SXQWM
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
Biology Library
BEQUEST OF
Theodore S. Palmer
/o, /y/o
No. 12.
REPORT
OF THE
WEST VIRGINIA
State Board of Agriculture,
FOR THE
Quarter Ending December 31, 1908.
Entered April 13, 1906, at the Post Office. Charleston, \V. Va., as second-
class matter, under Act of Congress June 6, 1900.
List of Birds Found in West Virginia
Charleston
The Tribune Printing Co.
1909
DOCUMENTS DLPRHIWENT
APR ^C '&
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY O^CA
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK
(UPPER FIGURE, MALE; LOWER FIGURE, FEMALE)
Order— PASSERES Family— FRINGILLID/E
Genus— ZAMELODIA Species— LUDOVICIANA
No. 12.
REPORT
OF THE
WEST VIRGINIA
State Board of Agriculture,
FOR THE
Quarter Ending December 31, 1908.
Entered April 13, 1906, at the Post Office, Charleston, W. Va., as second-
class matter, under Act of Congress June 6, 1900.
List of Birds Found in West Virginia
c. ,k>M
0
Charleston
The Tribune Printing Co.
1909
DOCUMENTS DEPARTMENT
APR 2c 1956
LIBRARY
JNIVERSITY pr CAHFnsiu.fl
WEST VIRGINIA
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE,
1908.
MEMBERS.
E. J. HUMPHREY, Belleville, Wood County.
M. V. BBOWN, Buffalo, Putnam County.
ABBAM McCoLLOcn, Clinton, Ohio County.
W. D. ZINN, Philippi, Barbour County.
R. E. THRASHER, Maxwelton, Greenbrier County.
CHAS. P. LIGHT, Martinsburg, Berkeley County.
H. A. HARTLEY, Masontown, Preston County.
OFFICERS.
E. J. HUMPHREY, President Belleville.
J. B. GARVIN, Secretary-Treasurer Charleston.
IRENE C. DICK, Assistant Secretary, Charleston.
CONSULTING MEMBERS.
DB. K. C. ATKESON, Buffalo, Putnam County, Consulting Veterinarian.
DB. J. C. CALLANDEB, Parkersburg, Wood County, "
DB. L. N. REEFEB, Wheeling, Ohio County,
DB. G. A. REVEBCOMB, Ronceverte, Greenbrier Co., "
DB. W. M. STANLEY, Charles Town, Jefferson Co., "
H. L. SMITH, Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., Horticulturist
T. C. ATKESON, PH. D., Morgantown, Agriculturist.
H. C. HOWE, Farkersburg, Wood County, Meteorologist
R. L. MOBBIS, Morgantown, Civil Engineer.
J. R. WELLS, Ben's Run, Tyler County, Dairyman.
S. W. MOOBE, Elwell, Mason County, Pomologist
HOBACE ATWOOD, M. S., Agr. Poultryman.
T. K. MASSIE, Tophet, Summers County, Apiarian.
C^logue for BtoL lib
£*;
INTRODUCTION.
W4S7
B;<?l.
lii
The purpose of this brief descriptive list of the birds in the exhibit
of the State Board of Agriculture, is to enable all who are interested
in the bird-life of our state to use this collection to the very best ad-
vantage.
The birds have been collected, mounted, and placed on exhibition
in these rooms, and should be prized by those who have opportunity to
study them. Few states have better collections. By additions, which
we hope to make from time to time, the list will soon be complete,
representing all the species and sub-species of birds that are found in
West Virginia.
The total list of birds, which the writer has compiled, includes
about two hundred and fifty species that have been found by himself
and other bird students within the borders of the state. There is no
doubt that, after some years of observation, our list of West Virginia
birds may include as many as three hundred species and sub-species.
If this collection of 331 specimens, representing 193 species and sub-
species of West Virginia birds, is used as it should be, it will be such
a help to those who seek to know more of the birds of our state that
many persons will soon become interested, will be on the lodk-out for
birds both common and rare, and will soon swell the list of our own
native birds to far more than 250.
When any one is interested in any particular species in this col-
lection, and has a desire to know something of its distribution, nest-
ing, and food-habits, let him note the number on the bird, then find
the corresponding number in the catalogue. With that number will
be found a brief note on the bird and its habits. If further informa-
tion be desired, let him take some good book on birds, like Chapman's
"Hand-book of Birds" (D. Appleton and Co., Xew York City), and,
under the same number, he will find a full description of the species
under study. For instance, the number attached to the pair of Cardi-
nals, or Eed Birds, in the collection is 593. By turning to number
593 in the catalogue, a brief description of th£ distribution, nesting
habits and food-habits of this beautiful bird may be found. Then,
by turning to the same number (593) in any good book on birds,
964
WEST VIBGISIA [W. VA.
any additional information that may be desired will be found. Use
the catalogue carefully, and preserve it for future study. Note, in
the marginal spaces, your own observations on the habits of the var-
ious species.
I am under obligations to all those whose notes, books, and papers
I have used in preparing this list. I wish to express my thanks
to them, and to all who have helped in preparing this catalogue and
the collection which it describes.
Weston, West Virginia,
December, 1908.
A DESCKIPTIVE CATALOGUE
—OF THE
BIEDS IX THE ORXITHOLOGICAL EXHIBIT
— OF THE —
WEST VIEGIXIA STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
BY EARLE A. BROOKS.
3. Horned Grebe (Colymbm auritus). This specimen is an adult
in winter plumage. Much more beautifully colored in summer.
Geog. Dist. — Found throughout the northern hemisphere.
W. Ya. Dist. — Xot at all uncommon during migration. A fine
adult in full plumage was taken alive at Weston, Apr. 19, 1907. May
be found along any of our rivers or larger streams. Mr, T. A. Morgan
says, "Have killed many of them in August." (These specimens
taken by Mr. Morgan were found along the Great Kanawha River.)
Xest — Breeds in northern U. S. and northward. Floating nest,
among rushes in sloughs and ponds.
Food — Fish and other aquatic animals.
6. Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps}. An adult bird and
a young bird represent this common species in the collection. By
means of these two specimens the student can identify the "Dab-
chick" with little difficulty.
Geog. Dist. — Found throughout nearly all of Xorth and South
America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Common on the Ohio River and along many of our
streams. For some time one day I watched two Pied-billed Grebes
busily searching for food under a bridge which crosses Bull Creek
(NOTE : — The numbers preceding the names are the numbers used in the Amer-
ican Ornithologists' Union's check-list, and are given here for convenience in re-
ferring to any standard book on birds. Few abbreviations are used. "Geog. Dist."
stands for the general distribution of a given species. "W. Va. Dist." stands at
the head of the paragraph which gives the distribution of a species in West
Virginia.)
WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
near the point where it empties into the Ohio. Mr. Thad. S-urber
says this species is common about White Sulphur Springs in Green-
brier County. This species has been seen frequently on French Creek,
a small stream in Upshur County.
Nest — Breeds throughout its range. I do not know that the nest
of this bird has ever been found in West Virginia.
Food — Fish and aquatic life of other kinds.
7. Loon (Gavia imber). The two birds in the collection repre-
sent the summer and winter plumage of this fine water-fowl.
Geog. Dist.' — Northern North America.
W. Va, Dist.— Found only as a migrant. Quite common at times.
Nest — Breeds from our northern states northward. Nest in a
slight depression in the ground near some lake or pond.
Food— Fish.
11. Red-throated Loon (Gavia lumme). We are fortunate in
having one specimen of this northern bird in our collection.
Geog. Dist. — Northern part of northern hemisphere.
W. Ya. Dist. — Very rare in West Virginia.
Nest — Breeds from Canadian provinces northward.
Food— Fish.
54. Ring-billed Gull (Larus delaivarensis) . This is an adult, and
suggests the beautiful colors and graceful forms of all the Gulls.
Geog. Dist. — Interior North America.
W. Va. Dist.— Reported by Mr. Surber from White Sulphur
Springs. Rare in this state.
Nest— Breeds from southern Minnesota northward. Nest on ground.
Food— Gathers food of many kinds from surface of land and water.
Often feeds on insects.
60. Bonaparte's Gull (Larus Philadelphia). The two specimens
in this collection fairly represent this interesting bird.
Geog. Dist. — Whole of Nortli America.
W. Va. Dist. — On Apr. 15, 1905, I saw seventy-five of these birds
flying low over the Ohio River ( See West Virginia School Journal,
June, 1905). Rev. G. Eifrig has seen this species along the Potomac
near Cumberland.
Nest — Nest on stumps, bushes, trees. Breeds north of U. S.
Food- — Different forms of life along water-ways.
1908] BIRDS. 7
70. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Two specimens.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern part of North America and Africa.
W. Va. Dist. — Eare in West Virginia.
Nest- — For account of nesting, etc., see "Camps and Cruises of an
Ornithologist", by Frank M. Chapman (D. Appleton and Co., New
York City. $3.00).
Food— Small fish.
77. Black Tern (Hydroclielidon nigra Surinam ensis] . The differ-
ence in the color of the adult and young is shown in these two speci-
mens.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate and tropical North America.
W. Ta. Dist.— On May 30, 1901, Eev. G. Eifrig saw a female Black
Tern on the "Swamp Ponds'7, Mineral County. Mr. A. Sidney Morgan
says he has killed several of these birds along the Great Kanawha.
Nest — Breeds in interior North America. Nest in marshy places.
Food — Dragon flies and other aquatic insects.
120. Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). These
two specimens show in a striking way the rich plumage and the char-
acteristic poses of the Cormorants.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Eeported by the Morgan brothers from the Great
Kanawha Eiver. The writer has in his posession a Double-crested
Cormorant that was killed on the Ohio Eiver, near Waverly, on Christ-
mas day, 1907.
Nest — Breeds from Dakota northward. Nests on cliff-sides and in
various other places.
Food— Fish.
129. American Merganser (Mergus americanus}. The very
striking difference in the color of the male and female is illustrated
in these two birds.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Va. Dist. — A few West Virginia records have been made for this
fish-eating duck. Mr. Surber says he has seen it on the Greenbrier
Eiver. Mr. T. A. Morgan says, "Have killed three". Mr. Eifrig
recorded the species from W. Va.
Nest — Breeds from Minnesota northward. Builds its nest in a hole
in a tree.
Food — Fish and other aquatic forms of life.
WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
131. Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). Few water birds
are more beautiful than the Hooded Merganser. The pair of birds in
this collection will suggest the appearance of the birds when in life, as
they may be seen some times on the rivers of West Virginia.
Geog. Dist. — North America generally.
W. Va. Dist. — I have a number of West Virginia records for this
species. At Williamstown, W. Va:, I examined a fine adult male of
this species that was taken by Mr. S. S. Stuart on Mar. 29, 1906.
Nest — In a hollow tree or stump near the water.
Food — Boots, seeds, &c.
132. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) . Pair of adults.
Geog. Dist. — Northern parts of northern hemisphere.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. T. Z. Atkeson, who wrote, in 1899, a thesis en-
titled "The Water-Fowl of West Virginia/' says of this species, "The
Mallard is perhaps the most common of all the edible water-fowl that
frequent this state. During the spring and autumn they may be found
on any of our principal rivers."
Nest — Breeds in northern parts of U. S. and northward.
Food — A few days ago I examined a Mallard which was in the pos-
session of Mr. E. J. Hughes, Weston, W. Va., and found that it had
been feeding on large numbers of little clams. These mollusks were
about the size of a large pea, and the duck had swallowed them sh«ll
and all. Any one who kn.ows the domestic duck, a descendant of the
Mallard, has observed the omnivorous feeding habits of the species un-
der consideration.
133. Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Represented in the collection
by a single male.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — The Morgan brothers, who have studied water-fowl
so carefully along Great Kanawha waters, say that they have seen this
species frequently. Mr. Eifrig noted the Black Duck on the Potomac.
Nest — Breeds from Illinois northward. No certain W. Va. breeding
record.
Food — Similar to that of the Mallard.
139. Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) . The origin of the
name of this species may be seen by a glance at the wings of the male
in the collection.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
1908] BIBDS. 9
W. Va. Dist. — Eather common at times in West Virginia.
Xest — Breeds from northern TJ. S. northward.
Food — Mollusks, crustaceans, insects.
144. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) . "Aix" means duck, and "sponsa"
may be translated, arrayed as a bride. The gorgeous nuptial plumes of
the male show the appropriateness of this name. How could a bird
be more beautifully colored than is this "vanishing game bird" ?
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Beported from many points in West Virginia. Mr.
W. E. D Scott says that it was common in Kanawha County when he
collected there with the Hon. Wm. S. Edwards more than thirty yeara
ago.
Xest — The only duck that breeds regularly in our state. The Hon.
Andrew Price, of Marlinton, says, "A few years ago it was a common
sight to see the Wood Duck with young not able to fly on the Green-
brier River." This species is now becoming quite rare.
Food — Weed seeds, acorns, wild berries, &c.
148. American Scaup Duck (Marila marila). A pair. Commonly
called "Bluebill."
Geog. Dist. — Northern part of northern hemisphere.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. T. A. Morgan and other observers have found
that this species is far more common along Monongahela and Potomac
waters than it is in the southern part of the state.
Xest — Breeds from Manitoba northward to Alaska. Xest on ground.
Food— Mollusks.
163. American Scoter (Oide.mia americana) . This sea-duck is
represented in the collection by both male and female.
Geog. Dist. — Coasts and larger lakes of Xorth America.
W. Va. Dist. — Very rare in West Virginia. No positive record.
Xest — Builds nest on ground near water. Found from Labrador
northward in the breeding season.
Food — "As a rule, they frequent only the sea and its estuaries, where
they live over beds of mussels, clams, or scallops, which they obtain by
diving." (Chapman.)
172. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis] . One specimen is suf-
ficient to represent this species, as the sexes are alike. This is the com-
mon "wild goose" often seen in migration seasons.
10 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — A rather common migrant.
Xest — Breeds in northern U. S. and British provinces.
Food — Vegetable matter of different kinds,
180. Whistling Swan (Olor columbianus) . This large white bird
must always be distinguished from the Trumpeter Swan which is a
much rarer bird.
Geog. Dist. — Xorth America.
W. Ya. Dist. — This species has been taken at Buckhannon, Ronce-
verte, and at other points in West Virginia. Mr. Wm. D. Doan, who
wrote Bull. Xo. 3 of the West Virginia Expt. Sta., "The Birds of
West Virginia", records the species from this state.
Xests — Xests on shores of the Arctic Ocean.
Food — Vegetable matter, with some small aquatic animals.
190. American Bittern (Botaurus- lentiginosus) . One specimen.
The rich coloring of this fine bird should be especially noticed. Mr.
Bradford Torrey says, "The Bittern's fame rests upon its vocal per-
formance, or 'boom' ".
Geog. Dist. — Temperate Xorth America..
W. Va. Dist. — The American Bittern has been seen and taken in
many sections of West Virginia.
Xest — Mr. T. Z, Atkeson says, "A common summer resident ; breed-
ing in 'suitable localities in different parts of the state." I have never
found the nest of this bird.
Food — Small aquatic animals.
191. Least Bittern (Ardetta exilis). A pair of these small bitterns
is in our collection. In life they are strange in appearance and
stranger still in their actions.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate and tropical America.
W. Va. Dist.— The Morgan brothers say, "Common, and have caught
several alive." Mr. Eifrig has reported this species from the Potomac
River valley.
Xest — Builds its nest in marshy places. Breeds in eastern U. S.
Food — Snails, slugs, frogs, and other aquatic animals.
194. Great Blue Heron (Ardea he-radios). An old bird and a
young one in the collection show the difference in the plumage of
adult and young. This is the species that is so frequently called
1908] BIBDS. 11
"crane'7. A stately bird, and one that always excites curiosity and
arouses interest when seen flying overhead, or hunting for food along
some river.
Geog. Dist. — Xorthern South America northward to the Arctic re-
gions.
W. Ya. Dist. — I have found this great bird quite common in Au-
gust and September along the Ohio River. Mr. Surber says, "For-
merly a few bred near Falling Springs (Greenbrier County)."
Xests — Platform of sticks in trees. Breeds locally throughout much
of its range.
Food — Fish, frogs, reptiles, small mice, etc.
200. Little Blue Heron (Ai'dea caerulea). The two color phases
of this species are most admirably illustrated in the two specimens
shown here. Compare with this species other species in the collection
that change the form and color of their plumage according to the sea-
son, and for various reasons. The color phases of some of these birds
are very perplexing.
Geog. Dist. — Tropical and temperate America.
\Y. Ya. Di^t. — Mr. Sidney Morgan says, "Very common in July and
August, 1901. One remained for a month. Xone before nor since."
(This note refers to the region about Poca, Putnam County, on the
Great Kanawha Eiver). Mr. W. E. D. Scott, in his pamphlet on the
birds of Kanawha County, says, "Mr. William H. Edwards informed
me of the occurrence of this species several times in this vicinity."
Xest — Gathers in colonies and builds nests of sticks in bushes.
Breeds in southern IT. S.
Food — Aquatic animals.
201. Green Heron (Ardea virescen-s}. These are beautiful speci-
mens, and well represent the species.
Geog. Dist. — Tropical and temperate America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Very common and reported by almost every bird
student who has given attention to our birds.
Xest — Builds its nest in willow trees and other bushes along streams.
I have found a number of the nests of this common heron in various
parts of our state.
Food — Like that of the other herons mentioned above.
202. Black-crowned Xight Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax naevins).
12 WEST VIBGIXIA [W. VA.
Two specimens ; adult and young. Notice particularly the long occipit-
al plumes on the adult.
Geog. Dist. — North and South America.
W. Va. Dist.— Prof. S. B. Brown, of the West Virginia Univer-
sity, tells me that in 1895 three of these birds were taken on Deck-
er's Creek. Rare.
Nests — Colonial in breeding season. Nest in tall trees. Breeds
throughout greater part of its range.
Food — Frogs, &c.
203. Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctivorax violaceus). One
adult.
Geog. Dist. — Tropical and temperate North America from the Car-
olinas and lower Ohio valley south to Brazil.
W. Va. Dist— Exceedingly rare in this state. I have no positive
record of its occurrence in West Virginia.
Nest — Breeds throughout the greater portion of its range. Nest
much like that of other herons.
Food — As other herons.
208. King Rail (Rtillus elegans) . One adult specimen.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. T. A. Morgan says, "One taken in the spring of
1901 at Poca Bottoms. Found bird with young in spring of 1889. Was
common about that time. ' ' One taken in the fall of 1901 by A. Sid-
ney Morgan.
Nest — Builds nest on ground in marshy places. See breeding record
in quotation from Mr. Morgan given above.
Food — Worms, seeds, etc.
212. Virginia Rail (Eallus virginianus) . See Mr. Brewster's ac-
count of this bird given in Chapman's "Handbook of Birds", p. 142.
Geog. Dist. — North America, from British Provinces south to Gau-
temala and Cuba,
W. Va. Dist. — The Morgan brothers, who have made such a careful
study of the water-fowl of this state, call this rail a rather common
species along the Great Kanawha.
Nest — Breeds as far north as Labrador and as far south as Pennsyl-
vania. Nest on ground in marshes.
Food — Insects and vegetable matter.
1908] BIRDS. 13
214. Sora (Porzana Carolina}. Adult and young. The writer re-
members very clearly his first experience with this beautiful little bird.
In August, 1886,, he was passing through a large cornfield on the head-
waters of French Creek in Upshur County. Unexpectedly, a very tame
chicken-like bird appeared and ran about among the stalks of corn.
It was so fearless and so pretty and so strange that the impression it
made will never be forgotten.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Mr. Sidney Morgan has told me that it is common in
May and Jime at Poca Bottoms.
Nest — Breeds in northern IT. S., and as far north as Hudson Bay.
Nest on the ground in marshy places. Surber has one W. Va.
breeding record.
Food — Insects and vegetable matter.
218. Purple Gallinule (lonorni-s martinica). This is a beautiful
adult specimen.
Geog. Dist.— South Atlantic and Gulf States.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. W. S. Edwards reports that he collected a speci-
men of this richly colored species on Great Kanawha waters some years
ago.
Nest — Among rushes near the water. Breeds from southern Illinois
southward.
Food— Water insects, &c.
219. Florida Gallinule (GalUnula galeata). One specimen, adult.
Sexes colored alike.
Geog. Dist. — America, from Brazil and Chili to Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — One was taken at Poca Bottoms by Mr. A. Sidney
Morgan in 1907.
Nest — In swampy places, on bed of rushes. Eight to thirteen eggs.
Breeds as for north as southern Maine.
Food — Insects and vegetable matter about ponds and marshes.
221. American Coot (Fulica americana). This bird is commonly
called "mud-hen".
Geog. Dist. — North America from the West Indies to Greenland
and Alaska.
W. Va. Dist. — I have found this species to be very common along
the Ohio Eiver and other parts of the state.
Nest — Among reeds in fresh water marshes. Eight to fifteen eggs.
14 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Breeds in many places throughout its range. I have no evidence that
this species nests in West Virginia.
Food — Aquatic animals and plants.
228. American Woodcock (Philohela minor) . One specimen. The
name of this bird is often given to some of the woodpeckers. Let
the student note that all birds in his collection are carefully and
correctly named.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America north to Labrador and Mani-
toba.
W. Va. Dist. — Formerly very common in this state. I have been de-
lighted to note evidences, during the past summer, that the bird is
again on the increase.
Nest — Breeds in favorable localities in this state. At least three
nests of the Woodcock were reported to the writer from various parts
of the state last summer.
Food — Earthworms, insects, &c.
230. Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata). One specimen; adult.
Geog. Dist. — North and Middle America.
W. Va. Dist. — Eeported by Eifrig from near Cumberland, on W.
Va. side of the Potomac. The Morgan brothers have found this species
to be common along the Great Kanawha.
Nest — Breeds in northern United States.
Food1 — Insects and vegetable matter.
239. Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisobia masulata). One adult.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. A. Sidney Morgan has reported to me that he has
found this sandpiper to be rather common along the Great Kanawha
about Poca Bottoms.
Nest — Breeds in the arctic regions.
Food — Insects.
242. Least Sandpiper (Pisobia minutilla). One specimen.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Surber says it is a common fall migrant in
Greenbrier County. Mr. "T. A. Morgan has reported the species from
the Great Kanawha Valley. Wm. D. Doan includes this little sandpiper
in his list of West Virginia birds.
Nest — Breeds in the arctic regions.
1908] BIRDS. 15
Food — Insects from meadow and beach.
246. Semipalmated Sandpiper (Ereunetes pusillus). One speci-
men. Note carefully the difference between the feet of the Least Sand-
piper and this species.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — No positive records for this state.
Nest — Breeds in arctic regions.
Food — Insects and other forms of life along the beach.
254. Greater Yellow-legs (Totarws melanoleucus] . Two specimens,
adult and young.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Ya. Dist.— "Common" (Morgan).
Nest — Minnesota and northward. In winter goes as far south as
Patagonia.
Food — Insects and worms.
255. Yellow-legs (Totanus flavipes). Two specimens. It is in-
teresting to compare this and the former species. Note difference in
size.
Geog. Dist; — North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Surber shot a male Yellow-legs in Greenbrier
County April 20, 1893. Wm. Brewster records this species from
Ritchie County. "More common than Greater Yellow-legs/' (Sid-
ney Morgan).
Nest — New York northward to arctic regions.
Food — Insects.
256. Solitary Sandpiper (Totanus solitanus). One adult speci-
men. "This is a wood sandpiper. It is rarely found on the beaches or
salt marshes near the sea, but frequents fresh-water ponds, or lakes
and woodland streams, both in the lowlands and mountains." (Chap-
man).
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Ya. Dist— On May 23, 1901, Rev. G. Eifrig found the Solitary
Sandpiper on the Swamp Ponds, just across the Potomac from Cum-
berland. In 1874 Mr. Brewster found this species to be quite numer-
ous in Ritchie County. "Yery common" (Morgan).
Nest — Breeds in northern TJ. S. and northward. Nest has rarely
been found.
16 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Food — Aquatic insects.
261. Bartramian Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). One adult
specimen. Commonly called "Upland Plover".
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist.— Reported by T. A. Morgan, G. Eifrig, and W. D.
Doan
Nest — Breeds in temperate North America. "It probably breeds in
the state" (Atkeson).
Food — Grasshoppers and beetles.
263. Spotted Sandpiper (Actiiis macularia). One specimen. This
is our most common sandpiper.
Geog. Dist. — Alaska to southern Brazil.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common along all our streams. Equally com-
mon along the Ohio Eiver and along the small streams far up in the
Alleghenies.
Nest — Breeds commonly throughout its range. Nest along banks
of streams, on the ground.
Food — Insects.
273. Killdeer (AEgialiiis vocifera). This is a well known plover.
Common everywhere, and should be known by all.
Geog. Dist.' — Temperate North America.
W. Va. Dist.— Common throughout the state. Have observed them
at all seasons of the year.
Nest — Nest on the ground in meadows and pastures. I observed
the young in May, 1906, in a field near Waverly, West Virginia.
Food — Earthworms, crustaceans, and insects.
274. Semipalmated Plover (AEgialiiis semipalmaia) . Two speci-
mens ; a pair. Much smaller than the Killdeer, and found along sandy
beaches.
Geog. Dist. — Arctic and subarctic America.
W. Va. Dist. — Very rare.
Nest — Breeds from Labrador to the shores of the Arctic Sea.
Food — Insects and crustaceans.
289. Bob-white (Colinus virginianus). These two specimens
show the very manifest difference in the appearance of the male and
female. The Bob-white is one of our most useful birds, and should
never be killed wantonly.
BLUE JAY
Order— PASSERES Family— Co RVID/E
Genus— CYANOCITTA Species— CRISTATA
1908] BIRDS. IT
Geog. Dist, — Eastern North America.
AY. Va. Dist, — Common in all parts of the state excepting the higher
mountain regions.
Nest — Breeds abundantly. I have seen young birds scarcely able
to fly as late as Oct 9th.
Food — Insects, grains, nuts, etc.
300. Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). This common game bivil
is represented by two specimens, a male and a female. "Pheasant7' is
the name applied to this grouse in most sections of West Virginia.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern U. S., and southern Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in the great deciduous forests in the hill
region of the state. I have found that this species is rare in parts of
the Ohio Valley. It is not at all common in the higher parts of the
Allegheny Mountains. In the Yew Mountains (1905) and in the
Back Allegheny Mountains (1907) I found very few of these birds.
Nest — Breeds commonly in W. Va. Nest on ground; eggs eight:
to fourteen.
Food — Insects, berries, seeds, leaves,, and leaf-buds. •
310. Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). We are exceedingly
fortunate in having in the collection a pair of these magnificent game-
birds. Xote carefully how the male and female differ, and observe
the chestnut-colored tips to the feathers of tail and upper tailcoverts-
In domestic turkeys these tips are white. The domestic turkey is
descended from the Mexican Turke}r, a wild species found in Texas,
Arizona, and Mexico. It was this latter species that was domesti-
cated by the ancient Mexicans.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern U. S. from Pennsylvania southward.
W. Va. Dist,' — Once abundant in this state. Now quite rarer
though generally distributed in the mountains. This great bird will
soon become extinct in W. Va., if forest destruction continues at the
present rate.
