diff options
Diffstat (limited to '30000.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 30000.txt | 21923 |
1 files changed, 21923 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/30000.txt b/30000.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79f1110 --- /dev/null +++ b/30000.txt @@ -0,0 +1,21923 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bird Book, by Chester A. Reed + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bird Book + Illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred + North American birds; also several hundred photographs of + their nests and eggs + +Author: Chester A. Reed + +Release Date: September 15, 2009 [EBook #30000] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIRD BOOK *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Renald Levesque and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at +http://www.pgdpcanada.net (This file was produced from +images generously made available by The Internet +Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: + +Page numbers have been retained for easier references. As a result, +pages are not concatenated; a few pages will end without punctuation, +and the following page will start in lower case. + +Inconsistencies in the numbering sequence have been retained. + +The illustration descriptions have been regrouped at the end of each +page. Where the description only states a color, it should be understood +as an "egg color". +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + + +Page 1 + +THE BIRD BOOK +[Illustration: 003] + +Page 2 + +[Illustration: 004 +PASSENGER OR WILD PIGEON +Female. Male. Young.] + +Page 3 + +THE BIRD BOOK + +ILLUSTRATING IN NATURAL COLORS +MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED +NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS; +ALSO SEVERAL HUNDRED +PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR +NESTS AND EGGS + +BY + +CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +[Illustration 005: Printer's Mark.] + +GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK +DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY + +1915 + +Page 4 + +_Copyright, 1914, by_ +CHARLES K. REED + +_All rights reserved, including that of +translation into foreign languages, +including the Scandinavian._ + +Page 5 + +[Illustration 007: BARN OWL.] + +Page 6 + +[Illustration 008: TOPOGRAPHY OF A BIRD.] + +Page 7 + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + +Diving Birds. Order I. Pygopodes 10 + Grebes. Family Colymbidae 11 + Loons. Family Gaviidae 17 + Auks, Murres and Puffins. Family Alcidae 21 + +Long-winged Swimmers. Order II. Longipennes 35 + Skuas and Jaegers. Family Stercoraridae 35 + Gulls and Terns. Family Laridae 38 + Skimmers. Family Rynchopidae 58 + +Tube-nosed Swimmers. Order III. Tubinares 59 + Albatrosses. Family Diomedeidae 59 + Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels. Family Procellariidae 61 + +Totipalmate Swimmers. Order IV. Steganopodes 72 + Tropic Birds. Family Phaethontidae 72 + Gannets. Family Sulidae 74 + Darters. Family Anhingidae 77 + Cormorants. Family Phalacrocoracidae 78 + Pelicans. Family Pelecanidae 83 + Man-o'-War Birds. Family Fregatidae 86 + +Lamellirostral Swimmers. Order V. Anseres 87 + Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family Anatidae 87 + +Lamellirostral Grallatores. Order VI. Odontoglossae 115 + Flamingoes. Family Phoenicopteridae 115 + +Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Order VII. Herodiones 115 + Spoonbills. Family Plataleidae 115 + Ibises. Family Ibididae 117 + Storks and Wood Ibises. Family Ciconiidae 118 + Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidae 119 + +Cranes, Rails, etc. Order VIII. Paludicolae 127 + Cranes. Family Gruidae 127 + Courlans. Family Aramidae 129 + Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Rallidae 131 + +Shore Birds. Order IX. Limicolae 137 + Phalaropes. Family Phalaropodidae 137 + Avocets and Stilts. Family Recurvirostridae 139 + Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. Family Scolopacidae 140 + Plovers. Family Charadriidae 161 + Surf Birds and Turnstones. Family Aphrizidae 169 + Oyster-catchers. Family Haematopodidae 170 + Jacanas. Family Jacanidae 172 + +Gallinaceous Birds. Order X. Gallinae 175 + Grouse, Partridges, etc. Family Odontophoridae 175 + Turkeys. Family Meleagridae 178 + Curassows and Guans. Family Cracidae 191 + +Page 8 + +Pigeons. Order XI. Columbae 192 + Pigeons. Family Columbidae 192 + +Birds of Prey. Order XII. Raptores 198 + American Vultures. Family Cathartidae 198 + Hawks, Eagles, etc. Family Buteonidae 201 + Falcons, etc. Family Falconidae 218 + Osprey. Family Pandionidae 225 + Barn Owls. Family Aluconidae 227 + Owls. Family Strigidae 227 + +Parrots, Paroquets. Order XIII. Psittaci 241 + Parrots and Paroquets. Psittacidae 241 + +Cuckoos, etc. Order XIV. Coccyges 241 + Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Family Cuculidae 241 + Trogons. Family Trogonidae 246 + Kingfishers. Family Alcedinidae 247 + +Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Order XV. Pici 249 + Woodpeckers. Family Picidae 249 + +Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Order XVI. Macrochires 262 + Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidae 263 + Swifts. Family Micropodidae 268 + Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidae 271 + +Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280 + Cotingas. Family Cotingidae 280 + Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidae 280 + Larks. Family Alaudidae 297 + Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidae 300 + Starlings. Family Sturnidae 314 + Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridae 314 + Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidae 324 + Tanagers. Family Tangaridae 369 + Swallows. Family Hirundinidae 372 + Waxwings. Family Bombycillidae 375 + Shrikes. Family Laniidae 376 + Vireos. Family Vireonidae 378 + Honey Creepers. Family Coerebidae 385 + Warblers. Family Mniotiltidae 385 + Wagtails. Family Motacillidae 418 + Dippers. Family Cinclidae 419 + Wrens. Family Troglodytidae 423 + Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidae 429 + Creepers. Family Certhiidae 430 + Nuthatches. Family Sittidae 431 + Titmice. Family Paridae 431 + Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidae 433 + Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidae 442 +Index 450 + +Page 9 + +[Illustration 011: BALTIMORE ORIOLE.] + + + + +Page 10 + +THE BIRD BOOK + +DIVING BIRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES + +GREBES. Family COLYMBIDAE + +Grebes are birds having a ducklike body, but with pointed bills. Their +feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate +web, and having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the +size of the body, making it impossible for them to rise in flight from +the land. They rise from the water by running a few yards along the +surface until they have secured sufficient headway to allow them to +launch themselves into the air. After having risen from the water their +flight is very swift and strong. On land they are very awkward and can +only progress by a series of awkward hops; they generally lie flat on +their breasts, but occasionally stand up, supporting themselves upon +their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most expert +aquatic birds that we have, diving like a flash and swimming for an +incredible distance under water. + +Page 11 + +1. WESTERN GREBE. _Aechmophorus occidentalis_. + +Range.--Western parts of North America, from southern Alaska southward; +east to Minnesota and south in winter to the southern parts of the +United States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and northern +California northward. These are the largest of the American Grebes; +owing to their unusually long necks, they are frequently called "Swan +Grebes." They are very timid birds and conceal themselves in the rushes +on the least suspicion of danger. At times, to escape observation, they +will entirely submerge their body, leaving only their head and part of +the long neck visible above the water. This Grebe cannot be mistaken for +any other because of the long slender neck and the long pointed bill, +which has a slight upward turn. They nest abundantly in the marshes of +North Dakota and central Canada. Their nests are made of decayed rushes, +and are built over the water, being fastened to the rushes so that the +bottom of the nest rests in the water. The nesting season is at its +height during the latter part of May. They lay from three to five eggs, +the ground color of which is a pale blue; this color is, however, always +concealed by a thin chalky deposit, and this latter is frequently +stained to a dirty white. Size 2.40 x 1.55. + + +2. HOLBOELL'S GREBE. _Colymbus holboellii._ + +Range.--Throughout North America, breeding from northern United States +northward and wintering from the middle to the southern portions of the +United States. In regard to size this Grebe comes next to the Western, +being 19 in. in length. This bird can be distinguished by the white +cheeks and throat and the reddish brown foreneck. They breed abundantly +in the far north placing their floating islands of decayed vegetation in +the water in the midst of the marsh grass. They lay from three to six +eggs of a dingy white color which have the stained surface common to +Grebes eggs. Size 2.35 x 1.25. + +[Illustration 013: Chalky bluish white, stained buff.] +[Illustration: Western Grebe Holboell's Grebe.] +[Illustration: White, stained buff.] +[Illustration: Right-hand margin.] + +Page 12 + +[Illustration 014: Walter Raine +NEST AND EGGS OF HOLBOELL'S GREBE +Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba.] + +Page 13 + +3. HORNED GREBE. Colymbus auritus. + +Range.--The whole of North America, breeding in the interior from North +Dakota northwest; winters along the Gulf Coast. This species is one of +the most beautiful of the Grebes, having in the breeding season buffy +ear tufts, black cheeks and throat, and chestnut neck, breast and sides. +They breed abundantly in the marshy flats of North Dakota and the +interior of Canada. They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass +of decayed matter which stains the naturally white eggs to a dirty +brown. The number of eggs varies from three to seven. Size 1.70 x 1.15. +Data.--Devils Lake, N. Dakota, June 20, 1900. 6 eggs much stained. Nest +floating in 4 ft. of water, a large mass of rotten rushes and weeds. +Collector. James Smalley. + + +4. EARED GREBE. _Colymbus nigricollis californicus._ + +Range.--North America west of the Mississippi, breeding from Texas to +Manitoba and wintering along the Pacific Coast of the United States and +from Texas southward. + +Eared Grebes differ from the preceding in having the entire neck +blackish. They nest very abundantly throughout the west, in favorable +localities, from Texas to Minnesota and Dakota. Their nests are +constructed in the same manner as the preceding varieties and are +located in similar localities. As do all the Grebes when leaving the +nest, they cover the eggs with the damp rushes from around the base of +the nest. This is probably for the purpose of assisting incubation +during their absence, by the action of the sun's rays on the wet mass. +As they are nearly always thus covered upon the approach of anyone, this +may be done also as a protection from discovery. They lay from three to +eight bluish white eggs with the usual chalky and discolored appearance. +The breeding season is at its height early in June, or earlier, in the +southern portion of its range. Size 1.75 x 1.20. Data.--Artesian, S. +Dakota, June 21, 1899. Nest of rushes, floating in three feet of water. +Large colony in a small lake. Collector, F. A. Patton. + +[Illustration 015: Horned Grebe. Eared Grebe.] +[Illustration: Buffy white, nest stained.] +[Illustration: Bluish white, stained.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 14 + +[Illustration 016: Walter Raine +NEST AND EGGS OF HORNED GREBE +Saltcoats Marshes, Assiniboia, June 6, 1901.] +[Illustration left margin.] + +Page 15 + +5. MEXICAN GREBE. _Colymbus dominicus brachypterus._ + +Range.--Southern Texas and Lower California southward to South America, +breeding throughout its range. + +The Least Grebe is by far the smallest of the Grebes in this country, +being but 10 in. in length; it can not be mistaken for any other, the +Eared Grebe being the only species of this family found in the same +localities during the summer. These little Grebes nest very abundantly +along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the nesting season lasting from +the latter part of May until well into December. + +Their nests are floating piles of grass and weeds upon which they lay +from three to five chalky white eggs, which are always discolored, +sometimes to a deep chocolate hue. These eggs average a great deal +darker in color than do any of the other Grebes. In a series of fifty +sets fully half were a rich brown tint. Size 1.40 x .95. + + +6. PIED-BILLED GREBE. _Podilymbus podiceps._ + +Range.--From the British provinces southward to Argentine Republic, +breeding locally throughout the northern portions of its range. + +The Dabchick, as this bird is called, is the most evenly distributed +bird of this family. It is nowhere especially abundant, nor is it, +except in a very few localities, regarded as rare. Consequently it is +the best known bird of the species. They do not congregate in such large +numbers as the other Grebes during the nesting season, but one or more +pairs may be found in almost any favorable locality. These birds render +their floating nest a little more substantial than those of the +preceding varieties by the addition of mud which they bring up from the +bottom of the pond; this addition also tends to soil the eggs more, +consequently the eggs of this bird are, as a general rule, browner than +the other Grebes with the exception of the Least. The bird may always be +known by the shape of its bill which is higher than it is broad, and in +the summer is white with a black band across the middle. The throat is +also black at this season. They lay from five to nine eggs commencing +about the middle of May. Size 1.70 x 1.18. + +[Illustration 017: Deep buff or rich brown.] +[Illustration: Mexican Grebe. Pied-billed Grebe.] +[Illustration: Deep buff.] +[Illustration: right-hand margin.] + +Page 16 + +[Illustration 018: PIED-BILLED GREBE.] + +Page 17 + +LOONS. Family GAVIIDAE + +Loons may be likened to gigantic Grebes from which they differ +externally, chiefly in the full webbed foot instead of the individually +webbed toes of the Grebe, and in the sharper, more pointed and +spear-like bill. These birds are similar in their habits to the Grebes, +except that their homes are generally more substantially built and are +placed upon a solid foundation, generally upon an island in some inland +lake. + +Both Loons and Grebes are literally "Water witches," being practically, +and in the case of Grebes, actually, born in the water and living in it +ever afterwards. Loons are strong fliers, but like the Grebes, because +of their small wings they must get their first impetus from the water in +order to rise; in case there is any wind blowing they also make use of +this by starting their flight against it. They are very peculiar birds +and the expression "crazy as a loon" is not a fanciful one, being formed +from their early morning and evening antics when two or more of them +will race over the top of the water, up and down the lake, all the while +uttering their demoniacal laughter. They vie with the Grebes in diving +and disappear at the flash of a gun. + +[Illustration 019: EGG OF LOON. Dark greenish brown.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 18 + +7. LOON. _Gavia immer._ + +Range.--North America north of the Mexican boundary, breeding from the +northern parts of the United States northward. + +Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in colonies, generally not more +than one, or at the most two pairs nesting on the same lake or pond; +neither do they seek the marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell, +preferring the more open, clear bodies of water. The common Loon may be +known in summer by the entirely black head and neck with the complete +ribbon of black and white stripes encircling the lower neck and the +narrower one which crosses the throat. The back is spotted with white. +In some sections Loons build no nest, simply scooping a hollow out in +the sand, while in other places they construct quite a large nest of +sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually placed but a few feet from the +waters edge, so that at the least suspicion the bird can slide off its +eggs into the water, where it can cope with any enemy. The nests are +nearly always concealed under the overhanging bushes that line the +shore; the one shown in the full page illustration, however, was located +upon the top of an old muskrat house. The two eggs which they lay are a +very dark greenish brown in color, with black spots. Size 3.50 x 2.25. +Data.--Lake Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest placed under the bushes +at the waters edge. Made of rushes, weeds and grasses; a large structure +nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins. + + +8. YELLOW-BILLED LOON. _Gavia adamsi._ + +Range.--Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern +Alaskan coasts. + +The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish +bill in place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable +from the common Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one +of the most northerly breeding birds and it is only within a very few +years that anything has been learned about the breeding habits. Their +nesting habits and eggs are precisely like the preceding except that the +latter average a little larger. Size 3.60 x 2.25. + + +9. BLACK-THROATED LOON. _Gavia arctica._. + +Range.--From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic +Coast. + +This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and +white streaks down the back of the neck. Its size, too, is about five +inches shorter. The nesting habits are the same as the Loons and the +eggs have rather more of an olive tint besides having the majority of +spots at the larger end. Size 3.10 x 2.00. + +[Illustration 020: Loon. Black-throated Loon.] +[Illustration: left-hand margin.] + +Page 19 + +10. PACIFIC LOON. _Gavia pacifica._ + +Range.--Western North America along the coast chiefly, breeding from +Alaska south to British Columbia. In winter, south along the coast to +Mexico. + +This species differs from the Black-throated only in the tint of the +head reflections. The habits are the same as those of the other members +of the family. They lay two eggs of a greenish brown or greenish gray +hue with black spots. Size 3.10 x 1.90. Data.--Yukon River, Alaska, June +28, 1902. Nest of rubbish on an island; found by a miner. + + +11. RED-THROATED LOON. _Gavia stellata._ + +Range.--Northern parts of North America, breeding from southern Canada +northward in the interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions +of the United States in winter. + +This is the smallest of the Loon family, being twenty-five inches in +length. In plumage it is wholly unlike any of the other members at all +seasons of the year. In summer the back, head and neck are gray, the +latter being striped with white. A large chestnut patch adorns the front +of the lower part of the neck. In winter the back is spotted with white, +whereas all the others are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits +are identical with the other species; the ground color of the two eggs +is also the same. Size 2.00 x 1.75. + +[Illustration 021: Pacific Loon. Red-throated Loon.] +[Illustration: PACIFIC LOON. Greenish brown or gray.] +[Illustration: right-hand margin.] + +Page 20 + +[Illustration 022: J. A. Munro. +NEST AND EGGS OF LOON. +This nest is built on top of a Muskrat house.] + +Page 21 + +PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES. +Family ALCIDAE + +Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland +when blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers +of them are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with +their feet frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built +birds in appearance, but are very active both on the wing and in the +water. Their wings are much larger comparatively than those of the other +members of this family, so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the +air, which are withheld from the others. They stand upright on the sole +of the foot and are able to walk quite easily on land. Puffins have very +heavy and deep but thin bills, which are entirely unlike those of any +other bird and often give then the name of Parrot Auks. Puffins, Auks +and Murres are otherwise recognized by the presence of but three toes +which are webbed. + +[Illustration 023: NEST AND EGGS OF PIED-BILLED GREBE.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 22 + +12. TUFTED PUFFIN. _Lunda cirrhata._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska southward to southern California, +breeding locally throughout their range. + +Tufted Puffins are the largest of the Puffins. In the breeding plumage, +they are a sooty brownish or black color; the cheeks are white, and a +long tuft of straw colored feathers extends back from each eye; the bill +is bright red and greenish yellow. They breed commonly on the +Farallones, where two or three broods are raised by a bird in a single +season, but much more abundantly on the islands in the north. Their +single eggs are laid in burrows in the ground or else in natural +crevices formed by the rocks. The eggs are pure white or pale buff and +are without gloss. They very often have barely perceptible shell +markings of dull purplish color. The eggs are laid about the middle of +June. Size 2.80 x 1.90. Data.--Farallone Is., May 27, 1887. Single egg +laid in crevice of rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson. + + +13. PUFFIN. _Fratercula arctica arctica._ + +Range.--North Atlantic Coast, breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward. +Winters from breeding range along the New England Coast. + +The common Puffin has the cheeks, chin and underparts white; upper parts +and a band across the throat, blackish. Bill deep and thin, and colored +with red, orange and yellow. They breed in large numbers on Bird Rock in +the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The nest is either among the natural crevices +of the + +[Illustration 024: Tufted Puffin. Puffin.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 23 + +rocks, or in burrows excavated in the ground by the birds. These burrows +vary in length from two and a half to four or five feet. Except upon the +positive knowledge of the absence of the bird, it is a hazardous thing +to put the hand in one of these burrows for the bird can, and will nip +the fingers, sometimes to the bone. They lay but a single egg, usually +dull white and unmarked, but in some cases obscurely marked with reddish +brown. Size 2.50 x 1.75. Data.--So. Labrador, June 23, 1884. Single egg +laid at end of burrow in the ground. Collector, J. H. Jameson. + + +13a. LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. _Fratercula arctica naumanni._ + +A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on +the Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise +indistinguishable from the common species. The eggs are exactly the same +or average a trifle larger. Size 2.55 x 1.80. Data.--Iceland, July 6, +1900. Single egg in hole under a rock. Collector, Chas. Jefferys. + + +14. HORNED PUFFIN. _Fratercula corniculata._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska to British Columbia. The Horned Puffin +differs from the common in that the blackish band across the throat +extends upwards in a point to the bill. Their nesting habits are +precisely the same as those of the preceding species. A single pure +white egg is laid; the shell is slightly rougher than those of the +others. Size 2.65 x 1.80. Data.--Round Is., Alaska, June 24, 1884. +Single egg laid at end of burrow in ground; no nest. Collector, G. L. +Kennedy. + + +15. RHINOCEROS AUKLET. _Cerorhinca monocerata._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from British Columbia northward and +wintering southward to Lower California. + +The Rhinoceros Auklet or Horned Auk has a much smaller bill than the +Puffins; in the summer this is adorned at the base by a horn from which +it takes its name. There are also slender plumes from above and below +the eyes. Unlike the Puffins, these birds sit upon their whole tarsus. + +They nest on islands of the North Pacific Coast from Vancouver +northward. A single egg is laid in crevices among the rocks or in +burrows in the ground. It is similar both in size and shape to that of +the Puffins, but is often quite heavily blotched with brown. Size 2.70 x +1.80. Data.--Unak Is., Alaska, June 30, 1900. Egg laid in a fissure of +the rocks; no nest. Collector, F. Weston. + +[Illustration 025: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 24 + +16. CASSIN AUKLET. _Ptychoramphus aleuticus._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast from Alaska to Lower California, breeding nearly +throughout its range. + +A plain appearing bird about 9 in. in length, with blackish upperparts +relieved only by a white spot over the eye; breast and throat gray and +belly white. This Auklet is fairly abundant on the Farallones, breeding +on the lower portions of the island. The late Mr. C. Barlow says that it +is found in deserted rabbit burrows and in all probability often +excavates its own burrows. It also nests among the cliffs placing its +eggs among the rocks in any crevice or tunnel which may offer a dark +retreat during the day for they are nocturnal in their habits. The +single egg which they lay is dull white in color, the inside of the +shell being a pale green, which color can only be seen by holding the +egg to the light. They are generally slightly nest stained. Size 1.80 x +1.30. Data.--Coronado Islands, Cal., March 23, 1897. Single egg laid on +the bare ground at end of a burrow three and one-half feet long. +Collector, E. A. Shives. + +[Illustration 026: Horned Puffin. Rhinoceros Auklet. Cassin Auklet.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] +[Illustration: RHINOCEROS AUKLET. Color white, sometimes heavily +blotched, as above, and again unspotted.] + +Page 25 + +17. PAROQUET AUKLET.--_Phaleris psittacula._ + +Range.--The Alaskan Coast, casually farther south in winter. + +This bird is about the same size as the preceding, and the plumage is +similar, except that it has no white spot over the eye, and the breast +is white. It also has a slender plume extending from back of the eye. +The bill is very peculiar, being quite deep and rounded and having an +upward tendency. It is orange red in color. They breed very commonly on +the islands of Bering Strait. Their eggs are laid in the crevices of the +cliff, often several feet in and by a crooked path so that it is +impossible to reach them. The single chalky white egg is laid in May. +Size 2.30 x 1.45. Data.--Rocky Islet in the Aleutians, June 22, 1890. +Single egg laid on bare rock in a deep crevice. Collector, Capt. S. +Wilson. + + +18. CRESTED AUKLET. _Aethia cristatella._ + +Range.--Alaska Coast, similar in form and plumage to the latter, except +that the whole under parts are gray and it has a crest of recurved +feathers. The nesting season begins in May, the birds nesting upon the +same islands and in the same kinds of sites as the last species. The +single egg is chalky white. Size 2.10 x 1.50. Data.--Unak Is., Alaska, +July 1, 1900. Egg laid in a crevice among the rocks. Collector, F. +Weston. + + +19. WHISKERED AUKLET. _Aethia pygmaea._ + +Range.--The Alaska Coast. + +Much smaller than the preceding; but 7.5 in. in length. Breast gray, +belly white; a small tuft of recurved feathers on the forehead and +slender white plumes from base of bill over the eye and from under the +eye, backwards. The bill in summer is a bright vermillion color. On some +of the islands of the Aleutian chain they breed quite abundantly. The +nests are placed back in the crevices of the rocks, where the single +white eggs are laid. Size 2.00 x 1.25. + +[Illustration 027: Paroquet Auklet. Crested Auklet.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 26 + +20. LEAST AUKLET. _Aethia pusilla._ + +Range.--North Pacific on the islands and coast of Alaska. This is the +smallest of the Auklets; length 6.5 in. This species has no crest, but +has the slender white plumes extending back from the eye. The entire +under parts are white sparsely spotted with dusky. This species is by +far the most abundant of the water birds of the extreme Northwest, and +thousands of them, accompanied by the two preceding species, nest on the +rocky cliffs of the islands of Bering Sea. Their nesting habits are the +same as those of the other Auklets, they placing their single white egg +on the bare rocks, in crevices on the cliffs. Size 1.55 x 1.10. +Data.--Pribilof Is., Alaska, June 8, 1897. Single egg laid in crevice. +Thousands breeding on the island. + + +21. ANCIENT MURRELET. _Synthliboramphus antiquus._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from the border of the United States, +northward, and wintering south to southern California. + +The Murrelets have no crests or plumes and the bills are more slender +than the Auklets and are not highly colored. The ancient Murrelet or +Black-throated Murrelet, as it is also called, has a gray back, white +under parts and a black head and throat, with a broad white stripe back +of the eye and another formed by the white on the breast extending up on +the side of the neck. They breed abundantly on the islands in Bering +Sea, laying one or two eggs at the end of burrows in the banks or on the +ground, and in some localities in crevices on the cliffs. The eggs are a +buffy white color and are faintly marked with light brown, some of these +being in the shape of spots and others lengthened. Size 2.40 x 1.40. +Data.--Sanak Islands, July 1, 1894. Two eggs on the ground under a tuft +of grass and in a slight excavation lined with fine grass. + +[Illustration: Least Auklet. Ancient Murrelet. Marbled Murrelet.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 27 + +23. MARBLED MURRELET. _Brachyramphus marmoratus._ + +Range.--North Pacific Coast, breeding from Vancouver Island. South in +winter to southern California. + +In the breeding plumage, this bird is brownish black above, barred with +rusty and below is marbled with brownish gray and white. Its nesting +habits and eggs are very similar to those of the Ancient Murrelet, they +placing their single eggs in holes in the ground or crevices among the +cliffs. Size 2.20 x 1.40. Data.--Chichagof Is., Alaska, June 18, 1898. +Single egg in crevice on face of cliff. Large colony breeding in company +with Ancient Murrelets. + + +24. KITTLITZ MURRELET. _Brachyramphus brevirostris._ + +Range.--North Pacific Coast in the Aleutian Islands and north to +Unalaska, breeding on isolated islands throughout its range. This +species is very similar to the Marbled Murrelet, the chief difference +being in the bill which is shorted. They have been found breeding on the +same islands with the preceding species. Their single white egg is laid +in crevices in the cliffs. Size 2.40 x 1.30. Data.--Sanak Is., Alaska, +June 25, 1890. Nest in a hollow under a bunch of rank matted grass. Many +ancient Burrelets breeding on the same Islands. Collector, Capt. Tilson. + + +25. XANTUS MURRELET. _Brachyramphus hypoleucus._ + +Range.--Resident along the coast of southern and Lower California. + +This bird is blackish above and entirely white below, including the +sides of the head below the eye. The whole of the under surface of the +wing is also white. They breed on the coast islands from Santa Barbara +southward. The single egg is laid at the end of a burrow or in crevices +among the rocks. It is a pale buffy white in color and thickly, but +finely dotted over the whole surface with purplish brown, and with some +larger spots at the larger end. Size 2.05 x 1.40. Data.--Galapagos +Islands, March 2, 1901. No nest. Single egg laid in a crevice in the +rocks. Collector, Rollo H. Beck. + +[Illustration 029: Buff.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Pale Blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 28 + +26. CRAVERI'S MURRELET. _Brachyramphus craveri._ + +Range.--Both coasts of Lower California, breeding chiefly on the Gulf +side. Craveri Murrelet is very similar to the last except that the under +surfaces of the wings are dusky. Breeds on the islands near Cape St. +Lucas, burrowing in the ground as do most of the others of this species. +They lay a single egg, the ground color of which is buff; they are quite +heavily blotched with brownish. Size 2.00 x 1.40. + +27. BLACK GUILLEMOT. _Cepphus grylle._ + + +Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, breeding from Maine +northward to southern Greenland. Guillemots are larger birds than the +Murrelets (length 13 inches) and their plumage is entirely different. +This species in summer is entirely black except the wing coverts which +are white. The bases of the greater coverts, however, are black, this +generally breaking the white mirror as it is called. The under surfaces +of the wings are white. Legs red. These birds breed abundantly on the +rocky islands and high cliffs along the coast. Soon after the first of +June the eggs are laid in the crevices of the rocks and sometimes upon +the bare ledges. Two or three eggs make the set. The ground color is a +pale bluish or greenish white and the markings are various shades of +brown and black. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data.--Grand Manan, June 15, 1896. +Two eggs laid in a cavity back of large boulder. No nest. Collector, D. +H. Eaton. + +[Illustration 030: Xantus Murrelet. Mandt's Guillemot.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Black Guillemot.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 29 + +28. MANDT'S GUILLEMOT. _Cepphus mandti._ + +Range.--North Atlantic coast, more northerly than the preceding, +breeding from Labrador to northern Greenland. + +The bird differs from the Black Guillemot only in having the bases of +the coverts white also. The nesting habits and eggs are identical. They +nest in colonies of thousands and place the eggs upon the bare rock with +no attempt at nest building. Generally the eggs are in the crevices so +as to be difficult to get at. Size 2.30 x 1.55. Data.--Depot Island, +Hudson Bay, June 6, 1894. Two eggs laid on bare rocky ground. Collector +John Comer. + + +29. PIGEON GUILLEMOT. _Cepphus columba._ + +Range.--The Pacific Coast of North America, breeding from southern +California northward. This bird is very similar to the Black Guillemot +except that the under surfaces of the wings are dark. They breed +abundantly on some of the islands of Bering Sea and a few of them nest +on the Farallones. They lay their two eggs on the bare rock in dark +crevices. The color is grayish or pale greenish blue and the markings +are brown and black with paler shell markings of lilac. Size 2.40 x +1.60. Data.--S. Farallone Islands, Cal. Two eggs laid on gravel at the +end of a burrow, about two feet from the entrance and 285 feet above the +sea level. Collector, Claude Fyfe. + + +30. MURRE. _Uria troile troille._ + +Range.--North Atlantic coasts and islands, breeding from Bird Rock +northward. Murres are similar in form to the Guillemots, but are larger, +being about 16 inches in length. Entire head and neck sooty brown; rest +of upper parts grayish black except the tips of the secondaries which +are white. Under parts white. These birds nest by thousands on Bird Rock +and on the cliffs of Labrador. They build no nests but simply lay their +single egg on the narrow ledges of cliffs, where the only guarantee +against its rolling off is its peculiar shape which causes it, when +moved, to revolve about its smaller end instead of rolling off the +ledge. The eggs are laid as closely as possible on the ledges where the +incubating birds sit upright, in long rows like an army on guard. As +long as each bird succeeds in finding an egg to cover, on its return +home, it is doubtful if they either know or care whether it is their own +or not. The ground color of the eggs vary from white to a deep greenish +blue and the markings of blackish brown vary in endless patterns, some +eggs being almost wholly unspotted. Size 3.40 x 2.00. Data.--South +Labrador, June 19, 1884. Single egg laid on the bare cliff. Large colony +breeding. Collector, M. A. Grasar. + +[Illustration 031: Murre.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish gray.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 30 + +30a. CALIFORNIA MURRE. _Uria troille californica._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska. + +This Pacific form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird +on the Farallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for +commercial purposes and these islands being located, as they are, within +easy distance from San Francisco, thousands of dozens of the eggs are +sold yearly, chiefly to bakeries. Although continually robbed, their +numbers have not as yet diminished to any great extent. They lay but a +single egg on the bare ledge. Individual eggs are indistinguishable from +the last species but in a large series the ground color averages +brighter. They show the same great difference in color and markings. The +first set is laid in May, but owing to their being so often molested, +fresh eggs can be found during August. Data.--Farallones, July 4, 1895. +Single egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E. Slevin. + + +31. BRUNNICH MURRE. _Uria lomvia lomvia._ + +Range.--North Atlantic Coast, breeding range the same as the common +Murre. + +This species differs from the common Murre in having a shorter and +thicker bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. +They breed on the same islands in company with the common Murre and +their eggs are indistinguishable. Data.--Coast of South Labrador. Single +egg laid on ledge of cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony. + +[Illustration 032: Varies from white to greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 31 + +31a. PALLAS MURRE. _Uria lomvia arra._ + +Range.--The Pacific coasts and islands. + +This is the Pacific form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more +northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of +them breed on the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits +and eggs being the same as the more southern form. + + +32. RAZOR-BILLED AUK. _Alca torda._ + +Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding from Bird Rock northward and +wintering south to the Middle States on the coast. + +The Razor-billed Auk is in form similar to the Murres, but the bill is +very different, being deep and thin, and with the upper mandible rounded +at the tip. Entire upper parts black shading to brownish on the throat. +Under parts and tips of secondaries, white; line from eye to bill and +another across the middle of the bill, white. They nest in large numbers +on Bird Rock in company with the Murres and in still greater numbers off +the coast of Labrador. Their eggs are not placed in as exposed positions +as the Murres, being generally behind boulders or in crevices. This is +necessary because, not being of the pear-shaped form of the Murres, they +would be very apt to be dislodged if commonly placed on the narrow +ledges. The eggs vary endlessly in marking but do not show the +differences in ground color that the Murres do. The color is white, +grayish or buffy. But one egg is generally laid, although two are +sometimes found. Size 3.00 x 2.00. Data.--Bay of Fundy. June 17, 1891. +Single egg laid on bare rock in a crevice under loose rocks. Collector, +A. C. Bent. + +[Illustration 033: Grayish white.] [Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 32 + +33. GREAT AUK. _Plautus impennis._ + +Range.--Formerly the whole of the North Atlantic coasts. Now extinct. + +These great auks formerly dwelt in large numbers on the islands of the +North Atlantic, but owing to their lack of the powers of flight and the +destructiveness of mankind, the living bird has disappeared from the +face of the earth. Although they were about thirty inches in length, +their wings were even smaller than those of the Razor-billed Auk, a bird +only eighteen inches in length. Although breeding off the coast of +Newfoundland, they appeared winters as far south as Virginia, performing +their migration by swimming alone. The last bird appears to have been +taken in 1844, and Funk Island, off the coast of Newfoundland, marks the +place of their disappearance from our shores. There are about seventy +known specimens of the bird preserved, and about the same number of +eggs. The immediate cause of the extinction of these birds was their +destruction for food by fishermen and immigrants, and later for the use +of their feathers commercially. The single egg that they laid was about +5.00 x 3.00 inches, the ground color was buffy white, and the spots +brownish and blackish. The markings varied in endless pattern as do +those of the smaller Auk. There are but two real eggs (plaster casts in +imitation of the Auks eggs are to be found in many collections) in +collections in this country, one in the Academy of Natural Science, +Philadelphia, and the other in the National Museum, at Washington. +Through the kindness of Mr. Witmer Stone, of the Academy of Natural +Science, we are enabled to show a full-sized reproduction from a +photograph of the egg in their collection. + +[Illustration 034: Great Auk Dovekie.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] +[Illustration: deco.] + +Page 33 + +[Illustration 035: EGG OF THE GREAT AUK. +Photographed from the specimen in the Academy of Natural Science, +Philadelphia; not more than ten or twelve of these eggs are in this +country; the one figured is one of the best marked specimens.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 34 + +34. DOVEKIE. _Alle alle_. + +Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and East Arctic oceans, +breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering as far south as the Middle +States. The little Dovekie or Sea Dove is the smallest member of the +family, being only 8 inches in length, and is the only member of the +sub-family allinae. The form is very robust and the bill is short and +stout. In summer the plumage is black above; the throat and upper breast +are sooty brown, and the under parts are white, as are also the tips of +the secondaries and edges of the scapulars. They nest in large numbers +on the Rocky cliffs of islands in the East Arctic. Their single pale +greenish blue egg is placed in a crevice of the rocks. Size 1.80 x 1.25. +Data.--Greenland, June 8, 1893. Single egg laid in a crevice of a sea +cliff. + +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration 036: Dovekie.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: MURRE--White, buff, or deep greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 35 + +LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. Order II. LONGIPENNES +SKUA AND JAEGERS. Family STERCORARIIDAE + +Skuas and Jaegers are birds having a Gull or Tern-like form and with a +hooked bill, the base of which is covered with a scaly shield. They have +webbed feet and are able to swim and dive, but they commonly get their +living by preying upon the Gulls and Terns, overtaking them by their +superior speed and by their strength and ferocity forcing them to +relinquish their food. The Jaegers especially are one of the swiftest and +most graceful birds that fly. + +Page 36 + +35. SKUA. _Megalestris skua_. + +Range.--Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly on the +European side; rare on the Atlantic coast of North America. + +Skuas are large (22 inches in length) and very powerfully built birds, +having the general form of a Gull. Their whole plumage is a dingy +brownish black color, palest below. Breeds in Iceland and possibly on +some of the islands in Hudson Strait. The nest is a hollow on the ground +in the marsh grass and is lined with grass. The two eggs which they lay +have an olive greenish ground, spotted with dark brown. Size 2.75 x +1.90. + + +36. POMARINE JAEGER. _Stercorarius pomarinus._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle, more +commonly in the Old World. + +In the breeding plumage, this Jaeger has the crown and face blackish; +back and sides of head, throat and under parts pure white, except the +pointed stiffened feathers of the neck which are yellow. Back, wings and +tail blackish, the latter with the two middle feathers lengthened about +four inches beyond the rest of the tail, and broad to the tips, which +are twisted so that the feathers are vertical. They breed throughout the +Arctic regions, but not as commonly in America as the following species. +The nest is on the ground in the marsh grass and is made of grass and +moss. They lay two and rarely three eggs of an olive brown or greenish +color. These are spotted with brown and black. Size 2.20 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 038: Olive brown.] +[Illustration: Skua. Pomarine Jaeger.] +[Illustration: Deep olive brown.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 37 + +37. PARASITIC JAEGER. _Stercorarius parasiticus._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, wintering south to South America. + +The Parasitic Jaeger is very similar to the Pomarine except that the +central tail feathers are pointed and are straight instead of twisted. +It is an abundant bird in Alaska, breeding from the Aleutian Chain +northward. + +They locate their nests in the highest parts of marshy places, the nest +itself being only a depression in the ground lined with grass and moss. +The two eggs have an olive greenish or brownish ground and are marked +with various shades of brown and black. Size 2.15 x 1.65. + + +38. LONG-TAILED JAEGER. _Stercorarius longicaudus._ + +Range.--Arctic America; south in winter to South America. + +The long-tailed Jaeger is, according to length, the largest of the +Jaegers, being 21 in. long; this is, however, due to the long sharp +pointed central pair of tail feathers, which extend about eight inches +beyond the others, and from the most noticeable distinguishing point +from the former species. The plumages that have been described are the +light phases; all the Jaegers have a dark phase in which the plumage is a +nearly uniform sooty brown, lightest below. + +The Long-tailed Jaegers are the most numerous in Alaska and are even more +graceful in flight than are the Gulls and Terns, floating, skimming, +sailing, plunging, and darting about with incredible swiftness and ease. +Like the others of this family, they pilfer their food from the Gulls, +and are also very destructive to young birds and eggs. Their eggs are +either laid on the bare ground or in a slight depression, scantily lined +with grasses. The eggs are indistinguishable from those of the preceding +species except that they average a trifle smaller. Size 2.10 x 1.50. + +[Illustration 039: Brownish.] +[Illustration: Parastic Jaeger. Long-tailed Jaeger.] +[Illustration: Olive brown.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 38 + +GULLS and TERNS. Family LARIDAE + +Gulls are webbed footed birds having a slight hook to the end of the +upper mandible. Their plumage is generally a silvery gray above and +white below. They nest in large colonies, some on the islands of fresh +water inland, but mostly on the sea coast. They procure their food from +the surface of the water, it consisting mostly of dead fish and refuse +matter, and crustacea which they gather from the waters edge. When tired +they rest upon the surface of the water, where they ride the largest +waves in perfect safety. + +Terns are birds of similar plumage to the Gulls, but their forms are +less robust and the bills are generally longer and sharply pointed. +Their food consists chiefly of small fish which they secure by hovering +above the water, and then plunging upon them. They are less often seen +on the surface of the water than are the Gulls. + +[Illustration 040: Walter Raine. CHARACTERISTIC NEST OF A LOON.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 39 + +39. IVORY GULL. _Pagophila alba._ + +Range.--Arctic regions; south in winter to the northern border of the +United States. + +The little Snow Gull, as it is often called, is eighteen inches in +length. In the breeding season the plumage is entirely white; the bill +is tipped with yellow and there is a red ring around the eye. These +Gulls nest in large colonies in the Arctic Regions, placing their nests +on the high rocky cliffs. The nest is made of grass, moss and rubbish, +and the three eggs are laid during June. The eggs are olive color and +the markings are dark brown. + + +40. KITTIWAKE. _Rissa tridactyla trydactyla._ + +Range.--North Atlantic and Arctic regions, breeding from the Gulf of the +St. Lawrence northward and wintering south to the Great Lakes and Long +Island. + +The Kittiwake is sixteen inches in length, has a pearly gray mantle, +black tips to the primaries, and remainder of plumage white. Its hind +toe is very small being apparently wanting in the eastern form, while in +the Pacific it is more developed. These are very noisy Gulls, their +notes resembling a repetition of their name. They are very common in the +far north, placing nests on the ledges of high rocky cliffs, often in +company with Murres and Auks. They gather together a pile of sticks, +grass and moss, making the interior cup-shaped so as to hold their two +or three eggs. Large numbers of them breed on Bird Rock, they occupying +certain ledges while the Gannets and Murres, which also breed there, +also have distinct ledges on which to make their homes. The breeding +season is at its height during June. The eggs are buffy or brownish gray +and are spotted with different shades of brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. +Data.--So. Labrador, June 15, 1884. Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and +moss, placed on ledge of cliff. Many Murres nesting on other ledges. + +[Illustration 041: Ivory Gull. Kittiwake.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 40 + +40a. PACIFIC KITTIWAKE. _Rissa tridactyla pollicaris._ + +Range.--Coast of the North Pacific, wintering south to California. + +The Pacific Kittiwake breeds in immense rookeries on some of the islands +in Bering Sea. They are well distributed over Copper Island where they +nest in June and July, choosing the high ledges which overhang the sea. +The nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same as those of the +common Kittiwake. + + +41. RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. _Rissa brevirostris._ + +Range.--Northwestern coasts, breeding in high latitudes. + +This Kittiwake is similar to the preceding, with the exception that the +legs are bright red, the mantle is darker, and the bill is shorter. This +species was found by Dr. Leonard Stejneger to be a very abundant nesting +bird on islands in Bering Sea, selecting steep and inaccessible rocks +and ledges on which to build its nest. Their nesting habits are +precisely the same as the Pacific Kittiwake, but they most often nest in +separate colonies, but can be distinguished readily when nesting +together by the darker mantles when on the nest and the red legs when +flying. Grass, moss and mud are used in the nest. The ground color of +the eggs is buffy or brownish, and the spots are dark brown and lilac. +Size 2.15 x 1.50. + + +42. GLAUCOUS GULL. _Larus hyperboreus._ + +Range.--Arctic regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, +and San Francisco Bay. + +This Gull shares with the Great Black-backed Gull the honor of being the +largest of the Gulls, being 28 inches in length. Mantle light gray; it +is distinguished by its size and the primaries, which are white to the +tips. A powerful bird that preys upon the smaller Gulls and also devours +the young and eggs of smaller birds. + +They nest on the ground on the islands and shores of Hudson Bay, +Greenland, etc. The nest is made of seaweed, grass and moss and is +generally quite bulky. The two or three eggs are laid in June. They are +of various shades of color from a light drab to a brownish, and are +spotted with brownish and black. Size about 3.00 x 2.20. + +[Illustration 042: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: Red-legged Kittiwake. Glaucous Gull.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 41 + +42.1. POINT BARROW GULL. _Larus barrovianus._ + +Range.--Northwest coast from Bering Sea to Point Barrow. + +This species is almost identical with the Glaucus Gull, averaging +perhaps a trifle smaller. Its standing as a distinct species is still +questioned and has not yet been decided satisfactorily. Early in June +their nests are built on remote islands in Bering Sea. These nests are +the same as the last species, large piles of vegetation, hollowed on top +for the reception of the eggs. The eggs have the same variations in +color and markings as the Glaucus Gull. Size 3.00 x 2.10. +Data.--Herschel Is., Alaska, July 1, 1900. Nest made of seaweed and +grass; placed on the ground. Three eggs. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer. + + +43. ICELAND GULL. _Larus leucopterus._ + +Range.--Arctic regions, south in winter to the Middle States. + +This Gull in appearance is precisely like the two preceding ones but is +considerably smaller; 24 inches in length. A very common bird in the +north, breeding in colonies of thousands on many of the islands. It is +regarded as one of the most common of the larger Gulls in Bering Sea and +also nests commonly in Hudson Bay and Greenland, as well as in the +Eastern Hemisphere. They nest indifferently on high rocky cliffs or on +low sandy islands. Except when the eggs are laid in a sandy depression +in the soil, quite bulky nests are made of seaweed and moss. The eggs +are laid about the first of June; they number two to three and have a +ground color of brownish or greenish brown and are blotched with umber. +Size 2.80 x 1.83. Data.--Mackenzie Bay, Arctic America. June 18, 1899. +Nest made of seaweed and grass on an island in the bay. + +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Greenish brown.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 42 + +44. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. _Larus glaucescens_. + +Range.--North Pacific coast, breeding from British Columbia northwards +and wintering from the same country to southern California. + +This Gull is very like the preceding except that the primaries are the +same color as the mantle, and are tipped with white. Length about 27 +inches. Not so northerly distributed a bird as the previous ones, and +consequently better known. They breed in large numbers both on the high +rocky cliffs of the islands along the coast and on the low sandy islands +of the Aleutian Chain. On Copper Island they breed on the inaccessible +cliffs overhanging the water. As in the case of the Iceland Gull, when +the nests are on the cliffs, a large nest of seaweed is made, whereas if +they are on the ground, especially in sandy places no attempt is made at +nest-building. The eggs have a greenish brown ground color and dark +brown spots. Size 2.75 x 2.05. Data.--West Coast of Vancouver Island. +June 20, 1896. Three eggs; nest made of seaweed. Located on a low ledge. +Collector, Dr. Newcombe. + + +45. KUMLIEN'S GULL. _Larus Kumlieni_. + +Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding in Cumberland Sound and wintering +as far south as Long Island. + +This bird differs from the Glaucous-winged only in the pattern of the +gray markings of the primaries and in having a little lighter mantle. It +is quite common in its breeding haunts where it places its nest high up +on the ledges of the cliffs. The eggs are not different apparently from +glaucescens. + + +46. NELSON'S GULL. _Larus nelsoni_. + +Range.--Coast of Alaska. + +Plumage exactly like that of Kumlien Gull and questionably a new +species. The nests and eggs are not to be distinguished from the +preceding. + +[Illustration 044: Iceland Gull. Glaucous-winged Gull.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish brown.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 43 + +47. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. _Larus marinus_. + +Range.--North Atlantic on both the American and European sides; breeds +from Nova Scotia northward and winters south to the Great Lakes and the +Middle States. + +The largest of the Gulls (thirty inches long) and unlike any other. The +mantle is dark slaty black, and the primaries are black with white tips. +The bill is very large and powerful and quite strongly hooked. They are +quite abundant birds in their range, and are very quarrelsome, both +among themselves and other species. They do not breed in as large +colonies as do the other Gulls, half a dozen pairs appropriating a small +island to the exclusion of all other birds. They are very rapacious +birds and live to a great extent, especially during the breeding season, +upon the eggs and young of other birds such as Ducks, Murres and smaller +Gulls. They place their nests upon the higher portions of sandy islands. +They are made of grasses and seaweed. The three eggs are laid early in +June; they are grayish or brownish, spotted with brown and lilac. Size +3.00 x 2.15. Data.--South Labrador, June 21, 1884. Three eggs. Nest on a +small island off the coast; of grasses and moss. + + +48. SLATY-BACKED GULL.--_Larus schistisagus_. + +Range.--North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. + +This Gull, which is similar to the Great Black-backed, but is smaller +and has a lighter mantle, does not breed in any considerable numbers on +the American side of the Pacific. It nests in June on some of the +islands in Bering Sea and probably more commonly farther north. They +often nest in company with other species, placing their small mounds of +seaweed on the ground on the higher parts of the islands. The full set +contains three eggs of grayish or brownish color, spotted with dark +brown or black. Size 2.90 x 2.00. Data.--Harrowby Bay, N. W. T. Canada, +June 11, 1901. Nest of grass, roots and mud and lined with dry grass; on +point making into the bay. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish. + +[Illustration 045: Great Black-Backed Gull. Kumlien's Gull.] +[Illustration: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 44 + +49. WESTERN GULL. _Larus occidentalis._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast, breeding from southern California to British +Columbia. + +This bird, which is the most southerly distributed of the larger Gulls +is twenty-four inches in length. Mantle slate colored; primaries black, +both these and the secondaries being broadly tipped with white. These +Gulls nest abundantly on the Farallones, the majority of them showing a +preference for the lower portions of the island, although they nest on +the ledges also. Besides man, these Gulls are the greatest enemies that +the Murres have to content against. They are always on the watch and if +a Murre leaves its nest, one of the Gulls is nearly always ready to +pounce upon the egg and carry it away bodily in his bill. The Gulls too +suffer when the eggers come, for their eggs are gathered up with the +Murres for the markets. They make their nests of weeds and grass, and +during May and June lay three eggs showing the usual variations of color +common to the Gulls eggs. Size 2.75 x 1.90. + + +50. SIBERIAN GULL. _Larus affinis._ + +This bird does not nest in North America, and has a place on our list, +by its accidental occurrence in Greenland. It is an Old World species +and its nesting habits and eggs are like those of the Herring Gull. + + +51. HERRING GULL. _Larus argentatus._ + +Range.--Whole of the Northern Hemisphere, breeding from Maine and +British Columbia northward and wintering south to the Gulf. + +This Gull, which formerly was No. 51a, a subspecies of the European +variety, is now regarded as identical with it, and is no longer a +sub-species. It is twenty-four inches in length, has a light gray mantle +and black primaries which are tipped with white. The Herring Gulls nest +in colonies in favorable localities throughout their range, chiefly on +the coasts and islands. A few pairs also nest on islands in some of the +inland bodies of fresh water. Except in places where they are +continually molested, when they will build in trees, they place their +nests on the ground either making no nest on the bare sand, or building +a bulky nest of seaweed in the grass on higher parts of the island. They +lay three eggs of a grayish color marked with brown. In rare cases +unspotted bluish white eggs are found. Size 2.80 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 046: Western Gull. Herring Gull.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 45 + +52. VEGA GULL. _Larus vegae._ + +Range.--Coast of Alaska, south in winter to California. + +Similar to the Herring Gull, but with the mantle darker, but not so dark +as in the Western Gull. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as +those of the Herring Gull, except that in a series, the eggs of the Vega +will average a little darker in ground color. It nests during May on the +coasts and islands of Bering Sea, placing its eggs in a hollow on the +ground. Size 2.75 x 1.65. + + +53. CALIFORNIA GULL. _Larus californicus._ + +Range.--Western North America, breeding in the interior. + +A smaller Gull than the Herring with the primaries grayish instead of +black; length twenty-five inches. This Gull is found in winter on the +coast from British Columbia southward to Lower California, but nests in +the interior from Utah northward. They nest very abundantly around the +Great Salt Lake, placing their nests generally upon the bare ground. +Sometimes there is a scant lining of grasses or weeds and again the +nests will be situated in the midst of a tussock of grass. Three or four +eggs generally constitute a set, but occasionally five are laid. The +usual nesting time is during May. They show the same great variations in +color and markings common to most of the Gulls. Size 2.60 x 1.80. + + +54. RING-BILLED GULL. _Larus delawarenis._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from the United States +northward and wintering south to the Gulf States. + +A small Gull, eighteen inches in length, with a light gray mantle, black +primaries with white tips, and always to be distinguished in the +breeding season by the black band around the middle of the greenish +yellow bill. They nest in enormous colonies on islands in the interior +of the country and in smaller colonies on the coasts. Thousands of them +breed on the lakes of the Dakotas and northward. The majority of them +nest on the ground, although on the coast they are often found on the +cliffs. They commonly lay three eggs placing them in a slight hollow in +the ground, generally on the grassy portions of the islands. The color +varies from grayish to brownish, marked with brown and lilac. The height +of the nesting season is in June. Size of eggs, 2.80 x 1.75. + +[Illustration 047: Grayish brown.] +[Illustration: Ring-billed Gull. California Gull.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 46 + +55. SHORT-BILLED GULL. _Larus brachyrhynchus._ + +Range.--Breeds from the interior of British Columbia northward to +Alaska; south in winter to Lower California. + +The Short-billed or American Mew Gull is seventeen inches in length, has +a short, stout bill and is otherwise similar to the preceding species. +Nests on islands in the lakes and along the river banks of Alaska. The +nest is made of grass, weeds and moss and is placed on the ground. Early +in June the birds lay their set of three eggs, the ground color of which +is greenish brown marked with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. +Data.--Mackenzie River, N. W. T., June 18, 1900. Three eggs. Nest made +of seaweed and grass and placed on the ground on an island in the river. + + +56. MEW GULL. _Larus canus._ + +This is the European variety of the above species, breeding commonly +both in the British Isles and northern Europe. This species is given a +place in our avifauna because of its accidental appearance in Labrador. + + +57. HEERMAN'S GULL. _Larus heermanni._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to +Panama, breeding chiefly south of the United States border. + +A very handsome species, often called the White-headed Gull, and wholly +unlike any other; length seventeen inches. Adults, in summer, have the +entire head, neck and throat white, this shading quite abruptly into the +slaty upper and under parts; the primaries and tail are black, the +latter and the secondaries being tipped with white. The legs and bill +are vermilion. They are found off the coast of California, but are not +believed to breed there. They are known to breed on some of the islands +off the Mexican coast nesting on the ground the same as the other +species. The three eggs are greenish drab in color and are marked with +different shades of brown and lilac. Size 2.45 x 1.50. + +[Illustration: Pale greenish-brown.] +[Illustration: Short-billed Gull. Heerman's Gull.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 47 + +58. LAUGHING GULL. LARUS ATRICILLA. + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Gulf to Nova Scotia, +chiefly on the coast. A beautiful Gull, 16 inches long, with a dark +slate colored head, gray mantle, black primaries, and white neck, +underparts and tail. Bill and feet red. This bird has its name from its +peculiar laughing cry when alarmed or angry; it is also called the +Black-headed Gull. They nest by thousands on the islands off the Gulf +Coast and along the South Atlantic States. The nest is placed on the +ground and is made of seaweed. Three, four and sometimes five eggs are +laid, of a grayish to greenish brown color, marked with brown and lilac. +Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data.--Timbalin Is., La., June 3, 1896. Three eggs. +Nest of drift grass thrown in a pile about 8 inches high, slightly +hollowed on top, in low marsh back of beach. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + +[Illustration 049: Pale grayish brown.] +[Illustration: Laughing Gull.] +[Illustration: RING-BILLED GULL--Gray.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 48 + +59. FRANKLIN'S GULL. _Larus franklini._ + +Range.--Interior North America, breeding from middle United States +northward. + +Like the last but smaller and with the primaries light. Underparts rosy +in breeding season. Nests very abundantly in the marshes of Minnesota +and northward. Nest made of grasses and placed in the marsh grass barely +above the surface of the water. Eggs same color as the last but the +markings more inclined to zigzag lines. Size 2.10 x 1.40. Data.--Heron +Lake, Minn., May 26, 1885. Nest of wet sedge stalks and rubbish placed +in a bunch of standing sedge in shallow water; at least five thousand +birds in rookery. Collector, J. W. Preston. + + +60. BONAPARTE'S GULL. _Larus philadelphia._ + +Range.--Breeds in the northern parts of North America; winters from +Maine and British Columbia to the southern border of the United States. + +Smaller than the last; 14 inches long. Plumage similar, but bill slender +and black. They nest in great numbers on the marshes of Manitoba and to +the northward. The nests, of sticks and grass, are placed on the higher +parts of the marsh and the usual complement of three eggs is laid during +the latter part of June. The eggs are grayish to greenish brown, marked +with dark brown and lilac. Size 1.90 x 1.30. + +[Illustration 050: Grayish brown.] +[Illustration: Franklin's Gull. Bonaparte's Gull.] +[Illustration: Pale grayish brown.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 49 + +60.1. LITTLE GULL. _Larus minutus._ + +This Gull is the smallest of the family; it is a European bird, and has +accidentally strayed to our shores but a few times. Its plumage is +similar to that of the Bonaparte Gull but the bill is red. It breeds in +the marshes around the Baltic Sea, placing its nest of dead vegetation +on the highest parts of the marsh. They lay three eggs of a greenish +gray color marked with dark brown and lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.25. + + +61. ROSES GULL. _Rhodostethia rosea._ + +Range.--The Arctic regions, south in winter to Alaska, Greenland, +northern Europe and Asia. + +This beautiful bird is the most rare of all the Gulls, being very +difficult to obtain because of its extreme northerly distribution. It is +in form and plumage like Bonaparte Gull, with the exceptions that the +head is white, there being a narrow black collar around the neck, the +tail is wedge shaped, and the whole under parts from the chin to the +tail are rosy in the breeding plumage. The nests and eggs remain still +undiscovered, although Nansen, in August 1896, found a supposed breeding +ground in Franz Josef Land, because of the numbers of the birds, but +found no nests. + + +62. SABINE'S GULL. _Xema sabinii._ + +Range.--Arctic regions, breeding from Alaska and Greenland and +northward, and wintering south to New England. + +A handsome bird, having the slaty hood bordered behind with a black +ring, the primaries black, white tipped, and the tail slightly forked. +They breed abundantly on the marshes of northern Alaska and Greenland, +nesting the same as others of the species. The two or three eggs are +laid in June. They are greenish brown in color and are marked with dark +brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.--Hudson Bay, August 1, 1894. Eggs laid on +the ground in the moss; no nest except the hollow in the moss. + +[Illustration 051: Rose Gull. Sabine Gull.] +[Illustration: Greenish brown.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 50 + +63. GULL-BILLED TERN. _Gelochelidon nilotica._ + +Range.--Found in North America along the Gulf Coast and on the Atlantic +Coast north to Virginia and casually farther. + +This is one of the largest of the Terns, is 14 inches long, has a short, +thick, black bill and a short slightly forked tail; the crown is black, +mantle pearly gray, white below. This species is very widely +distributed, being found in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. They are +known locally as "Marsh Terns" where they breed in immense numbers on +some of the marshes about the Gulf, particularly in Texas. They also +breed on many of the islands along the Coast, rarely making any nest, +but laying the eggs in a hollow in the sand. They nest most abundantly +in the latter part of May, generally laying three eggs. They are of a +yellowish, grayish or greenish buff color and are spotted with brown and +lilac. Size 1.80 x 1.30. Data.--Northampton Co., Va., May 28, 1882. +Three eggs laid on a mass of seaweed on marsh above tide water. + + +64. CASPIAN TERN. _Sterna caspia._ + +Range.--Like the preceding species, this bird is nearly cosmopolitan in +its range, in North America breeding from the Gulf Coast and Texas +northward to the Arctic Regions. + +This beautiful bird is the largest of the Tern family, being about 22 +inches in length, with the tail forked about 1.5 inches. The bill is +large, heavy and bright red; the crest, with which this and the next +three species are adorned, is black. The mantle is pale pearl and the +under parts white. These Terns sometimes nest in large colonies and then +again only a few pairs will be found on an island. In Texas, the +breeding season commences in May, it being later in the more northern +breeding grounds. They may be regarded as largely eastern birds, as +while they are common in the interior of the country, they are rarely +found on the Pacific Coast. Two or three eggs constitute a complete set; +these are laid on the sand in a slight hollow scooped out by the birds. +They vary from gray to greenish buff, marked with brown and lilac. Size +2.60 x 1.75. Data.--Hat Island, Lake Michigan, July 1, 1896. No nest. +Two eggs in a hollow in the gravel. Fully a thousand terns nesting on +about one acre. Collector, Charles L. Cass. + +[Illustration 052: Pale greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 51 + +65. ROYAL TERN. _Sterna maxima._ + +Range.--Temperate North and South America, breeding in the United States +locally from Texas and the Gulf States northward to the northern +boundary of the United States. + +The Royal Terns nest in great numbers on the coasts and islands on the +South Atlantic and Gulf States and in the marshes of southern Texas. +Like the former species they lay two or three eggs in a hollow on the +bare sand. The eggs are the same size but differ in being more pointed +and having a lighter ground and with the markings more bold and +distinct. Size 2.60 x 1.70. + + +66. ELEGANT TERN. _Sterna elegans._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast of South and Central America; north to California +in summer. + +A similar bird to the Royal Tern, but easily distinguished by its +smaller size, slender bill, and more graceful form. In the breeding +plumage the under parts of these Terns are tinged with rosy, which +probably first gave the birds their name. They breed on the coasts and +islands of Mexico and Central America, placing their eggs on the sand. +They are believed to lay but a single egg, like that of the Royal Tern, +but smaller. Size 2.40 x 1.40. Data.--Honduras, Central America, June 5, +1899. Single egg laid on the sandy beach. + +[Illustration 053: Gull-billed Tern. Caspian Tern. Royal Tern.] +[Illustration: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: Cream color.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 52 + +67. CABOT TERN. _Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida._ + +Range.--A tropical species breeding regularly north to the Bahamas and +Florida; casually farther north. A beautiful bird distinguished from the +three preceding ones by its smaller size (sixteen inches) and by the +bill which is black with a yellow tip. They nest in colonies on the +shores of islands in the West Indies and Bahamas, but not to a great +extent on the United States Coast. Their two or three eggs have a creamy +ground color, and are boldly marked with brown and black. Size 2.10 x +1.40. + + +68. TRUDEAU'S TERN. _Sterna trudeaui._ + +Range.--South America; accidentally along the coast of the United +States. + +A rare and unique species with a form similar to the following, but with +the coloration entirely different. About fifteen inches in length; tail +long and deeply forked; bill yellow with a band of black about the +middle. Whole head pure white, shading into the pearly color of the +upper and under parts. A narrow band of black through the eye and over +the ear coverts. A very rare species that is supposed to breed in +southern South America. Given a place among North American birds on the +strength of a specimen seen by Audubon off Long Island. + +[Illustration 054: Elegant Tern. Cabot's Tern.] +[Illustration: Cream color.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 53 + +69. FORSTER'S TERN. _Sterna forsteri._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from Manitoba, Mass., and +California, south to the Gulf Coast and Texas. + +Length about fifteen inches; tail long and deeply forked; crown black, +back and wings pearl and under parts white. Bill orange red. This +species and the three following are the most graceful of birds in +appearance and flight. Their movements can only be likened to those of +the Swallows, from which they get the name of "Sea Swallows." Their food +consists of fish, which they get by diving, and marine insects. They +breed by thousands in the marshes from Manitoba to Texas and along the +South Atlantic coast. The eggs are laid in a hollow on the dry grassy +portions of the islands or marshes. They generally lay three eggs and +rarely four. They are buffy or brownish spotted with dark brown and +lilac. Size 1.80 x 1.30. Data.--Cobb's Island, Va., June 8, 1887. Eggs +in a hollow on grassy bank. Collector, F. H. Judson. + + +70. COMMON TERN. _Sterna hirundo._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding both on the coast and in the +interior from the Gulf States northward. + +This bird differs from the preceding chiefly in having a bright red bill +tipped with black, and the under parts washed with pearl. These are the +most common Terns on the New England coast, nesting abundantly from +Virginia to Newfoundland. These beautiful Terns, together with others of +the family, were formerly killed by thousands for millinery purposes, +but the practice is now being rapidly stopped. In May and June they lay +their three, or sometimes four eggs on the ground as do the other Terns. +They are similar to the preceding species but average shorter. +Data.--Duck Is., Maine, June 30, 1896. Three eggs in marsh grass about +fifty feet from beach. No nest. Collector, C. A. Reed. + +[Illustration 055: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: Forsters Tern. Common Tern.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 54 + +71. ARCTIC TERN. _Sterna paradisaea._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding from New England northward to the +Arctic Regions and wintering south to California and the South Atlantic +States. A similar bird to the last, differing in having the bill wholly +red and the feet being smaller and weak for the size of the bird. A more +northern bird than the last, breeding abundantly in Alaska, both on the +coast and in the interior. In the southern limits of its breeding range, +it nests in company with the Common Tern, its nests and eggs being +indistinguishable from the latter. When their nesting grounds are +approached, all the birds arise like a great white cloud, uttering their +harsh, discordant "tearrr, tearrr," while now and then an individual, +bolder than the rest, will swoop close by with an angry "crack." On the +whole they are timid birds, keeping well out of reach. The nesting +season is early in June. Eggs like the preceding. Data.--Little Duck +Is., Me., June 29, 1896. Three eggs in a slight hollow on the beach, +three feet above high water mark. + + +72. ROSEATE TERN. _Sterna dougalli._ + +Range.--Temperate North America on the east coast, breeding from New +England to the Gulf. + +These are the most beautiful birds, having a delicate pink blush on the +under parts during the breeding season; the tail is very long and deeply +forked, the outer feathers being over five inches longer than the middle +ones; the bill is red with a black tip. They nest in large colonies on +the islands from Southern New England southward, placing the nests in +the short grass, generally without any lining. They lay two or three +eggs which are indistinguishable from the two preceding species. + + +73. ALEUTIAN TERN. _Sterna aleutica._ + +Range.--Found in summer in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. + +South in winter to Japan. This handsome Tern is of the form and size of +the Common Tern, but has a darker mantle, and the forehead is white, +leaving a black line from the bill to the eye. They nest on islands off +the coast of Alaska, sometimes together with the Arctic Tern. The eggs +are laid upon the bare ground or moss, and are similar to the Arctic +Terns, but average narrower. They are two or three in number and are +laid in June and July. Size 1.70 x 1.15. Data.--Stuart Is., Alaska. +Three eggs in a slight hollow in the moss. + +[Illustration 056: Arctic Tern. Roseate Tern. Aleutian Tern.] +[Illustration: Grayish or Brownish.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 55 + +74. LEAST TERN. _Sterna antillarum._ + +Range.--From northern South America to southern New England, Dakota and +California, breeding locally throughout its range. + +These little Sea Swallows are the smallest of the Terns, being but 9 +inches in length. They have a yellow bill with a black tip, a black +crown and nape, and white forehead. Although small, these little Terns +lose none of the grace and beauty of action of their larger relatives. +They nest in colonies on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, placing +their eggs upon the bare sand, where they are sometimes very difficult +to see among the shells and pebbles. They are of a grayish or buffy +color spotted with umber and lilac. They number two, three and rarely +four, and are laid in May and June. Size 1.25 x .95. Data.--DeSota +Beach, Fla., May 20, 1884. Three eggs laid on the sandy beach. +Collector, Chas. Graham. + + +75. SOOTY TERN. _Sterna fuscata._ + +Range.--Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States. This +species measures 17 inches in length; it has a brownish black mantle, +wings and tail, except the outer feathers of the latter which are white; +the forehead and under parts are white, the crown and a line from the +eye to the bill, black. This tropical species is very numerous at its +breeding grounds on the small islands of the Florida Keys and the West +Indies. They lay but a single egg, generally placing it on the bare +ground, or occasionally building a frail nest of grasses. The egg has a +pinkish white or creamy ground and is beautifully sprinkled with spots +of reddish brown and lilac. They are laid during May. Size 2.05 x 1.45. +Data.--Clutheria Key, Bahamas, May 28, 1891. Single egg laid on bare +ground near water. Collector, D. P. Ingraham. + +[Illustration 057: Light buff.] +[Illustration: Least Tern. Sooty Tern.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 56 + +76. BRIDLED TERN. _Sterna anaetheta._ + +Range.--Found in tropical regions of both hemispheres; casual or +accidental in Florida. This Tern is similar to the last except that the +nape is white and the white of the forehead extends in a line over the +eye. The Bridled Tern is common on some of the islands of the West +Indies and the Bahamas, nesting in company with the Sooty Terns and +Noddies. The single egg is laid on the seashore or among the rocks. It +is creamy white beautifully marked with brown and lilac. Size 1.85 x +1.25. Data.--Bahamas, May 9, 1892. Single egg laid in a cavity among the +rocks. Collector, D. P. Ingraham. + +77. BLACK TERN. _Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis._ + +Range.--Temperate America, breeding from the middle portions of the +United States northward to Alaska; south in winter beyond the United +States Border. + +The identity of these Terns cannot be mistaken. They are but ten inches +in length; the whole head, neck and under parts are black; the back, +wings and tail are slaty and the under tail coverts are white. Their +dainty figure with their long slender wings gives them a grace and +airiness, if possible, superior to other species of the family. They are +very active and besides feeding upon all manner of marine crustacea, +they capture many insects in the air. They nest in large colonies in +marshes, both along the coast and in the interior, making a nest of +decayed reeds and grasses, or often laying their eggs upon rafts of +decayed vegetation which are floating on the water. The nesting season +commences in May, they laying three eggs of a brownish or greenish +color, very heavily blotched with blackish brown. Size 1.35 x .95. +Data.--Winnebago City, Minn., May 31, 1901. Three eggs. Nest made of a +mass of weeds and rushes floating on water in a swamp. Collector, R. H. +Bullis. + +[Illustration 058: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Black Tern. Noddy. Black Skimmer.] +[Illustration: Deep greenish brown.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 57 + +78. WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. _Hydrochelidon leucoptera._ + +Range.--Eastern Hemisphere, its addition to American birds being made +because of the accidental appearance of one bird in Wisconsin in 1873. +They nest very abundantly among the lakes and marshes of southern +Europe, placing their eggs the same as the American species, upon masses +of decayed reeds and stalks. They lay three eggs which have a somewhat +brighter appearance than the common Black Terns because of a somewhat +lighter ground color. + + +79. NODDY. _Anous stolidus._ + +Range.--Tropical America, north to the Gulf and South Atlantic States. + +A peculiar but handsome bird (about fifteen inches long), with a silvery +white head and the rest of the plumage brownish, and the tail rounded. +They breed in abundance on some of the Florida Keys, the West Indies and +the Bahamas. Their nests are made of sticks and grass, and are placed +either in trees or on the ground. They lay but a single egg with a buffy +or cream colored ground spotted with chestnut and lilac. Size 2.00 x +1.30. Atwood's Key, Bahamas, June 1, 1891. Nest made of sticks and +grasses, three feet up a mangrove. Collector, D. P. Ingraham. + +[Illustration 059: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: Noddy.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 58 + +SKIMMERS. Family RYNCHOPIDAE + +Skimmers are Tern-like birds having a very strangely developed bill. The +lower mandible is much longer than the upper and very thin, the upper +edge being as sharp as the lower. The lower mandible is rounded at the +end while the upper is more pointed. Young Skimmers are said to have +both mandibles of the same length, the abnormal development not +appearing until after flight. Skimmers are very graceful birds, and, as +implied by their name, they skim over the surface of the water, rising +and falling with the waves, and are said to pick up their food by +dropping the lower mandible below the surface, its thin edge cutting the +water like a knife. There are four species of Skimmers, only one of +which is found in North America. + + +80. BLACK SKIMMER. _Rynchops nigra._ + +Range.--The South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, breeding from New Jersey +southward. The Black Skimmer is about eighteen inches in length, and +besides the remarkable bill is a bird of striking plumage; the forehead, +ends of the secondaries, tail feathers and under parts are white; the +rest of the plumage is black and the basal half of the bill is crimson. +Skimmers nest in large communities, the same as do the Terns, laying +their eggs in hollows in the sand. They are partially nocturnal in their +habits and their hoarse barking cries may be heard after the shadows of +night have enveloped the earth. Fishermen call them by the names of +"Cut-water" and "Sea Dog." The nesting season commences in May and +continues through June and July. They lay from three to five eggs, +having a creamy or yellowish buff ground, blotched with black, chestnut +and lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.30. Data.--Cobb's Is., Va., June 8, 1894. Three +eggs laid in a hollow on the beach. No nest. + +[Illustration 060: Buffy yellow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 59 + +TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. Order III. TUBINARES. + +ALBATROSSES. Family DIOMEDEIDAE + +Albatrosses are the largest of the sea birds and have an enormous +expanse of wing, the Wandering Albatross, the largest of the family, +sometimes attaining an expanse of fourteen feet. Their nostrils consist +of two slightly projecting tubes, one on each side near the base of the +bill. They are unsurpassed in powers of flight, but are only fair +swimmers and rarely, if ever, dive, getting their food, which consists +of dead animal matter, from the surface of the water. + + +81. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS. _Diomedea nigripes._ + +Range.--North Pacific from California northward. This Albatross is +thirty-two inches in length; it is of a uniform sooty brown color +shading into whitish at the base of the bill, which is rounded. Like the +other members of the family, this species is noted for its extended +flights, following vessels day after day without any apparent period of +rest, for the purpose of feeding on the refuse that is thrown overboard. +They breed during our winter on some of the small isolated islands in +the extreme southern portions of the globe. They lay a single white egg +on the bare ground. + + +82. SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS. _Diomedea albatrus._ + +Range.--North Pacific Ocean in summer, from Lower California to Alaska. +With the exception of the Wandering Albatross, which is now regarded as +doubtful as occurring off our coasts, the Short-tailed Albatross is one +of the largest of the group, measuring thirty-six inches in length, and +has an extent of seven feet or more. With the exception of the black +primaries, shoulders and tail, the entire plumage is white, tinged with +straw color on the back of the head. They breed on the guano islands in +the North Pacific off the coasts of Alaska and Japan. They lay a single +white egg on the bare ground or rocks. As with the other members of the +family, the eggs are extremely variable in size, but average about 4.25 +x 2.50. + +[Illustration 061: Black-footed Albatross. +Short-tailed Albatross.] + +Page 60 + +82.1. LAYSAN ALBATROSS. _Diomedea immutabilis._ + +Range.--Laysan Island of the Hawaiian Group, appearing casually off the +coast of California. This species breeds in large numbers on the island +from which it takes its name. The birds are white with the exception of +the back, wings and tail, which are black. The birds, having been little +molested in their remote island, are exceedingly tame, and it is +possible to go among the sitting birds without disturbing them. Mr. +Walter K. Fisher has contributed an admirable report on this species in +the 1913 Bulletin of the Fish Commission, the report being illustrated +with numerous illustrations of the birds from photos by the author. +Their single white eggs are laid on the bare ground. + +83. YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS. _Thalassogeron culminatus._ + +This is a species which inhabits the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, +and is said to rarely occur on the California coast. They breed during +our winter on some of the small islands and during our summer are ocean +wanderers. An egg in the collection of Col. John E. Thayer was taken on +Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean; Sept. 1st, 1888. The nest was a +mound of mud and grass about two feet in height. The single white egg +measured 3.75 x 2.25. It was collected by George Comer. + + +84. SOOTY ALBATROSS. _Phoebetria-palpebrata._ + +Range.--Southern seas, north in our summer along the Pacific coast of +the United States. + +This species is entirely sooty brown except the white eyelids. It is +similar to the Black-footed Albatross from which species it can be +distinguished in all plumages by the narrow base of the bill, while the +bill of the former species is broad and rounded. They breed commonly on +isolated islands in many quarters of the southern hemisphere. Sometimes +this species constructs a mound of mud on which to deposit its single +white egg, and also often lays it on the bare ground or rock. A specimen +in Mr. Thayer's collection, taken by Geo. Comer on So. Georgia Is. in +the South Atlantic ocean, was laid in a hollow among loose stones on the +ledge of an overhanging cliff. Size 4.10 x 2.75. + +[Illustration 062: Laysan Albatross. Yellow-nosed Albatross. Sooty +Albatross.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 61 + +FULMARS, SHEARWATERS and PETRELS Family PROCELLARIDAE + +Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels are Gull-like birds with two nostril +tubes located side by side, in a single tube, on the top of the bill at +its base. + +The Fulmars are mostly northern birds while the majority of the +Shearwaters nest in the extreme south during our winter, and appear off +our coasts during the summer. Their food consists of fish or offal which +they get from the surface of the water; large flocks of them hover about +fishermen, watching their chance to get any food which falls, or is +thrown, overboard. + +[Illustration 063: EGG OF SOOTY ALBATROSS--White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand border.] + +Page 62 + +85. GIANT FULMAR. _Macronectes gigantea._ + +Range.--This Petrel is a native of the southern seas and is only +casually met with off the Pacific coast. + +It is the largest of the family, being about three feet in length, and +is normally a uniform sooty color, although it has light phases of +plumage. They nest in December on many of the islands south of Africa +and South America, laying their single white egg on the bare rocks. + + +86. FULMAR. _Fulmarus glacialis glacialis._ + +Range.--North Atlantic coasts from New England northward, breeding from +Hudson Bay and southern Greenland northward. + +This bird which is 19 inches in length, in the light phase has a plumage +very similar to that of the larger Gulls. They nest by thousands on +rocky islands of the north, often in company with Murres and Gulls. +Owing to the filthy habits of the Fulmars, these breeding grounds always +have a nauseating odor, which is also imparted to, and retained by the +egg shell. Their single white eggs are laid on the bare rocks, in +crevices of the cliffs, often hundreds of feet above the water. Size +2.90 x 2.00. Data.--St. Kilda, off Scotland. June 5, 1897. Single egg +laid on rock on side of sea cliff. Collector, Angus Gillies. + +[Illustration 062: Fulmar.] +[Illustration: egg.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 63 + +86b. PACIFIC FULMAR. _Fulmarus glacialis glupischa._ + +This sub-species of the preceding, has a darker mantle than the common +Fulmar; it is found on the northern Pacific coasts where it breeds on +the high rocky cliffs, the same as its eastern relative. They nest in +large colonies, every crevice in the rocks having its tenant. Their +flight is graceful like that of the Gulls, which they closely resemble. +They lay but a single white egg, the average dimensions of which are +slightly smaller than those of the common Fulmar. Data.--Copper Is., +Alaska. May 14, 1889. Egg laid in a crevice among the cliffs. + + +86.1. RODGER'S FULMAR. _Fulmarus rodgers._ + +Range.--North Pacific, breeding in large numbers on some of the islands +in Bering Sea; south to California in winter. Very similar to the two +preceding species except that the back is mixed with whitish, it is not +believed to have a dark phase. Their breeding habits and eggs do not +differ from the common Fulmar. The eggs are laid on the rocky cliffs +during June. + + +87. SLENDER-BILLED FULMAR. _Priocella glacialoides._ + +Range.--Southern seas, appearing on the Pacific coast of the United +States in the summer. This species has a paler mantle than the others of +the family, and the primaries are black. The make-up and plumage of the +whole bird is more like that of the Gulls than any of the others. They +probably breed in the far south during our winter, although we have no +definite data relative to their nesting habits. + +[Illustration 065: Pacific Fulmar. Slender-billed Fulmar.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 64 + +88. CORY'S SHEARWATER. _Puffinus borealis._ + +This species probably breeds in the far south. It has been found only +off the coast of Massachusetts and Long Island. This is the largest of +our Shearwaters, and can be distinguished from the next species by its +wholly white underparts, its light mantle and yellowish bill. We have no +data relative to its nesting habits. + + +89. GREATER SHEARWATER. _Puffinus gravis._ + +Range.--The whole of the Atlantic Ocean. + +Thousands of them spend the latter part of the summer off the New +England coast, where they are known to the fishermen as Haglets. Their +upper parts are brownish gray, darker on the wings; bill and feet dark; +underparts white, with the middle of the belly and the under tail covers +dusky. Length about 20 inches. Little is known concerning their nesting +quarters, although they are said to breed in Greenland. From the fact of +their early appearance off the New England coast it is probable that the +greater part of them nest in the far south. + + +90. MANX SHEARWATER. _Puffinus puffinus._ + +This species inhabits the North Atlantic ocean chiefly on the European +side, being abundant in the Mediterranean and in the British Isles. +These birds deposit their single pure white eggs in crevices among the +cliffs, on the ground or in burrows dug by themselves. Size of egg 2.35 +x 1.60. Data.--Isle of Hay, North Scotland. June 1, 1893. Single egg +laid at the end of a three foot burrow. + +[Illustration 066: Cory Shearwater. Greater Shearwater.] +[Illustration: Egg of Audubon's Shearwater--White.] +[Illustration: Audubon's Shearwater.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 65 + +91. PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus creatopus._ + +Range.--Pacific Ocean, north on American side to California in summer. + +This species, whose breeding habits are little known, is similar in size +and color to the Greater Shearwater, differing chiefly in the yellowish +bill and pinkish colored feet. + + +92. AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER. _Puffinus lherminieri._ + +Range.--Middle Atlantic, ranging north in late summer to Long Island. + +This bird, having a length of but twelve inches, is the smallest of the +Shearwaters found along our coasts. Large colonies of them breed on some +of the small islands and keys of the West Indies and Bahamas, and not so +commonly in the Bermudas. Their eggs, which are pure white, are +deposited at the end of burrows dug by the birds. Size of egg 2.00 x +1.35. Their nesting season commences about the latter part of March and +continues through April and May. After the young are able to fly, like +other members of the family, the birds become ocean wanderers and stray +north to southern New England. Data.--Bahamas, April 13, 1891. Single +egg laid at the end of a burrow about two feet in length. Collector, D. +P. Ingraham. + + +92.1. ALLIED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus assimilis._ + +This is an Australian and New Zealand species that has accidentally +strayed to the shores of Nova Scotia. + + +93. BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus opisthomelas._ + +Range.--Middle Pacific coast of the Americas, north in late summer along +the coast of California. This species breeds commonly on the islands off +the coast of Lower California, especially on the Gulf side. Their single +egg is white, size 2.00 x 1.30, and is located at the end of a burrow. +Data.--Natividad Is., Lower California, April 10, 1897. Single egg laid +on the sand at the end of a burrow six feet in length. Collector, A. W. +Anthony. + + +93.1. TOWNSEND'S SHEARWATER. _Puffinus auricularis._ + +This bird ranges from Cape St. Lucas, south along the Pacific coast of +Mexico, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the Mexican coast. + +[Illustration 067: Pink-footed Shearwater. Black-vented Shearwater. +Townsend's Shearwater.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 66 + +94. SOOTY SHEARWATER. _Puffins fuliginosus._ + +Range.--A common species off the Atlantic coast in summer; breeds along +our northern coasts, and it is also supposed that many of them nest in +southern seas and reach our coasts early in the summer. These +Shearwaters are entirely sooty gray, being somewhat lighter below. They +are called "black haglets" by the fishermen, whose vessels they follow +in the hope of procuring bits of refuse. They commonly nest in burrows +in the ground, but are also said to build in fissures among the ledges. +Their single white egg measures 2.55 x 1.75. Data.--Island in Ungava +Bay, northern Labrador, June 14, 1896. Egg laid in a fissure of a sea +cliff. Collector, A. N. McFord. + + +95. DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus griseus._ + +This is a southern species which, after having nested on islands in the +far south during our winter, comes north and appears off the Pacific +coast of the United States during the summer. It is a similar bird to +the Sooty Shearwater, but is considerably darker and the under coverts +are whitish. Their nesting habits are the same as those of other members +of the family. Size of egg, 2.40 x 1.65. Data.--Stewart's Island, New +Zealand, February 15, 1896. Single egg at the end of a long burrow. + + +96. SLENDER-BILLED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus tenuirostris._ + +Range.--Northern Pacific Ocean in the summer, extending from Japan and +Alaska southward. Supposed to breed in the southern hemisphere, as well +as probably on some of the Aleutians in Alaska. + + +96.1. WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER. _Puffinus cuneatus._ + +Range.--North Pacific, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the +coast of Mexico, and probably on some of the small islands in the Gulf +of California. + + +97. BLACK-TAILED SHEARWATER. _Priofinus cinerus._ + +This is a Shearwater which inhabits the southern hemisphere, but which +has accidentally wandered to the Pacific coast of the United States. It +is dark above and whitish below, with black under tail coverts. It +breeds in the far south. + +[Illustration 068: Sooty Shearwater.] +[Illustration: Dark-bodied Shearwater. Slender-billed Shearwater.