.  —  Common  migrant.     Breeds  spar- 
ingly in  the  Catalinas  at  5000  feet. 
Tachycineta  bicolor  :  Tree  Swallow.  —  Rare  about  Tucson  (Brown). 
Tacky cineta  thalassina  lepida  :  Violet-green  Swallow. — Commonest  swal- 
low of  the  Catalinas. 
Riparia  riparia  :  Bank  Swallow.  —  Breeds  about  Fort  Lowell  (Brown). 
Stelgidopteryx  serripennis :  Rough-winged  Swallow.  —  Rather  rare   about 

Tucson  (Brown). 
Ampelis  cedrorum :  Cedar  Waxwing. — Taken  near  Tucson  in  May  and 

June. 
Phainopepla  nitens :  Phainopepla.  —  Summer  resident  to  about  5000  feet. 

Winters  in  small  numbers  from  Tucson  soutliAvard. 
Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides :    White-rumped  Shrike.  — Resident  to 

about  5500  feet. 
Vii'eo  gilvus  :  Warbling  Vireo.  —  Common  migrant.     A  few  breed  in  the 

Catalinas  as  low  as  3500  feet. 
Vireo  solitarius  cassinii :  Cassin  Vireo.  —  Rather  unpommon  migrant  in 

the  Catalinas. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxxi 

Vireo  solitarius  plumbeus  :  Plumbeous  Vireo.  —  Undoubtedly  breeds  in  the 

mountains  above  TUOU  feet. 
Vireo  huttoni  stephensi :  ^Stephens  Vireo.  —  Four   specimens   taken   in  the 

mountains. 
Vireo  pusillus  :  Least  Vireo. — Common  summer  resident  up  to  4000  feet. 
Vireo  vicinior :  Gray  Vireo.  —  Fairly  abundant  on  Catalina  foothills  from 

2S00  to  4000  feet". 
Ilelininthophila  luciie:  Lucy  Warbler.  —  A  common  mi<;raut  and   summer 

resident  in  suitable  places  up  to  4000  feet. 
Hdminthophila    virginice :    Virginia   Warbler.  —  Doubtless   breeds  in  the 

Catalinas  above  4000  feet. 
Jlel minthophila  ruhricapilla   gittturalis :  Calaveras   'Warbler.  —  Migrant  in 

the  Catalinas  at  4000  feet." 
Ilel minthophila    cdata    lutescens :  Lutescent    Warbler.  —  Rather    common 

spring  and  fall  migrant  in  the  Catalinas  at  4000  feet  and  probably  breeds 

in  the  pine  forests  of  the  higher  altitudes. 
Dendroica  olivacea :  Olive   Warbler. — Seen    in    the     Catalinas    at    about 

10.000  feet  in  November,  in  company  with  bluebirds. 
Dendroica  lestiva  sonorana  :  Sonora  Yellow  Warbler.  —  Rather   common, 

breeding-  in  the  Catalinas  up  to  4500  feet. 
Dendroica  coronata  :  Yellow-rumped  Warbler.  —  Xot  nearly  so  common  as 

I),  auduhoni.  but  of  regular  occurrence  as  a  migrant. 
Dendroica   auduboni :  Audubon   AVarbler.  —  A    common  migrant;   a    few 

probably  breed  in  the  pine  forests.     They  winter  in  small  numbers  in 

the  river  valleys. 
Dendroica  gracite  :  Grace  Warbler.  —  Seen  in  pine  forests  of  Catalinas  in 

sjjring'. 
Dendroica    nigrescens :    Black-throated    Gray   Warbler.  —  Quite    common 

migrant  in  the  Catalinas.  breeding  rarely  above  4.")00  feet. 
Dendroica  toicnsendi :  Townsend  Warbler.  —  Found  migrating-  in  the  Pinal 

and  Catalina  ranges. 
Dendroica  occidentalis :  Hermit  Warbler.  —  Found   once  in   Catalinas  at 

:;rjOOfeet. 
Seiurus    noveboracensis   notabiiis :    Grinnell    Water   Thrush.  —  Two    birds 

})robably  of  this  subspecies  taken  at  8500  feet  in  the  Catalinas,  in  Sep- 
tember. 
Geothlypis  tolmiei  :  Macgillivray  Warbler.  —  Rather  a  common  mig;rant,  a 

few  probably  breeding-  in  the  Catalinas. 
fieothlf/pis  trichas  occidentalis  :   Western    Yellow-throat.  —  A    rather  com- 
mon migrant;   breeds  about  Tucson. 
Icteria  virens  longicauda  :   Long-tailed  Chat.  —  Common  migrant  ;uid  sum- 

njer  resident  in  suita])le  localities  up  to  4000  feet. 
Wilsonia  pusilla  pileolata  :     Pileolated    Warbler. — Rather  common  mi- 
grant. 
Setophaga  ruticilla  :   Redstart. —  One  taken   near  Tucson    by    Mr.    Drown. 

and  one  in  Catalina  Mountains. 
Setojdtaga  j)ict(t  :   Painted  Redstart. — Snmmer  resident   in    the   Catalinas. 

Ijreeding  as  low  as  5000  f,.,.t  in  th.-  oak  belt. 
Cardi'llina  rubrifrons  :   Red-faced  Warbler.  —  Common  in  the  pine  forests 

of  the  Catalinas  in  April. 
.  Inthits  /)ensilranirus  :  Pipit,  —  Not  uncommon  as  a  migrant  throug-liout  the 

region. 
Orosrn/ttis   moiitunns :  Sage   Thrasher. — Common    fall    migrant    in    I'in.il 

Mountains;  common  migrant  and  winter  resident  of  Catalina  foolliills  ii|> 

to  :}50()  feet. 


Ixxxii  INTRODUCTION 

Miinus  polyglottos  leucopterus :  Western   Mockingbird.  —  Common  resident 

throughout  the  region  up  to  5000  feet. 
Toxostoma    hendirei :  Bendire   Thrasher.  —  Resident    on  the   plains   from 

Tucson  southward,  and  quite    common  about  Florence  in   the  warmer 

months.     Breeds  in  Catalinas  below  4000  feet. 
Toxostoma  curvirostre  palmeri:  Palmer  Thrasher. — Common  resident   in 

cholla  cactus  region. 
Tuxosto/iia  crissalis  :  Crissal  Thrasher.  —  Apparently  resident  throughout 

the  region. 
Ileleodytes  brunneicapillus :  Cactus  Wren.  —  Common  resident   throughout 

the  region  below  4000  feet. 
Salpinctes  obsoletus :  Rock  Wren.  —  More  or  less  abundant  in  the  counties 

considered. 
Catherpes    mexicanus   conspersus :  Canyon  Wren.  —  Resident   in  mountain 

canyons  up  to  5(100  feet. 
Thryomanes  bewickii  leucogaster  :  Baird  Wren.  —  Resident  in  the  Catalinas 

and  Pinal  Mountains  up  to  about  6000  feet. 
Troglodytes   a'edon   aztecus :  Western  House  Wren.  —  Breeds  in  pine  re- 
gions. 
Cistothorus  palustris  plesius  :  Western  Marsh  Wren.  —  One  taken  by  Mr. 

Brown  near  Tucson. 
Certhia  familiaris  albescens :  Mexican  Creeper.  —  One  taken  in  pine  forests 

of  Catalinas  in  April. 
Sitta  carolinensls  aculeata :  Slender-billed  Nuthatch.  —  Common  resident  in 

pine  woods  and  higher  altitudes. 
Sitta  canadensis  :  Red-breasted  Nuthatch.  —  One  taken  at  4500  feet  in  the 

Catalinas. 
Sitta  pygnuea  :  Pygmy  Nuthatch.  —  Found  in  pine  forests  of  Pinal  and 

Catalina  Mountains. 
Parus  wollweberi :  Bridled  Titmouse.  —  Rather  common   resident  of  the 

oak  region  in  the  Pinal  and  Catalina  Mountains. 
Psaltriparus  phwibeus :  Lead-colored   Bush-Tit.  —  Resident  in  the  Cata- 
linas up  to  about  7500  feet. 
Auriparus  flaviceps  :  Verdin.  — Resident  throughout  the  entire  region  up 

to  4001)  feet. 
Regulus    calendula  :    Ruby-crowned    Kinglet.  —  Common    migrant    and 

winter  resident  in  the  oak  belt. 
Polioptila  cmrnlea  obscura  :  Western  Gnatcatcher.  —  Breeds  commonly  in 

the  Catalinas,  but  winters  on  the  plains  and  mesas. 
Polioptila  plumbea :  Plumbeous    Gnatcatcher.  —  Common    resident    about 

Tucson  and  in  valley  of  San  Pedro. 
Myadestes  townsendii :  Townsend  Solitaire.  —  Found  in  the  mountains. 
Hylocichla  Juscescens  salicicola  :  Willow  Thrush.  —  One  taken  by  Mr.  Brown 

at  Tucson. 
Hylocichla  guttata  :  Alaska  Hermit  Thrush.  — Winter  visitant. 
Hylocichla   guttata    auduboni :    Audubon    Hermit  Thrush.  —  Three  speci- 
mens taken. 
Merula  migratoria  propinqua  :  Western  Robin.  —  Common  winter  resident, 

3500  to  0000  feet. 
Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis  :  Western  Bluebird.  —  Winter  resident  of  the 

foothills  ;   also  breeds  in  small  numbers  in  the  Catalinas. 
Sialia  arctica  :  Mountain  Bluebird.  —  Irregular  fall  and  winter  visitant  of 

the  foothills. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxxiii 

BOOKS  OF  refp:rence. 

GENERAL  WORKS. 

American    Oknithologists'  Union.     Check-List    of    North    American 

Birds.      Second  Edition  (18U5). 
Audubon,  John  Jamks.     Birds  of  America.  —  Ornitholog-ical  Bioofraphy. 
Baird,  Spencer  F.     Review  of  American  Birds.     Smithsonian  Mis.  Col. 

18(34-1800  ;  U.  S.  and  Mexican  Boundary  Survey,  vol.  ii.  part  ii.  1809. 
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vol.  ix..  Birds,  18-"J8. 
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American  Birds.     Little,  Brown   &    Co.,  Boston,  o  vols..  Land  Birds, 

1874  ;  2  vols.,  Water  Birds,  1884. 
Beddard,  F.  E.     Study  and  Classification  of  Birds.     Longmans,  Green  & 

Co.,  New  York,  1898. 
Bendire.  Charles  E.     Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds.     Smith- 
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Cassin,  J.     Illustrations  of  tlie  Birds  of  Texas,  California,  etc.,  1858, 1855, 

185G. 
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1860. 
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New  York,  1899. 
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1859. 
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Ixxxiv  INTRODUCTION 

TowNSEND,  C.  H.     Notes  on  Birds  of  Kowak  River,  and  other  portions  of 

Alaska,  Cruise  of  the  Corwin,  1885. 
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1853. 


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Amehican  Field.     American  Field  Publishing-  Company,  801  Masonic 

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Bird-Lore.     The  Macmillan  Company,  Harrisburg'.  Pa. 
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Ornithologist  and  Oologist.     Hyde  Park,  Mass.,  1881-1892. 
Ospref,  The.     The  Osprey  Company,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Proceedings  California  Academy  of  Sciences.     Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San 

Francisco.  California. 
Recreation.     23  West  24th  Street,  New  York. 
ZoE.     San  Diego,  California,  1st  ser.  1890-1894. 

STATE  LISTS. 

Arizona.  —  Coues,  Elliott.  Birds  of  Fort  Whipple,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat. 
Sci.  Phila.  xviii.  1865,  1866 ;  Birds  of  Colorado  Valley,  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv. 
Terr.  1878.  —  Henshaw,  H,  W.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Arizona, 
Expl.  and  Surv.  West  100th  Meridian,  1875. — Mearns,  E.  A.  Avi- 
fauna of  Portions  of  Arizona,  Auk,  vii.  45,  251,  1S90.  —  Merriam,  C. 
H.,  San  Francisco  Mountain  Region  and  Desert  of  Little  Colorado,  N. 
Am.  Fauna,  No.  3,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  Scott,  W.  E.  D. 
Notes  from  Mountains  of  Southern  Arizona,  Auk,  ii.  348,  1885.  Avi- 
fauna of  Pinal  County,  with  Remarks  on  Birds  of  Pima  and  Gila  Coun- 
ties, Auk,  iii.  240,  383,  421 ;  iv.  16,  196 :  v.  29,  159. 

British  Columbia.  —  Chapman,  F.  M.  Collection  of  Birds  of  British 
Columbia,  by  C.  P.  Streator,  Am.  Miis.  Nat.  Hist.  vol.  3,  No.  i.  1890.— 
Fannin,  John.  Check-List  of  British  Columbia  Birds,  Provincial  Mu- 
seum, 1898.  —  Osgood,  W.  H.  Natural  History  of  Queen  Charlotte 
Islands,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  21,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr. 

Canada. — Macoun,  John.  Catalogue  of  Canadian  Birds,  Geol.  Surv. 
Canada,  1900. 

California.  —  General.  Bedding,  Lyman.  Land  Birds  of  the  Pacific 
District,  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San  Francisco,  1890.  —  Cooper,  J.  G.  Orni- 
thology of  California,  Geol.  Surv.  Calif.  1870.  —  Grinnell,  Joseph. 
Check-List  of  California  Birds,  Pacific  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  iii.  1902. 
—  LooMis,  L.  M.  California  Water  Birds.  Proc.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.  Ser.  2  and 
3,  1895,  1896,  1900.  —  Local.  Barlow,  C,  and  Price.  W.  W.  List  of 
Birds,  Placerville  to  Lake  Tahoe,  Condor,  iii.  150,  1901.  —  Blake,  E. 
W.  Summer  Birds  of  Santa  Cruz  Island,  Auk,  iv.  328,  1887.  —  Bryant, 
Walter.  Birds  and  Eggs  from  the  Farallon  Islands,  Proc.  Cal.  Acad. 
2d  Ser.  i.  1888.  —  Cooper,  J.  G.  Additions  to  Birds  of  Ventura  County, 
Auk,   iv.  85,  1887 ;  Californian  Garden  Birds,  Am.  Nat,  x.  No.  2,  90, 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxxv 

1876.  —  EvERMANN,  B.  W.  Birds  of  Veutura  County.  Auk,  iii.  8tJ,  179, 
1886.  —  Grixnell,  Joseph.  Birds  of  Pacific  JSlope  of  Los  Angeles 
County,  Piisadena  Acad.  iSci.  No.  ii.  1898.  — Keeler,  Chas.  A.  Bird 
Notes  Afield.  Elder  &  ►'Shepard,  ISan  Francisco,  1889.  — McGregor.  R. 
C.  Land  Birds  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  2.  1901. 
—  Merriam,  C.  H.  Biological  Survey  of  Mount  Shasta,  N.  Am.  Fauna, 
No.  16,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  Oberholser,  H.  C.  Birds  from 
Santa  Barbara  Islands,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  vol.  xxii.  No.  119.J,  'lOb, 
1900.  —  Taylor,  H.  R.,  and  Barlow.  C.  Story  of  the  Farallones, 
Alameda,  Cal.,  1897.  —  Townsend.  C.  H.  Field  Notes  on  Mammals, 
Birds,  and  Reptiles  of  Northern  California,  Birds,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.  X.  190,  1887.  —  Van  Denbdrgh,  John.  Birds  Observed  in  Cen- 
tral California  in  189:1,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  1898 :  Birds  of  Santa 
Clara  County,  Proc.  Am.  Philos.  Soc.  vol.  xxxviii.  157,  1899. 

Colorado.  —  Cooke,  W.  W.  Birds  of  Colorado,  State  Agr.  Coll.  Bull.. 
87,  1897  ;  44, 1898 ;  oG,  1900.  —  Drew,  F.  M.  Vertical  Range  of  Birds 
in  Colorado,  Auk,  ii.  11,  188.*). 

Hudson  Bay. — Preble,  Edward  A.  Biolog'ical  Investigations  of 
Hudson  Bay  Region,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  22,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  1902. 

Idaho.  —  Merriam,  C.  H.  Biological  Reconnoissance  of  South  Central 
Idaho,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  5,  U.  S.  Dept.  Ag'r.  —  Merrill,  J.  C.  Notes 
on  Birds  of  Fort  Sherman.  Auk,  xiv.  o47,  1897 ;  xv.  14,  1898.  ^ 

Kansas.  —  Goss,  N.  S.  Birds  of  Kansas,  Crane  &  Co.,  Topeka,  Kan..  1891. 

LoAver  California.  —  Belding,  Lyman.  Catalogue  Coll.  Bmls  from 
Western  Coast  and  Cape  Regions  of  Lower  California,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.  vol.  V.  .527.  1882.  — Brewster,  William.  Birds  of  Cape  Region, 
Lower  California,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zoiil.  xli.  1,  Sept.  1902.  —  Bryant, 
Walter.  Catalogue  of  Birds  of  Lower  California,  Mexico,  Proc.  Cal. 
Acad.  Sci.  1889. 

Manitoba.  —  Thompson,  E.  E.  Birds  of  Manitoba,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat- 
Mus.  vol.  xiii.  458.  1890. 

Montana.  —  Cooper,  J.  G.  Fauna  of  Montana,  Am.  Nat.  ii.  and  iii. 
ISO'.*.  —  Richmond,  Charles  W.,  and  Knowlton,  F.  H.  Birds  of 
South  Central  Montana,  Auk,  xi.  298.  1894.  —  Silloway,  P.  M.  Sum- 
mer Birds  of  Flatliead  Lake,  University  Montana,  Bull.  No.  o.  Biol. 
Ser.  i.  1901.  —  Thorne,  P.  M.  Birds  of  Fort  Keogh,  Auk,  xii.  211, 
189.5. 

Nebraska.  —  Bruner,  Lawrence.  Notes  on  Nebraska  Birds,  Neb. 
State  Ilorticult.  Soc.  1896.  —  Walcott,  R.  II.  Corrections  to  Bruner, 
Proc.  Neb.  Orn.  l^nion. 

Nevada.  —  Fisher,  A.  K.  Ornithology  of  Death  Valley  Exp.,  from 
N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  7,  1S98,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  Hoffman,  W.  J. 
Birds  of  Nevada,  Bull.  Geol.  and  Geog".  Surv.  vol.  vi.  No.  2,  Hayden 
Surv.  ISSI. 

New  Mexico.  —  Anthony,  A.  W.  Birds  of  Southwestern  New  Mex- 
ico, Auk.  ix.  :l.')7,  1S92.  — Henry,  T.  C.  Catalogue  of  Birds  of  New 
Mexico.  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  xi.  104,  18.")9  ;  Notes  on  Birds  of 
New  Mexico,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  vii.  :J06.  IS.").').  —  Henshaw, 
H.  W.  Birds  of  Upi)er  P«-ct>s  Kiver.  Auk,  ii.  :;2<>,  1S85 ;  iii.  7;I,  1886. 
Mitchell,  W.  1.  Birds  of  San  Miguel  C..unty,  Auk,  xv.  :;0(),  1S98. 

Oregon.  —  Anthony,  A.  W.,  lHr<is  of  W.ishington  County,  Auk.  iii.  161, 
ISSO.  —  Beluing,  Lyman.  Birds  of  Pacific  Co.ist,  California  Acad. 
Sci.,  San  Francisco,  ISOO.  —  Bkndire,  Charles  E.  Notes  on  Birds  of 
Soullu'justern  Orep^on.  Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  xix.  1877,  109.  — 
Mkkkill.  J.  ('.  Birds  ..f  Fort  Klamath,  Auk,  v.  i:'.9,  2.'>1,  :r)7.  188S. — 
TowNSEND,  J.   K.  Catalogue  Birds  of  Oregon,  Narrative  Journ.  aci-oss 


Ixxxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Rocky  Mts.,  Appendix,  Perkins  &  Marvin,  Boston,  1839.  —  Woodcock, 
A.  R.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Oregon,  Ore.  Agr.  Exper.  Station, 
Bull.  No.  68,  1902,  Corvallis,  Ore. 

South  Dakota.  —  Grinnell.  G.  B.  Ludlow's  Rept.  Reconn.  Black 
Hills,  Zool.  Rept.  chap,  ii..  Birds,  1875. — McChesney,  C.  E.  Birds  of 
Cotean  des  Prairies  of  Eastern  Dakota,  Forest  and  Stream,  vol.  viii.  176, 
192,  224,  214,  261. 

Texas.  —  Attwater,  H.  P.  Birds  of  San  Antonio,  Auk,  ix.  337,  1892.  — 
Brown,  N.  C.  Second  Season  in  Texas,  Auk,  i.  120,  1884.  —  Chapman, 
F.  M.  Birds  of  Corpus  Christi,  Bull.  Am,  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.  iii.  No.  2,  art. 
xxii.  315.  —  Lloyd,  W.  Birds  of  Tom  Green  and  Concho  Counties.  Auk, 
iv.  181,  289, 1887.  —  Merrill,  J.  C.  Notes  on  Texan  Birds,  Bull.  Nutt. 
Ornith.  Club,  i.  No.  iv.  88,  1876.  —  Sennett,  G.  B.  Notes  on  Orni- 
thology of  Lower  Rio  Grande,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.  iv.  No.  i.  1, 
1878;  V.  No.  3,  371,  1879. 

Utah.  —  Henshaw,  H.  W.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Utah,  Ann.  Lye. 
Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.  xi.  1874,  1  ;  Notes  on  the  Bird  Fauna  of  the  Salt 
Lake  Valley,  Bull.  Essex  Inst.  v.  No.  ii.  xi.  168,  1873. 

Washington.  —  Cooper,  J.  C.  and  Sdckley,  G.  Birds  of  47th  and 
49th  Parallels,  Pacific  R.  R.  Rept.  vol.  xii.  book  ii.  part  iii.  No.  3,  1860. 

—  Dawson,  W.  L.  Birds  of  Okonogan  County,  Auk,  xiv.  168,  1897  ; 
Birds  of  Yakima  County,  Wilson,  Bull.  New  Ser.  vol.  ix.  No.  2,  No.  39, 
1902.  —  KoBBE,  W.  H.  ^  Birds  of  Cape  Disappointment,  Auk,  xvii.  349, 

1900.  — Lawrence,  R.H.  Birds  of  Grav's  Harbor,  Auk,  ix.  39,  352, 
1892.  —  Rathbun,  S.  F.  Birds  of  Seattle,  Auk,  xix.  131,  1902.  — 
Rhoads,  S.  N.  Notes  on  Washington  and  British  Columbia  Birds,  Auk, 
X.  16,  1893. 

Wyoming.  —  Cary,  Merritt.    Birds  of  Black  Hills,  Auk,  xviii.  231, 

1901.  —  Knight,  Wilbur  C.  Birds  of  Wyoming,  University  of  Wyo- 
ming, Laramie.     In  press. 

SPECIAL  SUBJECTS  AND  POPULAR  WORKS. 

SPECIAL  SUBJECTS. 

Bird  Protection. 

A.  0.  U.  Committee  on  Bird  Protection.  Annual  Repts.,  Auk,  xiv.  21, 
1897;  XV.  81,  1898;  xvi.  55,  1899;  xvii.  51,  1900;  xviii.  68,  1901  ;  xix. 
31,  1902.  —  Game  Laws  in  Brief,  Forest  and  Stream  Publishing  Co. 
(Quarterly),  New  York.  —  Palmer,  T.  S.,  and  Oldys,  H.  W.  Digest  of 
Game  Laws,  1901,  Bull.  16,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  Game  Laws 
for  1902,  Farmer's  Bull.  No.  160,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  Palmer,  T.  S. 
Legislation  for  the  Protection  of  Birds  other  than  Game  Birds,  Bull. 
No.  12,  Biol.  Surv.,  revised  ed.  1902.  —  Lange,  D.  Our  Native  Birds, 
How  to  Protect  them  and  Attract  them  to  our  Homes,  The  Macmillan 
Company,  New  York,  1899.  —  Masefield,  J.  R.  B.  Wild  ^Bird  Pro- 
tection and  Nesting  Boxes,  Taylor  Bros.,  Leeds,  England,  1897.  —  Bird- 
Lore,  Audubon  Department,  The  Macmillan  Company,  Harrisburg,  Pcnn. 

—  Babcock.  C.  a.  Bird  Day  ;  How  to  Prepare  for  It,  Silver,  Burdett 
&  Co.,  New  York  and  Boston,  1901. 

Food  of  Birds. 

Publications  of  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  —  Beal, 
F.  E.  L.  Food  of  Woodpeckers,  Bull.  No.  7,  1895.  —  Food  of  Bobo- 
link,   Blackbirds,    and  Crackles,  Bull.  No.  13,  1900 ;    Some  Common 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxxvii 

Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Agriciilture,  Farmer's  Bulletin,  No.  54, 1897  ; 
Crow  Blackbirds  and  their  Food,  Yearbook  for  1894  ;  The  Meadowlark 
and  Baltimore  Oriole,  Yearbook  for  189") ;  The  Blue  Jay  and  its  Food, 
Yearbook  for  1890 ;  Birds  that  Injure  Grain,  Yearbook  for  1897  ;  How 
Birds  Affect  the  Orchard,  Yearbook  for  1900  ;  The  Food  of  Cuckoos, 
Bull.   No.  9,  1898;    The  Food  of   Nestling-  Birds,  Yearbook  for   1900. 

—  FiSHBK,  A.  K.  Hawks  and  Owls  from  the  Standpoint  of  the  Farmer, 
Yearbook  for  1894  ;  Two  Vanishing-  Game  Birds,  Woodcock  and  Wood 
Duck,  Yearbook  for  1901.  —  Judd.  S.  D.  Four  Common  Birds  of  the 
Farm  and  Garden,  Yearbook  for  189.J ;  The  Food  of  IShrikes,  Bull,  No. 
9,  1898;  The  Relation  of  Sparrows  to  Agriculture.  Bull.  No.  15,    lUOl. 

—  Merriam.  C.  H.,  and  Barrows,  W.  B.  The  English  Sparrow  in 
America,  Bull.  No.  1,  1889.  —  Palmer,  T.  S.  A  Review  of  Economic 
Ornithology  in  the  United  States,  Yearbook  for  1899. 

Migration. 

Baird,  S.  F.  Distribution  and  Migration  N.  Am,  Birds,  Am.  Journ.  Sei. 
Arts,  vol.  xli.,  Jan.  18u6. — Belding,  Lyman.  Land  Birds  of  Pacific 
Coast  District.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San  Francisco,  1890.  —  Brewster,  Wil- 
liam. Bird  Migration  Memoirs  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  188(5, 

—  Chapman,  F,  M.   Remarks  on  Origin  of  Migration.  Auk,  xi.  12.  1894. 

—  Cooke,  W.W.  Bird  Migration  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  Div.  Econ. 
Orn.  Bull.  No.  2,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  Gatke,  H.  Heligoland,  David  Doug- 
las, Edinburgh,  1895.  —  LoOMis,  L.  M.  Water  Birds  of  California,  Proc. 
Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San  Francisco.  —  Stone,  Witmer.  Bird  Waves  and 
their  Grapliic  Representation,  Auk,  viii.  194,  1891  ;  Graphic  Representa- 
tion of  Bii-d  Migration,  Auk.  vi.  189,  1889.  See,  also,  sections  on  Migra- 
tion in  Chapman's  Bird-Life  and  Newton's  Dictionary  of  Birds. 

Moult  and  Protective  Coloration. 

Chadbourne,  A.  P.  Individual  Dichromatism  in  Megascops  asio.  Auk, 
xiii.  ;>21,  1896  ;  xiv.  o3,  1897.  —  Clarke,  H.  L.  Pterylography  of  the  Ca- 
primulgidte.  Auk,  xviii,  107,  1901.  —  DwiGHT,  Jonathan,  Jr.  Moult  of 
Quails  and  Grouse,  Auk,  xvii.  14;j,  1900  ;  Plumage  Cycles  and  lielation 
between  Plumages  and  Moults,  Auk,  xix.  248,  1902 ;  Sequence  of  Moults 
and  Plumages  of  Larida;,  Auk,  xviii.  49,  1901  ;  Sequences  of  Plumages 
and  Moulr.s  of  Passerine  Birds.  Annals  New  York  Acad.  Sci.  vol.  xiii.  77, 
ISOO.  —  Stone,  Witmer.  Moulting  of  Birds,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci. 
Phila.  189(),  108;  Moult  and  Alleged  Color  Change  in  Birds,  Ibis.  Apr. 
1901,  177  ;  Summer  Moulting-  of  Plumage  of  Certain  Ducks.  Proc.  Acad. 
Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  1899.  4«'»7.  See,  ahso,  Newton's  Dictiouai-y,  Moult,  and 
Chapman's  Bird-Life,  chap,  iii.,  Colors  of  Birds. 

Nests  and  Eggs. 

Bkndire,  Charles  E.  Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds,  2  vols. 
Sniitli.  In.st.  1S02,  1895. —  Davie,  Olivek.  Nests  and  Eggs  of  North 
American  Birds,  5th  ed.  Landon  Press,  Columbus,  Ohio,  1898.  See,  also, 
the  Condor,  Osprey,  and  Nidologist. 

Songs. 

BiCKNKLL,  E.  P.  A  Studv  of  the  Singing  of  our  Birds,  Auk.  i.  ()0,  12<'>, 
209,  :522.  1884;  ii.  144,"24'.»,  18S5.  —  Cheney.  S.  P.  Wood  Notes  Wild. 
Lee  &  Sliepard,  Boston,  1892.  —  Oluys,  II.  W.  Parallel  Growth  of  Birtl 


Ixxxviii  INTRODUCTION 

and  Human  Music,  Harper's  Monthly,  August,  1902,  vol.  ev.  No.  dexxvii. 
474.  —  WiTCHELL,  Charles  A.  Evolution  of  Bird-Song-,  Adam  & 
Charles  Black,  London,  1896. 

POPULAR   BIRD   BOOKS. 

Baskett,  J.  N.  The  Story  of  the  Birds,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  New 
York,  1897.  —  BuKKOUGHS,  John.  Wake-Robin  ;  Fresh  Fields  ;  Birds 
and  Poets ;  Locusts  and  Wild  Honey ;  Pepacton  ;  Winter  Sunshine  ; 
Signs  and  Seasons;  Riverby,  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston. — 
Chapman,  Frank  M.  Bird  Life  (popular  colored  ed.),  1902  ;  Bird 
Studies  with  a  Camera,  1900  ;  Handbook  of  Birds  of  Eastern  North 
America,  1902,  D.  Appleton  &  Co,  New  York.  —  Eckstobm,  Fannie 
Hardy.  The  Bird  Book,  D.  C.  Heath  &  Co.,  Boston,  1901;  The 
Woodpeckers,  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston,  1901.  —  Elliot,  D. 
G.  Shore  Birds,  1895;  Game  Birds,  1897 ;  Wild  Fowl,  1898,  Francis 
P.  Harper,  New  York.  —  Herkick,  Francis  H.  Home  Life  of  Wild 
Birds,  G.  P.  Putnam  &  Sons,  New  York,  1901.  —  Job,  Herbert  K. 
Among-  the  Water-Fowl,  Doubleday,  Pag-e  &  Co.,  New  York,  1902. 
—  Keeler,  Charles  A.  Bird  Notes  Afield,  Elder  &  Shepard,  San 
Francisco,  1889.  —  Keyser.  Leander  S.  Birds  of  the  Rockies,  A.  C. 
McClurg-  &  Co.,  Chicago,  1902.  —  Lord,  W.  R.  Birds  of  Oregon  and 
Washington,  J.  K.  Gill  Company,  Portland,  Oregon,  revised  edition, 
1902.  —  Merriam,  F.  a.  A-Birding  on  a  Bronco,  Houghton,  jy^ifflin  & 
Co.,  Boston,  1896.  —  Miller,  Olive  Thorne.  Bird-Ways;  In  Nesting- 
Time  ;  Little  Brothers  of  the  Air ;  A  Bird-Lover  in  the  West ;  Upon 
the  Tree-Tops  ;  First  Book  of  Birds  ;  Second  Book  of  Birds,  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.  —  Torrey,  Bradford.  Birds  in  the  Bush  ;  A 
Rambler's  Lease  ;  The  Foot-Path  Way  ;  Everyday  Birds,  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.  —  Sandys  and  Van  Dyke.  Upland  Game 
Birds,  Macmillan  Co..  New  York,  1892.  —  Van  Dyke,  T.  S.  Game 
Birds  at  Home,  Fords,  Howard  &  Hulbert,  New  York.  1895.  —  AVright, 
Mabel  Osgood.  Birderaft,  2d  ed.,  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1899.— 
Wright,  Mabel  Osgood,  and  Dr.  Elliott  Coues.  Citizen  Bird,  2d 
ed.,  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1900. 


USE   OF   THE   KEYS. 

If  you  are  a  beginner  with  a  bird  to  identify,  and  do  not  know  the 
orders  into  which  birds  are  divided,  go  first  to  the  Key  to  Orders, 
pp.  1,2.  If  your  bird  is  a  plover,  you  may  not  be  sure  whether  it  is 
classed  with  the  water  or  land  birds  ;  so  begin  with  the  Key  to 
Water  Birds.  This  key,  as  all  others  in  the  book,  is  dichotomous, 
that  is  to  say,  at  every  step  the  birds  are  divided  into  two  classes, 
which  have  or  have  not  a  given  character  —  birds  are  black  or  they 
are  not  black,  they  have  crests  or  they  have  not  crests,  their  feet  are 
webbed  or  their  feet  are  not  webbed.  At  each  step  of  the  key  a 
number  and  its  prime  are  used  to  set  apart  the  two  classes.  In  the 
case  of  the  Key  to  Orders  of  Water  Birds  the  first  two  classes  are 
birds  which  have 

1.  Feet  fully  webbed. 


INTRODUCTION  Ixxxix 

r.  Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 

If  the  bird  you  want  to  name  lias  fully  webbed  feet,  read  down 
the  key  from  1 ;  if  not,  go  to  1',  and  read  down.  The  numbers  fol- 
low consecutively  from  each  heading.  In  this  case  the  birds  with 
fully  webbed  feet  are  divided  again  into  several  classes,  and  those 
without  fully  webbed  feet  also  have  subdivisions. 

1.  Feet  fully  webbed  (except  Grebes  in  Pyg-opodes.  which  have  the  toes 
lobed  or  margined). 
2.  Foot  with  three  webs,  all  four  toes  connected. 

Steganopodes  :  Totipalmate  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
2'.  Foot  witli  two  webs,  three  front  toes  connected. 
3.  Nostrils  tubular  .  Tubinares  :  Tube-nosed  Sw^immers,  p.  3. 
3'.  Nostrils  not  tubular. 

4.  Edg'es  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate. 

Anseres  :  Lamellirostral  S-wimmers.  p.  3. 
4'.  Edges  of  mandibles  not  tootlied  or  serrate. 
;").  Legs  placed  far  back,  wings  short. 

Pygopodes :  Diving  Birds,  p.  2. 
•")'.  Leg's  placed  near  middle  of  body  ;    wings  long-  and  pointed. 

Longipennes  :  Long-winged  Sw^immers,  p.  2. 
1'.  Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 
2.  Lores  and  ring-  around  eye  naked. 

Herodiohes  :  Herons.  Storks,  and  Ibises,  p.  4. 
2'.  Lores  and  ring-  around  eye  feathered. 

3.  Hind  toe  long  and  approximately  on  a  level  with  front  toes  (except 
in  Cranes  whicli  are  over  three  feet  long). 

Paludicolae  :  Cranes.  Rails.  Coots.  Gallinules,  etc..  p.  4. 

3'.  Hind  toe  short  and  elevated  or  absent ;  bird  never  over  twenty-six 

inches  long- Limicolee  :  Shore  Birds,  p.  4. 

Read  down  the  key,  passing  the  orders  to  which  it  does  not 
belong  till  you  come  to  the  order  to  whicli  it  does  belong.  For  in- 
stance, if  your  bird  is  a  duck  it  has  feet  fully  webbed  (1).  with  two 
webs,  three  front  toes  connected  (2'),  nostrils  not  tubular  (3').  and 
edges  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate  (4).  It  belongs  to  the  Order 
Anseres:  Lamellirostral  Swimmers.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  bird 
you  want  to  name  is  a  great  blue  heron,  as  it  has  not  fully  webbed 
feet,  you  throw  out  1  and  all  its  subdivisions,  passing  on  to  1'.  — 
feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  wel)bed.  The  first  subdivision  here 
is 

2.   Lores  and  ring  around  cy*'  naked. 

Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises. 

You  know  if  there  is  a  naked  ring  around  the  eye,  and  to  tind 
wliat  lorcx  means  you  turn  to  tiie  diagram  of  a  bird,  i>.  1.  When 
you  find  that  your  bird  belongs  to  Order  Herodiones.  turn  to  the 
page  given  (4),  where  you  will  lind  a  key  to  the  families  in  the  ohUt. 


xc  INTRODUCTION 

Read  down  this  as  before,  when,  by  throwing  out  the  families  to 
which  it  does  not  belong,  you  come  to  Ardeidm  —  2'.  Bill  straight 
and  sharp,  neck  and  most  of  head' feathered,  to  which  it  does  belong. 
Go  now  to  the  page  specified  (72),  and  run  down  the  Key  to  Genera, 
contained  in  Family  Ardeidse,  and  you  find  that  it  belongs  to  the 
genus  Ardea,  to  which  you  are  referred  (p.  74).  Here  you  find  the 
general  characters  of  the  genus  and  a  key  to  its  species.  As  you 
know  the  bird  is  bluish  gray  and  its  size  large  you  find  it  to  be  Ardea 
herodias,  of  which  a  detailed  description  is  given  (p.  75).  If  you 
have  been  identifying  a  bird  that  you  have  shot,  you  will  have  your 
own  fresh  measurements  to  compare  with  those  in  the  description 
(see  page  xxvii.). 

In  some  of  the  more  obscure  birds  you  will  find  on  getting  to  the 
description  of  the  species  that  you  have  made  a  mistake  in  running- 
down  the  keys,  but  by  patience  and  care  in  following  them  you  will 
be  able  to  identify  all  but  the  most  difficult  birds. 

After  a  little  study  you  will  grasp  the  general  classification  of 
birds  so  that  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  go  through  the  whole  series 
of  keys  for  each  bird.  You  may  not  know  what  it  is,  but  you 
know  many  things  that  it  is  not,  and  if  you  make  a  practice  of 
eliminating  you  will  narrow  down  the  possibilities  so  that  it  will  be 
much  easier  to  find  your  bird.  You  may  not  know  whether  it 
is  a  crow  or  a  raven,  but  you  do  know  that  it  is  not  a  water  bird, 
a  hawk,  owl,  or  sparrow,  and  so  you  can  go  on  throwing  out  what 
you  know  it  is  not  until  you  have  to  look  up  only  those  about  which 
you  feel  uncertain. 

The  question  as  to  which  subspecies  a  bird  belongs  to,  unless  de- 
terminable by  geographic  range,  can  often  be  decided  only  by  expert 
ornithologists  with  large  series  of  skins  for  comparison,  and,  in  such 
cases,  found  often  among  some  of  the  flycatchers,  the  song  spar- 
rows, and  wrens,  the  only  way  to  be  sure  of  your  bird  is  to  send  it 
to  a  museum  for  identification.  The  National  Museum  in  Washing- 
ton and  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  New  York  will 
both  identify  material  sent  them. 


Measurement  of  BUI 


Measurement  of  Tarsus 


TOPOGRAPHY   OF  A  BIRD 


BIRDS  OF  THE  WESTERN  UNITED  STATES 


KEY  TO  ORDERS. 
WATER  BIRDS. 


1.  Feet  fully  webbed  (except  grebes  in  Pygopodes,  vvliicli  have  the  toes 
lobed  or  margined). 
2.  Foot  with  tlirye  webs,  all  four  toes  connected. 

Steganopodes  :  Totipalmate  Sw^immers,  p.  o. 
2'.  Foot  with  two  webs,  three  front  toes  connected. 
3.  Nostrils  tubuhir.      Tubinares  :  Tube-nosed  Swimmers,  p. ;]. 
3'.  Nostrils  not  tubular. 

4.  Edges  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate. 

Anseres  :  Lamellirostral  S"wimmers,  p.  3. 
4'.  Edg-es  of  mandibles  not  toothed  or  serrate. 
5.  Leg's  placed  far  back ;  wings  short. 

Pygopodes  :   Diving  Birds,  p.  2. 
5'.  Legs  placed  near  middle  of  body  ;   wings  long-  and  pointed. 

Longipennes  :  Long--winged  Swimmers,  p.  2. 
I'.Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 
2.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  naked. 

Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises,  p.  4. 
2'.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  feathered. 

3.  Hind  toe  long  and  approximately  on  a  level  with  front  toes  (except 

in  cranes,  which  are  over  three  feet  long)  .      .      .      Paludicolae  : 

Cranes,  Rails.  Coots.  Galliniiles.  etc..  j).  4. 

3'.  Hind  toe  short  and  elevated  or  absent  ;   l)ir(l  never  over  twiMity-six 

inches  long- Limicolae  :   Shore  Birds,  p.  4. 

• 

LAND   BIRDS, 

1.   Bill  strongly  hooked. 

2.  Toes  two  in  front  and  two  behind,  outer  toi'  i)ernianently  revei-sed. 

Psittaci  :  Parrots,  etc..  p.  KM). 
2'.  Toes  three  in  front,  or  outer  toe  reveisil)le. 

Raptores  :  Birds  of  Prey.  p.  101». 
r.  Bill  not  strongly  hf)oked. 

2.    Hind  toe  small  and  elevated  .•il)ove  front  ones. 

Gallince  :  Gallinaceous  Birds,  p.  lOS. 
2'.  Hiinl  toe  not  elevated  .ibove  front  ones. 

3.   Bill  with  soft  swollen  skin  .ironnd  nostiils. 

Columbae  :   Pigeons  or  Doves.  j».  lOS. 


KEY   TO    FAMILIES    OF   WATER   BIRDS 

3'.  Bill  without  soft  swollen  skin  around  nostrils. 

4.  Toes  always  three  in  front,  middle  and  outer  ones  never  connected 
for  half  their  length  ;  feet  strong'. 

Passeres  :  Perching  Birds,  p.  110. 
4'.  Toes  two  or  three  in  front ;  if  three,  middle  and  outer  connected 
for  at  least  half  their  length,  or  feet  small  and  weak. 
5.  Bill  needle-like,  or  short,  with  Avide  gape     .     Macrochires  : 
Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  and  Hummingbirds,  p.  110. 
5.  Bill  not  needle-like  nor  with  wide  gape. 
6.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 

Pici  :  Woodpeckers,  p.  110. 

6'.  Tail  feathers  soft,  with  normal  tijjs  ....     Coccyges  : 

Cuckoos,  Trogons,  and  Kingfishers,  p.  109. 


KEY   TO  FAMILIES  OF  WATER   BIRDS. 
ORDER  PYGOPODBS:   DIVING  BIRDS. 


1.  Tail  wanting;  feet  not  fully  webbed. 

Podicipidae  :  Grebes,  p.  5. 


1'.  Tail  present,  but  short ;  feet  webbed. 

2.  Hind  toe  present        Gaviidae  :  Loons,  p.  9. 


2'.  Hind  toe  absent  ...*...     Alcidae  : 
Auks,  Murres,  and  Pufifins,  p.  11. 


Fig.  3. 


ORDER  LONGIPENNES:  LONG- WINGED 
SWIMMERS. 


I  '  •  Upper  mandible  with  distinct  basal  saddle. 

f  Stercorariidee  :  Jaegers,  etc.,  p.  17. 


:^^^^^j_        1'.  Upper  mandible  in  one  piece. 

^  Laridce  :  Gulls  and  Terns,  p.  19. 

Fig.  6. 


KEY   TO   FAMILIES   OF   WATER   BIRDS  3 

ORDER  TUBINARBS:  TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 

1.  Nasal  tubes  separated  and  at  sides  of  bill. 

Diomedeidae  :  Albatrosses,  p.  32. 


r.  Nasal  tubes  connected  on  top  of  bill. 
Procellariidae  :  Fulmars, 

Shearwaters,  and  Petrels,  p.  3J 


Fig.  8. 


ORDER  STEGANOPODES : 
TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 

1.  Bill  straight  and  .sharp,  not  hooked  at  tip.  *'^''  ■^• 

Anhingidae  :  Darters,  p.  39. 
1.  Bill  strongly  hooked  at  tip. 

2.  Tail  deeply  forked ;  space  around  eye  feath- 
ered. 
Fregatidae  :  Man-o -War  Birds,  p.  43. 

2'.  Tail  not  forked ;  space  around  eye  naked. 


3.  Bill  narrow,  with  slight  pouch  at  base. 

Phalacrocoracidae  : 

Ccrnaorants,  p.  3U. 


3'.  Bill  wide  and  flat,  with  large  pouch. 
Pelecaiiidae  :  Pelicans,  p.  42. 


FiR.  !•_' 


ORDER  ANSERES:   LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 


Short-legged  swinnners Anatidde  : 

6  Ducks.  Geese,  and  Swans,  p.  44. 


Fig.  U. 


4:  KEY   TO   FAMILIES   OF   WATER   BIRDS 

ORDER  HERODIONES:  HERONS,  STORKS,  AND 
IBISES. 

1.  Bill  grooved  along  sides  from  nostril  to  tip. 

Ibididee  :  Ibises,  p.  70. 

1'.  Bill  not  grooved  along  sides  from  nostril  to  tip. 

2,  Bill  slightly  decurved  or  else  inclined  upward 

toward  end ;  head  and  part  of  neck  naked. 

Ciconiidae  : 

Storks  and  "Wood  Ibises,  p.  72. 

2'.  Bill  straight  and  sharp  ;  neck    and  most  of 

head  feathered.     Fig.  15.  Ardeidae  : 

Fig.  15.  Herons,  Bitterns,  Egrets,  p.  72. 


1 


ORDER  PALUDICOL^  :  CRANES,  RAILS,  COOTS, 
AND    GALLINULES.  ^^ 

1.  Hind  toe   small    and    much    elevated  ;    size  large,   wing   17  or 

more.     Fig-.  10 Gruidae  :  Cranes,  p.  78. 

1'.  Hind  toe  long-,  nearly  on  a  level  with  front  toes ; 

size  small,  wing  10  or  less.    Fig.  17.    Rallidae  : 

Rails,  Coots,  Gallinules,  etc.,  p.  70. 

Fig.  17.  Fig.  16. 

ORDER   LIMICOL^:    SHORE   BIRDS. 

1,  Hind  claw,  if  any,  not  longer  than  its  toe. 

2.  Front  of  tarsus  covered  with  transvei'se  scutellse.     Fig-.  18. 
3.  Tarsus  very  thin,  toes  with  lateral  scallops  or  membranes. 
Phalaropodidae  :  Phalaropes,  p.  84. 
3'.  Tarsus    rounded,  toes   without  lateral  scallops  or  mem-    j,.  "  jg 
hranes. 
4.  Bill  slender,  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

Scolopacidae  :  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc.. 
4'.  Bill  stout,  not  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw\ 
AphrizidaB  :   Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones,  p.  106. 
2'.  Front  of  tarsus    covered  Avith  hexagonal  or  irregular  scu- 
tellaj.     Fig.  19. 
3.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw. 

Recurvirostridae :  Avocets  and  Stilts,  p.  86. 
3'.  Tar.sus  less  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw. 
■     4.  Bill  longer  than  tarsus,  laterally  compressed  and  wedge-      ^^" 

shaped  .     .  Haematopodidae  :   Oyster-catchers,  p.  107. 
4'.  Bill  shorter  than  tarsus,  pointed,  not  laterally  compressed. 

Charadriidae  :  Plovers,  p.  102. 
1'.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe  ;  wing  with  .spur. 

Jacanidae  :  Jacana,  p.  108. 


GREBES  5 

ORDER  PYGOPODES:  DIVING  BIRDS. 
(Families  Podigipid.e,  Gaviid.e,  Alcid^.) 

FAMILY  PODICIPIDiE:  GREBES. 

KEY    TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  long'  and  slender,  tip  not  decurved. 

2.  Bill  five  or  more  times  as  long-  as  depth  at  base. 

^chmophorus,  p.  5. 
2'.  Bill  less  than  four  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Colynibus,  p.  (*». 
r.  Bill  short  and  stont,  tip  of  upper  mandible  decurved. 

Podilymbus,  p.  S. 

GENUS    JECHMOPHORUS. 

1.  ^chmophorus  oceidentalis  (Lawr.).  Western  Grebe. 
Head  without  side 
crests;  billslendui; 
neck  nearly  as  Ioiil; 
as  body.  Adults : 
top  of  head  and  line 
down  back  of  neck 
blackish  ;  Ixiek 

slaty  gi-ay  ;  thro.ir 
and  under  parts  sil- 
very white.  Mull  : 
length  24-"21>,  win^ 
7.4o-8.50.billLMHt 
3.05.  Ff^7tiaie: 
smaller,  bill  2.10- 
2.48. 

Distribution.  —  From  tlie  Pacific  to  Manitoba, 
to  British  Columbia  and  Alberta. 

Nest,  —  Floating  on  the  water,  a  raft  of  tule  stems,  grass,  and  water 
plants,  with  a  slight  depression  in  the  centre.  Eggs :  4  to  "j,  white. 

To  find  the  western  grebe  at  home  go  to  the  tule-bordered  lakes 
of  eastern  Oregon.  Creep  through  the  tall  grass  and  part  the  Miles 
on  the  edge  of  a  clear  pond,  and  right  before  you  on  the  water  is  the 
grebe,  with  its  silvery  throat,  gracefid  form,  and  fiery  eye.  A  sud- 
den motion  of  your  hand,  and  the  necdk'-liUe  bill  pierces  tlie  water 
and  the  bird  disappears  like  a  flash  of  liglit,  to  reappear  a  U\\\ 
minute  later  well  beyond  siiot  gun  range  from  shore.  If  you  make 
yourself  known  less  suddenly  the  grebe  instead  of  diving  sinks 
slowly  and  without  a  ripple,  never  to  reappear  e.xeept  far  away  or 
in  some  hidden  part  of  the  tules. 

As  you  watch  t lie  birds  out  in  the  lake,  itoppini;  up  and  remain- 
ing long  enough  for  a  good  breath.  I  ben  going  below  to  stay  a  much 


6  GREBES 

longer  time,  you  wouder  what  Jthey  are  finding.  If  you  shoot  one, 
a  few  tiny  bones  of  minnows  in  its  stomach  mixed  with  the  usual 
ball  of  feathers  from  its  own  breast  tell  part  of  the  story  and  ex- 
plain its  mermaid  habits,  slender  head,  long  neck,  and  spear-like 
bill. 

But  to  get  to  the  heart  of  the  grebe's  home  you  should  wade  out 
where  the  tules  stand  up  to  their  necks  in  water.  Here  in  the  damp, 
saucer-shaped  top  of  a  floating  island  of  tule  stems,  you  find  the 
eggs,  warm  and  hastily  covered  with  material  from  the  sides  of  the 
nest.  There  is  no  bird  in  sight,  but  the  large  size  of  bo,tli  nest  and 
eggs  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  the  smaller  grebes.  If 
you  keep  still  for  a  little  while  a  slender  head  and  long  neck  ma}'^ 
come  up  out  of  the  water  near  you  and  a  pair  of  keen  eyes  watch 
you  anxiously  for  a  moment,  then  quickly  sink  below  again,  to  come 
up  a  little  later  on  the  other  side. 

The  grebes  are  rarely  seen  except  on  the  water,  but  when,  after 
much  kicking  and  spattering,  they  are  fairly  launched  on  the  wing, 
they  have  a  steady  rapid  flight,  and  in  migration  make  long  jour- 
neys. Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    COLYMBUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight  and  sharp,  never  four  times  as  long- 
as  its  depth  at  base  ;  neck  not  nearly  as  long-  as  body ;  head  sometimes 
crested. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Size  large,  bill  over  1.50 holboellii.  p.  6. 

V .  Size  small  or  medium. 

2.  Small,  bill  .82 brachypterus,  p.  8. 

2'.  Medium,  bill  about  1.00. 

3.  Bill  deeper  than  wide  at  base  ;  head  of  adult  in  breeding  plumage 

heavily  crested auritus,  p.  7. 

3'.  Bill  Avider  than  deep  at  base  ;  head  of  adult  in  breeding  plumag-e 
lightly' crested calif ornicus,  p.  7. 

Subgenus  Colymbus. 

2.  Colymbus  holboellii  {Reinh.).     Holbcell  Grebe. 

Bill  nearly  as  long  as  head  ;  crests  inconspicuous  or  wanting-.  Breeding 
jjlumage  :  top  of  head  greenish  black  ;  back  blackish,  with  brown  on  wings  ; 
sides  of  head  and  throat  patch  white  or  grayish ;  neck  rufous  ;  lower 
parts  washed  with  white  over  gray.  Winter  plumage  and  young :  neck 
g-ray  instead  of  rufous.  Length:  18.00-20.50,  wing  7.30-8.10,  bill  1.65- 
2.40. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  Greenland,  and  eastern  Asia,  breeding 
north  of  the  United  States,  migrating  south  to  South  Carolina,  southern 
Colorado,  and  Monterey  Bay,  California. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  reeds,  grass,  and  mud,  attached  to  growing  reeds  or 
masses  of  dead  vegetable  matter.     Eggs :  4  to  5, 


EARED  GREBE 


GREBES  7 

The  Holboell  grebe  nests  in  isolated  pairs  in  reeds  along  the  mar- 
gins of  shallow,  fish-frequented  lakes,  preferabl}'  in  forested  country, 
but  also  in  prairie  regions. 

Subgenus  Dytes. 

3.  Colymbus  auritus  Linn.     Horned  Grebe. 

About  the  size  of  the  dabchick,  but  slenderer  ;  sexes  similar ;  elieeks 
and  sides  of  head  with  crests  or  ruffs  in  adults. 
Breeding  plumage :  sides  of  head  with  yellow  tufts 
of  silky  feathers,  rest  of  head  and  tlu-oat  black  ; 
upper  parts  dusky ;  lower  neck,  chest,  and  sides 
rufous ;  breast  silvery  white.  Winter  adults  and 
young :  crests  .scant  or  wanting- ;  throat  white  ;  sides 
with  little  or  no  rufous.  Length:  1 2.50- I-j.^."),  wing- 
about  5.75,  bill  about  .8.5-1.01). 

Be  marks.  —  The  young  can  usually  be  distin- 
guished from  young-  calif ornicus  by  the  bill,  which  is 
liigher  than  wide  at  base. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  noi*thern  hemi- 
sphere, breeding-  in  North  America  chiefly  noi-th 
of  the  United  States ;  migrating-  south  over  the 
United  States. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  reeds,  grass,  and  mud,  attached 
to  reeds,  or  on  floating  masses  of  sticks  and  sedges. 

In  full  plumage,  with  their  big  crests  and  mufflers  and  rich  colors, 
the  horned  grebes  easily  rank  as  the  handsomest  of  their  family. 
In  the  United  States  they  are  seen  on  their  migration  journeys 
usually  in  small  tlocks,  late  in  fall  or  following  close  on  the  retreat- 
ing ice  in  spring.  In  their  northern  summer  home  tl  'ir  habits  are 
said  to  be  similar  to  those  of  other  grebes. 

4.'  Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus  (Heerm.).    Eared  Grebe. 

Itrexling  plumage.  —  A  fan-sliaped  tuft  of  yellow  silky  feathers  on  each 
side  of  head  ;  rest  of  head,  neck,  and  chest  black  ;  back  blackish  ;  sides 
l)ro\vn;  breast  silvery  white.  Winter  plumage  and  i/oung  :  upper  ])arts  and 
sides  dusky  ;  throat  and  ear  patch  white  or  g-rayish  ;  bill  slender,  wider 
than  (lt'<'p  at  base  ;  crests  wanting-.      Length  :    lli-14,  wing-  5.;'.0,  bill  1. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  east  to  the  Mississip])i,  north  to 
(heat  Slave  Lake,  south  to  Guatemala,  breeding-  throughout  most  of  its 
range. 

^V^'.s-^  —  Floating  on  shallow  water  in  ponds  or  lakes  ;  made  of  rushes. 
Eggs  :  4  to  (5,  .soiled  white. 

In  the  Great  Basin  country  where  tall  tules  grow  half  way  across 
soini!  of  the  big  shallow  lakes,  the  cared  grebes  have  made  their 
homes  for  ages,  rai-sing  their  young  in  peace  and  as  much  quiet  as 
the  cackling  of  coots  and  rails,  the  quacking  of  ducks,  and  laughing 
of  stilts  and  avocets  would  allow.  Out  in  the  open  j^onds  diving  for 
minnows,  gliding  among  the  dark  tule  stems,  or  brooding  on  their 
Moating   nests  and  caring  for  their  downy  black  chicks,  they  have 


8  GREBES 

been  comparatively  safe  from  enemies,  and  year  after  year  have 
gone  south  when  the  lakes  froze  over  and  come  back  again  with  the 
warm  spring  days. 

But  this  life  of  primitive  security  was  rudely  broken  into  when 
their  beautiful  silvery  breasts  and  rich  brown  sides  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  plume  hunters,  and  within  five  or  six  years  the 
demand  for  their  skins  for  hats,  muffs,  and  capes  has  grown  so 
great  as  to  threaten  the  species,  and  with  it  several  other  species  of 
grebes,  with  extermination.  Hunters  go  to  the  breeding-grounds 
and  shoot  the  old  birds  when  bold  in  defense  of  their  eggs  and 
young,  stripping  off  their  skins  and  shipping  them  in  thousands  to 
the  cities.  Unless  some  wise  law  intervenes,  these  harmless,  beauti- 
ful spirits  of  the  lake  will  soon  have  disappeared  from  the  face  of 
the  earth.  Yehnon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Podiceps. 

5.  Colymbus  dominicus  brachypterus  Chapm.    Least  Grebe. 

A  tiny  dusky  orohp.  about  lialf  as  big-  as  the  clabchick  ;  bill  black,  tipped 

with    whitish.     Adults :    top    of    head 

and  back  dull  greenish  black  ;  chin  and 
tliroat  blackish  ;  sides  of  neck  and  head 
plumbeous ;    breast     mottled     silvery 
p^     22.  S'l-ay.      Wing :  S.80,  hill  .S2. 

Distribution.  —  From  Panama  north 
to  southern  Texas  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  On  water,  floating-  among-  the  rushes.     Eggs :  usually  7. 

These  tiny  grebes  are  as  common  in  the  ponds  of  southern  Texas 
as  the  dabchick  in  the  north.  In  open  Avater  they  bob  on  the  little 
waves,  and  in  quiet  pools  where  the  willows  overhang  the  banks 
swim  and  dive  among  the  sedges  and  pink  water-lilies.  When  not 
seeking  food  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  they  usually  keep 
close  to  some  cover,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  day  if  not  hidden  in 
the  sedges  are  found  sitting  close  under  the  shore  grass,  or  in  the 
shade  of  a  bush  or  low-hanging  tree.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    PODILYMBUS. 

6.  Podilymbus  podiceps  (L/wr?.).  Pied-billed  Grebe  :  Dabchick. 

Bill  short  and  stout,  head  not  crested.     Breeding  plumage  :  bill  whitish, 

crossed  by  a  black  band  ;  upper  parts 
blackish  ;  chin  and  throat  black ; 
breast  mottled  silvery  gray.  Winter 
plumage :  bill  brownish,  with  paler 
lower  mandible ;  chin,  throat,  and 
breast  whitish.  Young :  head  and 
neck  more  or  less  striped  with  brown, 

black,  and  white.     Length  :  12-15,  wing  4.n0-5.00,  bill  about  .87. 

Distribution.  —  North  and  South  America,  except  extreme  northern  and 

southern  parts,  breeding  throughout  most  of  its  range. 


LOONS  9 

Nest.  —  A  floating-  or  anchored  raft  of  water-soaked  plant  stems  among- 
tules  in  shallow  water.     Eggs  :  4  to  8,  soiled  whitish. 

Every  boy  who  has  carried  a  gun  and  crept  through  tall  grass  to 
the  edges  of  ponds  and  lakes,  or  has  followed  the  creeks,  cutting 
from  bend  to  bend,  and  peering  cautiously  up  stream  and  down, 
has  found  himself  more  than  once  face  to  face  with  a  little  gray 
duck,  —  only  it  was  n't  a  duck  —  which  when  he  raised  his.  gun  dived 
just  as  he  pulled  the  trigger,  so  the  shot  scattered  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  water.  No  amount  of  waiting  or  searching  the  banks 
did  any  good,  —  the  bird  was  never  seen  again,  dead  or  alive.  There 
was  a  mystery  about  it,  and  when  some  one  older  and  wiser  than 
he  told  him  it  was  a  water  witch  or  hell  diver,  the  mystery  was 
only  half  solved.  Where  did  it  go?  How  could  it  stay  under 
water  through  the  half  hour  that  he  waited  for  it  to  come  to  the 
surface  ?  Had  he  been  just  around  the  next  bend  he  might  possibly 
have  seen  a  gray  bill  and  a  pair  of  dark  eyes  that  came  up  out  of 
the  water  close  to  the  bank,  stayed  just  long  enough  for  a  good 
bAath  of  air,  and  then  disappeared  for  another  long  swim  below  the 
surface. 

Fortunately  for  the  dabchick,  its  dress  is  all  in  dull  colors,  and  as 
no  one  wants  to  borrow  its  plumes  it  may  be  hoped  that,  like  the 
poor,  the  little  plebeian  may  be  always  with  us.    Vernon  Bailey. 

FAMILY    GAVIIDiE  :   LOONS. 
GENUS    GAVIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  short  and  stiff ;  front  toes  fully 
webbed,  hind  toe  small ;  head  and  neck  velvety,  never  crested. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tarsus  longer  than  inner  toe  and  claw lumme.  p.  11. 

r.  Tarsus  shorter  than  inner  toe  and  claw. 

2.  Head  and  neck  black imber.  p.  *.). 

2'.  Back  of  head  and  neck  .smoky  gray. 
l].  Larger,  wing-  12.5r>,  hack  of  liead  daik  gray      .     .     arctica.  p.  10. 
.'I'.  Smaller,  wing  11.54.  back  of  head  light  gray    •     •  pacifica.  p.  10. 

7.   Gavia  imber  (r,'M»n.).    Loon:  Tikkat  Nokthern  Divek. 

Adults  ill  summer  plitiiiage. —  Head  and  neck  velvety  black,  glossc<l  with 
green;  throat  and  sides  of  neck  cros.sed  by  series 
of  white  streaks ;  Itn-ast  white  ;  l)ack  l)lack, 
spotted  with  white.  Winter  plumage  ami  young: 
back  slaty,  without  white  spots  ;  throat  white. 
Lengt/i  :  'Js-IM],  wing  ll.OC,  hill  ."..O". 

Jiistribution.  —  Northern  i)art  of  northern  hemi- 
sphere, breeding  in  thi'  northern  United  States 
and  northward  ;  south  in  wintrr  to  Gulf  of  Mexico 


10  LOONS 

Nest.  —  Usually  the  hoUowed-out  top  of  an  old  miiskrat  house  in  a  lake. 
Eggs :  2,  dark  olive  gray,  spotted  with  black  and  more  or  less  stained 
with  brown. 

In  the  north  spring  comes  with  a  bound.  A  few  warm  days  and 
a  rain  —  the  ice  breaks  —  and  then,  with  a  wild  shrill  cry  overhead 
come  the  loons,  with  strong  steady  flight  —  and  spring  is  here. 
On  their  home  waters  the  loons  are  foimd  usually  in  pairs,  swim- 
ming in  the  clear  rivers  and  lakes,  not  paddling  around  shore  or  in 
the  wild  rice  or  tules  with  the  ducks  and  grebes,  but  out  in  a  big 
sweep  of  open  water.  If  alarmed  they  dive,  and  few  if  any  birds 
can  equal  them  in  long  rapid  joiu'neys  under  water.'  If  the  lake  is 
shallow  you  can  follow  their  wake,  but  you  must  be  a  good  rower 
with  a  good  boat  to  keep  up  with  one.  If  there  is  no  wind  a  loon 
will  often  race  for  miles,  showing  only  his  head  above  water  at  long 
intervals  rather  than  undertake  the  laborious  water  kicking  per- 
formance necessary  in  order  to  get  fairly  on  the  wing.  Against  a 
stiff  breeze  the  birds  rise  with  less  effort.  On  land  tliey  are  practi- 
call}"  helpless,  as  they  can  neither  walk  nor  take  wing,  and  mii^t 
slide  and  flap  along  to  the  nearest  water.  The  water  is  their  home 
from  the  time  they  hatch  and  tumble  into  it  as  furry  balls  of  dusky 
down  till  their  last  cry  rings  over  the  surface. 

Only  on  the  lonely  lake  in  the  heart  of  the  woods  do  you  get  the 
startling  thrill  of  the  loon's  wild  cry,  —  one  clear,  piercing  note  or  a 
long,  quavering,  demoniacal  laugh  that  to  the  timid  suggests  a  herd 
of  screaming  panthers.  It  is  one  of  the  stirring,  inspiring  sounds 
of  nature,  like  the  scream  of  an  eagle  or  the  bugling  of  a  flock  of 
swans,  and  after  hearing  it  you  no  longer  wonder  that  the  loon  has 
figured  in  poetry  and  legend.  Vernon  Bailey. 

9.  Gavia  arctica  (Linn.).     Black-throated  Loon. 

Adults  in  siwuner.  —  Back  of  head  and  neck  smoky  or  plumbeous  gray; 
throat  and  fore  neck  purplish  black,  throat  crossed  by  transverse  bars  of 
white  streaks,  a  series  of  longitudinal  white  streaks  separating  the  gray 
and  black  on  sides  of  neck  ;  back  black,  barred  and  spotted  with  white  ; 
breast  pure  white.  Winter  and  immature  plumages:  white  markings  of 
back  wanting,  and  throat  white.     Length :  26-29,  wing'  12.55,  bill  2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding' in  arctic 
America  and  migrating  south  to  extreme  northern  states,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  on  a  small  islet  in  a  pond  ;  dark  olive, 
blotched  with  black. 

10.  Gavia  paeifiea  (Lawr.).     Pacific  Loon. 

Breeding  jjlumage.  —  Back  of  head  and  neck  smoky  gray  or  whitish ; 
throat  black,  glossed  with  greenish  or  purplish  and  crossed  by  transverse 
bar  of  white  streaks ;  sides  of  neck  with  series  of  longitudinal  white 
streaks  ;   back  black,  with  four  series  of  white  bars ;   lower  parts  white. 


AUKS,  MURKES,  AND   PUFFINS  11 


Fig.  25.     Pacific  Loon. 

Winter  plumage  and  young:  back  without  white  inarkii]g\s  :  throat  white. 
Winy:  11.54,  bill  2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Lower  California  to  Alaska,  breeding 
far  northward  ;  east  to  Hudson  Bay. 

Macfarlane  has  found  nests  of  the  Pacific  loon  in  wooded  sections, 
in  the  Barren  Grounds,  and  on  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  The 
birds  reach  these  breeding  places  in  June  and  leave  in  September. 
In  winter  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  them  passing  up  and  down  the 
coast  in  great  numbers. 

11.  Gavia  lumme  (Ginm.).    Red-thkoated  Loon. 

Adults  in  summer  plumage.  —  Head  and  neck  plumbeous  gray  ;  throat  with 
a  wedge-shaped  patch  of  rich  chestnut ;  back  sooty  ;  top  of  head  and  back 
of  neck  streaked  and  back  specked  with  white  ;  under  parts  white.  Winter 
plumage  and  young :  throat  and  fore  neck  white.  Lenqth  :  24-27,  wing 
10.00-11.50,  bill  2.25. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding-  in  arc- 
tic regions  and  migrating'  south  nearly  across  the  United  States. 

Eggs.  —  2,  laid  on  the  ground,  like  those  of  G.  arctica,  p.  10. 

In  Alaska  the  red-throated  are  by  far  the  most  abimdant  of  the 
loons.  They  reach  St.  Michaels  and  the  Yukon  delta  with  the  first 
open  water,  and  by  the  end  of  ]May  are  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers. 
Mr.  Nelson  says  they  are  extremely  noisy  all  through  the  first  part 
of  summer,  their  harsh  f/i'-t'-f/fi-f/f-r.  gr-r-f/a,  gn-gr-r  rising  every 
where  from  tlu;  marshes  during  the  entire  twenty-four  hours. 

FAMILY  ALCIDiE  :   AUKS,   MURRES.   AND    PUFFINS. 

KEY    TO    OENKKA. 
i*i     1.   Bill  high,  much  conipres.sed.  ridgi'd   down   sides;   a  fold   of 
6  naked  skin  at  corner  of  mouth    ....     Luuda.  p.  12. 

FIr.  '2<i.        r.  Bill  not  extremely  high,  compressed,  nor  ridged  ;   eorner  of 
mouth  without  fold  of  naked  skin. 

'^^'^     2.  Nostrils  covered  by  feathers      ...     Uria,  p.  Ul. 
6 
Fifj.  JT.  -  •  Xostrils  exposed. 

.'!.    I'ill  .ibont  as  long  as  head.  1  or  more. 


12 


AUKS,   MURRES,   AND   PUFFINS 


4.  Bill  stout,  tip  decurved,  base  with  horn  in  breed- 
^  ^  ing-  season Cerorhiiica,  p.  13. 


O    4'.  Bill  slender  and  straight,  base  without  horn. 

Cepplius,  p.  16. 


.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  .80  or  less. 
4.  Bill  wider  than  deep  at  base. 

Ptychoramphus,  p.  18. 
4'.  Bill  much  deeper  than  wide  at  base. 

5.  Cutting  edge  of  lower  mandible  concave. 


,  Sw    6.  Bill  .GO,  without  knob  at  base. 
*  ,  Cyclorrhynchus,  p.  14. 

Fig.  30. 


6'.  Bill  .40  or  less,  with  knob  at  base. 

Simorhynchus,  p.  14. 


Fig.  31. 


5'.  Cutting  edge  of  lower  mandible  convex. 
6.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

Synthliboramphus,  p.  15. 
6'.  Tarsus  reticulate  in  front. 

Brachyramplius,  p.  15. 

GENUS    LUNDA. 

12.  Lunda  cirrhata  Vail.    Tufted  Puffin. 

Bill    compressed,   nearly   as  high    as    long.     Adults :   upper  parts  sooty 

black ;    under    parts    dark    grayish. 


Breeding  plumage :  sides  of  face 
white,  a  long  crest  of  fine  silky  yel- 
low feathers  over  each  eye  ;  terminal 
half  of  bill,  and  feet,  bright  red. 
Winter  plumage:  sides  of  head 
dusky,  and  without  crests ;  horny 
covering  of  base  of  bill  replaced  by 
soft  dusky  brown  skin ;  feet  flesh 
color.  Young  in  first  winter:  similar 
to  winter  adult,  but  with  rudiments 
of  light  brown  crests,  and  sides  of 
upper  mandible  without  grooves. 
Leiigth  :  14.40-15.60,  wing  7.75,  bill 
1.30-1.45. 

Distribution.  —  Coast   and  islands 
from  southern  California  to  Alaska, 
and  from  Bering  Strait  to  Japan. 
Egg.  —  1,  laid  usually  on  the  bare  ground  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  or  in 
cavity  among  rocks  on  the  face  of  a  cliff. 

The  tufted   puffins  nest  preferably  among  cliffs  and  on  earth  and 
grass-covered  edges  of  bluffs,  and  in  such  places  the  ground  is  often 


Fig.  32. 


AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS  13 

a  network  of  their  burrows.  When  there  is  no  soil  to  burrow  in, 
the  birds  use  natural  cavities. 

They  reach  the  Farallone  Islands  the  latter  part  of  March,  and 
when  the  nests  are  made  aud  incubation  begun,  ]\Ir.  Bryant  says, 
they  may  be  located  by  the  presence  of  a  sentinel  at  the  entrance  of 
the  burrow. 

The  bright  and  oddly  shaped  bill,  white  eyes,  and  yellow  nuptial 
tufts,  which  flutter  in  the  wind,  give  the  bird  a  most  distinguished 
appearance.  Its  bill  is  not  only  an  ornament  but  a  most  effective 
weapon.  When  caught  in  its  burrow  the  puffin  inflicts  painful 
wounds  with  it,  sometimes  actually  cutting  to  the  bone,  its  jaws 
remaining  set  until  pried  apart  or  until  it  is  killed. 

GENUS    CERORHINCA. 

15.  Cerorhinca  monocerata  {Pall.).    Rhinoceros  Auklet. 

Kill  much  compressed,  longer  than  deep;  in  breeding'  season  base  of 
bill  surmounted  by  upright  horn.  Breeding  plum- 
age :  upper  parts  dusky ;  sides  of  head,  throat, 
and  rest  of  under  parts  plumbeous,  except  for  whit- 
ish belly ;  side  of  head  with  two  series  of  white 
pointed  feathers.  Winter  plumage  :  breast  more  xmi- 
formly  gray ;  belly  purer  white ;  horn  absent. 
Young:  head  without  crests.    Length:    14.00-15.50,  pj™  33 

Aving  7.25,  bill  from  front  edge  of  horn  1. 

Distribution.  —  From  coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Pacific  to  Lower 
California,  and  to  Japan. 

When  collecting  the  rhinoceros  auklet  at  the  Catalina  Islands,  Mr. 
Joseph  Grinnell  fpund  it  a  most  persistent  diver  and  powerful 
swimmer  under  water.  He  did  not  see  one  of  the  birds  on  the  wing. 
They  all  dived  on  approach.  He  says  the  auklet  is  so  short  and 
chunky  that  at  a  littk;  distance  it  looks  like  a  block  of  wood  float- 
ing on  the  water.  The  food  of  the  birds  Mr.  Grinnell  took,  on  ex- 
amination of  their  stomachs,  proved  to  be  entirely  a  small  yellow 
crustacean,  none  of  which  were  to  be  seen  anywhere  near  the  sur- 
face. 

At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  saw  an  extensive  migration  of  the  auk- 
lets  on  January  12.  IS<J5.  The  l)irds  came  from  the  north  in  pairs, 
and  went  on  tlowii  llic  coast  williout  stopping. 

GENUS    PTYCHORAMPHUS. 

16.  Ptychoramphus  aleuticus  {I'a/l.).    Cassin  Aiklet. 

Hill   broader  than  deep  at  ha.se  ;   upper  outline  nearly  straight. 

Upper  parts  .slaty  black;  sides  of  head,  neck,  and  throat  plumheoiis; 
spot  on  lower  eyelid,  and  under  parts,  white.  Liuqth  :  S.(l()-<(.50,  wing 
4.75-5.25,  hill  .7;"). 

Distrihution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  Aleutian  Islands  to 
Lower  ('alif(»rnia. 

lujg.  —  I.  unmarked,  laid  in  a  natural  cavitv. 


U  AUKS,  MURRES,  AND  PUFFINS 

At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  comparatively  few  Cassin 
auklets  near  laud,  but  reports  them  as  common  off  shore,  especially 
on  the  ocean.  In  July  he  has  found  eggs  and  young  birds  on  the 
Farallone  Islands,  and  in  one  case  discovered  an  auklet  sharing  its 
apartment  with  two  rabbits.  The  numbers  of  these  birds  on  the 
islands  was  impressively  shown  one  night  during  Mr.  Loomis's  visit. 
At  sundown  he  saw  several  flocks  flying  high  overhead  and  at  two 
in  the  morning  awakened  to  find  the  bird  population  in  an  uproar. 
Although  it  was  pitch  dark  the  voices  of  the  auklets —  which  he  com 
pares  to  those  of  whip-poor-wills  —  filled  the  air  till  the  whole  island 
appeared  to  be  alive  with  birds. 

GENUS    CYCIiORRHYNCHUS. 

17.  Cyclorrhynchus  psittaeulus  (Pali).  Paroquet  Auklet. 
Bill  dark  reel,  high,  and  thin,  Avith  .sickle-shaped  lower  mandible  curved 
upward.  Breeding  plumage :  throat  and  upper 
parts  sooty  black  ;  under  parts  white  ;  a  white  line 
from  lower  eyelid  back  over  ear  ending-  in  a  thin 
white  crest.  Winter  plumage  and  young :  throat 
as  well  as  i*est  of  iinder  parts  white.  Length  :  9.00- 
10.40,  wing  5.40-0.00,  bill  .60. 
pj„  3^  Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north 

Pacific  from  the  Kurile  Islands  and  San  Francisco 
Bay  to  Sitka,  and  northward. 

Egg.  —  1,  pure  white,  deposited  in  a  deep  chink  or  crevice. 

When  sailing  across  Bering  Sea,  on  the  way  to  Norton  Sound,  Mr. 
Nelson's  vessel  was  stopped  and  held  by  the  pack  ice.  When  the 
ice  at  last  opened,  he  says,  the  water  became  covered  by  thousands  of 
the  strange  little  auklets,  and  as  long  as  the  ship  was  in  the  ice  the 
only  sounds  beside  the  grinding  of  the  cakes  and  the  roar  of  the 
waves  were  the  low  whistled  notes  of  the  parrot  and  crested  auklets, 
myriads  of  which  surrounded  the  boat,  *'  swimm.ing  buoyantly  from 
side  to  side  or  skurrying  away  from  the  bow  of  the  vessel."  On  the 
Fur  Seal  Islands  the  birds  were  again  encountered,  this  time  breed- 
ing on  the  cliffs,  feeding  at  sea  and  returning  to  their  nests  and 
mates  on  the  islands. 

GENUS    SIMORHYNCHUS. 

20.  Simorhynchus  pusillus  (Pall.).  Least  Auklet. 
Size  very  small ;  bill  with  knob  at  base  ;  crests  of  slender  white  feathers 
in  front  and  back  of  eye.  Breeding  jilumage  :  upper  parts 
^  -^.  ^,  blackish,  mixed  with  white  on  scapulars  ;  under  parts  white, 
=i^^^  I  irregularly  spotted  or  mottled  with  dusky,  often  forming- 
2  a  dusky  band  across  chest.  Winter  plumage :  under  parts 
Fig.  35.  gjj^  sides  of  neck  pure  white ;  face  crests  usually  less  de- 
veloped. Young  :  similar  to  winter  adults  but  with  more  white  on  scapu- 
lars and  without  the  white  face  feathers.  Length :  5.50-7.20,  wing-  3.50- 
4.00,  bill  .35-.40. 


AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS  15 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Pacific  from  Bering 
Strait  south  to  AVashington  and  Japan.  Recorded  from  Puget  Sound, 
Auk,  X.  17. 

GENUS    SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS. 

21.  Synthliboramphus  antiquus  (G/h^/.).    Ancient  Mukrelp:t. 

Bill  small  and  short,  uostrils  exposed ;  front  of  tarsus  covered  with 
tra«sverse  scutelhe.  Breeding  plumage  :  head  and  neck  black,  with  large 
white  patch  on  side  of  neck,  a  wide  stripe  of  wliite  filaments  along  back 
edge  of  crown,  and  scattered  white  filaments  over  back  of  neck  ;  back 
slaty  ;  sides  black  ;  under  parts  white.  Winter  plumage :  throat  white  ; 
head  and  back  without  wliite  filaments  ;  sides  grav.  Length  :  9.50-10.80, 
wing  5.25-5.r;0,  bill  .00. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  noi-th  Pacific  ;  south  to  Monte- 
rey Bay. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Littlejohn,  often  an  abandoned  burrow  of  Cassin 
auklet,  a  crevice  under  a  rock,  or  a  burrow  under  a  tussock  of  rank  grass, 
lined  with  dry  grass  ;  but  sometimes  bare  rocks,  sand,  or  wet  ground. 
J^ggs :  2,  deep  buff,  with  small  longitudinal  markings  of  light  brown  and 
lavender  gray. 

Aucieut  miirrelets  visit  California  iu  winter  in  considerable  num- 
bers, and  ]\Ir.  Loomis  has  found  them  near  the  Seaside  Laboratory 
close  to  the  surf  in  the  little  coves.  He  describes  them  as  ' '  great 
divers  and  swimmers  under  water,  and  voracious  in  their  pursuit  of 
small  fr3^  occasionally  driving  the  fish  to  the  surface  in  the  eager- 
ness of  the  chase." 

Mr.  Littlejohn,  Avho  visited  their  breeding  grounds  on  the  Alaskan 
islands,  says  that  on  some  of  the  favorite  islands  the  entire  surface 
was  literally  alive  witli  murrclets,  auklets,  and  petrels. 

GENUS    BRACHYRAMPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small  and  slender ;  colors  plain  ;  head  not 
crested. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tar.sus  shorter  than  middle  toe  to  claw    .     .     .     marmoratus.  p.  l."). 
1'.  Tarsus  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  middle  toe  to  claw. 

hypoleucus.  p.  1<». 

23.  Brachyramphus    marmoratus    {GnuL).      Makhlkd   Mi  k- 

KELET. 

Breeding  Plumage.  —  Upper  j)arts  dusky,  back  and  sides  barred  with  deep 
rusty  brown  ;  under  parts  white,  mottled  with  sooty  brown.  Winter  plum- 
age: ui)per  parts  slaty,  with  white 
l)an(l  on  back  of  n«'ck  ;  s(a])nl;irs 
mixed  with  wliite  :  feathfi-s  of  back 
tipped  with  jilumbeous;  Haidxswith 
dark  gr;iy  stripes.       Young:   upjx-r  Fiij.  ;;(!. 

parts  dusky,  collar  and  scapular  sj)ot.s  indistinct  ;   nnder  part.s  white  mot- 
tled, or  speckled  with  sooty.     Length  :  '.(.50-10.00,  wing  "),  bill  .tiO-.7(). 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  southern  California  to  western  Alaska. 


16  AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS 

Mr.  Preble,  who  found  these  murrelets  common  at  Neah  Bay,  Wash- 
ington, reports  that  they  were  almost  invariably  seen  in  pairs  and 
that  they  were  difficult  to  approach,  as  they  dived  at  the  slightest 
alarm. 

25.  Brachyramphus  hypoleucus  Xantus.    Xai<tus  Murrelet. 

Upper  parts  plain  dark  slaty  ;  uiuler  parts  and  lining-  of  Aving'  pure  white. 
Length  :  0.00-10.50,  wing  4.50-5.25,  bill  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  and  Lower  California  from  Santa  Barbara 
Island  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Mr.  Griunell  writes  from  Los  Angeles  that  this  murrelet  is  fre- 
quently seen  in  the  Santa  Barbara  Channel  at  all  seasons. 

GENUS    CEPPHUS. 

29.  Cepphus  COlumba  Pall.     Pigeok  Guillemot. 

Bill  black,  straight,  and  slender,  upper  edge  of  nostril  feathered ; 
feet  bright  red  in  summer,  pink  in  winter. 
Breeding  plumage  :  black,  except  for  large 
white  patch  on  base  of  wing  which  half  in- 
closes a  black  triangle.  Winter  plumage  : 
wings  and  tail  as  in  summer,  rest  of  plum- 
age mainly  white,  varied  above  and  some- 
times below  with  black.  Young  :  similar  to 
winter  adults,  but  white  of  wings  obscured 
by  dusky,  tips  of  quills  marked  with  white. 
Length:  13-14,  wing  6.90-7.30,  bill  1.20-1.40. 
Distribution.  —  Coast  of  the  Pacific  from 
southern  California  to  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
pj     3y  and  to  northern  Japan. 

Eggs.  —  As  found  by  Dr.  Dall,  2,  at  the 
bottom  of  a  hole  under  the  rocks  near  the  water's  edge. 

In  Alaska  Mr.  Nelson  found  the  pigeon  guillemot  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  the  larger  water  birds,  occurring  wherever  the  coast 
was  bordered  by  bold  headlands  or  where  there  were  precipitous 
islands.  He  says  that  their  bright  red  legs  and  white  wing  patches 
make  them  very  conspicuous.  They  are  graceful  swimmers  and 
have  the  amusing  habit  of  putting  their  heads  under  water  and  pad- 
dling along  their  headless  bodies. 

Mr.  Bryant,  who  has  watched  them  at  the  Farallones,  says  that 
when  at  rest  they  squat  like  ducks  on  the  rocks.  Before  brooding 
begins  they  often  sit  in  groups,  and  when  disturbed  stand  up,  open 
their  bills,  and  salute  each  other  or  their  returning  fellows  with  a 
whistling  cry. 

GENUS    UKIA. 

30a.  Uria  troile  ealifornica  (Bryant).     California  Murre. 

Bill  narrow  and  slender,  nostril  concealed  in  feathers ;  a  deep  groove  in 
feathers  back  of  eye.    Breeding  plumage  :  upper  parts  slaty  or  blackish,  sec- 


JAEGERS  17 

ondaries  tipped  witli  white  ;  sides  of  head,  neck,  and  throat  velvety  sooty 
brown ;  under  parts  pure  white. 
Winter pluiiiaije  :  sifles  of  head, 
neck,  throat,  and  under  parts 
pure  white ;  a  duskv  stripe 
back    of    eye.        Yoiuig  :     like  Fig.dS.     California  Murre. 

winter  adults,  but  with  white  more  restricted  on  sides  of  head  and  lower 
throat  faintly  mottled  with  dusky.      Wincj :  8.;]0,  bill  1.8(5. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coiist  of  North  America;  south  to  southern  Cali- 
fornias 

J£ggs.  —  Deposited  on  the  bare  rock. 

The  attention  of  the  ornithological  worhi  has  been  called  to  the 
murres  by  the  San  Francisco  Qgg  industry,  which  threatened  to  de- 
st^'oy  the  rookeries  on  the  Farallone  Islands.  Between  1850  and  1856 
three  or  four  millions  of  eggs  are  said  to  have  been  brought  to  San 
Francisco,  where  they  sold  for  a  little  less  than  liens'  eggs.  In  the 
eighties  the  number  of  eggs  marketed  annually,  ^Ir.  Bryant  states, 
averaged  from  180,000  to  228,000.  This  w^holesale  destruction  de- 
creased the  numbers  of  the  murres  to  such  an  extent  that  in  1897 
the  attention  of  the  Lighthouse  Board  was  called  to  the  matter,  and 
they  put  a  stop  to  the  business  on  the  islands. 

The  murres'  eggs  arc  considered  a  delicacy  not  only  by  man,  but 
by  gulls  and  young  sea  lions.  Two  or  three  gulls  will  sometimes 
combine  to  rob  a  nest.  When  they  try  to  steal  the  yoimg.  the  murres 
crowd  their  little  ones  from  the  rocks  so  they  can  escape  by  diving. 

In  describing  the  habits  of  the  murres  ]Mr.  Bryant  says  that  on  the 
rocks  they  continually  low  their  heads  and  make  a  great  noise,  and 
when  on  the  wing  sometimes  emit  a  curious  grunting  note.  They 
are  especially  clamorous  before  a  storm. 

AVhen  incubating,  one  bird  stays  on  the  nest  during  the  day  and 
the  other  during  the  niglit,  and  when  the  exchange  is  made  a  great 
commotion  ensues,  the  air  being  filled  with  ({uarreling,  screaming- 
masses  of  bird  life. 


ORDER    LONGIPENNES:    LONG-WINGED 
SWIMMERS. 

(FamTI-IKS    STKKr()I{.\lMII>  !•:,     I-.\HII).K.    KT<  .) 
FAMILY    STFRCORARIIDiE:    JAEGERS.    ETC 

GENUS    STERCORARIUS. 

Cifmrnl  Cfidrartfrs.  —  Bill  stronuly  h<i<»k»'d,  nostrils  nc.ir  luiddli'.  section 
above  and  back  of  nostrils  covered  with  a  s.iddle-like  plate  ;  tail  with 
middle  pair  of  feathers  much  the  lonjjest. 


18  JAEGERS 

KEY    TO    SPECIES    OF    STERCOKARIUS. 

1,  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  wide,  and  rounded  at  ends. 

pomarinus,  p.  18. 
r.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  narrow  and  sharp-pointed. 
2.  Middle  feathers  about  half  longer  than  rest  of  tail. 

parasiticus,  p.  18. 
2'.  Middle  feathers  about  twice  as  long-  as  rest  of  tail. 

longicaudus,  p.  18. 

36.  Stercorarius  pomarinus  (Temm.).     Pomarine  Jaeger. 

Adults-  —  Light  phase  :  face,  crown,  and  upper  parts,  except  collar,  sooty 
black  ;  throat  white,  becoming-  silky  yellow  on  cheeks  and  around  back  of 
neck  ;  breast  white,  chest  and  sides  mottled  with  sooty.  Dark  jjhase  :  wholly 
dark  sooty  or  phimbeous-  All  grades  are  found  between  the  dark  and 
light  phases.  Young  :  back  dusky,  feathers  tipped  with  buff ;  rest  f)f 
plumage  dull  buff,  barred  with  dusky.  Length:  20-23,  wing  13.50-14.00, 
tail  8-9,  bill  1.45-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  south  in  winter  to 
Africa,  Australia,  and  probably  South  America ;  in  the  United  States  to 
Michigan,  Nebraska,  and  California. 

Mr.  Nelson  found  the  pomarine  jaeger  largely  replacing  the  other 
two  jaegers  along  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean,  especially  on  the 
edge  of  the  ice  pack  and  abont  the  whaling  fleet,  where  it  found 
abundant  fare.  He  says  that  the  peculiar  twist  of  its  long  tail 
feathers  makes  it  conspicuous  and  easily  identified  as  far  as  seen. 
When  feeding  it  gives  a  low,  harsh,  chattering  cry. 

Compared  with  the  parasitic  jaeger,  the  pomarine  is  a  clumsy 
cowardly  bird,  Mr.  Nelson  tells  us,  and  is  made  the  sport  of  its  active 
little  relative.  When  met  in  the  air,  the  pomarine  wards  off  attack 
from  one  side  by  a  half-closed  wing,  and  from  above  by  raising  both 
wings  to  form  an  arched  shield  over  its  back.  One  that  Mr.  Nelson 
saw  attacked  alighted  on  the  river,  and  "at  every  swoop  of  its 
assailant  thrust  its  head  under  water,  exhibiting  the  most  ludicrous 
terror. " 

37.  Stercorarius  parasiticus  (Linn.).     Parasitic  Jaeger. 
Adults.  —  Light  phase  :  upper  parts  slaty,  becoming  blackish   on  crown, 

wings,  and  tail  ;  throat  and  under  parts  white ;  sides  of  head  and  neck 
white  or  grayish,  tinged  with  yellow.  Dark  phase  :  entire  plumage  slaty 
or  sooty,  darkest  on  crown,  wings,  and  tail.  Young:  head  and  neck 
streaked,  and  under  parts  spotted  and  barred  with  buff  and  dusky.  Length  : 
15.50-21.0:),  wing  12.67,  tail  4.90-6.25,  bill  1.27. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arc- 
tic regions ;  south  in  winter  to  New  York,  Illinois,  Colorado,  and  southern 
California. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  moss.     Eggs :  2. 

38.  Stercorarius  longicaudus   Vieill.     Long-tailed   Jaeger. 
Adults.—  Top  and  sides  of  head  black  ;  back  slaty  ;  neck  and  lower  parts 


GULLS  AND  TERNS 


19 


of  head,  including'  ear  coverts, 
straAV  yellow,  paler  on  throat; 
chest,  and  sometimes  breast  and 
belly,  white,  shading-  into  gray  on 
sides ;  imder  tail  coverts,  and 
usually  belly,  graj^ ;  feet  black  ; 
tarsus  light  bluish.  Length  :  20- 
23,  wing  12.25,  bill  1.1 1»,  longest 
tail  feathers  10.50-14..")(). 

Distrilnition.  —  Northern  part 
of  northern  hemisphere,  breed- 
ing in  arctic  regions  ;  south  in 
winter  to  Florida,  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico, and  California.  Taken  at 
Monterey  Bay  by  Mr.  Loomis. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  a  depres- 
sion in  the  mossy  top  of  a  knoll. 


Fig.  3'J.     Long-tailed  Jaeger. 


The  long-tailed  jaeger  i.s  so  swift  and  graceful  on  the  wing  that 
Mr.  Nelson  compares  its  flight  to  that  of  the  swallow-tailed  kite. 
After  chasing  each  other  about  or  pursuing  hapless  gulls  or  terns, 
the  birds  may  often  be  seen  sunning  themselves  on  an  elevation, 
their  white  breasts  pointing  them  out  at  a  long  distance. 

FAMILY   •LAR1D2B.  GULLS   AND   TERNS. 


Fig.  -KJ. 


KEY    TO    GENERA. 

Bill    deeper   through    angle    of    lower  mandible   than 
through  nostril. 

2.  Hind  toe  wanting,  or  a  mere  rudiment. 

Rissa,  p.  in. 
2'.  Hind  toe  small  but  perfect. 

3.  Tail  square  across  end    ....     Larus,  p.  20. 

3'.  Tail  deeply  forked Xenia,  p.  27. 

iiSi^^^'tTY    r.  Bill  deeper    through  middle    of   nostril   than   through 

angle  of  lower  mandibh^. 
Fig.  41. 

2.   Tail  forked  for  more  than  one  fifth  its  length    (ex- 
c('i)t  sometinu's  in  S.  r<isj)ia);  outer  feathei-s  nar- 
row and  pointed. 
3.  Length  of  bill  le.ss  than  three  times  its  depth  at 

base Gelochelidon.  p.  27. 

3'.  Length  of  bill   more  than  tliree  times  its  dejith 

at  b.ise Sterna,  j).  27. 

2'.  Tail   forked    for  .ibout   one    fifth   its    total   length, 
outer  feathers  wide  and  rounded  at  tips. 

Hydrochelidon,  p.  M. 

GENUS    RISSA. 
40a.  Rissa  tridactyla  pollicaris  liulgw.    Pacific  Kittiwake. 

Appearance   gull-like  ;   hind  toe   minute,   with  or  without  a  nail ;  feet 


20  GULLS   AND   TERNS 

and  legs  black  ;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw  ;  bill  yellow, 
with  greatest  depth  at  base  ;  tail  slightly  emarginate,  or  forked.  Adults  : 
back  and  wings  light  bluish  gray,  five  outer  primaries  tipped  with  black ; 
rest  of  plumage  pure  white.  Young :  like  adults,  but  with  black  or  slaty 
on  back  of  neck  and  across  ear  coverts.  Length :  16.00-17.70,  wing  1:^.25, 
bill  1.40-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  and  Bering  Sea;  south  in  winter  casually 
to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  On  inaccessible  shelves  of  rock,  made  of  grass  and  moss  cemented 
with  mud.     Eggs :  usually  2,  gray,  spotted  with  brown. 

The  kittiwakes  reach  Alaska  before  the  ice  breaks  up,  and  hunt 
for  food  in  the  tide  cracks  along  shore.  In  the  breeding  season 
they  take  to  the  cliffs  of  the  mainland  or  the  rocky  islands.  From 
the  end  of  August  they  hunt  in  the  inner  bays  and  mouths  of  small 
streams,  but  as  they  are  strictly  tide-water  birds  rarely  go  up  the 
rivers.     In  October  the  ice  forming  on  the  bays  drives  them  south. 

GENUS    LARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  deeper  through  angle  of  lower  mandible  than 
through  nostril ;   tail  square  across  end  ;  hind  toe  small  but  perfect. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Size  large,  wing  15.00  or  more. 
2.  Wing  without  any  black. 

3.  Quills  Avliite  or  pale  gray  shading  to  white  at  ends. 

glaucus,  p.  21. 
3'.  Quills  clear  gray  with  white  tips     ....  glaucesceiis,  p.  21. 
2'.  Wing  quills  partly  black  at  all  times. 

3.  Mantle  dark  slaty  gray  in  adult OCCideiltalis,  p.  21. 

3'.  Mantle  light  gray  in  adults. 

4.  Lower  mandible  in  adult  with  subterminal  spot  of  red  and  spot  of 

black californicus,  p.  23. 

4'.  Lower  mandible  in  adult  with  subterminal  spot  of  red  only. 

5.  Mantle  delicate  pearl  gray arg;entatus,'p.  22. 

5'.  Mantle  slightly  darker  gray vegae,  p.  23. 

I'.Size  medium  or  small,  wing  under  15  (rarely  over  in  delawarensis) . 

2.  Breast  always  dark  slaty  gray heermaiiiii,  p.  24. 

2'.  Breast  always  white  in  adult,  mottled  in  yoimg. 
3.  Head  never  black  ;  white  in  adults. 

4.  Bill  yellowish,  with  black  band  near  end  in  adults. 

dela-warensis,  p.  23. 
4'.  Bill  greenish,  without  black  band. 

5.  Third  quill  with  subterminal  white  spot  in  adult. 

brachyrhynchus,  p.  24. 
5',  Third  quill  without  subterminal  white  spot  in  adult. 

canus,  p  24. 
3'.  Head  black  in  summer  adults,  size  small. 

4.  Bill  and  tips  of  outer  quills  black     .     .      Philadelphia,  p.  26. 
4'.  Bill  dark  red  in  adult,  quills  not  tipped  with  black. 

5.  Three  outer  quills  mainly  black     ....     atricilla,  p.  25. 
5'.  Five  outer  quills  with  tips  and  base  white  .  fraiikliiiii,  p.  25. 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  21 

42.  Larus  glaucus  Briinn.     Glaucous  Gull. 

Primaries  white  or  light  gray,  shading-  into  white  at  ends.  Adults  in 
summer:  mantle,  i.  e.  back  and  top  of  wings,  light  pearl  gray;  rest  of 
plumage  white.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  and  neck  streaked  with  grayish. 
Young :  whitish,  tinged  below  and  mottled  above  with  brownish  gray. 
Len()th  :  20-;i2,  wing  16.T5-1S.T5,  bill  2.;;0-2.70. 

/distribution.  —  Arctic  regions ;  in  North  America  south  in  winter  to 
North  Carolina,  the  Great  Lakes,  and  San  Francisco  Bay.  Not  common  in 
the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  a  ledge  of  rock,  lined  scantily  with  fine  grass,  or 
a  bulky  mass  of  sod  and  tufts  of  moss  on  an  islet  in  a  pond.     J^gys :  2  or  3. 

The  glaucous  gull  has  been  fouud  by  Mr.  Loomis  at  Monterey, 
and  by  Dr.  Cooper  and  ]Mr.  Kobbe  in  San  Francisco  Bay. 

44.  Larus  glaucescens  Naum.     Glaucous-winged  Gull. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  primaries  gray,  with  dis- 
tinct white  tips  ;  rest  of  plumage  white.  Adults  in  winter:  head  and  neck 
clouded  with  sooty  gray.  Young:  deep  ashy  gray;  head  and  neck 
streaked,  and  rest  of  upper  parts  mottled  with  grayish  white  or  dull  buff. 
Length:  2;!.T0-27.75,  wing  10.25-17.30,  bill  2.20-2.00.  depth  of  bill  at 
angle  .80-.l)0. 

Distribution.  —  From  Bering  Sea  south  in  winter  to  southern  California 
and  Japan. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  the  face  of  a  rugged  cliff,  but  sometimes  in  grass  on 
grassy  islands,  or  a  depression  in  seaweed.     Eggs  :  o. 

Mr.  Kobbe  says  that  the  glaucous-Avinged  gulls  are  abundant  in 
San  Francisco  Bay  in  winter,  and  jNIr.  Loomis  has  found  them  com- 
mon in  Monterey  Bay.  Mr.  Loomis  says  they  make  up  the  greater 
number  of  gulls  in  the  large  trains  of  gulls  and  pelicans  that  attend 
the  whales  that  come  into  the  bay.  Near  the  ocean,  in  the  Carmel 
valley,  he  has  found  them  in  company  with  western  gulls  following 
the  plough  like  blackbirds. 

At  Graj''s  Harbor,  Washington,  Mr.  Lawrence  says  the  gulls  are 
very  common  from  fall  until  late  spring.  During  the  salmon  runs 
they  often  tly  thirty  miles  to  feed  on  the  dead  salmon  along  the 
streams,  returning  to  the  harbor  to  roost.  The  gulls  also  visit  the 
salmon  canneries  to  feed  on  the  refuse. 

49.  Larus  occidentalis  Awl.    Wkstkkn  Gull. 

Adults  in  summer.  — MantU"  d.irk  sl.ity  gray  ;  primaries,  including  inner 
webs  of  first,  second,  and  usually  third  black,  tipped  with  white;  rest  of 
])lninagt'  white.  Adults  in  irinttr :  toj»  of  head  and  back  of  neck  streaked 
with  dusky.  Young:  upper  p.irl.s  brownish  slaty,  v.iricd  with  buif  and 
whitish;  <pulls  ;ind  tail  dull  blaik.  usually  tipped  with  white;  under  parts 
brownish  gr.iv.  specked  or  spotted  with  whitish.  Lenqtii :  -A-'S].  wing 
l.").7.V|7.(tO,  bill  2.()(»-2.;!.">,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .S.')-.*!,-,.  ' 

D'strihiitiou.  —  Pacific  coast  froiu  iJritish  Columbia  to  Cape  St.  Luca.s, 
Lower  C.alifornia. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  seaweed.  F.ggs  :  usually  ;!.  light  grayi.sh  olive, 
spotted  with  shades  of  brow  n  and  lilac. 


22  GULLS   AND   TERNS 

The  western  gull  is  abundant  on  the  California' coast  at  all  seasons. 
At  San  Pedro  harbor  it  is  protected  by  law  as  a  useful  scavenger, 
and  at  Monterey  Bay  is  so  fearless  that  the  young  will  alight  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  fishing  boats  to  get  what  the  fishermen  throw  out. 

On  the  Farallone  Islands  the  birds  assume  another  role.  As  Mr. 
Loomis  says,  "  a  more  vagabond  set  of  gulls  than  the  western  gulls 
inhabiting  South  Farallone  Island  during  the  egg  season  could 
scarcely  be  found.  They  are  arrant  thieves,  robbing  the  murres 
wherever  they  have  the  opportunity."  Before  the  murre  egg  indus- 
try was  stopped  they  took  an  excited  part  in  the  collections.  Mr. 
Loomis,  speaking  of  it  at  the  time,  says  that  "when  the  eggers 
appear  on  the  scenes  the  gulls  congregate  and  soon  a  large  flock  is 
formed,  circling  about  overhead  with  loud  cries,  eagerly  waiting  the 
flight  of  the  murres  to  join  in  the  pillage.  When  exceptionally 
hungry  the  gulls  are  said  to  suddenly  descend  in  a  compact  flock 
among  the  murres,  frightening  them  from  the  eggs.  One  gull  was 
seen  trying  to  steal  an  egg  from  under  a  murre.  The  murre  gave  a 
reproachful  squack  and  with  a  thrust  of  the  bill  drove  the  gull 
away." 

But  though  the  gulls  enjoyed  the  raids  of  the  eggers,  they  suf- 
fered by  them,  for  before  the  murres  began  to  lay,  the  men  took 
gulls'  eggs  to  supply  the  market ;  and  when  the  murre  harvest  was 
ripe,  recognizing  the  gulls  as  rival  eggers,  the  men  destroyed  both 
their  eggs  and  young.  In  addition  to  fish  and  eggs,  the  gulls  eat 
sea-urchins,  crabs,  young  murres,  and  rabbits. 

'^^hey  congregate  at  South  Farallone  Island  the  first  of  April,  Mr. 
Bryant  tells  us,  and  proceed  to  nest  in  small  colonies.  It  takes  them 
two  weeks  to  repair  their  old  nests,  and  even  after  the  first  egg  is 
laid  they  may  be  seen  carrying  Farallone  weed  to  the  nest. 

51.  Larus  argentatUS  Brllnn.     Herring  Gull. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Mantle  delicate  pearl  gray  ;  five  outer  primaries 
black  toward  ends,  and  tipped  with  white  ;  a  distinct  gray  wedge  on  inner 
web  of  second  quill ;  rest  of  plumage  white  ;  bill  yellow,  with  red  spot  near 
end  of  lower  mandible  ;  feet  pale  flesh  color.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  and 
neck  streaked  with  grayish.  Young :  brownish  gray ;  head  and  neck 
streaked  with  white  ;  back  mottled  with  buffy  and  gray ;  quills  and  tail 
blackish  ;  bill  dusky,  feet  purplish.  Length  :  22.50-26.00,  wing  17.24,  bill 
2.24,  depth  of  bill  throixgh  angle  of  lower  mandible  .68-.85. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  including  the  whole  of  North 
America ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Lower  California ;  breeding  from 
the  Great  Lakes  northward. 

Nest.  —  On  rocks  or  in  trees,  made  mainly  of  grass,  seaweed,  and  earth. 
Eggs:  usually  o,  from  pale  olive  drab  to  greenish  or  bluish  white,  irregu- 
larly spotted  with  lilac,  yellowish,  or  brown,  markings  usually  thickest 
about  larger  end. 

The  herring  gulls  are  abundant  in  the  bays  of  San  Francisco  and 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  23 

Monterey  in  winter  and  common  down  the  coast  to  San  Diego.  In 
the  harbors  they  alight  on  tlie  masts  and  fly  about  the  vessels,  often 
following  them  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  land.  Their  name  probably 
comes  from  the  conmiotion  they  make  at  sight  of  a  school  of  herring 
or  other  little  lish.  As  they  follow  the  small  fry  about,  the  tishermeu 
often  take  them  for  pilots  and  follow  to  get  the  larger  tish  which  are 
in  pursuit  of  the  little  ones. 

52.  Larus  vegse  (Palmen).     Vega  Gull. 

Like  (iryentdtus,  but  mantle  darker,  deep  pearl  or  plumbeous  gray  ;  feet 
pale  flesh  color.     Size  about  as  in  aryentatus. 

Distribution.  — ISouthern  Europe  and  Central  Asia  to  Japan  and  Bering- 
Sea,  and  down  the  coast  of  North  America  in  winter  to  California. 

Mr.  Kobbe,  in  The  Auk  (xix.  19),  after  examining  a  large  num- 
ber of  specimens,  concludes  that  vega'  and  aryentatus  are  identical, 
but  as  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  its  validity,  the  species 
is  included  on  what  seems  to  be  its  only  character,  the  slightly 
darker  mnntle. 

53.  Larus  californicus  Lawr.     California  Gull. 

Adults. — Mantle  clear  bluish  gray;  outer  primaries  black,  tipped  with 
white,  the  first  two  with  subterminal  white  spots;  a  distinct  gray  wedge 
on  inner  web  of  second  ;  bill  yellow,  with  red  and  black  spot  near  end 
of  lower  mandible  ;  feet  greenish.  Youny :  upper  parts  coarsely  spotted 
and  uKjttled  with  dusky,  buffy,  grayish,  and  whitish  ;  under  parts  mottled 
and  streaked  ;  quills  and  tail  blackish  ;  bill  dusky,  with  black  tip.  Lenyt/i  : 
20-2:),  ^\u^g:  ir,.00-l<).T."),  bill  l.()5-2.15,  depth  of 'bill  at  angle  .G0-.7-'). 

Distribution  .  —  Western  North  America  from  Alaska  to  Mexico,  chiefly 
in  the  interior.  ^ 

Mr.  Loomis  says  that  in  the  matter  of  numbers  near  Monterey  in 
midwinter  the  California  gull  ranks  with  its  larger  congeners  the 
glaucous-winged  and  the  western.  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  it  common 
along  the  southern  coast,  wdiere  it  frequents  the  fresh-water  marshes, 
and  he  has  seen  it  on  the  Los  Angeles  river- bottoms.  At  Pescadero 
in  the  low  fields  near  the  ocean  liundreds  have  been  seen  following 
the  plough. 

54.  Larus  delawarensis  On/.    Rinc-billed  Gull. 

Adults.  —  Mantb;  light  pearl  gray  ;  bill  greenish  yellow,  crossed  near  end 
by  a  distinct  ])hu'k  band,  tip  yellow  or  orange  ;  eyelids  vermilion,  iris  pale 
yellow;  feet  i>alt'  yellow,  sonu'times  tinged  with  greenish.  Youny:  upper 
parts  dusky,  feathers  bordered  and  marked  with  grayish  buff  or  whitish  ; 
under  ])arts  white.  si)otted  along- sides  witli  grayisli  l)r(>wn  ;  (inills  blackish, 
tli«'  sliortcr  ones  grav  at  base  and  ti])ped  with  wliite  ;  base  of  tail  gray, 
outer  half  lilackisli.'tipi)ed  with  white.  Ltuqth:  IS-'JO,  wing-  lo.^O-l'i.T-"), 
bill   l.-M-I.T.").  deptli  at  angle  of  lower  mandii)le  ^O-.iSTy. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  as  far  south  as 
Colorado,  but  mainly  north  of  the  United  States  ;  migrating  south  to  Cuba 
and  Mexit'o. 

Ni'St.  — On  the  ground,  made  of  dry  grass.      Kyys  :  usually  ".. 


24  GULLS   AND   TERNS 

Mr.  Grinnell  reports  the  ring-billed  gull  as  tolerably  common  along 
the  coast  in  midwinter,  and  Mr.  Loomis  has  taken  a  few  at  Monterey. 
In  Colorado  they  are  the  only  gulls  found  abundantly  throughout 
the  state.  Professor  Cooke  says  they  are  very  common  in  the  fall 
migration  on  all  bodies  of  water  below  9000  feet,  and  he  has  found 
them  breeding  at  the  San  Luis  Lakes  at  an  altitude  of  7500  feet. 

Colonel  Goss  says  that  he  has  often  seen  the  gulls  on  fall  after- 
noons sailing  and  circling  about  in  the  air,  catching  grasshoppers  and 
beetles. 

55.  Larus  brae hyrhynchus  i?icA.     Short-billed  Gull. 

Adults  in  sunnner.  —  Mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  rest  of  plumage,  except 
quills,  white  ;  outer  primary  mainly  black,  with  a  large  Avhite  spot  near 
end ;  second  primary  with  a  smaller  white  spot,  white  tip,  and  wedg-e  of 
gray  on  inner  web ;  third  with  white  tip  and  a  larg-e  white  space  on  inner 
web  between  gray  and  black ;  bill  greenish,  w  ith  yellow  tip ;  feet  and  legs 
greenish.  Adults  in  winter:  head,  neck,  and  chest  mottled  with  dusky. 
Youny :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  feathers  bordered  with  j)ale  grayish 
buff ;  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  brownish  gray  ;  tail  gray  at  base, 
brownish  gray  toward  end,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white.  Length: 
lG.50-bS.00,  wing  18.95,  bill  1.45,  depth  of 'bill  at  angle  .40-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  breeding  far  north  ;  south  in 
winter  to  southern  California. 

Nest. —  On  an  islet,  in  a  lake  or  pond,  bulky,  made  of  grasses  and 
mosses.    Eggs  :  2  or  8. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  short-billed  gull  common  on  both  the 
bay  and  ocean  about  Point  Pinos  in  winter. 

56.  Larus  canus  Linn.    Mew  Gull. 

Adults.  —  Similar  in  general  appearance  to  hrachyrhynchus,  but  with  inner 
webs  of  two  outer  quills  mainly  black  behind  the  subterminal  white  spots, 
and  third  quill  mainly  black  except  for  small  white  tip.  Length :  17.00- 
18.50,  wing  14.C0-14.50.  bill  1.85-1.60,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .38- .50. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  Europe  and  Asia  ;  found  in  Labrador  (?)  and  at 
San  Francisco  Bay. 

The  mew  gull  w^as  formerly  supposed  to  be  confined  almost 
entirely  to  Europe  and  Asia,  but  Mr.  Loomis  finds  that  it  is  common 
on  the  California  coast  in  winter. 

57.  Larus  heermanni  Cass.    Heermann  Gull. 

Adults  i»  su!rn)irr.  —  V,\\\  bright  red;  head  and  upper  neck  white  ;  back 

sooty  gray,  secondaries 
tipped  with  white  ;  prima- 
ries and  tail  black,  tail 
tipped  with  white ;  under 
parts  dark  gray.  Adults  in 
^^'    "  winter :  head    darker   than 

body,  otherwise  as  in  summer.  Young :  sooty  gray,  feathers  of  upper 
parts  bordered  with  whitish  or  pale  buff  ;  or,  entire  plumage  sooty  gray 
except  blackish  tail  and  quills.     Length  :  17.50-21.00,  wing  13.50,  bill  1.50. 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  25 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  British  Columbia 
to  Panama. 

Heerniciun  gulls  are  generally  common  winter  visitors  in  southern 
California.  At  Montere}^  Mr.  Loomis  has  taken  careful  notes  of 
their  migratory  movements.  In  May  they  were  rare,  in  June  adults 
were  still  scarce,  but  the  latter  half  of  the  month  immature  birds 
were  common.  By  the  middle  of  July  adults  were  abundant,  and 
before  August  there  was  a  great  inroad  of  the  dark-plumaged  birds. 
Toward  the  end  of  August  the  western  and  Heermann  gulls  appeared 
to  be  of  about  equal  abundance,  and  in  November  their  flights 
rivaled  or  exceeded  those  of  the  western  gull. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  on  the  coast  near  Los  Angeles  where  the 
fishermen  draw"  their  seines  along  the  beaches,  clouds  of  gulls  are 
usually  attracted,  about  half  of  the  flocks  being  Heermann  and  a 
(piarter  western  gulls. 

58.  Larus  atricilla  Linn.     Laughing  Gull. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Head  slaty  black,  mantle  bluish  gray  ;  rest  of  plum- 
age,  except  quills,  white  ;  three  outer  quills  black,  the  fourth  and  fifth 
lilack  towards  ends,  all  but  first  usually  with  very  small  white  spot  at  tip  ; 
bill  and  feet  dark  red.  Adults  in  ivinter  :  head  mainly  white  with  dusky 
around  eyes  and  on  back  of  liead.  Young  :  upper  parts  mottled  grayish 
brown  ;  breast  smoky  gray  ;  u])per  tail  coverts  white,  base  of  tail  gray, 
outer  third  black,  narrowly  tipped  with  whitish ;  wing  quills  black. 
Length:   15-17.  wing-  lo,  bill  1.7-"J,  tarsus  2. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  of  the  laughing  gull  may  be  distinguished  from 
Franklin  and  Bonaparte  by  its  large  size,  longer  bill,  and  wider  black  tail 
band. 

Distribution,  -r  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast  of  United  States  and  Pacific 
coast  of  Mexico ;  south  in  winter  to  the  Amazon.  Recorded  from  Col- 
orado. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  four  to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  generally  made 
of  small  sticks,  lined  with  hay  and  moss. 

59.  Larus  franklinii  Sir.  <\-  liir/i.    Fk.\nklin  Gull. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Bill 
bright  red,  with  darker  sub- 
terminal  band  ;  head  plum- 
beous black;  eyelids  white; 
mantle  dark  slaty  ;  (piills 
gray,  tipped  with  white,  the 
five  outer  with  subterniiiial 
Mack  s]);ices  ;  under  parts 
wliitt'.  deeply  tinted  with  rose 
l)ink.  Adults  in  irinter :  he.-id 
ni.iinly  white,  with  sides  and  , 
It.ick  grayish  dusky.  Yonnii  : 
lop     and    sides   of    head    Jiiid 

liaek  grayish    brown  ;     (piills    I „., 

dusky,  tipped  with  white  ;  tail  Fig.  4a. 


1 


26 


GULLS   AND   TERNS 


Fig.  44.     Wing  of  Franklin  Gull. 


with  subterminal  band  of  dusky  ;  rest  of 
tail,  under  parts,  forehead,  and  eyelids 
white.  Length  :  13.50-15.G0,  wing  11.25, 
bill  1.80,  tarsus  1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North 
America,  breeding-  from  Iowa  north  into 
Canada  ;   migrating-  south  to  Peru. 

Nest.  —  On  broken-down  riashesin  shal- 
low water,  made  larg-ely  of  grasses  and 
rushes.     Eggs :  usually  3. 

In  the  northern  plains  and  prairie  country  Franklin  gulls  are  of 
the  greatest  economic  importance,  the  immense  flocks  living  mainly 
on  grasshoppers  and  other  destructive  insects.  At  times  a  white 
horde  will  descend  upon  a  ploughed  field,  a  baud  of  them  following 
at  the  heels  of  the  ploughman,  while  long  white  lines  cover  the 
mellow  furrows.  Recognizing  the  ploughman  as  a  friend,  the  birds 
only  get  out  of  his  way  to  let  him  pass,  waiting  for  him  to  turn  up 
a  fresh  supply  of  food  for  them.  In  Utah  their  services  are  so  well 
appreciated  that  Brigham  Young  used  to  offer  up  prayers  that  they 
be  sent  to  destroy  the  grasshoppers  that  infested  the  laud.  One 
often  sees  flocks  of  fifty  to  five  hundred  catching  grasshoppers  on 
the  wing,  wheeling,  diviog,  and  rising,  till  at  a  distance  the  white 
flock  suggests  a  wild  flurry  of  snow  flakes.  When  the  meal  is  over 
the  birds  disband,  to  scatter  out  among  the  sloughs,  drift  on  lazy 
wings  over  the  lakes,  or  float  idly  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

60.  Larus  Philadelphia  (Ord).     Bonaparte  Gull. 

Adults  in  Slimmer.  —  Bill  and  head  black  ;  mantle  delicate  pearl  gray  ; 
three  outer  quills  chiefly  white,  outer 
web  of  the  first,  and  terminal  portion  of 
all,  black  ;  tail  and  under  parts  white ; 
feet  orange  red.  Adults  in  winter  :  liead 
white,  tinged  with  gray  behind  and  with 
a  du.sky  spot  on  ear  coverts  ;  feet  pale 
flesh  color.  Young  :  top  of  head,  back, 
and  spot  on  ear  coverts  dusky  ;  sides  of 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white,  in- 
cluding   tail    coverts  and   base    of    tail ; 

band  across  end  of  tail  blackish,  feathers  tipped  with  white.     Length  :  12- 

14,  wing  10.25,  bill  1.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  far  northward ;  south  to  western 

Mexico. 

Mr.  Henshaw  states  that  the  Bonaparte  gull  is  not  uncommon  in 
San  Diego  Bay  in  December,  though  he  thinks  it  winters  mainly  to 
the  southward. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  seen  the  gulls  at  Monterey  during  their  migrations 
in  November  and  May.  He  says  that  "although  white-throated 
birds  with  the  tail-band  were  in  the  majority,  and  pied-headed  ones 


Fig.  45. 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  27 

were  plentiful,  every  flock  had  adults  iu  nuptial  plumage,  showing 
that  the  young  are  not  without  experienced  leaders  on  the  return 
north. " 

GENUS    XEMA. 

62.  Xema  sabinii  (Sab.).    Sabine  Gull. 

Bill  gull-like,  tail  conspicuously  forkerl,  the  feathers  rounded,  not  nar- 
row and  pointed  at  ends,  ^idult.s  in  suininer  :  head  and  upper 
neck  dark  plundjeous.  bordered  below  by  a  black  collar  ;  man- 
tle slaty  gray  ;  tail  and  middle  of  wing-  white  ;  outer  quills 
Fig.  4G.  black,  with  inner  webs  and  tips  white  ;  under  parts  white  ; 
bill  black,  tipped, with  yellow.  Adults  in  ivinter :  head  and 
neck  white,  with  dusky  on  ear  coverts 
and  back  of  head.  Yoiuiy  :  like  winter 
adults,  but  mantle  brownish,  feathers 
with  buffy  or  grayish  edges  ;  tail  with 
a  subterminal   black  band,  white  tip  '  Fig.  4i. 

and  base;  bdl  black.  Length:  l;]-14,  wing  10.10-11.15,  bill  l.UU,  tail 
4.0O-.5.OO.  fork  .(1()-1.00  deep. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  regions  of  North  America  ;  south  in  winter  to 
Peru.  Not  common  in  the  United  States,  but  recorded  from  many  scat- 
tered localities. 

Eygs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground,  or  on  a  few  grass  blades  and  stems  ;  2  to  5, 
olive,  indistinctly  spotted  with  brown. 

GENUS   GELOCHELIDON. 

63.  Gelochelidon  nilotica  (llasse/q.).    Gull-hillld  Tep.n. 

Bill  stout,  depth  at  base  equal  to  one  third  of  its  length ;  tail  forked. 
Adults  in  smnmer  :  top  and  back  of  head  black  ;  upper  parts  light  pearl 
gray ;  lower  parts  white ;  bill  black ;  feet  and  legs  blackish.  ^Idults  in 
winter :  head  and  neck  white  ;  ear  coverts  and  spot  in  front  of  eye  gray. 
Youny :  similar  to  winter  adults,  but  u})per  parts  washed  with  buffy  and 
.sometimes  streaked  with  duskv.  Length:  l.j.00-15. 25,  wing  11, 75-12. lio, 
bill  1.40,  tail  5.50.  forked  for  1..j0-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Almost  cosmopolitan.  In  America  from  Brazil  to  Massa- 
chusetts along  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  both  coasts  of  Mexico  and  Central 
America  ;  rare  inland. 

GENUS    STERNA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender  and  sharp  ;  tail  dei-jdy  forked,  the 
outer  feathers  narrowed  or  sharp-pointed  ;  wings  vej'y  long  and  slender. 

KKV    TO    SPECIES. 

1 .   Black  feathers  of  crown  elongated  into  a  cre.st. 

2.  Size  large,  wing-  14-15 maxima,  p.  2S. 

2.  Size  smaller,  wing  1 2.40-1 2..50 elegaus.  p.  29. 

r.   Head  not  crested. 

2.  Size  largf,  feet  black Caspia,  p.  28. 

2'. Size  small,  feet  red.  orange,  or  yellow. 

8.  ('h)wn  and  forehi^ad   black  in  summer  adults,  wing  over  '.'. 

4.   Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  white       .     .      .      foisteri,  p.  29. 
4'.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  featlu*r  dusky. 

5.    Bill  orange,  witli  black  ti]) hirundo.  p.  29. 

5'.  Bill  vermilion,  without  hhuk  lip     .     .         paradiscea,  j).  .'50. 
.".'    Forehead  always  white,  wing  untUi-  7    .  .    antillarum.  )>.  .">0. 


28  GULLS  AND   TERNS 

Subgenus    Thalasseus. 
64.  Sterna  caspia  Pall.     Caspian  Tern. 

Tail  not  very  deeply  forked,  the  outer  feathers  pointed,  but  not  much 
narrowed;  bill  red,  feet  black.  Breeding  plumage :  crown  and  back  of 
head  .black  ;  mantle  lig-ht  gray  ;   wing-s  darker  gray,  the  outer  quills  tipped 


with  black.  Winter  plumage:  black  of  head  streaked  with  white.  Young  : 
crown  grayish,  mixed  with  black  posterioi'ly ;  back  and  tail  feathers  with 
dusky  spots.  Length :  19.00-22.50,  wing  1.5.00-17.40,  bill  2.48-3.10,  tail 
5.30-6.75,  forked  for  .75-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  at  large,  breeding  in  isolated  localities. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  in  the  sand.     JEggs  :  usually  3. 

But  for  their  long  wings,  slender  forms,  and  forked  tails,  the  Cas- 
pians,  the  largest  of  our  terns,  could  easily  be  mistaken  for  gulls. 
Their  flight  is  quicker  and  stronger,  however,  and  their  black  crowns 
usually  conspicuous.  They  are  eminently  social  in  the  breeding 
season,  nesting  in  large  colonies,  and  it  is  no  uncommon  sight  to  see 
several  hundred  of  them  lined  up  on  a  sandy  lake  beach,  with  the 
waves  rippling  in  at  their  feet.  After  the  breeding  season  they  scat- 
ter out  and  wander  widely  over  the  country.      Vernon  Bailey. 

Subgenus    Actochelidon. 
65.  Sterna  maxima  Bodd.    Royal  Tern. 

Crest  of  long  pointed  feathers  on  back  of  head ;  tail  long  and  forked  for 
half  its  length  ;  inner  webs  of  quills  broadly  margined  with  white  ;  bill 
orange  red,  feet  black.  Breeding  jjlumage  :  upper  parts  light  pearl  gray, 
top  and  back  of  head,  inchiding  crest,  black  ;  under  parts  white.  Post- 
breeding  plumage  :  forehead  and  fore  part  of  crown  white.  Winter  jilvm- 
age  :  white  mixed  with  black  on  back  of  liead.  Young  :  crown  speckled 
with  white  and  dusky,  crest  only  slightly  developed ;  upper  parts  and 
tail  feathers  with  spots  of  dusky.  Length :  18-21,  wing  14-15,  bill  2.40- 
2.75,  tail  6-8,  forked  for  3-4. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  larger  lakes  of  the  United  States,  mainly 
southward. 


FORSTER  TERN 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  29 

Mr.  Looniis  has  foiiml  the  royal  tern  decidedly  common  at  times 
during  the  winter  at  Monterey,  and  Mr.  Grinuell  reports  it  as  very 
numerous  around  Catalina  Island  in  winter,  and  more  or  less  com- 
mon along  the  coast  throughout  the  year. 

66.  Sterna  elegans  Gamb.     Elegant  Tern. 

Like  S.  maxima,  but  smaller,  with  longer  crest,  and  under  parts  deeply 
tinged  with  rose  pink.  Length  :  10-17,  wing  12.40-12.50,  bill  2.25-2.55, 
tail  (100-7.00,  forked  for  about  2.00-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  middle  America,  and  north  to  San 
Francisco. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  elegant  terns  at  Monterey  in  autunm, 

but  in  smaller  numbers  than  the  royal  tern. 

Subgenus   Sterna. 

69.  Sterna  forsteri  Nutt.    Fokster  Tern. 

Outer  tail  feathers  very  narrow  and  long.  Adults  in  summer:  under 
parts  white  ;  upper  parts  light  pearl  gray,  top  of  head  black  ;  outer  web  of 
outer  tail  feather  white ;  feet  orange  red,  bill  dull  orange,  dusky  at  tip. 
Adults  in  winter :  top  of  head  white,  back  of  head  tinged  with  gray,  a 
dusky  stripe  around  eye  and  across  ear  coverts ;  bill  and  feet  duller 
colored.  Yoiukj:  upper  parts,  crown,  and  sides  of  head  washed  Avith  brown- 
ish ;  tail  feathers  dusky  toward  ends.  Length  :  14-15,  wing  0. 50-10.30, 
bill  1.50-1.05,  tail  5.00-7.70,  forked  for  2.30^5.00. 

IHstribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  United  States  north  to  Manitoba,  south  in 
winter  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  in  the  sand  lined  with  grasses,  or  a  rude  nest  in  marsh 
grass  or  on  raft  of  floating  tule  stems.  Eyys :  1  to  3,  bluish  green  to 
olive  buff,  marked  with  lilac  and  brown. 

Low  over  the  lakes,  sloughs,  and  big  tule  marshes,  you  see  these 
graceful  terns  beating  the  air  with  long,  soft  strokes  of  their  narrow 
wings,  while  the  sharp  bill  points  downward,  and  the  eyes  are 
intent  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  If  a  minnow  shows  so  much  as 
a  fm,  there  is  a  quick  dive,  a  splash,  and  a  gulp  —  the  minnow  has 
disappeared  and  the  tern  is  beating  over  the  water  again,  now  skim- 
ming close  to  the  surface,  now  lighting  daintily  on  it  to  pick  up 
some  ch()i(;e  morsel.  Sometimes  a  large  number  of  terns  are  at- 
tracted by  a  school  of  minnows,  and  an  animated  diving  and  splash 
ing  ensues.  Enter  the  terns'  breeding  grounds,  or  wound  one  of  their 
number,  and  the  airy  creatures,  all  soft  silent  grace  before,  storm 
about  you  with  threafening  swoops  and  harsh,  piercing  screams. 

Vkunon  Bah.ky. 

70.  Sterna  hirundo  IJnn.     Common  Tern. 

Outer  wfb  of  outer  tail  feather  dusky,  inner  web  white.  Adults  in  sum- 
iinr:  bill  aiul  feet  l)riglit  oraug(>  red,  tlu*  bill  tii)ped  with  black;  toj)  of 
head  black  ;  mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  tail  and  its  coverts  mainly  white  ; 
throat  white,  brea.st  light  gray.  Adults  in  ivinter  :  crown  mainly  whitt' ; 
under    j)arts    pure    white  ;    bill    and    feet    dtiller.      Yount/ :  nuirked  with 


30  GULLS   AND   TERNS 

blackish  around  eyes  and  on  back  of  head  ;  forehead  and  under  parts 
white ;  back  light  gray  with  buffy  edgings  to  feathers  and  dusky  spots  on 
wings  ;  bill  and  feet  brownish  or  pale  reddish.  Length:  13-16,  wing  9.75- 
11.75,  bill  1.25-1.50,  tail  5-7,  forked  for  about  3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Greater  part  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  in  America  mainly 
east  of  the  plains  ;  south  to  Florida,  Texas,  Arizona,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  grasses  or  seaweeds,  or  eggs  laid  on  the  bare  rock,  or  in  a 
depression  in  the  sand.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  pale  bluish  to  greenish  drab,  with 
lilac  shell  markings  and  rather  evenly  distributed  spots  of  brown. 

The  common  terns  are  mainly  birds  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  and 
together  with  other  terns  and  gulls  have  been  so  sought  after  by 
plume  hunters  and  eggers  that  a  few  years  ago  they  were  on  the  road 
to  extermination.  The  Bird  Protection  Committee  of  the  American 
Ornithologists'  Union  took  up  the  matter,  however,  and  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  wardens  to  protect  the  birds  on  their  breeding  grounds, 
and  by  protective  laws  enacted  in  the  states  w^here  the  terns  occur, 
succeeded  in  rescuing  the  birds,  which,  in  addition  to  their  useful 
work  as  scavengers,  give  life  and  beauty  to  otherwise  barren  shores. 

71.  Sterna  paradissea  J^riinn.     Arctic  Tern. 

Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  dusky,  rest  of  tail  white.  Adults  in 
summer  :  bill  and  feet  bright  vermilion,  bill  without  black  tip  ;  top  of  head 
black,  bordered  by  white  superciliary ;  body  clear  deep  gray.  Adults  in 
winter  :  under  parts  white,  or  tinged  with  grayish  ;  forehead  white,  rest  of 
crown  streaked  with  black.  Young  :  similar  to  young  of  hirundo,  but  with 
breast  and  throat  washed  with  dull  broAvnish.  Length  :  14:-17,  wing  10.00- 
10.75,  bill  1.08-1.40,  tail  6.50-8.50,  forked  for  4-5. 

Distribution. — Mainly  cireumpolar  regions;  south  in  winter  to  Massa- 
chusetts, Colorado,  and  California,  breeding  in  Massachusetts  and  Quebec. 

Nest.  —  A  bare  spot  on  the  ground,  sometimes  with  a  little  grass.  Eggs  : 
1  to  3. 

Subgenus   Sternula. 

74.  Sterna  antillarum(Z.e.ss.).    Least  Tern. 

Breeding  plumage.  —  Upper  parts  pearl  gray,  with  black  lores  and  black 

on  top  and  back  of  head ;  two  or  three  outer 

quills  mainly  dusky  ;  forehead  superciliary, 

and  under  parts   white.     Adults  in  winter : 

crown      grayish,     whole     forehead     white. 

^*S"  Young :    like    adults    in    winter    but   with 

brownish  on  back,  and  with  U  or  Y-shaped  margins  to  part  of  feathers. 

Length  :  8.50-9.75.  wing  6.60.  bill  1.20.  tail  3.50,  forked  for  about  1.75. 

Distribution.  —  United  States  from  California,  Dakota,  the  Great  Lakes, 
and  Massachusetts  south  to  northern  South  America. 

Eggs.  —  2  to  4,  buff  to  cream  white,  spotted  about  the  larger  end  with 
brown  and  lilac  ;  laid  in  a  depression  in  the  sand  on  an  island  or  sand 
beach. 

The  least  tern  is  abundant  along  the  coast  of  southern  California 
in  summer,  arriving,  Mr.  Grinuell  says,  about  the  middle  of  April 
and  leaving  usually  the  latter  part  of  August.  He  slates  that  it 
nests  abundantly  in  suitable  places  along  the  seacoast,  generally  on 


GULLS   AND   TERNS  31 

a  strip  oi"  sandy  beach  separating  the  surf  from  the  tide  marsh. 
Colonel  Goss,  speaking  of  the  terns  of  Kansas,  saj's  :  "  These  little 
beauties,  the  smallest  of  the  family,  flit  through  the  air  like  swal- 
lows, darting  here  or  there  for  an  insect,  or  suddenly  stopping  to 
hover,  like  hawks  or  kingfishers,  over  a  school  of  minnows  or 
shrimp,  ready  to  drop  on  the  first  that  comes  to  the  surface." 

GENUS    HYDROCHELIDON. 

77.  Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  (GmeL).    American 
Black   Tern. 

Web  of  feet  reaching-  only  to  middle  of  toes.  Adults  in  breed inff  plum- 
age:  head,  neck,  wings,  and  breast 
black  ;  tail  slaty  gray  ;  nnder  tail 
coverts  Avliite  ;  bill  and  feet  black. 
Winter  plumage :  bead,  neck,  and 
under  parts  white,  orbital  ring-  and  ^'  '"•  '*'^'- 

ear  coverts  dusky  ;  upper  parts  blue  gray.  In  late  summer  the  white  and 
black  feathers  are  mixed  on  the  breast.  Young  :  similar  to  winter  adults, 
but  with  edges  of  scapulars  brown,  and  crown  and  back  of  liead  dusky. 
Length:  9.00-10.25.  wing  S.2.J.  bill  l.Kl.  tail  o.75.  forked  for  .90. 

J  distribution.  —  Temperate  part  of  North  America,  and  south  to  Brazil 
and  Chili. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  dead  floating  rushes  in  shallow  Avater,  sometimes  on 
the  bare  ground,  or  on  an  old  muskrat  house  or  a  water-soaked  log  ;  made  of 
reeds,  wild  rice,  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  leaves  and  fine  stems.  Eggs: 
2  to  4,  greenish  drab  to  olive  brown,  spotted  with  blackish  brown. 

The  first  sight  of  Ilydrochelidon  in  the  breeding  season  is  an  amaz- 
ing one,  for  as  you  see  the  tern-like  form  approaching  across  a  lake 
your  imagination  clothes  it  in  white,  but  •when  it  reaches  you  —  lo  ! 
its  fore  parts  are  jet  black.  Another  surprise  comes,  when,  associat- 
ing its  kin  with  wide  lakes  and  ocean  shores,  you  find  one  beating 
over  a  patch  of  marsh  between  the  angles  of  a  meadow  brook,  or 
circling  over  a  pool  in  a  barnyard  !  But,  in  spite  of  the  shocks 
given  your  preconceived  ideas,  this  swallow-like  tern  excites  your 
keenest  interest,  and  whether  on  the  prairies  of  Texas  or  in  tbe  valleys 
of  the  iiigli  Sierra,  you  soon  find  yourself  eagerly  watching  for  the 
strange  l)ir(l,  and  every  landscape  graced  by  its  form  goes  down  to 
memory  with  a  charm  all  its  own. 


32 


ALBATROSSES 


ORDER  TUBINARES  :  TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 
(Families  Diomedeid^  and  Procellariid^.) 
FAMILY   DIOMEDEIDiE:    ALBATROSSES. 

KEY    TO     GENERA. 

1.  Sides  of  lower  mandible  with  deep  longitudinal 
groove  ;  tail  long'  and  graduated. 

Phoebetria,  p.  o3, 

r.  Sides  of  lower   mandible  without  longitudinal 

groove  ;   tail  short  and  rounded. 

2.  A  wide  stxip  of  bare  skin  from  nasal  tube  to 

forehead    .     .     .     Thalassogeroii,  p.  :>}. 

2'.  Hard  plates  of  top  and  sides  of  bill  meeting 

between  nasal  tubes  and  forehead. 

Diomedea,  p.  32. 

GENUS    DIOMEDEA. 

General  Characters.  —  The  horny  plate  on  top  of  bill  widened  back  of 
nostrils  and  meeting  the  plate  on  side  of  bill  ;  wings  very  long- ;  tail  short, 
not  reaching  tip  of  folded  wings  ;  size  that  of  a  large  goose. 


Fig.  51 


KEY    TO   SPECIES. 


1.  Feet,  bill,  and  most  of  plumage,  dusky  or  blackish 
r.  Feet  and  bill  yellow,  plumage  mainly  white  in  adult 


nigripes,  p. 
aibatrus,  p. 


81.  Diomedea  nigripes  ^Imc/.     Black-footed  Albatross. 

Adults.  —  Face  and  chin  whitish,  top 

of  head  and  rest  of  upper  parts  blackish, 
except  for  whitish  tail  coverts  and  base 
of  tail ;  under  parts  sooty  gi'ay ;  bill 
dusky,  feet  black.  Young:  face  with 
less  white,  and  upper  tail  coverts  dusky. 
Length  :  28.50-36.0D,  wing  18.50-20.50, 
bill  4.00-4.25. 

Distribution.  —  North   Pacific,  abun- 
dant from  southern  California  to  Alaska. 


Fig.  52. 


Mr.  Loomis  once  saw  an  albatross  at  Monterey  Bay  when  there 
was  a  heavy  sea  on,  but  most  of  the  birds  keep  out  to  sea,  where 
they  are  known  to  the  fishermen  as  '  goonies.' 

82.  Diomedea  aibatrus  Pall.    Short-tailed  Albatross. 

Adults.  —  Mainly  white,  but  head  and  neck  washed  with  yellowish,  tail 
and  most  of  wings  dusky,  primaries  with  yellow  shafts  ;  bill  and  feet 
yellowish.  Young :  plumage  sooty  brown,  darker  on  head  and  neck  ; 
primary  shafts  yellowish.     Length :  o:3-o7,  wing  22-23,  bill  5.50-5.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  from  southern  California  to  Alaska,  but 
mainly  northward. 

unlike  the  black-footed,  is  so  shy  that 


FULMARS   AND   SHEARWATERS 


33 


instead  of  following  vessels  for  food  it  usually  gives  a  vride  berth 
to  any  .species  of  sailing  craft.  At  Monterey,  in  stormy  winter 
weather,  Mr.  Loomis  has  seen  some  of  the  birds  in  the  bay.  The 
largest  number  he  has  recorded  from  the  region  were  seen  off  Point 
Pinos,  a  dozen  beini>-  counted  in  an  hour. 


GENUS    THALASSOGERON. 

[83.]  Thalassogeron  culminatus  {Gould).  Yellow-nosed  Alba- 
tross. 

Hoi-ny  plate  on  top  of  bill  not  widened  back  of  nostrils  ;  a  strip  of  soft 
skin  between  top  and  side  plates ;  size  of  a  large  goose,  ^[dtilts  :  head, 
neck,  and  shoulders  gray,  shading-  into  blackish  of  back,  wings,  and  tail  ; 
under  parts  white  ;  bill  l>lack  on  sides,  bordered  above  and  below  with 
yellow.     Letiyth  :   ;>")-o7,  wing  17.75-21.00,  bill  4.85-4.50,  tail  8-0. 

Distributio)i.  —  Southern  oceans,  north  casually  to  coast  of  Oregon  and 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

GENUS    PHCEBETRIA. 

84.  Phoebetria  fuliginosa  (GmeL).    Sooty  Albatross. 

Tail   long    and  graduated,  reaching'  well  beyond  tips  of   folded  wings  ; 

size  large.  Adults :  eyelids  white,  area 
around  eyes  blackish  ;  sides  of  head 
and  throat  sooty ;  rest  of  under  parts 
light  smoky  gray ;  back  of  neck  and 
back  smoky  gray  ;  wing-  and  tail  sooty  ; 
bill  black,  feet  yellowish.  Young  {?): 
upper  parts  blackish  except  for  slaty 
gray  on  middle  of  back ;  ixnder  parts 
slatv  gray.  Length  :  o4-;57,  wing-  20.00- 
21.50,  extent  78-84.  tail  10.50-i;}.00. 

Distribution.  —  South    Pacific,     north 
(casually)  to  coast  of  Oregon. 


FAMILY    PROCELLARIIDiE  :    FULMARS    AND 
SHEARWATERS. 

KEY    TO    OENEKA. 

1.  Wing  17  or  more,  tail  feathers  1(5     .     .     .     Ossifraga,  p.  o4. 
1.  Wing^  15  or  less,  tail  feathers  12-14. 

^i     2.  Wing:  7  or  less,  tail  forked  .     .     .     Oceanodroma,  p.  ;>7. 

Fig.  54.     2'.  Wing-  *.)  or  more,  tail  not  forked. 

3.  Nasal  tubes  opening- separately,  with   i)ai-ti(ioii  ;is  wide  as 

opening Pllffinus,  ]).  oO. 

Ij'.  Na.sal    tubes  opening-    together  and  inclosing    a    thin    par- 
tition between  nostrils. 
4.   Kill    short   and   stout,  about  twice  as   long-   as  depth  at 
base F'ulmarus,  p.  ;J4. 

:-  o 

4.'    Hill  long  and  sleiulcr,  over  twice  as  long-  as   dcptli  at 

„.     ..  S  base Priocella,  p.  34. 

*ig.  bo.  '  ^ 


34  FULMARS  AND   SHEARWATERS 

GENUS    OSSIFKAGA. 

[85.]  Ossifraga  gigantea  (GmeL).     Giakt  Fulmar. 

Nasal  tubes  occupying-  more  than  half  the  length  of  bill ;  tail  feathers 
10  ;  size  of  a  large  goose.  Light  phase  : 
sometimes  almost  entirely  white,  but  g"en- 
erally  with  head,  neck,  and  under  parts 
white,  and  upper  parts  dusky  ;  bill  light 
yellowish.  Dark  phase :  uniform  sooty 
brown,  sometimes  whitish  around  base  of 
bill  ;  bill  olive  yellowish  or  grayish. 
Fig.  56.  Length :  30-36,  wing  17-21,  bill  3.50-4.00, 

extent  of  wings  72-84. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  seas,  casually  north  to  coast  of  Oregon. 

GENUS  rULMARUS. 
Subgenus  Fulmarus. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  plain  gray  or  dusky glupischa,  p.  34. 

1'.  Upper  parts  gray,  marked  with  white rodgersi,  p.  34. 

86b.  Flumarus  glacialis  glupischa  Stejn.    Pacific  Fulmak. 

Bill  sliort  and  stout,  wider  than  deep  at  base,  nasal  tubes  occupying 
about  half  the  length  of  bill  and  opening  as  one  tube  ;  nasal  tubes  and 
tip  of  bill  yellow.  Light  phase :  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white  ; 
upper  parts  bluish  gray,  with  quills  darker.  Bark  phase  :  whole  plumage 
deep  sooty  plumbeous.     Length  :   17-19,  wing  11.90-12.35,  bill  1.3.5-1.65. 

Distribution.  — North  Pacific,  south  along  the  American  coast  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  high  cliffs  and  promontories.     Eggs  :  white. 

Mr.  Loomis  states  thai  when  au  '  oil  slick '  appeared  ou  the  ^lon- 
terey  Bay  at  one  time,  he  counted  over  a  hundred  Pacific  fulmars 
and  several  Rodgers  fulmars  scattered  in  groups  apparently  feeding 
on  a  slimy  substance  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  oil. 

86.1.  Fulraarus  rodgersi  Cass.     Rodgers  Fulmar. 

Similar  to  the  light  phase  of  glupischa,  but  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts 
broken  by  mixture  of  white.  No  dark  phase  known.  Wing:  12.10-12.90, 
bill  1.40-1.60,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .65-75. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  from  Bering  Sea  south  to  Monterey  Bay. 

Egg.  —  Soiled  white,  laid  on  the  bare  rock. 

GENUS    PRIOCELLA. 

87.  Priocella  glacialoides  (Smith).  Slender-billed  Fulmar. 
Bill  slender,  deeper  than  wide  at  base  ;  nasal  tubes  not  reaching  middle 
of  bill  ;  nasal  tubes  and  tip  of  bill  black.  Adults  : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  whitish  or  light  gray ; 
back  and  wings  light  pearl  gray,  the  quills  darker, 
with  inner  webs  mainly  Avhite.  Length  :  18.00-18.50, 
wing  13,  bill  1.75-2.10,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .65. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  seas,   north  along  Pacific 
Fig.  57.  coast  to  Vancouver  Island. 


FULMARS.  AND   SHEARWATERS  35 

GENUS  PUFFINUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Nasal  tubes  united  and  resting  on  base  of  bill,  not 
reaching-  to  middle  ;  nostrils  visible  from  above  ;  the  partition  between 
them  as  wide  or  wider  than  nostril. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Under  parts  white  or  gravish. 

2.  Bill  2.G0     ....." bulleri,  p.  36. 

2'.Bill  imder  1.70. 

3.  Larger,  wing  about  13 creatopus,  p.  35. 

3.  Smaller,  wing- about  *.> opisthomelas,  p.  35. 

1'.  Under  parts  dark  sooty  gray. 

2.  Larger,  wing  over  11,  bill  over  1.55 griseus.  p.  36. 

2'.  Smaller,  wing  under  11,  bill  under  1.28  .     .     .    tenuirostris,  p.  37. 

91.  PufiB.nus  creatopus  Coues.     Pink-footed  Shearwater. 

Breast  and  throat  white,  shading  into  brownish  gray  of  upper  parts  and 
under  tail  coverts;  bill  yellowish,  feet  flesh  color.  Length:  11),  wing 
12.5(3-13.25,  bill  l.(;0-1.7(K 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Pacific  Ocean  from  Monterey,  California,  south 
to  Chili. 

At  Monterey  3Ir.  Loomis  has  found  the  pink-footed  shearwater 
abundant  in  June,  and  in  November  has  seen  as  many  as  two  hun- 
dred in  a  day.  In  migrating,  be  says,  their  flight  is  not  as  direct  as 
that  of  the  black-vented  and  dark-bodied.  They  circle  frequently 
and  cross  their  tracks,  much  as  swallows  are  wont  to  do  Avhen  mi- 
grating singly  or  in  small  companies. 

93.  Puffinus  opisthomelas  Cmies.    Black-vented  Shearwater. 

I'pper  parts  sooty  gray,  lighter  on  head  and  neck  ;  under  parts  white, 
except  for  sooty  under  tail  coverts.  Length  :  12.25-15.00,  wing  U.OO-O.IO, 
tail  3.2.5-3.S0,  bill  1.30-1.42. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  Ocean  from  coast  of  Lower  California  north  to 
Vancouver  Island. 

A  set  of  opisfhoindas  eggs  was  taken  at  Santa  Barbara  Island  in 
1873,  and  Mr.  Anthony  thinks  the  birds  not  uncommon  on  some  of 
the  smaller  outlying  islands.  Their  presence  along  the  coast  of 
southern  and  Lower  California,  he  says,  seems  to  depend  on  the  food 
supply.  They  are  always  common,  but  less  so  during  the  breeding 
.sea>>on,  their  numbers  l)eing  greatest  in  late  July,  August,  and  Sep- 
tember, when  they  follow  the  large  schools  of  herring  and  otlier  fish 
that  come  in  shore.  Tliey  are  often  seen  in  flocks  of  several  thou- 
sand when  fi.sh  are  plenty,  and  Mr.  Antlumy  has  met  a  flock  on  the 
coast  of  Lower  California  which  he  estimat(Hl  at  not  less  than  fifty 
tliousand. 

It  is  only  in  very  calm  weather,  lie  says,  tliat  they  are  seen  resting 
on  the  water,   but   then  they  collect  in  a  compact   circle  and  wait 


36  FULMARS  AND   SHEARWATERS 

until  started  on  their  journey  by  a  rising  wind.  None  of  our  Pacific 
coast  sea  birds  adhere  so  closely  to  established  fly  lines  as  the  puf- 
fins. Mr.  Anthony  tells  us  {Auk,  xiii.  223-228)  that  "even  when  fly- 
ing fifty  miles  or  more  from  land  the  first  flock  that  passes  will,  with 
almost  absolute  certainty,  mark  the  line  which  the  next  will  follow, 
even  though  they  be  an  hour  behind." 

Mr.  Anthony  calls  attention  to  the  habit  common  to  different  spe- 
cies of  shearwaters  of  flying  in  large  circles  or  an  advancing  series 
of  loops  when  quartering  the  sea  for  small  fish,  —  a  flock  seen  along 
shore  going  in  the  opposite  direction  from  one  farther  out  to  sea. 

95.  Puffinus  griseus  (GmeL).     Dark-bodied  Shearwater. 

Entire  plumage  sooty  gray  except  for  white  under  wing  coverts,  which 
are  mottled  with  grav  at  tips  ;  bill  and  feet  dusky  or  black.  Wing  : 
ll.b5-12.00,  bill  1.55-1.70,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .45-..55,  tarsus  2.12-2.35. 

Distribution. — 'South  Pacific,  north  along  the  coast  of  California,  and 
reported  in  great  numbers  from  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  B.  C. 

One  of  the  most  important  results  of  the  valuable  work  done  by 
Mr.  Loomis  on  the  water  birds  off  Monterey  is  the  light  thrown  on 
the  northward  migration  of  birds  from  the  south  temperate  zone. 
The  dark-bodied  shearwater  affords  conclusive  evidence  on  the  sub- 
ject. The  shearwaters  taken  at  Monterey  in  May  were  in  worn, 
moulting  plumage,  common  with  birds  just  after  the  breeding  season ; 
while  their  sexual  organs  showed  none  of  the  functional  develop- 
ment of  birds  about  to  breed.  The  migratory  movements  of  these 
birds  increased  from  May  until  September,  when  there  was  an 
abrupt  decrease  in  their  numbers,  only  stragglers  being  seen  after- 
wards. Not  only  were  the  September  and  October  birds  in  fresh 
plumage,  but  those  secured  had  their  sexual  organs  enlarged  as  in 
birds  in  the  flush  of  the  breeding  season.  As  the  shearwaters  are 
known  to  breed  from  March  to  October  on  oceanic  islands  in  the 
south  temperate  zone,  the  case  seems  to  be  a  simple  one. 

Puflanus  bulleri  Sahin. 

Adults :  mantle  gray,  in  striking  contrast  to  black  on  head,  tail,  and 
lesser  wing-  coverts  ;  greater  coverts  gray,  tipped  with  white  ;  outer  pri- 
maries black,  with  two  thirds  of  inner  webs  white  ;  cheeks  mottled  grayish 
white  ;  Jower  parts  and  under  wing  coverts  white.  Length :  16.50,  wing 
11.30,  tail  5.20,  bill  2.60. 

Distribution.  —  New  Zealand.     One  record  from  Point  Pinos,  California. 

Mr.  Loomis  secured  a  specimen  of  Puffinus  bulleri  about  six  miles 
west  of  Point  Pinos,  on  November  6,  1896.  As  this  was  the  fourth 
of  the  species  known  to  science,  and  the  others  had  come  from  New 
Zealand  seas,  the  record  is  of  great  interest,  and  as  pointed  out 
suggests  that  persistent  observation  along  the  Pacific  coast  may  add 
largely  to  the  list  of  pelagic  wanderers  from  the  southern  seas. 


FULMARS   AND   SHEARWATERS  37 

96.  PufiSnus  tenuirostris  (Temm.).  Slender-billed  Shearwater. 

Size  small  ;  l)ill  lelativi'ly  small  and  slender  ;  plumage  sooty  or  blackish 
except  for  paler  throat  and  white  under  wing-  coverts  ;  bill  and  feet  dusky. 
Wing:  lO.UO-Il.lO,  tail  ;J.20-.'].<)0,  bill  1.20-1.28,  depth  at  base  .:]5-.rj0, 
tarsus  1.90-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  Ocean,  breeding  in  the  southern  hemisphere,  but 
mig'rating  north  in  summer  to  Kotzebue  Sound. 

The  slender-billed  shearwater  w^as  discovered  at  Monterey  by  Mr. 
Joseph  :Maillard,  December,  1895.  Between  the  14th  and  20th  of  the 
month  he  saw  ij^reat  numbers  of  the  birds,  and  secured  twenty  speci- 
mens. Mv.  Loomis  infers  that  they  w-ere  belated  migrants  on  their 
way  back  to  their  breeding  grounds  in  the  southern  hemisphere. 

GENUS    OCEANODROMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small  and  weak,  with  nasal  tubes  elevated  at 
tip  ;  tail  slightly  forked  ;  size  small ;  slender  and  tern-like  ;  bill  and  feet 
black. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  or  lower  tail  coverts  white. 

2.  Lower  tail  coverts  white,  upper  gray furcata,  p.  ;>7. 

2'.  Upper,  and  sides^of  lower  tail  coverts,  white  .  .  kaedingi,  p.  37. 
r.  Upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  dusky. 

2.  Under  wing-  coverts  with  a  light-colored  patch  .    hoiliochroa,  p.  38. 
2'.  Under  wing  coverts  without  light  patch. 

3.  Side  of  rump  with  gray  or  whitish  patch    .    socorroensis,  p.  38. 
3'.  Side  of  rump  without  gray  or  whitish  patch  .     .     melania,  p.  38. 

105.  Oceanodroma  furcata  (Gmel.).     Forked-tailed  Petrel. 

Body  li.i;ht  ])liiish  gray,  fading  to  white  on  chin,  throat,  and  under  tail 
coverts;  bend  of  wing,  (juills,  and  space  around  eve.  duskv.  Length: 
8.00-9.20,  wing  .')  90-().40,  l,ill  .00,  tail  3.7.')-4.O0.  forked  for  about  1. 

Distribution.  —  P^-om  the  Arctic  circle  .south  on  the  American  side  to 
Monterey. 

Nfst.  —  A  hole  in  a  bank,  lined  scantily  with  dry  gntss  and  fine  roots. 
Eg;/ :    1.  white,  with  line  spots  of  lilac  and  dark  color  about  the  larger  end. 

1052.  Oceanodroma  kaedingi  .l/fMo/i//.    Kaedino  Petrel. 

Plumage  niuinly  sooty  black  :  wing  cov- 
erts brownish  ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  side 
of  under  coverts,  white.  Wimj:  'k").  tail 
3.2"),  forked  f<»r  .00,  tarsus  .SO,  i)ill  ..').",  (from 
type). 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  and  islands  from  Soc<u-ro  Island  and  south- 
ern California  north  to  Cape    Flattery. 

Nist.  —  I'nder  a  jiih;  of  stones,  or  a  burrow  in  a  turfv  bank,  lined  with 
gra.ss,  bits  of  l);irk,  and  wood.      /v/.'/-"    '•  sometimes  plain  white. 

The  slightly  larger  and  lighter  colored  O.  fi  t/mr/ioa  of  the  .\tlantic 
and  north  I*aci(ic  a|)|)ar('ntly  <lo('s  not  occur  on  the  west  coast  of  the 
I'nited  States.  A  series  of  .May  and  June  speeiniens  from  near  Cape 
i'^hittery  are  iin(|ueslionably  l.iinliiigi. 


38  FULMARS   AND   SHEARWATERS 

107.  Oeeanodroma  melania  (Bonap.).    Black  Petrel. 

Upper  parts  sooty  black  with  grayish  brown  on  wing-  coverts  ;  under 
parts  brownish  black,  without  white  or  lig-ht  colored  patches.  Wing :  6.80, 
tail  O.90,  forked  for  about  1.20,  tarsus  1.20. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  north  to  southern 
California. 

Mr.  Grinnell  thinks  the  black  petrels  arc  probably  more  or  less 
common  residents  off  the  southern  California  coast.  Mr.  Nelson 
found  them  the  most  abundant  of  the  petrels  of  the  Tres  Marias 
Islands,  Mexico.  He  saw  little  that  was  remarkable  about  their 
habits,  but  says  they  circled  about  the  vessel  in  all  directions  and 
were  quick  to  see  fragments  of  food  that  were  thrown  overboard. 

108.  Oeeanodroma  homochroa  (Coues).    Ashy  Petrel. 

Plumage  mainly  smoky  gray  or  plumbeous  ;  quills  and  tail  dusky  ;  upper 
wing*  coverts  brownish,  under  coverts  with  lig-ht  patch.  Wing:  5.30-5.40, 
tail  3.30-3.50,  forked  for  .70-.00,  tarsus,  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  California. 

Egg.  —  Dull  creamy  white,  finely  dotted  with  red  around  the  larg-er 
end  ;  placed  in  a  natural  cavity. 

Mr.  Loomis,  writing  of  his  visit  to  South  Faralloue  Island  in  July, 
1896,  gives  some  interesting  notes  on  the  habits  of  the  ashy  petrel. 
"Although  these  petrels  were  breeding  abundantly  in  all  parts  of 
the  island,"  he  says,  "every  portion  of  it  might  have  been  passed 
over  in  daylight  without  a  single  individual  being  discovered,  for 
apparently  only  brooding  birds  occurred,  concealed  in  loose  piles 
of  stone,  in  stone  walls,  and  under  driftwood.  After  nightfall  the 
petrels  became  active.  They  were  especially  conspicuous  during 
the  early  morning  hours  of  the  14th,  when  the  auklets  held  their 
concert.  As  I  stood  in  the  dooryard  of  a  keeper's  house,  every  few 
moments  one  or  more  would  pass  silently  by,  disappearing  in  the 
darkness.     Their  flight  recalled  that  of  a  goatsucker. 

' '  The  strong  musky  odor  of  the  petrels  renders  their  discovery 
in  the  rock  piles  easy.  It  is  only  necessary  to  insert  the  nose  into 
likely  crevices  to  find  them.  With  little  practice  one  may  become 
very  expert  in  this  kind  of  hunting,  readily  determining  whether  it 
is  an  auklet  or  a  petrel  that  has  its  residence  in  any  particular 
cranny.  ...  It  seemed  strange  to  find  these  birds  of  the  ocean  rear- 
ing their  young  near  the  dwellings  and  within  several  rods  of  the 
siren.  None  of  the  feathered  inhabitants  of  the  island  appeared  to 
be  alarmed  at  the  blast  of  this  signal,  repeated  every  forty-five 
seconds  when  the  fog  settled  down." 

108.1.  Oeeanodroma  soeorroensis  Townsend.  Socorro  Petrel. 

Similar  to  homochroa  but  slightly  larger  and  lighter  colored  ;  under  wing 


DARTERS  —  CORMORANTS  39 

coverts  without  lij^ht-colored  patch,  but  rump  with  gray  or  whitish  patch 
on  side.      Whig:  r...S(M).38,  tail  llOI-HA'A,  forked  for  .li-.{)2,  bill  .5S-.r)5. 

Distribution.  —  From  islands  of  western  coast  of  Mexico  north  tt)  San 
Diego,  California. 

ORDER    STEGANOPODES :  TOTIPALMATE 
SWIMMERS. 

(Families   Anhixgid.t:,  PHALA(;KO(jORAciDJi:,  Pelecaxid^., 

FKKGATIDiE,    ETC.) 
FAMILY    ANHINGIDiE:   DARTERS. 

GENUS    ANHINGA. 

118.  Anhinga  anhinga  {Linn).    AnhincxA.    Water  Turkey. 

Bill  straight  and  sharp  ;  form  extremely  slender,  tail  long-  and  rigid, 
without  upper  coverts.  Adult  male  in  breeding  phanage  :  glossy  greenish 
black  ;  back  of  head  and  sides  of  neck  Avith  long-  white  or  grayish  filaments, 
and  back  of  neck  with  black  hair-like  mane  ;  shoulders  and  base  of  wings 
finely  spotted  with  gray,  wing  crossed  with  Avide  gray  band ;  back  striped 
with  pearl  gray  ;  tail  tij^ped  with  brownish.  Adult  male  in  winter  :  head  and 
neck  without  elongated  filaments.  Adxdt  female  in  breeding  plumage : 
similar  to  male  but  head  and  neck  brown,  throat  and  breast  huffy.  Young  : 
lower  back,  tail,  and  quills  black  ;  head  and  rest  of  body  brown  except  for 
huffy  or  whitish  throat  and  breast,  and  gray  streaking  on  wing  coverts. 
Length  :  :]2.'J5-:;( ;.()(),  wing  about  14.  tail  11,  bill  0.25. 

J^istribution.  —  From  tropical  Amei'ica  north  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  to 
South  Carolina,  southern  Illinois,  Texas,  western  Mexico,  and  casually  to 
Kansas. 

FAMILY   PHALACROCORACIDiE :    CORMORANTS. 

GENUS    PHALACROCORAX. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender  and  abruptly  hooked  at  tip  ;  mouth 
opening  back  under  eye  ;  skin  around  eye  and  at-ba.se  of  lower  mandible 
naked  ;  head  smootli  or  variously  crested. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  of  14  feathers,  head  never  crested  ....    penicillatus,  p.  41. 
r.  Tail  of  12  feathers,  head  witb  or  without  crest. 
2.  Flanks  without  white  patch. 

o.  Size  large,  wing  over  1  1.  a  .slender  crest  over  eacli  eye  in   breeding 
plumage. 

4.  Crests  "entirely  black dilophus.  j).  10. 

4  .  Crests  mainly  wliite. 

5.    Larger,  wing  l.'J  or  more.      Breeds  in  Alaska. 

ciiicinatus,  i>.  40. 
5'.  Smaller,  wiug  l.'J  or  less.      Breeds  in  Oregon  and  ('.ilifornia. 

albociliatus.  p.  40. 
'V.  Size  sm:ill.  witig  under  10. .")(),  Iie.id  without  crests. 

mexicanuB,  p.  11. 


40  CORMORANTS 

2'.  Flanks  with  a  large  white  patch  in  breeding  plumage.    Top  and  back 
of  head  crested  in  breeding  plumage. 
3.  Size  larger,  wing  10.00-11.40.     From  Washington  northward. 

pelagicus,  p.  41. 
3'.  Size  smaller,  wing  9.30-10.50.     From  Cape  Flattery  southward. 

resplendens,  p.  42. 

Subgenus  Phalacroeorax. 
120.  Phalacroeorax  dilophus  (Sivain.).     Double-crested  Cor- 
morant. 

Adults  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Tliroat  pouch  orange  ;  a  narrow  crest  of 
curved  black  feathers  above  and  back  of  each  eye ;  back  and  wings  slaty, 
feathers  bordered  with  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  glossy  greenish  black. 
Post-breeding  plumage  :  head  without  crests.  Young  :  plumage  brownish, 
becoming  grayish  brown  on  head  and  neck  ;  throat  and  bi'east  lighter, 
sometimes  white  before  the  first  moult.  Length :  29-34,  wing  12-13,  bill 
2.00-2.45.  _ 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  northeastern  North  America  west  to  the 
Dakotas  and  north  to  Athabasca ;  migrates  to  Gulf  coast ;  west  to  Colo- 
rado and  Utah. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  on  rocks,  made  of  sticks,  and  usually  coated  with 
lime-like  excrement.     Eggs :  3  or  4,  dull  bluish  green. 

The  double-crested  cormorants  are  common  along  the  Atlantic 
coast  and  the  lakes  and  rivers  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  breeding  in 
communities  on  cliffs  and  rocky  islands  along  the  coast,  and  mainly 
in  trees  in  the  interior. 

Like  all  cormorants,  they  are  expert  fishers.  With  their  dense 
glossy  plumage,  long,  almost  fish-like  form,  powerful  leg  muscles, 
and  wide  paddles,  double-jointed  mouths,  elastic  throats,  and  the 
hooked  tip  of  their  bills,  they  are  built  for  pursuing,  catching,  and 
swallowing  fish.  Much  of  their  time  is  spent  in  the  water  pursuing 
their  prey,  or  perched  on  rocks  or  posts  near  their  fishing  grounds. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

120b.  P.  d.  cincinatus  (Brandt).     White-crested  Cormorant. 

Like  P.  dilophus,  but  with  crests  mainly  white.  Length  :  30,  wing  13.70, 
bill  2.25-2.55. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  on  the 
coast  of  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  California. 

Nest.  —  On  islands,  a  mass  of  sticks  and  weeds  six  inches  to  a  foot  in 
height.     JEggs :  4  or  5. 

120c.  p.  d.  albociliatus  Ridgw.    Farallone  Cormorant. 

Similar  to  cincinatus,  but  slightly  smaller.  Length  :  25-31,  wing  11.75- 
13.00,  bill  1.90-2.3.5. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  and  inland  lakes  of  southern  Oregon  and  Califor- 
nia, and  south  to  western  Mexico  and  the  Socorro  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  firm  structure  of  sticks,  lined  with  moss  and  various  water 
plants  ;  placed  in  trees  and  on  rocks.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  dull  bluish  green. 

The  Farallone  cormorant  is  a  common  resident  of  the  California 


CORMORANTS  41 

coast,  and  breeds  abundantly  on  the  Farallones  and  other  islands;  also 
in  the  interior,  nestinii;  in  extensive  colonies  in  trees  near  some  of 
the  large  lakes.  ]Mr.  Chamberlain  reports  a  colony  at  Clear  Lake, 
California,  and  those  at  Tule  Lake,  Oregon,  are  undoubtedly  of  this 
species. 

On  their  breeding  grounds,  nests,  rocks,  trees,  and  ground  are 
painted  white  with  their  excrement,  and  some  of  the  trees  are 
usually  killed  by  it.  Bones  and  pieces  of  fish  are  scattered  about, 
adding  to  the  general  attractiveness  of  the  place. 

121.  Phalacrocorax    mexicanus    (Brandt).     Mexican   Cormo- 

rant. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  foreparts  of  body  mainly  dark  brownish,  lighter  on 
throat,  and  gray  or  whitish  adjoining-  brown  throat  pouch  ;  shoulders 
and  -wing-  coverts  slaty  ;  feathers  bordered  with  black  ;  posterior  parts  of 
body,  tail,  and  wing  quills  blackish.  Breeding  plumage  :  head,  neck,  and 
belly  with  slender  white  filaments.  Young :  brownish,  becoming-  grayish 
brown  on  throat  and  under  parts,  whitish  next  to  pouch.  Before  Jirst 
moult :  throat  and  breast  whitish.  Length  :  2o  00-28.75,  wing^  9.05-10.40, 
bill  1.70-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico,  Cuba,  and  the  Gulf  coast ;  north  to  New  Mexico, 
Kansas,  and  Illinois. 

Nest.  —  Rudely  made  of  sticks  and  leaves,  placed  on  bushes  or  trees  near 
or  over  water.     Eggs  :  bluish  white,  with  a  slight  chalky  deposit. 

Subgenus  Compsohalieus. 

122.  Phalacrocorax    penicillatus    (Brandt).     Brandt  Cormo- 

rant. 

Bill  slender,  nearly  straight ;  tail  short,  with  14  instead  of  10  feathers; 
head  without  crests  or  elongated  tufts.  Adults:  head  and  neck  g-lossy 
blue  black,  except  for  lig-ht  brownish  patch  next  to  g'ular  sac ;  under 
parts  g-lossy  greenish  black  ;  scapulars  and  wing-  coverts  dull  greenish 
black.  Breeding  plumage  :  sides  of  neck  and  shoidders  with  hnig-  white  or 
yellowish  filaments  ;  throat  pouch  blue.  Young :  plumage  broAvn,  throat 
and  under  parts  paler;  upper  j)arts  darker,  becoming  blackish  on  back  of 
neck.     Lengt/i :   :15,  wing-  10.50-11.75.  l)ill  2.()0-2.05,  tail  5..50-().50. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  to  Vancouver  Island. 

The  Brandt  cormorant  is  abundant  along  the  Pacific  coast,  breed- 
ing in  large  colonics  on  rocky  islands.  Grinnell  says  it  is  the  cormo- 
rant observed  about  San  Pedro,  hundreds  .sometimes  being  seen 
roo.sting  on  the  breakwater.  On  the  Farallones  Bryant  .says  they 
congregate  in  large  rookeries.  The  young  are  hatched  entirely 
naked,  Iheir  skin  resendjling  a  greasy  black  kid  glove.  In  this  con- 
dition, and  even  after  the  down  is  on  them,  they  are  an  irresistible 
morsel  to  the  hungry  gulls. 

SnbccnuR  Urile. 

123.  Phalacrocorax  pelagicus  /'*»//.    Pklack-  Cormoij-vnt. 

Breeding  plumage.  —  Throat   ptiiich  dull    cural    n'd  :   crown  and  hack  of 


42 


PELICANS 


head  with  purplish  green  crests  ;  neck  with  loose  white  filaments  ;  rump 
and  large  patch  on  flanks  white ;  head  and  body  dark  glossy  green, 
changing-  to  rich  purple  on  neck  and  purplish  g-reen  on  wings  ;  quills  and 
tail  black.  Post-breeding  j^lumage :  crests,  white  filaments,  and  white 
flank  patch  wanting-.  Young  :  dusky  brown,  lighter  on  head  ;  upper  parts 
darker,  with  a  tinge  of  green.  Wing:  lO.OU-11.40,  tail  G.25-8.50,  bill 
1.70-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Alaska  and  British  Columbia  to  Washington. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  a  ledge  of  bold-faced  rock,  large,  made  of  seaweed,  a 
few  grass-stalks,  and  excrement,     l^ggs  :  3  to  4,  pale  blue  to  white. 

The  Eskimo  use  this  cormorant's  skin  for  clothing,  and  the  white 
filaments  from  the  flanks  for  fringes  in  their  ornamental  work. 

123b.  P.  p.  resplendens  {And.).    Baird  Cormorant. 

Coloration  as  in  pelagiciis,  size  smaller,  bill  nearly  as  long,  but  slenderer. 
Wiiig:  9.80-10.50,  tail  5.80-7.00,  bill  1.G5-2.00. 
Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Cape  Flattery  to  Mazatlan,  Mexico. 

The  Baird  cormorant  is  usually  less  common  than  the  Farallone 
or  Brandt  cormorants,  breeding  apart  from  them  in  communities  on 
the  islands  or  rocky  points  off  shore. 

FAMILY  PELECANIDiE  :  PELICANS. 

GENUS    PELECANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  longer  than  head,  upper  mandible  flat ; 
a  large  pouch  of  elastic,  naked  skin  hung  as  a  fish-net  from  flexible  sides 
of  lower  mandible. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Color  mainly  white erythrorhynchos,  p.  42. 

1'.  Color  mainly  grayish  brown califoriiicus,  p.  43. 


125. 


Subgenus  Cyrtopelicanus. 

erythrorhynchos   Gmel. 


Peleeanus    erythrorhynchos    Gmel.      American    White 
Pelican. 

Tail  feathers  24.  Breeding  plumage  :  mainly  white,  primaries  and  most 
of  secondaries  black  ;  back  of  head  with  thin  white  or  yellowish  crest,  breast 
and  lesser  wing  coverts  with  narrow  lanceolate  yellowish  feathers ;  upper 


VIA.  \<;1C  Ci  "KM'  )R.\N  r 


MAN-O'-WAR  BIRDS.  43 

mandible  with  upright  horn.  Post-breeding  plumage  :  crest  replaced  by 
short  g-rayish  feathers,  upper  mandible  without  horny  excrescence.  Adults 
in  winter  plumage :  back  of  head  white  ;  bill  pouch  and  feet  pale  yellow 
instead  of  orange.  Yuung :  white,  with  gray  on  tojj  of  head  and  lesser 
wing  coverts.  Length:  4A  to  nearly  <)  feet ;  extent  8+  to  nearly  10  feet ; 
wing  20.00-25.2."3,  bill  11.U5-1.5.00 ;   weight  about  IT  lbs. 

Distribution.  — North  America  from  latitude  (iP  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  islands,  sometimes  a  depression  in  gravel  or  sand, 
lined  with  seaweeds  ;  but  generally  a  thin  layer  of  sticks  and  weeds,  laid 
on  the  ground  or  on  rocks.  J^ggs  :  1  to  3,  dull  white,  like  those  of  the 
Canada  goose,  but  with  rougher  shell. 

The  white  pelican  is  more  a  bird  of  the  interior  than  of  the  coast 
districts,  and  still  breeds  in  £!:reat  colonies  on  a  few  of  the  larger 
lakes.  Some  of  the  little  islands  which  used  to  be  covered  with 
nests  are  abandoned  now,  the  splendid  birds  having  been  driven 
away  by  wanton  persecution. 

The  pelicans  are  eminently  social  at  all  seasons,  sometimes  gather- 
ing in  flocks  of  many  hundreds  along  the  shore,  w^liere,  by  beating 
the  water  with  their  wings,  they  drive  the  fish  into  the  shallows,  to 
scoop  them  up  with  their  wide  pouches.  At  other  times  they  may 
be  seen  circling,  wheeling,  and  soaring  overhead,  in  magnificent  aerial 
drill,  or  riding  buoyantly  on  the  surface  of  the  water  like  a  squadron 
of  white  ships.  Yeknon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Leptopelicanus. 

127.  Pelecanus  californicus  liidgu:     California  Brown  Peli- 

can.^ 

Tail  feathers  22.  Breeding  plumage  :  pouch  reddish  ;  head,  and  feathers 
next  to  pouch,  white  ;  crown  tinged  with  yellow  ;  neck,  including  mane- 
like crest,  rich  velvety  brown  ;  upper  parts  silvery  gray,  streaked  with 
brownish  ;  under  parts  brownish,  streaked  on  sides  with  white.  Winter 
plumage  :  head  and  neck  white,  tinged  with  yellowish  on  tliroat  and  crown. 
Young :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  darker  on  back  ;  under  parts  white, 
tinged  on  sides  with  brownish.  Lenuth  :  4^  feet  or  more,  wing  20.r)()-2;j.25, 
bill  12.2:.-1 4.75. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  southern  British  Columbia  to  Gala- 
pagos Islands. 

FAMILY   FREGATIDiE:    MAN-O'-WAR    BIRDS. 

GENUS    FREGATA. 

128.  Fregata  aquila  Linn.    Man-o'-Wau  Biri>. 

Wings  very  long ;  tail  deeply  forked:  feet  small,  half  webbed.  Adult 
male  :  ])himage  black,  b.ist'  of  wings  glossed 
with  greenish  or  jjurplisli.  Adult  femalf  : 
])liiniage  dull  black;  wings  with  grayish 
patch  ;  sides  and  breast  white.  Young : 
liead,  neck,  and  under  parts  wliite  ;  upper 
parts  dull  brownish  black.  Ijenqth  :  JJT.:")!)- 
41.()(>.  wing  22.00-27. 10,  tail  i4.2.")-H).2."), 
FiR-  W>-  forked  for  about  1>  ;   bill  4.2r)-.-).l.->. 

A  siH'ciiiien  of  /'.  occi'lnitalis  w.is  taken  in  Wyoming.  .Inly,  IM'.'K.    (  The  Anl:,  xvi.  35L) 


44 


DUCKS,  GEESE,   AND   SWANS 


Distribution.  —  Tropical  and  subtropical  seas,  chiefly  north  of  the  equa- 
tor ;  north  reg-ularly  to  Florida,  Texas,  and  California,  and  casually  to 
Wisconsin  and  Nova  Scotia. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  sticks,  placed  in  the  tops  of  bushes  or  low  trees. 


ORDER  ANSERES:    LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY   ANATIDiE:    DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 


C^    2.  Lower  mandible  without  trace  of  lamellie  along  side 
edg-es  of  mandibles  strongly  toothed  or  serrate. 


3.  Tooth-like  serrations  of  mandibles  sharp  and  strongly 
inclined  backward      ....    Merganser,  p.  45. 

3'.  Tooth-like  serrations  of  mandibles  blunt  and  not  dis- 
tinctly inclined  backward    .      Lopliodytes,  p.  47. 

2'.  Lower  mandible  with  a  distinct  series  of  lamellae  along 


Fig.  61. 


Fig.  62. 


side  as  well  as  cutting  edge. 

Lower  part  of  tarsus  with  small  hexagonal  plates  and 
no  transverse  scutellae  in  front. 

Dendrocygna,  p.  69. 
Lower  part  of  tarsus  with  a  row  of  transverse  scutel- 

Ite  across  the  front, 
i.  Tail  without  upper  coverts,  the  base  of  the  stiff 
feathers  scarcely  concealed. 
5.  Tail  feathers  18  ...     .     Erismatura,  p.  64. 

5'.  Tail  feathers  20 Nomonyx,  p.  65. 

4'.  Tail  with  base  well  concealed  by  upper  coverts. 
5.  Hind  toe  without  a  flattened  membraneous  lobe. 
6.  Bill  long   and  much  wider  near  end   than  to- 
ward base Spatula,  p.  54. 

6'.  Bill  not  much  wider  near  end  than  at  base. 
7.  Tail  feathers  wide  and  rounded  at  end. 

Aix,  p.  55. 
7'.  Tail  feathers  narrow  and  pointed  at  tips. 
8.  Tail  graduated  more   than  a  third   of  its 
total  length. 
9.  Tail  feathers  14     .     .      Mareca,  p.  49. 
9'.  Tail  feathers  16. 

10.  Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  without 

claw Dafila,  p.  .54. 

10'.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  without 

claw   .      Chaulelasmus,  p.  49. 

8'.  Tail    graduated   less    than   a  third   of  its 

total  length. 

9.  Wing  more  than  8      .     .      Anas,  p.  47. 

9'.  Wing  less  than  8. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  45 

10.  Upper  and  lower  outlines  of  upper 
mandible  beyond  nostril  convex. 

Querquedula,  p.  52. 

10'.  Upper  and  lower  outlines  of  upper 

mandible  beyond  nostrils  straight. 

Nettion,  p.  51. 

5'.  Hind  toe  with  a  flattened  membraneoiis  lobe. 

6.  Graduation  of  tail  less  than  length  of  bill  from 

nostril Aythya,  p.  56. 

6'.  Graduation  of   tail  much  more  than  length  of 
bill  from  nostril. 
7.  Anterior  edge  of  nostril  in  front  of  middle  of 

culmen Clangula,  p.  59. 

7'.  Anterior  edge  of  nostril  back  of  middle  of 
culmen. 
8.  Upper  mandible  widest  back  of   nostril, 
and  not  conspicuously  elevated  nor  swol- 
len at  base. 
9.  Feathers  ending  in  straight  line  across 
forehead    ....    Harelda,  p.  (U. 
9'.  Feathers  ending   in  point  of  acute  tri- 
angle on  forehead. 
10.  Upper  mandible  constricted  to  small 
nail-like  tip. 

Charitonetta,  p.  (30. 
10' .  Upper  mandible  rounded  at  tip. 

Histrionicus,  p.  61. 

8'.  Upper  mandible  widest  at  anterior  edge 

of  nostril,  and  elevated  or  swollen  at 

base    (except   in  female  and  immature 

O.  americana)    .     .      Oidemia,  p.  62. 

1'.  Tarsus  as  long  as  or  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

2.  Neck  as  long  as  or  longer  than  body    •     .     Olor,  p.  70. 

2  .  Neck  shorter  than  body. 

8.  Bill  and  feet  always  black  ....    Branta,  p.  (57. 
3'.  Bill  and  feet  never  entirely  black,  usually  reddish  or 
yellowish. 
4.  Bill  as  wide  as  deep  at  base  .     .      Philacte,  p.  69. 
4'.  Bill  much  deeper  than  wide  at  base. 

5.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  more  than  half  the  length 

of  culmen  ;  adults  mainly  white  .  Chen,  p.  65. 

5'.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  less  than  half  the  length  of 

culmen  ;  adults  never  white     .    Anser,  p.  (iij. 

GENUS   MERGANSER. 

Getiend  Characters.  —  i^ill  slender  and  approximately  cylindrical  in  front 
of  nostrils,  anned  along  edges  of  mandibles  with  sharp,  strongly  recurved 
teeth  ;  head  crested  in  both  sexes. 

KKY    TO    Sl'KCIES. 

1.  Nostril  near  middle  of  bill,  about  .50  from  feathei"s. 

americanus.  p.  4(5. 
1'.  Nostril  near  base  of  bill,  about  25  from  feathers      .      serrator.  p.  46. 


46  DUCKS,   GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

129.  Merganser   amerieanus  (Cass.).    American   Merganser: 

Sheldrake. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  short  crest  black  glossed  with  green  ;  shoulders 
black ;  wing  black,  with  white  in  middle  ;  rump  and  tail  g'ray  ;  neck  and 
sides  white  ;  breast  creamy  white  or  pale  salmon.  Adult  female :  head, 
neck,  and  long-  thin  crest  light  brown ;  rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray, 
except  white  patch  on  middle  of  wing  ;  chin  and  breast  white.  Male  : 
length  25-27,  wing  10.50-11.25,  bill  1.90-2.20.  Female:  length  21-24, 
wing  9.60-9.75,  bill  1.80-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Pennsylvania 
and  mountains  of  Colorado  and  California,  northward. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  on  ground,  lined  with  down.  Eggs  :  8  to  10, 
pale  bufiFy. 

TI'.G  sheldrakes,  while  common  and  widely  distributed,  are  never 
abundant.  They  are  usually  found  in  pairs  or  small  flocks  along  the 
rivers  or  in  open  lakes  where  there  are  plenty  of  small  fish.  In  sum- 
mer the  few  that  remain  in  the  United  States  to  breed  keep  princi- 
pally in  the  high  mountains,  along  the  streams  or  lakes  of  the  Boreal 
zone.  Even  the  half  fledged  young  delight  in  the  cold  water  and 
foaming  rapids  of  a  mountain  trout  stream.  Vernon  Bailey. 

130.  Merganser  serrator  (Xiw/?.).     Red-breasted  Merganser. 
Adult  male.  —  Head  and  crest  black,  glossed  with  green  ;   neck  white  ; 

back  black ;    middle    of    wings   white  ;   rump  g"ray ;    chest  buffy  brown, 
streaked  with  blackish  ;  belly  white  or  creamy  ;  sides  gray.    Adult  female : 


head  and  neck  brown,  darker  and  duller  on  crown  and  crest ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  and  tail  slaty  gray,  except  for  white  patch  on  wings  ;  under  parts 
white.     Length;  20-25,  wing  8.60-9.00,  bill  about  2.50. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


47 


Remarks.  —  The  female  is  distinguished  from  the  female  americanus  by 
smaller  size,  slenderer  bill,  and  position  of  nostril. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding-  in  Amer- 
ica from  Illinois  and  Minnesota  north  to  Alaska  and  Greenland  ;  south  in 
winter  over  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  near  water,  hidden  in  grass  and  weeds,  made  of  leaves, 
grass,  and  moss,  lined  with  down.     Eggs  :  8  to  10,  olive  buff. 

The  red-breasted  mergauser  is  a  common  duck  of  the  clear  streams 
and  lakes,  a  good  diver  and  fisher,  but  rarely  fat  and  often  flavored 
by  its  favorite  food. 

GENUS    LOPHODYTES. 
131.  Lophodytes  cueullatus  (Linn.).    Hooded  Merganser. 

Bill  narrow,  slender,  and  with  terminal  part  cylindrical,  armed  along 
edges  of  mandibles  with 
blunt,  scarcely  inclined 
teeth ;  head  with  high 
thin,  wheel-shaped  crest, 
less  prominent  in  female. 

Adult  male.  —  Head, 
neck,  and  back  black  ; 
middle  of  crest  and  under 
parts,  white ;  sides  light 
brown,  finely  cross-lined 
with  black.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
browner  on  crest ;  patch 
on  wing,  throat,  and  belly 
white.  Young  :  similar  to 
female,  but  with  little  or 
no  crest.  Length:  17.2.V 
19.25,  wing  7.o()-7.90,  bill 
1.50. 

Distribution.  —  North 
America  from  Alaska  to 
Cuba  and  Mexico,  breed- 
ing throughout  most  of  its 
range.  ^,^^   ^._^ 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees, 
lined  with  grass,  feathers,  and  doAvn.     Eggs:  0  to  10,  ivory  white.. 

The  hooded  merganser  or  saw-bill  is  widely  distributed  and  often 
abundant  during  migration,  frequently  gathering  in  large  flocks  in 
the  rice  lakes.  It  becomes  very  fat  and  its  flesh  rarely  has  any  flavor 
of  fish.  In  fall  it  is  one  of  the  last  ducks  to  leave,  lingering  on  the 
half  frozen  lakes  and  streams  of  the  northern  states.  A  little  flock 
may  now  and  then  be  found  in  open  rapids,  when  all  the  still  water 
is  covered  with  ice.  v^ernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    ANAS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  fiat,  long,  and  slightly  wider  near  end  than 
toward  base  ;  wing  with  purple  or  green  iridescent  .speculum  occupying  a 


48  DUCKS,   GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

large  space  on  secondaries  ;  head  uncrested  except  for  the  slightly  elon- 
gated green  feathers  of  male  mallards  in  winter  plumage. 

r 

KEY   TO    SPECIES    OF   ANAS. 

1.  Head  and  neck  iridescent  green  (winter  male)    .      .     .  boschas,  p.  48. 
r.  Head  and  neck  finely  striped  and  specked  with  dusky. 

2.  Belly  mottled  gray  and  dusky  (summer  male,  female,  and  young). 

„,  „  „  ,  boschas,  p.  48. 

1 .  Belly  mottled  brown  and  dusky maculosa,  p.  49. 

132.  Anas  boschas  Linn.     Mallard. 

Male  in  winter  and  breeding  plumage.  —  Four  of  the  black  upper  tail  coverts 
recurved  ;     head    and 
neck,  down   to   white 
collar,  rich  iridescent 
green  ;      chest     dark 
chestnut  brown  ;  belly     "^""^^^^^-i^ 
and  sides  gray  ;  wing 
with  iridescent  violet 
green    speculum  bor- 
dered by  black  and  w  hite  bars  ;  rump 
and  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  black. 
Male  in  summer  plumage  :  like  female. 
Female   and    immature:   entire   plum- 
age variously  mottled,  scalloped,  and 
streaked    with    dusky    and    buff,    ex- 
cept for  plain  buffy   chin   and  white 
under  surface  of  wing  ;  buff  predomi- 
nating   on    belly ;    wing   as   in    male. 
Length :  20-25,  wing  10.25-12.00,  bill 
2.00-2.40. 

Distribution.  —  Northern        hemi-  -pi    gg 

sphere ;    in    America     breeding  from  / 

southern  United  States  to  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  grass  or  weeds,  well  lined  with  down.  Eggs  : 
6  to  10,  pale  olive  or  buffy  green. 

The  mallard  is  the  best  known  of  all  the  American  ducks,  l)reed- 
ing  at  large  over  the  country  and  migrating  north  and  south  in  great 
flocks,  feeding  extensively  on  w^ild  rice  and  various  grains  and  seeds, 
and  becoming  extremely  fat.  Its  large  size  and  delicious  flavor  ren- 
der it  an  important  and  much  sought  game  bird,  but  at  the  same 
time  threaten  it  with  partial  extermination.  Nature  has  done  her 
best  for  it  in  its  summer  dress,  for  nothing  could  be  more  protec- 
tively inconspicuous.  The  female  keeps  the  mottled  disguise  all 
winter.  In  fall,  however,  both  old  and  young  males  acquire  the 
rich  breeding  plumage  which  they  keep  until  after  the  eggs  are  laid 
in  spring.  The  male  then  doffs  his  bright  dress  and  in  his  dull  dis- 
guise can  be  distinguished  from  the  female  only  by  his  soft  voice, 
a  mere  whispered  imitation  of  her  loud  quack,  quack.  When  both 
old  birds  are  away  from  the  nest,  the  eggs  are  left  carefully  covered 
with  down.  Vernon  Bailey. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  49 

134a.  Anas  fulvigula  maculosa  {Senn.).     Mottled  Duck. 

Sexes  similar,  resembling-  a  dark-colored  female  mallard.  Head  and 
neck  buff  J',  finely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  parts  mottled  about  equally 
with  dusky  and  light  brown  ;  feathers  of  breast  and  back  with  brown  cen- 
ters and  margins  ;  spseulum  of  wing-  g-reenish  purple  framed  in  black,  the 
feathers  tipped  with  white.      Wing :  10.05,  bill  2.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  Central  Mexico  north  to  Kansas  and  Colorado. 

Eggs.  —  Pale  huffy. 

The  habits  of  the  mottled  duck  are  similar  to  those  of  the  mal- 
lard. 

GENUS    CHAULELASMUS. 

135.  Chaulelasmus  streperus  (Linn.).    Gadwall. 

Tail  feathers  10.  Adult  male  :  top  of  head  with  wide  low  crest ;  head 
and  body  gray,  crossed  with  wavy  lines  of  black  and  white  ;  rump  and 
upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  black ;  wing-  marked  with  black,  white,  and 
bright  brown  ;  belly  white.  Post-breeding  plumage  :  duller  and  more  spotted 
below.  Adult  female :  head  without  crest ;  head  and  neck  finely  specked 
with  dusky  on  a  buffy  or  w  hitish  ground  ;  cliin  and  belly  white  ;  rest  of 
body  with  feathers  duskv,  bordered  with  buff.  Male  :  length  19.2.5-21.75, 
wing  10.2.5-11.00,  bill  r.60-L75.  Female:  length  18,  wing  10.00-10.25, 
bill  1.5.5-1.65. 

Remarks.  —  The  female  resembles  the  female  mallard,  but  may  be  distin- 
guished by  white  chin  and  belly,  gray  under  surface  of  wing,  and  white 
instead  of  green  speculum. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  including  the  whole  of  North 
America. 

Nest,  —  Like  that  of  the  mallard.  Eggs  :  8  to  12,  pale  buffy  or  creamy 
white. 

In  habits  the  ijadwall  is  much  like  the  mallard,  being  a  bird  of  the 
ponds  and  marshes  and  breeding  more  or  less  commonly  over  much 
of  North  America,  especially  on  the  ])h\iiis  and  prairies. 

GENUS    MARECA. 

General  Characters.  — Tail  feathers  14;  male  with  short  crest,  adult  male 
with  white  crown  ;  bill  small,  widest  near  base. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  of  liead  and  neck  rich  russet  brown  (specked  with  dnsky  in  im- 
mature)      (male)  peuelope,  p.  40. 

1'. Sides  of  head  and  neck  thickly  specked  with  dusky  on  liglit  buff  or 
whitish  ground. 
2.  ('rest  and  sides  of  crown  metallic  green    .   (iiiali')  americana,  p.  50. 
2.  Wlioli'  head  and  neck  streaked  and  specked. 
3.  Head  and  neck  streaked  on  whitish  ground. 

(female)  americana.  j).  .50. 
o  .Head  and  neck  streaked  on  l)uff  ground. 

(female)  penelope.  j).  40. 

136.  Mareca  penelope  (Linn.).    Winr.ioN. 

Adult  malr.—  Dill  blue  with  bbick  tij);  crown  white  or  creamy;  rest  of 
head  and   neck   rich  lusset  brown,  more  or  less  specked  with  black  ;  chest 


50  DUCKS,  GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

light  vinaceous  brown  ;  back,  rump,  and  sides  gray  crossed  by  fine  wavy 
black  and  white  lines ;  wing  with  green  speculum  framed  in  black,  and 
bordered  above  by  large  white  patch  ;  under,  and  sides  of  upper,  tail 
coverts,  black.  Adult  female  :  head  and  neck  thickly  specked  all  over 
with  dusky  on  buff  ;  breast,  sides,  and  back  mottled  with  dusky  and  buff ; 
speculum  grayish,  bordered  above  and  below  by  narrow  white  tips  to 
feathers.  Young  male :  head  and  neck  brown,  thickly  specked  with  black ; 
breast  and  sides  dull  brown,  back  mottled  duskv  and  brown.  Length :  18- 
20,  wing  10-11,  bill  1.35-1.45. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  Old  World,  occurring  rarely  in  eastern 
United  States,  Nebraska,  California,  and  Alaska. 

137.  Mareca  araericana  (GmeL).    Baldpate. 

ArliiJf  mnh.  —  Bill  bine  ^ith  blnok  tip :  crown  white,  bordered  on  sides 

,^  and  back  with  wide 
1  patch  of  metallic 
green  ;  rest  of  head 
and  neck  finely 
specked  with  dusky 
over  buffy ;  chest 
and  sides  grayish 
lavender  or  vina- 
ceous, often  barred 
;ind  specked  with 
dusky;  belly  white; 
'(.  l)ack      dark      gray 

crossed  with    wavy 
lines  of  black,  white, 
I  f  n  7      ^      '""^"^  lavender ;  spec- 

j,.     g(,  ulum  green,  framed 

in  velvety  black ; 
bordered  above  by  large  white  patch  ;  lower,  and  sides  of  upper,  tail 
coverts,  black.  Adult  female :  head  and  neck  finely  specked  with  dusky 
on  whitish  ground,  the  dusky  predominating  on  top  of  head ;  chest,  sides, 
and  back  dull  brown,  mottled  with  blackish  ;  belly  white  ;  wing  with  dull 
black  speculum  bordered  above  and  below  by  white.  Length:  18-22,  wing 
10.25-11.00,  bill  1.30-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Texas  to  North 
Dakota,  and  northward. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  a  bunch  of  grass,  under  a  bush,  or  in  a  depres- 
sion lined  with  grass,  leaves,  and  down.  Eggs  :  10  or  11,  creamy  or  huffy 
white. 

Like  most  of  the  slioal  water  ducks,  Colonel  Goss  tells  us,  the 
baldpates  are  to  be  looked  for  along  the  edges  of  lagoons,  grassy- 
lakes,  and  pools  of  water.  The  birds  are  not  shy,  he  says,  and  "  their 
note,  a  sort  of  wheio,  loheic,  wheic,  uttered  while  feeding  and  swim- 
ming, enables  the  hunter  to  locate  them  in  the  thickest  growth  of 
water  plants  ;  and  wiien  in  the  air  the  whistling  noise  made  by  their 
wings  heralds  their  approach."  Ordinarily  their  food  habits  are  the 
same  as  those  of  the  gad  wall,  but  in  the  fall  they  often  attach  them- 
selves to  a  party  of  canvas-backs  or  other  deep  water  ducks,  that 
feed  on  Vallisneria,  and  following  them  about  lie  in  wait  while  the 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  61 

divers  arc  below,  and  as  their  heads  appear  above  the  surface  snatch 
tlieir  catch  and  hurry  away  to  swallow  it  at  leisure. 

GENUS    NETTION. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  10  ;  sides  of  bill  parallel  throughout ; 
upper  and  lower  outlines  in  front  of  nostril  straight ;  wing-  with  speculum 
bright  green ;  head  of  male  in  winter  and  breeding'  plumag^e  with  short 
crest. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Sides  and  shoulders  finely  lined  with  black  and  white,  and  shoulders 
crossed  by  white  bar carolinensis.  p.  51. 

r.  Sides  and  shoulders  coarsely  lined  with  black  and  white  ;  shoulders 
without  white  bar crecca.  p.  51. 

[138.]  Nettion  crecca  (X?«H.).     European  Teal. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  carolinensis  but  shoulder  without  white  bar,  and 
black  Hues  and  spots  on  body  heavier  and  coarser.  Adult  female:  indis- 
ting-uishable  from  female  carolinensis. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  Old  World,  occasional  in  northern  part 
of  North  America  and  in  California. 

139.  Nettion  carolinensis  {Gmel).     Green-winged  Teal. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  light  chestnut,  forehead  and  eliin  blackish  ;  a  wide 
crescent  of  green  and  black  inclosing  eye  and  reaching  to  base  of  crest ;  breast 
bufpy,  spotted  with  black  ;  back 
gray,  shoulders  crossed  by  white 
bar ;  shoulders  and  sides  finely 
cross-lined  with  black  and  white  ; 
wing-  with  green  and  black  specu- 
lum, bordered  above  by  butt"  and 
below  by  white  ;  under  tail  coverts 
black,  l)ordered  by  rich  buff.  Adult 
female :    back,    sides,   and    breast 

dusky,  scalloped  and  mottled  with  "%»«*?^i 

bufF ;    throat  and    belly    whitish  ;  "^^  , 

base    of    wing-    slaty;    wing    with  ^». 

speculum  as  in  male.    Younq  male :  '^- 

belly  white.     Len(/fh :  12.50-15.00.  wing  ().25-7.40.  bill  1.40-1.(>0. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding-  in  Colorado.  Oregon, 
and  California,  but  mainly  north  of  the  United  States  :  in  winter  south  to 
Honduras  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  In  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  on  dry  ground  among  willows,  made  of 
grass  and  lined  with  down.  Kytjs :  usually  5 »  to  12,  sometimes  10  to  18, 
pale  biiff. 

The  ^reen-winged  teal,  like  most  of  its  near  relatives,  is  far  more 
a  duck  of  the  marshes,  grass- fringed  jionds,  meadow  creeks,  and 
irrigation  ditches  than  of  the  clear  lakes  and  streams.  Like  the 
mallard,  and  often  in  its  company,  the  teal  are  fond  t)f  feeding  in 
shallow  water  where,  by  standing  on  their  heads, — with  tails  and 
sometimes  feet  sticking  up  out  of  the  water,  — they  can  reach  the 
bottom  to  grub  up  the  tender  roots  and  water  plants,  and  sift  out 


52  DUCKS,  GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

the  sunken  seeds.     They  become  excessively  fat,  and  although  the 
smallest,  are  one  of  the  most  delicious  of  our  ducks. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    QUERQUEDULA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  14,  bill  of  nearly  uniform  width  ; 
upper  and  lower  outlines  swollen  toward  end  ;  wing-  with  large  patch  of 
light  blue,  speculum  green  in  males. 

KEY   TO   ADULT    MALES.  ^ 

1.  Lower  parts  clear  bright  cinnamon cyanoptera,  p.  52. 

1'.  Lower  parts  thickly  spotted  with  dusky  on  vinaceous  .  discors,  p.  52. 

KEY   TO    FEMALES. 

1.  Under  parts  mottled  dusky  and  dark  buff  .  .  .  cyanoptera,  p.  52. 
1'.  Under  parts  mottled  dusky  and  gray discors,  p.  52. 

140.  Querquedula  discors  (Linn.).     Blue- winged  Teal. 

Adult  male.  —  Sides  of  head  slaty  gray,  with  purple  gloss  ;  white  crescent 
in  front  of  eye  bordered  by  black  ;  under 
^^^MUk^  parts    vinaceous,    finely     spotted     with 

^^fl^HBjl^^^  dusky  ;  back  scalloped  and  streaked  with 

^t^^^^KA      hI^  dusky  and  vinaceous ;   wing  bright  blue 

^Hj^^^^^^B  ^m^^l^^  at  base,  middle  coverts  tipped  with  white 
|^^^^^^H|F^|(Pi^H^^^^^  and  buffy,  speculum  iridescent  green ; 
^H^^^^^p<^^^  under  tail  coverts  black,  base  of  tail  with 

hH^^^^T^  white  patch  on  either  side.    Adult  female : 

^MKK^  crown  mainly   dusky,   rest  of   head   and 

^^^HB^  neck  speckled  and  streaked  with  dusky  ; 

wtHm^^l.  back  dusky ;   under  parts  gray,  mottled 

Fi„  (53  with    dusky  ;    wing   with    lesser    coverts 

blue,  greater  tipped  with  white,  spec- 
ulum greenish.  Young  :  belly  white,  wing  without  green.  Length  :  14.50- 
16.00,  wing  7.00-7.50,  bill  1.40-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  but  chiefly  east  of  Rocky  Mountains  ;  in 
winter  south  to  Ecuador. 

Nest.  —  On  dry  ground,  or  in  grass  or  reeds  in  marshes  ;  made  of  grass 
and  lined  with  feathers.     Eggs :  8  to  12,  pale  buffy. 

The  blue-winged  teal  is  one  of  the  commonest  ducks  throughout 
the  middle  portion  of  North  America,  but  towards  the  west  coast  it 
becomes  scarce,  its  place  being  filled  by  the  more  abundant  cinna- 
mon teal.  It  breeds  through  most  of  its  United  States  and  northern 
range  and  migrates  early,  before  the  really  cold  weather.  By  prefer- 
ence it  inhabits  the  marshes  and  grass-fringed  ponds,  keeping  out  of 
sight  when  it  can ;  but  during  migration,  like  many  other  ducks, 
it  depends  for  safety  on  a  wide  expanse  of  open  water. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

141.  Querquedula  cyanoptera  (Fte«7/.).     Cinnamon  Teal. 
Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  breast,  and   sides    bright  cinnamon   brown, 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  53 

fading-  to  dull  brown  on  belly  and  becoming-  blackish  on  chin  and  crown ; 

back   dusky,    shoulders  spotted   and 

barred  with  dusky  and  brown  ;  wing 

with  lesser  coverts  light  blue,  middle 

coverts  tipped  with  white,  speculum 

g-reen,   tertials   broadly    striped   with 

blue,    greenish    black,  and  rich  buff. 

Adult  female :  crown    dusky,  rest    of 

head    and    neck    finely   specked   and 

streaked  with  dusky  on  butfy  ground  ; 

rest  of  upper  parts  dusky  scalloped 

with    buff ;     wing    with    large    blue 

patch  ;  under  parts  brownish,  mottled 

with    dusky.       Young:    like    female. 

but   more    streaked   below.     Length : 

15.50-17.00,  wing  7.20-7.25,  bill  l"  t)5- 

1.85. 

Remarks.  —  The  iQvaale  cuanoptera  ^.     „^     ^.  ^    , 

differs    from    the   female     disajrs    in  ^'^- ^^-     C'""amon  Teal. 

darker  coloration,  with  the  breast  browner,  and  more  spotted. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Canada  and  the  western  United  States  to 
Chili  and  Falkland  Islands ;  east  irregularly  into  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground.     Eggs  :  8  to  12,  creamy  white. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  west  of  the  liundredtli  meridian 
the  cinnamon  teal  is  one  of  the  commonest  ducks,  breeding  in  abun- 
dance throughout  the  Great  Basin  country,  and  to  some  extent  over 
the  greater  part  of  its  United  States  range.  Its  favorite  summer 
home  is  in  the  shallow  tule-bordered  lakes  or  tule  marshes  of  the 
arid  region,  where,  even  in  the  breeding  season,  it  is  found  in  little 
companies  feeding  along  shore  or  out  in  the  open  patches  of  water. 
The  nest  is  usually  in  a  dry  marsh  or  on  a  grassy  bank  not  far  from 
the  water,  well  lined  with  dusky  down  from  the  duck's  breast.  The 
young  are  protected  in  the  tule  cover  until  old  enough  to  fly,  but 
they  have  many  enemies.  The  prowling  coyote  dines  with  equal 
relish  on  a  nest  full  of  eggs  or  an  unwary  duck,  and  there  are  hawks 
by  day  and  owls  by  night. 

The  teals  could  hold  their  own  against  these  old-time  enemies, 
however,  but  a  new  danger  has  come  to  them  in  the  form  of  the 
unrestrained  market  hunter.  He  goes  to  the  breeding  ground  just 
before  the  young  can  fly  and  while  the  old  ducks  are  moulting  and 
equally  helpless,  and  day  after  day  loads  his  wagon  with  them  for 
the  train.  This  wholesale  slaughter  has  gone  on  until  some  of  the 
breeding  grounds  have  been  woefully  thinned  not  only  of  teal,  but 
of  other  ducks.  AVithout  speedy  and  strenuous  elTorts  to  procure 
and  enforce  protective  hiws.  many  species  of  ducks  that  breed  prin- 
cipally within  our  limits  will  s<K)n  l)e  exterminated. 

Vkunox  Baii.kv. 


54  DUCKS,   GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

GENUS    SPATULA. 

142.  Spatula  Clypeata  (Linn.).    Shoveller  :  Spoonbill. 

Bill  long,  much  widened  toward  end  ;  the  long-,  fine  comb-like  teeth 
conspicuous  along-  side  of  closed  bill.  Adult  male  :  head  and  neck  black, 
g-lossed  on  sides  and  back  with  green  ;  wing-  coverts  light  blue  with  a  white 
bar  ;  scapulars  streaked  with  blue,  white,  and  black  ;  speculum  green ; 
chest  white,  belly  chestnut ;  bill  black,  feet  orange.  Adult  female  :  plum- 
age mainly  spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky  and  brown  ;  wing  as  in  the 
male,  but  duller.  Young:  in  general  like  adult  female.  Length:  11-21, 
wing  9-10,  bill  2.60-2.90,  width  of  bill  at  base  .60,  near  end  l.iO-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  North  America  from 
Texas  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  dry  grass  or  under  bushes,  made  of  grass  or 
weeds,  lined  with  feathers,     ^ggs  :  9  to  14,  olive  greenish  to  buffy. 

The  shoveller  is  especially  common  over  the  plains  and  valleys  of 
the  western  part  of  the  continent,  breeding  from  Texas  to  northern 
Alaska  in  the  open  country  where  there  are  shallow  ponds  and 
sloughs.  They  are  usually  found  in  pairs  or  small  flocks,  sitting  on 
the  bank  or  puddling  in  the  shallow  water  close  to  shore,  skimming 
flies  and  larvae  from  the  surface  with  their  spoon-like  bills,  or  with 
head  and  neck  under  water,  sifting  seeds,  mollusks,  and  crustaceans 
from  the  muddy  bottom.  They  rarely  become  fat,  and  while  fairly 
good  eating  are  astonishingly  thin  and  light  for  their  apparent  size. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    DAPILA. 

143.  Daflla  acuta  (Linn.).     Pintail. 

A  large  duck,  with  long  neck  and  long,  sharp  tail  of  16  feathers  ;  head 
not  crested.     Adidt  male  :  sides  of  head  snuff  brown,  with  a  purple  gloss  ; 


Fig.  70, 


crown  darker,  back  of  neck  blackish,  a  white  stripe  down  side  of  neck  ; 
throat  and  under  parts  white  ;  sides  and  upper  parts  gray  crossed  by  wa^^r 
lines  ;  wing  slaty,  with  purple  speculum  bordered  above  by  a  line  of  buff, 
and  below  by  white  ;  tertials  with  broad  stripes  of  velvety  black  and 
white  ;  under  tail  coverts  black.  Adult  female  :  gray,  with  head  and  neck 
finely  specked,  and  under  parts,  including  under  surface  of  wing,  finely 
mottled  with  dusky ;  back  and  wings  more  heavily  mottled  with  black, 
brown,  and  huffy  ;  wing  without  speculum,  but  greater  coverts  tipped 
with  white.  Male:  length  26-30,  wing  10.25-11.20,  bill  1.8.5-2.15,  tail 
7.25-9.50.  Female:  smaller,  length  21.00-23.50,  wing  9.60-10.10,  bill 
1.80,  tail  4.50-5.00. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


55 


Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  breeding;  from  Arizona,  Missouri, 
and  Illinois  northward  ;  migrating-  to  Cuba  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  a  well  concealed  depression  ;  lined  with  grass 
and  feathers.     JEggs  :  7  to  10,  pale  greenish  to  olive  buff. 

The  pintail  is  a  common  and  widely  distributed  species,  breeding 
from  southern  California,  Arizona,  and  Iowa  north  to  Point  Barrow. 
In  Kansas,  Goss  says,  it  haunts  the  wet  prairies,  muddy  flats,  and 
edges  of  reedy,  grassy  waters,  feeding  largely  on  bulbous  roots, 
tender  shoots,  insects  and  their  larvae,  worms,  snails,  and,  in  the  fall, 
various  seeds  of  water  plants,  grain,  and  acorns.  At  Point  Reyes, 
California,  large  flocks  of  the  pintails  were  seen  by  J.  A.  Loring 
lying  out  in  the  bay  waiting  for  the  tide  to  come  in.  As  soon  as  it 
covered  the  salt  grass  flats  they  would  follow  it  in  and  go  to  feeding. 

GENUS    AIX. 

144.  Aix  sponsa  (Linn.).    Wood  Duck. 

Bill  narrow,  higher  than  wide  at  base.  Both  sexes  with  drooping  crests. 
Adult  male :  bill  marked 
with  black,  white,  red.  and 
yellow ;  head  and  crest 
brilliant  purple  and  green, 
with  white  stripes  ;  throat 
white  ;  chest  rich  chestnut, 
with  rows  of  white  trian- 
gles; sides  gray, with  black 
and  white  bars  and  cres- 
cents ;  shoidder  crossed  h\ 
black  and  white  bars  ;  rest 
of  upper  parts  black,varie 
with  rich  iridescent  colors. 
Adult  female  :  head  dull 
grayish,  glossed  with  green 
on  crest  and  crown ;  sides 
of  head  and  throat  white  ; 
chest  brown,  belly  white  ; 
back  richly  glossed  grayish 
brown.  aVa/e; length  llhOO- 
20.50,  wing  O.OO-D.oO,  bill 
1.40.     Female  smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  from  southern  Canada  soutli- 
ward. 

Nest.  —  Usually  .">0  to  40  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  natural  cavity  of  a 
tree  trunk,  lined  with  down.     Eyys  :  usually  S  to  14,  creamy  white. 

If  the  end  of  a  rainbow  had  touched  a  marsh  and  dabbled  its  colors 
overa  i)laiu  brown  duck,  it  could  never  have  produced  anything  half 
so  brilliant  as  one  of  these  old  male  wood  ducks  in  full  breeding 
plumage.  No  wonder  the  handsome  fellows  are  shy  and  deem  it 
prudent  to  keep  hidden  in  crooked  forest  creeks  (M-  ponds  surrounded 
by  tall  grass,  brush,  and  trees  !     A  mossy  log  in  a  poiul  is  a  favorite 


56  DUCKS,   GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

resting  place  for  the  ducks,  but  as  you  walk  through  the  woods  in 
spring  a  pair  will  often  fly  from  a  branch  overhead,  uttering  their 
shrill,  plaintive  cry  as  they  dart  through  the  trees. 

The  nest  is  sometimes  placed  in  the  old  excavation  of  a  pileated 
woodpecker,  but  usually  in  a  natural  cavity.  A  mass  of  gray  down 
from  the  mother's  breast  generally  protects  the  eggs.  The  parents 
are  said  to  carry  the  young  in  their  bills  from  the  nest  to  the  nearest 
water,  but  in  some  cases,  whether  accidentally  or  not,  the  young 
tumble  to  the  ground.  In  autumn  the  families  gather  into  large 
flocks  )to  fatten  on  wild  rice  and  acorns.  When  fat  the  flesh  is 
scarcely  excelled  by  that  of  any  duck.  They  are  becoming  scarce, 
and  unless  protected  will  before  long  be  a  bird  of  the  past. 

GENUS    AYTHYA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested,  but  short,  thick,  and  rounded  ; 
tail  short  and  rigid  ;  wing-  with  white  or  bluish  speculum. 

KEY    TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Head  and  neck  bright  brown. 

2.  Crown  dusky vallisneria,  p.  57. 

2'.  Crown  reddish  brown americana,  p.  56. 

r.  Head  and  neck  greenish  or  purplish  black. 

2.  Head  glossed  with  green raarila,  p.  57. 

2'.  Head  glossed  with  purple. 

o.  Neck  without  chestnut  collar aflBnis,  p.  58. 

o'.  Neck  with  dark  chestnut  collar collaris,  p.  59. 

146.  Aythya  americana  (Eyt.).    Redhead. 

Bill  little  more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide.     Adult  male  :  whole  head 

and  neck  bright  reddish 
chestnut  ;  shoulders  and 
chest  black  ;  belly  white  ; 
sides  and  back  uniform 
g-ray.  with  fine  lines  of  black 
and  ashy  ;  tail  and  feathers 
around  base  black.  Adult 
female  :  plumage  dull  gray- 
ish brown  except  for  whit- 
ish chin,  throat,  and  belly. 
Length  :  17-21,  wing  8..5a- 
9.25,  bill  2.05-2.25,  width 
of  bill  .75-.85. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the 
whole  of  North  America, 
breeding  from  California, 
Missouri,  and  Maine,  north- 
ward. Not .  reported  from 
Fig^  72.  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On  marshy  or 
grassy  ground  near  water,  loosely  constructed  of  g-rass  and  weeds,  and  lined 
with  down.     Eggs  :  7  to  10,  grayish  white  or  pale  olive. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


57 


The  redhead  is  so  similar  to  the  canvas-back  as  to  be  easily  mis- 
taken for  it  at  a  little  distance,  and  in  habits  the  resemblance  is 
equally  close.  Goss  says  that  this  deep  water  duck,  though  widely 
distributed,  is  not  so  common  on  the  Pacific  slope  as  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  It  is  usually  found  in  flocks  on  the  open  water 
associated  with  canvas-backs,  and  diving  with  them  for  its  food, 
which  consists  of  various  kinds  of  submarine  and  fresh  water  plants, 
small  mollusks.  crustaceans,  fish,  frogs,  and  water  newts. 


147.  Aythya vallisneria  (Wils.). 
Bill  three  times  as  long  as  wide- 


Fig.  73. 


Canvas-back. 
Adult.  711  ale :  liead  and  neck  rich 
chestnut  brown,  becoming" 
dusky  on  crown  and  face  ; 
shoulders  and  chest  black  ; 
sides  and  back  light  gray  ; 
belly  white  or  grayish  ;  tail 
and  quills  dark  gray  ;  feath- 
ers around  base  of  tail  black. 
Adult  /V  m  a  le :  plumage 
mainly  umber  brown,  becom- 
ing whitish  around  face  and 
chin.  Length:  20.00-23.50, 
wing  8.75-9.25,  bill  2.10-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Wliole  of 
North  America,  breeding  in 
Colorado,  Nevada,  Minnesota, 
and  northward  to  Fort  An- 
derson and  Fort  Yukon. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  reeds, 
grass,  or  rushes,  in  shallow 
water,  a  bulky  mass  of  grass 
stems  lined  with  down.  Eggs: 
1  to  8,  pale  olive  green. 

In  its  breeding  rano-e  the 


canvas-back  is  largely  a  bird  of  the  northern  interior,  while  in  winter 
it  is  found  mainl}^  in  the  l)ays  and  estuaries  of  the  southern  coasts, 
where  it  is  attracted  by  its  favorite  food,  the  stems  and  bulbs  of  wild 
celery  or  eel  grass,  Vdllifinenn.  While  feeding  on  this  plant  the 
canvas-])acks  become  fat  and  so  delicately  flavored  as  to  outrank  all 
other  ducks  in  quality  and  market  price.  Hunted  wherever  they 
go,  they  have  learned  that  existence  depends  on  eternal  vigilance, 
and  so  keep  out  in  open  water  as  far  from  shore  as  their  feeding 
grounds  will  allow.  Vkhnon  Bailky. 


Subgenus  Fuligula. 
148.  Aythya  marila  (/>/«».).    Scaip  Duck:  Blie-bill. 

liill  sliort  and  \\  idc.  l)biisli  witli  black  tip.  Male  in  breeding  plumagt  : 
liead  black,  glossed  with  green;  .shoulders,  rump,  and  chest  black  ;  belly 
white,   margined  along  sides  with  light   grayish  ;    crissum   black.       Post- 


58  DUCKS,   GEESE,   AND   SWANS 

breeding  plumage :  similar  to  female 
but  darker  brown.  Adult  female :  head, 
neck,  chest,  and  sides  brownish ;  re- 
gion around  base  of  bill,  and  belly, 
whitish.  Length:  18-20,  wing  about 
S..-)0,  bill  2.03. 
_--  Distribution.  —  Most  of  the  northern 

hemisphere ;  in  North  America  breed- 
ing- mainly  north  of  the  United  States  ; 
south  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  the 
West  Indies. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  marsh,  or  a  de- 
pression in  grassy  ground  near  water, 
lined  with  down.  Eggs:  9  to  12,  pale 
olive  gray. 

The  scaup  duck,  or  blue-bill,  is  not 
so  generally  common  in  the  United 
Scaup  Duck.  States  as  the  lesser  scaup,    which 

has  essentially  the  same  habits  and  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  it. 
Flocks  of  both  are  found  associated  in  the  rice  lakes,  where  the 
report  of  a  gun  will  sometimes  start  thousands  into  the  air  with  the 
roar  of  an  avalanche.  The  two  species  are  generally  indistinguish- 
able on  the  wing,  and  together  often  form  the  bulk  of  the  ducks 
seen  during  the  early  spring  or  late  fall  migration. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

149-  Aythya  aflfinis  (Eyt.).    Lesser  Scaup  Duck. 

Like  A.  marila,  but  smaller,  with  black  of  head  glossed  with  purple 
instead  of  green,  and  sides  more  heavily  lined  with  gray.  Length :  15.00- 
16.50,  wing  7.50-8.25,  bill  1.58-1.90,  width  of  bill  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala,  breed- 
ing mainly  north  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  marila.     Eggs  :  1  to  9,  pale  olive  gray. 

The  lesser  scaup,  or  little  blue-bill,  is  abundant  during  migrations 
over  most  of  the  United  States,  wintering  from  Okanagon  and  Lake 
Chelan  south  to  Guatemala,  and  in  spring  following  north  close  to 
the  edge  of  the  retreating  ice,  to  breed  mainly  north  of  the  United 
States. 