Nest —Makes its nest on the ground. Eggs, ten to fourteen.
Breeds in W. Va.
Food — Grasshoppers, nuts, etc.
316. Mourning Dove (Zenaidura macroura carolinensis] . Male
and female.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Common all over the state. I have seen seventv-five
18 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
in one flock, though this species is usually seen flying about in pairs
or in flocks of four or five.
Nest — A platform of sticks on stump, tree, or fence. Breeds
abundantly in "W. Va.
Food — Insects, grain, and seeds.
325. Turkey Vulture (Catliartes aura septentrionalis) . One
adult. This is the only vulture found in this part of the United
States. Commonly called "Turkey Buzzard.''
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in central, southern, and eastern West Vir-
ginia. During four years residence in the Ohio valley, near Parkers-
burg, I did not see a Turkey Vulture. Now becoming much more
Tare than formerly in central W. Va. Mr. Brewster, in his "Some
Observations on the Birds of Eitchie County, West Virginia" (Ann.
Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y. 1875, p. 145) gives a very interesting note on
the disappearance of these scavenger birds of prey from Eitchie County.
Nest —In hollow stump or on the ground. One to three eggs. I
found these birds on the top of Spruce Knob, the highest elevation
in the state, in June, 1908, and presume they were breeding there.
Food — Decaying animal matter.
331. Marsh Hawk (Circus hudsonius). Two specimens, male and
female. The observer should notice the white upper tail-coverts
which are characteristic of this species.
Geog. Dist. — North America in general.
W. Va. Dist. — Often observed in this state. I have seen a number
of specimens taken in various parts of West Virginia. For a W. Va.,
record, see Fisher's "Hawks and Owls of the United States", p. 31.
Nest — Builds its nest on the ground in marshes. Four to six
eggs.
Food — -Mice, shrews, reptiles, small birds, and rarely poultry.
332. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipitcr vdox). A pair. A. small
swift-winged bird of the woods and open fields.
Geog. Dist. — North America in general.
W. Va. Dist.— Quite common.
Nest — Builds its nest in trees. I found this species nesting in
the Yew Mountains in August, 1904.
Food — Small birds, a few mice and insects.
1908] BIRDS. 19
333. Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Adult and young.
This species is to be carefully distinguished from the preceding.
Geog. Dist.— British America south to southern Mexico.
W. Va. Dist. — Tolerably common.
Nest, — In trees twenty-five to fifty feet from the ground.
Food — This is one of our most harmful hawks as it feeds largely
on poultry and small birds.
337. Eed-tailed Hawk (Buteo borealis). Adult and young. One
of the most common of our large hawks.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Very common in the Ohio Valley and in other por-
tions of the state.
Nest — Builds nest in tall trees.
Food — Of 562 stomachs examined by the U. S. Dept. of Agricul-
ture, only 54 contained poultry or game birds. 278 contained mice.
339. Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). Adult and young.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, from Nova Scotia southward.
W. Va. Dist. — Found in many sections of the state. Scott says
this hawk was quite common in Kanawha County when he collected
there.
Nest — I have found this species nesting on the waters of French
•Creek in Upshur County. Nests in tall trees.
Food — Feeds largely on mice, other mammals, reptiles, batrachians,
.and insects.
343. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus). Adult and young.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state. I have collected
$. number of these hawks.
Nest — Nests in tall trees as most hawks do.
Food — Insects, mice, reptiles, batrachians, birds.
352. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoceplialus) . Not "bald", but
white-headed. This is the bird of our country, and every child in the
^tate should know the habits and appearance of this noble bird.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Va. Dist.— I have observed this species in Upshur and Kanawha
Counties, and it has been reported many times from other portions
20 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA..
of the state. Mr. Eifrig found the Bald Eagle in the "Eastern Pan-
handle/'
Nest — Breeds throughout its North American range. Places its-
nest in a tall tree, and lays two or three dull white eggs.
Food — The Bald Eagle subsists principally upon fish.
356. Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatum) . One adult,
Geog. Dist. — North America and the greater part of South Ameri-
ca.
W. Ya. Dist. — Found by Doan and Surber. Rare in W. Va.
Nest — Builds nest on rocky cliffs and in hollow limbs of tall
trees.
Food — Some poultry, game birds, and other birds. A few insects.
357. Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius) . Two of these beautiful
little hawks, an adult and a young bird, are to be found in the col-
lection.
Geog. Dist. — The whole of North America and northern South
America.
W. Va. Dist. — Of rare occurrence in this state.
Nest — In trees and on cliffs.
Food— Small birds, mice, and insects.
360. American Sparrow Hawk (Falco spar.verius) . A pair. Note
the beautiful colors of this hawk.
Geog. Dist. — From Great Slave Lake to Northern South America.
W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state.
Nest — Constructs its nest in a hole in an old tree. Three to seven
eggs.
Food — Small birds, mice, and insects.
364. American Osprey (Pandion lialiaetus carolinensis) . One
adult.
Geog. Dist. — From Hudson Bay and Alaska south to northern
South America.
W. Va. Dist. — I have observed this bird a number of times in various
places in the state, and it has been reported by others.
Nest — In trees or on the ground. I have no evidence of its
breeding in our state.
Food — Its food consists solely of fish which, as a rule, it captures
alive.
1908] BIBDS. 21
365. American Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola) . One adult. This
-strange looking creature may be recognized wherever it is seen.
Geog. Dist.— Southern part of the U. S. and Mexico.
W. Ya. Dist. — Eare in West Virginia. I have never seen this bird
•alive within this state.
Nest — Builds nest in a tower or in a tree.
Food — Mice and other mammals with a few birds and insects.
366. American Long-eared Owl (Asio ivilsomanus) . One adult.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Doan includes this species in his list of W.
Va. birds.
Nest — Generally uses an old crow's, hawk's, or squirrel's nest.
Food — "This Owl is preeminently a mouser". (Fisher).
368. Barred Owl (Strix Varia). One adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
"W. Va. Dist. — One of our most common owls. Reported from
many sections of the state. Often seen and heard high up in the
mountains.
Nest — Usually in a hollow tree.
Food — "Of 109 stomachs examined, 5 contained poultry or game ;
13, other birds; 46, mice; 18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard;
2, fish; 14, insects; 2, spiders; 9, crawfish; and 20 were empty''
(Fisher).
372. Saw- whet Owl (Glaux acadicus}. This fine little specimen
should be carefully noted. It has no " horns" as the Screech Owl
lias.
Geog. Dist. — North America at large.
W. Va. Dist. — Found within this state only in the winter season.
I have heard, two or more times, of the occurrence of this little
•owl in West Virginia, but I have never taken it.
Nest — Lays three to five eggs in a hole in a tree or in a deserted
woodpecker's or squirrel's nest. Breeds from northern New York
northward.
Food — "Of 22 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice "(Fisher).
373. Screech Owl (Otus asio). Two specimens showing the
mysterious "red phase" and "grey phase" of this familiar little
owl. Both phases are some times represented in the same brooc1.
These color phases are not dependent upon age, sex, or season.
22 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Abundant in many localities. Often heard about
towns as well as in lonely country places.
Nest — Generally in a hollow tree. Often breeds in West Vir-
ginia,
Food — Feeds on mice, insects, and small birds. About towns
they are said to destroy great numbers of English Sparrows.
375. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). One Adult. Read-
ily identified by its size and the very large ear-tufts.
Geog. Dist, — From Labrador to Costa Rica, in eastern North
America,
W. Va, Dist. — Rather common in our state.
Nest — Often in an old hawk's, crow's, or squirrel's nest.
Food— Of 127 stomachs examined by Dr. A. K. Fisher, only 31
contained poultry or game birds; 78 contained small mammals of
various kinds.
t
387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). One speci-
men. Sexes alike. Note very carefully the color of the bill in the
two species of cuckoos.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern temperate North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Rather common in most parts of this state.
Nest — Rev. W. E. Hill found this species breeding at Fairview,
West Virginia, in June, 1883.
Food — Tent caterpillars and other insects.
388. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus}. One
specimen. Adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America,
W. Va. Dist. — J. Warren Jacobs in his pamphlet entitled "Sum-
mer Birds of Monongalia County, West Virginia" says that h^
found this species in abundance in Monongalia County on May 31r
1895. Common in all parts of the state.
Nest — Often builds its nest in apple trees. Our American cuckoos
are not dependent upon other birds to hatch their eggs and to care-
for their young as is the European Cuckoo.
Food — Caterpillars and other insects,.
390. Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). Two specimens, male
and female. Notice the rufous coloring on the sides and on the
belly of the female.
1908] BIRDS.
Geog. Dist. — North America, from the Arctic Ocean to Panama.
W. Ya. Dist. — Common along all streams.
Nest — In a hole in a bank, about six feet from the entrance. Has
been found nesting many places in West Virginia.
Food— Fish.
393. Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus). A pair of these
common woodpeckers show this species to good advantage.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from the Carolinas north-
ward.
W. Ya. Dist. — Dr. Rives found this bird not uncommon in the
great " Spruce belt'' (AUK, 1898, p. 131). Common throughout
our state.
Nest — Jacobs found this bird with youtg in Monongalia Co.
Common breeder.
Food — Tree-haunting insects.
394. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens). These twi>
specimens will enable any observer to distinguish between the male
and the female of this common species. As may be noted, the male
has the red nape, but the female, similar in other markings, is
without the scarlet nape.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, from Labrador to Florida.
W. Ya. Dist. — Yery common in most parts of this state. Dr.
Rives observed this species but once or twice while on his visit to
the West Yirginia spruce b<?lt. I have not found it very common in
the mountainous section of West Yirginia, though it is so generally
distributed elsewhere in the state.
Nest — In holes in trees. Eggs, four to six. A common breeder
in W. Ya.
Food — Tree-haunting insects. Feeds some times on the pupa
of the codling moth. The Downy is a very useful bird.
395. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borcalis}. One fe-
male. This is an exceedingly interesting specimen. Look up this
species.
Geog. Dist. — "BoredUs", the specific name of this bird is a
misnomer. It is not a northern bird, but is found only in the south-
ern part of the United States.
W. Ya. Dist. — Yery rare.
Nest— "In the higher part of a pine tree" (Chapman).
Food — Insects that frequent pine woods.
•24 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). A pair
of adults and a young bird.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — In the greater part of the state this species occurs
as a common migrant in spring and fall. The writer found this
species in great numbers in the Spruce Mountains last summer
{1908), and one nest was found.
Nest — In dead tree.
Food — Juices of trees and insects.
405. Pileated Woodpecker (Phloeotomus pileatus). A pair of
these large woodpeckers will be found in the collection. This is
'the species to which the name ' ' woodcock " is so often given. For
a description of the American Woodcock see No. 228.
Geog. Dist. — Heavily wooded regions of North America. Now
'becoming almost extinct in many places.
W. Va. Dist. — This fine bird is still quite common in nearly all
sections of the state. In Upshur County and in the surrounding
counties, where the deciduous forests still stand in considerable
acreage, the Pileated Woodpecker may be found in almost every
tract of wood-land. Occasionally observed in the mountains. I
•saw a single bird of this species at Horton, June 16, 1908.
Nest — In dead tree twenty-five to eighty feet from the ground.
Breeds in West Virginia.
Food — Wood-boring larvae and other insects.
406. Red-headed Woodpecker ( Melanerpes erytkrocephalu*} .
A pair. This, most beautiful species is worthy of careful study.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common throughout the state. Rare in
winter. However, I have found large numbers of them spending
the winter in some sheltered wood-land in at least two places in
this state.
Nest — In a hole in dead tree.
Food — Insects, fruit, and corn that is "in the milk
409. Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Melanerpes carolinus). This
is sometimes called the "Guinea Woodpecker". The observer will
notice the origin of the name in the color and markings of the
bird.
1908] BIBDS. 25
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, more common toward the
south.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in some places, rare at other points.
Not often observed in the mountains. Because of the irregular
•distribution of this species and its inclination to keep in the tops
of forest trees, it is not so well known as some of the other members
of this family.
Nest — In some dead forest tree.
Food — Insects.
412a. Northern Flicker (Colaptes a uratus luteus). Represented
l>y two specimens, a male and a female. Note the difference in
the sexes.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern and northern North America, south to
North Carolina.
W. Va. Dist. — Abundant in all parts of the state.
Nest — In hole in dead tree. Five to nine beautiful white eggs.
Food — Termites, ants and other insects, fruit, etc.
416. Chuck-TwiH's- widow (Anirostomus carolinensis) . One
adult. "We are fortunate in having a specimen of this large southern
•goat-sucker.
Geog. Dist. — South Atlantic and Gulf States, south to Central
America.
"W. Va. Dist. — But one record for this species in West Vir-
ginia. Mr. Thad. Surber reports that he examined a specimen,
on Apr. 22, 1897, that had been picked up on the streets of Lewis-
burg, Greenbrier County. Just here it is in place to say that
rare southern species are likely to be observed at any time along
the waters of the New River and in adjacent sections. Quito
naturally both animals and plants follow down that stream from
the Carolinas, until they are beyond their usual habitat. I would
urge upon persons who live in the southern parts of the state to
be on the look-out constantly for rare species from farther south.
Nest — Two eggs placed on the leaves or on the bare ground.
Food — Aerial insects and, sometimes, small birds.
417. "Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vocifenis). One specimen
only is needed in the collection to represent this common species,
as male and female are nearly alike in their markings.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the plains.
26 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
W. Ya. Dist. — Generally common. Not often heard 011 the low
valley bottom-lands along the Ohio River. Bare in the higher
elevations. Common elsewhere.
Nest — Eggs placed on leaves or on the ground, with no effort
at nest-building.
Food — Nocturnal insects.