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 67 + +98. BLACK-CAPPED PETREL. _AEstrelata hasitata._ + +This is not a common species; it is an inhabitant of tropical seas and +has only been casually found on our coasts or inland. It is a handsome +species with white forehead, underparts and nape with a small isolated +black cap on the crown; the rest of the upper parts are blackish. It is +a native of the West Indies. + + +99. SCALED PETREL. _AEstrelata scalaris._ + +This is another rare species which is an inhabitant of southern seas. A +single specimen taken in New York State gives it a claim as a doubtful +North American species. It is a handsome bird, the feathers of the +grayish upperparts being edged with white, thus giving it the appearance +of being barred. Its eggs have only been known to science within the +past few years. Data.--Preservation Inlet, New Zealand, June 7, 1900. +Single white egg. Size 2.40 x 1.75. Collector, P. Seymour. Parent bird +taken with the egg. + + +100. FISHER'S PETREL. _AEstralata fisheri._ + +This is a handsome bird known only from the type specimen taken off +Kadiak Is., Alaska, by Mr. Fisher. + + +101. BULWER'S PETREL. _Bulweria bulweri._ + +An eastern Atlantic species which is only an accidental visitant to our +shores. They breed on the Madeira Islands where the eggs are laid in +crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the ground. Size 1.75 x 1.55, +white. + + +102. PINTADO PETREL. _Daption capensis._ + +This is the Cape Pigeon of the southern hemisphere. It has only +accidentally occurred on our coast. + +[Illustration 069: Black-capped Petrel. Scaled Petrel. Fisher's +Petrel.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 68 + +103. LEAST PETREL. _Halocyptena microsoma._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of America from Lower California to Panama. The +Least Petrel is the smallest of this family, in length measuring only +5.75 inches. Their plumage is entirely dark sooty. They have been found +breeding on San Benito Island, Lower California, and they probably do on +others farther south. The single egg that this bird lays is white with a +wreath of fine black specks around one and sometimes both ends. +Data.--San Benito Is., Lower California, June 12, 1897. No nest, the egg +being simply laid on the bare rock in a crevice. Size 1.00 x .75. +Collector, A. W. Anthony. + + +104. STORM PETREL. _Thalassidroma pelagica._ + +North Atlantic Ocean chiefly on the European side, wintering south to +New Brunswick. Smallest of the white rumped, black petrels; 5.75 inches +in length. + +This species is the originally called "Mother Cary's Chicken" by the +sailors. They nest abundantly on many of the islands off the coasts of +Europe and the British Isles, laying their single egg either in burrows +or crevices among the cliffs. Data.--Coast of County Kerry, Ireland, +June 1, 1895. Single egg laid at the end of burrow in a sea cliff. Size +1.05 x .80; white with a wreath of very fine dots about the larger end. +Collector, G. H. McDonald. + + +105. FORKED-TAILED PETREL. _Oceanodroma furcata._ + +Range.--North Pacific from California to Alaska, breeding in the +Aleutians. + +These birds have a plumage of bluish gray, the wings being darker and +the underparts lightest. The nests are made in burrows or crevices in +the banks. Data.--Uniak Is., Alaska, June 10, 1900. No nest. Single egg +laid at the end of a burrow. Several pairs nesting near. Egg white with +a fine wreath of purplish black specks about the large end. Size 1.25 x +.95. + +[Illustration 070: White.] +[Illustration: Least Petrel. Stormy Petrel. Forked-tailed Petrel.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 69 + +105.2. KAEDING'S PETREL. _Oceanodroma kaedingi._ + +This bird is similar to Leach Petrel, but is smaller and the tail is +less deeply forked. Its range is from California to Panama breeding on +the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico. + + +106. LEACH'S PETREL. _Oceanodroma leucorhoa._ + +Range.--North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, breeding from Maine and +from the Farallones, northward to Greenland and the Aleutians. + +These are the most common of the Petrels found on our coast; they are +eight inches in length, of a sooty brown color, and have a white rump. +The forked tail will at once distinguish them from any of the Atlantic +Petrels. They nest in burrows in the ground, laying a pure white egg, +sometimes with a very faint dusty wreath about the larger end. Size 1.20 +x .95. These birds generally take turns in the task of incubation, one +remaining at sea during the day and returning at night while his mate +takes her turn roving the briny deep in search of food. The young are +fed by regurgitation upon an oily fluid which has a very offensive odor. +This odor is always noticeable about an island inhabited by Petrels and +is always retained by the eggs or skins of these birds. They are very +rarely seen flying in the vicinity of their nesting island during the +day; the bird that is on the nest will remain until removed by hand. +Data.--Pumpkin Is., Maine, June 22, 1893. Single egg; nest of a few +grasses at the end of a burrow dug in the bank. Collector, J. Lefavour. + + +106.1 GUADALUPE PETREL. _Oceanodroma macrodactyla._ + +This species, which is very similar to the preceding, except for a +longer and more deeply forked tail, breeds on Guadalupe Is. Their eggs +are white very minutely wreathed with reddish brown; they are, however, +nearly always nest stained to an uneven brownish color. Data.--Guadalupe +Is., Lower California, March 24, 1897. Single egg laid on a few oak +leaves and pine needles at the end of a three foot burrow. Size of egg +1.40 x 1.00. Collector, A. W. Anthony. + +[Illustration 071: White.] +[Illustration: Kaeding's Petrel. Leach's Petrel. Guadalupe Petrel.] +[Illustration: White, nest stained.] +[Illustration: right hand border.] + +Page 70 + +107. BLACK PETREL. _Oceanodroma melania._ + +Range.--South Pacific, from southern California southward, breeding on +the small islands on both coasts of Lower California. They are similar +to the Leach's Petrel except that the rump is blackish. Data.--San +Benito Is., Lower California, July 23, 1896. White egg laid on bare +ground at the end of three foot burrow. Size 1.40 x 1. Collector, A. W. +Anthony. + +108. ASHY PETREL. _Oceanodroma homochroa._ + +Range.--California coast, breeding on the Farallones and Santa Barbara +Islands. + +This species, while not common, nests in all manner of localities on the +Farallones, concealing their eggs under any rock or in any crevice that +may attract their fancy. Their single white egg is only faintly if at +all wreathed with fine dust-like specks of reddish brown. Size 1.15 x +.86. Data.--Farallone Is., California, June 12, 1895. Egg laid on sand +in crevice at the base of a stone wall; well concealed. Collector, +Chester Barlow. + + +108.1. SOCORRO PETREL. _Oceanodroma socorroensis._ + +Breeds on Socorro, San Benito and Coronado Islands, placing its eggs at +the end of burrow. Data.--San Benito Is., Lower California, July 12, +1897. Single egg at the end of a burrow 3 feet in length. Egg pure white +very finely wreathed with pale reddish brown. Size 1.15 x .87. +Collector, A. W. Anthony. + +[Illustration 072: Black Petrel. Ashy Petrel.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 71 + +109. WILSON'S PETREL. _Oceanites oceanicus._ + +Breeds in the southern hemisphere in February and March and spends the +summer off the Atlantic coast as far north as Newfoundland. This species +can be distinguished from Leach Petrel by its square tail and from the +Stormy Petrel by its large size and yellow webs to its feet. These birds +are the greatest wanderers of the genus, being found at different +seasons in nearly all quarters of the globe. Their single egg is white. +Size 1.25 x .90. + + +110. WHITE-BELLIED PETREL. _Fregetta grallaria._ + +A small species (length about 7.5 inches) inhabiting southern seas. +Recorded once at Florida. General plumage blackish. Upper tail coverts, +bases of tail feathers, under wing coverts, and abdomen, white. + + +111. WHITE-FACED PETREL. _Pelagodroma marina._ + +Range.--Southern seas, accidentally north to the coast of Massachusetts. +This beautiful species is of about the same size as the Leach's Petrel. +It has bluish gray upper parts; the whole under parts, as well as the +forehead and sides of head, are white. + +These birds have the same characteristics as do others of the species, +pattering over the water with their feet as they skim over the crests +and troughs of the waves. They are not uncommon in the waters about New +Zealand where they breed. Their single eggs are about the same as +Leach's Petrel, are brilliant white and are, very strongly, for a Petrel +egg, wreathed about the large end with dots of reddish brown. Size 1.32 +x .90. Data.--Chatham Is., New Zealand, January 7, 1901. Egg laid at end +of a burrow. Collector, J. Lobb. This egg is in Mr. Thayer's collection. + +[Illustration 073: Wilson's Petrel. White-billed Petrel. White-faced +Petrel.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 72 + +TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. Order IV. STEGANOPODES +TROPIC BIRDS. Family PHAETHONTIDAE + +Tropic Birds are Tern-like birds, having all the toes connected by a +web, and having the two central tail feathers very much lengthened. + + +112. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. _Phaethon americanus._ + +Range.--Tropical regions, breeding in the Bahamas, West Indies and the +Bermudas, casual in Florida and along the South Atlantic coast. + +The Tropic Birds are the most strikingly beautiful of all the sea birds; +they are about 30 inches in length, of which their long slender tail +takes about 20 inches. They fly with the ease and grace of a Tern, but +with quicker wing beats. They feed on small fish, which they capture by +darting down upon, and upon snails which they get from the beach and +ledges. They build their nests in the crevices and along the ledges of +the rocky cliffs. While gregarious to a certain extent they are not +nearly as much so as the Terns. The nest is made of a mass of seaweed +and weeds; but one egg is laid, this being of a creamy or pale purplish +ground color, dotted and sprinkled with chestnut, so thickly as to often +obscure the ground color. Size 2.10 x 1.45. Data.--Coney Is., Bermudas, +May 1, 1901. Nest made of moss and seaweed in a crevice on ledge of +cliff. Collector, A. H. Verrill. + +[Illustration 074: Dull purplish.] +[Illustration: Yellow-billed Tropic Bird. Red-billed Tropic Bird.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 73 + +113. RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. _Phaethon aethereus._ + +Range.--Tropical seas, chiefly in the Pacific Ocean; north to southern +California. + +They breed on several islands in the Gulf of California. This species +differs from the preceding in having a red bill, and the back being +barred with black. Their plumage has a peculiar satiny appearance and is +quite dazzling when viewed in the sunlight. They are strong fliers and +are met with, hundreds of miles from land. They often rest upon the +water, elevating their long tails to keep them from getting wet. They +nest, as do the preceding species, on rocky islands and are said to also +build their nests in trees or upon the ground. The single egg that they +lay has a creamy ground and is minutely dotted with chestnut. Size 2.40 +x 1.55. Data.--Daphone Is., Galapagos Is., South Pacific, March 6, 1901. +Egg laid in hole of a sea cliff. The eggs are easily told from those of +the yellow-billed by their much larger size. Collector, R. H. Beck. + + +113.1 RED-TAILED TROPIC BIRD. _Phaethon rubricaudus._ + +Range.--Tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, accidental +off the coast of Lower California. + +This is a singularly beautiful species resembling the latter except that +the central tail feathers are bright red, with the extreme tips white. +During August and September they breed in large colonies on small +islands in the South Seas. On Mauritius Island they build their nests +either in the trees or place them on the ground; the nest is made of +seaweed, sticks and weeds; numbers of them nest on Laysan Is., of the +Hawaiian group, concealing their nests on the ground under overhanging +brush. + +The single egg has a pale purplish ground speckled with brown. + +[Illustration 075: Pale purplish.] +[Illustration: Pale purplish ground color.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 74 + +GANNETS. Family SULIDAE + +Gannets are large stoutly built birds, having the four toes joined by a +web; they have a small naked pouch beneath the bill; the bill is a +little longer than the head, and the tail is quite short. The plumage of +the adults is generally white, that of the young grayish. + + +114. BLUE-FACED BOOBY. _Sula syanops._ + +Range.--Widely distributed in the tropical seas, north casually to +Florida and breeding in the Bahamas. + +Like the rest of the Gannets, this one is stupid and will often remain +on the nest until removed with the hand, merely hissing at the intruder. +Often they lay their eggs on the bare ground, but sometimes the nest is +lined with seaweed or grass. They lay either one or two eggs early in +April. These eggs are of a dull white color and are heavily covered with +a chalky deposit. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.--Clarion Is., Mexico, May 24, +1897. Nest a mere hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector, A. W. +Anthony. + + +114.1. BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY. _Sula nebouxi._ + +Range.--Pacific coasts and islands from the Gulf of California southward +to Chili. + +These birds nest in numbers on the island of San Pedro Martir in the +Gulf of California. They lay but a single egg, placing it upon the bare +rock. Their breeding season extends from the latter part of March into +May. The egg is a dull white, generally nest stained and is covered with +the usual chalky deposit. Size 2.35 x 1.60. Data.--Clarion Island, +Mexico, May 21, 1897. Two eggs in a hollow in the sand near the beach. +Collector, A. W. Anthony. + +[Illustration 076: Blue-faced Booby. Blue-footed Booby.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 75 + +115. BOOBY. _Sula leucogastra._ + +Range.--Tropical coasts and islands of the Atlantic; north casually to +Georgia. + +The common Booby is an abundant bird on some of the islands of the +Bahamas and Bermudas; it is commonly called the Brown Booby because the +upper parts are of a brownish gray. These birds, as do the other +Gannets, have great powers of flight and without apparent effort dart +about with the speed of an arrow. They are quite awkward upon their feet +and are not very proficient swimmers. They rarely rest upon the water +except when tired. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of them breed in +company, laying their eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes a few sticks +or grasses will be placed about the bird to prevent the eggs from +rolling away. They generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest +stained. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data.--Key West, Bahamas, April 14, 1891. No +nest; two eggs laid on the bare rocks. + + +115.1. BREWSTER'S BOOBY. _Sula brewsteri._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Lower California southward. This Gannet +replaces the common Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly on +many islands in the Gulf of California, and in company with the +blue-footed variety, on San Pedro Martir Island. They generally lay two +eggs, placing them upon the bare rocks and surrounding them with a ring +of sticks and seaweed to keep them in place. The eggs are chalky white +and cannot be distinguished from those of the other Boobies. Data.--San +Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg laid on the +sand amid a few blades of grass. + + +116. RED-FOOTED BOOBY. _Sula piscator._ + +This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida +coast. The habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as +those of the others of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid. +Data.--San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg. +Nest a few twigs of rank grass. Collector, A. W. Anthony. + +[Illustration 077: Chalky bluish white, nest stained.] +[Illustration: Booby. Red-footed Booby.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 76 + +117. GANNET. _Sula bassana._ + +Range.--North Atlantic, breeding, in America, only on Bird Rocks in the +St. Lawrence. + +These are the largest of the family, being 35 inches in length. They +feed on fish which they catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying +their neck is carried fully extended. They rest on the water when tired, +the numerous air cells beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in +the water and enabling them to weather the severest storm in perfect +safety. The only known breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where +they nest by thousands, placing their nests in rows on the narrow +ledges; the nests are made of piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay +but one egg of dingy white color and covered with a chalky deposit. On +St. Kilda Island, off the coast of Scotland, they breed by millions. +They are very tame and will frequently allow themselves to be touched +with the hand. It is said that thousands of the young are killed by +fishermen every year and marketed in Edinburg and other places. +Data.--St. Kilda Island, Scotland, June 18, 1896. Single egg laid on a +large mass of seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald. + +[Illustration: Ganet Anhinga.] +[Illustration: Chalky bluish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 77 + +DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE + +118. WATER TURKEY. _Anhinga anhinga._ + +Range.--Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the +Mississippi Valley to Illinois. + +Anhingas or Snake Birds are curiously formed creatures with a Heron-like +head and neck, and the body of a Cormorant. They live in colonies in +inaccessible swamps. Owing to their thin and light bodies, they are +remarkable swimmers, and pursue and catch fish under water with ease. +When alarmed they have a habit of sinking their body below water, +leaving only their head and neck visible, thereby having the appearance +of a water snake. They also fly well and dive from their perch into the +water with the greatest celerity. + +They nest in colonies in the swamps, placing their nests of sticks, +leaves and moss in the bushes over the water. They breed in April, +laying from three to five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. +Size 2.25 x 1.35. Data.--Gainesville, Florida, May 18, 1894. Nest in the +top of a button-wood tree, made of leaves and branches, overhanging the +water. Collector, George Graham. + +[Illustration 079: Chalky bluish white.] +[Illustration: PELICAN POND. Washington Zoological Park.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 78 + +CORMORANTS. Family PHALACROCORACIDAE + +Cormorants have a more bulky body than do the Anhingas; their tail is +shorter and the bill strongly hooked at the tip. Cormorants are found in +nearly all quarters of the globe. They are very gregarious and most +species are maritime. They feed upon fish which they catch by pursuing +under water. Most of the Cormorants have green eyes. + +[Illustration: 080 left hand margin.] + +Page 79 + +119. CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax carbo._ + +Range.--The Atlantic coast breeding from Maine to Greenland. + +The common Cormorant or Shag is one of the largest of the race, having a +length of 36 inches. + +In breeding plumage, the black head and neck are so thickly covered with +the slender white plumes as to almost wholly obscure the black. There is +also a large white patch on the flanks. They nest in colonies on the +rocky shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, placing their nests of sticks +and seaweed in rows along the high ledges, where they sit, as one writer +aptly expresses it, like so many black bottles. A few pairs also nest on +some of the isolated rocky islets off the Maine coast. During the latter +part of May and during June they lay generally four or five greenish +white, chalky looking eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.40. Data.--Black Horse Rock, +Maine coast, June 6, 1893. Four eggs in a nest of seaweed and a few +sticks; on a high ledge of rock. Collector, C. A. Reed. + + +120. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus auritus._ + +Range.--The Atlantic coast and also in the interior, breeding from Nova +Scotia and North Dakota northward. + +This is a slightly smaller bird than carbo, and in the nesting season +the white plumes of the latter are replaced by tufts of black and white +feathers from above each eye. On the coast they nest the same as carbo +and in company with them on rocky islands. In the interior they place +their nests on the ground or occasionally in low trees on islands in the +lakes. They breed in large colonies, making the nests of sticks and +weeds and lay three or four eggs like those of the common Cormorant but +averaging shorter. Size 2.30 x 1.40. Data.--Stump Lake, North Dakota, +May 31, 1897. Nest of dead weeds on an island. Six eggs. Collector, T. +F. Eastgate. + +[Illustration 081: Chalky greenish or bluish white.] +[Illustration: Cormorant. Double-crested Cormorant.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 80 + +[Illustration 082: Walter Raine. +NESTS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.] + +Page 81 + +120a. FLORIDA CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus._ + +This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of +the Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The +nests are placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable +swamps and are composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. They lay +three or four chalky bluish white eggs. Size 2.30 x 1.40. Data.--Bird +Is., Lake Kissimee, Florida, April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of +weeds and grass, in a willow bush. + + +120b. WHITE-CRESTED CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus._ + +Range.--Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and +south to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in +the interior and on the coast, in the former case generally on the +ground or in low trees on swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky +cliffs of the coasts and islands. The nests are built in the same +fashion as the other Cormorants, and the three to five eggs are similar. +Size 2.45 x 1.40. + + +120c. FARALLON CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus._ + +Range.--This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California +and southward. + +In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large +numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher +ridges and rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on +the inland islands, they place their nests in low bushes. Their nests +and eggs are similar to those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 x 1.50. +Data.--Farallones, California. Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks. +Collector, W. O. Emerson. + +121. MEXICAN CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus._ + + +Range.--Breeds abundantly from southern Texas, south through Mexico; +north rarely to Kansas; has recently been found breeding in limited +number on some of the Bahamas. In the interior they nest in trees, +chiefly those overhanging or growing in the water. On the coasts they +nest on the rocky ledges, as do the other Cormorants. They nest in +colonies building their abode of twigs and weeds, and during May laying +three or four eggs, greenish white in color and chalky, as are all the +Cormorants. Size 2.25 x 1.35. + +[Illustration: right hand margin.] +[Illustration 083: Greenish white.] + +Page 82 + +122. BRANDT'S CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax penicillatus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast breeding along the whole coast of the United +States. + +This species is found more abundantly on the Farallones than is the +Farallone Cormorant. Like the other Cormorants breeding on these +islands, these cling closely to their nests, for fear of being robbed by +the Gulls, that are ever on the watch to steal either eggs or young. +Their nesting habits and eggs are identical with those of the other +species. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data.--Bird Island, California, May 24, 1885. +A very bulky nest of seaweed on the rocks. Collector, A. M. Ingersoll. + + +123. PELAGIC CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus._ + +Range.--Coast of Alaska. + +These are perhaps the most beautiful species of Cormorants, having +brilliant violet green metallic reflections and, in the breeding +plumage, crests on the forehead and nape, as well as large white flank +patches. They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands, placing +their nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky ledges, often hundreds +of feet above the sea level. Three or four eggs are laid during May and +June. The young birds when hatched are naked and black, and are +repulsive looking objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The +eggs are greenish white with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 x +1.40. + + +123a. VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus._ + +This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the +Aleutian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those +of the Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the rocky +islands. The eggs are the same size as those of the preceding. + + +123b. BAIRD'S CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens._ + +This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to +Mexico. They nest on the Farallones, but in smaller numbers than the +other varieties found there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller +than the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 x 1.40. + + +124. RED-FACED CORMORANT. _Phalacrocorax urile._ + +Range.--Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to Japan in the winter. + +This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having the forehead +bare. They do not differ in their breeding habits from others of the +family. That the Cormorants are expert fishermen may be seen from the +fact that the Chinese tame and have them catch fish for them, placing a +ring around their neck to prevent their swallowing the fish. Their +nesting places are very filthy, being covered with excrement and remains +of fish that are strewn around the nests. They breed in June laying +three or four eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.50. + +[Illustration 084: 120c--122.] +[Illustration: 123b--124.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 83 + +PELICANS. Family PELECANIDAE + +Pelicans are large, short legged, web footed (all four toes joined by a +web) birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with +its enormous pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while +normally contracted, is capable of being distended to hold several +quarts. It is used as a scoop in which to catch small fish. Their skin +is filled with numerous air cells, making them very light and buoyant. + + +125. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. _Pelecanus erythrorhynchos._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and +the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five +feet, are entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their +food by approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their +head beneath the surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a +time; after allowing the water to run out of the sides of the mouth, +they proceed to swallow their catch. They nest in large communities on +islands in some of the inland lakes. + +Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba, furnish breeding ground +for many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the +ground, making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, +but often three or four. Size 3.45 x 2.30. Data.--Egg Island, Great Salt +Lake, June 19, 1884. Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, +surrounded by a few sticks. Collector, F. F. Leonard. + +[Illustration 085: Chalky white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 84 + +[Illustration 086: AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.] + +Page 85 + +126. BROWN PELICAN. _Pelecanus occidentalis._ + +Range.--Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United +States. + +Brown Pelicans are about 50 inches in length; they have a blackish and +grayish body and a white head and neck with a brown stripe down the back +of the latter. The pouch is a dark greenish brown. This species is +maritime and is not found inland. They breed in large colonies on many +of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico and on Pelican Island on the east +coast of Florida, in which latter place they are now protected from +further depredations at the hand of eggers and gunners. Their fishing +tactics differ from those of the White Pelican. They dive down upon the +school of fish from the air and rarely miss making a good catch. Their +nests are quite bulky structures made of sticks and weeds and grasses. +These are generally located on the ground but occasionally in low +mangroves, these latter nests being more bulky than the ground ones. +They lay from two to five chalky white eggs during May and June. Size 3. +x 1.90. Data.--Tampa Bay, Fla., May 29, 1894. Three eggs. Nest in the +top of a stout mangrove; made of sticks, branches and leaves. Collector, +Geo. Graham. + + +127. CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN. _Pelecanus californicus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia south to the Galapagos +Islands. + +This bird is similar to the preceding, but larger and the pouch is +reddish. They breed abundantly on the Coronado Islands and southward. +Their habits, nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Brown +Pelican. Size of the three or four chalky white eggs is 3.10 x 1.95. +Data.--Coronado Islands, Calif., March 28, 1897. Three eggs. Nest of +sticks, lined with green leaves, located on the ground. Collector, H. +McConville. + +[Illustration 087: Chalky white.] +[Illustration: Brown Pelican. White Pelican.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 86 + +MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATIDAE + +128. MAN-O'-WAR BIRD. _Fregata aquila._ + +Range.--Tropical seas, north regularly in America to the South Atlantic +and Gulf coasts, casually farther. + +Man-o'-war Birds or "Frigates," as they are often called, are remarkable +birds in many respects. In comparison with their weight they have the +largest expanse of wing of any known bird. Weighing only about four +pounds they have an extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings +being extremely long and pointed. The length of the bird is about 40 +inches, of which the tail comprises about 18 in., 10 inches of this +being forked. They have a large bright orange gular sac, a long, hooked +bill, and small slightly webbed feet. Their powers of flight combine the +strength of the Albatrosses and the grace of the Terns. They are very +poor swimmers and do not dive, so are forced to procure their food by +preying upon the Gulls and Cormorants, forcing them to drop their fish, +which the pirates catch before it reaches the water. They also feed upon +flying fish, catching them in the air, whither they have been driven by +their enemies in their natural element. They nest in large colonies on +some of the Bahama Islands and on some of the small Florida Keys. Their +nests are small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the single egg +is laid in March and April. It is white and has a smooth surface. Size +2.80 x 1.90. Data.--Key Verde, Bahamas, March 6, 1889. Single egg. Nest +a frail affair of sticks on a cactus. Collector, D. P. Ingraham. + +[Illustration 088: White.] +[Illustration: Man-O'-War Bird.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 87 + +Order V. ANSERES +DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS. Family ANATIDAE + +The birds comprising this family are of greatly varying sizes, but all +have webbed feet, and generally the bill is broader than high, and is +serrated on the edges or provided with gutters to act as a strainer in +assisting the birds to gather their food. + + +129. MERGANSER. _Mergus americanus._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United +States northward. + +The three species of Mergansers are almost exclusively fish eating +birds. Therefore their flesh is unpalatable and they are known as "Fish +Ducks." They are also sometimes called "Sawbills" because of the +teeth-like serration on both the upper and the under mandibles. Unlike +the other species of ducks, their bills are long, slender and rounded +instead of being broad and flat; it is also hooked at the tip. Like the +Cormorants, they often pursue and catch fish under the water, their +teeth-like bills enabling them to firmly hold their prey. + +The American Mergansers, Goosanders, or Sheldrakes, as they are often +called, are found both on the coast and in the interior. Except in +certain mountainous regions, they breed chiefly north of the United +States. The male bird has no crest and the head is a beautiful green, +while the female has a reddish brown crest and head, shading to white on +the chin. They build their nest in hollow trees near the water. It is +made of grasses, leaves and moss and is lined with feathers from the +breast of the female. During May, they lay from six to ten eggs of a +creamy or buff color. Size 2.70 x 1.75. Data.--Gun Is., Lake Winnipeg. +June 16, 1903. Eleven eggs in a nest of white down, located between two +large boulders. Collector, Walter Raine. + +[Illustration 089: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: American Merganser. Red-breasted Merganser.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 88 + +130. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. _Mergus serrator._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward. + +This species is more abundant than the preceding. It is slightly +smaller, being 22 inches in length, and the male is crested. Found +abundantly in the United States in winter. Breeds commonly in the +interior of British America and in Labrador and Newfoundland. They make +their nests on the ground, near the water, concealing them under rocks +or tufts of grass. The nest is made of grasses, leaves and moss and +lined with feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of a buffy or +greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.--Lake Manitoba, N. W. +Canada. Two eggs in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose +bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Hamaugh. + + +131. HOODED MERGANSER. _Lophodytes cucullatus._ + +Range.--North America, breeding locally throughout its range, in the +interior. These are beautiful little Ducks distinguished from all others +by the semi-circular, compressed crest which is black with an enclosed +white area. They make their nests in hollow trees, in wooded districts +near the water, lining the cavity with grasses and down. They lay ten or +twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70. + + +132. MALLARD. _Anas platyrhynchos._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United +States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies. + +Contrasting with the preceding Fish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as +one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine +insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They +nest in many localities in the United States but more abundantly north +of our borders. They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or +lakes, placing their nests of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In +May and June they lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. +Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data.--San Diego, California, May 19, 1897. Nest made +of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge of a field near a pond. + +[Illustration 090: Hooded Merganser. Mallard.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 89 + +[Illustration 091: Lake Winnipegosis, June 16, 1902 Walter Raine NEST +AND EGGS OF AMERICAN MERGANSER. + +This species usually nest in holes in trees, but on this island they +were nesting in holes under boulders.] + +Page 90 + +133. BLACK DUCK. _Anas rubripes._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the middle portions north +to the Hudson Bay territory and Labrador. + +Throughout their breeding region, one or more pairs of these ducks nest +in nearly every favorable locality. Their nests are placed on the ground +in marshes, swamps or fields bordering a pond or lake, the nest being +concealed in the long grass or reeds. They breed in equal abundance, +either in the interior or along the sea coast; in the latter case their +nests are often placed beside of, or under an overhanging rock. It is +made of weeds, grass and moss and is lined with feathers and down. They +lay from six to twelve eggs during May and June; these are buff or +greenish buff in color. Size 2.30 x 1.70. Data.--Duck Is., Maine, June +3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a large tuft on water's edge. + + +134. FLORIDA DUCK. _Anas fulvigula fulvigula._ + +Range.--Florida and the Gulf of the Mississippi. + +This is a similar, lighter colored, locally distributed race of the +foregoing. The most noticeable difference in plumage between this and +the Black Duck is the absence of markings on the chin. The habits are +the same, and the eggs, which are deposited in April, are similar to +those of the Black Duck, but smaller. Size 2.15 x 1.60. + +[Illustration 092: Pale greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Black Duck. Florida Duck.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 91 + +134a. MOTTLED DUCK. _Anas fulvigula maculosa._ + +Range.--Gulf coast of Texas and up the Mississippi Valley to Kansas. + +The habits of this bird differ in no way from the preceding ones. The +six to ten eggs are greenish buff in color. Size 2.15 x 1.55. + + +135. GADWALL. _Chaulelasmus streperus._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America, chiefly in the United +States and north to Manitoba, chiefly in the interior. + +South in winter to the Gulf. The males of these birds may be identified +by the white speculum and the chestnut wing coverts. Gadwalls nest on +the ground among the reeds of marshes or in the long grass of bordering +fields; they make little or no nest but line the cavity with down from +their breasts. They lay from seven to twelve eggs of a creamy buff +color. Size 2.10 x 1.60. Data.--Benson Co., North Dakota, June 19, 1898. +Eight eggs. Nest on the ground among rank grass on a low island in +Devils Lake. Made of weeds lined with down. Collector, E. S. Rolfe. + + +136. WIDGEON. _Mareca penelope_. + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America, only in the Aleutian +Islands; rare or accidental in other parts of the country. + +The European Widgeon is similar in build and plumage to the following +species, except that the whole head, with the exception of the white +crown, is chestnut. They build their nests in the rushes, making them of +reeds and grass and lining them with feathers. They lay from six to ten +light buff colored eggs. Size 2.20 x 1.50. + +[Illustration 093: Creamy buff.] +[Illustration: Gadwall. Widgeon.] +[Illustration: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 92 + +137. BALDPATE. _Mareca americana._ + +Range.--North America, breeding in the interior from Texas north to +Hudson Bay. + +The Baldpate (so-called because of the white crown) or American Widgeon +is a handsomely marked bird and is regarded as a great table delicacy. +The male birds cannot be mistaken for any other species because of the +white crown, wing coverts and underparts and the broad green stripe, +back of the eye. They breed locally in many parts of the country, +building their nests of grass and weeds, neatly lined with feathers, on +the ground in marshes. They lay from six to twelve creamy eggs. Size +2.15 x 1.50. Data.--Lac Aux Morts, North Dakota. Eight eggs. Nest of +grass and down on ground in a grassy meadow. Collector, E. S. Bryant. + + +138. EUROPEAN TEAL. _Nettion crecca._ + +An old world species that is casually found on both coasts of America. + + +139. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. _Nettion carolinense._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United +States. + +A small, handsome species, the male of which can readily be identified +by the reddish brown head and neck, with the large green patch behind +each ear; length fourteen inches. Green-winged Teals are our smallest +representative of the Duck family. They are eagerly sought by sportsmen, +both because of their beauty and the excellence of their flesh. They are +among the most common of Ducks in the interior, where they nest +generally in tufts of grass along ponds, lakes or brooks. Nest of grass +and weeds, lined with down from the bird. Eggs buffy, four to ten in +number. Size 1.85 x 1.25. + +[Illustration 094: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Baldpate. Green-winged Teal.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 93 + +140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL. _Querquedula discors_. + +Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward; +rare on the Pacific coast. + +Another small species, known by the blue wing coverts and the white +crescent in front of eye. They nest in the same localities with the +preceding species, placing their nest of grass and weeds on the ground +in meadows near water. Eggs buffy white. Six to twelve in number. Size +1.90 x 1.30. + + +141. CINNAMON TEAL. _Querquedula cyanoptera_. + +Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains. +Casually east to Texas, Illinois and British Columbia. + +The Cinnamon Teal is another small Duck, marked by the uniform rich +chestnut plumage and light blue wing coverts. The speculum is green. The +nesting habits are the same as those of the Teals, the nests being +placed on the ground in marshes or fields near water. Their nests are +closely woven of grass and weeds and lined with down and feathers from +the breast of the bird. The eggs are pale buff and number from six to +fourteen. Size 1.85 x 1.35. + + +141.1. RUDDY SHELDRAKE. _Casarca ferruginea._ + +This is an Old World species that has accidentally occurred in +Greenland. + +[Illustration 095: Blue-winged Teal. Cinnamon Teal.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 94 + +142. SHOVELLER. _Spatula clypeata._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the interior from Texas +northward. + +This strikingly marked Duck is twenty inches in length, has a green head +and speculum, blue wing coverts and chestnut belly. The bill is long and +broad at the tip. It makes its nest on the ground in marshy places, of +grass, weeds and feathers. Six to ten eggs constitute a complete set. +They are greenish or leaden gray color. Size 2.10 x 1.50. +Data.--Graham's Island, North Dakota, May 28, 1899. Nest of dead weed +stems and grass, lined with down. Ten eggs. Collector, E. S. Bryant. + + +143. PINTAIL. _Dafila acuta._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America from northern +United States northward, wintering south to Panama. This species, which +is also known as the Sprig-tail, is very common in the United States in +the spring and fall migrations. It is about thirty inches long, its +length depending upon the development of the tail feathers, the central +ones of which are long and pointed. They breed casually in many sections +of the United States, but in abundance from Manitoba to the Arctic +Ocean. They nest near the water, laying from six to twelve eggs of dull +olive color. Size 2.20 x 1.50. Data.--Graham's Island, Devil's Lake, N. +Dakota, June 15, 1900. Ten eggs. Nest on the ground, of weeds, lined +with down. Colony breeding. Collector, E. S. Bryant. + +[Illustration 096: Lead gray.] +[Illustration: Pintail. Shoveller.] +[Illustration: Dull olive gray.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 95 + +144. WOOD DUCK. _Aix sponsa._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from Labrador and British +Columbia south to Florida. + +Bridal Duck is a name often given to this, the most beautiful of all +Ducks. + +They are beautifully marked, have a large crest, and are iridescent with +all colors of the rainbow. They frequent wooded country near ponds and +lakes, feeding on water insects and mollusks in the coves. They build +their nests in hollow trees and stumps, often at quite a distance from +the water. When the young are a few days old, they slide, scramble, or +flutter down the tree trunk to the ground below, and are led to the +water. The nest is made of twigs, weeds and grass, and warmly lined with +down. The eggs are a buff color and number eight to fifteen. Size 2. x +1.5. + + +145. RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. _Netta rufina._ + +A European species; a single specimen taken on Long Island in 1872. + + +146. REDHEAD. _Marila americana._ + +Range.--North America at large, breeding from northern United States +northward, chiefly in the interior. + +A bird commonly seen in the markets where it is often sold as the +following species because of their similarity. The nests are placed on +the ground in marshes or sloughs, and are made of grasses, lined with +feathers. Eggs from six to fourteen in number, of a buffy white color. +Size 2.40 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 097: Rich buff.] +[Illustration: Wood Duck. Redhead.] +[Illustration: Buffy.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 96 + +[Illustration 098: WOOD DUCK.] + +Page 97 + +147. CANVAS-BACK. _Marila valisineria._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly in the interior from +the United States to the Arctic Ocean. + +A noted table bird, especially in the south where it feeds on wild +celery. Can be distinguished from the Redhead by its darker head, +lighter back, and gradually sloping bill. They nest abundantly in +Manitoba, their habits being the same as the preceding. They lay from +six to ten eggs of a darker shade than the Red-heads. Size 2.40 x 1.70. +Data.--Haunted Lake, N. Alberta, June 12, 1897. Ten eggs. Nest of reeds +in a heavy reed bed out in the lake. Collector, Walter Raine. + + +148. SCAUP DUCK. _Marila marila._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from North Dakota northward, chiefly in +the interior; south in winter to Central America. + +This and the following species are widely known as "Blue-bills" owing to +the slaty blue color of that member. Their plumage is black and white, +somewhat similar in pattern to that of the Redhead, but darker, and the +whole head is black. They nest in marshes about many of the ponds and +lakes in the interior of British America. The nest is made of marsh +grasses and lined with feathers. The six to ten eggs are pale grayish or +greenish gray. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.--Saltcoats Marshes, N. W. Canada, +June 15, 1901. Ten eggs. Nest in the grass; a depression lined with down +and dried grasses. Collector, Walter Raine. + +[Illustration: CANVAS-BACK. American Scaup Duck.] +[Illustration 099: Pale greenish gray.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 98 + +149. LESSER SCAUP DUCK. _Marila affinis._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from North Dakota and British Columbia +northward; winters south to Central America. + +This Duck is distinguished from the preceding, chiefly by its size which +is about two inches less, or 17 inches in length. The nesting habits are +the same as those of the Greater Scaup and the eggs are similar but +smaller. Size 2.25 x 1.55. Data.--Northern Assiniboia, June 10, 1901. +Ten eggs on grass and down at the edge of a lagoon. Collector, Walter +Raine. + + +150. RING-NECKED DUCK. _Marila collaris._ + +Range.--North America, breeding in the interior, from North Dakota and +Washington northward. Winters from Maryland on the east and British +Columbia on the west to Central America. + +Similar to the Lesser Scaup in size and plumage, except that it has a +narrow chestnut collar around the neck, the back is black instead of +barred with white, and the speculum is gray instead of white. The habits +and nesting habits of the Ring-neck do not differ from those of the +other Scaups. They lay from six to twelve eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.60. +Data.--Cape Bathurst, N. Y. T., June 18, 1901. Ten eggs in a slight +hollow in the moss, lined with down. Collector, Captain Bodfish. + +[Illustration 100: Lesser Scaup Duck. Ring-necked Duck.] +[Illustration: Lead gray.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 99 + +151. GOLDEN-EYE. _Clangula clangula americana._ + +Range.--North America, breeding both on the coast and in the interior, +from the northern border of the United States northward to the Arctic +Ocean. + +These are handsome Ducks known as "Whistlers" from the noise of their +wings when flying, and "Greatheads" because of the puffy crest. The head +is greenish with a large round white spot in front of, and a little +below the eye. The rest of the plumage is black and white. This species +nests in hollow trees near the water, lining the cavity with grass, moss +and leaves, and lining the nest with down from their breasts. In May and +June they lay from six to ten eggs of a grayish green color. Size 2.30 x +1.70. + + +152. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE. _Clangula islandica._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States +except from the mountainous portions of Colorado northward. + +This Golden-eye differs from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the +white spot before the eye, which in this species is in the form of a +crescent. The size is the same, about 20 inches in length. The +reflections on the head are purplish rather than greenish as in the +preceding. The nesting habits are the same, they building in hollow +trees near water. The six to ten eggs are not different from the +preceding. Size 2.30 x 1.65. Data.--Alfusa, Iceland, June 30, 1900. +Seven eggs. Nest of grass and down in a box attached to a tree by an +islander. + +[Illustration 101: Grayish green.] +[Illustration: American Golden-eye. Barrow Golden-eye.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 100 + +153. BUFFLE-HEAD. _Charitonetta albeola._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from United States northward. Winters +south to Mexico. + +Gunners know this handsome little duck by the names of "Butter-ball," +and "Dipper," a name also given to Grebes. It is also quite similar, but +smaller (15 in. long), to the American Golden-eye but has a large white +patch on the back of the head, from eye to eye. It is an active bird +and, like the two preceding, is capable of diving to a great depth to +get its food. Its nesting habits are like the preceding. Eggs eight to +fourteen. Size 2 x 1.40. Data.--Alberta, Canada, June 6, 1899. Seven +eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump, lined with down. Collector, Dr. +George. + + +154. OLD-SQUAW. _Harelda hyemalis._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions; south in +winter to New Jersey and Illinois. + +The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called, is especially noticeable because +the breeding plumage of the male differs markedly from that in the +winter. In summer their general plumage is blackish brown, with a white +patch around the eye, and white belly. In winter they are largely white. +The central tail feathers are much lengthened. They breed abundantly in +Greenland, Alaska and the Hudson Bay Territory, placing their nests of +grasses and weeds on the ground near the water. It is generally +concealed in the long grass. The eggs number from six to twelve. Size 2. +x 1.50. Data.--N. Iceland, June 10, 1900. Nest on ground, lined with +down. Collector, S. H. Wallis. + +[Illustration 102: Dull buff.] +[Illustration: Buffle-head. Old-squaw.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 101 + +155. HARLEQUIN DUCK. _Histrionicus histrionicus._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere in America, breeding from Newfoundland and +the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, northward. South in winter to +California and New England. + +A beautiful and most gorgeous bird, not in colors, but in the oddity of +the markings, the colors only including black, white, gray and chestnut. +Either sex can be recognized by the small short bill. They breed mostly +in single pairs along swiftly running streams, placing their nest, which +is woven of weeds and grasses, in the ground near the water. It is also +claimed that they sometimes nest in hollow trees. They lay from five to +eight eggs, yellowish or greenish buff in color. Size 2.30 x 1.60. +Data.--Peel River, Alaska, June 13, 1898. Seven eggs in a hollow in +river bank, lined with down. Collector, C. E. Whittaker. + + +156. LABRADOR DUCK. _Camptorhynchus labradorius._ + +This bird, whose range was from Labrador to New Jersey in the winter, +has probably been extinct since 1875, when the last authentic capture +was made. It is a strange fact that a bird of this character should have +been completely exterminated, even though they were often sold in the +markets. Only forty-one specimens are known to be preserved at present +and nothing is known in regard to their nesting habits or eggs. + +[Illustration 103: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Harlequin Duck. Labrador Duck.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 102 + +157. STELLER'S DUCK. _Polysticta stelleri._ + +Range.--Arctic regions in America, chiefly on the Aleutian Islands and +northwest coast of Alaska. + +A very beautiful species eighteen inches long; head white, washed with +greenish on the forehead and nape; chin, throat, neck, back, tail and +crissum, black; underparts chestnut; wing coverts white, the long +scapulars black and white. It breeds on the rocky coasts and islands of +Bering Sea. The six to nine eggs are pale olive green in color. Size +2.25 x 1.60. Data.--Admiralty Bay, Alaska, June 22, 1898. Nest on a +hummock of the tundra, near a small pool, lined with grass and down. +Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + + +158. SPECTACLED EIDER. _Arctonetta fischeri._ + +Range.--Coast of Alaska from the Aleutians to Point Barrow. + +Like the rest of the true Eiders, this species is black beneath and +mostly white above. The head is largely washed with sea green, leaving a +large patch of white, narrowly bordered by black around each eye, thus +resembling a pair of spectacles. The nests are made of grass and seaweed +and lined with down; they are placed on the ground in clumps of grass or +beneath overhanging stones. The five to nine eggs are an olive drab or +greenish color. Size 2.70 x 1.85. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska, June 15, +1898. Six eggs. Nest of moss and down in a hollow in dry tundra. +Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + + +159. NORTHERN EIDER. _Somateria mollissima borealis._ + +Range.--North Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador to Greenland and +wintering south to New England. + +A large Duck similar to the next species, but with the base of the bill +differing, as noted in the description of the following species, and +with a more northerly distribution. The nesting habits are the same as +those of the other Eiders. Six to ten eggs generally of a greenish drab +color. Size 3. x 2. + +[Illustration 104: Steller's Duck. Spectacled Eider.] +[Illustration: Pale olive green.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 103 + +160. EIDER. _Somateria dresseri._ + +Range.--Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to Labrador and wintering +south to Delaware. + +This species differs from the preceding only in the fleshy part of the +base of the bill, which extends back on each side of the forehead, it +being broad and rounded in this species and narrow and pointed in the +Northern or Greenland Eider. This species, but more especially the +Northern Eider, are the ones chiefly used for the eider-down of +commerce. The preceding species is often semi-domesticated in Greenland, +the people protecting them and encouraging them to nest in the +neighborhood. They make their nests of seaweed and grass and warmly line +it with down from their breast; this down is continually added to the +nest during incubation until there is a considerable amount in each +nest, averaging about an ounce in weight. The birds are among the +strongest of the sea ducks and get their food in very deep water. Their +flesh is not good eating. Their eggs number from five to ten and are +greenish drab. Size 3. x 2. + + +161. PACIFIC EIDER. _Somateria v-nigra._ + +Range.--North Pacific from the Aleutian Islands northward, and east to +Great Slave Lake. + +This bird is, in plumage, like the Northern Eider, except that it has a +black V-shaped mark on the throat. They nest sparingly on the Aleutian +Islands, but in great numbers farther north on the coast about Point +Barrow. Their habits, nests and eggs are precisely the same as those of +the eastern forms. Their eggs number from five to ten and are of olive +greenish color. Size 3. x 2. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 8, 1900. +Eight eggs. Nest a hollow in the moss, lined with grass and down. + +[Illustration 105: Greenish drab.] +[Illustration: Eider. Pacific Eider.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 104 + +162. KING EIDER. _Somateria spectabilis._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from Labrador to +Greenland and the Arctic Ocean; south in winter to the New England +States and rarely farther on the eastern side, and to the Aleutians on +the Pacific; also casually to the Great Lakes in the interior. + +A handsome and very different species from any of the foregoing, having +the crown ashy blue, and the long scapulars black instead of white. It +also has a broad V-shaped mark on the throat. Like all the other Eiders, +the female is mottled brown and black, the different species being very +difficult to separate. The nests are sunk in the ground and lined with +down. Eggs number from six to ten. Size 2.80 x 1.80. Data.--Point +Barrow, Alaska, July 5, 1898. Five eggs. Nest a hollow in the moss on +tundra lined with moss and down. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + + +163. SCOTER. _Oidemia americana._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding from Labrador, the Hudson Bay +region and the Aleutian Islands northward; winters south to Virginia, +the Great Lakes and California. + +Scoters or "Coots" as they are generally called are sea ducks whose +plumage is almost wholly black; they have fantastically colored and +shaped bills. The American Scoter is entirely black without markings; +base of bill yellow and orange. This species nest as do the Eiders, +often concealing the nest, of grass and feathers, under some overhanging +rock. They lay from six to ten eggs of a dingy buff color. Size 2.50 x +1.70. Data.--Mackenzie Bay, June 15, 1899. Ten eggs. Nest a hollow in +the sand, lined with down. + +[Illustration 106: King Eider. Scoter.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 105 + +164. VELVET SCOTER. _Oidemia fusca._ + +An Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland. + + +165. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. _Oidemia deglandi_. + +Range.--Abundant in North America, breeding from Labrador, North Dakota +and British Columbia, northward. Wintering south to the Middle States, +southern Illinois and southern California. + +The largest of the Scoters, length 22 inches, distinguished by a large +white speculum on the wing, also a white comet extending from under the +eye backwards. It also has a yellow eye. Like the other Scoters, this +species often feeds in very deep water. They are strong, active diving +birds, and are also strong on the wing, generally flying close to the +surface of the water. Their flesh is not regarded as good eating, +although they are often sold for that purpose. They nest on the ground, +generally in long grass or under low bushes making a coarse nest of +grasses, and sometimes twigs, lined with feathers. They lay from five to +eight eggs of a pale buff color. Size 2.75 x 1.85. + + +166. SURF SCOTER. _Oidemia perspicillata._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States +boundary, and wintering south to Virginia and southern California. + +The male of this species is entirely black, except for the white patches +on the forehead and nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white, +pink and yellow. They nest either along the coast or in the interior, +building a nest lined with down, in the marsh grass bordering small +ponds. They lay from five to eight buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 x +1.70. The females of all the Scoters are a dingy brownish color, but +show the characteristic marking of the species, although the white is +generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data.--Mackenzie River, June 25, +1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the river. + +[Illustration 107: Surf Scoter. White-winged Scoter.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 106 + +167. RUDDY DUCK. _Erismatura jamaicensis._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United +States border except locally on the Pacific coast. Winters along the +Gulf and through Mexico and Central America. + +This peculiar species may always be recognized by the brownish or +chestnut upper parts, blackish crown, white cheeks and silvery white +underparts. The bill is very stout and broad at the end, and the tail +feathers are stiff and pointed like those of a Cormorant. They build +their nests in low marshy places, either placing them on the ground near +the water or in the rushes over it. Their nests are made of rushes and +grasses, sometimes lined and sometimes not, with down from the parents +breast. The eggs number from six to twelve and are grayish in color. +Size 2.40 x 1.75. Data.--Northern Assiniboia, Canada, June 6, 1901. +Eight eggs. Nest made of aquatic grasses, lined with down. Built in a +tuft of rushes in a marsh. Collector, Walter Raine. + + +168. MASKED DUCK. _Nomonyx dominicus._ + +This is a tropical species which is resident in Mexico, Central America +and in the West Indies. It occurs in Mexico north to the lower Rio +Grande Valley and has in three known instances strayed to northern +United States. The general plumage is a rusty chestnut, mottled with +blackish, it has a black face and throat, with white wing bars. + +[Illustration 108: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Ruddy Duck. Masked Duck.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 107 + +169. SNOW GOOSE. _Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus._ + +Range.--North America west of the Mississippi Valley, breeding in +northern Alaska and the MacKenzie River district. + +This smaller species of the Snow Goose nests on islands in rivers along +the arctic coast. The nest is a depression in the ground, lined with +grasses and, occasionally down. They lay from four to eight eggs of a +buffy or yellowish white color. Size 2.75 x 1.75. + + +169a. GREATER SNOW GOOSE. _Chen hyperboreus nivalis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering chiefly on the Atlantic coast, south to Cuba. + +This bird is like the preceding; except in size; about thirty-six +inches, instead of twenty-six inches in length as is the lesser variety. +The entire plumage is white except for the black primaries. They +construct their nests of grasses on the ground the same as the preceding +variety. The eggs number from five to eight and are cream colored. Size +3.40 x 2.40. + + +169.1. BLUE GOOSE. _Chen caerulescens._ + +Range.--North America, principally in the interior, breeding from Hudson +Bay northward and wintering along the Gulf coast. + +This species may always be recognized by the entirely white head and +neck, the body being grayish or bluish gray. They nest on the ground as +do the other geese laying from four to eight eggs of a brownish buff +color. Size 2.50 x 1.75. Data,--Cape Bathurst, Arctic coast, June 29, +1899. Four eggs laid in a depression lined with grass, on an island. +Collected with the parent birds by the Esquimaux. + +[Illustration 109: Grayish White.] +[Illustration: Lesser Snow Goose. Blue Goose.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 108 + +170. ROSS'S SNOW GOOSE. _Chen rossi._ + +Range.--This beautiful species, which is similar in plumage to the large +Snow Goose, is but twenty-one inches in length. It breeds in the extreme +north, and in winter is found in the western part of the United States +as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Their nesting habits and eggs +probably do not differ from others in the family except in the matter of +size. + + +171. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. _Anser albifrons albifrons._ + +This European species is exactly like the American except that it is +said to average a trifle smaller. It is occasionally found in Greenland. + + +171a. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. _Anser albifrons gambeli._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering south to the Gulf coast; not common on the Atlantic coast +during migrations. + +These birds may be recognized by their mottled plumage, dark head and +white forehead. This species is more abundant than any of the preceding +and nests in large colonies along the arctic coast and in Alaska. Their +nests are made of dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed on the +ground in a slight depression. From four to nine eggs are laid; these +have a dull buff ground. Size 3.00 x 2.05. Data.--Island in delta of +Mackenzie River, June 10, 1899. Four eggs. Nest of grass and feathers on +the ground on a small island. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer. + + +171.1. BEAN GOOSE. _Anser fabalis._ + +This European species is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the +most common of the Old World Species. + +[Illustration 110: Ross Snow Goose. American White-fronted Goose.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 109 + +172. CANADA GOOSE. _Branta canadensis canadensis._ + +Range.--The whole of North America, breeding from northern United States +northward, and wintering in the southern parts of the United States. + +This species is the most widely known of American Geese and is the most +abundant. Its familiar "honk" has long been regarded as the signal of +the coming of spring, and the familiar V-shaped formation in which the +flocks migrate is always an object of interest to everyone. With the +exception of in North Dakota and Minnesota, they breed chiefly north of +the United States. They construct quite a large nest of weeds and grass, +and warmly line it with down and feathers. They lay from four to nine +eggs of a buff or drab color. Size about 3.50 x 2.50. Data.--Ellingsars +Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. Five eggs. Nest on an island in the +lake, constructed of weeds and trash, and lined with a few feathers. +Collector, Edwin S. Bryant. + + +172a. HUTCHINS GOOSE. _Branta canadensis hutchinsi._ + +This sub-species is like the preceding except that it is smaller, thirty +inches in length. It is a western variety, breeding in Alaska and along +the Arctic coast and wintering to southern California. Its breeding +habits, nests and eggs are the same as the common goose except that the +eggs are smaller. Size 3.00 x 2.05. + + +172b. WHITE-CHEEKED GOOSE. _Branta canadensis occidentalis._ + +This bird is about the same size as the Canada Goose and the plumage is +very similar except that the black sometimes extends on the throat, +thereby isolating the white cheek patches, and there is a white collar +below the back of the neck. It is a western species, breeding in Alaska +and wintering along the Pacific coast of the United States. Its nesting +habits and eggs are same as those of the Canada Goose except that the +latter are a trifle smaller. + + +172c. CACKLING GOOSE. _Branta canadensis minima._ + +This bird is really a miniature of the Canada Goose, being but +twenty-four inches in length. It breeds in Alaska and along the Arctic +coast and migrates into the western parts of the United States. They are +abundant birds in their breeding range, where they place their nests +upon the shores of ponds, or on islands in inland rivers or lakes. The +nests are made of weeds and grasses, lined with down. The eggs which are +buff colored, number from four to nine and are laid during June and +July. Size 2.30 x 1.95. + +[Illustration 111: Canada Goose. Cackling Goose.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 110 + +[Illustration 112: CANADA GEESE.] + +Page 111 + +173. BRANT. _Branta bernicla glaucogastra._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering in the United States east of the Mississippi. + +The Brant resembles a small Canada Goose, except that the black of the +neck extends on the breast, and only the throat is white. They are one +of the favorite game birds and thousands are shot every fall and spring. +Their nests and eggs are the same as the next species. + + +174. BLACK BRANT. _Branta nigricans._ + +Range.--Western North America, breeding in Alaska and wintering on the +Pacific coast of the United States. Rare east of the Mississippi. + + +This species is like the last except that the black extends on the under +parts. This species nests very abundantly in northern Alaska, laying +their eggs in a depression in the ground, lined with down. Favorite +locations are the many small islets in ponds and small lakes. They lay +from four to eight grayish colored eggs. Size 2.80 x 1.75. Data.--Cape +Bathurst, North West Territory, Junes 22, 1901. Seven eggs in a small +hollow in the ground, lined with down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish. + +[Illustration 113: Brant. Black Brant.] +[Illustration: Grayish.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 112 + +175. BARNACLE GOOSE. _Branta leucopsis._ + +This Old World species occurs frequently in Greenland and very rarely is +found on the mainland of this continent. + + +176. EMPEROR GOOSE. _Philacte canagica._ + +Range.--Alaska, south in winter casually to California. + +This handsome species is twenty-six inches in length; it may be known +from the mottled or "scaly" appearance of the body, and the white head +with a black chin and throat. While not uncommon in restricted +localities, this may be considered as one of the most rare of North +American Geese. Their nests are built upon the ground and do not differ +from those of other geese. They lay from three to seven eggs of a dull +buff color. Size 3.10 x 2.15. Data.--Stuart Island, Alaska, June 16, +1900. Six eggs laid in a slight hollow in the ground, lined with a few +feathers and some down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish. + +[Illustration 114: Barnacle Goose. Emperor Goose.] +[Illustration: Egg of Canada Goose--Buffy drab.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 113 + +177. BLACK-BELLIED TREE-DUCK. _Dendrocygna autumnalis._ + +Range.--Tropical America, north in the Rio Grande Valley to southern +Texas. + +These peculiar long-legged Ducks are very abundant in southern Texas +during the summer months. They build their nests in hollow trees, often +quite a distance from the water. They lay their eggs upon the bottom of +the cavity with only a scant lining, if any, of feathers and down. They +are very prolific breeders, raising two broods in a season, each set of +eggs containing from ten to twenty. These eggs are creamy or pure white, +size 2.05 x 1.50. The first set is laid during the latter part of April +or early in May, and fresh eggs may be found as late as July. They are +especially abundant about Brownsville and Corpus Christi, Texas. +Data.--Hidalgo, Mexico, May 29, 1900. Ten eggs in a hole in an old elm +tree on side of lake in big woods near town. Eight feet from the ground. +Collector, F. B. Armstrong. + + +178. FULVOUS TREE-DUCK. _Dendrocygna bicolor._ + +Range.--This species is tropical like the last, but the summer range is +extended to cover, casually the whole southwestern border of the United +States. + +This bird is long-legged like the last, but the plumage is entirely +different, being of a general rusty color, including the entire under +parts. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the +Black-bellied Duck, the white eggs being laid at the bottom of a cavity +in a tree. They number from eight to (in one instance) thirty-two eggs +in one nest. This species is nearly as abundant as the preceding in +southern Texas. + +[Illustration 115: White.] +[Illustration: Black-bellied Tree duck. Fulvous Tree-duck.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 114 + +179. WHOOPER SWAN. _Olor cygnus._ + +This European variety frequently is found in Greenland and formerly, +regularly bred there. It nests in secluded swampy places in northern +Europe. + + +180. WHISTLING SWAN. _Olor columbianus._. + +Range.--North America, breeding in the Arctic Circle, and wintering +south to the Gulf of Mexico. + +These birds, which are nearly five feet in length, are snow white with +the exception of the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan is +distinguished from the next species by the presence of a small yellow +spot on either side of the bill near its base. Their nests are made of a +large mass of rubbish, weeds, grass, moss, feathers and occasionally a +few sticks. It is generally placed in a somewhat marshy place in the +neighborhood of some isolated pond. The eggs are of a greenish or +brownish buff color, and number from three to six. Size 4.00 x 2.75. +Data.--Mackenzie River. Nest a mass of weeds, sods and grass, lined with +feathers; on an island near the mouth of the river. Collector, I. O. +Stringer. + + +181. TRUMPETER SWAN. _Olor buccinator._ + +Range.--Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward, +breeding from northern United States northward. + +This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its +plumage is exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is +entirely black, and the nostril is located nearer the eye. Their nesting +habits and eggs are the same as those of the Whistling Swan. While a few +pairs may breed within the United States by far the greater number are +found in the extreme north, from Hudson Bay to Alaska. The eggs may +average a trifle larger than those of the preceding species. + +[Illustration 116: Whistling Swan.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 115 + +LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. Order VI. ODONTOGLOSSAE + +FLAMINGOES. Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE + + +182. FLAMINGO. _Phoenicopterus ruber._ + +Range.--Tropical and sub-tropical America on the Atlantic coasts, +breeding in the Bahamas and West Indies; north to Florida and casually +to the South Atlantic States. + +These remarkable and grotesque appearing birds attain a length of about +48 inches. The plumage varies from white to a deep rosy red. It requires +several years for them to attain the perfect adult plumage, and unlike +most birds, they are in the best of plumage during the winter, the +colors becoming faded as the nesting season approaches. The birds are +especially noticeable because of the crooked, hollow, scoop-shaped bill, +and the extremely long legs and neck. The feet are webbed, but more for +the purpose of supporting them upon the mud flats than for use in +swimming. The nests are usually built on a sandy point of an island; +they are mounds of earth, grass and rubbish from one to two feet in +height, the top being hollowed to receive the eggs. One or two eggs are +a complete set. The shell is pale blue, but this is covered with a heavy +white chalky deposit. The eggs are laid in June and July. Size 3.40 x +2.15. + + +IBISES, STORKS, HERONS, etc. Order VII. HERODIONES + +The members of this order are wading birds, consequently they all have +long legs and necks. They have four toes, not webbed. + +SPOONBILLS. Family PLATALEIDAE + + +183. ROSEATE SPOONBILL. _Ajaia ajaja._. + +Range.--Tropical America, north in summer to the Gulf States. They +formerly nested in remote swamps along the whole Gulf coast, but are now +confined chiefly to the Everglades in Florida. + +[Illustration 117: American Flamingo. Roseate Spoonbill.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 116 + +This bird, with its broad, flat bill, bare head, and rosy plumage with +carmine epaulets and tail coverts, seem more like the fanciful creation +of some artist than a real bird of flesh and blood. Its plumage and +colors are strikingly clear and beautiful. Full plumaged adult birds +have very brilliant carmine shoulders and tail coverts, a saffron +colored tail, and a lengthened tuft of bright rosy feathers on the +foreneck. This species breed in small colonies in marshy places, often +in company with herons and ibises. Their nests are rather frail +platforms of sticks, located in bushes or trees, from four to fifteen +feet from the ground. The eggs are laid during the latter part of May +and June. They are three or four in number and have a ground color of +dull white, or pale greenish blue and are quite heavily blotched with +several shades of brown. Size 2.50 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 118: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Chalky bluish white. Egg of American Flamingo.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 117 + +IBISES. Family IBIDIDAE + +Ibises are gracefully formed birds having a long curved bill and a bare +face. + + +184. WHITE IBIS. _Guara alba._ + +Range.--This is a tropical and sub-tropical species which is found along +the Gulf coast, and north to South Carolina, west to Lower California. + +These handsome birds are wholly white, with the exception of black +primaries. The legs and the bare skin of the face is orange red. These +birds are very abundant in most marshy localities along the Gulf coast, +especially in Florida, where they nest in rookeries of thousands of +individuals. Owing to their not having plumes, they have not been +persecuted as have the white herons. They build their nests of sticks +and grasses, in the mangroves a few feet above the water. In other +localities they build their nests entirely of dead rushes, attaching +them to the standing ones a foot or more above the surface of the water. +They are quite substantially made and deeply cupped, very different from +the nests of the Herons. Their eggs are from three to five in number, +vary from grayish ash to pale greenish or bluish in color, blotched with +light brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. The nesting season is during May and +June. Data.--Tampa Bay, Fla., June 4, 1895. Three eggs. Nest of sticks +and a few weeds in small bushes on an island. Collector, Fred Doane. + + +185. SCARLET IBIS. _Guara rubra._. + +Range.--Occasionally, but not recently met with in the southern states. +Their habitat is tropical America, they being especially abundant along +the Orinoco River in northern South America. + +Full plumaged adults of this species are wholly bright scarlet, except +for the primaries, which are black. Their nests are built in +impenetrable thickets, rushes or mangroves, the nests being constructed +like those of the White Ibis. The eggs, too, are very similar to those +of the preceding species, but both the ground color and the markings +average brighter. While still common in some localities, the species is +gradually becoming less abundant, chiefly because of the demand for +their feathers for use in fly-tying. + +[Illustration 119: Grayish.] +[Illustration: White Ibis. Scarlet Ibis.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 118 + +186. GLOSSY IBIS. _Plegadis autumnalis._. + +Range.--This tropical and sub-tropical species, is chiefly found in the +Old World. It is occasionally found in southeastern United States where +it sometimes breeds. Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the +same as the next species. + + +187. WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. _Plegadis guarauna._ + +Range.--A sub-tropical species found in the southwestern parts of the +United States, rarely found east of the Mississippi. + +This species differs from the Glossy Ibis in having the feathers on the +front of the head white, the rest of the plumage is a dull brownish +chestnut, with greenish reflections on the back. As these birds are not +in demand commercially, their numbers have not decreased, and thousands +of them breed in colonies in southern Texas. They build a substantial +nest of reeds and rushes woven about the upright canes, close to the +surface of the water. Their eggs are laid during May, and number from +three to four. They are easily distinguished from those of the Herons, +being of a deeper greenish blue color and averaging more elongate. Size +1.95 x 1.35. Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 26, 1899. Four eggs. Nest +of twigs and rushes on side of river. Collector, F. B. Armstrong. + + +STORKS and WOOD IBISES +Family CICONIIDAE + +188. WOOD IBIS. _Mycteria americana._ + +Range.--A sub-tropical species which is resident along the Gulf coast +and which strays casually north to New England and Colorado. + +This peculiar member of the Stork family has the whole head and part of +the neck bare and covered with numerous scales; the bill is large, long +and heavy; the plumage is white, except for the black primaries and +tail. It is a large bird about four feet in length. They are quite +abundant in swamps along the + +[Illustration 120: Glossy Ibis. White-faced Glossy Ibis. Wood Ibis.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 119 + +Gulf coast, where they place their nests, which are platforms of sticks, +in trees and bushes over the water. They lay three eggs which are white, +and have a rough surface. Size 2.75 x 1.75. + + +189. JABIRU. _Jabiru mycteria._ + +This large bird, which is the only true Stork that claims a place in our +avifauna, is a native of South and Central America, wandering north, +casually to Texas. Their nests are large platforms of sticks in very +high trees. + + +BITTERNS and HERONS Family ARDEIDAE + +Herons and Bitterns are long-legged waders, having straight, pointed +bills, and with the head feathered, except for the lores. + + +190. BITTERN. _Bautaurus lentiginosus._ + +Range.--United States and southern British provinces, breeding in the +northern half of the United States and wintering in the southern +portion. + +This species, with its mottled rusty brownish plumage, is one of the +best known of the Heron family. It is known locally by a great many +names, nearly all of which have reference to the "booming" or "pumping" +sound made during the mating season. They build their nests in swampy or +marshy places, placing them on the ground, frequently on a tussock, +entirely surrounded by water. The nest proper is only a few grasses +twisted about to form a lining to the hollow. They lay from three to +five eggs of brownish drab. Size 1.95 x 1.50. + +They do not breed in colonies, generally, but one or two pairs nesting +in one marsh. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1897. Four eggs laid in a +grass lined hollow in middle of a hummock of earth and grass, in middle +of marsh. Collector, James Jackson. + +[Illustration 121: Jabiru. Bittern.] +[Illustration: Brownish drab.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 120 + +191. LEAST BITTERN. _Ixobrychus exilis._ + +Range.--Common throughout the United States, especially in the eastern +part, and in the southern British provinces. + +This small variety of Bittern is very common in the southern portions of +the United States, but less so and locally distributed in the northern +portions of its range. They are very quiet and sly birds, and their +presence is often unsuspected when they are really quite abundant. When +approached, they will remain perfectly quiet, with the body erect and +the head and neck pointed skyward, in which position their yellowish +brown plumage strongly resembles the rushes among which they are found. +Their nests are made of strips of rushes woven about upright stalks, +generally over water. They lay from three to five eggs of a pale bluish +white color. Size 1.20 x .90. Data.--Avery's Island, La., May 1, 1896. +Four eggs. Nest of strips of rushes woven together to form a platform +and fastened to saw grass growing on the bank of a stream. Collector, E. +A. McIlhenny. + + +191.1. CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. _Ixobrychus neoxenus._ + +This rare species, of which about twenty specimens are known is probably +resident in Florida, wandering north in the summer, specimens having +been taken in Ontario, Canada, and in several localities in eastern +United States. It is very different from the Least Bittern, having a +more uniform chestnut coloration, especially on the under parts. It is +twelve inches in length. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of five eggs of +this species, taken on the Caloosahatchee River, Fla., April 15, 1891, +by S. B. Ladd. Nest was made of grasses and rushes placed in the cane +two feet above the water. + +[Illustration 122: Pale bluish gray.] +[Illustration: Least Bittern. Cory's Least Bittern.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 121 + +192. GREAT WHITE HERON. _Ardea occidentalis._ + +Range.--This species occurs in the United States regularly, only in the +southern parts of Florida. It is a resident of the West Indies. + +This large white Heron is about the same size as the Great Blue Heron; +it has none of the slender plumes found on the smaller White Herons. +These birds are not uncommon in southern Florida, especially on the +Keyes, where they build their nests in company with Great Blue Herons. +Their nesting habits and eggs are very similar to those of the Blue +Heron. Size of eggs 2.25 x 1.80. Data.--Outside of Torch Key, Florida, +June 16, 1899. Nest a platform of sticks about five feet from the +ground, in a mangrove tree. Three eggs. Collector, O. Tollin. + + +194. GREAT BLUE HERON. _Ardea herodias herodias._ + +Range.--Nearly the whole of North America, except the extreme north; +resident south of the middle portions of the United States and migratory +north of there. + +This handsome Heron is about four feet in length. Its general color is a +bluish gray, relieved by a black crest, primaries and patches on the +sides, and a white crown. In the south they breed in large colonies, +often in company with many other species. In the northern portions of +their range they breed singly or in companies of under a hundred +individuals. They generally place their rude platforms of sticks well up +in trees, near ponds, swamps or rivers, but in the most northerly parts +of their range, where trees are scarce, they often build on the ground. +Unless they are disturbed, they return to the same breeding grounds, +year after year. They lay from three to five eggs of a greenish blue +color. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data.--Duck Island, Maine, May 20, 1883. Three +eggs. Nest of sticks and twigs, about fifteen feet from the ground. +Collector, R. B. Gray. + + +194a. NORTHWEST COAST HERON. _Ardea herodias fannini._ + +This darker sub-species of the breeding is found along the Pacific +coast, north to Sitka, Alaska. Its nests and eggs do not differ from the +former species. + +[Illustration 123: Great White Heron. Great Blue Heron.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 122 + +194b. WARD'S HERON. _Ardea herodias wardi._ + +This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is a lighter variety than +the common. It nests together with the Great Blue Heron and its habits +are the same. + + +195. EUROPEAN HERON. _Ardea cinerea._ + +This species is only an accidental straggler in Greenland. It is very +similar to our Blue Heron and is the one which was formerly used to +furnish sport for the royalty when falconry was at its height. + + +196. EGRET. _Herodias egretta._ + +Range.--Resident in the southern portions of the United States, +straggling northward casually to the northern parts. + +This is one of the beautiful Herons which have been sought by plume +hunters till they are upon the verge of extermination. They are entirely +white, with a long train of beautiful straight "aigrettes" flowing from +the middle of the back. In remote localities, quite large colonies of +them may still be found, but where they numbered thousands, years ago, +they can be counted by dozens now. They breed in impenetrable swamps, +very often in company with the following species, and also with +Louisiana and Little Blue Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but +frail platforms, generally in bushes over the water. Their usual +complement of eggs numbers from three to five, four as the most common +number. They are generally laid during the latter part of May, but often +on account of their being disturbed, nests with eggs may be found in +July. The eggs are a light bluish green in color. Size 2.25 x 1.45. +Data.--Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs on a platform of +sticks and grass, in a button-wood bush over six feet of water. +Collector, George Graham. + + +197. SNOWY EGRET. _Egretta candidissima candidissima._ + +Range.--Common now only in restricted localities in the Gulf States and +Mexico. + +This species, which is smaller than the last, being but twenty-four +inches in length, is also adorned with "aigrettes," but they are +beautifully recurved at the tips. Owing to the merciless slaughter to +which they have been subjected, their ranks have been woefully +decimated, and it is to be hoped that the remaining ones may be safely +protected. Their nesting habits are the same as the last, although, of +course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25. + +[Illustration 124: Snowy Egret. Egret.] +[Illustration: Light greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 123 + +198. REDDISH EGRET. _Dichromanassa rufescens._ + +Range.--In the United States, this species is confined chiefly to the +Gulf States. + +It is somewhat larger than the last species, the head and neck are +rufous, the body is bluish gray, and the back is adorned with slender +gray plumes. It also has a white phase. This Egret is very abundant +along the whole Gulf coast, but especially so in Texas. Their nesting +habits are identical with those of the other small Herons and Egrets. +The three or four eggs are rather of a more greenish blue than the +preceding. Size 1.90 x 1.45. Data.--Gainesville, Florida, April 14, +1894. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a button-wood tree, two +feet above the water. Collector, George Graham. + + +199. LOUISIANA HERON. _Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis._ + +Range.--Sub-tropical America, north regularly to the Gulf States and +casually farther. + +This Heron is of about the size of the Reddish Egret, but the neck is +longer, more slender and dark, while the chin, throat and underparts are +white. The plumes from the back are short, reaching barely to the end of +the tail. They nest in large colonies in company with Egrets and Little +Blue Herons, placing their nests in the mangroves, only a few feet above +the water. Their nests are the same as those of the other species, a +slight platform of sticks, and the three to five eggs are practically +not distinguishable from those of the Snowy or Little Blue Herons. Size +1.75 x 1.35. + +[Illustration 125: Pale bluish green.] +[Illustration: Reddish Egret. Louisiana Heron.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish green.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 124 + +200. LITTLE BLUE HERON. _Florida caerulea._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north casually to New England +and Manitoba; west to Kansas and Nebraska. + +A smaller species than the preceding, length 22 inches, plumage a +uniform slaty blue changing to purplish red on the head and neck. They +also have a white phase, but always show traces of the slaty blue, +especially on the primaries. Young birds are always white. They breed in +immense rookeries during April and May. Their nesting habits and eggs +are very similar to the last species, although the eggs average a trifle +smaller. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.--Avery's Island, Louisiana, April 21, +1896. 5 eggs. Nest a flat and frail platform of twigs in a Mimosa tree +growing in floating turf, over deep water in a large swamp. Collector, +E. A. McIlhenny. + + +201. GREEN HERON. _Butorides virescens virescens._ + +Range.--Temperate and sub-tropical America, breeding north to the +British Provinces. + +This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well known all over the +country. Sometimes they breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with +the larger Herons, but in most sections of the country they will be +found nesting, one or two pairs together, along the border of some swamp +or stream. They have a greater diversity of building sites, than do any +of the other Herons and frequently nest a long ways from water. Their +nests may be found in alders, birches or even apple trees. It is the +usual Heron type of platform, upon which the three to six eggs are laid. +They are a pale greenish blue in color, and measure 1.45 x 1.10. +Data.--Avery's Island, Louisiana, April 10, 1894. 5 eggs on a platform +of twigs placed in a willow tree growing on the edge of a pond. +Collected by E. A. McIlhenny. + +[Illustration 126: Pale bluish green.] +[Illustration: Little Blue Heron. Green Heron.] +[Illustration: Light bluish green.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 125 + +201a. FRAZAR'S GREEN HERON. _Butorides virescens frazari._ + +A darker variety found in Lower California; nesting the same as the +common species. + +201b. ANTHONY'S GREEN HERON. _Butorides virescens anthonyi._ + +A lighter, desert form found in the arid portions of the interior of +southwestern United States and Mexico. + +[Illustration 127: NEST AND EGGS OF GREEN HERON.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 126 + +202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. _Nycticorax nycticorax naevius_. + +Range.--North America from southern British Provinces, southward; +winters along the Gulf coast and beyond. + +A well known bird, often called "quawk" from the sound of its note +frequently heard in the evening. While, in some localities, only a few +pairs of these birds are found nesting together, most of them gather +together into large colonies during the breeding season. In New England +they generally select a remote pine grove as their breeding grounds. If +not disturbed they will return to this same place each year. Their nests +are built of sticks and lined with small twigs, and are placed well up +towards the tops of the trees. + +Frequently several nests will be found in the same tree, and I have +counted as many as fifty nests in view at the same time. In large swamps +in the south they generally nest at a low elevation, while in the +marshes of Wisconsin and Minnesota, large colonies of them nest on the +ground, making their nest of rushes. Like all Heronries, those of this +species have a nauseating odor, from the remains of decayed fish, etc., +which are strewn around the bases of the trees. Their eggs number from +three to five and are of a pale bluish green color. Size 2.00 x 1.40. +Data.--Uxbridge, Mass., May 30, 1898. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks, about +thirty feet up in a pine tree. Many other nests. Collector, H. A. Smith. + + +203. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. _Nyctanassa violacea_. + +Range.--Sub-tropical America, breeding along the Gulf coast and to Lower +California; casually farther north, to Illinois and South Carolina. + +A handsome grayish colored species, with long lanceolate plumes on the +back, and two or three fine white plumes from the back of the head, like +those of the Black-crowned species. Its black head, with tawny white +crown and ear coverts, renders it unmistakable. This species nests in +colonies or by pairs, like the preceding, and very often in company with +other Herons. They lay from three to six eggs, very similar in size, +shape and color to those of the Black-crowned Heron. + +[Illustration 128: Pale bluish green.] +[Illustration: Black-crowned Night Heron. Yellow-crowned Heron.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 127 + +CRANES, RAILS, etc. Order VIII. PALUDICOLAE + +CRANES. Family GRUIDAE + +Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds, somewhat resembling +Herons. Their structure and mode of living partakes more of the nature +of the Rails, however. They are found upon the prairies, where besides +shell fish from the ponds, they feed largely upon grasshoppers, worms, +etc. + + +204. WHOOPING CRANE. _Grus americana._ + +Range.--Interior of North America, breeding from about the latitude of +Iowa northward to the Arctic regions; winters in the Gulf states and +southward. + +The Whooping Crane is the largest of the family in America, measuring 50 +inches or more in length. The plumage of the adults is pure white, with +black primaries. The bare parts of the head and face are carmine. It is +a very locally distributed species, in some sections being practically +unknown, while in a neighboring locality it may be rated as common. They +are very shy birds and are not easily obtained. They nest either upon +the solid earth or in marshy places over the water. In either case the +nest is a very bulky mass of grass and weeds from two to three feet in +diameter and raised perhaps a foot above the ground. They lay two eggs +of a brownish buff color, irregularly blotched with brown, and with +fainter marking of gray. Size 3.75 x 2.50. Data.--Torkton, northern +Assiniboia, northwest Canada. Nest a mass of marsh hay, three feet in +diameter, on the prairie. The birds seen, but very wary. Collector, +Cowbry Brown. + + +205. LITTLE BROWN CRANE. _Grus canadensis._ + +Range.--North America in the interior, breeding from Hudson Bay and +southern Alaska north to the Arctic coast; south in winter to Mexico. + +This uniform gray colored Crane differs from the next species only in +size, being about three feet in length, while the Sandhill averages +three and one-half feet. The eggs cannot be distinguished with any +certainty. + +[Illustration 129: Whooping Crane. Little Brown Crane.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 128 + +[Illustration 130: Brownish buff. EGG OF WHOOPING CRANE.] +[Illustration: Buff. EGG OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 129 + +206. SANDHILL CRANE. _Grus mexicana._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the Gulf States, locally +north to the southern parts of the British Provinces. + +This is the most common and the most southerly distributed member of the +family. In some sections of Florida and Texas it is regarded as +abundant. They nest in marshy places near secluded ponds. The nests are +masses of grass, weeds and roots, generally placed in marshes and +entirely surrounded by water. The two eggs are similar to those of the +Whooping Crane, but the ground color is lighter. The eggs of the two +species cannot always, with certainty, be distinguished. Size 3.75 x +2.40. Data.--Carman, Manitoba, May 31, 1903. 2 eggs. Nest on a knoll in +a marsh, hidden by dead rushes and weeds; a flat loose structure of +broken rushes and reeds. Collector, Chris Forge. + + +COURLANS. Family ARAMIDAE + +207. LIMPKIN. _Aramus vociferus._ + +Range.--This bird is a native of the West Indies and Central America, +but occurs regularly north to the southern portions of Florida. + +This strange bird is the only member of its family found in the United +States. It may be likened to a large Rail or a small Crane, being +apparently, a connecting link between the two. It is about two feet in +length, and the plumage is mottled brownish and white. It lives in the +marshes, from whence, until late at night, emanate its strange cries, +which are likened to those of a child in distress. They nest in the most +impenetrable parts of swamps, building their nests of rushes, grass and +weeds, in tangled masses of vines a few feet above the ground or water. +They lay from three to eight eggs having a ground color of buff or +grayish white and blotched with light brown. Their coloration is very +similar to those of the Cranes. Size 2.30 x 1.70. They nest in April and +May. + +[Illustration 131: Sandhill Crane. Limpkin.] +[Illustration: Buffy white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 130 + +[Illustration 132: Walter Raine. +NEST AND EGGS OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE.] + +Page 131 + +RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS. Family RALLIDAE + +Members of this family are almost exclusively frequenters of marshes, +where they lead a shy, retiring life and are more often heard than seen. + + +208. KING RAIL. _Rallus elegans._ + +Range.--Fresh water marshes of eastern United States from New England +and the Dakotas, southward. Very abundant on the South Atlantic coast, +in the inland marshes. + +This is one of the largest of the Rails, (17 inches in length) and may +be known by the richness of its plumage, the breast and wing coverts +being a rich cinnamon color. It is almost exclusively a fresh water +species and is very rarely found around a salt water marsh. Its nest is +built on the ground, in a tuft of grass and weeds woven about the +upright stalks. They lay from five to twelve eggs having a cream colored +ground, sparingly speckled with brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.20. +Data.