Like  all  of  the  genus,  the  lesser  scaups  are  great  divers  and  keep 
much  in  the  open  lakes,  often  in  large  flocks,  where  they  dive  for 
food,  or  sleep  and  rest  on  the  water  in  comparative  safety.  They 
cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  the  rice  lakes,  however,  and  swarm 
into  them  by  thousands  to  fatten  on  the  delicious  grain,  which  they 
glean  from  the  mud  bottoms  after  it  has  been  threshed  out  by  the 
wind  and  the  wings  of  myriads  of  coots  and  rails.  While  they  eat, 
the  hunters  lie  hidden  in  the  tall  rice  and  on  the  ridges  which  they 
must  pass  in  going  from  lake  to  lake,  and  in  spite  of  their  bullet-like 
flight  the  sadly  thinned  flocks  show  the  penalty  they  have  paid  for 
leaving  the  open  water.  Vernon  Baii.ey. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  59 

150.  Aythya  collaris  {Bonov.).    Ring-necked  Duck. 

Bill  narrower  than  in  ^1,  marila,  black,  crossed  by  blue  band  near  end. 
Adult  male  :  head,  except  small  white  triangle  on  chin,  black,  glossed 
with  rich  purple  ;  neck  encircled  by  narrow  chestnut  collar  ;  chest  and 
back  black,  back  glossed  with  greenish  ;  wings  blackish,  with  blue  gray 
speculum  ;  middle  of  belly  buffy  white  ;  sides  and  back  finely  vermiculated 
gray;  crissum  black.  Adult  female:  throat  and  face  whitish,  rest  of 
head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  dull  brown  ;  wing-  with  blue  gray  speculum 
as  in  male  ;  chest  and  sides  fulvous,  belly  white.  Length  :  15.50-18.00, 
wing  8.00,  bill  1.75-2.00. 

Distribution.  — North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala,  breeding 
from  Minnesota  and  North  Dakota  northward. 

Nest  and  eggs  as  in  affinis. 

lu  habits,  as  well  as  in  geueral  appearance,  the  ring-neck  is  very 
similar  to  the  lesser  scaup.  At  a  little  distance  they  are  indistin- 
guishable, either  on  the  wing  or  on  the  water. 

GENUS   CLANGULA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short,  high  at  base  and  narrowed  toward  end  ; 
head  with  wide,  high  crest ;  males  with  head  green  and  large  white  spot 
at  base  of  bill ;  females  with  head  and  crest  plain  brownish. 

KEY    TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  White  patch  on  cheek,  circular americana,  p.  59. 

r.  White  patch  on  cheek,  triangular islandica,  p.  60. 

KEY   TO    FEMALES. 

1.  Head  light  snuff  brown americana,  p.  59. 

1'.  Head  dark  umber  brown islandica,  p.  00. 

151.  Clangula     clangula     americana     (Bonap.).    American 

Golden-eye. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  crest  rich  dark  green,  n   round  white  patch  at 
base  of  bill ;   neck  and  under  parts 
white  ;   back  black,  shoulders  white  ; 
wing  with  white  central  patch   and 

white    stripes    on    scapulars.     Adult  .^^^^^H^  f*^.^ 

female :  head  and  upper  neck  light 
snuff  brown,  neck   with  wide   white 
or  gray   collar ;"  belly   white  ;  chest, 
sides,    and    shoulders    gray ;     wing- 
dusky,   with  white    on    coverts    and 
secondaries,   the  white  greater   cov- 
erts not  tipped  with  dusky.     Nail  of 
bill  not  over  .20  wide.      Young  male  : 
like  female,  but  .sometimes    with   a      ^^ 
suggestion    of    the    white    patch     at    ^KL 
base  of  bill,  and  less  gray  on  chest.     ^fF' 
3/a/f:  length  lS..")0-2;;.()0",  wing  0.18, 

bill  1.95.     i^e?7ja/f':  i ()..")( ),  wing  8.14,  .,.     .. 

bill  1.04.  '•*^'' 

Distribution. —  North  America,  breeding  in  the  northern  Fnited  States 
and  northward  ;    south  in  winter  tt)  Cuba  and  Mexico. 


r'd 


60  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  hollow  tree,  sometimes  in  a  log  or  stump,  lined  with 
down.     J^ggs :  usually  9  to  12,  light  greenish. 

Although  ranging  practically  over  the  whole  of  North  America 
the  golden-eyes  are  rarely  common.  They  are  generally  found  in 
small  flocks  on  large  lakes  or  rivers,  where  they  dive  for  fresh 
water  weeds,  muscles,  and  crustaceans.  Their  strong  rapid  flight 
is  accompanied  by  a  loud  whistling  of  the  wings,  which  gives  them 
the  common  name  of  whistler.  Vernon  Bailey. 

152.  Clangula  islandica  (GmeL).  Barrow  Golden-eye. 
Similar  to  americana,  but  male  with  glossy  blue  black  head,  and  tri- 
angular or  crescent-shaped  spot  at  base  of  bill ;  female  with  head  and 
neck  dark  umber  brown,  white  collar  narrower,  and  white  greater  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  duskv  ;  nail  of  bill  over  .2o  wide.  Male  :  length  21- 
23,  wing  1).17,  bill  1.75.   ~ Female  :  wing  8.46,  bill  1.56. 

Remarks.  —  In  many  of  the  females  the  characters  do  not  hold,  and  it 
is  difficult  even  with  specimens  of  both  species  to  name  them  all. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  breeding  from  mountains  of 
Oregon,  Colorado,  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward  to  Alaska  and  Green- 
land ;  south  in  winter  to  Illinois,  Nebraska,  Utah,  and  San  Francisco  Bay. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees. 

The  Barrow  golden-eye,  though  less  common  and  less  widely  dis- 
tributed in  migration,  breeds  farther  south  than  its  near  relative  the 
American  golden -eye,  nesting  in  the  crater  basin  of  Paulina  Lake, 
Oregon,  and  about  many  of  the  wuld  mountain  lakes  of  the  Rockies 
as  far  south  as  Colorado.  In  winter  it  is  able  to  remain  as  far  north 
as  Minnesota  or  the  Great  Lakes  by  keeping  in  water  that  is  too 
deep  or  rapid  to  freeze.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    CHARITONETTA. 

153.  Charitonetta  albeola  (Linn.).    Buffle-head. 

A  })luni|)  little  duck  with   short,   pointed   bill  and  round,  crested  head. 

Adult    male  :     head,    except 
p'  •      white  patch,  rich   iridescent 

purple,  violet,  and  green ; 
Ijack  and  part  of  wings 
black  ;  rump  and  tail  gray  ; 
rest  of  plumage  white.  Adult 
female :  mainly  grayish  or 
dusky,  with  a  large  white  spot 
on  ear  coverts  and  white  patch 
on  middle  of  wing ;  belly 
white.  Male  :  length  14.25- 
15.25,  wing  6.75-6.90,  bill 
1.10-1.15.  J^ema/e ;  smaller. 
,  Distribution.  —  North 

America,  south  in  winter  to 
Mexico  ;  breeds  from  Maine, 
"      Iowa,  and  British  Columbia 
Kii;.  7i..  north  to  Alaska. 


W 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


61 


Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  hole  in  bank.  Eggs  :  9  to  14,  grayish  bu£F, 
unusually  rounded,  for  a  duck. 

During  migratiou  the  Ijuffle-head  is  common  and  often  abundant 
over  most  of  the  western  United  States.  It  is  a  conspicuous  little 
duck,  and  the  male  is  easily  recognized  by  its  small  size,  white  sides, 
and  breast.  The  flocks  generally  keep  out  in  the  open  water  of 
lakes  and  rivers,  where  they  dive  for  their  food,  but  are  sometimes 
surprised  in  small  ponds  or  creeks  in  the  shelter  of  grassy  banks. 
In  fall  they  often  remain  till  the  last  hole  in  the  ice  is  closed  up, 
and  in  spring  are  back  again  close  to  the  retreating  ice. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    HARELDA. 

154.   Harelda  hy emails  (Linn.).     Old-squaw. 

A  trim  little  duck  with  short  bill;  male  with  long  slender  tail;  head 
not  crested.  Adult  male  in  winter  :  head  and  fore  parts  to  shoulders  and 
breast  white,  except  for 
patches  of  ashy  and  dusky 
on  side  of  head ;  back, 
middle  tail  feathers,  and 
breast  black  ;  belly  white 
posteriorly,  shading  into 
pearl  gray  on  sides.  Adult 
male  in  summer :  sooty,  ex- 
cept for  white  belly,  ash 
gray  face,  and  white  eye- 
lids ;  back  and  scapulars 
streaked  with  chestnut. 
Adult  female  in  winter  :  tail 

not      lengthened  ;      head,      >-  

neck,     and     under     parts  l  i-   77 

mainly  white ;  chest  gray- 
ish ;  crown  dusky,  rest  of  upper  parts  dusky  brown,  the  scapulars  bor- 
dered with  lighter  Ijrown.  Adult  female  in  summer :  head  and  neck 
grayish  brown,  with  whitish  spaces  around  eye  and  on  .side  of  neck. 
Young :  similar  to  female  in  summer.  Male  :  length  20.75-2.']. 00,  wing 
8.r)()-0.00,  middle  tail  feathers 8.00-8.50,  bill  1.10.  Female:  length  1 5-1(5, 
wing  8-9,  tail  8. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemis])here  ;  south  in  winter 
nearly  across  the  United  States  ;    breeding  from  Labrador  to  Al.iska. 

Nest.  — I^sually  on  the  grassy  bank  of  a  pond  or  stream,  nuide  of  grass 
and  lined  with  down,     t^gys  :  5  to  9. 

The  old-squaw,  or  long-tailed  duck,  is  nuunlv  a  bird  of  the  arctic 
coasts,  migrating  south  into  the  northern  United  States  in  winter. 


GENUS    HISTRIONICUS. 

165.  Histrionicus  histrionicus  (Linn.).    IlAULK.t/riN  Dick. 

A    .small   duck  with  moderate   crest,  short    bill,    and    long    sharp    tail. 


62  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

Adult  male  in  winter  and  spring: 
head  and  neck  bluish  black,  with 
white  patches ;  collar  white  ;  shoul- 
der bar  black  and  white  ;  middle  of 
crown  black,  bordered  behind  by 
chestnut ;  chest  and  shoulders  dark 
plumbeous  ;  belly  sooty,  sides  bright 
rufous  ;  wing  with  steel  blue  specu- 
lum and  four  white  spots ;  rump 
black,  with  white  spot  on  each  side. 
Adult  male  in  summer :  colors  much 
duller  than  in  winter.  Adult  female  : 
head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  sooty, 
with  a  white  spot  on  ear  coverts  and 
a  large  white  patch  on  side  of  face ; 
belly  mottled  grayish.  Length:  15.00- 
17.50,  wing  7.40-8.00,  bill  1.05-1.10. 
Distribution.  —  Eastern  Asia, 
Greenland,  Iceland,  and  northern 
North  America ;  south  to  the  middle 
states  in  winter  ;  breeding  from  New- 
foundland and  the  mountains  of  Col- 
Fig.  78.  Harlequin  Duck.  orado  and  California  northward  to 
the  arctic  coast. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  stump  or  under  rocks  or  driftwood.  Eggs  :  6 
to  8. 

The  harlequin  duck  is  rare  enough  in  the  United  States  to  excite 
keen  interest,  especially  when  found  on  its  breeding  grounds.  A 
little  flock  of  the  richly  barred  and  spotted  beauties  fishing  in  a 
foaming  mountain  stream,  diving,  bobbing  on  the  rough  surface, 
drifting  or  darting  down  over  the  rapids,  and  then  gathering  in  a 
bunch  below  to  fly  back  up  stream  for  another  descent,  suggests  a 
lot  of  schoolboys  on  a  coasting  party  rather  than  a  flock  of  birds 
engaged  in  the  serious  business  of  getting  breakfast.  They  seem 
to  enjoy  the  icy  water  and  their  power  to  dare  and  buffet  its  tor- 
rents. Although  breeding  more  or  less  commonly  in  the  mountains 
from  Colorado  and  California  nortliward,  little  is  known  of  their 
nesting  habits.  Nests  are  reported  in  the  far  north  under  shelter  of 
rocks  and  driftwood.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    OIDEMIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  with  base  much  swollen  (except  in  female 
americana) ,  partly  orange  in  males,  black  in  females  ;  colors  mainly  black 
or  dusky. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Feathering  of  head  stopping  far  short  of  nostrils  .    americana,  p.  63. 
1'.  Feathering  of  head  not  stopping  far  short  of  nostrils. 

2.  Lores  not  feathered  as  far  forward  as  forehead. 

perspicillata,  p.  63. 

2'.  Lores  feathered  as  far  forward  as  forehead      .     .     deglandi,  p.  63. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  63 

Subgenus  Oidemia. 
163.  Oidemia  americana  Swains.     American  Scotek. 

Plumage  dark  without  white  markings ;  eyes  alwajs  brown.  Adult 
male  :  bill  swollen  back  of  nostrils,  with  a  large  yellow  and  red  spot  at 
base,  including  nostrils  ;  plumage  black  or  sooty.  Adult  female :  bill 
black,  with  a  trace  of  yellow  at  base  in  breeding  plumage,  not  swollen  at 
base  ;  upper  parts  dusky  brown,  under  parts  grayish  brown.  Young : 
like  female  but  lighter  and  indistinctly  barred  below.  Length :  17.00-21.50, 
wing  8.75-9.50,  bill  1.05-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  North  America,  breeding  in  Labrador, 
Hudson  Bay  region,  and  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  New  Jersey,  Illinois, 
Colorado,  and  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  grass  or  willows  near  water. 

The  American  scoter  is  a  duck  of  the  northern  seacoasts,  mi- 
grating but  sparingly  into  the  United  States. 

Subgenus  Melanitta. 

165.  Oidemia  deglandi  Bonap.    White-winged  Scoter. 

Bill  swollen  at  base  over  nostrils  and  on   sides  ;    tip  orange   in  male ; 

feathers  of  lores  coming  close  

to  nostrils,  as  far  forward  as 
those  of  forehead.  Adult  male  : 
eyes  white;  plumage  black  or 
sooty,  with  white  eye  patch  and 
wing  speculum.  Adult  female  : 
eyes  brown ;  plumage  sooty 
gray,  darker  above  ;  wing 
speculum  white.  Length  :  19.75- 
23.00,  wing  10.0.5-11.40,  bill 
1.40-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Northern 
North  America,  breeding  in  North  Dakota  but  mainly  north  of  the  United 
States  ;  south  in  winter  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  Colorado,  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  gra.ss,  twigs,  moss,  and 
down  ;  usually  concealed  among  dwarf  willows,  rosebushes,  or  spruces. 
Eggs  :  5  to  8,  deep  buff. 

The  white-winged  scoter  is  more  or  less  common  along  the  Pacitic 
coast,  but  rare  inland  in  the  United  States. 

Subgenus  Pelionetta.  • 

166.  Oidemia  perspicillata  {Linn.).    Surf  Scoter. 

Bill  with  swollen  sides  of  base  naked  ;  feathere  of  forehead  reaching 
to  near  nostril,  of  lores  only  to  cunier  of  mouth  ;  bill  black  and  less 
swollen  in  femah'  ;  red,  orange.  yt41ow,  and  white  in  male,  with  large 
black  spot  on  side  of  base.  Adult  male:  entire  plumage  velvety  black 
except  for  triangular  white  patch  on  forehead  and  another  on  back  of 
head;  eyes  whit«*.  Adult  femah' :  upi)er  parts  sooty  black,  under  parts 
.sooty  gray,  usually  with  white  patch  at  corner  of  mouth.  Young:  like 
female,  but  with  whitish  patches  at  base  of  bill  and  back  of  ear.  Male  : 
length  20-22,  wing  0.25-0.75,  bill  1.30-1.00.     Female:  smaller. 


64  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  from  Sitka  and  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  north  to  the  arctic  regions  ;  south  in  winter  to  Florida, 
Colorado,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  a  bunch  of  marsh  grass,  on  ground  in  tall  grass,  or  under 
low  branches  of  scrubby  trees ;  made  of  plant  stems  and  lined  with  down. 
Eggs :  5  to  8,  cream  color. 

The  surf  scoters  are  abundant  on  both  coasts,  and  during  the 
breeding  season  quite  common  on  the  large  northern  inland  waters. 

Colonel  Goss  in  describing  their  habits  says  that  they  are  "  at 
home  as  well  in  the  surging  surf  as  upon  the  smooth  waters,  resting 
and  sleeping  at  night  out  on  the  open  waters.  .  .  .  They  rise  in  a 
running,  laborious  manner,  but  when  fairly  on  the  wing  fly  rapidly, 
and  in  stormy  weather  hug  closely  to  the  water."  The  ducks  are 
very  active  when  feeding,  diving  so  constantly  and  rapidly  one  after 
another  that  they  are  continually  disappearing  and  popping  up. 
The  bivalve  is  a  favorite  food  with  them.  Colonel  Goss  says,  its 
shell  apparently  digesting  with  as  much  ease  as  its  contents.  As 
they  also  eat  fish,  their  flesh  is  coarse  and  rather  rank. 

GENUS    ERISMATURA. 

167.  Erismatura  jamaicensis  (GmeL).    Ruddy  Duck. 

Bill  short  and  widest  near  end,  bright  blue  in  adult  male.     Adult  male : 

top  and  back  of  head  black ;  neck 
and  rest  of  upper  parts  chestnut ; 
cheeks  and  chin  white  ;  belly 
gray,  waslied  with  silvery  white, 
or  sometimes  rusty.  Female  and 
immature:  upper  parts  plain 
grayish  brown ;  sides  of  head 
whitish,  with  a  dusky  streak 
from  corner  of  mouth  to  back  of 
Fig.  80.  ^^         ear ;    under  parts   gray,    washed 

with     silverv    white     or     rusty. 
Length  :  13.50-16.00,  wing  5.75-6.00,  bill  1.50-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  and  south  to  Colombia,  breeding  over 
much  of  its  North  Anaerican  range. 

I^est.  — A  bulky  mass  of  plant  stems  on  the  Avater  among  tules,  reeds, 
or  cat-tails.     Eggs  :  9  to  14,  creamy  or  light  buffy. 

The  ruddy  duck  is  common  over  much  of  the  western  United 
States,  and  breeds  abundantly  in  places  that  suit  its  taste,  especially 
in  the  grass-fringed  lakes  of  the  northern  plains  and  the  big  shallow 
tule  lakes  of  the  Great  Basin  country.  It  is  a  duck  of  much  indi- 
viduality. It  sits  jauntily  on  the  water,  its  spike  tail  tilted  up,  and 
with  bold  audacity  holds  its  ground  till  you  are  at  close  quarters, 
then  as  you  think  it  is  going  to  fly,  and  raise  your  gun  for  a  wing 
shot,  it  suddenly  dives.  Its  skill  at  hiding  under  water  till  it  has 
gained  the  other  side  of  a  point  or  island  would  do  credit  to  a  grebe, 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  65 

and  has  doubtless  come  from  its  habit  of  feediiii^-  at  the  bottom  of  the 
lake.  Goss  gives  its  food  as  seeds,  roots,  aud  plant  stems,  shelltish 
and  various  forms  of  life  found  in  both  deep  aud  shallow  water. 
He  adds  that  when  fat  it  is  a  good  table  duck.  My  own  experience 
is  that,  roasted  Indian  fashion  in  the  fire  with  the  feathers  on,  its 
meat  is  juicy,  tender,  and  of  delicious  flavor,  particularly  if  you  are 
hungry!  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    NOMONYX. 

[168.]  Nomohyx  dominicus  {Linn.).     Masked  Duck. 

iSinular  to  the  riuldy  duck,  hut  tail  with  20  instead  of  IS  feathers,  and 
bill  smaller  with  wider  nail  —  nail  over  .25  wide  instead  of  .10  as  in  the 
ruddy.  Adult  male :  front  of  head  black  ;  neck,  sides,  and  back  bright 
chestnut,  streaked  on  back  with  black  ;  wings  black,  with  a  large  white 
patch.  Adult  female  :  crown  blackish  ;  side  of  head  with  two  black  and 
two  buffy  stripes ;  neck  and  sides  dull  brownish  ;  back  duskv.  Length  : 
12.00-14.50,  wing-  about  5.50-5.75,  tail  ;:;.50-4.50,  bill  I.oO-I.oT". 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  Amei'ica  and  West  Indies  ;  north  on  Gulf  coast 
to  Lower  Rio  Grande  ;  accidental  in  eastern  United  States. 

GENUS    CHEN. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  and  hig-h  at  base,  dull  red,  with  whitish 
tip  ;  feet  dull  red  ;  plumage  of  adults  white,  exeei^t  for  wing',  which  lias  a 
black  tip  and  adjoining-  gray  patch.  Young-  with  head,  neck,  and  upper 
parts  light  gray  ;   rump,  tail,  and  under  parts  wliite,  feet  and  tail  dusky. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  very  stout,  with  black  along  edges. 

2.    Smaller,  wing  14.50-17.00 hyperborea,  p.  ()5 

2.  Larger,  wing  17.o5-17. 50 nivalis,  p.  <'>(). 

1'.  Bill  not  very  stout,  without  black  on  cutting  edges  ;  wing  l;].75-b").5(). 

rossii,  p.  OG. 

169.  Chen  hyperborea  (Pall.).     Lesser  Snow  Goose. 

A<hdts.  —  A  conspicuous  liard,  black  ])late  along  side  of  lower  mandible  ; 
plumage  pure  wliite  except  for  wing,  wliicli  has  black  tip  and  gray  patch  ; 
white  of  head  and  sometimes  neck  and  breast  washed  or  stained  with 
rusty  orange.     Lencjth:  23-28,  wing  14.50-17.00,  bill  l.l)5-2.oO. 

IJistrihution.  —  Western  North  America,  breeding  in  Alaska  ;  south  in 
winter  to  southern  California,  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  east  to  Kans;is  and 
southern  Illinois. 

Tiie  snow  i2;cese,  or  wliite  l)raut,  arc  common  in  migration  over  the 
western  United  States,  wintering  in  California,  southern  Utah,  Texas, 
and  Mexico.  Tliey  are  oftenest  seen  on  the  wing  high  overhead  in 
long  diagonal  lines  or  V-shaped  th)cks.  Hying  rapidly  and  uttering  a 
chorus  of  shrill  falsetto  cries  ;  but  not  infreciuently  they  are  found  in 
some  big  marsli,  on  the  open  praine,  or  in  a  field  of  grain,  massed  till 
they  look  like  a  spring  snow  bank.  Much  of  their  food  is  gleaned 
from  the  stubble  fields  during  the  fall  migration  and  from  fields  of 


66  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

sprouting  grain  in  spring.  In  winter  they  feed  largely  on  the  tender 
white  roots  of  a  rush  — Juncus  halticus  (?) — dug  from  the  river  banks, 
marshes,  and  shores.  They  are  usually  lean,  and  their  flesh  is  dark 
and  generally  tough.  Vernon  Bailey. 

169a.  Chen  hyperborea  nivalis  (Forst).    Greater  Snow  Goose. 

Like  hyperborea,  but  larger.  Length :  30-38,  wing-  17.35-17.50,  bill  2.55- 
2.70. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding-  in  northern  Greenland 
and  probably  west  to  Mackenzie  River  ;  south  in  Avinter  along-  Atlantic 
coast  to  Cuba,  and  in  the  Mississippi  valley  to  Nebraska  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  Little  known.     Eggs :  5  to  8,  cream  color. 

Subgenus   Exanthemops. 
170.  Chen  rossii  (Cassiti).     Ross  Snow  Goose. 

Adults.  —  Base  of  upper  mandible  often  rough  and  warty  ;  bill  compara- 
tively small  and  without  black  stripe  along-  side  ;  plumage  as  in  hyperborea. 
Length:  20-26,  wing  13.75-15.50,  bill  1.50-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  arctic  America ;  south  in  winter  to  California 
and  east  to  Montana.     Rare. 

GENUS    ANSER. 

171a.  Anser  albifrons  gambeli  (Hartl).  White-fronted 
Goose. 
Bill  comparatively  low  at  base,  yellow  or  orange  ;  feet  orange  or  red- 
dish. Adults :  face  white,  bor- 
dered with  dusky  ;  rest  of  head 
and  neck,  also  shoulders  and 
chest,  dark  gray ;  belly  and 
sides  black  or  spotted  with 
black,  becoming  white  pos- 
teriorly and  on  under  tail 
coverts  ;  back  dusky  gray. 
Young:  without  white  face 
or  black  on  belly.  Length  :  27- 
30,  wing  14.2.5-17..50,  bill  1.80- 
2.35,  depth  of  upper  mandible 
at  base  .90-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  Amer- 


-^ 


Fig.  81. 


ica  and  Greenland,  breeding  from  Vancouver  Island  to  the  Arctic  Ocean  ; 
south  in  winter  to  Mexico  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  A  shallow  cavity  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass,  feathers,  and 
down.     Eggs :  5  to  7,  creamy  white. 

The  food  of  the  white-fronted  goose,  according  to  Goss,  consists 
chiefly  of  vegetable  matter,  tender  aquatic  plants,  insects,  snails,  and 
frogs.  In  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  valleys  the  geese  are  so 
abundant  and  their  ravages  to  the  growing  wheat  crop  so  serious 
that  farmers  often  hire  men  by  the  month  to  drive  them  away.  Dr. 
Merrill  says  that  the  numbers  of  these  birds  that  migrate  through 
western  Oregon  are  so  immense  they  cannot  be  appreciated  until  one 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  67 

has  seen  the  spring  flight,  which,  he  has  been  told,  extends  from 
the  coast  inland  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  miles.  Mr. 
A.  M.  Shields  states  that  the  white-fronted  is  the  goose  usually  seen 
lu  the  Los  Angeles  game  market,  being  most  easily  secured  by  the 
pot-hunters. 

GENUS    BRANTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  and  feet  black  at  all  ag-es  ;  both  sexes  and 
young-  alike  ;  neck  long  and  slender  ;  head  and  neck  black,  with  white  on 
cheeks,  or  else  white  collar  ;  body  mainly  gray. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Cheeks  white. 

2.  White  of  cheeks  continuous  under  throat. 

3.  Length  35-43 canadensis,  p.  67. 

3'.  Length  25-34 hutchinsii,  p.  68. 

2'.  White  of  cheeks  separated  by  black  of  throat. 

3.  Wing  10.25-18.00 occidentalis.  p.  68. 

3'.  Wing  13.00-14.50 minima,  p.  68. 

1'.  Cheeks  black,  collar  white nigricans,  p.  08. 

172.  Branta  canadensis  (Linn.).    Canada  Goose. 

Head  and  neck  black  except  for  broad  white  band  across  throat  and 
cheeks ;  body  deep  gray,  feathers 
tipped  with  lighter  ;  rump,  tail, 
and  quills  black ;  upper  and 
lower  tail  coverts,  and  ventral 
region,  white.  Length  :  35-43, 
wing  15.0O-2L0O,  bill  L55-2.70. 

Distribution.  —  North     Amer- 
ica, breeding  from  the  northern    

United  States  to  Labrador  and   ^^^^^^^^j^0^' 
the   lower  Mackenzie  ;    south  in 
winter  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  low  mound 
in    marsh,    made    of    grass    and 
leaves,    lined   with    down.       Re- 
ported    also     in    old     nests     of  Fijj.  82. 
hawks  and  eagles,  in  trees.     Eyys :  (5  to  7,  dull  white. 

Few  wild  bird  notes  are  more  inspiring  than  the  Iiojik,  honk,  Iwb 
wank,  honk,  of  a  long  line  of  Canada  geese  flying  with  apparent  de- 
liberation but  with  really  terrific  speed  overhead,  calling  as  they  go 
in  notes  that  carry  for  a  mile  over  marsh,  lake,  and  prairie.  The 
big  strong  wings  whisli  loudly  overhead  far  out  of  shotgun  range, 
and  often  a  low  conversational  gabble  can  be  heard  under  the  loud 
honking.  Few  of  our  game  ])irds,  by  intelligent  caution  and  watch- 
fulness, have  withstood  so  successfully  the  deep  laid  schemes  and 
murderous  devices  of  pot-hunters  and  sportsmen  as  this  noble,  spir- 
ited bird.  The  widest  expanse  of  water,  marsh,  or  prairie  is  sought 
for  the  day's  feeding  ami  resting  ground,  and  the  country  surveyed 


68  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

in  lofty  circles  before  the  flock  descends.  Some  of  the  long  necks 
are  always  stretched  and  some  keen  eyes  on  guard,  but  danger  lies 
in  the  hidden  hunter,  the  decoy,  and  the  lantern.  The"  rice  lakes  are 
usually  abandoned  as  too  deadly,  and  much  of  the  food  of  the  geese 
is  obtained  in  fall  from  stubble  fields,  scattered  wheat,  oats,  barley, 
or  corn  ;  or  in  spring  from  fields  of  sprouting  grain.  In  summer, 
grass  furnishes  most  of  their  food,  but  many  of  the  small  water  ani- 
mals, such  as  snails,  minnows,  and  tadpoles,  are  eaten.  As  the  geese 
still  breed  over  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  the  eggs  are 
often  found  and  frequently  hatched  under  hens,  tame  geese,  or  tur- 
keys. A  hen  can  cover  three  eggs  very  nicely.  The  young  become 
perfectly  tame,  and  are  affectionate,  exceedingly  bright,  interesting 
pets,  always  ruling  the  poultry  yard  and  most  of  the  barn  yard. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

172a.  Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii  (Rich.).    Hutchins  Goose. 

Like  canadensis,  but  smaller.  Length :  25-34,  wing  14.75-17.75,  bill  1.20- 
1.90. 

Distribution.  —  Japan,  Siberia,  and  arctic  America ;  south  in  winter 
through  the  United  States.  Breeds  mainly  in  arctic  regions,  but  reported 
as  resident  in  British  Columbia.     Rare  toward  Atlantic  coast. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  grass,  lined  with  down.  Eggs :  usually  6,  dull 
white. 

The  habits  of  the  Hutchins  goose  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Canada 
goose. 

172b.  Branta  canadensis  occidentalis  (Baird).  White- 
cheeked  Goose. 

Like  canadensis,  but  under  parts  darker,  white  cheek  patches  usually 
separated  by  black  on  throat ;  lower  part  of  neck  with  a  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct collar.     Length:  35,  wing  16.25-18.00,  bill  1.40-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  north  to  Sitka  ;  south  in 
winter  to  California. 

172c.  Branta  canadensis  mimma.  Bidgw.    Cackling  Goose. 

Like  occidentalis  but  smaller.  Length:  23-25,  wing  13.60-14.50,  bill 
.95-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  about  Norton 
Sound  and  the  lower  Yukon  ;  south  in  winter  to  California,  and  rarely  east 
to  the  Mississipj)!  valley. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grass  and  down.  Eggs: 
5  to  8,  white. 

The  cackling  goose  is  reported  by  Nelson  as  common  and  breeding 
in  Alaska,  and  by  Fannin  and  Brooks  as  resident  on  the  coast  of 
British  Columbia. 

174.  Branta  nigricans  (Lawr.).    Black  Brant. 

Adults.  —  Head  entirely  black,  neck  almost  encircled  by  a  broad  white 
collar  open  behind  ;  upper  parts  dark  sooty  brown  ;  breast  black,  shading 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  69 

to  dark  slaty ;  anal  reg-ion  white.  Young :  white  collar  indistinct  or 
wanting- ;  larger  wing-  coverts  and  secondaries  broadly  tipjied  with  white. 
Length:  22-29,  wing-  12.70-1:5.50,  bill  1.20-1.35. 

Distribution.  —  Western  and  arctic  America,  breeding-  at  Point  Barrow  ; 
south  in  winter  along-  the  coast  to  Lower  California.  Rare  in  eastern  United 
States. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  marshy  ground,  lined  with  down.    Eggs :  4  to  6. 

GENUS    PHIIiACTE. 

176.  Philacte  canagica  (Sevast.).     Emperor  Goose. 

Bill  small  and  not  much  elevated  at  base,  mainly  light  colored,  bluish 
or  pinkish  white  above  ;  pit  of  nostrils  reaching-  feathers  of  forehead  ;  feet 
orange.  Adults :  head  and  back  of  neck  white  or  stained  with  rusty 
orang-e  ;  chin  and  throat  dusky  or  l)rownish  black  ;  rest  of  plumage,  except 
white  tail,  bluish  gray,  each  feather  with  a  black  bar  and  white  tip. 
Young :  similar  to  adult,  but  wbole  head  dusky,  specked  with  white  on 
top.     Length:  26,  wing-  14.:)0-15.75,  bill  1.40-1.(55. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Alaska,  chiefly  in  the  reg-ion  of  Norton  Sound 
and  the  lower  Yukon  ;  south  in  winter  to  Butte  County,  California.  Rare 
in  the  United  States. 

GENUS    DENDROCYGNA. 

General  Characters.  —  Feet  and  legs  long-  and  larg-e  for  a  duck ;  leg's 
covered  with  small  hexag-onal  plates ;  neck  long-  and  slender ;  head  not 
created  ;  sexes  similar. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Feet  and  leg's  pinkish,  bill  yellow autumiialis,  p.  09. 

r.  Feet,  legs,  and  bill  black     ' fulva,  p.  09. 

177.  Dendrocygna  autumnalis  (Linn.).    Black-hellikd  Tree 

Duck. 

Adults.  —  Crown,  neck,  breast,  and  back  l)vight  cinnamon  brown  ;  sides 
of  head  a.shy  gray;  belly,  rump,  tail,  and  end  of  wing-  black;  base  of 
wing  and  (juills  with  laigc  white  ])atfhes  ;  under  tail  coverts  wliite,  spotted 
with  black.  Yohikj  :  colors  duller,  bill  and  feet  dusky.  Length:  l'J.75- 
24.00,  wing-  !».20-0.to,  bill  1.00-2.15,  tarsus  2.25-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  Anu-rica  and  north  to  the  Kio  Grande  Valley 
and  Nueces  River,  Texa.s. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees,  often  at  considerable  distance  from  water. 
Eggs  :   12  to  1(>. 

178.  Dendrocygna  fulva  {(inuL).    Filvois  Trek-du'Ck. 

Under  parts,  head,  and  shotdders  \)\.\\n  bufFy  brown  or  tawny,  darkest  on 
crown  ;  l)ack  of  lu-ek  with  black  stripe  ;  back  and  wings  blackish,  feathera 
of  middle  of  l):uk  broadly  tipped  with  tawny  ;  upi)er  and  lower  tail  cov- 
erts and  stnj)es  along  sides  creamv  white.  Length:  20-21,  wing-  8.10- 
S.IM),  bill  l.f;,-,-1.05,  tarsus  2.10-2.40." 

Distribution.  —  Mexico  and  north  to  central  California,  Nevada,  and 
Louisiana;  also  in  Sonth  America,  southern  Asia.  Africa,  and  Mada- 
pasear. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees  or  more  commonly  <tn  grotind  in  marsh  or  near 
water,  .-i  well  built  and  often  well  concealed  nest.  Eggs:  numerous,  15  to 
iiO  or  more. 


70  IBISES 

The  fulvous  tree-duck  is  a  more  or  less  common  summer  resident 
of  the  tule' marshes  and  irrigated  regions  of  southern  California, 
breeding  abundantly  in  favorite  localities  and  migrating  south  in 
winter.  Its  usual  nesting  place  seems  to  be  on  the  ground  in 
marshes,  but  it  also  breeds  in  trees.  (See  Bull.  Cooper  Ornithological 
Club,  vol.  i.  No.  1,  p.  9;  and  Cotidor,  vol.  iii.  No.  3,  p.  67.) 

GENUS    OLOR. 

General  Characters.  —  Size  very  large  ;  neck  longer  than  body  ;  bill 
black,  large,  and  high  at  base,  with  naked  space  reaching  eyes.  Plum- 
age entirely  pure  white  in  adults.  Young  :  ashy,  or  tinged  with  brownish  ; 
bill  and  feet  grayish  or  flesh  color. 

KEY   TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Distance  from  eye  to  back  of  nostril  greater  than  rest  of  bill. 

columbianus,  p.  70. 
1'.  Distance  from  eye  to  back  of  nostril  less  than  rest  of  bill. 

buccinator,  p.  70. 

180.  Olor  columbianus  (Ord.).     Whistling  Swan. 

Bill  black  ;  lores  usually  with  a  small  yellow  spot.  Length  :  -i^  feet, 
extent  about  7  feet,  wing  21-22,  bill  O.80-4.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  far  northward  and  probably  in 
British  Columbia ;  migrating  south  over  the  United  States  ;  wintering 
from  British  Columbia  and  Illinois  soiithward. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  usually  on  island  or  bank  near  water  ;  made  of  moss, 
grass,  and  leaves.     Eggs  :  5  to  7,  dull  whitish. 

181.  Olor  buccinator  (Rich.).     Trumpeter  Swan. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  and  lores  entirely  black.  Length  :  .5-5^  feet,  extent  8 
to  nearly  10  feet,  wing  21.00-27.50,  bill  4.30-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  less  common  toward  the 
coasts,  breeding  from  Iowa  and  the  Dakotas  northward,  but  mainly  far 
north  ;  wintering  from  southern  British  Columbia  to  Gulf  of  Mexico  and 
southern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  made  of  grass,  leaves,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  5  to  7, 
dull  whitish. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  the  trumpeter  swan  is  a  regular  spring 
visitant  to  the  fresli  water  ponds  and  lakes  in  the  vicinity  of  Los 
Angeles. 

ORDER   HBRODIONES:    HERONS,    STORKS, 
IBISES,  ETC. 

(Families  Ibidid.e,  Ciconiid^,  and  Ardeid^e.) 

FAMILY    IBIDIDiE:    IBISES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Head  of  adult  mainly  naked,  crown  with  short  feathers. 

Guara,  p.  71. 
1'.  Head  feathered  except  on  lores,  crown  slightly  crested. 

Plegadis,  p.  71. 


IBISES  71 

GENUS    GUARA. 

184.  Guara  alba  (Linn.).     White  Ibis. 

Size  large  ;  face  and  chin  naked  in  adults  ;  head  not  crested.  Adults  : 
tips  of  wings  black;  rest  of  plumage  white,  tinted  with  pink  in  life. 
Young :  dark  brownisli  except  for  white  belly,  rump,  and  tail  coverts  ; 
head  and  neck  specked  with  dusky.  Length  :  21.50-27.50,  wing-  10.30- 
11.75,  bill  4.15-6.80,  tarsus  8.10-4.00. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  north  to  North 
Carolina,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Great  Salt  Lake,  and  Lower  California  ;  acci- 
dentally to  Connecticut.  ^ 

GENUS    PLEGADIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Lores  and  eyelids  naked,  rest  of  head  well  feath- 
ered and  crown  slightly  crested  ;  bill  long-,  scythe-shaped,  grooved  from 
nostril  to  tip  ;  colors  rich  purplish  brown,  with  metallic  tints. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Feathers  at  base  of  bill  black autumiialis,  p.  71. 

1'.  Feathers  at  base  of  bill  white guarauna,  p.  71. 

186.  Plegadis  autumnalis  (Hasselq.).     Glossy  Ibis. 

Like  guarauna,  but  larger,  with  green  instead  of  red  lores,  and  feathers 
at  base  of  bill  blackish  instead  of  white.  Length  :  22-25,  wing  10.20- 
11.85,  bill  4.:50-5.45. 

Distribution.  — Southeastern  United  States  and  West  Indies,  and  warmer 
parts  of  Old  World  ;  straggling-  to  New  England,  Nebraska,  and  Arizona. 

187.  Plegadis  guarauna  (Linn.).     White-faoed  Glossy  Ibis. 
Lores  and  eyelids  naked,  rest  of  head  well  feathered  ;  bill  long  and 

narrow,  gently 
curved  downward, 
grooved  from  nos- 
tril to  tip.  Adults  : 
lores  red  ;  face 
whitish;  head. 
neck,  shoulders, 
and  under  parts 
dark  rich  chestnut ; 

crown    and    wings      ^i-''"  Fig.  83. 

glossed  with  iri- 
descent purplish  and  greenish.  Young :  head  and  neck  streaked  with  white 
and  duskv.  and  under  parts  g-rayish  brown.  Length  :  li)-20,  wing  9.30- 
lO.SO,  bill  :!.75-(i.()(),  tai-sus  8.00-4.40. 

Distribution. — Tropical  America  and  western  United  States.  Texas, 
and  Lower  California  to  Oregon,  and  casually  to  British  Columbia  and 
Florida. 

Nest.  —  Among  or  on  rushes,  made  of  stems  of  rushes  and  various 
other  plants.     Eggs  :  usually  3,  greenish  blue. 

The  glossy  ibis  is  a  marsh  bird,  usually  seen  in  tlocks  varying 
from  a  dozen  to  fifty,  cireling  overhead  or  wading  in  the  shallow 
water  of  a  niarsli,  slough,  or  irrigated  liekl.     At  a  distance  the  birds 


72  STORKS  AND  WOOD   IBISES 

look  as  black  as  ravens,  but  their  flight  is  crane-like,  and  walking  or 
wading  they  have  the  dignified  pose  of  the  cranes  and  herons.  No 
doubt  the  name  black  curlew  comes  from  their  curved  bill,  but  they 
are  neither  cranes  nor  curlews.  According  to  Goss,  they  feed  on 
craw^fish,  snails,  minnows,  frogs,  and  insects.       Vernon  Bailey. 

FAMILY  CICONIIDiE  :  STORKS  AND  WOOD  IBISES. 

^  KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Bill  curved  downward  and  blunt  at  tip  .  .  .  .  Tantalus,  p.  72. 
1'.  Bill  inclined  uj^ward  and  sharp  at  tip Mycteria,  p.  72. 

GENUS   TANTALUS. 

188.  Tantalus  ioculator  Linn.    Wood  Ibis. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  upper  neck  naked  and,  except  for  a  smooth  square 
patch  on  crow  n,  scurfy.  Plumage  mainly  white ;  wing-  quills  and  tail 
greenish  and  purplish  black ;  under  wing  coverts  pinkish  in  breeding* 
plumage.  Young :  whole  head  and  neck  except  face  covered  with  green- 
ish brown  feathers,  darker  on  back  of  head  ;  rest  of  plumage  dull  whitish. 
Length  ;  35-45,  wing  17.G0-19.50,  bill  6.10-7.30. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  United  States  from  Ohio,  Colorado,  Utah,  and 
southeastern  California  south  to  Argentina  ;  casually  north  to  Wisconsin 
and  New  York. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  a  loosely  arranged  platform  of  sticks,  lined  with  moss 
or  other  soft  material.     Eggs  :  usually  o,  dull  white. 

Goss  says  the  white  ibis  is  a  common  resident  of  all  the  Gulf 
states,  and  is  found  on  the  Colorado  and  Gila  rivers  in  the  vicinitj^  of 
Yuma.  During  the  breeding  season  the  ibises  assemble  in  large 
flocks,  but  they  scatter  more  or  less  afterwards,  when  it  is  not  un- 
common to  find  a  solitary  bird  on  the  feeding  ground  or  perched  on 
top  of  a  tall  tree.  Their  food  consists  of  fish,  crabs,  frogs,  and 
young  alligators,  together  with  the  small  forms  of  life  that  inhabit 
shallow  lagoons,  stagnant  streams,  and  pools  on  overflowed  land. 

[189.]  Mycteria  americana  Linn.    Jabiru. 

Size  of  a  large  crane  ;  legs  long,  bill  enormous  and  inclined  upwards  at 
tip.  Adults  :  head  and  neck  naked  except  for-^  hair-like  crest  on  occiput ; 
bill,  head,  and  legs  black  ;  skin  of  lower  neck  red  in  life  ;  plumage 
white.  Young  :  Plumage  mainly  brownish  gray.  Length  :  about  4i  feet; 
wing  24..50-27.00,  bill  9.75-13.00,  tarsus  11.2-5-12.50. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  ;    north  casually  to  southern  Texas. 

FAMILY  ARDEIDiE:  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tail  feathers  10,  short  and  very  soft. 

2.  Plumage  mainly  striped Botaurus,  p.  73. 

2'.  Plumage  not  mainly  striped,  back  black  or  brown  .  Ardetta,  p.  74. 
r.  Tail  feathers  12,  normal. 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 


73 


2.  Bill  long  and  slender,  five  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Ardea,  p.  74. 
2'.  Bill  short  and  stout,  less  than  four  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Nycticorax,  p.  77. 

GENUS    BOTAURUS. 
190.  Botaurus  lentiginosus  (Moutag.).     American  Bittern. 
Sexes  alike  and  young  very  similar  to  adults  ;  feathers  lax  and  coarse  ; 


Fig.  84. 

upper  parts  broadly  striped  with  dusky  on  buff ;  crown  and  streak  along 
jaw  blackish  ;  throat  and  under  parts  ereamv  buff,  striped  with  brown. 
Length  :  24-;34,  wing  9.80-12.00,  bill  2.50-.'J.:iO, 
tarsus  o.  10-3. 85. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America, 
and  soutli  to  Guatemala,  breeding  in  suitable  loca- 
tions over  most  of  the  United  ^States. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  in  marshes  ; 
made  of  stems  of  grass,  rushes,  weeds,  or  sticks. 
Eggs  :  3  to  G,  brownish  drab. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  the  l)oom- 
ing  of  the  bittern  is  a  familiar  sound  from 
the  marshes.     The  deep  vmp-up,   vinp-vj),  *''^-  ^• 

ump-up,  has  suggested  sueh  names  as  prairie  pump,  thunder  pimiper, 
and  stake  driver,  and  the  gurgling  tone  has  very  naturally  led  to 
the  belief  that  the  call  was  produced  with  the  bill  under  water.  In 
reality  it  is  the  love-song  and  call-note  of  the  breeding  season,  pro- 
duced by  inflating  the  throat  and  emitting  the  air  with  a  gulping 
motion  and  the  familiar  booming  soiuid.  The  .skin  of  the  neck 
becomes  much  thickened  and  of  a  gelatinous  texture,  as  in  the  necks 
of  the  varicms  grouse  that  boom,  so  that  it  serves  as  an  elastic  bel- 
lows. On  a  still  spring  morning  the  sound  carries  far  over  the 
marshes  and  to  hinnan  cars  gives  little  clue  to  distance  or  direction. 
But  its  ventrilo(|uism  is  not  the  bittern's  only  protection.  If  the 
sound  is  successfully  followed  up  and  the  bird  actually  seen,  lie  may 


74  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 

not  be  discovered.  Standing  in  the  high  grass  or  rushes,  at  your 
step  he  points  his  bill  to  the  sky  as  if  turned  to  stone,  his  striped 
coat  harmonizing  so  well  with  the  straight  lines  of  the  surrounding 
vegetation  that  he  is  often  passed  by  for  a  stick.  His  throat  is 
his  most  protectively  colored  part,  and  it  is  said  that  if  you  walk 
around  him  he  will  turn  as  you  do,  so  as  to  keep  facing  you.  If 
discovered  and  flushed  he  will  jump  into  the  air  with  awkward 
haste  and  sometimes  a  startled  squack.  His  flight  would  be  heron- 
like but  for  the  quicker  strokes  given  by  his  smaller  wings. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS   ARDETTA. 

191.  Ardetta  exilis  (GmeL).    Least  Bittern. 

Size  very  small,  sexes  and  young-  different.  Adult  male :  back,  crown, 
rump,  and  tail  greenish  black  ;  back  of  neck  and  patch  on  wing-  chestnut ; 
throat  and  under  parts  light  buff,  with  two  dusky  spots  on  breast.  Adult 
female  :  back  mainly  chestnut,  and  buff  of  under  parts  striped  with  dusky. 
Young :  like  female,  but  brown  feathers  of  back  tipped  with  buff.  Length  : 
12.00-14.25,  wing  4.30-5.25,  bill  1.00-1.90,  tarsus  1.50-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  north  to  southern  Oregon 
and  the  British  Provinces,  and  sovitli  to  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  tall  grass  or  rushes,  a  little  above  the  ground  or  water, 
made  of  grass  and  rush  stems.     Eggs :  3  to  6,  bluish  white. 

The  slender,  dainty  least  bittern  is  mainly  a  bird  of  the  marshes. 
Like  the  bittern,  it  avoids  the  trouble  of  flying  whenever  it  can  by 
making  a  bold  bluff,  and  when  it  strikes  its  attitude  may  easily  be 
mistaken  for  one  of  the  yellow  tule  stems  or  dry  cat-tails.  Some- 
times it  eludes  you  by  stealthy  retreat,  for  it  is  almost  rail-like  in 
its  manner  of  creeping  under  the  grass  and  rushes.  When  the  water 
is  too  deep  to  wade  in,  it  walks  by  grasping  the  protruding  stems. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    ARDEA. 

General  Characters.  —  Legs  and  neck  long  and  slender  ;  bill  slender, 
straight,  and  sharp ;  crown,  throat,  or  back  with  plumes  or  crests  in 
adults. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Plumage  entirely  white. 

2.  Adult  with  long  plumes  on  back  only egretta,  p.  75. 

2'.  Adult  with  long  plumes  on  crown,  neck,  and  back. 

candidissima,  p.  75. 
1 '.  Plumage  mainly  blue,  or  brown  and  green  ;  sometimes  wliite  in  ccerulea. 
2.  Color  mainly  bluish  gray  or  slaty. 
8.  Size  large,  wing  over  17. 

4.  Lighter,  upper  parts  bluish  gray     ....       herodias,  p.  75. 

4'.  Darker,  upper  parts  slaty f  aiiiiini,  p.  75. 

3'.  Size  small,  wing  under  11  ;  young,  and  sometimes  adults,  white. 

caerulea,  p.  70. 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS  75 

2'.  Color  mainly  dark  green  or  slaty  and  brown. 
3.  Body  dark  green. 

4.  Neck  dark  chestnut  .     . virescens,  p.  76. 

4'.  Neck  light  chestnut anthonyi,  p.  77. 

3'.  Body  slaty ;  neck  cinnamon rufesceiis,  p.  76. 

Subgenus  Ardea. 

194.  Ardea  herodias  i«?m.     Great  Blue  Heron. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  bluish  gTay  ;  top  of  head  white,  bordered  by 
black  and  with  black  occipital  crest ;  shoulders  black,  striped  with  white  ; 
under  parts  heavily  streaked  with  black  and  white  ;  thighs  and  edge  of 
wings  cinnamon  brown.  In  hreediny  season  :  crest  with  two  or  more  slender 
white  plumes.  Young  :  whole  crown  and  crest  black  ;  wing  coverts  without 
white  or  rufous  spots.  Length  :  42-50,  wing  17.90-19.85,  bill  4.30-0.25, 
tarsus  0-8. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  except  northwest  coast,  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Alaska  south  to  Venezuela. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  tall  swamp  trees,  but  sometimes  on  rocks  or  the 
ground,  a  wide  platform  of  sticks  with  little  lining-,  -t^ggs  :  3  to  0,  dull 
greenish  blue. 

The  blue  craues  or  great  blue  herons  are  common  along  river 
banks,  lake  shores,  and  marshes  all  over  the  United  States,  and  are 
everywhere  known  both  by  their  stilted  pose  as  they  stand  in  shallow 
water  watching  for  fish,  and  bj^  their  heavy  flight  as  they  move  evenly 
along  with  crooked  neck  and  big  slowly  flapping  wings. 

1 94a.  A.  h.  fannini  Chapm.     Northwest  Coast  Heron. 

Similar  to  herodiiis,  but  with  shorter  tarsus  and  darker  plumage,  the 
upper  parts  being-  bluish  slaty  black  instead  of  bluish  gray  ;  tibise  more 
feathered.      Wing  :   17.50,  tarsus  5.38,  culmen  5.90. 

Distribution.  —  Queen  Charlotte  and  Vancouver  Islands  and  coast  region 
of  British  Columbia. 

Subgenus   Herodias. 

196.  Ardea  egretta  Gmel.    Egret. 

Plumage  always  pure  wliite.  Adult  in  nuptial  plumage  :  scapular  plumes 
of  dissected  filamentose  feathers  covering  back  and  reaching-  well  beyond 
end  of  tail  ;  head  and  neck  without  crests  or  long  feathers  ;  feet  black, 
legs  yellow  ;  1)111  yellow,  usually  blacki.sh  near  tip.  J\)st-breeding  plumage 
and  young :  back  without  plumes.  Length:  37-41,  wing- 14.  I0-1().S0,  bill 
4.20-4.90;  tarsus  5.50-(;.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  United  States  and  south  to  Patagonia  ;  north 
irregularly  to  Oregon,  Minnesota,  and  Nova  Scotia. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  bushes,  near  water.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish. 

The  egret,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  birds,  has  been  almost 
exterminated  for  its  plumes,  which  are  used  in  millinery  as  aigrettes. 

Subgenus  Garzetta. 

197.  Ardea  candidissima  (hue/.    Snowy  Heron. 

Plmiiagc  alw.iys  j)iiri'  white.  Adults  in  uuptial  plumage:  sca]>ulars 
with  long  i)lunu's  of  dissected  filamentose  feathers  reaching  beyond  tail 
and  recurved  at  tip ;  head   and   throat  crested  ;  feet  yellow,  legs   black  ; 


76  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 

bill  black,  with  yellow  base.  Post-breeding  plumage  and  young :  back  with- 
out plumes.  Length  :  20.00-27.25,  wing  8.20-10.50,  bill  2.08-3.(55,  tarsus 
3.15-4.50. 

Distribution.  —  Approximately  the  whole  United  States,  and  south  to 
Argentina,  South  America. 

Although  widely  distributed,  the  snowy  heron  is  generally  a  rare 
bird.  Throughout  most  of  the  western  United  States  only  an  occa- 
sional wanderer  is  found. 

Subgenus  Dichromanassa. 
198.  Ardea  rufescens  GmeL     Reddish  Egret. 

Adults.  —  Feathers  of  head,  sides  of  neck,  and  lower  part  of  throat  long 
and  lanceolate ;  scapular  plumes  extending  beyond  end  of  tail  and  with 
fine  dissected  filaments ;  color  plain  slaty,  with  cinnamon  or  vinaceous 
rufous  head  and  neck.  Young :  plain  grayish,  tinged  liere  and  there  with 
rusty.     Length:  27-32,  wing  11.90-13.00,  bill  3.30-4.00,  tarsus  4.90-5.75. 

Distribution. — Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Mexico,  from  Guatemala  north  to 
Lower  California,  the  Gulf  states,  and  southern  Illinois.  One  record  for 
Colorado. 

Siibgenus   Florida. 

200.  Ardea  CSerulea  Linn.     Little  Blue  Heron. 

Adults.  —  Plumes  on  crown,  back,  and  breast  long  and  narrow ;  head  and 
neck  chestnut  or  maroon ;  rest  of  plumage  dark  slaty  blue ;  plumage 
sometimes  partly  or  mainly  white,  witli  bluish  tips  to  quills.  Young: 
without  elongated  plumes  ;  mainly  white  with  a  tinge  of  blue  on  quills. 
Lerigth:  20.00-29.50,  wing  O.OO-IO.OO,  bill  2.70-3.30, tarsus  3.15-4.00. 

Distribution. — Eastern  United  States  from  Ncav  Jersey  and  Maine  west 
to  Nebraska  and  San  Angelo,  Texas :   south  to  northern  South  America. 

The  little  blue  heron  breeds  in  Tropical  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones, 
and  after  the  breeding  season  wanders  north,  sometimes  as  far  as 
Nebraska. 

Subgenus  Butorides. 

201.  Ardea  virescens  Linn.     Green  Heron. 

Bill  longer  than  tarsus,  crown  and   back  with  long,  lanceolate,  but  not 

dissected  plumes. 
Adults :  crown  and 
crest,  tail,  and  most 
of  wings  dark  green; 
scapular  plumes  blu- 
ish green ;  sides  of 
neck  rich  dark  chest- 
nut ;  belly  dusky. 
Young :  similar  to 
^  adults,  but  with 
^^g-  8C.  scapular  plumes 

shorter  and  darker 
green  ;  most  of  quills  tipped  withAvhite  and  under  parts  coarsely  streaked. 
Length:  15.50-22.50,  wing  6.30-8.00,  bill  2.00-2.55,  tarsus  1.75-2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Oregon  and  Ontario  southward  to  West  Indies  and  Vene- 
zuela. 


BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS  77 

Nest.  —  On  branches  of  trees  and  bushes  near  water;  loosely  made  of 
sticks  and  lined  with  leafy  twigs.     JEggs  :  3  to  (3,  light  bluish  green. 

The  green  heron,  with  other  mainly  nocturnal  herons,  lives  in 
woody  swamps,  bogs,  or  sedgy  marshes,  and  often  hunts  along 
streams  and  ponds.  When  startled  it  flies  up  with  a  '  hollow  gut- 
tural scream,'  but  soon  lights  on  a  stump  or  tree,  looking  around 
with  craned  neck.  It  lives  largely  on  small  fish,  frogs,  larvae  and 
grasshoppers,  together  with  a  variety  of  insects. 

201b.  A.  V.  anthonyi  Mearns.     Anthony  Green  Heron. 

Similar  to  vir-esrens,  but  decidedly  lighter  colored  ;  sides  of  neck  bright 
yellowish  chestnut.     Length  :  19.10,  wing  8.20,  bill  2.o5.  ^ 

Distribution.  —  Arid  region  of  the  southwestern  United  States,  and 
south  through  Mexico  ;  north  to  Yreka,  California. 

Anthonyi  is  a  pale  desert  form  of  cirescem,  with  only  local  modi- 
fications of  habit. 

GENUS  NYCTICORAX. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  comparatively  short  and  stout ;  head  crested, 
and,  in  breeding  plumage,  with  a  few  long'  white  cord-like  plumes  from 
back  of  crown. 

key  to  species. 

1.  Crown  black,  cheeks  and  chin  creamy  white      .     .     .      neevius,  p.  77. 
1.  Crown  creamy  white,  cheeks  and  chin  black      .     .      violaceus,  p.  78. 

Subgenus  Nycticorax. 

202.  Nycticorax  nycticorax  nsevius  {Bodd).  Black- 
crowned  Night  Heron. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  tarsus.  Adults:  crown  and  back  black;  wings 
and  tail  ashy  gray  ;  forehead  and  throat  creamy  white,  shading  into  light 
gray  of  sides  and  under  parts.  Young :  crown  blackish,  streaked  with 
buff;  back  dusky  gray,  spotted  and  striped,  and  quills  tipped  with  buff; 
neck  and  under  parts  coarsely  striped  witli  buff  and  dusky.  Length  :  28- 
2(),  wing^  1 1.00-12.80,  bill  2.S()-;].10,  tarsus  ;5.10-3.40. 

Distribution.  —  JVIost  of  South  America  and  north  to  southern  Canada  ; 
breeding  throughout  its  range  and  wintering  from  the  southern  United 
States  soutliward. 

Nest.  —  Iloughly  made  of  reeds,  ru.shes,  or  sticks  placed  on  the  ground 
among  reeds,  or  on  bushes  or  trees.     J^ggs  :  o  to  0,  dull  bluish. 

Tlic  black-crowned  is  one  of  the  commonest  and  most  widely  dis- 
tri])ute(l  of  our  herons.  Pairs  or  small  Ihx-ks  pass  hurriedly  over- 
head morning  and  evening,  uttering  now  and  then  the  liar.^h  gut- 
tural '  S(iuawk' wiiich  gives  them  their  commonest  name.  During 
the  day  you  frighten  them  from  their  naps  among  the  tules  or  reeds 
or  from  the  leafy  branches  of  the  eottonwoods  that  overhang  the 
streams;  and  whether  one  or  a  dozen  are  aroused,  each  loudly  re- 


78  CRANES 

peats  its  name.  True  to  their  more  diguified  appellation,  the  herons 
feed  mainly  at  night,  but  they  are  seen  on  the  wing  occasionally  dur- 
ing the  day. 

Social  at  all  times,  they  are  especially  so  during  the  breeding 
season,  nesting  in  small  groups  of  three  or  four  families  to  a  tree,  or 
in  colonies  numbering  many  thousands.  The  largest  colonies  usually 
have  their  nests  on  the  ground,  in  tule  swamps  or  reed  patches,  the 
nests,  which  are  only  a  few  feet  apart,  covering  many  acres. 

Veknon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Nyctanassa, 

203.  Nycticorax  violaceus  {Linn.).  Yellow-crowned  Night 
Herok. 

Bill  much  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  back  with  long  narrow  i)lunie-like 
feathers  reaching  beyond  end  of  tail.  Adults  :  crown  and  patch  under 
eye  creamy  white  ;  sides  of  head  and  chin  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  bluish 
gray,  striped  with  black  and  light  gray  on  wings  and  back.  Young : 
striped  and  mottled  with  brownish  on  back  and  belly.  Length  :  22-28, 
wing  10..50-12.()5,  bill  2.50-8.00,  tarsus  3.10-4.20. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  and  north  to  the  Carolinas  and  Colo- 
rado, and  casually  to  Massachusetts  and  Maine ;  south  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  a  platform  of  sticks.     Eggs :  4  to  6,  dull  bluish. 


ORDER   PALUDICOL^  :  CRANES,  RAILS,  ETC. 

FAMILY    GRUIDiE:    CRANES. 

GENUS    GRUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Size  very  large,  hind  toe  short  and  elevated ; 
head  partly  naked,  the  warty  skin  covered  with  scattered  bristly  hau-s. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Crown  and  cheeks  naked  in  adults  ;  ijlumage  white. 

americana,  p.  78. 
1'.  Crown  naked  in  adults,  cheeks  feathered  ;  plumage  gray  and  brown. 

2.  Larger,  wing  21.00-22.50 mexicana,  p.  79. 

2'.  Smaller,  wing  17.50-20.00       .......    canadensis,  p.  79. 

204.  Grus  americana  {Linn.).    Whooping  Crane. 

Adults.  —  Plumage  pure  white  except  for  black  primaries  and  their  cov- 
erts, and  sometimes  a  slaty  patch  on  back  of  head  ;  naked  skin  of  crown, 
face,  and  cheeks  with  stiff  black  bristles.  Young:  mainly  white,  but 
more  or  less  washed  with  brownish  on  upper  parts  ;  head  entirely  feath- 
ered.    Length:  50-54,  wing  22-25,  bill  5.35-5.80,  tarsus  11-12. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Illinois  west 
to  Colorado ;  north  to  Great  Slave  Lake,  and  migrating  to  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  usually  in  marsh.  Eggs  :  2,  olive  or  buffy,  spotted 
with  brown  and  gray. 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS 


79 


205.  Grus  canadensis  (Linn.).     Little  Brown  Crane. 

Like  mexicana,  but  smaller.  Length :  o5,  vfing  17.50-20.00,  bill  3.04- 
4.20,  tarsus  (3.70-8.44. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  breeding-  from  Hudson  Bay 
and  the  arctic  coast  to  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  through  the  interior 
United  States  to  Mexico  ;  west  to  Colorado  and  British  Columbia. 

206.  Grus  mexicana  (MUIL).    Sandhill  Crane. 

Crown  and  lores  naked  except  for  scattered  black  bristles ;  cheeks  and 
jaw  well  feathered.  Adults  :  whole  plumag-e  slaty  gray 
or  lig^ht  brownish,  wings  darker ;  cheeks  and  throat 
lighter  and  sometimes  whitish.  Young  :  head  entirely 
feathered  ;  plumage  rusty  brown.  Length  :  40-48,  wing 
21.00-22.50,  bill  5.15-0.00,  tarsus  9.00-10.65. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Canada  south  to  cen- 
tral Mexico  and  Florida ;  breeding  from  Canada  to 
Arizona.     Rare  east  except  in  Georgia  and  Florida. 

Nest.  —  A  wide  platform  of  flags  aud  rushes  in  a 
marsh,     i^ggs  :  2,  olive  buff,  spotted  with  brown. 

On  the  big  iinfenced  prairies  and  the  treeless 
expanse  of  marsh  where  there  is  nothing  to  hide 
a  lurking  foe,  you  find  the  sandhill  cranes,  some- 
times in  small  migrating  flocks  but  usually  in 
pairs,  stalking  about  in  dignified  but  ever  watch- 
ful manner,  stretching  up  to  nearly  a  man's 
height  to  survey  the  surrounding  country,  then 
stooping  to  probe  the  earth  for  worms,  catch  a 
distant  grasshopper,  or  spear  a  luckless  frog  or 
minnow.  Let  an  enemy  appear  in  the  distance, 
and  the  long  necks  are  up,  and  one  of  the  most 
powerful,  far-reaching  of  bird-notes  rings  out  with  its  alarm  chal- 
lenge, a  prolonged  bugle -like  cry,  deeper  and  heavier  than  the 
loon's,  and  often  heard  a  mile  away.  With  a  quick  run  the  splendid 
birds  mount  on  the  wing,  the  bugle-notes  resounding  rhythmically 
with  only  the  space  of  an  inspiration  between  as  they  fly;  and 
though  their  calls  mellow  in  the  distance,  the  cranes  vanish  as 
specks  in  the  air  before  the  sound  of  their  magnificent  voices  is  en- 
tirely lost.  Veiinon  Bailey. 

FAMILY  RALLID^ :  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS. 


Fig.  87. 


KEY   TO   genera. 

1.  Forehead  entirely  feathered  down  to  base  of  bill. 

2.   Bill  long  and  slender,  as  long  as  or  longer  tlian  tarsus  .  Rallus,  p.  SO. 

2'.  Bill  short  and  stout,  about  two  thirds  the  length  of  tarsus. 

Porzana.  p.  81. 
1'.  Forehead  covered  by  naked  .shield  at  base  of  bill. 

2.  Toes  deeply  lobcd  along  sides Fulica,  p.  8:). 

2'.  Toes  slender,  without  lobes Gallinula,  p.  82. 


80  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS 

GENUS    RALLUS. 
General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  longer  than  tarsns  ;   sexes  alike. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Size  large,  wing-  over  5. .50. 

2.  Breast  uniform  deep  cinnamon obsoletus,  p.  80. 

2'.  Breast  pale  cinnamon  buff caribeeus,  p.  80. 

1'.  Size  small,  wing- not  over  4.25 viiginianus,  p.  80. 

210.  Rallus  obsoletus   Bidgw.     California  Clappek  Rail.i 
Upper  parts   olive   gray,  striped   on   back  and  wings  with  dark  brown  ; 

breast  and  throat  plain  cinnamon 
brown  ;  chin  white  ;  flanks  dusky, 
narrowly  barred  with  white. 
Length:  17-18,  wing  6.20-6.70, 
Fig.  88.  bill  2.25-2.50,  tarsus  2.10-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Salt  marshes  of 
the  Pacific  coast  from  Washington  (?)  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  grass  or  tules  at  edge  of  slough  or  tide  marsh,  com- 
posed of  dry  grasses.  Eggs :  6  to  12  (Henry  Adams  in  The  Condor,  1900, 
31). 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  the  clapper  rails  are 
tolerably  common  residents  of  the  salt  coast  marshes.  Their  loud 
cackling  notes  are  frequently  heard,  especially  at  high  tide,  when 
they  are  driven  to  the  higher  ground. 

[211.2.]  Rallus  longirostris  caribseus  Ridgw.  Caribbean 
CLArPER  Kail. 

Under  parts  grayish,  striped  with  darker  ;  throat  whitish  ;  breast  brown  ; 
sides  and  flanks  barred  with  brown  or  dusky  and  whitish.  Wing :  5.76, 
bill  2.-38,  tarsus  2.02,  middle  toe  1.85. 

Distribution.  —  Lesser  Antilles,  Jamaica,  and  coast  of  southern  Texas 
(Corpus  Christi  and  Galveston). 

Nest.  — A  platform-like  structure  of  dried  grasses,  sedges,  etc.,  in  tufts 
of  grass  or  sedges,  in  marshes  or  ponds.  Eggs  :  6  to  15,  white,  buffy  white, 
or  brownish  buff,  sparingly  spotted  with  rusty  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

212.  Rallus  virginianus  Linn.     Virginia  Rail. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olive  brown,  streaked 
with  black;  wing  with  a  large  chest- 
nut patch  ;  sides  of  head  slaty  gray, 
lores  blackish,  and  chin  white ;  throat 
and  breast  cinnamon  brown  ;  flanks 
black,  barred  with  white.  Young  : 
plumage  much  mottled  with  black, 
but  chestnut  wing  patch  always  pre- 
sent. Length :  8.12-10.50,  wing  3.90- 
4.25,  bill  1.45-1.60,  tarsus  1.30-1.40. 
Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America, 
^^'  from  Hudson  Bay  and  British  Columbia   south 

1  Rallus  levipes  Bangs.     Like  obsoletus,  but  smaller,  bill  more  slender,  and  coloration 
darker. 
Distribution.  —  Southern  California.    Bull.  N.  Eng.  Zobl.  Club,  i.  1899,  45. 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS  81 

to  Guatemala  and  Cuba,  breeding-  over  most  of   the  United  States  and 
southern  Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  marsh,  under  shelter  of  tall  grass,  composed  of  dry  grass. 
Eggs :  G  to  10,  creamy  white,  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 

The  Virginia  rail  is  common  in  almost  all  suitable  marshes,  whether 
salt  or  fresh,  throughout  the  United  States,  but  like  all  of  its  short- 
winged  kind  it  prefers  a  game  of  hide  and  seek  to  laborious  flight, 
and  is  more  often  heard  than  seen.  If  you  try  to  tramp  one  out  of 
the  marsh  it  will  cackle  and  laugh  on  the  right  and  then  on  the  left 
of  you,  without  ever  showing  itself;  but  if  you  sit  quietly  cm  the 
bank  of  a  grassy,  reedy  pond  or  stream  where  one  lives,  it  will  soon 
come  peeking  and  peering  at  you  between  the  stems. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    PORZANA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  sexes  similar. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Back  with  narrow  white  streaks. 

2.    Back  streaked  longitudinally  \\ith  white      .     .     .     Carolina,  p.  81. 

2'.  Back  cross-lined  with  white iioveboracensis,  p.  82. 

1'.  Back  without  white  streaks. 

2.  Back  finely  dotted  with  white jamaicensis,  p.  82. 

2'.  Back  without  white  markings coturniculus,  p.  82. 

SubgeniTs  Porzana. 
214.  Porzana  Carolina  (i/?j».).    Carolina  Rail:  Sora. 

^Ulults.  —  I  pper  paits  olive  brown,  spotted  with  black  and  finely  lined 

rwith  wliite  ;  middle  of  crown,  face,  and  throat  black  ;  breast 
and  checks  bluish  gray,  sides  barred  black  and  white  ;  belly 
whitish;  middle  of  lower  tail  coverts  buff.  Immature:  simi- 
lar to  adult  but  without  l)lack  face  or  bluisli  gray  breast. 
Length:  7.85-U.75,  wing-  4.15—1  ;^jO,  bill  .T-J-DO,  tarsus  1.25- 
1.35. 
Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America  from  Iludscui 
Bay  and  British  Columbia  south  to  northern  South  America, 
_,.     „j  breeding  over  most  of  its  United  States  and  Canadian  range. 

Xest.  —  Usually  on  tussock  in  marsh,  made  of  dry  grasses 
or  sedges.  Eggs :  usually  7  to  10  but  sometimes  14  to  Hi,  grayish  olive, 
spotted  with  red(li.sli  brown  and  purplish. 

Carolina  rails  are  the  commonest  of  their  family  over  the  eastern 
and  middle  United  States,  or  at  least,  being  uiok;  commonly  jneadow 
birds,  arc  oftener  seen  than  the  other  species;  but  in  the  west  they 
are  less  (;ommon  than  tlu;  Virginia  rail.  To  avoid  flying,  when  their 
field  is  being  mowed  they  will  often  .stay  in  the  fast  narrowing  strip 
of  grass  until  they  must  go  or  meet  the  sharp  teeth  of  the  ."^icklc, 
when  i)erhaps  a  dozen  will  rise  one  after  another  and  fly  to  fresh 
cover. 


82  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS 

lu  the  wild  rice  fields,  I  have  frequently  watched  them  walking 
daintily  over  the  leaves  and  floating  stems,  swimming  across  the  nar- 
row channels  where  they  could  not  wade,  and  running  in  and  out  of 
the  thousand  little  trails  that  lead  about  under  the  grass  ;  and  have 
often  clapped  my  hands  to  hear  them  answer  back  with  their  mock- 
ing, cackling  laugh.  Vernon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Coturnicops. 

215.  Porzana  noveboracensis  {Gmel.).    Yellow  Rail. 

Upper  parts  dark  buff,  mottled  with  brown  and  black,  feathers  of  back 

narrowly  tipped  with  white  in  wavy 
cross  -  lines  ;  wing  dusky,  with  large 
white  patch  on  secondaries ;  throat  and 
breast  plain  buff  or  brownish  ;  middle  of 
9'j.  belly  whitish.     Length :  6.00-7.75,  wing 

8.00-3.00,  bill  .50-.60,  tarsus  .80-100. 
Distribution.  —  North  America  from  Hudson  Bay  and  Nova  Scotia  south 
to  Cuba,  and  west  to  Nevada  and  California. 

Nest.  —  In  marsh,  made  of  dry  grass.  Eggs :  G  to  10,  creamy  buff,  finely 
specked  with  rusty  brown. 

In  habits  the  yellow  rail  is  much  like  the  Carolina,  but  may  readily 
be  distinguished  from  it  even  on  the  wing  by  its  smaller  size  and 
white  wing  patch.     It  is  never  a  common  bird. 

Subgenus  Creciscus. 

216.  Porzana  jamaicensis  (Gmel.).    Black  Rail. 

Adults.  —  Back  and  Avings  brownish  black,  finely  dotted  with  white ; 
shoulders  dark  rich  chestnut ;  breast,  throat, 
and  sides  of  head  deep  plumbeous,  shading  to 
black  on  crown ;  flanks  and  ventral  region 
specked  and  barred,  with  white.  Young  :  simi- 
lar  to  adults  but  with  grayish  breast,  whitish  ^^' 

throat,  and  brownish  crown.      Length :  5-6,  wing  2.50-3.20,  bill  .50-.60, 
tarsus  .85-.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  Oregon,  Nebraska,  and  Massachusetts  south  through 
the  West  Indies  and  the  greater  part  of  South  America. 

216.1.  Porzana  coturniculus  (Bidgw.).    Faballone  Rail. 

Size  and  general  characters  oi  jamaicensis,  but  back  without  white  mark- 
ings. 

Known  only  from  the  type  specimen  from  the  Farallone  Islands. 

GENUS    GALLINULA. 

219.  Gallinula  galeata  (Licht.).    Florida  Gallinule. 

Toes  long  and  slender,  not  lobed  ;   bill  slender  and  sharp,  nearly  as  long 

as  head  ;  frontal  shield  extend- 
ing from  bill  to  crown,  widest 
posteriorly  ;  bill  and  shield 
bright  red.  Adtilts  in  summer : 
^'&-  *^^-  dark  slaty  or  plumbeous,  washed 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS  83 

with  brownish  on  back,  and  shading  throug-h  darker  on 
neck  to  blackish  on  head  ;  edge  of  wings,  lateral  under 
tail  coverts,  and  streaks  on  flanks  white.  Adults  in  ivin- 
ter  :  frontal  plate  smaller  and  belly  suffused  with  white. 
Young :  under  parts,  throat,  and  sides  of  head,  whitish  ; 
frontal  plate  rudimentary.  Length  :  12.00-14.50,  wing 
6.85-7.25,  bill  (including  shield)  1.70-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Whole    of     tropical    and     temperate  Fig.  95. 

America,  from  Brazil  north  to  California  and  eastern  Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  tules  or  grass  on  edge  of  pond  or  wet  marsh ;  made  of  dry 
grass  and  tules.     Eggs :  8  to  11,  huffy  white,  thinly  spotted  with  brown. 

The  Florida  gallinulo  is  easily  mistaken  for  a  coot  (Fulica),  which 
It  resembles  in  size  and  general  appearance,  but  like  the  rails  it  is  a 
bird  of  the  shores  and  marshes,  and  although  a  good  swimmer  prefers 
to  keep  mainly  out  of  sight  in  the  grass  and  tules. 

GENUS    FULICA. 

221.  Fulica  americana  Gmel.     American  Coot:  Mud  Hen. 
Toes   lobed   or   scalloped   along   edges ;    bill  stout,  nearly  as  long   as 

head  ;  frontal  shield  narrow,  end- 
ing in  a  point  on  crown.    Breeding 
plumage:  bill  white,  with  brown 
~Z-  spot     near     end,    frontal     shield 
j,.j     ,)^  brown ;     whole    head    and    neck 

blackish  ;  rest  of  body  plum- 
beous except  for  Avhite  under  tail  coverts,  edge  of  wing, 
and  tips  of  middle  wing  feathers.  Winter  plumage : 
belly  whitish  ;  frontal  shield  smaller  than  in  summer. 
Young  :  like  winter  adults,  but  with  white  of  belly  ex- 
tending onto  throat  ;  bill  dull  flesh  color,  frontal  shield 
rudimentary.  Length :  l;j-16,  wing  7.25-7.60,  bill  (to 
base  of  shield)  1.25-1.60, 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America  from  Alaska 
and  Greenland  soxith  to  northern  South  America,  West  Indies,  and  Ber- 
mixdfis  ;   breeding  from  Texas  northAvard. 

Nest.  —  Usually  placed  among  tule  stems  on  the  water  and  built  of  dry 
tule  and  grass  stems.  Eggs  :  8  to  12,  creamy  or  huffy,  finely  specked  with 
brown. 

The  omnipresent  coots  are  among  the  most  social  and  garrulous  of 
our  inland  water  l)irds.  They  are  good  swimmers  and  often  gather 
ill  large  Hocks  in  open  water,  but  their  preference  is  always  for  the 
grassy  shores  of  shallow  lakes,  or  open  ponds  surrounded  by  wild 
rice,  tules,  or  flags.  Here  they  dive  in  the  shallow  water,  paddle 
along  shore,  or  run  over  the  rafts  of  floating  i)lant  stems  in  little 
chattering,  laughing  groups.  When  forced  to  fly  tliey  make  a  long 
run  on  the  water  and  after  much  kicking  and  spaltering  finally  get 
launched  on  the  wing. 

Fortunately  for  them  they  are  of  little  account  as  game  birds  and 
their  plumage  has  no  commercial  value,  so  they  will  probably  con- 
tinue abundant  and  tame. 


84  PHALAROPES 

According  to  Goss  they  feed  on  aquatic  insects,  snails,  tender  water 
plants,  buds,  blossoms,  and  seeds.  Mr.  Evermanu  lias  found  them 
feeding  largely  on  wild  celery.  In  the  north  they  gather  by  thou- 
sands in  the  rice  lakes  in  fall  and  stay  until  driven  south  by  cold 
weather,  feeding  on  the  rich  grain  as  it  falls,  or  is  scattered  out  by 
their  wings,  and  becoming  excessively  fat.  Vernon  Bailey. 

ORDER  LIMICOL^  :  SHORE  BIRDS. 
(Families    Phalaropodid.e,    Recurvirostkid.e,    Scolopa- 

CID^,    ChARADRIID^,     ApHRIZID.^,     HiEMATOPODID^,    AND 

Jacaxid^.) 

FAMILY  PHALAROPODIDiE :  PHALAROPES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  wide  and  flattened,  toes  half  webbed  and  with  scalloped 
margins Crymophilus,  j).  84. 

y     n<i     1  •  Bill  slender  and  approximately  cylindrical. 

2.   Bill    much    longer    than   head,    toes  webbed   at   base,   with 

straight  margins Steganopus,  p.  So. 

2'.  Bill  not  longer  than  head,  toes  nearly  half  webbed,  and  with 
slig-htly  scalloped  margins      ...    Phalaropus,  p.  84. 

GENUS    CRYMOPHILUS. 

222.  Crymophilus  fulicarius  {Linn.).    Red  Phalarope. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  flat,  widest  toward  end.     Adult  male  in  sum- 
^  nter:  back  streaked  with  black  and  buff; 

wing  bluish  and  dusk^'.  crossed  by  a  white 
band  ;  side  of  head  whitish  ;  under  parts 
^.    dark   cinnamon  brown.     Adult  female   in 
sximmer :    crown   and   face    plumbeous   or 
^^"  ' '  ■  blackish,  sides  of  head  pure  white.  Adults 

in  ivinter :  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  pure  white,  except  for  plumbeous 
on  back  of  head  and  around  eyes  ;  upper  parts  plain  blue  gray.  Young : 
upper  parts  blackish,  the  feathers  edged  with  yellowish  ;  under  parts 
whitish,  with  dusky  brown  across  breast.  Length  :  7.50-8.75,  wing-  5.25- 
5.50,  bill  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arctic 

regions.     In  America  south  in  winter  to  the  middle  of  the  United  States 

and  along-  the  Pacific  coast  to  Cape  St.  Lucas ;  straggling  to  the  Carolinas. 

Nest.  —  A  slight   depression   in  damp  ground,   usually  without  lining. 

Eggs :  3  to  4,  heavily  spotted  with  brown. 

GENUS  PHALAROPUS. 
Subgenus  Phalaropus. 

223.  Phalaropus  lobatus  (Linn.).     Northern  Phalarope. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  very  slender  and   sharp  j   margins  of  toes 


PHALAROPES  85 

scalloped  ;  wing'  with  white  bar  in  all  plumages.     Male  in  breeding  plumage  : 

^^^^^0>^ _  iipper  parts  dark  plumbeous,  striped  on 

_^  <^*^  back  with  buff  and  black  ;  sides  of  neck 

-  ^-  _^  /%wt-     -'     rufous;   chest  gray;  upper  throat    and 

**^— __>„,^ —  belly   white.     Female  in  breeding  plum- 

Fig.  100.     Nortlieni  Phalaiope.  age  :  brig-hter  colored,  rufous  extending' 

across  throat  as  well  as  on  sides  of  neck.  Fall  and  icinter  plumage  :  face, 
line  over  eye,  and  under  parts  white  ;  line  under  eye,  and  back  of  head, 
dusky  ;  upper  parts  mainly  g-ray.  Young :  like  winter  adults,  but  upper 
parts  darker,  striped  with  buff  and  black.  Length :  7-S,  wing-  4.00-4.45, 
bill  .80-.l)(). 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere ;  in  America, 
breeding-  from  Alaska  to  Labrador  and  Greenland ;  south  in  winter  to 
Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  dej^ression  in  the  g-round  near  water;  lined  with  leaves 
and  grass.     Fggs  :  4,  buffy  or  olive,  irregularly  spotted  with  dark  browns. 

GENUS   STEGANOPUS. 
224.  Steganopus  tricolor  Vieill.    Wilson  Phalarope. 

Bill  slender,  longer  than  head  ;  toes  with  straight-edged  marginal  mem- 
branes ;  wing-  without  white  bar ;  female  larger  and  handsomer  than  male. 
Male  in  breeding  plumage :  crown  and  upper  parts  dusky,  touched  witli 
brown  ;  sides  of  neck  with  a  chestnut  stripe  ;  throat  and  chest  buffy  ; 
stripe  over  eye,  chin,  and  belly  white.  Female  in  breeding  plumage  :  crown 
and  back  bluish  gray  ;  black  stripe  along  sides  of  head  and  neck  shading' 
into  rich  chestnut  along'  lower  neck  and  shoulders  ;  chest  and  lower  part  of 
tliroat  delicate  cinnamon  buif ;  upper  part  of  throat,  belly,  and  line  over 
eye  white.  Adults  in  winter  plumage  :  upper  parts  plain  gray,  chest  and 
sides  of  breast  grayish  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Young :  upper  parts 
dusky,  streaked  with  lig;ht  cinnamon  ;  nnder  parts  white,  with  tinge  of 
cinnamon  across  breast.  Feutnle  :  length  0.40-10.00,  wing- 5.20-.").:)0,  bill 
l.;]0-l.;]o,  tarsus  l.oO-l.;J5.  Male:  length  8.25-9.00,  wing-  4.75-4.80,  bill 
1.25,  tarsus  1.20-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia,  Saskatchewan,  and  Quebec ; 
south  in  winter  to  Brazil  and  Patag-onia ;  breeding'  from  Illinois,  Colorado, 
and  Kansas  northward,  mainly  in  the  interior. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  in  slight  excavation  ;  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  o  or 
4,  creamy,  buff  or  drab,  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

Tliere  is  not  among  all  our  waders  a  more  dainty,  ('.\([nisitely 
cohjred  bird  than  the  Wilson  phalarope,  with  its  warm,  richly  blended 
tints,  trim  form,  and  .soft  plumage.  You  find  it  in  small  tloeks, 
swinuuing  on  the  ponds  like  tiny  ducks,  or  sandpiper-like  picking 
about  on  the  muddy  shores.  Should  j'ou  enter  its  marshy  breeding 
grounds  it  will  Hy  anxiously  about  your  head  with  a  low  '  croaking  ' 
note,  threatening  and  coaxing  to  get  you  away  from  its  nest  and 
young. 

Like  tlu;  other  phalaropes  the  female  is  larger  and  brighter  colored 
than  the  male  and  is  said  to  leave  most  of  the  incubation  and  care  of 
the  young  to  her  more  protectively  colored  mate. 

V^KUNo.N   Baim:v. 


86  AVOCETS   AND   STILTS 


FAMILY  RECUR VIROSTRIDiE:    AVOCETS  AND 
STILTS. 

KEY    TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  strongly  curved  upward  toward  end,  hind  toe  present  but  minute ; 

front  toes  half  webbed Recurvirostra,  p.  8(3. 

1'.  Bill  scarcely  or  not  at  all  curved  upwards,  hind   toe   wanting,  only  a 

small  web  between  outer  and  middle  toes       .     Himantopus,  p.  SO. 

GENUS   RECURVIROSTRA. 

225.  Recurvirostra  americana  Gmel    Avocet. 

Bill  black,  feet  and  legs  bluish.    Adults  in  summer  jylumage  :  head,  neck, 

chest,  and  shoulders  light 
cinnamon,  shading  into 
whitish  around  base  of 
bill ;  under  parts,  rump, 
and  large  patches  on 
wing  white ;  primaries, 
base  of  wing,  and  half  of 
„.     ^  scapulars  black.     Adults 

Flc    101  •  •  ; 

°'       ■  in  Winter  jnu mage  :  cmna- 

mon  of  head,  neck,  and  chest  replaced  by  grayish  white.  Young :  like 
winter  adults,  but  quills  and  scapulars  tipped  with  whitish,  and  back  of 
neck  tinged  with  buffy.  Length  :  15.50-18.75,  wing  8.50-9.00,  bill  3.40- 
3.05,  tarsus  3.70-3.80. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  breeding  from  Texas  to 
Saskatchewan  ;  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  West  Indies.  Not  com- 
mon east  of  the  plains. 

Nest.  —  In  grass  near  water,  made  of  grass  stems.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  pale 
olive  or  buffy,  thickly  spotted  with  varying  shades  of  brown. 

Whether  flying,  walking,  or  swimming,  the  avocet  is  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous  of  our  waders.  Its  long  legs  and  neck,  and  strong 
black  and  white  markings  distinguish  it  from  all  others  even  when 
its  turned-up  bill  is  invisible.  Its  favorite  haunts  are  the  shores  of 
shallow  alkaline  lakes  and  ponds  on  the  plains  and  in  the  western 
valleys.  Small  flocks  are  often  seen  wading  in  water  nearly  up  to 
their  feathers,  rapidly  picking  up  the  small  insects  that  gather  on 
the  surface.  When  the  water  becomes  too  deep  for  wading  they 
swim  freely,  but  do  not  usually  go  far  from  shore.  They  are  seen 
occasionally  feeding  in  a  marsh  or  irrigated  meadow,  and  in  July 
I  have  found  downy  young  hiding  in  the  short  grass  just  back  from 
the  lake  shore.     '  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS  HIMANTOPUS. 

226.  Himantopus  mexicanus  (MUlL).    Black-necked  Stilt. 
Bill  black,  feet  and  legs  pinkish.     Adult  male :  back  of  head  and  neck, 

shoulders,  and  wings  greenish  black  ;  tail  gray  ;  rest  of  plumage  white, 
breast  tinged  with  dull  pinkish  in  breeding  plumage.     Adult  female  :  like 


r.LALl-   M..  KKIJ  STILT 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  87 

male,  but  black  duller,  or  slaty.  Youny :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 
feathers  of  back  bordered  with  buffy,  and  blackish  of  head  and  neck  mot- 
tled with  buffy.     Length:   10.50-15.50,  wing-  8.50-9.00,  bill  2.50,  tarsus  4. 

Distribution.  —  The  United  States,  mainly  in  the  western  interior,  and 
southward  to  Brazil  and  Peru  ;  north  casually  to  Minnesota  and  New 
Brunswick.     Breeds  from  southern  Texas  to  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  dejiression  in  the  sand  or  on  wet  ground  ;  or  eggs  laid 
in  a  bunch  of  dry  grass.  Il^yys :  3  to  4,  buff  or  olive  brown,  thickly  spotted 
with  dark  brown. 

Ill  spltu  of  its  apparently  extravagant  length  of  legs  the  black- 
necked  stilt  is  a  graceful,  well-balanced  bird,  whether  stepping 
daintily  over  the  grass  tops,  wading  in  half  a  foot  of  water,  swim- 
ming when  beyond  its  depth,  or  flying  witli  head  drawn  back  and 
legs  straight  out  behind.  As  the  birds  alight  they  raise  their  black 
pointed  wings  over  their  white  body  a  moment,  assuming  a  pose 
that  is  not  only  strikingly  beautiful  but  doubtless  an  important 
directive  and  recognition  signal.  Sometimes  when  quietly  feeding 
one  will  lift  its  wings  in  this  way,  without  apparent  reason. 

Much  of  the  stilt's  food  is  gleaned  from  the  surface  of  the  shallow 
water  or  from  plant  stems  rising  from  it,  and  its  reason  for  prefer- 
ing  the  flooded  marsh  to  the  open  pond  is  presumably  the  greater 
abundance  of  minute  insect  life  found  among  the  aquatic  plants. 

Veknon  Bailey. 


FAMILY  SCOLOPACIDiE :   SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

KEV    TO   GKNKKA. 

1.  Back  of  tarsus  covered  with  hexagonal  scales  Numenius.  p.  101. 

r.  Back  of  tarsus  with  a  row  of  transverse  scutelhe. 

2.  Ears  anterior  to  eyes,  thighs  wholly  feathered     .     Philohela,  p.  88. 
2  .  Ears  posterior  to  eyes  or  directly  under  them. 

."J.    Ears  directly  undt-r  eyes,  lower  part  of  thighs  naked. 

4.  Crown  and  back  broadly  striped  .      .      .      .  GallinagO,  p.  88. 

4'.  Crown  and  back  mottled,  not  striped. 

Macrorhamphus,  p.  80. 
8'.  Ears  j)osterior  to  eves. 

4.   Hind  toe-  wanting Calidris,  p.  04. 

4  .  Hind  toe  jjnsscnt. 

5.   No  trace  of  web  between  toes. 

0.    iJiil  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw       .      .     Tringa,  p.  90. 
()'.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  .   Tryngites,  p.  100. 
5'.  A  distinct  web  betw(!en  middle  ;uid  one  or  both  lateral  toes. 
0.  Tail  much  graduated,  about  li.ilf  as  long  as  wing. 

Bartramia,  i>.  00. 
G'.  Tail  not  much  graduated,  not  nearly  half  ;is  long  as  wing. 

7.    liill  longer  tlian  tail Llmosa.  p.  05. 

7'.  Bill  sborter  tb.iii  t.iil. 

8.   Bill  distinctly  widened  and  rongbeiied  .it  tip. 

Micropalama,  p.  00. 


88  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

8'.  Bill  not  distinctly  widened  and  roughened  at  tip. 

9.  Wing  less  than  4 Ereunetes,  p.  93. 

9'.  Wing  over  4. 

10.  Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 

11.  Wing  under  4.00     ....      Actitis,  p.  100. 
11 '.  Wing  over  6.50  .     .     .       Heteractitis,  p.  98. 
10'.  Tarsus  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
11.  Wing  with  large  white  patch. 

Symphemia,  p.  98. 
11'.  Wing  without  white  patch. 

12.  Upper  tail  coverts  white   .      Totanus,  p.  96. 
12'.  Upper  tail  coverts  dusky. 

Helodromas,  p.  97. 

GENUS  PHILOHELA. 

228.  Philohela  minor  (GmeL).    American  Woodcock, 

Bill  long  and  slender,  mandibles  grooved  and  roughened  toward  end, 
tip  of  uj^per  overlapj)ing  the  under  ;  nostril  small  at  edge  of  feathers ; 
three  outer  quills  abruptly  narrowed. 

Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  mottled  with  black  ;  back  of  head  black, 
with  narrow  cross-bars  of  buffy  ;  under  parts  rich  buff,  darker  on  throat. 
Length  :  10.50-11.75,  wing  4.80-5.70,  bill  2.50-2.75,  tarsus  1.25. 

Distribution. — Eastern  United  States  north  to  Canada,  west  to  Rocky 
Mountains  in  Colorado ;  breeds  throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  wooded  bottoms,  usually  by  a  log  or  stump,  made 
of  leaves  and  grass.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  grayish  to  buffy  white,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown. 

Dr.  A.  K.  FislicT  says  :  "This  much  sought  game  bird  is  in  dan- 
ger of  extermination  from  the  barbarous  custom  of  hunting  it  in 
spring  and  summer,  just  before  and  during  the  breeding  season." 

GENUS   GALLINAGO. 
230.  GallinagO  delicata  (Ord).     Wilson  Snipe  :  Jack  Snipe. 
Bill  long    and    slender,    mandibles   grooved,    roughened,   and  widened 
toward  end  ;  tip  of  upper  overreaching  the 
lower  mandible  ;  nostril  small  and  at  edge 
uf  feathers. 

Crown  buff,  with  side  stripes  of  black ; 
back  mainly  black  with  stripes  falling  into 
two  middle  lines  of  buff  and  two  outer  lines 
of  whitish  ;  neck  and  breast  spotted  and 
streaked  with  buff,  brown,  and  dusky  ;  sides 
barred  with  black  and  white ;  belly  white. 
Length:   10.50-11.15,    wing    4.90-5.60,   bill 

f  2.50-2.70,  tarsus  1.20-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  and  south 
in  winter  to  northern  South  America,  breed- 
Fig.  102.  ing  from  Colorado  and  Utah  to  north  of  the 
Arctic  Circle. 
Nest.  —  A  grass-lined  cavity  in  marshy  ground.     Eggs  :  3  or  4,  grayish 
olive,  spotted  and  streaked  with  bi-own  and  black. 

The  plump  jack  snipe  with  the  striped  back  is  a  prober  rather 
than  a  wader,  as  his  short  legs  and  long  bill  attest.     He  pokes  about 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  89 

in  the  muddy  bottoms,  under  grass,  flags,  and  tules,  fishing  up  his 
food  from  the  soft  mud,  the  sensitive  tip  of  his  long  bill  enabling 
him  to  select  the  choicest  worms  and  other  dainty  morsels. 

He  is  a  common  bird  wherever  there  are  marshes  to  his  taste,  and 
most  country  folk  are  familiar  with  his  song.  On  warm  summer 
evenings  or  cloudy  days  before  a  storm  he  mounts  high  in  air  and 
with  rapidly  vibrating  wings  produces  a  prolonged  whirr  that  in- 
creases to  a  diminutive  roar,  and  repeats  it  every  minute  or  two  for 
sometimes  half  an  hour.  At  other  times  he  flies  low  over  the  grass, 
uttering  a  guttural  chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck,  and  then  drops 
out  of  sight.  Hisc(mimou,  all-the-year-round  note  is  a  nasal  squank, 
uttered  as  he  springs  from  the  ground  at  your  feet  and  mtikes  oft"  in 
quick  zigzags. 

The  only  excuse  for  considering  so  small  a  bird  game  is  his  swift 
irregular  flight,  which  saves  him  from  all  but  the  expert  wing  shot. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    MACRORHAMPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  similar  to  that  of  GalUnago ;  lower  part  of 
back  white,  rump  spotted  black  and  white  ;  tail  finely  cross-barred  with 
black,  buff,  and  white. 

KEY    to    SUMMEK   ADULTS. 

1.  Bellv  rich  cinnamon  brown scolopaceus,  p.  89. 

r.  Belly  white  or  buff  y .  griseus,  p.  89. 

231.  Macrorhamphus  griseus  (Gmel.)    Dowitcher. 

Similar  to  scolopaceus  but  smaller  and  adults  in  summer  disting-uished 
by  whitish  bellv  and  duskv  speckino-  of  sides  and  breast.  Length:  10-11, 
winf,r  5.25-;").90,' bill  2.00-2.55,  tarsus  1.20-1.50.  Female  decidedly  larger 
than  male. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding-  far  north  ;  south  in 
winter  to  Brazil ;  west  as  stragglers  (?)  to  Idaho  and  Oregon. 

232.  Macrorhamphus  scolopaceus  (Sai^).    Lono-billed  Dow- 

ITCHEK. 

Adults  in  sunnner.  — A  light  stripe  over  eye  and  dusky  stripe  from  eye 
to  bill ;  upper  ])arts,  except  rump  and 
lower  back,  specked  .'ind  mottled  with 
l)lack,  brown,  and  buff;  rump  white, 
spotted  with  black,  tail  feathers  barred 
black  and  white  ;   entire  under  parts      "  ^^     "*■ 

bright  cinnamon  specked  on  throat  and  barred  on  sides  and  lower  tail  cov- 
erts with  dusky.  Adults  in  winter :  belly  and  line  over  eye  white  ;  rest 
of  plumage  gray.  Young  :  similar  to  adults  but  back  and  crown  mottled 
with  black  and  ochr.aceous  ;  bellv  and  chest  suffused  with  light  cinnamon. 
Length:    1 1.00-1 2..")(),  wing  .").40-(i.(IO.  bill  2.10-;>.00,  tarsus  l.";;.")-1.7.*). 

Dislrihutiiin.  — Western  North  Anu-rica,  breeding  in  Hritish  Columbia 
and  Ala-ska  ;  migrating  soutli  through  western  United  States  and  Missis- 
sippi valley  to  northern  South  America  ;  less  common  in  uiistern  United 
States. 


90  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  moss  or  grass,  sometimes  at  considerable 
distance  from  water.  £^ggs :  4,  greenish  olive  to  light  clay  color,  spotted 
with  dark  umber  brown. 

By  some  ornithologists  scolopaceics  is  considered  merely  a  western 
subspecies  of  griseus,  with  intergrades  between  and  probably  a  con- 
tinuous breeding  range  across  the  arctic  regions.  In  winter  plum- 
age the  main  difference  is  one  of  size,  but  as  the  females  of  both 
species  are  larger  than  the  males  only  birds  of  the  same  sex  should 
be  compared. 

In  their  migrations  over  the  United  States  the  long-billed  dow- 
itchers  are  usually  found  in  little  flocks  along  the  coasts  or  among 
the  prairie  sloughs  or  marshes,  flying  swiftly  low  over  the  ground, 
or  feeding  in  close  bunches.  Unfortunately  they  are  considered 
legitimate  game,  and  although  wild  and  ever  on  the  alert  fall  an  easy 
prey  to  the  pot-hunter. 

For  an  interesting  account  of  their  habits  on  their  breeding 
grounds,  see  Nelson's  Birds  of  Alaska.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    MICROPALAMA. 

233.  Micropalama  himantopus  (Bonap.).     Stilt  Sandpiper. 
Bill  long  and  slender,  conspicuously  widened  and  roughened  at  tip  ;  toes 
webbed   at.  base,    legs   long  and   slender. 
Adults    in   summer :  upper  parts  mottled 
'i'^^gjf         with  dusky,  black,  buff,  and  brown  ;   up- 
per tail  coverts  white,  barred  with  dusky ; 
ear  coverts  and  stripe  along  side  of  crown 
'^'  rusty  brown  ;  under  parts  thickly  barred 

and  mottled  with  dusky,  buff,  and  white.  Adults  in  winter:  upper  parts 
plain  ashy  gray,  under  parts  including  tail  coverts  white,  specked  on 
sides  ;  throat  and  tail  coverts  marked  with  gray.  Young  :  back  browner, 
belly  plain  buffy,  tail  coverts  nearly  pure  white.  Length  :  7.50-9.25,  wing 
5.00-5.30,  bill  1.55-1.75,  tarsus  1.55-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States ;  south  in  winter  to  Central  and  South  America ;  west  to  Colorado 
and  Wyoming. 

Goss,  in  his  Birds  of  Kansas,  says:  "I  have  met  with  this  rare 
species  in  the  state  on  several  occasions,  at  all  times  in  small  flocks 
and  along  the  edges  of  old  channels  of  rivers  or  muddy  pools  of 
water  in  which  it  wades  while  feeding." 

GENUS    TRINGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Toes  slender,  without  webs  at  base ;  bill  slender 
and  narrow,  tip  hard  and  smooth. 

KEY    TO    species. 

1.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  not  longer  than  others  .  canutus,  p.  91. 
1'.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  sharp  and  longer  than  the  others. 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  91 

2.  Bill  nearly  twice  as  long-  as  middle  toe  and  claw   .      pacifica,  p.  93, 
2'.  Bill  shorter  or  but  little  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

3.  Upper  tail  coverts  white,  slightly  streaked      .    fuscicollis,  p.  02. 
3'.  Upper  tail  coverts  blackish. 

4.  Wing  over  5 maculata,  p.  Ul. 

4'.  Wing"  under  5. 

5.  Wing-  4.80-4.90 bairdii,  p.  92. 

5'.  Wing  3.50-3.75 minutilla,  p.  92. 

Subgenus  Tringa. 
234.  Tringa  canutus  Linn.    Knot. 

The  only  species  of  Tringa  in  which  the  middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  are 
not  decidedly  longer  than  the  rest.  Adults 
in  summer :  upper  parts  grayish  and 
dusky,  tinged  with  buff ;  rump  and  up- 
per tail  coverts  white,  barred  and  spotted 
with  dusky  ;  line  over  eye  and  most  of  j'ig^  ^^5 

under  parts  pale  cinnamon ;  flanks  and 

under  tail  coverts  white.  Adults  in  ivinter  :  upper  parts  plain  gray  ;  under 
parts,  rump,  and  tail  coverts  white,  barred  or  streaked  with  dusky  except 
on  belly  and  under  tail  coverts.  Young:  like  adults  in  winter  but  gray 
feathers  of  back  edged  with  wliitish  and  duskv,  and  breast  often  suffused 
with  buffy.     Length  :   10-11,  wing  <;.50,  tail  2.r>0,  bill  1.40. 

Distribution.  — Northern  hemisphere,  chiefly  on  the  seacoasts  ;  south  in 
winter  nearly  through  the  southern  hemisphere  ;  breeding  far  north. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  a  tuft  of  grass ;  4,  light  pea  green  specked  with 
brown. 

The  knot  is  rare  inland  and  apparently  less  common  along  the 
Pacific  than  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  It  is  a  beach  bird,  getting  its 
food  from  the  wash  of  the  waves. 

Subgenus  Actodromas. 
239.  Tringa  maculata  Vieill.     Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

Bill  longer  than  tarsus  ;  middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  pointed  and  longer 
than  the  rest  ;  shaft  of  outer  (|uill  only, 
pure  white  ;  rump,  upper  coverts,  and  mid- 
dle tail  feathers,  black.  Adults :  upper 
parts  mottled  dusky,  black,  and  buffy  ; 
chest    dark    gray,    finely    streaked    with  '^''  ^^^'^ 

dusky  ;  chin  and  belly  white.  Young  :  similar  to  adults,  but  upper  parts 
striped  with  ochraceous,  brightest  on  edges  of  tertials  and  tail  fcatht'i-s  ; 
chest  buffy,  finely  streaked  with  duskv.  Lenqtii :  8.00-9.50,  wing  5.00- 
5.50,  bill  1.10-1.20,  tarsus  1.00-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  most  of 
South  America,  breeding  in  arctic  regions.      Occasional  in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  On  dry  groimd,  in  the  gra.ss.  JKggs :  4,  greenish  drab,  si)otted 
with  brown. 

The  pectoral  sandpiper  is  a  conimoii  migrant  in  llie  eastern  Tnited 
States  and  the  Mississippi  valley,  but  les.s  common  westward.  It  is 
found  in  tlocks,  on  the  marshes  and  muddy  fhits  rather  than  along 
the  Ix-aclics. 


92  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

240.  Tringa  f USCicollis  Vieill.     Bonaparte  Sandpiper  :  White- 

RUMPED  Sandpiper. 
Rump  dusky,  the  feathers  tipped  with  buffy  ;   upper  tail  coverts  pure 
white  or  slightly  streaked  with  dusky.     Adults  in  summer  :  upper  parts 
buffy  and  gray,  broadly  streaked  on  crown  and 
back  with   black ;    chest  and   sides  ashy  gray, 
_^^^^    _  streaked  with  dusky  ;   faint  line  over  eye,  chin, 

fT^'o"  and  belly  white.     Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts, 

"'       '  sides,  and   chest  dark  gray,  obscurely  streaked 

with  dusky.  Young  :  similar  to  adults,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts  exten- 
sively margined  with  rusty,  and  chest  tinged  with  buffy.  Length  :  G.75- 
8.00,  wing  4.00-5.00,  bill  .90-1.00,  tarsus  .9r)-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  in  the  far  north  and  migrating  south  over 
eastern  North  America  and  South  America  to  Falkland  Islands  ;  west  to 
Colorado.     Casual  in  Europe. 

241.  Tringa  bairdii  {Coues).     Baird  Sandpiper. 

Middle  upper  tail  coverts  plain  dusky.     Adults  in  summer  :  upper  parts 

spotted  and  streaked  with  black,  grayish,  and  buffy  ;  chest  buffy,  streaked 

with  dusky  ;   line  over  eye,  chin,  and  belly  whitish. 

Adults  in  winter :  plain  grayish  brown,  obscurely 

streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  pai-ts  whitish,  chest 

Fig.  108.  suffused  with   buffy.      Young :    feathers  of   back 

tipped  with  whitish,  and  chest  less  sharply  streaked 

with  dusky  than  in  summer  adult.    Length  :  7.00-7.00,  wing  4.(j()-4,85,  bill 

.90-1.00,  tarsus  1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  North  and  South  America.  In  North  America, 
chiefly  the  interior,  breeding  in  Alaska  and  on  the  Barren  Grounds.  Rare 
on  the  Atlantic,  and  apparently  not  recorded  from  the  Pacific  coast. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  leaves.  Eggs  :  4,  light 
drab,  specked  and  spotted  with  brown. 

During  migrations  Baird  sandpipers  are  common  usually  in  small 
flocks  along  the  shores  of  lakes  and  ponds  over  the  western  prairie 
country. 

242.  Tringa  minutilla  Vieill.     Least  Sandpiper. 

Size  very  small,  wing  less  than  4.     Adults  in  summer :  median  parts  of 
tail,   upper   coverts,   and  rump  black  ;    sides   of   coverts  white,   streaked 
with  dusky  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  mainly  blackish, 
specked  and  spotted  with  brown  and  buff  ;  chest 
buft'y  gray,  specked  with  dusky  ;  belly  and  flanks 
Fig.  U)li.  white.     Adidts  in  winter  :  upper  parts  dark  gray, 

obscurely  spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky  ;  chest 
light  gray,  finely  streaked.  Young  :  crown  and  back  heavily  streaked  with 
rusty,  and  back  spotted  with  white  ;  chest  buffy  gray,  faintly  streaked. 
Length  :  .5.00-(3.7.5,  wing  3..50-3.75,  bill  .75-.92,  tarsus  .75. 

Distribution.  —  The  whole  of  North  and  Soiith  America,  wintering  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  south,  breeding  mainly  north  of  the  United  States. 
Accidental  in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  a  slight  depression  lined  with  leaves  and  grass. 
Eggs  :  3  or  4,  creamy  buff  to  drab,  irregularly  spotted  with  brown. 

The  least  sandpipers  are  common,  especially  during  migrations, 
over  a  great  part  of  the  United  States.     A  few  remain  in  Dakota 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  93 

through  the  summer,  probably  ])reeding,  and  in  winter  the  birds  are 
not  uuconmion  on  the  coast  prairies  of  Texas.  They  go  in  close 
flocks,  whether  feeding  among  the  larger  waders  on  the  shores  and 
mud  flats,  or  wheeling  and  circling  in  air  on  fast  buzzing  wings. 
Tliey  are  nervous,  active  little  birds,  always  on  the  move  and  quick 
to  take  alarm.  Vernon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Pelidna. 

243a.  Tringa  alpina  paciflca  (Coues).    Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  bill  long-er  than  tarsus,  slightly 
curved;  middle  of  \vin<;-  -with  a  large  Avhite  patch.  Adults  in  suntiner  : 
crown,  hack,  and  upper  tail  coverts  bright  rusty  __ 

ochraceous,  more   or  less  spotted  or  streaked  .j^^lff^?"      V 

with  black  ;  middle  of  belly  hlack  ;  chest  gray-  '■*^1^^^||MKP'  .^^^ 
isli  white,  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  ;   sides  i,-     ,,,. 

and  back  part  of  l>elly  white.    Adults  in  winter  : 

upper  parts  plain  ashy  gray,  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  chest  light 
gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  under  parts,  sides  of  rump, 
and  upper  tail  coverts  white.  Young  :  like  adults  in  winter  but  upper 
parts  spotted  and  streaked  with  black  and  ochraceous,  and  breast  coarsely 
spotted  with  black.  Length:  7.00-8.75,  wing  4.00-4.U5,  bill  1.40-1.75, 
tarsus  1.00-1.1.'). 

Disiribution.  —  North  America  and  eastern  Asia,  breeding  far  north  and 
wintering  in  (California,  the  Gulf  States,  and  southward. 

Xest. —  A  bed  of  dry  grass.  Eggs  :  '.)  or  4,  pale  greenish  to  pale  brown- 
ish clay  color,  spotted  with  dull  chocolate  and  dark  brown. 

The  red-backed  sandjiiper  is  common  in  migrations  or  in  winter 
along  the  coasts  of  the  United  States,  but  is  rarely  se(^n  in  the  inte- 
rior. The  breeding  plumage  marked  by  rusty  back  and  black  belly 
is  sometimes  accjuired  before  the  birds  leave  the  United  States  for 
their  northern  breeding  grounds,  but  the  winter  plumage  is  the  more 
common  dress  uj)  to  the  first  of  May. 

GENUS    EREUNETES. 

General  Churacters.  —  Toes  distinctly  webhed  at  base  ;  bill  slightly 
widened  and  Hattened  at  tij). 

KKY    TO    SI'KCIES. 

1.  Bill  shorter  than  tarsus pusillus,  p.  0.!. 

r.  Bill  as  long  JUS  or  longer  than  tarsus    ....      OCCideiltalis.  p.  !M. 

246.  Ereunetes  pusillus  (Linn.).    Skmipalmatkd  Sandph-kk. 

A<lnlts  in  summer.  —  Up])er  parts  dusky  and  black,  streaked  with   gray 
and  ]r.i\()  buff  ;  chest  light  gray,  finely  streaked  ;  chin, 
belly,  ;ind  sides  white.     .Idults  in  winter:  upjier  parts 
dull   gray,    oh.s(;urely  streaked     with     dusky;    under 
j)arts  white  tinge<l  with  gr;iy  across  chest.      Young:  j.j^,    m 

back  spotted  with  l)lack.  and  scalloped  and  streaked 
with  buff  and  white;  chest  tinged  with  gray;  rest  of  under  parts  whitish. 


94  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

Male :  length  6,  wing  3.65-3.90,  bill  .68-.75,  tarsus  .80-.90.  Female :  length 
0.40,  wing  3.85-4.00,  bill  .80-.92,  tarsus  .85-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  from  Labrador  to  Alaska,  migrating  through 
the  eastern  and  middle  United  States  as  far  west  as  the  Rocky  Slountains 
and  Utah  ;  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grass  and  leaves. 
Eggs  :  usually  4,  light  drab,  spotted  with  brown. 

The  semipalmated  sandpiper  is  generally  less  commou  than  the 
least,  which  it  resembles  in  habits,  general  appearance,  and  small 
size,  but  from  which  it  can  always  be  distinguished  by  the  webbed 
base  of  its  toes. 

247.  Ereunetes  occidentalis  Laur.    Western  Sandpiper. 
Adults  in  summer.  —  Ear  coverts,  back  of  head,  back,  and  rump  bright 

chestnut,  mottled  with  black  and  huffy  gray  ;  breast  thickly  spotted  with 
dusky  on  gray,  and  sides  Avitli  a  few  dusky  spots  ;  rest  of  under  parts 
^.       _™      "  white.     Adults  in  winter:  upper  parts  dull  gray,  ob- 

scurely streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  parts  white,  with 
a  few  scattered  triangular  spots  of  dusky  on  breast 
Fig.  112.  j^j^^   sides.      Young:    back   spotted  with  black   and 

scalloped  with  dark  chestnut  and  white  ;  chest  tinged  with  pinkish  buff; 
rest  of  under  parts  white.  Male  :  wing  3.60-3.75,  bill  .85-.95,  tarsus  .85- 
.90.     Female:  wing  3.70-3.90,  bill  1.00-1.15,  tarsus  .90-.95. 

Bistrihution.  —  Breeding  in  Alaska  and  British  America,  migrating 
through  western  North  America  to  Central  and  South  America.  Occa- 
sional on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  migrations. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  bare  or  grassy  ground.  Eggs  :  usually  4, 
deep  cinnamon  buff,  spotted  with  rusty  brown  or  chestnut. 

The  western  sandpiper  is  common  along  the  Pacific  coast  during 
migration,  but  scarce  and  irregular  in  the  interior. 

GENUS    CALIDRIS. 

248.  Calidris  arenaria  {Linn).    Sanderling. 

Toes  only  3,  short  and  flattened  ;  bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  tarsus ; 
feet  and  legs  black.     Adults  in  summer  :  upi)er  parts  specked  and 

spotted   with   black,  gray,  and 
whitish,      darkest      on      crown 
and  back  ;    whole  under  parts 
y.     JJ3  and  bar  on  wing  white.    Adults         ^^^ 

in    icinter :    upper  parts    hoary 
gray,  except  blackish  quills  and  bend  of  wing  ;  under  parts  snowy  white. 
Young :  upper  parts  coarsely  spotted  with  dusky  and  gray  above  ;  imder 
parts  white,  sparsely  marked  with   dusky  and  huffy  on  chest.     Length : 
7.00-8.75,  wing  4.70-5.00,  bill  .95-1.00,  tarsus  .90-1.05. 

Remarks.  —  In  having  but  three  toes  the  sanderling  resembles  the  plov- 
ers, but  may  be  distinguished  from  them  by  its  slender  bill  and  trans- 
versely scaled  tarsus. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  but  breeding  only  in  arctic  and 
subarctic  regions  ;  in  America  wintering  from  Texas  and  California  south 
to  Chili  and  Patagonia. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves.  Eggs  : 
usually  4,  light  olive  brown,  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown. 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  95 

The  sanderlings  are  sometimes  foimd  on  the  inland  lake  shores  and 
dm-ing  migrations  are  abundant  on  the  coasts,  picking  along  the 
sandy  beaches,  chasing  the  retreating  waves,  and  catching  their  food 
from  the  squirming  life  left  on  the  sandy  shore. 

GENUS    LIMOSA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  long-  and  slender,  straight,  or  slig-htly  inclined 
upwards,  whole  front  and  back  of  tarsus  covered  with  transverse  scutellae. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  finely  barred  with  cinnamon  and  dusky      ....     fedoa,  p.  95. 
1'.  Tail  black,  tip  and  base  wbite heemastica,  p.  95. 

249.  Limosa  fedoa  (Linn.).    Marbled  Godavit. 

.Ulults.  —  Pluniag-e  mainly  light  cinnamon  brown,  heavily  mottled  with 
black  on  upper  parts, 
and  finely  barred  with 
blackish  on  chest,  sides, 
and  tail;  throat  streaked 
and  chin  whitish  ;   edge 

of  wing  black.     Young:  „.     .,_ 

similar    to    adults   but 

more  ochraceous  brown,  and  breast  and  sides  unmarked.     Length  :  10.50- 
20.50,  wing  8.50-9.00,  bill  ;l50-5.0(3. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  North  America,  breeding-  in  Tran- 
sition zone  from  Iowa  and  Nebraska  north  to  Manitoba,  Saskatchewan, 
and  British  Columbia  ;  migrating  to  Guatemala,  Trinidad,  Yucatan,  and 
Cuba. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  grassy  g-round,  lined  with  a  little  dry 
grass.     £ggs :  usually  4. 

On  the  prairies,  Colonel  Goss  says,  the  marbled  godwits  are  found 
in  flocks  on  moist  ground  and  freshwater  marshes.  Although  widely 
distributed  they  are  not  generally  common  birds  in  the  United 
States. 

251.  Limosa  hsemastica  (Linn.).    Hudsonian  Godwit. 

Tail  black,  tipped  with  white  ;  upper  coverts  crossed  by  a  wide  white 
band.  Adults  in  summer  :  back  black,  spotted  with  buff  ;  under  parts 
ligbt  chestnut,  barred  with  dusky  ;  head  and  neck  speckled  and  streaked 
with  buff  and  dusky  ;  chin  and  line  over  eye  whitish.  Adults  in  u'inf(r  : 
h(!ad,  neck,  and  under  parts  buffy  gray ;  tipper  parts  j)lain  grayish  l)rown. 
Younq :  similar  to  winter  adults  but  feathers  of  back  scalloped  with 
dusky  and  huff.      Length  :    14.()()-1(;.75,  wing  S.  lO-S.C.O,  bill  2.S.')-;;.-15. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  far  north,  and  migrating  through  the  United 
Stiites  ea.st  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  .south  to  southern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  few  leaves.  Kggs : 
usually  4,  deep  olive  or  light  brown,  spotted  with  darker  brown. 

The  Iludsouian  godwit  has  not  been  taken  west  of  the  Kocky 
Mountains. 


96  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    TOTANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  longer  than  head,  very  slender  ;  leg-s  and 
toes  long',  slender,  and  yellow.  Tarsus  one  and  a  half  times  as  long  as 
middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  nearly  as  long  as  tarsus,  grooved  for  less  than  half  its  length. 

melanoleucus,  p.  96. 
r.  Bill  much  shorter  than  tarsus,  grooved  for  more  than  half  its  length. 

flavipes,  p.  97. 

Subgenus  Glottis. 

254.  Totanus  melanoleucus  {Gwel.}.     Greater  Yellow-legs. 
Adults  in  sununer.  —  Upper  parts  heavily  mottled  with  black,  gray,  and 

white  ;    quills    black ;   upper   tail 
coverts  Avhite,   tail  white   barred 
with    gray ;    under   parts    white, 
^,.      J  J,;  spotted   on  chest  and    barred    on 

sides  with  black;  tln-oat  gray, 
streaked  with  dusky.  Adults  in  icinter :  upper  parts  dark  gray,  finely 
spotted  with  white ;  under  parts  mainly  white,  with  fine  spotting  of  gray 
on  chest  and  throat.  Yoiuig :  like  adults  in  winter,  but  darker  above  and 
with  buffy  instead  of  white  spotting.  Length:  12.15-15.00,  wing  7.50- 
7.75,  bill  2.20-2.;:50,  tarsus  2.50-2.75. 

Eemarks.  —  In  flight  the  whole  tail  and  rump  appear  white,  and  are 
very  conspicuous. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  America,  breeding  from  Nebraska 
and  northern  Illinois  northward,  and  wintering  from  southern  California 
and  the  Gulf  states  southward  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  3 
or  4,  grayish  or  brownish  buff,  irregularly  spotted  with  dark  brown.  Few 
nests  have  been  recorded. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  the  greater  yellow-legs  are  eon- 
si)icuoiis  in  spring  and  fall  among  the  flocks  of  migrating  snipes  and 
sandpipers,  not  only  about  marshes  and  ponds,  but  on  irrigated 
fields  where  silvery  minnows  have  been  w^ashed  over  the  land.  As 
they  walk  about,  the  long  bill  and  neck,  slender  gray  body,  and 
white  breast  are  not  markedly  different  from  those  of  other  sand- 
pipers around  them,  nor  is  there  much  that  is  individual  in  the  dove- 
like motion  of  their  heads  and  the  occasional  tilting  of  the  tail ;  but 
when  disturbed  by  your  approach  they  rise  in  a  close  flock  with 
their  liquid  tweep,  tu-iceep,  and  the  white  rump  and  tail,  together  with 
their  large  size,  mark  them  unmistakably.  Like  others  of  their 
kind,  unless  too  thoroughly  alarmed  they  fly  only  a  short  distance 
before  wheeling  and  circling  back.  As  they  wheel  and  circle  the 
shifting  whiteness  of  the  flocks  against  the  blue  of  the  sky  is  enough 
to  rouse  one's  enthusiasm.  As  they  get  ready  to  alight  they  lean 
over  and  look  down,  set  their  wings,  and  then  come  to  ground,  rais- 
ing their  wings  gracefully  over  their  backs  for  a  moment  after  their 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  97 

feet  touch  the  earth.  But  though  fascinating  to  watch  at  their 
feeding  grounds,  they  are  seen  at  their  best  when  they  come  in  high 
from  a  distance  on  angular  tern-like  wings  and  sweep  swiftly  down 
through  the  sky. 

255.  Totanus  flavipes  {Gmel.).     Lesser  Yellow-le(;s. 
Smaller  than    melanoUucas.     Plumage  similar  in  all  its  stages,  but  with 

finer  marking-.s.    Length  :  9.50-1 1 .00,  wing 
6.10-6.05,  bill  l.;]0-1.55,  tarsus  2.00-2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly   the    whole     of 
America,   breeding-  mainly  north  of  the  „.     -._ 

United   States;    migrating'     to    southern 

South  America.  Less  common  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  accidental 
in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  A  mere  depression  in  the  g'round,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves 
or  grass.  J^ggs  :  usually  4,  of  varying-  shades  of  buff,  spotted  with  dark 
browns. 

In  habits  as  well  as  general  appearance  the  lesser  yellow -legs 
resembles  its  larger  relative,  with  which  it  is  often  found,  sometimes 
in  the  same  Hock  but  more  often  in  separate  flocks  on  the  same 
feeding  ground.  AVhen  seen  together  the  difference  in  size  is  most 
noticeable,  though  the  birds  are  otherwise  counterparts. 

GENUS  HELODROMAS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  very  slender,  a  little  long-er  than  head ;  legs 
and  toes  olive  green,  long-,  and  slender  ;  tarsus  scarcely  longer  than  middle 
toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Specking  of  back  white  or  creamy solitarius.  p.  97. 

r.  Specking  of  back  cinnamon  brown      ....    cinnanionieus.  p.  98. 

256.  Helodromas  solitarius  (Wils.).    Solitary  Sandpipkr. 
Adults  in  suiiiniir.  —  Upper  parts,  including  upper  tail  coverts  and  two 

middle  tail  feathers,  dark  olive  gray,  finely 

specked  with  wliitish  ;    rest  of  tail  barred 

with  white  ;  outer  ([uills  and  edge  of  wing 

deep   black  ;   under  parts  wliite,   streaked 

with  dusky  on  chest  and  throat.     Adults  hig.\\i>. 

in   winter:  upper   ])arts   more    dusky  and   less   olive,   chest   less   streaked. 

Young :  specking  of  back  bufi"v.  and  duskv  of  chest  and  sides  tinged  with 

buff.      Wing:  4.S;]-5.1«t.  tail  2.n5-2.2S.  bill  l.().';-1.20. 

liemarks. — The  solitary  is  distinguished  fntm  the  otlier  sandpipers  in 
the  field  by  its  dark  color  and  black  wings,  and  by  its  shrill  note  as  it  takes 
wing. 

Distrilmtion.  —  North  America  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  breeding 
from  the  northern  United  States  northward,  and  migrating  to  Argentina 
and  Peru. 

^Nest.  —-  A  .slight  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  leaves  and  grass. 
Eggs  :  said  to  l)e  2  to  4,  dull  buffy,  spotted  with  rich  brown  and  purplish 
gray.     Few  nests  have  ever  been  found  or  well  identified  eggs  collected. 


98  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

A  little  grass-fringed  pond  in  the  half  open  woods  is  a  favorite 
wading-ground  of  the  solitary  sandpiper's,  but  the  birds  are  often 
seen  singly  or  in  pairs  by  wayside  puddles  or  meadow  creeks,  pick- 
ing their  food  from  the  shallow  water  with  easy  graceful  motions, 
pausing  now  and  then  with  head  erect  to  make  a  teetering  bow. 
They  are  quiet,  shy  birds,  but  not  unapproachable,  and  they  show 
an  interested  curiosity  in  strangers.  Vernon  Bailey. 

256a.  H.  S.  cinnamomeus  (Brewst.).  Western  Solitary  Sand- 
piper. 

Slightly  larger  than  solitarius,  with  the  spotting  of  back  in  typical 
specimens  cinnamon  brown  instead  of  white  or  creamy,  and  with  sides  of 
face  lighter  colored.     Wing:  5.10-5.49,  tail  2.18-2.30,  bill  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution-  —  Western  North  America,  migrating  south  through  the 
Great  Basin  and  Pacific  coast  region  to  Lower  California  and  southward. 

In  general  appearance  and  habits  the  western  is  the  counterpart 
of  the  eastern  solitary. 

GENUS   SYMPHEMIA. 

258a.  Synipheraia  semipalmata  inprnata  Brewst.  West- 
ern WiLLET. 

Size  large,  bill  slender,  straight,  about  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  base  of  toes 
webbed ;  base  of  tail  and  large  patch  on  wing  always  white.  Adults  in 
summer  :  upper  parts  mottled  gray  and  dusky ;  end  of  tail  gray  ;  belly 
white  ;  chest  and  sides  buffy,  barred  with  dusky,  and  throat  streaked  with 
dusky.  Adults  in  ivinter  :  upper  parts  plain  ashy  gray  ;  under  j^arts  white, 
grayish  on  sides  of  throat  and  breast.  Young :  like  adults,  but  upper 
parts  and  sides  more  buffy  or  ochraceous.  Wing :  7.88-8.26,  bill  2.28-2.70, 
tarsus  2.45-2.95. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  west  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  north 
to  about  56°,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  coast  of  Texas  north  to  Manitoba ; 
south  in  winter  to  Mexico.     Casual  along  the  Atlantic  states  in  migration. 

Nest.  —  In  a  tussock  of  grass,  rather  bulky,  and  composed  of  grass  and 
various  plant  stems.  Eggs  :  4,  grayish  buffy  or  olive,  heavily  spotted 
with  dark  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

The  western  willet  differs  from  the  eastern  in  slightly  larger  size 
and  in  shades  of  color,  but  not  in  general  appearance  or  habits 
The  shores  of  lakes  and  ponds  are  its  favorite  feeding  grounds,  but 
it  is  sometimes  found  on  the  meadows  or  prairies  not  far  from  water. 

After  seeing  the  inconspicuous  ashy  gray  birds  feeding  quietly 
along  a  sandy  beach,  there  is  something  startling  in  the  flash  of 
strongly  contrasted  white  and  dai'k  gray  markings  and  the  boisterous 
laugh  as  they  take  to  wing.  Once  seen  and  heard,  they  can  be  con- 
fused with  no  other  waders.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    HETEKACTITIS. 

259.  Heteractitis  incanus  (Gmel.).    Wandering  Tatler. 

Web  between  middle  and  outer  toes,  but  not  between  middle  and  inner ; 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  99 

bill  straight  and  slender,  longer  than  tarsus  ;  tarsus  equal  to  length  of  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw.  Adults  in  simuaer  :  upper  parts  plain  slat}- or  plumbeous 
gray ;  under  parts  thickly  barred  with  white  and  dusky,  becoming  more 
spotted  on  throat  and  pure  white  on  anal  region.  Adults  in  winter  :  middle 
of  belly  and  chin  white  ;  chest,  sides,  and  upper  parts  gray.  Young  :  like 
winter  adults  but  with  fine  specks  and  narrow  scallops  of  white  on  wings 
and  back.  Length:  10.50-11.30,  wing  G.50-7.oO,  bill  1.50-l.GO,  tarsus 
1.25-1.35. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  America,  from  Norton  Sound  to  Lower 
California  and  Galapagos  Islands  ;  west  to  Kamschatka  and  the  Hawaiian 
and  Polynesian  Islands  ;   breeding  from  Vancouver  Island  northward. 

Nest  and  eggs  apparently  not  recorded,  but  young  birds  taken  by 
Macoun  on  the  west  coast  of  Vancouver  Island. 

GENUS    BARTRAMIA. 

261.  Bartramia  longicauda  (/?ec/^s^).  Baktramian  Sandpiper: 

Ul'LA>,'D    PlOVEK. 

Tail  long  and  graduated,  the  end  reaching  well  beyond  tips  of  folded 
wings  ;  base  of  toes  webbed  oidy  between  outer  and  middle.  Adults  : 
rump  black,  rest  of  upper  parts  duskj',  or  greenish  black,  scalloped  and 
streaked  with  buff ;  crown  blackish,  with  a  median  line  of  light  buff  ; 
sides  and  lower  surface  of  wing  barred  with  black  and  white  ;  throat 
streaked  and  chest  marked  with  dusky;  chin  and  belly  white.  Length: 
11.00-12.75,  wing  ()..50-7.00,  bill  1.10-1.15,  tarsus  1.90-2.05,  tail  3.40-3..50. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  North  America,  but  mainly  the  plains  and  prairie 
region  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  north  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Alaska ; 
west  to  Utah  and  Oregon  ;  breeding  from  southern  Kansas  and  Utah  north- 
ward ;  migrating  to  Brazil  and  Peru.    Accidental  in  Europe  and  Australia. 

Nest.  —  A  sliglit  depression,  usually  in  bare  ground,  sometimes  with  a 
little  grass  lining.  Eggs :  4,  creamy  or  huffy,  spotted  with  dark  brown 
and  purplish  gray. 

While  in  habits  more  plover  tlian  sandpiper,  Bartramia  combines 
even  more  the  characteristics  of  the  curlew  and  the  godwit.  It  is 
rarely  found  near  water,  being  prel^minently  a  bird  of  the  prairie. 
Sometimes  during  migrations  it  gathers  in  large  flocks  but  is  usually 
found  in  pairs  catching  insects  in  the  prairie  grass  and  tlowers  or 
following  the  plough  picking  up  worms  from  the  fresh  earth.  To  the 
plough-boy  of  the  plains  it  is  a  confiding  companion,  trusting  him  at 
a  friendly  distance  and  confidently  answering  lu's  low  whistles,  while 
he  in  turn  marks  its  nests,  leaving  many  a  bit  of  unploughed  ground 
for  its  home.  The  soft  bubbling  whistle  of  the  old  birds  as  they 
come  over  the  prairie  to  meet  you,  and  witli  curved  trembling  wings 
circle  about,  trying  to  coax  3^ou  away  from  their  nests  Civ  young,  is 
one  of  the  sweetest,  most  characteristic  sounds  of  the  i)rairie. 

But.  for  the  morsel  of  meat  on  their  breasts,  these  beautiful, 
friendly  birds  are  counted  game,  even  on  their  breeding  grounds, 
and  in  migration  they  are  slaughtered  by  thousiinds  on  the  southern 
prairies.  Vkunon  Bailey. 


100  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    TKYNGITES. 

262.  Tryngites  subruficollis  (VieilL).    Buff-breasted  Sand- 

PIPEK. 

Toes  not  webbed ;  bill  slender,  straight,  and  about  as  long  as  middle 
toe  without  claw  ;  under  surface  of  wing-  beautifully  naottled  and  marbled 
with  black  on  white  and  creamy.  Adults  :  upper  parts  dull  brownish 
buff,  the  f eathei-s  with  black  or  dusky  centers ;  under  parts  plain  rich 
buff.  Young :  like  adults,  but  feathers  of  back  edged  with  whitish. 
Length:  7.00-8.90,  wing  5.10-5.50,  bill  .75-.80,  tarsus  l.i5-1..30. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  in  general,  especially  the  interior,  breed- 
ing from  the  interior  of  British  America  and  the  Yukon  district  to  the 
arctic  coast ;  south  in  winter  to  Uruguay  and  Peru.  Occasional  in 
Europe. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  little  moss  or  grass. 
Eggs  :  usually  4,  grayish  or  pale  olive  buff,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and 
purplish  gray. 

Although  so  widely  distributed,  the  buff-breasted  sandpipers  do 
not  seem  to  be  common  except  on  their  northern  breeding  grounds, 
and  in  some  of  their  southern  stopping  places.  In  the  spring  migra- 
tion they  are  abundant  on  the  coast  prairies  of  Texas  and  Louisiana 
and  are  favorite  game  birds  of  the  pot-hunters  because  they  go  in 
dense  flocks  on  the  open  prairie  and.  yield  many  birds  to  few  shots. 

GENUS    ACTITIS. 

263.  Actitis  macularia  (Linn.).    Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Small  and  slender,  bill  approximately  the  length  of  tarsus,  or  of  middle 
toe  and  claw.  Adults  in  summer :  entire  upper  parts  bronzy  or  greenish 
olive,  faintly  marked  Avith  dusky  ;  under  parts  white,  marked,  except  on 
middle  of  belly,  with  round  spots  of  dusky  ;  quills  dusky,  secondaries 
tipped  with  white,  Avith  a  conspicuous  white  line  along  the  middle  of  open 
wing.  Adults  in  winter :  white  of  under  parts  unspotted.  Young :  like 
winter  adults  but  finely  barred  on  wings  and  back  with  dusky  and  buff. 
Length  :  7-8,  wing  4.05-4.60,  bill  .90-1.05,  tarsus  .90-1.05. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  spotted  sandpiper  can  always  be  recognized 
by  its  small  size,  plain  gray  color,  and  the  conspicuous  white  bar  along  the 
middle  of  the  wing  in  flight. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  throughout  most  of 
its  range  ;  south  in  winter  to  Brazil  and  Uruguay. 

Nest.  —  On  dry  ground  in  tuft  of  grass  or  under  low  bush,  lined  with 
leaves  and  grass.  E(fgs  :  4,  buffy,  spotted  with  lilac,  dark  brown,  and 
black. 

Although  never  numerous  or  in  flocks,  the  spotted  sandpiper  or 
river  sand  peep  is  the  commonest  and  best  known  of  our  sandpipers 
over  the  country  at  larg^.  There  is  hardly  a  patch  of  water  from 
the  brooks  in  the  mountain  meadows  to  the  rivers  in  the  lowlands 
which  has  not  one  or  more  pairs  of  these  little  quaker  gray  birds 
pickhig  along  their  shores  with  teetering  gait,  and  with  shrill  jieet- 
weet,  buzzing  from  stone  to  stone  so  fast  that  their  wing  tips  seem 


LONG-BILLED  CURLEW 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  101 

always  to  be  pointiug  down  as  they  fly,  their  whole  bodies  tipping 
violently  when  they  alight.  This  teetering  motion,  which  becomes 
ridiculously  rapid  under  excitement  or  alarm,  has  given  the  bird  its 
familiar  names  of  tip-up  and  teeter-tail. 

GENUS    NUMENIUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  curved  and  slender,  long-er  than  tarsus  ;  front 
of  tarsus  with  transverse  scutellie ;  toes  webbed  at  base. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.   Bill  of  adult  long-er  than  tarsus  and  middle  toe  ;  crown  not  striped. 

longirostris,  p.  101. 
1'.  Bill  not  longer  than  tai-sus  and  middle  toe. 

2.  Crown  black  with  middle  line  of  buff       .     .      .  hudsoilicus,  p.  102. 

2.  Crown  specked,  without  middle  line  of  buff      .     .     borealis,  p.  102. 

264.  Numenius  longirostris  Wils.     Long-billed  Ccrlew. 

Plumage  liglit  cinnamon,  barred  and  mottled  on  upper  parts  with  dusky 
and  black  ;  outer  wel)s  of  outer  quills  wholly  black  ;  head,  neck,  throat, 
and  chest  streaked  with  dusky  ;  crown  maiidy  dusky  ;  belly  plain  cinna- 
mon ;  chin  whitish.  Length:  20-2(),  Aving-  10-11,  bill  2.o()  in  young-  of 
year  to  8.50  in  old  birds  ;  tarsus  o.OO-o.SO. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  temperate  North  America,  breeding-  from 
Texas  to  Canada,  migrating-  to  Guatemala,  Cuba,  and  Janudca. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass.  J^yys  :  3  or  4, 
g-rayish  buff  to  pale  buffy  brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  lilac. 

On  the  prah'ics  in  migration  you  sometimes  see  a  flock  of  a 
lumdred  curlew  flying  high  overhead  in  long  shifting  lines  of  form- 
ing and  dissolving  wedges;  and  on  the  irrigated  fields  of  the  in- 
terior, in  marked  contrast  to  the  white  moving  throng  of  small  bob- 
bing snipe  and  sandpipers,  you  often  find  a  small  company  of  the 
big,  brown,  round-backed  Niimenins  with  their  long,  curved  bills 
down  l)ef()re  them,  stalking  along  with  dignified  demeanor.  As 
they  rise  and  fly  you  get  a  flash  of  rich,  warm  color,  and  your  ear  is 
startled  by  their  stirring  clarion  call.  When  they  come  to  earth, 
like  other  waders  they  raise  their  wings  over  the  back  for  an  instant 
with  most  striking  elTect. 

When  an  intruder  approaches  their  breeding  grounds  tliey  often 
come  over  the  prairie  to  meet  him  and  eirele  arouiul  with  wild  cries 
and  shrill  laugliter. 

There  is  little  excuse  for  killing  these  splendid  birds  for  game,  as 
they  make  too  easy  a  mark  for  any  true  sixn-tsman,  and  when  taken 
ur(!  of  little  use,  as  their  flesh  is  tough  and  dry. 

Colonel  (toss  gives  their  food  as  worms,  crickets,  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, small  snails,  crabs,  and  crawlish,  and  says  that  they  reach 
for  the  crabs  with  their  long  bills  and  pull  them  out  of  their  holes, 
and  prolK'  lor  larv.-e  that  come  near  the  surface  in  spring. 


102  PLOVERS 

265.  Nuraenius  hudsonicus  Lath.    Hudsonian  Curlew. 

Smaller  than  longirostris,  with  shorter  bill  and  dnller  coloration  ;  quills 
plain  dusky.  Upper  parts  specked,  mottled,  and  barred  with  dusky  and 
buff ;  crown  black  with  middle  and  side  lines  of  buff ;  a  dusky  stripe 
throug-h  eye  ;  under  parts  buffy,  barred  and  streaked  on  sides,  chest,  and 
neck  with  dusky.  Length  :  16.50-18.00,  wing-  9.00-10.2,5,  bill  3-4,  tarsus 
2.25-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  North  and  South  America  and  the 
West  Indies,  breeding'  in  the  far  north  and  wintering  in  the  southern 
United  States  and  southward. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves.  Eggs  : 
usually  4,  creamy  to  pale  olive,  spotted  with  dull  brown. 

The  Hudsonian  curlew  is  common  on  the  coasts  but  rare  in  the 
interior.  In  habits  as  well  as  general  appearance  it  is  similar  to  the 
long-billed  curlew. 

266.  Numenius  borealis  (Forst.).    Eskimo  Curlew. 

Similar  to  hudsonicus  but  smaller,  with  slenderer  bill  ;  crow^n  faintly 
specked  with  buffy  on  black,  and  without  a  distinct  median  line  of  buff. 
Length  :  12.(30-14.50,  wing  8.00-8.50,  bill  2.25-2.50,  tarsus  1.70-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in  arctic  regions  and 
migrating  to  southern  South  America  ;  west  to  Kansas  and  Nebraska. 
Recorded  from  San  Diego,  California  {The  Auk.,  i.  393). 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  hudsonicus. 

The  Eskimo  curlew  is  said  to  be  an  abundant  migrant  on  the 
plains  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

FAMILY   CHARADRIIDiE :    PLOVERS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Hind  toe  present  but  small Squatarola,  p.  102. 

I'.Hind  toe  wanting. 

2.  Upper  parts  spotted,  belly  black  in  summer,  grayish  in  winter. 

Charadrius,  p.  103. 

2'.  Upper  parts  plain,  belly  always  white     ....   iEgialitis,  p.  103. 

GENUS    SQUATAROLA. 

270.  Squatarola  squatarola  (imn.). 
Black-bellied  Plover. 
Hind  toe  minute  ;  bill  rather  short.  Adults 
in  summer  :  face,  throat,  and  belly  black,  bor- 
dered with  white  ;  upper  parts  spotted  with 
black  and  white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  white  at 
base  ;  outer  half  of  tail  barred  with  dusky. 
Adults  in  winter :  under  parts  white,  overlaid, 
streaked,  and  mottled  with  dusky  and  gray, 
becoming  creamy  or  white  on  anal  region ; 
upper  parts  spotted  with  gray  and  dusky. 
Young  :  like  winter  adults,  but  spotted  above 
with  light  vellow,  gray,  and  black.  Length: 
10.50-12.00,  wing  7.50,  bill  1.10,  tarsus  1.95. 
Fig.  119.  Distribution.  —  Nearly   cosmopolitan,  but 


PLOVERS  103 

chiefly  in  the  northern  hemisphere,  breeding-  far  north ;  sonth  in  winter  in 
America  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  gronnd  lined  with  old  grass.  Eggs  :  4,  light 
butfy  olive,  spotted  with  dark  brown  or  black. 

"  I  have  found  this  species  quite  common  upon  both  coasts  but 
rave  inland,  where  it  seldom  stops  except  to  rest  on  its  migratory 
flights  to  and  from  its  breeding-grounds.  ...  In  habits  it  is  similar 
to  the  golden  plover."     (Goss.) 

GENUS    CHARADRIUS. 

272.  Charadrius  dorainicus  Mull.    Golden  Plover. 

Hind  toe  wanting-,  bill  small  and  slender.  Adults  in  su miner :  upper 
parts  black  or  dusky,  spotted  with  bright  yellow  and  white ;  face,  throat, 
and  belly  black,  bordered  with  a  line  of  white  ;  tail  dusky,  barred  with 
gray  or  yellow.  Adults  in  winter  :  under  parts  mottled  dusky  gray  ;  back 
less  golden  than  in  summer.  Young :  like  winter  adults,  but  with  upper 
parts  more  golden,  and  yellow  wash  over  neck  and  breast.  Length :  U.50- 
10.80,  wing-  O.SO-7.40,  bill  .80-1.00,  tarsus  1.5,5-1.82. 

Distribution.  —  North  and  South  America,  breeding-  in  arctic  regions, 
and  migrating-  to  Patagonia. 

Ne.st.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  moss  or  dry  g-rass.  Eggs :  4,  pale 
grayish  or  olive  buff  to  huffy  brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown  or  black. 

In  the  United  States  the  golden  plover  is  a  common  migrant  east 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but  less  frequently  seen  toward  the  Pacific- 
coast. 

For  an  interesting  account  of  its  breeding  habits  see  Nelson's 
Birds  of  Alai<k(i. 

GENUS  ^GIALITIS. 

Genend  Characters.  —  Hind  toe  wanting  ;  bill  much  shorter  than  head  ; 
colors  plain,  with  or  without  black  l)ands. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1 .  Chest  \vithnut  trace  of  black  bars montana.  p.  105. 

1'.  Chest  with  complete  or  interrui)ted  bar  of  l)lat'k  or  dusky  in  adults. 

2.  Chest  with  two  l)lack  l)ars vocifera,  p.  lOo. 

2.  Chest  witli  one  complete  or  interrupted  bar  of  black  or  dusky. 
?).  Chest  with  complete  bar. 
4.  Bill  not  over  .55. 

5.  Front  toes  connected  by  web  at  l)a.se  .  semipalniata.  p.  104. 
5'.  Middle  and  inner  toe  not  connected  I)y  web  at  b.isc. 

circuniciiicta,  j).  104. 

4'.  Bill  about  .80 wilsonia.  p.  105. 

3'.  Chest  with  only  a  black  spot  on  each  side  .     .     .     nivosa,  p.  105. 

Subgenus  Oxyechus. 

273.  JGgialitis  vocifera  {Linn.).    Killdkkk. 

Adults.  —  Chest  crossed  by  two  black   bands,  the  upper  encircling  the 


104  PLOVERS 

neck ;   f oreliead,   collar,   and  under   parts   white ; 

front  of  crown  black  ;  rump  and  sides  of  tail  bright 

ochraceous  yellow  ;   rest  of  upper  parts  dull  olive 

^^^^^  I      brown.      Young :  similar  to  adults  but  duller,  with 

l^^^^p-^gHij     j^j^jIj  rusty  on  back.     Length:  10.00-11.25,  wing- 

^^g^     6.20-6.75,  bill  .70-.90,  tarsus  1.40-1.55. 

^^^WWm         Distribution.  —  Whole  of  temperate  North  Amer- 

'^^^pM^^    .  ica,  breeding-  throughout  its  range,  wintering  from 

u.^*  •  -    ^'ii^T^         sm      California    and    the     Gulf    coast    of    the    United 

F'     V>0     Killdeer  States  and  West  Indies  south  to  northern  South 

America. 
Nest.  —  A  slight   depression    in    bare    ground.      Eggs :  4,    dull    buff y, 
spotted  with  dark  brown  and  black. 

The  killdeer  is  everywhere  too  common  to  need  description,  and 
even  its  name,  dinned  in  our  ears  from  morning  till  night  from 
roadside  puddles,  barnyard,  and  meadow  in  the  shrill  kill-dee',  kill- 
dee' ,  kill -dee' ,  kill-dee',  becomes  almost  tiresomely  familiar.  Vocifer- 
ous at  all  times,  the  plover  becomes  doubly  so  when  the  little  downy 
striped  young  are  trotting  about  in  the  short  grass.  Then  the  cries 
and  frantic  endeavors  of  the  old  birds  to  lead  the  intruder  another 
way  by  running  ahead,  limping,  falling  over,  fluttering  the  spread 
wings  and  tail,  and  uttering  low  notes  of  pain,  would  be  ludicrous 
if  not  done  in  tragic  earnest.  Vernon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  -^gialitis. 
274.  -SJgialitis  semipalmata  Bonap.    Semipalmated  Plover. 

Size  small ;   distinct  basal  webs  between  front  toes  ;  bill  very  small  and 

short,  less  than  middle  toe  Avithout  claw,  the  basal  half  yellow  in  adults. 

Adults  in  summer :  throat  encircled  by  a  black  collar, 

bordered  above  on  back  of  neck  with  a  white  band ; 

face  black,  with  a  white  bar  across  forehead  ;   upper 

parts  brownish   gray,  under  parts  white.     Adults  in 

F*.    im|fi;-]|prT  !      winter :  black  of  summer  plumage  replaced  by  dark 

H^L   ^«»i*»'  i^    I      gray.      Young:  like  winter  adults,  but  with  feathers 

^Bk  of  upper  parts  edg-ed  with  buffy.     Length :  6.50-7.50, 

|B^I^  wing  4.65-5.00,  bill  .48-.55,  tarsus  .95-1.05. 

Hp^  TJistrihution.   —  In    North  America,    breeding  far 

r    ^  north,  wintering  from  Texas  to  Brazil,  Peru,  and  the 

'^'    "  ■  Galapagos  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in   the  ground,   sometimes  lined  with  grass   and 

leaves.     Eggs :  4,  dull  buffy  or  olive  buff,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and 

black. 

"  This  species  is  quite  common  in  suitable  localities  throughout 
the  continent.  They  are  often  met  with  upon  low,  marshy  ground, 
but  seem  to  prefer  the  sandy  shores  to  barren  lands."     (Goss.) 

277a.  ^gialitis  meloda  circumcincta  Bidgw.     Belted  Pip- 
ing Plovek. 
Middle  and  inner  toes  without  basal  web.     Adult  male  in  summer  :  upper 
parts  buffy  gray,  a  black  bar  across  chest  and  one  across  front  of  crown  ; 


PLOVERS  105 

forehead,  collar,  and  under  parts  white.  Adult  female  in  summer  :  duller 
black.  Adults  in  winter :  black  replaced  by  buffy  gray.  Young :  like 
winter  adult,  but  with  buffy  edgings  to  feathers  of  back.  Length  :  6.25- 
7.50,  wing-  4.50-4.80,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Mississippi  valley  and  north  to  Lake  Winnipeg-,  west  to 
Cheyenne,  Wyoming-,  east  occasionally  to  the  Atlantic  ;  breeding-  from 
Illinois  and  Nebraska  northward,  and  wintering-  on  the  Gulf  coast  and 
southward. 

278.  JEgialitis  nivosa  Cass.    Snowy  Plover. 

Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw,  slender,  and  entirely  black. 
Chest  band  reduced  to  a  spot  at  each  side  of  breast.  ^Idults  in  summer  : 
crown  and  back  pale  buffy  gray  ;  face  and  under  parts  white  ;  wide  bar 
across  front  of  crown,  ear  patch,  and  spot  at  side  of  chest  black.  Adults 
in  winter :  black  replaced  by  dusky  gray.  Young :  similar  to  winter 
adults,  but  with  feathers  of  back  tipped  with  white.  Length  :  6.25-7.00, 
wing-  4.20-4.:J(),  bill  about  .60,  tarsus  .5)0-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  .States,  east  to  western  Nebraska,  Kan- 
sas, and  Te.xas ;  south  in  winter  to  Chili ;  breeding-  over  most  of  its  United 
States  range. 

Nest.  —  A  slig-ht  depression  in  the  sand.  Eggs :  3,  dull  light  buff, 
spotted  with  dark  brown  and  black. 

On  the  shores  of  Salt  Lake  Avhile  the  great  white  gulls  disport 
themselves  in  the  air  and  on  the  water,  the  plump  little  snow^y  plover 
is  trotting  along  the  beach  gathering  his  food  as  he  goes.  If  fright- 
ened, he  droi)s  into  the  deep  footprint  of  a  horse  and  is  lost  to  view, 
so  well  does  his  back  match  the  dull  gray  surface.  Though  so  small, 
he  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  bits  of  life  in  his  big  landscapes. 

Subgenus  Ochthodromus. 

280.  -ffigialitis  wilsonia  (Ord).     Wilson  Plover. 

Much  smaller  than  the  killdeer,  with  but  one  black  band  across  chest 
and  witliont  yellow  on  I'ump  or  upper  tail  coverts.  ^Idult  male:  upper 
parts  brownish  gray,  with  black  across  front  of  crown,  lores,  and  chest ; 
forehead.  sujxMciliary  line,  collar,  and  rest  of  under  parts  white,  .\dult 
/'female  :  black  of  male  replaced  l)y  l)rownish  gray,  more  or  less  tinged 
with  rusty.  Young  :  similar  to  fenude,  but  fcatliers  of  upper  parts  mar- 
gined with  grayish.     Length  :  7.50-7.1M),  wing-  4.50,  bill  .SO,  tarsus  1.25. 

liemarLs.  —  The  Wilson  plover  may  be  disting-ui.shed  from  the  other 
small  pK)vers  by  its  much  longer  bill. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  from  southern  California  and  Long- 
Ishuid  south  to  l>ra/il  and  Tern.     Casual  to  Nova  IScotia. 

Subgenus  Podasocys. 

281.  -fficfialitis  montana  (Towns.).    Mountain  Plover. 

\V\\\  sb'Mcb-r  ;  tail  less  than  half  as  long- as  wing ;  chest  witliont  band  ; 
nifcti'd  by  ba.sal  web.  .Idults  in  summer: 
u])p«'r  parts  i)lain  grayish  or  buffy  brown ; 
undrr  parts  white  or  buffy  ;  foreliead  and 
lint'  over  eye  white  ;  front  »'dgc  of  crown 
and  streak  in  front  of  eye,  black.  .\dul(s 
in  winter:   without  pure  white  or  black 


106  SURF  BIRDS  AND  TURNSTONES 

markings,  and  with  more  of  buffy.  Young :  like  winter  adults  but  still 
more  buffy  ;  feathers  of  upper  parts  strongly  tinged  with  buff.  Length  : 
8.00-9.10,  wing  6,  bill  .80-.90,  tarsus  1.50-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States,  breeding  from  Texas  to  Dakota 
and  Montana ;  west,  mainly  in  winter,  to  California  and  south  to  Lower 
California  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  Mexico ;  accidental  in  Florida. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  prairie  lined  sparingly  with  leaves  and 
grass.  Eggs:  3  or  4,  cream  color  to  light  olive,  spotted  with  purplish 
gray,  dark  brown,  and  black. 

Totally  disregarding  its  name,  the  mountain  plover  Inhabits  the 
high  arid  plains,  breeding  in  considerable  abundance  from  the  Staked 
Plains  of  Texas  to  Montana,  and  in  Colorado  up  to  8000  feet.  It  is  a 
quiet  bird,  lacking  the  sharp  markings  and  vociferousness  of  the  kill- 
deer.  Instead  of  haunting  the  ponds  and  meadows,  it  spends  its  time 
picking  up  grasshoppers  and  other  small  insects  from  the  short  prairie 
grass. 

Grinnell  reports  it  a  common  winter  visitor  in  Los  Angeles  County, 
California.  Vernon  Bailey. 

FAMILY   APHRIZIDiE:    SURF   BIRDS    AND   TURN- 
STONES. 

KEY    TO    GKNERA. 

1.  Bill  stout,  with  rounded  tip  ;  tail  slightly  emarginate.  Aphriza,  p.  106. 
1'.  Bill  with  sharp  tip  inclined  upward  ;  tail  slightly  rounded. 

Arenaria,  p.  106. 

GENUS   APHRIZA. 

282.  Aphriza  virgata  (GmeL).     Surf  Bird. 

Base  of  tail,  upper  coverts,  and  a  hroad  bar  on  wing  white.  Adults  in 
summer:  upper  parts,  head,  neck,  and  chest,  slaty  gray,  specked  and  streaked 

with   whitish,   and  spotted  on  scapulars 

■>^g.^^^^^^y     with  rufous;    belly  white,  specked  with 

~  ■"  £    dusky.      Adults  in  winter:  like  summer 

^^  adults,  but  with  upper  parts,  head,  and 

'^"    ""'•  neck  plain  dusky  or  slaty  gray.      Young : 

back  brownish  gray,  feathers  edged  with  white ;  throat  and  breast  white, 

streaked  with  dusky.     Length:  10,  wing  7,  bill  .95-1.00,  tarsus  1.20-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  America  from  Alaska  to  Chili. 

The  surf  bird  has  never  been  found  in  abundance,  and  its  breeding 
grounds  are  unknown. 

GENUS    ARENARIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  and  sharp,  with  the  tip  inclined  up- 
wards ;  toes  unwebbed ;  lower  back  and  base  of  tail  white ;  rump  white, 
with  black  patch. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Throat  white morinella,  107. 

1.  Throat  black melanocephala,  107. 


OYSTER-CATCHERS  107 

283- 1-  Arenaria  morinella  (Lm«.).    Ruddy  Turnstone. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  belly  white,  chest  crossed  by  a  broad  black  band  ; 
back  coarsely  mottled  with  rufous  and  black ;  head  variously  streaked. 
Young :  similar  to  adult  but  duller,  without  rufous  on  back,  and  with  the 
chest  band  mottled  dusky  gray.  Length  :  9.00-9.U0,  wing-  0.00,  bill  .80-.90, 
tarsus  1. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  America,  breeding-  from  the  Mackenzie  River  east- 
ward ;  south  in  migration,  chiefly  coastwise,  to  Patagonia  and  the  Falkland 
Islands.     Rare  in  the  interior  and  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves. 
Eggs :  \isually  4,  gravisli  olive,  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

284.  Arenaria  melanocephala  (F«».    Black  Turnstone. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  and  upper  back  black,  with  greenish  bronzy 
gloss  ;  rest  of  head,  neck,  throat,  and  chest 
black,    spotted    on   forehead    and    sides    with 

^^  white  ;  a  white  spot  in  front  of  eye  ;  belly  and 

Fig.  1-24.    Summer  Plumat,'e.      sides  white.    Adidts  in  ivinter  :  similar,  but  with 
head,  neck,  and  chest  unspotted,  sooty  black. 
Young :  head  more  grayish  than  in  winter  adults 
and  feathers  of  back  edged  with  buff y.     Length : 
9,  wing  .*).S0-G.10,  bill  .85-1.00,  tarsus  1.00-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America 
from  Point   Barrow   to   Santa    Margarita  Island, 
Winter  Plumage.    Lower  California  ;  breeding  from  British  Colum- 
bia northward. 
Nest  and  eggs  as  in  morinella. 

FAMILY   HiEMATOPODIDiE :    OYSTER-CATCHERS. 

GENUS    H^MATOPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight  and  flattened,  chisel-shaped  ;  bright 
red  in  adult,  brownish  in  young ;  feet  and  legs  short  and  stout,  red  ;  tail 
square  across  end. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Belly  and  base  of  tail  white frazari,  p.  107. 

r.  Belly  and  whole  plumage  blackish bachmani,  p.  107. 

286.1.  Hsematopus  frazari  lirewst.    Fkazar  Oystkk-catcher. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  neck  greenish  black  ;  back  rich  dark  brown  ;  tail  and 
wing  quills  brownish  black ;  under  parts,  base  of  tail,  and  patch  on  wing, 
white.     Length:  17-lM,  wing  9.7')-10.'27,  bill  "2.99-0.05,  tarsus  2.18-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  of  southern  and  Lower  California,  north  to  Ven- 
tura County. 

The  white-bellied  oyster-catchers  reported  from  southern  Califor- 
nia are  assumed  to  hit  frazari  instead  ofpalliatus  of  the  Atlautie  coast. 
287.  Haematopus  bachmani  And.    Black  Oystkr-catchek. 

Adidts.  —  Head  and  neck  dull  bhiisli  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  brown- 
ish black.  Young:  dnUrv, 
more  brownisli.     Li  n(/th  : 
1 7.00-1 7.. ")0,    win- 
9.(50-10.75,         biil 
2.50-2.95,     tai-Hus 
Fiij.  1-2G.  1.S5-2.25.  Kij;.  1-. 


108  J  AC  ANAS 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  the  Aleutian  Islands 
to  La  Paz,  Lower  California,  and  the  Kurile  Islands ;  breeding-  throughout 
most  of  its  range. 

Eggs.  —  1  to  3,  laid  on  the  bare  rock,  sand,  or  gravel ;  light  buff  or  olive, 
spotted  with  brownish  black  and  purplish  gray. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  taken  black  oyster-catchers  on  the  Seal  Rocks  at 
Monterey  in  July.  They  are  said  to  be  strictly  littoral  in  their  habits, 
always  flying  over  the  sea  when  moving  from  point  to  point. 

FAMILY   JACANIDiE:    JACANAS. 
GENUS    JACANA. 

[288.]  Jacana  Spinosa  (Linn.).     Mexican  Jacana. 

Toes  very  long  and  slender,  hind  claw  straight  and  longer  than  toe  ; 
bend  of  wing  armed  with  a  sharp  spur  ;  forehead  covered  by  a  leaf-like 
scale  from  base  of  bill.  Adults  :  head  and  neck  greenish  black  ;  wing- 
quills  yellowish  green  edged  or  tipped  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  plumag-e  rich 
purplish  chestnut.  Young :  with  only  a  rudiment  of  frontal  leaf  ;  back 
olive  g-ray,  back  of  neck  black  ;  rump  brown  ;  under  parts  and  stripe  on 
side  of  head  white.  Length:  8.50,  wing-  4.50-5.40,  bill  1.15-1.40,  tarsus 
1.90-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  America  from  southern  Texas  to  Colombia ; 
Cuba ;  Hayti. 


LAND   BIRDS. 

KEY  TO   FAMILIES. 

ORDER  GALLING  :  GROUSE,  QUAIL,  TURKEYS, 
PHEASANTS,  ETC. 

1.  Hind  toe  short,  raised  above  level  of  front  ones. 

2.  Leg  with  spur,   head  naked  or  tail  vaulted,   plumage 

largely  metallic Phasianidae : 

Turkeys  and  Pheasants,  p.  134. 

c 


2.'  Leg  without  spur,   head    feathered,  tail    not    vaulted, 

plumage  not  metallic Tetraonidae  : 

Grouse,  Partridges,  Quails,  etc.,  p.  113. 

Fig.  128.  '  b      ,  y^  ,  ,  I 

V.  Hind  toe  long,  on  a  level  with  front  ones Cracidae  : 

Currasso-ws  and  Guans,  p.  137. 


ORDER    COLUMB^:    PIGEONS    OR    DOVES. 

_y^y~    ^   Bill  slender,  nostril  opening-  in  soft  fleshy  skin  or  membrane. 
"^-^^^^  3  Columbidae  :  Pigeons,  p.  138. 

Fig.  l'J9. 


KEY   TO   FAMILIES   OF  LAND   BIRDS 


109 


ORDER   RAPTORES:    VULTURES,  EAGLES, 
HAWKS,  OWLS,  ETC. 


Fig.  132. 


1.   Head   naked,    feet   not   suited   for 
grasping.     .     .     Cathartidae 
Vultures 

1  .  Head    feathered,     feet     especi 
adapted  for  graspiug- 


rtidae :     \\ \ 

,  p.  144.    11,3^5- 

pecially  ^^<^^^^^pi, 


Fig.  131. 


2.  Eyes  not  surrounded  by  striking- 
discs  of  radiating-  feathers. 
Falconidae :  Falcons, 
Kites,  Hawks,  Eagles, 
etc.,  p.  140. 


Fig.  133. 


Fi_ 


Eyes  surrounded  by  striking  discs 
of  radiating-  feathers. 


3.  Inner    edge    of    middle    claw 

toothed  .     .     .    Strigidae : 

Barn  Owls.  p.  173. 

3'.  Inner  edge  of  middle  claw  not 

toothed  .     .     Bubonidae : 

Horned  Owls,  etc., 

36.  p.  175. 


ORDER   PSITTACI:    PARROTS. 

Toes  4,  2  in  front,  2  behind  ;   outer  toe  perma- 
nently reversed Psittacidae  : 

Parrots,  j).  I'.i'J. 


ORDER  COCCYGES:  CUCKOOS, 
TROGONS,  KINGFISHERS, 
ETC. 


Fin.  137 


--^^^^^^^    1.  Toes  4,  ;;  pointing  ft)r\vard,  1  hack      Alcedinidae  : 
rx,         '  Kingfishers,  j).  ll>8. 

FigTt3S. 


i  r.  Toes  4,  2  pointing  forward,  2  back. 

Fig.  130. 


110 


KEY   TO   FAMILIES   OF  LAND   BIRDS 


O-^,       2.  Bill  long-,  cutting  edges  smooth  Cuculidae  : 

i  Road-runners,  Cuckoos,  etc.,  p.  193. 


Fig.  140. 


2.'  Bill  short,  cutting  edge  toothed.      Trogonidse  : 

Trogons,  p.  197. 


ORDER   PICI:   WOODPECKERS. 


Toes  3  or  4,  only  2  in  front ; 
bill  chisel-like  ;  tail  fea- 
thers stiff  and  pointed. 

Picidae : 
Woodpeckers,  p.  200. 


Fig.  143. 


Fig.  144. 


Fig.  142. 


ORDER   MACROCHIRES:    GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS,  AND    HUMMINGBIRDS. 

""'"I^X    1.  Bill  long  and  slender,  gape  not  deeply  cleft.    Trochilidae 
^  ^  Humminerbirds.  n.  23' 


Fig.  145. 


Hummingbirds,  p.  232. 


4^c       r.  Bill  short,  wide  at  base,  gape  deeply  cleft. 

Fig.  146. 

2.  Plumage  moth-like,  lax  ;  middle  toe  long,  and 
inner  edge  toothed      .      Caprimulgidae  : 

Goatsuckers,  p.  222.     Fig.  147. 

2'.  Plumage   compact,  middle   toe    normal,   not 

toothed Micropodidae : 

Swifts,  p.  229. 

Fig.  148. 

ORDER   PASSERES:    PERCHING   BIRDS. 


Toes  4,  3  pointing  forward,  1  back  ; 
never  united  for  half  their  length. 


all  on  the  same  level  and 


Fig.  149. 

1.  Inner  toe  with  basal  phalanx  united  to  that  of  middle  toe. 

Cotingidae  :  Cotingas,  p.  245. 

1'.  Inner  toe  with  basal  phalanx  not  united  to  that  of  middle  toe. 

2.  Back  of  tarsus  rounded. 


Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe   and  straight; 
bill  rounded,  not  hooked  at  tip. 

Alaudidae  :  Larks,  p.  265. 


Fig.  151. 


KEY  TO   FAMILIES  OF  LAND  BIRDS 


111 


Fig.  152. 


'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe  and  curved  ;  bill 
flat,  wider  than  high,  slightly  hooked  at  tip. 
Tyranuidae  :  Flycatchers,  p.  245. 


2'.  Back  of  tarsus  sharp-edged. 

3.  Primaries   apparently  only   9,  the  10th   being 
only  a  rudiment. 


Fig.  153. 


Fig.  154. 


Fig.  158. 

o 


4.  Outer  primary  twuce  as  long  as  innermost. 
Hirundinidae  :  Swallows,  p.  oS2. 

4'.  Outer  primary  not  twice  as  long  as  inner- 
most. 
5.  Bill  slender  and  thin  at  base. 

6.  Hind  claw  as  long  as  or  longer  than 

its  toe  ....     Motacillidae  : 

Wagtails  and  Pipits,  p.  4ol. 

0'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe. 

7.  Head  crested   .    .   Ampelidae  : 

Waxw^ings  and 

Phainopeplas,  p.  387. 

^    7'.  Head  not  crested. 

Mniotiltidee : 
Wood  "Warblers,  p.  401. 
Fig.  157. 

5.  Bill  short  and  thick  or  long  and  thick 
at  base. 
6.  Bill  notched  at  tip  and  with  bristles 
at  gape. 
O  ^ 


Fig.  IGl. 


r 

Fig.  159. 

Fig.  IGO. 

Fig.  103. 


<cC" 


7.  Nostril    concealed    or   overhung, 

or  else  cutting   edge    of   lowjr 

mandible     forming     a    distinct 

angle      .     .     •     Fringillidae : 

r  Finches,  Sparrows. 

,^^    ^  etc.,  p.  303. 

Fig.  162. 

7'.  Nostril  exposed,  cutting  edges  of 
lower  mandible  without  dis- 
tinct angle  ;  males  with  more  or 
le.s.s  red,  females  greenish  and 
yellowish  .  .  Tanagridae : 
I'''g-l^'*-  Tanagers.  p.  :;7*.>. 

C.  Bill  without  noteli  at  ti})  and  with- 
out bristles  at  base. 
7.   Bill    wider    than    liigli     at    ba.se; 
plumage  greenish,  speekbd. 

Sturnidae : 
Starlings,  p.  285. 


O- 


112 


KEY   TO   FAMILIES   OF   LAND   BIRDS 


Fig.  167. 


7'.  Bill    not    wider    than    high    at 

base ;    plumag'e  largely  black 

or  yellow .     .     .     Icteridae : 

Blackbirds,  Orioles, 

etc.,  p.  285. 


Fig.  166. 


3'.  Primaries  obviously  10. 


4.  First  primary  more  than  half 
as  long  as  second. 


Bill  hooked  at  tip 


Fig.  168. 

.     .     Laniidae : 
Shrikes,  p.  391. 


Fig.  169. 


o 
Fig.  170. 


.  Bill  not  hooked  at  tip. 
0.  Nasal  feathers  erect  or  inclined  back- 
ward   (except    genus    Oroscoptes,    in 
which  the  first  primary  is  not  half  as 
long  as  second)       Troglodytidae : 
Wrens,  Thrashers,  Mocking- 
birds, and  Catbirds,  p.  4oo. 
6'.  Nasal  feathers  pointing  forward  over 
bill. 

Large  ;  wing  more  than  4. 

Corvidae :  Crows,  Jays, 
Magpies,  etc.,  p.  209. 


Small,  wing  less  than  2.    Paridce : 
Nuthatches  and  Tits  {Genus 
Chamcea:    }Vren-tits),  p.  452. 
Fig.  172. 

4'.  First  primary  not 
more  than  half 
as  long  as  sec- 
ond. 

5.  Tarsus  not  divided  into 
plates  except  near 
toes.  Fig.  174. 

6.  Tail  abnormally  short ;  plumage  slate 
gray.    Cinclidae  :  Dippers,  p.  4:]2. 
6.  Tail    normally  long;    plumage  green 
or  brown. 
7.  Small,  wing  less  than  2.50 ;   plum- 
age greenish.  Sylviidae :  King- 
lets, Gnatcatchers,  etc. 
(Genus  Begulus  :  Kinglets),  p.  463. 
7'.  Large:   wing  more   than  3;    plum- 
age brown  or  gravish. 
Turdidae  :  Thrushes,  p.  467. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


113 


Fig.  182. 


5'.  Tarsus      divided       into 
plates. 

Fig.  175. 
G.  Bill  slightly  hooked  or  notched  at  tip. 
7.  Small;  wing  l.UO-2.20. 

8.  Upper  parts  greenish  or  grayish  ; 

tail  even.  Vireonidae : 

Vireos,  p.  394. 

8'.  Upper  parts  bluish  ;  tail  gradu- 
ated Sylviidae :   Kinglets, 
Gnatcatchers,  etc. 

{Genus  Polioptila:  Gnat- 
catchers),  p.  4(io. 

Large  :  length  S  to  0. 

Troglodytidae :  "Wrens, 
Thrashers,  etc. 

(Genus  Oroscoptes :   Sage 
Fig.  179.  Thrashers),  p.  433. 

0'.  Bill  not  hooked  at  tip. 

7.  Tail  feathers  stiff,  pointed  at  tip. 
Certhiidce  :  Creepers,  p.  451. 

7'.  Tail  feathers  normal  (except  genus 
Channea,  in  which  the  first  pri- 
mary is  more  than  half  as  long  as 

second) Paridae : 

Fig.  183.  Nuthatches  and  Tits,  p.  4.j2. 


ORDER  GALLING  :  GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 

(Ka:miliks  Ti:tra().\ii).k,   Piiasiaxid-E,  and  CuAciihi:.) 

FAMILY  TETRAONID^  :  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES, 
QUAILS,  ETC. 

KKV  TO  (;knkka. 
1.  Legs  feathered  down  to  base  of  toes. 


2.  Tail  feathers  narrow  and  pointt'd. 

Centrocercus,  p.  l: 


X 


Fig.  1S4. 


Tail  feathers  broad  and  rounded. 

],  !Sides  of  neck  with  tuft  of  fe.ithors. 

Tympanuchus,  p.  IJO. 


114 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

3'.  Sides  of  neck  without  tuft  of  feathers. 


4.  Tail  strikingly  graduated,  middle  feathers 
much  the  longest. 

Pedioecetes,  p.  131. 


4'.  Tail  not  strikingly  graduated,  middle  feath- 
ers not  much  the  longest. 


5.  Toes  feathered 


5'.  Toes  naked. 


Lagopus,  p.  128. 


G.  Tail  of  20  feathers. 

Dendragapus,  p.  124. 
6.'  Tail  of  16  feathers. 

Canachites,  12G. 
1'.  Legs  not  feathered  down  to  base  of  toes. 

2.  Neck  with  two  blackish  or  brownish  ruffs. 

Boiiasa,  p.  127. 

2'.  Neck  without  ruffs. 


3.  Tail  much  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing  ; 
claws  long     ....     Cyrtonyx,  p.  122. 


3'.  Tail  more  than  half  as  long  as  wing  ;  claws 
moderate. 

Fig.  100.  4.  Head  not  crested  .     .     .     Coliiius,  p.  114. 

4'.  Head  with  crest. 

5.  Crest  blended  with  feathers  of  crown. 

Callipepla,  p.  118. 
5'.  Crest  distinct  from  feathers  of  crown, 
6.  Crest  long  and  straight  (2-3  inches). 
Oreortyx,  p.  117. 
6'.  Crest    upright,    recurved     and     club- 
shaped  (about  1  inch). 

Lophortyx,  p.  119. 
GENUS    COLINUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Feathers  of  crown  lengthened  and  erectile,  but 
not  forming  a  distinct  crest ;  tail  about  three  fifths  as  long  as  wing  ;  wing- 
less than  five  inches  ;  plumage  of  upper  parts  spotted  and  barred. 

KEY    TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Throat  black ridgwayi,  p.  116. 

1'.  Throat  white. 

2.  Under  parts  lightly  and  irregularly  barred      .     virgiiiianus,  p.  115. 

2'.  Under  parts  heavily  and  closely  barred      ...     .  texaims,  p.  116. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  115 

KEY   TO   ADULT    FEMALE    COLINUS. 

1.  Under  parts  narrowly  barred  with  black  .  .  .  virginianus,  p.  115. 
1'.  Under  parts  broadly  barred  with  black. 

2.  Belly   more   heavily   barred,   cinnamon    chest    band    usually   more 

marked  .     .     .     ^ .    ridgwayi,  p.  IIG. 

2'.  Belly  less  heavily  barred ;  cinnamon  chest  band  usnally  less  marked. 

texanus,  p.  IIG. 

289.  Colinus  virginianus  (L/>j«.).    Bob-white. 

Adult  male.  —  Line  through  eye  white  ;  throat  white,  bordered  below 
by  black  ;   rest  of  under  parts  buffy  or  brown-  .^g^.,-     ,  ^  ^ 

ish  —  reddish  brown  on  sides  —  narrowly  barred  ^  ■Hj^^Y''*'  -'i  ^  HMfe. 
Avith  black ;  upper  parts  reddish  brown  and  ^*'^^^^V4li.^Ht^SP^ 
black  ;  scapulars,  tertials,  and  lower  back  strik-  ^^ 

ing-ly  blotched  with  black.     Adult  female  :  like  ^^S-  ^^'^• 

male,  but  black  of  head  replaced  by  brown,  and  white  by  buffy.  Young  : 
upper  parts  rusty,  more  or  less  spotted  with  black,  and  feathers  with  white 
shaft  streaks  widening-  at  tip ;  breast  g^rayish  or  brownish,  streaked  with 
white  ;  throat  and  belly  whitish.  Length  :  9..50-10.75,  wing  4.5.5,  tail  2.70, 
bill  .59. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  in  east- 
ern United  States,  and  spreading-  from  Nebraska  and  Texas  westward  ; 
also  since  introduction,  in  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  Utah,  Idaho,  California, 
Oreg^on,  and  Washington. 

Nest.  —  A  sau(.'er-shaped  excavation  in  the  g-round,  sometimes  domed, 
but  usually  sheltered  by  bushes  or  weeds,  and  lined  with  dry  grass  or  stub- 
ble.    Eggs:  12  to  18,  dull  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  grain,  weed  seed,  beechnuts,  and  wild  berries. 

No  picture  of  early  spring  among  the  farms,  with  the  fields  of  dry 
cornstalks  and  the  smoky,  budding  wood-lots,  marked  off  by  rail 
fences,  is  complete  without  an  occasional  stiff  whirr  of  wings  in  the 
brush,  a  scudding  of  quick  feet  in  the  rustling  leaves,  and  the  distant 
clear  whistle,  bob- white. 

The  quail  are  in  pairs  no^v,  and  unless  near  enough  together  for 
their  low  conversational  quit,  quirk,  qneet,  are  sure  to  be  calling  back 
and  forth  in  loud  whistles  from  the  fence  tops,  the  stone  piles,  or 
low  branches  of  trees.  A  little  later  the  calling  is  hushed  and  the 
male  may  be  seen  hurrying  about  alone,  or  the  two  running  mys- 
teriously under  the  bushes  ;  and  still  later  there  is  a  flock  of  little 
brown  fluffy  chicks  to  be  led  and  guarded.  By  themselves  they 
are  a  quiet,  happy  family,  but  when  an  intruder  appears,  all  is  excite- 
ment and  confusion.  There  are  two  sputtering,  fluttering,  scolding 
old  birds  trying  to  lure  or  scare  you  away  in  .several  directions  at 
once,  and  there  is  a  scurrying  flock  of  chicks,  under  your  feet  one 
moment,  gone  the  next.  They  take  to  their  heels  now.  but  in  a 
short  time  their  (piills  sprout,  and  then  when  disturbed  they  take  to 
wing  like  a  lot  of  bumblebees. 

As  the  summer  passes  the  broods  often  join  in  largrr  flocks,  and 
when  thi'V  get  scattered  the  call-whislk',  hob-tchite,  is  heard  again 


116  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

about  the  farm.  But  dog  and  huuter  are  uow  abroad,  and  the  quiet, 
happy  days  of  the-  quail  are  over.  Vernon  Bailey. 

289b.  C.  V.  texanus  (Lawr.).     Texan  Bob-white. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  C.  virginianus,  but  upper  parts  mainly  brown 
rather  than  reddish  brown,  with  distinct 
whitish  barring-s  and  with  less  striking-  black 
blotches  on  scapulars,  tertials,  and  lower 
back  ;  under  parts  more  heavily  and  thickly 
barred  with  brown,  and  usually  with  broader 
•^*^"  and  more  distinct  band   of   pinkish   brown 

below  black  collar.  Adult  female  :  like  male,  but  without  striking-  black 
or  white  marking's ;  upper  parts  mixed  black,  white,  and  brown,  from 
buffy  brown  to  rufous  ;  throat  patch  and  superciliary  tawny  ;  flanks  less 
deeply  rufous ;  media-n  under  parts  less  heavily  barred  than  in  male,  but 
more  heavily  barred  than  in  the  female  virginianus.  Young  :  browner 
than  in  virginianus.      Wing  :  4.89,  tail  2.44,  bill  .59. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones,  from  west- 
ern Kansas  south  through  Texas  to  eastern  Nuevo  Leon  and  Central 
Tamaulipas,  Mexico. 

Nest,  egg-s,  and  food  like  those  of  the  bob-white. 

The  Texan  bob-white  is  equally  at  home  in  the  thorny  thickets  of 
southern  Texas  and  in  the  brushy  creek  bottoms  of  western  Kansas. 
At  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Mr.  Atwater  says  the  quail  often  come  close 
to  his  ranch  and  lay  eggs  in  hens'  nests,  perhaps  on  account  of  the 
protection  afforded  against  snakes. 

Except  for  the  paler  coloration  so  common  in  the  more  open  and 
arid  regions,  the  Texan  is  a  true  bob-white,  and  for  habits  and  voice 
might  have  been  bred  in  Ohio. 

291.  Colinus  ridgwayi  iJrewsf.     Masked  Bob-white. 

Adult  male.  —  Face  and  throat  black,  under  parts  reddish  brown  ;  upper 
parts  finely  mottled  with  cinnamon  brown,  black, 
and  bufi^ ;  back  of  neck  finely  streaked  with  white. 
Adult  female  :  like  the  female  of  C.  v.  texanus,  but 
usually  with  a  more  marked  chest  band  and 
Pj     193  heavier  barring  on  belly.      Wing:  4.49,  tail  2.81, 

.      .      "  ^^^11  •^^• 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  Arizona  and  northwestern  Sonora. 
Nest.  —  By   one    record,    a  shallow  excavation  beside  a  tuft  of  grass. 
Eggs  :  G,  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Red  ants,  grasshoppers,  beetles,  seeds,  leaves,  and  berries. 

The  masked  bob-white,  first  discovered  in  southern  Arizona  by 
Mr.  Herbert  Brown,  finds  congenial  cover  in  the  high  grass  of  the 
mesas  and  valleys,  disappearing  when  stock  destroy  the  grass.  Mr, 
Brown  describes  the  male  as  strikingly  handsome  w^hen  the  sun  red- 
dens the  deep  chestnut  of  his  breast.  His  two  characteristic  notes 
are  the  family  hob-white,  given  in  bold  full  tones  from  the  top  of 
a  rock  or  bush,  and  a  '7ioo-we,'  used  when  the  birds  are  scattered, 
especially  toward  nightfall. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  117 

GENUS   OREORTYX. 

General  Characters.  —  Crest  of  two  long-  slender  plumes  ;  bill  and  feet 
stout,  tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  tail  about  three  fifths  the 
length  of  wing,  broad,  rounded,  with  long  coverts  ;  wing  five  inches  or 
more. 

KEV   TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  olive  brown  from  tail  to  crest      ....     pictus,  p.  117. 
1'.  Upper  parts  grayish  olive,  bluish  gray  on  nape  .     plumiferus,  p.  117. 

292.  Oreortyx  pictus  (DougL).     Mountain  Paktridge. 

Adah  male.  —  Crest  black  ;  upper  parts  deep  olive  brown,  usnalli/  to  crest, 
top  of  head  bluish  gray,  stripes  on  sides  of  back  bufi'y  or  yellowish  brown, 
throat  and  flanks  deep  chestnut,  flanks  broadly  banded  with  black  and 
white ;  breast  plain  bluish  slate.  (See  Fig.  194.)  Adult  female :  crest 
usually  shorter.  Young  :  crest  blackisli,  barred  at  end  with  pale  brown, 
breast  gray,  marked  witli  triangular  spots,  throat  and  belly  whitish  ;  upper 
parts  grayish  brown,  specked  with  white.  Length  :  10.50-il.5(),  wing  5.25- 
5.40. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  mainly  in  humid  Transition  zone  of  Pacific 
coast  region,  from  Santa  Uarbara,  California,  north  to  Washington. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  alongside  or  under  an  old  log,  bush,  or  other 
shelter.     Eggs  :  usually  8  to  1'2,  creamy  or  creamy  buff,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  beetles,  ants,  and  other  insects,  berries,  seeds, 
buds,  and  leaves. 

Though  0.  p.  plumifen/s  has  been  given  the  name  plumed  par- 
tridge to  distinguisli  it  from  0.  ptcttifi  of  the  humid  belt,  both  birds 
are  known  locally  as  mountain  quail,  and  their  habits  are  practically 
identical. 

292a.  O.  p.  plumiferus  (Gould).     Plumed  Partridge. 

Like    O.  pictus.  but  upper  parts   olive,  the  hind  neck  usually  partly  or 
wholly    bluish    slate    like    the    breiust  ; 
forehead  generally  paler,  often  whitish, 
inner  edge   of   tertials   lighter  buff  or 
buffy  whiti.sh. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Tran- 
sition zone  from    the  west  side   of   the  Fig.  104. 
Cascades  in  northern  Oregon,  —  except 

near  the  coa.st.  —  soutli  along   both  sides  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  in  the 
southern  coast  ranges  to  iiorth(MU  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  A  .slight  hollow  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  few  dry  leaves,  pine 
needles,  and  gra.sses,  under  shelter  of  thickets,  bushes,  weeds,  or  fallen 
treetops.     Eggs  :  S  to  14,  cream  to  reddish  buff. 

In  winter  when  there  are  heavy  snows  on  the  mountains,  the 
quail  come  down  to  the  foothills,  and  have  even  been  .seen  in  Pa.sa 
dena,  three  miles  from  the  base  of  the  mountains.  In  summer  they 
arc  most  abundant  in  the  dense  chaparral  of  Transition  zone, 
though  they  go  much  higher. 

Only  once  during  two  months  spent  in  the  Sierra,  in  the  heart 
of  the  i)lumed  (piail  country,  did  1  come   lace  tt»  face  with  one  of 


118  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

these  handsome  birds.  It  stood,  marvelous  to  relate,  upon  a  fence- 
post  by  the  road,  and,  as  we  passed,  its  long  plume  and  rich  banded 
sides  stood  out  more  clearly  than  in  a  museum  show-case.  Even 
that  exhibition,  though  it  had  such  a  casual  air,  we  more  than  sus- 
p(!Cted  was  to  hold  our  attention  while  a  surprised  family  got  to 
cover.  But  though  2)lumiferus  vouchsafed  us  so  little  of  its  society, 
the  mountains  seemed  alive  with  its  fleeing  broods.  In  July  the 
young  changed  from  balls  of  down  with  brown  stripes  along  their 
backs  to  well-feathered  chicks,  who  essayed  to  fly  with  the  best  of 
their  elders.  Twenty-one  of  these  stubby-crested  fledgelings  started 
up  and  trained  across  the  road  almost  under  our  horses'  noses  one 
day  by  Donner  Lake,  with  only  two  old  birds  in  evidence,  but  these 
were  probably  joint  mothers  of  the  flock.  From  Donner  to  the 
Yosemite  a  glimpse  of  dark  whirring  forms  vanishing  through  the 
trees  was  so  common  that  at  night  we  often  asked  ourselves,  "How 
many  broods  have  we  seen  to-day  ?  "  The  clear  pipe,  and  the  hur- 
ried warning  of  the  old  guardian,  kah,  kah,  kah,  there's  dangerne'ar, 
there 's  danger  ne'ar,  the  low  conversational  notes  of  a  family  when 
undisturbed,  and  the  motherly  cluck  and  soft  quieting  talk  of  the 
old  bird  to  her  brood  were  so  often  in  our  ears  that  now,  as  we  look 
back,  they  give  life  and  richness  to  the  memory  of  the  majestic 
Sierra  forest. 

GENUS    CALLIPEPLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  more  than  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing- ;  bill 
small  and  weak  ;  crest  short  and  not  distinctly  separated  from  feathering 
of  crown  ;  sexes  essentially  alike. 

KEY    TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Belly  buffy squamata,  p.  118. 

1'.  Belly  with  chestnut  patch castanogastris,  p,  119. 

293.  Callipepla  squamata  {Vig.).    Scaled  Partridge. 

Adults.  —  Plumage  pale,  bluish  gray  and  dull  brownish ;  head  and 
short,  full  crest  fawn-colored,  crest  tipped  with  white  ;  most  of  under  jiarts 
and  fore  j^arts  of  hack  appearing  scaled  ;  bluish  gray  of  anterior  under  parts 
changing  to  buffy  on  belly,  sides  dark  gray  streaked  with  white  ;  posterior 
upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray,  with  conspicuous  white  stripe  on  each  side 
of  back.  Young  :  upper  parts  marked  with  black  bars  and  white  mesial 
streaks  ending  in  triangular  spots  at  tips  of  feathers  ;  breast  brownish, 
with  white  triangular  streaks,  sides  barred  with  brown.  Length  :  9.50- 
12.00,  wing  4..50-5.00,  tail  about  4.10-4..50. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  Ari- 
zona to  western  Texas  and  south  to  valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  often  under  shelter  of  a  yucca  or  low  bush,  some- 
times in  grain-field  or  meadow.  Eggs :  9  to  16,  white  to  buff,  uniformly 
spotted  with  buffy  to  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Small  beetles,  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  small  seeds,  grain,  ber- 
ries, and  plant  tops. 


SCALKD  PARTRIDGE 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  119 

The  scaled  quail  live  in  the  arid  belt  of  scrub  oak,  chaparral, 
and  mesquitc  extending  from  western  Texas  and  New  ]\[exico  across 
southern  Arizona.  Dry  washes  and  gulches  in  the  foothills  seem 
to  be  their  favorite  haunts,  but  they  maybe  found  almost  anywhere 
not  too  far  from  water,  even  in  valleys  and  out  on  open  plains  with 
only  scattered  brush  and  cactus  for  cover. 

As  the  bluish  gray  birds  run  from  you  over  the  gray  ground, 
dodging  this  way  and  that  among  the  bushes,  the  most  conspicuous 
thing  about  them  is  the  white  tuft  of  their  crest,  and  from  its  sug- 
gestion of  the  cottontail  they  have  been  well  dubbed  cottontops. 
Perhaps  because  they  are  so  protectively  colored  they  usually  trust 
to  their  feet  to  carry  them  out  of  harm's  way,  rarely  taking  flight 
unless  hard  pressed.  But  when  a  flock  does  scatter,  the  birds  are 
astonishingly  hard  to  find,  though  but  a  few  yards  away. 

While  shy  in  some  places,  they  seem  to  be  naturally  rather  trust- 
ful, and  one  of  the  most  vivid  mental  pictures  one  carries  away 
from  their  country  is  of  a  flock  of  the  trim,  delicately  tinted  quail 
standing  together  among  the  bushes,  looking  up  out  of  their  mild 
l)rown  eyes  with  quiet  Interest  and  curiosity. 

Though  met  with  so  commonly,  the  quail  are  more  often  heard 
than  seen.  In  the  Pecos  River  country,  where  the  rare  blue  sky 
comes  low  to  the  chaparral  on  the  level  plain,  from  the  sun-filled 
brush  day  after  day  rings  their  companionable  jye-cos' ,  jte-cos' .  The 
note,  though  sadly  nasal,  soon  falls  on  the  ear  as  one  of  the  most 
musical  of  desert  sounds,  for  like  the  smell  of  the  sagebrush  and 
larrea  it  carries  the  charm  of  the  big  open  plains. 

293a.  C.  s.  castanogastris  Breivst.  Chestnut-bellied  Scaled 
Partkuxje. 

Like  tho  scaled  i)iiitii(l<;e,  l)ut  upper  parts  browner,  under  parts  deeper 
huffy  or  more  rusty  brown,  belly  with  a  brown  patch  in  the  male,  some- 
tinit's  iudicated  in  the  female. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Eagle  P;vss  through 
the  lower  Rio  Grande  valley  in  Texas  to  Coahuila  and  Nuevo  Loon, 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  a  hollow  in  the  sand,  under  shelter  of  a  cluni])  of 
weeds,  jfra.ss,  or  prickly  pear,  .slightly  lined  with  dry  grass.  Eyys :  about 
15,  white  to  bulfy,  distinctly  and  xniiformly  .spotted. 

GENUS    LOPHORTYX. 

(ienend  CImrartcrs.  —  C^rcst  distinct  from  ft-athcrs  of  crown,  narrow  at 
l);ts(',  and  recurved,  the  featliers  inclosed  l)ctwccn  the  nu)re  or  less  ajv 
pres.sed  wel)S  of  the  anterior  plunit!  ;  tarsus  sliglitly  short«'r  tliau  mi<ldle 
toe;  wiug  four  inches  or  more  ;  tail  about  four  fifths  as  lout;-  as  wing; 
sexes  different. 


120  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

KEY  TO  ADULT  MALE  LOPHORTYX. 

1.  Back  of  head  and  flanks  rufous gambelii,  p.  121. 

1'.  Back  of  head  and  flanks  oHve  brown  or  gray. 

2.  Upper  parts  smoke  brown,  mner  webs  of  tertials  deep  buffy  or  ochra- 

ceous californicus,  p.  120. 

2'.  Upper  parts  bluish  gray,  hmer  webs  of  tertials  bufi^y  or  whitish. 

vallicola,  p.  120. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   FEMALE   LOPHORTYX. 

1.  Belly  bufPy,  not  scaled gambelii,  p.  121. 

1'.  Belly  not  buffy,  scaled. 

2,  Darker californicus,  p.  120. 

2.  Lighter vallicola,  p.  120. 

294.  Lophortyx  californicus  (Shaw).     California  Partridge. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest  black  ;  patch  on  back  of  head  olive  or  dark  brown, 
bordered  front  and  sides  by  black  and  white  lines  ;  upper  parts  deep  smoky 
broum,  with  deep  buffy  or  reddish  brown  stripes  along  sides  of  back ; 
throat  black,  bordered  by  white,  breast  bluish  gray ;  belly  scaled  except  fur 
central  deep  chestnut  patch  ;  flanks  dark  olivaceous  or  smoky  brown,  streaked 
with  white.  Adult  female  :  head  without  black  or  white  markings;  gen- 
eral color  deep  smoky  brown  ;  belly  scaled,  without  chestnut  patch  or 
chestnut  on  sides  ;  sides  streaked  with  white.  Young  :  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  feathers  of  back  and  wing  coverts  with  dusky  and  whitish  edgings  ; 
feathers  of  nape  with  faint  white  shaft  streaks  and  dusky  borders  ;  under 
parts  gray,  barred  with  whitish.  Length  :  1).50,  wing  4.35-4.70,  tail  4.10- 
4.70.     (See  Fig.  196,  p.  121.) 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  humid  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones 
along  Pacific  coast  region  from  Monterey  County,  California,  to  southern 
Oregon  and  northward.     Introduced  in  Washington  and  British  Columbia. 

Nest.  —  Usually  a  hollow  lightly  lined  with  grass  beside  a  rock,  under  a 
brush  pile  or  other  shelter.  Eggs:  generally  12  to  IG,  white  or  buffy, 
irregularly  spotted  over  the  entire  surface. 

Food.  —  Largely  insects  and  weed  seed. 

The  California  partridge  is  the  counterpart  of  the  valley  quail  in 
habits  (see  294a). 

294a.  L.  c  vallicola  (Ridgw.).     Valley  Partridge. 

Adults.  —  Like  californicus,  but   lighter   colored,    upper  parts  grayish 

brown,  edgings  of  tertials  buffy  or  whitish  ; 

flanks  olive  grayish  or  grayish  brown.  Young  : 

chest  gray,  marked  with  triangular  white 

spots,    belly    faintly   barred    with    grayish ; 

Fig  195     Female  upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  and  spotted 

with  wbitish. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from 

Oregon  south  through  California  and  western  Nevada  to  Cape  St.  Lucas, 

Lower  California. 

When  you  come  down  the  sides  of  the  Sierra  from  the  yellow 
pines  into  the  digger  pines  and  oaks  of  the  Sonoran  zones  in  the 
breeding  season,  the  quail  that  fly  before  you  are  smaller  and  bluer 
than  the  mountain  quail  above,  and  the  flat  tone  of  their  quick  w7io- 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


121 


Fig.  1%      \  alle)  P.utiidge 


are-you-ah?  who-are-you-ah?  strikes  the  ear  as  a  subtle  expression  of 
the  difference  between  the  hot  low- 
lands and  the  cool  mountains.  The 
lowland  bird  has  two  forms  differ- 
ing slightly  in  color,  the  valley  quail 
occupying  the  arid  sections  and  the 
California  the  humid. 

The  brushy  parts  of  Golden  Gate 
Park  in  San  Francisco  abound  with 
quail,  and  from  the  benches  one  can 
\yatch  the  squads  of  plump  hen-like 
little  creatures  as  they  move  about 
with  stately  tread  or  stand  talking 
sociably  in  low  monosyllables.  If 
they  hear  a  footstep  on  the  walk  they 
start  up  and  hurry  across  the  path 
like  hens  before  a  wagon,  top- 
knots dropped  over  their  bills,  necks 
craned  forward,  and  legs  stretched  as  they  patter  along  in  double 
quick  time.  When  less  in  a  luirry  they  run  in  a  stiff,  prim  way,  the 
cocks  with  a  dignified  gait,  the  hens  with  a  demure  feminine  air. 

Outside  the  parks,  when  the  flocks  are  feeding  the  old  quail  act 
as  sentries,  to  the  wrath  of  young  hunters,  who  complain  that  the 
cocks  '  tell  on  them '  ! 

As  the  country  becomes  settled,  the  former  hordes  of  quail  dis- 
appear, but  they  are  still  the  game-birds  of  southern  California,  the 
roads  are  still  patterned  with  their  footprints,  and  through  the  val- 
leys they  are  closely  associated  with  the  charm  of  the  mellow  Cali- 
fornia days,  their  melodious  icho-dre-yon-ah?  coming  from  the  hill- 
sides in  the  cool  mornings  when  the  high  fog  is  dissolving  into  blue 
sky,  coming  from  tlie  chaparral  in  the  warm  noonday  hours,  and 
echoing  softly  from  the  vineyards  through  the  (juiet  gv)lden  sunsets. 

295.  Lophortyx  ganibelii  Gamh.    Gamhkl  Pautkidck. 

Ailidt  iitult'.  —  Crest  black,  forcliead  aiul  throat  black,  bordered  by  white, 
crown  reihlish  brown  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
l)lain  l)luish  S'"^yi  tertials  edj^-ed  with 
wliite  ;  brcjist  ffray,  belli/  irif/t  hiif/}/  and 
hlitrk  j)(itr/u's,  Jhmks  reddish  hroirn  streaked 
irith  irhite.  Adidt  fetiade :  similar,  but 
without  strikin*;-  luarkiii'^s ;  ht-ad  plain 
brownish  ^ray  above,  butty  streaked  witl 
(laiker  (»ii  tliroat ;  W///  iiiii/oriii  l)Ujf}/.jl<nik\ 
c/ii  stunt.  Yiiiini/ :  chest  brownish  ^r.iy 
streaked  with  white  ;  upper  parts  <;rayisl 
brown,  minutely  mottled,  feathei-s  witl 
white  shaft  streaks  wi(U'niny  at  tip  and   willi    Id.-ick  spot  on   «'ither  side; 


Kifj.  lOS.     Feuiale. 


122  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

feathers  of  nape  without  dusky  borders  ;  belly  ivhite,  unmarked.  Length  : 
y.oO- 10.00,  wing-  4.45-4.70,  tail  4.10-4.70. 

Hemarks.  —  The  Gambel  partridge  may  be  distinguished  in  nearly  all 
plumages  by  its  belly  markings  —  the  male  by  the  black  patch  and  ab- 
sence of  scaling ;  the  female  by  chestnut  flanks  and  absence  of  scales  ; 
and  the  young  by  the  white,  wholly  unmarked  belly. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
southeastern  California,  and  from  southern  Utah  and  Nevada  south  through 
central  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  slightly  lined  hollow  often  beside  a  bunch  of  tall  grass,  in 
freshet  drift,  or  occasionally  under  a  yucca.  Eggs :  usually  10  to  12, 
white  to  buff,  irregularly  spotted,  blotclaed,  and  clouded  with  brown,  the 
blotches  with  a  pinkish  or  purplish  bloom. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  grasshoppers  and  ants ;  also  seeds,  grain, 
mesquite  beans,  berries,  and  tender  leaves  and  buds. 

The  breeding  season  comes  early  in  the  valleys  of  the  Gila  and 
lower  Colorado  rivers.  By  February  the  deserts ^oom,  the  aromatic 
creosote  bush  puts  on  its  yellow  robe,  the  big  crimson  and  yellow 
cactus  flowers,  the  fragrant  evening  primroses  open  wide,  and  yel- 
low tassels  dangle  from  the  mesquite.  In  the  balmy  spring  morning 
the  first  sound  to  greet  your  ears  is  the  shrill  cha  cliaa  ,  elm  chaa' ,  of 
the  cock  quail  from  his  perch  on  the  blooming  mesquite,  and  answer- 
ing calls  follow  from  up  and  down  the  valley.  When  the  sun  has 
risen  higher  you  find  the  quail  in  pairs,  hunting  among  the  bushes 
for  nesting-sites,  talking  in  low,  soft  tones,  the  cock  often  bowing 
and  strutting  with  important  airs  and  crest  low  over  his  bill.  When, 
after  much  careful  prospecting,  a  nest  spot  is  found  safe  from  floods, 
hidden  from  enemies,  and  within  daily  reach  of  w^ater,  the  birds 
settle  down  to  home  duties ;  and  before  the  flow^ers  are  gone  may  be 
found  leading  about  families  of  striped-backed  chicks.'  The  chicks 
must  be  guarded  from  a  host  of  enemies,  but  the  old  birds  are  wise 
guardians,  and  early  autumn  shows  large  flocks  of  plump,  nearly 
full-grown  quail,  always  on  the  alert,  quick  to  scatter,  but  sure  to 
reassemble,  calling  back  and  forth  in  small  piping  voices  till  the  last 
of  the  brood  is  in.  Later  in  the  season  the  families  collect  in  large 
flocks,  often  of  fifty  or  a  hundred,  and  scatter  in  the  daytime  to 
feed  in  the  open,  returning  at  night  with  a  roar  of  wings  to  roost  in 
some  dense  thicket  or  brushy  bottom-land,  huddled  together  in  a 
snug,  feathery  mass. 

To  the  pot-hunter  and  trapper  the  birds  are  easy  prey,  but  with 
proper  protection  they  increase  so  rapidly  as  to  be  in  no  danger  of 
extermination.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    CYRTONYX. 

296.1.    Cyrtonyx   montezumae   mearnsi  Nelson.     Mearns 
Quail. 
Bill  very  stout ;  head  with  a  full  crest  of  soft,  blended,  depressed  feath- 


M EARNS   QUAIL 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  123 

ers  ;  tail  much  less  than  half  as  long-  as  wing,  its  feathers  soft,  narrow  at 
tips,  and  hardly  distinguishable  from  coverts ;  wing-  coverts  and  inner 
quills  highly  developed,  folding  entirely  over  the  primaries ;  tarsus  and 
feet  heavy,  with  long  powerful  claws  ;  sexes  very  different.  Adult  male  : 
head  markings  black  and  white ;  tip  of  crest  fawn  color ;  back  pale 
brown,  barred,  vermiculated,  and  streaked  with  white  ;  under  parts  with 
median  line  dark  brown  and  sides  slaty  gray  spotted  with  white.  Adult 
female  :  head  witliout  stripes,  prevailing  color  pale  pinkish  cinnamon  ;  upper 
parts  coarsely  mottled  and  finely  barred  with  black,  brown,  and  lavender, 
and  feathers  with  coarse  white  shaft  streaks  ;  chin  whitish  ;  neck  with 
lavender  cape  specked  and  bordered  with  black  ;  rest  of  under  parts  light 
cinnamon  or  lavender,  breast  and  sides  witli  black  specks  and  shaft 
streaks.  Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  under  parts  thickly  spotted. 
Wing  :  O.TO,  tail  2.28,  bill  Jul 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of 
western  Texas,  southern  parts  of  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  northern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  partly  concealed  by  grass.     Eggs  :  white. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  weevils,  caterpillars,  larvte,  small  beans,  prickly 
pear  and  other  seeds,  and  great  numbers  of  small  bulbs. 

Ill  the  rugg-ed  little  ranges  rising  from  the  deserts  of  western 
Texas,  southern  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  you  find  the  Mearns 
quail,  the  United  States  form  of  the  Massena  quail,  from  the  zone 
of  junipers,  oaks,  and  nut  pines  extending  up  among  the  big  3'ellow 
pines,  but  always  where  there  is  plenty  of  grass  or  scattered  brush 
for  cover.  When  camping  in  its  country  we  would  often  hear  a 
soft  chr-r-r-r-r  from  the  grass,  and  after  locating  it  start  for  the 
spot,  only  to  hear  the  quavering  notes  repeated  just  as  far  beyond. 
After  another  attempt  the  voice  would  be  still  across  the  gulch  — 
then  back  of  us  —  till  finally  we  gave  up  in  despair,  for  at  all  times 
the  ventriloquial  call  deceived  us.  Fruitless  hours  may  be  spent 
trying  to  tramp  up  the  birds,  and  when  you  do  find  them  you  are 
looking  for  something  else,  and  they  burst  from  the  grass  at  your  feet 
with  a  stiff-winged  roar  and  are  around  the  hill  out  of  sight  or  have 
dropped  into  a  thicket  before  you  have  recovered  from  your  surprise. 

While  we  were  in  the  Chisos  ;Mountains,  Texas,  Mr.  Fuertes  made 
the  interesting  discovery  that  the  quail  under  excitement  spread 
tlieir  crest  laterally,  as  he  has  depicted  it  in  the  plate.  In  describ- 
ing it  lie  siiys  :  "Just  after  sunrise,  while  I  was  getting  ready  for 
the  day's  work,  a  cock  ^Massena  ([uail  ran  up  beside  the  little  knoll 
where  I  had  placed  my  bed.  He  ran  by  me  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet,  at  first  apparently  not  noticing  me.  When  I  turned  to  watch 
him  he  seemed  to  liecome  more  alert,  (piickened  bis  trot,  compressed 
his  plumage,  and  raised  his  liead  to  its  highest,  as  a  guinea  hen  will 
(h)  when  slightly  alarmed.  15ut  accompanying  this  action  he  dis- 
])layed  his  curious  crest  in  a  peculiar  and  striking  way.  Instead  of 
raising  it  as  a  bol)  white  would  have  done  lie  spreail  it  out  laterally. 


124  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

like  half  a  mushroom.  This  curious  feature  combined  with  the 
compact  neck  and  body  feathers  and  striking  facial  markings  gave 
him  as  unique  an  appearance  as  could  well  be  imagined." 

Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    DENDRAGAPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested  ;  tail  about  length  of  wing-,  fan- 
shaped,  with  twenty  stiffish  broad,  obtuse  feathers  ;  tarsus  feathered  to 
toes. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  Avithout  distinct  terminal  band  ....  richardsoilii,  p.  120. 
1'.  Tail  with  bluish  gray  terminal  band. 

2.  Tail  band  wide  (.50-.S0  on  outermost  feather)    .     obscurus,  p.  124. 

2'.  Tail  band  narrow  (not  over  .40  on  outermost  feather).    ~~ 

fuliginosus,  p.  125. 

297.  Dendragapus  obscurus  {Say).    Duskv  Grouse. 

Adult  male,  —  Upper  parts  dusky  or  bluish  slate,  finely  mottled  with 

gray  and  brown,  huffy  brown 
on  wings  ;  hinder  scapulars 
usually  with  distinct  shaft 
streaks  and  terminal  spots 
of  white  ;  tail  blackish, 
with  wide  bluish  g'ray  band 
_  —  1.00-1.50     wdde  ;    under 

pj     jgg  parts    slaty,   marked     with 

white  on  sides  of  neck  and 
flanks.  Adult  female :  similar  to  male,  but  decidedly  smaller,  and  upper 
parts,  chest,  and  sides  barred  and  mottled  with  dark  brown  and  buffy. 
Young:  upper  parts  yellowish  brown,  with  irreg'ular  barring-  or  mottling-, 
and  black  spots  and  white  or  buff  shaft  streaks  widening-  at  tip  ;  under 
parts  dull  whitish,  chest  and  sides  spotted  with  black.  Male  :  length  20- 
2o,  wing-  9.40-10.00,  tail  8,  weig-ht  about  2^  to  3^  pounds.  Female :  leng-th 
17.50-19.00,  wing:  about  8.70,  tail  6. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountains,  from  Idaho  and  Montana  south  to 
Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  and  from  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada, 
east  to  the  Black  Hills,  Dakota. 

Nest.  —  A  slig-ht  depression  alongside  a  log-  or  under  grass  or  bushes, 
lightly  lined  with  pine  needles  and  grass.  Eggs  :  1  to  10,  cream  or  cream 
buff,  spotted  over  entire  surface  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  worms,  grubs,  and  wild  berries  such  as  bearber- 
ries,  raspberries,  gooseberries,  and  currants,  jjlant  leaves  and  flowers,  buds, 
and  fir  needles. 

Among  the  ranches  the  dusky  grouse  is  commonly  known  as  the 
'  fooMien,'  on  account  of  its  natural  tameness  and  its  unsuspicious 
nature.  Back  in  the  mountain  ranges  where  hunters  are  scarce  and 
usually  in  quest  of  bigger  game,  the  grouse  are  almost  as  fearless 
as  barnyard  poultry,  walking  out  of  your  path  with  stately  delib- 
eration, or  stopping  to  watch  you  near  the  trail.  But  after  a  little 
experience  with  hunters  and  dogs  they  become  as  wild  as  deer  and 
almost  as  difficult  to  approach. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  125 

With  tlic  Indian  as  well  as  the  white  hunter  they  are  favorite 
game  birds,  both  because  of  their  large  size  and  the  delicate  flavor  of 
their  meat.  Vernon  Bailey. 

297a.  D.  o.  fuliginosus  lUdgw.    Sooty  Grouse. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  I),  obscurus,  but  darker,  sooty  blackish  with 
narrower  tail  band  —  usually  al)out  .(JO  on  middle  feathers  and  not  more 
than  .40  on  outer  pair  —  and  without  white  on  sides  of  neck.  Adult 
female :  similar  to  female  obscurus,  but  upper  parts  darker,  sometimes 
washed  with  dark  rusty.  Young  :  darker  and  more  rusty.  Length  :  15.50- 
19.00,  wing-  7.00-7.")O,  tail  5.50-7.00. 

Distribution.  — Northwest  coast  mountains,  from  Alaska  south  to  Cali- 
fornia and  Nevada. 

Nest.  — Similar  to  that  of  the  dusky  grouse.     Eggs  :  8  to  15. 

The  sooty  grouse,  like  the  wild  turkey,  is  a  bird  of  distinction  and 
peculiar  interest  wherever  found.  Climb  a  mountain  ridge  toward 
sunset  as  the  birds  are  going  high  to  roost,  and  just  before  ^'ou  reach 
the  top,  with  a  cluck  and  a  whirr,  down  sails  a  great  dark  bird  with 
widespread  wings  and  banded  tail ;  and  as  you  climb  on,  a  banded 
feather  under  a  low  fir  bough  discloses  the  hollow  where  it  had 
been  scratching  in  the  soft  woods  earth.  Ride  along  a  trail  and  as 
you  scan  the  trees  beside  you,  though  your  horse  hears  no  sound 
and  detects  no  motion,  your  eye  may  distinguish  a  statue-like  figure 
close  to  the  tree  trunk  .so  like  the  bark  in  color  that  only  its  form 
reveals  it.  Explore  a  wind-swept  granite  crag  at  sunset  and  in  one 
of  its  protected  wooded  niches  warm  in  the  evening  light  a  mother 
grouse  whirrs  up  into  a  tree  and  walks  up  and  down  a  branch,  cran- 
ing her  long  neck  with  its  small  pointed  head,  clucking  anxiously 
as  she  goes,  and  at  the  turns  bobbing  her  tail  and  wobbling  hard  to 
keep  her  balance.  As  she  calls,  one  after  another  her  invisible 
young  burst  from  the  brijsliy  thicket  at  your  feet  and  on  stiff  convex 
wing  whirl  away  over  the  rocks  out  of  sight.  Go  to  a  canyon 
where  the  male  is  hooting  and  nearly  a  mile  away  you  will  hear  his 
loud  ventriloquial  irhoo,  wJioo,  wJioo.  Followed  up,  he  proves  to  be 
near  the  toji  of  a  tall  iiine  fifty  to  seventy-five  feet  above  your  head, 
sitting  close  to  the  trunk,  concealed  by  the  branches.  Through  the 
glass  he  is  seen  to  sit  with  spread  tail  and  hanging  wings,  filling  his 
yellow  pouches  till  his  neck  looks  almost  as  big  as  his  body,  when 
with  a  i>innping  motion  of  the  head  he  gives  his  hollow  mutlled 
hoot.  If  you  stay  to  listen  you  may  hear  the  booming  at  short 
intervals  for  hours. 

In  winter,  Maj()r  Bendire  says,  the  grou.se  spend  most  of  their 
time  in  the  tops  of  tall  lirs  and  pines,  coming  down  only  in  the 
middle  of  the  day  to  get  water  from  a  mountain  sj)ring,  for  the 
treetops  supi»ly  buds  ami  needles  for  their  food. 


126  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

297b.  D.  O.  richardsonii  {Doug!.).     Richardson  Grouse. 

Similar  to  D.  ohsoim^.  hnt  tail  without  distinct  terminal  gray  band,  and 

tail  feathers  more   trun- 
cated at  tip. 

Distribution.  —  Resi- 
dent in  Canadian  zone  of 
the      Rocky     Mountains 
from  northern  Wyoming, 
'  Montana,      and      Idaho, 

north  to  British  Provinces. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  dusky  grouse. 

Ricliardsou  grouse  is  said  to  remain  in  the  mountains  except  in 
the  breeding  season,  when  it  descends  to  the  valleys, 

GENUS   CANACHITES.  ^ 

299.  Canachites  franklinii  (Bougl.).  Franklin  Grouse. 

Similar  to  Dendragapus,  but  tail  with    sixteen  feathers,  which  are  more 
,»^  ,;;i~ -'^'— —^  truncated    at    tip.      Adult    male  : 

orange  comb  over  eye  ;  upper  parts 
dark,  broadly  marked  with  black 
bands  and  narrower  bars  of  gray 
and  brown  ;  tail  feathers  black  to 
tip,  or  narrowly  edged  with  white  ; 
Fig.  201.  ujjper  tail  coverts  mottled  and  strik- 

ingli/  handed  with  white  ;  throat  and  chest  black,  with  white  band  between  ; 
belly  banded  with  white  ;  flanks  mottled  and  banded  with  brown  and 
streaked  with  white.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  blackish,  irregularly 
banded,  barred,  and  mottled  with  rusty  brown  and  ash ;  white  bands  of 
tail  narrower  than  in  male  ;  under  parts  iiniformly  banded  with  black, 
white,  and  rusty  brown.  Length  :  14.70-16.20,  wing  about  6.50-7.35,  tail 
5.00-5.75. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  the  mountains  of  western  Montana  and 
Idaho  ;  westward  to  the  coast  ranges  of  Oregon  and  Washington ;  and 
northward  through  British  Provinces  to  southern  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  woods.  Eggs:  8  to  15,  buff y  or  pale  brownish, 
more  or  less  spotted  with  deep  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  wild  berries,  and  buds  and  leaves  of  spruces  and 
tamaracks. 

No  bird  is  more  characteristic  of  the  deep  fir  forests  of  the  north- 
ern Rockies  and  Cascades  than  the  Franklin  grouse.  It  is  known 
locally  as  the  '  fool -hen  '  from  its  misplaced  confidence  in  man,  its 
attitude  toward  him  being  one  of  mild  curiosity  and  indifference 
rather  than  alarm.  A  grouse  will  sometimes  walk  slowly  out  of  the 
way  to  avoid  being  stepped  on,  and  will  often  sit  quietly  beside  the 
trail  as  you  pass.  The  danger  the  birds  run  in  keeping  quiet  is 
not  as  great  as  it  appears,  however,  for  in  the  dark  forest  their 
dusky  mottling  renders  them  almost  invisible.      Vernon  Bailey. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  127 

GENUS    BONASA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  a  short  crest ;  sides  o£  neck  with  a 
black  or  brown  ruff  of  soft,  broad- webbed  feathers ;  tail  nearly  as  long  as 
wing,  fan-shaped. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  dark  rusty  brown sabini,  p.  128. 

1.  Upper  parts  not  dark  rusty  brown. 

2.  Upper  parts,  including  tail,  gray    ....      umbelloides,  p.  128. 

2'.  Upper  parts  gray  and  brown,  tail  sometimes  ochraceous. 

togata,  p.  127. 

300a.  Bonasa  umbellus  togata  (Linn.).  Canadian  Ruffed 
Grouse. 

Similar  to  B.  a.  umbelloides,  but  darker ;  upper  parts  mixed  with  gray, 
sometimes  mostly  gray  ;  under  parts  more  heavily  marked  with  brown,  flanks 
barred  ivith  dark  bruwn  or  black  ;  tail  brown  or  gray. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  the  Canadian  zone  forests  of  the  northeastern 
United  States,  British  Provinces,  and  eastern  parts  of  Oregon  and  Wash- 
ington. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  umbelloides. 

Food.  —  Largely  buds,  leaves,  l)erries,  fungus,  seeds,  and  nuts. 

While  common  in  its  various  forms  over  much  of  the  northwestern 
United  States  and  the  Rocky  Mountain  region,  the  ruffed  grouse  is 
less  famed  as  a  game  bird  in  the  west  than  in  the  east,  probably 
because  other  and  larger  grouse  claim  more  attention.  Wherever 
flushed  its  quick  flight  and  long,  black-banded  tail  distinguish  it 
from  all  others  of  the  family,  while  a  strutting  old  male,  stepping 
daintil}"  along  a  trail  in  the  shady  forest  with  black  epaulettes 
slightly  lifted  and  tail  half  spread,  has  a  grace  and  elegance  found 
in  no  other  North  American  grouse. 

Purely  a  liird  of  the  forest,  it  relies  largely  upon  cover  and  its 
mottled  coat  for  protection,  and  when  flushed,  if  possible  puts  a 
tree  between  itself  and  the  hunter  as  it  whirrs  away  to  light  out  of 
sight  on  the  far  side  of  a  gray  trunk.  There  it  draws  itself  up  and 
stands  as  rigid  as  a  branch.  How  well  it  knows  how  far  to  trust 
itself,  breaking  away  at  the  first  intelligent  gleam  from  the  pur- 
suer's eye!  But  with  all  the  skill  and  untamable  wildness  of  the 
grouse,  it  needs  rigid  protection  from  the  day  it  leaves  the  eggshell. 
A  ])rood  of  bob-tailed  young  bu/zing  from  the  grass  up  on  to  the 
branches  are  easily  potted,  and  in  winter  a  flock  noisily  picking 
birch  and  alder-buds  in  the  treetops  are  sadly  exposed  to  the  con- 
.scienccless  hunter  below. 

Whi](!  the  snow  is  on  the  ground  the  l)inls  feed  mainly  on  buds, 
and  usually  Iiave  a  warm  ])ed  under  the  snow.  Before  the  snow  is 
all  gone  in  spring,  t-ach  male  selects  his  drumming  ground,  —  a  log, 
a  rock,  or  merely  an  open  spot  of  ground, — and  begins  his  drum- 


128 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


ming.  The  muffled  wing-beats  suggest  distant  thunder,  though  the 
sound  is  much  the  same  at  twenty  feet  or  forty  rods.  I  have  often 
crept  up  within  twenty  or  tliirty  feet  of  an  old  cock  and  watched 
him.  Standing  in  a  perfectly  natural  position,  he  begins  without 
any  warning.  The  wings  are  slightly  raised  and  brought  quickly 
down  to  the  sides,  one,  two,  three,  four,  five,  six  times, — you  can 
count  no  farther,  —  the  buzzing  wings  are  lost  in  a  blur,  and  the 
sounds  blend  in  a  crescendo  roar.  For  hours  at  a  time  through  the 
breeding  season  the  drumming  is  kept  up  at  intervals  of  from  one 
to  several  minutes.  It  is  heard  mainly  in  the  morning  and  evening, 
but  irregularly  at  all  times  of  day  and  night,  though  ahvays  from 
the  same  spot.  Vernon  Bailey. 