420. Nighthawk (Cliordeiles virginianus) . Male and female,
It is most earnestly hoped that these specimen s, with the one
Whip-poor-will, may help in clearing up the endless confusion
of these two kinds of birds. The Nighthawk is often seen flying
about on late summer evenings in great numbers, and is frequently
called "Bull-bat". The Whip-poor-will does not come out in the
open as the Nighthawk does. The two species should be readily
distinguished, even by the casual observer, by the very different
notes. The coloring, too, is quite different. Note the difference-
in the shape of the tail in the two species.
Geog. Dist. — Northern and eastern North America, west to the
Great Plains and central British Columbia, and from Labrador
south through tropical America to the Argentine Republic.
W. Va. Dist. — Common, especially in August and early Septem-
ber when they pass through this section on their autumn migra-
tion flights.
Nest — No nest. Eggs laid on bare ground, on a stone, or, some
times, on the roof of a house. I found a nest of this species at
one time in Upshur County. In the mountains these birds are
heard frequently in the breeding season. Though I searched very
carefully one day last summer for a nest on the summit of Spruce
Knob, Pendleton Co., I failed to find one.
Food — Flying insects.
423. Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica}. One adult, These
birds do not belong to the Swallow family, though they are called
"Chimney Swallows" by many people. Structurally, they are un-
like swallows.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America from the Fur Countries to
Cozumel Island.
W. Va. Dist. — One of our most abundant birds. In "Summer
Birds of the West Virginia Spruce Belt" (AUK, Vol. XV, 189*.
p. 135) Dr. Rives says, "Occasionally observed". Not very common
in the mountainous districts.
1908] BIBDS. 2T
Nest — In a chimney or hollow tree.
Food — Insects. Very useful birds.
428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Trochilus colubris). A pair..
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America as far north as the Fur-
Countries.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common. Though there are about five hun-
dred species of hummingbirds in North and South America, this is
the only species that ever comes into this part of the United
States.
;^est — A beautiful nest of plant down, fibers, and lichens saddle 1
on a limb, frequently an apple limb. Difficult to find the nest of
this species. Two white eggs.
Food — Honey from flowers and minute insects.
444. Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus). Male and female. The
male is so mounted that its usually concealed orange-red crest may^
be seen. This is the bird that is often called "Bee-bird" or "Bee-
martin".
Geog. Dist. — North America, most common east of the Rockies.
W. Va. Dist. — One of the common birds of our fields and orchards..
Nest — Usually in apple trees. Nests easily found.
Food — The Kingbird some times feeds on bees, but it destroys;
enough harmful insects to clear its record.
452. Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) . One adult. Sexe&
alike.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and southern Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — A very common bird in all sections of the state
where there are large tracts of deciduous woodland.
Nest — In hollow tree. One peculiarity in the nest-building of
this bird is to be found in its selection of a piece of cast-off snake
skin for building material. A nest is rarely found without this^
uncanny thing in its walls.
Foods— Insects. (See Bull. 110, W. Va. Agr. Expt. Sta., p. 23.
for interesting note on the food habits of this flycatcher) .
456. Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). One adult. Sexes alike. Some
times called "Pewee".
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
"W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state.
28 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Nest — Made of mud and moss, and placed on a beam or rafter or
rock ledge.
Food — Winged insects.
461. Wood Pewee (Myiochanes virens). One adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, from Florida to Newfound-
land.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in nearly all sections of the state. It
usually makes its presence known by its clear whistling notes.
Nest — Saddled across the limb of some forest tree, twenty to forty
feet up. Breeds commonly in West Virginia.
Food — Forest insects, such as fly about in dark woods.
463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) . One
specimen.
G-eog. Dist. — Eastern North America, breeding from northern
states to Labrador. Casual in Greenland.
W. Va. Dist. — This species has been recorded but twice from the
state. The writer has never seen a living specimen in West Virginia.
Nest — On the ground in northern spruce forests.
Food — Insects.
!
467. Least Flycatcher (Empidon&a minimus). One specimen.
Sexes alike. From this series of our smaller flycatchers, the student
may observe how little difference there is in either size or coloring.
This group of birds brings many perplexities to even an advanced
student of bird-life.
Geog. Dist. — Chiefly eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Rather common in the migration seasons. Of late I
have found some evidence of the breeding of this species in our
state. In June (1908) I found a number of these little birds at the
base of Spruce Knob, Pendleton County.
Nest — In the crotch of a tree a few feet from the ground.
Food — Flying insects.
474b. Prairie Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris praticola). Two
specimens.
Geog. Dist. — This subspecies is found in the upper Mississippi
Valley and eastward through New England and the Central States.
W. Va. Dist, — A new-comer into W. Va. Within the past ten years
this bird has extended its range into nearly all parts of our state.
Now breeds in manv of our counties.
1908] BIBDS. 2»
Nest — Made of grass on the ground.
Food — About 80 per cent of the food is vegetable matter consist-
ing of grains, weed seeds, and fruits. The remaining 20 per cent
consists of animal food — mostly insects.
477. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata,}. One specimen of this
beautiful bird is quite enough to exhibit his rich blue plumage.
Male and female colored alike.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the Plains, and from the-
Fur Countries south to Florida and eastern Texas.
W. Va. Dist. — Rare along Ohio Valley. In some places quite
common, though the abundance or rarity of this species in any given
place varies greatly from year to year. More common in the
rougher parts of the state.
Nest — Nest made of rootlets in a tree crotch fifteen to twenty
feet up. Breeds in this state.
Food — Of miscellaneous nature consisting of fruits, nuts, seeds
and insects. In June (1908) I found this species feeding on great
quantities of the bright red fruit of the Mountain Elder,
i
488. American Crow (Cwvus brachyrhynchos) . One specimen of
this well-known bird.
Geog. Dist. — North America, from the Fur Countries to the-
southern border of the United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Common. Along the Ohio River this species some
times gathers in large flocks to spend the winter months.
Nest — A coarse affair made of sticks in a tree about thirty feet
from the ground.
Food — Omnivorous in its feeding habits. It is believed that the
food of this bird is such that, on the whole, it must be placed on
the list of beneficial birds. For elaborate notes on the food of the
American Crow see bulletin No. 6, Dept. Agr., Div. Ornithology
and Mammalogy, "The Common Crow of the United States," by-
Barrows and Schwarz, 1895.
494. Bobolink (Doliclwnyx oryzivorus). A pair of these pretty
birds appears in the collection.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to Montana.
W. Va. Dist. — For many years I looked for Bobolinks in central
West Virginia, but failed to find them. Finally in the early 90 's,
I saw five birds of this species on the grounds of the West Virginia
-30 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Wesley an College at Buckhannon. Since that time I have observed
the species many times, most frequently in Wood and Marshall
Counties. Large flocks of these birds have been reported from the
-eastern and southern parts of the state during migration seasons.
Nest — Grassy nest on the ground. There are no breeding records
for West Virginia.
Food — Seeds, grains and insects.
495. Cowbird (Molothrus ater). The pretty black and brown
-colors of these common birds are to be seen in the male and female
specimens.
Geog. Dist. — United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
W. Va. Di-st. — Very common in the summer time. For awhile,
'however, in mid-summer, these birds are strangely absent. In the
autumn they gather in large flocks as they prepare to go on their
southward migration flights. Occasionally this bird may be seen
in mid-winter.
Nest — This bird builds no nest, but always lays its eggs in the
nest of some smaller bird.
Food — Insects and seeds. Watch these birds following the cows
out in the fields and see them catching the insects that the cows stir
up.
498. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius plweniceus}. The very
marked difference between the male and female is shown by these
two specimens. When the male flies the bright red shoulder marks
are most beautifully displayed. The young birds are colored much
as the female is.
Geog. Dist. — North America in general, from Great Slave Lake
south to Costa Rica,
W. Va. Dist. — One of the most common birds along the streams in
the more developed parts of the state. Abundant along the larger
rivers. In the glades about Cowen, I have found these birds breed-
ing in large numbers.
Nest — In low bushes or reeds. Breeds commonly in West Vir-
ginia,
Food — Fruits, insects, grains.
501. Meadowlark ( Stumella magna). Male and female.
Geog. Dist.— Eastern United States and southern Canada to the
Plains.
1908] BIRDS. 31
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in cultivated sections. Sometimes
spends the winter here.
Nest — Nest made of grasses and placed on the ground. Mr.
Frank M. Chapman speaks of the nest as being very hard to find.
Four to six spotted eggs.
Food — Insects and seeds.
506. Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius). Male, female, and
young. The male does not have its rich chestnut and black colors
till the third year. About as common as the Baltimore Oriole,
but not so often seen. As the name implies, it is found about
orchard trees.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, as far north as New England.
W. Va. Dist — Generally distributed throughout the state where
the altitude is under 2,000 ft.
Nest — Breeds in W. Va. wherever found. I have found a great
many nests of this species in fruit trees in Wood, Upshur and Lewis
Counties. Look out for the song of this accomplished musician.
Food — Insects.
507. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). A pair. Named for
Lord Baltimore who is said to have dressed in orange and black.
Chapman says, "Sometimes Nature, as if to remind us of the rich-
ness of her stores, sends from the tropics a gaily attired bird who
•seems quite out of place among the more soberly clad inhabitants
of northern climes. The genus Icterus contains nearly forty
species, all more or less brightly dressed in orange, yellow, an-1
black, but not one is more beautiful than our Baltimore Oriole."
Known by almost every one who is at all familiar with our birds.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States as far north as Ontario and
Manitoba.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common outside the mountain districts.
Nest — Pensile, in fruit or shade trees. Eggs, four to six. Very
common breeder in mast parts of the state.
Food— Destroys some fruit. 83 per cent of the oriole's food is
animal matter, caterpillars forming 34 per cent of the whole. '"It
may be ranked as one of the chief friends of the orchardist and
forester. ' ' ( Forbush ) .
509. Rusty Blackbird (EupJiagus carolinus.) Male and female.
This is only a transient visitant in this state, and is less known
than any of the other blackbirds that come to West Virginia.
32 WEST VIRGINIA [W.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to Alaska and the
Plains. Breeds from New England northward.
W. Va. Dist. — Seen occasionally in the spring and fall. I have
observed a number of flocks of this Blackbird at French Creek,
Upshur County.
Nest — In coniferous trees or on the ground. Little is know of
this northern Blackbird in its breeding region.
Food — Grains, seeds, insects. Not of economic importance in
this state.
511. Purple Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula). Male and female. Not
common in the region of the state that lies west of the Alleghenies.
Geog. Dist. — East of the Alleghenies from Georgia to Massachus-
etts.
W. Va. Dist. — Common only in the eastern part of the state.
Nest — Breeds m colonies. Nests placed high up in trees.
Food— Somewhat destructive to corn and other grains. Yet
Forbush says, "Crow Blackbirds ***** are indespensible because of
the vast amount of insects they destroy. ' '
511b. Bronzed Gackle (Quiscalus quiscula aeneus). One adult.
The more western form of the Crow Blackbird.
Geog. Dist. — From Alleghenies to Rocky Mountains, north to-
Great Slave Lake.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in all parts of the state west of the-
mountains. Not so common, however, in the higher sections. Dr.
Rives says that specimens which he examined from the mountainous
sections of the state seemed to be intermediate between the typical
species and aeneus.
Nest — Nesting habits the same as in the last.
Food — Insects, grains, and fruits.
517. Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus). Male and female.
For beautiful colored plates of this and many other species of birds,
address the National Association of Audubon Societies, 141 Broad-
way, New York City. The Purple Finch is roving in disposition,
and is not often seen except by one who knows just where to find it.
The plumage is not purple, but rosy. A very good songster. Eugene-
P. Bicknell says, "The song bursts forth as if from some uncontroll-
able stress of gladness, and is repeated uninterruptedly over and
over again, while the ecstatic bird rises high into the air, and, still
singing, descends into the trees.''
BALTIMORE ORIOLE
(UPPER FIGURE, MALE; LOWER FIGURE, FEMALE)
Order— PASSERES Family— ICTERID^E
Genus— ICTERUS Species— GALBULA
1908] BIRDS. 33:
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, from the Atlantic States
to the Plains.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr, Surber, in notes sent to the Biological Survey,
Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., says, "A rare resident
near White Sulphur Springs. May breed." Very common through-
out the state in the migrating seasons. I believe, with Mr. Surber,.
that this species breeds in the mountain districts of W. Ya. On the
17th of last June (1908), I saw several Purple Finches at Osceola,
Pocahontas County. In the summer time I have noted this specijs
in "The Pines", a black spruce forest about six miles above Pickens,
in Randolph County.
Nest — In coniferous tree, five to thirty feet up. Eggs, four to
six ; blue, spotted about the larger end with fuscous.
Food — Often devours buds and fruit blossoms, though this prun-
ing or cutting of buds, blossoms, or seeds of trees is not ordinarily
excessive. Forbush says, "This bird eats many of the seeds of"
the most destructive weeds, ragweed being a favorite. The Purple
Finch also destroys many orchard and woodland caterpillars. It
is particularly destructive to plant lice and cankerworms. ''
521. American Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra minor). A pair..
The curved mandibles of this little finch are to be particularly noted.
Geog. Dist. — Northern North America, and southward along .tho-
Alleghenies.
W. Va. Dist. — Rare. Mr. T. J. Frye, who is well acquainted with
this little bird in northern Pennsylvania, says, ' ' Saw 30 in a flock
on Bull Creek (near Waverly) in winter of 1904 or 1905."
Nest — In coniferous trees. Nest is built very early in the spring.
Food — Seeds of cone-bearing trees.
English Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Male and female. This
alien species was introduced into America in 1851 or 1852. How-
ever, it did not spread over the country till after 1870. Becoming
a great pest. It has been estimated that a single pair of these
prolific birds might multiply until, in ten years, their progeny
would number 275,176,983,698!