--Clark County, Missouri, June 6, 1893. 10 eggs. Nest composed of +reed stalks; a slightly concave mass 8 inches across, and only two +inches above the water, in a clump of reeds. Collector, Ed. S. Currier. + + +209. BELDING'S RAIL. _Rallus beldingi._ + +Range.--Lower California and the islands in the Gulf. + +This is a locally confined species, very similar to the preceding but +darker and with the flank bars narrower. Its nesting or eggs will not +differ from those of the King Rail. + + +210. CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus obsoletus._ + +Range.--Salt marshes of the Pacific coast of the United States. + +This species is like a dull colored King Rail, with reference to the +markings of the back, or a bright colored Clapper Rail, as it has a +cinnamon colored breast. It is an abundant species in nearly all the +salt marshes along the coast. They make their nests on the higher parts +of the marsh, where it is comparatively dry, building them of grass and +strips of rushes. They lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color, +boldly spotted with brown, and with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.75 +x 1.25. Data.--Palo Alto, Cal., May 1, 1899. Nest of marsh grass under a +small bush on bank of slough. Collector, Ernest Adams. + +[Illustration 133: Cream color.] +[Illustration: Light buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 132 + +211. CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans crepitans._ + +Range.--Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from southern New England +southward. + +A grayish colored Rail, about the size of, and with the markings similar +to those of the King Rail. It is as exclusively a salt water species as +the King Rail is a fresh water one. With the possible exception of the +Carolina or Sora Rail, this is the most abundant of all the Rails, +hundreds nesting in a single marsh on the South Atlantic coast. Their +nests are built of rushes and weeds, and are placed on the ground either +in the tall grass bordering the marshes or attached to the rushes in the +midst of the marsh. The nesting season commences during April and +continues through May. They lay from six to fourteen eggs, of a buff +color spotted irregularly with brown and gray. Size 1.70 x 1.20. + + +211a. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans saturatus._ + +The habitation of this subspecies is limited to the coast of Louisiana. +It is very similar to the proceeding but is said to be brighter in +plumage. + + +211b. FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans scotti._ + +Range.--Western coast of Florida. + +This bird is also similar to crepitans but is much darker and brighter. + + +211c. WAYNE'S CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus crepitans waynei_. + +Range.--South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida. + +This subspecies is a little darker than crepitans, being about midway +between that species and Rallus scotti. The nests and eggs of any of +these sub-species cannot be distinguished from those of the common +Clapper Rail. + + +211.2. CARIBBEAN CLAPPER RAIL. _Rallus longirostris caribaeus._ + +Range.--West Indies and east coast of Mexico, north to southern Texas. + +This species is similar to the Clapper, but has a shorter and relatively +stouter bill. + +[Illustration 134: King Rail. Clapper Rail.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 133 + +212. VIRGINIA RAIL. _Rallus virginianus._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the Middle States and +California, northward to British Columbia and Labrador, and wintering +along the Gulf coast; most abundant in the east. + +A small Rail, 9 inches long, very similar in markings and coloration to +the King Rail. It is found chiefly in fresh water swamps, where it +builds its nests in tufts of rushes. The eggs number from six to +fourteen, and are creamy white, or white, speckled with reddish brown. +Size 1.25 x .90 Data.--Fighting Island, Detroit River, Michigan, May 30, +1904. Nest made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6 inches above the water. +Collector, E. Leroy King. + + +213. SPOTTED CRAKE. _Porzana porzana._ + +This common European species is casually found in Greenland. It breeds +in large numbers throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the American +Rails. + + +214. SORA. _Porzana carolina._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the southern parts of the +British possessions, south to the Gulf coast. + +This abundant species of Rail may be readily known by its small size, +about eight inches long, and the black face and throat of the adult. +These are the "Rail-birds" or "Ortolans" which are annually slaughtered +by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their fall migration. It +is only because of the large families that they rear, that they are able +to withstand this yearly decimation of their ranks. They nest either in +salt or fresh water marshes, making a rude structure of grass, weeds and +strips of rushes, on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of grass +in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they lay from six to sixteen +eggs of a bright, buffy gray color, spotted with reddish brown and +lavender. Size 1.25 x .90. + +[Illustration 135: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Sora. Virginia Rail.] +[Illustration: Bright buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 134 + +215. Yellow Rail. _Coturnicops noveboracensis._ + +Range.--Locally distributed in temperate North America, from New England +and Nova Scotia, to California and British Columbia; south to the Gulf +States in winter. + +This is a very handsome species, with plumage of glossy brown, yellowish +buff, black and white; length seven inches. They are very shy and +secretive, and are probably more common than generally supposed. Their +nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding. Their eggs are of +a rich buff color, speckled in the form of a wreath about the large end, +with reddish brown. They are relatively narrower than those of other +Rails. Size 1.10 x .80. Data.--Benson Co., North Dakota, June 4, 1901. +Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B. Peabody. This set is in the +collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs. + + +216. BLACK RAIL. _Creciscus jamaicensis._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from northern United States +southward. + +Smallest of the rails; 5 inches in length. A dark slaty colored bird +with white specks, and a patch of dark chestnut on the fore back. This +diminutive species is very hard to find because of its retiring habits, +but according to Mr. Brewster it may be located by the clicking sound of +its song. + +Their nests are woven of strips of rushes or grasses, and are well +"cupped" to receive the eggs. They are on the ground on the border of, +or in, marshy places. Mr. Childs has a fine set of eight eggs, taken by +Arthur T. Wayne, at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., June 10, 1903. The nest was +located in an oat field. The eggs have a creamy white ground, and are +specked all over with reddish brown. Size 1.03 x .75. + + +216.1. FARALLON RAIL. _Creciscus coturniculus._ + +Known only from a single specimen, which is slightly smaller than +_jamaicensis_ and without the white specks on the back. + +[Illustration 136: Rich buff.] +[Illustration: Yellow Rail. Black Rail.] +[Illustration] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left margin.] + +Page 135 + +217. Corn Crake. _Crex crex._ + +This European Rail is casually found in Greenland and along the Atlantic +coast of North America. It is the most abundant of European Rails and is +found breeding in marshes, meadows and along streams. + + +218. PURPLE GALLINULE. _Ionornis martinicus_. + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually north in eastern United +States to Massachusetts and Ohio. + + +A very handsome bird with purplish head, neck and under parts, and a +greenish back. Like all the Gallinules and Coots, this species has a +scaly crown plate. An abundant breeding species in the southern parts of +its range. Its nests are made of rushes or grasses woven together and +either attached to living rushes or placed in tufts of grass. They lay +from six to ten eggs of a creamy or pale buff color sparingly blotched +with chestnut. Size 1.60 x 1.15. Data.--Avery's Island, Louisiana, May +7, 1896. Ten eggs. Nest of dry rushes, woven to standing ones growing +around an "alligator hole" in a marsh. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + +[Illustration 137: Purple Gallinule. Corn Crake.] +[Illustration: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 136 + +219. FLORIDA GALLINULE. _Gallinula galeata._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, from New England, Manitoba and +California, southward. + +A grayish colored bird of similar size to the last (13 inches long), +with flanks streaked with white, and with the bill and crown plate +reddish. They nest in colonies in marshes and swamps, building their +nests like those of the Purple Gallinule. The eggs, too, are similar, +but larger and slightly duller. Size 1.75 x 1.20. + +Data.--Montezuma marshes, Florida, June 6, 1894. Eleven eggs. Nest of +dead flaggs, floating in two feet of water. Collector, Robert Warwick. + + +220. EUROPEAN COOT. _Fulica atra._ + +A European species very similar to the next, and only casually found in +Greenland. Nesting the same as our species. + + +221. COOT. _Fulica americana._ + +Range.--Whole of temperate North America, from the southern parts of the +British Provinces, southward; very common in suitable localities +throughout its range. + +The Coot bears some resemblance to the Florida Gallinule, but is +somewhat larger, its bill is white with a blackish band about the +middle, and each toe has a scalloped web. They inhabit the same marshes +and sloughs that are used by the Rails and Gallinules as nesting places, +and they have the same retiring habits, skulking through the grass to +avoid observation, rather than flying. Their nests are either floating +piles of decayed vegetation, or are built of dead rushes in clumps of +rushes on the banks. They generally build in large colonies. The eggs +number from six to sixteen and have a grayish ground color, finely +specked all over the surface with blackish. Size 1.80 x 1.30. + +[Illustration 138: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: Florida Gallinule. Coot.] +[Illustration: Grayish.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration left hand margin.] + +Page 137 + +SHORE BIRDS. Order IX. LIMICOLAE + +PHALAROPES. Family PHALAROPODIDAE + +Phalaropes are small Plover-like birds, but with lobate webbed feet, +similar to those of the Grebes and Coots. + + +222. RED PHALAROPE. _Phalaropus fulicarius._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the far north, and migrating to +the middle portions of the United States, chiefly on the coasts. + +The Red Phalarope during the breeding season has the underparts wholly +reddish brown; they are very rarely seen in the United States in this +dress, however for it is early changed for a suit of plain gray and +white. This species has a much stouter bill than the two following; it +is about nine inches in length. All the Phalaropes are good swimmers, +and this species, especially, is often found in large flocks off the +coast, floating on the surface of the water; they feed largely upon +small marine insects. Nests in hollows on the ground, lined with a few +grasses. The eggs are three or four in number, generally of a greenish +buff color, spotted and blotched with brown and blackish. +Data.--Myvates, Iceland, June 19, 1897. Collector, C. Jefferys. + + +223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. _Lobipes labatus._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the northern parts of the +British Provinces. + +This is the smallest of the Phalaropes, being about eight inches long; +in summer it has a chestnut band across the breast and on the side of +the neck. Its habits and nesting habits vary but little from those of +the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a little more southerly, +and it is not as exclusively maritime as the preceding species. It is +found on both coasts of the United States, but more common on the +Pacific side, during the fall and spring, when going to or returning +from its winter quarters in the tropics. Their eggs cannot, with +certainty, be distinguished from the preceding species. + +[Illustration 139: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Red Phalarope. Northern Phalarope.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 138 + +224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE. _Steganopus tricolor._ + +Range.--Interior of temperate North America, breeding from the latitude +of Iowa, northward, and wintering south of the United States. + +This is the most handsome species of the family, being of a very +graceful form, of a grayish and white color, with a broad stripe through +the eye and down the neck, where it fades insensibly into a rich +chestnut color. It is an exclusively American species and is rarely +found near the coast. It builds its nest generally in a tuft of grass, +the nests also being of grass. The eggs are of a brownish or greenish +buff color, spotted and blotched with black and brown. Size 1.30 x .90. +Data.--Larimore, N. D., May 30, 1897. Nest a shallow depression, +scratched in the sand, under a tuft of grass on an island. Collector, T. +F. Eastgate. + +[Illustration 140: Male, female, young. Wilson's Phalarope.] +[Illustration: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 139 + +AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRIDAE + +225. AVOCET. _Recurvirostra americana_. + +Range.--Western North America, breeding north to Northwest Territory. + +The Avocet can be known from any other bird by its up-curved bill, light +plumage, webbed feet and large size (length about 17 inches). These +waders are quite numerous in suitable localities throughout the west, +constructing their nests in the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest +is simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground. They lay three or +four eggs of a dark greenish or brownish buff color, boldly marked with +brown and black. Size 1.90 x 1.30. Data.--Rush Lake, Assiniboia. Four +eggs laid in a depression in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds +nesting in the colony. + + +226. BLACK-NECKED STILT. _Himantopus mexicanus_. + +Range.--Like the last, this species is rarely found east of the +Mississippi, but is very abundant in the United States west of that +river. + +A black and white wader, with extremely long red legs; otherwise a +gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large colonies anywhere in its +range, making its nests of weeds and sometimes a few twigs, on the +ground beside of, or in the marshes. Their eggs number three or four and +are brownish or greenish buff with numerous markings of brownish black, +these markings being somewhat lengthened and mostly running lengthwise +of the shell. They nest during April in the southern parts of their +range and through May and June in the northern. Size of eggs 1.80 x +1.25. Data.--Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four +eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest. Collector, Evan +Davis. + +[Illustration 141: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: American Avocet. Black-necked Stilt.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 140 + +SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACIDAE + +Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small +size, and found either about streams or ponds in the interior or along +the coasts. They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get +usually by probing in the soft mud. + +227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK. _Scolopax rusticola_. + +This European bird is similar to the American Woodcock, but is larger +and is barred beneath. Their habits are the same as those of our +species. + +228. WOODCOCK. _Philohela minor_. + +Range.--Eastern North America, north to the British Provinces, breeding +throughout its range. + +This is one of the most eagerly sought game birds of the east. Their +flight is very rapid and erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar +whistling sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it requires a +skillful marksman to bring them down. They frequent boggy places +especially "runs" lined with alders, where they bore in the soft ground +for worms and grubs. Their eggs are laid upon the bare ground among the +leaves and sticks; they are of about the color of dead leaves, as is +also the bird, making it quite difficult to discover their nests. They +lay three or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown spots. +Size 1.50 x 1.15. + + +229. EUROPEAN SNIPE. _Gallinago gallinago_. + +A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in +Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its +habits are the same. + +[Illustration 142: Buffy gray.] +[Illustration: American Woodcock. Wilson's Snipe.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 141 + +[Illustration 143: C. A. Reed. +WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.] + +Page 142 + +[Illustration 144: WOODCOCK.] + +Page 143 + +WILSON SNIPE. _Gallinago delicata_. + +Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward; +winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward. + +Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt +successfully. Of about the same size as the Woodcock (11 inches long). +This species, to a great extent frequents the same haunts used by +Woodcock, but is especially fond of open marshy meadows, with winding +brooks. Their nests are depressions in grassy banks, generally unlined; +the three or four eggs have an olive gray color and are strongly marked +with blackish brown. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data.--Lake Winnipegosis, +Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in a hollow on a tuft of marsh grass, the +four eggs having their points together. Collector, Walter Raine. + + +230.1. GREATER SNIPE. _Gallinago media_. + +A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at +Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species. + +[Illustration 145: Olive gray.] +[Illustration: NEST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 144 + +231. DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus_. + +Range.--North America, most abundant in the eastern parts; breeds in the +extreme north, and winters from the Gulf States to Northern South +America. + +This species is commonly known as "Red-breasted Snipe" in late spring +and summer because of the rich, rusty red coloration of the underparts, +and as "Gray-back" in winter because of its color at that season. They +are very common along the Atlantic coast during the Spring migration; +they can be easily identified by their very long bills, which are over +two inches in length and nearly one quarter the length of the whole +bird. They nest during June, placing their three or four eggs in a +slight hollow, which may or may not be lined with dried grass or leaves. +The eggs have a greenish or brownish buff color and are boldly marked +with dark brown. They do not differ greatly from those of the Snipe. +Data.--Mackenzie River, June 27, 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the +grass, lined with dead grass. Collector, Walter Raine. + +[Illustration 146: Dowitcher.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: LOON.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 145 + +232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. _Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus_. + +Range.--Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast; +breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates chiefly through the central +and western parts of the United States to Mexico. + +This bird is practically the same as the last, but is a trifle larger +and the bill averages about a half inch longer. They are very numerous +in their breeding haunts, and, during their migrations, fly in large +compact flocks. They are not very timid, and consequently fall an easy +prey to the gunners. Their nesting habits and eggs are the same as the +last species, except that the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size +1.75 x 1.15. Data.--Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow +in the dry ground. Four eggs. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish. + + +233. STILT SANDPIPER. _Micropalama himantopus_. + +Range.--North America, east of the Rocky Mountains; breeds in the Arctic +regions and winters from the Gulf States southward. + +In the summer, these birds may be known by the reddish coloration of the +underparts, which are numerously barred; they are smaller than the +preceding, length about eight inches. Their nesting habits are the same +as those of the majority of the members of the family. The three or four +eggs are buffy or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of +brown. Size 1.40 x 1.00. + +[Illustration 147: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Long-billed.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 146 + +234. KNOT. _Tringa canutus_. + +Range.--Arctic regions in summer; south through the United States, +chiefly on the Atlantic coast, to South America. + +Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length 10.5 inches, but with a +much shorter bill. In summer the entire under parts are a uniform +reddish chestnut color. They are known to breed in Arctic America, from +Point Barrow and Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs are known, +at present, to exist in collections. One taken from a bird by Lieut. +Greely, was a pea green color, specked with brown; size 1.10 x 1.00. As +it was not fully developed, it was probably correct neither as to size +nor color. + + +235. PURPLE SANDPIPER. _Arquatella maritima maritima_. + +Range.--Arctic regions, wintering south to the Middle States and the +Great Lakes, but chiefly on the coast. + +A grayish and blackish colored species, about nine inches long. It nests +in northern Labrador, about Hudson Bay and in Iceland. Its eggs are a +grayish buff color handsomely splashed with rich shades of brown and +obscure markings of darker gray. Data.--Northern Iceland, June 7, 1897. +Four eggs. Nest a hollow in the ground among grass and weeds and lined +with a few grasses. Collector, C. Jefferys. + + +235a. ALEUTIAN SANDPIPER. _Arguatella maritima couesi_. + +Range.--Supposed to be a resident on the coast and islands of Alaska, +from the Aleutians northward. + +A very similar species to the preceding; scarcely distinguishable. These +Sandpipers, which are found in Alaska at all seasons of the year, breed +during May and June. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the +preceding bird and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size 1.40 x 1.00. +Data.--Unalaska, Bering Sea, June 3, 1898. Nest containing four eggs, a +depression in the moss, lined with grasses and bits of moss. The eggs +were laid with their small ends together. + +[Illustration 148: Knot. Purple Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 147 + +237. PRIBILOF SANDPIPER. _Arquatella maritina ptilocnemis_. + +Range.--Coast and islands of Bering Sea, south in winter to southern +Alaska. + +This bird, which is ten inches in length, has the feathers of the upper +parts edged with rusty, and the underparts light, with a distinguishing +patch of black on the breast. Similar in appearance to the Red-backed +Sandpiper, but not so reddish above, and the latter has the black patch +on the belly. They breed commonly on the Pribilof and other islands in +Bering Sea, nesting the same as other Sandpipers. Their four eggs are +similar to those of the preceding, but average darker. Size 1.50 x 1.05. + + +238. SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. _Pisobia aurita_. + +Range.--An Asiatic species, quite abundant in Alaska in the summer; +supposed to migrate south in winter, wholly on the Asiatic side of the +Pacific. + +A similar bird, in appearance, to the following, but slightly smaller +and with the breast more ruddy. Its nesting habits probably do not +differ from those of the following Sandpiper. + + +239. PECTORAL SANDPIPER. _Pisobia maculata_. + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and +wintering south of the United States, most abundant in the eastern parts +of the United States during migrations. + +This species is blackish brown above, with light brown edgings to the +feathers, and white below, except the chest, which is brownish, streaked +with black. A very peculiar species, having the power, during the mating +season, of inflating the throat to a great extent, making a balloon-like +appendage, nearly the size of the bird. They have more the habits of +Snipe, than do most of the Sandpipers, frequenting grassy meadows or +marshes, in preference to the seashore. Their nests are grass lined +depressions, and the eggs are grayish or greenish buff, blotched with +brown. Size 1.45 x 1.00. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 1900. Four +eggs in a hollow in the ground, lined with grass. + +[Illustration 149: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Pectoral Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: egg, no caption.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 148 + +240. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. _Pisobia fuscicollis_. + +Range.--North America, breeding from Labrador and southern Greenland, +northward and wintering from central to Southern South America; most +common on the Atlantic coast. + +This species is 7.5 inches in length, and has white upper tail coverts; +otherwise it is marked similarly to the preceding Sandpiper. Its nesting +habits are the same as those of the majority of the family, and the +three or four eggs that they lay cannot be distinguished from those of +the following species. Size 1.30 x .90. These are one of the most common +of the beach birds along the Atlantic coast during migrations; they are +very often known as Bonaparte Sandpipers. + + +241. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. _Pisobia bairdi_. + +Range.--North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding along the +Arctic coast and about Hudson Bay, and wintering south of the United +States. + +A very similar species to the preceding, but without the white rump. +Their nests are hollows in the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of +grass, and lined with grasses and a few leaves. They lay three or four +eggs having a grayish colored ground, and marked with different shades +of brown, and also with some faint markings of lilac. Size 1.30 x .90. +Data.--Peel River, Arctic America, June 18, 1898. Four eggs, taken with +the bird by an Indian. Eggs in a slight hollow on the river bank. + + +242. LEAST SANDPIPER. _Pisobia minutilla_. + +Range.--North America, breeding from the southern parts of the British +Provinces northward; winters from southern United States southward. +Common in the interior and on both coasts. + +This is the smallest of our Sandpipers, being under six inches in +length. Except for size, they are similar in appearance to Baird's +Sandpiper, only the back is browner. A very abundant species during +migrations, being found on the seashore or in marshes, nearly always in +company with other species of the family. Their nests are the same as +other Sandpipers, and the eggs are grayish, thickly specked with brown. +Size 1.15 x .80. Data.--Peel River, Arctic America, June 20, 1899. Nest +simply a depression in the river bank, lined with grass. + +[Illustration 150: White-rumped Sandpiper. Baird's Sandpiper. Least +Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: Grayish.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 149 + +242.1. LONG-TOED STINT. _Pisobia damacensis_. + +An Asiatic species accidentally found on the Alaskan shores. It is a +very similar bird to the Least Sandpiper, and about the same size. As +implied by its name, it has unusually long toes. + + +243. DUNLIN. _Pelidna alpina alpina_. + +A very common Sandpiper in the British Isles and in Europe, but only +casually occurring as a straggler along the Atlantic coast. Very similar +to the next species, but a trifle smaller. The nest and eggs do not +differ from the following. + + +243a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. _Pelidna alpina sakhalina_. + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern Greenland, +Labrador, Hudson Bay and the Yukon, northward, wintering from the Gulf +States southward. This handsome species is similar to the Pribilof +Sandpiper, but is smaller (length 8 inches), the upperparts are more +reddish, the breast more heavily streaked, and it has a black patch on +the belly instead of on the breast as in ptilocnemis. Their nesting +habits are similar to others of the family; they lay three or four eggs +with a brownish or greenish buff color, heavily blotched and spotted +with shades of brown and chestnut. Size 1.40 x 1.00. Data.--- Peel +River, Arctic America, June 30, 1899. Nest a simple cavity in the +ground, lined with a few grasses and three or four leaves. Collector, J. +O. Stringer. + + +244. CURLEW SANDPIPER. _Erolia ferruginea_. + +Range.--A common Old World species, but regarded as rare in eastern +North America and northern Alaska. + +A bird of slighter build, but similar coloration to the Knot; smaller +(length eight inches) and with a slightly decurved bill. Until within +recent years, eggs of these birds were rarely seen in collections, and I +believe they have not yet been taken in this country, although a few +pairs nest along our Arctic coast. Their eggs are very similar to those +of the Red-backed Sandpiper, but average somewhat larger. Size 1.50 x +1.05. Data.--Kola, northern Lapland, June 15, 1898. Four eggs laid in a +grass-lined hollow in the ground. Collector, J. Ramberg. + +[Illustration 151: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Red-backed Sandpiper. Curlew Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 150 + +245. SPOONBILL SANDPIPER. _Eurynorhynchus pygmeus_. + +A very rare Asiatic species, which has been taken in Kotzebue Sound, +Alaska. A very peculiar bird having the end of the bill broadened and +flattened into a sort of spatula. Otherwise very similar to the Least +Sandpiper, but with the breast and sides of neck ruddy in summer. About +75 specimens of this rare bird are known to exist. + + +246. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. _Ereunetes pusillus_. + +Range.--Whole of North America, but chiefly in the eastern and central +parts, breeding about the ponds and streams of Labrador and Hudson Bay, +and northward. These little Sandpipers are abundant during the +migrations either in marshes or on beaches. They are most often found in +company with other species, such as the Spotted and Least Sandpipers. +Their appearance is very similar to that of the Least Sandpipers, but +they are slightly larger and the feet are partially webbed. Their eggs +have a greenish buff or grayish ground color and are spotted with +brownish or blackish, sometimes, so heavily as to completely obscure the +shell color. Size 1.20 x .80. Data.--Small island near Okak, Labrador, +July 3, 1895. 2 eggs. Nest a hollow at the foot of a tuft of grass, +lined with a few bits of grass and small leaves. Eggs unmistakable in +this dark type. + +[Illustration 152: Spoonbill Sandpiper. Semipalmated Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: Grayish.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 151 + +247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. _Ereunetes mauri._ + +Range.--Western North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +migrating through the United States, chiefly west of the Mississippi to +the Gulf States and southward. + +Scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding species, but the upper +parts are said to be brighter and the bill, to average a trifle longer. +The nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same as those of the +Semipalmated variety. Data.--Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, June 28, +1898. Four eggs. Nest a neatly rounded hollow, sunk into a mossy hummock +in marshy ground. Collector, Joseph Grinnell. + + +248. SANDERLING. _Calidris leucophaea._ + +Range.--Found in all parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding within +the Arctic Circle and wintering in North America, from California and +South Carolina southward. + +A handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands on +beaches and about large bodies of water in the interior. They are one of +the lightest colored of the Sandpipers, either in winter or summer +plumage. In summer the upper parts are a light rusty color and black, +and the whole underparts are white. Owing to their extreme northerly +distribution in summer, but few of their eggs have been taken. Their +nesting habits are like those of the other Sandpipers. The three or four +eggs are greenish buff in color, spotted and blotched with brown. Size +1.45 x .95. Data.--Peel River, Alaska, June 18, 1897. Three eggs in a +depression on the ground. + + +249. MARBLED GODWIT. _Limosa fedoa._ + +Range.--North America, breeding, chiefly in the interior, from northern +United States northward. + +Godwits are large Plovers with long slightly up-curved bills. This +species is 19 inches in length, is of a nearly uniform ruddy color and +is handsomely marbled above, and barred below with black. Their eggs are +laid upon the ground in the vicinity of ponds or rivers; sometimes there +is no lining and again a few straws or grasses may be twisted around the +depression. Their eggs number three or four and have a ground color of +grayish or greenish buff, sometimes quite dark, and are blotched with +dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data.--Devil's Lake, N. D., June 10, 1895. +Four eggs laid on the ground in the middle of an unused road. Lined with +a few grasses. Collector, W. F. Hill. + +[Illustration 153: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: Western Sandpiper. Sanderling. Marbled Godwit.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 152 + +250. PACIFIC GODWIT. _Limosa lapponica baueri._ + +Range.--Coasts and islands of the Pacific Ocean on the Asiatic side, +north in summer to Alaska. + +This species is more uniform and brighter ruddy beneath than the +preceding, and the back is not marbled as strongly. Even in Alaska where +it breeds, it is not a common species, and it only occurs elsewhere on +the Pacific coast of America casually. The nesting habits are the same, +but the eggs are somewhat darker than those of the preceding, but not as +dark as those of the following species. Size 2.20 x 1.45. + + +251. HUDSONIAN GODWIT. _Limosa haemastica._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding in the +Arctic regions and wintering south of the United States. + +This species is apparently not as common or is more locally distributed +during migrations than is the Marbled Godwit. They are more abundant in +their breeding grounds and are occasionally seen in large flocks. They +are smaller than the Marbled Godwit (length 18 inches) and are deep +reddish brown below. They lay four eggs on the ground, in marshes or +near ponds or streams, lining the hollow with weeds and dried leaves. +The eggs have a dark brownish buff ground color and are blotched with +brownish black. Size 2.20 x 1.40. Data.--Mackenzie River, Arctic +America. Four eggs laid in a hollow in the ground. Collector, J. O. +Stringer. + + +252. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. _Limosa limosa._ + +A European and Asiatic species only casually occurring in Greenland. +Very similar in appearance to our Hudsonian Godwit, which is frequently +called by the name of this species. The nesting habits and the eggs are +precisely like those of the American bird. + + +253. GREEN SHANK. _Glottis nebularia._ + +A common bird in Europe and the British Isles, but only American as +having been taken once in Florida. A very similar species to the +following. + +[Illustration 154: Pacific Godwit. Hudsonian Godwit.] +[Illustration: Brownish.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 153 + +254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. _Totanus melanoleucus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, nesting in the British Provinces and +rarely in the northern part of the Mississippi Valley. + +This and the next species are much sought by sportsmen during their +migrations; they are commonly called "Tell-tale," the present species +being the "Greater Tell-tale." They are blackish above, speckled with +white, and below are white and, in summer, marked with arrowhead spots +of black. The legs, as implied by the name of the bird, are yellow and +long; length of bird, 14 inches. They nest most abundantly in localities +remote from habitations, in the interior of Canada. The eggs are +generally laid on the ground, near a marsh or on the bank of a stream, +with little or no lining to the nest. They are grayish white, boldly +splashed with several shades of brown, and with lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.25. +Data.--Whale River, Labrador, June 10, 1902. Eggs laid on the ground in +an open marsh. + + +255. YELLOW-LEGS. _Totanus flavipes._ + +Range.--North America, breeding chiefly in the interior and eastern +parts of Canada, and rarely in the upper Mississippi Valley. This +species is very similar to the preceding, but is smaller; length 10.5 +inches. It is also called the "Lesser Tell-tale," a name applied because +of their wariness, and because, when they fly, they warn all other +species within hearing, of danger. Their eggs are laid on the ground, +and in similar localities to the preceding. They are three or four in +number, grayish or buffy in color, and are quite heavily blotched and +spotted with rich brown and grayish or lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.20. +Data.--Whale River, Labrador, June 14, 1902. Four eggs laid on the +ground in a large marsh. + +[Illustration 155: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Greater Yellow-legs. Yellow-legs.] +[Illustration: Buffy.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 154 + +256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER. _Helodromas solitarius solitarius._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding chiefly north of the United +States boundary, but apt to be found nesting in any part of its range; +winters south of the United States. + +A bird with a greenish gray back, barred with white, and white below; +length 8.5 inches. This species is one of the oddities among the waders. +They are most always met with, singly or in pairs, and are very rarely +seen, even in very small flocks. Their preference is for small ponds or +streams in wet woods or open meadows, rather than marshes which are +frequented by other species. They are occasionally seen during the +nesting season, even in the southern parts of their range, and they +probably breed there although their eggs are very rarely found. The eggs +are clay-colored, spotted with brownish black. Data.--Simco Island, +Kingston, Ontario, June 10, 1898. 5 eggs in a shallow depression on the +ground, lined with a few grasses. + +[Illustration 156: Solitary Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: Clay-colored.] +[Illustration: NEST OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 155 + +256a. WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. _Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Plains; breeds in British Columbia +and probably south of there, also. + +This bird is like the last, except that the spots on the back are buffy +instead of white. Its nest and eggs will not differ in any respect from +those of the eastern form. + + +257. GREEN SANDPIPER. _Helodromas acrophus._ + +This species, which very closely resembles our Solitary Sandpiper, is +common in the northern parts of the Old World. It has only accidentally +strayed to our shores. + + +258. WILLET. _Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding north to the Middle States and +occasionally straying to the Canadian border, especially in the +Mississippi Valley. + +These large waders are among the most abundant of the marsh or beach +birds. They breed in small companies in marshes, frequently in those +which are covered with water at high tide, building a frail nest of +grasses and weeds, where it will be barely out of reach of the highest +water. The three or four eggs have a brownish, or sometimes greenish, +buff ground color and are blotched with umber, and have fainter markings +of lilac. Size 2.00 x 1.50. Data.--Sandy Bank, South Carolina, May 3, +1901. Nest on the ground, secreted in the high grass. Made of dead marsh +grass, lined with finer grasses. + +[Illustration 157: Western Sandpiper. Willet.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 156 + +258a. WESTERN WILLET. _Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus._ + +Range.--Western North America, breeding north to Manitoba and British +Columbia. Casually found on the South Atlantic coast during migrations. + +A larger and paler form of the preceding species; length 15.5 inches. +The nesting habits are the same, and the eggs cannot be distinguished +from those of the common Willet. Data.--Refugio, Texas, May 18, 1900. 4 +eggs in a grass lined depression on the bay shore flat. Collector, J. W. +Preston. + + +259. WANDERING TATTLER. _Heteractitis incanus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia +northward. + +This is a handsome species, uniform grayish above and white below, +closely barred (in summer) with blackish. During the breeding season it +is found on the rugged coasts and islands of Alaska, and casually south. +It breeds in the marsh grass near the shores and along the banks of +streams. + + +260. RUFF. _Machetes pugnax._ + +A common European species, occasionally found on the Atlantic coast of +North America. It is a species remarkable for its pugnacity during the +mating season; in size and appearance it is about like the Upland +Plover, with the exception of the "ruff" which adorns the neck and +breast of the male bird. + + +261. UPLAND PLOVER. _Bartramia longicauda._ + +Range.--North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding +from middle United States, northward. + +A handsome bird, 12 inches in length, generally known as the "Upland +Plover," from its habit of frequenting dry side hills, where it feeds +upon grasshoppers and worms. It is a favorite bird with many sportsmen. +It builds a nest of grasses, on the ground in a tuft of grass in the +middle of fields. The three or four eggs have a buff ground and are +blotched with yellowish brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.--Stump Lake, N. +D., June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined with wool, under a tuft of grass +left by the mower. Collector, Alf. Eastgate. + +[Illustration 158: Wandering Tattler. Ruff. Upland Plover.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 157 + +[Illustration 159: Walter Raine. +NEST AND EGGS OF UPLAND PLOVER.] + +Page 158 + +262. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER. _Tryngites subruficollis._ + +Range.--Interior of North America, breeding from the Hudson Bay region +to the Arctic coast. + +A buffy colored species, with a peculiarly marbled back. Size 8.5 inches +long. It is an upland species like the last. The nests are scantily +lined depressions in the ground. The eggs have a grayish white ground +and are boldly blotched with rich brown and chestnut with fainter +markings of lilac. Size 1.45 x 1.05. Data.--Cape Smythe, Alaska, June, +1900. 4 eggs in a hollow in dry spot on a marsh. Collector, H. H. +Bodfish. + + +263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. _Actitis macularia._ + +Range.--Whole of North America from Hudson Bay southward, breeding +throughout its range. + +A small wader about 7.5 inches in length, with brownish gray upper +parts, and white underparts thickly spotted with blackish, especially on +the breast and flanks. This is the most abundant of all the shore birds, +and its "peet-weet" is a familiar sound to every country boy. It has a +peculiar habit of continually moving its tail up and down, when at rest +on a stone or when running along the shore; from these characteristic +actions it has received the very common names of "Teeter-tail" and +"Tip-up." They build their nests on the ground near ponds, brooks or +marshes, generally concealing it in a tuft of grass or weeds on the +shore or in the high grass at the edge of the meadows. The eggs number +from three to five and are of a grayish buff color, spotted and blotched +with blackish brown. The young, like those of all the shore birds, are +hatched covered with down, and run about as soon as born. They are +anxiously attended by the parents and at the least sign of danger, +conceal themselves beneath a tuft of grass or behind a small stone, +where they remain perfectly motionless until called by the old birds. +The adults frequently attempt to lead an enemy away from the young by +feigning a broken wing, or lameness. Size of eggs 1.35 x .90. +Data.--Parker County, Ind., May 22, 1901. Nest about six yards from bank +of creek, among weeds on a sand bar; a hollow in the sand lined with +weeds. Collector, Winfield S. Catlin. + +[Illustration 160: Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Spotted Sandpiper.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 159 + +264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW. _Numenius americanus._ + +Range.--Breeds in the South Atlantic states and northward in the +interior to Manitoba and British Columbia. + +This is the largest of the family of shore birds, having a length of +about 24 inches. Its plumage is of a buffy color, much variegated above +with black and brown; the bill is strongly curved downward and is from +four to eight inches in length. Their nests are located on the ground in +meadows or on the prairies, and three or four eggs are laid, of a buff +or greenish buff color, covered with numerous spots of brownish black. +Eggs of the common Curlew of Europe, have been very frequently used as +belonging to this species, but the eggs of our species have a lighter +and more greenish ground, and the spots are smaller and more numerous. +Size, 2.50 x 1.80. + + +265. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. _Numenius hudsonicus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering south of the United States. + +This species is smaller (length 17 inches), darker, more grayish and has +a shorter bill than the preceding species. It also has white median and +lateral stripes on the top of the head. The nesting habits are the same +as those of the Long-billed species; the three or four eggs have a +brownish buff ground color and are blotched with blackish brown. Size +2.25 x 1.60. Data.--McKenzie River, Arctic America. Nest a pile of +grass, moss and weeds on an island in the river. + +[Illustration 161: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Long-billed Curlew. Hudsonian Curlew.] +[Illustration: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 160 + +266. ESKIMO CURLEW. _Numenius borealis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering in South America; migrating through the eastern half of the +United States, more abundantly in the interior than on the coast. + +A still smaller species than the last (length 14 inches) and very +similar to it. A few years ago this was considered the most abundant of +the curlews, but so persistently have they been hunted that they are now +practically exterminated. They were the most unsuspicious of the shore +birds, and would allow the near approach of the gunner, and the penalty +may now be seen. Only a short while ago they were very often found, +during migration, in company with other waders such as the Golden or +Black-bellied Plovers. Their nests are simply hollows in the plains, +lined with a few grasses, dried leaves, or moss. The three or four eggs +are the same as the last for color but are smaller; size 2.00 x 1.45. + + +267. WHIMBREL. _Numenius phaeopus._ + +A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the +Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white. + +This species is known as the Jack Curlew in England and Scotland, where +it is very abundant, and is a favorite game bird. It breeds in the +northern parts of Europe and Asia, and in the extreme north of Scotland +and on the Shetland Islands. The eggs are laid in hollows on the ground +on higher parts of the marshes. The three or four eggs have an olive or +greenish brown color and are blotched with dark brown. Size 2.30 x 1.60. +Data.--Native, Iceland, May 29, 1900. Six eggs. Nest a depression in the +ground, lined with dried grass. + + +268. BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW. _Numenius tahitiensis._ + +Range.--Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually +found in Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on +the flanks terminating in long bristles. + +[Illustration 162: Eskimo Curlew.] +[Illustration: Olive brown.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 161 + +PLOVERS. Family CHARADRIIDAE + +Plovers are stouter built birds than those of the previous family, have +larger head, shorter necks and but three toes, the bill also is much +harder and shorter. + + +269. LAPWING. _Vanellus vanellus._ + +An abundant European species accidentally occurring on the Atlantic +coast. It may readily be recognized by its long black crest, black chin +and throat, and white under parts. It breeds throughout temperate +Europe, laying its eggs in hollows on the ground. The eggs have a dark +grayish buff ground and are spotted with black. Size 1.85 x 1.30. + + +269.1. DOTTEREL. _Eudromias morinellus._ + +A European bird supposed to have been accidentally taken on the Atlantic +coast. + + +270. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. _Squatarola squatarola._ + +Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering from the Gulf States to northern South America. + +This is a remarkably handsome species when in the summer dress. The +upper parts are largely white with black spots and bars on the back, +wings and tail; the throat, sides of head, breast and fore under parts, +black. In winter, brownish-black, somewhat mottled, above; below, dull +white. Young similar to winter adults, but the back is spotted with +yellowish-white. While these handsome plover migrate to some extent, and +sometimes in large flocks, through the interior of the United States, +they are chiefly and most abundantly found on the coast. This species +has a very small hind toe. It is a very familiar bird to sportsmen and +gunners, to whom it is generally known by the names of "Bull-head," or +"Beetle-head Plover." They are very numerous in the fall, during which +season the underparts are entirely white. The eggs are either laid upon +the bare ground or upon a slight lining of grasses or dead leaves. They +are three or four in number, brownish or greenish buff in color and +boldly marked with black. Size 2.00 x 1.40. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska, +June, 1900. Nest a small hollow on side of hillock, lined with dry +grass. + +[Illustration 163: Grayish.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 162 + +[Illustration 164: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.] + +Page 163 + +272. EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER. _Charadrius apricarius._ + +A European bird, similar to the next, casually found in Greenland. + +It is a very abundant bird throughout Europe, breeding in the northern +parts. Its habits, nests and eggs are the same as those of the American +bird. + + +272. GOLDEN PLOVER. _Charadrius dominicus dominicus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and +wintering south to Patagonia. + + +This handsome bird is about the same size as the Black-bellied Plover +(10.5 inches long). No hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and +yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the tail. Young and winter +adults, more or less spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and +grayish-white below, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often +confused with the last species in this plumage, but is smaller, bill +smaller and more slender, and the axillars, or feathers nearest the +body, under the wings, are gray while those of the Black-bellied Plover +are black. This species is now regarded as rare on the North Atlantic +coast during migrations, while in the interior it is more abundant than +the last species. They do not seem to be as suspicious as the +Black-bellies, and a flock will often allow a close approach, even when +they see you. They nest abundantly along the coast and islands of the +Arctic Ocean. The four eggs are very similar to those of the preceding, +but smaller. Size 1.90 x 1.30. Data.--Peel River, Arctic America, June +1, 1898. Nest of grasses and leaves on the ground in the moss. + + +272a. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER. _Charadrius dominicus fulvus._ + +Range.--An Asiatic species, breeding in northern Asia and on the islands +and coast of Asia. Very like the preceding, but more golden color on the +back and wings. Nesting and eggs the same. + +[Illustration 165: Black-bellied Plover. Golden Plover.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 164 + +[Illustration 166: A. R. Spaid. +NEST AND EGGS OF KILLDEER.] + +Page 165 + +273. Killdeer. _Oxyechus vociferus._ + +Range.--Temperate North America from the southern parts of Canada +southward. Next to the Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is the most common +of the shore birds in the United States. It is rarely seen in New +England, but is common south of there and in the interior of the country +to Canada. + +They are very noisy birds, continually uttering their "kil-deer, +kil-deer" from which they take their name. They nest anywhere on the +ground, generally near water, placing their nests in fields, cornfields +or meadows. The eggs are drab or greenish buff and profusely spotted +with black. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data.--Refugio county, Texas, May 11, +1899. 4 eggs in a depression on the ground, lined with a few grasses. + + +274. SEMIPALMATED. _AEgialitis semipalmata._ + +Range.--North America, breeding in the interior of Canada and wintering +south from the Gulf States. + +Small web between the bases of the two outer toes. Single broad, black +band across the breast; black line from base of bill to eye. They are +very abundant on our seacoast in Fall, both in flocks composed entirely +of their own kind, and also with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They +usually keep on the inner side of sandbars or muddy flats bordering +marshes, rather than on the open ocean beach. It is also found in +smaller flocks, about ponds and marshes in the interior of the country. +They are usually unsuspicious and will allow a close approach, or if you +are still, will run by within a very few feet. Nest on the ground; eggs +buffy, sparsely specked with black, 1.30 x .90; June. + +[Illustration 167: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: Kildeer. Semi-palmated Plover.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 166 + + +275. RING PLOVER. _AEgialitis hiaticula._ + +Range.--A European bird that breeds abundantly in Greenland. It nests in +great numbers on the banks of streams and in fields, laying its eggs in +hollows on the ground, generally without any lining. Their three or four +eggs are practically not distinguishable from those of the Semipalmated +Plover, but larger; size, 1.40 x 1.00. The bird, too, is similar, but +the toes are not palmated, and the black breast band is wider. + + +276. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. _AEgialitis dubia._ + +An Old World species, accidentally occurring on the Pacific coast. Like +the last species, but smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20 x +.85. + + +277. PIPING PLOVER. _AEgialitis meloda._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, chiefly along the Atlantic coast, +breeding from the Carolinas north to Newfoundland. + +A handsome little bird, with a black crescent on each side of neck, a +small black patch on top of the head, and without any black on the lores +or ear coverts. It is the lightest colored of any of the eastern +Plovers. Length, 7 inches. Young, similar, but the black replaced by +grayish, as is the case with the last species. This species, apparently, +never could be classed as abundant and of late years, it is becoming +rather rare along our Atlantic coast; this is probably more due to the +building of summer resorts and homes along their former breeding grounds +than to hunters. They are rather more shy than the last species, but +will usually attempt to escape by running along the beach or by hiding, +rather than by flight. Owing to their light colors it is very difficult +to see them at any distance. They lay their eggs upon the sandy beaches +in slight, and generally unlined, hollows. The eggs have a pale clay +colored ground and are sparsely specked with small black dots. Size 1.25 +x 1.00. + +[Illustration 168: Ring Plover. Snowy Plover.] +[Illustration: Buffy.] +[Illustration: Clay Color.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 167 + +278. SNOWY PLOVER. _AEgialitis nivosa._ + +Range.--Breeds along the Pacific coast of the United States, and from +Texas to Manitoba in the interior. Winters on the California coast and +south to Chili. + +Snowy Plovers are very much like the Piping, but are smaller (length 6.5 +inches), have a longer and more slender bill, and have a small black +patch on the side of head. It is the palest colored of the Plovers. +Large numbers of them nest along the Pacific coast and in Texas; north +of Texas, in the interior, they are locally distributed. The eggs are +pale clay color, marked with small scratchy dots of black. Size 1.20 x +.90. Data.--Newport Beach, California, May 1, 1897. Nest a hollow in the +sand, a short distance above high water; lined with broken shell. +Collector, Evan Davis. + + +279. MONGOLIAN PLOVER. _AEgialitis mongola._ + +An inhabitant of the Old World, awarded a place in our avifauna because +of its accidental occurrence at Alaska. + +[Illustration 169: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: C. A. Reed. SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND NEST.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 168 + +280. WILSON'S PLOVER. _Octhodromus wilsonius._ + +Range.--An abundant breeding species on the Gulf coast, coast of Lower +California, and on the Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and casually +farther. + +A common Plover, which may be distinguished from others of the genus by +its comparatively large heavy black bill, and the single broad black +band across the breast, and not extending around the back of the neck. +They nest on pebbly "shingle" or in the marsh, back of the beaches. +Their eggs are an olive gray color and are spotted and scratched with +blackish brown, with some fainter markings of gray. Size 1.40 x 1.05. +Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. 4 eggs laid on the ground +among drifted grass on a salt marsh near town. Collector, Frank B. +Armstrong. + + +281. MOUNTAIN PLOVER. _Podasocys montanus_. + +Range.--Plains and prairies of western North America, breeding from the +central portions north to Manitoba, and wintering in California and +southward. + +A very peculiar species, inhabiting even the driest portions of the +western prairies. It is 9 inches in length, and has a plumage of a pale +buffy tone. It seems to be less aquatic than any other American Plover +and is rarely found in the vicinity of bodies of water. It nests on the +ground anywhere on the prairie, laying its eggs in a slight hollow. The +eggs are brownish gray in color and are spotted and blotched with +blackish brown. Data.--Morgan county, Colorado, May 7, 1902. Nest a +slight hollow on the ground, near a large cactus bed and close to a +water hole. No lining to nest. Collector, Glenn S. White. + +[Illustration 170: Olive gray.] +[Illustration: Wilson's Plover. Mountain Plover.] +[Illustration: Brownish gray.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 169 + +SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. Family APHRIZIDAE + +282. Surf Bird. _Aphriza virgata._ + +This species, which is found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to Chili, +seems to be the connecting link between the plovers and the Turnstones, +having the habits of the latter combined with the bill of the former. +Its nest and eggs are not known to have been yet discovered. + + +283. TURNSTONE. _Arenaria interpres._ + +Range.--The distribution of this species, which is grayer above than the +following, is supposed to be confined, in America, to the extreme north +from Greenland to Alaska. Its habits and eggs are precisely like the +next. + + +283a. RUDDY TURNSTONE. _Arenaria interpres morinella._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Arctic regions, and migrates through all parts of +the United States, south to the southern parts of South America. This +species has the upperparts variegated with reddish brown, black and +white; the underparts are pure white, except for a black patch on the +throat, branching upward to the eye and back to the sides of the breast. +It has a peculiar, slightly up-turned bill, which is used, as their name +implies, for turning over pebbles and stones in their search for food. +They nest commonly in northern Labrador, about Hudson Bay and in Alaska, +laying their eggs in scantily lined hollows on the ground, near water. +The eggs are very peculiar and beautiful, having a light grayish or +cream color ground, peculiarly marbled with many shades of brown and +lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.10. Data.--Mackenzie River, Arctic America, June +28, 1900. Four eggs in a grass lined depression in the sand. + +[Illustration 171: Creamy.] +[Illustration: Turnstone.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 170 + +284. BLACK TURNSTONE. _Arenaria melanocephala._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia +northward, and wintering south to Lower California. + +This species, which has the form and habits of the preceding, is +blackish above and on the breast; the rump and the base of the tail are +white, being separated from each other by the black tail coverts. Their +nesting habits are in no wise different from those of the common +turnstone. The eggs are similar, but the markings are not so strikingly +arranged. Size 1.60 x 1.10. Data.--Kutlik, Alaska, June 21, 1898. Nest +simply a depression in the sand on the sea beach. + + +OYSTER-CATCHERS. Family HAEMATOPODIDAE + +285. EUROPEAN OYSTER-CATCHER. _Haematopus frazari._ + +This European species is very similar to the American one which follows. +It casually occurs in Greenland. + + +286. OYSTER-CATCHER. _Haematopus palliatus._ + +Range.--Breeds on the coast of the South Atlantic States and Lower +California and winters south to Patagonia. Oyster-catchers are + +large, heavy-bodied birds, with stocky red legs and long, stout red +bills. The present species has the whole upper parts and entire head and +neck, blackish; underparts and ends of secondaries, white; length, 19 +inches. They are abundant breeding birds on the sandy beaches of the +South Atlantic States, and casually wander north to Nova Scotia. They +lay their two or three eggs on the ground in slight hollows scooped out +of the sand. The eggs are of a buffy or brownish buff color, and are +irregularly spotted with blackish brown, with subdued markings of +lavender. Size 2.20 x 1.50. Data.--Sandy Point, S. C., May 12, 1902. +Three eggs on the sand just above high water mark; nest a mere +depression on a small "sand dune" lined with pieces of shells. + +[Illustration 172: Grayish.] +[Illustration: American Oyster-catcher.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 171 + +286.1. Frazar's Oyster-catcher. _Haematopus bachmani._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This species is darker on the back than the preceding, and the breast is +mottled with dusky. Bill very long, heavy, compressed, and thin and +chisel-like at the tip. + +Bill and eyes red; legs flesh color; under parts white, and a white wing +bar. These are large, awkward looking birds. It is not an uncommon wader +in its somewhat restricted range. Its nesting habits are the same as +those of the preceding one, but the markings are generally more sharply +defined. The one figured is from a set in the collection of Mr. C. W. +Crandall. + + +287. BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER. _Haematopus bachmani._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of North America from Lower California north to +Alaska. + +This species is the same size as the Oyster-catcher, but the plumage is +entirely black both above and below. They are found upon the rocky +coasts and islands, more frequently than upon sandy beaches. Their eggs +are laid upon bare rocks or pebbles with no attempt at lining for the +nest. The eggs are an olive buff in color, spotted and blotched with +brownish black. Size 2.20 x 1.55. Breeding throughout the Aleutian +Islands, British Columbia and south to Lower California. Three or four +eggs are laid. + +[Illustration 173: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: 287--286.1.] +[Illustration: Olive buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 172 + +JACANAS. Family JACANIDAE + +288. Mexican Jacana. _Jacana spinosa._ + +Range.--Tropical America, north in summer to the lower Rio Grande Valley +in Texas, and casually to Florida. + +This interesting species has most of its structural characters similar +to the Plovers, but has more the appearance and habits of the Rails. +They are about eight inches long, the head and neck are black, the body +chestnut, and the wings largely greenish yellow. They have long legs, +long toes and extremely long toe nails, a scaly leaf on the forehead, +and a sharp spur on the shoulder of the wing. Owing to their long toes +and nails, they are enabled to walk over floating weeds and rubbish that +would sink beneath their weight, otherwise. They build their nests on +these little floating islands in the marsh; they are also sometimes made +of weeds and trash on floating lily pads. They lay from three to five +eggs of a yellowish olive color, curiously scrawled with brown and +black. Size 1.22 x .95. Data.--Tampico, Mexico, June 3, 1900. Three +eggs. Nest of weeds and drift on lily leaf floating in fresh water pond +near town. + +[Illustration 174: Mexican Jacana.] +[Illustration: Yellowish olive.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 173 + +[Illustration 175: C. A. Reed. +NEST AND EGGS OF BOB-WHITE.] + +Page 174 + +[Illustration 176: BOB WHITE. +Female--Male.] + +Page 175 + +GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order X. GALLINAE + +GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. Family TETRAONIDAE + +The members of this family are birds of robust form, subdued (not +brightly colored) plumage, comparatively short legs and necks; the tarsi +and toes are feathered in the Ptarmigan, the tarsi, only, feathered in +the Grouse, and the tarsi and toes bare in the Partridges and +Bob-whites. They feed upon berries, buds, grain and insects. + + +289. BOB-WHITE. _Colinus virginianus virginianus._ + +Range.--United States east of North Dakota and Texas and from the +southern British Provinces to the Gulf coast. + +A celebrated "game bird" which has been hunted so assiduously in New +England that it is upon the verge of extermination, and the covers have +to be continually replenished with birds trapped in the south and west. +They frequent open fields, which have a luxuriant growth of weeds, or +grain fields in the fall. Their nests are built along the roadsides, or +beside stonewalls or any place affording satisfactory shelter. The nest +is made of dried grasses and is arched over with grass or overhanging +leaves so as to conceal the eggs. They lay from ten to twenty pure white +eggs, which are very frequently nest stained when found. Size 1.20 x +.95. Often two or three broods are raised in a season, but frequently +one or more broods are destroyed by rainy weather. + + +289a. FLORIDA BOB-WHITE. _Colinus virginianus floridanus._ + +Range.--This sub-species, which is found in the southern half of +Florida, is very much darker than the northern Bob-white, and is +numerously barred below with black. Its nesting habits and eggs are +identical with those of the preceding. + + +289b. TEXAS BOB-WHITE. _Colinus virginianus texanus._ + +Range.--Texas; casually north to Kansas. A grayer variety of the +Bob-white. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the +Bob-white, except that the eggs may average a trifle smaller. Size 1.18 +x .92. + + +291. MASKED BOB-WHITE. _Colinus ridgwayi._ + +Range.--Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona. + +The female of this species is like that of the Texan Bob-white. Their +nesting habits and eggs are in all respects like those of the other +Bob-whites. Size of eggs, 1.20 x .95. + +[Illustration 177: White.] +[Illustration: Bobwhite. Florida Bobwhite. Masked Bobwhite.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 176 + +292. MOUNTAIN QUAIL. _Oreortyx picta picta._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of North America from California to Washington. + +This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11 inches in length. It is +of a general grayish color, with chestnut throat patch, and chestnut +flanks, barred with white. Two long plumes extend downward from the back +of the head. This species nests abundantly in the mountainous portions +of northern California and throughout Oregon, and is gradually +increasing in numbers in Washington. As a rule they nest only on the +higher mountain ranges, placing their nest of leaves under the +protection of an overhanging bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number +from six to fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color. Size 1.35 x +1.05. + + +292a. PLUMED QUAIL. _Oreortyx picta plumifera._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges of California and Lower California, chiefly in +the southern parts of the former. This species is like the latter except +that it is grayer on the back of the head and neck. Its nesting habits +and eggs are like the preceding. + + +292b. SAN PEDRO QUAIL. _Oreortyx picta confinis._ + +Range.--San Pedro Mountains, Lower California. + +This species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only +in the highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs +are the same as the other Plumed Partridges. + + +293. SCALED QUAIL. _Callipepla squamata squamata._ + +Range.--Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. + +This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the feathers on the neck +and underparts have narrow dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly +appearance, from which the birds take their name. They have a small tuft +of whitish or buffy feathers on the top of the head. It is especially +abundant in the dry arid portions of its range, being found often many +miles away from water. Their eggs are laid in a shallow hollow under +some small bush or cactus, and number from eight to sixteen; they are +creamy white, finely specked with buff or pale brownish. Size 1.25 x +.95. + +[Illustration 178: Reddish buff.] +[Illustration: Mountain Partridge. Scaled Partridge.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 177 + +293a. CHESTNUT-BELLIED SCALED QUAIL. _Callipepla squamata +castanogastris._ + +Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward into Mexico. + +This sub-species is like the last with the addition of a chestnut patch +on the belly. Their breeding habits do not vary in any particular way +from those of the Scaled Partridge. + + +294. CALIFORNIA QUAIL. _Lophortyx californica californica._ + +Range.--Coast region of California, Oregon, Washington and British +Columbia. + +This is one of the most beautiful of the Partridges, with its crest of +feathers rising from the crown and curving forwards so that the +broadened ends hang directly over the bill. It is about the size of the +preceding species, and is distinguished from the following one by its +white forehead, chestnut patch on the belly and the scaly appearance of +the feathers in that region, by its dark crown and the gray flanks with +white streaks. They lay from eight to twenty eggs with a creamy white or +buffy ground color, handsomely blotched with shades of brown and +yellowish brown. Size 1.20 x .93. + + +294a. VALLEY PARTRIDGE. _Lophortyx californica vallicola._ + +Range.--Interior portions of California, Oregon and Washington. + +The nesting habits of this grayer sub-species do not differ in any +manner from those of the above species. The eggs are indistinguishable. + + +295. GAMBEL QUAIL. _Lophortyx gambeli._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from Texas to California; north to +Utah. + +This handsome species differs from the California in the Chestnut crown +and flanks, and the black patch on the belly. They are very abundant in +Arizona, both on the mountains and in the valleys, and apparently +without any regard to the nearness to, or remoteness from a water +supply. They breed during May, laying their eggs on the ground under any +suitable cover. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the +California Partridge, except that they average a trifle larger. Size +1.25 x .95. + +[Illustration 179: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: California Partridge.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 178 + +296. MEARNS QUAIL. _Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to southern Arizona and New Mexico, and to western +Texas. + +A remarkable species about 9 inches long; often called "Fool Quail" +because of its eccentric and clownish markings, streaks and spots of +black, white, buff, gray and chestnut. It is met with in small flocks on +the mountains and less frequently in the valleys. It frequents scrubby +wooded places rather than open hill sides and is very easy to approach +and kill; this confidence or stupidity together with its clownish +appearance are the reasons for its commonly used local name. Their nests +are hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and concealed by +overhanging tufts of grass. The eggs, which are pure white, are not +distinguishable with certainty from those of the Bob-white, but average +longer. Size 1.25 x .95. + + +297. DUSKY GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus obscurus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from central Montana south to New Mexico. + +With the exception of the Sage Grouse, this species is the largest of +the family, being about 20 inches in length. The general tone of its +plumage below is gray; above, blackish gray and the tail blackish with a +broad terminal band of light gray. They frequent the wooded and +especially the coniferous districts, where they build their nests under +fallen trees or at the bases of standing ones. They lay from six to ten +eggs of a buffy color, sparsely spotted and blotched with brownish. Size +2.00 x 1.40. + + +297a. SOOTY GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges along the Pacific coast from California to +British Columbia. + +Like the last, this somewhat darker sub-species is met with in timbered +regions, where its habits are about the same as those of the Ruffled +Grouse, except, of course, that they are not nearly as shy as the Grouse +in New England. Their eggs are laid in hollows beside stumps or under +logs. The eggs are buff colored, spotted with reddish brown. Size 2.00 x +1.40. + +[Illustration 180: Mearns Partridge.] +[Illustration: Rich buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 179 + +297b. RICHARDSON'S GROUSE. _Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni._ + +Range.--Northern Rocky Mountains from central Montana to British +Columbia. + +A dark variety with no terminal band of gray on the tail. Its habits, +nesting and eggs are precisely like those of the preceding species. + + +298. HUDSONIAN SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. _Canachites canadensis canadensis._ + +Range.--Northern United States and southern British Provinces; west to +Minnesota. + +A dark species, smaller than the last (15 inches long), and easily +recognized by its black throat and extensive black patch on the breast. +The habits of this species and the two varieties into which it has been +sub-divided are the same; as a species, they are very tame, will not fly +unless actually obliged to, and frequently allow themselves to be +knocked down with sticks. Their nests are hollows in the leaves on the +ground, generally under the sheltering branches of a low spreading fir +tree. The six to fifteen eggs are a bright buff color, blotched and +spotted boldly with various shades of brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25. + + +298b. ALASKA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. _Canachites canadensis osgoodi._ + +Range.--Alaska. + +This variety is practically the same as the preceding, the birds not +always being distinguishable; the nest and eggs are the same as the +Canada Grouse. + + +298c. Canada Spruce Partridge. _Canachites canadensis canace._ + +Range.--Labrador and the Hudson Bay region. + +Like the last, this variety is hardly to be distinguished from the +Hudsonian. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same. + +[Illustration 181: Bright buff.] +[Illustration: Sooty Grouse. Spruce Grouse.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 180 + +299. FRANKLIN'S GROUSE. _Canachites franklin franklini._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia. + +This species is very similar to the Canada Grouse, the most apparent +difference being the absence of the brownish gray tip to the tail, and +the upper coverts are broadly tipped with white. This species, which is +very abundant in the northwest, has the same stupid habits of the +eastern bird. During the mating season, the males of both this and the +preceding species have the same habit of "drumming" that the Ruffed +Grouse has. Their nests are placed on the ground under bushes or fir +trees and from eight to fifteen eggs are laid. These are brownish buff +in color, spotted and blotched with rich brown. They are very similar to +the eggs of the Canada Grouse. Data.--Moberly Peak, Cascade Mts., +British Columbia, June 9, 1902. 7 eggs in a slight hollow on the ground. +Collector, G. F. Dippie. + + +300. RUFFED GROUSE. _Bonasa umbellus umbellus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States from Minnesota to New England; south to +Virginia. + +The Ruffed Grouse is "King of the Game Birds" in the east, where it has +been hunted so freely, that it has become very wary and requires a +skillful marksman to bring it down. Because of the cutting off of all +heavy timber, and the vigor with which they are pursued by hunters, they +are becoming very scarce in New England, and within a few years they +will probably be practically extinct in that section. Their favorite +resorts are heavily timbered woods or low growth birches. Their nests +are hollows in the leaves under fallen trees, beside some stump or +concealed among the small shoots at the base of a large tree. The bird +sits very close, but when she does fly, goes with the familiar rumble +and roar which always disconcerts the novice, the wind created by her +sudden flight generally causing the leaves to settle in the nest and +conceal the eggs. They lay from eight to fifteen eggs, of a brownish +buff color, sometimes with a few faint markings of brown, but generally +unspotted. Size 1.55 x 1.15. The young of all the Partridges and Grouse +are born covered with down and follow their parents soon after leaving +the shell. The adults are very skillful in leading enemies away from +their young, feigning lameness, broken wings, etc. The nesting habits +and eggs of the three sub-species are precisely the same in every +respect as those of this bird. + +[Illustration 182: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: Ruffed Grouse.] +[Illustration: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 181 + +[Illustration 183: RUFFED GROUSE.] + +Page 182 + +300a. CANADA RUFFED GROUSE. _Bonasa umbellus togata._ + +Range.--Northern United States and southern British +Provinces from Maine and Nova Scotia west to Washington +and British Columbia. + + +300b. GRAY RUFFED GROUSE. _Bonasa umbellus umbelloides._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Colorado to +Alaska. + +A grayer species than the common. + + +300c. OREGON RUFFED GROUSE. _Bonasa umbellus sabini._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. + +A dark species with the prevailing color a reddish tone. + +[Illustration 184: 299--300a.] +[Illustration: J. B. Pardoe. NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GROUSE.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 183 + +301. WILLOW PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus lagopus lagopus._ + +Range.--Arctic regions, in America south nearly to the United States +border, and casually to Maine. + +Ptarmigan are Grouse-like birds, feathered to the toe nails; they have +many changes of plumage, in winter being nearly pure white, and in +summer largely reddish brown or grayish, barred with black. In the +breeding plumage they have red comb-like wattles over the eye. In other +seasons, their plumage varies in all degrees between winter and summer. +They nest on the ground in hollows among the leaves, lined with a few +grasses, and sometimes feathers. They lay from six to sixteen eggs which +have a ground color of buff or brownish buff, heavily speckled, blotched +and marbled with blackish brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. + + +301a. ALLEN'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus lagopus alleni._ + +Range.--Newfoundland. A very similar bird to the preceding; eggs +indistinguishable. + + +302. ROCK PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus rupestris rupestris._ + +Range.--Chiefly in the interior of British America, from the southern +portions to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. + +A species with a smaller bill and in summer a grayer plumage, more +finely barred with black. Its nesting habits are the same as the other +species, it nesting on the ground in such localities as would be +frequented by the Ruffed Grouse. Its eggs cannot be positively +distinguished from those of the Willow Ptarmigan. Size 1.70 x 1.20. + +[Illustration 185: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: Willow Ptarmigan. Rock Ptarmigan.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 184 + +302a. REINHARDT'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus rupestris reinhardi._ + +Range.--Labrador and Greenland; an eastern variety of the preceding +species. Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the same as those +of Rock Ptarmigan. + + +302b. NELSON'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus rupestris nelsoni._ + +Range.--Unalaska, of the Aleutian chain. An abundant species in its +restricted range, making its nest on the ground in the valleys. Eggs +like the others. + + +302c. TURNER'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus rupestris atkhensis._ + +Range.--Atka Island, of the Aleutian chain. Nests and eggs not +distinctive. + + +302d. TOWNSEND'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus rupestris townsendi._ + +Range.--Kyska Island of the Aleutian group. + +On account of the constantly changing plumage of these birds, while +interesting, they are very unsatisfactory to study, and it is doubtful +if anyone can identify the different sub-species of the Rock Ptarmigan, +granting that there is any difference, which is doubtful. + + +302.1. EVERMANN'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus evermanni._ + +Range.--Attu Island, of the Aleutian group. + +This is, in summer, the darkest of the Ptarmigans, having little or no +rufous and much blackish. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as +those of the Rock Ptarmigan. + + +303. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus welchi._ + +Range.--Newfoundland. + +This species, in summer, is more grayish than the Rock Ptarmigan, and is +very finely vermiculated with blackish. It is a perfectly distinct +species from the Allen Ptarmigan, which is the only other species found +on the island. They inhabit the higher ranges and hills in the interior +of the island, where they are quite abundant. They build their nests on +the ground under protection of overhanging bushes. The eggs are laid in +a hollow in the dead leaves, sometimes with a lining of grasses. The +eggs do not differ in size or appearance from those of the Rock +Ptarmigan. Data.--Newfoundland, June 3, 1901. Nest a slight hollow in +the moss, besides a fallen stump; lined with a few feathers. Collector, +E. H. Montgomery. + +[Illustration 186: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 185 + +304. WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus leucurus leucurus._ + +Range.--Higher ranges of the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico north to +Alaska. + +Ptarmigan are remarkable birds in that they are in an almost continual +state of molting, nearly every month in the year showing them in +different stages of plumage, ranging from the snow-white winter dress to +the summer one in which reddish-brown prevails on Willow Ptarmigan and a +black and gray barred effect predominates on the other species. Notice +that they are feathered to the toes, in winter the feathers on the toes +growing dense and hair-like, not only protecting the toes from the cold +but making excellent snowshoes which enable them to walk with impunity +over the lightest snow. + +Ptarmigan form the staple article of diet for northern foxes, and were +it not for the fact that their plumage changes to correspond to the +appearance of the ground at the various seasons they would fare hardly +indeed. + +In spring the little red combs above the eyes of the males are swollen +and conspicuous. At this season they strut and perform curious antics, +such as all Grouse are noted for. + +This species differs from any of the preceding in having at all seasons +of the year, a white tail; it is also somewhat smaller than the Rock +Ptarmigan. They nest abundantly near the summits of the ranges in +Colorado, making their nests among the rocks, and generally lining them +with a few grasses. During June, they lay from six to twelve eggs having +a creamy background, speckled and blotched with chestnut brown. Size +1.70 x 1.15. + + +304a. KENAI WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. _Lagopus leucurus peninsularis._ + +Range.--Kenai Peninsular, Alaska. A similar but paler (in summer) +variety of the preceding. The nesting habits or eggs will not differ. + + +305. PRAIRIE CHICKEN. _Tympanuchus americanus americanus._ + +Range.--The prairies, chiefly west of the Mississippi; north to +Manitoba, east to Ohio, and west to Colorado. + +This familiar game bird of the west is about 18 inches in length, +brownish above and grayish below, with bars of brownish black both above +and below. In the place of the ruffs of the Ruffled Grouse, are long +tufts of rounded or square ended feathers, and beneath these a peculiar +sac, bright orange in the + +[Illustration 187: Olive Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Pag 186 + +breeding season, and capable of being inflated to the size of a small +orange; this is done when the bird makes its familiar "booming" noise. +They are very good "table birds" and although they are still very +abundant in most of their range, so many are being killed for market, +that it has become necessary to make more stringent laws relating to the +killing and sale of Pinnated Grouse, as they are often called. They nest +anywhere on the prairie, in hollows on the ground under overhanging +bushes or tufts of grass. They lay from eight to fifteen eggs having a +buffy or olive buff ground color, sparingly and finely sprinkled with +brown; size 1.70 x 1.25. + + +305a. ATTWATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN. _Tympanuchus americanus attwateri._ + +Range.--Coast region of Louisiana and Texas. + +This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Pinnated Grouse. +Its eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the more northerly +distributed bird. + + +306. HEATH HEN. _Tympanuchus cupido._ + +Range.--Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. + +This species is similar to the preceding, but has the scapulars more +broadly tipped with buff, the axillars barred, and the pinnated feathers +on the neck pointed. It is slightly smaller than the western species. It +is found on the wooded portions of the island, where its breeding habits +are the same as those of the Ruffed Grouse. Mr. Brewster probably has +the only authentic set of the eggs of this species. They are of a +yellowish green color and are unspotted. Size 1.70 x 1.25. A number of +Prairie Hens liberated on the island several years ago are apparently +thriving well, and nests found there now would be fully as apt to belong +to this species. + +[Illustration 188:(baby birds)] +[Illustration: Prairie Chicken. Heath Hen.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 187 + +307. LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN. _Tympanuchus pallidicinctus._ + +Range.--Prairies from southwestern Kansas through Indian Territory to +western Texas. + +A smaller and paler species than the Prairie Chicken. Never as abundant +as the common Pinnated Grouse, this species appears to be becoming +scarcer each year. Its nests are concealed under overhanging brush or +placed under a large tuft of prairie grass, and are generally lined with +a few grasses or leaves. They lay from eight to twelve eggs of a buffy +color, much lighter than those of the Prairie Chicken, and unmarked. +Size 1.65 x 1.25. + + +308. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. _Pedioecetes phasianellus phasianellus._ + +Range.--Interior of British America, from the United States boundary +northwest to the Yukon. + +Sharp-tailed Grouse are similar in form to the Prairie Chicken, but are +somewhat smaller and very much lighter in color, being nearly white +below, with arrowhead markings on the breast and flanks. This species is +very abundant in Manitoba and especially so on the plains west of Hudson +Bay. Their nests are generally concealed under a thicket or a large tuft +of grass, and are lined with grasses and feathers. They lay from six to +fifteen eggs of a drab color, very minutely specked all over with brown. +Size 1.70 x 1.25. + + +308a. COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. _Pedioecetes phasianellus +columbianus._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia to central +Alaska. Both the nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as +the last, with which species, the birds gradually intergrade as their +ranges approach. + + +308b. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. _Pedioecetes phasianellus +campestris._ + +Range.--Plains of the United States from the Mississippi to the Rockies. +This sub-species shades directly into the two preceding where their +ranges meet, and only birds from the extreme parts of the range of each +show any marked differences. The nesting habits and eggs of all three +are not to be distinguished. + +[Illustration 189: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: Buffy drab.] +[Illustration: Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 188 + +309. SAGE HEN. _Centrocercus urophasianus._ + +Range.--Sage plains of the Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia +to New Mexico, and from California to Dakota. This handsome bird is the +largest of the American Grouse, being about 30 inches long (the hen bird +is about six inches shorter). It may easily be recognized by its large +size, its peculiar graduated tail with extremely sharp pointed feathers, +and the black belly and throat. Their nests are hollows scratched out in +the sand, under the sage bushes, generally with no lining. The nesting +season is during April and May, they laying from six to twelve eggs of a +greenish drab color, spotted with brown. Size 2.15 x 1.50. + + +PHEASANTS. Family PHASIANIDAE + +* * * RING-NECKED PHEASANT. _Phasianus torquatus._ + +Several species of Pheasants have been introduced into the United +States, among them being the Ring-necked, English, and Green Pheasants. +The Ring-necked species seems to be the only one that has obtained a +really strong foothold, it being now very abundant in Oregon and +Washington, and adjacent states, and also found in abundance on many +game preserves in the east. The males of any of the species may at once +be distinguished from any of our birds by the long tail. Their nests are +hollows in the leaves under tufts of grass or bushes. They lay from +eight to fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish buff color, unmarked; size +1.50 x 1.30. + +[Illustration 190: Sage Hen.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish drab.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 189 + +[Illustration 191: RING-NECKED PHEASANT.] + +Page 190 + +TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRIDAE + +310. Wild Turkey. _Meleagris gallopavo silvestris._ + +Range.--Eastern United States from southern Middle States south to +central Florida and west to the Mississippi Valley and eastern Texas. +These magnificent birds, which once ranged over the whole of eastern +United States, are being yearly confined to a smaller range, chiefly +because of the destruction of their natural covers, and from persecution +by hunters. They are generally very wary birds and either escape by +running through the underbrush or by flying as soon as a human being +appears in sight. Their nests are made under tangled growths of +underbrush or briers. Their eggs, which are laid during April and May, +range from eight to sixteen in number. They are of a buff color +sprinkled and spotted with brownish. Size 2.55 x 1.90. Data.--Hammond, +La., April 17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground +under a bush on the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves. +Collector, E. A. McIlhenny. + + +310a. MERRIAM'S TURKEY. _Meleagris gallopavo merriami._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from Colorado south through western +Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico. + +This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and +eggs being practically indistinguishable from those of the eastern form. + +[Illustration 192: Buff.] +[Illustration: Sage Hen. Wild Turkey.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 191 + +310b. FLORIDA TURKEY. _Meleagris gallopavo osceola._ + +Range.--Southern Florida. + +A small variety of the Wild Turkey, about 42 inches long. They breed in +the tangled thickets in the higher portions of the southern half of +Florida, laying from ten to sixteen eggs of a brighter and deeper buff +color than the northern variety, and smaller; size 2.30 x 1.75. Their +nests are generally lined with grasses and occasionally with feathers. +The female sits very close when incubating and will not fly until almost +trod upon, trusting to her variegated markings to conceal her from +observation. + + +310c. RIO GRANDE TURKEY. _Meleagris gallopavo intermedia._ + +Range.--Lowlands of the southern parts of Texas and northern Mexico. A +sub-species which differs slightly in plumage and not at all in nesting +habits or eggs from the common Wild Turkey. + + +CURASSOWS AND GUANS. Family CRACIDAE + +311. CHACHALACA. _Ortalis vetula mccalli._ + +Range.--Eastern portions of Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande Valley +in Texas. + +A very peculiar grayish colored bird with a greenish gloss to the back, +and a long, broad tail, quite long legs, and with the face and sides of +the throat devoid of feathers. They are very abundant birds in some +localities, and very noisy during the breeding season, their notes +resembling a harsh trumpeting repetition of their name. They are ground +inhabiting birds, but nest in low bushes. Their nests are made of +sticks, twigs, leaves, or moss and are generally frail, flat structures +only a few feet above the ground. During April, they lay from three to +five buffy white eggs, the shell of which is very rough and hard. Size +2.25 x 1.55. + +[Illustration 193: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Buffy white.] +[Illustration: Chachalaca.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 192 + +PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XI. COLUMBAE + +Family COLUMBIDAE + +Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and +tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, +of which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft +and subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight +rapid. + + +312. BAND-TAILED PIGEON. _Columba fasciata fasciata._ + +Range.--The Rocky Mountains and westward to the Pacific, from British +Columbia south to Mexico. + +This large species may be generally recognized by the white crescent on +the nape; it is about 15 inches in length. They nest abundantly on the +mountain ranges, sometimes in large flocks, and again, only a few pairs +together. Their nests are rude platforms of sticks and twigs either in +bushes or in large trees in heavily wooded districts. The two eggs which +are laid during May or June are pure white in color, and like those of +all the pigeons, equally rounded at each end. Size 1.55 x 1.10. + + +312a. VIOSCA'S PIGEON. _Columba fasciata vioscae._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the +preceding species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting +or eggs. + + +313. RED-BILLED PIGEON. _Columba flavirostris._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and +New Mexico. + +This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck +and breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley +of the Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets +and low bushes, and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of +eggs, 1.55 x 1.05. + + +314. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. _Columba leucocephala._ + +Range.--Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found on the Florida +Keys. This species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in +trees or mangroves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white +eggs on its rude platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 x 1.05. +Nests in April and May. + + +314.1. SCALED PIGEON. _Columba squamosa._ + +A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West, +Florida. + +A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from +the scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the +neck. + +[Illustration 194: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 193 + +315. PASSENGER PIGEON. _Ectopistes migratorius._ + +Range.--Formerly, North America east of the Rockies; casually seen in +the upper Mississippi Valley, now extinct. + +A handsome species (see frontispiece) with ruddy underparts, grayish +upperparts and a long graduated tail. This species years ago found in +flocks of thousands or millions, is now practically exterminated, +chiefly by being hunted and trapped. A few pairs probably now nest in +the interior, from northern United States to Hudson Bay. Their nests are +very rude, frail platforms of twigs, on which two white eggs are laid, +they being longer and narrower, comparatively, than those of other +species. Size of eggs, 1.50 x 1.02. Data.--Southwest shore of Lake +Manitoba, June 1, 1891. Nest of twigs in an aspen tree. + + +316. Mourning Dove. _Zenaidura macroura carolinensis._ + +Range.--North America from New England, Manitoba and British Columbia, +southward. + +Now that the Passenger Pigeon has disappeared, this species becomes the +only one found in the east, with the exception of the little Ground Dove +in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. While, sometimes, small flocks of +them nest in a community, they generally nest in companies of two or +three pairs. Their nests are generally at a low elevation, in trees, +bushes and often upon the ground. Their nests are made entirely of twigs +and rootlets, and eggs may be found from early in April until the latter +part of September, as they often raise two or three broods a season. The +two eggs are white. Size 1.15 x .80. Data.--Refugio Co., Texas, May 3, +1899. Two eggs laid on the ground in a slight cradle of twigs. +Collector, James J. Carroll. + +[Illustration 195: White.] +[Illustration: Passenger Pigeon.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Mourning Dove.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 194 + +317. ZENAIDA DOVE. _Zenaida zenaida._ + +Range.