300b.  B.  u.  umbelloides  (Dougl.).     Gray  Ruffed  Grouse. 
Adult  male.  —  Ruffs  black,  -with  bluish  green  g-loss  to  tips  ;  upper  parts 

g-ray,  whole  surface  finely 
mottled  gray  and  black,  more 
or  less  washed  with  rufous, 
blotched  with  black,  and 
streaked  with  white  ;  tail  al- 
ways gray,  with  broad  black 
subterminal  band  ;  under 
parts  white  and  buffy,  barred 
with  brown.     Adult  female  : 

similar  but  smaller,  with  neck  tufts  rudimentary  or  obsolete.      Young : 

similar   to    adult   female,   but  browner,   barring-  paler,  less  distinct,  dim 

white,  and  neck  tufts  wanting.     Length  :  15,50-19.00,  wing  7.00-7,50,  tail 

5.50-7.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Hudsonian  zones,  in  the  central 

Rocky   Mountain  system   of    the    United   States,   British   America,   and 

Alaska. 

Nest.  —  A   hollow  at  base   of  tree  or  rock,  or  by  a  fallen  treetop  or 

brush  pile.     Eggs :  8  to  14,  varying  from  white  to  pinkish  buff,  stained 

with  brown. 

Food.  —  Wild  fruit  and  berries,  seeds,  buds,  and  green  leaves. 

300c.  B.  U.  sabini  (Dougl.).     Oregon  Ruffed  Grouse. 

Like  B.  XI.  umbelloides,  but  much  dai'ker ;  upper  parts  black  and  dark 
rusty  or  reddish  brown,  rarely  with  any  gray  ;  tail  usually  deep  rusty, 
rarely  grayish ;  under  parts  heavily  marked  with  blackish  and  washed 
with  buffy  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  humid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in 
coast  ranges  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Himiboldt  County,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Bendire,  a  hollow  under  fallen  branches  lined 
with  dead  leaves,  spruce  needles,  and  a  few  feathers.     Eggs :  7  to  13. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  other  grouse. 


GENUS    LAGOPUS. 

^'^-^neral  Characters.  — Toes  and  tarsus  densely  feathered,  tail  less  than 
twc      irds  as  long  as  wing,  with  long  coverts  reaching  to  tip. 


WHITE-TAILED  PTARMIGAN 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  129 

KEY   TO   SPECIES    OF    LAGOPUS. 

1.  General  color  of  upper  parts  gray,  in  fall  plumage. 

leucurus,  p.  129. 
r.  General  color  of  upper  parts  bufPy,  in  fall  plumage. 

altipetens,  p.  129. 

304.  Lagopus  leucurus  Sivains.  ^^  EicL  White-tailed  Ptar- 
migan. 

Adults  in  winter.  —  Pure  white.  Adults  in  summer  :  plumage  spotted, 
barred,  or  mottled  with  black  and  rich  buffy  brown  except  for  white 
wings,  tail,  legs,  and  belly ;  the  white  tail  hidden  from  above  by  long 
mottled  coverts.  Adults  in  fall :  similar  to  summer,  but  dark  parts  more 
uniformly  gray,  with  finer  markings  and  only  a  trace  of  buffy.  Young  : 
tail  gray.     Wing  :  O.oT-O.Ta,  tail  0.81-4.07,  bill  .o7,  tarsus  l.i;^-"l.22. 

Distribution.  —  Above  timber  line  in  Alaska,  mountains  of  British 
Columbia,  and  higher  peaks  of  Cascades,  south  to  Hood  and  Jefferson. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  situations,  a  depression  in  the  grass,  or  an 
actual  nest  of  interlaced  grass  stems,  weed  tops,  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  10  to 
10,  more  or  less  heavily  spotted  or  marbled  with  dark  brown  or  black  on  a 
buffy  or  light  rusty  ground. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  caterpillars,  beetles,  and  other  insects,  as  well  as 
young  foliage,  buds,  flowers,  and  catkins. 

Well  above  timber  line  along  the  crests  of  the  higher  mountain 
ranges  these  hardy  furry-footed  little  grouse  live  among  the  rocks 
and  heather  beds,  where,  although  the  food  supply  is  small,  they 
find  an  abundance,  there  being  little  or  no  competition  from  birds  of 
like  habits. 

In  summer  they  keep  dose  to  the  retreating  snow-banks  and  often 
make  their  nests  beside  permanent  glaciers.  Their  landscape  is  al- 
ways patclied  with  snow  as  their  plumage  is  with  white.  But  though 
they  are  colored  for  safety  among  the  glaciers,  the  dark  parts  of  their 
plumage  make  them  blend  in  with  the  rocks  so  perfectly  that  they 
are  almo.st  invisible  when  not  moving — a  fact  they  seem  to  appre- 
ciate, for  they  sit  still  until  you  almost  step  on  them. 

Vkknon  Bailey. 

304a.    L.  1.  altipetens  Osgood.      Southern  White-tailed  Ptar- 
migan. 
Slightly  larger  than /f'«r»;-y/.s  and  similar 
to  it  in  winter  and  summer  ])luinages,  but    * ^^h^il|Rjl*^^'^«* ^  ''^i^ 

ill   fall   ))liiinago  more  bnnvnisli,  the  u]ij)or         V^^^^^^^^  ■'^ 

])arts  pale  (•iiiiiaiiion   rufous.      Wing  7.10- 
7.44,    tail    l.;;<>-4.72,  bill  about    .;;7.  taisiis 


:;-1.2S. 


Fig.  -03. 


Distribution.  —  Colorado. 

In  Colorado  the  local  name  for  the  ptarmigan  is  '  white  (piail." 

GENUS    TYMPANUCHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Sides   of   in-ck    with    a   conspicuous    tuft   of  stiff, 
l)ointed  feathers  and  an  inflatable  air  sac  ;   luad  with  a  slight  soft  crest; 


130  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  (QUAILS,  ETC. 

tail  short,  rounded;   tarsus  scantily  feathered   to  toes;    toes  extensively 
webbed  at  base. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES    OF   TYMPANUCHUS. 

1.  Bars  of  back  and  rump  single,  broad  and  solid  black. 

2.  Larg-er americanus,  p.  130. 

2'.  Smaller.     Coast  of  Texas •     .    attwateri,  p.  131. 

r.  Bars  of  back  and  rump  treble,  a  brown  bar  inclosed  between  two  nar- 
row black  bars pallidicinctus,  p.  131. 

305.  Tyrapanuchus  americanus  (Eeich.).    Pkairie  Hen. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  yellowish  brown  and  white,  crossed  by  smgle 
black  bars ;  under  parts  white,  barred  with  brown  ;  head  deep  buff  except 

for  blackish  brown  stripes  and 
i^CfIF^<6!StS^^>.,  blotches  ;  neck  with  tufts  above 

a^tl«i^^K*^\  ,^^^    .-«^-si*i_     inflatable   air  sac,  feathers   of 
iW-.;.!-..^* -f^^     tufts   2.50  or   more    in   leng-th 
with     broad      rounded      tips. 
Adult    female :     similar,     but 
with   neck  tufts  rudimentary. 
^.  ^  ,,  Young :      upper     parts     light 

brownish,  feathers  with  con- 
spicuous white  mesial  streaks  and  larg'e  black  blotches.  Male:  length 
18-19,  wing  S.GO-9.40,  tail  4.00-4.30.  Female :  length  17.50,  wing-  8.65, 
tail  3.80. 

Distribution.  —  Prairies  of  the  Mississippi  valley  from  Manitoba  south 
to  Texas  and  Louisiana,  and  west  to  Colorado,  with  a  general  tendency 
toward  extension  of  range  westward  and  contraction  eastward.  Migrates 
locally  north  and  south. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  excavation  in  the  ground  among  grass  and  weeds  on 
open  prairie,  sometimes  lined  with  matted  grass  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs  : 
usually  11  to  14,  cream,  olive,  or  buffy,  sometimes  slightly  specked  with 
darker. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  potato  bugs,  and  various  other  beetles  and  in- 
sects, besides  berries,  grain,  small  seeds,  green  leaves,  and  buds. 

The  few  scared,  hunted  prairie  chickens  that  remain  scattered  here 
and  there  over  our  great  middle  prairies  are  but  a  poor  remnant  of 
the  abundant  flocks  that  only  a  few  years  back  feasted  through  the 
summer  on  grasshoppers  and  boomed  loudl}^  in  spring  from  every 
lonely  hilltop  and  wide  expanse  of  open  country.  Perhaps  no  bird 
offers  such  tempting  sport  to  hunters  as  these  quick  but  straight- 
flying  grouse  of  the  open  country,  ranging  as  they  do  in  flocks  of 
ten  or  twelve,  lying  close  for  the  dogs,  scattering  as  they  fly,  and 
lighting  again  on  all  sides  to  be  worked  up  and  shot  by  ones  and 
twos.  When  besides  their  character  as  game  birds  their  goodly  size 
and  delicious  flavor  are  considered,  it  seems  little  wonder  that  they 
have  been  rapidly  destroyed.  In  places  they  are  still  fairly  common, 
and  by  wise  protection  could  no  doubt  be  kept  from  extermination. 

Through  the  summer  months  they  are  quiet  birds,  nesting  in  the 
grass  and  keeping  their  young  well  out  of  sight  in  grainfields  or 


GROUSE,  PAPCTKIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  131 

berry  patches.  In  winter,  flocks  of  sometimes  a  hundred  or  more 
wary  old  birds  gather  together,  but  they  light  in  the  treetops  to 
inspect  the  horizon  for  danger  before  settling  down  to  breakfast  in 
the  cornfield,  or  else  fly  from  their  soft  beds  of  snow  to  some  big 
open  field  where  there  is  not  so  much  as  a  bush  or  stick  to  hide  a 
lurking  enemy.  As  the  snow  gets  deeper  it  only  brings  them  up 
nearer  the  berries,  haws,  and  buds,  which  furnish  the  bulk  of  their 
winter  food.  AVhen  the  snow  hardens  to  a  rigid  crust  and  a  few 
patches  of  bare  ground  appear  you  hear  just  at  sunrise  a  low  boom- 
ing sound,  perhaps  a  mile  away,  answered  by  one  after  another  of 
the  awakened  cocks.  This  will  be  heard  for  hours  every  morning 
from  the  last  of  February  till  the  first  of  3Iay  in  the  grouse  country, 
for  then  the  birds  are  having  their  famous  dances.  A  few  cocks  and 
hens  gather  on  a  frozen  lake  or  the  open  prairie,  and  the  males  fight 
and  strut  and  boom  in  ardent  rivalry  before  the  apparently  uncon- 
cerned females.  They  inflate  the  orange  air  sacs  on  each  side  of  the 
neck,  spread  the  yellow  fringe  over  the  eyes,  and  Avith  widespread 
tail,  drooping  wings,  erect  neck  tufts,  and  low^ered  head  emit  the  air 
with  the  low  booming  sound.  The  booming  is  kept  up  throughout 
the  breeding  season.  It  is  a  most  deceptive  sound,  at  twenty  feet 
often  seeming  far  away,  and  at  a  long  distance  sounding  close  by. 

V?:rnon  Bailey. 

305a.  T.  a.  att water i  (Bend.).    Att water  Praikie  Hen. 

Similar  to  T.  americanus, hut  smaller  and  darker;  usually  more  chestnut 
on  the  neck ;  wing-  coverts  with  smaller,  more  tawny  spots ;  tarsus  more 
scantily  feathered,  feathers  never  reaching'  base  of  toes  ;  in  summer,  g-reater 
part  of  tarsus  naked ;  in  winter,  stripe  of  bare  skin  on  back  of  tai-sus. 

Distribution.  —  (/oast  districts  of  southwestern  Louisiana  and  Texas. 

307.  Tympanuchus  pallidicinctus  Ridgiv.  Lesser  Prairie 
Hen. 

liike  the  prairie  hen  but  paler,  and  bars  of  back  in  threes,  a  wide  brown 
bar  inclosed  bj'  two  narrow  black  bars.  Mttle :  wing'  8.-0-8.80,  tail  4.00- 
4.'J0.     Female:  wing-  8.00-8.20,  tail  ;;.r)0-4.00. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  edg'e  of  the  plains,  from  Kansas  south  to 
western  Texas. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  meadows  or  other  open  situations.  Eggs  :  8  to  1- 
or  more,  grayish,  olive,  or  buffy,  usually  plain,  but  sometimes  spotted  with 
darker. 

GENUS    PEDICECETES. 

Geuerdl  C/i(trtirt(rs.  —  Head  lightly  crested,  a  nakt^d  ])atch  over  each 
eye;  neck  without  obviously  ix'ciiliar  feathers,  but  with  ;i  hidden  patch  of 
distensible  skin,  leddish  in  the  breeding  season,  over  which  lies  a  series  of 
slightly  enlarged  feathers;  feet  feathered  to  the  toes;  toes  with  a  con- 
spicnoMs  fringe  of  horny  j)roeesses  in  winter;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings, 
graduated,  feathers  s(juare  ;it  tips,  the  middle  i),'ur  projecting  nnich  beyond 
the  rest. 


132  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES    OF    PEDICECETES. 

1.  Ground  color  biiffy  grayish columbianus,  p.  132. 

1.  Ground  color  rusty  or  yellowish  brown  ....    campestris,  p,  132. 

308a.  Pedioecetes  phasianellus  columbianus  (Ord).  Co- 
lumbian Shakp-tailed  Grouse. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  with  black  and  bufiFy  marking's  ; 
under  parts  butfy  or  clear  whitish,  white  or  huffy  prevailing  in  feathers 
with  V-shaped  markings.  Young  :  similar  to  adult  female  but  grayer,  and 
throat  white.     Length :  15-19,  wing  8.50-9.00,  tail  4.00-5.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northern  part  of  Great  Basin  region,  east  to 
Montana  and  Wyoming,  and  north  from  Utah,  Nevada,  and  northeasteni 
California  to  central  portion  of  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  in  the  ground,  lined  with  dried  grass  and  feathers. 
Eggs:  11  to  14,  creamy  buff  to  olive  brown,  usually  lightly  spotted  with 
reddish  brown. 

Nowhere  so  abundant  as  the  pinnated  grouse,  the  sharp-tailed  has 
a  wider  range  over  more  unsettled  country  and  will  probably  last 
longer,  especially  in  the  northern  part  of  its  range.  While  a  prairie 
or  plains  bird,  it  is  usually  flushed  from  a  berry  patch,  low  bushes 
beside  a  creek,  a  stubble  field,  or  sagebrush.  Its  finely  mottled 
plumage  makes  it  very  .inconspicuous,  and  its  tendency  is  to  lie  low 
and  be  flushed  at  fatally  close  quarters. 

Though  the  grouse  usually  keep  well  hidden  in  summer,  in  winter 
when  their  plumage  has  become  dense  and  their  feet  and  legs  rabbit- 
like, they  may  be  seen  crossing  the  fields  on  top  of  the  snow  or  get- 
ting their  breakfast  of  buds  from  the  tops  of  trees  and  tall  bushes. 
When  the  weather  is  cold  and  the  snow  deep  and  soft  they  often 
roost  under  the  snow  like  the  rufi'ed  grouse,  and  come  out  in  the 
morning  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  where  they  entered  the  white 
surface  at  night. 

In  spring  the  males  have  a  loud  cackling  note,  besides  a  scraping 
sound  produced  apparently  by  opening  and  closing  their  rigid  tail 
feathers.  Vernon  Bailey. 

308b.  P.  p.  campestris  Bidgiv.     Prairie  Sharp-tailed  Grouse. 
Similar  to  fo/H?«6?'arn/s,  but  ground  color  much  lighter,  prevailing  shade 

rusty  or  yellowish  brown  ;  under 
parts  mainly  whitish,  and  dark 
breast  washed  with  whitish. 
"^'  Distribution.  —  Breeds  on 
plains  and  prairies  in  Transi- 
tion and  Upper  Sonoran  zones 
from    Manitoba   south  to  New 

_^_ Mexico,    and    from    Wisconsin 

pj     205  ^"^  Illinois  west  to  the  Rocky 

Mountains. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  hollow  in  the  ground,  arched  over  by  grass.  Eggs  : 
usually  14,  bluish  green  with  a  purplish  bloom  when  first  laid,  afterwards 
changing  to  dark  chocolate  with  a  few  dark  spots,  and  fading  to  white. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


133 


Food. 
leaves. 


Grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  fruit,  berries,  grain,  buds,  and 
GENUS   CENTROCERCUS. 


General  Characters.  —  Tail  longer  than  wings,  graduated,  feathers 
pointed ;  neck  with  distensible  air  sacs  surmounted  by  hair-like  filaments 
and  erect  feathers ;   tarsus  feathered  to  toes. 

309.  Centrocercus  urophasianus  {Bonap.).    Sage  Grouse. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  mottled  gray  or  buffy,  irregularly  spotted  or 
barred  with  black  or  brownish ;  in  breeding-  season  tufts  of  white  downy 
feathers,  mixed  with  black  egret- 
like wiry  plumes  on  shoulders  ; 
yellow  air  sacs  on  side  of  throat ; 
chest  blackish  before  the  breed- 
ing- season,  with  black  wiry 
feathers  .depending-  from  the 
chest  band ;  chest  white  after 
the  breeding-  season,  during- 
which  time  the  blackish  tips 
are  worn  off  by  rubbing-  on  the 
ground.  Adult  female  :  similar 
to  male  but  smaller  ;ind  without 
rulfs,  air  sacs,  or  nuptial  plumes ; 
throat  white,  chest  band  spec- 
kled g-rayish.  Young :  some- 
what like  adult  female  but 
brownish  above,  markings  on 
under  parts,  including-  black  of 
belly,  less  distinct.  Male:  length 
20-;:]0,  wing-  12-13,  tail  ll-i;). 
weig-ht  4^S  pounds.  Female  : 
length  21.50-2:1.00.  wing  about 
I0.r)0- 11.00,  tail  S-0. 

Ijistrihution.  —  Breeds  in  sag-e- 
brush  plains  of  the  interior  in 
Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition 
zones  from  Assiniboia  and  Brit- 


iii  The  Auk. 
20G. 


From  Bond, 
Fig. 

ish  Columl)ia  to  Utah.  Nevada,  and  California,  from  the  vSierra  Nevada  and 
Cascades  east  to  the  Dlack  Hills,  Nebraska,  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  hollow,  with  ov  without  lining,  usually  under  the  shelter 
of  a  sage  bush,  but  .sometimes  near  a  creek  .sheltered  by  a  bunch  of  high 
g-ra.ss.  F(j[)s :  u.^ually  7  to  9,  olive  buff  to  greenish  brown,  marked  witli 
round  spots  of  dark  brown. 

Food.  —  Gras.shoppers,  ants,  and  other  insects,  with  tender  plants,  leaves, 
buds,  and  flowers. 

Throughout  the  Great  Basin  and  arid  i)hiins  country,  where  the 
most  abundant  and  characteristic  plant  is  the  silvery  leaved  annnatic 
sagebrush,  we  find  this  largest,  stiiteliest  of  North  American  Tetra- 
onida',  the  sago  grou.se.  It  la  a  bird  of  the  open  country,  seeking  no 
heavier  cover  than  the  low  sag(!l)rush  and  often  wandering  over  bar- 
ren .slopes  or  short  grass  meailows,  or  in  hirge  Hocks  late  in  sununer 
mounting  above  tlie  linilxr  belt  ul  fbc  inoiuitains,  to  find  new  pas- 
tures in  the  stunted  growth  of  sage  close  to  i)er|)etual  snow. 


134         PHEASANTS  AND  TURKEYS 

When  much  hunted  the  grouse  become  as  wary  as  any  game  birds, 
but  in  a  few  far-away  corners  of  their  range  they  are  stiU  numer- 
ous. To  the  sportsman  used  to  the  quick  whirr  of  the  pinnated  and 
sharp-tailed  grouse  the  heavy  roar  and  steady  flight  of  a  magnificent 
black-breasted  long-tailed  old  sage  cock  offers  far  too  easy  a  target, 
and  the  birds  soon  become  scarce  when  the  country  is  settled. 

Considering  their  quiet  dispositions  and  large  size  it  seems  strange 
that  they  have  never  been  domesticated.  The  young  birds  are  as 
delicious  as  any  grouse,  and  while  the  old  ones  are  often  flavored 
with  sage,  a  wholesome  wormwood  bitter,  they  can  usually  be  cooked 
so  that  the  flavor  will  not  be  noticed.  Veknon  Bailey. 

Mr.  Frank  Bond  explains  the  fact  that  the  chest  feathers  of  the 
grouse  become  w^orn  off  during  the  breeding  season.  He  says : 
' '  During  the  months  of  April  and  May  the  sage  cocks  are  usually 
found  in  small  flocks  of  a  half  dozen  or  more,  stalking  about  with 
tails  erect  and  spread  after  the  manner  of  the  strutting  turkey  cock. 
.  .  .  Instead  of  dragging  its  wings  upon  the  ground  the  sage  cock 
will  enormously  inflate  the  air  sacs  of  the  neck  until  the  whole  neck 
and  breast  is  balloon-like  in  appearance,  then  stooping  forward  almost 
the  entire  weight  of  the  body  is  thrown  upon  the  distended  portion 
and  the  bird  slides  along  on  the  bare  ground  or  short  grass  for  some 
distance,  the  performance  being  concluded  by  the  expulsion  of  the 
air  from  the  sacs,  with  a  variety  of  chuckling,  cafckling,  or  rum- 
bling sounds.  This  performance  is  continued  probably  daily  during 
the  pairing  and  nesting  season,  and  of  course  the  feathers  are  worn 
away  by  the  constant  friction."     {The  Ai(l\  xvii.  325.) 

FAMILY    PHASIANIDiE:    PHEASANTS   AND 
TURKEYS. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Head  naked,  skin  wrinkled  and  warted  ....     Meleagris,  p.  1?>6. 
1'.  Head  feathered,  except  sometimes  around  eye. 

2.  Head  not  crested Phasianus,  p.  134. 

2'.  Head  conspicuously  crested. 

3.  Neck  with  conspicuous  erectile  ruff       .      Chrysolophus.  p.  135. 
3'.  Neck  without  ruff Gennaeus,  p.  135. 

GENUS    PHASIANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested  ;  male  with  brilliant  metallic 
colors  and  handsome  markings,  tail  leng'thened,  graduated,  and  vaidted, 
the  feathers  usually  tapering  to  a  point.  Female  much  smaller  and 
browni  h,  with  upper  parts  more  or  less  mottled,  spotted,  and  marked  with 
dusky. 

A  dozen  or  more  pheasants  have  been  introduced  into  the  United 
States,  but  the  ring-necked  is  the  only  one  that  has  thus  far  gained 
a  foothold  in  the  west. 


PHEASANTS   AND   TURKEYS  135 

KKY    TO    ADULT    MALE    I'HASIANUS. 

1.   Neck  metallic  greenish  or  bluish. 

'2.  Breast  coppery  chestnut torquatus,  p.  135. 

2  .  Breast  dark  green versicolor,  p.  135. 

r.  Neck  chestnut,  with  cojjpery  and  purple  reflections. 

soemmerriiigii.  p.  135. 

Phasianus  torquatus  Gmel.    Ring-necked  Pheasant. 

Adult  male.  —  Neck  metallic  greenish  or  bluish,  back  of  head  tufted  ; 
breast  rich  coppery  chestnut,  with  metallic  purple  and  coppery  reflections  ; 
neck  whollj^  or  partly  encircled  by  white  collar.  Adult  female :  tail 
brown,  barred  with  black  and  white.  Male  :  length  2i  feet,  wing-  9.50- 
10.50,  tail  17.50-20.00.     Female  :  length  20-24,  wing  8.50,  tail  11-12. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Siberia.  Corea.  and  northeastern  China.  Intro- 
duced into  twenty-five  states. 

Phasianus  versicolor  Vieill.     Green  Pheasant. 

Adult  male.  —  Neck  metallic  green  or  blue,  back  of  head  tufted  ;  breast, 
sides,  and  flanks  dark  green.  Adult  female :  tail  barred  over  reddish  or 
purplish  ground.  Male :  length  24-27,  wing  9.60,  tail  1(5.  Female  : 
length  20,  wing  8.25,  tail  10.50. 

Distribution.  —  Japan,  except  Yezo.  Introduced,  but  apparently  with 
little  success,  in  western  Oregon. 

Phasianus  soemmerringii  Temm.     Copper  Pheasant. 

Adult  male. —  Chestnut  and  rufous,  glossed  with  coppery  red  and  pur- 
plish ;  rump  broadly  streaked  with  white,  tail  broadly  banded.  Adult 
female  :  tail,  except  four  middle  feathers,  brown,  with  subterminal  black 
bar  and  white  tip.  Male :  length  3(5,  wing-  9,  tail  28.  Female  :  length 
18-20,  wing  8.25,  tail  8..5!). 

Distribution.  —  Niphon  and  Kuisui,  Japan.  Introduced,  but  without 
apparent  success,  in  western  Oregon. 

GENUS    CHRYSOLOPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  crested,  neck  with  conspicuous  erectile  ruff. 

Chrysolophus  pictus.     Golden  Pheasant. 

Adult  malt'.  —  Kufl"  or  ( iii)e  golden  orange,  barred  with  black  ;  entire 
under  parts,  except  chin  and  throat,  bright  red  ;  tail  brown,  barred,  and 
retiodated  with  black.  Adult  female  :  ui)per  parts  mottled  brown,  heavily 
barred  with  dusky  on  top  and  l)ack  of  head,  wings,  neck,  chest,  sides,  and 
flanks;  icst  of  under  ])arts  plain  light  buft'.  Male:  leng-th  40,  wing-  7.70, 
tail  27.      Female  :   leugtli  24,  wing  7,  tail  14. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  China.  Introduced  in  western 
Oregon,  and  Protection  Island.  Washing-ton,  and  recently  in  New  Mexico. 

GENUS    GENN^US. 
Gennseus  nycthenierus  Linn.    Silver  Pheasant. 

.\dult  malr.  —  Crest  and  imdt'r  parts  glo.ssy  blue  black  ;  face,  ^fiffs,  and 
feet  bright  red  ;  rest  of  ui)per  parts  pure  white,  marked  witli  V-shaped 
pencilings  of  black.  Adult  fenude  :  brown,  under  parts  with  paler  siaft 
streaks,  posterior  i)arts  and  thighs  irregularly  mottled  witli  zigzag  lines  of 
dusky  ;  tail,   except   middle   feathers,   irregularly  barred   with    black  and 


13G  PHEASANTS   AND   TURKEYS 

white  ;  face,  legs,  and  feet  dull  red.     Male :  leiig-th  40,  wing  10.50,  tail 
24.     Female  :  length  20.50,  wing  9.10,  tail  9.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  China.  Introduced  into  western  Oregon  and 
Protection  Island,  Washington. 

GENUS    MELEAGRIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  and  upper  neck  naked  ;  the  skin  wrinkled 
or  warted,  the  forehead  with  extensile  appendage,  smaller  in  females  ; 
tail  rounded,  tarsus  naked,  spurred  in  male  ;  sexes  similar,  but  females 
duller. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  buffy  whitish      ....     merriami,  p.  136. 
I'.Tail  coverts  tipped  with  brown. 

2.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  dark  chestnut fera,  p.  136. 

2'.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  cinnamon  or  cinnamon  buff. 

intermedia,  p.  136. 

310.  Meleagris  gallopavo  merriarai  Nelson.  Merriam  Tur- 
key. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  neck  bare,  dull  bluish,  strip  of  skin  hanging 
from  above  bill ;  chest  with  bristly  tuft  of  beard  ;  feathers  of  under  parts 
metallic  bronzy  green  and  reddish,  tipped  with  velvet  black  ;  feathers  of 
lower  back  and  rump  metallic,  tipped  with  black ;  tail,  tail  coverts,  and 
feathers  of  lower  rump  tipped  with  huffy  whitish.  Adult  female :  similar,  but 
smaller,  and  colors  duller.     Male:  length  48-50,  wing  21,  tail  18.50. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  Arizona, 
western  Texas,  and  northern  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  lined  with  leaves,  weeds,  and  grass,  sometimes  under 
shelter  of  a  yucca,  grass,  or  bushes.  Eggs :  8  to  14,  white,  dotted  over 
entire  surface  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  seeds,  berries,  plant  tops,  and  cactus  fruit. 

In  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  one  may  occasion- 
ally find  wild  turkeys.  In  Arizona  they  have  been  seen  by  shep- 
herds in  the  notches  between  the  highest  peaks  of  San  Francisco 
Mountain. 

310a.  M.  g.  fera  (Vieill.).     Wild  Turkey. 

Like  M.  g.  merriami,  but  tail  tipped  with  deej)  rusty,  coverts  and  feathers 
of  lower  rump  rich  dark  chestnut. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  from  southwestern  Pennsylvania 
to  the   Gulf  coast,  and  west  to  southwestern  Kansas  alons:  wooded  river 


Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves  and  pine  needles. 
Eggs :  8  to  13,  creamy  to  buffy,  marked  Avith  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  crickets,  and  other  insects ;  acorns,  nuts,  seeds, 
grain,  berries,  and  plant  tops. 

310c.  M.  g.  intermedia  Sennett.     Rio  Grande  Turkey. 

Similar  to  M.  g.  merriami,  but  lower  back  and  rump  jet  black  —  feathers 
showing  steel  gray  bars  in  certain  lights  —  and  tail  and  lower  coverts 
tipped  with  cinnamon  or  cinnamon  buff. 

Distribution.  —  Lowlands  of  southern  Texas  and  northeastern  Mexico. 


CURRASSOWS   AND   GUANS  137 

Over  most  of  the  country  where  the  wikl  turkeys  were  once  plenty 
they  have  now  become  scarce  or  extinct,  but  hi  a  few  places  may 
still  be  found  in  something  like  their  original  abundance,  living 
much  as  their  ancestors  lived,  breeding  unmolested,  strolling  through 
the  woods  in  flocks,  and  gathering  at  night  in  goodly  numbers  in 
their  favorite  roosting-places.  Perhaps  the  best  of  these  undevastated 
regions  are  on  the  big  stock  ranches  of  southern  Texas,  where  the 
birds  are  protected  not  by  loosely  formed  and  unenforced  game  laws, 
but  by  the  care  of  owners  of  large  ranches,  Avho  would  as  soon 
think  of  exterminating  their  herds  of  cattle  as  of  shooting  more  than 
the  normal  increase  of  game  under  their  control.  Here,  at  least 
through  the  breeding  season,  the  turkeys  are  not  more  wary  than 
many  of  the  other  large  birds,  and  as  we  surprised  them  in  the  half 
open  mesquite  woods  along  the  Nueces  River  would  rarely  fly, 
merely  sneaking  into  the  thickets,  or  at  most  running  from  us. 

The  ranchmen  say  that  the  turkeys  always  select  trees  over  water 
to  roost  in  when  possible,  and  no  doubt  they  do  it  for  protection  in 
this  region  where  foxes,  coyotes,  and  wildcats  abound.  On  the 
edge  of  the  flooded  bottoms  of  the  Nueces  River  they  roosted  in  the 
partially  submerged  huisache  trees.  A  loud  gobble  just  at  dusk  led 
us  to  their  cover,  and  crouching  low  to  get  the  sky  for  a  background 
we  could  see  the  big  forms  coming  in  singly  or  in  twos  or  threes, 
and  liear  the  strong  wing  beats  as  they  passed  on  to  alight  in  the 
huisaches  out  in  the  water.  AVhen  the  noise  of  their  wings  and  the 
rattling  of  branches  had  subsided,  with  a  few  gobbles  from  different 
quarters  they  settled  down  for  the  night.  The  next  morning,  as 
the  darkness  began  to  thin  and  a  light  streak  appeared  in  the  east,  a 
long  loud  gobble  broke  the  stillness,  followed  by  gobble  after  gob- 
ble from  awakening  birds  in  different  parts  of  the  bottoms,  and 
before  it  was  half  daylight  the  heavy  ichish  whish  of  big  wings 
passed  overliead,  as  the  turkeys  witli  strong,  rapid  flight  took  tlieir 
way  back  to  the  higher  ridges.  Vkunox  Railkv. 

FAMILY    CRACIDiE:   CURRASSOWS    AND    GUANS 

GENUS    ORTALIS. 

311.  Ortalis  vetula  maccalli  Balrd.    Chachalaca. 

Adults.  —  UpjxT  ]);irt^<  ])l:iin  olive,  sliiilitly  lilossfd  with  bronzy  uroen  ; 
licad  and  neck  tin-^t'd  with  dull  slaty  ;  tail  fjin-shajx-d.  from  du.sky  bronzy 
prcHu  to  blue  black,  fan.  ('xt'('i)t  for  niiddlf  fcatlicrs.  l>rt)adly  bordered 
with  wliite  ;  l)are  skin  on  tliroat  oranj^e  ;  chest  dull  i^rayish  yreen  ;  rest  of 
nnder  parts  din«;-v  hulfv  brownish,  deepenin;^-  on  under  tail  coverts. 
Lnu/tli  :    1'.>.7.")-U4.(')I).  win«;-  7..")()-S.:)(»,  tail  H.OO-l ()..')( t. 

Distrihiitidii.  —  liesident  in  nortlieastern  Mexico,  from  \'era  Ciu/  nortli 
to  lower  Hio  Grande  valU>y  in  Tex.as. 

Nest.  —  rsnallv  in  a  t wi-^-and-h'-if-liUed  c.ivity  of  a  inc  s«|uito-tree. 
Eyas:  li  or  4,  wliite,  rou<;h,  and  stron-^ly  >;ranulate(l. 


138  PIGEONS 

The  chaclialaca  comes  into  the  lower  Rio  Grande  valley  of  Texas, 
l)ut  probably  does  not  range  more  than  fifty  miles  north  of  the 
Mexican  line.  It  keeps  within  the  mesquite  and  chaparral,  where 
it  calls  from  the  treetops  at  sunrise  and  sunset,  pronouncing  its 
local  name,  chachalac,  in  loud  tones.  Dr.  Merrill  says  that  it  is 
much  hunted  for  the  Brownsville  market. 


ORDER  COLUMB^:  PIGEONS. 
FAMILY  COLUMBIDiE  :  PIGEONS. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tarsus  shorter  than  side  toes. 

2.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  feathers  broad  at  tips       .     Columba.  p.  138. 
2'.  Tail  graduated,  feathers  narrow  and  pointed  at  tips. 

Ectopistes,  p.  140. 
1'.  Tarsus  longer  than  side  toes. 
2.  Wing  less  than  4. 

3.   Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing-,  narrowing  1<»  a  point, 

'  Scardafella,  p.  143. 
3'.  Tail  shorter  than  wing,  wide  at  end    .     Columbigallina,  p.  143. 
2'.  Wing  more  than  5. 

3.   Tip  of  outer  quill  abruptly  narrowed     .     .     .     Leptotila,  p.  141. 
3.  Tip  of  outer  quill  not  abruptly  narrowed. 

4.  Tail  feathers  12,  tail  rounded Melopelia,  p.  142. 

4'.  Tail  feathers  14,  tail  graduated    ....     Zenaidura,  p.  140. 

GENUS    COLUMBA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  much  shorter  than  Aving,  slightly  rounded, 
the  feathers  broad  and  rounded  or  nearly  square  at  tip  ;  wings  pointed  ; 
side  toes  of  about  equal  length. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  banded fasciata,  p.  138. 

r.  Tail  uniform  slaty  black flavirostris,  p.  140. 

312.  Columba  fasciata  So,y.     Band-tailed  Pigeon. 

Adult  male.  —  End  of  tail  with  broad  —  two  inch  —  band,  pale  gray,  bor- 
dered above  by  black  ;  back  of  neck 


■^r^"'' 


Fi 


ii-ith  white  collar  adjoined  by  iridescent 
bronzy  patch  spreading  back  as  a 
greenish  wash  ;  head  and  under  parts 
purplish  pink,  fading  to  whitish  on 
belly  ;  fore  part  of  back  tinged  with 
brownish,  hinder  part  bluish  gray ;  wiaig  quills  blaekisb,  coverts  bluish 
gray,  faintly  edg-ed  with  white.  Adult  female :  like  male  but  duller  and 
much  grayer  t.white  nuchal  band  often  obsolete,  iridescent  patch  restricted, 
head  grayiid  '^ead  of  pink,  under  parts  larg'ely  grayish.  Young:  with- 
out white  o"!  {^/e,  under  parts  dull  grayish,  tinged  with  brown  on  breast; 
upper  parts  w  ith  feathers  more  or  less  lightly  bordered  with  paler ;  head 
and  neck  dull'  bluish  grav  in  male,  light  gravish  brown  in  female.  Length  • 
l."3-10.  wins-  8.00-8.80.  tail  6.00-6.50. 


PIGEONS  139 

Distribution.  —  Transition  zone,  from  British  Columbia  south  through 
Mexico  to  Guatemala,  eastward  to  Colorado  and  to  western  Texas. 

Nest.  —  When  eggs  are  not  laid  on  the  ground  or  in  the  nest  of  some 
other  bird,  a  slight  platform  of  twigs  on  the  flat  limb  of  a  tree.  Eggs  :  1 
or  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  acorns,  but  also  young  sycamore  balls,  grain,  wild  ber- 
ries, such  as  elder,  salmon,  j)igeon,  mulberry,  and  manzanita ;  and  honey 
from  the  century  plant  flowers. 

Though  the  baud-tailed  pigeous  are  sometimes  common  iu  the 
large  river-bottoms  where  Cottonwood  balls,  alder  seeds,  and  berries 
abound,  they  live  mainl}^  on  mast  and  breed  principally  on  the  edge 
of  Upper  Sonoran  zone  where  the  oaks  and  pines  intermingle.  The 
acorn  crop  of  the  year  apparently  governs  their  movements.  In 
good  acorn  winters,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  they  sometimes  appear  in 
flocks  of  hundreds  in  the  oak  regions  of  southern  California.  Near 
Seattle,  ]Mr.  Hathbon  reports,  they  are  in  need  of  protection,  as  they 
are  hunted  so  continuously  that  they  are  in  danger  of  becoming  rare 
birds. 

At  Beaverton,  Oregon,  Mr.  Anthony  has  found  them  abundant 
around  a  mineral  spring,  and  in  the  arid  mountains  of  the  southwest 
they  gather,  often  in  large  numbers,  at  the  springs  and  water  holes. 
When  they  come  flying  in  to  water  the  noise  of  their  wings  is  star- 
tling. It  is  a  loud  flapping,  as  different  from  the  musical  whirr  of 
the  mourning  dove  as  their  heavy  flight  is  from  the  light  swerving 
flight  of  the  dove,  and  as  the  square  tail  is  from  the  long  pointed 
one  of  the  dove.  Though  the  noise  made  by  the  wings  of  fcumata 
is  striking  at  all  times,  wiien  one  of  the  birds  projects  himself  down 
a  mountain-side  on  his  w^ay  to  water,  the  sound  produced  has  been 
compared  to  the  escape  of  steam  from  an  engine. 

Tlie  band  on  their  tails  shows  sometimes  at  a  turn  in  flight,  bul 
most  conspicuously  on  alighting,  for  then  they  spread  their  tails. 
and  at  a  distance  the  band  looks  almost  white. 

If  you  follow  the  pigeons  to  their  breeding-grounds  in  some  re- 
mote canyon  you  will  be  struck  by  the  owl-like  hooting  that  Alls  the 
place,  and  you  will  locate  the  sound  here  and  there  along  the  sides 
of  the  canyon  at  dead  treetops,  in  each  of  which  a  solitary  male  is 
suiming  himself,  at  intervals  pulling  out  his  breast  and  hooting. 
The  hooting  varies  considerably.  Sometimes  it  is  a  calm  irhno'-hoo- 
Jioo,  whoo'-hoo-hoo,  at  others  a  spirited  hoo}t'  -ii}t-)rhoo\m\(\'A^;:i\\\\i\t\\o 
syllabled  irhoo'-vah,  made  ui>  of  a  short  hard  hoot  and  a  long  coo.  as 
if  the  breath  was  sharjily  ('X|>cllcd  for  the  lirst  note  uik'  drawn  in  for 
the  second. 

The  breeding  season  lias  been  said  to  cover  nearly  '  y  montii  of 
tlie  year  in  Arizona,  and  in  the  Ouadalupc  Mountains,  Texas,  we 
found  ncslswith  eiiiis  the  latter  part  of  August. 


140  PIGEONS 

313.  Columba  flavirostris  Wagl.    Red-billed  Pigeon. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  under  parts  dull  piiiJcish  2mrple,  except 
for  tawny  cliin,  slaty  belly  and  under  tail  coverts ;  wing-  coverts  with  red- 
dish brown  patch,  fore  part  of  neck  brownish,  hinder  part,  wings,  and  tail 
bluish  gray,  blackish  on  quills  and  end  of  tail.  Adult  female  :  similar  but 
smaller  and  duller.  Young  :  colors  dull,  tinged  with  ashy.  Length  :  13.75- 
14.00,  wing  about  7.50-7.80,  tail  5.4U-5.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  parts  of  Texas  and  Lower  California, 
south  through  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  twigs,  in  thickets  or  groves  of  ash-trees.  Egg  : 
white. 

The  red-billed  pigeon  was  found  by  Mr.  Sennett  in  the  timber  of 
the  lower  Rio  Grande.  He  says  it  is  a  secluded  bird,  and  that  its 
cooing  is  clear,  short,  and  rather  high-pitched. 

GENUS  ECTOPISTES. 

315.  Ectopistes  migratorius  {Linn.).    Passenger  Pigeon. 
Tail  nearly  as  long  as  wing,  graduated,  the  feathers  narrow  and  pointed 

at  tips  ;  tarsus  short,  feathered  part  way  down  in  front ;  side  toes  unequal. 

Adidt  male.  —  Head  and  neck  bluish  gray  ;  under  parts  deep  pinkish 
brown,  becoming  pinkish  on  sides  and  white  on  belly  ;  nape  and  sides  of 
head  glossed  with  metallic  reddish  purple  ;  wings  and  back  brown,  wings 
spotted  with  black  ;  rump  bluish  gray,  tail  ehanging  from  blackish  on 
middle  feathers  to  white  on  outer  webs  of  outer  feathers  ;  inner  webs  with 
black  and  rufous  spots.  Adult  female  :  similar  but  head  brownish,  pink 
of  under  parts  replaced  by  brown  ;  metallic  gloss  less  distinct.  Young  : 
feathers  of  fore  j)arts  tipped  with  white,  giving  a  mottled  appearance, 
quills  edged  with  rusty.  Length :  15.00-17.25,  wing  8.00-8.50,  tail  8.20- 
8.75.     Female  somewhat  smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Formerly  eastern  North  America  from  Hudson  Bay 
southward,  and  west  to  the  plains  ;  accidental  in  Nevada  and  Washington. 
Now  nearly  extinct.  A  few  pairs  supposed  to  be  left  in  Canada,  Manitoba, 
AVisconsin.  and  Michigan. 

GENUS    ZENAIDURA. 

316.  Zenaidura  macroura  (Xm«.).    Mourning  Dove. 

Tail  of  fourteen  feathers,  graduated,  more  than   two  thirds  as  long  as 

wing ;  feathers  more  or  less  narrowed 
at  tips  ;  wings  pointed ;  tarsus  naked  ; 
side  toes  of  unequal  length,  the  outer 
shortest  ;  space  around  the  eye  bare. 
j,j^  ,,ns  Adult  male  :  tail    bordered   with  white 

and  with  subterminal  black  spots  ;  back 
and  wings  with  a  few  roundish  black  spots  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown  ;  top 
of  head  washed  with  bluish  gray,  sides  of  head  with  blue  black  spot  and 
pink  iridescence  ;  under  parts  brownish,  tinged  with  pink  on  breast.  Adult 
female  :  similar  but  paler  throughout,  with  little  if  any  bluish  gray  on  head, 
black  ear  spot  smaller,  and  metallic  gloss  less  distinct.  Young  :  duller 
than  female,  without  metallic  gloss  or  distinct  ear  spot ;  feathers  of  upper 
parts  and  breast  with  gravish  tips.  Length:  11-13,  wing  5.70-6.10,  tail 
5.70--6.50,  bill  .50-.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones 


PIGEONS  141 

throughout  the  United  States,  and  southern  parts  of  Ontario,  Manitoba, 
and  British  Columbia,  migrating-  to  Panama  and  tlie  West  Indies.  iNIigra- 
tory  in  the  northern  part  of  its  rang-e. 

Nest.  —  A  frail  platform  of  twigs  usually  on  a  flat  branch  10  to  20 
feet  from  the  ground,  but  also  on  the  ground,  on  cliffs,  in  cactus,  bushes, 
and  trees  as  high  as  ">()  feet  from  the  ground.      A'y'/.s ;  usually  2.  white. 

Food.  —  Snails  and  other  mollusks,  millepeds,  cicadas  and  other  insects, 
grain,  weed  seeds,  acorns,  berries,  and  plant  tops. 

The  free,  s^Yift  flight  of  the  mourniDg  clove  and  the  skill  with 
which  he  manages  his  airship  proclaim  him  a  traveler.  As  he 
shoots  by  overhead  he  cuts  the  air  with  the  hiss  of  a  bullet,  his 
plumage  almost  as  compact  and  smooth  as  the  nose  of  a  mauser, 
his  long  tail  narrowed  to  a  frictionless  knife-blade.  As  his  powerful 
wings  bear  him  swiftly  on,  their  least  turn  swerves  his  course,  but 
he  never  lessens  speed  till  the  goal  is  reached.  After  watching  him 
it  seems  small  wonder  that  he  should  be  a  cosmopolitan,  bound  to 
no  one  migration  route,  but  as  much  at  home  in  Xew  England  as 
Oregon,  in  Canada  as  southern  California. 

In  the  dry  part  of  Arizona  the  doves  often  nest  a  long  distance 
from  water,  but  fly  back  and  forth  to  it  in  pairs  or  small  companies 
twice  a  day.  The  old  mountaineers,  knowing  their  habits,  follow 
them  when  in  search  of  the  rare  water-holes. 

Although  the  doves  abound  in  remote  mountains  and  desert 
lands,  they  are  also  much  given  to  human  society,  and  often  nest 
around  barnyards  and  buildings,  where  they  pick  up  grain  that  has 
fallen  to  the  ground. 

As  many  of  the  doves  are  seen  in  pairs  during  the  winter,  Major 
Bendire  infers  that  a  number  remain  mated  throughout  the  year, 
lie  renders  their  love-notes  as  fdo,  crxi,  /vw,-  nidfi,  da,  odd,  ddd,  ddd. 

GENUS    LEPTOTILA. 

318.   Leptotilafulviventris  brachyptera  (N''/r«^/.).    White- 

FKONTKl)    DOVK. 

First  primary  abruptly  cut  out  near  end  ;  tail  nmch  sliorter  than  wings, 
rounded,  feathers  twelve;  tarsus  naked;  side  toes  nearly  equal.  Adult 
male :  fonhciid  and  throat  irliitish,  l)reast  \n\\o  pinkish  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  whitisli  ;  back  of  head  and  fore  i)art  of  back  iridescent  ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  dark  brown  ;  tail  becoming  blackish,  tipped  witli  white  ; 
under  wing  coverts  and  axillai-s  deep  reddish  l)rown.  Adult  female : 
similar  to  the  male  but  <luller  colored,  and  nietallic  glo.ss  less  <listinct. 
Length  :  1 1 .50- 1 2..')().  wings  ( J.(  K )-()..")( ),  tail  4 .2:)-4. .')( >. 

Distrihutiiin.  —  Valley  of  the  [.(twer  liio  Grande  in  Texas  and  south- 
ward to  Mexico  and  (Jiiatemala. 

Nest. —  Kather  Ijulky  for  a  dove,  made  of  Ijr.inches  and  straw,  and 
placed  usually  in  thorny  bushes.     Kgijs  :  2,  crr.ini  biilV. 

Food.  —  Said  to  be  principally  fruit. 

The   white-fronted  (h>vc   InMiucnts  the  timber  of  the    lower   Hin 


142  PIGEONS 

Grande  valley,  where  it  may  be  found,  Mr.  Senuett  says,  by  the 
peculiar  note  which  distinguishes  it  from  all  other  pigeons. 

GEJNfUS   MELOPEIilA. 

319.  Melopelia  leucoptera  (Linn.).     White-winged  Dove. 
Tail  rounded,  sliorttr   tlian  wing,   of  twelve   broad,  rounded  feathers; 

wing's  pointed  ;  bill  slender  and  length- 
ened, equaling-  tarsus  ;  a  large  bare 
space  around  eye.  ^idult  male  :  winy 
icith  large  white  patch  on  coverts, 
^°'  "  "  conspicuous  against  black  quills  ;  tail 

bluish  gray,  broadly  tipped  with  white  preceded  by  black,  two  middle 
feathers  brown  ;  sides  of  head  with  bluish  black  spot  next  to  bronzy  iri- 
descent patch  ;  top  of  head  and  neck  dull  pinkish  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
brownish,  except  for  bluish  gray  of  lower  back ;  under  parts  soft  fawn 
color,  fading  to  whitish.  Adult  female :  similar  but  smaller  and  duller. 
Youny  :  like  female  but  still  duller,  feathers  of  upper  parts  tipped  with 
paler  and  breast  with  rusty  tinge.  Lenyth  :  11.00-12.25,  wing  (3.80-6.80, 
tail  4.80-5.25.  '  ' 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  aftd  Tropical  zones  from 
Florida  and  Texas  to  Arizona,  and  south  through  Lower  California  and 
Mexico  to  Costa  Rica,  Cuba,  and  Jamaica.     Casual  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  A  frail  platform  of  interlaced  sticks,  lined  with  weeds,  dry 
grass,  and  often  mesquite  leaf  stems,  placed  in  mesquite,  walnut,  wnllow, 
or  cactus,  from  (3  to  80  feet  from  the  grovind.     Egys  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  small  seeds,  grain,  berries,  mesquite  beans,  and  cactus 
fruit. 

As  the  jay  seems  a  part  of  the  mountain  forest,  the  horned  lark 
of  the  prairie,  and  the  sage  thrasher  inseparable  from  the  sagebrush 
plains,  so  the  v^hite -winged  dove  belongs  to  the  hot  cactus  and 
mesquite  valleys  of  the  lower  Colorado,  Gila,  and  Rio  Grande. 
Though  often  seen  perching  on  a  giant  cactus,  its  life  is  largely 
spent  in  the  mesquite,  and  its  plump  form  is  so  constantly  seen 
through  the  thin  mesquite  foliage  that  it  comes  to  seem  almost  like 
a  fruit  of  the  tree.  Now  the  dove  is  only  perching  there,  beside  a 
water-pool,  now  on  a  branch  acting  as  sentinel  while  a  hungry  flock 
is  down  in  a  patch  of  wild  sunflower  or  the  wheatfield  of  the 
rancheria  ;  but  in  the  nesting  season  it  has  taken  up  its  abode  in 
the  tree  and  is  building  its  nest  and  rearing  its  young  in  the  protec- 
tion of  the  thorny  branches. 

So  closely  is  it  associated  with  the  mesquite  countrj'-  that  even  its 
monotonous  wlwo-lioo' -hoo-hoo  calls  up  pictures  of  desert  thorn-brush 
and  'dobe  walls,  over  w^hich  the  large,  handsome  bird  is  flying  with 
white  bands  outspread  on  wings  and  tail.  Its  note  is  an  exaggerated 
form  of  the  coo  common  to  the  family.  To  make  it  the  dove  puffs 
out  his  throat  like  a  pouter  pigeon,  emitting  the  curious  hollow 
sound  which  is  more  suggestive  of  the  hooting  of  an  owl  than  the 
languid  cooing  of  a  dove.  Yerxon  Batley. 


PIGEONS  143 

GENUS    COLUMBIGALUNA. 

320a.  Colurabigallina  passerina  pallescens  {Baird).   Mex- 
ican Ground  Dove. 

Wings  sliort   and  broad,  Avith   elongated  inner  secondaries  nearly  over- 
reaching primaries  in  the  folded  wing  ;  tail  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even, 
of    twelve  broad  feathers ;  tarsns  as   long   as    middle   toe  without   claw. 
Adult  male:  back  of  head  and  neck  bluish,  feathers 
suggesting   scales  :    forehead,    sides    of    head,    and 
under   parts    pinkish  ;     breast   feathers    brouii   cen- 
trally ;  upper  parts  grayish,  wings  with  inner  webs  Fig.  'JKi. 
of  quills   bright  reddish  brown,  coverts  with  blue 

black  spots  ;  tail  nearly  even,  blackish,  except  for  middle  feathers  and 
white  corners.  Adult  female :  similar  but  much  duller,  pink  replaced  by 
pale  brownish,  blue  by  brownish  gray  ;  spots  on  wing  coverts  brown. 
Young :  like  female  but  duller,  more  grayish  ;  feathers,  especially  on  upper 
parts,  tipped  with  whitish.      Wing:  .■j..jO-."5.()0,  exposed  culmen  .42-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  Texas 
to  Arizona  and  south  thx'ough  Lower  California  and  other  parts  of  Mexico 
to  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  Small  and  sometimes  compact,  of  twigs  or  plant  stalks,  some- 
times lined  with  a  few  straws,  placed  in  a  bush  or  tree  'A  to  20  feet  from 
the  ground.      J'^ggs  :  2,  usually  white. 

Food.  —  Small  seeds,  grain,  and  berries. 

The  ground  dove  is  a  friendly  little  bird,  stayini,^  wherever  it  can 
tiud  seeds  or  refuse  grain,  whether  it  be  in  town  streets,  horse  cor- 
rals, or  on  the  picket  line  of  an  army  post.  In  the  fall,  when  weed 
seeds  are  abundant,  ^Ir.  Herbert  Brown  has  seen  flocks  of  flfty  about 
Tucson,  Arizona,  but  ordinarily  they  are  in  pairs  or  small  flocks. 

GENUS    SCARDAFELLA. 

321.  Scardafella  inca  (Less.).    Inca  Dove. 

Tail  d()ul)le  r(»nnded.  middle  and  outside  "feathers  both  shorter  than 
those  between,  twelve  in  n\imber.  all  narrow  and  tapering  ;  tarsns  very 
short,  slightly  feathered  above.  Adults:  u-hnle 
bodji  a///jarentlt/  saded  ;  upjier  parts  brownish  ; 
inner  webs  of  wing  (juills  nuiiidy  reddish  brown  ; 
tail  brown  and  black,  two  outer  featliers  largely  '^'"  ~    ' 

w  hite  ;  undei-  parrs  pale  grayi.sh  pink,  clianging  to  buff  on  belly  :  under 
wing  coverts  i)artly  black.  Young:  similar  but  duller,  and  upper  parts 
somewbat  mottled  bv  occasional  whitish  tips  to  feathers.  Length  :  S.lM), 
wing:;.7<)-:;.T.">,  tail  4.'<:<)-4.40. 

'Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  tlie  Kio  (irande 
valley  of  Texas  and  southern  Arizona ;  south  througli  Lower  California 
and  other  parts  of  Mexico  to  Xicar;igna. 

.V/'.s7.  —  In  cactus,  mesijuite.  acacias,  or  small  oaks.  .')  to  10  feet  from 
the  ground,  made  of  twigs  and  grasses.     Fggs  :  2.  white. 

These  daiiily  little  doves  are  more  than  hail"  eivili/.ed.  Vou  find 
them  on  the  roads,  iij  the  barnyard,  the  orchard,  and  the  villaire 
street  —  rarely  :i\v:iy  from  ground  trampled  by  man.  They  join 
the   poiiltiy  at  breakfast.  an<l    pick  the  grain  that  is  scattered  along 


144  VULTURES 

the  roads,  gathering  tlie  weed  seeds  by  the  way.  From  their  quick 
motions  and  constant  haste  one  might  think  they  were  catching 
fleeing  grasshoppers  rather  than  stationary  seeds.  They  go  patter- 
ing about,  bobbing  their  heads  and  keeping  up  a  rapid,  hard  little 
cooing  that  has  scarcely  a  suggestion  of  the  soft  dove  tones.  In  the 
breeding  season  this  is  the  first  thing  heard  in  the  morning,  and  it 
is  kept  up  well  into  the  glowing  heat  of  the  day,  usually  given 
from  the  ground,  but  sometimes  from  the  branches  of  trees. 

Vernon  Bailey. 


ORDER   RAPTORES:    BIRDS    OP   PREY. 

(Families  Cathartid^,  Falconid^,  Strigid^,  Bubonid.e.) 

FAMILY   CATHARTIDiE:   VULTURES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA 

1.  Wmg-  30  or  more Gymnogyps,  p.  144. 

1'.  Wing' less  than  25. 

2.  Head  red Cathartes,  p.  145. 

2'.  Head  black Catharista,  p.  146. 

GENUS   GYMNOGYPS. 

324.  Gymnogyps  calif ornianus  (Shaw).  California  Vul- 
ture :  Condor. 

Wing  30  or  more  ;  head  and  entire  neck  bare,  skin  smooth  ;  plumage  of 
under  parts  lanceolate  or  pencillate  ;  head  much  elongated,  forehead  flat- 
tened ;  nostril  small,  its  anterior  end  acute  ;  bill  small,  mandibles  broader 
than  deep  ;  wings  folding  to  or  beyond  end  of  square  tail.  Adults  :  head 
and  neck  bare,  yellow,  or  oi*ange  in  life  ;  bill  whitish  or  pale  yellowish  ; 
pbimage  sooty  blackish  ;  outer  webs  of  greater  wing  coverts  and  second- 
aries grayish,  wing  coverts  tipped  with  white  and  outer  secondaries  edged 
with  white ;  axillars  and  under  wing  coverts  pure  white.  Young :  like 
adults,  but  neck  more  or  less  covered  with  sooty  grayish  down,  bill  and 
naked  skin  blackish  ;  brown  edgings  of  feathers  of  uj)per  parts  producing 
a  scaled  effect ;  white  of  under  wings  and  gray  webbing  of  coverts  and 
secondaries  wanting.  Length  :  44-55,  extent  Si  to  nearly  11  feet ;  Aveight 
20-25  pounds,  wing  30-35,  tail  15-18,  bill  1.50." 

Re7narks. — The  vulture  can  be  distinguished  in  the  field  by  its  great 
size  and  its  white  under  wing  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  ranges  of  southern  Calif ornia  from  Monterey  Bay 
south  to  Lower  California,  and  east  to  Arizona. 

Nest.  —  A  cavity  or  recess  among  rocks,  or  hollow  in  a  stump,  log,  or 
tree  trunk.     Eggs  :  1  or  2,  plain  grayish  gTeen,  or  greenish  white. 

Food.  —  Carrion. 

To  come  upou  the  California  vulture  alive  and  free  is  like  sud- 
denly coming 'to  a  giant  sequoia  towering  above  the  forest.  The 
sequoia  awes  you  with  the  feeling  of  immensity,  and   the  forest 


.      VULTURES  145 

trees  that  you  had  looked  up  to  as  very  large  are  suddenly  dwarfed. 
The  same  thrill  strikes  you  when  overhead  the  great  wings  of  the 
vulture  spread  out  and  with  mighty  strokes  carry  the  huge  bird  in 
wide  circles  up  through  the  sky;  and,  as  you  look  down,  the  turkey 
buzzards  sailing  below  seem  little  more  than  circling  sw^allows. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

The  sight  of  a  single  California  vulture  is  more  than  is  vouch- 
safed to  most  naturalists,  but  in  1894  Mr.  Stephens  actually  en- 
countered a  flock  of  twenty-six  of  these  magnificent  birds. 

The  condor  is  certainly  one  of  the  glories  of  the  splendid  state  of 
California,  and  every  patriotic  naturalist  should  do  his  part  to  enforce 
the  law  for  its  protection. 

GENUS   CATHARTES. 

325.  Cathartes  aura  (Linn.).     Turkey  Vulture. 

Whole  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  naked,  the  skin  corrugated  and 
sparingly  bristled ;  nostrils  larg'e,  elliptical ;  wings 
long,  pointed,  folding  to  or  beyond  the  short  round  tail. 
Adults:  head  bare  and  crimson  in  life,  bill  white; 
lores  and  top  of  head  sometimes  with  wart-like  papil- 
Ite  ;  neck  and  under  parts  dull  black  ;  upper  parts 
blackish  glossed  with  green  and  purple,  feathers 
broadly  edged  with  grayish  brown,  secondaries  edged 
with  gray  ;  shafts  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  varying 
from   pale   brown   to   yellowish   white.      Young :  like  * '&•  '-^-• 

adults,  but  bill  and  naked  skin  blackish,  brownish  margins  to  wing  cov- 
erts less  distinct.  Length  :  26-82,  extent  about  6  feet,  wing-  20-2o,  tail 
11-12,  bill  1. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  throughout  most  of  temperate  and  tropical  Amer- 
ica, from  the  Saskatchewan  south  to  Patagonia. 

^^99^-  —  Baid  in  a  cavern,  a  cavity  between  rocks,  or  a  hollow  in  a  log, 
stump,  or  tree  trunk  ;  2,  white,  buffy,  or  greenish  white,  more  or  less 
spotted  or  blotched  with  rich  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

Food.  —  Carrion. 

One  of  the  most  familiar  sights  in  southern  and  western  skies  is 
the  dark  form  of  the  turkey  buzzard  circling  and  soaring  on  out- 
spread wings,  its  black  body  figure,  as  seen  from  below,  set  in  a 
bordering  of  'gray  wing.  As  the  birds  float  in  the  sky  apparently 
wafted  by  every  passing  breeze  they  are  keeping  a  sharp  k)okout 
over  the  land  outspread  beneath  them,  and  so  (juickly  discover  any 
carrion  that  the  ranchmen,  who  are  nund)ered  amcmg  their  con- 
stituents, find  it  (piite  umiecessary  to  bury  their  ofTal,  depending 
entirely  upon  the  good  ofiices  of  this  self-constituted  garbage  com- 
mittee of  Nature's  Board  of  Health.  Along  the  Columbia  River  the 
buzzards  dispose  of  the  dead  lisli  on  the  shores. 

From  the  character  of  their  food  and  their  liabit  of  eating  on  the 
ground  instead  of  carrying  their  (piarry  to  a  tree,  the  bills  and  feet 


U6  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

of  the  vultures  are  modified  from  the  liawk  types.  The  bill  is  less 
sharply  pointed  and  powerful,  while  the  feet  instead  of  having 
curved  talons  have  an  elongated  middle  toe  well  adapted  to  walking 
on  the  ground,  or  steadying  the  large  body  as  the  bird  stands  on  the 
carrion  it  is  devouring. 

When  walking,  the  vultures  often  hold  their  wings  out  at  their 
sides,  harpy  fashion  ;  and  sometimes  as  they  rise  they  fly  so  low  over 
your  head  that  you  hear  a  loud  puff,  puff,  puff]  puff)  as  they  flap  past. 

While  usually  solitary  or  in  scattered  companies  they  gather 
quickly  at  a  carcass,  and  at  night  often  assemble  in  large  flocks  to 
roost  in  a  favorite  grove  of  cottonwoods.  Mr.  Evermann  reports  over 
a  hundred  roosting  in  a  eucalyptus  grove. 

GENUS   CATHAKISTA. 

326.  Catharista  urubu  (F/f ///.).     Black  Vulture. 

Head  naked,  but  feathers  of  neck  running  up  behiiid  to  a  point  on  the 
back  of  the  head  ;  nostrils  narrow  ;  wings  not  folding  to  the  end  of  the 
short,  even,  or  emarginate  tail.  Adults  :  head  bare,  blackish,  bill  blackish, 
with  yellowish  or  whitish  tip  ;  whole  body  dull  black  ;  wing  quills  with 
white  shafts,  and  webbing  on  under  side  hoary  whitish.  Length  :  2;j-27, 
extent  about  54.  wing  1().,50-17.50,  tail  7.50-8.50,  bill  .00-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  the 
Atlantic  to  western  Texas,  and  from  North  Carolina,  Indiana,  and  Kansas 
south  over  most  of  South  America.  Straggles  to  Ncav  England  and  South 
Dakota. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  under  bushes  or  logs,  or  on  rocks  ;  1  to  o, 
pale  grayish  green,  irregularly  marked  around  the  larger  end  with  brown 
and  sometimes  lavender. 

Food.  —  Carrion. 

Although  the  turkey  buzzard  and  black  vultures  resemble  each 
other  in  general,  you  can  recognize  the  black  vulture  in  the  sky  at 
a  glance  b}'  the  shortness  of  its  square  tail.  You  also  come  to  dis- 
tinguish its  flight,  for  while  a  turkey  buzzard  sails  around  smoothly 
on  a  level,  the  black  vulture's  short  wings  and  abbreviated  tail  often 
give  its  body  a  peculiar  tilt  and  a  bat-like  effect  of  climbing  up  the 
air.  In  flying  to  the  ground,  its  whitish  under  wing  tips  are  a 
striking  character. 

FAMILY   FALCONIDiE:    FALCONS,    HAWKS,   EAGLES, 

ETC 

KEY   TO   GENEKA. 

1.  Wing  17-21. 


2.  Claws  all  the  same  length,  rounded  on  under  side.  '^'  " 

Pandion,  p.  V 


FALCOXS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


147 


2'.  Claws  not  all  the  same  length,  grooved  on  under  side. 

3-  Tarsus  feathered  to  base  of  toes Aquila,  p.  163. 

3  .  Tarsus  not  feathered  to  base  of  toes  ....  Haliasetus.  p.  165. 
1'.  Wing-  less  than  17.  T'W^nrriri/v-  „_ ^ 

2.  Wing  with  only  one  or  two  quills  cut  out  on      'i^  ^  \\\tii ii£dr-7 


inner  webs. 


Fig.  214. 


rry-~.     3.  Nostril  circular,  witli  conspicuous  bony  tubercle. 

Falco,  p.  16-" 

Fig.  215.      3  .  Nostril  not  circular,  without  bony  tubercle. 


4.  Tail  deeply  forked. 

Elanoides,  p.  148. 


Fig.  216. 
4'.  Tail  not  deeply  forked. 
Fig.  217.  5.  Tarsus  minutely  scaled  in  front     .     .    Elanus.  p.  148. 

5.  Tarsus  coarsely  scaled  in  front 
Ictinia,  p.  149. 
2.  Wing  with  three  to  five  quills  cut  out  on  inner 
webs. 
3.  Face  with  owl-like  ruff  of  stiff  feathers.  Fig.  218. 

Circus,  p.  150. 
3'.  Face  without  owl-like  ruff'  of  stiff  feathers. 

4.  Legs  feathered  to  toes Archibuteo,  p.  162. 

4'.  Legs  not  feathered  to  toes. 


^^^    5.  Nostrils  oblique  and  linear,  slanting  forward  to  cut- 
ting edge  of  bill Polyborus,  p.  171. 


.  Nostrils  not  oblique  or  linear. 

6.  Tail   decidedly  more   than   two   thirds    as  long   as 
wing. 
7.  Lores  nearly  naked    .     .     .  Parabuteo.  p.  154. 
7.  Lores  densely  feathered  Accipiter.  p.  151. 

(>  .  Tail  not  more  tliaii  two  third.s  as  long  as  wing. 
7.  Primaries    exceeding    secondaries    by   less    than 
naked  front  of  tarsus     .    Urubitinga.  p.  1(  0 
7.  Primaries   exceeding   secondaries   by  much  more 
than  naked  front  <tf  tarsus. 
8.  Adults    with     under   parts    barred    gray    and 
white  ;  wing  less  than  four  times  iis  long  as 

tarsus Asturina.  p.  1(51. 

8'.  Adults  with  under  parts  iidt  barred  gray  and 
white  :  wing  more  than  four  times  .is  long  as 
tarsus Buteo.  i».  l.")5. 


148 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


GENUS   ELANOIDES. 
327.  Elanoides  forflcatus  (Litin.).     Swallow-tailed  Kite. 


Wings  long",  slender,  acute 


tail  forked,  and  nearly  as  long  as  wing  ; 
feet  short  but  stout;  tarsus  feathered 
about  half  way  down  in  front ;  bill  rather 
weak.  Adults :  pure  white  except  for 
back,  wings,  and  tail,  which  are  blackish, 
glossed  with  bronzy  pui'ple.  Young  :  head 
and  neck  streaked,  back  brownish,  with 
greenish  instead  of  purple  gloss  ;  wings 
and  tail  feathers  narrowly  tipped  with 
Avhite.  Length  :  19.50-25.50,  wing  15.40- 
17.70,  outer  tail  feathers  12.50-14.50,  bill 
.70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Assiniboia  south 
to  South  America,  and,  in  the  United 
States,  from  the  Carolinas  west  to  the 
Plains ;  casually  to  Colorado  and  south- 
ern New  England.  Breeds  irregularly 
throughout  its  United  States  range. 

Nest.  —  In  tops  of  tall  trees,  usually 
near  watercourses,  made  of  dry  twigs  and 
sometimes  of  gray  moss.  Eggs  :  1  to  4, 
white  or  buffy,  boldly  spotted  or  blotched, 
chiefly  around  larger  end,  with  browns. 

Food.  —  Mainly  reptiles  and  insects. 

The  swallow-tailed  kite  lives  maiiily  on  the  wing  and  by  virtne  of 
its  long  tail  has  a  remarkably  graceful  flight.  When  hunting  it 
flies  close  to  the  ground  like  a  marsh  hawk,  but  at  other  times  sails 
above  the  treetops,  sometimes  so  far  above  that  it  takes  a  good  eye 
to  see  it.  The  kite  picks  up  both  food  and  nesting  materials  while 
on  the  Aving,  carrying  its  food  in  its  talons  and  eating  as  it  goes. 
Its  call-notes  have  been  given  as  a  shrill,  keen  e-e-e  or  we-ice-ice,  uttered 
in  a  high  key  which  carries  a  long  distance. 


«5^ 

^- 

\ 

''       ^\ 

/ 

1 

\ 

1 

\ 

I'roni  Biulogical  Sur\uy,U 
Agrioultiire. 

Fig.  220. 


Dept.  of 


GENUS   ELANUS. 

328.  Elanus  leucurus  (y<e«Y/.).    White-t.\iled  Kite. 

Bill  rather  weak  and  compressed;  feet  very  small;  tarsus  feathered 
half  way  down  in  front,  and  below  covered  with  minute  roundish  scales; 
claws  not  grooved  beneath  ;  hind  toe  very  short,  claws  all  small  and  little 
curved ;  wings  nearly  or  about  twice  as  long  as  tail,  pointed,  first  and 
second  quills  emarginate,  the  feathers  broad,  obtuse  at  tips.  Adults  : 
under  parts  white,  uj^per  parts  plain  bluish  gray,  except  for  ivhite  top  of 
head  and  tail,  and  black  patches  around  eye  and  on  shoulders.  Young :  re- 
sembling adults,  but  tinged  with  rusty,  extensively  on  under  parts  ;  upper 
parts  indistinctly  streaked ;  wing  feathers  tipped  with  white ;  tail  with  an 
indistinct  subterminal  dusky  band.  Length  :  15.1.5-16.75,  wing  11.50- 
13.30,  tail  5.90-7.40,  bill  .a5-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America,  except  the  West  Indies  :  north  in  the 
United  States  to  about  the  latitude  of  San  Francisco  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
St.  Louis  in  the  interior,  and  South  Carolina  in  the  east. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


149 


Nest.  —  Generally  in  live  oaks,  made  of  twigs,  lined  with  stubble  and 
grasses.  J^ggs  :  3  to  5,  ground  color  white,  heavily  marked  over  entire 
surface  with  blotches  of  red  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Small  snakes,  lizards,  frogs,  and  insects  such  as  grasshoppers 
and  beetles. 

The  white-tailed  kites  frequent  lowland  valleys,  breeding  when 
possible  near  streams  or  marshes,  where  they  hide  their  nests  in  the 
tops  of  oaks  or  willows. 

Their  flight,  Mr.  Chester  Barlow  says,  is  graceful  and  often  quite 
raiMd,  though  it  lacks  the  dash  of  the  falcons.  When  hunting  early 
in  the  morning,  both  birds  often  go  together,  when  they  may  be 
seen  hovering  motionless  in  the  air  like  sparrow  hawks.  Their 
principal  call-note  Mr.  Barlow  gives  as  a  plaintive  musical  whistle. 

The  kites  are  resident  in  the  oak  groves  of  Santa  Clara  Valley,  and 
frequent  the  marshes  about  San  Francisco  Bay,  where  JMr.  W.  K. 
Fisher  has  found  them  catching  large  numbers  of  the  California 
meadow  mouse. 


GENUS   ICTIISriA. 

329.  Ictinia  mississippiensis  (ir//*.).     Mississippi  Kite. 

Bill  small  l^ut  robust,  cutting-  edge  of  upper  mandible  scalloped;  wings 
and  tail  moderate,  two  outer  primaries 
emarginate  on  inner  web,  and  next  two 
sinuate  ;  feet  short  and  stout  ;  tarsus  scan- 
tily feathered  about  half  way  down  in 
front,  then  crossed  by  large  scales  ;  outer 
and  middle  toes  connected  by  web  for  whole 
length  of  basal  joint  of  middle  toe  ;  claws 
stout,  much  curved.  Adults :  head  and 
band  across  wing  grayish  white ;  under 
parts  dark  gray  ;  uj)pir parts  bluish  slate,  irith 
black  tail  and  long  black  wing  quills  ;  quills 
with  dull  reddish  brown  webbing.  Young: 
head  streaked  black  and  wliite,  whiter 
on  throat ;  under  parts  whitish,  heavily 
streaked  with  dark  brown  and  huffy  ;  upj^er 
parts  blackish,  featliers  with  convex  edges 
brown,  gray,  or  white  ;  tail  and  wing  quills 
black  tijjped  with  whitr,  and  without  rufous 
webbing.  L^/i(/</i ;  lo.OU-lo.rjO,  wing  lO.UU- 
12.:;(),  tail  (►-T. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Lower   From  Biological  Survoy,  U.  s.  Dcpt. 
Sonoran   /one    of  tlie   southeastern   United  ol  Ajiiicultuic. 

Slates,  westward    to   western  Texas,  south  Hg. '_'J1. 

to   CJiiatciuala  ;  ciusually  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  to  Pennsylvania,  AViseon- 
sin.  and  Dakota. 

yisl.  —  Usually  an  old  one  of  its  own  or  some  other  bird,  in  a  liigh  tree- 
to]);  rciiiodcled  l)y  patching  up  the  sides  with  a  few  sticks  and  lining 
witli  Spanish  moss  or  green  leaves.  Kggs :  '1  or  o,  i)ale  bluish  green, 
unspotted. 

Fiuul. —  Li/ards,  small  snakes,  and  frogs,  together  with  insects,  such  as 
the  larger  bi-ctles,  grasshoppi-rs.  and  loi-nsts. 


150  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

This  sturdy  little  kite,  with  its  quick  flight  and  graceful  form  and 
motions,  has  much  the  appearance  of  a  falcon,  but  its  weak  bill  and 
talons  give  it  an  un-falcon-like  character  and  mode  of  life.  Its  prey, 
instead  of  being  birds  and  mammals,  is  mainly  of  such  low  order  as 
insects,  snakes,  and  frogs,  and  its  hunting  consequently  lacks  the 
excitement  of  the  chase.  It  is  seen  flying  low  over  the  prairies 
among  the  brush  patches,  or  going  from  tree  to  tree  along  the 
streams.  Verkon  Bailey. 

GENUS   CIRCUS. 

331.  Circus  hudsonius  (i/«».).    Marsh  Hawk. 

Bill  with  conspicuous  bristles  ;  face  encircled  by  an  owl-like  ruff  of  short 
feathers ;  tarsus  slender,  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  a  basal 
web  between  middle  and  outer  toes ;  claws  large  and  sharp,  much  curved ; 
four  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs,  second  to  fifth  on  outer  webs. 
Adult  male :  body  bluish  slate,  streaked  with  white  and  becoming'  pure 
white  on  rump  and  belly ;  under  parts  lightly  specked  with  reddish  brown ; 
tail  with  6  or  8  bands,  one  nearest  end  widest  and  blackest ;  tips  of  wing- 
black.  Adult  female  and  young :  brown  or  rusty,  more  or  less  streaked. 
Length:  19.50-24.00,  wing  12.90-1(3.00,  tail  8.80-10.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  facial  ruff  and  large  white  rump  patch  are  enough  to 
distinguish  the  marsh  hawk  in  any  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay  to  the  southern 
border  of  the  United  States  and  winters  from  about  latitude  40°  southward 
to  Panama  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  marsh  or  prairie  on  the  ground  among  rushes,  grass, 
or  bushes,  made  of  dry  grass  strengthened  with  sticks  and  lined  sparsely 
with  feathers.  Eggs  :  generally  4  to  6,  pale  greenish  or  bluish  white,  plain, 
or  blotched  and  spotted  with  pale  buff  and  brownish. 

Food.  —  Largely  meadow  mice,  young  squirrels,  rabbits,  and  ground 
squirrels ;  also  lizards,  frogs,  snakes,  birds,  and  insects. 

Marsh  hawk  and  mouse  hawk  are  both  appropriate  names  for  these 
soft-winged  still-hunters.  Fields,  marshes,  and  prairies  are  their 
hunting  grounds,  and  you  may  see  them  sailing  slowly  and  smoothly 
just  above  the  surface  of  the  grass  tops,  with  round  owl-like  face 
and  large  eyes  turned  to  the  ground  beneath,  and  wings  ready  for  a 
quick  dive.  Woe  to  the  mouse  or  gopher  that  moves  in  the  grass 
under  those  eyes  I  Birds  are  not  such  easy  prey,  and  few  are  cap- 
tured except  wounded  game  birds.  Broken-winged  quail,  grouse, 
or  ducks  are  not  left  to  sufi'er  long.  They  are  quickly  discovered 
and  eaten. 

The  intelligent  farmer  usually  recognizes  the  value  of  this  hawk 
and  the  fact  that  it  almost  never  touches  his  poultry.  He  sees  it 
skimming  over  his  meadows  and  diving  into  the  grass  for  mice,  and 
wisely  lets  it  live;  but  nevertheless  he  would  be  surprised  if  he 
could  figure  out  how  many  dollars  it  saves  him  during  the  year. 

Verkon  Bailey. 


MAlOll     HAWK 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  P:AGLES,  ETC. 


151 


GENUS   ACCIPITER. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  siuall,  wiug'.s  short,  tail  and  legs  long;  three 
to  live  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs ;  tail  square  or  rounded, 
about  equal  to  length  of  wing. 


KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1 .  Under  parts  gray,  finely  barred  with  zigzag  lines. 

2.   Upper  parts  ciear  bluish  gray  .      .  .      .     atricapillus,  p.  152. 

2.  Upper  parts  slaty  blue  inclining  to  sooty   .  .    striatulus.  p.  V>:\. 

r.  Under  parts  white,  coai-sely  barred  with  reddish  l)r()wn. 

2.  Tail  rounded      .     .     .    " cooperii.  p.   l.")2. 

2. Tail  even  or  eniarginate velox,  p.  l")!. 


Length  20  or  less 


Subgenus  Accipiter. 
tarsus  feathered  for  one  third 


less  of  its  length. 


332.  Accipiter  velox  (  HV/s.).     Shakp-shinned  Hawk. 

Adnh  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  heavily  barred  and  spotted  with  reddish 
brown;  upper  parts  nearly  uniform  bluish  gray;  tail  even  or  sliyhtli/  notched. 
witli  three  or  four  narrow  blackish  bands, 
and  narrow  white  tip.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  less  blue  above,  less  reddish  below. 
Youny :  upper  parts  dark  brown,  edged  with 
rusty  and  with  hints  of  white  spotting ;  under 
parts  white,  often  tinged  with  buffy.  streaked 
vertically  with  brown;  sides  and  flanks  barred 
withreddi.sh  brown.  Male:  length  10.00- 11. •")<». 
wing().l()-7.1(t,  tail  5.S0-(;.1().  Female:  length 
12..")O-14.0l),  wing-  T.80-8.S0,  tail  (i.()0-.s.2(). 

Remarks.  —  The  young  are  decidedly  larger 
than  the  adults,  and  the  breast  markings  are 
vertical  instead  of  honzontal. 

Distribution.  —  IJreeds  throughout  the  United 
States,  and  in  the  Briti.sh  provinces  as  far  north 
as  the  Arctic  circle  ;  winters  from  40^  nortli  : 
southward  to  (iuatemala. 

Ne.st.  —  A  remodeled  one  of  crow,  magpie, 
or  squirrel,  or  if  n»nv.  made  of  dry  sticks  sparsely 
lined  with  inner  l)ark  or  green  leaves  ;  placed 
usually  in  a  deusi-  <*onifer.  about  twenty  feet 
from  the  ground.  K'jys :  4  or  "»,  pale  bluish  or  greenish  wbite.  fading  to 
dull  grayish  white,  most  irregularly  and  heavily  blotched.  s])otted.  and 
marbled  with  brown;  in  some  specimens  ground  color  ahnost  bidden  by 
conHueiit  brown  markings. 

Food.  —  Cbit-Hy  birds  and  young  poultry,  with  a  few  mice,  reptiles, 
batraciiians.  and  in.sects. 

Among  the;  hawks  tlic  sli;ir|)  sliimicd  is  a  veritable  bu^-liwhackt'i*. 
His  light  body,  short  wing:s,  ami  long  tail  enable  him  to  donble  and 
turn  amon<^  the  brush  and  branches,  and  in  a  noiseless,  fox-like  way 
pounce  over  a  liedgciow  (ii-  brush  heap  into  ibe  midst  of  a  Mock  of 
sparrows,  swooj>  under  tbe  low  branches  aiul  pick  bis  bird  from  the 
ground,  or  dart  through  the  treelops  and  snatcb  (tne  in  mid  air  from 
the  inidsl  of  a  startled  tlock. 


I'roni  Hill 

Urpt.  lit  .Virri* 
FiL'.  •_'•_': 


152 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


His  small  size  is  so  much  more  than  compensated  by  his  audacity 
that  one  bird  often  becomes  the  terror  of  a  poultry  yard,  taking  the 
small  and  half-grown  chickens  regularly  and  sometimes  killing  and 
eating  a  full-grown  hen  of  many  times  its  own  weight. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

333.  Accipiter  COOperii  (Bonap.).     Cooper  Hawk. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  heavily  spotted  and  barred  with  red- 
dish brown;  top  of  head  black  contrasted  with 
bluish  gray  of  back  ;  tail  rounded,  with  8  or  4 
black  bands  and  narrow  white  tip.  Adult 
female :  upper  parts  duller  and  less  bluish 
than  in  male  ;  top  of  head  more  brown- 
ish black ;  hind  neck  and  sides  of  head 
washed  with  dull  rusty.  Young :  upper 
parts  dark  brown,  with  rusty  edgings  and 
suggestion  of  white  spotting ;  under  parts 
streaked  vertically.  Male  :  length  14-17, 
wing  S.85-9.40,  tail  7.80-8.30.  Female: 
length  18-20,  wing  10.10-11.00,  tail  9.00- 
10.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  throughout  the 
United  States  and  southern  British  Pro- 
vinces, wintering  regularly  from  about  lati- 
tude 40^  southward  to  southern  Mexico, 
though  occasionally  staying  in  southern 
Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  20  to  50  feet  from  the 
ground,  often  a  remodeled  one  of  other 
hawks,  crows,  or  squirrels,  bulky,  made  of 
large  sticks  and  lined  with  rough  outer 
bark.     Eggs  :  usually  4  or   5,  pale  bluish 

white  to  greenish   white,  unspotted  or  faintly  and  irregularly  scrawled 

with  brown  or  pale  buffy. 

Food.  —  Almost  entirely  wild  birds  and  poultry,  but  occasionally  small 

mammals,  reptiles,  batrachians,  and  insects. 

"Cooper's  hawk,  which  resembles  the  sharp-shinned  hawk  closely  in 
everything  except  size,  is  less  northern  in  its  distribution.  .  .  .  The 
food  of  this  hawk,  like  that  of  its  smaller  congener,  consists  almost 
entirely  of  wild  birds  and  poultry,  thoirgh  from  its  superior  size  and 
strength  it  is  able  to  cope  successfully  with  much  larger  birds,  and 
hence  is  much  more  to  be  dreaded.  .  .  .  The  flight  of  this  species 
is  very  rapid,  irregular,  and  usually  is  carried  at  no  great  height 
from  the  ground,  in  all  these  particulars  closely  resembling  that  of 
the  sharp-shinned  hawk."    (Fisher.) 

Subgenus  Astur. 
Length  over  20  ;  tarsus  feathered  for  about  one  half  its  length. 

334.  Accipiter  atricapillus  {Wils.).    American  Goshawk. 
Bare  portion  of  leg  in  front  shorter  than  middle  toe  ;  wing  more  than 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Ut'iU. 
of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  223. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


153 


From   Biological    Surviy,  U.  S. 
Agriculture. 

Fig.  224.     Goshawk. 


Dept.   of 


12  inelies.  Adults:  under  parts  with 
■vvliitish  ground  uniformly  covered  Avith 
Jinely  penciled  gray  zigzags,  touched  up 
with  dark  shaft  streaks ;  upper  parts 
dark  bluish  gray,  with  black  shaft  streaks, 
and  becoming  black  on  head  ;  tail  bluish 
gray,  more  or  less  tipped  with  white  and 
crossed  by  about  four  dusky  bands, 
sometimes  obsolete  on  the  upper  sur- 
face. Young :  upper  parts  dull  brown, 
head  and  neck  streaked  with  buffy  sal- 
mon, and  rest  of  upper  parts  spotted  and 
edged  Avith  pale  buffy  and  whitish  ; 
under  parts  bright  buffy,  broadly 
streaked  with  dark  broAvn.  Male  : 
length  22.00,  Avhig  1 2.00-1  :J.25,  tail  D.OO- 
10.50.  Female  :  length  24.50,  Aving-  lo.50- 
14.2."),  tail  11.50-12.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northern  and 
eastern  North  America,  chiefly  north  of 
the  L'nited  States  but  Avest  to  eastern 
parts  of  AVashington  and  Oregon,  and 
south  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  as  far  as 
central  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Placed  high  up  in  a  large 
tree,  generally  an  evergreen,  a  bulky  compact  mass  of  twigs,  lined  Avith 
soft  inner  bark.  Aveed  stalks,  or  leaves,  surrounded  by  loosely  arranged 
sticks.     Fggs  :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  Avhite,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Rabbits  and  other  rodents,  but  mainly  poultry,  ducks,  grouse. 
and  smaller  birds.  • 

As  the  gosliaAvk  ])reeds  in  the  mountains  or  in  the  far  north  it  is 
little  in  evidence  except  in  winter,  but  then  it  conies  down  into  the 
valleys  and  even  out  over  the  deep  snow  of  the  middle  prairies. 

Game  birds  and  poultry  suffer  more  from  it  than  from  any  hawk, 
and  its  rapid  flight,  size,  strength,  and  daring  combine  to  make  it 
the  most  destructive  of  the  American  birds  of  prey. 

334a.  A.  a.  striatulus  lii<lgu\     Western  Goshaavk. 

Like  A.  atricdpillus  l)ut  darker  ;  upper  parts  from  dark  bluish  gTay  to 
sooty  black  ;  under  parts  dark  gray,  more  heavily  mottled,  and  marked 
with  dark  shaft  streaks  ;  belly  and  thighs  barred.  Young  :  upper  parts 
brownish  black,  Avith  butt'y  and  rusty  streakings  and  edgings;  stripes  on 
lower  parts  broader  than  in  A.  atricapillus,  and  deep  black ;  tail  Avith  four 
blackish  bands. 

Distribution.  —  From  Sitka  south  to  California  and  Idaho,  and  east  to 
Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  tall  trees,  made  of  sticks  lined  with  juniper  or  other  bark, 
grjLss,  tree  mo.ss,  Aveed  stalks,  and  pine  needles.  Eggs:  .'>  to  5,  indistin- 
guishable from  those  of  ^1.  atricapillus. 

Food.  —  Especially  game  birds,  such  as  sooty,  ridled,  and  sharp-tailed 
grouse. 


Accordiiiu'  to  inv  observations,  the  iri-iieral  habits  of  the  westi-rn 


154  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

goshawk  are  very  similar  to  those  of  its  eastern  relative.  It  is 
equally  destructive  to  small  game  of  all  kinds  ...  as  well  as  to 
the  fowls  of  the  poultry  yard.  While  nowhere  abundant,  it  seems 
to  be  pretty  generally  distributed  throughout  the  Blue  Mountain 
region  of  Oregon  and  Washington,  and  breeds  in  suitable  localities 
where  food  is  plenty.  During  spring  and  summer  it  is  seldom  seen 
in  the  more  open  districts,  though  it  is  abundant  enough  later  on, 
w^hen  the  heavy  snows  drive  the  game  into  the  foothills  and  lower 
valleys.  .  .  .  Besides  a  shrill  scream  of  anger,  they  have  a  call -note 
resembling  the  word  '  keeah,  keeah,'  or  '  kree-ah,'  frequently  re- 
peated, this  note  being  often  uttered  in  the  early  spring."  (Bendire.) 

GENUS   PAKABUTEO. 

335.  Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi  {And.).    Harris  Hawk. 

Lores  nearly  naked  and  bristled  ;  middle  toe  much  shorter  than  naked 
front  of  tarsus ;  inner  webs  of  five  outer  quills  cut  out.  Adults :  upper 
parts  dark  brown,  reddish  brown  on  shoulders,  under  winy  coverts  and 
thighs;  tail  black  with  white  base,  white  coverts,  and  broad  white  band  at 
tip.  Young :  under  parts  broadly  streaked  with  dark  brown  on  buffy  and 
whitish  ground  ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  streaked  on  head  and  neck  with 
yellowish  brown  ;  back  marked  w  ith  rufous,  scapulars  deep  rufous  ;  rump 
white ;  tail  like  adult,  but  wutli  white  terminal  band  narrower,  and  inner 
webs  of  feathers  barred.  Male  :  length  17.50-2LOO,  wing  12.35-13.75, 
tail  9.80-10.20,  bill  .90-.95.  Female:  length  21-24,  wing  14.2-5-14.50,  tail 
10.80-11.00,  bill  1.08-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  From  Mississippi  to  southern  California,  and  south 
through  Lower  California  and  other  parts  of  Mexico  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  sticks,  lined  with  grass,  bark.  moss,  and  roots 
placed  in  cactus,  Spanish  bayonet,  mesquite,  or  other  trees.  Eggs  :  2  to  4, 
soiled  white,  occasionally  greenish,  unmarked,  or  spotted  lightly  with  pale 
brown  or  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  offal,  mammals,  small  reptiles,  and  occasionally  birds. 

In  southern  Texas  the  rich  rufous  marks  and  swift,  clear-cut  flight 
of  the  Harris  hawk  soon  become  pleasantly  familiar,  for  he  is  one  of 
the  hawks  that  are  both  common  and  tame  on  the  coast  prairies.  He 
is  so  tame  that  as  you  drive  by  a  telegraph  pole  on  which  he  is  perch- 
ing he  will  sometimes  stand  calmly  on  one  foot  looking  down  upon 
you  with  statue-like  indifference.  In  the  mesquite  thickets  you 
may  meet  one  at  close  quarters  as  he  dashes  under  the  thorny  bushes 
in  quest  of  wood  rats,  ground  squirrels,  and  the  small  game  that 
abounds  in  these  dwarf  forests  ;  and  sometimes,  as  happened  one 
day  when  we  drove  along  the  Nueces  River,  you  will  see  him  sit- 
ting on  a  low  branch  feasting  on  a  wood  rat  captured  at  the  door  of 
its  stick  house  close  by.  If  you  chance  near  the  hawks'  nest  a  long 
harsh  Buteo-like  scream  may  make  you  look  up  to  find  one  or  both 
anxious  birds  circling  overhead.  A  nest  that  was  pointed  out  to 
me  by  the  owners  in  Texas  was  in  the  top  of  a  moss-hung  hack- 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


155 


berry,  and  on  climbing  the  tree  I  found  a  heav}^  platform  of  sticks 
three  feet  wide  lined  with  Spanish  moss.  The  j'oung  blundered  out 
on  my  approach,  showing-  the  nest  to  be  fairly  covered  with  bones 
of  wood  rats.  There  were  a  dozen  skulls,  and  bones,  legs,  skin, 
and  fur  were  strewn  over  the  nest.  Vkrxon  Bailey. 

GENUS   BUTEO. 

General  Characters.  — ^Size  medium  and  large,  form  heavy  ;  wing.s  longer 
than  tail ;  emarginate  primaries  '•>  or  4  ;  sexes  alike  or  similar ;  female 
larger  thau  male  ;   melanism  frequent. 


KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES. 


1.  Three  outer  primaries  with  inner 
webs  distinctly  cut  out 


2.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries 

by  nearly  length  of  tail.  Fig.  '212."). 

sennetti,  p.  l.'iS. 
2'.  Primaries  exceeding-  secondaries  by  much  less  than  length  of  tail. 

;].  Wing  over  14 " swains oni.  p.  159. 

;r.  Wing  under  1 !.")() platypterus,  p.  100. 

1'.  Four  outer  primaries  with  inner  webs  cut  out. 

2.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  spotted  with  white,  buffy, 

or  brownish elegailS.  p.  l.")?. 

2'.  Outer   webs   of  primaries  without  white,  buffy.  or  Fig.  226. 

brownish  spots,  but  with  quadrate  bands. 


3.  Tail  black  or  blackish,  crossed  by  white  zones. 

abbreviatus.  p.  157. 


.  Tail  with  more  or  le.ss 

of  reddish  brown.  ^^^-  -27. 

4.  Upper  parts  strikingly  marked  and 
spotted  with  white. 

kriderii.  p.  loO. 
r.l'jjper  ])arts  not  strikingly  spotted 
witli  white. 
.">.  Tail  dark  rufous. 

borealis,  p.  bV), 

.■.  .Tail  pale  rufous,  calurus.p.  loO. 

37.     Buteo     borealis     {Cmel.). 

I{i:i)-taim;i)   Hawk. 
.  Idit/ts.  —  TpixT  j).n  ts  Itl.ifkish  brown, 
id  gr.iy  markings:   tail   retl- 


FroiH   BioluKical  Survey,  V 
Agriculture. 
FiR.  228. 


Uc|)t. 


with  wl 

disli  hroicn.  usually  with  black  subter- 
niiual  band  ;  under  parts  white  to  black- 
ish, with  or  without  rusty  on  breast. 
Yoiiini:  tail  gfray,  crossed  by  (>  to  10 
dark  bands ;  bellv  crossed  bv  blackish 
zone.      M,i/,':    lengrth     l'MM)-22.:)0.    wing 

i;;..*)ti  i(;..")(),  tail  s..")0-i().oo,  bill  .«.).-)- 


156  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

1.08.  Female  :  length  23-25,  wiug-  15.25-17.75,  tail  9.50-10..50,  bill  1.00- 
1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  ISorth  America,  west  to  the  Black  Hills  and 
Colorado,  and  south  to  northeastern  Mexico.  Breeds  nearly  throughout 
its  range. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  tall  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  white  or  bluish  white, 
more  or  less  spotted  or  blotched  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  mice,  ground  squirrels,  and  other  injurious  mammals. 

Tlie  eastern  red-tail  goes  as  far  west  as  Colorado. 

337a.  B.  b.  kriderii  Hooijes.    Kkider  Hawk. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  entirely  ivhite  or  imle  huffy ;  upper  parts  brown, 
largely  marked  with  white  ;  tail  pale  rufous,  lasually  without  subterminal 
band.  Young :  similar,  but  tail  tipi^ed  with  white  and  with  about  ten 
dark  brown  bands,  feathers  more  or  less  tinged  with  reddish  brown  and 
with  inner  webs  largely  white  between  bands.     Size  of  B.  horealis. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Plains,  from  Miimesota  to  Texas,  and  from  Wyo- 
ming east  casually  to  Illinois. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  red-tail. 

337b.  B.  b.  calurus  {Cass.).    Western  Red-tail. 

Adults.  —  Varying  greatly  in  plumage  —  Light  extreme  :  under  parts 
white  or  buffy,  with  broad  reddish  brown  streakings  on  throat,  belly,  and 
sides ;  tail  bright  reddish  brown,  with  one  or  more  subterminal  blackish 
bars ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  brown,  more  or  less  marked  with  yellowish 
brown  and  whitish.  Dark  extrerne :  uniform  dark  sooty  brown  except  for 
rufous  tail.  Intermediates  :  reddish  brown  vinderneath,  and  with  more  or  less 
reddish  brown  wash  on  upper  parts.  There  are  also  all  grades  of  plumage 
in  this  form  between  the  light  and  dark  extremes.  Young  :  tail  grayish 
l)rown  varying  to  dull  yellowish  brown,  crossed  by  9  to  10  blackish  bands  ; 
rest  of  plumage  dark  bi'own  heavily  spotted  beneath,  sometimes  wholly 
dusky.  Male  :  length  19.00-22..50,  extent  of  wings  49-53,  wing  13.50-16.50, 
tail  8.50-10.00,  bill  .95-1.08.  Female:  length  23-25,  extent  54.00-57.50, 
wing  15.2.5-17.75,  tail  9..50-10.50,  bill  1.00-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  from  the  Mississippi  valley, 
casually  east  to  Illinois,  west  to  the  Pacific,  and  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Sometimes  used  a  number  of  years,  made  of  sticks  and  lined 
with  roots  or  inner  bark,  placed  usually  30  to  50  feet  from  the  ground, 
generally  in  deciduous  trees,  but  also  in  evergreens  and  giant  cactus,  and 
occasionally  on  cliffs.  Fggs :  usually  2  or  3,  creamy  white  or  bluish 
white,  unspotted  or  irregularly  blotched  with  yellowish  and  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Rabbits,  ground  squirrels,  chipmunks,  mice,  snakes,  lizards, 
frogs,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects. 

"The  western  red-tail,  though  nowhere  very  abundant,  is  pretty 
generally  distributed  over  western  North  America  at  large,  and  is, 
next  to  Swainson's  hawk,  the  commonest  of  the  larger  raptores  found 
in  these  regions.  .  .  .  It  is  fond  of  the  tall  timber  bordering  the  banks 
of  streams,  and  is  as  often  found  far  in  the  mountain  passes  and 
deep  canyons  as  in  the  more  open  country  in  the  foothills  and  the 
adjacent  plains,  but  seems  to  shun  the  dense  and  extensive  forests, 
and  is  rarely  seen  except  on  the  borders  of  these.     In  some  of  the 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  157 

desert  regions  of  western  Texas,  southern  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona, 
it  is  not  infrequently  met  with  at  long  distances  from  water,  and 
has  even  been  found  breeding  in  such  localities.  .  .  .  It  is  one  of  the 
earliest  migrants  to  return  to  its  breeding  grounds,  arriving  about 
the  latter  part  of  February  or  the  first  week  in  March,  and  is  readily 
noticed  then,  both  on  account  of  its  size  and  its  shrill  squeals, 
uttered  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day  while  circling  high  in  the 
air,  in  proximity  to  its  future  summer  home.  They  appear  to  be 
very  much  attached  to  certain  localities  and  return  to  them  from 
year  to  year.  ...  In  Washington,  Idaho,  Oregon,  and  California  it 
lives  principally  on  the  different  species  of  ground  squirrels  so  com- 
mon and  destructive  in  these  states."    (Bendire.) 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  this  hawk,  in  common  with  other  species,  is 
popularly  known  as  henhawk  or  chickenhawk  and  is  relentlessly 
killed  wherever  chance  is  offered,  and  he  adds  that  he  attributes  the 
great  local  increase  in  ground  squirrels  in  part  at  least  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  hawks  and  owls. 

339b.  Buteo  lineatus  elegans  (Cass.).     Red-bellied  Hawk. 

Adultti.  —  Under  parts  l)rii;ht  reddish  brown,  usually  plain  across  breast, 
lig-htly  barred  witli  white  below  ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  streaked  with 
white  or  rusty  yellowish  brown ;  shoulders  reddish  brown  ;  wings  and  tail 
banded  with  white.  Young :  spots  of  buffy  or  yellowish  brown  on  outer 
webs  of  wing-  quills.  Male  :  wing-  12.00-12.50,  tail  8-0,  bill  .78.  Female  : 
win^  i:],  tail  0.50,  bill  .00. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and 
northern  Mexico ;  and  from  western  Texas  to  the  Pacific. 

Nest.  —  Of  twigs  or  sagebrusli  lined  with  leaves,  pine  needles,  inner 
bark,  and  feathers  ;  placed  in  trees  and  jfiant  cactus.  -£'^^s  ;  2  to  5,  white, 
marked  lightly  with  lavender  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Lizards,  frogs,  g-rubs,  and  insects;  and  sometimes  small  birds. 

The  red-bellied  hawk  usually  makes  its  home  in  trees  along  river 
banks,  especially  in  oak  and  willow  regions,  where  it  may  be  seen 
moving  with  a  heavy  flight  suggestive  of  the  owls. 

In  speaking  of  its  food  habits,  Mr.  Lyman  Belding  says  that  he 
once  shot  one  of  a  pair  that  had  for  three  years  nested  less  than  two 
hundred  yards  from  a  poultry  yard,  and  on  examination  of  its 
stomacli  found  oidy  small  lizards,  tree-frogs,  grubs,  and  in.sccts. 

When  disturl)ed  at  its  nest,  ]\Iajor  Bendire  says,  the  red-bellied 
gives  a  shrill  j/ec-dk,  }je.e-<d\  repeated  rapidly  in  a  high  key. 

340.  Buteo  abbreviatus  Cnb.    Zone  tailed  Haavk. 

Adults. —  Whdlf  hird  unifunii  black  or  blackish  brown,  feathers  pure 
wbiti!  at  bases;  ttiil  rrossid  bfi  thret'  broad  lighter  zones,  which  are  g:ray  on 
oiiter  and  wlntc  on  inner  \vel)s  of  featluTs.  Young:  t;iil  dark  grayish 
brown  instead  of  hlack,  inner  webs  sometimes  entirely  white  ;  cros.sed  by 
numerous  black  narrow  ol)n<pie  lines.  Male:  leng-tli  1S.50-10.()0,  extent 
40.50,  wing-  1 5.00- 1 5.(50,  tail  S.5l )-0. 1 5.  Female  :  length  20.85-2 1 .50,  extent 
53.10,  wing  10..5(»- 17.40,  tail  OOO    10.75,  hill  .00    1.00. 


158  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Distribution. —  From  Southern  California  to  Texas, 
and  south  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  On  rock  cliffs  or  in  cottonwoods  near 
streams,  made  of  twigs  lined  with  Spanish  moss, 
green  leaves,  or  inner  hark  of  the  Cottonwood.  Eggs  : 
L  to  o,  pale  bluish  wnite,  mostly  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  lizards,  frogs,  and  fishes. 

Major  Bendire  states  that  one  or  two  pairs  of 
the  zone-tailed  hawks  may  usually  be  found  liv- 
Fig.  22i».  Tail  of  Zone-  |jj„.  jj^  each  of  the  larger  Cottonwood  groves  of 
Arizona,  but  that  few  are  ever  found  far  from  the 
banks  of  streams.  In  southern  Texas  and  New  Mexico  the  hawks 
frequent  canyons,  where  they  circle  about  scouring  the  cliffs,  or, 
mounting  high  in  the  air,  dive  screaming  almost  to  the  water  in  the 
bottom.  Tlieir  cry,  which  is  loud  and  piercing,  is  said  to  resound 
commandingly  through  the  canyons. 

Fifty  miles  south  of  the  Arizona  line  Mr.  Price  encoimtered  a  lire 
in  the  marsh-lands  and  canebrakes  which  brought  hundreds  of  the 
zone-tails  to  feed  on  the  cotton  rats  and  other  rodents  driven  ovit  by 
the  heat.  Some  of  the  hawks  circled  high  in  the  air  over  the  flames, 
while  others  wheeled  and  plunged  into  the  dense  black  smoke  for 
their  prey. 

Subgenus  Tachytriorchis. 
Three  outer  primaries  cut  out. 

341.  Buteo  albicaudatus  sennetti  Allen.  Sennett  White- 
tailed  Hawk. 

Adult  male. —  Pure  ivhite  on  under  jmrts,  rump,  and  tail,  except  for  black 
subterminal  tail  band,  the  white  in  places  lightly  scored  with  narrow  dusky 
bars  ;  upper  parts  dull  bluish  g^ray.  wing  coverts  marked  with  rufous,  quills 
blackish  ;  three  outer  quills  cut  out  on  inner  web.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  rufous  patch  on  wing-  coverts  more  extended,  and  colors  g-enerally 
darker.  Young  :  brownish  black,  shoulders  marked  with  reddish  brown  ; 
under  parts  marked  with  whitish  huffy  and  yellowish  brown  ;  thighs  huffy 
brown  ;  tail  g'l'ay,  darkening-  towai-d  end,  and  becoming-  rusty  at  tip, 
scored  faintly  with  narrow  dusky  bars,  becoming-  obsolete  toward  base  of 
tail.  Male:  wing-  14.50-10.75,  tail  7.50-9.00.  Female:  wing  17.00-17.75, 
tail  8.25-10-30,  bill  .95-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Arizona  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  twigs  almost  without  lining' ;  placed  in  yucca 
tops,  chaparral,  or  small  trees  on  the  prairie.  Eggs  :  2  or  3,  dingy  white, 
lightly  marked  with  spots  of  pale  brown. 

In  driving  over  the  treeless  prairie  of  southern  Texas  day  after 
day,  one  of  your  keenest  pleasures  is  to  sight,  across  a  long  level 
foreground,  the  shining  white  breast  of  a  stately  white-tailed  hawk. 
He  stands  on  tne  ground,  perches  on  a  low  bush,  or  perhaps  on  a 
fence  post,  if  anything  so  high  offers.  Strikingly  handsome  in  re- 
pose, when  he  flies  up  ns  you  drive  near,  his  white  tail  with  its  black 
terminal  band  adds  unique  distinction  to  his  appearance. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


159 


I'rom  Biolojiical  Survt-y,  U.  S. 

Dept.  of  A-^riculture. 

Fig.  230. 


342.  Buteo  swainsoni  Bonap.    Swainson  Hawk. 

Adult  male  in  nomad  plumage:  throat  and  belly  white,  white  of  throat 
sharp!  1/  contrasted  irith  reddish  broivn  chest  hand ;  upper  parts  nearly  uni- 
form dark  g-rayish  brown  ;  tail  crossed  by 
aboijt  9  or  10  narrow  blackish  bands.  Adult 
female  in  7tormal  plumage :  like  male,  but 
chest  patch  grayish  brown  instead  of  rufous. 
Melanistir  phase,  both  sexes:  whole  plumage 
uniform  sooty  brown,  under  tail  coverts  some- 
times spotted  or  barred  with  rusty  or  whitish. 
Every  possible  gradation  is  shown  by  different 
individuals  between  this  black  phase  and  the 
light  colored  normal  plumage.  Young  :  upper 
})arts  blackish  brown  varied  with  bulfy  or  yel- 
lowish brown ;  head.  neck,  and  under  parts 
buffy  brown,  head  and  neck  streaked  with 
blackish  ;  under  parts  usually  more  or  less 
])lotclied  with  blackish.  Male:  length  10.50- 
20.00.  extent  48.00-50.r;0.  wing  14.40-16.00, 
tail  S-0.  bill  .S0-.90.  Female:  length  21-22, 
extent  ."iO.SO-SG.OO.  wing  14.75-17.2.j,tail  9-10, 
bill  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  arctic  regions 
south  to  Argentina ;  in  the  United  States 
from  the  Pacific  to  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and 
Arkansas;  casually  to  Massachusetts.  Migratory  north  of  South  Dakota 
and  Nebraska. 

Nest.  —  In  cotton  woods  and  other  trees,  and  also  in  bushes  and  on  rocks, 
made  of  sagebrush,  willow,  or  other  sticks,  lined  largely  with  green  leaves 
and  bark.  Egris :  1  to  4.  greenish  white,  fading  to  yellowish,  spotted  in- 
conspicuously with  difFerent  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Almost  entirely  .small  rodents,  principally  striped  g'ophers  and 
mice,  together  with  grasshoppers  and  crickets. 

•  On  the  arid  Avastes  and  tablelands  of  southern  Arizona,  as  well 
as  in  the  saire  and  bunch  grass  districts  of  Nevada,  Oregon,  Washing- 
ton, and  Idaho,  Swainson's  liawk  is  especially  abundant,  outnumber- 
ing, perhaps,  all  the  other  Raptorcs  of  these  regions  combined.  It  is 
cminentl}'  a  prairie  bird,  shunning  the  densely  timbered  mountain 
regions,  and  being  more  at  home  in  the  sparingly  wooded  localities 
usually  found  along  the  watercourses  of  the  lowlands. 

"Compared  with  the  majority  of  our  hawks  it  is  gentle  and  un- 
suspicious in  disposition,  living  in  ])erfect  harmony  with  its  smaller 
neighbors.  It  is  no  unusual  sight  to  find  other  birds,  .  .  .  nesting 
in  th(!  same  tree  ;  and  the  Arkansas  kingbiid  goes  even  farther  than 
this,  sometimes  constructing  its  home  .  .  .  under  the  nest  of  tlie.se 
hawks  or  in  the  sides  of  it.   .   .   , 

"The  food  of  Swainsons  hawk  consists  almost  entirely  of  the 
smaller  rodents,  principally  striped  gophers  and  miec'as  well  as  grass 
hopj^ers  and  the  large  black  cricket,  which  is  very  common  as  well  as 
destructive  in  certain  seasons,  and  the  banc  of  the  farmers  in  eastern 


160  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Oregon,  Washington,  Idaho,  Nevada,  and  other  localities  in  the  Great 
Basin,  destroying  and  eating  up  every  green  thing  as  they  move 
along.   .   .   . 

"I  cannot  recall  a  single  instance  where  one  of  these  birds  visited 
a  poultry  yard.  .  .  .  From  an  economic  point  of  view  I  consider  it 
by  far  the  most  useful  and  beneficial  of  all  our  hawks."    (Bendire.) 

During  the  migrations  flocks  of  one  or  two  hundred  Sw^ainson 
hawks  are  sometimes  seen  on  the  ground  catching  grasshoppers. 

Subgenus  Buteola. 

343.  Buteo  platypterus  (VieilL).     Broad-winged  Hawk. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dark  brown,  wing  quills  and  tail  blackish,  tail 
narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and  with  3  to  4  broad  grayish  bands ;  under 
parts  from  dark  brown  to  rusty  or  rufous.  Young :  tail  narrowly  tipped 
w  ith  white  and  crossed  by  5  to  7  blackish  bands ;  sides  of  head  and  under 
parts  dull  white  or  buffy,  marked  with  long  dark  streaks,  cordate  spots  on 
sides,  and  barring  on  thighs.  Male :  length  13.25-15.00,  wing  9.85-10.70, 
tail  6.50-7.00,  bill  .70.  Female  :  length  16-18,  wing  11.00-11.40,  tail  7-8, 
bill  .70-.80. 

Remarks.  —  In  normal  plumage  the  broad- winged  and  the  Swainson  sug- 
gest each  other,  but  differ  in  the  much  smaller  size  of  the  broad-wing,  as 
well  as  the  white  belly  and  thighs,  and  9  or  10  tail  bands  of  the  Swainson. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  from  New  Brunswick 
and  Saskatchewan  south  —  mainly  east  of  the  Mis.sissippi  —  to  Mexico  ; 
migi'ating  through  Central  America  and  the  West  Indies  to  northern  South 
America.     Recorded  from  101°  in  Texas. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  generally  not  more  than  25  feet  frona  the  ground ;  of 
sticks,  lined  largely  with  strips  of  bark  or  leaves.  Eggs :  usually  2  or  3, 
grayish  or  pale  greenish,  marked  irregularly  with  lavender,  pearl  gray, 
and  sometimes  brow  n. 

Food.  ^Ground  squirrels,  wood  mice,  field  mice,  shrews,  moths,  grass- 
hoppers, crickets,  and  beetles. 

The  eastern  broad-wing  has  been  found  along  wooded  rivers  in 
western  Texas. 

GENUS   URUBITINGA. 

345.  Urubitinga  anthracina  (Lichi.).    Mexican  Black  Hawk. 

Tail  about  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing,  emarginate  or  nearly  even  ;  4 
outer  pi'imaries  sinuate  on  inner  webs ;  primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by 
less  than  length  of  naked  front  of  tarsus ;  tarsus  much  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw,  onlj-^  feathered  for  a  short  distance. 

Adults.  —  Whole  bird  black  except  for  tail,  w^hieh  has  a  white  base,  tip, 
and  medium  cross  band.  Young  :  under  parts  buffy,  streaked  with  black- 
ish ;  thighs  heavily  barred  with  blackish ;  upper  parts  blackish,  streaked 
with  whitish,  buffy,  and  rufous ;  tail  banded  obliquely  with  black  and 
white.  Male :  length  21.50,  wing  13. 15-14.90,  tail  7.90-9.75,  bill  1.00-1.05. 
Female:  length  20.00-22.50,  wing  14.25-16.00,  tail  9.2.5-11.00,  bill  1.05- 
1.10. 

Distribution.  —  From  Arizona  and  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in 
Texas  sonth  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  of  sticks  and  herbage,  lined  with  dry  leaves,  and  placed 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  161 

in  a  large  tree  near  the  border  of  a  stream.    Eggs  :  usually  2,  white,  irregu- 
larly blotched  with  brown,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  reptiles,  Crustacea,  insects,  and  rarely  birds. 

In  Arizona  Dr.  Mearns  usually  found  the  anthracite  or  Mexican 
black  hawk  hidden  in  the  foliai^e  near  water.  Occasionally  he  saw 
one  eating  fish  on  the  sandy  margin  of  a  river.  They  are  very  shy, 
he  says,  and  their  flight  is  swift  and  powerful. 

GENUS    ASTURINA. 

346.  Asturina  plagiata  Schlegel.     Mexican  Goshawk. 

Proportions  of  2? u^(?t»  but  coloration  oi  Astur ;  wings  less  than  4  times 
as  long  as  tarsus ;  four  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs,  second  to 
fifth  cut  out  on  outer  webs ;  tail  even,  long  ;  about  three  fourths  wing ; 
legs  long,  as  in  Accipiter  ;  feet  stout. 

Adults.  — Under  parts,  except  for  white  under  tail  coverts,  everywhere 
barred  gray  and  ichite ;  upper  parts  plain  ash  gray  or  very  faintly  barred  ; 
top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  with  Jive  blackish  shaft  streaks  ;  wing  quills 
and  upper  tail  coverts  white,  tail  blackish,  tipped  with  white,  and  crossed 
by  2  or  o  white  bands.  Young :  under  parts  white,  broadly  streaked  ex- 
cept on  throat,  and  tinged  with  pinkish  buff  on  sides  and  under  wings ; 
upper  parts  sooty  brown,  head  and  neck  streaked,  and  wings  spotted  with 
buffy ;  upper  tail  coverts  white ;  tail  grayish  brown,  tipped  with  whitish, 
and  cro.ssed  by  (>  or  7  black  bands.  Length:  16-18,  wing  9.50-11.70,  tail 
6.70-8.20.  bill  .75-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  southwestern  border  of  United  States  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  Of  fresh  cottonwood  twigs  with  leaves  attached,  lined  with 
dry  leaves  and  strips  of  bark.  Eggs :  usually  2,  pale  bluish  white, 
unspotted. 

Food.  —  Ground  squirrels,  mice,  birds,  small  reptiles,  and  insects. 

The  Mexican  goshawk  fretiuents  open  groves  and  the  edges  of 
timber,  especially  near  watercourses. 

Near  Tucson,  Arizona,  jNIajor  Bendire  had  a  good  opportunity  to 
study  its  habits.  From  the  middle  of  April,  he  says,  "not  a  day 
passed  without  my  seeing  two  or  three  pairs  of  these  handsome  lit- 
tle goshawks  (which  were  readily  recognized  by  their  light  color) 
engaged  in  sailing  gracefully  over  the  treetops.  now  sportively  chas- 
ing each  other,  or  again  circling  around,  the  female  closely  followed 
by  the  male,  uttering  at  the  same  time  a  very  peculiar  j^iping  note, 
which  reminded  me  of  that  given  by  the  long-billed  curlew  in  the 
early  spring  (while  hovering  in  the  air  in  the  manner  of  a  sparrow 
hawk),  rather  than  the  shrill  cries  or  screams  usually  uttered  by  birds 
of  prey.  To  my  ear,  there  was  something  decidedly  llute-like  about 
these  notes.  .  .  .  AVhen  in  search  of  food,  their  flight  is  powerful, 
active,  and  easily  controlled.  I  have  seen  one  of  them  dart  to  the 
ground  with  arrow  like  swiftness  to  pick  up  some  bird,  lizard,  or 
rodent,  continuing  its  llight  without  any  stop  whtitever." 


162  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Beetles  aud  grasshoppers  are  caught  by  them  on  the  wing,  and 
twigs  for  their  nests  are  broken  off  as  they  fly  rapidly  by. 

GENUS  ARCHIBUTEO. 

General  Characters.  —  Like  Buteo.  but  tarsus  feathered  in  front  and  on 
sides  down  to  base  of  toes ;  wings  long-,  four  or  five  quills  emarginate  on 
inner  webs. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  small  and  weak,  gape  across  corners  of  bill  only  1.35-L4.'). 

sancti-johannis,  p.  162. 
r.  Bill  larger  and  stronger,  gape  across  corners  of  bill  L70-l.yO. 

ferrugineus,  p.  163. 

347a.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  {GmeL).  Kough- 
LEGGED  Hawk. 
Adults,  normal  phase.  —  Under  parts  varying-  from  whitish  to  yellowish 
brown,  more  or  less  spotted  with  blackish,  most  heavily  on  breast ;  upper 
parts  grayish  brown  or  dark  brown,  streaked 
'""■  with  white  and  reddish  brown;  tail  with  base 

and  upper  coverts  white  and  end  with  subter- 
minal  dusky  band  ;  wing  quills  with  outer  ivebs 
silvery  gray.  Young,  normal  plumage:  similar 
to  adults,  but  end  of  tail  plain  grayish  brown, 
the  basal  part  jjlain  whitish  ;  under  parts  whit- 
ish or  huffy,  crossed  on  belly  by  a  broad  belt 
of  uniform  dark  brown.  Melanistic  phase  in 
both  young-  and  old  —  connected  with  normal 
plumage  by  every  variety  of  intermediate  char- 
acter —  entirely  deep  black  except  for  white 
forehead,  white  on  inner  webs  of  quills  above 
emargination,  and  narrow  broken  bands  across 
base  of  tail.  Male:  length  19.50-22.00,  wing 
15.75-16.80,  tail  9-10.  Female  :  length  21.50- 
23.50,  wing  16.15-18.00,  tail  9-11. 

Remarks.  —  The    white    upper   tail    coverts 
^'''^-  -•^^-  and  large  size  are  good  field  characters. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  but  breeding- 
almost  wholly  north  of  the  LTnited  States. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  large  sticks  lined  with  grass,  leaves,  or  feathers,  in  trees 
or  on  cliffs.     Eggs :  2  to  5,  greenish  Avhite,  fading  to  ding-y  white,  irregu- 
larly marked  with  blotches  of  brown  and  sometimes  lavender. 
Food.  —  Principally  small  rodents,  such  as  mice  and  lemmings. 

The  rough-legged  hawk  is  known  mainly  as  a  winter  bird  in  the 
United  States,  comiug  down  with  the  fall  migrants  and  spreading 
over  the  country  where  he  can  find  food  to  suit  his  taste,  often 
remaining  all  winter  in  the  northern  states  where  the  deep  snow  and 
intense  cold  drive  less  hardy  species  away.  Where  trappers  are  at 
work  he  finds  plenty  of  food  in  the  freshly  skinned  or  frozen  bodies 
of  muskrats  and  other  fur  mammals  left  lying  by  the  streams  and 
lakes  ;   but  he   is  not  dependent   upon   such   supplies.     He   keeps 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


163 


mainly  within  the  country  inhabited  by  meadow  mice,  and  at  the 
season  when  they  are  at  their  worst  eating  the  roots  of  the  crops 
and  gnawing  the  bark  of  fruit-trees  under  the  snow  he  devotes 
himself  to  their  destruction. 

Dr.  Fisher  says  tliat  the  rough-leg  is  one  of  the  most  nocturnal  of 
our  hawks,  and  that  it  '•  may  be  seen  in  the  fading  twilight  watch- 
ing from  some  low  perch,  or  beating  with  measured,,  noiseless  flight, 
over  its  huntin<r  srround." 


Subgenus  Brewsteria. 


348.  Archibuteo  ferrugineus  (Licht.) 
leg:  Squirrel  Hawk. 

Adults,  norinal  phase  :  under  parts  white, 
with  brown;  upper  parts  and  trunks  reddish 
brown  ;  tail  white,  more  or  less  stained  with 
reddish  brown,  and  sometimes  marked  with 
asubterminal  band.  Adults,  melanistic phase  : 
tail  normal;  upper  parts  chocolate  brown, 
marked  with  rusty ;  under  parts  rusty  and 
chocolate.  Young :  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  feathers  edged  with  rusty  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  flanks  white,  more  or  less  spotted 
with  dusky ;  tail  whitish  for  basal  third,  the 
rest  brownish  g'ray,  usually  with  .several 
more  or  less  distinct  dark  bands.  Male : 
length  22.50.  wing  lo.DO- 17.00,  tail  9.50- 
10.50.  Female  :  leugtli  24.  wing  17.00-1S.80, 
tail  10.50-11.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  eastern  Dakotas 
and  Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan to  northern  Mexico  ;  casually  to 
Illinois. 

Nest.  —  Of  sticks  and  lierbage,  lined  with 
softer  materials.  Egys :  2  to  5,  creamy  or 
pale  greenish,  irregularly  blotched  with  dif- 
ferent shades  of  brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Almost  exclusively  small  nuim- 
mals  and  reptiles,  but  also  crickets. 


Ferruginous  Rough- 
sometimes   slightly  streaked 


.  U.S.  Dept. 


"The  .squirrel  hawk  is  preeminently  a  bird  of  the  prairie,  and, 
unlike  the  common  rough-leg,  shows  little  partialit}'  to  the  vicinity 
of  water,  though  in  other  respects  it  closely  resembles  the  latter 
bird  in  habits.  When  this  hawk  is  hunting  its  flight  appears  la- 
bored and  heavy,  but  when  circling  high  in  the  air  its  flight  is 
graceful,  and  resembh's  closely  that  of  the  golden  eagle.  In  fact,  in 
parts  of  llie  west  it  is  known  by  tlir  name  eagle."     (Fisher.) 


GENUS    AQUILA. 

349.  Aquila  chrysaetos  {Linn.).     Golden  Eagle. 

A  bird  t)f  great  size,  robiist  form,  and  powerful  physique.     Tarsus  doselv 


164  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

feathered  all  around  to  the  toes,  outer  and  middle  toes  webbed  at  base  ; 
bill  larg-e,  long ;  wings  long,  pointed ;  tail  mod- 
erate, rounded,  or  graduated  ;  feathers  of  occiput 
and  nape  lanceolate.  Sexes  alike.  Adults  :  whole 
bird  dark  brown,  lanceolate  feathers  of  hind 
neck  and  those  on  legs  lighter  brown ;  Aving 
quills  black  ;  tail  blackish,  more  or  less  clouded 
or  irregularly  banded  with  grayish.  Young:  like 
adult,  but  basal  part  of  tail  plain  white,  under 
parts  white  beneath  the  surface.  Male :  length 
o0-35,  extent  about  6^  to  7  feet,  wing  23.00-24.70, 
tail  14-15,  bill  1.50-1.62.  Fe7nale  :  length  3-5-40, 
extent  about  7  to  7^  feet,  wing  25-27,  tail  15t16, 
bill  1.08-1.85. 

Distribution.  —  Northern   portion   of    northern 
hemisphere,  chiefly  in  mountainous  regions ;  south 
in  North  America   to   central  Mexico.      Breeds 
From  Biological  Surrey,  U.  S.      throughout  its  range. 

Dept^ot  Agriculture.  JVTfs^.  _  A  platform  of  sticks  lined  with  straw. 

Fig.  233.  Golden  Eagle.  gx-ass,  moss,  leaves,  fur,  or  feathers,  placed  in 
high  trees  or  on  a  ledge  of  a  cliff.  Eggs :  usually  2,  white,  irregularly 
marked,  some  almost  immaculate,  others  thickly  blotched  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  mammals  and  birds,  including  squirrels,  prairie  dogs, 
spermophiles,  rabbits,  fawns,  lambs,  turkejs,  grouse,  and  waterfowl. 

Ill  liis  mountain  home  the  golden  eagle  scours  the  ridges  and  sides 
of  precipices  for  grouse  and  marmots,  and  when  these  become  scarce 
or  too  wary  from  long  acquaintance  with  his  raids,  he  descends  like 
a  meteor  on  half  folded  wings  to  the  valley,  where  he  beats  the 
sagebrush  for  Jack  rabbits,  sage  grouse,  or  any  game  worthy  of  his 
royal  quest. 

The  eagles  are  often  seen  hunting  in  pairs,  and  doubtless  find 
mutual  advantage  other  than  companionship  in  the  method.  In 
Salt  Lake  Valley,  at  the  foot  of  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  a  pair 
were  once  found  eating  a  full  grown  gray  fox  they  had  just  killed. 
which  it  is  doubtful  if  either  could  have  caught  or  overpowered 
alone.  Under  stress  of  hunger  or  when  game  is  scarce,  the  birds  are 
said  to  take  young  lambs  or  kids,  and  even  to  eat  animals  found 
dead  on  the  prairie,  in  this  way  getting  the  poison  put  out  for 
coyotes.  But  only  extreme  necessity  could  make  them  stoop  to 
such  ignominious  quarry,  as  nothing  short  of  the  extermination  of 
the  buffalo  and  other  legitimate  game  could  have  brought  the 
haughty  chiefs  adorned  with  their  regal  feathers  to  beg  alms. 

The  eagles  sweep  over  the  plains  and  valleys,  but  the  mountains 
are  their  natural  homes.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain  in  Arizona  I 
found  a  pair  coming  every  morning  to  drink  and  bathe  in  a  pool  of 
clear  snow  water  above  the  timber  at  11,000  feet. 

Vernon  Bailey. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


165 


GENUS    HALI^ETUS. 

352.  Haliseetus  leucocephalus  {Limi.}.    Bald  Eagle. 

Tarsus  feathered  only  half  way  clown,  niiddle  and  6»ter  toes  without 
web  ;  wing-  pointed,  secondaries  much  shorter 
than  primaries ;  tail  less  than  two  thirds  as 
long-  as  wung-,  rounded.  Adults.  —  Head, 
neck,  tail,  and  tail  coverts  snowy  white  ;  rest 
of  plumage  blackish  or  dark  brownish, 
feathers  edg-ed  w  ith  brown.  Young  :  first 
year  wholly  black  except  for  white  bases  of 
feathers  showing-  through ;  second  or  third 
year  under  parts  mixed  black  and  Avhite  : 
head  and  neck  black,  rest  of  upper  i)arts 
mixed  gray,  brown,  black,  and  white.  Male  : 
length  ;]()-;5.").  extent  about  7  feet,  wing- 
2().UU-25.<)0,  tail  11.00-15.25,  bill  1.85-2.2.J. 
Female :  length  o4-4:j,  extent  about  7-8  feet, 
wing  23.50-28.00,  tail  12.50-lO.UO,  bill  1.90- 
2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  in  the  United  States 
and  Mexico.  Breeds  in  suitable  localities 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  mass  of  sticks,  sea- 
weed, rushes,  turf,  vines,  or  plant  stalks, 
on  cliffs  or  in  tall  trees.  Eggs :  usually  2, 
white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  fish,  but  also  squirrels,  rabbits,  prairie  dogs,  lambs, 
carrion,  and  waterfowl. 

The  bald  eagle  was  unfortunately  selected  as  our  national  emblem 
instead  of  the  nobler  golden  eagle,  as  it  is  at  times  both  a  scavenger 
and  a  robber.  It  lives  largely  on  fish,  diving  for  them  and  taking 
them  itself,  stealing  them  from  a  fish  hawk,  or,  in  company  with 
ravens  and  vultures,  feeding  on  dead  fish  cast  up  by  the  waves  along 
river  banks. 

It  must  be  acknowledged,  however,  that  the  eagles  show  great 
skill  in  their  piratical  exploits  and  courage  in  defense  of  their  nests, 
and  that  they  have  a  noble,  commanding  bearing  which  is  not  alto- 
gether belied  by  their  daily  deeils. 

GENUS    FALCO. 

General  Characters.  —  Cutting-  edgo  of  upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like 
projection  separated  by  notch  from  hooked  tip  ;  nostril  small,  circular, 
with  a  consjiicuous  bony  tubercle  ;   wings  long-  and  pointed. 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept. 

of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  2a4. 


KKY    TO    ADILTS. 

1.  Out-  jdiniary  with  inner  web  cut  out. 

2.   Back  of  tarsus  almost  covered  by  feathers  from  sides. 

rusticolus.  p.  \iw. 
2'.  Back  of  tarsus  broadly  bare. 

;l.   (Jrayish  brown  above niexicailUS,  p.  I(il3. 


166  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

o'.  Slaty  bluish  above. 

4,  Top  of  head  daiktr  than  back anatum.  p.  167. 

4.  Top  of  head  and  back  uniform pealei,  p.  168. 

I'.Two  primaries  with  inner  webs  cut  out. 

2.  Tarsus  not  decidedh-  longer  than  middle  toe. 

;].  Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  not  more  than  four  narrow  blackish 
or  six  light  bands. 
4.   Inner  webs  of  quills  distincth'  barred  or  spotted. 

columbarius,  p.  168. 
4  .  Inner  webs  of  quills  not  distinctly  barred  or  spotted. 

suckleyi,  p.  1(59. 
3'.   Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  5  darker  and  0  lighter  bands. 

richardsonii,  p.  169. 
2,  Tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe. 
3.  Side  of  head  with  one  horizontal  stripe. 

fusco-ccBrulescens,  p.  170. 
3'.  Side  of  head  with  two  black  vertical  stripes. 

4.  Darker.     Eastern  United  States  ....     sparverius,  p.  170. 
4.  Paler.     Western  United  States    .     .     .     .  deserticola,  p.  171. 

Subgenus  Hierofalco. 

Tarsus  feathered  two  thirds  of  the  way  down  in  front  and  on  sides,  the 
edg'es  of  the  feathering  meeting-  on  the  posterior  side. 

354.  Falco  rusticolus  Linn.     Gray  Gyrfalcon. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  largely  streaked  with  white  ;  anterior  upper  parts 
barred  with  g-rayish  or  whitish  and  darker ;  tail  strongly  banded  ;  flanks 
and  tliighs  moi'e  or  less  marked  with  slaty.  Young  :  upper  parts  much 
spotted  with  white  or  huffy ;  under  parts  with  dark  stripes  usually  nar- 
rower than  white  interspaces.  Male:  length  20-21-,  wing-  14.10,  tail  8.51, 
bill  .90,  tarsus  2.40.  Female :  length  22.00-24.50,  wing  15.76,  tail  9,72, 
bill  1.01,  tarsus  2.46. 

Distribution.  —  Extreme  northern  portions  of  Europe  (except  Scandi- 
navia), Asia,  and  North  America,  including-  Iceland  and  southern  Green- 
land ;   south  in  winter  to  northern  border  of  United  States. 

The  gyrfalcons  are  .so  rare  in  the  United  States  that,  as  Dr.  Fisher 
says,  a  man  may  consider  himself  fortunate  if  he  sees  one  in  a  life- 
time. 

355.  Falco  mexicanus  Schlegel.     Prairie  Falcon. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  and  nuchal  collar  white,  sides  of  head  with 
dark  patches ;  median  under  parts  lightly  streaked  or  spotted,  and  flanks 
heavily  spotted  or  blotched  with  dusky ;  upper  parts  pale  clay  brown., 
usually  tinged  with  rusty  and  indistinctly  but  broadly  barred  with  pale 
clay  color  or  dull  huffy  anteriorly,  and  with  pale  bluish  g-ray  posteriorly. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  dull  clay  brown,  feathers  edg-ed  with  rusty 
brown  or  dull  whitish,  paler  toward  tail;  tail  tipped  with  whitish  and 
lighter  on  outer  edges  of  feathers.  Young :  upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
feathers  edged  with  light  rusty ;  under  parts  huffy  with  broader  dusky 
streaks  ;  dark  flank  patch  larger  and  more  uniform  than  in  the  adult,  an^ 
axillars  unbroken  duskv.  Male:  length  17-18,  wing-  11.60-12.50,  tail 
6.40-7.50,  bill  .70-.75.  ^Female:  length  18.50-20.00,  wing  13.25-14.30, 
tail  8-9,  bill  .85-.90. 

Distribution.  — United  States,  from  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains  to 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


167 


the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Dakotas  south  to  Mexico ;  casually  to  Illinois. 
Breeds  throughout  its  United  .States  rano-e. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  ledges  of  rocky  cliffs.  J^ggs  :  8  to  5,  usually  creamy 
white,  blotched  and  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  spots  sometimes  covering 
whole  surface. 

Food.  —  Birds,  mammals,  reptiles,  and  the  larg'er  insects. 

Over  the  western  plains  and  sagebrush  desert  country  one  often 
sees  a  small,  trimly-built,  sharp-winged  hawk  dashing  about  in  the 
air,  and  on  scanning  the  rugged  cliffs  discerns  a  white  streak  high 
on  the  rock  wall  and  with  a  field  glass  a  niche  above  in  which  per- 
haps the  edge  of  a  nest  or  the  heads  of  young  may  be  seen.  Some- 
times you  will  hear  the  high-pitched  call,  kee,  kee,  kee,  as  the  old 
])irds  circle  around  above  their  aerie.  As  they  hover  about  the  cliffs 
their  neat  forms  and  quick,  hard  wing  beats  are  so  characteristic 
that  they  could  be  mistaken  for  no  other  bird,  unless  perhaps  the 
duck  hawk.  Their  nests  are  usually  placed  in  the  most  inaccessible 
parts  of  high  cliffs,  and  the  birds  are  closely  associated  with  many  of 
the  grandest  western  landscapes. 

The  falcons  are  bold  freebooters  when  a  farmyard  happens  to  lie 
in  the  valley  below  and  their  hungry  young  are  calling,  but  ordi- 
narily ground  scjuirrels  and  other  small  rodents  supply  most  of  their 
food.  The  few  birds  they  get  are  mostly  caught  on  the  wing.  One 
that  shot  past  me  in  pursuit  of  a  flock  of  Gambel  quails  in  southern 
Utah  struck  a  quail  from  the  flock  with  such  force  as  to  knock  it 
to  the  ground  amid  a  cloud  of  feathers,  but  fortunately  for  the 
quail  it  landed  in  the  brush,  where  it  escaped.     Vernon  Bailey. 

Subgenus  Rhynchodon. 

Tarsus  only  slightly  feathered  in  front. 
broadly  bare  behind ;  not  longer  tlnin 
middle  toe  without  claw. 

356.  Falco  peregrinus  anatum 
{H'DKij).).  Dick  Hawk. 
Adults.  — Sides  of  head  and  neck  black. 
in  striking  contrast  to  white  or  huffy  of 
throat  and  breast  ;  rest  of  under  ])!irts 
deeper  colored  and  spotted  or  barred 
witli  blackish  :  tnj)  of  lucid  sooti/  hldck. 
rt-st  of'  itj)/)ir  parts  shit  if  blue,  lighter  on 
rtnn]).  iiulistinetlv  barred  with  <lusky  ; 
wing  (juills  blackish,  inner  webs  of  (|uills 
spotted  reg-ulailv  witli  buffv  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  tail  blackish.  cros.sed  by  S  to 
10  light  grayish  bars,  and  with  narrow 
white  tip.      Yoniui :  under  parts  yellowish 

brown  or  reddisb  brown,  beavilv  streake<l     ,         „    ,         ,  ,  ,    ^  ,.    .     r 

witli  dark  brown  ;    u]))»er  jKirts   hlackisli.  A«nculturi-. 

featbers  edged    with    rustv  ;    XaW   spotted  Kijf. '2;V>. 


168  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

with  reddish  brown  and  conspicuously  tipped  with  buify.  Male :  length 
15.50-18.00,  wing-  11.30-1:5.00,  tail  0.00-7.50,  bill  .75-.80.  Female :  length 
18-20,  wing  13.00-14.75,  tail  6.90-9.00,  bill  .85-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  America,  north  of  Chili ;  migratory  in  the  northern  part 
of  its  range  ;  breeding  locally  throughout  most  of  its  United  States  range. 

Eggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  bare  ground  or  rock,  on  a  ledge  or  crag,  or 
sometimes  in  hollows  in  trees  or  old  nests  of  other  hawks,  generally  4, 
creamy  or  yellowish  white,  overlaid  with  brown  or  brick  red. 

Food.  —  Almost  exclusively  water  birds. 

As  the  duck  hawk  lives  mainly  ou  waterfowl  and  shore  birds  it 
follows  them  from  the  north  on  their  migrations.  Its  flight  is  so 
rapid  that  it  easily  overtakes  the  swift-winged  ducks,  and  it  is  so 
bold  as  to  attack  and  kill  birds  twice  its  weight.  It  ranks  next  to 
the  goshawk  as  a  fierce  bird  of  prey. 

356a.  Falco  peregrinus  pealei  Ridgw.    Peale  Falcon. 

Adults.  —  Like  F.  j^-  anatum,  but  head  and  upper  p)orts  uniform  dark 
slate  blue ;  barred  on  back  of  wings  and  tail ;  chest  marked  with  tear- 
shaped  blackish  spots,  and  rest  of  under  parts  broadly  barred  with  black- 
ish. Young :  under  parts  sooty  black,  streaked  with  huffy  or  huffy  white  ; 
upper  parts  with  only  faint  traces  of  rusty  feather  margins.  Male  :  wing 
12.95,  tail  6.75,  bill  .84.     Female :  wing  14.66,  tail  7.84,  bill  .96. 

Bemarks.  —  The  adult  Peale  falcon  can  be  distinguished  from  the  duck 
hawk  by  the  uniform  coloration  of  head  and  back,  and  the  young  by  the 
black  under  parts. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  of  North  America  from  Oregon 
north  to  the  Aleutian  and  west  to  the  Commander  Islands,  breeding 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  On  ledges  of  high  cliffs. 

The  Peale  falcon  is  said  to  live  largely  on  anklets  and  murrelets  in 

Alaska. 

Subgenus  JEsalon. 

Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

357.  Falco  COlumbarius  Linn.     Pigeon  Hawk. 

Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  not  more  than  four  blackish  or  five 
lighter  bands.  Adult  7nale :  under  parts  heavily 
striped  on  whitish,  biiffy,  or  rusty  ground,  strip- 
ing lightest  or  wanting  on  throat ;  upper  parts 
bluish  gray,  with  black  shaft  streaks,  hind  neck 
mixed  with  Avhitish,  huffy,  or  yellowish  brown ; 
wing  quills  blackish,  inner  webs  distinctly  barred 
or  spotted.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  brownish, 
top  and  sides  of  head  streaked  with  blackish; 
under  parts  whitish  or  huffy,  without  rusty  tinge. 
Young :  like  female  but  darker,  or  tinged  with 
rusty  or  yellowish  brown  above,  and  whitish  or 
buff'v  below.  Male:  length  10-11,  wing  7.40-7.80, 
tail  4.65-5.20,  bill  .48-.50.  Female  :  length  12.50- 
13.25,  wing  8.35-8.60,  tail  5.30-5.50,  bill  .55-.60. 
Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  pigeon  hawk  might 
„   ,         ,   ^  ,,      be  mistaken    for  the    voung   sharp-shinned,    but 

iioin  Biological   !>»iirvey,  U.  ,.,      ,        -,.    ^.        ■-  i      i    i        A      ^    •^     j.\     j.      £ 

S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture.         can   reatulv  be  distmguished    by  the  tail,  that  oi 
Fig.  23G.  the  sharp-shin  being  grayish  brown,  with  half  inch 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EACxLES,  ETC.  169 

black  bands,  that  of  the  pigeon  hawk  being-  brown,  with  quarter  inch 
whitish  bands. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  fi'oni  the  Arctic  Ocean  soutli  in  winter  to 
the  West  Indies,  and  from  the  southern  states  to  northern  South  America ; 
breeding-  mainly  north  of  parallel  43°,  except  in  the  mountains,  where  it 
extends  farther  south. 

Nest.  —  On  ledg-es  of  cliffs  and  sometimes  in  trees  or  hollows  of  trees. 
The  cliff  nests  have  little  material,  the  tree  nests  are  bulky,  made  of 
sticks,  g-rass,  or  moss,  and  lined  with  feathers,  inner  bark,  and  other  soft 
material.  Egys  :  4  or  5,  ground  color  white,  usually  hidden  by  blotched 
reddish  brown  suffusion. 

Food.  —  Mainly  birds  and  insects ;   occasionally  small  mammals. 

"This  spirited  little  hawk  is  one  of  the  most  common  birds  of  prey 
within  its  northern  range.  It  feeds  chiefly  upon  small  birds,  but 
often  attacks  birds  much  larger  than  itself.  ...  It  seldom  watches 
from  a  perch,  or  hovers  in  the  air  as  it  sights  its  prey,  but  as  a  rule 
darts  rapidly  through  the  thickets  and  over  the  open  grounds,  giving 
chase  to  the  birds  startled  in  its  course.  ...  In  flight,  like  others 
of  the  falcon  family,  it  strikes  rapidly  with  its  wings,  never  sailing 
except  for  a  short  distance."     (Go.ss.) 

357a.  F.  c.  suckleyi  Bidgw.     Black  Merlin. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  blackish  brown,  wing-  coverts  and  tertials 
slaty,  tail  coverts  bluish  slate;  tail  black,  with  three  slaty  whitish  bars, 
and  tip  nuirked  with  whitish  ;  throat  white  streaked  with  black ;  rest  of 
under  parts  blackish  brown  with  whitish  and  tawny  markings.  Adult 
female  and  i/oung  :  under  parts  heavily  marked  with  dusky  ;  upper  parts 
blackish  brown,  wing  coverts  and  tertials  slaty  ;  tail  coverts  bluish  slate  ; 
inner  webs  of  quills  not  distinctly  spotted  or  barred  ;  tail  bands,  except 
for  whitish  tip,  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Male:  wing  8,  tail  4.1)0,  tarsus 
1.40,  bill  .70.     Female:  wing-  S.2.')-8.50,  tail  5.70-5.80,  bill  .55- 60. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  from  northern  California  to  Sitka. 

Singularly  enough  the  adult  male  black  merlin  had  never  been 
described  till  ]Mrs.  Fannie  Hardy  Eckstorm  published  a  description 
in  The  Auk,  October,  1002,  from  a  bird  given  ]Mr.  ]\[auly  Hardy  by 
;Majf)r  Bendire,  wiio  shot  it  at  Fort  Klamath,  Oregon. 

The  hawk  is  by  no  means  as  rare  as  this  oversight  would  indicate. 
Mr.  Rathbun  has  even  seen  one  in  Seattle,  near  the  business  part  of 
the  city,  and  noted  the  bird  a  number  of  timcsalong  Lake  Washington. 

358.  Falco  richardsonii  liidgw.    RirH.\KDsoN  Mkrlin, 

Coloration  nnich  likt;  that  of  the  pig"eon  hawk,  but  averaging- lighter ; 
miditlf  tail  feathers  crossed  bi/  5  dark  aud  (>  light  bauds. 

lHstrd)Ution.  —  Interior  and  western  plains  of  North  America,  fioiii  the 
Mis3issipi)i  to  the  Pacific  ;  breeding  fr(tni  Sask;itchf\\ an  south  to  Colorado; 
wintering-  in  'IV.v.-is.  Arizona,  and  ))i-(ibal>ly  Mexico. 

Nt'st,  eggs,  and  food  as  in  F.  columbarius.  p.  lOS, 

Male:  wing-  7.7(>-8.(»5,  tail  4.1»0-5.;;(),  bill  ..50-.(iO.  FemaU  :  length 
12.00-i:J.50,  wing-  8.80-l).10,  tail  5.70-('..:;(),  bill  .5.")-.(;(>, 

The  habits  of  the  liichanlson  nurliii  so  far  as  knuwn  aro  tin-  sanu' 
as  those  of  the  juijreon  hawk. 


170 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


Subgenus  Rhynchofalco, 

Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  little  longer  than  middle  toe  without 
claw. 

359.  Falco  fusco-coerulescens  Vieill.    Aplomado  Falcon. 

Adults.  —  Sides  of  head  black,  with  white  central  blotch ;  throat  and 
chest  white  ;  sides  and  flanks  slaty  blackish,  narrowly  barred  with  white  ; 
upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray  ;  wide  stripe  from  eye  becoming-  yellowish 
brow^n  in  encircling  back  of  head  ;  wing  more  than  9  inches,  with  one  white 
bar ;  tail  tipped  with  white  and  crossed  by  about  eight  narrow  white 
bands.  Young  :  similar  to  adult  but  colors  duller,  the  upper  parts  less 
bluish,  white  of  breast  buffv,  luore  or  less  marked  with  dusky,  belly  and 
thighs  paler.  Male  :  length  1.5,  wing  9.20-10.70,  tail  6.30-8.00.  bill  .60- 
.68.     Female  :  length  17-18,  wing  11.00-1L60,  tail  7.80-8.80,  bill  .71-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  south 
to  Patagonia. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  twigs  and  plant  stalks,  generally  lined  with  grass  ; 
placed  in  mesquite,  yucca,  or  cactus.  Eggs :  usually  o,  yellowish  white, 
almost  obscured  by  varying  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Probably  largely  small  mammals,  birds,  and  insects. 

The  Aplomado  falcon  is  a  bird  of  the  mesquite,  cactus,  and  yucca 
plains,  where  it  finds  a  goodly  supply  of  its  favorite  foods.  When 
hunting  it  often  hovers  in  the  air  like  a  sparrow  hawk,  but  unlike 
most  hawks  rests  mainly  on  the  ground.  For  a  falcon  it  is  said  to 
be  rather  a  quiet,  spiritless  bird. 

Subgenus  Tinnunculus. 
Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

360.  Falco  sparverius  Linn.     Sparrow  Hawk. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  bluish  or 

slaty,  with  or  without  rufous  crown 
patch  ;  cheeks  with  two  black  stripes  ; 
back  rufous,  with  or  without  black 
bars  or  spots  ;  wings  bluish  gi-ay  ;  tail 
rufous,  with  black  subterminal  band  ; 
under  parts  varying  from  white  to 
lufous,  with  or  without  black  spots. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  back, 
wings,  and  tail  barred  with  dusky. 
Young:  similar  to  adults,  but  colors 
more  blended  and  —  in  male  —  feath- 
ers of  upper  parts  edged  with  whitish. 
Male:  length  8.75-10.60,  wing  7.16, 
tail  4.73.  bill  .50.  Female:  length 
9.50-12.00,  wing  7.57,  tail  5.14,  bill 
..50-..55. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from 
Great  Slave  Lake  south,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  to  northern  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  in  dead 
trees.      Eggs:    2   to  5,   varying   from 


From  Biological  Siir\e.\,  U. 
Agriculture. 


L)fi)t.  ot 


Fig.  237 


AUDUBUX  CARACARA 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  P:TC.  171 

pure  wliite  witli  Uiw  ni;irkiii<i.s  to  deep  ciiiniDnon  Ijiiff,  more  oi'  It-ss  sprin- 
kled or  blotched  with  darker  Ijrowii. 

Food.  —  Mainly  f^rasshopjjers  and  crickets;  also  other  insects,  snails, 
small  injurious  niannnals,  and  sometimes  birds. 

The  habits  of  the  castci-ii  sparrow  hawk  arc  the  same  as  those  of 
the  western.     " 

360a.  F.    s.  deserticola  Mmms.     Dksekt  Spakhow  Hawk. 

Similar  to  F.  sparvf-rius  but  larg-er,  with  relatively  longer  tail  and  paler, 
more  rufous  coloration. 

iJistribiition.  —  Western  United  States  and  British  Columbia  ;  south  to 
Guatemala. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals  such  as  mice  and  g-ophers.  with  grasshoppers. 
and  other  insects. 

The  marsh  hawk  and  the  sparrow  hawk  are  the  two  most  familiar 
members  of  tiie  hawk  family.  Instead  of  six^nding  their  time  soaring 
high  in  the  sky  or  darting  back  ami  forth  through  the  treetops, 
Circus  beats  slowly  low^  over  our  meadows  for  mice,  while  the  .spar- 
row hawk  builds  his  nest  in  a  knot-hole  of  a  tree  by  the  roadside 
and  sits  on  a  fence  post  when  not  hovering  over  the  meadow  looking 
for  grasshoppers.  His  hand.some,  trim  little  person  is  familiar  to 
passers  by,  while  his  shrill  killy-killy-killy,  given  as  he  hovers,  is  one 
of  the  pleasant  well-known  sounds  of  the  open  country. 

In  the  moimtains  the  sparrow  hawks  often  alTect  the  high  places. 
On  Mount  Shasta  they  have  been  seen  at  about  13,000  feet.  On  Las- 
.sen  Peak,  Mr.  W.  K.  Fisher  saw  one  in  such  hot  pursuit  of  a  Clarke 
crow  that  it  took  refuge  in  a  clump  of  hemlocks.  In  the  Wind 
River  Mountains  they  have  been  seen  hovering  over  large  tracts  of 
slide  rock  as  if  in  search  of  conies  and  chipmunks. 

GENUS    POLYBORUS. 

362.  Polyborus  cheriway  (Jdrij.).    .\i  duhon  ("akacaka. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  only  slightly  hooked  ;  nostrils  linear,  olilitpip, 
slanting  down  toward  cutting  edge  of  bill  ;  uj)per  mandibh;  .scalloj)ed  on 
cutting  edge;  tarsus  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw, 
almost  wholly  naked. 

Adults.  —  Skin  of  face  neaily  bare:  horizontal  crest  and  Ixtdy  blackish 
brown  except  for  white  collar  and  white  on  wings  and  tail,  tin*  whire-  col- 
lar widening  to  a  cape  on  l)ack.  grading  from  pure  white  through  spotted 
and  barred  black  and  white  to  black  ;  wings  with  white  shaft  streaks  and 
grayish  white  patch  on  *|nills  ;  tail  white,  with  l)roa«l  lilack  terminal  band 
and  about  1;{  or  14  narrow  dusky  l»ai-s.  Ynutiif :  ])lack  of  adults  replaced  by 
brown,  mixed  black  and  white  cape  of  adult  <lingv  whitish.  strip«'d  with 
dark  brown.  Lemjif,:  'JtUO-lCKOO.  wing  14.00- l(J..'lo,  tail  S.S0-1(M  0.  bill 
1.'J0-1.4S. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  along  the  southern  border  of  the  I'nited  States 
(P'lorida,  Texas,  and  Arizona)  and  Lower  (^difornia  ;  extending  south  to 
South  America.  Ecuador,  and  (luiana. 


172  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  mass  of  twigs,  flags,  weeds,  coarse  grass,  leaves,  cot- 
ton, or  Spanish  moss ;  placed  according-  to  the  locality  in  low  bushes  or  in 
high  trees.  Eggs  :  2  or  o,  ground  color  brown  or  white,  generally  entirely 
hidden  by  spots  of  darker  brown. ' 

Food.  —  Carrion,  mice,  rabbits,  fish,  and  snakes. 

The  caracara  or  Mexican  buzzard  is  the  oddest  looking  bird  found 
in  that  most  interesting  belt  of  strange  Mexican  types,  the  southern 
border  line  of  the  United  States.  In  flight  it  has  a  wooden  look, 
given  probably  by  its  curious  color  pattern  and  long  neck.  Head 
and  neck  appear  like  one  stiff  round-headed  stick.  Its  wings  look 
stiff  and  angular  too,  and  as  it  flaps  along  their  white  tips  add  to 
the  singular  effect.  On  your  first  view  of  the  bird  you  exclaim  in- 
voluntarily, "What  a  queer  looking  creature  !" 

In  driving  from  Corpus  Christi  to  Brownsville,  while  we  found  the 
Swainsou,  Harris,  and  white-tailed  hawks  common  on  the  open 
prairie,  we  saw  caracaras  only  on  the  mesquite  or  shin  oak  prairie. 
In  the  mesquite  one  day  we  came  to  two  of  the  birds  standing  in  the 
road  beside  a  dead  snake.  As  they  stood  with  heads  raised,  they 
had  a  proud,  hawk-like  bearing. 

South  of  San  Ignatius,  in  driving  through  the  low  shin  oak,  we 
found  two  caracaras  perched  on  an  isolated  little  round-topped  oak. 
They  were  so  big  and  the  tree  was  so  small  that  they  more  than 
filled  it,  looking  like  huge  stuffed  birds  on  meagre  standards.  They 
were  so  evidently  at  home,  sitting  pluming  themselves  calmly 
while  we  stared,  that  we  looked  about  for  a  nest  and  soon  discov- 
ered it,  a  mass  of  sticks,  holding  a  fuzzy-headed  nestling,  on  the  top 
of  another  small  round  oak. 

On  the  coast  of  southern  Texas,  Colonel  Goss  found  the  caracara 
playing  the  part  the  eagles  do  with  fish  hawks.  When  the  brown 
pelicans  were  coming  to  shore  with  their  pouches  full  of  fish,  the 
caracaras  would  dart  down  screaming  and  strike  at  them  with  their 
talons  till  the  pelicans  disgorged  their  fish,  when  the  robbers  would 
calmly  take  possession  of  the  quarry. 

GENUS    PANDION. 
364.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (GmeL).    Fish  Hawk. 

Plumage  close,  firm,  imbricated,  oily ;  feet  large  and  strong,  roughly 
granular  ;  toes  all  free  to  the  base,  outer  toe  reversible  ;  claws  all  the 
same  length ;  wings  long,  pointed ;  tail  short.  Adult  male :  Head,  neck 
and  under  parts  white,  head  more  or  less  streaked  with  blackish,  broad 
dark  streak  on  side  of  head  ;  breast  sometimes  slightly  blotched  wdth 
brown  ;  tail  narrowly  tipped  with  white  and  crossed  by  6  or  7  narrow 
blackish  bands.  Adult  female:  similar,  but  chest  heavily  spotted  with 
brown.  Young  :  sexes  similar  to  adults,  but  upper  parts  blackish  brown, 
feathers  tipped  with  white  or  buffy.  Length  :  20.75-25.00,  extent  about 
65,  wing  17-21,  tail  7-10,  bill  1.20-1.45. 


BARN   OWLS 


173 


Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Alaska  south  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Mexico  ;  migrates  tc 
the  West  Indies  and  northern  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  trees,  on 
telegraph  poles,  clifEs,  or  deserted  build- 
ings, made  of  large  sticks,  brush,  and 
rubbish,  such  as  weeds  and  cornstalks, 
lined  with  softer  materials  like  seaweed, 
cedar  bark,  and  corn  leaves.  Eggs  :  usu- 
ally o,  varying  greatly  in  size,  color,  and 
markings.  Ground  color  generally  white, 
sometimes  so  evenly  overlaid  as  to  ap- 
pear buffy  or  vinaeeous.  and  usually  heav- 
ily blotched  with  brown  and  wine  red. 
'Foot/.  — Fish. 

AVitli  almost  gull-like  persistency 
the  fish  hawk  follows  the  rivers  and 
lakes,  circling  on  crooked  wings  above 
the  surface  of  the  water  or  perching 
near  the  shore  on  the  top  of  some  old 
dead  tree  overlooking  the  rippling 
surface.  When  a  fish  is  sighted  below  the  long  wings  are  folded 
and  with  a  meteor-like  plunge  the  bird  sinks  into  the  water,  imbed- 
ding the  long  hooked  talons  in  the  back  of  the  fish.  With  a  few 
powerful  strokes  of  the  wings  it  is  up  again,  carrying  the  fish  with 
talons  planted  one  ahead  of  the  other  in  its  back,  to  make  it  go  head 
first  instead  of  sidewise,  so  that  it  will  cut  the  air.  With  its  prey 
the  osprey  makes  for  its  nest,  or  if  it  has  no  nest  flies  to  a  branch 
where  it  can  devour  its  (piarry  at  leisure. 

Every  spring  the  fish  hawks  add  a  new  layer  to  the  old  nest,  and 
if  undisturbed  will  use  the  same  structure  as  long  as  the  sticks  hold 
together.  The  nests  are  generally  scattered  and  by  no  means  com- 
mon, but  in  places  where  suckers  and  other  fish  are  abundant  and 
easily  caught,  the  ospreys  sometimes  live  in  large  colonies,  coming 
back  year  after  year  to  the  same  nests.  Vehnon  Bailey. 


1  15i(.bi;:u>al  Survey,  V.  S.  Dept. 
of  Ajrriculture. 

Fig.  238.     Fish  Hawk. 


FAMILY   STRIGIDiE      BARN    OWLS. 

GENUS    STRIX. 
365.  Strix  pratincola  llonaj,.     Barn  Owl. 

Wings  long-,  ijointcd.  folding  Ix-yond  tail  ;  tail  short,  about  half  as  long 
MS  wing  ;  tarsus  nc.irlv   twice    as  lon^'   as    middle   toe 
without   daw.  closely  feathered  above,  sli-litly  feath- 
ered and  Idistly  below,  a.s  on  toes  ;  feafher.s  of  back  of    j~m  j^-    n    i 
tai-sii.s  j)(»intin<;-  upward  ;   inner   toe  a.s   lonj;-  as   middle    i/Trr       w   * 
toe  ;    inner  ede(.  of  middle  claw  pectinat«»d. 

Facial  disk  pure  white  to  tawny  ;  under  parts  pure  Fig-  239. 


174 


BARN   OWLS 


Biological  Survey,  U.  8.  Dept. 
of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  240.     Barn  Owl. 


white  to  yellowish  hrown.  dotted  with  triangular  brown  or  blackish  spots  ; 

upper  parts  yellowish  brown,  more  or 
less  overlaid  with  mottled  g"ray,  finely 
streaked  with  black  and  white  ;  wings 
and  tail  with  a  few  dusky  bands.  Length  : 
14.75-18.0L).  wing  12.50-14.00,  tail  5.50- 
7.50,  bill  .1)0-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and 
Lower  Sonoran  zones  of  the  United 
States,  from  about  latitude  41^  (Ne- 
braska), and  southward  through  Mexico. 
Migrates  more  or  less  in  the  northern 
part  of  its  rang-e. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees,  holes  in  cliffs, 
Ijarns,  old  houses,  and  bell  towers. 

Food.  —  In  California,  principally  g'o- 
phers  and  ground  squirrels,  together 
with  rabbits,  birds,  and  insects. 

The  barn  owl,  or  more  appropri- 
ately s^-olden  owl,  spends  its  days  in 
any  dark  crevice  that  it  finds  con- 
venient, from  the  hollow  branch  of  a 
tree  to  barn  lofts,  garrets,  wells, 
windmill  tanks,  and  mining  shafts.  When  driven  out  of  its  hiding 
place  in  the  daytime,  an  old  owl  will  draw  itself  up,  snap  its  bill, 
and  hiss  at  one  in  a  way  that  might  well  terrify  a  nervous  enemy. 
At  twilight  it  leaves  its  cover  and  with  noiseless  flight  hurries  to 
some  low  meadow  or  marsh  to  hunt. 

In  Califqi-nia  it  preys  mainly  on  gophers  and  ground  squirrels, 
both  of  which  rank  among  the  w^orst  pests  in  the  country.  The 
ejected  pellets  found  around  the  owls'  nests  often  contain  nothing 
but  gopher  hair  and  bones,  and  in  a  number  of  instances  Mr.  Clark 
P.  Streator  has  found  an  accumulation  of  two  or  three  cubic  feet  of 
pellets  in  the  trees  in  which  the  owls  lived.  Wherever  the  owls  are 
found  they  rank  among  the  most  beneficial  of  rapacious  birds,  for 
they  not  only  live  on  gophers  and  ground  squirrels  in  the  west,  but 
cotton  rats  in  the  south,  and  rats  and  mice  in  the  north. 

When  hunting,  the  owl's  'peevish  scream'  may  often  be  heard, 
and  sometimes  also  a  note  that  Major  Bendire  compares  to  the  call 
of  the  niglithawk.  But  the  hungry  young  make  the  most  noise. 
Wlien  camped  beside  an  oak  containing  a  family,  Dr.  Palmer  found 
them  a  great  nuisance  from  the  hissing  and  shrieking  which  they 
kept  up  all  night. 

In  California  in  winter  Mr.  Evermann  has  found  as  many  as  fifty 
barn  owls  together  in  the  oaks. 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  175 

FAMILY   BUBONIDiE:    HORNED    OWLS,    ETC. 

KKV    TO    (iKMERA. 

1.  Small,  wino-  ;;.4()-T..".0. 

2.  With  ear  tufts  (iueoiispiciiuiis  in  young)      .      .      Megascops,  p.  181. 
2'.  Witliout  ear  tufts. 

8.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long-  as  middle  toe.    SpeotytO,  p.  189. 
;]'.  Tarsus  less  than  twice  as  long-  as  middle  toe. 

4.  Tarsus  seantil\  haired Micropallas.  p.  191. 

4'.  Tarsus  densely  feathered. 


5.  Ear  openings  very  larg-e,  the  two  unlike. 

Nyctala.  p.  179. 

Fig.  -241. 

o'.  Ear  openings  small,  the  two  alike. 

Glaucidium.  p.  ll»(t. 
1.  Large,  ^ving•  11. 50-1 9.00. 


M 


With  ear  tufts. 


Ear  oi)enings  small Bubo,  p.  IS."). 

Fig.  24'J.  o'-  Ear  openings  large,  reaching-  almost  to  top  of  skull. 

Asio.  p.  l7o. 
2'.  Without  ear  tufts. 

;;.  Wing  9  inches Suriiia,  p.  188. 

:}'.  Wing  12  to  19. 

4.    Ear  openings  snudl.  the  two  ears  not   distinctly  dif- 
ferent . Nyctea,  p.  187. 

4'.  Ear  openings    very    large,    the    two    strikingly    dif- 
ferent. 
.").  Toes  feathered  to  claws.    .      Scotiaptex.  p.  179. 
.")'.  Tips  of  toes  exposed      .     .      .     Syrnium.  p.  177. 


GENUS    ASIO. 

(it'iicrdl  (Hidniili  IS.  —  Ear  openings  immense,  almost  equal  to  height  of 
skull ;  eai-  tufts  more  or  h'ss  (h'veloped  ;  wings  about  twice  as  long  as  tail : 
feet  closely  feathered  to  ends  of  toes. 


KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.   Ear  tufts  short    ' accipitiinus.  j).  177. 

r.  Kar  tufts  hmg -wilsoiiianus.  j).  17."». 

366.  Asio  wilsonianus  (Lrs^.).    Lon<;-k.m:i:i>  0\\\.. 

V..iv  tufts  dark  hn.wn.  conspicuous;  face  maiidy  yellowish  hrowu  :  undt-r 
parts  whitish  and  yellowish,  with  dark  l)rown  shaft  streaks  and  hori- 
zontal   bars   on    Ixdly  :  Hanks    yellowish    brown,    unspotted;    upper    parts 


176 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


wing's   and    tail   barred.     Length  : 
11.50-12.00,   tail   6.00-6.20,    bill 


From  Bi<iiui;u'al  Mir\ry.  L".  S. 

Dept.  ot  Agriculture. 
Fig.  243.     Long-eared  Owl. 


mottled  gray,  tawny,  and  blackish 
13-16,  wii 
.65. 

Distribution.  — Temperate  North  America, 
straggling  south  to  Mexico  in  winter.  Breeds 
throughout  its  rang-e. 

Nest.  —  Usually  an  old  crow's  nest  built  up 
on  the  sides  and  lined  with  grass,  dead  leaves, 
and  feathers ;  generally  10  to  oO  feet  from  the 
ground,  in  bushes  or  trees  in  swamps  or  on  bor- 
ders of  streams.     Eggs  :  o  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Injurious  rodents,  which  it  destroys 
in  vast  numbers. 

The  long-eared  owl  spends  its  days  mostly 
in  the  thickest  cover  it  can  find,  but  when 
tliis  is  not  dense  enough  to  prevent  discov- 
ery it  protects  itself  by  many  curious  de- 
vices. It  affords  one  of  the  interesting 
cases  where  '  unconscious  protective  color- 
ation is  combined  with  conscious  protec- 
tive attitudes.'  When  frightened,  Dr.  Fisher  says,  it  rises  up, 
'draws  the  feathers  close  to  the  body  and  erects  the  ear  tufts, 
resembling  in  appearance  a  piece  of  weatherbeaten  bark  more  than 
a  bird.' 

Major  Bendire  surprised  one  w^hile  she  w^as  killing  a  ground 
squirrel.  To  his  astonishment,  as  he  says  :  "All  at  once  she  seemed 
to  expand  to  several  times  her  normal  size,  every  feather  raised  and 
standing  at  a  right  angle  from  the  body  ;  the  wings  were  fully 
spread,  thrown  up  and  obliquely  backward,  their  outer  edges  touch- 
ing each  other  over  and  behind  the  head,  which  likewise  looked 
abnormally  large."  This  remarkable  performance  was  accompanied 
by  a  loud  hissing. 

The  owls,  though  sometimes  seen  abroad  on  cloudy  days,  usually 
hunt  at  night.  When  in  Sierra  Valley,  California,  Mr.  Walter  K. 
Fisher  encountered  them  as  rival  mammalogists.  He  w^rites  :  "I 
was  out  one  bright  moonlight  night  in  the  sage  brush  looking  for 
Perodiims  and  observed  about  six  of  these  owls  flying  swiftly  and 
noiselessly  over  the  plain,  evidently  hunting  mice.  They  were  very 
tame,  and  flew  close  about  me,  taking  no  notice  of  my  presence. 
They  made  no  sound  whatever."  ♦ 

They  are  generally  rather  quiet  birds,  INIajor  Bendire  says,  with 
low  toned  pleasing  notes,  one  of  which  he  describes  as  a  low  twit- 
tered whistle.  In  the  breeding  season,  however,  they  hoot  some- 
what like  screech  owis. 

In  summing  up  its  food  habits.  Dr.  Fisher  declares  it  one  of  the 
most  beneficial  species,  as  it  destroys  'vast  numbers  of  injurious 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  177 

rodents  aud  seldom  touches  insectivorous  birds.'  As  it  is  easily 
destroyed,  he  says  it  is  the  owl  that  suffers  most  when  short-sighted 
legislators  enact  laws  for  the  destruction  of  birds  of  pre}\ 

867.  Asio  accipitrinus  {Pall).    Short-eared  Owl. 

Adults.  —  Ear  tufts  inconspicuous  ;  eyes  with  black  ring-  and  white  eye- 
brows ;  body  varying-  from  yellowish  brown 
to  buffy  white,  conspicuously  streaked  with 
dark  brown ;  wings  and  tail  irreg-ularly 
banded  with  dark  brown  and  buffy  or  yel- 
lowish brown.  Young :  face  brownish 
black,  under  parts  plain  dull  buffy,  tinged 
with  g-ray  in  front ;  upper  parts  dark 
brown,  the  feathers  tipped  with  yellowish 
brown.  Length:  lo.S0-l().T5,  wing-  11.80- 
18.00,  tail  .'xSO-O.lO,  bill  .60-.(j5. 

Distribution.  —  Entire  western  henu- 
sphere  except  Galapag-os  Islands  and  part 
of  the  West  Indies  ;  also  nearly  throughout 
the  eastern  heniispliere.  excepting-  Austra- 
lia. Breeds  in  the  United  States  irreg-u- 
larly and  locally  from  about  latitude  89°    „       ,,   ,    ■    ,  o  y  c  i»    . 

•',,•'  From  Biological  Survej,  L.  S.  Uept. 

northward.  of  Agriculture. 

Nest.  —  Of  coarse  grass  and  sticks,  loosely  Fig.  244. 

put  together,  and  sparsely  lined  with  fine 
material  and  feathers  of  the  bird.     Eggs  :  4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Larg-ely  mice ;  also  gophers,  shrews,  rabbits,  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  and  beetles. 

The  habits  of  the  short-cared  owl  are  (luite  unique.  While  most 
owls  live  in  trees  and  woods  this  bird  rarely  lights  in  a  tree,  making 
its  home  in  the  open  country,  coast  marshes,  and  islands  covered 
with  bushes  and  high  grass.  It  hides  in  the  grass  on  bright  days, 
but  in  cloudy  weather  often  hunts  in  the  morning  and  evening  or 
even  the  middle  of  the  day,  tlying  low  over  the  ground  in  its  search 
for  gophers,  mice,  and  grasshoppers,  when  its  long  wings  make  it 
seem  very  large.  On  the  salt  marshes  of  Gray's  Harbor,  where  Mr. 
Lawrence  found  the  owls  flying  about  conmionly  in  misty  weather, 
he  says  they  looked  '  as  big  as  eagles. '  There,  he  says,  they  sat 
on  the  edges  of  the  sloughs  watching  for  rats.  When  flying  high, 
sporting,  or  chasing  some  large  bird,  he  heard  them  give  a  shrill 
barking  call  like  the  /.-/-///  of  a  small  dog. 

GENUS    SYRNILTM. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  12-1."),  rounded;  no  ear  tufts  ;  ear  opening 
large  and  with  a  distinct  anterior  Hap,  the  two  ears  conspicuously  differ- 
ent; tip  of  toe  exposed. 

KKV    TO    Sl'KClES. 

1.   Head  and  neck  barred. 

2.   rpper  parts  dark  brown nebulosum.  ji.  178. 

2'.  Upper  jiarts  pal."  y.'llowisli   brown      ....      helveolum,  p.  178. 


178 


HORNED   OWLS,  P:TC. 


r.  Head  and  neck  spotted. 

2.  Wing'  broadly  tipped  with  whitish     . 
2'.  Wing-  with  white  tips  almost  obsolete 


occidentale,  p.  178. 
.  caurinum,  p.  179. 


368.  Syrnium  nebulosum  (Forst.).     Barked  Owl. 
Adults.  —  Head,  i^eck,  and  breast  icidely  barred  wdth  dark  brown   and 

white  or  bnffy.  belly  streaked  with  dark  brown  on 
whitish  or  buffy  ground ;  upper  parts  mixed  dark 
brown,  irregularly  barred  and  spotted  with  buffy, 
whitish,  and  yellowish  brown ;  Avings  and  tail 
banded.  Young :  entire  plumage  barred  except 
tail  and  wing-  quills,  which  are  as  in  adult ;  back 
and  wing-  coverts  broadly  barred,  the  end  of  each 
feather  white,  giving-  a  spotted  effect.  Length : 
1'.). 75-24.00,  wing-  about  lo-14,  tail  about  9. 

iJistribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper 
ISonoran  zones  from  Nova  Scotia  south  to  Georgia 
and  northern  Texas,  and  west  to  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  hollows  of  trees,  or  that  of  hawk  or 
crow.     Eggs  :  2  to  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  mice  and  other  small  mam- 
mals ;  also  crawfish  and  insects. 

"In  the  central  and  southern  parts  of  its 

From  Biological  Survey,  L .  ...  -  .  , 

s.  Dept.  of  Agriculture.  range  it  IS  quite  common,  frequentmg  mostly 
Fig.  245.  ^]jg  heavy  timbered  and,  preferably,  swampy 

tracts  near  watercourses,  and  spending-  the  days  generally  in  natural 
hollows  of  trees  or  in  dense  shrubbery.  Like  most  of  the  birds  of 
this  family,  it  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  but  nevertheless  sees  well 
enough,  and  even  occasionally  hunts  in  the  daytime,  especially 
during  cloudy  weather.   .  .  . 

"The  flight  of  the  barred  owl  ...  is  easy,  and  though  quite 
swift  at  times,  it  is  perfectly  noiseless.  A  rapidly  passing  shadow 
distinctly  cast  on  the  snow-covered  ground  is  often  the  sole  cause 
of  its  presence  being  betrayed  as  it  glides  silently  by  the  hunter's 
camp-fire  in  the  still  hours  of  a  moonlight  night.  Far  ofteuer, 
however,  it  announces  itself  by  the  unearthly  weird  call-notes 
peculiar  to  this  species,  which  surpass  in  startling  effect  those  of 
all  other  owls  with  whi('li  I  am  familiar."     (Bendire.) 

368b.  S.  n.  helveolum  Bangs.     Texas  Barred  Owl. 

Pallid,  back,  wings,  and  tail  pale  yellowish  brown  or  cinnamon,  light 
bars  and  spots  on  wings  large  and  white  ;  light  bars  on  tail  wider  and 
paler  than  in  8.  nebulosum  ;  under  parts  paler,  dark  striping-  and  barring 
browner,  ground  color  whiter  ;  feathers  of  tarsus  buffy,  without  dusky 
markings.  Type:  female:  wing  13,  tail  8.o2.  Topotype :  male  adult: 
wing  l;;.64,  tail  8.40. 

Distribution.  — Southern  Texas  (and  northern  Tamaulipas,  Mexico  ?). 

369.  Syrnium  occidentale  Xa7itus.    Spotted  Owl. 

Upper  parts  brown,  head  and  neck  coarsely  spotted  (instead  of  barred) 
with  round  white  spots;  wing  quills  spotted  with  pale  brown  and  whitish, 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  179 

and  broadly  tipped  with  whitish  ;  tail  banded ;  under  parts  whitish,  barred  and 
spotted  with  brown.     J.ength  :  ll»,  wing-  12.00-18.50,  tail  .S.50-<).00,  bill  .90. 
Distribution. — From  southern  Colorado  and  New  Mexico  to  California 
and  south  to  Lower  California  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

The  spotted  owl  is  the  westerD  representative  of  the  barred  owl, 
and  is  so  closely  (confined  to  the  thinly  settled  mountain  regions  of 
the  west  that  little  is  known  of  its  habits.  ^Ir.  Lyman  Belding 
compares  its  call  to  the  barking  of  a  dog. 

369a.  S.  O.  caurinum   Merrium.     Northern  Spotted  Owl. 

►Similar  to  the  spotted  owl,  but  darker,  with  white  spots  and  markings 
restricted,  especially  on  head  and  back  ;  wing-  quills  darker,  the  broad 
white  tip  almost  obsolete.      Wing:  12.10;  tail  (middle  feathers)  8.06. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  Washington  and  British  Columbia. 

GENUS    SCOTIAPTEX. 

370.  Scotiaptex  cinerea  (Gmel.).    Great  Gray  Owl. 

Ear  tufts  wanting-  ;  ear  openings  large,  with  conspicuous  anterior  Hap, 
the  two  ears  strikingly  different ;  bill  nearly  hidden  by  feathers  ;  toes  en- 
tirely covered  with  feathers  ;  eyes  yellow,  eye  ring-  black  ;  bill  small,  nearly 
hidden  by  feathers  ;  face  with  concentric  rings  of  gray  and  dark  brown ; 
upper  parts  sooty,  mottled  with  gray  and  blackish  ;  wing  quills  and  tail 
banded  ;  under  parts  mixed  sooty  and  whitish,  with  irregular  sooty  streak- 
ing ;  flanks  and  legs  barred.  Length:  25-30,  extent  54-()0,  wing  about 
10-18,  tail  11.00-12..50. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  the  northern 
border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreens,  made  of  sticks,  feathers,  and  sometimes  mosses. 
Ji^ggs :  2  to  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  rabbits,  mice,  and  other  small  mamnuils,  together  with 
birds. 

"  Its  great  predilection  for  thick  woods,  in  which  it  dwells  doubt- 
less to  the  very  limit  of  trees,  prevents  it  from  being  an  inhabitant 
of  the  barren  grounds  or  other  open  country  in  the  north.  It  is 
crepuscular  or  slightly  nocturnal  in  the  southern  parts  of  its  range, 
but  in  the  high  north  it  pursues  its  prey  in  the  daytime.  In  the 
latter  region,  where  tlie  sun  never  passes  below  the  horizon  in  sum- 
mer, it  is  undoubtedly  necessity  and  not  choice  that  prompts  it  to  be 
abroad  in  the  daylight.  .  .  .  The  note  of  this  owl  is  said  to  be  a 
tremulous,  vibrating  sound,  SDincwhal  resembling  thai  of  the  screech 
owl."     (Fisher.) 

GENUS    NYCTALA. 

CerierdI  Cluirarters.  —  Wing  5  25-7.10:  car  tuft.s  wanting  ;  ear  openings 
nearly  ('(lu.il  to  heiglit  of  sknil,  with  anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  conspic- 
jiously  difrcrcnt  ;    feet  tliickly  fcatliert'd  to  daws. 

KKV    TO    SrEClKS. 

1.  Wing  r>.5()  or  more richardsoni.  p.  iso 

r.  Wing  less  than  (5, 


180  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

2.  Lighter acadica,  p.  180. 

2'.  Darker scotcea,  p.  181. 

371.  Nyctala  tengmalmi   richardsoni  (Bonap.).    Kichakd- 

soN  Owl. 

Adults.  —  Eye  ring  black,  face  whitish ;  under  parts  gray,  heavily 
blotched  with  dark  brown  across  breast  and  streaked  with  dark  brown  on 
belly ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  spotted  with  white  ;  flanks  and  feet 
usually  huffy,  more  or  less  spotted  with  brown ;  under  tail  coverts  striped 
with  brown.  Young :  face  blackish,  eyebrows  and  malar  streak  white  in 
sharp  contrast ;  wings  and  tail  like  adult  ;  body  plain  seal  brown  except 
for  yellowish  brown  on  bellv  and  flanks  ;  flanks  more  or  less  spotted  with 
brown.     Length  :  0-12,  wing  6.00-7.40,  tail  4.10-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  from  the  limit  of  trees  south 
in  winter  to  Oregon  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  Probably  in  holes  in  trees  and,  in  absence  of  trees,  in  bushes. 
Eggs:  probably  3  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Mice,  small  birds,  and  insects.  ^ 

"  Richardson's  owl  is  a  boreal  species  Inhabiting  North  America 
from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to  the  northern  tier  of  states.  ...  It  is 
common  throughout  northern  Alaska,  wherever  trees  or  large  bushes 
occur  to  afford  it  shelter.  ...  It  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  remain- 
ing quiet  during  the  day  in  the  thick  foliage  of  tlie  trees  or  bushes. 
In  fact,  its  vision  is  apparently  so  affected  by  bright  light  that  many 
specimens  have  been  captured  alive  by  persons  walking  up  and 
taking  them  in  their  hands.  On  this  account  the  Eskimo  in  Alaska 
have  given  it  the  name  of  '  blind  one.'"     (Fisher.) 

372.  Wyctala  acadica  {Gmel).    Saw-whet  Owl. 

Adidts.  —  Eye  ring  whitish,  face  streaked  with  dark  brown  ;  under  parts 

ichite,  streaked  vertically  with  reddish 
brown,  most  thickly  on  breast ;  upper 
parts  olive  brown,  marked  with  white, 
finely  streaked  on  head,  and  coarsely 
streaked  or  spotted  on  back,  wings,  and 
tail ;  feet  plain  white  or  buffy.  Young : 
face  blackish,  in  sharp  contrast  to 
white  eyebrows  and  white  malar 
streak  ;  upper  parts  and  breast  plain 
dark  seal  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  as  in 
adult ;  belly  yellowish  brown.  Length  : 
7.25-8.50,  wing  5.25-5.90,  tail  2.80- 
0.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude 
50°  to  southern  United  States,  breed- 
ing south  to  Pennsylvania,  New  Mex- 
ico, and  California. 
Nest.  —  A  deserted  woodpecker  hole,  hollow  of  a  tree,  or  old  squirrel's 
nest.     Eggs  :  3  to  7,  Avhite. 

Food.  —  Almost  wholly  mice,  but  also  other  small  mammals  and  insects. 

The  deeper  and  darker  the  forest   the  better  it  suits  this  little 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  181 

gray-coated  night  woodsman.  In  the  daytime  he  snuggles  up  to 
some  gray  trunk  under  the  thick  branches  of  a  dark  spruce,  or  hides 
in  the  leafy  canopy  of  a  forest  tree.  At  night  he  tioats  on  noiseless 
wings  along  the  edges  of  the  open  parks  and  meadows,  passing 
from  tree  to  tree  and  bush  to  bush,  dropping  on  unsuspecting  mice 
that  rustle  the  grass  or  venture  into  the  open  spaces  under  the  trees, 
finding  an  abundance  of  food  even  when  the  snow  is  deep  and  the 
nights  crisp  and  cold. 

With  the  first  thaws  of  early  spring  his  love-song  is  heard,  —a 
soft  scraping  note  repeated  monotonously  in  quick  succession  for 
half  an  hour  at  a  time.  It  usually  comes  first  from  the  woodpecker 
hole  where  he  has  been  spending  the  day,  but  later  in  the  evening 
is  repeated  from  the  branches  indifferent  parts  of  the  woods.  Before 
the  snow^  has  all  gone  the  eggs  are  laid,  sometimes  in  the  woodpecker 
hole  where  his  voice  was  first  heard,  sometimes  in  another  near  by. 
By  the  time  the  first  really  warm  spring  weather  has  come  the  young- 
have  hatched.  Then  the  old  birds  are  too  busy  catching  mice  for 
their  large  family  to  give  much  time  to  music,  and  they  are  not 
heard  again  regularly  until  the  next  spring.  But  they  have  many 
soft  little  talking  notes  that  you  can  hear  by  sleeping  in  their  woods 
on  still  summer  nights.  Vernon  Bailey. 

372a.  N.  a.  SCOtsea  Osgood.     Northwest  JSaw-whet  Owl. 

Similar  to  N.  acadica,  but  darker,  dark  markings  everywhere  heavier ; 
flanks,  legs,  and  feet  more  rufeseent.      Winy  :  o.oo,  tail  2.()(),  tar.sus  l.O^i. 

Distribution.  —  Piiget  Sound  region,  north  to  Queen  Charlotte  Islands. 
B.C. 

GENUS    MEGASCOPS. 

General  Characters.  —  Winy :  ."3.40-7.80  ;  ear  tufts  more  or  less  con- 
spicuous ;  ear  openings  small,  the  two  ears  alike  ;  wings  rounded,  about 
twice  the  length  of  the  short  rounded  tail ;  tarsus  feathered. 

KEY    TO    SrECIES. 

1.  Toes  feathered  or  bristly. 

2.  Size  large,  wing  averaging-  alxtut  7  or  more. 
3.  Plumag"e  dark  and  heavily  mottled. 

4.   Dichromatic;  l)rown  form  with  back  deej)  sooty  brown.      Oregon 

to  Sitka kennicottii.  J).  1S:1. 

4'.  Monochronuitic  ;  back  grayish  bn»\vn.     Kust  df  Cascades. 

macfarlanei.  p.  1S4. 
;;  .    IMumagc  palf  .ishy  gray,  lightly  streaked.      K'ocky  Mduntains. 

niaxwelliae.  j).  IS;'.. 
2'.  Si/e  smaller,  wing  averaging  <>.(!()  or  less. 

o.  Wing  averaging  less  than  <"»;  plumage  dichromatic. 

4.  Throat  withrtut  Fulvous  <'ollar.     Southwestern  Texas  and  Mexico. 

mccalli,  j).  IS-M. 

4'.TIiroat    witii    paitial    collar    of   mottled    fulvous   in    gray    pliHSe. 

Mexico  and  southern  Arizona     ....   tricliopsis,  p.  184. 


182 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


8'.   Wing-  averaging  over  G.40. 

4.  Dichromatic,  red  or  brownish  gray.     Eastern  United  States. 

asio,  p.  182. 
4'.  Not  dichromatic,  always  gray. 

5.  Back  brownish  gray.    Coast  region  of  California. 

bendirei,  p.  183. 
5'.  Back  clearer  gray. 

Plumage  light  gray,  narrowly  and  sharply  streaked  below 
with  black.  Mexico  to  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

cineraceus,  p.  18o. 
6',  Plumage  dark  gray,  heavily  streaked  with  black.     South- 
ern Colorado,  northern  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

aikeni,  p.  184, 
r.  Toes  entirely  naked  to  base. 

2.  Throat   with  conspicuous  band  of    ochraceous,    lower    parts    lightly 

mottled idahoensis,  p.  185, 

2'.  Throat  without  distinct  band  of  ochraceous,  lower  parts  more  heavily 
mottled flammeola,  p,  184. 

373,   Megascops  asio  (Linn.).    Screech  Owl, 

Diehroinatio  ;  gray  or  reddish  brown,  without  regard  to  age,  sex,  or 
season ;  ear  tufts  conspicuous ;  toes  thinly 
feathered  or  bristly  on  top.  Adults:  grai/ 
phase  :  upper  parts  dull  brownish  gray,  with 
shaft  streaks  and  fine  mottlings  of  dusky  ; 
edge  of  scapulars  and  row  of  spots  on  edge 
of  wing  white  or  creamy  ;  lower  parts  gray- 
ish white,  with  heavy  shaft  streaks  and 
light  cross  -  lines  of  black.  Bed  phase  : 
upper  parts  clear  rich  rufous,  with  a  trace 
of  black  shaft  lines  and  with  white  scap- 
uhir  streaks  and  spots  on  edge  of  wing  ; 
lower  parts  streaked  and  mottled  with  ru- 
fous and  white,  and  with  faint  black  shaft 
streaks.  Young  :  plumage  barred  or  banded 
with  grayish  or  whitish,  without  longitu- 
dinal markings.  Length  :  7.50-10.00,  wing 
().00-7.10,  tail  3.05-3,50. 

Distrihution.  —  Temperate  eastern  North 
America,  south  to  Georgia  ;  west  to  about 
the  100^  meridian. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  in  a  tree  or  old  wood- 
f"   247"^  pecker  hole,  3  to  40  feet  from  the  ground. 

Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  white. 
Food.  —  Mammals,   birds,   rejjtiles,  batrachians,  fish,    crustaceans,    and 

insects, 

"The  common  screech  owl  is  distributed  throughout  the  whole  of 
the  United  States  and  the  southern  portions  of  the  British  Provinces. 
It  is  separable  into  several  geographic  races  as  is  usual  in  species 
having  such  an  extensive  distribution.  .  .  .  Their  food  consists  of 
a  great  variety  of  animal  life.  ...  At  nightfall  they  begin  their 
roiuids,  inspecting  the  vicinity  of  farmhouses,  barns,  and  corncribs, 
making  trips  through  the  orchards  and  nurseries,  gliding  silently 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  183 

acTOSs  the  meadows,  or  encircling  the  stacks  of  grain  in  search  of 
mice  and  insects.  Thousands  upon  thousands  of  mice  of  different 
kinds  thus  fall  victims  to  their  industry.  Their  economic  relations, 
therefore,  are  of  the  greatest  importance,  particularly  on  account  of 
the  abundance  of  the  species  in  many  farming  districts  ;  and  who- 
ever destroys  them  through  ignorance  or  prejudice  should  be  se- 
verely condemned."     (Fisher.) 

373b.  M.  a.  mccalli  iCass.).     Texas  Screech  Owl. 

Dichroniatie  ;  <;iay  or  i-uf ous.  Gray  phase  :  smaller  and  darker  than  asio, 
with  more  conspicnons  dusky  shaft  streaks  above  and  heavier  shaft  streaks 
and  cross-lines  of  black  below,  liufous  phase  :  much  as  in  asio,  the  rufous 
predominating-  on  lower  parts.  Youikj  :  whole  plumage,  except  wing- 
qxiills  and  tail  feathers,  barred  or  banded  with  grayish  or  whitish  ;  the 
black  streaks  wholly  wanting'.  Length:  (5..")0-9.00,  wing-  0.60-0.30,  tail 
3.10-3.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  and  sonthern  Texas  across  eastern  border 
of  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

JVest.  —  In  cavities  of  trees.     Eggs  :  2  to  5. 

373c.  M.  a.  bendirei  (Brewst.).     California  Screech  Owl. 

Not  dichromatic  ;  gray  only.  Slightly  larg-er  than  asio,  with  heavier, 
more  marked  shaft  streaks  of  black  l)oth  above  and  below,  and  less  con- 
spicuous cross- lining-  below.  Smaller  and  lighter  than  kennicottii  to  the 
north. 

Distribution.  —  California. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  oaks  or  cottonwoods. 

373d.  M.  a.  kennicottii  {Elliot).     Kennicott  Screech  Owl. 

Conspicuously  larger  and  darker  colored  than  asio  or  bendirei ;  upper 
parts  dark  sooty  brown,  mottled  and  streaked  with  black ;  scapular 
streaks  and  spots  on  edge  of  wings  rich  bnff  ;  lower  parts  heavily  mottled, 
lined,  and  cross-lined  with  black  ;  legs  and  feet  rich  huffy  brown,  finely 
mottled  with  buft'y.  Specimens  from  the  .southern  and  eastern  part  of  the 
range  lighter  and  grayer. 

Distribution.  — Northwest  coast  region  from  Oregon  to  Sitka. 

373e.  M.  a.  maxwellise  {Bidqw.).  Kockv  Mountain  Screech 
Owl. 

Large  and  very  pale  ;  white  predominating  on  lower  parts  ;  upper  parts 
light  ashy  or  huffy  gray,  with  n;irro\v  streaks  and  faint  mottlings  of  black- 
ish ;  white  streaks  on  scajjulars  and  on  edge  of  wings,  large  ;  lower  parts 
white,  with  narrow  shaft  stre.iks  of  l»lack,  and  fine  cross-lines  of  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Foothills  and  adjacent  plains  of  the  eastern  Kocky 
Mountains  from  Colorado  north  to  Montana. 

373f.  M.  a.  cineraceus  liidgir.    Mkxkan  Sckekch  Owi.. 

Small  and  very  gray;  upper  parts  clear  ashy  gray,  with  numerous 
blackish  sluift  streaks  ;  lower  j)arts  with  narrow  black  shaft  stn-aks  and 
fine  vi'rmiculatioiis  and  cross-lines  of  black,  without  clear  white  inter- 
spaces ;  feet  and  h-gs  fintdy  ;ind  thickly  mottled  with  dusky;  little  trace 
of  brown  anvwhere  in  plum.ige.  Liu</th:  0. .")()-S. (Ml,  wing  t».lU-7.<H),  tail 
3.44. 


184  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  zone  of  New  Mexico,  Arizona, 
Lower  California,  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

373g.  M.  a.  aikeni  Brewst.     Aiken  Screech  Owl. 

About  the  size  of  the  California  screech  owl  but  more  ashy,  the  dark 
markings  coarser  and  more  numerous  both  above  and  below.  Wirig :  6.56, 
tail  O.80,  bill  from  nostril  .47. 

Distribution.  —  Plains.  El  Paso  County,  Colorado,  and  south  probably  to 
central  New  Mexico  and  northeastern  Arizona. 

373h.  M.  a.  macfarlanei  Brewst.     MacFarlane  Screech  Owl. 

Size  large  and  colors  dark,  but  lighter  than  kennicottii ;  upper  parts 
brownish  or  sooty  gi'ay  with  black  shaft  streaks  and  creamy  stripes  on 
scapulars  and  edg-e  of  wing ;  lower  parts  with  heavy  .shaft  streaks  and 
numerous  line  cross-lines  of  black ;  legs  and  feet  huffy,  slig-htly  mottled 
Avith  dusky.  Male :  wing  6.96,  tail  o.SO,  bill  from  nostril  .53.  Female  : 
wing  7.23,  tail  3.85,  bill  from  nostril  .57. 

Bemarks.  —  Macfarlanei  is  the  size  of  kennicottii  but  with  color  and 
markings  more  as  in  bendirei. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Washington  and  Oregon  to  western  Montana, 
and  probably  intermediate  region,  and  north  to  the  interior  of  British 
Columbia. 

373.1.  M.    triehopsis  {Wagl).    Spotted  Screech  Owl. 

A  small  dichromatic  species.  Giay phase  :  upper  parts  brownish  gray, 
heavily  lined  with  dusky  ;  lower  parts  grayish  white,  with  broad  shaft 
streaks  and  cross-lines  of  blackish  ;  a  partial  collar  of  mottled  fulvous 
across  throat  and  sides  of  neck.  Bed  phase  :  mainly  light  rufous,  obscurely 
streaked  and  barred  with  dusky.  Length :  7.50,  wing-  5.66,  tail  2.89, 
tarsus  L17. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  to  Guatemala. 

374.  Megascops  flammeola  (Kaup).  Flammulated  Screech 
Owl. 

Adidts.  —  Toes  entirely  naked  to  extreme  base  ;  ear  tufts  small ;  upper  parts 
grayish,  finely  mottled  and  marked  with  blackish  ;  stripes  on  sides  of  back 
yellowish  brown  or  orange,  white  beneath  the  surface  ;  under  parts  whitish, 
marked  with  broad  mesial  streaks  and  narrow  cross-bars  ;  face,  throat, 
and  upper  parts  sometimes  washed  Avith  orange  brown.  Young :  upper 
parts  mottled  transversely  Avith  gray  and  white,  but  Avithout  black  streak- 
ing ;  under  parts  sirailarlv  but  coarsely  and  regularly  barred.  Wing : 
5.10-5.60,  tail  2.60-3.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  northern  California  and  Colorado  south  to  the  high- 
lands of  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  old  Avoodpecker  holes.     Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white. 

Food.  —  tSmall  mammals,  scorpions,  and  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

"  From  what  Ave  know  of  the  habits  of  the  flammulated  owl  they 
seem  to  vary  but  little  from  the  other  races  of  the  screech  oavI  fam- 
ily. They  are  apparently  strictly  nocturnal,  and  their  food  consists 
of  the  smaller  mammals,  as  well  as  beetles  and  other  insects."  (Ben- 
dire.) 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


185 


374a.  M.  f.  idahoensis.V^rr/a//;.  Dwakf 
8cKEECH  Owl. 

Similar  to  the  Hanmuilated  but  smaller  and 
paler,  especially  on  under  parts  in  which  the 
ground  is  white,  and  the  marking's  restricted  ; 
facial  ring  bright  tawnv  brown.  Winy:  4.S(). 
tail  2.42. 

Distribution.  —  Idaho  and  eastern  Washing- 
ton. 

GENUS    BUBO. 

General  Characters.  —  Length  :  18-23  :  ear 
tufts  conspicuous;  ear  openings  small,  without 
anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  not  distinctly  diffei- 
ent ;  wing-  with  2  or  »  quills  cut  out ;  toes  cov- 
ered with  short  but  dense  feathers;  claws 
wholly  exppsed. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 


t 

m 

m 

^ 

■    '7 

.-^^ 

*m, 

W^^- 

Dept.  of  Ayrneuliure. 
1.   Upper  parts  dark  colored.  Fig.  24S.     Dwarf  Screech  Owl. 

2.  Feet  barred  with  black  and  huffy pacificus,  p.  186. 

2'.  Feet  barred  with  black  and  rusty  brown  .  .  .  saturatlis.  p.  186. 
r.  Upper  parts  light  colored. 

2.  Upper  parts  largely  gray  and  huffy    ....      pallescens.  p.  18."). 

2'.  Upper  parts  largely  white arctictis.  p.  186. 

375a.  Bubo  virginianus  pallescens  stone.  ^Vestern  Horned 
Owl. 

Adults.  —  Ear  tufts  blackish  ;  iris  bright  yellow  ;  ring  around  face  black  : 
throat  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  or  huffy,  mottled  and  barred  with 
brownish;  flanks  huffy;  upper  parts  mottled  dark  brown,  light  grayisli. 
audhuSy.  lighter  colors  jjrevailiny  :  winy;  quills  and  tail  banded  with  dull 
brown  ;  whole  plumage  irregularly  varied  with  butt'y.  tawny,  whitish,  and 
dusky.  Young:  wing  quills  and  tail  feathers  .as  in  adult,  rest  of  plumage 
dull  huffy  or  ochraceous,  everywhere  barred  with  dusky.  Male:  length 
lS-2:;,  extent  about  49-.rJ.  wing  about  14.r)()-ir).2."),  tail  8.2.").  Female: 
length  22-2."),  extent  about.')",  wing  1(5,  tail  U. 

1  >istrihution.  —  Western  United  States,  east  through  the  Plains,  casually 
to  Wisconsin  and  Illinois;  and  from  British  Columbia  and  Manitoba  south 
over  the  Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest. —  A  hole  in  a  hollow  tree,  cliff,  bank,  or  cave,  or  an  old  nest  of  a 
crow  or  hawk.      Kggs :  usually  2  or  •\,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  mammals  such  .as  rabbits,  j)iaiiie  dogs,  ground  sipili- 
rels,  skunks,  and  wood  rats,  game  birds,  waterfowl,  smaller  land  birds. 
and,  in  settled  regions,  poultry. 

The  eyesight  of  the  horned  owls  .sconi.s  to  be  belter  than  that  of 
most  owls,  and  Dr.  Fisher  thinks  that  in  the  breeding  sea.son  they 
hunt  in(lilTer<'ntly  niglit  or  day.  In  disposition,  he  says,  they  Jire 
"  tierce  and  untamable,  aiul  in  point  of  strength  and  roiwage  iid'e- 
rior  to  none  of  our  rapa<-ious  birds."  Speaking  of  their  food  l\;ibit>?, 
the  doctor  .says  that  '"a  birtl  so  powerful  and  voracious  may  at  times 
be  a  source  of  great  benelit,  while  at  otiier  limes  it  niav  be  the  (■;iusc 


186 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


r.  '2-49.     Westei 


d  Owl. 


of  great  damage.  Now, 
the  serious  inroads  it 
makes  on  the  tenants 
of  the  poultry  yard,  as 
well  as  the  destruction 
of  many  game  and  song 
birds,  would  seem  to 
call  for  the  total  sup- 
pression of  the  species. 
Again,  when  engaged 
chiefly  in  the  capture  of 
injurious  rodents,  which 
threaten  the  very  exist- 
ence of  the  crops,  it  is 
the  farmer's  most  valu- 
able ally,  and  conse- 
quently should  be  most 
carefully  protected." 

The  horned  owl  is  one 
of  the  earliest  breeders 
of  the  birds  of  prej-. 
In  the  southern  part  of 
its  range,  eggs  are  laid 
in  December  and  Januar3^  and  in  Alaska  they  have  been  found  in 
April  when  it  was  so  cold  that  they  froze  on  being  taken  from  the 
nest. 

375b.  B.   V.  arcticus    (Stvains.).    Arctic  Horned  Owl. 

Similar  to  the  western  horned  owl,  but  ground  color  white  and  dark 
markings  usually  much  restricted  ;  under  parts  pure  wliite,  or  only  slightly 
barred. 

Distribution.  — Arctic  America,  south  in  winter  to  Nebraska,  and  from 
Dakota  to  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  often  a  deserted  hawk's  or  crow's  nest.  -Eggs  :  2  or  o, 
white. 

Food.  —  Largely  waterfowl,  ptarmigan,  and  arctic  hares. 

375o.  B.   V.   saturatus   Ridgw.     Dusky  Horned  Owl. 

Like  B.  v.  pallescens,  but  plumage  extremely  dark,  face  generally  sooty 
brownish  mixed  with  grayish  white  ;  plumage  iisually  without  excess  of 
yellowish  brown,  sometimes  with  none. 

Distribution.  —  West  coast  region  from  Monterey  County,  California,  to 
Alaska,  and  eastward  to  northern  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Kennicott,  in  the  top  of  a  spruce,  made  of  dry 
branches,  lined  with  feathers.     Fggs :  probably  2  to  4,  white. 

375d.  B.  V.  pacificus  Cassin.     Pacific  Horned  Owl. 

Small,  strongly  mottled,  upper  parts  grayish,  with  more  or  less  buffy 
admixture  ;  dark  markings  of  under  parts  distinct ;  tarsus  strongly  mottled. 
Wing:  V\. 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


187 


Distribution.  — Valleys  and  southern  coast  ot"  California,  and  east  to  San 
Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona. 
Eggs.  —  Usually  ;5. 

GENUS   NYCTEA. 

376.  Nyctea  nyctea  (Linn.):    Snowy  Owl. 

Ear  tufts  rudimentary  ;  ear  openings  small,  Avithout  anterior  flap,  the 
two  ears  not  distinctly  different ;  tail  not  reaching-  beyond  tips  of  longest 
under    coverts ;    four  outer  quills   emarginate  ;    toes    covered  with    long- 


From  TJir  O.^pny. 
Fig.  250. 


hair  -  like  feathers,  partly  or  wholly  concealing-  the  claws  ;  hill  nearly 
concealed  hy  loral  feathers.  Adult  male  :  body  pure  white,  sometimes 
almost  unspotted,  hut  usually  marked  nu)re  or  less  with  transverse  spots 
or  haj-s  of  slaty  brown.  Adult  female  :  much  darker.  i)ure  white  only  on 
f.ice.  tliroMt.  middle  of  breast  and  feet,  the  head  spotted,  and  the  rest 
of  the  bodv  barred  with  dark  brown.  M(de  :  length  L'O-L'o,  wing-  l.").r)0- 
17.:5<),  tail  "U.OO-'.I.TO,  bill  I.  Fem<d»  :  lenytb  -i:)-'!!.  wini;-  17.:!U-1S.7(),  tail 
'.>.70-l(U0,  bill  1.10. 


188  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  arctic  portions  of  the  northern  hemisphere, 
migrating-  south  in  North  America  almost  across  the  United  States  and 
even  reaching,  accidentally,  the  Bermudas. 

Nest.  —  In  a  slight  depression  of  the  ground,  on  a  knoll,  made  of  a  few 
feathers,  lichens,  or  moss.     Egys :  usually  .5  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  In  summer,  lemmings  and  meadow  mice  ;  in  winter,  fish,  hares, 
muskrats,  squirrels,  rats,  ptarmigans,  ducks,  and  even  offal. 

The  suowy  owl  is  a  circumpolar  species,  breeding  in  the  arctic 
parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere  and  coming  south  in  winter. 

Mr.  Nelson,  while  traveling  south  of  the  Yukon  in  December,  shot 
an  owl  whose  nearly  immaculate  milky  white  plumage  was  suffused 
with  '  a  rich  and  extremely  beautiful  shade  of  clear  lemon  yellow, 
exactly  as  the  rose  blush  clothes  the  entire  plumage  of  some  gulls  in 
spring.  The  morning  after  the  bird  w^as  killed  the  color  was  gone, 
the  plumage  being  dead  wiiite.' 

GENUS    SURNIA. 

377a.  Surnia  ulula  caparoch  {MiUL).    American  Hawk  Owl. 

Head  without  ear  tufts ;  ear  openings  small  like  Bubo  and  Nyctea  ;  tail  long, 
more  than  two  thirds  length  of  wing,  graduated;  tarsus  scarcely  or  not  longer 

than  middle  toe  ;  feet  thickly 
feathered  to  claws.  Adults  :  face 
grayish  white,  encircled  hy  heavy 
black  ring ;  patches  on  throat, 
^^_  sides  of  head,  and  hack  of  neck 

'^"  "^  '  black ;   chest  hand  whitish  ;  rest 

of  under  parts  closely  and  regularly  barred  with  brown  and  white ;  top 
of  head  and  hind  neck  blackish  or  brownish,  dotted  with  white  ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  dark  brown,  mainly  spotted  or  barred  with  white.  Young  : 
upper  parts  dark  brown,  feathers  of  top  of  head  and  hind  neck  tipped 
with  grayish  buff,  those  of  back  with  indistinctly  lighter  tips ;  lores  and 
ear  coverts  brownish  black  ;  rest  of  face  whitish ;  under  parts  whitish, 
washed  with  sooty  on  chest,  barred  below.  Length:  14.75-17.50.  wing- 
about  9,  tail  6.80-7.00. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  the  north- 
ern United  States,  casually  to  Massachusetts,  and  rarely  to  the  British  Isles. 
Recorded  from  northern  Montana  and  Newfoundland  in  the  breeding  season. 
Nest.  —  Old  woodpecker  holes,  natural  cavities  in  trees,  and  old  nests  of 
other  species  relined  Avith  moss  and  feathers.     Eggs :  3  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  such  as  mice,  lennnings,  and  ground  squirrels  ; 
also  ptarmigans  and  insects. 

' '  The  hawk  owl  is  strictly  diurnal,  as  much  so  as  any  of  the  hawks, 
and  like  some  of  them  often  selects  a  tall  stub  or  dead-topped  tree  in 
a  comparatively  open  place  for  a  perch,  w  here  it  sits  in  the  bright 
sunlight  w^atching  for  its  prey.  Although  the  flight  is  swift  and 
hawk-like,  it  has  nevertheless  the  soft,  noiseless  character  common 
to  the  other  owls.  When  starting  from  any  high  place,  such  as  the 
top  of  a  tree,  it  usually  pitches  down  nearly  to  the  ground,  and  flies 
off"  rapidly  above  the  tops  of  the  bushes  or  high  grass,  abruptly  ris- 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


189 


Biol(i;:u-al  Survey,  U.  S.  L)ei)t. 
ot  Agriculture.         * 

Fig.  252. 


ing  again  as  it  seeks  another  percli.     The  note  is  a  shrill  cry  which 
is  uttered  generally  while  the  bird  is  on  the  wing."     (Fisher.) 

GENUS    SPEOTYTO. 

378.  Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogsea  {Bonap.).    Bukhowing 
Owl. 

Tail  only  about  half  as  long'  as  wing-;  tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as 
middle  toe,  scantily  feathered  in  front,  bare 
behind ;  toes  bristly. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dull  earth  brown, 
spotted  and  barred  with  white  and  buffy ; 
under  parts  mainly  buffy  barred  with  brown. 
Youuy  :  under  parts  nuiinly  buffy,  unmarked  ; 
upper  parts  plain  brown  except  wings  and 
tail,  which  are  as  in  adults.  Length:  l»-ll. 
wing-  5.80-7.20,  tail  o,  15-3.50,  bill  .55-.00. 

Distribution.  —  Plains  region  from  the 
Pacific  east  to  Dakota  and  Texas,  and  from 
British  Columbia  and  eastern  slope  of  Rocky 
Mountains  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  At  the  end  of  an  old  burrow  of 
prairie  dog",  badger,  or  ground  squirrel,  or  in 
a  similar  cavity.     Eggs:  (5  to  11.  white. 

Food.  —  Ground   squirrels,    young   prairie 
dogs,   mice,  gophers,  small  birds,  frogs,  liz- 
ards,   horned  toads,  and  even  fish,   tog-ether  with  crickets,  g-rasshoppers, 
beetles,  scorpions,  and  centipeds. 

When  you  are  living  in  the  owls'  country,  they,  like  the  ground 
squirrels  and  prairie  dogs,  come  to  seem  a  part  of  the  landscape,  and 
as  you  ride  over  the  great  brown  stretches  you  find  yourself  looking 
for  the  quaint  little  'Billy  owls'  for  life  and  interest  on  the  mono- 
tonous way.  In  a  region  where  there  are  only  scattered  holes  suit- 
able for  their  nests,  solitary  owls  or  families  are  most  often  seen,  and 
sometimes  there  will  be  as  many  as  nine  aroimd  one  biu-row.  But 
where  a  ground  squirrel  colony  or  prairie  dog  town  offers  good  nest 
holes  the  little  owls  gather  in  companies. 

In  dog  towns  they  often  find  spacious  old  badger  holes  to  occupy. 
As  you  walk  about  one  of  the  towns  and  the  dogs  lope  off  to  their 
holes  shaking  their  little  yellow  tails  as  they  disappear,  the  owls 
stand  stiitue-like  around  their  burrows  with  their  eyes  upon  you.  If 
you  are  bent  on  getting  within  good  photographing  range  the  young 
ones  will  go  backing  down  their  holes,  their  .solemn  round  yellow 
eyes  fi.xed  on  yours  till  they  drop  below  the  earth  line.  Their  elders 
will  prol)ably  fiy  before  you  get  your  focus,  though  it  is  only  a  low 
short  llight  to  a  neighboring  mound.  It  rarely  seems  to  occur  to 
them  to  leave  the  town. 

Tlie  association  of  owls,  dogs,  badgers,  and  ralth-snakcs  is  far  from 
being  that  of  the  hai>py  family  circle  it  was  formerly  sui)posed.     The 


190  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

rattlesnakes  are  evidently  attracted  to  the  towns  by  the  supply  of 
tender  spring  dogs,  and  it  has  been  suspected  that  the  badgers  relish 
a  young  owl  for  breakfast.  The  owls  have  been  accused  of  joining 
in  the  neighborly  round-robiu  feast  and  partaking  of  the  young 
dogs,  but,  although  they  eat  squirrels  and  mice  in  spring  and  fall, 
they  live  for  the  most  part  on  grasshoppers  and  crickets.  They 
hunt  mainly  in  the  evening  and  at  night,  but  are  often  seen  catching 
grassh  uppers  in  the  daytime. 

GENUS    GLAUCIDIUM. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing-  3.50-4.40 ;  head  without  ear  tufts  ;  ear 
openings  small,  without  anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  alike ;  nostril  small,  cir- 
cular, opening  near  the  middle  of  the  inflated  cere  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than 
middle  toe,  densely  feathered ;  tail  more  than  half  as  long  as  wing, 
rounded. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  plain  brown,  unspotted phalaenoides,  p,  191. 

1  .  Sides  more  or  less  spotted. 

2.  Back  grayer gnoma,  p.  190. 

2.  Back  browner californicum,  p.  191. 

379.  Glaucidium  gnoma  Wagl.    Pygmy  Owl. 

Adults.  —  Very  small,  under  parts   white,  thickly  streaked  with  dark 

brown  ;  sides  brownish,  indistinctly  spotted  with  lighter  ;  upper  parts  dark 

slaty  gray,  olive  brown,  or  dark  rusty  brown  ; 

-^-  head    specked    with    white  :    tail  blackish    or 

"    ~         brownish,  barred  with  ichite.    Young:  like  adult, 

but  top  of  head  plain  grav.    Length  :  6.50-7.50, 

J,.     ._^g  wing:  3.40-4.00,  tail  2.40^2.80. 

'^'  *^'  ■  Distribution.  —  Timbered  mountain  regions 

of  western  North  America  from  British  Columbia  south  through  Sierra 

Madre  of  Mexico,  except  along  the  humid  Pacific  coast  region. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  in  old  woodpecker  holes  and  hollow  stubs  from 
8  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.      Eggs :  usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  especially  grasshoppers ;  but  also  mice  and 
lizards. 

"This  little  owl  is  dhu'ual  in  its  habits,  feeding  and  flying  about 
in  the  bright  sunshine,  though  it  is  more  common  in  the  early  dusk 
and  morning.  Mr.  Henshaw  says  it  is  fond  of  taking  its  station 
early  in  the  morning  on  the  top  of  an  old  stub,  that  it  may  enjoy 
the  warmth  of  the  sun's  rays.  In  most  places  it  is  more  or  less  soli- 
tary, though  in  New  Mexico  Mr.  Henshaw  found  it  extremely  socia- 
ble, and  in  the  fall  it  was  usually  met  with  in  companies. 

"  It  is  tame  and  unsuspicious  and  may  be  decoyed  from  a  consid- 
erable distance  by  imitating  its  call-note,  to  which  it  responds  at 
once.  It  is  confined  mostly  to  wooded  districts,  though  occasion- 
ally it  is  found  some  distance  from  timber.      It  hides  in  the  pines  or 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  191 

other  thick  foUage,  Avhere  it  sits  upright  near  the  trunk  and  is  prac- 
tically invisible  to  the  observer. 

"The  flight  is  not  very  much  like  that  of  other  owls,  but  resem- 
bles that  of  the  sparrow  hawk  to  some  extent,  and  is  not  altogether 
noiseless.  The  love-notes,  according  to  Captain  Bendire,  are  some- 
what musical,  althougli  they  resemble  to  some  extent  those  of  the 
mourning  dove."     (Fislier. ) 

379a.  G.  g.  californicum  (ScL).     California  Pygmy  Owl. 

Similar  to  (r.  (jikiiiki  but  browner,  chest  heavily  waslied  with  reddish 
brown.  Youny  :  much  paler,  ash  gray  on  head  and  grayish  brown  on  back, 
unspotted. 

Distribution.  —  Humid  coast  region  from  southern  British  Columbia 
south  to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  deserted  woodpecker  holes.     Eggs :  usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  mammals  and  small  birds. 

380.  Glaucidium  phalsenoides  (Baud.).     Ferruginous  Pygmy 

Owl. 

Adults.  —  Similar  to  the  pygmy  owl,  but  sides  of  breast  plain  brown  or 
rufous,  upper  parts  varying  from  grayish  brown  to  bright  rufous;  head 
finely  streaked  with  whitish  ;  tail  banded,  bars  varying  from  white  to  ru- 
fous aiul  interspaces  from  grayish  brown  to  blackish.  Young :  top  of  head 
plain.     Lftigth  :  ()..')0-7.00,  wing  :].50-4.()f),  tail  2.20-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  south  to  south- 
ern Brazil. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  in  hollow  trees,  or  woodpecker  holes.  Eggs  : 
—  taken  by  Sennett  —  4,  white. 

The  little  ferruginous  owl  is  diurnal  like  the  other  pygmies,  flying 
about  hunting  in  bright  sunlight.  His  note,  as  given  by  Mr.  F. 
Stephens,  is  a  "loud  curk  repeated  several  times,  as  rapidly  as  twice 
each  second,"  given  with  a  jerk  of  the  tail  and  a  toss  of  the  head. 

GENUS  MICROPAIiLAS. 

381.  Micropallas  Whitneyi  {Cooper).     Elf  Owl. 

Head  witliout  car  tufts;  ear  openings  small:  nostril  small,  circular,  open- 
ing   near   the    middle  of   the  intJated    cere;   tarsus         jJR'C'-^ 
longer  than  middle  toe.  .scantily  haired  ;  claws  small      tWf*'^'  "^M 

and  weak  ;   tail  even,  less  than  one  half  as  long  as    ^Cl^;',  ."^ 

wing;  smallest  United  States  owl.   .  lr/H/^s■.•  face  with      ^■^<»*-'. — 
white  eyebrows  ;  lores  and  throat  band  white,  encir-  ^'^'  -''• 

cled  by  brownish  ring;  under  ]);wts  whitish,  with  vertical  blotches  of  dark 
brown  and  rusty.  limUj  mottled  irith  darker:  ujiper  parts  grayish  or  grav- 
isli  brown,  fiiuli/  iitatlh tl  with  darker  .and  rusty.  ;ind  indistinctly  specked 
with  rusty  ;  tail  brownish,  cro.ssed  l)y  .*>  ord  narrow  pale  brownish  or  rusty 
bands,  usuallv  interrupted  on  middle  feathei-s.  Lenqth  :  .")..jO-)').2.*),  wing 
4.00-4.40,  tail  1.00-2.:i(». 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  to  sotithern  Calif orni.i.  .and  south 
tlu'ough  Lower  ( 'jiliforuia  and  t;iblelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest. —  In  old  woodjjecker  holes  in  giant  cacti  or  hollow  trees.  Eggs  :  2 
to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  As  far  as  known,  small  mammals.  gra.ssho])pers.  and  beetles. 


192  PARROTS   AND   PAROQUETS 

Unlike  the  pygmy  owls  the  elf  owls  are  nocturnal,  spending  the 
day  either  in  thickets  or  old  woodpecker  holes.  Major  Bendire  says 
they  become  active  soon  after  sundow^n.  He  has  had  them  come  to 
his  camp,  attracted  probably  by  the  insects  which  gathered  about 
the  guard  fire  through  the  night. 

When  resting  in  the  daytime  the  little  owls  are  not  too  stupid  to 
protect  themselves,  as  is  shown  by  a  curious  experience  Mr.  F. 
Stephens  had  with  one.  He  startled  the  owl  in  a  willow  thicket,  and 
when  he  found  it  in  the  dense  tangle,  as  he  says,  it  was  "sitting  on 
a  branch  with  its  face  tow^ard  me  and  its  wing  held  up,  shield  fash- 
ion, before  its  face.  I  could  just  see  its  e3^es  over  the  wing,  and 
liad  it  kept  them  shut  I  might  have  overlooked  it,  as  they  first 
attracted  my  attention.  It  had  drawn  itself  into  the  smallest  possi- 
ble compass  so  that  its  head  formed  the  widest  part  of  its  outline. 
I  moved  around  a  little  to  get  a  better  chance  to  shoot,  as  the  bush 
was  very  thick,  but  whichever  way  I  went,  the  wing  w^as  always 
interposed,  and  when  I  retreated  far  enough  for  a  fair  shot,  I  could 
not  tell  the  bird  from  the  surrounding  bunches  of  leaves.  At  length, 
losing  patience,  I  fired  at  random  and  it  fell.  Upon  going  to  pick  it 
up  I  was  surprised  to  find  another  w^hich  I  had  not  seen  before,  and 
which  must  have  been  struck  by  a  stray  shot."  (Quoted  by  Bendire.) 


ORDER  PSITTACI:    PARROTS,   MACAWS, 
PAROQUETS,   ETC. 