Geog. Dist. — "Nearly the whole of Europe, extending eastward
to Persia and Central Asia, India, and Ceylon" (Sharpe). Intro-
duced into America, Australia, and New Zealand.
W. Va. Dist. — Found in all sections of the state.
Food — Forbush says it is one of the few species that deserve no
34 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
consideration at the hands of the ^farmers. Generally harmful.
Destroys some insects, but not enough to amend its other evil habits.
529. American Goldfinch (Astragalinus tristis). Male and fe-
male. In the winter the male assumes somber colors similar to
those of the female and young.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America, east of the Rocky Moun-
tains.
W. Ya. Dist. — Abundant everywhere and at all seasons, though
not quite so common in winter. I have found this species particu-
larly common in the mountainous portions of the state.
Nest — Builds its nest rather late in the summer. Often chooses
orchard or shade trees as nesting site. Three to six pale bluish
white eggs. A common breeder in West Virginia.
Food — Weed seeds, especially those that are furnished with down,
as the dandelion and thistle. Many insects. It has been recorded
that the Goldfinch sometimes feeds on the Hessian fly. Destroys
millions of plant lice eggs.
540. Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus). Male and female.
Often called "Grassfinch" or " Bay-winged Bunting". A songster of
unusual ability.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the Plains, from Nova
Scotia and Ontario southward.
W. Va, Dist. — Not at all common on Ohio River bottoms. Else-
where in the state, with the exception of some of the highest parts,
I have found this delightful bird in abundance. To be looked for
in old pasture fields.
Nest — Builds nest on the ground. Spotted eggs.
Food — Grasshoppers form the principal food in mid-summer.
Insects of many kind are destroyed by this bird. Weed seeds also
enter into its bill of fare.
542a. Savanna Sparrow (Ammodramus $andwichen$is savanna}.
Male and female.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, northward.
W. Va. Dist. — Very rare in our state. Only one record so far
as the writer can determine.
Nest — On the ground.
Food — Beetles, ants, and cut-worms. Destroys some weed seeds.
1908] BIRDS. 35
546. Grasshopper Sparrow (Coturniculus savannarum australis) .
Pair. So named because of its grasshopper-like song. A bir«l
of quiet and unobtrusive ways. The student must look for this
species in meadow-lands and along the road-sides. Not generally
known, even by those who have a fair knowledge of our common
birds.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and Southern Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — Abundant along all our larger river bottoms, par-
ticularly along the Ohio. Abundant in the Preston County Glades.
Common about Buckhannon.
Nest — Well concealed on the ground.
Food — No cultivated fruit ; some seeds. Very destructive to cut-
worms, army worms, wire-worms, click beetles, weevils, and grass-
hoppers.
i
547. Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus hemlowii). Two, male
-and female.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Very rare in this state.
Nest — On the ground; made of grasses.
Food — Insects and seeds.
554. White-crowned Sparrow (Zanvtrichia leucophrys). One
adult. This is one of our rare migrant sparrows, and, in life, is
"very beautiful. Few birds have a more stately manner and dig-
nified bearing. The observer is very fortunate who, on some morn-
ing in October, sees this sparrow on its way toward the south.
Geog. Dist. — North America at large, breeding chiefly in the
Rocky Mountains.
W. Va. Dist. — Occasionally seen in spring or fall while mi'grai-
ing. Mr. Ernest Ingersoll saw a White-crowned Sparrow in Ritchie
County on May 10. 1874 (See Forest and Stream, Vol. IV, p. 358.)
Nest — On the ground or in low bush. Breeding range far to the
north.
Food — Insects and seeds.
558. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Malo
and female. Far more common than the preceding species, though
this bird is seen only in the spring and fall migration seasons.
Often called "Peabody-bird" because of the syllables of its song.
A good singer.
36 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Chiefly eastern North America, west to the Plains,
north to Labrador and the Fur Countries,
W. Va. Dist. — Of common occurrence in October and April. At
times it becomes very abundant, and is to be seen in large flocks
about briar fields and in open woodland.
Nest — On the ground or in bushes. Breeds in the northern states
and northward as far as Labrador.
Food — Dr. Judd says that ragweed seed constitutes 45 per cent of
their food in October. Very fond of the seeds of polygonum.
560. Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) . Male and female.
This is a well-known bird.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Moun-
tains, north to Great Slave Lake and Newfoundland, and south to
Mexico, breeding from the Gulf States northward.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common about all farms, orchards, and even
within the towns and cities.
Nest — The nesting habits of this little bird are known to all.
Eggs four or five, bluish with black markings.
Food — Weed seeds, especially crab grass and dandelion seeds;
occasionally a little fruit; many insects. The Chippy feeds very
largely in the spring and early summer on small caterpillars.
One observer saw a Chipping Sparrow eat 54 canker-worms at one
sitting. Particularly fond of such destructive species as the gipsy
and brown-tail caterpillars; codling moth, tent caterpillar, forest
tent caterpillar, and currant worms; devours three species of Iarva3
that feed on cabbage plants.
563. Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) . Male and female. This
species must be carefully distinguished from the preceding. A bird
of old fields and woodland. In musical ability it far exceeds its
more domestic cousin, the Chippy. Indeed, of all the good singers
in the large sparrow family, there are few that surpass this plain
little bird in sweetness of song.
Geog. Dist.— Eastern United States and Southern Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in every part of the state that the writer
has visited, excepting the higher mountain regions.
Nest — On the ground or in low bushes. A favorite nesting place
in this section is in a bunch of Virginia Beard-grass ("Broom-
sedge").
1908] BIRDS. 37
Food — Weed seeds in great abundance. Destroys many May
flies, leaf hoppers, and sawflies.
567. Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalias) . Male and female.
•Commonly called "Snow bird".
Geog. Dist. — North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in winter. In the mountains of the state
the Carolina Junco (Junco hyemalis carolinensis) , a sub-species
that is very similar to the Slate-colored Junco, may be found
breeding in great abundance. On the highest mountain in W. Va.,
Spruce Knob, the Carolina Junco nests in considerable numbers.
Nest — On or near the ground. The Carolina Junco prefers to
place its nest among the roots of an up-turned black spruce tree.
However, on the top of Spruce Knob, all the nests that were found
were placed in a sheltered spot on the ground. Evidently the nests
were thus placed that they might have greater protection from the
winds that blow almost constantly in such high and exposed places.
Eggs, four or five, white or bluish white with small spots of rufous-
brown.
Food — Mostly pernicious weed seeds.
581. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Male and female.
This bird may be known by his black "breat pin".
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States to the Plains, breeding from
Virginia northward to the Fur Countries.
W. Va. Dist. — Perhaps no other species is more generally dis-
tributed within our state. Especially common along streams. In
abundance along the Elk, Great Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers. In
the Webster County glades I found it to be one of the most common
species. In August, 1906, I found this species breeding high up in
the Back Allegheny Mountains.
Nest — One summer I found two nests of this species. The first
was in a depression in the ground, at least six inches in depth ; the
second was on top of a board fence where wild fox grape vinos
liad grown into a cluster thus supporting the nest that was saddled
on the top-most board of the fence.
Food — Many weed seeds such as the polygonum, crab grass,
and pigeon grass. Harmful insects, such as caterpillars and plant
lice, make up 18 per cent of the food.
584. Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana}. A pair. A quiet
and elusive species.
38 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America and as far north as Labra-
dor.
W. Va. Dist. — Rarely seen in this state. Reported from the
eastern pan-handle by Mr. Eifrig. Mr. Brewster saw a few in-
dividuals of this species in Ritchie Co., in May, 1874. The writer
has seen the Swamp Sparrow but two or three times within this,
state.
Nest — Ori the ground.
Food — Insects and seeds.
585. Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) . Male and female. Note-
the thrush-like appearance of this large sparrow. One of the
most beautiful members of the sparrow family. A good songster.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, from the Gulf States
northward to the Arctic coast. Found in the Yukon Valle}', Alaska.
This species, like the Song Sparrow, seems to be particularly
susceptible to climatic influence. Consequently, there are several
geographic races of this species.
W. Va. Dist. — Spends the winter in this section of country.
Quite common in West Virginia in the colder part of the year..
To be found in brushy thickets.
Nest — In low trees and bushes. Breeds in the far north.
Food — Great seed-eaters while spending the winter in this lat-
itude.
587. Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus} . Male and female-
adults. Often called "Jo-ee" or "Ground Robin".
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and Southern Canada.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common all over the state. This species
is abundant in the mountains. Wherever there are old fields or-
thickets the Towhees may be found at any time in the year, though
they are not nearly so common in the winter as in the summer.
Nest — On or near the ground. The nest is usually found about
blackberry bushes or other tangles of shrubbery. Four to five
spotted eggs.
Food — "While scratching and digging among the leaves in early
spring it unearths many dormant insects, and disposes of them ero
they have an opportunity to propagate their kind'' (Forbush).
593. Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Male and female. Knowni
to most persons as "Red Bird".
1908] BIKDS. 39
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to the Great Lakes.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in the lower parts of the state. In the
mountains it is replaced by its near relative, the Rose-breasted
Grosbeak. On Feb. 24, 1908, I saw thirty-three Cardinals in one
flock near Weston, W. Va.
Nest — In bushes. Breeds in great numbers in this state.
Food — Seeds and insects.
595. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Habia ludoviciana). Male and
female. This lovely bird is well named.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, breeding from the Carolina*
northward.
W. Va, Dist. — Very common, even abundant, in the higher
mountains. In most parts of the state it appears only as a rare
migrant in spring and fall. Mr. Thad. Surber says. "Breeds on
Cold Knob" (Greenbrier County).
Nest — In bushes or trees. Breeds in great numbers in the Alle-
gheny Mountains.
Food — Fruits, seeds, insects. For full notes on food-habits of
this bird, see "Food Habits of the Grosbeaks", Bulletin No. 32,
Biological Survey, 1908.
597. Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caendea). Male and female. Care-
fully compare this species with the next named on the list.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from New Jersey south-
ward to Cuba and Mexico.
AY. Va. Dist. — Very rare in this state. A southern bird that
does not often come so far north. Doan records it in his list </£
West Virginia birds.
Nest — In bushes. Three to four bluish white eggs.
Food — Fruit, grain, weed seeds, and such insects as the following :
Ground beetles, caterpillars, stink-bugs, cicadas. McAtee says that
injurious bettles form 24% of this grosbeak's food.
598. Indigo Bunting (Cyanospiza cyanea). Male and female.
A bird of beautiful plumage and sweet song. Not to be confused
with the common Bluebird.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States. South in winter to Central
America.
W. Va. Dist. — One of our very common birds. Generally dis-
tributed throughout the state. Common in the mountains as well
as in the lower elevations.
40 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Nest — In a bush or among briers. Three to four pale bluish
white eggs. Look for the nest in old fields;
Food — Of great service about gardens where it eats many insects
and pernicious seeds. Especially fond of caterpillars.
608. Scarlet Tanager (P^remgo. erytkromelas) . Male and female.
Note the great difference in the coloring of the male and female.
In the winter the male takes on the less conspicious colors of the
female. Is this true of other birds where the male is so much more
liighly colored than the female.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, west to the Plains, north to
•Ontario.
W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state.
Nest — Near the end of a horizontal limb, several feet from the
ground. Nest often found in West Virginia woods.
Food — "In its food preferences the Tanager is the appointed
guardian of the oaks. We are much indebted to this beautiful bird
for its share in the preservation of this noble and valuable tree."
Feeds on many destructive insects.
610. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra). A pair. Note that
this species does not have the black wings which characterize the
former species.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, but more southern than last
named species.
W. Va. Dist. — Common along the Ohio, Great Kanawha, Elk,
and Little Kanawha Rivers. Not found in Upshur County or oth3r
sections up towards the mountains.
Nest — In a tree. Three to four spotted eggs.
Food — Tree-inhabiting insects.
611. Purple Martin (Progne subis). Male and female. Our
largest swallow.
Geog. Dist. — Temperate North America, north to Ontario and the
"Saskatchewan, south to the higher parts of Mexico, wintering ia
'South America.
W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state.
Nest — In boxes or in hollow trees.
Food — Mr. Ridgeway says, "No bird of North America is more
deserving of protection and of encouragement to live about the
liabitations of man than the Purple Martin. One pair of them will
1908] BIBDS: 41
•destroy more insects in a season than all the English Sparrows in
a township will kill in their life-time." Recent investigations con-
ducted by the U. S. Dept. of Agr. have proven that the swallows
-are valuable in the destruction of the Cotton-boll Weevil.
612. Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon lunifrons). One specimen.
.Not so well known in this state as in some other parts of the country.
Geog. Dist. — North America, north to the limit of trees.
W. Va. Dist. — Not common. Mr. Jacobs speaks of seeing large
flocks of these birds on the 23rd of August, 1897, near Morgantown.
The writer has seen Cliff Swallows a few times as they seemed to
be passing over this state on their migration flights. I have heard
of a few pairs nesting in West Virginia, but the records are not
authentic, with the single exception of Scott's record of the nesting
of this species in Kanawha County.
Nest — Pocket-shaped nests of mud on the sides of a cliff or under
the eaves of a barn.
Food — "The benefits derived from this bird appear to be much
greater than any injury it may do in eating parasitic insects. M
(See "Birds in Their Relation to Man" by Weed and Dearborn,
-p. 128, 9.)
613. Barn Swallow (Hirundo erythrog aster} . Male and female.
Geog. Dist. — North America in general, breeding from the Fur
Countries south into Mexico. Winters in South America.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in all parts of the state.
Nest — Of mud and grass attached to the rafter of a barn or other
out-building. Four to six spotted eggs.
Food— Among our most useful birds as they feed largely on
harmful insects.
614. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). Male and female.
Geog. Dist. — North America at large.