--West Indies; in summer, on the Florida Keys, but not in great +numbers. + +This species is similar in size to the Mourning Dove, but it has a short +and square tail, and the secondaries are tipped with white, and the +underparts more ruddy. They generally nest upon the ground, but +occasionally in small bushes, laying two white eggs a trifle larger than +those of the preceding species. Size 1.20 x .90. The nests are made of +grasses and twigs, on the ground under bushes. + +[Illustration 196: NEST AND EGGS OF MOURNING DOVE. H. B. Stough.] +[Illustration.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 195 + +318. WHITE-FRONTED DOVE. _Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America north to southern Texas. + +Slightly larger than the last, much paler below, with no black ear mark +as in the two preceding species, and with the forehead whitish. They +build their nests of sticks, grasses and weeds, and place them in +tangled vines and thickets a few feet from the ground. Their two eggs, +which are laid in May and June, have a creamy white or buffy color. Size +1.15 x .85. They cannot be called a common species within our borders. + + +319. WHITE-WINGED DOVE. _Melopelia asiatica._ + +Range.--Central America, Mexico and the southwestern border of the +United States. + +This species is 12 inches in length, has a black patch on the ear +coverts, white tips to the greater and lesser coverts and some of the +secondaries, and broad white tips to the outer tail feathers, which are +black. This species is very abundant in some localities within our +borders. Their nests are very frail platforms of twigs placed in trees +or bushes or precariously suspended among tangled vines. Their two eggs +are white or creamy white, and measure 1.15 x .85. + + +320. GROUND DOVE. _Columbigallina passerina terrestris._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas. + +The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5 +inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly like those +of the next to be described. They are very abundant, especially along +the South Atlantic coast. + + +320a. MEXICAN GROUND DOVE. _Chaemepelia passerinus pallescens._ + +Range.--Border of the United States from Texas to southern California +and southward. + +This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds, placing the +flat structure either in low bushes or on the ground. Their two white +eggs are laid during April to July, they sometimes rearing two broods a +season. Size of eggs, .85 x .65. + + +320b. BERMUDA GROUND DOVE. _Chaemepelia passerina bermudiana._ + +Range.--Bermuda. Smaller and paler than the last; otherwise the same in +nesting habits and eggs. + +[Illustration: White-fronted Dove. White-winged Dove.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 196 + +321. INCA DOVE. _Scardafella inca._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States south to Central America and +Lower California. + +This handsome species is about the size of the last, but its tail is +longer and graduated, consequently its length is greater, it being about +8 inches long. It is not an uncommon species along our Mexican border, +but is not nearly as abundant as is the Ground Dove. It is often called +"Scaled Dove" because of the blackish edges of nearly all its feathers. +They build fairly compact nests of twigs, rootlets and weeds, these +being placed in bushes at a low elevation. They are two in number and +pure white. Size .85 x .65. + + +322. KEY WEST QUAIL DOVE. _Geotrygon chrysia._ + +Range.--West Indies, rarely found at Key West, although supposed to have +been common there in Audubon's time. This species is of about the size +of the Mourning Dove, has rusty colored upper parts, and is whitish +below, the white below the eye being separated from that of the throat +by a stripe of dusky from the base of the bill. They nest in trees, +laying two buffy white eggs. Size 1.15 x .9O. + + +322.1. RUDDY QUAIL DOVE. _Geotrygon montana._ + +Range.--Central America, north to eastern Mexico and the West Indies; +once taken at Key West. This species is similar to the last but has no +white streak under the eye, and the underparts are buffy. Eggs, creamy +white. Size 1.15 x .90. + + +323. BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE. _Starnoenas cyanocephala._ + +Range.--Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent +years. + +It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and +stripe through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The +rest of the plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white. +Size 1.30 x 1.05. + +[Illustration 198: Inca Dove. Ground Dove.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 197 + +[Illustration 199: CALIFORNIA VULTURE.] + +Page 198 + +VULTURES, HAWKS and OWLS. Order XII. RAPTORES + +AMERICAN VULTURES. Family CATHARTIDAE + +Vultures are peculiarly formed birds of prey, having a bare head and +neck, a lengthened bill strongly hooked at the end for tearing flesh, +and long, strong, broad wings upon which they float in the air for hours +at a time without any visible flapping. They are scavengers and do great +service to mankind by devouring dead animal matter, that, if allowed to +remain, would soon taint the atmosphere. Their eyesight and sense of +smell is very acute. They do not, except in very unusual cases, capture +their prey, but feed upon that which has been killed or died of disease. + + +324. CALIFORNIA VULTURE. _Gymnogyps californianus._ + +Range.--Apparently now restricted to the coast ranges of California, +casually inland to Arizona, and formerly to British Columbia. + +This large bird, which weighs about 20 pounds, measures about 4 feet in +length, and has an expanse of wings of about 10 feet. Its plumage is +blackish with lengthened lanceolate feathers about the neck, and with +the greater wing coverts broadly tipped with grayish white (in very old +birds). The birds are very rare in their restricted range and are +becoming scarcer each year, owing to their being shot and their nests +robbed. While the eggs are very rarely found and only secured at a great +risk, they are not as unobtainable as many suppose, as may be seen from +the fact that one private collection contains no less than six perfect +specimens of the eggs and as many mounted birds. These birds lay but a +single egg, placing it generally in caves or recesses in the face of +cliffs, hundreds of feet from the ground, and often in inaccessible +locations. The eggs are of an ashy gray color and measure about 4.45 x +1.55. + +[Illustration 200: Ashy gray.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 199 + +325. TURKEY VULTURE. _Cathartes aura septentrionalis._ + +Range.--America, from New Jersey on the Atlantic coast, Manitoba and +British Columbia, south to southern South America, wintering in the +southern half of the United States. + +The plumage of this small Buzzard (length 30 inches) is blackish brown, +the naked head being red. It is very common in the southern and central +portions of its range, where it frequents the streets and door yards +picking up any refuse that is edible. It is a very graceful bird while +on the wing, and can readily be identified when at a distance from the +fact that, when in flight, the tips of the wings curve upward. The two +eggs which constitute a set are laid upon the ground between large +rocks, in hollow stumps, under logs, or between the branching trunks of +large trees, generally in large woods. They frequently nest in +communities and again, only a single pair may be found in the woods. Its +nesting season ranges from March until June in the different localities. +The eggs are creamy or bluish white, spotted and blotched with shades of +brown, and with fainter markings of lavender. Size 2.70 x 1.85. + + +326. BLACK VULTURE. _Catharista uruba._ + +Range.--More southerly than the preceding; north regularly to North +Carolina and southern Illinois, and west to the Rocky Mountains. + +This species is about the same size, or slightly smaller than the Turkey +Vulture; its plumage is entirely black as is also the naked head, and +bill. In the South Atlantic and Gulf States, the present species is even +more abundant than the preceding, and might even be said to be partially +domesticated. The nesting habits are the same as those of the Turkey +Buzzard but their eggs average longer and the ground color is pale +greenish or bluish white rather than creamy. They are spotted and +blotched the same. Size 3.00 x 2.00. + +[Illustration 201: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: 324--325.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 200 + +[Illustration 202: Bluish white. +EGG OF BLACK VULTURE.] + +[Illustration: NEST AND EGGS OF TURKEY VULTURE. +N. W. Swayne.] + +Page 201 + +KITES, HAWKS AND EAGLES. Family BUTEONIDAE + +The members of this family are chiefly diurnal; they get their living by +preying upon smaller animals or birds. They have strong sharply hooked +bills, powerful legs and feet armed with strong, curved and sharply +pointed talons. + + +327. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. _Elanoides forficatus._ + +Range.--Southern United States; casually north to New York and Manitoba. + +This most beautiful Kite can never be mistaken for any other; its whole +head, neck and underparts are snowy white, while the back, wings and +tail are glossy blue black, the wings being very long and the tail long +and deeply forked. The extreme length of the bird is 24 inches. As a +rule nests of this bird are placed high up in the tallest trees; they +are made of sticks, weeds and moss. Two eggs, or rarely three, +constitute a full set. They are white or bluish white, spotted with +brown. The one figured is an unusually handsome marked specimen in the +collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. Average size of eggs, 1.80 x 1.50. +Data.--Yegna Creek bottoms, Texas, April 27, 1891. Two eggs. Nest of +sticks and green moss, the same moss also being used for lining; in an +elm tree 80 feet up. + + +328. White-tailed Kite. _Elanus leucurus._ + +Range.--Southern United States, north to the Carolinas, Illinois and +middle California. + +This species can be recognized by its light bluish gray mantle, black +shoulders and white tail. It is a very active species, feeding upon +insects and reptiles, and small birds and mammals. The nests of these +species are placed in trees at quite an elevation from the ground, being +made of sticks, weeds and leaves. The eggs are creamy white, profusely +blotched and spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size 1.65 x 1.25. +Data.--Los Angeles, Cal., April 9, 1896. Nest in fork of willows about +25 feet up. Made of willow twigs and weed stalks, lined with pieces of +bark. + +[Illustration 203: Swallow-tailed Kite.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 202 + +329. MISSISSIPPI KITE. _Ictinia mississippiensis._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States, north to South Carolina and +Illinois. + +A small species (length 14 inches) with the head, neck, and underparts +gray, and the back, wings and tail blackish, the tips of the secondaries +being grayish. They live almost exclusively upon insects, such as +grasshoppers, and small reptiles. They build their nests of sticks and +weeds well up in tall trees. The eggs are two or three in number and +normally bluish white, unmarked, but occasionally with very faint spots +of pale brown. Size 1.65 x 1.25. Data.--Giddings, Texas, May 31, 1887. +Nest of sticks and weeds, with green pecan leaves in the lining; placed +in the top of a live oak sapling, 20 feet from the ground. Collector, J. +A. Singley. + + +330. EVERGLADE KITE. _Rostrhamus sociabilis._ + +Range.--South America, north to southern Florida and Mexico. + +This peculiar species has a long, slender, curved bill, blackish +plumage, with white rump and bases of outer tail feather. They feed +largely upon snails, both land and water varieties. They nest at a low +elevation in bushes or under brush, often over the water. The nests are +of sticks, weeds and leaves. The three eggs are light greenish white, +spotted and splashed with chestnut brown. Size, 1.70 x 1.30. Nest in a +custard apple tree, 6 feet from the ground, built of twigs, lined with +small vine stems and willow leaves. + +[Illustration 204: White-tailed Kite. Mississippi Kite.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish white.] +[Illustration: Everglade Kite.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 203 + +[Illustration 205: NEST AND EGGS OF MARSH HAWK.] + +Page 204 + +331. MARSH HAWK. _Circus hudsonius._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, very abundant in all sections. + +The adult of this species is very light colored, and young birds of the +first two years have a reddish brown coloration; in both plumages the +species is easily identified by the white patch on the rump. They are, +almost exclusively frequenters of fields and marshes, where they can +most often be seen, towards dusk, swooping in broad curves near the +ground, watching for field mice, which form the larger portion of their +diet. Their nests are made in swampy ground, often in the middle of a +large marsh, being placed on the ground in the centre of a hummock or +clump of grass; it is generally well lined with grasses and often +rushes. They lay from four to seven pale bluish white eggs, generally +unmarked; size 1.80 x 1.40. + + +332. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. _Accipiter velox._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, wintering in the United States and +southward; breeds throughout its range, but most abundantly in northern +United States and northward. This is one of the smallest of the hawks +and in the adult plumage is a beautiful species, being barred below with +light brown, and having a bluish slate back. It is a very spirited and +daring bird and is one of the most destructive to small birds and young +chickens. Its nest is a rude and sometimes very frail platform of twigs +and leaves placed against the trunk of the tree at any height, but +averaging, perhaps, fifteen feet. The eggs are bluish white, beautifully +blotched and spotted with shades of brown. + +[Illustration 206: (Adult and young). Marsh Hawk.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Sharp-shinned Hawk.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 205 + +333. COOPER'S HAWK. _Accipiter cooperi._ + +Range.--Whole of temperate North America, breeding throughout its range. + +Although larger (length 17 inches), the plumage of this species is +almost exactly the same as that of the preceding. Like the last, this is +also a destructive species. They construct their nests in the crotches +of trees, generally at quite a height from the ground; the nest is made +of sticks and twigs, and often lined with pieces of bark; occasionally +an old Hawk's or Crow's nest is used by the birds. Their eggs are bluish +white, unmarked or faintly spotted with pale brown. + + +334. GOSHAWK. _Astur atricapillus atricapillus._ + +Range.--Northern North America, south in winter to the northern parts of +the United States. + +This species is one of the largest, strongest and most audacious of +American Hawks, frequently carrying off Grouse and poultry, the latter +often in the presence of the owner. It is a handsome species in the +adult plumage, with bluish gray upper parts, and light under parts, +finely vermiculated with grayish and black shafts to the feathers. +Length 23 inches. Their nests are placed well up in the tallest trees, +usually in dense woods, the nests being of sticks lined with weeds and +bark. The three or four eggs are bluish white, generally unmarked, but +occasionally with faint spots of brown. Size 2.30 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 207: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Cooper's Hawk.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: American Goshawk.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 206 + +[Illustration 208: Geo. L. Fordyce. +NEST AND EGGS OF COOPER'S HAWK.] + +Page 207 + +334a. WESTERN GOSHAWK. _Astur atricapillus striatulus._ + +Range.--Western North America from Alaska to California, breeding +chiefly north of the United States except in some of the higher ranges +of the Pacific coast. This sub-species is darker, both above and below, +than the American Goshawk. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the +same. The eggs are quite variable in size. + + +335. HARRIS'S HAWK. _Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the +United States; very abundant in southern Texas. + +This is a peculiar blackish species, with white rump, and chestnut +shoulders and thighs. It is commonly met with in company with Caracaras, +Turkey Buzzards and Black Vultures, feeding upon carrion. They also feed +to an extent on small mammals and birds. Their nests are made of sticks, +twigs and weeds, and placed in bushes or low trees. The three or four +eggs are laid in April or May. They are dull white in color and +generally unmarked, although often showing traces of pale brown spots. +They are quite variable in size, averaging 2.10 x 1.65. + +[Illustration 209: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Harris's Hawk.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 208 + +337. RED-TAILED HAWK. _Buteo borealis borealis_. + +This is one of the handsomest of the larger hawks, and is the best known +in the east, where it is commonly, but wrongly, designated as "hen +hawk", a name, however, which is indiscriminately applied to any bird +that has talons and a hooked beak. The adult of this species is +unmistakable because of its reddish brown tail; young birds are very +frequently confounded with other species. Their food consists chiefly of +small rodents, snakes and lizards, and only occasionally are poultry or +birds taken. They nest in the tallest trees in large patches of woods, +the nests being made of sticks, weeds, leaves and trash. The eggs number +from two to four, and are white, sometimes heavily, and sometimes +sparingly, blotched and spotted with various shades of brown. Size 2.35 +x 1.80. + + +337a. KRIDER'S HAWK. _Buteo borealis krideri_. + +Range.--Plains of the United States, north to Manitoba. + +This sub-species is described as lighter on the underparts, which are +almost immaculate. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of +the preceding. + + +337b. WESTERN RED-TAIL. _Buteo borealis calurus_. + +Range.--Western North America, chiefly west of the Rocky Mountains. + +This sub-species varies from the plumage of the eastern Red-tail, to a +nearly uniform sooty above and below, with the dark red tail crossed by +several bands; it is a generally darker variety than the Red-tail. Its +nesting habits are the same and the eggs show the great variations in +markings that are common to the eastern bird. + +[Illustration 210: Red-tailed Hawk.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 209 + +337d. HARLAN'S HAWK. _Buteo borealis harlani._ + +Range.--Gulf States and southward, north to Kansas. + +This dark sub-species is generally nearly uniform blackish, but +sometimes is lighter or even white below. Its tail is rusty, mottled +with blackish and white. Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs +are not distinguishable from those of the other Red-tails. + + +339. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. _Buteo lineatus lineatus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and from the southern parts of +the British Provinces southward; abundant and breeding throughout its +range. + +This species is smaller than the Red-tailed and is not as powerfully +built; length 19 inches. The adults are handsomely barred beneath with +reddish brown, giving the entire underparts a ruddy color. Like the last +species, they rarely feed upon poultry, confining their diet chiefly to +mice, rats, frogs, reptiles, etc. These Hawks nest in the larger growths +of timber, usually building their nests high above the ground. The nest +is of sticks, and lined with leaves, weeds and pieces of bark. They lay +three or four eggs with a white ground color, variously blotched and +spotted, either sparingly or heavily, with different shades of brown. +Size 2.15 x 1.75. Data.--Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 25, 1898. Nest about +40 feet up in an oak tree; made of sticks and twigs and lined with bark. +Four eggs. Collector, J. C. Holmes. + + +339a. Florida Red-shouldered Hawk. _Buteo lineatus alleni._ + +Range.--Florida and the Gulf coast; north to South Carolina. The nesting +habits of this paler sub-species are precisely like those of the last +species. + +[Illustration 211: Red-shouldered Hawk.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 210 + +[Illustration 212: Geo. L. Fordyce. +NEST AND EGGS OF RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.] + +Page 211 + +339b. RED-BELLIED HAWK. _Buteo lineatus elegans._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia south to Lower California, +chiefly west of the Rockies. + +This variety is similar to, but darker than lineatus, and the underparts +are a uniform reddish brown, without barring. Their nests are like those +of the Red-shouldered variety, and almost always placed high up in the +largest trees. The eggs are very similar, but average lighter in +markings. Size 2.15 x 1.70. Data.--Diego, Cal., April 13, 1897. Nest in +a sycamore 20 feet from ground, made of sticks, leaves and feathers. + + +340. Zone-tailed Hawk. _Buteo abbreviatus._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the +United States. + +This species, which is 19 inches long, is wholly black with the +exception of the tail, which is banded. Their nests are built in heavy +woods, and preferably in trees along the bank of a stream. The nest is +of the usual Hawk construction and the two to four eggs are white, +faintly marked with pale chestnut. Data.--Marathon, Texas. Nest of +sticks, lined with weeds and rabbit fur; on a horizontal branch of a +cotton-wood tree, 30 feet up. + +[Illustration 213: White.] +[Illustration: 339b--340.] +[Illustration: White,] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 212 + +341. SENNETT'S WHITE-TAILED HAWK. _Buteo albicaudatus sennetti._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward. + +A large, handsome Hawk which may be identified by its dark upper parts +and white underparts and tail, the flanks and tail being lightly barred +with grayish; the shoulders are chestnut. It is especially abundant in +the southern parts of Texas, where it builds its nests of sticks and +weeds, lined with grasses, leaves and moss. They nest in March and +April, laying two, or rarely three, eggs which are a dull white, and +generally immaculate, but occasionally faintly or sparingly spotted with +brown. Size of eggs 2.25 x 1.80. + + +342. SWAINSON'S HAWK. _Buteo swainsoni._ + +Range.--Central and western North America, from the Mississippi Valley +and Hudson Bay, to the Pacific coast, breeding throughout its range. + +In the greater part of its range, this is the most abundant of the Hawk +family. Its plumage is extremely variable, showing all the +intergradations from a uniform sooty blackish to the typical adult +plumage of a grayish above, and a white below, with a large breast patch +of rich chestnut. Their nesting habits are as variable as their plumage. +In some localities, they nest exclusively in trees, in others +indifferently upon the ground or rocky ledges. The nest is the usual +Hawk structure of sticks; the eggs are white, variously splashed and +spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size 2.20 x 1.70. Data.--Stark +Co., N. D., May 21, 1897. Nest of sticks, lined with weeds in an ash +tree. Collector, Roy Dodd. + +[Illustration 214: Sennett's White-tailed Hawk.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Swainson's Hawk.] +[Illustration: left hand margin,] + +Page 213 + +343. BROAD-WINGED HAWK. _Buteo platypterus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, and from the British +Provinces southward. + +A medium sized species, about 16 inches in length, and with a short tail +and broad rounded wings; adults have the underparts handsomely barred +with brown. Their nests are usually built in large trees, but generally +placed against the trunk in the crotch of some of the lower branches. It +is made of sticks and almost invariably lined with bark. The two to four +eggs are of a grayish white color, marked with chestnut, brown and stone +gray; size 1.90 x 1.55. Data.--Worcester, Mass., May 16, 1895. Nest +about 20 feet up in a large chestnut tree. The birds continually circled +overhead, their weird cries sounding like the creaking of branches. +Collector, A. J. White. + + +344. SHORT-TAILED HAWK. _Buteo brachyurus._ + +Range.--A tropical species, which occurs north to the Mexican border and +regularly to southern Florida, where it breeds in the large cypress +swamps. Its eggs are pale greenish white, sparingly spotted with brown, +chiefly at the large end. Size 2.15 x 1.60. + + +345. MEXICAN BLACK HAWK. _Urubitinga anthracina._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward. + +A coal black species about 22 inches in length, distinguished by the +white tip, and broad white band across the tail about midway. This is +one of the least abundant of the Mexican species that cross the border. +They are shy birds and build their nests in the tallest trees in remote +woods. Their two or three eggs are grayish white, faintly spotted with +pale brown; size 2.25 x 1.80. Data.--Los Angeles County, Cal., April 6, +1889. Nest of sticks, lined with bark and leaves; 45 feet up in a +sycamore tree. Collector, R. B. Chapman. + +[Illustration 215: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: American Rough-legged Hawk.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 214 + +346. MEXICAN GOSHAWK. _Asturina plagiata._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to the border of the United States. + +A beautiful, medium sized Hawk (17 inches long), slaty gray above, white +below, numerously barred with grayish; tail black, crossed by several +white bars. These are graceful and active birds, feeding largely upon +small rodents, and occasionally small birds. They nest in the top of +tall trees, laying two or three greenish white, unmarked eggs; size 1.95 +x 1.60. Data.--Santa Cruz River, Arizona, June 3, 1902. Nest in the fork +of a mesquite tree about forty feet from the ground; made of large +sticks, lined with smaller ones and leaves. Three eggs. Collector, O. W. +Howard. + + +347a. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. _Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding chiefly north of our borders +and wintering south to the middle portions of the United States. + +The Rough-legs are large, heavily built birds of prey, specially +characterized by the completely feathered legs. The present species is +22 inches long, and in the normal plumage has a whitish head, neck, +breast and tail, the former being streaked and the latter barred with +blackish; the remainder of the upper and underparts are blackish brown. +Their nests are usually placed in trees, and less often on the ground +than those of the next species. These Rough-legs are very irregularly +distributed, and are nowhere as common as the next. While the greater +number nest north of the United States, it is very probable that a great +many nest on the higher ranges within our borders. The species is often +taken in summer, even in Massachusetts. They lay three eggs of a bluish +white color, boldly splashed with dark brown; size 2.25 x 1.75. + +[Illustration 216: White.] +[Illustration: Rough-legged Hawk.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 215 + +348. FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG. _Archibuteo ferrugineus._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Mississippi, breeding from the +latitude of Colorado north to the Saskatchewan region. + +This species nests very abundantly along our northern states, +particularly in Dakota. It is a larger bird than the preceding and can +easily be told by its reddish coloration, particularly on the shoulders +and tibia. While in some localities they nest only in trees, the greater +number appear to build their nests on the ground or rocky ledges, making +a large heap of sticks, weeds and grass. Their three or four eggs are +white, beautifully spotted and blotched, in endless variety, with +various shades of brown. Size 2.60 x 2.00. Data.--Stark Co., N. D., +April 29, 1900. Nest built of coarse sticks on a clay butte. + + +349. GOLDEN EAGLE. _Aquila chrysaetos._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Mississippi; most abundant in the +Rockies and along the Pacific coast ranges. + +This magnificent bird, which is even more powerful than the Bald Eagle, +measures about 34 inches long, and spreads about 7 feet. Its plumage is +a rich brownish black, very old birds being golden brown on the nape. +They can be distinguished in all plumages from the Bald Eagle by the +completely feathered tarsus. They build their nests in the tops of the +tallest trees in the wild, mountainous country of the west, and more +rarely upon ledges of the cliffs. The nests are made of large sticks, +lined with smaller ones and leaves and weeds. Their eggs are the most +handsome of the Raptores, being white in color, and blotched, splashed, +spotted and specked with light brown and clouded with gray or lilac, of +course varying endlessly in pattern and intensity. Size 2.90 x 2.50. +Data.--Monterey Co., Cal., May 3, 1888. Three eggs. Nest of sticks, +lined with pine needles, in a pine tree, 50 feet up. + +[Illustration 217: White.] +[Illustration: Rough-legged Hawk.] +[Illustration: Golden Eagle.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 216 + +[Illustration 218: BALD EAGLE.] + +Page 217 + +351. GRAY SEA EAGLE. _Haliaeetus albicilla._ + +A common species on the sea coasts of Europe; straggling to southern +Greenland, where it nests upon the rocky cliffs. + + +352. BALD EAGLE. _Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America; most abundant on the Atlantic coast; +breeds throughout its range. This large white-headed and white-tailed +species is abundant in sufficiently wild localities along the Atlantic +coast. It only attains the white head and tail when three years old, the +first two years, being blackish. It is about 34 inches in length and +expands about seven feet, never over eight feet, and only birds of the +second year (when they are larger than the adults) ever approach this +expanse. Their food consists of fish (which they sometimes capture +themselves, but more often take from the Osprey), carrion, and Ducks, +which they catch in flight. Their nests are massive structures of +sticks, in the tops of tall trees. They very rarely lay more than two +eggs, which are white. Size 2.75 x 2.10. Data.--Mt. Pleasant, S. C., +nest in top of a pine, 105 feet from the ground; made of large sticks +and lined with Spanish moss. + + +352a. NORTHERN BALD EAGLE.--_Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus._ + +Range.--Alaska. This sub-species averages slightly larger than the Bald +Eagle, but never exceeds the largest dimensions of that species. Its +nesting habits and eggs are the same, except that it more often builds +its nests on rocky cliffs than does the Bald Eagle. The eggs are laid in +February and March. + +[Illustration 219: White.] +[Illustration: Bald Eagle.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 218 + +FALCONS AND CARACARAS + +Family FALCONDIDAE + +353. WHITE GYRFALCON. _Falco islandus._ + +Range.--Arctic regions; south in winter casually to northern United +States, chiefly on the coast. + +Gyrfalcons are large, strong, active and fearless birds, about 23 inches +in length. Their food consists chiefly of hares, Ducks and Waders which +abound in the far north. The present species is snowy white, more or +less barred with blackish brown on the back and wings and with a few +marks on the breast. They nest upon the ledges of high cliffs, laying +three or four eggs of a buffy color, blotched and finely specked with +reddish brown, this color often concealing the ground color. Size of +eggs, 2.30 x 1.80. In America, they nest in Greenland and the Arctic +regions. + + +354. GRAY GYRFALCON. _Falco rusticolus rusticolus._ + +Range.--Arctic regions; south in winter to northern United States. + +This species is of the size of the last but the plumage is largely gray, +barred with dusky. They nest more abundantly in southern Greenland than +do the preceding species. The nesting habits and eggs do not differ. + + +354a. Gyrfalcon. _Falco rusticolus gyrfalco._ + +Range.--Arctic regions; south casually to Long Island. + +This sub-species is hardly to be distinguished from the preceding; its +nesting habits and eggs are identical, the nests being of sticks, lined +with weeds and feathers and placed upon the most inaccessible ledges of +cliffs. + +[Illustration 220: Gray Gyrfalcon. White Gyrfalcon.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 219 + +354b. BLACK GYRFALCON. _Falco rusticolus obsoletus._ + +Range.--Labrador; south casually, in winter, to Long Island. + +A slightly darker variety. Eggs indistinguishable. Data.--Ungava coast, +Labrador, May 25, 1900. Nest a heap of seaweed and feathers on sea +cliff, containing three eggs. + + +355. PRAIRIE FALCON. _Falcon mexicanus._ + +Range.--United States west of the Mississippi, and from Dakota and +Washington southward to Mexico. + +This species abounds in suitable localities, generally placing its nests +upon rocky ledges and cliffs, and sometimes trees, generally upon the +banks of some stream. The nests are masses of sticks, lined with weeds +and grasses. The three or four eggs have a reddish buff ground color, +and are thickly sprinkled and blotched with reddish buff brown and +chestnut; size 2.05 x 1.60. + +356a. Duck Hawk. _Falco peregrinus anatum._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding locally, chiefly in mountainous +regions, throughout its range. + +This beautiful species, characterized by its black moustache, is the +most graceful, fearless, and swiftest of the Falcons, striking down +birds of several times its own weight, such as some of the larger Ducks. +It breeds quite abundantly on the Pacific coast and in certain +localities in the Dakotas, laying its eggs on the rocky ledges. Their +eggs are similar to those of the Prairie Falcon, but are darker and +brighter, in fact they are the darkest, brightest marked, and most +beautiful of Falcon eggs; size 2.05 x 1.55. + +[Illustration 221: Reddish buff.] +[Illustration: Prairie Falcon.] +[Illustration: Duck Hawk.] +[Illustration: Buff or reddish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 220 + +356b. PEALE'S FALCON. _Falco peregrinus pealei._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from northern United States north to Alaska. + +A darker form of the preceding, such as occurs in this section with a +great many other birds. The nesting habits and the eggs are precisely +like those of the Duck Hawk. + + +357. Pigeon Hawk. _Falco columbarius columbarius._ + +Range.--North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States +except in some of the higher ranges along our northern border. A small +Falcon, about 11 inches long, often confused with the Sharp-shinned +Hawk, but much darker and a more stoutly built bird. It is a daring +species, often attacking birds larger than itself; it also feeds on +mice, grasshoppers, squirrels, etc. They generally build a nest of +sticks in trees, deep in the woods; less often in natural cavities of +dead trees; and sometimes on rocky ledges. Their four or five eggs have +a brownish buff ground color, heavily blotched with brown and chestnut. +Size 1.50 x 1.22. + + +357a. BLACK PIGEON HAWK. _Falco columbarius suckleyi._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from northern United States north to Alaska. + +Very similar in appearance to the preceding, but much darker, both above +and below. Its nesting habits and eggs will not differ in any manner +from those of the Pigeon Hawk. + + +357b. RICHARDSON'S PIGEON HAWK. _Falco columbarius richardsoni._ + +Range.--Interior of North America from the Mississippi to the Rockies +and from Mexico to the Saskatchewan. + +This species is similar to the Pigeon Hawk, but is paler both above and +below, and the tail bars are more numerous and white. Their nesting +habits are the same as those of the preceding species, they either +building in hollow trees, or making a rude nest of sticks and twigs in +the tops of trees. The eggs have a creamy ground and are sprinkled with +dots and blotches of various shades of brown. Size 1.60 x 1.23. The egg +figured is one of a beautiful set of four in the collection of Mr. C. W. +Crandall. + +[Illustration 222: Brownish buff.] +[Illustration: Pigeon Hawk.] +[Illustration: Richardson's Pigeon Hawk.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 221 + +358.1 MERLIN. _Falco aesalon._ + +This common European species was once accidentally taken in southern +Greenland. Their eggs are generally laid on the ground on cliffs or +banks. + + +359. APLOMADO FALCON. _Falco fusco-caerulescens._ + +Range.--Tropical America north to Mexican boundary of the United States. + +This handsome and strikingly marked Falcon is found in limited numbers +within the United States, but south is common and widely distributed. +They nest at a low elevation, in bushes or small trees, making their +rude nests of twigs, lined with a few grasses. They lay three, and +sometimes four, eggs which have a creamy white ground color, finely +dotted with cinnamon, and with heavy blotches of brown. Size 1.75 x +1.30. + + +359.1. KESTREL. _Falco tinnunculus._ + +Range.--Whole of Europe; accidental on the coast of Massachusetts. + +This species is very similar in size and coloration to the American +Sparrow Hawk. They are much more abundant than the Sparrow Hawk is in +this country and frequently nest about houses, in hollow trees, on +rafters of barns, or on ledges and embankments. Their eggs are of a +reddish buff color, speckled and blotched with reddish brown, they being +much darker than those of the American Sparrow Hawk. + + +360a. Desert Sparrow Hawk. _Falco sparverius phalaena._ + +Range.--Western United States from British Columbia south to Mexico. + +This variety is slightly larger and paler than the eastern form. There +are no differences in the identification of the two varieties. + +[Illustration 223: Buff.] +[Illustration: Aplomado Falcon. Desert Sparrow Hawk.] +[Illustration: Reddish buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 222 + +360. SPARROW HAWK. _Falco sparverius._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rocky Mountains and north to Hudson +Bay; winters from the middle portions of the United States, southward. + +This beautiful little Falcon is the smallest of the American Hawks, +being only 10 inches in length. They are very abundant in the east, +nesting anywhere in cavities in trees, either in woods or open fields. +The eggs are generally deposited upon the bottom of the cavity with no +lining; they are creamy or yellowish buff in color, sprinkled, spotted +or blotched in endless variety, with reddish brown. Size 1.35 x 1.10. +These birds are very noisy, especially when the young are learning to +fly, uttering a loud, tinkling, "killy, killy, killy." They have a very +amiable disposition, and frequently nest harmoniously in the same tree +with other birds, such as Flickers and Robins. + + +360b. ST. LUCAS SPARROW HAWK. _Falco sparverius peninsularis._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This variety is smaller than the eastern, and even paler than the +western form. Eggs identical with eastern specimens. + + +361. CUBAN SPARROW HAWK. _Falco sparveroides._ + +A darker colored West Indian form, whose habits and nesting do not vary +from those of the common Sparrow Hawk; casually taken in Florida. + +[Illustration 224: Buffy.] +[Illustration: Sparrow Hawk.] +[Illustration: Egg of Golden Eagle.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 223 + +[Illustration 225: SPARROW HAWK.] + +Page 224 + +362. Audubon Caracara. _Polyborus cheriway._ + +Range.--Southern border of the United States south to South America. + +A strikingly marked blackish and whitish species, much barred on the +fore back and the breast, with the head and throat largely white, except +for a black and somewhat crested crown. They are numerous in southern +Texas and also in the interior of southern Florida, where they are +resident. They build bulky, but shabby nests of sticks, weeds and grass, +piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees. +Their two or three eggs have a ground color varying from buff to bright +cinnamon, and are dotted and blotched with all shades of brown and +umber. On the whole, these eggs show a greater diversity of markings and +ground color than those of any other species. Size 2.50 x 1.80. + + +363. GUADALUPE CARACARA. _Polyborus lutosus._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island and others off Lower California. + +This species is somewhat like the preceding, but the plumage is duller, +and the coloration more uniform. Their nesting habits and eggs do not +vary essentially from those of Audubon Caracara. Mr. John Lewis Childs +has a set of two eggs taken June 8, 1896, on Santa Anita Island, by +Coolidge and Miller. The nest was made of sticks and situated in a giant +cactus. The eggs are slightly brighter and more clearly marked than any +of cheriway that I have ever seen. + +[Illustration 226: Audubon's Caracara.] +[Illustration: Cinnamon.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 225 + +OSPREY. Family Pandionidae + +364. OSPREY. _Pandion haliaetus carolinensis._ + +Range.--Whole of temperate America from the Arctic circle south to the +equator, most abundant along the sea coasts. + +Real old birds have the head whiter, and less white edging to the back +feathers, than do the young. Feet very strong, and very hard and rough, +perfectly adapted to grasping slippery fish; outer toe can be used +equally as well, either in front or behind, when perching or grasping +their prey. + +Probably this great fisherman is as well known from one end of the +country to the other as any of our wild birds. He is protected by law in +a great many states and by custom in nearly all localities where they +breed. It is one of the pleasantest sights along the coast to watch a +number of these great birds as they soar at an elevation above the +water, watching for fish to come near the surface, when, with folded +wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely +missing his prey. In many localities they are very tame and nest in the +vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the yard. Their nests are +platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year and constantly +added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or three eggs of +a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut brown. +They show a great diversity of size as well as markings, but average +2.40 x 1.80. + +[Illustration 227: American Osprey.] +[Illustration.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 226 + +[Illustration 228: C. A. Reed. +OSPREY LEAVING NEST.] + +Page 227 + +BARN OWLS. Family Alucondidae + +365. BARN OWL. _Aluco pratincola._ + +Range.--Chiefly in the southern parts of the United States; north +casually to Massachusetts, Minnesota and Washington. + +This is one of the lightest colored of the Owls; it has a long, +peculiarly hooded face, from which it gets the name of "Monkey-faced +Owl." Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with +blackish. + +It nests usually in hollow cavities of trees, but appears to have no +objections to barns, holes in banks, or anywhere it can find a concealed +crevice in which to deposit its four to six pure white eggs; size 1.70 x +1.30. + + +HORNED OWL. Family Strigidae + +366. LONG-EARED OWL. _Asio wilsonianus._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from the southern parts of British +America, southward. + +This species is 15 inches in length; it can easily be separated from any +other species by its long ear tufts, brownish face, and barred +underparts. Their food consists almost entirely of small rodents, which +they catch at night. Most of their nests are found in trees, they +generally using old Crow's or Hawk's nests. They also, in some +localities, nest in hollow trees, or in crevices among rocks. They lay +from four to seven pure white eggs; size 1.55 x 1.35. + +[Illustration 229: White.] +[Illustration: Barn Owl.] +[Illustration: Long-eared Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 228 + +[Illustration 230: L. S. Horton. +LONG-EARED OWL ON NEST.] + +Page 229 + +367. SHORT-EARED OWL. _Asio flammeus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from the middle portions of the +United States northward, and wintering in the United States. + +This species is of the size of the last, but is paler, has very short +ear tufts, and is streaked beneath. Its habits are the same except that +it frequently hunts, over the marshes and meadows, on dark days and +towards dusk. + +Their four to seven pure white eggs are laid upon the ground in marshy +places, sometimes upon a lining of sticks and weeds, and are generally +under a bush, or close to an old log. Size of eggs 1.55 x 1.25. + + +368. BARRED OWL. _Strix varia varia._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, from the British Provinces, southward; +west to the Rockies. + +This species is the most common of the large owls, and can be +distinguished by its mottled and barred gray and white plumage, and lack +of ear tufts; length 20 inches. It is the bird commonly meant by the +term "hoot owl", and being strictly nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in +the day time, unless disturbed from its roosting place in the deep +woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats, mice and frogs, and sometimes, +but not often, poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods, generally +in hollows of large trees, and less often in deserted Crow's nests. They +lay from two to four pure white eggs, averaging considerably smaller +than those of the Great Horned Owl; size 1.95 x 1.65. + + +368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. _Strix varia alleni._ + +Range.--Florida and the Gulf States; north to South Carolina. + +[Illustration 231: Short-eared Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Barred Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 230 + +[Illustration 232: Chas. W. Long. +BARRED OWL.] + +Page 231 + +368b. TEXAS BARRED OWL. _Strix varia albogilva._ + +Range.--Southern Texas. + +A very similar but slightly paler variety than the Barred Owl, and with +the toes bare, as in _alleni._ Eggs indistinguishable. + + +369. SPOTTED OWL. _Strix occidentalis occidentalis._ + +Range.--Western United States, from southern Oregon and Colorado, +southward. + +Similar to the Barred Owl, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back +of head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the under parts. +The nesting habits do not appear to differ in any respect from those of +the eastern Barred Owl, and their eggs, which are from two to four in +number, can not be distinguished from those of the latter species; size +2.05 x 1.80. + + +369a. NORTHERN SPOTTED Owl. _Strix occidentalis caurina._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia. + +Similar to the preceding, but darker, both above and below; nesting the +same, in hollow trees or in old Hawk's or Crow's nests. Eggs not +distinguishable. + + +370. Great Gray Owl. _Scotiaptex nebulosa._ + +Range.--Northern North America; wintering regularly south to the +northern border of the United States and casually farther. + +This is the largest of American Owls, being about 26 inches in length; +it does not weigh nearly as much, however, as the Great Horned or Snowy +Owls, its plumage being very light and fluffy, and dark gray in color, +mottled with white. The facial disc is very large, and the eyes are +small and yellow, while those of the Barred Owl are large and blue +black. They nest in heavily wooded districts, building their nests of +sticks, chiefly in pine trees. The two to four white eggs are laid +during May and June; size 2.15 x 1.70. + +[Illustration 233: Great Gray Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 232 + +370a. LAPP OWL. _Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica._ + +A paler form of the Great Gray Owl, inhabiting the Arctic regions of the +Old World; accidental on the coast of Alaska. Their nesting habits and +eggs do not differ from those of the American bird. + + +371. RICHARDSON'S OWL. _Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States; +winters south to our border and casually farther. + +This is a dark grayish and white bird, 10 inches in length, and without +ear tufts. Breeds commonly in the extensively wooded districts of +British America, chiefly in the northern parts. Their three or four +white eggs are usually at the bottom of a cavity in a tree, but +occasionally the birds build a rude nest of sticks and twigs, lined with +leaves and placed in trees at a moderate height from the ground. Size of +eggs, 1.25 x 1.05. + + +372. SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica acadica._ + +Range.--North America, breeding in the northern parts of the United +States and in British America, and south in the Rockies to Mexico; +winters south to the middle portions of the United States. + +This small species (length 8 inches) is marked very similarly to the +preceding, but the plumage is brown instead of gray. They normally nest +in hollow trees, generally in deserted Woodpecker holes, in extensively +wooded sections, and usually in mountainous country, especially in the +United States. They have also been known to nest in bird boxes near farm +houses and in old Crow's nests. During April or May, they lay from three +to six white eggs. Size 1.20 x 1.00. They are quiet and chiefly +nocturnal birds, not often seen, and may be found nesting in any of the +northern states. + + +372a. NORTHWESTERN SAW-WHET OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica scotiaea._ + +Range.--A dark variety found on the coast of British Columbia. + +[Illustration 234: Richardson's Owl. Saw-whet Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 233 + +373. SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio asio._ + +Range.--North America, east of the plains and from the southern British +Provinces to Florida. + +This well known species, which is often called "Little Horned Owl" +because of its ear tufts is found either in the type form of some of its +varieties in all parts of the United States. They have two color phases, +the plumage being either a yellowish brown or gray, and black and white; +these color phases are not dependent upon sex or locality, as often +young or both phases are found in the same nest; the gray phase is the +most abundant. They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being found very +frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in +barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their +food consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small +birds. During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full +complement of which is from five to eight. Size 1.35 x 1.20. The nesting +habits of all the sub-species, as far as we can learn, are exactly like +those of the eastern Screech Owl; the eggs cannot be distinguished, and +in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished. + + +373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio floridanus._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. + +Slightly smaller and darker than asio. The eggs average slightly +smaller. Size 1.30 x 1.15. + + +373b. Texas Screech Owl. _Otus asio mccalli._ + +Range.--Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to floridanus. + +373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio bendirei._ + +Range.--Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio. + + +373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio kennicotti._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the +Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form. + + +373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio maxwelliae._ + +Range.--Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the +palest form of the Screech Owl. Of the same size as the last. + +[Illustration 235: White.] +[Illustration: Screech Owl.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 234 + +373f. Mexican Screech Owl. _Otus asio cineraceus._ + +Range.--Western Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. A +gray form with little or no buff, and more numerously barred below. + + +373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH Owl. _Otus asio aikeni._ + +Range.--El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with the dark markings +coarser and more numerous than in any other. + +373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio macfarlanei._ + +Range.--Northern border of the United States from Washington to Montana. + + +373.1. Spotted Screech Owl. _Otus trichopsis._ + +Range.--Mountains of southern Arizona, south into Mexico. + +A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more finely barred +beneath, and with whitish spots on the feathers of the foreback. The +nesting habits and eggs are probably the same as those of the Screech +Owl. + + +373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus xantusi._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with +reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the +habits or eggs of this species will be found to differ from those of the +Screech Owl. + + +374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus flammeolus._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to +California. + +This species is smaller than asio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is +much streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to +their base. They nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted +Woodpecker holes. Their three or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 x .95. +This species is uncommon in all parts of its range. + + +374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus idahoensis._ + +Range.--Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California. + +This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably +paler. Its eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller +than the last. + +[Illustration 236: 374--375a.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 235 + +375. GREAT HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus virginianus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador. + +This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having +conspicuous ear tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a +mottled brown, black and white plumage, barred below. This is also one +of the "Hoot Owls," but is not nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It +is one of the strongest of the family, and captures rabbits, grouse and +poultry, and is very often found to have been feeding upon, or to have +been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest very early, +January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests are very +frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They +also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two +to four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.85. + + +375a. Western Horned Owl. _Bubo virginianus pallescens._ + +Range.--Western North America, except the Pacific coast. + +A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same +habits and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern +bird. + + +375b. ARCTIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus subarcticus._ + +Range.--Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south in +winter to the northwestern tier of states. + +A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the +plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few +black bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs +do not vary appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl. + +375c. DUSKY HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus saturatus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska. + +This is the darkest of the Horned Owls, the extreme case being nearly +black on the back and very dark below. Nesting the same as the Great +Horned Owl. + + +375d. PACIFIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus pacificus._ + +Range.--California, southward and east to Arizona. + +Smaller and darker than the eastern form but not as dark as the last. +Eggs the same as those of the others. + +[Illustration 237: White.] +[Illustration: Great Horned Owl.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 236 + +[Illustration 238: YOUNG SCREECH OWLS.] + +Page 237 + +375e. DWARF HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus elachistus._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This is a similar but darker form of the Horned Owl and is very much +smaller than virginianus. The nesting habits will be the same, but the +eggs may average smaller. + + +376. Snowy Owl. _Nyctea nyctea._ + +Range.--Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering +to the northern border of the United States and casually farther. + +This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked, +to specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next +to the Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2 +feet in length. Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong, +fearless, and rapacious birds, feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller +mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc. They nest upon the ground, +on banks or mossy hummocks on the dry portions of marshes, laying from +two to eight eggs, white in color and with a smoother shell than those +of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 x 1.75. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska, +June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss. + + +377. European Hawk Owl. _Surnia ulula ulula._ + +Range.--Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska. + +Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish. + +[Illustration 239: White.] +[Illustration: Snowy Owl.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 238 + +377a. HAWK OWL. _Surnia ulula caparoch._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding from the central portions of +British America northward; probably also breeds in the Rocky Mountains +in the northern tier of states and casually farther. + +This handsome mottled and barred, gray and black Owl might readily be +mistaken for a Hawk, because of his Hawk-like appearance and long +rounded tail. They are very active birds, especially in the day time, +for they are more diurnal than nocturnal; their food is mostly of small +rodents, and also small birds. They nest either in the tops of large fir +trees, in hollows of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in +trees their nests are made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes +lined with moss and feathers; they lay from three to eight white eggs, +size 1.50 x 1.20. Data.--Labrador, May 3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the +top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground. + + +378. BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea._ + +Range.--Western North America from the Mississippi Valley west to +California; north to the southern parts of British America and south to +Central America. + +These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage, form and habits +from any other American Owls. They can readily be recognized by their +long, slender and scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish, +spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown below; length 10 +inches. They nest, generally in large communities in burrows in the +ground, usually deserted Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single +pair occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting +together. Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet +of grasses and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to +ten; size 1.25 x 1.00. Data.--Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits +of dry dung at the end of a deserted Prairie Dog burrow. + +[Illustration 240: American Hawk Owl.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 239 + +378a. FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia floridana._ + +Range.--Local in the interior of Florida. + +Like the last, but slightly smaller and paler, and with the tarsus less +feathered. Their habits or eggs do not differ from the preceding. + + +379. PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium gnoma gnoma._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia +southward. These interesting little Owls, which are but seven inches in +length, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and, occasionally, small +birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in the +mountain ranges. They nest in tall trees, generally in deserted +Woodpeckers' holes, laying three or four white eggs during May; size +about 1.00 x .90. + + +379a. California Pygmy Owl. _Glaucidium gnoma californicum._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California. +This sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an +uncommon bird in California. They nest in the tallest trees along the +ranges, often being found 75 or more feet from the ground. The eggs do +not differ from those of the Pygmy Owl, ranging in size from 1.00 x .85 +to 1.20 x .95. + + +379.1. HOSKIN'S PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium hoskinsi._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This species is smaller and more gray than the preceding. It is not +probable that its manners of nesting or eggs differ in any respect from +those of the others of this genus. + +[Illustration 241: Burrowing Owl.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 240 + +380. FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium phaloenoides._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America; north to the Mexican border of the +United States. + +This species is of the same size as the last, but is much tinged with +rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a bright chestnut brown +color, crossed by about eight bars of black. They nest in hollow +cavities in trees, from ten to forty feet from the ground, laying three +or four glossy white eggs; size 1.10 x .90. + + +381. ELF OWL. _Micropallas whitneyi._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to the bordering states. + +This odd little bird is the smallest member of the family found in +America, attaining a length of only six inches. In plumage it may be +described as similar to a very small, earless Screech Owl, only with the +pattern of the markings a great deal finer. They are said to be quite +abundant in the table lands of central Mexico and in southern Arizona, +where they build their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps +most frequently in the giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal +than the Pygmy Owls and to feed almost exclusively upon insects. They +lay from three to five eggs having a slight gloss. Size 1.02 x .90. +Data.--Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a deserted Woodpecker +hole. Two eggs. + +[Illustration 242: 380--381.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 241 + +PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. Order XIII. PSITTACI. + +Family PSITTACIDAE + +382. CAROLINA PAROQUET. _Conuropsis carolinensis._ + +Range.--Now rare in Florida and along the Gulf coast to Indian +Territory. As late as 1885, the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the +South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to their wanton destruction by +man, they have been exterminated in the greater portion of their range, +and now are rarely seen in any locality, and then only in the most +unhabitable swamps and thickets. A reliable account of their nesting +habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs taken from wild +birds. They are said to build rude nests of sticks upon horizontal +branches of cypress trees, and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed +that they nest in hollow trees, laying from three to five pure white +eggs. The one figured is one of three laid in confinement at Washington, +D. C., by a pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway. It is 1.31 x +1.06 and was laid July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr. +John Lewis Childs. + + +382.1. Thick-billed Parrot. _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha._ + +Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United +States. This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and +the plumage is entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips +over the eye, shoulder, and thighs, and the yellowish under wing +coverts. Their eggs are white and are laid in natural cavities in large +trees in forests. + + +CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV. + +CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE + +383. ANI. _Crotophaga ani._ + +Range.--Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in +Florida, and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania. + +This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and +without grooves. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more +common American species. + +[Illustration 243: White.] +[Illustration: Carolina Paroquet.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 242 + +[Illustration 244: ROADRUNNER.] + +Page 243 + +384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI. _Crotophaga sulcirostris._ + +Range.--Mexico and the border of the United States; common in southern +Texas. This odd species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly blue black +in color, and has a high thin bill with three conspicuous longitudinal +grooves on each side. They build large bulky nests of twigs, lined with +leaves and grasses, and located in low trees and bushes. They build in +small colonies but do not, as is claimed of the common Ani, build a +large nest for several to occupy. They lay from three to five eggs of a +greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25 x +1.00. They are laid in May or June. + + +385. ROAD-RUNNER. _Geococcyx californianus._ + +Range.--Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas, +southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central +Mexico. This curious species is known as the "Chaparral Cock", "Ground +Cuckoo," "Snake-killer," etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish +brown, each feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the tail is +very long, broad and graduated, the feathers being broadly tipped with +white. They are noted for their swiftness on foot, paddling over the +ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and +spread tail, which act as aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two +toes front and two back. Their food consists of lizards and small +snakes, they being particularly savage in their attacks upon the latter. +They build rude nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes, and +during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at +intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 x 1.20. + +[Illustration 245: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Road Runner. Groove-billed Ani.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 244 + +386. MANGROVE CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor minor._ + +Range.--West Indies, Mexico and South America, north regularly to +southern Florida. + +This species is very similar to our common Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but the +whole underparts are deep buff. It is a common species and nests +abundantly in the West Indies, but occurs only in limited numbers in +southern Florida. Their nests are shallow platforms of twigs and +rootlets, placed in bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay three +or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar to those of the Yellow-billed +species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 x .85. + + +386a. MAYNARD'S CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor maynardi._ + +Range.--Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys. This is a slightly smaller +and paler form than the preceding. + + +387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus americanus._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada +southward. + +This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which +afford suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be +distinguished from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12 +inches long), blackish tail with broad white tips, and yellowish lower +mandible. They are often regarded by the superstitious as forecasters of +rain, and as omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking notes. + +Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds of grape vine bark or +catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the +top that the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near the ground +in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs are deposited at +intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found +in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this bird will +frequently continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many +as twelve have been taken from the same nest, by this means. The eggs +are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 x .90. They are usually laid during +May or June. + +[Illustration 246: Mangrove Cuckoo. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.] +[Illustration: Light greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 245 + +[Illustration 247: A. R. Spaid. +NEST AND EGGS OF YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.] + +Page 246 + +387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus occidentalis._ + +Range.--Western North America, from British Columbia, southward. + +Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than the last. Eggs not +distinguishable. + + +388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus erythrophthalmus._ + +Range.--United States east of the Rocky Mountains; north to Labrador and +Manitoba; south in winter to Central and South America. + +This species is rather more common in the northern part of the United +States than the Yellow-billed variety. The bird is smaller, has a +blackish bill, and the tail is the same color as the back and only +slightly tipped with white. Their nests are built in similar locations +and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the three or four +eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 x .85. +All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until +nearly reached with the hand, when they will slowly flutter off through +the underbrush, and continue to utter their mournful "Kuk-kuk-kuk," many +times repeated. + + +388.1. KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. _Cuculus canorus telephonus._ + +An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally +occurring in Alaska. + + +TROGONS. Family TROGONIDAE + +389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON. _Trogon ambiguus._ + +Range.--Southern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and in +southern Arizona, in both of which localities they probably breed. + +This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds which reaches +our borders. This species is 12 inches in length, and is a metallic +green color on the upper parts and breast, and with coppery reflections +of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white, very finely +vermiculated with black, as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except +for a white band across the breast, are rosy red. This species nest in +cavities in large trees, generally in large, deserted Woodpecker holes. +They are also said to have been found nesting in holes in banks. Their +eggs are three or four in number and are a dull white in color. Size +1.10 x .85. + +[Illustration 248: Black-billed Cuckoo.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Dull White.] +[Illustration: 387a--389.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 247 + +KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINIDAE + +390. BELTED KINGFISHER. _Ceryle alcyon._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from southern United States, +northward and wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range, +southward. + +This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its +rattling notes are among the most familiar of sounds. Their food is +almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from +their perch on an old dead limb overhanging the water, or by hovering in +the air like an Osprey. Their nests are located at the end of burrows in +sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers. These tunnels, which are +dug by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top of +the bank and extend back from six to eight feet, either in a straight +line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitable nesting place, in +which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and pure white +in color. Size 1.35 x 1.05. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, +June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bird +removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe. + + +390.1. Ringed Kingfisher. _Ceryle torquata._ + +Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the +underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They +nest in river banks the same as the common American species, and the +eggs are white, but larger. Size 1.45 x 1.10. + +[Illustration 249: White.] +[Illustration: Belted Kingfisher.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 248 + +[Illustration 250: C. A. Reed. +YOUNG KINGFISHERS.] + +Page 249 + +391. TEXAS KINGFISHER. _Ceryle americana septentrionalis_. + +Range.--Southern Texas, south through Mexico. + +This variety is much smaller than the Belted, length 8 inches, and is a +lustrous greenish above, variously speckled with white, and is white +below, spotted with greenish. It is a common and resident species in +southern Texas, where it lays its eggs in holes in the banks along +streams. The eggs are white and glossy, and measure .95 x .70. + + +WOODPECKERS. Order XV. PICI. + +Family PICIDAE + +Woodpeckers are well known birds having sharp chisel-like bills, sharply +pointed and stiffened tail feathers, and strongly clawed feet with two +toes forward and two back, except in one genus. Their food is insects +and grubs, which they get by boring in trees, and from under the bark, +clinging to the sides of trunks or the under side of branches with their +strong curved nails, aided by the tail, for a prop. They are largely +resident where found. + + +392. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. _Campephilus principalis._ + +Range.--Locally distributed, and rare, in Florida, along the Gulf coast +and north casually to South Carolina and Arkansas. + +This is the largest of the Woodpeckers found within our borders, being +20 inches in length. But one other American species exceeds it in size, +the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which reaches a length of nearly two +feet; as this species is found within a few miles of our Mexican border, +it may yet be classed as a North American bird. The present species has +a large, heavy, ivory-white bill. They can readily be identified, at a +great distance, from the Pileated Woodpecker by the large amount of +white on the secondaries. They used to be not uncommonly seen in many +sections of the southeast but are now found very locally and only in the +largest and remote woods. They nest in holes in large trees in the most +impenetrable swamps; laying three, and probably as many as six pure +white glossy eggs measuring 1.45 x 1.00. + +[Illustration 251: Texas Kingfisher.] +[Illustration: Ivory-billed Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 250 + +393. HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus villosus._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains and from North Carolina to +Canada. + +The Hairy Woodpecker or its sub-species is found in all parts of North +America. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub-species are not in +any way different from those of the eastern bird, consequently what is +said in regard to the eastern form will apply equally to all its +varieties. + +Except during the winter months, this species is not as commonly seen +about houses or orchards as the Downy Woodpecker. During the summer they +retire to the larger woods to nest, laying their eggs in holes in the +trunks or limbs of trees at any height from the ground, and generally +using the same hole year after year, and often twice or three times +during one season, if the first sets are taken. They lay from three to +six glossy white eggs; size .95 x .70. This species can be distinguished +from the Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size (9 inches long), and the +white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted. + + +393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus leucomelas._ + +Range.--North America, north of the United States. + +Slightly larger than the preceding. + + +393b. SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus auduboni._ + +Range.--Southern United States; north to South Carolina. + +Similar to the Hairy Woodpecker, but smaller. + + +393c. HARRIS'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus harrisi._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. + +Similar to the Hairy but with fewer or no white spots on the wing +coverts, and grayish on the underparts. + + +393d. CABANIS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus hyloscopus._ + +Range.--Southern California, east to Arizona and south into Mexico. Like +the preceding but whiter below. + + +393e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus monticola._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico. + +Similar to _harrisi_ but slightly larger and pure white below. + + +393f. QUEEN CHARLOTTE WOODPECKER. _Dryobates villosus picoideus._ + +Range.--Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. + +Like Harris Woodpecker, but with the flanks streaked and the middle of +the back spotted with blackish. + +[Illustration 252: Hairy Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 393c--394a.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 251 + +394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens pubescens._ + +Range.--Gulf and South Atlantic States; north to South Carolina. + +This species, which is the smallest of the North American Woodpecker +(length 6 inches), is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker, but +has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like +the last species, it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North +America, the nesting habits of all the varieties being the same and the +eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in trees, +very often in orchards or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are +not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and also associate with +other birds very freely. The three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom +of the cavity, with no lining. The height of the nesting season is +during May or June. The white glossy eggs are .75 x .60. + + +394a. GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens gairdneri. + +Range.--Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia. + +This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing +coverts and is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris +Woodpecker from the Hairy. + + +394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens homorus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States. + +Like the last but whiter below. + + +394c. DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens medianus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina. + +Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter. + + +394d. NELSON'S DOWNY WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens nelsoni._ + +Range.--Alaska. + +Similar to the northern variety but still larger. + + +394e. WILLOW WOODPECKER. _Dryobates pubescens turati._ + +Range.--California except the northern parts and the ranges of the +south. + +Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter. + + +395. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. _Dryobates borealis._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Arkansas, +southward. + +This black and white species may be known from any other because of the +uniform black crown and nape, the male having a small dot of red on +either side of the crown, back of the eye. They are quite abundant in +the Gulf States and Florida, where they nest during April and May, and +in some localities in March. They build in hollow trees or stumps at an +elevation from the ground, laying from three to six glossy white eggs; +size .95 x .70. + +[Illustration 253: white, glossy.] +[Illustration: Southern Downy.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 252 + +396. TEXAS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates scalaris bairdi._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from southern Colorado south to +northern Mexico. This species is brownish white below, has the back +barred with black and white, and the male has the whole crown red, +shading into mixed black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits and +nesting are just the same as those of the Downy, but the three or four +white eggs, that they lay in April, are larger; size .80 x .65. + + +396a. SAN LUCAS WOODPECKER. _Dryobates scalaris lucasanus._ + +Range.--Lower California, north to the Colorado Desert, California. + +Very similar to the last; less barring on the outer tail feathers. Eggs +the same. + + +397. NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER. _Dryobates nuttalli._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California. + +Similar to the Texan Woodpecker but whiter below, with whitish nasal +tufts, and the fore part of the crown black and white striped, the red +being confined to the nape region. They nest in holes in trees, either +in dead stumps or in growing trees, and at any height above ground. +During April or May they deposit their white glossy eggs upon the bottom +of the cavity. The eggs measure .85 x .65. + + +398. ARIZONA WOODPECKER. _Dryobates arizonae._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in Arizona and New +Mexico. + +This species is entirely different from any others of our Woodpeckers, +being uniform brownish above, and soiled whitish below, spotted with +black. The male bird has a red crescent on the nape. They are said to be +fairly abundant in some sections of southern Arizona. Their nesting +habits do not vary from those of the other Woodpeckers found in the same +regions, and they show no especial preference for any particular kind of +a tree in which to lay their eggs. The nesting season appears to be at +its height in April. The pure white eggs average in size about .85 x +.60. + +[Illustration 254: Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Texas Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: 398--399.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 253 + +399. WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER. _Xenopicus albolarvatus._ + +Range.--Western United States from southern California to southern +British Columbia. + +This odd species is wholly a dull black color, except for the white head +and neck, and basal half of the primaries. They are quite abundant in +some localities, particularly in California on mountain ranges. They +nest at any height, but the greater number have been found under twenty +feet from the ground and in old pine stubs. They lay from four to six +glossy white eggs, measuring .95 x .70. They are said to be more silent +than others of the Woodpecker family, and rarely make the familiar +tapping and never drum. It is claimed that they get at their food by +scaling bark off the trees, instead of by boring. + + +400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides arcticus._ + +As implied by their name, members of this genus have but three toes, two +in front and one behind. The plumage of this species is entirely black +above, and whitish below, with the flanks barred with blackish. The male +has a yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in coniferous +forests in mountainous regions throughout their range, laying their eggs +in cavities in decayed stumps and trees, apparently at any height, from +five feet up. The eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 x .70. + +Range.--Northern parts of the United States, north to the Arctic +regions. + + + +401. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus americanus._ + +Range.--From northern United States northward. + +The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white +on the back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The +nesting habits are just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished +from those of the preceding. Both forms are found breeding in the same +localities in the Adirondacks and in nearly all other portions of their +range. + +[Illustration 255: White.] +[Illustration: Three-toed Woodpecker. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 254 + +401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus fasciatus._ + +Range.--Alaska, south to British Columbia and Washington. + +Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the arcticus. + + +401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. _Picoides americanus dorsalis._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico. + +Slightly larger than the preceding and with more white on the back, +almost entirely losing the barred effect of the American Three-toed +variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs +that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species. Size .95 +x .70. + + +402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus varius varius._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Massachusetts +northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward. + +This species is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they +can easily be recognized by the red crown and throat (white on the +female), each bordered by black, and the yellowish underparts. The +members of this genus have been found to be the only ones that are +really injurious, and these only to a slight extent, to cultivated +trees. This species and the two following are the only real +"sapsuckers," a crime that is often attributed to the most useful of the +family. Their nesting season is during May and June, they then resorting +to the interior of the woods, where they deposit their four to seven +glossy eggs on the bottom of holes in trees, generally at quite an +elevation from the ground. Size of eggs .85 x .60. + + +402a. Red-naped Sapsucker. _Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States and southern Canada +south to Mexico and west to California. + +This variety differs from the last, chiefly in addition of a band of +scarlet on the nape in place of the white on the Yellow-bellied species. +Coming as it does, midway between the ranges of the preceding species +and the following, this variety, with its extension of red on the head +and throat, may be regarded somewhat as a connecting link between the +two species, but it is perfectly distinct and does not intergrade with +either. There appears to be no difference in the nesting habits of the +two varieties, except that the present one, according to Bendire, shows +a preference to nesting in live aspens. The eggs measure .90 x .65. + +[Illustration 256: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 255 + +403. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus ruber ruber._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast from Lower California to Oregon. + +Except for a whitish line from the eye to the bill, the entire head, +neck and breast of this species is red, of varying shades in different +individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet; the remainder of their +plumage is very similar to that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This is +an abundant species and in most parts of the range they are not timid. +Like many of the Woodpeckers, they spend a great deal of their time in +drumming on some dead limb. They nest commonly in aspens, preferably +living ones, and are said to build a new nesting hole each year rather +than use the old. The eggs are laid during May or June, being glossy +white, five to seven in number, and measuring .90 x .70. + + +403a. NORTHERN RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska. + + +404. WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER. _Sphyrapicus thyroideus._ + +This is a deeper and brighter variety, and is more yellowish on the +belly. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the southern +form. + +Range.--Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to +British Columbia. + +This oddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in +plumage; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and +breast, with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the +belly, bright yellow. The female is entirely different in plumage and +for a long time was supposed to be a distinct species; she is brownish +in place of the black in the male, has no red in the plumage, and is +barred with black and white on the back and wings. They nest at high +altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coniferous forests or in aspens. +There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they lay from four to +seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 x .67. + + +405. PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus._ + +Range.--Southern and South Atlantic States. + +This heavily built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-bill, +being 17 inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the +Ivory-bills, their plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and +the white on the wing, being confined to a very small patch at the base +of the primaries; the whole crown and crest are vermillion, as is also a +moustache mark in the male. They breed in the most heavily timbered +districts, and generally at a high elevation; excavating a cavity +sometimes 25 inches in depth and eight inches in diameter. In most +localities they are very shy and difficult to approach. During April or +May they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.30 x 1.00. + +[Illustration 257: Pileated Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 256 + +405a. NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER. _Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola._ + +Range.--Local throughout North America, from the northern parts of the +United States northward. + +This variety is only very slightly larger than the preceding, it +otherwise being the same. It is still abundant in many localities, but +its range is rapidly being reduced, on account of cutting away the +forests. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the +southern variety. + + +406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes erythrocephalus._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, except New England; north to +northern Canada; winters in southern United States. + +This beautiful species has a bright red head, neck and breast, glossy +blue black back, wings and tail, and white underparts, rump and +secondaries. It is the most abundant of the family in the greater +portion of its range, where it nests in any kind of trees or in +telegraph poles at any height from the ground; they also sometimes nest +in holes under the eaves of buildings. They are the most pugnacious of +the Woodpeckers, and are often seen chasing one another or driving away +some other bird. They are also known to destroy the nests and eggs of +many species, and also to kill and devour the young, they being the only +Woodpecker, so far as known, to have acquired this disreputable habit; +they also feed upon, besides ants and larvae, many kinds of fruit and +berries. Their nesting season is during May and June, when they lay from +four to eight white eggs, with less gloss than those of the Flicker. +Size 1.00 x .75. + + +407. ANT-EATING WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus formicivorus._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States, southward. + +This species may be identified by the black region around the base of +the bill, the white forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat, and +blackish upper parts, extending in a band across the breast, this +variety having the band streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of +this variety are the same as the next which is most abundant in the +United States. + +[Illustration 258: Williamson Sapsucker Northern Pileated Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Red-headed Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 257 + +407a. CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi._ + +Range.--California and Oregon. + +This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the +black breast band. In suitable localities, this is the most abundant of +Woodpeckers on the Pacific coast. They have none of the bad habits of +the Red-heads, appear to be sociable among their kind, and are not +afraid of mankind. It nests indifferently in all kinds of trees at any +height from the ground, laying from three to seven eggs. Size 1.00 x +.75. This species has the habit of storing food for future use developed +to a greater extent than any other of the family. They sometimes +completely honeycomb the exterior surface of decayed trees, with holes +designed to hold acorns. + + +407b. NARROW-FRONTED WOODPECKER. _Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons._ +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in +having the white band on the forehead narrower. Its nesting habits are +the same, but the eggs average smaller. Size .95 x .75. + + +408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. _Asyndesmus lewisi._ + +Range.--Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast; +from British Columbia south to Mexico. + +A very oddly colored species, 11 inches in length having a dark red +face, streaked red and white under parts, a gray breast band, and glossy +greenish black upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater part of +their range, can not be called shy birds, and nest in all kinds of trees +at heights varying from six to one hundred feet from the ground, the +five to nine white eggs measuring 1.05 x .80, and being laid during May +or June. + + +409. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. _Centurus carolinus._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States +north in nearly all parts of their range, frequenting the more heavily +timbered regions, where they nest in any place that attracts their +fancy; in some localities they also commonly nest in telegraph poles. +They are quite tame, and during the winter months come about yards and +houses, the same as, and often in company with Downy Woodpeckers. Their +eggs, which are laid during May, are glossy white, average in size 1.00 +x .75 and number from four to six. + +[Illustration 259: Red-bellied Woodpecker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 258 + +410. GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER. _Centurus aurifrons._ + +Range.--Mexico and southern Texas, resident. + +This is also one of the "zebra" or "ladder-backed" Woodpeckers, having +the back and wings closely barred with black and white, the same as the +preceding; the forehead, nasal tufts and nape are golden yellow, and the +male has a patch of red on the crown. This is a very common resident +species in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where it nests in trees +or telegraph poles, sometimes so numerously in the latter situations as +to become a nuisance. Their nesting habits are not in any manner +peculiar, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the +preceding. Size 1.00 x .75. Laid during April and May. + + +411. GILA WOODPECKER. _Centurus uropygialis._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States, in southern Arizona and New +Mexico. + +Like the preceding but without any yellow on the head, the male having a +red patch in the center of the crown. They are locally distributed in +New Mexico, but appear to be abundant in all parts of southern Arizona, +where they nest principally in giant cacti, but also in many other trees +such as cotton-woods, mesquite, sycamores, etc. Besides their decided +preference for giant cacti, there is nothing unusual in their nesting +habits, and the eggs are not different from those of others of the +genus. They lay from three to six eggs in April or May. Size 1.00 x .75. + + +412. FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus auratus._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States. + +Flickers are well known, large Woodpeckers (13 inches long), with a +brownish tone to the plumage, barred on the back and spotted on the +breast with black. The present species has a golden yellow lining to the +wings and tail, and the shafts of the feathers are yellow; it has a red +crescent on the nape, and the male has black moustache marks. This +species and its sub-variety are the most widely known Woodpeckers in +eastern North America, where they are known in different localities, by +something like a hundred local names, of which + +[Illustration 260: 408--411.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 259 + +Pigeon Woodpecker and Yellow-hammer seem to be the most universal. They +have the undulating flight common to all Woodpeckers and show the white +rump patch conspicuously when flying. They are often found on the ground +in pastures or on side hills, feeding upon ants; they are more +terrestrial than any others of the family. They nest anywhere, where +they can find or make a suitable cavity for the reception of their eggs; +in trees in woods or solitary trees in large pastures, in apple trees in +orchards, in fence posts, in holes under the roofs of buildings, etc. +They ordinarily lay from five to ten very glossy eggs, but it has been +found that they will continue laying, if one egg is removed from the +nest at a time, until in one case seventy-one eggs were secured. Fresh +eggs may be found at any time from May until August, as they frequently +raise two broods a season. Size of eggs, 1.10 x .90 with considerable +variations. + + + +412a. NORTHERN FLICKER. _Colaptes auratus luteus._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, east of the Rockies, except the +southeastern portion. + +Averaging larger than the preceding, but individual specimens of the +northern variety are frequently found to be even smaller than the +southern, and vice versa, making the distinction one of the study rather +than Nature. + + +413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer collaris._ + +Range.--United States west of the Rockies. + +This species is marked similarly to the preceding, but the top of the +head is brownish instead of gray, and the underparts of the wings and +tail, and their quills are reddish. Neither sex has the red crescent on +the back of the head, except in the case of hybrids between the two +species, but the male has red moustache marks. There are no differences +in the nidification between this species and the preceding, but the eggs +of this average a trifle larger (1.15 x .90). + + +413a. NORTHWESTERN FLICKER. _Colaptes cafer saturatior._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, breeding from Oregon to Alaska. + +This is a much darker variety of the Red-shafted Flicker, but its +nesting habits or eggs do not differ in any way. + +[Illustration 261: Northern Flicker.] +[Illustration: Red-shafted Flicker.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 260 + +[Illustration 262: NORTHERN FLICKER.] + +Page 261 + +[Illustration 263: G. E. Moulthrope. +NEST AND EGGS OF NORTHERN FLICKER.] + +Page 262 + +414. Gilded Flicker. _Colaptes chrysoides._ + +Range.--Arizona and southward through Mexico to southern Lower +California. + +This pale species has the yellowish lining to the wings and tail as in +the Flicker, but has a pale cinnamon brown crown, no crescent on back of +head, and the male has red moustache marks. It is a common species in +all localities where the giant cactus abounds, and shows a preference to +nesting in these strange growths, to any other trees. Their habits are, +in all respects, the same as those of the other Flickers and their eggs +cannot be distinguished. Size 1.10 x .90. + + +414a. SAN FERNANDO FLICKER. _Colaptes chrysoides brunnescens._ + +Range.