FAMILY   PSITTACID^  :   PARROTS  AND  PAROQUETS. 

GENUS    RHYNCHOPSITTA. 

382.1.  Rhynchopsitta  pachyrhyncha  {Swains.).  Thick- 
billed  Parrot. 

Bill  large,  tip  of  lower  mandible  elongated,  cut  off,  and  flattened  ;  tail 
graduated  for  about  one  third  its  leng-th  ;  cere  densely  feathered,  conceal- 
ing' the  nostrils.  Adults  :  bill  blackish,  body  green  except  for  poppy  red  on 
forepart  of  head  and  wings,  and  lemon  yellow  under  wing  coverts.  Young  : 
similar,  but  bill  mainly  whitish  and  red  restricted.  Length :  16.00-16.75, 
wing  8.50-10.50,  tail  6.80-7.00,  graduated  for  2.25-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  Mexico ;  northward 
casually  to  the  Chiricahua  Mountains,  Arizona. 

A  flock  of  nine  or  ten  thick-billed  parrots  seen  by  Mr.  Lusk  in  the 
Chiricahua  Mountains  came,  as  he  says,  scolding,  chattering,  and 
calling  up  a  canyon  to  the  edge  of  the  pinon  pine  belt,  where  they 
devoted  themselves  to  getting  the  pinones.  "  Investigation  of  their 
stomachs,"  he  says,  "  showed  nothing  but  a  plentiful  quantity  of 
very  immature  pifiones  wrested  from  their  cavities  in  the  hearts  of 
the  hard,  green  cones  by  their  powerful  beaks." 


ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS  193 

ORDER    COCCYGES:    CUCKOOS,    ETC. 

(Families  Cuculid.e,  Tkogoxid.e,  and  Alcedixid.e.) 

FAMILY    CUCULIDiE:   ANIS.    ROAD-RUNNERS.   AND 
CUCKOOS. 

KFA-   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tail  feathers  8       Crotophaga.  p.  193. 

r.  Tail  feathers  10. 

2.  Bill  long'er  than  head Geococcyx.  p.  193. 

2'.  Bill  not  longer  than  head Coccyzus,  p.  195. 

GENUS  CROTOPHAGA. 

384.  Crotophaga  sulcirostris  Swains.     Groove-billed  Anl 
Bill   thick,  witli  a  convex  crest :   wings   rounded  ;   tail  feathers   broad, 

widening  to  very  obtuse  ends,    ^[(lults  : 

dull    black,    feathers    of    body    with 

metallic    bluish,    greenish,    or    bronzy 

edgings  ;  wings  and  tail  faintly  glossed 

with    metallic  bluish  or   violet;  upper  part  of  bill   with    several  eiistinct 

qrooves.      Young:  imiform  sooty  black.     Length:   12.00-14.50,  wing  5.50- 

■()..">().  tail  T.30-8..30. 

Distribution.  —  In  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  southern 
Texas  south  to  Peru.  Casual  in  southern  parts  of  California.  Arizona, 
Louisiana,  and  Florida. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  of  twigs  and  lined  with  green  leaves,  placed  often 
in  an  orange  or  lemon  tree.     J^ggs  :  3  to  5,  milky  blue. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  and  parasites  of  cattle. 

The  groovo-bilk'd  anis  are  residents  of  the  lowlands.  Major 
Bendire  says,  rarely  being  found  at  an  altitude  of  more  than  700 
feet. 

They  resemble  tlie  eowbirds  in  their  habit  of  following  cattle,  and 
not  only  catch  the  in.sects  that  the  cows  start  up  but  do  a  great  deal 
of  good  by  relieving  the  animals  of  the  parasites  which  infest  them. 
When  not  disturbed  the  birds  become  very  tame  and  roost  in  luim- 
bers  about  the  houses.  Their  call-note.  Dr.  Ralph  thinks,  suggests 
that  of  the  flicker — a  piccro  repeated  rapidly. 

GENUS    GEOCOCCYX. 

385.  Geococcyx  californianus  (Lr.s.s).    Uoad-ri-nner. 

U.-irt'  space  aroniid  fyt-,  oi-.in'^e  and  blue;  fe.'ithers  of  head  and  neck 
l.iigely  bristle-tii)pe<l  ;  whole  phimage  coarse  and  hai-sh  ;  eyeli<l.s  la.shed  ; 
wings  short  .and  concavo-convex,  witli  long  inner  secondaries  fohh'd  entirely 
(»ver  prim.iries  ;  t.iil  long  and  graduated  :  upj)er  parts  couspieuously 
streaked  witli  l)rowuisli  white,  most  lieavily  on  wiu'^s  ;  crest  .and  fore  p.arts 
of  It.ick  gh)ssed  witli  bluish  lilack,  changing  t<»  bron/.v  green  or  brown; 
tail  long,  plain  bron/y.  blue   lil.iek.  .and  green,  gr.idu.ated.  tips  with  white 


194 


ANIS,  KOAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS 


-^    ^'■^'i  &    >&■* 


^m^- 


Fig. 


Road-ruuner. 


thumb  marks  except  on  middle  feathers ;  chest  brownish  white,  streaked 
with  black ;  throat  and  belly  whitish.  Length :  20-24,  wing  6.50-7.00. 
tail  H.. 50-12.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones,  from  Browns- 
\'ille,  Texas,  to  San  Diego,  California,  and  from  central  California,  Nevada, 
and  Kansas,  south  across  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Compactly  built  of  sticks,  lined  variously  with  grass,  manui'e 
chips,  feathers,  inner  bark,  mesquite  pods,  snakeskin,  and  roots  ;  placed 
in  cacti,  bushes,  or  low  trees,  i^ggs :  usually  4  to  6,  white  or  pale  yel- 
lowish. 

Food.  —  Mice,  snakes,  lizards,  crabs,  snails,  grasshoppers,  centipeds, 
caterpillars,  beetles,  and  cactus  fruit. 

The  road-nmner  is  one  of  the  most  original  and  entertaining  of 
western  birds.  The  newcomer  is  amazed  when  the  long-tailed  crea- 
ture darts  out  of  the  brush  and  races  the  horses  down  the  road, 
easily  keeping  ahead  as  they  trot,  and  when  tired  turns  out  into 
the  brush  and  throws  his  tail  over  his  back  to  stop  himself.  Even 
the  oldest  inhabitant  likes  to  talk  about  the  swift  runner  whom  it 
takes  a  '  right  peart  cur  to  catch,'  and  who  eats  horned  toads,  comes 
to  drink  and  feed  with  the  hens  in  the  dooryard  one  day,  and  tlie 
next  may  be  hunted  vainly  in  the  dense  chaparral  or  cactus  wherj  it 
makes  its  home.     They  tell  you  how  they  have  seen  it  mount  the 


ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS  195 

granite  boulders  on  the  hills,  and  after  strutting  about  with  wind's 
and  tail  hanging,  put  its  bill  down  on  the  rock  and  pump  out  loud 
noJ;es,  which  they  interpret  as  love-calls  for  its  mate  in  the  brush 
below.  Many  marvelous  yarns  are  spun  over  the  pipes  about  the 
strange  ways  of  this  curious  bird,  especially  about  its  deadly  en- 
counters with  rattlesnakes. 

The  food  of  the  road-runner  may  well  make  him  of  interest  to 
his  neighbors.  In  southern  California,  where  the  passion  vine  is 
used  extensively  for  house  decoration,  it  is  infested  by  a  pestiferous 
caterpillar,  which  he  eats  with  great  avidity.  He  also  affects  other 
pests.  In  the  stomach  of  one  bird,  which  we  got  in  New  Mexico, 
there  were  a  large  black  cricket,  a  number  of  big  grasshoppers, 
remains  of  a  caterpillar  and  some  beetles,  a  centiped  six  inches 
long,  and  a  garter  snake  a  foot  long !  Such  an  appetite  surely  de- 
serves well  at  the  hands  of  its  friends. 

GENUS    COCCYZUS. 

Geiural  Characters.  —  Bill  not  long-er  than  head,  and  gently  cnrved  for 
most  of  its  length  ;  loral  feathers  and  general  plnmage  soft  and  blended  ; 
tarsus  naked,  shorter  than  outer  anterior  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  with  basal  part  of  lower  mandible  yellow. 

2.  Smaller,  wing  ").('»1,  with  comparatively  smaller  and  weaker  bill. 

americanus,  p.  195. 
2'.  Larger,  wing  o.S4,  with  comparatively  larger  and  stouter  bill. 

occidentalis,  p.  19(5. 
r.  Bill  wholly  black  or  bbush     ....     erythrophthalmus,  p.  190. 

387.  Coccyzus  americanus  (Linn.).     Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

Adii/t.^.  —  Lower  lialf  of  bill  plain  yellow  :  under  parts  white  or  ashy  : 
upper  parts  plain  gravish  brown, 
faintlyglossed  witli  green:  wings 
with  inner  webs  rufous;  tail 
graduated,  all  but  middle  feath- 
ers blue  l)lack,  the  outer  ones 
tipped  with  broad  white  thumb 
marks.  Young  :  tail  feathers 
duller  and  markings  less  dis- 
tinct. Ltnt/t/i:  n.(M)-12.70. 
wing  :).4(»-:>.S(),  tad  (l.OO-O.b")  ex- 
posed cubnen  .97-1.01.  depth  of 
bill  at  bas('  .:J2-.;}4. 

Remarks.  —  The  smaller  size     '■"'""'  »"•'"'*'•"'  •^'"•^'•.y;  ^' ■^^_J^'=^'^  '"  Ai,'r.c..lturc. 
and  smaller  and  weaker  bill  dis-  '''^-  -"■ 

tinguisli  tills  s))eci('S  from  the  ('alifornia  ciu'koo. 

hislrVtntion.  —  Eastern  teini)»'rate  North  America,  breeding  from  Flor- 
ida iu)rth  to  New  Brunswick.  Canada,  and  Miiniesota  ;  west  to  South 
Dakota,  Nebraska.  Indian  Territory,  and  Texas  ;  wintering  scmth  to  Costa 
Itica  and  the  West  Indies;  casually  to  cistern  Colorado,  ^^'vonling.  and 
Noith  Dakota 


196  ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS 

Nest.  —  A  slight  platform  of  sticks  in  trees.    Eggs  :  2  to  4,  bluish  green. 
Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  but  also  grasshoppers,   potato  bugs,  and 
other  insects. 

Though  au  eastern  bird,  the  yellow-billed  cuckoo  is  sometimes 
found  in  the  cottonwoods  bordering  irrigation  ditches  in  southern 
New  Mexico.  As  it  moves  about  in  a  trcetop  looking  for  caterpil- 
lars, it  shows  the  large  white  thumb-marks  of  the  under  side  of  its 
tail,  and  as  it  flies  down  to  a  fence  shows  the  striking  reddish 
brown  of  its  wings.  As  a  family  the  cuckoos  are  little  in  evidence, 
being  generally  hidden  in  some  thick  leafy  cover  looking  for  cater- 
pillars. When  they  do  fly  their  long  slender  bodies  pass  swiftly  by 
in  a  straight  line  to  disappear  in  other  cover. 

Their  presence  would  often  be  wholly  unknown  but  for  their 
notes,  which,  like  the  peacock's,  are  considered  a  sign  of  rain  —  rain 
crows  they  are  commonly  called  in  consequence.  They  have  a 
variety  of  notes,  the  commonest  being,  as  Major  Bendire  gives  it, 
noo-coo-coo-coo  or  cow-coic-cmc.  In  the  breeding  season  a  number  of 
males  sometimes  get  together  and  give  a  veritable  cuckoo  concert. 

387a.  C.  a.  OCCidentalis  Bidgw.     California  Cuckoo. 

Adults.  —  Upper  pai'ts  grayish  brown,  with  faint  green  gloss;  under 
parts  white,  grayish  across  chest ;  lower  half  of  hill  mainly  yellow  ;  side  of 
head  with  blackish  streak  ;  tail  graduated,  middle  feathers  like  back, 
tipped  with  black,  the  rest  blue  black,  with  broad  white  thumb  marks  on 
tips  ;  wing  quills  mainly  rufous  on  inner  webs.  Young :  like  adults,  but 
tail  duller,  without  blue,  and  white  not  strikingly  contrasted  with  brown. 
Length:  12.30-13..50,  wing  5.50-6.00,  tail  6.10-6.90,  bill  1.02-1.08,  depth 
of  bill  through  base  .37-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Western  temperate  North  America,  breeding  from  south- 
ern British  Columbia  south  to  central  Tamaulipas  and  northern  Chi- 
huahua, Mexico  ;  from  the  Pacific  east  over  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  western  Texas  ;  migrating  to  northern  Lower  California 
and  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  loose  platform  of  twigs,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves,  dry 
grasses,  and  flower  blossoms  ;  placed  nsually  in  willow  or  raesquite  thick- 
ets, 10  to  15  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  generally  3  or  4,  light  greenish 
blue,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  black  crickets,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects. 

The  California  cuckoo  is  in  all  respects  the  western  counterpart  of 
the  yellow-billed,  from  which  it  can  be  told  only  by  size. 

388.    Coccyzus   erythrophthalmus  (TT7/s.).    Black-billed 

Cuckoo. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish   brown,  faintly  glossed  with  green,  tail 

^^^'—f.^^r-^  feathers  narrowly  tipped  ivith  dull  white,  preceded 

^^^CTWU^^^lrr^*'^^'^'^^     ^y  blackish  bar  ;  under  parts  grayish,  fading  to 

^  '  '  '     white    on    belly ;    bill   blackish,    naked    eyelids 

'    bright  red   in  life.      Young :  above  dull  brown, 

'^"  "'''  ■  with  coppery  bronzy  luster,  becoming  dull  rusty 


TROGONS  197 

on  wings  and  greenish    on  tail  ;    naked  eyelids  plain  yellowish   in   life. 
Length  :   ll.OU-12.70,  wing  5.12-5.05,  tail  (J.25-7.00. 
•  liemarks.  —  The  black  bill,  absence  of  rufous  on  wings,  and  of  blue  and 
wide  white  thumb  marks   on   tail   distinguish  this  from  the  yellow-billed 
forms. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America, west  to  the  eastern  foothills  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  Labrador,  Manitoba,  and  Assiniboia 
south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  the  valley  of  the  Amazon.  Breeds 
mainly  in  Transition  zone. 

Nest.  —  Better  built  than  that  of  the  other  species,  its  platform  of 
twigs  being  mixed  with  inner  bark,  rootlets,  and  weed  stems,  lined  often 
with  catkins ;  placed  usually  not  over  (5  feet  from  the  ground  in  trees  or 
bushes,  on  logs,  or  even  on  the  ground.     JEggs ;  2  to  5,  bluish  green. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars. 

The  black-bilk'd  cuckoo  closely  resembles  the  yellow -billed  iu 
general  habits.  Both  birds  have  a  trace  of  the  parasitism  of  the  old 
world  species,  sometimes  laying  in  each  other's  nests,  and  on  rare 
occasions  depositing  their  eggs  in  nests  of  other  species.  This  is 
done  more  frequently  by  the  black-billed.  Major  Bendlre  thinks. 
He  holds  that  the  real  cause  for  such  unnatural  behavior  on  their 
part  is  not  yet  understood,  as  the  cuckoos  are  most  devoted  parents. 

FAMILY   TROGONID^  :  TROGONS. 
GENUS    TROGON. 

389.  Trogon  ambiguus  Uouid.    Copi-kky-tailkd  Tkogon. 

Bill  short  and  thick,  edges  serrated,  gape  bristled  ;  eyelids  lashed ; 
wings  short  and  rounded  ;  tail  long  with  broad  feathers ;  feet  small  and 
weak  ;  ])lumage  soft  and  lax.  Adult  inaie  : 
face  and  throat  black,  bordered  on  breast 
by  white  crescent ;  rest  of  under  parts  rose 

pink  ;  upper  parts  metallic  bronzy  green  ;  ^Tj,,  ,,-q 

wings  mainlv  grayish  ;  tail  with  middle 
feathers  shading  from  bronzy  to  rich  copper  color,  broadly  tipped  with 
black,  outer  feathers  white,  finely  zigzagged  with  black.  Aduit  female  : 
similar,  but  black  of  male  replaced  by  gray,  and  metallic  colors  replaced 
by  grayish  brown,  becoming  reddish  brown  on  middle  tail  feathers. 
Young:  head.  neck,  and  chest  dull  bi'ownish  gray,  most  of  under  parts 
grayisli ;  eye  ring  and  bar  across  ear  coverts  white;  rest  of  upper  parts 
l)rown  ;  wings  with  large  spots  of  bufl'v  and  bl.ick  ;  tail  much  like  adult 
fem.ile.     Length  :    1  1.2.5-12.00.  wing  5.1()-5..50.  tail  ("...50-7.20. 

J  distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Arizona  south  to  Mexico. 

Food.  —  Fruit  and  grasshoppers  and  other  insects. 

The  trogon  lives  in  piiu-s  in  the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona. 
It.s  note  is  di'seribed  by  Dr.  Fisher  as  similar  to  that  of  a  hen  turkey. 
'I'he  bird  the  doctor  saw  calling  sat  upright  on  a  pine  branch  with 
tail  hanging,  and  at  each  note  threw  back  its  head  and  pointed  its 
hill  to  the  sky  like  a  peacock. 


198  KINGFISHERS 

FAMILY  ALCEDINIDiE  :    KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS    CERYLE. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  occipital  crest ;  bill  longer  than  head, 
stout,  acute  ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wing  :  tarsus 
only  about  half  as  long  as  middle  toe. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  bluish  gray. 

2.  Belly  white alcyon,  p.  198. 

2'.  Belly  rufous torquata,  p.  191). 

1'.  Upper  parts  metallic  bottle  green  .     .     .     .  septentrionalis,  p.  199. 

390.  Ceryle  alcyon  {Linn.).     Belted  Kingfisher. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  with  blue  gray  belt  across  breast ; 
crest  and  upper  parts  bluish  gray ;  nuchal  collar  white ;  wing  quills  black, 


^^ 


Fig.  260. 

marked  with  white  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  bluish  gray,  the  rest  black, 
spotted  with  white.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  belly  partly  banded  and 
sides  heavily  washed  with  rufous.  Young  :  like  adults,  but  male  with 
breast  band  and  sides  tinged  with  rusty.  Length  :  11.00-14.50,  wing  6.00- 
(5.50,  tail  0.8O-4.0O,  bill  2  or  more. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  south  to  Panama 
and  the  West  Indies.  Breeds  from  the  southern  border  of  the  United 
States  northward  ;  accidental  at  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  burrow  4  to  15  feet  long,  in  railroad  cuts  or  perpendicular 
banks  over  water,     f^ggs  :  usually  5  to  8,  white. 

Food.  —  Fish,  and  when  not  obtainable  frogs,  lizards,  Crustacea,  and 
insects  such  as  coleoptera,  grasshoppers,  and  large  black  crickets. 

So  long  as  the  fishing  is  good  the  kingfisher  is  equally  at  home  in 
Maine,  southern  Texas,  or  the  Yosemite,  but  in  the  Sierra  Nevada 
mountains  the  brown  streams  polluted  by  placer  mining  have  no 
attraction  for  him,  and  when  you  hear  bis  rattle  as  you  ride  through 
the  forest  you  may  know  that  near  by  you  will  find  a  clear  mountain 
brook  where  you  may  quench  your  thirst. 

What  rare  spots  the  birds  recall !     They  are  associated  with  the 


KINGFISHERS  199 

quieter  phases  of  nature,  with  still  woodland  pools  and  smooth  lakes, 
where  tliey  ui\-e  a  vivifying  touch  of  active  wild  life.  In  a  remote 
narrow  canyon,  how  they  thrill  you  as  they  dash  by  overhead  —  a 
flash  of  blue  and  white  ! 

When  you  are  idling  beside  a  pellucid  stream  like  the  Merced, 
where  each  overhanging  leafy  branch  is  mirrored,  each  tiny  tish  seen 
as  it  lies  in  the  still  water,  sometimes  a  sudden  plunge  and  splash 
startles  you  from  a  diver  who  before  has  been  watching  from  his 
branch,  as  silent  as  the  brook.  He  circles  back  to  his  perch,  where 
his  fish  glints  in  the  sun  as  he  shakes  it,  and  throwing  up  his  long 
bill,  swallows,  cleans  his  beak  on  the  branch,  and  with  a  satisfied 
rattle  turns  to  look  about,  blue  crest  raised,  white  collar  shining, 
and  short  tail  tipped  up  in  an  animated  w^ay.  Four  plunges  I 
have  seen  him  make  in  almost  as  many  seconds,  stopping  to  preen 
himself  only  after  the  fourth  wetting.  Once  when  he  dived  in  shal- 
low water  he  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  fly  up  but  stood  on  the  sand 
with  tail  at  an  angle  till  he  had  finished  his  fish.  When  watching 
a  pool  he  will  sometimes  stand  in  air  hovering  over  the  water  a 
moment,  then  rise  and  hover  at  a  higher  level. 

Though  generally  found  along  woodland  streams,  the  kingfi.shers 
are  seen  sometimes  perched  on  the  rigging  of  vessels  in  the  har 
bors. 

[390.1.]  Ceryle  torquata  (L/h/).).   Great  Rufous-bellied  King- 
fisher. 

Adult  male.  — Upper  parts  bluish  gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  black  ; 
tail  spotted  witli  wliite ;  throat  and  nuelial  collar  white  ;  breast  and  belly 
ruf'ons  ;  under  tail  coverts  .and  anal  region  white.  Ad idt  female  :  similar, 
but  breast  g^rayi-sh  blue,  usually  bordered  behind  by  white,  and  lower  tail 
coverts  and  anal  region  rufous.     Length  :   l")..")0-lT.bO,  winjf  about  7.')0. 

iJistriliiitioii.  —  Tropical  America  (except  West  Indies).  Casual  on  the 
lower  liio  (irande  in  Texas. 

391.    Ceryle     americana    septentrionalis    simrpe.     Texas 

KiNCFISHKK. 

Small;  head  not  crested,      ^{duit   male:  upper  parts  green,  spotted  on 
wings  with  white  ;  che.st  crossed  by  broad  hand  of  cliestnut.  horden-d  be- 
low by  green    .spots  ;    throat,  collar,  and    belly 
white.     Adult  ft' iiudi- :  similar  to  nialc  but  with- 
out chestnut,  and  with  two  hands  of  green  sjxus 
across    breast.       Yoninj   male:    like    adult,    l>ut  Fitr.  •_'(.!. 

breast  more  or  less  tinged  with  rusty.     Leugth  :  ().7.')-S..'")().  witig-  .■).4()-.'>.r)0. 
tail  l.'.TO-2.7*),  exposj^d  culmen  I.Cm-I.S'). 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Sinaloa.  Mexico,  south  to 
Panama. 

Ne.ft.  —  A  burrow  in  a  hank.     E(/(/.'< :  .">  to  (l.  wjiitf. 

Food.  —  Like  that  of  Ceryle  alrynn. 

The  liabjts  of  the  little  Texas  kingfisher  are  said  to  be  the  same  as 


200 


WOODPECKERS 


those  of  its  larger  relative.  In  southern  and  western  Texas  many  of 
its  nests  are  destroyed  by  the  cloud-burst  floods  which  annually 
sweep  the  rivers  there. 


ORDER  PICI:    WOODPECKERS,  ETC. 
FAMILY  PICIDiE:   WOODPECKERS. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Outside  hind  toe  longer  than  outside  front  toe. 
2.  Toes  4,  2  pointing  forward,  2  back. 


Fig.  262. 


Fig.  264. 


a—      3.  Nasal  groove  extending  only  about  half  way  to  tip  of 
3  bill Sphyrapicus,  p.  210. 


3'.  Nasal  groove  extending  nearly  to  tip  of  bill. 


4.  Plumage  wholly  black  except  for  white   head   and 
white  patch  on  wings  .     .     .     Xenopicus,  p.  207. 

4'.  Plumage  mainly  white  below  and  spotted  with  white 
above    . Dryobates,  p.  201. 


£    2'.  Toes  3,  2  pointing  forward,  1  back  .     Picoides,  p.  208. 


Fig.  265. 


1'.  Outside  hind  toe  not  longer  than  outside  front  toe. 


Head    with    con- 
spicuous crest. 
Ceopliloeus, 
p.  213. 


2'.  Head      without 
crest. 


Fig.  266. 


m 


Fig.  267. 


3.  Under  surface  of  wing  and  tail  yellow  or  red. 

Colaptes,  p.  220. 

3'.  Under  surface  of  wing  and  tail  not  yellow  or  red  ;  upper 

mandible  with  a  distinct  lateral  ridge  and  nasal  groove. 

Melanerpes.  p.  215. 


WOODPECKERS  201 


GENUS    DRYOBATES. 


General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight,  square  at  tip,  beveled  toward  end, 
with  sharp  culmen  aud  distinct  lateral  ridges,  and  large  nasal  tufts  hiding- 
the  nostrils  ;  tongue  greatly  extensile  ;  feet  with  outer  hind  toe  longer  than 
outer  front  toe  ;  wing  long,  pointed. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  brown arizoiiae,  p.  2()(). 

1.  Upper  parts  black,  marked  with  white. 
2.  Outer  tail  feathers  plain  white. 

3.  Upper  parts  black,  barred  with  white  ....     nuttallii,  p.  205. 
3'. Upper  parts  black,  with  a  white  stripe  down  back. 

4.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  conspicuously  spotted  with  white. 

leucomelas.  p.  201. 
4',  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  plain  black  or  lightly  spotted  with 
white. 

5.  Under  parts  smoky  gray liarrisii,  p.  202. 

5'.  Under  parts  pure  white. 

6.  Smaller hy  lose  opus,  p.  202. 

6'.  Larger monticola,  p.  203. 

2'.  Outer  tail  feathers  white,  barred  with  black. 
3.  Upper  parts  black,  barred  with  white. 

4.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  barred  for  more  than  terminal 

half •     •     •     ^airdi.  p.  204. 

4.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  barred  for  only  terminal  half  or 

less lucasanus,  205. 

3'.  Upper  parts  black,  with  white  .stripe  down  back. 

4.  Wing   coverts   conspicuously   spotted   with   white.      Middle  and 

northern  United  States  .  ' mediailUS,  p.  204. 

4'.  Wing  coverts  not  conspicuously  spotted  with  white. 
').  Under  parts  pure  white.      Rocky  Mountain  region. 

honioius,  p.  203. 
5'.  Under  parts  snioky  gray  or  brown.     British  ("olumbia  to  Cali- 
fornia  gairdnerii,  p.  203. 

393a.  Dryobates  villosus  leucomelas  {Bvdd.).     Northern 

HaIKV    WoOin'KCKKK. 

Adult  mah .  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  a  scarlet  band  across  back  of 
crown,  wliite  stripe  down  back  and  ir'nuj  coverts 
and  trrtials  CDnsjjicttoiisli/  spotted  irit/t  white ;  outer 
tail  feathei-s  plain  white  ;  under  parts  pure  cUar 
whit»'.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  without  red 
on  liead.      Younq :    crown    with    red.       Len<jth :  Fii,'.  .'(ks. 

10-11,  wing  .•).02"-r).4<).  tail  :;.r,i»-;;.s(),  bill  1.40-1. <".•_'. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  to  .iltoiit  tlie  noitlieni 
border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees.     E(j<js  :   white. 

Food. —  Larvai  of  wood-boring  insects,  ants,  and  a  small  amount  of  wil.l 
fruit,  berries,  and  beechnuts. 

Tlic  liairy  woodixckcr.  of  wlialcvcr  gcogrupliic  race,  is  a  (luict. 
solitary  bin!  of  the  timber,  and  you  may  ride  tliroiigli  the  forests 
(lay  after  (lay  without  seeing  it,  as  its  stu-prisini:-  absence  from  yonr 


202  WOODPECKERS 

records  on  its  breeding  grounds  attests.  A  sharp  peek  will  sometimes 
reveal  its  presence,  and  if  3^011  look  quickly  you  may  catch  sight  of  a 
vanishing  back  marked  with  a  white  vertical  line. 

In  working,  the  hair}^  woodpecker  takes  short  hops  up  the  tree 
trunk,  sidles  around,  or  backs  down  with  equal  ease.  It  is  a  forest 
preserver,  spending  its  life  in  ridding  the  trees  of  wood-borers  and 
other  insects  that  destroy  them.  When  not  engaged  in  getting  food, 
it  entertains  itself  by  drumming  on  a  resonant  branch. 

The  Harris  woodpecker  is  the  humid  Pacific  coast  form  of  villosus 
while  Cabanis  is  the  interior  form.  As  villosus  is  a  Transition  zone 
bird  it  affects  yellow  pines  and  aspens,  and  in  the  ponderosa  forests 
of  Arizona  I  have  seen  it  excavate  in  pine  bark  with  wonderful  dex- 
terity. Instead  of  drilling  straight  down,  with  its  head  on  one  side, 
it  would  fleck  off  and  send  flying  the  thin  flakes  of  bark  which  char- 
acterize the  tree.  In  Arizona  the  young  Cabanis  woodpeckers  leave 
their  nests  about  the  middle  of  June,  Dr.  Mearns  says,  and  soon  after 
make  a  partial  vertical  migration  downward  to  the  lower  edge  of  the 
pine  belt  in  company  with  other  birds  that  breed  at  the  higher  levels. 
In  winter  when  the  timber  gets  icy  the  woodpeckers  sometimes  go 
as  low  as  the  cottonwoods,  where  they  are  usually  accompanied  by 
flocks  of  Cassin  finches,  red-backed  j uncos,  and  their  especial  com- 
panions, the  slender-billed  nuthatches. 

393c.  D.  V.  harrisii  (Aud.).     Harris  Woodpecker. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  scarlet  nape,  white  stripe  down 

back,  iving  coverts  and   tertials  plain  black  or  lightly  spotted   with  white ; 

outer    primaries    with    white    spots ;     outer 

tail  feather  plain  white  ;   under  parts  smoky 

gray  or  light  smoky  hroivn.      Adidt  female  : 

similar,  but  without  scarlet  nape.      Young : 

^'^"  ~^^  ■  similar,  but  forehead  spotted  with  white  and 

scarlet  of  nape  extending'  partly  or  wholly  over  crown.      Length  :  9-10, 

wing  4.70-5.30,  tail  3.20-3.75,  bill  1.12-1.40. 

Remarks.  —  The  plain  black  or  very  lig-litly  spotted  wing-  coverts  and 
tertials  of  harrisii  distinguish  it  from  the  northern  and  southern  hairy 
woodpeckers,  while  its  smoky  under  parts  distinguish  it  from  hyloscopus. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  in  humid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones, 
from  Alaska  south  to  northern  California  (Humboldt  Bay). 
Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  that  of  the  northern  hairy. 

Food.  —  Wood-boring  larvje,  wasps,  weevils,  beetles,  ants,  seeds,  and  wild 
berries. 

393d.  D.  V.  hyloscopus  (Cab.).     Cabanis  Woodpecker. 

Similar  to  1).  v.  harrisii,  but  white  instead  of  smoky  below,  and  some- 
what smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Transition  zone  of  the  southwestern 
United  States  and  south  to  mountains  of  Zacatecas,  Mexico  —  replaced  by 
harrisii  in  the  humid  coast  district. 

Nest.  —  Usually  12  to  18  feet  from  the  ground  in  pines,  aspens,  and  other 
trees.     Fggs  :  3  to  (5.  white. 


WOODPECKERS  203 

Food.  —  Mainly  injurious  larvae  and  insect  eggs,  with  small  berries  and 
seeds,  pinon  nuts,  pine  seeds,  and  acorns. 

393e.  D.  V.  monticola  Anthony.  Kocky  Mountain  Hairy 
Woodpecker. 

Like  hyloscopus,  but  larger,  clearer  white  below,  and  with  lores  chiefly 
or  wholly  black.  Male  :  wing  5,2o.  tail  4,  bill  from  nostril  1.12,  Female  : 
wing  5.04,  tail  o.SU,  bill  from  nostril  .9"). 

Remarks.  —  The  Kocky  Mountain  woodpecker  is  equal  in  size  and  inter- 
grades  with  the  northern  hairy,  but  tj^ical  specimen.s  of  each  can  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  unspotted  wing  coverts  and  tertials  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain bird. 

Distribution.  — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States  from  New 
Mexico  to  Montana  ;  west  to  Utah. 

Food.  —  Moths,  wood-boring  beetles,  ants,  other  insects,  and  spiders. 

394a.  Dryobates  pubescens  gairdnerii  (Aud.).  Gairdner 
Woodpecker.^ 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  dingy  whitish  forehead,  scarlet 
nape,  and  white   stripe  down   back  ;  middle  and 
greater   wing  coverts  plain  black,  or  only  lightly 

spotted    with    white ;    outer    tail  feathers     white,  

barred   with   black :   under  parts    smoky  gray    or  "  ^ig.  l'TO. 

light  smoke   brown.     Adult  female :  similar,  but 

without  scarlet  on  nape.  Young  :  similar,  but  with  red  of  nape  extending 
partly  or  wholly  over  crown.  Length :  6.25-7.00,  wing  3.55-4.15,  tail 
2.30-2.70,  bill  .7b-.80. 

Remarks.  —  The  black  barring  on  the  outer  tail  feathers  and  the  small 
size  of  I),  p.  gairdnerii  distinguish  it  from  I),  rillosus  harrisii.  while  its 
smoky  under  parts  and  barred  tail  feathers  distinguish  it  from  I),  p.  ho- 
morus,  and  its  lack  of  conspicuous  wing  covert  spotting  from  D.  p.  me- 
dianus. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  southern  California  ; 
east  beyond  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascade  ranges.- 

Nest.  —  4  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  deciduous  trees  or  old  stumps. 

Eggs:  4  or  5.  white. 

Food.  —  Noxious  insects  and  larvae,  ants,  caterpillars,  and  scale  insects. 

The  GairdncT  woodpecker  is  the  Pacific  coast  form  of  the  downy, 
and  though  smaller  re.semhlcs  the  hair}^  in  appearance  and  habits. 
It  is  less  solitary  and  less  a  bird  of  the  forest  than  the  hairy,  being 
found  in  willows  and  along  streams  in  the  foothills,  and  in  settled 
districts  in  orchards,  where  it  does  incalculable  good  by  making  way 
with  wood -borers  that  ruin  the  trees. 

394b.  D.  p.  homorus  (Cab.).     Batchelder  Woodpecker. 

Like  gairdnerii  but   larger,  except   for  the  feet,   which  are   relatively 

'  Dryobnfr.i  piilif.smi.s  tiinid  (Ma\h.).     Wn.i.ow  Woodpecker. 

Like  (jdirdiinii  hut  BiimlltT.  witli  li^litcr  iiikUt  parts  .ind  spottod  tertials. 

Dislr'ihulioi).  —  V\tYH'r  Soiioraii  ami  Transition  zones  of  California  except:  desert 
ranRes  east  of  Sierra  Nevada.  indudinK  east  slope  of  Sierra  (?)  roast  refrion  north  of 
Mendooino  County  and  region  north  of  upper  end  of  Sa<;ranieuto  valley.  {  Thr  i'ltmlnr. 
iv.  r.s.) 

■  A  typical  Driiotnttfs  pnbiKceus  has  been  taken  by  Mr.  Rathbun  at  Seattle. 


204  WOODPECKERS 

smaller ;  under  parts  pure  white  instead  of  smoky  brown,  and  under  tail 
coverts  immaculate  instead  of  spotted  or  barred  with  black,  and  outer  tail 
feathers  nearly  pure  white.     Wing-  4,  tail  2.(32,  bill  .To. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  in  British  Columbia  and  the  United  States,  and  in  south- 
ern California. 

Nest.  —  5  to  50  feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs  :  5  or  6,  white. 

In  Arizona  Dr.  Mearns  found  the  Batcbelder  woodpecker  nesting 
in  the  yellow  pine  belt,  and  going  up  into  the  spruces  on  the  cone 
of  San  Francisco  Mountain.  One  of  the  birds  picked  out  a  dry 
aspen,  and  drummed  regularly  about  his  camp. 

394c.  D.  p.  raedianus  {Swains.).    Downy  Woodpecker. 

Like  D.  ]).  gairdnerii,  but  wing  coverts  conspicuously  spotted  with  white 
and  under  parts  soiled  whitish.      Wing  :  3.72,  tail  2.40,  bill  .60. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  and  northern  parts  of  eastern  United  States, 
north  to  southern  Keewatin. 

The  downy  woodpecker  is  a  quiet,  friendly  little  bird  who  prefers 
to  hunt  wood-borers  in  orchards  rather  than  in  deep  forests,  and 
who  will  gladly  come  to  a  tree  beside  the  house  if  a  bit  of  suet  is 
hung  there  for  him.  He  is  so  absorbed  in  his  good  work  that  he 
goes  about  his  business  with  little  fear  of  man,  and  his  sharp  peek, 
peek,  may  often  be  heard  even  from  city  trees. 

396.  Dryobates  scalaris  bairdi  (MalL).     Texan  Woodpecker. 

Adult  male :    Upper  parts,  including  entire   outer  tail  feathers,  barred 

black  and  white,  but  middle   tail  feathers  plain 

.gO^^W^^Hj^tt^       black  ;   forehead  smoky  and   crown  red,  crown 

^^^^^^^^^^^^       feathers  with  red  preceded  by  specks  of  white  ; 

^^^^l  under  parts  smoky,  lightly  spotted  with  black. 

Adult  female  :  similar,  but  crown  black.   Young : 

crown  more  or  less  extensively  red.     Length :  7.00-7.75,  wing  3.90-4.25, 

tail  2.45-2.75  exposed  culmen  .83-.93. 

Remarks.  —  See  remarks  under  Dryobates  nuttallii. 

Distribution. — Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  Califor- 
nia, and  from  southern  Colorado  to  Utah,  Nevada,  and  south  to  northern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  5  to  14  feet  from  the  ground  in  pines,  oaks,  junipers, 
mesquite,  haekberry,  agaves,  yuccas,  and  other  trees;  also  fence  posts  and 
telegraph  poles.     Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Wood-boring  larvae,  weevils,  ants,  and  the  ripe  fruit  of  the  giant 
cactus. 

The  little  Texan  downy  or  '  speckle-check,'  as  it  is  called,  is  a 
bird  of  the  lowlands,  rarely  going  above  five  thousand  feet.  In 
western  Texas  it  is  more  generally  distributed  than  any  other  wood- 
pecker, occurring  alike  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  among 
the  junipers,  oaks,  and  pinon  pines  of  the  Chisos,  Davis,  and 
Guadalupe  mountains,  and  among  cottonwoods,  willows,  mesquites, 
and  yuccas  of  the  hot  valleys.     In  the  mountains  it  is  found  with 


WOODPECKERS  205 

the  red-slmftcd  flicker  and  the  ant-eating  woodpecker,  and  in  south- 
ern Texas  with  the  golden-fronted  woodpecker.  The  thin  voice  of 
hairdi  betrays  his  presence  when  he  is  hidden,  but  he  is  often  in 
evidence,  peeking  around  a  post  or  tree  trunk  at  you. 

Where  there  are  trees  he  nests  in  them,  where  there  are  none  he 
accommodates  himself  to  circumstances  and  nests  in  yuccas,  fence 
posts,  and  telegraph  poles.  On  throwing  open  a  gate  the  traveler 
is  sometimes  surprised  by  the  screams  of  a  brood  in  the  gate  post, 

396a.  D.  s.  lucasanus  (Xantus).  Saint  Lucas  Woodpecker. 

Similar  to  hairdi.  but  outer  tail  feather  barred  only  on  terminal  half 
or  less,  except  sometimes  on  inner  web.  and  primary  coverts  with  at  least 
one  row  of  small  white  spots.  Length:  7.25-T.7o,  wing  8.95-4.10,  tail 
2.70-2.90.  exposed  enlmen  .91-.94. 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude  34^  in  the  Colorado  Desert,  Califor- 
nia, south  through  Lower  California. 

397.  Dryobates  nuttallii  {Gamb.).     Nuttall  Woodpecker. 

Adult  iiialf. — Upper  parts  barred  with  black  and  white,  but  forehead 
dingy ;    crown    black,  sometimes  streaked    with  _v^t 

white  ;   back  of  head  with  red  patch  ;  hind  neck      ^^^^HBy^^^ 

white  ;  shoulders   crossed  by  wide  black   band  ;  ^^BBL 

middle  tail   feathers   black,  and  oiiter  feathers  j.j,,    .7.. 

Avith    not    more  than   two   distinct   black  bars ; 

under  parts  almost  pure  white  ;   sides  spotted  with  black.     Adult  female  : 

similar,  but  without  red  on  head,      Younrj :  similar,  but  top  of  crown  red, 

nape   black,  and  under  parts  more   thickly  barred  with  black.     Length  : 

7,  wing  o. 90-4.20,  tail  2.0()-o.05,  exposed  culmen  .77-.82. 

Bemarks.  —  The  difference  in  color  pattern  of  head  and  outer  tail  feath- 
ers distinguish  nuttallii  from  scalaria  bairdi. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Souoran  (and  Transition  ?)  zone,  west 
of  the  Cascade  and  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  from  southern  Oregon  south 
to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Lj  dead  limbs  or  old  stubs  of  oaks,  sycamores,  cottonwoods, 
elders,  and  willows,  at  no  great  height  from  the  ground.    Kggs  :  4  to  (5,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  larvie,  including  caterpillars,  ants,  weevils, 
seeds,  and  probably  occasionally  berries  and  fruit. 

The  cross-bars  on  the  back  and  the  white  feathers  on  the  sides  of 
the  tail  mark  this  little  woodpecker  as  it  clings  to  a  tree  trunk  or 
flies  across  to  anotlier  bole.  It  has  a  nuthatch-like  way  of  flying  up 
to  light  on  the  under  sirle  of  a  liml),  and  wlicn  lianging  upside  down 
turns  itself  around  with  as  much  ease  as  a  lly  011  a  ceiling. 

At  times  the  small  Nullall  wa.xes  excited,  and  shakes  his  wings 
as  he  gives  his  thin,  rattling  call.  All  his  notes  are  thin,  and  his 
guecf/nreqitcf-fp/rrp'  has  a  sharp  (piality.  Ilis  chit'tah  is  a  dimin- 
utive of  \\\c  jn'roh  of  the  California  woodpecker,  lie  is  a  sturdy 
little  fellow,  and  in  flight  will  sometimes  rise  high  in  air  and  fly 
long  and  steadily,  dipping  only  slightly  over  the  l)ru.sh.  He  has 
the  full  str(ii<i:tli  of  his  (•(.nvictidiis  and  will  diivc  a  l)ig  dicker  from 


206  WOODPECKERS 

a  sycamore  and  then  stretch  up  on  a  branch  and  call  out  triumph- 
antly. Two  Nuttalls  trying  to  decide  whether  to  fight  are  an 
amusing  sight.  They  shake  their  feathers  and  scold  and  dance 
about  as  if  they  were  aching  to  fly  at  each  other,  but  couldn't 
quite  make  up  their  minds  to  so  grave  a  matter. 

398.  Dryobates  arizonse  {Hargitt).     Arizona  Woodpecker. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  phiin  brown,  except  for  red  nape  bordered  by 
conspicuous  white  patches,  white  spotting-  on  wing-  quills,  and  white  bar- 
ring- on  outer  tail  feathers  ;  under  parts,  including  under  tail  coverts  heav- 
ily spotted  with  brown.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  Avithout  red  on  head. 
Young :  like  adults  of  respective  sexes,  but  top  of  head  brown  like  back, 
and  spotted  with  red.  Length :  7.40-8.40,  wing-  4.40-4.65,  tail  2.55-2.95, 
exposed  culmen  .90-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone,  from  the  mountains  of 
southwestern  New  Mexico  and  southern  Arizona  south  to  northwestern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs :  3  or  4,  white. 

"  This  rare  woodpecker  is  a  common  species  on  the  foothills  of 
the  Chiricahua  Mountains,  where  it  was  one  of  the  first  birds  that 
met  my  eye  when  the  section  where  it  abounds  was  first  entered.  .  .  . 
So  far  as  I  could  ascertain,  at  this  season  at  least,  it  is  confined  to 
the  region  of  the  oaks,  ranging  from  about  4000  to  7000  feet,  thus 
inhabiting  a  region  about  midway  betw^een  the  low  valleys  and  the 
mountain  districts  proper.  Here  they  appeared  to  be  perfectly  at 
home,  climbing  over  the  trunks  of  the  oaks  with  the  same  ease  and 
rapidity  of  movement  that  distinguish  the  motions  of  the  downy  or 
hairy  woodpecker  :  though  their  habits,  in  so  far  as  they  are  at  all 
peculiar,  are,  perhaps,  best  comparable  to  those  of  the  red-cockaded 
woodpecker  of  the  south  {Dryobates  borealis),  especially  their  custom 
of  moving  about  in  small  companies  of  from  five  to  fifteen,  though 
they  were  occasionally  found  singly  or  in  pairs. 

"  When  in  pursuit  of  food,  they  almost  alw^ays  alighted  near  the 
base  of  the  trees,  gradually  ascending,  and  making  their  way  along  the 
smaller  limbs  and  even  out  among  the  foliage,  appearing  to  prefer 
to  secure  their  food  by  a  careful  search  than  by  the  hard  labor  of 
cutting  into  the  wood  in  the  way  the  hairy  woodpecker  employs  its 
strength.  ...  I  found  them  at  all  times  rather  shj^  and  gifted  with 
very  little  of  that  prying  curiosity  which  is  seen  in  some  of  the 
better  known  species  of  this  family ;  and  if  by  chance  I  surprised  a 
band  feeding  among  the  low  trees,  a  sharp  warning  note,  from  some 
member  more  w^atchful  than  the  rest,  communicated  alarm  to  the 
whole  assembly,  when  they  took  flight  immediately,  showing  great 
dexterity  in  dodging  behind  trunks  and  limbs,  and  making  good 
their  retreat  by  short  flights  from  one  tree  to  another  till  they  "were 
out  of  sight.''    (Henshaw.) 


WOODPECKERS  207 

GENUS    XENOPICUS. 

399.  Xenopicus  albolarvatus  {Cass.}.    White-hkadkd  Wood- 

PECKER.l 

Outer  hind  toe  long-ev  tlian  outer  front  toe  ;  bill  with  nasal  groove  ex- 
tending nearly  to  tip ;  terminal  half  of  bill 
not  distinctly  compressed  ;  tongue  very 
slightly  extensile.  Aifult  male:  head  and 
neck  white,  whole  body  black  except  for  irhite 
patch  on  icings  and  red  patch  on  back  of  head.  ^^' 

Adult  female :  similar,  but  without  red  on  head.  Young  male  :  similar, 
but  back  and  red  on  crown  duller.  Length  :  8.90-9.40,  wing-  5.00-5.10, 
tail  4.00-4.05. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  moun- 
tains from  southern  British  Columbia  to  southern  California,  east  to  the 
Blue  Mountains  of  Oregon,  eastern  Idaho,  and  along  the  eastern  slope  of 
the  .Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Usually  4  to  15  feet  from  the  ground  in  stub  of  pine  or  fir. 
Eggs:  usually  o  to  7,  white. 

Food. —  Insects  and  larvse  which  are  found  under  the  scales  of  pine  bark. 

In  the  Transition  zone  forests  of  ]Moiint  Shasta  and  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  one  of  the  most  striking  birds  is  the  white-headed  wood- 
pecker. Impossible  as  it  would  seem  at  first  sight,  I  have  found 
that  the  snow-white  head  often  serves  the  bird  as  a  disguise.  It 
is  the  disguise  of  color  pattern,  for  the  black  body  seen  against 
a  tree  trunk  becomes  one  of  the  black  streaks  or  shadows  of  the 
bark,  and  the  white  head  is  cut  off  as  a  detached  white  spot  with- 
out bird-like  suggestions.  On  the  other  hand,  when  the  bird  is  ex- 
ploring the  light-barked  young  Shasta  firs  or  gray,  barkless  tracts 
of  old  trees,  the  white  of  the  head  tones  in  with  the  gray  and  is  lost, 
the  headless  back  again  l)ecoming  only  a  shadow  or  scar.  But  the 
most  surprising  thing  of  all  is  to  see  the  sun  streaming  full  on  the 
white  head  and  find  that  the  bird  form  is  lost.  The  white  in  this 
case  is  so  glaring  that  it  fills  the  eye  and  carries  it  over  to  tlie  light 
streaks  on  the  bark,  making  the  black  sink  away  as  insignificant. 
All  this  applies,  liowever,  only  when  the  l)ird  is  quiet  ;  in  motion  he 
is  strikingly  conspicuous,  and  in  flight  his  white  wing  streak  makes 
another  good  recognition  mark.  Dr.  Merrill  noticed  some  interest- 
ing phases  of  this  disgiiise  at  Fort  Klamath.  There,  lie  says,  tlie 
pines  have  stubs  of  branches  ]irojecting  an  inch  or  two  from  the 
trunk  which,  lit  by  the  sun,  ai)p<ar  white  themselves  and  cast  a 
black  sliadow. 

AV/J«'^y>iV//.v  works  with  ai)pai'eiit  indilTereiiee  on  ti'uiiks  or  l)i-an(hes. 
Like  the  Xuttall  woodp('ck«'r  he  often  lights  upside  down,  in  hunt- 
ing over  the  bark  he  easily  l)acks  down  the  trunk,  or  if  he  takes  the 

'  Xninjiicu.s  (/niviro.itrh  Griimell.     SorTHERN  White-headeo  Woodit.ckeu. 
Like  -\ .  nlholurrrihi.s,  but  hill  imicli  liwiiviiT,  itiul  Hi/f  in  ^''I'frul  sli^jlitly  jjreater. 
lUsliilmtiim.  —  SniitluTii  Si.rra  of  California.     (  Thr  Couiltir,  iv.  S'.l.) 


208 


WOODPECKERS 


notion  will  fly,  or  perhaps  drop  backwards,  a  foot  or  so.  He  w^U 
also  light  sidewise  on  a  branch  and  grasp  the  limb  with  his  tail  as  if 
afraid  of  falling  off.  It  is  interesting  to  see  him  explore  cracks  in 
the  bark.  Standing  on  the  edge  he  pokes  his  head  into  the  dark 
cavern,  turning  it  from  one  side  to  the  other  inquiringly.  Dr. 
Merrill  has  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  he  uses  his  bill  as  a  crow- 
bar rather  than  a  hammer  or  chisel  as  other  woodpeckers  do,  prying 
off  the  layers  of  bark  so  quietly  that  you  rarely  hear  him  at  work. 

The  call -note  of  Xenopicm  is  much  like  that  of  a  Dryohates, 
though  it  seems  duller  and  heavier. 

GENUS   PICOIDES. 

General  Characters-  —  Foot  with  3  toes,  2  pointing  forward  and  1  back ; 
bill  broad  and  wide  at  base,  straight,  with  beveled  end,  lateral  ridges, 
and  nasal  tufts  hiding  the  nostrils. 


^ 


KEY   TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Back  wholly  black arcticus,  p.  208. 

1'.  Back  marked  with  white. 
2.  Median  line  of  back  continuously  white       .     .     .      dorsalis,  p.  209. 
2'.  Median  line  of  back  not  continuously  white, 

3.  Median  line  of  back  black  and  wliite,  black  prevailing. 

americanus,  p  209. 
3'.  Median  line  of  back  usually  black  and  white,  white  prevailing. 

fasciatus,  p.  209. 

400.  Picoides arcticus (Sivains). 
Arctic  Three-toed  Wood- 
pecker.^ 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  glossy  blue 
black  except  for  squarish  yellow  crown 
patch,  fine  M'hite  spotting  on  wings,  and 
plain  white  outer  tail  feathers  ;  sides  of 
head  black  and  white ;  under  parts  white, 
heavily  barred  with  black  on  sides.  Adult 
female:  similar,  but  without  yellow  on 
head.  Young  male  :  like  adult,  but  yel- 
low crown  patch  more  restricted,  black 
of  upper  parts  duller,  under  parts  tinged 
with  brown.  Young  female:  crown  black, 
sometimes  with  trace  of  vellow.  Length  : 
9.50-10.00,  wing  4.85-5.25,  tail  3.60,  bill 
1.40-1.60. 

Distribjition.  — Northern  North  Amer- 
ica from  the  arctic  regions  to  the  north- 
ern United  States  (New  England,  New 
York,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota, 


I 


From  Bi 


Fig.  274. 

Montana.,   Idaho,   California,  and  Nevada.) 

1  Picoides  arclicya  iemnrostris  Bangs. 
A  slender-billed  form  of  P.  arcticus. 

Distnhntion.  —  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada  in  California,  south  to  Lake  Tahoe.     {The 
Auk,  xvii.  131.) 


WOODPECKERS  209 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  dead  trees  or  stumps  rarely  above  8  feet  from  the 
ground.     J!^ggs  :  generally  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Almost  wholly  wood-boring  insects  and  larvae. 

"The  arctic  three-toed  woodpecker  is  essentially  a  bird  of  the 
pine,  spruce,  fir,  and  tamarack  forests,  and  is  rarely  seen  in  other 
localities.  It  is  generally  a  resident,  rarely  migrating  to  any  distance. 
.  .  .  Like  the  hairy  woodpecker,  they  are  persistent  drummers,  rat- 
tling away  for  minutes  at  a  time  on  some  dead  limb,  and  are  espe- 
cially active  during  the  mating  season  in  April.  I  have  located  more 
than  one  specimen  by  traveling  in  the  direction  of  the  sound  when 
it  was  fully  half  a  mile  away."    (Bendire.) 

401.  Picoides  americanus  Brehm.  American  Three-toed  Wood- 
pecker. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  black,  with  whitish  nuchal  band  and 
light  spotting  or  barring  on  head  and  back  ;  wing  quills  lightly  barred  with 
white,  outer  tail  feathers  mainly  plain  white  ;  crown  with  yellow  patch, 
back  of  head  glossed  with  blue  ;  under  parts  white,  sides  and  flanks  barred 
with  black.  Adidt  female  :  similar,  but  without  yellow  on  crown.  Length  : 
9,  wing  4.40-4.60,  tail  ;J.10-;5.75,  bill  1.10-1.2."). 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ; 
south  to  the  northern  border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  coniferous  trees,  4  to  12  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  : 
usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Principally  wood-boring  insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  habits  of  the  American  are  similar  to  those  of  the  arctic 
three-toed  woodpecker,  though  it  is  considered  by  Mr.  Williams  of 
Montana  a  much  more  silent  bird,  its  calls  resembling  those  of 
Dryobates  rather  than  Picoides. 

401a.  P.  a.  fasciatUS  Baird.    Alaskan  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

."Similar  to  /'.  a.  dorsalis.  but  back  usually  distinctly  barred  witli  black 
(rarely  continuously  white  along  middle  line),  secondaries  more  distinctly 
spotted  with  white  (sometimes  wing-coverts  also  sjwtted.  more  or  less 
numerously  with  white),  white  spots  on  quills  larger,  and  female  some- 
times with  white  prevailing  on  top  of  head.  Length:  *.•..")(),  wing  4.50-4. T»>, 
tail.S.lO-.J.T.-),  bill  1.10-1.2.-). 

Distribution.  —  Alaska,  south  to  northern  Washijigton. 

401b.  P.  a.  dorsalis  Baird.    Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Adult  iHdle.  —  Similar  to  nmerintnus,  but  middle  of  hark  n>nfitiii'>usli/ 
while,  mostly  sticakt'd  :  side  of  bead  with  two 
conspicuous  white  strijx's.  Adult  female: 
similar,  but  browner,  and  undtT  jKirts  dingy 
wliite  ;  head  without  yellow  patch,  blue  black, 
lightly  flecked  with  white.  Young:  like  fe- 
male, bnt  with  more  or  less  yellow  streaking  on  crown.  Length:  \K')0. 
wing  4.0.V.-..00,  tail  ;;.2( »-;;.('..■).  bill  i.i.-)-i.:;(». 

/>>j's/rj/)M//o».  —  Breeds  in    Iloreal    /one    irom    .Vii/.on;i    .ind    New  Mexico 


210 


WOODPECKERS 


north  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  region  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada  to  Fort  Liard. 

Nest.  —  Described  by  Dr.  Mearns,  in  a  pine  oO  feet  from  the  ground, 
containing-  5  white  eggs. 

Food.  —  Largely  wood-boring-  larvae. 

The  Alpine  three-toed  resembles  the  Americau,  being  found  like  it 
largely  in  the  fire-blackened  timber. 

GENUS    SPHYRAPICUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  so  stout  and  chisel-like  as  in  Drijobates 
and  Picoides,  wedge-shaped,  pointed,  nasal  groove  extending  only  about 
half  way  to  tip  of  bill ;  tongue  scarcely  extensile,  the  tip  brushy  ;  tail 
feathers  long-,  pointed  ;  feet  with  inner  toe  extremely  short. 

KEY    TO   ADOLT   MALES. 

1.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  red. 

2.  Belly  yellow ruber,  p.  211. 

2'.  Belly  olive  yellow.  Northwest  coast  .  .  .  notkensis,  p.  212. 
1'.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  with  black,  white,  and  red. 

2.  Upper  parts  glossy  black tliyroideus,  p.  212. 

2.  Upper  parts  black,  spotted  with  white. 

o.  Nape  brownish  white varius,  p.  210. 

3'.  Nape  more  or  less  tinged  with  red nuchalis,  p.  211. 

402    Sphyrapieus  varius  {Linn.).     Yellows-bellied  Sapsucker. 
Adult  male.  —  Siinilar   to    the  red-naped    sapsucker   (402a),   but    nape 

brownish  white,  and  black  malar 

stripes  separating-  red   of  throat 

from  white  cheek  stripes.     Adidt 

.  '"^  "^       female  :  throat  entirely  white,  and 

\  '  (  V  ^  *  ^  '^  crown    sometimes    without     red. 

^        '  t''^*r't^^^<--\^^%v,  Young:    head,    neck,    and    chest 

1  *^rf'  r'«"'*'l^V»!^  mottled  brown,  the  color  pattern 

'/rr''  "f^^lmjMJr/  of  adults  only  faintly  indicated. 

■  '  {\  \^f\r^'^^  Length:    7.75-8.75,   wing    (male) 

U   ■  ^  V 'r  c\f  J   />/  S  4.80-5.00,  tail  2.90-3.20,  bill  1.00- 

/-^P\\  ''  *Vl|'/i^Sw  Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  east- 

^  ^    \  ^       l^    'mJI^  t'rn  North  America,    from   north 

'/^"uas  ^  \l            \l1riv'         '^  -    *-          ^^    Fort    Simpson    to    Massachu- 

\  ^^^1  ^  ^^          setts ;    south    in   winter    to  West 

I  \  ^           mm     ''  '^    ~    '     Indies,  Mexico,  and  Costa  Rica. 

-  ^<^  ll3|f  Nest.  —  In    dead    or    decaying 

>^^^'^  I  tra&f,     ,  trees.    15    to    00    feet   from    the 

/      1  ^^k  V^*^  --          ground.     Fggs :  4  to  7,  white. 

■^  I    •^t'ly^^  "^                Food.  —  Large  numbers  of  ants 

1  and  flies,  also  bugs,  wasps,  crick- 

From  Biological  Survey,  I".  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,    ets,  and  other  insectS.  wild   f ruits. 

Fig.  27G.  seeds,  nuts,  inner  bark,  and  sap. 

The  eastern  sapsucker  has  been  found  west  of  the  hundredth 
meridian  in  Texas.  Like  the  other  sapsuckers  it  leaves  a  blazed 
trail  -behind  it,  —  a  girdle  of  squarisli  holes  on  its  food  trees.     If 


WOODPECKERS  211 

the  trees  are  delicate  birches  they  will  probably  be  killed  in  time, 
but  the  forest  trees  are  too  hardy  to  be  affected  by  the  loss  of  sap, 
and  as  the  sweet  syrup  attracts  a  host  of  insects,  the  sapsucker  does 
a  good  piece  of  work  in  destroying  them.  He  ranks  next  to  the 
flicker  as  an  ant-eater,  one  third  of  his  solid  food  consisting  of  ants. 
AVhile  watching  his  fly-trap  he  clings  to  the  trunk  as  motionless  as 
if  glued  there. 

402a.    Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis   Baird.    Kkd-naped  Sap- 

SLCKKK. 

AdMt  nude.  —  Upper  parts  black,  thickly  marked  with  white  ;  wing- 
coverts  plain  black,  with  wide  white  outer 
stripe ;  head  with  red  crown  and  red  nuchal 
patch  separated  by  a  plain  black  area  :  sides  of 
head  with  white  stripes  :  chest  black  between  red 
throat    and  pale    yellow   belly.     Adult  female :  'ff--'-- 

similar,  but  duller,  and  black  chest  patch  mostly  mottled  gray.  Young  : 
duller,  red  of  head  and  tlu'oat  wholly  wanting'  or  only  suggested  by  pale 
claret-colored  tinge.  Length:  8.00-S.T5.  wing  (male)  4. 1)2-.').  10.  tail  o.  10- 
3.40,  bill  .95-1.0:^^. 

Beniarks.  —  In  the  field  the  black  chest  patch  easily  distinguishes  the 
adult  male  nuch(dis  from  ruber  (40']). 

Distribution.  —  Tiunsition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  Rock}'  Mountain 
region,  from  British  Columbia  to  northwestern  Mexico,  and  cape  region 
of  Lower  California,  and  from  Colorado  and  Montana  west  to  tbe  eastern 
slope  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada ;  casual  to  western  Kansas  and 
coast  mountain  region  of  California. 

Nest.  —  Generally  in  aspens,  5  to  oO  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  : 
usually  4  or  '>.  white. 

Food.  —  Principally  small  beetles,  spiders,  grasshoppers,  ants,  and  larvfe 
under  the  loose  bark  of  trees  ;  also  wild  berries,  and  in  fruit  growing  sec- 
tions the  sap  of  peach  and  apple  trees,  and  willows. 

The  members  of  the  genus  Sphyrapicus  form  a  marked  group. 
They  are  sapsuckers,  girdling  tlie  trees  with  small  holes,  from  which 
they  get  a  perennial  supply  of  sap  witli  a  host  of  attracted  insects  to 
vary  the  diet.  Their  tongues  are  oidy  slightly  extensile,  and  have 
brushy  tips  in  sharp  contrast  to  the  long  barbed  tongues  of  the 
Dryobatt'H  group,  which  spear  their  food  from  the  depths  of  the 
wood. 

In  the  nesting  season,  at  least,  the  sapsuckers  are  extremely  noisy, 
active  birds,  striding  up  the  tree  trunks,  calling  loudly  in  tantalizing 
tones,  and  chasing  each  other  about  in  (ine  spirited  fashion. 

The  red-naped  breeds  along  the  borders  of  streams  in   the  moini 
tains  of  the  interior. 

403.  Sphyrapicus  ruber  ((imel.).    llKn-i-.m-ASTi  i>  sm-sicki  k. 

Ailults.  —  Whole  head,  ntrk,  guid  chist 
plain  red.  or  black  and  wliite  markings  »tf 
nuchalis  only  suggested  ;  back,  wings,  and 
tail  black,  heavily  marked  with  white  ;  belly  F 


212  WOODPECKERS 

dusky  or  yellowish.  Young :  duller,  and  color  pattern  less  distinct,  the  red 
replaced  by  claret  brown.  Length  :  S.5U-9.25,  wing  (male)  4.70-5.05,  tail 
3.10-3.50,  bill  1.00-1.08. 

Remarks.  —  The  young-  of  ruber  is  similar  to  the  same  stage  of  nuchalis, 
but  can  be  disting^uished  usually  by  the  dull  reddish  suffusion  over  its 
head,  neck,  and  chest ;  while  the  adult  may  be  recog'nized  in  the  field  by 
the  absence  of  black  chest  patch  and  white  stripes  on  the  sides  of  the 
head. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zone  forests  of  the 
Pacific  coast  region  from  southern  Oreg'on  to  northern  Lower  California ; 
east  to  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  eastern  slope  of-  the 
Cascades. 

Nest.  —  In  aspens,  15  to  25  feet  from  the  g'round.     Eggs  :  5  or  &,  white. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  spiders,  ants,  grasshoppers,  centipeds,  and  larvai,  wild 
berries,  sap,  and  inner  bark. 

In  the  "Sierra  Nevada  the  red-breasted  sapsucker  is  one  of  the. 
common  woodpeckers.  When  riding  through  the  forests  there  we 
often  got  a  flash  of  color  from  its  red  head  and  neck  as  it  flew  before 
our  horses.  On  a  fir  slope  above  Donner  one  July  day  we  discovered 
chips  at  the  foot  of  an  old  stub  heavily  covered  with  yellow  lichen, 
and  rapping  on  it  sent  the  mother  flying  and  roused  a  clamorous 
family  of  young. 

-The  last  week  in  July  at  Donner  Lake  we  found  a  family  of  dull 
colored  young  going  about  with  their  mother,  a  handsome  old  bird 
with  dark  red  head  and  breast.  They  flew  around  in  a  poplar  grove 
for  a  while,  and  then  gathered  in  a  clump  of  willows,  where  four 
young  clung  to  the  branches  and  devoted  themselves  to  eating  sap. 
The  old  bird  flew  about  among  them  and  seemingl}^  cut  and  scraped 
ofi"  the  bark  for  them,  at  the  same  time  apparently  trying  to  teach 
them  to  eat  the  sap  for  themselves;  for  though  she  would  feed  them 
at  other  times  she  refused  to  feed  them  there,  and  apparentl}^  watched 
carefully  to  see  if  they  knew  enough  to  drink  the  sap.  When  the 
meal  was  finally  over  and  the  birds  had  flown,  we  examined  the 
branch  and  found  that  lengthwise  strips  of  bark  had  been  cut  off, 
leaving  narrow  strips  like  fiddle-strings  between.  At  the  freshly  cut 
places  the  sap  exuded  as  sweet  as  sugar,  ready  for  the  birds  to  suck. 

In  winter  the  red-breasted  visits  the  cities,  being  seen,  Mr.  Grin- 
nell  says,  in  pepper-trees  even  on  noisy  city  streets.  lie  has  found 
it  in  Pasadena  from  October  till  the  last  of  IMarch. 

403a.  S.  r.  notkensis  {Sucko?v).  Northern  Red-breasted  Sap- 
sucker. 

Similar  to  S.  ruber,  but  darker,  and  belly  olive  yellow. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  of  North  America,  from  Sitka 
south  in  California  through  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

404.  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus  {Cass.).    Williamson  Sapsucker. 

Adult  male..  —  Upper  parts   glossy  black  except   ivhite  ru7vp,  large  ivhite 


WOODPECKERS  213 

patch  on  wing  coverts,  and  fine  white  spots  on   quills  ;  sides  of   liead  with 
two  white  stripes  ;  throat  and  breast  bhick. 
witli  a  median  stripe   of    bright  red;,  belly 

bright    yellow.     Adult  female :   entire    body  

barred  with  brown  or  bhick  and  white,  except  ^vg.  2Ti).  Williamson  Sapsucker. 
for  brown  head  and  white  rump  and.  rarely,  a 

red  median  stripe  on  throat ;  chest  usually  with  a  black  patch  ;  middle  of 
belly  yellow.  Youny  male  :  similar  to  adult  male,  but  black  duller,  belly 
paler,  throat  stripe  white.  Young  female :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 
markings  and  colors  duller,  bellv  whitisli,  and  chest  without  black  patch. 
Length:  0.00-U.T5,  wing-  .■).2.")-.*;..jO.  tail  ;J.80-:;.90,  bill  1.00-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  western 
United  States  from  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Kocky  Mountains  to  the  west- 
ern spurs  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  Cascades,  and  northern  coast  rang'es ;  south 
to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona ;  winters  in  southern  California,  New  Mexico, 
western  Texas,  and  Sierra  Madre  to  Jalisco,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  pines  and  aspens,  5  to  (30  feet  from  the  g'round.  J^ggs  :  o  to 
7,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  Williamson  sapsucker  is  one  of  the  handsomest  birds  one  sees 
in  tlie  forest,  but  ordinarily  it  flies  from  tree  to  tree  before  you  and  its' 
l)lack  back  and  Avhite  rump  and  wing  patches  are  all  that  are  seen. 
After  several  weeks  of  such  fleeting  glimpses  in  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
we  were  delighted  by  the  discovery  of  a  pair  at  home  on  their  own 
breeding  grounds.  The  place,  Lincoln  Valley  above  Sierra  Valley, 
was  close  to  the  crest  of  the  range,  at  an  elevation  of  seven  thousand 
feet.  The  nest  was  in  a  stub  in  a  group  of  huge  Murray  pines  on 
the  edge  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Sierra  mountain  meadows 
—  a  forest-encircled  meadow  brilliant  with  golden  buttercups.  It 
seemed  a  right  royal  home  for  such  noble  birds.  AVhile  I  watched 
the  nest  the  male  with  his  glossy  coat,  yellow  belly,  and  red  tlu'oat 
came  flying  in,  his  bill  bristling  with  insects;  but  feeling  himself 
observed,  prompt!}^  sidled  out  of  sight  under  the  branches. 

GENUS    CEOPHLCEUS. 

405a.    Ceophloeus   pileatus    abieticola    Hangs.     Nokthkrn 

PiLKATI  1)    \V<JOI)PK.(KKK  :    CoCK-OK-TllK-WoODS. 

Head  consj)icuously  crested;  bill  longer  than  liead,  straight,  with  wedg'e- 
like  tip,  l)('veled  sides,  and  strong-  ridges,  broader  than  high  at  l)ase ;  nos- 
trils concealed  by  larg^e  nasal  tufts;  feet  pecidiar,  outer  hind  toe  shorter 
than  outer  front  toe  ;    tarsus  shorter  than  inner  front  toe  and  claw. 

Adult  male.  —  Brownish  or  grayish  black  ;  entire  top  of  head,  oci-ipital 
crest,  and  malar  stri])i'  bright  red  ;  chin  and  wide  stripe  on  sidi'  of  head 
wliite,  or  sulpliui'  yellow  ;  i)atclies  on  wings  .ind  undi'r  wing  coverts  white  ; 
feathei-s  of  belly  tipped  witli  whitish.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  fore- 
part of  head  and  i;ial.'ir  stripe  brown  instead  of  red.  Young:  siniil.ir  to 
feniale,  but  crest  salmon.     Male:  wing- 1>,  tail  (».:]1.  exjxised  cnlmen  L'.O.*). 

Distribution. —  Heavily  wooded  regions  of  North  America  from  the 
southern  Alleghanies  northward  to  about  latitude  (»:','  and  westward  to 
Pacific  coast. 


Fruiii  Biological  Sui-vcy,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 

Fig.  2S0.   Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker. 


214  WOODPECKERS 

,  Nest.  —  In    aspens    and    coniferous 

trees,  40  to  50  feet  from  the  ground. 
Ji^ggs :  usually  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  AVood-boring-  beetles  and 
larvae  which  infest  timbered  tracts ; 
also  ants,  wild  grapes,  berries,  black 
gum,  dogwood,  poke  weed,  and  service 
berries,  acorns,  beechnuts,  and  chest- 
nuts. 

The  pileated  woodpecker  is  not  a 
common  bird  in  the  western  forests, 
but  is  found  in  the  Cascades  and 
Sierra  Nevada,  and  when  we  were 
camping  on  Mount  Shasta  we  would 
sometimes  hear  his  slow  deliberate 
hammering  and  his  '  bugle  call '  at 
sunrise.  Though  often  heard  he  was  seldom  seen,  but  we  were  occa- 
sionally fortunate  enough  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  him  with  his  con- 
spicuous red  crest  winging  his  way  with  powerful  bounding  flight 
through  the  forest  and  over  the  woodland  meadows. 

Stubs,  torn  and  excavated  by  his  'borings'  were  found  quite  com- 
monly in  the  Transition  belt.  In  many  of  the  excavations  I  no- 
ticed that  while  the  main  cut  might  cover  a  section  six  inches  long 
and  three  wide,  at  the  bottom  of  the  big  excavation  would  be  a  small 
round  hole  that  your  thumb  could  fill,  looking  as  if  the  worm  were 
finally  found  there.  One  of  our  party  who  was  fortunate  enough  to 
see  the  pileated  at  work  described  the  process  in  detail.  The  bird 
began  by  flying  hastily  from  tree  to  tree,  from  tree  to  stump,  and 
stump  to  ground,  finally  going  to  work  on  a  log  on  the  ground. 
After  some  preliminary  pecking  he  began  chiseling  near  a  branch. 
A  steady  pounding  followed  and  the  chips  flew.  The  arc  through 
which  his  head  was  swung  was  so  wide  it  seemed  as  if  his  neck  must 
break,  but  the  bill  came  down  straight,  with  the  blow  of  a  sledge- 
hammer. After  pounding  awhile  the  bird  stopped  and  pecked  at 
the  bark  till  a  big  slab  slid  off,  suggesting  that  he  had  been  digging 
deep  holes,  and  then  had  worried  off  the  surrounding  bark.  After 
this  followed  a  long  period  of  quiet  when  his  head  moved  around 
busily  Avithout  noise,  as  if  he  were  probing  the  holes  with  his  tongue 
and  enjoying  his  meal. 

In  the  Yosemite  National  Park  where  shooting  is  forbidden  the 
pileated,  instead  of  being  one  of  the  shyest  of  birds,  is  one  of  those 
most  in  evidence,  and  as  you  drive  by  actually  makes  itself  con- 
spicuous by  flying  freely  among  the  trees  so  near  that  you  can  see 
his  brilliant  red  head  and  the  white  spots  on  his  wings,  while  he 
utters  his  loud  ringing  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck. 


WOODPECKERS  215 

The  nests  of  the  coek-of-the-woods  show  their  power  more  than 
their  borings,  for  they  are  cut  into  the  solid  trunks  of  live  trees. 
Though  well  up  out  of  reacli  they  are  made  conspicuous  by  half  a 
bushel  of  fresh  chips  scattered  over  the  ground  around  the  tree. 
The  cavity  goes  back  for  about  six  inches  and  then  down  a  foot  and 
a  half,  and  the  large  white  eggs  rest  on  a  soft  bed  of  clean  fresh 
chips.  The  same  tree  is  often  used  year  after  year,  but  never  the 
same  hole.  A  fresh  one  is  excavated  each  year  and  the  old  ones  left 
for  occupation  by  saw- whet  owls,  wood  ducks,  and  flying  squirrels. 

GENUS    MELANERPES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long-  as  head,  distinctly  curved  ; 
upper  luandihle  with  an  evident  though  short  lateral  ridge  and  nasal 
g'roove.  tip  of  bill  more  or  less  wedge-shaped ;  outer  hind  toe  not  longer 
than  outer  front  toe. 

KEY   TO    ADUJLT   MALES. 

1.  Back  barred  with  black  and  white. 

'2.  Forehead  yellow aurifrons.  p.  218, 

'2'.  Forehead  not  yellow. 

o.  Middle  of  belly  yellowish uropygialis.  2h). 

o.  Middle  of  belly  reddish Carolinus.  p.  218. 

r.Back  not  barred. 

2.  Belly  rose  color torquatus,  p.  217. 

2'.  Belly  white. 

o.  Head  and  neck  red erythrocephalus.  p.  2ir>. 

o'.  Head  with  black,  red,  and  white  or  yellow. 

4.  Chest  band  streaked  with  white      .     .      forniicivorus.  p.  21(k 
4.  Chest  band  solid  black bairdi.  p.  217. 

Subgenus  Melanerpes. 
Colors  in  large  masses  ;  outer  hind  toe  and  outer  front  toe  of  equal  lengths. 

406.    Melanerpes    erythrocephalus    (Linn.).     Ked-headed 
WoonrKCKKK. 

Adult     male.  —    Whole     head     and  t 

neck  deep  crimson  ;  under  parts,  rump,  Ml^^^^       '' 

and    patch   on    wings,  white  ;    rest   of  S^KS'        * 

U])per  parts,  glossy  blue  black.     Adult  MttltK   M''- 

female:  similar,  but  with  more  or  less  ^^^  JF    '> 

transverse  black  sjjotting  on  inner  sec-  ^^^^^B  W°  } 

ondaries.  and  black  collar  more  con-  ■HP^    W          I'^t'A^ 

.spicuous  than    in   male.       Young:  red  -H'     '''j  r'[ , 

and  black  of  adults  replaced  by  gray.  Jit':''.'       '  VSTMt'^' 

streaked    witli     darker    on    bead    and  ^"^Kf  'k.i'           ^  ^ ^^  V 

ne(,'k,   barred  on   rest  of  ujjjx-r  parts;  V^'^'^^M                i    'i  J 

secondaries  crossed    near  ends  liy  one  L^f^K           •       'V       ' 

(»r  more  black  l)ands.      LeiKjth  :  '.•.2.")-  '  J  Tv  ^    i  tf 

<.).7").  wing  ."...•5()-.").7(),  tail  ;;.<)0-;;.7'..  ,y  ' :'l^\ 

/h'strihutioii.  —  Br.'fding  in  Transi-  ^        *X' 

tion.  l'i)p»'rand    Lower  Sonoiaii   /ones  ,,        „.  ,         ,  ^,  .r  o  t^    .     r 

^  M       -^    1  .1     ^       .1        /'    u-       1-  1  roin  BjolOjficnl  Stirvcy.  U.  S.  Dept.  of 

trom    Manitob.i   south   to    the    (»ult    ot  AKrirulinre. 

Me.\ico.  .ind    trom   (lie  Atlantic  lo   tin-  Fig.  28^ 


216  WOODPECKERS 

eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  casual  in  Utah  and  southern  Ari- 
zona. 

]\lest.  —  8  to  80  feet  from  the  ground  in  stumps,  dead  trunks  or  branches, 
and  on  treeless  prairies  in  fence  posts  and  telegraph  poles.  Eggs :  usually 
4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  In  summer,  insects  such  as  grasshoppers,  ants,  beetles,  flies, 
and  larvae,  fruits  and  berries  ;  in  fall  and  winter,  nuts,  wild  berries,  and 
small  grains. 

The  red-headed  woodpecker  is  one  of  our  handsomest  birds.  Its 
colors  are  all  keen  —  the  red,  glowing  red  ;  the  white,  snow  white; 
and  the  black,  glossy  black. 

In  its  methods  of  hunting,  like  all  the  members  of  the  genus 
Melanerpes,  it  combines  the  ways  of  the  flycatchers  and  the  wood- 
peckers that  get  their  food  almost  wholly  from  tree  trunks  and 
branches. 

In  the  east,  where  it  depends  largely  on  beechnuts  for  its  fall  and 
winter  supplies,  its  movements  are  very  erratic,  its  appearance  de- 
pending on  the  crop. 

407.  Melanerpes  formicivorus  {Swains.}.    Ant-eating  Wood- 

PECKEK. 

Adult  male.  —  Feathers  around  base  of  bill  and  chin  black,  bordered  by 

band  of  Avhite  or  yellow ;  crown  red ; 
sides  of  head,  upper  parts,  and  chest 
band  glossy  greenish ;  blue  black  chest 
streaked  with  white ;  rump,  wing  patch, 
and  belly,  white.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  with  a  black  band  separating  white 
or  yellow  forehead  from  red  crown. 
Young  :  similar  to  adults  and  with  same 
sexual  differences  in  crown,  but  colors 
duller.  Wing:  5.30-5.90,  tail  3.10-3.60, 
bill  1.10-1.22. 

Bemarks.  —  The  squarish  white  patch 
on  the  forehead  is  enough  to  distinguish 
the  formicivorus   group  from  all  other 
woodpeckers, 
pj     r,o<,  Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Tran- 

sition zone  from  Texas  to  Arizona,  and 
south  to  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  white  oaks,  but  also  in  pines.     Eggs :  4  or  5,  white. 
Food.  —  Principally   acorns,   but   also    fruit,   flies,   ants,    beetles,    and 
grasshoppers. 

One  of  the  most  pleasantly  familiar  sounds  in  the  live-oak  belt  in- 
habited by  formiciwms  and  its  allies  is  the  ja-coh,  ja-coh,  ja-cob, 
^a-coh  uttered  by  these  handsome  woodpeckers  as  they  fly  from  tree 
to  tree,  their  white  rump  and  wing  patches  showing  as  they  go.  In 
coming  down  from  the  fir  forests  of  the  mountains  where  the  only 
visible  woodpeckers  have  fled  silently  before  you,  the  soft  cheery 
voices  of  these  birds  have  a  friendly  ring  grateful  to  the  ear.     They 


WOODPECKERS  217 

always  have  a  great  deal  to  say,  whether  it  be  in  a  canyon  of  the 
Guadalupe  Mountains  in  New  Mexico,  where  their  chatter  interrupts 
the  solemn  hooting  of  the  band-tailed  pigeon,  or  on  the  campus  of  a 
California  university,  where  much  is  to  be  learned  by  silent  listeners. 
But  their  small  talk  never  seems  to  interfere  with  their  work,  and 
the  acorn-filled  tree  trunks  and  telegraph  poles  attest  their  industry. 
Of  all  our  woodpeckers  they  are  the  prime  storers,  and  though  they 
do  not  live  in  a  land  of  snow,  ground  squirrels  infest  most  of  their 
territory  and  make  it  important  to  have  secure  cupboards.  Dr. 
Mearns  says  their  stores  are  the  source  of  unending  (luarrels  between 
them  and  their  numerous  pilfering  enemies,  and  confesses  that  when 
short  of  provisions  in  the  mountains  he  himself  has  filled  his  saddle- 
bags with  acorns  from  under  the  bark  of  a  pine.  The  birds  are  true  to 
their  Melanerpes  instincts,  although  they  do  spend  so  much  of  their 
time  storing  acorns,  and  vault  into  the  air  after  insects  in  regulation 
flycatcher  style. 

407a.  M.  f.  bairdi  Bidgw.     Californian  Woodpeckek. 

Like  M.  forwicivortis,  but  with  heavier  bill  and  chest  band  solid  black. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast  region 
from  Oreg-on  south  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Xest.  —  15  to  25  feet  from  the  groxuid  in  oaks,  sycamores,  cottonwoods. 
willows,  and  telegraph  poles.      Eygs  :  usually  4  or  5.  white. 

Food.  —  Acorns  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year  ;  also  grasshoppers, 
caterpillars,  ants,  beetles,  flies,  small  fruits,  berries,  and  green  corn. 

Subgenus  Asyndesmus. 

Bill  combining  characters  of  Colapt&s  and  Melanerpes :  wings  long,  fold- 
ing nearly  to  end  of  tail ;  feathers  of  under  parts  and  nuchal  collar  bri.stly. 

408.  Melanerpes  torquatUS  (Wils.).     Lewis  Woodpecker. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  iridescent  greenish  black  except  for  gray  collar; 
face    dull    crimson  ;    throat    and    chest  _^^€"  .l     " 

gray  changing-  to  soft  rose  on  belly ; 
plumag-e  of  lower  parts  harsh  and  hair- 
like. Young :  head  without  red,  neck 
without  coUar,  under  jiarts  with  less 
red.     Lf-ngth:   10.50-1 1.50.  wing  (1.5()-i).S0.  tail  4.40-4.T(». 

histrilmtion.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Ujiper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Black  Hills  and  eastern  sloj)e  of  Kotky  Mountains  to  Pacific  slope;  from 
southern  parts  of  British  Columbia  and  Alberta  to  Arizona;  winters  in 
southern  California  and  western  Te.xas  ;  casual  in  western  Kansas. 

Nest.  —  Oto  100  feet  from  the  ground,  usually  high  up  in  tall  pines  or 
cottonwoods,  or  in  decayed  branches  or  stumps  of  oaks,  sycamores,  junipers, 
and  willows.      Kggs  :   usually  0  or  7.  white. 

Food.  —  In  summer  maiidy  insects,  siu-h  as  gTasslio])pers.  crickets,  ant.s, 
beetles,  flies,  larv;e,  ac-orns.  pine  seeds,  wild  berries,  and  in  cultivated 
districts  fruit. 

When  yi)U  reach  the  inoimtaiiis  on  the  west-bound  Overland. 'fro^n 
the  ear  windows  you  reeogni/e  with  delight   the  crow  like  figure  of 


218  WOODPECKERS 

your  old  friend  flying  with  sweeping,  powerful  strokes  straight  over 
the  forest.  You  are  in  no  danger  of  mistaking  him,  for  his  wide 
wings  and  short  tail  distinguish  him  from  all  other  birds  as  far  as  he 
can  be  seen. 

He  is  found  high  in  the  mountains  mainly  after  the  breeding  sea- 
son, for  he  nests  in  the  Transition  zone  orchard  and  yellow  pine 
country,  but  like  the  redhead  is  an  erratic  wanderer.  At  Fort 
Klamath  flocks  of  two  hundred  have  been  reported  coming  from 
the  north  in  August,  and  from  Klamath  Falls  to  Susanville  Mr. 
Bailey  found  them  the  commonest  woodpeckers,  perching  on  the  tall 
stakes  of  rail  fences  along  the  roads,  flying  up  into  the  air  after 
grasshoppers  or  other  insects  in  true  Melanerpes  style.  As  it  is  said, 
the  '  acorn  bird '  never  comes  in  great  numbers  unless  there  is  a  good 
crop  of  mast,  for  his  movements  depend  on  the  food  supply.  In  the 
Black  Hills  Mr.  Gary  says  the  woodpecker  is  partial  to  burnt  timber 
on  the  sides  of  canyons. 

Subgenus  Centurus. 
Upper  parts  barred  ;  outer  hind  toes  shorter  than  outer  front  toe. 

409.  Melanerpes  carolinus  (L/nn.).     Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  and  back  of  head  and  neck  bright  red  ;   rest  of  upper 

parts  barred  black  and  white  ; 
under  parts  gray  except  for  red- 
dish wash  on  middle  of  belly.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  red  of  head 
interrupted  by  gray  crown  patch. 
Young  :  duller,  markings  ob- 
scured, red  of  head  indistinct,  that 
of  belly  often  replaced  bv  dull 
bufPy.  Length:  9.0.)-10.10'.  wing 
4.85-5.50,  tail  3.50-:].95,  bill  1.00- 
1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower 
and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  east- 
Fig.  2S4.  ern  United   States,    from   Ontario 
to  Florida,  and  west  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  In  tree  trunks  or  branches,  15  to  60  feet  from  the  ground. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  ants,  weevils,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  flies,  larvae, 
wasps,  and  other  insects,  with  acorns,  nuts,  seeds,  grain,  and  berries. 

In  parts  of  Texas  the  red-bellied  is  the  most  common  woodpecker, 
and  often  nests  in  telegraph  poles,  but  over  most  of  its  range  it  is 
shy  and  retiring,  living  preferably  in  heavily  timbered  bottom  lands 
and  swampy  woods. 

410.  Melanerpes  aurifrons    (Wagl.).     Golden-fronted  Wood- 

pecker. 

Adult   males.  —  Forehead   yellow,   croivti   red.    and    nuchal  patch    yellow. 


WOODPECKERS  219 

orange,  or  red;  back  finely 
barred  with  black  and  white  ; 
rump  plain  white,  tail  black, 
outer  feathers  barred  with 
white  ;  under  parts  light  gray, 
washed  with  yellowish  on  belly. 
Adult  female  :  similar,  but  with- 
out red  crown,  and  yellow  of 
plumag'e  paler.  Young  :  colors 
duller,  markings  less  distinct. 
Wing:  .J.20-r>.()5.  tail  3.40- 
3.75,  billl. 20-1.40. 

Distribution.  —  Central    and  •  -* 

southern  Texas,  south    to    the  T7ooKr.ii      t      *   i  a?-     i      ^ 

p  , ,      .  Fiff.  285.    Goldeu-fronted  ^\  ooupecker. 

city  oi  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  ()  to  25  feet  from  the  ground,  generally  in  mesquites,  pecans, 
oaks,  or  teleg'raph  poles.     Eggs :  4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  of  various  kinds,  such  as  beetles,  ants,  grasshoppers, 
and  larvje  —  among  them  one  injurious  to  corn  ;  also  acorns,  Indian  corn, 
wild  berries,  and  fruit. 

lu  San  Antonio  the  golden -fronted  woodpecker  nests  in  telegraph 
poles  and  bird  boxes  about  houses  as  well  as  in  pecans,  oaks,  and 
mesquites.  In  Eastland  County.  Texas,  ]Mr.  Hasbrouck  says  it  is 
often  seen  in  the  same  tree  with  the  red-bellied.  On  the  mesquite 
prairie  of  southern  Texas  the  little  Texan  woodpecker  is  the  only 
one  occurring  at  all  commonly  with  aurifrons  and  there  is  no  dan- 
ger of  confusing  them. 

Aurifrons  makes  noise  enough  for  a  dozen,  his  loud  penetrating 
voice  ringing  across  the  road  as  you  drive  through  the  mesquites. 
One  of  his  common  calls  is  a  rattle  like  that  of  the  California  wood- 
pecker. When  he  tiles  he  shows  his  white  rump  and  wing  spots,  and 
on  the  rare  occasions  when  you  catch  a  glimpse  of  him  you  can  see 
the  yellow  of  liis  neck  above  the  black  and  white  barring  of  his  back. 

411.  Melanerpes  uropygialis  (Baird).     Gila  Woodpecker. 

Adult  mail .  —  Ilc.nl  and  midrr  i);nts  grayish  brown,  crown  red  ;  middle 

of  belly  yellowish  :  back  and  rump 
,  tint  If/  harrt'd  with  black  and 
white  ;  middle  and  outer  tail  fath- 
ers inarkid  with  irhite-  .Iduit 
female  :  similar,  but  without  red. 
VdUtig  :  similar,  but  colors  duller, 
and  markings  less  distinct.  Wing: 
5.00-5.30.  tail  3.50-3.00.  bill  .0.')- 
1.25. 

Remarks.  —  This  species  may 
be  distiiiguislu'd  from  aurij'nnis 
by  its  brownish  tinge,  the  absi'iu-e 
of  yellow  on  its  liead.  barn-d 
rump,  white  markings  on  middle 
l;iil  feathers,  and  absence  of 
marks  on  tlujse  next  the  middle. 


220 


WOODPECKERS 


Distribution.  —  Colorado  River  in  southeastern  California,  southern  Ari- 
zona, and  southwestern  New  Mexico ;  south  through  Lower  California  to 
Jalisco  and  western  Mexico. 

Nest.  — Mainly  in  giant  cactus,  but  also  in  cottonwoods,  sycamores,  and 
mesquites.     Eggs  :  o  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Lizards,  insects  such  as  ants,  beetles,  grasshoppers,  and  larvae, 
with  giant  cactus  fruit  and  mistletoe  berries. 

Major  Bendire  says  that  the  general  habits  of  the  Gila  woodpecker 
are  similar  to  those  of  the  California  woodpecker.  Its  ordinary  call- 
note  he  gives  as  dchim'  dchurr,  and  a  flight  note  as  huit  hmt,  which 
he  says  resembles  the  call-note  of  the  phainopepla.  In  Arizona  in 
October,  Mr.  Bailey  found  two  of  the  birds  roosting  in  a  tank  every 
night. 

GENUS    COLAPTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  acute,  curved  ;  .slender  and  weak  for  a  wood- 
pecker ;  without  lateral  ridges  or  beveling- ;  nostrils  not  concealed  by 
nasal  tufts  ;  outer  hind  toe  shorter  than  outer  front  toe  ;  wings  and  tail 
lengthened. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Under  sides  of  wings  and  tail  red. 

2.  Darker.     Sitka  to  northern  Calif ornia     .     .     .     saturatior,  p.  221. 

2'.  Lighter.    Western  United  States collaris,  p.  22L 

1'.  Under  side  of  wings  and  tail  yellow. 

2.  Back  of  neck  with  red  band.     Eastern  North  America. 

luteus,  p.  220. 
2'.  Back  of  neck  without  red  band.      Arizona  and  southward. 

chrysoides,  p.  222. 

412a.  Colaptes  auratus  luteus  Bangs.     Northern  Flicker. 
Adult  male.  —  l^pper  parts  brown,  barred  with  black,   except  for  red 

nuchal  band,  white  rump,  and  black 
tail ;  wings  and  tail  Avith  shafts  and 
under  side  of  feathers  bright  yellow ; 
throat  and  sides  of  head  pinkish 
brown,  with  black  malar  stripe  or 
■  mustache '  and  black  crescent  on 
chest ;  rest  of  under  parts  brownish 
white,  washed  with  yellowand  spotted 
with  black.  Adull  female  :  similar, 
but  without  black  mustache,  though 
sometimes  Avith  faint  indications  of 
one.  Young  male:  similar  to  adult 
male,  but  crown  marked  with  dull 
red.  nuchal  band  dull  scarlet.  Young 
female  :  with  dark  mustache.  Male  : 
wing  6.18,  tail  4.09,  exposed  eulmen 
J,.     <,„_  l.oo.     Female:  wing  6.06,  tail  4,  ex- 

posed eulmen  1.25. 
Distribution.  —  Eastern   and    northern  North   America,  south   to  North 

Carolina  and  west  to  the   Rocky    Mountains ;    occasional  on   the  Pacific 

slope  from  California  northward. 


"^^MiZ 


From  Biological  Survey,  U. 
Agriculture. 


Dept.  of 


WOODPECKERS  221 

Nest.  —  Usually  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  stubs  or  trees.  Eggs  : 
usually  5  to  9,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  ants;  also  beetles,  biigs,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  and 
caterpillars,  weed  seeds  and  berries. 

The  flickers  of  whatever  local  name  or  race  are  striking,  forceful 
birds.  Their  clear  ringing  clajte  and  j^i'ite  command  attention,  while 
their  rapidly  uttered  if-if-if-if-if-if-if\^  no  less  stirring.  As  they  fly 
in  undulating  line  over  a  field  there  is  a  splendid  flash  of  red  or 
golden  from  under  their  wings.  At  work  or  play  they  show  the 
same  vigor  and  whole-souled  absorption,  and  their  courtship  is 
accordingly  both  ardent  and  amusing. 

As  a  genus  the  flickers  are  the  least  woodpecker-like  of  the  fam- 
ily. Instead  of  getting  their  food  from  the  tree  trunks  or  in  the  air, 
they  live  largely  on  ants  which  they  get  from  the  ground,  Avhich 
accounts  for  the  brown  of  their  backs,  the  slenderness  of  their  bills, 
and  the  character  of  their  tongues.  As  they  probe  ant-hills  to  get 
the  ants  their  tongues  are  very  long  and  provided  with  large  sali- 
vary glands  whose  sticky  secretions  hold  the  ants.  As  they  do  not 
spear  their  food  the  tongue  is  freer  from  barbs  than  that  of  most 
other  woodpeckers. 

413.   Colaptes  cafer  collaris  (Vigors).     Rei)-sh.\itei>  Flicker. 

Adult  male.  —  Ground  color  of  head  and  body  brownish,  back  barred 
and  under  parts  spotted  with  black  ;  rump  white  and  tail  black ;  nuchal 
band  and  mustache  red  :  chest  marked  with  black  crescent;  under  side  of 
wings  and  tail  red.  Female:  Similar,  but  usually  with  a  buffy  or  brown 
malar  stripe.  Young:  similar,  but  without  mustache.  Length:  12.75- 
14.00.  win<^  (;.4r)-7.15.  tail  4. 40-"). 20,  e.xposed  culmen  I. ^U-l. .">;'>. 

Ee7narks.  —  Birds  with  varying  combinations  of  tlie  characters  of  C.  col- 
laris and  C.  luteus  may  be  met  with  anywhere  from  the  eastern  border  of 
the  plains  to  the  Pacific. 

Distribution.  —  Kocky  Monntain  region  from  British  ('oluml)ia  south  to 
northern  border  of  Mexico;  we.st  to  the  coa.st  ranges  in  Oregon  and 
Washington,  and  to  the  Pacific  coast  from  northern  California  southward 
to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  From  2  to  70  feet  from  the  ground  in  rotten  stubs  or  trees, 
also  in  holes  in  banks,  in  sides  of  houses,  and  gate  posts.  Fggs  :  ')  to  10, 
white. 

Food.  —  Inst'cts  and  larv;e.  especially  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  crickets, 
acorns,  seeds,  and  wild  berries. 

410a.   Colaptes  cafer  saturatior   [Itidgn-.).     Noim-hwk.stkk.n 

¥\M'K\-.li. 

Similar  to  collaris.  but  darker.  Win;;:  (\.:)r>-H){).  tail  4.T(»-.">.2(>.  ex- 
posed cnlmen  l.o^-l.CtO. 

Distribution. —  Breeds  in  Iniiiiid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the 
nortliwest  coast  from  Sitka  to  northern  Califoi  iiia. 

Sest.  eggs,  and  food  san\e  as  in  collaris.  » 


222  GOATSUCKERS 

414.  Colaptes  chrysoides  (M<tlh).     Gilded  Flicker. 

In  general  similar  to  coUaris,  but  back  of  neck  without  red,  and  under 
side  of  unngs  and  tail  yellow  ;  adult  female  with  only  occasional  traces  of 
malar  stripe,  and  young-  without  malar  stripe. 

Remarks.  —  The  combination  of  red  mustache  and  yellow  of  under 
wings  and  tail  distinguish  this  species. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Arizona  south  to 
southern  Sonora.  and  Lower  California  south  of  latitude  30°. 

Nest.  —  ()  to  40  feet  from  the  ground  in  giant  cactus  or  cottonwoods. 
Eggs  :  2  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  To  a  large  extent  fruit  of  the  giant  cactus  and  insects  found  on 
its  flowers. 

The  gilded  flicker  is  largely  a  bird  of  the  giant  cactus  belt,  and 
feeds  to  some  extent  upon  the  sweet  fruit  of  the  cactus. 


ORDER   MACROCHIRES:    GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS,  AND  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

(Families  Caprimulgid.e,  Micropodid^,  and  Trochi- 

LID^.) 
FAMILY    CAPRIMULGIDiE :    GOATSUCKERS. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Gape  without  conspicuous  bristles,  tail  emarginate. 

Chordeiles,  p.  226. 
1.  Gape  with  conspicuous  bristles,  tail  even  or  rounded. 
2.  Tarsus  feathered  in  front  almost  to  toes     .     Antrostonius,  p.  222. 
2'.  Tarsus  entirely  naked  in  front. 

3.  Tail  even Phalaeiioptilus,  p.  224. 

3'.  Tail  much  rounded Nyctidromus,  p.  22.5. 

GENUS    ANTROSTOMUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short,  gape  wide  ;  nostrils  oval  with  raised 
rim  not  prolonged  into  a  tube,  opening-  upward  and  outward  ;  feet  small, 
hind  toe  short,  front  toes  connected  by  webbing,  middle  toe  much  long-er 
than  side  toes,  its  claw  pectinated  (see  Fig.  290)  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than 
middle  toe  without  claw,  feathered  in  front  nearly  to  toes ;  wing-  folding  to 
or  beyond  rounded  tail ;   plumage  lax,  primaries  weak. 

KEY   TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Bristles  of  gape  with  lateral  filaments     .     .     .     carolinensis,  p.  222. 
1'.  Bristles  of  gape  without  lateral  filaments. 

2.  Throat  bar  chiefly  or  wholly  white vociferus,   p.  223. 

2'.  Throat  bar  chiefly  or  wholly  yellowish  macromystax,  p.  223. 

416.  Antrostomus  carolinensis  (Gmel.).  CnucK-wiLL's-wroow. 

Adult  male.  —  General  color  dark  brown  or  blackish  brown,  mottled, 
barred,  and  spotted  with  tawny  and  blackish,  reddish  brown  on  wings  and 


GOATSUCKERS  223 

tail ;  tail  with  at  least  terminal  third  of  outer  feathers  white  or  buffy ; 
throat  tawny,  bristles  of  gape  with  lateral  filaments.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  without  white  or  butt'y  on  tail.  Young  :  similar,  but  much  lighter,  top 
of  head  gravish  and  wings  tawnv.  Length:  11-12,  wing  8.70-8.90,  tail 
(5.2.5-0.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  the  southeastern  United 
States,  from  soutliern  parts  of  Virginia.  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Kansas 
south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  Fort  Clark, 
Texas  ;  migrates  to  the  West  Indies,  and  tlirough  eastern  Mexico  to  South 
America. 

Eggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  dry  leaves  on  the  ground;  2.  creamy  or  pinkish 
white,  blotched,  marbled,  and  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  — Moths,  beetles,  winged  ants,  other  insects,  and  birds. 

Like  all  the  Capriiiiiilgid(U,  the  chuck-wiirs-wldow  is  crepuscular, 
flying  about  mainly  in  the  dim  mornino;  or  evening-  hours.  Its  call  of 
chuck  icilVs-icidoir  is  markedly  different  from  that  of  the  whip-poor- 
will. 

417.  Antrostomus  vociferus  {Wils.).    Whip-poor-avill. 

Adult  male. —  Throat  blackish,  bordered  by  white  band;  rest  of  under 
parts  mixed  tawny  and  black ;  upper  parts  mottled 
grai/,  streaked,  spotted,  and  barred  with  blackish, 
black  streaks  of  crown  wide  medially  ;  wings  much 
marked  with  reddish  brown;  three  outer  tail  feathers 
white  for  more  than  terminal  third.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  white  of  tail  much  restricted  and  ob- 
scured. Young  :  top  of  head  mottled  gray,  spotted 
instead  of  streaked  with  black  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
bright  tawny,  scapidars  with  large  black  spots ; 
under  parts  almost  plain  ])ufiy.  Lingth  :  <.t.."j()- 10.00, 
wing  :).X0-i>.T().  tail  :).10-()..J(). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Plains,  and  from  Mani- 
toba south  through  western  Nebraska  to  Texas ;  migrates  to  Guatemala ; 
casnal  to  Porto  Rico  and  the  West  Indies. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  dry  leaves  on  the  ground ;  2.  white,  with  blotches, 
spots,  and  tracings  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Night-Hying  insects,  including  Kocky  Mountain  locusts. 

417a.  A.  V.  macromystax  (Wagler).  Stephens  Whip-pook-will. 

Adult  malt\  —  Similar  to  .1.  vociferus,  but  slightly  larger  and  more 
tawny,  tliroat  band  largely  tawny  in  adult  male,  and  white  of  tail  re- 
stricted to  less  than  terminal  third.  Adult  ff-male:  similar,  but  white  of 
tail  tawnv  and  restricted.  Lenqth  :  O.OO-IO.L'O,  wing  (>.27-( >.(;.').  tail  4.0.;- 
:).4.'). 

Distribution:  —  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and  southwestern  Texas;  .south 
over  mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  .Mexico  to  (ruatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  th»!  ground.  Kggs :  1  or  2,  white,  or 
with  faint  markings. 

Food.  —  .\mong  other  things,  large  brown  beetles. 

When  we  were  spending  a  luglit  in  the  head  of  .McKittrick  canyon 
in  the  (Guadalupe  Mountains.  Stci»licns  u  hip  iioor-wills  came  close 
enough  to  our  eamp-t'nc  for  us  to  licnr  distinctly  the  niarkcd  burr  of 


224  GOATSUCKERS 

their  zcMp-pufr'r-wiU.     Sometimes  the  notes  are  repeated  faster  and 
faster  till  they  all  run  together. 

In  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey  found  one 
sitting  in  the  shade  of  a  rock  in  the  daytime.  At  his  approach, 
with  a  quick  spring  it  would  dart  out  of  sight  around  the  next  rock 
and  drop  into  the  darkest  shade.  Its  flight  was  perfectly  noiseless 
and  very  swift. 

GENUS  PHAL^NOPTILUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  with  wide  gape,  nostrils  tubular,  cylin- 
drical, opening  forward  and  outward  ;  rictal  bristles  conspicuous  ;  feet 
small,  hind  toe  short,  middle  toe  long,  its  claw  pectinated,  front  toes 
webbed  (see  Fig.  290)  ;  tarsus  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw,  naked 
except  for  joint ;   tail  square,  much  sliorter  than  wings. 


Fig.  280. 


KEY    TO   SPECIES. 


1.  Upper  parts  blackish  or  dark  brown     ....    Calif  ornicus,  p.  225. 
1'.  Upper  parts  light  brown  or  grayish. 

2.  Smaller  and  paler.    Kansas  to  Texas  and  Arizona  .   nitidus,  p.  225. 

2.  Larger  and  not  so  pale.    Nebraska  to  Cascades   .    nuttallii,  p.  224. 

418.  Phalsenoptilus  nuttallii  (And.).    Poor- will. 

Adult  male.  —  Plumage  of  upper  parts  moth-like,  soft,  and  velvety, 
finely  mottled  grayish  brown  with  sharply  contrasting  vislvety  black  bars 
and  sagittate  markings ;  tail  with  all  but  middle  feathers  tipped  with 
white  ;  sides  of  head  and  chin  black,  white  throat  patch  bordered  by  black 
below ;  rest  of  imder  parts  barred  except  for  plain  huffy  imder  tail  cov- 
erts. Adidt  female  :  similar,  but  with  white  tips  to  tail  feathers  nar- 
rower. Young  :  upper  parts  more  silvery  gray  mixed  with  rusty ;  black 
markings  smaller  and  less  distinct ;  white  of  throat  and  tail  restricted 
and  tinged  with  huffy.      Wing  :  5.78,  tail  3.67. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zone  of  British 
Cohimbia  and  the  western  United  States,  from  the  Cascades  and  Sierra 
Nevada  east  to  central  Nebraska  ;  winters  from  deserts  along  the  southern 
border  south  to  Guatemala. 

£ggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  the  bare  ground  ;  2,  white,  unspotted  or  lightly 
marked. 

Food.  —  Night-flying  moths,  beetles,  locusts,  and  other  insects. 

In  southern  California  in  the  dim  evening  light  I  have  often  seen 
poor-wills  hunting  insects  along  the  roads  and  had  them  come  close 
to  me  in  a  ranch  dooiyard  when  they  would  make  short  sallies  from 
the  ground,  fluttering  around  with  soft,  noiseless  flight,  uttering  a 
low  chuck,  chuck.  In  the  daytime  their  eyes  are  of  little  use.  A 
pair  of  the  birds  that  Mr,  Bailey  once  came  upon  at  Emigrant  Gap 
showed  this  sun  blindness  very  strikingly.     They  had  been  sitting 


GOATSUCKERS  095 

in  the  shade  of  a  bush,  aud  flew  from  his  feet  as  he  approached. 
One  of  them  lit  again  iu  a  patch  of  briglit  simliglit,  and,  apparently 
blinded  by  the  light,  sat  there  calmly  until  he  walked  up  within  a 
few  feet  of  it.  He  experimented  with  the  birds,  flushing  them  a 
number  of  times,  and  found  that  when  they  lit  in  the  shade,  as  they 
usually  did,  they  were  not  only  much  less  conspicuous  than  in  the 
sun,  blending  in  with  the  leaves  and  rocks,  but  the  shade  enabled 
them  to  see  him  clearly  enough  for  them  to  recognize  what  he  was 
so  that  they  would  fly  while  at  a  distance  of  four  or  five  rods. 

The  poor-will  himself  is  less  known  than  his  voice,  which  is  insep- 
arably associated  with  the  warm  still  western  evenings.  Coming 
from  the  canyons  in  the  moonlight  it  is  one  of  the  softest,  most 
soothing  sounds  in  nature. 

418a.  P.  n.  nitidus  Brewst.    Frosted  Poor-will. 

Similar  to  nuttallii.  but  smaller  and  paler,  prevailing-  color  of  upper  parts 
brownish  yraif  incUniny  to  silver i^  or  hoary,  with  black  markings  smaller  and 
much  restricted  ;  cliin  and  sides  of  head  mottled  grayish  brown  ;  chest  with 
little  if  any  solid  black.     M^ing :  5.44,  tail  o.52. 

Distributioti.  —  Texas  to  Arizona  and  from  western  Kansas  south  to 
northern  Mexico. 

Egys.  —  Deposited  on  ground  in  open  places,  sometimes  mider  a  bush  ; 
2,  wliite.  usually  faintly  tinged  with  buffy. 

418b.  P.  n.  calif ornicus  Uidgw.     California  Poor-will. 

Similar  to  nuttallii,  but  mucli  darker ;  middle  of  crown  largely  blackish ; 
hind  neck  extensively  marked  with  black,  back  dull  blackish  gray  or  wood 
brown  instead  of  light  brown. 

Distribution. —  Coast  region  of  California. 

Eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  nuttallii. 

GENUS    NYCTIDROMUS. 

Nostrils  prolonged  as  cylindrical  tubes  opening  forward  and  outward  ; 
rictal  bristles  heavy  ;  tarsus  lengthened,  but  not  exceeding-  middle  toe  with- 
out claw  ;  wing-  scarcely  rounded  :  phnnage  not  so  lax  as  in  the  whip-poor- 
will. 

419.   Nyctidromus   albicollis  merrilli   Senn.     Merrill  Pa- 

KAUH'K. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  hnt-ly  mottled  gray  and  brown,  the  crown 
broadly  streaked  with  velvt'ty  h]iH-]\.  nwd  scajntlars  stnkinglif  j>atterne(l  with 
triangular  rdretij  Idack  and  liu[f)i  inarkiiiys;  wing  (juills  cros.^ed  by  white 
band  :  tail  with  second  and  third  feathers  largely  white,  throat  with  wide 
white  banil.  rt-st  of  under  parts  biilfy,  l)arred.  Adult  ft  wale :  similar,  but 
smaller,  browner,  duller,  and  white  of  wings  and  tail  restricted.  Yuung : 
similar  to  sexes  of  adidts,  but  much  paler,  crown  with  markings  triangular 
or  tear-sha])ed  with  light,  border.  Male:  length  12.(M)-1. '5. .")(»,  wing  Ct.1')- 
7.r)(),  tail  ().T.'>-T.4(».  Female  :  length  1  ( ).:)<)- 1  1. .*,().  uing  (').()(»-(i  .'.O.  tail  r).8U- 
<•..()(). 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  south  to  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuan- 
tepec. 


226  GOATSUCKERS 

Eggs.  —  Placed  on  the  ground,  usually  near  a  clump  of  bushes  ;  cream  or 
buff,  spotted  and  splashed  with  browns,  buff,  pink,  and  lavender. 
Food.  —  Moths,  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

When  in  southern  Texas  near  the  Mexican  line  we  were  startled  at 
our  camp-fire  supper  one  evening  by  a  strange  new  note,  a  hoarse 
j)a-rau' -que,  and  hurrying  out  into  the  dusk  found  a  large  bird  hunt- 
ing insects  on  the  road  in  poor-will  fashion,  flying  from  one  bare 
spot  of  ground  to  another  among  the  mesquites.  As  we  followed 
him  he  repeated  his  call  from  each  spot,  and  once  gave  it  from  the 
top  rail  of  a  fence. 

GENUS    CHORDEILES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  with  wide  gape  ;  bristles  not  decidedly 

shorter  than  bill ;  nostrils  cylindrical  and  rinmied  about, 

hardly  tubular,  opening  ovitward  and  upwai'd  ;  feet  weak, 

hind  toe  short,  front  toes  connected  by  web,  middle  toe 

long,  its  claw  pectinated;  tarsus  feathered  part  way 

down  in  front;  tail  lightly  forked,  much  shorter  than 

Y'l".  290.  ^   *^^  long  narrow  wing-. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Wing  band  back  of  tip  of  seventh  quill  {Figs.  292  and  293). 

texensis,  p.  228. 
1'.  Wing  band  mainly  or  wholly  forward  from  tip  of  seventh  quill. 

2.  Upper  parts  glossy  black,  mottled  with  lighter  virginianus.  p.  220. 
2.  Upper  parts  mainly  g-rayish  or  brownish. 

3.  Paler.    Plains sennetti,  p.  228. 

3'.  Darker.     Western  states henryi,  p.  227. 

420.  Chordeiles  virginianus  (GmeL).    Nighthawk. 

Adult  male.  —  White   throat  patch   bordered  below   by   blackish   chest 

patch ;     belly 

barred      with 

blackish    and 

white  ;    tipper 

parts    glossy 

black  mottled 

with  gray  and 
Fig.  291.  lightly  marked  Avith  buffy  brown  ;  white  or  buffy  wing 

band  mainly  or  irholly  forward  from  tip  of  seventh  quill ; 
space  between  white  band  and  primary  coverts  plain  blackish,  secondaries 
indistinctly  if  at  all  spotted  with  buffy  or  brownish ;  tail  except  middle 
feathers  crossed  with  broad  white  band  near  tip.  Adult  female :  white  of 
tail  restricted  or  wanting.  Young :  more  finely  and  profusely  mottled 
than  adults.      Wing :  7.30-8.25,  tail  4.30-4.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  region  and  the  Mackenzie 
River  at  65^  south  through  the  United  States,  east  of  the  Plains,  and  in 
wooded  districts  to  Washington,  Oregon,  and  northern  California  ;  south 
in  winter  to  the  Bahamas,  Central  America,  and  the  greater  part  of  South 
America. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  bare  ground  in  exposed  situations  ;  2,  creamy,  olive 


Fig.  292. 


GOATSUCKERS  227 

buff,  or  gray,  profusely  blotched  or  speckled  with  blackish,  brownish  gray, 
and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Insects,  such  as  flies,  ants,  mosquitoes,  small  beetles,  grasshop- 
pers, crickets,  and  moths. 

The  three  forms  of  virr/inianvs  resemble  each  other  so  closely  in 
habit  and  appearance  that  they  are  difficult  to  distinguish  except  in 
the  hand.  Their  distribution  is  little  help  in  determining  them  except 
during  the  breeding  season  when  sennetti  retires  to  the  Dakotas  ;  for 
at  other  times  henry i  and  sennetti  range  together  from  Dakota  to 
Texas  ;  and  even  in  the  breeding  season  the  eastern  form  makes  irreg- 
ular irruptions  into  the  range  of  the  western. 

The  nighthawks,  while  wholly  absorbed  in  their  own  aerial  pur- 
suits, nevertheless  beguile  many  an  hour  for  the  weary  wayfarer  in 
the  west.  As  the  ambulance-like  '  hack  '  or  prairie  schooner  makes 
its  slow  way  over  the  hot  bare  plains,  the  traveler  hails  with  delight 
the  sight  of  the  little  black  stick  lying  on  the  ground  in  the  midst 
of  the  glaring  flatness.  The  bird's  eyes  are  shut  and  his  long  wings 
folded  close  to  his  sides,  but  at  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  he  is  up  in 
the  sky.  sailing  this  way  and  that,  a  bit  of  active  life  in  the  lifeless 
plain. 

Then  when  nightfall  approaches  and  camp  is  pitched  by  a  water- 
hole  in  the  rocks,  in  the  midst  of  the  desolate  expanse  the  traveler 
feels  a  thrill  of  homelike  companionship  as  the  'peent'  of  a  night- 
hawk  makes  him  glance  up  and  he  finds  a  score  of  the  old  familiar 
forms  zigzagging  about  showing  their  white  wing  crescents  at  the 
turns  of  their  flight. 

How  won(Jerfully  at  home  they  seem  in  the  sky  !  Now  they  soar 
with  wings  set  at  an  angle,  then  flap  along  in  a  straight  line,  to  dive 
suddenly  straight  down  almost  into  camp  with  a  loud,  whizzing 
boom. 

In  the  nesting  season  as  the  hunter  crosses  a  bare  space  among 
the  rocks  on  the  moimtains.  sometimes  a  nighthawk  will  start  from 
\mder  his  very  feet  and  with  wings  outspread  and  tail  hanging 
trail  lamely  off  till  satisfied  with  herru.se,  when  Avith  swift  strong 
tlight  she  makes  a  wide  circle  and  returns  either  to  trail  once  more 
before  him  or  to  settle  down  on  a  rock  where  she  can  watch  to  see 
if  he  has  discovered  her  almost  invisible  young. 

420a.  C.  V.  henryi  (Coss.).    Wkstkhn  Nioinir.vwK. 

Similar  to  rir(ji)ii(tnus.  hut  paliT ;  upper  parts  mainly  light  (jrai/ish 
Intjf'i/  or  orlirnrioiis  ;  dark  bars  on  under  parts  spaced  with  tawny  white. 

liemurks.  —  Though  lighter  than  riri/iniaiius,  litnryi  is  much  darker 
than  sennetti,  which  is  light  brown,  buffy,  and  on  wing  covert.s  mainly 
whitish. 

Distribntion  —  Ib'eeds  in  Transition   and   Canadian  /.ones  of  (he  western 


228  GOATSUCKERS 

United  States  from  the  plains  to  the  Paeitie^  and  to  British  Columbia  west 
of  Cascades  ;  migrates  to  northern  South  America. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  in  open  situations  ;  2,  like  those  of  Virgin- 
ia nus. 

420c.  C.  V.  sennetti  (Coues).    Sennett  Nighthawk. 

Similar  to  henri/i,  but  much  paler;  top  of  head  brownish  instead  of 
blackish  ;  wing  coverts  largely  whitish  ;  under  parts  with  dark  bars  brown 
instead  of  black,  spaced  with  white  instead  of  buffy. 

Distribution.  —  Treeless  region  of  the  plains,  from  the  Saskatchewan 
south  to  Texas. 

421.    Chordeiles    acutipennis   texensis    (Lawr.).     Texan 
Nighthawk. 
Adult  male.  —  White  throat  patch  without  adjoining  black  chest  patch, 

belly  barred  with  blackish  and 
buffy  ;  upper  parts  dull  mottled 
gray,  streaked  with  blackish  ; 
white  wing  band  back  of  tip  of  sev- 
enth quill ;  space  between  white 
band  and  primary  coverts  spotted 
with  brown.  Adult  female :  sim- 
ilar, but  with  white  tail  band 
restricted  or  wanting  and  wing  band  buffy.  Young  :  more  finely  mottled, 
with  less  blackish  above,  less  barring  beneath,  and  upper  parts  often 
suffused  with  cinnamon  or  rusty  buff.  Length  :  8-9,  wing  6.60-7.30.  tail 
4.10-4.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  southern 
California,  and  from  Nevada  and  Utah  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  Ve- 
ragua. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  the  bare  ground  ;  2,  clay  color  to  creamy,  minutely 
marbled  with  dots  of  grays,  browns,  and  lilac. 
Food.  —  Partly  moths,  cicadas,  and  beetles. 

Mr.  Anthony  found  the  Texan  nightliawks  '  fairly  swarming '  at 
Deming,  New  Mexico;  and  in  Phoenix  and  Yuma,  Arizona,  and  in 
the  southwestern  parts  of  Texas,  Mr.  Bailey  found  them  abundant. 
They  sit  in  the  shade  during  the  day,  but  at  night  the  air  is  filled 
with  their  'bubbling  cry,'  especially  about  water.  At  Yuma  they 
would  come  to  the  river  just  after  sundown  to  drink.  Hovering 
close  to  the  water  with  neck  bent  down  they  would  take  a  sip,  then 
fly  a  little  w^ay  and  repeat  it.  After  drinking  they  would  circle 
over  the  water  till  dark  in  pursuit  of  insects.  At  Owen  Lake,  Cali- 
fornia, they  were  found  skimming  close  to  the  water  in  pursuit  of  a 
small  fly  which  was  swarming  on  and  near  the  shore. 

Mr.  Anthony  sa3^s  they  do  not  indulge  in  the  aerial  evolutions  of 
other  nightliawks,  but  fly  low,  doing  much  of  their  hunting  within 
two  feet  of  the  ground,  jumping  up  after  passing  insects  much  as 
the  poor-wills  do. 

On  the  wing  they  are  easily  told  from  other  nighthawks  by  their 
brownness  and  by  the  position  of  the  wing  bar  near  the  tip  of  the 


SWIFTS  229 

wing.  Their  voice  also  marks  them.  They  do  not  boom  or  give 
the  quaiik  characteristic  of  other  members  of  the  family.  ISlv.  Bai- 
ley describes  their  notes  as  a  low  rapid  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  followed 
by  a  soft  i^arrr'rrr'r,  which,  when  several  birds  are  about,  be- 
comes almost  incessant. 

In  parts  of  southwestern  Texas  during  the  breeding  season  the 
Texan  is  the  only  nighthawk,  and  Dr.  ]\Iearns  states  that  he  has 
never  known  henryi  to  infringe  on  the  territory  of  texends  in  the 
breeding  season,  henryi  nesting  in  the  pines  and  spruces  of  Transi- 
tion and  Boreal  zones;  texensi.s  below  the  pines  in  Lower  Sonoran 
zone.  In  California,  ]\Ir.  Grinnell  says,  tc.rensis  nests  in  dry  parts 
of  river-l)eds  and  sandy  places  among  sagebrush. 

FAMILY  MICROPODIDiE  :  SWIFTS. 

KEY    TO    GENEKA. 

1.  Tarsus  and  part  of  toes  feathered Aeronautes.  p.  2:52. 

1  .  Tarsus  and  toes  naked. 

2.  Tail  feathers  tipped  with  spines     .     .      ChcCtura.  p.  230.     '^^^ 

Fig.  2^. 


Tail  feathers  not  tipped  with  .spines  .  Cypseloides.  p.  220. 


GENUS   CYPSELOIDES. 

422.  Cypseloides  niger  borealis  (Ketm.).    Black  Swift. 

Tail  slightly  forked  :  tarsus  and  toe.s  naked,  the  hind  toe  poinHng  back- 
ward.     Adults:     dusky    or    blackish, 
lighter  on  head  and  neck,  the  forehead 
hoary,  a  velvety  black  area  in  front  of 
eye.       Youny :    .similar,    but     feathers  _  ^ 

tipped  with    whitish.      Lentft/i  :    ".OH-  Pip  •>or, 

T.rjO,  wing-  r)J)()-l.r>i),  tail  2.:]o-;iO(). 

iJistrihution.  —  From  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  west  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  British  ('olund)ia  south  to  Lower  California  and  Costa  Kica. 

Ntst.  —  On  cliffs  or  ahout  buildings.  One  described  by  M.  H.  Gorm- 
ley,  on  the  conncc  of  a  building,  made  (»f  straws,  chips,  and  luu-seliair, 
lined  witli  green  leaves  and  pajjcr.      Eyys  :  .">.  white 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  black  swift  has  been  found  breeding  on  inaccessible  clilTs  in 
various  parts  of  the  west,  but  littlr  that  is  peculiar  has  been  di.scov- 
ered  about  its  habits  except  that  it  is  less  noisy  than  most  of  the 
swifts.  A  nest  was  accideidally  discovered  by  ]Mr.  Vrooman  at 
Santa  Cruz  when  collecting  cormorants'  eggs  on  the  clilTs. 

.Mr.  Hatlibun  says  the  swifts  may  Ite  seen  circling  about  above  the 
city  of  Seatth',  rarely  being  seen,  except  when  rain  threatens,  lower 
than  from  :i()(»(>  toTjOOO  feet. 


?30 


SWIFTS 


GENUS    CHiETURA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing-,  rounded  or 
even,  the  feathers  usually  with  distinct  spines  ;  wing-  less  than  5.50 ;  tar- 
sus and  toes  naked,  hind  toe  directed  backward. 


KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Wing  5  or  more.     Eastern pelagica,  p.  230. 


r.  Wing  decidedly  less  than  5.     Pacific  to  Sierra  Nevada. 


vauxii,  p.  231. 


423.  Chsetura  pelagica  {Linn.).     Chimney  Swift. 

Sooty  gray,   the  throat  paler.     Length  :  4.75-5.50,  wing  5.00-5.25,  tail, 
including  spines,  1.90-2.15. 


SWIFTS  231 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  from  northern  Mani- 
toba and  Ijabrador  southward,  west  to  the  Great  Plains  ;  migrates  beyond 
the  United  States  as  far  as  Yucatan  and  Jalapa,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  wall  pocket  of  twigs,  glued  together  with  saliva  and  fas- 
tened to  inside  of  hollow  tree  or  chimney.     Eggs :  4  to  G,  white. 

Food. —  Insects. 

The  eastern  chiinney  swifts  are  said  to  be  common  in  western 
Kansas.  "  They  arc  dark  little  birds  wdio  row  through  the  air  like 
racers,  twittering  sociably  as  they  go.  Sometimes  as  you  watch 
them  on  a  village  street  you  will  see  them  suddenly  stop  short  and 
pitch  dowai  the  black  mouth  of  a  chimney,  for  it  is  now  only  the 
most  old-fashioned  ones  who  nest  in  hollow  trees.  ...  There  is 
actually  no  record  of  their  alighting  anywhere  except  in  a  hollow 
tree  or  a  chimney.  They  even  gather  their  nesting  materials  on  the 
wing,  breaking  off  bits  of  twig  in  their  feet,  and  it  is  said  with  their 
bills,  literally,  in  passing.  ...  It  would  be  quite  impossible  for  an 
ordinary  bird  to  fasten  a  wall-pocket  of  twigs  to  a  perpendicular 
chimney,  but  the  swift  is  provided  with  a  salivary  glue  that  deties 
anything  but  heavy  rain."     (Birds  of  Village  and  Field.) 

424.  Chaetura  vauxii  (Towns.).    Vaux  Swift. 

Upper  parts  sooty  brown,  lighter  on  rump  and   tail ;   tail   tipped  with 
spines ;    under    parts   gray,    lig-hter    on    throat. 
Length:  4.15-4.50,  wing  4.oO-4.T5,  tail  (includ- 
ing" spines)  1.50-1.1)0. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  Brit-  ,  _ 

ish  Columbia  south   to    Lower  California,   and  ig->'- 

east  to  western  Montana  and  Arizona  —  rare  and  sporadic  east  of  the  Cas- 
cades and  Sierra  Nevada ;  migrates  to  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  — Of  small  twigs  glued  together  and  fastened  to  the  inside  of  a 
hollow  tree.     £ggs :  ."]  to  5.  white. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects. 

]\Iajor  Bendire  says  tiiat  tlie  \'aux  swift  usually  reaches  the  United 
States  on  its  way  back  from  Central  America  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  leaves  in  October.  It  migrates  in  flocks-of  from  tifty  to 
a  hundred,  but  when  at  home  generally  hunts  in  small  flocks  of 
fifteen  or  twenty.  ^Fr.  Anthony  once  found  a  pair  nesting  in  a  large 
stub,  and  says  tliat  in  going  to  the  nest  they  would  'circle  about 
fully  two  himdred  feet  above  the  stub,  until  directly  over  the  open- 
ing ;  then,  darting  down  lik(.'  a  Hash,  would  disappear  with  a  sharp 
twitter.' 

Mr.  Litth'john,  of  Kfdwuod,  California,  has  found  a  jiair  of  swifts 
nesting  in  a  ciiinmey,  and  it  will  l)e  interesting  for  observers  to 
watch  the  birds  to  see  how  soon  thi'V  acfpiirc  the  liabits  of  the  more 
(•ivili/('<l  swifts. 


232  HUMMINGBIRDS 


GENUS   AERONAUTES. 


425.    Aeronautes    meianoleucus     {Baird).      White-throated 

Swift. 

Tail  about  one  half  as  loiio  as  wing-,  forked,  with  stiffish  and  narrowed 

but  not  spiny  feathers  ;   tarsus  and  part  of 

toes   featliered ;    hind    toe   directed   either 

forward  or  to  the  side,  but  not  backward. 

Upper  parts   blackish ;    throat   and    breast 

and  j^atches  on  wing  and  sides  of  rump  white; 

sides  blackish  ;  tail  without  bristles.     Length :  6.50-7.00,  wing  5.o0-5.90, 

tail  2.50-2.70. 

Bemarks. — The  white  markings  distinguish  this  swift  from  vauxii, 
whether  seen  from  above  or  below. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  from  the  Pacific  coast  east  to  the 
region  of  the  Black  Hills,  western  Nebraska ;  and  from  Montana  south  to 
Lower  California  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  On  cliffs  or  in  caves,  glued  to  the  rocks,  made  of  vegetable 
matter  and  stiff  feathers,  lined  with  bark  fiber  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs  : 
4  or  5,  Avhite. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects. 

There  is  one  bird  that  needs  no  protective  legislation  for  itself  or 
nest.  The  home  of  the  white-throated  swifts  is  in  the  air  around  lofty 
peaks  and  cliffs,  where  they  circle  and  wheel  and  dart  on  curved, 
cutting  wings  with  arrow-like  speed.  As  you  stand  on  the  crest  of 
a  ridge  where  they  pass,  there  is  a  flas*li  of  black  and  white  and  a 
bullet-like  whizz  as  one  after  another  goes  by,  and  you  wonder  that 
any  living  thing  can  move  with  such  speed.  I  have  seen  collectors 
who  were  good  wing  shots  fire  till  their  gun  barrels  were  hot  and 
turn  away  with  empty  belts  and  only  a  single  specimen  of  the  swifts. 
As  the  birds  seldom  come  to  low  altitudes  it  is  not  strange  that  they 
should  be  rare  in  collections.  Their  nests,  placed  in  crevices  or 
caves  half  way  up  inaccessible  cliffs,  have  rarely  been  taken. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

FAMILY   TROCHILIDiE:   HUMMINGBIRDS. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  1st  and  2d  primaries  about  equal Atthis,  p.  241. 

1'.  1st  primary  the  longest.  \     ""^~"'"3^ 

Fig.  299. 

2.  Bill  curved Calothorax,  p.  242. 

2'.  Bill  not  curved. 

3    Nostrils  nearly  or  wholly  naked. 

4.  Tail  blue  black  in  both  sexes,  upper  parts  metallic  grass  green. 

lache,  p.  244. 
4'.  Tail  not  blue  black. 


V 

HUMMINGBIRDS 


233 


5.  Exposed  culmen  not  more  than  half  as  long-  as  tail ;   -with  white 

stripe  back  of  eye Basilinna,  p.  243. 

5'.  Exposed  culmen  more  tlian  half  as  long  as  tail ;  without  white 

stripe  back  of  eye Amizilis.  p.  248. 

'.  Nostrils  nearly  or  wholly  feathered. 
4.  Wing-  more  than  2.40. 

").  Tail  chiefly  black  —  gorg^et  of  male  intense  blue. 

CcEligena,  p.  234. 
5'.  Tail  wholly  (male)  or  partly  (female)  greenish  bronze,  gorget 

of  male  emerald  green Eugenes,  p.  2oo. 

4'.  Wing  less  than  2.20. 

5.  Middle  tail  feathers  broader  near  end  than  toward 
base  —  spatulate     .     .     .     .     .     Stellula.  p.  241. 

Fig.  300. 
5'.  Middle  tail  feathers  narrower  near  end  than  toward  base. 

0.  Tail  partly  rufous Selasphorus,  p.  238. 

(V.  Tail  without  rufous. 


Adult  males  with  top  of  head  like  gorget ; 
females  with  outer  tail  feathers  broadly 
linear Calypte,  p.  236. 


7'.  Adult  males  with  top  of  head  like  back  ; 
females  with  outer  tail  feathers  concave  on 
inner  side     ....     Trochilus,  p.  234. 


GENUS    EUGENES.  Fig.  30-2. 

426.  Eugenes  fulgens  {Siniins.).    Rivou  Ilr.MMiNGBiKD. 

Bill  flattened  and  slightly  widened  at  base  ;  tail  slightly  forked  in  male, 
double  rounded  in  female  ;  tarsus  feathered. 
Adult  Jiude  :  top  of  head  metallic  purplish,  gorget 
brilliant  emerald  green ;  rest  of  upper  parts  broir/y 
green  ;  under  parts  blackish  green  or  dull  bron/y. 
breast  black  in  some  liglits.  Adult  female  :  top  of 
head  dull  brownish,  small  white  spot  behind  eye  ; 
re.st  of  upper  parts  broir/y  green  ;  lower  parts 
brownisli  gray,  sides  washed  with  green  ;  tail  w  itli 
outer  feathers  very  broadly  tipped  with  pale  gray 
or  whitish.  Yohikj  :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 
feathei-s  of  upper  parts  with  })ale  buttv  edgings. 
Male:  length  4.r,()-.'>.()().  wing  2.<ll)-3. 10,' tail  l.UO- 
2.(M),  bill  1.00-1.20.  Female:  wing  2.00-2.75,  tail 
1.70-1.00.  bill  1.00-1.10. 

Distrihutioti.  —  Mount.iins  of  southeastern  Ari- 
zona and  mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  Mex- 
ico to  Nicaragua. 

Nest. —  Usually  in   maples,  sycamores,  or  firs, 
35  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  silky  plant 
fibers  and  grass  tops,  coated  with  lichen  and  liii 
and  feathers. 

F'und.  —  Largely  insects  from  flowers  such  as  Im 


vcamore  down 


234  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Mr.  Willard  of  Tombstone,  Arizona,  says  that  the  noise  made  by 
the  wings  of  the  Rivoli  hummingbird  lacks  the  sharpness  of  that  of 
the  smaller  hummers  and  compares  it  to  the  buzzing  of  an  im- 
mense beetle  or  bumblebee.  He  adds  that  the  male  may  ofiLen  be 
seen  near  the  top  of  some  dead  tree  catching  insects  like  a  flycatcher. 
Mr.  W.  W.  Price  reports  that  the  hummers  feed  from  iris  and  also 
agave  flowers.  In  the  Chiricahua  Mountains  Dr.  Fisher  found  them 
gleaning  from  the  flowers  of  a  boreal  honeysuckle.  Mr.  Price 
records  them  only  between  the  altitudes  of  from  6500  to  9500  feet. 

GENUS    CCELIGENA. 

427.  Coeligena  clemencise  Less.     Blue-throated  Hummingbird. 

Tail  more  than  two  thirds  as  long-  as  wing-,  slig-htly  rounded,  feathers 

i«it*f%  very  broad ;  bill  less  than  one  third  as  long- 

'"^  "    """\^^  ^s    wing-.     Adult    male :   gorget    azure    blue ; 

l-^k  streak  from  bill  and  back  of  eye  white  ;  up- 

P//^  *      P^^'  parts    dull    bronzy   g-reen,   chang-ing-  to 

'  '       ^  purplish    black  on   upper  tail    coverts   and 

tail,  outer  tail  feathers  tipped  with  white  ; 

,     —  under  parts  slate  gray  washed  with  green  on 

sides.     Adult  female :   similar,    but    throat 

bufFy  instead   of   blue.     Length:  4.50-5.40, 

wing-  2.90-3.20,  tail  1.85-2.20,  exposed  cul- 

men  .85-1.00. 

Bemarks.  —  The  females  of  the  blue- 
throated  and  the  Rivoli  can  be  easily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  tail,  which  in  the  blue- 
throated  is  blue  black,  in  the  Rivoli  larg-ely 

From  Ridgway,  Smithsonian.  bronzy  o-reen. 

Fig-  304.  Distribution.  —  Southern  Arizona,  western 

Texas,  and  mountains  of  the  tablelands  of  Mexico  to  Oaxaca. 

Nest.  —  Fine  mosses  and  oak  catkins,  bound  together  with  web,  placed 
in  the  fork  of  a  small  shrub,  or  on  a  fern.     (Breniger.)     Eggs :  2,  white. 

Among  the  little  restless,  darting,  scintillating  hummers  of  the 
United  States,  the  big,  quiet,  sober-colored  blue-throats  seem  more 
like  foreign  birds,  and  really  are  only  visitors  across  our  border  from 
Mexico.  Whether  bathing  in  the  spray  of  a  slender  mountain  fall, 
or  feeding  from  flower  to  flower,  they  have  a  low  hum  and  quiet 
ways,  perching  frequently  on  a  branch  to  twitter  a  little  song  and 
preen  their  feathers,  or  climbing  about  among  the  flowers  of  a  big 
agave  in  search  of  food  in  real  oriole  fashion.       Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    TROCHIIiUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Male  with  metallic  gorget  not  elong-ated  on  the 

sides  ;  tail  forked  or  deeply  emarginate,  the  featliers 

""^   pointed,  but  the  outside  ones  not  extremely  narrow ; 
six  inner  primaries  abruptly  and  conspicuously  smaller 
'g-  ■^'^'5.  than  the  rest  with  their  inner  web  more  or  less  notclied 

or  toothed  at  tip.     Females  with  outer  tail  featliers  concave  on  side. 


';'^\^'' 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


235 


KEY   TO    ADULT   MALE    TROCHILUS. 

1.  Throat  velvety  black.     Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific, 


1'.  Throat  metallic  crimson.    Plains  to  Atlantic 


alexandri,  p.  235. 
colubris,  p.  235. 


Subgenus  Trochilus. 

428.  Trochilus  colubris  Linn.     Ruby-throated  Hummingbikd. 
Adult  male.  —  Cliin  velvety  black,  scali^s  of  (jorfict  brilliant  crimson.  ii]:)pei 

parts  bronz)-^  green ;  under 
parts  dark  gray  glossed  with 
green ;  wing-  with  six  inner 
primaries  abruptly  sliorter 
than  the  rest.  Adult  female  : 
tail  with  middle  feathei's  all 
green,  the  rest  green  basally. 
then  black  ;  three  outer  pairs 
broadly  tipped  with  white. 
Youny  male  :  similar  to  adult 
female,  but  throat  streaked 
with  dusky,  and  featliers  of 
upper  parts  edged  with  pale 
buffy.  Young  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  throat  without 
streaks,  and  tail  more 
rounded.  Male  :  length  3.07- 
3.2.").  wiug  l.<i(),  tail  1.25,  tail 
forked  for  about  .30-.35,  ex- 
posed culmeu  .55-.G5.  Fe- 
male :  length  3.50-3.85,  wing 
1.80,  tail  1.20,  bill  .70. 

Distribution.    —  Breeds 
from  the  Atlantic  to  western 

parts  of  Nebraska  and  Tex.is.  . 

and  from  Labrador  south  to  o-  -^    • 

Florida  ;  migrates  to  Cuba,  Mexico,  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  A  felted  cup  of  soft  vegetable  fibers  coated  with  lichen  and 
fastened  witli  web  ;  saddled  on  to  a  twig  or  small  branch  of  a  tree,  usually 
10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.     Eygs  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  minute  spiders  and  insects. 

The  ruby-tliroatcd  liiiininiiiubinl  has  been  reported  as  breeding  in 
the  western  ])arls  of  Nebraska  and  Texas. 

429.  Trochilus  alexandri  Honrr.  ,s-  Muls.    BL.\oK-rHiNNK 

MINCIMKI). 
Adult  nude.  —  (roryet  above  ojuKjue  velvetjl  black,  bilow  metallic  vi 
tering  with  purple,  blue,  and  peacock  green  lights:  uj)per  parts 
g^reeni.sh  ;  under  parts  soiled   wliitish.  green  on  sides.      Adult 

female  :  u|)p«'j-  parts  bron/.y  greiMi  ;  under  i)art8  grayish  ; 
tail  much  roundid.  nuddlc  pair  of  feathers  about  tin*  longest 
and  wholly  green,  next  two  featln'rs  green  tipped  with  blaek, 
outer  three  tip|)e<l  with  white.  Youny  :  similai-  to  adult  feniah'. 
but  fe.atliers  of  upper  ])arts  tipped  with  bufi'y  or  rusty  and 
thro.it  of  male  streake<l  with  duskv.      Mat,  :   length   :!.:'.0-;}.75,  wii 

1.75.  tail    1.25.  bill  .70  .75.      F,  mal>  :   len-th  :;.'.IO-4. 10.  winir  1.00- 


r 

li 
f 

1:       ■ 

i 

1:     ^ 

r^ 

236  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  from  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  Texas  to  the  Pacific  ;  winters  in  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  bushes  4  to  8  feet  from  the  g-round,  made  of  white 
or  sponge-colored  plant  down,  covered  with  spider  web,  sometimes  with 
addition  of  leaves  or  flowers.     Eggs  :  2  or  3,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  minute  insects. 

In  southern  California  the  black -chinned  hummer  may  often  be 
seen  sunning  himself  on  an  oak  twig,  his  dull  black  throat  relieved 
by  a  violet  band  that  glints  green  and  blue  as  he  turns  his  head. 
Ordinarily  he  seems  the  quietest,  most  unemotional  of  humming- 
birds, but  if  fortunate  you  may  come  on  him  when  performing  his 
aerial  love-dance.  One  that  I  once  watched  took  his  stand  below 
his  lady's  perch  and  fixing  his  eyes  upon  her  swung  shuttling  from 
side  to  side  in  an  arc,  with  the  sound  and  regularity  of  a  machine. 
He  never  turned  around  or  took  his  eyes  from  hers,  but  at  the  end 
of  the  arc  —  less  than  a  yard  in  length  —  ahvays  threw  himself  back 
by  a  quick  spread  of  his  tail.  She  sat  as  if  hypnotized,  her  long  bill 
turning  as  he  turned,  her  eyes  following  every  motion  w^ith  droll 
absorption.  In  spite  of  her  flattering  attention,  however,  when  his 
dance  was  over  and  he  looked  up  for  approval,  she  apparently  made 
some  slighting  remark,  for  he  whizzed  off  in  a  hurry  and  was  seen 
no  more. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says  the  black- 
chins  are  resident  from  the  lowiands  to  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tains, but  most  abundant  in  the  foothills,  where  they  breed  in  can- 
yons some  years  by  the  thousands.  Their  numbers  vary  with  the 
rainfall,  as  the  abundant  flowering  plants  that  follow  a  wet  winter 
afford  them  ample  food.  At  Phoenix,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey  found 
that  one  of  their  favorite  feeding  flowers  was  the  desert  Fouqueria. 

GENUS    CALYPTE. 

'General  Characters.  —  Adult  males  with  tail  emarginate  or 
slightly  forked,  outside  feathers  abruptly  narrower 
than  the  rest.  Adult  females  with  outer  tail  feath- 
ers decidedly  narrower  than  the  rest,  but  with  broad 
roiinded  end. 

2 
Fig.  308.  KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Males  with  gorget  and  top  of  head  purplish  red;  females  with  under 
parts  brownish  gray anna,  p.  237. 

r.  Males  with  gorget  and  top  of  head  metallic  violet ;  females  with  under 
parts  white costae,  p.  236. 

430.  Calypte  costse  (Bourc).     Costa  Hummingbird. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,    gorget,  and  long   flaring  ruff"  brilliantly  burnished 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


237 


metallic  amethi/st  violet  changing  to  blue  and  green  ;  back.  rump,  and  mid- 
dle tail  feathers  green  or  bronze,  outer  feathers  purplish  dusky;  tail 
slightly  forked,  outer  feathers  abruptly  narrower 
than  pair  next  them ;  under  parts  whitish,  belly 
glossed  with  green.  Adult  female :  under  parts 
■whitish,  throat  more  or  less  spotted  with  metallic 
purple  ;  sides  greenish ;  upper  parts  and  middle 
tail  feathers  bronzy  green,  other  feathers  grayish 
brown  at  base,  with  black  subterminal  band  and 
white  tip.  Young :  similar  to  female,  but  duller, 
and  feathers  of  upper  parts  narrowly  tipped  with 
buffv  whitish.  Male  :  length  2.75-3.20,  wing  1.7-')- 
1.00,^  tail  1.10.  bill  .G5-.()S.  Female:  length  3.55- 
3.70,  wing  1.70,  tail  1.05,  bill  .70. 

Remarks.  — The  scales  on  the  crown  distinguish 
costce  from  any  common  hummingbird  except 
anna,  and  in  costce  the  glitter  is  bluish  purple, 
never  pinkish  as  in  anna.  The  females  of  anna 
and  costie  may  be  distinguished  by  the  small  size  of  costce.  and  female 
costce  from  females  of  Selasphorus  and  Atthis  by  absence  of  rufous  on  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  parts  of 
New  Mexico  and  Utah  to  southern  California ;  migrates  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia and  other  parts  of  western  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Loosely  made  of  plant  down  or  shreds  of  plant  fiber  lined  some- 
times with  feathers  and  covered  with  bits  of  gray  lichen,  bark,  and  leaves, 
bound  with  web ;  placed  from  1  to  G  feet  from  the  ground,  on  cactus,  in 
bushes  or  trees.     Egys  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  on  plants  and  shrubs  such  as  squaw  cabbage, 
wild  rose,  plum,  and  cherry. 


Fig. 


KKlj;wa\ ,  Miiitli8onian. 
10.    Costa  Humming- 
bird. 


The  habits  of  the  Costa  liunimingbird  seem  to  differ  little  from 
those  of  the  family  except  that  it  is  somewhat  more  of  a  desert-loving 
species.  Dr.  Fisher  states  that  it  is  the  common  hummingbird  of 
the  desert  valleys  and  mountains  of  southern  California  and  Nevada. 
He  has  seen  it  hovering  over  a  bunch  of  flowers  by  moonlight.  Mr. 
F.  Stephens  reports  the  rare  sight  of  a  male  hummer  helping  to  build 
the  nest. 


431.  Calypte  anna  (Less.).     Anna  Hummingbird. 

Adult  iiKilf.  —  Tojj  of  head,  gorget,  and  long  ruff  brilliant  metallic  deep 
rose  pink  with  bronzy  and  green  lights;  upper 
parts  and  middle  tail  feathi-rs  metallic  green  or 
bronzy  ;  tail  decidedly  forked,  irit/iout  rufous  or 
vhite  ;  feathers  widening  gradii.dly  from  outside 
to  middle  ;  under  i)arts  whitisli  gh)ssed  with 
green.  Adult  female  :  similar  except  on  head  an.l  ''"""  «''l^7»y-  «'>'ith.ouian. 
tail;     crown    green     like     back:     throat    usually  Fig.  311. 

specked  with  rose.  )'o«»7  .•  similar  to  .adult  femah',  but  feathers  of  upper 
parts  edged  with  brown."  Male:  length  ;;.40-:;.(;0.  wing  1.1)0-2.00,  tail 
I.;;0-1.45,  bill  .(»5-.70.  Ftmale:  length  3.SO-4.15,  wing  2.05,  tail  1.30, 
bill  .75. 

liemarhs.  —  Female  anna  is  larger  than  the  females  of  costce,  or  of  Tro- 
chilus  alexaudri  or  colubris. 


238  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution.  —  Central  and  southern  California,  chiefly  west  o£  the 
mountains,  southern  Arizona,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Plant  down  covered  with  bits  of  green  mosses  and  lichens,  fas- 
tened by  web,  sometimes  lined  with  feathers  or  fur  ;  placed  usually  8  to  15 
feet  from  the  ground,  in  trees  or  bushes  often  overhanging-  water.  Eggs : 
2,  white. 

Food.  —  Spiders,  small  insects,  and  nectar  from  flowers  ;  also  sap  exud- 
ing from  sapsucker  punctures. 

"  Like  all  the  hummingbirds  this  species  follows  the  flowers,  and 
its  local  presence  or  absence  is  governed  by  their  abundance  or 
scarcity.  Thus,  in  August  and  September  hundreds  of  Anna  hum- 
mers are  to  be  found  over  the  stubble  fields  and  sunflower  patches^ 
attracted  by  the  flowers  of  the  'tar-weed.'  Duilng  the  winter 
months  they  are  found  in  profusion  about  the  blossoming  eucalyptus 
trees.  In  January  and  February  when  the  weather  is  mild,  they 
appear  high  on  the  mountain  sides  among  the  flowering  manzanitas  ; 
and  in  March  and  April  in  the  blossoming  orange  groves  in  the 
valley,  and  about  the  currant  bushes  on  the  hillsides."  (Joseph 
Grinnell.) 

GENUS   SELASPHORUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Adult    males    with    outer    primary  narrow   and 

pointed  ;  tail  feathers  partly  rufous,  more  or  less  grad- 

_   uated. 

Yie.  312. 

^  KEY    TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Top  of  head  red  like  gorget floresii,  p.  238. 

1'.  Top  of  head  greenish,  unlike  gorget. 

2.  Upper  parts  mainly  rufous rufus,  p.  230. 

2'.  Upper  parts  mainly  green. 

3.  Gorget  purple platycercus,  p.  238. 

3'.  Gorget  scarlet alleiii,  p.  241. 

[43 11.]  Selasphorus  floresii  Gould.    Floresi  Hummingbird. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  and  gorget  brilliant  metallic  red;  middle  tail 
feathers  green  bordered  with  rufous,  outer  tail  feathers  wholly  dusky  ;  belly 
white  ;  sides  and  flanks  green.  Adult  female  :  unknown.  Length  :  3.25, 
wing  1.75,  tail  1.40,  exposed  culmen  .65. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico.     Recorded  at  San  Francisco  and  Hay  wards. 

432.  Selasphorus  platycercus  (Swains.).     Broad-tailed  Hum- 
mingbird. 
Adult  male. —  Gorget  without  elongated  sides,  deep  rose  pink;  top  of  head 
bronzy  green  like  back  and  middle  tail  feathers ;  other  tail 
J      feathers  purplish   black,  some   of  them   edged  with  rufous ; 
under  parts  whitish,  sides  glossed  with  green.     Adult  female 
and  young  :  upper  parts  bronzy  green  ;   under  parts  whitish, 
*i^  //  //  //     the   throat  with   dark  specks,  sometimes  with  a  few  central 
feathers  like   gorget  of  male ;  sides  brownish  ;   three  outer 
2     tail  feathers  rufous  at  base,  with  a  black  subterrainal  band 
Fig.  ol:3.       and  white   tip ;  a  touch  of  green  on  the  second  and  third 


HUMMINGBIRDS  239 

feather  between  the  rufous  and  black,  the  fourth  feather  green  but 
marked  with  a  terminal  or  subterminal  spot  of  black,  and  edged  with 
rufous,  tip  often  white.  Male  :  length  4.00-4.25,  wing  1.92- 
2.05,  tail  1.40-1. (iO,  bill  .(i2-.70.  Female  :  length  4.10-4.70, 
wing-  2.00-2.10.  tail  1.45-1.50,  bill  .70-.T2. 

Remarks.  — The  females  oi platycerciis  and  rufus  must  be 
carefully  discriminated.  \\\  plat ycercus  the  middle  tail  feath- 
ers are  wholh*  green,  in  rnfun  brown  at  base  ;  in  plat  ycercus  pig,  314. 
the  rufous  of  the  outer  feathers  is  basal  and  of  less  extent 
than  the  black  ;  in  rufus  the  rufous  equals  or  exceeds  the  black ;  in 
platycercus  the  next  to  the  middle  feather  is  mainly  green,  in  rufus  the 
rufous  covers  as  much  ground  as  the  green,  black,  and  white  all  together  ; 
in  platycercus  the  outer  feather  is  .25  broad,  in  rufis  .12  broad. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  district  from  Idaho  and  Wyoming  to  mountains  of  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico  ;  west  to  the  JSierra  Nevada  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala  ;  recorded 
from  Oakland. 

Nest.  —  Usually  within  15  feet  of  the  ground  on  branches  of  trees, 
often  overhanging  a  mountain  stream,  made  of  willow  or  cottonwood  down 
covered  with  lichen  alone,  or  lichen,  bark,  leaves,  and  plant  fibers.  Eggs : 
2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  on  flowers  of  Castilleia,  Fouqueria,  Gilia,  Agave, 
and  others. 

Major  Bendire  says  that  the  broad-tailed  hummingbirds  breed  in 
the  lower  foothills  and  valleys  on  their  first  arrival  from  the  south, 
but  by  the  time  the  young  are  able  to  fly  the  flowers  have  ceased 
blooming  and  the  country  is  getting  so  dry  that  they  go 'to  the  moun- 
tain parks  to  raise  their  second  broods. 

At  9000  feet  in  the  Sacramento  Mountains  we  found  the  birds 
abundant  the  last  of  :May  feeding  from  the  gooseberry  bushes. 
The  noise  they  made  in  bu/zing  about  the  bushes  and  flying  through 
the  air  was  a  metallic  rattle  strikingly  different  from  the  noise  made 
by  rvfus,  colubris,  aleu-andri,  or  any  other  hummingbird  I  had  ever 
heard.  In  addition  to  a  squeaky  little  song  the  hummers  had  some 
small  staccato  notes. 

When  camped  at  Little  Spring,  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Dr.  Mer- 
riam  found  platycercus  very  abundant.  They  came  to  the  spring  to 
drink  and  bathe  at  dayliglit.  He  says:  "  They  were  like  a  swarm 
of  bees,  buzzing  about  one's  head  and  darting  to  and  fro  in  every 
direction.  The  air  was  full  of  them.  They  would  drop  down  to 
tlie  water,  dip  their  feet  and  bellies,  and  rise  and  shoot  away  as  if 
propelled  by  an  unseen  jiower. " 

433.  Selasphorus  rufus  (dmel.).    Rufoits  Hi-mminokikd. 

Adult  Utah.  —  (J(irg<'t  fire  red,  orange,  and  bra.ssy  green  ;  gttural  body 
color  bright  nddish  broiru,  glossed  with  bron/-'.  gn'en  on  erown  and  sonu'- 
tinies  l)a(k,  and  fading  to  white  next  to  gorget  and  on  belly  ;  tail  feathers 
rufous,  with  dark  mesial  streak.s  ;  middle  tail  feather  ])road.  pointed  at 
ti\y,  second  from  middle  deeply  notched  on  iumr  hv/(.  siunatid  on  outer  web. 


240  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Adult  female :  upper  parts  bronzy  and  rufous,  rufous  on  rump  and  tail 
coverts ;    under    parts  whitish,  throat    sometimes  with    a   few 
central  brilliant  feathers  ;  sides  shaded  with  rufous  ;  tail  feath- 
ers rufous  at  base,  the  middle  ones  green  nearly  to  base  ;   outer 
ones  with  broad    blackish    subterminal   band   and  white  tips  ; 
outside  feather  more  than  .10  Avide.      Young  males :  similar  to 
adult  female,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts  edged  with   rusty, 
rump  rufous,  and  throat  showing  specks  of  metallic  red.    Young      pjg  3^5^ 
females :  similar   to   young  males,   but  rump  green  and  throat 
specked  onlv  Avith  oreen.      Male:   length  8.25-3.70,  wing  1.50-1.60,  tail 
^     1.30-1.35,  bill  .00.    Feraa/e ;  length  3.50-3.90, 
__  ^r      wing  1.75-1.80,  tail  1.25-1.30,  bill  .65-.70. 

^^^^^^H^^       %r  Bemarks.  —  The  male  may  be  told  by  its 

^""""""^^^^^B        W  reddish  back  and  the  nick  in  the  second  tail 

pB^^^L       S  feather.     See  remarks  under  S.  jilatycercus. 

L^J^BL^^  Distribution.  —  Breeds    in    Transition    and 

Wf^K^^KL  Canadian    zones   of    Avestern  North  America 

v^^^^^^^k  from  the  higher  mountains  of  southern  Cali- 

^^HBH^Bhii*^    fornia   and  Arizona  north  to  latitude  61°  in 
Jr^^^^JBSv    Alaska  ;  during  migrations  east  to  Montana, 
^p  ^^^h..    Wyoming,  Colorado.  New  Mexico,  and  west- 

W  ern  Texas  ;   winters  in  southern  Mexico. 

M  Nest.  —  Lined   with   doAvn,    and  decorated 

mM  Avlth  mosses,  lichens,  and  bark ;  often  placed 

^*  in  ferns,  bushes,  trees,  and  vines  OA^erhanging 

T^-     01,       u  *       XT  11    embankments.     Eggs:  usually  2,  white. 

Fig.  31().     Knfous  Hummingbird.         tt-      7         t  j.  1         xi  r         j  •^J 

Food.  —  Insects  such  as  those  found  on  wild 

currant  and  gooseberry  bushes,  cherry-tree  blossoms,  fire-Aveed,  Castilleia, 

Gilia,  Pentstemon,  and  Agave  flowers. 

During  the  spring  migration  rufiis,  the*  big  brown  hummer,  is 
common  in  southern  California,  especially  about  the  blooming  orange 
groves  and  the  Avild  gooseberry  bushes  scattered  through  the  cha- 
parral. 

On  the  birds'  breeding  ground  the  flowers  they  feed  on,  as  far  as 
I  have  observed,  are  mainly  red,  as  the  hummer's  coloration  might 
suggest.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona,  they  were  es- 
pecially fond  of  the  scarlet  pentstemons.  On  Mount  Shasta  they  fed 
from  the  painted-cups,  tiger  lilies,  and  columbines.  Any  spot  of 
red  would  attract  them  as  it  does  other  hummers,  and  they  investi- 
gated it  fearlessly  even  when  it  adorned  the  person  of  a  collector. 

One  of  the  birds  actually  crossed  a  wide  meadow  of  green  brakes 
straight  to  a  single  columbine  standing  most  inconspicuously  near 
the  woods.  But  the  painted-cups  were  their  especial  delight  on 
Shasta,  and  a  meadow  full  of  the  flowers  was  fairly  alive  with  them. 
When  attending  strictly  to  his  meal  a  hummer  would  circle  sys- 
tematically around  the  cup,  probing  its  tubes  as  he  went,  but  for 
the  most  part  the  squeaking,  pugnacious  little  scraps  would  be 
whizzing  in  and  out,  gleams  of  green,  gold,  or  scarlet  glancing 
from  their  gorgets  as  they  streaked  after  one  another,  climbing  the 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


241 


air  bill  to  bill,  or  shooting  up  and  sweeping  down  apparently  from 
sheer  exuberance  of  spirits.  They  seem  to  be  always  quarreling 
among  themselves,  and  when  it  comes  to  other  species  of  their  family 
they  attack  and  drive  them  off  with  promptness  and  decision.    . 

As  soon  as  the  last  brood  is  out  of  the  nest,  3Ir.  Henshaw  says, 
the  males,  warned  by  the  frosty  nights  and  the  decreasing  supply  of 
food,  start  at  once  for  their  winter  (juarters,  leaving  the  females  and 
young  to  follow  later. 

434.  Selasphorus  alleni  Ilenshu-.     Allen  Hummingbikd. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  ritfus.  but  whole  back  as  well  as  crown  bright 
bronzfi  green,    two  outer  tail  feathers  very  nar-      (ThnK 
row,  and  second  from  middle  without  notch  or  sin-     'W/ni 
uation ;  outer  feather  much  le.ss  than  .10  wide.         y/Ifn 
Adult  female  :  similar  to  female  rufus.  but  with     f  lYJ' 
outer  tail  feathers  not  more  than  .10  wide.    Male :    „.  ^  J^. 
length  ;;.L>.")-;J  80.  wing-  l..")0-l.."').").  tail  1.  10-1.20.    ''"' 
exposed    culmen    .OO-.O.").      Female :    length    o.40.  wing 
l.Oij-l.TO.  tail  1.05-1.1.5.  exposed  culmen  .(i8-.T0. 
Breeds    in   Transition    and    Upper  JSonoran   zones  from 

southern   British  Columbia  .south  along  the    coast,  and  east   to  southern 

Arizona ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  cup  compactly  made  of  plant  down  covered  with  green  mosses, 

usually  placed  on  weed  stalks,  hedges,  or  bushes  overhanging  water.    Eggs: 

2,  white. 

GENUS    ATTHIS. 

435.  Atthis  morcomi  Ridgw.    Mokco.m  Ih  M.Mix(iHiRD. 

Similar  to  Stellula,  but  tail  feathers  not  inclining  to  spatnlate,  the  outer 
two  or  three  broadly  tipped  with  white  in  both  sexes  ;  feathers  of  gorget 
in  male  broader  and  without  white  bases.  Adult  male  :  unknown.  Adult 
female  :  upper  parts  l)ronzy  green,  becoming  brownish  on  forehead  ;  tail 
rufous  at  base,  tlicn.  on  middle  feathers,  green  ;  other  feathers  narrowlv 
green  and  then  black,  tipped  with  white,  wliitn  tip  wanting  on  fourth 
feather  ;  imder  parts  whit»^  with  tear-sliaped  Hecks  of  dusky  green  on 
throat ;  sides  marked  with  black  and  rufous. 

Distribution.  —  The  only  specimen  known  i;im(>  from  the  Huachuca 
Mountains   Arizona. 


Fig.  317. 
Distribution. 


GENUS    STELLULA. 

436.  Stellula  calliope  doultl.    Callioik  IlrMMiN(;i'.iui). 

Siv  middlt'  tail  ftatlicrs  contracted  in  the  niiddh'  and  widened 
adult  male  with  t'citlicrs  of  cliiu  and  throat  narrow,  those  on  the 
outsidi-  of  thf  ruiV  elongated  :   base  of  ruff  white. 

Adult  nitdi'.  — (lorget  rose  purplish,  white   b.ises  giving  effect 
of  streaking  :    up])er  p.irts  met.illic  green  ;   t.iil  feathers  dusky, 
bases  edged  with  rufous,  tip  wider  ih.in  base  :  under  part.s  white  ; 
sides  tinged   with   brown   and    gi-een.       Adult  fi  male  :    uj)per  ])art: 
green;  titil    loinuled  and  tail  featheis  greeiii.sh  gray  b:isally  with 
rufous.  l)l;iek-b;inded.   and    lipp-d   with    wliite.  e.\<'ept    middle   pai 
are  green.  cMuling  in  dusky        )'iiiini/:  .similar,  but  under  parts  w.is 
rufou;;,  throat  spec  kfd    with   dusky.      Male:   length    L'.7">-.'>.<H).  w  i 


at  end : 


142 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


1"  10111  liidgway,  Sinitlisonian. 
Fig.  320.    Calliope  Hummingbird 

2,  white 


1.60,  tail  .90-1.10,  exposed  culmen  .55-.58. 
Female:  length  8.50,  wing-  1.75-1.80,  tail 
1.10-1.15.  bill  .58-60. 

Hemarks.  —  This  is  the  smallest  humming- 
bird in  the  United  States,  and  may  be  distin- 
guished by  its  size  together  with  the  large 
amount  of  rufous  on  its  under  parts  and  the 
small  amount  on  its  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and 
perhaps  Transition  zone  in  western  moun- 
tains from  British  Columbia  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  east  to  Colorado  ;  migrating  as  far 
south  as  mountains  of  Guerrero,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Willow  down,  protectingiy  col- 
ored with  bits  of  bark  and  shreds  of  cone, 
placed  on   or  against   a  dry    cone  or  dead 


limb  of  a  pine.     Eggs 

"The  Calliope  hummingbird  is  the  smallest  of  the  TrocMlidcB 
found  within  the  United  States.  It  is  a  mountain -loving  species, 
and  during  the  breeding  season  is  rarely  met  with  below  altitudes 
of  4000  feet,  and  much  more  frequently  between  6500  to  8000  feet. 
Its  favorite  resorts  are  the  open  timber  found  about  the  edges  of 
mountain  meadows  and  parks,  and  the  rocky  hillsides  covered  here 
and  there  with  straggling  pines  and  small  aspen  groves."    (Bendire.) 

At  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill  says  its  arrival  in  spring  is 
coincident  with  the  blossoming  of  the  wild  hawthorn. 

GENUS    CALOTHORAX. 

437.  Calothorax  lucifer  (Swains.).     Lucifer  Hummingbird. 

Bill  distinctly  curved  ;  tail  forked,  three  outer  feathers  narrow  ;  females 
with  tail  double-rounded  and  deeply  emarginate. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  long  and  curved;  gorget  elongated  on  sides,  metallic 
lilac,  or  violet  purple  ;  upper  parts  bronzy 
green ;  forked  tail  Avith  narrow  outer  feath- 
ers piirplish  black,  four  middle  feathers 
green ;  median  under  parts  white ;  sides 
green  and  rufous.  Adult  female :  similar,  but 
bronzy  green  above,  under  parts  plain  pale 
rufous  ;  tail  less  deeply  forked  than  in  male 
and  feathers  broader,  the  three  outer  ones  ru- 
"■""X^^  fons  at  base  and  white  at  tip.     Male:  length 

^%  8.40-8.60,    wing    1.40-1.60,    tail    1.25-1.35, 

*   ^Ik  exposed  culmen  .85-.90.  Female  :  wing  1.65- 

'^a^'  1.80,  tail  1.20-1.25,  exposed  culmen  .75-90. 

^^r  Bemarks.  —  The    female    may   be    distiu- 

y^  ^^  guished  by  its  curved  bill. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  and 
southern  Arizona  south  to  the  city  of  Mexico 
and  Puebla. 

Nest.  —  Cotton    or    thistle    down    covered 
with  scales  of  white  lichen.     Eggs  :  2,  white, 
flowers  of  agaves  and  other  plants. 


Food 


Kh1.^«  n,  Slmtll!^uln;^ll. 
Fig   3'il. 
Insects  found 


HUMMINGBIRDS  243 

In  the  Cliisos  Moimtains  in  western  Texas  Mr.  Bailey  found  the 
Lucifer  hummer  with  several  other  species  common  in  June  about  the 
big  agaves,  which  were  then  in  full  flower. 

GENUS    AMIZIIilS. 

General  Characters.  —  Nasal  scale  large  and  swollen,  nasal  slit  entirely 
exposed ;  bill  light-colored,  dark-tipped,  broad  and  flattened  at  base ;  tail 
forked  or  emarginate  ;  sexes  alike. 

KEY    TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  tail  coverts  brown tzacatl.  p.  24o. 

r.  Upper  tail  coverts  green chalconota,  p.  243. 

438.  Amizilis  tzacatl  {Be  la  Llave).  Rieffer  Hummingbird. 
Adults.  —  Whole  body  dark  peacock  green  except  belly,  which  is  brown- 
ish g'ray ;  wings  purplish  ;  .square  tail  and  its  coverts  chestnut,  tail  feathers 
marked  with  bronze.  Young :  similar,  but  rump  tinged  with  rufoixs  and 
forehead  washed  with  rusty.  Length  :  4,  wing  2.00-2.35,  tail  1.45-1.70, 
exposed  culmen  .70-.V)0. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south 
throug-h  Central  America  to  P^cuador. 

Xest.  —  Grass  and  plant  fiber  covered  with  green  moss,  often  in  orange, 
lemon,  or  lime  trees,  4  or  5  feet  from  the  ground.       Eggs:  2,  white. 

The  Rieffer  hummingbird  is  a  Central  American  species  apparently 
only  straggling  across  the  Mexican  line  in  Texas. 

439.  Amizilis  cerviniventris  chalconota  (Oberh.).     Buff- 

bellied   lIUMMIN<;iilKD. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  light  bronzy  green,  upper  tail  coverts  green  ; 
tail  forked,  brown,  feathers  (except  outer)  tipped  with  bronzy  or  violet ; 
throat  green ;  rest  of  under  parts  buffy  brown.  Length  :  4.00-4.50,  wing 
2.15-2.30,  tail  1.50-1.70.  exjmsed  culmen.  .7()-.S0. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  south  in  win- 
ter to  eastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  made  of  shreds  of  vegetable  fiber,  lined 
usually  with  thistle  down  ;  covered  with  bits  of  blossoms,  lichen,  and  shreds 
of  bark  fastened  by  spider  web. 

"The  buff-bellied  hummingbird  proves  to  be  an  abundant  summer 
visitor,  and  I  have  nowhere  found  it  so  abundant  as  on  the  military 
reservation  at  Fort  Brown.  Here  it  seems  perfectly  at  home  among 
the  dense  tangled  thickets,  darting  rapidly  among  the  bushes  and 
creeping  vines,  and  is  with  difficulty  obtained.  A  rather  noisy  bird, 
its  shrill  cries  usually  first  attract  one's  attention  to  its  presence." 
(Dr.  Merrill,  quoted  by  Bendire.) 

GENUS    BASILINNA. 

440.1.  Basilinna  leucotis  (U/V ///.).     Whitk-e.vred  TTummino- 

I'.IRD. 

N\)stiils  exposed  ;  tail  emarginate.  the  feathers  broad  and  i.iilirr  .stiff; 
tarstis  densely  feathered. 


244 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


Advlt  male.  —  Forehead  and  chin  deep  blue,  throat  and  upper  parts  of 
chest  metallic  emerald  green  ;  a  conspicuous  white  stripe  behind  eye ;  tail 
mainly  blackish.  Adult  female  and  young  :  under  parts  gray,  spotted  with 
green ;  head  marked  with  stripes  as  in  male  ;  middle  tail  f  eathei's  entirely 
green  or  bronzy,  the  others  black,  the  outer  pairs  tipped  with  grayish. 
Length:  3.25-:3.40,  wing  2.00-2.30,  tail  l.oO-l.oO,  exposed  culmen  .65-.68. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  southeastern  Arizona,  south  to  Nica- 
ragua. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  in  honeysuckles  and  other  flowers. 

In  the  Chiricahua  Mountains  Dr.  Fisher  found  a  white-eared  hum- 
mingbird on  a  bush  of  the  wild  honeysuckle  from  which  the  other 
hummingbirds  of  the  neighborhood — the  broad-tailed,  Rivoli,  and 
blue-throated  —  were  regularly  feeding. 


GENUS    lACHE. 

441.  lache  latirostris  (Su-ains.).     Bkoad-billed  Hummingbird. 

Bill  wide  at  base ;  tail  deeply  emarginate  in  male,  less  so  in  female. 
Adult  male:  gorget  peacock  blue;  rest  of  body  metallic  green,  some- 
times bronzy  on  back  ;  tail  blue  black,  tipped  with  gray.  Adidt  female : 
upper  parts  green,  becoming  gray  on  fore- 
head ;  under  parts  soiled  grayish ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  and  basal  half  of  outer  green, 
'corners  blue  black  tipped  with  gray  ;  a  whit- 
ish streak  behind  eye.  with  dusky  streak  below 
it.  Young  male  :  similar  to  adult  female, 
l)ut  tail  as  in  male ;  lower  tail  coverts  white, 
feathers  of  upper  parts  edged  with  buff  ;  new 
feathers  on  throat  bluish  green,  becoming 
more  bluish  toward  chin.  Young  female: 
similar  to  adult,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts 
bordered  with  pale  buff.  Male  :  length  o.50- 
:].75,  wing  2.00-2.20.  tail  1.35-1.50  (forked 
for  .25-.35),  bill  .75-85.  Female:  length 
3.88-4.10,  wing  2.00-2.15,  tail  1.25-1.30 
(forked  for  .15),  bill  .78-.85. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  south- 
ern Arizona  and  southwestern  New  Mexico 
south  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 
Nest.  —  Saddled  to  a  drooping  twig  made  of  bark  and  plant  fibers,  out- 
side decorated  with  strips  of  bark,  fine  stems,  and  lichen. 

In  Arizona  wher.e  Mr.  Stephens  found  the  broad-billed  humming- 
birds they  were  always  near  water,  usually  along  streams  in  high 
mountain  canyons.  They  perched  on  dead  twigs  where  they  could 
command  a  view%  apparently  preferring  sycamores  to  other  trees. 
He  describes  their  notes  as  flat,  differing  from  those  of  other  lium- 
niingbirds. 


From  Ridgway,  Smithsoniau. 
Fig.  322. 


COTINGAS  —  FLYCATCHERS  245 


ORDER  PASSERES  :  PERCHING  BIRDS. 

(Families  Cotixgid.e,  Tykaxxid.e,  Alaudid.e,  Corvid.^, 
Sturxid.e.  IcteridyE,  Frixgillid.e,  Taxagrid.e,  Hirux- 
DixiD.E,    Ampelid.e,    Laxiid^,  Vireoxid.e,    Mxiotilti- 

D^,  MOTACILLID.E,  ClXCLID^,  TrOGLODYTID.E,  CeRTHIID.E, 

Parid^,  Sylviid^,  Turdid.e,  etc.) 

FAMILY  COTINGIDJE:    COTINGAS. 

GENUS    PLATYPSARIS. 

441.1.  Platypsaris  albiventris  (Laur.).    Xantus  Becard. 

Nostrils  partly  hidden  by  bristly  feathers  ;   tip  of  bill  slightly  hooked  : 
second  quill   in  male  small   or  rudimentary. 
Adult  male  :  throat  mainly  rose  pink  :  rest  of 
under  parts    g'ray,    fading'  to  white    below  ; 
top  of  head  Ijlack  :  rest  of  upper  pai-ts  slate  .,.,., 

gray,   paler  on  forehead  and  back  of  neck.  '"'  '^~^' 

Adult  female  and  young  male  :  top  of  head  slaty  ;  rest  of  iipper  parts  brown- 
ish gray  or  g-rayish  brown  ;  under  parts  shading-  from  deep  brown  to 
whitish.  Length:  tJ.r^O-T.UO,  wing-  o.40-o.G8.  tail  2.70-8.00.  exposed  cul- 
raen,  .58-.0*). 

Distribution.  —  Western  Mexico  ;  recorded  from  Huachuca  Mountains, 
Arizona. 

As  ]Mr.  W.  W.  Price  found  an  adult  male  becard  in  the  Huachuca 
Mountains,  Arizona,  in  breeding  plumage,  apparently  accompanied 
by  its  mate,  the  interesting  birds  will  doubtless  be  found  breeding  in 
the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona. 

FAMILY  TYRANNIDJE:    TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 

KKY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tail  edged  or  tipped  with  white. 

2.  Tail  deeply  forked Muscivora,  p.  240. 

2'.  Tail  not  forked Tyrannus.  p.  247. 

r.Tail  not  edged  or  tipped  with  white. 

2.  r})per  mandible  curved  on  both  edg-es    ....  Ornitllioil,  p.  2(1.*). 
2'.rpp(M-  mandil)b'  straight  for  most  of  its  length. 

;>.  Tail    marked    with    rufous   or  rusty  (except  .sometimes    Mfjiarvfius 
hum  nt«  i  olifasa  ns). 
4.  Breast  ash  <^ray  in  contrast  to  yellow  belly.  Myiarclius.  p.  2.")1. 
4'.  Breast  yellow  like  ])elly  ;  throat  white. 

.").  Streaked Myiodynastes,  p.  2.*)(>. 

'>'.  Not  streaked PitailgUS.  p.  2.')0. 

:>'.Tail  not  marked  with  rufous  or  rusty. 

4.   \\'ing  at  least  six  times  as  long-  as  tarsus  .      .  Cozitopus,  j).  2.")(;. 
4  .  Wing-  not  more  than  fiv<'  times  as  long-  as  t;irsus. 

.">.  Sexes   different,    male    scarlet,    females    .-ind    young-    g-rayish 
brown Pyrocephalus.p.  2()4. 


246  FLYCATCHERS 

5'.  Sexes  similar,  largely  olivaceous,  brown,  or  black. 

6.  Wing-  more  than  3.25    ....,,.  Sayoriiis,  p.  254. 
G.  Wing  less  than  3.25 Empidoiiax,  p.  259. 

GENUS    MUSCIVORA. 

General  Characters.  —  Outer  primary  cut  out ;  tail  deeply  forked  ;  bill 
flattish,  notched,  and  hooked  ;  feet  small  and  weak. 

KEy   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  3  or  4  primaries  emarginate tyiaiiiius,  p.  246. 

1'.  Only  1  primary  emarginate forficata,  p.  246. 

[442.]  Muscivora  tyrannus  {Linn.).    Fork -tailed  Flycatcher. 

Adult  male.  —  Tail  black,  long,  and  forked,  outer  feathers  edged  with 
white  ;  under  parts  pure  white  ;  head  black,  with  concealed  yellow  patch  ; 
back  gray  ;  wings  blackish  brown,  with  grayish  edgings.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  smaller,  tail  shorter,  and  yellow  crown  patch  restricted. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  tail  shorter,  sometimes  scarcely  forked,  colors 
duller,  wing  coverts  bordered  with  rusty,  and  crown  patch  absent.  Male : 
length  12.00-14.50,  wing  4.10-4.75,  tail  9-10. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Mexico  south  through  Central  America 
and  most  of  South  America  ;  accidental  in  the  United  States  (Mississippi, 
Kentucky,  New  Jersey,  and  southern  California). 

Nest.  —  Of  soft  materials,  often  almost  entirely  wool,  lined  with  thistle 
down,  which  is  cemented  with  gum.  making  a  hard  smooth  bottom.  Eggs : 
4,  cream  color,  spotted  chiefly  at  the  larger  end  with  chocolate. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects  ;  also  elderberries  and  other  small  fruits. 

The  fork-tailed  tiycatcher  is  only  an  accidental  straggler  in  the 
United  States. 

443.  Muscivora  forficata  (GmeL).  Scissor-tailed  Flycatch- 
er. 

Adult  male  :  Tail  forked,  white,  tipped  with  black  ;  body  ash  gray,  whiter 
on  throat ;  wings  blackish ;  under  wing  coverts,  axillars,  and  tail  coverts 
salmon  ;  head  with  concealed  red  spot  and  upper  parts  marked  with  red. 
Adult  female  :  similar,  but  smaller  ;  tail  shorter  and  colors  duller.  Young  : 
like  adult  female,  but  crown  patch  wanting.  Male :  length  12-15,  wing 
4.40-5.15,  tail  7-10. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southwestern  Mis- 
souri to  western  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Costa  Rica  ;  straggling  rarely  to  Mani- 
toba and  Hudson  Bay  (York  Factory). 

Nest.  —  Generally  5  to  15  feet  from  the  ground,  in  open  situations, 
preferably  mesquite,  but  also  other  trees  and  thorny  bushes ;  made 
usually  of  fine  rootlets  and  plant  stems  lined  with  plant  fibers,  wool,  and 
feathers  ;  but  sometimes  of  gray  moss,  cotton,  rags,  and  seaweed.  Eggs  : 
usually  5,  generally  clear  white,  marked  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Moths,  butterflies,  beetles,  grasshoppers,  locusts,  crickets,  cot- 
ton-worms, and  some  J)erries. 

In  visiting  the  southwestern  prairie  country  the  scissor-tail  is  one 
of  the  first  new  birds  you  notice.  Discovering  him  first  perched  on 
the  chaparral  you  are  struck  by  his  long  white  tail  and  glistening 
black,  white,  and  salmon  plumage.     In  perching,  the  tail  is  closed 


SCISSUR-TAILEI)    ILVCATCHER 


FLYCATCHERS  247 

thill,  and  the  black  of  the  wings  contrasts  well  with  the  bright  sal- 
mon sides.  He  sits  quietly  like  any  everyday  bird,  giving  only  an 
occasional  bee-bird  like  note,  till  suddenly  up  he  darts  into  the  air, 
and  with  delighted  wonder  you  watch  his  odd  ligure  and  odder 
gyrations  in  the  sky. 

One  of  his  favorite  performances  is  to  tly  up  and,  with  rattling 
wings,  execute  an  aerial  seesaw,  a  line  of  sharp-angled  VVVVVVV's, 
lu'lping  himself  at  the  short  turns  by  rapitUy  opening  and  shutting 
his  long  white  scissors.  As  he  goes  up  and  down  he  utters  all  the 
while  a  penetrating  scream,  ka-qiiee  -ka-quee  -ka-quee'-ka-quee' -ka- 
qxee  .  the  emphasis  being  given  each  time  at  the  top  of  the  ascending 
line. 

Frequently  when  he  is  passing  along  with  the  even  flight  of  a 
sober-minded  crow  and  you  are  quietly  admiring  the  salmon  lining 
of  his  wings,  he  shoots  rattling  into  the  air,  and  as  you  stare 
after  him,  drops  back  as  suddenly  as  he  rose.  He  does  this  appar- 
ently because  the  spirit  moves  him,  as  a  boy  slings  a  stone  at  the 
sky,  but  fervor  is  added  by  the  appeaVance  of  a  rival  or  an  enemy, 
for  he  is  much  like  a  Tyrannus  in  his  masterful  way  of  controlling 
his  landscape.  He  will  attack  caracaras  and  white-necked  ravens, 
lighting  on  their  backs  and  giving  them  vicious  blows  while  scream- 
ing in  their  ears. 

GENUS    TYKANNUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Adults  with  a  bright-colored  concealed  crown 
patch ;  feet  small  and  -weak  ;  tai-.sus  not  long-er  than  middle  toe  with 
claw  ;  bill  notelu'd  and  booked,  broad  at  base,  its  width  at  nostrils  much 
more  than  lialf  the  distance  from  nostril  to  tip;  adults  with  outer  ([uills 
abruptly  narrowed  at  ti|>. 

KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Under  parts  white tyrannus.  p.  247. 

r.  Under  parts  yellow. 
2.  Tail  even. 

o.   Primaries  with  gradually  narrowed  tips      .     .     verticalis.  p.  24S. 

8'.  Primaries  with  al»ruptly  narrowed  tips       .     .  vociferans,  p.  •J4'.>. 

2'.Tail  dftidi'dly  emargiuate couchii.  p.  24S. 

444.  Tyrannus  tyrannus  {Linn).    KiNcr-uci). 

Ailitlts.  —  Under  parts  and  Ixnul  on  i  nd  of  tail  pure  white  ;  head  and  tail 
black;  rest  of  uj)per  ])arts  slate  <;Tay  ;  middle  of  crown  with  a  concealed 
)»atch  of  oranj^e  red.  Yunnii :  crown  patch  wantini;-  and  coloi-s  dulh-r,  wiiii;- 
and  tail  coverts  edf^ed  with  brownish,  tail  band  and  chest  tinned  witli 
l)rownish.  Lin</th  :  N-H.  wing  I.  I.")-4.T*>,  t.iil  ;'..  K>-:;.7'),  bill  from  nostril 
..")()-.:)T. 

Dislrihiifion.  —  IJrecds  in  Ti-.insilion  and  .Soiior.m  zones  of  temper:>te 
Nortli  .\m<'ric:i  from  the  Ilritish  Provinces  chiefly  cast  of  the  Pocky 
Mountains  to  tlie  southern  Ixtnh'r  of  the  Unitc<l  .States.  Not  re<'ordcd 
from  New  Mexico  or  Arizona.      Migrates  to  middle  :ind  South  America. 


248 


FLYCATCHERS 


From  Biological 


Agriculture. 
Fig.  324.     Kingbird. 


Dept.  of 


Nest.  —  Made  larg-ely  of  weed  steins,  twine,  wool,  or  Spanish  moss,  lined 
itli  grass,  rootlets,  and  horsehair,  placed  in  bushes  or  trees  4  to  40  feet 

from  the  ground.  Egys :  3  or  4,  from 
white  to  rose  pink,  spotted  or  blotched 
with  brown  or  lavender. 

Food.  —  Principally  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  butterflies,  weevils,  wild  bees, 
wasps,  caterpillars,  and  gadflies. 

Ill  general  habits  the  eastern  king- 
bird resembles  the  western  members 
of  the  Tyrannus  family,  though  more 
commonly  a  bird  of  the  garden  and 
orchard. 

He  has  been  accused  of  eating 
honey-bees,  but  in  the  stomach  ex- 
aminations made  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  of  218  only 
14  contained  any  trace  of  honey- 
bees, and  nearly  all  these  were  drones.  Ninety  per  cent,  of  his  food 
consists  of  insects,  mostly  injurious  kinds. 

446.  Tyrannus  melancholicus  couchii  (Baird).  Couch  King- 

bird. 

Adult  male.  —  Belly  brilliant  yellow,  fading-  through  g-reenish  gray  to 
white  on  throat  and  under  tail  coverts ;  upper  parts  g^ray  washed  with 
green;  wings  and  tail  brownish  edged  with  whitish,  tail  notched ;  concealed 
orang-e  patch  on  head.  Adidt  female  :  similar,  but  smaller,  tail  less  notched 
and  crown  patch  restricted.  Young  :  like  female,  but  without  crown  patch, 
yellow  duller,  and  wing-  coverts  bordered  with  buff  J^  Length  :  (male)  9- 
10,  wing-  4.40-5.00,  tail  3.75-4.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  valley  of  the  lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south 
to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Sennett,  Spanish  moss  and  twig-s,  lined  with 
rootlets  ;  placed  near  the  end  of  a  horizontal  limb  on  a  larg-e  elm.  Eggs  : 
3  or  4,  creamy  pink,  blotched  with  brown  and  purple  over  whole  surface, 
or  in  wreath  around  larger  end. 

447.  Tyrannus  verticalis  Say.     Arkansas  Kingbird. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  and  breast  light  ash  gray  ;  throat  paler  ;  belly 
lemon  yellow  ;  tail  black,  outer  web  of  outer  feather 
abruptly  white  ;  wings  brown,  end  of  long  quills  with 
gradually  narrowed  points  ;  concealed  crown  patch 
red.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  tips  of  outer  quills 
less  narrowed  and  crown  patch  restricted.  Young : 
like  adults,  but  crown  patch  wanting-  and  colors 
duller,  wing-  coverts  bordered  with  buff  v.  Length : 
8.00-9.50,  wing-  4.75-5.25,  tail  3.65-4.00,  bill  from  nostril  .50-.55. 

Remarks.  —  Verticalis,  though  very  similar  to  vociferans,  can  be  distin- 
g-uished  in  the  field  by  the  abruptly  white  and  sharply  contrasting-  outer 
edge  of  the  black  tail,  and  in  the  hand  by  the  attenuated  wing  feathers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  west- 
ern  United  States  from  N 'braska  and  Kansas  to  the  Pacific;  and  from 


Fig.  325. 


ARKANSAS  AND  CASSIN  KINGBIRDS 


FLYCATCHERS  249 

Assiniboia  and  Britisli  Columbia  south  through  Lower  California  ;  migrates 
tlirough  western  Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  trees  usually  not  far  from  the  ground,  made  of 
twigs,  weed  stems,  plant  fibers,  rootlets,  wool,  cocoons,  hair,  feathers, 
string-,  thistle  down,  and  paper.  Eyys:  usually  4,  similar  to  those  of  Tyran- 
nus  tyr annus. 

Food.  —  Mainly  grasshoppers,  with  moths,  butterflies,  flies,  wing-ed  ants, 
caterpillars,  and  large  black  crickets. 

The  Arkansas  kingbird  is  a  masterful,  positive  character,  and  when 
you  come  into  his  neighborhood  you  are  ver}-  likely  to  know  it,  for 
he  seems  to  be  always  screaming  and  scrimmaging.  If  he  is  not  over- 
head twisting  and  turning  with  wings  open  and  square  tail  spread 
s«  wide  that  it  shows  the  white  lines  that  border  it,  he  is  climbing 
up  the  air  claw  to  claw  with  a  rival,  falling  to  ground  clinched  witli 
him,  or  dashing  after  a  hawk,  screaming  in  thin  falsetto  like  a  scis- 
sor-tail  flycatcher.  A  passing  enemy  is  allowed  no  time  to  loiter 
but  driven  from  the  field  with  impetuous  onslaught  and  clang  of 
trumpets.  Be  he  crow,  hawk,  or  owl,  he  is  escorted  to  a  safe  dis- 
tance, sometimes  actually  ridden  by  the  angry  kingbird,  who,  like 
the  scissor-tail,  enforces  his  screams  with  sharp  pecks  on  the  back. 

When  there  is  no  one  within  scrapping  distance  he  may  be  seen 
l)crching  on  a  meadow  fence  or  telegraph  wire,  for  he  is  a  bird  of 
the  open  country.  When  perched  he  is  on  the  lookout  for  insects, 
and  dashes  out  for  one  to  soar  back  on  outspread  wings  and  tail, 
shrieking  triumphantly  as  he  comes.  His  notes  have  the  thin  high 
pitch  and  somctiiing  of  the  emphasis  and  iteration  of  the  coyote. 

448.  Tyrannus  vociferans  Swains.    Cassin  Kingbird. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  and  breast  dark  gray,  chin  abruptly  white  ;  belly 
lemon  yellow ;  tail  dull  black  indistinctly 
tipped  with  grayish,  outer  web  of  outer  feather 
indistinctly  edg-ed  with  grayish;  winy  with  tips 
of  lonyest  primaries  abruj)t/y  cut  out ;  crown  with 
concealed  red  patch.  Youny :  duller,  wing- 
coverts  edged  with  rusty,  crown  patch  wanting-. 
Fi>r.  li'JC.  Lemith:    .s.7.")-« ».()(»,   wiiig-  r).00-r),40,  tail  ;5.70- 

4. •_'().  bill  fr<.m  nostril  ..").')-.()(). 
Distribution.  —  I>reeds  irregularly  in  Transition,  but  chiefly  in  Upper 
and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Kocky  Mountains 
to  southern  Wyoming-,  western  Texas.  New  Mexico,  .and  Arizona,  and  from 
Oregon  soutli  to  Lower  ('.alifornia  and  the  mountains  bordering-  the  Mexi- 
can tal)lelands  ;  straying-  south  to  Costa  Kic.-i. 

Sist.  —  IJnIky.  of  similar  materials  to  that  of  rerticidis.  placed  generally 
"JO  to  40  feet  fnim  the  ground,  n«!ar  the  end  of  a  hoiizontal  limb  in  syca- 
more, cottonwt)o(l,  or  otlier  tree.  Kyys  :  '1  to  .'>,  similar  to  those  of  Tyran- 
nus tyrannus. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  including  gra.sshoppers,  locusts,  and  caterpillai-s. 

The  Cassin  kingbird,  .Major  licndire  says,  isneitiier  as  noisy  nor  as 
(Hiarrelsomc  as  the  Arkansas.      Though  it  ne^u  in   the  valleys  with 


260  FLYCATCHERS 

the  Arkansas,  it  also  breeds  at  higher  altitudes,  and  is,  apparently, 
more  a  bird  of  the  mountains. 

GENUS    PITANGUS. 

449.  PitangUS  derbianus  (Kaup).     Derby  Flycatcher.^ 

Bill  as  long-  as  head,  straight,  narrow ;  wings  rounded ;  tail  shorter 
than  wings,  nearly  even ;  tarsus  about  as  long-  as  middle  toe  and  claw ; 
under  parts,  except  for  white  throat,  and  including  under  wing  coverts, 
bright  sulphur  yellow ;  top  and  sides  of  head  black,  separated  by  white 
line  which  incloses  black  crown ;  crown  erectile,  with  partly  concealed 
vellow  center  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown,  rufoixs  on  wings  and  tail. 
Length:  10-11,  wing  4.90-5.10,  tail  3.90-4.00,  exposed  culmen  1.15-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Central  America  to  the  lower  Rio  Grande 
Valley  in  Texas ;   migrates  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Dome-shaped,  with  entrance  on  the  side,  composed  of  such 
coarse  materials  as  straw  and  lichens ;  placed  usually  on  forks  of  branches 
or  thorny  trees,  25  or  30  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  generally  5,  light 
cream  color  with  small  reddish  specks. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  but  also  small  fish  —  minnows. 

The  derby  flycatcher  is  rather  a  rare  summer  visitor  in  the  lower 
Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

GENUS  MYIODYNASTES. 

451.  Myiodynastes  luteiventris  Sd.  Sulphur-bellied  Fly- 
catcher. 

Bill  turgid,  broader  than  high  at  nostrils  ;  wings  long  and  pointed ; 
tail  shorter  than  wings,  neai'ly  even  ;  feet  small  and  weak.  Adults  :  broad 
blackish  A  from  bill  inclosing  white  throat  patch  ;  rest  of  under  parts  sul- 
phur yellow,  streaked  along  sides  ;  upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  with  black  ; 
head  with  concealed  yellow  crown  patch  and  white  or  yellowish  bands 
over  eye  and  along  sides  of  throat ;  rump  and  tail  bright  rufous  ;  bill  very 
broad.  Yoimg :  without  crown  patch.  Length  :  7.75-8.00,  wing  4.25-4.60, 
tail  3.30-3.(30,  bill  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  mountains  of  southern  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona south  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  25  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  a  hole  in  a  sycamore,  lined 
thickly  with  stems  of  walnut  leaves.  Fggs  :  3,  creamy  buff,  profusely 
blotched,  principally  around  the  larger  end,  with  purple  and  reddish 
brown. 

Mr.  Lusk,  who  found  the  sulphur-bellied  flycatcher  in  Arizona, 
states  that  they  frequent  streams  bordered  with  large  trees.  "  The 
width  and  size  of  their  bills,  together  with  their  short  necks,"  he 
says,  "  gives  them  a  peculiar  appearance  even  at  a  distance."  Mr. 
O.  W.  Howard  found  the  birds  very  quiet  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son, but  bold  and  noisy  afterwards.  He  compares  their  notes  to  the 
squeaking  of  a  wheelbarrow. 

1  [450.]  3ryioze(etf's  similis  sKperciliosus  (Bouni^.).  Giraud  Flycatcher.  Tliis  species 
is  omitted  from  doubt  of  Giraud's  Texa.s  record. 


FLYCATCHERS 


1.  Crested  Flycatcher.     '1.  Wood  Pewee.     3.  Plutbe.     4.  Kingbird.     r>.  Least 
Flycatcher. 


GENUS    MYIARCHUS. 

General  Cliararters. —  Head  sli^litly  crested  by  length- 
ened erecftilf  feuthers  ;  ])riiuarie.s  cut  out ;  tai"sus  about 
b.-nirth  of  middle'  toe  with  claw. 


Fip.  328. 


KKV    TO    ADl   LIS. 

1.   Win^T --•'^-•^•-•'' ;  inner  \vfl)s  of   f.iil   feat lier.s  chiefly  dark  brown.     Ari- 
zona   olivascens.  j).  •_'.'•.".. 

r.  Winj;-  :;.-l()-:{.(i(»;    inner  wel.s  ..f  t.iil  feathei-s  chiefly  rnfons. 
*J.  Outer  tail  feather  with  uniform  dark  stripe  aloni;- inner  web. 

'.).  Smaller.     Lower  Kio  (Jrandu  \'alley,  Te.xa.s  .   niexicailUS,  \t.  'S>'J. 


252  FLYCATCHERS 

3'.  Larg-er.     Southern  Arizona magister,  p.  252. 

2'.  Outer  tail  feather  without  uniform  dark  stripe  along-  inner  web. 
3.  Throat  and  chest  dark  ash  gray.     Eastern  United  States. 

crinitus,  p.  252. 
3'.  Throat  and  chest  pale  ash  gray,  throat  sometimes  whitish. 

4.  Outer  tail  feather  with  outer  web  whitish  and  inner  web  dusky 

at  tip.     Colorado  to  Pacific     ....     cinerasceiis.  p.  253. 

4'.  Outer  tail  feather  without  white   edge  or  dusky  tip.     Southern 

Arizona iiuttiiigi,  p.  253. 

452.  Myiarchus  crinitus  (Linn.).     Crested  Flycatcher. 
Adults.  —  Throat  and  breast  dark  ash  gray ;  rest  of  under  parts  bright 

sulphur  yellow  ;  upper  parts  olive  ;  wings  with  two  whitish  bars,  primaries 
edged  with  rufous  and  tertials  with  yellowish  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 
dusky  brown,  other  feathers  with  inner  webs  chiefly  reddish  brown ;  outer 
feather  with  broad  dusky  stripe  confined  to  end,  if  present  at  all.  Young  : 
tail  with  more  of  reddish  brown  than  in  adult.  Length  :  8.50-9.00,  wing 
3.90-4.40,  tail  3.50-4.20,  bill  from  nostril  .55-.65,  tarsus  .78-82. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to 
Manitoba,  the  Plains,  and  southwestern  Texas ;  migrates  to  Costa  Rica, 
Panama,  and  Colombia. 

Nest.  —  An  old  woodpecker  hole  or  natural  cavity  in  a  tree  or  stump, 
lining  varying  in  bulk  and  composition  but  generally  containing  snake 
skin.  Eggs  :  4  to  8,  creamy  to  deep  buff,  overlaid  with  irregular  blotches 
and  longitudinal  pen  lines  in  .shades  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Insects,  such  as  beetles,  flies,  grasshoppers,  butterflies,  and  lar- 
vae, varied  with  berries. 

453.  Myiarchus  mexicanus    [Kaup).    Mexican  Crested  Fly- 

catcher. 

Adults  :  Throat  and  breast  light  ash  gray,  rest  of  under  parts  pale  sul- 
phur yellow  ;  upper  parts  olive,  browner  on  head  ;  wings  with  two  white 
bars  ;  primaries  edged  with  reddish  brown ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 
dusky  brown,  outer  tail  feather  with  a  wide  dusky  streak  of  uniform  width 
along  inner  side  of  shaft.  Young  :  with  more  rufous  on  tail  than  in  adult. 
Length  :  8.50-9.00,  wing  3.80-4.20,  tail  3.80-4.25,  bill  from  nostril  .02-.75, 
tarsus  .82-92. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  south  to  Guatemala  and  Sal- 
vador. 

Nest.  —  In  natural  cavities  or  woodpecker  holes  in  stumps,  trees,  and 
telegraph  poles,  made  of  felted  strips  of  bark,  hair,  feathers,  wool,  and 
sometimes  snake  skin.     Eggs  :  4  to  6,  like  those  of  M.  crinitus. 

453a.  M.  ni.  magister  Ridgw.    Arizona  Crested  Flycatcher. 

Like  M.  mexicanus,  but  larger.  Length  :  9.40-10.00,  wing  4.04-4.60.  tail 
4.10-4.60,  bill  from  nostril  .68-.82,  tarsus  .97-1.02. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Arizona  (and  southwestern  New 
Mexico  ?)  to  western  Mexico  ;  migrates  to  Tehuantepec,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  So  far  as  known,  in  holes  in  giant  cactus  and  sycamores,  about 
8  feet  from  the  ground,  lined  with  hair  and  bits  of  snake  and  lizard  skin. 
Eggs :  3  to  5,  like  those  of  M.  crinitus. 

Major  Bendire  writes:  "The  Arizona  crested  flycatcher  is  the 
largest  representative  of  the  genus  Myiarchus  found  within  our 
borders,  and   its  breeding  range   seems  to  be   confined  mainly  to 


ASH-THROATED  FLYCATCHER 


FLYCATCHERS  253 

the  giant  cactus  belt  of  southern  Arizona,  where  it  appears  to  be  a 
rather  irreguhir  summer  resident,  not  uncommon  in  some  seasons 
and  rare  in  others." 

Mr.  Stephens  found  it  frequenting  h)\v  mes(iuites,  and  reports  that 
it  was  'tame  and  ratlier  noisy,  having  a  variety  of  loud  calls,  some 
.   .  .  almost  thrashcr-likc.' 

454.  Myiarchus  cinerascens  (Latn-.).  Ash-throated  Fly- 
catcher, 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  chest  jMile  ashy,  sometimes  almost  white  on 
throat ;  belly  pale  sulphur  yellow  ;  upper  parts  grayish  brown ;  wing-s 
■with  two  white  bars,  quills  edged  with  reddish  brown,  tertials  edged  with 
white  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  dusky  brown,  the  rest  chiefly  brown  on 
inner  webs  ;  outer  tail  feather  with  inner  weh  duski/  at  tip,  outer  ireb  dis- 
tinctly whitish.  Young :  tail  feathers  rufous,  with  dark  median  stripe. 
Length  :  S.00-8.50,  wing-  o.SO-4.25,  tail  O.G5-4.20,  bill  from  nostril  .52-.(i0, 
tarsus  .SS-.O"). 

Distribution. —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  the  western 
United  States  from  northern  Oregon  to  Mexico,  and  east  to  Colorado  and 
southwestern  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  less  than  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  knot-holes  of 
mesquite,  giant  cactus,  and  trees,  in  cavities  of  .stumps,  woodpecker  holes, 
and  occasionally  behind  pieces  of  l)ark  ;  lined  with  rootlets,  grass,  dry 
horse  nuiuure,  hair,  fur,  and  occasionally  snake  skins.  Eyys  :  '.\  to  C), 
creamy  to  pinkish  buff,  covered  with  longitudinal  streaks  and  hair  lines  of 
purple. 

Food.  —  Mainly  ants,  grasshoppers,  caterpillars,  beetles,  butterflies,  flies, 
moths,  and  occasionally  berries,  especially  mistletoe. 

The  noisy  bickering  bee-bird  is  quite  put  to  shame  by  the  digni- 
fied demeanor  of  the  ash-throated  flycatcher,  who  with  raised  crest 
and  erect  carriage  goes  about  his  business  in  a  quiet,  self-contained 
manner. 

He  is  a  common  resident  of  the  desert  regions  of  southern  Cali- 
fornia, Nevada,  Utah,  and  northern  Arizona,  and  where  the  desert 
mountains  do  not  afford  water  he  sometimes  breeds  as  much  as  five 
miles  away  from  it,  needing  less  water,  perhaps,  because  his  insect 
food  alTr)rds  a  good  dcnl  of  liciuid. 

454a.  M.  c  nuttingi  (Ridgw.).     Ncttino  Flycatcher. 

Similar  to  ^f.  riuf^rascfus,  but  outer  tail  feather  without  either  distinctly 
white  outer  web  or  dusky  tij)  to  inner  web  ;  tail  never  decidedly  shorter 
than  wing  ;  upper  tail  coverts  not  distinctly  rusty.  Wing :  ;5.40-^o.T().  tail 
:!.;J.')-;;.S(»,  bin  from  nostril  .40-. .")('..  tarsus  .SO-.Ss". 

Di.strdiution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  .south  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  A.s  descril)ed  l)y  Dr.  Fisher,  4  feet  from  the  ground  in  an  old 
woodpecker  hole  in  a  giant  cactus,  containing-  4  eggs,  creamy,  covered 
with  longitudinal  j)!  r]»le  .streaks  and  hairlines. 

455a.  Myiarchus  lawrencei  olivascens  h'idgir.  Olivackois 
Ki,V('.\r(  HI'  K. 

.b////rs.  —  H,.:i,l  :ind    l.;i(k  (ilivr    l.r...\n:    win-.-md    tail  ir.uh.-rs  usually 


254  FLYCATCHERS 

without  distinct  rusty  edging's  and  inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  usually  with- 
out rusty  edgings.  Length  :  7.00-7.80,  wing  2.90-3.25,  tail  3.00-8.25,  bill 
from  nostril  .48-.55,  tarsus  .70-.75. 

Remarks.  —  The  olive  coloration  is  enough  to  distinguish  this  fly- 
catcher. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  of  Arizona  and  western 
Mexico  ;  casual  to  Fort  Lyon,  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  holes  in  trees,  15  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  made, 
in  two  recorded  cases,  of  fur  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  curiously 
marked  with  fine  lines  and  intricate  pencillings  of  black  and  various 
shades  of  purplish  brown  over  bufPy  or  creamy  ground. 

The  olivaceous  flycatcher,  which  is  the  smallest  of  the  United 
States  species  of  Myiarchus,  lives  in  brushy  canyons  in  the  moun- 
tains of  southern  Arizona,  frequenting  the  banks  of  streams,  where 
it  perches  on  dead  limbs  looking  for  insects.  The  only  note  heard 
by  Mr.  Stephens,  who  discovered  it,  was  a  '  mournful  j^ceur. ' 

GENUS    SAYORNIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  more  than  3.25,  but  not  more  than  five 
times  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw  ;  tail 
emarginate. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  olive  gray.     Colorado  to  Atlantic phoebe,  p.  254. 

1'.  Tail  black. 

2.  Under  parts  partly  brown saya,  p.  255. 

2'.  Under  parts  partly  black. 

3.  Under  tail  coverts  streaked  with  black  .     .     .     nigricans,  p.  255. 
3'.  Under  tail  coverts  pure  white semiatra,  p.  256. 

456.  Sayornis  phoebe  {Lath.).    Phcebe. 

Upper  parts   olive   gray,  darker  on  head  ;  under  parts  whitish,   tinged 

below    with    pale   yellowish,    sides  of 
breast  with  olive  gray.    Length :  G.25- 
7.00,  wing  8.25-3.55,  tail  8.00-3.40. 
//1|J  Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran- 

^/|  sition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  in  cast- 

er ern     North    America,    west   to    Colo- 

rO^A)        rado  ;    south  to  the  Gulf   of  Mexico; 
/ ^^^^BS^^^^^  J^^^^vr"  ^    winters  from  the  southern  Atlantic  and 
[  C^^SI^^^^^^^^^^  ^>    Gulf  states  to  Mexico  and  Cuba ;   re- 
"^  corded  from  Los  Angeles  Co.,  Calif or- 

'f^^tf^  nia,  in  winter. 

J  ^fe  Nest.  —  A  bulky  felted  mass,  made 

largely  of  mosses  and  lined  with  feath- 
ers ;    attached  to  rocks,  bridges,   and 
beams    of    buildings.     Eggs :   3    to    8, 
^'•^™^'°^°»l'*^,fe"um?rk^-^-^'^*-°'       white,    sometimes   finely  but  sparsely 
Fig.  329.  speckled     around     larger    end     with 

brownish. 
Food.  —  Chiefly  injurious  insects. 

The  habits  of  the  phoebe  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  black 


FLYCATCHERS  255 

phoebe,  but  the  names  '  liouse '  and  '  barn '  pewee  apply  better  to  it, 
and  more  popular  affection  attaches  to  this  coufidinu'  bird  than  to  its 
handsome  western  relative.  It  builds  under  bridges  and  culverts 
most  frequently,  but  barns  and  sheds,  piazza  crotches,  and  window 
sills  all  offer  it  congenial  homes. 

Its  nest,  found  year  after  year  in  the  same  place  or  only  a  rafter 
away,  though  big  and  loosely  put  together,  seems  a  marvel  of 
beauty  with  its  touches  of  green  moss.  The  bird  herself  with  her 
plain  voice,  jerky  motions,  and  abrupt  manners  but  homely  virtues 
comes  to  hold  a  place  in  our  affections  that  no  bickering,  domineer- 
ing Tociferans  could  ever  hope  to  win. 

457.  Sayornis  saya  (Bonap.).    Say  Phcpjbe. 

^Iditlts.  —  Anterior  lower  parts  grayish,  posterior  tawny  brownish  ;  upper 
parts  dark  gray,  wing-  quills  and  tail  black.  Young  :  like  adults,  but  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  brown.  Length  :  7.50-8.05,  wing-  O.90-4.25,  tail  3.o5- 
3.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Arctic  Circle  in  Alaska  south  to  Lower 
California,  and  from  western  Nebraska  and  Kansas  west  to  the  Pacific  ; 
mig-rates  to  Oaxaca.  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  I'nder  bridges,  about  barns  and  houses,  in  caves,  or  wells,  and 
under  .shelves  of  cliffs ;  made  of  materials  such  as  weed  stems,  grasses, 
moss,  wool,  hair,  cocoons,  and  feathers.  Eggs:  3  to  6,  white,  sometimes 
finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  crickets,  weevils,  beetles,  flies,  moths,  butterflies, 
and  other  insects. 

The  Say  flycatcher  of  the  brown  belly  and  black  tail  is  the  com- 
monest of  the  western  flycatchers,  nesting  not  only  about  every  cattle 
ranch,  stage  station,  and  mining  camp,  but  at  the  Arctic  Circle  and 
on  the  deserts  of  the  southwestern  United  States,  where  it  builds  in 
caves  with  wood  rats  and  on  cliffs  with  the  prairie  falcon. 

In  rocky  canyons  it  may  be  seen  perched  on  boulders  darting  out 
after  passing  insects.  On  the  Plains,  where  it  flits  silently  from  bush 
to  bush,  at  a  distance  its  black  tail  and  dull  colors  would  often  lead 
you  to  mistake  it  for  the  omnipresent  AmpJihyn'za  but  for  its  plain- 
tive phee-cur-.  Besides  this  note,  during  the  nesting  season  it  is  said 
to  have  a  plaintive  twittering  warble. 

I^ni/d  is  a  true  llycatcher.  and  Major  Bendirc  has  seen  it  catch  good- 
sized  gra.sshoppers  on  the  wing.  He  calls  attention  to  its  power, 
which  many  of  the  flycatchers  share  with  the  hawks  and  owls,  of 
ejecting  indigestible  parts  of  its  food  in  the  form  of  jicllcts. 

458.  Sayorni^  nigricans  (Sirains.).    Black  Pjkkhk. 

Adults.  —  IJl.ifk.  i'xc(j)t  fur  wliite  Ix'Uv.  outer  web  of  outer  tail  feathers, 
edges  of  inner  secDiidarit's.  .iiid  nndrr  t.iil  coverts  wliicli  are  irfiiti  striped 
with  duski/.  Vouiig  :  brad  :ind  iicck  sooty  black  ;  wing  bands  and  liend  of 
wing  rusty  ;  back,  runi}),  an<l  edges  of  black  on  breast  washed  with  brown- 
ish.    Length  :  0. 25-7.0".  wing  .■'..55-3. SO,  tail  3.45-15.75. 


256  FLYCATCHERS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  eastern 
Arizona  and  south  through  Mexico,  except  Yucatan  and  the  Pacific  coast 
north  of  Coliraa. 

Nest.  —  A  wall  pocket  made  of  small  pellets  of  mud  mixed  with  dried 
grass,  weed  fibers,  and  hair,  placed  in  wells  and  on  sides  of  buildings  and 
cliffs.  Eggs :  o  to  G,  white,  or  finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown  around 
the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  wild  berries. 

The  sharply  contrasted  black  and  white  plumage  of  the  black 
phoebe  of  whichever  form  make  him  the  handsomest  of  the  common 
flycatchers.  He  is  not  averse  to  civilization  and  may  be  met  com- 
monly just  off  the  highways  usually  near  water.  1  have  found  him 
in  a  San  Francisco  cemetery,  in  Sutro  Heights  Park,  in  Pasadena, 
bathing  in  a  reservoir  beside  the  street,  and  in  Santa  Cruz  perched 
on  the  tip  of  a  century  plant  leaf  in  front  of  a  hotel.  He  lias  all  the 
flycatcher  mannerisms,  and  as  he  sits  watching  for  insects  jets  his 
tail  and  quivers  his  wings  at  his  sides,  darts  out  with  a  liquid  flip',  a 
rising  kee-vee  ,  and  falling  kee-icrny' ,  snaps  up  an  insect,  and  settles 
back  again  on  his  perch. 

At  Twin  Oaks,  California,  I  found  the  phcebes  nesting  in  a  deserted 
well  and  also  inside  a  whitewashed  chicken  house,  and  was  told  of 
their  having  built  under  the  eaves  of  a  kitchen,  the  pair  getting 
their  meals  about  the  fly  screens  before  the  window.  Such  centers  of 
civilization  are  not  always  chosen  by  them,  however,  and  I  have 
found  them  in  the  foothills  of  the  Sierra  and  in  a  narrow  lonely 
canyon  of  the  mountains  of  southern  California,  where  their  wall- 
pocket  nest  was  fastened  against  a  cliff  behind  a  hanging  vine. 

458a.   S.  n.  semiatra  {Vigors).     Western  Black 
Phcebe. 
Similar  to   ^'.    nigricans  but   under  tail  coverts  pure 
white. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  on  the 
^      Pacific  coast,  from  Oregon  to  Colima,  Mexico  ;  also  most 
of  Arizona. 

Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

^'S-  ^^"-  GENUS  CONTOPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Feet  extremely  small ;  wing  at  least  six  times  as 
long  as  tarsus ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  bill,  but  longer  than 
^     middle  toe  with  claw,  or  with  a  conspicuous  white  cottony 
patch  on  each  side  of  rump. 
Fig.  331. 

key  to  species. 
1.  Length  7.10-8.00. 

2.  With  conspicuous  white  cottony  tufts  on  sides  of  rump ;  under  parts 

without  yellow borealis,  p.  l'57. 

2'.  Without  cottony  rump  tufts  ;  belly  yellowish.    Arizona. 

pallidiveiitris,  p.  257. 


FLYCATCHERS  257 

r.  Length  5.90-6.75. 

2.  Wings  and  tail  shorter.     Western  Nebraska  to  Atlantic. 

virens.  p.  258. 
2'.  Wings  and  tail  longer.     Plains  to  Pacific  .     .  richardsonii,  p.  258. 

Subgenus  Nuttallornis. 

459.  Contopus  borealis  (Su-ains.).     Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 
Adults.  —  Under  jiarts  with  irhitish  median  tract  between  dark,  somewhat 

streaked    lateral  parts,    white    sometimes 
faintly  tinged  with  yellow;  upper  parts  ..•^  r^s 

sooty,    conspicuous    tuft    of   white   cotton// 
feathers   on   sides   of  rump  (usually  con- 
cealed by  Avings).      Young:  similar,  but  Fig.  :>;;j. 
wing  coverts  tipped  with  buffy,  or  brown- 
ish instead  of  white.     Length  :  7. 10-7.90  ;  wing  3.90-4.50,  tail  2.80-3.50, 
exposed  eulmen  .5S-.70,  tarsus  .55-. 00. 

Remarks.  —  This  is  the  only  Contopus  that  has  white  cottony  tufts  on  the 
sides  of  the  rump,  or  first  quill  longer  than  fourth. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  forests  of  North  America  from 
Hudson  Bay  south  through  the  higher  parts  of  the  United  States  ;  migrates 
to  Peru,  Central  America,  Columbia,  and  northern  Peru. 

Nest.  —  Small,  of  wiry  materials  fastened  skillfully  to  branches  of  conif- 
erous trees,  40  to  00  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  usually  3,  creamy,  gen- 
erally wreathed  with  spots  of  brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Winged  insects,  such  as  beetles,  butterflies,  moths,  gadflies,  and 
grasshoppers. 

In  the  high  Sierra  as  iu  the  Canadian  forests  throughout  the  United 
States  the  pu-j)ip'  of  the  olive-sided  calls  your  attention  to  a  solitary 
bird  with  a  dark  gray  breast  and  white  median  line,  perched  on  the 
tip  of  an  evergreen  spire.  Its  body  is  quiet,  but  its  head  is  turning 
from  side  to  side,  and  suddenly  it  launches  into  the  air,  catches  an 
insect,  turns,  and  with  wings  and  tail  spread  sails  back  to  its  perch. 

It  calls  a  great  deal  in  the  twilight,  and  in  the  fir  belt  of  Mt. 
Shasta,  where  its  voice  is  one  of  the  commonest  forest  sounds,  as  the 
evening  .shadows  gathered  over  the  noble  trees  under  which  we  were 
camped,  the  mellow  pn-pip' ,  pv-pu-pio',  pu-pip  ,  pu-pu-pio' ,  came 
down  to  us  in  soothing  cadence  till  the  camp-fire  shone  in  the  dark- 
ness. 

Subg:enus  Contopus. 

460.  Contopus  pertinax  pallidiventris  Chapm.    Coues  Fly- 

(.'ATCHKU. 

Adults.  —  Uj)/)er  parts  grai/ish  hrmrn.  thiged  with  olive  ;  under  parts  iiearlt/ 
uniform  olin  grai/.  rhin  slightly  whitish,  btdly  and  undt-r  tail  coverts  dull 
yellowish  ;  first  (juill  much  slutrlt-r  tli.m 
fourth.  Young:  similar,  ])ut  wing  cov- 
erts tipped  with  biitt'y  or  brownish. 
Length:  7.70-S.U(),  wing  3.80-4.45.  t.iil 
3.(')()-3.1M».  ,,^,    .... 

lif marks.  —  The    Cones    flycHlchn    is 
about  the  si/.e  of  the  olive-sided,  but  its  under  parts  arc  stiikiii<;ly  uniform 


258  FLYCATCHERS 

compared  with  those  of  borealis,  in  which  the  dark  sides  are  sharply  con- 
trasted with  the  white  median  line  ;  it  also  lacks  the  conspicuous  cottony 
rump  tufts  of  horealis. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  central  and  southern  Arizona,  south 
through  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  of  grass  tops,  moss,  lichens,  catkins,  leaves, 
spider's  web,  fragments  of  insects  and  their  exuviae,  placed  on  an  oak  or 
pine  branch  15  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  On  one  record,  'S,  cream 
buff,  spotted  in  a  ring  around  the  larger  end  with  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Flies,  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

In  the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona  Mr.  Henshaw  found  the 
Coues  flycatcher  in  the  pines  or  in  rocky  gulches  of  mixed  pine  and 
oak,  launching  out  from  the  branches,  circling  around  the  high  pine 
stubs,  and  making  the  sudden  erratic  ilights  from  point  to  point 
which  are  especially  characteristic  of  the  species. 

Its  notes,  though  similar  to  those  of  the  olive-sided  flycatcher, 
Mr.  Henshaw  says,  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  them,  the  last 
syllable  being  prolonged  and  raised. 

461.  Contopus  virens  (I.nj«.).    Wood  Pewee. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  tinged  ivith  olive  ;  two  wing  bars 
dull  whitish ;  under  parts  whitish,  more  or  less  washed  with  olive  gray 
and  tinged  with  pale  yellowish ;  iving  at  least  six  times  as  long  as  tarsus, 
tarsus  longer  than  viiddle  toe  with  claw;  exposed  culmen  much  less  than 
twice  the  width  of  bill  at  nostrils.  Young :  with  buffy  or  brownish  Aving 
bars.  Length  5.90-6.50,  wing  3.00-3.^5,  tail  2.50-2.90.,  exposed  culmen 
.4o-.52,  width  of  bill  at  base  .24-.o0,  tarsus  .48-.53. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  provinces  of  Canada  to  Florida, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  the  Dakotas,  Nebraska,  and  Kansas ;  mi- 
grates through  eastern  Mexico  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  deciduous  trees  5  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made 
largely  of  plant  fibers,  rootlets,  and  moss,  coated  with  lichen.  Eggs  :  2  to 
4,  white,  irregularly  wreathed  around  larger  end  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshoppers,  locusts,  and  caterpillars. 

The  wood  pewee  is  sometimes  met  with  west  of  the  hundredth 
meridian  in  Texas,  and  though  it  is  almost  indistinguishable  from  its 
western  congener  in  coloration  and  habit,  its  notes  identify  it  the 
instant  they  reach  the  ear.  The  call  of  the  western  is  a  common- 
place pueer,  but  that  of  the  wood  pewee  is  a  plaintive  musical 
pee-aJi-icee. 