W. Va. Dist. — Not very common in parts of the state. Quito
common in Upshur County. Rare along the Ohio Valley. West
Virginia records made bjr Surber, Doan, and Brewster.
Nest— In a hollow tree or bird-box.
Food— Eats many dragon flies. Some fruit.
616. Bank Swallow (Clivicola riparia). A pair. Look for this
little swallow along the banks of large streams. Not to be confused
with the next species.
42 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.. Nearly cosmo-
politan.
W. Va. Dist. — Common along all our larger streams.
Nest — In a hole in river bank, or other sand bank, or, some times,
in holes in stone walls.
Food — Insects that are injurious to field and meadow grasses.
j
617. Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ser ripen nis). One
adult. Sexes almost alike.
Geog. Dist. — United States at large.
W. Va. Dist. — Brewster and Ingersoll report this species as breed-
ing in several places in Ritchie County in 1874. I have seen the
bird in Doddridge County. Not at all common.
Nest — Under bridges or in a hole in a bank. Four to eight white
eggs.
Food — Very little seems to be known concerning the food-habits
of this species. Of course it feeds on insects.
>
619. Cedar Waxwing (Hornby cilia cedroriim) . Male and female.
The only representative of this family found in the state.
Greog. Dist. — North America at large, from the Fur Countries
southward.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in every part of the state. Abundant
in the mountains. These birds gather in large flocks in the fall.
Some times spend the winter in this state.
Nests — Bulky nest in fruit or shade trees. Common breeder in
West Virginia.
Food — They eat cherries, strawberries, and other kinds of fruits.
Considering the number of insects they devour, they must, howeverr
be classed as beneficial birds. Very fond of wild poke berries.
Destroy many cankerworms.
622. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludoviciamis) . Male and fe-
male.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Common along the Ohio River. Rare elsewhere.
Nest — Placed in low thorny trees. I have never heard of a nest
being found in West Virginia.
Food — Mice form 50% of the food in winter. They eat many
grasshoppers and small birds. The food is impaled upon a thorn
from which it is eaten at the bird's leisure.
1908] BIRDS. 43
624. Red-eyed Vireo (Virsosylva olivacea). Male and female.
More generally known than any other member of this family of
woodland birds.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to the Arctic regions.
W. Va, Dist. — Very common in all parts of the state.
Nest — Pensile in a forked branch, not far from the ground, five
to forty feet up.
Food — "it is universally recognized as a great insect-eater''
(Weed and Dearborn). Especially valuable as a destroyer of
insects that attack forest trees. Sometimes eat berries.
I
627. Warbling Vireo (Vireosylva gilva}. A pair. These Vireos
are more common about our cities and towns than the other members
of this family. The Warbling Vireo should be well known to all
on account of its sweet song and useful habits. No birds sings
more persistently nor more sweetly from the shade trees along the
streets than does this small vireo, yet the passer-by does not know
the bird, and is ignorant of its form, its song, and its habits.
Geog. Dist. — North America in general, from the Fur Countries
to Oaxa/ca, Mexico.
W.Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state. Not found in the
mountain sections.
Nest — Pensile, suspended from a forked branch eight to forty
feet up.
Food — Insects that feed on the foliage of shade trees. An im-
mensely useful species.
628. Yellow-throated Vireo (Lanivireo flavifrons) . Male and fe-
male.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to Ontario.
W. Va. Dist. — Tolerably common in woodlands.
Nest — Suspended from a forked branch ten to forty feet up.
Three to four spotted eggs.
Food — Forest insects.
629. Blue-headed Vireo (Lanivireo solitanus). Male and female,
A subspecies, the Mountain Solitary Vireo, is some times found in
this state.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the Plains, north to
Hudson Bay.
W. Va. Dist. — An uncommon migrant, save in the mountain
44 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
regions where the subspecies, as noted above, occurs in the summer-
time.
Nest — Hanging nest, suspended to a forked branch five to ten feet
Food — Forest insects. ,
631. White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus). A pair. A bird
of peculiar notes and actions. For observations on this bird in
W^est Virginia see West Virginia School Journal, December, 1908.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from New England south-
ward.
W. Va. Dist. — Common along the valleys of the Elk, Great
ICanawha, Greenbrier, Ohio, and Little Kanawha Rivers. In several
years residence along the Monongahela and the West Fork I have
not seen a single specimen of this Vireo. For many years I looked
for this bird in Upshur County, but failed to find it there.
Nest — Suspended from a forked branch in a thicket.
Food — Some fruit. Many insects of trees and shrubbery.
636. Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia). A pair.
This bird may be known always by its plain black and white stripes.
In its habit of running up and down trees, it is like a creeper.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States from New England south-
ward.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in the summer months. Reaches Wf-st
Virginia about the 10th of April and remain till the last of Septem-
ber. Not very common in the higher portions of the state.
Nest — On the ground by the roots of a tree or under the edge of
a log or rock.
Food — Insects that are found on the trunks of trees.
637. Prothonotary Warbler (Phrotonotaria citrea). One male
adult. A beautiful warbler found about streams and swamps.
Geog. Dist. — South-eastern and Central United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Doan says, "I took a specimen of this fine
•warbler Aug. 3, near Buckhannon. in a swampy woods."
Nest — In a hole in tree.
Foods — Insects that are found about water.
639. Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitherus vermivorus) . One
•specimen. A very plain, yet beautiful bird. The song of this
1908] BIRDS. 45-
Warbler is so nearly like that of the Chipping Sparrow that tho
two are often confused. Both sexes have the black and yellow
stripes on the head, and, by the same markings, this species may be
known at every stage of its plumage-development.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, southward from New York.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in well-wooded sections of the state.
Nest — On the ground. Four to six spotted eggs. Breeds in West
Virginia.
Food — Forest insects that keep near the ground. Very little
seems to be known concerning the food-habits of this species.
641. Blue-winged Warbler (Helminthophila pinus). One speci-
men, male adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from iiouthem New England
southward.
W. Va. Dist. — There are very few records of the occurrence of
this Warbler in our state.
Nest — On the ground.
Food — Larvae that feed on oak and chestnut leaves, and other
insects.
642. Golden-winged Warbler (Helminthophila chrysoptera ) .
Male and female. This species may be found about old brier-fields
and in open woods. A very beautiful bird. When once the song
of this bird is heard, it is not likely to be forgotten.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to southern New
England.
W. Va. Dist. — Rather rare summer resident in most parts of
the state. In Wood and Upshur Counties, I have observed this
species in the nesting season. In the summers of 1907 and 1908
I found this bird breeding in considerable numbers in the glados
about Cowen, Webster County.
Nest — On or near the ground in fields or glades or open woods.
Food— ''This bird must be a great destroyer of leaf lice and small
caterpillars that infest the tips of branches and the underside of
leaves, for they are continually searching and picking at the open-
ing buds and waxen leaves at the ends of new twigs, the male
pausing frequently to sing. At times their actions remind one
of the Gnatcatcher in flitting hither and thither snatching up
small winged mites." (See Jacobs, "The Haunts of the Golden-
winged Warbler", p. 22).
46 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
645. Nashville Warbler (Helminthophila ruficapilla). Male and
female. This species is known by very few persons. Found
often about orchard trees in the spring. Rather inconspicuous in
both coloring and song.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the Plains, north to the
Fur Countries. Breeding from northern United States northward.
W. Va, Dist. — The writer has observed this species several times
in Upshur and Wood Counties. Accredited to West Virginia by
Doan.
Nest— On the ground. Breeds north of the United States.
Food — Nashville Warblers have been observed feeding upon
young tent caterpillars and other species of destructive caterpillars,
and, in the west, large numbers of young locusts are eaten by this
little bird.
647. Tennessee Warbler (Helmmthophila peregrina). A pair
of adults. A very interesting migratory species.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, breeding from New Eng-
land northward to Hudson Bay Territory.
W. Va. Dist. — W. D. Doan says, "Took specimen near Fairmont,
Sept. 12." I have observed this very plainly marked little Warbler
a few times in various parts of the state.
Nest — In low bushes near the ground. Chapman says, "Little
seems to be known about the nesting habits of this Warbler."
Food — "It searches diligently for the insect mites that infest
the foliage of trees, seeming to have a special fondness for aphides,
forty-two of which have been taken from the stomachs of three of
these birds." (Weed and Dearborn).
648. Parula Warbler (Co-mpsothlypis amcricana). Male and fe-
male. One of the daintiest and most beautiful of all our woodland
birds. Keeps well up towards the tops of forest trees and is not
often observed.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern and southern United States. In the north-
ern States 'a subspecies, the Northern Parula Warbler, takes the
place of this species.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in the summer season throughout
the greater part of .this state. '
Nest — In bunches of Usnea moss.
Food — Woodland insects.
1908] BIRDS. 47
650. Cape May Wabler (Dendroica tigrina). A pair of adults.
A richly colored migrant species. To be looked for in the spring
and fall only.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to Lake Winnipeg
and Hudson Bay, and west to the Plains.
W. Va. Dist. — Quite common in the spring and fall migration
seasons. Some times individuals will linger about evergreen trees
for several weeks as they go northward.
Nest — On branch of tree. Breeds northward to the Arctic regions.
Food — Very little is known of the feeding habits of this bird.
I have seen this species eating small insects from evergreen trees
and from fruit and woodland trees in the spring. Especially fond
of insects that infest spruce trees. Some times opens ripe grapes
and drinks the juice.
652. Yellow Warbler (Dendroica a-estiva}. A male and female
represent this very common species in the collection. Unlike many
of the Warblers, this species is found commonly about orchards,
and in the shade trees along city streets.
Geog. Dist. — North America at large, excepting the south-western
part.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Brewster says of this species, as he found it
in Ritchie County in 1874, ''Restricted entirely to belt of willows/7
Common in all the lower-lying sections of the state.
Xest — In orchard trees. Eggs, four to five, bluish white with
brown spots. The nest of this bird often contains one or more
eggs of the Cowbird.
Food — Weed and Dearborn say, "The food habits of the Yellow
Warbler are all that could be desired. It freely visits farm premises
and feeds on minute insects of many kinds." Often feeds upon
canker worms. Tent caterpillars, adult currant borers, codling
moths, and other harmful insects of orchard and garden are a part
of this Warbler's food.
654. Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendraica caerulescens}.
Adult male and female. Migrant. To be seen only in the woods.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, as far north as Labrador.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in our state in the autumn migra-
tion. Not so frequently seen in the spring. A subspecies, known as
Cairn's Warbler, is abundant in the summer time in the mountains
48 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
of West Virginia. Cairn's Warbler may be found nesting in any
of the higher ranges of the Alleghenies.
Nest — In shrubbery near the ground. Eggs, three to five, almost
white with spots about the larger end.
Food — Like the Cape May Warbler, this species' is some times
guilty of sucking the juice of ripe grapes. Otherwise the bird h use~
ful in destroying insects which feed upon the buds and leaves of
forest trees.
655. Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coronata). A pair of adults.
Note the four large patches of yellow on the male. The species.
may be identified at any time by the yellow on its rump. Often
called the Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, sometimes straggling west-
ward.
W. Va. Dist. — A very common migrant, occasionally remaining
throughout the winter.
Nest — Breeding range from northern states northward. Low in
coniferous trees.
Food — Insects and berries of certain kinds, especially myrtle ber-
ries.
657. Magnolia Warbler (Dendrocia magnolia). Two specimens,
male and female. One of the prettiest birds to be found in West
Virginia, Often called ''Black and Yellow Warbler''.
Geog. Dist, — North America, east of the Rocky Mountains ami
north to Hudson Bay Territory.
W. Va. Dist. — Through most parts of the state this Warbler
passes in great number in both the migration seasons. In the higher
Alleghenies, this species breeds and may be found at any time in
the summer months. In the Back Allegheny Mountains near Cheat
Bridge, I found old birds feeding their young as late as the middle
of August in 1906.
Nest — Usually in a small spruce tree only a few feet from the
ground. For a very interesting account of the nesting habits of
this and other Warblers, see Chapman's ''The Warblers of North
America. ' '
Food — Plant lice and other insects. Very little is known of its-
food habits.
658. Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea). Adult male and fe-
male.
PURPLE FINCH.
(UPPER FIGURE, MALE; LOWER FIGURE, FEMALE.)
Order — PASSERES.
Genus— CAR PODACUS.
Family — FRINGILLID/C.
Species — PURPUREA.
1908] BIRDS. 4S>
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and southern Ontario. Moit
common in the valley of the Ohio River.
W. Va. Dist. — As already indicated the Cerulean Warbler is to
be found in largest numbers in the Ohio Valley. In the oak-covered
ridges, back a little from the Ohio River. I have found this species
in very great numbers. Indeed, at times, almost every tree seemed
to contain one or more of these charming little birds. The song1
is very cheerful.
Nest — In large trees. Breeds in West Virginia.
Food — I have observed this species feeding upon little moths and
other insects found about the tops of chestnut oak trees.
659. , Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica] . Male,
female, and young. Very appropriately named. In life this is one
of oiu- most attractive Warblers. The cheerful song and alert ways
of this little bird are very pleasing to any one who essays to study
its habits.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Surber says of this species in Greenbrier
County, "A rare summer resident. Have found one nest contain-
ing four eggs of this species." I have found this Warbler breeding
in considerable numbers in the glades of Webster County. In most
parts of the state it appears only as a migrant. One may look for
these graceful little birds about the 2nd day of May. For a fewr
days they remain, then pass on to their breeding grounds. In the
fall they return in the middle of September, then journey on south-
ward with the great Warbler hosts.
Xest — In bushes a few feet up. I found a nest in Webster County
that was built in a Clammy Azalea bush that was then in full
bloom. The surroundings of the nest were most beautiful.
Food — "It is very destructive to many injurious beetles an-1
caterpillars, being one of the most active consumers of leaf eating
insects. " (Weed and Dearborn) ".
660. Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica casianea) . Male and
female. The colors of this Warbler are iruch like those of tho
Chestnut-sided Warbler. A rare bird in most localities, but i\
species of great interest.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to Newfoundland.
W. Va. Dist. — Seen in our state onlv as a migrant. Alwavs
50 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
rather rare, though I have seen a great many in some autumn ini-
.gration seasons.
Nest — Up several feet in coniferous trees. Breeds in extreme
northern United States and northward.
Food — Such insects as live in the tops of coniferous trees.
661. Black-poll Warbler (Dendroica striata). Male and female.
A modestly colored species, but most beautiful when seen moving'
about gracefully in the green tree tops. Langille says of the song
of this northern Warbler, ''There is a peculiar soft and tinkling
sweetness in this melody, suggestive of the quiet mysteries of the
forest, and sedative as an anodyne to the nerves."
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to the Rocky Moun-
tains, north to Greenland, the Barren Grounds, and Alaska.
W. Va. Dist. — This species appears in our section only as it passes
from its breeding grounds in the far north to its winter home in
South America. In the spring it is not often observed as it passes
through this latitude quite hurriedly, but in the fall great numbers
•of the young may be seen in the woods, and they linger, sometimes,
for several weeks.
Nest— Generally placed in a low spruce tree. Four to five speck-
led eggs.
Food — Plant lice and other insects. Feeding habits not well
known.
662. Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica Uackburniac) . Adult
male and female. Few birds are more richly colored than th's
species.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to Kansas, and north
to Labrador.
W. Va. Dist. — A rather common migrant. It is quite possible
that this species breeds in our mountains, but I have never found
it there in the breeding season. Mr. Edward A. Preble found the
Blackburnian Warbler in the mountains of western Maryland in
June and July, 1899.
Nest — In coniferous trees some distance from the ground.
Food — Insects. Very little has been recorded concerning the food
• of this species.
663. Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica). Male
and female.
1908] BIBDS. 51
Geog. Dist. — Southeastern United States, as far north as Mary-
land.
W. Va. Dist. — ^Ir. Doan says he found this species in considerable
numbers along the head-waters of Middle Fork River. Scott re-
ports that a male and female were taken by Mr. W. S. Edwards in
Kanawha County some years ago.
Nest — In tall trees. No record of the breeding of this species
In W. Va.
Food — As in the case of so many of our Warblers, very little
accurate information has been gathered concerning their feeding
habits. Of course all the birds of this family feed principally
upon insects, but the exact economic status of the various species
is not known. Said to gather most of their iood from the extremi-
ties of limbs, among the pine needles which grow there.
667. Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens). Male
and female. The black on the throat of the male is not well defined
till bird is mature. A common and very pretty species.
Greog. Dist. — Eastern North America, west to the Plains, and
north to Hudson Bay Territory.
W. Va. Dist. — A common migrant. In the mountains the bird
remains throughout the summer and breeds.
Nest — In tall tree. Breeds in our state.
Food — Caterpillars, curculios and other beetles, small bugs, vari-
ous Plymenoptera, small locusts, and cankerworms are recorded
as the common food of this Warbler.
671. Pine Warbler (Dendroica vigorsii). A pair of adults.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Recorded from this state by Brewster, Doan. and
Eifrig. I have observed this species occasionally, but not often.
Nest — Far up in tall trees, mostly coniferous trees. Four to five
spotted eggs.
Food — Weed and Dearborn say, "It is undoubtedly the particu-
lar guardian of the pines, about which it remains until very late
in the season, for it feeds mainly on insects that infest pine trees.
It is able to subsist to some extent on the seeds of pines."
672a. Yellow Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum hypoclinj-
sea). Male and female adult. More than most of the Warblers,
this spoeies is found along fences and in open fields. May bo roadilv
recognized by the constant wag of its tail.
52 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Atlantic States, north to Hudson Bay. ^
W. Va. Dist. — Quite common in the migration seasons. It is
probable that both the Palm Warbler and the Yellow Palm Warbler
may yet be reported from this state. Indeed, I am inclined to
believe that the most common form found in this state is D. pal-
marum*
Nest — On or near the ground. Breeds far to the north.
Food — Such insects as are found in its haunts.
673. Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor). Adult male and
female.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Reported by Doan and E if rig. Apparently rare
in this state.
Nest — In bushes on sunny hill-sides. Breeds from Florida to
Michigan.
Food — Insects. I find no careful notes on food habits of this,
species.
674. Oven-bird (Seiurus aurocapillus) . Male and female adm L
Often called ''Golden-crowned Thrush*". Sings a very attractive
aerial song, though its more common vocal performance has little
merit.
Geog.. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to the Hudson Bay
Territory and Alaska.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in all parts of the state. Last sum-
mer (1908) I found an adult with young just from the nest near
the summit of Spruce Knob.
Nest— An oven-shaped affair on the ground in open woods. Eggs,
four to five. A very common bird in our state in the breeding sea-
son.
Food — Feeding on the ground, it picks up many grubs and other
insects that infest the lower shrubbery.
675. Water-Thrush (Seiurus novcboraaensis) . Male and female
adult. A thrush-like Warbler that is much more common farther
north than in this latitude.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, west to Illinois, and north
to Arctic America.
W. .Va. Dist. — This species has been recorded from this state by
Brewster, Scott, Surber, and Doan. I have seen this northern
1908} BIRDS. 53
Water-Thrush but once in. the state. In the spring of 1905 I had the
opportunity of studying one, for an hour or more, that was flying
and singing along a small stream in a large tract of woodland near
Waverly.
Xest — Generally in a mossy bank. Breeds from northern United
States northward.
Food — Insects that are found along water-courses.
676. Louisiana Water-Thrush (Seiurus motacilla). One adult.
Compare carefully this and the preceding species. The great
Audubon considered this bird to be the best of American songsters.
G-eog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to Southern New Eng-
land.
AY. Ara. Dist. — Very common along all streams. The wagging
of the tail, the sharp, loud chirp, and the clear, thrilling song are
well-known to all who have observed this bird. Rather rare in the
mountains though I have found it in the Yew Mountains.
Xest — In the banks along streams. Nests commonly in this state.
Food — Insects which are to be found along streams and on the
muddy banks of pools.
677. Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosa). One pair of
adults.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, but not very far north.
AV. Va. Dist. — Very common in the lower wooded regions of tho
state.
Xest — Made of dry grasses and weed stalks, on the ground. Four
to five very beautiful eggs.
Food — Ground insects.
678. Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis). One adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and Southern Canada.
W. A^a. Dist. — One of the rarest of our Warblers.
X"est — On the ground. Has been found breeding in Manitoba.
Food — Terrestrial insects, and such species as are found in
swampy places.
679. Mourning AVarbler (Oporornis Philadelphia). One male.
Comj^are carefully with the two preceding species.
\Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America to the Plains.
W. Va. Dist. — For some years this species had been classed as
54 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
a rare migrant in our state, but Dr. Rives found numbers of them
in the mountains about Davis in the summer of 1897. I found tin's
interesting species breeding on Spruce Knob in June, 1908. On
June 18, I saw Mourning Warblers feeding their young which had
just left the nest.
Nest — In briars or weed thickets near the ground.
Food — Feeds on insects, but the character of its insect food has
not been studied with any care.
681. Maryland Yellow-throat (GeoMypis trichas). Male and
female adults.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — This bird has been reported from almost all parts-
of the state, but in certain sections is called rare. In central W.
Va. it is quite common in localities where there are many streams
and much meadow land. Exceedingly abundant in the glades of
Webster County. The song of the Maryland Yellow-throat is the
most characteristic song of the glade region, unless it be that of th^
Song Sparrow.
Nest — Often found in a tussock of grass or in like situation, near
the ground. Breeds abundantly in some sections of the state.
Food — Destroys many leaf hoppers and grasshoppers and oth^r
insects that are harmful to grass-lands. A very useful bird.
683. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens). Male and female
adults. The peculiar song of this species should be known by every
boy and girl in West Virginia. This species is to be seen in briar
fields and in the edges of woodland. One of our largest Warblers.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, as far north as Ontario.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common in all pats of this state outside of
the more elevated portions.
Nest — In some thicket, or bunch of briars. Common breeder in
W. Va.
Food — Insects which infest shrubbery.
684. Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrinu}. Pair.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States as far north as southern New
England.
W. Va. Dist. — Most students of the birds of West Virginia hav^
called this a very common species. However, it is not generally
19GS] BIRDS. 55
known. Like so many of these beautiful Warblers, persons, gener-
ally, are unfamiliar with its great beauty and usefulness.
Xest — I have found a number of the nests of this Warbler. They
are placed, as a usual thing, rather low in the crotch of a bush of
some kind.
Food — Woodland insects.
685. Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla). A pair of adults.
Sometimes called the Black-capped Fly-catching Warbler.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to Hudson Bay, Labra-
dor, and Alaska.
W. Va. Dist. — Known in this state only as a rare migrant.
Xest — On the ground. Breeds north of the United States, a few
nesting in northern Maine.
Food — I have no food record of this species. Often flies inlo
the air and catches insects on the wing.
686. Canadian Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis). Male and fe-
male. This species may be recognized always by the necklace of
black spots across the breast.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north to Newfoundland and
Athabasca.
AY. Va. Dist. — In most parts of the state a rather common migrant.
In the mountain section it remains through the summer to breed.
Xest — On the ground under some root or tuft of moss. Nests
in this state.
Food — Insects.
687. American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). Male and fe-
male. Note the decided difference in the colors. This pretty bird
is to be found along streams in the deep woods.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, far to the north.
W. Va. Dist. — Abundant in most parts of the state. Not found
in the mountains.
Nest — In the crotch of a sapling.
Food — "Apparently there are few forest insects that do not. iit
some forms, fall a prey to the Redstart. It takes its prey from
trunk, limbs, leaves, and from the air. Destroys some useful para-
sitic Hymenoptera. ' '
703. Mockingbird (Mimuspolyglottos). Male and female. From
these specimens and the specimens of the two species following.
5G WEST VIRGINIA. [W. VA.
learn the real difference between the true Mockingbird and those
species with which it is often confused.
Geog. Dist. — Southern United States.
AY. Va. Dist. — Extremely rare in the northern part of the state.
Occasionally seen in the southern parts of West Virginia.
Xest — In thickets.
Food— So much has been said of the song of this species that one
does not often think of its food. Weed and Dearborn say. "Its
food appears to be much like that of the other thrushes, consisting
of about equal portions of insects and various wild and cultivated
fruits. The young appear to be fed chiefly upon insects, among
which the moth of the cotton-boll-worm deserves special mention.''
704. Catbird (Dumatella carolitiensis). Male and female,
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States and British Provinces.
W. Va. Dist. — An abundant species in all parts of the state.
Found along streams, even hi<rh up in the mountains.
Xest — In thickets or in trees of thick foliage. Eggs, three 1 :>
five, dark greenish blue.
Food — Often destroys much fruit, and yet the species is not
altogether harmful. It has been suggested that the planting ,,£
wild fruit trees or such varieties as the Russian mulberry will pro-
tect the finer cultivated varieties from these fruit-loving birds.
Weed and Dearborn say, "We have no doubt that, on the whole, tho
benefit which it does is much greater than the harm, and iis destruc-
tion should never be permitted except when necessary to save
precious crops."
705. Brown Thrasher (Hari.onjHcliHx rnfus). Male and female,
adults. Often called "Mockingbird"' or "French Mockingbird.''
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to Maine.
W. Va.' Dist.— Very common in the less elevated parts of tho
state.
Xest — In heaps of brush, thickets, or on an old rail fence. Uarely
on the ground. Breeds abundantly in this section.
Food — Eats wild and cultivated fruits. A great destroyer oP
insects of many kinds. A vcrv beneficial bird.
«
718. Carolina. Wren (ThrtjoiJiorus ludoviciaiius}. Male and
female. A fine songster, as are all the wrens.
f
1908] BIRDS. 57
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to southern New York.
W. Va. Dist. — Exceedingly common in all parts of the state that
I have visited. Is to be found well up on the sides of the moun-
tains, though I have not found it on the summits of our loftier
ranges. Very abundant along the Ohio and its larger tributaries.
Xest — Most often bill It in crevices about buildings, or in holes
in trees, stumps, or logs. I have found this species nesting in dwell-
ing-houses.
Food — Many kinds of destructive insects.
721. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon}. One adult specimen.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, more common towards the
north.
W. Va. Dist. — Xot found more than a few miles west of the sum-
mit of the Alleghenies. On top of the mountains, it is quite com-
mon. "West of the mountains, this species is replaced by the abun-
dant Bewick's Wren.
Xest — In a hole in a tree, bird-house, or crevice. Last summer I
found a nest at Osceola in a crevice in an old spruce root, out in
the open field.
Food — Its diet is exclusively insectivorous. Feeds principally
upon the insects that are very destructive to orchard and garden
plants, shrubbery, and trees.
722. Winter Wren (Xannu* liicnwlis}. Male and female.
This is our smallest Wren. A most delightful songster. At Horto.i,
in June 1908, I heard the Winter Wren, House Wren, Bewick's
Wren, and Carolina Wren all singing at the same time.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern Xorth America generally.
W. Va. Dist. — In the lower altitudes in the state this tiny bird :s
found only in winter. In the mountains, from 3.500 ft. up, it re-
mains to breed.
Xest — In . the up-turned roots of a tree, in piles of brush, arid
sometimes in a pocket of moss on the side of a tree. Five to seven
speckled eggs. I have found two nests of the Winter Wren in tho
spruce woods above Pickens. Randolph County.
Food — Woodland insects.
T'^5. Long-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorus pahistris). Male
and female adults.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Mr. Doan says he observed this species along the
58 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Ohio and Great Kanawha Rivers. In four years' residence on tlie
banks of the Ohio River I did not see a single specimen of this
Marsh Wren.
Nest — Among reeds or bushes.
Food — Said to feed upon insects, spiders, and snails.
726. Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris fusca). Two specimens.
The name of this bird is a good description of it. Can not be mis-
taken for any other species.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall. In
the mountains it s occurs in the summer months, and probably
breeds there.
Nest — Placed behind the loose bark of trees. Five to eight
spotted eggs.
Food — Very few precise determinations of its food have been
made. Feeds upon insects that are found upon the bark of trees.
727. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) . Pair of
adults.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from Georgia northward.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in all parts of the state, less so in moun-
tains.
Nest — In a hole in tree. Five to eight beautiful eggs. Nests-
in this state.
Food — Grains, seeds, and insects. This species destroys many
insects in the egg or larva? stage. Feeding constantly upon the
insects that are to be found on the bark of trees, it must be that
many harmful species, such as Scolytids and other tree and bark-
boring insects, are eaten. This bird is especially useful in the
winter as it goes over the tree trunks searching every nook and
cranny.
728. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) . Main and fe-
male adults. To be distinguished most carefully from the preced-
ing. A rare bird outside of the mountains. .
Geog. Dist. — North America at large.
W. V. Dist. — As suggested .above, this bird is rare in West Vir-
ginia excepting in the higher elevations, where it may be found in-
considerable numbers, in the breeding season. The nasal yanli i/nuk
of this species is a common sound in the black spruce forests in the
Allegheny Mountains.
1908] BIRDS. 59-
Nest — In hole in a tree. Breeds in West Virginia.
Food — Much the same as in preceding species.
729. Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). A pair.
Geog. Dist.— South Atlantic and G-ulf States.
W. Ya. Dist. — No positive records of the occurrence of this species
in West Virginia.
Nest — In hole in tree or stump.
Food — Insects.
»
731. Tufted Titmouse (Parus bicolor). One specimen. Sexes
alike. A species that will repay careful study.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, from New Jersey and Penn-
sylvania southward.
W. Va. Dist. — In all the central, southern, and western part of
this state, this is one of the most abundant species. Rather rare in
the mountains.
Nest — Often in deserted Woodpecker's holes.
Food — It seems to me that this is one of our most useful birds,
though I have not gone into the study of its food habits with special
care. This birds feeds constantly about shrubbery, and often comes
into our yards, orchards, and gardens where it works unceasingly
in its search for insects. My observations lead me to believe that it
destroys great numbers of the eggs and larvae of injurious insects.
It would be well worth the while if some West Virginian would work
out the food habits of this bird, which is so common in our state.
735. Chickadee (Penthestes atricapillus) . Male and female
adult.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, north of the Potomac and
Ohio Valleys.
W. Va. Dist. — Found only in the mountains. A very similar
species, the Carolina Chickadee, is abundant in the lower elevations
of the state. I have found some specimens that seemed to be inter-
mediate between the two species.
Nest — In a hole in stumps or trees. Breeds in our mountains.
Have taken young only a few day from the nest.
Food — Eggs of plant lice make up more than one-fifth of the
food of these birds in the winter months. A single bird, in one day,
has been known to eat more than four hundred and fifty eggs of
plant lice. Very useful in destroying other harmful insects anl
CO WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
their eggs. The Chickadees ought to be protected most carefully,
and should be encouraged to build about our homes.
748. Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa). Two specimens.
This dimunitive bird is well named. Compare with the following
species.
Geog. Dist. — North America Generally.
W. Va. Di'St. — Yery common in the migration seasons and in the
winter months. Last summer I took a specimen of this bird on the
top of Spruce Knob. I have reason to believe that this species was
breeding there.
Nest — Usually built high up in coniferous trees. Supposed to
breed in this state.
Food — Minute forest insects.
749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). One speci-
men in the collection. Neither one of the two species of Kinglets
is often observed by the untrained student of birds. Strange that
such attractive birds as both these are should not be better known !
The Ruby-crown is even less conspicious than the Golden-crown.
Geog. Dist. — North America.
W. Ya. Dist. — Yery common in orchards and open woodlands in
the time of spring and fall migrations. The best time to become
acquainted with this little Kinglet is in the last days of April
when apple trees are in full bloom. Several are sure to be foun<l
about any orchard, and there the exquisite song and the quaint
little scolding notes may be heard.
Nest — Builds its nest in evergreen trees of the northern forests.
Food— Insects, especially those that are found about young and
tender leaves, and blossoms.
751. Blue-gray Gnatcateher (Polioptila cacnilca). Adult and
young. Looks like a small Mockingbird. A very interesting bird
of the forests and orchards.
Geog. Dist. — Middle and southern portions of the eastern United
States.
W. Ya, Dist. — I have found this bird in great numbers in almost
every section of the state. Not found in the mountains. Being a
bird of southern distribution, one finds it oftenest in the Caroliniaa
and Transition life zones.
1908] BIRDS. 61
Nest — Kesembles the nest of a hummingbird, though, of course,
it is larger. Like a bunch of lichens on a limb.
Focd — Eats great quantities of insects about trees of all sprts
AVithout the help of such birds, all our trees would soon be de-
foliated by the insects.
755. Wood Thrush (Hylocichla musfclina}. One specimen.
Sexes nearly alike. One of our best songsters.
Geog. Dist.— Eastern United States.
W. Va. Dist. — Very common. Rather rare in the mountains.
Nest — In a sapling a few feet from the ground.
Food — Eats many insects and a little fruit. Some times eats-
rose beetles. Very useful birds.
756. "Wilson 's Thrush (Hylocichla fiiscescens). Two specimens.
Of all our songbirds, I think this is the most musical. The song
of this species is not often heard outside of the spruce forests in
the higher Alleghenies. One must study these thrushes very care-
fully in order to distinguish them in life. I have found it very dif-
ficult to learn the several thrushes that are to be found within our
state.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States, north to Newfoundland.
W. Va. Dist. — To find this bird in our state one must go to tin-
mountains, though it may be seen elsewhere in the spring and fall
migration periods. Quite common in the higher parts.
Xest — On or near the ground. .One found in the Spruce
Mountains last summer (1908). was built on a log. Beautiful eggs.
Focd — Forest insects. Some wild fruit.
758a. Olive-backed Thrush (Hylociclila ustulata swainsonn\
Male and female.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, sometimes westward to the
Pacific.
W. Va. Dist. — A common migrant. A rare broeder in the moun-
tains of this state.
Nest — In bushes a few feet up. Speckled eggs.
Food — Forest insects.
759b. Hermit Thrush (Uj/locicMa aonalaschkae paUasii^ . Two
spocimens. Sometimes called £wamp Angel. Thrush I have* heard
the song but once. I am ready to join with others who speak of it r.--
most beautiful.
<G2 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America.
W. Va. Dist. — Rather rare migrant, though I usually see several
each season. Sometimes they linger, in protected places in the
woods, till near the close of November, before passing on southward.
Preble reports this species as having been found in western Mary-
land in the summer months. It may yet be found breeding in
some of our higher mountains.
Nest — On the ground.
Food — Like that of other woodland thrushes.
761. American Robin (Planesticus migrat&rius) . Male and fe-
male. A very common bird that needs no description.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern North America, to the Rocky Mountains,
including eastern Mexico and Alaska,
W. Va. Dist. — Common throughout the state.
Nest — In orchard and woodland trees. Blue eggs.
Food — Many kinds of insects. Some fruit both wild and culti-
vated. It pays to protect the Robin, from both an economic an«l
an esthetic standpoint.
766. Bluebird (Sialia sialis). Male and female. As in all
young thrushes, the young of this species have a speckled breast.
Geog. Dist. — Eastern United States to the eastern base of the
Rocky Mountains, north to Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
W. Va. Dist. — Common in most parts of the state. Sometimes
remains over winter. Not often seen up in the mountains.
Nest — In a hole in stump, or old dead tree. Sometimes in bird-
houses.
Food — "It is a persistent foe of Orthoptera," (Forbush) Grass-
Tioppers constitute nearly 22 per cent of its food.
1908] SCENES. 63
DESCRIPTION OF PICTURES.
No. 1. Home of S. W. Moore— in Winter— Mason County, W. Va.
" 2. Ben Davis in Wilderness Orchard,
Allegheny Orchard Company, Berkeley Co., West Vir-
ginia.
3. Six Year Old Apple Orchard with Peach Trees as Fillers.
S. W. Moore, Mason County. West Virginia.
" 4. Hay Crop on Station Farm. Morgantown, West Virginia.
" 5. A Typical Shaped Ben Davis Apple Tree.
" 6. Rocky Orchard — Limestone — Dr. Border, Jefferson Co.,
W. Va.
7. THE ORIGINAL GRIMES GOLDEN APPLE TREE,
THE FAMOUS WEST VIRGINIA SEEDLING,
ORIGINATED ON THE FARM OF THOMAS
GRIMES, BROOKE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
" 8. Undrained Glades Showing Heavy Growth of Ferns,
Preston County, West Virginia.
" 9. • The Falls of the Little Black Water, Tucker County,
W. Va.
" 10. The Miller Peach Orchard, Berkeley County, West Vir-
ginia.
tl 11. Tobacco Growing on Drained Glade Land, Preston Co.,
W. Va.
" 12. One Way to Keep the Boy on the Farm. Upshur County,
W. Va.
" 13. Apple Picking, Brown Brothers, Hancock County, W. Va.
" 14. Poultry on Station Farm, Morgautown, West Virginia.
" 15. Hay Field. Station Farm, Morgantown, West Virginia.
" 16. Trilliums and Old Log, French Creek, Upshur County,
W. Va.
" 17. Melon Field in the Ohio Valley, West Virginia,
" 18. A Loaded York Imperial, Buckhart's Orchard, Berkeley
Co., W. Va,
" 19. Drained Glades, Preston County, West Virginia.
" 20. Geese in West Virginia.
C4 WEST VIRGINIA [W. VA.
No. 21. Buckwheat Fieldz Near Reedsville, Preston County. "W.
Va.
" 22. Vineyard, F. E. Brooks, Upshur County, West Virginia,
. " 23. Apple Orchard Showing Cover Crop of Cow Peas,
J. N. Thatcher, Berkeley County, West Virginia.
" 24. Birds Eye View of H. C. Brenneman's Orchard, Han-
cock Co., W. Va.
' ' 25. Preparing for Harvest, Jefferson County, West Virginia.
" 26. Dairy Herd, Experiment Farm, Morgantown, West Vir-
ginia.
" 27. Onions on Reclaimed Glade Land, Preston County, West
Va.
" 28. Bye in Shock, Experiment Station, Morgantown, West
Va.
" 29. Undrained Glades Showing Ferns and Wild Flowers,
Preston Co.
11 30. Cabbage on Reclaimed Glade Lands, Preston Co., West
Virginia.
" 31. Looking Up Cheat River, Camp Eden, Near Morgahtowu,
W. Va.
" 32. Hopkins South Down Sheep, Wood County, West Vir-
ginia.
" 33. Glade Land Showing Farm Scene, Preston Co., West
Virginia.
" 34. A Flood Scene on the Ohio River, Mason County, West
Virginia.
" 35. Haying on the Experiment Farm, Morgantown, West
Virginia,
". 36. Trilliums in the Woods of Upshur County, West Virginia.
" 37. Green Mountain Grape, Vineyard of F. E. Brooks, Upshur
Co., W. Va.
" 38. Buckwheat Plats, Experiment Farm, Morgantown, West
Virginia.
" 39. Looking Down Cheat River from Camp Eden, Near
Morgantown, W. Va,
" 40. S. W. Moore's Cove Orchard Showing Peach and Apple
6 years Old. Mason County, West Virginia.
'.' 41. Thorn Trees Pruned by Cattle, Top of the Allegheny
Mts., Grant Co. W. Va.
" 42. Oaks Near MorgantoAvn, West Virginia.
1908] SCENES. 65
No. 43. Old Wind-fall Spruce Forest, "Webster County, Wesi
Virginia.
" 44. Thrasher's and Williams' Galloways, Greenbrier Co., W.
Vs.
11 45. Looking Up the Monongahela River from West Virginia
University, 'Morgantown, W. Va.
" 46. Scene on Cheat River, Preston Co., West Virginia.
" 47. Cheat River and Mountains Near Morgantown, West Vir-
ginia.
' ' 48. Dr. Border 's York Imperial Orchard, Jefferson Co.,W. Va.
" 49. S. W. Moore's Cove Orchard When Fillers Were Being
Cut Out, Mason County, West Virginia.
" 50. Scene on the Greenbrier River, West Virginia.
" 51. Miller Peach Orchard, North Mountain in the Distance,
Berkeley County, West Virginia.
" 52. "Where Time Has Slumbered", Nicholas County, West
Virginia.
" 53. Williams' and Thrasher's Herd of Galloways, Greenbrier
Co.
" 54. Home of S. W. Moore — Summer — Mason County., West
Virginia.
" 55. Grimes Golden Tree, of Alex Clohan Along Pike near
Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., W. Va,
" 56. Distant View of Greenland Gap, Grant County, West Vir-
ginia.
" 93. Male and Female Baltimore Oriole.
94. A pair of Ruffed Grouse, commonly called "Pheasant''.
" 95. Two pairs of Bob-whites.
96. Pair of Chickadees: pair of Orchard Orioles.
97. Pair of Downy Woodpeckers; pair of Hairy Wood-
peckers ; pair of Flickers ; one Red-bellied Woodpecker.
" 98. Pair of Turtle Doves.
99. Pair Carolina Wrens; pair Black-billed Cuckoos; two
Screech owls (showing red and gray phase).
" 100. Pair of Meadowlarks.
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