--Northern Lower California. + +This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Gilded Flicker. + + +415. GUADALUPE FLICKER. _Colaptes rufipileus._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island. + +Similar to the Red-shafted Flicker, but with the crown darker and the +rump a solid pinkish white. They are common in a large cypress grove in +the middle of the island, but rarely found on any other portions. The +eggs have been described by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, who found them +breeding on the island, to be indistinguishable from those of the others +of the genus. + + +GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS. + +Order XVI. MACROCHIRES. + +GOATSUCKERS, Family CAPRIMULGIDAE. + +Goatsuckers are long winged birds, with small bills, but with an +extraordinarily large mouth, the opening of which extends beneath and +beyond the eyes. They are chiefly dusk or night fliers, their food +consisting of insects which they catch on the wing. Their plumage is +mottled black, brownish and white, resembling the ground upon which they +lay their eggs. + +[Illustration 264.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 263 + +416. CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. _Antrostomus carolinensis._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding north to Virginia and +Indiana, and west to Arkansas and eastern Texas. + +These birds are abundant summer residents in the southern portions of +their range, but as they are silent and hiding in the woods during the +day time, they are not as popularly known as are most birds. They rarely +fly during the day time unless disturbed from their roosting place which +is on the ground under underbrush or in hollow logs. Their notes, which +are a rapid and repeatedly uttered whistling repetition of their name, +are heard until late in the night. They nest during April, May or June, +laying two eggs on the ground amid the leaves in woods or scrubby +underbrush. The eggs are grayish to creamy white in color, handsomely +marked with shades of lilac, gray and brownish; size 1.40 x 1.00. + + +417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus vociferus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains; north to the southern parts of +the British possessions; winters along the Gulf coast and southward. + +This species is well known, by sound, in nearly all parts of its range, +but comparatively few ever observed the bird, and probably the greater +number mistake the Nighthawk for this species. The two species can +readily be distinguished at a distance by the absence of any pronounced +white marking in the wings, and by the white tips to the outer tail +feathers in the present species, while the Night Hawk has a prominent +white band across the tail, but the top is black, and the tail slightly +forked. The Whip-poor-will, rarely leaves its place of concealment +before dark, and is never seen flying about cities, as are the +Nighthawks. In their pursuit of insects, they glide like a shadow over +fields and woods, their soft plumage giving forth no sound as their +wings cleave the air. Until late at night, their whistling cry +"whip-poor-will," repeated at intervals, rings out in all wooded hilly +districts. Their two eggs are deposited on the ground among dead leaves, +generally in dense woods. They are grayish white or cream color marbled +with pale brown and gray, with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.50 x +.85. + +[Illustration 265: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Chuck-will's-widow.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Whip-poor-will.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 264 + +417a. STEPHEN'S WHIP-POOR-WILL. _Antrostomus vociferus macromystax._ + +Range.--Arizona and New Mexico, south through the tableland of Mexico. + +This sub-species is slightly larger and has longer mouth bristles than +the eastern bird. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs differ +only in averaging lighter in color, with fainter markings, some +specimens being almost immaculate. + + +418. POOR-WILL. _Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli._ + +Range.--United States west of the Mississippi, breeding from Kansas and +northern California northward to Montana and British Columbia. + +This handsome species is the smallest of the family, being under 8 +inches in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty gray, +harmoniously blended together. They can easily be distinguished from all +other Goatsuckers by their size and silvery appearance. They nest on the +ground, either placing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a +flat rock. The breeding season is from the latter part of May through +July. The eggs are pure white and glossy; size 1.00 x .75. + + +418a. FROSTED POOR-WILL. _Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nitidus._ + +Range.--Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas. + +This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below. Eggs +indistinguishable from those of others of the genus. + + +418b. DUSKY POOR-WILL. _Phalaenoptilus nuttalli californicus._ + +Range.--A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same +nesting habits as the others. + +The egg figured is of this species. Data.--Los Angeles, Cal., June 24, +1900. 2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a +hill. Collector, F. M. Palmer. + +[Illustration 266: Poor-will. Merrill's Paraque.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 265 + +419. MERRILL'S PARAUQUE. _Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas. + +This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as +stoutly built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished +from any other of the family by its tail, the outer feather on each side +being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next +two having white ends for nearly half their length. Their eggs are laid +on the ground in open localities, and generally under the protection of +an overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly from +those of any other American member of this family, being a buff or rich +salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and +reddish brown; size 1.25 x .90. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 16, +1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense thicket. Collector, Frank B. +Armstrong. + +[Illustration 267: Salmon buff.] +[Illustration: Geo. S. Fiske. NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 266 + +420. NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus virginianus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and from Labrador to the Gulf +of Mexico; winters through Mexico to northern South America. + +The Nighthawk or some of its sub-species is found in nearly all parts of +North America, its habits being the same in all localities. It is of the +same size as the Whip-poor-will, from which species it can readily be +distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white +band near the end, and the white band across the primaries, the latter +mark showing very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they +are very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day +towards dusk flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of +the buildings, upon the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. +They nest generally on rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their +two eggs upon the top of a flat rock. The eggs are a grayish white +color, marbled, blotched and spotted with darker shades of gray. Size +1.20 x .85. + +420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus henryi._ + +Range.--United States west of the Plains. + +A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage somewhat more rusty. +It frequents the more open portions of the country in its range, its +habits and nesting habits being the same as others of the former +species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color. + + +420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles virginianus chapmani._ + +Range.--A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf +coast. No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as +compared with the northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 268: Nighthawk.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 267 + +[Illustration 269: J. E. Seebold. +NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK.] + +Page 268 + +420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK. _Cordeiles virginianus sennetti._ + +Range.--A very pale species with little or no tawny; found in the Great +Plains from Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters south of the United +States. + + +421. TEXAS NIGHTHAWK. _Chordeiles acutipennis texensis._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Utah and +California. + +The pattern of the marking of this species is finer and more mottled +with rusty than the Nighthawk. Its habits do not differ to any extent +from those of the preceding species; they lay their two mottled gray +eggs upon the bare ground, often on the dry sand and in arid regions +where they are exposed, with no protection, to the scorching rays of the +sun. The eggs vary endlessly in extent of markings, some being very pale +and others very dark gray, mottled with various shades of gray, brown +and lilac. Size 1.10 x .75. + + +SWIFTS. Family MICROPODIDAE + +422. BLACK SWIFT. _Cypseloides niger borealis._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges from Central America north to British Columbia, +locally distributed throughout its range. + +The plumage of this Swift is entirely sooty black, darkest above; the +tail is slightly forked and is without spines; length of bird, 7 inches. +Although the general habits of this species are well known, little is +known of their nesting; they are seen during the breeding season about +the higher ranges throughout their United States habitat, and are +supposed to nest in crevices on the face of cliffs at a high altitude. + +[Illustration 270: 420-421.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: 422-424.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 269 + +423. CHIMNEY SWIFT. _Chaetura pelagica._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from central Canada, +south to the Gulf coast, and wintering south of our borders. + +This well known species is sooty brownish black, 5.5 inches long, and +has the tail feathers terminating in sharp spines. They are very +abundant in all portions of their range, and may be seen on the wing at +all hours of the day, but especially abundant in the early morning and +toward dusk. They formerly dwelt and bred only in hollow trees, and a +great many still continue to do so, as large hollow stumps are known +where hundreds nest every year. The majority of the eastern Chimney +Swifts now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at least during the +summer; some small chimneys contain but a single pair while other large +ones may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests glued to the sides. +The birds are on the wing during the greater part of the day, generally +not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting site, but returning toward +dusk, when they may + +[Illustration 271: Chimney Swift.] +[Illustration: E. R. Forrest. NEST AND EGGS OF CHIMNEY SWIFT.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 270 + +be seen to, one at a time, dive headforemost into the tops of chimneys. +The nest is made of small twigs firmly glued to the sides of the +chimney, or tree, and to each other, with the glutinous saliva of the +bird, making a narrow semi-circle platform for the reception of their +three to five white eggs which are deposited in May or June; size .75 x +.50. + + +424. VAUX'S SWIFT. _Chaetura vauxi._ + +Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rockies; breeding +north to British Columbia, and wintering south of the United States. + +Similar to the last but smaller (length 4.5 inches), and paler in color, +fading to white on the throat. The habits of this species are like those +of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that the majority of these species +still continue to use hollow trees as nesting places. The eggs are just +like those of the last bird. + + +425. WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. _AEronautes melanoleucus._ + +Range.--Western United States south of Canada, and chiefly in the Rocky +Mountains, and in California ranges, north to Lat. 38 deg.. + +A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish upper parts and +sides, and white throat, breast and central line of under parts, flank +patches and ends of secondaries; tail feathers not spined or stiffened. +These birds are fairly common in some localities within their range, but +appear to be found only on high ranges or in their immediate vicinity. +They nest in crevices and caves in the face of cliffs, making a nest +similar in construction to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks +instead of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull +white eggs, during June or July; size .85 x .50. + +[Illustration 272: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 425--426.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 271 + +HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE + +Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the smallest +of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown +patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or +violet. Their nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and +intricately made of plant fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some +cases with lichens. Their flight is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing +sound produced by their rapidly vibrating stiffened wing feathers. Their +food is small insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from +flowers. + + +426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Eugenes fulgens._ + +Range.--Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at +high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains. + +This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a +violet purple color, and the throat brilliant green. This species +saddles its nest upon branches often at heights of 20 or 30 feet from +the ground. They are made of plant down and generally decorated with +lichens on the outside, similar to nests of the Ruby-throat. The two +white eggs measure .65 x .40. + + +427. BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cyanolaemus clemenciae._ + +Range.--Mexico, north in summer to the border of Arizona and western New +Mexico. + +This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches +long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the name +implies, it has a patch of blue on the throat, the upper parts being a +uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped with white. +Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of +mosses and plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two eggs are laid +during July and August, and measure .65 x .40. + +[Illustration 273: 427--429.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 272 + +[Illustration 274: J. H. Miller. +FEMALE RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST.] + +Page 273 + +428. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus colubris._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains and north to Labrador. + +This is the only representative of the family found east of the +Mississippi. It is a small species, 3.5 inches long, with greenish upper +parts and a bright ruby throat. Its nest is as beautiful, if not more +so, than that of any other species. They build their nests on horizontal +limbs of trees at any height from the ground, but usually more than six +feet. Branches an inch or more in diameter are usually selected, they +not being particular as to the kind of tree, but oaks, pines and maples +perhaps being used the most often. The nests are made of plant fibres +and down, and the exterior is completely covered with green lichens so +that it appears like a small bunch of moss on the limb. The two white +eggs are laid in May or June; size .50 x .35. + + +429. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. _Archilochus alexandri._ + +Range.--North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British +Columbia; winters south of the United States. + +Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and +upper throat black, the rest of the throat gorget being violet or +amethyst. It is an abundant species in summer in many localities, +especially in the southern half of its range. They build their nests at +low elevations, rarely above ten feet, on small branches or the fork at +the end of a limb. The nests are made of yellowish plant fibres and are +not covered with lichens, so that they have a peculiar spongy +appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the Ruby-throat. Laid +during April, May or June. + +[Illustration 275: Ruby-throated Hummingbird.] +[Illustration:] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 274 + +[Illustration 276: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.] + +Page 275 + +430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte costae._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States; north to southern Utah; winters +south of our border. + +Smaller than the last and with both the crown and the throat gorget, +violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being +lengthened. Their nests are situated in the forks of branches generally +near the ground, and seldom above six feet from it. They are made of +plant down with shreds of weeds, bark and lichens worked into the +outside portions, and are often lined with soft feathers. The two eggs +average .48 x .32. Data.--Arroyo Seco, California, June 10, 1900. Nest +in an alder bush. Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck. + + +431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calypte anna_. + +Range.--Pacific coast of the United States from northern California, +southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California. + +This handsome species has both the crown and the broadened and +lengthened throat gorgets, a purplish pink; it is slightly larger than +the Ruby-throat. They are very abundant in their restricted range, and +nest in February and March and again in April or May, raising two broods +a season. Their nests are made of plant down and covered on the outside +with cobwebs and a few lichens, and are generally located at a low +elevation. The white eggs average .50 x .30. Data.--Santa Monica, +California, March 4, 1897. Nest in a bunch of seed pods in a gum tree, +ten feet from the ground. Collector, Tom Bundy. + +[Illustration 277: 430--431.] +[Illustration.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 276 + +432. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus platycercus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain regions, north to Wyoming; winters south of the +United States. + +This species is similar to the Ruby-throat, but larger and with the back +more golden green color, and the throat shining lilac. They are very +abundant in Colorado and Arizona, nesting as do the Ruby-throats in the +east, and their nests being similar in construction and appearance to +those of that species. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +other species. + + +433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus rufus._ + +Range.--Western North America, breeding from the Mexican border north to +Alaska and fairly abundant in most of its range. + +A handsome little species with the back and tail reddish brown, and with +a throat gorget of orange red, the feathers being slightly lengthened +into a ruff on the side of the gorget. They nest in a great variety of +locations and at a low elevation, such as vines, bushes and the low +hanging branches of trees. The nest is made of vegetable fibres covered +with cobwebs and often with lichens. The eggs do not differ from those +of the other Hummers. + +[Illustration 278: 432--433--434.] +[Illustration:.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 277 + +434. ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Selasphorus alleni._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia southward; most abundant in +California. Winters in Mexico. + +This species is like the last, but the back is greenish, only the tail +being reddish brown. These birds generally locate their nests at low +elevations near the end of overhanging branches, on vines, weed stalks, +or bushes, but have been found as high as 90 feet above ground. The +nests of this species are made of plant fibres and cobwebs, generally +decorated with lichens. The two white eggs measure .50 x .32. +Data.--Santa Monica, Cal., May 29, 1896. Nest two feet from the ground +in a sage bush. Collector, W. Lee Chambers. + +[Illustration 279.] +[Illustration: E. L. Bickford. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 278 + +435. MORCOM'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Atthis morcomi._ + +Range.--This species is known only from a single specimen, taken in the +Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, in 1896. + + +436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD. _Stellula calliope._ + +Range.--Western United States from British Columbia southward, and from +the Rocky Mountains west to eastern Oregon and California. + +This is the smallest of North American Hummers, being but 3 inches in +length. It is greenish above and has a violet gorget showing the white +bases of the feathers. They build their nests in all manner of locations +from high up in tall pines to within a foot of the ground in slender +bushes. The nests are made interiorly with plant down, but the outside +is generally grayish colored shreds and lichens. The eggs average but a +trifle smaller than those of _colubris_, .45 x .30. + + +437. LUCIFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Calothorax lucifer._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to southwestern Texas and Arizona. + +This species, which is common in parts of Central Mexico, occurs only +casually north to our borders and has not yet been found nesting there. +They build small compact nests of plant down attached to the stalks or +leaves of plants or weeds. + + +438. REIFFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. _Amizilis tzacatl._ + +Range.--Abundant in southern Mexico; casual in southern Texas. + +This species is greenish above, with a bronzy lustre; the tail is +reddish brown, and the throat and breast are metallic green. They breed +abundantly about houses and nest apparently at all seasons of the year +in Central America, where they are the most common species of Hummers. + +[Illustration 280: 436--437--438.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 279 + +439. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD. _Amizilis cerviniventris chalconota._ + +Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward through Mexico. + +These birds are like the last but have the underparts a pale brownish +buff color. They are quite common in their summer range in the United +States, nesting at a low elevation in bushes and low trees. The two eggs +are white, .50 x .35. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 5, 1892. Nest of +fine bark-like fibre on the outside, lined with lint from thistle plant; +located on limb of small hackberry. Collector, Frank G. Armstrong. + + +440. XANTUS' HUMMINGBIRD. _Basilinna xantusi._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +A handsome species, greenish above, with a coppery tinge and shading +into reddish brown on the tail; under parts buffy, throat metallic +green, and a broad white streak behind the eye. They breed on the ranges +making a similar nest to those of other Hummers, placed on weeds or +bushes near the ground. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +the majority of other species. + + +440.1. WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD. _Basilinna leucotis._ + +Range.--A Central American and Mexican species, casually found on the +ranges in Southern Arizona. + +The plumage of this species is greenish above and below, being metallic +green on the breast; the forehead, sides of head, and throat are +iridescent blue and a white line extends back from the eye. + + +441. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. _Cynanthus latirostris._ + +Range.--Mountains of central Mexico north to southern Arizona and New +Mexico. + +The throat of this species is a rich metallic blue; otherwise the +plumage is greenish above and below, being brighter and more irisdescent +on the breast. They are not uncommon on the ranges of southern Arizona, +where they have been found nesting in July and August, their nest not +being unlike those of the Rufous Hummer, but with the exterior largely +composed of shreds of grayish bark and lichens. Their eggs are like many +others of the Hummers. + +[Illustration 281: 439--440.1--441.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 280 + +PERCHING BIRDS. Order XVII. PASSERES + +COTINGAS. Family COTINGIDAE + +441.1. XANTUS BECARD. _Platypsaris aglaiae albiventris._ + +Range.--Mexico; north casually to the southern border of Arizona. + +This peculiar species is grayish above and lighter gray below, has dark +slaty crown, and a patch of rose color on the lower throat. This is the +only representative of this tropical family that has been found as yet +over the Mexican border, but its near ally, the Rose-throated Becard has +been found within a very few miles and will doubtless be added to our +fauna as an accidental visitor ere long. Their nests are large masses of +grasses, weeds, strips of bark, etc., partially suspended from the forks +of branches. Their eggs number four or five and are a pale buffy gray +color, dotted and scratched with a pale reddish brown and dark gray. +Size .95 x .70. The one figured is from a set in the collection of Mr. +Crandall, taken June 1, 1897 at Presidio Sinaloa, Mexico. + + +FLYCATCHERS. Family TYRANNIDAE + +Flycatchers, which are found only in America and chiefly in the tropics, +are insect-eating birds, generally having a grayish colored plumage, +sometimes adorned with a slight crest or a coronal mark of orange, red, +or yellow. Only two of the species found in North America are gaudy in +plumage, the Vermilion, and the Derby Flycatchers. They all have the +habit of sitting erect on a dead twig, and watching for passing insects, +which they catch on the wing. + + +442. FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. _Muscivora tryannus._ + +Range.--A Central and South American species accidentally having +occurred in the United States on several occasions. + +This is a handsome black, white and gray species of the size and form of +the next. + +[Illustration 282: Buffy gray.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 281 + +443. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. _Muscivora forficata._ + +Range.--Mexico, north through Texas to southern Kansas; accidental in +other parts of the country. + +The Scissor-tail or "Texan Bird of Paradise" is the most beautiful +member of this interesting family. Including its long tail, often 10 +inches in length and forked for about 6 inches, this Flycatcher reaches +a length of about 15 inches. It is pale grayish above, fading into +whitish below, and has scarlet linings to the wings, and a scarlet crown +patch. They are one of the most abundant of the breeding birds in Texas, +placing their large roughly built nests in all kinds of trees and at any +elevation, but averaging between ten and fifteen feet above ground. The +nests are built of rootlets, grasses, weeds and trash of all kinds, such +as paper, rags, string, etc. The interior is generally lined with plant +fibres, hair or wool. They lay from three to five, and rarely six eggs +with a creamy white ground color, more or less spotted and blotched with +reddish brown, lilac and gray, the markings generally being most +numerous about the larger end. They average in size about .90 x .67. +Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 18, 1899. 6 eggs. Nest of moss, vines, +etc., on small trees in open woods near town. Collector, Frank B. +Armstrong. + + +444. KINGBIRD. _Tyrannus tyrannus._ + +Range.--Temperate North America, breeding from the Gulf of Mexico north +to New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia; rare off the Pacific +coast. + +This common Tyrant Flycatcher is very abundant in the eastern parts of +its range. They are one of the most pugnacious and courageous of birds +attacking and driving away any feathered creature to which they take a +dislike, regardless of size. Before and during the nesting season, their +sharp, nerve-racking clatter is kept up all day long, and with redoubled +vigor when anyone approaches their nesting site. They nest in any kind +of a tree, in fields or open woods, and at any height from the ground, +being found on fence rails within two feet of the ground or in the tops +of pines 70 or 80 feet above the earth. Nearly every orchard will be +found to contain one or + +[Illustration 283: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Cream color.] +[Illustration: Kingbird.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 282 + +more pairs of these great insect destroyers; if more than one pair, +there will be continual warfare as often as one encroaches on the +domains of the other. Their nests are made of strips of vegetable fibre, +weeds, etc., and lined with horsehair or catkins. They are sometimes +quite bulky and generally very substantially made. The three to five +eggs are laid the latter part of May, and are of a creamy ground color +splashed with reddish brown and lilac. Size .95 x .70. Data.--Worcester +County, Massachusetts, June 3, 1895. 4 eggs. Nest 10 feet from the +ground in an apple tree; made of fibres, string, rootlets and weeds, +lined with horse hair. Collector, F. C. Clark. + +[Illustration 284: G. E. Moulthrope. NEST AND EGGS OF KINGBIRD.] + +Page 283 + +445. GRAY KINGBIRD. _Tyrannus dominicensis._ + +Range.--West Indies; north in April to Florida and the South Atlantic +States to South Carolina and casually farther. + +This species is slightly larger than our Kingbird, (9 inches long), +grayish instead of dark drab above, white below, and without any white +tip to tail. Like the common Kingbird, it has a concealed orange patch +on the crown. Their habits and nesting habits are the same as those of +our common bird, but the nest is not generally as well built, and nearly +always is made largely of twigs. The three or four eggs have a creamy or +a creamy pink ground color, spotted and blotched with dark brown and +lilac, most numerously about the large end. Size 1.00 x .73. Tarpon +Springs, Florida, May 28, 1802. Nest of twigs and weeds in a low bush. +Collector, J. A. Southley. + + +446. COUCH'S KINGBIRD. _Tyrannus melancholicus couchi._ + +Range.--Mexico, north in summer to southern Texas. + +This species is very similar to the next but the throat and breast are +white, and the underparts a brighter yellow. Like the other members of +this genus, these build their nests in any location in trees or bushes, +making them of twigs, weeds and moss. Their three or four eggs have a +creamy ground with a pinkish cast and are spotted with brown and lilac. +Size .97 x .12. + + +447. ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. _Tyrannus verticalis._ + +Range.--Western United States and southern British Provinces from Kansas +and Minnesota west to the Pacific. + +This species has grayish upper parts, shading into darker on the wings +and tail, and lighter on the throat and upper breast; the underparts are +yellow, and there is a concealed patch of orange on the crown. They are +very abundant throughout the west, where they have the same familiar +habits of the eastern species, nesting in all sorts of locations such as +would be used by the latter. Their nests are made of plant fibres, +weeds, string, paper or any trash that may be handy, being sometimes +quite bulky. Their eggs do not differ in any particular from those of +the eastern bird, except that they may average a little smaller. Size +.95 x .65. + +[Illustration 285: Creamy.] +[Illustration: Gray Kingbird.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: Arkansas Kingbird.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 284 + +448. CASSIN'S KINGBIRD. _Tyrannus vociferans._ + +Range.--Western United States from the Rocky Mountain region to +California, and from Wyoming southward. + +This species is like the last except that the throat and breast are +darker. Their habits, nesting habits and eggs are indistinguishable from +those of the other Tyrant Flycatchers, and they are fully as courageous +in the defense of their homes against either man or bird, their notes +resembling those of the common Kingbird of the east. + + +449. DERBY FLYCATCHER. _Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Texas. + +This handsome bird is the largest of the Flycatcher family found in the +United States, being 11 inches in length. It has a black crown enclosing +a yellow crown patch; a broad black stripe from the bill, through the +eye and around the back of the head, is separated from the crown by a +white forehead and line over the eye; the throat is white shading into +yellow on the underparts. They are abundant in the interior of Mexico, +but can hardly be classed as common over our border, where they nest in +limited numbers. Their nests are unlike those of any of our other +Flycatchers being large masses of moss, weeds and grass, arched over on +top and with the entrance on the side. The three or four eggs are creamy +white, sprinkled chiefly about the large end with small reddish brown or +umber spots; size 1.15 x .85. + +[Illustration 286: Buff.] +[Illustration: Derby Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 285 + +451. SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. _Myiodynastes luteiventris._ + +Range.--Mexico and Central America, breeding north to the Mexican border +of Arizona. + +This peculiar Flycatcher, which is unlike any other American species, +can only be regarded as a rare breeding bird in the Huachuca Mts. It is +8 inches in length, has a grayish back streaked with black, the tail +largely rusty brown and the underparts sulphur yellow, streaked on the +breast and sides with dusky; a yellow crown patch is bordered on either +side by a stripe of mottled dusky, and is separated from the blackish +patch through the eye, by white superciliary lines. Their habits are +similar to those of the genus Myiarchus, and, like them, they nest in +cavities in trees, and lay from three to five eggs of a creamy buff +color thickly spotted and blotched with brown and purplish, the markings +not assuming the scratchy appearance of the Crested Flycatchers, but +looking more like those of a Cardinal; size of egg 1.05 x .75. +Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 29, 1901. 4 eggs. Nest in the +natural cavity of a live sycamore tree about fifty feet from the ground; +composed of twigs. Collector, O. W. Howard. + + +452. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus crinitus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, and from New Brunswick and +Manitoba southward; winters from the Gulf States southward. + +This trim and graceful, but quarrelsome, species is grayish on the head, +neck, and breast, shading to greenish on the back and quite abruptly +into bright yellow on the underparts; the head is slightly crested and +the inner webs of all the lateral tail feathers are reddish brown. They +are abundant in most of their range but are generally shy so they are +not as often seen as many other more rare birds. They nest in cavities +of any kind of trees and at any elevation from the ground, the nest +being made of twigs, weeds and trash, and generally having incorporated +into its make-up a piece of cast off snake skin. They lay from four to +six eggs of a buffy color, blotched and lined with dark brown and +lavender. Size .85 x .65. + +[Illustration 287: Creamy buff.] +[Illustration: Crested Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 286 + +453. ARIZONA CRESTED FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus magister magister._ + +Range.--Southern Arizona and New Mexico, south through Mexico. + +This bird is very similar to, but averages slightly larger than the +Mexican Flycatcher. Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs cannot +be distinguished from those of the latter, the nest being most +frequently found in giant cacti. + + +453a. MEXICAN CRESTED FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus magister nelsoni._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to southern Texas. + +This species is similar to the last but is considerably paler. They are +common in some localities, nesting in holes in trees or stumps, often +those deserted by Woodpeckers. Their eggs are like those of the last but +average paler. Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. Nest in hole +in telegraph pole; made of red cow hair, feathers and leaves. 4 eggs. +Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. + + +454. ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Plains and south of Canada. + +Similar to the others of the genus but grayish brown above and with the +underparts much paler, the throat and breast being nearly white. Like +the others they nest in cavities in trees, either natural or ones made +by Woodpeckers. Their four to five eggs are lighter in color than those +of crinitus but cannot be distinguished from those of the Mexican +Crested Flycatcher. + +[Illustration 288: 453--454.] +[Illustration: Pale buff.] +[Illustration: no caption.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 287 + +454b. LOWER CALIFORNIA FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This sub-species is similar to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and +grayish above. + + +455a. OLIVACEOUS FLYCATCHER. _Myiarchus lawrencei olivascens._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north to southern Arizona. + +This is the smallest of the genus found in the United States, being but +7 inches in length. Except for size it is similar to _crinitus_ but with +very little, if any, rusty brown on tail, except for a slight edging on +the outer web. Their nesting sites are the same as those chosen by the +other Crested Flycatcher, but their eggs appear to have but little of +the scratchy appearance of the other members. They are pale buffy, +speckled and spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 x .60. +Data.--Toluca, Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in +hole in tree in woods. Collector, Fred T. Francis. + + +456. PHoeBE.. _Sayornis phoebe._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia. + +These very common, grayish colored birds are very often known as "Bridge +Birds" because of the frequency with which they construct their nests +under bridges and arches; they also build in crevices in ledges or among +the hanging roots near the tops of embankments, and on the rafters or +beams of old buildings. The nests are made of mud, moss and grass, lined +with feathers. The four or five eggs measure .75 x .55. Occasionally, +eggs will be found that have a few minute spots of reddish brown. Freak +situations in which to locate their nests are often chosen by these +birds, such as the brake beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old +wells, hen houses, etc. The birds are one of the most useful that we +have; being very active and continually on the alert for insects and +beetles that constitute their whole bill of fare. + +[Illustration 289: Buffy.] +[Illustration: Phoebe.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 288 + +[Illustration 290: G. E. Moulthrope. +PHOEBE ON NEST.] + +Page 289 + +457. Say's Phoebe. _Sayornis sayus._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from southern United States, +north to the Arctic regions, and from Kansas and Wisconsin westward. +Winters in Mexico. + +This bird is slightly larger than the last (7.5 inches long), and is +rusty brown color on the belly and lower breast. Like the eastern Phoebes +they are one of the earliest birds to return in the spring and are +abundant in the greater parts of their range. Like the latter, they +often raise two broods a season, one in April and another in July. Their +nests are generally placed on narrow shelves and crevices of ledges, but +they also nest as commonly about houses and farms as does the eastern +bird. The nests are made of weeds, mosses, fibres and wool, and are +quite flat. They lay four or five white eggs. Size .78 x .58. + + +458. BLACK PHoeBE. _Sayornis nigricans._ + +Range.--Mexico and north in summer into the bordering States. + +This species is of the size of the last but is blackish (darkest on the +head and breast), with a white belly and under tail coverts, the latter +streaked with dusky. Their habits and nesting habits are the same as +those of the eastern Phoebe, they building their nests of mud, moss, +weeds and feathers on ledges or about buildings, and generally close to +or in the vicinity of water. They breed during April or May, laying four +or five white eggs which cannot be distinguished from those of the +common Phoebe. Size .75 x .55. + + +458a. WESTERN BLACK PHoeBE. _Sayornis nigricans semiatra._ + +Range.--Pacific Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to +Oregon. + +This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure +white. Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs +indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 291: 457-458.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 290 + +459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. _Nuttallornis borealis._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from the Middle States and +California northward, and in the Rockies, south to Mexico; winters south +of the United States. + +These Flycatchers are nowhere abundant, and in some parts of the +country, especially in the middle portion, they are very rare. They +breed very locally and generally not more than one pair in any locality. +In New England, I have always found them nesting in company with Parula +Warblers, in dead coniferous swamps in which the branches are covered +with long pendant moss. Their nests are placed high up in the trees, +generally above fifty feet from the ground, and on small horizontal +limbs; they are made of small twigs and rootlets, lined with finer +rootlets and moss, and are very flat and shallow; as they are generally +made to match the surrounding, they are one of the most difficult nests +to find. They lay three or four cream colored eggs which are spotted +with reddish brown and lilac, chiefly about the large end. Size .85 x +.65. Data.--Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, June 12, 1897. Nest of +twigs and moss, about 60 feet above the ground, in a dead pine tree in +center of a large wet swamp. Nest could not be seen from the ground, and +was found by watching the birds. + +[Illustration 292: Olive-sided Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 291 + +460. COUES'S FLYCATCHER. _Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, breeding north to central Arizona. + +This Flycatcher builds one of the most artistic nests created by +feathered creatures. It bears some resemblance on the exterior to that +of the next species, but it is much more firmly made, and the walls are +usually higher, making a very deeply cupped interior. The outside of the +nest is made of fibres, cobwebs, catkins, etc., firmly felted together +and ornamented with green lichens to match the limb upon which it is +saddled. The interior is heavily lined with dried, yellowish grasses, +making a very strong contrast to the exterior. They are fairly abundant +birds in the ranges of southern Arizona, where they nest generally +during June. They lay three eggs of a rich creamy color, spotted and +blotched, chiefly about the larger end, with reddish brown and lilac +gray. Size .95 x .61. Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, July 8, 1897. 3 +eggs. Nest in a yellow pine about 60 feet up and near the extremity of a +long slender limb. Elevation 7000 feet. Collector, O. W. Howard. + + +461. WOOD PEWEE. _Myiochanes virens._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to the southern +parts of the British Provinces. Winters south of the United States. + +This is one of the best known and one of the most common frequenters of +open woods, where all summer long its pleasing notes may be heard, +resembling "Pee-a-wee" or sometimes only two syllables "pee-wee." They +nest on horizontal limbs at elevations of six feet or over, making +handsome nests of plant fibres and fine grasses, covered on the exterior +with lichens; they are quite shallow and very much resembles a small +knot on the limb of the tree. They lay three or four eggs of a cream +color spotted in a wreath about the large end, with reddish brown and +lavender; size .80 x .55. Data.--Torrington, Conn., June 16, 1890. Nest +of fibres covered with lichens, saddled on the branch of an oak tree +near roadside. Collector, John Gath. + +[Illustration 293: Cream color.] +[Illustration: Wood Pewee.] +[Illustration: Cream color.] +[Illustration: Chickadee Family.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 292 + +[Illustration 294: Guy H. Briggs. +NEST AND EGGS OF WOOD PEWEE.] + +Page 293 + +462. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. _Myiochanes richardsoni richardsoni._ + +Range.--Western United States from the Plains to the Pacific, and from +Manitoba southward, wintering south of the United States. + +The nesting habits of this bird are the same as those of the eastern +Pewee, but their nests are more strongly built and generally deeper, and +without the outside ornamentation of lichens. They are saddled upon +horizontal branches, like those of the preceding, as a rule, but are +also said to have been found in upright crotches like those of the Least +Flycatcher. Their three or four eggs cannot be distinguished from those +of the eastern Wood Pewee. + + +462a. LARGE-BILLED WOOD PEWEE. _Myiochanes richardsoni peninsulae._ + +Range.--This species which differs from the last only slightly, as is +indicated by the name, inhabits the peninsula of Lower California; its +nesting habits and eggs will not differ from those of the other Pewees. + + +463. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax flaviventris._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador; winters +south of the United States. + +This species is slightly larger than the Least Flycatcher and is more +yellowish above and below, the breast being quite bright. While common +in some districts it is quite shy and frequents thickly wooded regions, +where it is not very often seen. They nest near or on the ground among +rocks or roots of fallen trees, chiefly in swampy places; the nests are +made in bunches of moss, hollowed out and lined with very fine grasses. +Their four eggs are creamy or buffy white, spotted and speckled about +the larger end with reddish brown and gray; size .68 x .51. + + +464. WESTERN FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax difficilis difficilis._ + +Range.--Western North America, from the Rocky Mountain region to the +Pacific, and north to Alaska; winters chiefly south of the United +States. + +This Flycatcher, which is similar to the last, nests in similar +locations as well as in many others, such as crevices and fissures in +rocks, holes in banks, cavities in trees, rafters in buildings, etc. The +nests are variously made, but consist chiefly of fine grasses, weeds and +fibres. The eggs are as a rule similar to those of the last species and +cannot be distinguished. + +[Illustration 295: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Acadian Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 294 + +464a. SAN LUCAS FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax difficilis cineritius._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This species is similar to, but duller in plumage than the Western +Flycatcher. Their nesting habits do not probably vary from those of the +latter. + + +465. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax virescens._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern New +England, and in the Mississippi Valley to Manitoba. + +This species is very pale below and greenish yellow on the back. They +are among the latest of the migrants to reach our borders and arrive in +the Middle States about the latter part of May, when they are quite +common. They build semi-pensile nests in the forks of bushes or +overhanging branches at heights of from four to twenty feet, the nests +being made of rootlets, fibres, fine grasses, etc., and partially +suspended from the branch; they are quite shallow and loosely +constructed and often appear more like a bunch of debris deposited in +the fork by the wind than like the creation of a bird. Their three or +four eggs are buffy, spotted or specked with brown; size .75 x .55. + + +466. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax trailli trailli._ + +Range.--Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley to the +Pacific; winters south of the United States. + +This species is very similar to the next, but the back is said to be +more brownish. They are common and nest abundantly in thickets and low +scrubby woods, usually placing the nest at a low elevation, preferably +in a clump of willows; the nests are made of fine strips of bark, plant +fibres, and very fine rootlets being woven about and firmly fastened in +upright crotches. Their eggs, which are laid in June, are buffy white, +specked and spotted, chiefly at the large end, with brownish; size .70 x +.54. + +[Illustration 296: 464--466.] +[Illustration: Buffy.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 295 + +466a. ALDER FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax trailli alnorum._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Mississippi and north to New +Brunswick. + +The only difference between this and the preceding variety is in the +more greenish upper parts. They are quite abundant in the breeding +season from New England and northern New York northward, frequenting, to +a great extent, alder thickets bordering streams. Their nests and eggs +do not differ appreciably from those of the western variety of Traill +Flycatcher. + + +467. LEAST FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax minimus._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rockies and north to the interior of +Canada, wintering south of the United States. + +These little birds (5.5 inches long) are common about houses and +orchards on the outskirts of cities, and on the edges of forests or open +woods. They are very frequently known by the name of Chebec from their +continually uttered note. In nearly all instances, the nests are placed +in upright forks at elevations varying from four to twenty-four feet +from the ground. The nests are made chiefly of plant fibres, fine +grasses, string, cobwebs, etc., and the three to five eggs are pale +creamy white; size .65 x .50. + + +468. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax hammondi._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Rockies and from British Columbia +southward, wintering south of the United States. + +This western representative of the Least Flycatcher is less abundant and +more shy, but has the same nesting habits as the eastern birds, placing +its nests either in upright crotches or, more rarely, upon horizontal +branches at a low elevation. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those +of the last species. + + +469. WRIGHT'S FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax wrighti._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border to +Oregon and wintering south of the United States. + +A very similar bird to the last but whiter below. It is a much more +abundant species than the last and is found breeding in open woods and +thickets on all the ranges. The nests are built like those of the Least +Flycatcher and nearly always are found in the crotch of trees or bushes +at a low elevation; their nests, like those of the two preceding +species, bear a strong resemblance to those of the Yellow Warblers which +are found in the same localities and locations. The eggs are pale creamy +white, four in number and measure .68 x .52. + +[Illustration 297: Least Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 462--469--469.1.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 296 + +469.1. GRAY FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax griseus._ + +Range.--Lower California, north to southern California. + +This is a slightly larger species than the preceding and is grayish +above and paler below, with little or no tinge of brownish or yellow. As +far as I can learn its eggs have not yet been taken. + + +470a. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER. _Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north to southern New Mexico and Arizona. + +This small bird, which is but 4.75 inches in length, is brownish gray +above and brownish buff below. It is not a common species anywhere, but +is known to nest during June or July, on high mountain ranges, saddling +its nest of fibres, covered with lichens, on horizontal boughs at quite +an elevation from the ground. The eggs are pale buffy white, unspotted, +and measure .60 x .50. + + +471. VERMILLION FLYCATCHER. _Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus._ + +Range.--Mexico, north regularly to southern Texas, Arizona and New +Mexico. + +This is one of the most gaudy attired of all North American birds, being +brownish gray on the back, wings and tail, and having a bright +vermillion crown, crest and underparts. They are quite common in +southern Texas, but far more abundant in the southern parts of Arizona. +Their habits do not differ from those of other Flycatchers, they living +almost exclusively upon insects. The majority of their nests can not be +distinguished from those of the Wood Pewee, being covered with lichens +and saddled upon limbs in a similar manner, but some lack the mossy +ornamentation. Their three or four eggs are buffy, boldly blotched with +dark brown and lavender, chiefly in a wreath about the middle of the +egg; size .70 x .50. Data.--San Pedro River, Arizona, June 10, 1899. +Nest in the fork of a willow about 20 feet above the stream. Collector, +O. W. Howard. + + +472. BEARDLESS FLYCATCHER. _Camptostoma imberbe._ + +Range.--Central America; north casually to the Lower Rio Grande in +Texas. + +This strange little Flycatcher, several specimens of which have been +taken in the vicinity of Lomita, Texas, is but 4.5 inches in length, +grayish in color and has a short bill, the upper mandible of which is +curved. It has all the habits peculiar to Flycatchers. Their eggs have +not as yet been found as far as I can learn. + +[Illustration 298: Vermillion Flycatcher.] +[Illustration: Buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 297 + +LARKS. Family ALAUDIDAE + +473. SKYLARK. _Alauda arvensis._ + +Range.--Old World, straggling casually to Greenland and Bermuda. + +This noted foreigner has been imported and liberated a number of times +in this country, but apparently is not able to thrive here, a fact which +will not cause much regret when we remember the experiment with the +English Sparrow. They are abundant in Europe and Great Britain where +they nest on the ground in cultivated fields or meadows, laying from +three to five grayish eggs, marked with brown, drab and lavender. + + +474. HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris alpestris._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in Labrador and about Hudson +Bay; winters in eastern United States south to Carolina. + +This variety of this much sub-divided species is 7.5 inches in length, +has brownish gray upper parts and is white below with black patches on +the breast and below the eye, yellowish throat and small black ear +tufts. The various subspecies are all marked alike, their distinction +being based upon slight differences in size, variations in the shade of +the back, or the greater or less intensity of the yellowish throat and +superciliary stripe. The nesting habits of all the varieties are the +same and the eggs differ only in the shade of the ground color, this +variation among the eggs of the same variety being so great that an egg +cannot be identified without knowing the locality in which it was taken. +The present variety build their nests on the ground generally under +tufts of grass or in hollows in the moss which is found in their +breeding range, making them of dried grasses and generally lining them +with feathers. The eggs are grayish with a slight greenish tinge, and +are specked and spotted over the whole surface with drab, brownish and +dark lavender. The eggs of this and the next variety average +considerably larger than those of the more southerly distributed +varieties; size .92 x .65. + + +474a. PALLID HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris arcticola._ + +Range.--Breeds in Alaska and winters south to Oregon and Montana. + +This is the largest of the Horned Larks and has the throat white, with +no trace of yellow. Its nest is built in similar locations and the eggs +are like those of the preceding species. + +[Illustration 299: Grayish.] +[Illustration: Horned Lark.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 298 + +474b. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris praticola._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Mississippi Valley from Illinois north to Manitoba +and east to the Middle States; winters south to Carolina and Texas. + +This sub-species is considerably smaller than the Horned Lark, and the +throat is paler yellow, while the line over the eye and the forehead is +white. They are the most abundant and have the most extended range of +any of the better known species. In the Mississippi Valley, where they +are of the most common of the nesting birds, they build on the ground in +meadows or cultivated fields, and very often in cornfields; the nests +are made of grasses and lined with horse hairs or feathers, and placed +in slight hollows generally under a tuft of grass or sods. They raise +two broods a season and sometimes three, laying the first set of eggs in +March and another in June or July. The three or four eggs have an olive +buff ground and are thickly sprinkled with drab and lavender; size .83 x +.60. + + +474c. DESERT HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris leucolaema._ + +Range.--Plains of western United States, east of the Rockies and west of +Kansas and Dakota; breeds north to Alberta, and winters south to Mexico, +Texas and southern California. + +This species is like _praticola_, but paler on the back; nest and eggs +the same. + + +474d. TEXAS HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris giraudi._ + +Range.--Coast of southeastern Texas. + +A pale variety like _leucolaema_, but smaller; throat bright yellow, and +breast tinged with yellow. Nest and eggs like those of the others. + + +474e. CALIFORNIA HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris actia._ + +Range.--Lower California and southern California. + +This bird is similar to the last but the yellow areas are brighter, and +the nape and back are ruddy. + + +474f. RUDDY HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris rubea._ + +Ranges--Sacramento Valley, California. + +This variety has the yellow areas brighter than in any other and the +back and nape are more ruddy. The eggs cannot be distinguished from +those of the others. + +[Illustration 300: Olive buff.] +[Illustration: 474c--474e--474f.] +[Illustration: Olive buff.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 299 + + +474g. STREAKED HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris strigata._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States (Washington, Oregon and northern +California). + +Similar to the last, but with the back broadly streaked with black, the +ruddy less intense and the underparts tinged with yellowish. + + +474h. SCORCHED HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris adusta._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona. + +This variety has the back and nape nearly a uniform pinkish ruddy with +but little streaking. + + +474i. DUSKY HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris merrilli._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States and southern British Columbia, +wintering south to central California. + +Similar to _praticola_ but slightly darker above. + + +474j. SONORA HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris pallida._ + +Range.--Gulf coast of northern Lower California. + +The upperparts of this variety are very pale pinkish brown. + + +474k. HOYT'S HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris hoyti._ + +Range.--Interior of British America, west of Hudson Bay and east of +Alaska, south in winter in the interior of the United States to Kansas. + +Much larger than the last; equal in size and similar to _articola_ but +with the throat yellowish and the upperparts darker and brighter. + + +474l. MONTEZUMA HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris occidentalis._ + +Range.--Western New Mexico and eastern Arizona, south in winter to +northern Mexico. + +This variety has the upperparts pale brownish and not streaked; throat +and forehead yellowish. + + +474m. ISLAND HORNED LARK. _Otocoris alpestris insularis._ + +Range.--Santa Barbara Islands, California. + +Similar to _strigata_ but darker. With the exception of the three large +varieties of Horned Larks found north of our borders, neither the eggs +nor, in most cases, the birds can be identified without the precise +location where they were taken. + +[Illustration deco (301).] +[Illustration right hand border.] + +Page 300 + +CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. Family CORVIDAE. + + +475. MAGPIE. _Pica pica hudsonia._ + +Range.--Western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific and +from Alaska to Arizona and New Mexico. + +These large handsome birds have the entire head, neck and breast velvety +black, abruptly defined against the white underparts. The back, wings +and tail are greenish or bluish black, and the scapulars, white; length +of bird 20 inches. They are well known throughout the west, where their +bold and thievish habits always excite comment. They nest in bushes and +trees at low elevations from the ground, making a very large nest of +sticks, with an opening on the side, and the interior is made of weeds +and mud, lined with fine grasses; these nests often reach a diameter of +three feet and are made of quite large sticks. During April or May, they +lay from four to eight grayish white eggs, plentifully spotted with +brown and drab. Size 1.25 x .90. + + +476. YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. _Pica nuttalli._ + +Range.--Middle parts of California, west of the Sierra Nevadas. + +This species is slightly smaller than the last and has a yellowish bill +and lores, otherwise being precisely like the more common species. Their +habits do not differ from those of the other, the nests are the same and +the eggs are indistinguishable. Size 1.25 x .88. + +[Illustration 302: Magpie.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 301 + +[Illustration 303: R. B. Rockwell. +NEST OF AMERICAN MAGPIE.] + +Page 302 + +[Illustration 304: YOUNG BLUE JAYS.] + +Page 303 + + +477. BLUE JAY. _Cyanocitta cristata cristata._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Hudson Bay; +resident and very abundant in its United States range. + +These beautiful and bold marauders are too well known to need +description, suffice it to say that they are the most beautiful of North +American Jays; but beneath their handsome plumage beats a heart as cruel +and cunning as that in any bird of prey. In the fall, winter and spring, +their food consists largely of acorns, chestnuts, berries, seeds, grain, +insects, lizards, etc., but during the summer months they destroy and +devour a great many eggs and young of the smaller birds, their taste for +which, being so great that they are known to watch a nest until the full +complement of eggs is laid before making their theft. They nest in open +woods or clumps of trees, indifferently, in pines or young trees, +building most often below twenty feet from the ground; the nests are +made of twigs and rootlets, lined with fine rootlets. During May they +lay from four to six eggs of a greenish buff color spotted with olive +brown. Size 1.10 x .80. + + +477a. FLORIDA BLUE JAY. _Cyanocitta cristata florincola._ + +Range.--Florida and the Gulf coast. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this smaller sub-species are the same as +those of the northern Blue Jay. Like our birds, they frequently nest +near habitations. + + +478. STELLER'S JAY. _Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska; resident and +breeding throughout its range. + +All the members of this sub-species are similar in plumage, having a +sooty black head, crest and neck, shading insensibly into dark bluish on +the back and underparts, and brighter blue on the wings and tail. They +usually have a few streaks or spots of pale blue on the forehead. They +are just as noisy, bold and thievish as the eastern Jay and are also +excellent mimics like the latter. They nest in fir trees at any height +from the ground and in April or May deposit their three to six greenish +blue eggs which are spotted with various shades of brown. Size 1.25 x +.90. Their nests are more bulky than those of the eastern Jay and are +usually made of larger sticks and held together with some mud. + + +478a. BLUE-FRONTED JAY. _Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis._ + +Range.--Coast ranges of California and Oregon. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this variety are indistinguishable from +those of the preceding. The bird has more blue on the forehead. + + +478b. LONG-CRESTED JAY. _Cyanocitta stelleri diademata._ + +Range.--Southern Rocky Mountains from Arizona to Wyoming. + +No general difference can be found between the eggs of this species and +the Steller Jay, and the nests of each are constructed similarly and in +like situations. + +[Illustration 305: Blue Jay.] +[Illustration: Greenish buff.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 304 + +[Illustration 306: Dr. J. B. Pardoe. YOUNG BLUE JAYS.] + +Page 305 + +[Illustration 307: BLUE JAY.] + +Page 306 + +478c. BLACK-HEADED JAY. _Cyanocitta stelleri annectens._ + +Range.--Northern Rocky Mountains from northern Colorado to British +Columbia. + +The eggs of this sub-species cannot be identified from those of the +other varieties. Like the others, their nests are made of sticks +plastered together with mud and lined with weeds and rootlets. + + +478d. QUEEN CHARLOTTE JAY. _Cyanocitta stelleri carlottae._ + +Range.--Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. + + +479. FLORIDA JAY. _Aphelocoma cyanea._ + +Range.--Locally distributed in Florida. + +All the birds of this genus have no crests or decided markings, are +white or grayish below, and more or less intense blue above, with the +back grayish or brownish blue. This species is 11.5 inches long, has a +pale blue crown and a nearly white forehead. It has a very limited +distribution, being confined chiefly to the coast districts of middle +Florida, and very abundant in some localities and rare in adjoining +ones. They build shallow structures of small sticks and weeds lined with +fine rootlets and placed at low elevations in bushes or scrubby trees. +The three or four eggs, which are laid in April or May are dull greenish +blue, marked with olive brown. Size 1.00 x .80. Data.--Titusville, Fla., +April 17, 1899. Nest of sticks in a scrub oak, five feet from the +ground. + + +480. WOODHOUSE'S JAY. _Aphelocoma woodhousei._ + +Range.--United States west of the Rockies and from Oregon and Wyoming to +Mexico. + +This species has the crown and forehead bluish, and the underparts gray, +streaked with bluish gray on the breast. It is also larger than the +last, being 12 inches long. They are very abundant in the Great Basin +between the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas, breeding during April or May +in scrubby trees or bushes at low elevations and generally near streams. +They lay from three to five eggs of a dull bluish green color, spotted +with umber and lilac gray. Size 1.08 x .80. Data.--Iron County, Utah, +May 3, 1897. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks and weeds in a small pine tree. + +[Illustration 308: Florida Jay.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: 480-487.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 307 + +480.1. BLUE-EARED JAY. _Aphelocoma cyanotis._ + +Range.--Interior of Mexico north to the southern boundary of Texas. + +The nesting habits of this species are the same as those of the others +of the genus and the eggs are similar but the markings are generally +more prominent and larger. Size 1.10 x .80. + + +480.2. TEXAS JAY. _Aphelocoma texana._ + +Range.--Southeastern Texas. + +It is not likely that the eggs of this species differ essentially from +those of many of the others. + + +481. CALIFORNIA JAY. _Aphelocoma californica californica._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of California and Washington. + +This is a very abundant species both about habitations and in low +woodlands. They are very bold and familiar, stealing everything they may +take a fancy to, and frequently robbing smaller birds of their eggs and +young. They are said to be more tame and familiar than the eastern Blue +Jay, thereby bringing their bad habits much more frequently to the +attention of the masses. They nest most often in bushes or low trees, +but not as a rule, far above the ground. Their eggs are a bright bluish +green color, speckled and spotted with brownish and lavender. Size +1.10 x .80. + + +481a. XANTUS'S JAY. _Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +The habits and nests and eggs of this lighter colored variety do not +differ from those of the California Jay. + +481b. BELDING'S JAY. _Aphelocoma californica obscura._ + +Range.--San Pedro Martir Mts. Lower California. + +A darker variety of the California Jay, whose nesting habits will not +differ in any essential particular. + + +481.1. SANTA CRUZ JAY. _Aphelocoma insularis._ + +Range.--Santa Cruz Island, California. + +This species is the largest and darkest colored bird of the genus +_Aphelocoma_. It is said to be a very abundant species on the island +from which it takes its name, and to have the habits and traits common +to all the members of the Jay family. The nesting habits are the same as +those of the others, but the eggs are slightly larger, averaging 1.15 x +.85. Set of three in the collection of John Lewis Childs, taken by R. H. +Beck on May 10, 1897. + + +482. ARIZONA JAY. _Aphelocoma sieberi arizonae._ + +Range.--Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south into Mexico. + +[Illustration 309: Bright bluish green.] +[Illustration: 482--484a--485.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 308 + +482a. COUCH'S JAY. _Aphelocoma sieberi couchi._ + +Range.--Eastern Mexico, north to western Texas. + + +483. GREEN JAY. _Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens._ + +Range.--Northeastern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This handsome species has a bright blue crown and patches under the +eyes, the rest of the upper parts being greenish; throat and sides of +head black, underparts greenish white. This gaudy and noisy bird has all +the habits common to other Jays including that of robbing birds' nests. +They build generally in tangled thickets or low bushes, placing their +nests at a low elevation and making them of twigs, weeds, moss, etc., +lined with fine rootlets. Their four or five eggs, which are laid during +April or May, are grayish buff in color, spotted with various shades of +brown and lavender gray. Size 1.20 x .85. + + +484. CANADA JAY. _Perisoreus canadensis canadensis._ + +Range.--Southeastern British Provinces and the adjacent portions of the +United States; west to the Rockies. + +This is the bird that is well known to hunters of "big game" by various +names such as "Whiskey Jack", "Moose Bird", "Camp Robber", etc. During +the winter months, owing to the scarcity of food, their thieving +propensities are greatly enhanced and they remove everything from the +camps, which looks as though it might be edible. Birds of this genus are +smoky gray on the back and lighter below, shading to white on the +throat; the forehead and part of the crown is white and the nape +blackish. Their nests are placed at low elevations in bushes or fir +trees, and are usually very different from any of the preceding Jays' +nests. They are nearly as high as wide, and are made of small twigs, +moss, catkins, weeds and feathers making a soft spongy mass which is +placed in an upright crotch. The eggs are a yellowish gray color spotted +and blotched with brown and grayish. Size 1.15 x .80. Data.--Innisfail, +Alberta, March 12, 1903. Nest a beautiful structure of twigs, moss and +feathers in a willow bush, 6 feet from the ground. The thermometer +registered 32 below zero the day the eggs were taken. Collector, W. +Blackwood. + +[Illustration 310: Green Jay.] +[Illustration: Grayish buff.] +[Illustration: Grayish.] +[Illustration: Canada Jay.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 309 + +484a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY. _Perisoreus canadensis capitalis._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from Montana to Arizona. + +This variety has the whole crown white and only a small amount of +blackish on the nape. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely like +those of the last. + + +484b. ALASKA JAY. _Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons._ + +Range.--Alaska. + +A very similar bird to the Canada Jay but with the forehead yellowish or +duller; the nests and eggs are like those of the others of the genus. + + +484c. LABRADOR JAY. _Perisoreus canadensis nigricapillus._ + +Range.--Labrador. + +This is a darker variety of the Canada Jay. Its eggs cannot be +distinguished from those of any of the others of the genus. + + +485. Oregon Jay. _Perisoreus obscurus obscurus._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges from northern California to British Columbia. + +These birds are very similar to _canadensis_ but have the whole +underparts white. Like the Canada Jays they appear to be wholly fearless +and pay little or no attention to the presence of mankind. Their nesting +habits and eggs are the same as the preceding except that they have +generally been found nesting near the tops of tall fir trees. Size of +eggs, 1.05 x .80. + +[Illustration 311: NEST AND EGGS OF CANADA JAY SHOWING CONSTRUCTION.] +[Illustration right hand margin.] + +Page 310 + +[Illustration 312: YOUNG CROWS] + +Page 311 + +485a. GRAY JAY. _Perisoreus obscurus griseus._ + +Range.--British Columbia to northern California, east of the coast +ranges. + +This bird is said to be larger and grayer than the preceding. + + +486. RAVEN. _Corvus corax sinuatus._ + +Range.--North America west of the Rockies and from British Columbia +southward. + +The Raven is like a very large Crow, length 24 inches, but has the +feathers on the neck lengthened and stiffened. Their habits are similar +to those of the Crow, but more dignified, and they remain mated for +life. Besides grasshoppers and worms, they feed largely upon animal +matter such as lizards, shell fish, frogs, eggs and young of birds, and +carrion. They nest on ledges of high inaccessible cliffs or the tops of +tall trees, making large nests of sticks lined with smaller ones and +hair or wool; the eggs are laid in April or May, number from four to +seven, and are light greenish in color, blotched with umber and drab. +Size 1.95 x 1.25. + + +486a. NORTHERN RAVEN. _Corvus corax principalis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America chiefly north of the United States and +northwest to Alaska; south on some of the higher ranges to Georgia. + +This variety is like the last but is larger. They are not nearly as +abundant as the western form and are very rare within the United States. +A few pairs still breed on some of the rocky islands off the coast of +Maine; more off New Brunswick and Newfoundland, and they are quite +common on the cliffs of Labrador and Alaska. Their nesting habits and +eggs are like those of the last. + + +487. WHITE-NECKED RAVEN. _Corvus cryptoleucus._ + +Range.--Mexico and the border of the United States; north to eastern +Kansas. + +This small Raven is of about the size of the Crow, and has the bases of +the neck feathers white. They are very abundant in some localities, +especially in southern Arizona. Their food consists chiefly of animal +matter, the same as the large Ravens, and they are not nearly as shy, +frequently feeding in camps upon refuse which is thrown out to them. +They build at low elevations in any tree, but preferably in mesquites, +making their nests of sticks and lining them with hair, leaves, bark, +wool or anything soft. During June they lay from four to six pale bluish +green eggs, generally sparingly spotted or scratched with dark brown and +drab. Size 1.75 x 1.20. + +[Illustration 313: Pale greenish white.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish green.] +[Illustration right hand margin.] + +Page 312 + +488. CROW. _Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos._ + +Range.--Whole of North America south of the Arctic Circle; most abundant +in eastern United States; rare in many localities in the west. + +These birds, against which the hand of every farmer is uplifted, are +very shy and cunning; as is well known, they nearly always post a +sentinel in some tree top to keep watch while the rest of the flock is +feeding in the field below. In the fall and winter, large numbers of +them flock, and at night all roost in one piece of woods; some of the +"crow roosts" are of vast extent and contain thousands of individuals. +Crows nest near the tops of large trees, preferably pines, either in +woods or single trees in fields. Their nests are made of sticks and +lined with rootlets, and the eggs, which are laid in April or May, range +from four to seven in number, are a bluish or greenish white, sparingly +or very densely speckled, spotted and blotched with various shades of +brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.15. + + +488a. FLORIDA CROW. _Corvus brachyrhynchos pascuus._ + +Range.--Florida. + +This variety has a slightly shorter tail and wings than the last. + + +490. FISH CROW. _Corvus ossifragus._ + +Range.--Northwest coast from Oregon to Alaska. + +This small Crow which is but 16 inches in length, is found only on the +coast, where they feed upon shell fish and offal. They nest, as do the +Ravens, either on ledges or in tree tops. The eggs resemble those of the +common Crow, but are smaller. Size 1.55 x 1.05. + + +489. NORTHWESTERN CROW. _Corvus caurinus._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north in summer to Connecticut. + +From Virginia southward, this small Crow (length 16 inches) is more +abundant on the coast than the common Crow which is often in company +with this species. Their food consists of grain, berries, and animal +matter. Their nesting habits are like those of the common Crow and the +eggs are similar and have as great variations, but are smaller. Size +1.45 x 1.05. + +[Illustration: American Crow. American Raven.] +[Illustration 314: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 313 + +491. CLARKE'S NUTCRACKER. _Nucifraga columbiana._ + +Range.--Mountains of western North America from Mexico to Alaska. + +The Clarke Crow, as this bird is often known, is a common resident in +most of its range. The adults are grayish with black wings and central +tail feathers, the tips of the primaries and outer tail feathers being +white. Their tail is short and their flight slow and somewhat undulating +like that of some of the Woodpeckers. Their food consists of anything +edible from seeds and larvae in the winter to insects, berries, eggs and +young birds at other seasons. In the spring they retire to the tops of +ranges, nearly to the limit of trees, where they build their large nests +of sticks, twigs, weeds, strips of bark, and fibres matted together so +as to form a soft round ball with a deeply cupped interior; the nest is +located at from ten to forty feet from the ground in pine trees and the +eggs are laid early before the snow begins to leave. They are three in +number, grayish in color with a greenish tinge and finely spotted over +the whole surface with dark brown and lavender. Size 1.30 x .90. +Data.--Salt Lake Co., Utah, April 25, 1900. Nest placed in pine 40 feet +up on a horizontal branch, and not visible from below. The tree was at +the upper edge of a pine forest at an altitude of about 3000 feet above +Salt Lake City. The nest was discovered by seeing the parent fly into +the tree; the next day a nest was found with three young nearly ready to +fly. Collector, W. H. Parker. This set of three eggs is in the oological +collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. + + +492. PINON JAY. _Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus._ + +Range.--Western United States between the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas, +and from southern British Columbia to Arizona. + +This Crow-like Jay has a nearly uniform bluish plumage, and is found +abundantly in the pine belts of its range. Their habits are similar to +those of the Clarke Crow and the nests are similarly built at lower +elevations in pines or junipers. During April or May they lay from three +to five eggs of a bluish white color specked and spotted with brown. +Size 1.20 x .85. + +[Illustration 315: Clarke's Nutcracker.] +[Illustration: Grayish blue.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 314 + +STARLINGS. Family STURNIDAE + + +493. STARLING. _Sturnus vulgaris._ + +Range.--A European species which has casually been taken in Greenland. +It was liberated a number of years ago in Central Park, New York City, +and has now become abundant there and is spreading slowly in all +directions. + +They build their nests in all sorts of locations such as are used by the +English Sparrow, wherever they can find a sufficiently large crevice or +opening; less often they build their nests in trees, making them of +straw, twigs and trash. They lay from four to six pale bluish green +eggs; size 1.15 x .85. Two broods are reared in a season. + + +BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Family ICTERIDAE + +494. BOBOLINK. _Dolichonyx oryzivorus._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from New Jersey north to Nova +Scotia and Manitoba, and west to Utah and Nevada; winters in South +America. + +This black and white bird is well known in the east, where his sweet, +wild music, often uttered on the wing, is much admired. He sings all day +long during May and June to his Sparrow-like mate, who is sitting on her +nest concealed in the meadow grass. They are quite sociable birds and +several pairs often nest in the same field, generally a damp meadow; the +nests are hollows in the ground, lined with grass and frequently with +the top slightly arched to conceal the eggs, which are grayish white, +clouded, spotted and blotched with brownish, gray and lilac; size .84 x +.62. They number from four to six and are laid in June. + + +495. COWBIRD. _Molothrus ater ater._ + +Range.--North America from the Atlantic to eastern California, and from +New Brunswick and Manitoba southward; winters from the southern half of +the United States southward. + +[Illustration 316: Starling.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Bobolink.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 315 + +These uncivilized members of the bird world build no nests for +themselves, but slyly deposit their egg in the nest of some other bird +from the size of a Robin down, probably the greater number being in +Warblers and Sparrows nests; the eggs are hatched and the young cared +for by the unfortunate birds upon which they are thrust. The eggs are +white, spotted and speckled all over, more or less strongly with brown +and yellowish brown; size .85 x .64. + + +495a. DWARF COWBIRD. _Molothrus ater obscurus._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States and Mexico, wintering south of our +borders. + +This variety is like the last, but slightly smaller. The nesting habits +of the two are identical and the eggs are indistinguishable. It is +believed that Cowbirds do more damage to the smaller birds than all +other dangers combined, as their young being larger and stronger either +crowd or smother the other young or else starve them by getting most of +the food brought to the nest. + + +496. RED-EYED COWBIRD. _Tangavius aeneus involucratus._ + +Range.--Mexico; north in summer to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. + +This parasite is larger than the Cowbird, being 9 inches long, and is +glossy black with brassy reflections on the upper and under parts. They +are abundant in southern Texas where they deposit their eggs in the +nests of other birds, apparently preferring those of Orioles; their eggs +are pale bluish green, unmarked; size .90 x .70. + + +497. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. _Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus._ + +Range.--North America west of the Mississippi to eastern California, +breeding from the southern parts of the United States north to British +Columbia and Hudson Bay and wintering from southern United States +downward. + +This large handsome Blackbird with bright yellow head and breast is very +abundant in some parts of the west, where they nest in large colonies in +sloughs and marshes, being especially abundant in the Dakotas and +Manitoba. The nests are made of strips of rushes, skillfully woven +together and attached to upright cane near the surface of the water. +They lay from four to six eggs having a grayish white ground color, +finely specked and spotted with shades of brown and gray; size 1.00 x +.70. + +[Illustration 317: White.] +[Illustration: Cowbird.] +[Illustration: Light blue-green.] +[Illustration: Yellow-headed Blackbird.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 316 + +498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. _Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies and from the southern British +Provinces southward to the Gulf; winter in southern United States. + +These birds are familiar to every frequenter of the country, in their +range; too familiar to many, for the enormous flocks do considerable +damage to grain fields in the fall. They also do a great amount of good +at other seasons in the destruction of injurious insects and weed seed. +They breed from April in the southern parts of their range to May and +June in the northern, making their nests of grasses, woven and twisted +together and placing them in bushes in swamps or over water, and +sometimes on the ground in clumps of grass. Their eggs are from three to +five in number, bluish white boldly spotted, clouded or lined with +blackish brown and purplish. Size 1.00 x .70. The nests and eggs of the +numerous sub-species are all precisely the same as those of this bird, +so we will but enumerate the varieties and their range. To identify +these varieties other than by their ranges will require micrometer +calipers and the services of the men who separated them. + + +498a. SONORA RED-WING. _Agelaius phoeniceus sonoriensis._ + +Range.--A slightly larger variety found in southern United States. + + +498b. BAHAMA RED-WING. _Agelaius phoeniceus bryanti._ + +Range.--Bahamas and southern Florida. + +This species has a slightly longer bill. + + +498c. FLORIDA RED-WING. _Agelaius phoeniceus floridanus._ + +Range.--Florida and Gulf coast. + +A smaller species with a longer bill. + + +498d. THICK-BILLED RED-WING. _Agelaius phoeniceus fortis._ + +Range.--Breeds in the interior of British America; in winter south +through the Plains to southwestern United States. + + +498e. SAN DIEGO RED-WING. _Agelaius Phoeniceus neutralis._ + +Range.--Great Basin between the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas, from British +Columbia to Mexico, wintering in the southern parts of its range. + + +498f. NORTHWESTERN RED-WING. _Agelaius phoeniceus caurinus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. + +[Illustration 318: Red-winged Blackbird.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration left hand margin.] + +Page 317 + +499. Bicolored Red-wing. _Agelaius gubernator californicus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, west of the Sierra Nevadas, from Washington south +to Lower California. + +The males of this species are distinguished from those of the Red-wings +by the absence of light margins to the orange red shoulders. They are +fairly abundant in their restricted localities, building their nests in +swamps about ponds and streams. The nests are like those of the +Red-wings, and the eggs are similar and with the same great variations +in markings, but average a trifle smaller; size .95 x .67. + + +500. TRICOLORED RED-WING. _Agelaius tricolor._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of California and Oregon; rare east of the Sierra +Nevadas. + +This species differs from the Red-wing in having the shoulders a much +darker red and the median coverts white instead of buffy. Like the last +species they have a limited range and are nowhere as common as are the +Red-wings in the east. Their nests are like those of the Red-wings and +the eggs are not distinguishable in their many variations, but they +appear to be more often lined than those of the former. + + +501. MEADOWLARK. _Sturnella magna magna._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains and north to Nova Scotia and +Manitoba; winters from New England southward. + +This handsome dweller among our fields and meadows is frequently heard +giving his high, pleasing, flute-like whistle with its variations; his +beautiful yellow breast with its black crescent is not so frequently +seen in life, for they are usually quite shy birds. They artfully +conceal their nests on the ground among the tall grass of meadows, +arching them over with dead grass. During May or June they lay from four +to six white eggs, speckled over the whole surface with reddish brown +and purplish; size 1.10 x .80. + + +501a. Rio Grande Meadowlark. _Sturnella magna hoopesi._ + +Range.--A brighter and slightly smaller variety found along the Mexican +border. + +[Illustration 319: Dull bluish white.] +[Illustration: Meadowlark.] +[Illustration: Dull bluish white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 500--501.1.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 318 + +[Illustration 320: R. H. B. Beebe. +NEST AND EGGS OF MEADOWLARK.] + +Page 319 + +501.1. WESTERN MEADOWLARK. _Sturnella neglecta._ + +Range.--North America west of the Mississippi and from Manitoba and +British Columbia southward, its range overlapping that of the eastern +Meadowlark in the Mississippi Valley, but the two varieties appear not +to intermingle. This variety is paler than the eastern, but the greatest +point of difference is in the songs, they being wholly unlike, and that +of the western bird much louder, sweeter and more varied than the simple +whistle of the eastern form. The nesting habits of both varieties are +the same and the eggs indistinguishable. + + +501c. SOUTHERN MEADOWLARK. _Sturnella magna argutula._ + +Range.--Florida and the Gulf coast. + +A very similar bird to the northern form but slightly smaller and +darker. There is no difference between the eggs of the two varieties. + + +503. AUDUBON'S ORIOLE. _Icterus melanocephalus auduboni._ + +Range.--Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This large Oriole has a wholly black head, neck, fore breast, tail and +wings; it is 9.5 inches in length. They are quite abundant and resident +in southern Texas where they build at low elevations in trees, +preferably mesquites, making the nests of woven grasses and hanging them +from the small twigs of the trees; the nests are more like those of the +Orchard Oriole and not long and pensile like those of the Baltimore. The +three to five eggs are grayish white, blotched, clouded, spotted or +streaked with brownish and purple. Size 1.00 x .70. Data.--Brownsville, +Texas, April 6, 1897. 5 eggs. Nest of threads from palmetto leaves, +hanging from limb of mesquite, 10 feet above ground in the open woods. +Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. + +[Illustration 321: Audubon Oriole.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco-photo.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 320 + +504. SCOTT'S ORIOLE. _Icterus parisorum._ + +Range.--Western Mexico north to the adjoining states; north to Nevada. + +This handsome black and yellow species does not appear to be abundant in +any part of its range. Their nests are swung from the under side of +leaves of the yucca palm or from small branches of low trees, and are +made of grass and fibres. The eggs are bluish white, specked and +blotched chiefly about the large end with blackish brown and lilac gray. +Size .95 X .65. Data.--Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, June 5, 1900. Nest +placed on the under side of a yucca palm leaf, being hung from the +spines, about 4 feet from the ground. Altitude 7000 feet. Collector, O. +W. Howard. + + +505. SENNETT'S ORIOLE. _Icterus cucullatus sennetti._ + +Range.--Mexico, north in summer to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This species is orange yellow except for the face, throat, fore back, +wings and tail, which are black; the wings are crossed by two white +bars. These handsome birds are the most abundant of the Orioles on the +Lower Rio Grande, where their pure mellow whistle is heard at frequent +intervals throughout the day. They generally build their nests in +hanging moss from mesquite trees, turning up at the ends and lining the +pocket with moss, or else make a shallow hanging nest of fibres and +suspend it from yuccas. During May or June they lay from three to five +eggs of a white color, spotted (rarely lined) with purplish brown and +gray. Size .85 x .60. + +505a. ARIZONA HOODED ORIOLE. _Icterus cucullatus nelsoni._ + +Range.--Western Mexico; in summer north to southern Arizona, New Mexico +and California. + +This variety is like the last but more yellowish. Their nests are made +of a wiry grass compactly woven together and partially suspended to +mistletoe twigs growing from cottonwood trees; nests of this type are +perfectly distinct from those of the preceding, but when they are made +of fibre and attached to yuccas, they cannot be distinguished from nests +of the former variety. Their eggs are similar to those of the Hooded +Oriole, but generally more strongly marked and usually with some zigzag +lines. Size .85 x .60. + +[Illustration 322: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Hooded Oriole.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 321 + +506. ORCHARD ORIOLE. _Icterus spurius._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to +southern New England, and Canada in the interior. Winters beyond our +borders. + +The adult male of this species is a rich chocolate brown and black, it +requiring three years to attain this plumage. They nest commonly about +habitations in their range, usually preferring orchard trees for sites. +Their nests are skillfully woven baskets of fresh grasses, about as high +as wide; they are generally placed in upright forks and well concealed +by drooping leaves. They lay from four to six bluish white eggs, spotted +and blotched with brown and lavender. Size .80 x .55. Data.--Avery's +Island, La., May 10, 1896. Nest of grass, lined with thistledown; +semi-pensile in drooping twigs of a willow. Collector, F. A. McIlhenny. + + +507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. _Icterus galbula._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rockies, breeding from southern +United States north to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. + +This beautiful and well known eastern Oriole can readily be identified +by its orange flame color and entirely black head. Even better known +than the birds, are the pensile nests which retain their positions on +the swaying drooping branches all through the winter. Although they +build in many other trees, elms seem to be their favorites. Their nests +are made of plant fibres and frequently string, and often reach a length +of about 10 inches and about half that in diameter; they are usually +attached to drooping branches by the rim so that they rock to and fro, +but are sometimes held more firmly in position by having their side +bound to a branch. Their eggs, which are laid in May and June, are +white, streaked and lined with blackish brown and grayish. Size .90 x +.60. + +[Illustration: Arizona Hooded Oriole. Orchard Oriole.] +[Illustration 323: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Baltimore Oriole.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 322 + +508. BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. _Icterus bullocki._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Plains and from British Columbia +southward, wintering in Mexico. + +This handsome species is as abundant in the west as the Baltimore Oriole +is in the east, and breeds throughout its United States range. Their +nests are similarly made and in similar locations, and the eggs are +hardly distinguishable from those of the preceding, but the ground color +is generally of a pale bluish white tint and the markings are usually +finer, the lines running around the eggs and often making a very +handsome wreath about the large end. Size of eggs, .94 x .62. + + +509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. _Euphagus carolinus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from northern New +England and the Adirondacks northward; winters in southern United +States. + +But few of these birds breed within our borders, the majority of them +passing on to the interior of Canada. They generally nest in pairs, or +at the most three or four pairs in a locality, building their large +substantial nests of moss, twigs and grass, lined with fine green grass; +this structure is situated in bushes or low trees in swampy places and +at from 3 to 20 feet from the ground. The eggs are laid in May or June; +they vary from three to five in number, of a pale bluish green color, +spotted, blotched and clouded with shades of brown and gray. Size .96 x +.71. + + +510. BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. _Euphagus cyanocephalus._ + +Range.--North America west of the Plains, and from British Columbia and +Saskatchewan southward. + +This western representative of the preceding is of about the same size +(10 inches long), but differs in having a purplish head and greenish +black body. They nest abundantly throughout their range either in bushes +or trees at low elevations or upon the ground; the nests are made of +sticks, rootlets and grasses, lined with finer grass and moss, and the +eggs, which are very variable, are dull whitish, clouded and blotched +with brownish and streaked with blackish. Size 1.00 x .75. + +[Illustration 324: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Rusty Blackbird. Brewster's Blackbird.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Dull white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 323 + +511. PURPLE GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula quiscula._ + +Range.--Eastern United States from the Gulf to Massachusetts; winters +along the Gulf. + +This species, which is commonly known as Crow Blackbird, nests in trees +or bushes anywhere in its range, and on the coast frequently constructs +its nests among the large sticks of Ospery nests. Large pines appear to +be favorite sites for them to locate their large nests of twigs, weeds, +grass and trash. They are placed at any elevation from nearly on the +ground to 50 feet above it. The eggs range from three to five and are +greenish white, splashed, spotted and scrawled with various shades of +brown and gray, and with streaks of black. Size 1.10 x .80. The nesting +habits and eggs of the sub-species of this Grackle do not differ in any +particular. Like those of this variety the eggs show an endless number +of patterns of markings. + + +511a. FLORIDA GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula aglaeus._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States. + +A smaller variety of the preceding; length about 11 inches. Eggs +indistinguishable. + + +511b. BRONZED GRACKLE. _Quiscalus quiscula aeneus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to +Hudson Bay and Labrador. Winters in the southern parts of the United +States. This is the most common and widely distributed of the Crow +Blackbirds and is distinguished by the brassy color of the upper parts. + + +513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE. _Megaquiscalus major major._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Virginia. + +This handsome bird measures about 16 inches in length, is iridescent +with purplish and greenish, and has a very long, graduated and hollowed +tail. These Grackles are very abundant residents along the Gulf, +breeding in large colonies in swamps, placing their nests of weeds, +moss, grasses, etc., in bushes, trees, canes or rushes, but a few inches +above the water, while those in trees are sometimes 50 feet above the +ground. The eggs are laid in March, April or May, are from three to five +in number, and are a dull bluish or grayish white, streaked, lined, +clouded and blotched with brown, black and gray; size 1.25 x .95. + +[Illustration 325: Dull greenish white.] +[Illustration: Purple Grackle. Bronzed Grackle.