462.  Contopus  richardsonii  (Su-ains.).   Western  Wood  Pewee.1 
Adults.  — Upper  parts  dark  grayish  brown  ;   under  parrs  lu>avily  washed 

with  dark  gray ;  belly  and  under  tail  coverts 
whitish  or  pale  yellowish  ;  wing  at  least  six 
times  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  tarsus  longer  than 
middle  toe  with  claw ;  exposed  culmen   mucli  Fig.  3;U. 

1  Contopus  richardsonii  saturatus  Bishop.     Alaskan  Wood  Pewee. 

Like  richardsonii  but  darker,  with  smaller  bill. 

Distribution.  —  Yukon  Valley,  southern  Alaska  and  British  Cohnnbia,  near  the  coast 
in  summer,  migrating  south  through  California.     {The  Auk,  xvii,  llG.j 


FLYCATCHERS  259 

less  than  twice  the  width  of  bill  at  nostril.  Young :  with  buflFy  or  brown- 
ish wing-  bars.  Lenyth  :  (').20-().7i').  iving 'J. 15-^.55,  tail  i^.50-J. 95,  exposed 
cnlm^^Mi  .44-.51,  width  of  bill  at  base  .2T-.o2,  tarsus  .49-.56. 

Remarks.  —  In  richardsonii  the  wings  and  tail  are  slig-htly  longer  than 
in  C.  virens. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  the  interior  of  British  America  to  Lower  California ;  migrates 
to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Saddled  on  horizontal  limb  of  orchard  or  forest  tree,  6  to  40 
feet  from  the  ground  ;  made  of  wood,  plant  fibers,  down,  inner  bark,  sage. 
and  grass  tops,  rarely  lined  with  a  few  feathers,  and  sometimes  covered 
with  spider's  web.  Eggs  :  2  to  4,  white,  irregularly  wreathed  around  the 
larger  end  with  blotches  and  minute  specks  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Flies  and  other  insects,  with  a  few  wild  berries. 

In  tlie  lower  Canadian  zone  forests  the  western  wood  pewee  is 
frequently  met  with,  and  in  tlie  JNIurray  pine  meadows  of  the  Sierra 
is  one  of  the  commonest  birds  seen.  It  sits  with  its  long  thin  body 
ereet,  and  as  it  watches  for  insects  gives  its  quiet  call,  well  rendered 
by  Dr.  Merrill  as  tweer  or  deer.  In  Arizona  its  setting  is  altogether 
different,  mesquite  and  yucca  stalks  being  its  principal  perches. 

GENUS    EMPIDONAX. 

General  Characters.  — Wing  less  than  o."25,  not  more  than     /**^\        j^ 
five  times  as  long  as  tarsus.  / 

Fig.  335. 
KEY    TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Under  ])arts  huffy.  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  .  .  pygmaeus.  p.  26o. 
r.  Under  parts  wbitish  or  sulphur  yellow. 

2.  Width  of  bill  at  nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the 
exposed  culmen. 

o.  Under  parts  wholly  yellowish  or  brownish.  '^"  " 

4.  Louder  parts  darker,  washed  with  brown    .  diflBcllls.  p.  2(30. 

4  .  lender  parts  lighter,  with  little  or  no  brown  wash.     Santa  Bar- 

l)ara  I.slands ilisulicola.  p.  2()0. 

'■')  .  Under  parts  partly  white. 

4.   \Ving  2.;iO-2.r,0  ;  tail   distinctly  eniarginate.     liocky  Mountains 

to  Atlantic minimus,  p.  2(5 1. 

4'.  Wing  2.<i()-;;.()() ;  tail  men  or  slightly  rounded. 

').  Colors  weaker;  bill  longer  and  narrower    .     .  traillii.  p.  200. 
')'.  Colors  stronger;   bill  shorter  and  broader.     Eastern. 

alnorum.  p.  201 . 
2  .  Wi<ltli  of  bill  ;it  nostrils  not  greater  th.in  half  tlie  exposed  culmen. 


iJill  narrower hammondi,  p.  202. 

IJill  broader.  Fij?.  337. 

1.    Uiidei  niandil)le  blackish      ....    wrightli,  p.  20)2. 

r.  Cnder  n.an.lihl.-  tlesh-.-..lore<I.  tipprd  with  blaek.   Moun-   '*''»■  ^^• 
taiuH  uf  .sniitlieiii  .Vri/on.i griseus.  p.  2t),j. 


260  FLYCATCHERS 

464.  Empidonax  difiS-Cilis  Baird.    Western  Flycatcher. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olivaceous  (brownish  in  winter),  wing  bars  dull 

buffy   (brighter  in    winter);   under  parts  dull  yelloiv,  shaded 

with  brown  across  breast,  brightening  to  sulphur  yellow  on 

belly   and  under    tail  coverts ;  under   wing    coverts  buffy, 

deepening  to  ochraceous  on  edge  of  wing ;  width  of  bill  at 

/    nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the   length  of  exposed 

{    culnien.      Young :  similar,   but  browner   above,  with   wing 

bands  yellowish  brown  or  rusty  buff,  sulphur  yellow  of  belly 

replaced   by   dull   white.     Length :  5.50-0.00.    Male :  wing 

Fig.  339.       2.50-2.90,  tail  2.35-2.00,  bill  .57-.e3,  bill  from  nostril  .29- 

.33,  width  at  base  .25-.28,  tarsus  .64-.69.     Female :  wing  2.30-2.00,  tail 

2.20-2.45. 

Bemarks.  —  The  distinct  yellow  tone  of  the  under  parts  distinguishes 
difficilis  from  all  western  flycatchers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  z^nes  from  the  east- 
ern foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  adiacent  ranges  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  southern  Alaska  south  to  northern  Lower  California ;  migrates 
to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  Usually  not  far  from  water,  in  alders,  trees,  stumps,  roots,  under 
stream  banks,  on  rock  ledges,  in  natural  cavities,  or  about  buildings ; 
made  of  plant  stems  and  fibers,  down,  inner  bark,  rootlets,  leaves,  and 
moss,  lined  with  horsehair  and  feathers,  often  coated  with  green  moss. 
Eggs :  3  or  4,  white,  blotched  and  spotted  with  brown  and  buff  pink. 
Food.  —  Largely  injurious  insects. 

The  western  flycatcher  is  a  widely  distributed  bird,  as  Mr.  Allen 
says,  shade  apparently  being  its  principal  requirement,  for  it  ranges 
from  the  lowiands  almost  to  timberline.  It  is  said  to  have  a  song 
and  a  sweet  call,  beside  a  sharp  chirp  uttered  when  angry  or 
frightened. 

464.2.  Empidonax  insulicola  Oherh.  Santa  Barbara  Fly- 
catcher. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  olive  brown,  slightly  darker  on  head  and 
paler  and  more  greenish  on  rump ;  wings  with  two  conspicuous  brownish 
white  bars  ;  throat  grayish,  faintly  washed  with  yellow  ;  rest  of  under  parts 
straw  yellow,  slightly  tinged  on  breast  and  sides  with  olive  brown.  Wing: 
2.68,  tail  2.40,  exposed  culmen  .47,  tarsus  .88. 

Bemarks.  —  E.  insulicola  differs  from  E.  difficilis  in  its  darker  upper 
parts  and  paler  under  parts,  the  breast  having  little  of  the  brown  wash  of 
difficilis. 

Distribution-  — Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 

Nest.  —  In  the  side  of  a  cliff,  a  cave,  or  pocket  in  a  boulder,  made  of 
strips  of  bark  and  vegetable  fibers.  Eggs  :  2  or  3,  white  or  creamy,  dotted 
with  reddish  about  the  larger  end. 

466.  Empidonax  traillii  (And.).     Traill  Flycatcher. 

Width  of  bill  at  nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the  length  of  ex- 
posed culmen.  Adults:  eye  ring  ivhitish ;  upper  parts  olive,  darker  on  head 
from  dusky  centers  of  coronal  ifeathers ;  wing  bars  varying  from  brownish 
to  whitish  ;  under  parts  white,  shaded  with  gray  across  breast,  tinged  with 
yellow  beneath ;  under  wing  coverts  yellowish  white.  Young :  browner 
above,  yellower  beneath ;  wing  bands  buff  or  yellowish  brown.  Male  :  length 


FLYCATCHERS  261 

5.80-6.25,  wing  2.70-2.85,  tail  2.35-2.60,  bill  .64-.73,  bill  from  nostril  .35- 
.40,  width  at  base  .27-.31,  tarsus  .65-.72.  Female :  length  5.55-6.00,  wing- 
2.55-2.65,  tail  2.20-2.. 'jU. 

Hemarks.  — The  wide  bill,  whitish  under  parts,  and  olive  or  olive  brown 
—  not  greenish  —  upper  parts  are  characteristic. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America  from  the  Mississippi  valley  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  tlie  Mackenzie  River  valley  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  111  low  shrubs  or  bushes  near  water,  1  to  0  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  dry  grasses,  pine  needles,  shreds  of  bark,  and  plant  fibers,  lined 
with  fibers,  bark,  grass  tops,  fern  down,  and  horsehair.  Efjys :  2  to  4, 
white  or  pinkish  buff,  marked  with  dots  or  blotches  of  brow'n,  mostly 
about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  moths,  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  other 
harmful  insects. 

The  Traill  tiycitclieris  said  by  Major  Beudire  to  be  especially  foud 
of  '  willow-covered  islands,  aud  the  shrubbery  along  watercourses, 
beaver  meadows,  and  the  borders  of  the  more  open  mountain 
parks,'  where  it  sometimes  reaches  an  altitude  of  8000  feet,  espe- 
cially in  Colorado,  Utah,  and  California.  Its  note,  given  in  the 
breeding  season,  is  described  by  Professor  Cooke  as  a  shrill  hurried 
' pree-pe-deer,'  characteristic  of  the  energetic,  aggressive  disposition 
of  the  bird.  In  hunting,  ]\Ir.  Ridgway  says,  it  never  stays  long  in 
one  place,  but  moves  from  perch  to  perch,  snapping  up  insects  as  it 
flies. 

466a.  E.  t.  alnorum  Brewst.    Aldek  Flycatcher. 

Similar  to  Traill  flycatcher,  but  averaging  more  olivaceous  above  and 
more  yellow  below,  the  bill  shorter  and  Urottder  and  tarsus  shorter.  Male : 
wing  2.6»)-3.0().  tail  2.40-2.(10,  bill  .()U-.n4,  bill  from  nostril  .32-.37,  width 
at  base  .20-.30,  tarsus  .64-.(')7.     Female  :  wing  2.50-2.65.  tail  2.2.5-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  eastern  North  America  from 
New  England  west  to  western  Nebraska  ;  migrates  to  (Viitral  America. 

Nest  and  eyys.  —  Like  those  of  tlie  Traill  flycatcher. 

467.  Empidonax  minimus  Baird.     Least  Flycatcher. 

Width  of  bill  at  nostril  decidedly  greater  than  half  the  length  of  ex- 
po.sed  culnu'ii ;  tail  slightly  eiiiarginate.  Ailults  :  u]}\H'r  pnvts  dark  ol ire  ; 
winy  bars  u'liitisli  ;  throat  whitish  ;  chest  waslied  witli  gr;iy  ;  belly  faintly 
tinged  with  pah;  vellowish.  VmuKi  :  like  adults  but  more  olive,  and  wing 
bars  brown.  Male  :  length  4.'.t(»-5..50,  wing  2.:50-2.(iO,  tail  2.10-2.40,  bill 
.53-.5'.>,  bill  from  nostril  .27-.;'.!.  width  at  base  .23-27,  tarsus  .50-.()S. 
Female:   wing  2.20-2.40,  tail  2.10-2.25. 

Distribtition.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  eastern  North 
America  from  about  latitude  6:1  south  to  the  northern  I'nited  States; 
and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  eastern  Colorado  and  Montana  (casually 
to  Utali)  ;  migrates  to  Ceiitnil  Americ;i  and  Panama. 

Ne.Ht.  —  (%)mpactly  m;i<le  of  shreds  of  bark,  plant  fibei-s.  dry  gra.s.ses, 
weeds,  cocoons,  and  down,  ])lact'<l  usually  in  busht'S  or  trees  in  an  upriglit 
fork   from  S  to  L'5  feet  fn»m  the  ground.      Fyys :  3  to  6,  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  In.sect.s. 

The  i-htbeck'  of  llic   tritiuliv  little   ll\  ( atclicr.  beard   from   ihuke- 


262  FLYCATCHERS 

cherry  thickets  in  canyons  or  more  commonly  from  orchards  and 
villages,  is  pleasantly  associated  with  a  tiuffy,  white-breasted  little 
tigare  flitting  about  among  leafy  branches,  snapping  its  bill  and 
shaking  its  wings  and  tail  in  its  tiycatching.  Like  most  of  its  rela- 
tives it  makes  up  for  lack  of  song  by  a  variety  of  pleasing  little 
conversational  notes  and  twitterings. 

468.  Enipidonax  haramondi  (Xantus).   Hammond  Flycatcher. 

.idults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  olive,  grayer  anteriorly  ;  wing-  bars  whit- 
„^~<i^  ish   or  yellowish  ;   outer  tail  feather  more   or 

less  edged  with  whitish  ;   throat  grayish  ;  breast 
olivaceous,  almost   as   dark  as  back ;  helly  and 
Y^„  340  under  tail  coverts  yellowish  ;  width  of  bill  at 

nostrils  less  than  half  the  exposed  culmen. 
Young  :  tinged  with  brown,  wing  bars  yellowish  brown.  Male  :  length 
5.50-5.75,  wing  2.60-2.S0,  tail  2.30-2.50,  bill  .53-.50,  bill  from 
nosti-il  .26-.21),  width  at  base,  .22-.24,  tarsus  .60-. 68.  Female  : 
length  5.25,  wing  2.45-2.75,  tail  2.b5-2,40. 

Remarks.  —  Hammondi  has  the  smallest  and  narrowest 
bill  of  any  of  the  genus  Empidonax  exce-pt  fulvifrotis  and/. 
pygmcea,  and  it  differs  from  them  by  having  a  dark  chest 
band. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones      „.     o,^ 
of  western  North  America  east  to  the   eastern  slopes  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  adjoining  ranges,  and  from  Lesser  Slave  Lake  and 
interior  of  Alaska  south  probably  to  mountains  of  Arizona  and  New  Mex- 
ico ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  Avillows,  cottonwoods.  or  aspens,  or  on  horizontal  limbs  of 
pine  or  fir,  2  to  50  feet  from  the  ground ;  made  of  plant  stems  and  fibers, 
bark,  and  down,  sometimes  liued  with  grass-tops,  hair,  feathers,  scales  of 
conifer  buds,  and  hypnum  moss.  Eggs :  usually  3  or  4,  creamy  white, 
generally  unspotted,  or  if  spotted,  minutely  so,  with  brown  around  the 
larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  ants. 

In  northern  Idaho  Dr.  Merrill  found  hammondi  more  abundant 
than  in  Montana  or  Oregon,  and  as  common  among  young  cotton- 
woods  and  willows  along  rivers  and  near  swamps  as  in  dry  woods 
among  pines,  its  notes  being  heard  almost  everywhere.  Mr.  Daw- 
son gives  its  notes  as  a  •  brisk  sewick,  sewick,  and  at  rarer  intervals 
siritch-oo,  or  swecehoo.' 

469.  Empidonax  wrightii  Baird.     Wkight  Flycatcher. 
Similar  to  hammondi,  but  bill  wider,  plumage  grayer  above,  whiter  below, 

throat  often  whitish  ;  outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  abrujjtly 
paler  than  inner  web,  usually  whitish.  Length :  5.75-().40. 
Male :  wing  2.70-2.95,  tail  2.55-2.80,  bill  .62-.69,  bill  from 
nostril  .32-38,  width  at  base  .24-.27,  tarsus  .71-.77.  Female : 
wing  2.55-2.75.  tail  2.50-2.65. 

Bemarks.  —  The  white  outer  tail  feather  and  light  breast 
distinguish  wrightii  from  hammondi.    for   though  hammondi 
Fig.  342.         often   has  a  white  edge  to  its  tail  feather  its  chest  band  is 
dark  gray. 


FLYCATCHERS  263 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  British  Co- 
lumbia and  the  western  United  JStates  from  Orej^on  and  Montana  to  the 
eastern  shapes  of  the  Kot-ky  Mountains  and  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona;    migrates  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Mexico. 

Xest.  —  Fastened  to  twigs  or  against  the  trunk  of  saplings,  or  in  up- 
rig-ht  forks  of  bushes  from  li  to  IS  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  plant 
fibers  and  strips  of  bark,  partially  lined  with  feathers,  lu^ir.  and  some- 
times tree  moss.     Erjf^s :  '•]  to  ."),  dull  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Insects,  spiders,  and  caterpillars. 

Ill  the  Groat  Basin  couutry  icriyJitii  is  as  much  at  home  in  the 
sagebrush  as  most  other  species  of  Empidona.v  are  in  shady  woods 
or  around  grassy  meadows.  His  trim  little  form  is  often  noticed  on 
top  of  a  sagebrush  by  the  roadside,  sometimes  far  from  water,  but 
more  often  within  reach  of  pond  or  stream.  A  favorite  place  for 
the  nest  is  in  tlie  fork  of  a  sage. 

When  found  in  the  mountains  wrightii  is  usually  in  the  open  or 
half  forested  parks,  brushy  slopes,  old  burnings,  or  edges  of  aspen 
groves.  '  Vernon  Bati.ey. 

469.1-  Empidonax  griseus  Brticst.     Gkay  Flycatcher. 

Nearest  to  irriqittii.  but  larger  and  much  grayer,  washed  with  darker  on 
chest;  bill  longer,  basal  lialf  of  lower  mandible  flesh  colored  in  strong 
contrast  to  blackish  tip. 

Distribution-  —  From  the  southern  part  of  California  and  Arizona 
through  Lower  California  aiul  Sonera,  Mexico,  to  the  southern  end  of  the 
tablelands. 

Ne.'it  and  eggs.  —  Unknown. 

In  Mr.  Grinnell's  list  of  the  birds  of  Los  Angeles  County  he  gives 
some  interesting  records  for  the  little  known  gray  flycatcher.  He 
thinks  it  can  be  found  in  some  parts  of  the  county  throughout  the 
year.  A  few  specimens  have  been  taken  in  fall,  winter,  and.  spring 
near  Pasa<k'na  and  El  Monte,  and  in  July  Mr.  Grinnell  found  it  at 
an  altitude  of  from  7."300  to  S.IOO  feet  on  the  side  of  Mt. "Waterman. 
There,  he  sjiys,  it  was  'not  uncommon  though  very  shy.  keeping 
in  the  tallest  piiu'S  on  the  mountain  sides.'  He  .securetl  full  fledged 
young  as  early  as  July  11. 

470a.  Empidonax  fulvifrons  pygmaeus  (Cowr.s).  Bifk- 
I'.in  AsTiu  Fi.vcA  r(  ni:i{. 

.\(hilts.  —  Upper  p.irts  dull  gravisli  brown;  wing-  b.irs  grayish;  under 
parts  ]i;ile  l)iifl'v.  waslicd  with  ocbr.ieeoiis  on  bre.ist  .md  sides.  YoKug  ; 
wing^  bands  l)utl' :  lower  parts  p.-iler  .md  diilb'r.  Ltngtii:  4.T'»-"».  U^  wing" 
2.*J(»-J.4'),  tail  1.1>.'>--_M4,  bill  ..")0-..V).  bill  fn.ni  nostril  .-J.V.JT,  width  at  base 
.2()-.'JL',  tarsus  .Hl-.r,!*. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southwestern  New  Mexico  and  .Vri/ona 
soutli  t«»  Wfstern  Mexico. 

.West.  —  In  forks  or  on  branches  ol)  to  •")()  feet  from  the  ground,  about 
the  size  and  shape  of  a  blue-jjray  g-natcatcher's  ;  made  of  bits  of  soft  leaves. 


264  FLYCATCHERS 

line  straws,  and  rootlets,  lined  with  fine  fibers.      Eggs :  o  or  4,  oval,  buff 
or  dull  white. 

Mr.  R.  D.  Liisk,  who  discovered  the  nest  of  the  buff-breasted  in 
the  Chiricahiia  Mountains,  found  the  bird  well  named,  the  bright 
Arizona  sunlight  bringing  out  the  buff  of  its  breast.  He  says  that 
the  soft  pit,  pit',  of  a  pair  he  was  watching  was  varied  by  a  great 
number  of  other  notes,  among  them  the  cMcky-wheic  of  the  male. 

GENUS    PYROCEPHALUS. 

471.  Pyroeephalus  rubineus  mexicanus  {ScL).  Vekmilion 
Flycatcher. 

Head  of  male  with  full  rounded  crest ;  bill  slender,  narrow  at  base  much 
as  in  Sayornis  ;  tail  nearly  even,  of  broad  feathers  ;  tarsus  scarcely  longer 
than  middle  toe  with  claw.  Adult  male :  erectile  crown  and  under  parts 
brilliant  scarlet ;  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  darker  on  wings  and  tail. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  brownish  gray ;  under  parts  whitish,  breast 
streaked  with  g'ray;  belly  tinged  with  yellow,  salmon,  or  red.  Immature 
male :  like  adult  female,  liut  Axith  red  appearing-  in  crown  and  on  breast. 
Young :  ixpper  parts  brownish  gray,  feathers  edged  w'ith  whitish ;  under 
parts  whitish,  streaked  across  breast,  without  reddish  tinge  on  belly.  A 
rare  melanistic  j^hase  of  plumage  is  uniform  dark  brown  tinged  in  male 
with  wine  purple  on  crown  and  lower  parts.  Length  :  5.50-6.25,  wing  3.20- 
3.40,  tail  2.60-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  south- 
western Utah  through  southei*n  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  southwestern  Texas, 
southern  California,  and  Lower  California  to  Central  America  ;  accidental 
in  Floi'ida. 

Nest.  —  Frail  and  flimsy,  made  of  short  twigs,  cocoons,  down,  plant 
tops  and  fiber,  lined  with  feathers,  wool,  hair,  fur,  or  down,  saddled  on  a 
horizontal  fork  6  to  50  feet  from  the  ground  in  mesquite,  palo  verde,  Cot- 
tonwood, oak,  and  rarely  willow.  Eggs  :  2  or  o,  cream  or  butf,  marked  most 
heavily  about  the  larger  end  with  bold  irregular  blotches  and  spots  of 
brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshoppers  and  small  beetles. 

Of  all  the  rare  Mexican  birds  seen  in  southern  Arizona  and  Texas 
the  vermilion  flycatcher  is  the  gem,  his  brilliant  scarlet  body  glow- 
ing red  even  in  the  dim  twilight. 

In  an  'oak  mott'  of  southern  Texas,  wiiere  we  found  jackdaws 
and  scissor-tail  flycatchers,  the  little  Pyroeephalus  was  at  home  the 
last  of  April,  so  he  doubtless  nested  there  too.  One  of  his  favorite 
perches  was  a  dead  oak  twig  close  to  the  ground,  and  in  making  his 
sallies  for  insects  he  swept  out  over  the  flower-covered  field  we  were 
trying  to  photograph,  his  image  in  the  camera  more  beautiful  than 
the  flowei's  themselves. 

When  flycatching  he  often  hovered  over  the  grass  in  the  regula- 
tion flycatclicr  way,  but  besides  he  had  a  unique  nuptial  performance 
of  his  own.  When  high  in  the  air  he  would  puff  out  the  red  feath- 
ers of  his  breast  and  hold  himself  up,  twittering  volubly  as  long  as 


LARKS  265 

he  could  hover,  then  with  a  tine  ecstasy  come  floating  back  to  tlie 
held  like  a  ball  of  down. 

His  usual  twitter  was  like  that  of  the  wood  pewee,  a  conversa- 
tional aside.  His  call-notes  were  persistent  and  quite  loud.  For  so 
snijdl  a  flycatcher  he  took  a  surprisingly  distinct  part  in  the  noisy 
jackdaw  and  scissor-tail  chorus. 

GENUS    ORNITHION. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  curved,  compressed,  almost  without  bristles ; 
tarsus  long-er  tliau  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1,  Smaller  and  browner imberbe,  n.  265. 

1.  Larger  and  grayer ridgwayi.  p.  265. 

472.  Ornithion  imberbe  (ScL).     Beardless  Flycatcher. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  plain  brownish  gray;  wings  with  light  edgings; 
under  parts  gravish  white,  tinged  with  yellow.  Young :  under  parts  buffv. 
Length  :  4.50,  wing-  2.10-2.  b'),  tail  L70-1.U5.  bill  .;J0-.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  to  Central 
America. 

472a.  O.  i.  ridgwayi  Brewst.    Kidgway  Flycatcher. 

Like  imberbe,  but  larger,  grayer,  and  with  imder  parts  almost  or  wholly 
without  yellow.  Length:  4.;}0-4.S0.  wing-  2.04-2.28,  tail  1.78-2.02,  bill 
.40-.42./ 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  throug'h  western  Mexico  to 
Mazatlan. 

"Mr.  Stephens  found  the  curious  little  bird  at  Tucson.  .  .  .  The 
mules  had  a  liabit  of  perching  on  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  haunts,  and  at  sunrise  occasionally  uttered  a  singu- 
lar song  which  Mr.  Stephens  transcril)es  as  '  yoop-yoop-yoop  cedeedledee,' 
the  first  half  given  very  deliberately,  the  remainder  rapidly."  (Ben- 
dire.) 

FAMILY    ALAUDID^:    LARKS 

KEY    TO    CENERA. 

1.  Crown  with  blunt  erectile  cre.st Alauda.  p.  205. 

1.  Crown  with  horndike  tufts  of  black  feathers    .     .        Otocoris.  p.  2(i(». 

GENUS    ALAUDA. 

[473]  Alauda  arvensis />/»//.    Skylark. 

Wing-  with  spurions  piiniary  ;  tail  deeply  eniarginate  ;  tarsus  ecpial  to 
middle  tot;  and  daw.  Adults:  Fpper  ])arts  liglit  hrownisli,  streaked  with 
l)lack  ;  wings  <bisky,  featliers  bonb'red  with  brown;  tail  with  outer  feath- 
ers white,  dnsky  along-  edge  of  inner  web  ;  under  jKirts  and  superciliary 
whitislj;  chest  ])ale  tawny,  streaked;  ear  coverts  browni.sh.  sometimes 
lilaekisli  along-  upper  margin.  Adults  in  winter:  ]>luniag-e  more  tawny 
and  feathers  of  erown  and  hack  with  more  or  h'ss  whitish  margins.  Yniing : 
tawny,  with  wliite  margins  to  fe.ithers  of  upper  jtails  eoiispieuoiis.  marked 
with   .1   suhttrmin.'il    spot   of    hrown  :    ttitials   widelv   bordered    with    buffy. 


266  LARKS 

edged  inside  with  dark  brown  ;  chest  brownish  buffy.  indistinctly  streaked 
or  spotted  with  tawny. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  and  portions  of  Asia  and  Africa;  introduced  and 
naturalized  in  Oreg-on. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  meadows  or  open  grassy  places,  l^ggs  :  3  to  6, 
buffy  whitish  or  pale  grayish  brown,  thickly  speckled  with  brown. 

GENUS    OTOCOmS. 

General  Characters.  —  Crown  with  horn-like  erectile  tufts ;  primaries 
apparently  only  nine  ;  tail  nearly  even ;  bill  conoid,  acute  ;  tarsus  round 
behind,  in  young  divided  into  plates  on  back  ;  hind  claw  equal  to  or  longer 
than  its  toe,  nearly  straight. 

KEY    TO   ADULT    MALES    IN    SUMMER. 


t 


^^ 


Fig.  343. 

1.  Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown  or  pinkish. 

2.  Upper  parts  uniform  scorched    brown   or   pinkish.     Central  southern 

Arizona adusta,  p.  269. 

2'.  Back  of  neck  pinkish,  conti^asting  with  back. 

3.  Throat  usually  white  or  whitish.     To  Utah  in  winter. 

leucolcema  1  (arcticola  of  Oberholser),  p.  206. 
3'.  Throat  usually  yelloAvish.     Great  Plains  and  Great  Basin. 

4.  Superciliary  yellow\     Coast  of  Texas     .     .     .      giraudi,  p.  268. 
4  .  Superciliary  white. 

5.  Back  paler.     Western  United  States. 

arenicola-  {leucolcema  of  Oberholser),  p.  268. 
5'.  Back  darker.     Eastern  United  States     .     .  praticola,  p.  268. 
1'.  Upper  parts  dark  brown  and  ruddy  or  pinkish. 
2.  Back  heavily  streaked  with  blackish. 

3.  Back  of  neck  ruddy  brown strigata,  p.  268. 

3'.  Back  of  neck  pinkish merrilli,  p.  269. 

2'.  Back  not  heavily  streaked  with  blackish. 

3.   Back  of  neck  light  ruddy  brown.     Coast  of  California. 

chrysolaema  =^  {actia  of  Oberholser),  p.  268. 

3'.  Back   of  neck  deep  ruddy  brown.     Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin 

valleys,  California rubea,  p.  268. 

474a.  Otocoris  alpestris  leucolaema  (Caues).  Pallid  Horned 
Lark.^ 
Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Front  of  crown,  horn-like  tufts,  lores, 

'  Lerifolsema  of  authors  (not  of  Cones)  has  been  named  arcticohi  by  Mr.  Oberholser. 
(See  Oberholser,  "  A  Review  of  the  Larks  of  the  Genus  Otocoris,"  Proc.  U.  S.  Saf. 
Mils.,  vol.  xxiv.  pp.  801-884.) 

-  This  should  stand  as  leucolspma  of  Coues. 

■^  Chrysolsenut  has  been  restricted  to  Mexico,  and  the  California  coast  bird  referred  to 
this  race  has  been  named  actia  bj'  Mr.  Oberholser. 

•»  This  is  the  same  subspecies  as  arenicola  of  Heushavv. 

Otocoris  alpestris  leucausiptila  Oberholser. 

Palest  of  American  horned  larks.  Like  leucoliema,  but  smaller  and  with  more  uniform 
upper  parts. 

Distribuiioii. — Extreme  southwestern  Arizona,  extreme  southeastern  corner  of  Call- 


LARKS  267 

cheeks,  and  shield  on  hreast   bhick ;  back   of   head  and   neck,  upper  tail 
coverts,  and  bend  of  wing-,  i^inkish  cinna- 
mon ;  forehead,  superciliary  stripe,  and  ear 
coverts  white,  eyebrow  usually  yellow  ish  ; 
throat  yellowish  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts 

white,  sides  and  Hanks  shaded  with  cinna-        .,.     .,,,      t,  ,,.  i  it         ^  ,     , 

I  1   u    .-        I      ■      1         1-  I  i*ig.  o44.      rallid  Honied  Lark. 

mon.     Adult  Jemale  in  breeding  plumage  : 

like  adult  male,  but  black  of  head  replaced  by  brownish  and  huffy  ;  back 
of  neck,  bend  of  wing',  and  upper  tail  coverts,  cinnamon  w  ithout  ])inkish 
ting-e  ;  back  of  neck  narrowly  streaked  ;  superciliary  and  ear  coverts  buft'y  ; 
sides  and  Hanks  streaked  with  dusky,  ^idult  nude  in  u-iider plumage  :  like 
summer  male,  but  upper  parts  more  uniform,  the  brownish  arejis  more 
pinkish,  on  back  of  head  and  neck  almost  hidden  by  grayish  tips  to  feath- 
ers ;  superciliary  yellowish  ;  throat  deeper  yellow  ;  black  areas  obscured  ; 
breast  tinged  with  buff  and  spotted  with  dusky  ;  sides  and  flanks  darker. 
Young :  up])er  parts  brownish,  feathers  with  subterminal  bar  of  brown  and 
spot  or  bar  of  white  or  huffy ;  superciliary  bufty.  throat  and  sides  of  head 
spotted.  Male  :  length  7..")6-8.00,  wing-  4.o0-4.r>5,  tail  2.S5-;j.2«).  Female: 
wing  4.00-4. L'O.  tail  2.(')()-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Plains  and  Great  Basin  of  the  United  States,  south 
in  winter  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  fine  hay,  lined  sometimes  with  deer 
hair.  Eggs  :  '■]  or  4.  grayish  or  g-reenish  marked  variably  with  shades  of 
brown. 

In  following  the  roads  that  lead  on  and  on  through  the  limitless 
stretches  of  brown  barren  plains  in  the  west  the  monotony  of  the 
way  is  often  relieved  by  the  grateful  sight  of  a  little  companion  way- 
farer with  back  colored  to  match  the  soil  and  black  horns  that  set 
off  its  delicate  tints  perching  confidently  beside  the  road,  pattering 
fearlessly  along  ahead  of  your  horse,  or  feeding  and  singing  in  the  field 
as  you  pass.  A  (piaint  ditty  theirs  is,  but  it  lends  cheer  and  bright- 
ness to  your  journey.  It  is  rendered  with  great  good  heart,  the 
little  larks  springing  up  from  the  ground  and  singing  as  they  hold 
themselves  on  fluttering  wings  in  the  air  and  simshine.  In  the  nest- 
ing season,  they  sing  a  rapturous  love-song,  sometimes  flying  up 
quite  out  of  sight  and  circling  around  in  the  air  for  several  minutes, 
stopping  on  poised  wing  for  an  outpouring  of  song. 

The  lai"ks  cover  so  niucli  coiintiy  that  they  meet  with   \arit(l  con- 

foniia,  and  nortlie.-wtern  Lower  California  aloiij;  tlie  international  boundary  line,  north 
to  southern  Nevada. 

Otncnri.s  iil/if.itri.s  nrrtii-old  OberholHer. 

The  type  of  leiinilnind  of  Coue.s  proving;  to  be  a  smaller  and  more  highly  colored  form, 
the  pale  large  form  (the  Irurnlniiin  of  authors)  is  left  without  a  name,  and  Mr.  Ober- 
holHer i'onseciuently  falls  it  nrrlirnln. 

Otncnri.s  nl/ir.sti  i.s  i  nt/ii/miii  Oberliol.ser. 

Like  O.  II.  tirrtirolti,  but  decidedly  smaller,  upper  parts  paler,  throat  usually  yellow. 

Di.stnhntioii.  —  Breeds  frrmi  Saskatchewan  to  northern  North  Dakota;  migrates  to 
Colorado  and  Kansas  and  sometimes  to  Utah  and  Arizona. 

Olnroiis  (d/tf.stri.s  hni/li  Hisliop. 

Like  iirrlicnlii.  but  upper  parts  darker,  more  rufescent,  and  throat  generally  distiiutly 
yellow, 

I>i.<ttriliiitioti.  —  hreeiis  in  British  America:  migrates  to  .Nevada,  llah.  Kan.sjis,  and 
Michigan  ;  casually  to  Ohio  and  New  York. 


268  LARKS 

ditions,  the  northeru  ones  encountering  snow,  and  the  Mexican  ones 
such  intense  desert  heat  that  they  are  sometimes  seen  with  mouths 
open  standing-  in  rows  in  the  shade  of  fence  posts  and  weeds. 

474b.  O.  a.  praticola  Hensh.     Pkairie  Horned  Lark. 

"  Like  leucokema  but  darker,  less  ochraceous  above,  the  supercihary 
stripe  usually  without  yellow."      (Oberholser.) 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Canada  to  Pennsylvania  and  Kansas, 
and  from  Maine  to  eastern  Nebraska ;  migrates  to  the  Carolinas  and  Texas ; 
casually  west  to  Colorado  and  Arizona, 

474e.  O.  a.  arenicola  Hensh.     Desert  Horned  Lark. 

Arenicola  and  leucokema  are  identical  forms,  as  has  been  shown  by  the 
rediscovery  of  the  type  of  leucolcema.     (See  Oberholser,  pp.  822,  823.) 

474d.  O.  a.  giraudi  Hensh.     Texan  Horned  Lark. 

Upper  parts  grayish  (especially  in  female)  ;  male  with  superciliary, 
throat,  and  breast  usually  pale  yellow,  breast  usually  marked  with  gray- 
ish brown  in  both  sexes.  Male  :  length  6.50-6.75,  wing  about  3.80-3.85, 
tail  2.60.     Female  :  length  5.80-6.00,  wing  about  3.50,  tail  2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  Texas  and  northeastern  Tamaulipas,  from 
Galveston  Bay  to  the  Rio  Grande. 

474e.  O.  a.  chrysolsema  (Wagl.).     Mexican  Horned  Lark.^ 

Upper  parts  ruddy,  more  brownish  in  female  ;  nape,  shoulders,  and  rump 
light  ruddy  brown  in  marked  contrast  to  back ;  breast  pure  white,  un- 
marked in  both  sexes.  Male  :  length  6.75-7.25,  wing  3.80-4.15,  tail  2.80- 
3.00.     Female  :  length  6.50-7.00,  wing  3.75-3.80,  tail  2.70-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  district  of  California  and  south  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

474f.  O.  a.  rubea  Hensh.     Ruddy  Horned  Lark.- 

Similar  to  cAry.so^fpwa,  but  smaller  and  brighter  colored;  whole  upper 
parts  ruddj' ,  colors  of  nape  merging  into  those  of  back ;  forehead,  super- 
ciliary, and  throat  yellowish  ;  sides  marked  with  reddish  brown.  Male  : 
length  6.50-7.00,  wing  3.70-4.10,  tail  2.60-2.90.  Female  :  length  6.00-6.50, 
wing  3.50-3.70,  tail  2.35-2.65. 

Distribution.  — Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  valleys,  California. 

474g.  O.  a.  strigata  Hensh.     Streaked  Horned  Lakk.-^ 

Back  heavily  streaked  with  black  in  sharp  contrast  to  deep  ruddy  nape  ; 
imder  parts  partly  or  whollv  yellow.  Male  :  length  6.75-7.25,  wing  3.70- 
4.10,  tail  2.70-3.05.     Female:  length  6.25-6.50,  wing  3.60-3.85,  tail  2.50- 

2.80. 

^  The  California  bird  has  been  found  to  be  separable  from  cJirysolsema  of  Mexico  and 
has  been  named  O.  a.  actia  by  Mr.  Oberholser. 

2  Otocoris  alppstris  amnwphila  Oberholser. 

Like  rubea,  but  neck  and  back  paler,  less  reddish. 

Bix/ribntion.  — In  summer,  the  Mohave  Desert,  north  to  Owens  Valley,  south  to  the 
Mexican  boundary  line. 

3  Otocoris  alpestris  insnlaris  Townsend.     Island  Horned  Lark. 

Like  strigata,  but  without  yellow  tinge  on  under  parts  :  much  darker  than  chn/so- 
Iceyna,  with  streaks  on  back  sharper,  and  sides  much  darker. 
Distribution.  —  The  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  269 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  from  British  Columbia  south  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  a  hollow,  on  dry  ground,  usually  frail,  made  of  fine  dead  weeds. 
Eggs :  usually  '2  or  o,  dull  greenish  or  grayish,  marked  over  entire  surface 
with  gray  or  reddish,  heaviest  around  larger  end. 

474h.  O.  a.  adusta  Dwight.     Scohched  Horned  Lakk.^ 

Pale  like  chri/soht/ma,  but  upper  parts  uniform  scorched  pink  or  pinkish 

brown.     Male :  Aving  4,  tail  2.83,  bill  from  nostril  .80.     Female  :  wing  o.73, 

tail  2.48,  bill  from  nostril  .34. 

Distribution.  —  Fi-om  central  southern  Arizona,  south  to  Mexico. 

474i.  O.  a.  merrilli  Dwight.     Dusky  Horned  Lark. 

Similar  to  strigata,  but  larger,  grayer  above,  streaking  of  back  blacker 
and  back  of  neck  paler,  pinkish  instead  of  ruddy  brown  ;  less  yellowish 
below;  eyebrow  usually  yellowish.  Male:  wing  4.07,  thil  2.80,  bill  from 
nostril  .3.5.     Female  :  wing  3.72,  tail  2.50,  bill  from  nostril  .34. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  between  the  Cascades  and 
Rocky  Mountains ;  in  winter  to  Nevada  and  California. 

FAMILY  CORVIDiE:    CRO"WS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Wing  long  and  pointed. 

2.  Plumage  black Corvus,  p.  279. 

2'.  Plumage  mainly  gray  or  blue. 

3.  Plumage  blue Cyanocephalus.  p.  284. 

3'.  Plumage  gray,  black,  and  white Nucifraga,  p.  282. 

r.  Wing  short  and  rounded. 

2.  Plumage  black  and  white Pica,  p.  2()9. 

2'.  Plumage  not  black. 

3.  Head  crested Cyaiiocitta,  p.  271. 

3'.  Head  not  crested. 

4.  Plumage  mainly  gray  or  blue. 

5.  Plumage  gray Pei'isoieus.  p.  277. 

5.  Plumage  blue Apheloconia,  p.  274. 

4'.  Plunuige  mainly  green  and  black      .     .     .  Xantlioura,  p.  277. 

GENUS    PICA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  much  longer  than  wing,  graduated  for  half 
its  length  or  more,  the  feathers  becoming  narrower  toward  tips ;  nostrils 
covered  by  bristles  ;   orbits  partly  naked  ;  feet  stout. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.   Bill  and  naked  skin  around  eye  black     ....    hudsoilica,  p.  270. 
r.  Bill  and  naked  skin  around  eyes  yellow nuttalli,  p.  271. 

1  Otocoris  iilppslris  occitleiitali.i  (McCall). 

Like  ailiistii,  but  much  larger,  and  decidedly  les-s  ruddy  above,  n.ipe  more  pinkish, 
back  more  iliisky. 

I)i.slrib)iliiiii.  —  In  Hummer,  central  New  Mexico,  west  to  central  Arizona;  in  winter 
Routh  to  Son(jra  and  Ciiiliuahua,  Mexico,  and  southeast  to  Texas. 

Otitroris  (iliirstrix  ii/ifnn.'i/d  Oht'rhoiscr. 

Like  iiiliixhi.  but  back  less  rcddisli.  l)ack  of  nock  and  bend  of  wing  more  pinkish. 

I)i.slribuliou.  —  Extreme  soutiieastcrn  Arizona,  soutliwestern  New  Mexico,  and  Chi- 
huahua, Coahuila,  and  Durango,  Mexico. 


270  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

475.  Pica  pica  hudsonica  (Sab.).     Black-billed  Magpie. 

Adults.  —  Black,  varied  with  bronzy  iridescence,  except  for  white  belly 
and  wing  patches  ;  tail  long-  and  graduated  ;  bill  and  naked  skin  of  orbital 
region  black.  Young:  head  without  bronzy  gloss.  Length:  17.40-21.70, 
wing  7.30-8.40,  tail  it.oO-11.95.  exposed  culmen  1.15-1.42,  tarsus  1.70-1.92. 

Distribution.  —  Resident,  except  perhaps  in  extreme  northern  part  of 
its  range,  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay  to  northern  parts  of  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico  ;  and  from  western  Nebraska,  west  to  eastern  slopes  of  Sierra 
Nevada  and  Cascades. 

Nest.  —  A  mud  cup  lined  with  rootlets,  grass,  hair,  and  pine  needles, 
surrounded  by  a  globular  mass  of  coarse  sticks  sometimes  as  big  as  a  bushel 
basket,  placed  usually  o  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  willows,  thorn  bushes, 
bullberry  bushes,  small  oaks,  cottonwoods,  and  pines.  Eggs :  usually  7, 
grayish,  heavily  and  evenly  blotched  with  brown,  often  almost  hiding  the 
ground  color. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  birds,  their  young  and  eggs,  and  crawfish,  but 
mainly  insects,  including  a  destructive  black  cricket,  grasshoppers,  grubs, 
and  larvae,  together  with  some  fruit,  berries,  and  green  leaves. 

Tlie  magpie  is  a  feature  of  the  landscape,  whether  seen  in  flight 
as  a  black  air-ship  with  white  side-wheelers  and  long  black  rudder 
moving  against  a  background  of  red  cliffs  in  tlie  Garden  of  the  Gods, 
or  seen  standing  as  a  lay  figure  on  a  stone  wall  in  a  Mormon  village. 
There  is  always  a  freedom  and  largeness  about  his  proceedings. 
Sometimes  he  will  take  wing  so  near  that  you  see  the  green  gloss  on 
his  back,  flying  with  even  water  level  flight  far  and  away  till  he 
becomes  a  black  dot  and  disappears  beyond  your  field  of  vision.  His 
masterful,  positive  character  is  not  lost  even  when  he  goes  squacking 
about  his  daily  business.  Whatever  he  does  or  says  he  claims  the 
attention  of  the  neighborhood,  except  when  he  has  a  secret  to  hide, 
when  he  is  as  silent  and  wary  as  any  wise  parent. 

Like  all  great  talkers  the  magpies  are  fond  of  company  and  where 
one  is  seen  others  are  usuallj^  within  calling  distance.  Their  notes 
have  a  conversational  tone  and  varied  inflections  and  it  seems  small 
wonder  that  they  learn  to  talk  when  kept  in  confinement. 

They  are  keen  observers  and  eager  investigators  of  anything  new 
that  does  not  appear  dangerous.  If  a  line  of  traps  are  set  through 
the  sagebrush  for  small  rodents  and  marked  with  bits  ol  cottoM  on 
bush  tops,  the  cotton  soon  catches  their  eyes  and  is  promptly  inves- 
tigated. If  some  of  the  traps  have  caught  meadow  mice  they  are 
carried  off  to  a  convenient  place,  the  mice  eaten  and  the  traps  left  — 
sometimes  causing  a  slight  unpleasantness  between  magpie  and 
mammalogist.  In  cases  where  the  birds  are  common  they  take  up 
the  traps  so  systematically  that  the  collector  has  to  leave  his  line 
unmarked  or  devise  a  method  obscure  enough  to  escape  their  keen 
eyes.  A  flock  of  six  or  eight  once  came  to  examine  into  the  blankets 
of  a  naturalist  sleeping  on  a  haycock.  Several  of  them  lit  on  his  head 
and  one  was  so  absorbed  in  its  explorations  that  the  awakened  col- 
lector  cauffht  it  in  his  hand. 


MA<;i'lL 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  271 

The  birds  are  quick  to  take  advantage  of  circumstances,  and  have 
been  found  living  largely  on  dead  tish  at  Lake  Wiunemucca,  Nevada, 
feeding  with  the  chickens  in  Utah,  and  during  deep  snows  in  Ore- 
gon keeping  their  toes  warm  by  spending  a  large  share  of  their  time 
perched  on  the  backs  of  horses  and  mules. 

476.  Pica  nuttalli  And.     Yellow-billed  Magpie, 

Similar  to  the  P.  p.  hndsonica,  but  smaller  and  with  bill  and  naked 
skin  back  of  eye  brig'ht  yellow.  Length:  10-18,  wing-  7.20-7.70,  tail  9.oO- 
lO.oO,  exposed  culraen  1.04-1.17,  tarsus  l.Oo-l.SU. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  California  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  moun- 
tains from  Sacramento  Valley  south  to  about  latitude  o4°,  locally  distrib- 
uted. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  hiidsonica,  with  the  addition  of  cow  manure 
and  inner  bark  of  the  cottonwood  ;  placed  in  oaks,  sycamores,  cotton- 
woods,  and  willows,  usually  :'A)  to  (50  feet  from  the  ground.  £ggs :  about 
7,  like  those  of  the  black-billed,  but  a  trifle  smaller  and  with  a  more  green- 
ish ting-e. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  ants,  worms,  grubs,  offal,  carrion,  seeds,  and  waste 
grain. 

In  a  restricted  area  of  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  valleys  in 
California  some  of  the  yellow-billed  magpies  are  still  left,  but  they 
are  so  much  in  evidence  and  afford  such  a  tempting  target  that  the 
days  of  the  little  band  are  probably  numbered.  In  June,  1900,  in 
the  grain  and  oak  fields  of  the  Sierra  foothills  we  counted  nineteen 
of  the  splendid  fellows  flying  about  in  one  meadow  near  the  mouth  of 
a  low  canyon.  They  are  tame  and  familiar  if  their  suspicions  are 
not  aroused,  but  let  a  man  appear  with  a  gun  and  they  are  over  the 
treetops  and  away. 

They  are  as  bold,  as  shy,  and  as  garrulous  as  their  black-billed 
cousins  across  the  range. ,  Half  a  dozen  in  a  tree  of  over-ripe  figs 
reminds  one  of  the  chatter  of  an  afternoon  tea. 

GENUS  CYANOCITTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Conspicuously  crested  ;  nostrils  concealed  ;  wings 
and  tail  about  equal,  rounded  :  hind  claw  equaling'  or  exceeding-  its  toe  in 
length. 

KKV    TO    SrKClKS. 

1.  riid.-r  parts  whitish cristata.  p.  271. 

1  .  Unch'r  parts  blue. 

2.    With  white  sjjot  over  eye. 

:j.  Belly  i)ah>  l>lu.'  diademata,  p.  27o. 

:{'.  Belly  (lark  liliie aiiiiectens,  p.  27:j. 

2',   Withdut  white  sp(»t  over  eye. 

.'}.  Under  parts  d.irk  blue stelleri.  p.  272. 

:'..  I'lider  parts  light  l)bu- frontalis,  p.  278. 

477.  Cyanocitta  cristata  (/w///i.).    Bi.i  k  .1  w. 

Adults.  —  Crest   and    l)ack    light    purplisii    blue;    wings    and    tail    blue. 


272  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

barred  with  black ;  throat  gray  or  purplish  white  ;  middle  of  breast  and 

sides  grayish  or  brownish,  belly 
white  ;  white  on  outer  tail  feath- 
er an  inch  or  more  deep.  Young  : 
similar,  but  colors  duller.  Length  : 
11.00-ll\50,  wing  5.00-5.70,  tail 
5.05-5.70,  exposed  eulmen  .93- 
1.06. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  east- 
ern North  America  from  about 
latitude  52°  south  to  Florida,  and 
from  the  Atlantic  west  to  eastern 

Fig.  345.    Blue  Jay.  1'^'^^  «*  Nebraska,  Kansas,  and 

"^  northern  iexas. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  trees,  often  in  orchards  about  houses,  made  largely 
of  dried  twigs  and  rootlets.  Eggs  :  3  to  0,  pale  olive,  greenish,  or  buify, 
sparsely  spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Largely  mast ;  also  corn,  grain,  beetles,  grasshoppers,  and  cat- 
erpillars. 

Observers  in  the  western  parts  of  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and  Texas 
may  be  fortunate  enough  to  know  the  spirited  eastern  blue  jay.  In 
voice  and  general  habits  he  resembles  his  western  relatives,  though 
perhaps  more  awake  to  the  advantages  to  be  had  from  human 
neighborhood  when  snow  covers  the  acorns  and  nuts  on  which  he 
feeds. 

478.  Cyanoeitta  stelleri  {GmeL).    Stellp:r  Jay. 

Adults.  —  Fore  parts  of  body  dull  blackish,  changing  to  pale  blue  on 
lower  back  and  belly ;  wings  and  tail  purplish  blue,  barred  with  black. 
Young:  similar,  but  duller  ;  wing  bars  faint  or  wanting.  Length:  12-13, 
wing  5.5.5-t).20,  tail  5.30-6.35,  bill  .96-1.18. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Cook 
Inlet  south  along  coast  to  Monterey,  California,  and  east  to  the  Cascades. 

Nest.  —  25  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  usually  in  firs,  but  sometimes 
other  trees,  vines,  and  bushes,  made  of  twigs,  moss,  and  dry  grass,  ce- 
mented with  mud  and  lined  with  fine  roots.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish 
green,  spotted  or  blotched  over  whole  surface  with  brown  and  lavender, 
thickest  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  In  winter  largely  pine  seeds,  though  almost  anything  is  eaten. 

There  are  many  handsome  blue- jays,  but  stelleri  in  its  numerous 
forms,  with  its  blue  body  and  high  crest,  is  one  of  the  lords  of  its 
race,  fittingly  associated  with  the  noblest  forests  of  the  west. 

The  Steller  jay  {stelleri)  may  be  found  at  Cloud  Cap  Inn  on  Mt. 
Hood,  feeding  with  the  Clark  crows  and  Oregon  jays,  and  gives  a 
touch  of  color  to  the  solemn  redwood  forests  of  California  as  well 
as  the  dark,  jungle-like  woods  of  the  Puget  Sound  country.  The 
blue-fronted  {stelleri  frontalis)  enlivens  the  forests  of  the  Sierra, 
while  the  long-crested  {stelleri  diademata)  lives  in  the  southern 
Rocky  Mountains,  wandering  about  in  the  mountain  ranges  of  New 
Mexico  and  the  pine  forests  of  Arizona.    At  Cloudcroft,  New  Mexico, 


LONG-CRESTED   JAY 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  273 

it  gleans  from  abandoned  camps,  and  in  Arizona,  though  resident 
up  to  10,000  feet,  is  often  seen  on  the  high  rail  fences  built  to  keep 
range  cattle  M'ithin  bounds. 

Chack-ah,  chack-ah,  chack-aJi,  chack,  the  jay  squalls,  jerking  his 
tail  and  dashing  about,  soaring  down  with  short  wings  wide-spread, 
lighting  on  the  side  of  a  tree  to  inspect  the  cracks  in  the  bark,  or 
dropping  to  the  ground  to  hunt  for  fallen  mast. 

In  tiight  the  crest  is  sometimes  lowered  almost  to  the  horizontal, 
but,  as  a  small  Arizona  observer  noted,  "when  they  holler  they 
stick  that  right  straight  up."  This 'hollering' includes  a  squeal 
which  is  so  close  to  that  of  the  red-tailed  hawk  as  to  be  a  good  test 
to  the  ear  of  the  observer. 

478a    C.  S-  frontalis  {Bidgic.).     Blue-fronted  Jay.^ 

Adults.  —  Fore  parts  of  body  brownish  slate,  with  blue  tinge  to  crest  and 
blue  streaks  on  forehead ;  wings  and  tail  dark  blue,  barred;  rump  and 
under  parts  dull  turquoise.  Length  :  11.7o-lo.OO,  wing  5.50-0.10,  tail  5.10- 
5.75,  exposed  culnien  1.00-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  coast  ranges  and  Sierra  Nevada  of  California 
and  western  Nevada,  from  Fort  Crook  south  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Like  that  of  stelleri  usually  in  tirs,  cedars,  and  pines,  but  some- 
times in  snowsheds  and  natural  cavities  in  trees  and  stubs,  from  -4  to  50 
feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs :  o  to  5,  like  those  of  stelleri. 

Food.  —  Acorns,  pine  seeds,  and  a  variety  of  animal  and  vegetable  mat- 
ter. 

478b.  C.  s.  diademata  {Bonap).     Long-crested  Jay. 

Like  C.  ^^  anuertens,  but  white  spot  over  eye  always  conspicuous  and 
streaking  on  forehead  whitish;  black  of  head  in  sharp  contrast  to  gray  of 
back;  chest  bluish  ;  blue  of  belly  and  rump  dull  turquoise  as  in  frontalis. 
Lenqth  :  11. 75-lo. 75,  wing  5. '55-0. 40.  tail  5.25-0.25,  exposed  culmen  1.08- 
1.14. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  south- 
ern liocky  Mountains  from  southern  Wyoming  south  to  Zacatecas,  Mex- 
ico, west  to  Uintah  Mountains.  I'tah.  and  high  mountains  of  Arizona. 

Xest.  —  .Similar  to  that  of  stelleri.  usually  in  small  bushy  pines  or  other 
conifers  S  to  15  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs:  3  to  0,  similar  to  those  of 
stelleri. 

Foixl.  —  Partly  gra.sshoppers  and  pine  seeds. 

478c.  C.  s.  annectens  (F>aird).    Plack-hkaded  Jay. 

Ib'a<l  ])la('k,  l)ack  slaty,  hbie  of  nndor  parts  dark  as  in  stelleri ;  streaks 
on  fori  head  bluish  //7///r.  somt-tinics  indistinct  ;    small  white  spot  ortr  eye. 

Remarks.  — The  bhack-ln-adt'd  has  tJic  general  body  coloi-s  of  the  Steller 
jay,  with  the  eye  sjxjt  and  streaks  appro.-iching  those  of  the  long-crested. 
Length:  12-5()-l;;.75,  wing  5.l)()-(i.(i(),  tail  5.SO-0.()5,  exposed  culmen  .07- 
l.OS. 

'  Cyanocillii  stelleri  rdrtinmirrii  Grinnell. 

Likp/»v>H/rt/i.t,  but  darker,  frontal  blue  8pots  rpBtricteil  ;  liead  darker  tlian  back,  back 
warm  slate  Rray. 

JUstnfiutioti.  —  Coaflt  of  California,  Monterey  County,  north  to  Oregon;  Oregon  west 
to  CaacadeH,  including  eaat  slope  of  Casoadeu.     (T/i<;  Coiulur,  ii.  127  ;  iv.  41.) 


274  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Canadian  zone  in  British  Columbia  and  the 
northern  Rocky  Mountain  region,  south  to  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  and 
from  Wyoming-  west  to  eastern  Oreg-on  and  Washing-ton. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Ridg-way,  base  of  coarse  fir  sticks  with  mud 
bowl  lined  with  fine  wiry  roots,  saddled  on  a  horizontal  branch,  15  feet 
from  the  ground,  containing-  3  eg-gs,  similar  to  those  of  stelleri. 

GENUS    APHELOCOMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested,  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe 
with  claw. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1 .  Tail  shorter  than  wing-. 

'1.  Tail  5.50  or  less couchi,  p.  276. 

2'.  Tail  more  than  5.50 arizonsB,  p.  276. 

1  .  Tail  longer  than  wing. 
2.  Back  slaty  gray.     East  of  Sierra  Nevada  .     .  woodhouseii,  p.  274. 
2'.  Back  brown. 

o.  Sides  of  head  blackish.     Sierra  Nevada  to  Pacific. 

calif ornica,  p.  275. 
o'.  Sides  of  head  blue. 

4.  Upper  parts,  except  back,  bright  blue. 

5.  Chest  broadly  streaked  Avith  white     .     .     .  cyanotis.  p.  274. 
5'.  Chest  obsoletely  streaked  with  g-rayish  .     .      texana,  p.  275. 
4'.  Upper  parts,  except  back,  dark  purplish  blue. 

insularis,  p.  276. 

480.  Aphelocoma  woodhouseii  (Baird).    Woodhouse  Jay. 

Ui^per  parts  dull  blue  except  for  slate  grai/  hack  and  scapulars  :  under 
parts  gray  except  for  blue  tail  and  under  tail  coverts,  and  throat,  which  is 
irhitish  streaked  ivith  dark  gray.  Young  :  back  darker  than  in  young-  of 
calif  ornica  ;  under  parts  dark  gray  instead  of  white.  Length  :  11.50-12.75, 
Aving-  4.70-5.35,  tail  5.20-6.20,  bill  .93.-1.06. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  southeastern  Ore- 
gon south  along  the  east  side  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  northern  Mexico,  and 
east  to  Montana,  Colorado,  and  Texas. 

Nest.  —  Found  at  Prescott,  Arizona,  a  small,  slight  platform  of  sticks 
lined  with  fine  roots  and  horsehair,  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  thick  bush 
about  5  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  3  to  0,  pale  green,  sparingly  flecked 
over  the  whole  surface  with  irregular  brown  and  lavender  markings, 
usually  heaviest  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Varied,  including  insects,  acorns,  and  pine  nuts. 

The  habits  of  the  Woodhouse  jay  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Cali- 
fornia jay  (see  p.  275). 

480.1.  Aphelocoma  cyanotis  Bidgw.     Blue-eared  Jay. 

Head,  wings,  and  tail,  bright  blue  ;  back  dark  slaty  brown,  trashed  with 
blue  ;  sides  of  head  blue  like  top  of  head  ;  under  parts  light  grayish  blue, 
broadly  streaked  with  white  ;  lower  part  of  breast  brownish  gray,  changing 
to  white  on  belly.  Length  (skin) :  11. .50,  wing  5.40,  tail  5.70,  exposed  cul- 
men  .95. 

Distribution.  —  Mexican  tablelands  north  casually  to  Sutton  County, 
Texas. 


WOODHOUSE  JAY 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  275 

Xest.  —  A  loosely  constructed  mass  of  thorn  brush  lined  with  finer  mate- 
rials. Egg-'^  ■'  greenish  blue,  heavily  spotted  with  brown  and  lavender, 
especially  at  larger  end. 

480.2.  Aphelocoma  texana  lildyiv.    Texan  Jay. 

Like  ri/<tuotis,  but  white  superciliary  more  distinct,  under  parts  paler  and 
browner  gray,  lower  throat  and  chest  with  obsolete  grayish  streaks  instead 
of  blue  streaks. 

Hemarks. —  Texana  differs  from  icoodhouseii  in  obsolete  streakings  of 
chest,  paler,  browuer  breast,  and  white  under  tail  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Southeastern  Texas,  from  Concho  and  Kerr  counties  west 
to  the  Davis  Mountains. 

481.  Aphelocoma  calif ornica  {Vig.).    California  Jay. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  blue  except  for  brownish  back  and  scapulars; 
under  parts  white  except  for  bluish  streaking  on  throat  and  partial  blue 
and  brownish  necklace;  white  superciliary  clearly  defined;  sides  of  head 
blackish.  Young :  head  only  tinged  with  blue,  nearly  uniform  with  brown- 
ish back  ;  throat  white,  unstreaked  ;  chest  washed  with  brownish  grav  ;  belly 
whitish.     Length  :   1  l.:)()-lL\2r),  wing  4.70-r).20,  tail  5.45-0.10,  bill  .87-1.03. 

Bemarks.  —  Californica  and  woodhouseii  are  easily  told  apart,  as  cali- 
fornica  is  whitish  instead  of  brownish  gray  below,  and  brown  instead  of 
gravisli  on  back. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  the  Columbia  River  southward, 
including  both  slopes  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada,  to  northern  Lower 
California. 

Xest.  —  Interlaced  twigs,  mixed  sometimes  with  moss,  stubble,  and  grass, 
surrounding  an  inner  nest  of  fine  roots  sometimes  mixed  with  horsehair  ; 
placed  usually  in  low  bushes,  but  also  in  trees  8  to  .'>0  feet  from  the  ground, 
generally  not  far  from  water.  -E'</i'^'  •'  •'  to  6,  huffy  or  green,  varying 
greatly  in  shade,  the  huffy  ones  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown,  the 
green  with  markings  generally  scattered  over  the  entire  surface. 

Food.  —  Bird's  eggs,  insects,  acorns,  pine  nuts,  wild  fruits,  and  berries; 
also,  about  settlements,  hens'  eggs  and  grain. 

In  coining  down  the  Sierra  Nevada  you  sonictinu'S  find  that  the 
range  of  the  blue-fronted  is  overlapped  by  that  of  the  California  jay  ; 
but  in  the  main  you  see  the  dark-crested  frontalis  sailing  tlown 
from  the  fir-tops,  and  hear  the  light-colo^j^'d,  Hat-headed  California 
jays  scpiacking  through  the  digger  pines  utid  chaparral  of  the  low 
country,  where  the  valley  cjuail  has  replaced  the  mountain  quail. 
'Blue  squackers'  the  birds  are  called  locally,  and  the  name  seems 
most  apjiropriate  when  the  hot  thick  air  over  the  oaks  and  chaparral 
is  vibrating  with  their  cries.  The  Aphelocouui  voice  differs  strikingly 
from  that  o{  frontalis,  having  a  flat  tone  and  being  uttered  with  un- 
seemly haste.  Its  notes  vary  greatly  in  expres.si(m  and  are  so  em- 
phatic and  often  peremptory  that  one  cannot  doubt  that  something 
imjjortant  is  being  said.  A  favorite  cry.  used  ajiparently  to  rouse 
attention,  is  a  (piiek  ''  <pia!f-(iiia!i-(iiia!i-(iHay-(inayqitaif-<iuat/."  An 
other  still  more  emphatic  one  is  hoi/'-tv  hoi/' -ee.  while  an  intjuiring 
(/i«n/ka/  is  often  heard.     Somutimes  when  a  jay  Hies  down  to  a 


276  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

companion  it  giyesits  quay-quap-guay-quay-qnay  and  is  answered  by 
aMgh.'k.e.jQd  queep-queep-quee2)-queep  —  however  that  may  be  inter- 
preted. 

481.1.  Aphelocoma  insularis  Hensh.    Santa  Cruz  Jay. 

Upper  parts  dark  purplish  blue  except  for  dark  brown  back  and  scapu- 
lars;  breast  and  sides  brownish,  under  tail  coverts  blue.  Length:  11.50- 
12.25,  wing-  5.20-5.30,  tail  6.05-G.25,  bill  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Cruz  Island,  southern  California. 

482.  Aphelocoma  sieberii  arizonse  Ridgw.    AmzoNA  Jay. 

Upper  parts  dull  blue,  grayish  on  back,  and  sometimes  brownish  between 
shoulders  ;  under  parts  grayish  white,  sometimes  brownish  or  huffy  gray  ; 
tail  decidedly  rounded.  Length:  11.50-13.00,  wing  G.10-6.50,  tail  5.()5- 
6.10. 

Bemarks.  —  This  and  couchi  are  the  only  United  States  members  of  the 
genus  Aphelocoma  with  wings  longer  than  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to  northern  Sonora  and  Chihuahua. 

Nest.  —  In  oaks,  12  to  30  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  sticks  and«root- 
lets,  sometimes  lined  with  horsehair.  J^ggs  :  4  to  T,  g-lossy  green,  un- 
spotted. 

Food.  —  Largely  acorns ;  but  also  grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  wild 
fruits  and  seeds. 

The  Arizona  jay  is  an  abundant  resident  of  the  live-oak  belt  of 
the  Cliiricahua,  Huachuca,  Santa  Cataliua,  and  some  of  the  other 
Arizona  mountains,  from  an  altitude  of  from  3000  to  7000  feet.  In 
severe  winter  weather  the  jays  sometimes  come  about  houses,  and 
can  be  attracted  by  bones  or  meat  hung  on  trees.  Although  their 
principal  food  is  acorns,  when  they  are  out  of  season  the  birds  de- 
pend largely  on  grass,  seeds,  grubs,  beetles,  young  birds,  and  eggs. 
In  habits,  Mr.  Scott  says,  the  jays  are  as  terrestrial  as  crows. 

Aphelocoma  couchi  (Baird).    Couch  Jay. 

Adults.  —  Back  and  scapulars  dull  grayish  blue  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  and 
sides  of  head  bright  azure  blue  ;  throat  dull  white  ;  breast  brownish  gray  ; 
belly  and  under  tail  cover bs  pure  white.  Length:  11.50,  Aving  5.80-5.90, 
tail  5.30-5.40,  graduated  for  about  .30,  bill  1.05-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Mexico,  extending  to  western  Texas  in  the  Chisos 
Mountains. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  sticks,  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs  :  4,  robin's-egg  blue. 

In  the  Chisos  Mountains,  Texas,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Fuertes,  and  Mr. 
Oberholser  found  the  Couch  jay,  which  was  previously  known  only 
in  Mexico,  common  from  the  lower  edge  of  the  oaks  and  junipers  to 
the  top  of  the  range.  It  was  especially  abundant  in  the  shady  gulches 
near  water.  Like  most  other  jays,  though  noisy  and  conspicuous, 
it  was  shy  and  suspicious.  During  the  first  half  of  Jime  old  and 
young  were  flying  together,  busily  catching  and  eating  the  large  cica- 
das that  swarmed  in  the  oaks. 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 


277 


GENUS    XANTHOURA. 

483.  Xanthoura  luxuosa  glaucescens  Bidgw.    Green  Jay. 

Adults.  —  Tliroat  and  sides  of  head  jet  black,  in  sharp  contrast  to  pale 
green  or  yellowish  green  of  under  parts ;  top  of  head  and  malar  streak 
bluish  purple,  Avith  touch  of  white  on  forehead ;  rest  of  upper  parts  bluish 
g-reen,  usually  extensively  tinged  with  pale  blue ;  tail  with  middle  feathei-s 
bluish  green,  outer  feathers  pale  yellow.  Young :  similar,  but  duller,  head 
greenish  blue  instead  of  purple  ;  upper  parts  apple  green  without  bluish 
tinge  ;  under  parts  buffy,  faintly  tinged  with  green.  Length:  11-12,  wing 
4.40-4.80,  tail  5.10-5.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south  to 
Vera  Cruz  and  Puebla. 

Nest.  —  Concealed  in  thickets,  made  of  thorny  twigs  sparingly  lined  with 
rootlets,  moss,  grass,  and  hair.  Eggs  :  usually  4,  grayish,  greenish,  or 
buffy,  marked  with  lilac  and  brown,  massed  around  the  larger  end. 

GENUS   PERISOREUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested  ;  plumage  soft,  full,  and  loose  ; 
bill  short  and  wide  at  base,  nostrils  exposed ;  wings  and  tail  about  equal, 
tail  graduated. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Whole  top  of  head  white capitalis,  p.  277. 

1'.  Top  of  head  black  except  for  white  forehead. 

2.  Back  broAvnish obscurus.  p.  278. 

2'.  Back  gray.     East  of  Coast  and  Cascade  ranges  .  .    griseus,  p.  279. 

484a.  Perisoreus  canadensis  capitalis  Bidgw.    Rocky  Moun- 
tain Jay. 

xldults.  —  Top  of  head  white  shading  to  dark  gray  on  back  of  neck :  rest 
of  upper  parts  light  slate 
g-ray  ;  tail  tipped  with  white  ; 
throat  whitish  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  brownish  gray.  Young  : 
top  of  head  dull  white,  tinged 
with  grayish  ])rown.  Lf^nqth  : 
11.25-lo*.00,  wing  5.U0-0.:;(>. 
tail  5.8()-0.;]5,  bill  .U7-1.0S. 

Distribution.  —  From  Brit- 
ish America  south  to  Arizona 
and  New  Mexico  in  the 
Rocky  Mountain  regions. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by 
Dr.  Brewer,  of  pine  twigs 
holding  a  compactly  woven 
inner  nest  of  stems,  plant 
fibei-s,  feathers,  bark,  and  down,  placed  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a 
pine  40  fct't  from  the  ground,  containing  .)  eggs,  grayish  white  blotched 
with  purplish  l)n)\\  ii.  in  two,  only  around  the  larger  end,  in  one,  over  the 
entire  t"f^<:;. 

Food.  —  Meat,  insects,  acorns,  and  whatever  oflFers. 

Tlu'  Rocky  Mountain  jay,  like  the  other  species  of  the  Pcrisort'tis 
genus,  is  notoriously  a  camp  birtl.    As  it  lives  all  the  year  in  the  deep 


278  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

coniferous  forests  where  it  is  rarely  shot  at,  it  seems  to  regard  the  few 
campers  who  come  to  its  preserves  as  fellow  foresters  who  should 
naturally  share  their  living-  with  it.  The  jays  have  been  known  to 
carry  these  reprehensible  socialistic  sentiments  so  far  as  to  fly  down 
on  the  carcass  of  a  deer  which  a  man  was  skinning.  At  such  a  time 
Mr.  Anthony  has  had  them  light  on  his  head  and  back,  uttering  a 
low,  plaintive  cry.  In  the  Yellowstone  National  Park,  wiiere  no  shoot- 
ing is  allowed,  a  band  of  the  big  fluffy  birds  came  trooping  into  Mr. 
Bailey's  camp  to  breakfast  with  him  every  morning.  Once  they 
came  before  the  camp  was  awake  and  flew  around  calling  and  scold- 
ing as  if  angry  that  the  people  were  not  up.  One  bird  dropped 
softly  down  on  the  blankets  of  one  of  the  party  and,  while  the  man 
held  his  breath  and  looked  at  it  out  of  one  eye.  sat  there  calmly 
glancing  around  for  breakfast. 

486.  Perisoreus  Obscurus  Bidgiv.     Oregon  Jay. 

Adults.  —  Like  P.  c.  capitalis.  but  white  only  on  forehead  ;  top  of  head 

and  back  of  neck  blackish,  and  rest 

^^flHH^n^^  of    upper    parts    brownish    gray ; 

^^fl^^^^^^^^^^k  feathers  of  back  with  white  shaft 

^^^|a|^^^H|^HHBpB^  streaks  ;  tail  only  sllg'htly  if  at  all 

■JM^^^^^B^^^'^^S^^  tipped    with    white  ;    under   parts 

■Hlfes'^^^^^f  ..a«^^^     white,      ^oung :  dull  sooty  brown, 

^HH^       ^^%  "^^SBf^     darkest    on    head,   browner  below. 

I^H^  Length  :  9.50-11.00,  wing  5.1.5-5.75. 

mp  tail  5.20-5.90,  bill  .84-.99. 

Dis^riftutWH.  ^  Resident  in  higher 
raoiuitains  of  northern  California, 
Oregon,  Washington,  and  part  of 
British  Columbia. 

Nest.  —  Outside    of    interlaced 
twigs,    dry   grass,    tree   moss,   and 
plant  fibers  ;  inside  dark  tree  moss  ; 
Fig.  347.  placed  usually  in  a  high  bushy  fir. 

£ggs  :  4  or  5,  pearl  gray  or  green- 
ish gray,  spotted  with  lavender  and  gray. 

The  Oregon  and  Rocky  Mountain  jays  are  alike  in  habits.  The 
Oregon  bird  is  found  in  numbers  on  Mt.  Hood.  About  Government 
Camp  a  band  of  the  jays  visited  Mr.  Bailey's  camp,  and  the  men 
amused  themselves  at  the  jays'  expense  by  throwing  soggy  pancakes 
to  them.  The  birds  coidd  not  fly  off  with  the  heavy  cakes,  but  con- 
sidered them  such  unwonted  delicacies  that  they  would  drag  them 
around  over  the  ground  w^orrying  ofC  pieces  to  fly  aw^ay  with. 

At  Cloud  Cap  Inn  the  Oregon  jays  come  to  the  house  for  food  and 
water,  and  when  I  was  there  were  so  tame  that  by  coaxing  them 
with  a  plate  of  meat  I  was  able  to  photograph  them  only  four  feet 
away.  The  voices  of  the  jays  were  heard  around  the  log  house  from 
morning  till  night.     Their  notes  were  pleasantl}'^  varied.     One  call 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  279 

was  remarkably  like  the  chirp  of  a  robin.  Another  of  the  common- 
est was  a  weak  and  rather  complaining  cry  repeated  several  times. 
A  sharply  contrasting  one  was  a  pure,  clear  whistle  of  one  note  fol- 
lowed by  a  three-syllabled  call  something  like  ka-ice'-ah.  The  regular 
rallying  cry  was  still  different,  a  loud  and  striking  two-syllabled  ka- 
lohee. 

At  the  Inn  the  l)irds  spent  a  large  part  of  their  time  storing  food. 
Observers  who  are  in  the  woods  in  winter  should  try  to  find  if  such 
stores  are  utilized. 

P.  O.  griseus  Ridgw.     Gk.w  Jay. 

Similar  to  the  Oregon  jay.  but  decidedly  larger  except  for  feet,  and 
much  grayer ;  back  dark  gray  instead  of  brown,  and  under  parts  grayish 
white  instead  of  brownish  white. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  northern  California  ea.st 
of  the  Coast  and  Cascade  ranges. 

GENUS   CORVUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  9  or 
more;  long  and  pointed;  tail  mucl 
shorter    than    wing;    bill    compressed. 

much   higher  than  broad  ;   nasal   bris-  ^^''^Vvc^i^ 

ties   about  half   as  long  as  bill ;  feet  V.^:"^ 

stout.  Fig.  348. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Feathers  of  neck  gray  or  white  at  base. 

2.  Feathers  of  neck  pure  white  at  base    .     .     .  cryptoleucus.  p.  2S(), 
2'.  Feathers  of  neck  dull  gray  at  base. 

8.   Bill  larger,  tarsus  stouter.     Washington    .     .  principalis,  p.  2S0. 

:>'.  Bill  snuiller.  tarsus  more  slender sinuatus,  p.  279. 

r.  Feathers  of  neck  not  gray  or  white  at  base. 

2.  Wing  Id.O.*).     Sitka  to  Oregon caiirinus.  p.  2S2. 

2.  Wing  12.1.") americanus,  p.  2S1. 

486.  Corvus  corax  sinuatus  (ICffv/.)-     American  Raven. 

Black,  futire  plniiiage  glossed  with  lustrous  ])urplish.  tinged  with  dull 
greenish  on  belly  ;  feathers  of  throat  lanceolate,  distinct  from  one  anotlier  : 
}'((ith(rs  of  neric  ilnll  yrai/  at  hose:  nasal  tufts  covering  nu)re  than  basal 
half  of  ujiper  mandible.'  Lnu/th  :  LM.r)()-2(;.0O,  wing  bj.lO-l8.(M).  tail  1»-11. 
e.\|)oscd  culmen  •J.4n-;!.():). 

Distrihiilion.  —  Ilesident  from  upper  border  of  arid  Tropical  to  .Mpine 
zone  in  the  western  United  States  from  the  Kocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  from  Canada  to  (Juatemala. 

Xcst. — Usually  on  clilfs.  a  mass  of  well-interlaced  sticks  lined  with 
Cottonwood  bark.  moss,  cattle  hair,  Jind  wool.  K(j(fs  :  ">  to  7,  pea  green, 
olive,  or  drab,  usually  ))rofusely  spotted  and  blotched  with  shades  of 
brown,  lavender,  and  drab. 

F^iixi.  —  Principally  carrion,  dead  fish  and  frogs,  varied  with  rodents, 
mussels,  gra.sshoppers,  large  black  crickets,  and  worms. 

Where  tall,  bare  clifTs  rise  from  the  valleys  and  deep,  steep  walled 
canvous  cut    into  the  nutuiitain   raniics,  the   hoarse  (•r("»aUiug  of  the 


280  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

ravens  echoes  back  from  cliff  and  wall.  The  higher  and  more  inac- 
cessible the  cliff  and  the  more  barren  and  deserted  the  valley  below 
the  better  suited  are  the  ravens  and  the  more  freely  do  they  soar 
and  croak,  flying  singly  or  in  pairs,  up  and  down  along  the  face 
of  the  cliff  with  a  spirited  wildness  that  harmonizes  well  with  their 
background.  Suspicious,  wary  pirates  they  are,  always  on  the  de- 
fensive to  evade  attack,  keeping  well  out  of  rifle  range  of  man, 
and  often  forced  to  mount  to  almost  invisible  heights  to  avoid  mob- 
bing attacks  from  small  birds  that  seem  to  have  permanent  wrongs 
to  avenge. 

They  descend  to  lake  and  river  shores  for  dead  fish  or  w^hatever 
the  waves  wash  up  in  the  way  of  food,  make  a  few  meals  from  a 
dead  sheep,  feast  on  what  is  left  when  a  hunter  dresses  a  deer,  and 
are  accused  of  helping  out  their  varied  bill  of  fare  with  eggs  and 
young  from  any  birds'  nest  that  comes  handy.  Their  own  nests, 
placed  in  a  niche  half  way  up  some  perpendicular  cliff,  usually  bids 
defiance  to  all  enemies.  Vernon  Bailey. 

486a.  C.  C  principalis  Ridgw.    Northern  Raven. 

Like  the  American  raven,  but  larg'er,  with  larger  and  heavier  hill ;  tarsus 
shorter  and  stouter  ;  more  of  upper  part  concealed  by  feathering  of  thighs. 
Length:  22.00-26.50,  wing  16.50-18.00,  tail  9.20-10.50,  exposed  culmen 
2.65-3.45. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  from  Greenland  west  to  Alaska, 
south  to  Washington,  northern  Micliigan,  New  York,  and  Maine,  and  south 
in  the  mountains  to  North  Carolina. 

Nest.  —  On  cliffs  and  in  trees,  made  of  sticks  lined  with  seaweed,  grasses, 
mosses,  or  hair.  Eggs :  4  to  6,  greenish  or  drab,  usually  profusely  blotched 
and  spotted  with  browns,  drab,  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  fish  offal  and  refuse  ;  also  clams,  and  eggs  and  young 
of  waterfowl. 

The  northern  raven  resembles  the  American  in  general  habits  and 
call-notes,  and  is  usually  most  abundant  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  Indian  camps  on  the  seashore  or  on  the  banks  of  large  rivers  in 
the  interior. 

487.  Corvus  cryptoleucus  Couch.    White-necked  Raven. 

Black,  upper  parts  glossed  with  purplish  ;  feathers  of  neck  pure  white  at 
base,  nasal  tufts  covering  more  than  basal  half  of  upper  mandible.  Length  : 
18.75-21.00,  wing  13.10-14.25,  tail  7.50-8.00,  exposed  culmen  2.00-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  from  western  Kansas  and  southern  Colorado  south  through 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Poorly  made,  usually  of  thorny  twigs  lined  with  yucca  fibers, 
deer  hair,  rabbit  fur,  bark,  grass,  or  moss ;  placed  only  7  to  20  feet  from 
the  ground,  often  in  a  yucca  top.  Eggs  :  3  to  8,  green,  with  longitudinal 
marks  of  gray,  brown,  and  lavender,  sometimes  partly  hidden  by  brown 
spots  and  blotches. 

Food.  —  Principally  animal  matter,  including  cicadas  ;  also  refuse  grain. 


NORTHERN  RAVEN 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  281 

The  white-nc'ckcd  raven  is  a  typical  bird  of  the  hot  Lower  Soiio- 
ran  deserts,  where  it  seems  permanently  associated  with  tall  yuccas, 
juicy-fruited  cactus,  and  the  thousand  thorny  things  of  the  half- 
barren  valleys.  Half  crow  and  half  raven  in  size,  voice,  and  habits, 
cryptoleucus  is  still  readily  distinguished  from  either  by  both  size 
and  voice.  Social  in  disposition,  the  birds  gather  in  crow-like  flocks 
in  winter  and  feed  al)Out  stockyards  and  corrals  and  even  in  city 
streets,  where  they  are  surprisingly  tame  considering  their  shyness 
outside.  Even  in  the  breeding  season  they  are  often  seen  in  small 
companies  on  the  mesas  foraging  for  food  or  mobbing  a  pair  of  the 
big,  hoarse-voiced  sinnatus  which  have  inadvertently  entered  their 
domain.  But  more  commonly  they  are  seen  in  pairs  flying  low  over 
the  cactus  and  yucca  tops. 

So  partial  are  they  to  the  tall  bayoneted  yuccas  for  nesting  sites 
that  in  western  Texas  few  of  these  tree -like  growths  that  have 
reached  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  have  escaped  bearing  one  or 
more  loads  of  sticks.  Veknon  Bailey. 

488.  Corvus  americanus  Aud.    American  Crow.i 

Black,  wliole  plumage  glossed  with  violet,  moi-e  strongly  on  upper  parts ; 
feathers  of  throat  sho  t,  blended.  Length:  17-21,  wing- 11.90-13.25,  tail 
G.90-8.00,  exposed  culmen  l.SO-2.0.5. 

Distribution.  —  North  American  continent,  except  extreme  arctic  re- 
g-ions,  and  Florida  in  summer ;  south  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  bulky,  of  sticks,  weed  stalks,  and  other  coarse  ma- 
terials, lined  with  roots,  grass,  leaves,  straw,  wool,  or  hair.  Eggs:  4  to  8, 
from  pale  bluish  green  to  olive  green  or  olive  buff,  with  irreg'ular  spots 
or  blotches  in  grays  and  browns. 

Food.  —  Mice,  rabbits,  gophers,  eg-gs  and  yoimg-  of  other  birds,  g-rasshop- 
pers,  weevils,  cutworms,  and  many  injurious  insects ;  also  grain  and  fruit. 

The  crow  excites  interest  from  many  points  of  view.  As  an  in- 
dividual his  droll  originality  aud  keen  intelligence  attract  the  bird 
student,  as  a  social  animal  his  famous  roosts  are  a  seven  days'  won- 
der to  his  neighbors,  while  as  an  economic  problem  at  his  name 
friends  and  foes  rise  in  clamor.  Ilis  roosts  sometimes  number  a 
population  of  300,000,  when  his  importance  as  a  seed-planter  may 
be  well  appreciated.  But  the  econonnc  point  at  issue  in  discussing 
him  is,  does  he  eat  more  grubs  than  corn  ?  Professor  Beal's  con- 
clusions, l)ased  on  the  examination  of  large  numbers  of  crow  stom- 
achs, are  that  "  in  the  more  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  country  the 
crow  i^robably  dcfes  more  good  than  harm,  at  least  when  ordinary 
precautions  arc  taken  to  protect  newly  planted  corn  and  young 
poidtry  against  his  depredations."     The  best  way  to  protect  coru- 

•  Cormis  amrricarni.s  /lesperi.^  Ridgw.     California  Cnow. 
Smaller  tliaii  (iiinricdini.s,  with  relatively  Hinaller  and  more  slender  bill. 
Dixtrihudon.  —  From  PuRet   Soiind   to  northern  Mexico  and  east  to  tlie  Kocky  .Moun 
tains.     (Ridgway'8  Manual  of  Aoith  .linerican  Birds,  p.  36'J.) 


282 


CROWS,  JAYS,  magpip:s,  etc. 


tields  is  to  soak  some  corn  in  tar  aud  scatter  it  on  the  borders  of  the 
tield  subject  to  their  attacks.  A  few  quarts  of  corn  used  in  this 
way  will  protect  a  field  of  eight  or  ten  acres.  This  is  worth  while 
because  of  the  amount  of  good  the  crow  does  by  destroying  insect 
pests  and  field  mice,  rabbits,  and  other  harmful  rodents. 

489.  Corvus  caurinus  Baird.     Northwest  Crow. 

Black,  upper  parts  glossed  with  dull  violet.  Length:  10-17,  wing  10.10- 
11.50,  tail  5.90-7.00,  exposed  culnien  1.(30-1.90. 

Remarks.  —  The  northwest  crow  differs  from  the  American  crow  in 
smaller  size. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  districts  from  Sitka  to  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In  a  crotch,  10  to  18  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  fine  sticks 
and  nmd,  lined  with  cedar  bark.  l^ggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  like  those  of 
americanus,  hut  smaller. 

Food.  —  Mussels,  fish,  and  berries. 

On  the  Makali  Indian  lleservation  at  Neah  Bay  near  Cape  Flat- 
tery I  was  much  impressed  by  the  sight  of  these  small  crows  fear- 
lessly walking  or  flying  about  on  the  beach  among  the  long-beaked 
boats  of  the  Indians,  where  they  picked  up  dead  fish  and  refuse 
with  the  assurance  of  chickens  or  pampered  pets.  They  are  said  to 
contend  with  the  dogs  for  possession  of  the  refuse  fish  on  the  beach, 
and  even  go  so  far  as  to  carry  off  fish  from  poles  on  the  housetops 
where  the  Indians  have  left  them  to  dry.  Their  good  offices  as 
scavengers  are  especially  appreciated  about  salmon  canneries  and 
rivers  when  the  salmon  are  running. 

GENUS    NUCIFRAGA. 
Subgenus  Picicorvus. 
491.  Nucifraga  columbiana  iWils.).    Clarke  Nutcracker. 
Bill  cylindrical,  nostrils  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  feathers  ;  wings  long  and 

pointed,  folding  to  the  end  of 
tail ;  tail  little  over  half  as  long 
as  wing ;  tarsus  shorter  than 
middle  toe  and  claw ;  claws 
large,  sharp,  and  much  curved. 

Adidts.  —  Body  ash  gray,  whiter 
on  forehead  and  chin  ;  wings 
black,  with  white  patch  on  sec- 
ondaries ;  tail  with  middle  feath- 
ers black,  outer  ones  white. 
Young  :  similar,  but  colors  duller 
and  upper  parts  brownish  gray  ; 
under  parts  brownish  ash  indis- 
tinctly barred.  Length :  12-13, 
wing  7.10-8.00,  tail  5.10-5.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Cana- 
dian and  Hudsonian  zones  in  the 
mountainous    parts    of    western 
North  America  from  Alaska  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  and  from 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  283 

the  Black  Hills  ami  eastern  slopes  of  the  rocky  Mountams  to  the  Pacific. 
Casual  from  Dakota  through  Kansas.  Missouri,  and  Arkansas. 

]\[(=st.  —  In  evergreens  S  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  twigs 
and  white  sage,  bound  together  by  strips  of  inner  bark,  lined  with,  fine 
strips  of  bark,  grasses,  and  pine  needles.  Eggs :  8  to  5,  pale  green,  mi- 
nutely and  sparingly  nuirked  with  brown,  gray,  and  lavender,  either  most 
heavily  around  the  larger  end.  evenly  distributed,  or  with  the  lower  half 
unspotted. 

Food.  —  In  winter,  seeds  of  conifers  ;  at  other  seasons,  berries,  lupine 
seeds,  insect  larvse.  butterflies,  grasshoppers,  beetles,  and  the  destructive 
black  cricket.     The  young  are  fed  on  hulled  pine  seeds. 

AVhat  ail  iudepciulent,  positive  character  the  nutcracker  is!  In  the 
moimtains  the  sound  of  his  rattling  kar'r'r,  kar'r'r,  as  he  comes 
fi3ing  in  with  strong,  free  flight,  leading  a  black  and  white  liveried 
band  through  the  treetops,  always  stirs  the  blood  with  memories 
and  anticipations,  for  he  is  associated  with  the  mountain-tops,  where 
the  conies  bleat  and  the  glacial  streams  flow  only  when  the  sun  is 
high. 

Living  mainly  on  the  crests  of  the  ranges,  the  birds  fly  to  the 
higli  peaks  to  get  the  first  rays  of  tlie  sun,  and  when  warmed  go  for 
food  and  water  to  lower  slopes.  Their  method  of  getting  down  is 
startling  at  first  sight.  Launching  out  from  a  peak  with  bill  pointed 
downward  and  wings  closed  they  drop  like  a  bullet  for  a  thousand 
feet  to  the  brook  where  they  wish  to  drink.  Sometimes  they  make 
the  descent  at  one  long  swoop,  at  other  times  in  a  series  of  pitches, 
each  time  checking  their  fall  by  opening  their  wings  and  letting 
themselves  curve  upward  before  the  next  straight  drop.  They  fall 
with  such  a  high  rate  of  speed  that  when  they  open  their  wings 
there  is  an  explosive  burst  which  echoes  from  the  canyon  walls. 

On  Mt.  Hood  the  nutcrackers  .stay  with  the  Oregon  jays  around 
Cloud  Cap  Inn,  luider  the  peak.  On  Mt.  Shasta  a  few  of  them  come 
Into  the  fir  belt  as  low  as  5750  feet,  but  while  we  were  there  the 
majority  we  saw  were  with  the  alpine  hemlocks  and  the  dwarf  pines 
of  timberline,  from  7750  to  .S;300  feet.  They  ate  green  caterpillars 
in  the  hemlocks  and  caught  grasshoppers  on  the  neighboring  rocky 
slopes.  In  jilaces  they  are  seen  flying  about  among  the  dwarf  pines 
carrying  the  cones  in  their  bills  to  branches  where  they  can  get  at 
the  seeds  by  hammering  off  the  scales.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  in  fall 
they  feed  largely  on  tlu'  seeds  of  Pitnis  inoittico/d.  and  at  such  times 
tlieir  movements  are  irregular,  depending  on  the  suj^ply  of  pine 
cones.  Win  II  feeding  it  is  amusing  to  watch  them.  As  you  walk 
along  the  etlgc  of  the  timber  a  flash  <^f  white  :ui<l  thr  sound  of  flap- 
ping wings  ovcihead  call  your  atlcntion  in  time  lo  sei-  the  bird 
light  with  a  jet  of  the  tail  and  a  jerk  of  the  wings  on  a  terminal 
cluster  of  cones.       lie   hardlv    uds  his   It.iJancc  >^o    that    hi^    liirm-e 


284  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

resumes  its  trim  form  before  lie  starts,  his  tail  flips  up,  and  a  cone 
loosened  by  his  foot  goes  to  the  ground  with  a  rattling  thump.  And 
so  he  keeps  it  up,  till  you  know  when  you  are  in  his  neighborhood 
by  the  sound  of  cones  hitting  the  ground.  In  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill 
found  the  abundance  of  the  nutcrackers  was  coincident  with  that  of 
the  crossbills,  the  presence  of  both  birds  being  dependent  on  the  food 
supply. 

On  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Dr.  Mearns  found  the  birds  breeding 
while  the  mountains  were  still  covered  with  snow. 

GENUS    CYANOCEPHALUS. 

492.  Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus  (Wied.).    Pinon  Jay. 

Head  not  crested  ;  bill  cylindrical ;  nostrils  exposed  ;  tail  nearly  square, 
much  shorter  than  wings ;  feet  stout,  claws  large,  strong-,  and  much 
curved.  Adults  :  almost  uniform  grayish  blue,  brig-htest  on  head  ;  throat 
with  white  streaks.  Young :  dull  grayish  blue,  lighter  beneath.  Length : 
10.00-11.75,  wing-  5.70-0.00,  tail  4.80-4.85. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  pinon  bel*;  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition 
zones  in  the  plateau  regions  of  western  North  America  from  southern 
British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico,  and 
from  the  region  of  the  Black  Hills  west  to  the  Pacific  ;  casually  to  Kansas 
and  Nebraska.     Migrates  from  the  northern  part  of  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Deep,  bulky,  compact,  made  of  twigs  or  sagebrush,  lined  with 
plant  and  tree  fibers,  rootlets,  and  grass ;  placed  usually  in  pinons  or  juni- 
pers 5  to  12  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  bluish  white,  sometimes 
covered  with  minute  specks,  at  others  wreathed  around  the  larger  end 
with  coarse  spots. 

Food. — Juniper  berries,  pinon  nuts,  grain,  and  insects,  especially  grass- 
hoppers. 

The  piiion  jays  are  so  inseparably  associated  with  the  pinon 
pines  that  you  can  no  more  think  of  them  without  mental  visions  of 
sage-covered  foothills  spotted  with  junipers  and  piiions,  than  you 
can  think  of  these  dwarf  forests  of  the  desert  ranges  of  the  Great 
Basin  country  without  calling  up  images  of  straggling  flocks  of 
short-tailed  birds  flapping  along  with  crow-like  flight  and  a  weird, 
crow -like  ca-w'  ca-io'. 

The  nut  pine  furnishes  a  great  part  of  their  food,  and  only  in  the 
juniper  and  yellow  pine  country  of  eastern  Oregon  are  they  found 
straying  far  beyond  its  range. 

They  are  eminently  social  birds,  sometimes  even  breeding  in  colo- 
nies, and  after  the  breeding  season  gathering  in  flocks  of  several  hun- 
dreds. A  flock  often  seems  to  have  no  end,  reaching  for  miles  as 
the  birds  scatter  out  and  straggle  noisily  along  through  the  trees. 
At  other  times  they  fly  in  close  bodies,  rising  and  wheeling  like 
blackbirds  and  settling  down  together  to  pick  grain  in  a  stubble 
field.  Veiinon  Bailey. 


STARLINGS  — BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 


285 


FAMILY  STURNIDiE:    STARLINGS. 

GENUS    STURNUS. 

[493.]  Sturnus  vulgaris  Linn.    Stakling. 

Primaries  ten,  but  first  quill  minute  ;  bill  straight,  nasal  feathers  erect  or 
inclined  backward ;  nostrils  with  conspicuous  nasal  scale.  Adults  in  sii7n- 
mer :  glossy  greenish  or  purplish  black,  speckled  with  huffy  brown  and 
whitish ;  wing-  and  tail  feathers  largely  edg-ed  with  brownish  buff ;  bill 
yellow.  Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts  light  brown;  under  parts  whitish, 
spotting-  often  so  conspicuous  as  to  obscure  the  underlying-  green  and 
purple.     Length:  7.50-8.00,  wing-  5.00-5.10,  tail  2.()0-2.1)0,'bill  .1)5-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  and  Asia  ;  accidental  in  Greenland.  Introduced 
about  New^  York  city  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Portland.  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  about  buildings.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  pale  green- 
ish blue  or  bluish  white. 


FAMILY   ICTERIDJE:    BLACKBIRDS.   ORIOLES.   ETC. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.   Bill  short  and  conical. 

.Km\  Maj     2.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 
0\  rmh  Dolichonyx,  p.  286. 

Fig.  350.     2'.  Tail  feathers  normal.  Fig.  351. 

8.  Four  outer  primaries  cut  out   .     .     Callothrus,  p.  288. 

3.  Primaries  normal Molothrus,  p.  287. 


Fig.  35-->. 
r.  Bill  not  short  and  conical. 


2.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 

Sturnella,  p.  292. 
2'.  Tail  feathers  not  stiff  and  pointed. 

3.  Tail  graduated  and  folded  laterally. 

Quiscaliis.  p.  oOl 


3'.  Tail  niainly  even,  not  fohh'd  laterally. 

\ 
Fig.  .35,5. 

4.  Feet  weak,  for  perching Icterus.  p.  203 

4'.  Feet  strong,  for  walking.  a 


5.  Claws  of  side  toes  reaching  beyond  middle  toe ;  ,'  ^ 

males  in  summer  black  witli  yellow  heads.         •^^"^^-:^ 
Xanthocephalus,  p.  2ss. 


286  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

5'.  Claws  of  side  toes  not  reaching-  beyond  middle  toe. 

G.  Side  claws  not  reaching  to  end  of  middle  toe  ;  summer  males 
g-lossy  blue  black Scolecophagus,  p.  209. 

6'.  Side  claws  reaching-  to  end  of  middle  toe  ; 
males  with  red  shoulder  patches. 

Agelaius,  p.  289. 

GENUS    DOLICHONYX. 


Fig.  357. 


494.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  {Linn.).    Bobolink. 

Bill  conic-acute,  cutting  edges  bent  in;  tail  shorter  than  wing,  with 
stiffened  acute  f eatliers  ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  feet  stout,  tarsus  shorter 
than  middle  toe  and  claw;  claws  all  very  large.  Adult  male  in  spring : 
under  parts  wholly  black ;  upper  parts  black,  with  cream  or  buffy  brown 
patch  ou  hind  neck,  light  streaking-  on  wing  and  fore  parts  of  back,  gray- 
ish scapulars,  and  white  hind  back,  rump,  and  upper  tail  coverts.  Adult 
female  :  ground  color  yellowish    brown,  paler  and  plain   on   under  parts 


Fig.  358. 

except  for  blackish  streaks  on  flanks ;  heavily  streaked  on  upper  parts ; 
crown  with  buffy  brown  median  stripe.  Adidt  male  171  fall  and  winter  : 
similar  to  adult  female,  but  streaking  of  upper  parts  blacker.  Young, 
first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  female.  Young,  first  plumage  :  like  adult 
female  but  more  buffy,  with  necklace  of  faint  duskv  spots ;  flank  streaks 
obsolete.  Male  :  length  (skins)  6.30-7.40,  wing  3.6'9-4.00,  tail  2.47-2.70, 
bill  .58-.r)9.  Female  :  length  (skins)  6.00-6.55,  wing  3.85-3.53,  tail  2.31- 
2.54,  bill  .57-.61. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  open  prairies  and  cleared 
districts  from  Assiniboia  south  through  the  middle  states,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  west  to  Idaho  and  eastern  Nevada ;  migrates  to  the  West  Indies 
and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  a  slight  depression  in  the  ground,  made  of  dried  weed  stems 
and  grasses.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  from  gray  to  reddish  brown,  irregulai'ly  spot- 
ted and  blotched  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshojjpers,  locusts,  weevils,  and  caterpil- 
lars ;  also  rice,  oats,  and  weed  seed. 

The  bobolink  seems  to  be  gradually  spreading  westward,  and 
wherever  it  goes  adds  another  rare  song  bird  to  the  country.  '  Robert 
o'  Lincoln  '  is  a  rollicking,  joyous  fellow,  his  song  bubbling  up  from 
a  well  of  good  spirits.  No  eastern  orchard  or  meadow  seems  quite 
complete  without  him  and  May  is  not  May  until  he  has  come. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  287 

GENUS   MOLOTHRUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  sliort,  stout,  conic,  about  two  thirds  as  long-  as 
head,  broad  ridg-e  running-  well  up  on  forehead ;  wings  moderate  or  long 
and  pointed  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  even,  or  a  little  rounded  ;  feet  strong- ; 
tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEV   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Leng-th  (male)  (j.(10-7.().") ater.  p.  287. 

r.  Length  (male)  0.00-7. 10.     Texas  and  Arizona  obscurus.  p.  288. 

495.  Molothrus  ater  (Bodd.).    Cowbikd. 

.{didt  i/uiies.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  uniform  brown;   rest  of  plumage 
glossy  black  with  green  and  purple  reflections. 
Adult  female :  smaller    than    male,    streaked 
brownish  gray,  darker  above,  lighter  on  throat. 
Young  male :  upper  parts  dull   grayish  brown  „.       „„ 

or  dark  brown,    feathers   bordered    with   pale 

buify  or  grayish  blown  and  whitish  ;  under  parts  broadly  streaked  with 
brownish,  dull  buffy,  or  whitish.  Young  femcde  :  like  young  male,  but 
paler,  under  parts  mainly  dull  buffy,  streaked  with  grayish  brown.  Male : 
length  (skins)  ().()0-7. ()•'),  wing  4.1."j-4.5(j,  tail  2.7()-.'J.15.  bill  .()8-.77.  Female  : 
length  (skins)  0.10-7.10.  wing  ;].08-4.12,  tail  2.48-2.77.  bill  .00-.07. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  British  America  south  throughout  the 
United  ^States,  breeding  west  to  eastern  Oregon ;  migrating  to  eastern 
Mexico.     Less  common  in  the  western  part  of  its  range. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited,  usually  .singly,  in  nests  of  other  birds,  8  to  12,  whit- 
ish, whole  surface  covered  with  brown  specks  and  blotches,  usually  heaviest 
about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Mainly  noxious  weed  seed  and  insects,  with  a  small  amount  of 
grain. 

••  •  JhiHalo  bird '  used  to  be  oue  of  the  names  of  the  cow  bird  on  the 
Plains,  and  Major  Bendire  says  that  in  the  prairie  states  now  '  one 
will  rarely  see  a  bunch  of  cattle  without  an  attendant  flock  of  cow- 
birds,  who  i)erch  on  their  backs,  searching  for  parasites.'  This 
occupation  is  not  interrupted  by  the  ordinary  cares  of  family  life, 
for  the  cowbird  builds  no  nest  of  its  own,  but  foists  its  olTspriniJ: 
upon  its  neighbors. 

"  Probably  the  historic  cause  for  this  remarkable  habit  would  give 
us  more  charity  for  the  bird,  but  it  does  such  violence  to  the  one 
redeeming  instinct  of  the  lowest  tyjH's  of  man  and  beast,  that  it  is 
hard  not  to  regard  the  bird  with  un(|ualitied  aversion.  Not  only  is 
it  entirely  lacking  in  the  maternal  but  in  the  conjugal  instincts,  for 
it  practices  p(jlyandry.  On  the  other  hand,  the  male  cowbird  is 
polygamous.  .  .  .  The  only  thing  that  can  be  said  in  favor  of  the 
female  cowbird  is  that,  she  takes  pains  to  place  lier  eggs  where  they 
ni-e  most  likely  to  be  hatched.  Major  Beiidii-c  ujvcs  a  list  of  ninetv- 
onc  birds  in  whose  nests  she  lias  been  known  to  leave  hei'  eggs;  but 
though    till-    iiicliKJcs    woodpcckei-s.    tlycatchers.   orioles,    thi'ushes, 


288  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

sparrows,  vireos,  wrens,  and  w^arblers,  the  birds  most  frequently 
imposed  upon  are  so  small  that  the  cowbird's  big,  crowding  nestling 
will  be  the  one  to  survive  when  it  is  a  question  of  size  and  resisting 
power."     {Birds  of  Village  and  Field.) 

495a.  M.  a.  obscurus  {Gmel.).     Dwarf  Cowbird. 

Similar  to  M.  afer,  but  smaller.  Male  :  length  (skins)  6.00-7.10,  wing 
3.78-4.10,  tail  2.4o-2.87,  bill  .62-.70.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.61-6.30, 
wing  3.37-3.70,  tail  2.27-2.62,  bill  .5.5-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Texas  to  southwestern  Arizona, 
and  south  to  Lower  California  and  Mexico. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  nests  of  other  birds,  similar  to  those  of  M.  ater. 

GENUS    CALLOTHRUS. 

496.  Callothrus  robustus( Ca6.).     Red-eyed  Cowbird. 

Bill  shorter  than  head,  stout,  conical,  distinctly  ridged,  upper  outline 
slightly  curved ;  neck  Avith  soft,  dense,  erectile  ruff ;  four  outer  primaries 
with  inner  webs  curiously  sinuated  and  emarginated.  Adult  male :  iris 
bright  red ;  body  and  erectile  ruff  black,  with  soft  bronzy  luster  ;  wings 
and  tail  glossed  with  bluish,  greenish,  and  purplish.  Adult  female:  dull 
black,  somewhat  glossed  with  bluish  green  ;  neck  ruffs  much  smaller  than 
in  male.  Young  male  :  sooty  black,  under  parts  with  feathers  edged  with 
paler.  Young  female  :  paler  and  grayer  than  young  male.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  7.75-8.80,  wing  4.40-4.73,  tail  2.98-3.24,  bill  .88-.94.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.50-8.10,  wing  3.84-4.16,  tail  2.52-2.94,  bill  .78-.84. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Texas  south  through  eastern  Mex- 
ico to  Central  America ;  migrates  to  Panama. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  nests  of  other  birds,  usually  4,  pale  bluish  green, 
unspotted. 

On  the  coast  prairies  of  the  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  the  red- 
eyed  cowbird  may  be  seen  on  the  roadside  fences.  His  strikingly 
red  eyes  and  handsome  glossy  black  coat  mark  him  at  a  glance  from 
the  other  cow^birds,  and  when  he  raises  his  neck  ruff  he  seems  indeed 
a  distinguished  personage. 

GENUS    XANTHOCEPHALUS. 

497.  Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus  (Bonap.).     Yellow- 

headed  Blackbird. 

Bill  decidedly  shorter  than  head,  its  depth  through  base  less  than  half 
the  length  of  the  exposed  culmen  ;  culmen  straight,  flattened  ;  sexes  dif- 
ferent in  size ;  wing  long  and  pointed  ;  tarsus  nearly  one  fourth  as  long 
as  Aving ;  claws  large,  lateral  ones  reaching  beyond  base  of  middle  one. 
Adult  male  in  summer :  black  except  for  yellow  or  orange  of  head,  throat, 
and  chest,  and  white  patch  on  wings.  Adult  male  in  winter :  similar,  but 
yellow  of  top  of  head  obscured  by  brownish  tips  to  feathers.  Adult 
female :  brownish,  throat  and  chest  dull  yellowish,  breast  mixed  with 
white.  Young  male  in  first  ivinter :  similar  to  female,  but  larger  and  deeper 
colored.  Male  :  length  (skins)  8.60-10.10,  wing  5.32-5.73,  tail  3.66-4.27, 
bill  .83-.99.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.50-8.30,  wing  4.33-4.64,  tail  3.10- 
3.45,  bill  .77-.83. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America  from  British  Columbia  and  Hud- 


YKLLOW-ilEADEI)  HLAcKIURD 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  289 

son  Bay.  south  across  Mexican  tablelands  and  east  to  Wisconsin.  Indiana, 
and  Texas ;  easuallv  to  Ontario  and  the  eastern  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Fastened  to  tale  stems  or  rushes  10  to  80  inches  above  the 
water  of  a  marsh,  made  of  coarse  marsh  grasses,  tules,  reeds,  and  rushes, 
woven  toj^ether  and  lined  with  finer  grasses.  Eggs :  o  to  ■).  from  g-rayish 
to  greenish  white,  profusely  and  evenly  blotched  and  speckled  with 
browns  and  grays. 

Fixxl.  —  Small  seeds,  such  as  wild  rice,  and,  in  cultivated  districts,  occa- 
sionally corn,  oats,  and  Avheat ;  but  mainly  insects,  especially  grasshoppers 
and  locusts,  together  with  their  eggs  and  larv*. 

From  their  breeding  grounds  in  the  sloughs  and  tule  marshes  the 
yellow-headed  blackbirds  scatter  out  and  wander  over  the  whole  of 
the  western  plains  countr}-,  appearing  in  flocks  with  grackles,  red- 
wings, or  cowbirds  in  the  characteristic  hordes  of  the  fall  migration, 
or  in  flocks  by  themselves  in  fields  and  meadows,  along  the  road- 
sides, often  in  barnyards  and  corrals,  and  sometimes  in  city  streets. 
rtf)cks  with  pompous,  yellow-caped  males  strutting  about  among 
the  dull-colored  females  and  young,  talking  in  harsh,  guttural  tones. 

Noisy  at  all  times,  they  are  doubly  so  on  the  breeding  grounds, 
where  they  try  to  sing,  and  their  hoarse  voices  come  up  from  the 
tule  borders  like  the  croaking  of  frogs  and  creaking  of  unoiled  gates. 

As  the  young  are  leaving  the  nests  in  July,  it  is  not  unusual  to 
find  flocks  of  old  males  away  in  the  hills  by  themselves,  taking  a 
vacation  after  their  arduous  duties ;  but  usually  the  fall  flocks  are 
made  up  of  both  sexes  and  young.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS   AGELAIUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  stout  at  base,  deeper 
than  broad,  high  and  flattened  on  forehead,  broadly  parting  tlie  featliers, 
rapidly  tapering  to  acute  point ;  wings  pointed,  tail  even  or  rounded ; 
claws  small,  lateral  ones  scarcely  reaching  to  base  of  middle  one;  sexes 
different  in  .size. 

KKY    TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.   Wing  with  nnddle  coverts  black  at  tips  .     .     .     californicus,  p.  2U1. 
r.  Wing  with  middle  coverts  bulfv,  bnnvnish,  or  white  at  tips. 
2.  Smaller. 

o.   Females   lighter,  linffy  tints   i)revailing   on  uj)per  parts.     Southern 

Arizona  and  Xi'w  Mexico sonorieiisis,  j).  2'.»0. 

•J  .  Females  darker,  butVy  tints  not  prevailing  on  upper  parts. 

4.   Winter   females  with    little   if    any  rusty  on  upper  paits.     Great 
Hasin  district  to  soutliern  California     .      .     lieutralis,  p.  I'Ol. 
4  .  \Vinter  females  with  rusty  on  upper  parts.     Oregon  ;ind  Califor- 
nia, west  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada  tricolor,  p.  2'.I2. 
•1  .  Larger. 

;!.    Bill  relativelv  shorter  an<l  thicker.      Manitoba  to  Mexic<». 

fortis,  p.  JDt. 
.'>'.  Bill  relatively  longer  and  more  .sleinler. 

4.   Wing-s  longer.      Northwest  coast  district  caurinus,  p.  201. 

4'.  Wings  short. 'r.      K.isKmii  Cnited  States  to  l)ase  »tf  IJocky  Moun- 

t-ii"s phoeniceua,  p.  2l>0. 


290  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

498.  Agelaius  phceniceus  (Linn.).    Red-winged  Blackbird.^ 

Achdt  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Black  except  for  red  and  buffy 
brown  or  whitish  shoulder  patches.     Adult  male   in  winter :  like   summer 

male,  but  buff  of  wing-  coverts 
deeper  and  scapulars  and  inter- 
scapulars edged  with  rusty. 
Adult  female  in  breeding  plum- 
/'   *,^   wp^^g^Mi^  age:   plumag-e  of  harsh   texture 

compared  with  the  silky  plum- 
age of  the  male  ;  streaked,  top 
of  head  dark  brown,  with  buffy 
median  crown  stripe  and  su- 
perciliary ;  nape  and  fore  part 
of  back  dark  brown,  lightly 
marked  with  buffy ;  shoulders 
faintly  tinged  with  red  ;  under 
parts  whitish,  heavily  streaked 
with  dark  brown  ;  throat  vari- 
Fig.  3G0.  ably  tinged  with  creamy,  buff, 

or  pinkish.  Adult  female  in 
winter  :  lighter  marking's  of  upper  parts  more  conspicuous,  under  parts 
tinged  with  buff}'.  Immature  male :  epaulettes  flecked  with  black  and 
varying-  from  orange  to  red  ;  black  of  plumag-e  obscured  by  heavy  rusty 
and  buffy  edgings  above,  and  light  ashy  or  brownish  tips  below.  Young  : 
like  adult  female,  but  throat,  superciliary,  and  malar  stripes  yellowish  ; 
ground  color  of  under  parts  pale  buffy  or  yellowish  with  narrow  dusky 
streaks.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.10-9.o0,  wing-  4..58-4.95,  tail  3.49-3.78, 
bill  .8S-L00.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.80-7.45,  wing  3.75-4.00,  tail  2.76- 
3.05,  bill  .68-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America  to  Rocky  Mountains. 
Nest.  —  Attached  to  upright  stems  of  sedges  or  reeds,  or  to  branches  of 
bushes  or  small  trees  in  marshes  or  swamps  ;   made  compactly  of  dried 
grasses.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish,  varying  to  olive,  marked  with  black, 
brown,  or  purplish  gray,  usually  with  pen  lines  and  blotches. 
Food.  —  Injurious  insects,  grain,  and  weed  seed. 

In  the  semi-arid  parts  of  the  west  wiiere  a  bit  of  marsh  is  the  one 
green  acre  when  the  hills  and  valleys  have  turned  brown  in  sum- 
mer, the  marsh  birds  have  a  peculiar  charm.  The  red-wing,  with 
his  black  coat  and  the  gleam  of  keen  red  from  his  epaulettes,  is  a 
strong  note  in  the  landscape,  but  best  of  all  is  his  flute-like  o-ka-lee, 
with  its  cool  suggestions  of  marsh  grass  and  cat-tails. 

498a.  A.  p.  sonoriensis  Bidgw.    Sokoran  Red-wing. 

Like  A.  phamiceus,  but  smaller;  female  much  lighter,  bujfy  tints  prevail- 
ing on  upper  parts  ;  throat  pinkish,  streaking  of  under  parts  much  duller 
and  less  striking;  bill  thicker.  Male:  length  (skins)  8,1.5-9.35,  wing 
4.80-5.09,  tail  3.38-3.98,  bill  .89-LOO.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.80-7.86, 
wing  3.88-4.15,  bill  .70-.84. 

1  Agelaivs  j)/imniceus  ric/imondi 'Nelson.     Vera  Cruz  Red-wing.     (The  AziK;  Tiiv.  58.) 
'L\]s.e  }}h<xniceus  but  smaller,  adult  male  with  wing  coverts  deeper  colored,  at  least  in 

winter  ;  adult  female  lighter  colored. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  district  of  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  iu  Texas,  and  south  to  Costa 

Rica.     (Ridgway's  Birds  of  North  <m<t  Middle  America,  ii.  335.) 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  291 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Ijower  Colorado  Valley  in  southern  California 
and  Arizona  south  to  Tepic,  western  Mexico. 

At  Phoenix,  Arizona,  the  red-wings  have  been  seen  eating  a  tree- 
worm  which  was  a  pest  at  the  time. 

498d.  A.  p.  fortis  Bidgw.    Thick-billed  Ked-wi.ng. 

Like  A.  phaniceus,  *'  but  decidedly  larger,  with  bill  relatively  much 
shorter  and  thicker  ;  adult  females,  adult  male  in  winter,  and  immature 
males  similar  in  coloration  to  the  same  of  ^1.  p.  sonoriensis,  but  distin- 
g-uished  by  very  different  measurements."  (Ridgwav.)  Male :  length 
(skins)  8.00-9.50,  wing-  4.80-5.21.  tail  0.48-4.15,  bill  .78-1.04.  depth  of  bill 
at  base  .50-.59.  Female  :  length  (skins)  0.80-7.08,  wing-  4.00-4.30,  tail 
2.80-o.'27,  bill  .07-.8:J.  depth  of  bill  at  base  .43-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Central  North  America,  in  migrations  from  Manitoba 
south  to  Illinois.  Indian  Territory,  and  western  Texas,  westward  to  and 
including-  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  south  to  Arizona  and  Cliihuahua. 

498e.  A.  p.  neutralis  Bidgw.     San  Diego  Red-ming. 

"Similar  to  A.  p.  sonoriensis,  hut  smaller,  adult  female  much  darker, 
with  streaks  less  strongly  contrasted  above,  those  on  under  parts  rather 
broader  and  grayer,  the  upper  parts  with  little  if  any  rusty,  even  in  win- 
ter." (Ridg-way.)  Male:  length  (skins)  7.S5-1I.00,  wing-  4.00-5.00.  tail 
8.35-3.85,  bill  .85-.l)8.  Female:  leng-th  (skins)  0.00-7.08,  wing- 3.80-4.10, 
tail  2.64-3.08,  bill  .73-.83. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Basin  district  of  United  States,  southward  to 
southern  California  and  northern  Lower  California. 

498f.  A-  p.  caurinus  Bidgw.    Northwestekx  Red-wing. 

Similar  to  .1.  pfto ulceus,  "but  wings  and  bill  longer,  the  latter  more 
slender ;  adult  male  with  buff  of  middle  wing-  coverts  deeper,  deep  ochra- 
ceous-buff  or  ochraceous  in  winter ;  adult  females  more  heavily  streaked 
with  black  beneath,  and,  in  winter  plumage,  with  upper  parts  much  more 
conspicuouslv  marked  with  rustv."  (Ridgwav).  Male :  length  (skin.'^) 
8.00-0.10.  wing-  4.57-5.10.  tail  3.3'.)-3.83,  bill  '.00-1.01.  Female:  length 
(skins)  0.80-7.S0,  wing-  3.8.5-4.22,  tail  2.80-3.27,  bill  .77-80. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  district  from  British  Columbia  south 
through  western  Washington  and  Oregon  to  northern  California. 

499.  Agelaius  gubernator  californicus  Nelson.    Brulokkd 

Bl.VCKP.IIU). 

Adult  male.  —  Black,  shoulder  patrh  nd.  the  middk'  wing-  coverts  having 
their  butfy  or  brownish  bases  conceah'd  by  black  tips,  .[dult  female  in 
breeding  plumage:  nearly  uniform  blackish  brown,  throat  butfy  and 
streaked.  Adidt  female  in  winter  :  feathers  edged  with  rusty.  Young: 
corresponding-  to  phases  of  the  red-wing-.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.80-8.00. 
wingr  4.00-5.00,  tail  3. 20-3. 7S,  bill  .7S-.01.  Female:  leng-th  (skins)  0.00- 
7.50,  wing-  3.07-4.2.1,  tail  2.0S-3.(I2.  bill  .73-.7S. 

Distribution.  —  Wi'stcrn  Oregon  and  northern  and  central  coast  district 
of  Californi:i. 

Nest.  —  In  or  near  marshes,  on  tufts  of  marsh  gra.ss  or  weeds,  1  to  3 
feet  above  the  water  ;  made  of  gra.sses  and  strips  of  soft  bark,  usually 
lined  with  g-r{i.s.s-tops  and  .sometimes  horsehair.  Kggs :  usually  2  to  4, 
pale  bluisli  green,  generally  spotted,  marbled,  .-md  streaked,  mostly  about 
the  laig-er  eml,  with  brown,  black,  and  pnr])le. 


292  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

500.  Agelaius  tricolor  {Aud.).     Tkicoloked  Blackbird. 

Adult  male. —  Glossy  blue  black,  plumage  with  silky  luster;  epaulettes 
dark  red,  bordered  with  ivhite,  more  or  less  ting-ed  with  buff  ;  in  winter, 
plumage  softer,  more  glossy,  and  white  on  epaulettes  more  or  less  tinged 
with  buff.  Adult  female  .•  texture  of  plumage  like  that  of  male  ;  upper 
parts  dusky  with  greenish  or  bronzy  luster  ;  crown  narrowly  .streaked  ; 
scapulars  and  interscapulars  with  grayish  edgings ;  wings  with  grayish  and 
whitish  bands ;  head  with  superciliary  and  malar  streaks  ;  throat  and  chest 
streaked  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dusky,  with  paler  edgings  to  feathers.  Im- 
mature female,  first  ivinter :  like  adult  female,  but  browner.  Young  :  like 
female,  but  browner,  and  under  parts  narrowly  streaked  ;  wings  with  two 
bands.  Male  :  length  (skins)  8.00-9.05,  wing  4.(3:]-4.87.  tail  'SM'I-S.lb,  bill 
.87-.95.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.10-7.85,  wing  4.11-4.32,  tail  2.92-3.16, 
bill  .78-.83. 

Distribution. — Valleys  of  Oregon,  California,  and  Lower  California, 
west  of  the  Cascades  and  fSierra  Nevada. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  phceniceus.     Eggs :  1  to  4. 

Food.  —  Young  fed  entirely  on  grasshoppers. 

GENUS    STURNELLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped,  acute  and  depressed  at  tip  ;  tail  less  than  two  thirds  as  long  as 
wing,  the  feathers  sharp-pointed  ;  wing  short,  tertials  lengthened  —  reach- 


i'ig.  oGl. 

ing  almost  to  tips  of  primaries  —  feathers  of  top  of  head  with  stiffened 
glossy  shafts ;  outstretched  feet  reaching  beyond  tip  af  tail. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Yellow  of  throat  enoroaching  on  malar  region    .     .     neglecta.  p.  203. 
r.  Yellow  of  throat  not  encroaching  on  malar  region  .      hoopesi,  p.  292. 

501a.  Sturnella  magna  hoopesi  Stone.    Texas  Meadowlark. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  8.  ?«.  neglecta.  hnt  yellow  of  throat  restricted,  not 
<  'icroaching  on  cheeks,  and  yellow  somewhat  deeper  and  more  intense  than 
in  neglecta.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  yellow  more  orange.  Young  : 
colors  much  duller  and  markings  less  distinct ;  black  mark  on  chest  only 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  293 

faintly  indicated.  Male  :  length  (skins)  7.00-0.08,  wing  4.45-4.96,  tail 
2.r>i)-:].V2,  bill  1.10-1.40.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.70-8.10,  wing  3.95-4.32, 
tail  2.52-2.00,  bill  1.20-1.32. 

Distribution.  —  From  southeastern  Texas  west  to  southern  New  Mexico 
and  Arizona  ;  south  to  northern  Mexico. 

501b.  Sturnella  magna  neglecta  [Aud.).  Western  Meadow- 
lark. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Crown  with  median  buff  %•  stripe  :  lores 
yellow  ;  superciliary  buffy  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  with  buffy 
white  streaks  and  black  streaks  and  bars  ;  middle  of  back  heavily  marked 
with  black,  and  tertials.  rump,  and  tail  heavily  barred  ;  outer  tail  feathers 
mainly  white  ;  under  parts  bright  yellow,  yellow  of  throat  spreading  over 
cheeks ;  crescent  on  breast  and  spotting-  on  sides  black.  Adult  female  in 
breeding  plumage :  similar,  but  paler,  and  yellow  restricted.  Adxdts  in 
winter  plumage:  upper  parts  lighter,  from  unworn  light  tips  and  edgings 
of  feathers  :  black  and  yellow  of  under  parts  veiled  by  light  edgings. 
Male:  length  (skins)  8.31-10.14,  wing  4.()(;-5.0S,  tail  2.09-3.25,  bill  1.17- 
1.44.  Female  :  length  (skins)  7.74-9.00,  wing  4.12-4.59,  tail  2.39-2.84,  bill 
1.09-1.28. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  from  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and 
Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  British  America  south  to  Lower  California 
and  nortliern  Mexico.     Resident  south  of  30^  and  near  Seattle. 

Nest. — Usually  at  the  foot  of  a  bunch  of  grass,  made  of  grass,  gen- 
erally loosely  covered  over.  Eggs :  3  to  7,  generally  white,  spotted  varia- 
bly over  the  entire  surface  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Mainly  grasshoppers  and  their  eggs,  beetles,  the  destructive 
large  black  cricket,  and  other  insects. 

The  voice  of  the  western  nieadowlark  is  so  different  from  that  of 
the  eastern  bird  that  in  going  west  you  recognize  it  the  instant  the 
pure  clarion  notes  strike  your  ear,  whether  at  a  wayside  station  amid 
the  puffing  of  the  engine,  or  from  the  moving  train  when,  with  a 
turn  of  the  wing,  the  bird  flies  over  the  car  carolling  as  it  goes, 
regardless  of  all  but  the  song  in  its  heart.  "  There 's  the  western 
meadowlark  !  "  you  cry  out  in  eager  delight,  and  as  the  train  leaves 
liim  behind  and  you  h-an  l)ack  on  the  dusty  car  cushions,  you  rest  in 
a  world  of  bhie  sky  and  celestial  song.  The  lark's  notes  have  been 
written  down  in  sharps  and  flats,  but  ihc  i)ur(',  heavenly  ([uality  of 
the  song  can  never  be  reproduced. 

GENUS  ICTERUS. 

(inural  Characters.  —  P>ill  about  a.s  long  as  head,  very  acute  :  feet  fitted 
for  perdiiug  rather  than  walking;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
daw  ;  side  toes  c(|Mal.  or  outer  longest  ;    tail  rounded  or  graduated. 

KKV    TO    ADll.T    MALKS. 

1.   Pbunage  black  and  yellow  or  orangr. 
2.  Head  mainly  yellow. 

.;.   Brcjist  pa'leor.ingf seniiettl.  p.  205. 

3'.  Ibvast  light  Icninu  v. -How lielsoili.  p.  2VM». 

2'.  Hr.ul  niainlv  black. 


294  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

8.  Under  parts  bright  lemon  yellow. 

4.  Tail  shorter  than  wing-,  graduated  for  less  than  length  of  bill. 

parisorum,  p.  294. 
4'.  Tail  longer  than  wing,  graduated  for  more  than  length  of  bill. 

audubonii,  p.  294. 
3'.  Under  parts  orange  yellow  or  orange  red. 

4.  Malar  region  and  streak  over  lores  vellow  or  orange. 

bullocki,  p.  298. 

4'.  Whole  head  black galbula,  p.  297. 

1'.  Plumage  black  and  brown spurius,  p.  29(5. 

Subgenus  Icterus. 

503.  Icterus  audubonii  Giraud.     Audubon  Oriole. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  bright  lemon  yellow  with  sharply  contrasting  black 
head,  chest  patch,  wings,  and  tail;  back  varying  from  lemon  yellow  to 
yellowish  green  ;  wings  with  white  edgings  and  yellowish  green  on  cov- 
erts ;  tail  graduated  and  narrowly  tipped  with  lighter.  Young :  without 
any  black,  upper  parts  olive-green,  under  parts  vellow.  Mcde :  length 
(skins)  8.45-9.20.  wing  3.79-4.03.  tail  4.04-4.18,  bill  1.01-1.11.  Female: 
length  (skins)  8.00-9.30,  wing  3.70-3.8(3,  tail  3.92-4.17,  bill  .86-1.04. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  from  southern  Texas  to  central  and  eastern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Semi-pensile,  woven  of  fine,  Aviry  grasses  and  lined  with  grass- 
tops,  hung  usually  ('»  to  14  feet  from  the  ground  in  mesquite  trees,  thickets, 
or  open  woods.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish  or  grayish  white.  Avith  light  hair 
lines  of  broAvu  and  dark  purple  ;  or  else  the  ground  color  obscured  by 
pale  purple  suffusion,  blotched  and  streaked  with  brown  and  lavender. 

Mr.  Atwater  has  twice  f oimd  the  Audubon  oriole  near  San  Antonio 
in  the  high  pecan  timber,  and  considers  it  a  rare  winter  wanderer. 
Dr.  Merrill  states  that  it  is  resident  in  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley 
near  Brownsville.  In  summer,  he  says,  it  is  usually  found  in  deep 
woods  away  from  houses,  but  in  winter  is  less  shy  and  retiring. 

504.  Icterus  parisorum  Bonap.    Scott  Oriole. 

Adidt  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Black,  except  for  bright  lemon  yel- 
low belly,  shoulders,  posterior  parts  of  back,  and  white  and  yellow  mark- 
ings  on  wings  and  tail ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  usually  tinged  with 

olive.  Adult  male  in  winter :  like 
summer  male  but  white  markings  on 
Avings  broader  ;  feathers  of  back  more 
or  less  edged  with  gray ;  rump  and 
Fiff.  3G2.  upper    tail     coverts     more     strongly 

washed  with  olive  or  gray  ;  flanks  tinged  with  olive.  Adult  female  :  under 
parts  greenish  yellow ;  upper  parts  olive  green,  becoming  yellowish  on 
rump  and  outer  tail  feathers,  marked  with  grayish  brown  on  back ;  wing 
crossed  by  two  white  bars,  and  quills  edged  with  whitish.  Immature  male: 
plumage  varying  from  that  of  female  to  that  of  male,  according  to  age. 
Young  of  year  :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  with  all  the  Aving  feathers 
edged  and  tipped  with  white,  wing  band  yellowish,  tail  tipped  with  yel- 
low, breast  obscured  by  broAvnish,  and  yellow  of  under  parts  paler  and 
greener.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.40-8.36,  Aviiig  3.88-4.20.  tail  3.12-3.62, 
bill  :82-.97.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.2.")-8.00,  wing  3.72-4.02.  tail  3.20- 
3.48,  bill  .80-.90. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  295 

Hemarks.  —  Dr.  Allen  has  recorded  two  females  showing-  great  variation 
In  plumage  —  both  with  throat  and  breast  black,  and  one  with  whole  head 
blackish  like  yearling  males,  the  other  with  head  like  the  ordinary  adult 
female. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
California,  and  from  .southern  parts  of  Utah  and  Nevada  south  to  Lower 
California  and  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Woven  of  grass,  yucca  fibers,  horsehair,  cotton,  and  string-  when 
available,  placed  usiuilly  in  yuccas,  but  sometimes  in  other  trees.  J'^gg)^  ■' 
2  to  4,  pale  blue,  blotched  and  streaked  with  browns  and  grays. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  beetles,  caterpillars,  larvte,  fruit,  and  berries. 

The  name  parisoruia  is  associated  with  interestiiii;:  desert  canyons 
whose  wide-sloping  sides  are  covered  with  stones,  agaves,  dasylirions, 
yuccas,  and  other  arid  thorn  brush,  and  crowned  with  the  fouquiera 
whose  widely  spreading  arms  are  silhouetted  against  the  blue  sky. 
In  the  midst  of  a  cactus  wren's  song,  it  may  be,  you  will  hear  the 
clear  meadowlark-like  note  of  the  oriole.  One  that  we  found  in  such 
a  situation  in  New  Mexico  was  a  brilliant  black  and  lemon  adult  In 
a  low  juniper  feeding  a  brood  of  dingy  greenish  yellow  young  who 
looked  like  commoners  in  camp  clothes  beside  a  personage  in  broad- 
cloth. Although  Ins  family  were  grown  and  picking  about  feeding 
themselves,  their  indulgent  parent  was  diligently  hunting  caterpillars 
for  them,  having  time  for  only  an  occasional  outburst  of  his  beauti- 
fid  song.  On  the  hills  back  of  the  Pecos  River  we  often  found  pari- 
sorum  ne-sts  in  the  yuccas,  sometimes  in  the  same  one  witli  a  white- 
necked  raven's  nest.  They  w^ere  generally  hung  under  the  sharp 
drooping  blades  of  the  yucca  and  woven  of  fibers  frayed  from  the 
edges  of  yucca  leaves. 

In  the  Chisos  Mountains,  Mr.  Bailey  often  found  the  orioles  feed- 
ing among  the  liowers  of  a  giant  agave,  the  greenish  yellow  color 
of  whicli  they  match  in  a  suggestively  protective  manner. 

Subgenus  Pendulinus. 
505.  Icterus  cucullatus  sennetti  llidgw.    Sennett  Okiole. 

Adult  iitttlc.  —  I>ack.  wings,  and  tail  black,  the  wings  marked  with  white  ; 
rest  of  plumage  deep  cadmium  yellow.  Adult  /finale :  under  jiarts  dull  or 
pale  gamboge,  back  and  scapulars  grayish.  Male  :  length  (skins)  7.40- 
l.i<i>,  wing  ;;.lT-;5.:}<>.  tail  ;5.4(;-:i.l)0.  bilf  .7S-.!=^1.     Female:  length  (skins) 

l.Oi)-i.:>i).  wing  :5.()7-;;.-J(».  tail  :;.;;(>-;5.4s.  i)iii  .7l'-.77. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  lower  llio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas,  south  to 
Mexico. 

In  the  narrow  strip  between  tiie  Rio  Coloral  and  the  Mexican  line 
in  Te.xas,  where  the  dense,  thorny  thickets  are  full  of  cactus  and  low 
yucca  trees,  the  Seiuiett  oriole  makes  its  liome.  Here,  as  we  were 
lof)k!r>g  for  the  nest  of  a  verdin  one  day.  an  oriole  flew  from  under 
the  droi'piiig  si)eurs  of  a  yuc(  a.      On  inspcclidn  we  found  one  of  the 


296  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

most  skillfully  wrought  nests  a  bird  ever  made,  a  perfect  basket, 
hung  by  the  handle  to  the  drooping  bayonets  in  such  a  way  that  tlie 
sharp  points  protected  it  and  yet  left  the  bird  an  easy  entrance.  The 
nest  was  made  of  yucca  fiber,  decorative  touches  being  given  by  bits 
of  gra}'  moss  stuck  on  here  and  there. 

505a.   Icterus  cucullatus  nelsoni  Bidgw.     Arizona  Hooded 

Oriolk. 

Adult  male.  —  Plumage  yellow,  except  for  black  of  oval  throat  patch, 

fore  part  of  back,  wings,  and  tail,  white  bars  and  edgino-s  of  wings,  and 

tip  of  tail.    Adult  female  :  plain  yellow  below  ;  olive 

green   above,  washed  with  gray  on  back  ;    wing's 

brownish  with  two  white  bands  and  whitish  edgings 

to  quills.      Young  males  in  second  year :  like  adult 

females,  but  throat  patch  as  in  males.      Young  in 

Jirst  year :   like    adult  female,   but   colors   duller, 

plumage  especially  on  upper  parts  suffused  with 

brownish.      Male :    length   (skins)  6.90-7.80,  wing 

8.40-3.56,    tail  3.22-3.78,   bill   .82-.S7.      Female: 

length  (skins)  6.90-7.30,  wing  3.18-3.26,  tail  3.17-3.28,  bill  .78-.82. 

I) i sir i but i 07).  —  Breeds  from  Tepic,  western  Mexico,  and  Lower  Califor- 
nia north  to  southwestern  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  through  the  southern 
half  of  California  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Cup-shaped,  semipensile  or  securely  attached  to  twigs  on  sides, 
woven  of  materials  like  fresh  wiry  grass  and  yucca  fibers,  and  placed  in 
such  trees  as  sycamores,  oaks,  blue  gums,  figs,  and  palms  ;  usually  made 
of  Spanish  moss,  often  built  in  tufts  of  moss.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  speckled  with 
hair  brown  and  with  zigzag  markings. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  larv«,  including  hairless  caterpillars  and  small 
grasshoppers. 

In  southern  California  the  Arizona  form  of  cucullatus  has  an  ag- 
gravating way  of  spending  his  time  hunting  about  in  the  chaparral, 
coming  into  sight  only  as  he  makes  short  sallies  into  the  air  or  dashes 
past  you  from  one  section  of  brush  to  another. 

He  sings  when  out  of  sight,  but  the  song  is  delivered  with  such 
fervor  that  you  can  follow  him  by  it  when  he  is  invisible.  It  is  a 
typical  oriole  song,  a  clear  whistle  with  a  rhythmic  rise  and  fall, 
and  a  chatter  interposed  between  the  high  and  low  notes  that  sounds 
as  if  he  were  taking  breath.  His  mate  is  a  quasi-musician,  giving 
his  chatter  and  the  first  strain  of  his  song. 

In  southern  Arizona,  where  nelsoni  is  most  abundant,  Major  Ben- 
dire  says  that  its  favorite  haunts  are  dense,  shady  groves  of  cotton- 
woods  and  mesquites  in  the  creek  bottoms. 

506.  Icterus  spurius  {Linn.).     Orchakd  Oriole. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Black  except  for  dark  chestnut  belly, 
shoulders,  and  hinder  part  of  back ;  brown  and  whitish  edgings  of  wings, 
and  light  tip  to  tail.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  ivinter  :  like  summer  male, 
but  feathers  of  scapulars,  interscapulars,  and  sometimes  head  and  Tleck, 
edged  with  buffy  gray,  olive,  or  chestnut ;  those  of  under  parts  soraletmies 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  297 

edged  with  yellow isli.  Adult  female  :  under  parts  plain  canary  yellow  ; 
upjjer  parts  olive  green,  grayish  brown  across  back ;  wings  brownish,  with 
white  bars  and  edgings.  Male  in  second  year :  like  adnlt  female,  but  lores 
and  throat  black.  Tlie  rest  of  the  black  and  the  chestnut  appear  in  increas- 
ingly large  patches  till  the  adult  plumage  is  reached.  Youny  in  Jirst  plum- 
age :  similar  to  female,  but  lighter  wing-  markings  tipped  with  buff. 
Male  r  length  (skins)  5.80-6.50,  wing  2.01-;5.-J5,  tail  '2J)0-2A)^),  bill  .50-69. 
Female:  length  (skins)  5.00-6.o0,  wing  2.70-3.05.  tail  2.50-2.00.  bill  .60- 
A)S. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  east- 
ern United  States,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  Texas ;  migrates  to 
Cuba  and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Basket-like,  sometimes  pensile,  woven  of  fresh  grass  and  placed 
in  bushes  or  trees  usually  12  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs:  usually  4 
to  0,  bluish  white,  marked  most  heavily  about  the  larger  end  with  blotches 
and  scrawls  of  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Mainly  small  beetles,  plant  lice,  flies,  hairless  caterpillars,  cab- 
bage worms,  grasshoppers,  rose  bugs,  and  larvae. 

In  the  prairie  states.  Major  Beudire  says,  the  orchard  oriole  is 
found  mainly  in  trees  and  shrubbery  along  streams.  When  living  in 
orchards  and  gardens  it  makes  itself  most  useful  by  destroying  the 
insects  with  which  the  fruit  and  vegetable  grower  have  to  contend. 

Subgenus  Yphantes. 

507.  Icterus  galbula  (Linn.).     Baltimore  Okiole. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Under  parts  and  hinder  ynivt  of 
back  bright  orange  or  orange  red :  head.  neck,  and  fore  parts  of  hark  black  : 
wings  with  yellow  shoulder  patch  and 
white  wing  bar  ;  tail  black  with 
yellow  corners.  Adult  male  in  winter  : 
like  sunnner  male,  Imt  scapulars  and 
interscapulars  edged  with  dull  orange ; 
orange  of  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts 
more  or  less  obscured  with  olive ; 
white  wing  edgings  broader.  Adult 
female  in  summer:  under  parts  orange 
or  brownish  yellow,  varying  from 
almost  unmarked  to  the  black  color 
pattern  of  male   in   duller,   less   xuii-  -  <        ^  ^ 

form     style ;    upper    parrs    yellowish  Fig.  3G4. 

olive,    streaked     more    or    less     with 

black,  if  not  with  solid  l)lack  of  male :  rump  yellowish,  tail  greenish 
yellow  ;  wings  brownish,  with  whitish  wing  bars.  Adult  female  in  uu'nter  : 
like  summer  female,  but  jjlumage  softer  and  l)Mck  tinged  with  gray.  Im- 
mature male  :  varying  between  adnlt  niale  and  female  or  indistingnisliable 
from  female.  Young  in  jirst  fidl  and  irinter  :  similar  to  adnlt  fenuiles.  whicli 
are  w  ithoiit  black  on  throat.  Yimng.  jirst  /jhtniage  :  lik(>  ligliter  e(»iore(l  fe- 
male, l)nt  uj)per  parts  graver  and  nn(h'r  parts  witli  softev  coh  i-s.  Male: 
lengtli  (.skins)  (;.S()-7.4("),  wing  ;;.6()-4.02,  tail  2.TS-:;.15,  bill  .Klt-.'lS.  F*- 
male:  length  (skins)  6.20-6.T<»,  wing  ;5.;]5-;}.(;2.  tail  2.(5M-2';S:).  bill  .<i;{-.Tl. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  of  ea.stern  North  America  from 
hitit'ule  55^  in  Saskatchew;ni  to  Texas,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  : 
mi     a'estlirongh  eastern  Mexico  to  Panama. 


298  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  Long,  bag-shaped,  hung-  from  the  rim,  usually  to  slender 
branches  8  to  50  feet  from  the  ground ;  woven  of  hemp,  horsehair,  or 
twine,  lined  largely  with  hair  and  grass.  Eggs :  4  to  0,  grayish,  irregu- 
larly streaked  and  blotched,  most  heavily  about  the  larger  end,  with  black, 
brown,  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Mainly  noxious  insects  and  larvae,  including  click  beetles, 
locusts,  grasshoppers,  weevils,  ants,  plant  lice,  and  caterpillars. 

The  Baltimore  oriole  goes  as  far  west  as  Colorado  and  Montana, 
but  buUocki,  its  western  congener,  is  more  abundant  west  of  the 
Plains. 

508.   Icterus  bullocki  (Sicains.).     Bullock  Oriole. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Under  parts,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  and  su- 
perciliary orange ;  narrow  throat    patch,  crown,  back  of  neck,  back,  and 

stripe  through  eye,  black ; 
wings  with  conspicuous  white 
patch  and  edgings  ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  black,  chan- 
ging to  almost  pure  yellow  on 
outer  feathers.  Adult  male 
in  winter  :  like  summer  male, 
but  scapulars  and  interscapu- 
lars edged  with  gray,  feath- 
ers of  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  tipped  with  gray,  of 
under  parts  edged  with  whit- 
Fig.  365.  ish.  Adult  female  :  under 
parts  lemon  yellow,  fading 
to  gray  on  belly ;  throat  usually  Avith  more  or  less  of  black ;  upper  parts 
olivaceous,  fading  to  brownish  and  sometimes  streaked  with  black  on 
back,  but  brightening  to  olive  yellow  or  deeper  on  rump  and  tail ;  wings 
with  white  bands.  Immature  male  in  second  year :  similar  to  adult  female, 
but  lores  and  median  line  of  throat  black.  Young  in  first  phanage  : 
similar  to  female,  but  colors  duller,  washed  more  or  less  with  buffy,  with  no 
trace  of  black  on  the  throat,  and  yellow  sometimes  almost  wanting.  3fale : 
length  (skins)  G.75-7.60,  wing  3.82-4.03,  tail  2.98-3.22,  bill  .65-.81.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  6.60-7.50,  wing  3.52-3.87,  tail  2.73-3.12,  bill  .67-78. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  of  western 
North  America  from  southern  parts  of  British  Columbia,  Alberta,  and 
Assiniboia.  south  to  western  Texas  and  Lower  California ;  and  from  Da- 
kota and  Texas  to  the  Pacific  ;  migrates  to  the  valley  of  Mexico  and 
Puebla. 

Nest.  —  Hung  by  rim  and  fastened  to  sides  of  a  branch  6  to  40  feet  from 
the  ground,  often  in  bunches  of  mistletoe  in  eottonwoods,  poplars,  and 
mesquites,  woven  of  horsehair  or  vegetable  fibers  and  inner  bark,  lined 
with  horsehair,  down,  and  wool.  Eggs  :  3  to  6,  grayish  or  bluish  white  or 
pale  buffy,  marked  with  irregnlar  hair  lines,  mainly  around  the  larger 
end. 

Food.  —  Principally  injurious  insects  and  larvae,  with  a  few  wild  berries. 

In  southern  California,  where  the  Arizona  hooded  and  Bullock 
orioles  occur  together,  the  light,  yellow-headed  nelsoni  usually  comes 
north  later  and  lives  largely  in  the  chaparral,  while  the  dark  orange 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  299 

Jmllocki  lives  in  the  treetops.  The  neighborhood  of  water  is  not 
considered  a  necessity  by  tlie  Bullock,  but  in  irrigated  districts  it  is 
especially  fond  of  the  sunny  cottonwood  hedges  bordering  irrigation 
ditches,  and  abounds  on  the  rolling  prairie  country-,  tinding  most 
congenial  nesting  grounds  in  the  groves  that  fringe  the  streams.  It 
also  nests  in  towns,  as  the  Baltimore  oriole  docs  in  the  east.  When 
possible  it  hangs  its  nest  from  a  tall  sycamore  or  other  large  decidu- 
ous tree,  but  if  nothing  better  offers  builds  in  low  willows.  In  the 
bottom  lands  near  Chinese  Camp,  on  the  Yosemite  Valley  road,  we 
have  seen  small  willows  fairly  hung  with  the  bag-lik^  nests.  The 
young  birds  are  much  less  skilful  builders  than  the  adults,  Mr.  Illing- 
wortli  notes,  their  nests  being  loosely  supported  and  made  of  coarse 
vegetable  fibers  instead  of  horsehair  and  twine. 

In  general  habits  as  well  as  appearance  Imllocki  resembles  the  Balti- 
more oriole.  The  ranges  of  the  two  birds  overlap  along  the  eastern 
part  of  the  range  of  hullocki. 

In  regard  to  the  food  of  the  hooded  and  Bullock  orioles  ]\[r.  Illing- 
worth  says:  "The  orioles  are  very  beneficial  to  the  horticulturist, 
although  they  eat  some  early  fruit,  such  as  berries,  cherries,  etc.,  but 
no  fruit  man  will  begrudge  them  these  if  he  thoroughly  understands 
their  habits.  The  chief  food  of  the  orioles  consists  of  insects  and 
injurious  caterpillars,  and  I  have  often  watched  them  while  they 
were  searching  among  the  branches  for  this  latter  food.  They  are 
particularly  fond  of  a  small  green  caterpillar  that  destroyed  the  foli- 
age of  the  prune-trees  a  few  years  ago.  The  orioles  are  often  seen 
in  the  berry  patches,  but  they  are  usually  in  search  of  insects,  as  is 
proven  by  the  examination  of  a  great  number  of  stomachs."  {The 
Condor,  July,  1901,  p.  100.) 

In  Pluenix,  Arizona,  they  have  been  seen  eating  a  tree  caterpillar, 
which  was  a  pest  at  the  time. 

GENUS    SCOLECOPHAQUS. 

General  Characters.  —  VnW  not  long'er  than  head,  slender  like  that  of  a 
robin,  tip  decnrved.  cuttino-  edges  bent  in  ;  wings  pointed,  longer  than 
tail  ;   side  toes  short,  with  luoderute  daws. 

KKY    TO    ADl'LT    MALES    IN    SUMMER    PLUMAOE. 

1.    IMuniagc  glossy  black  witli  faint  greeni.sh  luster  ;   hill  stout.     Nebraska 

t«)  the  Pacific cyaiioceplialus,  p.  ."JOO. 

1  .  Plumage  glossy  greenish  black  :    hill  slender.     Colorado  to  .Vtlantic. 

caioliiius,  p.  209. 

509.  Scolecophagus  carolinus  (Mull.).    Rlstv  Blackiuud. 

Adult  iiitdf  in  siiinniir.  —  I'nifoiin  glossy  black,  with  bluish  luster  on 
head  and  neck  and  l)liiisli  green  luster  on  body;  under  tail  coverts  more 
or  less  edged   with   whitish.      .[dult    nude    in    irintir  :    Itlack.   more   or  less 


300  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

obscured  by  rusty  brown  above  and  bnffy  below.  Adult  female  in  summer : 
brownish  slate,  faintly  glossed  with  bluish  green  on  upper  parts.  Adult 
female  in  winter  :  brownish  gray  or  slaty,  washed  with  rusty  above  and 
buffy  beneath.  Young  :  like  female  in  winter,  but  colors  duller  and  plum- 
age looser ;  wings  with  rusty  bands.  Male  :  length  (skins)  S.^o-O.oO,  wing 
4.50-4.60,  tail  8.;J9-3.65,  bill  .72-.78.  Female ;  length  (skins)  7.80-8.30, 
wing-  4.21-4.39,  tail  3.11-3.30,  bill  .(58-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay 
south  to  northern  New  York,  New  England,  and  Michigan,  and  west  in  the 
United  States  to  western  Nebraska  and  Colorado  ;  migrates  to  the  (4ulf  of 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  structure  of  dried  twigs,  shreds  of  bark,  and  mosses, 
placed  in  bushes.  £ggs  :  2  to  8.  pale  bluish  green,  olive,  or  rusty  brown, 
speckled  or  blotched  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Preferably  animal  matter,  including  insects,  especially  beetles 
and  grasshoppers  ;  also  grain  and  weed  seed. 

The  rusty  blackbird  is  mainly  a  bird  of  the  eastern  states,  but 
occasional!}'-  goes  as  far  west  as  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.     Unlike  most  other  blackbirds,  it  is  fond  of  forests. 

510.    Scolecophagus    cyanocephalus    (Wagl).       Beewek 
Blackbird. 

in  summer.  —  Glossy  greenish  black,  head  and  neck  purplish 
black.  Adult  male  in  ivinter  :  similar 
to  summer  male,  but  more  highly 
glossed.  Adult  female  in  summer  : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  brown- 
*^'~  •''''•  ish  gray,  faintly  glossed  with  violet 

on  head  and  neck  and  with  green  on  under  parts ;  upper  parts  darker, 
wings  and  tail  more  glossed  with  bluish  green.  Adidt  female  in  icinter : 
similar  to  summer  female,  but  paler,  more  buffy  gray  anteriorly.  Imma- 
ture male  in  Jirst  icinter :  like  adult  male,  but  feathers  largely  tipped  with 
grayish  brown.  Young  :  like  winter  females,  but  feathers  with  different 
texture  and  without  gloss.  M<de  :  length  (skins)  8.40-9.75,  wing  4.73-5.27, 
tail  3.62-4.22,  bill  .83-.93.  Fernale  :  length  (skins)  7.80-8.70,  wing  4.56- 
4.71,  tail  3.43-3.65,  bill  .75-. 82. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  Manitoba  and 
British  Columbia  south  in  the  mountains  to  Lower  California  and  Guate- 
mala, and  from  northwestern  Minnesota  and  Nebraska  west  to  the  Pacific. 
Nest.  —  Low,  in  trees  or  bushes  made  of  sticks,  plant  stalks,  grass, 
bark,  and  rootlets,  generally  cemented  with  earth  or  manure,  and  lined 
with  rootlets  or  hair.  Eggs  :  usually  4  to  6,  grayish  or  greenish  ground 
color,  variably  marked  but  usually  profusely  blotched,  streaked,  and 
spotted  with  browns  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  grain,  weed  seed,  and  grasshoppers. 

The  Brewer  blackbird,  whose  glossy  blue  black  coat  makes  him 
one  of  the  handsomest  of  his  race,  is  the  familiar  dooryard  blackbird 
of  the  west.  He  often  nests  in  oaks  beside  ranch  houses,  and  lords 
it  over  the  barnyard  fowls  with  great  airs  of  proprietorship. 

Like  all  blackbirds  he  has  mannerisms.  When  disturbed  at  the 
nest  he  spreads  his  tail  nervously  and  calls  chack,  and  when  sitting 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  301 

on  a  fence  sometimes  looks  at  you  out  of  his  pale  yellow  eyes  and 
then  bristles  up  and  gives  a  loud  shrill  whistle. 

xilthough  quick  to  appreciate  the  advantages  of  civilization, 
ri/((  nocephalus  is  by  no  means  exclusively  a  dooryard  bird,  nesting 
principally,  indeed,  in  unsettled  districts,  in  willows  in  the  pine 
belt  of  Arizona  and  in  sagebrush  around  the  edges  of  marshes  in 
the  arid  Great  Basin  country.  It  nests  in  much  smaller  colonies 
,  than  many  of  the  blackbirds,  live  to  ten  pairs  being  the  common 
number. 

After  the  breeding  season  the  birds  may  be  seen  as  high  as  tim- 
berliue  on  ]\[t.  Shasta,  solemnly  walking  over  the  rocks  around  snow 
streams,  or  as  low  down  as  sea-level,  at  places  like  Santa  Cruz, 
where  they  run  around  on  the  hard  sand  beach,  feeding  and  bathing 
in  the  shallows  filled  with  seaweed. 

Their  food  varies  with  the  season  and  the  locality.  On  ranches 
they  do  a  great  deal  of  good  by  following  the  plough  and  destroying 
grubs,  but  after  ihe  nesting  season  they  gather  in  large  flocks  and 
often  do  serious  harm  in  the  grain  fields. 

GENUS   QUISCAIiUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  crow-like,  but  more 
tapering  and  acute  ;  tail  graduated  and  folded  laterally  ;  feet  stout ;  tar- 
sus about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Body  bronzy,  size  medium aeneus.  p.  .301. 

1.  Body  greenish,  size  very  large niacrourus.  p.  302. 

Subgenus  Quiscalus. 
511b.    Quiscalus     quiscula     seneus     (Bldgw.).       Bronzed 

(tK.VCKLK. 

Adult  male.  —  Wliole  liead  and  neck  purple,  dark  peacock  blue  or 
green,  in  sharp  contrast  to  uni- 
form bronze  of  bodij  ;  wings  and 
tail  plum  purple,  not  metallii-. 
Adult  ff  male:  similar. but  smaller 
and  duller.  Youikj  :  from  plain 
dark  lirown  to  colors  of  adults. 
.l/f/Zf-;  length  (skins)  l().l)()-ll'..".0. 

wing  .•)..",s-( ;.():;,    i)iii    i.i'i-i.;i-_>. 

Female  :  length  (skins)  •.».*J.")- 
1< ).('•().  wing  4.8:5-'). IS.  tail  4.1(i- 
4.4<;.  bill  l.l:i-1.2:]. 

Diatrihution.  —   From     Gre.it        '        -         .     ,  — 

Slave  Lake   south   to  Louisian.i  -    ' 

and    western    Texas.    ;ind    fnnu 

the     Allegli.-inies    and    soiithein  ig. ->.. 

New  England  west  to  the  Koeky  Mountains;  migrating  to  the  southeastein 
states  except  tin-  coast  districts.  Breeds  throughout  its  range,  but  chieHy 
north  of  its  winter  range. 


302  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  coarse  and  bulky  but  compact  structure  of  dried  grasses, 
built  in  trees  (often  cavities).  Eygs :  o  to  7,  pale  gi-een  or  greenish  blue, 
olive  or  olive  whitish,  coarsely  spotted  and  irregularly  lined  with  brown 
and  black. 

Food.  —  Largely  noxious  insects,  corn,  and  the  small  grains. 

The  bronzed  grackles  may  be  seen  as  far  west  as  the  eastern  base 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Like  all  the  grackles  they  spend  a  good 
share  of  their  time  on  the  ground  walking  over  the  grass,  turning 
their  heads  this  way  and  that,  when  the  sun  glances  from  their  hand- 
some bronzy  backs.  When  they  tly  their  tails  turn  into  rudders,  and 
they  move  along  with  as  straight  and  steady  a  course  as  a  skill- 
fully guided  boat.  Their  gurgling,  squeaky  notes  cannot  be  called 
musical,  but  have  a  crisp  spring  sound,  and  their  clatter  has  a 
hearty  social  ring  as  they  fill  a  treetop  or  scatter  over  a  park  lawn. 
Although  they  do  considerable  damage  when  descending  in  hordes 
on  grain  fields,  their  steady  work  through  the  year  balances  on  the 
right  side,  for  they  are  not  only  assiduous  in  following  the  plough 
for  grubs,  but  devote  themselves  largely  to  catching  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  locusts,  and  other  destructive  insects. 

Subgenus    Megaquiscalus 

513a.  Quiscalus  major  macrourus  {Swains.).  Great-tailec 
Grackle  :  Jackdaw. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  breast  purple,  changing'  throug'h  steel 
blue  to  greenish  on  belly  and  back.  Adult  female  :  under  parts  hair  brown  ; 
head  dark  brown,  darkening  on  back  to  blackish,  glossed  with  green  and 
purple.  Immature  male  {first  year) :  upper  parts  black,  more  or  less 
glossed  with  bluish  green  ;  under  parts  sooty  black.  Young :  like  adult 
female,  but  browner,  without  gloss  above,  more  buffy  below.  Male: 
length  (skins)  1.5.50-18.00.  wing  7.25-7.83,  tail  7.70-9.25,  bill  1.56-1.89. 
Female:  length  (skins)  11.20-14.00,  wing  5.60-6.24,  tail  5.08-6.50,  bill 
1.33-1.55. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Texas  and  south  through  Mexico  (west  to  edge 
of  plateau)  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  largely  of  dried  grass  and  Spanish  moss,  usually 
with  an  inside  coating  of  mud ;  built  in  low  trees  or  bushes,  often  in 
swampy  places,  sometimes  in  towns.  Fggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish  or  green- 
ish, drab,  olive,  or  purplish  gray,  grotesquely  marked  with  brown  and 
black  lines. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  larvae,  crustaceans,  dead  fish,  seeds,  and 
grain. 

The  jackdaws,  as  the  grackles  are  called  in  southern  Texas,  nest 
in  the  '  oak  motts '  of  the  shin  oak  prairie  between  Corpus  Christi 
and  Brownsville.  We  found  them  building  the  last  of  April  at  San 
Ignatia  mott,  an  oasis-like  grove  in  the  middle  of  the  prairie.  They 
made  the  noisiest  blackbird  colony  one  could  wish  to  camp  below  ; 
and  when  to  their  squeaking  clangor  and  hubbub  was  added  the 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  303 

shrill  clatter  of  the  scissor-tail  flycatchers,  the  rattle  of  woodpeckers, 
the  vociferations  of  mockingbirds,  the  cooing-  of  doves,  the  piping 
notes  of  the  vermilion  tlycatcher,  and  the  voices  of  passing  birds,  it 
was  quite  like  camping  in  an  aviary.  Thougli  usually  visited  by 
only  an  occasional  Mexican,  the  birds  went  about  their  business  as 
if  camp-tires  were  an  everyday  occurrence,  and  paid  little  heed  to 
us  except  when  we  shot  a  rattlesnake  or  made  other  undue  signs  of 
our  presence. 

Much  to  our  surprise  the  blackbirds  sang  in  notes  that  were  sweet 
and  astonishingly  like  tlie  call-notes  of  the  goldfinch.  But  they 
appeared  particularly  fond  of  making  a  noise  that  sounded  like  the 
breaking  of  sticks,  and  it  took  a  prominent  part  in  a  ludicrous  per- 
formance which  they  went  through.  Seated  on  an  oak  top,  where 
his  humble  spouse  could  see  him  to  the  best  advantage,  an  old  male 
would  begin  bv  spreading  his  wings  and  tail  to  their  fullest 
breadth  and  making  a  crackling  'breaking  brush'  sound  which  he 
evidently  considered  a  striking  prelude.  This  done  he  would 
quiver  his  wings  frantically  and  opening  wide  his  bill  emit  a  high 
falsetto  squeal,  quee-ee,  quee-ee^  qiiee-ee,  quee-ee,  perhaps  attuned  to 
the  feminine  blackbird  ear.  But  his  coiqj  d'etat,  which  should  have 
wrung  admiration  from  the  most  nnappreciative  mate,  consisted  in 
striking  an  attitude,  his  long  bill  pointed  as  nearly  straight  to  the 
sky  as  his  neck  would  permit.  Po.sed  in  this  way  he  would  sit  like 
a  statue,  with  a  most  ludicrous  air  of  greatness.  Incredible  as  it 
may  appear,  instead  of  standing  spellbound  before  him,  his  spouse, 
practical  housewife  that  she  was,  whatever  her  secret  admiration 
may  have  been,  through  all  his  lordship's  play  calmly  went  about 
gathering  sticks. 

FAMILY   FRINGHiLIDiE :    FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KKY    TO    GKNER.\. 

1.  Wing-  conspicuously  long-  and  pointed,  prima- 
ries   exceedino-    secondaries    by    nearly    or 

more  than  twice  the  lenjfth  of  tarsus. 

FiR.  3(;S. 

/^L^L^       2.  Tips  of  hill  crossed  in  adults Loxia,  p.  \\\\\ 

Fir.  3C9.  -  •  Tips  of  hill  not  cro.ssed. 


^c  ■■■ ";:{;; 


\^    t 


h  of  hill  at  hase  j^realcr  tliaii  Icn-th  of  hind  too  with 
iw Coccothraustes.  j).  .".oT. 


Fijf.  370.       :i'.  Depth  of  hill  at  hase  niucli   h'ss   tli.in   Ifii^th   of   hind  t( 
with  (daw. 
4.    Hind  (daw  h>n«;rr  than  its  toe. 


304 


^^ 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

5.  Wing  2. 75-0. 10 Acanthis,  p.  1318. 


Fig.  371. 

5'.  Wing-  O.80-4.50. 

(3.  Nostril    wholh"    concealed ;    plumage    blackish    or 
j^r — --.  brown,  sometimes  marked  with  rose  or  white. 

if^tSiK^X  Leucosticte.  p.  ;J15. 


6.'  Nostril  partly  exposed 


4'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe. 


Passeriua.  p.  o25. 


5.  Upper  tail  coverts  pointed. 

Rliynchophanes,  p.  o28. 


Fig.  373. 


)'.  Upper  tail  coverts  not  pointed  ;  males  largely  reddi.sh. 
(part  of)  Carpodacus,  p.  ;]09. 
1'.  AVing  not  conspicuou.sly  long'  and  pointed,  primaries  exceeding- 
secondaries  by  less  than  twice  the  length  of  tarsus. 
2.  Primaries  exceeding-  secondaries  by  more    than    length    of 
tarsus. 
ij.  Outer  tail  feathers  marked  with  white  or  yellow. 


4.  Tail  marked  with  yellow 
4'.  Tail  marked  with  Avhite. 


Spinus,  p.  323. 


5.  Under  wing-  coverts  yellow  or  rose  ;   plumage  largely 
black  in  males,  streaked  in  females. 

Zamelodia,  p.  371. 


Fig.  375. 


.5'.  Undei 


'  wmg;  cover 


ts  not  vellow  or  rose. 


6.  Tail  gi'aduated. 

Chondestes,  p.  33(1. 


6'.  Tail  nearly  even  or  emarginate. 


Fig.  376. 


7.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe.  and  not  sharply 


^ed Calc  alius 


,  p.  -izo. 


Fig.  377. 


Fig.  378. 


7'.  Hind    claw  shorter  than    its    toe,    and   sharply 
curved. 

S.  Plumage  streaked,  larg-ely  brown. 

Pooecetes,  p.  329. 

8'.  Plumage    unstreaked,    summer   males    yellow 
beneath     ....     Astragalinus,  p.  319. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


Fig.  3T<J. 


.  Outer  tail  feathers  not  marked  with  white  or  yellow. 
4.  Upper  parts  streaked. 

5.  I'nder  parts  more  or  less  yellow  .     .     Spiza,  p.  oT7. 


5  .  Under    parts    mainly    gray  ; 
niales  with  chin  and  throat 
black     .      Pa.sser,  p.  :V24. 
4'.  Upper  parts  not  streaked. 


Fig.  380. 


fe/\ 


Nosti'ils  concealed,  plumaoe  rose,  or  gray  mixed  with 
orange  brown Pinicola,  p.  oOS. 


I 

.'>'.  Xostrils  exposed,  males  blue  .     .      Guiraca,  p.  8To. 
2  .  Primaries    exceeding-    secondaries    by    less    than    length    of 
tarsus.  - 

'■*.   Head  crested. 
"  4.  Upper        mandi])le 
greatly  curved. 
^  ,        Pyrihiiloxia.  p.  :)7i».  Fig.  :w2. 


I  .  Ui)pi'r  mandil)le  only  slightly  curved. 

Caidiiialis.  \u  o(>l». 


.  Head  not  crested. 

4.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw, 
.").   liind  claw  longer  than  its  toe. 


Ci.   Tail  with  white 

outer  tips  (cx- 

cejjt       J'ksciis 

group). 

Pipilo.  p.  .'.ti;;. 


Fig.  383. 


% 


Fig.  38r>. 


(•.Tail    with    white    edges,   plumage    largely   gray   or 
black Junco.  i>.  .■14.'). 


.  Hind  claw  sliorlei-  tli.iii  its  toe. 

t>.  Tail  black Ampliispiza,  p.  .'.r)!). 

C.  .Tail  iu>t  bl.iek. 

7.   T.iil  olive  gnen      .      .      .     Al  lemonops.  p.  ;'•»•.'.. 
7  •  T.iil  brown. 

.s.    Tail  d.-e])l\  .•m.irgiiiate  Spizella.  p.  ;;4l. 

8'.  Tail  iDuuiied  or  graduated. 


306 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

9.  Wing-  rounded  or  truncate  at 
tip. 


Fig.  386. 

10.  Edge  of  wing-  yellow  .  Peuceea,  p.  352. 
10.  Edge  of  wing  white  or  grayish. 

Aimophila,  p.  o53. 

.  Wing  rather  pointed  at  tip  (except  Z.  albi- 
colUs,  in  which  tarsus  is  same  length  as 
middle  toe  with  claw). 

Zonotrichia,  p.  337. 


4'.  Tarsus  aboxat  equal  to  middle  toe  with  claw. 
5.  Inner  claw  reaching  beyond  tip  of  middle  toe. 


G.  Wings  and  tail  green. 

Oreospiza,  p.  3( 


(>'.  Wings  and  tail  rufous. 

Passerella,  p.  3G0.  ^ig- 


5  .  Inner  claw  not  reaching  to  tip  of  middle  toe. 


0.  Length  about  S  to  1). 

{fuscus  group)  Pipilo.  p.  363. 


6'.  Length  less  than  8. 
7.  Wing    with    whitish    patches  Fig.  300. 

(summer  males  black)    Calaniospiza,  p.  377. 
7'.  Wing  without  white  patches. 

,      8.  Under  mandible  decidedly  deeper  than  upper  ; 
2  adult  males  with  blue,  and   sometimes  red. 

Fig.  391.  green,  or  purple  .      .      CyailOspiza,  p.  374. 

8.  Upper  mandible  deeper  or  equal  to  under. 
9.  Tail  featliers  sharp-pointed  at  tip. 
10.  Bill  sharply  curved. 

Sporophila,  p.  37G. 
10'.  Bill  not  sharply  curved. 

Ammodramus,  p.  330. 


1)  .  Tail  feathers  not  sharp-pointed  at  tip. 

10.  Tail  graduated     .      Melospiza,  p.  355. 


10  .  Tail  even  or  emarginate.  adult  males  Avith 
plumage  partly  reddish. 

Carpodacus,  p.  309. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


307 


GENUS    COCCOTHRAUSTES. 
Subgenus  Hesperiphona. 

514a.  Coccothraustes  vespertinus  niontanus  {Ridgic). 
Westekx  Evkning  Gros'keak. 
Bill  large,  swollen,  depth  at  base  g-reater  than  length  of  liind  toe  with 
claw ;  wing  long,  pointed,  more  than  five  times  as  long  as  tarsns ;  tail 
short,  emarginate  ;  feet  small  and 
"weak ;  tarsus  little  if  any  longer 
than  fulmen.  Adult  male  :  forehead 
and  superciliary  bright  yellow  ; 
crown,  wings,  and  tail  black,  wings 
with  large  white  patches ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  olive,  grading  through 
yellowish  green  to  yellow  on  rump ; 
luider  parts  greenish  yellow,  be- 
coming lemon  yellow  on  under  wing 
and  tail  coverts.  Adult  female  : 
prevailing-  color  yellowish  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  throat  bordered  by 
dusky ;  whitish  patch  on  wings. 
Youny  :  similar  to  female,  but  duller 
and  markings  less  defined.  Male  : 
length  (skins),  (KTO-T.-iO,  wing  4.1S- 
4.5i»,  tail  2.50-2.87,  bill  .T8-.89, 
width  of  bill  at  base  .49-.00.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins). 0.">0-7.o(),  wing 
4.10-4.40,  tail  2.4()-2.7S,  bill  .74- 
JSo^  width  of  bill  at  base,  .51.-57. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and 
United  States  from  the  Phiins  to  the  Pacific, 
of  nortlnvestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  15  to  50  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  top  of  a  conifer  or  thick 
willow,  a  comparatively  flat,  slight  structure  of  small  sticks,  roots,  and 
sometimes  tree  lichens  lined  with  finer  roots.  Fygs  :  ."!  or  4,  clear  green, 
blotched  with  pale  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  such  as  caterpillars  ;  seeds,  and  the  fruit  or  buds  of  mis- 
tletoe, hackberry,  box  elder,  juniper,  maple,  ash,  alder,  and  related 
species. 

In  the  Canadian  zone  forests  after  the  nesting  season  you  occa- 
sionally see  a  wandering  Hock  of  evening  grosbeaks.  Sometimes 
there  will  he  only  seven  or  eight  in  the  flock,  sometimes  twenty-five 
or  more.  Their  commonest  call,  as  they  pass  over  or  light  in  a  tir  top, 
is  a  short  whistle  that  can  always  be  recognized  hy  its  wild,  free 
(|uality,  but  they  have  also  a  loud  'beady'  note  sonu'thiiig  like 
that  of  the  WMXwing. 

In  the  mountains  of  Arizona  the  grosbeaks  breed  in  canyons  and 
near  water.  Dr.  M«'arns  says,  afterwards  desct-nding  to  the  oaks  of 
the  foothills  with  their  young. 

In  winter,  grosbeaks  are  very  coiumiou  in  Portland.  Oregon,  wlieic 
Mr.  Anthony  says  large  lloeks  feed  in  tiic  niaplis,  j^ickinu  up  the 
fallen  seeds  at  the  feet  of  passers  by. 


Fig.  393. 

Hudsonian   zones 
and  south  throuah 


u   western 
mountains 


308  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Ou  a  Sierra  grade  we  have  passed  a  flock  busily  gathering  wild 
cherries  in  a  bush  beside  the  road,  and  when  camped  under  the  firs 
of  Mt.  Shasta  have  had  w^nndering  bands  stop  for  a  drink  from  the 
camp  brook,  delighting  us  by  their  striking  yellow  and  white 
plumage.  Although  they  are  so  highly  colored  and  in  flight  their 
white  wing  patches  make  such  prominent  directive  marks,  this  very 
yellow  and  white  coloration  often  becomes  positively  protective. 
While  watching  the  birds  on  Mt.  Shasta  one  day,  I  was  struck  by 
the  conspicuousness  of  one  that  flew  across  an  open  space.  As  it  lit 
on  a  dead  stub  whose  silvery  branches  were  touched  with  yellow 
lichen,  to  my  amazement  it  simply  vanished.  Its  peculiar  greenish 
yellow  toned  in  perfectly  wath  the  greenish  yellow  of  the  lichen. 
The  breeding  range  of  the  grosbeak  is  largely  coincident  with  the 
range  of  the  lichen,  the  lichen  being  a  striking  feature  of  the  forests 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  Cascades,  and  northern  Rockies,  so  that  the 
\musual  coloration  of  the  bird  may  be  of  marked  significance. 

GENUS    PINICOLA. 

Bill    short,   liroad.    and   thick,  iipper  mandible   strongly   cui'ved ;  nasal 

plumules  eonspieuons.  hiding-  nostrils  ; 
wing  abont  five  times  as  long  as  tar- 
sus ;  tail  long,  emarginate  ;  feet  small, 
tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe 
A\  ithout  claw. 

KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Feathers  of  back  with  conspicuously  dusky  centers. 

alascensis,  p.  809. 
1'.  Feathers  of  back  without  distinctly  dusky  centers. 

2.  Bill  and  body  smaller.     High  mountains  of  California. 

californica,  p.  308. 
2'.  Bill  and  body  larger.     Rocky  Mountains     •     •     •   montaiia,  p.  808. 

515a.  Pinicola  enucleator  montana  Bidgw.  Rocky  Mouk- 
TAiN  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Like  P.  e.  calif  ornica,  but  larger  and  slightly  darker,  adult  male  carmine 
red  instead  of  vermilion.  Male  :  length  (skins),  8.00-8.55,  wing  4.72-4.80, 
tail  8.67-4.00,  bill  .01-08.  Female  :  length  (skins),  8.00-8.30,  wing  4.65- 
4.69.  tail  8.48-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Hudsonian  zone  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  from 
Montana  and  Idaho  to  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  flat  thin  structure,  largely  of  fine  rootlets  placed  in 
coniferous  trees.  Eggs :  greenish  or  bluish,  spotted  with  brown  and 
black. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  cocoons,  coniferous  seeds,  needles,  buds,  and  blos- 
soms. 

515b.  p.  e  calif  ornica  Pr/ce.     California  Pine  Grosbeak. 

-i  iidt  mule.  —  Light  vermilion  red.  head  slightly  tinged  with  yellow  and 
pi     .,  and  changing  to  ash  gray  on  scapulars,  belly,  flanks,  and  under  tail 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  P:TC.  309 

coverts ;  pluinag-e  everj'where  gray  beneath  the  surface,  giving*  an  effect 
of  immaturity;  sccqjulars  and  feathers  of  the  central  back  with  only  faint 
trace  of  dusky  centers ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  feathers  tipped  and  edged  with 
whitish.  Adult  female  :  general  color  clear  ash  gray,  bright  tawny  yellow 
on  top  and  sides  of  head,  back  of  neck,  and  middle  of  breast ;  tail  with 
faint  yellow  Avash  on  upper  coverts.  Youny :  like  female,  but  brownish 
gray,  with  brownish  and  grayish  edgings  to  wings  and  tail.  Male  :  length 
(skins),  7.75,  wing  4.:jo-4.."Jii,  tail  o.(j0-4.21.  bill  .;Vj-.59.  Female:  length 
(skins),  7.40-7.1)5,  wing  4.05-4.25,  tail  8.58-4.05,  bill  .55-.G2. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Hudsonian  zone  in  the  higher  parts  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  central  California. 

The  pine  grosbeaks  are  associated  with  patches  of  snow  and  furr}' 
hemlocks  on  the  mountain  heights  where  Townsend  solitaires  live 
and  nutcrackers  come  from  the  dwarf  pines  of  the  peaks. 

The  California  form  of  Pinicola  is  found  in  the  high  Sierra,  and 
in  July,  1900,  when  climbing  the  wooded  side  of  the  old  crater  of 
Lincoln  Peak,  we  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  a  pair  of  the 
lovely  birds  at  7800  feet.  They  Avere  as  characteristically  tame  and 
trustful  as  they  always  are  in  gunless  regions.  Fl3'iug  down  to  a 
snowbank  in  front  of  us  they  hopped  over  its  surface,  busily  picking 
up  what  we  supposed  to  be  seeds  from  the  hemlock  cones,  quite 
regardless  of  us,  though  so  near  that  we  could  easily  have  photo- 
graphed them  had  the  evergreens  let  in  enough  light  for  a  snap-shot. 

Afterwards,  in  camp,  three  hundred  feet  lower,  a  number  of  the 
grosbeaks  stopped  at  different  times  in  the  beautiful  little  hemlocks 
over  our  tent.  Most  of  them  were  in  the  yellowish  plumage,  but 
one  or  two  were  rare  rose-colored  beauties  that  would  excite  the 
admiration  of  the  most  Insensible.  While  resting  they  gave  their 
soft  call-notes  and  warbled  their  sweet  rolling  song,  and  though  they 
were  soon  off  and  away  they  had  lent  a  new  distinction  to  the  hem- 
locks that,  in  memory,  will  always  be  graced  by  their  gentle  presence. 

515c.  P.  e.  alascensis  lUdyw.     Alaskan  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Adult  male.  —  Body  n)ainly  red.  pinkish  in  winter,  fading  to  gray  on 
belly;  back  with  centers  of  featiiers  strikinyly  dark  brownish:  wings  with 
two  white  bars,  wliitish  tij)s.  and  edgings  ;  bill  short  and  turyid.  upper 
niandil)le  only  slightly  longer  than  lower.  Adult  female  :  toj)  and  sides  of 
head  and  upper  tail  eoverts  tawny  yellow,  dark  renters  of  futhtrs  of  back 
di.stinctli/  brownish.  Male:  length  (skins),  S.CiO-O.OO,  wing  4.41-5.00,  tail 
:}.84-4.();J,  bill  .5.5-.i;0.  Female  :  length  (skins),  7.00-8.70,  wing  4.48-4.78, 
tail  ;;.4()-8.84,  bill  .57-.(;i. 

Distribution.  —  Northwestern  North  America  except  Pacific  coast,  in- 
ebuling  wooded  interior  of  Alaska  :  south  in  winter  to  Montana. 

GENUS    CARPODACUS. 

General  ('hararters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  conical,  thick,  its  (le])th  at 
base  greater  than  width;  tarsus  short,  about  (-(lual  to  middle  tot  with 
claw. 


310  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY    TO   ADULT    MALE    CARPODACliS. 

1.  Tail  emarginate. 

2.  Top  of  head  strikingly  brighter  than  rump. 

;>.  Under  tail  coverts  conspicuously  streaked  .     .     .     cassini,  p.  311. 
o'.  Under   tail   coverts  not  conspicuously  streaked.     Eastern  United 

States purpureus,  p.  ;J10. 

2'.  Top  of  head  about  color  of  rnmp  ....  californicus,  p.  olO. 
1'.  Tail  even. 

2.  Wings  longer,  feet  smaller frontalis,  p.  812. 

2'.  Wings  shorter,  feet  larger dementis,  p.  31o. 

Subgenus  Carpodacus. 

517.  Carpodacus  purpureas  (C;/«6'/.).    Purple  Finch. 

Like  C.  J),  californicus,  but  wing  longer,  tail  shorter  ;  adult  male  lighter, 
rump  paler,  upper  parts  less  uniform  ;  adult  female  lighter,  less  uniform, 
and  less  greenish. 

Distribution. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  Hudson  Bay  to 
Pennsylvania ;  in  winter  south  to  Gulf  coast ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Mr.  Anthony  shot  a  female  purple  finch  at  Denver,  Nov.  15,  1885. 

517a.  Carpodacus  purpureus  californicus  Bo «Vf/.  Califor- 
nia Purple  Finch. 
Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dark  dull  madder  pink,  wine  purple  on  head 
and  paler,  more  pinkish  on  rump  ;  back  streaked  ;  under  parts 
lighter  rose  pink  and  fading  to   unstreaked  white  on  middle  of 
belly  and  under  tail  coverts ;  sides  and  flanks  usually  strongly 
washed  with  brownish  and  broadly  streaked  with  darker  ;   tail 
Fig  395       much    shorter  than  wing,  deeply  emarginate.      Adult  female : 
upper  parts  olivaceous,   heavily    streaked  with  brown ;  under 
parts  whitish,  narrowly  streaked  ;  side  of  head  with  white  stripe  crossing 
brown   of  ear  coverts  and  side  of  throat.    Young :  similar  to  female,  but 
colors  duller  and   markings  less  distinct,  edgings   of  wing  feathers  more 
buffy  or  tawny.     Male  :  length  (skins).  5.20-6.10,  wing  3.03-3.20,  tail  2.28- 
2.43,  bill   .42-.49.     Female:  length  (skins)  5.09-5.84,  wing  2.95-3.10,  tail 
2.10-2.33,  bill  .41-.49. 

Remarks.  —  The  male  California  finch  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
house  finch  by  its  under  parts,  which  are  sti-eaked  only  on  the  sides.  It 
differs  from  the  Cassin  finch  in  having  crown  and  rump  about  the  same 
color,  and  the  back  not  strikingly  streaked.  The  female  California  differs 
from  the  female  house  finch  in  being  strongly  olivaceous  above,  and  having 
a  white  stripe  on  the  side  of  the  head  through  the  brown  area,  and  its 
tail  much  shorter  than  wing,  and  deeply  emarginate.  The  female  Cassin 
is  more  sharply  streaked  on  the  back  with  darker  brown  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran 
zones  of  the  Pacific  coast  region,  from  British  Columbia  south ;  migrates 
to  southern  California  and  Arizona. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  thin,  flat  structure,  composed  largely  of  fine  rootlets  and 
grasses,  placed  on  horizontal  branches  of  trees.  Eggs  :  2  to  4,  greenish  blue, 
or  bluish  green,  finely  speckled  on  larger  end  with  black  and  dark  brown. 

The  California  purple  finch  is  a  bird  of  higher  breeding  range  and 
less  domestic  nature  than  its  relative  the  house  finch.  In  central 
California,  Mr.  Belding  says,  it  is  common  from  3000  to  5000  feet  in 
summer,  though  of  course  it  comes  lower  in  winter.    In  Los  Angeles 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


311 


Fig.  396.     Purple  Finch. 

('(jiuity  .Ml".  ({iMiiiicll  liiids  it  a  coinTiion  winter  visitant  (if  the  mesas  and 
lowlands,  haunting'  tliick'ts  and  brushy  ])laces  in  small  comjianies. 

518.  Carpodacus  cassini  liain/.    Cassin  Pukplk  Finch. 

Adult  iiKt/i .  —  Top  of  \\^y,^(\  with  sf/iKirlsfi  fnitrh  of  hri«;ht  crimson  :  ninij) 
(lull  ro.si!  pink  ;  huck  and  sc;ipnlars  dnll  piiikisli  l)rown.  sliari)ly  strcakfd 
with  dark  hrown  ;  nn(h'r  parts  ))ah'  ]>ink  f;idiiii;  to  inisfndh-i/  wliitf  on 
i)tdly  ;  luirer  (ad  cortrts  usitdl/if  lonspiiuinis/i/  strt^itked  iritli  diiskt/ :  win>;' 
f«'at hers  edj^ed  with  rechlish  ;  t;dl  nnich  shorter  than  win*:,  deeply  eniar- 
^inate.  Adult  ffiintlp  :  wliole  hody  sliarply  streaked  with  dnsky  :  ^-ronnd 
color  of  upper  parts  olive  yray  ;  of  innh'r  parts  wliite.  Youiii/ :  sinnlar  to 
female,  lint  streaks  of  lower  parts  narrower  and  win<i  edjjinys  more  ochra- 
<-eons.  Mai,  :  U'w^iU  (.skins)  .')..;•. I-C.L". I.  winf,^  ;;..")L'-;5.S0.  fail  l'.:'.  1-2.7 1 .  hill 
1T-..")1.      Frinal,  :   leni-th  (skins)  .")..")*>-( i.O.'.,  winir  :'..4l'-.;.C.(>.  liill  .-»'.»-..'»<). 


312  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

fiP7narks.  —  The  male  Cassia  finch  may  be  distmg-uished  by  its  large  size, 
bright  squarish  crown  patch,  dull  rump, 
nnstreaked  under  parts,  and  distinct 
streaks  on  under  tail  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian 
/one  from  British  Columbia  to  Mexico ; 
trom  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  to  the  Pacific ;  and  migrates 
through  Mexico  to  Mt.  Orizaba. 

Nest.  —  Near  tops  of  young-  firs  and 

pines  on  a  horizontal  branch  ;  rather  thin 

and   flat,   composed    largely  of   rootlets 

and  grasses,     l^ygs  :  2  to  4,  finely  spec- 

^^^  kled,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end,  with 

Fig.  3'J7.     Cassia  Purple  Finch.         "black  and  dark  brown. 

The  Cassin  tinch  is  the  purple  finch  of  the  mountains,  breeding 
from  the  lower  edge  of  the  firs  to  timberline.  Its  square  crimson 
crown  patch  is  a  stril^ing  sign  mark  in  the  shade  of  the  woods,  and 
its  sweet  song  gains  richness  from  its  forest  setting.  Even  in  winter 
the  birds  stay  as  high  as  the\^  can.  In  southern  California,  Mr. 
Grinnell  says  they  rarely  come  as  low  as  the  foothills,  but  go  about 
in  small  flocks,  feeding  in  the  brush  as  long  as  it  is  not  entirely 
covered  with  snow. 

Subgenus  Burrica. 

519.  Carpodacus  niexicanus  frontalis  (Sa^).    House  Finch. 
Adult  male.  —  Forehead,  superciliary,  and  rump  rose  pink,  orang-e  red, 
or  scarlet ;    rest  of  upper  parts  brownish  g"ray, 
sometimes  washed  with  reddish ;   back  not  dis- 
tinctly streaked  ;  throat  and  breast  reddish  ;  belly 
Fio-  398     M  lie  whitish,  sharply  and  closely  streaked  icith  brown ; 

tail  not  decidedly  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even  ; 
wing-  feathers  edg-ed  with  pale  grayish  instead  of  reddish.     Adult  female  : 
.^  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked ; 

r /'s^^^..  -    ""der  parts  white,  broadly  streaked.      Young: 
^  -     -.j^.^xas^^^^^^^^^^"^   similar   to    female,    but   back    more    distinctly 
Fi '  "'M     F     ■  1  streaked,  under  parts  more  narrowly  and  less 

distinctlv  streaked ;  wing  coverts  tipped  with 
buffv.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.80-6.10,  wing  2.99-3.33,  tail  2.14-2.60,  bill 
.38-!50,  Female :  length  (.skins)  .5.00-5.63.  wing  2.77-3.05,  tail  2.00-2.40, 
bill  .39-.43. 

Bemarks.  — The  sluirp  uniform  sti'eaking-  of  under  parts  disting-uish  the 
house  finch  from  the  California  and  Cassin.  Individuals  sug-gest  dichro- 
matism  in  varying-  amount  of  yellow  in  plumage.     (See  Condor.  Jan.  1901, 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  western 
parts  of  Kansas  and  Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Oregon  to  northern 
Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Compactly  woven,  largely  of  dried  g-rass  stems  and  plant  fibers, 
placed  in  trees,  cactus,  or  sagebrush,  but  preferably  about  houses.  Eggs  : 
3  to  6,  bluish  white  or  pale  greenish  blue  sparsely  speckled,  chiefly  around 
larg'er  end,  with  black. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  313 

The  house  finch  in  the  west  is  even  more  familiar  tlian  the  robin 
in  the  east,  nesting  preferably  in  vines  and  odd  nooks  about  houses, 
though  it  adopts  any  site  that  offers,  from  a  stew-pan  hung  on  a  nail 
to  a  cactus.  Its  one  requirement  is  water,  and  this  is  so  absolute 
that  in  the  arid  country  the  sight  of  one  of  these  birds  encourages 
the  explorer  to  go  on  looking,  for  there  is  surely  one  water  hole  that 
has  not  dried  up,  be  it  ever  so  small,  and  he  has  only  to  follow  the 
birds  to  find  it. 

The  pretty  finch  is  a  charming,  companionable  little  fellow,  sing- 
ing cheerily  from  morning  till  night  a  happy,  bright  song  that  goes 
well  with  the  warmth  and  sunshine  of  the  low  country  it  lives  in. 
The  flight  song  of  the  male  is  quite  characteristic,  for  he  is  so  full  of 
music  that  he  never  can  contain  himself,  on  the  wing  or  off.  He 
fairly  bubbles  over  with  it  when  he  goes  a-courting  and  dances  be- 
fore his  demure  little  brown  lady-love. 

The  only  objection  to  the  familiarity  of  these  pretty  finches  is 
their  unfortunate  though  flattering  appreciation  of  western  fruit, 
but  happily  this  is  of  small  moment  in  many  of  the  cities  within 
their  range.  In  El  Paso,  Texas,  the  sweet  song  of  the  finch  comes 
in  through  the  open  windows  with  most  grateful  cheer,  suggesting 
forcibly  the  relief  it  would  be  if  the  English  sparrow  with  his  un- 
musical jabbering  could  be  exchanged  for  our  lovely  native  "song- 
ster. In  some  of  the  country  districts  the  fact  that  it  has  ])een  seen 
eating  Russian  thistle  seeds  shcndd  weigh  in  its  favoi;. 

519c.  C.  m.  dementis  i^fearns).     Island  House  Finch. 

Like  C.  in.  frontalis,  but  with  shorter  win»;-.s,  larger  legs  and  feet,  larger, 
more  convex  bill,  lieavicr  coloration,  and  broader  striping  on  under  parts. 
Male:  length  (skins)  r).2()-.">.S;;,  %ving  2.',)-J-;;.lT,  tail  2.11-2.42,  bill  .;}i)-.:)0. 
Female:  length  (skins)  :).;^>2-.").()7,  wing-  2.1»2-;5.0l),  tail  2.10-2.o0,  bill  .41-.4(). 

Diatrihntiim.  — '!^i\\\Ui  Barbara  Islands.  California;  and  Todos  Santos 
Island.  Lower  California. 

GENUS   LOXIA. 

(General  C/i(irarters.  —  Tips  of  bill  crossed  in  adults,  nasal  ])luniules  con- 
spicuous, concealing  nostrils  ;  wing  more  than  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus  ; 
tail  short,  deeply  enuirginate  ;  tarsus  short. 

KKV    TO    Sl'KCIKS. 


Fii,'.  41  Ml 


.  nm. 


1.   ^ying  with  tw(»  wiiite  bands leilCOptera.  j 

1  .  Wing  without  wliite  bands. 

2.    r.ill  he.ivier.  wing  nearly  4 stricklandi.  ]>.  ;;i4 

2'.  Hill  lighter,  wing  about  ;i. 40     ....  ...       minor,  i).  ;I14 


314  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

521.  Loxia  curvirostra  minor  (Brehm).    Crossbill. ^ 

Adult  male.  —  Dull  red.  generally  brighter  on  rump  ;  gray  showing 
through  on  under  parts  ;  feathers  of  back  indistinctly  streaked  ;  wings 
and  tail  plain  dusky.  Adult  females  :  olivaceous,  often  shading-  to  brig-ht 
yellow.  Young  :  streaked,  on  olive  g-ray  ground.  Young  male  :  mixed  with 
yellow  and  red  before  reaching-  adult  stage.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.04- 
0.64.  wing  3.18-3.66,  tail  1.72-2.16.  bill  .57-73.  Female:  length  (skins) 
4.92-6.()(),  wing  3.10-3.57,  tail  1.50-2.12.  bill  .54-.70. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  but  chiefly  northward  and  east 
of  the  Plains ;  irregularly  abundant  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  rather  flat,  composed  externally  of  spruce 
twigs  and  shreds  of  soft  bark,  lined  with  horsehair  and  fine  rootlets. 
Eggs :  usually  4,  pale  greenish,  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown 
mixed  with  purplish  gray. 

Food.  —  Chiefly  seeds  of  conifers. 

Crossbills,  like  other  little  pensioners  of  the  trees,  go  and  come 
whenever  the  branches  spread  hospitable  feasts.  If  the  trees  yield 
no  nuts,  do  not  look  for  the  jays  or  acorn-eating  woodpeckers  ;  if  it 
is  not  a  cone  year  do  not  expect  the  crossbills.  But  when  the  time 
is  ripe,  some  red  letter  daj^  from  high  up  in  the  treetops  you  may 
catch  the  kimp,  Mmp,  kimjy,  of  a  busy  flock,  and  on  some  still  luckier 
day,  like  a  whirl  of  snowflakes  down  will  come  a  parti-colored  band 
with  their  queer  crossed  bills  and  coats  of  red  or  greenish  yellow. 
Then,  if  seeds  and  cones  favor,  perchance  the  flock  wall  take  up  its 
abode  in  the  neighborhood  and  act  as  if  it  had  always  been  there,  till 
suddenly  some  day  it  has  disappeared  and  is  seen  no  more. 

At  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill  has  seen  crossbills  in  every 
month  of  the  year,  though  their  occurrence  was  irregular.  At  times 
they  were  as  common  and  fearless  as  English  sparrows,  and  on  warm 
bright  days  in  Februarj-  and  March  he  says  '  their  pleasing  song  was 
heard  in  every  direction.' 

When  Dr.  Mearns  was  in  Arizona  he  chanced  on  a  good  year  and 
found  them  among  the  commonest  birds,  drinking  and  bathing  at 
the  springs  and  water  places  at  all  times  of  day. 

521a.  Loxia  curvirostra  stricklandi  Ridgw.  Mexican  Cross- 
bill. 

Similar  to  minor,  but  larger,  colors  averaging  brighter,  and  lower  mandi- 
ble averaging  heavier.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.94-6.34.  wing  3.67-4.05,  tail 
2.08-2.32,  bill  .74-. 86.  Female  :  length  (.skins)  5.71-6.30,  wing  3.42-3.88, 
tail  1.88-2.14,  bill  .70-.81. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  from  Colorado  west  to  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and 
from  Wyoming  to  Guatemala. 

1  Loxia  curvirostra  bendirei  Ridgw. 

Like  L.  c.  minor,  but  decidedly  larger,  adult  male  averaging  lighter  or  brighter  in  color, 
adult  female  slightly  ligliter  and  grayer. 

Distribution.  —  More  northern  and  central  mountain  districts  of  western  United  States 
from  Colorado  to  tlie  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada  ;  during  migration  east  to  eastern  Ne- 
braska and  Kansas,  west  to  the  coast  district  of  California  ;  casually  to  Guadalupe  Island, 
Lower  California,  and  south  to  New  Mexico.     {X.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  IG,  123.) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  315 

522.  Loxia  leucoptera  Gmel.     Whitk-winced  Crossbill. 

Adult  male.  —  Dull  rose  red.  occasioually  tinged  with  yellow  or  orange; 
dark  bases  of  feathers  showing'  throng-h  and  back  clouded  with  black  ; 
wing-s  and  tail  black,  wings  with  two  white 
bumis,  confluent  at  upper  portion.  Adult  fe- 
male :  olive  green  or  gray  above,  indistinctly 

streaked  with  dusky  ;  rump  yellowish  ;  wings  p.^    -.j, 

as   in   male,  but   not  so  black  ;    under  parts  '^" 

lighter,  more  ting-ed  with  yellowish.     Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  colors 

duller  and  streaking-  pronounced.     Male :  leng^th  (skins)  5.89-6.54.  wing- 

3.33-8.60,  tail  l'.(J0-2.34,  bill  .62-.69.     Female :  length  (skins)  5.20-6.2l>, 

wingf  3.26-3.55.  tail  1.02-2.32.  bill  .59-66. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  forests  of  northern  North  America  ; 
winters  in  the  United  States  to  about  39". 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Adams,  deeply  saucer-shaped,  made  of  spruce 
twigs  and  lichens,  lined  with  hairs  and  inner  bark.  Eggs  •  pale  blue, 
spotted  around  larger  end  with  black  and  lilac. 

Food.  —  Spruce  seeds,  buds,  and  berries. 

In  general  habits  the  white-winged  closely  resembles  the  other 
species  of  Loxia. 

GENUS   LEUCOSTICTE. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  short-conical ;  nasal 
plumules  covering-  nostrils  ;  wing-  long-,  pointed  ;  tail  about  two  thirds  as 
long-  as  wing-,  emarg-inate  ;  tarsus  short ;  hind  claw  eciual  to  or  longer  than 
its  toe,  strongly  curved. 

KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Body  black atrata,  p.  317. 

1  .  Bodv  brown. 

2.  Body  light  brown australis.  p.  317. 

2'.  Body  dark  brown. 

3.  Gray  of  crown  spreading-  down  over  sides  of  head. 

littoralis,  p.  316. 
3'.  Grav  of  crown  not  spreading  down  over  sides  of  head. 

tephrocotis.  p.  315. 

524.  Leucosticte  tephrocotis   Swains.    Ghay-ckowned  Leu- 

COSTICTE. 

Adult  male  in  .■^utn7npr.  —  Bill  black  ;  crown  bhu'k.  bordered  behind  and 
on  sides  with  gray,  the  gray  not  spreading- 
down  over  sides  of  head  ;  general  body  color 
deep  chestnut  brown,  lig-hter.  and  with  black- 
ish mesial  streaks  on  back,  belly,  and  rump  : 
upper  tail  coverts,  wings,  and  tail  more  or 
less  ting-ed  with  ])ink.  Adult  niah  in  win- 
ter: bill  yellow.  tii)i)<(l  with  Idackish  :  brown 
feathers  edged  with  whitish  ;  black  of  cr()wn 
restricted.  Adult  female  :  like  male,  with 
the  same  seasonal  changes,  but  averaging- 
paler  and  duller.  Young:  plain  brownish, 
without  black  or  {jray  on  head,  or  rosy  t.-iil 
coverts.  Male:  length  (.skins)  5.7()-('>.Sl . 
winti-  4.(»0-4.4().  t.-iil   2.42-2.Sn,   bill  .42-.4S.  Fi^.  40-J. 


316  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Female :  length  (skins)  5,60-6.50,  wing-  o.SO-4.19,  tail  2.39-2.78,  bill  .43- 
.56. 

Distribution. —  Interior  of  British  America;  wintering-  in  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  of  the  United  States,  most  abundantly  on  the  eastern 
slope,  and  extending  to  western  Nebraska.  Recorded  as  breeding  in  the 
Sierra  Nevada  and  the  White  Mountains  in  California. 

Food.  —  Ants,  small  beetles,  and  other  insects,  pine  seeds  and  plant 
seeds. 

The  leucostictes  are  birds  of  the  mountain  snow-banks  and  glaciers. 
They  feed  on  seeds  and  insects  blown  to  the  heights  and  left  to  be 
picked  1113  about  the  border  of  the  melting  snow.  They  are  often 
found  at  an  altitude  of  froju  11,000  to  12,000  feet,  and  under  the 
crest  of  Mt.  Whitney,  at  about  15,000  feet,  Mr.  Frank  Daggett 
found  a  pair  picking  up  insects  from  a  snow-drift.  When  a  hail- 
storm passed  over  the  peak  the  birds  took  refuge  under  granite 
slabs,  but  as  soon  as  it  was  over  they  were  back  on  the  snow. 

At  Fort  Keough,  Montana,  Capt.  Thorne  reports  that  the  leuco 
stictes  come  in  November  and  stay  in  varying  numbers  till  the  last 
of  March,  picking  up  grain  in  the  corrals  and  often  taking  shelter  in 
old  cliff  swallow  nests.  When  it  is  cold  and  stormy,  he  says,  they 
gather  in  the  post  by  thousands,  but  when  a  warm  day  (?omes  they 
scatter  out  again. 

Along  the  crests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky  Mountains  and 
the  higher  peaks  of  the  Cascade  range,  the  first  September  snow- 
storms bring  flocks  of  the  rosy  finches,  scurrying  with  the  driving 
snow,  or,  on  clear  days,  basking  in  the  sunshine  about  the  old  snow-- 
banks and  ice-fields. 

While  I  was  running  a  line  of  traps  along  the  slope  above  Mono 
Pass  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  one  morning  early  in  September,  with  mj-- 
eyes  half  shut  to  keep  out  a  fine  driving  snow,  a  little  flock  of  nine 
rosy  finches  dropped  down  near  me  and  began  getting  their  breakfast 
from  a  last  year's  snow-bank,  hopping  about  and  picking  rapidly 
here  and  there  over  the  rough  surface,  fluffing  their  feathers  and 
facing  the  cutting  wind  to  keep  from  being  blown  away,  all  the 
time  talking  in  cheery  little  notes  among  themselves.  Now  and 
then  one  would  snuggle  up  in  the  lee  of  a  chunk  of  ice  or  a  stone, 
fluff  his  feathers,  and  hold  up  his  feet  to  warm  his  toes  just  as  the 
snowbirds  do  in  winter,  then  hop  out  again  and  pick  up  more  chilled 
bugs  from  the  surface  of  the  snow,  looking  up  at  me  with  a  frank 
trustfulness  that  had  surely  never  been  betraj^ed. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

524a.  L.  t.  littoralis  (Baird).     Hepburn  Leucosticte. 

Similar  to  the  gray-crowned,  but  gray  of  crown  spreading  down  over 
sides  of  head,  sometimes  covering-  all  but  black  frontal  patch.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  6.04-6.80,  wing  4.00-4.32,  tail  2.36-2.75,  bill  .43-.49.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.08-0.47.  wing-  3.94-4.10,  bill  .45-.49. 


fi:nches,  sparrows,  etc.  317 

Distribution.  —  In  summer,  mountains  of  southeastern  Alaska  and  prob- 
ably the  interior  mountain  regions  of  British  Columbia,  south  at  least  to 
snow-capped  mountains  of  Washington ;  in  winter,  northwest  coast  from 
Kadiak  southward ;  extending-  east  to  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

"  A  pair  of  this  rare  species  was  found  feeding  full  urown  young 
on  the  moraines  just  below  the  glacier  of  Wright's  Peak  (Okanogan 
Count}',  Washington),  at  an  altitude  of  8000  feet.  North  and  west 
of  this  station  there  is  an  immense  area  of  glacier-flanked  peaks, 
where  the  birds  are  sure  to  find  a  congenial  summer  home.''  (Daw- 
son. ) 

In  Paradise  Park,  on  Mt.  Rainier,  Dr.  Fisher  found  the  Hepburn 
leucosticte  common  in  the  moraines  and  along  the  edges  of  bare 
ground,  feeding  on  grasshoppers  and  other  insects  benumbed  by  the 
snow. 

525.  Leucosticte  atrata  Ridgw.     Black  Leucosticte. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Crown  black,  set  in  gray,  which  does  not  ex- 
tend over  sides  of  head ;  boJt/  blackish  or  deep  clove  brown ;  feathers  of 
belly  and  sides  tipped  with  peach-blossom  pink ;  feathers  of  hind  neck, 
back,  and  scapulars  with  more  or  less  distinct  brownish  or  buffy  edgings ; 
rump  and  patch  on  wings  peach-blossom  pink.  Adult  male  in  winter  : 
similar,  but  bill  yellowish,  tipped  with  dusky,  the  brownish  edgings  to 
scapulars  and  iuterscapulars  broader,  feathers  of  under  parts  more  or 
less  edged  with  grayish,  and  pink  markings  of  a  softer,  more  rosy  hue. 
Immature  male  :  like  adult  male,  but  pink  markings  paler,  mainly  re- 
placed on  wings  by  buffy  white.  Adult  female  :  much  duller  than  the 
male,  under  parts  grayish  brown,  upper  parts  brownish,  and  pink  ]>aler 
and  restricted  or  replaced  by  whitish.  Immature  female :  like  adult  fe- 
male, but  duller  and  browner,  feathers  conspieuouslv  edged  with  brownish 
and  buifv.  Male  :  leugth  (skins)  r>.90-().2(>.  wing  4l>l-4.-27.  tail  •2.()-2--J.T-"). 
bill  .41-.'4S.  Ff>male:  length  (skins)  .1.(50-0.18.  wing  ;].80-4.10.  tail  2.:18- 
2.58,  bill  .4.V.4T. 

Remark's.  —  The  head  has  the  same  color  pattern  as  in  iephrocotis.  but 
the  body  is  blackish  or  very  dark  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Salmon  River  Mountains,  Idaho,  and 
probably  northern  ranges  :    winters  in  mountains  of  Colorado  and  I  tab. 

526.  Leucosticte   australis    Iii<l(nr.     BnowN-cArpEP   Leico- 

STICTK. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Bill  black,  crown  blackish  anteriorly,  shadiug 
toward  brown  of  back  ;  bodi/  liijlit  brou-n.  becoming  junk  on  belly,  rump, 
and  wing  coverts,  and  sometimes  tinged  with  red  on  throat  and  breast. 
Adult  nude  i)i  winter  :  similar,  but  bill  yellowish.  tipjM'd  with  dusky  ;  crown 
brownish  gray  on  back  and  sides,  and  featlu'is  with  grayisli  edgings  that 
give  scaleci  effect  to  he.ad.  Immature  mtdt  :  similar  to  adult,  but  greater 
wing  coverts  with  buffy  edgings  in  winter,  dull  whitish  in  summer 
Adult  female :  similar  to  male,  with  .same  seasonal  cli.mges.  but  much 
duller,  and  jiink  markings  indistinct.  Young  :  grayi.sh  buffy  brown,  paler 
on  posterior  under  parts  ;  patches  on  wings  and  tail  coverts  buffv.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  .l.Tl-tUS.  wing  ;;.l>il-4.4().  tail  2..;'.t-2.SC..  bill  .4(t"-.:.tl.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  *).();;-(;.  !.■..  wing  :;.'.»( )-4. 2.".,  tail  2.40-2.70,  bill  .4:)-47. 


318  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alpine  zone  on  the  mountains  of  Colorado, 
descending  into  the  lower  zones  of  the  valleys,  and  south  to  New  Mexico 
in  winter. 

In  his  Birds  of  Colorado  Mr.  Cooke  says  that  the  brown-capped 
leucosticte  is  never  seen  below  timberline  in  summer,  and  nests  from 
12,000  feet  to  the  tops  of  the  highest  peaks.  In  August,  he  says, 
"old  and  young  swarm  over  the  summits  of  the  peaks,  picking  in- 
sects off  the  snow.  By  the  last  of  October  or  early  in  November 
they  descend  to  timberline  and  remain  there  through  the  winter, 
except  as  they  are  driven  a  little  lower  by  the  severest  storms. 
At  the  same  time  a  few  come  into  the  lower  valleys  almost  to  the 
base  of  the  foothills." 

They  have  been  reported  from  Silverton,  where  they  came  in 
large  flocks  and  were  killed  for  food. 

GENUS  ACANTHIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical,  strongly  compressed  toward  end, 
and  usually  acute  at  tip  ;  nasal  plumules  nearly  covering-  basal  lialf  of 
bill  except  in  summer  plumage  ;  wing-  long,  pointed ;  tail  long,  deeply 
forked  ;  tarsus  very  short,  side  toes  much  shorter  than  the  middle. 

KEY    TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  brownish,  rump  streaked linaria,  p.  3l9o 

1  .  Upper  parts  whitish,  rump  not  streaked     ....    exilipes,  p.  318. 

527a.  Acanthis  hornemannii  exilipes  (Coues).   Hoary  Red- 
poll. 

Adult  male  in  spring.  —  Bill  dusky  ;   patch  on  top  of  head  crimson  ;  cliin 

,  — _  black;  under  parts  almost  pure  white,  except  for 

^-  ^'*'^'»™-     pinkish   chest   and   fine  streaking  on  sides ;   upper 

■  %—     '?m,     parts  grayish   white  streaked   with  dusky;    rump 

,    ,  white,  tinged  with   pink.     Adidt    male    in  winter : 

^'     ""■  similar,  but  bill  yellowish,  with  dusky  tip  ;  upper 

parts  tinged  with  buffy,  dusky  streaks  narrower.  Adult  female  in  spring  : 
like  male  in  spring  but  without  pink  on  rump  or  chest.  Adult  female  in 
winter :  similar,  but  upper  parts  more  strongly  tinged  with  buff,  dusky 
streaks  narrower,  and  bill  yellowish,  with  dusky  tip.  Male :  length  (skins) 
4.H0-5.40,  wing  2.8.5-3.07,'  tail  2.13-2.50,  bill"  .27-.34.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.59-5.16.  wing  2.74-2.04.  tail  2.10-2.20,  bill  .27-.34. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northeastern  Asia  and  arctic  America ;  south 
in  winter,  occasionally  to  the  northern  United  States.  Recorded  from 
Massachusetts,  Illinois.  Maine,  and  Michigan. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  bulky  structure,  composed  largely  of  small  twigs  and 
straws  mixed  Avith  feathers  and  lined  with  feathers ;  placed  in  bushes  or 
small  tx-ees.  Eggs :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  green,  speckled,  chiefly  around 
larger  end  with  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks 
or  lines. 

The  hoary  redpoll,  Mr.  Nelson  says,  is  the  most  abundant  of  the 
redpolls  in  northern  Alaska,  where  it  occurs  in  great  numbers.     Its 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  319 

habits  are  identical  with  those  of  the  common  redpoll.  Both  forms 
are  resident,  making  only  a  partial  migration  into  the  interior  in  the 
severest  weather. 

528.  Acanthis  linaria  (Limi.).    Redpoll. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  pi Hinacie. —  Chin  patch  and  feathers  around  bill 
blackish  ;  crown  crimson  ;  throat,  sides,  and  rump  more  or  less 
washed  with  pink  or  crimson ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  sides 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  upper  parts  streaked,  dark  brown  and 
huffy,  lighter  but  streaked  on  rump,  rump  washed  with  pink  : 
bill  horn  color,  dusky  at  tip.  Adult  male  in  winter  plumage  :  „.  ^^ 
much  lighter,  wing'  bands  more  or  less  buffj',  pink  paler ;  bill 
light  yellow,  black  at  tip.  Adult  female :  similar  to  the  male,  but  pink  of 
under  parts  replaced  by  huffy  or  whitish ;  seasonal  difference  same  as  in 
male.  Young:  like  adults,  but  without  pink  or  red,  crown  streaked  and 
sides  and  wing-  bands  more  or  less  huffy.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4..']  l-5,o2, 
wing-  2.78-8.01,  tail  l.i)  1-2.20,  bill  .^l-l^S.  Female:  \ength  (skins)  4.29- 
.■).4;3.  wing-  2.T(;-3.00,  tail  l.!)!)-2.:]U,  bill  .:50-.:}9. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere  ; 
south  irreg'ularly  in  winter,  in  North  America  as  far  as  California,  Mis- 
souri, and  Alabama. 

Neat.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  bulky,  made  of  twigs,  straws,  and 
feathers.  Eggs  :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  g-reen.  speckled,  chiefly  around  larger 
end,  with  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks  or 
lines. 

Food.  —  Buds  and  weed  seed. 

The  redpolls  are  common  in  Colorado,  from  November  to  ]March, 
from  the  plains  to  10,000  feet.  Prof.  Cooke  says  they  remain  high  in 
the  mountains,  even  when  the  temperature  is  thirty  degrees  below 
zero,  which  does  not  seem  strange,  as  most  of  them  winter  in  Alaska. 
In  spring,  ]Mr.  Nelson  tells  us,  "they  are  beautiful  objects,  with 
their  bright  rosy  hues  and  fluffy  plumage.  On  warm  sunshiny  days 
during  April  they  come  familiarly,  up  to  the  very  windows  and 
doors,  and  peer  about  with  an  odd  mixture  of  confidence  and  curios- 
ity, examining  everything  and  scarcely  deigning  to  move  aside  as 
the  people  pass  back  and  forth."  After  the  nesting  season,  he  SJiys, 
"they  come  trooping  about,  young  and  old.  in  large  parties,  with 
great  confidence  and  a  peculiar  jiertiu'ss,  taking  possession  of  the 
premi.ses  and  using  the  roofs  and  fences  for  convenient  perches, 
making  cx('ursions  thence  to  whatever  point  appears  likely  to  yield 
food,  or  chasing  each  other  playfully  about."  Through  July  and 
August  they  an*  extreme!}'  abundant  in  Ala.ska,  but  by  the  end  of 
September  the  majority  have  left  the  coast,  most  of  them  going  into 
the  interior,  where  they  brave  the  severest  weather. 

GENUS    ASTRAGAIilNUS. 

(itneral  Cfiaractrrs.  —  Hill  couical.  acute  :  wln^;'  long  .lud  pnintfd  ;  tail 
omarginate  ;  tarsus  as  shoil  oi'  sliortt-i'  tli.iu  iiiiddi  •  loc  with  claw. 


320  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY   TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Throat  with  black  patch la'wrencei.  p.  323. 

r.  Throat  without  black  jjateh. 
2.  Back  yellow. 

3.  Body  pale  yellow.     Rocky  Mountain  plateau    .    pallidus.  p.  321. 
3'.  Body  bright  j-ellow. 

4.  In  winter,  browner,  with  broader  wing  markings.     Pacific  coast. 

salicamans,  p.  321. 
4.  In  winter  less   brown,  with   narrower   wing  markings.     East  of 
Rocky  Mountains  to  Atlantic  coast    ....     tristis.  p.  320. 
2'.  Back  olive  green  or  black. 

3.  Back  without  black.     Rocky  Mountains  to  California. 

psaltria,  p.  322. 
3'.  Back  wholly  or  partly  black. 

4.  Back  and  ear  coverts  solid  black.     Mexico  and  Central  Texas. 

mexicanus,  p.  322. 

4'.  Back  or  ear  coverts  mixed  with  olive  green.     Colorado  and  New 

Mexico  to  Pacific arizonee,  p.  322. 

629.  Astragalinus  tristis  (Linn.).     Goldfinch. 

Afhdt  male  in  summer.  —  Whole  body  canary  yellow,  in  sharp  contrast  to 
black  crown,  wings,  and  tail ;  wings  with  white  bars  and  tail  feathers  with 
white  patches.  Adult  female  in  summer:  upper  parts  olive  brown,  some- 
times tinged  with  green  or  gray ;  wings  and  tail  dull  blackish  brown  ; 
white  markings  duller ;  under  parts  grayish  white,  more  or  less  tinged 
Avith  yellow.  Adult  male  in  winter :  similar  to  female  in  summer,  but 
wings  and  tail  deep  black,  broadly  and  clearly  marked  with  white.  Adult 
female  in  winter:  similar  to  sunmier  plumage,  but  more  tinged  with 
brownish,  white  markings  broader  and  more  tinged  with  huffy.  Young: 
similar  to  winter  adults,  but  browner,  wing  markings  and  general  suffusion 
cinnamon  ;  shoulder  patch  mixed  Avitli  black  instead  of  unicolored  as  in  the 
male.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.26-4.79.  wing  2.78-2.96,  tail  1.71-2.02,  bill 
.3S-.41.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.27-4.76,  wing  2.59-2.79,  tail  1.56-1.84, 
bm  .37-.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoi'an  zones  from  the 
southern  British  Provinces  south  to  Kentucky  and  Kansas,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  neat  cup-shaped  structure  of  compactly  woven  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  down  and  other  soft  matei'ials ;  placed  in  tall  bushes  or  low- 
trees.     Eggs :  3  to  5.  plain  pale  bluish  or  bluish  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

The  goldfinches,  or  wild  canaries,  as  they  are  popularly  called  in 
their  many  forms,  if  not  as  cultivated  songsters  as  their  caged  rela- 
tives, have  much  sweeter  call-notes  and  a  happy  round  of  their  own. 
Their  indolent  lisping  notes  have  a  tinge  of  sadness,  but  as  they 
raise  their  heads  from  a  thistle  or  sunflower  to  give  them,  and  then 
flit  lightly  ofi"  and  go  sauntering  in  undulating  flight  through  the 
air  the  gentle-spirited  birds  seem  as  light-hearted  as  butterflies. 

In  their  home  life  they  are  among  the  most  charming  of  birds, 
being  tender,  devoted  mates  and  watchful  parents. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


321 


Fig.  40r..     Goldfinch. 

529a.  A.  t.  pallidus  iMeanis).     Pale  Goldfinch. 

Adult  mile  in  summer. —  Sim\\nv  to  tristls.  hut  larg-er  and  paler,  white 
iiiaikiii(;s  of  wiiig'.s  and  tail  more  extended.  Adult  male  in  irinter :  ninch 
lighter  than  iristis,  Avith  tints  i)nrer  and  white  niort'  extended.  Male: 
lenffth  (.skins)  4. -K )-;").();».  uiny  I'.Sl-.l.dS.  tail  1 .72-1-'. 05,  hill  .:;S-.4.'?.  Fe~ 
male:   len-th  (skins)  4.4l'-.*).0().  uinj;-  L'.71-2.'.I2,  tail  1.7O-li.08,  bill  .:10-.44. 

litiiKtrks.  —  Tlie  print'ijjal  difference  between  pallidus  and  tristris  is  in 
winter  plumage. 

Distribution.  — Koeky  Moujitain  plateau  di.strict  from  British  Columbia 
and  Manitoba  south  to  northern  and  eastern  Mexieo. 


529b.  A.  t.  salicamans  (Grinn.).     Willow  Goldfinch. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Except   for  shorter   win|>:s  and   tail   scarcely 
distinguishable  from  tristis ;  black  cap,  if  anything',  not  so  extended  and 


322  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

yellow  not  so  intense ;  the  white  edgings  on  wings  worn  off  so  there  is 
scarcely  a  trace  of  white  left.  Adult  female  in  summer :  much  darker  than 
female  of  trlstis,  dull  greenish  yellow  on  throat  instead  of  bright  yellowish 
green.  Young:  dark  colored.  Adult  male  in  winter:  similar  to  tristis, 
but  browner  and  with  much  broader  iving  markings;  back  dark  olive 
brown ;  sides  and  flanks  shaded  witli  brown ;  throat  bright  yellow,  shad- 
ing to  dull  green  on  breast  and  to  pure  white  on  belly.  Adult  female  in 
winter  :  similar  to  male,  but  wings,  tail,  and  throat  duller ;  bill  dusky. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.08-4.82,  wing-  2.60-2.89,  tail  1.70-1.82,  bill  .39-.42. 
Female:  leng:th  (skins)  4.28-4.70,  wing  2.68-2.72,  tail  1.70-1.79,  bill 
.89-.42. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast,  from  Washington  south  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

530.  Astragalinus  psaltria  {Say).  Arkansas  Goldfinch. 
Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  canary  yellow  ;  crown,  wings,  and  tail  black  ; 
ear  coverts  and  back  plain  olive  ;  wing  quills 
with  a  white  patch  at  base  ;  tail  feathers 
with  inner  webs  of  all  but  middle  pair  white 
from  base  to  dark  tips.  Adult  female  :  upper 
^*S-  '^^^-  parts   plain    dull    olive    green  ;    under  parts 

light  greenish  yellow  ;  head  Avithout  black ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  male,  but 
black  duller  and  white  more  restricted,  sometimes  obsolete  on  tail.  Young : 
similar  to  female,  but  ting-ed  with  huffy,  and  wing-  coverts  tipped  with 
buff.  Male:  length  (skins)  3.83-4.19,  wing  2.45-2.55,  tail  1.52-1.61,  bill 
.35-.39.  Female :  length  (skins)  3.81-4.23,  wing-  2.39-2.49,  tail  1.48-1.64, 
bill  .35-.39. 

Bemarks.  —  The  subspecies  oi  psaltria  ai-e  easily  disting-uished  from  it  in 
the  field  by  the  amount  of  black  on  the  back. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition   and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  in  the 
western  United  States  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Colorado 
and  southern  Oregon  south  to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mountains,  Lower  Cali- 
fornia ;  in  winter  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 
Nest  and  eggs  like  those  of  tristis. 
Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

In  southern  California,  Mr.  Grinuell  says,  the  Arkansas  goldfinch 
is  not  only  abundant  about  gardens  and  orchards,  but  goes  up  to 
6000  feet  in  the  mountains.  In  Colorado,  Mr.  Cook  states,  it  breeds 
from  the  Plains  to  over  9000  feet.  .  It  is  a  late  migrant  there,  scarcely 
reaching  northern  Colorado  before  the  middle  of  June,  being  a  late 
breeder  like  the  other  goldfinches. 

530a.  A.  p.  arizonae  (Coues).     Arizona  Goldfinch. 

Adult  m(de.  —  Similar  to  pscdtria,  but  ear  coverts  and  back  darker, 
mixed  olive  and  black.  Adult  female  :  similar  to  iema]e  psalt7-ia.  Male: 
length  (skins)  3.79-4.21,  wing-  2.52-2.61,  tail  1.52-1.75,  bill  .35-.39.  Fe- 
male:   length  (skin)  3.82,  wing  2.41,  tail  1.50.  bill  .37. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona, and  from  Utah  and  Colorado  to  northwestern  Mexico ;  casual  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

530b.  A.  p.  mexicanus  {Swains.).    Mexican  Goldfinch. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  wholly  vivid  canary  yellow  ;  top  of  head. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  323 

ear  coverts,  and  back  solid  glossy  black,  wings  and  tail  heavily  marked 
with  clear  white.  Adult  female :  similar  to 
psaltria  and  arizonn.  Male :  length  (skins) 
O.85-4.30  wing,  2.44-2.70,  tail  1.50-1.75,  bill 
.;n-.42.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.01-4.  lU, 
wing  2.40-2.58,  tail  1.50- l.GH.  bill  .:}5-.40.  ^'^-  ^'^-    Mexican  Goldfinch. 

Distribution.  —  South  from  central  Texas  through  Mexico,  except  ex- 
treme northwestern  and  soutliern  parts  ;   accidental  in  (^olorado. 

531.  Astragalinus  lawrencei  (Cass.).     Lawrence  Goldfinch. 

Adult  male.  —  Face  and  t/iroat   as  well  as  crown   black;   niedian  under 
parts  yellow,  surrounded  by  gray  ;   rump  and 
wings    washed   with   gi*eenish  yellow.      Adult 
female :  similar  to  male,  but  without  black  on 
head  or  throat,  and  colors  duller.     In  winter :  Pi„  ^^v^ 

both  sexes  colored  as  in   summer,  but  colors 

more  subdued.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  duller,  and  lower 
parts  indistinctly  streaked.  Male  :  length  (skins)  o.02-4.()(),  wing  2.61- 
2.7(),  tail  1.81-2.00,  bill  .ol-oo.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.04-4.50,  wing 
2.4S-2.r4.  tail  l.()()-1.87,  bill  .;U-.:]5. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  about 
latitude  40^  in  California,  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  soutli  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia ;  occure  during  winter  in  southwestern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

Eggs.  —  Pure  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed,  including  that  of  the  Kussian  thistle. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  jNIr.  Grinnell  says  laicrencei  is 
found  mainly  on  the  mesa,  in  the  mountain  canyons,  and  pine  for- 
ests below  6000  feet.  From  December  until  the  last  of  ]\Larch  small 
flocks  feed  in  weed  patches  along  the  banks  of  the  arroyos. 

GENUS    SPINUS. 

533.  Spinus  pinus  (HV/.s-.l.     Pine  Siskin:  Pine  Finch. 

Similar  to  Astragalinus.  but  plumage  streaked  gray  and  brown,  without 
yellow  or  black  except  for  yelh)w  patches  on  wings  and  tail.  Adults: 
whole  body  finely  streaked  with  brown,  on  brownish 
ground  above,  on  whitish  below  ;  6r/.sa/  portions  of  seconda- 
ries and  tail  feathers  sulphur  i/ellow.  Young:  upper  jjarts 
mustard  yellow,  tinged  with  hrowuisli  olive,  feathers 
streaked,  excejit  on  bellv  ;  wing  bauds  and  jjatches  brown. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.20-4.S5,  wing  2.72-:{.0O,  tail  1.57- 
1.83,  bill  .88-44.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.2.'>-5.14,  wing 
2.<'.;l-2.<)7.  tail  1.60-l.si,  bill  .:',li-.47. 

liemarks.    -  The  siskin   is   easily  recognized    in    the  field, 
wing  and  tail  patches  show  in  fliglit. 

l)istrd)Uti(in. —  IJreeds  in  (';tn;idi.'in  and  Iludsonian  zone  forests  in  the 
mount.iins  of  western  North  America,  also  in  the'  northeastern  United 
States  ;  may  occur  in  winter  in  almost  any  p.irt  of  the  United  States  and 
Mexico. 

Nest. —  Usnally  rather  Hat  though  compactly  made  of  fine  twigs,  root- 
lets, an<l  plant  fii)ers.  lined  with  fine  ntotlets  and  hair.  Fggs  :  usually:? 
or  4,  j)ah-  greenish  blue.  spe<-kle<l,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end,  with  red- 
dish brown,  u.stially  with  a  few  snuill  black  m.irkings. 


324  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

The  pine  finch  resembles  the  goldfinch  in  general,  but  its  home  is 
in  the  evergreen  mountain  forests,  and  after  the  nesting  season  it 
wanders  erratically  over  the  country  in  high-flying  flocks,  giving  its 
plaintive  cha,  elm,  as  it  goes,  and  coming  to  earth  when  a  weed 
patch  or  the  cones  of  an  evergreen  offer  it  a  meal.  It  might  easily 
be  mistaken  for  a  striped  sparrow,  but  as  it  spreads  its  wings  and 
tail  to  get  its  balance  in  feeding,  the  yellow  patches  identify  it  at  a 
glance.  When  disturbed  at  a  meal  the  flocks  often  make  short 
circling  flights,  loath  to  give  up  their  harvest. 

In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  says  it  is  a  common  resident,  abundant 
along  the  foothills  during  migrations,  and  from  7000  feet  to  timber- 
line  in  summer.  Some  stay  near  timberline  through  the  winter, 
but  the  bulk  scatter  over  the  lower  valleys  and  plains.  In  southern 
California  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  it  irregularly  in  the  willow  regions 
and  lowlands  in  winter. 

GENUS    PASSER. 

Passer  domesticus  (Linn.).     English  Sparrow. 

Form  stout  and  stocky  ;  hill  very  stout,  curved,  side  outlines  bulging'  to 

.  near   the    end ;    wing'   pointed  ;    tail    shorter   than 

^^g^E^^^T^I^  wings,  nearly  even  ;   feet  small.     Adult  male  :  lores, 

^.^^B3/KKSKI^^  throat,  and   chest  patch  black  ;  rest  of  under  parts 

Fig.  410.    Male.  grayish  ;  top  of  head  and   ear  coverts  grayish,  with 

bright  chestnut  patches  between  eye  and  nape  ;  wing 

with  chestnut  patch  and  two  white  bands  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown,  back 

streaked   w  ith   black  ;    upper   parts    dull    brown  ; 

under  parts  dull  gray.     Adult  female  :   crown  and 

_  hind   neck   grayish   brown  or  olive ;   entire  under 

Fig.  411.     Female.  parts  brownish  white  or  gray  ;    back  browner,  less 

refuscent  than  in  male.     Length :  5.50-6.25,  wing 
about  2.85-3.00,  tail  2. 35-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  in  general,  except  Italy  ;  introduced  and  natural- 
ized in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  Utah  and 
New  Mexico,  with  colonies  in  central  California,  Portland,  Oregon,  and 
Seattle,  Washington;  also  Bahamas,  Cuba,  Bermudas,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
southern  Greenland. 

Nest.  —  About  houses  or  in  trees,  bulky,  made  largely  of  dried  grasses. 
Eggs :  4  to  7,  thickly  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  purplish. 

"The  introduction  of  the  English  sparrow  is  one  of  the  most 
familiar  examples  of  acclimatization.  Brought  over  to  the  United 
States  in  1850,  the  bird  developed  such  a  marvelous  ability  to 
adapt  itself  to  new  surroundings  and  increased  so  rapidly  that  by 
1870  it  had  gained  a  foothold  in  twenty  states  and  the  District  of 
Columbia,  as  well  as  in  two  provinces  of  Canada.  At  the  present 
time  [1899]  it  is  found  in  every  state  and  territory  except  Alaska, 
Arizona,  Montana,  and  Nevada."     (Palmer.) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  325 

GENUS    PASSERINA. 

534.  Passerina  nivalis  {Linn.).    Snowflake. 

lender  mandible  tliieker  than  upper,  gonys  very  short,  nostrils  concealed 
by  plunuiles  ;  wing-  nearly  five  times  as  Ions;'  as  tarsus  ;  tail  emarginate, 
about  two  thirds  hidden  by  coverts  ;  liind  claw  about  as  long  as  its  toe. 
curved.  Adult  male  in  siniu/'.er  :  white,  with  black  on  bill,  middle  of  back, 
scapulars,  greater  part  of  primaries, 
and  four  to  six  middle  tail  featliers. 
Adult  male  inwititer  :  washed  with  rusty 
on  upper  parts,  sides  of  head,  and  chest ; 
bill   yellow,  with  dusky  tip.      Adult  fe-  Fig.  41_*. 

male    in.  summer:  upper  parts  broadly 

streaked  with  black  ;  wing-  and  tail  with  black  of  male  replaced  by  black- 
ish brown  ;  wing-  with  much  less  white.  Adult  female  in  winter  :  like  sum- 
mer female,  but  upper  parts  more  or  less  stained  with  rusty  brown  and 
feathers  of  back  more  edged  with  buffy.  Young :  under  parts  dull  whit- 
ish ;  upper  parts  gray  ;  wings  and  tail  mainly  dusky  and  brown  ;  white  of 
wing-  much  restricted.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.8o-T.21,  wing-  4.19-4.58, 
tail  2.40-2.91,  bill  .o>;-.4.").  Female:  length  (skins)  5.95-6.G2,  wing  3.90- 
4.10,  tail  2.39-2.()2,  bill  .M8-.4:;. 

Remarks.  —  The  September  birds  may  be  distinguished  by  feathers  of 
head,  nape,  and  rump,  which  are  basally  white  in  the  male,  basally  black 
in  the  female. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  arctic  regions  of  tlie  northern  hemisphere  ; 
in  North  America  south  in  winter  to  the  northern  United  States,  irreg-u- 
larly  to  Georgia.  Illinois,  Kansas.  (\)lorado.  and  Oreg;on. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  composed  <»f  dried  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses 
and  feathers.  Eggs:  usually  5,  whitish,  varying  from  dull  purplish  to 
greenish,  speckled  chiefly  on  larger  end  with  shades  of  brown,  usually 
with  a  few  small  black  markings. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed,  grass  seed,  and  refu.se  grain  in  winter,  and 
small  crustaceans,  moUusks,  insects,  and  seeds  in  summer. 

"The  snowliake  is  a  well  known  summer  bird  in  all  the  circum- 
polar  regions,  and  none  of  the  various  arctic  expeditions  have  ex- 
tended their  explorations  beyond  the  points  where  this  handsome 
species  is  found.  It  chooses  indifferently  the  bleak  shores  of  the 
arctic  islands  encircled  by  an  icy  sea.  or  the  warmer  shores  to  the 
south  as  far  as  the  Aleutian  Islands,  and  nearly  as  far  on  the 
opposite  Siberian  shore  of  Bering  Sea.  Although  it  rears  its  young 
far  from  the  usual  liaimts  of  man.  it  passes  to  the  south  and  is  one 
of  the  most  familiar  and  well  known  birds  through  the  northern 
states."     (Nelson.) 

GENUS    CALCARIUS 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  acut«'ly  conical,  deeper  than  broad  at 
ba.se  :  no.strils  exposed ;  wing  long,  pointed  ;  tail  more  tlian  lialf  hidden 
by  p<tinted  ujjpcr  coverts;  Iiind  daw  .ilioiit  iengtli  of  its  toe.  sU'iider.  and 
nearly  straight. 


326  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES    OF    CALCARIUS. 

1.  Tail  feathers  chiefly  white  at  base ornatus,  p.  328. 

1'.  Tail  feathei'S  chiefly  dusky  at  base. 

'2.  Inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  white    .     .     .    pictus,  p.  827. 
2  .  Inner  web  of  oiiter  tail  feather  chiefly  dusky. 

3.  Darker lapponicus,  p.  326. 

3'.  Paler alascensis,  p.  327. 

536.  Calcarius  lapponicus  {Linn.).     Lapland  Longspdr. 

Inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  dusky.  Adult  male  in  summer: 
fore  parts  black,  contrasting-  striking-ly  with 
white  of  belly,  and  Avhite  or  buffy  line  from 
eye  to  hind  neck ;  hind  neck  deep  rufous ;  back 
streaked  black,  brown,  buff  v,  and  whitish ; 
Fig.  413.     Summer  male.  ^^^^^^    dusky,   with    brown  aiid    whitish  edg- 

ings ;  tail  chiefly  blackish  brown.  Adult  male  in  winter :  black  area  and 
rufous  nape  patch  greatly  restricted,  and  more  or  less  obscured  by  white 
or  brownish  tips  to  feathers ;  sides  of  head 
mainly  light  brownish.  Adult  female  in  sum- 
mer :  like  winter  male  but  smaller,  markings 
sharper,  black  of  chest  more  restricted,  and 
I  ig.  414.     \^  inter  male.  j^.^^^j  ^^^^  streaked  with  blackish.  Adult  female 

in  winter  :  similar  to  summer  female,  but  browner  and  less  sharply  streaked 
above ;  hind  neck  often  without  trace  of  rufous  ;  under  parts  dingy  white, 
chest  markings  only  suggested.  Young  :  upper  parts  tawny  buff,  broadly 
streaked  with  black  except  for  wings  and  tail ;  under  parts  pale  buffy. 
throat,  chest,  and  sides  broadly  streaked Avith  black.  Male:  length  (skins) 
."i.OS-G.SO,  wing  3.55-3.96,  tail  2.35-2.62,  bill  .41-.48.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.34-6.20,  wing  3.45-3.63,  tail  2.30-2.55,  bill  .41-.45. 

Bemarks.  — The  long,  nearly  straight  hind  claw  distinguishes  this  genus 
and  Rhynchophanes  from  the  other  Fringillidce,  and  the  black-tipped  tail 
marks  off  Rhynchophanes.  In  Calcarius  the  white  breast  and  belly  distin- 
guish the  Lapland  fi'om  the  buff -breasted  Smith  longspur. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  far  north  in  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  migrates 
in  North  America  south  to  Texas,  but  most  abundantly  to  Kansas  and 
Colorado. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  composed  mainly  of  dried  grasses,  lined  largely  with 
feathers.     Eggs:  3  to  6,  dull  whitish,  spotted  or  speckled  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  such  as  weevils,  grasshoppers,  and  beetles  ;  locust  eggs, 
weed  seed,  and  grain. 

The  Lapland  longspurs  reach  Colorado  in  October,  Prof.  Cooke 
states,  going  up  into  the  lower  mountain  parks  at  first  but  descend- 
ing to  the  plains  when  severe  weather  comes. 

Colonel  Goss  says  that  they  wander  over  the  prairies  and  treeless 
plains  of  Kansas  in  enormous  flocks,  subsisting  on  seeds  of  weeds 
and  grasses.  In  looking  for  food,  he  says,  "they  skim  over  the 
ground  in  a  wavy,  zigzag  form,  and  on  alighting  run  swiftly  and 
heedlessly  about,  squatting  close  to  the  ground  at  the  near  approach 
of  an  intruder  and  remaining  motionless,  hoping  to  be  passed  un- 
observed. When  started  they  rise  in  a  quick,  uncertain  manner,' 
which  prairie  falcons  and  other  enemies  often  take  advantage  of. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  327 

"dashing  in  and  striking  down  many  of  the  birds  before  the  flock  is 
well  under  headway." 

In  their  summer  home,  Mr.  Nelson  says  the  lougspur  is  "a  widely 
spread  circumpolar  bird,  whose  presence  is  recorded  from  nearly 
every  point  visited  by  explorers  along  the  shores  of  the  arctic  coast. 
.  .  .  When  they  arrive  early  in  May,"  he  adds,  "  the  ground  is  still 
largely  covered  with  snow  with  the  exception  of  grassy  spots  along 
southern  exposures  and  the  more  favorably  situated  portions  of  the 
tundra,  and  here  may  be  found  these  birds  in  all  the  beauty  of  their 
elegant  summer  dress.  The  males,  as  if  conscious  of  their  handsome 
plumage,  choose  the  tops  of  the  only  breaks  in  the  monotonous  level, 
which  are  small  rounded  knolls  and  tussocks.  The  male  utters  its 
song  as  it  flies  upward  from  one  of  these  knolls,  and  when  it  reaches 
the  height  of  ten  or  fifteen  yards  it  extends  the  points  of  its  wings 
upwards,  forming  a  large  V-shaped  figure,  and  floats  gently  to  the 
ground,  uttering,  as  it  slowly  sinks,  its  liquid  tones,  which  fall  in 
tinkling  succession  upon  the  ear,  and  are  perhaps  the  sweetest 
notes  that  one  hears  during  the  entire  springtime  in  these  regions."' 

536a.  C.  1.  alascensis  Bidgiv.    Alaskan  Longspur. 

Similar  to  the  Lapland  longspur,  but  decidedly  paler,  especially  in 
winter  ;  sunnuer  adiilts  with  ground  color  of  upper  parts  light  bulfy  gray- 
ish brown,  with  little  if  any  rusty  tinge,  even  on  wings ;  and  the  black 
streaks  relatively  narrower.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.75-()..J5,  wing  3.59- 
8.92,  tail  2.;5(l-2.()8.  bill  .41-.49.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.34-6.25,  wing 
3.39-3.(57,  tail  2.19-2.4.^,  bill  .40-.4T. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska,  migrating  in  the  United  States  to 
Nevada,  Colorado,  and  western  Kansas. 

537.  Calcarius  pictus  [Sicaius.].    Smith  Longspur. 

Inner  web   of    outer  tail  feather  chiefly  white.     Adult  in<iU  '"  <inni„fr: 
top  and  sides  of  head  Idack  marked  with  tliree 
white  stripes  —  behind  eye.  across  ear  coverts, 
and  down  sides  of  neck  ;  hind  neck  and  entire    '- 

under  jtarts  broirnish   hu(f\  hind  neck  streaked        j,,;^  ^,-      g„„„„^,.  ,„.ji^, 
with  black  ;   rest  (»f  ui)])er  parts  streaked  buffy 

brown  and  black.  Adult  male  in  winter:  bhick  of  head  replaced  by 
streaked  brownish,  like  rest  (jf  upper  parts  ;  throat  and  chest  also  more  or 
less  streaked.  Adult  female  in  summer:  like  winter  male,  but  smaller, 
paler,  and  grayer,  and  without  clear  black  or  wlute  o\\  wing  coverts ;  entire 
upper  parts  streaked  brown  and  blackish.  In  u-inter.  similar,  but  more 
bufFy.  Younff :  similar  to  winter  adults,  but  markings  wanting  or  obscure, 
entirn  under  p.irts  yellowisli  brown  or  bntfy  ;  thi-oat  obscurely  streaked; 
tail  wliitc  onlv  on  two  ..r  three  ontrr  f.-athers.  Mali  :  lengtli  (skins)  .'i.S4- 
(>.S1,  wing  3.40-3.79,  tail  2.33-2.71.  bill  .4()-.44.  F>'m(d>  :  h-ngth  (skins) 
5.53-5.7('.,  wing  .!.41-3..-)4,  tail  2.1S-2.32.  bill  .4()-.4:). 

Distrihntion.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  breeding  north  to  the  arctic 
coJi-Ht  :in<l  migrating  in  the  I'nited  States  to  Texas  and   southern   Arizona. 

F(f(fs.  —  Like  those  of  the  Lapland  longspur,  but  averaging  ligliter,  tlie 
whitish  distinctly  s^wtted  style  prevailing. 

Food.  —  In  winter  largely  weed  seed. 


•^ 


328  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

In  winter,  Colonel  Goss  says,  the  Smith  longspur  is  often  asso- 
ciated with  other  species  of  longspurs  and  horned  larks.  "Their 
favorite  resorts,"  he  states,  "are  along  old  trails  and  abandoned 
wagon  roads  upon  the  prairies,  wiiere  the  grass  is  short." 

538.  Calcarius   ornatus    {Toivns.).     Chestnut-collared   Long- 

SI'UK. 

Tail  feathers  Avitli  bases  of  all  but  middle  pair  white.  Adult  male  in 
sxuiDiier  :  throat  and  sides  of  head  white  or  buffy, 
"*" — _  ^  in  striking  contrast  to  black  under  parts  ;  black 
\  o^^K^  "5  sometimes  invaded  by  reddish  brown ;  upper 
parts  with  black  crown,  markings  on  sides  of 
Jig.  ^lu.  rMiiimiei  iii.i  e.  jig^d  and  shoulder  patch;  nape  bright  rufous; 
rest  of  upper  parts  streaked ;  in  full  plumage  shoulder  patch  deep  black 
tipped  with  wliite.  Adult  male  in  u'inter :  similar,  but  black  and  rufous 
obscured  or  concealed  by  brownish  or  buffy  tips 
'  "^')  to  feathers.  Adult  female:  buffy  brownish, 
streaked  with  blackish  on  upper  parts  and  some- 
times lightly  streaked  on  breast  and  belly. 
F.g.  41..  Winter  male.  pi,„„age  softer  and  colors  more  blended  in 
winter.  Young :  blackish  feathers  bordered  with  whitish  and  brownish  ; 
wing  coverts  tipped  with  whitish  ;  superciliary  indistinct ;  ear  coverts 
streaked  ;  throat  white,  flecked  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  buff, 
streaked,  especially  on  breast.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.63-5.89, wing  3.20- 
3.55,  tail  2.00-2.39*  bill  .38-.44.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.67-5.64.  wing 
2.97-3.33,  tail  1.89-2.25,  bill  .39-.43. 

liemarTcs.  —  The  female  is  an  obscure  bird,  but  may  be  recognized  by  its 
generic  characters  and  extensively  Avhite  tail. 

Distribution. — Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  on  the 
Plains  from  Assiniboia  to  Kansas  ;  winters  from  Nebraska  south  through 
Texas,  New  ^Mexico,  and  Arizona,  to  Orizaba,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  made  largely  of  dried  grasses,  lined  with  feathers. 
Eggs  :  ;')  to  (),  white,  tinged  with  pink,  buff,  or  green ;  distinctly   spotted 
with  blackish  or  shades  of  brown. 
Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

In  a  list  of  the  birds  of  Fort  Hays,  Kansas,  Dr.  Allen  states  that 
the  chestnut-collared  is  abundant  over  the  plains,  being  "  one  of  the 
most  interesting  and  characteristic  species."  He  adds  that  it  has  a 
"short,  shrill,  but  very  sweet  song,  wdiich  is  often  uttered  on  the 
wing." 

Flocks  of  several  hundred  have  been  seen  by  Mr.  Bailey  in  south- 
ern Arizona  in  October  and  November. 

GENUS    RHYNCHOPHANES. 

539.  Rhynchophanes  mccownii  (Laur.).  McCown  Longspur. 

Bill   stout,   conical ;    nasal   plumules  neai4y  concealing  nostrils ;   wings 

-*'rT:;yiSS?yp"i|r  nearly  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  tail  more 

„^B     ^^^^^T^^^/y   *^'''^"  ^^^1^  hidden  by  pointed  coverts  ;  tarsus 

^^  ^^^^g^BjpSil'^^^    longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw  ;   hind  claw 

'^'^■^^^^^^  about  equal  to  its  toe,  nearly  straight  ;    tail 

^'g-  "*^^-  feathers,   except    middle  pair,  white   broadly 


FINCHES,  SPARRC5^VS,  ETC.  329 

tipped  with  black  —  outer  feather  almost  entirely  white.  Adult  male  in 
summer  :  crown  black  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  superciliary  ;  shoulder  patch 
reddish  hrow7i ;  back  brownish  gray,  streaked  with  black  ;  sides  of  head  and 
throat  whitish,  with  black  streak  from  bill  alongside  of  throat ;  chest  icith 
black  crescentic  patch  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  more  or  less  mixed  with 
black,  especially  on  sides.  Adult  m(de  in  winter:  upper  parts  uniform  brown- 
ish buff,  streaked  with  blackish  brown ;  black  of  chest  largely  hidden  by 
buffy  tips  to  feathers.  Adult  female  :  like  winter  male,  but  without  black 
chest  patch  or  rufous  shoulder  patch,  brownish  above  and  buffy  below  ;  in 
summer  grayer  above  and  whiter  below.  Young  :  upper  parts  dusky,  the 
feathers  broadly  bordered  with  pale  buff  ;  under  parts  white,  distinctly 
washed  with  buff  across  chest,  chest  sometimes  indistinctlv  streaked.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  .*).ll()-.').Tl.  wing  ;]..">0-:l.(i'.),  tail  l.'i()-2.2(),"bill  .44-..')2.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  .").02-5.41,  wing- ;{.1.')-;5.4l'.  tail   I.SO-I.'IS.  bill  .42-47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  interior  plains  from  the  [Saskatchewan 
south  to  eastern  Nebraska  ;  winters  south  through  Texas  and  Arizona  to 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  places,  composed  largely  of  dried  grasses, 
lined  usually  w  ith  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs :  8  to  0,  similar  to  those  of 
the  chestnut-collared  longspur,  but  usually  with  ground  color  more  olive. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

The  habits  of  RhynrJiophdncs  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  other 
longspurs.  When  disturbed  at  a  meal  they  circle  in  undulating 
flight  uttering,  Colonel  Goss  says,  'a  chip  note  at  each  stroke  of  the 
wing.'  In  the  breeding  season  they  have  a  flight  song  like  that  of 
the  Lapland  longspur.  hovering  with  wings  pointed  almost  straight 
upwards. 

GENUS    POCECETES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  conical ;  wing  long  and  pointed  ;  tail 
emarginate  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KKV    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Larger,  coloration  grayer  above.  Plains  to  Pacific  .  confinis.  p.  o20. 
1'.  Smaller,  coloration  browner  above.     In  California  and  Oregon. 

affinis,  p.  330. 

540a.  Pooecetes  graniineus  confinis  Baird.    AVf.stekn  Ves- 

I'KK    Si'AItUOW. 

Upper  parts  brownish  gray  n.irrowly  streaked  witli  dusky;  bend  of  u-ing 
reddish  brown;  outer  tail  feathers  parti  n  white;  under  parts 
dull  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  pale  buffy;  streaked 
along   .sides   of   throat    and   across  chest,     ^fale :    length 

''iK  »!'•'        (skins)  r).r)0-().2r).  wing  ;;.  12-3.41,  tail  2.40-2.70,  bill  .43- 

.4(5.  Female  :  length  (skins)  O/Jl-O.lHt,  wing:  3  00-3.30,  tail  2.27-2.08,  bill 
.41-.40. 

liemarks. — The  western  vesper  sparrow  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
eastern  ])y  its  grayer  color,  narrowt-r  streaks,  ;uul  usually  nu)re  slender  bill 
and  longer  wing  and  tail. 

Distribution. —  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transit icui  /one^i  from  tlu'  Plains  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  British  Columbia,  .Vssiniboia.  and  .Manit(»ba  south  to 
Lower  (-alifornia  and  southern  Mexico.  Bn-eds  from  northern  Now  Mexico 
and  Arizona  nortliw.-ird. 


330  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  grass.  Eggs :  3  to  G,  greenish  or  brown- 
ish white,  spotted,  and  often  blotched,  and  streaked  with  reddish  brown 
and  lavender. 

Ill  the  San  Francisco  Mountain  country,  Dr.  Mearns  says  the  west- 
ern vesper  sparrow  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  the  upper  pines, 
and  was  found  breeding  in  the  grassy  openings  up  to  10,000  feet. 
It  is  also  common  in  the  sagebrush  districts,  and  in  settled  parts  of 
the  west  is  commonly  seen  on  roadside  fences.  It  may  be  recognized 
by  its  white  outer  tail  feathers  as  it  flies,  or,  as  it  sits  on  a  post,  by 
its  dull  coloration  and  pale  bay  shoulder  patches. 

When  it  flies  to  the  ground  it  is  lost  in  the  dry  grass  or  disappears 
on  bare  ground,  so  perfectly  do  its  dull  streaks  and  mottlings  blend 
with  the  earth  colors. 

In  spring  and  early  summer  the  vesper  sparrow  perches  on  a  post 
or  tall  weed  and  trolls  over  his  sweet,  simple  song  at  regular  inter- 
vals for  hours  at  a  time.  At  its  best,  at  sunset,  the  song  has  a  rich, 
serene  melody. 

540b.  P.  g.  afiBLnis  Miller.    Oregon  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Like  conjinis.,  but  smaller,  bill  more  slender,  coloration  browner  ;  ground 
color  of  upper  parts  buffy  brown  rather  than  grayish  brown,  and  all  the 
light  areas  of  the  plumage,  including  under  side  of  wings,  suffused  with 
pinkish  buff.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.17-5.55,  wing  2.90-3.15,  tail  2.08- 
2.38,  bill  .40-.45.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.04-5.65,  wing  2.85-3.00,  tail 
2.20-2.27,  bill  .40-.46. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  California  and  western  Oregon. 

GENUS    AMMODRAMUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  narrow,  the  middle  ones,  at  least, 
pointed  ;  primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  less  than  length  of  tarsus ; 
middle  toe  with  claw  not  shorter  than  tarsus. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  rounded  or  graduated. 

2.  Nape  marked  with  rusty  brown. 

3.  Median  crown  stripe  pale  buffy  ;  back  streaked  with  rusty  and  black. 

leconteii,  p.  335. 
3'.  Median  crown  stripe  slaty  g-ray  ;  back  streaked  with  chalky  white. 

nelsoni,  p.  335. 
2'.  Nape  marked  with  olive. 

3.  Back  rusty  brown  streaked  with  black     .     occidentalis,  p.  334. 
3'.  Back  grayish  olive  streaked  with  chalky  white  and  dusky. 

sennetti,  p.  335. 
1'.  Tail  emarginate. 

2.  Hind  toe  little  if  any  longer  than  inner  toe ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
decidedly  more  than  length  of  tarsus  ;  tail  feathers  broader,  less 
sharp  pointed. 
3.  Upper  parts  not  distinctly  streaked  or  spotted  .  rostratus,  p.  333. 
3'.  Upper  parts  distinctly  streaked  or  spotted. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  331 

4.  Upper  parts  olivaceous.     Coast  of  southern  California. 

beldingi,  p.  :]o:i. 
4'.  Upper  parts  grayish  or  grayish  brown. 

5.  Larger.     Alaska  ;  south  along  Pacific  coast  in  winter. 

sandwichensis,  p.  381. 
5'.  Smaller. 

6.  Paler  and  grayer.     Western  North  America. 

alaudinus.  p.  832. 
6'.  Darker  and  browner.    Coast  of  central  California  in  summer. 

bryanti,  p.  882. 
2'.  Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  inner   toe  ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
little    more    than  length   of    tarsus  ;  tail  feathers  narrower,    more 
sharp  pointed. 
8.  Edge  of  wing  white  ;  head  and  neck  yellowish  brown  or  buffy. 

bairdii.  p.  ']:^>o. 

8'.  Edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  head   not  yellowish   brown   or  buffy  ;  nape 

rufous bimaculatus,  p.  834. 

Subgenus  Passerculus. 

Hind  toe  little  if  any  longer  than  inner  toe  ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
decidedly  more  than  length  of  tarsus  ;  tail  feathers  broader,  less  sharply 
pointed. 

542.  Amniodranius  sandwichensis  [GmeL).  Sandwich  Spar- 
row. 

Adults.  —  Crown  stripe  and  superciliary   well   marked,   and   superciliary 

usually  decidedly  yellow  ;  upper  parts 
grayish  brown,  heavily  streaked  with 
black,  the  streaks  in  sharp  contrast 
to  feather  edgings  of  whitish,  grayish, 
or  buffy  ;  under  parts  white,  some- 
,,.      . ,  times,  especially   in   fall   and   winter, 

tinged  with  buffy  on  sides  and  chest; 
sides  of  throat,  chest,  sides,  and  flanks  sti-eaked  witli  blackish  :  longer  under 
tail  coverts  ivith  concealed  streaks.  Youmj  :  similar,  but  light  streaks  of 
upper  partes  buffy.  dark  streaks  of  lower  parts  less  defined,  superciliary 
usually  without  yellow,  and  finely  streaked  with  duskv.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  4.!i;l-.").Tr).  wing  2.1)2-.8.14.  tail  2.(H)-2.2<),  bill  .44-.r)0.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.SS-.").T4,  wing  2.70-:',.()C).  tail  I.SVlMO,  bill  .44-..')0. 

liemarks.  —  The  sandwichensis  f:;von\i  is  distinguished  by  black  streaks 
on  upper  parts  in  connection  with  distinct  superciliary  and  median  crown 
stripe,  and  streaks  on  under  tail  coverts  being  concealed.  The  exposed 
cnlmen  is  also  longer  than  hind  toe  without  claw,  and  wing  less  than  seven 
times  as  long  as  exposed  cidmen,  the  bill  straight  or  even  concave  in  the 
middle. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast,  from  Ala.ska  to  the  Columbia  River, 
rarely  to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  nu»adows  or  other  gr:i.ssy  ])laces.     Kgt/s :  8  to 
0,  pale  brownish,  varying  to  dull  whitisli  or  greenish  white,  spotted  with 
brown,  occasionally  with  a  few  (linker  marks. 
Food.  —  Insects,  and  weed  and  gra.ss  seed. 

Ill  Alaska  Mr.  Nelson  found  the  Saiuhvicli  sjiarrow  inainrv  on 
rocky  beaches,  tliough  it  also  rre(|U('iitc(l  ^irassy  llat.s.      lie  dcscrihes 


332  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

its  song  as  a  ' 'short,  weak  succession  of  notes,  somewhat  simihir  to 
those  of  alaiidiuys." 

542b.  A.  s.  alaudinus  {Bonap.).     Western  Savanna  Sparrow. 

Similar  to  sandwichensis.  but  smaller  and  averaging  g-rayer,  superciliary 
stripe  often  white.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.50-.5..58.  wing  2..~>6-o.06,  tail 
1.8U-2.25,  bill  .o8-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.50-5.20.  wing  2.56-2.87, 
tail  1.7()-2.10,  bill  .38-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  from  the 
arctic  coast  to  southern  end  of  Mexican  tablelands  ;  in  winter  south  to 
highlands  of  Guatemala. 

Among  the  many  inconspicuous,  plain,  little  striped-backed  spar- 
rows of  the  western  United  States,  alaudinus  is  one  of  the  common- 
est, plainest,  and  most  inconspicuous.  Anywhere  in  the  meadows, 
prairie  grass,  or  weed  patches,  one  may  dart  out  from  under  your 
feet,  zigzag  over  the  grass-tops  for  a  little  way,  and  drop  into  the 
grass,  hopelessly  lost  until  he  is  again  forced  to  take  wing.  At  a 
distance  you  see  and  hear  the  birds  giving  their  plain  little  song 
from  the  top  of  a  tall  weed  or  fence  stake,  but  on  nearer  approach 
they  drop  into  the  grass  and  are  lost.  While  really  abundant  they 
often  escape  notice  until  you  tramp  '  cross  lots '  through  the  meadows. 

Vernon  Bailey. 

542c.  A.  s.  bryanti  Bidgw.     Bryant  Marsh  Sparrow. 

Like  sandivichensis,  but  darker  and  browner,  with  under  parts  more 
heavily  streaked  with  black,  and  in  winter  plumage,  chest,  and  sides 
strongly  tinged  with  brownish  buff.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.-53-5.00,  wing 
2.51-2.80.  tail  1.74-2.00.  bill  .40-.45.  Female:  length  (skins)  440-4.65, 
wing  2.47-2.60,  tail  1.70-1.92.  bill  .40-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  salt  marshes  about  San  Francisco  Bay  ;  south 
in  winter  along  the  coast  to  southern  California ;  occasional  in  winter  in 
Valley  of  Mexico. 

543.  Ammodramus  beldingi  Bidgw.  Belding  Marsh  Spar- 
row. 

Adults.  —  Median  crown  stripe  and  superciliary  usually  very  indistinct 
or  wanting ;  ground  color  of  upper  parts  olivaceous,  streaked  with  black 
very  broadly  on  back ;  lower  parts  thickly  and  broadly  streaked  with 
black  ;  fore  part  of  superciliary  stripe  olivaceous  yellow  ;  under  tail  coverts 
with  concealed  streaks.  Young  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  with  more  huffy  ; 
dusky  streaks  of  low^er  parts  less  sharply  defined,  and  superciliary  finely 
streaked  and  usually  without  vellow^  Male :  length  (skins)  4,.54-5.50. 
wing  2.52-2.82,  tail  1.85-2.00,  bill  .41-.50.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.3-5- 
5.50,  wing  2.40-2.66,  tail  1.67-1.83,  bill  .40-45. 

Bemarks. — The  Belding  sparrow  may  be  distinguished  from  the  sand- 
wichensis group  by  the  absence  of  distinct  superciliary  and  crown  stripes, 
and  darker  general  coloration. 

Distribution.  —  Salt  marshes  along  coast  of  southern  and  Lower  Califor- 
nia from  Santa  Barbara  to  San  Quentin  Bay  and  Todos  Santos  Island. 

Nest.  —  In  salt  grass  about  (]  inches  from  the  ground ;  made  of  straws 
and  horsehair  or  feathei's.  Eggs  :  usually  3,  light  blue,  irregularly  marked 
with  lilac  and  reddish  brown  at  larger  end  or  over  entire  surface. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  333 

The  Belding  marsh  sparrow  is  an  abundant  resident  of  the  salt 
water  marshes  along-  the  coast  of  southern  California, /nesting  in  the 
marsh  grass  just  above  the  reach  of  the  tide. 

544.  Ammo  dram  us  rostratus  Ca,s.s.    Lakge-billed  Spakrow. 

Upper  parts  li(/ht  (jnti/islt  hroirn.  indistinctly  streaked;  under  parts  exten- 
sively streaked  with  sandy  brown  ;  bill 
tony  and  swollen  and  regularly  curved 
from  base.  Male:  length  (skins)  ."j.10- 
5.70,  wing-  2.72-lMt2,  tail  1.1»:)-2.17. 
bill  .48-.*)4.  Female:  length  (skins) 
5.20-5.70,  wing  2.. ■>L>-L>.S;l,    tail    \.^-\-  Fig.  4-_>l. 

2.14,  bill  •42-..-)K 

Remarks.  —  The  large  bill  and  nearly  unifcn-ni  light  brown  coloration  of 
upper  parts  distinguish  this  sparrow  from  the  rest  of  the  grouj). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  salt  mar.shes  on  the  coast  of  southern  and 
Lower  California ;  migrates  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Mr.  Stephens  reports  that  the  large-billed  sparrow  is  a  common 
winter  resident  of  the  seacoast  of  southern  California,  where  it  is 
seldom  found  more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  water's  edge,  but  that 
it  prefers  streets  and  the  neighborhood  of  buiUlings  to  marshes.  In 
San  Pedro  Harbor,  ]\[r.  Grinuell  tells  us,  it  "frequents  the  wharves 
and  breakwaters,  and  even  hops  fearlessl}-  about  the  decks  of  vessels, 
feeding  on  crumbs  and  Hies." 

Subgenus  Centronyx. 

Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  inner  toe  ;  wing-  exceeding-  tail  by  little 
more  than  length  of  tarsus ;   tail  feathers  narrow,  sliarp  pointed. 

545.  Ammiodramus  bairdii  (And.).    Baiud  Si-akkow. 

Adults. —  llt'ad  yellowish  brown  or  buffy.  crown  streaked  with  black 
laterally  ;  back  liglit  V)rown.  sj)otted  with  black,  feathers  with  light  edgings; 
under  parts  wliite,  throat  bordered  by 
black  stripes  ;  chest,  sides,  and  flanks 
streaked  with  bhick  ;  tail  deeply  emargi- 
nate.  tlie  lat«'ral  feathers  longest,  the 
feathers  all  narrow  and  jminted  at  tip. 

Young:  similar,  but  featliers  of  crown  Fie.  42'2.  ~ 

and  back  distinctly  bordered  with  bnffy 

and  streaks  on  chest  le.ss  .sharply  defined.  In  winter  the  huffy  color  more 
pronounced  than  in  summer,  stronglv  tinpfing-  chest  and  sides.  Male: 
leng-th  (.skins)  4.SO-.5.40.  wing-  2.S()-2.S<'.,  tail  2.().")-2.10,  bill  .41-.4.'}.  Fe- 
male:  length  (skins)  4.(i:)-4.05.  wing  2.(:()-2.7<>.  t.iil  l.ltO-2.10.  l)ill  .-10-42. 

liemarks.  —  The  feathers  of  tlii'  members  of  the  siibgenus  Vasserculns 
are  streaked,  tlie  dark  center  of  the  feather  being-  a  jiarrow  shaft  streak  ; 
but  in  A.  bairdii  and  others  of  the  sharp-tailed  group  the  d.arkest  part  of 
the  feather  instead  of  being  a  line  is  a  wide  stripe,  an  oval,  or  a  terminal 
eye  spot,  narrowly  and  cpiite  uniforiuly  bordered  with  lighter,  giving-  an 
effect  of  S])otting-  rather  than  stre.ikiug. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  S.iskatchfw .in  plains  to  Nebraska  and 
migrates  through  Colorado.  Texas.  New  Mexico,  .and  .\rizona.  to  northwest- 
ern Mexico;  casually  westward  to  Washington. 


334  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  situations,  composed  of  dried  grasses.  Eggs  : 
3  to  5,  whitish,  varying-  in  tint,  and  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lined 
with  black. 

In  North  Dakota,  Dr.  Fisher  has  found  the  Baird  sparrow  common 
in  "  low  depressions  of  the  prairie  where  the  high  grass  has  been  left 
standing." 

Subgenus  Coturniculus. 

Tail  weak,  of  narrow  lanceolate  feathers ;  wing  short,  with  inner  sec- 
ondaries reaching  nearly  to  tip  when  closed,  seventh  secondary  much  the 
longest. 

546a.  Aramodramus  savannarum  bimaculatus  (Swains.). 

Western  Grasshopper  Sparrow. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Under  parts  huffy  on  throat  and  sides,  unmarked ; 

upper  parts  reddish  brown,  black,  gray,   and    buffy  ;    crown  with    median 

buffy  stripe  between  two  blackish  stripes; 

nuchal  patch  ash  gray,  marked  with  reddish 

brown  ;  feathers  of  back  with  black  eye  spots 

nicked  with  reddish  brown  ;    edg'e  of  wing 

^^8-  '^"-^-  yellow  ;   tail  double   rounded    and    feathers 

sharp  pointed.    Adults  in  ivinter:  brighter  colored,  chest  and  sides  sometimes 

indistinctly  streaked  with  brown.      Young :  with  little  or  no  reddish  brown 

on  upper  parts,  the  feathers  being  more  conspicuously  bordered  with  buffy 

and  whitish ;   median  crown  stripe  more  ashy ;   lower  parts  entirely  dull 

buffy  whitish," chest  distinctly  streaked  with  dusky.     Male:  length  (skins) 

4.20-5.10,  wing  2.25-2.61,  tail    1.69-2.02,    bill  .40-46.      Female:   length 

(skins)  4.40-4.85,  wing  2.39-2.51,  tail  1.82-2.00,  bill  .40-.44. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  western  United  States  from  the  Plains  to 
the  Pacific  coast,  from  British  Columbia,  Dakota,  and  Montana  south  to 
southern  California  and  Arizona ;  migrates  to  Cape  St.  Lucas,  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  bulky,  with  deep  cavity,  often  more  or  less  arched 
over  on  top.  and  composed  of  dried  grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  spotted, 
chiefly  on  larger  end,  Avith  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few 
small  black  markings  and  touches  of  lilac  gray. 

The  western  grasshopper  sparrow  lives  in  grassy  fields,  where  it 
often  sings  from  the  top  of  a  tall  weed  for  an  hour  at  a  time.  When 
startled,  instead  of  flyiug,  it  drops  down  and  runs  off  through  the 
grass.  Like  most  members  of  the  genus  Ammodramus,  Dr.  Judd 
say^,  it  feeds  much  less  on  vegetable  matter  than  most  other  spar- 
rows, ' '  Insects  form  their  staple  diet,  and  of  these,  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, and  caterpillars  are  the  most  Important.  As  a  destroyer 
of  insect  pests  the  grasshopper  sparrow  is  most  efficient." 

547a.  Ammodramus  henslowii  occidentalis  Brewst.  West- 
ern Henslow  Sparrow. 
Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  nape  grayish  olive,  head  with  two  broad 
stripes  of  black  spots,  nape  more  finely  and  sparsely  spotted  ;  feathers  of 
back  with  coarse  median  streaks  of  black,  bordered  with  pale  chestnut, 
changing  to  a  broad  grayish  margin ;  under  parts  dull  white,  breast  and 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  335 

sides  finely  streaked,  flanks  more  broadly  ;  sides  of  head  buffy  white,  with 
a  touch  of  yellow  above  the  eye  ;  two  narrow  black  stripes  from  bill,  and 
one  back  of  eve ;  shoulders  tinged  with  g-reenish  yellow  and  bend  of  wing 
yellowish  white.  Length :  (skins)  4.50-4.59,  wing-  2.12-2.18,  tail  1.88-1.90, 
bill  .4.5-.48. 

Distribution.  —  South  Dakota  in  summer,  and  probably  other  reg'ions 
along-  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains. 

548.  Ammodramus  leconteii  (J«^/.).    Leconte  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Crown  with  two  blackish  stripes  in  sharp  contrast  to  buffy 
and  grayish  median  stripe  ;  sides  of  head  and  superciliary  buffy  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  hind  neck  chestnut,  feathers  edged  with  g-rayish  ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  broAvnish,  marked  strikingly  with  blackish  and  buffy,  the  feathers 
black,  notched  with  grayish,  with  rufous  and  buffy  cream  U-shaped 
edging-s  ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  buffy  ;  belly  white  ;  sides  and  flanks 
streaked  ;  bill  small  and  slender ;  tail  graduated.  Young :  much  more 
buffy,  deeper  above,  paler  beneath,  body  streaked  with  blackish,  more 
narrowly  on  under  parts.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.15-4.74,  wing-  1.94-2.12, 
tail  1.81-2.05,  bill  .:]o-.40.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.35-5.00,  wing  1.93- 
2.10,  tail  1.83-2.20,  bill  .33-.3'.). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  prairie  marshes  of  Transition  and  Upper 
Sonoran  zones,  from  Assiniboia  and  Manitoba  southeast  to  Indiana  ;  win- 
ters in  the  southern  states  ;  accidental  in  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  Near  the  ground  in  dense  fallen  grass,  made  of  grass,  cup- 
shaped.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  pale  greenish  white,  heavily  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  and  lavender. 

Subgenus  Ammodramus. 

Tail  rounded,  feathers  sharp    pointed ;   Aving   short  and 
rounded,  secondaries  nearly  even. 

Fig.  424. 

649.1.  Ammodramus  nelsoni  (Alleyi).    Nelson  Sparrow. 

Afiults.  —  .Superciliary  bright  l)uff.  sharply  contrasting  with  dark  brown 
or  blackish  sides  of  crown  ;  middle  of  crown,  back  of  head,  and  hind  neck 
gray,  more  or  less  mixed  with  rusty ;  middle  of  back  dark  brown,  strikitigly 
marked  with  r/ialki/  white  .streaks ;  edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  tail  rounded  ; 
under  parts  white,  sides  of  tliroat,  chest,  and  .sides  wa.shed  with  buffy  or 
yelhnvish  brown,  and  indistinctly  sti-eaked  with  darker.  Young  :  upper 
parts  dull  yellowish  l)ro\vn  ;  sides  of  crown  chiefly  black  ;  back  broadly 
streaked  with  black  :  under  jjarts  buff,  streaked  on  chest  with  du.skv. 
Male:  lengtli  (skins)  4..50-4.90,  wing  2.10-2.4S.. tail  l.SO-2.07,  bill  .40-.4*2. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4.40-4.SO,  wing  2.05-2.20.  tail  1.70-1.90.  bill  .4(>- 
.42. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  ])rairie  marshes  of  the  interior  from  Manitoba 
to  northfni  Illinois  :  migrates  to  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  wintei's  south  to 
Gulf  coast  of  Tfxas;  accidental  in  California. 

Eggs.  —  .Similar  to  tliose  of  leronteii. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  leaf-hoppers,  midges,  and  hoi-seflies,  together 
with  weed  seed. 

550b.  Ammodramus   maritimus   sennetti    .Uln,.     Tkxas 
Skasidk  Si-akkow. 
Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olivf  gr.iy.  streaked  witli  black  and  whitish  ;  lores 
and  edge  of  wing  bright  yellow  ;  throat  white  ;  rest  of  under  p.irts  grayish 


336  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

or  buffy,  faintly  streaked  with  gray.  Young  :  upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
streaked  with  black ;  under  parts  pale  fulvous  white,  strongest  on  sides  of 
neck  and  flanks.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.20-5.50,  wing-  2.80-2.42,  tail 
1.92-2.27,  bill  .50-.53.  Female  :  length  (skins)  4.95-5.40,  wing  2.15-2.30, 
tail  2.00-2.15,  bill  .49-.  52. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Texas. 

Eggs.  —  3  or  4,  pale  greenish  white,  finely  spotted  over  entire  surface 
and  wreathed  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  jjlum  color. 

GENUS    CHONDESTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical ;  wing  long  and  pointed ;  tail  long, 
rounded ;  tarsus  about  twice  as  long  as  exposed  cuhnen. 

* 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Averaging  darker  and  grayer grammacus,  p.  336. 

1'.  Averaging  paler  and  browner strigatus,  p.  336. 

552.  Chondestes  grammacus  [Say).    Lark  Sparrow. 

iSimilar  to  the  western  lark  sparrow,  but  averaging  darker  and  grayer, 
with  black  streaks  on  back  broader  and  chestnut  on  head  rather  darker  ; 
wings  and  tail  shorter.  Male :  length .  (skins)  5.50-6.40,  wing  3.23-3.69, 
tail  2.54-3.08,  bill  .41-.48.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.80-6.15,  wing  3.20- 
3.38,  tail  2..54-2.70,  bill  .44-.4T. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Ontario  and 
through  the  Mississippi  Valley  region  to  Texas  and  Alabama ;  and  from 
Ohio  west  to  western  Nebraska ;  casually  to  Atlantic  coast  and  (during 
migration)  Florida. 

Nest  and  eggs  like  those  of  strigatus. 

552a.  C.  g  strigatus  (Swaitis.).    Western  Lark  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Sides  of  head  with  chestnut  jjatch  and  black  and  white  streaks  ; 
crown  chestnut,  with  white  or  buffy  median  stripe ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
brownish  gray,  the  back  streaked  with  blackish ;  tail  blackish  brown  with 
white  corners,  all  but  middle  feathers  tipped  with  white  ;  under  parts  white, 
with  a  small  black  central  spot  on  breast.  Young  :  without  chestnut  patch 
or  black  and  white  streaks  on  head ;  entire  upper  parts  buffy  or  brownish, 
streaked  ;  chest  with  wedge-shaped  blackish  streaks.  Male  :  length  (skins) 
5.60-6.60,  wing  3.20-3.62,  tail  2.52-3.00,  bill  .41-.54.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.50-6.75,  wing  3.12-3.51,  tail  2.40-2.81,  bill  .42-.51. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones,  from 
British  Columbia  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  plateau  of  Mexico,  and  from 
the  plains  to  California  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  or  in  bushes  or  trees,  sometimes  in  mistletoe  or 
mesquite,  made  of  dried  grasses,  plant  stems,  and  fibers.  Eggs :  3  to  6, 
white,  sometimes  with  a  faint  bluish  or  brownish  tinge,  speckled  and  lined 
chiefly  on  larger  end  Avith  black  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  locusts,  and  weevils,  with  seeds  of  weeds  and 
grass,  and  waste  grain. 

Th.:^  lark  sparrow  is  one  of  the  commonest,  most  familiar  western 
birds,  seeming  equally  at  home  when  walking  over  the  smooth  lawn 
of  a  Pasadena  millionaire,  singing  from  the  top  of  the  sagebrush,  or 
perching  on  a  Spanish  bayonet  on  a  rocky  Texas  mesa. 


WESTKk.N    I, ARK    Sl'AKKOW 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  337 

As  he  sits  he  has  a  trick  of  raising  his  crowu  every  few  minutes, 
calling  especial  attention  to  his  directive  face  marking,  and  the 
moment  he  flies  his  white  tail  crescent  shows  conspicuously. 

He  is  much  in  evidence,  not  only  from  his  abundance  and  his  con- 
spicuous markings  but  from  his  mvisical  song,  which  is  heard  almost 
continuously  wherever  he  is  found.  The  song  is  long  and  varied  and 
has  a  purring  phrase  which  is  especially  characteristic.  Like  the 
house  finch  he  sings  with  fine  fervor  when  dancing  before  his  mate 
with  spread  tail  and  quivering  wings. 

GENUS    ZONOTRICHIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  .small,  compressed,  conical  ;  tail  nearly  or  quite 
as  long  as  wing,  slightly  rounded  ;  tarsus  not  more  than  a  third  the  length 
of  tail. 

KEY   TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Top  of  head  wholly  black  or  mottled querula,  p.  387. 

]'.  Top  of  head  striped. 

2.  Crown  with  yellow  patch coronata,  p,  389 

2'.  Crown  striped  black  and  white. 

3.  Throat  with  Avliite  patcli albicoUis.  p.  340. 

3'.  Throat  without  white  patch. 

4.  Lores  black leucophrys,  p.  338. 

4'.  Lores  not  black. 

■).  Back  ashy,  marked  with  brown     ....  ganibelii,  p.  339. 
•)' .  Back  olivaceous,  marked  with  blackish  .     .     nuttalli,  p.  339. 

553.  Zonotrichia  querula  iNutt.).    Harkis  sparkow. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  throat  solid  black,  black  streaking  down 
over  middle  of  breast ;  rest  of  under  parts 
white;  .sides  and  flanks  buffy  brown,  streaked 
with  darker  brown  ;  u])per  parts  brown ; 
back  and  scapulars  streaked  with  blackish  ; 
wings  with  two  white  bars.      Youtuu    first  ^^' 

plumage  (described  by  Preble)  :  upper  i)arts  blackish,  feathers  edged  with 
buffy  and  brown  ;  wing  (piills  edged  with  buffy  and  brown  :  tail  feathers 
edged  and  tipped  with  whitish ;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  buffy  : 
malar  stripe  conspicuous ;  chest  and  sides  streaked  with  black.  Male : 
length  (.skins)  (•..4t;-T.33.  wing  ;;.43-3.(')().  tail  3.14-:;.3S.  bill  SyO-.Wl.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  (;.(;C»-().9r>.  wing  3.i:)-3..r).  tail  3.()4-;).l('>.  bill  .4S-r)l. 

Remarks.  —  Some  specimens  liave  black  throat  patch  and  crown  feath- 
ers tipped  with  grayish.      Mr.  Ridgway  thinks  these  may  be  young  birds. 

Distrilmtion.  —  luti-v'un-  oi  Britisli  America  (Fort  Churchill  and  Hudson 
Bay),  wintering  south  over  the  interior  plains  to  southern  Te.vas  ;  acci- 
dental in  British  Columbia  aiul  Oregon. 

The  breeding  range  of  the  Harris  sparrow  i<  unknown  except  for 
Mr.  I'reble's  P'ort  Churchill  record.  The  last  of  July  among  the 
dwarf  spruces  of  Fort  Chm-cJiill  he  found  an  adult  male  and  female 
with  young  just  from  the  nest  i 

'  *' BioioRical  IiivestiKatioii  of  HihImoii  Hiiv  K«'lmoii."  Hy  K.hv.  .\.  I'lrlilc.  Furum  JJ, 
Biol.  Sun: 


338  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

•  The  habits  of  the  Harris  sparrow  are  largeh'  common  to  those  of 
the  genus.  In  describing  them  Colonel  Goss  says:  "The  birds 
inhabit  the  thickets  bordering  streams  and  the  edges  of  low  wood- 
lands. They  are  usually  met  with  in  small  flocks.  A  favorite  resort 
is  in  and  about  the  brush  heaps,  where  the  land  is  being  cleared. 
They  seldom  mount  high  in  the  trees,  but  keep  near  the  ground, 
upon  which  they  hunt  and  scratch  among  the  leaves  for  seeds  and 
insect  life. 

"  They  commence  singing  early  in  the  spring,  and  upon  warm, 
sunshiny  days  their  song  can  be  heard  almost  continually,  as  one 
after  the  other  pours  forth  its  pleasing,  plaintive,  whistling  notes,  in 
musical  tone  much  like  the  white-throated  sparrow,  but  delivered 
in  a  widely  different  song."  Prof.  Cooke  says  that  in  addition  to 
their  albicolUs  whistle  they  have  a  'queer,  chuckling  note.'  (See 
Cooke  on  "Distribution  and  Migration  of  Zonotrichia  querula," 
The  Auk,  i.  332.) 
554.  Zonotrichia   leucophrys    (Forst.).     White-crowned  Spar- 


row 


Adult  male.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  striped  with  black  and  white,  wliite 

median  stripe  usually  as  wide  as 
adjoining-  black  stripes ;  lores  black., 
white  superciliary  stripe  not  extend- 
ing' forward  of  eye ;  edge  of  wing 
^pj^  white  :  under  parts  plain  gray  ;    back 

^S^^^      I      with  fore  parts  g'ray ;  rump   brown. 

\\         /  *  /       Adult  female :  like  male  and  some- 

s'\    ■  times  indisting-uishable.  but  usually 

^  with  median  crown  stripe  narrower 

^'    and  grayer.     Young  :  like  adults,  but 
/'        liead  stripes  brown  and  buff y  instead 
j^  of    black    and    white  ;  under   parts 

buffy.  and  chest,  sides  of  throat,  and 
sides  streaked.  Male  :  length  (skins) 
5.84-6.74,  wing-  2.98-3.28,  tail  2.68- 
3.2o,  bill  .43-.47.  Female:  length 
(skins)  6.00-6.63,  wing  2.89-3.17,  tail 
2.69-3.00,  bill  .41-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds     in    Upper 
Canadian  zone  in  the  United  States 
^'S-  -l-^-  and  Canada,  from  Quebec  and  Labra- 

dor north  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Greenland  and  throughout  most  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky  Mountains,  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona ; 
winters  south  through  the  United  States  and  Lower  California  to  Guana- 
juato, Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  ground,  in  sub-alpine  meadows,  often  in  willows 
along-  streams,  made  of  fine  twig-s.  rootlets,  and  g-rasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5, 
pale  g'reenish  blue,  varying-  to  brownish,  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Foof/.  —  Caterpillars^  ants,  wasps,  and  weed  seed,  including-  that  of 
Johnson  grass  and  ragweed. 

The  white-crowned  sparrow  is  preeminently  the  sparrow  of  the 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  339 

mountains.  Along  the  willow  bordered  streams  that  run  through 
the  mountain  meadows  in  the  Sierra  its  thin,  sharp  chip  of  parental 
anxiety  is  often  heard,  and  its  song  dominates  the  bird  chorus.  The 
song  is  composed  of  two  long  whistled  notes,  the  tirst  sliding  up  to 
the  second  with  grace  notes,  the  second  followed  b}^  a  lower  note 
repeated  rapidly  three  times.  The  two  long  whistled  notes  are  rich 
and  plaintive  in  tone,  suggesting  the  whistle  of  the  pine  woods 
sparrow,  and  as  they  ring  through  the  cool,  pure  air  day  after  day 
seem  to  give  expression  to  the  deep  pervading  peace  and  serenity  of 
the  mountains. 


654a.  Z.  1.  gambelii  {Nutt.) 

>SpAHHO\V. 

Similar  to  leuco/Jirt/s.  but  lores  not  black,  wliit 
iiig-  to  bill.  Mdle  :  length  (skins) 
5.8.5-0.48,  wing  ;;.()0-;5.2'8,  tail  2.."J8- 
2.92,  bill  .39-.44.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.7-5-0.4;),  -wing-  2.90-0.25,  tail 
2.04-2.9;^.  bill  .:59-.4;5. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska 
to  Montana  and  eastern  Oregon  ;  mi- 
grates south  through  the  western 
United  .States  to  Lower  California 
and  Central  Mexico  ;  straggling-  east 
to  Iowa. 

Eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  the 
white -crowned,  but  cinnaniou  colored 
or  rusty  style  prevailing. 

Food.  —  Cutworms,  caterpillars,  and 
other  insects  as  well  as  weed  seed. 


Gambel  Sparrow  :   Intermediate 

liary  stripe  reach- 


Fig.  4--'7. 


554b.  Z.  1.  nuttalli  llidgir.     Nittall  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Like  leurof)fit\i/s,  but  lores  not  black  and  superciliary  stripe 
extending  to  bill ;  median  crown  stripe  usually  narrower  tlian  lateral 
stripes,  edge  of  wing  yellow,  and  adults  with  iip/)er  /.arts  broirn  instead  of 
gray,  streakings  dark  brown  or  l)lackisli.  and  under  parts  brownish  grai/. 
Young:  groundcolor  of  u])pfr  ))arts  light  buffy  olive  ;  under  parts  jjale 
Yellowish.  M(th  :  length  (skius)  .").S0-0.(i7,  wing  2.8;;-2.9(i.  tail  2.(i8-2.9(), 
bill  .41-47.     Fiindr:  length   (skins)  5.;57-(i.4().  wing  2.(i(;-2.79,  tail  2.50- 

2.7;i,  bill  .;;9-.47. 

liemarks.  —  Of  the  tliree  sparrows,  the  white-crown,  the  Xuttall.  and  the 
Ganjbel.  the  white-crown  may  be  distinguished  by  its  l)lack  oi-  dark  brown 
b)res;  tbe  adult  Xuttall  sjjai'row  by  lirownish  instead  of  grayish  coloration; 
and  usually  ;i  median  crown  stiipe  that  is  narrower  than  the  lateral 
stripes;  an<l  tbe  adult  (lambel  by  the  combiuat  ion  of  wliite  lores,  gray 
c«>lor;itiou.  and  bro.ad  median  crown  stripe. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Ilriiisli  (  Olumbia  to  Monterey.  California; 
migrates  t<t  Lower  Calif<»rni.i. 

Food.  -  -  Insects.  gi;iin.  .and  weed  seed. 


657.  Zonotrichia  coronata  (/'«//.).    (iom>i.n-(  uownkd  Spakuow. 

Adults.  —  Crou-n    inclosed  by  black  stripes,  with   median  strijie  yellow  in 


340  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

front,  ash  yrai/  behind ;  rest  of  upper  part  olive  brown,  streaked  on  back 

with  blackish  brown  :  rump  and  tail  plain  ; 
wiug-  with  two  white  bauds :  under  parts 
gray  ;  sides  and  flanks  washed  with  brown. 
Young :  similar,  but  black  crown  stripes 
Fig.  4LVS.  aolden-orovvned  Sparrow,  replaced  by  brown  streaked  with  black, 
and  median  stripe  dull  brownish  yellow  flecked  or  streaked  with  dusky, 
the  ash  gray  wanting- ;  upper  parts  washed  with  brownish ;  under  parts 
soiled  whitish.  iV/a/e  ;  length  (skins)  5.9o-7.1o,  wing-  2.99-3.28,  tail  2.89- 
3.28,  bill  .44-..52.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.15-6.65,  wing-  2.90-3.17,  tail 
2.71-3.25,  bill  .4.J-..50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska  ;  mig-rates  south  along-  the  Pacific  coast 
to  Lower  California,  strag-gling-  east  to  Nevada,  Colorado,  and  AVisconsin. 
Nest.  —  In  alder  patches.      Eggs :  usually  5,  colored  like  the  more  dis- 
tinctly spotted  style  of  the  white-croMnied  sparrow. 

In  winter  the  gold  en- crowns  are  among  the  common  birds  of  the 
San  Francisco  parks  and  cemeteries  and  are  so  tame  they  will  hop 
over  the  grass  and  down  the  paths  close  to  the  bench  on  which  you 
are  sitting.  The  sparrow  flock  usually  includes  more  white-crowns 
than  goldens,  but  all  are  equally  and  delightfully  familiar.  In  some 
of  the  parks  the  birds  seem  especially  fond  of  sunning  themselves 
on  the  budding  laurestium  bushes. 

Though  the  golden- crowns  live  mainly  on  seeds,  you  often  see 
one  jump  up  from  the  ground  for  an  insect  or  run  after  one  and 
swallow  it  as  unconcernedly  as  if  he  were  not  supposed  to  be  a 
vegetarian. 

In  Los  xAngeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  they  winter  commonly 
from  the  mesas  up  to  5000  feet  on  the  bushy  mountain  sides. 

558.  Zonotrichia  albicollis  {Gmel).  White-throated  Sparrow. 
Adult  male.  —  Throat  pure  white  sharply  contrasted  with  g-ray  of  breast ; 
head  striped  with  black  and  white  ;  superciliary  yellow  from  bill  to  eyes ; 
edg-e  of  wing-  yellow  ;  back  and  scapulars  rusty  brown  streaked 
with  blackish  ;  rump  olivaceous  or  brownish.  Adult  female ; 
sometimes  indistinguishable  from  male,  but  usually  with  col- 
oration of  head  and  under  parts  decidedly  duller,  crown  stripe 
ting-ed  with  brown  and  buffy.  Young  in  Jirst  winter :  like 
Fig.  429.  adult  female,  but  duller,  crown  stripes  browner.  Young: 
throat  not  distinctly  whitish,  and  stripes  on  head  brown  and  buffy  instead 
of  black  and  white  ;  yellow  in  front  of  eyes  more  or  less  distinct ;  under 
parts  brownish  white,  streaked,  except  on  belly.  Male :  length  (skins) 
6.12-6.56,  wing  2.85-3.04,  tail  2.80-3.00,  bill  .42-.48.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.91-6.30,  wing  2.74-2.88,  tail  2.6S-2.90,  bill  .44-46. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  of  albicollis  can  be  distinguished  from  that  of 
leucophrys  by  their  deeper  brown  lateral  crown  stripes  and  more  rusty 
back  and  wings. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Hudsonian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Labrador  south  to  the  northern  United  States,  chiefly  east,  but 
also  in  Montana  and  Wyoming  ;  winters  to  Florida  and  southern  Texas, 
straggling  west  to  Oregon  and  California. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  or   in   bushes,  made  largely  of  coarse  grasses, 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  341 

rootlets,  moss,  and  strips,  of  bark,  lined  with  finer  grasses.  Eggs  :  4  or  5, 
finely  and  evenly  speckled  or  heavily  and  irregularly  blotched  with 
brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  weed  seed,  and  wild  berries. 

Tlie  white-throated  sparrow  is  one  of  the  best  whistlers  of  the 
musical  genus  Zonotrichia,  his  clear  /,  /,  pea-body,  pea-hody,  pea- 
body,  ringing  iinely  through  the  spring  air.  Though  chiefly  an  east- 
ern bird,  he  may  be  seen  in  Montana  and  Wyoming. 

GENUS    SPIZELLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  o  ;  bill  small,  conical ;  tail  emar- 
ginate  or  double  rounded,  middle  feathers  shorter  than  longest  ;  tarsus 
about  length  of  middle  toe  with  claw. 

,      KEY    TO    SPECIKS. 

1.  Bill  reddish  brown  or  orange. 

2.  Chin  black,  head  slaty  gray atrogularis,  p.  '?A'>. 

2'.  Chin  whitish,  head  rufous  and  bufiFy      ....      arenacea.  p.  844. 
r.  Bill  black  or  yellowish  brown. 
2.  Crown  rufous. 

8.  Breast  with  pectoral  blotch ochracea.  p.  341. 

o'.  Breast  without  pectoral  blotch. 

4.   Forehead  and  streak    behind  eye  black.     Rocky  Mountains  to 

Pacific  coast \     .     .     .     .      arizonae.  p.  342. 

4'.  Forehead  without  black  and  no  black  streak  beliind  eye. 

wortheni,  p.  344. 
2'.  Crown  without  rufous. 

3.  Head  and  back  grayish  brown,  uniformly  and  finely  streaked  with 

black breweri.  p.  343. 

3'.  Head  and  back  gray  and  huffy,  coarsely  and  irregularly  streaked 
with  black.     Plains pallida,  p.  342. 

559a.  Spizella  monticola  ochracea  Breirst.    Western  Tree 
Sp.\rkow. 

Adults.  —  Bill   yeWow  in  adults  ;  crown,  stripe   behind  eye,  and  patch 
on  sides  of  chest  rufous,  crown  often,  especially 
in    winter,    with    ashy   median  stripe,    or  rufous 
obscured  by  grayisli  edges  to  feathers  ;  middle  of 
back  huffy,  streaktnl  with  l)lack  and  rusty  ;  wings  ^'--  "^•'*'- 

witli  two  conspicuous  white  bars  ;  under  p.'irts  grayisli,  chest  irtth  .s»ja// 
duski/ spot.  Young  :  streaked  beneath.  Male:  length  (skins)  .').(')l-().00, 
wing  2.S7-3.24,  tail  2.r)0-2.8S,  bill  ..".S-.41.  Feimde  :  length  (skins)  5.41- 
5.09,  wing  2.S7-3.10.  tail  2.(i0-2.7l>,  bill  .3.")-.31). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  near  the  arctic  coast  through  Ala.ska ; 
migrates  as  far  east  as  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains,  and  south  to  New 
Mexico.  Texas,  an<l  .\ri/.on:i. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  or  in  low  l)ushes,  composed  largely  of  dried  grass 
and  fe;itliers.  I'.ggs :  3  to  .").  pale  greeuisli  blue,  varying  to  brownish, 
speckled  with  reddislj  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  seeds,  largely  weed  seed. 

In  its  Ahiskan  liotne  Mr.  Nelson  says  Ihc  western  tree  sjKirrow  is 
the  most  numerous  of  the  sparrows   that    fn^iueiit   the  1)ushes.  espe- 


342  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

cially  along  the  coast  of  Bering  Sea,  where,  on  entering  a  tliicket, 
the  protesting  tsip  of  the  gentle  bird  may  be  heard  on  all  sides. 

Coming  south  in  fall,  ochracea  reaches  Colorado  in  October  and 
spends  the  winter,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  on  the  Plains  and  the  lower 
part  of  the  mountains,  being  common  up  to  7000  feet  and  occa- 
sionally seen  as  high  as  9000  feet. 

560a.  Spizella  socialis  arizonse  Coues.  Western  Chipping 
Sparrow. 
Adults  171  summer.  —  Bill  black  ;  top  o£  head  rufous,  sometimes  with  in- 
dication of  ashy  median  line  and  dark  streak- 
ing- ;  forehead  blackish,  cut  by  median  white 
line ;  superciliary  stripe  white  or  grayish, 
bordered  below  by  narrow  black  eye  stripe ; 
back  brownish  or  pale  buffy,  streaked  with 
black :  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  gray ; 
sides  of  head  dull  gray  ;  under  parts  white  or 
ashy.  Adtilts  in  winter  :  similar,  but  colors  dul- 
ler and  darker,  ting-ed  with  brown  on  lower 
parts,  black  on  forehead  obscure  or  wanting, 
crown  usually  streaked  with  dusky,  bill 
brown.  Young:  top  of  head  brownish, 
p-     ^^^  streaked    with    blackish ;  superciliary   buify, 

streaked  ;  breast  streaked ;  tarsus  less  than 
twice  as  long-  as  bill.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.82-5.43,  wing-  2.64-3.00,  tail 
2.11-2.57,  bill  .36-.41.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.87-5.26,  wing  2.62-2.98, 
tail  2.12-2.42,  bill  .35-.40. 

Remarks.  —  The  paler  coloration  of  the  western  chipping  sparrow  dis- 
tinguishes it  from  the  eastern,  while  the  absence  of  pectoral  blotch  and 
striking  wing  bars  distinguishes  it  from  the  western  tree  sparrow,  and 
the  black  marks  on  the  forehead  and  behind  the  eye  still  further  separate 
it  from  the  Worthen  sparrow. 

Distribution. — Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Alaska,  perhaps  to  northern  Mexico,  and  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
western  Texas  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and 
southern  border  of  Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  bushes,  made  of  grass  stems  and  lined  with  horse- 
hair. Eggs  :  3  to  5,  light  greenish  blue,  speckled  chiefly  around  the 
larger  end  with  black  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  caterpillars  and  other  injurious  insects  and  weed  seed. 

In  southern  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says  the  western  chippy  is 
common  about  gardens  and  orchards  in  the  mesa  regions,  breeding 
in  the  conifers  on  the  mountains  to  8500  feet.  In  Colorado  and 
Arizona  it  breeds  up  to  nearly  10,000  feet,  though  most  commonly 
from  6000  to  7000  feet. 

At  St.  Mary's  Lake,  Montana,  Mr.  Howell  heard  one  sing  near  his 
camp  several  nights  as  late  as  nine  o'clock. 

561.  Spizella  pallida  (Swains.).     Cl ay-colored  Sparrow. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  light  brown  with  pale  median  stripe  and 
black-streaked   sides ;  superciliary   buffy  or   whitish  ;  sides  of  head  buffy 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  MS 

brown  bordered  above  and  beloAv  by  narrow  blackisb  streak  ;  malar  region 
whitish,  bordered  below  by  dusky  streak  along-  side  of  throat  ;  hind  neck 
gray,  narrowly  streaked ;  back  and  scapulars  brown,  broadly  streaked 
with  black  ;  wing  bars  buify  ;  nnder  parts  whitish,  Avashed  with  brown  on 
chest  and  sides.  Adults  in  ivinter  :  crown  streaks  narrower,  and  plumage 
more  buffy.  Youny :  upper  parts  buffy  or  clay-colored  ;  chest  and  sides 
buffy,  streaked  with  black.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.()4-r).41,  wing  2.34- 
2.49,  tail  2.18-2.44,  bill  .;:54.-.o9.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.64-5.25.  wing 
2.28-2.51,  tail  2.08-2.40,  bill  .35-.39. 

Remarks. — The  clay-colored  and  the  Brewer  sparrow  both  have 
streaked  upper  parts,  but  the  clay-colored  has  only  a  median  crown  stripe 
and  plain  gray  hind  neck,  while  the  Brewer  is  uniformly  streaked  on  head, 
neck,  and  back. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zone  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan plains  south  to  Iowa  and  Nebraska  and  from  Illinois  west  to 
western  Montana  ;  migrates  south  to  Lower  California  and  southern  end  of 
Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes- in  open  situations.  Eggs:  usually  4,  light  greenish 
blue,  speckled  chiefly  around  the  larger  end  with  brown. 

The  clay-colored  sparrow  is  said  to  be  almost  e.xclusively  terres- 
trial, though  during  the  nesting  season  the  males  sing  from  the  tops 
of  bushes  almost  continually.  The  song  Coues  gives  as  three  notes 
and  a  slight  trill.  Along  the  Red  River  in  Dakota,  he  says,  they 
nest  in  "open  low  underbrush  by  the  river  side  and  among  the 
innumerable  scrub- willow  copses  of  the  valley." 

562.  Spizella  breweri  Cas.<i.    Brewer  Sp.\rrow. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  streaked  with  black  on  grayish  brown 
ground ;  under  parts  soiled  grayish.  In 
winter,  similar  but  more  buffy.  Young : 
like  adults,  but  chest  and  sides  streaked, 
streaks  of  upper  parts  broader  and  less 
sharply  defined,  and  wings  with  two  dis- 
tinct bands.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.74- 
5.1;;,  wing  2.:;T-2..V.t.  tail  2.20-2.44.  bill  .34- 
.35.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.00-5.19, 
wing  2.20-2.59,  tail  2.2(J-2..*>0.  bill  .34-30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone 
sagebrush  from  British  Columbia  south  to 

southern  Arizona,  and  from  western  Nebraska  and  western  Texas  to  the 
Pacific  coast ;  south  in  winter  along  the  western  border  of  the  Mexican 
tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  sagebrush,  made  of  fine  grass  stems  and  leaves,  lined  with 
long  horsehairs.  Eggs  :  u.sually  4,  and  generally  like  those  of  the  day- 
colored  sparrow,  but  more  distinctly  marked. 

Tlie  Brewer  sparrow,  known  locally  as  the  sagebrush  chippie,  is 
marked  down  as  an  'arid  transition  '  species,  and,  true  to  his  zonal 
colors,  if  any  arid  transition  sagebrush  strays  to  the  sunny  side  of  a 
high  moimtain  ridge  lie  will  appear  there  with  it,  though  his  normal 
home  is  in  the  bottom  of  a  desert.  We  once  found  him  singing  at 
8400  feet  on  the  snowy  crest  of  the  Siena,  but  on  tlic  sunny  slope 
below  was  the  inevitable  sage. 


344  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

When  among  its  favorite  buslies  the  small  sparrow  is  hard  to  see, 
for  its  quick  darting  flight  ends  on  the  earth  and  it  rims  over  the 
ground  like  a  mouse.  The  best  view  you  can  get  of  it  is  when  it 
mounts  a  bush  and  throws  up  its  finely  striped  head  to  sing.  And 
what  an  odd  little  song  it  gives  !  It  has  the  metallic,  insect-like 
quality  of  a  marsh  wren's  song,  and  something  the  jingle  of  a 
canary's,  but  though  unmusical  the  ditty  is  so  cheery  and  bright  as 
to  be  distinctly  pleasing. 

The  sparrows'  morning  and  evening  choruses  are  especially  interest- 
ing, the  evening  the  more  so  perhaps  when  the  birds  are  feeding- 
young,  as  they  have  more  time  when  their  broods  are  attended  to 
for  the  night.  I  heard  the  chorus  for  the  first  time  in  Sierra  Valley, 
California,  when  we  rode  in  through  the  sagebrush  and  camped  on 
the  edge  of  the  pines  just  at  sunset.  The  curious  little  tinkling 
song  was  coming  up  from  all  over  the  brush,  and  it  seemed  as  if  we 
had  come  upon  a  marsh  full  of  singing,  though  subdued,  marsh 
wrens. 

563a.  Spizella  pusilla  arenacea  Chadh.  Western  Field  Sparrow. 

Adults.- — Bill  rufous  or  orange;  broad  median  crown  stripe  and  some- 
times whole  crown  gray  between  reddish  brown  lateral  stripes,  which  are 
sometimes  indistinct ;  postocnlar  streak  rufous  ;  hack  grayish,  rufous,  and 
huffy,  streaked  with  black ;  wing  with  two  distinct  bars ;  under  parts 
whitish,  slightly  tinged  with  rufous.  Young :  similar  but  colors  duller 
and  more  suffused  ;  markings  of  head  less  distinct  and  lower  parts  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  ^)..58-6.0L^  wing-  2.69-2.80,  tail  2.60-2.8o,  bill  .37-.39. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  5.  wing  2.44,  tail  2.47,  bill  .37. 

Remarks.  —  The  reddish  bill  and  absence  of  pectoral  blotch  are  enough 
to  distinguish  this  sparrow  from  the  western  tree  sparrow. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  Plains  in  Ne- 
braska. South  Dakota,  and  Montana ;  migrates  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  in  old  weed  grown  fields  and  thickets, 
made  mainly  of  grass  stems.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white,  tinged  with  green  or 
buff,  and  speckled  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  weed  seed. 

564.  Spizella  wortheni  Bidgu:     Worthen  Sparrow. 

Top  of  head  dull  reddish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker,  rest 
of  head,  including  forehead,  ashy ;  back  pale 
tawny,  broadly  streaked  with  black ;  under 
parts  whitish,  tinged  with  buffy  gray  on  cheeks 
and  sides ;  bill  pinkish  brown  or  cinnamon 
rufous.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.98-5.07,  wing 
2.63-2.76,  tail  2.35-2.53,  bill  .37-.39.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.06-5.25,  wing  2..55-2.69.  tail 
2.27-2.-50,  bill  ..35-.36. 

Beniarks.  —  The    Worthen    sparrow   may   be 

distinguished  from  the  western  chipping  by  the 

^.      ,  „  absence  of  black  on  forehead  and  black  streak 

^'^-  ^'•^^-  behind  eye. 

Distribution.  —  From   Silver    City,    New    Mexico,   south   on  plateau    of 

northeastern  Mexico  to  southern  Puebla. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  345 

565.  Spizella  atrogularis  (Cab.).     Black-chinned  Sparrow. 

Adult  male.  —  Throat,  and  ring  around  bill  black  :  head,  neck,  and  lower 
parts  gray,  becoming-  white  on  belly  and  under      ^aj^*""*^^  °"'^'-">^>^ 
tail  coverts ;  bark  and  scajjulars  rusty  brownish    *^K  _^^BSI^^ 

narrowly   streaked   with    blackish  ;    bill    pinkish      ^^^(^t^^^^^^jg^^^*^'' 
brown.     Adult  female  :  like  male,  but  usually  ^'i«-  ^3^- 

with  black  of  chin  restricted,  often  wanting-.  Young  :  similar,  but  black 
replaced  by  gray,  streaking  on  back  narrower,  chest  indistinctly  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.80-5.58,  wing  2.o7-2.75,  tail  2.41-2.92,  bill  .34-.42. 
Female :  length  (skins)  4.90-5.45,  wing  2.37-2.55,  tail  2.83-2.75,  bill  .34- 
.ov. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  desert  ranges  of  California.  Arizona,  and 
southern  New  Mexico  south  to  Lower  California  and  to  southern  end  of 
Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  plain  light  greenish  blue. 

The  black-chinned  sparrow  is  common  in  Los  Angeles  County, 
California,  in  summer,  on  brushy  mountain  sides  from  the  base  of 
the  foothills  up  to  7000  feet.  Its  song  is  said  to  resemble  closely 
that  of  the  eastern  field  sparrow. 

GENUS   JUNCO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical ;  wing  rounded,  primaries  exceeding 
secondaries  by  much  less  than  length  of  tarsus;  tail  double-rounded; 
tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ;  hind  claw  nearly  or 
quite  as  long  as  toe. 

KEY   TO    ADUL,T    MALES. 

1.  Head  black  or  blackish. 

2.  Black  of  head  not  sharply  contrasted  with  brown  of  back. 

connectens.  p.  347. 
2'.  Black  of  head  sharply  contrasted  with  brown  of  back. 

3.  Back  dark  brown oreganus,  p.  347. 

3'.  Back  light  brown. 

4.  Sides  of  head  and  throat  deep  black  .  .       thurberi,  p.  347. 

4'.  Sides  of  liead  and  throat  slaty  black  ....  pinosus,  p.  348. 
1'.  Head  gray  or  browni.sh. 
2.  Upper  parts  wholly  gray. 

3.  Wing  with  two  wliite  bars aikeiii.  p.  .'.45. 

3'.  Wing  unmarked hyenialis,  p.  :\M'k 

J    2'.  Upper  parts  gray  and  brown. 
3.  Back  bright  rufous. 

4.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  rufous     ....     palliatus.  p.  .'>49. 
4'.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  not  rufous. 

5.  Under  ])arts  iiiiitorm  ashy  white       ...  dorsalis.  p.  rA\l 
5'.  Under  parts  not  a.sliy  white. 

<).  Sides  gray caniceps,  p.  .349. 

() .  Sides  pinkish annecteiis,  p.  348. 

3'.  Back  dull  bn.wn. 

4.   Sides  sli-^litly  piukisli montailUS.  p.  .■'.4S. 

4'.  .Sides  broadly  pinkish nieariLsi.  p.  .■)4S. 

566.  Junco  aikeni  Iii<lgir.    \ViiiTi:-wiN<;Kr>  .Irxco. 

Adult    male.  —  Kntiie    body  almost    uniform  /ii/ht  slaty  grai/  except  for 


346  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

abruptly  white  belly  ;  wing-s  usually  with  two  white  bars  and  tail  with  three 
outermost  feathers  almost  wholly  white.  Adult  female :  smnl^v,  but 
paler,  upper  parts  tinged  with  brownish  ;  wing-  bars  less  distinct,  often 
obsolete.  Young :  entire  body  profusely  streaked ;  under  parts  with 
whitish  ground.  Male:  length  (skins)  6.18-6.69,  wing  3.21-3.66,  tail 
2.96-3.10,  bill  .46-.51.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.89-6.62,  wing  3.19-3.32, 
tail  2.80-3.00,  bill  .45-.  49. 

Bemarks.  —  This  is  the  only  junco  with  white  wmg  bars,  and  there  is 
only  one  other  in  the  west  in  which  back  and  chest  are  of  the  same  color. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northwestern  Nebraska,  the  Black  Hills,  North 
Dakota,  and  Wyoming  ;  migrates  to  Colorado  and  Kansas ;  casually  to 
Indian  Territory  and  Wisconsin. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  near  canyon  bottoms,  made  of  grass,  lined 
with  grass  and  hair.  Eggs :  greenish  white,  lightly  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  and  lavender. 

The  white-winged  junco  winters  in  Colorado  from  the  Plains  to 
an  altitude  of  8000  feet  in  the  mountains,  where  Professor  Cooke 
finds  it  the  commonest  winter  junco. 

567.  Junco  hyemalis  {Linn.).     Slate-colored  Junco. 

Adults.  —  Whole  body,  except  ichite  belly,  dark  slaty  gray,  often  blackish 
on  head  in  male  and  washed  with  brownish  in  imma- 
ture male  and  female,  when  the  sides  are  also  washed 
with  pinkish  brown  ;  two  pairs  of  outer  tail  feathers 
white ;  bill  in  life  pinkish  white  or  flesh-color.  Young 
in  first  plumage :  streaked  on  brown  upper  parts,  and 
huffy  white  under  parts,  wings  with  brownish  band. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.44-6.23,  wing  3.02-3.24,  tail  2.49- 
2.80,  bill  .40-.46.  Female:  length  (.skins)  5.22-6.10,  wing 
2.78-3.08,  tail  2.45-2.64,  bill  .39-.46. 

Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  North 
America,  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  south  in  the  mountains 
of  northeastern  United  States  to  Pennsylvania  ;  winters  south  to  the  Gulf 
States  ;  casual  in  Arizona  and  California  ;  straggling  to  Siberia. 

Nest. — Usually    on   the    ground,    rather   bulky,    composed   largely    of 
dried  grass  stems  and  rootlets,  lined  Avith  softer  materials.     Eggs :  usu- 
ally 4  or  5,  white,  greenish,  or  huffy,  speckled  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects  and  weed  seed. 

J  uncos  are  foresters  or  mountaineers  who  are  driven  down  from 
the  mountains  into  the  mild  valleys  when  the  severe  snows  come. 
In  this  wny  the  Sierra  species  spends  the  winter  in  the  parks  and 
cemeteries  of  San  Francisco.  Others  come  from  the  far  north  and 
go  on  to  spend  their  winters  in  the  south.  Several  species  winter 
in  the  Great  Basin  country.  Some  members  of  the  west  coast  con- 
tingency spread  out  over  the  interior  valleys  or  even  go  to  such 
popular  resorts  as  Pasadena,  where  they  hop  about  over  the  ground 
under  the  pepper-trees  as  if  finding  the  pink  aromatic  berries  a  feast 
spread  to  their  taste. 

When  seen  away  from  home,  or  at  any  time  except  the  nesting 
season,  they  are  quiet,  social  birds,  ahvays  sitting  around  in  flocks, 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  347 

flying  up  together  with  a  twitter  and  a  flash  of  their  white  outer 
tail  feathers,  or  singing  in  concert  a  sunn}^  pleasing  warble. 

In  the  breeding  season  the  gray -headed  junco  may  be  found  nest- 
ing on  the  cold  crests  of  the  desert  ranges  in  Nevada  and  the  Great 
Basin,  the  pink-sided  in  grassy  parks  in  the  pine  forests  of  Mon- 
tana, and  the  Point  Piuos  at  Monterey,  where  the  fragrance  of  the 
pines  is  mingled  with  the  distant  roar  of  the  Pacific.  In  their  homes 
you  find  them  more  interesting  than  when  in  flocks,  because  tliey 
are  now  leading  individual  lives,  but  they  are  still  the  same  trustful, 
gentle  birds,  ready  to  come  into  camp  or  to  let  you  examine  their 
nests.  On  Mt.  Shasta  and  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  the  Thurber  junco 
nests  in  the  fir  forests  and  mountain  meadows  from  an  altitude  of 
7000  to  8000  feet,  frequently  building  near  a  brook  under  shelter  of 
a  broad-leafed  hellebore.  One  nest  found  on  Donner  Peak  was  sunk 
in  a  bed  of  blooming  heather.  The  brooding  birds  as  a  rule  are  very 
tame,  though  they  sit  around  and  tsip  at  you  when  you  come  near, 
and  on  rare  occasions  the  mother  will  decoy. 

667a.  J.  h.  oreganus  {Towns.).     Oregon  Junco. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  aiul  chest  black  or  dark  slaty,  the  black 
chest  pattern  outlined  on  the  white  of  the  under  parts  as  a  black  convex ; 
middle  of  hack  dark  brown ;  sides  deep  pinkish  brown  ;  three  outer  tail 
feathers  with  white,  outside  j^air  wholly  white.  Adult  female :  black  of 
male  replaced  by  slaty  ;  crown  and  hind  neck  washed  with  brown,  and 
re.st  of  upper  parts  brownish  ;  sides  and  flanks  duller ;  bill  in  life  pinkish, 
tipped  with  dusky,  and  iris  dark  brown  or  claret  color.  In  winter :  colors 
stronffer,  and  feathers  of  chest  tipped  with  whitish.  Young:  streaked, 
on  brown  above,  buffy  below.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.50-0.07,  wing-  2.8()- 
3.08,  tail  2.48-2.()l»,  bill  .41-.45.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.17-5.70,  wing 
2.78-2.80,  tail  2.:l4-2.40,  bill  .41-.45. 

Remarks.  —  The  subspecies  of  hyemalis  are  black-headed  and  chested 
instead  of  gray  as  in  hj/emalis,  aikeni,  and  annectens,  and  the  chest  line  is 
convex  instead  of  straig-ht  across  from  wing  to  wing-.  Of  the  hyemalis 
subspecies  oreganus  is  the  darkest,  tlie  head,  neck,  and  chest  of  the  adult 
male  being-  deep  black  and  the  back  dark  chestnut  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  Alaska  to  British  Co- 
lumbia ;  winters  south  to  California  ;  straggling-  to  eastern  Oregon  and 
Nevada. 

567b.  J.  h    connectens  Coues.    iNXKKMKm.vTK  Junco. 

Similar  to  onganus,  hut  head  and  neck  blackish  slate  instead  of  jet 
black,  bark  dull  brown  and  sides  j)iiikisl»  hrown.  M(de  :  Icngtli  (skins) 
5.55-(;.2(),  wins-  .■5.0O-;;.22,  tail  2.(»2-2.S4,  bill  .42-.4<i.  Femal,  :  length 
(skins)  5.-I0-5.02,  wing-  2.S2-;}.(»S,  tail  2.:!(>-2.Tl.  bill  .41 -.4:'.. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Bocky  Mountain  region  from  British  Co- 
lumbia an<l  Alberta  to  Washington  and  northern  Oregon;  east  probably  to 
Montana  aiul  Idaho  ;  winters  over  the  Bocky  Mountain  plateau  to  western 
Tfx;is  and  northern  >b'.\ico  ;  straggling-  t(t  California. 

567c.  J.  h.  thurberi  Anthom/.    Thuhbkr  Junco. 

.Simil.n-  to  unganus.  but  wings  and  tail  longer;   Inad.  throat,  .-ind    breast 


348  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

deep  black,  sharply  contrasting  n-ith  light  brown  of  back ;  sides  buffy  rather 
than  pink;  young'  resembling   oreganus,  but 
"g^.    -     ^^      upper  parts  lighter.     Male :    length    (skins) 
.^  ~  5.82-5.95,  wing  2.94-3.12,  tail  2.48-2.68,  bill 

FieT^aor  Thurber  Junco.  .40-.46.     Female:  length    (skins)  5.00-5.67, 

^  wing  2.82-2.94,  tail  2.88-2.56,  bill  .41-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Oregon  south  through  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  desert,  and  coast  ranges,  probably  to  northern  Lower  California ; 
straggles  to  Arizona  in  winter.     Migration  mainly  vertical. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  under  a  weed  or  bush  or  in  a  bank, 
made  largely  of  fine  grass  and  other  plant  stems,  shreds  of  inner  bark, 
lined  with  vegetable  fibers  and  long  porcupine  or  horse  hairs. 

567d.  J.  h.  pinosus  Loomis.     Point  Pinos  Junco. 

Like  thurberi,  but  black  replaced  by  slaty  on  sides  of  head  and  throat ; 
bill  longer,  general  dimensions  somewhat  less.  Young  much  more  strongly 
tinged  with  buff  below.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.49,  wing  2.40-2.90, 
tail  2.80-2.55,  bill  .40-. 45.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.90-5.65,  wing  2.62- 
2.79,  tail  2.81-2.89.  bill  .40-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  coast  range  of  California  (Point  Pinos,  near 
Monterey). 

Nest.  — As  described  by  Emerson,  in  a  slight  hollow  at  the  foot  of  a 
bunch  of  grass,  made  of  leaves  and  lined  with  dead  grass  and  a  few  cow 
hairs. 

567.1.  Junco  montanus  Ridgw.  Montana  Junco:  Mountain 
Junco. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  slate  color ;  tack  dull  light  brown ; 
sides  pale  pinkish  ;  belly  white  ;  outer  tail  feathers  largely  white.  Adult 
female  :  similar,  but  duller,  and  brown  of  back  extending  up  over  crown. 
Adults  in  winter :  plumage  softer.  Young  in  first  winter :  similar  to  winter 
adults,  but  duller,  feathers  edged  largely  with  brownish.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.49-6.00,  wing  8.02-8.28.  tail  2..58-2.78,  bill  .89-.44.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.25-5.69,  wing  2.88-8.08,  tail  2.85-2.65,  bill  .39-.44. 

Hemarks.  —  Montanus  resembles  connectens,  but  is  paler.  It  also  sug- 
gests mearnsi,  but  its  wings  and  tail  are  shorter,  and  the  color  of  the 
head,  neck,  and  chest  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alberta  south  to  Montana  and  Idaho  ;  win- 
ters south  to  Texas,  Arizona,  and  Chihuahua,  Mexico;  irregularly  or 
casually  to  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  eastward. 

568.  Junco  mearnsi  Ridgw.     Pink-sided  Junco. 

Adult  male.  —  Head.  neck,  and  chest  clear  light  slaty  gray;  sides  exten- 
sively pink  ;  lores  blackish  ;  back  and  scapulars  dull  brown.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  brown  of  back  extending  up  on  crown;  sides  less  pinkish. 
Young:  head  and  back  brownish,  streaked  with  blackish;  wings  with 
brownish  bars  ;  under  parts  streaked,  on  buffy  or  grayish  ground.  Male  .• 
length  (skins)  5.67-6.1 1,  wing  8.14-3.84,  tail  2.64-2.89.  bill  .40-.4.5.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  5.48-5.94,  wing  2.90-3.37,  tail  2.59-2.90,  bill  •40-.45. 

Distribution. — Breeds  in  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  Idaho  and  Mon- 
tana ;  migrates  to  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and  northern  Mexico. 

568.1.  Junco  annectens  Baird.    Ridgway  Junco. 

Similar  to  caniceps,  but  with  sides  and  flanks  pinkish  vinaceous  as  in 
mearnsi-     Length  :  6.40,  wing  3.13,  tail  3.05,  bill  .47. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.    '  349 

Distribution.  —  Not  well  defined  ;  has  been  taken  in  Nevada.  Wyoming, 
Colorado,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

569.  Junco  caniceps  (Woodh.).     Gray-headed  Junco. 

Adults.  —  Ash  gray,  except  for  white  on  middle  of  bellj',  bright  rufous 
back,  black  lores,  and  white  outer  tail  feathers  ;  iris  dark  brown  or  claret 
color.  Young :  streaked ;  g-round  color  of  upper  parts  brown.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  5.62-6.19,  wing  3.21-3.41,  tail  2.70-2.94,  bill  .42-.47.  Fe- 
male:  length  (skins)  5.54-5.94,  wing  2.95-3.30.  tail  2.48-2.S1,  bill  .41-.46. 

Remarks.  —  The  gray  sides  distinguish  this  junco  from  all  but  the  adult 
male  hyemalis^  which  has  no  reddish  brown  back  patch. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Rocky  Mountain  region,  from  the  Black  Hills 
to  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  New  Mexico  and  Texas ;  west  from  Col- 
orado to  Nevada  ;  migrates  to  northwestern  Mexico  ;  casually  to  southern 
California. 

570.  Junco  phseonotus  palliatus  Bidgw.     Arizona  Junco. 
Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  rump  ashg-ray  ;   back  bright  brown  ;  greater 

wing  coverts  and  tertials  with  outer  webs  chiejiy  rusty  or  rufous  ;  under  parts 
whitish  ;  outer  tail  feathers  largelv  white  ;  iris  vellow.  Young :  streaked. 
Male :  length  (skins)  5.91-6.53.  wing  3.00-3  26.  tail  2.72-3.01,  bill  .44- 
48.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.56-5.94,  wing  2.91-3.00,  tail  2.46-2.82, 
bill  .44-.48. 

Remarks.  —  The  Arizona  and  the  red-backed  juneos  have  the  under 
parts  nearly  uniform,  but  the  brown  on  the  wings  distinguishes  palliatus 
from  dorsalis.  These  two.  Avith  caniceps  and  male  hyemaiis.  are  all  with- 
out pink  on  the  sides. 

histribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  of  southern  Arizona  and  probably 
of  northern  Mexico. 

570a.  J.  p.  dorsalis  {Henry).     Red-backed  Junco. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  ashy  gray,  except  for  bright  rufous  back ;  under 
parts  ashy  ivhite  ;  iris  hvown.   Young:  streaked; 
back   reddish   brown.     Male :    length    (skins) 

5.81-6.45,  wing   3.22-3.41,  tail  2.87-3.03,  biU  

.44-.50.      Female:    length    (skins)    5.49-6.12,  p-j™  437 

wing  3.00-3.21,  tail  2.69-2.92,  bill  .45-.48. 

Remarks.  —  The  absence  of  brown  on  the  wings  distinguishes  this  sub- 
species from  palliatus. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  mountains  of 
New  Mexico  and  northern  Arizona  ;  winters  south  to  western  Texas  and 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  clumps  of  oaks  on  hillsides,  or,  as  described  by  Dr.  Mearns, 
on  ground  in  pine  woods,  concealed  l)y  bunch  of  wire  grass,  composed  of 
loosely  put  together  roots,  stems  of  plants,  gra.sses,  and  an  occasional 
feather.  Fggs  :  4,  greenish  white,  marked  with  lilac  and  reddish  brown 
around  one  end. 

The  coloration  of  most  of  tlic  juneos  is  not  jiarticularly  protective 
except  as  the  color  pattern  disguises  the  bird's  form,  but  the  red- 
backed  on  the  pine  plateau  of  San  Francisco  Mountain.  Arizona, 
spends  a  large  part  of  its  time  about  the  fallen  pine-tops,  wjiere  the 
red  of  its  back  and  the  red  of  the  dead  pine  needles  and  old  bark 
make  a  protective  combination  that,  added  to  the  gray  of  the  body, 


— ^ 


350  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

which  offsets  the  gray  of  the  branches,  results  in  a  most  effective 
disguise. 

GENUS   AMPHISPIZA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  nearly  straight  ;  wing  slightly  rounded, 
but  without  elongated  inner  secondaries ;  tail  not  shorter  than  wings, 
feathers  rounded  at  ends ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  side 
toes  of  unequal  length. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Throat  black. 

2.  Smaller ;  upper  parts  darker.     Kansas  to  central  Texas. 

bilineata.  p.  850. 
2'.  Larger,  upper  parts  paler  and  browner.    Western  Texas  to  California. 

deserticola,  p.  350. 
1'.  Throat  white. 

2.  Smaller  and  darker.     West  of  Sierra  Nevada     .     .     .     belli,  p.  351. 
2'.  Larger  and  paler.     Sagebrush  plains     .     .     .     nevadensis,  p.  351. 

573.  Amphispiza  bilineata  (Cas,s.).  Black-throated  Sparrow. 
Adults.  —  Lores  and  throat  patch  black  ;  sides  of  head  dark  gray  \yith 
two  white  stripes,  under  parts  mainly  white ; 
upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown  ;  tail,  except 
middle  feathers,  marked  with  white.  Young: 
without  distinct  black  markings  ;  throat  white, 
often  marked  with  gray  ;  chest  streaked  ;  wing 
coverts  and  edges  of  tertials  light  buffy  brown. 
Male  :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.25,  wing  2.43-2.60, 
tail  2:27-2.47.  bill  .3S-.39.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.75-5.35,  wing  2.38-2.60,  tail  2.18-2.45, 
bill  .38-.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Kansas  south 
to  middle  and  eastern  Texas  and  northeastern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  sagebrush,  and  other 
desert  shrubs,  composed  of  fine  shreds  of  bark. 

Eggs :  3  or  4,  plain  greenish  or  bluish  white,  rarely  lightly  spotted. 

573a.  A.  b.  deserticola  Ridgw.    Desert  Sparrow\ 

Adults.  —  Similar  to  .4.  bilineata  "  but  averaging  larger ;  upper  parts 
paler  and  browner,  and  white  spot  at  end  of  inner  web  of  outermost  tail 
feather  much  smaller."  (Ridgway.)  Young:  feathers  of  back  edged 
with  buffv  rufous  ;  breast  streaked  with  gray  ;  belly  white.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  4.90-5.45.  wing  2.52-2.78,  tail  2.40-2.69,  bill  .39-.42.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.80-5.20,  wing  2.4.5-2.60,  tail  2.32-2.49.  bill  .36-.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  on  the  arid  plains  from 
western  Texas  and  New  Mexico  —  west  of  103°  —  to  the  coast  of  south- 
ern California,  and  from  northern  L'tah  and  Nevada  south  to  northern 
Mexico  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  sagebrush,  cat's-claw,  cactus,  or  other  bushes,  loosely  made 
of  dry  grass  and  fine  plant  stems,  lined  with  feathers,  horsehair,  and  wool. 
Eggs :  3  or  4,  bluish  white. 

On  long  hot  rides  over  the  larrea  and  low  mesquite  plains  of  New 
Mexico  the  desert  sparrow  is  the  commonest  bird  of  the  way,  its 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  351 

black  tail  always  disappearing  in  the  bushes  ahead  of  the  horses  as 
you  pass. 

When  we  were  camped  on  the  arid  mesa  of  the  Pecos  River, 
among  the  sounds  that  were  ofteuest  in  our  ears  were  the  songs  of 
the  mockingbird  and  nonpareil,  the  iterant  jJe-cos'  of  the  scaled  quail, 
and  the  calls  of  the  verdin  and  roadrunner,  while,  mingled  with  them, 
always  tinkling  from  the  bushes,  was  the  cheery  little  tune  of 
Ainphispiza.  Tra-ree'-rah,  ree' -rah-ree  was  one  of  the  commonest  of 
its  varied  modifications,  and  it  was  generally  given  with  a  burr  like 
that  of  the  lark  sparrow.  On  all  our  walks  through  the  thorn  brush 
and  climbs  over  the  agave-speared  hills  we  found  the  lovely  little 
bird  everywhere,  sitting  on  top  of  the  bushes  singing  with  head 
thrown  back  in  fine  enjoyment  of  his  bright  lay. 

One  small  father  bird,  trying  to  attract  us  Avhen  we  were  taking- 
notes  on  the  first  plumage  of  his  brood,  after  twittering  and  calling 
in  vain,  flew  excitedly  to  a  bush  top  and  fairly  burst  into  song  while 
his  mate  was  trailing  over  the  ground  beside  us,  with  the  result  that 
the  brood  grew  so  unmanageable  that  they  popped  out  of  the  nest 
faster  than  we  could  put  them  back! 

574.  Amphispiza  belli  (Cass.).    Bell  Spakkow. 

Adults. —  Throat  bordered  with  black  and  white  stripes;  breast  with 
black  blotch ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  ;  orbital  ring-  and  spot  above 
lores  Avhite  ;  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  g-rayer  on  liead.  usually  without 
distinct  streaks  ;  wing-  coverts  and  tertials  edged  with  buffy  ;  edge  of  wing 
yellowish;  tail  feathers  black,  indistinctly  marked  with  lighter.  Young: 
upper  parts  liglit  grayish  ])rown.  streaked  with  black  ;  under  parts  buffy, 
streaked  except  on  throat;  wing-  with  two  rather  .distinct  buffy  bands. 
Male  :  lengtli  (skins)  4.90-:j.70,  wing-  2.o2-2.7l>,  tail  2.;]2-2.87,  biir.o2-.41. 
Female:  length  (skins)  5.00-5.G0.  wing  2.40-2.(51,  tail  2.30-2.70,  bill  .31- 
.89.  ^ 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude  l-iS°  in  valleys  and  foothills  of  Cali- 
fornia, west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  San  Bernardino  Mountains,  to  north- 
ern Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  About  3  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  grasses  and  slender 
weeds,  lined  partly  witli  hair.  Egys :  4,  pale  greenish,  thickly  spotted 
with  reddish  brown  dots. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Calironiia,  Mr.  (Jrinncll  tinds  the  Bell 
sparrow  locally  common  on  the  brush-covered  wasiies  of  the  mesas, 
extending  up  to  5000  feet  in  sununer. 

574a.  A.  b.  nevadensis  (Uiilgu-.).     S.\<;k  Spakkow. 

Adults.  —  .S/</f.s  iif  throat  with  a  series  of  narrow  blackish  streaks,  but  no 
continuous  stripe;  chest  with  black  spot;  sides  and  flanks  faintly  tinged 
with  light  brow  n  ;  rest  of  uufler  parts  whitisli  ;  upjx'r  parts  light  grayish 
brown,  back  usually  streaked  uariouly  but  clearly  ;  outer  web  of  lateral 
tail  f'-athtT  white.  Younq  :  like  atlults  but  u])per  parts  aiul  chest  streaked, 
and   wings   with   two  bully    hands.      Male:   length    (skins)   .*). .")()-(». 2(t,  wing 


352  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

3.05-3.20,  tail  2.78-3.09,  bill  .37-.41.  Female  : 
length  (skins)  5.40-6.20,  wing  2.85-3.15,  tail 
2.65-2.98,  bill  .37-.41. 

Bemarks.  —  The  absence  of  a  continuous 
stripe  on  the  side  of  the  throat  is  enough  to 
distinguish  the  sage  sparrow  from  the  Bell. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  sagebrush  plains 

of  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  Oregon  and  Idaho 

south  to  California  and  New  Mexico  ;   winters 

in  western  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and 

southern  California. 

Ij^u '  Nest.  —  In  sage  and  other  low  bushes,  made 

W  largely  of  fine  shreds  of  sagebrush  bark  and 

Fig.  439.    Sage  Siiarrow.         dried  grass   stems.     Eggs :    3   or  4,   greenish 

white  or  dull  grayish  white,  speckled,  chiefly 

around  larger  end,  with  reddish  brown,  mixed  with  a  few  darker  markings. 

As  AmjMspiza  bilineata  is  the  bird  of  the  creosote  and  mesquite 
deserts  of  the  Lower  Sonoran  zone,  so  nevadensis  is  one  of  the  most 
characteristic  birds  of  the  sagebrush  deserts  of  the  Upper  Sonoran. 
He  is  indeed  well  named,  for  you  find  him  everywhere  throughout 
the  sagebrush  valle^^s  of  the  Great  Basin.  His  soft  gray  tones  and 
faint  streakings  blend  in  well  with  the  gray  green  brush.  As  he  sits 
on  top  of  the  tallest  bushes  his  long  black  tail  and  its  gently  tilting 
motion  are  good  long  range  recognition  marks. 

Most  of  the  year  the  birds  are  silent,  but  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son the  sagebrush  fairly  rings  with  their  simple  but  exquisitely 
sweet  song.  Vernon  Bailey. 

GENUS    PEUCJEA. 
General  Characters.  —  Similar  to  Aimophila,  but  edge  of  wing  yellow. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  ashy,  back  spotted  and  barred  with  sandy  brown. 

cassini,  p.  352. 
1'.  Upper  parts  gray,  streaked  with  dull  rufous  and  spotted  with  black. 

botterii,  p.  352. 

576.  Peueaea  bo'tterii  (.S'c/ai.).     Botteri  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish,  streaked  with  dull  rufous  and  spotted 
with  black  ;  edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  under  parts  plain  dull  huffy.  Young  : 
upper  parts  huffy,  streaked  Avith  dusky  ;  under  parts  huffy  ;  throat,  chest, 
and  sides  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.10-6.35,  wing  2.35-2.75,  tail 
2.65-2.78,  bill  .45-.50.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.20-5.70,  wing  2.30-2.68, 
tail  2.22-2.53,  bill  .43-.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  and  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley 
in  Texas  south  over  the  plateau  of  Mexico  to  Chiapas. 

Nest.  — On  or  near  the  ground.      Eggs  :   (1  set)  4,  pure  white. 

578.  Peucaea  cassini  (Woodh.).    Cassin  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Upper  2^arts  ashen,  streaked  with  sandy  brown;  feathers  of  back 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  353 

sandy  broww  with  black  shaft  streak  and  black  cross  bar  near  tip.  the  edges 
g-ray ;  upper  tail  coverts  with  transverse,  round- 
ish, or  crescentic  dusky  streaks  ;   middle  tail    <] 
feathers    with    indication    of    transverse  bars 

from  median  black  shaft  streak  ;  edge  of  wing       ^,.      , ,,,     ,i„„„,„  o^„ 

,,  ,    ,        ,  ,        .         1      •  1        11  1  *ig'  •I'i^^-     Cassm  feparrow. 

yellow,  and  shoulder  tinged  with  yellow;  under 

parts  grayish,  tinged  with  brown  on  chest  and  sides.      Young :  chest  and 

upper  parts  distinctly  streaked.    Male  :  length  (skins)  5.15-5.80,  wing  2.85- 

2.05,  tail  2.40-2.S2,  bill  .40-.4(i.     Female:  length  (skins)  5.30-5.80,  wing 

2.4U-2.53,  tail  2.50-2.75,  bill  .40-.4T. 

Eemarks.  —  In  the  field  the  sandy  brown  streaking  of  the  gray  upper 
parts  is  characteristic. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Kanzas  south  to 
Arizona  and  northern  Mexico,  and  from  Texas  northwest  to  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  in  low  bushes,  or  tufts  of  grass.  Eggs :  o  to  5,  white 
or  bluish  white. 

When  goiug  quietly  through  the  stunted  bushes  that  make  up  a 
large  part  of  the  mcsqulte  plains  you  often  find  yourself  in  the  midst 
of  a  chorus  of  Cassin  sparrows.  Scattered  through  the  bushes  around 
you  the  little  brown  choristers  one  by  one  spring  up  several  feet 
above  the  brush  and  with  heads  high  and  wings  outspread  in  a  rap- 
ture of  song  give  themselves  to  the  air,  floating  slowly  down  as 
they  sing.  The  song  is  always  melodious  and  pleasing,  but  at  its 
best  has  something  of  the  uplift  and  fine  spiritual  quality  of  that  of 
the  pine  woods  sparrow,  gaining  impressiveness  from  the  abandon 
with  which  it  is  uttered. 

The  birds  sing  in  spring  and  early  summer,  and  through  the  breed- 
ing season  at  least  keep  it  up  all  day,  closing  with  a  blithe  sunset 
concert. 

GENUS   AIMOPHILA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  short,  much  rounded  or  truncate  at  tip, 
primaries  exceeding  secondaries  usually  by  less  than  length  of  bill ;  ter- 
tials  not  elongated  ;  tail  graduated  :  feathers  narrow,  but  with  rounded 
tips  ;   tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Wing  with  bright  rufous  patch carpalis,  p.  358. 

r.  Wing  without  bright  rufous  patch. 
2.  Upper  parts  mainly  gray.     In  southwestern  Texas. 

eremoBca,  p.  355. 
2'.  Upper  parts  mainly  rufous. 

3.  Smaller.     In  ('alif«)rnia ruficeps.  p.  354. 

3'.  Larger.     Western  Tex.is  to  Arizona SCOttii.  p.  354. 

579.  Aimophila  carpalis  {Coues).    HuFors-wiNCKo  Si-akkow  : 

liENDIKE    Sl'.AKKOW. 

Adults. —  H'/«//.s-  u'il/i  rons/>i(Uous  bright  rufous  patch:  crown  heavily 
streaked  with  rufnus.  mixed  with  gray,  and  divided  by  narrow  gray  line  ; 
rusty  streak  behind  eye.  and  two  blackish  stripes  from  bill  down  side  of 


354  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

throat ;  back  buffy  brown,  sharply  streaked 
with  black  ;  under  parts  grayish  white.  Youny  : 
entire  upper  parts  g-rayish  brown,  broadly 
streaked  with  blackish  ;  patch  on  wing  coverts 
dusky,  marg-ined  with  pale  brownish  buff ; 
under  parts  whitish,  chest  and  sides  broadly 
streaked  with  dusky.  Male :  leng-th  (skins) 
5.00-5.35,  wing-  2.40-2.60,  tail  2.50-2.68,  bill 
,  .40-42.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.85-5.25, 
^'^-  ^^^g  i;;J,^"'  '''"^^*^     wing  2.34-2.50.  tail  2.43-2.65,  bill  .38-.42. 

Remarks.  —  The  uniform  bright  rufous  wing 
patches  of  the  adults  of  carjmlis  are  diagnostic. 
Distribution.  —  Arizona  and  northwestern  Mexico. 
Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  plain  bluish  white. 

In  the  foothills  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains,  Arizona,  Mr. 
Scott  found  small  flocks  of  the  rufous-winged  sparrows  from  an  alti- 
tude of  3000  to  4500  feet.  Tliej^  were  sometimes  associated  with 
the  cliipping  sparrows,  whose  habits  are  similar. 

580.  Aimophila  ruflceps  {Cass.).  Rufous-crowned  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Crown  chiefiy  reddish  brown;  rest  of  upper  parts  grayish  or 
grayish  brown,  broadly  streaked  with  reddish 
brown  ;  throat  bordered  by  black  stripe  ;  sides 
of  head  and  neck  and  under  parts  pale  buffy  or 
brownish.  Young :  like  adult,  bvit  upper  parts 
dull  brownish,  streaked;  under  parts  dingy 
buff,  chest  and  sides  streaked.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.(10-5.55,  wing  2.20-2.40,  tail  2.25- 
2.65,  bill  .41-50.  Female:  length  (skins) 
5.00-5.20,  wing  2.18-2.30,  tail  2.32-2.60,  bill 
Fi    \^.,  .43-..50. 

Hemarks.  —  The  prevailing  dull  reddish 
bi'own  of  the  upper  parts,  together  with  the  size,  marks  the  rufous-crowned 
sparrow. 

Distribution. — From  northern  California — latitude  40°  —  south  along 
the  Pacific  coast  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  of  grasses,  lined  with  stems  and 
sometimes  a  few  hairs.     Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  white  or  bluish  white. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  the  rufous-crowned  is 
tolerably  common  locally  in  the  foothills  throughout  the  year,  but  is 
most  abundant  in  April.  In  the  Crafton  Hills,  where  Mr.  Williams 
found  it  nesting,  it  was  very  shy  and  rarely  seen,  the  brooding  bird 
gliding  from  her  nest  and  dodging  around  the  tufts  of  grass  until 
hidden  behind  a  bush. 

580a.  A.  r.  scottii  (Senn.).    Scott  Sparrow. 

Similar  to  rujiceps,  but  larger,  and  sometimes  not  quite  so  bright.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  5.30-6.10,  wing  2.50-2.77,  tail  2.60-2.92,  bill  .45-.55.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  5.30-5..50,  wing  2.37-2.52,  tail  2.50-2.67,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  to  southern  Arizona  and  south  to 
Dufango.  Mexico. 


^ 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  355 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Scott,  on  bare  ground,  bulky,  loosely  made  of 
coarse  dried  grasses,     J^ggs :  o,  white. 

In  the  Santa  Cataliua  Mountains  of  Arizona,  Mr.  Scott  found  the 
Scott  sparrow  a  common  resident  from  2000  to  4000  feet  in  winter, 
and  nearly  up  to  10,000  feet  in  summer.  When  flushed,  -he  says, 
instead  of  hiding  in  the  thick  grass  it  flics  to  the  nearest  tree,  making 
little  effort  to  conceal  itself. 

In  New  Mexico  we  found  it  about  rocky  ledges  of  the  Guadalupe 
Mountains.     Its  song  in  August  was  short  and  rather  mechanical. 

580b.  A.  r.  eremCBca  {Brown).    Rock  Sparrow. 

Similar  to  rujiceps.  but  prevailing  color  of  upper  parts  ashy,  feathers  of 
back  dull  brownish  centrallv  with  black  shaft  streaks.  Male:  length 
(skins)  .•).40-().0(),  wing-  2.58-2.70.  tail  2.()0-2.80.  bill  .4()-.51.  Female: 
length  (skins)  .5.45-r).<)0.  wing  2.41-2..')T,  tail  2.45-2.85.  bill  Ao-.'A. 

Distribution.  —  From  middle  and  southwestern  Texas  to  Orizaba,  Mexico; 
breeds  in  limestone  hills  of  middle  Texas ;  migrates  to  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  usually  sheltered  by  a  bush.  One  — 
in  Chisos  Mountains  —  under  soto.  bulky,  made  of  grass  and  lined  with 
fine  plant  fibers ;  with  4  bluish  Avhite  eggs. 

GENUS    MELOSPIZA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  short,  rounded,  primaries  exceeding  second- 
aries by  much  less  than  length  of  tarsus  ;  tail  rounded  ;  tarsus  about  equal 
to  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Chest  buffy. 

2.  Streaks  on  upper  parts  finer,  not  so  black     .      .      .    lilicolnli,  p.  359. 
2'.  Streaks  on  upper  parts  coarser  and  blacker       .     .     .  striata,  p.  360, 
1'.  Chest  not  buffy. 

2,  Chest  faintly  if  at  all  streaked georgiana.  p.  360. 

2'.  Chest  distinctly  streaked. 

3.  Upper  parts  mainly  pale  rufous fallax.  p.  357. 

3'.  Upp  M-  ])arts  not  pale  rufous. 

4.  Upper  parts  sooty,  rusty,  brown,  or  olive. 
5.   Upper  parts  dark  sooty  or  rusty. 

6.  Sooty,  larger.     Alaska;   to  Olympics  in  winter. 

rufina.  p.  3-58. 
6'.  Rusty,  smaller. 

7.  Bill  larger  ;  darker.    Southern  Ahiska  to  ( )rcg()ii  ;  to  south- 
ern California  in  winter niorplina.  j).  3.*)8. 

7'.  Bill  smaller;   ligliter.       Idaho  to   northern   California;    to 
Mexico  and  Arizona  in  winter       .     .      nierrilli.  p.  ;150. 
5'.  Upper  parts  brown  or  <»]ive. 

6.   Larger;  wing   (male)    2.42-2.80.     C.ntral    valleys    of   Cali- 
fornia      heernianni.  p.  :{57. 

6.  Smaller;  wing  (male)  2.21-2.51.     .Santa  Cruz  to   Humboldt 

County,  California samiielis.  p.  358. 

4'.  Upper  i)arts  grayish. 

5.   Interscapulars  streaknl  with  bl.ick  .lud  brown. 


356  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

6,  Wing-  (male)  2.49-2.84 ;   bill  stouter.     Atlantic  watershed. 

melodia,  p.  356. 
6'.  Wing-  (male)  2.58-2.91 ;  bill  more  slender.    Rocky  Mountain 

plateau montaiia,  p.  357. 

5'.  Interscapulars  without  distinct  brown  streaks. 

6.  Larger;  wing  (male)  2.45-2.60.     San  Clemente,  San  Miguel, 

and  Santa  Rosa  Islands,  California    .    clementae,  p.  359. 

6'.  Smaller;  wing-  (male)  2.29-2.41.     Santa  Barbara  and  Santa 

Cruz  Islands,  California graniinea,  p.  358. 

581.  Melospiza  melodia  (Wilson).    Song  Sparrow. 

Adults.  —  Crown  brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  black  and  with  a  nar- 
row gray  median  stripe  ;  scapulars  and  interscapulars  streaked  with  black  ; 
wings  and  tail  brown ;  middle  and  greater  wing  coverts 
brown,  edged  with  lighter  ;  middle  tail  feathers  with 
blackish  shaft  streaks ;  superciliary  olive  gray ;  malar 
stripe  dull  white  or  pale  huffy  ;  under  parts  white  ;  chest 
with  wedge-shaped  streaks  of  black  edged  with  rusty 
brown,  forming  an  irregular  median  spot ;  sides  and 
flanks  streaked  with  black  and  rusty  brown.  Young: 
p,  V  like  adults,  but  without  gray  on  upper  parts  ;   ground 

color  of  back  and  scapulars  huffy  brownish  or  dull  huffy  ; 
under  parts  duller  white,  often  quite  buffy,  with  the  streaks  narrower, 
less  distinct.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.30-6.48.  wing  2.49-2.84,  tail  2.44- 
2.79,  bill  .45-52.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.15-6.10,  wing-  2.42-2.81,  tail 
2.19-2.77,  bill  .45-.51. 

Remarks.  —  In  summer  the  colors  are  grayer  and  streaks  on  chest  nar- 
rower, sometimes  with  brown  edgings  worn  off ;  in  winter  the  general 
coloration  is  browner,  the  brown  more  rusty,  the  gray  more  buffy. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
north  to  Norway  House,  Lake  Winnipeg. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes  or  on  the  g-round.  made  chieflj^  of  grasses  lined 
with  slender  stems.     Fr/gs  :  4  or  5,  dull  greenish  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown,  sometimes  concealing  ground  color. 
Food.  —  Mainly  injurious  insects  and  weed  seed. 

As  his  name  denotes,  the  song  sparrow  is  one  of  the  most  tuneful 
of  the  sparrow  family.  He  is  not  a  great  or  showy  musician,  but  a 
singer  of  songs,  plain  every-day  home  songs  with  the  heart  left  in 
them.  His  content  and  good  cheer  are  so  contagious  that  you  wel- 
come his  voice  Avherever  you  hear  it.  And  you  may  hear  it  in  every 
state  of  the  Union,  for,  under  whatever  name  he  is  known,  he  is  a 
song  sparrow  still. 

At  Neah  Bay,  Washington,  M'here  the  rainfall  reaches  the  maxi- 
mum for  the  United  States,  and  the  vegetation  is  dense  and  the  soil 
dark,  we  find  him  almost  sable  brown,  but  on  the  deserts  of  the 
southwest  his  colors  are  pale  sandy  to  match  the  light  open  ground. 
Indeed,  his  coat  is  so  sensitive  to  slight  changes  of  environment 
that  he  is  a  sore  problem  to  makers  of  subspecies.  But  whatever 
trouble  he  unwittingly  makes  in  the  ornithological  world,  he  is  the 
same  quiet,  gentle  bird,  sunning  himself  in  the  bushes,  running  over 
the  ground  when  attending  to  his  affairs  with  wings  close  at  his  sides 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  357 

and  tail  perked  up  ;  guarding  his  family  with  watchful  care,  and 
between  times,  as  at  all  times,  singing  his  glad  little  lay. 

581a.  M.  m.  fallax  (Baird).     Desert  Sokg  Spakkow. 

General  color  light  rufous ;  upper  parts  light  gray,  streaked  ou  back  with 
rusty,  usually  without  blackish  shaft  streaks ; 
streaks  ou  chest  clear  rusty  or  rufous.  Youny : 
dull  brown  or  huffy  above,  back  streaked  with 
brown ;  buffy  white  below,  chest  streaked. 
Male:  length    (skins)    ;j.o6-G.12,   wing   2.50-  I''ig.  444. 

2.71,  tad  2.:j9-2.81,  bill  .44-50.     Female:  length   (.skins)   5.10-5.82,  wing- 
2.47-2.(32,  tail  2.:]9-2.78,  bill  .45-.48. 

Remarks.  —  The  light  color  and  rusty  streaking  distinguish  this  from 
all  other  song  sparrows. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  Nevada 
and  southeastern  California  to  Lower  California  and  Sonoi-a.  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  tufts  of  grass,  low  bushes,  or  on  the  ground.  Eggs  :  4,  lig-ht 
greenish  or  dull  bluish  white,  more  or  less  spotted  with  brown. 

581b.  M.  m.  montana  {Hensh.).     Mountain  Song  Sparrow. 

Upper  parts  grayish  streaked  Avith  black  and  brown  ;  wings  and  tail 
brown ;  under  parts  Avhite,  chest  and  sides 
streaked  with  brown,  streaks  more  or  less 
confluent  on  breast.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.58-6.49.  wing-  2.58-2.91,  tad  2.50-3.02,  bill 
.44-.55.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.35-0.o4, 
wing  2.4()-2.75,  tad  2.4()-2.8(),  bill  .41-..50. 

Hemarhs.  —  Montana  is  like  melodia.  but  wings,  tail,  and  tarsus  average 
longer,  bill  smaller  and  relatively  more  slender ;  coloration  grayer  ;  the 
young  paler,  whitish  instead  of  buffy  below,  less  tawny  above  than  in 
young  of  melodia. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Kocky  Mountain  and 
Sierra  Nevada  region  of  the  United  States  ;  migrates  to  western  Texas 
and  northern  Mexico. 

581c.  M.  m.  heermanni  (Baird).    Heerman  Song  Sparrow. ^ 

(iround  color  Itrown  or  olive,  streaked  both  above  and  below  with  blackish  ; 
spots  on  chest  distinct  instead  of  massed  in  a  pectoral  blotch.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  5.10-ti.;;i,  wing  2.42-2.S0.  tail  2.85-2.79,  bill  .45-..'):;.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.4(i-5.C4,-wing  2.40-2.51.  tail  2.25-2.58,  bill  .48-.50. 

liemarks.  —  The  seasonal  changes  in  plumage  are  marked,  the  summer 
birds  being  much  nun-e  sharply  and  narrowly  streaked  than  winter  ones. 
Heermanni  is  like  melodia.  but  smaller  and  browner,  streaks  on  back 
averaging  broader,  tliose  on  chest  darker;  young  like  that  of  melodia.  but 
deeper  tawny  above,  streaks  broader ;  under  parts  tinged  with  brownish 
buff,  chest  streaks  broader. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  central  valleys  of  Cali- 
fornia :  nngrates  southward  ;  casually  to  Nevada. 

'  Miln.<<piza  Jii.sciiitn  cfKipni  Y{.u\^w.     San  Dieoo  Sono  Sparrow. 

Like  hirriiininti,  but  sliKlitly  .siiialler  and  luiicli  lipliter  iin<l  f^iayer. 

Dislriliiilinn.  —  Soutlieni  coast  district  of  California  (north  to  Monterey  Bay,  east  to 
Fort  Tcjon.  San  ISeriiardino,  etc.).  and  Pacific  coast  of  iiortlu-ni  Lower  California  {Thf 
Auk,  xvi.  35.) 

Mt'lo.tpiza  mrlodia  .'^antifcruri.t  Grinnell.     Santa  Cruz  Sono  Sparrow. 

Like  cnoperi,  but  smaller,  with  weaker  bill,  and  brown  markings  deeper  and  more 
extensive.  • 

Dintriliutiim.  —  Along  fresh  water  streams  lieading  in  the  Santa  Cruz  mouiitaiu  region, 
Iroin  San  F'raucisco  south  to  Monterey  Bay.     (  Thi  fDuilor,  i.  yi.) 


358  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

581d.  M-  m.  samuelis  [Baird).    Samuels  Song  Sparkow.^ 

Like    heermanni,  but   smaller,   with    slenderer 

.,^..    bill.     Male  :  length  (skins)  4.99-5.U0,  wing-  2.21- 

t^    2.51,  tail  2.09-2.43,  bill  .43-.50.    Female  :  leng-th 

(skins)  5.05-5.61,  wing  2.21-2.38,  tail  2.10-2.35, 

/''^•^^«-  bill.45-.49.        ... 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  coast  region  of  California  from  Santa  Cruz 

to  Humboldt  County. 

58 le.  M.  m.  morphna  Oberh.     Rusty  Song  Sparrow.- 

Ailults.  —  Upper  parts  rusty  olive,  the  rusty  brown  and  black  streaks 

obscured ;    chest    widely    marked   with    heavy 

dark  rufous  streaks  ;  flanks  olivaceous  instead 

of  tawny.      Young  :  back  dark  brown  streaked 

with  blackisli  ;  under  parts  whitish   or   buffy 

'^'      ''  grayish  ;   chest   and    sides    buffy    or   brownish 

streaked  with  sooty  brown.     Male  :  length  (skins)    5.69-6.46,  wing   2.55- 

2.81,  tail  2.39-2.87, "bill  .47-.54.     Female:  length   (skins)  5.58-6.19,  wing 

2.4.5-2.70,  tail  2.28-2.67,  bill  .45-.52. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  the  Pacific  coast  region  from 
southern  Alaska  to  Oregon  ;  migrates  to  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Kobb^,  on  horizontal  branch  of  a  small  spruce, 
about  5  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  coarse  grass  stems  lined  with  fine 
grass. 

The  rusty  song  sparrow  is  said  to  be  an  especially  water-loving 
subspecies,  beiug  found  in  swamps,  brush  patches  along  streams, 
and  coast  waters. 

58 If.  M.  m.  rufina  [Bonap.).    Sooty  Song  Sparrow.^ 

Like  morphia,  but  decidedly  larger  (except  bill),  darker,  and  more  uni- 
form sooty  rather  than  rusty  ;  back  obsoletely  streaked.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.85-6.85,  wing  2.63-3.02,  tail  2.60-2.90,  bill  .48-.50.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.50-6.00,  wing  2.52-2.77,  tail  2..30-2.76.  bill  .42-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Alaska ;  in  winter  to  coast  of  British  Colum- 
bia, Vancouver  Island,  and  Olympic  Mountains,  Washington ;  accidental  in 
California. 

58  Ih.  M.  m.  graminea  (Towns.).    Santa  Barbara  Song  Sparrow. 
Similar  to  samuelis,  but  decidedly  grayish  above,  the  streaks  both  above 

1  Melospiza  fasciata  pnsilhda  'R'xrl^w.     Salt  Marsh  Song  Sparrow. 

Like  M.  tn.  samuelis,  but  smaller,  especially  wings  and  tail  ;  less  rusty  above,  super- 
ciliary and  under  parts  tinged  with  yellowisli. 

Distribution.  — Salt  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay.     {The  Auk,  xvi.  35.) 

Melospiza  melodia  cleonensis  McGregor.     Mendocino  Song  Sparrow. 

Size  of  samuelis,  but  lighter  and  more  i"usty. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Mendocino  County,  California.  {Bull.  Cooper  Oi^n.  Club, 
i.  87.) 

2  3Telospiza  fasciata  ingersolli  McGregor.     Tehama  Song  Sparrow. 
Similar  to  morphim,  but  darker  and  without  rusty  wash. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  Sacramento  Valley,  south  in  winter  to  San  Francisco  Bay. 
{Bull.  Cooper  Orn.  Club,  i.  3.').) 

3  Melospiza  cinerea  phsea  Fisher.     Oregon  Song  Sparrow. 

Almost  identical  with  rufina  in  color  and  markings,  but  between  cleonensis  and 
morphna  in  size. 

Distribution.  —  Immediate  vicinity  of  coast  from  Rogue  River  to  Yaquima,  Oregon. 
{The  Condor,  iv.  36.) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  359 

and  below  blackish  and  narrower,  contrasting-  more  sharply  with  the 
ground  color;  about  the  size  of  satnuelis,  but  with  shorter  tail  and  larger 
feet.  Youny  :  like  those  of  montana,  with  grayish  instead  of  brownish 
ground  color.  Male:  length  (skins)  ">.b^-.j.4(),  wing'  2.29-2.41.  tail  2.11- 
2.31,  bill  .4T-.4t».  Female:  length  (skins)  5.:]0-5.48,  wing  2.oO-2.;J7.  tail 
2.19-2.31,  bill  .46-.4T. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  and,  in  winter,  adjacent  mainland 
of  California. 

581i.  M.  m.  clementae  (Toums.).     San  Clemente  Song  Sparkow. 

.Similar  in  color  and  markings  to  graminea,  but  much  larger,  the  bill 
longer.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.70-<».  18,  wing  2.4.")-2.(;0,  tail  2.35-2.64, 
bill  .4T-.49.  Female:  length  (skins)  .">.44-5.81,  wing  2.40-2..'i0,  tail  2.39- 
2.50,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  — San  Clemente.  San  Miguel,  and  Santa  Rosa  Islands,  Cali- 
fornia ;  and  Coronados  Islands.  Lower  California. 

581k.  M.  m.  merrilli  (Brewst.).    Merkill  Sono  Sparrow. 

Similar  to  niorphna,  but  with  smaller  bill  and  ground  color  of  upper 
parts  lighter  and  more  ashy ;  dark  markings  —  especially  on  back  — 
blacker  and  more  sharply  defined ;  the  white  of  under  parts  clearer  and 
more  extended.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.()5-().40.  wing  2.5(i-2.T5,  tail  2.51- 
2.83,  bill  .45-.51.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.48-0.21,  wing  2.50-2.08,  tail 
2.40-2.70,  bill  .44-.50. 

Bemark's.  —  Merrilli  is  like  montana.  but  .slightly  darker  and  more  uni- 
form above,  the  gray  and  brown  of  interscapulars  less  strongly  contrasted. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  fiom  Fort  Sherman.  Idaho,  south  through  Oregon 
and  Washington  east  of  Cascades  to  northern  California  :  migrates  to 
Nevada,  Utah.  Arizona,  and  northern  Sonora. 

583.  Melospiza  lincolnii  (.lun'.).     Lincoln  Sparrow. 

Adiiits.  —  rpiicr  parts  dark  brown  and  olive,  finely  and  sharply  streaked 
with  black  ;   crown  with  light  median  stripe  ;  malar 
region,  chest,  and  sides  butf  y  ;   sides  and  broad  buffy 
chest  band  narrowifi  streaked  with   black.       Young : 
colors  more   suffused  and   streaks  less  sharply  de-  Fii:.  448. 

fined.     Male:   length   (skins)  4. 8S-5. 70,  wing  2.20- 

2,02,  tail  2.(  17-2.44,  bill  .41 -.47.  Female:  leng-th  (skins)  4.54-5.43.  wing, 
2.15-2.45.  tail  2.01-2.34,  bill  .:;S-.4r.. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  of  North  America  from  Fort 
Yukon  east  to  York  Factory,  Hudson  IJay,  and  south  to  the  liigher  parts 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Sierra  Nevada;  winters  from  southern  United 
States  to  Panama. 

Ne.st.  —  ( )n  the  ground,  made  of  grass.  Eggs:  as  described  by  D.ivie. 
light  greenish  white,  heavily  marked,  chiefiy  around  larger  end,  with 
chestnut  -ind  lavender  gray. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  grass  and  weed  seed. 

TIh;  Lincoln  si)iirn)w  migiit  be  mistaken  for  a  son.i?  sparrow  but  for 
Ills  hufTy  chest  band,  finely  penciled  breast,  and  wholly  individual, 
vibrant  song. 

Willows  in  nmuntain  meadows  attract  him,  and  when  you  sur 
l)rise  him  on  ;i  willow  stalk  with  bis  bill  lull  of  insects  for  his  brood, 


360  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

he  will  cling  there  switching  his  tail  and  uttering  his  sharp  call -note 
till  you  leave. 

583a.  M.  1.  striata  Brewst.    Forbush  Spakkow. 

Similar  to  lincolnii,  but  suijerciliary  stripe  and  upper  parts  more  strongly 
olivaceous,  and  dark  streaks,  especially  on  back  and  upper  tail  coverts, 
coarser,  blacker,  and  more  numerous.      Wing :  2.35,  tail  2.23. 

Distribution. — British  Columbia  and  western  Washington  ;  migrates  to 
California. 

584.  Melospiza  georgiana  {Lath.).    Swamp  Sparrow. 

Adults. —  Crown  chestnut,  forehead  black  or  broadly  streaked  with  black 
and  divided  by  a  gray  or  buffy  median  line ;  rest  of  upper  parts  rusty 
brown,  back  broadly  streaked  with  black ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  with 
narrow  blackish  median  stripe  ;  under  parts  gray,  darker  on  chest,  but 
unstreaked  or  very  indistinctly  streaked  ;  sides  and  flanks  brown.  Young  : 
upper  parts  heavily  streaked  and  under  parts  streaked  on  chest  and  sides. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.11-5.79,  wing  2.30-2.58,  tail  2.18-2.51,  bill  .43-.47. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4.80-5.54,  wing  2.27-2.45.  tail  2.06-2.41,  bill  .42-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  south  to  the  northeastern 
United  States ;  west  to  the  Plains  ;  winters  from  Massachusetts  south  to 
the  Gulf  states  and  to  western  Texas. 

Nest.  —  On  low,  wet,  grassy  land,  made  of  grasses  and  lined  with  leaves 
and  stems.  £ggs :  4  or  5,  pale  bluish  to  greenish  white,  spotted  Avith 
lilac  and  shades  of  yellowish  and  brown,  most  thickly  about  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  seeds. 

GENUS    PASSEREIiliA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  moderate  or  swollen,  conical ;  feet  and  claws 
large,  side  claws  reaching  much  beyond  end  of  middle  toe  ;  tarsus  about 
twice  as  long  as  bill,  stout. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES- 

1.  Back  brown  or  marked  with  brown. 

2.  Back  streaked  or  spotted  with  brown.     Winters  from   Atlantic  to 

Rocky  Mountains iliaca,  p.  360. 

2'.  Back  plain  brown.     Alaska  ;  in  winter  to  southern  California. 

unalaschcensis.i  p.  361. 
1'.  Back  gray. 

2.  Smaller,  with  more  slender  bill.     Rock}"  Mountain  district. 

schistacea,  p.  362. 
2'.  Larger,  with  thicker  bill. 

3.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  .49.     Sierra  Nevada  and  Coast  Range,  Cali- 
fornia     megarhyncha,  p.  ,362 

3'.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  .56.     San  Bernardino  Mountains,  California. 

Stephens!,  p,  363. 

585.  Passerella  iliaca  (3/err.).    Fox  Sparrow. 

Adidts.  —  Upper  parts  mixed  with  strongly  contrasting  slate  gray  and 
reddish  brown  in  varying  proportions  amounting  to  gray  and  brown 
phases  ;  brown  brightest  on  wings,  rump,  and  tail ;  wings  with  two  white 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  has  restricted  unalaschcensis  to  Alaska.  See  Birds  of  North  and  Mid- 
dle America.,  i.  389. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  361 

bars ;  under  parts  white,  sides  of  throat  and  chest  spotted  and  blotched 
with  reddish  brown  ;  flanks  streaked  with  rufous.  Young  : 
similar,  but  colors  duller  and  markings  less  sharply  de- 
fined. Male:  lengtli  (skins)  o.'.)4-6.80,  wing-  o.40-o.Gl,  tail 
2.64-2.91,  bill  .42-..J1.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.18-6.70. 
wing  O.30-O.46,  tail  2.63-2.88,  bill  .42-.48. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  Xorth  America,  breeding  from 
Magdalen  Islands  to  Bering  Sea  ;  south  in  winter  to  Florida, 
middle  Texas,  and  eastern  base  of  Rocky  Mountains. 

Xest.  —  On  ground  or  in  bushes,  made  largely  of  moss 
and  leaves.  Eggs:  o  to  5,  bluish  green  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  a  large  proportion  of  ragweed  and  polygonum  seed,  and 
wild  fruit. 

685a.  p.  i.  unalaschcensis  (GmeL).    Townsend  SrAUKow.^ 

Upper  parts  reddish  broiru.  more  or  less  mixed  with  slati/  gratj.  becoming- 
dark  brown  or  foxy  on  rump,  wings,  and 
tail ;  under  parts  white,  thickly  marked 
with  triangular  spots  of  dark  brown  converg- 
ing on  breast.  Male  :  length  (skins)  ().5(  )- 
6.70,  wing  3.28-o.o9,  tail  2^.88-2.98,  bill  .49-  Fig.  4:,0. 

.50.     Female:  length  (skins)  6.20-6.68,  wing  o.l4-:].19.  tail  2.71-2.80.  bill 
.50-.52. 

Remarks.  —  The  dark  reddish  brown  upper  parts,  converging  spots  on 
the  breast,  and  the  long  wings  distinguish  this  subspecies. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  Alaskan  peninsula  and  islands,  and  migrates 
to  southern  California  ;  casually  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Near  the  ground  in  dense  thickets,  made  largely  of  mo.ss  and 
leaves.  Eggs :  S  or  4,  pale  bluish  green,  or  greenish  gray,  speckled  and 
blotched  with  brown  and  lilac. 

The  members  of  the  genus  Passerella  are  large,  strongly  marked 
sparrows,  with  loud,  rather  rich  voices.  As  the  size  and  strength  of 
their  feet  show,  they  are  diggers.     A  bird  that  I  watched  in  Golden 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  lias  restricted  unalaschcensis  to  Alaska  and  separated  from  it  the  form 
which  comes  to  northern  Cahfornia  as  (ownsemli,  adding  several  new  subspecies  which 
winter  in  California. 

Passerella  i/iaca  in.si<l(tris  Ridgway. 

Like  iinala.sc/icensi.s,  but  back  warm  sepia  brown,  spots  on  chest  large  and  deep  brown, 
under  tail  coverts  strongly  tinged  witli  buff. 

Distribution.  —  Kadiak  Island  (and  Middletou  Island  -.'),  Alaska,  in  .summer  ;  south  to 
California  in  winter.     {The  Auk,  xvii.  31.) 

Passerella  iliaca  annertins  Ridgway.     Yaki'tat  Fox  Spaurow. 

Similar  to  insuluris,  Imt  smaller,  especially  the  bill,  and  coloration  slightly  browner. 

Distribution. — Coast  of  Alaska,  from  Cross  Sound  to  Prince  William  Sound  (to  Cook 
Inlet?),  south  in  winter  to  Caiifornia.     {T/ie  Auk,  xvii.  30.) 

Passerella  iliaca  meiuli>iilrs  (Vigors). 

Like  insularis,  but  bill  smaller  and  coloration  througliout  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Vakutat  Bay  district  ('.')  and  winters  in  Santa  Cruz  district. 
(The  Condor,  iv.  4."».)     Perhaps  a   synonym  of  annectens. 

Passerella  iliiica  tounsentliiAxuX.).     Townsend  Spaubow. 

Like  anueetens,  but  darker,  spots  on  cliest  hirgcr. 

Distribution.  —  ('oast  of  soutliern  Alaska  :  in  winter  to  northern  California. 

Passerella  iliaca  fulifjino.sa  Ridgway.     Sooty  Fox  Sparrow. 

Like  tou'iisenili,  but  tiarker  and  less  rufescent,  spots  on  under  parts  larger  and  more 
confluent  than  in  other  forms. 

Di.itributiou.  —  Breeds  in  coawt  district  of  southwestern  Britisli  Columbia  and  north- 
western Wasliington  ;  south  in  winter  to  coast  of  nurtliern  California.  (  The  Auk.  xvi.  30.) 


362  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Gate  Park,  San  Francisco,  one  day  gave  a  good  exhibition  of  their 
methods.  He  took  a  little  run  forward  and  then  kicked  back  with 
both  feet,  and  if  there  were  any  diminutive  hillocks  back  of  him, 
leveled  them,  sending  a  shower  of  sand  up  behind  him.  Sometimes 
he  used  his  bill  to  push  a  bit  of  earth  aside.  After  working  in  this 
way  with  artisan-like  regularity  for  some  time,  he  hopped  up  on  a 
plant  label  and  sat  there  with  his  long  toes  over  the  edge  looking  up 
with  winning  friendliness. 

The  fox  sparrows  were  to  be  found  through  the  winter  not  only  in 
Golden  Gate  Park,  but  also  in  the  small  parks  and  cem'eteiies  of  the 
city,  with  the  white-crowned  and  golden-crow^ned  sparrows.  But 
though  with  the  others,  Pasmrella  w^as  not  of  them,  and  w^hile  the 
crowned  sparrows  were  in  goodly  flocks  he  shoveled  alone  or  possi- 
bly with  a  few  comrades.  When  chased  by  a  white-crown  he 
gathered  his  feathers  trimly  about  him  and  ran  meekly  back  into  the 
bushes.  He  was  evidently  not  as  used  to  city  life  as  they,  for  when 
he  came  out  in  view  it  was  with  his  red  tail  perked  up,  hisw^'ngs 
close  at  his  sides,  and  a  conscious  air  of  appearing  in  public,  and  at 
the  least  alarm  he  would  scud  back  to  cover  in  nervous  haste. 

When  at  home  the  thick-bil-ed  sparrows  live  in  dense  laurel  or 
evergreen  thickets.  Major  Bendire  says,  but  the  slate-colored  prefers 
the  more  open  country,  living  in  rose  and  willow  thickets  along 
streams  near  foothills. 

In  the  Siei-ra  Nevada  one  of  the  loudest  and  richest  of  the  finch 
songs  that  brighten  the  Transition  zone  forest  can  be  traced  to  the 
thick-billed,  perched  on  top  of  a  bush,  his  big  bill  and  mixed  reddish 
brown  and  gray  plumage  distinguishing  him.  His  song  is  not  of  the 
high  grade  of  the  white-crow^n.  but  is  particularly  pleasing  on  ac- 
count of  its  loud,  cheery  quality.     His  call-note  is  a  sharp  cMii. 

585b.  P.  i.  megarhyncha  {Baird).     Thick-billed  Sparrow. 

Upper  parts  plain  slaty  or  brownish  gray,  becoming'  rusty  on  wings,  upper 

tail  coverts,  and  tail ;  under  parts  with  chest  spots  smaller,  more  scattered ; 

tail  longer  than  wing-,  hill  thick.     Male :  leng-th  (skins)  (5.00- 

7.20,  wing-  3.12-3.42,  tail  3.02-3.42,  bill  .48-.54.  depth  of  bii: 

at  base  .49-..52.     Female :  length  (skins)  (i..50-7.r)6.  wing  2.97- 

3.37.  tail  3.02-3.49,  bill  .4.5-.53,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .48-.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  g-ray  back  and  the  thick  bill  distinguish 

Fig.  4oi.       megarhyncha  from  unalaschcensis.  and  its  larger  size  and  thicker 

bill  from  schistacea  ;  while  its  smaller  bill  distinguishes  it  from  stephensi. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Coast 
Range  ;  mio-rates  to  Los  Ang-eles  County,  California. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreens  and  thickets,  usually  on  or  near  the  ground,  made 
of  plant  fibers  and  willow  bark,  lined  Avith  grasses  and  horsehair.  Eggs: 
3  or  4,  markings  tending  to  run  longitudinally. 

5fc85c.  p.  i.  schistacea  (Baird).     Slate-colored  Sparrow. 

Like  megarhyncha,   but  smaller  body  and  bill.       Male:   length  (skins) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  363 

6.23-7.16,  wing   3.08-;].4?,,  tail   2.88-3.4:5,  bUl   .44-.00.     Female:    length 
(skins)  6.02-6.58,  wing-  8.02-3.21.  bill  40-..^(). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  of  British  Columbia  and  the  United  States; 
from  Colorado  to  California  ;  wanders  in  winter  to  Kansas. 
Arizona,  Nevada,  and  California.  Fig.  452. 

Nest.  —  Usually  less  than  3  feet  from  the  ground,  bulky     Slate-colored 
and  well  made  of  plant  fibers,  willow  bark,  and  grass,  lined  parrow. 

with  horsehair.     Eyys  :  usually  4,  green  or  olive  buff,  marked  with  purple 
and  browns. 

685 d.  P.  i.  Stephens!  Anthony.    Stephens  Spaukow. 

Like  megai-fii/nchn,  but  averaging  larger,  with  much  larger 
bill.     Male:    length    (skins)   (i.C)  1-7.34.  wing  .'!. 30-3.37,    tail 
3.l7-3.r)8,   bill    .rh-.{\r>.     Female:    length    (.skins)   6.()l-6.02, 
5     wing  3.13-3..30,  tail  3.10-3.41,  bill  .52-.5«t. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  California. 
Fig.  i5o. 

GENUS    ARREMONOPS. 

686.  Arremonops  rufivirgatus  (Laicr.).    Texas  Sparrow. 

Tail  shorter  than  wing;  wing  short  and  much  rounded.  .Idults :  upper 
parts  plain  olive  green,  wings  and  tail  brighter  ;  toj)  of  head  with  wide 
olive  median  stripe  bordered  by  dark  brown  or  blackish  brown  stripes; 
superciliary  grayish  ;  lores  and  stripe  back  of  eye  brown  ;  edge  of  wing 
briglit  yellow;  under  parts  dnll  whitish?' chest,  sides,  and  flanks  tinged 
with  pale  buffy.  Young:  dull  brownish;  head  without  distinct  stripes; 
wings  and  tail  w  ith  greenish  edgings  ;  belly  buffy  or  fulvous.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  5.30-6.01),  wiiig  2.45-2.()r).  tail  2.45-2.75,  bill  .48-.55.  Female :  length 
(skins)  5.50-5.85,  wing  2.32-2.45,  tail  2.23-2.50.  bill  .47-52. 

Distribution.  —  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  in  Texas,  and  eastern 
Mexico  ;  casually  to  Louisiana. 

Xest.  —  In  open  thickets,  made  of  dried  w  eed  stems,  bark,  grasses,  and 
leaves,  sometimes  lined  with  hair.      Fggs :  4,  dull  white. 

GENUS    PIPILO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  moderate  ;  wings  short,  greatly  rounded  ; 
primaries  exceeding  secondaries  usually  by  much  less  than  bill  :  tail  long, 
rounded  ;    feet  large  and  strong,  claws  stout,  and  mncli  curved. 

key    to    ADl  LT    male 

Ijf  Upper  parts  light  grayish  Inown. 

K,^.  4:.4, 

2.   Lores  and  chin  blackish abeitl.  p.  3()8. 

2'.  Lores  and  chin  not  blackish. 

3.  Crown  rufous,  thr.Kit  bufl'y mesoleilCUS.  p.  36t;. 

3'.  Crown  not  rufous,  throat  rnfons. 

4.  Smaller.    Southern  California  seilicula.  p 
4'.L:irg.-r Clissalis.  p 


r.   Upper  })arts  bhick 


FiK.  455. 


364  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

2.  Scapulars  and  wing  coverts  almost  always  wholly  bl  ick.     Eastern. 

erythrophthalmus,  p.  364. 
2'.  Scapulars  and  wing  coverts  marked  with  white. 

3.  White  markings  inconspicuous oregonus,  p.  365. 

3'.  White  markings  conspicuous. 

4.  White  on   outer  tail  feathers  covering  more  than  exposed  half 

(beyond  coverts) arcticus.  p.  364. 

4'.  White  on  outer  tail  feathers  not  covering  more  than  exposed  half. 
5.   White  on  outer  tail  feather  covering  more  than  an  inch. 

6.  Darker ;  bill  and  feet  relatively  smaller.     Rocky  Mountains 

to  Pacific megalonyx,  p.  365. 

6'.  Lighter  colored  ;  bill  and  feet  relatively  larger.     ^>an  Cle- 
mente  Island,  California      ....    clementaB,  p.  366. 
5'.  White  on  outer  tail  feather  reduced  to  less  than  an  inch. 

atratus,  p.  366. 

587.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (/>/««.).    Towhee:  Chewink. 

Adult  male.  —  Black,  except  for  white  belly,  brown  sides,  and  white 
patch  on  primaries,  white  edgings  to  tertials,  and  white 
corners  to  tail ;  iris  bright  red.  Adult  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  black  replaced  by  brown.  Young :  similar 
to  adults  of  same  sexes,  but  streaked,  and  without 
dark  chest  patch.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.36-8.10, 
'"'  ^^mmmm"  wing  3.29-3.72,    tail   3.48-3.91,  bill  .53-58.     Female: 

t;)   ^^WS^i,  length    (skins)    6.80-7.52,  wing   3.00-3.30,    tail  3.17- 

^'  3.52,  bill  .51-58  ;  white  on  end  of  outer  tail  feather 

Fig.  456.  1.30-1.60. 

Remarks.  —  The  absence  of  white  on  the  scapular  and  wing  coverts  dis- 
tinguishes the  eastern  towhee  from  the  western  forms. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southex'n  Canada  to  the  Lower  Mississippi 
Valley,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  western  parts  of  Dakota  and  Ne- 
braska ;   winters  from  the  middle  districts  southward. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  or  occasionally  in  low  bushes,  bulky,  made  of 
leaves,  twigs,  and  vines,  and  lined  with  grass  stems  and  rootlets.  Eggs : 
usually  4.  white,  pinkish  white,  or  brownish,  thickly  speckled  with  reddish 
brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  seeds. 

688.  Pipilo  maculatus  arcticus  (Swains.).    Arctic  Towhee. 
Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  black ;   back  black,  more  or  less 

mixed  with  olive  gray  ;  belly  white  ; 
flanks  reddish  brown ;  wings  and 
tail  with  extensive  white  markings ; 
wing  bars  and  white  edgings  of 
primaries  sometimes  forming  a  con- 
spicuous  patch,  and  scapulars  heav- 
^^'       '  ily  streaked  with  white  ;    white    on 

outer  tail  feather  covering  more  than  half  exposed  portion  beyond  coverts 
(1.30-1.70).  Adult  female  :  Black,  replaced  by  dull  olive  brown;  back 
streaked  with  black  ;  throat  and  chest  grayish  brown  ;  white  markings 
obscured.  Young :  streaked  with  black  over  brownish  ground  above,  buffy 
below  ;  lighter  in  female  ;  markings  of  wings  and  tail  as  in  adult,  more  or 
less  restricted  on  wings.  Male  :  length  (skins)  6.90-8.34,  Aving  3.33-3.59, 
tail  3.58-4.10,  bill  .47-55.  Female  :  length  (skins)  7.19-8.30,  wing  3.10- 
3.58,  tail  3.40-4.10,  bill  .48-. 55. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  365 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  on  the 
Plains  and  eastern  foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  from  the  Saskatche- 
wan soutii  to  southern  Colorado,  and  from  the  Missouri  west  to  western 
Montana ;  winters  south  to  Texas  and  west  to  Washington  ;  casually  to 
Iowa  and  Wisconsin. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  at  times  of  pine  needles  and  lined  with 
grass. 

The  towhees  of  the  maculatus  group  are  shy  birds  of  the  chap- 
arral, and  when  caught  singing  on  top  of  a  bush,  where  you  can 
study  the  amount  of  white  mixed  with  the  black  and  brown  of 
their  plumage,  they  are  liable  to  stop  short  in  their  song  and  pitch 
down  to  the  ground  with  only  an  aggravating  flash  of  the  white 
tail  corners.  And  though  you  wait  patiently,  all  the  reward  you 
are  likely  to  get  is  a  nasal  ichank  or  a  mewing  tow-hee  as  they  rattle 
the  dead  leaves,  scratching  for  worms  under  the  dense  cover  of 
brush. 

Both  their  call-notes  and  songs  have  a  quaint  twang  that  give 
them  peculiar  zest.  One  of  the  commonest  songs  in  general  time 
and  emphasis  may  be  given  -dsyang',  kit-er-cr. 

588a.  P.  m.  megalonyx  {Baird.).    Spurred  Towhee. 

Like  arcticus.  but  with  tail,  tarsus,  and  hind  claw  longer,  bill  larger, 
and  coloration  darker  ;  upper  parts 
black,  except  for  grayish  rump ; 
white  niarkinqs  much  restricted,  and 
rufous  of  sides  deeper ;  middle  of 
back  and  tertials  usually  without 
white  ;  white  edgings  of  primaries 
not  developed  into  a  patch,  and  white  space  on  outer  tail  feather  not 
occupying  more  than  half  of  space  beyond  coverts  (1.10-1.-55  long).  Adult 
femide :  darker  than  female  arcticus,  streaks  on  back  less  conspicuous, 
white  tail  patch  smaller.  Young  :  similar  to  voung  of  arcticus.  but  darker. 
Male:  length  (skins)  7.12-S.;;().  wing  :;.2i)-;5.().*).  tail  o.r)r)-4.:>.».  bill  .4S- 
..aS.  Female  :  lengtli  (skins)  T.ll'-S.O'.».  wing  o.lo-o.48,  tail  :;.42-4.U),  bill 
.49-.59. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from  the 
Rocky  Mountains  to  California  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower 
California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Xest.  —  On  tlic  ground  <tr  in  a  busb,  made  variously  <»f  inner  bark, 
leaves,  and  small  sticks,  lined  with  grass.  Ki/'is  :  4  oi-  .').  paU'  greenish  or 
blnisli.  Hnt'ly  specked  witli  brown  and  lavender,  massed  around  larger  end. 

588b.  P.  m.  oregonus  (Hell).     Oregon  Towhee. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  black,  irhiti  iinirkiniis  inconspicuous  ; 
streaks  on  back  mainly  obsolete  or 
concejiled ;  wing  })ars  reduced  to 
disconnected  round  wliite  spots, 
white  of  outer  tail  feather  reduced 
to  '  thumb  mark."  less  tli.in  an  inch 
in  length,  outer  web  m.iinly  black  ; 
rufous  of  sides  verv  dark.      Adult   female:   black  lenliced   bv  dark   sootv 


366  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

brown  ox*  sooty  black,  indistinctly  streaked  with  black ;  rufous  of  sides 
deep.  Young :  Darker  and  more  uniform  than  young-  megalonyx  ;  throat 
and  chest  sooty,  not  streaked.  Male  ;  length  (skins)  7.0S-S.18,  wing  3.22- 
0.47,  tail  3.42-0.87,  bill  .54-,59.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.95-8.0U,  wing 
3.03-.3.38,  tail  3.31-3.85,  bill  ..52-.58. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  Oregon  towhee  the  general  size  and  hind  claw^  are 
much  smaller  than  in  the  spurred,  while  the  absence  of  white  markings 
makes  a  good  field  character. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  humid  Transition  zone  from  British  Columbia 
to  San  Francisco  ;  winters  south  to  southern  California. 

588c.  p.  m.  clementse  {Grinn.).     San  Clemente  Towhee. 

Adult  male.  —  Like  megalonyx.,  but  bill  and  feet  relatively  larg-er  and 
coloration  grayer ;  upper  parts  sooty,  washed  with  olive  gray ;  rump 
lighter,  upper  tail  coverts  finely  barred  with  dusky.  Adult  female  :  head 
and  neck  dull  dark  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  darker  ;  rump  gray,  feathers 
with  dark  centers  and  light  edgings.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.44-8.10, 
wing  3.14-3.50,  tail  3.48-4.06,  bill  .5.5-60.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.02- 
8.30,  wing  3.06-3.24,  tail  3.45-3.76,  bill  .54-. 58. 

Distribution.  —  San  Clemente  Island,  southern  California. 

588d.  P.  m.  atratus  Ridgw.     San  Diego  Towhee. 

Adult  male.  —  Deep  glossy  black  ;  wings  and  scapulars  heavily  marked 
with  white  ;  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  thumb  marks.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  clove  brown  ;   throat  and  chest  clove  brown  or  sooty  black. 

Remarks.  —  The  San  Diego  towhee  is  like  the  spurred,  but  decidedly 
darker,  and  with  white  markings  more  restricted. 

Distribution.  —  From  coast  district  of  southern  California  south  to  Lower 
California. 

591.  Pipilo  fuscus  mesoleucus  (Baird).     Canyon  Towhee. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  light  rufous  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  and  sides  plain 
dull  grayish  brown  ;  throat  buffy,  finely  spotted,  obsolete  chest  patch 
formed  by  large  spots;  middle  of  belly  whitish,  hinder  part  of  belly, 
flanks,  and  lower  tail  coverts  yellowish  brown.  Young :  upper  parts  dull 
grayish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker ;  wing  coverts  largely 
edged  and  tipped  with  pale  rufous ;  lower  parts  dull  white,  changing  to 
brownish  on  under  tail  coverts,  largely  streaked  with  dusky.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  7.64-8.77,  wing  3.49-3.94,  tail  3.77-4.23,  bill  .56-66.  Female: 
length  (skins)  7.7.5-8.72.  wing  3.39-3.92,  tail  3.71-4.31,  bill  .57-.64. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
Arizona,  and  from  eastern  Colorado  south  to  Sonora  and  Chihuahua. 

Nest.  —  In  mesquite  trees  rarely  over  8  feet  from  the  ground,  sometimes 
in  thick  bunches  of  cholla  cactus  and  between  the  leaves  of  yuccas,  deep, 
bulky,  and  loosely  iiiade  of  coarse  grasses  lined  with  rootlets  and  horsehair. 
Eggs  :  usually  3,  bluish  white  or  pearl  gray,  spotted  and  scrawled  with 
brown  and  sometimes  black,  and  with  purple  shell  markings. 

The  fuscus  group  of  towhees,  while  chaparral  birds  of  the  same 
general  habits  as  the  maciihitus  group,  seem  more  like  big  fluffy- 
brown  sparrows  than  chewinks. 

The  canyon  towhee,  when  sitting  on  a  bush,  shows  his  rufous 
luider  tail  coverts  and  raises  his  crown  so  that  the  color  shows  there. 
He  has  a  loud  metallic  cM]},  a  call  of  four  loud  repetitious  of  the 


FIJ^CHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  367 

same  note,  and  in  flight  the  robin-lilve  scree p' -eep-eep  of  his  group. 
In  the  mountains,  the  canyon  towhees  are  found  among  rocks  and 
along  ledges  of  canj'ons.  At  Mineral  Park,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey 
found  them  abundant  in  February.  They  were  noisy  and  so  tame 
that  they  would  come  into  camp  to  feed  on  scattered  crumbs  and 
grain.  In  New  Mexico  outside  of  the  mountains,  Mr.  Batchelder 
found  them  about  ^Mexican  villages  and  irrigated  flelds. 

591b.  P.  f.  crissalis  {Vig.).     California  Towhee. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  plain  dull  grayish  brown,  slightly  deeper  on 
head ;  throat  light  rufous,  usually  marked  with  dusky  ; 
middle  of  belly  whitish  or  dull  buffy,  sides  grayish 
browu  ;  under  tail  coverts  reddish  brown.  Youn'i :  like 
adults,  but  brow  ner.  wing  bars  and  edgings  pale  brown- 
ish ;  under  parts  dull  buffy,  deepening  to  tawny  on 
throat  and  belly,  and  grayish  brown  along  sides;  ante- 
rior lower  parts  streaked.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.0-3- 
9.:)0.  wing;i7o-4.08,  tail  4.22-4..-).5, bill  .56-.(J5.  Female:  *''g-  "^^O. 

length  (skins)  8.-24-8.('.0,  wing  :15T-:5.88,  tail  4.14-4.38,  bill  ..5()-.Go. 

Remarks.  —  Crissalis  is  like  mesoleucus,  but  larger  and  darker. 

Distribution.  —  California,  west  (jf  Sierra  Nevada,  north  to  Mendocino 
and  Shasta  counties,  south  to  Santa  Barbara  and  Kern  counties,  and  north- 
ern part  of  San  Bernardino  County. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  trees,  usually  2  to  G  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of 
inner  bark,  twigs,  and  weed  stems,  lined  with  plant  stems  and  sometimes 
horsehair  and  wool.     -Eggs :  4  or  5,  pale  blue,  spotted  with  purplish  brown. 

The  California  members  of  the  fuscus  group  have  a  thin  chip 
which  gives  them  the  name  of  brown  chippies,  the  robin-like  call  of 
mesoleucus,  and  a  song  which,  though  a  trifle  squeaky  for  such  a 
large  bird  when  heard  too  close  at  hand,  has  a  quiet,  contented  qual- 
ity that  matches  the  bird's  disposition  and  is  very  pleasing.  When 
given  in  concert  in  the  canyons  at  dusk  the  song  is  said  to  be 
most  effective.  Though  shy  and  wary  about  his  nesting  grounds, 
when  his  family  cares  are  over  the  brown  chippie  comes  to  the  door- 
yard  and  stays  there  more  familiarly  than  the  Brewer  blackbird. 
Although  he  also  makes  himself  at  home  on  city  lawns  and  in  parks, 
he  is  especially  fond  of  barnyards  and  hay  lofts,  where  he  can 
scratch  in  the  straw  and  pick  up  seeds  to  his  heart's  content.  When 
he  flies  his  short  wings  and  long  tail  give  him  a  bobbing,  awkward 
motion,  but  when  sitting  about  the  dooryard  his  plump,  fluffy  figure 
affords  him  a  most  comfortable  domestic  look. 

691c.  P.  f.  senicula  .!»///"////.     San  Fehnanoo  Towhkk:   Anthony 

ToWHKK. 

Like  rrissa/is.  l)ut  smalbM-.  iipp<'r  parts  darker,  and  lower  parts  gravi'r. 
Male:  length  (skins)  S.O.VS. li'.  wing  ;;.4S-:;.<»7,  tail  ;5.1).")-4.42,  bill  ..j(i-.(L'. 
Female:   Wing  .l.oS-;;..".*;,  tail  ;5.'.i:;-4.0l',  bill  ..")T-.()0. 

Distrihutinn.  — From  soiitlit'rn  California  south  to  Lower  California. 


3G8  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

592.  Pipilo  aberti  Baird.    Abert  Towhee. 

Adults.  —  Lores  and  chin  blackish ;  upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown, 
darkest  on  head ;  quills  edged  with  grayish  ;  lower  parts  pinkish  brown, 
lighter  on  belly,  and  deepening  to  tawny  on  under  tail  coverts.  Young  : 
paler  and  duller,  breast  indistinctly  streaked,  Male :  length  (skins)  8.22- 
9.14,  wing  3.54-3.81,  tail  4.17-4.72,  bill  .59-64.  Female:  length  (skins) 
7.97-8.68,  wing  3.36-3.62,  tail  3.97-4.31,  bill  .59-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  upper  and  lower  Sonoran  zones  from  Colorado 
to  southeastern  Califoniia,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Rarely  more  than  5  feet  from  the  ground,  in  willow  thickets, 
cariebrake,  low  bushes,  or  mesquite  ;  bulky,  loosely  made  of  weed  stalks, 
inner  bark,  grass,  and  sticks,  sometimes  lined  with  inner  bark  or  horse- 
hair. Eggs:  2  to  4,  pale  blue,  sparsely  marked  with  dark  brown  and 
black. 

The  cinnamou  colored  aberti  is  the  largest  of  the  plain  towhees. 
It  is  said  to  be  extremely  shy.  Major  Bendire  gives  its  alarm  note 
as  hult  huit.  At  Phoenix  it  is  common  among  the  mesquites  and  cot- 
ton woods. 

GENUS    OREOSPIZA. 

592.1.  Oreospiza  chlorura  {Aud.).  Green-tailed  Towhee. 
Bill  small,  conical ;  wing  rather  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  long,  rounded  ; 
tarsus  long,  nearly  a  third  the  length  of  wing  ;  hind  claw 
longer  than  its  toe.  (Structurally  intermediate  between 
Zonotrichia  and  Pipilo.)  Adult  male:  top  of  head  bright 
rufous  ;  throat  white  ;  upper  parts  olive  gray,  becoming 
bright  olive  green  on  icings  and  tail ;  malar  stripe  and 
middle  of  belly  white  ;  edge  of  wing,  under  wing  coverts, 
and  axillars  bright  yellow.  Adxdt  female  :  usually  slightly 
Fig.  461.  duller.      Young :   olive  grayish,   streaked   with   dusky ; 

lower  parts  dingy  white,  chest  and  sides  streaked  with  dusky ;  wings  and 
tail  like  adults,  but  wing  bars  brownish  buffy.  Male :  length  (skins)  6.21- 
7.05,  wing  3.01-3.28,  tail  3.14-3.43,  bill  .48-.51.  Female:  length  (skins) 
6.52-7.10,  wing  2.80-3.10,  tail  2.93-3.33,  bill_.4.5-.51. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  interior  plateau  region 
from  tlie  western  edge  of  the  Plains  to  Coast  Range  in  California,  and  north 
to  Montana  ;  migrates  to  southern  Lower  California  and  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground  in  sagebrush,  chaparral,  or  cactus,  made 
of  sticks  lined  with  grass.  Fggs :  4,  whitish,  speckled  or  sprinkled  with 
reddish  brown. 

The  name  Oreospiza  calls  to  mind  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
gentle  of  birds,  with  the  memory  of  warm  days  when  the  smell  of 
the  aromatic  mint  and  Geanothus  filled  the  air.  The  green- tail  fol- 
lows the  Transition  zone  chaparral  from  the  zonal  level,  where  a 
dense  brush  thicket  covers  wide  areas,  and  where  he  is  one  of  a 
number  of  brush  birds,  up  to  the  extreme  limit  of  the  chaparral,  where 
there  are  only  scattered  patches  of  dwarf  brush  on  high  rock  slides, 
and  where  he  is  the  one  brush  bird,  conspicuous  among  the  boreal 
solitaires  and  nutcrackers. 

His  mewing  call-note,  a  soft  mew,  meic-ah-eep,  seems  his  most 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  369 

cheAviuk-like  character  and  proclaims  his  presence,  as  does  his  soug 
when  the  ear  has  caught  the  difference  between  it  and  that  of  the 
Passerella.  Though  phrased  somewliat  like  the  song  of  the  maculatus 
group,  it  is  wholly  different  in  quality  and  rendering,  being  more 
of  the  bright  tinch  type  with  the  ChondesteH-\\^Q  burr  heard  in  so 
many  tinch  songs,  and  its  two  emphasized  notes  standing  out  in  a 
medley  of  short  notes. 

His  familiar  voice  is  often  heard  from  a  wall  of  chaparral,  but 
he  may  generally  be  found  perched  on  top  of  a  bush,  and  at  sight  of 
you  will  raise  his  rufous  cap  inquiringly,  turning  to  look  down  so 
that  his  white  chin  shows  to  good  advantage.  When  seen  hopping 
over  the  ground  he  is  as  trim  and  alert  as  a  song  sparrow,  looking 
about  and  flashing  his  green  tail  till  he  disappears  to  scratch  in  the 
brush.  When  surprised  on  the  ground  he  will  often  run  rather  than 
take  wing.  One  that  Mr.  Bailey  found  on  its  nest  at  7900  feet  on 
Donner  Peak,  California,  ran  silently  for  five  or  six  rods  through  the 
brush,  and  then  stopped,  to  tempt  him  awa}'  from  its  brood. 

GENUS    CARDINALIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  conspicuous  crest ;  bill  stout,  conical, 
much  deeper  than  broad  at  base  ;  win^-  short,  much  rounded,  primaries 
exceeding-  secondaries  by  less  than  length  of  exposed  culmen  ;  tail  longer 
than  wing. 

KEY    TO   ADl'LT   MALES. 

1.  Feathers  all  around  base  of  bill  black. 

2.  Black  frontlet  wider.     Eastern  United  States     .  cardinalis,  p.  809. 

2'.  Black  frontlet  narrower.     Texas  to  Mexico  .     canicaudus.  p.  oTO. 

1'.  Feathers  around  base  of  bill  not   black  across  foreliead.      Arizona  to 

Mexico superbus.  p.  :]~{). 

593.  Cardinalis  cardinalis  [LImi.).    Cardinal. 

Afliilt  mall'.  —  Crest,  head,  and  lower  parts  briglit  red,  feathers  around 
base  of  hill  black;  back  dull  red,  feathers  ti})ped  with  olive  gray,  wearing 
away  in  midsummer.  Adult  female  :  wings  and  tail  dull 
red ;  crest  partly  red  ;  upper  parts  olive  grayish  ;  xuuh 
parts  grayish  buffv  ;  chest  often  tinged  with  red  ;  feathers 
around  base  of  bill  and  ui)per  parts  of  throat  dull  grayish  : 
under  wing  coverts  ])iiikish  red.  Youmf  :  like  adult  female, 
but  dulb-r.  th.'  bill  blackish.  Male:  "length  (skins)  7.40- 
S.4().  wing  ;:.»iO-;;.li;;.  tail  ;;.TS-4.:;:).  bill  .Tl-.SO.  Female: 
length  (.skins)  T.-IO-S.  1.").  wing  :;.4S-:;.7S,  tail  .l.TlM.L'L'.  bil 
.(m-.SO. 

Distrihution.  —  IJesident  in  eastern  I'uited  Sr.ites  from  the  (Julf  north 
regularly  to  about  latitude  41  ;  casiiaily  uorthw.ird  t(»  Ontario;  west  to 
edge  of  great  IMains.  i.irely  in  western  Kansas  and  CoIohkU). 

Ne.st.  —  A  rather  frail  structure  of  sticks  or  fine  rooth'ts,  leaves,  gnisses, 
or  strips  of  b.ark.  sometinu-s  covered  with  gray  moss;  placed  in  bushes, 
brambles,  grapevines,  or  low  trees-.  Kijtis :  "J  to  4.  white,  irregulaily  spotted 
with  ]>urple  and  reddish  brown. 

Food.  -     Ins«'cts,  berries,  seeds,  .and  "T.iin. 


370  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

The  cardinals  are  the  most  striking  of  chaparral  birds  where  they 
occur.  Seen  against  a  background  of  dingy  brush  their  red  plumage 
fairly  glows  in  the  sun  till  you  are  led  to  marvel  at  its  brilliancy. 

Then  how  their  loud  whistle  pierces  the  air  !  How  exquisitely 
rounded  comes  their  cue-cite,  and  with  what  force  follows  the  rapid 
Jiip'-ip-ip-ip-ip-ip-ip. 

593a.  C.  c  superbus  Bidyw.     Arizona  Cardinal. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  and  long-  crest  brilliant  red ;  lores  and 
chin  black,  black  of  lores  not  connected  aci-oss  forehead  unless  by  narrow 
black  line  ;  rest  of  under  parts  brilliant  red  ;  back  dull  red  washed  with 
gray  ;  wing-s  and  tail  dark  red  ;  bill  very  heavy.  Adult  female :  crest,  wings, 
and  tail  partly  red ;  under  parts  dark  buffy,  chest  tinged  with  red  ;  lores 
and  chin  gray ;  forehead  dull  yellowish  mixed  with  red  ;  back  dull  gray ; 
under  wing  coverts  bright  rose.  Young  :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  colors 
duller  ;  bUl  blackish.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.40-9.00,  wing  :i92-4.11,  tad 
4.67-5.00,  bUl  .80-.81).  Female:  length  (skins)  7.8.5-8.30,  wing  3.79-4.00. 
tail  4.48-4.75,  bill  .82. 

Bemarks.  —  Superbus  differs  from  cardinalis  in  larger  size,  relatively 
shorter  bill,  pale  red  of  male,  and  broken  ring  around  bill. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  to  Sonora,  Mexico. 

The  Arizona,  like  the  eastern  cardinals,  are  birds  of  the  thickets 
and  brush  patches,  making  themselves  known  by  brilliant  flashes  of 
color  and  their  rollicking,  spirited  song.  At  Phoenix  they  build  in 
the  thickets  just  out  of  town,  and,  though  shy  birds,  seem  not  to 
object  to  civilization.  Yernon  Bailey. 

593c.  C.  C  canicaudus  Chapm.     Gray-tailed  Cardinal. 

Male  similar  to  cardinalis,  but  with  less  conspicuoiis  black  frontlet ; 
female  averaging  grayer  than  female  of  cardinalis,  and  with  the  tail  feath- 
ers broadly  margined  with  gray  instead  of  olive  brown.  Male :  length 
(skins)  7.60-8.60,  wing  3.48-3.80,  tad  3.85-4.38,  bill  .71-.82.  Female: 
length  (skins)  7.00-8.20,  wing  3.22-3.67,  tail  3.-58-4. 12,  bill  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Texas  south  to  Central  Mexico. 

GENUS    PYRRHULOXIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  conspicuous  crest ;  bill  very  short, 
thick,  and  deep,  culmen  convex ;  wing  short,  much  rounded ;  tail  long, 
rounded. 

KEY    TO    adult   MALES. 

1.  Ring  around  bill  conspicuously  marked  with  black     .    texaiia,  p.  371. 
1'.  Ring  around  bill  rose  red sinuata,  p.  370. 

594.  Pyrrhuloxia  sinuata  Bonap.    Arizona  Pykrhuloxia. 

Bill  short  and  parrot-lrke.  yellow  or  orange  in  summer,  duller  in  winter. 
Adidt  male  :  ring  around  bill,  throat,  breast  patch,  thighs,  and  under  side 
of  wing  light  rose  red  ;  lateral  under  parts  light  gray  ;  tip  of  crest  darker 
red ;  ring  around  bill  with  only  faint  trace  of  black  ;  upper  parts  light  gray 
tinged  irith  brown ;  wings  and  tail  blackish  and  dark  red.  Adult  female  : 
like  male,  but  red  of  face  and  under  parts  wanting  or  only  suggested ; 
under  parts  buffy  brown.      Young   male :    like   adult   female,   but  paler, 


TEXAS  PYRRHULOXIA 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  371 

buffy  below  and  on  wing'  bands ;  median  under  parts  and  face  more  or  less 
tinged  with  red.  Young  female:  like  young  male,  but  without  red.  Male: 
length  (skins)  7.45-8.41,  wing  o.5l!-Ij.88,  tail  o. 72-4. 25.  bill  .5U-.6o.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  6.1)0-7.1)4.  wing  :,;.4()-o.()7,  tail  ;5.()0-o.82,  bill  .58-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  JSonoran  zone  from  southern  Arizona  to  western 
Texas  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  cardinals,  but  eggs  averaging 
smaller. 

Though  not  so  brilliant  as  the  Cardlnali.s  group,  the  Pyrrhuloxias 
when  among  their  native  mesquites  seem  even  more  beautiful.  The 
rose-colored  vest  that  lights  up  their  soft  gray  plumage  gives  an 
exquisite  delicacy  and  freshness  that  adds  charm  to  their  individual- 
ity and  sprightliness.  Their  expression  changes  astonishingly  with 
the  movement  of  their  crest.  When  it  is  flattened  the  short  curved 
bill  and  round  head  suggest  a  bored  parrot  in  a  cage,  but  when  the 
crest  is  raised  to  its  full  height  and  thrown  forward,  the  beautiful 
bird  is  the  picture  of  alert  interest  and  vivacity. 

The  call-note  of  the  Pyrrhuloxias,  instead  of  a  single  c/tip,  is  made 
up  of  several  flat,  thin  notes.  Their  whistle,  though  of  similar  char- 
acter to  the  cardinals',  instead  of  being  a  scooped  cne  note  is  a  clear 
straight  whistle. 

A  pair  whose  nest  we  stumbled  on  in  the  mcsquite  showed  their 
mutual  solicitude  in  such  a  charming  manner,  the  male  bursting  into 
song  to  draw  our  attention  from  his  mate  and  nest,  that  it  seemed  as 
if  rare  pleasure  lay  in  store  for  the  bird  student  with  leisure  to  study 
their  attractive  ways. 

694a.  P.  s.  texana  Ridgw.    Texas  Pyrrhuloxia. 

Adult  m<de.  —  Similar  to  sinuata,  but  bill  much  heavier  and  coloration 
darker  ;  ring  round  bill  conspicuously  marked  with  black ;  upper  parts  dark 
gray.  Adult  fem<d>' :  similar  to  female  sinuata.  but  under  parts  grayish  on 
front  and  sides.  Male :  length  (skins)  7.54-8.10,  wing  .'5.4S-8.88,  tail  o.()8- 
4.21,  bill  .»)()-.07.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.10-8.10,  wing  n.;j<J-3.79,  tail 
3.80-4.2(5,  bill  .(J0-.n5. 

Distribution-  —  Ijower  Sonoran  zone  in  northeastern  Mexico  and  southern 
Texas,  north  to  Nueces,  Bee,  Hexar,  Kendall,  and  Tom  Green  counties. 

Nest.  —  In  mesquite  ;uid  other  tliorny  bushes,  small  and  compact,  made 
of  inner  ])ark.  grasses.  ;in(l  twigs,  lined  witli  a  few  rootlets.  Fggs  :  •>,  spotted 
with  brown  and  lavender  massed  at  the  larger  end. 

GENUS    ZAMELODIA. 

General  Cfiaractf-rs.  —  liill  heavy,  sliort.  conical,  much  deeper  than  broad 
at  ba.se;  nostrils  expo.sed  ;  wing  pointed;  tail  even  or  slightly  rounded ; 
tarsus  about  :i.s  long  a.s  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KKV    to    adult    MAI.KS. 

1.  Under  parts  brown  :iii(l  yelb.w melanocephala.  p.  .■)72. 

r.  Under  parts  wliite  and  rose  pink ludoviciana,  j).  ;'.72. 


371^ 


FINCHES,  SPARROAVS,  ETC. 


X^ 


^^- 


Fig.  4G3. 
■winefs.      Young  male  in  first  u-inter 


595.  Zamelodia  ludoviciana  {Linn.).     Rose-kreasted  Gros- 

beak. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Head  and  upper  parts  black,  except 
for  white  rump  and  wliite  mai'king-s  on  wings  and  tail  ;   under  parts  white, 

except  for  rose  red  patches  on 
breast  and  under  wings.  Adult 
female  :  dusky  brown,  streaked  ; 
head  with  whitish  median  stripe 
and  superciliary ;  under  parts 
grayish  or  buffy  brown,  streaked 
on  breast  and  sides  ;  under  wing- 
coverts  yellow.  Adult  male  in 
u-inter  plumage  :  wing-s,  tail,  and 
upper  tail  coverts  as  in  sum- 
mer ;  upper  parts  reddish  brown  ; 
head  with  buffy  median  crown 
stripe,  superciliary,  and  malar 
/Ct^  strijjes  ;     back    streaked      with 

t — ^      t;^  ^  black  ;    under    parts    brownish, 

more  or  less  streaked,  and  with 
pale  rose  on  breast  and  under 
like  adult  winter  male,  but  wings, 
rump;  upper  tail  coverts,  and  tail  brow  nish,  tail  without  white  ;  wings 
with  white  markings  reduced  and  tinged  with  brown  ;  chest,  sides,  and 
flanks  deeper  brown  and  more  heavily  streaked  ;  chest  with  little  if  any 
pink;  under  wing  coverts  rose  pink  as  in  adult.  Male:  length  (skins) 
6.50-7.20,  wing  ;3.85-4.10.  tail  2.87-;>.08,  bill  .59-.61).  Female:  length 
(skins)  6.75-7.0;),  wing-  3.75-3.9S,  tail  2.75-2.95,  bill  .61-. 70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Canada  south  to  Kansas,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  Colorado  ;  winters  in  Cuba, 
Central  America,  and  northern  South  America ;  accidental  in  California. 

Nest. — A  thin  saucer-shaped  structure  made  larg-ely  of  wiry  rootlets, 
placed  in  bushes  or  low  trees.  Fggs  :  2  to  4,  bluish  green  or  g-reenish  blue 
spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Potato  bugs  and  other  insects,  with  seeds,  and  buds  and  blossoms 
of  forest  trees. 

While  the  female  rose-breasted  grosbeak  is  brown  and  streaked 
like  the  female  black-lieaded,  the  male  is  a  rare  beauty,  the  clear 
black,  wliite,  and  rose  of  his  plumage  being  handsomer  than  the 
black  and  brown  of  melanocepliala.  His  song  lacks  the  exquisite 
finish  of  the  westerner's,  but  is  loud  and  musical  and  sung  with  a 
joyous  swing.  His  thin  eek,  like  that  of  the  black-headed,  announces 
him, whether  he  be  in  an  apple-tree  or  hidden  in  a  thicket  by  a  river. 

596.  Zamelodia   melanocephala    (Sivains.).     Black-headed 

Grosbeak. 

Adult  male. —  Under  parts  cinnamon  brown  brightening 
to  lemon  yellorr  on  belly  and  under  wing  coverts :  upper 
parts  mainly  black,  with  cinnamon  brown  collar  and 
rump,  and  sometimes  brown  stripes  back  of  eye.  through 
middle  of  crown,  and  on  back  :  wings  and  tail  black, 
wings  with  two  white  bars  and  white  patch  at  base  of 
quills,  tail  with  white   corners.      Winter  male:  lighter 


Fig.  464. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  373 

brown  on  upper  parts.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  blackish  brown, 
streaked  with  pale  brownish  or  buffy  ;  colhir  buffy  white ;  wing-  bar  white ; 
Tinder  parts  dull  buffy,  yellowish  on  belly,  flanks,  and  sometimes  breast ; 
sides  streaked  ;  under  wing-  coverts  lemon  yellow.  Winter  female  :  with 
buffy  or  brown  stronger;  lateral  crown  stripe  streaked  with  black.  Young : 
much  like  adult  female,  but  under  parts  paler,  without  yellow  on  belly ; 
back  spotted  ;  crown  stripes  uniform  blackish  brown.  Male :  leng-th 
(skins)  r).()0-7.70,  wing-  8,72-4.;5().  tail  2.T9-o.;J8,  bill  .GO-.SO.  Female: 
length  (skins)  (3.15-T.SO,  wing  :}.72-4. 12.  tail  2.70-3.40.  bill  .U1-.78. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  the 
western  United  States,  from  eastern  Nebraska  to  (.'alifornia.  and  from 
British  Columbia  to  northern  Lower  California  and  southern  part  of 
Mexican  plateau. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  chaparral,  made  loosely  of  sticks  and  weeds.  Eggs : 
3  or  4,  pale  bluish  white,  thickly  spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  rose-breasted  g'rosbeak. 

When  you  liear  the  call-note  of  the  black-headed  grosbeak  for  the 
first  time,  you  naturally  hunt  through  the  greenery  for  a  small 
bird,  for  the  note  is  a  pecidiarly  insignificant  eek,  and  when  you  dis- 
cover the  goodly  sized  bird  with  strongly  marked  black  and  golden 
brown  coat  and  great  bill,  his  small  voice  seems  much  out  of  char- 
acter. You  marvel  at  it  still  more  when  you  hear  his  wonderful 
song.  At  its  best,  given  from  a  poplar  or  live-oak  top  in  the  leisure 
of  a  sunny  afternoon,  it  is  one  of  the  most  varied,  exquisitely  finished, 
and  musical  of  bird  songs.  It  has  the  swinging  rhythm  and  clear- 
ness characteristic  of  grosbeak  songs,  but  is  smooth  and  rounded, 
and  its  highest  notes  are  dwelt  on  and  trolled  over  with  rare  tender- 
ness, repeated  not  as  a  thrasher's  notes  are  repeated,  but  with  the 
enjoyment  of  an  artist  consciously  perfecting  his  work.  In  Arizona 
Mr.  llenshaw  has  heard  the  birds  give  sunset  concerts  from  the  tops 
of  tlie  tallest  pines. 

The  nature  of  the  grosbeak  is  not  belied  by  his  song,  for  like 
others  of  the  family  he  has  a  gentle  spirit.  His  devotion  to  the  nest 
is  shown  by  his  habit  of  brooding  in  the  absence  of  his  mate. 

GENUS    GUIRACA. 

597a.  Guiraca  cserulea  lazula  (Less.).    Westehn  Bia-e  Gros- 
beak. 

Bill  large,  conical,  compressed  ;  nostrils  exposed  ;  wing  longer  tlian  tail ; 
tarsus  about  as  long  as  mi(hlle  toe  with  el:i\v.  Adult  male  in  .•<uuimn- : 
plain  briglit  blue  ;  wing-  with  two  brownisli  bands,  tliat  across  tips  of 
greater  coverts  usually  .  ?0-..ifJ  wide,  and  deridedli/  paler  than  the  anterior 
band;  under  tail  coverts  witli  white  borders.  Adult  male  in  ivinter :  blue 
of  body  nu)re  ctr  less  obseure<l  by  brownish  or  buffy  tips  to  featliei-s.  Fe- 
male  and  ifoung  :  grayish  brown,  usually  more  or  less  tinged  with  blue. 
Immature  mulis  :  plumage  of  ;«(luh  male  ;ind  female  mixed  in  various  pro- 
portions, according  to  age.  .Midt  :  length  (skins)  .">.'.»it-7.<>i'.  \ving  ;!.4()- 
:;.S0,  tail  2.tl2-;'..  10.  bill  .."..V.7<l.  Female:  length  (skins)  ."..i!i>-(;.:.(».  winfr 
:102-:5.4S.  tail  2.4I-2.S().  bill  .,V.-.«K 


374  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  — Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  eastern 
Texas  to  southern  California;  north  to  northern  Colorado  and  central 
valleys  of  California  to  about  40° ;  mig-rates  to  southern  Mexico  and  south 
to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  A  compact,  cup-shaped  structure,  composed  largely  of  dried 
grasses  and  plant  fibers,  placed  in  bushes  and  tall  weeds.  JEggs :  o  or  4, 
plain  pale  greenish  blue  or  bluish  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  seeds,  buds,  and  berries. 

The  blue  grosbeak  is  less  arboreal  than  its  relatives,  being  found 
mainly  in  brush,  often  along  streams  in  foothill  canyons.  Its  song, 
Mr.  Henshaw  says,  while  suggesting  the  songs  of  other  grosbeaks  and 
possessing  much  sweetness,  "lacks  the  full  rich  mellowness  of  tone 
and  variety  of  modulation  "  of  its  relatives. 

GENUS    CYANOSPIZA. 

^ ^         General  Characters.  —  Bill    small,    under  mandible  conspicu- 

O     ously  deeper  than  upper ;  wing  pointed  ;  tarsus  about  equal  to 
i      middle  toe  witli  claw  ;  side  claw  s  not  reaching  to  base  of  mid- 
dle claw. 
Fig.  465. 

KEY   TO   ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  partly  or  wholly  red. 

2.  Back  yellowish  green ciris,  p.  376. 

2'.  Back  purplish  red versicolor,  p.  375. 

1'.  Under  parts  not  red. 

2.  Upper  parts  light  blue amoena,  p.  375. 

2'.  Upper  parts  dark  purplish  or  greenish  blue   .     .     .    cyanea,  p.  374. 

598.  Cyanospiza  cyanea  (Li««.).    Indigo  Buntikg. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  throat,  and  sometimes  median  under  parts  purplish 
blue  ;  rest  of  body  cerulean  blue  changing  to  bluish  green  in  some  lights ; 
lores,  wings,  and  tail  black  or  dusky,  tinged  with  blue.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  olive  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  faintly  tinged  with  blue  ;  under 
parts  dull  whitish  washed  with  huffy,  faintly  streaked  on  chest.  Imma- 
ture males :  variously  intermediate  in  coloration  between  fully  adult  males 
and  females.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  browner,  obsoletely 
streaked.  Male:  length  (skins)  4..59-5.21,  wing  2.-58-2.81.  tail  1.91-2.13, 
bill  .40-.44.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.46-5.23,  wing  2.47-2.62.  tail  1.86- 
1.92,  bill  .39-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of 
the  northeastern  United  States,  but  extends  west  to  Colorado,  and  from 
southern  Canada  to  the  Gulf  ;  migrates  to  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes,  made  of  leaves,  plant  fibers,  and  grasses,  lined 
with  grass  stems  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white,  Avith  faint  bluish 
tinge. 

Food.  —  Largely  insects  and  seeds. 

The  indigo  bunting,  the  eastern  representative  of  the  genus,  has 
been  found  in  Colorado  and  western  Texas,  but  comes  west  regu- 
larly only  as  far  as  eastern  Kansas.  In  habits  it  is  the  counterpart 
of  the  lazuli  buntino;. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  375 

599.  Cyanospiza  amoena  (Say).     Lazuli  Bunting. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parta  bright  turquoise  blue,  changing-  ^o  greenish 
blue,  darker  and  duller  on  middle  of  back ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ; 
breast  and  sumetimes  sides  brownish:  belly  white.  Adult  female :  upper 
parts  grayish  brown,  tinged  with  blue  on  rump  ;  liack  sometimes  streaked  ; 
wing-  bars  dingy ;  anterior  lower  parts  pale  buffy,  deeper  on  chest,  fading 
to  white  on  belly  and  lower  tail  coverts.  Young :  like  female,  but  with- 
out blue  tinge  on  rump,  and  chest  and  sides  usually  streaked.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  .•j.Ul-5.,54,  wing  2.78-8.01,  tail  2.07-2.27,  bill  .30-.41.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4.0 1 -.■).;-]8,  wing  2.50-2.8:'.,  tail  2.00-2..31,  bill  .;^(K41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  .Sonoran  zones  of  the 
western  United  States  from  Kansas  to  California ;  and  from  British 
Columbia  to  Arizona  and  New  Mexico ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and 
the  Valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  near  water  in  weeds,  willows,  manzanitas,  and  other 
bushes.     Fggs  :  o  or  4,  plain  bluish  white,  or  pale  greenish  blue. 

The  natural  home  of  the  blue-coated,  brown-breasted  lazuli  is  in 
the  chaparral  of  warm  valleys  like  those  of  southern  California  or  in 
village  shrubbery  in  climates  like  that  of  the  Salt  Lake  plain,  but  like 
the  green-tailed  towhee  it  follow^s  the  chaparral  to  the  higher  levels, 
and  though  nominally  a  Transition  and  Upper  Souoran  zone  bird,  is 
sometiiUes  found  in  willows  of  the  Canadian  zone.  In  the  Sierra 
above  Donner  the  middle  of  July  we  found  it  as  high  as  7900  feet, 
singing  gayly  in  a  patch  of  willows  in  a  tiny  mountain  meadow 
surrounded  b}^  firs  and  overhung  by  snowbanks  ;  and  one  of  the 
hardy  little  fellows  has  even  been  reported  from  Fremont  Pass. 

The  song  of  the  lazuli  is  of  the  bright,  musical  finch  type,  and  like 
that  of  Oreospisa  and  Chondestes  has  a  marked  burr.  The  call-note 
is  an  emphatic  quit'  or  sometimes  chuck. 

Though  less  demonstrative  than  the  house  finch,  the  lazuli  some- 
times spreads  his  blue  feathers  before  his  mate  in  pretty  gallantry  ; 
and  as  a  parent,  though  not  boldly  aggressive,  he  is  w^atchful  and 
devoted,  singing  on  his  way  to  the  nest  even  with  a  bill  full  of 
insects. 

600.  Cyanospiza  versicolor  (/>*o»r//>.).    VARiKn  Bunting. 

Upjx'r  mandil)h'  curved.  Adult  male  in  summer:  forehead  and  rump 
brigiit  bluish  purple,  or  jjurplish  blue  ;  back  of  neck  bright  red,  changing 
to  i)urplish  red  on  middle  of  back  ;  under  parts  plum  red  fading  to  plum 
purple  on  l)elly.  Adult  female  in  summer:  uj)])er  parts  brownish,  tinged 
with  olive  and  sometimes  with  blui.sh.  becoming  dull  bluish  ou  rump; 
wings  and  tail  with  gr.iy  or  blue  edgings;  under  jvirts  dull  whitish  and 
brown.  Adult  male  in  n-inter  :  c(»lor  of  crown,  back,  and  sc.ipulars  partly 
obscured  by  gniyish  brown  tijjs  to  fcathei-s;  under  parts  with  butfy  tips. 
Adult  female  in  ivinter :  browner.  Young:  brown;  wing  witli  buffy 
bands  ;  under  parts  wliitl.sh  mediallv,  brown  on  chest  and  sides.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  4..V)-.-,.4r..  wing  2.40- "2.80.  tail  1.07-2.20.  bill  .;!7-.44.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4.44-.").;'.S,  wing  2.:;0-2..').').  tail  l.0;',-2.10.  l)ill  .:m-.41. 

Distribution. —  Froni  southern  Arizona  and  the  valley  of  the  Lower 
Mio  (jrande  in  Texas  south  t<>  Lower  Califoniia  :ind  (iuatem.ila. 


376  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

601.  Cyanospiza  ciris  [Linn.).  Painted  Bunting:  Nonpareil. 
Adult  male.  —  Entire  under  parts  bright  red  ;  head  and  back  of  neck  pur- 
plish blue,  in  sharp  contrast  to  yellowish  green  of  back  and  scapulars  ;  rump 
and  tail  dull  red  ;  wings  green  and  reddish.  Adult  female :  upper  j)arts, 
including  tail,  plain  olive  green  ;  under  parts  dull  greenish  yellow,  brighter 
on  belly.  Young:  grayish  brown,  tinged  in  places  with  greenish  ;  wings 
with  buffy  bands ;  under  parts  dull  buffy.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.0U- 
.5.60,  wino-  L>.72-2.91,  tail  2.0()-2.24.  bill  .4U-.44.  Female:  length  (skins) 
4.T0-.5.47rwing  2.-5 1-2.80,  tail  1.90-2.18.  bill  .40-.42. 

Remarks.  —  Individuals  are  sometimes  found  having  yellow  feathers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  IStates  west  to 
southern  Arizona  and  north  to  southern  Kansas;   winters  south  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  hackberry.  cat-claw,  or  chaparral,  made  of  grasses  and 
sometimes  leaves,  lined  with  finer  grasses  and  hairs.  Eggs  :  4  or  .5,  creamy 
to  bluish  white,  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown. 

When  we  were  w^orking  on  the  Pecos  River,  in  southern  New 
Mexico,  the  loud  bright  song  of  the  nonpareil  was  heard  at  camp  all 
through  the  middle  of  the  hottest  days,  and  from  the  mesa  we  could 
look  down  on  the  chaparral  by  the  river  and  see  sometimes  the  red 
breast  and  sometimes  the  green  sheen  on  the  back  of  the  cheery  song- 
ster. His  song,  though  short,  has  a  clear,  carrying  quality,  and  is 
very  pleasing. 

On  the  mesquite  prairie  of  southern  Texas  the  nonpareils  w^ere 
common,  and  we  often  heard  their  song  and  caught  glimpses  of 
them  as  we  drove  along. 

The  courtship  of  the  male  is  said  to  be  very  entertaining.  To 
attract  the  attention  of  the  female  he  hops  to  the  ground,  spreads 
his  wings  and  tail,  and  struts  around  with  all  his  colors  flying.  It  is 
said  that  he  takes  little  part  in  domestic  matters,  but  this  may  be 
due  to  his  dangerously  striking  plumage. 

GENUS    SPOROPHILA. 

602.  Sporophila  morelleti  sharpei  Lawr.     Shabpe  Seed- 

EATER.l 

Bill  short  and  greatly  swollen ;  upper  mandible  convex  above,  concave 
below  ;  wings  short  and  rounded  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  slightly  rounded  ; 
tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  Adult  male  :  upper  parts  and  chest 
band  black  :  sides  of  neck,  under  parts  and  markings  on  wings,  and  rump 
white.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  olive  brown  with  two  buffy  wing 
bands;  luider  parts  buffy  brown.  Immature  males :  intermediate  between 
adult  male  and  female.  Immature  females  :  lighter,  tinged  with  olive. 
Male:  length  (skins)  3.()8-4.42,  wing  1.88-2.1.5,  tail  1..58-1.86,  bill  .32- 
.36.  Female:  length  (skins)  3.72-4.2'8,  wing  1.89-2.02,  tail  1..52-1.78,  bill 
.32-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Southeastern  Texas  and  adjacent  parts  of  Texas. 

At  Lomita,  Mr.  Sennett  found  the  little  seed-eater  frequenting 
low  bushes  and  weeds. 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  recognizes  only  one  form  of  Sporophila  morelleti.  {Birds  of  North 
and  Middle  America,  575.) 


LARK  BUNTING 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  377 

GENUS    SPIZA. 

604.  Spiza  americana  (GmeL).    Dickcissel. 

Bill  stout,  conical,  compressed;  wing  loiig'  and  pointed;  tarsus  longer 
than  middle  toe  with  claw.  Adult  iiiaU-  :  under  parts  whit- 
ish, with  variable  black  throat  patch  and  yellow  breast, 
yellow  sometimes  deepening-  to  salmon  in  the  breeding' 
season  ;  wing-  with  deep  rufous  patch ;  forehead,  lores, 
su2)erciliary,  and  malar  stripe  washed  with  yellow;  head 
and  neck  gray,  top  of  head  usually  olivaceous  ;  back 
brownish,  streaked  with  black.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  yellow  more  restricted,  often  wanting,  except 
on  breast ;  throat  white,  bordered  by  dusky  .streaks  ;  the 
nuile  usually  wanting-.  Young  in  Jirst  u-ititfr :  like  adult  female, 
everywhere  tinged  with  dull  buffy  or  clay  color.  ,  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.5"M5.;3l.  wing-  •).!  I-0.08,  tail  2.1 7-2.42,  bill  .~)8-.()l.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.r)0-.j.T4,  wing-  2.'.)4-;].U5,  tail  1.1)7-2.17.  bill  .00-.5(). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  central 
eastern  United  States  from  the  AUeghanies  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
Colorado,  and  Wyoming-;  and  from  Ontario  south  to  Texas;  casually 
southwest  to  Arizona  and  Lower  California ;  migrates  to  northern  Sotitli 
America. 

Nest.  —  Largely  of  dried  grasses,  built  near  the  ground  in  bushes  or 
low  weeds,  on  meadows  or  prairies.     Eggs  :  o  to  5.  plain  pale  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  grasshoppers  and  crickets ;  also  grain  and  weed  seed. 

When  ill  southern  Texas  during  the  spring  migration  we  met  witii 
flocks  g"  dickcissels  on  their  wa}'  to  the  north.  In  places  on  the 
open  prairie  two  or  three  hundred  would  be  sitting  in  rows  on  the 
wire  fences  like  swallows  on  telegraph  wires.  They  could  be  re- 
cognized at  a  distance  by  their  outlines  —  round  heads  and  straight 
hanging  tails.  When  not  in  compact  flocks  they  were  scattered 
through  the  chapparal  singing  on  the  tops  of  the  bushes.  .Their  .song 
had  a  mouthed,  furry  quality,  but  was  none  the  less'sunny  and  enjoy- 
able. Wiien  they  are  on  their  breeding  groimds  their  song  is  one  of 
the  pleasantest  features  of  the  big  grain  fields. 

GENUS    CALAMOSPIZA. 

605.  Calamospiza  melanocorys  ^t<jn.    Lakk  IUntino. 

Bill  conical,  n-iuh  (1cc|)ct-  than  broad  at  base,  gently  convex  at  tip  and 
base.  iH^arly  straight  in  middle  ;  wing  about  four  times  as  long  jus  tarsus, 
its  tip  almost  truncated  ;  tail  about  three  fourths  as  long  as  wing,  nuich 
more  than  ba.sal  half  overlaid  by  u])per  coveits  :  slightly  double-rounded 
or  nearlv  even,  feathers  rather  narrow.  Adult  male  in  summer:  whole  bird 
black  or  slaty  excejtt  for  white  patch  on  wings  and  sometimes  wliite  marks 
on  t;iil  feathers.  Adult  /'<m<di  in  t^umiiiir  :  above  grayish  brown,  streaked 
with  bla(;kish  ;  wing  ])at(h  restricted  ;ind  tinged  witli  huffy;  tail  except 
middle  feathei-s  spotted  with  white;  under  i)arts  white,  streaked  on  breast 
and  sides.  Adult  mah-  in  winter:  similar  to  female,  b»it  wings  and  tail 
blackish  instead  of  brown,  and  feathers  of  lower  parts  black  beneath  the 
surface  and  .showing  through  more  or  less;  chin  black.  Adult  female  in 
winter:  like  summer  female,  but  le.s.s  grayish  and   more  bufly.      Young: 


378  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

similar  to  adult  female,  but  more  buffy,  feathers  of  lower  parts  bordered 
with  buffy  white,  streaks  on  lower  parts  narrower.  Male :  leng-th  (skins) 
6.10-7.25,  wing-  ;{.35-3.62,  tail  2.58-2.80,  bill  .52-.58.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.70-6.50,  wing  3.22-3.35,  tail  2.38-2.70,  bill  .50-.52. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  the 
high  plains  from  Assiniboia  south  to  Colorado  and  Kansas ;  migrates 
through  New  Mexico.  Arizona,  and  southern  and  Lower  California  to 
plateau  of  Mexico  ;  occasional  west  of  Rocky  Mountains,  and  accidental 
in  Atlantic  states  in  migration. 

Nest.  —  Sunk  in  ground,  sometimes  under  a  bunch  of  weeds,  made  of 
grass  and  fine  roots.     Fggs  :  4  or  5,  plain  pale  blue. 

The  striking  black  and  white  of  the  lark  bunting  probably  ac- 
counts for  its  shyness.  While  in  southern  Texas  we  could  almost 
drive  alongside  of  a  flock  of  dull-colored  dickcissels  sitting  on  the 
roadside  fence,  but  a  flock  of  the  northbound  whitewings  would  fly 
in  instant  alarm  on  our  approach.  They  fed  on  the  ground  among 
the  prairie  flowers,  but  it  was  hard  to  get  near  enough  to  observe 
their  habits,  for  at  the  least  unguarded  motion  or  footfall  they 
would  arise  simultaneously  and  dash  into  the  brush.  When  not 
disturbed  they  scattered  through  the  chaparral,  and,  as  a  man  aptly 
observed,  were  always  sitting  around  as  if  they  had  nothing  to  do. 

A  flock  of  forty  or  fifty  in  April  showed  great  variety  of  plumage, 
for  many  of  the  males  were  only  in  process  of  donning  their  black 
summer  plumage.  The  young  males  showed  the  white  on  their 
wings  when  sitting  and  on  their  tails  in  flight,  but  the  dull  gray 
females  showed  the  white  wing  patch  only  when  flying. 

On  the  prairies,  where  there  were  neither  bushes  nor  fences  to 
perch  on,  the  buntings,  and  doves  also,  sat  on  the  oval  slabs  of  the 
tuni  cactus,  and  it  was  amusing  to  see  the  whitewings  sidle  giugerly 
along  the  spiny  edges. 

The  buntings  sang  in  chorus,  and  sometimes  we  would  catch  a 
delightful  w^ave  of  song  from  them  as  we  drove  along.  On  their 
breeding  grounds  they  are  said  to  have  a  '  rich  and  varied  flight 
song.' 

Having  met  the  birds  on  their  way  north  in  Texas  one  year, 
the  following  year  we  were  overtaken  by  them  in  New  Mexico  on 
their  way  south.  During  the  last  of  July  the  flocks  were  mixed 
black  and  brown,  but  from  the  last  of  August  they  were  mainly 
brown.  In  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  bands  passed  our  camp  every 
day,  with  their  soft  hoo-ee,  a  peculiarly  sweet  note  given  with  a 
cheery,  rising  inflection. 


TANAGERS  379 

FAMILY   TANAGRIDiE:    TANAGERS. 

GENUS    PIRANGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight,  stout,  conoidal ;  nostrils  exposed  ; 
rictal  bristles  well  developed ;  wing  of  nine  primaries  leng'thened  and 
pointed  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  emaroinate  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe,  scaled. 


KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES   IN    .SPRING. 


WP*'^ 


Upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like  projection  on  cutting 
edge. 

2.  Plumage  marked  with  black.  ^'^-  '**^'^- 

3.  Plumage  scarlet  and  black erythromelas,  p.  380. 

3'.  Plumage  red,  black,  and  yellow      ....  ludoviciana.  p.  379. 

2'.  Plumage   not   marked    with    black  ;    red,    with     grayisli    back    and 
brownish  ear  coverts hepatica,  p.  381. 

1'.  Upper  mandible  without  tooth-like  projection. 

Fig.  468. 

2.  Under  parts  vermilion  or  poppy  red rubra,  p.  382. 

2'.  Under  parts  rose  pink cooperi,  p.  382. 

607.  Piranga  ludoviciana  (Wils.).  Louisiana  Tanager:  West- 
ern Tanacer. 

Upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like  projection  on  cutting  edge.  Adult 
male  in  summer:  head  and  neck  bright  orange  or  red;  rest  of  under 
parts  bright  yellow  ;  upper  parts  black,  with  yellow  rump  and  wing- 
patches.  Adult  female  in  summer:  upper  parts  olive  green,  back  and 
scapulars  grayish  ;  wing  bars  dull  yellowish  :  under  parts  pale  grayish 
yellow,  becoming  sulphur  yellow  on  under  tail  coverts  ;  anterior  part  of 
head  sometimes  tinged  with  red.  Adult  male  in  winter :  like  summer 
female,  but  with  head  yellow  or  slightly  tinged  with  red.  more  or  less 
obscured  on  occiput  and  hind  neck  with  olive  green  or  duskv  tips  to 
feathers ;  feathers  of  back  usually  more  or  less  distinctly  edged  with  yel- 
lowi.sh  olive  ;  tertials  broadly  tipped  with  white  or  pale  yellow  ;  tail  feath- 
ers more  or  less  tii)2)ed  with  white.  Voiokj  male  in  first  autumn  :  like  adult 
female,  but  clearer  yellow  below  and  rump  yellower.  Youn<i  female  in 
first  autumn :  like  adult  female,  but  duller;  upper  parts  more  brownish 
olive,  under  parts  washed  with  brownish  olive  ;  wing  bai-s  narrower,  and 
buffy.  Ynunij  nude,  first  plumage  :  upjx'r  ji.'irts  olive  green  ;  wings  Idack- 
ish,  with  yellow  wing  bars;  tail  witli  outer  w»'l»s  of  feathers  edged  with 
olive  green;  throat  and  chest  gnnish.  ehest  tinged  with  yellow  and 
streaked  ;  chin  and  under  tail  coverts  vellow  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white. 
M(de:  length  (skins)  ♦;.•_'()-♦•..•>.■),  wing  "..Tl-^.S:'.,  tail  L'.tU-L'.HS.  hill  .'u-AVl. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  »;.:;( )-(•».•»().  wing  3..')4-3.8S.  tail  2.(;S-2.S'.i.  bill  ..*);',- 
.«)3. 

Distribution.  —  IJreeds  in  ('.anadian  /one  in  mountains  from  Ih-itish 
Columbia  to  Ari/<tna.  and  from  nortliwcHtfrn  Xchniska  to  ('aliforni.a  ; 
straggles  eiistward  in  migration  to  the  Atlantic  states;  wintei-s  south  to 
Guatemala. 


380  TANAGERS 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  the  horizontal  bianch  of  a  fir,  pine,  or  oak,  15  to  30 
feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  twig-s,  sometimes  with  mosses  and  coarse 
grass,  lined  with  rootlets  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  o  or  4,  pale  bluish 
green,  lightly  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  western  tanager  breeds  abundantly  in  the  high  mountain 
forests,  being  common  at  10,000  feet  in  Colorado.  In  the  forests  of 
British  Columbia  on  their  first  arrival  the  males  have  been  found 
singing  at  daybreak  from  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees,  sometimes 
300  feet  from  the  ground.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  they  are  common 
from  an  altitude  of  3000  feet  to  the  summit,  and  in  the  heavily  tim- 
bered parts,  though  a  flash  of  red  and  yellow  between  the  treetops 
is  often  the  most  you  get,  their  calls  and  songs  are  among  the  com- 
monest bird  notes  heard. 

Their  song  has  the  rough-jointed,  swinging  rhythm  characteris- 
tic of  the  tanagers,  but  there  are  also  a  chattering  call  which  sug- 
gests the  scold  of  an  oriole,  rendered  as  pitic,  pitictic,  and  a  plaintive 
tu-weep' ,  which  is  particularly  noticeable  when  the  birds  are  going 
about  with  their  young.  At  that  time  the  tanagers  descend  to  the 
lower  levels.  I  have  seen  them  on  the  scrub  oak  and  sagebrush  of 
the  Wasatch  foothills  in  cottonwood  hedges,  and  even  along  barbed 
wire  roadside  fences,  making  sallies  to  the  ground  for  insects.  On 
San  Francisco  Mountain  they  come  to  the  springs  for  water,  and  I 
have  seen  one  drinking  from  a  pan  in  a  ranch  dooryard. 

The  tanagers  must  eat  a  large  variety  of  insects,  for  the}^  are  not 
only  expert  fly-catchers  and  glean  from  the  treetops,  but  are  also 
especially  fond  of  caterpillars,  judging  b}^  the  numbers  we  have 
seen  probing  tent-caterpillars'  nests. 

608.  Piranga  erythromelas   Vieill.     Scarlet  Tanager. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Brilliant  scarlet;  wings  and  tail 
deep  black  ;  under  wing  coverts  white.  Adult 
female  in  spring  and  summer:  upper  parts  yel- 
lowish olive  green,  u.sually  grayer  on  back  and 
scapulars  ;  under  parts  light  yellow,  washed  with 
olive  green  on  sides  ;  under  tail  coverts  canary 
yellow.  Adult  male  iri  fall  and  winter  :  similar 
to  adult  female,  but  wings  and  tail  black.  Young 
Fig.  469.  male  in  frst  autumn  :  like  adult  female,  but   yel- 

low of  under  parts  clearer  ;  wings  with  two  yellow- 
ish bands  ;  black  first  appearing  on  wing  coverts  and  scapulars.  Young 
male,  nestling  plumage  :  upper  parts  olive  green,  faintly  mottled  with  dusky  ; 
wings  and  tail  with  olive  green  edgings  ;  wings  with  two  yellowish  bands  : 
under  parts  white,  tinged  with  yellow  behind  ;  chest  and  sides  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  0.25-6.75,  wing  3.62-3.91,  tail  2.56-2.82,  bill  .57-.62. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  6.20-6.70,  wing  3.45-3.72,  tail  2.52-2.77,  bill  .57- 
.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds   in   Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition   zones  of  the 


TANAGERS  381 

eastern  United  States  from  Canada  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  Tennessee 
Mountains,  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  the  Plains ;  casually  or  occa- 
sionally to  Colorado  and  Wyoming- ;  winters  in  the  West  Indies,  eastern 
Mexico.  Central  America,  and  south  to  northern  South  America ;  accidental 
in  Bermuda. 

Nest.  —  On  a  horizontal  branch,  10  to  30  feet  from  the  ground,  a  flat, 
loose  structure,  made  of  stems  and  plant  fibers,  lined  with  fibers  and  root- 
lets.    Eggs :  o  to  5,  essentially  like  those  of  the  summer  tanager. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  wild  berries. 

The  songs  of  the  tanag-ers  have  a  strong  resemblance,  but  their 
call-notes  are  very  different.  That  of  the  scarlet  tanager  is  a  dis- 
tinctly enunciated  cMp-churv,  and  so  unique  that  it  will  identify  him 
when  his  glowing  scarlet  body  and  black  wings  and  tail  are  hidden 
in  the  greenery. 

609.  Piranga  hepatica  Swains.     Hepatic  Tanager. 

I'pixr  mandible  with  tootli-like  projection  on  cutting  edge.  Adult  male 
in  spring  and  sitiirmer :  under  parts  scarlet,  brownish  on  sides;  ear  cov- 
erts brou-nish,  Avith  white  shaft  streaks  ;  crown  bright  red  ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  dull  red  ;  back  and  scapulars  tinged  with  grayish  brown)  lower  man- 
dible bluish  gray  in  life.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer  :  upper  parts 
olive  green,  grayer  on  back  ;  under  parts  olive  yellow,  darker  on  sides. 
Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  back  and  scapulai's  more  brownish  gray; 
red  of  under  parts  duller,  some  of  the  feathers  with  paler  tips.  Adidt  fe- 
male in  fall  and  winter:  like  summer  female,  but  brighter.  Young,  fiest- 
linq  plumage  :  streaked,  on  grayish  olive  aV)ove.  pale  bufEy  below  ;  wings 
with  buffv  bars.  Male  :  length  "(skins)  (i.UO-T.SO,  wing  ;>.i)(>-4.13,  tail  3.12- 
3.37.  biir.C.()-.73.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.90-7.74,  wing  3.85-3.99,  tail 
2.94-:l.:l4.  bill  .(i7-.71. 

Remarks.  —  Tlie  hepatic  tanager  may  be  distinguished  from  the  Cooper 
by  its  dull  grayish  red  back  and  the  .scarlet  tone  of  its  under  parts,  com- 
pared with  the  nearly  uniform  coloration  and  rose  pink  tone.s  of  the  Cooper. 
Its  gray  cheeks  are  a  good  field  character.  The  males  are  three  years  in 
acquiring  the  brilliant  adult  plumage,  and  breed  in  a  mixture  of  the  red 
and  yellow  of  their  parents. 

Di.strihution.  —  From  .southwestern  Texa.s,  southern  New  Mexico,  and 
Arizona  south  to  Guatemala. 

Ne.'it.  —  On  low  oak  branches,  a  slight  structure  made  of  coar.se  rootlets 
and  dried  plant  stems,  lined  with  finer  materials.  Kggs :  3  or  4,  very  pale 
bluish  green,  lightly  spotted  chiefly  around  larger  end  with  browns  and 
puri)les. 

In  the  wooded  bottom  of  the  Pecos  River  canyon,  near  where  the 
river  Hows  into  the  Rio  Grande,  we  found  the  hepatic  tanager  in 
May,  evidently  at  home  and  established  for  the  summer.  Its  .song, 
strikingly  like  that  of  the  scarlet  tanager.  rang  out  so  loud  tliat 
across  the  river  it  seemed  to  be  close  at  hand.  The  call  was  a  single 
note. 

In  the  Guadalupe  Mountains,  New  Mexico,  we  found  the  beauti- 
ful bird  (juite  conunon  in  the  oaks  and  pines  on  the  edge  of  the 
Transition  zone,  at  about  (»T<><i  feet,  es])ecially  on  tlie  rocky  wooded 
hillsides. 


382  SWALLOWS 

610.  Piranga  rubra  (Linn.).    Summer  Tanager. 

Adult  male  (summer  and  winter).  —  Upper  parts  dull  dark  red ;  wings 
and  tail  brownish  red  ;  under  parts  vermilion  or 
poppy  red.  Adult  female  (summer  and  winter) : 
upper  parts  plain  yellowish  olive  ;  under  parts 
dull  yellow.  Immature  male :  red  mixed  with 
patches  of  yellowish  g-reen.  Young  male  injirst 
autumn:  like  adult  female,  but  colors  richer, 
upper  parts  more  oehraeeous ;  crown,  upper  tail 
coverts,  tail,  and  edges  of  wing  quills  tinged 
with  dull  orange.     Male  :  length  (skins)  6.40- 

7.20,  wing  3.64-3.92,  tail  2.80-2.94,  bill  .66-.76.     Female :  length  (skins) 

6..50-7.20,  wing  3.50-3.77,  tail  2.62-2.91,  bill  .69-.72. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  the  eastern 

central  United  States,  west  to  western  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Cuba  and  through 

eastern  Mexico  south  to  Peru. 

JSfest.  —  In  trees,  6  to  60  feet  from  the  gi'ound,  made  of  weeds,  grasses, 

leaves,  and  catkins.    Eggs  :  8  or  4,  green,  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

610a.  P.  r.  cooperi  Bidgw.     Cooper  Tanager. 

Similar  to  rubra,  but  larger,  with  relatively  longer  bill,  wing,  and  tail, 
and  under  parts  rose  pink. 

Remarks.  —  The  Cooper  tanager  differs  from  the  hepatic  by  the  absence 
of  gray  on  the  back  and  bv  the  rose  pink  tone  of  its  under  parts.  Male : 
length  (skins)  6.60-7.50,  wing  3.66-4.18,  tail  2.98-3.38,  bill  .72-.78.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  7.00-7.85,  wing  3.80-4.02,  tail  2.95-3.26,  bill  .76-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southwestern  Texas  to  the  Colorado  Valley, 
California,  and  from  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  to  northwestern  Mexico  ; 
south  in  winter  to  western  Mexico  ;  casually  to  Colorado. 

The  Cooper  tanager  seems  to  be  especially  fond  of  the  cottonwoods 
of  the  lower  levels,  and  migrates  early  in  the  fall. 

FAMILY   HIRUNDINIDiE :    SWALLOWS. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tail  forked  for  more  than  length  of  tarsus. 

2.  Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length. 

Hirundo,  p.  .384. 

2'.  Tail  forked  for  less  than  half  its  length. 

Progne,  p.  383. 
1'.  Tail  forked  for  less  than  length  of  tarsus. 

2.  Under  parts  entirely  pure  white Tachycineta,  p.  385. 

2'.  Under  parts  not  entirely  pure  white. 

3.  Tarsus  with  tuft  of  feathers  above  hind  toe    .     .   Riparia,  p.  386. 
3'.  Tarsus  without  tuft  of  feathers. 
4.  Wing    with    outer    quill 
hooked  in  male,  rough- 
ened in  female. 
Stelgidopteryx,  p.  387.  Fig:.  472. 

4.  Wing  with  outer  quill  normal;  forehead  white,  huffy,  or  brown. 

Petrochelidon,  p.  383. 


SWALLOWS  383 

GENUS   PROGNE. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  long,  stout,  and  convex  ;  feet  larg-e,  with 
strong,  curved  claws  ;  tai-sus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  tail  forked 
for  less  than  half  its  length. 

KEY   TO    SPKCIES. 

1.  Females  with  under  tail  coverts  streaked subis,  p.  383. 

1'.  Females  with  under  tail  coverts  not  streaked  .     .     .   hesperia,  p.  383. 

611.  Progne  subis  {Linn.).     Purple  Maktix. 

Adult  nude.  —  Whole  body  glossy  blue  black ;  wings  and  tail  black  ; 
feathers  of  ventral  region  entirely  sooty  grayish  beneatli  the  surface. 
Adult  female  and  immature  males  with  forehead  grayish  and  upper  parts 
sooty  glossed  with  blue  black,  interrupted  by  grayish  collar  ;  lower  parts 
grayish  in  front,  whole  under  parts  streaked,  the  feathers,  especially  on 
chest,  with  distinctlv  sootv  gravish  centers.  Length  :  7.25-8.50,  wing  5.65- 
G.20,  tail  3.()0-;].4()  (forked  for '.7(i-.l)(>). 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America  from  Ontario  and  Hudson 
Bay  south  to  the  southern  end  of  Mexican  tableland  ;  wintering  in  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  of  trees  or  about  buildings  and  in  bird  boxes.  Eygs  : 
3  to  5,  plain  white. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  peculiar  vibrant  and  at  the  same  time  mouthed  quality  of  the 
martin's  song  tells  of  his  presence,  even  when  his  big  steel  blue  body 
is  not  seen  floating  around  overhead.  His  song,  though  unpreten- 
tious, is  a  talkative  twitter  very  pleasant  and  companionable. 

But,  although  we  usually  associate  liim  with  l)ird  boxes  and  towns, 
large  numbers,  especially  of  the  western  subspecies,  still  nest  in 
hollow  trees  in  the  mountain  forests. 

611a.  P.  S.  hesperia  Breu-st.     Western  Martin. 

Adult  male.  —  Indistinguishable  from  male  of  subis.  Adult  female : 
similar  to  fcmalt^  subis.  but  light  gray  of  forehead  extending  back  into 
crown  ;  feathers  of  liack  and  rump  conspicuously  edged  with  grayish  or 
pale  brown ;  l)end  of  wing  and  under  coverts  nu)ttled  profusely  with 
whitish  ;  anterior  under  parts  and  nuclial  collar  grayisli  white  ;  and  whole 
tract  from  abdomen  to  under  tail  coverts  ahnost  immaculate  white. 

Distribution.  —  llreeds  in  Pacific  coa.st  region  from  Oregon  south  through 
California  and  Arizona  to  southern  Lower  California ;  migrates  to  Nica- 
ragua. 

The  examination  of  birds  from  British  Coliuubia  may  show  that 
they  should  be  referred  to  tiiis  form. 

GENUS    PETEOCHELIDON. 

(iefifral  (Jharacttrs.  —  Tail  sliort.  nearly  even  :  nostrils  without  nasal 
scale,  opening  direitly  upwai-d  ;  tarsus  witli  tuft  of  fi-athers  above  liinil 
toe. 

KHV     to    SI' EC  IKS. 

1.    Forehead  white  oi'  Jiale  isabell.l lunifrons.  p.    ;1S4. 

r.  Forehead  rich  cliest nut  ;    r.irely  fawn  coh»r  nielailOgastra.  p.  ;'.S4. 


384  SWALLOWS 

612.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (Say.).    Cliff  Swallow. 

Afiults.  —  Forehead  irhite,  huffy,  or  brown  ;  crown,  back,  and  patch  on 
chest  glossy  bhie  black ;  throat  and  collar  chestnut,  sides 
and  flanks  brown  ;  rest  of  nnder  parts  white.  Young  :  sim- 
ilar, but  colors  duller  and  pattern  less  sharply  defined  ; 
throat  usually,  and  other  parts  of  head  sometimes,  spotted 
with  white  ;  tertials  and  tail  coverts  edged  with  brown, 
chestnut  of  head  partly  or  wholly  wanting' ;  upper  parts 
dull  blackish.  Length :  5-6,  wing  4.05-4.55,  tail  2.00- 
2.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to  the 
south w^estern  United  States ;  migrates  to  Central  and  South  America. 
Not  recorded  from  Florida  or  the  West  Indies. 

Nest.  —  A  gourd  or  retort  shaped  structure  made  of  pellets  of  mud 
mixed  with  a  few  straws,  lined  w^ith  feathers ;  attached  to  cliffs  or  build- 
ings.     Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  speckled  or  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 
Food.  —  Ants  and  other  insects. 

In  regions  where  there  are  no  houses,  the  retort-shaped  nests  of 
the  cliff  swallows  are  usually  found  in  colonies  massed  on  the  side 
of  a  cliff,  under  the  roof  of  a  cave,  or  plastered  to  the  branches  of 
a  giant  tree  ;  but  in  the  settled  part  of  the  country  the  birds  seem 
to  prefer  eaves  of  barns  and  houses,  and  their  nests  have  been 
found  in  deserted  buildings  plastered  to  ceilings  and  walls. 

There  is  such  a  common  prejudice  against  these  swallows  that 
boys  are  often  encouraged  to  shoot  them  with  sling-shots  in  the 
cities,  and  ranchmen  drive  them  away  from  their  barns,  fearing 
that  the  parasites  which  infest  them  will  spread  to  the  stock.  But, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  bird  parasites  will  not  live  on  mammals,  and 
the  swallows  do  great  good  by  eating  anno3ing  insects. 

612.2.  Petrochelidon  melanogastra  (Swains.).  Mexican 
Cliff  Swallow. 

Like  lunifrons.  but  "'  smaller,  Avith  forehead  chestnut,  like  throat  and 
sides  of  head  (rarely  fawn  colored),  and  rump  deep  cinnamon."  (Ridg- 
way.)     Length  :  4.50-5.00.  wing  3.95-4.80,  tail  2.00-2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico,  south  to  Guatemala,  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

The  Mexican  cliff  swallow  has  recently  been  added  to  the  list  of 
United  States  birds  by  Dr.  E.  A.  IMearns,  who  found  it  breeding  in 
southern  Arizona. 

GENUS   HIRUJSTDO. 

613.  Hirundo  erythrogastra  Bodd.    Barn  Swallow.^ 

Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length,  outside  feather  tapered  to  point; 

1  Hirundo  erythrogn.stm  pitlmpvi  Grinnell. 

Like  pvythroga.stra.  but  color  of  under  parts  deeper,  and  frontal  chestnut  band  broader 
and  darker  ;  wing  and  tail  somewhat  longer  and  bill  smaller. 

Di.strihittion.  —  Western  North  America,  summering  from  southern  California  to  Kot- 
zebue  Soinid,  Alaska  ;  west  to  Unalaska  and  east  to  and  including  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
{T/ie  Condor,  iv.  71.) 


SWALLOWS 


385 


tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe 
and  claw;  upper  part 
feathered.  Adults :  under 
Fig.  474.  parts  tawny  hroirn,  darkest 
on  throat ;  forehead  dark 
brown,  rest  of  upper  parts  glossy 
steel  hlue  ;  wings  and  tail  tinged 
with  purple  and  green  ;  tail  feath- 
ers —  except  middle  paii — marked 
with  large  whitish  spots.  Young  : 
fork  of  tail  shorter;  upper  parts 
paler,  under  parts  duller,  brown  of 
forehead  indistinct  or  wanting ; 
throat  and  chest  light  rusty. 
Length :  5.T'J-7.T5,  wing  4.00-4.90, 
tail  O.70-4. 10,  forked  in  adult  male 
for  about  1.85-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the 
Arctic  Circle  south  to  southern  end 
of    Mexican    tableland ;    migrates 


Barn  Swallow. 


through  the  West  Indies  and  Mexico  to  Central  and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  bowl-shaped  wall-pocket,  made  of  pellets  of  mud  mixed  with 
straws  and  lined  with  feathers,  attached  to  side  oi*  roof  of  a  cave  or  to 
timbers  in  barns  or  other  buildings.  Eggs :  o  to  5,  white,  speckled  with 
brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  — Insects,  largely  flies. 

The  long  forked  tail  of  the  barn  swallow  gives  it  a  peculiarly 
easy,  graceful  flight,  and  one  of  its  favorite  feats  is  to  catch  the 
insects  that  accompany  a  horse  and  carriage  along  the  road,  easily 
circling  around  and  around  them  as  the  horse  carries  the  wagon 
along  at  full  swing. 

While  the  other  swallows  hunt  more  habitually  in  the  sky,  the 
barn  swallow  is  usually  seen  beating  low  over  a  meadow.  When 
resting  on  a  telegraph  wire  it  sings  a  bright,  squeak}^  little  warble. 
Its  call-note  is  given  as  a  soft  tritt,  witt,  and  its  alarm-note  as  a 
harsh  Vrr'r,  fr'r'r. 

Though  generally  associated  with  barns  and  meadows,  it  is  often 
found  in  towns,  and  along  the  line  of  the  Canadian  Pacitic  is  one  of 
the  commonest  birds  seen  in  the  mountain  canyons. 


GENUS    TACHYCINETA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  forked  for  less  tlian  length  of  tarsus  ;    tarsus 
entirely  naked. 

KKY    TO    .SPKCIKS. 

1.   Tpper  parts  metallic  steel  hlue  or  greenish  ....      bicolor,  p.  J585. 
1.  I  pper  parts  green  and  purple lepida,  p.  88(5. 

614.  Tachycineta  bicolor  (Vi»ill.).    White-keluko  Sw.vllow: 
Tkkk  .Sua I, low. 
Adult  male.  —  U  mil  r  parts  pure  white  ;    iipjier  l>ar(.s  hiiinished   .s7r//  hlue  : 


386  SWALLOWS 

lores  deep  black ;    wings   and  tail  blackish,   slightly  tinged  with   green. 

^^^^^  Adult  female  :   upper  parts   usually  duller  than  in  male, 

■^^H^^k  but  sexes  often  indistinguishable.     Young  :  above  entirely 

I  ^^5Sb^       ^^^^^^  .brownish  slate.     Length  :  5.00-6.25,  wing  about  4.50- 

'■flgF       4.80,  tail  2.30-2.50. 
V      l|^  Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to 

\    ^  New   Jersey,  the   Ohio  Valley,  Kansas,  and   California; 

Fig.  476.   White-     winters  from  South  Carolina  and  the  Gulf  States  south 
bellied  Swallow,     to  the  West  Indes  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  of  trees,  lined  with  grasses, 
leaves,  and  feathers.     Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  pure  white. 

The  white-bellied  swallow,  with  its  shining  Avliite  breast  and 
metallic  bluish  green  back,  may  be  seen  skimming  over  the  water 
or  sailing  about  in  the  sky  in  almost  any  suitable  place  in  North 
America.  In  southern  California  it  is  said  to  be  abundant  in  the 
lowland  willow  regions,  especially  about  ponds  and  marshes,  while 
in  Colorado  it  breeds  up  to  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet. 

615.  Tachycineta   thalassina  lepida  (Meams).    Northern 

Violet-green  Swallow. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  parrot  green  ;  nape  with  a  narrow  purple 
collar ;  back  bottle  green,  glossed  with  violet  in  some  lights  ;  rump  and 
upper  tail  coverts  violet,  shaded  with  purple  ;  wing  and  tail  quills  black, 
glossed  with  indigo ;  wing  coverts  violet,  edged  with  green  ;  rump  with 
white  patches  on  sides  almost  confluent  in  life  ;  under  parts  white.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  smaller  and  duller.  Young :  like  those  of  bicolor. 
but  feathers  of  under  parts  grayish  beneath  the  surface,  and  bill  smaller. 
Length. :    5.^30,  wing  4.65,  tail  1.97,  bill  .26. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  western  United  States  to  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains ;  north  to  Alaska ;  migrates  to  Guatemala  and  Costa  Rica, 

Nest.  —  In  cliffs  or  hollow  trees,  lined  with  feathers.    Eggs  :  4  or  5,  white. 

Let  a  violet  green  swallow  once  come  fleeing  down  a  canyon  past 
you,  so  that  you  see  its  remarkable  violet  back  as  it  flashes  by,  and 
you  will  always  have  a  vivid  interest  in  the  handsome  bird. 

It  is  especially  fond  of  the  oaks  and  pines  of  the  mountains,  but 
nests  not  only  in  hollow  trees  and  woodpecker  holes  but  often  in  the 
walls  of  canyons.  Dr.  Mearns  has  found  it  breeding  in  limestone 
cliffs  about  the  hot  springs  and  geysers  of  the  Yellowstone.  It  is 
not  exclusively  a  bird  of  the  wilds,  however,  but  sometimes  comes 
about  ranches. 

GENUS    KIPARIA. 

616.  Riparia  riparia  (Z/hh.).    Bank  Swallow. 

Tarsus  with  a  small  tuft  of  feathers  on  back  near  toes  ;  bill 
small,  nostrils  opening  laterally;  tail  much  shorter  than 
wings,  emarginate.  Upper  parts  sooty,  darkest  on  head  and 
wings ;  under  parts  white,  with  sooty  band  across  chest  and 
sides,  and  sometimes  sooty  spot  on  breast.  Young :  similar, 
but  feathers  of  wings  and  rump  with  buffy  or  whitish  edg- 
ings.    Length :  4.75-5.50,  wing  3.70-4.25,  tail  2.10-2.25. 


WAXWINGS  AND   PHAINOPEPLAS  387 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere ;  in  America  breeding  from  the 
limit  of  trees  south  to  the  central  United  States  ;  wintering-  from  the 
southern  border  of  the  United  States  south  to  the  'West  Indies.  Central, 
and  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  horizontal  holes  or  burrows,  excavated  in  sand  banks,  cuts, 
and  banks  of  streams.     J^yys  :  o  to  (>,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  colonies  of  chattering  little  bank  swallows  with  dull  colored 
backs  and  dark  chest  bands  seem  to  require  little  more  than  a  sand 
bank  and  a  telegraph  wire  for  complete  happiness,  and  given  these, 
blow  the  wind  east  or  blow  the  wind  west,  they  gossip  merrily  on. 

GENUS   STELGIDOPTERYX. 

617.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (Am/.).   Kough-winged  Swal- 
low. 

Bill  small ;   tail  short   and  slightly  emarginate  ;   tarsus  slightly  feath- 
ered   above  ;    lateral  claws  curved 
and    not    reaching 
beyond  the  base  of 

the     middle    daw  ;  Fig-  ^"8 

outer  web  of  outer  primaries  sair-touthed  in  male,  roughened 
in  female.  Adults:  upper  parts  dull  grayish  brown,  darker 
on  wings  and  tail,  tertials  usually  margined  with  grayish; 
under  parts  soiled  gray,  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  white. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  plumage  more  or  less  washed  with  brown;  wings 
with  broad  cinnamon  tips  and  margins  Length :  5.00-5.75,  wing  4.00- 
4.70,  tail  2.().")-i\;]5. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  British  Colum- 
bia. Ontario,  the  United  .States,  and  Mexico  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  in  banks,  but  often  in  abutments  of  bridges, 
Eggs:  o  to  (>.  white. 

Food.  —  Flies  and  other  insects. 

The  dingy  rough  wings  are  less  sociable  than  the  bank  swallows 
during  the  nesting  season,  but  afterwards  assemble  in  large  Hocks 
and  are  in  less  of  a  hurry  to  start  for  the  south. 

In  Nevada,  during  a  shower,  Mr.  Oberholser  once  found  a  tlock 
congregated  about  a  small  cHJT  in  a  cave. 

FAMILY    AMPELIDiE     WAXWINGS  AND   PHAINO- 
PEPLAS. 

KKV   ro  (;knkka. 

1.  Wings  point.'d Ampelis.  p.  387. 

I'.AVings  riMindfd Phainopepla.   j).  iJ'.K). 

GENUS    AMPELIS. 

(ieneral  Characters.  —  Head  crested  :  bill  short,  broad,  flat,  rather 
obtuse,  plainly  not(li»'d  near  tip  of  each  mandible  ;  wings  h»ng  and  pointed, 
much  longer   tlian    tail  ;  primaries  aj)parently  only   nine,   the   first  being 


388  WAXWINGS   AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 

minute  ;  inner  quills  g-euerally,  and  tail  feathers  sometimes,  tipped  with 
red  horny  appendag-es  like  sealing-  wax  ;  tail  short ;  feet  rather  weak ; 
tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Forehead  and  cheeks  dark  brown  in  contrast  to  crest. 

garrulus,  p.  388. 
r.  Forehead  and  cheeks  fawn  color  like  crest     .     .     .  cedrorum,  p.  388. 

618.  Ampelis  garrulus -L/««.     Bohemian  Waxwing. 

Adults.  —  Whole  body,  including-  high  crest,  soft  fawn  color,  fading-  to 
g-rayish  on  rump  and  flanks,  and  washed  with  yellowish  on  middle  of 
belly ;  forehead,  cheeks,  and  under  tail  coverts  deep  brown  ;  chin,  lores, 
and  eye  streak  extending-  back  under  crest,  velvety  black ;  wings  and  tail 
blackish,  wing  coverts  extensively  tipped  with  whitish  or  yellow,  the  ter- 
tials  sometimes  with  red  wax-like  appendages  ;  tail  with  a  terminal  band 
of  yellow.  Young :  duller  ;  under  parts  streaked.  Length :  7.40-8.75, 
wi  g  4.40-4.60,  tail  2.75-2.90. 

distribution.  —  Northern  parts  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  breeds  in  north- 
en  North  America  to  Fort  Churchill,  Hudson  Bay ;  migrates  into  the 
United  States  as  far  as  Pennsylvania,  Illinois,  Colorado,  and  California. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  G  to  20  feet  from  the  ground,  bulky,  made  of  twigs, 
rootlets,  leaves,  grass  stems,  and  sometimes  lichens  and  mosses  ;  lined  with 
rootlets,  grasses,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  bluish  white  to  purplish 
gray,  spotted  with  lilac  and  dark  brown,  most  thickly  about  the  larger 
end. 

Food.  —  Insects,  fruits,  and  berries,  including  juniper  and  mountain  ash 
berries. 

The  Bohemian  waxwing,  though  an  irregular  wanderer  from  the 
north,  is  not  uncommon  in  the  mountains  of  Colorado  in  winter, 
going  as  high  as  8000  feet.  It  comes  in  November  and  leaves  in 
February  or  March. 

619.  Ampelis  eedrorum  (Vieill.).     Cedar  Waxwing. 

Adults.  —  Streak  through  eye  velvety  black  ;  crest,  head,  and  under 
parts  fawn  color,  fading  to  olive  yellow  on  flanks  ;  upper  parts  olive  gray 
becoming-  blackish  on  wing  quills  and  tail ;  tail  tijjped  with  yellow  and 
both  wing  and  tail  sometimes  tipped  with  red  wax-like  appendages.  Young  : 
similar,  but  duller,  and  under  parts  strongly,  upper  parts  lightly,  streaked. 
Length :  0.50-7.50,  wing  3.60-3.90,  tail  2.30-2.60. 

Remarks.  —  The  Cedar  Avaxwing  differs  from  the  Bohemian  in  being 
smaller,  and  in  lacking  the  dark  brown  of  forehead,  cheeks,  and  under  tail 
coverts,  and  the  yellow  and  white  wing  markings. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  mainly  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of 
North  America,  from  Saskatchewan  south  to  Virginia,  western  North 
Carolina,  and  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  ;  winters  from 
the  northern  border  of  the  United  States  to  the  West  Indies  and  Costa  Rica. 

N est.  —  In  bushes  or  low  trees,  a  deep,  bulky  structure,  made  of  twigs, 
weed  stems,  grasses,  and  vegetable  fibers,  lined  with  leaves  and  fine 
rootlets.  Eggs  .  usually  4,  bluish  or  purplish  gray,  spotted  with  brown  or 
black. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  elm-leaf  beetles  and  bark  or  scale  lice,  with 
seeds  or  berries  of  trees,  such  as  pepper,  juniper,  mulberry,  and  mistletoe. 


WAXWINGS   AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 


389 


i 

\\ 

f 

1 

*  • 

i 

y-^^Hji^^ 

^ 

#f 

FiR.  480.     Cedar  Waxwing. 


Like  the  Boheniian  waxwiiii!;  the  ccdar-binls  are  wandercis.  travel- 
ing over  the  eoiintry  in  flocks  except  diiriiii;  their  late  breeding  sea- 
son. Sometimes  they  appear  in  small  bands  of  less  than  ji  score,  at 
others  in  siicli  large  compaiucs  that  when  they  aliglit  in  a  pepper- 
tree  and  fall  to  eating  the  berries  their  plump,  moving  forms  seen 
through  the  foliage  make  the  trees  seem  alive  with  their  numl)ers. 

Though  they  all  talk  at  once,  as  they  usually  do.  their  sibilant 
notes  are  so  soft  and  subdued  that  a  passer-by  would  scarcely  heed 
their  presence. 

However  much  romance  there  may  be  in   the  famous  stories  recit 
ing  the  polilcncss  and  alTection  of  these  gentle  birds,  tjiev  merit  all 


390 


WAXWINGS   AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 


the  study  that  can  be  given  them,  and  if  watclied  through  a  nesting 
season  win  their  own  place  in  the  affections  of  the  bird-lover. 


GENUS    PHAINOPEPLA. 

6  20.  Phainopepla  nitens  (Swams.).    Phainopepla. 

Head  with  long  thin  occipital  crest ;  wing  rounded,  of  ten  feathers,  but 

first  only  about  half  as  long 
as  second  ;  tail  long  and  fan- 
shaped  ;  hind  toe  very  short. 
Adult  male  :  glossy  blue 
black  except  for  white 
patch  on  inner  webs  of  pri- 
maries. In  ivinter :  many  of 
the  feathers  bordered  with 
white.  Adult  female  and 
noting :  plain  brownish  gray, 
lighter  below  ;  white  on  pri- 
maries restricted,  but  wing 
coverts,  secondaries,  and 
lower  tail  coverts  with  whit- 
ish edgings.  Length :  7.00- 
7.75,  wing  3.60-3.80,  tail 
3.80-4.10. 

Bemarks.  —  In  the  field  the 
Phainopepla  may  be  recog- 
nized at  a  distance  by  his 
black  body  and  white  wing 
patches. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in 
arid  Lower  Sonoran  zone 
from  southwestern  Texas  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  south- 
ern Utah,  Nevada,  and  Cali- 


Fig.  481. 


fornia  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  the  Valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest. — Saucer  shaped,  compactly  made  of  plant  fibers,  stems,  and 
blossoms,  small  twigs  and  plant  down  ;  placed  in  elders,  peppers,  oaks, 
and  blue  gums,  and  often  in  parasitic  plants.  Eggs :  2  or  3,  grayish  or 
greenish  white,  thickly  spotted  with  brown,  blackish,  or  faint  lilac. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  berries  such  as  those  of  the  pepper,  choke  cherry, 
elder,  sumac,  the  mistletoe  and  other  parasitic  plants. 

The  phainopepla  is  a  bird  of  the  southw^est  desert  country,  and  in 
Arizona  Mr.  Scott  has  found  flocks  of  fifty  or  more  gathered  in 
j  uniper  covered  canyons  when  the  berries  were  ripe ;  but  when  a 
single  individual  strays  up  to  the  foothills  of  the  Sierra  it  is  a  de- 
lightful surprise  to  meet  him.  In  southern  California  the  phaino- 
pepla seems  as  much  at  home  on  the  telegraph  wires  of  Pasadena  and 
in  the  parks  of  Riverside  as  in  the  canyons,  and  wherever  found  is 
the  same  dashing,  distinguished  beauty. 

When  flying  at  an  intruder  he  low^ers  his  crest  threateningly,  but 
ordinarily  it  stands  as  a  high  plume  adding  distinction  to  his  refined, 


SHRIKES  391 

dignified  presence.  Though  so  reserved  in  bearing  he  is  full  of 
vivacity  and  song,  and  will  sometimes  dart  up  in  the  air  and  come 
down  singing. 

His  sallies  often  appear  to  be  made  for  insects,  being  in  regular 
kingbird  manner,  and  at  times  in  southern  California  when  tlie 
brush  is  full  of  millers,  the  birds  seem  to  be  catchiug  them.  But 
berries  are  their  ordinary  food,  the  mistletoe,  pepper,  and  juniper 
being  prime  favorites. 

In  the  breeding  season  in  leaving  the  trees  to  go  back  to  their 
nesting  grounds,  they  often  rise  obliquely  for  perhaps  a  hundred 
feet  and  then  fly  on  evenly  straight  to  their  destination,  though 
sometimes  while  flying  level  and  high  they  change  their  course  by 
odd,  sudden  jerks.  When  near  the  nest  the  male  often  closes  his 
wings  and  shoots  obliquely  down  with  tilting  tail. 

About  the  nest  the  birds  have  a  variety  of  notes.  The  commonest, 
which  resembles  the  call  of  a  young  robin,  is  given  by  both  male 
and  female,  with  a  flash  of  the  tail.  The  male  has  also  a  scold,  a 
meadowlark-like  note,  and  a  harsh  alarm-call  drawn  out  like  ca-rack 
or  cn-rac-ark.  His  ordinary  song,  though  with  weak,  squeaky 
notes,  has  phrases  of  rich  quality  suggesting  the  o-ka-lee  of  the  red- 
wing ;  and  taken  as  a  whole,  jumbled  notes,  flutelike  tones,  musical 
outbursts,  and  all,  the  song  is  most  pleasing  because  of  its  vivacity 
and  brightness. 

The  nests  of  the  few  individuals  I  have  watched  were  built  mainly 
by  the  males,  the  females  of  a  brush  patch  going  ofif  by  themselves 
while  their  lords  worked  at  home. 


FAMILY   LANIIDJE:    SHRIKES. 

GENUS   LANIUS. 

General  Charnrtcrs.  —  Bill  large  and  powerful,  notched,  toothed,  and 
hooked  ;  wing  with  ten  j)riniaiie.s  ;  wing-  and  tail  rounded  ;  feet  large  and 
strong  ;  tai-sus  distinctly  scaled. 

KKY    TO    ADULTS. 

6J 


Fig.  48-J. 

1.   Lores  and  na.sal  tufts  never  wliolly  black   ....      borealis.  p.  ;J'.»2. 
r.  Lores  and  nasal  tufts  always  wliolly  })lack. 

•J.  Indtr  parts  pure  wliite excubitorides.  p.  :;t>L'. 

li  .  I'ndei-  parts  dull  white,  grayish.  <>r  Itrownish.  often  finely  harred  with 
grayish. 

3.   Upper  parts  tinged  with  brownish ganibeli.  }>.  -VX). 

3'.  Uppei- parts  d.irk  slate  gray ailtlionyi.  p.  ;;ii;l. 


392  SHRIKES 

621.  Lanius  borealis  Vieill.     Northern  Shrike. 

Adults  in  sununer.  —  Wide  streak  on  side  of  head,  and  wings  and  tail 
black,  wings  and  tail  extensively  marked  with  white  ;  under  parts  white, 
barred  or  undulated  icilh  grayish;  upper  parts  pale  ash  gray  becoming 
whitish  on  forehead,  superciliary,  and  rump ;  lores  black  and  grayish, 
a  whitish  spot  on  lower  eyelid.  Adidts  in  winter  :  similar,  but  basal  half 
of  lower  mandible   light  brownish  horn   color,  grayish   in   life,  and  lores 


Fig.  483. 

chiefly  light  grayish  or  whitish.  Young :  largely  washed  with  brownish. 
Length  :  9.25-10.75,  wing  4.35-4.60,  tail  4.50-4.70,  bill  from  nostril  .50- 
.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Labrador,  Hudson  Bay,  and  Cook  Inlet, 
Alaska,  northward ;  migrates  south  in  winter  as  far  as  Virginia,  Kansas, 
Arizona,  and  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  thorny  trees,  a  rude,  bulky  structure  of  twigs, 
grasses,  and  stems,  lined  with  mosses,  lichens,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  4  to 
0,  pale  bluish  green,  spotted  with  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  In  winter,  mice,  English  sparrows,  grasshoppers,  and  other 
birds  and  insects. 

The  northern  shrikes  reach  Colorado  in  October,  Prof.  Cooke 
says,  first  appearing  on  the  mountains  above  timberline.  Some  of 
them  winter  as  high  as  9500  feet  in  the  mountain  parks,  but  most 
of  them  work  their  way  down  to  the  plains,  where  they  find  abun- 
dant food  in  the  shape  of  horned  larks.  In  other  regions  they  are 
often  tempted  to  visit  cities  by  the  unfailing  supply  of  English 
sparrows,  for  in  habits  they  are  miniature  birds  of  prey. 

622a.  Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides  (Sivains.).  White- 

RUMPED  Shrike. 
Adults.  — Bill,  lores,  and  nasal  tufts  wholly  black  ;  upper  parts  hght  slate 

gray  ;  upper  tail  coverts  Avhitish  ; 
under  parts  pure  white,  very  lightly, 
if  at  all.  marked.  Young  :  like  adults, 
but  base  of  lower  mandible  light- 
Fiff.  484.  colored,  general  colors   less  stronglv 


SHRIKES  393 

contrasted,  washed  with  brown  and  narrowly  barred,  the  wing  coverts 
tipped  with  buffy.  Length  :  8-10,  wing-  ;5.T5-4.10,  tail  o.75-4.o0,  bill  from 
nostril  .42-.50,  deptli  of  bill  at  base  .:5U-.o5. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  and  Hudson  Bay  south  to 
Lower  California  and  over  the  northern  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  thorn-trees,  liedges,  briers,  and  cactus  ;  bulky,  made  of  sticks 
and  stems,  leaves,  wool,  and  feathers ;  lined  with  stems  of  grass  and 
weeds,  and  sometimes  hairs.  Eggs:  4  to  6,  grayish  to  yellowish  white, 
spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 

Food.  —  Mice,  birds,  and  insects  —  chiefly  grasshoppers. 

A  shrike  may  be  recognized  as  far  as  seen  by  his  level  flight,  the 
beating  of  bis  short  little  wings,  and  the  way  be  holds  up  bis  big 
bead  ;  and  when  be  alights  bis  clear  grays  and  sharply  contrasting 
blacks  and  whites  mark  him  afar.  He  is  partial  to  Sarcohatus  flats, 
hedges,  thorny  bushes,  and  l^arbed  wire  fences,  even  when  not  using 
the  barbs  as  letter  files  for  bis  superfluous  catch  of  grasshoppers.  In 
spite  of  all  accusations  the  shrike  probably  impales  bis  victims  less 
because  of  original  sin  than  because  of  original  scarcity  of  supplies, 
and  only  a  short  time  ago  be  was  seen  by  a  California  observer  re- 
turning to  his  catch  and  eating  it  with  marked  relish.  {The  Condor, 
iv.  49.)  Nor  is  be  such  a  villain  as  to  be  wanting  in  sound  domestic 
virtues,  and  harsh  and  strident  as  bis  voice  may  be  in  the  main,  it 
has  interesting  if  not  musical  moments. 

622b.  L.  1.  gambeli  Bidgic.     California  Shrike. 

I'p2>er  parts  slate  gray,  tinged  with  brownish  ;  upper  tail  coverts  some- 
times abruptly  whitish  as  in  excuhitorides  .-  under  jjarts  dull  white  or  gray- 
ish, darker  on  sides,  breast  usually  distinctly  vermiculated  and  sometimes 
tinged  with  pale  brown.  Length:  8-10.  wing- ;i.7<>-4.00,  tail  .■;.T5-4.."0,  bill 
from  nostril  .43-.48.  depth  at  base  .oO-.o'). 

Remarks.  —  Tlie  California  shrike  may  be  distinguished  from  the  white- 
rumped  by  the  darker  colorjjtion  of  the  under  i)arts.  In  excuhitorides  they 
are  ])ure  white,  in  gauiheli  usually  vermiculated.  darkened  on  the  sides  and 
sometimes  tinged  with  ])ale  brown. 

Di.<itrihution.  —  Coast  region  of  California. 

Nest.  —  ")  to  ."jO  feet  from  the  ground  in  willows,  cypress,  or  oak  :  bulky, 
made  of  coar.se  twigs  and  .soft  materials  sucli  as  straw,  grass,  feathers, 
cotton,  and  wool.  Eggs  :  4  to  7.  gray,  sometimes  tinged  witli  green,  spotted 
with  light  brown  and  sometimes  purple,  usually  heaviest  around  the  larger 
end. 

]\Ir.  Grimu'll  says  that  the  California  shrike  is  such  a  i)ersistent 
de.stroycr  of  the  Jeru.salem  cricket  and  other  injurious  insects  that 
it  is  undoubtedly  one  of  our  most  beneficial  birds  from  tin-  agricul 
tin-alist's  standpoint  and  should  be  protected. 

622c.  L.  1.  anthonyi  }Unrns.     Island  Shhikk. 

Similar  to  gttnilitli.  but  much  <larki'r  and  smalhr  ;  undfi'  parts  gray,  be- 
(•(iniing-  white  on  thioat  and  nndcr  tail  coverts  ;  upper  parts  dark  slate  gray  ; 
wliite  .areas  on  wings  and  tail  more  restricted  th.in  in  any  of  the /fu/t»r/- 
rianus  group.      Length  :  S.7T.  wing  ■■1.74,  t.ail    l.<M»,  bill    (i;',. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 


394  VIREOS 

FAMILY    VIREONIDiE:    VIREOS. 

GENUS    VIREO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  similar  to  that  of  the  shrikes,  distinctly 
hooked  and  notched  at  tip  ;  rictal  bristles  conspicuous ;  wings  equal  to  or 
longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearlj^  even  ;  claws  stout,  strongly  curved ;  side  toes 
unequal  in  leng-th. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.   Head  strikingly  marked. 

2.  Lores  and  orbital  ring  white  in  sharp  contrast  to  gray  or  black  of 
head. 

3.  Top  and  sides  of  head  black,      atricapillus,  p.  391 

Fig.  485. 
3'.  Top  and  sides  of  head  gray. 

4.  Back  gray.     Southern  Rocky  Mountain  region. 

plumbeus,  p.  397. 
4'.  Back  olive  green. 

5,  Brig'hter  olive  green.    Eastern  United  States. 

solitarius,  p.  89(1 

5'.  Duller  olive  green.     Western  United  States. 
cassinii.  p.  39(5 . 


2'.  Lores  and  orbital  ring  not  white  in  sharp  contrast  to 
head. 

3.  Sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  olive  gray. 

olivaceus,  p.  395. 


FiR.  4S(;, 


Fig.  487 


8'.  Sides  and  flanks  bright  olive  yellow  .     .     .     flavoviridis,  p.  395. 
1  .  Head  not  strikingly  marked. 

2.  Upper  parts  gray.     Western  Texas  to  southern  California. 

viciiiior,  p.  400. 
2'.  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green  or  tinged  with  olive. 
3.  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green. 

4.  Larger  and  brighter noveboracensis.  p.  398. 

4'.Smaller  and  duller.     Rio  Grande  Valley     .     .     micrus.  p.  399. 
3'.  Upper  parts  tinged  with  olive  green.  .— seS^S^^ 


4'.  Wings  marked  with  white.  Fig.  488. 

5.  Wing  about  2.18. 

6.  Wing  with  two  distinct  bands.    Mississippi  Valley  and  Plains. 

bellii,  p.  399. 
6'.  Wing-  usually  with  only  one  band.     Arizona  and  California. 

pusillus,  p.  400. 
5'.  Wing-  about  2.50. 
C).  Wing  bars  white. 


VIREOS  395 

7.  Darker,  wing-  bars  narrower.     California. 

huttoni,  p.  ;]91). 
7'.  Paler  and  g'rayer,  wing  bars  broader.     Texas  and  Arizona. 

Stephens!,  p.  :]99. 

6'.  Wing  bars  tinged  with  yellow.      Washington  and   Oreg-on, 

wintering  in  California obscurus.  p.  o99. 

Subgenus  Vireosylva. 

Spurious  primary  if  present  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ;  wing  without 
light  bands. 

624.  Vireo  olivaceus  (Linn.).     Red-eyed  Vikeo. 

Adults. —  Top  of  head  gray,  conspicuously  bordered  by  white  superciliary 
and  narrow  black  line  ;  blackish  line  through  eye  ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  olive  green ;  wings  without  bands  or  spurioiis 
primary  ;  under  parts  clear  white.  Young  :  similar,  but  back 
brownish  ash ;  sides  washed  with  brown.  Length  :  5.50-G.oO, 
wing-  about  3.10-3.30,  tail  2.15-2.30,  exposed  culmen,  .50- 
.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  arctic  regions  south  chiefly  in  the  north- 
eastern United  States,  but  extending  through  Florida  and  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico ;  west  to  Montana  and  Washington  ;  migrates  to  South  Anierica. 

Xest.  —  Hung-  rather  low  from  a  forked  twig  of  a  tree,  made  of  strips 
of  birch  and  inner  bark,  dead  leaves,  and  vegetable  fibers,  often  patched 
with  bits  of  wasp  nest  and  lined  with  pine  needles,  or  stems  and  rootlets. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white,  lightly  specked  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  around 
the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  small  berries. 

The  eastern  red-eyed  vireo  is  fouud  occasionally  in  Colorado  at  the 
])ase  of  the  foothills,  and  has  been  recorded  as  far  west  as  British 
Columbia. 

625.  Vireo  flavoviridis  (Cass.).    Yellow-green  Vireo. 

Like  olivaceus.  but  sides  and  flanks  bright  olive  green,  axillars  and 
under  tail  coverts  sulphur  vellow.  Length  :  0.25-0.75,  wing  2.80-3.20.  tail 
2.05-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas,  south  to  Soutli 
America ;  accidental  in  Quebec  and  at  Riverside,  California. 

627.  Vireo  gilvus  (VieilL).    Warkling  Vireo. 

.  Idulfs.  —  Upper  parts  olive  ^rfl_y,  grayest  on  head  and  most  olive  on  riuni) 

and  up])er  tail  coverts:   white  streal,'  through  eye:  wings  ;in<l 

tail  dnsky  brown,  unmarked,  wing  with  a  well-developed  sj)n 

rious  primary  ;   sides  of  head  ])ale  brownish  or  bufly  ;  under 

^  l)arts  wliite,  shaded  with  olive  yellow  on  sides.      Young:  top 

Fig.  4'.M».       of  head  and  bind  neck  pale  grayisli  buff;  rest  of  upper  parts 

buffy,  wings  with  bntt'y  bars;   under  parts  pure  white,  except 

for  vellowish  tail  coverts.     Length:  5.(K)-5..")(),  wing  2.05-2.05,  tail  2.10- 

2.4(1,' bill  from  nostril  .:'.()-.:'.2.  depth  at  ba.se  .1.5-.1S. 

l)istrihuti())i.  —  North  Anierica  in  general  from  (ireat  Slave  Lake  to 
northern  Mi-xico  ;  breeds  throughout  the  greater  part  of  this  range.  In 
winter  to  southern  Mexico. 

Xest.  — Similar  to  that  of  the  red-eye,  but  smoother  and  more  eomj)act : 
hung  in  trees,  usually  at  a  considerable  height,  in  open  ('oj)ses.  .ilong  b.tnks 


396  VIREOS 

of  streams,  or  in  shade-trees  along'  streets.     Eggs :  4  or  5,  white,  spotted 
around  larger  end  with  reddish,  dark  brown,  and  lilac. 

Colorless  as  this  small  leaf-tinted  bird  may  seem  in  coat,  character, 
and  song,  its  voice  is  nevertheless  one  of  the  sunny  warbled  rounds 
that  gives  good  cheer  to  the  western  mountain  forests. 

In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  it  breeds  sparingly  on  the  plains 
and  abundantly  in  the  mountains  up  to  10,000  feet,  especially  in  the 
aspens.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain.  Arizona,  Dr.  Mearns  found  it 
in  fall  in  the  rank  growth  of  annuals  along  streams  in  company  with 
terrestrial  warblers. 

But,  though  a  mountain  dweller,  the  little  vireo  is  also  a  village 

bird,  leaning  over  and  craning  its  neck  to  examine  the  leaves  for 

worms  as  carefully  in  a  Utah  garden  as  in  the  retirement  of  the 

forest. 

Subgenus  Lanivireo. 

Spurious  primary  if  present  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  wing  with  two 
white  bars. 

629.  Vireo  solitarius  {Wils.).     Blue-headed  Vireo. 

Adults.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  dark  gray  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  loral 
streak,  orbital  ring  and  throat ;  back  olive  green  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ; 
under  parts  clear  white,  shaded  with  olive  and  yellow  on  sides  and  flanks. 
Young  in  first  ivinter  :  anterior  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  under  parts  dull 
buffy  white.  Length  :  5-6,  wing  2.90-3.00,  tail  2.10-2.20,  bill  from  nostril 
.28-.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Great  Slave  Lake  and  Hudson  Bay  to  south- 
ern New  England  and  the  noi'thern  part  of  the  lake  states,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  coast  to  Dakota ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  woods,  in  undergrowth,  or  hung  from  lower  branches  of  small 
trees,  like  that  of  the  red-eye,  but  often  decorated  with  catkins.  Eggs  : 
usually  5,  white,  spotted  mainly  with  reddish  brown  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Chiefly  insects. 

629a.  V.  S.  cassinii  {Xantus).     Cassin  Vireo. 

Adults.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  gray  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  of  loral 
streak,  orbital  ring,  and  throat;  back  dull 
olive  green ;  wings  with  two  clear  white 
bands ;  under  parts  clear  white,  washed 
with  yellow  and  olive  on  sides  and  flanks. 
Young  in  first  icinter :  dull  grayish  brown 
above,  dull  buffy  below.  Length :  5.00- 
5.60.  wing  2.85-3.00,  tail  2.10-2.30,  bill 
from  nostril  .28-.31,  tarsus  .70-.78. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from   British  Co- 
lumbia and  Idaho  south  along  the  Pacific 
coast  region    and  Nevada  to    Lower  Cali- 
Fig.  491.  fornia;  migrates  to  Arizona,  New  Mexico, 

and  northern  Mexico. 
Nest.  —  In  oaks,  manzanita,  and  buck  brush,  pendant,  compactly  woven 
and  lined  with  light-colored  grasses,  decorated  with  jjieces  of  white  cocoon. 
Eggs  :  4  or  5. 


VIREOS  397 

The  Cassin  vireo  is  more  often  heard  in  the  oaks  and  conifers  than 
the  warbling-,  though  it  also  frequents  alders  and  aspens.  In  south- 
ern California,  Mr.  Grinnell  tinds  it  breeding  in  the  mountain  canyons 
from  the  foothills  to  4000  feet,  and  Mr.  Anthony,  writing  from  Ore- 
gon, says,  "  Its  clear,  metallic  notes  ring  through  our  forests  from 
earliest  dawn  until  dark." 

629b.  V.  s.  plumbeus  (Coues).     Plumbeous  Vlreo. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  and  sidfs  of  head  dark  gray,  in  .sharp  con- 
trast to  white  loral  streak,  orbital  ring",  throat,  and  winq-  bars ;  xmder 
parts  white,  sides  and  flanks  strongly  tinged  with  olive  gray.  Young  : 
similar,  bnt  npper  parts  more  or  les^  ting-ed  with  brown,  and  sides  with 
more  olivaceons.  Length:  O.To-O.b"),  wing-  ;].o,")-o,:;(>,  tail  l!.:J0-2..*)'),  bill 
from  nostril  .30-.o5. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  plnmbeons  vireo  the  contrasts  between  the  gray  and 
white  markings  of  the  head  and  nnder  parts  are  the  same  as  in  other 
members  of  the  .<!olliarius  group,  but  in  plumbeus  there  is  hardly  a  trace  of 
the  olive  on  back  and  sides  which  mark  tlie  other  members  of  the  group. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  southern  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  the 
Black  Hills  westward  to  the  desert  ranges  of  the  (ireat  Basin  :  also  in 
northern  Mexico  ;   migrates  from  southern  Wyoming  to  southern  Mexico. 

Ne.^t.  —  In  pine  or  oak,  pendant,  made  of  inner  bark  and  vegetable  fibers, 
lined  with  fine  grass  stems  and  rootlets,  and  decorated  with  lichen,  cocoon 
cases,  web,  plant  blossonis,  and  sometimes  feathers.  Eggs  :  often  4,  white, 
lightly  specked  around  the  larger  end  with  black  and  brown. 

In  the  wooded  canyons  of  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  Texas  the 
loud,  rich  whistle  of  pt^uiiibeus  often  calls  your  attention  to  the  gray 
bird  with  the  white  eye  rings  who  stops  his  work  to  sing  in  a  sunny 
pine  top.  There  is  something  peculiarly  attractive  about  him  ;  it 
may  be  the  harmony  of  his  quaker  garb  with  his  SAveet,  rich  voice 
and  quiet  ways. 

In  New  Mexico,  through  the  breeding  season,  ^Ir.  Ilenshaw  found 
the  birds  as  high  as  10,000  feet ;  but  in  migration  he  found  that  they 
scattered  over  the  country,  taking  to  the  deciduous  trees  along 
streams. 

Subgenus  Vireo. 

Spurious  primary  equal  to  or  longer  than  tai-sus.  ■ 

630.  Vireo  atricapillus    Woodh..  Black-capped  Vireo. 

Adult  iii(ih\  —  Top  and  sidts  of  head  black  in  sharji  contrast 
loral  streak,  orbital  ring.  ;ind  uumH.iu  undt-r  p.irts  ; 
back  bright  olivt*  green  ;  wing  bar  yellowish  white. 
.Idult  ffuiale :  similar,  but  duller,  and  black  of 
head  usually  slaty.  Young  in  first  wintir  :  toj)  and 
sides  of  he;id  dull  brownish  :  lores.  (U'bit.-il  ring. 
;ind  medi.m  under  parts  dull  buffy  ;  upper  p;irts 
brownish  green.  lAnqth  :  4. 40-4. T">,  wing  L'.  b')- 
'J.:;().  tail  l.SO-L'.OO. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  .southwestern  Kan- 
.sasto  central  and  western  Texas  ;  winters  in  south- 
ern Mexico. 


398  VIREOS 

Nest.  —  Hung-  in  thickets,  in  bushes,  or  small  trees,  2  to  6  feet  from  the 
ground,  made  of  dry  leaves,  cocoons,  and  spiders'  webs,  lined  with  fibers  of 
grass  and  bark.     .Eggs :  usually  o,  plain  white. 

Food.  —  (8  stomachs)  caterpillars. 

At  Pecos  High  Bridge,  in  the  bottom  of  the  Pecos  River  canyon, 
which  rang  with  the  songs  of  an  hepatic  tanager,  canyon  wrens,  and 
cardinals,  we  were  delighted  to  find  the  rare  little  spectacled  black- 
cap actually  common,  adding  his  loud  song  to  the  rich  canyon 
chorus.  His  song  was  unusually  varied  for  a  vireo,  though  of  the 
general  character  of  the  white-eye  or  bellii  type  rather  than  that  of 
gilvus.  One  song  contained  a  run,  and  its  last  notes  were  liquid, 
loud,  and  emphatic,  something  like  come  here,  right-noic-quick' ,  or 
there  now,  icait-a-bit.     The  alarm-note  was  hoarse. 

The  calm  deliberation  of  the  vireo  blood  seems  wanting  in  the 
black-cap  even  though  he  does  live  in  Texas.  He  hops  about  or 
flies  around  in  the  most  alert,  energetic  way.  A  pair  were  busy 
building  in  a  dense  vine  grown  thicket  against  one  of  the  canyon 
walls,  that  is  to  say,  the  male  was  busy  singing  near  by  while  his 
mate  worked  on  the  nest,  weaving  spider  web  over  the  skeleton 
leaves  and  cocoon  cases. 

Though  the  black-caps  are  partial  to  ravines,  Mr.  Bailey  found 
them  common  on  scrub-oak  ridges  about  Kerrville,  hunting  low  in 
the  scrub  oaks  and  junipers. 

631.  Vireo  noveboracensis  (GmeL).    White-eyed  Vireo. 

Adults.  —  Upper  pai'ts  bright  olive  green,  wings  with  two  sharply 
marked  bands  ;  lores,  forehead,  and  orbital  ring  bright  yellow  ;  throat  and 
chest  white,  sides  and  Jianks  bright  sulphur  yellow.  Young :  olive  gray, 
g-reener  posteriorly  ;  wings  crossed  with  two  buffy  bands  ;  under  parts 
white,  buffy  on  flanks  ;  loral  streak  white.  Length  :  4.50-5.00,  wing  2.35- 
2.50,  tail  1.90-2.10,  bill  from  base  .55-. 58,  bill  from  nostril  .27-30,  tarsus 
.72-.78._ 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  New 
England  soutli  to  Loiiisiana  and  northern  Texas,  west  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains ;  winters  from  Florida  to  Guatemala  and  Honduras. 

Nest.  —  Hung  in  bushes  or  vines,  in  thickets  or  along  borders  of  woods 
or  swamps,  seldom  over  4  feet  from  the  ground  ;  made  of  vegetable  fibers, 
leaves,  mosses,  and  lichens,  lined  with  stems  of  weeds  and  grasses.  Eggs : 
4  or  5,  white,  lightly  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown  around  the 
larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  white-eyed  vireo  ranges  west  as  far  as  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  in  Kansas,  Colonel  Goss  says,  lives  in  thickets  of  briars  and 
vines  on  the  low  prairies,  and  also  on  the  edges  of  woods  bcydering 
streams  and  swamps.  In  Bermuda,  where  its  jolly  little  relative 
abounds,  it  is  known  as  the  'chick  of  the  village,'  and  its  song  is 
rendered  as  Chick-a-dee-chick'  -de-mllet. 


VIREOS  399 

631c.  V.  n.  micrus  Xelson.    Small  White-eyed  Vireo. 

Like  noveboracensis,  but  smaller  and  duller  colored,  with  a  paler  wash 
of  yellow  on  flanks.      Wing:  2.29,  tail  1.97,  bill  .08,  tarsus  .78. 

Distribution.  —  Rio"  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  to  central  Tamaulipas,  Mex- 
ico. 

The  breeding  range  of  the  small  white-eyed  vireo  in  Texas  extends 
from  Kinney  and  Uvalde  counties  to  the  Gulf  of  ]Mexieo. 

632.  Vireo  huttoni  Cass.    Hutton  Vieeo. 

Adults.  —  Lores  and  orbital  ring  dull  whitish  ;  upper  ^^(trts  dull  olive 
brown,  greener  on  rump,  wings,  and  tail  ;  wing  bars  narrow,  white  ;  under 
parts  dingy,  tinged  on  sides  with  olive  yellow  ;  spurious  primary  well 
developed.  Young  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  lighter  brown,  sides  of  head 
buffv  brown,  under  parts  paler.  Length :  4.2o-4.75,  wing  2.40-2.45,  tail 
2.0(1-2.10.  bill  from  nostril  .2()-.29.  tarsus  .72-. 76. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  and  central  California,  west  and  south  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada. 

Xest.  —  As  described  by  Cohen,  hnng  in  scrub  oak  heavily  draped  with 
moss ;  made  mainly  of  moss.  £ggs :  usually  4,  white,  lightly  dotted 
around  larger  end  with  shades  of  brown. 

3Ir.  Grinnell  saj's  that  the  Ilutton  vireo  is  common  throughout 
tiie  year  in  Los  Angeles  County.  While  occurring  from  the  willow 
regions  of  the  lowlands  up  to  6000  feet  in  the  mountains,  it  prefers 
the  oak  regions  of  the  mesas  and  foothills. 

632a.  V.  h.  Stephensi  Brewst.    Stephens  Vireo. 

Similar  to  liuttoni.  but  i)aler  ;  olive  gray  above,  greenish  toward  tail ;  wing 
bands  pure  white,  broader  Length  :  4.*JO-5.20,  wing  2.50-2.65,  tail  2.10- 
2.20,  bill  from  nostril  .2.")-.;lO.  tarsus  .70-75. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  western  Texas,  Arizona,  Mexico,  and  Lower 
California. 

632b.  V.  h.  obscurus  Anthony.     Anthony  Vireo. 

Like  liuttoni.  but  averaging  smaller,  with  plumage  darker  and  olive 
tints  l)right('r. 

Distrif)ution.  —  Breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  south 
to  Oregon,  and  winters  in  California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Bowles,  hnng  from  twigs  of  a  young  fir,  9  feet 
from  the  jjTound.  woven 'of  hanging  moss  and  lined  with  fine  dried  grasses 
thickly  interwoven.  Eggs:  2.  white,  marked  about  the  larger  end  witli 
1)1  ack  spots. 

633.  Vireo  bellii  And.    Bell  Viheo. 

Loral  streak  and  orbital  ring  dull  white  ;  upper  parts  brownish  olive, 
olive  green  on  rump ;  wings  .and  tail  brownish,  wing  bars  narrow,  dull 
white;  throat  white;  rest  of  under  parts  washed  with  sulphur  yellow; 
unch'r  tail  and  wing  coverts  yellow.  ^Length:  4.20-5.25,  wing  2.05-2.30, 
t.iil  I.SO-1.95,  bill  from  nostril"  .2S-.:;(»,  tarsus  .79-.75. 

Distr.hutiitu.  —  Bleeds  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  on  the  Great  Plains. 
I'loiu  liidiaii.i  to  Dakota,  and  south  tlirough  Texas  to  Mexico;  accidental 
in  New  IIani|)shire. 

Nest.        \\\\\\\x   fioni    \iiies    or   forks  of  twigs,  made  of  plant    fil»c  rs  and 


400  VIREOS 

dead  leaves,    lined    with   stems    and  sometimes  hairs.     Eggs  :  usually  4, 
white,  thinly  spotted  around  lai'gex*  end  with  i-eddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects  and  their  larvse. 

The  Bell  vireo  is  a  common  bird  in  its  range,  abounding  Id  the 
piiim  thickets  of  Nebraska,  dense  patches  of  brush  and  briers  in 
Kansas,  and  the  tangled  mesquite  woods  of  southern  Texas. 

Its  song,  like  that  of  many  vireos,  is  heard  all  through  the  hot 
noonday  hours.  It  resembles  that  of  the  white-eye,  but  leaves  off 
the  interrogative  eh?  after  the  wlio-are-you  f  It  has  a  harsh,  scold- 
ing note,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  which  it  often  repeats  as  it  goes 
through  the  brush  searching  for  food. 

633.1.  Vireo  pusillus  Coues.     Least  Virko. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  faintly  tinged  with  olive  on  rump,  wings, 
and  tail  ;  w  ings  with  one  and  sometimes  two  narrow  bars ;  lores  gray  and 
white;  under  parts  white,  sides  washed  with  olive.  Young:  lores  wholly 
white  ;  top  of  head  and  hind  neck  pale  brown  ;  back  dull  green,  rump 
greenish.  Length:  4.80-5.2-5,  wing  2.10-2.oO,  tail  2.03-2.20,  bill  from 
nostril  .25-.2!),  tarsus  .70-80. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  Arizona  and  Califor- 
nia ;  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  in  thickets.  Eggs  :  o  or  4,  white,  lightly  dotted  with 
brown,  more  thickly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  least  vireo  is  common  in  southern  California  in  the  willow 
regions  and  along  streams  up  to  the  foothills. 

634.  Vireo  vicinior  Coues.    Gray  Yireo. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  and  sides  of  head  dull  gray,  with  faint  tinge  of 
greenish  on  rump ;  lores  and  orbital  ring  w  hite ;  wings  brownish  with 
w'ing  band  indistinct  or  wanting ;  under  parts  clouded  grayish  white. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  upper  parts  with  brownish  tinge  and  w  ing  bar 
bufPy  white.     Length  :  5.(30-5.75,  wing  2.50-2.G0,  tail  2.40-2.55. 

Hetnarks.  —  The  gray  vireo  differs  from  the  plumbeous  in  its  duller, 
less  sharply  contrasted  coloration  and  absence  of  striking'  wing  bars. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  to  southern  California  and  from 
southern  Nevada  to  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  thorny  bushes  or  trees,  4  to  6  feet  from  the  ground,  some- 
times supported  underneath  or  on  sides  so  that  it  is  not  pensile  ;  made  of 
loosely  woven  coarse  grass  and  mesquite  bark  lined  with  fine  grasses. 
Eggs  :  8  or  4,  white,  sparsely  marked  with  irregular  spots,  chiefly  around 
larger  end. 

In  the  foothills  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains  Mr.  Scott  fouud 
the  gray  vireo  breeding  in  comparative  abundance  where  the  oaks 
begin  at  the  upper  edge  of  the  mesquite. 

Mr.  Henshaw  found  it  in  New  Mexico  frequenting  rocky  hills  cov- 
ered with  scanty  growth  of  bushes  and  scrub.  In  hunting,  he  says 
it  takes  a  middle  line  between  that  of  the  treetop  solitary  vireos 
and  the  low  hunting  white-eyed  group,   spending  most  of  its  time 


WOOD   WARBLERS  401 

from  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground.  The  gray  vireo's  song 
Mr.  Henshaw  considers  the  finest  of  all  vireo  songs,  as  it  has  not  only 
beauty  and  variety  of  note  but  mellowness  of  expression. 

FAMILY    MNIOTILTIDiE  :    WOOD    WARBLERS. 

KEY   TO   (;ENKRA. 

1.  Gape  with  conspicuous  bristles. 
2.  Under  parts  mainly  clear  yellow Wilsoiiia,  p.  427. 

2'.  Under  parts  marked  with  red,  orange,   or  yellow   (except    .^^T  o 
young-  Cardellina).  ^X    5 

Fig.  493. 
i).  Bill  broad  and  much  flattened  at  base     .     .     Setopliaga,  p.  429. 

o'.  Bill  narrow^  and  deep  at  base.     Face  and  throat  red  in 
adults,  brown  in  young      .     .     .     Cardellina.  p.  4"]0. 

Fig.  494. 
r.  Gape  without  conspicuous  bristles. 


2.  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
upper  parts  conspicuously   streaked   with 
black  and  w  hite     .     .     Miiiotilta.  p.  402. 
Fig.  495.  Fig.  496. 

2'.  Tarsus  longer  than  nnddle  toe  with  claw  ;     ^^^2==:::--^^ 
tipper  parts  not  distinctly  streaked  with    <C^\\         i 
black  and  wliite.  pj^  ^^^ 

:>.  Bill  deep,  and  strongly  curved    .     .     Icteria.  p.  42(5 


Bill  not  deep,  nor  strongly  curved. 


Fig.  498.  4.   Bill  narrowly  wedge-shaped. 


% 


5.  Rictal    bristles    obvious :  u]i|)or    i)arts   blue   with 
olive  patch     .     .     .    Compsotlilypis.  p.  4(>(;. 


Fig.  499.  .")'.  Rictal    bristles    obsolct.":    upju'i     i)arts   not    blue 

with  olive  patch    ,    Helminthopliila,  p.  402. 

^^ 

4  .  Bill  slenderly  conical.  "^      l 

r,.   Tail  mark.Ml  with  whitr  ..r  v.-How,  Kip.  500. 

Dendroica,  p.  407. 
')'.  Tail  not  mark«'d  with  white  or  yellow. 

0.  Tarsus  h'ss   tlian   one   tliird  as  long*   as  wing;; 

under  parts  streaked   .     .      Seiurus,  p.  42:5. 

0  .  Tarsus  decidedly   more   than  (inc  third  ;is  long; 

as  wing- ;    under  parts    not    stif.ikcd  ;    jiartly 

y.lh.w Geothlypis.  p.  121. 


402  WOOD   WARBLERS 

GENUS    MNIOTILTA. 

636.  Mniotilta  varia  {Linn.).     Black  and  White  Warbler. 

Bill  shorter  than  head,  very  slender,  notched  and  slightly  decurved  at 

tip  ;  lictal  bristles  minute  :  wing-  long-,  pointed  ;  tarsus  about 

one  fourth  as  long  as  wing  or  less,  its  scutella  rather  indistinct ; 

middle  toe  with  claw  about  equal  to  tarsus.   Adult  male:  whole 

bird  streaked  glossy  blue  black  and  white  except  for  plain  white 

Fio.  501.         on  middle  of  belly  ;   throat  closely  streaked,  sometimes  solid 

black;  wing  with  two  white  bars  ;  tail  with  white  spots  near  end 

on  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers.      Young  male :  similar  to  adult  male. 

but  throat  white,  unstreaked,  and  markings  duller.     Adidt  female  :  similar 

to  young  male,  but  duller,  the  black  not  so  deep,  and  white  of  under  parts 

dingy.     Male  :  length  (skins)  4.30-4.75,  wing  2.62-2.79,  tail  1.68-2.01,  bill 

.40-.51.     Female:  length  (skins)  4.30-4.65,  wing  2.56-2.66,  tail  1.79-1.91, 

bill  .40-.48. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Plains  and  from  Fort 
Simpson  to  Virginia  and  southern  Kansas ;  winters  in  the  Gulf  states, 
AVest  Indies,  and  south  to  South  America ;  accidental  in  California. 

Nest.  —  Imbedded  in  ground  in  woods,  made  of  plant  fibers,  grasses, 
moss,  and  leaves,  lined  with  stems  and  hair ;  sometimes  partially  roofed 
over.  Eggs :  4  or  5.  creamy  w4iite,  thickly  speckled,  chiefly  on  larger  end, 
with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  eggs  and  larvae. 

GENUS    HELMINTHOPHILA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped,  straight,  tip  without  notch,  very  acute ;  rictal  bristles  obsolete ; 
wing  with  three  or  four  outermost  primaries  abruptly  longest ;  tarsus 
nearly  one  third  as  long  as  wing  (except  in  H.  peregrina),  its  scutella 
indistinct. 

KEY    TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Crown  patch  chestnut. 

2.  Rump  chestnut luciae,  p.  402. 

2'.  Rump  vellowish  green. 

3.  Under  parts  white  with  yellow  chest  patch  .     .    virginiae,  p.  403. 

3'.  Under   parts   bright  vellow.     Rocky  Mountains    to        A'^MMp 
California gutturalis,  p.  404.   --^^"^^^ 

1'.  Crown  patch  orange  or  wanting.  Fig.  502. 

2.  Crown  patch  orange  ;  under  parts  yellow. 

3.  Under  parts  dull  yellow.     Rocky  Mountains.     .     .  celata,  p.  404. 
3'.  Under  parts  bright  greenish  yellow.     Rocky  Mountains  to  Pacific 
coast. 

4.  Lighter.     Western  States lutescens,  p.  405. 

4'.  Darker.     California  Islands  .     .     .     .     .     .     .   sordida.  p.  405. 

2'.  Crown  patch  wanting;  under  parts  grayish  white. 

peregrina,  p.  406. 

643.  Helminthophila  lucise  (Cooper).    Lucy  Warblek. 

Adidt  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  crown  chestnut, 
feathers  more  or  less  tipped  with  gray  ;  upper  tail  coverts  bright  chestnut; 


WOOD   WARBLERS  403 

lores,  eye  ring-,  and  imder  parts  white,  tinged  with  brownish  on  sides  and 
buffy  on  chest.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer:  like  summer  male, 
but  chestnut  of  crown  and  upper  tail  coverts  lighter,  crown  patch  re- 
stricted, sometimes  obsolete.  Adult  male  in  faU  and  winter :  upper  parts 
ting'ed  with  brown  ;  crown  patch  concealed  by  gray  tips  to  feathers  ; 
under  parts  brownish  buff,  becoming-  whitish  on  belly.  Young  in  first 
plumage :  like  adults,  but  without  crown  patch  ;  upper  tail  coverts  buffy 
brown  instead  of  chestnut ;  wings  with  two  bars :  under  parts  white. 
Male:  leng-th  (skins)  :].00-4.05,  wing-  2.17-1^29.  tail  1.0-J-l.To,  bill  M-.?>h. 
Female:  length  (skins)  '.'>X>2-Z.V),  wing  2.03-2.U8,  tail  1.47-1.57,  bill  .oO- 
.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  the  ISanta  Clara 
Valley,  Utah,  south  through  Arizona  and  Sonora  to  Jalisco.  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  deserted  woodpecker  holes,  behind  bark  of  trees,  in 
giant  cactus,  or  by  roots  along  river  banks,  2  to  20  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  fine  straws,  leaves,  horsehair,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  o  to  5,  white 
or  creamy,  finely  speckled,  usually  in  dense  ring  around  larger  end,  with 
reddish  brown. 

Mr.  O.  \\.  Howard  foniul  the  Lucy  warblers  fairly  common  along 
the  river-bottoms  throughout  southern  Arizona,  especially  in  the 
willow  and  mesquite  thickets,  and  ]\Ir.  Scott  found  them  breeding 
at  the  base  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains  up  to  4000  feet. 

Among  the  nests  found  by  Mr.  Howard  some  were  in  deserted 
verdin  and  woodpecker  nests.  He  says  that  many  are  destroyed  by 
wood  rats  and  snakes. 

644.  Helminthophila  virginise  (Baird).    VircxInia  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  su)n)iur.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  rump  and  upper 
tail  coverts  bright  yellowish  green  :  crown  with  chestnut  patch  concealed  by 
gray  tips  in  fresh  plumage  ;  orbital  ring  white,  conspicuous  ;  under  parts 
dull  white  with  chest  and  usuall//  throat  j/ellow.  Adult  female  in  spring  and 
summer  :  Like  adult  male,  but  duller,  es^pecially  on  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  ;  crown  patch  restricted,  sometimes  almost  obsolete  ;  back  l)rowner. 
Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  yellow  duller,  crown 
patch  concealed  by  grayish  tips  to  feathers;  upper  parts  and  flanks 
strongly  tinged  with  brown.  Young  in  first  plumage  :  two  wing  bars  dull 
buffy  ;  under  parts  brownish  grav ;  median  parts  of  breast  and  bellv 
white,  ^fale  :  length  (skins)  4.08-4.:50,  wing  2.40-2.42.  bill  .35-.30.  Fe- 
male: length  (skin's)  4.  wing  2.2(;-2.:)S,  tail  1.70-1.S4,  bill  .37. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States  from  Wy- 
oming to  Nevada  and  south  to  (juanajuato  and  .Jalisco. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  under  a  bu.sh  or  tuft  of  gr.iss  :  made  of  straws, 
rootlets,  and  fibers,  loosely  put  together.  Fggs  :  often  4,  creamy  white, 
finely  and  rather  densely  speckled  over  whole  surface  or  around  larger  end 
with  chestnut  and  purplish  gray. 

Mr,  Ridgway  foiuid  the  Virginia  warbhi-  commitii  in  llic  Hum 
boldt  and  Wasatch  Mountains,  and  Mr.  O.  W.  Howard  stat<'S  that  it 
is  (juite  common  in  the  pine  regions  of  Arizona  above  50()<)  feet.  In 
Colorado  Mr.  Aiken  rarely  finds  it  above  T50l>  feet,  and  he  thinks  that 
if  prefers  the  foothills. 

rnlikcolhci-  \\ar])l(is  found  in  Arizona,  .Mr.  Howard  savs,  during 


404  WOOD   WARBLERS 

the  summer  it  stays  almost  wholly  in  the  underbrush,  where  it  keeps 
continually  on  the  move,  uttering  a  quick  chirp  as  it  goes. 

During  the  migrations,  Mr.  Aiken  reports,  it  has  been  found 
among  cottonwoods  and  willows  bordering  streams,  and  often  among 
the  pines.  He  says  :  "The  male  is  very  musical  during  the  nesting 
season,  uttering  his  sweet  little  ditty  continually  as  he  skips  through 
the  bushes  in  search  of  his  morning  repast ;  or,  having  satisfied  tiis 
appetite,  he  mounts  to  the  top  of  some  tree  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  nest,  and  repeats  at  regular  intervals  a  song  of  remarkable 
fullness  for  a  bird  of  such  minute  proportions." 

645a.    Helminthophila   rubricapilla   gutturalis  (Ridgw.). 
Calaveras  Wakblek. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  bright  yellow ;  upper  part  of  head  gray,  with 
conspicuous  white  orbital  ring-  and  chestnut 
crown  patchy  but  feathers  tipped  with  gray  ; 
back  olive  green,  brightening-  to  yellowish 
green  on  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts ;  wing-s 
and  tail  unmarked.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  and  crown  with  little  if  any  chest- 
nut. Young:  throat,  chest,  and  under  tail 
coverts  dull  yellowish  ;  belly  bufFy  brown ; 
upper  parts  brownish  gray,  becoming-  olive 
•^'^-  ^*''^'  gray    on    rump.     Male :    leng-th     (skins)    4.05- 

4.75,  wing  2.32-2.46.  tail  1.70-1.88,  bill  .o7-.40.    Female:  length  (skins) 


85-4.10,  wing  2.12-2.19,  tail  1.53-1.62,  bill  .34- 


S. 


Bemarks.  —  The  sharply  contrasting  yellow  throat  and  gray  sides  of 
head  make  a  striking  field  character. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  mountains  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones 
from  the  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  eastward  during  migrations  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains  and  central  Texas,  and  from  British  Columbia  south 
to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  of  weed  stems,  grasses,  and  bark, 
lined  with  soap-root  fiber.  Eggs :  usually  5,  creamy  white,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown  mixed  with  lavender  in  wreath  around  larger  end. 

In  California  the  Calaveras  warbler  is  often  met  with  in  the 
chaparral.  It  looks  up  at  you  shyly  as  it  clings  to  the  stalk  of  a 
bush,  and  you  have  barely  time  to  note  how  the  dark  sides  of  its 
throat  contrast  with  its  yellow^  body  before  it  has  hopped  off  to  a 
twig  and  is  making  its  way  through  its  dense  little  forest.  In  the 
breeding  season,  at  Fort  Klamath,  Oregon,  Dr.  Merrill  says,  it  hunts 
mostly  among  the  aspens,  though  flying  up  occasionally  into  the 
pines.  He  compares  its  song,  which  is  loud  and  constant,  to  that  of 
the  yellow  warbler. 

646.  Helminthophila  celata  {Say).  Orange-crowned  Warbler. 
Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  duV  jlive  green,  brighter  on  rump  ;  some- 
times tinged  with  gray,  especially  on  head ;  crown  with  dull  orange  patch 
concealed  except  in  worn  midsummer  plumage  by  grayish  olive  tips  to 
feathers  ;  orbital  ring  and  superciliary  yellow  ;  under  parts  dxdl  yellowish, 


WOOD  WARBLERS  405 

indistinctly  streaked  with  darker  on  throat  and  chest.  Adult  female:  crown 
patch  usually  duller  and  restricted,  sometimes  obsolete.  Young :  generally 
without  crown  patch.  Youny  in  Jirst  plumage  :  crown  patch  wanting- ; 
upper  parts  dull  olive ;  wings  with  two  light  bands ;  belly  white ;  rest  of 
under  parts  brownish  grav,  tinged  with  buftv.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.2.5- 
4.80,  wing  2.yy-2.4y,  tail'  1.92-2.07,  bill  .37-.41.  Female:  length  (skins) 
4.;}.5-4.05,  wing-  2.20-2.:^;;],  tail  1.78-l'94,  bill  .37-.42. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Yukon  and  Mackenzie  River  districts 
south  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  New  Mexico  ;  migrates  to  south- 
eastern United  ►States  and  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  liidden  in  a  bank  or  among  bushes  ;  made  of 
strips  of  bark,  plant  stems,  and  grasses,  lined  with  grasses,  or  hair  and  fur. 
Eggs :  4  to  (>,  white  or  creamy,  finely  speckled,  chiefly  around  the  larger 
end  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Leaf  worms  and  other  insects. 

646a.  H.  c.  lutescens  (liidgw.).    Lutescent  Wakbler. 

ISimilar  to  celata,  but  brighter  colored  ;  upper  parts  bright  olive  green  ; 
under  parts  bright  greenish  yellou\  streaks  on  under  parts  dull  olive  greenish. 
Young  in  Jirst  plumage  :  upper  parts  olive  green,  wing  bars  paler  or  buffy  ; 
under  parts  buffv  or  straw  color  shaded  with  olive  on  chest,  sides,  and 
flanks.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.20-4.4rj,  wing  2.20-2.41,  tail  1.76-1.93,  bill 
.37-.88.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.00-4.40,  wing  2.24-2.40,  tail  1.80-1.85, 
bill  .39-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  along  the  Pacific  coast  from  Kadiak  to  the  moun- 
tains of  southern  California ;  east  in  migrations  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
south  to  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  cavities  in  banks  or  in  ferns  along  small 
streams.     Fggs :  4  or  5,  colored  like  those  of  the  orange-ciowned. 

The  lutescent  warbler  is  often  seen  during  migration  stretching 
up  for  an  insect  on  top  of  the  chaparral,  or  darting  out  from  the 
blooming  top  of  an  oak,  with  wiiose  golden  brown  tassels  the  pretty- 
bird  harmonizes.  He  seems  a  peculiar!}'  dainty,  airy  little  creature, 
his  wings  lifting  him  off  his  feet  if  an  insect  is  a  bit  beyond  his 
reach,  and  holding  lilm  up  like  a  hummingbird  under  an  oak  tassel, 
or  carrying  him  about  from  branch  to  branch  while  he  looks  for 
food,  warbling  his  short  lay  in  the  intervals.  In  the  breeding  season 
he  goes  to  the  mountain  sides  where  he  is  found  in  the  shrubbery, 
in  aspens,  or  on  the  ground,  sometimes  above  an  altitude  of  11,000 
feet. 

646b.  H.  c.  sordida  Toims.    Disky  Wahhler. 

Like  lutescens,  but  decidedly  darker,  bill  and  feet  larger,  wing  shorter, 
tail  longer.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.3.")-4.70,  wing  2.27-2..3('),  tail  1.94-1.97, 
bill  .42-.47.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.()()-4.70,  wing  2.23-2. 2('..  tail  1.93- 
1.97,  bill  .41. 

Di.<itribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands.  California;  visiting  adjoining 
mainland  after  tlie  breeding  season. 

Mr.  (iriiHiell  states  that  dusky  whi-bleis  appear  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pa.sadcna  in  July  or  August  in  large  numbers  iu  the  oak  regions 
and  along  the  iirroyos. 


400  WOOD   WARBLERS 

647.  Helminthophila  peregrina  (Wils.).  Tennessee  War- 
bler. 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  and  hind  neck  dark  g'ray  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  olive 
green,  brightest  on  rump  ;  loral  .streak  dark  gray  bordered  by  white  above  ; 
wings  and  tail  unmarked,  tail  gray,  feathers  with  outer  webs  edged  with 
olive  green,  inner  webs  with  w  hite,  outside  feather  usually  with  a  white 
spot.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  gray  of  head  more  or  less  mixed  with 
green,  and  superciliary  and  xinder  parts  lightly  washed  with  olive  yellow. 
Young  male  injirst  autumn:  upper  parts  olive  green,  including  crown  and 
hind  neck  ;  under  parts  strongly  tinged  with  olive  yellow  except  for  white 
belly  and  under  wing  and  tail  coverts.  Young  female  in  first  autumn  :  like 
young  males,  but  yellow  brighter.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.70,  wing 
2.46-2.67,  tail  1.61-1.81,  bill  .37-.39.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.20-4.70, 
wing  2.30-2.40,  tail  1..14-1.67,  bill  .37-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska,  British  Columbia,  Great  Slave  Lake, 
and  Hudson  Bay  south  to  the  northern  United  States ;  migrates  mainly 
through  the  Mississippi  Valley  south  to  Cuba  and  northern  South  America  ; 
accidental  in  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  tlie  ground,  made  largely  of  grass,  leaves,  and  moss, 
sometimes  with  liair  lining.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  white,  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  — Winged  insects,  caterpillars,  and  other  leaf -eating  insects. 

The  Tenuessee  warbler  is  a  rare  migrant  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Colorado,  passing  north  the  latter  half  of  May.  In  Kansas,  Colonel 
Goss  says,  it  is  found  in  low  bushes,  in  tall  w^eeds,  about  gardens 
and  orchards,  along  banks  of  streams,  and  the  edges  of  woodland. 

GENUS   COMPSOTHLYPIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped  and  acixte,  but  distinctly  curved,  at  least  toward  tip ;  rictal  bristles 
distinct ;  wing  tip  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus  ;  tarsus  decidedly  less 
than  one  third  as  long  as  wing,  its  scales  indistinct. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Eyelids  white usneae,  p.  406. 

r.  Eyelids  dusky.     Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,    iiigrilora,  p.  407. 

648a.  Compsothlypis  americana  usnese  Brewster.  Northern 
Pakula  Wakbler. 
Adult  male.  —  Sides  of  head  and  upper  parts  bluish  gray,  with  triangidar 
olive  green  patch  on  hack  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars,  tail  with 
white  spots  on  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers ;  throat  and 
breast  yellow,  chest  more  or  less  tinged  with  orange  brown,  and 
often  crossed  by  blackish  band ;  feathers  sometimes  tipped 
with  chestnut ;   eyelids  white  ;   lores   black.     Adult  female : 
Fig.  504.       similar,  but  colors  duller,  less  pronounced.      Young  in  first 
autumn  :  w^hole  upper  parts  tinged  Avith  olive  green,  under 
parts  pale  yellow.       Young :  yellow  of  under  parts  replaced  by  grayish, 
chin  tinged  with  vellow^  ;  upper  parts  gravish,  more  olive  on  back.     Male : 
length  (skins)  3.82-4.4.-).  wing  2.24-2.48,  "tail  1.5.5-1.77,  bill  .35-.43.     Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  3.66-4.13,  wing  2.13-2.34,  tail  1.52-1,65,  bill  .35-.41. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Canadian  zone  north  of  41°,  but  locally 


WOOD   WARBLERS  407 

from  the  Atlantic  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  migrates  to  the 
West  Indies,  eastern  Mexico,  and  Nicaragua ;   casual  in  Greenland. 

Xest.  —  Placed  within  hanging  tufts  of  lichens  or  "  beard "  mosses, 
bunches  of  dead  leaves  or  other  rubbish,  caught  on  hanging  branches 
during  freshets.  Egys :  o  to  ').  white  or  creamy,  thickly  sx^eckled  with 
reddish  brown,  chiefly  around  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  parula  warbler  is  taken  occasioually  in  southeastern  Colorado. 
It  is  most  at  home  in  swampy  woods,  where  it  may  be  seen  in  the 
treetops  quietly  looking  for  insects,  raising  its  head  as  it  hunts  so 
that  the  dark  chest  band  shows  to  good  advantage. 

649.  Compsothlypis  nigrilora  (Coues).    Sennett  Wakbler. 

Adult  male :  Upper  parts  bluish  gray  with  olive  green  patch  on  back ; 
wings  with  two  broad  white  bands ;  throat,  breast,  and  .sides  yellow,  be- 
coming saffron  on  chest ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  sides  tinged  with  gray- 
ish and  sometimes  brown;  eyelids  dusky;  lores  blackish.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  duller ;  upper  parts  tinged  with 
olive  green  ;  lores  grayish  dusky,  under  parts  paler  yellow.  Length  :  4.2.")- 
4.75,  wing  2.UO-2.-io.  tail  1.5S-r.T."). 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  and  southward  to 
Nuevo  Leon,  Tamaulipas.  and  southeastern  JSan  Luis  Potosi. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Sennett,  a  cavity  excavated  in  a  mistletoe- 
like air-plant,  lined  with  cottony  wood  fibers.  Eggs :  dull  white,  flecked 
with  lilac  and  brown  over  the  whole  surface,  and  with  a  broad  band  around 
the  larger  end. 

GENUS   DENDROICA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slenderly  conical,  tapering  gradually  to  tip ; 
rictal  bristles  obsolete  ;  tarsus  a  quarter  to  a  third  as  long  as 
wing  ;  scutella  indistinct. 


Fig.  505.  KEY    TO   ADULT    MALES   IN    .SPRING. 

1.  Throat  vellow  or  orange  vellow. 


I^V 


Fig.  50G. 


Throat  orange blackburniae.  p.  41' 


•J'.Thn.at  yellow. 

.).  Tail  with  yellow  patches  on  outer  tail  feathers. 


4.  Under  parts   vellow.    broadlv   str.ak.Ml    with  reddisli 
brown     .     ." aestiva.  j).  411. 


4.  Under  ])arts  yellow,  narrowly  streakfH    with   ifddish 
brown. 
.").   Upper  parts  yellowisli  gncii.        SOllOiaiia.  p.  4  1  1. 
r)'.Upp<Ti)arts  olive  green      .      .   1  ubiginosa.  p.  4  ll*. 
;r.Tail  witliiiut  yt'Uow  patch. -s  on  oulrr  tail  t.Mtlu'is. 
4.   Ifuiiip  yellow. 


408 


WOOD   WARBLERS 


Crown  plain  gray 


maculosa,  p.  41;" 


Fig.  508.         '^  •  Crown  g'ray  with  yellow  patch. 

(),  Forehead  and  cheeks  black.     Arizona. 

nigrifrons,  p.  415. 
6'.  Forehead  and  cheeks  not  black.     Western  States. 

auduboni,  p.  41o. 
4'.  Rump  not  yellow. 

5.  Crown  chestnut palmarum,  p.  422. 

5.  Crown  gray  streaked  with  black;   superciliary  and 

spot  on  lower  eyelid  yellow    .     .  graciae.  p.  41S. 

r.  Throat  black,  white,  or  brown. 

2.  Tliroat  brown. 

olivacea,p.  410. 
2'.  Throat  black  or  white.  Fig.  50'.i 

8.  Throat  black. 

4.  Sides  of  head  black,  or  black  and  white. 


5.  Sides  of  head  black.     Eastern  United  States. 

caeriilesceiis,  p.  412. 


5'.  Sides  of  head  black  and  white,  nigresceiis,  p.  418. 
"I 
Fig.  511. 

4'.  Sides  of  head  partly  or  wliolly  yellow. 

'  'Jtf^'^9^,    5.  Sides  of  head  wholly  yellow 
Fig.  .-^1 


occidentalis,  p.  421. 
'.  Sides  of  head  not  wholly  yellow. 


Fig.  513. 


Fig.  514. 


6.  Sides  of  head  marked  with  olive.    Eastern  United 
States virens,  p.  420. 

6'.  Sides  of  head  marked  with  black. 


7.  Cheeks  cro.ssed  by  narrow  black  eye  streak. 

chrysoparia,  p.  419. 


7.  Cheeks  crossed  by  wide  black  band. 

townsendi,  p.  421. 


Fig.  515. 


WOOD   WARBLERS 


409 


3'.  Throcat  white. 

4.  Crown  blue  or  black. 

5.  Crown  blue.     Eastern  United  .States,    rara.  p.  410. 


^i"^       "j.  Crown  black 
Fig.  .51( 


Striata,  p.  416. 

4'.   Crown  yellow  or  with  yellow  patch. 


liunip  yellow  ;  under  parts  white,  black,  and  yellow. 

coronata,  p.  412. 


Rump  not  yellow  ;  under  parts  white,  with  chestnut 
sides pensylvaiiica,  p.  410. 


Fig.  518. 


KEY    TO   ADULT   FEMALE   DENDROICA    IN    SPRING. 

1.  Tail  with  yellow  on  inner  webs. 

2.  Upi^er  parts  grayish  yellow.     Arizona  to  Texas,     soiiorana.  p.  411. 
2'.  Upper  parts  greenish. 

'•].  Upper  parts  greenish  yellow aestiva,  p.  411. 

;]'.  Upper  parts  dull  olive  green- rubiginosa,  p.  412. 

r.  Tail  without  yellow  on  inner  webs. 
2.   Rump  yellow. 

o.  Under  parts  bright  yellow,  streaked  with  black.     Eastern  United 

States maculosa,  p.  41"). 

o.  Under  parts  mainly  whitish. 
4.  Throat  yellowish. 

5.  More  heavily  streaked  on  darker  ground.    Iligrifrons.  p.  41."). 
5'.  Less  heavily  streaked  on  lighter  ground.       auduboili.  p.  41:5. 

4.  Throat  whitish coroiiata.  p.  412. 

2'.  Rump  not  yellow^ 

8.  Plumage  not  conspicuously  mai-ked  witli  yellow  or  green. 

4.  Upper  parts  gray  and  black nigrescens.  p.  4 IS. 

4.  Upper  parts  streaked  black  and  white     .      .      .     striata,  p.  41«). 
8'.  Plumage  conspicuously  marked  with  yellow  or  green. 

4.  Sides  of  Iwad  or  throat  m.irked  with  bright  lenu)n  yellow. 
').  Sidtjs  ot"  head  gray  or  white 

('».  Throat,  chest,  and  loral  streak  yellow  .  graciae.  j).  4 IS. 

0'.  Under  parts  white,  with  chestnut  sides. 

pensylvaiiica.  p.  410. 
*)'.  Sides  of  lu'ad  yellow,  or  yellow  and  olive. 

'•.   Upper  parts  grayish OCCideiitalis.  ]>.  421. 

0  .  Up|>er  parts  mainly  or  partly  olive  green. 
7.   Upi)er  parts  olive  green  and  g-iay.      Tt-x.is. 

chrysoparia,  j).  \\\). 
7'.  Upper  i)arts  plain  olive  gifcii. 


410  WOOD   WARBLERS 

8.  Upper  parts  bright  green,  unstreaked.      Eastern  United 

States virens,  p.  420. 

S.  Upper  parts  dull  green,  streaked,    townsendi,  p.  421. 
4'.  Neither  sides  of  head  nor  throat  marked  with  bright  lemon  yel- 
low. 
5.  Upper  parts  olive  brown  or  greenish. 

6.  Upper  parts  olive  brown.     Eastern  United  States. 

palmarum,  p.  422. 
6'.  Upper  parts  greenish. 

7.  Wings  and  tail  edged  with  greenish.   Eastern  United  States. 

rara.  p.  416. 
7'.  Wings  and  tail  not  edged  with  green. 

S.  Under  parts  greenish  buff  .     .     ceerulescens,  p.  412. 
5'.  Upper  parts  neither  olive  brown  nor  greenish. 
6.  Head  with  yellow  or  orange  crown  patch. 

blackburniae,  p.  417. 
6'.  Whole  head  huffy  yellow.     New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

olivacea,  p,  410. 

Subgenus  Peucedramus. 

651.  Dendroica  olivacea  ((?«>««(/).    Olive  Warblkr. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  orange  brown,   sometimes 
tinged   with  olivf  ;  belly  soiled   whitish ;  lores 
and  ear  coverts  black ;    nape    olive,  sometimes 
extending  over  back   of   head ;    rest   of    upper 
Fiff.  519.  parts  gray  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  and  white 

patch  at  base  of  primaries  ;  tail  with  two  outer 
pairs  of  feathers  mainly  white.  Adult  female  i7i  summer  and  male  of  second 
year :  crown  and  hind  neck  olive  green  ;  sides  of  throat  and  chest  yellowish, 
throat  sometimes  nearly  white  ;  loi'es  grayish  ;  wing  bars  narrower  than  in 
adult  male  ;  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries  smaller,  sometimes  obsolete. 
Adult  male  in  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  head,  neck,  and  chest  duller, 
more  clay  color  ;  sides  and  flanks  browner ;  back  more  olivaceous.  Adidt 
female  in  winter :  like  summer  female,  but  plumage  softer  in  texture  and 
posterior  wing  band  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  male,  first 
phwiage  :  like  adult  female,  but  upper  parts  dull  olive  or  brownish  olive  ; 
sides  of  head  and  neck  dull  huffy,  neck  tinged  with  olive  ;  throat  and  chest 
buffy.  Young  female,  first  plumage  :  like  young  male,  but  paler.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  4.45-5.08,  wing  2.84-3.07.  tail  1.97-2.20,  bill  .36-.47.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skin.s)  4.33-4.92.  wing  2.64-2.87.  tail  1.86-2.09,  bill  .35-.47. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from 
mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  fork  of  a  conifer,  30  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made  some- 
times like  a  gnatcatcher's  nest,  of  rootlets,  flower  stalks,  moss,  lichens,  or 
fir  blossoms  and  spider's  web,  lined  with  rootlets.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  olive 
gray  or  sage  green,  thickly  covered  with  black  specks,  sometimes  almost 
obscuring  the  ground  color. 

Mr.  Scott  found  the  olive  warblers  in  southern  x\rizona  associated 
with  Mexican  bluebirds  in  the  pines.  In  looking  for  food,  he  saj'S, 
their  motions  were  very  deliberate,  though  occasionally  suggesting 
kinglets  or  titmice  in  their  way  of  hunting  over  the  tips  of  the 
boughs. 

Mr.  W.  W.  Price  found  them  breeding  in  the  mountains  of  Ari- 


WOOD   WARBLERS  411 

zona  between  9000  and  10,000  feet,  the  male  following  the  female 
about  while  she  collected  material  for  the  nest,  uttering  at  times  '  a 
liquid  quirt,  quirt,  quirt,  in  a  descending  scale.' 

Subgenus  Dendroica. 

652.  Dendroica  sestiva  ((r'mf/.)-    Yellow  Wakblek. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  yellow  ;  breast  and  belly  streaked  with  rufous  ; 
forehead  bright  yellow,  front  of  crown  often  tinged  with 
orange ;  hind  neck  and  rest  of  npper  parts  yellowish 
green,  brightest  on  rnmp ;  wing-  edgings  yellow ;  inner 
webs  of  tail  feathers,  except  middle  pair,  light  yellow. 
Adult  female  and  male  in  Jirst  autumn:  upper  parts  plain 
.^  yellowish  green,  usually  darker  than   in   male,  lighter  on 

ig.  o-U.  forehead  and  rump  ;  under  parts  paler  and  duller,  usually 

unstreaked.  Young  female  in  frst  autumn  :  like  adult  female,  but  duller 
olive  green  above,  olive  whitish  slightly  tinged  with  yellow  below ;  under 
tail  coverts  pale  yellow.  Male :  length  (skins)  0.94-4.92.  wing  2.86-2.80, 
tail  l.(M-2.0'.>,  bill  .:]l»-.4:;.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.02-4.57,  wing-  2.24- 
2.68,  tail  1.. "^4-1. 77,  bill  .:J«)-.4;!. 

Kemai-ks.  —  The  yellow  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  tail  feathers,  together 
with  the  general  yellow  coloration,  are  enough  to  distinguish  the  (estiva 
group  in  all  ages  and  sexes. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  except  Alaska  and  southwestern  United 
States  ;  migrates  to  Central  America  and  northern  South  America.  Breeds 
nearly  throughout  its  North  American  range. 

Nest.  —  Compact  and  cup-shaped,  macle  largely  of  gray  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  down  and  feathers  ;  placed  in  bushes  or  trees.  Fggs :  2  to  6, 
greenish,  spotted  usually  around  larger  end  with  brown,  black,  and  lilac 
gray. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  yellow  warblers  are  birds  of  the  chaparral,  of  willows,  and 
thickets  along  streams  in  uninhabited  regi(ms.  and  of  parks  and 
gardens  where  the  gods  provide.  When  seen  in  the  chaparral  thick- 
ets the  glimpse  of  yellow  tail  patches  is  enough  to  identify  them  as 
they  disappear,  but  in  towns  where  they  are  tame  the  bricky  streak- 
ing of  the  breast  can  be  .seen  as  they  stand  on  a  flowering  bush  and 
lift  their  heads  to  sing.  They  have  so  much  singing  to  do  and  so 
many  insects  to  catch  that  it  keeps  them  busy.  Their  song  is  loud 
and  cheery  and  they  have  the  fine  chip  of  their  family.  In  their 
manner  of  life  they  belong  to  the  quiet  part  of  the  warbler  tribe, 
hunting  usually  in  a  leisurely  way  as  if  they  knew  that  their  .song 
was  needed  to  add  the  real  sununer  feeling  to  the  bloojning  shrubs. 

652a.  D.  a  sonorana /^rfM\s7.    Sonoka  Yellow  Warhlek. 

Like  ustiva,  but  much  paler  ;  adult  male  lighter,  more  yellowish  olive 
^roen  above,  back  often  stn-aked  with  brown,  crown  usually  dear  yellow  ; 
undtT  parts  lighter  ycbow  tli.iu  in  (istini  :  chest  .•md  sides  more  mirrowly 
streaked  ;  .idulf  ftiiiale  c(iiisj)iftiniisly  ]):il('i'  than  in  (tslira.  upju-r  parts  often 
l.irgelv  ])ale  gravish  ;  tmder  parts  iisu:illv  pale  bufVy  yellow.  }[alt  :  length 
(skins)  4.21-4.76,  wing  2.;;2-2.60,  tail  '  1.77-2.20,"  bill  .;;'.>-.4;).  Fewalt : 
length  (.skins)  4.88-4.57,  wing  2.24-2.40.  tail  1.65-1.77,  bill  .:;i». 


412  WOOD   WARBLERS 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  to  western  Texas  and  south  to 
northwestern  Mexico  ;  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  Nicaragua. 

652b.  D.  a.  rubiginosa  {Pall.).  Alaskan  Yellow  Warblek. 

Like  cestiva,  hut  slightly  smaller  and  much  duller  ;  adult  male  with 
upper  parts  darker,  duller  olive  green,  crown  like  back  or  only  slig-htly 
yellower  on  forehead  ;  adult  female  duller  olive  green  above,  duller  yellow 
below.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.02-4.45,  wing-  2.40-2.48,  tail  1.57-1.81.  bill 
.39.    Female :  length  (skins)  3.90-4.33,  wing-  2.24-2.44,  tail  1.61-1.73,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Alaska,  south  to  Vancouver,  migrating-  southward. 

654.  Dendroica  caerulescens  {Gmel).    Black-thkoated  Blue 

Warblek. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Face,  throat,  sides,  and  flanks  black, 
sides  and  flanks  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  ; 
upper  parts  grayish  blue  ;  wing  with  conspicuous  white  patch  at 
base  of  primaries.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  upper 
parts  olive,  usually  with  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries  ;  tail 
feathers  edged  with  bluish  or  greenish  gray  ;  inner  web  of 
Fig.  D'il.  outside  feather  sometimes  with  paler  or  whitish  spot ;  eyelids 
with  whitish  streaks,  that  of  upper  lid  extending-  over  ear  coverts  ;  under 
parts  pale  olive  yellowish,  shaded  with  olive  laterally.  Adult  male  in  fall 
and  icinter  :  like  spring-  male,  but  white  of  flanks  faintly  tinged  with  brown- 
ish buff  and  bill  brownish  instead  of  black.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter  : 
like  summer  female,  but  upper  parts  greener ;  lander  parts  yellower. 
Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  winter  male,  but  white  of 
under  parts  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish,  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts 
tinged  with  olive  green  ;  black  feathers  of  throat  edged  with  whitish. 
Young  male.,  first  plumage :  wings  and  tail  as  in  fall  males ;  white  spot  at  base 
of  primaries  fidly  developed  ;  lores  black ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  olive 
brown  ;  throat  and  superciliary  buffy  ;  breast  and  sides  ashy ;  belly  sul- 
phur yellow.  Young  female,  first  plumage :  wings  and  tail  like  winter  fe- 
male ;  spot  at  base  of  primaries  soiled  white ;  rest  of  upper  parts  light  olive 
brown  ;  lores  dull  black  ;  under  parts  buffy,  olive  buff  on  breast  and  sides. 
Male :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.72,  wing  2.44-2.64,  tail  1.93-2.13,  bill  .33-.39. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.76,  wing  2.36-2.48,  tail  1.87-2.01,  bill  .35-.37. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  to  the  northeastern  United  States,  south  to  Pennsylvania  in  the 
mountains ;  migrates  casually  to  base  of  Rocky  Mountains ;  winters  in 
Guatemala,  the  West  Indies,  and  northern  South  America ;  accidental  in 
Colorado  and  on  the  Farallone  Islands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  compact  and  deep  ;  made  of  fine  grass,  spider's  web, 
lichen,  and  strips  of  fine  bark.     Eggs  :  usually  4,  buffy  whitish  or  greenish 
white,  more  or  less  heavily  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects. 

655.  Dendroica  COronata  (Linn.).     Yellow-rumped  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spiring  and  summer.  —  Crown  patch  and  rump  bright  yellow ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray,  streaked  with  black ;  wings 
with  tw  o  white  bars  ;  tail  black  with  gray  edgings  ;  outer  pair 
of  tail  feathers  with  large  spots  of  white  ;  throat  white  ;  rest  of 
under  parts  black,  yellow,  and  white.  Adult  female  in  spring 
and  summer:  similar,  but  smaller  and  duller;  upper  parts 
tinged  with  brown  ;  color  patches  restricted.  Adult  male  in  fall 
Fig.  522.   and  winter :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  black 


WOOD   WARBLERS  413 

on  back  and  scapnlars  ;  yellow  crown  patch  concealed  by  brown  tips  to 
feathers ;  throat  and  chest  brownish  white  or  buff y  brown,  chest  streaked 
with  black ;  yellow  patches  obscured,  black  patches  with  white  edg-es  to 
feathers.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  iv  inter  :  like  winter  male,  but  smaller, 
upper  parts  browner,  yellow  crown  patch  restricted  or  obsolete  ;  under 
parts  pale  buffy  brown  in  front  and  on  sides ;  median  parts  of  breast  and 
belly  yellowish  white  ;  yellow  breast  patches  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Young, 
first  plumage :  streaked  above  and  below ;  wing's  and  tail  much  as  in 
adults.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.72-5.51,  wing- 2.7(5-o.07,  tail  1.07-2.36, 
bill  .35-.4o.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.(5.5-5.51.  wing  2.64-2.95,  tail  2.02- 
2.32,  bill  .32-.41. 

Remarks.  — The  yellow-rumped  and  Audubon  warblers  are  similar,  but 
can  be  distinguished  by  the  throat,  which  is  white  in  coronata  and  yellow 
in  auduboni. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  chiefly  east  and  north  of  Rocky  Moun- 
tains (to  Hudson  Bay  region),  straggling  westward  to  the  Pacific ;  breeds 
from  Alaska  to  northern  Ignited  States,  wintering  from  southern  New 
England  and  the  Ohio  valley  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  Panama; 
accidental  in  Greenland  and  eastern  Siberia. 

Xest.  —  Usually  low  in  coniferous  trees,  made  of  grasses,  twigs,  and  root- 
lets, lined  with  finer  grasses,  feathers,  and  hair.  Eggs  :  3  to  6,  white, 
creamy,  or  bufFy,  spotted  or  blotched  chiefly  on  or  around  larger  end  with 
brown  and  lilac,  sometimes  mixed  with  small  black  markings. 

Food.  —  Insects,  their  eggs  and  larvte,  and  wild  berries. 

The  yellow-nimp,  the  eastern  representative  of  the  Audubon 
warbler,  migrates  through  Colorado,  and  Prof.  Cooke  says  it  is  not 
uncommon  for  two  or  three  weeks  on  the  plains  along  the  foothills 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  where  a  few  range  up  to  9000  feet.  It  mi- 
grates from  ten  daj's  to  two  weeks  ahead  of  auduboni,  but  in  ]May 
the  two  species  are  often  found  together. 

656.  Dendroica  auduboni  (Totvns.).    Audubon  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  sjjring  and  summer. —  Throat  and  rump  yellou- :  under  parts 
with  patches  of  wliite.  yellow,  and  solid  black  ;  upper  parts  bluish  gray, 
streaked  with  black  ;  wing  coverts  witli 
large  white  patches ;  tail  black,  inner 
webs  of  four  or  five  outer  feathers  with 
large  s\il)teniiinal  patt-h  of  white.  Adult 
female  in  s]>ring  and  summer:  like  sum- 
mer male,  hut  duller,  and  with  less  black 
on  under  parts  :  upper  })arts  usually  more 
or  less  tinged  with  l)r<)\vn  :  yellow  crown 
l)at<h  restricted,  and  i)artly  tipped  with 
brownish  gray  ;  wings  with  narrower 
hands  :  cliest  and  sides  grayisli.  m.irked 
witli  black;  color  pjitches  restricted. 
Adult  ntalf  in  /all  and  irintir:  duUer 
and  browner  tjj.in  summer  males,  upjjcr 
parts  washed  with  Ijrown.  wing  mark- 
ings tinged  with  brown  ;  black  of  chest  '  ''*'  " 
and  sides  mostly  concealed  by  brownish  white  edges  to  feathers,  .\dult 
femah'  infill  and  winter  :  like  winter  male.  Init  smaller  and  tluller.  h.uk 
withotit  sliarply  defined  streaks;  yellow  patches  paler. iiitl  nu.re  lestrirted  ; 


414  WOOD  WARBLERS 

black  chest  spots  more  sharply  defined.  Young,  first  plumage  :  upper  parts 
thickly  streaked  with  dusky  on  brownish  gray  ground ;  lower  rump  gray- 
ish white,  narrowly  streaked  with  dusky ;  under  parts  grayish  white, 
streaked.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.80-5.39,  wing  2.95-3.19,  tail  2.09-2.42, 
bill  .39-. 43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.80-5.08,  wing  2.87-3.07,  tail  2.13- 
2.32,  bill  .39-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  yellow  throat  distinguishes  the  adult  Audubon  warbler 
from  the  yellow-rump,  and  the  amount  of  white  on  the  tail  distinguishes 
the  young,  auduhoni  having  four  or  five  feathers  marked  with  white,  coro- 
nata,  only  two  or  three. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Arizona,  and  from  California  to  Sioux  County,  Ne- 
braska ;  winters  from  western  United  States  to  Guatemala,  and  eastward 
to  western  parts  of  Texas  and  Kansas ;  accidental  in  Massachusetts  and 
Pennsylvania. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  pines  or  spruces,  but  sometimes  in  deciduous  trees  and 
bushes  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  made  largely  of  strips  of  fine  bark  and 
pine  needles,  lined  with  fine  roots,  hair,  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs :  usu- 
ally 4,  generally  olive  white  or  greenish,  sparsely  spotted  and  dotted  with 
black,  brown,  and  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  yellow-rumped  warbler. 

The  Audubon  warbler  in  its  dull,  streaked  winter  dress  is  a  com- 
mon winter  bird  in  the  warm  valleys  of  the  west,  and  one  of  the 
commonest  in  the  San  Francisco  parks.  Its  flight  and  all  its  move- 
ments seem  to  be  regulated  by  gnats,  its  days  one  continuous  hunt 
for  dinner.  When  insects  are  scarce  it  will  fly  hesitatingly  through 
the  air  looking  this  way  and  that,  its  yellow  rump  spot  always 
in  evidence,  but  when  it  comes  to  an  invisible  gauzy-winged  throng 
it  zigzags  through,  snapping  them  up  as  it  goes  ;  then,  perhaps, 
closing  its  wings  it  tumbles  down  to  a  bush,  catches  itself,  and 
races  pellmell  after  another  insect  that  has  caught  its  eye.  In  the 
parks  it  is  especially  fond  of  the  palm  tops  frequented  by  the  golden- 
crowned  sparrows,  and  dashes  around  them  in  its  mad  helter-skelter 
fashion.  The  most  straight-laced,  conventional  thing  it  ever  does  is 
to  make  flycatcher  sallies  from  a  post  of  observation  when  it  has 
caught  its  insect.  If  it  actually  sits  still  a  moment  with  wings  hang- 
ing at  its  sides,  its  head  is  turning  alertly,  its  bright  eyes  keen  for 
action,  and  while  you  look  it  dashes  away  with  a  nervous  quip'  into 
midair,  in  hot  pursuit  of  its  prey. 

Auduboni  is  so  preoccupied  with  its  hunting  that  it  pays  little 
heed  to  observers.  At  Stanford,  in  December,  when  the  birds  were 
common,  one  has  flown  in  from  the  rosebushes  to  the  piazza  rail  near 
me,  looked  around  for  a  moment,  and  then  ignoring  my  presence 
flown  down  to  the  floor  and  gone  hopping  jauntily  about  in  the 
shadow  of  the  vines  looking  for  insects. 

When  spring  comes  these  warblers  are  off  to  the  mountains,  for 
the}^  are  true  Canadian  zone  birds.     In  July  we  have  met  them  near 


WOOD   WARBLERS  415 

the  crest  of  the  Sierra  in  full  plumage  and  full  song.  There  is  little 
to  suggest  the  dull,  streaked  bird  of  winter  in  this  warbler,  whose 
handsome  yellow  pointed  plumage  makes  such  a  brilliant  showing 
against  the  dark  green  of  the  tirs. 

His  song  is  of  a  strong  warbler  type,  opening  toward  the  end, 
climee,  cJiwee-chicee-ah,  chicee,  between  the  song  of  the  yellow  war- 
bler and  that  of  the  junco. 

By  the  third  week  in  July  w^e  saw  the  Audubons  feeding  a  trailing 
family  of  streaked  young  in  the  fir  tops,  the  abstracted  chase  for 
insects  going  on  more  strenuously  than  ever. 

656.1.  Dendroica  nigrifrons  Breast.  Black-fronted  Warbler. 

Like  auduhoni.  but  larger  and  darker ;  adult  summer  male  with  fore- 
head, sides  of  crown,  and  cheeks  mainly  black  instead  of  g-ray ;  back  black 
with  feathers  edged  with  bluish  gray;  under  parts  more  solidly  black; 
winter  male  with  less  black  on  upper  parts,  forehead  only  streaked  with 
black,  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts  with  little  if  any  brown,  black  of  under 
parts  with  only  narrow  whitish  tips  to  feathers ;  adult  female  more  heavily 
streaked  on  darker  ground  ;  young'  more  heavily  streaked  with  dusky. 
Male:  length  (skins)  :)S)0-h.f)h,  wing  o.05-o.:]l,  "tail  2.28-2.53,  bill  .37- 
.38.  Female  :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.10,  wing  2.07-3.04,  tail  2.26-2.35,  bill 
.3.5-38. 

Distribution.  —  From  Huachuca  and  Chiricahua  Mountains,  Arizona, 
south  to  northwestern  Mexico. 

657.  Dendroica  maculosa  (Gmel).    Magnoll\  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Under  parts  briglit  yellow,  strikingly 
marked  by  black  necklace  and  black  streaking  down  breast;  top  of  head 
and  hind  neck  plain  grai/,  sides  of  head  and  back  black  ; 
rump  yellow,  partly  streaked  with  black  and  sometimes 
partly  olive  green  ;  upper  tail  coverts,  wings,  and  tail 
black  ;  w  ing'S  with  conspicuous  white  patch  and  tail  with 
subternnnal  band  of  white.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  win- 
ter: crown  and  hind  neck  brownish  gray,  back  and  p-  -..^ 
scapulars  olive  green,  feathers  with  mostly  concealed 
black  centers ;  wing  patch  replaced  by  two  narrow  wijig  bars ;  chest  with- 
out black  streaks  or  spots.  Adult  female :  duller;  back  maiidy  olive 
green;  wing-  with  two  white  bands;  streaks  on  under  parts  narrower. 
Vouny  nidl'^  in  frst  f(dl  and  winter:  chest  with  broad  grayish  or  whitish 
band.  Youny  female  in  first  fall  or  winter:  like  young  male,  but  smaller 
and  much  duller,  crown  browner,  back  witlnnit  concealed  black  marking's, 
white  of  tail  restricted.  Hanks  indistiiutlv  streaked.  Male:  length  (skins) 
-l.l:;-4.<M,  wing  2._'4-2.52.  tail  l.sC.-J.Ot,  bill  .34-.41>.  Female:  lengfth 
(skins)  4.2.V4.41,  wing  2. 14--J.2S.  tail  bsl-l.<»l,  bill  .:;5. 

liemarls.  —  The  white  subterminal  fail  band  is  enough  to  distinguish  the 
magnoli.-i  warbler  in  any  plumage. 

histriliution.  —  Breeds  in  Moreal  /one  in  east»'rn  North  America,  west  to 
tlie  Kocky  Mountains;  from  Hudson  llay  south  to  northern  parts  of  New 
England  and  Mi(4ngan  and  southward  in  tl»e  AUeghanies  ;  casually  to  Cali- 
fornia ;  winters  in  ("iib.i.  the  llahamas,  and  south  through  Mexico  to  P.m- 
am;i ;    accideiit.il  in  (Ireenland. 

Ne.st.  —  Largely   of   fine   twigs,  grass.   :iiid    weed   stalks.  Uucd    with    line 


416  WOOD   WARBLERS 

black  rootlets ;  placed  in  small  spruces  and  hemlocks,  3  to  85  feet  from 
the  ground.      Eggs :  4  or  5,  creamy,  blotched  or  spotted  Avith  lilac  and 
shades  of  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects. 

The  handsome  magnolia  warbler  is  a  rare  migrant  in  Colorado, 
but  whenever  seen  may  be  recognized  as  it  goes  about  with  wings 
drooping  and  tail  spread  enough  to  show  its  black  terminal  tail  band. 

658.  Dendroica  rara  (>rj/.s.).     Cerulean  Warbler. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  light  grai/ish  blue,  crown  bordered  by  two 
blackish  stripes  ;  back  streaked  with  black  ;  wings  and  tail  black  with  gray- 
ish blue  edgings,  wings  with  two  clear  white  bands ;  tail  feathers  broadly 
spotted  with  w  hite  ;  under  parts  white,  with  narrow  bluish  throat  band  and 
bluish  streaking  along  sides.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  from  light  bluish 
gray  to  grayish  olive  green  ;  superciliary  stripe,  if  present,  pale  greenish 
yellow  like  under  parts ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  male,  but  edgings  greenish 
instead  of  bluish.  Fall  and  unnter  adults  :  more  highly  colored.  Young 
male  in  first  autumn :  like  female,  but  whiter  below  and  more  bluish  above. 
Young  male,  nestling  plumage :  upper  parts  gray,  crown  with  median 
stripe,  and  dark  postocular  stripe  ;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  white. 
Male  :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.55,  wing  2.44-2.G6,  tail  1.70-1.88,  bill  .37-.40. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4.10-4.35,  wing  2.29-2.47,  tail  1.62-1.68,  bill  .39- 
.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  eastern  central 
United  States  and  Canada  from  Tennessee  and  Missouri  to  Michigan, 
western  New  York,  and  southern  Ontario  ;  south  in  migration  to  western 
Texas,  southern  Mexico,  Central  America,  northern  South  America,  and 
rarely  Cuba  ;  occasionally  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  in  high  deciduous  woods,  20-50  feet  or  more  from  the 
ground ;  compact,  cup-shaped,  composed  largely  of  plant  fibers,  strips  of 
fine  bark,  and  spider  web.  Eggs  :  usually  3  or  4.  white  or  dull  greenish 
or  bluish  white,  speckled  with  broAvn,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

659.  Dendroica  pensylvanica  (Linn.).     Chestnut-sided  War- 

bler. 
Adult  male.  —  Crown  yellow,  bordered  with  black;  sides  of  head   and 
neck  and  under  parts  white  ;   sides  with  broad  stripe  of  chest- 
nut ;  back  striped  with  black  and  olive,  mixed  with  yellowish. 
Adidt  female  :    like  male,   but  duller,   upper  parts  greener, 
'    ^^^  black  markings  on  head   indistinct,  and   chestnut  restricted. 

Young  in  first  autumn:  upper  parts  bright  olive  green  ;   wing 
525.         bars   yellowish  ;  sides  of   head   and   body  ash  gray ;   median 
under  parts  white.     Length  :  4.60-5.25.  wing  2.40-2.65,  tail  1.95-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  Avest  to 
Manitoba  and  the  Plains,  accidentally  to  Cheyenne  ;  south  in  Avinter  to  the 
Bahamas,  eastern  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  small  trees  or  undergroAvth  near  clearings,  loosely  Avoven  of 
stems,  grasses,  and  plant  fibers,  lined  Avith  hairs.  Eggs :  usually  4,  Avhite 
or  creamy,  spotted  Avith  reddish  broAvn  and  lilac,  thickest  around  the  larger 
end. 

661.  Dendroica  striata  (Forst.).     Black-poll  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  CroAvn  black,  rest  of  upper  parts 


WOOD  WARBLERS  417 

olive,  gray,  or  brown,  streaked  with  black  except  sometimes  on  rump  ;  wings 
and  tail  dusky,  wings  witli  two  white  bands  and  greenisli  edgings ;  inner 
webs  of  two  or  three  outer  tail  feathers  with  subterniinal 
white  patches ;  under  parts  white,  chin  usually  black  and 
sides  heavily  streaked  with  black.  Adult  female  in  spring  and 
summer  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  dull  olive  green,  streaked 
with  black  ;  wing  bars  tinged  with  yellow  ;  under  parts  washed 
with  pale  yellowish,  sides  streaked  with  dusky.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  winter:  upper  parts  olive  green  shading  to  gray 
on  upper  tail  coverts  ;  back  and  scapulars,  sometimes  crown 
and  rump,  streaked  with  black  ;  wing  bars  usually  tinged  with  yellow  ; 
superciliary  olive  yellowish  ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  yellowish  ;  sides  and 
flanks  indistinctly  streaked:  belly  white.  Young  in  first  fall  and  iv  inter : 
like  adult  fall  male,  but  under  parts  yellow  except  on  under  tail  coverts ; 
upper  tail  coverts  olive  green  instead  of  gray,  back  less  distinctly  streaked. 
Young,  first  plumage  :  upper  parts  light  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  black 
except  on  rump,  which  is  barred  or  mottled  with  black  ;  under  parts  whitish, 
tinged  w  ith  olive  yellow  in  front,  and  mottled  with  dusky  ;  wings  and  tail  as 
in  winter  birds.  ^lale  :  length  (skins) 4. (t.V.'j.;")].  wing  2.Sl-.'J.0r),tail  1.1)1-2.13. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4..V]-r).00.  wing  2.72-2.9"),  tail  1.77-2.01.  bill  .::55-.48. 

Distribution. — Breeds  from  northern  New  England  and  the  Catskill 
Mountains  west  to  the  Ifocky  Mountains  and  north  to  Hudson  Bay  and 
Alaska  ;  migrates  Avest  to  New  Mexico,  Colorado,  and  Montana,  and  south 
to  northern  ISonth  America,  through  West  Indies  ;  not  recorded  from  Mex- 
ico or  Central  America ;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

Nest.  —  On  lower  branches  of  coniferous  trees,  in  the  north  often  on  the 
ground  ;  bulky,  warmly  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs  :  usually  4.  white, 
creamy,  or  buffy.  spotted  or  blotched,  often  wreathed  with  brown  and  lilac 
gray. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  eastern  black-poll,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  comes  regularly,  but  in 
small  numbers,  west  to  the  Rocky  jNIountains,  occasionally  being 
common  during  migrations  both  on  the  plains  and  at  the  base  of 
the  foothills.  There  is  one  breeding  record  for  Seven  Lakes,  near 
:Maiiitou,  Colorado,  at  an  altitude  of  11,000  feet. 

662.  Dendroica  blackburniae  {(imel.).  BL.\rKHrHNiAN  W.vu- 
r.Li.i{. 
^Idult  male  in  .^iprmg  and  summer.  —  Throat  brillant  orange  yellow;  rest 
of  under  parts  pale  yellowish;  sides  streaked  with  black; 
crown  })lack  with  yellow  or  or.mge  ])atch  ;  superciliary  yel- 
low or  oiange  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  lihick.  streaked  witli  wliite 
on  back  :  w  ings  with  l)ioa(l  white  p.itch  ;  tail  with  three  outer 
featliers  white  excej)t  sliafts  and  tips.  Adult  female  :  similar,  ^''K-  -'»-''<'■ 
but  black  replaced  hy  olive  brown,  streaked  ;  oi.ange  replaced  by  yellow; 
wings  :ind  tail  duller,  white  markings  restricted.  Young  male  in  Jirst  fall 
and  u-inti  r  :  like  adidt  female,  but  \Nithout  yellow  spot  on  crown;  yellow 
of  throat  .-ind  ehest  ])aler.  Vaitng  Ji  malt  in  frst  fall  and  winter  :  similar 
to  adult  female,  hut  upper  parts  lirowner.  sfn-aks  less  distiut-t  ;  white 
markings  restricted;  under  parts  bully;  thro;it  sometimes  i>ale  huffy; 
streaks  on  sides  dull  brownish.  Y'tung,  first  plumagv :  upper  parts  brown, 
middle  of  crown  lighter ;  back  and  rumj)  incHstinctly  streaked  ;  supercil- 
iary stripe  and   throat   pale  bulfy  ;  chest  darker,  faintly  spotte<l  :   ri'st   of 


>ellow  ;  rest 


418  WOOD   WARBLERS 

under  parts  white,  sides  spotted  ;  wing-  and  tail  as  in  fall  birds,  but  wing 
bars  brownish  buff.  Male :  leno-th  (skins)  4.40-4.70,  wing  2.57-2.73,  tail 
1.83-1.94,  bill  .37-.41.  Female)  length  (skins)  4.25-4.60,  wing  2.48-2.58, 
tail  1.82-1.87,  bill  .38. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  may  be  distinguished  by  buffy  superciliary  and 
throat. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  of  the  southern 
British  Provinces,  northeastern  United  States,  and  mountain  regions  south  ; 
casually  to  Utah,  western  Texas,  and  New  Mexico ;  migrates  to  the  Ba- 
hamas, and  through  eastern  Mexico  to  South  America ;  accidental  in 
Greenland. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreen  trees,  bulky,  composed  of  downy  materials,  espe- 
cially cat-tail  down,  lined  with  fine  lichens,  and  horsehairs.  JEggs  :  4  or  5, 
greenish  white  or  pale  bluish  green,  speckled  or  spotted  chiefly  on  or 
around  larger  end  with  brown,  reddish  brown,  or  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

664.  Dendroica  gracise   Baird.     Grace  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Superciliary.,  spot  on  lower  lid,  throat 
and  chest  bright  yellow ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  streaked  with  black  ; 
upper  j)arts  including  ear  coverts  and  sides  of  neck  ash  gray ;  crown  and 
back  narrowly  streaked  with  black ;  Avings  with  two  white  bands  ;  two 
outer  tail  feathers  largely  white  on  inner  webs.  Ad^dt  female  in  spring  and 
summer:  like  male,  but  duller,  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with  brown, 
black  streaks  indistinct,  wing  bars  narrower,  yellow  paler,  white  of  under 
parts  duller.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter  :  upper  parts  slightly  tinged 
with  brown,  streakings  on  back  more  or  less  concealed ;  under  parts 
brownish  buffy.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  icinter  :  like  winter  male,  but 
washed  with  olive  brown  above,  wing  bars  brownish  buff,  and  white  of 
under  parts  strongly  buffy.  Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  upper 
parts  strongly  tinged  with  brown,  black  streaks  on  back  concealed,  and 
flanks  strongly  brownish  buff.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  colors 
duller,  streaking  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.33-4. (iO, 
wing  2.52-2.60,  tail  1.85-1.97,  bill  .39.  Female  :  length  (skins)  4.45-4.53, 
wing  2.37-2.44,  tail  1.81-1.85,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  United  States  and  adjacent  parts  of  north- 
western Mexico,  breeding  from  Colorado  to  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  Mexico  ; 
casual  in  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  By  two  specimens,  in  pines,  50  to  60  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  vegetable  fibers,  straws,  and  horsehair ;  also,  in  one  case,  strings, 
oak  catkins,  bud  scales,  wool,  vegetable  down,  and  insect  webbing.  Eggs  : 
3  or  4,  white,  lightly  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

The  Grace  warblers  are  bii'ds  of  the  coniferous  forests  of  the  south- 
western mountains.  In  the  Guadalupe  Mountains,  Texas,  we  met 
a  small  flock  of  them  passing  through  the  pines  at  about  8000  feet. 

665.  Dendroica  nigrescens    (Toivns.).     Black-throated   Gray 

Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.—.  Whole  head,  throat,  and  chest  black, 
except  for  white  streaks  on  side  of  head  and  along  throat,  and  bright  yellow 
spot  over  lores ;  breast  and  belly  pure  white ;  sides  streaked  with  black ; 
back  gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  black  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ; 
tail  with  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers  mainly  white.  Adxilt  female 
in  spring  and  summer :   similar,  but  colors  duller ;  crown  usually  gray, 


WOOD   WARBLERS  419 

streaked  with  black  ;  black  of  throat  largely  mixed  with  white.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  icinter :  like  summer  male,  but  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with 
brown,  and  black  markings  restricted,  some- 
times nearly  obsolete.  Adult  female  in  fall 
and  winter:  like  summer  male,  but  plumage 
softer  and  streaks  on  back  and  upper  tail 
coverts  obsolete  or  wanting-.  Yotut'j  male  in 
Jirst  fall  and  winter:  like  adult  winter  male, 
but  gray  of  upper  parts  browner ;  crown 
brownish  g'ray  except  on  front  and  sides ; 
streaks  on  back  and  upper  tail  coverts  ob- 
solete or  concealed ;  black  of  throat  with 
white  tips  to  feathers ;  white  of  under  parts  ^'S-  5-i8.  Black-throated  Gray 
ting-ed  with  yellowish.      Young  female  in  Jirst  ^^    ^^' 

fall  and  winter :  entire  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  crown  bordered  with 
dusky  ;  white  of  under  parts  strongly  tinged  with  brown.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.18-4.(;5,  wing  2.o.j-2.(J2.  tail  1.92-2.17,  bill  .o2-.;;n.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.21-4.80,  wing-  2.1o-2.47,  tail  1.85-2.01,  bill  .oo-.38. 

Kemarka.  —  The  yellow  spot  over  lores  is  diagnostic. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  ISonoran  zones  from 
British  Columbia  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Arizona,  and  from 
Colorado  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  migrates  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Low  down  in  dense  thickets  of  scrub  oak,  or  high  up  in  pines, 
compact,  cup-shaped,  like  that  of  D.  (estiva,  made  of  gray  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  feathers.  Eygs :  -']  or  4,  white,  tinged  with  pink  or  cream, 
spotted  on  or  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray, 
usually  mixed  with  a  few  darker  specks. 

Food.  —  Frequently  green  caterpillars. 

The  quiet  little  black-throated  gray  warbler  is  a  restful  contrast  to 
the  whirligig-  of  perpetual  motion,  the  omnipresent  Audubon  warbler 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  seems  to  be  especially  a  bird  of  Transition 
low  growth,  such  as  scrub  oaks,  piiions.  junipers,  and  manzanitas. 

Along  the  North  Fork  of  the  Yuba  River  in  the  Sierra  we  found 
it  singing  in  the  bushes  along  the  road,  and  in  the  junipers  on  a 
hillside  near  camp.  Its  song  is  a  simple  warbler  lay.  zce-ce-zec-ce. 
ze,  ze,  ze,  with  the  quiet  woodsy  (juality  of  vircnn  and  rtrrfilc.'icfnu. 
so  soothing  to  the  ear. 

666.   Dendroica   chrysoparia  >v/.  ,\-  s,dr.    (toi-pfn-i  hkkkkd 
Warki.kr. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  I'pper  parts  and  tlii-oat  black,  njiper 
parts  sometimes  tinged  with  olive  green  ; 
sides  of  head  bright  i/ellow.  interrupted  bi/ 
narrow  black  streak-  through  ei/e :  fori'hcad 
usually  witli  yellow  spot  or  streak  :  lirt'.-ist 
and  belly  white,  sides  streaked  with  bl.iek  : 
wings  an«l  tail  Idaek.  wings  with  two  uliite 
hands  and  tail  with  three  onter  pairs  of 
feathers  with  inner  web  largely  white. 
Adult  female  in   spring  and   summi  r  :  like  ...      .., 

summer  male.  l)nt  u])per  jiarts  olive  green, 
imlistinctly  streaked ;  throat    yellowish,    black    showing    through 


420  WOOD   WARBLERS 

unci  tail  duller,  wing-  bands  narrower.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter : 
like  summer  male,  but  feathers  of  black  throat  patch  edged  with  white  or 
yellowish.  Young  male  in  Jirst  fall  and  ivinter  :  like  adult  fall  male,  but 
upper  parts  streaked  with  olive  green  and  black,  upper  tail  coverts  edg-ed 
with  olive  green  and  gray,  wings  and  tail  duller,  wing  bars  with  black 
shaft  streaks.  Young  female  in  Jirst  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  female, 
but  upper  parts  plain  olive  green,  or  indistinctly  streaked ;  throat  and 
chest  grayish,  throat  tinged  with  yellow ;  sides  and  flanks  indistinctly 
streaked  with  dusky.  Young,  frst  plumage  :  upper  parts  grayish  brown 
or  brownish  gray ;  sides  of  head,  throat,  chest,  and  sides  pale  brownish 
gray  ;  rest  of  under  parts  whitish,  breast  indistinctly  streaked  ;  wings  and 
tail  like  adults,  but  wing  coverts  with  dark  mesial  wedge-shaped  marks. 
Male  :  length  (skins)  4.61-4.84.  wing  2.45-2.58,  tail  2.04-2.15,  bill  .:](5- 
.40.  Female  :  length  (skins)  4.57-4.92,  wing  2.28-2.43,  tail  1.87-2.05,  bill 
.38-.42. 

Rejnarls.  —  The  black  eye  line  through  the  bright  yellow  cheeks  marks 
both  sexes  of  the  golden-cheeked  warbler. 

Distribution.  —  From  western,  central,  and  southern  Texas  south  to 
Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  red  cedars,  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground,  between 
upright  branches  ;  made  of  strips  of  inner  cedar  bark  fastened  Avith  web 
and  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  lavender. 

The  golden-cheeked  warbler  is  said  to  be  common  among  the  juni- 
pers or  'cedar  brakes,'  as  they  are  called  locally,  in  central  Texas. 
It  is  said  to  be  always  on  the  alert  for  insects,  hunting  over  the 
branches  and  occasionally  darting  out  for  a  passing  insect.  The 
song  of  the  male  is  given  as  tserr  iceasy-iceasy  tweali. 

667.  Dendroica  virens  (Gmel.).     Black-throated  Green  War- 
bler. 
Adult   male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Throat    and   chest    black,   sides 
streaked  witli   black  ;  rest  of   under  ]mrts  white  or  yellowish 
white  ;  forehead  sometimes  with  yellow  spot ;  sides  of  head 
bright  yellow,  olive  streak  through  eye ;  upper  parts  bright  olive 
green  ;  back  sometimes  narrowly  streaked  with  black ;  wings 
with  two  M'hite  bars,  tail  with  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feath- 
Fis?.  530.       ers  mainly  white.     Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer  :  similar 
to  male,  but  black  of  throat  and  chest  obscured  by  yellowish,  and  whitish 
tips  to  feathers.      Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  female, 
but  olive  green  of  upper  parts  and  yellow  of  sides  of  head  brighter,  and 
under  parts  yellower.     Male:  length    (skins)   4.33-4.72,  wing  2.40-2.52, 
tail  1.77-1.03",  bill  .35-.39.     Female:  length  (skins)  4.10-4.53,  wing  2.28- 
2.40,  tail  1.77-1.85,  bill  .35-.43. 

Eemarhs.  —  The  bright  olive  green  upper  parts  and  whitish  belly  dis- 
tinguish virens  in  all  plumages. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  to  northern  Illinois  and  Connecticut,  and  along  the  Alleghanies  south 
to  South  Carolina  ;  migrates  to  Cuba  and  through  western  Texas  and 
Mexico  to  Central  America  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  usually  at  considerable  height,  made  of  strips 
of  bark,  plant  stems,  leaves,  twigs,  and  feathers,  lined  with  hair  and  plant 
down.     Eggs :  usually  4,  white  or  creamy,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and 
lilac  gray,  mixed  with  a  few  darker  specks. 
Food,  —  Largely  leaf  worms,  spiders,  beetles,  and  flies. 


WOOD   WARBLERS 


421 


668.  Dendroica  townsendi  (Toiois.).    Townsend  Wakblek. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  — Head  and  throat  black,  except  for 
brig-ht  yellow  superciliary  and  malar  streak 
bordering'  throat  ;  breast  bright  yellow  fading- 
to  white  on  middle  of  belly  ;  sides  streaked 
with  black ;  back  brig-ht  olive  green,  -with 
black  arrow-point  streaks ;  wings  and  tail 
blackisli,  wing-  with  two  white  bars,  tail  with 
inner  webs  of  three  lateral  feathers  white  at 
ends.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer  : 
like  winter  male,  but  black  streaking-  of 
upper  parts  and  sides  restricted  or  obsolete ; 
crown  sometimes  blackish  ;  throat  often  blotched  with  black.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  winter  :  like  summer  male,  but  black  obscured  ;  crown  and  hind 
neck  with  olive  green  edges  to  feathers;  cheek  patch  with  olive  green  tips 
to  feathers ;  throat  lemon  yellow  ;  chest  and  sides  spotted  with  black. 
Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter :  like  summer  female,  but  upper  parts 
slig'htly  brownish,  streaks  indistinct ;  sides  and  flanks  brownish.  Young 
male  in  first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  winter  male,  but  streaks  on  crown 
and  back  obsolete,  and  yellow  of  throat  paler.  Young  female  in  first  fall 
and  winter :  like  adult  fall  female,  but  vellow  paler,  and  marking-s  less 
distinct.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.21-4.80,  wing-  2.5(5-2.72,  tail  1.89-2.01, 
bill  .82-.;35.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.25-4.92,  wing-  2.48-2.00,  tail  1.98- 
1.97,  bill. :]2-.89. 

Remarks.  —  The  wide  band  of  black  or  olive  on  the  sides  of  the  head, 
g^reen  back  and  bright  yellow  breast,  are  enough  to  distinguish  townsendi 
in  any  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  western  North 
America  north  to  Sitka  and  east  to  Oregon  and  Idaho  ;  migrates  to  Col- 
orado, western  Texas,  and  south  to  Guatemala  ;  accidental  in  Pennsylvania. 

Nest.  —  Attributed  to  townsendi  by  Bendire.  in  willows,  about  4  feet 
from  the  ground,  made  of  rotten  plant  fibers  and  roots,  lined  with  rootlets, 
hair,  and  plant  down.  Eggs  :  o,  pinkish  white,  spotted  mainly  about  the 
larger  end  with  brown,  lavender,  and  dark  amber. 

The  Townsend  warbler  is  a  difficult  bird  to  study,  as  it  affects  the 
tops  of  lofty  firs  and  spruces,  hurrying  from  one  to  the  other  in 
what  may  well  appear  unseemly  haste  to  the  observer  below. 

Dr.  ^Merrill  ascribes  to  it  a  virens-Wke  drawled  dee' -dee' -dec' -d?  de. 


669.  Dendroica  OCCidentalis  (Towns.).     IIekmit  Warbler. 

Adult  nude  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  bright  yellow, 
erown  spotted  with  black,  occiput  usually  mainly  or  wholly  black ;  throat 
black ;  re.st  of  under  parts  white,  some- 
times streaked  on  sides  ;  hind  neck  streaked 
black  and  olive  green  ;  rest  (»f  upper  parts 
gray,  tinged  with  olive  green  and  streaked 
with  black;  wings  and  tail  black,  wings 
crossed  by  two  white  bands  ;  tail  with  two 
outer  pairs  of  feathers  l.irgely  white.  Adult 
female  in  sirring  and  summer:  like  winter 
male,  but  forehead  and  crown  largely  yel- 
low ;  streaks  on  back  restricted  ;  body  less 
brownish ;    throat    and    chest    often    with 


Fig  :^i 


422  WOOD   WARBLERS 

dusky  patch.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter:  like  summer  male,  but  yel- 
low of  crown  and  occiput  obscured  by  olive  tips  to  feathers,  black  streaks 
of  back  obscured  by  grayish  edges  to  feathers,  and  black  throat  patch 
with  whitish  tips.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter :  upper  parts  plain 
grayish  olive,  crown  with  traces  of  yellow ;  under  parts  brownish  white, 
throat  and  chest  with  feathers  dusky  below  the  surface.  Young  male  in 
first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  fall  male,  but  crown  olive  g-reen,  back 
more  olive,  streaking  concealed  or  obsolete  ;  sides  of  head  paler  yellow 
washed  with  olive  ;  throat  and  chest  whitish  or  yellowish,  feathers  black 
imder  the  surface  ;  rest  of  under  parts  soiled  white  ;  sides  and  Hanks 
tinged  with  olive  brown.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.41-4.80,  wing-  2.48-2.72, 
tail  1.93-2.05,  bill  .8T-.43.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.37-4.72,  wing-  2.44- 
2.48,  tail  1.83-2.01,  bill  .35-.39. 

Remarks.  —  The  adult  males  of  this  group  of  warblers  may  be  distin- 
guished by  the  color  pattern  of  the  side  of  the  head.  In  the  hermit  it  is 
plain  yellow  ;  in  the  black-throated  green,  crossed  by  an  olive  eye  streak  : 
in  the  yellow-cheeked,  by  a  narrow  black  streak ;  and  in  the  Townsend 
by  a  wide  black  band  between  superciliary  and  malar  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  high  mountains  from  British  Columbia  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  from  the  Pacific  coast  district  of  the  United  States  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  migrates  to  Lower  California,  Mexico,  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  made  of  weed  stems  and  pine  needles,  bound 
by  cobwebs  and  woolly  materials,  and  lined  with  strips  of  cedar  bark. 
Eggs :  dull  white  or  grayish,  spotted  or  blotched  with  lilac  gray  or  browns, 
chiefly  around  larger  end. 

"  The  hermit  warbler  is  a  frequenter  of  the  conifers,  althougb.it 
feeds  in  the  bushes  and  black  oaks  in  common  with  other  species. 
Its  song  is  different  from  that  of  any  other  Sierra  warbler,  and  seems 
well  represented  by  the  words  zeegle-zeegle-zeegle-zeek,  which  I  borrow 
from  Mr.  Bowles,  of  Waldo,  Oregon.  At  close  range  the  song  of 
the  hermit  warbler  appears  weak  rather  than  otherwise,  yet  at  Fyffe 
I  was  impressed  with  its  penetration.  The  bird  will  often  mount  to 
the  higher  branches  of  the  conifers  by  successive  hops,  much  after 
the  manner  of  the  blue-fronted  jay."     (Barlow.) 

672.  Dendroica  palmarum  (Gmel.).     Palm  Warbler. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  chestnut,  bordered  by  yellow  superciliary  ; 
back  olive  or  brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  darker  and  becoming  olive 
g-reen  on  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  ;  two  outer  tail  feathers  with  large 
terminal  spots  of  white  ;  throat,  breast,  and  under  tail  coverts  light  yellow  ; 
chest,  and  sometimes  sides  of  throat,  more  or  less  streaked ;  belly  whitish, 
more  or  less  mixed  with  yellowish.  Adults  in  winter  :  chestnut  of  crown 
obscured  or  concealed  ;  throat  and  chest  whitish  instead  of  yellowish. 
Young  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  browner,  supercil- 
iary less  distinct,  and  markings  of  under  parts  more  suffused.  Length : 
4.50-,5.50.  wing  2.52,  tail  2.24. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  north  to  Fort  Churchill, 
Hudson  Bay,  and  Great  Slave  Lake ;  migrates  through  the  Mississippi 
valley,  wintering-  in  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states,  the  West  Indies, 
and  eastern  Mexico  ;  accidental  at  Denver,  Colorado,  and  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  California. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  g-rass,  strips  of  bark,  and  moss,  lined 


WOOD   WARBLERS  423 

with   down   and   feathers.      Eggs :    yellowish    or    creamy  white,  spotted 
chiefly  around  the  larger  end  Avith  brown  and  purple. 

GENUS    SEIURUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  Avith  rictal  bristles  short,  but  evident ;  wings 
pointed,  much  longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearly  even  ;  tarsus  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Crown  with  orange  brown  patch  inclosed  by  blackish  stripes. 

aurocapillus.  p.  423. 
1'.  Crown  plain  brown  like  back notabilis,  p.  A'l'A. 

674.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  (Linn.).     Oven-bird. 

Adults. —  Crown  irith  orange  broivn  patch  bordered  by  tiro  blac/cish  stripes  ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  olive  green  ;  under  parts  white,  streaked 
with  blackish  across  breast  and  on  sides.  In  winter,  colors 
rather  brighter.  Young  :  crown  without  stripes,  back  deep 
brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  blackish  ;  under  parts  strong 
buffv,  with  narrow  lines  of  blackish.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.00-5.(35.  wing  2.79-3.11,  tail  2.05-2.28,  bill  .44-.49.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4.90-5.45,  wing  2.75-3.11.  tail  1.90- 
2.34,  bill  .4.5-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  northwest  to  Alaska 
and  from  the  Arctic  Circle  to  Virginia  and  southern  Kansas ;  west  to  the 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  in  southern  Florida,  the  West  Indies, 
and  southern  Mexico  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  dry  woods  imbedded  in  ground,  made  of  dry  leaves  usually 
roofed  over,  the  entrance  on  one  side.  £ggs  :  3  to  0,  white  or  creamy, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

675a.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  notabilis  (Ridgw.).    Grin- 

NELL    WaTEK-THRUSH. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  sooty  olive  brown ;  superciliary  dingy  white ; 
stripe  through  eye  dark  brown  ;  under  parts  usually  white  with  little  if 
any  yellow  tinge  ;  throat  finely,  and  breast  and 
sides  liroadly  stieaked  with  blackish.  Young  : 
like  adults,  but  streaks  on  under  parts  le.ss  dis- 
tinct, and  feathers  of  upper  parts  tipi^ed  with 
light  fulvous,   producing  a   spotted   appearance.  '^'  "'' 

Male:  length  (skins)   5. 14-5.S4,  wing  2.90-3.20.  tail  2.00-2.25.  bill  .49-.t)3. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  5.()1-5.«)1>,  wing  2.8S-3. 11.  tail  1.02-2.28.  bill  A^-.'A\. 

l)istril)nti<)n.  —  From  Alaska  and  Ijritish  America  (Fort  Churchill)  south 
to  Mexico,  and  from  Illinois  west  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  winteis  from  the 
southern  border  of  the  United  States  south  to  Lower  California,  Mexico, 
and  northern  Soutli  America. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  in  wet  woods  or  on  bordei-s  of  swamps ; 
made  of  mo.ss  and  grass,  .sometimes  lined  with  fur.  Eggs :  3  to  C,  white, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

The  GrinncU  watcr-lhrusli.  like  the  dtlicr  wuter-thriishes,  is  a  soli- 
tary hird  walking  (|iii('tly  (jvit  tlio  banks  of  forest  l)rooks  or  wading 
in  their  shallows  tilting  its  tail  like  a  pipit.  When  its  emotions  are 
stirred,  it  bursts  forth  into  a  loud  nuisieal  song. 


424  WOOD    WARBLERS 

GENUS    GEOTHLYPIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  its  greatest  depth  less  than  half  the 
distance  from  nostril  to  tip  ;  tail  rounded  or  graduated,  or  with  basal  two 
thirds  hidden  hj  coverts. 

KEY    TO   ADULT    SPRING   MALES. 

1.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  graj . 

2.  Lores  black ;  a  distinct  white  spot  on  each  eyelid.     Western. 

tolmiei,  p.  424. 
2'.  Lores  not  black  ;  a  continuous  white  orbital  ring-.     Eastern. 

agilis,  p.  424. 
r.Head,  neck,  and  chest  mainly  yellow ;  sides  of  head  black. 

2.  Bill  slender,  its  greatest  depth  much  less  than  half  its  length  from 
nostril. 
3,  Larger,  with  wider  frontal  band  .     .     .     occidentalis,  p.  425. 
3'.  Smaller,  with  narrower  frontal  band.     Pacific  coast  region. 

arizela,  p.  426. 

2'.  Bill  very  stout,  its  greatest  depth  much  more  than  half  its  length 

from  nostril.     Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas .     .     .     ralphi,  p.  426. 

Subgenus  Oporornis. 

Wings  pointed,  longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearly  even,  more  than  basal  half 
concealed  by  coverts. 

678.  Geothlypis  agilis  {Wils.).    Connecticut  Wakbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  ash  gray  ; 
eye  with  conspicuous  w  hite  ring ;  gray  of  chest  sharply  contrasting  with 
yellow  of  under  parts  ;  sides  and  flanks  olive  green  ;  back  dark  olive  green. 
Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  similar,  but  top  of  head  uniform  with 
back ;  throat  and  breast  brownish.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  icinter :  like 
summer  male,  but  gray  of  forehead  and  crown  tinged  with  brown,  and 
feathers  of  throat  and  chest  tipped  with  paler.  Young  male  in  fr si  fall 
and  winter  :  like  adult  female,  but  crown  brownish  olive,  and  chest  darker, 
more  olivaceous.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter:  like  young  male, 
but  smaller,  and  with  throat  and  chest  more  strongly  tinged  w^ith  brownish 
buffy.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.42,  wing  2.79-2.97,  tail  1.84-2.08,  bill 
.45-.49.  Female  :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.81,  wing  2.65-2.83,  tail  1.84-1.94, 
bill  .46-47. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in  Manitoba  and  Onta- 
rio ;  migrating  to  northern  South  America  ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  swampy , woods  ;  very  compact.  Eggs  :  4,  white  or 
creamy,  spotted  with  lilac  gray  and  shades  of  brown. 

Subgenus  Geothlypis. 
Wings  short  and  much  rounded ;  tail  rounded. 

680.  Geothlypis  tolmiei  (Towns.).    Macgillivray  Warbler. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  sximmer.  —  Head,  throat,  and  breast  slate  gray  ; 
tlu'oat  feathers  edged  with  ash;  rest  of  under  parts  yellow;  lores  deep 
black  ;  eyelids  with  distinct  white  spots  ;  back  olive  green,  sometimes 
tinged  with  gray.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer:  like  adult  male, 
but  crown,  hind  neck,  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  mouse  gray,  fading  to 
pale  grayish  or  grayish  white  on  throat  and  breast.     Adult  male  in  fall 


WOOD   WARBLERS  425 

and  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  feathers  of  crown  and  hind  neck  tipped 

with  brown  and  lig-ht  edges   of   feathers  on 

throat  and  chest  broader,  sometimes  almost 

concealing-   black  centers.      Adult  female   in 

fall  and   icinter :  like  summer   female,   but 

plumage  softer,  and  sides  of  throat  and  chest 

more  grayish.    Young  female  in  Jirst  autumn: 

like  fall  adult   female,  but  crown  and  hind 

neck  like  back  instead  of  gray,  throat  and 

chest  yellowish  instead  of  grayish ;  marks  on 

eyelids  yellowish,  and  streak  over  lores  pale 

yellow.       Male :    lernith    (skins)    4.67-5.44. 

wing-  2.34-2.5(5,  tail  2.08-2.48,  bill   .4;]-.4(l 

Female:  length  (skins)  4.63-5.04, -wing- 2. 15-  „.     ....      ..      ....      ,  w„.ki^« 

2.36,  tail  1.1)1-2.28.  bill  .42-.48.  ''^•'""     ^^I''^-S'll--y  Warbler. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  British  Columbia  and  western  United  States, 
from  the  eastern  foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific  coast 
rang-es ;  winters  in  Lower  California  and  Mexico,  and  from  Central  Amer- 
ica to  Colombia. 

Nest.  —  Near  ground  in  clumps  of  weeds  or  bushes,  often  in  open  places 
in  mountains,  made  of  dried  grasses  lined  with  finer  grass,  and  sometimes 
horsehair.  Eggs  :  3,  white  or  buffy.  speckled  on  larger  end  with  dark 
brown  and  lilac  gray,  with  a  few  j)en  lines  and  rusty  stains. 

The  Macgillivray  warbler  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  western  war- 
blers, frequenting  chaparral  and  underbrush  especially  near  water, 
from  the  lower  levels  to  the  high  mountains,  and  the  appearance  of 
a  little  gray  head  peering  out  shyly  from  the  bushes  becomes  a  pleas- 
antly familiar  mountain  sight. 

681a.   Geothlypis  trichas  occidentalis  Brewst.     Western 
Yellow-throat.i 
Adult  male.  —  Forehead  and  sides  of  head  black,  bordered   above  with 
white,  sometimes   tinged  with   yellow ;    rest    of    upper   parts    plain   olive 
green  ;  under  parts  deep  yellow.     In  win- 
ter,   washed  with  brown.      Adult  female  : 
without  black,  ashy,  or  white  ;  upper  parts 
olive    brown,    often    tinged    with    reddish 
brown  on  crown,  greenish  on  tail ;    under 
parts    pale    yellowish    or   yellowish    white. 
Young  nude  in  frst  irinter  :   like  adult,  but 
black    mask    less  distinct.       M(de :   length 
(.skins)  4.53-5.(10,  win*;-  2.i7-2.;',6,  tail  2.01- 
2.22.  bill  .4;;-.4T.      Female  :  length  (skins) 
4.3:;-4.7(J,  wing   2.05-2.15,   tail    1.03-2.09, 
bill  .41 -.43. 

I  (;t'(,thhii>is  Irichas  scirpicold  Griiinell.     Tule  Yem.ow-thhoat. 

Like  iirriilnifiilis,  but  briKbtcr  colored  and  liir^rer.  witli  loiii:er  tail. 

IHstrihntinu.  —  Reaideut  in  fresh  water  tule  beds  along  coast  of  soutliern  California. 
{The  Ciniilnr.  iii.  (J.").) 

(irol/ilj//, is  Irir/iit.i  .titiiin.ia  GrinneU.     Salt  Marsh  Yem.ow-thkoat. 

Like  otriiliiit'tlix,  but  anialler,  and  back  and  sides  darker. 

I)i.s(rihii(it)U.  —  Resident  about  .salt  marshea  of  San  Franci.sco  H.iy  and  vicinity.  {The 
Condor,  iii.  (m.) 


426  WOOD   WARBLERS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  to  Arizona,  and  from  the 
Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascades ;  migrates  to  Central 
America. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  supported  by  weed  or  sedge  stalks, 
deeply  cup  shaped,  usually  with  a  thick  foundation  of  grass  or  leaves,  some- 
times lined  with  hair.  Eggs  :  often  4,  white,  finely  speckled  on  larger  end 
with  dark  brown  and  black,  sometimes  with  a  few  larger  spots  or  lines. 

The  yellow-throats  are  found  in  damp  brushy  thickets,  swampy 
patches  of  rank  vegetable  growths,  and  tule  marshes.  As  they 
clamber  over  the  stalks  the  little  yellow  birds  stop  to  raise  their  odd 
black-masked  heads,  and  sing  out  a  loud  penetrating,  ringing  wreech- 
ity,  wreech-ity,  wreech-ity,  wreecli-ity,  which  varies  greatly  with  the 
individual.  In  addition  to  this  ordinary  song  they  have  an  impas- 
sioned love-song  which  they  give  in  air  with  something  of  the  excited 
posturing  of  the  chat. 

The  songs  of  the  males  are  as  conspicuous  as  their  coats,  and  they 
look  out  from  their  thickets  upon  passers-by  with  mild  interest,  but 
their  mates,  with  only  the  family  chack  and  plain  dull  yellowish  coats 
are  timid  little  creatures,  and  if  they  accidentally  come  to  the  edge 
of  their  bush  when  you  are  by,  slip  back  out  of  sight  in  a  trice. 

681c.  G.  t.  arizela  Oh&rlx.    Pacific  Yellow-throat. 

Similar  to  occidentalis.,  but  smaller,  and  with  smaller  bill,  shorter  wing 
and  tail,  duller  coloration,  and  white  band  on  head  narrower ;  yellow  of 
under  parts  less  orange.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.49-4.92,  wing  2.07-2.28, 
tail  1.94-2.24,  bill  .39-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.25-4.72,  wing  2.00- 
2.08,  tail  1.89-1.97,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  British  Columbia  to  northern 
Lower  California,  east  to  the  Cascades  and  the  Sierra  Nevada ;  south  in 
winter  through  Lower  California  and  western  Mexico. 

Subgenus  Chamaethlypis. 

682.1.  Geothlypis  poliocephala  ralphi  Bidgw.  Rio  Grande 
Yellow-throat. 

Adult  male. — Lores  black;  top  of  head  bluish  gray;  rest  of  upper 
parts  olive  green,  tinged  with  gray,  especially  on  tail ;  under  parts  yellow, 
becoming  buffy  whitish  on  belly  and  anal  region.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.16-5.63,  wing  2.17-2.44,  tail  2.20-2.64,  bill  .39-.47.  Female:  leng-th 
(skins)  5.00-5.31,  wing  2.00-2.16,  tail  2.17-2.36,  bill  .43-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  in  Texas. 

GENUS    ICTERIA. 

683a.  Icteria  virens  longicauda  (iawr.).    Long-tailed  Chat. 

Bill  curved,  stout,  higher  than  broad  at  nostrils,  without  notch  or  bris- 
tles ;  wings  much  rounded ;  tail  long,  feet 
stout ;  outside  of  tarsus  almost  without 
scales  ;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  with  claw,  its  scutella  indistinct  or 
*'»■  '^^'-  obsolete  on  outer  side.    Adults :  throat  and 

breast  vivid  yellow  ;  belly  white ;  upper  parts  olive  gray  ;  superciliary, 


WOOD   WARBLERS  427 

orbital  ring-,  and  malar  stripe,  white ;  lores,  and  line  under  eye  black. 
Young :  upper  parts  olive  ;  lores  gray  instead  of  black ;  throat  whitish, 
chest,  sides,  and  flanks  g-ravish  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  6.26-7.28,  wing;  2.95-3.31,  tail  3.01-3.39,  bill  .53-.59.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.38-6.97,  wing-  2.87-3.15,  tail  2.S3-3.23,  bill  .53-.59. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones,  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico,  and  fronx  the 
Plains  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  breeds  south  to  Valley  of  Mexico  ;  United  States 
birds  mainly  migrate  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  briery  thickets,  made  largely  of  dry  leaves,  strips  of  grape- 
vine bark,  and  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white  or 
pinkish,  spotted  with  gray  and  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Beetles  and  other  insects,  and  berries. 

The  chat's  coming  in  the  spring  is  like  the  arrival  of  a  brass  band. 
In  Farmington,  Utah,  one  May,  when  he  appeared  he  fairly  per- 
vaded the  viUage  —  that  is,  his  voice  did  —  his  yellow-fronted  person 
was  in  sight  just  once,  to  my  best  knowledge.  But  as  you  went  along 
the  streets  he  fairly  shouted  in  your  ears  —  from  inside  dark  thickets 
behind  fences.  And  if  you  appeared  in  front  of  the  bush  on  which 
he  was  singing,  he  would  at  once  raise  his  voice  from  the  next  bush 
behind !  And  so  he  would  lead  you  through  bush  and  briar,  skulk- 
ing out  of  sight  and  crying  as  if  consciously  deriding  your  awkward 
attempts  at  intrusion,  So.^  ho  /  tut -tut -tut-tut -tut -tut -t  ut !  One  of 
his  favorite  amusements  is  to  give  a  w^histle,  as  if  he  were  calling  a 
dog  and  meant  to  be  obeyed.  When  not  whistling,  or  scolding  like 
an  oriole,  calling  like  a  cuckoo,  or  piping  like  a  shrill-voiced  rock 
squirrel,  he  will  bark  like  a  dog. 

The  chat  is  not  only  moved  to  mock  his  neighbors,  but  performs 
in  most  remarkable  manner  in  his  own  proper  person  — in  air.  Mr. 
Torrey  gives  a  good  description  of  chat  antics.  "  I  caught  the  fel- 
low," he  says,  "in  the  midst  of  a  brilliant  display  of  his  clownish 
tricks,  ridiculous,  indescribable.  At  a  little  distance  it  is  hard  to 
believe  that  he  can  be  a  bird,  that  dancing,  shapeless  thing,  bal- 
ancing itself  in  the  air  with  dangling  legs,  and  prancing,  swaying 
motions." 

GENUS  'WILSONIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  more  tlian  half  as  long  as  head,  broad 
and  flattened  at  base  ;  rictal  bristles  distinct ;  wings  pointed,  longer  than 
tail ;  tarsus  decidedly  long«'r  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY    TO    ADULT    MALKS. 

\.  Throat  with  l)la(k  n»^cklace  ;  crown  gray      .     .      canadensis,  p.  428. 
r.  Throat  witliout  black  necklace;  crown  black. 

2.  Ujiper  jKirts  brighter  green,  forehead  often  orange.     Cn'at   Basin  to 

Pacific pileolata.  p.  42S. 

2'.  I' ppcr    p.u-tH    duller  green,   forehead    always   yellow.      Fnim   higlier 
Kocky  Mountains  northeast pusilla,  p.  428. 


428  WOOD   WARBLERS 

685.  Wilsonia  pusilla  {  Wils.).     Wilson  Warbler. 

{Similar  to  pileolata,  but  not  so  bright ;  wings  and  tail  shorter,  bill  broader 

^ggB^  and  darker  colored.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.45,  wing  2.09- 
-^^»,  2.04,  tail  1.83-1.97,  bill  .28-.85.     Female:  length  (skins)  4.10- 

Y^       4.45,  wing  2.0.5-2.17,  tail  1.81-1.95,  bill  .81-.35. 
V  Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  region  and  Lake 

Fig.  538.     Athabasca  south  to  Maine   and  higher  Rocky  Mountains  ;    mi- 
grates to  eastern  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  Imbedded  in  ground  in  swampy  woods,  made  of  leaves  and 
g-rasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses  and  hairs.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  white  or  creamy, 
speckled  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish. 

Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

685a.  W.  p.  pileolata  (Pall.).     Pileolated  Warbler.^ 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  glossy  blue  black  ;  back  bright  yellowish  olive 
g-reen ;  under  parts  vivid  yellow  ;  forehead  often  orange  yellow.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  crown  patch  often  wanting.  Young :  like  adult 
male,  but  black  of  crown  nearly  obscured  by  olive  wash.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.13-4.49,  wing  2.17-2.36,  tail  1.85-2.05,  bill  .28-.35.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.13-4.57,  wing-  2.1.5-2.24,  tail  1.87-1.97,  bill  .30-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Great  Basin  to  the  Pacific,  and  north 
to  Alaska,  migrating  through  western  Texas  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  willow  thickets  and  among  blackberry  vines,  on  or  near  the 
ground,  made  of  willow  leaves,  weed  stems,  and  g-rasses.  Eggs :  2  to  4, 
creamy,  spotted  with  reddish  and  lilac  over  entire  surface  or  around  larg-er 
end. 

Seen  in  migration  when  the  dainty  pileolated  warbler  has  plenty 
of  leisure,  his  airy  ways  are  peculiarly  charming.  He  usually  hunts 
in  low  bushes,  and  as  he  suddenly  appears  through  a  chink  in  the 
dull  chaparral  w^all  the  intense  brilliant  yellow  of  the  little  beauty 
set  off  by  his  shining  jet  black  crown  gives  you  a  thrill  of  surprise 
and  delight. 

He  is  winningly  trustful  and  will  come  close  to  you  and  with 
wings  hanging  turn  his  head  and  look  up  at  you  from  under  his 
jaunty  cap,  then  whip  along  with  a  jerk  of  his  tail.  As  he  goes  he 
stops  to  run  up  a  twig,  leans  down  to  peck  under  a  leaf,  flutters 
under  a  spray  like  a  hummingbird,  and  then  flies  off  singing  his 
happy  song. 

On  his  breeding  grounds  in  the  mountain  meadows  when  feeding 
young  he  has  much  to  occupy  his  mind,  and  flies  back  and  forth 
through  his  willow  thicket  in  a  preoccupied  way,  giving  his  flat 
c7iip  and  inspecting  you  with  an  anxious  parental  air  in  passing. 

686.  Wilsonia  canadensis  (Linn.).    Canadian  Warbler. 
Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  yellow  ;  throat  bordered  by  black  lines,  and 

1  Wilsonia  pusilla  chryseola  Ridgway.     Golden  Pileolated  Warbler. 

JA}^e  pileolata.,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  brighter  colored. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  district  of  United  States  and  British  Columbia,  breeding 
from  British  Columbia  to  southern  California  ;  migrating  to  eastern  Oregon,  Arizona, 
Lower  California,  and  northern  Mexico.     (Birds  oj  North  and  Middle  America,  ii.  714.) 


rii.i  ( II, A  11  1 1  w Akr.i. 


WOOD    WARBLERS  429 

chest  with  necklace  of  black  streaks ;   orbital  ring'   white  or   yellowish ; 

crown  black,  feathers  edged  with  gray ;  rest  of  upper  parts 

g-ray.     Adult  female  and  young  in  fall :  similar,  but  black 

replaced  by  gray  tinged  with  olive.      Young  female :  chest 

markings  sometimes  obsolete.      Young,  first  plumage  :  upper 

parts    brownish,  gray    below    the    surface  ;    wings  with  two 

buffy  bars ;  sides  of  head,   throat,    and  chest   bufipy  brown ; 

rest  of  under  parts  yellow.     Male:  length   (skins)   4.76-5.17.        Fig.  539. 

wing  2.54-2.(14,  tail  2.15-2.26,  bill  .40-44.     Female:  length  Canadian War- 

(skins)  4.57-4.91,  wing  2.38-2.54.  tail  2.00-2.10,  bill  .;J<)-.45.  ^1«^^- 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  of  northeastern  North  America, 
from  Lake  Winnipeg,  Hudson  Bay.  southern  Labrador,  and  Newfoundland 
south  to  southern  New  England,  Wisconsin,  and  the  Alleghanies ;  casually 
to  Colorado  :  winters  from  Mexico  south  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  clumps  of  weeds  or  tussocks  of  grass  in  swampy  woods,  made 
of  leaves  and  lined  witli  pine  needles,  rootlets,  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  o  to 
5,  white  or  buffy  white,  spotted  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brow^n  and 
lilac,  usually  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks  or  pen  lines. 

GENUS    SETOPHAGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  head,  much  depressed, 
broad  at  base,  sharply  ridged  for  basal  half  or  more,  straight,  decurved  at 
tip ;  rictal  bristles  reaching  beyond  nostrils ;  wings  pointed,  tail  long-  and 
fan-shaped,  with  broad  flat  feathers  widening-  at  ends  ;  feet  slender ;  tarsus 
with  scutella  distinct. 

KEY   TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  mainly  white,  with  orange  patches  .  .  ruticilla.  p.  429. 
r.  Under  parts  mainly  dark  rose  red picta,  p.  430. 

687.  Setophaga  ruticilla  (Linn.).    American  Redstart. 

Adult   male.  —  Black  with    bluish   gloss,   except    for   white    belly    and 
under  tail   coverts,   and   salmon    or   orange    patches  on    sides  of    breast, 
wings,  and  tail.     Adult  female :  black  of  male  replaced  by 
grayisli  olive,  and  orange  by  yellow.     Immature  male:  similar 
to  female,  but  smaller,  browner,  and  color  patclies  deeper ; 
after  fir.st  winter  plumage  interspersed  with  black  feathers. 
Immature  feniali' :   like  adult  female,  but  gray  more  brownish, 
throat  and  chest  tinged  with  brownish  buff;  yellow  of  breast         ,,.^^   ..^ 
less  distinct,  and  that  on  wings  partly  or  wholly  concealed.  ''^  ' 

Young,  fr.^t  jdumage :  upper  parts  grayish  brown  ;  under  parts  grayish 
white,  pale  gray  on  chest  ;  breast  w ithout  yellow  ;  wings  and  tail  like 
<)ld<M-  l)irds.  but  witli  two  wbitish  or  vellowi.sh  bands.  .l/a/V  .-  length 
(skin.s)  4.61-5.00,  wing  2.40-2.64.  tail  2.0.V2.2S,  bill"  .2S-.;15.  Female: 
h-ngtb   (skins)  4.41-4.76.  wing  2.2S-2.60.  tail  l.ii;;-2.2S.  bill  .:;i-.;;5. 

Distribution. —  Breeds  from  liritisli  Columbia  and  Fort  Simjjson  to  the 
(iiilf  of  Mexico  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  regularly  to  the  (ireat  I5;isin  ; 
casu.-illy  to  California,  Oregon.  Arizona,  .and  Lower  California;  wiutei-s 
in  the  West  Indies,  and  from  southern  Mexict)  t<)  nortliern  South  Amer- 
ica. 

Nest.  —  Cup-sha])ed.  (•omi)act,  made  largely  of  plant  fibers  and  strips  of 
l)ark  and  web,  7  to  •">'•  feet  from  the  ground.  Kggs  :  ."'.  t()  5,  white,  green- 
ish or  grayish,  spotted  chiefly  around  larger  end  with  brown  and  lilac. 

Food,  —  In.sects. 


■» 


430  WOOD  WARBLERS 

The  American  redstart  is  a  bird  of  the  open  deciduous  woods, 
building  usually  in  saplings.  It  goes  about  its  work  with  drooping 
wings,  its  long  fan-tail  opening  and  shutting  to  show  its  bright  color 
patches  as  it  flashes  about  tumbling  through  the  air  after  insects. 
Of  its  two  characteristic  songs  the  longer  one  is  hurried  and  accented 
at  the  end. 

688.  Setophaga  picta  Swains.     Painted  Redstart, 

Adults.  —  Black,  except  for  red  belly,  white  band  on  wing-  and  white  on 
outer  tail  feathers.  Young,  first  plumage  :  upper  parts  sooty  black  ;  wings 
and  tail  like  adults,  but  white  wing-  patch  tipped  with  buff  ;  under  parts 
sooty  gray,  becoming  white  on  middle  of  belly  ;  breast  spotted  or  streaked 
with  blackish.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.84-5.04,  wing  2.68-2.95,  tail  2.40- 
2.68,  bill  .31-.35.  Female :  length,  (skins)  4.92-5.32,  wing-  2.64-2.76,  tail 
2.36-2.54,  bill  .33-.35. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to 
Mexico,  Vera  Cruz,  Hidalgo,  and  Oaxaca. 

Nest.  —  In  cavities  in  banks  or  among"  rocks,  near  water  ;  made  of  vege- 
table fibers  and  leaves,  and  lined  with  grass  and  hair.  Eggs  :  3  to  4,  white, 
finely  speckled  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac. 

The  red,  white,  and  black  painted  redstarts  frequent  the  evergreen 
oaks  and  the  pines  and  alders  of  the  mountain  ranges  of  southern 
Arizona.  They  are  usually  found  near  springs  and  waterfalls.  In 
motions  they  are  tj^pical  redstarts,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  passing  rapidly 
along  the  branches  of  trees  with  half-shut  wings  and  outspread  tail, 
now  and  then  darting  after  a  passing  fly.  Mr.  H.  O.  Howard  says 
they  may  be  seen  hopping  about  on  mossy  banks  and  stumps  of  large 
trees. 

GENUS    CARDELLINA. 

690.  Cardellina  rubrifrons  (Giraud).     Red-faced  Warbler. 

Bill  not  more  than  half  as  long  as  head,  hig-h  at  base,  curved ;  rictal 
bristles  stiff  ;  wings  long  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  nearly  even  ;  feet  small ; 
tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

Adults.  —  Throat,  forehead,  and  stripe  back  to  nape  bright  red  ;  crown 
black ;  nuchal  patch  and  rump  white ;  rest  of  upper  parts  gray ;  under 
parts  soiled  whitish.  Young  in  first  fall  and  winter :  duller,  black  re- 
placed by  brown  ;  red  paler  ;  white  of  under  parts  and  nuchal  patch  tinged 
with  buffy  or  salmon.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.65-5.32,  wing  2.58-2.78,  tail 
2.24-2.40,  bill  .31-.35.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.45-4.96,  wing-  2.48-2.76, 
tail  2.18-2.40,  bUl  .29-.35. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  south  to  Guate- 
mala. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  under  a  vine  or  bunch  of  grass,  or  near  a  fallen 
log ;  made  largely  of  fine  straws,  rootlets,  strips  of  bark,  leaves,  and  hair. 
Eggs:  4,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  over  the  entire  shell,  most 
thickly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  red-faced  warbler  is  found  on  the  mountains  in  the  southern 
parts  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  among  the  pines  and  spruces.  Its 
habits,  Mr.  HeusUaw  says,  combine  those  of  the  chickad-ees,  red- 


WAGTAILS  431 

starts,  and  otlier  warblers.  Its  favorite  Imnting  places  are  the  tips 
of  spruce  branches,  over  which  it  passes  with  a  quick  motion  and  a 
peculiar  and  constant  side  wise  jerk  of  the  tail.  Mr.  Scott  says  it 
has  a  clear  whistling  song. 

FAMILY   MOTACILLIDiE  :   WAGTAILS. 

GENUS    ANTHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  about  as  wide  as  high  at 
base,  conipressed,  acute,  and  notched  at  tip ;  wings  longer  than  tail. 

KEY    TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Hind  claw  decidedly  longer  than  toe spragueii,  p.  432. 

1.  Hind  claw  about  equal  to  toe pensilvanicus,  p.  4ol. 

Subgenus  AnLhus. 
697.  Anthus  pensilvanicus  {Lath.).  Pipit. 

Hind  claw  about  equal  to  toe.  Adults  in  summer:  upper  parts  gray- 
ish brown,  indistinctly 
-~„  streaked  ;  wing  blackish 
brown,  with  two  bnffy 
wing  bars  and  light  edg- 
ings ;  tail  blackish,  inner 
web  of  outside  feather  largely  white,  second  feather 
tipped  with  white  ;  superciliary  stripe  and  under  parts  ^j     5^,, 

light  buffy,  chin  lighter,  chest  streaked  with    dusky. 
Adults  in  winter :  browner  above,  lighter  below,  streaks  on  breast  usually 
broader.       Young :  similar,  but  washed  with  brown,  and  more   distinctly 
streaked.     Length  :  (')-7.  wiug  ;>.20-8.r)0,  tail  2.6r)-2.8r). 

Distribution.  —  North  America  at  large,  breeding  in  the  higher  parts  of 
the  Kocky  Mountains,  Cascades,  and  subarctic  districts,  wintering  in  the 
Gulf  states,  Nevada,  California,  Mexico,  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  bulky  and  rather  compact,  made  of  dried  mosses 
and  gra.sses.  lined  witli  hair  and  feathex's.  Eggs:  4  to  0,  nearly  imiform 
brown  from  dense  spotting. 

Food.  —  Small  shells,  crustaceans,  insects,  and  small  seeds. 

Flocks  of  these  strange  little  northerners  with  demure  garb,  plain- 
tive voices,  and  the  ways  of  wanderers  are  often  met  abroad  in  the 
land  in  spring  and  fall.  In  some  parts  of  the  dry  country  they  arc 
seen  more  generally  in  the  seasons  of  heavy  rainfall.  They  may  be 
met  in  a  i>loughed  vineyard,  on  a  vacant  city  lot.  or  in  the  open 
country.  If  startled  they  rise  from  the  ground  showing  their  white 
tail  feathers,  with  a  wild  rhrcp  tly  for  a  short  distance,  wheel,  and 
return  to  their  feeding  ground.  The  earth  usually  matches  their 
tints  so  well  that  it  is  dillicult  to  see  them,  thougli  tln'ir  wagging 
iieads  and  tilting  tails  lielj)  to  catch  the  eye. 

Tn  Colorado  the  jupils  nest  above  timberline  at  an  altitude  of  from 
11. (MM)  to  i:{,()0()  feet,  and  in  August  inanv  of  the  birds  wander  to  the 


432  DIPPERS 

tops  of  the  peaks  at  14,000  feet.  In  the  breeding  season  the  males 
have  a  flight  song  similar  to  that  of  the  oven-bird,  often  ascending  a 
hundred  feet  singing  as  they  go,  and  afterwards  dropping  almost 
straight  to  the  ground. 

Subgenus  Neocorys.  % 

700.  Anthus  spragueii  (AucL).    Sprague  Pipit. 

Hind  toe  and  claw  longer  than  tarsus.     Adults  in  summer :  upper  parts 

broadly  streaked  with  blackish  brown  and  grayish 

buff ;  wing-s  dusky,  with   pale  edgings ;    two  outer 

pairs   of  tail  feathers   chiefly    white ;   outside   pair 

sometimes  wholly  white ;    under  parts  dull   buff  y 

white,  more   buffy  across    chest,   where   narrowly 

streaked  with  dusky.     Adults  in  winter :  browner 

above,  more  bufpy  below,  and  chest  streaks  broader. 

Young :  upper  parts  brownish  buff,  broadly  streaked 

Fig.  543.  with  black  ;   feathers  of  back  and  scapulars  tipped 

with  buffy  or  whitish ;  chin,   throat,  and  sides  of 

neck  whitish,  lower  throat  and  sides  of  neck  streaked  with  dusky;   rest  of 

under  parts  light  buff ;   chest  and  sides  of  breast  streaked  with   black. 

Length  :  5.75-7.00,  wing  8.20-3.40,  tail  2.35-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  interior  plains  of  North  America  from  the 
Saskatchewan  to  Nebraska,  and  from  the  Red  River  west,  probably,  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  in  Louisiana,  Texas,  and  northern  Mexico  ;  acci- 
dental in  South  Carolina. 

Nest.  —  Like  that  of  A.  pensilvanicus,  but  eggs  pale  purplish  buffy  or 
buffy  white,  thickly  spotted  with  purplish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects,  and  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses. 

The  habits  of  the  Sprague  pipit  closely  resemble  those  of  the  other 
pipits.  In  Coues's  Birds  of  the  Northwest  there  is  an  enthusiastic 
description  of  the  flight  song  of  sjyragueii. 

FAMILY    CINCLIDiE:   DIPPERS. 

GENUS    CINCLUS. 

701.  Cinclus  mexicanus  <S?<'ams.     Water  Ouzel:   Dipper. 

Bill   shorter   than    head,    slender,    and   compressed;    wing   short,  stiff, 

rounded,  with  ten  primaries, 
the  first  spurious  ;  tail  shorter 
than  wing,  soft,  of  twelve 
broad  rounded  feathers 
almost  hidden  by  coverts ; 
tarsus  Avithont  scales  ;  claws 
strongly  curved.  Adults  in 
summer:  whole  body  nearly  uniform  slate  gray,  a  trifle  lighter  below; 
head  and  neck  faintly  tinged  with  brown.  Adults  in  winter:  similar, 
but  feathers  of  wings  and  under  parts  lightly  tipped  with  white.  Young  : 
similar  to  winter  plumage,  but  under  parts  more  or  less  mixed  with  white 
and  tinged  with  rustv.  Length:  7.00-8.50,  wing  3.40-3.81,  tail  1.90-2.12, 
bill  .60-.70. 

Distribution.  —  Mountainous  parts  of  central  and  western  North  America 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  433 

from  the  Yukon  to  Guatemala ;  east,  in  the  United  States,  to  the  eastern 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  mainly  resident  throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Among-  rocks,  near  running'  water,  often  behind  a  cascade  ;  a 
bulky  oven-shaped  structure  open  on  the  side,  made  of  green  mosses. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  Avhite. 

To  all  his  friends,  the  name  water  ouzel  calls  up  pictures  of  f oam- 
in£r  cascaded  streams  in  the  heart  of  the  iinind  old  Avesteru  moun- 
tains.  What  a  quickening  touch  of  life  and  good  cheer  the  songster 
gives  to  the  lonely  canyons  and  forests  !  And  how  fascinating  it  is 
to  watch  him  as  he  pokes  about  in  wren-like  fashion  under  the  banks 
of  streams,  disappearing  in  dark  grottoes  and  behind  miniature  water- 
falls or  stepping  olT  into  the  pools,  where  he  sinks  under  water  as 
easily  as  a  grebe ! 

When  resting  against  the  background  of  dark  rocks  he  would  be 
almost  invisible  did  he  not  keep  up  a  persistent  Avinking,  for  at  each 
wink  you  get  a  flash  from  his  white  nictitating  membrane.  He  also 
has  a  trick  of  bobbing,  winter  wren  style,  that  tells  the  tale  of  his 
whereabouts. 

In  a  southern  California  canyon  we  once  found  a  typical  ouzel 
nest  on  a  ledge  of  rock  opposite  a  waterfall  whose  spray  doubtless 
kept  the  moss  of  the  nest  fresh.  While  we  were  admiring  the  nest, 
one  of  the  old  birds  appeared  and  ran  up  the  slippery  face  of  the 
wet  rock  beside  the  waterfall  with  easy  unconcern. 

The  ouzels  do  not  leave  their  breeding  grounds  when  their  family 
cares  are  over,  but  stay  in  the  mountains  until  the  streams  are 
frozen,  and  Mr.  Batchelder  has  seen  one  swim  downstream  under 
the  ice.  In  the  Wasatch  in  December,  one  crisp,  clear  morning 
when  the  still  pools  were  frozen  over  and  there  was  ice  along  the 
edges  of  the  streams  and  iced  spray  on  the  bushes.  Mr.  Bailey's  ear 
was  caught  by  a  beautiful  song,  and  following  upstream  he  discov- 
ered an  ouzel  sitting  on  a  cake  of  ice  in  the  bright  sun  singing  as 
gayly  as  a  bobolink  in  June. 

(See  Muir's  Mountains  of  California  and  Olive  Thorne  Miller's 
Bird- Lorn-  in  the  West.) 

FAMILY    TROGLODYTIDiE  :    WRENS.    THRASHERS. 

ETC 

KKY    TO    r.KNKKA 

1.    Ric'tal  l)risth's  conspicnious. 


K.ir.  .-.ir.. 

'1.  Tail  sliorft'r  tli.iii  wing Oroscoptes.  p.  435. 

■J  .  r.iil  lungiT  tlian  wing. 


434 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 


Exposed  culmen  equal  to  or 
longer  than  middle  toe 
without  claw. 

Toxostoma,  p.  437. 


Fig.  547. 


'.Exposed  culmen  decidedly  shorter  than  middle 
toe  without  claw. 

4.  Plumag-e  light  gray,  marked  with  white. 

Mimus,  p.  435. 


4'.  Plumag'e  slaty,  not  marked  with  white. 

Galeoscoptes,  p.  437. 


Fig   54') 
1'.  Rictal  bristles  not  conspicuous. 

Fig.  550. 

2.  Length  7-8 Heleodytes,  p.  442. 

2'.  Length  3..50-<).50. 

3.  Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing  ;  rail  mainly  blackish. 

Thryomanes,  p.  446. 
3'.  Tail  shorter  than  wing  :  tail  not  mainly  blackish. 
4.  Outside  toe  much  longer  than  inner. 

5.  Exposed  culmen  longer  than  tarsus ; 
largely  rusty  brown. 

Catherpes,  p.  444. 


-^^ 


5.  Exposed  culmen  shorter  than  tar- 
sus ;  largely  grayish  brown. 

Salpinctes,  p.  443. 

Fig.  552. 
4  .  Ouiside  toe  not  markedly  longer  than  inner. 

.').   Tail  less  than  three  fourths  as  long  as  wing. 

01biorchilus,p.  449. 

5'.  Tail    more    than    three    fourths 
as  long  as  wing. 
6.  Head  without    white    supercil- 
iary .  Troglodytes,  p.  448.  \v^' 

Fig.  554. 

6'.  Head  with  white  siiperciliary. 

7.  Back  streaked  with  white. 

Cistothorus.  p.  449. 


Fig.  553. 


Fig.  555. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  435 


7'.  Back  rusty  brown. 

Thryothorus,  p.  446. 

Fig.  556. 

GENUS   OROSCOPTES. 
702.   Oroseoptes  montanus  (Toinis.).     Sage  Thrasher. 

Bill  much  shorter  thau  head  ;  rietal  bristles  well  developed  ;  wino's  and 
tail  of  equal  length ;  tail  nearly  even. 
Adults:  upper  parts  dull  grayish 
brown,  indistinctly  streaked ;  wings 
with  two  narrow  white  bars ;  tail  with 
inner  web  of  2  to  4  outer  feathers 
tipped  with  white;  under  parts  whitish, 
buffy  on  flanks  and  under  tail  coverts  ;  breast  and  sides  heavily  marked 
with  black  spots.  Young :  like  adults,  but  upper  parts  indistinctly  streaked 
with  darker,  and  streaks  on  under  parts  less  sharply  defined.  Length  :  8- 
9,  wing-  8.1).5-4.10.  tail  3.20-3.8.5,  bill  .60-.G5. 

Distribution.  — Sage  plains  from  Montana  south  to  northern  Mexico  and 
Lower  California,  and  from  western  Nebraska  to  the  Cascades  and  the 
Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  composed  larg'ely  of  coarse  plant  stems,  dry  sage 
slireds,  and  sag-e  bark,  lined  with  fine  rootlets,  and  sometimes  hair  ;  placed 
usually  in  sagebrush.  Eggs:  3  to  5,  rich  g-reenish  blue,  spotted  witli  clove 
brown. 

The  sage  tlirasher.  and  the  Brewer,  Bell,  and  lark  sparrows,  are 
among  the  commonest  birds  of  tlie  sagebrush  country,  and  the  sage 
thrasher's  big  gray  body  with  its  white  tail  corners  shows  from  a 
distance  as  he  disappears  with  long  undulating  flight  over  the  face 
of  the  sage  plain. 

In  the  land  of  telegraph  poles  he  often  mounts  one  to  sing,  but 
his  commonest  perch  is  the  top  of  a  tall  sage  bush,  and  as  his  song 
is  poured  out  even  long  after  dark  and  sometimes  by  moonlight, 
with  scarcely  less  richness  than  the  true  thrasher's,  you  are  glad  he 
lives  in  the  deserts.  In  winter  he  leaves  the  sagebrush  and  wantlers 
south  over  the  lower  valleys. 

GENUS    MIMUS. 

703a.  Mimus    polyglottos    leucopterus  {Vigor.s).     Wkstkrn 

MOCKINCI'.IIU). 

Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  notched  near  end;  rietal  bristles  well 
dev. -loped  ;  wings  rounded  ;  tail  long-er  than  wings,  rounch'd  ;  tarsus  long-er 
than  niiddle  toe  and  claw  :  scabs  of  t.u-sus  distiiut.  Adu/fs:  upper  parts 
grayish  drab  :  wings  and  tail  blackish,  wings  with  large  white  patch  at  b:i.se 
of  primaries,  wing-  bars,  white-tipped  wing  (piills.  and  terti.ils  with  whitish 
'■<lgings;    under  parts  white,  w.ished  with  dav  coh.r.      Younu  :   more  brown- 


ish above  ;  back  indistinctly  sjjotted  or  streaked;  breast  spotted.  Male: 
wing  4.-JU-4.72.  tail  4..".;]-r).32.  bill  .»;i-.7.").  Femnl,  :  win";  4.2.")-4.()5.  tail 
4.4;:-.-).()S,  bill  ..V.>-.71. 

/>>/.s/r/7;M//0H. —Southwestern   Unit^-d   States     from    the  Gulf    of   Mexico 


436  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

(Texas)  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  from  Indian  Territory  south  to  Oaxaea, 
Mexico,  and  over  Lower  California  ;  resident  in  the  southern  and  lower 
portions  of  its  range  ;  migratory  in  the  northern  and  higher  portions. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  of  sticks,  often  thorny  ones,  lined  with  finer  ma- 
terials, sometimes  gray  moss  or  cotton  ;  placed  in  thick  bushes,  thorny 
trees,  yuccas,  hedgerows,  and  vines.  J^ggs :  4,  pale  bluish  or  greenish, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Earthworms,  insects,  and  berries. 

The  mocker  almost  sings  with  his  wings.  He  has  a  pretty  trick 
of  lifting  them  as  his  song  waxes,  a  gesture  that  not  only  serves  to 
show  off  the  white  wing  patches,  but  gives  a  charming  touch  of 
vivacity,  an  airy,  almost  sublimated  fervor  to  his  love-song.  His 
fine  frenzies  often  carry  him  quite  off  his  feet.  From  his  chimney- 
top  perch  he  tosses  himself  up  in  the  air  and  dances  and  pirouettes 
as  he  sings  till  he  drops  back,  it  would  seem,  from  sheer  lack  of 


Fig.  558.     Eastern  Mockhigbird. 

breath.  He  sings  all  day,  and  often  —  if  we  would  believe  his 
audiences  —  he  sings  down  the  chimney  all  night,  and  when  camp- 
ing in  mockerland  in  the  full  of  the  moon  you  can  almost  credit 
the  contention.  A  mocker  in  one  tree  pipes  up  and  that  wakes  his 
brother  mockers  in  other  trees,  and  when  they  have  all  done  their 
parts  every  other  sleepy  little  songster  in  the  neighborhood  —  be  he 
sparrow  or  wren  —  rouses  enough  to  give  a  line  of  his  song.  The 
wave  of  song  is  so  delightful  that  even  the  weary  traveler  gladly 
lies  awake  to  listen. 

But  in  broad  daylight  the  mocker's  ebullitions  are  not  always 
pleasing.  In  Texas  the  birds  are  so  common  and  their  mimicry  so 
perfect,  that  it  is  positively  tormenting  to  the  ornithologist.  They 
imitate  everything  from  the  squack  of  the  blue  jay.  the  varied  notes 
of  the  Cassin  kingbird,  the  shrike,  and  the  gnatcatcher,  to  the  shrill 
call  of  the  rock  squirrel.  Whenever  you  hear  a  new  bird  and  hurry 
through  brush  and  briars  to  see  it,  at  the  end  of  your  heated  search 
there  sits  a  calm  mocker!  As  the  birds  are  omnipresent  and  always 
singing  somebody  else's  song,  they  sadly  interfere  with  the  ornitho- 
logist's serenity  of  spirit. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  437 


V 

Fig.  559 

GENUS    GALEOSCOPTES. 

704.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (Linn.).    Catbird. 

Rictal  bristles  well  developed ;  tail  longer  than  wing,  much  rounded  ; 
scales  of  tarsus  indistinct.  Adults :  dark  slaty  gray  ;  crown  and  tail 
black  ;  under  tail  coverts  dark  rufous.  Young  :  similar,  but  washed  with 
brownish.     Length  :  S.OO-O.o'^,  wing  0.4.5-3.75,  tail  o. 70-4. 2.").  bill  .05-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Saskatchewan  to  the  Gulf  states  and 
from  the  Atlantic  west  over  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  occasional  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  Winters  in  the  southern  states,  Cuba,  and  from  Mexico  to 
Panama.     Resident  in  Bermuda. 

Nest.  —  Largely  of  rootlets,  placed  in  thickets  and  orchards.  Eggs  :  3 
to  5.  plain,  deep  bluish  green. 

Food.  —  Ants,  beetles,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects, 
small  fruits  and  wild  berries. 

In  Colorado  the  catbird  breeds  from  the  plains  to  about  8000  feet, 
quite  commonly  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but 
rarely  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.  In  Utah  it  plays  its  eastern 
role,  Mr.  Henshaw  saj^s,  living  in  shrubbery  on  the  edges  of  towns 
and  even  coming  familiarly  to  the  gardens. 

GENUS    TOXOSTOMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  varying  from  shorter  than  head  and  straight, 
to  longer  than  head  and  greatly  curved  ;  rictal  bristles  well  developed ; 
feet  large  and  strong ;  tarsus  conspicuously  scaled  in  front ;  wings  and  tail 
rounded,  tail  decidedly  the  longer. 

KKY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.   Under  parts  without  dark  markings. 

2.   Upper  parts  pale  brown lecontei.  p.  441. 

2'.  Upper  parts  not  pale  brown. 

3.  Under  tail  coverts  d.irk  rufous crissalis.  p.  442. 

3',  Under  tail  c<)vi>rts  buffy  or  tawny. 

4.  Throat  brownisli     ."..." redivivum.  p.  440. 

4.  Throat  white pasadeuense.  p.  441. 


438  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

r.  Under  parts  with  dark  markings. 
2.  Striking-ly  marked  with  blackisli. 

o.  Upper  parts  deep  rufous rufum,  p.  488. 

8'.  Upper  parts  washed  with  goklen  brown     .     .     .  seiiiietti,  p.  438. 
2'.Fainth^  marked  with  dusky. 

8.  Under  mandible  yellowish  at  base beildirei,  p.  439. 

3  .  Under  mandible  blackish  at  base. 

4.  Wings  barred  and  tail  strikingly  tipped  with  white. 

curvirostre,  p.  439. 

4'.  Wings  plain  or  obsoletely  barred,  and  tail  only  indistinctly  tipped 

with  lighter palnieii,  p.  439. 

Subgenus  Toxostoma. 
Tarsus  longer  than  exposed  culmen. 

705.  Toxostoma  rufura  (Linn.).    Browk  Thrashkr. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  reddish  hroivn ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ;  under 

parts    buify    white,   spotted    with 
"^         ^     ^f^^^^^^^  brown.      Young:    spots    on    under 

U  ^  ~   'y^    J^^-;.''  parts      thicker,      blackish  ;     rump 


4j^^!^^^}'''  ^\  golden    brown ;    spotting   on   wing 

jg^^    "J^ii^y^'  coverts  fawn  color.    Length  :  10..50- 

J^ft^'^-^^S^  ^     ^     12.00.  wing   4.10-4.60,    tail    5.00- 

CS^^^^%  ^      5.75,  exposed  culmen  .90-1.10. 

^  ^^     W''  ^'^                  Distribution. — Breeds  from  Can- 


^^'  -^4/  ,:^        ^  ada  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  from 

'     ^--''t  \        '^'  ^^  .       r    "  the  Atlantic  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 

\iJ  v^  ^  \  tains. 

p,      -|  ,1  Nest.  — In  thorny  trees,  vines,  or 

bushes,  a  coarse,  bulky  structure  of 

sticks,  rootlets,  leaves,  and  weed  stems,  lined  with  rootlets  and  horsehair. 

Eggs  :  3  to  5,  huffy,  or  tinged  with  green,  miniitely  spotted  with  reddish 

brown,  this  sometimes  becoming  the  prevailing  color. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  grasshoppers,   caterpillars,  bugs,  and  spiders ;    small 
fruits  and  seeds. 

The  eastern  brown  thrasher  is  a  fairly  common  resident  of  the  Colo- 
rado plains,  breeding-  as  high  as  7500  feet. 

706.  Toxostoma  longirostre   sennetti  (Eidgu-.).    Sennett 
Thrasher. 
Upper  parts  golden  brown,  with  two  whitish  wing  bars  ;  under  parts  white, 

breast  and  sides  with  black  wedge- 
shaped  or  tear-shaped  marks ;  bill 
curved  from  base.  Length :  10.50- 
12.00,  wing  3.80-4.20,  tail  4.80-5.45, 
^^^•^61.  bill  1.05-1.28.  _ 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Texas  from 
Corpus  Christi  and  Laredo  south  to  northeastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or   thickets,  made   of   sticks,  vines,    and   sometimes 
straws,  lined  with   rootlets.     Fggs  :  3  or  4,  whitish  to  greenish,  closely 
dotted  with  reddish  brown,  often  most  heavily  around  larger  end. 
Food.  —  Insects  and  larvae,  and  berries. 

The  Sennett  thrasher  occurs  with  curvirostre  in  southern  Texas, 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  439 

but  is  much  less  common,  only  a  few  of  the  brown  birds  being  seen, 
while  the  pale,  clay-colored  curve-bill  ranks  as  one  of  the  commonest 
brush  birds. 

707.  Toxostoma     curvirostre     (Swains.).      Curve -billed 

Thrasher. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  light  brownish  gray  ;  wings  with  two  narrow  white 
bars ;  tail  blackish,  four  pairs  of  outer  feathers 
strikingly    tipped    with    ivhite ;  throat  white ; 
breast  and  sides  thickly  spotted  and  clouded 
with   gray  ;    flanks   huffy.      Young :    similar.  -^^S-  ^^-'• 

but  wing  coverts  and  rump  tinged  with  fulvous,  and  markings  on  breast 
narrower  and  darker.  Length  :  10.50-11.40,  wing  4.  l.j-4.55,  tail  4.40-4.05, 
exposed  culmen  1.1 0-1. oO. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  ISonoran  zone  from  New  Mexico  and  western  Texas 
to  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

Ne.st.  —  In  cactus  and  trees,  made  of  thorny  twigs  lined  with  a  few 
grasses.     £ggs  :  •)  or  4,  colored  like  those  of  palmeri. 

The  curve-billed  thrasher  is  abundant  and  tame  as  you  go  through 
the  thorn  brush  of  southern  Texas,  especially  as  you  approach 
Mexico.  Its  big  clay-colored  figure  is  largely  in  evidence,  perched 
on  the  brush  Dr  flying  on  short  wings  with  long  tilting  tail  across  the 
road.  Cactus,  yuccas,  and  thorn  brush  are  all  liberally  supplied 
with  its  big  thorny  nests.  When  we  were  photographing  one  the 
owner  came  so  close  that  we  could  see  the  bright  red  of  its  eyes.  As 
the  birds  watched  us  they  gave  their  liquid  two-syllabled  call,  which 
is  one  of  the  loud,  dominant  notes  of  the  country.  In  a  dr}-  wash  in 
southern  New  Mexico,  when  we  were  preparing  to  photograph  one 
of  the  yucca  nests,  the  brooding  bird,  who  had  been  entirel}^  hidden 
by  the  yucca  spears,  quietly  slijiped  out  of  the  nest  and  disappeared 
in  the  brush. 

707a.  T.  C.  palmeri  (Coues).     Palmer  Thrasher. 

Upi)er  parts  uniform  dark  brownish  gray  or  grayish  brown:  wings  with 
bars    obsolete   or   wanting ;   tail  indistinctly   tipped   with   lighter ;   throat 

whitish  ;   rest   of    under    parts  .  — ""f ^ 

grayish,  obsoletelv  spotted  with 
darker.      Length)    1 1.00-1 1..')0, 

wing  4.20-4.r,0,  tail  4.80-.-).l'0,  "  .>-;3s3iS:& 

exposed  culmen  l.lS-1.40.  '  '-    

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Ari/.oua 
and  JSonora.  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus,  of  sticks,  xisually  lined  witli  dried  grass.  Eggs  :  -  to 
4,  pale  bluish  green,  finely  and  unifonnly  speckled  with  brown. 

Tlie  Pahncr  thrasher  is  abundant  on  the  cactus  deserts  of  southern 
Arizona,  being  ri'sideiit  u])  to  8000  feet. 

708.  Toxostoma  bendirei  (Cones).    BENnini-;  Thhashkk. 

Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown;  wings  with   indistinct    hais ;   tail   dark 


440  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

brown,   outer  feathers  tipped  witli  white  ;  under  parts  brownish  white, 

indistinctly  .s]iotted  with  brown ;   flanks  brownish.      Young :  similar,  but 

^  wings  and    rump   waslied    with    tawny 

J^'%g^'^^-m>^        ,.jOigrf?'  ^^^  '    under   parts    whiter,    with    nar- 

^..     .,,     ^     ,.     ^,      ,  wing- 3.90-4.20,  tail  4.25-4.90,  exposed 

i?ig.  ol)4.     Beudire  Thrasher.  ,  °         ,,^     f^-'  ?        r- 

culmen  .8  (-.9.0. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  desert  reg-ions  of  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran 
zones,  in  Arizona  and  southeastern  California ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  bushes,  or  cactus,  small  and  daintily  built  for  a 
thrasher,  of  sticks  and  grass,  lined  with  soft  materials,  such  as  grass, 
horsehair,  rootlets,  wool,  or  feathers.  Eggs :  o  or  4,  g-enerally  greenish 
white,  spotted  with  pale  reddish  brown,  usually  heaviest  about  the  larger 
end  ;  sometimes  grayish  or  pinkish  white,  spotted  with  salmon  and  lav- 
ender. 

Mr.  Herbert  Brown,  who  has  an  extended  acquaintance  with  the 
Bendire  thrasher,  says  it  is  largely  confined  to  the  central  part  of 
southern  Arizona,  unlike  palmeri  seldom  or  never  leaving  the  flat 
country.  It  is  migratory,  smaller  and  less  common  than  palmeri, 
and  strangely  silent  for  a  thrasher.  Only  once  in  all  his  expe- 
rience has  Mr.  Brown  heard  it  give  its  splendid  song,  and  only 
rarely,  when  disturbed  at  the  nest,  has  he  heard  it  give  its  call  of 
tirup,  tirup,  tirup. 

Subgenus  Harporhynchus. 

Bill  longer  than  head  ;  breast  not  spotted. 

710.  Toxostoma  redivivuni  {Gamh.).    Cai^ifornian  Thrasher. 

Upper  parts  dull  dark  grayish  broicn  ;  wings  and  tail  unmarked,  tail  dark- 
er ;  under  parts,  including  throat., 
dull  huffy  or  brownish,  darker  on 
chest ;  under  tail  coverts  tawny. 
Length:  11..50-13.00.  wing  3.90- 
^'^-  ■''■'■  4.30,  tail  4.90-5.80,  bill  1.35-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  California  ;  south  to  Lower  California. 
Nest.  —  In  bushes,  a  rude  platform  of  twigs,  roots,  grasses,  and  leaves. 
Eggs :  3  or  4,  light  greenish  blue,  speckled  with  clove  brown. 

The  California  thrasher  is  one  of  the  most  vociferously  rollicking 
jolly  good  fellows  of  his  tribe.  Perched  on  top  of  the  highest  bush 
in  sight,  he  shouts  out  kick'-it-now,  kick'-it-now,  shut'-up,  shut'-tip, 
dor'-o-thy,  dor'-o-thy;  and  then  with  a  rapid  change  of  mood,  drawls 
out,  iDhoa'-now,  whoa'-noic.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  such  a  bird  a  wag 
and  mimic,  and  attention  has  recently  been  called  to  his  imitative 
power  by  Mr.  John  J.  Williams.  He  says  that  interwoven  with  its 
own  song  are  the  quare,  quare,  quare  of  the  California  jay,  the 
quirring  note  of  the  slender-billed  nuthatch,  and  the  cackling  note 
of  the  red-shafted  flicker,  besides  the  call  of  the  valley  quail,  the 
kwee-kicee-kuk  of  the  western  robin,  and  the  trill  of  the  wren-tit, 
which  the  mimic  does  so  well  that  the  birds  answer  back. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  441 

When  he  is  singing,  the  thrasher's  bill  makes  him  look  comically  as 
if  he  were  trying  to  turn  himself  inside  out ;  but  the  bill,  awkward 
as  it  appears,  is  really  an  admirable  pickaxe.  Instead  of  having  to 
depend  on  his  feet  for  scratching  away  the  leaves,  as  the  short- 
billed  birds  do,  the  thrasher  clears  the  ground  by  rapid  strokes  of 
the  bill,  and  then  probes  the  earth  with  it  for  his  food. 

710a.  T.  r.  pasadenense  Grinnell.     Pasadena  Thrasher. 

Similar  to  redivivum,  but  duller  ;  throat  ivhite  ;  chest  band  darker  than  in 
redivivum.     Wing:  o.92.  tail  5.30,  bill  from  nostril  1.21. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  southern  California. 

711.  Toxostoma  lecontei  Laur.     Leconte  Thrasher. 

Adults. — Upper  parts  pale  brownish  gray;  wings  unmarked;  tail  dis- 
tinctly tipped    with    lig^hter ;    throat 
white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dove  color 
and  whitish;   under  tail  coverts  bright 

tawny   brown.     Young :    similar,   but  p.     _g^ 

upper   tail   coverts   more  rusty,   and 

under  tail  coverts  paler.     Length  :   10.50-11.00,  wing  3.70-8.90,  tail  4.57- 
5.20,  bill  1.08-1.35. 

Distribution. —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  the  desert  region 
from  southwestern  Utah  to  southern  California,  and  south  to  Sonora, 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Very  bulky,  composed  of  thorny  twigs,  grasses,  and  weeds. 
lined  with  grass  and  feathers,  and  placed  in  cactus  bushes  or  mesquite 
trees.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  pale  bluish  green  or  greenish  blue,  minutely  and 
rather  sparsely  speckled  with  reddish  brown,  or  yellowish  brown  and 
lavender. 

In  the  lowest,  hottest,  barest  deserts  of  the  country,  where 
dwarfed  thorn  bushes,  queer  species  of  cactus,  and  rigid  Spanish 
bayonets  space  the  baked  mesas  and  valleys,  the  Leconte  thrasher 
is  one  of  the  most  interesting  bits  of  desert  life.  The  sand-colored 
bird  seems,  like  all  of  its  surroundings,  to  have  had  the  color  baked 
out  of  it,  or  like  them  to  have  taken  on  the  colors  which  best  fit  it 
to  endure  the  desert  temperature,  sometimes  130°  in  the  shade,  and 
much  higher  in  the  glaring  sun.  After  a  cool  night  on  the  desert 
in  March,  when  the  morning  air  is  loaded  with  the  fragrance  of 
abronias,  yuccas,  and  primroses,  and  the  crimson  and  gold  cups  of 
the  cactus  are  brilliant  among  tlie  creo.sote  buslies,  the  thrashers  are 
heard  fairly  splitting  their  throats  from  the  mesquite  tops,  and  seen 
running  about  chasing  each  other  over  the  bare  stretches  between 
the  bushes.  Later  in  the  day  they  rest  in  the  shade  of  the  chapar- 
ral, and  if  frightened  simply  run  from  one  cover  to  another,  rarely 
flying  to  escape  pursuit.  They  easily  outrun  a  man,  and  if  followed 
soon  disappear,  going  with  head  low  and  tail  straight  out  behind 
like  tlie  road-runner,  keei)iiig  always  on  the  far  side  of  each  biuieh 
of  bushes.      \V\{\\  a  ^^ood  horse  one  can  usuallv  force  them  to  take 


442  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

wing,  if  they  do  not  get  out  of  sight  before  the  horse  gets  started, 
though  they  have  many  advantages  in  a  country  where  a  horse  is 
liable  to  fall  into  badger  holes  and  kangaroo  rat  dens  or  come  to 
deep  washouts  too  wide  for  a  jump.  Vernon  Bailey. 

712.  Toxostoma  crissalis  Henry.     Crissal  Thrasher. 

Adults.  —  Bill   long-,  sharply  curved  ;  upper  parts  dark  grayish  brown  ; 

wings  w  ithout  bars  ;  tail  faintly  tipped 

with  rufous  ;  throat  and  malar  stripe 

white,   in   contrast  to    dark  fawn   or 

grayish  under  parts ;  loider  tail  coverts 

dark    rufous.      Young:    similar,    but 

Fig.  5G7.  more  rusty  above,  especially  on  rump 

and  tips  of  tail  feathers ;  lower  parts 

more  fulvous.    Length  :  11.40-12.60,  wing-  -3.90-4.10,  tail  4.80-6.40,  exposed 

culmen  1.20-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  soutliAvestern  United  States  from  western 
Texas  to  California,  and  from  Utah  and  Nevada  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  desert  willow,  made  of  coarse  twigs,  lined  with 
strips  of  plant  bark.     Eggs  :  3,  plain  pale  bluish  green. 

The  crissal,  or  red-vented  thrasher,  lives  on  the  rough  sides  of 
rocky  canyons,  where  there  are  junipers  and  low  mesquites.  In 
fall  he  is  said  to  eat  juniper  berries  and  other  small  fruits,  and  then, 
food  being  plentiful,  has  a  distinct  revival  of  his  powerful  song. 
Though  ordinarily  shy,  individuals  come  about  ranches  and  become 
quite  tame.     (See  The  Auk.  iii.  292.) 

GENUS   HELEODYTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Length  about  8  ;  tail  broad,  with  wide  feathers  ; 
tarsus  scaled  behind  ;   rictal  bristles  obsolete  or  very  indistinct. 

KEY    TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Belly  lightly  marked  with  linear  spots  .  brunneicapillus,  p.  442. 
1'.  Belly  heavily  marked  with  ovate  spots bryanti,  p.  448. 

713.  Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  (Lafr.).    Cactus  Wren.i 

Adults,  —  Throat   and  breast  white,  heavily  marked  ivith  black  roundish 

^,»!sp--';--5-~  ..  spots,  in  sharp  contrast  to  buffy  brown 

*^^^&^^^^*  ^^J.^*^^         mir      belly,  which  is  sparsely  marked  with 

— -   -'^^^l^^^^^l/^'^T^^^^Ill^'f^S^^^^  linear  spots;  superciliary  white;  upper 

.   ,  parts  brown,  streaked  on  back  with 

^'^•'^^^-  black   and   white;    tail  with    middle 

feathers  brownish,  spotted  with  black,  the  rest  black,  only  outside  feather 

barred  w  ith  white  for  whole  length.     Young :  similar,  but  streaks  on  back 

1  Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  couesi  (Sharpe).     Texan  Cactus  Wren. 

Coloration  dark,  throat  mainly  black,  back  narrowly  striped  with  white. 

Distribution.  —  Rio  Grande  region  of  Texas,  south  over  Mexican  tableland.  {The  Auk, 
xix.  143.)      • 

Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  anthonyi  Mearns.     Desert  Cactus  Wren. 

Coloration  pallid,  tail  mostly  black. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  deserts  of  southwestern  United  States  south  to  Chihuahua, 
Sonora,  and  northeastern  California.     {The  Auk,  xix.  143.) 


ROCK  WREN 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  443 

less  sharply  defined,  spots  on  under  parts  smaller,  and  colors  more  suffused. 
Length :  S.00-8.T'),  wing  o.o0-o.5(),  tail  ;5.2.")-o..">0,  exposed  culmen  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone,  from  southern  Texas 
west  to  southern  California,  and  from  southwestern  Utah  to  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus,  yucca,  or  thorny  bush,  bulky,  flask-shaped,  in  hori- 
zontal position,  entrance  at  mouth  of  flask ;  made  of  sticks  and  coarse 
straws,  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  4  to  7.  whitish  or  bnffy  often  hidden 
by  reddish  brown  spotting-. 

Brunneicapillufi  seems  on  first  acquaintance,  in  a  cactus  and  mes- 
quite  thicket,  the  most  unwren-like  of  wrens.  Its  big  size,  black- 
ish color,  and  grating,  monotonous  chut,  chut,  chut,  chut,  have  little 
to  suggest  its  small  brown,  sweet-voiced  relatives.  Its  pose,  how- 
ever, is  like  that  of  the  Carolina  wren,  for  it  sings  on  top  of  a 
bare  branch,  with  head  up  and  tail  hanging.  It  is  a  conspicuous 
bird  in  that  strange  land  of  cactus,  mesquite,  and  yucca,  and  fits 
into  its  desert  surroundings  as  well  as  its  odd  nest  does  in  among 
the  yucca  bayonets  or  cactus  thorns.  Its  nests  are  so  common  that 
in  driving  through  the  country  one  comes  to  pass  them  without 
comment,  unless  the  eye  is  caught  by  a  particularly  perfect  retort 
form  for  a  photograph. 

In  New  Mexico,  Mr.  Anthony  found  the  wrens  repairing  their 
nests  in  the  fall,  and  thinks  that  they  roost  in  them  in  winter,  and 
use  them  for  protection  against  storms.  He  believes  that  each  pair 
of  wrens  keep  several  nests  in  order  for  this  purpose. 

713a.  H.  b.  bryanti  Anthony.     Bryant  Cactus  Wren. 

Similar  to  hrunneicapilbis,  but  thick  ovate  spotting  extending  over  belly 
and  sides ;  xuider  parts  washed  with  rusty,  and  tail  with  middle  feathers 
more  or  less  perfectly  barred. 

Distribution.  —  From  .southern  California  south  to  Lower  California. 

GENUS   SALPINCTES. 

715.  Salpinctes  obsoletus  (.SV///).    Rock  Wken.i 

liill  about  as  long  as  head,  slender,  compressed,  decurved   at   tip;   wing 
longer  than  tail  ;  tail  rounded,  feath- 
ers broad  ;  feet  small  and  weak  ;  tar- 
sus   longer    than    middle    toe,   scaled 
behind.       Adults:    Upjjer    parts    (/ull 

grayish  /<ro(/-H.  finely  flecked  \vithl)lack  „.     rg,, 

and   white  dots;   rumj)  light   l)ro\\  n  ; 

tail  graduated,  tipi)ed  with  buily  brown  and  with  subterminal  baud  of 
black  ;  middle  tail  feathers  narrowly  barred  with  blackish  ;  under  parts 
dull  whitish,  brownish  on  flanks ;  chest  usually  finely  speckled.  Young : 
upper  ])arts  rusty  gray  :  uiuler  parts  whitish  anteriorly,  brownish  on  flanks 
and  Jinder  tail  coverts.  Ltugth:  ^).\'l-i\:.)h.  wing  2.(»S-2.S0.  tail  2.12-'J.4(K 
bill  from  nostril  .44-.rj4. 

'  Salpinrte.^  obsolelu.%  i>ulvrri)tx  i\r\\\\w\\.     San  Nicolas  Hock  Wkf.n. 
Like  r;fc,?o/^/»/.<,  but  entire  phiinnKe  mitfused  with  oclir.ireous  or  dust  eolor. 
Distribution.  —  San  Nicolas  laland,  California.     (Thr  .\uk,  xv.  "J^S.) 


444  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

Remarks.  —  The  pale  g-i'ayish  coloration  and  the  black  crescent  on  the 
tail  are  good  field  characters. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  to 
Chiapas,  Mexico  ;  from  western  Nebraska  to  the  Pacific  ;  breeds  throug-h- 
out  its  range  and  is  resident  from  about  the  southern  border  of  the  United 
States  southward. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  clefts  or  crevices  among  rocks,  sometimes  in  hollow 
stumps  or  about  buildings.  £ggs :  7  or  8,  white,  finely  spotted  on  or 
around  larger  end  with  chestnut  brown. 

Salpinctes  I  To  the  worker  in  the  arid  regions  of  the  west  this 
natne  calls  up  most  grateful  memories.  On  the  wind-blown  rocky 
stretches  where  you  seem  in  a  bleak  world  of  granite  or  lava  with 
only  rock,  rock,  everywhere,  suddenly,  there  on  a  stone  before  you, 
stands  this  jolly  little  wren,  looking  up  at  you  with  a  bob  and  a  shy, 
friendly  glance.  The  encounter  is  as  cheering  as  the  sight  of  a  bird 
at  sea,  and  before  such  meetings  have  been  repeated  many  times,  you 
love  the  little  wren  as  you  do  the  barking  conies  that  give  life  and  a 
touch  of  companionship  to  the  barren  rock  slides  of  the  mountains. 

Even  his  song,  which  at  first  hearing  seems  the  drollest,  most  un- 
bird-like  of  machine-made  tinklings,  comes  to  be  greeted  as  the 
voice  of  a  friend  on  the  desert,  and  its  quality  to  seem  in  harmony 
with  the  hard,  gritty  granites  among  which  he  lives.  Its  phrases  are 
varied,  but  one  of  its  commonest  —  given  perhaps  from  the  top  of  a 
cliif  while  his  mate  is  feeding  their  brood  on  a  ledge  below  — is  little 
more  than  a  harsh  kra-wee,  kra-wee,  kra-wee,  kra-icee,  given  slowly 
at  first,  then  after  a  little  bob  repeated  in  faster  time. 

As  you  watch  him  he  seems  well  fitted  to  escape  his  enemies  who 
soar  over  the  mountains,  for  he  is  a  perfect  rock  color,  and  his  on]y 
striking  mark  is  the  black  fan-shaped  band  that  flashes  from  his  tail 
as  he  disappears  from  view. 

Altitude  seems  to  make  little  difference  with  him  if  the  conditions 
of  barrenness  are  met,  but  he  is  most  commonly  found  in  the  moun- 
tains. Dr.  Mearns  reported  him  from  the  summit  of  San  Francisco 
Mountain,  Arizona,  at  a  time  when  the  hollows  were  filled  with  ice 
and  snow  and  fierce  storms  were  raging. 

GENUS    CATHERPES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  longer  than  tarsus ; 
side  toes  of  unequal  lengths  ;  wing  longer  than  tail. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Darker  colored.     Lower  Rio  Grande albifrons,  p.  445. 

1'.  Lighter  colored. 

2.  Larger,  bill  longer,  spotting  on  back  not  so  thick.      Great  Basin  and 

Rocky  Mountain  region conspersus.  p.  445. 

2'.  Smaller,   bill  shorter,  spotting  on  back  thicker.     Oregon   and   Cali- 
fornia west  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada  .  punctulatus,  p.  445. 


CANYON  WREN 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  445 

717.  Catherpes  mexicanus  albifrons  {Giraud).  White- 
throated  Wkkn. 

Like  conspersHs,  but  larger  and  darker  ;  \ipper  parts  from  dark  rusty  to 
sepia ;  wings  barred  with  rusty.  Length  :  (J.OO-(3.50,  wing-  2.40-2.90,  tail 
2.80-2.45,  exposed  culmen  .70-.'. )5. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  and  northeastern  Mexico. 

717a.  C.  m.  conspersus  Bidgw.     Canyon  Wren. 

Adults.  —  Broirn  except  for  irhite  throat  and  breast:  upper  parts  light 
brown,  grayish  on  head,  speckled  with 
white  and  blackish ;  tail  rusty  brown, 
crossed  by  narrow  black  bars  ;  belly  dark 
rusty  brown.  Young  :  essentially  like 
adults,  but  usually  without  white  specks  ^^^S-  570. 

on  upper  parts  or  posterior  under  parts,  which  are.  instead,  mottled,  more 
or  less,  with  dusky.  Length :  .j.uO-.j.To.  wing  2.20-2.40,  tail  2.00-2.40, 
exposed  culmen  .TO-.S';. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Basin  and  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  Cascades  east  to  Colorado,  and  from  Idaho  south  to  Agiias 
Calientes,  Mexico  ;  breeds  nearly  throughout  its  range  and  is  resident  in 
the  southern  parts  of  its  United  States  distribution. 

Nest.  —  In  crevices  of  rocks,  on  ledge  in  tunnel  or  cave,  or  about  build- 
ings, made  with  thick  soft  walls  covered  with  green  moss.  Eggs  :  3  to  0, 
white,  spotted  chiefly  on  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

Sometimes,  as  at  Austin,  Texas,  canyon  wrens  will  stray  into  cities 
and  sing  from  the  chimney  tops  with  the  mockingbirds,  and  when 
they  do,  what  cool,  grateful  canyon  memories  they  awaken  in  the 
midst  of  the  town  !  When  heard  afterwards  on  their  own  native 
canyon  cliffs  it  seems  Impossible  that  they  could  ever  sing  in  a  city, 
their  song  is  so  attuned  to  the  wild  mountain  fastnesses. 

The  bit  of  a  wren  may  be  on  a  ledge  so  high  above  your  head  that 
you  pick  him  out  among  the  rocks  only  by  the  round  white  spot 
which  is  his  throat  and  which  shows  as  his  head  is  thrown  back  to 
sing,  but  yet  his  voice  is  so  powerful  that  the  canyon  fairly  rings 
with  his  song.  What  joyous  notes  !  They  sound  as  if  his  happi- 
ness were  so  great  that  lie  needs  must  proclaim  it.  His  song  comes 
tripping  down  the  scale  growing  so  fast  it  seems  as  if  the  song- 
ster could  only  stop  by  giving  his  odd  little  flourish  back  up  the 
scale  again  at  the  end.  The  ordinary  song  has  seven  descending 
notes,  but  often,  as  if  out  of  pure  exuberance  of  happiness,  the  wren 
begins  with  a  run  of  grace  notes,  ending  with  the  same  little  flourish. 
The  rare  character  of  the  song  is  its  rhapsody  and  the  rich  vibrant 
quality  which  has  suggested  the  name  of  bugler  for  him.  — and  a 
glorious  little  ])ugh'r  he  surely  is. 
717b.  C.  m.  punctulatus  Uidgu:     Dottkd  Canyon  Wkkn. 

Siujilar  to  rousju  rsus.  but  smaller  and  hill  shorter,  and  more  thickly 
spfittcd  on  back. 

Distribution.  —  Oregon  and  (\ilifornia  west  of  the  (\'jscades  and  Sierra 
Nevada  to  Lower  California ;   resident  from  southern  California  sontliwanl. 


446  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    THRYOTHORUS. 

718.  Thryothorus  ludovieianus  (Lath.).     Carolina  Wren. 

Wing'  less  than  •^) ;  tail  not  longer  than  Avings,  like  back  in  color.   Adults. — 

Upper  parts  rusty  brown  ;  crown  bordered  by  an  indistinct 

blackish  line  and  biiffy  white  superciliary ;   broad  rusty 

stripe  back  of  eye  ;  wings  indistinctly  barred  with  rusty 

and  spotted  with  white  :  under  parts  varying'  from  white 

on  throat  to  tawny  buff  below.     Young  :  crown  blackish  ; 

under  parts   more  cinnamon  brown,  with  indistinct  cross 

Fig.  571.  ijj^gg      Length:  5.25-6.00,  wing-  2.18-2.-50,  tail  1.80-2.35, 

exposed  culmen  .OO-.TO. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Plains  and  western  Texas,  and  reported  by  Capt.  Thorne  from  Montana ; 
from  southern  Michig'an  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico ;  resident  nearly 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  woods,  in  holes  in  log's  and   rocks ;  made  of  twigs, 
grasses,  and  leaves,  lined  with  feathers.     Eggs :  o  to  6,  w^hite,  pinkish,  or 
creamy,  thickly  speckled  on  or  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects. 

GENUS    THRYOMANES.i 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  3  ;  tail  longer  than  wings,  black- 
ish, outer  feathers  tipped  with  white  or  gray  ;  white  superciliary  stripe 
conspicuous. 

KEY    TO   THRYOMANES. 

1.  Large,  wing  averaging  2.25. 

2.  Upper  parts  reddish  brown.     Texas cryptus,  p.  447. 

2'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown.     Texas  to  California. 

leucogaster,  p.  447. 
r.  Smaller,  wing  averaging  2.00-2.07. 

2.  Bill  averaging  .50,  upper  parts  dark  sooty  brown.     California. 

spilurus,  p.  446. 
2'.  Bill  averaging  .54-.56. 

3.  Upper  parts  dark,  rich  brown.     Northwest  coast  region. 

calophonus,  p.  447. 
3'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown. 

4.  Under   tail    coverts  heavily  barred   with  black.     Southern  and 

Lower  California charieiiturus,  p.  447. 

4'.  Colors  paler,  under  tail  coverts  less  heavily  barred  with  black. 
San  Clemente  Island leucophrys,  p.  448. 

719a.  Throymanes  bewickii  spilurus  (Vig.).    YiaoRs  Wren. 

Uj)per  parts  dark  brown,  with  a  conspicuous  ivhite  superciliary ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  grayish  brown,  barred,  only  sightly  contrasting  with  color 
of  back,  outside  feathers  blackish,  spotted  and  barred  ;  under  parts  gray, 
sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  brown.  Length  :  wing  2,  tail  1.96,  exposed 
culmen  .50. 

Distribution.  —  California  west  of  Sierra  Nevada  and  south  to  Santa 
Cruz  Island. 

Nest.  —  Usually  around  buildings  except  in  unsettled  districts  ;  bulky, 
made   largely  of  sticks  and  lined  with  feathers.     Eggs :  usually  5  to  7, 

1  See  Oberholser's  "Revision  of  the  Wrens  of  the  Genus  Thryoraanes,"  Proc.  U.  S, 
Nat.  Mus.  xxi.  421-450.     1898. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  447 

white  or  pinkish,  finely  speckled  or  sprinkled  on  or  around  larg-er  end  with 
reddish  brown  and  lilac. 

The  bewickii  group  are  strongly  marked 
wrens  with  their  striking  superciliary,  light 
spotty  cornered  tails,  and  melodious  songs. 
The  song  of  the  Vigors  wren,  when  heard 
in  southern  California  with  the  Parkman, 
though  not  so  ebullient,  is  richer,  sweeter, 
more  musical,  and  altogether  of  decidedly 
superior  quality. 

Where  there  are  houses,  Thryomanes  nests 
like  the  house  wrens  in  odd  nooks  and  cor- 
ners about  buildings,  but  otherwise  on 
brushy  hillsides  and  in  such  congenial 
places.  One  Texan  Bewick  was  found  by 
Mr.  Bailey  nesting  in  a  tin  can  turned  over  ^'S-  ^'^--  ^'^^^^^  Wren, 
a  fence  post,  the  entrance  being  through  an  enlarged  bullet  hole*. 

719b.  T.  b.  leucogaster  (Baird).     Baikd  Wren. 

Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown,  ting-ed  with  rufous  on  rump  ;  middle  tail 
feathers  brown,  barred  with  black,  rest  of  feathers  mainly  black,  the  three 
outer  pairs  with  grayish  white  tips  ;  superciliary  white ;  under  parts 
whitish,  purer  on  throat  ;  under  tail  coverts  heavilv  barred  with  black. 
Wing :  1\20,  tail  2.2.],  bill  ..*)5. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Texas  to  southeastern  California,  and  from 
southern  Nevada,  Utah,  and  Colorado  south  over  tablelands  of  Mexico  to 
Zacatecas. 

719c.  T.  b.  cryptus  Oberh.     Texas  Bewick  Wren. 

Superciliary  white  ;  upper  parts  rich  warm  brown,  more  rufous  on  rump  ; 
tail  witli  middle  feathers  and  ba.ses  of  outer  webs  of  all  but  outside  pair 
hair  brown,  barred  with  black :  rest  of  tail  black,  faintly  barred  witli 
lig-hter ;  two  outer  pairs  of  feathers  tipped  with  grayish  white ;  under 
parts  g'rayish.      Wing :  2.2.'>,  tail  2.24.  exposed  culmen  .")."). 

Distribution.  — Texas,  except  extreme  western  corner  ;  Nuevo  Leon  and 
Tamaulipas.  Mexico,  and  probably  Kansas.  Indian  Territory,  and  Okla- 
homa ;  mig-ratory  north  of  Texas. 

719d.  T.  b.  charienturus  Oberh.    Southwest  Bewick  Wren. 

Superciliary  white  ;  up/xr  parts  grai/i.sh  brown,  sliglitly  rufous  on  rump  ; 
tail  black  except  for  middh-  feathers  which  .ire  hair  brown,  barred  with 
black,  outside  feathers  tipped  witli  gray,  outer  webs  barred  with  dingy 
white,  rest  of  feathers  tipped  with  brown  ;  under  parts  wliite  or  grayislj  ; 
cri.ssum  hyavily  barred  witli  black.  Wing:  2.()v>.  tail  2.02.  exposed  cul- 
men ..")4. 

Distribution.  —  Iiesi<lent  from  Pa.sadena  along- the  coast  region  of  (\ili- 
fornia  to  Lower  California  :   Santa  (\-italina  Island. 

719e.  T  b  calophonus  o/>rr/(.    Noktuwkst  Ui  w  k  k  Wkkn. 

.Sui)erciliary  white  ;  ui)per  i)arts  rich  t/ark-  brown,  sliglitly  deeper  on 
heml  ;  tail  black,  middle  feathers  .sepia   brown  b;irred  with  black,  the  rest 


448  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

tipped  with  g'ray  and  barred  Avith  brown,  outer  pair  barred  toward  end 
with  whitish  ;  under  parts  grayish  white,  lightest  on  throat,  ting-ed  with 
brown  on  sides  and  flanks ;  under  tail  coverts  barred  with  black.  Wing  : 
2.07,  tail  2.03,  exposed  eulmen  .56. 

Remarks.  —  Calophonus  is  most  nearly  allied  to  spilurus^  but  has  a  con- 
spicuously larger  bill  and  averages  larger  and  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  slope  from  Oregon  north  to  southern  Vancouver 
Island  and  the  Fraser  River  valley.  Resident  probably  throughout  its 
range,  at  least  from  Puget  Soimd  southward. 

719.1.  Thryomanes  leucophrys  (Anthony).  San  Clemente 
Wren. 

Similar  to  charienturus,  but  paler,  grayer  above  and  on  flanks  ;  under  tail 
coverts  less  heavily  barred  ;  bill  longer.      Wing :  2.07,  tail  2  ;  bill  .56. 

Distribution.  —  San  Cleraenfe  Island,  California. 

GENUS    TROGLYODYTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  3,  about  length  of  tail ;  stretched 
feet  not  reaching  beyond  end  of  tail ;  inner  toe  united  at  base  to  middle 
toe. 

KEY    TO    ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  brown.  Pacific  coast  region  .  .  parkmanii,  p.  448. 
1'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown.     Western  states  except  coast  region. 

aztecus,  p.  449. 

721a.    Troglodytes  aedon  parkmanii    (Aud.).     Parkman 

Wren  :  Pacific  House  Wren. 

Upper  parts  dull  brown,  all  but  head  barred  with  blackish  ;  tail  coverts 

barred  with  black  and  whitish ;  under  parts 

dingy,  lightly  barred.    Length :  4.25-5.25,  wing 

2.02,  tail  1.85,  exposed  eulmen  .49. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from 
British  Columbia  south  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  about  buildings, 
made  largely  of  twigs,  lined  with  feathers. 
Eggs :  5  to  7,  pinkish  white,  thickly  spotted 
with  reddish  brown  or  brownish  purple. 


The  house  wrens  are  just  ordinary  birds, 
with  no  striking  marks  and  nothing  musi- 
*'°'  ^'^'  cal  or  brilliant  about  their  songs,  but  they 

are  such  persistently  jolly  little  songsters  that  their  charm  is  quite 
irresistible.  Wherever  you  meet  them  they  are  always  singing,  be 
it  about  house  or  barn,  deserted  cabin,  or  old  sycamore.  Ebullient 
is  the  only  word  that  expresses  them.  Their  notes  fairly  tumble 
over  each  other,  they  are  poured  out  so  fast.  At  times  the  little 
musicians  become  ecstatic,  and  raise  their  quivering  wings  till  they 
almost  meet  over  the  back.  Besides  their  song  the  wrens  have  an 
anxious  scolding  chatter,  and  the  mother  bird  a  quieting  krup-vp- 
up  which  she  uses  to  soothe  her  brood. 

Raising  a  brood  is  a  protracted  process  with  the  wrens.    With  one 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  449 

family  that  I  watched  in  southern  California  it  was  six  weeks  from 
the  time  they  began  building-  before  the  young  left  the  nest. 

721b.   T.  a.  aztecus  Bain/.     Aztec  Wken. 

lAVm  jjarkuuDiii,  but  gTayish  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  except  the  Pacific  coast,  east  to 
the  Mississippi  Valley  ;  south  to  southern  Mexico. 

Aztscus  is  the  same  jolly  little  songster  as  parkmanii,  clambering 
over  your  tent  and  balancing  the  twigs  he  carries  to  his  nest,  saying 
and  doing  the  same  things  at  9000  feet  in  the  coniferous  forest  of  the 
mountains  of  New^  ^Mexico  as  theParkmanat  sea-level  in  the  hot  val- 
leys of  southern  California. 

GENUS    OLBIORCHILUS. 

722a.  Olbiorchilus  hiemalis  pacificus  (Baird).     Western 
WiNTEK  Wren. 

Tail  less  than  three  fourths  as  long-  as  wing- ;  outstretched  feet  reaching 
far  beyond  its  end.  I  ^'pper  parts  dark  brown,  brighter  on  rump  and  upper 
tail  coverts  ;  wings,  tail,  and  often  back  and  rump 
narrowly  barred  with  blackish;  superciliary  stripe, 
throat,  and  breast,  tawny ;  belly  and  under  tail  coverts 
barred;  flanks  darker.  Lenqth:  0.60-4.2."),  wing-  1. SO- 
LDO, tail  1.20-1.:]5.  exposed  culmen  .40-.45.  ^i^-  574. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  Pacific  coast  from  Sitka  south  to  southern 
California  and  east  to  Idaho  :  ranges  to  western  Mexico  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  woods  in  crevices  of  dead  logs  or  stumps,  made  of 
moss  and  lined  with  feathers.  J^ggs :  5  to  7.  white  or  creamy,  finely  but 
sparingly  spotted  Avith  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Largely  worms  and  small  white  grubs  found  in  the  bark  of  trees. 

While  the  voluble  house  wrens  are  always  coming  to  the  front 
singing  with  heads  up  and  tails  hanging,  loudly  publishing  all 
their  affairs,  the  quiet  little  winter  wrens,  with  heads  peering  down 
and  stubby  tails  cocked  over  their  backs,  are  silently  creeping  over 
the  logs  and  investigating  all  the  darkest  cracks  and  crannies  of  the 
fallen  timber.  In  the  redwood  forests  Mr.  Bailey  has  foiuid  them 
bobbing  out  from  under  old  logs,  diving  into  hollow  stumps  or  brush 
heaps,  their  S()ml)er  color  blending  with  the  brown  leaves,  brown 
bark,  and  brown  wood.  In  the  deeper  .shade  of  the  darker  nooks  and 
hollows  they  disapi^ear  entirely,  droll  Lilliputians  making  their  homes 
among  the  giant  redwoods. 

GENUS    CISTOTHORUS. 

(iemnd  C/iar>irtfrs.  —  Hack  strt-akcd  with  black  and  white;  tail  gradu- 
ated for  about  half  its  length. 

KKV    TO    Antl.TS. 

1.   Bill  as  long-  .'IS  head. 

2.    Bars  on  tail  coverts  indistinct  or  wanting.     Kast  t>f  Bocky  Mountains. 

palustris.  p.  !.")(». 
2  .  Bars  on  tail  coverts  distinct. 


450  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

3.  Paler.     East  of  Pacific  coast  region  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

plesius,  p.  451. 

o'.  Darker.     Pacific  coast  region paludicola,  p.  450. 

r.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head stellaris,  p.  450. 

Subgenus  Cistothorvis. 

724.  Cistothorus  stellaris  (XicR).  Short-billed  Marsh  Wken. 
Bill  much  sliorfer  than  head ;  pluniag-e  brown  ;  top  of  head  as  well  as  back 

streaked  with  black  and  white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  barred ;  under  parts 
buffy  or  brownish,  whiter  on  throat  and  belly.  Length :  3.75-4.50,  wing- 
1 .72- 1 .90,  tail  1 .58-1 .70,  bill  from  nostril  .24-.28. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Lake  Winnipeg-  (Norway  House)  southeast 
to  Georgia ;  in  the  United  States  west  to  the  Plains  ;  casually  to  Utah  ; 
winters  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states. 

]\  est.  —  In  tussock  of  reeds  or  coarse  grass,  the  tops  of  which  are  woven 
into  a  spherical  nest  with  entrance  on  one  side,  lined  with  finer  grasses 
and  sometimes  vegetable  down.      Eggs  :  6  to  8,  pure  white,  unmarked. 

At  Provo,  Utah,  Mr.  Henshaw  found  that  the  short-billed  marsh 
wren  bred  in  the  marshes. 

Subgenus  Telmatodytes. 

725.  Cistothorus  palustris  (Wils.).    Long-billed  Maksh  Wren. 
Adults.  —  Like  paludicola,  but  brown  of  upper  parts  averaging   more 

rusty,  bars  on  middle  tail  feathers  usually  more  indistinct  or  incomplete, 
and  bars  on  tail  coverts  usually  indistinct  or  wanting.  Length :  4.25-5.50, 
wing  1.80-2.12,  tail  1.00-1.90.  bill  ..5.5-.61.  Young :  top  of  head,  nape,  and 
back  dull  black  without  white  spots  or  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Manitoba  and  Ontario  south  in  tlie  eastern  United  States ;  west  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  locally  from  southern  New  England  to  the  Gulf 
states  and  eastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Globular,  with  entrance  on  one  side,  attached  to  upright  reeds  in 
marshes.  Eggs :  5  to  9,  chocolate,  sometimes  nearly  uniform,  but  usually 
sprinkled  with  a  deeper  shade. 

725a.  C.  p.  paludicola  Baird.    Tule  Wren. 

Top  of  head  and  triangular  patch  on  middle  of  back  black  ;  middle  of 
crown  washed  with  brown  ;  back  patch  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  back 
light  brown  ;  middle  tail  feathers  and  tail  coverts  generaUfj  distinctly  and  con- 
tinuously barred  with  black  ;  under  parts  soiled  whitish,  flanks  brownish. 
Length :  4..50-5.75,  wing  1.95-2.22,  tail  1.80-2.05,  bill  .48-.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Pacific  coast  region  from  British  Columbia  to 
California ;  south  in  winter  to  extreme  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  large  globular  structure  fastened  to  tule  stalks,  and  woven 
of  wet  tule  stems,  with  wet  grass  and  algse  matted  in,  and  with  a  lining  of 
drv  algfe  and  tule  pith.  Eggs  (1  set)  :  5,  lavender  brown,  clouded  or  mot- 
tled. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  wrens  of  the  marshes  are  as  full  of  song  as  the  house  wrens, 
and  as  they  live  in  colonies  where  they  all  sing  at  once  their 
swamps  are  as  noisy  as  a  pond  full  of  frogs,  but  their  voices  are 


Hy  courti'sy  ol  The  ii.<),r<'i/ 

LONG-r.II.LED   MARSH    WKKX 


CREEPERS  451 

most  imfrog-like,  having  the  tinkling  machine-made  quality  of  a 
music-box. 

Like  the  house  wrens  they  sing  all  over,  and  sometimes  as  they 
cling  to  a  tule  stem  bend  almost  double,  comically  swaying  from  side 
to  side. 

Their  big  globular  nests  make  conspicuous  objects  hung  on  the 
tule  stems,  and  a  walk  among  them  with  the  birds  singing  at  you  as 
well  as  around  you  is  an  experience  quite  to  a  bird-lover's  heart. 

While  the  tule  swamps  are  their  breeding  grounds,  in  fall  and  win- 
ter they  are  found  in  weed  patches  and  rank  grass. 

725c.  C.  p.  plesius  Oherh.     Interior  Tule  Wren. 

Like  palustris,  but  upper  parts  paler,  under  parts  grayer,  middle  tail 
feathers  heavily  barred,  and  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  barred  ;  paler  and 
more  sharply  barred  than paludicola.      Wing:  2.00,  tail  l.S'J.  bill  .50. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  and  Alberta  east  of  the  Pacific 
coast  district  south  to  Mexico ;  east  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Texas ; 
breeds  nearly  throug-hout  its  range  and  winters  from  Oregon  soutliAvard. 

FAMILY    CERTHIIDiE:    CREEPERS. 

GENUS    CERTHIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  sharp,  and 
decurved ;  tail  rounded,  equal  to  or  longer  than 
wing,    of  rigid,    shari^-pointed    feathers ;    tarsus 
Fig.  575.     scaled  ;  claws  greatly  curved,  and  sharp.  F'g-  576. 

KEY    to    CERTHIA. 

I.  Upper  parts  grayish.  Rocky  Mountains  ....  niontana.  p.  451. 
r.  Upper  parts  brownish  or  dusky. 

2.  Upper  parts  rusty  brown.     Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Sitka. 

occidentalis.  p.  452. 
2".  L^pper  parts  not  rusty  brown. 

."].  Upper  parts  dark  brown.     Arizona  and  southward. 

albescens,  p.  451. 
3.  Upper  parts  dusky  anteriorly.     Sierra  Nevada  and  (\is('ades. 

zelotes.  p.  452. 

726a.  Certhia  familiaris  albescens  (licrlepsih).  Mexican 
("reefer. 

Up])er  parts  dark  irowvj,  becoming  deep  nisty  on  rump;  under  parts 
brownish  gray,  white  only  on  throat ;  flanks  dark  rustv.  Length :  4.80- 
5.(;(),  wing  2.5.5-2.00,  tail  2.05,  bill  .T()-.7;5. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  throngh  .Sierra  Madre  of 
northwestern  Mexico. 

A  f-st.  —  liehind  loosened  bark  or  in  similar  openings,  about  stumps  or 
dead  tree  trunks.  m;ule  of  felted  materials  and  feathei-s.  Ay </.s- .•  5  to  0, 
white,  spotted  chieHy  on  or  around  larger  en<l  with  reddish  brown. 

FiKul.  —  Insects,  ;ind  their  eggs  .ind  l;irv;e. 

726b.  C.  f.  montana  Uiihjir.    IUxky  Moi  ntain  Chekimu 

rpper  \):\i\H  t/nii/ish.  lie;id  .md  back  streaked  conspieuonsly  with  white; 
rump  t.iwny.       Win;/:   2.5(i.  tail  2.71.  bill    75. 

Distribution.  —  iJoekv  Mnunl.iins  titnu  New   Mexico  north  to  Alask.i. 


452  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

In  the  stillness  of  the  high  mountain  forests  your  ear  sometimes 
catches  the  thin,  finely  drawn  pipe  of  the  brown  creeper,  and  if  you 
watch  patiently  on  the  dark-shaded  boles  of  the  lofty  trees  you 
may  discover  the  little  dark-colored  creature  —  seeming  small  and 
Aveak  in  the  great  solemn  fir  forest  —  creeping  up  the  trunks,  exam- 
ining the  cracks  with  microscopic  care  as  he  goes.  If  he  feels  that 
his  work  has  not  been  done  thoroughly  enough,  he  drops  back  and 
does  it  over  again  ;  and  when  one  tree  has  been  gone  over  to  his 
satisfaction,  he  often  flies  obliquely  down  to  the  bottom  of  another 
trunk  and  creeps  patiently  up  that.  On  Mount  Shasta,  where  the 
firs  are  decorated  with  yellow  moss,  the  Sierra  creeper  goes  around 
its  pads  when  he  comes  to  them,  but  works  carefully  over  the 
dark  lichen-covered  branches.  Sometimes  he  lights  upside  down 
on  the  under  side  of  a  branch,  and  clings  like  a  fly,  but  with  the 
aid  of  his  pointed  tail  well  pressed  against  the  bark.  In  New  Mex- 
ico, Mr.  Batchelder  has  found  the  creepers  eating  more  seeds  than 
insects. 

726c.  C.  f.  occidentalis  Bidgw.     Californian  Creeper. 

Upper  parts  rust  if  hroicn.  brightest  on  rump  ;  superciliary  and  streaks 
on  head  and  back  often  tawnv.  Wing  :  2.47.  tail 
2.45,  bill  .72. 

Distribution.   —  Pacific    coast   from    Sitka    to 
Fig.  577.  Marin  County,  California. 

Nest.  —  Behind  bafk  of  redwood  or  cedar,  3  to 
5  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  soft  shredded  bark,  lined  with  feathers, 
cocoons,  and  silk. 

726d.  C.  f.  zelotes  Osgood.    Sierra  Creeper. 

Upper  parts  dusky  anteriorly,  becoming-  bright  rusty  on  rump  ;  super- 
ciliary, streaks  on  scapulars,  and  spots  on  primaries  white ;  throat  and 
breast  pure  white,  sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  brownish. 

Bemarls.  —  The  Sierra  creeper  is  intermediate  between  the  California 
and  Rocky  Mountain  creepers. 

Distribution.  —  Cascade  Mountains  of  Oregon  and  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Barlow,  under  the  bark  of  a  dead  pine,  about 
20  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  cedar  bark,  mixed  with  a  few  feathers. 
Eggs  :  5,  white,  spotted  with  flakes  and  confluent  blotches  of  reddish 
broAvn,  with  shell  markings  of  lavender. 

FAMILY   PARIDiE  :    NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA 

1.  Tail  much  shorter  than  wing Sitta,  p.  458. 

I'.Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing. 

2.  Tail  graduated  for  about  half  its  length      .     .     .    Chamaea,  p.  459. 
2'.  Tail  graduated  for  much  less  than  half  its  length. 

3.  Plumage  compact Auriparus.  p.  462. 

3'.  Plumage  loose. 

4.  Length  4.00-4..50 Psaltriparus,  p.  460. 

4'.  Length  4.50-6.00 Parus,  p.  455. 


NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS  453 

GENUS   SITTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  iibout  as  long-  as  head,  compressed,  slender, 
acute,  tip  inclined  upward  ;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  tufts  ;  tongue 
horny,  barbed  ;  wings  much  longer  than  short,  even  tail ;  tarsus  shorter 
than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  toes  all  long-,  with  long  curved  claws  ;  plumage 
compact. 

KKY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Side  of  head  striped  black  and  white     ....    canadensis,  p.  4"»4. 
r.Side  of  head  not  striped. 

'1.  Top  of  head  grayish pygmaea,  p.  454. 

2'.  Top  of  head  black. 

8.  Longest  tertial  with  black  patch  pointed  at  tip. 

aculeata,  p.  45;}. 


?i' .  Longest  tertial  with  black  oblong  rounded  at  rip. 
carolinensis.  p.  45:5 

Fig.  JT'J. 
727.  Sitta  carolinensis  Lath.  White-bkkasted  Nuthatch. i 
Similar  to  S.  c.  aculeata.  but  tertials  light  bluish  gray,  witlx  sharply  de- 
fined   oblong  black    patches,    patch   on   outer   web   of 
longest  feather  rounded  at  tip  ;  white  of  side  of  head 
mixed   with   grav.     Length:   5.25-0.15,  wing  0.50-^}. 75, 
Nr        ■  tail  1.U5-2.20.  bill  from  extreme  base  ..S()-.'JO. 

Distribution.   —  Resident    from    southern    Canadian 

'^'       ■  provinces  south  through  the  eastern  United  States  to 

Georgia  and  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  casually  north  to  Hudson  Bay. 

Ne.st.  —  In  holes  of  trees  or  stumps,  made  of  soft  felted  materials  and 

feathers.     Eggs  :  5  to  8,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  their  eggs  and  larviB,  and  nuts. 

727a.  S.  c.  aculeata  (Cass.).     Slendek-billed  Nuthatch. 

Adult  male.  — Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  glossy  blue  black  in  sharp 
contrast  to  clear  white  of  sides  of  head  and  under  parts ;  back  bluish 
gray ;  wings  and  tail  marked  with  black  and  wlnte,  tertials  dark  or  dull 
bluish  gray,  with  black  patch  along  shaft  of  longest  ieath{.'V  pointed  at  tip. 
Adult  female:  top  of  head  grayish.  Length:  5.U0-0.10,  wing  ;).o5-;j.75, 
tail  l.r>()-2.20,  bill  .S()-.'.»5,  greatest  d<-pth  of  bill  .1:1. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  western 
North  America,  east  to  the  Plains  and  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  oaks,  in  natural  cavities  or  old  woodpecker  holes,  lined  w  ith 
grass,  moss,  fur,  h.-iir,  and  feathers.  Kggs :  5  to  7,  creamy  white,  lightly 
dotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac,  usually  chiefly  around  larger  end. 

As  you  ride  through  the  forest  in  the  Transition  and  C'aiuidian 
zones  of  the  western  mountains,  the  unniistukable  //mif/.  j/diif/,  hoik' - 
ah,  henk'dh.  are  rn'((uently  heard,  together  with  the  notes  of  king- 
lets, niouMlnin  cliickadees,  and  Audubon  warblers,  for  tlu'  birds  are 

'  fiUtit  riirnlinfnsi.s  nrlxoiii  Mearna.     RocKY  Mountain  Ncthatch. 

Dark  and  lar^e  ;  bill  large,  iiiaxillu  convex  rather  tlian  atraiglit.  Lrnqth  :  r^.^Wt.  wing 
3.70,  tail 'J.  17. 

Dis/rihiidoii.  —  'Wooiled  iiinMntaiiiH  of  northern  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  .\rizona.  Ne- 
vada, Colorado,  and  northward.     (Pntc.  U.  S.  .Vat.  yfn.i.  xxiv.  "JU'S.) 


454  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

sociable  little  creatures,  and  their  flocks  often  join  the  ranks  of  other 
small  foresters.  If  you  catch  sight  of  a  nuthatch  on  the  side  of  a 
tree  trunk  and  he  turns  his  head  to  look  at  you,  you  are  struck  by 
his  white  neck  patch.  It  can  be  seen  from  a  distance,  and  becomes 
a  striking  directive  mark  in  the  dark  forest,  being  conspicuous  when 
the  outlines  of  the  bird's  body  are  almost  indistinguishable.  In  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  when  passing  the  birds  on  horseback,  I  have  lost 
sight  of  one  I  was  watching  till  it  turned  its  head,  and  then  a  spot 
of  white  stood  out  against  the  dark  bole  of  a  tree,  placing  it  in- 
stantly. 

Like  the  brown  creepers  the  blue-gray  nuthatches  are  tree-trunk 
birds,  but  they  do  not  hunt  as  systematically  as  the  creepers,  and  are 
as  likely  to  be  found  hanging  head  down  as  up,  while  they  w^alk 
along  under  a  branch  as  calmly  as  flies  on  a  ceiling,  though  they 
have  no  stiff  pointed  tails  to  aid  them. 

728.  Sitta  canadensis  Linn.     Red-breasted  Nuthatch. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  glossy  black,  side  of  head  Avith  ivhite  super- 
ciliary and  black  eye  stripe ;  under  parts  reddish  brown ;  back  bluish  gray  ; 
wings  plain ;  tail  with  white  patches  on  outer  feathers. 
Adult  female  :  black  of  head  replaced  by  bluish  gray  ;  under 
parts  lighter  reddish  brown.  Young:  similar,  but  duller. 
Length  :  4.12-4.75,  wing-  2.1)0-2.85.  bill  about  .60. 
Fig.  581.  Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  of  North  Amer- 

ica ;  in  the  United  States  in  the   higher  mountain  ranges ; 
wintering  south  to  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Described  by  Henshaw,  in  stub  a  few  feet  from  the  ground, 
lined  with  fine  shreds  of  pine  bark.  Eggs:  4  to  8,  grayish  white,  thinly 
spotted  with  red  at  larger  end. 

The  red-breasted  nuthatch  is  often  found  with  the  slender-billed 
in  the  west. 

730.  Sitta  pygmaea  Vig.     Pygmy  Nuthatch. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  grayish  brown  or  olive  gray,  nape  usually  white  ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray ;  tail  with  basal  half  of  middle  feathers 
white  ;  eye  stripe  black  ;  chin  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  huffy.  Young  : 
wing  coverts  usuallv  more  or  less  distinctly  edged  with  pale  huffy.  Length : 
3.80-4.55,  wing  about  2.00,  bill  .60-.  65. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Mt.  Oiizaba,  Mexico ;  and  from  the  Rocky  Mts.  to  the 
Pacific. 

Nest.  —  In  crevice  of  bark  or  holes  in  trees  20  or  more  feet  from  the 
ground,  lined  with  feathers,  down,  avooI,  and  hair.  Eggs  :  6  to  9,  white, 
covered  with  red  spots,  most  thickly  about  the  larger  end. 

The  nuthatches  are  all  interesting,  but  there  is  a  peculiar  charm 
about  the  little  pygmy.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  aculeata  and  pygma^a 
are  sometimes  seen  together  in  the  pines  about  camp.  When  you 
see  the  slender-billed  coming  down  the  tree  trunk  over  your  head 


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NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS  455 

you  look  up  and  think,  '"  What  an  alert,  bright  bird,"  but  when  the 
fluffy,  bob-tailed  little  pygmies  come  trooping  in  and  alight  upside 
down  against  the  tips  of  the  pine  branches,  talking  in  soft  little 
liquid  notes,  you  feel  like  exclaiming,  •'  Oh,  you  winsome  little  mites, 
how  jolly  it  is  to  see  you  again  !  " 

A  pair  feeding  nearly  grown  young  were  discovered  by  Mr.  Bailey 
in  the  Sierra  Nevada  toward  the  last  of  July.  Their  small  nest  hole 
was  widened  from  a  crack  in  the  hard  shell  of  a  half  decayed  pine, 
where  the  digging  was  probably  easy.  The  old  birds  came  freely 
with  food,  though  Mr.  Bailey  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  and  when 
the  young  came  up  to  be  fed  their  parents  passed  inside,  and  after 
feeding  sat  a  moment  talking  and  fluttering  their  wings  at  the  door. 

GENUS    PARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  curved ;  wings  and 
tail  about  equal  and  rounded ;   plumage  loose. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Head  crested. 

2.  Throat  black wollweberi.  p.  4r)7. 

2'.  Throat  not  black. 

•J.  Crest  black  or  brown,  contrasting  with  gray  of  back. 

atricristatus.  p.  455. 
3'.  Crest  gray  like  back. 

4.  Upper  parts  dark  brownish  or  olive  gray.     Pacific  coast  region 

of  California  and  Oregon iiioriiatus.  p.  45G. 

4'.  Upper  parts  light  gray.     Colorado  to  Sierra  Nevada. 

griseus,  p.  45(). 
1'.  Head  not  crested. 
2.  Top  of  head  brown. 

3.  Back  brownish  gray columbianus.  p.  451 ». 

3'.  Back  dark  rufous. 

4.  Sides  and  flanks  rufous rufescens.  p.  450. 

4.  Sides  and  flanks  gray,  faintly  tinged  with  rutoi.s. 

neglectus,  j).  459. 
2'.  Top  of  head  black. 

3.  With  white  line  over  eye gambeli,  p.  45S. 

3'.  Witbout  wbite  line  over  eye, 

4.  Tail  longer  than  wing.     Rocky  Mountain  platt-aii. 

septentrionalis.  p.  457. 
4'.  Tail  equal  to  or  shorter  than  wing-. 

5.  Sides  gray  like  back sclateri.  p.  45S. 

5'.  Sides  not  gray. 

0.  Sides  buffy  (whiti.sh  in  summer).     Eiistern. 

atricapillus,  p.  457. 
0. Sides  brown occidentalis,  p.  45S. 

SubKcnus  Lophophanes. 
Crested. 

732.  Parus  atricristatus  Cass.    Black-ckestki)  Titmoisk. 

Adults.        Forehead   irhite   or  suinkij  brown,  crest    Itlack  ;    rest    of    uppi-r 


456 


NUTHATCHES  AND   TITS 


parts  plain  gray  ;  under  parts  white.  Young  :  usually  with  black  of  crest 
mixed  with  ash ;  upper  parts  slaty  gray,  washed  with  olive ;  under  parts 
with  sides  washed  with  hrown  ;  throat  and  middle  of  belly  lighter.  Length  : 
5-6,  wing  2.70-3.05,  tail  2.50-2.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  southeastern  Texas  west  to  El  Paso,  south  to  east- 
ern Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Often  in  old  woodpecker  holes,  4  to  12  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  wool,  inner  bark,  and  snake  skin.  Eggs:  usually  0,  white,  flecked 
with  reddish  brown. 

lu  Uvalde,  Texas,  I  have  seen  this  little  Mexican  stranger  singing 
on  the  ridgepole  of  a  village  house.  His  black  crest  gave  him  a 
jaunty,  dressed-up  air,  but  withal  he  was  the  same  winning,  fluffy, 
domestic  little  body  as  the  rest  of  his  race.  He  sang  a  cheery  abbre- 
viation of  the  Peter-Peter  of  his  United  States  relatives, — a  Pete- 
Pete- Pete- Pete.  In  the  Chisos  and  Davis  mountains,  Mr.  Baile}'' 
found  the  black-crest  one  of  the  most  abundant  birds  of  the  Upper 
Sonoraii  zone,  flying  about  conspicuously  among  the  junipers,  nut 
pines,  and  scrub  oaks. 

733.  Parus  inornatus  Gamh.    Plain  Titmouse. 


Adults.  —  Plain. 


i-ked 


upper  parts  brownish  or  olive  gray  ;  under 
parts  gray,  becoming  whitish  on  belly. 
Young  :  upper  parts  washed  with  brown  ; 
under  parts  ashy  white.  Length  :  5.00- 
5.00,  wing  2.08-2.90,  tail  2.20-2.60,  bill 
.:)8-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Pacific  coast 
legion  of  California  and  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In   holes    of   trees   or   stumps, 
ade  of  soft  felted  materials  and  feath- 
ers.    Eggs  :  6  to  8,  plain  white. 

There  is  an  indefinable  charm  about 
the  slow,  clearly  enunciated  tu-whit, 
fu-whit,  tu-ioMt,  that  echoes  through 
the  oaks,  telling  of  the  presence  of  the 
plain  titmouse.  Its  soft  quaker  garb 
and  quiet,  gentle  ways  suit  well  with 
the  feeling  of  rest  and  content  that  comes  under  the  sun-filled  live- 
oaks.  There  is  a  pleasant  sense  of  mystery,  too,  till  one  has  discovered 
which  particular  knot-hole  has  been  intrusted  with  the  safe  keeping 
of  the  little  bird's  treasures ;  and  after  the  discovery  there  is  an  added 
delight  in  watching  them,  for  the  titmouse  parents  are  gentle  lovers 
and  most  attractive  housebuilders. 


Fig.  58-J. 


733a.  p.  i.  griseus  Bidgw.     Gray  Titmouse. 

Similar  to   inornatus,  but  lighter ;  upper  parts  light  gray ;  under  parts 
whitish  gray.     Length  :  5.75-6.10,  wing  2.80-3.00,  tail  2.40-2.70,  bill  .40- 

.48. 


NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 


457 


Distribution.  —  Resident  from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  Colorado,  and  south 
to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 


1  ITMOL'SE. 

:rav :   sides  of  head 


Fig.  583. 


734.  ParUS  WOUweberi  {Bonap.).     Bridled 
Adults.  —  Throat  and   crest   black ;   crown   patch 

white,  marked  or  bridled  with  black  ;  back  olive 
gray  ;  under  parts  dingy  wliitish.  Youny  :  simi- 
lar, but  throat  gray,  except  for  black  on  chin  : 
head  markings  less  defined.  Length  :  4.50-5.00. 
wing;  2.60-2.80,  tail  2.40-2.65. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone 
from  western  Texas  to  southern  Arizona  and 
southward  to  Orizaba,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Scott,  -"U  to  6  feet 
from  the  ground  in  oaks,  cavity  lined  with  Cot- 
tonwood down,  ferns,  g-rasses,  and  cotton  waste. 
Eggs  :  5  to  7.  plain  white. 

The  oddly  marked  little  icollweheri  is  an 
eminently  social  bird,  ]Mr.  Henshaw  tells  us, 
going  about,  except  in  the  nesting  season,  in 
flocks  of  twenty-five  or  more.     It  hunts  for  food  largely  in  oaks. 
passing  along  more  quietly  than  other  titmice. 

Subgenus  Parus. 
Not  crested. 

735.  Parus  atricapillus  Linn.     Chickadee. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  throat  black;  back  ashy  or  olive  grayish, 
sometimes   tinged    with  buffy ;    sides  butfy ;    rest  of    under 
parts  white.      Young :  upper  parts  dark  slate  ;  under  parts 
salmon   color,  faintest  on    breast.     Length:  4.70-5.75,    wing 
2.5.5-2.75,  tail  2.50-2.70. 

Distribution. —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  north  of 
the  Potomac  and  Ohio  valleys  and  west  to  western  Nebraska. 
Recorded  from  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  stumps,  made  of  moss.  fur.  hair, 
times  feathers.     Eggs:  4  to  S,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac, 
chiefly  around  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Injurious  insct-ts  and  their  eggs,  including  tent-caterpillars, 
cankerworms,  and  plant  lice  ;   also  seeds  and  small  fruit. 

At  Fort  ShcrniiUi,  Idaho,  the  chickadee  apin-ars.  strangely  eiu)ugh. 
to  be  practically  identical  with  the  far  removed  eastern  black- 
capped. 

735a.  P.  a.  septentrionalis  (Harris).     Lonc-t.ailed  Chickadee. 

lAki'  (itrir(tj)illus.  \ni\  p.ili-r ;  throat,  top  of  head,  and  nape  black;  back- 
pule  (tsh,  ting»'d  with  brownish  ;  wings  with  white  patih  and  edgings:  tail 
feathers  edged  with  white  ;  sides  of  liead  and  under  parts  white  ;  sides  and 
flanks  washed  with  pale  biill'v.  Lmifth  :  4.75-(;.00,  wing  2.55-2.SO,  tail 
2.55-;5.()0. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  and  Lake  Winnipeg  south  over 
the  IJocky  Mountain  plateau  region,  and  east  to  the  Plains. 


Fig.  584. 
and  some- 


458  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

The  long-tailed  chickadee  is  common  in  the  mountains  of  Montana, 
and  in  Colorado  breeds  from  7000  to  10,000  feet,  wintering,  Prof. 
Cooke  says,  on  the  plains  and  foothills,  occasionally  up  to  8000  feet. 
It  is  sometimes  found  with  flocks  of  the  mountain  chickadee,  and  is 
also  common  in  willows  along  streams. 

735b.  P.  a.  occidentalis  (Baird).     Oregon  Chickadee. 

Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  glossy  jet  black,  back  dark  gray,  tinged 
with  olive  brown ;  sides  of  head  clear  white,  in  sharp  contrast  to  black  of 
head  and  throat ;  median  under  parts  white,  contrasting  with  tawny  brown 
sides.     Length  :  4.50-5.25,  wing  2.35-2.60,  tail  2.30-2.55. 

Bernarks.  —  The  Oregon  chickadee  differs  from  the  long-tailed  in  darker 
coloration  and  shorter  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  from  Sitka  to  northern  Califor- 
nia. 

737.  Parus  sclateri  Kleins.    Mexican  Chickadee. 

Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  jet  black,  sides  of  head  clear  white  ;  black 
of  throat  spreading  fan-shaped  over  chest;  median  under  parts  white,  con- 
trasting' with  dark  gray  of  sides.  Length  :  4.70-5.20,  wing  2.60-2.80,  tail 
2.25-2.40. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  Arizona  and  Mexico  to  Orizaba. 

738.  Parus  gambeli  Bidgw.    Mountain  Chickadee. 

Throat  and  top  of  head  jet  black ;  black  of  head  broken  by  white  super- 
ciliary line  ;  sides  of  head  white  ;  back  gray  ;  median  iinder  parts  grayish 
white  ;  sides  dark  gray,  tinged  with  light  brown.  Length  :  5.00-5.75,  wing 
2.70-3.00,  tail  2.40-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  of  the  moun- 
tains tbroughout  the  western  United  States  as  far  east  as  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  In  an  old  woodpecker  hole  or  natural  cavity,  3  to  15  feet  froiji  the 
ground,  usually  lined  with  rabbit  fur.  Eggs:  5  to  9,  plain  white  or 
spotted  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  whistles  of  the  mountain  chickadee  are  perhaps  the  com- 
monest notes  heard  in  the  forests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  In  the 
usual  forms  of  the  whistle  either  the  one  long  note  is  followed  by 
two  or  three  short  notes  — pha'-de-de  or  phod' -de-de-de,  or  else  the 
long  note  stands  between  the  short  notes,  as  de-de-pli(&' -de-de. 

Gambeli  is  a  typical  chickadee  in  all  its  motions,  making  short 
tilting  flights  from  one  treetop  to  another,  and  clinging  upside  down 
to  the  tips  of  the  branches.  It  is  an  unsuspicious  little  friend,  most 
pleasant  to  meet  in  the  dark  coniferous  forests,  alwaj^s  ready  with  a 
cheery  word. 

It  makes  a  snug  nest  in  some  old  woodpecker  hole.  The  female 
usually  sits  very  close.  Dr.  Merrill  says,  and  when  disturbed  '  keeps 
up  a  constant  hissing  so  much  like  that  of  some  snakes,  that  no 
prudent  squirrel  would  venture  to  enter  the  hole.' 


M- 'IN  IAIN  CHKKADII 


NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS  459 

740b.  Parus  hudsonicus  columbianus  Bhoach.  Columbian 
Chkkadke. 

Top  of  liead  hair  brown;  back  lighter  brown;  sides  of  head  ivhite  ;  throat 
blackish  ;  Hanks  dark  reddish  brown  ;  median  under  parts  whitish.  Wing : 
2.70,  tail  2.04. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountains  from  Liard  Kiver  south  to  Montana. 

741.  Parus  rufescens  Towns.     Chestnut-backed  Chickadee. 
Adults.  —  Throat  blackish  brown ;  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck   hair 

brown  ;  superciliary  black ;  back,  sides,  and  flanks  dark  reddish  brown  ; 
rest  of  under  parts  and  sides  of  head  white.  Young  :  top  of  head,  back  of 
neck,  and  throat  dark  sooty  brown ;  back  dull  chestnut,  tinged  with  olive ; 
sides  ashv,  partly  washed  with  brown.  Length  :  4.50-5.00,  wing-  2.85-2.60, 
tail  2.00-2.;3O. 

Distribution.  —  From  Alaska  south  to  California,  east  to  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  stub,  12  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  lined  with  cow  hair,  rab- 
bit fur,  feathers,  or  moss.  Eggs :  white,  unmarked  or  minutely  spotted 
with  reddish. 

At  Cape  Disappointment,  Washington,  Mr.  Kobbe  found  the 
chestnut-backed  chickadees  affecting  preferably  the  more  open 
woods  along  roads  and  trails.  They  were  very  common  all  the  year 
around,  especially  during  the  rainy  winters,  when  large  flocks  of 
them  could  be  seen  scrambling  about  on  the  branches  of  the  drip- 
ping firs  in  search  of  insects.  They  were  often  found  with  Oregon 
chickadees  and  golden-crowned  kinglets.  Their  call-note  Mr. 
Kobbe  gives  as  a  lisping  the-the-the-te-te. 

Mr.  Walter  Fisher  found  the  birds  very  abundant  on  Mt.  St. 
Helena  in  August  and  September. 

741a.  P.  r.  neglectus  Eidgw.     California  Chickadee. 

Similar  to  the  chestnut-backed  chickadee,  but  sides  and  flanks  light 
grayish,  only  lightly  tinged  witli  brown.       Wing  :  2.o0-2.()0.  tail  2.00-2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  California,  from  Monterey  northward. 

GENUS    CHAMPA. 

General  Characters.  —  Plumag-e  soft  and  loose  ;  lores  and  gape  bristled  ; 
rounded  wing's  much  shorter  than  graduated  tail ;  bill  nmch  shorter  than 
head,  stout;  nostrils  naked. 

KKV    TO    Sl'KClES. 

1.   Under  \y.\\Xs  daik  iiiddy  brown.    Coast  region  of  Oregon  and  California. 

pheea.  p.  400. 
r.  Wilder  parts  light  pinkish  or  yellowisli  brown.     California,  except  north- 
west coast  district fasciata,  p.  450. 

742.  Chamaea  fasciata  (iamb.     Pallid  \Vi:i.N-Tn  ' 

Upper  parts  gray,  tinged    with   olive   or   brown   on    posterior  part ;  tail 

'  ('hamrra  Jascitita  interiiiftlia  GriiineH. 

Back  and  upper  tail  covertB  aepia  ;  tJiroat  atul  breast  (Miuianion  rufous. 

IH.ffribution.  —Type  locality.  Palo  Alto,  California.     ( rtu-  Coiulor.  ii.  86.) 


460  NUTHATCHES    AND   TITS 

long',  graduated  ;  under  parts  fawn,  buffy  brown,  or  pinkish  brown,  more 
or  less  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky.  Wing  : 
2.::}T,  tail  8.41,  bill  .42. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran 
zone  from  San  Francisco  Bay  south  to  north- 
^^'^-  ^^^-  ern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  low  buslies,  made  of  twigs  and  straws  mixed  with  feathers. 
Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  pale  greenish  blue. 

One  of  the  most  persistent  of  the  pleasant  memories  of  the  cha- 
parral-covered hills  of  California  is  that  of  the  bell -like  descending 
keep-keejj-keep-keep-keep-it,  keep-it,  keep-it,  of  the  wren-tit.  Scale- 
bird  he  is  well  called  because  of  it,  for  while  the  song  has  many 
variations  it  always  contains  a  descending  scale.  But  though  his 
voice  is  continually  ringing  in  your  ears  the  w^ren-tit  is  a  secretive, 
mysterious  bird  like  the  chat,  and  you  may  hunt  through  the  cha- 
parral full  many  a  merry  day  before  you  see  him  run  his  scale. 
When  you  accidentally  come  face  to  face  with  him  on  his  own 
domains,  he  makes  it  appear  such  a  casual  meeting  in  a  neighbor- 
hood in  which  he  has  no  interest,  that  the  worldly  wise  observer  is 
fairly  maddened  with  curiosity  and  desire  to  discover  his  nest. 

The  appearance  and  mannerisms  of  the  birds  stimulate  this  inter- 
est. They  are  brown,  with  light  yellow  eyes,  and  long  tails  which 
tilt  up  and  down  as  they  fly,  and  are  often  held  up  as  they  hunt  in  a 
wren-like,  careful  way  over  the  chaparral  branches. 

742a.  C.  f.  phsea  Osgood.     Coast  Wken-Tit. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown  becoming-  sooty  on  head  :  under  parts  dark 
ruddy  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  dusky. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  zone  on  coast  of  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia from  Astoria  to  Nicasio. 

GENUS   PSALTRIPARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Plumag-e  loose ;  bill  much  shorter  than  head ; 
nostrils  concealed  ;  wings  rounded,  shorter  than  long,  graduated  tail. 

KEV   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Top  of  head  brown. 

2.  Top  of  head  sooty  brown.     Pacific  coast  region,  from  northern  Cali- 
fornia to  Washington minimus,  p.  460. 

2'.  Top  of  head  light  brown.     California,  except  northern  coast  district. 

calif  ornicus,  p.  461. 
1'.  Top  of  head  gray. 

2.  Sides  of  head  black lloydi,  p.  462. 

2'.  Sides  of  head  brown. 

3.  Head  with  blackish  streak  along  side  of  occiput. 

santaritae,  p.  462. 
3'.  Head  plain  bluish  gray plumbeus,  p.  462. 

743.  Psaltriparus  minimus  (To^ims.).    Bush-Tit. 

Top  of  head  sooty  brown ;  back  dark  grayish  brown  or  brownish  gray  ; 


nuthatchp:s  and  tits 


461 


under  parts  smokv  brownish  on  sides.  Length  :  4.00-4.50.  wing  1.95.  tail 
2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast  region  from  Wash- 
ington to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  Hung  in  thickets  of  ash 
and  willow,  bulky,  purse-shaped, 
with  entrance  usually  on  one  side 
near  top ;  made  of  mosses,  plant 
fibers,  lichens,  and  feathers.  J^ygs  : 
0  to  U,  white,  unmarked. 

Food.  —  Black  olive  scale  and 
other  insect  food. 

In  Golden  Gate  Park.  San  Fran- 
cisco, while  the  white-crowned 
and  golden-crowned  sparrows  are 
busy  on  the  lawns,  faint  notes 
come  from  the  undergrowth, 
which  on  investigation  proves  to 
be  astir  with  flocks  of  diminutive 
bush-tits,  though  their  gray  coats 
disguise  them  so  well  that  unless 
you  look  sharp  the  oak  leaves 
.seem  to  be  merely  rustling  in  the 
wind.  When  watched  carefully 
the  little  balls  of  feathers  are  seen  Fig.  58G. 

to  be  busily  looking  for  insect  eggs  quite  after  the  fashion  of  their 
larger  chickadee  cousins.  Flitting  from  branch  to  branch  they  fly 
up  to  light  upside  down  on  the  underside  of  a  bough,  and  then 
without  taking  the  trouble  to  turn  right  side  up  drop  down  back- 
wards to  catch  upside  down  on  the  tip  of  another  twig,  where  they 
bend  double  over  the  terminal  buds  looking  for  food. 

In  southern  California,  where  the  California  bush-tits  ])reed  very 
abundantly,  their  long  gray  hanging  nests  are  common  objects  as  you 
ride  about  among  the  oaks,  so  common  that  the  birds,  which  might 
well  be  overlooked  but  for  their  nests,  are  known  familiarly  as 
'  hang-birds.' 

In  a  ne.st  which  came  to  grief,  apparently  i)ulle(l  down  ])y  its  own 
weight,  I  counted  over  three  hundred  little  feathers  in  addition  to 
a  mass  of  tine  L-'rav  moss  and  oak  blossoms. 


743a.  P.  m.  californicus  liidinr.    Camkok-ma  lirsn-Tir. 

Similar  to  ininimns.  \n\t  lighter,  top  of  head  lig/it  hnnrn.  contrasting 
more  sharply  with  litjlit  gnii/ nf  h:ick  ;  under  p;uts  light  brownish.  Lenifth  : 
4.00- 1.. 5(1,  wing  1.S5-2.  III.  tail  L'.()(l-2.;:(). 

Dislrihiilion.  — Breeds  in  Tiaiisit  ion  .ind  Ippei-  .Sonoran  zones  of  Cali- 
fornia, I'Xcept  .along  the  north  coast. 

Food.  —  jil.ick  s«-ale,  weevils,  c;iter])illars,  cocoons,  insect  eggs,  bark 
lice   and  large  numbers  of  t>ther  injurious  insects. 


462  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

744.  Psaltriparus  plumbeus  Baird.    Lead-colored  Bush-Tit. 

Upper  parts  jjlain  bluish  gray  ;  sides  of  head  brown ;  under  parts  grayish 
white,  faintly  tinged  with  pale  brownish  on  belly.  Length:  4.12-4.00, 
wing  2.00-2.15,  tail  2.85-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  from  eastern  Oregon 
and  western  Wyoming  to  Arizona,  and  from  western  Texas  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  Chisos  Mountains,  Texas,  12  to  15  feet  from  ground,  in  a 
nut  pine,  a  greenish  gray  bag  0  or  8  inches  long-,  made  of  lichens,  oak 
flowers,  and  catkins,  woven  with  cocoon  silk.     Ji^ggs :  4,  white. 

When  we  were  working  lu  the  Guadalupe  Mouutains  of  Texas  and 
New  Mexico,  while  the  ant-eating  woodpecker  was  calling  and  band- 
tailed  pigeons  were  flying  noisily  to  water,  our  attention  would  often 
be  attracted  by  small  voices  in  the  brush,  and  presently  a  large  flock 
of  the  tiny  lead-colored  bush-tits  would  swarm  in  and  pass  from 
juniper  to  juniper  and  pinon  to  piiion  through  camp,  disappearing 
as  they  came,  full  of  small  talk  and  business. 

744.1.  Psaltriparus  santaritse  Bidgw.    Santa  Rita  Bush-Tit. 

Similar  to  plumbeus,  but  smaller,  sides  of  head  paler  brown,  and  with  a 
more  or  less  distinct  blackish  line  along  sides  of  occiput. 
Distribution.  —  Santa  Rita  Mountains,  southern  Arizona. 

745.  Psaltriparus  lloydi  Senn.     Lloyd  Bush-Tit. 

Upper  parts  gray ;  sides  of  head  and  partial  collar  around  back  of  head 
black;  under  parts  grayish,  faintly  washed  with 
pale  brownish. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains    of   western   Texas, 
between  the  Pecos  and  Rio  Grande  rivers  ;  south 
^^'  to  northern  Mexico. 

GENUS    AURIPARUS. 

746.  Auriparus  flaviceps  (Sund.).    Verdin. 

Bill  nearly  straight ;  plumage  compact ;  wings  pointed,  decidedly  longer 
than  tail.  Adult  male:  head,  neck,  and  chest  bright  yellow;  olive  on 
crown  and  sometimes  orange  on  forehead ;  shoulder  patch  reddish  chest- 
nut ;  rest  of  upper  parts  gray  ;  under  parts  whitish.  Adult  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  yellow  restricted  and  duller.  Young  :  without  yellow  or  reddish 
brown,  aiid  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with  brown.  Length  :  4.00-4.00.  wing 
1.90-2.12,  tail  L75-2.05. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  Texas  to 
the  Pacific  and  from  southern  Utah  and  Nevada  to  Mexico  and  northern 
Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  globular,  flask  or  retort-shaped,  the  entrance  a  small 
round  hole  on  one  side  ;  composed  of  sticks,  thorny  twigs,  and  coarse  grass 
stems,  lined  with  feathers  and  down  ;  placed  in  thorny  bushes  or  low  trees. 
Eggs :  o  to  0,  bluish  or  greenish  white,  speckled,  chiefly  around  larger 
end,  with  reddish  brown. 

The  verdin  lives  in  the  lower  mesquite  valleys  along  the  Rio  Grande 
and  the  Colorado,  the  Gila  and  the  Pecos  rivers,  seeming  to  prefer 
brushy  valleys  to  open  desert.     It  is  an  active  little  body,  bobbing 


KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC.  463 

about  in  the  thorn  bushes  like  a  kinglet,  scolding  and  sputtering 
when  you  are  near  its  nest.  Very  much  of  a  stay-at-home  little  per- 
son it  is,  too,  sleeping  all  the  winter  nights  in  the  old  nests,  relined 
with  feathers  and  hair,  or  in  new  ones  built  for  the  especial  purpose. 
It  shows  almost  as  much  anxiety  when  its  winter  house  is  ap- 
proached as  if  it  contained  eggs  or  young.  Poke  your  finger  into 
the  small  round  hole  at  the  side  of  the  nest  early  in  the  morning  or 
after  sundown  in  January,  and  you  will  feel  a  flutter  of  feathers  or 
get  a  sharp  peck  on  the  fingers  to  teach  you  better  manners.  Even 
in  the  breeding  season  the  bird  not  engaged  in  incubation  spends  the 
nights  in  a  nest  not  far  away,  probably  an  old  one  used  for  eggs  the 
previous  year. 

The  song  of  the  verdin  seems  even  more  out  of  proportion  to  his 
inches  than  his  nest,  and  on  following  it  up  you  expect  to  find  a 
big  warbler  or  sparrow  instead  of  such  a  tiny  bird. 

I  once  saw  a  verdin  pick  a  scarlet  lysium  berry,  and  with  it 
grasped  firmly  in  one  foot,  his  tarsus  resting  across  a  branch,  eat  the 
juicy  pulp  from  around  the  seeds  with  more  ease  and  grace  than  a 
hawk  could  boast  in  picking  a  sparrow.  Vernon  Bailey. 

FAMILY    SYLVIIDiE:    KINGLETS.   GNATCATCHERS, 

ETC. 

KEY    TO    GKNEKA. 

1.  Tail  f^raduatpfl.  marked  with  white Polioptila.  p.  465. 

1'.  Tail  emargiuate,  not  marked  with  white      ....  Regulus,  p.  403. 

GENUS  REGULUS. 

^  General    Characters.  —  Bill    shorter   than    head,    straig-ht, 

^^  slender;     nostrils    concealed;     wings    pointed,    longer    tlian 

?  emarginate  tail ;  tarsus  slender,  longer  than  middle   toe   and 

Fig.  588.  claw,  not  .sealed. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 
1.  frown  marked  witii  black  and  yellow. 

2.  (oloration  duller satrapa,  p.  4(5;). 

2.  Coloration  brighter olivaceus.  p.  4<)4. 

r.  Crown  not  marked  with  black  and  yellow  ;   male  witli  red  crown  i)atch. 

2.   Ui)i)er  parts  grayish  olive calendula,  p.  4(»4. 

2.  rpp<r  parts  sooty  olive grinnelli.  p.  4(5.*). 

748.  Regulus  satrapa  L'uht.    Golden-ckowned  Kix<;let. 

Adxdt  male.  —  Crown  encircled  anteriorli/  with  black,  bordered  inside  by 
yellow,  with  a  central  oranye  patch  ;  rest  of  upper  })art.s  gray- 
ish olive,  nu)re  olive  toward  rump  ;  wings  with  two  whitish 
bands;  under  parts  dingy  wliitisb.  Adult  female :  similar. 
l)ut  crown  patch  wholly  y«dlow.  Yohihj  :  crown  i)atch  want- 
ing and  head   nuirkings  obscured  ;   breast  w:i.shcd  with  fawn         Fig.  r)81). 


I    iiitiiuc   uy 


464  KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 

color.  Length  :  0.15-4.55,  wing  2.10-2.25,  tail  1.60-2.00,  exposed  culmen 
.25-.::}0. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  generally,  breeding-  in  Boreal  zone  forests 
of  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States  northward ;  migrating  to 
Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  ball-like  mass  of  green  moss  attached  to  end  of  branch  in 
pine  or  fir ;  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  5  to  10,  white  or  buffy, 
faintly  specked,  chiefly  around  larger  end,  with  deeper  buffy. 

748a.  R.  S.  olivaceus  Baird.  Western  Goldek-crowned 
Kinglet. 

Similar  to  satrapa,  but  brighter,  crown  colors  sharper,  upper  parts 
greener,  and  under  parts  more  washed  with  buffy  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  of  North  America  from  California 
northward  ;  mig-rates  to  Guatemala. 

In  the  high  Sierra  oue  of  the  notes  that  you  hear  most  frequently 
from  the  impenetrable  tops  of  the  highest  firs  comes  apparently 
from  this  bit  of  a  kinglet ;  and  as  you  crane  your  neck  and  strain 
your  eyes  day  after  day  and  week  after  week  in  riding  under  the 
trees  in  the  vain  attempt  to  see  him  do  it,  the  rolling  notes  shape 
themselves  ungrammatically  to  your  aggravated  query,  loho-be'-you  ? 
wlio-he'-you  ?  who-he  -you  f  The  call-note  of  the  little  fellow  seems  to 
be  a  thin  ti-ti,  quite  different  from  the  chatter  of  the  ruby-crowned 
kinglet. 

749.  Regulus  calendula  (Linn.).  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet. 
Adult  male.  —  Crown  patch  bright  red  ;  upper  parts  grayish,  brightening 
to  greenish  on  rump,  and  with  greenish  yellow  edges  to 
feathers  ;  wings  with  two  narrow  whitish  bands  ;  under  parts 
dingy  whitish.  Adult  female  and  young  :  similar,  but  with- 
out crown  patch.  Length :  3.7-')-4.00,  wing  2.20-2.30,  tail 
Fig.  590.        1.8.5-1.90.  bill  from  nostril  .20-.22. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  the  arctic  coast  to  Guatemala ; 
breeds  in  Boreal  zone  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  Sierra  Nevada,  and  mountains  of  Arizona ;  migrates  to  Guate- 
mala. 

Nest.  —  Semi-pensile,  bulky,  made  of  shreds  of  bark,  feathers,  and 
green  moss,  lined  with  hair  and  feathers ;  attached  to  end  of  pine  or 
spruce  branch,  or  placed  in  the  top  of  a  small  tree,  10  to  20  feet  from  the 
ground.  Eggs  :  5  to  9,  whitish  or  buffy,  faintly  spotted,  chiefly  around 
larger  end,  with  light  brown  (sometimes  nearly  plain). 

The  scolding  chatter  of  the  ruby-crowned  kinglet  with  the  plump 
little  figure's  lift  of  the  wing,  however  far  overhead,  always  tells  an 
unmistakable  tale.  The  cheery,  busy  little  chap  brings  his  own  wel- 
come in  the  timber,  chatting  sociably  as  he  hunts  with  microscopic 
care  over  the  twigs  and  flutters  hummingbird-fashion  under  the 
green  sprays  ;  but  when  he  sings  you  regard  him  with  a  new  feel- 
ing of  wondering  admiration,  —  such  a  volume  of  song  and  such  a 
well-modulated,  liquid,  ringing  melody ! 


KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 


465 


749a.  R.  c.  grinnelli  W.  Palmer.    Sitkan  Kinglet. 

Adult  male.  —  .Similar  to  calendula,  but  smaller  and  darker :  upper 
parts  sooty  olive,  darkening-  to  blackish  along-  sides  of  vermilion  crown 
patch  ;  wing-  with  dark  parts  nearly  black  ;  throat  and  breast  dusky  gray ; 
belly  whitish,  tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  male :  rich  brownish  olive, 
much  darker  than  corresponding-  calendula,  and  under  parts  brighter. 
Wing:  2.17,  tail  1.70,  bill  .10. 

Distribution.  —  Sitka  district,  Alaska  ;  migrating-  south  to  California. 

GENUS    POLIOPTILA. 

General  Chararters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  broad  and  flat- 
tened at  base,  narrowing-  to  slender  notched  and  hooked  tip  ;     4 
nostrils  exposed:  wings  rounded;  tail  graduated;  tarsus  scaled; 
toes  short,  side  ones  only  about  half  as  long  as  tarsus.  Fig. 


KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Outer  tail  feather  with  exposed  portion  entirely  white. 

2.  Crown  light  bluish  g'ray.     From  Colorado  east. 

caerulea,  p.  4(1 


Fig.  5<VJ. 


2'.  Crown  dark  bluish  gray.     Western  Texas  to  California. 

obscura,  p.  400. 
r.  Outer  tail  feather  with  exposed  portion  partly  black. 

2.  Outer  tail  feather  with  outer  web  entirely  white. 

plumb ea.  p.  406. 
Fig.  593. 


Fig.  594. 


2.  Outer  tail   feather  with  outer  web  black,  edged  with 
white.     Southern  California     .  califoriiica.  p.  400. 


751.  Polioptila  caerulea  (Linn.).    Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher. 

Adult  male.  —  Upi)er  parts  bluish  gray,  brightest  on  crown,  fading  to 
lighter   on    rump ;    forehead   and 

line  over  eye  black  :  tail  black  with  ^^•^;^,  /.ii<.(^i  >•  k 
exposed  part  of  outer  feathers  en-  ^^^j  ,^«*^*W9^^^ 
tirely  white;    under    parts  white  \''-J  -^^"iiafc^^B^x^ 

washed  with  bluish  on  .sides. 
Adxdt  fenade  and  i/ming  :  simi- 
lar, but  duller,  and  without  black 
on  head  ;  young  with  upper  parts 
wa.shed  with  cinnamon.  Lenqth  : 
4.05-r)..")»),  wing  2.0(»-2.2(>.  tail 
2.().')-2.2(). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Up- 
per Sonoran  /out'  in  the  eastern 
and  (•(Mitral  I'liittMl  St;ites  west 
to  Colorado  and  wi'stcin  Texas  ; 
winters  from  the  southern  .\tl;m- 
tic  andCtulf  states  to  (}iiatemal;i. 
Cuba,  and  the  Bahamas. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  cup-sliaped, 


466  KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 

compact,  made  of  leaves,  feathers,  and  plant  fibers,  and  decorated  with 
lichens.  Eygs :  4  or  5,  pale  greenish  white,  spotted  Avith  reddish  brown, 
lilac,  and  slate,  confluent  around  larger  end. 

The  gnatcatchers  are  active,  high-strung  little  sprites,  never  still  a 
minute,  but  going  about  whipping  their  tails  from  side  to  side,  cock- 
ing their  heads  over  to  look  up  or  gaze  down,  and  crying  tsang' , 
tscmg',  here'  I  am,  here'  I  am,  with  nervous  emphasis,  talking  to 
themselves  when  no  one  is  by.  They  are  most  entertaining  birds  to 
watch,  ahvays  saying  or  doing  something  original,  jaunty  individual 
scraps,  full  of  their  quaint  airs  and  graces. 

With  all  their  airs  they  are  most  painstaking,  skillful  builders,  and 
parents  who  khow^  no  fear,  flying  boldly  at  the  big  birds  who  molest 
them  and  driving  them  oft"  with  good  set  blows. 

751a.  P.  C  obscura  lUdgic.     Western  Gnatcatcher. 

Similar  to  cTvrulea.  but  darker,  less  blue  above,  and  black  superciliary 
less  distinct ;  white  on  tail  feathers  more  restricted. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Texas  and  New  Mexico  to  Arizona,  California, 
Lower  California,  and  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Nelson,  in  a  bush  3  feet  from  the  ground,  made 
of  shreds  of  bark  lined  with  finer  shreds  and  feathers.  Eggs :  4  or  5, 
marked  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish,  most  heavily  around  larger  end. 

752.  Polioptila  plumbea  Baird.     Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher. 
Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  glossy  blue  black,  in  sharp  contrast  to  light 

gray  of  back  ;  tail  black,  outer  tail  feather  with 
outer  iveh  entirely  ichite.  inner  web  tipped  with 
white  ;  under  parts  white,  washed  with  bluish 
J,,     egg  gray  on  sides.     Adult  female  and  young :  simi- 

lar, but  without  black  on  head,  and  gray  of 
back  sometimes  washed  with  brownish.  Length :  4.25-4.60.  wing  1.90-2,00, 
tail  2.1.")-2.25. 

Hemarks.  —  The  plumbeous  and  black-tailed  gnatcatchers  may  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  tail  feather,  which  in  the  black- 
tailed  is  black  edged  with  white ;  in  the  plumbeous,  wholly  white. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  Mohave  Desert ;  south  along  eastern  coast  of  Lower 
California, 

Nest.  —  One  near  Terlingua,  Texas,  in  fouquiera  bush,  made  of  gray 
fibers  of  wood  and  bark,  wound  with  spider  web,  and  lined  with  cactus 
wool.  Eggs  :  2,  pale  blue,  spotted  with  brown,  most  thickly  around  larger 
end. 

The  small  bluish  figure  of  plurubeii  is  a  familiar  sight  in  the  brushy 
canyon  mouths  of  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  Texas  and  in  the 
orchard -like  juniper  and  piiion  pine  tops  of  the  mountains. 

753.  Polioptila     californica     Brewst.       Black-tailed     Gnat- 

catcher. 
Adult  male.  —  Crown  black ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  gray ;  tail  black, 
outer  feather  with  outer  web  black  edged  with  white,  and  inner  web  narrowly 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       467 

tipped  with  white  ;  under  parts  gray,  tinged  with  brown  on  lower  belly. 
Adult  ft  male:  similar,  but  without  black  on  head.  Youny :  like  female, 
but  with  browner  wash  and  black  of  adult  male  appearing-  gradually. 
Length:  4.15-4.50,  wing  1.U0-2.0U,  tail  2.15-2.2.5. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  California  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Anthony,  in  fork  of  a  weed,  2^  feet  from  the 
ground,  made  of  shreds  of  weeds  and  grass  stalks  lined  with  rabbit  hair. 
Eyys  :  4,  bluish  green,  lightly  spotted  and  wreathed  around  larger  end  with 
reddish  brown. 


FAMILY  TURDIDiE  :    THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUE- 
BIRDS.  ETC. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

L  Plumage  largely  or  wholly  blue Sialia.  p.  475. 

1'.  Plumage  largely  gray  or  brown. 

2.  Under  parts  reddish  or  yellowish  brown. 

:].  Chest  with  a  dark  band Ixoreiis.  p.  473. 

3'.  Chest  without  dark  band Merula,  p.  472. 

2'.  Under  parts  white,  buffy.  or  grayish. 

3.  Tail  white  basally,  black  terminally    ....  Saxicola,  p.  475. 
3'.  Tail  not  white  basally  or  black  terminally. 

4.  Wings  with  two  light  bars Myadestes,  p.  4()7. 

4'.  Wings  plain Hylocichla,  p.  468. 

GENUS    MYADESTES. 

754.  Myadestes  townsendii  (Aud.).    Townsend  Solitaire. 

IJill  short,   flattened,  widened   at   base,  deeply  cleft;    legs  weak;    tail 
feathers    tapering.     Adults  :    brownish 
gray,    ])aler  beneath  ;    wings  with  two 
whitish  wing  bars,  bases  of  primaries 

and    secondaries    biifpy    or     yellowish  

brown ;   tail   feathers    with    outer  web  Fig.  ."/.)T. 

and  tip    of    inner  web    grayish    white. 

Youny :  wings  and  tail  as  in  adult ;  rest  of  plumage,  including  wing  cov- 
erts, conspicuously  spotted  with  buff.  Length :  7.80-9.50,  wing  4.35-4.85, 
tail  4.15-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  mainly  in  Canadian  zone  from  Brit- 
ish Columbia  south  to  Zacatecas.  Mexico,  and  from  the  Black  Hills  to  tlie 
Pacific  ;  winters  south  to  southern  Arizona  and  northern  Lower  Califor- 
nia. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  on  logs  or  stumps,  on  banks  of  streams  or  among 
rocks,  bulky,  made  largely  <»f  sticks  and  pine  needles,  i^yys :  3  to  ('»,  whit- 
i.sh,  spotted  with  reddish  i)r(>\\  n. 

The  luinio  Aft/a  dint  cs  is  iis-sotiati'd  with  the  choicest  spots  of  the 
mountain  heights.  In  tlie  Sierra  Nevaila  we  fount!  the  birds  on  their 
nesting  ground  on  the  granite  knob  above  Donner  Pa.ss.  at  7!)00  feet. 
They  evidently  had  a  nest  somewhere  along  a  steep,  wooded  stream 
bed,  whicii  wa.s  tlanked  with  bare  granite,  from  which  W(^odciiucks 
whistled  and  conies  barked.      But  while  nutcrackers,  Kichardsou 


468        THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

pewees,  green-tailed  chewinks,  and  mountain  song  spanows  made 
themselves  conspicuous,  the  pair  of  solitaires  were  too  conscious  of 
intruders  to  give  any  information.  The  male,  who  suggested  a  meek 
mockingbird,  guarded  the  brook  in  an  aggravatingly  non-committal 
way,  perching  on  dead  branches  or  flying  to  the  ground,  where  he 
ran  over  the  rocks  with  the  run-and-halt  motion  of  a  robin,  or  sat  on 
a  stone  quivering  his  wings  slightly  at  his  sides.  His  mate  would 
sometimes  slip  away  from  the  nest  and  appear  on  a  branch  by  his 
side,  and  once  I  followed  the  pair  over  the  bouldfers  and  up  the  cliff, 
thinking  they  had  gone  to  their  nest  in  some  other  place,  only  to  be 
led  back  over  the  rocks  to  their  little  brook  under  the  evergreens. 
Then,  as  the  setting  sun  lit  up  the  tops  of  the  hemlocks  that  stood  by 
the  brook,  turning  their  yellow  lichen-covered  branches  to  golden 
arms,  the  solitaire,  perched  on  a  sunlit  branch,  sang  a  low  evening- 
song  in  the  mellow  light.  At  other  times,  and  when  not  on  guard, 
the  bird's  song  would  fairly  ring  through  the  air.  When  given 
freely  it  is  a  strong,  clear  song  with  a  flavor  all  its  own.  Heard 
from  the  tips  of  the  highest  trees  on  the  crest  of  the  range,  as  it  so 
often  is,  the  song  has  the  freshness  and  invigoration  of  the  air  from 
the  snow-banks,  and  is  given  with  the  strong  freedom  of  the  moun- 
tain tops.  In  the  rocky  solitudes  of  the  Garden  of  the  Gods  it  is  said 
that  the  solitaire's  voice  is  sometimes  all  that  breaks  the  silence. 

GENUS   HYLOCICHLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  but  widened  and  flattened  at  base, 
notched  near  end ;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  as  well  as  breast  heavily  spotted  ;  head  golden  brown.     Eastern 

United  States \ mustelina,  p.  469. 

r.  Sides  gray  or  brown,  unspotted  :  head  not  g-olden  brown. 
2.  Eye  without  distinct  lighter  orbital  ring. 

3.  Upper  parts  and  cheeks  dark  gray.      Migrant  in  Rocky  Mountains. 

aliciae,  p.  469. 
?>'.  Upper  parts  and  cheeks  light  brown.     Rocky  Mountain  region. 

salicicola,  p.  469. 
2'.  Eye  with  distinct  white  or  buffy  eye  ring. 
3.  Chest  marked  with  narrow  triangular  spots. 

4.  Upper  parts  olive  brown.     Pacific  coast  region. 

ustulata.  p.  470. 
4'.  Upper  parts  olive  gray.     Oregon  and  California,    oedica,  p.  470. 
3'.  Chest  marked  with  wide  triangular  spots. 
4.  Tail  rafous  in  sharp  contrast  to  back. 
.5.  Tail  dark  rufous ;  length  6  to  7. 

6.  Lighter.     Breeds  mainly  north  of  United  States ;  migrates 

to  Colorado  and  Texas guttata,  p.  471. 

6.  Darker.     Breeds  from  Washington  to  Sierra  Nevada;  mi- 
grates to  Arizona  and  Mexico nana,  p.  472, 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       469 

•5  .Tail  light  rufous  ;  length  7. 50-8.20.      Rocky  Mountain  region. 

auduboni,  p.  471. 
4'.  Tail  not  sharplj'  contrasted  with  back. 

5.  Upper  parts  olive.     Migrant  in  Colorado  and  Texas. 

swainsoni,  p.  470. 
5'.  Upper  parts  hair  brown.     Alaska  and  Rocky  Mountains. 

almce.  p.  471. 

755.  Hylocichla  mustelina  {GmeL).    Wood  Thkush. 

.Idults.  —  Head  and  bark  of  neck  rusti/  or  golden  brown,  fading  to  olive  on 
rump  and  tail ;  under  parts  white,  marked  ^.--^*""^t:**^~ 

with  large  blackish  wedge-shaped  spots.       ^^#?I5^S*^  .^^T^-?* 
younq  :  like  adults,  but  feathers  of  crown 


S^ 


^..M 


streaked  with  buff  ;  wing-  covei-ts  tipped 

with  rusty  yellow  triangular  spots  ;  breast 

washed  with  brownish  yellow.      Length:  ^  ij;.  .'.o. 

1S)0->^:1'k  wing- 4.10-4.")().  tail  ;].()()-;5..']0.  exposed  culmen  .t)2-.7"). 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  the 
eastern  central  United  States  west  to  western  Kansas  ;  migrates  to  Cuba 
and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  saddled  on  a  horizontal  branch  of  a  small  tree,  very 
compact,  composed  partly  of  mud.     Eggs  :  2  to  5.  plain  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Partly  ants,  beetles,  millipeds.  and  berries. 

756a.    Hylocichla  fuscescens  salicicola  liidgw.     Willow 
Thrush. 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive  brown,  chest  pale  buff'i/.  mavked  with  triangular 
brown  spots  ;  median  under  parts  white,  sides  gray.  Length:  ().l)0-7.'.'(>. 
wing  ;].80-4.25,  tail  2.90-3.40,  bill  .55-.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  British  Columbia  south  through  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  to 
southern  Colorado,  east  to  the  Dakotas  and  Newfoundland,  and  occa- 
sionally to  Illinois  ;   winters  south  to  southern  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  largely  of  leaves.  Eggs  :  4,  plain 
greenish  blue,  very  rarely  with  a  few  specks  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  ants,  and  other  insects,  with  wild  berries  and 
fruit. 

lu  Montana.  Mr.  Williams  says,  salicirola  is  tlie  conimouost  and 
most  widely  distributed  of  the  thrushes,  ranging  from  the  lower 
valleys  to  the  foothills  and  canyons,  but  keeping  near  water  in 
thickets  of  willow,  rose,  or  box  elder,  away  from  the  heavy  timber. 
Its  notes  are  the  same  as  those  of  its  eastern  representative,  tbeveery, 
who  has  the  curious  bleating  call,  the  (piiet  whistle  whee-ourjh,  and 
the  tremidous  beautiful  song. 

757.  Hylocichla  alicise  (liaird).    (;hav-chkkkki>  Tjuush. 

Upper  parts  grayish  olive;  sides  of  head  grai/  ;  chest  huffy,  with  wedge- 
shaped  spots  of  brown  ;  median  under  jtarts  wliite ;  sides  olive  grav. 
Length:  7.00-7.7."),  wing  ;;.7.".-4.4(),  tail  2.i •.">-: '..40,  bill  .4.")-..")S. 

Remarks. —  In  gcniTal  ciilor.ition  the  gray-cheeked  resembles  the  olive- 
backed,  l)ut  it  lacks  ihf  l)uffy  eye  ring  .md  tawny  wasli  on  sides  of  head. 

Distribntion. —  Hiccds  nortli  of  the  riiitcd  .St.itcs  from  the  antic  coast, 
Siberia,  and  Ahiska.  southeast  througli   Hudson    Bay  region  to  Labrador ; 


470       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

migrates  through  the  United  States  west  to  the   Rocky  Mountains  and 
south  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes  or  on  the  ground,  bulky,  and  compact,  composed 
largely  of  mosses.  Eggs:  o  or  4,  greenish  blue,  spotted  with  rusty 
brown. 

758.  Hylocichla  ustulata  (Nutt.).     Russet-backed  Thrush. 

Upper  parts  olii'e  brown,  wings  and  tail  often  browner;  buffy  eye  ring 
distinct ;  sides  of  head  tinged  with  tawny  ;  chest  pale  buff,  whitish  in 
summer,  marked  with  narrow  triangular  spots ;  under  parts  white,  sides 
tinged  with  olive  brown.  Length :  6.90-7.00,  wing  3.60-4.00,  tail  2.80- 
3.30,  bill  .50-.60. 

Bemarks.  —  The  ustulata  group  is  distinguished  by  conspicuous  buffy 
eye  ring  and  tawny  or  buffy  cheeks  ;  and  ustulata  and  its  subspecies  acdica 
and  ahnce  are  to  be  distinguished  from  swainsoni  by  their  brown  tails, 
that  of  swainsoni  being  olive  like  the  back. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  and  Transition  zones  of  the  Pacific  coast 
region  from  Alaska  to  California ;  winters  in  Lower  California  and  from 
Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  usually  near  water,  bulky  and  compact, 
made  largely  of  mosses  and  shreds  of  bark.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  light  greenish 
blue,  averaging  decidedly  paler  than  those  of  alicice,  spotted  with  rusty 
brown. 

Food.  —  Ants,  caterpillars,  weevils,  beetles,  moths,  and  other  insects, 
with  small  fruit. 

At  Gray's  Harbor,  Washington,  Mr.  Lawrence  says,  the  russet- 
backed  thrush  is  very  common  throughout  the  river-bottoms,  and 
common  on  the  small  prairies  and  in  the  timber.  It  comes  about 
the  time  the  salmon  berry  bushes  blossom,  and  goes  when  their 
berries  are  gone. 

758a.  H.  U.  swainsoni  (Cab.).     Olive-backed  Thrush. 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive  or  grayish  olive  ;  buffy  eye  ring  conspicuous  ; 
.^ides  of  head  buffy,  marked  with  darker  ;  chest  bright  buff,  marked  with 
wide  blackish  streaks ;  under  parts  white,  sides  olive  brown.  Length : 
6.35-7.55,  wing  3.80-4.10,  tail  2.80-3.10,  bill  .50-.55. 

Bemarks.  —  The  olive-backed  is  distinguished  from  the  rest  of  the 
ustulata  group  by  having  the  tail  of  the  same  or  nearly  the  same  color  as 
the  back,  and  by  its  darker  and  broader  chest  streaks.  It  is  also  distin- 
guished from  the  gray-cheeked  by  its  buffy  cheeks  and  buffy  eye  ring. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  eastern  North  America ; 
migrates  to  Cuba  and  through  Colorado  and  Texas,  south  to  Guatemala 
and  South  America. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Like  those  of  the  russet-backed  thrush. 

Food.  —  Among  other  things,  caterpillars,  rose  hips,  and  the  fruit  of 
smilax  and  hackberry. 

758b.  H.  U.  Cedica  Oberh.     Monterey  Thrush. 

Similar  to  swainsoni,  but  olive  of  upper  parts  somewhat  tinged  with 
brown,  tail  and  tail  coverts  brown,  and  .sides  and  flanks  browner.  Com- 
pared with  ustulata,  adica  is  much  less  rufous. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  interior  of  southern  Oregon  south 
through  California,  except  along  the  northern  coast ;  winters  in  Arizona 
and  Mexico, 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       471 

758c.  H.  u.  almse  Oberh.     Alma  Thrush. 

Similar  to  sivai)isoni,  but  grayer,  especially  on  rump  and  upper  tail  cov- 
erts ;  the  upper  parts  hair  brown,  only  liglitly  tinged  with  green  instead 
of  being  clear  olive,  and  the  tail  partly  clear  brown  and  partly  uniform 
with  back. 

Distribution.  —  Yukon  Basin  south  to  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the 
United  States,  west  to  Utah  and  eastern  Nevada ;  in  winter  south  to  Mex- 
ico. 

759.  Hylocichla  guttata  (rallas).    Alaska  Hermit  Thkush.i 

Upi)er  parts  dark  yrai/ish  brown,  more  olive  in  winter,  tail  deep  rufous; 
chest  thickly  marked  with  broad,  wedge-shaped  spots.  Length  :  0-7,  wing 
3.25-;-J.80,  tail  2.( )()-:].( )0,  bill  Ar)-.'y2. 

Bemarks.  —  The  Alaska  hermit  thrush  can  be  distinguished  from  the 
Audubon  hermit  by  its  smaller  size  and  darker  coloration. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  from  Alaska  to  southern  British 
Columbia,  and  southward  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  damp  or  swampy  woods,  composed  largely  of  dead 
leaves  and  dried  grasses.  Eygs :  4  or  5,  plain  greenish  blue,  i3aler  than 
in  the  Avood  and  willow  thrushes. 

Food.  —  Flies,  weevils,  ants,  caterpillars,  moths,  pepper  berries,  and 
small  fruits. 

The  hermit  thrushes  have  a  marked  habit  of  raising  and  lowering 
their  reddish  tails,  and  their  call-note  is  a  single  chuck.  As  a  group 
their  songs  rank  as  the  best  of  the  rare  thrush  songs. 

759a.    H.  g.  auduboni  (Baird).    Audubon  Hermit  Thrush. 

Similar  to  guttata,  but  larger,  and  upper  parts  lighter,  grayer,  with  rufous 
of  tail  much  lighter  (fulvous).  Length:  7.50-8.25,  wing  o.G.")-4.:J5,  tail 
2.9."3-.3.45,  bill  .5:j-.60. 

Distribution.  — Rocky  Mountain  region,  from  near  the  northern  border 
of  the  United  States  south  to  Guatemala  ;  east  to  Texas  and  west  to  the 
mountains  of  Arizona  and  southern  Sierra  Nevada  in  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  low  trees,  3  to  10  feet  from  the  ground  ;  partly 
made  with  moss. 

Food.  —  Flies,  ants,  weevils,  and  other  insects  and  berries. 

As  you  travel  througli  the  spire-pointed  fir  forests  of  the  western 
mountains,  you  know  the  thrush  as  a  voice,  a  bell-like  sublimated 
voice,  whicli,  like  the  tolling  of  the  Angelus,  arrests  toil  and  earthly 
thought.  Its  phrases  can  be  expressed  in  the  words  ]Mr.  Burroughs 
has  given  to  the  eastern  hernu't,  '  O/i,  aphenil,  sjJit  ml .'  oh,  holy, 
Jioly  !'  and  the  first  strain  arouses  emotions  which  the  regularly  fall- 
ing cadences  carry  to  a  perfec-t  clo.se.  The  fine  spirituality  of  the 
song,  its  serene  uplifting  (luality,  make  it  fittingly  associated  with 
nature's  most  exalted  moods,  and  it  is  generally  heard  in  the  solemn 
stillness  of  simrise,  when  the  dark  fir  forest  is  tipped  with  gold,  or 

'  Ifi/locic/itd  (nillntd  .ilirhn  Griniiell.     Monterey  Hermit  Thuush. 

A  palo  a«liy  form  ;  upper  partH  hair  brown  ;  upper  tail  coviMt.s  mid  tail  isiilM'lla  color  ; 
HpotH  on  lireaKt  few  and  Hiiiall. 

Di.ftrHitUioii.  —  HreedH  in  lunnid  coast  belt  of  California  from  houtliern  Monterey 
County  to  Sonoma  County.     (7V  Auk,  xviii.  'I't'J.) 


472       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

iu  the  liush  of  sunset,  when  the  western  sky  is  aglow  and  the  deep 
voice  rises  from  its  chantry  iu  slow,  soul-stirring  cadences,  high-uj)- 
high-up,  look-uj),  look-up. 

759c.  H.  g.  nana  {And.).     Dwarf  Hermit  Thrush. 

Like  guttata,  but  color  darkei'  and  richer ;  upper  parts  brownish  oliva- 
ceous, tending  toward  raw  umber  ;  top  of  head  and  rump  browner  than 
back  ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  tail  burnt  umber ;  under  parts  more  buffy 
than  in  guttata.      Wing :  3.25,  tail  2.75,  bill  .50,  tarsus  1.12. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region,  from  Washington  southward,  breed- 
ing south  to  Sierra  Nevada  region  ;  east  in  migrations  to  Nevada  and  Ari- 
zona, and  south  to  Lower  California  and  western  Mexico. 

GENUS    MERULA.i 

General    Characters.  —   Bill    slender    and    compressed, 
notched  near  end  ;   nostrils  wholly  exposed  ;   tail  more  than 
3      three    times   as   long    as    tarsus ;    under    parts    spotted    in 
Fig.  599.         young. 


KEY    TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Outer  tail  feather  with  distinct  white  spot  at  tip  of  inner  web  ;  colors 

darker migratoria,  p.  472. 

r.  Outer  tail  feather  without  distinct  white  tip  to  inner  web  ;  colors  paler. 

propinqua,  p.  472. 

761.  Merula  migratoria  (Linn.).    Robin. 

Like  M.  m.  propinqua.  but  outer  tail  feather  with   a  distinct  white  spot 

at  tip    of  inner  web  ; 


Fig.  600. 


anterior  portion  of 
back  usually  some- 
what clouded  with 
black  in  fully  adult 
birds.  Length :  9-10, 
wing  4.90-5.40,  tail 
4.10-4.50,bill.85-.92. 
Distribution.  — 
Breeds  from  Alaska 
and  the  arctic  coasts 
southeast  through 
Hudson  Bay  region 
and  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains to  Kansas,  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  Atlan- 


tic coast ;  winters  from  southern  Canada  southward. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Like  those  of  M.  m.  propinqua. 

Food.  —  Crickets,   grasshoppers,   and  other  noxious  insects,  seeds,  wild 
fruit,  and  berries. 

761a.  M.  m.  propinqua  Bidgw.    Western  Robin. 
Adults.  —  Head,   wings,  and  tail  blackish  ;  rest  of   upper  parts  slaty 

1  A  specimen  of  Merula  conjinis  was  taken  by  Mr.  Emerson  at  Hay  wards,  Cal.,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1882.    {Zoe,  i.  4G.) 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       473 

g^ray,  black  of  hind  neck  sharply  contrasting  with  gray  of  anterior  part  of 
hack  :  outer  tail  feather  without  distinct  white  tip,  often  with  no  white  ; 
throat  black,  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts,  except  tail  coverts, 
rufous  ;  in  female  paler  and  duller.  In  winter  :  upper  parts  tinged  with 
brown  ;  under  parts  with  feathers  edged  with  white.  Young  :  under  parts 
spotted;  upper  parts  streaked  with  white.  Young  in  Jirst  winter:  head 
and  neck  brownish  gray,  like  upper  parts ;  rufous  of  breast  paler,  more 
olivaceous.     Length:  10-11,  wing  5. -20-5. TO,  tail  o.SlM.TO.  bill  .S5-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  the  western 
United  IStates  from  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific,  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  Oaxaca, 
Mexico. 

Nest. — On  prairies,  on  the  ground,  ajid.  in  timber,  near  the  ground; 
compact  and  bulky,  made  of  leaves,  stems,  twigs,  and  grasses,  plastered 
together  with  mud,  and  lined  with  fine  stems  and  rootlets.  Eggs  :  usually 
4,  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  ants,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  and  the  injurious  large 
black  crickets ;  also  hackberry,  mistletoe  and  pepper  berries,  and  other 
small  fruit. 

In  the  cast  the  robin  is  the  familiar  bird  of  the  dooryard,  like  the 
mockingbird  of  the  south,  or  the  brown  chippie,  the  house  finch,  and 
the  lark  sparrow  in  parts  of  California.  But  in  the  west  he  nests  in 
the  mountains  or  far  north,  and  when  seen  in  w^inter  is  shy  and 
nervous.  Flocks  are  sometimes  seen  eating  ivy  berries  in  the  ceme- 
teries of  San  Francisco,  but  are  so  timid  they  hide  in  the  brush  in 
grep,t  trepidation  on  the  approach  of  man. 

The  robin  song,  one  of  the  most  familiar  and  best  loved  of  the 
east,  is  not  often  heard,  but  in  southern  California  during  the  spring 
migration  I  have  seen  flocks  of  twenty  birds  in  an  oak  top  singing 
their  soft  evening  song,  and  at  Stanford  I  once  heard  a  wonderful 
robin  chorus  equal  to  the  best  daybreak  chorus  one  hears  in  the 
east. 

In  the  Sierra  as  in  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  in 
both  Transition  and  Canadian  zones,  the  robins  breed  abundantly, 
and  as  you  pass  are  seen  shaking  their  tails  as  they  chirrup  in  their 
old  familiar  way.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Tahoe  we  found 
large  numbers  of  them  gathered  in  a  field  alive  with  grasshoppers, 
and  they  were  running  about  in  all  directions,  tipping  forward  to 
catch  the  insects  in  characteristic  manner. 

GENUS    IXOREUS. 
(ieneral  Characters.  —  Like  Merula.  but  bill  not  notched. 

KKY    TO    KKMALKS. 

1.    Browner,  with  white  markings  restricted.     Sitkan  district. 

naevius,  p.  47">. 
r.  (irayer.  white  markings  more  extensive.      Interior  .Maska. 

meruloides.  p.  171. 


474        THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

763.  Ixoreus  nsevius  (Gmel.).     Varied  Thrush. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  bright  rusty  brown,  throat  crossed  by  blackish 
necklace ;  belly  mixed  -white  and  gray ;  upper  parts  dark  bluish  slate, 
feathers  edged  with  lighter;  wings  banded  and  edged  with  brown;  side 
of  head  black,  bordered  above  by  brown  streak.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  much  duller  ;  upper  parts  washed  with  brown  —  deeper  in  winter  — 
and  collar  obscured  by  brown  feathers.  Young :  like  female,  but  duller  ; 
collar  less  distinct,  and  more  or  less  spotted  with  yellowish  brown ;  feath- 
ers of  breast  edged  with  dusky  and  those  of  upper  parts  with"'  distinct 
paler  shaft  streaks.  Length :  9-10,  wing  4.90-5.20,  tail  about  3.60-3.80, 
bill  about  1. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  along  the  Pacific  coast  from  Ber- 
ing Strait  to  Humboldt  County,  Cal.  ;  winters  from  Washington  to  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  Compact  and  bulky,  in  bushes  and  small  trees.  Eggs  :  4,  pale 
greenish  blue,  sparingly  speckled  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  weevils,  ants,  millipeds,  mast,  and  wild  berries. 

The  varied  thrushes  reach  California  iu  November,  and  flocks  of 
the  splendid  beauties,  with  orange  breast  and  dark  necklace,  may  be 
seen  in  winter  in  the  arboretum  at  Stanford  and  other  places  where 
California  holly  berries  are  to  be  found.  The  birds  are  also  es- 
pecially fond  of  manzauita  berries.  In  Placer  County,  Mr.  Wil- 
liams says,  they  live  on  insect  food  in  winter,  and  are  extremely  shy, 
rarely  leaving  the  dark,  heavily  wooded  canyons  or  hillsides.  In 
Oregon,  Mr.  Anthony  tells  us  they  are  timid  on  their  first  arrival, 
but  grow  tame  enough  to  visit  the  ranches.  They  leave  California 
in  March,  and  at  that  time  Dr.  Mearns  found  them  abundant  and 
tame  at  Fort  Klamath,  coming  about  the  houses  fearlessly  in  great 
numbers. 

Mr.  Fuertes,  in  describing  the  song  of  the  varied  thrush  as  he 
heard  it  iu  Alaska,  says  that  it  is  "most  unique  and  mysterious,  and 
may  be  heard  in  the  deep  still  spruce  forests  for  a  great  distance, 
being  very  loud  and  wonderfully  penetrating.  It  is  a  single  long- 
drawn  note,  uttered  in  several  different  keys,  some  of  the  high- 
pitched  ones  with  a  strong  vibrant  trill.  Each  note,  grows  out  of 
nothing,  swells  to  a  full  tone,  and  then  fades  away  to  nothing  until 
one  is  carried  away  with  the  mysterious  song.  When  heard  near 
by,  as  is  seldom  possible,  the  pure  yet  resonant  quality  of  the  note 
makes  one  thrill  w^ith  a  strange  feeling,  and  is  as  perfectly  the  voice 
of  the  cool,  dark,  peaceful  solitude  which  the  bird  chooses  for  its 
home  as  could  be  imagined.  The  hermit  thrush  himself  is  no  more 
serene  than  this  wild  dweller  in  the  western  spruce  forests." 

763a.  I.  n.  meruloides  {Sivains.).    Pale  Varied  Thrush. 

Adult  female.  —  Similar  to  female  ncEvius,  but  grayer  and  paler,  white 
markings  more  extended,  wing  longer,  more  pointed. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  interior  of  northern  Alaska ;  migrates  to  south- 
ern California. 


v.\Kii:i)   in  RUSH 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       475 

GENUS    SAXICOLA. 

765.  Saxicola  oenanthe  {Linn.).    Wheatear. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  ash  gray ;  wings  and  terminal  third  of  tail 
black ;  basal  two  thirds  of  tail,  except  middle  feathers,  white  ;  forehead, 
superciliary,  and  upper  tail  coverts,  white  ;  side  of  head  with  black  stripe  ; 
under  parts  butfy  anteriorly,  white  posteriorly.  Adult  female  :  duller, 
black  replaced  by  dusky.  Winter  pluma<je :  upper  parts  brown  ;  white  on 
tail  as  in  summer ;  wings  with  lighter  edgings ;  under  parts  rusty  buff ; 
side  of  head  without  distinct  streak.  Young :  like  female,  but  feathers 
with  dark  bars  and  pale  centers  at  tip.  Male :  Aving-  3.58-3.98.  Female  : 
wing-  3.54-3.90. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska ;  migrates  to  Asia ;  accidental  in  Col- 
orado. 

Nest.  —  Among  rocks  and  stone  walls,  made  of  grasses,  lined  with  feath- 
ers.    Fggs :  3  to  G,  pale  greenish  blue. 

A  specimen  of  the  wheatear  was  taken  at  Boulder,  Colorado,  by 
Minot,  in  1880. 

GENUS    SIALIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  more  than  half  as  long  as  head,  notched 
near  tip  ;  feet  short  and  stout ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  ;  side 
toes  unequal ;  claws  strongly  curved. 

KEY   TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  without  blue. 

2.  Sides  of  neck  blue.     Koeky  Mountains  to  Atlantic     .    stalls,  p.  475. 
2'.  Sides  of  neck  brown.     Southern  Arizona  ....      azurea.  p.  470. 
1'.  Under  parts  with  blue. 

2.  Under  parts  wholly  blue  and  white arctica,  p.  470. 

2'.  Under  parts  blue  and  brown. 

3.  Back  wholly  chestnut bairdi,  p.  470. 

3'.  Back  blue  in  middle,  ^chestnut  on  sides      .    occidentalis.  p.  47(k 

766.  Sialia  sialis  (Linn.).    Bluebikd. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  l)riglit  blue  ;  under  parts  rt'ddisli  lirown. 
fading  to  white  on  belly.  In  winttr, 
feathers  of  back  bordered  with  brown. 
Adult  female  :  upper  parts  gray,  deep- 
ening' to  blue  on  rump,  wings,  and 
tail ;  under  parts  dull  brown,  becom- 
ing whitish  on  belly.  Young:  upper 
parts  dark  gray,. streaked  with  w  bite  : 
under  parts  gray,  spotted  with  white. 
Male:  length  5.7()-7.0(),  wing.  3.00- 
4.15,  tail  2.00-2.00,  bill  .02-.07.  Fe- 
male: wing  3.80-3.00,  tail  2..5( )-•_'.(".( ». 

Distrihution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition 
.and  U])])er  Sononm  /ones  from  M.nii- 
toba  and  Ontario  south  to  (miU'  of 
Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlanti<-  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains;  winters  from  the  middle  states  to  the  (inlf  st.ites  .uid 
Cuba. 


£rt^ 


476       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees,  stumps,  posts,  or  bird-boxes  ;  made  largely  of 
dried  grasses.     J^ggs  :  4  to  7,  plain  pale  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  grasshojjpers,  and  crickets  ;  also  wild  ber- 
ries, like  hackberry  and  woodbine. 

The  eastern  bluebird  ranges  west  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, being  a  rare  summer  resident  in  Colorado. 

766a.  S.  S.  azurea  Baird.     Azure  Bluebird. 

Similar  to  sialis.  but  sides  of  neck  brown,  and  under  parts  less  ruddy 
brown  ;  upper  parts  sometimes  greenish  blue,  suggesting  arctica.  Length  : 
6.40-7.10.  Male:  wing  4.05-4.20,  .tail  2.70-2.95,  bill  .47-.50.  Female: 
wing  8.90,  tail  2.55. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Arizona  and  Mexico. 

767.  Sialia  mexicana  OCCidentalis  {Towns.}.    Western  Blue- 

bird. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dark  purplish  blue  and  chestnut  ;  throat  pur- 
plish blue ;  breast  dark  rufous ;  rest  of  under  parts  mixed  brown,  dull 
purplish  and  gray.  Adult  female :  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  gray,  washed 
with  brown  on  back ;  rump  and  tail  bright  blue ;  outside  tail  feathers 
edged  with  white.  Young :  like  young  of  sialis,  but  bill  slenderer.  Male : 
length  0.50-7.12,  wing  3.95-4.45,  tail  2.62-3.05,  bill  .45-.50.  Female: 
wing  about  4,  tail  2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast,  from  Brit- 
ish Columbia  to  California,  and  east  to  western  Nevada  and  Idaho ;  casu- 
ally during  migrations  to  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  woodpecker  hole  high  in  a  pine  or  other  tree.  Eggs :  ( 1  set) 
6,  pale  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars ;  also  crickets,  weevils,  ants,  moths,  locusts, 
and  grapes  in  winter  months  when  insect  food  is  less  abundant. 

The  western  bluebird  is  often  seen  on  roadside  fences  from  which 
it  flies  down  to  pick  up  insects.  In  the  pine  woods  it  sits  close  to  the 
tree  trunks  on  short  broken-off  branches.  It  has  the  soft  warble  of 
its  kind,  and  the  delicate  bluebird  way  of  lifting  the  wings  while 
perching. 

767a.  S.  m.  bairdi  Ridgw.     Chestnut-backed  Bluebird. 

Similar  to  occidentalis,  but  back  wholly  chestnut. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky  Mountain 
district,  south  to  Arizona,  Texas,  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Food.  —  Partly  grasshoppers,  weevils,  crickets,  and  sumac  berries. 

The  chestnut-backed  bluebird  extends  east  as  far  as  Pueblo,  Colo- 
rado, during  migration,  and  breeds  from  the  base  of  the  foothills 
up  to  9500  feet. 

768.  Sialia  arctica  Swains.     Mountain  Bluebird. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  light  purplish  blue  or  greenish  blue  ;  under 
parts  pale  greenish  blue.  In  winter  color  dulled  by  dull  brownish  tips  to 
feathers  above  and  below.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  wings 
and  tail  bright  blue ;  under  parts  fawn  color,  with  blue  showing  through. 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       477 

Young:  brownish  or  grayish,  streaked  with  white;  wings  and  tail  blue. 
Male:  length  6.50-7.90,  wing  4.(30-4.80.  tail  0.OO-8.I0.  Female:  length 
7.00-7.20,  wing  about  4:2').  tail  2.75-2.V)0. 

Distribution. —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone,  chiefly  in  the  interior  from  Great 
Slave  Lake  south  to  New  Mexico,  and  from  the  western  part  of  the  Plains 
to  the  Pacific. 

Nest.  —  In  old  woodpecker  hole  ;  among  rocks  or  about  houses.  Eggs  : 
5  to  7,  pale  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  crickets,  also  cicadas,  grasshoppei-s,  ants,  weevils,  and, 
in  winter,  unpicked  grapes  and  seeds  of  mistletoe  and  hackberry. 

The  exquisite  coloriug  of  the  arctic  bluebird  makes  it  seem  the 
gentlest,  most  beautiful  of  all  the  lovely  bluebirds. 

In  the  Sierra  Nevada  in  August,  families  of  young  are  common 
in  the  Murray  pine  meadows.  The  birds  hunt  largely  in  the  open, 
and  are  in  the  habit  of  hovering  a  few  feet  from  the  ground  as  they 
look  about  for  insects.  In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  saj^s,  the  birds 
wander  up  above  timberline  to  at  least  13,000  feet. 


APPENDIX. 


For  the  use  of  beginners  who  do  not  collect  and  have  not  access  to 
collections  of  skins,  and  who  may  consequently  find  the  technical  keys 
difficult,  the  following-  cok  '  gy  has  been  made  to  the  more  conspicuous 
birds  one  meets  in  the  field.  Its  use  by  any  one  who  has  skins  to  consult 
is  earnestly  deprecated,  as  it  is  much  better  to  woi'k  a  little  harder  and 
learn  more  —  to  begin  at  the  beginning",  Avith  '  Keys  to  Orders,'  and  follow 
throxigh  to  the  species,  so  learning-  something  of  the  classification  of  birds, 
something-  of  their  fundamental  relations,  rather  than  to  find  their  mere 
names  arbitrarily  by  the  use  of  purely  superficial  characters. 

FIELD   COLOR   KEY  TO  GENERA  OF  SOME   OF  THE 
COMMON   PASSERINE   BIRDS. 

(All  birds  preceding-  the  Order  Passeres  are  omitted,  including-  all  the 
water  birds,  grouse,  quail,  turkeys,  doves,  hawks,  owls,  cuckoos,  kingfish- 
ers, woodpeckers,  goatsuckers,  swifts,  and  hummingbirds.) 

ADULT  MALES  IN  BREEDING  PLUMAGE. 

BIKPS    WITH    PLUMAGE    PARTLY    OR    WHOLLY 

I.   BLACK.  IV.   BLUE. 

II.    YELLOW.  V.    GREEN. 

IIL   RED.  VL    BROWN  OR  GRAY. 

I.    BIRDS    WITH  BLACK   IN   PLUMAGE. 

1.   Plinnage  mainly  or  wholly  black. 

•J.    Wholly  black    (with  more  or  le.ss  gloss). 

;J.   Length  about  I(»-'J(»     .     Cuows  .\m»  Kavkns  ;  aea  Corrus.  ]>.  27!'. 
3'.  Length  aliont  S.2()-i:;..')(). 

4.   Tail  .'v.-n.  not  fobb'd  lat.r.dly. 

r>J{i:\VKi{  .\M>   111  srv    i!i,.\('Kmi{i)s  ;  srti  Sri)l«n>j)/i(i(iiis.  ]}.  'JW. 
4'.  Tail  gr;uluat.-d.  fold.,1  latt-rallv. 

(Ju.vcKLKs;  sec  (^>itisiiilus.  p.  ."lOI. 
2'.  Mainly  black. 

3.   Indtr  parts  largely  white. 


480  APPENDIX 

4.  Wings  and  tail  metallic     ....     Magpies  ;  see  Pica,  p.  269. 
4'.  Wings  and  tail  not  metallic. 

5.  Sides  brown     .     .     .      (part  of)  Towhees  ;  see  Pipilo,  p.  363. 
5'.  Sides  not  brown. 

6.  Sides  pinkish  or  buffy  .  (part  of)  JuNCOS ;  see  Junco,  p.  345. 
6'.  Sides  white  like  belly. 

Black  Phcebes  ;  see  Sayornis,  p.  254. 
3'.  Under  parts  not  white. 

4.  Head  yellow  or  brown,  in  contrast  to  black  body. 

5.  Head  yellow     .     .     .      Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  p.  288, 

5'.  Head  brown Cowbirds  ;  see  Molothrus,  p.  287. 

4'.  Head  partly  or  wholly  black  like  body. 

5.  Back  of  head  whitish  or  buffy  brown    .     .    Bobolink,  p.  28(5. 
5'.  Head  wholly  black. 

6.  Wings  conspiciiously  marked  with  red. 

Red-winged  Blackbirds;  see  Agelaius,  p.  289. 
6'.  Wings  conspicuously  marked  with  white. 

7.  Crested  ;   white  patch  on  quills     .     Phainopepla,  p.  390. 
7'.  Not  crested  ;  white  patch  on  coverts. 

Lark  Bunting,  p.  377. 
r.  Plumage  not  mainly  or  wholly  black. 
2.  Under  parts  partly  or  wholly  yellow. 

3.  Head  and  neck  red Louisiana  Tanager,  p.  379. 

3'.  Head  and  neck  not  red. 

4.  Back  streaked  on  brownish  or  grayish. 
5.   Chest  with  black  patch  or  crescent. 

6.  Under  parts  deep  yellow,  except  for  black  crescent. 

Meadowlarks  ;  see  Sturnella,  p.  292. 
6.  Under  parts  mainly  or  partly  white. 

7.   Under  parts  white  or  pale  yellow,  except  for  black  chest 
patch  ;  wings  without  brown  patch. 

Horned  Larks,  see  Otocoris,  p.  266. 
7.  Breast  bright  yellow;    throat  patch    black;   wings  with 

brown  patches Dickcissel.  p.  377. 

5',  Chest  without  black  crescent,  under  parts  black,  white,  and 

yellow^ Audubon  Warbler,  p.  413. 

4'.  Back  not  streaked  on  brownish  or  grayish. 
5.  Head  and  breast  gray  ;  tail  black. 

Arkansas    and    Cassin    Kingbirds  ;    see    Tyrannus,    pp. 
248,  249, 
5',  Head  and  breast  not  gray  ;  tail  not  always  black. 
6.  Plumage  largely  black  and  brown. 

Black-headed  Grosbeak,  p.  372, 
6  ,  Plumage  almost  wholly  black  and  yellow  or  olive  green. 
7.  Wholly  yellow  or  olive  green,  except  for  black  on  head, 
8.  Head  with  black  cap  .  Pileolated  Warbler,  p.  428. 
8'.  Head  with  black  patch  on  sides  of  face. 

Yellow-throats  ;  see  Geothlypis.  p,  424. 
7.  Wings  and  tail,  if  not  back,  as  well  as  crown,  black. 
8.  Length  about  4.50-5.40. 

Goldfinches  ;  see  Astragalinus,  p.  319. 
8'.  Length  about  6.50-10.00. 

9.  Bill  long  and  slender    ,   Orioles  ;  see  Icterus,  p.  293. 
9'.  Bill  short  and  thick. 

Western  Evening  Grosbeak,  p.  307. 


APPENDIX  481 

2'.  Under  parts  without  yellow, 
o.  Upper  parts  brown,  streaked. 

4.  Crown  striped  black  and  white  ;   under  parts  gray  or  white. 

Chown  Sparrows  ;  see  Zonotrichia,  p.  .337. 
4'.  Crown  black  ;   chest  black. 

Lapland  Longspur  ;  see  Calcarius,  p.  325. 
3  .Upper  parts  not  brown  streaked. 
4.  Throat  with  black  patch. 
5.  Back  streaked  with  black. 

Black-thuoated  Gray  Warbler,  p.  418. 
D.  Back  not  streaked. 

6.  Black  of  throat  extending"  over  chest. 

Black-throated  Sparrows  ;  see  Amphispiza.  p.  350. 
6'.  Black  of  throat  not  extending-  over  chest. 

Chickadees  ;  see  Parus^  p.  455. 
4'.  Throat  without  black  patch. 

5.  Tail  forked,  plumage  marked  with  salmon  or  red. 

Sctssor-tailed  Flycatcher,  p.  246. 
5'.  Tail  not  forked,  plumage  not  marked  with  salmon  or  red. 
().  Back  blue  black  or  bluish  gray  ;   length  4-0. 
7.   Back  blue  black  ;  throat  chestnut. 

Cliff  Swallow,  p.  384. 
7'.  Back  bluish  gray. 

8.  Tail  extremely  short   .  Nuthatches  ;  see  Sitta,  p.  453. 
8.  Tail  long     .     .    Gnatcatchkrs  ;  see  Po//o/j?//a,  p.  465. 
6'.  Back  gray,  brownish  gray,  or  ash  gray  ;   length  8-13. 
7.  Tail  mainly  black  or  white  ;   back  of  head  gray, 
8.  Tail  mainly  white  ;  length  about  12-13. 

Nutcracker,  p.  282. 
8.  Tail  mainly  or  wholly  black  ;   length  about  7.50-10.75. 

9.  Belly  brown Say  Ph<ehe,  p.  255. 

9  .  Belly  gray  or  white    .     Shrikes  ;  see  Lanius,  p.  391. 
7'.  Tail  mainly  gray  ;  back  of  head  black. 

Oregon  and  Rocky  Mountain  Jays  ;  see  Perisoreus, 
p.  277. 

II.    BIRDS   WITH  YELLOW    IN   PLUMAGE. 

1.  Under  parts  mainly  or  wholly  yellow. 

2.   Upi)er  parts  streaked     .     .     .  Meadowlarks  ;   see  Sturnella.  p.  292. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  streaked. 

3.  Plumage  yellow  and  green,  without  gray  or  black. 

Yellow  Warhlers  ;  see  Dtndroica.  p.  407. 
3'.  Plumage  with  g:rav  or  black. 
4.  Length  about  »;."50-10..50. 

5.  Head  and  neck  red,  yellow.  l)lack,  or  yellow  and  black. 

().   Head  and  neck  nd     ....  Louisiana  Tanager.  p.  379. 
(')'.  Head  and  neck  black,  or  yellow  and  black. 
7.  Upp»*r  parts  olive  green,  lores  bl.uk. 

LoN(j-TAiLEi)  Chat,  p.  426- 
7.  Upper  parts  black  and  yellow. 

Orioles  ;  see  Icterus,  p.  293. 
5'.  Head  and  neck  gray. 

6.  Wings  :ind  tail  marked  with  rufous. 

I  Crkstkd  Klyc  vtchers  ;  sec   Mi/i<irrhns,  p.  251. 


482  APPENDIX 

iV  Wings  and  tail  not  marked  with  rufous. 
Cassin  and  Arkansas  Kingbirds  ;  see  Tyrunnus,  pp.  248, 249. 
4'.  Length  about  4.00-5.40. 
5.  Wings  and  tail  black. 

Goldfinches  ;  see  Astragalinus,  p.  319. 
5  .  Wings  and  tail  green. 

6.  Crown  black Pileolated  Warblek,  p.  428. 

6'.  Patches  on  sides  of  face  black. 

Yellow-throats  ;  see  Geothlypis,  p.  424. 
1'.  Under  parts  not  mainly  or  wholly  yellow. 
2.  Upper  parts  largely  black. 

3.  Head  and  neck  yellow ;   under  parts  black  and  yellow. 

Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  p.  288. 
3'.  Head  and  neck  black  ;  under  parts  brown  and  yellow. 

Black-headed  Grosbeak,  p.  372. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  largely,  if  at  all,  black. 
3.  Head  and  neck  yellow  or  slate  gray. 

4.  Head  and  neck  yellow ;  wings  wath  chestnut  patches. 

Verdin,  p.  462. 
4'.  Head  and  neck  slate  gray  ;  wings  without  chestnut. 

Macgillivrat  Warbler,  p.  424. 
3'.  Head  and  neck  not  yellow  or  slate  gray. 

4.  Head  with  black,  yellow,  and  red  crown  patch. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglets,  p.  463. 
4'.  Head  without  crown  patch. 

5.  Head  with   black   horn-like  appendages,  throat   yellow,  tail 
black,  edged  with  white. 

(part  of)  Horned  Larks  ;  see  Otocoris,  p.  266. 
5'.  Head  without  horn-like  appendages;  throat  not  yellow;  tail 
■with  yellow  terminal  band. 

Waxwings  ;  see  Ampelis,  p.  387. 

III.    BIRDS    WITH   RED    OR  PINK  IN   PLUMAGE. 

1 .  Under  parts  mainly  or  wholly  red  or  pink. 
2.  Upper  parts  largely  reddish  or  pinkish. 

3.  Bill  crossed Crossbills  ;  see  Loxia.  p.  313. 

3'.  Bill  not  crossed. 

4.  Head  crested Cardinals  ;  see  Cardinalis,  p.  369. 

4'.  Head  not  crested. 
5.  Bill  thick  and  short. 
6.  Length  about  5.50-7.00. 

Purple  Finches  ;  see  Carpodacus,  p.  309. 
6'.  Length  about  8-9. 

Pine  Grosbeaks  ;  see  Pinicola,  p.  308. 
5'.  Bill  not  short  and  thick      .     Tanagers  ;  see  Piranga,  p.  379. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  largely  reddish  or  pinkish. 

3.  Head  purplish  blue Nonpareil,  p.  376. 

3'.  Head  red Vermilion  Flycatcher,  p.  264. 

r.  Under  parts  not  mainly  red  or  pink. 
2.  Plumage  strikingly  colored. 

3.  Plumage  salmon  or  pink,  black,  and  white. 

4.  Tail  forked ScissOR-T ailed  Flycatcher,  p.  246. 

4'.  Tail  not  forked. 

5.  Under  parts  white,  with  rose  patch. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  p.  372. 


APPENDIX  483 

5'.  Under  parts  black,  white,  and  salmon  or  red. 

Redstart,  p,  429. 
3'.Plumaoe  black  or  brown,  marked  with  red  or  rose  color. 
4.  Body  black,  with  red  wing-  coverts. 

Red-winged  Blackbirds  ;  see  Agelaius,  p.  289. 
4'.  Body  brownish,  with  rose  on  under  parts. 

Pyrrhuloxias  ;  see  Pyrrhuloxia,  p.  370. 
2'.  Plumage  not  strikingly  colored. 
3.  Crown  with  red,  yellow,  and  black. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  p.  403. 
3'.  Crown  with  concealed  red  patch. 

4.  Rest  of  plumage  wholly  black,  slate  gray,  and  white. 

Kingbird,  j).  247. 
4'.  Rest  of  plumage  not  wholly  black  and  white. 

5.  Upper  parts  olive  green  ;    under  parts  dull  w  hitish. 

Kinglets  ;  see  lieyulus.  p.  403. 
5'.  Upper  parts  grayish  ;   under  parts  gray  and  yellow. 

Arkansas  and  Cassin  Flycatchers  ;  see   Tyrannus, 
p.  247. 

IV.  BIRDS    WITH   BLUE   IN   PLUMAGE. 

1.   Upper  parts  glossy  steel  blue. 
2.  Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length    .     .     Barn  Swallow,  p.  384. 
2'.  Tail  forked  for  much  less  than  half  its  length. 

Purple  Martins  ;  see  Progne.  p.  383. 
r.  Upper  parts  not  glossy  steel  blue. 
2.  Length  about  11.00-13.75. 

3.  Crested Steller  Jays  ;  see  Cycnwritia.  \^. '2~\. 

3'.  Not  crested. 

4.  Plumage  blue  and  gray  or  white. 

California  and  Woodhouse  Jays  ;  see  AphehronKi.  p.  274. 
4'.  Plumage  uniform  grayish  blue      ....      PiNON  Jay.  p.  284. 
2.  Length  about  4.2r)-S.(K). 

;).  Bill  long  and  slender       ....     Bluebirds  ;  see  Sialiu,  p.  475. 
3.  Bill  short  and  thick. 

4.   Under  j)arts  red  or  partly  brownish. 

5.   Under  parts  bright  red,  h«^ad  purplish  blue,  back  green. 

NONPARKIL,  p.  37(5. 

5'.  Under  parts  blue,  white,  and  brown,  head  and  l)ack  blue. 

Lazuli  Buntin(j.  p.  375. 
4'.  Under  parts  dark  blue  like  upper  parts. 
5.   Wings  with  brown  patches  ;  length  7-S. 

Western   Blue  (Jhosbeak.  p.  37".. 
5'.  Wings  without  brown  patches  ;  length  4.75-5.75. 

Indkjo  Bunting,  p.  374. 

V.  BIRDS    WITH    GREEN    IN    PLUMAGE. 

1.    Pluni;ige  green  and  y<"lb»w,  m.iiked  with  Id.ick. 
2.   Wings  and  tail  black. 
3.   Lenglli  .ibout  4.(MM..5(). 

(l)art  of)  (Joi.DKiNfiii.s  ;  see  Astni;inliiius,  p.  .".I'.i. 
3'.  Lengtli  al)out  7.(Kt-S..*)(>    .  Wkstkrn  Kvimn(;  (iKosukak.  p.  ;J()7. 
2'.  Wings  and  tail  not  black. 


484  APPENDIX 

3.  Head  and  neck  gray       .     .     .     Macgillivray  Warbler,  p.  424. 
3'.  Head  and  neck  yellow,  marked  with  black. 

4.  Crown  black Pileolated  Warbler,  p.  428. 

4'.  Crown  not  black. 

5.  Face  with  black  lores      .     .     .      Long-tailed  Chat.  p.  426. 
5'.  Face  with  black  side  patches. 

Yellow-throats  ;  see  Geothlypis,  p.  424. 
r.  Plumage  not  green  and  yellow  marked  with  black. 
2.  Head  with  crown  patch. 

3.  Crown  patch  bright  red,  or  red,  yellow,  and  black. 

Kinglets  ;  see  Eegulus,  p.  463. 
3'.  Crown  patch  reddish  brown    .     .  Green-tailed  Towhee,  p.  368. 
2'.  Head  without  crown  patch. 
.    3.  Under  parts  red,  head  purplish  blue,  back  glossy  green. 

Nonpareil,  p.  376. 

3'.  Under  parts  yellowish  or  whitish  ;  head  and  back  mainly  green  or 

gray ViREOS  ;  see  Vireo,  p.  394. 

VI.     BIRDS   ^VITH   PLUMAGE   LARGELY   BROWN    OR 
GRAY. 

1.  Back  streaked. 

2.  Crown  brig-ht  reddish  brown  or  black. 
3.  Crown  black. 

4.  Back  streaked  with  white. 

Marsh  Wrens  ;   see  Cistothorits,  p.  449. 
4'.  Back  streaked  with  black     ....  Harris  Sparrow,  \).  337. 
3'.  Crown  bright  reddish  brown. 

Western  Chipping  Sparrow,  p.  342. 
2'.  Crown  not  reddish  brown  or  black. 
3.  Top  of  head  sti'eaked. 

4.  Head    and    back   uniform ;   tail   feathers    wholly    brown,    sharp 

pointed Creepers  ;  see  Certhia,  p.  4.51. 

4'. Head  and  back  not  uniform;   tail  feathers  marked  with  white, 

not  sharp  pointed Lark  Sparrow,  p.  336. 

3'.  Top  of  head  not  streaked. 

4.  Under  parts  heavily  spotted ;  outer  tail  feathers  not  white. 

Cactus  Wrens  ;  see  Heleodytes.  p.  442. 
4'. Under  parts  more   or  less  streaked;   outer  tail   feathers  marked 

with  white Pipits  ;  see  Anthus,  p.  431. 

1'.  Back  not  streaked. 

2.  Under  parts  reddish  or  orange  or  more  or  less  spotted. 
3.  Under  parts  reddish  or  orange. 

4.  Chestwithdark  necklace  .  Varied  Thrushes;  seelxoreus.-p.  473. 
4'.  Chest  without  dark  necklace     .     .     Robins  ;  see  Merula,  p.  472. 
3'.  Under  parts  not  reddish  or  orange. 
4.  Tail  strikingily  marked. 

5.  Tail  with  white  corners     ....     Sage  Thrasher,  p.  435. 

5'.  Tail  Avith  black  crescent PtOCK  Wren,  p.  443. 

4'.  Tail  not  strikingly  marked. 

5.  Tail  cinnamon  brown,  barred  with  black. 

Canyon  Wrens  ;  see   Catherpes,  p.  444. , 
5'.  Tail  not  cinnamon  brown,  nor  barred  with  black. 

6.  Tail  3.00-3.40     .     .     .      Thrushes  ;  see  Hylocichla,  p.  468. 
6'.  Tail  4.25-5.80     .     .     .   Thrashers;  see  To rosioma,  p.  4.37. 


APPENDIX  485 

2'.  Under  parts  not  rerldish  or  spotted. 
3.   Upper  parts  bluish  gray. 

4.  Tail  very  short NUTHATCHES  ;  see  Sitta,  p.  4r)3. 

^  4',  Tail  not  very  short    .     .     Gnatcatchers  ;  see  Folioptila,  ]k  4Go. 
3'.  Upper  parts  gray  or  brown. 

4.  Throat  blaek Chickadees;  see  Parus.  p.  4;"35. 

4'.  Throat  not  black. 

5.  Head  crested Titmice  ;   see  Parus.  p.  455. 

5'.  Head  not  crestejl. 
6.  Tail  very  short. 

7.  Plumage  slate  <  ray Waier  Ouzel,  p.  432. 

7'.  Plumage  dark  brown. 

Western  Winter  Wren,  p.  440. 
G'.  Tail  not  very  short. 

7.  Wings  and  tail  strikingly  marked  with  white. 

iMoCKINGBIRD.  p.  435. 

7'.  Wings  and  tail  not  strikingly  marked  with  white. 

8.  Plumage  dark  slate  gray      ....     Catbird,  p.  437. 
8'.  Plumage  not  dark  slate  gray. 

1>.  Plumage  deep   brown  ;    wings   and   tail   barred  with 
black. 
10.  Head  with  white  su])erciliary. 

Bewick  Wrens  ;  see  Thryomanes,  p.  440. 
10'.  Head  without  white  superciliary. 

House   Wrens;  see  Troglodytes, -p.  44S. 

1).  Plumage  dull  smoky  gray  or  brown  ;  wings  and   tail 

not  barred    .    Bush-Tits  ;  see  J'sultriparua,  p.  400. 


INDEX 


Abert  Towhee,  368. 
Acauthis,  ;)04,  318. 

honieiuaunii  exilipes,  318. 

linaria,  318,  319. 
Accipiter,  147,  151. 

ati'icapillus,  1.")  1.152. 
striatiilus,  1"»I.  153. 

eooperii,  l.")l,  152. 

velox,  151. 
Actitis,  8S,  100. 

maciilaria,  100. 
Aetoclielidon,  '2S. 
Actoclronias,  '.>1. 
vEchmophonis,  5. 

oc'cidentali.s,  5. 
^gialitis,  102,  103. 

meloda  circunn-ineta,  100,  104. 

montaua,  100,  105. 

nivosa,  100,  105. 

semipalinata,   lOO,  104. 

vocifera,  103. 

wilsonia,  lOO,  105. 
Aeronautes,  22!  >.  232. 

melanoleucn.s,  232. 
^salon,  108. 
Agelaius,  2^((),  289. 

giibernator  c'alifoniicu.s,  280,  291. 

ph(i.Mii(;eu.s,  2S'.».  290. 
caurimis,  2S<»,  291. 
fort  is,  28!  >,  291. 
neutrali.s,  2S!i.  291. 
richiuoiidi,  2SI»,  290. 
.sonoritMisis.  2SI).  290. 

tricolor,  2S!»,  292. 
Aik.-ii  ScnHMli  Owl,  184. 
Ainjophil.i,  OOi;,  353. 

carpal i.^,  353. 

ruHceps.  .O.'iO.  354. 
cn'iuM'ca,  ;'..'i;'..  355. 

Hcottii,  0.")0,  354. 
Aix.  II,  55. 

spoil'.;.!.  55. 
Mask;.  Ilri.nit  Tlinish.  471. 


Alaskan  Long'.spur,  327. 
Pine  Grosbeak.  309. 
Three-toed  \Voodpeeker,  209. 
Wood  Peweo.  258. 
Yellow  Warbler,  412. 
Alauda,  265. 

arvensis,  265. 
Alaudidte,  110,  24.'),  265. 
Albatross,  Black-footed,  32. 
Short-tailed,  32. 
Sootj',  33. 
Yellow-nosed.  33. 
Alcedinidne.  10!>,  HIO,  198. 
Alcidce,  2,  11. 
i  Alder  Flycatcher.  261. 
'  Allen  Hnniniini;bird,  241. 
,  Alma  Thrush,  471. 
I  Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker,  209. 
'  American  Bittern,  73. 
Black  Tern,  31. 
Coot,  83. 
Crow,  281. 
Golden-eve.  59. 
Goshawk.  152. 
Hawk  Owl.  188. 
Merga)iser,  46. 
T^aven,  279. 
Redstart.  429. 
Scoter,  63. 

Three-toe<l  Woodpecker.  2C9. 
White  Pelican,  42. 
Woodcock.  88. 
.\nji7.ili.s,  2;;.;,  243. 

wrviniveiitris  i-halconota.  243. 
tzacatl,  243. 
Ammodramus.  .'.O);.  330.  IVXk 
bairdii.  :•..;!.  333. 

i)eidin-i,  ;;:;i,  332. 

henslowii  occidejit.ilis,  il.lO.  334. 
leconteii,  0;;o.  335. 
ni.iritiinns  seniietti,  :l.)0.  335. 

neis..ni.  ;;.;o.  335. 

rostratus.  :;:;o.  333. 


488 


INDEX 


sandwichensis,  331. 
alaiidinus,  381,  332. 
bryanti,  331,  332. 

savannarum  bimaeiilatus,  831,  334. 
Ampelida3,  111,245,387. 
Ampelis,  387. 

cedrorum  388. 

garrulixs,  388. 
Amphispiza,  255,  305,  350. 

belli,  350,  351. 

nevadensis,  350,  351. 

bilineata,  350. 
deserticola.  350. 
Anas,  44,  47. 

bosclias,  48. 

f ulvigula  maculosa.  48, 49. 
Anatidse,  3,  44. 
Ancient  Murrelet,  15. 
Anhinga,  39. 

anhinga,  39. 
Anhingidse,  3,  39. 
Ani,  Groove-billed,  193. 
Anna  Hummingbird,  237. 
Anser,  45,  66. 

albifrons  gambeli,  66. 
Anseres,  1,  3,  44. 
Ant-eating-  Woodpecker,  216. 
Anthony  Green  Heron,  77. 

Towhee,  367. 

Vireo,  399. 
Anthus,  431. 

pensilvanieus,  431. 

sprag-ueii,  431,  432. 
Antrostomus,  222. 

carolinensis,  222. 

vociferus,  222,  223. 

macroraystax,  222,  223. 
Aphelocoma,  269,  274. 

calif  orniea,  274.  275. 

couchi,  274,  276. 

cyanotis,  274. 

insularis,  274,  276. 

sieberii  arizonai,  274,  276. 

texana,  274,  275. 

woodhouseii,  274,  275. 
Aphriza,  106. 

virgata,  106. 
Aphrizid*,  4,  84,  106. 
Aplomado  Falcon,  170. 
Aquila,  147,  163. 

chrysaetos,  163. 
Archibuteo,  147,  162. 

ferrugineus,  162.  163. 

lag-opus  sancti-johannis,  162. 
Arctic  Horned  Owl,  186. 

Tern,  30. 


Three-toed  Woodpecker,  208. 

Towhee,  364. 
Ardea,  73,  74. 

cffirulea,  74,  76. 

candidissima,  74,  75. 

eg-retta,  74,  75. 

herodias,  74,  75. 
fannini,  74,  75. 

rufescens,  75,  76. 

virescens,  75,  76. 
anthonyi,  75,  77. 
Ardeidfe,  4,  70,  72. 
Ardetta,  72,  74. 

exilis,  74. 
Arenaria,  106. 

melanocephala,  106,  107. 

morinella,  106,  107. 
Arizona  Cardinal,  370. 

Crested  Flycatcher,  252. 

Goldfinch,  322. 

Hooded  Oriole,  296,  299. 

Jay,  276. 

Junco,  349. 

Pyrrhuloxia,  370. 

Woodpecker,  206. 
Arkansas  Goldfinch.  322. 

Kingbird,  248. 
Arremonops,  305,  363. 

rufivirg-atiis,  363. 
Ash-throated  Flycatcher,  253. 
Ashy  Petrel,  38.' 
Asio,  175. 

aceipitrinus,  175,  177. 

wilsonianus,  175. 
Astragalinus,  304,  319. 

lawrencei,  320,  323. 

psaltria,  320,  322. 
arizonae,  320.  322. 
mexicanus,  320,  322. 

tristis,  320,  321. 
pallidus,  320,  321. 
salicamans,  320,  321. 
Astur,  152. 
Asturina,  147,  161. 

plagiata,  161. 
Asyndesmus,  217. 
Atthis,  232,  237,  241. 

morcomi,  241. 
Attwater  Prairie  Hen,  131. 
Audubon  Caracara,  171. 

Hermit  Thrush,  471. 

Oriole,  294. 

Warbler,  413. 
Auklet,  Cassin,  13. 

Least,  14. 

Paroquet,  14. 


INDEX 


Rhinoceros,  13. 
Auriparus,  452,  462. 

flaviceps,  462. 
Avocet,  86. 
Aythya,  45,  56. 

affinis,  5t),  58. 

americana.  56. 

collaris,  5(1,  59. 

luaiila.  5(),  57,  50. 

vallisneria,  50,  57. 
Aztec  Wren,  449. 
Azure  Bluebird,  476. 

Baird  Sandpiper,  92. 

Sparrow.  333. 

Wren,  447. 
Baldpate,  50. 
Baltimore  Oriole.  297. 
Band-tailed  Pigeon.  138. 
Bank  Swallow,  386. 
Barn  Owl.  173. 

Swallow,  384. 
Barred  Owl.  178,  170. 
Barrow  Golden-eye,  60. 
Bartramia.  !^7.  99. 

long-icauda,  99. 
Bartraniian  Sandpiper.  99. 
Basilinna,  2:]:].  243. 

leucotis,  243. 
Batclielder  Woodpecker,  203. 
Beardless  Flycatcher,  265. 
Becard,  Xantus.  245. 
Belding-  Marsli  Si)arrow.  332. 
Bell  Sparrow.  351. 

Vireo.  399. 
Belted  Kin<,-fishor.  198. 

Piping-  Plover.  104. 
Bendire  Sparrow.  353. 

Tl.r.isli.r.  439. 
Bicolored  Blackbird.  291. 
Bittern,  American,  73. 

Least,  74. 
Black  an.l  White  Warbler,  402. 

-belli.Ml  IMov.-r.  102. 
Tr...  Duck.  69. 

-l)iU.-(l  ('..(k.M,.  196. 
Magpie.  270. 

Brant.  68. 

-capjx'd  Nino.  397. 

-chinned  numniiiigbird,235. 


»p: 


n.w.  345. 


-crested  Titmouse,  455. 
-crowned  Xiglit  Heron.  77. 
-footed  Alb.itn.ss.  32. 
-fronti'd  Warbler,  415. 
-headed  Grosbeak.  372. 


Jay,  273. 

Leucosticte,  317. 

Merlin,  169. 

Oyster-catcher,  107. 

Petrel,  38. 

Phoebe,  255. 
.  -poll  Warbler.  416. 

Rail.  82. 

Swift,  229. 

-tailed  Gnatcatcher,  466. 

-throated  Blue  War1)ler,  412. 
Gray  Warbler,  418. 
Green  Warbler,  420. 
Loon,  10. 
Sparrow,  350. 

Turnstone,  107. 

-vented  Shearwater,  35. 

Vulture,  146. 
Blackbird,  Bicolored.  291. 

Brewer,  300. 

Red-winged.  290. 

Rusty.  290. 

Tricolored.  292. 

Yellow-headed,  288. 
Blackburnian  AVarbler,  417. 
Blue-bill.  57. 

-eared  Jay,  274. 

-fronted  jay.  273. 

-gray  Gnatcatcher,  465. 

-headed  Vireo,  396. 

-throated  Hummingbird.  234. 

-winged  Teal.  52. 
Bluebird,  475. 

Azure,  476. 

Chestnut-backed.  476. 

Mountain.  476. 

Western.  476. 
Bobolink.  286. 
Bob-wliit.-,  115. 

Ma.sked.  116. 
Texan,  116. 
Bohemian  Waxwing-.  388. 
Bonai)arte  (iiill.  25.  26. 

Sandpiper.  92. 
Bonasa,   114.  127. 

umbellus  sabini.  127.  128. 
togata,  127. 
umbelloides.   127,  128. 
iH.t.iurus,  72.  73. 

leniiginosiis.  73. 
Brachyraniphns.  12.  15. 

hypoleucus,  15.  16. 

marmor.-itus.  15. 
Brant,  Hl.iek.  68. 
Brant  a.  45.  67. 

canadensis,  67. 


490 


INDEX 


hutchinsii,  07,  68. 
minima,  07,  68. 
occidentalis,  (h,  68. 
nigricans,  07,  68. 
Brewer  Blackbird,  300. 

Sparrow,  343. 
Brewsteria,  lOo. 
Bridled  Titmouse,  457. 
Broad-billed  Hummingbird,  244. 
-tailed  Hummingbird,  238. 
-winged  Hawk,  160. 
Bronzed  Grackle,  301. 
Brown-capi>ed  Leucosticte,  317, 

Thrasher,  438. 
Bryant  Cactus  Wren,  443. 

Marsh  Sparrow,  332. 
Bubo,  175,  185. 

virg-inianus  areticus,  185,  186. 
pacificus,  185,  186. 
pallescens,  185. 
saturatus,  185,  186. 
Bubonidai,  109,144,175. 
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird,  243. 
-breasted  Flycatcher,  263. 
Sandpiper,  100. 
Buffle-head,  60. 
Bullock  Oriole,  298. 
Bunting',  Indigo,  374. 
Lark,  377. 
Lazuli,  375. 
Painted,  376. 
Varied,  375. 
Buri'ica,  312. 
Burrowing-  Owl,  189. 
Bush-Tit,  460. 

California,  461. 
Lead-colored,  462. 
Lloyd,  462. 
Santa  Rita,  462. 
Buteo,  147,  155.  ^ 
abbreviatus,  155,  157. 
albicaudatus  sennetti,  155,  158. 
borealis,   155. 

calnrus,  155,  156. 
kridei'ii,  155,  156. 
lineatus  eleg-ans,  155,  157. 
platypterus,  155, 160. 
swainsoni,  155,  159. 
Buteola,  100. 
Butorides,  76. 

Cabanis  Woodpecker,  202. 
Cackling  Goose,  68. 
Cactus  Wren,  442. 
Calamospiza,  800,  377. 
melanocorys,  377. 


Calaveras  Warbler,  404. 
Calcarius,  o04,  325. 

lapponieus,  326. 

alascensis,  ')20,  327. 

ornatus,  320,  328. 

pictus,  320,  327. 
Caiidris,  87,  94. 

arenaria.  94. 
California  Brown  Pelican,  43. 

Bush-Tit,  461. 

Chickadee,  459. 

Clapper  Rail,  80. 

Crow,  281. 

Cuckoo,  195,  196. 

Gull,  23. 

Jay,  275. 

Murre,  16. 

Partridg-e,  120,121. 

Pine  Grosbeak,  308. 

Poor-will,  225. 

Purple  Finch,  310,  312. 

Pygmy  Owl,  191. 

Screech  Owl,  183,  184. 

Shrike,  393. 

Towhee,  367. 

Vulture,  144. 
Calif  ornian  Creeper.  452. 

Thrasher,  440. 

Woodpecker,  217. 
Calliope  Hummingbird,  241. 
Callipepla,  114,  li8. 

squamata,  118. 

castanog'astris,  118,  119. 
Callothrus,  285,  288. 

robustus,  288. 
Calothorax,  232,  242. 

lucifer,  242. 
Calvpte,  233,  236. 

anna,  237. 

cost£e,  236. 
Canachites,  114.  126. 

franklinii,  126. 
Canada  Goose,  67. 
Canadian  Ruffed  Grouse.  127. 

Warbler,  428. 
Canvas-back,  50,  57. 
Canyon  Towhee,  366. 

Wren.  445. 
Caprimulg-ida?,  110,  222. 
Caracara,  Audubon,  171. 
Cardellina,  401.430. 

rubrifrons,  430. 
Cardinal,  369. 

Arizona,  370. 

Gray-tailed,  370. 
Cardinalis,  305,  369. 


INDEX 


491 


cardinalis,  369. 

cauicaxitlus,  ■j(V.),  370. 
superbus,  ."]()'.',  370. 
Caribbean  Clapper  Kail,  80. 
Carolina  Kail,  81. 

Wren,  446. 
Carpodaeus.  ;J()4,  :)0(;,  309,  olO. 

cassini,  olO.  311. 

mexicanus  clenieiitis,  ;jlO,  313. 
frontalis.  :'.1(>.  312. 

piirpureu.s,  310. 
californicus.  310. 
Caspian  Tern.  28. 
Cassin  Anklet,  13. 

Kino-bird,  249. 

Purple  Finc-li,  310,  811. 

Vireo,  396. 
Catbird.  437. 
(\atliarista.  144,  146. 

urubu.  146. 
Cathartes,  144,  145. 

aura.  145. 
Catliartidi<3.  lOO,  144. 
Catherpes.  434. 

niexicann.s  albifrons,  444,  445. 
conspersns,  444,  445. 
punetulatus.  444.  445. 
Cedar  Waxwino-.  388. 
Centrocerous,  ll;5,  133. 

uropliasianus,  133. 
Centronyx,  o;>j. 
Centurus,  218. 
Ceophkeus,  200,  213. 

pileatus  abieticola.  213. 
Ceppliu.s,  12,  16. 

coluniba,  16. 
Cerorhinea,  12,  13. 

inonocerata,  13. 
Certhia,  451. 

faniiliaris  albescens,  451- 
montana.  451. 
oecidentalis.  4")  1 .  452. 
zelotes.  4.-.1.452. 
Certhiida-,  11:'..  2I.-..  451. 
CeruleHn  Warbler.  416 
Cervle.  198. 

aicyon.  198. 

aiueri<-ana  st'i)tentii()nalis.  11'S.199. 

tonjuat.-i.  I'.>S.  199. 
Chacbabica.  137. 
Cha-tnra,  22'.*.  230. 

pela-iica.  230. 

vanxii,  2;;i),  231. 
Cliaina'a.  I.".2.  459. 

fa.sciata.  459. 

intermedia.  459. 


ph?ea,  4.J9,  460. 
Chaniietblvpis,  42(». 
Charadriidsy,  4.  84.  102. 
Charadrius,  102.  103. 

doniinicus,  103. 
Charitonetta,  4."j.  60. 

albeola,  60. 
Chat,  Long-tailed.  426. 
Chaiilelasnms.  44,  49. 

streperus,  49. 
Chen,  45,  65. 

hyperborea,  65. 
nivalis,  0."),  66. 

rossii,  ('»">,  66. 
Chestnut-backed  Bluebird,  476. 
Chickadee.  459. 

-bellied  Scaled  Partridge,  119. 

-collared  Longspur.  328. 

-sided  Warbler,  416. 
Cliewink,  364. 
Chickadee.  457. 

California,  459. 

Chestnut-backed.  459. 

Cohnnbiau,  459. 

Long-tailed,  457. 

Mexican,  458. 

Mountain.  458. 

Oregon,  458. 
Cliinniey  Swifr.  230. 
Chondestes,  o04.  336. 

g-ranimacus,  336. 
strigatus,  336. 
Chordeiles,  222,  226. 

acutipennis  te.xensis,  220,  228. 

virginianus.  226. 

henryi.  22(),  227.  22! >. 
sennetti,  220.  l'l>7.  228. 
Chry.solophus,  KU,  135. 

.pictus,  135. 
Chuck-will's-widow,  222. 
Ciconiidiv,  4,  TO,  72. 
Cinclida",  112,  2-1.-.,  432. 
Cindus.  432. 

ine.vicanus.  432. 
Cinnamon  Teal.  52. 
Circus,  147.  150. 

hudsoniiis.  150. 
Cisf(>th..nis.  l:;  1.  449,  4.-)i». 

j.aliofris.  4  lit.  450. 
paludio.la.  450. 
plesins.  4.-.(l.  451. 

.stellaris.  450. 
Clangnla,  4."),  59. 

clangnla  americana,  59. 

ishuulica.  :.'.•,  60. 
Clarke  Nutcracker,  282. 


492 


INDEX 


Clav-eolored  Sparrow,  342. 
Cliif  Swallow,  384. 
Coast  Wren-Tit,  460. 
Coceothraustes,  oOo,  307. 

vespertiniis  montanus,  307. 
Coecyg-es,  2,  100,  193. 
Coecyzus,  193,  195. 

americanus,  195. 

occidentalis,  195,  196. 

erythroplithalmus,  195,  196. 
Cock-of-the-woods,  213. 
Cceligena,  2oo,  234. 

elemenciae,  234. 
Colaptes,  200,  220. 

auratus  lute  us,  220. 


eaf  er  colh 


220,  221,  222, 


saturatior,  220,  221. 

chrysoides,  220,  222. 
Coliiius,  114. 

ridg'wayi,  114,  115,  116. 

virginianus,  114,  115. 
texanus,  114,115,  116. 
Cohimba,  138. 

fasciata,  138. 

flavirostris,  138,  140. 
Columbfe,  1,  108,  138. 
Columbian  Chickadee,  459. 

Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  132. 
Columbidie,  108,  138. 
Colunibigallina,  138,  143. 

passerina  pallescens,  143. 
Colymbus,  5,  6. 

auritus,  6,  7. 

dominicus  braehypterus,  6. 

holboellii,  6. 

nigricollis  californicus,  6,  7. 
Common  Tern,  29. 
Compsohalieus,  41. 
Compsothlypis,  401 ,  406. 

americana  usnese,  406. 

nig-rilora,  406,  407. 
Condor,  144. 

Connecticut  Warbler,  424. 
Contopus,  245,  256,  257. 

borealis,  256.  257. 

pertinax  pallidiventris,  256,  257. 

richardsonii,  257,  258. 
saturatus,  258. 

virens,  257,  258,  259. 
Cooper  Hawk.  152. 

Tanager,  381 ,  382. 
Coot,  American,  83. 
Copper  Pheasant,  135. 
Coppery-tailed  Trogon,  197. 
Cormorant,  Baird,  42. 
Brandt,  41. 


Double-crested,  40. 

Farallone,  40. 

Mexican,  41. 

Pelagic,  41. 

White-crested,  40. 
Corvidffi,  112,  245,  269. 
Corvus,  269,  279. 

americanus,  279,  281. 
hesperis,  281. 

caurinus,  279,  282. 

corax  principalis,  279,  280. 
sinuatus,  279,281. 

cryiDtoleucus,  279,  280. 
Costa  Hummingbird,  236. 
Cotingidse,  110,  245. 
Coturnicops,  82. 
Coturnieulus,  334. 
Couch  Jay,  276. 

Kingbird,  248. 
Coues  Flycatcher,  257. 
Cowbird,"287. 

Dwarf,  288. 

Red-eved,  288. 
Cracidfe,"  108,  113,  137. 
Crane,  Little  Brown,  79. 

Sandhill,  79. 

Whooping-,  78. 
Creciscus,  82. 
Creeper,  California,  452. 

Mexican,  451. 

Rocky  Mountain,  451. 

Sierra,  452. 
Crissal  Thrasher,  442. 
Crossbill,  314. 

Mexican,  314. 

White-winged,  316. 
Crotophaga,  193. 

sulcirostris,  193. 
Crow,  American,  281. 

California,  281. 

Northwest,  282. 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  196. 

California,  196. 

Yellow-billed,  195. 
CuculidiB,  110.  193. 
Crymophilus,  84. 

fulicarius,  84. 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  102. 

Hudsonian,  102. 

Long-billed,  101. 
Curve-billed  Thrasher,  439. 
Cyanoeephalus,  269,  284. 

cyanocephalus,  284. 
Cyanocitta,  269,  271. 

cristata,  271. 

stelleri,  271,  272. 


INDEX 


493 


annectens,  27 1 ,  273. 
carbonacea,  273. 
diadeniata,  271,  272,  273. 
frontalis,  271.  272,  273,  275. 
CyanosiMza,  oOU,  374. 
amcjena,  .']74,  375. 
ciris,  874,  376. 
cyanea,  374. 
versicolor,  874,  375. 
Cyclorrhynclius,  12,  14. 

psittaculus.  14. 
Cypseloides,  229. 

nioer  borealis,  229. 
Cyrtonyx,  114,  122. 

monte/Airaaj  mearnsi,  122. 
Cyrtopelicanus,  42. 

Dabcliick,  8. 
Dafila,  44,  54. 

acuta,  54. 
Dark-bodied  Shearwater,  36. 
Dendragapus,  11^,  124. 

obsciirns,  124.  120. 
fiiliginosus,  124,  125. 
richardsonii,  124,  126. 
Dendrocygiia,  44,  69. 

autuninalis.  69. 

fulva,  69. 
Dendroica,  401,407,  411. 

sestiva,  407,  401),  411,  412. 
rubigiiio.sa,  407,  40!».  412. 
soiiorana,  407,  4<)'.l.  411. 

auduboui,  408,  401  >,  413. 

blackburni^,  407,  410.  417. 

ca!nile.sceiis,  40S,  410.  412. 

clirvsoparia.  40'^.  401 ».  419. 

coronata.  4()lt.  412.  414. 

graeiai,  40S.  401*,  418. 

maculosa.  40S,  4oi».  415. 

nigresceiKS,  40S,  400,  418. 

nigrifrons,  408,  400,  415. 

occidentalis,  408,  400.  421. 

<>livacea,408.410. 

l)alniarum.  408,  410.422. 

jH'nsvlv.iuica.  401».  416. 

rara."401»,  41(i.  416. 

.striata.  400,  416. 

towiisendi,  40S,  410,421. 

virens,  408,  410.420. 
Derby  Flycatcb.i .  250. 
I)es»Mt  Cactus  \\  r.ii.  442. 

Honi.,l  Lark.  268. 

S«»n"4  Sp.irrow.  357. 

Sj)airi>\v,  350. 
Il.iwk.  171. 
Dichrouiaiiassa,  7)). 


Dickcissel,  377. 
Dioniedea,  32. 
albatrus,  32. 
nigripes,  32. 
Dioniedeid;e,  8,  32. 
Dipper,  432. 
Dolichonyx.  28.'),  286. 

oryzivorus,  286. 
Dotted  Canyou  Wren.  445. 
Dove,  Inca,  143. 

Mexican  Ground,  143. 
Mourning,  140. 
White-fronted.  141. 
-winged,  142. 
Dowitcher,  Long-billed.  89. 
Downy  Woodpecker.  204. 
Dryobates,  200.  201. 
arizonfe,  201.  206. 
nuttallii,  201.  204,  205. 
pubescens.  203. 

gairdnerii.  201.  203,  204. 
honiorus.  201,203. 
medianus.  201,  208,  204. 
turati,  203. 
scalaris  bairdi,  201,  204. 

lucasanus,  201,  205. 
villosus  leuconielas.  201. 
harrisii,201,  202,  208. 
hyloscopus.  201,  202. 
lucasanus.  201,  205. 
nionticola,  201.  203. 
Duck.  Black-bellied  Tree.  69. 
Fulvous  Tree.  69. 
Harlecpiiu.  61. 
Hawk,  167. 
Lesser  Scaup,  58. 
Masked.  65. 
Mottled.  49. 
Ring-nrcki'd.  59. 
Ruddv.  64. 
Sc.iui),  57. 
Wood.  55. 
Duskv  Grou.se.  124. 
Horned  Lark.  269. 

Owl.  186. 
Warl.l.'r.  405. 
Dwarf  ('..wblrd.  288. 
Hermit  Thrush.  472. 
Srreech  Owl.   185. 
Dytes,  7. 

Eagle.  I^ald.  165. 

Gold.n.  163. 
Kare<l  (i relic,  7. 
Ectopist.s.  138. 

nuy:ratoriiis.  140. 


494 


INDEX 


Eg-ret,  75. 
Elanoides,  147,  148. 

forficatus,  148. 
Elanus,  147,  148. 

leucurus,  148. 
Eleg-ant  Tern,  29. 
Elf  Owl,  191. 
Emperor  Goose,  69. 
Empidonax,  246.  259. 

difficilis,  251),  260. 

f  ulvif  rons  pygmajus,  259,  262,  263. 

griseiis,  259,  263. 

hammondi,  259.  262. 

insulicola,  259,  260. 

minimus,  259,  261. 

traillii,  259,  260. 
alnorum,  259,  261. 

wrightii,  259,  262. 
English  Sparrow,  324. 
Ereunetes,  88,  93. 

occidentalis,  93,  94. 

piisillus,  93. 
Erismatura,  44,  64. 

jamaicensis,  64. 
Eskimo  Curlew,  102. 
Eugenes,  233. 

fulgens,  233. 
European  Teal,  51. 
Exantliemops,  66. 

Falco,  147,  165. 

columbarius,  166,  168. 
suekleyi,  166,  169. 

fusco-eoerulescens,  166,  170. 

mexicauus,  165,  166. 

peregrinus  anatum,  166,  167. 
pealei,  166,  168. 

richardsonii,  166,  169. 

rusticolus,  165.  166. 

sparverius,  166,  170. 
deserticola,  166,  171. 
Falcon,  Aploniado,  170. 

Peale,  168. 

Prairie,  166. 
Falconidai,  109,  144,  146. 
Farallone  Rail,  82. 
Ferruginous  Pygmv  Owl,  191. 

Rough-leg,  163. ' 
Finch,^California  Purple,  310. 

Cassin,  311. 

House,  312. 

Island  House,  313. 

Pine,  323. 

Purple,  310. 
Fish  Hawk,  172. 
Flammulated  Screech  Owl.  184,  185. 


Flicker,  Gilded,  222. 

Northern,  220. 

Northwestern,  221. 

Red-shafted,  221. 
Floresi  Hummingbird.  238. 
Florida,  76. 
Florida  Gallinule,  82. 
Flycatcher,  Alder,  261. 

Arizona  Crested.  252. 

Ash-throated,  253. 

Beardless,  265. 

Buff-breasted,  26*". 

Coues,  257. 

Crested.  252. 

Derby,  250. 

Fork-tailed,  246. 

Giraud,  250. 

Gray,  263. 

Hammond,  262. 

Least,  261. 

Mexican  Crested,  252. 

Nutting,  253. 

Olivaceous,  253. 

Olive-sided,  257. 

Ridgway,  265. 

Santa  Barbara,  260. 

Seissor-tailed,  246. 

Sulphur-bellied,  250. 

Traill,  260,  261. 

Vermilion,  264. 

Western,  260. 

Wright,  262,  2()3. 
Forbush  Sparrow,  360. 
Fork-tailed  Flycatcher,  246. 
Forked-tailed  Petrel,  37. 
Forster  Tern,  29. 
Fox  Sparrow,  360. 
Franklin  Grouse,  126. 

Gull,  25. 
Frazar  Oyster-catcher,  107. 
Fregata,  43. 

aquila,  43. 
Fregatidse,  3,  39,  43. 
Fringillidfe.  Ill,  245,  303. 
Frosted  Poor-will,  225. 
Fulica,  79,  83. 

americana,  83. 
Fuligula,  57. 
Fulmar.  Giant.  34. 

Pacific,  34. 

Rodg-ers,  34. 

Slender-bUled.  34. 
Fulmarus,  33,  34. 

glacialis  glupischa,  34. 

rodgersi,  34. 
\  Fulvous  Tree-duck.  69. 


INDEX 


495 


GacUvall.  49. 

Gairdner  ^Voo(lpeckel■.  203. 

Galeoscoptes.  4:54.  437. 

carolinensis.  437. 
Gallinai,  1,  lOS.  113. 
Gallinago,  .^7.  88. 

delicata.  88. 
Gallinula,  7l>.  82. 

galeata.  82. 
Gallinule.  Florida.  82. 
Gambel  Partridge,  121. 

Sparrow.  339. 
Garzetta,  70. 
Gavia.  9. 

aretica,  0,  10. 

imber,  9. 

lumme,  9,  11. 

pacifica,  U,  10. 
Gaviidte,  2,  9. 
Geloclielidoii,  ID.  27. 

nilotica.  27. 
Genna^us,  lo4,  135. 

nycthemerus,  135. 
Geococeyx.  193. 

califoruiaiius,  193. 
Geothlvpis.  401,  424.  426. 

agilis.  424. 

poliocephala  ralj^hi,  424. 

tolniiei,  424. 

trieha.s  arizela.  424,  426. 
oceidentalis,  424,  425c 
scirpicola.  425. 
sinuosa.  425. 
Giant  Fiihnar.  34. 
Gila  Woodp.'ckcr.  219. 
Gil.led  Flicker.  222. 
Giraud  Flvcat.  li.r.  250. 
Glaucidiiiin.  17"..  190. 

calif()nii<-mii.  1 '.>(>,  191. 

onoina.  190. 

plial;enr)ides.  I<IO.  191. 
Glaueoiis  (iull.  21. 

-winged  (inll,  21. 
Glossy  Il)is,  71. 
Glottis,  W. 
Gnatcaleher,  Hlaok-tailed,  466. 

lilue-grav.  465 

Plnnil)e()iis.  466. 

Western.  466. 
Godwit.  niids..niaii.  95. 

Marld.-.l.  95. 
G<dden-elieek.<l  W.-.rl.J.'r.  419. 

-crown. "(1  Kinglet .  463. 
Sparrow.  339. 

Eagle,  163. 

-eye,  Anieriean.  59. 


Barrow,  60. 

-fronted  Woodpecker,  218. 

Owl,  174. 

Pheasant,  135. 

Pileolated  V>'arbler,  428. 

Plover.  103. 
Goldfinch,  320. 

Arizona,  322. 

Arkansas.  322. 

Lawrence.  323. 

Mexican.  322. 

Pale.  321. 

Willow.  321. 
Goose.  Canada,  67,  OS. 

Cackling.  68. 

Emperor.  69. 

Greater  Snow,  66. 

Hutchins,  68. 

Lesser  Snow,  65. 

Ross  Snow,  66. 

White-cheeked.  68. 

White-fronted.  66. 
Goshawk,  American.  152. 

Western,  153. 
Grace  Warbler,  418. 
Graekle,  Bronzed.  301. 

Great-tailed.  302. 
Gray-cheeked  Thrush.  469. 

-crowned  Lexicosticte.  315. 

Flycatcher.  263. 

Gyrfalcon.  166. 

-headed  J  unco,  349. 

Jav,  279. 

Ruffed  Grouse.  128. 

-tailed  Cardinal,  370. 

Titujouse,  456. 

Vireo.  400. 
Great  Blue  Heron,  75 

Gray  Owl,  179. 

Northern  Diver.  9. 

Bufou.s-bellied  Kinufisher.  199. 

-taih'd  (Jra.  Isle.  302. 
Greater  Snow  (ioose.  66. 

Yellow-legs,  96. 
Grebe,  F.ired.  7. 

Holbadl,  6. 

Horned,  7. 

Least,  8. 

Pi.-d-bille.l,  8. 

West,  in,  5. 
(Jreen  ll.'n.n,  76. 

.I.iv.   277. 

I'h.as.inf,  135 

-t.iib-d  'rowhe»'.368. 

-winged  Teal.  51. 
Grinuell  Water-Tin ush,  423. 


496 


INDEX 


Groove-billed  Ani,  193. 
Grosbeak,  Alaskan  Pine,  309. 

Black-headed,  372. 

California  Pine,  308. 

Rocky  Mountain  Pine,  308. 

Rose-breasted,  372. 

Western  Blue,  373. 
Evening-,  307. 
Grouse,  Canadian  Ruffed,  127. 

Columbian  Sharp-tailed,  132. 

Dusky,  124. 

Franklin,  126. 

Grav  Ruffed,  128. 

Oregon  Ruffed,  128. 

Prairie  Sharp-tailed,  132. 

Richardson,  126. 

Sag-e,  133. 

Sooty,  125. 
Gruidc^,  4,  78. 
Grus,  78. 

americana,  78. 

canadensis,  78,  79. 

mexicana,  78,  79. 
Guara,  70,  71. 

alba,  71. 
Guillemot,  Pig-eon,  16. 
Guiraca,  30.5,  373. 

casrulea  lazula,  373. 
Gull,  Bonaparte,  26. 

California,  23. 

Franklin,  25. 

Glaucous,  21. 

Glaueous-wing'ed,  21,  23. 

Heermann,  24. 

Herring,  22. 

Laughing,  25. 

Mew,  24. 
-    Ring-billed,  23. 

Sabine,  27. 

Short-billed,  24. 

Vega,  23. 

Western,  21,  23.  25. 
Gull-billed  Tern,  27. 
Gymnogyps,  144. 

californianus,  144. 
Gyrfalcon,  Gray,  166. 

Hsematopodidse,  4,  84,  107. 
Hsematopus,  107. 

bachmani,  107. 

frazari,  107. 
Halifeetus,  147,  165. 

leucocephalus,  165. 
Hammond  Flycatcher,  262. 
Harelda,  45,  61. 

hyemalis,  61. 


Harlequin  Duck,  61. 
Harporhynchus,  440. 
Harris  Hawk,  154. 

Sparrow,  337. 

Woodpecker,  202. 
Hawk,  Broad-winged,  160. 

Cooper,  152. 

Duck,  167. 

Fish,  172. 

Harris,  154. 

Krider,  156. 

Marsh,  150. 

Mexican  Black,  160. 

Pigeon,  168. 

Red-bellied,  157. 
-tailed,  155. 

Rough-legged,  162. 

Sennett  White-tailed,  158, 

Sharp-shinned,  151. 

Squirrel,  163. 

Swainson,  159. 

Zone-tailed,  157. 
Heermann  Gull,  24. 

Song  Sparrow,  357. 
Heleodytes,  434,  442. 

brunneicapillus,  442. 
anthonyi,  442. 
bryanti,  443. 
couesi,  442. 
Helminthophila,  401,  402. 

celata,  402,  404. 
lutescens,  402,  405. 
sordida,  402,  405. 

lucise,  404. 

peregrina,  402,  406. 

rubricapilla  gutturalis,  402,  404. 

Virginias,  402,  403. 
Helodromas,  88,  97. 

solitarius,  97. 

cinnamomeus,  97,  98. 
Hepatic  Tanager,  381. 
Hepburn  Leucosticte,  316. 
Hermit  Warbler,  421. 
Herodias,  75. 
Herodiones,  1,  70. 
Heron,  Anthony  Green,  77. 

Black-crowned  Night,  77. 

Great  Blue,  75. 

Green,  76. 

Little  Blue,  76. 

Northwest  Coast,  75. 

Snowy,  75. 

Yellow-crowned  Night,  78. 
Herring  Gull,  22. 
Hesperiphona.  307. 
Heteractitis,  88,  98. 


INDEX 


497 


incanus,  98. 
Hierofaleo,  IfJG. 
Himantopus,  86. 

mexicanus,  86. 
Hirundinid*.  Ill,  245,  382. 
Hiruudo,  882,  384. 

erythrog-astra,  384. 
palraeri.  384. 
Histrionicus,  4.").  61. 

histrionicns,  61. 
Hoary  Red-poll.  318. 
Holboell  Grebe,  6. 
Hooded  Merganser.  47. 
Horned  Grebe,  7. 
House  Finch,  olO.  312. 
Hudsonian  Curlew,  102. 

Godwit,  95. 
Humiuino-bird.  Allen,  241. 

Anna.  237. 

Black-chinned.  235. 

Blue-throated,  234. 

Broad-billed,  244. 
-tailed,  238. 

Buff-bellied.  243. 

Calliope.  241. 

Costa,  236. 

Floresi,  238. 

Lucifer,  242. 

Morcom,  241. 

Rieffer,  243. 

Rivoli,  233. 

Rubv-throated,  235. 

Rufous,  239. 

White-eared.  243. 
Hntchins  Goo.se,  68. 
Hutton  Vireo.  399. 
Hydrochelidon.  !'.».  31. 

nig-ra  surinunitiisis,  31 
Hylocicbla.4(;T.  468. 

alici;e,  4(is.  469. 

gnittata.  4C.S,  471. 
auduboni,  W.K  471. 
nana,  4tlS.  472. 
slevini,  471. 

fusct'scens  saliciool.i.  4(>S,  469. 

mustt'lina.  4<;s.  469. 

ustulata.  HIS.  470. 
alma?,  4(;(>.  471. 
cedica,  4<»s.  470. 
swainsoni.  -I <"•*.•.  470. 

lache.  2:;2.  244. 

latirostris.  244. 
Ibidid.i',  4,  70. 
Ibis.  Glossv.  71 

White.  71. 


-faced  Glossy,  71. 

Wood,  72. 
Icteria,  401,  426. 

virens  longicauda,  426. 
Icteridae,  112,  24-5,  285. 
Icterus,  2S5,  293,  2<»4. 

audubonii,  294. 

bulloeki,  204.  298. 

cucullatus  nelsoni,  20o,  296,  298. 
sennetti,  2'.i;5.  295. 

galbula,  2<)4,  297. 

parisorum,  294. 

spurius,  204,  296. 
Ictinia,  147,  149. 
,  mississippiensis,  149. 
Inca  Dove,  143. 
Indigo  Bunting-,  374. 
Intermediate  J  unco,  347. 

Sparrow,  339. 
Island  Horned  Lark,  268. 

House  Finch,  313. 

Shrike,  393. 
Ixoreus,  407,  473. 

nsevius,  473. 

meruloides,  473,  474. 

Jabiru,  72. 
Jaeana,  108. 

Mexican.  108. 

spinosa.  108. 
Jacanida^  108. 
Jack  Snipe.  88. 
Jackdaw.  302. 
Jaeger,  Long-tailed,  18. 

Parasitic,  18. 

Poniarine,  18. 
Jay,  Arizona,  276 

Black-he.aded,  273. 

Blue,  271. 
-eareii,  274. 
-fronted.  273. 

California,  275. 

(\)uch.  276. 

(^r.iv,  279. 
i  Green,  277. 
I        Long-crested,  273. 

Oregon,  278. 

Pin..n.  284. 

Roekv  .Mountain,  27/. 

vSjint.i  Cru/.  276. 

Steller.  272. 

Texan,  275. 

Woodlu.us...  274. 
Junco,  :;0."),  345. 

aikeni,  345. 

annectons,  'M'k  348. 


498 


INDEX 


Arizona,  349. 
caniceps,  ;]45,  349. 
Gray-headed,  349. 
hyemalis,  o45,  346. 

coniiectens,  -j^o,  347. 

oreganus,  o4.j,  347. 

pinosus,  o45,  348. 

thurberi,  34.5,  347. 
Intermediate,  347. 
mearnsi,  045,  348. 
Montana,  348. 
niontanus,  o45,  348. 
Mountain.  348. 
Oregon,  347.  , 

phaBonotus  dorsalis.  345,  349. 

palliatus,  345,  349. 
Pink-sided,  348. 
Point  Pinos,  348. 
Red-backed.  349. 
Ridg'way,  348. 
Slate-coiored.  346. 
Thurber,  347. 
White-winged,  345. 

Kaeding-  Petrel,  37. 
Kennieott  Screech  Owl,  183,  184. 
Killdeer,  103. 
Kingbird,  247. 

Arkansas,  S48. 

Cassin.  249. 

Couch,  248. 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  198. 

Great  Rufous-bellied,  199. 

Texas,  199. 
Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  463. 
Western,  464. 

Ruby-crowned,  464. 

Sitkan,  465. 
Kite,  Mississippi,  149. 

Swallow-tailed,  148. 

White-tailed,  148. 
Kittiwake,  Pacific,  19. 
Knot,  91. 
Krider  Hawk,  156. 

Lag-opus,  1 14,  128. 
leucurus,  129. 
altipetens,  129. 
Laniidai,  112,  245,  391. 
Lanius,  391. 

borealis,  391.  392. 
ludovicianus  anthonyi,  391,  393. 
excubitorides,  39 f,  392. 
ganibeli,  391,  393. 
Lanivireo,  39(J. 
Lapland  Longspur,  326. 


Large-billed  Sparrow,  333. 
Laridai,  2,  17,  19. 
Lark  Bunting,  377. 

Desert  Horned,  268. 

Dusky  Horned,  269. 

Island  Horned,  268. 

Mexican  Horned.  268. 

Pallid  Horned.  266. 

Prairie  Horned,  268. 

Ruddy  Horned,  268. 

Scorched  Horned,  269. 

SpaiTow,  336. 

Streaked  Horned,  268. 

Texan  Horned,  268. 
Larus,  19,  20. 

argentatus,  20,  22. 

atricilla,  20,  25. 

brachyrhynchus,  20,  24. 

calif  ornie\is,  20,  23. 

canus,  20,  24. 

deiawarensis,  20,  23. 

franklinii,  20,  25. 

glaucescens,  20,  21. 

glaueus,  20,  21. 

heermanni,  20,  24. 

occldentalis,  20,  21. 

Philadelphia,  20,  26. 

vegaB,  20,  23. 
Laughing  Gull,  25. 
Lawrence  Goldfinch,  323. 
Lazuli  Bunting,  375. 
Lead-colored  Bush-Tit,  462. 
Least  Auklet,  14. 

Bittern,  74. 

Flycatcher,  261. 

Grebe,  8. 

Sandpiper,  92. 

Tern,  30. 

Vireo,  400. 
Leconte  Sparrow,  335. 

Thrasher,  441. 
Leptopelicanus.  43. 
Leptotila,  138,141. 

fulviventris  brachyptera,  141. 
Lesser  Prairie  Hen,  131. 

Scaup  Duck,  58,  59. 

Snow  Goose,  65. 

Yellow-legs,  97. 
Leucosticte,  304,  315. 

atrata,  315,  317. 

australis.  315,  317. 

Black.  317. 

Brown-capped,  317. 
Gray-crowned.  315. 

Hepburn,  316. 

tephrocotis,  315,  317. 


INDEX 


499 


littoralis,  ol.").  316. 
Lewis  Woodpecker,  217. 
Liinicolte,  4.  84. 
Limosa,  S7.  95. 

fedoa,  95. 

hfeniastica,  95. 
Lincoln  Sparrow,  359. 
Little  Blue  Heron.  76. 

Brown  Crane,  79. 
Lloyd  Bush-Tit,  462. 
Long-billed  Curlew,  101. 
Dowitcher,  89. 

-crested  Jav.  273. 

-eared  Owl,"  175. 

-tailed  Cliat,  426. 
Chickadee,  457. 
Jaeger,  18. 
Longipennes,  1,  2.  17. 
Longspur.  Alaskan,  327. 

Chestnut-coUareil.  328. 

Lapland,  326. 

McCown.  328. 

Smith,  327. 
Loon,  9. 

Black-throated,  10. 

Pacific,  10. 

Ked-throated,  11. 
Lophodjtes,  44,  47. 

cuculiatus,  47. 
Lophophanes,  A't'). 
Lophortyx,  114,  119,  120. 

californicus.  120. 
vallicola.  120. 

gamhelii,  120,  121. 
Louisiana  Tanager,  379. 
Loxia,  :;o;;,  313. 

curvirostra  hendirei,  314. 
minor,  ;'>i:5,  314. 
stricklandi,  :\l'-\.  314. 

leucoptera,.'}!'"!.  315. 
Lucifer  Ilun.minghird.  242 
Lucv  Warl.l.r.  402. 
Lun"(la,   11.  12. 

ciirhata,  12. 
Lutesceiit  Warbler,  405. 

MacFarlane  Screech  Owl.  184. 
Macgillivrav  Waibl.  r.  424. 
Macn.cliires,  2,  IK*.  222. 
Macrorhainphiis.  s".  89. 

griseus.  89.  '.•<>. 

.scoIoj)aceiis.  89. 
Magnolia  Warl.l.r.  415 
Magpie,  Bl.ick-I.ill..l.  270. 

Vell..NS-bill.(l.   271. 

Mallard,  48,  l'.»,  :.l. 


Man-o'-War  Bird,  43. 
Marbled  Godwit.  95. 

Murrelet,  15. 
Mareca,  44,  49. 
americaua,  41),  50. 
penelope,  49. 
Marsh  Hawk.  150. 
Martin,  Purple.  383. 

AVestern,  383. 
Masked  Bob-white,  116. 

Duck,  65. 
Massena  Quail,  123. 
McCown  Longspur.  328. 
Meadowlark,  Texas,  292. 

Western,  293. 
Mearns  Quail,  122. 
Megaquiscalus,  o02. 
Megascops,  175. 
asio,  182. 

aikeni,  182,  184. 
bendirei,  182,  183. 
cineraceus,  1^2,  183. 
kennicottii,  181,  183. 
macfarlanei,  181.  184. 
maxwelliie,  181,  183. 
mccalli,  181,  183. 
flammeola,  182,  184. 

idahoensis,  1Sl\  185. 
trichopsis,  181,  184. 
Melanerpes.  200.  215. 
aurifrons,  215.  218. 
carolinus,  21."),  218. 
erytlirocephalus,  215. 
formicivorus,  21."),  216. 

bairdi,  21."),  217. 
torquatus,  21."),  217. 
nropygialis,  21"),  219. 
Melanitta,  (»;5. 
Meleagris,  134,  136. 
gallopavo  fera,  136. 
intermedia.  136. 
merrianii,  136. 
Melopelia,  K'.S.  142. 

leucoptera.  142. 
Melospi/.a,  :;i>ti,  355. 
cinerea  plia-a.  358. 
fa.sciata  cooj)eri.  357. 
ingersnlli,  358. 
pusiUnl.i.  358. 
georgi.jua.  :'..")."),  360 
lincolnii,  ;;.V).  359. 
.striat.i,  ;;.">."),  360. 
melodia.  356. 

clement  a*.  .">")•),  369. 
ch'onensis,  358. 

faiiax,  ;;:>:.,  357. 


500 


INDEX 


grarainea,  350,  358. 
heermanin.  o55,  357,  358. 
merrilli,  359. 
montana,  35(5,  357,  359. 
morphna,  355,  358. 
rufina,  355,  358. 
samuelis,  355,  358. 
santfecnicis,  357. 
Mendocino  Song  Sparrow,  358. 
Merganser,  44,  45. 

American,  46. 

araericanns,  45,  46. 

Hooded,  47. 

Red-breasted,  46. 

serrator,  45.  46. 
Merlin,  Black,  169. 

Richardson,  169. 
Merriani  Turkey,  136. 
Merrill  Paranque.  225. 

Song  Sparrow,  359. 
Mernla,  4(57,  472. 

migratoria.  472. 
propinqiia.  472. 
Mew  Gull,  24. 
Mexican  Black  Hawk,  160. 

Buzzai'd,  172. 

Chickadee,  457. 

Cliff  Swallow,  384. 

Creeper,  451. 

Crested  Flycatcher,  252. 

Cross-bill,  314. 

Goldfinch.  322. 

Goshawk,  161. 

Ground  Dove.  143. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Jacana,  108. 

Screech  Owl,  183. 
Micropalama,  87,  90. 

hiniantopus,  90. 
Micropallas,  175,  191. 

whitneyi,  191. 
Micropodidse,  110,  229. 
Mimus,  434,  435. 

polyglottos  leucopterus,  435. 
Mississippi  Kite.  149. 
Mniotilta,  401,  402. 

varia,  402. 
Mniotiltidfe,  111,  245,  401. 
Mockingbird,  Western,  435. 
Molothrus,  285,  287. 

ater,  287. 

obscurus,  288. 
Montana  Junco,  348. 
Monterey  Hermit  Thrush.  471. 

Thrush,  470. 
Morcom  Hummingbird,  341. 


Motacillidie,  111,  245,  431. 
Mottled  Duck,  49. 
Mountain  Bluebird,  476. 

Chickadee,  458. 

Junco,  348. 

Partridge,  117. 

Plover,  105. 

Song  Sparrow,  357. 
Mourning  Dove,  140. 
Mud  Hen,  83. 
Murre,  California,  16,  22. 
Murrelet,  Ancient,  15. 

Marbled,  16. 

Xantus,  16. 
Muscivora,  245,  246. 

forficata,  246. 

tyrannus,  246. 
Myadestes,  467. 

townsendii,  467= 
Mycteria,  72,  • 

americana,  72. 
Myiarchus,  245. 

cinerascens,  252,  253. 
nuttingi,  252,  253. 

crinitus,  252. 

lawrencei  olivascens,  251,  253. 

mexicanus,  251,  252. 
magister,  252. 
Myiodynastes,  245.  260. 

luteiventris,  250. 
Myiozetetes  similis  superciliosus,  250. 

Nelson  Sparrow,  335. 
Neocorys,  432. 
Nettion,  45,  51. 

carolinensis,  51. 

crecca.  51. 
Nighthawk.  226. 

Sennett,  228. 

Texan,  228. 

Western,  227. 
Noraonyx,  44.  65. 

dominicus,  65. 
Nonpareil.  326. 
Northern  Flicker,  220. 

Hairy  Woodpecker.  201,  203. 

Parula  Warbler,  406. 

Phalarope,  84. 

Pileated  Woodpecker,  213. 

Raven,  280. 

Red -breasted  Sapsucker,  212. 

Shrike,  392. 

Spotted  Owl.  179. 

Violet-green  Swallow,  386. 
Northwest  Bewick  Wren,  447- 

Coast  Heron,  75. 


INDEX 


501 


Crow,  282. 

Saw-wliet  0\vl.  181. 
Northwestern  Flicker,  221. 

Red-wing,  291. 
Nucif raga,  209 ,  282. 

Columbiana,  282. 
Numenins,  S".  101. 

borealis,  1(>!,  102. 

Imdsonicus,   KM.  102. 

longirostris.  101. 
Nutcracker,  Clarke.  282. 
Nuthatch,  Pygmy.  454. 

Red-l)reasted,  454. 

Rocky  Mountain,  453. 

Slender-billed.  453. 

White-breasted.  453. 
Nuttall  Sparrow.  339. 

Woodpecker.  205. 
Nuttallornis,  'S)!. 
Nutting  Flvcatclier,  253. 
Nyctala,  IT-').  179. 

acadica,  180. 

seotjea,  ISO,  181. 

tengniahni  riehardsoni,  170, 180. 
Nyctanassa,  7S. 
Nyctea,  175.  187. 

nyctea,  187. 
Nycticorax,  7.">,  77. 

nycticorax  nsevius,  77. 

violaceus,  78. 
Nyctidronius,  222.  225. 

albicollis  nierrilli.  225. 

Oceanodronia,  >j'-j,  37. 

furcata.  37. 

honiochroa.  .'57.  38. 

kaedingi,  37. 

leucorlioa.  o7. 

melania.  .57.  38. 

socorroensis.  ;)7,  38. 
Oclitliodronms.  10.'). 
Oideniia.  4.").  62.  iV.). 

americana,  02,  63. 

deglandi,  ()2,  63. 

perspicillata,  02.  63. 
Olbiorchilus.  4:;4,  449. 

liienialis  jjacifieus,  449. 
'    ()ld-s.|ua\v.  61. 

Olivaceous  Fl vcatdier.  253. 
Olive-back.-d  'riMiisli.  470. 

-sided  Flvca1<lu'r,  257. 

Warl)l.r."410. 
Olor,  4.".,  70. 

l)nccinat(.r.  70. 

c(,liiinl)ianus.  70. 
( )nororni.s,  424. 


Orange-crowned  Warbler.  404. 
Orchlird  Oriole,  296. 
Oregon  Chickadee,  458, 
Jay,  278. 
Junco,  347. 
Ruffed  Grouse,  128. 
Song  Sparrow,  358. 
Towhee,  365. 
Vesper  Sparrow,  330. 
Oreortyx,  114,  117. 
pictus,  117. 

pluniiferus,  117. 
Oreospiza,  oUO,  368. 

chlorura,  368. 
Oriole.  Arizona  Hooded.  296. 
Audubon.  294. 
Baltimore.  297. 
Bullock.  298. 
Orchard.  296. 
Scott.  294. 
Sennett.  295. 
Ornithion,  245,  265. 
iniberbe,  265. 
ridgwayi,  265. 
Oroscoptes,  4;}.!.  435. 

montanus,  435. 
Ortalis.  137. 

vetula  niaccalli.  137. 
Ossifraga,  '■'>'■).  34. 

gigantea,  34. 
Otocoris.  2(55,  268. 

alpestris  actia,  200,  208. 
adu.sta,  2()(;,  269. 
annnophila.  268. 
aphrasta,  269. 
arcticola,  2ti0,  267. 
arenicola,  200.  268. 
chrysobenia,  200,  268. 
entiiyniia,  267. 
girandi.  2(iO,  268. 
h..yti.  267. 
insularis,  268. 
leucausiptila,  266. 
leucobenia.  266.  20S. 
nierrilli.  20t;.  269. 
occidentali.s.  269. 
pr.it  irola.  2t;(;.  268. 
rubea.  2t;(i.  268. 
striuata,  2<;t;.  268. 
Ouzel,  Wat.r.  432. 
i  Oven  bin!.  423. 
j  Owl,  .\ik.M  .S-nrrb.  184. 
Anx-ric.in  Il.iwk,  188. 
Arctic  llnrn.-d.  186. 
Barn.  173. 
Barred,  178. 


502 


INDEX 


Burrowing",  189. 
California  Pygmy,  191. 

Screech,  183. 
Dusky  Horned,  186. 
Dwarf  Screech,  185. 
Elf,  191. 

Ferruginous  Pygmy,  191. 
Flammulated  Screech,  188. 
Great  Gray,  179. 
Kennicott  Screech,  183. 
Long'-eared,  175. 
MacFarlane  Screech,  184. 
Mexican  Screech,  183. 
Northern  Spotted,  179. 
Northwest  Saw-whet,  181. 
Pacific  Horned,  186. 
Pygmy,  190. 
Richaixlson,  180. 
Kocky  Mountain  Screech,  183. 
Saw-whet,  180. 
Screech,  182. 
Short-eared,  177. 
Snowy,  187. 
Spotted,  178. 

Screech,  184. 
Texas  Barred.  178. 

Screech,  183. 
Western  Horned,  185. 
Oxyechus,  103. 
Oyster-catcher,  Black,  107. 
Frazar,  107. 

Pacific  Fulmar,  34. 

Horned  Owl,  186. 

House  Wren,  448. 

Kittiwake,  19. 

Yellow-throat,  426. 
Painted  Bunting-,  376. 

Redstart,  430. 
Pale  Goldfinch,  321. 

Varied  Thrush.  474. 
Pallid  Horned  Lark,  266.     . 

Wren- Tit,  459. 
Palm  Warbler,  422. 
Palmer  Thrasher,  439. 
Paludicolfe,  1.  4,  78. 
Pandion,  140,  172. 

haliaetus  carolinensis,  172. 
Parabuteo,  147,  154. 

unicinctus  harrisi,  154. 
Parasitic  Jaeger,  18. 
Parauque,  Merrill,  225. 
Paridffi,  112, 113,  245,  452. 
Parkman  Wren,  448. 
Paroquet  Anklet,  14. 
Parrot,  Thick-billed,  192. 


Partridge,  California,  120. 
Chestnut-bellied  Scaled,  119. 
Gambel,  121. 
Mountain,  117. 
Plumed,  117. 
Sealed,  118. 
Valley,  120. 
Parus,  452,  455,  457. 
atricapillus,  4.55,  457. 
occidentalis.  455,  458. 
septentrionalis,  455,  457. 
atricristatus,  455. 
gambeli,  455,  458. 
hudsonicus  columbianus,  455,  459. 
inornatus,  455,  456. 
griseus,  455,  456. 
rufescens,  455,  469. 

negiectus,  455,  459. 
sclateri,  455,  458. 
wollweberi,  455,  457. 
Pasadena  Thrasher,  441. 
Passeng'er  Pigeon.  140. 
Passer,  305,  324. 

domesticus,  324. 
Passerculus,  331,  333. 
Passerella,  306,  360. 
iliaca,  360. 

annectens,  361. 
fuliginosa.  361. 
insularis,  361. 
megarhyneha,  360,  362. 
meruloides,  361. 
schistacea,  360,  362. 
stephensi.  360,  363. 
townsendi,  361. 
unalaschcensis,  360,  361. 
Passeres,  2,  110,  245. 
Passerina,  304,  325. 

nivalis,  325. 
Peale  Falcon,  168. 
Pectoral  Sandpiper.  91. 
Pedioecetes,  114,  131. 

phasianellus  campestris,  132. 
columbianus,  132. 
Pelecanidse,  3,  39,  42. 
Pelecanus,  42. 

californicus,  42,  43. 
erythrorhynchos,  42. 
occidentalis,  43. 
Pelican,  American  White,  42. 

California  Brown,  43. 
Pelidna,  93. 
Pelionetta,  63. 
Pendulinus,  295. 
Perisoreus,  269,  277._ 

canadensis  capitalis,  277. 


INDEX 


503 


obscunis,  278. 

griseus,  279. 

Petrel,  Ashv,  38. 

Black.  38. 

Forked-tailed,  37. 

Kaediiig-.  37. 

JSocorro,  38. 
Petrochelidou,  o82,  383. 

lunifrons,  oSo,  384. 

melanogastra,  ."JSo,  384. 
Peiicfea,  352. 

botterii,  352. 

eassini,  352. 
Peueedranuis,  410. 
Pewee,  Wood,  258. 
Phainopepla.  ;iST.  390. 

niteiis,  390. 
Phalacrocoracidje,  o,  39. 
Phalaerocorax,  39,  40. 

dilophus,  ;]'.>,  40. 
albociliaturf,  :]*.>,  40. 
cincinatus,  ;'»*.>,  40. 

raexicanus,  -V-K  41. 

pelagieus,  40,  41. 
res])leiideiis,  40,  42. 

penicillatus.  oO,  41. 
Phalcenoptilus.  2:i2,  224. 

mittallii,  224. 

calif orniciLs.  224,  225. 
nitidus.  224.225. 
Phalarope.  Nortliern,  84. 

Red,  84. 

Wilson.  85. 
Pbalaropodid:.'.  4.  84. 
Phalaropus.  84. 

lobatus,  84. 
Phasianid;e,  lOS,  11;),  134. 
Pbasianus.  134.  1  •"!•'). 

S(einnierrini;ii,  135. 

tonpiatus.  135. 

versicolor,  135. 
Pheasant,  Coijpcr,  135. 

(Golden.  135. 

(ireen,   135. 

Kiiig-n.'ck.'d,  135. 

Silver,  135. 
Philacte,  4."..  69. 

canagiea.  69. 
Philohela.  ST,  88. 

minor.  88. 
Pb<.'lM-.  254. 

i;iaek,  255. 

Kiv,  255. 

W;-stern  IMaek,  256. 
Plnelietria.  iL'.  33. 

fi^liginosa,  33. 


Pica,  269. 

pica  lindsonica,  201),  270, 
nnttalli,  201 »,  271. 
Pici,  2,  110,  200. 
Picicorvus,  282. 
Pieid*,  110,  200. 
Picoides,  200, 208. 
americanus,  208,  209. 
dorsalis,  208,  209. 
fasciatus,  208,  209. 
arcticns,  208. 

tenuirostris,  208. 
Pied-billed  (irebe,  8. 
Pigeon,  Band-tailed,  138. 
Guillemot,  16. 
Hawk,  168. 
Pas.senger,  140. 
Ked-biiled,  140. 
Pileolated  Warl)ler,  428. 
Pine  Finch,  323. 

Siskin.  323. 
Pinicola,  oOo,  308. 

enucleator  alascensis,  •J08, 
calit'ornica,  308. 
montana,  308. 
Pink-footed  Shearwater,  35. 

-sided  Juneo,  348. 
Pinon  Jav.  284. 
Pintail,  54. 
Pipilo,  oOO,  363. 
aberti,  o():5.  368. 
erythrophthalmus.  364. 
fuscns  crissalis.  ;!(i:'..  367. 
mesoleucus,  oOo.  366. 
senicula,  ;>G.I,  367. 
niacnlatns  arcticns.  364. 
atratns,  :;t)4,  366. 
elemental  .')r)4,  366. 
megalonyx,  .{(il.  365. 
oregonns,  ;J<)4,  365. 
Pipit.  431. 

Spragne.  432. 
Piranga.  379. 

ervtlironielas.  ;1T!»,  380. 
hepatica,  oT".*.  381. 
Indoviciana,  379. 
rubra,  ^TD,  382. 
cooperi,  .'IT'.'.  382. 
Pitjingus.  24.").  250. 

derbiaims.  250. 
Plain  Titnn.us...  456. 
IMatyps;iris.  245. 

albiventri.s,  246. 
Pleg.idi.s,  TO.  71. 
antuninalis,  71. 
guarauna.  71. 


309. 


504 


INDEX 


Plover,  Belted  Piping,  104. 

Blaek-bellied,  102. 

Golden,  103. 

Mountain,  105. 

kSemipahnated,  104, 

8nowv,  105. 

Upland.  99. 

Wilson,  105. 
PluTubeous  Gnatcatclier,  466. 

Vireo,  397. 
Plumed  Partridge,  117. 
Podasocys,  105. 
Podiceps,  8. 
Podicipidae,  2,  5. 
Podilymbus,  5,  8. 

podiceps,  8. 
Point  Pinos  Junco,  348. 
Polioptila,  403,  465. 

cserulea,  465. 

obseura,  465,  466. 

calif ornica,  405,  466. 

plumbea,  465,  466. 
Polyborus,  147,  171. 

cheriway,  171. 
Pomarine  Jaeger,  18. 
Pocecetes,  304,  329. 

gramineus  affinis,  329,  330. 
confinis,  329. 
Poor-will,  224. 

California,  225. 
Frosted,  225. 
Porzana,  79,  81. 

Carolina,  81. 

coturniculns,  81,  82. 

jamaieensis,  81,  82. 

noveboracensis,  81,  82. 
Prairie  Falcon,  166. 

Hen,  130. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  132. 
Priocella,  33,  34. 

glacialoides,  34. 
Procellariidse,  3,  32,  33. 
Progne,  382,  383. 

svibis,  383. 

hesperia,  383. 
Psaltriparus,  452.  460. 

lloydi,  460.  462. 

minimus,  460. 

calif ornicus,  400,  461. 

plumbeus,  400,  462. 

santaritai,  460.  462. 
Psittaci,  1,  109,  192. 
Psittacidaj,  109,  192. 
Ptarmigan,   Southern  White-tailed. 
129. 


White-tailed,  129. 
Ptychoramphus,  12,  13. 

aleuticus,  13. 
Puffin,  Tufted,  12. 
Puffinus,  35. 

bulleri,  35,  36. 

creatopus,  35. 

griseus,  35,  36. 

opisthomelas,  35. 

tenuirostris,  35,  37. 
Purple  Finch,  310. 

Martin,  383. 
Pygmy  Nuthatch,  454. 

Owl,  190. 
Pygopodes,  1,  2,  5. 
Pyrocephalus,  245,  264. 

rubineus  mexicanus,  264. 
Pyrrhuloxia,  305,  370. 

Arizona,  370. 

simiata,  370. 

texana,  370. 

Texas,  371. 

Quail,  Mearns,  122. 
Querquedula,  45,  52. 

cyanoptera,  52. 

discors,  52,  53. 
Quiscalus,  285,  301. 

major  macrourus,  301,  302. 

quiscula  seneus.  301. 

Rail,  Black,  82. 

California  Clapper,  80. 

Caribbsean  Clapper,  80. 

Carolina,  81. 

Farallone,  82. 

Virginia,  80. 

Yellow,  82. 
Rallidfe,  4,  79. 
Rallus,  79. 

levipes,  80. 

longirostris  caribous,  80. 

obsoletus,  80. 

virginianus,  80. 
Raptores,  1,  109,  144. 
Raven,  American,  279. 

Northern,  280. 

White-necked,  280. 
Recurvirostra,  86. 

americana,  86. 
RecurvirostridiB,  4,  84,  86. 
Red-backed  Juiieo,  349. 
Sandpiper,  93. 

-bellied  Hawk,  157. 
Woodpecker.  218. 

-billed  Pigeon,  140. 


INDEX 


505 


-breasted  Merganser,  46. 
Nuthatch,  454. 
Sapsueker,  211. 

-eved  Cowbird.  288. 
Vireo,  395. 

-faced  Warbler,  430. 

-headed  AVoodpecker.  215. 

-uaped  Sapsueker,  211. 

Phahirope,  84. 

-shafted  Flicker,  221. 

-tail.  Western,  156. 

-tailed  Hawk,  15-5. 

-throated  Loon.  11. 

-winged  Blackbird,  290. 
Redwing,  Northwestern,  291. 

San  Diego,  291. 

Sonoran,  290. 

Thick-billed.  291. 

Vera  Cruz,  290. 
Reddish  Egret,  76. 
Redhead,  56. 
Redpoll,  319. 

Hoary,  318. 
Red.start,  American,  429. 

Painted,  430. 
Regains,  463. 

calendula,  4(>>,  464. 
grinnelli,  4ti;5,  465. 

satrapa,  463. 

olivaceus,  4();5,  464. 
Rhinoceros  Anklet,  13. 
Rliynchodon,   I'lT. 
Rhvnchofalco,  170. 
Rhynchophanes,  8U4,  ;>20,  328. 

mccownii,  328. 
Rhyncliopsitta,  192. 

pachvrhvncba.  192. 
Richardson  (Jiousc.  126. 

Merlin.  169. 

Owl,  180. 
Ridgway  Flvcatcher,  265. 

Junco,  348. 
Ri.'<l\-r  Iluniniin-bird.  243. 
Ring-billed  (Jul!,  23. 

-necked  Duck.  59. 
Pheasiint.  135. 
Rio  Grande  Turkey.  136. 

Yell. .w-tluuHt.  426. 
Riparia,  .I.^L',  386. 

riparia,  386. 
Rissa,  19. 

tridactvla  pollic.iris,  19. 
Rivoli  Hummingbird,  233. 
Ro;ul-rnnner,  193. 
Robin.  472. 

Western,  472. 


Rock  Sparrow,  355. 

Wren.  44:^. 
Rocky  Mountain  Creeper.  451. 

Hairy  Woodpecker,  203. 
Nuthatch,  453. 
Pine  Grosbeak.  308. 
Screech  Owl,  183. 
Rodgers  Fulmar,  34. 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  372. 
Ross  Snow  Goose.  66. 
Rough-legged  Hawk.  162. 

-winged  Swallow,  387. 
Royal  Tern,  28. 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  464. 

-throated  Hummingbird,  235. 
Ruddy  Duck,  64. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Turnstone,  107. 
Rufous-crowned  Sjjarrow,  354. 

Hunmiingbird,  239. 

-winged  Sparrow,  353. 
Russet-backed  Thrush,  470. 
Rusty  Blackbird.  299. 

Song  Sparrow,  358. 

Sabine  Gull,  27. 
Sage  Grouse,  133. 

Sparrow,  351. 

Thrasher,  435. 
Saint  Luccus  Woodpecker,  205. 
Salpinctes,  4:54.  443. 

obsoletns,  443. 
pulverius,  443. 
Salt  Marsh  Song  Sp.urow,  358. 

Yellow-thro.it.  425. 
Samuels  Song  Sp.urow.  358. 
San  Clemente  Song  Sjiarrow.  359. 
Towh.M'.  366. 
Wren.  448. 
.San  Diego  It.d-wing.  291. 
Song  Sparrow,  357. 
Towhee,  366. 

Fernando  Towhee.  367. 
Sanderling.  94. 
Sandhill  Crane,  79. 
Sandpiper,  Baird,  92. 

Bartramian,  99. 

Bonapart.',  92. 

BuiM.re.isted,  100. 

I -east,  92. 

P.-(t..ral.91. 

Red-backe.l,  93. 

Semi|)almaied,  93. 

Solit.irv,  97. 

Spotted.  100. 

Stilt.  90 


506 


INDEX 


Upland,  99. 

Western.  94. 
ISolitary,  '98. 

White-rumped,  92. 
Sandwich  fSparrow,  331. 
Santa  Barbara  Flycatcher,  260. 
Song-  Sparrow,  358. 

Cruz  Jay,  276. 

Song-  Sparrow,  357. 

Rita  Push-Tit,  462. 
Sapsueker,  Northern  Red-breasted, 
212. 

Red-breasted.  211. 

Red-naped,  211. 

Williainson.  212. 

Yellow-bellied,  210. 
Savanna  Sparrow,  Western,  332. 
Saw-whet  Owl,  180. 

Northwest,  181. 
Saxicola.  467,  475. 

cenanthe,  475. 
Say  Phoebe,  255. 
Sayornis,  240,  254. 

nigricans,  254,  255. 
semiatra,  254,  256. 

phcebe.  254. 

sava,  254,  255. 
Scaled  Partridge,  118. 
Scardafella,  138,  143. 

inca,  143. 
Scarlet  Tanager,  380. 
Scaup  Duck.  57. 
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher,  246. 
Scolecophagus,  280,  299. 

carolinus,  299. 

cyanocephalus,  200,  300. 
Scolopacidae,  4,  84,  87. 
Scorched  Horned  Lark,  269. 
Scoter,  American,  63. 

Surf,  63. 

White-Avinged,  63. 
Scotiaptex,  175,  179. 

cinerea,  179. 
Scott  Oriole,  294. 

Sparrow,  354. 
Screech  Owl,  182. 
Seed-eater,  Sharpe,  376. 
Seiurus,  401,  423. 

auroeapillus,  423. 

noveboracensis  notabilis,  423. 
Selasphorus,  233,  237,  238. 

alleni,  238,  241. 

floresii,  238. 

platycercus,  238,  240. 

rufus,  238,  239. 
Semipalmated  Plover,  104. 


Sandpiper,  93. 
Sennett  Nighthawk,  228. 

Oriole.  295. 

Thrasher.  438. 

Warbler,  407. 

White-tailed  Hawk,  158. 
Setophaga,  401,  429. 

picta,  420,  430. 

ruticilla,  429. 
Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  151. 
Sharpe  Seed-eater,  376. 
Shearwater,  Black-vented,  35. 

Dark-bodied,  35,  36. 

Pink-footed,  35. 

Slender-billed,  37. 
Sheldrake,  46. 
Short-billed  Gull,  24. 

-eared  Owl,  177. 

-tailed  Albatross,  32. 
Shoveller,  54. 
Shrike,  California,  393. 

Island,  393. 

Northern,  392. 

White-rumped,  392. 
Sialia,  407,  475. 

arctica  475,  476. 

mexicana  bairdi,  475,  476. 
occidentalis,  475,  476. 

sialis,  475. 
azurea,  476. 
Sierra  Creeper,  452. 
Silver  Pheasant,  135. 
Simorhynchus,  12,  14. 

pusillus,  14. 
Siskin,  Pine.  323. 
Sitkan  Kinglet,  465. 
Sitta,  452,  453. 

canadensis,  453,  454. 

carolinensis.  453. 
aculeata  453. 
nelsoni,  453. 

pvgmasa,  453,  454. 
Skylark,  265. 
Slate-colored  Juneo,  346. 

Sparrow,  362. 
Slender-billed  Fulmar.  34. 
Nuthatch,  453. 
Shearwater,  37. 
Small  White-eved  Vireo,  399. 
Smith  Longspur,  326   327. 
Snipe,  Jack.  88. 

Wilson,  88. 
Snowflake,  325. 
Snowv  Heron,  75. 

Owl,  187. 

Plover,  105. 


INDEX 


507 


Socorro  Petrel,  38. 
{Solitaire,  Townseiul.  467. 
Solitary  Sandpiper.  97. 
Song-  Sparrow,  356. 
Sonora  Yellow  Warbler.  411. 
Sonoran  Ked-winj;.  290. 
Sooty  Albatro.ss.  33. 

Fox  Sparrow,  361. 

Grouse,  125. 

Song-  Sparrow,  358. 
Sora,  81. 
Southern   White-tailed    Ptarmigan, 

129. 
Southwest  Bewick  Wren,  447. 
Sparrow,  Baird.  333. 

Beldinq-  Mar.sh.  332. 

Bell,  351. 

Bendire.  353. 

Black-chinned,  345. 
-throated,  350. 

Botteri,  352. 

Brewer.  343. 

Bryant  .Mar.sh.  332. 

Cassin,  352. 

Clay-colored.  342. 

Desert,  350. 
Song-.  357. 

English,  324. 

Forbush.  360. 

Fox,  360. 

Ganibel,  339. 

Golden-crowned.  339. 

Harris,  337. 

Hawk,  170. 

Heermaini  Song,  367. 

Intermedial.'.  339. 

Large-billed.  333. 

Lark,  336. 

Lecont.-.  335. 

Linc.dn.  359. 

Mendocino  Sonq.  358. 

Merrill  Song.  359. 

Mountain  Song,  357. 

Nelson.  335. 

Nutt.dl.  339. 

Oregon  Song.  358. 
Vesper.  330. 

Hock.  355. 

Rufous-crowned,  354. 

-winged,  353. 
Kustv  Song,  358. 
Sage.  351. 

Sah  Marsh  Song.  358. 
Samiu'ls  Song,  358. 
San  ("lementeSong.  359. 

Diego  Song.  357. 


Sandwich,  331. 

Santa  Barbara  Song,  358. 

Cruz  Song,  357. 
Scott,  354. 
Slate-colored,  362. 
Song,  356. 
Soon-  Fox,  361. 

Song,  358. 
Stephens,  363. 
Swamp.  360. 
Tehama  Song,  358. 
Texas,  363. 

Seaside,  335. 
Thick-billed.  362. 
Townsend.  361. 
Western  Chipping.  342. 

Field.  344. 

Grassho})per.  334. 

Ilenslow,  334. 

Lark,  336. 

Savanna.  332. 

Tree,  341. 

Vesper,  329. 
White-crowned.  338. 

-throated.  340. 
Worthen.  344. 
Yakutat  Fox.  361. 
Spatula,  44,  54. 
clypeata.  54. 
Speotyto.  17.J,  189. 

cunicularia  hypog;ea.  189. 
Sphvrapicus.  2(i(».  210. 
ruber,  210.211. 

notkeusis,  210,  212. 
thyroideus,  210,  212. 
varins,  210. 

nuchalis.  210.  211,  212. 
Spinus,  ;;o4,  323. 

pinus,  323. 
Spiza,  m"i,  377. 

americana,  377. 
Spizella,  :J0:),  341. 
atrogularis,  ."'.41.  345. 
breweri.;;41,  343. 
mont  icola  oehr;u-ea,  341. 
pallida,  ;:4 1,342. 
pnsilla  arenacea.  ;541.  344. 
socialis  arizouM'.  •\\\.  342. 
wortheni.  oil,  344. 
Spoonbill,  54. 

Sporophil.i.  ;'.0(;,  376. 

morelleti  sh.irpei.  376. 
Spotted  Owl,  178. 

Sandpiper,  100. 

Screecli  Osvl.  184. 
Sprague  Pii)it.  432. 


508 


INDEX 


Sparred  Towhee,  365,  366. 
Squatarola,  102. 

squatarola,  102. 
Squirrel  Hawk,  163. 
Starling-,  285. 
Steganopodes,  1,  o,  39. 
Steganopus,  84,  85. 

tricolor,  85. 
Stelgidopteryx,  382,  387. 

serripennis,  387. 
Steller  Jay,  272. 
Stellula,  233,  241. 

calliope,  241. 
Stephens  Sparrow,  363. 

Vireo,  399. 

Whip-poor-will,  223. 
Stereorariidse,  2,  17. 
Stercorarius,  17. 

longicaudus,  18. 

parasiticus,  18. 

pomarinus.  18. 
Sterna,  19,  27,  29. 

antillarum,  27,  30. 

caspia,  27,  28. 

elegans,  27,  29. 

forsteri,  27,  29. 

hirundo,  27,  29. 

maxima,  27,  28. 

paradisfea,  27,  30. 
Sternula,  30. 
Stilt  Sandpiper,  90. 
Streaked  Horned  Lark,  268. 
Strigidfe,  109,  144,  173. 
Strix,  173. 

pratincola,  173. 
Sturnella,  285,  292. 

magna  hoopesi,  292. 
neglecta,  292. 
Sturnidae.  Ill,  245,  285. 
Sturnus,  285. 

vulgaris,  285. 
Sulphur-bellied  Flycatcher,  250. 
Summer  Tanager,  382. 
Surf  Bird,  106. 

Scoter,  63. 
Surnia,  175,  188. 

ulula  eaparoch,  188. 
Swainson  Hawk,  156,  159. 
Swallow,  Bank,  386- 

Barn,  384. 

Cliff,  384. 

Mexican  Cliff,  384. 

Northern  Violet-green,  386. 

Rough- winged,  387. 

Tree,  385.  ' 

White-bellied,  385. 


Swallow-tailed  Kite,  148. 
Swamp  Sparrow,  360. 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  70. 

Whistling,  70. 
Swift,  Black.  229. 

Chimney,  230. 

Vaux,  231. 

White-throated,  232. 
Sylviidffi,  112,  113,  245,  463. 
Symphemia,  88,  98. 

semipalmata  inornata,  98. 
Synthliboramphus,  12,  15. 

antiquus,  15. 
Syrnium,  175,  177. 

nebiilosum,  177,  178. 
helveolum,  177, 178. 

occidentale,  178. 
caurinum,  178,  179. 

Tachycineta,  382,  385. 

bicolor,  385. 

thalassina  lepida,  385,  386. 
Tachytriorchis,  158. 
Tanager,  Cooper,  382. 

Hepatic,  381. 

Louisiana,  379. 

Scarlet,  380. 

Summer,  382. 

Western,  379. 
Tanagridte,  111,  245,  379. 
Tantalus,  72. 

loculator,  72. 
Tatler,  Wandering,  98. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  52. 

Cinnamon,  52. 

European,  51. 

Green-winged,  51. 
Tehama  Song  Sparrow,  358. 
I  Teliliatodytes,  450. 
Tennessee  Warbler.  406. 
Tern,  American  Black,  31. 

Arctic,  30. 
j       Caspian,  28. 

Common,  29. 

Elegant,  29. 

Forster,  29. 

Gull-billed,  27. 
!       Least,  30. 
I       Roval,  28. 
j  Tetraonida3,  108,  113. 
I  Texan  Bob-white,  116. 

Cactus  Wren,  442. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Jay,  275. 

Nightha^vk,  228. 

Woodpecker,  204. 


INDEX 


509 


Texas  Barred  Owl,  178. 

Bewick  Wren.  447. 

KinoHslier.  199. 

Meadowlark.  292. 

Tyrrhuloxia.  371. 

IScreecli  Owl.  183. 

Seaside  Sparrow,  335. 

Sparrow,  363. 
Thalasseus.  -S. 
Thalassooerou.  •V2,  33. 

culniinatns.  33. 
Thick-billed  Parrot.  192. 
Red- winy.  291. 
Sparrow.  362. 
Thra-sher,  Bendire,  439. 

Brown,  438. 

Californian,  440. 

Crissal,  442. 

Curve-billed.  439. 

Leconte,  441. 

Palmer,  439. 

Pasadena,  441. 

Sage.  435. 

Senuett,  438. 
Thrnsb,  Alaska  Hermit,  471. 

Alma,  471. 

Audubon  Hermit,  471. 

Dwarf  Hermit.  472. 

Gray-cheeked.  469. 

Monterey,  470. 
Hermit,  471. 

Olive-backed.  470. 

Pale  Varied,  474. 

Ptusset-backcd,  470. 

Varied,  473. 

Willow,  469. 

Wood.  469. 
Thryomanes.  434. 

bewickii  caloi)lionns.  44(t,  447. 
charientnrus,  44('.,  447. 
cryptus,  441".,  447. 
leuco<;astcr.  4  l<">,  447. 
.spilurus,  446,  44S. 

leucophrvs,  4  IC).  448. 
Tlirv..tborils,  4:;:..  446. 

ludovi<-i,inus.  446. 
Thurb..r.Iuiico,  347. 
'J'innunculiis.    IT<>. 
Titnioiisf.  Bl.ick-crested,  456. 

P,ridlc<l.  457. 

(irav,  456. 

Plain,  456. 
Totanus,  SS,  96. 

Haviixs.  ik;.  97. 
nn4.in<ili'ucus,  96. 
Towhcc,  364. 


Abert,  368. 

Anthony,  367. 

Arctic,  364. 

California.  367. 

Canvon,  366. 

Green-tailed,  368. 

Oregon,  365. 

San  Clemente,  366. 
Diego,  366. 
Fernando.  367. 

Spurred.  365. 
Townsend  Solitaire,  467. 

Sjjarrow,  361. 

Warbler,  421. 
Toxostoma,  4^4,  437,  438. 

bendirei,  4;]8.  439. 

crissalis,  437.  442. 

curvirostre,  43S.  439. 
palmeri,  438.  439. 

lecontei,  437,  441. 

longirostre  sennetti,  438. 

redivivum,  437,  440. 
l)asadenense.  437,  441. 

rufum.  438. 
Traill  FIvcatclier.  260. 
Tree-duck,  Black-bellied,  69. 
Fulvous,  69. 

Swallow.  385. 
Tricolored  Blackbird,  292. 
Tringa,  87,  90. 

alpina  pacifica,  01,  93. 

bairdii.  i»l,  92. 

canutus,  *»(».  91. 

fuscicollis,  1)1,92. 

macidata.  91. 

minutilla,  I)  I  92. 
Trochilidie,  110,  222,  232. 
Trochilus,  2;;;;,  234.  23o. 

alexaiidri.  235,  2:;T. 

colul)ris,  235.  2;;t. 

Troglodytes.   l.'U.  448. 

aedon  paikniaiiii.  448. 
aztecns,  449. 
Trogr<.dytid;.-.  1 12,  1 13,  21.'..  433. 
Trogon,  197. 

anibiguus,  197. 

('()l)peiv-tailed,   197. 
Trog..ni.l;e.   I|(>.   I'.t;;.  197. 
Trum)»eter  Sw.m,  70. 
Trvngites.  ST.  100. 
.  subruticollis.  100. 
T.il.in.ues,  I.;:.  32. 
'['lifted  I'lifVm.  12. 
Tub-  Wren,  450. 

Yell<.w-throal,425. 
Turdidas  112,245,467. 


510 


INDEX 


Turkey,  Merriam,  136. 

Rio  Grande,  136. 

Vulture,  145. 

Water,  39. 

Wild.  136. 
Turnstone,  Black,  107. 

Ruddy,  107. 
Tympanuchus,  113,  129. 

americanus.  130. 
attwateri,  180,  131. 

pallidicinctus.  loO,  131. 
Tyrannidai,  111,  245. 
Tyrannus,  245,  247. 

melancholicus  couclii,  247,  248. 

tyrannus,  247,  240. 

verticalis,  247,  248. 

vociferans,  247,  248,  249. 

Upland  Plover,  99. 
Uria,  11,  16. 

troile  ealifornica,  16. 
Urile,  41. 
Urubitinga,  147,  160. 

anthracina,  160. 

Valley  Partridge,  120. 
Varied  Bunting,  375. 

Thrush,  473. 
Vaux  Swift,  231. 
Vega  Gull,  23. 
Verdin,  462. 

Vermilion  Flj'catcher,  264. 
Vigors  Wren,  446. 
Vireo,  394,  3*.)7. 

Anthony,  399. 

atricapillus.  394.  397. 

Bell,  399. 

bellii,  394.  399. 

Black-capped,  397. 

Blue-headed,  396. 

Cassin,  396. 

flavoviridis,  394,  395. 

gilvus,  394,  395. 

Gray,  400. 

Hutton,  399. 

huttoni,  395,  399. 
obscurus,  395,  399. 
stephensi,  395,  399. 

Least,  400. 

noveboracensis,  394,  398. 
micrus,  394,  399. 

olivaeeus,  394,  395. 

pusillus,  394,  400. 

Red-eved,  395. 

Small  White-eyed,  399. 

solitarius,  394,  396. 


cassinii,  394,  396. 
plumbeus,  394,  397. 

Stephens,  399. 

vicinior,  394,  499. 

Warbling,  395. 

White-eyed,  398. 

Yellow-green.  395. 
Vireonidaj,  113,245,394. 
Vireosylva,  395. 
Virginia  Rail,  80. 

Warbler,  403. 
Vulture,  Black.  146. 

California,  144. 

Turkey,  145. 

Wandering  Tatler,  98. 
Warbler,  Alaskan  YelloAv,  412. 
Audubon,  413. 
Black  and  White,  402. 

-fronted,  415. 

-poll,  416. 

-throated  Blue,  412. 
Gray,  418. 
Green,  420. 
Blackburnian,  417. 
Calaveras.  404. 
Canadian,  428. 
Cerulean,  416. 
Chestnut-sided,  416. 
Connecticut,  424. 
Dusky,  405. 
Golden-cheeked,  419. 

Pileolated,  428. 
Grace,  418. 
Hermit,  421. 
Lucy,  402. 
Luteseent,  405. 
Macgillivray.  424. 
Magnolia.  415. 
Northern  Parula.  406. 
Olive,  410. 
Oranoe-crowned.  404. 
Palni,  422. 
Pileolated.  428. 
Red-faced,  430. 
Sennett,  407. 
Sonora  Yellow.  411. 
Tennessee,  406. 
Townsend,  421. 
Virginia,  403. 
Wilson,  428.  . 
Yellow,  411. 

-rumped.  412,  414. 
Warbling  Vireo,  395. 
Water  Ouzel,  432. 

-thrush,  Grinnell.  423. 


INDEX 


511 


Turkey.  39. 
Waxwiiiy,  Buheiiiian,  388. 

Cedar.  388. 
Western  Black  Phcebe.  256. 

Bluebird.  476. 

Blue  Gro.sljeak.  373. 

Chipping-  Si)arr()\v.  342. 

Evening-  Grosbeak.  307. 

Field  Sparrow.   344. 

Flycatcher,  260. 

Gnatcatcher,  466. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  464. 

Goshawk.  153. 

Grassho})per  Sparrow.  334. 

Grebe.  5. 

Gull.  21. 

Henslow  Sparrow.  334. 

Horned  Owl,  185. 

Lark  Sparrow.  336. 

Martin.  383. 

Meadowlark.  293. 

Mockingbird.  435. 

Nighthawk.  227. 

Ked-tail.  156. 

Kobin.  472. 

Sand)>iper.  94. 

Savanna  Sparrow.  332. 

Solitary  Sandpiper.  98. 

Tanager,  379. 

Tree  Sparrow.  341. 

Vesper  Sparrow.  329. 

Willet.  89. 

Winter  Wren.  449. 

Wood  Pewee,  258. 

Yellow-throat.  425. 
Wheatear,  475. 
Whip-poor-will,  223. 

Steplu-ns.  223. 
Whi.stling  Swan.  70. 
White-bellied  Swalb.w.  385. 

-brea.sted  Nuthatdi.  453. 

-cheeked  Goose.  68. 

-crowned  Sj)arrow.  338. 

-eared  Iliinimingbird.  243. 

-eyed  Vireo.  398. 

-faced  (41ossv  Hiis.  71. 

-fronted  Dov.-.  141. 
Goose.  66. 

-headed  Woodpe.ker.  207. 

Ibis,  71. 

-necked  Bav.n.  280. 

-runii)e(l  Sandpiper.  92. 

Shrike,  392. 
-tailed  Kit.-.  148. 

rtarn.igan.  129. 
-tluoated  Si)arrow ,  340. 


Swift.  232. 
Wren.  445. 

-winged  ("ro.ssbill.  315. 
Dove.  142. 
Junco.  345. 
Scoter,  63. 
Whooping-  Crane,  78. 
\Vidgeon^.  49. 
Wild  Turkey.  136. 
Willet,  Western,  98. 
Williamson  Sapsucker,  212. 
Willow  Goldfinch,  321. 

Thrush.  469. 

AVoodpeeker,  203. 
Wilson  I'halarope.  85. 

Plover.  105. 

Snipe.  88. 

Warlder.  428. 
Wilsonia,  401.  427. 

canadensis.  -ll'T,  428. 

pusilla,  427.  428. 
chryseola.  428. 
pileolata.  4JT.  428. 
Wood  Duck.  55. 

Ibis.  72. 

Pewee,  258. 

Thrush.  469. 
Woodcock.  American.  88. 
Woodhouse  Jay.  274. 
Woodpecker,    Alaskan    Three-toed. 
209. 

Alpine  Tliree-toed.  209. 

American  Three-toed.  209. 

Ant-eating.  216. 

Arctic  Three-toed.  208. 

Arizona.  206. 

Batcheld.  1 .  203. 

Cabanis.  202. 

Californian.  217. 

Downv,  204. 

Gairdner,  203. 

Gila,  219. 

Golden-fronted.  218. 

Harris.  202. 

Lewis.  217. 

N..rthern  Ilaiiv.  201. 
Pileated.  213. 

Nutiall.  205. 

Ked-bellied.  218. 
-he.ided.    215. 

luK-kv  M I;iin  Ilairv.  203. 

S.dnt  Lneas.  205. 

Texan.  204. 

White-heade.l.  207. 
Wort  hen  Sp.iirow.  344 
Wnn.  A/tee,  449. 


512 


INDEX 


Baird,  447. 

Bryant  Cactus,  443. 

Cactus,  442. 

Canyon,  445. 

Carolina,  446. 

Desert  Cactus,  442. 

Dotted  Canyon.  445. 

Interior  Tule,  451. 

Long-billed  Marsh,  450. 

Northwest  Bewick,  447. 

Pacific  House,  448. 

Parkman,  448. 

Rock,  443. 

San  Clemente,  448. 
Nicolas  Rock,  443. 

Short-billed  Marsh,  450. 

Southwest  BeAviek,  447. 

Texan  Cactus,  442. 

Texas  Bewick,  447. 

Tule,  450. 

Vigors,  446. 

Western  Winter,  449. 

White-throated,  445. 
Wren-Tit,  Coast,  460. 

Pallid,  459. 
Wright  Flycatcher,  262. 

Xanthocephalus,  2*^5,  288. 

xanthocephalus,  288. 
Xanthoura.  209,  277. 

luxuosa  glaucescens,  277. 
Xantus  Becard,  245. 

Murrelet,  16. 
Xenia,  19,  27. 

sabini,  27. 


Xenopicus,  200,  207. 
albolarvatus,  207. 

Yakutat  Fox  Sparrow,  361. 
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker,  210. 
-billed  Cuckoo,  195,  197. 

Magpie,  271. 
-crowned  Night  Heron,  78. 
-green  Vireo,  395. 
-headed  Blackbird,  288. 
-legs,  Greater,  96. 

Lesser,  97. 
-nosed  Albatross,  33. 
Rail,  82. 

-rumped  Warbler,  412. 
-throat.  Pacific,  426. 

Rio  Grande,  426. 

Salt  Marsh,  425. 

Tule,  425. 

Western,  425. 
Yphantes,  297. 

Zamelodia,  304,  371. 

ludoviciana,  871,  372. 

melanocephala,  371,  372. 
Zenaidura,  138,  140. 

macroura,  140. 
Zone-tailed  Hawk,  157. 
Zonotrichia,  306,  337,  341. 

albicollis,  337,  340. 

coronata,  337,  339. 

leueophrvs,  337,  338,  340. 
gambelii,  337,  339. 
nuttalli,  337,  339. 

querula,  337. 


Electrotyped  aiid prhded  by  H.  O.  HoJighton  &^  Co. 
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