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration right hand margin.] + +Page 324 + +513a. GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE. _Megaquiscalus major macrourus._ + +Range.--Mexico to southern and eastern Texas. + +This variety is larger than the last (length 18 inches) and the tail is +very broad and flat. Like the former, they nest in bushes, rushes or +trees at any elevation from the ground. The nests are built of the same +materials and the eggs are similar to those of the Boat-tailed Grackle, +but larger; size 1.28 x .88. + + +FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Family FRINGILLDAE + +514. EVENING GROSBEAK. _Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina._ + +Range.--Western United States in the Rocky Mountain region; north to +Saskatchewan; south in winter to Mississippi Valley and casually east to +New England and the intermediate states. + +These are dull and yellowish birds, shading to brownish on the head; +with a bright yellow forehead and susperciliary line, black wings and +tail, and white inner secondaries and greater coverts. They breed in the +mountainous portions of their range, placing their flat nests of sticks +and rootlets in low trees or bushes. The eggs are laid in May or June +and are greenish white spotted and blotched with brown; size .90 x .65. + + +514a. WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK. _Hesperiphona vespertina montana._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding in the mountains from New Mexico +to British Columbia. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as those of the +preceding, and the birds can rarely be separated. + + +515. PINE GROSBEAK. _Pinicola enucleator leucura._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern New England +northward, and wintering to southern New England and Ohio and casually +farther. They build in conifers + +[Illustration 326: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Evening Grosbeak.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Pine Grosbeak.] +[Illustration left hand margin.] + +Page 325 + +making their nests of small twigs and rootlets, lined with fine grasses +and lichens. During the latter part of May or June they lay three or +four eggs, which have a ground color of light greenish blue, spotted and +splashed with dark brown, and with fainter markings of lilac. Size 1.00 +x .70. Pine Grosbeaks have been separated into the following +sub-species, the chief distinction between them being in their ranges. +The nesting habits and eggs of all are alike. + + +515a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE GROSBEAK. _Pinicola enucleator montana._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from New Mexico to Montana. + + +515b. CALIFORNIA PINE GROSBEAK. _Pinicola enucleator californica._ + +Range.--Higher parts of the Sierra Nevadas in California. + + +515c. ALASKA PINE GROSBEAK. _Pinicola enucleator alascensis._ + +Range.--Interior of Northwest America from Alaska south to British +Columbia. + + +515d. KADIAK PINE GROSBEAK. _Pinicola enucleator flammula._ + +Range.--Kadiak Island and the southern coast of Alaska. + + +516. CASSIN'S BULLFINCH. _Pyrrhula cassini._ + +Range.--Northern Asia; accidental in Alaska. + + +517. PURPLE FINCH. _Carpodacus purpureus purpureus._ + +Range.--North America east of the plains, breeding from the Middle +States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters in the United States. + +These sweet songsters are quite abundant in New England in the summer, +but more so north of our borders. While they breed sometimes in trees, +in orchards, I have nearly always found their nests in evergreens, +usually about three-fourths of the way up. The nests are made of fine +weeds and grasses and lined with horse hair. The eggs, which are usually +laid in June, are greenish blue, spotted with dark brownish; size .85 x +.65. + + +517a. CALIFORNIA PURPLE FINCH. _Carpodacus purpureus californicus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, breeding from central California to British +Columbia and wintering throughout California. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this darker colored variety are just like +those of the last. + +[Illustration 327: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Purple Finch.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: 515b--517a.] +[Illustration right hand margin.] + +Page 326 + +518. CASSIN'S PURPLE FINCH. _Carpodacus cassini._ + +Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from British +Columbia south to New Mexico. + +This species is similar to the last but the back, wings and tail are +darker and the purplish color of the preceding species is replaced by a +more pinkish shade. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of +the eastern Purple Finch; size of eggs .85 x .60. Data.--Willis, New +Mexico, June 23, 1901. Nest made of twigs and rootlets and lined with +horse hair. Collector, F. J. Birtwell. + + +519. HOUSE FINCH. _Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis._ + +Range.--United States west of the Plains and from Oregon and Wyoming to +Mexico. + +This is one of the best known of western birds, and nests commonly in +all situations from trees and bushes to vines growing on porches. Their +nests are made of rootlets and grasses and are lined with horse hair. +Their nesting season includes all the summer months, they raising two +and sometimes three broods a season. The three to five eggs are pale +greenish blue with a few sharp blackish brown specks about the large +end. Size .80 x .55. + + +519b. SAN LUCAS HOUSE FINCH. _Carpodacus mexicanus ruberrimus._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. A slightly smaller variety of the +preceding. + + +519c. SAN CLEMENTE HOUSE FINCH. _Carpodacus mexicanus clematis._ + +Range.--San Clemente and Santa Barbara Islands. Somewhat darker than the +last. + + +520. GUADALUPE FINCH. _Carpodacus amplus._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California. + +Similar to the House Finch, but deeper red and slightly larger. Their +nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the House Finch but +the eggs average larger; size .85 x .60. + + +520.1. MCGREGOR'S HOUSE FINCH. _Carpodacus mcgregori._ + +Range.--San Benito Island, Lower California. + +A newly made species, hardly to be distinguished from the last. Eggs +probably the same. + +[Illustration 328: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: 518--519.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 327 + +521. CROSSBILL. _Loxia curvirostra minor._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding in the Alleghanies and from +northern New England northward; winters south to the middle portions of +the United States and casually farther. + +The birds are very curious both in appearance and actions, being very +"flighty" and restless, and apt to remain to breed on any of the +mountains. They build during March or April, making their nests of +twigs, rootlets, moss, feathers, etc., and placing them in forks or on +branches of trees (usually conifers) at any height from the ground. The +eggs are greenish white, spotted with brown and with lavender shell +markings; size .75 x .55. + + +521a. MEXICAN CROSSBILL. _Loxia curvirostra stricklandi._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges from central Mexico north to Wyoming. + +A larger variety of the preceding. The eggs will not differ except +perhaps a trifle in size. + + +522. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. _Loxia leucoptera._ + +Range.--Northern North America, breeding in the Alleghanies and from +northern Maine northward; winters to middle portions of the United +States. + +This species is rosy red with two white wing bars. Like the last, they +are of a roving disposition and are apt to be found in any unexpected +locality. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the American +Crossbill, but the eggs average larger and the markings are more +blotchy; size .80 x .55. + + +523. ALEUTIAN ROSY FINCH. _Leucosticte griseonucha._ + +Range.--Aleutian and Pribilof Islands; south to Kadiak. + +This is the largest of the genus, and can be distinguished from the +others by its very dark chestnut coloration and the gray hindneck and +cheeks. Like the other Leucostictes, they are found in flocks and +frequent rocky or mountainous country, where they are nearly always +found on the ground. They build in crevices among the rocks or under +ledges or embankments, making the nest of weeds and grasses. Their four +or five pure white eggs are laid during June. Size .97 x .67. +Data.--St. George Islands of the + +[Illustration 329: Crossbill.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: White-winged Crossbill.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 328 + +524. GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH. _Leucosticte tephrocotis tephrocotis._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Saskatchewan south to northern United +States and also breeding in the Sierra Nevadas; winters on the lowlands +of northwestern United States and east to Manitoba. + +The habits and breeding habits of this species are like those of the +last. The bird is paler colored and the gray is restricted to the hind +part of the head. They nest on the ground in June, laying four or five +white eggs. + + +524a. HEPBURN ROSY FINCH. _Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis._ + +Range.--Higher ranges from Washington and British Columbia to Alaska. + +This variety is like the Aleutian Leucosticte but the brown is a great +deal paler. The nesting habits and eggs are, in all probability, like +those of the last. + + +525. BLACK ROSY FINCH. _Leucosticte atrata._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region of northern United States; known to breed +in Idaho. + +This species is black in place of the brown of the others; the gray is +restricted to the hind part of the head and the rosy is rather more +extensive on the wings. Their eggs probably cannot be distinguished from +those of the Gray-crowned variety. + + +526. BROWN-CAPPED ROSY FINCH. _Leucosticte australis_. + +Range.--Breeds at high altitudes in the Rockies in Colorado; south to +New Mexico in winter. + +A similar bird to the Gray-crowned Leucosticte but with no gray on the +head. They nest on the ground above timber line on the higher ranges of +the Rockies. + + +527. GREENLAND REDPOLL. _Acanthis hornemanni hornemanni._ + +Range.--Greenland and northern Europe; south in winter to Labrador. + +This large Redpoll nests at low elevations in trees and bushes, its +habits and eggs being similar to the more common American species. + + +527a. HOARY REDPOLL. _Acanthis hornemanni exilipes._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Arctic regions and winters south to the northern +parts of the United States. + +This variety is smaller than the last and is considerably darker but +still retains the white rump of the Greenland Redpoll. Its nesting +habits are the same as those of the next. + +[Illustration 330: White.] +[Illustration: 523--524--524a.] +[Illustration: 525--526.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 329 + +528. REDPOLL. _Acanthis linaria linaria._ + +Range.--Breeds within the Arctic Circle; winters south to New York, +Kansas and northern California and casually farther. + +This species is similar to the last but much darker, and the rump is +also streaked with blackish. These handsome birds are often met with in +winter, feeding on seeds of the weed stems that project above the snow. +Their flight and song is similar to that of the Goldfinch or Pine +Siskin. They nest at low elevations, either in trees or bushes. The eggs +number from three to six and are pale bluish, sparingly specked with +reddish brown. Size .65 x .50. Data.--Mouth of Great Whale River, Hudson +Bay, May 16, 1899. Nest in a willow 4 feet from the ground; made of fine +rootlets and grass, lined with feathers. Collector, A. P. Lowe. + + +528a. HOLBOLL'S REDPOLL. _Acanthis linaria holboelli._ + +Range.--Arctic regions; south casually to the border of the United +States. + +A slightly larger variety of the common Redpoll. Eggs probably not +distinguished. + + +528b. GREATER REDPOLL. _Acanthis linaria rostrata._ + +Range.--Breeds in southern Greenland; in winter south through Labrador +to the northern border of the United States. + +This variety is larger and darker than the common Redpoll. It has been +found breeding abundantly in southern Greenland, where its nesting +habits are the same as those of the Redpoll and the eggs similar but +averaging a trifle larger. + + +529. GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus tristis tristis_. + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies, and from Labrador and +Manitoba southward. + +These beautiful birds are among our sweetest songsters from May until +September. They are resident throughout their United States range, where +they breed in August or early in September, being one of the latest +nesting birds that we have. Their nests are located in bushes, at a +height of generally below fifteen feet above the ground, being placed in +upright forks, and made of plant fibres and thistle down, firmly woven +together. They lay from three to six plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x +.50. The majority of nests that I have found have been in alders over +small streams. + +[Illustration 331: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Redpoll.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Goldfinch.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 330 + +[Illustration 332: AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.] + +Page 331 + +529a. PALE GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus tristis pallidus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from Mexico to British Columbia. + +This variety is slightly larger and (in winter) paler than the last. + + +529b. WILLOW GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus tristis salicamans._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Washington to Lower California. + +Similar to the eastern Goldfinch but back said to be slightly greenish +yellow. + + +530. ARKANSAS GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus psaltria psaltria._ + +Range.--United States, west of the Plains and from Oregon to Mexico. + +This species has greenish upper parts and yellow below; the crown, wings +and tail are black, the bases of the lateral tail feathers and primaries +being whitish. They are common in portions of their range, nesting in +similar locations to those chosen by the common Goldfinch and laying +from three to five eggs which are similar but slightly smaller. Size .60 +x .45. Data.--Riverside, California, May 20, 1891. 5 eggs. Nest made of +fine grasses lined with cotton; 5 feet from the ground in a small tree. + + +530a. GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus hesperophilus._ + +Range.--Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas. + +A similar bird to the last but with the entire upper parts and cheeks, +black. The habits, nests and eggs are identical with those of the +Arkansas Goldfinch. + + +531. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH. _Astragalinus lawrencei._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of California, wintering along the Mexican border. + +This grayish colored Goldfinch has a black face and yellow breast, rump, +wing coverts and edges of the primaries. They are quite common in their +restricted range, nesting either in upright crotches or in the forks of +horizontal limbs. The four or five eggs which they lay are pure white; +size .60 x .45. Data.--Santa Monica Canyon, Cal., April 26, 1903. Nest +in a cypress tree 12 feet up; composed of grasses, feathers, etc. +Collector, W. Lee Chambers. + + +532. BLACK-HEADED GOLDFINCH. _Spinus notatus._ + +Range.--Mountainous regions of Central America and southern Mexico; +accidental in the United States. + +[Illustration 333: 529a--529b--530.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 332 + +533. PINE SISKIN. _Spinus pinus._ + +Range.--Breeds from northern United States northward, in the Alleghanies +and in the Rockies south to New Mexico. Winters throughout the United +States. + +Siskins are of the size of the Goldfinch (5 inches long), and their +calls, songs and habits are similar to those of this bird. Their plumage +is grayish brown, streaked with dusky and the bases of the wings and +tail feathers are yellow. Like the Crossbills, they frequently feed +along our northern borders, but very sporadically. Their nests are built +on horizontal branches of pines or cedars at any elevation from the +ground, being made of grasses and rootlets lined with hair or pine +needles, and of rather frail and flat construction. Their eggs are laid +during May or June and are greenish white, specked with reddish brown; +size .68 x .48. Data.--Hamilton Inlet, Labrador, June 17, 1898. Nest on +branch of a spruce, 10 feet from the ground; made of grass, lined with +moss and feathers. Collector, L. Dicks. + + +534. Snow Bunting. _Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Arctic regions, and winters irregularly in large +flocks through the United States to Oregon, Kansas and Georgia. + +These birds are only seen in the United States in large roving flocks, +during the winter when they feed on weed seeds on side hills. Their +nests are built on the ground, being sunk into the sphagnum moss, and +made of grasses lined with feathers. Their four or five eggs are a light +greenish white, spotted and splashed with yellowish brown and lilac. +Size .90 x .65. + + +534a. PRIBILOF SNOW BUNTING. _Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi._ + +Range.--Pribilof and Aleutian Islands, Alaska. + +A slightly larger variety which is resident on the islands in its range. +Eggs like those of the preceding; laid from May to July. + +[Illustration 334: Pine Siskin.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Snowflake.] +[Illustration: left hand border.] + +Page 333 + +535. MCKAY'S SNOW BUNTING. _Pletrophenax hyperboreus._ + +Range.--Western Alaska; known to breed on Hall's Island. + +This beautiful species is, in summer, entirely white except for the tips +of the primaries and a black spot on end of central tail feathers, thus +being very distinct from the preceding, which has the back and the wings +to a greater extent black, at this season. Their eggs probably very +closely resemble those of the last species. + + +536. LAPLAND LONGSPUR. _Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus._ + +Range.--Breeds in northern North America; winters south casually to New +York, Ohio and Oregon and occasionally farther. + +These sparrow-like birds are 6.5 inches long and have a black crown, +cheeks and throat, and chestnut band on nape. Like the Snowflakes they +nest on the ground in moss, but the four to six eggs that they lay are +grayish, heavily mottled and blotched with chocolate brown; size .80 x +.60. + + +536a. ALASKA LONGSPUR. _Calcarius lapponicus alascensis._ + +Range.--Northwest North America, breeding in Alaska; winter south to +Oregon. This sub-species is like the last but slightly paler. Eggs +indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 335: Grayish.] +[Illustration: Norman W. Swayns. NEST AND EGGS OF GOLDFINCH.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 334 + +537. SMITH'S LONGSPUR. _Calcarius pictus._ + +Range.--Breeds in Hudson Bay and Mackenzie River districts and winters +south to Texas chiefly on the Plains. + +This species is of the size of the last but is a rich buff color below, +and the other markings are very different. These birds together with the +next species are very common on the prairies in central United States in +winter. They nest on the ground like the preceding species but the nests +are scantily made of grasses and not warmly lined like those of the +last. The eggs are similar but paler; size .80 x .60. Data.--Herschell +Island, Arctic Ocean, June 10, 1901. Nest built in a tuft of grass; made +of fine roots and grass, lined with feathers. + + +538. CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. _Calcarius ornatus._ + +Range.--Plains in the interior of North America, breeding from Kansas +north to Saskatchewan; very abundant in the Dakotas and Montana. + +This handsome species in the breeding plumage has the throat white, +breast and belly black, and a chestnut collar on the nape. They are one +of the most abundant breeding birds on the prairies, nesting in hollows +on the ground either in the open or protected by a tuft of grass. The +nests are made of grasses and sometimes moss; three or four eggs laid in +June or July; white, blotched, lined and obscurely marked with brown and +purplish; size .75 x .55. + + +539. MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR. _Rhynchophanes mccowni._ + +Range.--Great Plains, breeding from Kansas to the Saskatchewan. + +This Longspur which breeds in company with the preceding, throughout its +range, can be distinguished from it by the small black patch on the +breast, the black crown, and chestnut wing coverts. Their nesting habits +are the same, and at this season all the Longspurs have a sweet song +often uttered during flight, like that of the Bobolink. Their eggs are +of the same size and similarly marked as the last, but the ground color +is more gray or olive. + +[Illustration: Smith's Longspur.] +[Illustration 336: Grayish.] +[Illustration: Chestnut-collared Longspur.] +[Illustration: Dull white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 335 + +540. VESPER SPARROW. _Pooecetes gramineus gramineus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from Virginia and Missouri north +to Manitoba and New Brunswick; winters in the southern half of the +United States. + +A streaked grayish, buffy and white bird distinguished by its chestnut +shoulders and white outer tail feathers. They are abundant birds in +eastern fields where their loud piping whistle is known to many +frequenters of weedy pastures. They build on the ground, either in +grassy or cultivated fields, lining the hollow scantily with grasses. +Their four or five eggs are usually laid in May or June; they are dull +whitish, blotched and splashed with light brown and lavender tints; size +.80 x .60. + + +540a. WESTERN VESPER SPARROW. _Pooecetes gramineus confinis._ + +Range.--This paler variety is found in North America west of the Plains +and south of Saskatchewan. + +Its nesting habits are like those of the preceding and the eggs are +indistinguishable. + + +540b. OREGON VESPER SPARROW. _Pooecetes gramineus affinis._ + +A browner variety found on the coast of Oregon and northern California. + +Its nesting habits are like those of the eastern bird and the eggs +similar but averaging a trifle smaller. + + +* * * ENGLISH SPARROW. _Passer domesticus._ + +These birds, which were imported from Europe, have increased so rapidly +that they have overrun the cities and villages of the country and are +doing inestimable damage both by driving out native insect eating birds +and by their own destructiveness. They nest in all sorts of places but +preferably behind blinds, where their unsightly masses of straw protrude +from between the slats, and their droppings besmirch the buildings +below; they breed at all seasons of the year, eggs having often been +found in January, with several feet of snow on the ground and the +mercury below zero. The eggs number from four to eight in a set and from +four to eight sets a season; the eggs are whitish, spotted and blotched +with shades of gray and black. Size .88 x .60. + +[Illustration 337: Whitish.] +[Illustration: McCown's Longspur.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Vesper Sparrow.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 336 + +[Illustration 338: A. R. Spaid. +NEST AND EGGS OF VESPER SPARROW.] + +Page 337 + +541. IPSWICH SPARROW. _Passerculus princeps._ + +Range.--Breeds on Sable Island, off Nova Scotia; winters on coast of +South Atlantic States. This a large and pale colored form of the common +Savannah Sparrow. Its nesting habits are similar to those of the latter +and the eggs are marked the same but average larger. Size .80 x .60. + + +542. ALEUTIAN SAVANNAH SPARROW. _Passerculus sandwichensis +sandwichensis._ + +Range.--Breeds on the Alaskan coast; winters south to northern +California. + +A streaked Sparrow like the next but with the yellow superciliary line +brighter and more extended. Its nesting habits are precisely like those +of the next variety which is common and well known; the eggs are +indistinguishable. + + +542a. SAVANNAH SPARROW. _Passerculus sandwichensis savanna._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Middle +States north to Labrador and the Hudson Bay region. + +Similar to the last but with the superciliary line paler and the yellow +reduced to a spot on the lores. Their nests are hollows in the ground, +lined with grasses and generally concealed by tufts of grass or weeds. +Their three to five eggs vary greatly in markings from finely and evenly +dotted all over to very heavily blotched, the ground color being grayish +white. Size .75 x .55 + + +542b. WESTERN SAVANNAH SPARROW. _Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus._ + +Range.--Western North America from Alaska to Mexico. + +A slightly paler form whose nesting habits and eggs do not differ from +those of the last. + + +542c. BRYANT'S SPARROW. _Passerculus sandwichensis bryanti._ + +Range.--Salt marshes of California from San Francisco Bay south to +Mexico. + +Slightly darker and brighter than the eastern Savannah Sparrow and with +a more slender bill. The eggs are not different from many specimens of +savanna; they are light greenish white heavily blotched with various +shades of brown and lavender. Size .75 x .55. + + +543. Belding's Sparrow. _Passerculus beldingi._ + +Range.--Pacific coast marshes of southern California and southward. + +This species is similar to the last but darker and more heavily streaked +below. They breed abundantly in salt marshes, building their nests in +the grass or patches of seaweed barely above the water, and making them +of grass and weeds, lined with hair; the eggs are dull grayish white, +boldly splashed, spotted and clouded with brown and lavender. Size +.78 x .55. + +[Illustration 339: Grayish White.] +[Illustration: Savannah Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: 542b--543.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 338 + +544. LARGE-BILLED SPARROW. _Passerculus rostratus rostratus._ + +Range.--Coast of southern and Lower California. + +Similar to the Savannah Sparrow but paler and grayer, without yellow +lores and a larger and stouter bill. They are common in salt marshes, +often in company with the last species and their nesting habits are +similar to and the eggs not distinguished with certainty from those of +the latter. + + +544a. SAN LUCAS SPARROW. _Passerculus rostratus guttatus._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +A slightly darker form of the preceding, having identical habits, and +probably, eggs. + + +544c. SAN BENITO SPARROW. _Passerculus rostratus sanctorum._ + +Range.--Breeds on San Benito Islands; winters in southern Lower +California. + +The nesting habits and eggs of these very similar subspecies are +identical. + + +545. BAIRD'S SPARROW. _Ammodramus bairdi_. + +Range.--Plains, breeding from northern United States to the +Saskatchewan; south in winter to the Mexican border. + +These Sparrows breed abundantly on the plains of Dakota and northward, +placing their nest in hollows on the ground in fields and along road +sides. During June or July, they lay three to five dull whitish eggs, +blotched, splashed and spotted with light shades of brown and gray. Size +.80 x .60. + + +546. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. _Ammodramus savannarum australis._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to +Canada. + +A stoutly built Sparrow marked on the upper parts peculiarly, like a +quail; nape grayish and chestnut. These birds are common in dry fields +and pastures, where their scarcely audible, grasshopper-like song is +heard during the heat of the day. Their nests are sunken in the ground +and + +arched over so that they are very difficult to find, especially as the +bird will not flush until nearly trod upon. The four or five eggs, laid +in June, are white, specked with reddish brown. Size .72 x .55. + + +546a. WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. _Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus_ + +Range.--West of the Plains from British Columbia to Mexico. + +Slightly paler than the last; has the same nesting habits; eggs +indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 340: 544--544c.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Baird's Sparrow. Grasshopper Sparrow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 339 + +[Illustration 341: C. A. Reed. +GRASSHOPPER SPARROW ON NEST.] + +Page 340 + +546b. FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. _Ammodramus savannarum floridanus._ + +Range.--Central Florida. + +A local form, darker above and paler below than the common species. Eggs +not different in any particular. + + +547. HENSLOW'S SPARROW. _Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding locally from Maryland +and Missouri north to Massachusetts and Minnesota. + +This species is similar in form and marking to the last, but is olive +green on the nape, and the breast and sides are streaked with blackish. +Their nesting habits are very similar to those of the Grasshopper +Sparrow, the nests being difficult to find. The eggs are greenish white, +spotted with reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. + + +547a. WESTERN HENSLOW'S SPARROW. _Passerherbulus henslowi occidentalis._ + +Range.--A paler and very local form found in the Plains in South Dakota +and probably, adjoining states. Eggs not apt to differ from those of the +preceding. + + +548. LECONTE'S SPARROW. _Passerherbulus lecontei._ + +Range.--Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to +Assiniboia; winters south to Texas and the Gulf States. + +A bird of more slender form than the preceding, and with a long, +graduated tail, the feathers of which are very narrow and pointed. They +nest on the ground in damp meadows, but the eggs are difficult to find +because the bird is flushed from the nest with great difficulty. The +eggs are white and are freely specked with brown. Size .70 x .52. + + +549. SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. _Passerherbulus caudacutus._ + +Range.--Breeds in marshes along the Atlantic coast from Maine to South +Carolina and winters farther south. + +These birds are very common in nearly all the salt marshes of the coast, +nesting in the marsh grass. I have nearly always found their nests +attached to the coarse marsh grass a few inches above water at high +tide, and generally under a piece of drifted seaweed. The nests are made +of grasses, and the four or five eggs are whitish, thickly specked with +reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. The birds are hard to flush and then fly +but a few feet and quickly drop into the grass again. + +[Illustration 342: White.] +[Illustration: Henslow's Sparrow. Leconte's Sparrow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Sharp-tailed Sparrow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 341 + +549.1. Nelson's Sparrow. _Passerherbulus nelsoni nelsoni._ + +Range.--Breeds in the fresh water marshes of the Mississippi valley from +Illinois to Manitoba. + +This species is similar to the Sharp-tailed Finch but more buffy on the +breast and generally without streaks. The nesting habits are the same +and the eggs indistinguishable. + + +549.1a. ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. _Passerherbulus nelsoni +subvirgatus._ + +Range.--Breeds in the marshes on the coast of New England and New +Brunswick; winters south to the South Atlantic States. + +This paler variety of Nelson's Sparrow nests like the Sharp-tailed +species and the eggs are the same as those of that bird. + + +550. SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus._ + +Range.--Atlantic coast, breeding from southern New England to Carolina +and wintering farther south. + +This sharp-tailed Finch is uniform grayish above and light streaked with +dusky, below. They are very abundant in the breeding range, where they +nest in marshes in company with caudacutus. Their nests are the same as +those of that species and the eggs similar but slightly larger. Size .80 +x .60. Data.--Smith Island, Va., May 20, 1900. Nest situated in tall +grass near shore; made of dried grass and seaweed. Collector, H. W. +Bailey. + +All the members of this genus have a habit of fluttering out over the +water, and then gliding back to their perch on the grass, on set wings, +meanwhile uttering a strange rasping song. The nesting habits and eggs +of all the subspecies are precisely like those of this variety, and they +all occasionally arch their nests over, leaving an entrance on the side. + + +550a. SCOTT'S SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus maritimus peninsuloe._ + +Range.--Coasts of Florida and north to South Carolina. Above blackish +streaked with brownish gray; below heavily streaked with black. + + +550b. TEXAS SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus maritimus sennetti._ + +Range.--Coast of Texas. Similar to maritimus, but streaked above. + + +550c. LOUISIANA SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus maritimus fisheri._ + +Range.--Gulf coast. This form is similar to peninsuloe, but darker and +more brownish. + +[Illustration 343: Seaside Sparrow. Dusky Seaside Sparrow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 342 + +550d. MACGILLIVRAY'S SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus maritimus +macgillivrai._ + +Range.--Coast of South Carolina. Like fisheri but grayer. + + +551. DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW. _Passerherbulus nigrescens._ + +Range.--Marshes of Indian River near Titusville, Florida. + +This species is the darkest of the genus, both above and below, being +nearly black on the upperparts. Their habits are like those of the +others and the eggs are not likely to differ. + + +552. LARK SPARROW. _Chondestes grammacus grammacus._ + +Range.--Mississippi Valley from the Plains to Illinois and casually +farther east, and from Manitoba to Texas; winters in Mexico. + +This handsome Sparrow has the sides of the crown and ear patches +chestnut, and the sides of the throat and a spot on the breast, black. +They are sweet singers and very welcome birds in their range, where they +are quite abundant. Their nests are generally placed on the ground in +the midst of or under a clump of weeds or tuft of grass, but sometimes +in bushes or even trees; they are made of grasses and weeds and the +eggs, which are usually laid in May, are white marked chiefly about the +large end with blackish zigzag lines and spots. Size .80 x .60. + + +552a. WESTERN LARK SPARROW. _Chondestes grammacus strigatus._ + +Range.--United States west of the Plains; breeds from British Columbia +to Mexico. + +This paler and duller colored variety is common on the Pacific coast; +its habits and nests and eggs are like those of the last. + + +553. HARRIS'S SPARROW. _Zonotrichia querula._ + +Range.--Mississippi Valley, chiefly west, breeding in Manitoba and +Saskatchewan, the exact range being unknown. + +Although the birds are abundant during migrations, they seem to suddenly +and strangely disappear during the breeding season. Supposed nests have +been found a few inches above the ground in clumps of grass, the eggs +being whitish, thickly spotted with shades of brown. Size .85 x .65. + +[Illustration 344: Lark Sparrow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Whitish.] +[Illustration: Harris's Sparrow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 343 + +554. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. _Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys._ + +Range.--North America breeding abundantly in Labrador and about Hudson +Bay, and casually in northern New England and in western United States +in the Rockies and Sierras. + +Winters along our Mexican border and southward. A handsome species with +a broad white crown bordered on either side by black, and with a white +superciliary line and black lores; the underparts are uniform grayish +white. These birds appear to be nowhere as common as the White-throated +Sparrows with which they associate during migrations and in the breeding +grounds. They build on the ground, generally near the edges of woods or +in clearings, and lay from four to six eggs similar but larger, and with +as much variation in markings as those of the Song Sparrow; pale +greenish blue, spotted and splashed with reddish brown and grayish. Size +.90 x .65. Data.--Nachook, Labrador, June 10, 1897. Nest of fine grasses +on the ground in a clump of grass. + + +554a. GAMBEL'S SPARROW. _Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains and westward from Mexico to Alaska, breeding +chiefly north of the United States. + +This bird is like the last but the lores are white. Its nesting habits +and eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the former. + + +554b. NUTTALL'S SPARROW. _Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia to Lower California. + +Similar to the last but smaller and browner above; nests on the ground +or in bushes, the eggs not being distinguishable from those of the other +White-crowns. + + +557. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. _Zonotrichia coronata_. + +Range.--Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, breeding chiefly north of +our borders. + +This species has the crown yellow, bordered by black on the sides. Their +habits are like those of the White-crowned Sparrows, they feeding upon +the ground among the dead leaves, and usually being found in flocks and +often accompanied by many of the last species. They nest upon the ground +or in low bushes, and in May or June lay three or four eggs very similar +to the last. Size .90 x .65. + +[Illustration 345: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: White-crowned Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: 554a--557.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 344 + +[Illustration 346: CHIPPING SPARROW.] + +Page 345 + +558. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. _Zonotrichia albicollis._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains and breeding from the northern +tier of states northward; winters from the Middle States southward. + +To my mind this is the most beautiful of Sparrows, with its bright and +softly blended plumage and the pure white throat boldly contrasting with +its grayish breast and sides of the head; the lores are adorned with a +bright yellow spot. They are one of the most abundant of Sparrows in the +east during migrations and their musical piping whistle is heard from +hedge and wood. They nest most abundantly north of our borders, laying +their three or four eggs in grass lined hollows in the ground, or more +rarely in nests in bushes. The eggs are white or bluish white, thickly +spotted with several shades of brown. Size .85 x .62. They nest most +often in thickets or on the edge of swamps, in just such places as they +are met with on their migrations. + + +559. TREE SPARROW. _Spizella monticola monticola._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding north of the United +States to the Arctic coast, east of the Rockies; winters within the +United States. + +A larger bird but somewhat resembling the common Chipping Sparrow, but +browner above, with a black spot on the breast and no black on the head. +They are quite hardy birds and winter in many of the northern states +where they may be found in flocks upon the snow, feeding on seeds of +protruding weeds. They breed very abundantly in Labrador and about +Hudson Bay, placing their green nests in hollows on the ground or moss; +their three or four eggs are greenish white, abundantly speckled all +over the surface with reddish brown. Size .80 x .55. Data.--Foothills of +Black Mountains, McKenzie River, Arctic America, June 13, 1899. Nest on +the ground under a tuft of grass on level plain; made of grasses and +moss and lined with feathers. + + +559a. WESTERN TREE SPARROW. _Spizella monticola ochracea._ + +Range.--North America west of the Plains, breeding in Alaska and +wintering to Mexico. A paler form of the last, the nesting habits and +eggs of which are the same. + + +560. CHIPPING SPARROW. _Spizella passerina passerina._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to the +interior of Canada and Newfoundland. + +[Illustration 347: White.] +[Illustration: White-throated Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Tree Sparrow.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 346 + +As indicated by their name _socialis_, Chipping Sparrows are sociable +birds not only with others of the bird tribe, but with man. In all +localities that are not overrun with English Sparrows, you will find +these confiding birds nesting in trees and shrubs in the yard and in +vines from porches, while in orchards, nearly every tree has its tenant. +They are smaller birds than the last (5.5 in. long) and have the brown +crown bordered by blackish and a black line through the eye. Their +nests, which may be found at any height from the ground and in any kind +of a tree or shrub, are made of fine grass and weed stems, lined with +hair; their three to five eggs are a handsome greenish blue, sparingly +specked chiefly about the large end with blackish brown and purplish. +Size .70 x .52. + + +560a. WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW. _Spizella passerina arizonae._ + +Range.--Western North America, chiefly west of the Rockies, from Mexico +to Alaska; winters in Mexico. + +This variety is much duller colored than the last and has but little +brown on the back; its nesting habits are the same and the eggs do not +appear to differ in any respect from those of the eastern bird. + + +561. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. _Spizella pallida._ + +Range.--Interior of United States and Canada, from the Mississippi +Valley to the Rockies, breeding from Iowa and Colorado northward; +winters in Mexico. + +These birds can best be described as like the Chipping Sparrow with the +brown largely replaced with blackish. They breed quite abundantly in +Manitoba and Minnesota, placing their nests on or near the ground, and +making them of fine grasses. The eggs cannot be distinguished with +certainty from those of the preceding but average a trifle smaller. Size +.65 x .50. Data.--Barnsley, Manitoba, May 24, 1900. Nest of grass stalks +lined with fine grass, one foot above ground in tuft of grass. + + +562. BREWER'S SPARROW. _Spizella breweri._ + +Range.--Western United States from Mexico to British Columbia rarely and +chiefly between the Rockies and the Sierras; most abundant in New Mexico +and Arizona. + +This bird is similar to the last but is paler and more finely streaked. +Their nesting habits are like those of pallida and the eggs are +indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 348: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: 559a--560a.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: 561--562--564.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 347 + +[Illustration 349: CHIPPING SPARROWS (The whole family).] + +Page 348 + +563. Field Sparrow. _Spizella pusilla pusilla._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to +southern Manitoba and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States. + +These are abundant birds along roadsides, in thickets, or on dry +sidehills, where they nest indifferently on the ground or in bushes, +making their nests of grass and weed stems. They are the birds, whose +high piping song is most frequently heard on hot sultry days in summer. +Their eggs are laid in May or June; they are pale bluish white, speckled +and blotched with yellowish brown and grayish purple. Size .65 x .50. + + +563a. WESTERN FIELD SPARROW. _Spizella pusilla arenacea._ + +Range.--Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern +half of its range and wintering in the southern. + +A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as +those of the eastern bird. + + +564. WORTHEN'S SPARROW. _Spizella wortheni._ + +Range.--Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico. + +This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no +decided markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and +uncommon anywhere. I am not able to find any material in regard to their +eggs. + + +565. BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. _Spizella atrogularis._ + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States and southward. + +This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky streaked, +reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin and throat. Their +habits are similar to those of the Field Sparrow and their nests are +made near the ground in bushes, but the eggs are plain bluish green, +about like unmarked Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size .65 x .50. + + +566. WHITE-WINGED JUNCO. _Junco aikeni._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyoming; winters in +Colorado and casually to Kansas. + +This species is like the next but larger and with the wings crossed by +two white bars. Its habits are like those of the common Juncos, the +nests are placed on the ground, concealed under overhanging rocks or +tufts of grass, and the eggs are like those often seen of the +Slate-colored Junco; 3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and spotted +with light reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. + +[Illustration 350: Field Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: White-winged Junco.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 349 + +567. SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis hyemalis._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding in the northern tier +of states and northward; winters in southern United States. + +This species is slaty gray on the head, neck, breast, flanks, back, +wings and central tail feathers; the rest of the underparts are white, +sharply defined against the gray. They migrate through the United States +in large flocks, usually accompanied by White-throated or Fox Sparrows. +They breed very abundantly in the northern parts of their range, +frequently in the immediate vicinity of houses but generally on the +edges of clearings, etc., placing their nests on the ground and +generally partially concealed by rocks, stumps, sods or logs; the nests +are made of grasses, lined with hair, and the four or five eggs are +white or greenish white, variously speckled with reddish brown either +over the entire surface or in a wreath about the large end. Size .80 x +.55. + + +567a. OREGON JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis oreganus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska, breeding north of the +United States. + +This sub-species is entirely unlike the preceding, having a black head, +neck, throat, breast, wings and tail, and brown back; the remainder of +the underparts are white, washed with pinkish brown on the sides. The +habits and nesting habits of this western Junco are the same as those of +the eastern, the birds building in similar localities and making the +nests of the same material. There appears to be little, if any, +difference between the eggs of the two varieties. + + +567b. SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis counectens._ + +Range.--Pacific coast breeding from Oregon to British Columbia and +wintering south to the Mexican boundary. + +Said to be slightly larger and duller colored than the Oregon Junco; +eggs the same. + + +567c. THURBER'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis thurberi._ + +Range.--The Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern California. + +Similar to _oreganus_ but paler and back more pinkish; eggs will not +differ. + + +567d. POINT PINOS JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis pinosus._ + +Range.--A very locally confined variety breeding in pine woods of +southwestern California, about Monterey and Santa Cruz. + +Similar to _thurberi_ with the head and neck slaty instead of black. + +[Illustration 351: Slate-Colored Junco.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 567a--567g--567c.] +[Illustration: right hend margin.] + +Page 350 + +567e. CAROLINA JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis carolinensis._ + +Range.--Alleghanies in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. + +A slightly larger bird than the Slate-colored Junco and with the bill +horn color instead of pinkish white. They have been found to breed very +abundantly in the higher ranges of the Carolinas, nesting under banks, +in tufts of grass, or occasionally in small bushes, in fact in such +locations as are used by hyemalis. Their eggs which are laid during May, +June or July (probably two broods being raised) are similar to those of +the Slate-colored species but slightly larger. + + +567f. MONTANA JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis montanus._ + +Range.--From northern Idaho and Montana north to Alberta; winters south +to Mexico. + +This variety is like _mearnsi_ but darker on the head and throat and +with less pink on the sides. Its nesting habits and eggs do not differ +from those of the Pink-sided Junco. + + +567g. PINK-SIDED JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis mearnsi._ + +Range.--Breeds in mountains of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana and winters +south to Mexico. + +This species has the head and breast gray, the back brownish and the +sides pinkish brown. They breed at high altitudes in the ranges, placing +their nests of grasses under sods or overhanging rocks; their eggs are +pinkish white before being blown and are spotted over the whole surface +but more heavily at the large end with pale reddish brown and gray. Size +.80 x .60. + + +570. ARIZONA JUNCO. _Junco phaeonotus palliatus._ + +Range.--Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona. + +Similar to the preceding species but upper mandible blackish and the +gray on throat shading insensibly into the grayish white underparts. +They are quite abundant in the higher ranges of southern Arizona, where +they breed, placing their nests on the ground in similar locations to +those chosen by other Juncos; the three or four eggs are greenish white, +finely speckled chiefly about the large end with reddish brown. Size .76 +x .60. + + +570a. RED-BACKED JUNCO. _Junco phaeonotus dorsalis._ + +Range.--Breeds in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona and southward. + +This variety is like the last but the reddish brown on the back does not +extend to the coverts or wings. The nesting habits are like those of the +last but the eggs are only minutely specked about the large end. + + +570b. GRAY-HEADED JUNCO. _Junco phaeonotus caniceps._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Mexico. + +This species is similar to the Slate-colored Junco but has a reddish +brown patch on the back. They nest on the ground in mountainous regions, +concealing the nests in tufts of grass or under logs, stones, etc. The +eggs are creamy or bluish white, specked over the whole surface, but +most numerously about the larger end with reddish brown. Size .75 x .60. +Data.--Custer Co., Colo., June 4, 1897. Slight nest of small rootlets +and fine grass placed under a tuft of grass. Altitude over 8,000 feet. + +[Illustration 352: White.] +[Illustration: 570b--571--572.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 351 + +571. BAIRD'S JUNCO. _Junco bairdi._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This gray headed species with rusty back and sides is locally confined +to the southern parts of the California peninsula where it is resident. +Its eggs are not likely to differ from those of the Pink-sided Junco +which it most nearly resembles. + + +567i. TOWNSEND'S JUNCO. _Junco hyemalis townsendi._ + +Range.--Mountains of northern Lower California; resident and breeding. +Similar to the Pink-sided Junco but duller colored; eggs probably the +same. + + +572. GUADALUPE JUNCO. _Junco insularis._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island off Lower California + +Resembles the Pink-sided Junco but is smaller, darker and duller +colored. They are common on the island where they nest in the pine +groves, laying their first sets in February or March. The nests are like +those of the genus and the eggs are greenish white, finely dotted with +reddish brown at the large end. Size .77 x .60. + + +573. BLACK-THROATED SPARROW. _Amphispiza bilineata bilineata._ + +Range.--Breeds from central Texas to Kansas; winters in southern Texas +and Mexico. + +This species is grayish brown above, with black throat, white +superciliary and line on side of throat. This is a common species that +nests on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, making their nests +of weed stems and grasses. The three to five eggs are bluish white, +unmarked and similar to those of the Bluebird but smaller. +Size .72 x .55. + + +573a. DESERT SPARROW. _Amphispiza bilineata deserticola._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from western Texas to southern +California, and north to Colorado and Nevada; winters in Mexico. + +Like the last but paler above. An abundant bird among the foothills and +on plains throughout its range. Found generally in sage brush and +thickets where it nests in bushes or on the ground laying three or four +bluish white eggs like those of the last. + + +574. BELL'S SPARROW. _Amphispiza belli._ + +Range.--Southern half of California and southward. + +These grayish, black and white birds are abundant in sage brush and +thickets, nesting on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, and +during May or June, laying from three to four eggs of a pale greenish +white color, spotted and blotched with reddish brown and purplish. Size +.75 x .60. + +[Illustration 353: Black-throated Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: 573a--574.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 352 + +574.1. Sage Sparrow. _Amphispiza nevadensis nevadensis._ + +Range.--Sage deserts of the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana, south +to Mexico. + +This sub-species is abundant throughout its range where it nests near or +on the ground, in or under bushes and generally concealed from view. The +nests are made of grass and sage bark lined with fine grass; the eggs +are like those of the last species, greenish white, spotted and blotched +with shades of brown and purplish. + + +574.1a. GRAY SAGE SPARROW. _Amphispiza nevadensis cinerea._ + +Range.--A smaller and paler variety found in Lower California. + +The nests and eggs of this pale variety probably do not differ in any +respect from those of the better known varieties. + + +575. PINE-WOODS SPARROW. _Peucaea aestivalis aestivalis._ + +Range.--Florida and southern Georgia. + +These birds are common in restricted localities in their range, nesting +on the ground under bushes or shrubs; the nests are made of grasses and +the four or five eggs are pure white with a slight gloss. Size .75 x +.60. The birds are said to be fine singers and to frequent, almost +exclusively, pine barrens. + + +475a. BACHMAN'S SPARROW. _Peucaea aestivalis bachmani._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Indiana and Illinois. + +This variety is common in most localities in its range, frequenting pine +woods and barrens chiefly, and nesting on the ground in May or June. +Their nests are made of grasses and lined with very fine grass, and have +the tops completely arched over leaving a small entrance on the side. +The eggs are pure white with a slight gloss and measure .75 x .60. + + +576. BOTTERI'S SPARROW. _Peucaea botterii._ + +Range.--Mexican plateau north to southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. + +They nest in abundance in tall grass in the lowlands of their range, the +nests being difficult to find because the bird flushes with great +difficulty. The nests are on the ground, made of grass, and the three to +five eggs are pure white, measuring .75 x .60. + +[Illustration 354: 574.1--576.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 353 + +578. CASSIN'S SPARROWS. _Peucaea cassini._ + +Range.--Plains and valleys from Texas and Arizona north to Kansas and +Nevada. + +These birds breed in numbers on the arid plains, placing their grass +nests on the ground at the foot of small bushes or concealed in tufts of +grass, and during May lay four pure white eggs which are of the same +size and indistinguishable from those of others of the genus. + + +579. RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. _Aimophila carpalis._ + +Range.--Plains of western Mexico and north to southern Arizona. + +This pale colored bird bears a remote resemblance to the Tree Sparrow. +They nest commonly in dry arid regions, placing their nests at low +elevations in bushes or cacti, preferably young mesquites, and making +them of coarse grass lined with finer. Two broods are raised a season +and from May to August sets of four or five plain bluish white eggs may +be found. Size .75 x .60. + + +580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps ruficeps._ + +Range.--Local in southern half of California and in Lower California. + +A brownish colored species both above and below, which is found on +mountains and hillsides in restricted localities. They nest on the +ground placing their grass structures in hollows, usually at the foot of +a small bush or shrub and well concealed. They lay from three to five +pale bluish white eggs. Size .80 x .60. + + +580a. SCOTT'S SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps scotti._ + +Range.--Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona south in Mexico. + +A paler species, above, than the last, and whitish below. It is quite a +common species on the mountain ranges where it nests on the ground, in +clumps of grass or beneath shrubs or overhanging rocks; the nests are +made of grasses and weeds scantily put together. The eggs are white, +untinted. Size .80 x .60. + + +580b. ROCK SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps eremaeca._ + +Range.--Middle and southern Texas and south in Mexico. + +This variety frequents rocky mountain sides where it nests abundantly +under rocks or at the foot of shrubs, the nests being made of coarse +grasses loosely twisted together and lined with finer grass. The birds +are shy and skulk off through the underbrush upon the approach of anyone +so that the nests are quite difficult to find. The three to five eggs +are pure white and of the same size as those of the last. + + +580c. LAGUNA SPARROW. _Aimophila ruficeps sororia._ + +Range.--Mountains of southern Lower California. + +The nests and eggs of this very similar variety to _ruficeps_ proper are +not likely to differ in any particular from those of that species. + +[Illustration 355: White.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: 579--580.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 354 + +581. SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia melodia_. + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from Virginia to +Manitoba and New Brunswick, and wintering chiefly in the southern half +of the United States. + +A favorite and one of the most abundant in all sections of the east. +They are sweet and persistent songsters and frequent side hills, +pastures, roadsides, gardens and dooryards if English Sparrows be not +present. They nest indifferently upon the ground or in bushes, generally +artfully concealing the nest by drooping leaves; it is made of grass and +weed stems, lined with fine grass or, occasionally, horse hair. As is +usual in the case of birds that abound about habitations they frequently +choose odd nesting sites. They lay two and sometimes three sets of eggs +a season, from May to August, the eggs being three to five in number and +white or greenish white, marked, spotted, blotched or splashed in +endless variety of pattern and intensity, with many shades of brown; +some eggs are very heavily blotched so as to wholly obscure the ground +color while others are specked very sparingly. They measure .80 x .60 +with great variations. + + +581a. DESERT SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia fallax_. + +Range.--Desert regions of southern Nevada, Arizona and southeastern +California. The eggs of this very pale form are the same as those of the +last. + + +581b. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia montana_. + +Range.--Rockies and the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana southward. + +This variety is paler than the Song Sparrow but darker than _fallax_. +Eggs the same. + + +581c. HEERMAN'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia heermanni_. + +Range.--California, west of the Sierra Nevadas. + +Similar to _melodia_ but with less brown and the markings blacker and +more distinct. The nesting habits are the same and the eggs similar to +large dark specimens of the eastern Song Sparrow. Size .85 x .62. + + +581d. SAMUELS SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia samuelis_. + +Range.--Coast regions of California, chiefly in the marshes. + +Similar to the last but smaller. They nest on the ground in marsh grass, +usually in sandy districts along the shore. The eggs average smaller +than those of _melodia_. Size .78 x .58. + + +581e. RUSTY SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia morphna_. + +Range.--Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. + +A dark species with the upper parts dark reddish brown and heavily +streaked with the same below. The nesting habits and eggs are like those +of _melodia_. + +[Illustration 356: Song Sparrow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 581a--581c--581e.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 355 + +581f. SOOTY SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia rufina._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska. + +A darker bird, both above and below, even than the last. Eggs like the +last but averaging a trifle larger. Size .82 x .62. + + +581g. BROWN'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia rivularis._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +A light colored form like the Desert Song Sparrow; said to build in cat +tails above water as well as on the ground; eggs not different from +others of the genus. + + +581h. SANTA BARBARA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia graminea._ + +Range.--Breeds on Santa Barbara Islands; winters on adjacent coast of +California. + +A variety of the same size but paler than _samuelis_. Nesting or eggs +not peculiar. + + +581i. SAN CLEMENTE SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia clementae._ + +Range.--San Clemente and Santa Rosa Island of the Santa Barbara group. + +Slightly larger than the last; habits and eggs the same. + + +581j. DAKOTA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia juddi._ + +Range.--North Dakota, breeding in the Turtle Mountains. + +Practically indistinguishable from the common Song Sparrow; the eggs +will not differ. + + +581k. MERRILL'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia merrilli._ + +Range.--Northwestern United States; eastern Oregon and Washington to +Idaho. + +Very similar to, but lighter than the Rusty Song Sparrow. + + +581l. ALAMEDA SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia pusillula_. + +Range.--Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California. + +Similar to, but still smaller than Samuel Song Sparrow. Eggs will not +differ. + + +581m. SAN DIEGO SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia cooperi._ + +Range.--Southern coast of California; north to Monterey Bay. + +Similar to, but smaller and lighter than _heermanni_. + + +581n. YAKUTAT SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia caurina._ + +Range.--Coast of Alaska from Cross Sound to Prince Williams Sound. + +Similar to the Sooty Song Sparrow but larger and grayer. Eggs probably +average larger. + + +581o. KENAI SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza Melodia kenaiensis._ + +Range.--Kenai Peninsula on the coasts. + +Like the last but still larger; length about 7 inches. + + +581q. BISCHOFF'S SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia insignis._ + +Range.--Kadiak Island, Alaska. + +Similar to and nearly as large as the next species, but browner. + + +581r. ALEUTIAN SONG SPARROW. _Melospiza melodia sanaka._ + +Range.--Found on nearly all the islands of the Aleutian group, excluding +Kadiak. + +This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8 inches in +length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty Song Sparrow but +grayer. It nests either on the ground or at low elevations in bushes, +the nest usually being concealed in a tuft of grass or often placed +under rocks or, sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are +made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar to those of the +Song Sparrow but much larger and more elongate. Size .90 x .65. + +[Illustration 357: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 356 + +583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni lincolni._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States north to the +Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and the west; rare in New +England. + +This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off through the underbrush of +thickets and swamps that it frequents upon the approach of anyone; +consequently it is often little known in localities where it is quite +abundant. They nest on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely in +bushes. Their eggs are very similar to those of the Song Sparrow, three +or four in number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched +with chestnut and gray. Size .80 x .58. + + +583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. _Melospiza lincolni striata._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia. + +Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like +those of the last. + + +584. SWAMP SPARROW. _Melospiza georgiana._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from middle United +States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay. + +This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy places where it +breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not commonly seen during the +breeding season. Its nests are made of grasses and located on the ground +usually in places where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs +are similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally darker and +more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55. + + +585. FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca iliaca._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from southern Canada northward, +and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United States. + +This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and reddish brown +plumage and bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern United States +during migrations, being found in open woods and hedges in company with +Juncos and White-throated Sparrows, with which species their song vies +in sweetness. They nest usually on the ground, but sometimes in low +bushes; the nests are made of grasses and are concealed beneath the +overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens. The three or four eggs are +greenish-white, spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 x .68. + +[Illustration 358: Lincoln's Sparrow.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Swamp Sparrow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 357 + +585a. SHUMAGIN FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca unalaschensis._ + +Range.--Shumagin Islands and the Alaska coast to Cook Inlet. + +Similar to the last but paler, being one of the several recent +unsatisfactory subdivisions of this genus. The nesting habits and eggs +of all the varieties are like those of the common eastern form. + + +585b. THICK-BILLED SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca megarhyncha._ + +Range.--Mountains of eastern California and western Nevada; locally +confined. + +Entire upper parts and breast spots gray; wings and tail brown. It nests +in the heaviest underbrush of the mountain sides, building on or close +to the ground. + + +585c. SLATE-COLORED SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca schistacea._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region, breeding from Colorado to British +Columbia. + +This variety which is similar to, but smaller than the last, nests in +thickets along the mountain streams. The eggs are like those of iliaca, +but average smaller. + + +585d. STEPHEN'S SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca stephensi._ + +Range.--Breeds in the San Bernadino and San Jacinto Mts. in southern +California. + +Like the Thick-billed Sparrow, but bill still larger and bird slightly +so. + + +585e. SOOTY FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca fuliginosa._ + +Range.--Coast of Washington and British Columbia; south to California in +winter. + + +585f. KADIAK FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca insularis._ + +Range.--Breeding on Kadiak Island; winters south to California. + +Like the last but browner above and below. + +585g. TOWNSEND'S FOX SPARROW. _Passerella iliaca townsendi._ + +Range.--Southern coast of Alaska; winters south to California. Like the +last but more rufous above. + +Upperparts and tail uniform brownish umber, below heavily spotted. + + +586. TEXAS SPARROW. _Arremonops rufivirgatus._ + +Range.--Eastern Mexico and southern Texas. + +This odd species has a brownish crown, olive greenish upperparts, wings +and tail, and grayish white underparts. They are common resident birds +along the Lower Rio Grande, being found in tangled thickets, where they +nest at low elevations, making their quite bulky nests of coarse weeds +and grass and sometimes twigs, lined with finer grass and hair; they are +often partially domed with an entrance on the side. Their eggs are plain +white, without markings; often several broods are raised in a season and +eggs may be found from May until August. + +[Illustration 359: Fox Sparrow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 358 + +587. TOWHEE. _Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to +Manitoba. + +The well known Towhee, Ground Robin or Chewink is a bird commonly met +with in eastern United States; it frequents thickets, swamps and open +woods where they nest generally upon the ground and sometimes in bushes +near the ground. The nests are well made of grasses, lined with fine +grasses and rootlets, and the eggs, which are laid in May or June, are +pinkish white, generally finely sprinkled but sometimes with bold +markings of light reddish brown, with great variations. Size .90 x .70. + +Towhees are noisy birds and at frequent intervals, while they are +scratching among the leaves for their food they will stop and utter +their familiar "tow-hee" or "che-wink" and then again will mount to the +summit of a tree or bush and sing their sweet refrain for a long time. + + +587a. WHITE-EYED TOWHEE. _Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni._ + +Range.--Florida and the Atlantic coast to South Carolina. + +This variety is like the preceding except that the eyes are white +instead of red. There is no difference between their nesting habits and +eggs, except that they much more frequently, and in some localities, +almost always, nest in trees. + + +588. ARCTIC TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus arcticus._ + +Range.--Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to the +Saskatchewan. + +This species is similar to the eastern Towhee but has the scapulars and +coverts tipped with white. They nest abundantly in suitable localities +in Montana and North Dakota and more commonly north of our borders. Like +the eastern Towhee, they nest on the ground under the protection of +overhanging bushes, the nests being made of strips of bark and grasses +and lined with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs, which are laid +during May, June or July, are pinkish white, profusely speckled with +reddish brown; very similar to those of the eastern Towhee. Size .92 x +.70. + + +588a. SPURRED TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus montanus._ + +Range.--Breeds from Mexico to British Columbia, west of the Rockies. + +Similar to the last but with less white on the back. The nesting habits +and eggs are like those of the Towhee, but in some localities the nests +are most often found in bushes above the ground. + +[Illustration 360: Towhee or Chewink.] +[Illustration: Purplish white.] +[Illustration: Pinkish white.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 359 + +[Illustration 361: C. A. Reed. +NEST AND EGGS OF TOWHEE.] + +Page 360 + +588b. OREGON TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus oregonus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to British Columbia; winters to +Mexico. Similar to the last but with still fewer white markings on the +back and the chestnut flanks brighter. The nesting habits and eggs of +this variety differ in no essential particular from those of the +preceding Towhees. + + +588c. SAN CLEMENTE TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus clementae._ + +Range.--San Clemente Is. and other of the Santa Barbara group. + +Black of male said to be duller. Probably no difference between the eggs +and others. + + +588d. SAN DIEGO TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus megalonyx._ + +Range.--Coast of southern California and Lower California. Said to be +darker than _megalonyx._ + + +588e. LARGE-BILLED TOWHEE. _Pipilo maculatus magnirostris._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. Similar to _arcticus_; bill said to +be larger. + +589. GUADALUPE TOWHEE. _Pipilo consobrinus._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California. + +Similar to _oregonus_ but smaller and with a relatively shorter tail. +The nesting habits and eggs of this species will not likely be found to +differ essentially from those of others of the genus. + + +591. CANON TOWHEE. _Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus._ + +Range.--Mexico and north to Arizona and New Mexico and casually farther +to Colorado. + +A common species in the valleys and on the side hills, nesting in bushes +near the ground, and sometimes on the ground; the nests are made of +grasses, weeds and twigs lined with rootlets, and the three or four eggs +are greenish blue sparingly spotted or scrawled with blackish brown, the +markings being similar to those on many Red-winged Blackbirds' eggs. +Size 1.00 x .70. + + +591a. SAN LUCAS TOWHEE. _Pipilo fuscus albigula._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This variety is like the last but is usually paler below. It is abundant +in the region about the cape where they nest in thickets, either in the +bushes or on the ground. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +the Canon Towhee. + + +591b. CALIFORNIA TOWHEE. _Pipilo crissalis crissalis._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of California. + +This variety is similar to the Canon Towhee but is browner, both above +and below. They are one of the most common of California birds, +frequenting scrubby thickets, both on mountain sides and in valleys and +canons, from which their harsh scolding voice always greets intruders. +They place their nests in bushes at low elevations from the ground and +sometimes on the ground; + +[Illustration 362: 588b--591.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 361 + +they are made of twigs, strips of bark, weeds and coarse grasses, lined +with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs are laid in April or May; +they are light bluish green marked like the others with purplish or +brownish black. Size .95 x .72. + + +591.1a. ANTHONY'S TOWHEE. _Pipilo crissalis senicula._ + +Range.--Southern California and south through Lower California. + +A very similar bird to the last but sightly smaller and lighter below. +The habits and nesting habits of these birds are in every way identical +with those of the California Towhee and the eggs cannot be distinguished +from those of that variety. They are fully as abundant in the southern +parts of California as the others are in the northern. + + +592. ABERT'S TOWHEE. _Pipilo aberti._ + +Range.--Arizona and New Mexico north to Colorado and Nevada and east to +southeastern California. + +This bird is wholly brownish gray both above and below shading into +reddish brown on the under tail coverts; the face is black. They are +abundant in the valleys of Arizona and New Mexico, but unlike the +preceding species, they are generally wild and shy. They nest in +chaparral thickets along streams, the nests being constructed similarly +to those of the California Towhee, and the eggs are not easily +distinguishable from those of that species, but they are usually more +sparsely specked and the markings more distinct. Size 1.00 x .75. + + +592.1. GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. _Oreospiza chlorura._ + +Range.--Western United States, chiefly west of the Rockies from Montana +and Washington south to Mexico; wintering in southwestern United States. + +This handsome and entirely different plumaged species from any of the +preceding would, from appearance, be better placed in the group with the +White-throated Sparrow than its present position. It has a reddish brown +crown, the remainder of the upper parts, wings and tail being greenish +yellow; the throat is white, bordered abruptly with gray on the breast +and sides of head. These birds place their nests on the ground. The +nests are built similarly to those of the eastern Towhee, and the eggs, +too, are similar, being whitish, finely dotted and specked with reddish +brown, the markings being most numerous around the larger end. Size .85 +x .65. + +[Illustration 363: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: 591.1--592--592.1.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Whitish.] +[Illustration: Green-tailed Towhee.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 362 + +[Illustration 364: CARDINAL.] + +Page 363 + +593. CARDINAL. _Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, north to New York and Illinois, west to +the Plains and Texas. Resident in most of its range. + +These beautiful fiery red and crested songsters are one of the most +attractive of our birds, and in their range, nest about habitations as +freely as among the thickets and scrubby brush of wood or hillside. +Their nests are rarely placed higher than ten feet from the ground in +bushes, branches, vines, brush piles or trees; they are loosely made of +twigs, coarse grasses and weeds, shreds of bark, leaves, etc., and lined +with fine grass or hair. They frequently lay two or three sets of eggs a +season, the first being completed usually early in May; three or four, +and sometimes five, white or pale bluish white eggs are laid; they are +very varied in markings but usually profusely spotted, more heavily at +the large end, with reddish brown and lavender. Size 1.00 x .70. + + +593a. ARIZONA CARDINAL. _Cardinalis cardinalis superbus._ + +Range.--Northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona. + +A larger and more rosy form of the Cardinal. Its eggs cannot be +distinguished from those of the eastern Redbird. + + +593b. SAN LUCAS CARDINAL. _Cardinalis cardinalis igneus._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +Like the last but smaller and with less black on the forehead; eggs the +same. + +[Illustration 365: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: NEST OF CARDINAL.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 364 + +593c. GRAY-TAILED CARDINAL. _Cardinalis cardinalis canicaudus._ + +Range.--Northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. + +The male of this species is like the eastern Cardinal but the female is +said to be grayer. The nesting habits are the same and the eggs +identical with those of the latter. + + +593d. FLORIDA CARDINAL. _Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus._ + +Range.--Southern Florida. + +Supposed to be a deeper and richer shade of red. Eggs like those of +cardinalis. + + +594. ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA. _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata sinuata._ + +Range.--Northwestern Mexico and the southern border of New Mexico, +Arizona and western Texas. + +This species is of similar form and crested like a Cardinal, but the +bill is very short and hooked like that of a Parrot; the plumage is +grayish, with wings and tail dull reddish; face and throat, and middle +of belly rosy red. Their habits are the same as those of the Cardinal, +but their nests are said to be slighter; they are placed in similar +locations to those of the latter, the two species often nesting together +in the same thicket. Their eggs are like those of the Cardinal but +average smaller, although the ranges overlap so that the eggs cannot be +distinguished. Size .90 x .70. Data.--San Antonio, Texas, May 16, 1889. +Nest of fine grasses, lined with rootlets; 4 feet from ground in a +mesquite tree. + + +594a. TEXAS PYRRHULOXIA. _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata texana._ + +Range.--Northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. + +Said to be grayer and the bill to average larger than that of the last. +There are no differences in the nesting habits or eggs between the two +varieties. + + +594b. SAN LUCAS PYRRHULOXIA. _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata peninsulae._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +Smaller than the Arizona Cardinal but with a larger bill. The eggs are +like those of the others but may average a trifle smaller. + +[Illustration 366: Cardinal.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Texas Pyrrhuloxia.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 365 + +595. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. _Zamelodia ludoviciana._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding from the Middle +States and Ohio north to Manitoba and Nova Scotia. + +This beautiful black and white bird with rosy red breast and under wing +coverts, is one of the most pleasing of our songsters. They nest either +in bushes or trees, generally between six and twenty feet from the +ground and usually in thick clumps of trees or scrubby apple trees. The +three or four eggs, which are laid in June, are greenish blue, spotted, +most heavily about the larger end, with reddish brown. Size 1.00 x .75. +Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 5, 1899. Nest of twigs and rootlets in +small apple tree in woods; nest very frail, eggs showing through the +bottom. + + +596. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. _Zamelodia melanocephala._ + +Range.--United States, west of the Plains, breeding from Mexico north to +British Columbia; winters south of the United States. + +This species is of the size of the last (8 inches long), and is a bright +cinnamon brown color with black head, and black and white wings and +tail. The habits of this bird are the same as those of the Rose-breasted +Grosbeak and its song is very similar but more lengthy. Their nests, +like those of the last, are very flimsy structures placed in bushes or +trees, usually below twenty feet from the ground; they are open +frameworks of twigs, rootlets and weed stalks, through which the eggs +can be plainly seen. The eggs are similar to those of the preceding but +are usually of a paler color, the markings, therefore showing with +greater distinctness. Size 1.00 x .70. + +[Illustration 367: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Rose-breasted Grosbeak.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish white.] +[Illustration: J. B. Pardoe. NEST OF ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 366 + +597. BLUE GROSBEAK. _Guiraca caerulea._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States, breeding from the Gulf north to +Pennsylvania and Illinois, and casually to New England. + +Smaller than the last two species and deep blue, with wings and tail +blackish, and the lesser coverts and tips of greater, chestnut. It is a +fairly common species in the southerly parts of its range, nesting most +frequently in low bushes or vines in thickets; the nest is made of +rootlets, weed stalks and grasses and sometimes leaves. The three or +four eggs are bluish white, unmarked. Size .85 x .65. Data.--Chatham +Co., Ga., June 10, 1898. 3 eggs. Nest of roots, leaves and snake skin, +lined with fine rootlets, 3 feet from the ground in a small oak bush. + + +597a. WESTERN BLUE GROSBEAK. _Guiraca caerulea lazula._ + +Range.--Western United States north to Kansas, Colorado and northern +California. + +Slightly larger than the last and lighter blue; nests the same and egg +not distinctive. + + +598. INDIGO BUNTING. _Passerina cyanea._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding north to Manitoba +and Nova Scotia; winters south of the United States. + +This handsome species is rich indigo on the head and neck, shading into +blue or greenish blue on the upper and under parts. They are very +abundant in some localities along roadsides, in thickets and open woods, +where their song is frequently heard, it being a very sweet refrain +resembling, somewhat, certain passages from that of the Goldfinch. They +nest at low elevations in thickets or vines, building their home of +grass and weeds, lined with fine grass or hair, it being quite a +substantial structure. The eggs, which are laid in June or July, are +pale bluish white. Size .75 x .52. + + +599. LAZULI BUNTING. _Passerina amoena._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from Mexico to northern United +States and the interior of British Columbia; east to Kansas. + +This handsome bird is of the size of _cyanea_, but is azure blue above +and on the throat, the + +[Illustration 368: Blue Grosbeak.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish white.] +[Illustration: Indigo Bunting.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 367 + +breast being brownish and the rest of the underparts, white. It is the +western representative of the Indigo Bunting, and its habits and nesting +habits are in all respects the same as those of that species, the nests +being made of twigs, grasses, strips of bark, weeds, leaves, etc. The +eggs are like those of the last, pale bluish white. Size .75 x .55. + + +600. VARIED BUNTING. _Passerina versicolor_. + +Range.--Mexico and north to southern Texas. + +The general color of this odd bird is purplish, changing to bright blue +on the crown and rump, and with a reddish nape. They are quite abundant +in some localities along the Lower Rio Grande, where they nest in bushes +and tangled under brush, the nests being like those of the last species, +and rarely above five feet from the ground. The eggs are pale bluish +white, three or four in number, and laid during May or June. Size .75 x +.55. + + +600a. BEAUTIFUL BUNTING. _Passerina versicolor pulchra._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +Slightly smaller but very similar to the last; eggs will not differ. + + +601. PAINTED BUNTING. _Passerina ciris._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Illinois in the +interior. + +Without exception, this is the most gaudily attired of North American +birds, the whole underparts being red, the head and neck deep blue, the +back yellowish green, and the rump purple, the line of demarcation +between the colors being sharp. They are frequently kept as cage birds +but more for their bright colors than any musical ability, their song +being of the character of the Indigo Bunting, but weaker and less +musical. They are very abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, +where they nest usually in bushes or hedges at low elevations, but +occasionally on branches of tall trees. Their nests are made of weeds, +shreds of bark, grasses, etc., lined with fine grass, very much +resembling that of the Indigo. Their eggs are laid in May, June or July, +they frequently raising two broods; they are white or pale bluish white, +speckled with reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. + +[Illustration 369: Pale bluish white.] +[Illustration: Lazuli Bunting.] +[Illustration: Pale bluish white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Varied Bunting.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 368 + +602. SHARPE'S SEED-EATER. _Sporophila morelleti morelleti_. + +Range.--Eastern Mexico, breeding north to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in +Texas. + +This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5 inches in length, and in +plumage is black, white and gray. In restricted localities in southern +Texas, they are not uncommon during the summer months. They build in +bushes or young trees at low elevations making their nests of fine +grasses or fibres, firmly woven together and usually placed in an +upright crotch. The eggs are pale greenish blue, plentifully speckled +with reddish and umber brown, and some markings of lilac. Size .65 x +.45. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 7, 1892. Nest of fine fibre-like +material lined with horse hairs, on limb of small tree in open woods +near a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground. Collector, Frank B. +Armstrong. This set is in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. + + +603. GRASSQUIT. _Tiaris bicolor._ + +Range.--This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to +southern Florida. + +They are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, +with a small entrance on the side. They lay from three to six white +eggs, specked with brown. Size .65 x .50. + + +603.1 MELODIOUS GRASSQUIT. _Tiaris canora._ + +Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like +the last. + + +604. DICKCISSEL. _Spiza americana._ + +Range.--Interior of the United States, breeding from the Gulf to +northern United States, west to the Rockies, east to the Alleghanies. + +A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast patch, line over eye and on +side of throat; throat black, chin white and wing coverts chestnut. +These sleek-coated, harmoniously colored birds are very common in dry +bush-grown pastures and on the prairies. They are very persistent +singers, and their song, while very simple, is welcome on hot days when +other birds are quiet. They nest anywhere, as suits their fancy, on the +ground, in clumps of grass, in clover fields, bushes, low trees, or in +thistles. The nests are made of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, +lined with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are bluish white. Size +.80 x .60. + +[Illustration 370: Painted Bunting.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Sharpe's Seed-eater.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 369 + +605. LARK BUNTING. _Calamospiza melanocorys._. + +Range.--A bird of the Plains, abundant from western Kansas to eastern +Colorado and north to the Canadian border; winters in Mexico. + +These black and white birds have a sweet song which they often utter +while on the wing after the manner of the Bobolink, all their habits +being similar to those of this bird, except that this species likes the +broad dry prairies where it nests on the ground under the protection of +a tuft of grass or a low bush. Their four or five eggs are like those of +the last but slightly larger. Size .85 x .65. Data.--Franklin Co., +Kansas. 4 eggs. Nest in cornfield in a hollow on the ground at the base +of a stalk; made of straw and weeds. + + +TANAGERS. Family TANAGRIDAE + +607. WESTERN TANAGER. _Piranga ludoviciana._ + +Range.--United States, west of the Plains and north to British Columbia. + +This handsome species is black and yellow, with an orange or reddish +head. They are common and breed in suitable localities through their +range, nesting as do the eastern Tanagers in trees usually at a low +elevation, the nests being saddled on the forks of horizontal branches; +they are made of rootlets, strips of bark, and weed stalks, and are +usually frail like those of the Grosbeaks. Their eggs, which are laid in +May or June, are bluish green, specked with brown of varying shades. +Size .95 x .65. + + +608. SCARLET TANAGER. _Piranga erythromelas._ + +These beautiful scarlet and black birds frequent, chiefly, woodlands, +although they are very often found breeding in orchards and small pine +groves. They are quiet birds, in actions, but their loud warbling song +is heard at a great distance, and is readily recognized by its +peculiarity. They nest upon horizontal + +[Illustration 371: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Dickcissel.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Lark Bunting.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 370 + +limbs or forks at elevations of four to twenty feet, making frail nests +of twigs, rootlets and weeds; they are often found in pine trees, but +apparently just as frequently in other kinds. Their eggs are greenish +blue, specked and spotted with various shades of brown. Size .95 x .65. +Data.--Holden, Mass., May 31, 1898. Nest on low limb of an oak, 4 feet +above ground; of weeds and rootlets and very frail. + + + +609. HEPATIC TANAGER. _Piranga hepatica._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north to New Mexico and Arizona in summer. + +This species is similar to the next but is darker red on the upper parts +and bright vermilion below. They nest on the lower horizontal branches +of trees, usually live oaks, making the nests of rootlets and weeds; the +eggs are bluish green, like those of the next, but the markings appear +to average more blotchy and brighter. Size .92 x .64. + + +610. SUMMER TANAGER. _Piranga rubra rubra._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New York and +Kansas, and casually farther; west to Texas; winters south of our +borders. + +This bird is of the size of the Scarlet Tanager, but is of a uniform +rosy red color, darker on the back. They are very common in the South +Atlantic and Gulf States. Their nests are located at low elevations on +horizontal branches of trees in open woods, edges of clearings, or along +the roadside; the nests are made of strips of bark, weed stems, leaves, +etc., and are frail like those of the other Tanagers. Their eggs are +light bluish green, speckled and spotted with reddish brown, and not +distinguishable with certainty from those of the Scarlet Tanager. Size +.92 x .64. + + +610a. COOPER'S TANAGER. _Piranga rubra cooperi._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border and +Texas north to central California and Nevada. + +Similar to but slightly larger than the last. There are no differences +between the nesting of this form and the last and the eggs are not in +any way different. + +[Illustration 372: Scarlet Tanager.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Light bluish green.] +[Illustration: Summer Tanager.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 371 + +[Illustration 373: SCARLET TANAGER.] + +Page 372 + +SWALLOWS. Family HIRUNDINIDAE + +611. PURPLE MARTIN. _Progne subis subis._ + +Range.--Breeds throughout the United States and temperate British +America; winters in South America. + +These large, lustrous, steely-blue Swallows readily adapt themselves to +civilization and, throughout the east, may be found nesting in bird +houses, provided by appreciative land owners or tenants; some of these +houses are beautiful structures modeled after modern residences and +tenanted by twenty or thirty pairs of Martins; others are plain, +unpainted soap boxes or the like, but the birds seem to take to one as +kindly as the other, making nests in their compartments of weeds, grass, +mud, feathers, etc. They also, and most commonly in the west, nest in +cavities of trees making nests of any available material. During June or +July, they lay from four to six white eggs; size .95 x .65. +Data.--Leicester, Mass., June 16, 1903. 5 eggs in Martin house; nest of +grasses. + + +611a. WESTERN MARTIN. _Progne subis hesperia._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Washington south. + +The nesting habits, eggs, and birds of this form are identical with +those found in the east. + + +611.1. CUBAN MARTIN. _Progne cryptoleuca_. + +Range.--Cuba and southern Florida (in summer). + +Slightly smaller than the Purple Martin and the eggs average a trifle +smaller. + + +612. CLIFF SWALLOW. _Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, breeding north from the south Atlantic +and Gulf States. + +These birds can easily be recognized by their brownish throat and +breast, whitish forehead and buffy rump. They build one of the most +peculiar of nests, the highest type being a flask shaped structure of +mud securely cemented to the face of a cliff or under the eaves of a +building, the entrance being drawn out and small, while the outside of +the nest proper is large and rounded; they vary from + +[Illustration 374: White.] +[Illustration: Purple Martin.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Cliff Swallow.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 373 + +this typical nest down to plain mud platforms, but are all warmly lined +with grass and feathers. In some localities, cliffs resemble bee hives, +they having thousands of these nests side by side and in tiers. Their +eggs are creamy white spotted with reddish brown; size .80 x .55 with +great variations. Data.--Rockford, Minn., June 12, 1890. Nest made of +mud, lined with feathers; placed under the eaves of a freight house. + +612.1. CUBAN CLIFF SWALLOW. _Petrochelidon fulva._ + +Range.--West Indies and Central America; accidental on Florida Keys. + + +613. BARN SWALLOW. _Hirundo erythrogastra._ + +Range.--Whole of North America; winters south to South America. + +This Swallow is the most beautiful and graceful of the family, and is a +familiar sight to everyone, skimming over the meadows and ponds in long +graceful sweeps, curves and turns, its lengthened outer tail feathers +streaming behind. Throughout their range, they nest in barns, sheds or +any building where they will not be often disturbed, making their nests +of mud and attaching them to the rafters; they are warmly lined with +feathers and the outside is rough, caused by the pellets which they +place on the exterior. Before the advent of civilized man, they attached +their nests to the sides of caves, in crevices among rocks and in hollow +trees, as they do now in some localities. Their eggs cannot be +distinguished from those of the Cliff Swallow. Data.--Penikese Is., +Mass., July 2, 1900. Nest on beam in sheep shed; made of pellets of mud, +lined with feathers. + + +614. TREE SWALLOW; White-bellied Swallow. _Iridoprocne bicolor._ + +Range.--Whole of temperate North America, breeding from middle United +States northward; winters in the Gulf States and along the Mexican +border and southward. + +This vivacious and active species is as well known as the last, and +nests about habitations on the outskirts of cities and in the country. + +[Illustration 375: Barn Swallow.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Tree Swallow.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 374 + +They naturally nest in holes in trees or stumps, preferable in the +vicinity of water, but large numbers now take up their abode in houses +provided for them by man, providing that English Sparrows are kept away. +They make their nests of straws and grasses, lined with feathers, and +lay four to six plain white eggs; size .75 x .50. Data.--Portage, Mich., +May 26, 1897. Nest in a gate post; hole about 6 inches deep, lined with +feathers. + + +615. NORTHERN VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. _Tachycineta thalassina lepida._ + +Range.--United States in the Rocky Mountains and west to the Pacific +coast, breeding from Mexico to British Columbia; winters south of our +borders. + +This very beautiful species is smaller than the last, but, like it, is +white below, but the upper parts are blue, green and purple without +gloss. They are common in their range and nest, usually in holes in +trees, less often in banks and under eaves; the nests are made of grass +and feathers, and the eggs are pure white, four or five in number; size +.72 x .50. + + +615a. SAN LUCAS SWALLOW. _Tachycineta thalassina brachyptera._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. Practically the same bird as the last +but with the wing very slightly shorter. Nesting habits or eggs will not +differ. + + +615.1. BAHAMAN SWALLOW. _Callichelidon cyaneoviridis._ + +Range.--Bahamas; casual at Dry Tortugas, Florida. + +This very beautiful species is similar to the western Violet-green +Swallow, as are also its eggs. + + +616. BANK SWALLOW. _Riparia riparia._ + +Range.--Whole of North America, north to the limit of trees, breeding +from the middle portions of the United States northward; winters south +of our borders. + +This dull-colored Swallow is grayish above and white below, with a gray +band across the breast, they breed in holes in embankments, digging +small tunnels from one to three feet in length, enlarged and lined at +the end with grass and feathers. During May, June or July, according to +latitude, they lay from four to six pure white eggs; size .70 x .50. + + +617. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. _Stelgidopteryx serripennis._ + +Range.--United States, breeding from Mexico north to southern New +England, Manitoba and British Columbia; winters south of our borders. + +This species is slightly larger than the last and similar but with the +throat and breast grayish and with the outer web of the outer primary +provided with recurved hooks. They nest in holes in embankments, in +crevices in cliffs or among stones of bridges or buildings. Their eggs +are like those of the Bank Swallow but average a trifle larger; size .75 +x .52. + +[Illustration 376: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 615--616.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 375 + +WAXWINGS. Family AMPELIDAE + +618. BOHEMIAN WAXWING. _Bombycilla garrulus_. + +Range.--Breeds in the Arctic regions except in the Rockies where it +nearly reaches the United States; winters south to the northern tier of +states. + +This handsome crested, grayish brown Waxwing resembles the common Cedar +Waxwing but is larger (length 8 inches), has a black throat, much white +and yellow on the wing and a yellow tip to tail. Their nests are made of +rootlets, grass and moss, and situated in trees usually at a low +elevation. The eggs resemble those of the Cedar-bird, but are larger and +the marking more blotchy with indistinct edges; dull bluish blotched +with blackish brown; size .95 x .70. Data.--Great Slave Lake, June 23, +1884. Nest in a willow 8 feet from the ground. Collected for Josiah +Hooper. (Crandall collection). + + +619. CEDAR WAXWING. _Bombycilla cedrorum._ + +Range.--Whole of temperate North America, breeding in the northern half +of the United States and northward. + +These birds are very gregarious and go in large flocks during the +greater part of the year, splitting up into smaller companies during the +breeding season and nesting in orchards or groves and in any kind of +tree either in an upright crotch or on a horizontal bough; the nests are +made of grasses, strips of bark, moss, string, etc., and are often quite +bulky. Their eggs are of a dull grayish blue color sharply speckled with +blackish brown; size .85 x .60. Data.--Old Saybrook, Conn., June 22, +1900. Nest composed of cinquefoil vines, grasses, wool and cottony +substances; situated on an apple tree branch about 10 feet from the +ground. Collector, John N. Clark. This species has a special fondness +for cherries, both wild and cultivated, and they are often known as +Cherry-birds. They also feed upon various berries, and frequently catch +insects in the air after the manner of Flycatchers. Their only notes are +a strange lisping sound often barely audible. + +[Illustration 377: Dull bluish.] +[Illustration: Bohemian Waxwing.] +[Illustration: Dull bluish.] +[Illustration: Cedar Waxwing.] + +Page 376 + +620. PHAINOPEPLA. _Phainopepla nitens_. + +Range.--Southwestern United States and Mexico; north to southern Utah +and Colorado. + +This peculiar crested species is wholly shining blue black except for a +patch of white on the inner webs of the primaries. Their habits are +somewhat like those of the Cedar-bird, they being restless, and feeding +upon berries or insects, catching the latter in the air. They make +loosely constructed nests of twigs, mosses, plant fibres, etc., placed +on branches of trees, usually below 20 feet from the ground, in thickets +or open woods near water; the eggs are two or three in number, light +gray, spotted sharply with black; size .88 x .65. Data.--Pasadena, Cal., +July 15, 1894. Nest in an oak 10 feet up; composed of weeds and string. +Collector, Horace Gaylord. + + +SHRIKES. Family LANIIDAE + +621. NORTHERN SHRIKE. _Lanius borealis._ + +Range.--North America, breeding north of our borders; winters in +northern half of the United States and casually farther south. + +All Shrikes are similar in nature and plumage, being grayish above and +white below, with black wings, tail and ear patches, and with white +outer tail feathers and bases of primaries; the present species may be +known by its larger size (length over 10 inches) and wavy dusky lines on +the breast. They are bold and cruel birds, feeding upon insects, small +rodents and small birds, in the capture of which they display great +cunning and courage; as they have weak feet, in order to tear their prey +to pieces with their hooked bill, they impale it upon thorns. They nest +in thickets and tangled underbrush, making their nests of vines, +grasses, catkins, etc., matted together into a rude structure. During +April or May they lay from four to six grayish white eggs, spotted and +blotched with yellowish brown and umber; size 1.05 x .75. + +622. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding north to New England +and Illinois; winters in Southern States. + +Like the last but smaller (length 9 inches), not marked below and with +the ear patches sharply defined. They nest in hedges or thickly tangled +brush, showing a predilection for dense thorn bushes, where they place +their piles of weeds, grasses, feathers and rubbish; the four or five +eggs are laid in April or May; they are like those of the last, but +smaller, averaging .96 x .72. + +[Illustration 378: 619--620.] +[Illustration: Light gray.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Northern Shrike.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 377 + +[Illustration 379: I. E. Hess. +LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE AND NEST.] + +Page 378 + +622a. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Plains, breeding north to Manitoba +and the Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico. + +Like the last but paler and the rump white. Their nesting habits and +eggs are in every respect like those of the Loggerhead Shrike. + + +622b. CALIFORNIA SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus gambeli._ + +Range.--Pacific coast north to British Columbia. + +Similar to the eastern form but with the breast washed with brownish and +with indistinct wavy bars. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those +of the others. + + +622c. ISLAND SHRIKE. _Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi._ + +Range.--Santa Barbara Islands, California. Like the last but smaller and +darker. Eggs not distinguishable. + + +VIREOS. Family VIREONDIDAE + +623. BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO. _Vireosylva calidris barbatula._ + +Range.--A Central American species, breeding in Cuba, Bahamas and +southern Florida. + +Like the Red-eyed Vireo but with a dusky streak on either side of the +chin. They build pensile nests of strips of bark and fibres, swung from +the forks of branches. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +the next species, being white, more or less specked about the large end +with reddish brown and umber. Size .78 x .55. + +[Illustration 380: Loggerhead Shrike.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 622a--622b.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 379 + +[Illustration 381: YOUNG SHRIKES (All ready for flight).] + +Page 380 + +624. RED-EYED VIREO. _Vireosylva olivacea_. + +Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, breeding north to Labrador, +Manitoba and British Columbia. + +This is the most common of the Vireos in the greater part of its range +and is a most persistent songster, frequenting groves, open woods or +roadsides. Their eyes are brown, scarcely if any more red than those of +any other species and I have yet to see one with red eyes outside of +mounted museum specimens. They swing their nests from the forks of trees +at any elevation from the ground but usually below ten feet, and I have +found them where the bottom rested on the ground; they are made of +strips of bark, fibre, etc., and often have pieces of string or paper +woven into the sides; they are one of the most beautiful of bird homes +and are woven so strongly that old nests hang to the branches for +several seasons. Their three or four eggs, often accompanied by one of +the Cowbirds, are laid in May or June; they are white, sparingly specked +with blackish brown. Size .85 x .55. + + +625. YELLOW-GREEN VIREO. _Vireosylva flavoviridis._ + +Range.--Southern Texas and southward to South America. + +Similar to the Red-eye but greener above and more yellowish on the +sides. The nesting habits are the same and the eggs indistinguishable +from those of that species. + + +626. PHILADELPHIA VIREO. _Vireosylva philadelphica_. + +Range.--Eastern United States breeding from northern New England and +Manitoba northward. + +This species is much smaller than the Red-eye (length 5 in.) and is +yellowish below, and without black edges to the gray crown. Their eggs +do not differ from those of the Red-eyed Vireo except in size, averaging +.70 x .50. + + +627. WARBLING VIREO. _Vireosylva gilva gilva._ + +Range.--North America east to the Plains, breeding north to Labrador. + +This Vireo is nearly as abundant as the Red-eye but is not generally as +well known, probably because it is usually higher in the trees and more +concealed from view. Their nests are like those of the Red-eye, but +smaller and usually placed higher in the trees. The birds are even more +persistent singers, than are the latter but the song is more musical and +delivered in a more even manner, as they creep about among the foliage, +peering under every leaf for lurking insects. The eggs are pure white, +spotted with brown or reddish brown. Size .72 x .52. + +[Illustration 382: Red-eyed Vireo.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 626-627.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 381 + +[Illustration 383: C. A. Reed. +RED-EYED VIREO ON NEST.] + +Page 382 + +627a. WESTERN WARBLING VIREO. _Vireosylva gilva swainsoni._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from Mexico to British Columbia. + +This species is like the last but said to be a trifle smaller and paler +color. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the +eastern form. + + +628. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. _Lanivireo flavifrons._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf to +Manitoba and New Brunswick. + +This handsome bird is wholly unlike any others of the Vireos, having a +bright yellow throat and breast; the upper parts are greenish and the +wings and tail gray, the latter with two white bars. They are fairly +common breeding birds in northern United States, placing their handsome +basket-like structures in forks of branches and at any elevation from +the ground; the nests are like those of the preceding Vireos but are +frequently adorned on the outside with lichens, thereby adding +materially to their natural beauty. The four or five eggs are pinkish or +creamy white, speckled about the large end with reddish brown. Size .80 +x .60. + + +629. BLUE-HEADED VIREO. _Lanivireo solitarius solitarius._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from southern New England and +the northern states north to Hudson Bay; winters in the Gulf States and +southward. + +A beautiful Vireo with a slaty blue crown and nape, greenish back, white +wing bars and underparts, the flanks being washed with greenish yellow; +a conspicuous mark is the white eye ring and loral spot. They build +firm, pensile, basket-like nests of strips of birch and grapevine bark, +lined with fine grasses and hair, suspended from forks, usually at low +elevation and often in pine or fir trees (of some twenty nests that I +have found in New England all have been in low branches of conifers). +Their three or four white eggs are specked with reddish brown. Size .80 +x .60. + + +629a. CASSIN'S VIREO. _Lanivireo solitarius cassini._ + +Range.--United States west of the Rockies; north to British Columbia. + +Similar to the last but with the back grayish. + +629b. PLUMBEOUS VIREO. _Lanivireo solitarius plumbeus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region, breeding from Mexico to Dakota and +Wyoming. + +Like the Blue-headed Vireo but with the yellowish wholly replaced by +leaden gray. + +[Illustration: Yellow-throated Vireo.] +[Illustration 384: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Blue-headed Vireo.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 383 + +629c. MOUNTAIN VIREO. _Lanivireo solitarius alticola._ + +Range.--Mountains of Carolina and Georgia; winters in Florida. + +Said to be larger and darker than _solitarius_ proper. From all +accounts, the habits, nests or eggs of this species differ in no wise +from many of those of the northern Solitary Vireo, whose nests show +great variations in size and material. + + +629d. SAN LUCAS VIREO. _Lanivireo solitarius lucasanus._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +Similar to cassini but with the flanks more yellow. Their nesting habits +or eggs will not differ from the others. + + +630. BLACK-CAPPED VIREO. _Vireo atricapillus._ + +Range.--Central Texas north to Kansas; winters in Mexico. + +This peculiar Vireo has a black crown and sides of head, broken by a +white eye ring and loral stripe; upper parts greenish, below white. They +appear to be fairly common in certain localities of their restricted +range, and nest at low elevations in mesquites or oaks, placing the +nests in forks the same as other Vireos; they are of the ordinary Vireo +architecture, lined with grasses. The three or four eggs are pure white, +unmarked. Size .70 x .50. Data.--Comal Co., Texas, May 21, 1888, 4 eggs. +Nest located in a scrub Spanish oak, 5 feet from the ground. + + +631. WHITE-EYED VIREO. _Vireo griseus griseus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to northern United +States. + +This Vireo has white eyes, as implied by its name, is yellowish green on +the sides and with two prominent bars. They have no song, like the other +Vireos, but a strange medley of notes resembling those of the Chat or +Shrike. They nest near the ground in tangled thickets, making large +nests for the size of the birds and not always suspended; they are made +of weeds, leaves, grass, bark or any trash. Their three or four eggs are +laid late in May or early in June; they are white, sparingly speckled +with brown; size .75 x .55. + + +631a. KEY WEST VIREO. _Vireo griseus maynardi._ + +Range.--Southern Florida. + +This grayer and paler variety nests in the same manner and the eggs are +not distinct from those of the last form. + +[Illustration 385: Black-capped Vireo.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White-eyed Vireo.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 384 + +631b. BERMUDA VIREO. _Vireo griseus bermudianus._ + +Range.--Bermudas. + +This variety is said to be slightly smaller and to have no yellow on the +sides. Its eggs are probably the same as those of the others. + +631c. SMALL WHITE-EYED VIREO. _Vireo griseus micrus._ + +Range.--Eastern Mexico north to southern Texas. + +Said to be slightly smaller and grayer than the common White-eyed Vireo. +Its eggs will not differ. + + +632. HUTTON'S VIREO. _Vireo huttoni huttoni._ + +Range.--Resident on the California coast; chiefly in the southern parts. + +A similar species to _noveboracensis_ but with the under parts tinged +with yellow. These birds are quite common but shy, nesting at any height +from the ground in open woods or groves; the nests are made of grasses +and moss and swung from forked limbs; the three or four eggs are pure +white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50. + + +632a. STEPHEN'S VIREO. _Vireo huttoni stephensi._ + +Range.--Northwestern Mexico and the boundary of the United States. + +This variety, which is more yellowish than the last, appears to be +rather uncommon but as far as I can learn its habits and nesting do not +differ from those of the other Vireos; the eggs are white, specked with +brown. Size .70 x .50. + + +632c. ANTHONY'S VIREO. _Vireo huttoni obscurus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon (and Cal. in winter) to British +Columbia. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this darker and smaller variety are the +same in all respects as those of the Hutton's Vireo. + + +633. BELL'S VIREO. _Vireo belli belli._ + +Range.--Interior of the United States, breeding from Texas to Minnesota +and Dakota. + +The nesting habits of this smaller species are just the same as those of +the larger varieties, they suspending their small grass-woven baskets in +the forks of bushes or trees and usually at a low elevation. Their nests +are handsome and compact little structures, being often made almost +wholly of strips of bark lined with very fine grasses. The eggs are +white, specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50. Data.--Austin, Texas, +June 16, 1898. Nest of strips of bark, fibres and grasses, neatly woven +and swung from the fork of a low bush, 2 feet from the ground. + +[Illustration 386: White.] +[Illustration: 629a--632.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 633a-634.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 385 + +633a. LEAST VIREO. _Vireo belli pusillus._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, Arizona and southern California. + +This Vireo is slightly smaller and grayer than the last; they are quite +common in southern Arizona, nesting the same as Bell's at low elevations +in bushes or small trees. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +_belli_. + + +634. GRAY VIREO. _Vireo vicinior._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from western Texas, southern +California and Nevada southward. + +This species is grayish above and grayish white below, with white eye +ring, lores and wing bar. They are not uncommon birds in the Huachuca +Mts. of southern Arizona, where they nest in bushes at low elevations, +making the semi-pensile structures of woven strips of bark and grasses, +lined with fine round grasses attached by the rim to a fork and +sometimes stayed on the side by convenient twigs. Eggs white, specked +with brown. Size .72 x .53. + + +HONEY CREEPERS. Family COEREBIDAE + +635. BAHAMA HONEY CREEPER. _Coereba bahamensis_. + +Range.--Bahamas, casually to southern Florida and the Keys. + +This peculiar curved-billed species is dark brown above, with the +underparts, superciliary line and spot at base of primaries, whitish; +the rump and a breast patch are yellow. They nest at low elevations in +bushes or trees usually in tangled thickets, making a large dome-shaped +nest of grasses, leaves and fibres and, during May or June, lay from +three to five pale creamy white eggs, speckled sparingly all over the +surface and more abundantly at the large end with reddish brown. Size +.65 x .50. + + +WARBLERS. Family MNIOTILTIDAE + +Warblers as a family may be classed as the most beautiful, interesting +and useful birds that we have. With few exceptions, they only return +from their winter quarters as the trees shoot forth their leaves or +flowers, they feed largely among the foliage upon small, and mostly +injurious, insects. They are very active and always flitting from branch +to branch, showing their handsome plumage to the best advantage. Their +songs are simple but effectively delivered and the nests are of a high +order of architecture. + +636. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. _Mniotilta varia._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States +north to the Hudson Bay region; winters from our southern borders to +South America. + +This striped black and white Warbler is usually seen creeping about tree +trunks and branches after the manner of a Nuthatch. They are very active +gleaners and of inestimable value to man. They nest on the ground in +woods or swamps, making their nest of strips of bark and grass, placed +among the leaves usually beside stones, stumps or fallen trees. Their +three to five eggs are white, finely specked and wreathed with reddish +brown. Size .65 x .50. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1889. Nest of +strips of bark on the ground in an old decayed stump. + +[Illustration 387: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Black and White Warbler.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 386 + +637. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. _Prothonotaria citrea._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north in the interior to Iowa +and Illinois. + +This species is often known as the Golden Swamp Warbler because of the +rich golden yellow of the head and underparts. They frequent and nest in +the vicinity of swamps or ponds, nesting in the cavities of trees or +stubs at low elevations, filling the cavity with leaves, moss and +grasses, neatly cupped to receive the four to seven eggs, which are +creamy or pinkish white, profusely spotted with reddish brown and +chestnut. Size .72 x .55. Data.--Quincy, Mo., June 1, 1897. 5 eggs. Nest +in hole of a dead stub 6 feet up, in timber some distance from water; +made of moss and grasses, lined with hair. + + +638. SWAINSON'S WARBLER. _Helinaia swainsoni._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to Virginia and Indiana, +and west to eastern Texas; winters in Mexico and the West Indies. + +This species is brownish above and white below, with a whitish +superciliary stripe. It has been found breeding most numerously in +thickets and tangled underbush about swamps and pools in any locality. +Their nests are either in bushes or attached to upright rushes over +water after the manner of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, being made of +leaves, moss, rootlets, etc., lined with fine grasses or hair, and +deeply cupped for the reception of the three or four unmarked white or +bluish white eggs which are laid during May or June. Size .75 x .58. +Data.--Near Charlestown, S. C., May 12, 1888, 3 eggs. Nest in canes 4 +feet from ground, made of strips of rushes, sweet gum and water oak +leaves, lined with pine needles. + + +639. WORM-EATING WARBLER. _Helmitheros vermivorus._ + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding north to southern New +England and Illinois; winters south of our borders. + +This bird can be identified in all plumages by the three light buff and +two black stripes on the crown and narrower black stripes through the +eye. Their habits are similar to those of the Oven-bird, they + +[Illustration 388: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Prothonotary Warbler.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Swainson's Warbler. Worm-eating Warbler.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 387 + +feeding largely upon the ground amid dead leaves. They are quite +abundant in most localities in their range, nesting in hollows on the +ground in open woods or shrubbery on hill sides; the nest is made of +leaves, grasses and rootlets, lined with hair or finer grasses, and is +usually placed under the shelter of some small bush. They lay (in May, +June or July) three to six eggs, white, marked or blotched either +sparingly or heavily with chestnut or lavender. Size .70 x .52. + + +640. BACHMAN'S WARBLER. _Vermivora bachmani._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States, along the Gulf coast to Louisiana +and north to Virginia and Missouri. + +This species is one of the rarest of the Warblers, but is now much more +abundant than twenty years ago, when it had apparently disappeared. They +are greenish above, and yellow below, and on the forehead and shoulder, +and with black patches on the crown and breast. They have been found +breeding in Missouri, nesting on the ground like others of this genus; +the eggs are white wreathed about the large end and sparingly specked +over the whole surface with reddish brown and chestnut. Size .65 x .50. + + +641. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. _Vermivora pinus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding north to southern New England +and in the Mississippi Valley to Minnesota; winters south of our +borders. + +This common species has the crown and underparts yellow, line through +the eye black, and white wing bars and spots on outer tail feathers. +They breed most abundantly in the northern half of their United States +range, placing their nests on the ground in thickets or on the edge of +woods; the nests are made of strips of bark, usually grapevine, and +leaves, and are usually high and deeply cupped, they are almost always +placed among the upright shoots of young bushes. The eggs are white, +finely specked with reddish brown with great variations as to markings. +Size .65 x .50. Data.--Old Saybrook, Conn., June 1, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest +composed chiefly of dry beech leaves and strips of cedar bark, lined +with shreds of bark and fine grass; situated on the ground among a bunch +of weeds in the woods. + +[Illustration 389: Bachman's Warbler. Lawrence's Warbler. Brewster's +Warbler.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 388 + +642. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. _Vermivora chrysoptera._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding north to the southern parts of +the British Provinces, winters south of the United States. + +This is a very handsome species with black throat and ear patches, and +yellow crown and wing bars, the upper parts being gray and the lower +white. They frequent low fields or hillsides where they nest among weeds +or vines, making the nest of strips of bark, grasses and fibres, and +locating it close to the ground in clumps of weeds, low bushes or +briers. The three to five eggs are white with a very great diversity of +markings, either heavily or minutely spotted or wreathed with chestnut +and gray. Size .62 x .50. + + +643. LUCY'S WARBLER. _Vermivora luciae._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north commonly to Arizona and casually to +southern Utah. + +This small gray and white Warbler is especially distinguished by a +chestnut rump and patch in center of the crown. Besides nesting in forks +of low bushes, this species is said to place the domiciles in almost any +crevice or nook that suits their fancy, such as loose bark on tree +trunks, holes in trees, or other birds' nests. The eggs which are +usually laid during May are white, sparingly specked and wreathed with +reddish brown. Size .60 x .50. + + +644. VIRGINIA'S WARBLER. _Vermivora virginiae._ + +Range.--Western Mexico, north to Arizona and New Mexico, and also less +commonly to Colorado. + +This species is similar to the last but has the rump and a patch on the +breast, yellow. They are found quite abundantly in some localities, +usually on mountain ranges, nesting in hollows on the ground beside +rocks, stumps or in crevices among the rocks; the nests are made of fine +strips of bark and grasses, skillfully woven together, and the three to +five eggs are pure white, specked and wreathed with reddish brown. Size +.62 x .50. + +[Illustration 390: Golden-winged Warbler.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Lucy's Warbler. Virginia Warbler.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 389 + +645. NASHVILLE WARBLER. _Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla._ + +Range.--North America east of the Plains, breeding from New York and +Illinois north to Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters south of our borders. + +This small species is yellow below and greenish above, with an ashy gray +head and neck, enclosing a chestnut crown patch. They breed abundantly +in New England, usually on side hills covered with clumps of young +pines, the nests being placed flush with the surface of the ground and +usually covered with overhanging grass; they are made of grasses and +pine needles, the eggs are white, finely specked with bright reddish +brown. Size .60 x .45. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 23, 1895. Nest of +pine needles and grasses in hollow in the moss on a scrubby pine +hillside. + + +645a. CALAVERAS WARBLER. _Vermivora rubricapilla gutturalis._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding on ranges from California and +Idaho north to British Columbia; winters in Mexico. + +A slightly brighter colored form of the last species. Their habits are +the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern +bird. + + +646. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. _Vermivora celata celata._ + +Range.--North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding north of the +United States except in the Rockies south to Arizona and New Mexico; +winters in the Gulf States and southward. + +This plainly clad, greenish colored species has a concealed patch of +orange brown on the crown. They have been found breeding about Hudson +Bay and in the Mackenzie River district, placing their nests in hollows +on the ground, usually on the side of banks or hills and concealed by +small tufts of grass or bushes. The three or four eggs are white, +speckled with reddish brown. Size .64 x .45. + + +646a. LUTESCENT WARBLER. _Vermivora celata lutescens._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, breeding from California to Alaska; winters in +Mexico. + +Similar to the last but more yellowish below. They make their nests of +leaves, rootlets, moss, etc., lined with hair, and placed on the ground, +concealed by tufts of grass or by bushes. The eggs are like those of the +last. Data.--Danville, Cal., April 21, 1898. Nest on the ground on a +side hill; among weeds in the shade of a large oak. + +[Illustration 391: White.] +[Illustration: Nashville Warbler. Orange-crowned Warbler.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 390 + +646b. DUSKY WARBLER. _Vermivora celata sordida._ + +Range.--Santa Barbara Islands, off California. + +Said to be duller colored and darker than the others. The eggs cannot be +distinguished. + + +647. TENNESSEE WARBLER. _Vermivora peregrina._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the northern tier of +states, northward; winters to northern South America. + +This species has greenish upper parts, white lower parts and +superciliary line, and gray crown and nape. They nest either on the +ground or at low elevations in bushes, making the structure of grasses +and fibres, lined with hair; they are found on wild, tangled hillsides +and mountain ranges. The eggs are pure white, sparingly specked with +reddish brown. Size .62 x .45. + + +648. PARULA WARBLER. _Compsothlypis americana americana._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding in the southern half. + +The upper parts of this handsome species are bluish gray with a greenish +patch in the middle of the back; the throat and breast are yellow with a +patch of black and chestnut. They are abundant birds in suitable +localities, breeding in swamps, especially those with old or dead trees +covered with hanging moss (usnea). The nests may be found at any height +from the ground, and are usually made by turning and gathering up the +ends of the hanging moss to form a pocket, which is lined with fine +grass or hair. The four to six eggs are white or creamy white, wreathed +with specks of reddish brown and chestnut. Size .64 x .44. + + +648a. NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. _Compsothlypis americana usneae._ + +Range.--Northern half of eastern United States and southern Canada; +winters from the Gulf States southward. + +The nesting habits of the northern form of the Blue-yellow-backed +Warbler are in all respects like those of the last, and like them, where +moss grown swamps are not to be found, they have been known to construct +nests of moss suspended from branches of trees, or to nest in bunches of +dead leaves. Data.--Oxford, Mass., June 7, 1895. Nest in a dead pine +swamp; made in end of hanging moss about 6 feet from the ground. Large +colony breeding. + +[Illustration 392: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Tennessee Warblers. Olive Warblers.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 391 + +649. SENNETT'S WARBLER. _Compsothlypis piti ayumi nigrilora._ + +Range.--Eastern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This species is similar to the Parula but is more extensively yellow +below, and has black lores and ear coverts. Their habits are the same as +those of the last and their nests are generally placed in hanging moss, +and are also said to have been found hollowed out in the mistletoe which +grows on many trees in southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The eggs +cannot be distinguished from those of the last. + + +650. CAPE MAY WARBLER. _Dendroica tigrina._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern New England and +Manitoba northward; winters south of the United States. + +This beautiful Warbler is yellow below and on the rump, streaked on the +breast and sides with black; the ear coverts and sometimes the throat +are chestnut. They are very local in their distribution both during +migrations and in their breeding grounds. They nest in the outer +branches of trees, preferably conifers, making the nest of slender +twigs, rootlets, grasses, etc., lined with hair; the four or five eggs +are white, variously specked with reddish brown and lilac; size .65 x +.48. + + +651. OLIVE WARBLER. _Peucedramus olivaceus._ + +Range.--Mountains of New Mexico and Arizona southward. + +This peculiar species may readily be recognized by its saffron or +orange-brown colored head and neck, with broad black bar through the +eye. They nest at high elevations in coniferous trees on the mountain +sides, placing their nests either on the horizontal boughs or forks at +the end of them. The nests are very beautiful structures made of moss, +lichens, fine rootlets and grasses and setting high on the limb like +those of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The eggs are grayish white with a +bluish tinge, thickly speckled with blackish; size .64 x .48. +Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 21, 1901. Nest in a sugar pine near +extremity of branch, 25 feet from the ground and 20 feet out from the +trunk of the tree; composed of lichens and fine rootlets, lined with +plant down. + +[Illustration 393: White.] +[Illustration: Parula Warbler. Sennett's Warbler.] +[Illustration: Grayish blue.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 392 + +652. YELLOW WARBLER. _Dendroica aestiva aestiva._ + +Range.--Breeds in the whole or North America; winters south of our +borders. + +This well known and very common species is wholly yellow, being more or +less greenish on the back, wings and tail, and the male is streaked on +the sides with chestnut. They nest anywhere in trees or bushes, either +in woods, pastures, parks or dooryards, and their sprightly song is much +in evidence throughout the summer. The nests are usually placed in +upright crotches or forks, and are made of vegetable fibres and fine +grasses compactly woven together and lined with plant down and hair; the +eggs, which are laid in May or June, are greenish white, boldly specked +in endless patterns with shades of brown and lilac; size .65 x .50. + + +652a. SONORA YELLOW WARBLER. _Dendroica aestiva sonorana._ + +Range.--Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas, southward. + +This form is brighter yellow, especially above, than the last. The +nesting habits are the same and the eggs indistinguishable from those of +the preceding. + + +652b. ALASKA YELLOW WARBLER. _Dendroica aestiva rubiginosa._ + +Range.--Breeds in Alaska and on the coast south to Vancouver; winters +south of the United States. + +Similar to the common Yellow Warbler but slightly darker above; its eggs +and nesting habits are the same. + +[Illustration 394: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Cape May Warblers. Yellow Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 393 + +[Illustration 395: J. B. Pardoe. +NEST OF YELLOW WARBLER.] + +Page 394 + +653. MANGROVE WARBLER. Dendroica bryanti castaneiceps. + +Range.--Southern Lower California +and western Mexico and +Central America. + +This species is very similar to +the Yellow Warbler but the entire +head and neck of the male +are yellowish chestnut. Their +nesting habits or eggs do not vary in any essential +particular from those of the common Yellow-birds +of the United States. + + +654. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. _Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from +northern United States northward; winters in +the Gulf States and southward. + +These black-throated bluish-backed Warblers +are abundant in swampy woodland both during +migrations and at their breeding grounds; either +sex can readily be identified in any plumage, by +the presence of a small white spot at the base of +the primaries. They nest in underbrush or low +bushes only a few inches above the ground, making +the nests of bark strips, moss rootlets, etc., +lined with fine grasses or hair; +the eggs are pale buffy white +more or less dotted with pale +brownish; size .65 x .50. Data.--Warren, +Pa., June 9, 1891. 3 +eggs. Nest one foot from the +ground in brush; made of fine +pieces of rotten wood, laurel bark and lined with +fine grasses. + + +654a. CAIRNS WARBLER. _Dendroica caerulescens cairnsi._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges of North Carolina to Georgia. + +A darker form whose habits and eggs are identical with those of the last. + +[Illustration 396: Mangrove Warblers. Black-throated Blue Warblers.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Buffy white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 395 + +655. MYRTLE WARBLER. _Dendroica coronata._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States +northward. Winters in the southern half of eastern United States. + +This beautiful gray, white and black Warbler can readily be identified +by its yellow rump, side patches and crown patch. It is one of our most +common species during migrations when it is found west to the Rockies +and casually farther. They nest on the lower branches of coniferous +trees, making their homes of rootlets, plant fibres and grasses; during +June or the latter part of May, three or four eggs are laid; they are +white, spotted with several shades of brown and lilac; size .70 x .50. +Data.--Lancaster, N. H., June 7, 1888. Nest in a small spruce, about 6 +feet up; made of fine twigs, lined with feathers. + + +656. AUDUBON'S WARBLER. _Dendroica auduboni auduboni._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges of western United States from British Columbia +to Mexico. + +This bird resembles the last in the location of the yellow patches but +has a yellow instead of a white throat, and is otherwise differently +marked. They are as abundant in suitable localities as are the Myrtle +Warblers in the east, nesting on the outer branches of coniferous trees +at any height from the ground. The nests are made of bark strips, +rootlets, plant fibre, grasses and pine needles, the three to five eggs +are greenish or bluish white marked with brown and lilac; size .68 x +.52. The one figured is from a beautiful set of four in Mr. C. W. +Crandall's collection, and the ground color is a delicate shade of blue. +Data.--Spanaway, Washington, April 23, 1902. Nest on the limb of a large +fir in a clump of three in prairie country. + + +656a. BLACK-FRONTED WARBLER. _Dendroica auduboni nigrifrons._ + +Range.--Mountains of southern Arizona and Mexico. + +Similar to the preceding, but with the forehead and ear coverts black. +Their nests and eggs are in no way different from those of Audubon's +Warbler. + +[Illustration 397: White.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Myrtle Warblers. Audubon's Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 396 + +657. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. _Dendroica magnolia._ + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from northern United +States to Hudson Bay region and in the Alleghanies, south to +Pennsylvania. Winters south of our borders. This species, which is one +of the most beautiful of the Warblers, is entirely yellow below and on +the rump, the breast and sides being heavily streaked with black; a +large patch on the back and the ear coverts are black. They build in +coniferous trees at any elevation from the ground, making their nests of +rootlets and grass stems, usually lined with hair; the eggs are dull +white, specked with pale reddish brown; size .65 x .48. +Data.--Worcester, Mass., May 30, 1895. 4 eggs. Nest of fine rootlets and +grasses about 30 feet up on the end of a limb of a pine overhanging a +brook. + + +658. CERULEAN WARBLER. _Dendroica caerulea_. + +Range.--United States east of the Plains, breeding chiefly in the +northern half of the Mississippi Valley, rare east of the Alleghanies +and casual in New England. These beautiful Warblers are light blue gray +above, streaked with black on back, white below, with a grayish blue +band on breast and streaks on the sides; they have two wide white wing +bars and spots on the outer tail feathers. They are found chiefly in the +higher trees where they glean on the foliage; they build also usually +above twenty feet from the ground in any kind of tree, placing the nests +well out on the horizontal limbs, generally in a fork. The nests are +made of fine strips of bark, fibres, rootlets, etc., lined with hair; +the eggs are white or pale bluish white, specked with reddish brown; +size .62 x .48. Data.--Fargo, Ontario, June 2, 1901. Nest in a burr oak, +18 feet from the ground on a horizontal limb. + +[Illustration 398: Magnolia Warblers. Cerulean Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: No caption.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 397 + +[Illustration 399: NEST OF MAGNOLIA WARBLER.] + +Page 398 + +659. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. _Dendroica pensylvanica._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Plains, breeding in the Middle States +and Illinois, north to Manitoba and New Brunswick. Winters south of our +border. + +The adults of this handsome species may readily be known by the white +underparts and the broad chestnut stripe on the flanks; the crown is +yellow. They frequent low brush in open woods or on hillsides and +pastures, nesting at low elevations, usually below three feet from the +ground, and often concealing their nests beneath the leaves in the tops +of low small bushes. The nests are made of grasses, weed stems and some +fibres, but they do not have as wooly an appearance as those of the +Yellow Warblers which nest in the same localities and similar locations. +Their eggs are white or creamy white (never greenish white), specked +with brown and gray. Size .65 x .50. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 6, +1890. Nest in the top of a huckleberry bush, 2 feet from the ground; +made of grasses and plant fibres. Bird did not leave nest until touched +with the hand. + + +660. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. _Dendroica castanea._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from northern United +States north to the Hudson Bay; winters in Central and South America. + +This species has the crown, throat and sides a rich chestnut; forehead +and face black; underparts white. They nest in coniferous trees in +swampy places, making their nests of bark shreds and rootlets and +placing them in horizontal forks at elevations of from five to thirty +feet from the ground. The three or four eggs are laid late in May or +during June; they are white, usually quite heavily spotted and blotched +with reddish brown, umber and grayish. Size .70 x .50. + +[Illustration 400: Chestnut-sided Warblers. Bay-breasted Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 399 + +661. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. _Dendroica striata._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Rockies, breeding from northern +United States north to Labrador and Alaska; winters in South America. + +This black and white Warbler has a solid black cap, and the underparts +are white, streaked with black on the sides. In the woods they bear some +resemblance to the Black and White Warbler, but do not have the creeping +habits of that species. During migrations they are found in equal +abundance in swamps or orchards. In their breeding range, they nest at +low elevations in stunted pines or spruces, making their nests of +rootlets and lichens, lined with feathers. The eggs are dull whitish, +spotted or blotched with brown and neutral tints. Size .72 x .50. +Data.--Grand Manan, N. B., June 12, 1883. Nest and four eggs on branch +of a stunted spruce 2 feet from the ground. + + +662. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. _Dendroica fusca._ + +Range.--North America, east of the Plains, breeding from Massachusetts +and Minnesota north to Hudson Bay; south in the Alleghanies to the +Carolinas. Winters in Central and South America. + +This species is, without exception, the most exquisite of the family; +the male can always be known by the bright orange throat, breast and +superciliary stripe, the upper parts being largely black. They arrive +with us when the apple trees are in bloom and after a week's delay pass +on to more northerly districts. Their nests are constructed of rootlets, +fine weed stalks and grasses, lined with hair, and are placed on +horizontal limbs of coniferous trees. The three or four eggs are +greenish white, speckled, spotted and blotched with reddish brown and +neutral tints. Size .70 x .48. Data.--Lancaster, Mass., June 21, 1901. +Nest in a white pine, 38 feet from the ground on a limb 4 feet from the +trunk; composed of fine rootlets and hair, resembling the nest of a +Chipping Sparrow. + +[Illustration 401: White.] +[Illustration: Black-poll Warblers. Blackburnian Warblers.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 400 + +[Illustration 402: BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS.] + +Page 401 + +663. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. _Dendroica dominica dominica._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to Virginia and casually +farther; winters in Florida and the West Indies. + +This species has gray upper parts with two white wing bars, the throat, +breast and superciliary line are yellow, and the lores, cheeks and +streaks on the sides are black. These birds nest abundantly in the South +Atlantic States, usually in pines, and either on horizontal limbs or in +bunches of Spanish moss. The nests are made of slender pieces of twigs, +rootlets and strips of bark, and lined with either hair or feathers, the +eggs are three to five in number, pale greenish white, specked about the +large end with reddish brown and gray. Size .70 x .50. Data.--Raleigh, +N. C., May 3, 1890. Nest 43 feet up on limb of pine; made of grasses and +hair. + + +663a. SYCAMORE WARBLER. _Dendroica dominica albilora._ + +Range.--Mississippi Valley, breeding north to Ohio and Illinois, and +west to Kansas and Texas; winters south of the United States. + +This bird is precisely like the last except that the superciliary stripe +is usually white. Their nesting habits are precisely like those of the +last, and the nests are usually on horizontal branches of sycamores; the +eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Yellow-throated Warbler. + + +664. GRACE'S WARBLER. _Dendroica graciae._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States, abundant in Arizona and New Mexico. + +This Warbler is similar in markings and colors to the Yellow-throated +variety except that the cheeks are gray instead of black. The nesting +habits of the two species are the same, these birds building high in +coniferous trees; the nests are made of rootlets and bark shreds, lined +with hair or feathers; the eggs are white, dotted with reddish brown and +lilac. Size .68 x .48. + +[Illustration 403: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Yellow-throated Warblers. Grace's Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 402 + +665. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. _Dendroica nigrescens._ + +Range.--United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast and north to +British Columbia; winters south of our borders. + +The general color of this species is grayish above and white below as is +a superciliary line and stripe down the side of the throat; the crown, +cheeks and throat are black and there is a yellow spot in front of the +eye. They inhabit woodland and thickets and are common in such +localities from Arizona to Oregon, nesting usually at low elevations in +bushes or shrubs; the nests are made of grasses and fibres, woven +together, and lined with hair or fine grasses, resembling, slightly, +nests of the Yellow Warbler. The eggs are white or greenish white, +specked with reddish brown and umber. Size .65 x .52. Data.--Waldo, +Oregon, June 1, 1901. Nest 3 feet from the ground in a small oak in +valley. Collector, C. W. Bowles. (Crandall collection.) + + +666. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER. _Dendroica chrysoparia._ + +Range.--Central and southern Texas south to Central America. + +This beautiful and rare species is entirely black above and on the +throat, enclosing a large bright yellow patch about the eye and a small +one on the crown. In their very restricted United States range, the +birds are met with in cedar timber where they nest at low elevations in +the upright forks of young trees of this variety. Their nests are made +of strips of cedar bark, interwoven with plant fibres and spider webs +making compact nests, which they line with hair and feathers. Their +three or four eggs are white, dotted and specked with reddish brown and +umber. Size .75 x .55. + +[Illustration 404: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Black-throated Warblers. Golden-cheeked Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 403 + +667. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. _Dendroica virens._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from southern New England, South +Carolina in the Alleghanies, and Illinois north to Hudson Bay; winters +south of the United States. + +These common eastern birds are similar to the last but the entire upper +parts are olive greenish. They are nearly always found, and always nest, +in pines, either groves or hillsides covered with young pines. The nests +are usually placed out among the pine needles where they are very +difficult to locate, and resemble nests of the Chipping Sparrow. I have +found them at heights ranging from six to forty or fifty feet from the +ground. The three or four eggs, which they lay in June, are white, +wreathed and speckled with brownish and lilac. Size .60 x .50. + + +668. TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. _Dendroica townsendi._ + +Range.--Western United States, from the Rockies to the Pacific and from +Alaska southward; winters in Mexico. + +This is the common western representative of the last species, and is +similar but has black ear patches and the crown is black. They nest in +coniferous woods throughout their United States and Canadian range, the +nests being placed at any height from the ground and being constructed +like those of the Black-throated Green. Their eggs are not +distinguishable from those of the latter. Size .60 x .50. + +[Illustration 405: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Black-throated Green Warbler. Townsend's Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 404 + +669. HERMIT WARBLER. _Dendroica occidentalis._ + +Range.--Western United States and British Columbia chiefly on the higher +ranges. Winters south to Central America. + +This peculiar species has the entire head bright yellow and the throat +black; upperparts grayish, underparts white. They are found nesting in +wild rugged country, high up in pine trees, the nests being located +among bunches of needles so that they are very difficult to find. The +nests are made of rootlets, shreds of bark, pine needles, etc., lined +with fine grasses or hair. The three or four eggs are laid during June +or the latter part of May; they are white or creamy white, and sometimes +with a faint greenish tinge, specked and wreathed with brown and lilac +gray. Size .68 x .52. + + +670. KIRTLAND'S WARBLER. _Dendroica kirtlandi._ + +Range.--Eastern United States; apt to be found in any of the South +Atlantic, Middle or Central States, and in Ontario, Canada. Winters in +the Bahamas where by far the greater number of specimens have been +found. + +This very rare Warbler is bluish gray above, streaked with black, and +yellow below with the throat and sides streaked. Until the summer of +1903, the locality where they bred was a mystery. The capture of a +specimen, in June, in Oscodo Co., Michigan, led to the search for the +nests by N. A. Wood, taxidermist for the Michigan Museum at Ann Arbor. +He was successful in his quest and found two nests with young and one +egg. The nest in which the egg was found contained two young birds also. +It was in a depression in the ground at the foot of a Jack pine tree and +only a few feet from a cart road. The nest was made of strips of bark +and vegetable fibres, lined with grass and pine needles. The egg is +white, sprinkled with brown in a wreath about the large end. Size .72 x +.56. It is estimated that there were thirteen pairs of the birds in this +colony. + +[Illustration 406: Hermit Warblers. Kirtland's Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 405 + +671. PINE WARBLER. _Dendroica vigorsi._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern +British Provinces; winters in the Gulf States and southward. + +This common eastern species is greenish above and dull yellowish below, +streaked with dusky on the sides. They are almost exclusively found in +pine woods, either light or heavy growth, where they can always be +located by their peculiar, musical lisping trill. They nest high in +these trees, placing their nests in thick bunches of needles, so that +they are very difficult to locate. They nest from March in the south to +May in the northern states, laying three or four dull whitish eggs, +specked or blotched with shades of brown and lilac; size .68 x .52. +Data.--Worcester, Mass., May 28, 1891. Nest 30 feet up in a pine; made +of pine needles and rootlets. + + +672. PALM WARBLER. _Dendroica palmarum palmarum._ + +Range.--Interior of North America, breeding about Hudson Bay and +northward and wintering in the lower Mississippi Valley and the West +Indies. + +This species is brownish yellow above and yellow on the throat and +breast, the crown and streaks on the sides are chestnut. They are found +during migrations on or near the ground on the edges of woods or +thickets and along roadsides; have a peculiar habit of "teetering" their +tail which will readily identify them. They nest on the ground in, or on +the edges of swampy places, lining the hollow with grasses and rootlets. +In May or June they lay three or four eggs which are creamy white, +variously specked with brown and lilac; size .68 x .52. + + +672a. YELLOW PALM WARBLER. _Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from Nova Scotia, northward. + +This is the common Yellow Redpoll Warbler of the eastern states, and is +very abundant during migrations. Their habits are the same, if not +identical with the interior species. Their nests are also like those of +the last, placed on the ground and the eggs are indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 407: Dull white.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: Pine Warblers. Palm Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 406 + +[Illustration 408: C. A. Reed. +PRAIRIE WARBLER NEST.] + +Page 407 + +673. PRAIRIE WARBLER. _Dendroica discolor._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to Massachusetts +and Ontario; winters in southern Florida and the West Indies. + +A species readily recognized by its bright yellow underparts and the +black stripes on the face and sides; several bright chestnut spots are +in the middle of the greenish back. These birds will be found on dry +scrubby hillsides and valleys, where they nest in low bushes, and the +male will be found in the tops of the tallest lookout trees delivering +his quaint and very peculiar lisping song. Their nests are handsomely +made of vegetable fibres and grasses, closely woven together and lined +with hair; this structure is placed in the top of low bushes so that it +is well concealed by the upper foliage. Their three to five eggs are +whitish, specked and spotted with shades of brown and neutral tints; +size .64 x .48. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 23, 1891. Nest in the top +of a young walnut, two feet from ground; made of plant fibres and +grasses. Four eggs. + + +674. OVEN-BIRD. _Seiurus aurocapillus._ + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the middle +portions of the United States, north to Labrador and Alaska. Winters +from the Gulf States southward. + +This species is fully as often known as the Golden-crowned Thrush, +because of its brownish orange crown bordered with black. They are +woodland birds exclusively and nest on the ground, arching the top over +with rootlets or leaves, the nest proper being made of grasses and leaf +skeletons. As they are concealed so effectually, the nests are usually +found by flushing the bird. The four to six eggs are white, slightly +glossy and spotted, blotched or wreathed with reddish brown and lilac; +size .80 x .60. Data.--Old Saybrook, Conn., June 19, 1899. Domed nest +with a side entrance on the ground in woods. + +[Illustration 409: Whitish.] +[Illustration: Prairie Warblers. Oven-bird.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 408 + +[Illustration 410: C. A. Reed. +ARCHED NEST OF OVEN-BIRD.] + +[Illustration: J. B. Canfield. +NEST AND EGGS OF LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH.] + +Page 409 + +675. WATER-THRUSH. _Seiurus novebora censis noveboracensis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States +north to Hudson Bay and Newfoundland. Winters from the Gulf to South +America. + +This species is uniform brownish olive above and white below, streaked +heavily with blackish; it has a whitish superciliary line. It is known +in most of the United States only as a migrant, being found in moist +woods or swampy places. They nest in such localities in their breeding +range, placing their nests among the cavities of rootlets and stumps, +the nest being made of moss, leaves and rootlets. Their eggs are white, +profusely specked and blotched with reddish brown and lavender gray. +Size .80 x .60. Data.--Listowell, Ontario, May 28, 1895. Nest in a +turned-up root over water; made of moss, grass and hair. Collector, Wm. +L. Kells. This set of five is in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. + + +675a. GRINNELL'S WATER-THRUSH. _Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis._ + +Range.--Western North America, migrating between the Mississippi Valley +and the Rockies; breeds from northern United States north to Alaska; +winters in the south. + +This sub-species is said to be very slightly larger, darker on the back, +and paler below. Their nesting habits and eggs are identical with those +of the last. + + +676. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. _Seiurus motacilla._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf, north to southern +New England, Ontario and Minnesota; winters south of our borders. + +This species is similar to the last but is larger, grayer and less +distinctly streaked on the underparts. They nest in swampy places, +concealing their home in nooks among roots of trees or under overhanging +banks, the nest being made of leaves, moss, mud, grasses, etc., making a +bulky structure. The eggs, which are laid in May and number from four to +six, are white, spotted and blotched with chestnut and neutral tints. +Size .76 x .62. + +[Illustration 411: White.] +[Illustration: Louisiana Water Thrush. Water-Thrush.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 410 + +677. KENTUCKY WARBLER. _Oporornis formosus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New York and +Michigan; winters south of the United States to South America. + +Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over eye yellow; no +white in the plumage. These birds are found in about such localities as +are frequented by Oven-birds, but with a preference for woods which are +low and damp. They are locally common in some of the southern and +central states. They are active gleaners of the underbrush, keeping well +within the depths of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yellow-throat, +which has similar habits to those of this bird, they are quite +inquisitive and frequently come close to you to investigate or to scold. +They nest on the ground in open woods or on shrubby hillsides, making +large structures, of leaves and strips of bark, lined with grasses. The +eggs are white, sprinkled with dots or spots of reddish brown and gray. +Size .70 x .55. Data.--Greene Co., Pa., May 26, 1894. 4 eggs. Nest a +mass of leaves, lined with rootlets, placed on the ground at the base of +a small elm sprout in underbrush on a hillside. + + +678. Connecticut Warbler.--_Oporonis agilis._ + +Range.--Eastern United States; known to breed only in Manitoba and +Ontario. + +These birds have greenish upperparts and sides, yellowish underparts, +and an ashy gray head, neck and breast; they have a complete whitish +ring about the eye, this distinguishing them in any plumage from the two +following species. As they do most of their feeding upon the ground and +remain in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen unless +attention is drawn to them. They are quite abundant in New England in +fall migrations, being found in swampy thickets. They have been found +breeding in Ontario by Wm. L. Kells, the nest being on the ground in the +woods among raspberry vines. It was made of leaves, bark fibres, grass, +rootlets and hair. The eggs are white, specked with brown and neutral +tints. Size .75 x .55. + +[Illustration 412: White.] +[Illustration: Kentucky Warbler. Connecticut Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 411 + +679. MOURNING WARBLER. _Oporornis philadelphia_. + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from northern New England, +Pennsylvania, (Philadelphia) and Nebraska northward. + +Very similar to the last but with no eye ring and a black patch on the +breast. The habits and nesting habits of this species are very similar +to those of _agilis_, the nest being on or very close to the ground. +With the exception of on mountain ranges it breeds chiefly north of our +borders. The eggs are white, specked with reddish brown. Size .72 x .55. +They cannot be distinguished from those of the last. Data.--Listowell, +Ontario, June 5, 1898. Nest in a tuft of swamp grass in low ground; not +very neatly made of dry leaves, grasses and hair. Collector, Wm. L. +Kells. (Crandall collection.) + + +680. MACGILLIVRAY WARBLER. _Oporornis tolmiei._ + +Range.--Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific, breeding +north to British Columbia; winters in Mexico and Central America. + +Similar to the last but with white spots on the upper and lower eyelids, +black lores, and the black patch on the breast mixed with gray. These +ground inhabiting birds are found in tangled thickets and shrubbery +where they nest at low elevations, from one to five feet from the +ground. Their nests are made of grasses and shreds of bark, lined with +hair and finer grasses, and the eggs are white, specked, spotted and +blotched with shades of brown and neutral tints; size .72 x .52. +Data.--Sonoma, Cal., May 17, 1897. A small nest, loosely made of grasses +(wild oats) lined with finer grasses; placed in blackberry vines 14 +inches from the ground in a slough in the valley. + +[Illustration 413: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Mourning Warblers. Macgillivray Warblers.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 412 + +681. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis trichas trichas._ + +Range.--Eastern United States; this species has recently been still +further sub-divided so that this form is supposed to be restricted to +the south Atlantic coast of the United States. + +The Maryland Yellow-throat is represented in all parts of the United +States by one of its forms. They are ground loving birds, frequenting +swamps and thickets where they can be located by their loud, +unmistakable song of "Witchery, w i t c h e r y, witch." They nest on or +very near the ground, making their nests of grass, lined with hair; +these are either in hollows in the ground at the foot of clumps of grass +or weeds, or attached to the weed stalks within a few inches of the +ground. They lay from three to five eggs in May or June; these are +white, specked about the larger end with reddish brown and umber, and +with shell markings of stone gray. Size .70 x .50. All the sub-species +of this bird have the same general habits of this one and their eggs +cannot be distinguished from examples of the eastern form; the birds, +too, owing to the great differences in plumage between individuals from +the same place, cannot be distinguished with any degree of satisfaction +except by the ones who "discovered" them. + + +681a. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis trichas occidentalis._ + +Range.--This variety, which is said to be brighter yellow below, is +ascribed to the arid regions of western United States; not on the +Pacific coast. + + +681b. FLORIDA YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis trichas ignota._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coast to Texas. + + +681c. PACIFIC YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis trichas arizela._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia southward. + + +681e. SALT MARSH YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis trichas sinuosa._ + +Range.--Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay. + +[Illustration 414: White.] +[Illustration: Maryland Yellow-throats. Belding's Yellow-throat.] +[Illustration: Left hand margin.] + +Page 413 + +682. BELDING'S YELLOW-THROAT. _Geothlypis beldingi._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This peculiar species is like the common Yellow-throat but has the black +mask bordered by yellow instead of white, and the black on the forehead +extends diagonally across the head from in front of one eye to the rear +of the other. Their habits are like those of the other Yellow-throats +and the nests are similar to those of the latter, which are frequently +placed in cane over the water. Nests found by Mr. Walter E. Bryant were +situated in clumps of "cat-tails" between two and three feet above the +water; the nests were made of dry strips of these leaves, lined with +fibres; the eggs were like those of the common Yellow-throats but +larger; size .75 x .56. + +682.1. RIO GRANDE YELLOW-THROAT. _Chamaethlypis poliocephala._ + +Range.--Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +This Yellow-throat has the crown and ear coverts gray, only the lores +and forehead being black. The nests and eggs of these birds, which are +fairly common about Brownsville, Texas, do not differ from those of the +other Yellow-throats. + + +683. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. _Icteria virens virens._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf coast north to +southern New England and Minnesota. + +This strange but handsome species is very common in underbrush and +thickets in the south; they are usually shy and endeavor, with success, +to keep out of sight, but their strange song and calls, consisting of +various whistles and squawks mingled together, are often heard. Their +nests are built in bushes or briars at low elevations, being made of +grass, strips of bark and leaves, lined with finer grass; their eggs are +white, sharply speckled and spotted with various shades of brown and +lavender; size .90 x .70. + + +683a. LONG-TAILED CHAT. _Icteria virens longicauda._ + +Range.--United States west of the Plains, breeding from Mexico to +British Columbia. + +This bird is said to be grayer and to have a slightly longer tail than +the last. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same. + +[Illustration 415: Rio Grande Yellow-throat. Yellow-breasted Chat.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 414 + +684. HOODED WARBLER. _Wilsonia citrina._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding north to southern New England +and Michigan; winters south of our borders. + +This yellow and greenish species can be identified by its black head, +neck and throat, with the large yellow patch about the eye and the +forehead. The members of this genus are active fly-catchers, darting +into the air after passing insects in the manner of the Flycatchers. +They frequent tangled thickets where they build their nests within a few +inches of the ground, making them of leaves, bark and grass, lined with +hair; the four or five eggs are white, specked with reddish brown and +neutral tints; size .70 x .50. Data.--Doddridge Co., Mo., May 29, 1897. +Nest one foot from the ground in a small bush; made of leaves, strips of +bark and fine grasses. + + +685. WILSON'S WARBLER. _Wilsonia pusilla pusilla_. + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States +northward; south to Central America in winter. + +These handsome little black-capped flycatching Warblers are abundant +during migrations, especially in the spring, being found on the edges of +woods and in orchards. They nest on the ground, usually on the edges of +swamps, embedding their nests in the ground under the shelter of low +branches or on the edges of banks; the nest is of bark strips, fibres +and leaves, and the eggs are white, specked with reddish brown; size .60 +x .50. + + +685a. PILEOLATED WARBLER. _Wilsonia pusilla pileolata._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding in the Rocky Mountain region +from Mexico to Alaska; winters south of the United States. + +Similar to the eastern form but the yellow underparts and greenish back +are brighter. Like the last species, this form nests on the ground or +very close to it, in weeds or rank undergrowth, in swamps. Their eggs +which are laid in May or June are not distinguishable from those of the +last. + +[Illustration 416: Hooded Warblers. Wilson's Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 415 + +685b. GOLDEN PILEOLATED WARBLER. _Wilsonia pusilla chryseola._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of North America, breeding from southern +California in mountain ranges north to British Columbia. + + +686. CANADIAN WARBLER. _Wilsonia canadensis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from Mass., New York, and +Michigan north to Labrador and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America. + +This handsome Warbler is plain gray above and yellow below, with a black +stripe down the sides of the neck and across the breast in a broken +band. They frequent swamps or open woods with a heavy growth of +underbrush, where + +they build their nests on or very close to the ground. I have always +found them in Massachusetts nesting about the roots of laurels, the +nests being made of strips of bark, leaves and grass; in June or the +latter part of May they lay from three to five white eggs, specked and +wreathed with reddish brown and neutral tints; size .68 x .50. +Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 10, 1891. Nest on the ground under laurel +roots in swampy woods; made entirely of strips of laurel bark lined with +fine grass. + + +687. American Redstart. _Setophaga ruticilla._ + +Range.--North America, chiefly east of the Rockies, breeding in the +northern half of the United States and north to Labrador and Alaska; +winters south of our borders. + +The male of this handsome, active and well known species is black with a +white belly, and orange patches on the sides, wings and bases of outer +tail feathers. They breed abundantly in swamps, open woods or thickets +by the roadside, placing their nests in trees or bushes at elevations of +from three to thirty feet above ground and usually in an upright fork. +The nests are very compactly made of fibres and grasses, felted +together, and lined with hair. Their eggs are white, variously blotched +and spotted with brown and gray; size .65 x .50. Data.--Chili, N. Y., +June 1, 1894. Nest, a cup-shaped structure of plant fibres lined with +fine grasses and hair; 4 feet from the ground in the crotch of a small +chestnut. + +[Illustration 417: White.] +[Illustration: Canadian Warblers. American Redstart.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 416 + +[Illustration 418: C. A. REED. +MALE REDSTART FEEDING YOUNG.] + +Pgee 417 + +688. PAINTED REDSTART. _Setophaga picta._ + +Range.--Southern New Mexico and Arizona, southward. + +This beautiful Redstart is black with a large white patch on the wing +coverts, white outer tail feathers, and with the belly and middle of the +breast bright red. These active birds, which have all the habits and +mannerisms of the common species, nest on the ground in thickets or +shrubbery usually near water, and generally conceal their homes under +overhanging stones or stumps; the nests are made of fine shreds of bark +and grasses, lined with hair; the eggs are white, dotted with reddish +brown; size .65 x .48. Data.--Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1900. +Nest of fine bark and grass under a small bush on the ground. + + +689. RED-BELLIED REDSTART. _Setophaga miniata._ + +Range.--Mexico; admitted to our avifauna on the authority of Giraud as +having occurred in Texas. + +This species is similar to the last, but has a chestnut crown patch, +more red on the underparts, and less white on the tail; it is not +probable that their nesting habits or eggs differ from the last. + + +690. RED-FACED WARBLER. _Cardellina rubrifrons._ + +Range.--Southern Arizona and New Mexico, southward. + +This attractive little Warbler is quite common in mountain ranges of the +southern Arizona. They nest on the ground on the side hills, concealing +the slight structure of grasses and rootlets under overhanging shrubs or +stones. Their eggs are specked and blotched with light reddish brown and +lavender. Size .64 x .48. Data.--Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1902. +Nest in a depression under a tuft of grass growing about 8 feet up on +the side of a bank. + +[Illustration 419: White.] +[Illustration: Painted Redstart. Red-faced Warblers.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 418 + +WAGTAILS. Family MOTACILLIDAE + +694. WHITE WAGTAIL. _Motacilla alba._ + +Range.--An Old World species; accidental in Greenland. + +These birds are abundant throughout Europe, nesting on the ground, in +stone walls, or in the crevices of old buildings, etc., the nests being +made of grass, rootlets, leaves, etc.; the eggs are grayish white, +finely specked with blackish gray. Size .75 x .55. + + +695. SWINHOE'S WAGTAIL. _Motacilla ocularis._ + +Range.--Eastern Asia; accidental in Lower California and probably +Alaska. + + +696. ALASKA YELLOW WAGTAIL. _Budytes flavus alascensis._ + +Range.--Eastern Asia; abundant on the Bering Sea coast of Alaska in the +summer. + +These handsome Wagtails are common in summer on the coasts and islands +of Bering Sea, nesting on the ground under tufts of grass or beside +stones, usually in marshy ground. Their eggs number from four to six and +are white, profusely spotted with various shades of brown and gray. Size +.75 x .55. Data.--Kamchatka, June 20, 1896. Nest on the ground; made of +fine rootlets, grass and moss, lined neatly with animal fur. + + +697. PIPIT. _Anthus rubescens._ + +Range.--North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and in the Rocky +Mountains south to Colorado, winters in southern United States and +southward. + +The Titlarks are abundant birds in the United States during migrations, +being found in flocks in fields and cultivated ground. Their nests, +which are placed on the ground in meadows or marshes under tufts of +grass, are made of moss and grasses; the four to six eggs are dark +grayish, heavily spotted and blotched with brown and blackish. Size .75 +x .55. + + +698. MEADOW PIPIT. _Anthus pratensis._ + +Range.--Whole of Europe; accidental in Greenland. + +This species is similar to the American Pipit and like that species +nests on the ground; they are very abundant and are found in meadows, +woods or thickets in the vicinity of houses. Their nests are made +chiefly of grasses, lined with hair; the eggs are from four to six in +number and are grayish, very heavily spotted and blotched with grayish +brown. Size .78 x .58. + +[Illustration 420: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: American Pipit. Sprague's Pipit.] +[Illustration: Gray.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 419 + +699. RED-THROATED PIPIT. _Anthus cervinus._ + +Range.--An Old World species; accidental in the Aleutians and Lower +California. + +The nesting habits of this bird are like those of the others of the +genus. + + +700. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT. _Anthus spraguei._ + +Range.--Interior of North America, breeding from Wyoming north to +Saskatchewan. Winters in the plains of Mexico. + +These birds are common on the prairies and breed abundantly on the +plains of the interior of northern United States and Manitoba. They have +a flight song which is said to be fully equal to that of the famous +European Skylark. They nest on the ground under tufts of grass or +up-turned sods, lining the hollow with fine grasses; their three or four +eggs are grayish white, finely specked with grayish black or purplish. +Size .85 x .60. Data.--Crescent Lake, Canada. Nest of fine dried +grasses, built in the ground at the side of a sod. + + +DIPPERS. Family CINCLIDAE + +701. DIPPER. _Cinclus mexicanus unicolor._ + +Range.--Mountains of western North America from Alaska to Central +America. + +These short-tailed, grayish colored birds are among the strangest of +feathered creatures; they frequent the sides of mountain streams where +they feed upon aquatic insects and small fish. Although they do not have +webbed feet, they swim on or under water with the greatest of ease and +rapidity, using their wings as paddles. They have a thrush-like bill and +the teetering habits of the Sandpiper, and they are said to be one of +the sweetest of songsters. They nest among the rocks along the banks of +swiftly flowing streams, and sometimes beneath falls; the nests are +large round structures of green moss, lined with fine grass and with the +entrance on the side. The eggs are pure white, four or five in number, +and laid during May or June. Size 1.00 x .70. + +WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Family TROGLODYTIDAE + + +702. SAGE THRASHER. _Oreoscoptes montanus._ + +Range.--Plains and valleys of western United States, east of the Sierra +Nevadas, from Montana to Mexico. + +This species is abundant in the sage regions of the west, nesting on the +ground or at low elevations in sage or other bushes. Their nests are +made of twigs, rootlets and bark strips, lined with fine rootlets; the +three or four eggs are a handsome greenish blue, brightly spotted with +reddish brown and gray. Size .95 x .70. Data.--Salt Lake Co., Utah, May +11, 1900. Nest placed in a sage bush; made of twigs of the same and +lined with bark strips. Collector, W. H. Parker, (Crandall collection.) + +[Illustration 421: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Sage Thrasher.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 420 + +703. MOCKINGBIRD. _Mimus polyglottos polyglottos_. + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to New Jersey and +Illinois. + +These noted birds are very common in the south where they are found, and +nest about houses in open woods, fields, and along roadways; their nests +are rude, bulky structures of twigs, grasses, leaves, etc., placed in +trees or bushes at low elevations; the three to five eggs are usually +dull greenish blue, boldly spotted with brownish. Size .95 x .72. + + +703a. WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD. _Mimus polyglottos leucopterus._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from Texas to California, and +southward. + +This subspecies is as common in its range, and its habits are the same +as those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs are identical with +those of the last, and like that variety they frequently nest in odd +places as do all common birds when they become familiar with +civilization. + + +704. CATBIRD. _Dumetella carolinensis._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from the Gulf States to the +Saskatchewan; rare on the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and +southward. + +This well known mimic is abundant in the temperate portions of its +range, frequenting open woods, swamps, hillsides and hedges. Their nests +are usually low down in bushes or trees, and are constructed similarly +to those of the Mockingbird, of twigs and rootlets; a tangled mass of +vines and briers is a favorite place for them to locate their home. +Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May or during June, and are +from three to five in number and a bright bluish green in color, +unmarked. Size .95 x .70. + +[Illustration 422: Dull greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Mockingbird.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Catbird.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 421 + +705. BROWN THRASHER. _Toxostoma rufum_. + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Gulf States north to +Canada. Winters in the Gulf States and southward. + +This large, handsome songster is found breeding in just such localities +as are preferred by the Catbird and the two are often found nesting in +the same hedge or thicket. The nests, too, are similar but that of the +Thrasher is usually more bulky; besides building in bushes they +frequently nest on the ground, lining the hollow under some bush with +fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs are laid during May or June; +they are whitish or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with reddish +brown. Size 1.05 x .80. + + +706. SENNETT'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma longirostre sennetti._ + +Range.--Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. + +Very similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the +breast blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in +the Lower Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species in thick +hedges and the eggs are very similar to those of the Brown Thrasher, but +in a large series, average more sparingly marked over the whole surface +and with a more definite wreath about the large end. Data.--Corpus +Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest of twigs and vines in a bush in +thicket. Six feet from the ground. + + +707. CURVE-BILLED THRASHER. _Toxostoma curvirostre curvirostre._ + +Range.--Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern New Mexico. + +This species is a uniform ashy gray above and soiled white below; the +bill is stout and decurved. These birds are as numerous in the Lower Rio +Grande Valley as are the Sennett's Thrasher, frequenting thickets where +they breed in scrubby bushes and cacti. Their nests are rather larger +and more deeply cupped than are those of the last species and the eggs +can easily be distinguished. They have a ground color of light bluish +green, minutely dotted evenly all over the surface with reddish brown. +Size 1.10 x .80. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, April 6, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest +of sticks and thorns on a cactus in a thicket; 6 feet from the ground. + +[Illustration 423: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Brown Thrasher.] +[Illustration: Greenish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: 707a--708--710.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 422 + +707a. PALMER'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri._ + +Range.--Very abundant in southern Arizona and southward into Mexico. + +The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are exactly like those of the +last; they show a preference for placing their nests of sticks and +thorny twigs upon cacti at elevations below five feet from the ground. +Like the last, they generally raise two broods a season. + + +708. BENDIRE'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma bendirei._ + +Range.--Southern Arizona and Mexico; north locally to southern Colorado. + +This species is not as abundant in the deserts of southern Arizona as +are the last species with which they associate. They nest at low +elevations in mesquites or cacti, laying their first sets in March and +early April and usually raising two broods a season; their three or four +eggs are dull whitish, spotted and blotched with brownish drab and lilac +gray. Size 1.00 x .72. Data.--Tucson, Arizona, April 15, 1896. Nest 3 +feet up in a cholla cactus; made of large sticks lined with fine +grasses. + + +709. SAN LUCAS THRASHER. _Toxostoma cinereum cinereum._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This species is similar to _curvirostre_ but the under parts are spotted +with dusky. Their habits and nests are similar to those of the other +Thrashers and the three or four eggs are pale greenish white, spotted +with reddish brown. Size 1.08 x .75. Data.--Santa Anita, June 3, 1896. 3 +eggs. Nest in a cactus. + + +709a. MEARNS'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma cinereum mearnsi._ + +Range.--Northern Lower California. + +This species is described as darker than the last and with larger, +blacker spots on the breast and underparts. + + +710. CALIFORNIA THRASHER. _Toxostoma redivivum._ + +Range.--Southern half of California, west of the Sierra Nevadas. + +This species is more brownish than the other curve-billed species and +has a much longer and more curved bill. They are common in the under +brush of hillsides and ravines, where they locate their nests at low +elevations. Their nests are made of sticks and grass, lined with +rootlets, and the three or four eggs are bluish green with spots of +russet brown. Size 1.12 x .82. Data.--San Diego, Cal., Feb. 7, 1897. +Nest of sticks and rootlets in a grease-wood bush 4 feet from the +ground. Collector, Chas. W. Brown. + +[Illustration 424: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish white.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 423 + +711. LECONTE'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma lecontei lecontei._ + +Range.--Desert regions of southwestern United States, chiefly in the +valleys of the Gila and Colorado Rivers. + +This species is much paler than the last and has a shorter bill. It is +fairly common but locally distributed in its range and nests at low +elevations in bushes or cacti. The three or four eggs are pale greenish +blue, sparingly dotted with reddish brown. Size 1.10 x .75. +Data.--Phoenix, Arizona, April 2, 1897. 3 eggs. Large nest of dry twigs, +rootlets, etc., lined with bits of rabbit hair and feathers; 4 feet from +the ground in a small shrub. + + +711a. DESERT THRASHER. _Toxostoma lecontei arenicola._ + +Range.--Northern Lower California. + +This form of the last is said to differ in being darker above. It is a +very locally confined race, chiefly about Rosalia Bay, Lower California. +Its eggs will not be distinctive. + + +712. CRISSAL THRASHER. _Toxostoma crissale._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from western Texas to eastern +California; north to southern Utah and Nevada. + +This species may be known from any other of the curve-billed Thrashers +by its grayish underparts and bright chestnut under tail coverts. These +sweet songsters are abundant in suitable localities, nesting at low +elevations in chaparral. Their nests are large, and bulkily made of +sticks and rootlets; the eggs range from two to four in number and are +pale greenish blue, unmarked. Size 1.10 x .75. + + +713. CACTUS WREN. _Heleodytes brunneicapillus couesi._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States from Texas to eastern California; +north to southern Nevada and Utah. + +This species is the largest of the Wrens, being 8.5 inches in length. +They are very common in cactus and chaparrel districts, where they nest +at low elevations in bushes or cacti, making large purse-shaped +structures of grasses and thorny twigs, lined with feathers and with a +small entrance at one end. They raise two or three broods a year, the +first set of eggs being laid early in April; the eggs are creamy white, +dotted, so thickly as to obscure the ground color, with pale reddish +brown. Size .95 x .65. Data.--Placentia, Cal., April 15, 1901. Nest in +cactus about 6 feet from the ground; made of grasses and lined with +feathers and rabbit fur; nest 8 inches in diameter, 18 inches long. + +[Illustration 425: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: 711--712.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Cactus Wren.] +[Illustration: Creamy white.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 424 + +713a. BRYANT'S CACTUS WREN. _Heleodytes brunneicapillus bryanti._ + +Range.--Northern Lower California and coast of southern California. + +The nesting habits of this variety differ in no respect from those of +the last. + + +713b. SAN LUCAS CACTUS WREN. _Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +Eggs indistinguishable from those of the last. + + +715. ROCK WREN. _Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus._ + +Range.--United States, west of the plains, breeding north to British +Columbia, and south to Mexico; winters in southwestern United States and +southward. + +This species appears to be quite abundant on rocky hillsides throughout +its range; like most of the Wrens they draw attention to themselves by +their loud and varied song. They nest in crevices or beneath overhanging +rocks, making the nest out of any trash that may be handy, such as +weeds, grass, wool, bark, rootlets, etc.; their eggs range from four to +eight in number and are pure white, finely specked with reddish brown. +Size .72 x .50. + + +716. GUADALUPE ROCK WREN. _Salpinctes guadeloupensis._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California. + +A similar but darker and browner species than the Rock Wren. It breeds +in abundance throughout the island from which it takes its name, placing +its nests in crevices among the boulders or cavities of fallen tree +trunks and, as is often done by the last species, lining the pathway to +the nest with small pebbles. The eggs, which are laid from January to +April, resemble, in all respects, those of the common Rock Wren. + + +717. WHITE-THROATED WREN. _Catherpes mexicanus albifrons._ + +Range.--Northeastern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. + +The habits of the White-throated Wren are the same as those of the Canon +Wren, which variety is more common and better known; the eggs of this +species are not distinguishable from those of the next. + +[Illustration 426: Rock Wren.] +[Illustration: white.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 425 + +717a. CANON WREN. _Catherpes mexicanus conspersus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region and west to the Sierra Nevadas; north to +Wyoming and Idaho and south to New Mexico and Arizona. + +The Canon Wrens are uniform rusty brown all over except the large +sharply defined white throat patch; the underparts, wings and tail are +barred with black, and the back is specked with white. Their name is +well chosen for they are found abundantly in rocky canyons, ravines, and +side hills. They nest in crevices or caves among the rocks, placing +their nests in small niches; they are made of twigs, leaves, grasses and +feathers, and the three to six eggs, which are laid from April to June +according to locality, are white, sprinkled and blotched with reddish +brown and lilac. Size .72 x .52. + + +717b. DOTTED CANON WREN. _Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Lower California. + +The habits and eggs of this coast form of the White-throated Wren do not +vary in any particular from those of the preceding variety. + + +718. CAROLINA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern New +England and Illinois; resident in the greater part of its range. + +These loud-voiced songsters are well known in the south where they are +very abundant, being found along banks of streams, in thickets, along +walls, or about brush heaps. They nest in almost any suitable nook or +corner, in hollow trees or stumps, bird boxes, about buildings, and in +brush or bushes. When in exposed positions, the nest, which is made of +all sorts of trash, is arched over; the eggs, which are laid from March +to June, and frequently later, as several broods are sometimes reared in +a season, are white, profusely specked with light reddish brown and +purplish. Size .74 x .60. + + +718a. FLORIDA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus miamensis._ + +Range.--Southern Florida. + +A similar bird to the last but darker above and brighter below. Its eggs +are not distinguishable from those of the last. + + +718b. LOMITA WREN. _Thryothorus ludovicianus lomitensis._ + +Range.--Southern Texas. + +This sub-species is abundant along the Lower Rio Grande in southern +Texas, where its habits are the same as those of the others and the eggs +are not distinctive. + +[Illustration 427: Carolina Wren.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 717a--719a.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 426 + +719. BEWICK'S WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki bewicki._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States, and the Mississippi Valley north +to Minnesota and locally to the Middle States in the east. + +This species is not common on the Atlantic coast but in the interior it +is the most abundant of the Wrens, nesting in holes in trees, stumps, +fences, bird boxes, tin cans, etc., filling the cavities with grass and +rootlets. Their eggs are laid in the latter part of April or May; they +are white, specked and usually wreathed about the large end with reddish +brown and purplish. Size .65 x .50. + + +719a. VIGORS'S WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki spilurus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of California. + +This similar bird to the last has the same general habits and the eggs +are not in any way different from those of Bewick's Wren. + + +719b. BAIRD'S WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki bairdi._ + +Range.--Southwestern United States, from western Texas to eastern +California and north to Colorado and Nevada. + +Like the two preceding Wrens, this one nests in natural or artificial +cavities, and the four to seven eggs that they lay are precisely alike, +in every respect, to those of the others. + + +719c. TEXAS WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki cryptus._ + +Range.--Texas, north in summer to western Kansas. + +A very abundant bird in Texas. Nesting habits not unusual nor eggs +distinctive. + + +719d. SAN DIEGO WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki charienturus._ + +Range.--Coast of southern California. + +719e. SEATTLE WREN. _Thryomanes bewicki calophonus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to British Columbia. + +These last two sub-species have recently been separated from Vigors's +Wren, but their habits and eggs remain the same as those of that +variety. + + +719.1. SAN CLEMENTE WREN. _Thryomanes leucophrys._ + +Range.--San Clemente Island, California. + +This species is similar to Vigors's Wren but is grayer and paler above. +It is not peculiar in its nesting habits and the eggs are like those of +_bewicki_. + + +720. GUADALUPE WREN. _Thryomanes brevicauda._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island. + +A very similar species to the Vigors's Wren; nesting habits and the eggs +are not apt to differ in any respect. + +[Illustration 428: Bewick's Wren.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 427 + +721. HOUSE WREN. _Troglodytes aedon._ + +Range.--North America east of the Mississippi, breeding from the Gulf +north to Manitoba and Ontario; winters in the southern half of the +United States. + +This familiar and noisy little Wren is the most abundant and widely +distributed of the Wrens; they are met with on the edges of woods, +swamps, fields, pastures, orchards and very frequently build about +houses, in bird houses or any nook that may suit them; they fill the +cavity of the place they may select with twigs, grass, feathers, plant +down, etc., and lay from five to nine eggs in a set and frequently three +sets a year. The eggs are pinkish white, very profusely and minutely +dotted with pale reddish brown so as to make the egg appear to be a +nearly uniform salmon color and with a wreath of darker spots about the +large end. Size .65 x .52. Data.--Gretna, N. Y., May 29, 1896. Nest +three feet from the ground in cavity of an apple tree; made of twigs and +grass, and lined with hair and feathers. + + +721a. WESTERN HOUSE WREN. _Troglodytes aedon parkmani._ + +Range.--United States, from the Mississippi Valley to eastern +California. + +This variety is grayer above and below than the eastern form, but its +habits and eggs do not differ in any respect. + + +722. WINTER WREN. _Nannus hiemalis hiemalis._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States +northward, and south in the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in +the United States. + +These are the smallest of the Wrens, being but four inches in length; +they have a very short tail which, like those of the others, is carried +erect over the back during excitement or anger. They are very sly birds +and creep about through stone walls and under brush like so many mice; +they have a sweet song but not as loud as that of the House Wren. Their +nests are placed in crevices of stumps, walls, old buildings or in brush +heaps, being made of twigs and leaves, lined with feathers. Their eggs, +which are laid during May or June, are pure white, finely and sparingly +dotted with reddish brown; size .60 x .48. + +[Illustration 429: House Wren.] +[Illustration: Pinkish white.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 428 + +722a. WESTERN WINTER WREN. _Nannus hiemalis pacificus._ + +Range.--Western North America from the Rockies to the coast, north to +Alaska. + +This species is much browner both above and below and is more heavily +barred than the last; its habits and eggs are like those of _hiemalis_. + +722b. KADIAK WINTER WREN. _Nannushiemalis helleri._ + +Range.--Kadiak Island, Alaska. + +Said to be slightly larger and paler than _pacificus_. + + +723. ALASKA WREN. _Nannus alascensis._ + +Range.--Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, Alaska. + +Larger and paler than the Western Winter Wren. The habits of this +species are similar to those of the eastern Winter Wren; they nest +between boulders and in crevices of rocks or stumps, making their nests +of moss and rootlets, lined with feathers. The eggs are like those of +the Winter Wren but slightly larger; size .65 x .51. + + +723.1. ALEUTIAN WREN. _Nannus meliger._ + +Range.--Western Aleutian Islands to Alaska. Very similar to the above, +both in song and general habits. They nest in the crevices of rocks or +between boulders, making their nests of rootlets and grass, lining it +with hair and feathers. Usually six eggs are laid, white with a few +specks of brown (.58 x .46). + + +724. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. _Cistothorus stellaris_. + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to Manitoba and +Maine. + +This species does not appear to be as common anywhere as is the +Long-billed variety, whose habits and nests are similar. They nest in or +on the borders of marshes, and nests being globular structures of +grasses, lined with hair, and with the entrance on the side; they are +attached above the ground or water in marsh grass or reeds. Their eggs, +which number from six to eight, are pure white; size .64 x .48. + +[Illustration 430: Winter Wren.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: 623--723.1--725a.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 429 + +725. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. _Telmatodytes palustris palustris._ + +Range.--United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf north +to Manitoba and New England; winters in southern United States. + +These birds are very abundant in suitable localities throughout their +range, breeding in colonies in large marshes and in smaller numbers in +small marshy places. Their nests are similar to those of the last, being +globular and attached to cat-tails or reeds; the entrance is a small +round hole in the side of the rush-woven structures and the interior is +neatly finished with fine grass and hair. They lay from five to eight +eggs of a pale chocolate color, dotted and spotted with darker shades of +the same; size .64 x .45. Data.--Delray, Mich., May 27, 1900. Six eggs. +Nest a ball of woven flags and grasses, lined with cat-tail down, and +attached to rushes in salt marsh over two feet of water. Collector, Geo. +W. Morse. + + +725a. TULE WREN. _Telmatodytes palustris paludicola._ + +Range.--Western United States on the Pacific coast; north to British +Columbia. + +The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are in all respects like +those of the last. + +725b. WORTHINGTON'S MARSH WREN. _Telmatodytes palustris griseus._ + +Range.--Coast of South Carolina and Georgia. + +The habits and eggs of this paler form are identical with those of +_palustris_. + + +725c. WESTERN MARSH WREN. _Telmatodytes palustris plesius._ + +Range.--United States west of the Rockies, except the Pacific coast; +north to British Columbia. This variety is like the Tule Wren but +slightly paler; its nesting habits and eggs are the same. + + +725.1. MARIAN'S MARSH WREN. _Telmatodytes palustris marianae._ + +Range.--West coast of Florida. + +This species is similar to the Long-billed variety but is darker and +more barred above and below. Its nests and eggs will not be found to +differ materially from those of the others of this genus. + +[Illustration 431: Short-billed Marsh Wren. Long-billed Marsh Wren.] +[Illustration: Pale brown.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 430 + +CREEPERS. Family CERTHIIDAE + +726. BROWN CREEPER. _Certhia familiaris americana._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the northern tier of states +northward; winters in the United States. + +These peculiar, weak-voiced Creepers are common in northern United +States during the winter, when they may be seen slowly toiling up the +tree trunks, searching the crannies of the bark for larvae. They make +their nests behind loose hanging bark on old tree stubs, usually at low +elevations, building them of twigs, bark, moss, etc., held together with +cobwebs. The eggs, which are laid in May or June, are pure white, +specked and spotted with reddish brown; they average in size .58 x .48. +The nests are most often found under the loosened bark on coniferous +trees. + + +726a. MEXICAN CREEPER. _Certhia familiaris albescens._ + +Range.--Western Mexico north to southern Arizona. + +The nesting habits of this brighter colored form are the same as those +of the others. + + +726b. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREEPER. _Certhia familiaris montana._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains, breeding from New Mexico to Alaska. + +The eggs of this grayer variety cannot be distinguished from those of +the eastern birds and the nests are in similar situations. + + +726c. CALIFORNIA CREEPER. _Certhia familiaris occidentalis._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from southern California north to Alaska. + +An abundant species, especially on mountain ranges, breeding behind the +bark chiefly on pine trees. The eggs are not different from those of the +others. + + +726d. SIERRA CREEPER. _Certhia familiaris zelotes._ + +Range.--Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Cascade Range in +Oregon. + +Very similar to the last and with the same habits; eggs +indistinguishable. + +[Illustration 432: White.] +[Illustration: Brown Creeper.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 431 + +NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family SITTIDAE + +727. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis carolinensis._ + +Range.--United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to +southern Canada; resident throughout its range. + +These birds are creepers, but unlike the last species, these run about +on the trunks, either up or down; their tails are not pointed and +stiffened like those of the Brown Creepers, and their plumage is gray +and black above with a black crown, and white below. They nest in holes +in trees, usually deep in the woods and at any elevation from the +ground; they nearly always use deserted Woodpeckers' holes but are said +at times to excavate their own, with great labor as their bills are +little adapted for that work. They line the cavities with bark strips +and hair or feathers, and during April or May, lay from four to nine +white eggs, profusely specked with reddish brown and lilac. Size .80 x +.60. Data.--Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1902. Nest in hole in an oak tree, +45 feet above ground; made of fine strips of bark fibre and hair. + + +727a. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis aculeata._ + +Range.--North America, west of the Rockies and from Mexico to British +Columbia. + +This species is as abundant in the west as the last is in the east, and +nests in like situations. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of +the eastern birds. + + +727b. FLORIDA WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis atkinsi._ + +Range.--Florida and the South Atlantic coast to South Carolina. + +The habits and eggs of these birds are like those of the northern ones. + + +727c. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis nelsoni._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from Mexico north to British Columbia. + +Their nesting habits or eggs are not distinctive in any respect. + + +727d. SAN LUCAS NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis lagunae._ + +Range.--Mountain ranges of Lower California. + +Said to be like _aculeata_ but with the wings and tail slightly shorter. + +[Illustration 433: White-breasted Nuthatch.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 432 + +728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta canadensis._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from the northern tier of states +northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters south to +southern United States. + +This species is smaller than the last and has reddish brown underparts +and a black stripe through the eye. The breeding habits are the same as +those of the White-bellied variety, but these birds almost invariably +coat the tree below the opening with pitch, for what purpose is unknown. +They lay from four to six white eggs, numerously spotted with reddish +brown; size, .60 x .50. Data.--Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole +of dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made of strips of bark and +a few feathers. 5 eggs. + + +729. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. _Sitta pusilla._ + +Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States. + +This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their +habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in cavities +at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground. That they +sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced by the data +accompanying this egg. They lay from four to seven eggs, white with +profuse markings of reddish brown; size .60 x .48. Data.--St. Mary's, +Ga. Nest situated under the bark of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from +the ground; made of fine strips of bark. + + +730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmaea pygmaea._ + +Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from Mexico north to +British Columbia. Resident throughout its range. + +This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy +blue and the underparts soiled white or rusty. They are common in +mountains of western United States, nesting in holes in trees the same +as the other species of Nuthatches. They lay from five to nine eggs +which are white, speckled thickly with reddish brown; size .60 x .50. +Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, May 25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches +deep) in dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground; composed of a +mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet. + +[Illustration 434: Red-breasted Nuthatch.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Brown-headed Nuthatch.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 433 + +730a. WHITE-NAPED NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmaea leuconucha._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +Like the last but grayer above and white below. Its habits and eggs are +the same as those of the Pygmy Nuthatch. + + +731. TUFTED TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus bicolor_. + +Range.--Eastern United States, resident and breeding from the Gulf north +to New York and Illinois. + +This species has a grayish crest and upper parts, and is white beneath +with brownish sides and black forehead. These common and noisy birds +nest in natural cavities in trees or in holes deserted by Woodpeckers; +they may be found at any elevation, from two to thirty feet from the +ground. They line the bottom of the cavity with leaves, bark, fibres and +hair, and during April or May lay five to eight white eggs, plentifully +specked with reddish brown. Size .74 x .54. + + +732. BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus atricristatus atricristatus._ + +Range.--Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward. + +This Titmouse has a black crest and the forehead is white; otherwise +similar to the preceding. Like the last, these birds nest in deserted +Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees, either in open woods +or in the vicinity of habitations. Their eggs are sparsely spotted with +reddish brown, and not usually distinguishable from those of the Tufted +Titmouse. Size .70 x .54. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 11, 1892. Nest +of moss, hair, down and wool in cavity in tree in open woods near town; +4 feet from the ground. + +[Illustration 435: White.] +[Illustration: Tufted Titmouse. Black-crested Titmouse.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 434 + +733. PLAIN TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus inornatus inornatus_. + +Range.--California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas. + +This common, slightly crested Titmouse is grayish brown above and +grayish white below. They nest anywhere in cavities that meet with their +approval, about old buildings, in fence posts, etc., as well as holes in +trees. Their eggs range from five to eight in number and are white, +usually spotted with pale brownish. Size .72 x .52. Data.--Tulare Co., +California, April 3, 1895. Nest in an oak tree, 32 feet from the ground, +in a natural cavity of a horizontal limb; composed of grasses, feathers +and fur. + + +733a. GRAY TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus inornatus griseus._ + +Range.--Southeastern United States, from Colorado and Nevada southward. + +The nesting habits of this gray Titmouse are just the same as those of +the other. + + +733b. ASHY TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus inornatus cineraceus._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +The habits of this variety are the same as those of the Plain Titmouse +and doubtless the eggs are also. + + +734. BRIDLED TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus wollweberi._ + +Range.--Mexico north to southern Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. + +This handsome species is quite abundant in the mountains of southern +Arizona, and nests in woods or about ranches, lining the cavities of +trees with moss, down, leaves, etc. The three to seven eggs that they +lay are pure white, unmarked. Size .65 x .52. Data.--Huachuca Mountains, +Arizona, April 5, 1901. Nest in the natural cavity of a live oak, 12 +feet from the ground; cavity lined with bark and feathers. + + +735. CHICKADEE. _Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Middle and Central +States northward to Labrador; only migratory to a slight extent. + +The Chickadee is too well known to need any description; suffice it to +say that they are the favorites, with everybody, among all the North +American birds. They breed in holes in trees in orchards or woods, and +also in bird boxes. I have found by far the greater number in decayed +birch stubs. They line the cavities with fine grasses and feathers, and +during May or June lay from five to eight white eggs, dotted with +reddish brown; size .55 x .45. + +[Illustration 436: White.] +[Illustration: 733--734.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Chickadee. Carolina Chickadee.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 435 + +735a. LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. _Penthestes ataricapillus septentrionalis._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia. + +This variety is very similar to the last but has a slightly longer tail +and the colors are purer. Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs +are indistinguishable from those of the eastern Chickadee. + + +735b. OREGON CHICKADEE. _Penthestes atricapillus occidentalis._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska. + +The habits and eggs of this slightly darker variety are just the same as +those of the common Chickadee of the east. + + +736. CAROLINA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes carolinensis carolinensis._ + +Range.--Southern United States from the Gulf to New Jersey and Illinois. + +The southern Chickadee is smaller than the northern and the wing coverts +and feathers have little or no white edgings. Their nesting habits are +in every particular the same as those of _atricapillus_ and the eggs +cannot be distinguished with certainty, but average smaller; size .53 x +.43. + + +736a. PLUMBEOUS CHICKADEE. _Penthestes carolinensis agilis._ + +Range.--Eastern and central Texas. + +This variety is said to be more plumbeous above and much whiter below +than the preceding. No differences can be found in the eggs of the two +varieties and the nesting habits are the same. + + +737. MEXICAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes sclateri._ + +Range.--Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona. + +This species has the black more extended on the throat and the under +parts are grayish of a lighter shade than the upper, the cheeks, +however, remaining white. Their nests are in hollow stubs and the eggs +are indistinguishable from those of the foregoing Chickadees. + + +738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes gambeli gambeli._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region and west to the Pacific; north to British +Columbia chiefly in higher ranges. + +This handsome little Titmouse has a white superciliary line, leaving a +black stripe through the eye. Their habits are like those of the other +Chickadees and they are equally confiding and inquisitive. Their eggs +range from five to eight in number and are either pure white or faintly +marked with reddish brown; size .60 x .45. Data.--Estes Park, Colorado, +June 8, 1803. Nest in an old Sapsucker's hole in a live aspen tree, 28 +feet from the ground; cavity lined with hair and fur. + +[Illustration 437: 735b--737--738.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 436 + +739. ALASKA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes cinctus alascensis._ + +Range.--Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia. + +This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian Chickadee, nests in the +usual manner and its eggs are like those of the common Chickadee of the +east. + + +740. HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus._ + +Range.--Western half of British America. + +These brown capped Chickadees are very abundant throughout the northwest +and are even tamer than our United States varieties. They usually make +their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed stumps and line the +bottom of the cavity, which varies from three to eight inches in depth, +with moss and fur. Their eggs, which they lay in May, June or July, are +white, specked with reddish brown and cannot with any certainty be +distinguished from those of the Black-capped Chickadees, the eggs of all +the species showing considerable variations; size .60 x .45. + + +740a. ACADIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis._ + +Range.--Kowak River, northwest Alaska. + +A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs +not differing. + + +740b. COLUMBIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus columbianus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska. + +Like _hudsonicus_ but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No +difference can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs. + + +740c. CANADIAN CHICKADEE. _Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis._ + +Range.--Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York. + +These birds were formerly _hudsonicus_ in company with the western ones, +but they are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown +duller; this division does not affect the similarity of their habits and +eggs. + +[Illustration 438: Hudsonian Chickadee.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 437 + +741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens rufescens._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. + +This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a brown crown and +black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut colored back and sides. +They breed locally in Oregon, more commonly in Washington and are +abundant in British Columbia, making the nests of animal fur in holes in +dead stubs. Their eggs vary in number from five to eight and are creamy +white, dotted with reddish; size .60 x .45. Data.--Dayton, Oregon, May +28, 1906. Nest of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up. + + +741a. CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens neglectus._ + +Range.--Coast regions of California. + +This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its +habits and eggs are the same. + + +741b. BARLOW'S CHICKADEE. _Penthestes rufescens barlowi_. + +Range.--About Monterey Bay, California. + +This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs +are like those of the others. + + +742a. PALLID WREN-TIT. _Chamaea fasciata henshawi_. + +Range.--Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento +Valley. + +This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs +to those of the Coast Wren-tit. + + +742b. Coast Wren-Tit. _Chamaea fasciata fasciata._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon. + +These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tangled +underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead the life of a +recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest thickets, making +them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and feathers, compactly woven +together and located in bushes from one to four feet from the ground. +They lay from three to five plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 x +.54. Data.--Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; +composed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a +bulky nest. + + +743. BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus minimus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington. + +These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of +architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from twigs +usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are made of moss, +lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with feathers or wool; the +opening is on one side near the top, and a typical nest averages 12 +inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter at the bottom and 3 at the +top. Their eggs number from four to nine and are pure white; size .54 x +.40. The birds are very active and have the same habits as the +Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward, from the ends of +twigs, in their search for insects. + +[Illustration 439: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 438 + +743a. CALIFORNIA BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus californicus._ + +Range.--California with the exception of the northern part. + +This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head, +has the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not +distinguishable from those of the others. + + +743b. GRINDA'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus minimus grindae._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +The nesting habits of this variety, which is very similar to the last, +do not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable. + + +744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus plumbeus._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Arizona. + +This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and +some times from the mistletoe, which grows on numerous trees in southern +Arizona. The nests are composed like those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and +range from 6 to 10 inches in length. The eggs are white, five or six in +number and measure .55 x .42. + + +745. LLOYD'S BUSH-TIT. _Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi._ + +Range.--Northern Mexico north into western Texas and New Mexico. + +This species is similar to the lead-colored Bush-Tit but has the ear +coverts glossy black. Like the others, it builds a long pensile nest of +similar material and suspended from the extremities of limbs near the +ground The five to seven eggs are pure white. Size .58 x .42. + +[Illustration 440: E. L. Bickford. BUSH-TIT AND NEST.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 439 + +746. VERDIN. _Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps_. + +Range.--Mexican border of the United States, north to Colorado and +Nevada. + +This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and throat, the upper parts being +gray and the belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral brush, locally +throughout their range. Their large globular nests are situated in +bushes at low elevations from the ground, and are made of twigs and +weeds, softly lined with fur and feathers. Their three to six eggs are +pale greenish blue, specked and dotted with reddish brown. Size .58 x +.44. Data.--Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest of sticks and +thorns, lined with hair and feathers, and located in a bush in brush +thicket, 8 feet from the ground. + + +746a. CAPE VERDIN. _Auriparus flaviceps lamprocephalus._ + +Range.--Lower California. + +This new sub-species is said to have shorter wings and tail, and also to +be brighter yellow on the head. Its habits and eggs will not differ from +those of the common Verdin or Yellow-headed Bush-Tit. + + +WARBLERS, KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS. Family SYLVIIDAE + +747. KENNICOTT'S WILLOW WARBLER. _Acanthopneuste borealis._ + +Range.--Asia, casually found in Alaska. + +This species breeds in the extreme northern parts of Asia, and I believe +its eggs have never been found on this continent. They build their nests +of moss and grasses, on the ground in open woods, concealing them under +tufts of grass or tussocks of earth. The three to five eggs are white, +spotted with pale reddish brown. Size .70 x .50. + + +748. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulus satrapa satrapa._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward, +and south in the Rockies to Mexico, and in the Alleghanies to the +Carolinas; winters throughout the United States. + +This rugged little fellow appears to be perfectly content in our +northern states even during the most severe winters and leaves us early +in the spring for his breeding grounds farther north. They are usually +found in company with Chickadees and, like them, may be seen hanging to +twigs in all sorts of positions as they search for their meagre fare. +Their nests are large, round structures of green moss, bark strips and +fine rootlets, very thickly lined with soft feathers; these are placed +in forks or partially suspended among the branches of spruce trees, +usually high above the ground. During June they lay from five to ten +eggs of a dull whitish or grayish color, spotted heavily with pale brown +and lilac. Size .55 x .42. + +[Illustration 441: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Verdin.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: Gray.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 440 + +748a. WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulas satrapa olivaceus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska. + +This variety is said to be brighter colored than the last; its habits +and eggs are the same in all particulars. + +749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. _Regulus calendula calendula._ + +Range.--North America, breeding from the northern border of the United +States northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters in +southern United States. + +This little bird is of the size of the Golden-crowned Kinglet (4.25 +inches long) and has a partially concealed patch of red on the crown, +not bordered by black and yellow as is the last species. Their nests are +similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in +coniferous trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine +eggs are creamy white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 x +.44. + +[Illustration 442: Golden-crowned Kinglets.] +[Illustration: White.] +[Illustration: C. A. Smith. NEST AND EGGS OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 441 + +749A. SITKA KINGLET. _Regulas calendula grinnelli._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska. + +Said to be brighter than the preceding variety. + +749b. DUSKY KINGLET. _Regulus calendula obscurus._ + +Range.--Guadalupe Island, Lower California. + +This species nests during March in the large cypress and pine groves at +high elevations above the ground. The nests are similar in construction +to those of the common Ruby-crown, and the eggs are scarcely different +from some specimens of that species; white, dotted and wreathed with +reddish brown. Size .56 x .43. + + +751. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila caerulea caerulea._ + +Range.--United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to +the Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and +Minnesota. + +These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and +central tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded +districts in the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon +horizontal branches or in crotches usually at quite an elevation from +the ground; they resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the +walls are much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and +down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on the outside +with lichens to match the limb upon which it is placed. Their eggs are +bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. Size .58 x .45. +Data.--Chattanooga, Tenn., April 30, 1900. Nest of moss, covered with +lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet from the ground in a +small tree. + + +751a. WESTERN GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila caerulea obscura._ + +Range.--Western United States and Lower California. + +The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the +eastern bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less +ornamentation of the exterior. + + +752. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila plumbea._ + +Range.--Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California. + +This species has a bright shining black crown and more black on the tail +than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their nests upon the branches +of trees or in upright forks, usually at an elevation of ten feet or +more from the ground; the nests are made of plant fibres and fine bark +strips, compactly felted together, and with little, if any, ornamental +lichens on the exterior. Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with +reddish brown, and vary from three to five in number. Size .54 x .44. + +[Illustration 443: Ruby-crowned Kinglet.] +[Illustration: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 442 + +753. BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER. _Polioptila californica._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of southern California and northern Lower +California. + +This bird is very similar to the last but has still less white on the +outer tail feathers. Like the last, the nests of this species usually +lack the exterior covering of lichens, being made of vegetable fibres +and plant down, firmly quilted together and saddled on horizontal limbs +or placed in forks of trees at any height from the ground. Their eggs +are grayish white, specked with bright reddish brown. Size .55 x .44. +Data.--Escondido, Cal., May 17, 1903. 5 eggs. Nest on a large limb of a +sycamore, 30 feet above ground; made of weed fibres, etc., lined with +hair and fine fibres. + + +THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Family TURDIDAE + +754. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. _Myadestes townsendi._ + +Range.--Western United States, breeding from Arizona, New Mexico and +southern California north to British Columbia. + +This unique species is of a uniform brownish gray color, with a white +eye ring, narrow bar on wing, and outer tail feathers, and with the +bases of the primaries rusty colored. It is a ground inhabiting bird, +feeding upon insects and berries in shrubbery and thickets. Their song +is said to be liquid, melodious and often long continued, equaling that +of any other bird. They nest on the ground in hollows under banks or +crevices about roots of trees or fallen stumps, making a large, loosely +constructed pile of weeds and trash, hollowed and lined with rootlets. +The three or four eggs, which are laid in June, are grayish white, +spotted with pale brown, chiefly or most abundantly about the large end. +Size .96 x .70. + + +755. WOOD THRUSH. _Hylocichla mustelina._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from North Carolina and Kansas +north to northern United States; winters south of our borders. + +This Thrush with his brightly spotted breast is the most handsome of +this group of musical birds. They are common in damp woods and thickets, +in which places they breed, placing their nests of straw, leaves and +grasses in low trees usually between four and ten feet from the ground; +their nests are often very rustic, being ornamented by pieces of paper +and twigs with dead leaves attached hanging from the sides of the quite +bulky structures. During May or June they lay three or four greenish +blue eggs of about the shade of a Robin's. Size 1.05 x .70. + +[Illustration 444: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Grayish white.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 443 + +756. VEERY. _Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in the northern half of its +United States range and in the southern British Provinces. + +The Veery is very abundantly distributed in woodland, either moist or +dry, and nests on the ground or within a very few inches of it, usually +placing its structures of woven bark strips and grasses, in the midst of +a clump of sprouts or ferns. The three or four eggs which they lay in +May or June are bluish green, much darker than those of the Wood Thrush, +and nearly the color of those of the Catbird. Size .90 x .65. + + +756a. WILLOW THRUSH. _Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region, north to British Columbia. + +The nests and eggs of this similar bird do not differ from those of the +last. + + +757. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. _Hylocichla aliciae aliciae._ + +Range.--Breeds from Labrador to Alaska; winters south to Central +America. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this species are very similar to those of +the following sub-species and the same description will answer for both. + + +757. BICKNELL'S THRUSH. _Hylocichla aliciae bicknelli._ + +Range.--Breeds in the Catskills, White Mountains and Nova Scotia. + +These birds, which are practically identical with the preceding, build +their nests at low elevations in trees, usually evergreens when present, +making them of twigs, moss and rootlets, lined with fine grasses. The +eggs, which are laid during May or June, are pale greenish blue, spotted +and blotched with pale brown or russet. Size .88 x .64. Data.--Seal +Island, Nova Scotia, June 3, 1901. Nest of green moss and rootlets, in a +spruce, 5 feet from the ground. + + +758. RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH. _Hylocichla ustulata ustulata._ + +Range.--Pacific coast, breeding in Oregon and Alaska; winters in Central +America. + +This species is very abundant in moist thickets throughout its range, +nesting in bushes and low trees, and making them of weed + +[Illustration 445: Wood Thrush.] +[Illustration: Wilson's Thrush.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 444 + +[Illustration 446: WOOD THRUSH.] + +Page 445 + +stalks, bark strips, grasses and moss, lined with fine black rootlets. +They are found at elevations of from two to ten feet above the ground. +Like the Wood Thrush the birds are tame while sitting on the nest and +will allow a very close approach, without taking alarm; nests are +frequently found which are made almost entirely out of green moss and +are very handsome structures. Their three to five eggs are laid in May +or June; they are greenish blue, spotted with brown of varying shades. +Size .92 x .65. Data.--Eureka, California, July 6, 1899. Nest in a fir +tree, 5 feet from the ground; made of moss and strips of redwood bark. 4 +eggs. + + +758a. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. _Hylocichla swainsoni._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding chiefly north of the United +States, but locally in the northern parts, and abundantly in mountain +ranges. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this eastern representative of the last +species are like those of that bird in all respects and the eggs cannot +be distinguished from those of _ustulatus_. + + +758b. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. _Hylocichla oedica_. + +Range.--California and southern Oregon. + +Nesting habits and eggs identical with those of _ustulatus._ + + +759. ALASKA HERMIT THRUSH. _Hylocichla guttata guttata._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska. Winters in +Mexico. + +The Hermit Thrushes can readily be identified from any other by the +reddish brown tail which is in marked contrast to the color of the back. +The nesting habits and eggs of this species are precisely like those of +the eastern Hermit Thrush, which is a sub-species of this. + + +759a. AUDUBON'S HERMIT THRUSH. _Hylocichla guttata auduboni._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Winters in Central +America. + +The nesting habits of this bird are like those of the next except that +it more frequently nests in bushes above the ground. The eggs are not +distinctive. + +[Illustration 447: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Gray-cheeked Thrush. Olive-backed Thrush.] +[Illustration: deco.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 446 + +759b. HERMIT THRUSH. _Hylocichla guttata pallasi._ + +Range.--Eastern North America, breeding in northern United States and +north to Labrador; winters in southern United States. + +This species, which is noted for its sweet and musical song, frequents +damp swamps and thickets where it builds its nest either on the ground +or near it, like that of the Wilson Thrush; it is made of shreds of +bark, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined with fine rootlets; the three +or four eggs, which are deposited in May or June, are bluish green and +cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those of the Veery; size +.85 x .65. + + +759c. DWARF HERMIT THRUSH. _Hylocichla guttata nanus._ + +Range.--Pacific coast of United States, from Washington, southward. + +The nesting habits and eggs of this slightly smaller and duller colored +variety are like those of the other Hermit Thrushes. + + +760. RED-WINGED THRUSH. _Turdus musicus._ + +Range.--An Old World species, accidentally straying to Greenland. + +This common European bird nests at low elevations in bushes or trees, +laying four or five bluish green eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size +1.05 x .75. + + +761. ROBIN. _Planesticus migratorius migratorius._ + +Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the middle +portions of the United States, north to the Arctic Ocean. + +These common birds nest in trees about houses, in orchards, open woods, +in corners of fences, on blinds on houses, and in fact almost every +conceivable position. Their nests are made of grasses, firmly cemented +together with mud and lined with finer grasses; when placed in trees +they are generally firmly saddled in crotches and may be found at any +height, from on the ground to sixty feet above it. Their eggs are +greenish blue; size 1.15 x .80. Eggs may be found at any time from May +until July or August as they raise several broods a season. + +[Illustration 448: Hermit Thrush.] +[Illustration: Bluish green.] +[Illustration: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: American Robin.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 447 + +761b. SOUTHERN ROBIN. _Planesticus migratorius achrusterus._ + +Range.--The Carolinas and Georgia. + +The eggs of this bird, which is said to be smaller and duller colored +than the northern variety, show no differences in any respect. + +762. SAN LUCAS ROBIN. _Planesticus confinis._ + +Range.--Southern Lower California. + +This is a very much paler form of the American Robin; its eggs probably +will not differ from those of the others. + +[Illustration 449: J. B. Pardoe. NEST AND EGGS OF ROBIN.] +[Illustration: right hand margin.] + +Page 448 + +763. VARIED THRUSH. _Ixoreus naevius naevius._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska; south to +Mexico in winter. + +These handsome birds breed abundantly in Alaska and locally in mountain +ranges south to northern California. They nest at low elevations in +trees, making them of moss, twigs, weeds and grasses, forming a flat +shallow structure. Their eggs are greenish blue sharply but sparingly +spotted with dark brown; size 1.12 x .80. Data.--Delta of Kowak River, +Alaska, June 11, 1899. Four eggs. Nest 12 feet from the ground, against +the trunk of a slender spruce and supported by a clump of stiff twigs. + + +763a. NORTHERN VARIED THRUSH. _Ixoreus naevius meruloides._ + +Range.--Interior of western North America, breeding from British +Columbia to Alaska. Its habits and eggs do not differ from those of the +last. + + +764. SIBERIAN RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT. _Cyanosylvia suecica robusta._ + +Range.--Northern Asia; casually to Alaska. + +This beautiful foreigner nests on the ground and lays four to six +greenish blue eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size .75 x .50. + + +765. WHEATEAR. _Saxicola oenanthe oenanthe._ + +Range.--Asia; casual in Alaska in summer; nesting habits and eggs like +the next. + + +765a. GREENLAND WHEATEAR. _Saxicola oenanthe leucorhoa._ + +Range.--Europe and Greenland; casual on the Atlantic coast of North +America. + +This very abundant Old World species is a common breeding bird in +Greenland and probably also in Labrador. They nest in crevices of +quarries, holes in the ground, or stone walls, making a rude nest of +weeds, moss or grasses, lined with hair or feathers, and during May lay +from four to six pale greenish blue eggs; size .90 x .60. + +[Illustration 450: Greenish blue.] +[Illustration: Wheatear.] +[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 449 + +[Illustration 451: BLUEBIRD.] + +Page 450 + +766. BLUEBIRD. _Sialia sialis sialis._ + +Range.--Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern +Canada. Winters in the southern half of the United States. + +These familiar birds build in cavities in trees, usually below 20 feet +from the ground, crevices among ledges, bird boxes and in any suitable +nook they may discover about buildings, providing that English Sparrows +do not molest them. They raise several broods a year, commencing in +April when they lay from three to six pale bluish white eggs (rarely +pure white); size .80 x .60. The cavities of their nesting sites are +lined with grasses and feathers usually, although I have found the eggs +on the unlined bottom of cavities in trees. + + +766a. AZURE BLUEBIRD. _Sialia sialis fulva._ + +Range.--This pale variety is found in southern Arizona and southward. + +Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from +the last. + + +767. WESTERN BLUEBIRD. _Sialia mexicana occidentalis._ + +Range.--Pacific coast from Lower California to British Columbia. + +The Western Bluebird is as common and familiar in its range as the +common Bluebird is in the east. It nests in similar locations and its +eggs are scarcely distinguishable, although averaging a trifle darker in +shade; size .80 x .60. + + +767a. CHESTNUT-BACKED BLUEBIRD. _Sialia mexicana bairdi._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region from Mexico to Wyoming. + +The nesting habits or eggs of this brighter colored bird do not differ +from those of the last species. + + +767b. SAN PEDRO BLUEBIRD. _Sialia mexicana anabelae._ + +Range.--San Pedro Martir Mountains in Lower California. + +The eggs of this variety will not in all probability be any different +from those of the preceding Bluebirds. + + +768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. _Sialia currucoides._ + +Range.--Rocky Mountain region, breeding from New Mexico north to Great +Slave Lake; winters in southwestern United States and Mexico. + +This azure blue species is common in the greater part of its range and +is found west to the Sierra Nevadas in California. Like the eastern +Bluebird they nest in holes in trees or anywhere that they can find a +suitable cavity or crevice. Their eggs are slightly larger than those of +the other Bluebirds and have a slight greenish tint; size .85 x .64. + +[Illustration 452: Bluish white.] +[Illustration: Bluebird.] +[Illustration: left hand margin.] + +Page 451 + + + +INDEX + +Acanthis hornemanni, 328 + " exilipes, 328 + linaria, 329 + " holboeli, 329 + " rostrata, 329 + +Acanthopneuste borealis, 430 + +Accipiter cooperi, 205 + velox, 204 + +Actitis macularia, 158 + +AEchmophorus occidentalis, 11 + +AEegialitis dubia, 166 + hiaticula, 166 + meloda, 166 + mongola, 167 + nivosa, 167 + semipalmata, 165 + +Aeronautes melanoleucus, 270 + +AEstrelata fisheri, 67 + hasitata, 67 + scalaris, 67 + +Aethia cristatella, 25 + " pygmaea, 25 + " pusilla, 26 + +Agelaius gubernator californicus, 317 + phoeniceus, 316 + " bryanti, 316 + " caurinus, 316 + " floridanus, 316 + " fortis, 316 + " neutralis, 316 + " sonoriensis, 316 + tricolor, 317 + +Aimophila carpalis, 353 + ruficeps, 353 + " eremoeca, 353 + " scotti, 353 + " sororia, 353 + +Aix sponsa, 95 + +Ajaja ajaja, 115 + +Alauda arvensis, 297 + +Alaudidae, 297 + +Albatross, Black-footed, 59 + Laysan, 60 + Short-tailed, 59 + Sooty, 60 + Yellow-nosed, 60 + +Alca torda, 31 + +Alcedinidae, 247 + +Alcidae, 21 + +Alle alle, 34 + +Aluconidae, 227 + +Alucopratincola, 227 + +Amzillis cerviniventris chalconota, 279 + tzacatl, 278 + +Ammodramus bairdi, 338 + savannarum australis, 338 + " bimaculatus, 338 + " floridanus, 340 + +Amphispiza belli, 351 + nevadensis cinerea, 352 + " nevadensis, 352 + bilineata bilineata, 351 + " deserticola, 351 + +Anas platyrhynchos, 88 + fulvigula fulvigula, 90 + " maculosa, 91 + rubripes, 90 + +Anatidae, 87 + +Anhinga, 77 + anhinga, 77 + +Anhingidae, 77 + +Ani, 241 + Grove-billed, 243 + +Anous stolidus, 57 + +Anser albifrons albifrons, 108 + " gambeli, 108 + fabalis, 108 + +Anseres, 87 + +Anthus cervinus, 419 + pratensis, 418 + rubescens, 418 + spraguei, 419 + +Antrostomus carolinensis, 263 + vociferus vociferus, 263 + " macromystax, 264 + +Aphelocoma californica californica, 307 + +Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca, 307 + " obscura, 307 + cyanea, 306 + cyanotis, 307 + insularis, 307 + sieberi arizonae, 307 + " couchi, 308 + texana, 307 + woodhousei, 306 + +Aphriza virgata, 169 + +Aphrizidae, 169 + +Aquila chrysaetos, 215 + +Aramidae, 129 + +Aramus vociferus, 129 + +Archibuteo ferrugineus, 215 + lagopus sancti-johannis, 214 + +Archilochus alexandri, 273 + " colubris, 273 + +Page 452 + +Arctonetta fischeri, 102 + +Ardea cinerea, 122 + " herodias, 121 + " fannini, 121 + " wardi, 122 + " occidentalis, 121 + +Ardeidae, 119 + +Arenaria interpres interpres, 169 + melanocephala, 170 + morinella, 169 + +Arquatella maritima couesi, 146 + ptilocnemis, 147 + maritima maritima, 146 + +Arremonops rufivirgatus, 357 + +Asio accipitrinus, 229 + " flammeus, 229 + " wilsonianus, 227 + +Astragalinus lawrencei, 331 + psaltria psaltria, 331 + tristis tristis, 329 + " pallidus, 331 + " salicamans, 331 + +Astur atricapillus atricapillus, 205 + " striatulus, 207 + +Asturina plagiata, 214 + +Asyndesmus lewisi, 257 + +Atthis morcomi, 278 + +Auk, Great, 33-32 + Razor-billed, 31 + +Auklet, Cassin's, 24 + Crested, 26 + Least, 27 + Paroquet, 26 + Rhinoceros, 23 + Whiskered, 26 + +Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps, 439 + " lamprocephalus, 439 + +Avocet, 139 + +Baeolophus atricristatus atricristatus, 433 + bicolor, 433 + inornatus inornatus, 434 + " cineraceus, 434 + " griseus, 434 + wollweberi, 434 + +Baldpate, 92 + +Bartramia longicauda, 156 + +Basilinna leucotis, 279 + xantusi, 279 + +Becard, Xantus's, 280 + +Bittern, 119 + Cory's Least, 120 + Least, 120 + +Blackbird, Bicolored, 317 + Brewer's, 322 + Red-winged, 316 + Rusty, 322 + Tricolored, 317 + Yellow-headed, 315 + +Bluebird, 448 + Azure, 448 + Chestnut-backed, 450 + Mountain, 450 + San Pedro, 450 + Western, 450 + +Bluethroat Siberian Red-spotted, 448 + +Bobolink, 314 + +Bob-white, 175 + Florida, 175 + Masked, 175 + Texan, 175 + +Bombycilla cedrorum, 375 + garrula, 375 + +Bombycillidae, 375 + +Bonasa umbellus umbellus, 180 + " sabini, 182 + " togata, 182 + " umbelloides, 182 + +Booby, 75 + Blue-faced, 74 + Blue-footed, 74 + Brewster's, 75 + Red-footed, 75 + +Botaurus lentiginosus, 119 + +Brachyramphus brevirostris, 27 + craveri's, 28 + hypoleucus, 27 + marmoratus, 27 + +Brant, 111 + Black, 111 + +Branta bernicla glaucogastra, 111 + canadensis canadensis, 109 + " hutchinsi, 109 + " minima, 109 + " occidentalis, 109 + leucopsis, 112 + +Branta nigricans, 111 + +Bubo virginianus virginianus, 235 + " elachistus, 237 + " pacificus, 235 + " pallescens, 235 + " saturatus, 235 + " subarticus, 235 + +Budytes flavus alascensis, 418 + +Buffle-head, 100 + +Bullfinch, Cassin's, 325 + +Bulweria bulweri, 67 + +Bunting, Beautiful, 367 + Indigo, 366 + Lark, 369 + Lazuli, 366 + McKay's Snow, 333 + Painted, 367 + Pribilof Snow, 332 + +Page 453 + + Snow, 332 + Varied, 367 + +Bush-Tit, 437 + California, 438 + Grinda's, 438 + Lead-colored, 438 + Lloyd's, 438 + +Buteo abbreviatus, 211 + albicaudatus sennetti, 212 + borealis borealis, 208 + " calurus, 208 + " harlani, 209 + " krideri, 208 + brachyurus, 213 + lineatus lineatus, 209 + " alleni, 209 + " elegans, 211 + platypterus, 213 + swainsoni, 212 + +Buteonidae, 201 + +Butorides virescens virescens, 124 + " anthonyi, 125 + " frazari, 125 + +Buzzard, Turkey, 199 + +Calamospiza melanocorys, 369 + +Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus, 333 + " alascensis, 333 + ornatus, 334 + pictus, 334 + +Calidris leucophaea, 151 + +Callichelidon cyaneoviridis, 374 + +Callothrus robustus. + +Callipepla squamata squamata, 176 + " castanogastris, 177 + +Calothorax lucifer, 278 + +Calypte anna, 275 + costae, 275 + +Campephilus principalis, 249 + labradorius, 101 + +Camptostoma imberbe, 296 + +Canachites canadensis canadensis, 179 + " canace, 179 + " osgoodi, 179 + franklini, 180 + +Canvas-back, 97 + +Caprimulgidae, 263 + +Caracara, Audubon, 224 + Guadalupe, 224 + +Cardellina rubrifrons, 417 + +Cardinal, 363 + Arizona, 363 + Florida, 364 + Gray-tailed, 364 + San Lucas, 363 + +Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis, 363 + " canicaudus, 364 + " floridanus, 364 + +Cardinalis igneus, 363 + " superbus, 363 + +Carpodacus amplus, 326 + cassini, 326 + mcgregori, 326 + mexicanus clementis, 326 + " frontalis, 326 + " ruberrimus, 326 + purpureus purpureus, 325 + " californicus, 325 + +Casarca ferruginea, 93 + +Catbird, 420 + +Catharista urubu, 199 + +Cathartes aura septentrionalis, 199 + +Cathartidae, 198 + +Catherpes mexicanus albifrons, 424 + " conspersus, 425 + " punctulatus, 425 + +Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus, 155 + semipalmatus inornatus, 156 + +Centrocercus urophasianus, 188 + +Centurus aurifrons, 258 + carolinus, 257 + uropygialis, 258 + +Cepphus columba, 29 + grylle, 28 + mandti, 29 + +Cerorhinca monocerata, 23 + +Certhia familiaris albescens, 430 + " americana, 430 + " montana, 430 + +Certhia familiaris occidentalis, 430 + " zelotes, 430 + +Certhiidae, 430 + +Ceryle alcyon, 247 + americana septentrionalis, 249 + torquata, 247 + +Chachalaca, 191 + +Chaemepelia passerina terrestris, 195 + " pallescens, 195 + " bermudiana, 195 + +Chaetura pelagica, 269 + vauxi, 270 + +Chamaea fasciata fasciata, 437 + " henshawi, 437 + +Chamaethlypis poliocephala, 413 + +Charadriidae, 161 + +Charadrius apricarius, 163 + dominicus dominicus, 163 + " fulvus, 163 + +Charitonetta albeola, 100 + +Chat, Long-tailed, 413 + Yellow-breasted, 413 + +Chaulelasmus streperus, 91 + +Chen caerulescens, 107 + hyperboreus hyperboreus, 107 + +Page 454 + +Chen hyperboreus Nivalis, 107 + rossi, 108 + +Chewink, 358 + +Chickadee, 434 + Acadian, 436 + Alaska, 436 + Barlow's, 437 + California, 437 + Carolina, 435 + Chestnut-backed, 437 + Hudsonian, 436 + Long-tailed, 435 + Mexican, 435 + Mountain, 435 + Oregon, 435 + Plumbeous, 435 + +Chondestes grammacus grammacus, 342 + strigatus, 342 + +Chordeiles acutipennis texensis, 268 + virginianus virginianus, 266 + " chapmani, 266 + " henryi, 266 + " sennetti, 268 + +Chuck-will's widow, 263 + +Ciconiidae, 118 + +Cinclidae, 419 + +Cinclus mexicanus unicolor, 419 + +Circus hudsonius, 204 + +Cistothorus stellaris, 428 + +Clangula clangula americana, 99 + islandica, 99 + +Coccyges, 241 + +Coccyzus americanus americanus, 244 + " occidentalis, 246 + erythrophthalmus, 246 + +Coereba bahamensis, 385 + +Coerebidae, 385 + minor minor, 244 + " maynardi, 244 + +Colaptes auratus auratus, 258 + " luteus, 259 + cafer collaris, 259 + +Colaptes cafer saturatior, 259 + chrysoides, 262 + rufipileus, 262 + +Colinus ridgwayi, 175 + virginianus, 175 + " floridanus, 175 + " texanus, 175 + +Columba fasciata fasciata, 192 + " vioscae, 192 + flavirostris, 192 + leucocephala, 192 + squamosa, 192 + +Columba, 192 + +Columbae, 192 + +Columbidae, 192 + +Colymbidae, 11 + +Colymbus auritus, 13 + dominicus brachypterus, 15 + holboelli, 11 + nigricollis californicus, 13 + +Compsothlypis americana americana, 390 + americana usneae, 390 + nigrilora, 391 + +Conuropsis carolinensis, 241 + +Coot, 136 + European, 136 + +Cormorant, 79 + Baird's, 82 + Brandt's, 82 + Double-crested, 79 + Farallon, 81 + Florida, 81 + Mexican, 81 + Pelagic, 82 + Red-faced, 82 + Violet-green, 82 + White-crested, 81 + +Corvidae, 300 + +Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos, 312 + brachyrhynchos pascuus, 312 + corax principalis, 311 + " sinuatus, 311 + cryptoleucus, 311 + ossifragus, 312 + +Cotingidae, 280 + +Cowbird, 314 + Dwarf, 315 + Red-eyed, 315 + +Cracidae, 191 + +Crake, Corn, 135 + Spotted, 133 + +Crane, Little Brown, 127 + Sandhill, 129 + Whooping, 127 + +Creciscus jamaicensis, 134 + coturniculus, 134 + +Creeper, Brown, 430 + California, 430 + Mexican, 430 + Rocky Mountain, 430 + Sierra, 430 + +Crex Crex, 135 + +Crossbill, 327 + Mexican, 327 + White-winged, 327 + +Crotophaga ani, 241 + sulcirostris, 243 + +Crow, 312 + Carrion, 199 + Fish, 312 + +Page 455 + + Florida, 312 + +Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni, 232 + acadica acadica, 232 + " scotaea, 232 + +Cuckoo, Black-billed, 246 + California, 246 + Kamchatka, 246 + Mangrove, 244 + Maynard's, 244 + Yellow-billed, 244 + +Cuculidae, 241 + +Cuculus canorus telephonus, 246 + +Curlew, Bristle-thighed, 160 + Eskimo, 160 + Hudsonian, 159 + Long-billed, 159 + +Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus, 313 + +Cyanolaemus clemenciae, 271 + +Cyanocitta cristata cristata, 303 + " florincola, 303 + stelleri stelleri, 303 + " annectens, 306 + " carlottae, 306 + " diademata, 303 + " frontalis, 303 + +Cyanosylvia suecica robusta, 448 + +Cyanthus latirostris, 279 + +Cypseloides niger borealis, 268 + +Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi, 178 + +Dafila acuta, 94 + +Daption capense, 67 + +Darters, 77 + +Dendragapus obscurus obscurus, 178 + " fuliginosus, 178 + " richardsoni, 179 + +Dendrocygna autumnalis, 113 + bicolor, 113 + +Dendroica aestiva aestiva, 392 + " rubiginosa, 392 + " sonorana, 292 + auduboni auduboni, 395 + " nigrifrons, 395 + bryanti castaneiceps, 394 + castanea, 398 + caerulea, 396 + caerulescens caerulescens, 394 + " cairnsi, 394 + chrysoparia, 402 + coronata, 395 + discolor, 407 + dominica albilora, 401 + dominica dominica, 401 + fusca, 399 + graciae, 401 + kirtlandi, 404 + magnolia, 396 + nigrescens, 402 + occidentalis, 404 + palmarum palmarum, 405 + " hypochrysea, 405 + pensylvanica, 398 + striata, 399 + tigrina, 391 + townsendi, 403 + vigorsi, 405 + virens, 403 + +Dichromanassa rufescens, 123 + +Dickcissel, 368 + +Diomedea albatrus, 59 + immutabilis, 60 + nigripes, 59 + +Diomedeidae 59 + +Dipper, 419 + +Dolichonyx oryzivorus, 314 + +Dotterel, 161 + +Dove, Bermuda Ground, 195 + Blue-headed Quail, 196 + Ground, 195 + Inca, 196 + Key West Quail, 196 + Mexican Ground, 195 + Mourning, 193 + Ruddy Quail, 196 + White-fronted, 195 + White-winged, 195 + Zenaida, 194 + +Dovekie, 34 + +Dowitcher, 144 + Long-billed, 145 + +Dryobates arizonae, 252 + borealis, 252 + nuttalli, 252 + pubescens pubescens, 251 + " gairdneri, 251 + " homorus, 251 + " medianus, 251 + " nelsoni, 251 + " turati, 251 + scalaris bairdi, 252 + " lucasanus, 252 + villosus villosus, 250 + " auduboni, 250 + " harrisi, 250 + " hyloscopus, 250 + " leucomelas, 250 + " monticola, 250 + " picoideus, 250 + +Duck, Black, 90 + Florida, 90 + Harlequin, 101 + Labrador, 101 + Lesser Scaup, 98 + Masked, 106 + Mottled, 91 + +Page 456 + + Ring-necked, 98 + Ruddy, 106 + Rufous-crested, 95 + Scaup, 97 + Wood, 95 + +Dumetella carolinensis, 420 + +Dunlin, 149 + +Eagle, Bald, 217 + Golden, 215 + Gray Sea, 217 + Northern Bald, 217 + +Ectopistes migratorius, 193 + +Egret, 122 + Reddish, 123 + Snowy, 122 + +Egretta candidissima candidissima 122 + +Eider, 103 + King, 104 + Northern, 102 + Pacific, 103 + Spectacled, 102 + Steller's, 102 + +Elanoides forficatus, 201 + +Elanus leucurus, 201 + +Empidonax difficilis cineritius, 294 + difficilis difficilis, 293 + flaviventris, 293 + fulvifrons pygmaeus, 296 + griseus, 296 + hammondi, 295 + minimus, 295 + trailli trailli, 294 + " alnorum, 295 + virescens, 294 + wrighti, 295 + +Ereunetes mauri, 151 + pusillus, 150 + +Erismatura jamaicensis, 106 + +Erolia ferruginea, 149 + +Eudromias morinellus, 161 + +Eugenes fulgens, 271 + +Euphagus carolinus, 322 + cyanocephalus, 322 + +Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, 150 + +Falco aesalon, 221 + columbarius columbarius, 220 + " suckleyi, 220 + fusco-caerulescens, 221 + islandus, 218 + mexicanus, 219 + peregrinus anatum, 220 + " pealei, 220 + " peregrinus, 219 + richardsoni, 220 + rusticolus rusticolus, 218 + " gyrfalco, 218 + " obsoletus, 219 + sparverius sparverius, 222 + " peninsularis, 222 + " phaloena, 221 + sparveroides, 222 + " tinnunculus, 221 + +Falcon Aplomado, 221 + Peale's, 220 + Peregrine, 219 + Prairie, 219 + +Finch, Aleutian Rosy, 327 + Black Rosy, 328 + Brown-capped Rosy, 328 + California Purple, 325 + Cassin's Purple, 326 + Gray-crowned Rosy, 328 + Guadalupe House, 326 + Hepburn's Rosy, 328 + House, 326 + McGregor's House, 326 + Purple, 325 + San Clemente House, 326 + San Lucas House, 326 + +Flamingo, 115 + +Flicker, 258 + Gilded, 262 + Guadalupe, 262 + Northern, 259 + Northwestern, 259 + Red-shafted, 259 + +Florida Coerulea, 124 + +Flycatcher, Acadian, 294 + Alder, 295 + Arizona Crested, 286 + Ash-throated, 286 + Beardless, 296 + Buff-breasted, 296 + Coues's, 291 + Crested, 285 + Derby, 284 + Fork-tailed, 280 + Gray, 296 + Hammond's, 295 + Least, 295 + Lower California, 287 + Flycatcher, Mexican Crested, 286 + Olivaceous, 287 + Olive-sided, 290 + San Lucas, 294 + Scissor-tailed, 281 + Sulphur-bellied, 285 + Traill's, 294 + Vermilion, 296 + Western, 293 + Wright's, 295 + Yellow-bellied, 293 + +Fratercula arctica arctica, 22 + " naumanni, 23 + +Page 457 + + corniculata, 23 + +Fregata aquila, 86 + +Fregatidae, 86 + +Fregetta grallaria, 71 + +Frigate Bird, 86 + +Fringillidae, 324 + +Fulica americana, 136 + atra, 136 + +Fulmar, 62 + Giant, 62 + Pacific, 63 + Rodgers's, 63 + Slender-billed, 63 + +Fulmarus glacialis glacialis, 62 + " glupischa, 63 + rodgersi, 63 + +Gadwall, 91 + +Gallinae, 175 + +Gallinago delicata, 143 + gallinago, 140 + meda, 143 + +Gallinula galeata, 136 + +Gallinule, Florida, 136 + Purple, 135 + +Gannet, 76 + +Gavia adamsi, 18 + arctica, 18 + immer, 18 + stellata, 19 + pacifica, 19 + +Gaviidae, 17 + +Gelochelidon nilotica, 50 + +Geococcyx californianus, 243 + beldingi, 413 + trichas arizela, 412 + " trichas, 412 + " arizela, 412 + " ignota, 412 + " occidentalis, 412 + " sinousa, 412 + +Geotrygon chrysia, 196 + montana, 196 + +Glaucidium gnoma californicum, 239 + " gnoma, 239 + hoskinsi, 239 + phalaenoides, 240 + +Glottis nebularia, 152 + +Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed, 442 + Blue-gray, 441 + Plumbeous, 441 + Western, 441 + +Godwit, Black-tailed, 152 + Hudsonian, 152 + Marbled, 151 + Pacific, 152 + +Golden-eye, 99 + Barrow's, 99 + +Goldfinch, 329 + Arkansas, 331 + Black-headed, 331 + Lawrence's, 331 + Pale, 331 + Willow, 331 + +Goose, American White-fronted, 108 + Barnacle, 112 + Bean, 108 + Blue, 107 + Canada, 109 + Cackling, 109 + Emperor 112 + Greater Snow, 107 + Hutchins's, 109 + Ross's, 108 + Snow, 107 + White-cheeked, 109 + White-fronted, 108 + +Goshawk, 205 + Mexican, 214 + Western, 207 + +Grackle, Boat-tailed, 323 + Bronzed, 323 + Florida, 323 + Great-tailed, 324 + Purple, 323 + +Grassquit, 368 + Melodious, 368 + +Grebe, Eared, 13 + Holboell's, 11-12 + Horned, 12-13 + Least, 15 + Pied-billed, 15-16 + Mexican, 15 + Western, 11 + +Greenshank, 152 + +Grosbeak, Alaska Pine, 325 + Black-headed, 365 + Blue, 366 + California Pine, 325 + Evening, 324 + Kadiak Pine, 325 + Pine, 324 + Rocky Mountain Pine, 325 + Rose-breasted, 365 + Western Blue, 366 + Western Evening, 324 + +Grouse. + Canada Ruffed, 182 + Columbian Sharp-tailed, 187 + Dusky, 178 + Franklin's, 180 + Gray Ruffed, 182 + Oregon Ruffed, 182 + Prairie Sharp-tailed, 187 + Richardson's, 179 + +Page 458 + + Ruffed, 180 + Sharp-tailed, 187 + Sooty, 178 + +Gruidae, 127 + +Grus americana, 127 + canadensis, 127 + mexicana, 129 + +Guara alba, 117 + rubra, 117 + +Guillemot, Black, 28 + Mandt, 29 + Pigeon, 29 + +Guiraca caerulea, 366 + " lazula, 366 + +Gull, Bonaparte's, 48 + California, 45 + Franklin's, 48 + Glaucous, 40 + Glaucous-winged, 42 + Great Black-backed, 43 + Heerman's, 46 + Herring, 44 + Iceland, 41 + Ivory, 39 + Kittiwake, 39 + Kumlien, 42 + Laughing, 47 + Little, 49 + Mew, 46 + Nelson, 42 + Pacific Kittiwake, 40 + Point Barrow, 41 + Red-legged Kittiwake, 40 + Ring-billed, 45 + Ross's, 49 + Sabine's, 49 + Short-billed, 46 + Siberian, 44 + Slaty-backed, 43 + Vega, 45 + Western, 44 + +Gymnogyps californianus, 198 + +Gyrfalcon, 218 + Black, 219 + Gray, 218 + White, 218 + +Haematopodidae, 170 + +Haematopus bachmani, 171 + frazari, 171 + ostralegus, 170 + palliatus, 170 + +Haliaeetus albicilla, 217 + leucocephalus leucocephalus, 217 + " alascanus, 217 + +Halocyptena microsoma 68 + +Harelda hyemalis, 100 + +Hawk, Black Pigeon, 220 + Broad-winged, 213 + Cooper's, 205 + Cuban Sparrow, 222 + Desert Sparrow, 221 + Duck, 220 + Florida Red-shouldered, 209 + Harlan's, 209 + Harris's, 207 + Krider's, 208 + Marsh, 204 + Mexican Black, 213 + Pigeon, 220 + Red-bellied, 211 + Red-shouldered, 209 + Red-tailed, 208 + Richardson's Pigeon, 220 + Rough-legged, 214 + Sennett's White-tailed, 212 + Sharp-shinned, 204 + Short-tailed, 213 + Sparrow, 222 + San Lucas Sparrow, 222 + Swainson's, 212 + Western Red-tail, 208 + Zone-tailed, 211 + +Heath Hen, 186 + +Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis, 424 + " couesi, 423 + " bryanti, 424 + +Helinaia swainsoni, 386 + +Helmitheros vermivorus, 386 + +Helodromas ochropus, 155 + solitarius solitarius, 154 + " cinnamomeus, 155 + +Herodias egretta, 122 + +Herodiones, 115 + +Heron, Anthony's Green, 125 + Black-crowned Night, 126 + European, 122 + Frazar's Green, 125 + Great Blue, 121 + Great White, 121 + Green, 124 + Little Blue, 124 + Louisiana, 123 + Northwestern Coast, 121 + Snowy, 122 + Ward's, 122 + Yellow-crowned Night, 126 + +Heteractitis incanus, 156 + +Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina, 324 + vespertina montana, 324 + +Himantopus mexicanus, 139 + +Hirundinidae, 372 + +Hirundo erythrogastra, 373 + +Page 459 + +Histrionicus histrionicus, 101 + +Honey Creeper, Bahama, 385 + +Hummingbird, Allen's, 277 + Anna's, 275 + Black-chinned, 273 + Blue-throated, 271 + Broad-billed, 279 + Broad-tailed, 276 + Buff-bellied, 279 + Calliope, 278 + Costa's, 275 + Lucifer, 278 + Morcom's, 278 + Reiffer's, 278 + Rivoli's, 271 + Ruby-throated, 273 + Rufous, 276 + White-eared, 279 + Xantus's, 279 + +Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis, 123 + +Hydrochelidon leucoptera, 57 + nigra surinamensis, 56 + +Hylocichla aliciae aliciae, 443 + " bicknelli, 443 + fuscescens fuscescens, 443 + " salicicola, 443 + guttata auduboni, 445 + " guttata, 445 + " mustelina, 442 + " nanus, 446 + " pallasi, 446 + ustulata swainsoni, 445 + " ustulata, 443 + +Ibididae, 117 + +Ibis, Glossy, 118 + Scarlet, 117 + White, 117 + White-faced Glossy, 118 + Wood, 118 + +Icteria virens virens, 413 + " longicauda, 413 + +Icteridae, 314 + +Icterus melanocephalus auduboni, 319 + bullocki, 322 + cucullatus nelsoni, 320 + " sennetti, 320 + galbula, 321 + parisorum, 320 + spurius, 321 + +Ictinia mississippiensis, 202 + +Ionornis martinicus, 135 + +Iridoprocne bicolor, 373 + +Ixobrychus exilis, 120 + neoxenus, 120 + +Ixoreus naevius meruloides, 448 + " naevius, 448 + +Jabiru, 119 + +Jabiru mycteria, 119 + +Jacana, Mexican, 172 + spinosa, 172 + +Jacanidae, 172 + +Jaeger, Long-tailed, 37 + Parastic, 37 + Pomarine, 36 + +Jay, Alaska, 309 + Arizona, 307 + Belding's, 307 + Black-headed, 306 + Blue, 303 + Blue-eared, 307 + Blue-fronted, 303 + California, 307 + Canada, 308 + Couch's, 308 + Florida, 306 + Florida Blue, 303 + Gray, 311 + Green, 308 + Labrador, 309 + Long-crested, 303 + Oregon, 309 + Pinon, 313 + Queen Charlotte, 306 + Rocky Mountain, 309 + Santa Cruz, 307 + Steller's, 303 + Texas, 307 + Woodhouse's, 306 + Xantus's, 307 + +Junco aikeni, 348 + Arizona, 350 + Baird's, 351 + bairdi, 351 + Carolina, 350 + Guadalupe, 351 + hyemalis hyemalis, 349 + hyemalis carolinensis, 350 + " mearnsi, 350 + " connectens, 349 + " montanus, 350 + " oreganus, 349 + " pinosus, 349 + " thurberi, 349 +insularis, 351 + mearnsi. + Montana, 350 + Oregon, 349 + phaeonotus dorsalis, 350 + " palliatus, 350 + Pink-sided, 350 + Point Pinos, 349 + Red-backed, 350 + Shufeldt's, 349 + Slate-colored, 349 + +Page 460 + + Thurber's, 349 + Townsend's, 350 + townsendi's, 350 + White-winged, 348 + +Kestrel, 221 + +Killdeer, 165 + +Kingbird, 281 + Arkansas, 283 + Cassin's, 284 + Couch's, 283 + Gray, 283 + +Kingfisher, Belted, 247 + Ringed, 247 + Texas, 249 + +Kinglet, Dusky, 441 + Golden-crowned, 439 + Ruby-crowned, 440 + Sitka, 441 + Western Golden crowned, 440 + +Kite, Everglade, 202 + Mississippi, 202 + Swallow-tailed, 201 + White-tailed, 201 + +Kittiwake, 39 + Kittiwake, Pacific, 40 + Red-legged, 40 + +Knot, 146 + +Lagopus evermanni, 184 + lagopus lagopus, 183 + " alleni, 183 + leucurus leucurus, 185 + " peninsularis, 185 + rupestris, 183 + " atkhensis, 184 + " nelsoni, 184 + " reinhardi, 184 + " townsendi, 184 + welchi, 184 + +Laniidae, 376 + +Lanius borealis, 376 + ludovicianus ludovicianus, 376 + anthonyi, 376 + " excubitorides, 378 + " gambeli, 378 + +Lanivireo flavifrons, 382 + solitarius alticola, 383 + cassini, 382 + lucasanus, 383 + plumbeus, 382 + solitarius, 382 + +Lapwing, 161 + +Laridae, 38 + +Lark, California Horned, 298 + Desert Horned, 298 + Dusky Horned, 299 + Horned, 297 + Hoyt's Horned, 299 + Island Horned, 299 + Montezuma Horned, 299 + Pallid Horned, 297 + Prairie Horned, 298 + Ruddy Horned, 298 + Scorched Horned, 298 + Sonora Horned, 299 + Streaked Horned, 299 + Texan Horned, 298 + +Larus affinis, 44 + argentatus, 44 + atricilla, 47 + brachyrhynchus, 46 + californicus, 45 + canus, 46 + delawarensis, 45 + franklini, 48 + glaucescens, 42 + hyporboreus, 40 + heermanni, 46 + kumlieni, 42 + leucopterus, 41 + marinus, 43 + minutus, 49 + nelsoni, 42 + occidentalis, 44 + philadelphia, 48 + schistisagus, 43 + vegae, 45 + +Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera, 195 + +Leucosticte, atrata, 328 + australis, 328 + griseonucha, 327 + tephrocotis tephrocotis, 328 + " littoralis, 328 + +Limicolae, 137 + +Limosa fedoa, 151 + haemastica, 152 + lapponica baueri, 152 + limosa, 152 + +Limpkin, 129 + +Lobipes Lobatus, 137 + +Longipennes, 35 + +Longspur, Alaska, 333 + Chestnut-collared, 334 + Lapland, 333 + McCown's, 334 + Smith's, 334 + +Loon, 38-17-20-18 + Black-throated, 18 + Pacific, 19 + Red-throated, 19 + Yellow-billed, 18 + +Lophodytes cucullatus 88 + +Lophortyx californica, 177 + " vallicola, 177 + gambeli, 177 + +Page 461 + +Loxia curvirostra minor, 327 + " stricklandi, 327 + leucoptera, 327 + +Lunda cirrhata, 22 + +Machetes Pugnax, 156 + +Macrochires, 262 + +Macronectes giganteus, 62 + +Macrorhamphus griseus griseus, 144 + " scolopaceus, 145 + +Magpie, Yellow-billed, 300 + +Mallard, 88 + +Man-o'-War Bird, 86 + +Mareca americana, 92 + penelope, 91 + +Marila affinis, 98 + americana, 95 + collaris, 98 + marila, 97 + valisineria, 97 + +Martin, Cuban, 372 + Purple, 372 + Western, 372 + +Meadowlark, 317 + Rio Grande, 317 + southern, 319 + Western, 319 + +Megalestris skua, 36 + +Megaquiscalus major major, 323 + " macrourus, 324 + +Melanerpes erythrocephalus, 256 + formicivorus formicivorus, 256 + " angustifrons, 257 + " bairdi, 257 + +Meleagridae, 178 + +Meleagris gallopavo intermedia, 191 + " merriami, 190 + " osceola, 191 + " silvestris, 190 + +Melopelia asiatica, 195 + +Melospiza melodia caurina, 355 + " cooperi, 355 + " clementae, 355 + " fallax, 354 + " graminea, 355 + " heermanni, 354 + " insignis, 355 + " juddi, 355 + " kenaiensis, 355 + " melodia, 354 + " merrilli, 355 + " montana, 354 + " morphna, 354 + " pusillula, 355 + " rivularis, 355 + " rufina, 355 + " samuelis, 354 + georgiana, 356 + lincolni lincolni, 356 + " striata, 356 + +Merganser, 87 + Hooded, 88 + Red-breasted, 88 + +Mergus americanus, 87 + serrator, 88 + +Merlin, 221 + +Micropalama himantopus, 145 + +Micropallas whitneyi, 240 + +Micropodidae, 268 + +Mimus polyglottos, 420 + " polyglottos, 420 + " leucopterus, 420 + +Mniotilta varia, 385 + +Mniotiltidae, 385 + +Mockingbird, 420 + Western, 420 + +Molothrus ater ater, 314 + +" obscurus, 315 + +Motacilla alba, 418 + ocularis, 418 + +Motacillidae, 418 + +Murre, 29 + Brunnich's, 31 + California, 30 + Pallas's, 31 + +Murrelet, Ancient, 26 + Craveri's, 28 + Kittlitz, 27 + Marbled, 27 + Xantus, 27 + +Muscivora forficata, 281 + tyrannus, 280 + +Myadestes townsendi, 442 + +Mycteria americana, 118 + +Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens, 286 + +Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax, 287 + crinitus, 285 + olivascens, 287 + magister magister, 286 + nelsoni, 286 + +Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris, 291 + richardsoni richardsoni, 293 + " peninsulae, 293 + virens, 291 + +Myiodynastes luteiventris, 285 + Nannus alascensis, 428 + meliger, 428 + niemalis helleri, 428 + " niemalis, 427 + " pacificus, 428 + +Netta rufina, 95 + +Nettion carolinense, 92 + crecca, 92 + +Nighthawk, 266 + +Page 462 + + Florida, 266 + Sennett's, 268 + Texas, 268 + Western, 266 + +Noddy, 57 + +Nomonyx dominicus, 106 + +Nucifraga columbiana, 313 + +Numenius americanus, 159 + borealis, 160 + hudsonicus, 159 + phaeopus, 160 + tahitiensis, 160 + +Nutcracker, Clark's, 313 + +Nuthatch, Brown-headed, 432 + Florida White-breasted, 431 + Pygmy, 432 + Red-breasted, 432 + Rocky Mountain, 431 + Slender-billed, 431 + San Lucas, 431 + White-breasted, 431 + White-naped, 433 + +Nuttallornis borealis, 290 + +Nyctanassa violacea, 126 + +Nyctea nyctea, 237 + +Nycticorax nycticorax naevius, 126 + +Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli, 265 + +Oceanites oceanicus, 71 + +Oceanodroma furcata, 68 + homochroa, 70 + kaedingi, 69 + leucorhoa, 69 + macrodactyla, 69 + melania, 70 + socorroensis, 70 + +Ochthodromus wilsonius, 168 + +Odontoglossae, 115 + +Odontophoridae, 175 + +Oidemia americana, 104 + deglandi, 105 + fusca, 105 + perspicillata, 105 + +Old-squaw, 100 + +Olor buccinator, 114 + columbianus, 114 + cygnus, 114 + +Oporornis agilis, 410 + formosus, 410 + philadelphia, 411 + tolmei, 411 + +Oreortyx picta picta, 176 + " confinis, 176 + " plumifera, 176 + +Oreospiza chlorura, 361 + +Oriole, Arizona Hooded, 320 + Audubon's, 319 + Baltimore, 321 + Bullock's, 322 + Scott's, 320 + Sennett's, 320 + +Orchard, 321 + +Oreoscoptes montanus, 419 + +Ortalis vetula mccalli, 191 + +Osprey, 225 + +Octocoris alpestris alpestris, 297 + " actia, 298 + " adusta, 299 + " articola, 297 + " giraudi, 298 + " hoyti, 299 + " insularis, 299 + " leucolaema, 298 + " merrilli, 299 + " occidentalis, 299 + " pallida, 299 + " praticola, 298 + " rubea, 298 + " strigata, 299 + +Otus asio aikeni, 234 + " asio, 233 + " bendirei, 233 + " cineraceus, 234 + " floridanus, 233 + " kennicotti, 233 + " macfarlanei 234 + " maxwelliae, 233 + " mccalli, 233 + flammeolus flammeolus, 234 + " idahoensis, 234 + Trichopsis, 234 + Xantusi, 234 + +Ouzel, Water, 419 + +Oven-bird, 407 + +Owl, Aiken's Screech, 234 + Arctic Horned, 235 + Barn, 227 + Barred, 229 + Burrowing, 238 + California Pygmy, 239 + California Screech, 233 + Dusky Horned, 235 + Dwarf Horned, 237 + Dwarf Screech, 234 + Elf, 240 + European Hawk, 237 + Ferruginous Pygmy, 240 + Flammulated Screech, 234 + Florida Barred, 229 + Florida Burrowing, 239 + " Screech, 233 + Great Gray, 231 + Great Horned, 235 + Hawk, 238 + Hoskin's Pygmy, 239 + +Page 463 + + Kennicott's Screech, 233 + Lapp, 232 + Long-eared, 227 + MacFarlane's Screech, 234 + Mexican Screech, 234 + Northern Spotted, 231 + Northwestern Saw-whet, 232 + Pacific Horned, 235 + Pygmy, 239 + Richardson's, 232 + Rocky Mountain Screech, 233 + Saw-whet, 232 + Screech, 233 + Short-eared, 229 + Snowy, 237 + Spotted, 237 + " Screech, 234 + Texas Barred, 231 + Texas Screech, 233 + Western Horned, 235 + Xantus's Screech, 234 + +Oxyechus vociferus, 165 +Oyster-catcher, 170 +European, 170 +Black, 171 +Frazar's, 171 +Pagophila alba, 39 +Paludicolae, 127 +Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 225 +Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi, 207 +Parauque, Merrill's, 265 +Paroquet, Carolina, 241 +Parrot, Thick-billed, 141 +Partridge, Alaska Spruce, 179 + Canada Spruce, 179 + Hudsonian Spruce, 179 +Passer domesticus, 335 +Passerculus beldingi, 337 + princeps, 337 + rostratus rostratus, 338 + " guttatus, 337 + " santorum, 338 + sandwichensis sandwichensis, 337 + " alaudinus, 337 + " bryanti, 337 + " savanna, 337 +Passerella iliaca fuliginosa, 357 + " iliaca, 357 + " insularis, 357 + " megarhyncha, 357 + " schistacea, 357 + " stephensi, 357 + " townsendi, 357 + " unalaschensis, 357 + +Passeres, 280 + +Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi, 340 + " occidentalis, 340 + caudacutus, 340 + lecontei, 340 + maritimus fisheri, 341 + " macgillivrai, 342 + " maritimus, 341 + " peninsulae, 341 + " sennetti, 341 + nelsoni nelsoni, 341 + " subvirgatus, 341 + nigrescens, 342 + +Passerina amoena, 366 + ciris, 367 + cyanea, 366 + versicolor versicolor, 367 + " pulchra, 367 + +Pedioecetes phasianellus phasianellus, 187 + phasianellus campestris, 187 + " columbianus, 187 + +Pelagodroma marina, 71 + +Pelecanidae, 83 + +Pelecanus californicus, 85 + erythrorhynchos, 83 + occidentalis, 85 + +Pelican, White, 83 + Brown, 85 + California Brown, 85 + +Pelidna alpina alpina, 149 + " sakhalina, 149 + +Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus, 434 + " occidentalis, 435 + " septentrionalis, 435 + carolinensis agilis, 435 + " carolinensis, 435 + cinctus alascensis, 436 + " gambeli, 435 + hudsonicus hudsonicus, 436 + " littoralis, 436 + rufescens barlowi, 437 + " neglectus, 437 + " rufescens, 437 + sclateri, 435 + +Perisoreus canadensis canadensis, 308 + " capitalis, 309 + " fumifrons, 309 + " nigricapillus, 309 + obscurus obscurus, 309 + " griseus, 311 + +Petrel, Ashy, 70 + Black, 70 + Black-capped, 67 + Bulwer's, 67 + Fisher's, 67 + Fork-tailed, 68 + Guadalupe, 69 + Kaeding's, 69 + Leach's, 68 + +Page 464 + + Least, 68 + Pintado, 67 + Scaled, 67 + Socorro, 70 + Storm, 68 + White-bellied, 71 + White-faced, 71 + Wilson's, 71 + +Petrochelidon fulva, 372 + lunifrons lunifrons, 372 + melanogastra, 373 + +Peucaea aestivalis aestivalis, 352 + " bachmani, 352 + botterii, 352 + cassini, 353 + +Peucedramus olivaceus, 391 + +Pewee, Western Wood, 293 + Large-billed Wood, 293 + Wood, 291 + +Phaethon americanus, 72 + aethereus, 73 + rubricaudus, 73 + +Phaethontidae, 72 + +Phainopepla, 376 + nitens, 376 + +Phalacrocoracidae, 78 + +Phalacrocorax carbo, 79 + auritus auritus, 79 + " albociliatus, 81 + " cincinatus, 81 + " floridanus, 81 + vigua mexicanus, 81 + pelagicus pelagicus, 82 + " resplendens, 82 + " robustus, 82 + penicillatus, 82 + urile, 82 + +Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli, 264 + " californicus, 264 + " nitidus, 264 + +Phalarope, Northern, 137 + Red, 137 + Wilson's, 138 + +Phalaropodidae, 137 +Phalaropus fulicarius, 137 +Phaleris psittacula, 25 +Phasianidae, 188 +Phasianus torquatus, 188 +Pheasant, Ring-necked, 188 +Philacte canagica, 112 +Philohela minor, 140 +Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus, 255 + +Phoebe, 287 + Black, 289 + Say, 289 + +Phoebetria palpebrata, 60 +Phoenicopteridae, 115 +Phoenicopterus ruber, 115 +Pica pica hudsonia, 300 + nuttalli, 300 + +Pici, 249 + +Picidae, 249 + +Picoides americanus americanus, 253 + " dorsalis, 254 + " fasciatus, 254 + arcticus, 253 + +Pigeon, Band-tailed, 192 + Passenger, 193 + Red-billed, 192 + Scaled, 192 + Viosca's, 192 + White-crowned, 192 + +Pinicola enucleator alascensis, 325 + " californica, 325 + " flammula, 325 + " leucura, 324 + " montana, 325 + +Pintail 94 + +Pipilo aberti, 361 + consobrinus, 360 + erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus, 358 + erythrophthalmus alleni, 358 + fuscus albigula, 360 + crissalis crissalis, 360 + fuscus mesoleucus, 360 + crissalis senicula, 361 + maculatus arcticus, 358 + " clementae, 360 + " magnirostris, 360 + " megalonyx, 360 + " montanus, 358 + " oregonus, 360 + +Pipit, 418 + Meadow, 418 + Red-throated, 419 + Sprague's, 419 + +Piranga erythromelas, 369 + hepatica, 370 + ludoviciana, 369 + rubra rubra, 370 + " cooperi, 370 + +Pisobia aurita, 147 + bairdi, 148 + damacensis, 149 + fuscicollis, 148 + maculata, 147 + minutella, 148 + +Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus, 284 + +Planesticus confinis, 447 + migratorius achrusterus, 447 + " migratorius, 446 + " propinquus, 446 + +Page 465 + +Plataleidae, 115 + +Platypsaris aglaiae albiventris, 280 + +Plautus impennis, 32-33 + +Plectrophenax hyperboreus, 333 + nivalis nivalis, 332 + " townsendi, 332 + +Plegadis autumnalis, 118 + guarauna, 118 + +Plover, Black-bellied, 161 + European Golden, 163 + Golden, 163 + Little Ringed, 166 + Mongolian, 167 + Mountain, 168 + Pacific Golden, 163 + Piping, 166 + Ringed, 166 + Semipalmated, 165 + Snowy, 167 + Upland, 156 + Wilson's, 168 + +Podasocys montanus, 168 + +Podilymbus podiceps, 15 + +Polioptila caerulea caerulea, 441 + " obscura, 441 + californica, 442 + plumbea, 441 + +Polyborus cheriway, 224 + lutosus, 224 + +Polysticta stelleri, 102 + +Pooecetes gramineus gramineus, 335 + " affinis, 335 + " confinis, 335 + +Poor-will, 264 + Dusky, 264 + Frosted, 264 + +Porzana carolina, 133 + porzana, 133 + +Prairie Chicken, 185 + Attwater's, 186 + Lesser, 187 + +Priocella glacialoides, 63 + +Priofinus cinereus, 66 + +Procellariidae, 61 + +Progne cryptoleuca, 372 + subis subis, 372 + " hesperia, 372 + +Protonotaria citrea, 386 + +Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi, 438 + minimus minimus, 437 + " californicus, 438 + " grindae, 438 + plumbeus, 438 + +Psittaci, 241 + +Psittacidae, 241 + +Ptarmigan, Allen's, 183 + Evermann's, 184 + Kenai White-tailed, 185 + Nelson's, 184 + Reinhardt's, 184 + Rock, 183 + Townsend's, 184 + Turner's, 184 + Welch's, 184 + White-tailed, 185 + Willow, 183 + +Ptychoramphus aleuticus, 24 + Puffin, 22 + Horned, 23 + Large-billed, 23 + Tufted, 22 + +Puffinus assimilis, 65 + auricularis, 65 + borealis, 64 + creatopus, 65 + cuneatus, 66 + gravis, 64 + griseus, 66 + lherminieri, 65 + opisthomelas, 65 + puffinus, 64 + tenuirostris, 66 + +Pygopodes, 10 + +Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus, 296 + +Pyrrhula cassini, 325 + +Pyrrhuloxia, Arizona, 364 + sinuata sinuata, 364 + " peninsulae, 364 + " texana, 364 + San Lucas, 364 + Texas, 364 + California, 177 + Chestnut Bellied Scaled, 177 + Gambel's, 177 + Mearn's, 178 + +Quail, Mountain, 176 + Plumed, 176 + San Pedro, 176 + Scaled, 176 + Valley, 177 + +Querquedula cyanoptera, 93 + discors, 93 + +Quiscalus quiscula quiscula, 323 + " aglaeus, 323 + " aeneus, 323 + +Rail, Belding's, 131 + Black, 134 + California Clapper, 131 + Carribean Clapper, 132 + Clapper, 132 + Farallon, 134 + Florida Clapper, 132 + King, 131 + Louisiana Clapper, 132 + +Page 466 + + Virginia, 133 + Wayne's Clapper, 132 + Yellow, 131 + +Rallidae, 131 + +Rallus beldingi, 131 + crepitans crepitans, 132 + " saturatus, 132 + " scotti, 132 + " waynei, 132 + elegans, 131 + longirostris caribaeus, 132 + obsoletus, 131 + virginianus, 132 + +Raptores, 198 + +Raven, 311 + Northern, 311 + White-necked, 311 + +Recurvirostra americana, 139 + +Recurvirostridae, 139 + +Redhead, 95 + +Redpoll, 329 + Greater, 329 + Greenland, 328 + Hoary, 328 + Holboell's, 329 + +Redstart, 415 + Painted, 417 + +Red-wing, Bahama, 316 + Bicolored, 317 + Florida, 316 + Northwestern, 316 + San Diego, 316 + Sonora, 316 + Thick-billed, 316 + Tricolored, 317 + +Regulus calendula calendula, 440 + " grinnelli, 441 + " obscurus, 441 + satrapa olivaceus, 440 + " satrapa, 439 + +Rhodostethia rosea, 49 + +Rhynchophanes mccowni, 334 + +Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, 241 + +Riparia riparia, 374 + +Rissa brevirostris, 40 + tridactyla tridactyla, 39 + " pollicaris, 40 + +Road-runner, 243 + +Robin, 446 + Southern, 447 + San Lucas, 447 + Western, 446 + +Rostrhamus sociabilis, 202 + +Rough-leg, Ferruginous, 215 + +Ruff, 156 + +Rynchopidae, 58 + +Rynchops nigra, 58 + +Sage Hen, 188 + +Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus, 424 + guadeloupensis, 424 + +Sanderling, 151 + +Sandpiper, Aleutian, 146 + Baird, 148 + Buff-breasted, 158 + Curlew, 149 + Green, 155 + Least, 148 + Pectoral, 147 + Pribilof, 147 + Purple, 146 + Red-backed, 149 + Semipalmated, 150 + Sharp-tailed, 147 + Solitary, 154 + Spoonbill, 150 + Spotted, 158 + Stilt, 145 + Western, 151 + Western Solitary, 155 + White-rumped, 148 + +Sapsucker, Northern Red-breasted, 255 + Red-breasted, 255 + Red-naped, 254 + Williamson's, 255 + Yellow-bellied, 254 + +Saxicola oenanthe oenanthe, 448 + " leucorhoa, 448 + +Sayornis nigricans, 289 + phoebe, 287 + sayus, 289 + +Scardafella inca, 196 + +Scolopacidae, 140 + +Scolopax rusticola, 140 + +Scoter, 104 + Surf, 105 + Velvet, 105 + White-winged, 105 + +Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica, 232 + " nebulosa, 231 + +Seed-eater, Sharpe's, 368 + +Seiurus aurocapillus, 407 + motacilla, 409 + noveboracensis noveboracensis, 409 + " notabilis, 409 + +Selasphorus alleni, 276 + platycercus, 276 + rufus, 277 + +Steophaga picta, 417 + ruticilla, 415 + +Shearwater, Allied, 65 + Audubon's, 65 + Black-tailed, 66 + Black-vented, 65 + Cory's, 64 + +Page 467 + + Greater, 64 + Manx, 64 + Pink-footed, 65 + Slender-billed, 66 + Sooty, 66 + Townsend's, 65 + Wedge-tailed, 66 + +Sheldrake, Ruddy, 93 + +Shoveller, 94 + +Shrike, California, 378 + Island, 378 + Loggerhead, 376 + Northern, 376 + White-rumped, 378 + +Sialia currucoides, 450 + mexicana anabelae, 450 + " bairdi, 450 + " occidentalis, 450 + sialis sialis, 448 + " fulva, 448 + +Siskin, Pine, 332 + +Sitta canadensis, 432 + carolinensis carolinensis, 431 + " aculeata, 431 + " atkinsi, 431 + " lagunae, 431 + " nelsoni, 431 + pusilla, 432 + pygmaea pygmaea, 432 + " leuconucha, 433 + +Sittidae, 431 + +Skimmer, Black, 58 + +Skua, 36 + +Skylark, 297 + +Snakebird, 77 + +Snipe, European, 140 + Great, 143 + Wilson's, 143 + +Solitaire, Townsend's, 442 + +Somateria dresseri, 103 + mollissima borealis, 102 + spectabilis, 104 + v-nigra, 103 + +Sora, 133 + +Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed, 341 + Alameda Song, 355 + Aleutian Song, 337 + Bachman's, 352 + Baird's, 338 + Belding's, 337 + Bell's, 351 + Black-chinned, 348 + Black-throated, 351 + Botteri's, 352 + Brewer's, 346 + Brown's Song, 355 + Bryant's, 337 + Cassin's, 353 + Chipping, 345 + Clay-colored, 355 + Dakota Song, 355 + Desert, 351 + Desert Song, 354 + Dusky Seaside, 342 + English 335 + Field, 348 + Florida Grasshopper, 340 + Forbush's, 356 + Fox, 356 + Gambel's, 343 + +Golden-crowned, 343 + Grasshopper, 338 + Gray Sage, 352 + Harris's, 342 + Heermann's Song, 354 + Henslow's, 340 + Ipswich, 337 + Kadiak Fox, 357 + Kenai Song, 355 + Laguna, 353 + Large-billed, 338 + Lark, 342 + Leconte's, 340 + Lincoln's, 356 + Louisiana Seaside, 341 + +Macgillivray's Seaside, 342 + Merrill's Song, 355 + Mountain Song, 354 + Nelson's, 341 + Nuttall's, 343 + Oregon Vesper, 335 + Pine Woods, 352 + Rock, 353 + Rufous-crowned, 353 + Rufous-winged, 353 + Rusty Song, 354 + Sage, 352 + Samuel's Song, 354 + San Benito, 338 + San Clemente Song, 355 + San Diego Song, 355 + San Lucas, 338 + Santa Barbara Song, 355 + Savannah, 337 + Scott's, 353 + Scott's Seaside, 341 + Seaside, 341 + Sharp-tailed, 340 + Shumagin Fox, 357 + Slate-colored Fox, 357 + Song, 354 + Sooty Fox, 357 + Sooty Song, 355 + Stephen's Fox, 357 + +Page 468 + + Swamp, 356 + Texas, 357 + Texas Seaside, 341 + Thick-billed Fox, 357 + Townsend's Fox, 357 + Tree, 345 + Vesper, 335 + Western Chipping, 346 + Western Field, 348 + Western Grasshopper, 338 + Western Henslow's, 340 + Western Lark, 342 + Western Savannah, 337 + Western Tree, 345 + Western Vesper, 335 + White-crowned, 343 + White-throated, 345 + Worthen's, 348 + Yakutat Song, 355 + +Spatula clypeata, 94 + +Speotyto cunicularia floridana, 239 + " hypogaea, 238 + +Sphyrapicus ruber ruber, 255 + " notkensis, 255 + thyroideus, 255 + varius varius, 254 + " nuchalis, 254 + +Spinus notatus, 331 + pinus, 332 + +Spiza americana, 368 + +Spirella atrogularis, 348 + breweri, 346 + monticola monticola, 345 + " ochracea, 345 + passerina arizonae, 346 + " passerina, 345 + pallida, 346 + pusilla pusilla, 348 + " arenacea, 348 + " arizonae, 346 + wortheni, 348 + +Spoonbill, Roseate, 115 + +Sporophila morelleti sharpei, 368 + +Squatarola squatarola, 161 + +Starling, 314 + +Starnoenas cyanocephala, 196 + +Steganopodes, 72 + +Stegonopus tricolor, 138 + +Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 374 + +Stellula calliope, 278 + +Stercorariidae, 35 + +Stercorarius longicaudus, 37 + parasiticus, 37 + pomarinus, 36 + +Sterna aleutica, 54 + anaetheta, 56 + antillarum, 55 + caspia, 50 + dougalli, 54 + elegans, 51 + forsteri, 53 + fuscata, 55 + hirundo, 53 + maxima, 51 + paradisaea, 54 + sandvicensis acuflavida, 52 + trudeaui, 52 + +Stilt, Black-necked, 139 + +Stint, Long-toed, 149 + +Strigidae, 227 + +Strix occidentalis caurina, 231 + " occidentalis, 231 + varia allogilva, 231 + " alleni, 229 + " varia, 229 + +Sturnella magna magna, 317 + " argutula, 319 + " hoopesi, 317 + " neglecta, 319 + +Sturnidae, 314 + +Sturnus vulgaris, 314 + +Sula bassana, 76 + brewsteri, 75 + cyanops, 74 + leucogactra, 75 + nebouxi, 74 + piscator, 75 + +Sulidae, 74 + +Surf Bird, 169 + +Sunia ulula ulula, 237 + " caparoch, 238 + +Swallow, Bahama, 374 + Bank, 374 + Barn, 373 + Cliff, 372 + Cuban Cliff, 373 + Mexican Cliff, 373 + Northern Violet-green, 374 + Rough-winged, 374 + San Lucas, 374 + Tree, 373 + +Swallow-tailed Kite, 201 + +Swan, Trumpeter, 114 + Whistling, 114 + Whooping, 114 + +Swift, Black, 268 + Chimney, 269 + Vaux's, 270 + White-throated, 270 + +Slyviidae, 433 + +Sylthliboramphus antiquus, 26 + Tachycineta thalassina lepida, 374 + " brachyptera, 374 + +Page 469 + +Tanager, Cooper's, 370 + Hepatic, 370 + Western, 369 + Scarlet, 369 + Summer, 370 + +Tangaridae, 369 + +Tangavius aeneus involucratus, 315 + +Tattler, Wandering, 156 + +Teal, Blue-winged, 93 + Cinnamon, 93 + European, 82 + Green-winged, 92 + +Telmatodytes palustris, 429 + " griseus, 429 + " marianae, 429 + " paludicola 429 + " plesius, 429 + " palustris, 429 + +Tern, Aleutian, 54 + Arctic, 54 + Black, 56 + Bridled, 56 + Cabot's, 52 + Caspian, 50 + Common, 53 + Elegant, 51 + Forster's, 53 + Gull-billed, 50 + Least, 55 + Roseate, 54 + Royal, 51 + Sooty, 55 + Trudeau's, 52 + White-winged Black, 57 + +Thalassidroma pelagica, 68 + +Thalassogeron culminatus, 60 + +Thrasher, Bendire's, 422 + Brown, 421 + California, 422 + Crissal, 423 + Curve-billed, 421 + Desert, 423 + Leconte's, 423 + Mearns's, 422 + Palmer's, 422 + Sage, 419 + San Lucas, 422 + Sennett's, 421 + +Thrush, Alaska Hermit, 445 + Audubon's Hermit, 445 + Bicknell's, 443 + Dwarf Hermit, 446 + Gray-cheeked, 443 + Hermit, 446 + Olive-backed, 445 + Northern Varied, 448 + Red-winged, 446 + Russet-backed, 443 + Varied, 448 + Willow, 443 + Wood, 442 + +Thryomanes bewicki bairdi, 426 + bewicki bewicki, 426 + " calophonus, 426 + " charienturus, 426 + " cryptus, 426 + " spilurus, 426 + brevicauda, 426 + leucophrys, 426 + +Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus, 425 + ludovicianus lomitensis, 425 + " miamensis, 425 + +Tiaris bicolor, 368 + canora, 368 + +Titlark, 418 + +Titmouse, Ashy, 434 + Black-crested, 433 + Bridled, 434 + Gray, 434 + Plain, 434 + +Tufted, 433 + +Totanus flavipes, 153 + melanoleucus, 153 + +Towhee, 358 + Abert's, 361 + Anthony's, 361 + Arctic, 358 + California, 360 + Canon, 360 + Green-tailed, 361 + Guadalupe, 360 + Large-billed, 360 + Mountain, 360 + Oregon, 360 + San Clemente, 360 + San Diego, 360 + San Lucas, 360 + Spurred, 358 + White-eyed, 358 + +Toxostima bendirei, 422 + cinereum cinereum, 422 + " mearnsi, 422 + crissale, 423 + curvirostre curvirostre, 421 + " palmeri, 422 + lecontei lecontei, 423 + lecontei arenicola, 423 + longirostre sennetti, 421 + redivivum, 422 + rufum, 421 + +Tree Duck, Black-bellied, 113 + Fulvous, 113 + +Tringa canutus, 146 + +Page 470 + +Trochilidae, 271 + +Troglodytes aedon aedon, 427 + " parkmani, 427 + +Troglodytidae, 423 + +Trogon ambiguus, 246 + Coppery-tailed, 246 + +Trogonidae, 246 + +Tropic Bird, Red-billed, 73 + Red-tailed, 73 + Yellow-billed, 72 + +Troupial. + +Tryngites subruficollis, 158 + +Tubinares, 59 + +Turdidae, 442 + +Turdus musicus, 446 + +Turkey, Florida, 191 + Merriam's, 190 + Rio Grande, 191 + Wild, 190 + +Turnstone, 169 + Black, 170 + Ruddy, 169 + +Tympanuchus americanus americanus, 185 + americanus attwateri, 186 + cupido, 186 + pallidicinctus, 187 + +Tyrannidae, 280 + +Tyrannus dominicensis, 283 + melancholicus couchi, 283 + tyrannus, 281 + verticalis, 283 + vociferans, 284 + +Uria lomvia lomvia, 30 + " arra, 31 + troille troille, 29 + " californica, 30 + +Urubitinga anthracina, 213 + +Vanellus vanellus, 161 + +Veery, 443 + +Verdin, 439 + Cape, 439 + +Vermivora bachmani, 387 + pinus, 387 + celata celata, 389 + " lucescens, 389 + " sordida, 390 + chrysoptera, 388 + luciae, 388 + peregrina, 390 + +Vermivora rubricapella gutturalis 389 + " rubricapella 389 + virginiae, 388 + +Vireo, Anthony's, 384 + atricapillus, 383 + Bell's, 384 + belli belli, 384 + belli pusillus, 385 + Bermuda, 384 + Black-capped, 383 + Black-whiskered, 378 + Blue-headed, 382 + Cassin's, 382 + griseus bermudianus, 384 + " maynardi, 383 + " micrus, 384 + Gray, 385 + Hutton's, 384 + huttoni huttoni, 384 + " obscurus, 384 + " stephensi, 384 + Key West, 383 + Least, 385 + Mountain, 383 + Philadelphia, 380 + Plumbeous, 382 + Red-eyed, 380 + San Lucas, 383 + Small White-eyed, 384 + Stephens's, 383 + vicinior, 385 + Warbling, 380 + Western Warbling, 382 + White-eyed, 383 + Yellow-green, 380 + Yellow-throated, 382 + +Vireonidae, 378 + +Vireosylva calidris barbatula, 378 + flavoviridis, 380 + gilva gilva, 380 + " swainsoni, 382 + olivacea, 380 + philadelphica, 380 + +Vulture, Black, 199 + California, 198 + Turkey, 199 + +Wagtail Alaska Yellow, 418 + Swinhoe's, 418 + White, 418 + +Warbler, Alaska Yellow, 392 + Audubon's, 395 + Bachman's, 387 + Bay-breasted, 398 + Black and White, 385 + Blackburnian, 399 + Black-fronted, 395 + Black-poll, 399 + Black-throated Blue, 394 + Black-throated Gray, 402 + Black-throated Green, 403 + Blue-winged, 387 + Cairns's, 394 + Calaveras, 389 + Canada, 415 + +Page 471 + + Cape May, 391 + Cerulean, 396 + Chestnut-sided, 398 + Connecticut, 410 + Dusky, 390 + Golden-cheeked, 402 + Golden Pileolated, 415 + Golden-winged, 388 + Grace's, 401 + Hermit, 405 + Hooded, 414 + Kennicott's Willow, 439 + Kentucky, 410 + Kirtland's, 404 + Lucy's, 388 + Lutescent, 389 + Macgillivray's, 411 + Magnolia, 396 + Mangrove, 394 + Mourning, 411 + Myrtle, 395 + Nashville, 389 + Northern Parula, 390 + Olive, 391 + Orange-crowned, 389 + Palm, 405 + Parula, 390 + Pileolated, 414 + Pine, 405 + Prairie, 407 + Prothonotary, 386 + Red-faced, 417 + Sennett's, 391 + Sonora Yellow, 392 + Swainson's, 386 + Sycamore, 401 + Tennessee, 390 + Townsend's, 403 + Virginia's, 388 + Wilson's, 414 + Worm-eating, 386 + Yellow, 392 + Yellow Palm, 405 + Yellow-throated, 401 + +Water Thrush, 409 + Grinnell's, 409 + Louisiana, 409 + +Water Turkey, 77 + +Waxwing, Bohemian, 375 + Cedar, 375 + Wheatear, 448 + Greenland, 448 + +Whimbrel, 160 + +Whip-poor-will, 263 + Stephens's, 264 + +Widgeon, European, 91 + +Willet, 155 + Western, 156 + +Wilsonia canadensis, 415 + citrina, 414 + pusilla pusilla, 414 + " chryseola, 415 + " pileolata, 414 + +Woodcock, 140 + European, 140 + +Woodpecker, Alaska Three-toed, 254 + Alpine Three-toed, 254 + Ant-eating, 256 + Arctic Three-toed, 253 + Arizona, 252 + Batchelder's, 251 + Cabanis's, 250 + California, 257 + Downy, 251 + Gairdner's, 251 + Gila, 258 + Golden-fronted, 258 + Hairy, 250 + Harris's, 250 + Ivory-billed, 249 + Lewis's, 257 + Narrow-fronted, 257 + Nelson's Downy, 251 + Northern Hairy, 250 + Northern Pileated, 256 + Nuttall's, 252 + Pileated, 255 + Queen Charlotte, 250 + Red-bellied, 257 + Red-cockaded, 251 + Red-headed, 256 + Rocky Mountain Hairy, 250 + San Lucas, 252 + Southern Downy, 251 + Southern Hairy, 250 + Texas, 252 + Three-toed, 253 + White-headed, 253 + Willow, 251 + +Wren, Alaska, 428 + Aleutian, 428 + Baird's, 426 + Bewick's, 426 + Bryant's Cactus, 424 + Cactus, 423 + Canyon, 425 + Carolina, 425 + Dotted Canyon, 425 + Florida, 425 + Guadalupe, 426 + Guadalupe Rock, 424 + House, 427 + Kadiak Winter, 428 + +Page 472 + + Lomita, 425 + Long-billed Marsh, 429 + Marian's Marsh, 429 + Seattle, 426 + Rock, 424 + San Clemente, 426 + Short-billed Marsh, 428 + San Diego, 426 + San Lucas Cactus, 424 + Texas, 426 + Tule, 429 + Vigors's, 426 + Western House, 427 + Western Marsh, 429 + Western Winter, 428 + White-throated, 424 + Winter, 427 + Worthington's Marsh, 429 + +Wren-tit, 437 + Pallid, 437 + +Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, 315 + +Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens, 308 + +Xema sabini, 49 + +Xenopicus albolarvatus, 253 + +Yellow-legs, 153 + Greater, 153 + +Yellow-throat, Belding's, 413 + Florida, 412 + Maryland, 412 + Pacific, 412 + Rio Grande, 413 + Salt Marsh, 412 + Western, 412 + +Zamelodia ludoviciana, 365 + melanocephala, 365 + +Zenaida zenaida, 194 + +Zenaidura macroura carolinensis, 193 + +Zonotrichia albicollis, 345 + coronata, 343 + leucophrys leucophrys, 343 + " gambeli, 343 + " nuttalli, 343 + querula, 342 + +[Illustration: 474.] + + + + +Page 473 + +[Illustration: 475] + +Birds of Eastern North America + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +The Bird Book of the year. It is authentic. The author KNOWS birds. He +has studied them for thirty years--in the hand, for plumage, and in +their haunts, for habits. He has studied them in their homes and has +photographed hundreds as they were actually feeding their young. Besides +being able to write about these things in an interesting and instructive +manner, he is classed as one of the foremost bird artists in America. +This rare combination of Artist-Author-Naturalist has produced, in +"Birds of Eastern North America," the ultimate bird book. + +The technical descriptions aided by the pictures give perfect ideas of +the plumage of adults and young. + +The descriptive text gives the important and characteristic features in +the lives of the various species. + +The illustrations--well, there are 408 PICTURES IN NATURAL COLORS; they +show practically every species, including male, female, and young when +the plumages differ, and they are perfectly made by the best process. + +Bound in cloth, handsomely illuminated in gold; 464 pages (41/2 x 61/2); 408 +colored illustrations; every bird described and pictured. + +$3.00 postpaid + +Color Key To N. A. Birds + +By F. M. CHAPMAN and C. A. REED + +This might well be called an illustrated dictionary of North American +birds, the male of each species being shown in COLOR from pen and ink +drawings. Uniform with Egg Book. 350 pages. + +$2.50 net + + + + +Page 474 + +[Illustration 476: _From "Water Birds"_.] +[Illustration: _From "Land Birds"_.] + +LAND BIRDS + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +An illustrated, pocket text book that enables anyone to quickly identify +any song or insectivorous bird found east of the Rocky Mountains. It +describes their habits and peculiarities; tells you where to look for +them and describes their nests, eggs and songs. + +EVERY BIRD IS SHOWN IN COLOR, including the females and young where the +plumage differs, from watercolor drawings by the four-color process. The +illustrations are the BEST, the MOST ACCURATE, and the MOST VALUABLE +ever printed in a bird book. + +"LAND BIRDS" is the most popular and has the LARGEST SALE (over 300,000 +copies) of any bird book published in this country. It is used and +recommended by our leading ornithologists and teachers. 230 pages. + +Bound in Cloth, 75c. net; in Leather, $1.00 net; postage 5c. + +WATER BIRDS + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +This book is uniform in size and scope with LAND BIRDS. It includes all +of the Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, east of the Rockies. +Each species is ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR from oil paintings; the bird, its +habits and nesting habits are described. + +The pictures show more than 230 birds in color, every species found in +our range. They exceed in number those in any other bird book. In +quality they cannot be surpassed--exquisite gems, each with an +attractive background, typical of the habits of the species. + +"LAND BIRDS" and "WATER BIRDS" are the only books, regardless of price, +that describe and show in color every bird. 250 pages, neatly boxed. + +Bound in Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c. + + + + +Page 475 + +[Illustration: 477.] +[Illustration.] + +THE TREE GUIDE + +By JULIA ELLEN ROGERS + +Author of "The Tree Book" + +The Tree Guide is uniform in style and size with the well known pocket +Bird Guides which have become so universally popular. It contains +illustrations (32 of them colored and many in black and white) and +descriptions of every tree east of the Rocky Mountains. The descriptions +include the range, the classification, the distinctive features such as +flowers, leaves, fruit, etc., and all other marks that lead to an easy +identification of the tree. No detail that will help the student has +been omitted and the small size of the volume, about the length and +width of the hand, makes it convenient to carry. An ideal volume for +expert naturalist or amateur for field work or even more exhaustive +study. + +32 illustrations in color; many in black and white. + +Cloth, net, $1.00. Leather, net, $1.25 + +Animal Post Cards + +We have been fortunate in securing from the well known artist, Harry F. +Harvey, a number of his best paintings of our North American Wild +Animals. These have been Faithfully reproduced in NATURAL COLORS, +postcard size, and are by far, twenty-five of the best animal cards ever +published. + +Ask your dealer for the "REED NATURE CARDS." + +25 Animals, 25 Birds, 50 Wild Flowers. + +ALL IN NATURAL COLORS + +If your dealer is out of them we will fill your order (postpaid). + +25 Animals for 50c; 25 Birds for 25c; 50 Flowers for 50c. + +Special--The complete set of 100 accurately colored cards postpaid, +$1.00. + +Send for list of Nature Books in Colors. + +CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS. + + + + +Page 476 + +[Illustration: 478.] +Wild Flowers +East of the Rockies + +BY + +CHESTER A. REED + +The latest flower book. In a class by itself. Original, beautiful, +compact, complete, interesting. Pictures 320 flowers, ALL IN COLOR. 450 +pages. + +Handsomely bound; boxed. $2.50 net; postage 15c + + + + +Page 477 + +American Game Birds + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +Over ONE HUNDRED SPECIES OF GAME BIRDS are faithfully depicted by the +colored pictures and the text gives considerable idea of their habits +and tells where they are to be found at different seasons of the year. + +This book is prepared especially at the request of a large number of +sportsmen for a concise guide devoted solely to game birds and figuring +all species. + +Remember that it is the ONLY book at any price that figures all these +game birds in their proper colors. It is the real sportsmen's guide and +companion. Nicely bound and boxed. + +[Illustration: 479.] + +Price 60 cents; postage 5 cents + + + + +Page 478 + +[Illustration: 480.] + +North American Birds' Eggs + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +This is the only book on the market that gives illustrations of the eggs +of all North American birds. Each egg is shown FULL SIZE, photographed +directly from an authentic and well marked specimen. There are a great +many full-page plates of nests and eggs in their natural situations. + +The habitat and habits of each bird are given. + +It is finely printed on the best of paper and handsomely bound in cloth. +350 pages--6 x 9 inches. + +$2.50 net + +Nature Studies--In Field and Wood + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +This book is destined to be one of the most important that the author +has written. Absorbingly interesting in itself, yet its greatest value +will lie in the fact that it will lead the reader to realize how blind +he has been to the many wonderful things that are happening on every +hand. + +The brook, the pond, the field, the woods, the swamps and even the back +yards yield quantities of very interesting subjects for study. This book +treats entertainingly of many of these interesting creatures, but its +chief aim is to be an "awakener"--to arouse within the reader the desire +to go out and verify some of the facts given, or to do some original +investigation himself. Such studies develop the senses of perception and +observation immensely, and the one who is "alive" to what is going on +about him surely is better able to cope with all situations in life than +one who sees nothing until it is forcibly brought to his attention. + +112 pages; size--51/2 x 71/2 in. 40 illustrations in color, and black and +white. + +60c. net; postage 10c. + + + + +Page 479 + +[Illustration: 481] + +Camera Studies of Wild Birds in Their Homes + +By CHESTER A. REED, B. S. + +"CAMERA STUDIES" affords everyone an opportunity for a very intimate +study of bird life. A good photograph of an event together with an +interesting description of it is the next best thing to witnessing the +event itself. + +"CAMERA STUDIES" has 250 photographs of events right in birds' home. +These pictures are selected from the author's collection of over 2000 +bird photographs, this being one of the best collections of pictures of +free, living wild birds in existence. + +Many rare and interesting poses are faithfully shown by the camera. For +instance, a pair of adult Chipping Sparrows, standing on a branch by the +sides of their four young, are engaged in pulling apart a large worm +that was too large to be given whole. + +The stories accompanying these pictures are as interesting as the +photographs and above all they are all actual facts. + +300 pages, 51/2 x 71/2 in.; 250 photographs of living, wild birds. + +Handsomely bound in Cloth, $2.00 net; postage 20c. + +Western Bird Guide + +This new book, a companion and uniform in size to the Bird and Flower +Guides East of the Rockies, is much more complete and shows every +species of bird, BOTH LAND AND WATER to be found IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS +and westward to the PACIFIC COAST, and from Mexico north to the Arctic +regions. EVERY BIRD IN NATURAL COLORS. + +320 of them are faithfully pictured, and the text gives the more +prominent identifying features, as well as the habits, haunts and all +about their nests and eggs. 256 pages, bound and neatly boxed. + +In Sock Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c. + +CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS. + + + + +Page 480 + +FIELD GLASSES + +[Illustration: 482.] + +FOR BIRD STUDY + +or equally good for the mountains, seashore or theatre, or whenever a +large, clear image of an object is desired. + +We carefully examined more than a hundred makes of field glasses, to +select the ones best adapted for bird study. + +We found one make that was superior to any other of the same price and +equal optically, and nearly as well made as those costing three times as +much. + +They magnify about three diameters, and have an unusually large field of +vision or angle of view, making it easy to find a bird or keep him in +sight. Price only $5.00 postpaid. + +CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bird Book, by Chester A. Reed + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BIRD BOOK *** + +***** This file should be named 30000.txt or 30000.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/0/0/30000/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Renald Levesque and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at +http://www.pgdpcanada.net (This file was produced from +images generously made available by The Internet +Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |