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diff --git a/old/55191-0.txt b/old/55191-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9627334..0000000 --- a/old/55191-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,40660 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of A History of North American Birds, by -Spencer Fullerton Baird and Thomas Mayo Brewer and Robert Ridgway - -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/license - - -Title: A History of North American Birds - Land Birds - Volume 1 - -Author: Spencer Fullerton Baird - Thomas Mayo Brewer - Robert Ridgway - -Release Date: July 24, 2017 [EBook #55191] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Carol Brown, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by Biodiversity Heritage Library.) - - - - - - -[Transcriber’s Note: - -This text includes characters that require Unicode (UTF-8) file -encoding: - - œ Œ (oe ligature) - α β γ (Greek letters) - ā ē ī ū è é ĕ ŏ ö (letters with macron, accent, breve, or umlaut) - ° ′ ″ (degrees, minutes, seconds) - ♂ ♀ (male and female symbols) - -If any of these characters do not display properly—in particular, if -the diacritic does not appear directly above the letter—or if the -apostrophes and quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, -make sure your text reader’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set -to Unicode (UTF-8). You may also need to change the default font. - -Additional notes are at the end of the book.] - - - - -NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS - -LAND BIRDS - -VOL. I. - - - - - [Illustration: CAT BIRD. - (Galeoscoptes carolinensis.) - Adult.] - - - - - A - - HISTORY - - OF - - NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS - - BY - S. F. BAIRD, T. M. BREWER, AND R. RIDGWAY - - LAND BIRDS - - _ILLUSTRATED BY 64 PLATES AND 593 WOODCUTS_ - - VOLUME I. - - [Illustration: sketch of nest with eggs] - - BOSTON - LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY - 1905 - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, - BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY, - in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - Printers - S. J. PARKHILL & CO., BOSTON, U. S. A. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The present work is designed to meet the want, which has long been -felt, of a descriptive account of the Birds of North America, with -notices of their geographical distribution, habits, methods of -nesting, character of eggs, their popular nomenclature, and other -points connected with their life history. - -For many years past the only systematic treatises bearing upon this -subject have been “The American Ornithology” of Alexander Wilson, -finished by that author in 1814, and brought down to the date of 1827 -by George Ord; the “Ornithological Biography” of Audubon, bearing date -of 1838, with a second edition, “Birds of America,” embracing a little -more of detail, and completed in 1844; and “A Manual of the -Ornithology of the United States and Canada,” by Nuttall, of which a -first edition was published in 1832 and a second in 1840. Since then -no work relating to American Ornithology, of a biographical nature, -has been presented to the public, with the exception of some of -limited extent, such as those of Giraud, on the “Birds of Long -Island,” in 1844; De Kay’s “Birds of New York,” 1844; Samuels’s -“Ornithology and Oölogy of New England,” 1868, and a few others; -together with quite a number of minor papers on the birds of -particular localities, of greater or less moment, chiefly published in -periodicals and the Proceedings of Societies. The reports of many of -the government exploring parties also contain valuable data, -especially those of Dr. Newberry, Dr. Heermann, Dr. J. G. Cooper, Dr. -Suckley, Dr. Kennerly, and others. - -More recently (in 1870) Professor Whitney, Chief of the Geological -Survey of California, has published a very important volume on the -ornithology of the entire west coast of North America, written by Dr. -J. G. Cooper, and containing much original detail in reference to the -habits of the western species. This is by far the most valuable -contribution to the biography of American birds that has appeared -since the time of Audubon, and, with its typographical beauty and -numerous and excellent illustrations, all on wood and many of them -colored, constitutes one of the most noteworthy publications in -American Zoölogy. - -Up to the time of the appearance of the work of Audubon, nearly all -that was known of the great region of the United States west of the -Missouri River was the result of the journey of Lewis and Clark up the -Missouri and across to the Pacific Coast, and that of John K. Townsend -and Mr. Nuttall, both of whom made some collections and brought back -notices of the country, which, however, they were unable to explore to -any great extent. The entire region of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, -Arizona, Nevada, and California was unvisited, as also a great portion -of territory north of the United States boundary, including British -Columbia and Alaska. - -A work by Sir John Richardson, forming a volume in his series of -“Fauna Boreali-Americana,” in reference to the ornithology of the -region covered by the Hudson Bay Company’s operations, was published -in 1831, and has been much used by Mr. Audubon, but embraces little or -nothing of the great breeding-grounds of the water birds in the -neighborhood of the Great Slave and Bear Lakes, the Upper Yukon, and -the shores of the Arctic coast. - -It will thus be seen that a third of a century has elapsed since any -attempt has been made to present a systematic history of the birds of -North America. - -The object of the present work is to give, in as concise a form as -possible, an account of what is known of the birds, not only of the -United States, but of the whole region of North America north of the -boundary-line of Mexico, including Greenland, on the one side, and -Alaska with its islands on the other. The published materials for such -a history are so copious that it is a matter of surprise that they -have not been sooner utilized, consisting, as they do, of numerous -scattered biographies and reports of many government expeditions and -private explorations. But the most productive source has been the -great amount of manuscript contained in the archives of the -Smithsonian Institution in the form of correspondence, elaborate -reports, and the fieldnotes of collectors and travellers, the use of -which, for the present work, has been liberally allowed by Professor -Henry. By far the most important of these consist of notes made by the -late Robert Kennicott in British America, and received from him and -other gentlemen in the Hudson Bay Territory, who were brought into -intimate relationship with the Smithsonian Institution through Mr. -Kennicott’s efforts. Among them may be mentioned more especially Mr. -R. MacFarlane, Mr. B. R. Ross, Mr. James Lockhart, Mr. Lawrence Clark, -Mr. Strachan Jones, and others, whose names will appear in the course -of the work. The especial value of the communications received from -these gentlemen lies in the fact that they resided for a long time in -a region to which a large proportion of the rapacious and water birds -of North America resort during the summer for incubation, and which -until recently has been sealed to explorers. - -Equally serviceable has been the information received from the region -of the Yukon River and Alaska generally, including the Aleutian -Islands, as supplied by Messrs. Robert Kennicott, William H. Dall, -Henry M. Bannister, Henry W. Elliott, and others. - -It should be understood that the remarks as to the absence of general -works on American Ornithology, since the time of Audubon, apply only -to the life history of the species, as, in 1858, one of the authors of -the present work published a systematic account of the birds of North -America, constituting Vol. IX. of the series of Pacific Railroad -Reports; while from the pen of Dr. Elliott Coues, a well-known and -eminent ornithologist, appeared in 1872 a comprehensive volume, -entitled “A Key to North American Birds,” containing descriptions of -the species and higher groups. - -The technical, or descriptive, matter of the present work has been -prepared by Messrs. Baird and Ridgway, that relating to the _Raptores_ -entirely by Mr. Ridgway; and all the accounts of the habits of the -species are from the pen of Dr. Brewer. In addition to the matter -supplied by these gentlemen, Professor Theodore N. Gill has furnished -that portion of the Introduction defining the class of birds as -compared with the other vertebrates; while to Dr. Coues is to be given -the entire credit for the pages embracing the tables of the Orders and -Families, as well as for the Glossary beginning on page 535 of Vol. -III. - -Nearly all the drawings of the full-length figures of birds contained -in the work were made directly on the wood, by Mr. Edwin L. Sheppard, -of Philadelphia, from original sketches taken from nature; while the -heads were executed for the most part by Mr. Henry W. Elliott and Mr. -Ridgway. Both series have been engraved by Mr. Hobart H. Nichols of -Washington. The generic outlines were drawn by Anton L. Schönborn, and -engraved by the peculiar process of Jewett, Chandler, & Co., of -Buffalo. All of these, it is believed, speak for themselves, and -require no other commendation. - -A considerable portion of the illustrations were prepared, by the -persons mentioned above, for the Reports of the Geological Survey of -California, and published in the volume on Ornithology. To Professor -Whitney, Chief of the Survey, acknowledgments are due for the -privilege of including many of them in the present History of North -American Birds, and also for the Explanation of Terms, page 526 of -Vol. III. - -A few cuts, drawn by Wolf and engraved by Whymper, first published in -“British Birds in their Haunts,” and credited in their proper places, -were kindly furnished by the London Society for the Diffusion of -Christian Knowledge; and some others prepared for an unpublished -volume by Dr. Blasius, on the Birds of Germany, were obtained from -Messrs. Vieweg and Son, of Braunschweig. - -The volume on the Water Birds is in an advanced state of preparation, -and will be published with the least possible delay. - - SPENCER F. BAIRD. - - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, - January 8, 1874. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - Page - - PREFACE v - - INTRODUCTION xi - - Family TURDIDÆ. The Thrushes 1 - Subfamily TURDINÆ 3 - Subfamily MIMINÆ 31 - Family CINCLIDÆ. The Dippers 55 - Family SAXICOLIDÆ. The Saxicolas 59 - Family SYLVIIDÆ. The Sylvias 69 - Subfamily SYLVIINÆ 69 - Subfamily REGULINÆ 72 - Subfamily POLIOPTILINÆ 77 - Family CHAMÆADÆ. The Ground-Tits 83 - Family PARIDÆ. The Titmice 86 - Subfamily PARINÆ 86 - Subfamily SITTINÆ 113 - Family CERTHIADÆ. The Creepers 124 - Family TROGLODYTIDÆ. The Wrens 130 - Family MOTACILLIDÆ. The Wagtails 164 - Subfamily MOTACILLINÆ 165 - Subfamily ANTHINÆ 169 - Family SYLVICOLIDÆ. The Warblers 177 - Subfamily SYLVICOLINÆ 179 - Subfamily GEOTHLYPINÆ 279 - Subfamily ICTERIANÆ 306 - Subfamily SETOPHAGINÆ 311 - Family HIRUNDINIDÆ. The Swallows 326 - Family VIREONIDÆ. The Vireos 357 - Family AMPELIDÆ. The Chatterers 395 - Subfamily AMPELINÆ 395 - Subfamily PTILOGONATINÆ 404 - Family LANIIDÆ. The Shrikes 412 - Family CÆREBIDÆ. The Guits 425 - Family TANAGRIDÆ. The Tanagers 431 - Family FRINGILLIDÆ. The Finches 446 - Subfamily COCCOTHRAUSTINÆ 446 - Subfamily PYRGITINÆ 524 - Subfamily SPIZELLINÆ 528 - - INDEX TO THE PLATES. - - PLATES 1-26. - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -The class of Birds (_Aves_), as represented in the present age of the -world, is composed of very many species, closely related among -themselves and distinguished by numerous characters common to all. For -the purposes of the present work it is hardly necessary to attempt the -definition of what constitutes a bird, the veriest tyro being able to -decide as to the fact in regard to any North American animal. -Nevertheless, for the sake of greater completeness, we may say that, -compared with other classes,[1] Birds are abranchiate vertebrates, -with a brain filling the cranial cavity, the cerebral portion of which -is moderately well developed, the corpora striata connected by a small -anterior commissure (no corpus callosum developed), prosencephalic -hemispheres large, the optic lobes lateral, the cerebellum -transversely multifissured; the lungs and heart not separated by a -diaphragm from the abdominal viscera; aortic arch single (the right -only being developed); blood, with nucleated red corpuscles, -undergoing a complete circulation, being received and transmitted by -the right half of the quadrilocular heart to the lungs for aeration -(and thus warmed), and afterwards returned by the other half through -the system (there being no communication between the arterial and -venous portions); skull with a single median convex condyle, chiefly -on the basi-occipital (with the sutures for the most part early -obliterated); the lower jaw with its rami ossifying from several -points, connected with the skull by the intervention of a quadrate -bone (homologous with the malleus); pelvis with ilia prolonged in -front of the acetabulum, ischia and pubes nearly parallel with each -other, and the ischia usually separated: anterior and posterior -members much differentiated; the former modified for flight, with the -humerus nearly parallel with the axis of the body and concealed in the -muscles, the radius and ulna distinct, with two persistent carpal -bones, and two to four digits; the legs with the bones peculiarly -combined, (1) the proximal tarsal bones coalescing with the adjoining -tibia, and (2) the distal tarsal coalescing with three (second, third, -and fourth) metatarsals (the first metatarsal being free), and forming -the so-called tarsometatarsus; dermal appendages developed as -feathers: oviparous, the eggs being fertilized within the body, -excluded with an oval, calcareous shell, and hatched at a temperature -of about 104° F. (generally by the incubation upon them of the -mother).[2] - -Such are some of the features common to all the existing species of -birds.[3] Many others might be enumerated, but only those are given -which contrast with the characteristics of the mammals on the one hand -and those of the reptiles on the other. The inferior vertebrates are -distinguished by so many salient characters and are so widely -separated from the higher that they need not be compared with the -present class. - -Although birds are of course readily recognizable by the observer, and -are definable at once, existing under present conditions, as -warm-blooded vertebrates, with the anterior members primitively -adapted for flight,—they are sometimes abortive,—and covered with -feathers, such characteristics do not suffice to enable us to -appreciate the relations of the class. The characteristics have been -given more fully in order to permit a comparison between the members -of the class and those of the mammals and reptiles. The class is -without exception the most homogeneous in the animal kingdom; and -among the living forms less differences are observable than between -the representatives of many natural orders among other classes. But -still the differences between them and the other existing forms are -sufficient, perhaps, to authorize the distinction of the group as a -class, and such rank has always been allowed excepting by one recent -naturalist. - -But if we further compare the characters of the class, it becomes -evident that those shared in common with the reptiles are much more -numerous than those shared with the mammals. In this respect the views -of naturalists have changed within recent years. Formerly the two -characteristics shared with the mammals—the quadrilocular heart and -warm blood—were deemed evidences of the close affinity of the two -groups, and they were consequently combined as a section of the -vertebrates, under the name of Warm-blooded Vertebrates. But recently -the tendency has been, and very justly, to consider the birds and -reptiles as members of a common group, separated on the one hand from -the mammals and on the other from the batrachians; and to this -combination of birds and reptiles has been given the name _Sauropsida_. - -As already indicated, the range of variation within this class is -extremely limited; and if our views respecting the taxonomic value of -the subdivisions are influenced by this condition of things, we are -obliged to deny to the groups of living birds the right which has -generally been conceded of ranking as orders. - -The greatest distinctions existing among the living members of the -class are exhibited on the one hand by the Ostriches and Kiwis and the -related forms, and on the other by all the remaining birds. - -These contrasted groups have been regarded by Professor Huxley as of -ordinal value; but the differences are so slight, in comparison with -those which have received ordinal distinction in other classes, that -the expediency of giving them that value is extremely doubtful; and -they can be combined into one order, which may appropriately bear the -name of _Eurhipidura_. - -An objection has been urged to this depreciation of the value of the -subdivisions of the class, on the ground that the peculiar adaptation -for flight, which is the prominent characteristic of birds, is -incapable of being combined with a wider range of form. This is, at -most, an explanation of the cause of the slight range of variation, -and should not therefore affect the exposition of the _fact_ (thereby -admitted) in a classification based on morphological characteristics. -But it must also be borne in mind that flight is by no means -incompatible with extreme modifications, not only of the organs of -flight, but of other parts, as is well exemplified in the case of bats -and the extinct pterodactyls. - -Nor is the class of birds as now limited confined to the single order -of which only we have living representatives. In fossil forms we have, -if the differences assumed be confirmed, types of two distinct orders, -one being represented by the genus _Archæopteryx_ and another by the -genera _Ichthyornis_ and _Apatornis_ of Marsh. The first has been -named _Saururæ_ by Hæckel; the second _Ichthyornithides_ by Marsh. - -Compelled thus to question the existence of any groups of ordinal -value among recent birds, we proceed now to examine the grounds upon -which natural subdivisions should be based. The prominent features in -the classification of the class until recently have been the divisions -into groups distinguished by their adaptation for different modes of -life; that is, whether aerial or for progression on land, for wading -or for swimming; or, again, into Land and Water Birds. Such groups -have a certain value as simply artificial combinations, but we must -not be considered as thereby committing ourselves to such a system as -a natural one. - -The time has scarcely arrived to justify any system of classification -hitherto proposed, and we can only have a sure foundation after an -exhaustive study of the osteology, as well as the neurology and -splanchnology, of the various members. Enough, however, has already -been done to convince us that the subdivision of the class into Land -and Water Birds does not express the true relations of the members -embraced under those heads. Enough has also been adduced to enable us -to group many forms into families and somewhat more comprehensive -groups, definable by osteological and other characters. Such are the -Charadrimorphæ, Cecomorphæ, Alectoromorphæ, Pteroclomorphæ, -Peristeromorphæ, Coracomorphæ, Cypselomorphæ, Celeomorphæ, Aëtomorphæ, -and several others. But it is very doubtful whether the true clew to -the affinities of the groups thus determined has been found in the -relations of the vomer and contiguous bones. The families, too, have -been probably, in a number of cases, especially for the passerine -birds, too much circumscribed. The progress of systematic ornithology, -however, has been so rapid within the last few years, that we may be -allowed to hope that in a second edition of this work the means may be -furnished for a strictly scientific classification and sequence of the -families. (T. N. G.) - -A primary division of recent birds may be made by separation of the -(_a_) _Ratitæ_, or struthious birds and their allies,—in which the -sternum has no keel, is developed from lateral paired centres of -ossification, and in which there are numerous other structural -peculiarities of high taxonomic import,—from the (_b_) _Carinatæ_, -including all remaining birds of the present geologic epoch. Other -primary divisions, such as that into _Altrices_ and _Præcoces_ of -Bonaparte, or the corresponding yet somewhat modified and improved -_Psilopaedes_ and _Ptilopaedes_ of Sundevall, are open to the serious -objections that they ignore the profound distinctions between -struthious and other birds, require too numerous exceptions, cannot be -primarily determined by examination of adult specimens, and are based -upon physiological considerations not necessarily co-ordinate with -actual physical structure. - -In the following scheme, without attempting to indicate positive -taxonomic rank, and without committing myself finally, I present a -number of higher groups into which Carinate birds may be divided, -capable of approximately exact definition, and apparently of -approximately equivalent taxonomic value. Points of the arrangement -are freely drawn from the writings of various authors, as will be -perceived by those competent to judge without special references. I am -particularly indebted, however, to the late admirable and highly -important work of Professor Sundevall,[4] from which very many -characters are directly borrowed. The arrangement, in effect, is a -modification of that adopted by me in the “Key to North American -Birds,” upon considerations similar to those herewith implied. The -main points of difference are non-recognition of three leading groups -of aerial, terrestrial, and natatorial birds,—groups without -morphological basis, resting simply upon teleological modification; a -general depreciation of the taxonomic value of the several groups, -conformably with the considerations presented in the preceding pages -of this work; abolishing of the group _Grallatores_; and recognition -of a primary group _Sphenisci_.[5] - - A. PASSERES.[6] Hallux invariably present, completely - incumbent, separately movable by specialization of the _flexor - hallucis longus_, with enlarged base and its claw larger than - that of the middle digit. Neither second nor fourth toe - versatile; joints of toes always 2, 3, 4, 5, from first to - fourth. Wing-coverts comparatively short and few; with the - exception of the least coverts upon the _plica alaris_, - arranged in only two series, the greater of which does not - reach beyond the middle of the secondary remiges.[7] Rectrices - twelve (with rare anomalous exceptions). Musical apparatus - present in greater or less development and complexity. Palate - ægithognathous. Sternum of one particular mould, - single-notched. Carotid single (sinistra). Nature highly - altricial and psilopædic. - - a. Oscines.[8] Sides of the tarsus covered in most or all of - their extent with two undivided horny plates meeting behind - in a sharp ridge (except in _Alaudidæ_; one of the plates - imperfectly divided in a few other forms). Musical apparatus - highly developed, consisting of several distinct pairs of - syringeal muscles. Primaries nine only, or ten with the first - frequently spurious, rarely over two thirds the length of the - longest, never equalling the longest. - - b. Clamatores.[9] Sides of the tarsus covered with divided - plates or scales variously arranged, its hinder edge blunt. - Musical apparatus weak and imperfect, of few or incompletely - distinguished syringeal muscles (as far as known). Primaries - ten with rare exceptions, the first usually equalling or - exceeding the rest. - - B. PICARIÆ.[10] Hallux inconsiderable, weak or wanting, not - always incumbent, not separately movable by distinction of a - special muscle, its claw not longer than that of the middle toe - unless of exceptional shape (e. g. _Centropus_). Second or - fourth toe frequently versatile; third and fourth frequently - with decreased number of joints. Wing-coverts for the most part - larger and in more numerous series than in _Passeres_, the - greater series reaching beyond the middle of the secondary - quills (except in many _Pici_ and some others). Rectrices - commonly ten (eight to twelve). Primaries always ten, the first - only exceptionally short (as in _Pici_). Musical apparatus - wanting, or consisting of a muscular mass, or of not more than - three pairs of syringeal muscles. Palate desmognathous or - ægithognathous. Sternum of non-passerine character, its - posterior border entire or doubly notched or fenestrate. - Carotid single or double. Nature completely altricial, but - young sometimes hatched with down[11] (e. g. _Caprimulgidæ_). - - a. Cypseli. Palate ægithognathous. Wings lengthened in their - terminal portions, abbreviated basally, with the first - primary not reduced. Tail of ten rectrices. Bill fissirostral - or tenuirostral. Feet never zygodactyle nor syndactyle, - small, weak, scarcely fitted for locomotion; hallux often - elevated or lateral or reversed; front toes usually webbed at - base, or with abnormal ratio of phalanges in length and - number, or both. Sternum deep-keeled, usually entire or else - doubly notched or perforate. Syringeal muscles not more than - one pair. - - b. Cuculi. Palate desmognathous. Wings not peculiar in - brevity of proximal or length of distal portions, and with - first primary not reduced. Tail of eight to twelve rectrices. - Bill of indeterminate form, never cered; tongue not - extensile. Feet variously modified by versatility or - reversion of either first, second, or fourth toes, or by - cohesion for a great distance of third and fourth, or by - absence or rudimentary condition of first or second; often - highly scansorial, rarely ambulatorial. Syringeal muscles two - pairs at most. - - c. Pici. Palate “exhibiting a simplification and degradation - of the ægithognathous structure” (Huxley); wings bearing out - this passerine affinity in the common reduction of the first - primary and the restriction of the greater coverts. Tail of - ten perfect rectrices and usually a supplementary pair. - Rostrum hard, straight, narrow, subequal to head, with - commonly extensile and vermiform but not furcate tongue. Feet - highly scansorial. Fourth toe permanently reversed; basal - phalanges of toes abbreviated. Sternum doubly notched. - Salivary glands highly developed. Hyoidean apparatus peculiar. - - C. PSITTACI. Bill enormously thick, short, high, much arched - from the base, the upper mandible strongly hooked at the end, - cered at base, and freely movable by complete articulation with - the forehead, the under mandible with short, broad, truncate - symphysis. Feet permanently zygodactyle by reversion of the - fourth toe, which articulates by a double facet. Tarsi - reticulate. Syrinx peculiarly constructed of three pairs of - intrinsic muscles. Tongue short, thick, fleshy. Sternum entire - or fenestrate. Clavicles weak, defective, or wanting. Orbit - more or less completed by approach or union of postorbital - process and lachrymal. Altricial; psilopædic. - - D. RAPTORES. Bill usually powerful, adapted for tearing flesh, - strongly decurved and hooked at the end, furnished with a cere - in which the nostrils open. Feet strongly flexible, with large, - sharp, much curved claws gradually narrowed from base to tip, - convex on the sides, that of the second toe larger than that of - the fourth toe, and the hinder not smaller than the second one. - Feet never permanently zygodactyle, though fourth toe often - versatile; anterior toes commonly with one basal web; hallux - considerable and completely incumbent (except _Cathartidæ_). - Legs feathered to the suffrago or beyond. Rectrices twelve - (with rare exceptions); primaries sinuate or emarginate (with - rare exceptions). Sternum singly or doubly notched or - fenestrate. Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. Syrinx - wanting or developed with only one pair of muscles. Altricial; - the young being weak and helpless, yet ptilopædic, being downy - at birth. - - E. COLUMBÆ. Bill straight, compressed, horny at the vaulted - tip, which is separated by a constriction from the soft - membranous basal portion. Nostrils beneath a soft, tumid valve. - Tomia of the mandibles mutually apposed. Frontal feathers - sweeping in strongly convex outline across base of upper - mandible. Legs feathered to the tarsus or beyond. Hallux - incumbent (with few exceptions), and front toes rarely webbed - at base. Tarsus with small scutella in front, or oftener - reticulate, the envelope rather membranous than corneous. Head - very small. Plumage without after-shafts. One pair of syringeal - muscles. Sternum doubly notched, or notched and fenestrate on - each side. Carotids double. Palate schizognathous. Monogamous, - and highly altricial and psilopædic. - - F. GALLINÆ. Bill generally short, stout, convex, with an obtuse - vaulted tip, corneous except in the nasal fossa, and without - constriction in its continuity. Nostrils scaled or feathered. - Tomia of upper mandible overlapping. Frontal feathers forming - re-entrant outline at the base of upper mandible. Legs usually - feathered to the tarsus or beyond. Hallux elevated, with few - exceptions (e. g. _Cracidæ_ and _Megapodidæ_), smaller than the - anterior toes, occasionally wanting (as in the Hemipods). - Tarsus, when not feathered, generally broadly scutellate. Front - toes commonly webbed at base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings - strong, short, and concavo-convex. Rectrices commonly more than - twelve. Head small. Plumage usually after-shafted. Carotids - double (except _Turnicidæ_ and _Megapodidæ_). No intrinsic - syringeal muscles. Sternum very deeply, generally doubly, - notched. Palate schizognathous. Chiefly polygamous. Præcocial - and ptilopædic. - - G. LIMICOLÆ. Tibiæ bare of feathers for a variable (sometimes - very slight) distance above the suffrago. Legs commonly - lengthened, sometimes excessively so, and neck usually produced - in corresponding ratio. Tarsi scutellate or reticulate. Toes - never coherent at base; cleft, or united for a short distance - by one or two small movable basal webs (palmate only in - _Recurvirostra_, lobate only in _Phalaropodidæ_). Hallux always - reduced, obviously elevated and free, or wanting; giving a foot - of cursorial character. Wings, with few exceptions, lengthened, - pointed, and flat; the inner primaries and outer secondaries - very short, forming a strong re-entrance on the posterior - border of the wing. Tail shorter than the wing, of simple form, - and of few feathers, except in certain Snipes. Head globose, - sloping rapidly down to the contracted base of the bill, - completely feathered (except _Philomachus_ ♂). Gape of bill - short and constricted; tip usually obtuse; bill weak and - flexible. Rostrum commonly lengthened, and more or less terete - and slender; membranous wholly or in great part, without hard - cutting edges. Nostrils narrow, placed low down, entirely - surrounded with soft skin; nasal fossæ extensive. Palate - schizognathous. Sternum usually doubly, sometimes singly, - notched. Carotids double. Pterylosis of a particular pattern. - Nature præcocial and ptilopædic. Comprising the “Plover-Snipe” - group; species of medium and small size, with never extremely - compressed or depressed body; more or less aquatic, living on - plains and in open places, usually near water, nesting on the - ground, where the young run freely at birth. - - H. HERODIONES. Tibiæ naked below. Legs and neck much lengthened - in corresponding ratio. Toes long, slender, never coherent at - base, where cleft, or with movable basal webbing. Hallux (as - compared with that of the preceding and following group) - lengthened, free, and either perfectly incumbent or but little - elevated, with a large claw, giving a foot of insessorial - character. Wings commonly obtuse, but broad and ample, without - marked re-entrance on posterior border, the intermediate - remiges not being much abbreviated. Tail short and - few-feathered. Head narrow, conico-elongated, gradually - contracting to the large, stout base of the bill; the loral and - orbital region, or the whole head, naked. Gape of the bill - deeply fissured; tip usually acute; tomia hard and cutting. - Bill conico-elongate, always longer than the head, stout and - firm. Nostrils small, placed high up, with entirely bony and - horny, or only slightly membranous, surroundings. Pterylosis - nearly peculiar in the presence, almost throughout the group, - of powder-down tracts, rarely found elsewhere; pterylæ very - narrow. Palate desmognathous. Carotids double. Altricial. - Comprising the Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. (not Cranes). - Species usually of large stature, with compressed body and very - long S-bent neck; perching and nesting usually in trees, - bushes, or other high places near water; young hatching weak, - scarcely feathered, and reared in the nest. - - I. ALECTORIDES.[12] Tibiæ naked below. Neck, legs, and feet - much as in the last group, but hallux reduced and obviously - elevated, with small claw, the resulting foot cursorial - (natatorial and lobate in _Fulica_). Wings and tail commonly as - in _Herodiones_. Head less narrowed and conic than in the last, - fully feathered or with extensive baldness (not with definite - nakedness of loral and orbital regions). Bill of various shape, - usually lengthened and obtuse, never extensively membranous. - Rictus moderate. Nostrils lower than in _Herodiones_. - Pterylosis not peculiar. Palate schizognathous. Carotids - double. Nature præcocial and ptilopædic. Comprising the Cranes - and Rails and their allies; the former agreeing with the - _Herodiones_ superficially in stature, etc., but highly diverse - in the schizognathous palate, præcocial nature, etc. - - J. LAMELLIROSTRES. Feet palmate; tibiæ feathered (except - _Phœnicopterus_). Legs near centre of equilibrium of the body, - its axis horizontal in walking; not lengthened except in - _Phœnicopterus_. Knee-joint rarely exserted beyond general skin - of the body. Wings moderate, reaching when folded to, but not - beyond, the usually short and rounded (exceptionally long and - cuneate) tail. Feet tetradactyle (except sometimes in - _Phœnicopterus_); hallux reduced, elevated and free, often - independently lobate. Bill lamellate, i. e., furnished along - each commissural edge with a regular series of mutually adapted - laminæ or tooth-like processes, with which correspond certain - laciniate processes of the fleshy tongue, which ends in a horny - tip. Bill large, thick, high at base, depressed towards the - end, membranous to the broad obtuse tip, which is occupied by a - horny “nail” of various shape. Nostrils patent, never tubular; - nasal fossæ slight. No gular pouch. Plumage dense, to resist - water. Eyes very small. Head high, compressed, with lengthened, - sloping frontal region. Palate desmognathous. Reproduction - præcocial; young ptilopædic. Eggs numerous. Carotids double. - Sternum single-notched. Comprising Flamingoes and all the - Anserine birds. - - K. STEGANOPODES. Feet totipalmate; hallux lengthened, nearly - incumbent, semilateral, completely united with the second toe - by a full web. Tibiæ feathered; position of legs with reference - to axis of body variable, but generally far posterior; - knee-joint not free. Wings and tail variable. Bill of very - variable shape, never lamellate, wholly corneous; its tomia - often serrate; external nares very small or finally abortive. A - prominent naked gular pouch. Tarsi reticulate. Sternum entire - or nearly so; furculum confluent with its keel. Carotids - double. Palate highly desmognathous. Reproduction altricial; - young psilopædic or ptilopædic. Eggs three or fewer. - - L. LONGIPENNES. (To most of the characters of the group here - given the genus _Halodroma_ is a signal exception, though - unquestionably belonging here.) Feet palmate. Tibiæ feathered. - Legs at or near centre of equilibrium, affording horizontal - position of axis of body in walking. Knee scarcely buried in - common integument; tibia sometimes with a long apophysis. - Hallux elevated, free, functionless; very small, rudimentary, - or wanting. Rostrum of variable shape, usually compressed and - straight to the hooked end, sometimes entirely straight and - acute, commonly lengthened, always corneous, without serration - or true lamellæ. Nostrils of various forms, tubular or simply - fissured, never abortive. No gular pouch. Wings very long and - pointed, surpassing the base and often the end of the large, - well-formed, few-feathered tail. Carotids double. Palate - schizognathous. Reproduction altricial; young ptilopædic. Eggs - three or fewer. Habit highly volucral. - - M. PYGOPODES. Feet palmate or lobate. Tibiæ feathered, often - with a long apophysis, always buried in common integument - nearly to the heel-joint, necessitating a more or less erect - posture of the body on land, where progression is difficult. - Hallux small, elevated or wanting; feet lobate or palmate. Bill - of indeterminate shape, wholly corneous, never lamellate or - serrate, nor with gular pouch. Nostrils not abortive. Wings - very short, reaching scarcely or not to the base, never to the - tip, of the short, sometimes rudimentary, tail. Palate - schizognathous. Carotid usually double, sometimes single (in - _Podiceps_ and _Mergulus_). Nature altricial or præcocial; - young ptilopædic. Highly natatorial. - - N. SPHENISCI. With general characters of the last group, but - distinguished by unique ptilosis and wing-structure, etc. - Plumage without apteria, of singularly modified scale-like - feathers on most parts; no developed remiges. Wings unfit for - flight, insusceptible of perfect flexion or extension, very - short, with peculiarly flattened bones and stable - articulations. Skeleton non-pneumatic. Many bones, terete in - ordinary birds, here flattened. Metatarsal bone flattened - transversely, doubly fenestrate. Hallux elevated, lateral, - minute, free. No free pollex. Two anconal sesamoids; patella - from double centres; tibia without apophysis; a free tarsal - ossicle. Sternum with long lateral apophyses. Pelvic - connections unstable. Carotids double. Comprising only the - Penguins. Confined to the Southern Hemisphere. - -Having thus presented and defined an arrangement of the higher groups -into which recent Carinate birds are susceptible of division, I next -proceed to the consideration of the North American Families of birds -which the authors of the present work have provisionally adopted as -suitable to the end they had in view. Professor Baird urges the -caution that the scheme is intended merely for the convenient -determination of the North American species, aware that in many -instances diagnoses or antitheses of entire pertinence in such -application would fail or be negatived by consideration of the exotic -forms. The arrangement of the families here adopted is essentially -that presented in 1858 in Professor Baird’s “Birds of North America,” -modified somewhat in accordance with more recent views of Professor -Sundevall and others. But before proceeding to the analysis of the -families, I will introduce an artificial clew to the preceding higher -groups as adopted, so far as they are represented by North American -species. - - -ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FOREGOING HIGHER GROUPS, - -_By means of which any North American bird may be readily referred to -that group to which it is held to belong._ - - I. Toes 3; 2 in front, 1 behind (_Pici_) PICARIÆ. - - II. Toes 3; all in front. Toes cleft or semipalmate LIMICOLÆ. - Toes palmate. Nostrils tubular LONGIPENNES. - Nostrils not tubular PYGOPODES. - - III. Toes 4; 2 in front, 2 behind. Bill cered and hooked ITTACI. - Bill neither cered nor hooked. (_Cuculi_ or _Pici_) PICARIÆ. - - IV. Toes 4; 3 in front, 1 behind. - 1. Toes syndactyle (_Cuculi_) PICARIÆ. - 2. Toes totipalmate (all four full-webbed) STEGANOPODES. - 3. Toes palmate. Bill curved up LIMICOLÆ. - Bill not curved up; lamellate LAMELLIROSTRES. - not lamellate; hallux lobate PYGOPODES. - hallux not lobate LONGIPENNES. - 4. Toes lobate. Tail rudimentary PYGOPODES. - Tail perfect. A horny frontal shield ALECTORIDES. - No horny frontal shield LIMICOLÆ. - 5. Toes semipalmate; joined by evident movable basal web (A). - 6. Toes cleft to the base, or there immovably coherent (B). - - A. Hind toe elevated above the level of the rest. - Tibiæ naked below. Nostrils perforate ALECTORIDES. - Nostrils imperforate. - Tarsi reticulate. Head bald HERODIONES. - Head feathered LIMICOLÆ. - Tarsi scutellate in front LIMICOLÆ. - Tibiæ feathered below. Nostrils perforate RAPTORES. - Nostrils imperforate. - Gape reaching below eye. (_Cypseli_) PICARIÆ. - Gape not reaching below eye GALLINÆ. - - AA. Hind toe inserted on the level of the rest. - Tibiæ naked below HERODIONES. - Tibiæ feathered below. Bill cered and hooked RAPTORES. - Bill not cered. - Nasal membrane soft and tumid COLUMBÆ. - Nasal scale hard and flat GALLINÆ. - - B. Hind toe elevated above the level of the rest. - Gape reaching below eye (_Cypseli_) PICARIÆ. - Gape not below eye. - First primary emarginate or about equal to 2d LIMICOLÆ. - First primary not emarginate and much shorter than 2d ALECTORIDES. - - BB. Hind toe inserted on the level of the rest. - Nostrils opening beneath soft swollen membrane COLUMBÆ. - Nostrils otherwise. Bill cered and hooked RAPTORES. - Bill otherwise. - Secondaries only six (_Cypseli_) PICARIÆ. - Secondaries more than six (_a_) PASSERES. - (_a_) Primaries 10; the 1st more than 2/3 as long as the longest. - (_Clamatores_) PASSERES. - Primaries 10; the 1st not 2/3 as long as the longest. - (_Oscines_) PASSERES. - Primaries 9. (_Oscines_) PASSERES. - -Recurring now to consideration of the North American _Families_ of the -foregoing higher groups, I take up the latter in the natural order in -which they have been presented, giving under head of each such group -an analysis of the North American families by which it is represented, -reiterating the caution that the characters are drawn up only with -reference to the North American genera, and are, consequently, not -necessarily or always applicable upon wider considerations. These -analyses are made as nearly natural as the state of the case permits, -but I seize upon any obvious external characters which may be -afforded, without regard to their morphological significance or -taxonomic value. - - -ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILIES OF PASSERES. - -A. Oscines. Musical apparatus highly developed. Back of tarsus -undivided, or formed of a few scutella distinct from those -lapping over the front. First primary wanting, spurious, or at -most not over two thirds the length of the longest. - - _a._ Each side of tarsus covered with a plate undivided in - most or all of its length, and meeting its fellow in a - sharp ridge behind. - - _b._ Primaries only nine. - - _c._ Bill triangular, depressed, about as wide at base as - long; the gape twice as long as the culmen, reaching to - about opposite the eyes; tomia straight or gently curved. - No obvious rictal bristles. Tarsi not longer than the - lateral toe and claw. Wings long and pointed, the first - primary equal to or longer than the second. Central - tail-feathers not half as long as the wing … _Hirundinidæ_. - - _cc._ Bill variously conico-elongate or slender, or, if - depressed, with long rictal bristles; gape not nearly twice - as long as culmen; tomia straight or gently curved. - Nostrils not obviously nearer culmen than tomia. Tarsus - longer than lateral toe and claw. - - Bill very slender, acute; culmen rather concave at base. - Longest secondary acuminate, nearly or quite equal to the - primaries in the closed wing. Hind claw little curved, - about twice as long as the middle claw. Hind toe and claw - longer than middle toe and claw … _Motacillidæ_. - - Bill variously conico-elongate and acute; culmen not - concave at base. Longest secondary not acuminate, falling - far short of primaries in the closed wing. Hind claw well - curved, not nearly twice as long as middle claw; hind toe - and claw not longer than middle toe and claw. Gape ample; - tongue slightly bifid or brushy, if at all … _Sylvicolidæ_. - - Bill lengthened, very acute, even decurved. Wings and - feet as in the last. Gape constricted; tongue generally - deeply bifid or brushy … _Cærebidæ_. - - _ccc._ Bill more or less truly conic, usually short, thick; - commissure usually more or less evidently abruptly - angulated near the base, or with lobe or tooth further - forward. Nostrils obviously nearer culmen than tomia. - Tarsus longer than lateral toe and claw.[13] - - Bill stout, tumid, convex in nearly all its outlines; - tomia not angulated, but with one or more lobes or nicks - in advance of the base. Nostrils placed very high. Other - characters much as in _Sylvicolidæ_. Colors chiefly red - and yellow. One genus of … _Tanagridæ_. - - Bill truly conic, much shorter than head, usually with - the angulation evident; no lobe along middle of tomia, - but usually a notch at end. Nostrils placed very high. - Rictal bristles usually obvious … _Fringillidæ_. - - Bill conic, but lengthened, little if any shorter than - head; the angulation of the tomia evident; no notch at - end. Nostrils high. No rictal bristles … _Icteridæ_. - - _bb._ Primaries ten. - - Otherwise with characters much as in _Icteridæ_ … _Sturnidæ_. - - _d._ Nostrils concealed with antrorse bristly feathers - (except in _Psilorhinus_ and _Gymnokitta_).[14] - - Base of bill sheathed with antrorse bristly feathers, - having lateral branches to their very ends; its tip - mostly notched. Basal joint of middle toe united only - half-way to the lateral. Sides of tarsus occupied by a - lateral groove, mostly filled in with small plates. First - primary more than half as long as second. Large,—over - seven inches … _Corvidæ_. - - Base of bill with two tufts of bristly feathers, ending - in simple filaments without lateral branches, its tip - mostly unnotched. Basal joint of middle toe united nearly - all its length with the lateral. Sides of tarsus - ungrooved. First primary less than half as long as - second. Small,—under seven inches … _Paridæ_.[15] - - _dd._ Nostrils exposed. - - _e._ Tail scansorial, with rigid acute feathers. Whole - bill slender, compressed, acute, decurved, unnotched, - unbristled. Outer toe much longer than inner … _Certhiidæ_. - - _ee._ Tail not scansorial, graduated. First primary not - less (generally more) than half as long as the second, - and inner toe united to the middle by at least one half - (usually more) of the length of its basal joint. - - Tarsus with few obscure scutella. Rictal bristles - present. Bill stout, but not toothed nor hooked. Wing - excessively rounded (fifth, sixth, and seventh - primaries longest), much shorter than the long - graduated tail. Size small. Plumage brown, unbanded … - _Chamæadæ_. - - Tarsus distinctly scutellate. Nostrils wholly - exposed, scaled. No rictal bristles, but loral - feathers with bristly points. Bill slender, not - notched nor hooked. Wings and tail moderately - rounded; neither very much shorter than the other. - Size small. Color brown, etc., the wings and tail - barred or undulated … _Troglodytidæ_. - - Tarsus distinctly scutellate. Nostrils overhung (not - concealed) with bristly feathers. Rictal bristles - present, strong. Bill powerful, compressed, strongly - notched, toothed, and hooked. Wings and tail - moderate. Large. Colors black, white, and gray … - _Laniidæ_. - - _eee._ Tail not scansorial. First primary less than - half as long as the second,[16] or about half as long, - in which case the inner toe is cleft nearly to its base - (_f_ and _ff_). - - _f._ Basal joint of middle toe united some distance - with the inner, and for half or more of its length - with the outer toe. - - Basal joint of middle toe shorter than that of - inner toe, and wholly adherent to both inner and - outer toes. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. - Gonys more than half the length of the lower jaw. - Bill stout, high, compressed; notched and abruptly - hooked at tip … _Vireonidæ_. - - Basal joint of middle toe not shorter than that of - inner toe; united to the outer for about two - thirds, to the inner for about one half, its - length. Tarsus not longer than the middle toe and - claw. Gonys less than half the length of the under - jaw. Bill triangular, much depressed at base, - moderately notched, and hooked at tip[17] … _Ampelidæ_. - - Basal joint of middle toe shorter than that of the - inner toe, united to the outer for about two - thirds, to the inner for about one half, its - length. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. - Gonys more than half the length of the under jaw. - Bill very weak and slender, little decurved or - notched at tip. Very small,—under six inches long. - (Tarsi booted in _Regulus_, distinctly scutellate - in _Polioptila_.) … _Sylviidæ_. - - _ff._ Basal joint of middle toe quite free from the - inner, and not united with the outer more than - half-way. - - Nostrils linear, low. No bristles or bristly points - whatever about the mouth. Wings short, rounded, - concavo-convex. Tail very short, nearly concealed - by its coverts. Tarsi booted … _Cinclidæ_. - - Nostrils oval. Bristles or bristly points about the - mouth. Wings very long and pointed, reaching, when - folded, beyond the middle of the short, square, or - emarginate tail, and one and a half times or more - the length of the latter; tip formed by second, - third, and fourth quills; outer secondary reaching - only about two thirds way to end of longest - primary; spurious quill very short. Tarsi booted … - _Saxicolidæ_. - - Nostrils oval. Bristles or bristly points about the - mouth. Wings moderate, not reaching, when folded, - beyond the middle of the tail, and not over one and - a third times as long as the latter; tip formed by - third to sixth quill; outer secondary reaching in - closed wing three fourths or more the length of the - longest primary. Spurious quill longer, sometimes - one half the second. Tarsi scutellate in _Miminæ_, - booted in _Turdinæ_ … _Turdidæ_. - - _aa._ Outside of tarsus covered with two series of - scutella,—one lapping entirely around in front, the other - entirely around behind, and meeting at a groove on the inside; - hind edge blunt. First primary spurious or apparently wanting. - Hind claw much lengthened, scarcely curved. Nostrils with - antrorse bristly feathers. Bill conico-elongate … _Alaudidæ_. - -B. Clamatores. Outside of tarsus covered with a series of plates -variously arranged, lapping entirely around in front and behind, -to meet at a groove on the inner side. - -First primary lengthened, often longest, at least over two thirds -as long as the longest. Bill broad at the base, much depressed, -tapering to a fine point, which is abruptly decurved; culmen -rounded or flattened; gonys flattened; commissure straight, or -nearly so, to the tip. Nostrils small, circular, basal; overhung, -but not concealed by bristles. Mouth capacious, with broad and -deeply fissured rictus, beset with numerous long strong bristles. -Feet small, weak. Tail of twelve feathers … _Tyrannidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF THE FAMILIES OF PICARIÆ. - -Secondaries only six. - - Bill tenuirostral, longer than head, nearly cylindrical. Gape - constricted. Tongue filiform, extensile, bi-tubular. Wings long - in terminal portion, abbreviated proximally, acute. Plumage - compact, of metallic sheen. Size smallest of all birds. - (Humming-Birds.) … _Trochilidæ._ - -Secondaries more than six. - - Feet syndactyle by connation of outer and middle toes. - - Outer toe much longer than the inner, united for half its - length with the middle, forming a broad sole. Tibiæ naked - below. Bill longer than head, straight, acute, with hard - cutting edges and ample rictus. Tongue rudimentary, fixed. - Wings pointed, much longer than the short square tail. - Tail-feathers twelve. Plumage compact, oily. (Kingfishers.) … - _Alcedinidæ._ - - Feet zygodactyle[18] by reversion of outer or fourth toe. - - Not scansorial; tail of eight or ten long soft feathers. Bill - with decurved tip, not fitted for hammering; rictus ample. - Tongue not extensile nor vermiform nor barbed. Salivary - glands and hyoidean apparatus not peculiar. No nasal tufts of - feathers. Arboreal and terrestrial. (Cuckoos.) … _Cuculidæ._ - - Highly scansorial; tail of twelve rigid acuminate feathers, - whereof the outer pair are short and spurious, concealed - between bases of next two pairs. Bill stout, straight, with - the tip truncate or acute, not decurved,—an efficient chisel - for hammering and boring wood. Tongue vermiform, - extensile,[19] and barbed. Salivary glands large; hyoidean - apparatus peculiar. Nasal tufts usually present. Arboreal. - (Woodpeckers.) … _Picidæ._ - - Feet neither syndactyle nor zygodactyle. - - Feet semipalmate, of normal ratio of phalanges. Anterior toes - connected at base by movable webbing. Hind toe very small, - elevated, semilateral. Middle toe produced, its large claw - pectinate. Bill fissirostral, with very small, triangular, - depressed horny part and immense rictus, reaching below the - eyes, furnished with bristles. Rather large. Plumage soft and - lax, much variegated … _Caprimulgidæ_. - - Feet scarcely or not semipalmate, of frequently abnormal - ratio of phalanges (middle or outer toe, or both, with fewer - joints than usual among birds). Hallux very small, elevated, - frequently lateral or versatile. Middle toe not produced nor - its claw pectinate. Bill much as in the last, but rictus - unbristled. Small. Plumage compact, of few simple subdued - colors … _Cypselidæ_. - - -FAMILY OF PSITTACI. - -To characters of _Psittaci_ add: Cere feathered, concealing the -nostrils. Feet granular, rugose. Wings pointed. Tail cuneate. -Plumage coarse and dry. Head feathered. Colors green, with yellow -and blue … _Psittacidæ_.[20] - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF RAPTORES. - -Feet highly raptorial, with large, strong, sharp, curved, -contractile claws, adapted for grasping. Hallux perfectly -incumbent, lengthened (more than half as long as the fourth toe), -with large claw. Front toes with slight basal webbing between -outer or middle ones, or none; outer toe often reversible. -Nostrils imperforate. Bill short, stout, not notably contracted -in its continuity, with strongly hooked tip; tomia often -once-twice toothed or lobed. Head feathered wholly or in greatest -part. Lower larynx developed with one pair of muscles. Plumage -with or without after-shafts. Cœca present, as a rule, if not -always. - - Physiognomy peculiar by reason of great lateral expansion and - lengthwise shortening of the cranium, causing the eyes to be - directed forward. Eyes surrounded by a disc of radiating - bristly feathers, in front closely appressed to and hiding the - base of the bill, elsewhere bounded by a rim of differently - formed feathers. Tomia never toothed or lobed. Nostrils usually - at the edge of the cere. Outer toe completely versatile, - shorter than the inner toe. Basal phalanx of middle toe not - longer than the second, and much shorter than the next. Legs - commonly feathered or bristly to or on the toes. Plumage - peculiarly soft and lax, without after-shafts; flight perfectly - noiseless. Cranial walls widely separated by intervention of - spongy diploë. Sternum commonly doubly notched. Chiefly - nocturnal … _Strigidæ_. - - Physiognomy not peculiar in any lateral expansion of the - cranium; the eyes lateral in direction. No complete facial - disc; base of bill not hidden by appressed bristles. Nostrils - wholly in the cere. Outer toe rarely versatile, except - _Pandion_, etc.; not shorter than the inner. Basal phalanx of - middle toe longer than the second. Legs commonly naked and - scutellate or reticulate in some portion of their length; toes - always bare and scaly. Plumage compact, usually with - after-shafts; flight audible. Cranial walls with little diploë. - Sternum commonly single-notched or fenestrate, sometimes - entire. Diurnal … _Falconidæ_. - -Feet scarcely raptorial, with lengthened, little curved or -contractile, weak, short claws. Hallux elevated, shortened, not -more than half as long as the fourth toe, with small claw. Front -toes all webbed at base; middle toe lengthened; outer not -reversible. Basal phalanx of middle toe longer than either of the -succeeding. Nostrils perforate. Bill lengthened and comparatively -weak, little hooked, contracted in its continuity; tomia not -toothed or lobed. Head naked of feathers in greatest part; -sparsely bristly. No lower larnyx developed. No cœca. After-shafts -absent … _Cathartidæ_. - - -FAMILY OF COLUMBÆ. - -With characters essentially as in _Columbæ_ (exclusive of those -peculiar to _Diduncudidæ_ and _Dididæ_). Plumage without -after-shafts; the feathers with thickened, spongy rhachis loosely -inserted in the skin. Head small, completely feathered, excepting -sometimes a circumorbital space. Tarsi naked or only feathered a -little way above. Tail of twelve feathers, or lengthened, -cuneate, and of fourteen. (Hallux not perfectly incumbent in -_Starnænas_.) … _Columbidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF GALLINÆ. - -Hind toe lengthened, insistent. Tail-feathers twelve. Sides of -head and throat with naked spaces. Color greenish … _Cracidæ_. - -Hind toe shortened, elevated. Tail-feathers usually fourteen -or more. No green. - - Large. Tarsi, toes, and nasal fossæ naked. Head bare of - feathers, sparsely bristly, with wattles and caruncles. A - pectoral tuft of bristly feathers. Tarsi usually spurred in - the male. Plumage iridescent … _Meleagrididæ_. - - Medium. Tarsi wholly or in great part, sometimes also the toes, - and always the nasal fossæ, feathered. Head completely - feathered, excepting a definite papillate strip over the eye. - Tail-feathers sixteen or more. Sides of neck usually with - lengthened feathers, or a naked distensible area, or both. No - spurs. Plumage without iridescence … _Tetraonidæ_. - - Small. Tarsi, toes, and nasal fossæ naked. Head completely - feathered. No peculiar feathers or tympanum on sides of neck. - No spurs. Plumage not iridescent … _Perdicidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF LIMICOLÆ. - -Toes not lobate. Tarsi not notably compressed. - - Legs extremely long; the tarsus equalling or exceeding the - tail, and feet either four-toed and palmate (_Recurvirostra_), - or three-toed and semipalmate (_Himantopus_); with the bill - much longer than the head, very slender, acute, and curved - upward … _Recurvirostridæ_. - - Legs moderate, stout. Tarsus shorter than tail. Bill hard, more - or less contracted at base, with short nasal fossa, gonydeal - angle, and ascending gonys, the tip either compressed and - truncate or depressed and acute. Feet three-toed and with basal - webbing (_Hæmatopus_), or four-toed and cleft (_Strepsilas_) … - _Hæmatopodidæ_. - - Legs moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, reticulate. Hind toe - wanting (except in _Squatarola_, where very small, and in - _Aphriza_). Bill short, straight,—not exceeding the head - (generally shorter),—shaped like a pigeon’s, with short, - broad, soft nasal fossæ separated by a constriction from the - enlarged, obtuse, horny terminal part. Head large, globose, - contracting suddenly to the bill. Neck short … _Charadriidæ_. - - Legs moderate. Tarsus shorter than tail, scutellate. Hind toe - present. Bill long,—equalling, or oftener exceeding, - frequently several times longer than, the head; softish and - membranous to the very tip, without constriction in its - continuity; straight or variously curved … _Scolopacidæ_. - -Toes lobate. Tarsi notably compressed. - - General characters of _Scolopacidæ_. Body depressed; the under - plumage thickened, duck-like. Habits natatorial … _Phalaropodidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF HERODIONES. - -Hallux lengthened, perfectly incumbent, with large claw. Tarsi -scutellate. Middle claw pectinate. Bill perfectly straight, -tapering, acute. Loral region definitely naked, continuous with -covering of the bill. Head narrow, elongate, tapering … _Ardeidæ_. - -Hallux somewhat reduced, less perfectly incumbent. Tarsi commonly -reticulate. Middle claw not pectinate. Lores, gular space and -usually more of the head, naked. Bill variously curved or with -expanded tip. (Genera _Tantalus_, _Ibis_, _Mycteria_, and -_Platalea_.) … _Tantalidæ._ - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF ALECTORIDES. - -Of great stature, with extremely long neck and legs. Part or all -of the head bare. Toes much shorter than the tarsi; with basal -webbing, but without lobation; hallux very short, highly -elevated. Bill equalling or exceeding the head, compressed, -perfectly straight, contracted about the middle, with enlarged -acute terminal portion; nasal fossæ wide and deep, with large -perforate nostrils … _Gruidæ_. - -Size moderate and small; neck and legs comparatively short. Head -completely feathered, excepting, in the Coots and Gallinules, a -broad horny frontal plate. Toes equalling or exceeding the tarsi, -simple or lobate. Bill not constricted in the middle, rather -shorter than the head, straight and quite stout; or much longer, -regularly slender and decurved, with long nasal fossæ. Nostrils -incompletely or not perforate … _Rallidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF LAMELLIROSTRES. - -Of great stature, with extraordinarily lengthened neck and legs. -Bill of unique shape, bent abruptly down from the middle. Tibiæ -naked below. Hind toe minute or absent. Wings rounded. Red the -chief color … _Phœnicopteridæ_. - -Of moderate size; the neck short, or, when lengthened, not -accompanied by co-ordinately lengthened legs, these being always -shorter than the wing. Bill straight. Tibiæ feathered below. Hind -toe present; well developed and functional, though short … _Anatidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF STEGANOPODES. - -Bill rather longer than head, cleft to eyes, very stout at base, -tapering to the decurved, but not hooked, tip. Nostrils abortive. -Gular sac moderate, naked. Wings rather long, pointed. Tail long, -stiff, cuneate, twelve to fourteen feathered. Feet nearly beneath -centre of equilibrium. General configuration goose-like … _Sulidæ_. - -Bill several times longer than head, slender but strong, -depressed, perfectly straight, with small distinct hooked nail at -end. Nostrils very small. Gular sac enormous. Mandibular rami -meeting only at tip. Wings extremely long, with upward of forty -remiges. Tail short, rounded, of twenty or more feathers. Legs -beneath centre of equilibrium, extremely short and stout … - _Pelicanidæ_. - -Bill about as long as head, stout, straight, scarcely tapering, -strongly hooked. Nostrils abortive. Gular sac moderate, but -evident; mostly naked. Wings short. Tail large, fan-shaped, -scansorial, of twelve to fourteen broad stiff feathers, exposed -to the base. Legs inserted far behind centre of equilibrium … - _Graculidæ_. - -Bill rather longer than head, slender, perfectly straight, -tapering to an acute tip. Gular sac small. Nostrils minute. Wings -and tail, and general configuration, as in the last … _Plotidæ_. - -Bill much longer than head, straight, stout, strongly hooked. -Nostrils very small. Gular sac well developed. Wings exceedingly -long, strong, and pointed. Tail exceedingly long, deeply forked. -Feet extraordinarily short; tarsi partly feathered … _Tachypetidæ_. - -Bill about as long as head, straight, stout, tapering to an acute -tip. Nostrils small. Gular sac rudimentary, feathered. Wings -moderate, pointed. Tail short, but with two central feathers -extraordinarily prolonged and filamentous. Feet small, beneath -centre of equilibrium … _Phæthontidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF LONGIPENNES. - -Nostrils not tubular, lateral, perforate. Bill with continuous -covering, or only broken by a sort of cere, hooked or straight to -the end. Hallux small and elevated, but always present … _Laridæ_. - -Nostrils tubular, disjoined and lateral, or oftenest superior and -united in one double-barrelled tube. Covering of bill in several -pieces; bill always hooked. Hallux minute, rudimentary, or absent … - _Procellariidæ_. - - -ANALYSIS OF FAMILIES OF PYGOPODES. - -Feet four-toed, palmate. Hallux lobate, connected at base with -base of inner toe. Tail perfect. Head closely and completely -feathered. Nostrils with a depending lobe or flap. Bill straight, -compressed, acute … _Colymbidæ_. - -Feet four-toed, lobate. Hallux lobate, free. Tail rudimentary. -Head with a naked loral strip and bristly or variously lengthened -feathers. Nostrils simple. Bill straight or decurved at end, -compressed, acute … _Podicipidæ_. - -Feet three-toed, palmate. Hallux absent. Tail perfect. Head -closely feathered or variously crested. Nostrils simple. Bill of -indeterminate shape … _Alcidæ_. - - - - -NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. - - - - -FAMILY TURDIDÆ.—THE THRUSHES. - - -The _Turdidæ_, with the _Saxicolidæ_ and _Cinclidæ_, form a group -closely related, by common characters, and appreciably different from -the other _Oscines_ with slender bills and specially insectivorous -habits, having, like them, ten primaries (the first much shorter than -the second, but nearly always appreciable), and the nostrils -uncovered. The great family of _Sylvicolidæ_, with similar characters -of the bill, never present more than nine primaries. The most striking -of these common characters is seen in the deeply cleft toes, of which -the outer is united by the basal joint alone to the middle toe, while -the inner is separated almost to the very base of its first joint.[21] -The frontal feathers extend, with rare exceptions, to the very -nostrils. The bill is elongated and subulate, moderately slender, and -usually notched at tip; the culmen moderately curved from the base, -and the mouth well provided with bristles, except in a few cases. -Usually the scutellæ covering the front and sides of the tarsus are -fused into one continuous plate, or else scarcely appreciable, except -on the inner edge only; in the Mocking Thrushes they are, however, -distinctly marked. The lateral toes are nearly equal, the outer rather -the longer. With these as some of the principal characteristics, they -may be distinguished from each other as follows:— - -NOTE.—In the present work the length of the tail is measured from the -coccyx, inside of the skin, and not, as usually the case, from the -base of the quills at their insertion. The wings are measured from the -carpal joint, with dividers. - -A. Nostrils oval. Loral and frontal feathers with bristly points, or -interspersed with bristles; rictus with longer or shorter bristles. - - Saxicolidæ. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond the - middle of the short square or emarginated tail, and one and a half - times or more the length of the latter. The spurious primary very - short, the second quill longer than the fourth. In the closed wing - the outer secondary reaches only about two thirds the length of - longest primary. - - Turdidæ. Wings moderate, more rounded, not reaching beyond middle of - the often rounded tail, and not more than one and a third the - latter, usually more nearly equal. Spurious primary sometimes half - the length of second quill; the second quill shorter than the - fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches three fourths - or more the length of longest primary. - -B. Nostrils linear, in lower edge of nasal membrane. Loral and frontal -feathers soft and downy, and no bristles or bristly points whatever -about the mouth. - - Cinclidæ. Body very short and broad. Wings short, rounded, and - concave. - -The American _Sylviidæ_ are in some respects very closely related to -the _Saxicolidæ_, but may be distinguished by their much smaller size, -more slender and depressed bill, more strongly bristled rictus, etc.; -on which account they are more strictly “fly-catchers,” taking their -prey in great part on the wing. - -Of the three families, the _Turdidæ_ contain a great variety of forms, -and exhibit widely different characters, rendering it exceedingly -difficult to arrange them in any systematic or regular sequence, or to -accurately define their boundaries. In the _Birds of North America_, -the Mocking Thrushes were placed among the Wrens, on account of the -distinct tarsal scutellæ, and other characters. We are now, however, -inclined to believe, with Dr. Sclater, that their place is with the -recognized _Turdidæ_; and, among other reasons, on the ground of their -more deeply cleft toes, and greater extension forward of frontal -feathers. The following synopsis of the North American forms will -serve the purpose of determining the genera, even if these are not -arranged or combined in a strictly natural manner. - -A. Turdinæ.—Tarsus covered anteriorly with a continuous plate -without scales. - - Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. - Bill considerably shorter than the head. - - First quill usually not one fourth the second. Wings pointed. - Tarsus hardly the length of head, but yet longer than middle - toe; outstretched toes falling short of tip of tail … _Turdus_. - -B. Miminæ.—Tarsi scutellate anteriorly; scales seven. - - Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. - Tarsus as long as the head. - - Bill decidedly shorter than the head, scarcely notched; wings - pointed; first quill less than half the second, third and - fourth longest. Claws not peculiar. Bristles prominent. - Tarsus considerably longer than middle toe and claw … - _Oreoscoptes_. - - Wings decidedly shorter than the tail, which is considerably - graduated; first quill half or more than half the second. - - Bill notched at tip, shorter than head; straight. - - Scutellæ very distinct; gonys straight, or even declining - at tip.… _Mimus._ - - Scutellæ more or less obsolete; gonys convex, ascending at - tip.… _Galeoscoptes._ - - Bill not notched at tip, lengthened; sometimes much decurved.… - _Harporhynchus._ - -NOTE.—In the Review of American Birds, I., May, 1866, 409, I have -advanced the suggestion that the N. American genus _Myiadestes_, -usually placed under the _Ampelidæ_, really belongs under _Turdidæ_ in -a group _Myiadestinæ_. The relationships are certainly very close, as -is shown by the characters given below. - -COMMON CHARACTERS.—Tarsi without regular transverse scutellæ, except -at lower end. Wings acute, pointed, as long as or longer than tail, -which is but slightly graduated. First primary rarely half second, -which exceeds the secondaries. Base of quills buffy yellow, as are -inner edges. Tail spotted or varied at the end. Young birds with many -light spots. Very melodious singers. - -Myiadestinæ. Bill short, much depressed; mouth deeply cleft; width at -base about equal to the distance from nostril to tip, or greater; -commissure more than twice distance from nostrils to tip of bill, and -nearly two and a half times length of gonys. Legs weak; tarsi rather -longer than middle toe and claw. Tail feathers tapering slightly from -base to near tip, giving a slightly cuneate appearance to the tail. - -Turdinæ. Bill stouter, more lengthened; narrow at base and more -compressed; width at base less than distance from nostril to tip; -commissure not more than twice distance from nostrils to tip of bill, -and about twice length of gonys. Tarsi stouter, longer than middle toe -and claw. Tail feathers widening slightly from base to near tip, -giving a parallel-sided or slightly fan-shaped appearance to the tail. - -The _Miminæ_ differ, as already mentioned, in the scutellate tarsi: -more rounded wings, etc.—S. F. B. - - -SUBFAMILY TURDINÆ. - -There are several American genera of _Turdinæ_ not found north of -Mexico as yet, although it is not impossible that one of these -(_Catharus_) may hereafter be detected within the limits of the United -States. The species of _Catharus_ resemble the North American -wood-thrushes (_Hylocichla_); but the spurious or first primary quill -is longer (from one half to one third the second quill), the wings are -rounded, not pointed, the tarsus is longer than the head, and the -outstretched toes extend beyond the tail. The species to be looked for -are _C. melpomene_ and _occidentalis_.[22] - -The North American species of _Turdinæ_, while retained under the -single genus _Turdus_, yet constitute several distinct groups, which -we may call subgenera. - - -GENUS TURDUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Turdus_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1758, 168. (Type, _Turdus - viscivorus_ of Europe.)—BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, subulate, shorter than the head; the tip -gently decurved and notched (except in _Hesperocichla_); the rictus -with moderate bristles; the wings rather long and pointed, with small -first primary (less than one fourth the second); wings considerably -longer than the tail, which is firm, nearly even, with broad feathers. -Tarsi variable, seldom as long as the skull, the scutellæ fused into a -continuous plate, only in rare individual instances showing -indications of the lines of separation. - -The genus _Turdus_ is very cosmopolitan, occurring nearly throughout -the globe, excepting in _Australia_, and embraces species of highest -perfection as singers. In the large number of species known there are -many variations in external form, but the transition from one to the -other is so gradual as to render it very difficult to separate them -into different genera. The sections of the group we adopt are the -following:— - -_Sexes similar._ - -Hylocichla. Smallest species. Bill short, broad at base; much -depressed. Tarsi long and slender, longer than middle toe and claw, by -the additional length of the claw; outstretched legs reaching nearly -to tip of tail. Body slender. Color: above olivaceous or reddish, -beneath whitish; breast spotted; throat without spots. - -Turdus. Bill stouter and higher. Tarsi stout and short, scarcely -longer than middle toe and claw. Body stout, generally whitish beneath -and spotted. (Second quill longer than fifth?) - -Planesticus. Similar to preceding. (Second quill shorter than fifth?) -Beneath mostly uni-colored; unstreaked except the throat, which is -whitish with dark streaks. - -_Sexes dissimilar._ - -Merula. Similar to _Turdus_. Male usually more or less black, -especially on the head; females brownish, often with streaked throats. -Bill distinctly notched. - -Hesperocichla. Similar to _Turdus_. Male reddish beneath, with a black -collar. Bill without notch. - - -SUBGENUS HYLOCICHLA, BAIRD. - - _Hylocichla_, BAIRD (s. g.), Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 12. (Type, _Turdus - mustelinus_.) - - [Line drawing: _Turdus mustelinus._ - 1570] - -The essential characters of _Hylocichla_ have already been given. The -subgenus includes the small North American species, with _Turdus -mustelinus_, Gm., at the head as type, which are closely connected on -the one side with _Catharus_, by their lengthened tarsi, and with -_Turdus_ by the shape of the wing. The bills are shorter, more -depressed, and broader at base than in typical _Turdus_, so much so -that the species have frequently been described under _Muscicapa_. - -It is not at all improbable that naturalists may ultimately conclude -to consider the group as of generic rank. - -In this group there appears to be five well-marked forms or “species.” -They are, _mustelinus_, Gm., _pallasi_, Caban., _fuscescens_, Steph., -_swainsoni_, Caban., and _aliciæ_, Baird. The first-named is totally -unlike the rest, which are more closely related in appearance. - -In studying carefully a very large series of specimens of all the -species, the following facts become evident:— - -1. In autumn and winter the “olive” color of the plumage assumes a -browner cast than at other seasons; this variation, however, is the -same in all the species (and varieties), so that in autumn and winter -the several species differ from each other as much as they do in -spring and summer. - - [Illustration: _Turdus ustulatus._] - -Of these five species, two only (_pallasi_ and _swainsoni_) inhabit -the whole breadth of the continent; and they, in the three Faunal -Provinces over which they extend, are modified into “races” or -“varieties” characteristic of each region. The first of these species, -as the _pallasi_ var. _pallasi_, extends westward to the Rocky -Mountains, and migrates in winter into the South; specimens are very -much browner in the winter than in spring; but in the Rocky Mountain -region is a larger, grayer race, the var. _auduboni_. This, in its -migrations, extends along the central mountain region through Mexico -to Guatemala; specimens from the northern and southern extremes of -this range are identical in all the specific characters; but the -southern specimens, being in the fall and winter dress, are browner in -color than northern ones (spring birds); an autumnal example from -Cantonment Burgwyn, N. M., is as brown as any Central American -specimen. Along the Pacific Province, from Kodiak to Western Mexico, -and occasionally straggling eastward toward the Rocky Mountain system, -there is the var. _nanus_, a race _smaller_ than the var. _pallasi_, -and with much the same colors as var. _auduboni_, though the rufous of -the tail is deeper than in either of the other forms. In this race, as -in the others, there is no difference in size between specimens from -north and south extremes of its distribution, because the -breeding-place is in the North, all Southern specimens being winter -sojourners from their Northern birthplace. - -The _T. swainsoni_ is found in abundance westward to the western limit -of the Rocky Mountain system; in the latter region specimens at all -seasons have the olive of a clearer, more greenish shade than in any -Eastern examples; this clearer tint is analogous with that of the -Rocky Mountain form of _pallasi_ (_auduboni_). In precisely the same -region inhabited by the _pallasi_ var. _nanus_ the _swainsoni_ also -has a representative form,—the var. _ustulatus_. This resembles in -pattern the var. _swainsoni_, but the olive above is decidedly more -rufescent,—much as in Rocky Mountain specimens of _T. fuscescens_; -the spots on jugulum and breast are also narrower, as well as hardly -darker in color than the back; and the tail is longer than in Rocky -Mountain _swainsoni_, in which latter it is longer than in Eastern -examples. The remaining species—_mustelinus_, _fuscescens_, and -_aliciæ_—extend no farther west than the Rocky Mountains; the first -and last only toward their eastern base, while the second breeds -abundantly as far as the eastern limit of the Great Basin. - -The _T. fuscescens_, from the Rocky Mountains, is considerably darker -in color above, while the specks on the throat and jugular are sparser -or more obsolete than in Eastern birds. - -In _T. mustelinus_, the only two Western specimens in the collection -(Mount Carroll, Ills., and Fort Pierre) have the rump of a clearer -grayish than specimens from the Atlantic Coast; in all other respects, -however, they appear to be identical. Some Mexican specimens, being in -winter plumage, have the breast more buffy than Northern (spring or -summer) examples, and the rufous of the head, etc. is somewhat -brighter. - -In _aliciæ_, no difference is observed between Eastern and Western -birds; the reason is, probably, that the breeding-ground of all is in -one province, though their migrations may extend over two. There is, -however, a marked difference between the spring and autumn plumage; -the clear grayish of the former being replaced, in the latter, by a -snuffy brown, or sepia tint,—this especially noticeable on wings and -tail. - - [Illustration: PLATE I. - - 1. Turdus mustelinus, _Gm._ Penn., 1570. - 2. “ ustulatus, _Nutt._ Oregon, 2040. - 3. “ aliciæ, _Baird_. Illinois, 10084. - 4. “ swainsoni, _Cab._ Penn., 981. - 5. “ fuscescens, _Steph._ D. C., 28231. - 6. “ pallasii, _Cab._ Penn., 2146. - 7. “ nanus, _Aud._ Cala., 17997. - 8. “ auduboni, _Baird_. Rocky Mts., 10886.] - -The following synopsis is intended to show the characters of the -different species and varieties. - -1. _Spots beneath rounded, covering breast and sides._ - -A. Rufous brown above, becoming much brighter toward the bill, -and more olivaceous on the tail. Beneath white; whole breast with -rounded spots. Nest on tree; eggs pale blue. - - 1. T. mustelinus. Beneath nearly pure white, with rounded - blackish spots over the whole breast, sides, and upper part - of abdomen; wing, 4.25; tail, 3.05; culmen, .80; tarsus, - 1.26. _Hab._ Eastern Province United States, south to - Guatemala and Honduras. Cuba and Bermuda of West Indies. - -2. _Spots beneath triangular, on breast only._ - -B. Entirely uniform in color above,—olivaceous, varying to -reddish or greenish with the species. Beneath whitish, with a -wash of brownish across the breast and along sides. Spots -triangular, and confined to the breast. Nest on trees or bushes; -eggs blue spotted with brownish; except in _T. fuscescens_, which -nests on the ground, and lays plain blue eggs. - - _a. No conspicuous light orbital ring._ - - 2. T. fuscescens. Yellowish-rufous or olive-fulvous above; a - strong wash of pale fulvous across the throat and jugulum, - where are very indistinct cuneate spots of same shade as the - back. Wing, 4.10; tail, 3.00; culmen, .70; tarsus, 1.15. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America. North to Nova - Scotia and Fort Garry. West to Great Salt Lake. South (in - winter) to Panama and Brazil. Cuba. - - 3. T. aliciæ. Grayish clove-brown above; breast almost white, - with broad, blackish spots; whole side of head uniform - grayish. Wing, 4.20; tail, 3.20; culmen, .77; tarsus, 1.15. - _Hab._ Eastern Province North America from shore of Arctic - Ocean, Fort Yukon, and Kodiak to Costa Rica. West to Missouri - River. Cuba. - - _b. A conspicuous orbital ring of buff._ - - 4. T. swainsoni. - - Greenish-olive above, breast and sides of head strongly - tinged with buff. Spots on breast broad, distinct, nearly - black. Length, 7.00; wing, 3.90; tail, 2.90; culmen, .65; - tarsus, 1.10. _Hab._ Eastern and Middle Provinces of North - America. North to Slave Lake, south to Ecuador, west to - East Humboldt Mountains … var. _swainsoni_. - - Brownish-olive above, somewhat more rufescent on wing; - breast and head strongly washed with dilute rufous. Spots - on breast narrow, scarcely darker than back. Wing, 3.85; - tail, 3.00; culmen, .70; tarsus, 1.10. _Hab._ Pacific - Province of United States. Guatemala … var. _ustulatus_. - -C. Above olivaceous, becoming abruptly more reddish on upper -tail-coverts and tail. Spots as in _swainsoni_, but larger and -less transverse,—more sharply defined. An orbital ring of pale -buff. Nest on ground; eggs blue, probably unspotted. - - 5. T. pallasi. - - Olivaceous of upper parts like _ustulatus_. Reddish of - upper tail-coverts invading lower part of rump; no marked - difference in tint between the tail and its upper coverts. - Flanks and tibiæ yellowish olive-brown; a faint tinge of - buff across the breast. Eggs plain. Wing, 3.80; tail, 3.00; - culmen, .70; tarsus, 1.20. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - United States (only?) … var. _pallasi_. - - Olivaceous of upper parts like _swainsoni_. Reddish of tail - not invading the rump, and the tail decidedly more - castaneous than the upper coverts. Beneath almost pure - white; scarcely any buff tinge on breast; flanks and tibiæ - grayish or plumbeous olive. Size smaller than _swainsoni_; - bill depressed. Wing, 3.50; tail, 2.60; culmen, .60; - tarsus, 1.15. _Hab._ Western Province of North America, - from Kodiak to Cape St. Lucas. East to East Humboldt - Mountains … var. _nanus_. - - Olivaceous above, like preceding; the upper tail-coverts - scarcely different from the back. Tail yellowish-rufous. - Beneath like _nanus_. Size larger than _swainsoni_. Wing, - 4.20; tail, 3.35; culmen, .80; tarsus, 1.30. _Hab._ Rocky - Mountains. From Fort Bridger, south (in winter) to Southern - Mexico … var. _auduboni_. - - -Turdus mustelinus, GMELIN. - -THE WOOD THRUSH. - - _Turdus mustelinus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 817.—AUDUBON, Orn. - Biog. I, 1832, 372, pl. 73.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 24, pl. - 144.—D’ORB. La Sagra’s Cuba Ois. 1840, 49.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 212.—IB. Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 13.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, - 294, and 1859, 325.—JONES, Nat. in Bermuda, 26.—GUNDLACH, - Repertorio, 1865, 228.—MAYNARD.—SAMUELS, 146. _Turdus melodus_, - WILS. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 35, pl. ii. _Turdus densus_, BONAP. - Comptes Rendus, XXVIII, 1853, 2.—IB. Notes Delattre, 1854, 26 - (Tabasco). - Additional figures: VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lxii.—WILSON, - Am. Orn. I, pl. ii. - -SP. CHAR. Above clear cinnamon-brown, on the top of the head becoming -more rufous, on the rump and tail olivaceous. The under parts are -clear white, sometimes tinged with buff on the breast or anteriorly, -and thickly marked beneath, except on the chin and throat and about -the vent and tail-coverts, with sub-triangular, sharply defined spots -of blackish. The sides of the head are dark brown, streaked with -white, and there is also a maxillary series of streaks on each side of -the throat, the central portion of which sometimes has indications of -small spots. Length, 8.10 inches; wing, 4.25; tail, 3.05; tarsus, -1.26. Young bird similar to adult, but with rusty yellow triangular -spots in the ends of the wing coverts. - -HAB. U. S. east of Missouri plains, south to Guatemala. Bermuda (not -rare). Cuba, LA SAGRA; GUNDLACH. Honduras, MOORE. Cordova, SCL. -Orizaba (winter), SUMICHR. - -HABITS. The Wood Thrush, without being anywhere a very abundant -species, is common throughout nearly every portion of the United -States between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic. It breeds in -every portion of the same extended area, at least as far as Georgia on -the south and Massachusetts on the north. Beyond the last-named State, -it rarely, if ever, breeds on the coast. In the interior it has a -higher range, nesting around Hamilton, C. W. So far as I am aware it -is unknown, or very rare, in the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and -Maine. - -It makes its appearance early in April in the Middle States, but in -New England not until four or five weeks later, appearing about the -10th of May. Their migrations in fall are more irregular, being -apparently determined by the abundance of their food. At times they -depart as early as the first of September, but sometimes not until the -last of October. It winters in Central America, where it is quite -abundant at that season. - -The favorite localities of the Wood Thrush are the borders of dense -thickets, or low damp hollows shaded by large trees. Yet its habits -are by no means so retiring, or its nature so timid, as these places -of resort would lead us to infer. A small grove in Roxbury, now a part -of Boston, in close proximity to a dwelling-house, was for many years -the favorite resort of these birds, where several pairs nested and -reared their young, rarely even leaving their nests, which were mostly -in low bushes, wholly unmindful of the curious children who were their -frequent visitors. The same fearless familiarity was observed at Mount -Auburn, then first used as a public cemetery. But in the latter -instance the nest was always placed high up on a branch of some -spreading tree, often in conspicuous places, but out of reach. Mr. J. -A. Allen refers to several similar instances where the Wood Thrush did -not show itself to be such a recluse as many describe it. In one case -a pair built their nest within the limits of a thickly peopled -village, where there were but few trees, and a scanty undergrowth. In -another a Wood Thrush lived for several successive summers among the -elms and maples of Court Square in the city of Springfield, Mass., -undisturbed by the passers by or the walkers beneath, or the noise and -rattle of the vehicles on the contiguous streets. - -The song of this thrush is one of its most remarkable and pleasing -characteristics. No lover of sweet sounds can have failed to notice -it, and, having once known its source, no one can fail to recognize it -when heard again. The melody is one of great sweetness and power, and -consists of several parts, the last note of which resembles the -tinkling of a small bell, and seems to leave the conclusion suspended. -Each part of its song seems sweeter and richer than the preceding. - -The nest is usually built on the horizontal branch of a small -forest-tree, six or eight feet from the ground, and, less frequently, -in the fork of a bush. The diameter is about 5 inches, and the depth -3¾, with a cavity averaging 3 inches across by 2¼ in depth. They are -firm, compact structures, chiefly composed of decayed deciduous -leaves, closely impacted together, and apparently thus combined when -in a moistened condition, and afterward dried into a firmness and -strength like that of parchment. These are intermingled with, and -strengthened by, a few dry twigs, and the whole is lined with fine -roots and a few fine dry grasses. Occasionally, instead of the solid -frame of impacted leaves, we find one of solidified mud. - -The eggs of the Wood Thrush, usually four in number, sometimes five, -are of a uniform deep-blue tint, with but a slight admixture of -yellow, which imparts a greenish tinge. Their average measurements are -1.00 by .75 inch. - - -Turdus fuscescens, STEPHENS. - -TAWNY THRUSH; WILSON’S THRUSH. - - _Turdus mustelinus_, WILSON, Amer. Ornithology, V, 1812, 98, pl. 43 - (not of GMELIN). - _Turdus fuscescens_, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. Birds, X, I, 1817, - 182. CAB. Jour. 1855, 470 (Cuba).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 214.—IB. Rev. Am. B. 1864, 17.—GUNDI. Repertorio, 1865, 228 - (Cuba, not rare). PELZELN, Orn. Bras. II, 1868, 92. (San Vicente, - Brazil, December.)—SAMUELS, 150.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, - 326.—IB. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 2, No. 10. _Turdus silens_, - VIEILL. Encyclop. Méth. II, 1823, 647 (based on _T. mustelinus_, - WILS.). _Turdus wilsonii_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 73. _Turdus - minor_, D’ORB. La Sagra’s Cuba, Ois. 1840, 47, pl. v (Cuba). - -SP. CHAR. Above, and on sides of head and neck, nearly uniform light -reddish-brown, with a faint tendency to orange on the crown and tail. -Beneath, white; the fore part of the breast and throat (paler on the -chin) tinged with pale brownish-yellow, in decided contrast to the -white of the belly. The sides of the throat and the fore part of the -breast, as colored, are marked with small triangular spots of light -brownish, nearly like the back, but not well defined. There are a few -obsolete blotches on the sides of the breast (in the white) of pale -olivaceous; the sides of the body tinged with the same. Tibiæ white. -The lower mandible is brownish only at the tip. The lores are -ash-colored, the orbital region grayish. Length, 7.50; wing, 4.25; -tail, 3.20; tarsus; 1.20. - -HAB. Eastern North America, Halifax to Fort Bridger, and north to Fort -Garry. Cuba, Panama, and Brazil (winter). Orizaba (winter), SUMICHRAST. - -HABITS. This species is one of the common birds of New England, and is -probably abundant in certain localities throughout all the country -east of the Rocky Mountains, as far to the north as the 50th parallel, -and possibly as far as the wooded country extends. Mr. Maynard did not -meet with it in Northern New Hampshire. Mr. Wm. G. Winton obtained its -nest and eggs at Halifax, N. S.; Mr. Boardman found them also on the -Gulf of St. Lawrence, and at St. Stephen’s, N. B.; Mr. Couper at -Quebec; Mr. Krieghoff at Three Rivers, Canada; Donald Gunn at Selkirk -and Red River; and Mr. Kumlien and Dr. Hoy in Wisconsin. Mr. -McIlwraith also gives it as common at Hamilton, West Canada. It breeds -as far south as Pennsylvania, and as far to the west as Utah, and -occurs, in the breeding season, throughout Maine, New Brunswick, Nova -Scotia, and Canada. - -Mr. Ridgway found this thrush very abundant among the thickets in the -valleys of the Provo, Weber, and Bear rivers, in Utah, and very -characteristic of those portions of the country. - -It arrives in Massachusetts early in May, usually with the first -blossoms of the pear, ranging from the 5th to the 20th. It is strictly -of woodland habits, found almost entirely among clumps of trees, and -obtaining its food from among their branches, or on the ground among -the fallen leaves. It moves south from the 10th to the 25th of -September, rarely remaining till the first week in October. - -It is timid, distrustful, and retiring; delighting in shady ravines, -the edges of thick close woods, and occasionally the more retired -parts of gardens; where, if unmolested, it will frequent the same -locality year after year. - -The song of this thrush is quaint, but not unmusical; variable in its -character, changing from a prolonged and monotonous whistle to quick -and almost shrill notes at the close. Their melody is not unfrequently -prolonged until quite late in the evening, and, in consequence, in -some portions of Massachusetts these birds are distinguished with the -name of Nightingale,—a distinction due rather to the season than to -the high quality of their song. Yet Mr. Ridgway regards it, as heard -by himself in Utah, as superior in some respects to that of all others -of the genus, though far surpassed in mellow richness of voice and -depth of metallic tone by that of the Wood Thrush (_T. mustelinus_). -To his ear there was a solemn harmony and a beautiful expression which -combined to make the song of this surpass that of all the other -American Wood Thrushes. The beauty of their notes appeared in his ears -“really inspiring; their song consisting of an inexpressibly delicate -metallic utterance of the syllables _ta-weel´ ah, ta-weel´ ah, twil´ -ah, twil´ ah_, accompanied by a fine trill which renders it truly -seductive.” The last two notes are said to be uttered in a soft and -subdued undertone, producing thereby, in effect, an echo of the -others. - -The nest is always placed near the ground, generally raised from it by -a thick bed of dry leaves or sticks; sometimes among bushes, but never -in the fork of a bush or tree, or if so, in very rare and exceptional -cases. When incubation has commenced, the female is reluctant to leave -her nest. If driven off she utters no complaint, but remains close at -hand and returns at the first opportunity. - -They construct their nest early in May, and the young are hatched in -the latter part of that month, or the first of June. They raise two -broods in the season. The nest, even more loosely put together than -that of the Ground Swamp Robin (_T. pallasi_), is often with -difficulty kept complete. It is about 3 inches in height, 4½ in -diameter, with a cavity 1½ inches deep and 3 in width, and composed of -dry bark, dead leaves, stems, and woody fibres, intermingled with -grasses, caricas, sedges, etc., and lined with soft skeleton leaves. A -nest from Wisconsin was composed entirely of a coarse species of -_Sparganeum_; the dead stalks and leaves of which were interwoven with -a very striking effect. - -The eggs, usually four, sometimes five in number, are of a uniform -green color, with a slight tinge of blue, and average .94 by .66 of an -inch in diameter. - - -Turdus aliciæ, BAIRD. - -GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH; ALICE’S THRUSH. - - _Turdus aliciæ_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 217, plate 81, f. 2.—IB. - Review Am. Birds, I, 1864, 21.—COUES, Pr. Ac. N. Sc. Aug. 1861, - 217 (Labrador).—IB. Catal. Birds of Washington.—GUNDLACH, - Repertorio, 1865, 229 (Cuba).—LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 91 (Costa - Rica).—DALL and BANNISTER, Birds Alaska.—RIDGWAY, Report. - -SP. CHAR. Above nearly pure dark olive-green; sides of the head -ash-gray; the chin, throat, and under parts white; purest behind. -Sides of throat and across the breast with arrow-shaped spots of dark -plumbeous-brown. Sides of body and axillaries dull grayish-olivaceous. -Tibiæ plumbeous; legs brown. Length, nearly 8 inches; wing, 4.20; -tail, 3.20; tarsus, 1.15. - -HAB. Eastern North America to shores of Arctic Ocean, and along -northern coast from Labrador to Kodiak, breeding in immense numbers -between the mouths of Mackenzie and Coppermine. West to Fort Yukon and -Missouri River States. Winters south to Costa Rica. Chiriqui, SALVIN; -Cuba, GUNDLACH. - -As originally described, this species differs from _swainsoni_ in -larger size, longer bill, feet, and wings especially, straighter and -narrower bill. The back is of a greener olive. The breast and sides of -the head are entirely destitute of the buff tinge, or at best this is -very faintly indicated on the upper part of the breast. The most -characteristic features are seen on the side of the head. Here there -is no indication whatever of the light line from nostril to eye, and -scarcely any of a light ring round the eye,—the whole region being -grayish-olive, relieved slightly by whitish shaft-streaks on the -ear-coverts. The sides of body, axillars, and tibiæ are -olivaceous-gray, without any of the fulvous tinge seen in _swainsoni_. -The bill measures .40 from tip to nostril, sometimes more; tarsi, 1.21; -wing, 4.20; tail, 3.10,—total, about 7.50. Some specimens slightly -exceed these dimensions; few, if any, fall short of them. - -In autumn the upper surface is somewhat different from that in spring, -being less grayish, and with a tinge of rich sepia or snuff-brown, -this becoming gradually more appreciable on the tail. - -A specimen from Costa Rica is undistinguishable from typical examples -from the Eastern United States. - -HABITS. This species, first described in the ninth volume of the -Pacific Railroad Surveys, bears so strong a resemblance to the -Olive-backed Thrush (_T. swainsoni_), that its value as a species has -often been disputed. It was first met with in Illinois. Since then -numerous specimens have been obtained from the District of Columbia, -from Labrador, and the lower Mackenzie River. In the latter regions it -was found breeding abundantly. It was also found in large numbers on -the Anderson River, but was rare on the Yukon, as well as at Great -Slave Lake, occurring there only as a bird of passage to or from more -northern breeding-grounds. - -In regard to its general habits but little is known. Dr. Coues, who -found it in Labrador, breeding abundantly, speaks of meeting with a -family of these birds in a deep and thickly wooded ravine. The young -were just about to fly. The parents evinced the greatest anxiety for -the safety of their brood, endeavoring to lead him from their vicinity -by fluttering from bush to bush, constantly uttering a melancholy -_pheugh_, in low whistling tone. He mentions that all he saw uttered -precisely the same note, and were very timid, darting into the most -impenetrable thickets. - -This thrush is a regular visitant to Massachusetts, both in its spring -and in its fall migration. It arrives from about the first to the -middle of May, and apparently remains about a week. It passes south -about the first of October. Occasionally it appears and is present in -Massachusetts at the same time with the _Turdus swainsoni_. From this -species I hold it to be unquestionably distinct, and in this opinion I -am confirmed by the observations of two very careful and reliable -ornithologists, Mr. William Brewster of Cambridge, one of our most -promising young naturalists, and Mr. George O. Welch of Lynn, whose -experience and observations in the field are unsurpassed. They inform -me that there are observable between these two forms certain -well-marked and constant differences, that never fail to indicate -their distinctness with even greater precision than the constant -though less marked differences in their plumage. - -The _Turdus aliciæ_ comes a few days the earlier, and is often in full -song when the _T. swainsoni_ is silent. The song of the former is not -only totally different from that of the latter, but also from that of -all our other Wood Thrushes. It most resembles the song of _T. -pallasi_, but differs in being its exact inverse, for whereas the -latter begins with its lowest notes and proceeds on an ascending -scale, the former begins with its highest, and concludes with its -lowest note. The song of the _T. swainsoni_, on the other hand, -exhibits much less variation in the scale, all the notes being of -nearly the same altitude. - -I am also informed that while the _T. swainsoni_ is far from being a -timid species, but may be easily approached, and while it seems almost -invariably to prefer the edges of the pine woods, and is rarely -observed in open grounds or among the bare deciduous trees, the habits -of the _T. aliciæ_ are the exact reverse in these respects. It is not -to be found in similar situations, but almost always frequents copses -of hard wood, searching for its food among their fallen leaves. It is -extremely timid and difficult to approach. As it stands or as it moves -upon the ground, it has a peculiar erectness of bearing which at once -indicates its true specific character so unmistakably that any one -once familiar with its appearance can never mistake it for _T. -swainsoni_ nor for any other bird. - -The nests measure about 4 inches in diameter and 2¾ in height. The -cavity is 2 inches deep, and its diameter 2½ inches. They are -unusually compact for the nest of a thrush, and are composed chiefly -of an elaborate interweaving of fine sedges, leaves, stems of the more -delicate _Equisetaceæ_, dry grasses, strips of fine bark, and decayed -leaves, the whole intermingled with the paniculated inflorescence of -grasses. There is little or no lining other than these materials. -These nests were all found, with but few exceptions, on the branches -of low trees, from two to seven feet from the ground. In a few -exceptional cases the nests were built on the ground. - -Occasionally nests of this species are found constructed with the base -and sides of solid mud, as with the common Robin (_Turdus -migratorius_). In these, as also in some other cases, their nests are -usually found on or near the ground. So far as I am aware neither its -occasional position on the ground, nor its mud frames, are -peculiarities ever noticeable in nests of _T. swainsoni_. - -The eggs were usually four in number. Their color is either a deep -green tint, or green slightly tinged with blue; and they are marked -with spots of russet and yellowish-brown, varying both in size and -frequency. Their mean length is .92 of an inch, and their mean breadth -.64. The maximum length is .94 and the minimum .88 of an inch. There -is apparently a constant variation from the eggs of the _T. -swainsoni_; those of the _aliciæ_ having a more distinctly blue ground -color. The nests are also quite different in their appearance and -style of structure. The _Hypnum_ mosses, so marked a feature in the -nests of _T. swainsoni_, as also in those of _T. ustulatus_, are -wholly wanting in those of _T. aliciæ_. - -This bird and the robin are the only species of our thrushes that -cross the Arctic Circle to any distance, or reach the shore of the -Arctic Ocean. It occurs from Labrador, all round the American coast, -to the Aleutian Islands, everywhere bearing its specific character as -indicated above. It is extremely abundant on and near the Arctic -coast, between the mouth of the Mackenzie River and the Coppermine, -more than 200 specimens (mostly with their eggs) having been sent -thence to the Smithsonian Institution by Mr. MacFarlane. In all this -number there was not a single bird that had any approach to the -characters of _T. swainsoni_, as just given. From the Slave Lake -region, on the other hand, _T. swainsoni_ was received in nearly the -same abundance, and unmixed during the breeding season with _T. -aliciæ_. - - -Turdus swainsoni, CABANIS. - -OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH; SWAINSON’S THRUSH. - - _Turdus swainsoni_, CAB. Tschudi, Fauna Peruana, 1844-46, - 188.—? SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 6 (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. - Z. S. 1858, 451 (Ecuador); 1859, 326.—IB. Catal. 1861, 2, no. - 11.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 216; Rev. Am. B., 1864, - 19.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba).—IB. Repert. 1865, - 229.—PELZELN, Orn. Brazil. II. 1868, 92 (Marambitanas, Feb. and - March).—LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 91 (Costa Rica).—RIDGWAY.— - MAYNARD.—SAMUELS, 152.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 6.—DALL & BANNISTER. - _Turdus minor_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 809 (in part). _Turdus - olivaceus_, GIRAUD, Birds L. Island, 1843-44, 92 (not of LINN.). - _(?) Turdus minimus_, LAFRESNAYE, Rev. Zoöl. 1848, 5.—SCLATER, P. - Z. S. 1854, 111.—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1860, 226 - (Bogota).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1863. (Birds Panama, IV, no. - 384.) - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts uniform olivaceous, with a decided shade of -green. The fore part of breast, the throat and chin, pale -brownish-yellow; rest of lower parts white; the sides washed with -brownish-olive. Sides of the throat and fore part of the breast with -sub-rounded spots of well-defined brown, darker than the back; the -rest of the breast (except medially) with rather less distinct spots -that are more olivaceous. Tibiæ yellowish-brown. Broad ring round the -eye, loral region, and a general tinge on the side of the head, clear -reddish buff. Length, 7.00; wing, 4.15; tail, 3.10; tarsus, 1.10. - -HAB. Eastern North America; westward to Humboldt Mountain and Upper -Columbia; perhaps occasionally straggling as far as California; north -to Slave Lake and Fort Yukon; south to Ecuador and Brazil. Cuba, -GUNDLACH; Costa Rica, LAWR. - -Specimens examined from the northern regions (Great Slave Lake, -Mackenzie River, and Yukon) to Guatemala; from Atlantic States to East -Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, and from intervening localities. The -extremes of variation are the _brownish_-olive of eastern and the -clear _dark_ greenish-olive of remote western specimens. There is no -observable difference between a Guatemalan skin and one from Fort -Bridger, Utah. - -HABITS. The Olive-backed Thrush, or “Swamp Robin,” has very nearly the -same habitat during the breeding season as that of the kindred species -with which it was so long confounded. Although Wilson seems to have -found the nest and eggs among the high lands of Northern Georgia, it -is yet a somewhat more northern species. It does not breed so far -south as Massachusetts, or if so, the cases must be exceptional and -very rare, nor even in Western Maine, where the “Ground Swamp Robin” -(_T. pallasi_) is quite abundant. It only becomes common in the -neighborhood of Calais. It is, however, most widely distributed over -nearly the entire continent, breeding from latitude 44° to high Arctic -regions. It winters in Guatemala and southward as far as Ecuador and -Brazil. - -In its habits this thrush is noticeably different from the _T. -pallasi_, being much more arboreal, frequenting thick woods; rarely -seen, except during its migrations, in open ground, and seeking its -food more among the branches of the trees. - -Mr. Ridgway found this species very abundant among the Wahsatch -Mountains, where it was one of the most characteristic summer birds of -that region. It was breeding plentifully in the cañons, where its song -could be heard almost continually. It inhabited an intermediate -position between _T. auduboni_ and _T. fuscescens_, delighting most in -the shrubbery along the streams of the cañons and passes, leaving to -the _T. auduboni_ the secluded ravines of the pine regions higher up, -and to the _T. fuscescens_ the willow thickets of the river valleys. -He did not meet with it farther west than the East Humboldt Mountains. -The song, in his opinion, resembles that of the Wood Thrush (_T. -mustelinus_) in modulations; but the notes want the power, while they -possess a finer and more silvery tone. - -The song of this species has a certain resemblance to that of _T. -pallasi_, being yet quite distinct, and the differences readily -recognized by a familiar ear. It is more prolonged; the notes are more -equal and rise with more regularity and more gradually, are richer, -and each note is more complete in itself. Its song of lamentation when -robbed of its young is full of indescribable pathos and beauty, -haunting one who has once heard it long after. - -When driven from the nest, the female always flies to a short distance -and conceals herself; making no complaints, and offering no -resistance. - -These birds, in a single instance, have been known to reach Eastern -Massachusetts early in April, in an unusually early season, but they -generally pass north a few weeks later. They make no prolonged stay, -and are with us rarely more than three or four days. Their return in -the fall appears to be, at times, by a more inland route. They are -then not so numerous near the coast, but occasionally are abundant. - -Their nests in Nova Scotia, wherever observed, were among the thick -woods, on horizontal branches of a forest-tree, usually about five -feet from the ground. Those observed in the Arctic regions by Mr. -Kennicott were frequently not more than two feet from the ground. - -The nests average about four inches in diameter and two in height, the -cavity being three inches wide by about one and a half deep. They are -more elaborately and neatly constructed than those of any other of our -thrushes, except perhaps of _T. ustulatus_. Conspicuous among the -materials are the _Hypnum_ mosses, which by their dark fibrous masses -give a very distinctive character to these nests, and distinguish them -from all except those of the _T. ustulatus_, which they resemble. -Besides these materials are found fine sedges, leaves, stems of -equisetaceous plants, red glossy vegetable fibres, the flowering -steins of the _Cladonia_ mosses, lichens, fine strips of bark, etc. - -The eggs, which are four or five in number, exhibit noticeable -variations in size, shape, and shades of coloring, bearing some -resemblance to those of _T. ustulatus_ and to the eggs asserted to be -those of _T. nanus_, but are sufficiently distinct, and are still more -so from those of _T. aliciæ_. They range in length from .83 to .94, -with a mean of .88, their mean breadth is .66, the maximum .69, and -the minimum .63. Their ground color is usually bluish-green, sometimes -light blue with hardly a tinge of green, and the spots are of a -yellowish-brown, or russet-brown, or a mixture of both colors, more or -less confluent, with marked variations in this respect. - - -Turdus swainsoni, var. ustulatus, NUTTALL. - -OREGON THRUSH. - - _Turdus ustulatus_, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1840, 400 (Columbia - River).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 215, pl. lxxxi, fig. 1.—IB. - Rev. Am. B. 1864, 18.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. Rep. XII, II, - 1860, 171.—RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. Philad. 1869, 127.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Acad.—COOPER, Birds Cal., 5. - -SP. CHAR. General appearance of _fuscescens_, but with pattern of -_swainsoni_; the buff orbital ring as conspicuous as in latter. The -olive above is more _brown_ than in this, and less yellowish than in -_fuscescens_, becoming decidedly more rufescent on wings and less -observably so on tail. Pectoral aspect different from _fuscescens_, -the spots narrower and cuneate, sharply defined, and arranged in -longitudinal series; in color they are a little _darker_ than the -crown. Length, 7.50; wing, 3.75; tail, 3.00; tarsus, 1.12. - -HAB. Pacific Province of United States. Tres Marias Isl., Guatemala -(winter), Mus. S. I. - -This well-marked race is to be compared with _swainsoni_, not with -_fuscescens_, as has generally been done; the latter, except in shade -of colors, it scarcely resembles at all; still greater evidence that -such is its affinity is that the _T. ustulatus_ builds its nest on a -tree, and lays a spotted egg, like _swainsoni_, while _fuscescens_ -nests on or near the ground, perhaps never in a tree, and lays a plain -blue egg. The song of the present bird is also scarcely -distinguishable from that of _swainsoni_. Upon the whole, we see no -reason why this should not be considered as a Pacific Province form of -the _Turdus swainsoni_; at least it becomes necessary to do so, after -referring to _T. pallasi_ as geographical races, the _T. auduboni_ and -_T. nanus_. - -HABITS. So far as we are aware, this thrush has a very limited -distribution, being mainly restricted to the Pacific coast region from -California to Alaska in the breeding season, though migrating -southward in winter to Guatemala. Dr. Kennerly found it in great -abundance breeding at Chiloweyuck Depot, July 3, 1859. Dr. Cooper also -found it one of the most abundant of the summer residents in -Washington Territory, arriving there in May and remaining until the -beginning of September. Three specimens of this thrush were obtained -at Sitka, by Mr. Bischoff. Mr. Ridgway met with only a single specimen -east of the Sierra Nevada, though on that range he found it an -abundant summer bird. - -In its general appearance it has a marked resemblance to Wilson’s -Thrush (_T. fuscescens_), but its habits and notes, as well as its -nest and eggs, clearly point its nearer affinity to Swainson’s Thrush -(_T. swainsoni_), its song being scarcely different from that of the -latter species. Like this species, it frequents the thickets or -brushwood along the mountain streams, and, except just after its -arrival, it is not at all shy. In crossing the Sierra Nevada in July, -1867, Mr. Ridgway first met with this species. He describes it as an -exquisite songster. At one of the camps, at an altitude of about 5,000 -feet, they were found unusually plentiful. He speaks of their song as -consisting of “ethereal warblings,—outbursts of wild melody.” -“Although its carols were heard everywhere in the depth of the ravine, -scarcely one of the little musicians could be seen.” “The song of this -thrush,” he adds, “though possessing all the wild, solemn melody of -that of the Wood Thrush (_T. mustelinus_) is weaker, but of a much -finer or more silvery tone, and more methodical delivery. It is much -like that of the _T. swainsoni_, but in the qualities mentioned is -even superior.” - -Dr. Cooper found its nests with eggs about the middle of June. These -were most usually built on a small horizontal branch, and were very -strongly constructed of twigs, grasses, roots, and leaves, usually -covered on the outside entirely with the bright green _Hypnum_ mosses -peculiar to that region, which in the damp climate near the coast -continue to grow in that position, and form large masses. The number -of eggs is usually five. - -Dr. Cooper states that these thrushes sing most in the early morning -and in the evening, when numbers may be heard answering one another on -all sides. They do not affect the darkest thickets so much as the -Hermit Thrush, but are often seen feeding in the gardens in the open -sunshine. - -Dr. Suckley, who found them quite abundant in the neighborhood of Fort -Steilacoom, on the edge of the forest, and in swampy land, describes -the song as a low, soft, sad, and lively whistle, confined to one -note, and repeated at regular intervals. Mr. Nuttall, the first to -describe this form, speaks of it as shy and retiring, and as in the -habit of gathering insects from the ground. His ear, so quick to -appreciate the characteristics of the songs of birds, which showed a -close resemblance between the notes of this bird and that of Wilson’s -Thrush (_T. fuscescens_), enabled him to detect very distinct and -easily recognizable differences. It is much more interrupted and is -not so prolonged. The warble of this bird he describes as resembling -_wit-wit t´villia_, and _wit-wit, t´villia-t´villia_. His call when -surprised was _wit-wit_. - -All the nests of this species that have fallen under my observation -are large, compact, strongly constructed, and neat. They measure about -5 inches in their external diameter, with a depth externally of 3; the -cavity is comparatively shallow, being rarely 2 inches in depth. The -external portions are constructed almost entirely of _Hypnum_ mosses, -matted together and sparingly interwoven with dry leaves and fine -fibrous roots, and are lined with finer materials of the same kind. -These nests most nearly resemble in their material and in their -position those of Swainson’s Thrush. - -Mr. Hepburn found these birds very abundant about Victoria. It does -not usually breed there before the last of May, though in one -exceptional instance he found a nest with young birds on the 24th of -that month. - -The eggs vary in size and shape, ranging from .77 to .94 in length, -and from .65 to .69 in breadth. They also vary in their ground color -and in the tints of the spots and markings. The ground color is light -green or light blue, and the markings are variously yellowish-brown -and lilac, or dark brown and slate. - -Mr. Grayson found this thrush very abundant in the month of January, -in the thickest of the woods, in the islands of the Three Marias, on -the Pacific coast of Mexico. They were very timid and shy, more so -than any bird that he saw on those islands. It frequently uttered a -low plaintive whistle, and seemed solitary in its habits. - - -Turdus pallasi, CABANIS. - -RUFOUS-TAILED THRUSH; HERMIT THRUSH. - - _Turdus pallasii_, CABANIS, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847 (I), - 205.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 212.—IB. Rev. Am. B. 1864, - 14.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 325 ??.—IB. Catal. 1861, 2, No. - 7.—RIDGWAY.—MAYNARD.—SAMUELS, 148. _Turdus solitarius_, WILSON, - Amer. Orn. V, 1812, 95 (not of LINNÆUS).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, - 212. _Turdus minor_, BON. Obs. Wilson, 1825, No. 72. _Turdus - guttatus_, CABANIS, Tschudi, Fauna Peruana, 1844, 187 (not - _Muscicapa guttata_ of PALLAS). - Additional figures: AUD. Birds Am. III, pl. cxlvi.—IB. Orn. Biog. - I, pl. lviii. - -SP. CHAR. Tail slightly emarginate. Above light olive-brown, with a -scarcely perceptible shade of reddish, passing, however, into decided -rufous on the rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail, and to a less degree -on the outer surface of the wings. Beneath white, with a scarcely -appreciable shade of pale buff across the fore part of the breast, and -sometimes on the throat; the sides of the throat and the fore part of -the breast with rather sharply defined subtriangular spots of dark -olive-brown; the sides of the breast with paler and less distinct -spots of the same. Sides of the body under the wings of a paler shade -than the back. A whitish ring round the eye; ear-coverts very -obscurely streaked with paler. Length, 7.50 inches; wing, 3.84; tail, -3.25; tarsus, 1.16; No. 2,092. - -HAB. Eastern North America. Mexico? Not found in Cuba, _fide_ GUNDLACH. - -In spring the olive above is very much that of eastern specimens of -_swainsoni_; in winter specimens it is much browner, and almost as -much so as in _fuscescens_. Young birds have the feathers of the head, -back, and wing coverts streaked centrally with drop-shaped spots of -rusty yellowish. - -HABITS. Until quite recently the “Ground Swamp Robin,” or Hermit -Thrush, has not been distinguished from the closely allied species _T. -swainsoni_, and all accounts of writers have blended both in singular -confusion. My colleague, Professor Baird, in the summer of 1844, was -the first to suggest the distinctness of the two species. By the -common people of Maine and the British Provinces this difference has -long been generally recognized, this species being known as the -“Ground Swamp Robin,” and the other as the “Swamp Robin.” - -The present species is found throughout Eastern North America to the -Mississippi, and breeds from Massachusetts to high arctic regions. It -is only occasionally found breeding so far south as Massachusetts; -through which State it passes in its spring migrations, sometimes as -early as the 10th of April; usually reaching Calais, Maine, by the -15th of the same month. - -It is a very abundant bird throughout Maine, where it begins to breed -during the last week of May, and where it also probably has two broods -in a season. - -The greater number appear to pass the winter in the Southern States; -it being common in Florida, and even occasionally seen during that -season as far north as latitude 38° in Southern Illinois, according to -Mr. Ridgway. - -It rarely, if ever, sings during its migrations; appears in small -straggling companies, frequents both thickets and open fields, and is -unsuspicious and easily approached. - -The song of this species is very fine, having many of the -characteristics of that of the Wood Thrush (_T. mustelinus_). It is as -sweet, has the same tinkling sounds, as of a bell, but is neither so -powerful nor so prolonged, and rises more rapidly in its intonations. -It begins with low, sweet notes, and ends abruptly with its highest, -sharp ringing notes. - -Taken from the nest they are easily tamed, and are quite lively and -playful; but their want of cleanliness renders them very undesirable -pets. When their nest is visited they make no complaints, but retire -to a distance. Not so, however, when their natural enemy, the hawk, -appears; these they at once assail and seek to drive away, uttering -loud and clear chirps, and peculiar twittering sounds. - -The nest of this thrush is always built on the ground, most generally -either under low bushes or in the open ground, rarely, if ever, among -thick trees, and for the most part in low swampy places. Both nest and -eggs closely resemble those of Wilson’s Thrush (_T. fuscescens_). In -Parsboro, Nova Scotia, I found one of the nests built in the very -midst of the village, close to a dwelling, though on a spot so marshy -as to be almost unapproachable. The nests are 3 inches in height and 5 -in diameter, with a cavity 3¼ inches wide by 1¾ deep. They are -composed of decayed deciduous leaves, remnants of dried plants, sedges -and grasses, intermingled with twigs, and lined with finer grasses, -sedges, and strips of bark. - -The eggs are of a uniform bluish-green color, and range in length from -.88 to .94, with an average of .63 of an inch. - - -Turdus pallasi, var. nanus, AUDUBON. - -DWARF HERMIT THRUSH. - - _Turdus nanus_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 201, pl. cci.—BAIRD, Birds - N. A. 1858, 213; Rev. Am. B. 1864, 15.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859.—IB. Catal. 1861.—DALL & BANNISTER.—COOPER, Birds Cal., p. - 4. _Turdus pallasi_, var. _nanus_, RIDGWAY, Rep. Kings Exped. V, - 1872. _? Turdus aonalaschkæ_, GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 808. _?? - Muscicapa guttata_, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-Asiat. II, 1811, 465. - -SP. CHAR. Above with the clear dark olive of _swainsoni_, but this -even purer and more plumbeous. Upper tail-coverts (but not lower part -of rump) becoming more rufous, the tail abruptly darker, richer, and -more _purplish_-rufous, approaching to chestnut. The clear olive of -the neck passes into brownish-_plumbeous_ along sides; pectoral spots -more sparse and less pure black than in _T. pallasi_. The white -beneath is of an almost snowy purity, appreciably different from the -cottony-white of _T. pallasi_. Wing, 3.30; tail, 3.00; bill, .36; -tarsus, 1.07. - -A very tangible and constant character possessed by this bird is the -more slender and depressed bill, as compared with that of _T. -pallasi_. Specimens vary only in intensity of colors; these variations -very limited, and corresponding with those of _T. pallasi_. In all -cases, however, their precise pattern and peculiar distribution is -retained. - -HAB. Western Province of North America, eastward from Kodiak to Cape -St. Lucas. Arizona, COUES. - -HABITS. This small race of the Hermit Thrush was first noticed by Dr. -Pickering, and described by Mr. Audubon from an imperfect skin. It has -since been obtained abundantly on the Pacific slope, and Mr. Ridgway -procured a specimen as far east as the East Humboldt Mountains, which -he considers its eastern limit. - -In its habits it is said to be, like _T. pallasi_, almost exclusively -terrestrial. Dr. Heermann mentions finding it abundant in California, -and breeding among the stunted oaks covering the sand-hills of San -Francisco. Dr. Coues found it in Arizona, but speaks of it as rare and -migratory, occurring chiefly in spring and autumn, and as a shy and -retiring species. Dr. Cooper, in his Report on the Birds of -California, describes it as shy and timid, preferring dark and shady -thickets, feeding chiefly on the ground, running rapidly, and -searching for insects among the leaves. - -Near San Diego they began to sing about the 25th of April. The song, -consisting of a few low ringing notes, resembles that of Wilson’s -Thrush (_T. fuscescens_), and also that of _T. ustulatus_, but is not -so loud. Their note of alarm is a loud and ringing chirp, repeated and -answered by others at a long distance. - -At Santa Cruz, on the first of June, Dr. Cooper met with several of -their nests, which, though probably erroneously, he supposed to belong -to the Dwarf Hermit Thrush. They were all built in thickets under the -shade of cottonwood-trees. Each nest was about five feet from the -ground, and all contained eggs, from two to four in number, in -differing stages of incubation. The nests were built of dry leaves, -roots, fibres, grasses, and bark, without any mud, and were lined with -decayed leaves. Their height and external diameter measured 4 inches. -The diameter of the cavity was 2½ inches and the depth 2¼. The eggs -measured .90 by .70 of an inch. They are of a pale bluish-green, -speckled with cinnamon-brown, chiefly at the larger end. - -The nest, supposed to be of this species, supplied by Dr. Cooper, is -large for the bird; constructed of a base loosely made up of mosses, -lichens, and coarse fibres of plants. It is a strong and compact -structure of matted leaves, put together when in a moist and decaying -condition; with these there are interwoven roots, twigs, and strong -fibres, surrounding the nest with a stout band and strengthening the -rim. In fact, it corresponds so well—as do the eggs also—with those -of _T. ustulatus_, that it is extremely probable that they really -belong to that species. The only observable difference is the absence -of the _Hypnum_ mosses characteristic of northern _ustulatus_. - -Dall and Bannister mention in their list of Alaska birds that the -species is not common there. It was also taken at Sitka and Kodiak by -Bischoff. - -The fact that this thrush builds its nest above the ground, and lays -spotted eggs, if verified, would at once warrant our giving it -independent rank as a species, instead of considering it as a local -race of _pallasi_. - - -Turdus pallasi, var. auduboni, BAIRD. - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN HERMIT THRUSH. - - _Turdus auduboni_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 16.—RIDGWAY, P. A. - N. S. 1869, 129.—ELLIOT, Illust. (fig.). _Merula silens_, - SWAINSON, Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 369 (not _Turdus silens_ of - VIEILLOT, Encycl. Méth. II, 1823, 647, based on _T. mustelinus_, - WILS. = _T. fuscescens_).—IB. Fauna Bor.-Amer. II, 1831, - 186.—BAIRD, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 213, and 922.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1858, 325 (La Parada), and 1859, 325 (Oaxaca).—IB. Catal. Am. - Birds, 1861, 2, no. 9. - -SP. CHAR. Colors much as in _Turdus nanus_, but the upper tail-coverts -scarcely different from the back. Tail yellowish-rufous. Length of -wing, 4.18; tail, 3.60; bill from nostril, .45; tarsus, 1.26. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains, from Fort Bridger south into Mexico. Orizaba -(Alpine regions), SUMICHRAST. - -This is a very distinct race of thrushes, although it may be -questioned whether it be truly a species. It is, however, sufficiently -distinct from the eastern and western Hermit Thrushes to warrant our -giving it a place of some kind in the systems. - -The young plumage differs from that of _pallasi_ as do the adults of -the two, and in about the same way. The olive is very much purer, with -a greenish instead of a brownish cast, and the tail is very much -lighter, inclining to dull ochraceous instead of rufous; this -yellowish instead of rufous cast is apparent on the wings also. The -yellowish “drops” on head, back, etc., are very much narrower than in -_pallasi_, while the greater coverts, instead of being distinctly -tipped with yellowish, merely just perceptibly fade in color at tips. - -HABITS. At present we have but little knowledge of the habits of this -form of _T. pallasi_, and no information whatever regarding its -nesting or eggs. - -In its distribution it is confined to the central range of mountains -from Fort Bridger to Southern Mexico. This species, there known as -“Solitario,” is common in the Alpine region of Vera Cruz (as well as -in all the elevated regions of Central Mexico), frequenting the pine -woods in the district of Orizaba. Mr. Sumichrast obtained it at all -seasons of the year at Moyoapam, in that vicinity; a locality the -height of which approximates 2,500 metres. It is also found at a -height of 1,200 metres, near the city of Orizaba. - -Mr. Ridgway calls this bird the “Rocky Mountain Hermit Thrush.” He -states that he found it common in the Wahsatch Mountains, but that, on -account of its retiring habits, it was seldom seen. It there lives -chiefly in the deep ravines in the pine region, exhibiting an -attachment to these solitudes rather than to the thickets along the -watercourses lower down; the latter it leaves to the _T. swainsoni_. -Owing to the reserved manners of this bird, as well as to the great -difficulty of reaching its abode, there were few opportunities -presented for learning much concerning its habits, nor did he hear its -song. In its flight the pale ochraceous band across the bases of its -quills was a very conspicuous feature in the appearance of its -species, leading Mr. Ridgway to mistake it at first for the -_Myiadestes townsendii_,—also an inhabitant of the same -localities,—so much did it look like that bird, which it further -resembled in its noiseless, gliding flight. - - -SUBGENUS TURDUS, LINN. - - [Line drawing: _Turdus iliacus._ - 1718] - -Of _Turdus_, in its most restricted sense, we have no purely American -representatives, although it belongs to the fauna of the New World in -consequence of one species occurring in Greenland, that meeting-ground -of the birds of America and Europe; which, however, we include in the -present work, as related much more closely to the former. - -This Greenland species, _Turdus iliacus_, is closely related to _T. -viscivorus_, the type of the genus, and comes much closer to the -American Robins (_Planesticus_) than to the Wood Thrushes -(_Hylocichla_). - - -Turdus iliacus, LINN. - -REDWING THRUSH. - - _Turdus iliacus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 168, and of - European authors.—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 6 (Greenland). BAIRD, - Rev. Am. B. 1864, 23 (Greenland). - -SP. CHAR. This species is smaller than our Robin (_T. migratorius_), -but of a similar grayish-olive above, including the head. The under -parts are white; the feathers of the lower throat and breast streaked -with brown. The sides, axillars, and inner wing-covert are -reddish-cinnamon. A conspicuous white streak over the eye and -extending as far back as the nape. Bill black, yellow at base of lower -jaw. Legs pale-colored. Second quill longer than fifth. Length, about -8.25; wing, 4.64; tail, 3.45; bill, from gape, 1.07; from nostril, -.44; tarsus, 1.16; middle toe and claw, 1.15. Specimen described: -18,718, ♂, a British specimen received from the Royal Artillery -Institution, Woolwich. - -HAB. Greenland, in the New World. - -The occurrence of this well-known European species in Greenland brings -it within the limits of the American Fauna. Two Greenland specimens -are recorded by Dr. Reinhardt: one of them shot at Frederickshaab, -October 20, 1845. - -HABITS. The Redwing can probably only claim a place in the fauna of -North America as an occasional visitant. Of the two specimens observed -in Greenland, one was shot late in October. It is not known to breed -there. - -This species, during its breeding season, is found only in the more -northern portions of Europe; only occasionally, and very rarely, -breeding so far south as England. It makes its appearance in that -kingdom on its southern migrations, coming in large flocks from -Northern and Northeastern Europe, and arriving usually before the end -of October. During their stay in England they frequent parks and -pleasure-grounds that are ornamented with clumps of trees. During mild -and open weather they seek their subsistence in pasture lands and -moist meadows, feeding principally on worms and snails. In severe -winters, when the ground is closed by frost or covered by snow, the -Redwings are among the first birds to suffer, and often perish in -large numbers. - -During the winter they extend their migrations to the more southern -portions of Europe, to Sicily, Malta, and even to Smyrna. In early -spring they return to the more central portions of the continent, and -leave in May for their more northern places of resort. - -They nest in trees in the moist woods of Norway and Sweden. Their -nests resemble those of the common Fieldfare, _T. pilaris_. The -outside is composed of sticks, weeds, and coarse grass, gathered wet, -and matted with a small quantity of moist clay. They are lined with a -thick bed of fine grass. - -The Redwing is said to possess a delightful note, and is called the -Nightingale of Norway. Linnæus, speaking of this bird, claims that its -high and varied notes rival even those of that far-famed vocalist. - -During the summer the Redwing advances to the extreme north, visiting -the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Northern Russia. The general character -of its food, its inability to feed exclusively on berries, and the -fact that it perishes from starvation in severe winters, would seem to -prove that its occurrence in Greenland so late as October must have -been purely accidental. It is not probable that its presence in North -America will be found to be a common event. - -The eggs measure 1.06 inches in length by .81 in breadth. The ground -color is a light green with a bluish tinge thickly covered with russet -or reddish-brown spots, confluent at the larger end. - - -SUBGENUS PLANESTICUS, BONAP. - - _Planesticus_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, 1854. (Type _Turdus - jamaicensis_, GMELIN.) - - [Line drawing: _Turdus migratorius._ - 853] - -This section of the Thrushes is well represented in America, -especially in its middle and southern portions, and its members have a -close resemblance to the typical European species in the full form, -stout legs, etc., as already stated. The spots on the throat, and -their absence elsewhere on the under part of the body, are sufficient -to distinguish them. - -Of the two North American species one is the well-known Robin, the -other a closely related form from Cape St. Lucas; which indeed is -probably only a local race or variety, although nothing exactly like -it has yet been found away from Lower California. The following -diagnosis may serve to distinguish the two birds:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Throat white with dark streaks. Rest of under -parts, including lining of wing, reddish or ochraceous; the anal -region whitish; lower eyelid white. Nest on trees. Eggs plain -blue. - - Above slaty-olive, approaching to black on the head. Beneath - rufous-chestnut. Spot in lore and on upper eyelid of white. - Tail, 4.25. _Hab._ Whole of North America; Mexico, south to - Oaxaca and Cordova; Cuba (very rare) and Tobago, of West Indies … - var. _migratorius_. - - Above dull grayish-ash, not darker on the head. Beneath pale - yellowish-buff; tinged with ashy across breast; a continuous - white stripe from the lores over and a quarter of an inch - behind the eye. More white on belly and flanks than in _T. - migratorius_. Bill stouter; tail only 3.75, while the wing is - the same. _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas, Lower California … - var. _confinis_. - - -Turdus migratorius, var. migratorius, LINN. - -ROBIN; AMERICAN REDBREAST. - - _Turdus migratorius_, LINN. S. N. 12th ed. 1766, 292.—SCLATER, P. - Z. S. 1856, 294; 1859, 331; 1864, 172.—IB. Catal. Am. Birds, - 1861, 4.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 396 (Coban).—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 218; Rev. Am. B. 1864, 28.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. - R. R. XII, II, 1859, 172.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 475. (Texas, - winter).—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 64 (Arizona).—DALL & - BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, Birds Cal.—SAMUELS, 154. - Figures: VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lx, lxi.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - I, 1808, pl. ii.—DOUGHTY, Cab. N. H. I, 1830, pl. xii.—AUDUBON, - Birds Am. III, pl. cxlii; Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxi. - -SP. CHAR. Tail slightly rounded. Above olive-gray; top and sides of -the head black. Chin and throat white, streaked with black. Eyelids, -and a spot above the eye anteriorly, white. Under parts and inside of -the wings, chestnut-brown. The under tail-coverts and anal region, -with tibiæ, white, showing the plumbeous inner portions of the -feathers. Wings dark brown, the feathers all edged more or less with -pale ash. Tail still darker, the extreme feathers tipped with white. -Bill yellow, dusky along the ridge and at the tip. Length, 9.75; wing, -5.43; tail, 4.75; tarsus, 1.25. - -HAB. The whole of North America; Mexico, Oaxaca, and Cordova; -Guatemala; Cuba, very rare, GUNDLACH; Tobago, KIRK; Bermuda, JONES; -Orizaba (Alpine regions, breeding abundantly), SUMICHRAST. - -Young birds have transverse blackish bars on the back, and blackish -spots beneath. The shafts of the lesser coverts are streaked with -brownish-yellow; the back feathers with white. - - [Illustration: _Turdus migratorius._] - -There are some variations, both of color and proportions, between -eastern and western specimens of the Robin. In the latter there is a -tendency to a longer tail, though the difference is not marked; and, -as a rule, they slightly exceed eastern specimens in size. The broad -white tip to the lateral tail-feather—so conspicuous a mark of -eastern birds—is scarcely to be found at all in any western ones; and -in the latter the black of the head is very sharply defined against -the lighter, clearer ash of the back, there hardly ever being a -tendency in it to continue backward in the form of central spots to -the feathers, as is almost constantly seen in eastern examples; of -western specimens, the rufous, too, is appreciably lighter than in -eastern. As regards the streaks on the throat, the black or the white -may either largely predominate in specimens from one locality. - -In autumn and winter each rufous feather beneath is bordered by a more -or less conspicuous crescent of white; in addition to this, most of -the lighter individuals (♀?), at this season, have an ashy suffusion -over the breast and flanks; and this, we have observed, is more -general and more noticeable in western than in eastern specimens. In -fall and winter the color of the bill, too, changes, becoming at this -season either partially or wholly dusky, instead of almost entirely -yellow, as seen in spring and summer examples. - -Mexican specimens, found breeding in the Alpine regions as far south -as Orizaba and Mirador, most resemble the western series; one, however -(No. 38,120 ♂, Orizaba), but in the autumnal plumage, and therefore -very possibly a migrant from the North, is hardly distinguishable from -No. 32,206, Georgia; it is about identical in proportions, and the -rufous is of a castaneous shade, like the deepest colored eastern -examples; the white tip to the outer tail-feather is as broad and -conspicuous as is ever seen in the latter. - -HABITS. Scarcely any American bird has a wider range of geographical -distribution, or is more numerous wherever found, than this thrush. -From Greenland on the extreme northeast to the plateau of Mexico, and -from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Robin is everywhere a very -abundant species. Single specimens have been obtained as far south as -Coban, Guatemala. Its distribution in the breeding season is hardly -less restricted, occurring alike on the shores of the Arctic Seas and -on the high lands of Vera Cruz. In the winter months it is most -abundant in the Southern States, while in the Middle and even the -Northern States, in favorable localities, it may be found throughout -the year; its migrations being influenced more by the question of food -than of climate. In the valleys among the White Mountains, where snow -covers the ground from October to June, and where the cold reaches the -freezing-point of mercury, flocks of the Robin remain during the -entire winter, attracted by the abundance of berries. - -On the Pacific Coast the Robin is only a winter visitant in -California; a very few remaining to breed, and those only among the -hills. They reach Vancouver Island early in March, and are very -abundant. - -In New England, where the Robins are held in great esteem, and where -they exist under very favorable circumstances, their numbers have very -largely increased, especially in the villages. They cause not a little -annoyance to fruit cultivators by their depredations upon the -productions of the garden, especially cherries and strawberries. They -are a voracious bird, and no doubt destroy a large quantity of small -fruit, but there is abundant evidence that this is more than -compensated by their destruction of the most injurious insects, upon -which they wage an incessant war. The investigations of Mr. J. W. P. -Jenks and Professor Treadwell establish conclusively their great -services in this direction. - -The experiments of the latter gentleman show that the nestlings of the -Robin require a vast amount of animal food, forty per cent more than -their own weight being consumed by the young bird within twenty-four -hours, and, what is more, demonstrated to be necessary to its -existence. - - [Illustration: PLATE II. - - 1. Turdus confinis, _Baird_. Cape St. Lucas, 23789. - 2. “ nævius, _Gm._ Cala., 21363. - 3. “ migratorius, _Linn._ Penn., 1851. - 4. “ iliacus, _Linn._ Europe.] - -In Massachusetts a few Robins remain throughout the year, but the -greater proportion leave early in November, returning late in February -or early in March. - -The song of the Robin is deservedly popular. While many of our birds -possess far superior powers of melody, and exhibit a much greater -variety in their song, there are none that exceed it in its duration -or extent. It is the first bird in spring to open and one of the last -to close the great concert of Nature. Their song is earnest, simple, -and thrilling, and is said by Audubon to resemble that of the European -Blackbird, _Turdus merula_. - -The Robin, when taken young, may be readily tamed, and soon becomes -contented and accustomed to confinement. They are devoted to their -young, watchful, attentive, and provident. They begin to construct -their nest in early spring before the trees put forth their leaves, -and often in very exposed positions. The size of the nest, in fact, -makes concealment impossible. These nests are sometimes placed in -quite remarkable positions, such as the beams of a ship partly -finished, and where the carpenters were every day at work, and similar -situations indicating a great familiarity. Their favorite place is the -horizontal branch of an apple-tree, about ten feet from the ground. - -The nest of the Robin is a large and coarsely constructed combination -of rude materials. It is composed of a base of straw, leaves, mosses, -stems, and dry grasses, upon which a cup-shaped fabric of clay or mud -is built. The whole is lined with finer dry grasses and vegetable -fibres. They average 5 inches in height and the same in diameter. -Their cavity is 2¾ inches deep, with a diameter of 2½ inches. - -The eggs of the Robin, which are usually five and sometimes six in -number, are of a uniform bright greenish-blue color, liable to fade -when exposed to light, but when fresh exhibiting a very distinct and -bright tint. They vary in size from 1.25 to 1.12 inches in length, and -in breadth from .88 to .75 of an inch. Their mean measurement is 1.18 -by .81. - - -Turdus migratorius, var. confinis, BAIRD. - -CAPE ST. LUCAS ROBIN. - - _Turdus confinis_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 29.—ELLIOT, Birds - America.—COOPER, Birds Cal., 9. - -SP. CHAR. No. 23,789. Entire upper parts and sides of head and neck -uniform grayish-ash, with perhaps a faint tinge of olivaceous, less -than in eastern specimens of _T. migratorius_. The central portions of -the feathers of the top of head are rather darker than the edges, -though almost inappreciably so, and not imparting a general dusky -appearance. The chin and throat are white, streaked with ashy-brown. -The jugulum and breast are pale yellowish-buff; the axillars, inner -wing-coverts, and sides of the breast similarly, but rather more -decidedly colored. The belly and edges of the crissal feathers are -white, the hinder parts of the flanks ashy. There is a distinct -whitish stripe from the lores over and a quarter of an inch behind the -eye; the lower eyelid is also white. The tail-feathers are worn, but -there is an indication of a narrow white tip. The feathers of the -jugulum, especially of the sides, are tipped with ashy like the back, -as in immature specimens of _T. migratorius_. The greater wing-coverts -are tipped with dull white. The bill is yellowish; the upper mandible -and the tip of lower tinged with dusky. The feet are pale brown. - -The length cannot be given accurately, as the skin is much drawn up. -The wing, however, measures 5.10 inches, its tip reaching 1.40 beyond -the longest secondary; tail, 4.10; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe and claw, -1.07; exposed portion of culmen, .92; from tip to open portion of -nostrils, .60. - -HAB. Todos Santos, Cape St. Lucas. - -The specimen with a general resemblance to an immature _T. -migratorius_ (especially the western variety) in the white -superciliary streak and general markings, is much lighter beneath than -in any of the many skins of _T. migratorius_ examined; there being -none of the dark chestnut or cinnamon shade, but rather a light buff; -the belly and flanks are much more purely white. The superciliary -stripe extends farther behind the eye; indeed, in most specimens of -_migratorius_ the white is nearly confined to the eyelids. The bill -and wings are rather longer than usual in _migratorius_; the middle -toe, on the other hand, appears shorter. Nothing is on record in -regard to the habits of this bird. - - -SUBGENUS HESPEROCICHLA, BAIRD. - - _Hesperocichla_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1864, 12. (Type _Turdus - nævius_, GM.) - - [Line drawing: _Turdus nævius._ - 9814] - -The single species of this subgenus differs in form from the Robins -(_Planesticus_), in the more awl-shaped bill, the curved commissure, -and the absence of a notch at the end; the longer, slenderer, and -straighter claws; and in the dissimilarity in color of the sexes. In -the latter respects it agrees with _Merula_ of Europe and Middle -America; in which, however, the bill is distinctly notched, and less -attenuated. The tail is shorter and broader than in _Planesticus_, -more as in true _Turdus_ or _Hylocichla_. - - -Turdus nævius, GMEL. - -OREGON ROBIN; VARIED THRUSH. - - _Turdus nævius_, GM. S. N. I, 1788, 817.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 4; - 1859, 331.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 219; Rev. Am. B. 1864, - 32.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. R. XII, II, 1859, 172.—COUES, Pr. - A. N. S. 1866, 65. (Quotes occurrence on Colorado River, above - Fort Mohave, as exceptional.)—MAYNARD (Massachusetts!).—TURNBULL - (N. Jersey!).—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, Birds Cal. 10. - _Orpheus meruloides_, RICH. F. B. A. II, 1831, 187, pl. xxxviii. - Other figures: VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, pl. lxvi.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, pl. ccclxix, and ccccxxxiii.—IB. Birds Am. - III, pl. cxliii. - -SP. CHAR. Tail nearly even; the lateral feather shorter. Above, rather -dark bluish slate; under parts generally, a patch on the upper eyelids -continuous with a stripe behind it along the side of the head and -neck, the lower eyelids, two bands across the wing coverts and the -edges of the quills, in part, rufous orange-brown; middle of belly -white. Sides of the head and neck, continuous with a broad pectoral -transverse band, black. Most of tail feathers with a terminal patch of -brownish white. Bill black. Feet yellow. Female more olivaceous above; -the white of the abdomen more extended; the brown beneath paler; the -pectoral band obsolete. Length, 9.75 inches; wing, 5.00; tail, 3.90; -tarsus, 1.25. - -_Young_ (45,897, Sitka, Aug. 1866; F. Bischoff). Exactly resembling -the adult female, _having no spots_ other than seen in the adult -plumage; but the pectoral collar is composed only of badly defined -blackish transverse crescents, and the upper parts anterior to the -rump are of an umber brown tint. The markings about the head and on -the wings are precisely as in the adult. - -This species does not appear to be liable to any noticeable variation. - -HAB. West coast of North America, from Behring Straits to California; -straggling to Great Bear Lake. Accidental on Long Island (Cab. G. N. -Lawrence), New Jersey (Cab. Dr. Samuel Cabot), and Ipswich, Mass. -(Cab. Boston Society Natural History); Iowa (ALLEN). - - [Illustration: _Turdus nævius._] - -HABITS. The accidental occurrence of a few specimens of this -well-marked bird in the Eastern States is its only claim to a place in -that fauna, it being strictly a western species, belonging to the -Pacific Coast. It was first discovered by the naturalists of Captain -Cook’s expedition, who met with it as far to the north as Nootka -Sound. It is only very recently that we have become possessed of -reliable information in regard to its breeding and its nest and eggs. -Sir John Richardson was informed that it nested in bushes in a manner -similar to that of the common robin. - -Nuttall and Townsend found it abundant among the western slopes of the -Rocky Mountains, near the Columbia River, in October. In the winter it -became still more numerous, passing the season in that region as well -as in more southern localities, associating with the robin. From this -bird it may be readily distinguished by the difference of its notes, -which are louder, sharper, and delivered with greater rapidity. In the -spring, before leaving for their breeding-places, they are described -as having a very sweet warble. - -On the Columbia River they were not resident, arriving there in -October, continuing throughout the winter, and leaving early in May. -During their stay they moved through the forest in small flocks, -frequenting low trees, and for the most part keeping perfect silence. -They were timorous and difficult of approach. - -Its habits are said to resemble those of the robin, but in some of -them the descriptions given appear to correspond more with those of -the Fieldfares and Redwings of Europe. Like those species it is a -summer resident of high northern latitudes, affects secluded forests -and thickets bordering upon streams, and is found only in unfrequented -localities. - -Dr. Cooper was of the opinion that a few of these thrushes remained in -Washington Territory throughout the summer, as he frequently met with -them in the dark spruce forests of that region as late as June and -July. He describes the song as consisting of five or six notes in a -minor key, and in a scale regularly descending. It was heard -continually throughout the summer, among the tops of the trees, but -only in the densest forests. Dr. Suckley states that after a fall of -snow they would be found along the sandy beaches near the salt water, -where they were both abundant and tame. We are indebted to Mr. W. H. -Dall for our first authentic knowledge of its nest and eggs. The -former measures 6 inches in diameter with a depth of 2½ inches. It has -but a very slight depression, apparently not more than half an inch in -depth. The original shape of the nest had, however, been somewhat -flattened in transportation. The materials of which it was composed -were fine dry mosses and lichens impacted together, intermingled with -fragments of dry stems of grasses. - -A nest of this thrush obtained by Dr. Minor, in Alaska, is a much more -finished structure. Its base and periphery are composed of an -elaborate basket-work of slender twigs. Within these is an inner nest -consisting of an interweaving of fine dry grasses and long gray -lichens. - -The eggs in size, shape, ground color, and markings are not -distinguishable from those of the _Turdus musicus_ of Europe. They -measure 1.13 inches in length by .80 in breadth, are of a light blue -with a greenish shading, almost exactly similar to the ground color of -the _T. migratorius_. They are very distinctly marked and spotted with -a dark umber-brown approaching almost to blackness. - -Mr. Dall informs us that the nest found by him was built in a willow -bush, about two feet from the ground, and on the top of a large mass -of rubbish lodged there by some previous inundation. Other nests of -the same species were met with in several places between Fort Yukon -and Nulato, always on or near a river-bank and in low and secluded -localities. - -They arrive at Nulato about May 15, and prefer the vicinity of water, -frequenting the banks of small streams in retired places. Mr. Dall -states that he has seen the male bird on a prostrate log near the -nest, singing with all his might, suddenly cease and run up and down -the log for a few minutes, strutting in a singular manner, then -stopping and singing again; and keeping up this curious performance. -Specimens were received from Sitka, Kodiak, Cook’s Inlet and Admiralty -Islands. - - -SUBFAMILY MIMINÆ. - -Birds of this section have a somewhat thrush-like appearance, but -(except in _Oreoscoptes_) with longer, much more graduated, and -broader tail; short concave wings, about equal to or shorter than the -tail, usually lengthened, sometimes decurved bill without notch, and -strongly marked scutellæ on the anterior face of the tarsus. The loral -feathers are soft, and not ending in bristly points. The colors are -dull shades of brown, gray, or plumbeous. Most of the species, in -addition to a melodious native song, possess the power of imitating -the notes of other birds; sometimes, as in the American Mocking Bird, -to an eminent degree. All are peculiar to the New World, and the -species are much less vagrant than those of the _Turdinæ_,—those of -the United States scarcely going beyond its northern boundary; others, -again, restricted to small islands in the West Indies or in the -Pacific Ocean. - - -GENUS OREOSCOPTES, BAIRD. - - _Oreoscoptes_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 346. (Type _Orpheus - montanus_, TOWNS.) - _Oreoscoptes_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 42. - - [Line drawing: _Oreoscoptes montanus._ - 8129] - -SP. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, without distinct notch. Bristles -prominent, their tips reaching beyond the nostrils. Wings pointed, -equal to, or a little longer than the tail. First quill not half the -second, about two fifths the longest; third, fourth, and fifth quills -equal and longest; second between sixth and seventh. Tail but slightly -graduated; the feathers narrow. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw -by an additional claw; scutellæ distinct anteriorly. - -Of this genus only one species is at present known. This belongs to -the Middle and Western provinces of the United States and extends from -the Pacific coast eastward to Fort Laramie and the Black Hills (in -winter to San Antonio, Texas); south to Fort Yuma and Cape St. Lucas. - - -Oreoscoptes montanus, BAIRD. - -SAGE THRASHER; MOUNTAIN MOCKER. - - _Orpheus montanus_, TOWNSEND, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VII, II, - 1837, 192.—AUD. Birds Amer. II, 1841, 194, pl. cxxxix. _Turdus - montanus_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 437, pl. ccclxix, fig. 1. - _Mimus montanus_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, 276. _Oreoscoptes montanus_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 347; Rev. Am. B. 1864, 42.—SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1859, 340.—IB. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 30.—COOPER, Birds - Cal. 1, 12. - -SP. CHAR. First quill rather shorter than the sixth. Tail slightly -graduated. Above brownish-ash; each feather obsoletely darker in the -centre. Beneath dull white, thickly marked with triangular spots, -except on the under tail-coverts and around the anus, which regions -are tinged with yellowish-brown. Wing-coverts and quills edged with -dull white. Tail feathers brown; the outer edged, and all (except, -perhaps, the middle) tipped with white. Length, 8 inches; wing, 4.85; -tail, 4.00; tarsus, 1.21. - -_Young._ Similar, but spots beneath less sharply defined, and the -upper parts quite conspicuously streaked with dusky. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains of United States, west to Pacific, south to Cape -St. Lucas. - - [Illustration: _Oreoscoptes montanus._] - -The careful observations of Mr. Robert Ridgway have led him to the -conviction that the name bestowed upon this species of “Mountain -Mocking-Bird” is doubly a misnomer. It is not at all imitative in its -notes, and it is almost exclusively a resident of the artemisia -plains. It seems to be chiefly confined to the great central plateau -of North America, from Mexico almost to Washington Territory. -Specimens have been procured from Cape St. Lucas, the Lower Colorado, -Mexico, and Texas, on the south, and Nuttall met with it nearly as far -north as Walla-Walla. It probably occupies the whole extent of the -Great Basin. - -Dr. Kennerly, who met with it while crossing the arid _mesas_ west of -the Rio Grande, says that while singing it was usually perched upon -some bush or low tree. It was frequently seen seeking its food upon -the ground, and when approached, instead of flying away, it ran very -rapidly, and disappeared among the low bushes. - -During the winter months it was observed near San Antonio, Texas, by -Mr. Dresser; and was also found by him to be common about Eagle Pass. -He noticed the same peculiarity of their running instead of their -flying away when disturbed. They preferred the flat, bush-covered -plains. A few remained to breed, as he obtained the eggs there, -although he did not himself meet with one of the birds in summer. - -It is generally represented as keeping chiefly on the ground, and -obtaining its food in this position. General Couch speaks of it as -Sparrow-like in its habits. - -Mr. Nuttall describes its song as cheering, and the notes of which it -is composed as decidedly resembling those of the Brown Thrush -(_Harporhynchus rufus_). He claims for it some of the imitative powers -of the Mocking-Bird (_Mimus polyglottus_), but in this he is not -supported by the observations of others. He met with its nest in a -wormwood (_Artemisia_) bush on the border of a ravine; it contained -four eggs of emerald green, spotted with dark olive, the spots being -large, roundish, and more numerous at the larger end. The nest was -composed of small twigs and rough stalks, and lined with strips of -bark and bison-wool. The female flew off to a short distance, and -looked at her unwelcome visitors without uttering any complaint. - -The nests of this bird, so far as I have seen them, are all flat, -shallow structures, with very slight depression, and loosely and -rudely constructed of an intermingling of strips of bark with rootlets -and the finer stems of herbaceous plants. Their eggs, usually four in -number, do not vary essentially in size, shape, or marking. They -measure 1 inch in length, and from .73 to .75 in breadth. Their ground -color is a bright greenish-blue, marked with deep olive-brown spots, -intermingled with blotches of a light lilac. There are slight -variations in the proportion of green in the shade of the ground -color, and also in the number and size of the spots, but these -variations are unimportant. - -The following are Mr. Ridgway’s observations upon the habits of this -species. They are full, valuable, and very carefully made:— - -The _Oreoscoptes montanus_ is a bird peculiar to the artemisia wastes -of the Great Basin, being a characteristic species of the region -between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. It is exclusively -an inhabitant of the “sage brush,” and is partial to the lower -portions of the country, though it is not unfrequent on the open slope -of the mountains. A more unappropriate term than “Mountain -Mocking-Bird” could hardly have been chosen for this species, as its -predilection for the valleys, and the fact that its song is _entirely_ -its own, will show. In my opinion, the term “Sage Thrasher” would be -more appropriate. - -In the neighborhood of Carson City, Nevada, these birds arrived about -the 24th of March, and immediately upon their arrival began singing. -At this time, with the _Sturnella neglecta_ and _Poospiza belli_, they -made sweet music in the afternoon and early morning, in the open -wastes of “sage brush,” around the city. The birds when singing were -generally seen sitting upon the summit of a “sage” bush, faintly -warbling, in the course of the song turning the head from side to side -in a watchful manner. Upon being approached, they would dart downward, -seemingly diving into the bush upon which they had perched, but upon a -close search the bird could not be found, until it was heard again -singing a hundred yards or more in the direction from which I had -approached. This peculiar, circuitous, concealed flight is a very -characteristic trait of this bird, and one sure to excite attention. - -As the season advanced, or about the 10th of April, when the pairing -season was at hand, the songs of the males became greatly improved, -increasing in sweetness and vivacity, and full of rapturous emotion; -their manners, also, became changed, for they had lost all their -wariness. In paying their attentions to their mates, the males would -fly from bush to bush, with a peculiar, tremulous fluttering of the -wings, which, when the bird alighted, were raised above the back -apparently touching each other; all the while vibrating with the -emotion and ecstasy that agitated the singer. - -The song of this bird, though very deficient in power,—in this -respect equalling no other species of _Miminæ_ with which I am -acquainted,—is nevertheless superior to most of them in sweetness, -vivacity, and variety. It has a wonderful resemblance to the beautiful -subtle warbling of the _Regulus calendula_, having in fact very much -the same style, with much of the tone, and about the power of the song -of the _Pyranga rubra_. - -When the birds are engaged in incubation, the males become very -silent, and one not familiar with their habits earlier in the season -would think they never had a voice; in fact, they make no -protestations even when the nest is disturbed, for, while blowing the -eggs, I have had the parent birds running around me, in the manner of -a robin, now and then halting, stretching forward their heads, and -eying me in the most anxious manner, but remaining perfectly silent. -When the young are hatched the parents become more solicitous, -signifying their concern by a low, subdued _chuck_. At all times when -the nest is approached, the bird generally leaves it slyly before one -approaches very near it. - -The nest is very bulky, composed externally of rough sticks, -principally the thorny twigs of the various “sage bush” plants. Nearer -the centre the principal material is fine strips of inner bark of -these plants; and the lining consists of finer strips of bark, mingled -with fine roots, and bits of rabbit fur. The situation of the nest -varies but little, being generally placed near the middle of a bush, -that is, about eighteen inches from the ground. It is generally -supported against the main trunk, upon a horizontal branch. Several -were found upon the ground beneath the bush, one, in fact, embedded in -the soil, like that of a _Pipilo_; or as sometimes the case with the -_Harporhynchus rufus_, others, again, were found in brush-heaps. In -all cases, the nest was very artfully concealed, the situation being -so well selected. - -This bird is almost equally common in all parts of its habitat, within -the limits indicated. In June, we found it abundant on the large -islands in the Great Salt Lake, where many nests were found. - -In autumn, it feeds, in company with many other birds, upon berries, -“service berries” being its especial favorite. - - -GENUS HARPORHYNCHUS, CABANIS. - - _Toxostoma_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 528. (Type _T. vetula_, WAGL., not - _Toxostoma_, RAF. 1816.) - _Harpes_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. II. 1845, 264. (Type _Harpes - redivivus_, GAMB., not of GOLDFUSS, 1839.) - _Harporhynchus_, CABANIS, Archiv f. Naturg. 1848, I. 98. (Type - _Harpes redivivus_, GAMB.) - _Methriopterus_, REICH. Av. Syst. Nat. 1850, pl. iv. (Type said by - Gray to be _H. rufus_.) - - [Line drawing: _Harporhynchus rufus._ - 2261] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill from forehead as long as, or much longer than the -head; becoming more and more decurved in both jaws as lengthened. No -indication of a notch. Rictus with the bristles extending beyond the -nostrils. Tarsus long and stout, appreciably exceeding the middle toe -and claw, strongly scutellate anteriorly. Wings considerably shorter -than tail, much rounded; the first quill more than half the second; -fourth or fifth longest. Tail large, much graduated; the feathers -firm. - -The species of this genus are all of large size, in fact, embracing -the largest of the American slender-billed oscine birds. All the -species differ in structure, varying especially in the length of the -bill, as above stated. - - [Illustration: _Harporhynchus rufus._] - -It is useless to attempt a division of this genus, for there is such a -gradual chain of characters between the two extremes of form (_rufus_ -and _crissalis_), that they even seem almost one species, when the -numerous intermediate forms, shading so insensibly into each other, -are considered. However, as this view would be rather extreme, in view -of the really great difference of form between the species mentioned, -we may consider the following as good species, several of them with -one or more varieties: _rufus_, with _longicauda_ and _longirostris_ -as varieties, the former scarcely appreciably different, the latter -ranking as a permanent race; _ocellatus_, _cinereus_, _curvirostris_, -the latter with one well-marked variety, _palmeri_; _redivivus_, with -most probably _lecontei_ as a well-marked variety, and _crissalis_. - -The seasonal differences in the plumage often make it difficult to -determine these several forms; but if the following facts are borne in -mind, the trouble will be greatly lessened. In every species there is -a more or less decided ochraceous tinge to the crissal region -(sometimes extending forward over the flanks); except in _crissalis_, -in which the lower tail-coverts and anal region are deep chestnut. In -autumn and winter this ochraceous tint becomes very much deeper, as -well as more prevalent, than in spring and summer; the whole plumage -becomes softer, the colors more pronounced, and the markings more -distinct, than when faded and worn in summer. - - -Synopsis of Species of Harporhynchus. - -A. Spots beneath sharply defined and conspicuous,—much darker in -color than the upper parts. - - 1. H. rufus. The markings lineo-cuneate; wing bands sharply - defined. - - Above rufous; markings below dark brown; outer tail-feathers - diluted at tip; wing, 4.00; tail, 5.20; bill from nostril, - .79, nearly straight; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, .90 (1,377 ♂ - Carlisle, Penn.). _Hab._ Eastern Province United States … - var. _rufus_. - - Wing, 4.40; tail, 5.70; bill, .79; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, - .90 (5,652 ♂ Republican River). _Hab._ Plains between - Missouri River to Rocky Mountains … var. _longicauda_. - - Above umber brown; markings beneath black; tail-feathers not - paler at tip; wing, 3.90; tail, 4.90; bill, .85, slightly - curved; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, .94 (4,016 ♂ Brownsville, - Tex.) _Hab._ Eastern Mexico, north to Rio Grande of Texas … - var. _longirostris_. - - 2. H. ocellatus.[23] The markings circular; wing bands conspicuous. - - Above grayish-brown; markings beneath black; tail-feathers - broadly tipped with white; wing, 4.10; tail, 5.60; bill, from - rictus, 1.50, moderately curved; tarsus, 1.50. _Hab._ Oaxaca, - Mex. - - 3. H. cinereus. The markings deltoid; wing bands narrow, but - sharply defined. - - Above brownish-cinereous; markings beneath blackish-brown; - tail-feathers broadly tipped with white; wing, 4.00; tail, - 4.60; bill, .88, much curved; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, .85 - (12,960 “♀”—♂? Cape St. Lucas). _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas, Lower - California. - -B. Spots beneath obsolete, not darker than the plumage above; -roundish in form. - - 4. H. curvirostris. - - Above cinereous; wing bands distinct; spots below distinct, - upon a white ground; femoral region and crissum very pale - ochraceous; tail-feathers broadly and sharply tipped with - pure white; wing, 4.30; tail, 4.50; bill, 1.00, stout, - moderately curved; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, 1.12 (7,200 ♂ - Ringgold Barracks, Texas). _Hab._ from Rio Grande valley in - Texas to Cordova, Orizaba, Oaxaca, Colima, and Mazatlan … - var. _curvirostris_. - - Wing bands obsolete, and tail spots very narrow and obsolete; - spots below just discernible upon a grayish ground; femoral - region and crissum dilute ochraceous-brown; wing, 4.30; tail, - 5.20; bill, 1.00, slender, moderately curved; tarsus, 1.30; - middle toe, 1.00 (8,128 ♂ “New Mexico”—probably Eastern - Arizona). _Hab._ Arizona (Camp Grant) … var. _palmeri_. - -C. Entirely unspotted beneath. - - 5. H. redivivus. Anal region and lower tail-coverts light - ochraceous. - - Above soft brownish-cinereous, tail considerably darker; wing - bands almost obsolete, and tail-feathers merely diluted at - tips. Beneath paler than above,—almost white on throat and - abdomen; anal region and lower tail-coverts - yellowish-ochraceous. A distinct “bridle” formed by the - hair-like tips of the feathers, bordering the throat; - maxillary stripe white with transverse bars of dusky; wing, - 3.90; tail, 5.25; bill, 1.05, slender, moderately curved; - tarsus, 1.25; middle toe, .86 (40,718 ♂ 20 miles from - Colorado River, near Fort Mojave). _Hab._ Arizona (Gila - River, Fort Yuma, and Fort Mojave) … var. _lecontei_. - - Above ashy drab, tail darker and more brownish; wing bands - inconspicuous, and tail-feathers hardly diluted at tips. - Beneath, the ochraceous covers the abdomen, and the throat - inclines to the same. No “bridle.” Cheeks and ear-coverts - blackish, with conspicuous shaft-streaks of white; wing, - 4.30; tail, 5.60; bill, 1.40, stout, very much bowed,—the - arch regular; tarsus, 1.55; middle toe, 1.00 (3,932 ♂, - California). _Hab._ Coast region of California var. … - _redivivus_. - - 6. H. crissalis. Anal region and lower tail-coverts deep chestnut. - - Above, brownish-ashy with a slight purplish cast, tail not - darker; no trace of wing bands; tail-feathers diluted, and - tinged with rusty at tips. Beneath, of a uniform, paler tint - than the upper plumage, not lighter medially; throat white, - with a conspicuous “bridle”; from this up to the eye whitish, - with transversely angular bars of dusky; wing, 4.00; tail, - 6.50; bill, 1.25, very slender, bowed from the middle; - tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, .90 (11,533 ♂ Fort Yuma). _Hab._ - Region of Gila River to Rocky Mountains; north to Southern - Utah (St. George, breeding; Dr. Palmer). - - [Illustration: PLATE III. - - 1. Harporhynchus rufus, _Caban._ Penn., 2261. - 2. “ longirostris, _Caban._ Texas, 4016. - 3. “ curvirostris, _Caban._ Texas, 7200. - 4. Mimus polyglottus, _Boie_. Penn., 12445. - 5. Galeoscoptes carolinensis, _Caban._ Rocky Mts., 38425. - 6. Oreoscoptes montanus, _Baird_. Nevada, 53424.] - - -Harporhynchus rufus, CABANIS. - -BROWN THRASHER. - - _Turdus rufus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 169, based on - CATESBY, tab. 19.—IB. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 293.—GÄTKE, Naumannia, - 1858, 424 (Heligoland, Oct. 1837). _Harporhynchus rufus_, CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1850, 82.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 353.—IB. Rev. Am. - Birds, 44.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 340.—IB. Catal. 1861, 8, no. - 48.—SAMUELS, 163. _Mimus rufus_, PR. MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 180. - Figures: VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lix.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, - pl. xiv.—AUD. Orn. Biog. pl. cxvi. - -SP. CHAR. Exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head. Outline -of lower mandible straight. Above light cinnamon-red; beneath pale -rufous-white with longitudinal streaks of dark brown, excepting on the -chin, throat, middle of the belly, and under tail-coverts. These spots -anteriorly are reddish-brown in their terminal portion. The inner -surface of the wing and the inner edges of the primaries are cinnamon; -the concealed portion of the quills otherwise is dark brown. The -median and greater wing-coverts become blackish-brown towards the end, -followed by white, producing two conspicuous bands. The tail-feathers -are all rufous, the external ones obscurely tipped with whitish; the -shafts of the same color with the vanes. Length, 11.15; wing, 4.15; -tail, 5.20; tarsus, 1.30. - -HAB. Eastern North America to Missouri River, and perhaps to high -central plains United States, east of Rocky Mountains, north to Lake -Winnipeg. - -As stated in “Birds of North America” some specimens (var. -_longicauda_) from beyond the Missouri River are larger than eastern -birds, with longer tails, more rufous beneath; the breast spots -darker. But, in passing from east to west, the change is so insensible -that it is impossible to divide the series. - -HABITS. This Thrush is a common species throughout a widely extended -area, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic, and from the Red River -country, in British America, to the Rio Grande. And nearly throughout -this entire territory it also resides and breeds, from Texas to the -54th parallel of latitude. - -It reaches New England early in May and leaves it in the latter part -of September or the first week of October, its stay varying with the -season and the supply of its food. It is somewhat irregularly -distributed, common in some portions of this section, and rare or even -unknown in others. It is not found near the sea-coast beyond -Massachusetts. It passes the winter in the Southern States, even as -far to the north as Virginia, and is in full song in the neighborhood -of Savannah as early as the first of March. - -The song of this Thrush is one of great beauty, and is much admired by -all who appreciate woodland melody of the sweetest and liveliest type. -It is loud, clear, emphatic, full of variety and charm. Its notes are -never imitative and cannot be mistaken by any one who is familiar with -them, for those of any other bird, unless it may be some one of its -western congeners. It is a very steady performer, singing for hours at -a time. Its notes are given in a loud tone, and its song may often be -heard to quite a distance. - -In obtaining its food the Brown Thrush is at times almost rasorial in -its habits. In the early spring it scratches among the leaves of the -forest for worms, coleopterous grubs, and other forms of insect food. -By some it is charged with scratching up the hills of early corn, but -this is not a well-founded accusation. Berries of various kinds also -form a large part of its food, and among these the small fruit of our -gardens must be included. - -This Thrush is a very affectionate and devoted bird, especially to its -young. It is also prompt in going to the assistance of others of its -species when in trouble. Whenever intruders approach their nests, -especially if their young are far advanced, they manifest the deepest -anxiety, sometimes even making a vigorous defence. The writer has a -very distinct recollection of having encountered, together with a -younger brother, an ignominious defeat, when making his first attempt -to inspect the nest of one of these birds. - -The Brown Thrush is jealous of the intrusion of other birds of its own -species to a too close proximity to its nesting-place, and will assert -its love of seclusion by stout battles. In Louisiana the construction -of the nest is commenced quite early in March; in Pennsylvania, not -until May; and in the New England States in the latter part of that -month. The nest is usually not more than two or three feet from the -ground. It is built in a low bush, on a cluster of briers or among -vines. I have known it to be placed in the interior of a heap of -brushwood loosely thrown together. I have never met with the nest -built upon the ground, but in Springfield, and in other dry and sandy -localities, this is by no means an uncommon occurrence. These nests -are frequently placed in close proximity to houses, and sometimes in -the very midst of villages. - -The nest of the Thrasher is large, and roughly but strongly built. The -base is usually made of coarse twigs, sticks, and ends of branches, -firmly interwoven. Within this is constructed an inner nest, composed -of dried leaves, strips of bark, and strong black fibrous roots. These -are lined with finer roots, horse-hair, an occasional feather, etc. - -The eggs are usually four, sometimes five, and rarely six, in number. -They vary both in the tints of the ground color, in those of their -markings, and slightly in their shape. Their length varies from .99 to -1.12 inches, with a mean of 1.05. Their breadth ranges from .76 to .87 -of an inch; mean breadth, .81. The ground color is sometimes white, -marked with fine reddish-brown dots, confluent at the larger end, or -forming a broad ring around the crown. In others the markings have a -yellowish-brown tint. Sometimes the ground color is a light green. - - -Harporhynchus rufus, var. longirostris, CABAN. - -TEXAS THRASHER. - - _Orpheus longirostris_, LAFR. R. Z. 1838, 55.—IB. Mag. de Zool. - 1839, Ois. pl. i. _Toxostoma longirostre_, CAB. Wiegm. Arch. 1847, - I. 207. _Mimus longirostris_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 294 - (Cordova). _Harporhynchus longirostris_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, - 81.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 352, pl. lii.—IB. Rev. - 44.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 339; IB. 1864, 172 (City of Mex.); - IB. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 47. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _H. rufus_, the rufous of back much darker. Wings -much rounded; second quill shorter than the secondaries. Exposed -portion of the bill as long as the head; the lower edge decidedly -decurved or concave. Above rather dark brownish-rufous; beneath pale -rufous-white; streaked on the sides of the neck and body, and across -the breast, with very dark brownish-black, nearly uniform throughout, -much darker than in _rufus_. Two rather narrow white bands on the -wings. The concealed portion of the quills dark brown. Length, 10.50; -wing, 4.00; tail, 5.00; tarsus, 1.40. - -HAB. Eastern Mexico; north to Rio Grande, Texas. Cordova, SCL. Orizaba -(temperate region), SUMICHRAST. - -Specimens from the Rio Grande to Mirador and Orizaba are quite -identical, with, of course, differences among individuals. This -“species” is not, in our opinion, separable from the _H. rufus_ -specifically; but is a race, representing the latter in the region -given above, where the _rufus_ itself is never found. The relations of -these two forms are exactly paralleled in the _Thryothorus -ludovicianus_ and _T. berlandieri_, the latter being nothing more than -the darker Southern representation of the former. - -The Texas Thrasher appears to belong only to the Avifauna of the -Southwest. It first appears as a bird of the valley of the Rio Grande, -and extends from thence southward through Eastern Mexico to Cordova -and Orizaba. In Arizona it is replaced by _H. palmeri_, _H. lecontei_, -and _H. crissalis_, in California by _H. redivivus_, and at Cape St. -Lucas by _H. cinereus_, while in the United States east of the Rocky -Mountains it is represented by its nearer ally _H. rufus_. - -HABITS. The eggs of this species are hardly distinguishable from those -of the common Brown Thrasher (_H. rufus_), of the Atlantic States. The -color of their ground is a greenish-white, which is thickly, and -usually completely, covered with fine markings of a yellowish-brown. -They have an average length of 1.13 inches, by .79 in breadth. So far -as I have had an opportunity of observing, they do not vary from these -measurements more than two per cent in length or one per cent in -breadth. Their nests are usually a mere platform of small sticks or -coarse stems, with little or no depression or rim, and are placed in -low bushes, usually above the upper branches. - -In regard to the distinctive habits of this species I have no -information. - - -Harporhynchus cinereus, XANTUS. - -CAPE ST. LUCAS THRASHER. - - _Harporhynchus cinereus_, XANTUS, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1859, 298.—BAIRD, - IB., 303; Review, 46.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 8, no. 49.—ELLIOT, - Illust., I. pl. i.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 19. - -SP. CHAR. Bill as long as the head; all the lateral outlines gently -decurved from the base. Bristles not very conspicuous, but reaching to -the nostrils. Wings considerably shorter than the tail, much rounded. -First primary broad, nearly half the length of the second; the third -to the seventh quills nearly equal, their tips forming the outline of -a gentle curve; the second quill shorter than the ninth. Tail -considerably graduated, the lateral feathers more than an inch the -shorter. Legs stout; tarsi longer than middle toe, distinctly -scutellate, with seven scales. - -Above ashy brown, with perhaps a tinge of rusty on the rump; beneath -fulvous-white, more fulvous on the flanks, inside of wing, and -crissum. Beneath, except chin, throat, and from middle of abdomen to -crissum, with well-defined V-shaped spots of dark brown at the ends of -the feathers, largest across the breast. Loral region hoary. Wings -with two narrow whitish bands across the tips of greater and middle -coverts; the quills edged externally with paler. Outer three -tail-feathers with a rather obsolete white patch in the end of inner -web, and across the tips of the outer. - -Spring specimens are of rather purer white beneath, with the spots -more distinct than as described. - -Length of 12,960 (skin), 10.00; wing, 4.10; tail, 4.65; first primary, -1.60; second, 2.50; bill from gape, 1.40, from above, 1.15, from -nostril, .90; tarsus, 1.26; middle toe and claw, 1.12; claw alone, .30. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. - -This species is curiously similar in coloration to _Oreoscoptes -montanus_, from which its much larger size, much longer and decurved -bill, and the graduated tail, of course readily distinguish it. It -agrees in some respects with _H. rufus_ and _H. longirostris_, but is -smaller, the bill longer and more curved; the upper parts are ashy -olivaceous-brown instead of rufous, etc. - -HABITS. So far as is at present known in regard to this species it -appears to be confined exclusively to the peninsula of Lower -California. It has, at least, been met with nowhere else. Mr. Xantus -found it quite numerous in the vicinity of Cape St. Lucas, in a region -which, as he describes it, was singularly unpropitious. This was a -sandy shore, extending about a quarter of a mile inland, whence a -cactus desert stretched about six miles up to a high range of -mountains. Throughout this tract the ground is covered with a saline -efflorescence. There is no fresh water within twenty-eight miles. - -Mr. Xantus speaks of the habits of this bird as being similar to those -of the _Oreoscoptes montanus_. It was a very abundant species at this -cape, where he found it breeding among the cactus plants in large -numbers. He mentions that as early as the date of his arrival at the -place, April 4, he found them already with full-fledged young, and -states that they continued to breed until the middle of July. - -He was of the impression that the eggs of this species more nearly -resemble those of the common Mocking-Bird than any others of this -genus. The aggravatingly brief notes that accompanied his collections -show that the general position of the nest of this species was on low -trees, shrubs, and most usually, cactus plants, and in no instance at -a greater elevation from the ground than four feet. Their nests were -flat structures, having only a very slight depression in or near their -centre. They were about 5 inches in diameter, and were very little -more than a mere platform. - -The eggs vary somewhat in their ground color, but exhibit only slight -variations in size or shape. Their greatest length is 1.13 inches, and -their average 1.12 inches. Their mean breadth is .77 inch, and their -maximum .79 inch. The ground color is a greenish-white, profusely -marked with spots of mingled purple and brown. In others the ground -color is a bluish-green. In some specimens the spots are of a -yellowish-brown, and in some the markings are much lighter. - - -Harporhynchus curvirostris, CABAN. - -GRAY CURVE-BILL THRASHER. - - _Orpheus curvirostris_, SWAINSON, Philos. Mag. 1827, 369 (Eastern - Mexico).—M’CALL, Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 1848, 63. _Mimus - curvirostris_, GRAY, Genera, 1844-49. _Toxostoma curvirostris_, - BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 277.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 212. - _Harporhynchus curvirostris_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I. 1850, 81.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 351, pl. li.; IB. Rev. 45.—HEERMANN, P. R. R. - Rep. X, Parke’s Rep. 1859, 11.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 339; IB. - Catal. 1861, 7, no. 46.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 483. _Pomatorhinus - turdinus_, TEMM. Pl. Col. 441. _? Toxostoma vetula_, WAGLER, Isis, - 1831, 528. - -SP. CHAR. Exposed portion of the bill about as long as the head; -considerably decurved. Above uniform grayish-brown, or light ash; -beneath dull white; the anal region and under tail-coverts tinged with -brownish-yellow. The under parts generally, except the chin, throat, -middle of the belly, and under coverts, with rounded sub-triangular, -quite well-defined spots, much like the back. These are quite -confluent on the breast. Two narrow bands on the wing-coverts, and the -edges of primaries and alulæ, are white. The tail-feathers, except the -middle, are conspicuously tipped with white. Length of female, 10 -inches; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.55; tarsus, 1.20. - -HAB. Adjacent regions of United States and Mexico, southward. Cordova, -Orizaba, Mirador; Mazatlan, Colima, Oaxaca. - -Specimens from the Rio Grande across to Mazatlan represent one -species; but those from the latter locality are somewhat darker in -colors, though this may be owing, in part, to the fact that they are -winter birds. Considerable differences in proportions may often be -noticed between individuals, but nothing strikingly characteristic of -any particular region. - -The specimens of the Mazatlan series (37,326 ♂, 51,523, and 51,525 ♂) -have tails considerably longer than any of those from the Rio Grande, -the excess amounting in the longest to nearly an inch; but one from -the same locality has it _shorter_ than any of the Texas specimens. - -In its perfect plumage, this species has both rows of coverts -distinctly tipped with white; but in the faded condition of midsummer, -the bands thus produced are hardly discernible, and the spots below -become very obsolete. - -HABITS. This interesting species appears to be common in Western -Texas, the valley of the Rio Grande, and Western Mexico. It was met -with in these regions on the several railroad surveys, and is -described by Dr. Heermann as possessing musical powers surpassed by -few other birds. When alarmed it immediately hides itself in a thick -covert of underbrush, whence it is almost impossible to dislodge it. -Its food consists of fruit and berries when in their season, of -insects and their larvæ, and of worms. These it collects both among -the trees and from the ground, on the latter of which it spends much -of its time. Mr. J. H. Clark states that the nest of this bird is very -similar to that of the Mocking-Bird, but is finer and much more -compact. He adds that it is oftener found among the _Opuntia_ than -elsewhere. It is a quiet bird, rather shy, and keeps closely within -the clumps of the chaparral. For a bird of its size it makes an -unusual noise in flying. At Ringgold Barracks Mr. Clark’s tent was -pitched under a como-tree in which there was a nest of these birds. -They were at first shy and seemed quite disposed to abandon their -nest, but, however, soon became accustomed to their new neighbor, and -went on with their parental duties. The position of their nest had -been very judiciously selected, for it was during the season of the -black fruit of the como, which is somewhat in the shape and size of a -thimble, with a pleasant milky pulp. These constituted their principal -food. The eggs in this nest were five in number. Lieutenant Couch met -with it from Brownsville to Durango, where it had already paired as -early as February. He describes it as exceedingly tame and gentle in -its habits, and with a song remarkably melodious and attractive. -Perched on the topmost bough of a flowering mimosa, in the presence of -his consort, the male will pour forth a volume of most enchanting -music. Their nest is generally very nearly flat, measuring nearly six -inches in circumference, and scarcely more than an inch in its -greatest thickness. It has hardly any distinct cavity, and hollows but -very slightly from the rim to the centre, its greatest depression -having barely the depth of half an inch. The nests are composed of -long coarse fibrous roots, rudely, but somewhat compactly interwoven. -The inner framework is constructed of the same materials intermixed -with the finer stems of grasses. - -Mr. H. E. Dresser states that in the vicinity of Matamoras these birds -are fond of frequenting small villages, and that he frequently found -their nests within the gardens and court-yards of the houses, and near -the road. - -The eggs of this Thrush vary considerably in size, ranging from 1.20 -to 1.03 inches in length, and from .84 to .77 of an inch in breadth. -Their mean length is 1.12 inches, and their average breadth .80. They -have a light green ground-color, generally, though not thickly, -covered with fine brown spots. - - -Harporhynchus curvirostris, var. palmeri, RIDGWAY. - -PALMER’S THRASHER. - - _Harporhynchus curvirostris_, var. _palmeri_, RIDGWAY, Report King’s - Expedition, V, 1872. - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender, moderately curved; fifth quill longest; fourth -and sixth just perceptibly shorter, and equal; second equal to ninth; -first 1.55 shorter than longest. General plumage uniform -grayish-umber, paler below, becoming almost dirty whitish on the -throat and abdomen; lower part of the breast and abdomen with a very -few just discernible irregular specks of a darker tint; lower -tail-coverts dilute isabella-brown, more ochraceous at their margins; -anal region and lower part of abdomen light ochraceous. No bands on -wings, and tail-feathers only diluted at the tips. Maxillary stripe -whitish with transverse bars of dusky. “Iris orange.” - -♂ (No. 8,128, “New Mexico” = Arizona, Dr. Heermann): wing, 4.30; tail, -5.00; bill (from nostril), 1.00; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe (without -claw), 1.00. ♀(49,723, Camp Grant, Tucson, Arizona, March 12, 1867; -Dr. E. Palmer; with eggs): wing, 4.15; tail, 4.85; bill, .95; tarsus, -1.25; middle toe, .90. - -HAB. Eastern Arizona (Tucson). - -This very curious race seems to unite the characters of _curvirostris_ -and _lecontei_; in fact, it is so exactly intermediate between the -two, that we are almost in doubt as to which it is most nearly -related. Having the stout form and larger size, as well as the spots -on the abdomen, of the former, it has also the uniform colors and -general appearance of _lecontei_. Were it not that the nest and eggs, -with the parent accompanying, had been received from Dr. Palmer, we -might be tempted to consider it a hybrid between these two species, -its habitat being exactly between them, too. We have great pleasure in -dedicating this curious form to Dr. Edward Palmer, who has added very -much to our knowledge of the Natural History of the interesting region -where the present bird is found. - - _Description of nest and eggs._—(13,311, Camp Grant, Arizona; Dr. - E. Palmer). Nest very bulky,—9 inches in height by 6 in width. - Very elaborately constructed. The true nest, of symmetrical form, - and composed of thin grass-stalks and flax-like fibres, is - enclosed in an outer case of thorny sticks, thinly but strongly - put together. This inner nest has a deep cavity measuring 4 - inches in diameter by 3 in depth. - - Eggs (two in number) measure 1.16 by .85; in shape exactly like - those of _C. curvirostris_; pale blue (deeper than in - _curvirostris_), rather thinly sprinkled with minute, but - distinct dots of pale sepia-brown. Markings more distinct than - those of _curvirostris_. R. R. - -The nest was situated in a cactus-bush, four and a half feet above the -ground. - -Dr. Palmer remembers nothing special concerning its habits, except -that the bird was very shy, and kept much on the ground, where it was -seen running beneath the bushes. - - -Harporhynchus redivivus, var. lecontei, BONAP. - -LECONTE’S THRASHER. - - _Toxostoma lecontei_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, Sept. 1851, 109 (Fort - Yuma). _Harporhynchus lecontei_, BONAP. C. R. XXVIII, 1854, - 57.—IB. Notes Delattre, 39.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 350, pl. - 1; IB. Review, 47.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 17. - -SP. CHAR. Bill much curved. Second quill about equal to the tenth; -exposed portion of the first more than half the longest; outer -tail-feather an inch shortest. General color above light grayish-ash, -beneath much paler; the chin and throat above almost white; the sides -behind brownish-yellow or pale rusty-yellow ash, of which color is the -crissum and anal region. Tail-feathers rather dark brown on the under -surface, lighter above; the outer edges and tips of exterior ones -obscurely paler. Quills nearly like the back. - -HAB. Gila River; Fort Yuma; Fort Mojave. - -Since the description of the type, a second specimen (40,718 ♂, Fort -Mojave, 20 miles from Colorado River, Sept. 30, 1865) has been -obtained by Dr. Coues. This skin differs slightly from the type in -size, being somewhat larger, measuring, wing 3.90, tail 5.30, bill -(from nostril) 1.05; while the other measures, wing 3.70, tail 4.70, -bill .98. This difference in size very probably represents that -between the sexes, the type most likely being a female, though the sex -is not stated. Owing to the different seasons in which the two -specimens were obtained, they differ somewhat in plumage also. Dr. -Coues’s specimen is somewhat the darker, and the plumage has a softer, -more blended aspect, and a more ashy tinge of color; the ochraceous of -the crissal region is also slightly deeper. No other differences are -appreciable. - -HABITS. Leconte’s Thrasher is a new and comparatively little known -species. A single specimen was obtained by Dr. Leconte near Fort Yuma, -and described by Mr. Lawrence in 1851, and remained unique for many -years. In 1861 Dr. Cooper presented a paper to the California Academy -of Sciences, in which this bird is given among a list of those new to -that State. He then mentions that he found it common about the Mojave -River, and that he procured two specimens. - -Dr. Coues, in his valuable paper on the birds of Arizona, speaks of -obtaining, in 1865, a specimen of this rare species on a dry plain -covered thickly with mesquite and cactus, near Fort Mojave. This bird -was very shy and restless, fluttered hurriedly from one cactus to -another, until he at last shot it where it seemed to fancy itself -hidden among the thick fronds of a large yucca. Its large stout feet -admirably adapt it for its partially terrestrial life, and it -apparently spends much of its life upon the ground, where it runs -rapidly and easily. Its flight he describes as swift but desultory, -and accompanied by a constant flirting of the tail. He considers this -species as inhabiting the whole valley of the Colorado and Gila, and -thinks that it does not leave the vicinity of these streams for the -mountains. - -Dr. Cooper found a nest of this species, but without eggs, built in a -yucca, and similar to that of _H. redivivus_. In his Report on the -Birds of California, Dr. Cooper speaks of finding this bird common on -the deserts, along the route between the Colorado Valley, wherever -there was a thicket of low bushes surrounded by sand-hills. Its notes, -habits, and general appearance were like those of _H. redivivus_. - - -Harporhynchus redivivus, CABAN. - -CALIFORNIA THRASHER. - - _Harpes rediviva_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. S. II, Aug. 1845, 264. - _Toxostoma rediviva_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d ser. I, 1847, - 42.—CASSIN, Illust. I, 1855, 260, pl. xlii. _Harporhynchus - redivivus_, CABANIS, Archiv Naturg. 1848, 98.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 349; Rev. 48.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 339.—COOPER, Birds - Cal. 1, 15. - -SP. CHAR. Wing much rounded; the second quill shorter than the -secondaries. Tail much graduated. Bill much decurved, longer than the -head. Above brownish-olive, without any shade of green; beneath pale -cinnamon, lightest on the throat, deepening gradually into a -brownish-rufous on the under tail-coverts. The fore part of the breast -and sides of the body brown-olive, lighter than the back. An obscure -ashy superciliary stripe, and another lighter beneath the eye. -Ear-coverts and an indistinct maxillary stripe dark brown; the shafts -of the former whitish. Ends and tips of tail-feathers obsoletely -paler. Length, 11.50 inches; wing, 4.20; tail, 5.75; tarsus, 1.55. - -HAB. Coast region of California. - -HABITS. The California Thrasher appears to have a somewhat restricted -distribution, being confined to the coast region of California, where, -however, it is quite abundant. It was first met with by Dr. Gambel, -near Monterey. The specimens were obtained on the ground where they -were searching for coleopterous insects. Dr. Heermann afterwards found -this bird abundant in the southern part of California. It was -difficult of approach, diving into the thick bushes, running some -distance on the ground, and becoming afterwards unapproachable. He -speaks of its song as a flood of melody equalled only by the song of -the Mocking-Bird (_Mimus polyglottus_). Colonel McCall also describes -its song as of exquisite sweetness, “placing it almost beyond rivalry -among the countless songsters that enliven the woods of America.” He -also states that it is as retiring and simple in its manners as it is -brilliant in song. - -In the character of its flight it is said to strongly resemble the -Brown Thrasher (_H. rufus_) of the Eastern States. Their harsh, -scolding notes, when their nest is approached, their motions and -attitudes, are all very similar to those of _H. rufus_ under like -circumstances. Colonel McCall ranks the song of this species as far -superior to that of any other Thrush. Without possessing the powerful -voice or imitative faculties of the Mocking-Bird, its notes are -described as having a liquid mellowness of tone, with a clearness of -expression and volubility of utterance that cannot be surpassed. - -A nest of this bird found by Dr. Heermann was composed of coarse -twigs, and lined with slender roots, and not very carefully -constructed. Mr. Hepburn writes that a nest found by him was in a -thick bush about five feet from the ground. It was a very untidy -affair, a mere platform of sticks, almost as carelessly put together -as that of a pigeon, in which, though not in the centre, was a shallow -depression about 4 inches in diameter, lined with fine roots and -grass. It contained two eggs with a blue ground thickly covered with -soot-colored spots confluent at the larger end, and in coloring not -unlike those of the _Turdus ustulatus_. The eggs measured 1.19 inches -by .81 of an inch. Dr. Cooper gives their measurement as 1.10 of an -inch by .85. Two eggs belonging to the Smithsonian Institution (2,040, -_a_ and _b_) measure, one 1.19 by .81, the other 1.14 by .93. The -former has a bluish-green ground sparsely spotted with olive-brown -markings; the other has a ground of a light yellowish-green, with -numerous spots of a russet brown. - -The general character of their nest is, as described, a coarse, rudely -constructed platform of sticks and coarse grass and mosses, with but a -very slight depression. Occasionally, however, nests of this bird are -more carefully and elaborately made. One (13,072) obtained near -Monterey, by Dr. Canfield, has a diameter of 6 inches, a height of 3, -with an oblong-oval cavity 2 inches in depth. Its outside was an -interweaving of leaves, stems, and mosses, and its lining fine long -fibrous roots. - -These birds are chiefly found frequenting the dense chaparral that -lines the hillsides of California valleys, forming thickets, composed -of an almost impenetrable growth of thorny shrubs, and affording an -inviting shelter. In such places they reside throughout the year, -feeding upon insects, for the procuring of which their long curved -bills are admirably adapted, as also upon the berries which generally -abound in these places. Their nests usually contain three eggs. Dr. -Cooper states that their loud and varied song is frequently -intermingled with imitations of other birds, though the general -impression appears to be that they are not imitative, and do not -deserve to be called, as they often are, a mocking-bird. - - [Illustration: PLATE IV. - - 1. Harporhynchus crissalis, _Henry_. Cal., 11533. - 2. “ cinereus, _Xantus_. C. St. L., 26343. - 3. “ lecontei, _Bonap._ Ariz., 40718. - 4. “ redivivus, _Caban._ Cal., 3732.] - - -Harporhynchus crissalis, HENRY. - -RED-VENTED THRASHER. - - _Harporhynchus crissalis_, HENRY, Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 1858.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 350, pl. lxxxii; Review, 47.—COOPER, Birds - Cal. 1, 18. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill about as long as the secondaries. Bill much -curved; longer than the head. Above olive-brown, with a faint shade of -gray; beneath nearly uniform brownish-gray, much paler than the back, -passing insensibly into white on the chin; but the under tail-coverts -dark brownish-rufous, and abruptly defined. There is a black maxillary -stripe cutting off a white one above it. There do not appear to be any -other stripes about the head. There are no bands on the wings, and the -tips and outer edges of the tail-feathers are very inconspicuously -lighter than the remaining portion. Length, 11 inches; wing, 4.00; -tail, 5.80; tarsus, 1.25. - -HAB. Region of the Gila River, to Rocky Mountains; Southern Utah (St. -George, Dr. Palmer). - -A second specimen (11,533) of this rare species is larger than the type, -but otherwise agrees with it. Its dimensions are as follows:— - - Length before skinning, 12.50; of skin, 12.50; wing, 3.90; - tail, 6.50; its graduation, 1.45; first quill, 1.50; second, - .41; bill from forehead (chord of curve), 1.65, from gape, - 1.75, from nostril, 1.30; curve of culmen, 1.62; height of - bill at nostril, .22; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe and claw, - 1.12. - -The bill of this species, though not quite so long as in _redivivus_, -when most developed, is almost as much curved, and much more -slender,—the depth at nostrils being but .22 instead of .26. The size -of this specimen is equal to the largest of _redivivus_ (3,932); the -tail absolutely longer. The feet are, however, considerably smaller, -the claws especially so; the tarsus measures but 1.30, instead of -1.52; the middle claw .29, instead of .36. With these differences in -form, however, it would be impossible to separate the two generically. - -A third specimen (No. 60,958 ♀, St. George, Utah, June 9, 1870), with -nest and eggs, has recently been obtained by Dr. Palmer. This -specimen, being a female, is considerably smaller than the type, -measuring only: wing, 3.90; tail, 6.00; bill, from nostril, 1.15. The -plumage is in the burnt summer condition, and has a peculiar reddish -cast. - -HABITS. Of this rare Thrush little is known. So far as observed, its -habits appear to be nearly identical with those of the Californian -species (_H. redivivus_). It is found associated in the same -localities with _H. lecontei_, which also it appears to very closely -resemble in all respects, so far as observed. The first specimen was -obtained by Dr. T. C. Henry, near Mimbres, and described by him in -May, 1858, in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences. -A second specimen was obtained by H. B. Möllhausen, at Fort Yuma, in -1863. Dr. Coues did not observe it at Fort Whipple, but thinks its -range identical with that of _H. lecontei_. - -Dr. Cooper found this species quite common at Fort Mojave, but so very -shy that he only succeeded in shooting one, after much watching for -it. Their song, general habits, and nest he speaks of as being in -every way similar to those of _H. redivivus_. - -The eggs remained unknown until Dr. E. Palmer had the good fortune to -find them at St. George, Southern Utah, June 8, 1870. The nest was an -oblong flat structure, containing only a very slight depression. It -was very rudely constructed externally of coarse sticks quite loosely -put together; the inner nest is made of finer materials of the same. -The base of this nest was 12 inches long, and 7 in breadth; the inner -nest is circular, with a diameter of 4½ inches. - -The eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, one end being a little less -obtuse than the other. In length they vary from 1.15 to 1.12 inches, -and in breadth from .84 to .82 of an inch. They are of a uniform blue -color, similar to the eggs of the common Robin (_Turdus migratorius_), -only a little paler or of a lighter tint. In the total absence of -markings they differ remarkably from those of all other species of the -genus. - - -GENUS MIMUS, BOIE. - - _Mimus_, BOIE, Isis, Oct. 1826, 972. (Type _Turdus polyglottus_, - LINN.) - _Orpheus_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 167. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Mimus polyglottus._ - 8159] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill not much more than half the length of the head; gently -decurved from the base, notched at tip; commissure curved. Gonys -straight, or slightly concave. Rictal bristles quite well developed. -Wings rather shorter than the tail. First primary about equal to, or -rather more than, half the second; third, fourth, and fifth quills -nearly equal, sixth scarcely shorter. Tail considerably graduated; the -feathers stiff, rather narrow, especially the outer webs, lateral -feathers about three quarters of an inch the shorter in the type. -Tarsi longer than middle toe and claw by rather less than an -additional claw; tarsi conspicuously and strongly scutellate; broad -plates seven. - -Of this genus there are many species in America, although but one -occurs within the limits of the United States. - -The single North American species _M. polyglottus_ is ashy brown -above, white beneath; wings and tail black, the former much varied -with white. - - -Mimus polyglottus, BOIE. - -MOCKING-BIRD. - - _Turdus polyglottus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 169; 12th ed. - 1766, 293.—_Mimus polyglottus_, BOIE, Isis, 1826, 972.—SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1856, 212.—IB. 1859, 340.—IB. Catal. 1861, 8, no. - 51.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 344.—IB. Rev. 48.—SAMUELS, - 167.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 21.—GUNDLACH, Repertorio, 1865, 230 - (Cuba).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 230.—COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1866, 65 - (Arizona).—_? Orpheus leucopterus_, VIGORS, Zoöl. Beechey, 1839. - Figures: WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, pl. x, fig. 1.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1831, pl. xxi.—IB. Birds Amer. II, 1841, pl. 137. - -SP. CHAR. Third and fourth quills longest; second about equal to -eighth; the first half or more than half the second. Tail considerably -graduated. Above ashy brown, the feathers very obsoletely darker -centrally, and towards the light plumbeous downy basal portion -(scarcely appreciable, except when the feathers are lifted). The under -parts are white, with a faint brownish tinge, except on the chin, and -with a shade of ash across the breast. There is a pale superciliary -stripe, but the lores are dusky. The wings and tail are dark brown, -nearly black, except the lesser wing-coverts, which are like the back; -the middle and greater tipped with white, forming two bands; the basal -portion of the primaries white; most extended on the inner primaries. -The outer tail-feather is white, sometimes a little mottled; the -second is mostly white, except on the outer web and towards the base; -the third with a white spot on the end; the rest, except the middle, -very slightly or not at all tipped with white. The bill and legs are -black. Length, 9.50; wing, 4.50; tail, 5.00. - - [Illustration: _Mimus polyglottus._] - -_Young._ Similar, but distinctly spotted with dusky on the breast, and -obsoletely on the back. - -HAB. North America, from about 40° (rare in Massachusetts, Samuels), -south to Mexico. Said to occur in Cuba. - -The Mocking-Birds are closely allied, requiring careful comparison to -distinguish them. A near ally is _M. orpheus_, of Jamaica, but in this -the outer feather is white, and the 2d, 3d, and 4th tail-feathers are -marked like the 1st, 2d, and 3d of _polyglottus_, respectively. - -We have examined one hundred and fourteen specimens, of the present -species, the series embracing large numbers from Florida, the Rio -Grande, Cape St. Lucas, and Mazatlan, and numerous specimens from -intermediate localities. The slight degree of variation manifested in -this immense series is really surprising; we can discover no -difference of color that does not depend on age, sex, season, or the -individual (though the variations of the latter kind are exceedingly -rare, and when noticed, very slight). Although the average of Western -specimens have slightly longer tails than Eastern, a Florida example -(No. 54,850, ♂, Enterprise, Feb. 19), has a tail as long as that of -the longest-tailed Western one (No. 8,165, Fort Yuma, Gila River, -Dec.). Specimens from Colima, Mirador, Orizaba, and Mazatlan are quite -identical with Northern ones. - -HABITS. The Mocking-Bird is distributed on the Atlantic coast, from -Massachusetts to Florida, and is also found to the Pacific. On the -latter coast it exhibits certain variations in forms, but hardly -enough to separate it as a distinct species. It is by no means a -common bird in New England, but instances of its breeding as far north -as Springfield, Mass., are of constant occurrence, and a single -individual was seen by Mr. Boardman near Calais, Me. It is met with -every year, more or less frequently, on Long Island, and is more -common, but by no means abundant, in New Jersey. It is found -abundantly in every Southern State, and throughout Mexico. It has also -been taken near Grinnell, Iowa. - -A warm climate, a low country, and the vicinity of the sea appear to -be most congenial to their nature. Wilson found them less numerous -west of the Alleghany than on the eastern side, in the same parallels. -Throughout the winter he met with them in the Southern States, feeding -on the berries of the red cedar, myrtle, holly, etc., with which the -swampy thickets abounded. They feed also upon winged insects, which -they are very expert in catching. In Louisiana they remain throughout -the entire year, approaching farmhouses and plantations in the winter, -and living about the gardens and outhouses. They may be frequently -seen perched upon the roofs of houses and on the chimney-tops, and are -always full of life and animation. When the weather is mild the old -males may be heard singing with as much spirit as in the spring or -summer. They are much more familiar than in the more northern States. -In Georgia they do not begin to sing until February. - -The vocal powers of the Mocking-Bird exceed, both in their imitative -notes and in their natural song, those of any other species. Their -voice is full, strong, and musical, and capable of an almost endless -variation in modulation. The wild scream of the Eagle and the soft -notes of the Bluebird are repeated with exactness and with apparently -equal facility, while both in force and sweetness the Mocking-Bird -will often improve upon the original. - -The song of the Mocking-Bird is not altogether imitative. His natural -notes are bold, rich, and full, and are varied almost without -limitation. They are frequently interspersed with imitations, and both -are uttered with a rapidity and emphasis that can hardly be equalled. - -The Mocking-Bird readily becomes accustomed to confinement, and loses -little of the power, energy, or variety of its song, but often much of -its sweetness in a domesticated state. The mingling of unmusical -sounds, like the crowing of cocks, the cackling of hens, or the -creaking of a wheelbarrow, while they add to the variety, necessarily -detracts from the beauty of his song. - -The food of the Mocking-Bird is chiefly insects, their larvæ, worms, -spiders, etc., and in the winter of berries, in great variety. They -are said to be very fond of the grape, and to be very destructive to -this fruit. Mr. G. C. Taylor (Ibis, 1862, p. 130) mentions an instance -that came to his knowledge, of a person living near St. Augustine, -Florida, who shot no less than eleven hundred Mocking-Birds in a -single season, and buried them at the roots of his grape-vines. - -Several successful attempts have been made to induce the Mocking-Bird -to rear their young in a state of confinement, and it has been shown -to be, by proper management, perfectly practicable. - -In Texas and Florida the Mocking-Bird nests early in March, young -birds appearing early in April. In Georgia and the Carolinas they are -two weeks later. In Pennsylvania they nest about the 10th of May, and -in New York and New England not until the second week of June. They -select various situations for the nest; solitary thorn-bushes, an -almost impenetrable thicket of brambles, an orange-tree, or a -holly-bush appear to be favorite localities. They often build near the -farm-houses, and the nest is rarely more than seven feet from the -ground. The base of the nest is usually a rudely constructed platform -of coarse sticks, often armed with formidable thorns surrounding the -nest with a barricade. The height is usually 5 inches, with a diameter -of 8. The cavity is 3 inches deep and 5 wide. Within the external -barricade is an inner nest constructed of soft fine roots. - -The eggs, from four to six in number, vary in length from .94 to 1.06 -inches, with a mean length of .99. Their breadth varies from .81 to -.69 of an inch, mean breadth .75. They also exhibit great variations -in the combinations of markings and tints. The ground color is usually -light greenish-blue, varying in the depth of its shade from a very -light tint to a distinct blue, with a slight greenish tinge. The -markings consist of yellowish-brown and purple, chocolate-brown, -russet, and a very dark brown. - - -GENUS GALEOSCOPTES, CABANIS. - - _Galeoscoptes_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 82. (Type _Muscicapa - carolinensis_, L.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, rather broad at base. Rictal -bristles moderately developed, reaching to the nostrils. Wings a -little shorter than the tail, rounded; secondaries well developed; -fourth and fifth quills longest; third and sixth little shorter; first -and ninth about equal, and about the length of secondaries; first -quill more than half the second, about half the third. Tail graduated; -lateral feather about .70 shorter than the middle. Tarsi longer than -middle toe and claw by about an additional half-claw; scutellate -anteriorly, more or less distinctly in different specimens; scutellæ -about seven. - -The conspicuous naked membranous border round the eye of some -Thrushes, with the bare space behind it, not appreciable. - - [Line drawing: _Galeoscoptes carolinensis._ - 2596] - -There is little difference in form between the single species of -_Galeoscoptes_ and _Mimus polyglottus_, beyond the less degree of -definition of the tarsal plates; and but for the difference in -coloration (uniform plumbeous instead of gray above and white -beneath), we would hardly be inclined to distinguish the two -generically. - -The single species known is lead-colored, with black cap, and -chestnut-red under tail-coverts. - - -Galeoscoptes carolinensis, CABAN. - -THE CATBIRD. - - _Muscicapa carolinensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 328. _Turdus - carolinensis_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, 38.—D’ORBIGNY, La Sagra’s Cuba, - Ois. 1840, 51. _Orpheus carolinensis_, JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, - 27 (breeds). _Mimus carolinensis_, GRAY, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1859, - 346.—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1867, 69 (Inagua).—LORD, Pr. R. Art. - Inst. (Woolwich), IV, 1864, 117 (east of Cascade Mts.). - _Galeoscoptes carolinensis_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 82 (type of - genus).—IB. Jour. Orn. 1855, 470 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Repert. 1865, - 230 (Cuba, very common).—SCLATER, Catal. Birds, 1861, 6, no. - 39.—SCL. & SALV. Pr. 1867, 278 (Mosquito Coast).—BAIRD, Rev. - 1864, 54.—SAMUELS, 172.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 23. - Figures: AUD. B. A. II, pl. 140.—IB. Orn. Biog. II, pl. 28.—VIEILLOT, - Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lxvii.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, pl. xiv, f. 3. - -SP. CHAR. Third quill longest; first shorter than sixth. Prevailing -color dark plumbeous, more ashy beneath. Crown and nape dark -sooty-brown. Wings dark brown, edged with plumbeous. Tail -greenish-black; the lateral feathers obscurely tipped with plumbeous. -The under tail-coverts dark brownish-chestnut. Female smaller. Length, -8.85; wing, 3.65; tail, 4.00; tarsus, 1.05. - - [Illustration: _Galeoscoptes carolinensis._] - -HAB. United States, north to Lake Winnipeg, west to head of Columbia, -and Cascade Mountains (Lord); south to Panama R. R.; Cuba; Bahamas; -Bermuda (breeds). Accidental in Heligoland Island, Europe. Oaxaca, -Cordova, and Guatemala, SCLATER; Mosquito Coast, SCL. & SALV.; Orizaba -(winter), SUMICHRAST; Yucatan, LAWR. - -Western specimens have not appreciably longer tails than Eastern. -Central American examples, as a rule, have the plumbeous of a more -bluish cast than is usually seen in North American skins. - -HABITS. The Catbird has a very extended geographical range. It is -abundant throughout the Atlantic States, from Florida to Maine; in the -central portion of the continent it is found as far north as Lake -Winnepeg. - -On the Pacific coast it has been met with at Panama, and also on the -Columbia River. It is occasional in Cuba and the Bahamas, and in the -Bermudas is a permanent resident. It is also found during the winter -months abundant in Central America, It breeds in all the Southern -States with possibly the exception of Florida. In Maine, according to -Professor Verrill, it is as common as in Massachusetts, arriving in -the former place about the 20th of May, about a week later than in the -vicinity of Boston, and beginning to deposit its eggs early in June. -Near Calais it is a less common visitant. - -The Northern migrations of the Catbird commence early in February, -when they make their appearance in Florida, Georgia, and the -Carolinas. In April they reach Virginia and Pennsylvania, and New -England from the 1st to the 10th of May. Their first appearance is -usually coincident with the blossoming of the pear-trees. It is not -generally a popular or welcome visitant, a prejudice more or less wide -spread existing in regard to it. Yet few birds more deserve kindness -at our hands, or will better repay it. From its first appearance among -us, almost to the time of departure in early fall, the air is vocal -with the quaint but attractive melody, rendered all the more -interesting from the natural song being often blended with notes -imperfectly mimicked from the songs of other birds. The song, whether -natural or imitative, is always varied, attractive, and beautiful. - -The Catbird, when once established as a welcome guest, soon makes -itself perfectly at home. He is to be seen at all times, and is almost -ever in motion. They become quite tame, and the male bird will -frequently apparently delight to sing in the immediate presence of -man. Occasionally they will build their nest in close proximity to a -house, and appear unmindful of the presence of the members of the -family. - -The Catbird’s power of mimicry, though limited and imperfectly -exercised, is frequently very amusing. The more difficult notes it -rarely attempts to copy, and signally fails whenever it does so. The -whistle of the Quail, the cluck of a hen calling her brood, the answer -of the young chicks, the note of the Pewit Flycatcher, and the refrain -of Towhee, the Catbird will imitate with so much exactness as not to -be distinguished from the original. - -The Catbirds are devoted parents, sitting upon their eggs with great -closeness, feeding the young with assiduity, and accompanying them -with parental interest when they leave the nest, even long after they -are able to provide for themselves. Intruders from whom danger is -apprehended they will boldly attack, attempting to drive away snakes, -cats, dogs, and sometimes even man. If these fail they resort to -piteous cries and other manifestations of their great distress. - -Towards each other they are affectionate and devoted, mutually -assisting in the construction of the nest; and as incubation -progresses the female, who rarely leaves the nest, is supplied with -food, and entertained from his exhaustless vocabulary of song, by her -mate. When annoyed by an intruder the cry of the Catbird is loud, -harsh, and unpleasant, and is supposed to resemble the outcry of a -cat, and to this it owes its name. This note it reiterates at the -approach of any object of its dislike or fear. - -The food of the Catbird is almost exclusively the larvæ of the larger -insects. For these it searches both among the branches and the fallen -leaves, as well as the furrows of newly ploughed fields and cultivated -gardens. The benefit it thus confers upon the farmer and the -horticulturist is very great, and can hardly be overestimated. - -The Catbird can with proper painstaking be raised from the nest, and -when this is successfully accomplished they become perfectly -domesticated, and are very amusing pets. - -They construct their nests on clusters of vines or low bushes, on the -edges of small thickets, and in retired places, though almost always -near cultivated ground. The usual materials of their nests are dry -leaves for the base, slender strips of long dry bark, small twigs, -herbaceous plants, fine roots, and finer stems. They are lined with -fine dry grasses, and sedges. Their nests average 4 inches in height -by 5 in diameter. The diameter and depth of the cavity are 3½ inches. -The eggs are of a uniform deep bluish-green, and measure .97 in length -and .69 of an inch in breadth. - - - - -FAMILY CINCLIDÆ.—THE DIPPERS. - - -On page 2 will be found the characteristics of this family, which need -not be here repeated. There is only a single genus, _Cinclus_, with -four American species, and several from Europe and Asia. - - -GENUS CINCLUS, BECHSTEIN. - - _Hydrobata_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816 (Ag.).—BAIRD, B. N. A. 229. - _Cinclus_, BECHSTEIN, Gemein. Naturg. 1802. (Not of Moehring, 1752. - Type _Sturnus cinclus_, L.)—SALVIN, Ibis, 1867, 109. (Monograph.) - - [Line drawing: _Cinclus mexicanus._ - 8117] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill without any bristles at the base; slender, subulate; -the mandible bent slightly upward; the culmen slightly concave to near -the tip, which is much curved and notched; the commissural edges of -the bill finely nicked towards end. Feet large and strong, the toes -projecting considerably beyond the tail; the claws large. Lateral toes -equal. Tail very short and even; not two thirds the wings, which are -concave and somewhat falcate. The first primary is more than one -fourth the longest. Eggs white. - - [Illustration: _Cinclus mexicanus._] - -The slightly upward bend of the bill, somewhat as in _Anthus_, renders -the culmen concave, and the commissure slightly convex. The maxilla at -base is nearly as high as the mandible; the whole bill is much -compressed and attenuated. The lateral claws barely reach the base of -the middle one, which is broad; the inner face extended into a horny -lamina, with one or two notches or pectinations somewhat as in -_Caprimulgidæ_. The stiffened sub-falcate wings are quite remarkable. -The tail is so short that the upper coverts extend nearly to its tip. - -The species are all dull-colored birds, usually brown, sometimes -varied with white on the head, back, or throat. They inhabit -mountainous subalpine regions abounding in rapid streams, and always -attract attention by their habit of feeding under water, searching -among the gravel and stones for their insect prey. - -The only other species at all allied to the single North American one -are the _C. ardesiacus_ of Central America, and _C. pallasi_ of -Eastern Asia. They may be easily distinguished by the following -characters:— - - Plumage beneath scarcely lighter than that above; head and neck - brownish, darkest above. Wing, 4.00; tail, 2.15; bill, .50; - tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .85. Legs (in life), pinkish white - (8,496 Fort Mass. N. M.). HAB. Mountains of Middle Province from - Sitka, south to Guatemala … var. _mexicanus_. - - Plumage beneath much lighter than that above,—very light along - the median line; head not brownish, the contrast in shade between - upper and lower surfaces very marked. Wing, 3.50; tail, 2.05; - bill, .45; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe, .90. Legs yellow. (42,788 ♂ - Costa Rica). HAB. Guatemala and Costa Rica. … - var. _ardesiacus_.[24] - - Plumage uniform dusky-brown, middle of belly blackish; _back and - rump squamated with black_; wings and tail blackish-brown. Total - length, 8.00; wing, 4.00; tail, 2.50; tarsus, 1.25; bill (to - rictus), 1.10 (Salvin). HAB. Lake Baikal to Kamtschatka; - Amoorland; S. E. Siberia; Japan (Salvin) … var._pallasi_.[25] - - -Cinclus mexicanus, SWAINS. - -AMERICAN DIPPER; WATER OUZEL. - - _Cinclus pallasi_, BON. Zoöl. Jour. II, 1827, 52 (not the Asiatic - species). _Cinclus mexicanus_, SW. Phil. Mag. 1827, 368.—SCLATER, - Catal. 1861, 10.—SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 190; 1867, 120 - (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Review, 60.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, - Birds Cal. 1, 25. _Hydrobata mexicana_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 229.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, Rep. P. R. R, XII, II, 1859, 175 - (nest). _Cinclus americanus_, RICH. F. B. A. II, 1831, 273. - _Cinclus unicolor_, BON.; _C. mortoni_, TOWNS.; _C. townsendi_, - “AUD.” TOWNS. - Figures: BONAPARTE, Am. Orn. II, 1828, pl. xvi, fig. 1.—AUD. Orn. - Biog. pl. ccclxx, 435.—IB. Birds Amer. II, pl. cxxxvii. - -SP. CH. Above dark plumbeous, beneath paler; head and neck all round a -shade of clove or perhaps a light sooty-brown; less conspicuous -beneath. A concealed spot of white above the anterior corner of the -eye and indications of the same sometimes on the lower eyelid. -Immature specimens usually with the feathers beneath edged with -grayish-white; the greater and middle wing-coverts and lesser quills -tipped with the same. The colors more uniform. Length, 7.50; wing, -4.00; tail, 2.55. - -_Young._ Similar to the adult, but much mixed with whitish medially -beneath; this in form of longitudinal suffusions. - -Autumnal and winter specimens have numerous transverse crescents of -whitish on lower parts and wings,—these very especially conspicuous -posteriorly; the secondaries are also conspicuously terminated with a -white crescent. Bill brown, paler toward base of lower mandible. In -spring and summer the bill entirely black, and the whitish markings -almost entirely disappear; the young bird has a greater amount of -white beneath than the adult in winter dress, and this white is -disposed in longitudinal, not transverse, suffusions. The color of the -legs appears to be the same at all seasons. - - [Illustration: PLATE V. - - 1. Cinclus mexicanus, _Sw._ N. M., 8496. - 2. Sialia mexicana, _Sw._ Cal., 10623. - 3. “ sialis, _Baird_. D. C., 28245. - 4. “ arctica, _Sw._ Rocky Mts., 18319. - 5. Phyllopneuste borealis. Alaska, 45909. - 6. Saxicola œnanthe, _Bechst._ France, 18959. - 7. Regulus cuvieri, _Aud._ (From Aud.’s plate.) - 8. “ satrapa, _Licht._ D. C., 1160. - 9. “ calendula, _Licht._ Penn., 736.] - -Specimens, of any age, from the coast of Oregon and the Cascade -Mountains, have the head more deeply brownish than those from other -regions. - -HAB. Found through the mountainous region of the central and western -part of North America, from Fort Halkett south into Mexico and -Guatemala. Orizaba (Alpine region) SUMICH. None received from the -coast region of California. Abundant on the N. W. coast, Laramie Peak -and Deer Creek, Neb. - -This species has a wide range along the mountainous region of North -and Middle America. Mexican specimens are darker. - -HABITS. This interesting bird inhabits exclusively the mountainous -portions of North America west of the Mississippi from Alaska south to -Guatemala. It does not appear to have been obtained on the coast of -California, nor in the valley of the Mississippi. In the British -Possessions specimens have been procured on Fraser’s River, at Fort -Halkett, and at Colville. At the latter place Mr. J. K. Lord states -that a few remain and pass the winter. They are found among the -mountain streams of Vera Cruz, and probably throughout Mexico, and no -doubt may be met with in all the highlands between these extreme -points. Dr. Newberry met with it in the rapid streams of the Cascade -Mountains. He describes it as flitting along in the bed of the stream, -from time to time plunging into the water and disappearing, to appear -again at a distant point, up or down the stream, skipping about from -stone to stone, constantly in motion, jerking its tail and moving its -body somewhat in the manner of a wren. - -Dr. Cooper observed this species both on the Columbia and its -tributaries, and also among the mountain streams of the Coast Range -west of Santa Clara. At the latter place he found a pair mated as -early as March 16th. At sunset he heard the male singing very -melodiously, as it sat on one of its favorite rocks in the middle of -the foaming rapids, making its delightful melody heard for quite a -long distance above the sound of the roaring waters. - -“This bird,” adds Dr. Cooper, “combines the form of a sandpiper, the -song of a canary, and the aquatic habits of a duck. Its food consists -almost entirely of aquatic insects, and these it pursues under water, -walking and flying with perfect ease beneath a depth of several feet -of water.” He also states that they do not swim on the surface, but -dive, and sometimes fly across streams beneath the surface; that their -flight is rapid and direct, like that of a sandpiper; also that they -jerk their tails in a similar manner, and generally alight on a rock -or log. - -Dr. Cooper on the 5th of July found a nest of this bird at a saw-mill -on the Chehalis River, built under the shelving roots of an enormous -arbor-vitæ that had floated over, and rested in a slanting position -against the dam. The floor was of small twigs, the sides and roof -arched over it like an oven, and formed of moss, projecting so as to -protect and shelter the opening, which was large enough to admit the -hand. Within this nest was a brood of half-fledged young. The parents -were familiar and fearless, and had become accustomed to the society -of the millers. They had previously raised another brood that season. - -The same observant naturalist, some time afterwards, in May, found the -nest of another pair, a few miles north of Santa Clara. This was built -near the foot of a mill-dam, resting on a slight ledge under an -overhanging rock, from which water was continually dropping. It was, -in shape, like an oven, with a small doorway, and it was built -externally of green moss, which, being still living, prevented the -easy discovery of the nest. It was lined with soft grass, and -contained young. - -These birds are found singly or in pairs, and never more than two -together. They are never found near still water, and frequent only -wild mountain-streams, cascades, eddies, and swift currents. - -According to Mr. Dall’s observations in Alaska, the species is -essentially solitary. He obtained several specimens in January, -February, and March, always near some open, unfrozen spots in the -Nulato River. It was only found in the most retired spots, and almost -invariably alone. When disturbed, it would dive into the water, even -in midwinter. - -Mr. Ridgway describes the Dipper as remarkably quick, as well as odd, -in its movements,—whether walking in the shallow bed of the stream, -or standing on a stone along the edge, continually tilting up and -down, now chattering as it flies rapidly along the stream, again -alighting into the water, in which it wades with the greatest -facility. Its flight is remarkably swift and well sustained, and in -manner is very unusual, the bird propelling itself by a rapid buzzing -of the wings, following in its flight every undulation in the course -of the stream into which it drops suddenly. Its song is described as -remarkably sweet and lively, in modulation resembling somewhat that of -the _Harporhynchus rufus_, but less powerful, though sweeter in -effect. - -Dr. E. Baldamus, of Halle, who possesses specimens of the eggs of this -species, describes them as pure white in color, oval in shape, and -hardly distinguishable from those of the European _C. aquaticus_. - -A nest of this bird obtained by Mr. J. Stevenson, of Hayden’s -Expedition, in Berthoud’s Pass, Colorado, is a hemisphere of very -uniform contour built on a rock, on the edge of a stream. Externally -it was composed of green moss, in a living state; within is a strong, -compactly built apartment, arched over, and supported by twigs, with a -cup-like depression at the bottom, hemispherical and composed of roots -and twigs firmly bound together. The structure is 7 inches in height -externally, and has a diameter of 10½ inches at the base. Within, the -cavity has a depth of 6 inches; the entrance, which is on one side, is -3½ in breadth by 2½ in height. The eggs were three in number, uniform, -dull white, and unspotted. They measure 1.04 inches by .70. They have -an elongated oval shape, and are much pointed at one end. - - - - -FAMILY SAXICOLIDÆ.—THE SAXICOLAS. - - -The general characters of this family have already been given on p. 2, -as distinguished from the _Turdidæ_. The relationships are very close, -however, and but little violence would be done by making it a -subfamily of _Turdidæ_ or even a group of _Turdinæ_, as was done in -the “Birds of North America.” - -While the group is very well represented in the Old World, America has -but one peculiar genus _Sialia_, and another _Saxicola_, represented -by a single species, a straggler, perhaps, from Greenland on the one -side and Siberia on the other. The diagnostic characters of these are -as follows, including _Turdus_ to show the relationships of the three -genera:— - - Turdus. Tarsi long, exceeding the middle toe; wings reaching to - the middle of the tail, which is about four fifths the length of - the wings. Bill stout; its upper outline convex toward the base. - Second quill shorter than fifth. - - Saxicola. Tarsi considerably longer than the middle toe, which - reaches nearly to the tip of the tail. Tail short, even; two - thirds as long as the lengthened wings, which reach beyond the - middle of the tail. Second quill longer than fifth. Bill - attenuated; its upper outline concave towards the base. - - Sialia. Tarsi short; about equal to the middle toe. Wings - reaching beyond the middle of the tail. Bill thickened. - - -GENUS SAXICOLA, BECHSTEIN. - - _Saxicola_, BECHSTEIN, Gemeinnützige Naturg. 1802. (Type, _S. œnanthe_.) - - [Line drawing: _Saxicola œnanthe_, Bechst.] - -GEN. CHAR. Commissure slightly curved to the well-notched tip. Culmen -concave for the basal half, then gently decurving. Gonys straight. -Bill slender, attenuated; more than half the length of head. Tail -short, broad, even. Legs considerably longer than the head; when -outstretched reaching nearly to the tip of tail. Third quill longest; -second but little shorter. Claws long, slightly curved; hind toe -rather elongated. - -As already stated, America possesses but a single member of this group -of birds, so well represented in the Old World. The color is -bluish-gray, with wings, a stripe through the eye, and the middle of -exposed tail-feathers black. - - -Saxicola œnanthe, BECHST. - -THE WHEAT-EAR. - - _Motacilla œnanthe_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 186. _Saxicola - œnanthe_, BECHST. “Gemein. Naturg. 1802,” and of European - authors.—HOLBÖLL, Orn. Grœn. (Paulsen ed.), 1846, 23 - (Greenland).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 220 (Europe); Review, - 61.—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 28 (Bermuda).—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. - 1861, 218 (Labrador).—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Greenland).—DALL - & BANNISTER (Alaska). _Saxicola œnanthoides_, VIGORS, Zoöl. - Blossom, 1839, 19 (N. W. America).—CASSIN, Ill. I, 1854, 208, pl. - xxxiv (Nova Scotia). - -SP. CHAR. (Description from European specimen.) Male in spring, -forehead, line over the eye, and under parts generally white; the -latter tinged with pale yellowish-brown, especially on the breast and -throat. A stripe from the bill through, below, and behind the eye, -with the wings, upper tail-coverts, bill and feet, black. Tail white, -with an abrupt band of black (about .60 of an inch long) at the end, -this color extending further up on the middle feather. Rest of upper -parts ash-gray; quills and greater coverts slightly edged with -whitish. Length, 6.00; wing, 3.45; tail, 2.50; tarsus, 1.05. - -Autumnal males are tinged with rusty; the black markings brown. The -female in spring is reddish-gray; lores and cheeks brown; the black -markings generally brownish, and not well defined. Eggs pale light -blue. Nest on ground. - -HAB. An Old World species (Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia), -abundant in Greenland, found probably as an autumnal migrant in -Labrador, Canada, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, etc. Occurs also on Norton -Sound, near Behring’s Straits. Very occasional in the Eastern States: -Long Island. - - [Illustration: _Saxicola œnanthe._ - 18075] - -This bird appears to be abundant in Norton Sound, from which region -Mr. Dall has recently brought specimens in full spring plumage. These -are decidedly smaller than birds from Labrador and Greenland, but not -distinguishable, and seem to agree precisely with skins from Central -Europe. - -HABITS. The well-known Wheat-ear is entitled to a place in our fauna, -not only as an accidental visitor, but also as an occasional resident. -Dr. H. R. Storer, of Boston, found them breeding in Labrador in the -summer of 1848, and procured specimens of the young birds which were -fully identified by Dr. Samuel Cabot as belonging to this species. In -the following year Andrew Downs, of Halifax, gave me the specimen -described and figured by Mr. Cassin. This was secured late in the -summer near Cape Harrison, Labrador, where it had evidently just -reared its brood. In 1860 Mr. Elliott Coues obtained another specimen -on the 25th of August, at Henley Harbor. It was in company with two -others, and was in immature plumage. Its occurrence in considerable -numbers on the coast of Labrador is further confirmed by a writer (“W. -C.”) in “The Field,” for June 10, 1871, who states that when in that -region during the months of May and June he saw a number of “White -Ears,” the greater proportion of them being males. He inferred from -this that they breed in that country, the apparent scarcity of females -being due to their occupation in nesting. Mr. Lawrence has one in his -cabinet from Long Island, and the Smithsonian Institution one from -Quebec. Specimens have also been obtained in the Bermudas. - -Holböll, in his paper on the fauna of Greenland, is of the opinion -that the individuals of this species that occur there come from -Europe, make their journey across the Atlantic without touching at -Iceland, and arrive in South Greenland as early in the season as it -does at the former place, the first of May. It reaches Godhaven a -month later, at times when all is snowbound and the warmth has not yet -released the insects on which it feeds. It is found as far north as -the 73d parallel, and even beyond. In September it puts on its winter -dress and departs. - -Mr. Dall states that several large flocks of this species were seen at -Nulato, May 23 and 24, 1868, and a number of specimens obtained. They -were said to be abundant on the dry stony hill-tops, but were rare -along the river. - -The Wheat-ear is one of the most common birds of Europe, and is found, -at different seasons, throughout that continent as well as in a large -portion of Western Asia. It breeds throughout the British Islands as -well as in the whole of Northern Europe and Asia. - -Its food is principally worms and insects, the latter of which it -takes upon the wing, in the manner of a fly-catcher. The male bird is -said to sing prettily, but not loudly, warbling even when on the wing, -and hovering over its nest or over its partner. In confinement its -song is continued by night as well as by day. - -The Wheat-ear begins to make its nest in April, usually concealing it -in some deep recess beneath a huge stone, and often far beyond the -reach of the arm. Sometimes it is placed in old walls, and is usually -large and rudely constructed, made of dried bents, scraps of shreds, -feathers, and rubbish collected about the huts, generally containing -four pale blue eggs, uniform in color, and without spots, which -measure .81 of an inch in length by .69 in breadth. - - -GENUS SIALIA, SWAINSON. - - _Sialia_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Sept. 1827, 173. (Type _Motacilla - sialis_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Sialia sialis._ - 1289] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, then -compressed; slightly notched at tip. Rictus with short bristles. Tarsi -not longer than the middle toe. Claws considerably curved. Wings much -longer than the tail; the first primary spurious, not one fourth the -longest. Tail moderate; slightly forked. Eggs plain blue. Nest in -holes. - -The species of this genus are all well marked, and adult males are -easily distinguishable. In all, blue forms a prominent feature. Three -well-marked species are known, with a fourth less distinct. The -females are duller in color than the males. The young are spotted and -streaked with white. - - -Synopsis of Species. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Rich blue above, duller in the female. Beneath -reddish or blue in the male, reddish or light drab in the female. -Young with wings and tails only blue, the head and anterior parts -of body with numerous whitish spots. - - A. _Breast reddish, or chestnut._ - - 1. S. sialis. No chestnut on the back; throat reddish; - abdomen and crissum white. - - Blue of a rich dark purplish shade. Tail about 2.75. _Hab._ - Eastern Province United States, Cuba, and Bermudas … - var. _sialis_. - - Blue of a greenish shade. Tail about 3.20. _Hab._ East - Mexico and Guatemala … var. _azurea_.[26] - - 2. S. mexicana. Chestnut, in greater or less amount, on the - back; throat blue; abdomen and crissum blue. _Hab._ West and - South Middle Province United States, south to Jalapa, - Cordova, and Colima. - - B. _Breast blue (light drab in ♀)._ - - 3. S. arctica. Entirely rich greenish-blue; abdomen white. - _Hab._ Middle Province United States; Fort Franklin, British - America. - - -Sialia sialis, BAIRD. - -EASTERN BLUEBIBD. - - _Motacilla sialis_, LINN. S. N. 1758, 187 (based on CATESBY, I, pl. - xlvii). _Sialia sialis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 222; Rev. - 62.—BOARDMAN, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1862, 124 (Calais, Me.; very - rare).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 465 (Texas, winter).—SAMUELS, B. N. - Eng., 175. _Sialia wilsoni_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, - 173.—CAB. Jour. 1858, 120.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324; - Repertorio, 1865, 230.—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 28, 66 - (resident in Bermuda). _Sylvia sialis_, LATH.; _Ampelis sialis_, - NUTT.; _Erythraca wilsoni_, SW. - Figures: VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. ci, cii, ciii.—WILS. I, - pl. iii.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxiii.—IB. B. A. II, pl. - cxxxiv.—DOUGHTY, Cab. I, pl. xii. - -SP. CHAR. Entire upper parts, including wings and tail, continuous and -uniform azure-blue; the cheeks of a duller tint of the same. Beneath -reddish-brown; the abdomen, anal region, and under tail-coverts white. -Bill and feet black. Shafts of the quills and tail-feathers black. -Female with the blue lighter, and tinged with brown on the head and -back. Length, 6.75; wing, 4.00; tail, 2.90. - -_Young._ Males of the year dull brown on head and back; and lesser -coverts streaked, except on head, with white. Throat and fore part of -breast streaked with white. Tertials edged with brown. Rest of -coloration somewhat like adult. - -HAB. Eastern United States; west to Fort Laramie, Milk River; north to -Lake Winnipeg; resident in Bermuda; Cuba (rare), GUNDLACH. - -A specimen from Guatemala (50,411 ♂, Van Patten) referrible to the -var. _azurea_ is undistinguishable in color from North American -examples; the wings and tail are longer, however, measuring -respectively 4.20 and 3.00. - - [Illustration: _Sialia sialis._] - -HABITS. The Bluebird is abundant throughout the eastern portion of -North America, breeding in nearly every part, from Georgia and -Louisiana to the Arctic regions, with only this exception, that near -the seaboard its migrations do not extend so far to the north as in -the interior. It is very rarely to be met with beyond the Penobscot, -although Professor Verrill mentions it as very common in the western -part of Maine. It is found throughout the year in the Bermudas, and -occasionally in Cuba. The Selkirk Settlement is the most northern -locality to which it has been traced. It is not known to occur farther -west than the highlands west of the Mississippi. - -Through all the Eastern States the Bluebird is one of the most -familiar and welcome of the earliest visitors of spring, usually -making its appearance as early as the first of March. In mild seasons -they come in the latter part of February, long before there is any -apparent relaxation of the severity of winter. In 1857, in consequence -of the unusual mildness of the season, Bluebirds appeared in large -numbers as early as the 15th of February, and remained apparently -without suffering any inconvenience, although the weather subsequently -became quite severe. In 1869 their first appearance was observed as -early as the 28th of January, the earliest period of which I can find -any record. - -In the Middle States, with every mild winter’s day, the Bluebirds come -out from their retreats, and again disappear on the return of severer -weather. Later in the season, or early in March, they return and make -a permanent stay. - -When well treated, as the Bluebirds almost universally are, they -return year after year to the same box, coming always in pairs. The -marked attentions of the male bird are very striking, and have been -noticed by all our writers. He is very jealous of a rival, driving off -every intruder of his own species who ventures upon the domain he -calls his own. Occasionally the pair suffer great annoyance from -vexatious interferences with their domestic arrangements by the house -wren, who unceremoniously enters their homestead, despoils it of its -carefully selected materials, and departs. At other times the wren -will take possession of the premises and barricade the entrance, -making the return of its rightful owners impossible. - -The song of the Bluebirds is a low warble, soft and agreeable, -repeated with great constancy and earnestness, and prolonged until -quite late in the season. Just before their departure, late in -October, the sprightliness of their song nearly ceases, and only a few -plaintive notes are heard instead. - -The food of the Bluebird consists principally of the smaller -coleopterous insects, also of the larvæ of the smaller lepidoptera. In -the early spring they are very busy turning over the dry leaves, -examining the trunks and branches of trees, or ransacking posts and -fences for the hiding-places of their prey. In the fall their food -partakes more of a vegetable character. - -The Bluebird selects as a suitable place for its nest a hollow in the -decayed trunk of a tree, or boxes prepared for its use. Their early -arrival enables them to select their own site. The nest is loosely -constructed of soft materials, such as fine grasses, sedges, leaves, -hair, feathers, etc. These are rarely so well woven together as to -bear removal. The eggs are usually five and sometimes six in number. -There are usually three broods in a season. Before the first brood are -able to provide for themselves, the female repairs her nest and -commences incubation for a second family. The young birds are, -however, by no means left to shift for themselves. The male bird now -shows himself as devoted a parent as in the earlier spring he had -proved himself an attentive mate. He watches over the brood even after -the second family appears and claims his attention. We often find him -dividing his cares in the latter part of the season with two broods, -and at the same time supplying his mate with food, and occasionally -taking her place on the nest. - -The eggs of the Bluebird are of a uniform pale blue, measuring about -.81 of an inch in length by .62 in breadth. - -In Guatemala is found a local race differing in its lighter under -colors and in the greenish tinting of its blue (_S. azurea_). The _S. -sialis_ is also found in the more open districts of the elevated -regions where it is numerous. It is there known as “_El azulejo_.” - - -Sialia mexicana, SWAINS. - -CALIFORNIA BLUEBIRD. - - _Sialia mexicana_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 202.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1856, 293 (Cordova): 1857, 126 (California); 1859, 362 - (Xalapa).—IB. Catal. 1861, 11, no. 66.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 223; Review, 63.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, II, 1859, - 173.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 28. _Sialia occidentalis_, TOWNS., - AUD.; _Sialia cæruleocollis_, VIGORS. - Figures: AUD. B. A. II, pl. cxxxv.—IB. Orn. Biog. V, pl. cccxciii.— - VIGORS, Zoöl. Beechey’s, Voy. 1839, pl. iii. - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender. Head and neck all round, and upper parts -generally bright azure blue. Interscapular regions, sides and fore -part of the breast, and sides of the belly, dark reddish-brown. Rest -of under parts (with tail-coverts) pale bluish, tinged with gray about -the anal region. Female duller above; the back brownish; the blue of -the throat replaced by ashy-brown, with a shade of blue. Length, 6.50; -wing, 4.25; tail, 2.90. - -_Young._ Tail and wing as in adult; head, neck, back, and breast, dull -brown; each feather, except on the crown, streaked centrally with -white. - -HAB. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to Pacific. Not -noticed on the Missouri plains, Central British America, or at Cape -St. Lucas. Found at Xalapa and Cordova, Mex., SCLATER. Popocatapetl -(Alpine region), SUMICHRAST. - -As in the others, the colors of this species are much duller in fall -and winter. No. 53,319, ♂ (Carson City, Nevada, Feb. 21) differs from -others in the following respects: there is hardly any chestnut on the -back, there being only just a tinge along each side of the -interscapular region; that on the breast is interrupted in the middle, -and thrown into a patch on each side of the breast, thus connecting -the blue of the throat and abdomen; the blue of the throat is -unusually deep. - -HABITS. This Bluebird belongs to western North America, its proper -domain being between the Rocky Mountains and Pacific, from Mexico to -Washington Territory. Mr. Nuttall first met with this species among -the small rocky prairies of the Columbia. He speaks of its habits as -exactly similar to those of the common Bluebird. The male is equally -tuneful throughout the breeding-season, and his song is also very -similar. Like the common species he is very devoted to his mate, -alternately feeding and caressing her and entertaining her with his -song. This is a little more varied, tender, and sweet than that of the -Eastern species, and differs in its expressions. - -Nuttall describes this as an exceedingly shy bird, so much so that he -found it very difficult to obtain a sight of it. This he attributes to -the great abundance of birds of prey. Afterwards, in the vicinity of -the village of Santa Barbara, Mr. Nuttall again saw them in -considerable numbers, when they were tame and familiar. - -Dr. Cooper states that these Bluebirds seem to prefer the knot-holes -of the oaks to the boxes provided for them. He does not confirm Mr. -Nuttall’s description of its song, which he regards as neither so loud -nor so sweet as that of the Eastern species. He describes it as a -curious performance, sounding as if two birds were singing at once and -in different keys. - -Many of this species remain in Washington Territory during the winter, -where Dr. Cooper met with them in December. They associated in flocks, -frequented roadsides and fences, and fed upon insects and berries. - -Dr. Gambel found this species throughout the Rocky Mountains, and -always in company with the _Sialia arctica_, being by far the more -abundant species. - -Dr. Kennerly mentions finding this species very abundant during his -march up the Rio Grande. Through the months of November, December, and -January they were always to be seen in large flocks near small -streams. - -The Western Bluebird constructs a nest usually of very loose -materials, consisting chiefly of fine dry grasses. These are not woven -into an elaborate nest, but are simply used to line the hollows in -which the eggs are deposited. Near San Francisco Mr. Hepburn found a -pair making use of the nest of the _Hirundo lunifrons_. On another -occasion the Bluebirds had not only taken possession of the nest of -this swallow, but actually covered up two fresh eggs with a lining of -dry grasses, and laid her own above them. - -The eggs, usually four in number, are of uniform pale blue of a -slightly deeper shade than that of the _S. sialis_. They measure .87 -of an inch in length by .69 in breadth. - -Dr. Cooper’s subsequent observations of this species in California -enabled him to add to his account of it in his report on the birds of -that State. He found it abundant in all the wooded districts, except -high in the mountains, and thinks they reside through the summer even -in the hot valley of the Rio Grande, where he found them preparing a -nest in February. On the coast they are numerous as far north as the -49th parallel. He found a nest under the porch of a dwelling-house at -Santa Barbara, showing that, like our Eastern species, they only need -a little encouragement to become half domesticated. They raise two -broods in a season, the first being hatched early in April. - -At Santa Cruz he found them even more confiding than the Eastern -species, building their nests even in the noisiest streets. One brood -came every day during the grape season, at about noon, to pick up -grape-skins thrown out by his door, and was delightfully tame, sitting -fearlessly within a few feet of the open window. - -In regard to their song Mr. Ridgway states that he did not hear, even -during the pairing season, any note approaching in sweetness, or -indeed similar to, the joyous spring warble which justly renders our -Eastern Bluebird (_S. sialis_) so universal a favorite. - -The two Western species of _Sialia_, though associating during the -winter in the region along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, are -seldom seen together during the breeding-season; the _S. arctica_ -returning to the higher portions of the thinly wooded desert -mountains, while the _S. mexicana_ remains in the lower districts, -either among the cottonwoods of the river valleys or among the pines -around the foot-hills of the Sierra. - - -Sialia arctica, SWAINS. - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. - - _Erythraca (Sialia) arctica_, SWAINS. F. B. A. II, 1831, 209, - pl. xxxix. _Sialia arctica_, NUTTALL, Man. II, 1832, 573.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 224; Rev. 64.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 11, no. - 67.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 478. (Texas, winter, very - abundant.)—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 29. _Sialia macroptera_, BAIRD, - Stansbury’s Rept. 1852, 314 (larger race with longer wings). - -SP. CHAR. Greenish azure-blue above and below, brightest above; the -belly and under tail-coverts white; the latter tinged with blue at the -ends. Female showing blue only on the rump, wings, and tail; a white -ring round the eye; the lores and sometimes a narrow front whitish; -elsewhere replaced by brown. Length, 6.25; wing, 4.36; tail, 3.00. -(1875.) - -_Young._ Male birds are streaked with white, as in _S. sialis_, on the -characteristic ground of the adult. - -HAB. Central table-lands of North America, east to mouth of -Yellowstone. One individual collected at Fort Franklin, Great Bear -Lake. Not common on the Pacific slope; the only specimens received -coming from Simiahmoo, Fort Crook, and San Diego. Not recorded as -found in Mexico. W. Arizona, COUES. - -As already stated, the blue of this species is greener, more -smalt-like than in _sialis_. The females are distinguished from those -of the other species by the greener blue, entire absence of rufous, -and longer wings. - -In autumn and winter the blue of the male is much soiled by -amber-brown edges to the feathers, this most conspicuous on the -breast, where the blue is sometimes almost concealed; the plumage of -the female, too, at this season is different from that of spring, the -anterior lower parts being soft isabella-color, much less grayish than -in spring. - -HABITS. This Bluebird belongs chiefly to the Central fauna, and -occupies a place in the Eastern only by its appearance on its borders. -It was first procured by Sir John Richardson, at Fort Franklin, in -July, 1825. It is abundant throughout the central table-lands of North -America, between the Pacific and the mouth of the Yellowstone, from -Great Bear Lake to the lower portions of California. In the latter -State it is not common. - -Mr. Nuttall met with this species in the early part of June, northwest -of Laramie Fork. The female uttered a low complaint when her nest was -approached. This was constructed in a hole in a clay cliff. Another -was found in the trunk of a decayed cedar. In one of these the young -were already hatched. The nest was composed of dried grasses, but in -very insignificant quantity. Mr. Nuttall found them much more shy than -the common species, and describes them as feeding in very nearly the -same manner. He afterwards found a nest of the same species in a cliff -of the Sandy River, a branch of the Colorado. Both parents were -feeding their brood. The female was very uneasy at his approach, -chirping, and at intervals uttering a plaintive cry. He states that -the male bird has a more plaintive and monotonous song than that of -the common Bluebird, and that it has the same warbling tone and -manner. He afterwards observed the same species in the winter, at Fort -Vancouver, associating with the Western Bluebird. - -Dr. Woodhouse found the Arctic Bluebird quite common in the vicinity -of Santa Fé, in New Mexico, where they breed about the houses in boxes -put up for them by the inhabitants for the purpose. - -Mr. Townsend found this species in the vicinity of the Platte River, -near the Black Hills, and also on the banks of the Columbia. They -confined themselves to the fences in the neighborhood of settlements, -occasionally lighting upon the ground and scratching for minute -insects. He describes their song as a delightful warble. Its notes -resemble those of the common Bluebird, but are so different as to be -easily recognized; they are equally sweet and clear, but have much -less power. - -Neither Dr. Gambel nor Dr. Heermann found this species in California -excepting during the winter, and were of the opinion that none remain -there to breed. - -Dr. Kennerly observed them at different points among the Rocky -Mountains, where they frequented the vicinity of his camp early in the -morning, at some times in pairs and at others in flocks of four or -five. - -Mr. J. K. Lord states that he found this Bluebird very abundant -between the Cascades and the Rocky Mountains, where they arrive in -June and leave in September. After nesting they assembled in large -flocks, and fed on the open plains. - -The eggs are of a very light blue, paler than those of the other -species. They measure .89 of an inch in length by .66 in breadth. - -Mr. Ridgway states that he found the Rocky Mountain Bluebird nesting -in Virginia City in June. Its nests were built about the old -buildings, and occasionally in the unused excavations about the mines. -At Austin he also found it common in July, in similar localities. On -the East Humboldt Mountains it was very numerous, especially on the -more elevated portions, where it nested among the rocks and, though -more rarely, in the deserted excavations of woodpeckers in the stunted -piñon and cedar trees. He describes it as generally very shy and -difficult to obtain, seldom permitting a very near approach. In its -habits it is much less arboreal than either _S. mexicana_ or _S. -sialis_, always preferring the open mountain portions in the higher -ranges of the Great Basin. - -In regard to its notes Mr. Ridgway says: “The common note of this -species would, from its character, be at once recognized as that of a -Bluebird. Its autumnal note, however, lacks entirely the peculiar -plaintiveness so characteristic of that of our Eastern species, and is -much more feeble, consisting of a simple weak _chirp_. Like the _S. -mexicana_, the _S. arctica_ was also never heard to give utterance to -anything resembling the lovely spring warbling of the _S. sialis_.” - - - - -FAMILY SYLVIIDÆ.—THE SYLVIAS. - - -CHAR. Bill much shorter than head, slender, broad, and depressed at -the base, distinctly notched and decurved at the tip. Culmen -sharp-ridged at base. Frontal feathers reaching to the nostrils, which -are oval, with membrane above, and overhung—not concealed—by a few -bristles or by a feather. Rictal bristles extending beyond nostrils. -Tarsi booted or scutellate. Basal joint of middle toe attached its -whole length externally, half-way internally. Primaries ten; spurious -primary about half the second, which is shorter than the seventh. -Lateral toes equal. - -The birds of this family are readily distinguished from the _Paridæ_ -by the slender bill, notched and decurved at tip; much bristled gape, -sharp-ridged culmen, exposed oval nostrils, less adherent toes, etc. -They are much smaller than the _Turdidæ_ and _Saxicolidæ_, with much -more slender, depressed bill, longer rictal bristles, etc. The short -outer primary, with the primaries ten in number, distinguish them from -the _Sylvicolidæ_. - -The following synopsis will serve to characterize the American forms -of their respective subfamilies. The species are all among the most -diminutive in size with the exception of the Humming-Birds:— - -A. Wings longer than the nearly even and emarginate tail. -Scutellæ of tarsus scarcely or not at all appreciable. General -color olivaceous above. No white on tail. - - Nostrils naked. Scutellæ distinct on inner face of tarsus only. - Head plain. … _Sylviinæ._ - - Nostrils overhung by bristly feathers. Scutellæ of tarsus not - appreciable. Head with a colored central crest … _Regulinæ._ - -B. Wings about equal to the graduated tail. Tarsal scutellæ -distinct. Above bluish; tail with white spots or patches. - - Nostrils uncovered. Head plain; either bluish or black above.… - _Polioptilinæ._ - - -SUBFAMILY SYLVIINÆ. - -CHAR. Size and form of _Sylvicolinæ_, but with a spurious first -primary about one third the second quill. Wings considerably longer -than the nearly even or emarginate tail. Feathers of frontal region -with bristly points; but not covering the nostrils. Tarsi scutellate -anteriorly, but indistinct externally. (Characters drawn with -reference to the American form.) - -The introduction of this subfamily into the present work is required -to accommodate a species of _Phyllopneuste_ collected on the Yukon by -the Russian Telegraph Expedition, the first known instance of the -existence in North America of a group of birds characteristic of the -northern parts of the Old World. Among the smallest of the class, they -are eminently sociable, and feed entirely on insects, which they -capture mostly on the wing, like flycatchers. The nest is placed on -the ground, and is of an oval or spherical form with a round opening -on one side. The sexes are similar, and the young differ very little -from the parents. - - -GENUS PHYLLOPNEUSTE, MEYER & WOLF. - - _Phyllopneuste_, MEYER & WOLF, Taschenbuch, 1822.—DEGLAND et GERBE, - Ornith. Europ. I, 1867, 543. - - [Line drawing: _Phyllopneuste borealis._ - 45909] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head; straight, slender, and -depressed, notched at tip. Nostrils open. Tarsi lengthened; exceeding -the middle toe; scutellate anteriorly, but with the plates indistinct, -claws short, much curved. Wings pointed, longer than tail, and -reaching at least to its middle; spurious quill extending farther than -the upper covert. Tail emarginate. Olivaceous above; yellowish or -whitish beneath. - - [Illustration: _Phyllopneuste borealis._] - -For the purpose of distinguishing this genus from any other North -American, it is enough to say that, of the general appearance of the -warblers, it has a short spurious first primary, as in the Thrushes, -and some _Vireonidæ_. The single species found as yet within our -limits resembles at first sight an immature _Dendroica æstiva_, but is -easily distinguished by the wing formula, the yellowish stripe over -the eye, and the brown tail-feathers. - - -Phyllopneuste borealis, BLAS. - -ALASKA WILLOW WARBLER. - - _Phyllopneuste borealis_, BLAS. Ibis, 1862, 69. _Phyllopneuste_, - KENN., BAIRD, Trans. Chicago Acad. Sci. I, ii, p. 313, pl. xxx, - fig. 2, 1869. - -SP. CHAR. (Description of specimen No. 45,909.) Plumage in August: -above olive-green, with a slight shade of brown on top of head, rather -lighter behind; beneath white, tinged with greenish-yellow; more olive -on the throat and breast; and more yellow behind, inside the wing and -on thighs; axillars purer yellow. A well-marked greenish-yellow line -from nostrils over the eye to the nape (extending behind the eye -nearly as far as from eye to tip of bill), beneath this an olivaceous -streak through the eye, running into the mixed olive and yellowish of -the cheeks. Quills and tail-feathers brown, edged with olivaceous; the -outer edges of primaries more yellowish than those of secondaries; the -greater coverts tipped externally with greenish-yellow, so as to form -a distinct band across the wing. Bill rather dark brown; paler -beneath. Legs dark olive; toes not sensibly different. Nest probably -on ground, and domed. Eggs white, spotted with pink. - -Spurious quill in length about one fourth the second, which about -equals the sixth, or very slightly exceeds it; third and fourth -longest; fifth a little shorter. - -Dimensions (fresh specimen before being skinned): total length, 4.75; -expanse of wings, 6.00; wing from carpal joint, 2.50. - -Dimensions (prepared specimen): total length, 4.60; wing, 2.40; tail, -2.00. Exposed portion of first primary, 0.42; of second, 1.56; of -longest (measured from exposed base of first primary), 1.85. Bill: -length from above, 0.38; from nostril, 0.29; along gape, 1.55. Legs: -tarsus, 0.66; middle toe and claw, 0.55; claw alone, 0.16; hind toe -and claw, 0.36; claw alone, 0.20. - -HAB. Northeast Asia (China, East Siberia); adjacent to Behring’s -Straits and Alaska. - -This species, in general appearance, apparently comes nearer to _P. -trochilus_ than to any other of its congeners. It is, however, more -olivaceous-green above, and more yellow beneath, and has a distinct -band across the wing. The superciliary light stripe is more distinct -and longer; the bill and legs are darker, and the toes not sensibly -different in color from the tarsus. The proportion of the quills is -much the same, except that the interval between the tips of the fifth -and sixth quills is greater, and the second is almost inappreciably -longer than the latter, not reaching nearly midway between the two. -The first or spurious quill is rather shorter. - -A single specimen of this species was obtained August 16, 1866, on St. -Michael’s Island, in Norton Sound, Alaska, by Mr. Charles Pease. Mr. -Bannister met with no other specimen in that locality, and from this -it is inferred that this is not an abundant species there. It was -described as a new species under the name of _P. kennicottii_ (Baird), -but has been ascertained by Mr. Tristram, to whom it was sent for -examination, (Ibis, 1871, p. 231,) to be identical with _P. borcalis_ -of Blasius. - -Dr. Blasius also states (Naumannia, 1858, p. 303) that a specimen of -this species has been obtained on the island of Heligoland, showing it -to be also an accidental visitant to Western Europe. - -HABITS. Mr. R. Swinhoe, who describes this among the birds of Formosa -as _P. sylvicultrix_, states it to be a summer visitant to Southern -China, passing in large numbers through Amoy in its autumnal -migrations southeastward, probably to the Philippine Islands, touching -at Southwestern Formosa and Twaiwanfoo, where he found them abundant. -This was for a few days in October, but he neither saw any before nor -afterwards, nor did he meet with any at Tamsuy (Ibis, 1863, p. 307). -The same writer (Ibis, 1860, p. 53) speaks of this bird as very -abundant in Amoy during the months of April and May, but passing -farther north to breed. - -We have no information in reference to its habits, and nothing farther -in regard to its distribution. As it bears a very close resemblance to -the Willow Wren of Europe, _P. trochilus_, it is quite probable that -its general habits, nest, and eggs will be found to correspond very -closely with those of that bird. - -The European warblers of the genus _Phyllopneuste_ are all -insect-eating birds, capturing their prey while on the wing, and also -feeding on their larvæ. They frequent the woodlands during their -breeding-season, but at all other times are much more familiar, -keeping about dwellings and sheepfolds. - -The _P. trochilus_ is a resident throughout the entire year in -Southern Europe and in Central Asia. That species builds at the foot -of a bush on the ground, and constructs a domed nest with the entrance -on one side. Their eggs are five in number, have a pinkish-white -ground, and are spotted with well-defined blotches of reddish-brown, -measuring 0.65 by 0.50 inch, and are of a rounded oval shape. - - -SUBFAMILY REGULINÆ. - - CHAR. Wings longer than the emarginated tail. Tarsi booted, or without - scutellar divisions. - -This subfamily embraces but a single well-defined North American genus. - - -GENUS REGULUS, CUV. - - _Regulus_, CUV. “Leçons d’Anat. Comp. 1799, 1800.” (Type _Motacilla - regulus_, LINN.) - _Reguloides_, BLYTH. 1847. (Type “_R. proregulus_, PALL.” GRAY.) - _Phyllobasileus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 33. (Type _Motacilla - calendula_, LINN.)—_Corthylio_, CAB. Jour. Orn. I, 1853, 83. - (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Regulus satrapa._ - 28784. ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill slender, much shorter than the head, depressed at -base, but becoming rapidly compressed; moderately notched at tip. -Culmen straight to near the tip, then gently curved. Commissure -straight; gonys convex. Rictus well provided with bristles; nostril -covered by a single bristly feather directed forwards (not distinct in -_calendula_). Tarsi elongated, exceeding considerably the middle toe, -and without scutellæ. Lateral toes about equal; hind toe with the -claw, longer than the middle one by about half the claw. Claws all -much curved. First primary about one third as long as the longest; -second equal to fifth or sixth. Tail shorter than the wings, -moderately forked, the feathers acuminate. Colors olive-green above, -whitish beneath. Size very small. - -We are unable to appreciate any such difference between the common -North American _Reguli_ as to warrant Cabanis in establishing a -separate genus for the _calendula_. The bristly feather over the -nostril is perhaps less compact and close, but it exists in a -rudimentary condition. - -The following synopsis will serve as diagnoses of the species:— - - Head with entire cap in adult plain olivaceous, with a - concealed patch of crimson. _Hab._ Whole of North America; - south to Guatemala; Greenland … _calendula._ - - Head with forehead and line over the eye white, bordered inside - by black, and within this again is yellow, embracing an orange - patch in the centre of the crown. _Hab._ Whole of North America … - _satrapa._ - - Head with forehead and line through the eye black, bordered - inside by whitish, and within this again by black, embracing - an orange-red patch in the centre of the crown. _Hab._ Banks - of Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania … _cuvieri._ - - -Regulus satrapa, LICHT. - -GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. - - _Regulus satrapa_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, no. 410.—DALL & BANNISTER - (Alaska).—LORD (Vancouver Isl.).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1859, 227; - Review, 65.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 212 (Orizaba).—BÆDEKER, Cab. - Jour. IV, 33, pl. i, fig. 8 (eggs, from Labrador).—PR. MAX. Cab. - Jour. 1858, 111.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. R. XII, II, 1859, 174 - (winters in W. Territory).—LORD, R. Art. Inst. Wool. 1864, 114 - (nest?).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 476 (Texas, winter).—SAMUELS, - 179.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 32. _Sylvia regulus_, WILS.; _Regulus - cristatus_, VIEILL.; _R. tricolor_, NUTT., AUD. - Figures: AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. cxxxii.—IB. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - clxxxiii.—VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. cvi. - -SP. CHAR. Above olive-green, brightest on the outer edges of the wing; -tail-feathers tinged with brownish-gray towards the head. Forehead, a -line over the eye and a space beneath it, white. Exterior of the crown -before and laterally black, embracing a central patch of orange-red, -encircled by gamboge-yellow. A dusky space around the eye. -Wing-coverts with two yellowish-white bands, the posterior covering a -similar band on the quills, succeeded by a broad dusky one. Under -parts dull whitish. Length under 4 inches; wing, 2.25; tail, 1.80. -_Female_ without the orange-red central patch. Young birds without the -colored crown. - -HAB. North America generally. On the west coast, not recorded south of -Fort Crook. Orizaba, SCLATER; W. Arizona, COUES. - - [Illustration: _Regulus satrapa._] - -Specimens of this bird from the far West are much brighter and more -olivaceous above; the markings of the face are also somewhat different -in showing less dusky about the eye. These may form a variety -_olivaceus_. - -The _Regulus cristatus_ of Europe, a close ally of our bird, is -distinguished by having shorter wings and longer bill; the flame-color -of the head is more extended, the black border is almost wanting -anteriorly. The back and rump, too, are more yellow. - -HABITS. The Golden-crested Kinglet, or Wren, as it is often called, -occurs over nearly the whole of the North American continent. It is -abundant from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and throughout the British -Provinces, where it chiefly occurs in its breeding-season. In -Massachusetts it is a winter resident from October until May. In Maine -it is met with in spring and fall, chiefly as a migratory visitor; a -few also remain, and probably breed, in the dense _Thuja_ swamps of -that State. They are most abundant in April, and again in October. In -the vicinity of Calais the Golden-crest is a common summer resident, -and, without doubt, breeds there. - -Dr. Woodhouse mentions finding this species in abundance in New Mexico -and Texas, associated with Nuthatches and Titmice. Dr. Cooper found it -abundant in Washington Territory, particularly in the winter, and -ascertained positively that they breed there, by seeing them feeding -their young near Puget Sound, in the month of August. According to Mr. -Ridgway it is much less numerous in the Great Basin than the _R. -calendula_. - -The food of this lively and attractive little bird during the summer -months is almost exclusively the smaller winged insects, which it -industriously pursues amid the highest tree-tops of the forest. At -other seasons its habits are more those of the titmice, necessity -leading it to ransack the crevices of the bark on the trunks and -larger limbs of the forest-trees. It is an expert fly-catcher, taking -insects readily upon the wing. - -But little is known with certainty regarding its breeding-habits, and -its nest and eggs have not yet been described. The presumption, -however, is that it builds a pensile nest, not unlike the European -congener, and lays small eggs finely sprinkled with buff-colored dots -on a white ground, and in size nearly corresponding with those of our -common Humming-Bird. We must infer that it raises two broods in a -season, from the fact that it spends so long a period, from April to -October, in its summer abode, and still more because while Mr. Nuttall -found them feeding their full-fledged young in May, on the Columbia, -Dr. Cooper, in the same locality, and Mr. Audubon, in Labrador, -observed them doing the same thing in the month of August. - -According to the observations of Mr. J. K. Lord, this species is very -common on Vancouver’s Island and along the entire boundary line -separating Washington Territory from British Columbia, where he met -with them at an altitude of six thousand feet. He states that they -build a pensile nest suspended from the extreme end of a pine branch, -and that they lay from five to seven eggs. These he does not describe. - -Most writers speak of this Kinglet as having no song, its only note -being a single chirp. But in this they are certainly greatly in error. -Without having so loud or so powerful a note as the Ruby-crown (_R. -calendula_), for its song will admit of no comparison with the -wonderful vocal powers of that species, it yet has a quite distinctive -and prolonged succession of pleasing notes, which I have heard it pour -forth in the midst of the most inclement weather in February almost -uninterruptedly, and for quite an interval. - -Bischoff obtained a large number of this species at Kodiak, and also -at Sitka, where it seemed to replace the Ruby-crown. - - -Regulus cuvieri, AUD. - -CUVIER’S KINGLET. - - _Regulus cuvieri_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 288, pl. lv, etc.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1859, 228; Rev. Am. Birds, 66. - -SP. CHAR. Size and general appearance probably that of _R. satrapa_. A -black band on the forehead passing back, through and behind the eye, -separated by a grayish band from another black band on the crown, -which embraces in the centre of the crown an orange patch. Length, -4.25 inches; extent of wings, 6. - -HAB. “Banks of Schuylkill River, Penn. June, 1812.” AUD. - -This species continues to be unknown, except from the description of -Mr. Audubon, as quoted above. It appears to differ mainly from _R. -satrapa_ in having two black bands (not one) on the crown anteriorly, -separated by a whitish one; the extreme forehead being black instead -of white, as in _satrapa_. The specimen was killed in June, 1812, on -the banks of the Schuylkill River, in Pennsylvania. - - -Regulus calendula, LICHT. - -RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. - - _Motacilla calendula_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 337. _Regulus - calendula_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, no. 408.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 226; Rev. 66.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 202.—IB. 1858, 300 - (mountains of Oaxaca).—IB. 1859, 362 (Xalapa).—IB. 1864, 172 - (City of Mex.).—SAMUELS, 178.—DALL & BANNISTER - (Alaska).—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 33.—IB. Ibis, I, 1859, 8 - (Guatemala).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, II, 1859, - 174.—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Greenland).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, - 475 (Texas, winter). _Corthylio calendula_, CAB. Jour. Orn. I, - 1853, 83 (type of genus). _Regulus rubineus_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. - Sept. II, 1807, 49, pl. civ, cv. - Other figures: WILS. Am. Orn. I, 1808, pl. v, fig. 3.—DOUGHTY, - Cab. II, pl. vi.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxcv.—IB. Birds Am. II, - pl. cxxxiii. - -SP. CHAR. Above dark greenish-olive, passing into bright olive-green -on the rump and outer edges of the wings and tail. The under parts are -grayish-white tinged with pale olive-yellow, especially behind. A ring -round the eye, two bands on the wing-coverts, and the exterior of the -inner tertials white. _Male._ Crown with a large concealed patch of -scarlet feathers, which are white at the base. Female and young -without the red on the crown. Length, 4.50; wing, 2.33; tail, 1.85. - -HAB. Greenland; whole of North America, and south to Guatemala. Oaxaca -(high region, November), SCLATER. Xalapa and Guatemala, SCLATER. - -This species of _Regulus_ appears to lack the small feather which, in -_satrapa_, overlies and conceals the nostrils, which was probably the -reason with Cabanis and Blyth for placing it in a different genus. -There is no other very apparent difference of form, however, although -this furnishes a good character for distinguishing between young -specimens of the two species. - -HABITS. Much yet remains to be learned as to the general habits, the -nesting, and distribution during the breeding-season of the -Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It is found, at varying periods, in all parts of -North America, from Mexico to the shores of the Arctic seas, and from -the Atlantic to the Pacific; and, although its breeding-places are not -known, its occurrence in the more northern latitudes, from Maine to -the extreme portions of the continent, during the season of -reproduction, indicate pretty certainly its extended distribution -throughout all the forests from the 44th parallel northward. None of -our American ornithologists are known to have met with either its eggs -or its nest, but we may reasonably infer that its nest is pensile, -like that of its European kindred, and from being suspended from the -higher branches, from its peculiar structure and position has thus far -escaped observation. - -In the New England States they are most abundant in the months of -October and April. A few probably remain in the thick evergreen woods -throughout the winter, and in the northern parts of Maine they are -occasionally found in the summer, and, without doubt, breed there. In -the damp swampy woods of the islands in the Bay of Fundy, the writer -heard their remarkable song resounding in all directions throughout -the month of June. - -The song of this bird is by far the most remarkable of its specific -peculiarities. Its notes are clear, resonant, and high, and constitute -a prolonged series, varying from the lowest tones to the highest, -terminating with the latter. It may be heard at quite a distance, and -in some respects bears more resemblance to the song of the English -Skylark than to that of the Canary, to which Mr. Audubon compares it. - -Their food appears to be chiefly the smaller insects, in pursuit of -which they are very active, and at times appear to be so absorbed in -their avocation as to be unmindful of the near presence of the -sportsman or collector, and unwarned by the sound of the deadly gun. -They are also said by Wilson to feed upon the stamens of the blossoms -of the maple, the apple, peach, and other trees. Like the other -species, they are expert insect-takers, catching them readily on the -wing. They are chiefly to be met with in the spring among the -tree-tops, where the insects they prefer abound among the expanding -buds. In the fall of the year, on their return, they are more commonly -met with among lower branches, and among bushes near the ground. - -Although presumed to be chiefly resident, during the summer months, of -high northern regions, Wilson met with specimens in Pennsylvania -during the breeding-season; and it is quite probable that they may -occur, here and there, among the high valleys in the midst of mountain -ranges, in different parts of the country. - -In the winter it is most abundant in the Gulf States, and especially -in that of Louisiana. Dr. Woodhouse found it quite abundant throughout -Texas, New Mexico, and the Indian Territory. Dr. Cooper found it in -Washington Territory, but did not there meet with it in summer. Dr. -Suckley, however, regarded it as a transient visitor, rather than a -winter resident of that region, and far more abundant from about the -8th of April to the 20th of May, when it seemed to be migrating, than -at any other time. - -Dr. Kennerly found these birds in abundance near Espia, Mexico, and -afterwards, during January, among the Aztec Mountains, and again, in -February, along the Bill Williams Fork. He describes them as lively, -active, and busy in the pursuit of their insect food. They seem to be -equally abundant at this season in California, Arizona, and Colorado. - -Mr. Ridgway found them common in June and July among the coniferous -woods high upon the Wahsatch Mountains in Utah, and has no doubt that -they breed there. - -Mr. Dall found this species abundant at Nulato, Alaska, in the spring -of 1868, preferring the thickets and alder-bushes away from the -river-bank. They appeared very courageous. A pair that seemed about to -commence building a nest in a small clump of bushes tore to pieces one -half finished, belonging to a pair of _Scolecophagus ferrugineus_, -and, on the blackbirds’ return, attacked the female and drove her -away. This was early in June, and Mr. Dall was compelled to leave -without being able to witness the sequel of the contest. - -A straggling specimen of this bird was taken in 1860 at Nenortatik, in -Greenland, and sent in the flesh to Copenhagen. - - -SUBFAMILY POLIOPTILINÆ. - -The characters of this subfamily will be found on page 69. - - -GENUS POLIOPTILA, SCLAT. - - _Polioptila_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1855, 11. (Type, _Motacilla - cærulea_.) - - [Line drawing: _Polioptila cærulea._ - 10213] - -CHAR. Bill slender, attenuated, but depressed at the base; nearly as -long as the head, distinctly notched at the tip, and provided with -moderate rictal bristles. Nostrils rather elongated, not concealed, -but anterior to the frontal feathers. Tarsi longer than the middle -toe, distinctly scutellate; the toes small; the hinder one scarcely -longer than the lateral; its claw scarcely longer than the middle. -Outer lateral toe longer than the inner. First primary about one third -the longest; second equal to the seventh. Tail a little longer than -the wings, moderately graduated; the feathers rounded. Nest felted and -covered with moss or lichens. Eggs greenish-white, spotted with -purplish-brown. - -The species all lead-color above; white beneath, and to a greater or -less extent on the exterior of the tail, the rest of which is black. -Very diminutive in size (but little over four inches long). - - -Synopsis of Species. - -_Top of head plumbeous._ - -Two outer tail-feathers entirely white. A narrow frontal line, -extending back over the eye, black. _Hab._ North America … - _P. cærulea._ - -Outer tail-feather, with the whole of the outer web (only), -white. No black on the forehead, but a stripe over the eye above -one of whitish. _Hab._ Arizona … _P. plumbea._ - -_Top of head black._ - -Edge only of outer web of outer tail-feather white. Entire top of -head from the bill black. _Hab._ Rio Grande and Gila … _P. melanura._ - -Species occur over the whole of America. One, _P. lembeyi_, is -peculiar to Cuba, and a close ally of _P. cærulea_. - - -Polioptila cærulea, SCLAT. - -BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER; EASTERN GNATCATCHER. - - _Motacilla cærulea_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 337 (based on - _Motacilla parva cærulea_, EDW. tab. 302). _Culicivora cærulea_, - CAB. Jour. 1855, 471 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Repert. 1865, 231. - _Polioptila cærulea_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 11.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 380.—IB. Rev. 74.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 231.—COOPER, - Birds Cal. 1, 35. _Motacilla cana_, GM. S. N. I, 1788, 973. _? - Culicivora mexicana_, BON. Consp. 1850, 316 (not of CASSIN), - female. _Polioptila mexicana_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 363, 373. - Figures: VIEILL. Ois. II, pl. lxxxviii.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, pl. - xviii, fig. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lxxxiv; IB. Birds Am. I, - pl. lxx. - -SP. CHAR. Above grayish-blue, gradually becoming bright blue on the -crown. A narrow frontal band of black extending backwards over the -eye. Under parts and lores bluish-white tinged with lead-color on the -sides. First and second tail-feathers white except at the extreme -base, which is black, the color extending obliquely forward on the -inner web; third and fourth black, with white tip, very slight on the -latter; fifth and sixth entirely black. Upper tail-coverts -blackish-plumbeous. Quills edged externally with pale bluish-gray, -which is much broader and nearly white on the tertials. Female without -any black on the head. Length, 4.30; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.25. (Skin.) - -HAB. Middle region of United States, from Atlantic to Pacific, and -south to Guatemala; Cape St. Lucas. Cuba, GUNDLACH and BRYANT. -Bahamas, BRYANT. - -HABITS. The Blue-gray Flycatcher is a common species from the Atlantic -to the Pacific coast, although not met with in the New England States. -It is less abundant on the coast than at a distance from it, and has a -more northern range in the interior, being met with in Northern Ohio, -Michigan, and the British Provinces. Specimens occur in the -Smithsonian Institution collection from New York to Mexico and -Guatemala, and from Washington Territory to California. - -They appear in Pennsylvania early in May, and remain there until the -last of September. They are observed in Florida and Georgia early in -March, but are not known to winter in that latitude. All the specimens -in the Smithsonian collection were obtained between April and October, -except one from Southern California, which was taken in December. - - [Illustration: _Polioptila cærulea._] - -Near Washington, Dr. Coues states the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher to be a -summer resident, arriving during the first week of April, and -remaining until the latter part of September, during which time they -are very abundant. They are said to breed in high open woods, and, on -their first arrival, to frequent tall trees on the sides of streams -and in orchards. - -In California and Arizona this species occurs, but is, to some extent, -replaced by a smaller species, peculiarly western, _P. melanura_. -There they seem to keep more about low bushes, hunting minute insects -in small companies or in pairs, and their habits are hardly -distinguishable from those of Warblers in most respects. - -The food of this species is chiefly small winged insects and their -larvæ. It is an expert insect-catcher, taking its prey on the wing -with great celerity. All its movements are very rapid, the bird -seeming to be constantly in motion as if ever in quest of insects, -moving from one part of the tree to the other, but generally -preferring the upper branches. - -Nuttall and Audubon, copying Wilson, speak of the nest of this -Gnatcatcher as a very frail receptacle for its eggs, and as hardly -strong enough to bear the weight of the parent bird. This, however, -all my observations attest to be not the fact. The nest is, on the -contrary, very elaborately and carefully constructed; large for the -size of the bird, remarkably deep, and with thick, warm walls composed -of soft and downy materials, but abundantly strong for its builder, -who is one of our smallest birds both in size and in weight. Like the -nests of the Wood Pewee and the Humming-Bird, they are models of -architectural beauty and ingenious design. With walls made of a soft -felted material, they are deep and purse-like. They are not pensile, -but are woven to small upright twigs, usually near the tree-top, and -sway with each breeze, but the depth of the cavity and its small -diameter prevent the eggs from rolling out. Externally the nest is -covered with a beautiful periphery of gray lichens, assimilating it to -the bark of the deciduous trees in which it is constructed. - -Occasionally these nests have been found at the height of ten feet -from the ground, but they are more frequently built at a much greater -elevation, even to the height of fifty feet or more. They are made in -the shape of a truncated cone, three inches in diameter at the base -and but two at the top, and three and a half inches in height. The -diameter of the opening is an inch and a half. In Northern Georgia -they nest about the middle of May, and are so abundant that the late -Dr. Gerhardt would often find not less than five in a single day, and -very rarely were any of them less than sixty feet from the ground. Dr. -Gerhardt, who was an accurate and careful observer, speaks of these as -the best built nests he had met with in this country, both in regard -to strength and its ingeniously contrived aperture, so narrowed at the -top that it is impossible for the eggs to roll out even in the -severest wind. They have two broods in the season in the Southern -States, one in April and again in July. - -This Flycatcher lays usually five eggs. These are of a short oval -form, somewhat pointed at one end and rounded at the other, and -measure .56 of an inch in length by .44 in breadth. Their ground-color -is a greenish-white, marked and dotted with small blotches and spots -of varying and blending shades of reddish-brown, lilac, and slate. - - -Polioptila plumbea, BAIRD. - -LEAD-COLORED GNATCATCHER; ARIZONA GNATCATCHER. - - _Polioptila plumbea_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. VII, June, 1854, 118.—IB. - Birds N. Am. 1858, 382, pl. xxxiii, fig. 1; Review, 74.—COOPER, - Birds Cal. 1, 37. - -SP. CHAR. Above bluish-gray; the forehead uniform with the crown. -Eyelids white. A pale grayish-white line over the eye, above which is -another of black, much concealed by the feathers, and which does not -reach to the bill. Lower parts dull white, tinged with bluish on the -sides and with brownish behind. Tail-feathers black; the first and -second edged and tipped with white, involving the entire outer web of -the first, and most of that of the second; the third with only a very -faint edging of the same. Female duller, without the black -superciliary line. Length, 4.40; wing, 1.80; tail, 2.30 (7,189). - -HAB. Arizona. - -This species differs from _P. cærulea_, in having the ash above less -bluish, especially on the forehead; the black superciliary streak is -only a horizontal bar, not reaching the bill, whereas in _cærulea_ it -not only reaches the bill, but also extends across the forehead; the -light superciliary stripe is more distinct. The tail is entirely -different, the lateral feathers being almost entirely black, instead -of the reverse. - -From immature specimens of _P. melanura_ it may be distinguished by -larger size and purer white lower parts, and greater amount of white -on outer webs of lateral tail-feathers. - -HABITS. But little is known in regard to the distribution or history -of this species. It appears to be peculiar to Arizona and Mexico. -There is no good reason to suppose that it differs materially in any -of its habits from the other species of this genus. Dr. Cooper, who -observed this species at Fort Mojave, states that it is a winter -resident of that region in small numbers; and, so far as he observed, -is undistinguishable either in habit or general appearance from either -of the other species which at that season are also found there. Its -cry of alarm resembles that of the common wren. - - -Polioptila melanura, LAWR. - -BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER. - - _Culicivora atricapilla_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, Sept. 1851, - 124 (not of SWAINSON). _Culicivora mexicana_, CASSIN, Illust. I, - 1854, 164, pl. xxvii (not of BON.). _Polioptila melanura_, - LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, Dec. 1856, 168.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 382; Review, 68.—HEERMANN, P. R. R. R. vol. X (Williamson), - 1859, 39.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 37. - -SP. CHAR. Above plumbeous-blue. Whole crown, to bill and eyes, with -tail, lustrous blue-black. Beneath pale bluish-gray, almost white on -chin and anal region; the flanks and crissum tinged with brown. Edge -of eyelids, and margin and tip of outer web of first and second -lateral tail-feathers, white. Female and young without the black of -the crown. Length, 4.15; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.10. - -HAB. San Diego to Fort Yuma and Cape St. Lucas. Arizona, COUES. - -Specimens of this species from Cape St. Lucas differ from those of San -Diego described in the P. R. R. Report (7,191) in having the whole of -the outer web of the outer tail-feather white, and in a rather larger -white tip. The colors beneath are a little less ashy, though not of a -pure white. The ash of the back is rather lighter and purer. The lores -are rather lighter. The first primary is a little larger and broader. - -It is possible that the restriction of the white of the outer web of -the exterior tail-feather to the outer half only is an unusual -circumstance, as both Mr. Cassin and Mr. Lawrence, in their -descriptions, speak of the entire outer web being white,—the second -feather being of the former character. Under these circumstances there -will be little specific difference between the tails of _P. melanura_ -and _plumbea_. The female birds will then be separated by the light -superciliary line and much shorter tarsi of _P. plumbea_,—the latter -measuring .63 instead of nearly .70 of an inch. - -HABITS. This species was first noticed as belonging to the North -American fauna by Captain McCown, who obtained it near Ringgold -Barracks in 1850. It has since been noticed at Fort Yuma and at San -Diego, and obtained in greater abundance at Cape St. Lucas. It is also -found in Mexico. Dr. Cooper says that it is common all winter both at -San Diego and at Fort Mohave. It has been traced as far north as -latitude 30° in the Sierra Nevada. Its song he describes as a harsh -ditty of five parts, something like a wren’s song, with notes like -those of a swallow, and also closely resembling the song of _Vireo -belli_. Their scolding note is a faint mew, like that of a cat. - -The habits of this species appear to be not unlike those of the -peculiar family to which it belongs. All its members are among our -smallest birds, are almost exclusively inhabitants of woods, and -resemble the _Reguli_ in their restless activity in pursuit of the -smallest insects on which they feed. This bird is described as -particularly active, quick in its movements, searching with great -activity for its food, and preferring low trees and bushes. At times -it will dart about in the air in pursuit of small insects. - -Mr. John Xantus found these birds to be quite abundant at Cape St. -Lucas, and obtained several of their nests. They were generally built -among the interlacing tendrils of a wild vine (_Antigonon leptopus_), -and so closely interwoven with the smaller branches as to be -inseparable. The nests, like those of all this family, are structures -of great beauty and delicacy. They have a height and an external -diameter of about 2¼ inches. The cavity is 1½ inches wide at the rim, -and fully two inches deep. This great proportionate depth of the nest -seems to be characteristic of this genus. The external portion of this -nest is composed of a composite blending of various vegetable -materials, fine hempen fibres of plants, strips of delicate bark from -smaller shrubs, silken fragments of cocoons and downy cotton-like -substance, all very closely impacted and felted together, somewhat -after the manner of the Humming-Bird. The whole is very softly and -warmly lined with a beautifully interwoven and silky fabric composed -of the soft down of various plants. - -The walls of the nest, though of the softest materials, are so thick -and so firmly impacted as to make it a structure remarkably firm and -secure against accidents. - -The eggs, four in number, measure .55 of an inch in length by .45 in -breadth. They are of an oblong-oval shape, their ground-color is a -pale greenish-white sprinkled over the entire surface with fine -dottings of purple, reddish-brown, and black. - - - - -FAMILY CHAMÆADÆ.—THE GROUND-TITS. - - -CHAR. Bill compressed, short, rather conical, not notched nor -decurved. Culmen sharp-ridged. Nostrils linear, with an incumbent -scale. Rictal bristles reaching beyond nostrils, which are scantily -overhung by bristly feathers. Loral feathers bristly and directed -forwards. Tarsi booted, or covered with a continuous plate anteriorly, -with faint indications of scutellæ on the inner side. Basal joint of -middle toe attached for about half its length on either side. -Primaries ten; sixth quill longest. Plumage very lax. - - [Line drawing: _Chamæa fasciata._ - 5924] - -We have found it impossible to assign the genus _Chamæa_ to any -recognized family of American birds, and have accordingly been obliged -to give it independent rank in this respect, although it may properly -belong to some Old World group with which we are not acquainted. In -its general appearance it approaches the _Paridæ_ in loose plumage, -bristly lores, want of notch to bill, etc.; but differs in the very -much bristled rictus, sharp-ridged culmen, linear nostrils, booted -tarsi, less amount of adhesion of the toes, etc. It approaches the -_Sylviidæ_ in the sharp-ridged culmen and bristly gape, but is -otherwise very different. The excessively rounded wing is a peculiar -feature, the sixth primary being the longest. - - [Illustration: _Chamæa fasciata._] - -The family may, perhaps, be best placed between the _Sylviidæ_ and -_Paridæ_. - -This family has but one representative (_Chamæa fasciata_), and this -confined to the coast region of California. The characters of the -genus are those of the family. - - -GENUS CHAMÆA, GAMBEL. - - _Chamæa_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. III, 1847, 154. (Type, _Parus - fasciatus_.) - -But one species of this genus has as yet been described. - - -Chamæa fasciata, GAMB. - -GROUND-TIT; WREN-TIT. - - _Parus fasciatus_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Aug. 1845, 265 (California). - _Chamæa fasciata_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. III, 1847, 154.—IB. J. - A. N. Sc. 2d series, I, 1847, 34, pl. viii, fig. 3.—CABANIS, - Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1848, I, 102.—CASSIN, Illust. I, 1853, 39, pl. - vii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 370.—IB. Review, 76.—COOPER, - Birds Cal. 1, 39. - -SP. CHAR. Wings scarcely two thirds the length of the tail; both very -much graduated. Upper and outer parts generally (including the whole -tail) olivaceous-brown, tinged with gray on the head; beneath pale -brownish-cinnamon, with obsolete streaks of dusky on the throat and -breast. Sides and under tail-coverts tinged with olive-brown. Lores -and a spot above the eye obscurely whitish. Tail-feathers with -obsolete transverse bars. Total length, 6.20; wing, 2.30; tail, 3.50, -graduation, 1.20; exposed portion of first primary, .85, of second, -1.30, of longest, sixth (measured from exposed base of first primary), -1.80; length of bill from forehead, .52, from nostril, .30; along -gape, .60; tarsus, 1.05; middle toe and claw, .78; claw alone, .23; -hind toe and claw, .55; claw alone, .30. Eggs light blue, unspotted; -nest on low bushes. - -HAB. Coast region of California. - -HABITS. This very interesting species, which seems to combine within -itself the principal characteristics of the Wren and the Titmouse, was -first described by the late Dr. Gambel of Philadelphia. So far as is -now known, it is confined to the coast country of California, from -Fort Tejon to the shore and from San Diego to the Sacramento. Dr. -Gambel’s attention was first directed to it by the continued sound of -a loud, crepitant, grating scold which he was constantly hearing in -fields of dead mustard-stalks and other similar places. He at last -discovered it to be this species, which from its peculiar habits he -called a Wren-tit. It kept close to the ground, was difficult to be -seen, and eluded pursuit by diving into the thickest bunches of weeds, -uttering, when approached, its peculiar grating wren-like notes. When -quietly watched it could be seen to search for insects, climbing twigs -and dry stalks sideways, jerking its long tail, or holding it erect in -the manner of a wren, which, in this position, it very much resembles. -He describes it as at times uttering a slow, monotonous singing note -like a chick-a-dee, represented by _pee-pee-pee-peep_. At other times -its song is a varied succession of whistling. In spring it was heard, -in pairs, calling and answering, in a less solemn strain, and in a -manner not unlike a sparrow, with a brief _pit-pit-pit_, ending with a -prolonged trill. If disturbed, they at once resumed their usual -scolding cries. - -Mr. Bell found this species chiefly frequenting damp places, and -speaks of it as of pert habit, and not easily frightened. Its white -iris, when observed in its native retreats, makes it easily -recognized. This feature is as conspicuous in this bird as it is in -the White-eyed Vireo. Its skin is remarkably strong, the muscles of -the thighs powerful and well developed, and its whole muscular system -exhibits an unusual strength and firmness. - -Dr. Cooper’s observations in regard to this bird are a little -different in some respects. He found it common everywhere west of the -Sierra Nevada on dry plains and hillsides, among the shrubby -undergrowth, but not in the forests. Instead of preferring damp -places, he found it living where there is no water, except occasional -fogs, for six or eight months at a time. Their movements can be -observed by patient watching and keeping perfectly quiet, when they -seem attracted by curiosity to such a degree as to approach one within -a few feet, and fearlessly hop round him as if fascinated. - -Dr. Cooper found their nests near San Diego built about three feet -from the ground in low shrubs. They were composed of straw and twigs -mixed with feathers and firmly interwoven. The cavity, about two -inches wide and an inch and three fourths deep, is lined with grass -and hair. The eggs, three or four in number, are of a pale -greenish-blue, and measure .70 by .52 of an inch. - - - - -FAMILY PARIDÆ.—THE TITMICE. - -CHAR. Bill generally short, conical, not notched nor decurved at tip. -Culmen broad and rounded, not sharp-ridged at base. Nostrils rounded, -basal, and concealed by dense bristles or bristly feathers. Loral -feathers rough and bristly, directed forwards. Tarsi distinctly -scutellate; basal joints of anterior toes abbreviated, that of middle -toe united about equally for three fourths its length to the lateral: -in _Parinæ_ forming a kind of palm for grasping; outer lateral toe -decidedly longer than the inner. Primaries ten, the first much shorter -than the second. Tail-feathers with soft tips. Nest in holes of trees; -eggs white, spotted with reddish. - -With Cabanis we include the Nuthatches in the same family with the -Titmice, and have prepared the above diagnosis to embrace both groups. -They agree in having a conical bill, not notched nor decurved, with -much rounded culmen, and nearly straight commissure, and rounded -nostrils covered with dense bristles. These characters will readily -distinguish them, in connection with the ten primaries, and tarsi with -scutellæ on the anterior half only (as compared with _Alaudidæ_), from -any other American _Oscines_. - -The two subfamilies may be thus distinguished:— - - Parinæ. Body compressed. Bill shorter than the head. Wings rounded, - equal to or shorter than the rounded tail. Second quill as short - as the tenth. Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw, which - are about equal to the hinder; soles of toes widened into a palm. - Plumage rather soft and lax. - - Sittinæ. Body depressed. Bill about equal to or longer than the head. - Wings much pointed, much longer than the nearly even tail. Tarsus - shorter than the middle toe and claw, which are about equal to the - hinder. Plumage more compact. - - -SUBFAMILY PARINÆ. - -The characters of the subfamily will be found sufficiently detailed -above. The genera are as follows:— - - _Bill with curved outlines._ - -Head with a long pointed crest. Wings and tail rounded. - - Body full and large. Tail about equal to wings … _Lophophanes._ - -Head with feathers full, but not crested. Wings and tail rounded. - - Body full. Tail about equal to wings; rounded … _Parus._ - - Body slender. Tail much longer than wings; much graduated … - _Psaltriparus._ - - _Bill with outlines nearly straight._ - -Head with compact feathers. Wings pointed. - - Body slender. Tail rather shorter than the wings; nearly even … - _Auriparus._ - - [Illustration: PLATE VI. - - 1. Lophophanes bicolor, _Bon._ Ill., 29679. - 2. “ atricristatus, _Cass._ Tex., 12107. - 3. “ inornatus, _Cass._ Cal., 37051. - 4. “ wollweberi, _Bon._ Ariz., 40742. - 5. Polioptila cærulea, _Scl._ Ill., 10213. - 6. “ plumbea, _Baird_. Ariz., 11541. - 7. “ melanura, _Lawr._ Cal., 7191. - 8. Chamæa fasciata, _Gamb._ Cal., 5924.] - - -GENUS LOPHOFHANES, KAUP. - - _Lophophanes_, KAUP, Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829. (Type, - _Parus cristatus_.) - _Bæolophus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 91. (Type, _Parus - bicolor_, L.) - -GEN. CHAR. Crown with a conspicuous crest. Bill conical; both upper -and lower outlines convex. Wings graduated; first quill very short. -Tail moderately long and rounded. Nests in hollow trees; eggs white -with fine red dottings. - - [Line drawing: _Lophophanes bicolor._ - 823 ♂] - -Of this genus there are several North American species, all agreeing -in general characters. One of these, the _L. wollweberi_, is given by -Cabanis as typical, while he separates the _L. bicolor_ generically -under the name of _Bæolophus_, as having a rather different form of -crest, stouter bill and feet, and longer wings. All of our species, -however, vary in these characters, each one showing a different -combination, so that we prefer to consider all as belonging to the -same genus with _P. cristatus_. - -The species, all of which have the under parts uniform whitish, may be -arranged as follows:— - -L. bicolor. Above plumbeous; forehead black; crown much like the back. -_Hab._ Eastern Province United States. - -L. atricristatus. Above plumbeous; forehead whitish; crown black. -_Hab._ East Mexico, north to Rio Grande. - -L. inornatus. Above olivaceous; forehead and crown like the back. -_Hab._ South of Middle and Western Provinces of United States. - -L. wollweberi. Sides of head banded black and white; crown ash; throat -black. _Hab._ S. Rocky Mountains of United States; Mexico to Oaxaca. - - -Lophophanes bicolor, BONAP. - -TUFTED TITMOUSE; BLACK-FRONTED TITMOUSE. - - _Parus bicolor_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. I, 1766, 340 (based on - _Parus cristatus_, CATESBY, I, pl. lvii).—PR. MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, - 1858, 118. _Lophophanes bicolor_, BON. List Birds Europe, - 1842.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 384; Review, 78.—SCLATER, Catal. - 1861, 14, no. 87. _Bæolophus bicolor_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 91 - (type of genus). _Lophophanes missouriensis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 384 (var. from Missouri River). - Figures: WILSON, Am. Orn. I, pl. viii, fig. 5.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - pl. ccci; IB. Birds Am. II, pl. cxxv. - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy; a black frontal band. Beneath dull whitish; -sides brownish-chestnut, of more or less intensity. Length, 6.25 -inches; wing, 3.17. - -HAB. United States, from Missouri Valley eastward. - - [Illustration: _Lophophanes inornatus._] - -Feathers of the crown elongated into a flattened crest, which extends -back as far as the occiput. Bill conical; lower edge of upper mandible -nearly straight at the base. Fourth and fifth quills equal; third a -little shorter than seventh; second rather shorter than the -secondaries. Tail nearly even, the outer about .20 of an inch shorter -than the longest. Upper parts ash-color, with a tinge of olivaceous. -Forehead dark sooty-brown. The feathers of the upper part of the head -and crest obscurely streaked with lighter brown. Under parts of head -and body, sides of head, including auriculars, and a narrow space -above the eye, dirty yellowish-white, tinged with brown; purest on the -side of head, the white very distinct in the loral region, and -including the tuft of bristly feathers over the nostrils, excepting -the tips of those in contact with the bill, which are blackish. The -sides of the body and the under tail-coverts are tinged with -yellowish-brown. The quills and tail-feathers are edged with the color -of the back, without any whitish. Bill black. Feet lead-color. - -Specimens from the West are larger, the colors all more strongly -marked. - -HABITS. The Tufted Titmouse is a common and well-known species in the -Southern States, from the seaboard to the Rocky Mountains. Its -northern limits are in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Kansas. Farther -north than this its occurrence appears to be only occasional and -accidental. The statement of Mr. Audubon that they are found in the -Northern States, even to Nova Scotia, was evidently a mistake. They do -not occur in Massachusetts, nor, so far as I am aware, have they been -met with in any part of New England. - -They are abundant in Northern Georgia, where, according to the -observations of Dr. Gerhardt, they are among the first birds to breed, -having fledglings fully grown as early as the first of May. Dr. -Woodhouse found them very common in the Indian Territory, but none of -the other exploring parties met with it farther west, where it is -replaced by its kindred species. - -It is perhaps the most abundant bird in Southern Illinois, where it is -resident, being excessively numerous in winter, and in that season -often a positive nuisance from their impertinent vehement scolding as -they appear to follow the hunter in troops through the woods. In -winter it is a constant inhabitant of the door-yards and shrubbery, -particularly fruit-trees in the towns, where it is associated with the -Carolina Chickadee (_Parus carolinensis_) and other winter birds, but -exceeding them all in familiarity and boldness. (Ridgway.) - -Mr. Nuttall, who never met with this bird north of Pennsylvania, found -it very common in the winter and spring in the Southern States, where -it displayed all the habits and uttered the usual notes of the family. -In the dreariest solitudes of the Southern States these birds were his -constant and amusing companions. Their sprightly movements and their -varied musical talents made it even more peculiarly interesting at a -time when all the other tenants of the forest were silent. The notes -of this bird, which, when expressed by this writer on paper, seem only -quaint and eccentric articulations, were characterized by him as -lively, cheering, and varied, delivered with a delicacy, energy, -pathos, and variety of expression to which it was far beyond the power -of description to do justice. - -These notes, at times, even partook of the high-echoing and -clear tones of the Oriole. The usual song of this Titmouse is -presented by Mr. Nuttall by the following characteristics: -“_Whip-tom-killy-killy-dāy-dāy-dā-it-tshica-dēē-dee_,” varied with -“_Kāī-tee-did-did-did_,” etc., etc. Later in the season, under the -milder influences of spring, these Titmice pursued the insects from -branch to branch, calling restlessly and with loud and echoing voices, -_peto-peto-peto_, with frequent quaint variations too numerous to be -repeated. Their song even consisted of successions of playful, -pathetic, or querulous calls, never exhibiting any trills after the -manner of the Warblers, yet the compass and tones of their voice, -their capricious variety, and their general effect are described as -quite as pleasing as the more exquisite notes of our summer songsters. - -When wounded this Titmouse resists with great spirit any attempt to -take him alive, but soon becomes tame and familiar in confinement, -subsisting on seeds, broken nuts, etc. Impatient of restraint, it -incessantly attempts to work its way out of its cage. - -The general habits of these birds correspond closely with those of the -large family to which they belong. They move usually in small flocks -of from five to ten through the branches of trees and bushes in quest -of insects, examine the cracks and crevices of the bark, hang on the -under side of small branches, move sideways around the trunks of -trees, probe the openings in acorns, pine-cones, nuts, etc., for its -food, and retain apparently the family group until the spring, when -they separate into pairs. - -One of these birds kept in confinement by Dr. Bachman of Charleston -was in the habit of hiding its food in the corner of its cage, in a -small crevice, and of creeping at night into a small box, where it lay -doubled up like a ball till the first light of the morning, when it -resumed its restless habits. - -The Tufted Titmouse passes its nights and days, when the weather is -inclement, in the hollows of decayed trees or the deserted holes of -the woodpeckers. In such places it also builds its nests. It has been -known to excavate a hole for itself even in hard sound wood. Its nest -is simply a rude lining of the selected cavity, composed of various -soft and warm materials. In this are deposited from six to eight eggs. -But a single brood is raised in a season. The young birds, as soon as -they are fledged, hunt in company with their parents, and remain -associated with them until the following spring. The eggs of this bird -have a length of .75 of an inch and a breadth of .56. They are of a -rounded oval in shape, and are thickly sprinkled with fine -rust-colored dots, intermingled with a few larger markings of lilac, -on a white ground. - - -Lophophanes atricristatus, CASSIN. - -BLACK-TUFTED TITMOUSE; TEXAS TITMOUSE. - - _Parus atricristatus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. V, 1850, 103, - pl. ii (Texas). _Lophophanes atricristatus_, CASSIN, Ill. Birds - Texas, etc. I, 1853, 13, pl. iii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 385; - Review, 78.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 43. - -SP. CHAR. Crest very long and pointed (1.25 inches). Above -ash-colored. A broad band on the forehead dirty white, rest of head -above, with crest, black, tinged with ash on the sides. Color of the -back shading insensibly into the dull ashy-white of the under parts. -Sides of body pale brownish-chestnut. Female with the crest duller -black. Iris dark brown. Length, about 5.25 inches; wing, 3.00. - -HAB. Valley of Rio Grande, south, into Mexico. San Antonio. Texas. -Vera Cruz, SCLATER. - -This species is not rare in Texas, where it has been noticed as far -east as San Antonio. - -HABITS. So far as known, the Black-crested Titmouse is restricted in -its distribution to the valley of the Rio Grande, including portions -of Mexico and Western Texas. It was first met with in the latter State -by John W. Audubon, and described by Mr. Cassin in the Proceedings of -the Philadelphia Academy. - -In its general appearance and in all its habits it is mentioned as -having so close a resemblance to the common Tufted Titmouse as to be -hardly distinguishable from that bird. Dr. Woodhouse met with this -species near San Antonio, Texas, in March, 1851. While his party was -encamped on the Rio Salado he observed these birds busily engaged in -capturing insects among the trees on the banks of the stream. Like all -the members of this family, it was incessantly in motion and very -noisy. Later in the season, on the 8th of May, the same party, when -encamped on the Quihi, again found this species very abundant among -the oaks. The young males, then fully grown, closely resembled the -adult females, both wanting the black crest that distinguishes the -mature male. He afterward noticed this species occurring at intervals -along his route as far as the head waters of the Rio San Francisco in -New Mexico. He observed it almost exclusively among the trees that -bordered streams of water. The females and the young males invariably -had crests of the same cinereous color as their general plumage, but -in the latter slightly tinged with brown. They occurred in small -parties, were very lively and sociable in their habits, and in their -general appearance and even in their notes so very closely resembled -the Eastern species as, at a short distance, to be hardly -distinguishable from it. - -Dr. Heermann, in his report on the birds of Lieutenant Parke’s survey, -mentions having first observed this species near Fort Clarke, in -Texas, where it was very abundant. He describes it as sprightly and -active in its movements, searching with great assiduity for insects in -the crevices of the bark and among the branches of trees. While thus -engaged it keeps up a chattering note, varied with an occasional low -and plaintive whistle. Its habits appeared to him to resemble most -those of the common _Parus atricapillus_. Dr. Heermann states that it -builds its nest in the hollow of trees, and that it lays from twelve -to sixteen eggs. He does not, however, say that he ever met with its -eggs, nor does he give any description of them. The nest, he states, -is composed of fine dry grasses, feathers, wool, mosses, etc. - -General Couch’s description of this species and its habits is very -similar. He observed it in the province of New Leon, in Mexico, where -he found it very abundant along the San Juan into the Sierra Madre. He -describes it as a very lively bird, with a very perfect whistle of a -single note. - -Mr. Henry A. Dresser sought very diligently for its nest and eggs near -San Antonio and Houston, in Texas, where he found the bird very -common, and where he was sure many pairs remained to breed, but its -nest was very hard to find, and the birds very wary. He succeeded in -finding one nest, in a hollow tree, near the head springs of the San -Antonio River, but it contained young. The nest he does not describe, -nor does he mention the number of young it contained. - - -Lophophanes inornatus, CASSIN. - -GRAY-TUFTED TITMOUSE; CALIFORNIA TITMOUSE. - - _Parus inornatus_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. Aug. 1845, 265 (Upper - California).—IB. J. A. N. Sc. new ser. I, 1847, 35, pl. vii. - _Lophophanes inornatus_, CASSIN, Ill. 1853, 19.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 386; Review, 78.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 14, no. - 88.—ELLIOT, Illust. I, pl. iii.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 42. - -SP. CHAR. Crest elongated. Color above olivaceous-ashy, beneath -whitish. Sides of body and under tail-coverts very faintly tinged with -brownish, scarcely appreciable. Sides of head scarcely different from -the crown. Forehead obscurely whitish. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.55. - -HAB. Southern United States, from Rocky Mountains to Pacific; Western -Nevada (RIDGWAY). W. Arizona (COUES). - -The bill and feet of this species are lead-color. The third, fourth, -and fifth quills are longest; the third and eighth about equal; the -second is shorter than the shortest primaries. The lateral -tail-feathers are a little shorter than the others. - -A specimen from Fort Thorn has the crest longer than in other -specimens before me, measuring 1.35 inches from base of bill to its -tip. This may be a characteristic of the male, the sexes being -otherwise alike. - -HABITS. The Gray Titmouse belongs essentially to the Pacific coast, -coming eastward only as far as the banks of the Rio Grande in Texas. -It was first discovered and described by Dr. Gambel, in his Birds of -California. It has since been met with not only throughout California, -but also in all the southern portions of the Rocky Mountains, in New -Mexico, and from Mimbres to the Rio Grande. - -Dr. Woodhouse met with this species in the San Francisco Mountains, -near the Little Colorado River, New Mexico. He found it very abundant, -feeding among the tall pines in company with the _Sitta pygmæa_, _S. -aculeata_, and _Parus montanus_. - -Dr. Gambel first noticed this species near Monterey on the 20th of -November. It was flitting actively about among the evergreen oaks of -that vicinity in company with large flocks of several kindred species. -They were all in restless activity, searching every branch for -insects. As well as he could distinguish its notes among those of the -busy throng in the midst of which he observed it, they appeared to -resemble very closely those of the common _P. atricapillus_. Upon his -following it up, it would utter a loud scolding outcry, erect its high -and pointed crest, and appear as angry as possible at the intrusion. -He found it very common, frequenting tall bushes in small flocks, -searching branches of low trees, uttering weak and slender cries, -resembling the syllables _tsēē dāy-dāy_. - -Dr. Heermann found it one of the most common of the birds of -California, where it is resident throughout the year. He describes -their notes as possessing an almost endless variety, so much so that -he was repeatedly prompted to follow it as a new species. He met with -a nest of this bird in a deserted woodpecker’s hole, which contained -young. - -Dr. Cooper has met with this species in February near San Diego, but -not on the Colorado. They seem to prefer the evergreen-oak groves -toward the middle of the State, but are not found in the higher Sierra -Nevada. They are residents throughout the year in the evergreen oaks -near San Francisco. He adds that they are seen in small parties, -scattered about the trees, and calling to each other with a variety of -sweet and loud notes, some of which are said to equal those of our -best singers. It also has certain powers of imitation like the Eastern -crested species and the same cry of _pēto-pēto_. - -It feeds on acorns as well as insects, and often goes to the ground in -search of them. It cracks the acorns with its bill, and hammers at -bark and decayed wood with the industry of a woodpecker. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this species among the pines of the eastern slope -of the Sierra Nevada, but nowhere in abundance. Among the cedars it -was almost the only bird seen. He describes its manners as greatly -resembling those of the other species. Its notes, though differing -from those of the Eastern _L. bicolor_, being weaker and less -distinct, retain its vehement and characteristic manner of utterance. - - -Lophophanes wollweberi, BONAP. - -WOLLWEBER’S TITMOUSE; STRIPED-HEADED TITMOUSE. - - _Lophophanes wollweberi_, BON. C. R. XXXI, Sept. 1850, 478.— - WESTERMANN, Bijdr. Dierkunde, III, 1851, 15, plate.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 386, pl. liii, fig. 1; Review, 79.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1858, 299 (Oaxaca, high lands).—IB. Catal. 1861, 14, no. - 89.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 43. _Parus annexus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. - Sc. V, Oct. 1850, 103, pl. i. _Lophophanes galeatus_, CABANIS, - Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 90. - -SP. CHAR. Central portion of crest ash, encircled by black, commencing -as a frontal band, and passing over the eye. Chin, throat, and a line -from behind the eye and curving round the auriculars to the throat -(bordered behind by white), as also some occipital feathers, black. A -white line from above the eye margining the crest, with the cheeks -below the eye and under parts generally white. A black half-collar on -the nape. Upper parts of body ashy. Length, about 4.50; wing, 2.50. - -HAB. Southern Rocky Mountains of United States, and along table-lands -through Mexico, to Oaxaca (high regions, SCLATER). Orizaba (Alpine -regions, SUM.). - -HABITS. Wollweber’s Titmouse, so far as its distribution is known, is -a bird of Western Texas, the high table-lands of Mexico, and of the -whole of New Mexico. It was described by Bonaparte and by Cassin -nearly simultaneously, in 1850. It bears a very close resemblance to -the _Lophophanes cristatus_ of Europe. - -Although comparatively nothing is known in reference to the specific -habits of this species, they may be very readily inferred from those -of the other members of this genus, whose characteristics are all so -well marked and so uniform. Dr. Kennerly is the only one of our -naturalists who has mentioned meeting the species in its living form. -In his Report upon the Birds of Lieutenant Whipple’s Survey he states -that he found it in the thick bushes along the Pueblo Creek. Wherever -noticed it was constantly in motion, hopping from twig to twig in -search of its food. He also found it among the pines of the Aztec -Mountains. No mention is made of its nest or eggs, and its -nidification remains to be ascertained. - - -GENUS PARUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Parus_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, _P. major_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Head not crested. Body and head full. Tail moderately long, -and slightly rounded. Bill conical, not very stout; the upper and -under outlines very gently and slightly convex. Tarsus but little -longer than middle toe. Head and neck generally black or brown, with -sides white. Nest in holes. Eggs white, sprinkled with red. - -In the group, as defined above, are embraced several genera of modern -systematists. The true black-capped American Titmice belong to the -section _Pœcile_ of Kaup, and exhibit but three well-marked forms; -one, _P. montanus_, with a white stripe over the eye; one, -_atricapillus_, without it, with black head; and one, _hudsonicus_, -also without it, and with brown head. The species may be arranged as -follows:— - - 1. _Head and neck, above and beneath, black; their sides white._ - -A. A broad white stripe above the eye, meeting across forehead. - - 1. P. montanus. Edges of wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail - scarcely paler than general tint above. Beneath ashy-whitish, - medially. Wing, 2.85; tail, 2.50; bill (along culmen), .50; - tarsus, .69; middle toe, .43; wing-formula, 45, 36, 7, 2; - graduation of tail, .18. _Hab._ Mountain regions of Middle - and Western United States. - -B. No white stripe above the eye. - - _a._ Tail as long as, or longer than, wing. Conspicuous white - edgings to wing-coverts, secondaries, and tail-feathers. - - 2. P. atricapillus. - - Dorsal region yellowish-cinereous, wings and tail purer ash; - sides light ochraceous. White edgings of tail-feathers _not_ - margining their ends. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.60; bill, .40; - tarsus, .62; middle toe, .36; wing-formula, 4, 5, 6, 3, 7, 8, - 29; graduation of tail, .30. (12,851 ♂: Brooklyn, N. Y.) - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, north of about 39° … - var. _atricapillus_. - - Dorsal region and sides with scarcely a perceptible yellowish - tinge; white edgings of tail-feathers passing around their - ends. Beneath whitish. Wing, 2.75; tail, 2.80; culmen, .35; - tarsus, .65; middle toe, .40; wing-formula, 5, 4 = 6, 3 = 7, 8, - 2 = 9; graduation of tail, .50. (3704 ♂? Salt Lake City, Utah.) - _Hab._ Region of Missouri River and Rocky Mountains … - var. _septentrionalis_. - - Colors as in _atricapillus_, but much darker. Beneath more - ochraceous. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50; culmen, .40; tarsus, .60; - middle toe, .40; wing-formula, 4th, 5th, and 6th equal, 3 = 7, - 2 = 10; graduation of tail, .25. (6762 ♂? Fort Vancouver, - Washington Territory.) _Hab._ Pacific Province of North - America … var. _occidentalis_. - - _b._ Tail shorter than wing; no conspicuous white edgings to - wings and tail. - - 3. P. meridionalis.[27] Beneath ashy (nearly dark as upper - surface), whitish medially. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.20; culmen, - .40; tarsus, .63; middle toe, .40; wing-formula, 4, 5, 6, - 3 = 7, 2 = 10; graduation of tail, .10. (10,203, Mexico.) _Hab._ - Eastern Mexico. - - 4. P. carolinensis. Beneath pale soiled ochraceous-whitish, - scarcely lighter medially. Wing, 2.55; tail, 2.30; culmen, - .35; tarsus, .53; middle toe, .38; wing-formula, 5, 4, 6, 7, - 3, 8, 2 = 9; graduation of tail, .10. (706 ♂, Washington, D. - C.) _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south of about - 40°. - - 2. _Head and neck, above and beneath, brown, the throat darkest; - their sides white._ - -C. Back, scapulars, rump, and sides rusty-chestnut. - - 5. P. rufescens. Side of neck pure white. Wing, 2.35; tail, - 2.00; tarsus, .61; middle toe, .40. Tail scarcely graduated. - _Hab._ Pacific coast of North America. - -D. Back, etc., grayish or ochraceous brown. - - 6. P. hudsonicus. Side of neck grayish. Back, etc., - smoky-gray. Sides dark rusty-brown. Wing, 2.45; tail, 2.45; - tarsus, .62; middle toe, .35; graduation of tail, .30. - (17,101, Halifax, N. S.) _Hab._ Arctic America; south to - northern boundary of the United States (except to westward). - - 7. P. sibiricus.[28] Side of neck white. Back, etc., rusty - ochraceous-gray. Sides rusty ochraceous. Wing, 2.70; tail, - 2.80; tarsus, .66; middle toe, .36; graduation of tail, .30. - _Hab._ Europe. - - -Parus montanus, GAMBEL. - -MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE: WHITE-BROWED CHICKADEE. - - _Parus montanus_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. S. Phila. April, 1843, 259; - Journ. A. N. Sc. 2d Series, I, 1847, 35, pl. viii, f. - 1.—BAIRD, B. N. A. 1858, 394; Review Am. B. I, 1864, - 82.—ELLIOT, Illust.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 46. - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck above, with under part of head and throat, -glossy black; forehead, stripe above the eye and band below it, -involving the auriculars, white. These stripes embracing between them -a black band through the eye and confluent with the black of the head. -Above ashy; beneath similar, but paler; the upper part of breast and -middle line of belly white. Length about 5 inches; wing, 2.60; tail, -2.40. - -HAB. Mountain region of Middle and Western United States. - - [Line drawing: _Parus atricapillus._ - 12851] - -HABITS. The Mountain Chickadee was first met with by Dr. Gambel in -journeying westward from Santa Fé, in New Mexico, and from thence was -found in all the ranges of the Rocky Mountains nearly to California. -Its notes and habits are said to closely resemble those of the common -Chickadee, but weaker and more varied. It keeps more in low bushes, -where it moves from branch to branch with untiring activity, searching -each minutely for small insects. It also frequently descends to the -ground to pick up small seeds. While thus occupied it will -occasionally stop, look round, and, uttering a slender _te-de-de_, and -then its usual note, _to-de-de-dait_, will fly to another bush. - -On the Rio Colorado they kept chiefly among the cotton-wood trees that -grew along its banks, and its familiar notes were almost the only -sounds heard. They were observed in large and busy flocks along the -smaller streams in company with the Least Tit and the _Reguli_. Dr. -Gambel did not find them, however, so abundant on the California sides -of the ridge, where other species took their place. - -Dr. Heermann found this Titmouse abundant among the mountains -surrounding the Volcano in the southern mines, and subsequently met -with them on the summit of the Tejon Pass. He thinks their notes and -habits very similar to those of the _atricapillus_. Dr. Suckley -obtained a single specimen at Fort Dalles, but regarded it as -extremely rare in that locality. Dr. Woodhouse found it quite abundant -in the San Francisco Mountains of New Mexico, where it was feeding -among the tall pines in company with kindred species. - - [Illustration: _Parus montanus._] - -Mr. Ridgway found this species in great abundance among the pines on -the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, as well as in all -the extensive cedar-groves on the mountains to the eastward. Around -Carson City this species was found throughout the winter. In its -manners and notes, particularly the latter, it was hardly -distinguishable from _P. carolinensis_. The notes are described as -louder and more distinct, though their calls in spring are rather less -clearly articulated. - - -Parus atricapillus, LINN. - -EASTERN CHICKADEE; BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE. - - _Parus atricapillus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 341 (based on _Parus - atricapillus canadensis_, BRISSON, III, 553, tab. xxix, fig. - 1).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 390; Review, 80.—SCLATER, Catal. - 1861, 13, no. 80.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 182. - _Pœcile atricapilla_, BON. Consp. 1850, 230. _Parus palustris_, - NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 79. - Figured by AUDUBON, WILSON, etc. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill as long as the secondaries. Tail very slightly -rounded; lateral feathers about .10 shorter than middle. Back -brownish-ashy. Top of head and throat black, sides of head between -them white. Beneath whitish; brownish-white on the sides. Sides of -outer tail-feathers, some of primaries, and secondaries conspicuously -margined with white. Length, 5.00; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.50. - -HAB. Eastern North America, north of 39th parallel. - -In this species the first quill is spurious; the fourth quill is -longest; the fifth and sixth successively a little shorter; the third -is about equal to, or a little shorter than, the eighth; the second is -a very little longer than the secondaries. The tail is a little -rounded, the innermost feather longest, the rest successively a little -shorter. The greatest difference in length of tail-feathers amounts to -.30 of an inch. - - [Illustration: PLATE VII. - - 1. Parus atricapillus, _Linn._ ♂ N. York, 12851. - 2. “ _var._ septentrionalis, _Harris_. Mission Valley. - 3. “ _var._ occidentalis, _Baird_. Washington Territory. - 4. “ carolinensis, _Aud._ ♂ D. C., 706. - 5. “ montanus, _Gambel_. Nevada, 53456. - 6. “ rufescens, _Towns._ Pacific coast, 45946. - 7. “ hudsonicus, _Forst._ N. Scotia. - 8. Psaltriparus melanotis, _Bon._ Mexico. - 9. “ minimus, _Towns._ Cal., 22417. - 10. “ _var._ plumbeus, _Baird_. Arizona. - 11. Auriparus flaviceps, _Sund._ 42210.] - -The entire crown, from the bill to the upper part of the back, coming -down on the sides to the lower level of the eye, is pure black, -although the edge alone of the lower eyelid is of this color. A second -black patch begins at the lower mandible and occupies the entire under -surface of the head and throat, but not extending as far back within a -quarter of an inch as that on the upper part of the neck. The space -between these two patches, on the sides of the head and neck, is -white, this color extending along the black of the back of the neck as -far as its truncated extremity, but not bordering it behind. The -middle of the breast and belly, as far as the vent, is dull white, -that immediately behind the black of the throat a little clearer. The -sides of the breast and body under the wings, with the under -tail-coverts, are pale, dull brownish-white. The back, rump, and upper -tail-coverts are of a dirty bluish-ash, washed with yellowish-brown, -especially on the rump. The wings are brown; the outer edges of the -third to the seventh primaries narrowly edged with whitish; the -innermost secondaries more broadly and conspicuously edged with the -same; larger coverts edged with dirty whitish. Outer webs of -tail-feathers edged with white, purest and occupying half the web in -the external one, narrowing and less clear to the central feathers, -the basal portions, especially, assuming more the color of the back. - -HABITS. The common Chickadee or Black-capped Titmouse is so well known -throughout the greater portion of the United States as to be generally -accepted, by common consent, as the typical representative of its -numerous family. Until recently it has been supposed to be universally -distributed over the continent, and while this is now questioned, it -is not quite clear where its limits occur. In Eastern Maine the _Parus -hudsonicus_ and this species meet. In the District of Columbia it -crosses the northern limits of _P. carolinensis_, and in the northern -Mississippi Valley it mingles with the var. _septentrionalis_. It -remains to be ascertained how far the species exceeds these bounds. - -A few individuals of this species were observed by Mr. Dall, December -12, at Nulato, where, however, it was not common. They were also -obtained by Bischoff at Sitka and Kodiak. - -As in very many essential respects the whole family of _Paridæ_ are -alike in their characteristics of habits, their manner of collecting -food, their restless, uneasy movements, the similarity of their cries, -their residence in hollow trees or branches, and their nesting in -similar places, with the exception only of a few species that -construct their own pouch-like nests, we have taken the best known as -the common point of comparison. Except in the variations in plumage, -the points of difference are never great or very noticeable. - -In New England the Black-Cap is one of our most common and familiar -birds. In the vicinity of Calais, Mr. Boardman speaks of it as -resident and abundant. The writer did not meet with it in Nova Scotia, -nor even in the islands of the Bay of Fundy, where the _hudsonicus_ is -a common bird. - -It is a resident species, nesting early in May, and having -full-fledged nestlings early in June. While it seems to prefer the -edges of woods as best affording the means of food and shelter, it by -no means confines itself to these localities, not only appearing -familiarly around the dwellings in the winter season, but also -occasionally breeding in open and exposed places. A hollow post of a -fence in the midst of open cultivated fields, a decayed stump near the -side of a public highway, a hollow log in a frequented farmyard, and -even the side of an inhabited dwelling, are localities these birds -have been known to select in which to rear their young. In the winter -they not unfrequently extend their visits, in search of food, into the -very heart of large and crowded cities, where they seem as much at -home and as free from alarm as in the seclusion of the forest, -searching every crack where insect larvæ or eggs can be hid. On one -occasion a pair had built its nest over a covered well which connects -with the dwelling by a side door, through which water was drawn at all -hours of the day by means of buckets and a rope, the wheel for which -was in close proximity to their nest. They manifested, however, no -uneasiness, and even after the young were ready to fly, the whole -family would return to the place for shelter at night and during -inclement weather. - -Their courage and devotion to their young is a remarkable trait with -the whole race, and with none more than with the present species. On -one occasion a Black-Cap was seen to fly into a rotten stump near the -roadside in Brookline. The stump was so much decayed that its top was -readily broken off and the nest exposed. The mother refused to leave -until forcibly taken off by the hand, and twice returned to the nest -when thus removed, and it was only by holding her in the hand that an -opportunity was given to ascertain there were seven young birds in her -nest. She made no complaints, uttered no outcries, but resolutely and -devotedly thrust herself between her nestlings and the seeming danger. -When released she immediately flew back to them, covered them under -her sheltering wings, and looked up in the face of her tormentors with -a quiet and resolute courage that could not be surpassed. - -The nest of the Chickadee is usually a warm and soft felted mass of -the hair and fur of the smaller quadrupeds, downy feathers, fine dry -grasses and mosses, lining the cavity in which it is placed and -contracting it into a deep and purse-like opening if the cavity be -larger than is necessary. Usually the site selected is already in -existence, and only enlarged or altered to suit the wishes of the -pair. But not unfrequently, at some pains, they will excavate an -opening for themselves, not only in decaying wood, but even into limbs -or trunks that are entirely sound. - -These birds in winter collect around the camps of the log-cutters, -become very tame, and seek on all occasions to share with their -occupants their food, often soliciting their portion with plaintive -tones. Though nearly omnivorous in the matter of food, they prefer -insects to everything else, and the amount of good conferred by them -on the farmers and the owners of woodlands in the destruction of -insects in all their forms—egg, caterpillar, larva, or imago—must be -very great. No chrysalis is too large to resist their penetrating -bill, and no eggs so well hidden that they cannot find them out. I -have known one to attack and fly off with the chrysalis of a -“Woolly-bear” or salt-marsh caterpillar (_Leucarctia acræa_). When -thus foraging for their food they seem totally unconscious of the near -presence of man, and unmindful of what is passing around them, so -intent are they upon the object of their pursuit. - -The notes of the Chickadee exhibit a great variety of sounds and -combinations. As they roam through the country in small flocks in -quest of food, their refrain is a continued and lively succession of -varying notes sounding like a quaint chant. When annoyed by any -intrusion, their cry is louder and harsher. They are rarely thus -disturbed by the presence of man, and even when their nest is -approached by him they present only a passive and silent resistance. -Not so when a cat or a squirrel is observed in unwelcome vicinity. -These are pursued with great and noisy pertinacity and hoarse cries of -_dāy, dāy, dāy_, in which they are often joined by others of the same -species. - -So far as we have observed them, they are apparently affectionate, -gentle, and loving to each other. We utterly discredit the accusation -that they will treacherously beat out the brains of feeble birds of -their own race. It is unsupported by testimony, and in the instance -cited by Wilson he gives no evidence that this injury may not have -been done by some other species, and not by one of its own kindred. - -Their nest is usually near the ground, and the number of eggs rarely -if ever exceeds eight. They are said to have two broods in the season, -but this statement seems to be contradicted by their continued -presence after June in small flocks, evidently the parents and their -first and only brood, who apparently remain together nine or ten -months. - -The eggs of this species vary somewhat in regard to the distribution -and number of the reddish-brown markings with which their white ground -is more or less sprinkled. In some they are chiefly gathered in a ring -about the larger end; in others they are distributed over the entire -egg. Their eggs are smaller and a little less spherical in shape than -those of the _septentrionalis_, averaging .58 by .47 of an inch. - - -Parus atricapillus, var. septentrionalis, HARRIS. - -LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. - - _Parus septentrionalis_, HARRIS, Pr. A. N. Sc. II, 1845, 300.—CASSIN, - Illust. I, 1853, 17, 80, pl. xiv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 389; - Review, 79.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 14, no. 82. _Parus - septentrionalis_, var. _albescens_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - xxxvii. _? Parus atricapillus_, PR. MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 119. - -SP. CHAR. Length about 5.50 inches; wing, 2.70; tail about 3 inches. -Head above and below black, separated by white on the sides of the -head; back brownish-ash. Beneath white, tinged with pale -brownish-white on the sides. Outer tail-feathers, primaries, and -secondaries broadly edged with white, involving nearly the whole outer -web of outer tail-feather. Tail much graduated; the outer feather -about .50 of an inch shorter than the middle. Second quill about as -long as the secondaries. - -HAB. Region of Missouri River to Rocky Mountains. - -This race is very similar to the _P. atricapillus_, but differs from -it somewhat as _atricapillus_ does from _carolinensis_. Its size is -much greater; the tail proportionally longer, and much more graduated; -the white of wing and tail purer and more extended. The bill appears -to be stouter and more conical. The back has, perhaps, a little more -yellowish. The spurious or first primary is larger. - -It will be a difficult matter to retain this as a species distinct -from _atricapillus_, in view of the insensible gradation from one form -to the other; and it may be looked upon, with scarcely a doubt, as -simply a long-tailed Western variety of the common species. _P. -occidentalis_, and, probably, even _P. carolinensis_, may even fall -under the same category, their peculiarities of color and size being -precisely such as would _a priori_ be expected from their geographical -distribution. - -HABITS. The Long-tailed Titmouse appears to have an extended -distribution between the Mississippi Valley and the Rocky Mountains, -from Texas into the British Possessions, specimens having been -received from Fort Simpson and Lake Winnipeg. Among the notes of the -late Robert Kennicott is one dated Lake Winnipeg, June 6, mentioning -the dissection of a female of this species found to contain a -full-sized egg. A memorandum made by Mr. Ross, dated at Fort William, -May 15, speaks of this bird as abundant at Fort Simpson, from August -until November, the last having been seen November 10. One was shot, -June 2, on Winnipeg River, “a female, who was about to lay her egg.” - -In regard to its distinct individual history but little is as yet -known. It was discovered and first described by the late Edward -Harris, of New Jersey, who accompanied Mr. Audubon in his expedition -to the upper branches of the Missouri River, and who obtained this -bird on the Yellowstone, about thirty miles above its junction with -the Missouri, on the 26th of July. He describes its notes as similar -to those of the common _atricapillus_, but less harsh and querulous, -and more liquid in their utterance. Subsequently specimens were -obtained by Mr. Kern, artist to the exploring expedition under Fremont -in 1846. - -It is the largest species of this genus in America. In its -breeding-habits it is not different from the Eastern representatives. -Mr. B. F. Goss found this species breeding abundantly at Neosho Falls, -in Kansas. They nest in decayed stumps, hollow trees, branches, logs, -etc., after the manner of the _atricapillus_. The excavation is -usually ten or twelve inches, and even more, in depth. The nest is -warmly made of a loose soft felt composed of the fur and fine hair of -small quadrupeds, feathers, and the finer mosses. - -The eggs, usually five, occasionally eight, in number, are of a -rounded oval shape, measuring .60 by .50 of an inch. They have a pure -dull-white ground, and the entire egg is very uniformly and pretty -thickly covered with fine markings and small blotches of red and -reddish-brown intermingled with a few dots of purplish. - - -Parus atricapillus, var. occidentalis, BAIRD. - -WESTERN CHICKADEE. - - _Parus occidentalis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 391 (W. Territory); - Review, 81.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 14, no. 82.—ELLIOT, Illust. 1, - pl. viii.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 45. - -SP. CHAR. Tarsi lengthened. Tail graduated; outer feather about .25 of -an inch shorter than the middle. Above dark brownish-ash; head and -neck above and below black, separated on the sides by white; beneath -light, dirty, rusty yellowish-brown, scarcely whiter along the middle -of body. Tail and wings not quite so much edged with whitish as in _P. -atricapillus_. Length about 4.75; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.40. - -HAB. Northwest coast region of the United States. - -This race is of the same size as _P. atricapillus_, and resembles it -in its markings; the ashy of the back is, however, washed with a -darker shade of yellowish-brown. The brown of the under parts is so -much darker as to cause the predominant color there to be a pale -yellowish-brown, instead of brownish-white. The fourth quill is -longest; the fifth and sixth a little shorter than the third; the -second is about as long as the secondaries. The tail is rounded, -rather more so than in most _atricapillus_, the difference in the -lengths of the feathers amounting to about .25 of an inch. The amount -of light margining to the quills and tail-feathers is much as in -_atricapillus_, but rather less, perhaps, on the tail. - -This seems to be the Pacific coast representative of the _P. -atricapillus_, as _septentrionalis_ belongs to the middle region, -corresponding in its differences with other Western representatives of -Eastern species. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper, in his Birds of Washington Territory, says of this -variety: “The common Black-capped Chickadee, so abundant in the -Eastern States, is, in Washington Territory, represented by the -Western Titmouse, frequenting the low thickets and trees, where it is -always busily employed seeking food.” He observed its nest near Puget -Sound, burrowed in soft rotten wood. Dr. Suckley found it quite -abundant in the valley of the Willamette, and also at Fort Vancouver -during winter. In habits it closely resembles the Black-Cap of the -Eastern States. - -It is chiefly found in Oregon and Washington Territory, visiting the -northern part of California in winter, when it is also abundant near -the Columbia River. At this season it is generally found among the -deciduous trees along streams and oak groves, seeking its food among -the branches. It feeds on seeds and insects, and is very fond of fresh -meat, fat, and crumbs of bread. They migrate but little, remaining at -the Columbia River even when the ground is covered with snow. The eggs -are as yet unknown, but without doubt they closely resemble those of -the Eastern species. - - -Parus carolinensis, AUDUBON. - -SOUTHERN CHICKADEE. - - _Parus carolinensis_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 474, pl. clx.—IB. - Birds Am. II, 1841, 152, pl. cxxvii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 392; Review, 81.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 13, no. 81. _Pœcile - carolinensis_, BON. Consp. 1850, 230. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill appreciably longer than secondaries. Tail very -little rounded. Length about 4.50 inches; wing less than 2.50; tail, -2.40. Back brownish-ash. Head above, and throat, black, separated on -sides of head by white. Beneath white; brownish-white on sides. Outer -tail-feathers, primaries, and secondaries, not edged with white. - -HAB. South Atlantic and gulf region of United States, north to -Washington, D. C., Texas and the Mississippi Valley; north to Central -Illinois; the only species in the southern portion of the latter State. - -This species is, in general, rather smaller than _P. atricapillus_, -although the tail and wing appear to be of much the same size. The -body and feet are, however, smaller, and the extent of wing is three -quarters of an inch less. The bill is apparently shorter and stouter. - -The primaries are proportionally and absolutely considerably longer -than the secondaries in the present species, the difference being .55 -of an inch, instead of .45. The tail is rather more rounded, the -feathers narrower. - -The tail is considerably shorter than the wing, instead of longer; the -black of the throat extends much farther back, is more dense and more -sharply defined behind, than in _atricapillus_. Taking into view these -differences, and others of color, we feel justified in retaining this -as a species distinct from _atricapillus_, and, in fact, having -_meridionalis_ as its nearest relative (see Synoptical Table). Both -this species and _atricapillus_ are found together in the Middle -States, each preserving its characteristics. - -HABITS. South of the once famous line of Mason and Dixon this smaller -counterpart of the Chickadee seems to entirely replace it, although in -New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and occasionally even as far to the north -as New York City, the two occur together. Its range is presumed to be -all the States south of the Potomac and the Ohio, as far to the west -as the Rio Grande. It was probably this species, and not the -_atricapillus_, which was met with by Dr. Woodhouse in the Indian -Territory. Without much doubt it breeds in all the States south of -Pennsylvania. - -In Southern Illinois, as far north in the Wabash Valley as the mouth -of White River, this is the only species, unless the _P. atricapillus_ -occasionally occurs in winter. Specimens from this region are -undistinguishable from those taken in Georgia and the extreme Southern -States, and do not present the peculiar features of _P. atricapillus_. -It is a very abundant species, and resident, being in winter one of -the most common, as well as one of the most familiar birds, inhabiting -_all_ localities, giving preference neither to swampy woods nor to -door-yards, for it is as often seen in one place as another. It is -never gregarious, though many may often be seen or heard at the same -moment. It begins incubation early in April, generally selecting the -wild plum and red-bud trees in the woods. This species very often -constructs its own nesting-places, and the soft wood of these trees is -very easily excavated. The excavation is generally made in a -horizontal dead limb, with the opening on the under side; this is neat -and regular, and as elaborate as those of any of the woodpeckers. -Sometimes, however, a natural cavity is selected, frequently in a -prostrate stump or “snag.” The nest is almost always a very elaborate -structure, being a strong compact cup or bed of “felt,” whose main -material is rabbit-fur and cow-hair. - -In its habits it seems to resemble more closely the _P. palustris_ of -Europe than the _atricapillus_, being generally found only in the -immediate vicinity of ponds and deep, marshy, moist woods. It is also -rarely found other than singly or in pairs, the parent birds, unlike -most of this family, separating from their young soon after the latter -are able to provide for themselves. It rarely or never moves in -flocks. - -Their notes are said to be less sonorous and less frequent than those -of our Black-capped Titmouse. In the winter a portion retire from the -coast in South Carolina into the interior of the State and into -Florida, where Mr. Audubon found them, in the winter of 1831 and 1832, -much more abundant than he had ever seen them elsewhere. He found them -breeding as early as February, occasionally in the nests deserted by -the Brown-headed Nuthatch. A nest obtained by Dr. Bachman from a -hollow stump, about four feet from the ground, was in form cup-shaped, -measuring two inches internally in diameter at the mouth, and three -externally, with a depth of two inches. It was constructed of cotton, -fine wool, a few fibres of plants, and so elaborately felted together -as to be of uniform thickness throughout. - -Mr. Audubon was in error in regard to the eggs, which he describes as -pure white. Their ground-color is of pure crystalline whiteness, but -they are freely and boldly marked all over with deep reddish-brown and -red spots. These, so far as we have compared the eggs, are larger, -more numerous, and more deeply marked than are any eggs of the -_atricapillus_ we have ever met with. - -According to the observations of the late Dr. Alexander Gerhardt of -Whitfield County, Georgia, these birds usually breed in holes that -have been previously dug out by the _Picus pubescens_, or in decaying -stumps not more than five or six feet from the ground. He never met -with its nest in living trees. The eggs are from five to seven in -number, and are usually deposited in Georgia from the 10th to the last -of April. - -The eggs of this species are slightly larger than those of the -_atricapillus_, and the reddish-brown blotches with which they are -profusely covered are much more distinctly marked. They are of a -spheroidal oval in shape, have a pure white ground, very uniformly and -generally sprinkled with blotches of a reddish-brown. They measure .60 -by .50 of an inch. - - -Parus rufescens, TOWNS. - -CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. - - _Parus rufescens_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. Phil. VII, II, 1837, - 190.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 371, pl. cccliii.—IB. Birds Am. - 1841, 158, pl. cxxix.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 394; Review, - 83.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, II, 1859, 194 - (nesting).—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 14, no. 86.—DALL & BANNISTER - (Alaska).—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 47. _Pœcile rufescens_, BONAP. - Consp. 1850, 230. - -SP. CHAR. Whole head and neck above, and throat from bill to upper -part of breast, sooty blackish-brown. Sides of head and neck, upper -part of breast, and middle of body, white; back and sides dark -brownish-chestnut. Length, 4.75 inches; wing, 2.36; tail, 2.16. - -HAB. Western United States, near Pacific coast. - -HABITS. The Chestnut-backed Titmouse was first obtained by Townsend on -the banks of the Columbia River, and described in the Journal of the -Philadelphia Academy. It is a resident, throughout the year, of the -forests of the Columbia, and is found throughout California. Like all -of this familiar family, they may be seen in small flocks, of all -ages, in the autumn and winter, moving briskly about, uttering a -number of feeble querulous notes, after the manner of the -_atricapillus_, but never joining in anything like the quaint and -jingling song of that bird. They occasionally have a confused warbling -chatter. These busy little groups may be often seen in company with -the _Parus occidentalis_ and the _Regulus satrapa_, moving through the -bushes and thickets, carefully collecting insects, their larvæ and -eggs, for a few moments, and then flying off for some other place. -They are supposed to rear their young in the midst of the densest -forests. - -Mr. Nuttall states that when the gun thins their ranks the survivors -display surprising courage and solicitude, following their destroyer -with wailing cries, entreating for their companions. - -Dr. Gambel found the young of this species in great abundance around -Monterey in the fall and winter months. Dr. Heermann saw them in June, -1852, feeding their young in the vicinity of San Francisco, where, -however, they are rare. - -In Washington Territory, Dr. Cooper found this the most abundant -species. It preferred the dense evergreens, where large parties could -be found at all seasons busily seeking food among the leaves and -branches, ascending even to the highest tops. They were usually in -company with the _Reguli_ and the other Titmice. Mr. Bischoff found -them abundant at Sitka. - -They nest, like all the others of this genus, in holes in soft decayed -trunks and large limbs of trees a few feet from the ground. Their eggs -are not as yet known. - - -Parus hudsonicus, FORST. - -HUDSON’S BAY CHICKADEE; BROWN-CAPPED CHICKADEE. - - _Parus hudsonicus_, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, 383, 430.— - AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 543, pl. cxciv.—IB. Birds Am. II, 1841, - 155, pl. cxxviii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 395; Review, - 82.—SAMUELS, 185.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska). _Parus hudsonicus_ - var. _littoralis_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. IX. 1863, 368. - -SP. CHAR. Above yellowish olivaceous-brown; top of head purer brown, -not very different in tint. Chin and throat dark sooty-brown. Sides of -head white. Beneath white; sides and anal region light brownish-chestnut. -No whitish on wings or tail. Tail nearly even, or slightly emarginate -and rounded. Lateral feathers about .20 shortest. Length about 5 -inches; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.66. - -HAB. Northern portions of North America, from Atlantic to Pacific. - -Specimens from the most northern localities appear larger than those -from Maine and Nova Scotia (_P. littoralis_, BRYANT), with -proportionally longer tails (3.00 inches, instead of 2.40). We can, -however, detect no other difference. - -The _Parus sibiricus_ of Europe is very similar in coloration and -characters to the _P. hudsonicus_. The principal difference is seen in -the cheeks, which in _sibiricus_ are pure white, this color extending -along the entire side of the neck, widening behind, and extending -round towards the back. In _hudsonicus_ the cheeks behind the eyes and -sides of the neck are ash-gray, the white being confined to the region -below or near the eye. The smoky-gray of the upper part of head and -neck in _sibiricus_ is in a stronger contrast with the brighter -rufescent-gray of the back, and is separated from it by an obscure, -concealed, whitish dorsal half-collar, represented in _hudsonicus_ -only by a dull grayish shade in the plumage. - -HABITS. This interesting species, one of the liveliest and most -animated of its family, belongs to the northern and eastern sections -of North America. It is found in the eastern and northern portions of -Maine, and probably also in the northern parts of New York, Vermont, -and New Hampshire. In the heavily wooded mountain-valley of Errol, in -the latter State, Mr. Maynard met with this bird in the latter part of -October, in company with the common _atricapillus_. In the same month -he also obtained two birds in Albany, in the northwestern corner of -Maine. A single specimen was taken at Concord, Massachusetts, October -29, by Mr. William Brewster. - -Near Calais it is resident, but not common. It is more abundant in the -islands of the Bay of Fundy, where it takes the place, almost -exclusively, of the _atricapillus_. The writer first met with these -lively little wood-sprites in 1850, in the thick swampy woods which -cover one of the small islands near Grand Menan. Their general -appearance as they flitted through the woods, or rustled restlessly -among the tangled débris of decaying trees and underbrush with which -the forest was choked, was not unlike that of our common Black-Cap. -Yet there was an indescribable something both in their cries and in -their manners that at once suggested a difference of species. To my -ear their cries were sharper, clearer, and a trifle harsher. There was -none of that resonant jingle so full of charm in the Chickadee. Their -notes, too, were more articulate, more like distinct words, and were -brought out at certain times with an emphasis the effect of which was -very striking. Beginning with _tschā-dēē_, the _dēē-dēē-dēē_ was -reiterated with an almost incessant volubility. - -It seemed to be a more retiring bird, never frequenting the houses, -but keeping closely to thick and retired woods. Yet it is not a timid -species, but seemed entirely unmindful of our presence, or, when -mindful of it, to resent it as an impropriety, rather than to fear it -as a danger. They apparently had nests or young at the time of my -visit, though I could not detect their locality. One pair became at -last so annoyed at my prolonged presence as to manifest their -uneasiness by keeping within a few feet of my head, following me -wherever I went, and without ceasing from their close surveillance -until I finally left their grove and emerged into the open country. -All the time they brought out the cry of _dēē-dēē_ with a clear, -ringing emphasis that was almost startling. - -A few days later, being at Halifax, Mr. Andrew Downes, the naturalist, -took me to the nest of these birds in a small grove in the vicinity of -that city. The nest was in a small beech-tree, and had been cut -through the living wood. The excavation, which was not more than two -feet from the ground, was about ten inches in depth, was in a -horizontal position only about two inches, where it turned abruptly -downward, and from a width of an inch and a half assumed a width of -three, and a depth of seven or eight inches. This was warmly lined -with feathers and soft fur. The nest contained young birds. These -particulars we only ascertained when we had laid bare the excavation -by a sharp hatchet. Though disappointed in our search for eggs, yet we -witnessed a very touching manifestation of devotion on the part of the -parents, and of neighborly solicitude in various other inmates of the -grove, which was at once most interesting and a scene long to be -remembered. - -With all the self-sacrificing devotion of the Black-Cap, these birds -displayed a boldness and an aggressive intrepidity that at once -commanded our respect and admiration. I never witnessed anything quite -equal to it. They flew at our faces, assailed our arms as we wielded -the invading hatchet, and it was difficult not to do them even -unintentional injury without abandoning our purpose. Before we could -examine the nest they had entered, and had to be again and again -removed. As soon as we were satisfied that the nest of this heroic -pair did not contain what we sought, we left them, and turned to look -with equal admiration upon the indignant assembly of feathered -remonstrants by which we were surrounded. The neighboring trees -swarmed with a variety of birds, several of which we had never before -seen in their summer homes. There were the Red-Poll Warbler, the Black -and Yellow Warbler, and many others, all earnestly and eloquently -crying out shame upon our proceedings. - -Dr. Bryant, in his Notes on the Birds of Yarmouth, N. S., etc., -mentions finding quite a number of this species on Big Mud Island, -near that place. A pair of these birds with their young were seen by -him near Yarmouth on the 3d of July. Their habits seemed to him -identical with those of the Black-Cap. The young were fully grown and -could fly with ease, yet their parents were so solicitous about their -safety that he could almost catch them with his hand. Their notes -appeared to him similar to those of our common species, but sharper -and more filing, and can be readily imitated by repeating, with one’s -front teeth shut together, the syllables _tzēē-dēē-dēē-dēē_. - -Mr. Audubon found a nest of this Titmouse in Labrador. It was built in -a decayed stump about three feet from the ground, was purse-shaped, -eight inches in depth, two in diameter, and its sides an inch thick. -It was entirely composed of the finest fur of various quadrupeds, -chiefly of the northern hare, and all so thickly and ingeniously -matted throughout as to seem as if felted by the hand of man. It was -wider at the bottom than at the top. The birds vehemently assailed the -party. - -Mr. Ross, in notes communicated to the late Mr. Kennicott, mentions -that specimens of this species were shot at Fort Simpson, October 13, -in company with _P. septentrionalis_, and others were afterwards seen -towards the mountains. The notes he describes as harsher than those of -the _septentrionalis_. The Smithsonian museum contains specimens from -Fort Yukon and Great Slave Lake, besides the localities already -referred to. Mr. Dall found it the commonest Titmouse at Nulato, -abundant in the winter, but not present in the spring. - -The eggs of this species measure .56 by .47 of an inch, are of a -rounded oval shape, and with a white ground are somewhat sparingly -marked with a few reddish-brown spots. These are usually grouped in a -ring around the larger end. - - -GENUS PSALTRIPARUS, BONAP. - - _Psaltriparus_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXXI, 1850, 478. (Type, _P. - melanotis_.) - _Ægithaliscus_, CABANIS, Museum Heineanum, 1851, 90. (Type, _Parus - erythrocephalus_.) - _Psaltria_, CASSIN, Ill. N. Am. Birds, 1853, 19. - -GEN. CHAR. Size very small and slender. Bill very small, short, -compressed, and with its upper outline much curved for the terminal -half. Upper mandible much deeper than under. Tail long, slender, much -graduated; much longer than the wings; the feathers very narrow. Tarsi -considerably longer than the middle toe. No black on the crown or -throat. Eyes white in some specimens, brown in others. Nest -purse-shaped; eggs unspotted, white. - -No bird of this genus belongs to the eastern portion of the United -States. The three species may be defined as follows:— - -A. Head striped with black on the sides. - - P. melanotis. The stripes passing under the eye and uniting on - the occiput. _Hab._ Eastern Mexico - -B. No stripes on the head. - - P. minimus. Back ashy; crown light brown. _Hab._ Pacific - Province of United States … var. _minimus._ - - - Back and crown uniform ashy. _Hab._ Middle Province and - southern Rocky Mountains of United States … var. _plumbeus._ - - -Psaltriparus melanotis, BONAP. - -BLACK-EARED BUSH-TITMOUSE. - - _Parus melanotis_, HARTLAUB, Rev. Zoöl. 1844, 216. _Pœcile melanotis_, - BP. Consp. 1850, 230. _Ægithaliscus melanotis_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I, - 1850, 1851, 90. _Psaltria melanotis_, WESTERMANN, Bijd. Dierk. - 1851, 16, plate. _Psaltriparus melanotis_, BONAP. C. R. XXXVIII, - 1854.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 299.—IB. 1864, 172 (City - Mex.).—SALVIN, Ibis, 1866, 190 (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 386, pl. liii, fig. 3; Review, 84. _Psaltriparus - personatus_, BONAP. C. R. XXXI, Sept. 1850, 478. - -SP. CHAR. A black patch on each cheek, nearly meeting behind. Crown -and edges of the wing and tail ash-gray; rest of upper parts -yellowish-brown, lighter on the rump. Beneath whitish; anal region -tinged with yellowish-brown. Length about 4 inches; wing, 1.90; tail, -2.30. - -HAB. Eastern Mexico; south to Guatemala; Oaxaca (high region), -SCLATER. East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada? RIDGWAY. - - [Line drawing: _Psaltriparus minimus._ - 29711 ♂] - -HABITS. In regard to the specific peculiarities and the distinct -individual habits of the members of this pretty little species, little -is at present known. Its mode of nesting has not been observed, and no -mention is made, by those who have met with it, of its peculiarities -of song, nor have we any information in regard to any of its habits. -Its geographical distribution, so far as ascertained, is from the -south side of the valley of the Rio Grande of Mexico to Guatemala, and -there is no reliable evidence of its crossing the United States -boundary line, unless Mr. Ridgway is correct in his assurance that he -saw it in the East Humboldt Mountains of Nevada, near Fort Ruby. It -was first described from Guatemalan specimens. Mr. O. Salvin (Ibis, -1866, p. 190) states that on more than one occasion he observed what -he believed to be this species, in the pine-woods of the mountains -near Solola, and above the lake of Atitlan. - - -Psaltriparus minimus, var. minimus, BONAP. - -LEAST BUSH-TITMOUSE. - - _Parus minimus_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, ii, 1837, 190.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 382, pl. ccclxxxii, figs. 5, 6.—IB. Birds - Am. II, 1841, 160, pl. cxxx. _Pœcile minima_, BON. Consp. 1850, - 230. _Psaltria minima_, CASSIN, Illust. 1853, 20. _Psaltriparus - minimus_, BON. C. R. XXXVIII, 1854, 62.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 397; Review, 84.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, ii, 1859, - 195.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 48. - -SP. CHAR. Tail long, feathers graduated. Above rather dark -olivaceous-cinereous; top and sides of head smoky-brown. Beneath pale -whitish-brown, darker on the sides. Length about 4 inches; wing, 1.90; -tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Pacific coast of United States. - -There is quite an appreciable difference between specimens of this -species from Washington Territory and California; the latter are -smaller, the under parts paler. In the series before us, however, we -see no grounds for specific distinction. - - [Illustration: _Psaltriparus minimus._] - -HABITS. This interesting little species was first added to our fauna -by the indefatigable Mr. Townsend in 1837. It is abundant throughout -the Pacific coast from Fort Steilacoom to Fort Tejon. Dr. Gambel found -it exceedingly abundant both in the Rocky Mountains and throughout -California. During the winter the otherwise cheerless woods were alive -with the busy and noisy troops of these restless and industrious -birds, gleaning their scanty fare in company with the _Reguli_, in -every possible position and manner, from bush and tree. He describes -their anxious solicitous search for food as quite curious. They kept -up a continual twittering, and so intent were they in their employment -that they appeared to lose sight of all danger, and it was by no means -unusual to be so surrounded by a flock as almost to render it possible -to catch them in the hand. - -Dr. Cooper found this species abundant in Washington Territory, but -never met with it north of the Columbia River. Dr. Suckley says it is -quite common at Fort Steilacoom. He could not, however, detect any -difference in its habits from those of other species of this family. -He saw none in Washington Territory during the winter, and presumes -they all migrate to the South, though the _rufescens_ and the -_occidentalis_ are found there throughout the winter. Townsend, -however, speaks of it as a constant resident about the Columbia River, -hopping around among the bushes, hanging from the twigs in the manner -of other Titmice, twittering all the while with a rapid enunciation -resembling the words _thshish tshist-tsee-twee_. - -Mr. Nuttall first observed their arrival on the banks of the Wahlamet -River about the middle of May. They were very industriously engaged in -quest of insects, and were by no means shy, but kept always in the low -bushes in the skirts of the woods. On one occasion the male bird was -so solicitous in regard to the safety of the nest as to attract him to -the place where, suspended from a low bush, about four feet from the -ground, hung their curious home. It was formed like a long purse, with -a round hole for entrance near the top, and made of moss, down, lint -of plants, and lined with feathers. The eggs were six in number, pure -white, and already far gone toward hatching. In the following June, in -a dark wood near Fort Vancouver, he saw a flock of about twelve, -which, by imitating their chirping, he was able to call around him, -and which kept up an incessant and querulous chirping. - -A nest of this bird presented by Mr. Nuttall to Audubon was -cylindrical in form, nine inches in length and three and a half in -diameter. It was suspended from the fork of a small twig, and was -composed externally of hypnum, lichens, and fibrous roots so -interwoven as to present a smooth surface, with a few stems of grasses -and feathers intermingled. The aperture was at the top, and did not -exceed seven eighths of an inch in diameter. The diameter of the -internal passage for two thirds of its length was two inches. This was -lined with the cottony down of willows and a vast quantity of soft -feathers. The eggs were nine in number, pure white, .56 of an inch by -.44 in their measurement. - -Dr. Cooper found them throughout the year near San Francisco. He found -one of their nests at San Diego as early as the first of March. The -nest is so large, compared with the size of the birds, as to suggest -the idea that the flock unite to build it. He gives the measurements -as eight inches in length and three in diameter, outside; the cavity -five inches long, one and a half in diameter. It was cylindrical, and -suspended by one end from a low branch. - -When one of these birds is killed, Dr. Cooper says that the others -come round it with great show of anxiety, and call plaintively until -they find it will not follow them, becoming so fearless as almost to -allow of their being taken by the hand. - - -Psaltriparus minimus, var. plumbeus, BAIRD. - -LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TITMOUSE. - - _Psaltria plumbea_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. S. VII, June, 1854, 118 (Little - Colorado). _Psaltriparus plumbeus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 398, - pl. xxxiii, fig. 2; Review, 84.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 398, no. - 77.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 49. - -SP. CHAR. Tail long, feathers graduated. Above rather light -olivaceous-cinereous. Top of head rather clearer; forehead, chin, and -sides of head, pale smoky-brown. Beneath brownish-white, scarcely -darker on the sides. Length about 4.20 inches; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.50. - -HAB. Southern Rocky Mountain region of United States, from mountains -of West Arizona to Green River, Wyoming; west to Carson City, Nevada -(RIDGWAY). - -This variety is very similar to the _Psaltriparus minimus_ of the west -coast, which it represents in the Rocky Mountain region. It is, -however, appreciably larger, the wings and tail proportionally longer. -The top of the head is plumbeous, uniform with the back, instead of -smoky-brown. The back is a paler ash, the under parts darker. - -HABITS. Of the history of this variety but little is known. It is -found in the southern portion of the Rocky Mountain regions, within -the United States, in Arizona and New Mexico. The extent of its area -of distribution remains to be ascertained. Dr. Kennerly met with it on -Little Colorado River, where he observed it among the scattered bushes -along the banks of the river, occurring in large flocks. These passed -rapidly from place to place, uttering their short, quick notes. He -afterward met with them along the head waters of Bill Williams Fork, -inhabiting the tops of the cotton-wood trees. When attracted to them -by their notes, they could only be seen after a very careful search. -He obtained no knowledge as to their mode of nesting, and no -information, so far as we are aware, has been obtained in regard to -their eggs. It may, however, be safely conjectured that they are -white, and hardly distinguishable from those of the _minimus_. Dr. -Coues found them common near Fort Whipple, Arizona. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this bird in especial abundance among the cañons -of West Humboldt Mountains in September. He found it also in all -suitable places westward to the very base of the Sierra Nevada -Mountains. It was met with principally in the thick brushwood -bordering the streams, in ever-restless companies, continually -twittering as they flew from bush to bush, in single rows. Mr. Ridgway -describes these birds as remarkably active in their movements. If -unmolested, they were exceedingly unsuspicious and familiar. During -November he found them inhabiting the cedars, always associating in -scattered flocks. - - -GENUS AURIPARUS, BAIRD. - - _Auriparus_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 85. (Type, _Ægithalus - flaviceps_, SUND.) - -GEN. CHAR. Form sylvicoline. Bill conical, nearly straight, and very -acute; the commissure very slightly and gently curved. Nostrils -concealed by decumbent bristles. Wings long, little rounded; the first -quill half the second; third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal, -and longest. Tail slightly graduated. Lateral toes equal, the anterior -united at the extreme base. Hind toe small, about equal to the -lateral. Tarsus but little longer than the middle toe. - -This genus is closely allied to _Paroides_ of Europe, as shown in -Birds of North America (p. 399), though sufficiently different. It is -much more sylvicoline in appearance than the other American _Paridæ_. - - -Auriparus flaviceps, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-HEADED BUSH-TITMOUSE; VERDIN. - - _Ægithalus flaviceps_, SUNDEVALL, Ofversigt af Vet. Ak. Förh. VII, - v, 1850, 129. _Psaltria flaviceps_, SCL. P. Z. S. XXIV, March, - 1856, 37. _Psaltriparus flaviceps_, SCL. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, - 13, no. 79. _Paroides flaviceps_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 400, - pl. liii, fig. 2. _Auriparus flaviceps_, BAIRD, Review, 1864, - 85.—COOPER, Birds Cal. 1, 51. _Conirostrum ornatum_, LAWRENCE, - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. May, 1851, 113, pl. v, fig. 1 (Texas). - -SP. CHAR. Above cinereous; head, all round, yellow; lesser -wing-coverts chestnut; beneath brownish-white. Length, 4.50 inches; -wing, 2.16; tail, 2.35. - -HAB. Valleys of the Rio Grande and Colorado; Cape St. Lucas. - - [Line drawing: _Auriparus flaviceps._ - 6764] - -HABITS. This new and interesting little species was first added to our -fauna by Mr. Lawrence in 1851, only a year after its first description -as a bird of Mexico. Notwithstanding the abundance in which it has -been in certain localities, less has been developed in regard to its -habits and specific characteristics than we seem to have had a right -to anticipate. - -It was found in Western Texas, in Mexico, in the lower valleys of New -Mexico and Arizona, and is very abundant at Cape St. Lucas. Of the -eighteen species of birds found by Mr. John Xantus breeding in the -last-named locality, this one was regarded as the most abundant. In a -letter from that gentleman, written in August, 1859, he mentioned that -he had collected over one hundred eggs of this species, during that -season, in the immediate vicinity of Cape St. Lucas. - - [Illustration: _Auriparus flaviceps._] - -Dr. Heermann, in his report on the birds observed in Lieutenant -Williamson’s explorations, states that he first discovered this -species in Southern California, at the terminus of the Mohave River. -Owing to their extreme wildness, he was not able to obtain any -specimens. In searching for their food, he states that they often -remained suspended with their backs downward, after the manner of the -Titmice. He found their nests quite abundant, though from the lateness -of the season few of the birds were remaining, in the neighborhood of -Fort Yuma. Dr. Heermann describes their nests as spherical, formed of -twigs, and having the entrance on one side. The interior was lined -with down and feathers, and contained usually from four to six eggs. -These he describes as having, when fresh, a ground-color of pale blue, -dashed all over with small black spots. - -Dr. Kennerly, in his Report on the Birds of the Mexican Boundary -Survey, states that he met with this species in the vicinity of the -Rio Grande. They were very wild, flew rapidly, and to quite a distance -before they alighted. They seemed to frequent the low mezquite-bushes -on the hillsides. - -Mr. Xantus found this species, when he first arrived at San Lucas, on -the 4th of April, with young birds already fully fledged, although -others were still breeding and continued to breed until the middle of -July. Two fifths of all the eggs he collected that season, he writes, -were of this species. This may, however, have been in part owing to -the conspicuous prominence of their nests, as well as to their -abundance. Xantus found the nest in various positions. In one instance -it was suspended from a leafless branch not three feet from the -ground, with its entrance nearly to the ground. In another instance it -was on an acacia twenty feet from the ground. For the most part they -are hung from low acacia-trees, on the extreme outer branches. In all -cases the entrance to the nest was from the lower end, or towards the -ground. - -Dr. J. G. Cooper, in his History of the Birds of California, speaks of -finding a large number of this beautiful little bird during the whole -winter frequenting the thickets of algarobia and other shrubs, and -with habits intermediate between those of Titmice and Warblers, -corresponding with their intermediate form. Their song resembles that -of the Chickadee, and they also uttered a loud cry, as they sat on -high twigs, with a triple lisping note resembling _tzee-tee-tee_. Dr. -Cooper found a pair building on the 10th of March. They first formed a -wall, nearly spherical in outline, of the thorny twigs of the -algarobia, in which tree the nest was usually built. They then lined -it with softer twigs, leaves, the down of plants, and feathers. They -covered the outside with thorns, until it became a mass as large as a -man’s head, or nine inches by five and a half on the outside. The -cavity is four and a half inches by two, with an opening on one side -just large enough for the bird to enter. On the 27th of March, Dr. -Cooper found the first nest containing eggs. These were in all -instances four in number, pale blue, with numerous small brown spots, -chiefly near the larger end, though some had very few spots and were -paler. Their size he gives as .60 by .44 of an inch. In one nest, -which he closely observed, the eggs were hatched after about ten days’ -incubation, and in two weeks more the young were ready to leave their -nest. - - -SUBFAMILY SITTINÆ. - -The characters of the _Sittinæ_ are expressed with sufficient detail -on page 86. The section is represented in America by a single genus, -confined mainly to the northern portion. - - -GENUS SITTA, LINNÆUS. - - _Sitta_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Agassiz.) - - [Line drawing: _Sitta carolinensis._ - 1761 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill subulate, acutely pointed, compressed, about as long -as the head; culmen and commissure nearly straight; gonys convex and -ascending; nostrils covered by a tuft of bristles directed forward. -Tarsi stout, scutellate, about equal to the middle toe, much shorter -than the hinder, the claw of which is half the total length. Outer -lateral toe much longer than inner, and nearly equal to the middle. -Tail very short, broad, and nearly even; the feathers soft and -truncate. Wings reaching nearly to the end of the tail, long and -acute, the first primary one third of (or less) the third, or longest. -Iris brown. Nest in holes of trees. Eggs white, spotted with reddish. - -The North American species may be arranged as follows:— - -A. Crown black. - - S. carolinensis. Belly white; no black stripe through eye. - - Bill, .70 long, .17 deep. Black spots on tertials sharply - defined. _Hab._ Eastern Province North America … - var. _carolinensis_. - - Bill, .80 long, .14 deep. Black spots on tertials obsolete. - _Hab._ Middle and Western Province United States, south to - Cordova, Mexico … var. _aculeata_. - - S. canadensis. Belly brownish-rusty. A black stripe through - eye. _Hab._ Whole of North America. - -B. Crown not black. - - S. pusilla. Crown light hair-brown; hind toe much longer than - the middle one. _Hab._ South Atlantic and Gulf States. - - S. pygmæa. Crown greenish-plumbeous; hind toe about equal to - middle one. _Hab._ Western and Middle Province United States, - south to Xalapa. - - -Sitta carolinensis, var. carolinensis, LATH. - -WHITE-BELLIED NUTHATCH. - - _Sitta europæa_, var. γ, _carolinensis_, GM. S. N. I, 1788, 440. - _Sitta carolinensis_, LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 262; also of - all other American writers.—REICHENBACH, Handbuch, Abh. II, - 1853, 153, tab. dxiii, figs. 3563, 3564.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 374, pl. xxxiii, fig. 4; Review, 86.—MAX. Cab. Jour. - VI, 1858, 106. _Sitta melanocephala_, VIEILL. Gal. I, 1834, - 171, pl. clxxi. - Other figures: WILSON, Am. Orn. I, pl. ii, fig. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, pl. clii.—IB. B. A. IV, pl. ccxlvii. - - [Illustration: PLATE VIII. - - 1. Sitta carolinensis, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 59324. - 2. “ “ “ ♀ - 3. Salpinctes obsoletus, _Say._ Cal., 7157. - 4. Catherpes mexicanus, _Sw._, _var._ Mex., 53425. - 5. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, _Lafr._ ♂ Cal., 7149. - 6. “ affinis, _Xantus._ ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 12965. - 7. Sitta canadensis, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 818. - 8. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 2073. - 9. “ pusilla, _Lath._ Ga., 1925. - 10. “ pygmæa, _Vig._ Cal., 3342. - 11. Certhia americana, _Bon._ ♂ Pa., 827.] - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy-blue. Top of head and neck black. Under parts and -sides of head to a short distance above the eye white. Under -tail-coverts and tibial feathers brown; concealed primaries white. -Bill stout. Female with black of head glossed with ashy. Length about -6 inches; wing about 3.75. - -HAB. United States and British Provinces; west to the Valley of the -Missouri. - - [Illustration: _Sitta aculeata._] - -HABITS. The common White-bellied Nuthatch has an extended distribution -throughout nearly the whole of Eastern North America, from the -Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. West of the great central plains it -is replaced by the var. _aculeata_. It has not been met with, so far -as I am aware, farther north than Nova Scotia. It is a resident of -Eastern Maine, and is quite common in the southern and western -portions of the same State. In Massachusetts it is rather common than -abundant, and more plentiful in the western than in the eastern -portions of that State. - -The habits of this and the other species of Nuthatches partake -somewhat of those of the smaller Woodpeckers and of the Titmice. -Without the noisy and restless activity of the latter, they seek their -food in a similar manner, and not unfrequently do so in their company, -moving up or down the trunks and over or under the branches of trees, -searching every crack and crevice of the bark for insects, larvæ, or -eggs. Like the Woodpeckers, they dig industriously into decayed -branches for the hidden grub, and like both Woodpeckers and Chickadees -they industriously excavate for themselves a place for their nests in -the decayed trunks of forest trees. Their nest, however, is usually at -a greater elevation, often some twenty or thirty feet from the ground. -The European Nuthatch is said to plaster up the entrance to its nest, -to contract its opening and lessen the dangers of unfriendly -intrusion. This habit has never been observed in any of the American -species. - -All our ornithological writers have noticed the assiduities of the -male bird to his sitting mate, and the attention with which he -supplies her with food. He keeps ever in the vicinity of the nest, -calls her from time to time to come to the mouth of the hole to take -her food, or else to receive his endearments and caresses, and at the -approach of danger fearlessly intervenes to warn her of it. When -feeding together, the male bird keeps up his peculiar nasal cry of -_hŏnk-hŏnk_, repeating it from time to time, as he moves around the -trunk or over the branches. - -Their favorite food is insects, in every condition. With this, when -abundant, they seem content, and rarely wander from their accustomed -woods in summer. In winter, when snow or ice covers the branches or -closes against them the trunks of trees, they seek the dwellings and -out-houses for their necessary food, and will even alight on the -ground in quest of seeds. In searching for food among the trees, they -move as readily with their heads downward as in any other position. -Their motion is a uniform and steady progression, somewhat in the -manner of a mouse, but never, like the Woodpecker, by occasional hops. - -The European species collect and store away the fruit of the hazel and -other nut-bearing trees. Our bird has been supposed to do the same -thing, but this is by no means an indisputable fact. - -In some parts of the country absurd prejudices prevail against these -interesting little birds. They are indiscriminately confounded with -the smaller Woodpeckers, called, with them, Sap-Suckers, and because -in the spring and fall they frequent old orchards are most unwisely, -as well as unjustly, persecuted. They are among the most active and -serviceable of the fruit-grower’s benefactors. His worst enemies are -their favorite food. It is to be hoped that soon a better-informed -public opinion will prevail, cherishing and protecting, rather than -seeking to destroy, this useful, affectionate, and attractive species. - -Interesting accounts are given in English works of the confiding -tameness of the European species. When kindly treated, it will come -regularly for its food, approaching within a foot or two of the hand -of its benefactor, and catching with its bill the food thrown to it -before it can reach the ground. - -The pair work together in constructing the perforation in which they -make their nest. When the excavation has been well begun, they relieve -each other at the task. The one not engaged in cutting attends upon -its mate, and carries out the chips as they are made. These -nesting-places are often quite deep, not unfrequently from fifteen to -twenty inches. Audubon states that they build no nest, but this does -not correspond with my observations. In all the instances that have -come to my knowledge, warm and soft nests were found, composed of -down, fur, hair, or feathers loosely thrown together, and, though not -large in bulk, yet sufficient for a lining for the enlarged cavity -that completes their excavation. Soon after they are hatched, the -young climb to the opening of the nest to receive their food, and, -before they are ready to fly, venture out upon the trunk to try their -legs and claws before their wings are prepared for use, retiring at -night to their nest. In the Southern States they are said to have two -broods in a season. - -The eggs of this Nuthatch measure .80 by .62 of an inch. Their -ground-color is white, but when the egg is fresh it has a beautiful -roseate tinge, and generally receives an apparently reddish hue from -the very general distribution of the spots and blotches of rusty-brown -and purplish with which the eggs are so closely covered. These -markings vary greatly in size, from fine dots to well-marked blotches. -Their color is usually a reddish-brown; occasionally the markings are -largely intermixed with purple. - - -Sitta carolinensis, var. aculeata, CASS. - -SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. - - _Sitta aculeata_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. VIII, Oct. 1856, 254.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 375, pl. xxxiii, fig. 3; Review, 86.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 54. _? Sitta carolinensis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1856, 293 (Cordova); 1858, 300 (Oaxaca); 1859, 363 (Xalapa), 373 - (Oaxaca). - -SP. CHAR. Very similar to _carolinensis_; but upper secondaries with -only obscure blackish blotches, instead of sharply defined -longitudinal spots of clear black. Bill slenderer and more attenuated. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of the United States, south to -Cordova, Mex. Orizaba (Alpine regions), SUMICH. - -The characters given above express the essential differences between -this and the Eastern race of _S. carolinensis_. In the present form, -the depth of the bill opposite its base is .14, the width .17, and .80 -or more in length from the forehead; while these same measurements in -var. _carolinensis_ are .17, .22, and .70. The obsolete character of -the black spots on the secondaries is a persistent feature in the var. -_aculeata_. - -HABITS. This bird chiefly differs from its eastern congener in its -more slender bill. There appears to be no difference in regard to -their habits, at least none have been noticed, and it is probable -there is none other than trivial changes caused by its opportunities -of procuring food, and the kinds upon which it subsists. It is -supposed to be distributed throughout Western North America, from the -British Possessions to Mexico, though Dr. Cooper thinks that it is not -a common bird south of San Francisco, and only to be seen there in the -colder months. It has been met with at San Diego in February. He did -not observe any in the Coast Mountains, near Santa Cruz, but northward -they are numerous in the summer, frequenting chiefly the groves of the -deciduous oaks, creeping constantly about their trunks and branches in -search of insects, which they also occasionally seek on the roofs and -walls of houses. Their habits are similar to those of _S. canadensis_, -but their movements are said to be slower, and their note is a single -harsh call, uttered occasionally, and responded to by their comrades. -Dr. Cooper found them quite common in Washington Territory and at -Puget Sound. Dr. Suckley also mentions their great abundance. - -Dr. Kennerly met with this species a hundred miles west of -Albuquerque, New Mexico, and quite abundant among the pines of the -Sierra Madre. He speaks of its note as being peculiar. - -Mr. J. K. Lord states that this species remained about Colville during -the winter, when the thermometer was 30° below zero. He also mentions -that he found them nesting, in June, in the branches of the tallest -pine-trees, so high up as to render the obtaining their eggs almost an -impossibility. - -Mr. Ridgway found the Slender-billed Nuthatch abundant, throughout the -year, in the vicinity of Carson City, among the pines on the Sierra -Nevada Mountains. He noted its great similarity in manners to the -_carolinensis_; at the same time the well-marked difference in the -notes did not escape his attention. These notes are much weaker, and -are uttered in a finer tone, and some of them are said to be entirely -different. - - -Sitta canadensis, LINN. - -RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. - - _Sitta canadensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 177.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, 1834, pl. cviii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, pl. ccxlviii.—REICH. - Handb. Abh. II, 1853, 152, tab. dxiii, figs. 3561, 3562.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 376; Review, 87.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 15, no. - 91.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 54. _Sitta varia_, WILS. Am. Orn. - I, 1808, 40, pl. ii. - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy-blue. Top of head black; a white line above and a -black one through the eye. Chin white; rest of under parts -brownish-rusty. Length about 4.50 inches; wing, 2.66. Female with the -black of head mixed with ashy; beneath paler, more of a muddy-white. - -HAB. Whole United States and British Provinces. North to Lake Winnipeg. - -HABITS. The common Red-bellied Nuthatch, though nowhere a very -abundant species, is found throughout the whole of North America, from -Florida to high northern regions, and from ocean to ocean. The -Smithsonian Institution possesses specimens from Georgia, Selkirk -Settlement, California, and Washington Territory. Mr. Gambel found -them quite common in the mountains in the interior of California, in -October, roving in company with busy flocks of the _Parus montanus_. - -Dr. Cooper met with them abundantly in Washington Territory, where -they preferred the oaks and other deciduous trees, and never -frequented the interior of the dense forest. He observed this bird and -the Slender-billed Nuthatch, along the 49th parallel, east of the -Cascade Mountains, as late as the middle of October. Dr. Suckley also -met both birds west of the same mountains. - -This Nuthatch was observed by Mr. Ridgway among the aspen groves -bordering the streams that flow from the East Humboldt Mountains. In -that locality it was common through the month of September, though not -abundant. It was again seen in June among the pine-woods of the -Wahsatch Mountains, but it was not common. - -While a few of these birds are resident of the Northern States, they -are, to a considerable extent, of migratory habits. Wilson observed -them leaving in large numbers for the Southern States in October, and -returning again in April. On the 20th of May, 1867, the writer -observed a small flock in Eastern Massachusetts, evidently just -arrived from the South. They were apparently fatigued and hungry, and -paid no attention to the near presence of workmen engaged in setting -bean-poles. They visited and carefully examined each pole, and bored -holes into several in search of hidden larvæ, often within a few feet -of persons at work. - -While on the Pacific coast they are said to prefer the forests of -deciduous trees, and to be rarely found in the dark evergreen forests, -in the Eastern States they seem to be particularly fond of the seeds -of pine-trees, and in the winter are seldom found in the woods of -deciduous trees. - -They feed in pairs and climb about in all directions, usually in -company with the white-breasted species, Chickadees, and the smaller -Woodpeckers. They are restless and rapid in their motions, and have a -voice at least an octave higher than any other of this family. The -note is a monotone, and is unmusical. Mr. Nuttall represents their cry -as consisting of three syllables, represented by _dāy-dāy-dāit_, and -compares it to the sound of a child’s trumpet. - -Those wintering at the North occasionally visit farm-yards and -orchards, and examine the eaves of outbuildings for food. - -Audubon found this species more plentiful in the woods of Maine and -Nova Scotia than anywhere else. He never met any south of Maryland, -saw none in Newfoundland, and only met with one in Labrador. At -Eastport he found a pair breeding as early as the 19th of April, -before the Bluebirds had made their appearance, and while ice was -still remaining on the northern exposures. An excavation had been made -in a low dead stump, less than four feet from the ground, both male -and female birds working by turns until they had reached the depth of -fourteen inches. The eggs, four in number, were of a white -ground-color, tinged with a deep blush when fresh, and sprinkled with -reddish dots. They raise but a single brood in a season. - -C. S. Paine, of East Bethel, Vt., found a nest of this species about -the middle of May, in a small beech-tree, the excavation having been -made at the height of twelve feet from the ground. The hole was about -as large as that made by the Downy Woodpecker. When first noticed, the -bird was looking out of the hole. Having been started out, she flew to -a limb close by and watched the party some time. When she flew back, -she buzzed before the hole in the manner of a Humming-Bird, and then -darted in. While Mr. Paine was looking on, the male came several times -to feed his mate, who would meet him at the opening with a clamorous -noise, to receive his bounty. The nest contained five eggs. - -In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen speaks of this species as chiefly -a winter resident, appearing the first week in October, and leaving -the last of April. - -The eggs of this species measure .62 by .48 of an inch, and are of an -oblong-oval shape. Their ground-color is a clear crystal white, marked -principally about the larger end with a wreath of purple and roseate -markings. - - -Sitta pygmæa, VIG. - -PIGMY NUTHATCH. - - _Sitta pygmæa_, VIGORS, Zoöl. Beechey’s Voy. 1839, 25, pl. iv.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. V, 1839, pl. ccccxv.—IB. Birds Am. IV, pl. - ccl.—REICH. Handb. 1853, 153, tab. dxiv, figs. 3365, - 3366.—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 79.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 378; Review, 88.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 363 - (Xalapa).—IB. Catal. 1861, 15, no. 93.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 55. - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy-blue; head and upper part of neck greenish -ashy-brown, its lower border passing a little below the eye, where it -is darker; nape with an obscure whitish spot. Chin and throat whitish; -rest of lower parts brownish-white; the sides and behind like the -back, but paler. Middle tail-feather like the back; its basal half -with a long white spot; its outer web edged with black at the base. -Length about 4 inches; wing, 2.40. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States; south to Xalapa. - -This species is closely related to _Sitta pusilla_ of the Southern -States. The brown of the head has, however, an olivaceous-green tinge -not seen in the other; the white spot on the nape less distinct. The -middle tail-feather has its basal half white and the outer web edged -with black at the base. This black edging is never seen in the other, -and the white patch is reduced to a faint trace, only visible in very -highly plumaged specimens. - -HABITS. This diminutive species of Nuthatch is found throughout our -Pacific coast and on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, from -Washington Territory to Southern California. It is also to be found in -New Mexico, and specimens have been procured from Mexico. - -Dr. Kennerly found them quite abundant in the Sierra Madre and San -Francisco Mountains, even as high up as the snow-line, seeking their -insect food among the tops of the lofty pines. Dr. Newberry frequently -met with these Nuthatches in the most wooded places on his route, -where water was near and any considerable amount of animal life -visible. He, however, never met with them in the forests of yellow -pines. Dr. Gambel mentions their almost extraordinary abundance, in -the winter months, in Upper California. Around Monterey, at times, the -trees appeared almost alive with them, as they ran up and down and -around the branches and trunks, uttering their monotonous and -querulous cries. Their note he describes as a repeated whistling -_wit-wit_. When one utters this cry, the rest join in. They also have -a whistling trill while they are busily searching the tree in every -part, and they never leave till they have pretty thoroughly searched -every crack. - -Dr. Cooper only met with this Nuthatch in the open pine-forests about -Fort Colville, near the 49th parallel. They were associated in small -flocks about the 20th of October, when there were heavy frosts at -night. The chirping noise they made resembled the cries of young -chickens. Their habits were very similar to those of the _Psaltriparus -minimus_. - -Mr. J. K. Lord found this Nuthatch an abundant bird along the entire -length of the boundary line from the coast to the Rocky Mountains. It -was also common on Vancouver Island. They were seen in large flocks in -company with the Chickadees, except during the nesting-time, which is -in June. A few were winter residents at Colville, but the greater -number left in November. He describes it as a very active bird, always -on the move. After nesting they congregate in large flocks and move -about from tree to tree, twittering a low sweet note as if singing to -themselves, now climbing back downwards along the under sides of the -topmost branches of tall pines, searching into every crevice for -insects, or, descending to the ground, clinging to the slender -flower-stalks for other insects. They nest in June, make a hole in the -dead branch of a pine, and deposit their eggs on the bare chips of the -wood. This account does not agree with the experience of California -ornithologists, who have found a loose nest within the excavation. - -Mr. Ridgway found this Nuthatch abundant among the pines of the Sierra -Nevada, in the vicinity of Carson City. They were found generally in -pairs. Its note is said to greatly resemble the vociferous peeping of -some of the small Sandpipers, being sharp, loud, and distinct, and -vigorously and continuously uttered, whether climbing or flying. He -found it exceedingly hard to discover this bird among the branches, or -even when flying, owing to the swiftness and irregularity of its -flight. When the female of a pair had been killed, the male bird was -extremely loud in his lamentations. Diminutive as this bird is, Mr. -Ridgway states that it is also the noisiest of all the feathered -inhabitants of the pines, though it is less active in the pursuit of -insects than the larger species. - -Nests of this bird obtained near Monterey appear to be as well made as -those of any of this genus, lining the cavity in which they are placed -and conforming to it in size and shape, the materials sufficiently -interwoven to permit removal and preservation, and warmly constructed -of feathers, wool, vegetable down, hair, and the silky efflorescence -of seeds. - -Their eggs, seven in number, resemble those of the _S. canadensis_, -but are of smaller size and a little more pointed at one end. Their -ground-color is crystalline-white. This is covered more or less -thickly with red spots, most numerous at the larger end. Their measure -varies from .65 by .50 to .60 by .47 of an inch. The first eggs of -this bird brought to the notice of naturalists were procured at Fort -Crook on the Upper Sacramento of California, and not far from Mount -Shasta, by Sergeant John Feilner, U. S. A., forming part of a very -extensive collection of birds and eggs transmitted by him to the -Smithsonian Institution. Promoted to a lieutenancy for gallant -conduct, this gentleman finally attained the rank of captain of -cavalry, and was killed by the Sioux during an exploring expedition -into Dacotah under General Sully. - - -Sitta pusilla, LATH. - -BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. - - _Sitta pusilla_, LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 263.—WILS. Am. Orn. II, - 1810, 105, pl. XV.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, pl. cxxv.—IB. Birds - Am. IV, pl. ccxlix.—REICH. Handb. 1853, 153, tab. dxiv, figs. - 3567, 3568.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 377; Review, 88.—SCLATER, - Catal. 1861, 15. - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy-blue; top of head and upper part of neck rather -light hair-brown, divided on the nape by white. Eye involved in the -brown, which is deeper on the lower border. Beneath muddy-whitish; -sides and behind paler than the back. Middle tail-feathers almost -entirely like the back. Length of female, 4 inches; wing, 2.50. - -HAB. South Atlantic and Gulf States. Ohio! KIRTLAND. - -HABITS. The Brown-headed Nuthatch has a much more restricted -distribution than the other members of this family in this country. -The specimens in the Smithsonian Museum are chiefly from Georgia. -Wilson met with it in Virginia, and states that it is found in the -other Southern States. I have received its eggs from Cheraw, S. C., -and from Florida. - -Wilson’s description of its habits makes them almost identical with -those of _Sitta canadensis_, while its notes are more shrill and -chirping. Like that bird, it is very fond of the seeds of the pines. -Wherever found, it is a constant resident, and does not migrate. - -Audubon states that this bird never goes farther north than Maryland, -and that it is the most abundant in Florida, Georgia, and the -Carolinas. In Louisiana it is rare, and it is not found in Kentucky. -Its notes, he states, are several octaves higher than those of the -_carolinensis_, and more shrill, and at least an octave and a half -higher than those of the _canadensis_. - -Although apparently preferring pines and pine barrens, it by no means -confines itself to them, but is not unfrequently seen on low trees and -fences, mounting, descending, and turning in every direction, and with -so much quickness of motion as to render it difficult to shoot it. It -examines every hole and every crevice in the bark of trees, as well as -their leaves and twigs, among which it finds abundance of food at all -seasons. During the breeding-season they go about in pairs and are -very noisy. Their only note is a monotonous cry, described as -resembling _dĕnd, dĕnd_. Mr. Audubon further states that when the -first brood leaves the nest, the young birds keep together, moving -from tree to tree with all the activity of their parents, who join -them when the second brood is able to keep them company. In Florida -they pair in the beginning of February, having eggs as early as the -middle of that month. In South Carolina they breed one month later. -Their nest is usually excavated by the birds themselves in the dead -portion of a low stump or sapling, sometimes only a few feet from the -ground, but not unfrequently at the height of thirty or forty feet. -Both birds are said to work in concert with great earnestness for -several days, until the hole, which is round, and not larger at the -entrance than the body of the bird, is dug ten or twelve inches deep, -widening at the bottom. The eggs, according to Mr. Audubon, are laid -on the bare wood. This, however, is probably not their constant habit. -The eggs, from four to six in number, and not much larger than those -of the Humming-Bird, have a white ground, thickly sprinkled with fine -reddish-brown dots. They are said to raise two, and even three, broods -in a season. According to the observations of the late Dr. Gerhardt of -Northern Georgia, the Brown-headed Nuthatch breeds in that part of the -country about the 19th of April. - -The eggs of this Nuthatch are of a rounded oval shape, measuring .60 -by .50 of an inch. Their white ground-color is so completely overlaid -by a profusion of fine dottings of a dark purplish-brown as to be -entirely concealed, and the egg appears almost as if a uniform -chocolate or brown color. - - - - -FAMILY CERTHIADÆ.—THE CREEPERS. - - -CHAR. Primaries ten; first very short; less than half the second. Tail -long, wedge-shaped, the feathers stiffened and acute. Bill slender, -much compressed and curved. Outer lateral toe much longest; hind toe -exceeding both the middle toe and the tarsus, which is scutellate -anteriorly and very short. Entire basal joint of middle toe united to -the lateral. - - -GENUS CERTHIA, LINN. - - _Certhia_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. ed. 10th, 1758, 112. (Type, _C. - familiaris_.) (See REICHENBACH, Handbuch, I, II, 1853, 256, for a - monograph of the genus.) - - [Line drawing: _Certhia americana._ - 827 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Plumage soft and loose. Bill as long as head, not notched, -compressed; all its lateral outlines decurved. Nostrils not overhung -by feathers, linear, with an incumbent thickened scale, as in -_Troglodytes_. No rictal bristles, and the loral and frontal feathers -smooth, without bristly shafts. Tarsus scutellate anteriorly, shorter -than middle toe, which again is shorter than hind toe. All claws very -long, much curved and compressed; outer lateral toe much the longer; -basal joint of middle toe entirely adherent to adjacent ones. Wings -rather pointed, about equal to the tail, the feathers of which are -much pointed, with stiffened shafts. Primaries ten; first less than -half the second. Nest in holes of trees; eggs white, sprinkled with -reddish. - - [Illustration: _Certhia americana._] - -Of the _Certhiadæ_ but one genus belongs to America,—_Certhia_, with -its one small species of considerable variability with locality. The -characters above given include both family and generic characters, -derived from this one genus. This is readily distinguished by the -decurved, compressed bill; absence of notch and bristles; exposed -linear nostrils with incumbent scales; connate middle toe, very long -claws, short tarsi, pointed and stiffened tail-feathers, etc. - -The American and European varieties (they can scarcely be called -species) resemble each other very closely, though they appear to be -distinguished by such differences as the following:— - -The two European races, _C. familiaris_ and _C. costæ_, both differ -from all the American varieties in having the crissum scarcely tinged -with yellowish. _C. familiaris_ is more ashy beneath than any others, -and _C. costæ_ is purest white beneath of all. Nearest _C. -familiaris_, in the American series, as regards tints of the upper -parts, are the Pacific coast specimens of _C. americana_,—while the -latter are most like the Atlantic region specimens of the same. _C. -mexicana_ is to be compared only with the North American forms, though -it is the only one approaching _familiaris_ in the ashy lower parts. - -_C. familiaris_ is at once separated from the rest by having the tail -shorter than the wing. - -_C. costæ_ is almost precisely like Eastern specimens of _C. -americana_ in colors, but is absolutely pure white below, and without -the distinctly yellowish crissum of the American bird. The bill and -claws, however, are considerably longer than in Eastern _americana_, -though their size is almost equalled by those of Western specimens; -the colors are, however, more decidedly different. - -There is never any deviation from the generic _pattern_ of coloration; -but the variation, _among individuals of each form_, in length of the -bill and claws, as well as the tail, is remarkable. - - -Certhia familiaris, var. americana, BONAP. - -BROWN CREEPER. - - _Certhia fusca_, BARTON, Fragments of the Natural History of - Pennsylvania, 1799, II. _Certhia familiaris_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. - Sept. II, 1807, 70 (not the European bird); also of WILSON and - AUDUBON.—MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 93. _Certhia americana_, - BONAP. Comp. List. 1838.—REICH. Handb. I, 1853, 265, pl. dcxv, - figs. 4102, 4103.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 372; Review, - 89.—MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 105.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. - XII, II, 1859, 192.—HAMLIN, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. 1864—66, 80. - _Certhia mexicana_, COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 58. - -SP. CHAR. Bill about the length of the head. Above dark brown, with a -slightly rufous shade, each feather streaked centrally, but not -abruptly, with whitish; rump rusty. Beneath almost silky-white; the -under tail-coverts with a faint rusty tinge. A white streak over the -eye; the ear-coverts streaked with whitish. Tail-feathers brown -centrally, the edges paler yellowish-brown. Wings with a transverse -bar of pale reddish-white across both webs. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.60; -tail, 2.90. (No. 827.) - -_Young._ (5945, Steilacoom, W. T.; Dr. J. S. Cooper.) Resembling the -adult, but streaks above indistinct, and the feathers there tipped -indistinctly with blackish; the rufous restricted to the upper -tail-coverts. Breast and jugulum with very minute blackish wavings or -indistinct bars. - -HAB. Whole of United States, to Red River Settlement. - -Specimens from the far west are purer white beneath, much as in -_costæ_, but those from the northwest coast have the white tinged with -light rusty. Though purer white below, these specimens are much -browner above than Eastern ones,—sometimes more so than in -_familiaris_, but then there is the yellowish crissum never seen in -this “species,” and the proportions are quite different. Thus it will -be seen the _C. americana_ may always be distinguished from the other -forms; when most resembling _costæ_ in the grayish tints of the upper -plumage (as in Eastern examples), the lower parts are less purely -white, and the bill and claws smaller; when like it in the proportions -and pure white of the lower parts (as in Western specimens), the -colors above are altogether more brown. The yellowish crissum of -_americanus_ will also distinguish them. Though often resembling -_familiaris_ in the colors of the upper parts, the latter may always -be distinguished by its ashy lower parts without yellowish crissum, -the shorter tail, with its less acute feathers, and stouter bill. - -_C. mexicanus_ is still more different in colors, for which see that -variety. - -HABITS. Our common Creeper, so closely resembling the Creeper of -Europe as by many to be supposed identical with it, is distributed -over the whole of North America, from the Gulf of Mexico to high -northern latitudes. At different seasons it may be found in every one -of the several States and Territories, yet it is never very abundant. -The Smithsonian possesses specimens from various parts of the country, -from Georgia to Fort Steilacoom on the Pacific, but of these none -appear to have been secured during the period of reproduction. Dr. -Heermann found them very common in the more mountainous districts of -California. Dr. Cooper found these birds abundant in the forests of -Washington Territory, but difficult to detect from the similarity of -their color to that of the bark over which they crept. They were -apparently constant residents in that Territory. Dr. Suckley, who -obtained several specimens of this species in the oak groves in the -vicinity of Fort Steilacoom, states that in their habits the Western -birds resemble those of the Atlantic States. - -Mr. Ridgway found this Creeper inhabiting both the pine forests of the -Sierra Nevada, where it was the more common, and also, in winter, -among the willows of the river valleys. He did not meet with it east -of the Truckee River, nor until he had reached the Wahsatch Mountains. - -Dr. Woodhouse found the Brown Creeper generally distributed throughout -the Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, and California, and adds that -it was especially abundant in the San Francisco Mountains of New -Mexico. - -Dr. Cooper states that he has met with this form in the winter -throughout the higher mountains and among the Coast Range as far south -as Santa Cruz. He found them chiefly frequenting the coniferous trees, -creeping up and down their trunks and branches, searching for insects -in their crevices, and so nearly resembling the bark in their general -color, that they can be detected only with great difficulty, except -when in motion. - -He adds that their notes are shrill and wiry, and are often heard when -the bird is scarcely visible, without a careful search, their cry -appearing to be from a greater distance than the real performer. In -March, Dr. Cooper heard them giving out a faint but sharp-toned song, -resembling that of a Wren. If Dr. Cooper is correct in his account of -the notes, they do not correspond with those of our Eastern bird. - -Dr. Kennerly, in his Report on the birds observed by him near the 35th -parallel, states that he found our common Creeper very abundant among -the rough-barked cedars in the Aztec Mountains. It usually attracted -notice, and its place of retreat was discovered, by his hearing its -quick and sharp notes. A close and careful search generally enabled -him to perceive it proceeding leisurely upward and downward, in -straight or spiral lines, toward the top of the tree, dodging -dexterously to the opposite side from the observer, and only resuming -its occupation when assured of solitude and safety. - -The observations of Dr. Kennerly, if they are to be received as -characteristic of the Western Creepers, do not correspond with those -of our Eastern birds, as far as we have observed them. None of our -birds are more easily approached, and when they are pursuing their -search for food, none are more regardless of observation. The -statement that our Creeper, when watched, moves to the opposite side -of the tree from the looker-on, has found a certain currency in our -books. We are, however, of the opinion that this is owing to its -restless activity, prompting it to constant changes of place and -position, and not to its timidity or caution. We have uniformly found -them either unconscious or regardless of our near presence. - -They are solitary in their habits, and frequent, especially in the -summer, deep woods, searching for their favorite food in high places -where it is difficult to reach them, but this is no necessary evidence -of their shyness. They often hunt for their food in very exposed -places, with equal courage and recklessness. It is an active, restless -bird, associating with Titmice and the smaller Woodpeckers, moving -with great rapidity from side to side and from place to place. They -breed in hollow trees, in the deserted holes of the Woodpeckers, and -in the decayed stumps and branches of trees. Their nest is a loose -aggregation of soft, warm materials, not interwoven, but simply -collected with regard to no other requisite than warmth. - -In the summer of 1851 our party, in their visit to one of the smaller -Grand Menan Islands, was so fortunate as to meet with the nest of this -bird. It was built in a decayed birch-tree, only a few feet from the -ground, and contained five eggs nearly ready to hatch. This was on the -20th of June. The nest was an intermingling of decayed wood, the fur -of small quadrupeds, and feathers, but with so little adherence or -consistency of form that it was impossible to retain the materials in -position after removal. - -So far from evincing any timidity, the birds refused to leave their -nest, and could hardly be prevented from following it when removed -from the woods to a house on the island. One of our companions, -returning to the woods in order to secure the birds for the sake of -identification, found the pair still lingering round the place of -their rifled nest. Upon his approach they began to circle round his -head with reproachful cries, and continued to keep so close to him -that it was impossible to shoot one without mutilating it. At length -one of the birds alighted on a small branch held over his head by a -lad who accompanied him, and in this position was secured by shooting -it with a pistol loaded with the finest shot. Its mate could have been -secured, as she persisted in pursuing them, but she was not molested. -Throughout there was not a trace of timidity on the part of either -bird, but the most reckless and daring devotion. - -Besides the single call-note or the sharp outcry with which the -Creepers signalize their movements, and which they utter from time to -time as they rapidly and busily move up and down the trunks and limbs, -or flit from tree to tree, they have been generally regarded as having -no song. But this is not the fact. The careful observations of Mr. -William Brewster of Cambridge have satisfied him that these birds have -a very distinct and varied song. During the winter these birds are not -uncommon in the vicinity of Boston, coming about the houses with all -the tameness and confidence of the _Parus atricapillus_, and permit a -very near approach. They are very easily attracted by suspending from -a piazza a piece of fat meat. Mr. Brewster has observed them commence -singing as early as the 14th of March. Their notes are varied and -warbling and somewhat confused; some of them are loud, powerful, and -surpassingly sweet, others are more feeble and plaintive; their song -usually ends with their accustomed cry, which may be represented by -_crēē-crēē-crē-ēp_. Mr. Brewster, besides repeatedly hearing them sing -in Massachusetts in the early spring, has also listened to their song -in Maine in the month of June. - -Their eggs are small in proportion to the size of the bird, are nearly -oval in shape, with a grayish-white ground, sparingly sprinkled with -small, fine, red and reddish-brown spots. They measure .55 by .43 of -an inch. - - -Certhia familiaris, var. mexicana, GLOG. - -MEXICAN CREEPER. - - _Certhia mexicana_, “GLOGER, Handbuch,” REICHENBACH, Handbuch, I, - 1853, 265, pl. dlxii, figs. 3841, 3842.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, - 290; 1858, 297; 1859, 362, 372.—SALVIN, Ibis, 1866, 190 (Volcan - de Fuego, Guat.).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 373 (under _C. - americana_), pl. lxxxiii, fig. 2; Review, 90. - -SP. CHAR. Ground-color above very dark sepia-brown, each feather with -a sharply defined medial streak of grayish-white, these streaks -becoming broader posteriorly, where they are discontinued at the -beginning of the rump. Whole rump and upper tail-coverts -chestnut-rufous. Beneath pale ashy, becoming almost white on the -throat; crissal feathers deep ochraceous except at the tips, which are -whitish. Markings of the wings as usual. Measurements (8176, Mexico): -wing, 2.50; tail, 2.70; bill (from nostril), .48; hind claw, .30. - -HAB. Guatemala and Mexico; probably extending along the table-lands -into the United States. - -This is one of the best marked of the various races that have been -discussed (see p. 124). The ground-color of the upper parts is -altogether darker than in any of the others, and the streaks are more -sharply defined and narrower; the rufous of the rump is of a -castaneous, instead of yellowish cast; the wings appear more uniform -with the back, owing to the dark color of the latter, and their pale -markings have little of that yellowish tinge so noticeable in the -others. In the ashy tinge of the lower parts there is a resemblance to -_familiaris_ of Europe; but the latter has not the ochraceous crissum -so noticeable in the present bird. There is little resemblance to -Western and Rocky Mountain specimens of the _C. americana_ and if -these are to be considered as separable from the Eastern (which, -however, would not, in our opinion, be advisable) they must not be -referred to _mexicana_. - -The Mexican Creeper is introduced here on account of the probability -of its occurrence in the Southern Rocky Mountains. - -HABITS. Mr. Salvin found the Mexican Tree-Creeper by no means uncommon -in the pine forests of the upper zone of the Volcan de Fuego. He also -observed it frequenting pine-trees in the district of Chilasco, Vera -Paz, at about 6,000 feet above the sea. - - - - -FAMILY TROGLODYTIDÆ.—THE WRENS. - - -CHAR. Rictal bristles wanting; the loral feathers with bristly points; -the frontal feathers generally not reaching to nostrils. Nostrils -varied, exposed or not covered by feathers, and generally overhung by -a scale-like membrane. Bill usually without notch (except in some -Middle American genera). Wings much rounded, about equal to tail, -which is graduated. Primaries ten, the first generally about half the -second. Basal joint of middle toe usually united to half the basal -joint of inner, and the whole of that of the outer, or more. Lateral -toes about equal, or the outer a little the longer. Tarsi scutellate. - -The impossibility of defining any large group of animals, so as to -separate it stringently and abruptly from all others, is well -understood among naturalists; and the _Troglodytidæ_ form no exception -to the rule. Some bear so close a resemblance to the Mocking Thrushes -as to have been combined with them; while others again exhibit a close -approximation to other subfamilies. The general affinities of the -family, however, appear to be to the _Turdidæ_, and one of the best -characters for separating the two families appears to exist in the -structure of the feet. - -In the _Turdidæ_ the basal joint of the outer lateral toe is united to -the middle toe, sometimes only a part of it; and the inner toe is -cleft almost to its very base, so as to be opposable to the hind toe, -separate from the others. In the _Troglodytidæ_, on the contrary, the -inner toe is united by half its basal joint to the middle toe, -sometimes by the whole of this joint; and the second joint of the -outer toe enters wholly or partially into this union, instead of the -basal joint only. In addition to this character, the open, exposed -nostrils, the usually lengthened bill, the generally equal lateral -toes, the short rounded wings, the graduated tail, etc., furnish -points of distinction. - - -Genera. - -A. Lateral toes very unequal. - - _a._ Culmen depressed basally, the interval between the - nostrils wider than the much compressed anterior half of the - bill. Plate on the posterior half of the tarsus continuous. - Catherpes. - - _b._ Culmen compressed basally, the interval between the - nostrils narrower than the rather depressed anterior half of - the bill. Plate on the posterior half of the tarsus broken into - smaller scales. Salpinctes. - -B. Lateral toes equal. - - _c._ Length about 8 inches. Campylorhynchus. - - _d._ Length less than 6 inches. - - Bill abruptly decurved or hooked at the tip. Outstretched - feet not reaching near to end of tail. Thryothorus. - - Tail longer than the wing, the feathers black, variegated - terminally with whitish … Subgenus _Thryomanes_. - - Tail shorter than the wing, the feathers rusty, not - variegated with whitish … Subgenus _Thryothorus_. - - Bill only gently curved at the tip. Outstretched feet - reaching nearly to or beyond the end of the tail. - - Back without streaks. No distinct superciliary stripe. - Troglodytes. - - Bill curved, sub-conical. Tail as long as wing.… - Subgenus _Troglodytes_. - - Bill straight, subulate. Tail much shorter than wing.… - Subgenus _Anorthura_. - - Back streaked with black and white. Cistothorus. - - Bill short, stout; its depth equal to one half its length - from the nostril; gonys straight or even convex, ascending. - Crown streaked; no distinct superciliary stripe.… - Subgenus _Cistothorus_. - - Bill elongated, slender; its depth less than one third its - length from the nostril; gonys slightly concave, declining. - Crown not streaked; a conspicuous superciliary stripe.… - Subgenus _Telmatodytes_. - - -GENUS CAMPYLORHYNCHUS, SPIX. - - _Campylorhynchus_, SPIX, Av. Bras. I, 1824, 77. (Type, _C. - scolopaceus_, SPIX = _Turdus variegatus_, GMEL.) - - [Line drawing: _Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus._ - 7149] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill stout, compressed, as long as, or longer than the -head, without notch or rictal bristles; culmen and commissure -curved; gonys nearly straight. Nostrils in the antero-inferior -part of nasal groove, in advance of the frontal feathers, with an -overhanging scale with thickened edge, as in _Thryothorus_; -sometimes, as in the type, reduced to a slight ridge along the -upper side of the nasal groove. Lateral septum not projecting -below or anteriorly into the nasal cavity, but concealed by the -nasal scale. Tarsus a little longer than middle toe and claw; -claws strong, much curved, and very sharp; middle toe with basal -joint adherent almost throughout. Wings and tail about equal, the -latter graduated; the exterior webs of lateral feathers broad. - -This genus embraces the largest species of the family, and is -well represented in Middle and South America, two species only -reaching into North America, which may be distinguished as -follows:— - -Top of head and post-ocular stripe reddish-brown; back streaked -longitudinally and linearly with white. All the feathers beneath -conspicuously spotted. Crissum and flanks with rounded or -elongated spots. Iris reddish. Nostrils inferior, linear, -overhung by a scale. Nests large and purse-shaped; eggs white, -profusely marked with salmon-colored or reddish spots. - - _a._ Spots much larger on throat and jugulum than elsewhere. - Inner webs of second to fifth tail-feathers (between middle - and outer feathers) black, except at tips. Length, 8.00; wing, - 3.40; tail, 3.55. _Hab._ Adjacent borders of United States - and Mexico … _brunneicapillus._ - - _b._ Spots on throat and jugulum little larger than elsewhere. - Inner webs of intermediate tail-feathers banded with white like - the outer. Length, 7.50. _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas … _affinis._ - - -Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, GRAY. - -CACTUS WREN. - - _Picolaptes brunneicapillus_, LAFRESNAYE, Mag. de Zool. 1835, 61, - pl. xlvii.—LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1851, 114.—CASSIN, Birds - Cal. Tex. 1854, 156, pl. xxv.—HEERMANN, J. A. N. Sc. II, 1853, - 263. _C. brunneicapillus_, GRAY, Genera, I, 1847, 159.—BP. Consp. - 1850, 223.—SCL. P. A. N. S. 156, 264.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 355; Pr. Phil. Acad. 1859, 3, etc.; Rev. 99.—HEERMANN, P. R. R. - X, 1859.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 482 (Texas).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 61. - -SP. CHAR. Bill as long as the head. Above brown; darkest on the head, -which is unspotted. Feathers on the back streaked centrally with -white. Beneath whitish, tinged with rusty on the belly; the feathers -of the throat and upper parts, and under tail-coverts, with large -rounded black spots; those of the remaining under parts with smaller, -more linear ones. Chin and line over the eye white. Tail-feathers -black beneath, barred subterminally (the outer one throughout) with -white. Iris, reddish-yellow. Length, 8 inches; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.55. - -HAB. Adjacent borders of the United States and Mexico, from the mouth -of the Rio Grande to the Valley of the Colorado, and to the Pacific -coast of Southern California. Replaced at Cape St. Lucas by _C. -affinis_. - -This species is found abundantly along the line of the Rio Grande and -Gila, extending northward some distance, and everywhere conspicuous by -its wren-like habits and enormous nest. - - [Illustration: _Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus._] - -HABITS. The Brown-headed Creeper is a comparatively recent addition to -the fauna of the United States, but appears to be common along the -southwestern borders of the United States, from the valley of the Rio -Grande to San Diego, in California. In Lower California it is replaced -by the _C. affinis_. - -It was first added to our avifauna by Mr. Lawrence in 1851, on the -strength of a specimen obtained in Texas by Captain McCown. - -Dr. Heermann, in his paper on the Birds of California, speaks of -finding it in the arid country back of Guymas, on the Gulf of -California. This country, presenting only broken surfaces and a -confused mass of volcanic rocks, covered by a scanty vegetation of -thorny bushes and cacti, among other interesting birds, was found to -contain this species in abundance. He describes it as a lively, -sprightly species, uttering, at intervals, clear, loud, ringing notes. -Its nest, composed of grasses and lined with feathers, was in the -shape of a long purse, enormous for the size of the bird, and laid -flat between the forks or on the branches of a cactus. The entrance -was a covered passage, varying from six to ten inches in length. The -eggs, six in number, he described as being of a delicate salmon-color, -very pale, and often so thickly speckled with ash and darker -salmon-colored spots as to give quite a rich cast to the whole surface -of the egg. - -Lieutenant Couch met with these birds near Monterey. He states that -they have a rich, powerful song. Of the nest he gives substantially -the same description as that furnished by Dr. Heermann. - -The eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, slightly more pointed at one -end, and are so equally and generally covered, over a white ground, -with fine salmon-colored spots, as to present a uniform and almost -homogeneous appearance. They vary in length from an inch to 1.02 -inches, and have an average breadth of .68 of an inch. - - -Campylorhynchus affinis, XANTUS. - -THE CAPE CACTUS WREN. - - _Campylorhynchus affinis_, XANTUS, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1859, 298 (Cape St. - Lucas).—BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1859, 303; Rev. 100.—SCL. Catal. - 1861, 17, no. 108.—ELLIOT, Illust. B. N. A. I, IV.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 62. - -SP. CHAR. Cap of head reddish-brown; the concealed centres of feathers -dusky. Rest of upper parts grayish-brown, all the feathers of body and -scapulars with broad central or shaft streaks of whitish edged with -black; the streaks irregular in outline, on some feathers nearly -linear, in others widening at intervals along the shaft. Outer webs of -the wing-feathers crossed by about seven rows of whitish semicircular -spots, with corresponding series of more circular ones on the inner -web. Tail-feathers black, all of them with a series of about eight -quadrate white spots on each web, which are alternate to each other, -not opposite, and extend from or near the black shaft to the edge; the -extreme tips of the feathers black; the two central feathers, however, -more like the back, with irregular mottling of grayish and black. -Upper tail-coverts barred transversely with black. - -Under parts white, faintly tinged with rusty posteriorly; each feather -spotted with black, excepting on the immaculate chin. These spots are -rather larger and more quadrate on the jugulum, where they are -sometimes on the sides of the feathers (on one or both sides); -posteriorly, however, they are elongated or tear-shaped, and strung -along the shaft, one or two on each. On the crissum they are large and -much rounded, three or four on each longer feather. Legs rather dusky. -Bill lead-color, pale at the base below; iris reddish-brown. A broad -white stripe from bill over the eye and nape; edged above and below -with black; line behind the eye like the crown; cheek-feathers white, -edged with blackish. - -Immature specimens exhibit a tendency to a whitish spotting in the -ends of the feathers of the cap. A very young bird does not, however, -differ materially, except in having the spots less distinct beneath, -the white streaks less conspicuous above, the white of the wings -soiled with rufous. Specimens vary considerably in the proportional as -well as absolute thickness and length of the bill; thus, No. 32,167 -measures .80 from nostril to end of bill, instead of .60, as given -below for No. 12,965. - -12,965. Total length, 7.50; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.40; its graduation, -.45; exposed portion of first primary, 1.42, of second, 2.15, of -longest, or fourth (measured from exposed base of first primary), -2.45; length of bill from forehead, .90, from nostril, .60; along -gape, 1.07; tarsus, 1.02; middle toe and claw, .90; claw alone, .25; -hind toe and claw, .76; claw alone, .35. - -HAB. Only observed at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California. - -This species is most nearly allied to _C. brunneicapillus_; the most -apparent difference at first sight being in the greater concentration -of black on the throat and jugulum in _brunneicapillus_, and the much -smaller size of the remaining spots on the under parts, with the -decided light-cinnamon of the posterior portion of the body. The outer -and central tail-feathers alone are marked as in _C. affinis_, the -intermediate ones being entirely black, with the exception of a white -subterminal band. - -This is one of the most characteristic birds constituting the isolated -fauna of Cape St. Lucas. Like nearly all the species peculiar to this -remarkable locality, it is exceedingly abundant, breeding in immense -numbers. It has not yet been detected elsewhere, though it may -possibly be found on the Lower Colorado. - -HABITS. This recently described species was first discovered by Mr. -Xantus, and has, so far as is known, a somewhat restricted locality, -having been met with only at the southern extremity of Lower -California, where it is an exceedingly abundant bird. Mr. Xantus has -published no observations in regard to its habits, which, however, are -probably very nearly identical with those of the more common species. -From the brief memoranda given by him in the general register of his -collections, made at Cape St. Lucas, we gather that their nests were -built almost exclusively in opuntias, cacti, and the prickly pear, and -were generally only four or five feet from the ground, but -occasionally at the height of ten feet. - -The nests are large purse-shaped collections of twigs and coarse -grasses, very similar to, and hardly distinguishable in any respect -from, those of the more northern species. The eggs vary from 1.05 to 1 -inch in length, and from .65 to .70 of an inch in breadth, and have a -reddish-white ground very uniformly dotted with fine markings of -reddish-brown, purple, and slate. - - -SUBGENUS SALPINCTES, CABANIS. - - _Salpinctes_, CABANIS, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847, I, 323. (Type, - _Troglodytes obsoletus_, SAY.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill as long as the head; all the outlines nearly straight -to the tip, then decurved; nostrils oval. Feet weak; tarsi decidedly -longer than the middle toe; outer lateral toe much longer, reaching to -the base of the middle claw, and equal to the hinder. Wings about one -fifth longer than the tail; the exposed portion of the first primary -about half that of the second, and two fifths that of the fourth and -fifth. Tail-feathers very broad, plane, nearly even or slightly -rounded; the lateral moderately graduated. - -Of this genus but one species is so far known in the United States, -the Rock Wren of the earlier ornithologists. It is peculiar among its -cognate genera by having the two continuous plates on each side the -tarsus divided into seven or more smaller plates, with a naked -interval between them and the anterior scutellæ. Other characters will -be found detailed in the Review of American Birds, p. 109. - - -Salpinctes obsoletus, CABAN. - -ROCK WREN. - - _Troglodytes obsoletus_, SAY, Long’s Exped. II, 1823, 4 (south fork - of Platte).—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, pl. ccclx.—IB. B. A. II, pl. - cxvi.—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 80.—HEERMANN, P. R. - R. Rep. X, 1859, 41. _Salpinctes obsoletus_, CAB. Wiegmann’s - Archiv, 1847, I, 323.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 357; Rev. - 110.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 371 (Oaxaca).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 64. _? Troglodytes latisfasciatus_, LICHT. Preis-Verzeich. - 1831, no. 82. - - [Line drawing: _Salpinctes obsoletus._ - 7157 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Plumage very soft and lax. Bill about as long as the head. -Upper parts brownish-gray, each feather with a central line and -(except on the head) transverse bars of dusky, and a small dull -brownish-white spot at the end (seen also on the tips of the -secondaries). Rump, sides of the body, and posterior part of belly and -under tail-coverts dull cinnamon, darker above. Rest of under parts -dirty white; feathers of throat and breast with dusky central streaks. -Lower tail-coverts banded broadly with black. Inner tail-feathers like -the back, the others with a broad black bar near the end; the tips -cinnamon; the outer on each side alternately banded with this color -and black. A dull white line above and behind the eye. Iris brown. -Length, 5.70; wing, 2.82; tail, 2.40. Young not marked or banded -beneath. Eggs white, spotted with red. - -HAB. Central regions of the United States, to Mexico, east to mouth of -Yellowstone River. Cape St. Lucas. Not recorded from Pacific slope. W. -Arizona, Coues. Oaxaca, SCLATER. - - [Illustration: _Salpinctes obsoletus._] - -HABITS. The Rock Wren, so far as its distribution is known, is -principally restricted to the high central plains of the Rocky -Mountains, from Nebraska to the coast ranges near the Pacific, and -from Oregon to Mexico and Lower California. According to Dr. Cooper it -is an abundant species throughout the dry, rocky, and barren districts -of California, especially in the southern portions, where it comes -nearer the coast. They are numerous among the plains on both sides of -the Rocky Mountains. Their favorite places are among the rocks, where -they are always busily engaged in hunting for insects in the crevices. -Dr. Cooper found nests at San Diego in cavities under the tiled roofs -of houses, but they all contained young as early as May. At Fort -Mojave they began to sing in February, and their song continued -throughout the spring. They range to a high elevation among the -mountains, having been found by Dr. Newberry at Klamath Lake in -Oregon. Dr. Cooper does not describe their song, but Dr. Heermann -speaks of it as only a very weak trill. The latter met with them in -the mountainous districts of California, where they were searching for -their food among the crevices of the rocks. He afterwards met with -them in New Mexico and Texas. They were quite abundant in the Tejon -Valley, passing in and out, among and under the boulders profusely -scattered over the mountains, searching for spiders, worms, and small -insects, in pursuit of which they uttered at intervals a loud and -quick note of a peculiarly thrilling character. Lieutenant Couch found -them in the sandstone ranges near Patos, in the province of Coahuila. -Some of their habits are spoken of as sparrow-like, and, while they -have the usual wren-like grating noises, they also possess a song of -great variety and sweetness. - -Dr. Kennerly met with them among the bushes in the vicinity of the Rio -Grande. Their flight he describes as short, the bird generally soon -alighting on the ground and running off very rapidly. - -This Wren was first discovered by Mr. Say near the Arkansas River, -inhabiting a sterile district devoid of trees, hopping along the -ground or flitting through the low, stunted junipers on the banks of -the river, usually in small flocks of five or six. Nuttall afterwards -found them in July on the Western Colorado. The note of the female was -_charr-charr-te-aigh_, with a strong guttural accent, and with a -shrill call similar to the note of the Carolina Wren. The old birds -were feeding a brood of five young, which, though full grown, were -cherished with querulous assiduity. He found them nesting among the -rocky ledges, in the crevices of which they hide themselves when -disturbed. Mr. Nuttall also met with this species near Fort Vancouver. -Mr. Salvin states that in several instances it has been met with in -Guatemala. - -The eggs of this Wren obtained by Dr. Palmer in Arizona have a clear -white ground, sparingly spotted with well-defined, distinct dottings -of brownish-red. These are chiefly distributed around the larger end. -They vary somewhat in size and shape, some being of a more rounded -form, though all have one end more pointed than the other. The length -is pretty uniform, .77 of an inch. The breadth varies from .60 to .66 -of an inch. They are larger and more oblong than the eggs of any other -Wren, except perhaps the _mexicanus_, and bear little resemblance to -any other eggs of this family with which I am acquainted, except those -of the Winter Wren, and the egg attributed to _T. americanus_. - -The nest is homogeneous in structure, composed entirely of thin strips -of reddish-colored bark and fine roots, interspersed with a few small -bits of wool. It is distorted by packing, so that measurements of it -would be valueless; its dimensions in its pressed condition are: -diameter, 5 inches; depth, 2 inches. The cavity is shallow and -saucer-shaped. - -From Mr. Ridgway we learn that from the summit of the Sierra Nevada -eastward, as far as the party explored, he found this Wren universally -distributed. In the middle provinces of the Rocky Mountains it was the -most abundant species of the family, but was not so abundant in the -Wahsatch Mountains. The general resort of this species was among rocky -or stony hill-slopes, though it was not confined to such localities. -At Carson City he found it particularly partial to the rubbish of the -decaying pine-logs. At Virginia City it was the only Wren seen -frequenting the old buildings and abandoned mining-shafts, in its -predilection for such places reminding him very much of the -_Thryothorus ludovicianus_, which in its manners it very strongly -resembles. - -Mr. Ridgway noticed a wonderful variety in the notes of this Wren. Its -peculiarly guttural _turee_ was repeatedly heard, and its song in -spring had a slight resemblance in modulation to that of the Carolina -Wren, though altogether lacking the power and richness so -characteristic of the superb song of that bird. Frequently its song -was changed into a prolonged monotonous trill, similar to the -tremulous spring-call of the _Junco hyemalis_. - -This species is not so wary as the _Catherpes mexicanus_. Upon -suddenly starting up an individual of this kind, he would fly to the -nearest boulder, turn with his breast towards the party, swing oddly -from side to side, all the while ludicrously bowing and scolding the -intruder with his peculiar sharp expressions of displeasure. - -Dr. Cooper, in his paper on the Fauna of the Territory of Montana, -states that he observed this bird occasionally through the main Rocky -Mountain chain to near the crossing of the Bitterroot, but it was less -common than among the cliffs and rocks of the barren plain along their -eastern slope. Though he did not find it in the western part of -Washington Territory, he has no doubt that it frequents parts of the -rocky cañons of the Columbia Plain. A nest with nine eggs was found in -a log-cabin below Fort Benton. - - -GENUS CATHERPES, BAIRD. - - _Catherpes_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 357. (Type, _Thryothorus - mexicanus_, SW.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill longer than the head, slender; all the outlines nearly -straight to the tip, then gently decurved, gonys least so; nostrils -linear; tarsus short, about equal to the middle toe, which reaches to -the middle of the middle claw. Outer toe considerably longer than the -inner, reaching beyond the base of the middle claw. Wings a little -longer than the tail; the exposed portion of the first primary about -half that of the fourth and fifth. Tail-feathers very broad and -perfectly plane; tail nearly even; the two lateral graduated; the -outer about eleven twelfths of the middle. - - [Line drawing: _Catherpes mexicanus._ - 3969 ♂] - -This genus agrees with _Salpinctes_ in the broad, plane tail-feathers, -but the bill is much longer, the nostrils linear, not oval, the feet -much stouter, the outer toe rather longer; the tarsus shorter, being -equal to the middle toe, not longer; the hind toe much longer than the -outer lateral, instead of equal to it. The wings are but little longer -than the tail, and shorter than in _Salpinctes_. - -This genus is confined to the western portions, where a single -species, _C. mexicanus_, occurs in two well-marked varieties:— - -C. mexicanus. - - Culmen almost straight, the tip decurved, gonys straight. Above - blackish-brown; wings and back sparsely sprinkled with minute - white specks; _no such markings on head or neck_. Bars on tail - very broad, .12 in width on outer feathers. Wing, 2.84; tail, - 2.40; culmen, .96; tarsus, .75; middle toe, .68; posterior, - .47; outer, .52; inner, .49 (52,791, Mazatlan, Mexico). _Hab._ - Mexico … var. _mexicanus_. - - Culmen and gonys both gently curved, the latter somewhat - concave. Above cinnamon-ashy, more reddish on rump and wings; - head and neck above with numerous dots of white; very few of - these on back and wings. Tail-bars very narrow and thread-like. - Wing, 2.48; tail, 2.12; culmen, .83; tarsus, .56; middle toe, - .52; posterior, .35; outer, .44; inner, .36 (53,425 ♂, Fort - Churchill, Nevada). _Hab._ Middle (and Pacific?) Province of - United States … var. _conspersus_. - - [Illustration: _Catherpes mexicanus._] - -In var. _mexicanus_ the white of throat is more abruptly defined -against the rufous of abdomen than in var. _conspersus_, in which the -transition is very gradual. The latter has the secondaries rufous with -narrow isolated bars of black; the former has them blackish, -_indented_ on lower webs with dark rufous. In _mexicanus_ the feet are -very stout, and dark brown; in _conspersus_ they are much weaker, and -deep black. - -All specimens from south of the United States (including Giraud’s type -of _Certhia albifrons_) belong to the restricted _mexicanus_, while -all from the United States are of the var. _conspersus_. - - -Catherpes mexicanus, var. conspersus, RIDGWAY. - -CAÑON WREN; WHITE-THROATED ROCK WREN. - - _Troglodytes mexicanus_, HEERMANN, J. A. N. Sc. 2d ser. II, 1853, - 63.—IB. P. R. R. Rep. X, 1859, 41.—CASSIN, Illust. Birds Cal. I, - 1854, 173, pl. xxx. _Catherpes mexicanus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 356 (in part); Rev. III (in part).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 66. _Catherpes mexicanus_ var. _conspersus_, RIDGWAY. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 53,425 ♂, near Fort Churchill, Nevada, December 7, -1867; R. RIDGWAY). Above, brownish-ashy on the anterior, and bright -cinnamon-rufous on the posterior half, the two colors shading -insensibly together. The anterior, or grayish portion thickly -sprinkled with numerous small circular dots of white, each preceded by -a smaller speck of dusky; a few of these dots on the rump. Wings with -obsolete, ragged, narrow, _isolated_ bars of dusky, these most sharply -defined on the secondaries. Tail clear rufous, crossed with about nine -very narrow, thread-like, somewhat zigzag bars of black,—these about -.02 wide on the middle, and .07 on the outer feather. Beneath, -anterior third, pure silky-white, shading insensibly into soft -ochraceous on the breast, this soon darkening into deep ferruginous, -the color of all the posterior lower parts; the whole of this -ferruginous surface, with very obsolete transverse spots of white, -each preceded by a narrower dusky one. Length, 5.75; extent of wings, -7.50 (fresh); wing, 2.48; tail, 2.13; culmen, .83; tarsus, .56. Bill -deep slate, paler, and with lilaceous tinge, at base of lower -mandible; iris umber; tarsi and toes black (fresh colors). - -HAB. Central region of North America, from boundary of United States -northward. Extends up Valley of Colorado. Western Nevada, resident; -RIDGWAY. - -The above characters apply to all specimens of _Catherpes_ from north -of Mexico, as substantiated by a sufficient series in the collection. -It is a remarkable fact that this northern race should be so much -smaller than the Mexican one, especially in view of the fact that it -is a resident bird in even the most northern parts of its ascertained -habitat. - -HABITS. The geographical distribution of this race of the -White-throated Wren, so far as known, is confined to the line of the -United States and Mexican boundary, extending northward up the Valley -of the Colorado, as far as Western Nevada. The corresponding Mexican -race reaches some distance southward, but has not yet been detected -beyond the limits of Mexico. The habits of both races, however, are -quite similar, as far as known. - -Dr. Heermann first met with this Wren in the spring of 1851, on the -Cosumnes River. In the following year he procured three specimens on -the Calaveras River. He describes it as an active, sprightly bird, -having a loud and pleasing song that may be heard a great distance, -and which it repeats at short intervals. When found, it was occupied -with searching for insects, between and under the large boulders of -rock that, in some portions of the river, are thrown together in -confused masses, as if by some terrific convulsion of nature. - -Dr. Kennerly also met with this species in similar localities among -the hills bordering upon the Big Sandy, where the rocks are also -described as piled up thick and high. They were darting from rock to -rock and creeping among the crevices with great activity, constantly -repeating their peculiar and singular note. The great rapidity of -their motions rendered it difficult to procure a specimen. He did not -observe this bird anywhere else. - -Their occurrence equally in such wild and desolate regions and in the -midst of crowded cities indicates that the abundance of their food in -either place, and not the absence or presence of man, determines this -choice of residence. When first observed they were supposed to nest -exclusively in deep and inaccessible crevices of rocks, where they -were not likely to be traced. Mr. H. E. Dresser afterwards met with -its nest and eggs in Western Texas, though he gives no description of -either. He found this species rather common near San Antonio, where it -remained to breed. One pair frequented a printing-office at that -place, an old half-ruined building, where their familiar habits made -them great favorites with the workmen, who informed him that the -previous spring they had built a nest and reared their young in an old -wall close by, and that they became very tame. At Dr. Heermann’s -rancho on the Medina he procured the eggs of this bird, as well as -those of the Louisiana and Bewick’s Wren, by nailing up cigar-boxes, -with holes cut in front, wherever these birds were likely to build. - -Mr. Sumichrast describes its nest[29] as very skilfully wrought with -spiders’ webs, and built in the crevices of old walls, or in the -interstices between the tiles under the roofs of the houses. A nest -with four eggs, supposed to be those of this species, was obtained in -Western Texas by Mr. J. H. Clark; it was cup-shaped, not large, and -with only a slight depression. The eggs, four in number, were -unusually oblong and pointed for eggs of this family, and measured .80 -by .60 of an inch, with a crystalline-white ground, profusely covered -with numerous and large blotches of a reddish or cinnamon brown. - -So far as the observations of Mr. Ridgway enabled him to notice this -bird, he found it much less common than the _Salpinctes obsoletus_, -and inhabiting only the most secluded and rocky recesses of the -mountains. Its common note of alarm is described as a peculiarly -ringing _dīnk_. It has a remarkably odd and indescribably singular -chant, utterly unlike anything else Mr. Ridgway ever heard. This -consisted of a series of detached whistles, beginning in a high fine -key, every note clear, smooth, and of equal length, each in succession -being a degree lower than the preceding one, and only ending when the -bottom of the scale is reached. The tone is soft, rich, and silvery, -resembling somewhat the whistling of the Cardinal Grosbeak. - -It was often seen to fly nearly perpendicularly up the face of a rocky -wall, and was also noticed to cling to the roof of a cave with all the -facility of a true Creeper. - - -GENUS THRYOTHORUS, VIEILL. - - _Thryothorus_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816, 45. (Type, _Troglodytes - arundinaceus_, “_Troglodyte des Roseaux_,” VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. - II, 1807, 55 = _Sylvia ludoviciana_, LATH.) - - [Line drawing: _Thryothorus ludovicianus_ - 7113] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill compressed, rather slender; height about one fourth -the length above. Culmen and commissure gently curved throughout; -gonys straight; tip very obsoletely notched. Nostrils in the lower -edge of anterior extremity of the nasal groove, narrowly elliptical, -overhung by a stiff scale-like roof of the thickened membrane of the -upper part of the nasal groove, the crescentic edge rounded. The -septum of nostrils imperforate; the posterior part of the nasal cavity -with a short septum projecting into it parallel with the central, not -perpendicular as in _Microcerculus_. Wings and tail about equal, the -latter moderately rounded; the first primary more than half the -second, about half the longest. Tarsi rather short, scarcely exceeding -middle toe. Anterior scutellæ distinct, rest of each side of tarsi in -a continuous plate. Lateral toes equal. - -The diagnoses of the North American species are as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Head above, and back, of much the same color. -Crissum barred transversely; rest of under parts plain. Upper -tail-coverts and exposed surface of wings barred. Iris hazel. -Nest in holes or with an arched covering. Eggs reddish-white, -spotted with red and purple. - - _a. Thryothorus._ - - T. ludovicianus. Tail-feathers reddish-brown, barred with - black. Greater wing-coverts spotted with whitish. - - Beneath yellow-whitish, washed occasionally with rusty. Sides - plain. Bill from nostril, .45. Length, 6.00. _Hab._ Eastern - Province United States … var. _ludovicianus_. - - Beneath rufous; lighter on throat and along median line. - Sides obsoletely barred with dusky. Bill from nostril, .56. - Length, 5.25. _Hab._ Lower Rio Grande … var. _berlandieri_. - - _b. Telmatodytes._ - - T. bewickii. Tail-feathers, except central, black; the exposed - surface and tips only varied with white. Length, 5.50. - - Above dark rufous-brown; beneath plumbeous-white; flanks - tinged with brown. Rump and exposed secondaries distinctly - banded. Quills and middle tail-feathers brownish-black. - Length from nostril, .39; along gape, .70. _Hab._ Eastern - Province United States … var. _bewickii_. - - Above ashy-brown; beneath, including flanks, clear white; - rump ashy, and, like secondaries, very obsoletely barred. - Quills and middle tail-feathers grayish-brown. _Hab._ - Southern border of United States, into Mexico … - var. _leucogaster_. - - Colors intermediate between the two last. Bill longer, from - nostril, .50, from gape, .81. _Hab._ Pacific Province … - var. _spilurus_. - - -SUBGENUS THRYOTHORUS, VIEILL. - - -Thryothorus ludovicianus, var. ludovicianus, BONAP. - -GREAT CAROLINA WREN. - - _Sylvia ludoviciana_, LATH. Ind. Orn. II, 1790, 548. _Troglodytes - ludovicianus_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, 35; also of BONAPARTE, AUDUBON, - and PRINCE MAX. _Thryothorus ludovicianus_, BON. List. 1838, - etc.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 361; Rev. 123. _Troglodytes - arundinaceus_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 55, pl. cviii. - (Certainly this species; the habits those of _C. palustris_.) - _Certhia caroliniana_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 61, pl. xii, - fig. 5. _Thryothorus littoralis_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XXXIV. 1819, - 56. _Thryothorus louisianæ_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. 1840, 262. - Additional figures: AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. lxxvii.—IB. Birds - Am. II, 1841, pl. cxvii. - -SP. CHAR. Exposed portion of the bill shorter than the head. Above -reddish-brown, most vivid on the rump. A whitish streak over the eye, -bordered above with dark brown. Throat whitish; rest of under parts -pale yellow-rusty, darkest towards the under tail-coverts, which are -conspicuously barred with black. Exposed surface of the wings and tail -(including the upper coverts) barred throughout with brown, the outer -edges of tail-feathers and quills showing series of alternating -whitish and dusky spots. Legs flesh-colored. Length, 6 inches; wing, -2.60; tail, 2.45. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, from New York southward to the -Gulf. - - [Illustration: _Thryothorus bewickii._] - -HABITS. The Great Carolina or Mocking Wren is found in all the -Southeastern and Southern States from Florida to Maryland, and from -the Atlantic to Kansas and the Valley of the Rio Grande. It is not -common about Washington, but is much more abundant in the Southern -States. Occasionally it has been found as far north as Philadelphia, -and in one or two instances near New York, where Mr. Lawrence has -twice seen it, and where on one occasion it appeared to be breeding. -Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant throughout Texas and the Indian -Territory. It is also abundant, and resident, in Southern Illinois, as -far north as latitude 38° 20′ 20″. - -The habits and movements of this species, as described by those who -have had the best opportunities for observing it, correspond with -those of the whole family of Wrens. Its flight is usually only in -short distances, and is accompanied with short flappings of the wings, -and violent jerkings of the body and the tail. The latter is usually -kept erect. It moves with quick jerks, and with sharp, rapid notes -uttered as if in anger. It is in sight one moment and out the next, -passes in at one place and out at another with the rapidity of -thought. Mr. Audubon often saw it singing from the roof of an -abandoned flat-boat, near New Orleans, and when its song was ended it -would creep from one board to the next, enter an augur-hole at one -place to reappear at another, catching numerous spiders and other -insects all the while. - - [Illustration: PLATE IX. - - 1. Thryothorus ludovicianus, _Lath._ Pa., 1784. - 2. “ berlandieri, _Couch_. Texas. - 3. “ bewickii, _Aud._ ♂ Pa., 2047. - 4. “ “ “ _var._ - 5. Troglodyta ædon, _Vieill._ D. C. - 6. Cistothorus palustris, _Wils._ Pa., 1454. - 7. “ stellaris, _Licht._ Ga., 3073. - 8. Troglodytes alascensis, _Baird_. Alaska, 54447. - 9. “ hyemalis, _Vieill._ ♂ Va., 31045. - 10. “ “ _var._ pacificus, _Baird_. W. T., 17434.] - -Occasionally its movements are like those of a Creeper, ascending to -the upper branches of trees of a moderate height, or climbing a -grapevine, searching diligently among the leaves and in the crevices -of the bark for insects. - -This species possesses a great variety and power of song. It is also -said to have and to exhibit remarkable powers of imitation, with a -great variety in its appropriated notes of other birds, giving, with -modulations, the hoarse rattle of the Kingfisher, the lively notes of -the Tufted Titmouse, the simple refrain of the Ground Robin, with -those of the Grakles, the Meadow Lark, the Bluebird, and others. Like -the common Wren, the Carolina generally builds its nest in the hollow -of some tree or stump, or any other convenient cavity. At other times -it constructs its own habitation without any other protection than the -thick branches of a vine or shrub. In these situations they are long -and deep, and have an artificial roofing, often separate from the nest -itself. The materials employed in their construction are hay, grasses, -leaves, feathers, horse-hair, and dry fibres of the long Spanish moss. -They are softly and warmly lined with fur, hair, and feathers. The -nest is not unfrequently five or six inches in depth, while the -opening is not large enough to admit more than one bird at a time. -They sometimes raise three broods in a season. - -It breeds as far north as Philadelphia, Mr. Audubon having found its -nest in a swamp in New Jersey, opposite that city. - -Although seemingly studious of concealment, and shy and retiring in -its habits, Nuttall frequently observed it in Tuscaloosa and other -large towns in Alabama, appearing on the tops of barns and out-houses, -singing with great energy. - -Dr. Cooper, who enjoyed a favorable opportunity of watching these -birds in Florida, in the spring and summer of 1859, found a nest of -this Wren in the middle of March. It was built in a small box on a -shelf in a mill, and was about four feet from the ground. It was -arched over at the top, though this was not necessary to shelter it. -This covering was formed of shavings, with a few small sticks and -straws. Four eggs were laid. The birds were very tame, and were not -alarmed by the loud noise of the mill, nor by a cat almost always -present. Another nest found by Dr. Cooper was built in a small hole in -the trunk of a tree, not more than six inches from the ground. This -nest was not arched over. Its close proximity to a dwelling-house -alone protected it from wild animals. - -The eggs of this Wren are usually six or seven in number, and vary in -size and shape. They are for the most part of a spheroidal-oval shape, -though some are more oblong than others. Their length varies from .75 -to .70 of an inch, and their greatest breadth from .60 to .65. The -ground-color is a reddish-white, profusely covered with blotches of -purple, slate, reddish-brown, and red. These are generally and pretty -equally diffused, and are not more abundant at the larger end than -elsewhere. - - -Thryothorus ludovicianus, var. berlandieri, COUCH. - -BERLANDIER’S WREN. - - _Thryothorus berlandieri_, COUCH, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 362, - pl. lxxxiii, fig. 1 (New Leon); Rev. 124. - -SP. CHAR. Exposed portion of bill nearly as long as the head. Above -dark rusty-brown, most vivid on the rump. A whitish streak over the -eye, bordered above with brown. Chin white; rest of under parts dark -brownish-red; the under tail-coverts and sides of the body barred with -dusky. Exposed surface of wings and tail barred throughout with dusky. -Legs flesh-color. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.12. - -HAB. Valley of Rio Grande. - -The distinctive features of this race will be found indicated on page -141. This form bears to the _T. ludovicianus_ about the same relation -that _Harporhynchus longirostris_ does to _H. rufus_; and is hardly to -be considered a distinct “species” from it. It should be noted that in -both cases the lengthened bill and deeper color belong to the Rio -Grande. It has not yet been met with north of the Rio Grande, but -doubtless extends into Texas. Nothing is known of its habits. - - -SUBGENUS THRYOMANES, SCLAT. - -_Thryomanes_, SCLATER, Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 21. (Type _Troglodytes - bewickii_.) - - [Line drawing: _Thryothorus bewickii._ - 2047 ♂] - -There are three strongly marked geographical varieties of “Bewick’s -Wren,” separable by quite constant characters. Of these the Mexican -(_leucogaster_) and the typical form from eastern North America -(_bewickii_) differ most in coloration, while the western (_spilurus_) -is intermediate in this respect, but with a longer bill than in the -other two. The peculiarities of the three forms are expressed on -page 141. - - -Thryothorus bewickii, var. bewickii, BONAP. - -BEWICK’S WREN; LONG-TAILED HOUSE WREN. - - _Troglodytes bewickii_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 96, pl. xviii.—IB. - Birds Am. II, 1841, 120, pl. cxviii. _Thryothorus bewickii_, - BONAP. List, 1838.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 363. _Telmatodytes - bewickii_, CAB. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 78. _Thryothorus bewickii_, - var. _bewickii_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 126. - -SP. CHAR. Above dark rufous-brown; rump and middle tail-feathers -sometimes a little paler, and very slightly tinged with gray, and -together with the exposed surface of secondaries distinctly barred -with dusky. Beneath soiled plumbeous-whitish; flanks brown. Crissum -banded; ground-color of quills and tail-feathers brownish-black. -Length, 5.50; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.50. Length from nostril, 39; along -gape, 70. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States. - -HABITS. This interesting species of Wren was first met with by Audubon -in Louisiana. A number of individuals were observed at the time, but -nothing of its history was known for several years afterward. In -shape, color, and habits it most resembled the Carolina Wren, but was -less rapid in movement, and not so lively. Fourteen years later Dr. -Bachman again met with birds of this species, in 1835, at the Salt -Sulphur Springs of Virginia. They comprised a family of two parents -and five young, nearly full grown. Their notes were like those of the -Winter Wren, neither louder nor more connected. They seemed of -restless habit, creeping actively among fences, stumps, and logs. One -ascended an oak, nearly to the top, in the manner of a Creeper. This -species proved to be quite common in that locality, and to be the only -Wren abundant among the mountains. Dr. Gibbs detected it near -Columbia, S. C., and Dr. Trudeau afterwards found it quite common in -Louisiana. - -It was first observed breeding by Professor Baird in Carlisle, Penn., -in 1844. In all respects the nests and their location corresponded -with those of the common Wren. Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in -the Indian Territory, and describes its habits as similar to those of -other Wrens. Lieutenant Couch observed this Wren at Santa Rosalio in -Mexico, early in March. It was seeking its food among the low -prickly-pears. He was informed that they deposited their eggs wherever -they could do so without making much of a nest, inside the cabins -under the rafters, but in New Leon he found one of its nests quite -elaborately constructed in a thatched roof. He describes the song as -quite varied, and one of the sweetest that he heard in that country. - -The late Dr. Gerhardt of Varnell’s Station, Ga., met with this species -among the mountainous portions of Northern Georgia, where it generally -nested in holes in stumps. In one instance the nest was constructed -five inches in length, and four in diameter, with a cavity two inches -in depth, and the walls of great proportionate thickness, made -externally of coarse roots, finer on the inside, and lined with -various kinds of animal fur and with feathers. Both birds worked -together in constructing their nest, beginning on the 11th of April, -and on the 27th of the same month this contained seven eggs. The nest -was not covered at the top, in the manner of the Carolina Wren. In the -following season another pair commenced building their nest in his -bed, in a log-house. Driven from these impossible quarters, they tried -the same experiment in various other parts of the house, but only to -abandon it, and at last finished by making a successful attempt in the -hay-loft. Their visits to that portion of Georgia, he informed me, -were irregular and only occasional. In 1859 he had not met with any -birds of this species for the space of five years. - -The eggs measure .67 by .50 of an inch in their average proportions, -resembling somewhat those of the Carolina Wren, but having a lighter -ground, with fewer and finer markings of slate and reddish-brown. The -ground-color is of a pinkish-white. - -Mr. A. Boucard obtained specimens of these birds in the winter months, -in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, probably of the var. _leucogaster_. - -We learn from Mr. Ridgway that in Southern Illinois (as far north as -latitude 38° 20′ 20″) this Wren is very abundant, and the most -familiar species of the family. In certain localities (as in the -Valley of the Wabash) it entirely replaces the _Troglodytes ædon_, the -latter being wholly unknown. In its habits it is even more familiar -than that species, always preferring the out-buildings, even in large -towns, to the neighborhood of the woods, and still further increases -its attractions by possessing a charming song, a real _song_, of sweet -notes finely modulated, and uttered, generally, as the bird perches -upon a fence or the stable roof, its head thrown back, and its long -tail pendent as it sings. The confused, gabbling sputter of _T. ædon_, -uttered as it pauses just for an instant in its restless hopping -through the ivy, cannot be compared to the chant of liquid musical -notes of this species, which resembles more nearly, both in modulation -and power, that of the Song Sparrow (_Melospiza melodia_), though far -superior to it. On ordinary occasions the note of Bewick’s Wren is a -soft, low _plit_, uttered as the bird hops about the fence or stable, -its long tail carried upright, and jerked to one side at each hop. In -its movements it is altogether more deliberate and less restless than -the _T. ludovicianus_, or _Troglodytes ædon_, neither of which it much -resembles in motion, and still less in notes. The nest of this Wren is -usually built about the out-houses, a mortise-hole or some -well-concealed corner being generally selected. Old stables and -ash-hoppers are especially frequented as nesting-places. Mr. Ridgway -found one in the bottom of the conical portion of a quail-net which -was hung up in a shed, and another in a piece of stove-pipe which lay -horizontally in the garret of a smoke-house; another rested upon a -flat board over the door of an out-house, while a fourth was placed -behind the weather-boarding of a building. The nest is generally very -bulky, though the bulk is regulated to suit the size of the cavity in -which the nest is placed. Its materials are usually sticks, straws, -coarse feathers, fine chips, etc., exteriorly fastened together with -masses of spider’s-webs, the lining being of finer and more downy -materials, generally soft spider’s-webs, tow, and especially the downy -feathers of barnyard fowls. - - -Thryothorus bewickii, var. leucogaster, GOULD. - - _Troglodytes leucogastra_, GOULD, P. Z. S. 1836, 89 (Tamaulipas).— - BON. Notes Delattre, 1854, 43. ? _Thryothorus bewickii_, SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1859, 372 (Oaxaca). _Thryothorus bewickii_, var. - _leucogaster_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 127. - -SP. CHAR. Above ashy-brown; rump and middle tail-feathers -brownish-ash, the former nearly pure ash; without appreciable bars; -bars on secondaries obsolete. Beneath, including inside of wing, pure -white, with little or no brownish on the sides. Crissum banded; -ground-color of the quills and tail-feathers grayish-brown. Size of -var. _bewickii_. - -HAB. Southern borders of United States, into Mexico. - -HABITS. Nothing is on record of the habits of this variety as -distinguished from var. _bewickii_. - - -Thryothorus bewickii, var. spilurus, VIGORS. - - _Troglodytes spilurus_, VIGORS, Zoöl. Beechey’s Voyage, 1839, 18, - pl. iv, fig. 1 (California). _Thryothorus spilurus_, COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 69. _Troglodytes bewickii_, NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rept. - VI, IV, 1857, 80.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, IB. XII, II, 1860, 190. - _Thryothorus bewickii_, SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 22, no. 141 (in - part). _Thryothorus bewickii_, var. _spilurus_, BAIRD, Rev. 126. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _bewickii_ in color, the bill considerably -longer. Length from nostril, .50, gape, .81, instead of .39 and .70. - -HAB. Pacific slope of United States. - -Young birds from all the localities differ from adults merely in -having the feathers of the throat and breast very narrowly and -inconspicuously edged with blackish. - -HABITS. This variety of Bewick’s Wren is exclusively an inhabitant of -the Western coast. According to Dr. Cooper, they abound throughout the -wooded parts of California and northward, frequenting the densest -forests as well as the open groves. During the winter they were found -in the vicinity of Fort Mojave, but left in April, probably for the -mountains. They also winter throughout the mild regions towards the -coast as far north as Puget Sound. They are known as Mocking-Wrens, -though Dr. Cooper thinks they do not really imitate other birds, but -rather have a great variety of their own notes, some of which resemble -those of other birds and are well calculated to deceive one -unaccustomed to them. He was often led to search in vain for some new -form, which he thought he heard singing, only to find it to be a bird -of this species. Near San Diego, in April, 1862, he discovered one of -its nests built in a low bush, only three feet from the ground. It was -quite open above, formed of twigs, grass, etc., and contained five -eggs just ready to hatch, described as white with brown specks near -the larger end. - -Messrs. Nuttall and Townsend observed these birds in the marshy -meadows of the Wahlamet, accompanied by their young, as early as May. -They seemed to have all the habits of Marsh Wrens. Drs. Gambel and -Heermann, who observed them in California, describe them as keeping in -low bushes and piles of brush, as well as about old dead trees and -logs, over and around which they were flitting with the greatest -activity, uttering, when approached, the usual grating scold of the -Wrens. - -In Washington Territory Dr. Cooper states that this and the Winter -Wren are among the few birds that enliven the long rainy season with -their songs, which were as constantly heard in the dullest weather as -in the sunny spring. The young broods make their first appearance -there in June. Dr. Suckley found this species very abundant at Puget -Sound, where it is a constant resident throughout the year. On sunny -days in January and in February it was found among low thickets in -company with the smaller species. At this season they were very tame, -allowing a person to approach them without apparent fear. He speaks of -the voice of the male as being harsh and loud during the -breeding-season, and not unlike that of the common House Wren. - - -GENUS TROGLODYTES, VIEILL. - - _Troglodytes_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 52. (Type, - _Troglodytes ædon_.) - -The characters of this genus are sufficiently indicated in the -synopsis on page 131. They come very close to those of _Thryothorus_, -the nostrils, especially, being linear and overhung by a scale. In -this respect both differ from _Thryophilus_ of Middle America. The -bill is shorter or not longer than the head; straight, slender, and -without notch. The tail is graduated, and shorter than the much -rounded wings, the feathers narrow. The light superciliary line of -_Thryothorus_ is almost entirely wanting. - - -Species and Varieties. - - _a. Troglodytes._ - -Tail and wings about equal. - - T. ædon. Beneath grayish-white. Crissum and flanks distinctly - barred. Wing-coverts spotted with whitish. Dark bars of tail - about half the width of their interspaces. - - First primary nearly half the longest. Color above - dark-brown, rufous towards tail. _Hab._ Eastern Province - United States … var. _ædon_. - - Wing similar. Above paler brown. _Hab._ Eastern Mexico, from - Rio Grande southward … var. _aztecus_. - - First primary half the second. Above paler brown. _Hab._ - Middle and Western Province United States … var. _parkmanni_. - - _b. Anorthura._ - -Tail very short; only about two thirds the wing. - - T. hyemalis. - - _a._ Size of _ædon_ except for shorter tail, wing about 2.00; - culmen very straight. _Hab._ Aleutian Islands … var. _alascensis_. - - _b._ Much smaller than _ædon_, wing about 1.75. - - Pale reddish-brown; dusky bars of upper parts with whitish - spots or interspaces. _Hab._ Eastern Province United States; - Cordova? … var. _hyemalis_. - - Dark rufous above and below; upper parts with few or almost - no whitish spots. _Hab._ Pacific Province North America … - var. _pacificus_. - - -Troglodytes ædon, VIEILL. - -HOUSE WREN; WOOD WREN. - - _Troglodytes ædon_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 52, pl. cvii.— - IB. Nouv. Dict. XXXIV, 1819, 506.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 366; - Rev. 138.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 22, no. 145.—MAYNARD, B. E. - Mass. _Hylemathrous ædon_, Cab. Jour. 1860, 407. _Sylvia - domestica_, WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 129, pl. vii. _Troglodytes - fulvus_, NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 422. ? _Troglodytes americanus_, AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 452; V, 1839, 469, pl. clxxix.—IB. Birds Am. - II, 1841, 123, pl. cxix.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 368; Rev. I, - 141. - Other figures: AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. lxxxiii.—IB. Birds Am. - II, 1841, pl. cxx. - -SP. CHAR. Tail and wings about equal. Bill shorter than the head. -Above reddish-brown, darker towards the head, brighter on the rump. -The feathers everywhere, except on the head and neck, barred with -dusky; obscurely so on the back, and still less on the rump. All the -tail-feathers barred from the base; the contrast more vivid on the -exterior one. Beneath pale fulvous-white, tinged with light brownish -across the breast; the posterior parts rather dark brown, obscurely -banded. Under tail-coverts whitish, with dusky bars. An indistinct -line over the eye, eyelids, and loral region, whitish. Cheeks brown, -streaked with whitish. Length, 4.90; wing, 2.08; tail, 2.00. - -HAB. Eastern Province of the United States, from Atlantic to the -Missouri River. - -In the Review of American Birds (p. 139), I have established a -variety, _aztecus_, to embrace specimens from Mexico paler than -_ædon_, and with a brownish tinge on the breast, and smaller size. - -There can scarcely be any doubt that the _T. americanus_ of Audubon is -nothing more than this species in dark, accidentally soiled plumage -(from charcoal of burnt trees, etc.). - - [Line drawing: _Troglodytes ædon._ - 28941] - -HABITS. The common House Wren is found throughout the United States, -from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, though it is not everywhere -equally abundant. Thus, while in some parts of Massachusetts it occurs -in considerable numbers every year, in other portions not twenty miles -distant it is never seen. West of the Rocky Mountains it is replaced -by Parkman’s Wren, which is rather a race than a distinct species, the -differences in plumage being very slight, and in habits, nest, and -eggs not appreciable, though Dr. Cooper thinks there is a difference -in their song. Another race or a closely allied species, _T. aztecus_, -is found in Mexico, near the borders of the United States, but does -not have an extended range. It is found in the winter in Guatemala. - - [Illustration: _Troglodytes ædon._] - -This species does not appear to be found beyond the southwestern -portion of Maine and the southern portions of New Hampshire and -Vermont. It makes its first appearance in Washington early in April, -and for a while is very abundant, visiting very familiarly the public -grounds of the capitol, private gardens, out-buildings, and the eaves -of dwellings. It does not appear in the New England States until after -the first week in May, and leaves for the South about the last of -September. It is not observed in any portion of the United States -after the first of November. - -The hollows of decaying trees, crevices in rocks, or the centre of -meshes of interlacing vines, are their natural resorts. These they -readily relinquish for the facilities offered in the society of man. -They are bold, sociable, confiding birds, and will enter into the -closest relations with those who cultivate their acquaintance, -building their nests from preference under the eaves of houses, in -corners of the wood-shed, a clothes-line box, olive-jars, -martin-boxes, open gourds, an old hat, the skull of an ox placed on a -pole, the pocket of a carriage, or even the sleeve of an old coat left -hanging in an out-building. In the spring of 1855 a pair of these -Wrens nested within the house, and over the door of the room of the -late Robert Kennicott, where they raised their broods in safety. They -built a second nest on a shelf in the same room, which they entered -through a knot-hole in the unceiled wall. At first shy, they soon -became quite tame, and did not regard the presence of members of the -family. The male bird was more shy than his mate, and though equally -industrious in collecting insects would rarely bring them nearer than -the knot-hole, where the female would receive them. The female with -her brood was destroyed by a cat, but this did not deter the male bird -from appearing the following season with another mate and building -their nest in the same place. Another instance of a singular selection -of a breeding-place has been given by the same authority. Dr. -Kennicott, the father of Robert, a country physician, drove an old -two-wheeled open gig, in the back of which was a box, a foot in length -by three inches in width, open at the top. In this a pair of Wrens -insisted, time after time, in building their nest. Though removed each -time the vehicle was used, the pair for a long while persisted in -their attempts to make use of this place, at last even depositing -their eggs on the bare bottom of the box. It was two or three weeks -before they finally desisted from their vain attempts. - -Sometimes this bird will build a nest in a large cavity, holding -perhaps a bushel. Before the cup of the nest is completed, the birds -will generally endeavor to fill the entire space with sticks and -various other convenient substances. Where the entrance is -unnecessarily large they will generally contract it by building about -it a barricade of sticks, leaving only a small entrance. In the midst -of these masses of material they construct a compact, cup-shaped, -inner nest, hemispherical in shape, composed of finer materials and -warmly lined with the fur of small quadrupeds, and with soft feathers. -If the eggs are taken as the female is depositing them, she will -continue to lay quite a long while. In one instance eighteen were -taken, after which the birds were let alone and raised a brood of -seven. - -During the months of May and June the male is a constant and -remarkable singer. His song is loud, clear, and shrill, given with -great animation and rapidity, the performer evincing great jealousy of -any interruption, often leaving off abruptly in the midst of his song -to literally “pitch in” upon any rival who may presume to compete with -him. - -If a cat or any unwelcome visitor approach the nest, angry -vociferations succeed to his sprightly song, and he will swoop in -rapid flights across the head or back of the intruder, even at the -apparent risk of his life. - -Where several pairs occupy the same garden, their contests are -frequent, noisy, and generally quite amusing. In their fights with -other birds for the possession of a coveted hollow, their skill at -barricading frequently enables the Wrens to keep triumphant possession -against birds much more powerful than themselves. - -Their food is exclusively insectivorous, and of a class of destructive -insects that render them great benefactors to the farmer. Mr. -Kennicott ascertained that a single pair of Wrens carried to their -young about a thousand insects in a single day. - -The young, when they leave their nest, keep together for some time, -moving about, an interesting, sociable, and active group, under the -charge of their mother, but industrious in supplying their own wants. - -The eggs of the Wren, usually from seven to nine in number, are of a -rounded-oval shape, at times nearly as broad as long. Their -ground-color is white, but they are so thickly studded with markings -and fine spots of reddish-brown, with a few occasional points of -purplish-slate, as to conceal their ground. Their shape varies from -nearly spherical to an oblong-oval, some measuring .60 by .55 of an -inch, others with the same breadth having a length of .67 of an inch. - -Under the name of _Troglodytes americanus_, or Wood Wren, Mr. Audubon -figured and described as a distinct species what is probably only a -somewhat larger and darker form of the present species, hardly -distinct enough to be treated even as a race. Mr. Audubon met with an -individual near Eastport in 1832. The young were following their -parents through the tangled recesses of a dark forest, in search of -food. Others were obtained in the same part of Maine, near -Dennisville, where Mr. Lincoln informed Mr. Audubon that this bird was -the common Wren of the neighborhood, and that they bred in hollow logs -in the woods, but seldom approached farm-houses. - -In the winter following, at Charleston, S. C., Mr. Audubon again met -individuals of this supposed species, showing the same habits as in -Maine, remaining in thick hedges, along ditches in the woods, not far -from plantations. The notes are described as differing considerably -from those of the House Wren. It has not been seen by Mr. Boardman, -though residing in the region where it is said to be the common Wren. -Professor Verrill mentions it as a rare bird in Western Maine. - -Mr. Charles S. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., is the only naturalist who has -met with what he supposes were its nest and eggs. The following is his -account, communicated by letter. - - “The Wood Wren comes among us in the spring about the 10th - or 15th of April, and sings habitually as it skips among the - brush and logs and under the roots and stumps of trees. In - one instance I have known it to make its appearance in - midwinter, and to be about the house and barn some time. It - is only occasionally that they spend the summer here - (Central Vermont). The nest from which I obtained the egg - you now have, I found about the first of July, just as the - young were about to fly. There were five young birds and one - egg. The nest was built on the hanging bark of a decaying - beech-log, close under the log. A great quantity of moss and - rotten wood had been collected and filled in around the - nest, and a little round hole left for the entrance. The - nest was lined with a soft, downy substance. I have no doubt - that they sometimes commence to breed as early as the middle - of May, as I have seen their young out in early June.” - -Mr. Paine discredits the statement that they build their nests in -holes in the ground. The egg referred to by Mr. Paine is oval in -shape, slightly more pointed at one end, measuring .75 of an inch in -length by .53 in breadth. The ground is a dead chalky-white, over -which are sprinkled a few very fine dots of a light yellowish-brown, -slightly more numerous at the larger end. This egg, while it bears -some resemblance to that of the Winter Wren, is totally unlike that of -the House Wren. - - -Troglodytes ædon, var. parkmanni, AUD. - -PARKMAN’S WREN; WESTERN WOOD WREN. - - _Troglodytes parkmanni_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 310.—IB. Synopsis, - 1839, 76.—IB. Birds Am. II, 1841, 133, pl. cxxii.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 367; Rev. 140.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, - II, 1860, 191 (nest).—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 23, no. 146.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 71. _Troglodytes sylvestris_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. - Sc. III, 1846, 113 (California, quotes erroneously AUD. _T. - americanus_). - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States. East to the -Missouri River. Western Arizona, COUES. - -Although the differences between the eastern and western House Wrens, -as stated in the Birds of North America, are not very appreciable, yet -a comparison of an extensive series shows that they can hardly be -considered as identical. The general color of _parkmanni_ above is -paler and grayer, and there is little or none of the rufous of the -lower back and rump. The bars on the upper surface are rather more -distinct. The under parts are more alike, as, while ædon sometimes has -flanks and crissum strongly tinged with rufous, other specimens are as -pale as in _T. parkmanni_. - -Perhaps the most appreciable differences between the two are to be -found in the size and proportions of wing and tail. The wing in -_parkmanni_ is quite decidedly longer than in _ædon_, measuring, in -males, 2.12 to 2.15, instead of 2.00 to 2.05. This is due not so much -to a larger size as to a greater development of the primaries. The -first quill is equal to or barely more than half the second in -_parkmanni_; and the difference between the longest primary and the -tenth amounts to .32 of an inch, instead of about .20 in _ædon_, where -the first quill is nearly half the length of the third, and much more -than half the length of the second. - -HABITS. This western form, hardly distinguishable from the common -House Wren of the Eastern States, if recognized as a distinct species, -is its complete analogue in regard to habits, nest, eggs, etc. It was -first obtained by Townsend on the Columbia River, and described by -Audubon in 1839. It has since been observed in various parts of the -country, from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Coast, and from -Cape St. Lucas to Oregon. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Birds of Washington Territory, speaks of this Wren -as common about Puget Sound, where it appeared to be much less -familiar than our common Wren, though its habits and song seemed to be -very similar. It there frequented chiefly the vicinity of woods and -piles of logs, neither seeking nor dwelling in the vicinity of houses. -It arrives there about the 20th of April. As observed about Vancouver -in 1853, its song appeared to Dr. Cooper different from that of the -_T. ædon_. He found one of their nests built in a horse’s skull that -had been stuck upon a fence. Dr. Suckley, who observed these birds -about Fort Steilacoom, describes their voice as harsh and unmusical. - -Dr. Cooper has since observed them in California, and in the winter, -in the Colorado Valley, where they roosted at night under the eaves of -the garrison buildings. They make their appearance at San Francisco as -early as March 16, and nest at San Diego in April. He has found their -nests in hollow trees at various heights, from five to forty feet, all -composed of a floor and barricade of long dry twigs, grass, and bark, -loosely placed, but so interwoven as to leave only just space for the -birds to squeeze in over them. They are warmly lined with a large -quantity of feathers. Their eggs he gives as from five to nine in -number. - -The late Mr. Hepburn has furnished more full and exact information in -regard to this species. We give it in his own words. - -“The _T. parkmanni_ is the common wren of Vancouver Island, far more -so than of California, where I have found the Bewick’s Wren (_T. -bewickii_) much more numerous. Parkman’s Wren builds its nest in -hollow trees in Vancouver Island, about the middle of May, forming it -of small sticks laid at the bottom of the hole, neatly and comfortably -lining it on the inside with feathers that arch over the eggs. It will -also readily avail itself of any similar and equally convenient -cavity. I have known these birds to build under the roof of a frame -house, entering by a hole between the topmost board and the shingles; -also in a hole in a gate-post, through which gate people were -continually passing; and also over a doorway, getting in by a loose -board, in a place where the nest could be reached by the hand. In 1852 -I put a cigar-box, with a hole cut in one end, between the forks of a -tree in a garden at Victoria. A pair of Wrens speedily took possession -of it and formed their nest therein, laying seven eggs, the first on -the 18th of May. The eggs of this Wren are white, thickly freckled -with pink spots, so much so in some specimens as to give a general -pink appearance to the egg itself, but forming a zone of a darker hue -near the larger end. They are .81 of an inch in length by .50 in -width.” - -Their eggs resemble those of the _T. ædon_ so as to be hardly -distinguishable, yet on comparing several sets of each there seem to -be these constant differences. The spots of the western species are -finer, less marked, more numerous, and of a pinker shade of -reddish-brown. The eggs, too, range a little smaller in size, though -exhibiting great variations. In one nest the average measurement of -its seven eggs is .60 by .50, that of another set of the same number -.70 by .50 of an inch. - -In all respects, habits, manners, and notes, Parkman’s Wren is a -perfect counterpart of the eastern House Wren. In the country east of -the Sierra Nevada it almost wholly replaces the western Bewick’s Wren -(_Thryothorus bewickii_, var. _spilurus_), and inhabits any wooded -localities, as little preference being given to the cottonwoods of the -river valleys as to the aspen groves high up in the mountains. - - -Troglodytes parvulus, var. hyemalis, VIEILL. - -WINTER WREN. - - _Sylvia troglodytes_, WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 139, pl. viii, f. 6. - _Troglodytes hyemalis_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XXXIV, 1819, - 514.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 430, pl. ccclx.—IB. Birds Am. II, - 1841, 128, pl. cxxi.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 369; Rev. - 144.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 290 (Cordova, Mex.).—IB. Catal. - 1861, 23, no. 152.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 73. - -SP. CHAR. Bill very straight, slender, and conical; shorter than the -head. Tail considerably shorter than the wings, which reach to its -middle. Upper parts reddish-brown; becoming brighter to the rump and -tail; everywhere, except on the head and upper part of the back, with -transverse bars of dusky and of lighter. Scapulars and wing-coverts -with spots of white. Beneath pale reddish-brown, barred on the -posterior half of the body with dusky and whitish, and spotted with -white more anteriorly; outer web of primaries similarly spotted with -pale brownish-white. An indistinct pale line over the eye. Length, -about 4 inches; wing, 1.66; tail, 1.26. - -HAB. North America generally. South to Cordova, Mex. - -Western specimens may be separated as a variety _pacificus_ (BAIRD, -Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 145), based on the much darker colors and the -almost entire absence of the whitish spots among the dark bars. The -under parts are more rufous; the tarsi are shorter, the claws larger, -the bill straighter and more slender. - -The Winter Wren is very closely related to the common Wren (_T. -parvulus_, KOCH) of Europe, so much so, in fact, that the two almost -seem to be varieties of one species. The differences, as shown in a -large series from both continents, are the following: In _T. parvulus_ -there is a tendency to more uniform shades; and the prevailing tint -anteriorly, beneath, is a pale yellowish-ash, almost immaculate, -instead of brownish-ochraceous, showing minute specks and darker edges -to the feathers. In extreme specimens of _T. parvulus_ the bars even -on the tail and wings (except primaries, where they are always -distinct) are very obsolete, while on the lower parts they are -confined to the flanks and crissum. Sometimes, however, specimens of -the two are found which are almost undistinguishable from each other. -In fact, it is only by taking the plainer European birds and comparing -them with the darker American examples from the northwest coast, that -the difference between _T. parvulus_ and _T. hyemalis_ is readily -appreciable. - -HABITS. The Winter Wren, nowhere very abundant, seems to be -distributed over the whole of North America. Hardly distinguishable -from the common Wren of Europe, it can scarcely be considered as -distinct. The habits of our species certainly seem to be very -different from those assigned to the European bird, which in England -appears to be as common and as familiar a bird as even the Redbreast. -The small size and retiring habits of our species, as well as its -unfrequent occurrence, and only in wild places, combine to keep its -history in doubt and obscurity. It is supposed to be northern in its -distribution during the breeding-season, yet only a single specimen -was obtained by Sir John Richardson, and that on the northern shores -of Lake Huron. - -On the Pacific coast Dr. Cooper regarded the Winter Wren as the most -common species in the forests of Washington Territory, where it -frequented even the densest portions, and where its lively song was -almost the only sound to be heard. It was most commonly seen in -winter, retiring in summer to the mountains to breed. He observed -young birds on the Coast Mountains in July. - -Dr. Suckley also states that this Wren was found at Fort Steilacoom -more abundantly in the winter than any other species. It was very -unsuspicious, allowing a very near approach. The dense fir forests, -among fallen logs, were its usual places of resort during the long, -damp, and dreary winters of Oregon. Dr. Suckley regarded the habits of -this species and those of the Parkman Wren as nearly identical. Mr. -Bischoff obtained four specimens in Sitka. - -Mr. Audubon found this species at Eastport, on the 9th of May, in full -song and quite abundant. A month later he found them equally plentiful -in the Magdalen Islands, and afterwards, about the middle of July, in -Labrador. He described its song as excelling that of any bird of its -size with which he was acquainted, being full of cadence, energy, and -melody, and as truly musical. Its power of continuance is said to be -very surprising. - -The characteristics of the Winter Wren are those of the whole family. -They move with rapidity and precision from place to place, in short, -sudden hops and flights, bending downward and keeping their tails -erect. They will run under a large root, through a hollow stump or -log, or between the interstices of rocks, more in the manner of a -mouse than of a bird. - -The writer has several times observed these Wrens on the steep sides -of Mount Washington, in the month of June, moving about in active -unrest, disappearing and reappearing among the broken masses of -granite with which these slopes are strewn. This was even in the most -thickly wooded portions. Though they evidently had nests in the -neighborhood, they could not be discovered. They were unsuspicious, -could be approached within a few feet, but uttered querulous -complaints if one persisted in searching too long in the places they -entered. - -This Wren, as I am informed by Mr. Boardman, is a common summer -resident near Calais, Me. - -Mr. Audubon met with its nest in a thick forest in Pennsylvania. He -followed a pair of these birds until they disappeared in the hollow of -a protuberance, covered with moss and lichens, resembling the -excrescences often seen on forest trees. The aperture was perfectly -rounded and quite smooth. He put in his finger and felt the pecking of -the bird’s bill and heard its querulous cry. He was obliged to remove -the parent bird in order to see the eggs, which were six in number. -The parent birds made a great clamor as he was examining them. The -nest was seven inches in length and four and a half in breadth. Its -walls were composed of mosses and lichens, and were nearly two inches -in thickness. The cavity was very warmly lined with the fur of the -American hare and a few soft feathers. Another nest found on the -Mohawk, in New York, was similar, but smaller, and built against the -side of a rock near its bottom. - -Mr. William F. Hall met with the nest and eggs of this bird at Camp -Sebois in the central eastern portion of Maine. It was built in an -unoccupied log-hut, among the fir-leaves and mosses in a crevice -between the logs. It was large and bulky, composed externally of -mosses and lined with the fur of hedge-hogs, and the feathers of the -spruce partridge and other birds. It was in the shape of a pouch, and -the entrance was neatly framed with fine pine sticks. The eggs were -six in number, and somewhat resembled those of the _Parus -atricapillus_. The female was seen and fully identified. - -In this nest, which measured five and three quarters inches by five in -breadth, the size, solidity, and strength, in view of the diminutive -proportions of its tiny architect, are quite remarkable. The walls -were two inches in thickness and very strongly impacted and -interwoven. The cavity was an inch and a quarter wide and four inches -deep. Its hemlock framework had been made of green materials, and -their strong and agreeable odor pervaded the structure. The eggs -measured .65 by .48 of an inch, and were spotted with a bright -reddish-brown and a few pale markings of purplish-slate, on a pure -white ground. Compared with the eggs of the European Wren their eggs -are larger, less oval in shape, and the spots much more marked in -their character and distinctness. - - -Troglodytes parvulus, var. alascensis, BAIRD. - -ALASKA WREN. - - _Troglodytes alascensis_, BAIRD, Trans. Chicago Acad. Sc. I, ii, 315, - pl. xxx, fig. 3, 1869.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—FRIESCH, - Ornith. N. W. Amerikas, 1872, 30. - -SP. CHAR. ♂ ad., 61,329, Amaknak Island, Unalaschka, Oct. 21, 1871; W. -H. Dall. Above umber-brown, more rufescent on the wings, rump, and -tail; secondaries and tail-feathers showing indistinct transverse -dusky bars; primaries about equally barred with blackish and dilute -umber or brownish-white; middle-coverts tipped with a small white dot, -preceded by a black one. Lower part, including a rather distinct -superciliary stripe, pale ochraceous-umber; sides, flanks, abdomen, -and crissum distinctly barred with dusky and whitish on a rusty -ground; crissum with sagittate spots of white. Wing, 2.20; tail, 1.60; -culmen, .65; tarsus, .75. - -HAB. Aleutian and Pribylow Islands, Alaska. - -The specimen above described represents about the average of a large -series obtained on Amaknak Island by Mr. Dall. They vary somewhat -among themselves as regards dimensions, but all are very much larger -than any specimens of _T. hyemalis_, from which it also differs in -longer, straighter, and more subulate bill (the gonys slightly -ascending). The type specimen from St. George’s Island was immature, -and we embrace the opportunity of giving the description of an adult -sent down with several others in the autumn of 1871 by Mr. Dall from -Unalaschka. - -This form bears the same relation to _T. hyemalis_ that _Melospiza -unalaschkensis_ does to _M. melodia_; _T. pacificus_, like _M. -rufina_, being an intermediate form. - -HABITS. Of this new variety, the Alaska Wren, but little is as yet -known as to its personal history. Mr. Dall states that it is found in -abundance all the year round on St. George’s Island, and that it -breeds in May, building a nest of moss in the crevices of the rocks, -and, according to the Aleuts, lays six eggs. Mr. Dall subsequently -found it quite common at Unalaschka in the summer of 1871. - - -GENUS CISTOTHORUS, CABAN. - - _Cistothorus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 77. (Type, - _Troglodytes stellaris_.) - _Telmatodytes_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 78. (Type, _Certhia - palustris_.) - _Thryothorus_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816, according to G. R. Gray. - - [Line drawing: _Cistothorus palustris._ - 1454 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill about as long as the head or much shorter, much -compressed, not notched, gently decurved from the middle; the gonys -slightly concave or straight. Toes reaching to the end of the tail. -Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Hind toe longer than the lateral, -shorter than the middle. Lateral toes about equal. Hind toe longer -than or equal to its digit. Wings rather longer than the tail, all the -feathers of which are much graduated; the lateral only two thirds the -middle. The feathers narrow. Back black, conspicuously streaked with -white. - -Of this genus there are two sections, _Cistothorus_ proper and -_Telmatodytes_, the diagnoses of which have already been given. The -two North American species present the feature, unique among our -Wrens, of white streaks on the back. - -A. Cistothorus. Bill half length of head. No white superciliary -streak. Head and rump and back streaked with white. Tail dusky, -barred with brown … _C. stellaris._ - -B. Telmatodytes. Bill length of head. A white superciliary -stripe. Back alone streaked with white. Tail-feathers black, -barred with whitish … _C. palustris._ - - -Cistothorus stellaris, CABAN. - -SHORT-BILLED MARSH-WREN. - - _Troglodytes stellaris_, “LICHT.” NAUMANN, Vögel Deutschlands, III, - 1823, 724 (Carolina). _Cistothorus stellaris_, CAB. Mus. Hein. - 77.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 365; Rev. 146.—SCLATER, Catal. 22, - no. 142 (in part). _Troglodytes brevirostris_, NUTT. Man. I, 1832, - 436.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 427, pl. clxxv.—IB. Birds Am. II, - 1841, 138, pl. cxxiv. _C. elegans_, SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, - 8. - -SP. CHAR. Bill very short, scarcely half the length of the head. Wing -and tail about equal. Hinder part of the crown and the scapular and -interscapular region of the back and rump almost black, streaked with -white. Tail dusky, the feathers barred throughout with brown (the -color grayish on the under surface). Beneath white; the sides, upper -part of breast, and under tail-coverts reddish-brown. Upper parts, -with the exceptions mentioned, reddish-brown. Length, 4.50; wing, -1.75; tail, 1.75. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, west to Loup Fork of Platte. - -There is a closely allied variety from Mexico and Guatemala (_C. -elegans_, SCLATER & SALVIN, Pr. Z. S., 1859, 8) which differs in the -characters stated below. - - White dorsal streaks extending to the rump, which is - conspicuously banded with brown, and somewhat spotted with - whitish. Beneath, including lining of wings, light - cinnamon-brown; throat and belly paler, almost white; sides - and crissum very obsoletely barred with darker, and faintly - spotted with whitish. Feathers of jugulum like sides, but - with the color obscured by the paler edges. Tarsus, .65 - long. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States … _C. stellaris._ - - Streaks on back confined to interscapular region; rump and upper - tail-coverts almost plain reddish-brown. Beneath much paler - than in _stellaris_, without any appreciable indication of - bars or spots on sides and crissum, or of the fulvous of the - jugular feathers. Inside of wings snowy-white. Tarsus, .72 - long. _Hab._ Mexico and Guatemala; Brazil? … _C. elegans._ - -The differences between these two varieties are just barely -appreciable when specimens of the two, of corresponding seasons, are -compared. Two Mexican examples (_elegans_) differ more from each other -than one does from North American specimens; because one (a typical -specimen received from Salvin) is in the worn, faded, midsummer -plumage, and the other in the perfect autumnal dress. Besides the -longer tarsi of these Mexican birds, their tails, and even their -bills, are longer than seen in North American skins. But while these -differences between the North American and Mexican birds are just -appreciable, there is one from Brazil (51,017, Sr. Don Fred. -Albuquerque) which is exactly intermediate between these two varieties -in color, while in size it is even smaller than the North American -ones, measuring as follows: wing, 1.60; tail, 1.60; culmen, .45, -tarsus, .61. - -Even if recognizable as belonging to different varieties, these -specimens are certainly all referable to one species. - -HABITS. The Short-billed Marsh Wren is very irregularly distributed -throughout the United States, being found from Georgia to the British -Provinces, and from the Atlantic to the Upper Missouri. It is nowhere -abundant, and in many large portions of intervening territory has -never been found. - - [Illustration: _Cistothorus palustris._] - -It is exclusively an inhabitant of low, fresh-water marshes, open -swamps, and meadows, is never found on high ground, and is very shy -and difficult of approach. It makes its first appearance in -Massachusetts early in May, and leaves early in September. In winter -it has been found in all the Gulf States, from Florida to Texas. - -According to Nuttall, this Wren has a lively and quaint song, -delivered earnestly and as if in haste, and at short intervals, either -from a tuft of sedge or from a low bush on the edge of a marsh. When -approached, the song becomes harsher and more hurried, and rises into -an angry and petulant cry. In the early part of the season the male is -quite lively and musical. These Wrens spend their time chiefly in the -long, rank grass of the swamps and meadows searching for insects, -their favorite food. - -Their nest is constructed in the midst of a tussock of coarse high -grass, the tops of which are ingeniously interwoven into a coarse and -strong covering, spherical in shape and closed on every side, except -one small aperture left for an entrance. The strong wiry grass of the -tussock is also interwoven with finer materials, making the whole -impervious to the weather. The inner nest is composed of grasses and -finer sedges, and lined with soft, vegetable down. The eggs are nine -in number, pure white, and rather small for the bird. They are -exceedingly delicate and fragile, more so than is usual even in the -eggs of Humming-Birds. They are of an oval shape, and measure .60 by -.45 of an inch. - -Mr. Nuttall conjectured that occasionally two females occupied the -same nest, and states that he has known the male bird to busy itself -in constructing several nests, not more than one of which would be -used. As these birds rear a second brood, it is probable that these -nests are built from an instinctive desire to have a new one in -readiness for the second brood. This peculiarity has been noticed in -other Wrens, where the female sometimes takes possession of the new -abode, lays and sits upon her second set of eggs before her first -brood are ready to fly, which are left to the charge of her mate. - -Mr. Audubon found this Wren breeding in Texas. Dr. Trudeau met them on -the marshes of the Delaware River, and their nest and eggs have been -sent to us from the Koskonong marshes of Wisconsin. It has also been -found in the marshes of Connecticut River, near Hartford; and in -Illinois Mr. Kennicott found it among the long grasses bordering on -the prairie sloughs. - -In Massachusetts I have occasionally met with their nests, but only -late in July, when the rank grass of the low meadows has been cut. -These were probably their second brood. The nest being built close to -the ground, and made of the living grasses externally, they are not -distinguishable from the unoccupied tussocks that surround them. - - -Cistothorus palustris, BAIRD. - -LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. - -Var. palustris. - - _Certhia palustris_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 58, pl. xii, fig. 4 - (Penna). _Troglodytes palustris_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1824, no. - 66.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 500, pl. c.—IB. Birds Am. II, 1841, - 135, pl. cxxiii.—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Godthaab, Greenland). - _Thryothorus palustris_, NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 439. _Cistothorus - (Telmatodytes) palustris_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 364; Rev. - 147.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 22. _Thryothorus arundinaceus_, - VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XXXIV, 1819, 58 (not _Trog. arundinaceus_, - VIEILLOT). _Thryothorus arundinaceus_, BON. Consp. 1850, 220. - _Telmatodytes arundinaceus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 78. - -HAB. Eastern United States, from the Missouri River; Greenland? -REINHARDT; Mexico, and Guatemala? Cordova, SCLATER. - -Var. paludicola. - - _Cistothorus palustris_, var. _paludicola_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, - 148. _Troglodytes palustris_, NEWB. P. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 80 - (Pacific region). _Cistothorus palustris_, COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. - Rep. X, II, 1859, 190 (W. T.)—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1. 1870, 75. - _Certhia palustris_, LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. IV, 117. - -SP. CHAR. Bill about as long as head. Tail and wing nearly equal. -Upper parts of a dull reddish-brown, except on the crown, -interscapular region, outer surface of tertials, and tail-feathers, -which are almost black; the first with a median patch like the -ground-color; the second with short streaks of white, extending round -on the sides of the neck; the third indented with brown; the fourth -barred with whitish, decreasing in amount from the outer feather, -which is marked from the base to the fifth, where it is confined to -the tips; the two middle feathers above like the back, and barred -throughout with dusky. Beneath rather pure white, the sides and under -tail-coverts of a lighter shade of brown than the back; a white streak -over the eye. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.08; tail, 2.00. (1,454.) - -HAB. Pacific Coast and Middle Province of United States. - -In comparing a series of Marsh Wrens of eastern North America with -western, we find that they differ very appreciably in certain -characteristics, which may be expressed by the following diagnoses:— - - Bill lengthened, equal to tarsus. Tail-coverts above and below - either perfectly plain, or with very obsolete bands, reduced - to obscure spots beneath. Bands on tail broken; scarcely - appreciable on the middle feathers … var. _palustris_. - - Bill shorter than tarsus. Tail-coverts distinctly banded all - across. Bands on tail quite distinct; appreciable on the - central feathers … var. _paludicola_. - -The differences between these two races is much more appreciable than -those between _Troglodytes ædon_ and _T. “parkmanni”_; the most -striking character is the much longer bill of the var. _palustris_. - -Specimens of the var. _paludicola_ from the interior are paler and -more grayish-brown above, and have less distinct bars on the -tail-coverts and tail, than in Pacific coast specimens, while on the -crown the brown, instead of the black, largely predominates. - -HABITS. The common Marsh Wren appears to have a nearly unrestricted -range throughout North America. It occurs on the Atlantic coast from -Massachusetts to Florida, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and as -far north as Washington Territory on the west coast. A single specimen -was procured in Greenland. It is not, however, at all common in these -more northern latitudes. Mr. Drummond, of Sir John Richardson’s party, -met with it in the 55th parallel on the eastern declivity of the Rocky -Mountains and in the Saskatchewan Valley. Dr. Cooper found it early in -March in the salt marshes along the coast of Washington Territory, and -thinks it winters in that section. On the Eastern coast it is not -common as far north as Massachusetts, a few being found at Cambridge -and in Barnstable County. It is abundant near Washington, D. C., and -throughout the country in all suitable locations south and west from -Pennsylvania. Mr. Ridgway found it plentiful in Utah. - -They frequent low marshy grounds, whether near the sea or in the -interior, and build in low bushes, a few feet from the ground, a -well-constructed globular nest. On the Potomac, where the river is -subject to irregular tides, they are generally not less than five feet -from the ground. - -These nests are nearly spherical, and both in size and shape resemble -a cocoanut. They are made externally of coarse sedges firmly -interwoven, the interstices being cemented with clay or mud, and are -impervious to the weather. A small round orifice is left on one side -for entrance, the upper side of which is also protected from the rain -by a projecting edge. The inside is lined with fine grasses, feathers, -the down of the silk-weed, and other soft and warm vegetable -substances. These birds arrive in the Middle States early in May and -leave early in September. They have two broods in the season, and each -time construct and occupy a new nest. - -Audubon describes its nest as built among sedges, and as usually -partly constructed of the sedges among which the nest is built. This -is the usual manner in which the _C. stellaris_ builds its nest, but I -have never known one of the present species building in this manner, -and in the localities in which they breed, near the coast, being -subject to irregular heights of tides, it could not be done with -safety. - -The note of the Marsh Wren is a low, harsh, grating cry, neither loud -nor musical, and more resembling the noise of an insect than the vocal -utterances of a bird. - -Their food consists chiefly of small aquatic insects, minute mollusks, -and the like, and these they are very expert in securing. - -The eggs of this species average .65 of an inch in length and .50 in -breadth. They are, in color, in striking contrast with those of the -_C. stellaris_, being so thickly marked with blotches and spots of a -deep chocolate-brown as to be almost of one uniform color in -appearance. They are of an oval shape, at times almost spheroidal, one -end being but slightly more pointed than the other. They number from -six to nine. - -In a few instances eggs of this species from the Mississippi Valley -and from California are of a light ashy-gray color, the markings being -smaller and of a much lighter color. - - * * * * * - -We have thus completed the account of the Oscine Singing-Birds with -slender bills not hooked at the end, and which have ten distinct -primaries; the first or outer one, however, either quite small or else -considerably shorter than the second. We now come to a series with -only nine primaries, the first being entirely wanting, and the second, -now the outermost, nearly or quite as long as the third. In the -preliminary tables of general arrangement will be found the -comparative characters of the different families of _Oscines_, but the -diagnosis of the series referred to is presented here, as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Primaries nine; the first quill nearly as long as -the second or third. Tarsi distinctly scutellate the whole length -anteriorly. Bill conical, but slender or depressed, usually, except in -_Cærebidæ_, half the length of the head; more or less bristled, or -notched. Nostrils oval or rounded. Lateral toes nearly or quite equal, -and shorter than the middle; the basal joint of the middle free nearly -to its base externally, united for about half internally. - -Motacillidæ. Bill slender. Culmen slightly concave at base. Legs long; -claws but little curved. Hind toe considerably longer than the middle -one; its claw much longer (twice) than the middle claw; all the claws -but slightly curved. Innermost secondaries (so-called tertials) -elongated, much longer than the outer secondaries; and the fifth -primary emarginated at end. Nest on ground. - -Sylvicolidæ. Bill rather slender, conical, or depressed. Culmen -straight or convex. Hind toe shorter than the middle; the claws all -much curved. Hind claw not conspicuously longer than the middle one. -When the hind toe is lengthened, it is usually in the digit, not the -claw. Tertials generally not longer than the secondaries, and not -emarginated. Gape wide; tongue slightly split at end. Nest variously -placed. - -Cærebidæ. Similar to _Sylvicolidæ_. Bill generally longer; equal to -head or more. Gape of mouth narrow; tongue generally much fringed at -the end. Nest on trees. - -The _Tanagridæ_, the _Fringillidæ_, and even the _Icteridæ_, come very -near these families, as will be explained farther on, all agreeing in -having the nine primaries, and in many other characters. - - - - -FAMILY MOTACILLIDÆ.—THE WAGTAILS. - - -CHAR. Bill slender, conical, nearly as high as wide at the base, with -slight notch at the tip; the culmen slightly concave above the -anterior extremity of the nostrils; short bristles at gape, which, -however, do not extend forward to nostrils. Loral feathers soft and -dense, but with bristly points; nasal groove filled with naked -membrane, with the elongated nostrils in lower edge; the frontal -feathers coming up to the aperture, but not directed forward nor -overhanging it. Wings lengthened and sharp-pointed; the primaries nine -(without spurious first), of which the first three to five, -considerably longer than the succeeding, form the tip; the exterior -secondaries generally much emarginated at the ends; the inner -secondaries (so-called tertials) nearly equal to the longest -primaries. The tail rather narrow, emarginate. Tarsi lengthened, -scutellate anteriorly only, the hind claw usually very long, acute, -and but slightly curved (except in _Motacilla_). Inner toe cleft -almost to the very base, outer adherent for basal joint only. - -The combination of naked nostrils, notched bill, and nine primaries, -with the tarsi scutellate anteriorly only, will at once distinguish -the _Anthinæ_ of this family from the _Alaudidæ_, which they so -closely resemble in coloration, habits, and lengthened hind claw. The -lengthened, slightly curved hind claw, much pointed wings, emarginated -secondaries,—the inner ones nearly as long as the primaries,—distinguish -the family from the _Sylvicolidæ_, with which also it has near -relationships. - - -Subfamilies and Genera. - -Motacillinæ. Tail longer than or equal to wings; the two central -feathers rather longer than lateral; the feathers broadest in -middle, whence they taper gradually to the rounded tip. Colors -uniform: gray, black, yellowish; without pale edges to feathers -above, or streaks below. - - Tail from coccyx considerably longer than the wings, doubly - forked. Hind claw shorter than the toe; decidedly curved … - _Motacilla._ - - Tail from coccyx equal to the wings, slightly graduated. Hind - claw decidedly longer than the toe, slightly curved … _Budytes._ - -Anthinæ. Tail shorter than the wings, emarginate at end, the two -central shorter than lateral; the feathers broadest near the end, -and rounding rapidly at end. Above grayish-brown, the feathers -edged with paler. Under parts streaked. - - Wings much pointed and lengthened. - - Hind toe and claw shorter than tarsus; outstretched toes - falling short of tip of tail … _Anthus._ - - Hind toe and claw longer than tarsus; outstretched toes - extending beyond tip of tail … _Neocorys._ - - - Wings short and rounded. - - Point of wings formed by outer four primaries of nearly equal - length … _Notiocorys._[30] - - Point of wing formed by outer five primaries, the first - shorter than the third … _Pediocorys._[31] - - [Illustration: PLATE X. - - 1. Motacilla alba, _Linn._ Europe. - 2. Budytes flava, _Linn._ Alaska, 45912. - 3. Anthus ludovicianus, _Gm._ Labrador, 18081. - 4. “ pratensis, _Linn._ Europe, 18590. - 5. Neocorys spraguei, _Aud._ ♀ Dacota, 1884. - 6. Mniotilta varia, _Linn._ ♂ 18685. - 7. Parula americana, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 53385. - 8. Protonotaria citrea, _Bodd._ Ill., 1011. - 9. Helmitherus swainsoni, _Aud._ S. C., 1054. - 10. “ vermivorus, _Gm._ Pa., 2148.] - - -SUBFAMILY MOTACILLINÆ. - - -GENUS MOTACILLA, LINN. - -_Motacilla_, LINN. Syst. Nat. (Type, _Motacilla alba_.) - -The diagnosis already given of _Motacilla_ will serve to define it. -The genus is an Old World one, represented by several species, only -one of which (_M. alba_) is entitled to a place here from occurring in -Greenland. - - -Motacilla alba, LINN. - -WHITE WAGTAIL. - - _Motacilla alba_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. 1766, 331.—KEYS. & BLAS. - Wirb. Europ. 1840, xlix, and 174.—DEGLAND, Orn. Europ. I, 1849, - 433.—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 6 (Greenland).—NEWTON, - Baring-Gould’s Iceland, 1863, App. (“rather plentiful”).—BAIRD, - Rev. Am. B. 1864, 152. - Figure: GOULD, Birds Europe, 143. - - [Line drawing: _Motacilla alba._ - 28489] - -SP. CHAR. (9,410 ♂, Nürnberg). Forehead as far back as above the eyes, -with sides of head and neck, white; the remaining portion of head and -neck above and below to the jugulum, black; the rest of under parts -white. Upper parts ashy-gray, including rump; the upper tail-coverts -tinged with black. Wings with two conspicuous bands and the outer -edges of the secondaries white. Tail-feathers black; the outer two -white, edged with black internally. Bill and legs black. Tip of wing -formed by outer three primaries; the distance between the third and -fourth about one third that between the fourth and fifth. Tarsi -lengthened; claw small; hind toe and claw shorter than the middle, its -claw short, considerably curved, less than the toe alone; lateral toes -nearly equal. Length, 7.30; wing, 3.45; tail, 3.90; bill from nostril, -.37; tarsus, .86; hind toe and claw, .50. - -HAB. Continental Europe, rarer in England; Iceland; Greenland (only -two specimens seen); Siberia; Syria; Nubia, etc. - -_Motacilla yarrelli_, a closely allied species, by some considered a -variety only, differs in having the rump black, the ashy of the back -glossed with blackish, and with the black edging of the lateral -tail-feathers broader. - - [Illustration: _Motacilla alba._] - -HABITS. The common White Wagtail of Europe claims a place in the North -American fauna as an occasional visitant of Greenland, where in two -instances single specimens have been procured. It is found in all -portions of the European Continent, from the islands of the -Mediterranean as far north as the Arctic regions. It appears in Sweden -in April, and leaves there in October. Mr. Gould states also that it -is found in the northern portions of Africa, and in the highlands of -India. It also occurs, though less frequently, in England, where it is -replaced by a local race, or an allied species, _Motacilla yarrelli_ -of Gould. The _Motacilla alba_ is said by Temminck to inhabit meadows -in the vicinity of streams of water, villages, and old houses. Its -food is chiefly insects in various stages and of different kinds. - -It builds its nest on the ground among the grass of the meadow, in -fissures in rocks or decayed buildings, among the roots of trees, on -the banks of streams, in piles of wood and fagots, or under the arch -of a bridge. The nests are somewhat coarsely constructed of interwoven -dry bent stems of plants and reeds, with a finer lining of the same. -The eggs, six in number, are of a bluish-white ground thickly -sprinkled with fine dottings, which are most usually of a -blackish-brown color, sometimes ashy-gray or reddish-brown. - -The Pied Wagtail, _M. yarrelli_, Degland and Gerbe regard as a race, -and not a species. It has a limited habitat, confined to Norway, -Sweden, and the British Islands, in the latter of which it is a -resident throughout the year. Besides their difference in plumage, Mr. -Yarrell has noticed certain differences also of habit. The _alba_ is -said not to be so partial to water as the pied species, and though -often found near ploughed land, does not, like its kindred species, -follow the plough in search of insects. Mr. Hewitson also states that -it has a hoarser voice. - -Like all the birds of this family, the Wagtail is much admired for the -elegance of its form, its activity, and the airy lightness of its -motions. It seems ever on the move, runs with great rapidity a quick -succession of steps in pursuit of its food, and goes from place to -place in short undulating flights. It has a cheerful chirping note -which it utters while on the wing. When it alights, it gives a -graceful fanning movement with its tail, from which it derives its -name. - -The Pied Wagtail, whose habits have been more closely observed by -English naturalists, has frequently been seen to wade into the water -in search of aquatic insects, and probably also of small fish, as in -confinement they have been known to catch and feed on minnows in a -fountain in the centre of their aviary. It is probable that the habits -of the White Wagtail are not dissimilar. - -They leave their breeding-places in October, collecting and moving in -small flocks. - -Their eggs measure .79 of an inch in length and .59 in breadth. The -ground-color is of a grayish-white so thickly flecked with fine -ash-colored and black dots as to give the entire egg the effect of a -uniform dark ashen hue. - - -GENUS BUDYTES, CUVIER. - - _Budytes_, CUVIER, R. A. 1817. (Type, _Motacilla flava_, LINN.) - - [Line drawing: _Budytes flava._ - 45912] - -The recent discovery of a species of yellow-bellied Wagtail in Norton -Sound, by the naturalists of the Russian Telegraph Expedition, adds -another member of an Old World family to the list of American birds. -Much confusion exists as to the precise number of species in the -genus, some grouping together as varieties what others consider as -distinct species. There is an unusual degree of variation with age, -sex, and season, and this, combined with strongly marked geographical -peculiarities, renders the proper solution of the problem impossible -to any but those having access to large series. - - -Budytes flava, LINN. - -YELLOW WAGTAIL. - - _Motacilla flava_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I (1766), 33.—FINSCH & HARTLAUB, - Vögel Ostafrikas, 268. _Budytes flava_, BON. (1838).—MIDDENDORFF, - Sibirische Reise, II, ii (1852), 168.—DEGLAND & GERBE, Ornith. - Europ. I (1867), 376.—BAIRD, Trans. Chicago Acad. Sci. I, ii, p. - 312, pl. xxx, fig. 1; 1869.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, - 1869, 127.—TRISTRAM, Ibis, 1871, 231.—FINSCH, 1872. - -SP. CHAR. Description of specimen No. 45,912, taken at St. Michael’s, -Norton Sound, June 6, 1866, by H. M. Bannister. Above, including edges -of upper tail-coverts, rich olive-green, the top and sides of the head -and neck pure ash-gray; chin and well-marked stripe from nostrils over -the eye to the nape, white; all under parts rich yellow, tinged with -olive on the sides. Stripe from corner of mouth through the eye, and -involving the ear-coverts, blackish-ash. Feathers of wings and tail -dark brown; the coverts and secondaries edged with olive (showing the -obscure light wing-bars), the longest of the latter edged externally -with white; innermost quills edged externally with white. Outer three -quills nearly equal and longest (the prolonged secondaries as long), -the others graduating less. Outer tail-feathers and shaft white; the -inner web edged externally with dusky, which, beginning at the base, -runs out gradually to the edge, about half an inch from tip of -feathers; second feather with rather less white, and with a narrow -line of brown along the outer side of the shaft to within half an inch -of the tip. Bill and legs blackish. - - [Illustration: _Budytes flava._] - -Dimensions (prepared specimen). Total length, 6.00; wing, 3.00; tail, -3.00; exposed portion of first primary, 2.30. Bill: length from -forehead, 0.58; from nostril, 0.35; along gape, 0.57. Legs: tarsus, -0.91; middle toe and claw, 0.70; claw alone, 0.16; hind toe and claw, -0.65; claw alone, 0.36. - -A second specimen (No. 45,910) differs in having ashy color of head -obscured with olivaceous-brown; and the yellow on breast showing -brownish bases. The light markings on the wings more distinct and -whiter. - -Another bird (No. 45,913), taken on shipboard, about ninety miles west -of St. Matthew’s Island, Behring’s Sea, August 10, 1866, appears to be -of the same species, in autumnal dress. Here the upper colors are more -brown; the lower parts yellowish-white tinged with brownish-fulvous -across the breast and flank. Kamtschatkan specimens of the same stage -of plumage are very similar. - -I am unable to distinguish this species from the Protean _Budytes -flava_ of Europe and Asia. Many different races appear to be found -throughout this wide circle of distribution, many of them more or less -local, but the proportions and general character are the same in all, -and the general tendency appears to be to unite all into one species. -The sexes and ages of all the species, real or supposed, vary very -much, and, in the absence of a large series, I can throw no light upon -the obscurities of the subject. I cite above the latest general work -on the birds of Europe, in which will be found the principal -synonymes. - -The specimens from Alaska submitted for examination to Mr. H. B. -Tristram were identified by him as the _B. flava_. - -HABITS. The Gray-headed Wagtail of Europe finds a place in the fauna -of North America as a bird of Alaska, where specimens have been -obtained, and where it is, at least, an occasional visitant. It is not -a common bird of the British Islands, where it is replaced by a -closely allied species. Only seven or eight instances of its -occurrence were known to Mr. Yarrell. - -On the continent of Europe it is quite an abundant species, inhabiting -wet springy places in moist meadows, and frequenting the vicinity of -water and the gravelly edges of rivers. It is numerous in all the -central portions of Europe. It has also an extensive northern and -eastern geographical range, appearing in Norway and Sweden as early as -April and remaining there until September. Linnæus met with it in -Lapland on the 22d of May. It occurs in Algeria, Nubia, and Egypt. Mr. -Gould has received it from the Himalayas, and Temminck gives it as a -bird of Japan. - -According to Degland, this bird is a very abundant species in France, -where it nests on the ground in the cornfields, in open fields, -meadows, and amidst the standing grain. It lays from four to six eggs, -of a brownish-yellow on a reddish-white ground, profusely covered with -fine dots of reddish-gray, which are more or less confluent. A few -zigzag lines of dark brown or black are found on the larger end. They -measure .63 of an inch in length and .55 in breadth. Its food is -flies, moths, small green caterpillars, and aquatic insects. - -Ray’s Wagtail, recognized by some authors as a distinct species, is -probably only an insular race, chiefly found in the British Islands -and in Western France. In the latter place both birds occur, and here -also they have been known to mate the one with the other. Their nests -and eggs are so alike as not to be distinguishable. The former are -constructed of fine fibrous roots and fine stems of grasses, and are -lined with hair. - -These birds are remarkably social, collecting in small flocks soon -after leaving their nests, and until their autumnal migrations -following the older birds in quest of food. They have two call-notes -which are quite shrill, and are repeated in succession, the second -being lower in tone. No mention is made by the naturalists of the -Telegraph Expedition of their having any song other than these notes. - -Mr. Bannister first observed this species at St. Michael’s, on the 9th -or 10th of June, and from that time until late in August they were -among the most abundant of the land-birds. During the month of June he -observed them in flocks of twenty or thirty individuals. It seemed to -be a rather shy bird. He described its flight as like that of our -common Goldfinch, rising with a few strokes of its wings, then closing -them and describing a sort of paraboloidal curve in the air. The only -note which he heard and identified as uttered by this species was a -kind of faint chirp, hardly to be called a song. These birds seemed to -prefer the open country, and were rarely observed in the low brush, -the only approach to woods found on the island. - - -SUBFAMILY ANTHINÆ. - -The characters of this subfamily have already been detailed. The -American sections may be defined as follows, although whether entitled -to rank as genera may be questioned:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Tail decidedly shorter than the wings; less -than half the whole length of bird; simply emarginate and -rounded. Hind claw lengthened; only slightly curved. Feathers of -back with paler edges; breast streaked with dusky. Nest on the -ground; eggs finely mottled so as almost to be uniform dark brown -(in North American species). - - _a. Wings much pointed, and lengthened._ - - Point of wing formed by four outer primaries, of which the - fourth sometimes a little shorter than the third. Hind toe and - claw as long as middle, shorter than tarsus, the claw alone - usually a little longer than the toe itself, and slightly - curved; inner toe and claw longer than the outer; outstretched - toes falling short of the tip of tail; hind toe and claw - shorter than tarsus … _Anthus_. - - Point of wings formed by four outer primaries, the first - longest, or as long as others. Legs stout, the outstretched - toes reaching almost to tip of tail. Hind toe and claw longer - than tarsus, the claw very long, but equal to the toe proper … - _Neocorys_. - - _b. Wings short, rounded._ - - Point of wings formed by four outer primaries of nearly equal - length … _Notiocorys_.[32] - - Point of wings formed by five outer primaries, the first - shorter than third … _Pediocorys_.[33] - - -GENUS ANTHUS, BECHST. - - _Anthus_, BECHST. Gemein. Naturg. Deutschl. 1802. (Type, _Alauda - spinoletta_.) - - [Line drawing: _Anthus ludovicianus._ - 328] - -CHAR. Bill slender, much attenuated, and distinctly notched. A few -short bristles at the base. Culmen concave at the base. Tarsi quite -distinctly scutellate; longer than the middle toe; inner lateral toe -the longer. Hind toe rather shorter than the tarsus, but longer than -the middle toe, owing to the long, attenuated, and moderately curved -hind claw, which is considerably more than half the total length of -the toe. Tail rather long, emarginate. Wing very long, considerably -longer than the lengthened tail, reaching to its middle. The first -primary nearly equal to the longest. The tertials almost as long as -the primaries. - -But one species of this genus belongs properly to North America, -although a second is accidental in Greenland and Alaska. The diagnoses -are as follows:— - - Bill and feet blackish. Prevailing color above olive-brown. - Beneath buff. Edge and inside of wings white. Shafts of middle - tail-feathers above dark brown … _A. ludovicianus._ - - Bill and feet dusky flesh-color. Prevailing color above - olive-green; more distinctly streaked. Beneath greenish-white. - Edge and inside of wings greenish-yellow. Shafts of middle - tail-feathers above whitish … _A. pratensis._ - -ZANDER (Cabanis Journal, Extraheft I, 1853, 64) states that _Anthus -cervinus_, PALLAS, is found in the Aleutian Islands. It is described -as having - - The feet yellowish-brown; the two longest under tail-coverts - with a blackish longitudinal spot; the longest tertial - almost equal to the longest primary; the shaft of the first - tail-feather mostly white; no green on the plumage; the - throat rust-color. - -BALDAMUS (Naumannia, 1857, 202) says he has received _Anthus aquaticus_ -and its eggs from Labrador. This statement, however, requires -verification. - - -Anthus ludovicianus, LICHT. - -TITLARK; AMERICAN PIPIT. - - _Alauda ludoviciana_, GM. S. N. I, 1788, 793. _Anthus ludovicianus_, - LICHT. Verz. 1823, 37; also of AUDUBON & BONAPARTE.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 232; Rev. 153.—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1861, 220 - (Labrador).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 296 (Cordova).—IB. Catal. - 1861, 24, no. 153. SCL. & SALV. Ibis, 1859, 9 (Guatemala).—JONES, - Nat. in Bermuda, 1859, 29, autumn.—BLAKISTON, Ibis, 1862, 4 - (Saskatchewan).—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, - 277.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 78. _Alauda rubra_, GM.; _Alauda - rufa_, WILS.; _Anthus spinoletta_, BON., AUD.; _Alauda - pennsylvanica_, BRISS.; _? Alauda pennsylvanica_, BONN. Encycl. - Méth. I, 1790, 319. _? Motacilla hudsonica_, LATH. Ind. Orn. II, - 1790, 503.—VIEILLOT, Encycl. Méth. II, 1823, 447. _Anthus - pennsylvanica_, ZANDER; _Anthus aquaticus_, AUD.; _Anthus - pipiens_, AUD.; _Anthus rubens_, MERREM; _Anthus reinhardtii_, - HÖLBOLL, Fauna Grönlands (ed. Paulsen), 1846, 25 (Greenland). - Figures: AUD. Birds Am. III, pl. cxl.—IB. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lxxx.— - WILSON, V. pl. lxxxix. - -SP. CHAR. (_Female_, in spring.) Above olive-brown, each feather -slightly darker towards the central portion; beneath pale dull-buff, -or yellowish-brown, with a maxillary series of dark-brown spots and -streaks across the breast and along sides. Ring round the eye, and -superciliary stripe, yellowish. Central tail-feathers like the back, -others dark blackish-brown; the external one white, except at the base -within; a white spot at the end of the second. Primaries edged with -whitish, other quills with pale brownish. Length, 6.50; wing, 3.45; -tail, 2.95. - -HAB. Whole of North America; Greenland; Bermuda; south to Orizaba, -Guatemala, and even Peru? Heligoland, Europe. (GÄTKE.) Not noted in -West Indies. - - [Illustration: _Anthus ludovicianus._] - -Spring specimens from Labrador, collected by Dr. Coues, have the upper -parts ashy without any tinge of olive, almost bluish on the head; the -lower parts deeper and more reddish-buff than in autumnal and winter -specimens. Tarsi black in spring, brown in winter; toes always black. - -HABITS. At different seasons of the year the Brown Titlark is found -throughout the continent, and abundant for the time in the several -parts of the country, chiefly frequenting the least cultivated -portions and apparently preferring the sterile and least attractive -regions. It is one of the most extensively distributed of all our -North American birds, being found in immense numbers over the whole -length and breadth of North America. Gambel met them in large numbers -in New Mexico and California; Richardson found them on the plains of -the Saskatchewan; it is abundant in the Arctic regions from May to -October, and is equally common on the coast of Labrador; Mr. Dall -found it universal from British Columbia north. It is also found in -Florida, Cape St. Lucas, Mexico, and Central America. Accidental -specimens have occurred in Europe. - -This lark is a bird of easy and beautiful flight, passing and -repassing through the air with graceful evolutions, and when moving to -new localities, sweeping over the place several times before -alighting. It also moves rapidly on the ground and after the manner of -the true larks, jerking the tail like our Water-Thrushes and the -European Wagtails. - -When feeding on the open ground in the interior, their food is chiefly -insects and small seeds. On the banks of rivers and on the seashore -they are fond of running along the edge of the water, searching among -the drift for insects, small shells, and crustaceans. Near New Orleans -and Charleston, in the winter, Mr. Audubon found them feeding, in -company with the Turkey Buzzard, upon garbage. - -Dr. Coues found the Titlark abundant in every locality visited by him -in Labrador, giving him an ample opportunity to observe its habits -during the breeding-season. He found them on some of the most rocky -and barren islands along the coast. They frequented only the open, -bare, and exposed situations, such as that coast everywhere afforded, -and were never found in wooded localities. The nests of this species -found by him were identical in situation, form, and construction, -placed on the sides of steep, precipitous chasms, in small cavities in -the earth, into which dry moss had been introduced to keep the nest -from the damp ground. They were composed entirely of coarse, dry -grasses loosely put together, without any lining. Their external -diameter was six inches, and the depth of the cavity two inches. - -Dr. Coues describes the song of the male bird as very sweet and -pleasant. Mr. Audubon speaks of it as consisting of a few clear and -mellow notes when on the wing, and when standing erect on the rocks it -produces a clearer and louder song. - -Dr. Coues speaks of their flight as undulating and unsteady, and never -protracted to any great distance. They never alight on bushes, but -always on the ground, where they run with great ease and rapidity. At -low tides they resorted to the muddy flats, where they ran about upon -the eel-grass, searching for their food in company with the small -Sandpipers and in a similar manner, finding there an abundance of -food. At all times they exhibited a heedless familiarity and an entire -want of fear of man, feeding unconcernedly around the doors of the -houses, and searching for their insect food on the roofs of the sheds -and dwellings. - -Both birds incubate and sit so closely that they may almost be trodden -upon before they are willing to leave their nest, and even then only -flutter off to a short distance, with loud cries of distress that soon -bring the mate and other pairs of the same species to join in the -lamentations. They hover over the heads of the intruders, at times -approaching within a few feet, expressing their distress by the most -plaintive cries, and even when the intruders withdraw following them -to a considerable distance. - -All the nests of this lark that I have seen are remarkable for the -thickness of their walls, and the strength, compactness, and elaborate -care with which the materials are put together, particularly for nests -built on the ground. They are well suited to protect their contents -from the cold, damp ground on which they are placed; and their upper -portions are composed of stout vegetable stems, lichens, and grasses -strongly interwoven, and forming a strong rim around the upper part of -the nest. - -Dr. Coues describes their eggs as of a dark chocolate-color, -indistinctly marked with numerous small lines and streaks of black. -Audubon describes them as having a ground-color of a deep -reddish-chestnut, darkened by numerous dots of deeper reddish-brown -and lines of various sizes, especially toward the larger end. Those in -my possession, received from Labrador by Thienemann, measure from .75 -to .78 of an inch in length, and from .59 to .62 in breadth, and have -a light-brown or clay-colored ground, so thickly covered with spots as -to be almost concealed. These spots are of a purplish chocolate-brown, -with occasional darker lines about the larger end. In others the -markings are bolder and larger and of brighter hues. Like the eggs of -the _Anthus arboreus_ of Europe, it is probable that those of this -Titlark exhibit great variations, both in ground-color and in the -shades of their markings. - - -Anthus pratensis, BECHST. - -EUROPEAN PIPIT. - - _Alauda pratensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 1766, 287. _Anthus pratensis_, - BECHST. Deutsch. Vögel, III, 1807, 732.—KEYS. & BLAS. Wirb. - Europas, 1840, 172.—ZANDER, Cab. Jour. I, extraheft, 1853, - 60.—PAULSEN, ed. HÖLBOLL, Faun. Grönlands, 1846, 24.—REINHARDT, - Ibis, 1861, 6.—NEWTON, Baring-Gould’s Iceland, 1863.—BAIRD, Rev. - Am. B. 1864, 155. - Figures: GOULD’S Birds Europe, pl. cxxxvi. - -HAB. Europe generally; common in Lapland; accidental in Greenland; St. -Michael’s, Norton Sound. - -This species in general form resembles the _A. ludovicianus_, the -fifth primary in both being abruptly and considerably shorter than the -outer four; the bill and legs quite similar. The average size appears -much the same. The upper parts are, however (especially the head and -back), more distinctly streaked with dusky; the edge and inside of -wing greenish-yellow, not white, and the upper plumage and outer edges -of the quills decidedly olive-green. The shafts of the middle -tail-feathers above are whitish, not dark brown; the under parts -greenish-white, conspicuously streaked with dark brown. The bill is -dusky, the base and edges paler; the legs dusky flesh-color, not dark -brown. - -The occurrence of this species in Greenland was noticed in the Review; -and since the publication of that work a specimen has been obtained at -St. Michael’s, in Alaska, by Mr. W. H. Dall, and is now in the -Smithsonian collection. The specimen in question appears to be the -true _pratensis_. - -HABITS. This European species claims a place in the North American -fauna on the ground of a single specimen having been found in -Greenland, in 1845, and one at St. Michael’s, Norton Sound. In the Old -World it is the counterpart of our _ludovicianus_, which, in all -respects, it closely resembles. It is the most common and the best -known of European Titlarks. In Great Britain, where it is found -throughout the year, it appears to prefer the uncultivated districts, -inhabiting commons and waste lands, and in the more northern parts -frequenting the moors. It is also found in meadows and marsh lands, in -winter seeking more sheltered places. It is rarely seen to alight on a -branch or to sit on a rail. Its song is soft and musical, and is -usually uttered when on the wing or when vibrating over its nest. It -seeks its food altogether on the ground, running nimbly in pursuit of -insects, slugs, and worms. According to Yarrell its nest is built on -the ground, generally among the grass. It is composed externally of -dried sedges, lined with finer materials and some hair. The eggs are -six in number, of a reddish-brown color, mottled over with darker -shades of the same, and measure .80 by .60 of an inch. - -According to the observations of English naturalists, this bird -resorts to various ingenious devices to conceal its nest, or to draw -aside attention from it, such as feigning lameness when it is -approached, and concealing it by artificial covering when it has been -once discovered. - -The Meadow Pipit is common during the summer months in Denmark, -Sweden, and Norway, visiting also the Faroe Islands and Iceland. It -inhabits the whole continent of Europe as far south as Spain, Italy, -and Sicily. It has also been found in Northern Africa, and, according -to Gould, in Western Asia. Temminck also states it to be among the -birds of Japan. - -According to Degland these larks, after the breeding-season, unite in -small flocks, probably families, and frequent low and damp localities. -In summer they are more often found on high and dry mountain plains. -Their flesh is said to be delicious. - - -GENUS NEOCORYS, SCLATER. - - _Neocorys_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. Lond. 1857, 5. (Type, _Alauda - spraguei_, AUD.) - -CHAR. Bill half as long as the head; the culmen concave at the base, -slightly decurved at the tip. Rictus without bristles. Legs stout; -tarsi distinctly scutellate, longer than the middle toe. Hind toe very -long, equal to the tarsus, much longer than the middle toe; its claw -but slightly curved, and about half the total length. Inner lateral -toe rather longer than outer. Wings much longer than tail; first quill -longest. Tertials considerably longer than secondaries. Tail rather -short, emarginate. - -But one species of this genus is known, it being peculiar to the -Western plains. - - -Neocorys spraguei, SCLAT. - -MISSOURI SKYLARK; SPRAGUE’S PIPIT - - _Alauda spraguei_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 335, pl. cccclxxxvi. - _Agrodoma spraguei_, BAIRD, Stansbury’s Rep. 1852, 329. _Neocorys - spraguei_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 5.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 234.—BLAKISTON, Ibis, 1862, 4 (Saskatchewan).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 80. _Anthus (Neocorys) spraguei_, BAIRD, Rev. 155. - -SP. CHAR. Above wood-brown, all the feathers edged with paler, -especially on the neck, where there is a brownish-yellow tinge. The -under parts are dull white, with a collar of sharply defined narrow -brown streaks across the forepart and along the sides of the breast. -Lores and a superciliary line whitish. Tail-feathers, except the -middle ones, dark brown; the outer one white, the second white, with -the inner margin brown. The outer primary is edged with white, and -there are two dull whitish bands across the wings. Bill and feet -yellow, the former brown above. Length (female), 5.75; wing, 3.35; -tail, 2.50. - -HAB. Plains of Yellowstone and Upper Missouri to Saskatchewan; -Nebraska. - - [Line drawing: _Neocorys spraguei._ - 16766] - -This little-known species has the general appearance of a Titlark, but -is readily distinguished from _Anthus ludovicianus_ by the purer white -of its under parts, the much darker centres and much paler margins to -the feathers above, the entirely white external tail-feather, and the -yellow legs and bill, as well as by its generic peculiarities. In its -song and general habits it approaches nearer the European Skylark than -any bird belonging to our fauna. - -HABITS. This interesting species was first described by Audubon, in -the supplementary portion of his Birds of America. It was obtained by -the party which accompanied him to the Upper Missouri in 1843. It was -first met with on the 19th of June near Fort Union, in Dacotah -Territory. It has since been found on the fork of the Saskatchewan, -but little additional information respecting its habits has been -obtained since its first discovery. - - [Illustration: _Neocorys spraguei._] - -It seems to more nearly approach, in its habits, the European Skylark -than any other of our North American birds. Mr. Edward Harris was -completely misled, at first, by the sound of their song, so that on -several occasions he sought for them on the ground. Their voices -appeared to come to him from the earth’s surface. After having -travelled in quest of them, to no purpose, to many distant parts of -the prairies, he at last discovered that these sounds proceeded from -several of these birds soaring at so great an elevation as to make -them difficult to discover by the eye, even in the transparent -atmosphere of that country. - -They are described as running gracefully on the ground, at times -squatting to observe the movements of the intruders, and again -elevating their bodies as if to meet their approach. Rising from the -ground, they fly in an undulating manner, so that it is extremely -difficult to shoot them on the wing. They continue thus to fly in -increasing circles until about a hundred yards high, when they begin -to sing. After a while, suddenly closing their wings, they drop to the -ground. They could be easily approached in a light wagon, and in this -manner several specimens were obtained. - -Captain Blakiston (Ibis, V. 61) found this Skylark common on the -prairies of the Saskatchewan during the breeding-season. He first met -with it on the 6th of May, near Fort Carlton. When disturbed from the -grass, its usual haunt, it utters a single chirp, and immediately -mounts in the air by a circuitous course, with a very undulating -flight, to a great height, where with outstretched wings it soars in a -peculiar manner, and utters a very striking song. This is described as -consisting of a quick succession of notes, in a descending scale, each -note being lower than the preceding. The bird then descends to the -ground with great rapidity, almost like a stone, and somewhat in the -manner of a hawk swooping on its prey. It was difficult of approach, -and not easily killed. He also observed these birds in Northern -Minnesota, May 4, 1859. - -A nest of this bird was built on the ground and placed in a hollow. It -was made of fine grasses interwoven into a circular form, but without -any lining. The eggs were four or five in number, an oblong oval in -shape, much pointed at one end, and measuring .87 of an inch in length -by .63 in breadth. Their ground-color was a dull white, so minutely -dotted with a grayish-purple as to give the whole egg a homogeneous -appearance, as of that uniform color. - -The young larks, soon after being hatched, followed their parents on -the ground, and were fed with seeds of the smaller plants and with -insects. They had already begun to associate in small flocks of from -eight to a dozen before the party left, and on the 16th of August had -commenced their southern migrations. - - - - -FAMILY SYLVICOLIDÆ.—THE WARBLERS. - - -The _Sylvicolidæ_ are essentially characterized among the Oscines with -nine primaries, by their small size, the usually slender and conical -insectivorous bill, shorter than the head, without angle in the gape -near the base; the toes deeply cleft so as to leave the inner one free -almost to its very base (except in _Mniotiltæ_), etc. The shallow -notch at the end of the tongue, instead of a deeply fissured tip, -distinguishes the family from the _Cærebidæ_, to some of which there -is otherwise so great a resemblance. The absence of abrupt hook and -notch in both mandibles separates it from such of the _Vireonidæ_ as -have nine primaries. - -The American _Motacillidæ_ are distinguished from the _Sylvicolidæ_ by -the emargination of the outer and the great elongation of the inner -secondaries, as well as by other features referred to under that -family. _Anthus_, in particular, differs in the lengthened and -slightly curved hind claw. There is little difficulty in distinguishing -the _Sylvicolidæ_, however, from any families excepting the -slender-billed forms of the _Tanagridæ_, as _Chlorospingus_, -_Nemosia_, _Chlorochrysa_, etc., and the conirostral _Cœrebidæ_. In -fact, some ornithologists are inclined to include all three of the -families thus mentioned in one, from the difficulty of marking their -boundaries respectively. - -In fact, we are of the opinion that no violence would be done by -adopting this view, and would even include with the above-mentioned -families the _Fringillidæ_ also. The order of their relation to one -another would be thus: _Fringillidæ, Tanagridæ, Sylvicolidæ, -Cœrebidæ_; there being scarcely any break in the transition between -the two extremes, unless there are many genera referred to the wrong -family, as seems very likely to be the case with many included in the -_Tanagridæ_. The _fringilline_ forms of the latter family are such -genera as _Buarremon_ and _Arremon_, they being so closely related to -some _fringilline_ genera by so many features—as rounded concave -wing, lax plumage, and spizine coloration—as to be scarcely -separable. Either these two families are connected so perfectly by -intermediate forms as to be inseparable, or the term _Tanagridæ_ -covers too great a diversity of forms. With the same regularity that -we proceed from the _Fringillidæ_ to the typical forms of the -_Tanagridæ_ (_Pyranga_, _Tanagra_, _Calliste_, etc.), we pass down the -scale from these to the _Sylvicolidæ_; while between many genera of -the latter family, and others referred to the _Cærebidæ_, no -difference in external anatomy can be discovered, much less expressed -in a description. - -In the following synopsis we attempt to define the higher groups of -the _Sylvicolidæ_, although in the large number of species and their -close relationships it is very difficult to express clearly their -distinctive features. - - -Subfamilies. - -A. Bill conical, its bristles very weak, or wanting. - - _a._ Bill sub-conical, the culmen and commissure nearly - straight. - - Sylvicolinæ. Feet weak, not reaching near the end of the - tail. Wing pointed, considerably longer than the nearly even - or slightly emarginated tail. Feet dark-colored (except in - _Helmitherus_, _Helinaia_, and _Parula_). _Arboreal._ - - Geothlypinæ. Feet strong, reaching nearly to end of the - tail. Wing rounded. Feet pinkish-white. _Terrestrial._ - - _b._ Bill high and compressed, the culmen and commissure much - curved. - - Icterianæ. Bill without notch or rictal bristles; wing much - rounded, shorter than the tail. - -B. Bill depressed, its bristles strong. - - Setophaginæ. Bill, _tyrannine_, considerably broader than - high, the tip more or less hooked, and with a distinct notch. - Rictal bristles reaching half-way, or more, to the tip. - - -Sections and Genera. - -SYLVICOLINÆ. - -1. Middle toe, with claw, longer than tarsus. - - Mniotilteæ. Bill much compressed for terminal half, the - lateral outline decidedly concave; culmen and gonys decidedly - convex; commissure moderately concave. Rictal bristles very - inconspicuous; notch just perceptible … _Mniotilta._ - -2. Middle toe, with claw, not longer than tarsus. - - Vermivoreæ. Bill without a distinct notch, or lacking it - entirely; rictal bristles wanting, or very minute; culmen and - gonys nearly straight; bill only very moderately compressed. - - _a._ Middle toe and claw about equal to tarsus. - - Bill not acute; culmen and gonys decidedly convex; notch - just perceptible; bristles apparent … _Protonotaria._ - - Bill moderately acute, robust; no notch; culmen straight, - its base elevated and slightly arched; bristles not - apparent … _Helinaia._ - - Bill moderately acute; robust; no notch; culmen convex, its - base not elevated; bristles apparent … _Helmitherus._ - - _b._ Middle toe and claw considerably shorter than tarsus. - - Bill very acute, its outlines nearly straight; notch not - perceptible; bristles not apparent … _Helminthophaga._ - - Bill very acute, its outlines nearly straight; notch just - perceptible; bristles strong … _Parula._ - - Sylvicoleæ. Bill distinctly notched; rictal bristles strong; - outlines generally slightly curved. - - Bill acute, gonys slightly concave … _Perissoglossa._ - - Bill not acute, gonys convex … _Dendroica._ - -GEOTHLYPINÆ. - -3. Wings pointed, longer than the nearly even tail. - - Seiureæ. - - Above olive-brown; beneath white with dark streaks … _Seiurus._ - - Above olive-green; beneath yellow without streaks … - _Oporornis._ - -4. Wings rounded, shorter than the graduated tail. - - Geothlypeæ. - - Above olive-green; beneath yellow, without streaks … - _Geothlypis._ - -ICTERIANÆ. - -5. Bill very deep and compressed; tail graduated; outer toe -deeply cleft. - - Icterieæ. - - Olive-green above; bright yellow anteriorly beneath. Upper - mandible deeper than the lower … _Icteria._ - - Plumbeous-blue above; red, black, and white beneath. Upper - mandible not so deep as the lower … _Granatellus._ - -6. Bill slender, sub-conical, but curved; tail nearly even; outer -toe adherent for basal half. - - Teretristeæ. - - Above olive-gray; beneath whitish posteriorly, and yellow - anteriorly … _Teretristis._ - -SETOPHAGINÆ. - -7. Bill _tyrannine_. Tail broad, equal to or longer than the -wing, and much rounded. - - Setophageæ. Colors mainly black, red, and white. - - Tail not longer than the wing. Above black, wing variegated … - _Setophaga._ - - Tail longer than the wing. Above plumbeous, wing - unvariegated … _Myioborus._ - -8. Bill _sylvicoline_. Tail narrow, almost even; shorter than the -wing. - - Myiodiocteæ. Colors yellow beneath, olive-green or ashy - above. - - Black markings about the head in the ♂ … _Myiodioctes._ - -9. Bill somewhat _parine_. Tail equal to the wing, almost even. - - Cardellineæ. Colors mainly red, or red, ashy, and white. - - Bill weak, almost cylindrical; wings rounded, the quills - broad and soft at ends. Tail slightly rounded, the feathers - soft. Colors mainly red … _Ergaticus._ - - Bill stout, the culmen and gonys very convex; wings - pointed, the quills emarginated and hard at ends. Tail - even, the feathers hard. Color ashy above; rump and beneath - white. Head red and black … _Cardellina._ - -Of the above, _Granatellus_, _Myioborus_, _Ergaticus_, and -_Cardellina_ belong to Central and South America, _Teretristis_ to -Cuba. - - -SUBFAMILY SYLVICOLINÆ. - - -SECTION MNIOTILTEÆ. - -CHAR. Bill slightly notched some distance from the tip. Rictal -bristles minute. Hind toe considerably developed, longer than the -lateral toe; its claw decidedly longer than its digit. First quill -nearly or quite as long as the second. Wings long, pointed; much -longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Tail-feathers with white -spots. Bill much compressed for terminal half, the commissure and -lateral outlines decidedly concave; the culmen and gonys convex. - - -GENUS MNIOTILTA, VIEILLOT. - - _Mniotilta_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816, 45. (Type, _Motacilla varia_, - L.) - -GEN. CHAR. General form sylvicoline; bill rather long, compressed, -shorter than the head, with very short rictal bristles and a shallow -notch. Wings considerably longer than the tail, which is slightly -rounded; first quill shorter than second and third. Tarsi rather -short; toes long, middle one equal to the tarsus; hind toe nearly as -long, the claw considerably shorter than its digit. Color white, -streaked with black. Nest on ground; eggs white, blotched with red. - -This genus differs from other Sylvicolines in the elongation of the -toes, especially the hinder one, by means of which the species is -enabled to move up and down the trunks of trees, like the true -Creepers. But one species is recognized as North American, although -Nuttall describes a second. - - -Mniotilta varia, VIEILL. - -BLACK AND WHITE CREEPING WARBLER. - - _Motacilla varia_, LINN. S. N. I, 1766, 333. _Certhia varia_, - VIEILLOT; AUDUBON. _Mniotilta varia_, VIEILLOT, Gal. Ois. I, 1834, - 276, pl. clxix.—AUDUBON.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 235; Rev. - 167.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298 (Oaxaca, Xalapa); 1859, 363 - (Xalapa); 1855, 143 (Bogota); 1856, 291 (Cordova); 1864, 172 (City - of Mex.)—IB. Catal. 1861, 25, no. 162.—SCL. & SALV. Ibis, 1859, - 10 (Guatemala).—NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 143 (Santa Cruz; - winter).—CAB. Jour. III, 475 (Cuba; winter).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. - Soc. 1859 (Bahamas; April 20).—GOSSE, Birds Jam. 134 (Jamaica; - winter).—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 29 (October).—CAB. Jour. - 1860, 328 (Costa Rica).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N.Y. Lyc. 1861, 322 - (Panama R. R.; winter).—GUNDL. Cab. Journ. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very - common). _Certhia maculata_, WILS. _Mniotilta borealis_, NUTT. - _Mniotilta varia_, var. _longirostris_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - xxxi, no. 167.—IB. Catal. in 8vo, 1869, no. 167. - Figures: AUD. Orn. Biog. V, pl. xc; Birds Am. II, pl. cxiv.—WILSON, - Am. Orn. III, pl. xix. - - [Line drawing: _Mniotilta varia_, Vieill.] - -SP. CHAR. Bill with the upper mandible considerably decurved, the -lower straight. General color of the male black, the feathers broadly -edged with white; the head all round black, with a median stripe in -the crown and neck above, a superciliary and a maxillary one of white. -Middle of belly, two conspicuous bands on the wings, outer edges of -tertials and inner of all the wing and tail feathers, and a spot on -the inner webs of the outer two tail-feathers, white. Rump and upper -tail-coverts black, edged externally with white. Female similar; the -under parts white, obsoletely streaked with black on the sides and -under tail-coverts. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America, and north to Fort Simpson. -Both coasts of Mexico (as far north as Mazatlan, on west side), and -southward to Bogota. Whole of West Indies and Bermuda. - -_Localities quoted._ Bahamas; Bermuda; Cuba; Jamaica; Santa Cruz; West -Indies; Cordova, Xalapa, Oaxaca, Mex.; Guatemala; Panama R.R.; Bogota. - -Specimens breeding in the Southern States differ in rather longer bill -and less amount of black, but are otherwise undistinguishable. - - [Illustration: _Mniotilta varia._ - 18685] - -HABITS. The Black and White Creeper, nowhere an abundant species, is -met with in various sections of the country. It occurs in all parts of -New England and New York, and has been found in the interior as far -north as Fort Simpson. It has been met with on the Pacific coast only -at Mazatlan, is common in the Bahamas and most of the West India -Islands, generally as a migrant. It has also been found in Texas, in -the Indian Territory, and in Mexico, and throughout Central America. -In the last-named region Mr. Salvin states it to be pretty equally and -generally spread over the whole country. It is there migratory, -leaving in spring. It was also detected in Colombia, South America, by -Mr. C. W. Wyatt. Mr. Newton also met with it as a winter visitant in -St. Croix, leaving that island at the end of March. He regards this -species as almost a thorough Creeper in habits. In Jamaica a few are -resident throughout the year, according to the observations of Mr. -March, and though its nests have never been found there, a son of Mr. -March saw a pair carrying materials with which to construct one. - -Dr. Coues states that this Warbler is a very common summer resident -near Washington, but is more abundant there in the spring and in the -fall, the greater number going farther north to breed. They arrive in -Washington during the first week in April, and are exceedingly -numerous until May. He adds that they are generally found in high open -woods, and that they “breed in holes in trees.” This is probably an -error, or, if ever known to occur, an entirely exceptional case. - -Our bird is also a common summer visitant at Calais, arriving there -about the 1st of May, and by the 10th becoming rather abundant. Mr. -Boardman has frequently found their nests there, and always on the -ground, in rocky places and usually under small trees. - -It does not appear to have been met with on the Pacific coast north of -Mazatlan, nor in any portion of Western North America, beyond the -valleys of the Mississippi and the Rio Grande. - -In its habits this bird seems to be more of a Creeper than a Warbler. -It is an expert and nimble climber, and rarely, if ever, perches on -the branch of a tree or shrub. In the manner of the smaller -Woodpeckers, the Creepers, Nuthatches, and Titmice, it moves rapidly -around the trunks and larger limbs of the trees of the forest in -search of small insects and their larvæ. It is graceful and rapid in -movement, and is often so intent upon its hunt as to be unmindful of -the near presence of man. - -It is found chiefly in thickets, but this is probably owing to the -fact that there its food is principally to be obtained. It is -occasionally seen in more open country, and has been known to breed in -the immediate vicinity of a dwelling. - -Wilson regarded this bird as a true Creeper, and objected to its being -classed as a Warbler. He even denied to it the possession of any song. -In this he was quite mistaken. Though never loud, prolonged, or -powerful, the song of this Warbler is very sweet and pleasing. It -begins to sing from its first appearance in May, and continues to -repeat its brief refrain at intervals almost until its departure in -August and September. Nuttall speaks of it as being at first a -monotonous ditty, and as uttered in a strong but shrill and filing -tone. These notes, he adds, as the season advances, become more mellow -and warbling, and, though feeble, are pleasing, and are similar to -those of the Redstart. But this statement does not do full justice to -the varied and agreeable notes with which, in early spring, these -birds accompany their lively hunt for food among the tops of the -forest trees. They are diversified and sweet, and seem suggestive of a -genial and happy nature. - -These birds make their appearance in New England early in May, and -remain there, among the thick woods, until the middle of October, and -in the Southern States until the verge of winter. - -Their movements in search of food are like those of the Titmice, -keeping the feet together and moving in a succession of short rapid -hops up the trunks of trees and along the limbs, passing again to the -bottom by longer flights than in the ascent. They make but short -flights from tree to tree, but are apparently not incapable of more -prolonged ones. - -So far as I know, these birds always build their nests on the ground. -Mr. Nuttall found one in Roxbury containing young about a week old. -The nest was on the ground, on the surface of a shelving rock, made of -coarse strips of the inner bark of the _Abies canadensis_ externally, -and internally of soft decayed leaves and dry grasses, and lined with -a thin layer of black hair. The parents fed their young in his -presence with affectionate attention, and manifested no uneasiness, -creeping, head downward, about the trunks of the neighboring trees, -carrying large smooth caterpillars to their young. The nests of this -bird are strongly and compactly built, externally of coarse strips of -various kinds of bark, and lined within with hair and fine stems of -grasses. In several instances I have known them to be roofed over at -the top, in the manner of the Golden-crowned Thrush. They measure -about three inches in their external diameter, and are equally deep. - -The nests appear to be a favorite receptacle for the parasitic eggs of -the Cow-Bunting. Mr. Robert Ridgway obtained a nest at Mt. Carmel, -Ill., in which were four eggs of the _Molothrus_ and only two of the -parent birds; and Mr. T. M. Trippe, of Orange, N.Y., also found a nest -of this Creeper in which were but three of its own and five of the -parasite. - -The eggs vary in shape from a rounded to an oblong oval, and in size -from .69 to .75 of an inch in length, and from .51 to .53 of an inch -in breadth. Their ground-color is a creamy-white, to which the deep -red markings impart an apparently pinkish tinge. They are marked more -or less profusely with bright red dots, points, and blotches. These -vary in number and in distribution. In some they are very fine, and -are chiefly confined to the larger end. In others they are larger, -more diffused, and occasionally there are intermingled marks and -blotches of slate-color. The effect of these variations is, at times, -to give the appearance of greater differences to these eggs than -really exists, the ground-color and the shade of the red markings -really presenting but little modifications. - -The color of the young nestlings is closely assimilated to that of the -objects that usually surround the nest, and helps to conceal them. Mr. -Burroughs once came accidentally upon a nest with young of this -species. He says: “A Black and White Creeping Warbler suddenly became -much alarmed as I approached a crumbling old stump in a dense part of -the forest. He alighted upon it, chirped sharply, ran up and down its -sides, and finally left it with much reluctance. The nest, which -contained three young birds nearly fledged, was placed upon the ground -at the foot of the stump, and in such a position that the color of the -young harmonized perfectly with the bits of bark, sticks, etc., lying -about. My eye rested upon them for the second time before I made them -out. They hugged the nest very closely, but as I put down my hand they -all scampered off with loud cries for help, which caused the parent -birds to place themselves almost within my reach.” - - -SECTION VERMIVOREÆ. - - -GENUS PROTONOTARIA, BAIRD. - - _Protonotaria_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 239. (Type, _Motacilla - citrea_, BODD.) - - [Line drawing: _Protonotaria citrea_, Baird.] - -GEN. CHAR. Characterized by its long, distinctly notched bill, and -long wings, which are an inch longer than the slightly graduated tail -(the lateral feathers about .12 of an inch shorter). The under -tail-coverts are very long, reaching within half an inch of the tip of -the tail. The tarsi and hind toe are proportionally longer than in the -true Warblers. The notch and great size of the bill distinguish it -from the Swamp Warblers. Nest in holes; eggs much blotched with -reddish. - -The only North American species belonging to the group appears to be -the old _Sylvia protonotaria_ of Gmelin. - - -Protonotaria citrea, BAIRD. - -PROTHONOTARY WARBLER; GOLDEN SWAMP WARBLER. - - _Motacilla citrea_, BODD. Tabl. 1783 (Pl. enl. 704, fig. 2). - _Protonotaria citrea_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 239; Rev. - 173.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 26, no. 166.—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, - 324 (Cuba; very rare). _Helminthophaga citrea_, Cab. Jour. 1861, - 85 (Costa Rica). _Motacilla protonotarius_, GM. _Sylvia prot._ - LATH.—VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lxxxiii.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - III, pl. xxiv. fig. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. iii. _Vermivora - prot._ BON. _Helinaia prot._ AUD. _Helmitherus prot._ BON. - _Compsothlypis prot._ CAB. Jour. _Motacilla auricollis_, GMEL. I, - 1788, 984. _Sylvia aur._ LATH., etc. (based on _Le Grand Figuier - du Canada_, BRISSON, Ois. III, 1760, 508, pl. xxvi, fig. 1). - Female. _Sylvicola aur._ NUTT. Man. I, 1840, 431. - -SP. CHAR. Bill very large; as long as the head. Head and neck all -round, with the entire under parts, including the tibiæ, rich yellow, -excepting the anal region and under tail-coverts, which are white. -Back dark olive-green, with a tinge of yellow; rump, upper -tail-coverts, wings, and tail above, bluish ash-color. Inner margin of -quills and the tail-feathers (except the innermost) white; the outer -webs and tips like the back. Length, 5.40; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States (Southern region); Cuba, Costa -Rica, and Panama R.R. Not recorded from Mexico or Guatemala. -Accidental in New Brunswick (G. A. BOARDMAN in letter). Yucatan -(LAWRENCE). - -This is one of the very handsomest of American Warblers, the yellow of -the head and lower parts being of a pureness and mellowness scarcely -approached by any other species. In a highly colored male from -Southern Illinois (No. 10,111, Mississippi Bottom, Union Co., April -23; R. Kennicott) it is stained in spots, particularly over the eyes -and on the neck, with a beautiful cadmium-orange. - - [Illustration: _Protonotaria citrea._ - 7516] - -HABITS. In regard to the habits of this beautiful and interesting -Warbler we receive but little light from the observations of older -ornithological writers. Its geographical distribution is somewhat -erratic and irregular. It does not appear to be distributed over a -very wide range. It occurs as a migrant in the West Indies and in -Central America. In the United States it is found in the Southern -region, but farther west the range widens, and in the Mississippi -Valley it is found as far north as Kansas, Southern and Central -Illinois, and Missouri. Accidental specimens have been obtained as far -to the northeast as Calais, though unknown to all the Eastern States -as far south as Southern Virginia. It was met with by none of the -government parties except by Dr. Woodhouse, who found it abundant in -Texas. - -Mr. Audubon observed them, near Louisville, Kentucky, frequenting -creeks and lagoons overshadowed by large trees. These were their -favorite places of resort. They also preferred the borders of sheets -of water to the interior of the forest. They return in spring to the -Southern States early in March, but to Kentucky not before the last of -April. They leave in October, and raise but a single brood in a -season. Audubon describes their nest, but it differs so essentially -from their known mode of breeding, that he was evidently in error in -regard to his supposed identification of the nest of this species. - -Dr. Bachman, who often met them on the borders of small streams near -Charleston, was confident that they breed in that State, and noticed a -pair with four young birds as early as June 1, in 1836. - -Recently more light has been thrown upon their habits by Mr. B. F. -Goss, who, in May, 1863, found them breeding near Neosho Falls, in -Kansas. The nest was built within a Woodpecker’s hole in the stump of -a tree, not more than three feet high. The nest was not rounded in -shape, but made to conform to the irregular cavity in which it was -built. It was of oblong shape, and its cavity was deepest, not in the -centre, but at one end, upon a closely impacted base made up of -fragments of dried leaves, broken bits of grasses, stems, mosses, and -lichens, decayed wood, and other material, the upper portion -consisting of an interweaving of fine roots of wooded plants, varying -in size, but all strong, wiry, and slender. It was lined with hair. - -Other nests since discovered are of more uniform forms, circular in -shape, and of coarser materials, and all are built with unusual -strength and care for a nest occupying a sheltered cavity. - -In one instance their nest was built in a brace-hole within a mill, -where the birds could be closely watched as they carried in the -materials, and the parent was afterward taken by hand by Mr. Goss from -its nest. It was quite tame, and approached within two yards of him. - -Since then Mr. Ridgway has obtained a nest at Mt. Carmel, Ill. It was -built in a hollow snag, about five feet from the ground, in the river -bottom. So far from being noisy and vociferous, as its name would seem -to imply, Mr. Ridgway describes it as one of the shyest and most -silent of all the Warblers. - -The eggs of this Warbler have an average breadth of .55 of an inch and -a length varying from .65 to .70 of an inch. They are of a -rounded-oval form, one end being but slightly less rounded than the -other. Their ground-color is a yellowish or creamy white, more or less -profusely marked over their entire surface with lilac, purple, and a -dark purplish-brown. - -Mr. Ridgway states that it is always an abundant summer bird in the -Wabash bottoms, where it inhabits principally bushy swamps and the -willows around the borders of stagnant lagoons or “ponds” near the -river, and in such localities, in company with the White-bellied -Swallow (_Hirundo bicolor_), takes possession of the holes of the -Downy Woodpecker (_Picus pubescens_) and Chickadee (_Parus -carolinensis_), in which to build its nest. - -Mr. Ridgway adds that in its movements this Warbler is slow and -deliberate, like the _Helmitherus vermivorus_, strikingly different in -this respect from the sprightly, active _Dendroecæ_. Its common note -is a sharp _piph_, remarkably like the winter note of the _Zonotrichia -albicollis_. - -It has been taken as far north as Rock Island, Ill., and Dr. Coues -mentions the occurrence of one individual near Washington, D. C., seen -in a swampy brier-patch, May 2, 1861. This was perhaps only an -accidental visitor. If regularly found there, it is probably -exceedingly rare. It has not been met with between Washington and St. -Stephens, New Brunswick, where its occurrence was unquestionably -purely accidental. - - -GENUS HELMITHERUS, RAF. - - _Helmitherus_, RAFINESQUE, Journal de Physique, LXXXVIII, 1819, 417. - (Type, _Motacilla vermivora_.) - _Vermivora_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. IV. 1827, 170 (not of MEYER, - 1822). - _Helinaia_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 66. (Type, _Sylvia swainsoni_, AUD.) - - [Line drawing: _Helmitherus vermivorus_, Bonap.] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill large and stout, compressed, almost tanagrine; nearly -or quite as long as the head. Culmen very slightly curved; gonys -straight; no notch in the bill; rictal bristles wanting. Tarsi short, -but little longer, if any, than the middle toe. Tail considerably -shorter than the wings; rather rounded. Wings rather long, the first -quill a little shorter than the second and third. - - [Illustration: _Helmitherus vermivorus._ - 2148] - -The birds of this division are very plain in their colors, more so -than any other American Warblers. There are but two species referable -to the genus, of which the _H. swainsoni_ differs from the type in -having a considerably longer and more compressed bill, the ridge of -which is compressed, elevated, and appears to extend backwards on the -forehead, as well as to be in a straight line with the upper part of -the head. The wings are longer; the tail forked; not rounded; the -feathers narrower and more pointed; the tarsi shorter than in the -type. It appears to be at least a distinct subgenus to which the name -_Helinaia_, AUD., is to be applied. - - -Species. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Colors plain. Above olivaceous, beneath nearly -white. No spots or bands on wing or tail. - - H. vermivorus. Above olive-green. Head yellowish, with a - black stripe above and one behind each eye. Tail rounded. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States; south to Costa Rica; - Cuba. (_Helmitherus._) - - H. swainsoni. Above dull olive-green, tinged with brown. - Stripes on the head somewhat as in the last, but reddish-brown; - the median light stripe on the crown scarcely visible. Tail - slightly forked. _Hab._ South Carolina and Georgia; Cuba (very - rare). (_Helinaia._) - - -Helmitherus vermivorus, BONAP. - -WORM-EATING SWAMP WARBLER. - - _Motacilla vermivora_, GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 951. ? _Sylvia - vermivora_, LATH. Ind. Orn. II, 1790, 499.—WILS. III, pl. xxiv, - fig. 4.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. xxxiv. _Sylvicola vermivora_, - RICH. _Helinaia vermivora_, AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. cv.—LEMBEYE, - Av. Cuba, 1850, 35, pl. vi, fig. 4. _Helmitherus vermivorus_, - BON.; CAB.; BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 252; Rev. 179.—SCLATER, P. - Z. S. 1859, 363 (Xalapa).—IB. Catal. 1861, 28, no. 175.—SCLATER - & SALVIN, Ibis, I, 1859, 11 (Guatemala); Cab. Jour. 1860, 329 - (Costa Rica); IB. 1856 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba; somewhat rare). _Vermivora pennsylvanica_, BON., GOSSE, B. - Jamaica, 1847, 150. _Helmitherus migratorius_, RAF. J. de Phys. - 88, 1819, 417.—HARTLAUB; _Vermivora fulvicapilla_, SWAINSON, - Birds, II, 1837, 245. - -SP. CHAR. Bill nearly as long as the head; upper parts generally -rather clear olive-green. Head with four black stripes and three -brownish-yellow ones, namely, a black one on each side of the crown -and one from behind the eye (extending, in fact, a little anterior to -it), a broader median yellow one on the crown, and a superciliary from -the bill. Under parts pale brownish-yellow; tinged with buff across -the breast and with olivaceous on the sides. Tail unspotted. Female -nearly similar. Length, 5.50; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.35. - -In autumnal specimens the light stripes on the head are deeper buff -than in spring. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States (rather Southern); Southeastern -Mexico; Guatemala; Cuba; Costa Rica; Veragua; Orizaba (winter, -SUMICHRAST); Yucatan (LAWRENCE). - -HABITS. Much remains to be ascertained in regard to the history, -habits, and distribution of this interesting species. So far as is now -known it is hardly anywhere very common during the breeding-season. -Yet its abundance and wide distribution as a migrant during the winter -months in various extended localities appear to warrant the belief -that it must be correspondingly abundant in summer in localities that -have escaped our attention. It has been occasionally met with in the -Central and Southern States, as far west as Eastern Mexico, and as far -to the north as Southeastern New York. Specimens have been procured -from Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and the northern portions of South -America. It is a regular winter visitant of Jamaica, whither it goes -in the autumn in considerable numbers, and is very widely diffused. - -It reaches Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and leaves in -September. Wilson noticed a pair feeding their young about the 25th of -June. He supposed this bird to have a more northern distribution than -belongs to it. In the interior they are met with, according to -Audubon, as far north as the southern shores of Lake Erie, where he -found them in the autumn. Mr. Audubon found them more numerous in New -Jersey than anywhere else. In Ohio and Kentucky they are comparatively -rare. Mr. Ridgway informs me that this is a rather common species in -Southern Illinois in the thickest damp woods in the bottom-lands along -the Wabash River. - -According to Wilson, these birds are among the nimblest of its family, -and are remarkably fond of spiders, darting about wherever there is a -probability of finding these insects. Where branches are broken and -the leaves withered, it searches among them in preference, making a -great rustling as it hunts for its prey. Their stomachs are generally -found full of spiders and caterpillars. - -These birds are arboreal in their preferences, residing in the -interior of woods, and are seldom seen in the open fields. They resort -to the ground and turn over the dry leaves in quest of insects. They -are very unsuspicious and easy of approach. - -Nuttall describes their notes and their habits as resembling the -common _Parus atricapillus_, and remarks that they are constantly -uttering a complaining call, sounding like _tshe-dē-dē_. - -Until quite recently, nothing has been positively known in regard to -its nesting. Audubon has described its nest as made of dry mosses and -the fallen bloom of the hickory and the chestnut, and as built in -bushes several feet from the ground. He describes the eggs as -cream-colored, marked about the larger end with reddish-brown. These -descriptions have not been confirmed, and all our information has led -us to look for its nest on the ground. - -Mr. Trippe states that it is found, but is not at all common, near -Orange, N.Y., where it arrives about the middle of May. It has, at -that time, a rapid, chattering note, and it always, he says, keeps -near the ground, and, besides its chattering song, has in June a -series of odd notes, much like those of the White-breasted Nuthatch, -but more varied and musical, yet hardly entitled to be called a song. - -Mr. T. H. Jackson of Westchester, Penn., in the American Naturalist -for December, 1869, mentions finding the nest and eggs of this bird. -We give his account in his own words: “On the 6th of June, 1869, I -found a nest of this species containing five eggs. It was placed in a -hollow on the ground, much like the nests of the Oven-Bird (_Seiurus -aurocapillus_), and was hidden from sight by the dry leaves that lay -thickly around. The nest was composed externally of dead leaves, -mostly those of the beech, while the interior was prettily lined with -the fine, thread-like stalks of the hair-moss, (_Polytrichium_). -Altogether it was a very neat structure, and looked to me as though -the owner was habitually a ground nester. The eggs most nearly -resemble those of the White-bellied Nuthatch (_Sitta carolinensis_), -though the markings are fewer and less distinct. So close did the -female sit that I captured her without difficulty by placing my hat -over the nest.” - -The same observing ornithologist informs me that this Warbler arrives -in Pennsylvania early in May, and makes the most solitary part of the -woods its home, outside of which it is rarely seen. True to its name, -it is ever busy hunting out and devouring the worms that lurk among -the forest foliage, pursuing its avocation in silence, with the -exception of a faint note uttered occasionally. This species is not as -shy as many of our Warblers that frequent the woods. Towards the -latter part of May they commence constructing their nests. Mr. Jackson -adds that the nest above referred to was found on a thickly wooded -hillside, a few yards above a running stream. So neatly was it -embedded in the ground and covered with dry leaves, that discovery -would have been impossible had not the female betrayed its position. -Both birds exhibited the greatest alarm at his presence, but on his -retiring to a short distance the female returned to the nest, where -she was easily captured. The base and periphery of the nest were -composed of dry beech-leaves, while the inner lining was made of fine -hair-mosses (_Polytrichium_). - -In the latter part of June, 1871, Mr. Jackson found another nest of -this species, containing five young birds about half grown. He was -seated on a log, resting after a hard tramp, when a Worm-eating -Warbler alighted near him, having a large green worm in its beak. -After at first manifesting much uneasiness, and scolding as well as -she could, she suddenly became silent and flew to the ground. On his -going to the spot both parents flew from the nest. It was in all -respects, in regard to materials, manner of construction, and -situation, the exact counterpart of the other. Both were placed on -steep, wooded hillsides, facing the east. - -Two of the eggs of this Warbler thus identified by Mr. Jackson, and -kindly loaned to me by him, are of a somewhat rounded-oval shape, less -obtuse at one end. They have a clear, crystal-white ground, and are -spotted with minute dottings of a bright red-brown. These are much -more numerous in one than in the other, and in both are confluent at -the larger end, where they are beautifully intermingled with cloudings -of lilac-brown. These eggs measure, the one .78 by .60 of an inch; the -other, .70 by .56 of an inch. - -Another nest of this species, found by Mr. Joseph H. Batty of New -York, on the side of a hill near Montclair, N.J., was also built on -the ground, in a part of the woods where there was no underbrush, and -was placed in a slight hollow, with dry oak-leaves collected around -it, and partly covering it. The nest was made of dry leaves, and lined -with grasses and fine roots. It contained four eggs, alike in their -marking, and corresponding exactly with those obtained by Mr. Jackson. -Mr. Batty nearly stepped on the bird without her leaving the nest. - -Dr. Coues found the Worm-eating Warbler a rather uncommon summer -resident near Washington, breeding there but sparingly. It arrives -there during the first week in May, and remains until the third week -in September. He describes it as slow and sedate in its movements. - - -Helmitherus swainsoni, AUD. - -SWAINSON’S SWAMP WARBLER. - - _Sylvia swainsoni_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 563, pl. cxcviii. - _Sylvicola sw._ RICH. _Vermivora sw._ BON. _Helinaia sw._ AUD. - Birds Am. II, 1841, pl. civ (type of genus). _Helmitherus sw._ - BON.; CAB.; BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 252; Rev. 180. - -SP. CHAR. Bill as long as the head. Upper parts dull olive-green, -tinged with reddish-brown on the wings, and still more on the crown -and nape; a superciliary stripe and the under parts of the body are -white, tinged with yellow, but palest on the tail-coverts; the sides -pale olive-brown. There is an obscure indication of a median yellowish -stripe on the forehead. The lores are dusky. No spots nor bands on -wings or tail. Length, 5.60; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.20. - -HAB. Coast of South Carolina and Georgia; Cuba (very rare). - -A young bird (No. 32,241 Liberty Co., Georgia) is very similar to the -adult described, but differs in the following respects: the lower -parts have a decided soiled, sulphur-yellow tinge, while the brown of -the upper parts is much more reddish, there being no difference in -tint between the crown and back; also the superciliary stripe is more -sharply defined. - -HABITS. This species is comparatively rare, and, so far as is known, -has a very restricted distribution. It was first discovered by Rev. -Dr. Bachman, in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., near the banks of -the Edisto River. This was in the spring of 1832. He was first -attracted by the novelty of its notes, which were four or five in -number and repeated at intervals of a few minutes. These notes were -loud and clear, and more like a whistle than a song. They resembled -the sounds of some extraordinary ventriloquist,—so much so that he at -first supposed the bird to be much farther off than it really was. He -was so fortunate as to secure it. The shape of the bill he at once -noticed as being different from that of any other American bird then -known to him. In the course of that season he obtained two other -specimens. Toward the close of the same season he saw an old female, -accompanied by its four young. One of the latter, which he procured, -did not differ materially from the old birds. - -He met with them only in swampy and muddy places, and when opened, he -always found their stomachs filled with fragments of coleopterous -insects, as well as small green worms, such as are common on -water-plants. The habits of this species most resemble those of the -Prothonotary Warbler, as the latter skips among the low bushes growing -about ponds or in marshy places. It is seldom seen on high trees. -Nothing is known as to their nesting or eggs. - - -GENUS HELMINTHOPHAGA, CABAN. - - _Helminthophaga_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 20. (Type, _Sylvia - ruficapilla_, WILS.) - - [Line drawing: _Helminthophaga ruficapilla._ - 2238] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill elongated, conical, very acute; the outlines very -nearly straight, sometimes slightly decurved; no trace of notch at the -tip, nor of bristles on the rictus. Wings long and pointed; the first -quill nearly or quite the longest. Tail nearly even or slightly -emarginate; short and rather slender. Tarsi longer than the middle toe -and claw. - -The species of this section are well characterized by the attenuation -and acuteness of the bill, and the absence of any notch. There are, -however, considerable subordinate differences in the different -species. In some the bill is larger and more acute than others; in one -species, the _H. peregrina_, the wings are unusually lengthened, the -tail being only about seven twelfths as long. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Iris brown. Length about 5.00. Nest on the -ground, in grass or dead leaves. Eggs clear white, thickest at -end, with minute dots of brown of various shades and faint purple. - -A. Tail with a conspicuous patch of white. - - _a._ A black patch covering throat and breast. - - 1. chrysoptera. Above ash, beneath white. Forehead and a - patch on the wing yellow. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United - States, south to Bogota; Cuba. - - 2. bachmani. Above olive-green; beneath, with forehead, - yellow; crown ash, bounded anteriorly with a black bar. No - yellow on wing. _Hab._ South Carolina and Georgia. Cuba in - winter. - - _b._ No black on throat or breast. - - 3. pinus. Above olive-green; beneath, with forehead, yellow; - wings ash, with two white bands; lores black. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of United States, south into Guatemala. - -B. Tail without a conspicuous white patch. - - _c._ Crown with a concealed patch of rufous (obsolete in ♀). - - 4. ruficapilla. Above olive-green; head ashy; beneath - continuous yellow; a light orbital ring. _Hab._ North America - (very rare in Middle and Western Provinces); Greenland. South - to Southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Cordova, Orizaba). - - Yellow of throat spreading over cheeks, and staining lores - and eyelids. Atlantic States. (Carlisle, Penn., specimens.) … - var. _ruficapilla_. - - Yellow of throat confined within the maxillæ; lores and - eyelids clear white. Mississippi Valley. (Chicago - specimens.) … var. _ocularis_. - - Yellow of throat restricted to a medial stripe, leaving its - sides ashy. Middle Province. (Specimen from Fort Tejon, - Cal., and East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada.) … - var. _gutturalis_. - - 5. virginiæ. Above ash to the rump, beneath white. A patch - on the jugulum, with the upper and lower tail-coverts, - yellow. _Hab._ Rocky Mountains of United States, west to East - Humboldt Mountains. - - 6. luciæ. Above ash, beneath continuous white. Upper - tail-coverts chestnut. _Hab._ Colorado region of Middle - Province. - - 7. celata. Above continuous olive-green, below continuous - pale yellow. (Orange on crown in ♂ only?) … var. _celata_. - - Above ashy-olive, beneath yellowish olivaceous-white; inner - webs of tail-feathers broadly edged with white. (Middle - regions of North America; Mexico.) … var. _lutescens_. - - Above greenish-olive, beneath bright greenish-yellow; white - edges to inner webs of tail-feathers obsolete. (Pacific - Province of North America.) … var. _obscura_. - - Similar to var. _celata_, but plumage darker and more - dingy. No white edgings to tail-feathers, and apparently - _no rufous_ on the crown in either sex. (Georgia, Florida, - etc.) - - _d._ No rufous on crown. - - 8. peregrina. Above olive-green; head and neck pure ash; - beneath continuous white. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North - America north to Fort Simpson, H. B. T. south to Panama. Cuba - (rare). - - -Helminthophaga chrysoptera, CABAN. - -GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. - - _Motacilla chrysoptera_, LINN. S. Nat. I, 1766, 333. _Sylvia chr._ - LATH.—WILS. Am. Orn. II, pl. xv. fig. 5.—BON. _Sylvicola chr._ - BON. _Helinaia chr._ AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. cvii. _Helmitherus - chr._ BON.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 143 (Bogota). _Helminthophaga - chrysoptera_, CAB. Mus. Hein.; Journ. f. Orn. 1860, 328 (Costa - Rica).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 255; Rev. 175.—SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, II, 1860, 397 (Choctum, Guatemala).—SALVIN, 1867, - 135.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 477 (San Antonio).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. - Y. Lyc. VII, 1861, 293 (Panama).—GUNDL. Cab. Journ. 1861, 326 - (Cuba, rare). _Motacilla flavifrons_, GMELIN. _Sylvia flavifrons_, - LATH. - - [Illustration: _Helminthophaga celata._] - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts uniform bluish-gray; the head above and a large -patch on the wings yellow. A broad streak from the bill through and -behind the eye, with the chin, throat, and forepart of the breast, -black. The external edge of the yellow crown continuous with a broad -patch on the side of the occiput above the auriculars, a broad -maxillary stripe widening on the side of the neck, the under parts -generally, with most of the inner webs of the outer three -tail-feathers, white; the sides of the body pale ash-color. _Female_ -similar, but duller. Length about 5 inches; wing, 2.65; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, San Antonio (DRESSER); Cuba -(rare); Guatemala; Costa Rica; Panama; Bogota. Recorded in West Indies -from Cuba only; not from Mexico. Veragua; Chiriqui (SALVIN). - -HABITS. So far as our present knowledge of this Warbler extends, it is -nowhere a common species, and is distributed over a comparatively -small extent of territory. Wilson met with it in Pennsylvania during -the last of April and the first of May, believing it to be only a -migrant species on its way to more northern regions. Nuttall was -sceptical of these conclusions, as he never met with the species in -the New England States. Audubon observed these birds in their -migrations through Louisiana, which State they entered from Texas in -the month of April. He procured several specimens in Louisiana and -Kentucky, and one in New Jersey. He knew nothing as to its breeding, -and seems to have accepted Wilson’s inferences in regard to its -northern migrations. He never met with this bird in the fall, when, if -a Northern species, it should be returning south, and thence inferred -that it migrated by night. - -Professor Baird has obtained this bird near Carlisle, Penn., in July, -rendering probable its breeding in that vicinity. W. S. Wood met with -it near St. Louis, May 13, 1857, and two days previously in the same -year Mr. Kennicott procured an individual in Southern Illinois. -Occasionally specimens have been obtained in Massachusetts, and of -late these occurrences have become more frequent or more observed. It -was first noticed near Boston by J. Eliot Cabot, Esq., who shot one in -May, 1838, near Fresh Pond. This was, he thinks, on the 20th of that -month. Since then Mr. J. A. Allen has known of several specimens taken -within the State. Mr. Jillson has observed it spending the summer in -Bolton, and evidently breeding, as has also Mr. Allen at Springfield, -and Mr. Bennett at Holyoke. In the summer of 1870, Mr. Maynard -obtained its nest and eggs in Newton. - -The late Dr. Gerhardt found it breeding among the high grounds of -Northern Georgia. It has also been taken at Racine, Wis., by Dr. Hoy, -and in Ohio. These data seem to show that it is sparingly found from -Georgia to Massachusetts, and from New Jersey to Missouri and -Wisconsin. Its western limits may be more extended. It was not met -with by any of the exploring parties beyond St. Louis, but its -retiring habits and its sparse distribution may account for this. - -Dr. Samuel Cabot was the first naturalist to meet with the nest and -eggs of this bird. This was in May, 1837, in Greenbrier County, Va. -The nest was constructed in the midst of a low bush on high ground, -and contained four eggs. - -The late Dr. Alexander Gerhardt found the nest and eggs of this -Warbler in the spring of 1859, in Whitfield County, Ga. It contained -four eggs, and was built on the ground. It was very large for the -bird, being five inches in height and four in diameter. The cavity was -also quite large and deep for so small a bird, exceeding three inches -both in depth and in diameter. The outer and under portions of this -nest were almost entirely composed of the dry leaves of several kinds -of deciduous trees. These were interwoven with and strongly bound -together by black vegetable roots, dry sedges, and fine strips of -pliant bark, and the whole lined with a close network of fine leaves, -dry grasses, and fibrous roots. Dr. Gerhardt informed me that these -birds usually build on or near the ground, under tussocks of grass, in -clumps of bushes, or pine-brush, and that they lay from four to five -eggs, from the 6th to the 15th of May. - -The eggs of this species are of a beautiful, clear crystal-white, with -a few bright reddish-brown spots around the larger end. Eggs from -Racine, Wis., and from Northern Georgia, differ greatly in their -relative size. The former measure .70 of an inch in length and .53 in -breadth; the latter, .63 by .49. - -A single specimen of this species was obtained by Mr. Salvin, at -Choctum, in Guatemala. - - -Helminthophaga bachmani, CABAN. - -BACHMAN’S WARBLER. - - _Sylvia bachmani_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 483, pl. clxxxiii. - _Sylvicola b._ RICH. _Vermivora b._ BON. _Helinaia b._ AUD. Syn. - Birds Am. II, 1841, 93, pl. cviii.—LEMBEYE, Av. Cuba, 1850, 36, - pl. vi. fig. 1. _Helmitherus b._ BON. _Helminthophaga b._ CAB. - Jour. III, 1855, 475 (Cuba, in winter).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 255; Rev. 175.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba, rare); - Repert. 65, 232. - -SP. CHAR. Above olive-green, as also are the sides of the head and -neck. Hind head tinged with ash. A broad patch on the forehead, -bordered behind by black; chin, stripe from this along the side of the -throat, and the entire under parts, deep yellow. Throat and forepart -of breast black. A patch on the inner web of the outer two -tail-feathers near the end white. Length, 4.50; wing, 2.35; tail, -2.05. _Female_ with merely a patch of dusky on the jugulum, and with -the black bar on vertex obsolete. - -HAB. Coast of South Carolina and Georgia; Cuba in winter. - -HABITS. Bachman’s Warbler is a comparatively new and but little known -species of this interesting group. It was first discovered, July, -1833, by Rev. Dr. John Bachman, a few miles from Charleston, S. C., -and in the same vicinity he afterwards discovered a few others of both -sexes. He described it as a lively, active bird, gliding among the -branches of the thick bushes, occasionally mounting on the wing and -seizing insects in the air, in the manner of a Flycatcher. The -individual first obtained was an old female which had, to all -appearances, just reared a brood of young. With this partial -exception, nothing is known in relation to its habits. As all the -species of this genus, without any at present known exception, -construct their nests upon the ground, it is a natural inference that -it probably nests in a similar situation. - -The Smithsonian Institution possesses but a single specimen of this -bird, obtained near Charleston, S. C. It was not observed by any -naturalist of the several governmental exploring expeditions, and, so -far as we are at present informed, its only known places of abode are -South Carolina and Cuba, where it is extremely rare. Its nest and eggs -still remain unknown. - - [Illustration: PLATE XI. - - 1. Helminthophaga pinus, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 2229. - 2. “ chrysoptera, _Linn._ ♂ 10156. - 3. “ bachmani, _Aud._ ♂ S. C., 2903. - 4. H. celata, _Say. var._ Cape St. Lucas, 16949. - 5. “ _Say. var._ Rocky Mts. - 6. “ _Say. var._ Florida. - 7. H. ruficapilla, _Wils._ Pa., 2238. - 8. “ _Wils. var._ Cal. - 9. H. luciæ, _Cooper_. Cal., 31892. - 10. H. peregrina, _Wils._ 19496. In spring. - 11. “ _Wils._ In autumn. - 12. H. virginiæ, _Bd._ Arizona, 58334.] - - -Helminthophaga pinus, BAIRD. - -BLUE-WINGED YELLOW WARBLER. - - _Certhia pinus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 187. _Sylvia pinus_, - LATH., VIEILL. (not of WILSON). _Helminthophaga pinus_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 254; Rev. 174.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1, - 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 28, no. 176. _Sylvia - solitaria_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, pl. xv.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. - xx. _Sylvicola sol._ RICH. _Vermivora sol._ SW. _Helinaia sol._ - AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. cxi. _Helmitherus sol._ BON.—SCLATER, P. - Z. S. 1856, 291 (Cordova). _Helminthophaga sol._ CAB. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts and cheeks olive-green, brightest on the rump; -the wings, tail, and upper tail-coverts, in part, bluish-gray. An -intensely black patch from the blue-black bill to the eye, continued a -short distance behind it. Crown, except behind, and the under parts -generally, rich orange-yellow. The inner wing and under tail-coverts -white. Eyelids, and a short line above and behind the eye, brighter -yellow. Wing with two white bands. Two outer tail-feathers with most -of the inner web, third one with a spot at the end, white. _Female_ -and _young_ similar, duller, with more olivaceous on the crown. -Length, 4.50; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.10. - -HAB. Eastern United States and Mexico to Guatemala (Cordova; Coban). -Not noted from West Indies. - -HABITS. The Blue-winged Yellow Warbler is not known so far to the -north as New England, and is rare even in Eastern and Southern New -York. It seems to be distributed through the United States from -Pennsylvania to Florida, and from the Mississippi Valley eastward. It -has also been taken in Central America. Mr. Trippe states that it -breeds in the vicinity of Orange, N. Y. Mr. Audubon found it abundant -in the barrens of Kentucky, and as far north on the Mississippi as St. -Genevieve. - -In regard to the song of this bird, Mr. Trippe states that its notes -are very forcible and characteristic. Once heard, they will always be -remembered. He describes them as a rapid chirrup resembling -_chūūchich, k´-a-re-r´r´r´r´r_, uttered very quickly. According to Mr. -Ridgway, they are wonderfully similar to the rude lisping chirrup of -the _Coturniculus passerinus_. - -Wilson says that these Warblers come from the South early in May, -frequenting thickets and shrubberies in search of insects, which they -seek in the branches. They are also fond of visiting gardens and -orchards, gleaning for insects among the low bushes. They generally -build their nests on the edge of sequestered woods. These Mr. Wilson -states to have been, in every instance observed by him, fixed on the -ground, in a thick tussock of long grass, and built in the form of an -inverted cone, the sides being formed of the dry bark of strong -fibrous weeds lined with fine dry grasses. These materials, he -remarks, are not arranged in the usual circular manner, but shelve -downward from the top, the mouth being wide and the bottom narrow. He -describes the eggs as five in number, pure white, with a few faint -dots of reddish near the larger end. The young appear the first week -in June. The nests were always in an open but retired part of the -woods, and were all as thus described. - -According to Mr. Audubon its song consists of a few weak notes that -are by no means interesting. His description of its nest agrees with -that of Wilson. He states that it usually has two broods in the -season, one in May, the other in July. The young disperse as soon as -they are able to provide for themselves. - -He describes them as of solitary habits, and adds that they leave -Louisiana for the South early in October. Its flight is short, -undetermined, and performed in zigzag lines. It will ascend twenty or -thirty yards in the air as if about to go to a greater distance, when, -suddenly turning round, it will descend to the place from which it set -out. It rarely pursues insects on the wing, feeding chiefly on the -smaller kind of spiders, and seizing other insects as they come within -its reach. - -The above accounts of its breeding, and especially of its nest, do not -correspond with the observations of Mr. Ridgway, near Mt. Carmel, -Ill., where the bird is abundant. A nest collected by him is a very -loose open structure, composed chiefly of broad, thin, and flexible -strips of the inner bark of deciduous trees, chiefly the bass-wood. It -contained five eggs, and was obtained May 8. It was first discovered -by noticing the bird with materials in her bill. The situation of this -nest “was in no wise,” says Mr. Ridgway, “as described by Wilson, not -having any covered entrance.” The nest was very bulky, and so loosely -made that only the inner portion could be secured. “I have found other -nests,” adds Mr. Ridgway, “all corresponding with this one. There can -be no doubt as to its identity, as the birds were seen building the -nest, and were closely watched in their movements. Both male and -female were seen several times.” (No. 10,140, Smith. Coll.) - -The eggs of this species measure .70 of an inch in length by .53 in -breadth. Their ground-color is white, sprinkled with a few -reddish-brown spots. - - -Helminthophaga ruficapilla, BAIRD. - -NASHVILLE WARBLER. - -_Sylvia ruficapilla_, WILS. Am. Orn. III, 1811, 120, pl. xxvii, fig. - 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 450, pl. lxxxix. _Helminthophaga - ruficapilla_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 256; Rev. 175.—SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1859, 373 (Xalapa).—DRESSER, Ibis, 65, 477 - (Texas).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 82. _Sylvia rubricapilla_, - WILS. Am. Orn. VI, 1812, 15, General Index.—NUTT., BON. - _Sylvicola rub._ RICH. _Vermivora rub._ BON.—REINHARDT, Vid. Med. - for 1853, 1854, 82 (Greenland).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. VI, - 1856, 4 (nest and eggs). _Helinaia rub._ AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. - cxiii. _Helmitherus rub._ BON.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 291 (Cordova); - 1859, 363 (Xalapa). _Helminthophaga rub._ CAB.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1858, 298 (Oaxaca; Feb. and Aug.). _Mniotilta rub._ REINHARDT, - Ibis, 1861, 6 (Greenland). _Sylvia leucogastra_, SHAW, Gen. Zoöl. - X, II, 1817, 622. “_Sylvia nashvillei_,” VIEILLOT.—GRAY. _Sylvia - mexicana_, HOLBÖLL. - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck above and on sides ash-gray, the crown with a -patch of concealed dark brownish-orange hidden by ashy tips to the -feathers. Upper parts olive-green, brightest on the rump. Under parts -generally, with the edge of the wing, deep yellow; the anal region -paler; the sides tinged with olive. A broad yellowish-white ring round -the eye; the lores yellowish; no superciliary stripe. The inner edges -of the tail-feathers margined with dull white. _Female_ similar, but -duller; the under parts paler, and with more white; but little trace -of the red of the crown. Length, 4.65; wing, 2.42; tail, 2.05. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America; rare in the Middle Province -(Fort Tejon, Cal., and East Humboldt Mountains, Nev.); Greenland -(REINHARDT); Oaxaca (February and August, SCLATER); Xalapa and Cordova -(SCLATER); Orizaba (winter, SUMICHRAST). Not recorded from West Indies. - -It is an interesting fact, that, in this species, we find in the -yellow a tendency to become more and more restricted as we pass -westward. In adult spring males from the Atlantic States this color -invades the cheeks, and even stains the lores and eyelids. In two -adult spring males from Chicago it is confined within the maxillæ, the -cheeks being clear ash, and the loral streak and orbital ring pure -white; while in an adult male (autumnal, however) from the East -Humboldt Mountains (Nevada, No. 53,354, U. S. Geol. Expl., 40th par.) -the yellow is restricted to a medial strip, even the sides of the -throat being ashy; the ash invades the back too, almost to the rump, -while in Eastern specimens it extends no farther back than the nape. A -male (No. 10,656, J. Xantus) from Fort Tejon, Cal., is much like the -Nevada specimen, though the peculiar features of the remote Western -form are less exaggerated; it is about intermediate between the other -specimen and the specimens from Chicago. As there is not, -unfortunately, a sufficiently large series of these birds before us, -we cannot say to what extent these variations with longitude are -constant. - -HABITS. The Nashville Warbler appears to be a species of somewhat -irregular occurrence; at one time it will be rather abundant, though -never very numerous, and at another time comparatively rare. For a -long while our older naturalists regarded it as a very rare species, -and knew nothing as to its habits or distribution. Wilson, who first -met with it in 1811, never found more than three specimens, which he -procured near Nashville, Tenn. Audubon only met with three or four, -and these he obtained in Louisiana and Kentucky. These and a few -others in Titian Peale’s collection, supposed to have been obtained in -Pennsylvania, were all he ever saw. Mr. Nuttall at first regarded it -as very rare, and as a Southern species. In that writer’s later -edition he speaks of it as a bird having a Northern distribution as -far as Labrador. Dr. Richardson records the occurrence of a single -straggler in the fur country. So far as known, it occurs as a migrant -in all the States east of the Missouri, and is a summer resident north -of the 40th parallel. It probably breeds in the high ground of -Pennsylvania, though this fact is inferred rather than known. It -breeds in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and in Maine in the vicinity -of Calais, being more abundant there than anywhere else, as far as has -been ascertained. - -Two individuals of this species have been taken in Greenland: one at -Godthaab, in 1835; and the other at Fiskenæsset, August 31, 1840. - -In Massachusetts it has so far been found in only a few restricted -localities, Andover, Lynn, and Hudson, though it undoubtedly occurs -elsewhere. About the time Wilson obtained his first specimen, a living -bird of this species flew into the parlor of the late Colonel Thomas -H. Perkins of Brookline, and is now in the collection of his grandson, -Dr. Cabot. The latter gentleman states that when he first began making -collections this Warbler was a very rare visitant to his neighborhood, -but has of late become much more common, though varying greatly in -this respect in different seasons. Specimens have been obtained in -Western Iowa by Mr. H. W. Parker, of Grinnell. - -A few instances of its occurrence west of the Mississippi Valley are -known. One of these was by Xantus near Fort Tejon; another near Lake -Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevada, by Mr. Gruber; and in the East Humboldt -Mountains, Nevada, by Mr. Ridgway. Specimens of this Warbler were -obtained in the winter by M. Boucard at Oaxaca, Mexico. - -In the summer of 1854, Mr. Charles S. Paine found it breeding in -Randolph, Vt., but was unable to discover the nest. “They spend the -summer,” he wrote, “among low bushes, and probably build their nests -among the thickets. I have watched their movements on several -occasions. Once I detected an old bird with food in her bill about to -feed her young. I could hear the young birds, yet was unable to find -the nest.” Two years later, Mr. George O. Welch, of Lynn, found the -nest of this Warbler on the ground in a small thicket. It contained -young partially fledged, and one egg unhatched. The nest was built in -a slight depression, in a dry place, among fallen leaves and in the -shelter of a thicket of young oak-trees. This egg in shape was of a -rounded oval, and measured .59 by .50 of an inch; one end was slightly -more pointed than the other. The ground-color was white, slightly -tinged with pink, and marked over the entire surface with -purplish-brown dots. Around the larger end these spots form a -beautiful wreath of confluent markings. Since then other nests have -been found in the same locality, all on the ground and built in like -situations. They have a diameter of four and a height of two inches. -The cavity has a diameter of two and a depth of one and a quarter -inches. The outer portions are built of dry mosses, intermingled with -strips of the bark of the wild grape and the red cedar and a few -herbaceous twigs, and lined with a thick layer of dried carices, small -leaves of the white pine, and fine grasses. The whole structure is -loosely put together. The nests are generally concealed by overarching -leaves, which, however, form no part of the nest itself. - -The late Elijah P. Barrow, of Andover, Mass., a young naturalist of -much promise, found several nests of this rare Warbler, all of which -were concealed by grass. The eggs he found varied in length from .59 -to .61 of an inch, and in breadth from .50 to .51 of an inch. Both -parents, as observed by him, were entirely silent. - -The Nashville Warbler has been said to be a comparatively silent and -songless bird, rarely giving forth any sounds, and these are compared -by Dr. Richardson to the creaking noise made by the whetting of a saw. -Wilson compares these sounds to the cracking of dry twigs or the -striking together of small pebbles. Mr. J. A. Allen speaks of its song -as being similar to that of the Chestnut-sided Warbler, which latter -bird, as is well known, has notes so closely resembling those of the -Summer Yellow-Bird that it is difficult to distinguish one from the -other by their notes. Mr. T. M. Trippe states, also, that this Warbler -has a very fine song, resembling that of the Summer Yellow-Bird more -nearly than any other. - -These Warblers arrive in Massachusetts about the first of May, and -remain about three weeks, when the larger portion move farther north. - -More recently Mr. Paine writes me that the Nashville Warbler has of -late years become a common bird in certain localities in Central -Vermont. They come and keep company with the Canada Warbler, but are -more restless than that species at the time of their first appearance. -They always in the breeding-season take up their abode in thickets, -where there are also tall trees. Mr. Paine adds that their song -consists of repetitions of single notes, the last terminating somewhat -abruptly. Their song ceases by the 10th of June. After their young are -ready to fly, they disperse about the woods and fields, and are then -not readily discovered. - - -Helminthophaga virginiæ, BAIRD. - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN WARBLER; VIRGINIA’S WARBLER. - - _Helminthophaga virginiæ_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. under explanation of - plates, 1860, xi, pl. lxxix, fig. I (Fort Burgwyn, N. M.); Rev. - 177.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 85. - -SP. CHAR. Somewhat like _H. ruficapilla_. _Male._ Top and sides of -head, back, and wings light ashy-plumbeous; quills and tail-feathers -brown, edged with pure ashy-plumbeous, the latter indistinctly and -narrowly margined with whitish internally and at the end. Rump, with -upper and lower tail-coverts, bright yellow, in vivid contrast with -the rest of the body. Crown with a concealed patch of rich chestnut. -Rest of under parts brownish-white, with a patch of rich yellow on the -jugulum. Inside of wings and axillars pure white. A white ring round -the eye. Bill and legs dusky. The colors much duller in autumn. - -_Female, spring._ Similar to the male, but chestnut spot on crown -obsolete, the yellow jugular patch less distinct, the upper -tail-coverts more greenish, and the lower less rich yellow. - -Length, 5.00; extent, 7.25; wing, 2.50 when fresh. Dried skin: length, -4.90; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.20; tarsus, .67. - -HAB. Southern Rocky Mountains (Middle Province of United States); East -Humboldt, Wahsatch, and Uintah Mountains. - -A young bird (No. 53,355, East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada, August 5) -is olive-gray above, becoming green on the rump and upper -tail-coverts; the middle and secondary coverts narrowly tipped with -pale grayish-buff, producing two indistinct bands. The lower parts are -pale dirty-buff, except the lower tail-coverts, which are -lemon-yellow; there is scarcely a tinge of yellow on the jugulum, and -not a trace of chestnut on the crown. - -HABITS. But little is as yet known in regard to the habits and -distribution of this somewhat rare and recently discovered species. It -was first met with by Dr. W. W. Anderson, at Fort Burgwyn in New -Mexico, and described by Professor Baird in 1860, in a note to the -explanation of Vol. II. of the Birds of North America. It was named in -honor of Mrs. Virginia Anderson, the wife of its discoverer. An -immature individual of this species was obtained August 15, 1864, by -Dr. Coues, at Fort Whipple, near Prescott, in the Territory of -Arizona. As it bears a close resemblance to the _Helminthophaga -ruficapilla_, it is not improbable that its habits bear a very close -resemblance to those of that species. - -In the summer of 1869, Mr. Robert Ridgway was so fortunate as to meet -with the nest and eggs of this bird near Salt Lake, Utah (Smith. Coll. -15,239). This was June 9. The nest was embedded in the deposits of -dead or decaying leaves, on ground covered by dense oak-brush. Its rim -was just even with the surface. It was built on the side of a narrow -ravine at the bottom of which was a small stream. The nest itself is -two inches in depth by three and a half in diameter. It consists of a -loose but intricate interweaving of fine strips of the inner bark of -the mountain mahogany, fine stems of grasses, roots, and mosses, and -is lined with the same with the addition of the fur and hair of the -smaller animals. - -The eggs were four in number, and measure .64 by .47 of an inch. They -are of a rounded-ovoid shape, have a white ground with a slightly -roseate tinge, and are profusely spotted with numerous small blotches -and dots of purplish-brown and lilac, forming a crown around the -larger end. - -This bird was first observed by Mr. Ridgway among the cedars and pines -of the East Humboldt Mountains, where in July it was quite common. It -was very abundant in the Wahsatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, -throughout the summer chiefly inhabiting the thickets of scrub-oak on -the slopes of the cañons in which they nested, and where they were -daily seen, but where, owing to the thickness of the bushes, they were -with difficulty obtained. He describes its song as almost exactly like -that of _Dendroica æstiva_. The usual note is a soft _pit_, quite -different from the sharp _chip_ of _H. celata_. - - -Helminthophaga luciæ, COOPER. - -LUCY’S WARBLER. - - _Helminthophaga luciæ_, COOPER, Pr. Cal. Acad. July, 1861, 120 (Fort - Mohave).—BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 178.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. - Am. I, v.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 84. - -SP. CHAR. General form and size that of _H. ruficapilla_. Above -light-cinereous; beneath white, having a soiled, very pale buff, -almost white tinge on the throat, breast, and flanks. A patch on the -vertex, as in _H. ruficapilla_, and the upper tail-coverts, dark -chestnut-brown. Lores to nostrils and region round the eye, like the -throat, in rather decided contrast to the ash of the crown. Quills and -tail-feathers brown, narrowly edged externally with gray. An obsolete -terminal white patch on the inner web of the outer feather; this web -in most of the other tail-feathers likewise narrowly edged with white. -Axillars and inner face of wings white. Iris brown. Tarsi blue. -Length, in life, 4.40; extent, 6.90; wing, 2.40. Length of skin, 3.90; -wing, 2.33; tail, 1.86; tarsus, .64; middle toe and claw, .50; bill -above, .35; gape, .50. - -HAB. Fort Mohave, Colorado River (Middle Province of United States); -Fort Whipple, Arizona. - -HABITS. This is also a new or recently discovered species of this -interesting group of Warblers. In regard to its nest and eggs nothing -is positively ascertained, yet as all the birds of this genus are -known to build on the ground, and to have a great uniformity in the -characteristics of their eggs, it seems to be a matter of natural -inference that this species also is a ground builder, and has eggs -similar to those of the Nashville Warbler. For the little we know in -regard to its habits and distribution, we are indebted to the -observations of Dr. J. G. Cooper of California, who first discovered -it, and to Dr. Coues, who has since met with it in Arizona. - -Dr. Cooper first observed this species near Fort Mohave, where it made -its appearance about the last of March. His attention was called to it -by its peculiar notes, resembling those of some _Dendroicæ_, but -fainter. After considerable watching and scrambling through dense -mezquite thickets in its pursuit, he succeeded in shooting one, and -found it to be a new species. Afterwards they became more numerous, -frequenting the tops of the mezquite-trees in pursuit of insects, and -constantly uttering their short but pleasing notes. About ten days -after the first appearance of the males, Dr. Cooper obtained the first -female, and thinks that without doubt they are much later in their -migrations, as is the case with other Warblers. He was not able to -discover their nest, having to leave the valley late in May. - -Mr. Holden obtained other specimens of this bird, near the 34th -parallel, in March of 1863. - -Dr. Coues met with three individuals of this species near Fort -Whipple, where it is a summer resident. It arrives there between the -15th and the 20th of April, and remains until the latter part of -September. It mates about the last of April, and the young birds -appear early in June. - -Dr. Coues regards its habits as more like those of the true Ground -Warblers than those of the other species of this group. It shows a -decided preference for thickets and copses, rather than for high open -woods, and is also an exceedingly shy and retiring species. To the -extreme difficulty of observing or procuring it Dr. Coues attributes -its having so long remained unnoticed. - -It is described as exceedingly active in all its motions, and quite as -restless as a _Polioptila_, to which class, in its colors, it also -bears a close resemblance. The only note Dr. Coues ever heard it utter -was a quick and often repeated _tsip_, as slender and as wiry as that -of a Gnatcatcher. Dr. Cooper, however, has described its song as rich -and pleasing, the little performer being mounted on the top of some -mezquite or other bush. Dr. Cooper supposes this species to breed, not -in the Colorado Valley, but in the more mountainous regions. - -Dr. Coues hazards the conjecture that this bird builds in low bushes. -Should it prove so, it would in this respect differ from all the other -members of this well-marked group, and from the other Ground Warblers, -which, in its general habits, it so much resembles. - - -Helminthophaga celata, var. celata, BAIRD. - -ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. - - _Sylvia celata_, SAY, Long’s Exp. R. Mts. I, 1823, 169.—BON. Am. - Orn. I, pl. v, fig. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. clxxviii. - _Sylvicola cel._ RICH. _Vermivora cel._ JARD. _Helinaia cel._ AUD. - Birds Am. II, pl. cxii. _Helmitherus cel._ BON.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1857, 212 (Orizaba). _Helminthophaga cel._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 257; Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1865, 176 (in part).—DALL & - BANNISTER (Alaska).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298 (Oaxaca, - December); 1859, 373; 1862, 19 (La Parada). _H. celata_, var. - _celata_, RIDGW. Rept. U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. - -SP. CHAR. Above grayish olive-green, rather brighter on the rump. -Beneath entirely greenish yellowish-white, except a little whitish -about the anus; the sides tinged with grayish-olivaceous. A concealed -patch of pale orange-rufous on the crown, hidden by the grayish tips -to the feathers. Eyelids and an obscure superciliary line -yellowish-white, a dusky obscure streak through the eye. Inner webs of -tail-feathers broadly edged with white. _Female_ with little or none -of the orange on the crown, and the white edgings to inner webs of -tail-feathers. _Young_ lacking the orange entirely, and with two -fulvous-whitish bands on the wing. Length, 4.70; wing, 2.25; tail, -2.00. - -HAB. Middle Province of North America; Yukon and McKenzie River -district. Very rare in the Eastern Province of United States; Mexico -in winter; Oaxaca, La Parada, (SCLATER); Orizaba, winter (SUMICHRAST). - -This variety inhabits the interior regions of North America, from the -Yukon southward into Mexico; westward, its range meets that of the -var. _lutescens_ at about the meridian of 116°, while eastward it -extends beyond the Mississippi, though rare east of the latter region. -Specimens from Southern Illinois (where it is abundant in its -migrations) and from Wisconsin are precisely like Rocky Mountain -examples; but several in the collection before us from the South -Atlantic States (Florida, Georgia, etc.) are so different as almost to -warrant their separation as a different variety. These individuals are -most like the style of the interior,—var. _celata_,—but are even less -yellowish, and the whole plumage is very dark and dingy; all of them, -too, lack any trace whatever of orange on the crown. Should all -specimens from this region agree in the latter respect, the series -from the Southeastern States is certainly entitled to recognition as a -variety, for which we propose the name _obscura_. - -HABITS. The geographical distribution of _H. celata_ is involved in -some doubt, owing probably to its irregularity of migration. In a few -occasional instances this species has been observed in the Atlantic -States. Several have been obtained near Philadelphia. Mr. Audubon -affirms to having seen it in the Middle States about the 10th of May, -and in Maine later in the month. Beyond that he did not trace it. Mr. -J. A. Allen procured one specimen of this bird in Springfield, Mass., -May 15, 1863. There were quite a number among the fruit-trees of the -garden and orchard, then in bloom, and, mistaking them for -_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_, he at first neglected to shoot any, -until, being in doubt, he procured one, and found it the Orange-Crown. -The group passed on, and one was all he obtained. It is not given by -Mr. Turnbull as one of the birds of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, nor -by Mr. Boardman or Professor Verrill as occurring in Maine. I am -informed by Mr. Ridgway that it is a regular spring and autumn migrant -in Southern Illinois, and in some seasons is quite common. - -It was taken as a migratory species at Oaxaca, Mexico, during the -winter months, by M. A. Boucard. - -Mr. Audubon’s account of the habits and movements of this species must -be received with much caution. His description of its nest is entirely -inaccurate, and much that he attributes to this species we have reason -to believe relates to the habits of other birds. - -On the Pacific coast it seems to be quite abundant, at different -seasons, from Cape St. Lucas to the arctic regions, where it breeds. -Mr. Kennicott obtained several specimens at Fort Yukon and at Fort -Resolution, and Mr. Boss met with them at Fort Simpson. Xantus -obtained these birds both at Fort Tejon and at Cape St. Lucas. It is -common in Southern California during the winter, frequenting low -bushes and the margins of streams. Dr. Gambel met with it in early -spring on the island of Santa Catalina, where he had an opportunity of -listening to its simple and lively song. This he describes as -commencing in a low, sweet trill, and ending in _tshe-up_. It is -sometimes considerably varied, but is described as generally -resembling _er-r,r,r,r-shè-up_. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of this Warbler as an abundant and constant resident -of California, near the coast, and found in summer throughout the -Sierra Nevada. In March they begin to sing their simple trill, which, -he says, is rather musical, and audible for a long distance. - -Dr. Coues met with this Warbler in Arizona, at Fort Yuma, September -17, at Fort Mohave, October 1, and also at the head-waters of Bill -Williams River. Lieutenant Couch found it at Brownsville, Tex., -seeking its food and making its home among the low shrubbery. - -Dr. Suckley found it very abundant at Fort Steilacoom, in Washington -Territory, where it kept in shady places among thick brush, generally -in the vicinity of watercourses. Dr. Heermann found a few pairs -incubating near the summits of the highest mountains on the Colorado -River. The nests of this species, seen by Mr. Kennicott, were -uniformly on the ground, generally among clumps of low bushes, often -in the side of a bank, and usually hidden by the dry leaves among -which they were placed. He met with these nests in the middle of June -in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake. They were large for the size of -the bird, having an external diameter of four inches, and a height of -two and a half, and appearing as if made of two or three distinct -fabrics, one within the other, of nearly the same materials. The -external portions of these nests were composed almost entirely of -long, coarse strips of bark loosely interwoven with a few dry grasses -and stems of plants. Within it is a more elaborately interwoven -structure of finer dry grasses and mosses. These are softly and warmly -lined with hair and fur of small animals. - -Nests from more arctic regions are of a different style of structure, -homogeneous in materials,—which are chiefly stems of small plants and -the finer grasses,—and are of a more compact make and smaller in size. - -Their eggs are from four to six in number, and vary in length from .70 -to .60 of an inch, and in breadth from .50 to .45 of an inch. They -have a clear white ground, marked with spots and small blotches of -reddish-brown and fainter marking of purplish-slate. The number of -spots varies greatly, some eggs being nearly unspotted, others -profusely covered. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this Warbler in great abundance during its -autumnal migration among the shrubbery along the streams of the Sierra -Nevada, at all altitudes. In summer it was only seen among the high -aspen woods on the Wahsatch Mountains. Fully fledged young birds were -numerous in July and August. Their usual note was a sharp _chip_. - -This bird was found breeding near Fort Resolution, on the Yukon, at -Fort Rae, and at Fort Anderson. - -The notice of geographical distribution of the different races, at the -beginning of the article, will serve to show to what varieties the -preceding remarks severally belong. - - -Helminthophaga celata, var. lutescens, RIDGWAY. - -PACIFIC ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. - - _Helminthophaga celata_, COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, ii, 1859, - 178.—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, 115.—BAIRD, Rev. - Am. Birds, I, 1865, 176 (in part).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 83. - _H. celata_, var. _lutescens_, RIDGWAY, Report U. S. Geol. Expl. - 40th Par. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Upper surface continuous bright olive-green. Whole -lower parts, including superciliary stripe and eyelids, bright yellow, -almost gamboge; abdomen somewhat whitish. Inner webs of tail-feathers -just perceptibly edged with white. Whole crown bright orange-rufous, -scarcely concealed. Wing, 2.40; tail, 1.90; bill, .40; tarsus, .67; -middle toe, .45. Wing-formula, 2, 3, 1, 4. _Female._ Similar, but -orange of crown almost obsolete. Wing, 2.30; tail, 1.90. _Young of the -year._ Similar to adult, but with a brownish tinge above; middle and -secondary coverts tipped with dull fulvous, furry, inconspicuous -bands. No trace of orange on the crown. - -HAB. Pacific Province of North America, from Alaska to Cape St. Lucas. -Straggling eastward to about the 116th meridian. Not found in Mexico? - -The differences between the Pacific coast specimens of the _H. celata_ -and those from the interior regions—first pointed out in the Review of -American Birds—are very readily appreciable upon a comparison of -specimens. The present bird is a coast variety, entirely replacing the -true _celata_ (var. _celata_) in the region above indicated. - - -Helminthophaga peregrina, CABAN. - -TENNESSEE WARBLER. - - _Sylvia peregrina_, WILS. Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 83, pl. xxv, fig. 2.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, pl. cliv. _Sylvicola per._ RICH. _Vermivora per._ - BON. _Helinaia per._ AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. cx. _Helmitherus per._ - BON. _Helminthophaga per._ CAB. Mus. Hein.—IB. Jour. Orn. 1861, 85 - (Costa Rica).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 258; Rev. 178.—SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 31 (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 373 - (Oaxaca); Catal. 1861, 29, no. 180.—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. - 1861, 322 (Panama).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba, very - rare). _Sylvia tennessæi_, VIEILLOT, Encycl. Méth. II, 1823, 452. - _? Sylvia missuriensis_, MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 117. - -SP. CHAR. Top and sides of the head and neck ash-gray; rest of upper -parts olive-green, brightest on the rump. Beneath dull white, faintly -tinged in places, especially on the sides, with yellowish-olive. -Eyelids and a stripe over the eye whitish; a dusky line from the eye -to the bill. Outer tail-feather with a white spot along the inner edge -near the tip. _Female_ with the ash of the head less conspicuous; the -under parts more tinged with olive-yellow. Length, 4.50; wing, 2.75; -tail, 1.85. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America; Calais, Me.; north to Fort -Simpson, H. B. T.; Mexico; Oaxaca? Guatemala; Costa Rica; Panama R. R. -Very rare in Cuba. Veragua (SALVIN). Chiriqui (LAWRENCE). - -Autumnal specimens and young birds are sometimes so strongly tinged -with greenish-yellow as to be scarcely distinguishable from _H. -celata_. The wing is, however, always longer, and the obscure whitish -patch on the inner edge of the exterior tail-feather, near its tip, is -almost always appreciable. In _celata_ this edge is very narrowly and -uniformly margined with whitish. - -A young bird of the year, from Port Simpson (27,228), has two distinct -greenish-white bands on the wings, and the forehead and cheeks -greenish-yellow. A corresponding age of _H. celata_ has the wing-bands -more reddish-brown, the wings shorter, and no white patch on the outer -tail-feather. - -HABITS. Like the Nashville Warbler the present species has received a -name inappropriate to one with so northern a distribution. It was -first obtained on the banks of the Cumberland River by Wilson, and has -since been known as the Tennessee Warbler. But two specimens were ever -obtained by him, and he regarded it as a very rare species. He found -them hunting nimbly among the young leaves, and thought they possessed -many of the habits of the Titmice. Their notes he described as few and -weak, and in their stomachs he found, upon dissection, small green -caterpillars and a few winged insects. - -Mr. Audubon also regarded it as a rare species, and only three -specimens ever fell within his observations. These were obtained in -Louisiana and at Key West. He describes them as appearing to be -nimble, active birds, expert catchers of flies, and fond of hanging to -the extremities of branches, uttering a single mellow _tweet_ as they -fly from branch to branch in search of food, or while on the wing. - -Mr. Nuttall appears not to have met with it. Dr. Richardson procured -only a single specimen at Cumberland House, in the latter part of May. -This was in a dense thicket of small trees, and was flying about among -the lower branches. He was unable to discover its nest, or to learn -anything in regard to its habits. - -A little more light has since then been given both as to its -geographical distribution and its mode of nesting. Specimens of this -species have been obtained in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Oaxaca, Mexico, -and Panama. A specimen of this species was also taken in Colombia, S. -A., by Mr. C. W. Wyatt. Dr. Gundlach mentions it as occasionally found -in Cuba. Mr. Drexler secured specimens of it at Moose Factory and at -Fort George in the arctic regions. Specimens were taken by Mr. Bernard -R. Ross at Fort Simpson. Mr. Robert Kennicott met with it on the -northern shores of Lake Winnipeg, June 6. They were then abundant, and -had already mated. He again met with them at Fort Resolution, and Mr. -Clarke found them at Fort Rae, Mr. W. F. Hall in Maine, Mr. Bell on -the Upper Missouri, and Professor Baird in Pennsylvania. Mr. Ridgway -has obtained it both in spring and in fall in Southern Illinois, where -it is abundant in some seasons. It does not appear to occur on the -Pacific coast. - -Mr. Boardman writes that the Tennessee Warbler is, in the summer time, -quite a common bird in St. Stephens and vicinity. Its notes, he adds, -resemble the low, subdued whistle of the common Summer Yellow-Bird. - -Mr. Maynard found this Warbler very common near Lake Umbagog during -the breeding-season. It was found in all the wooded localities in the -regions north of the neighboring mountains. Its song, he states, -resembles that of _H. ruficapilla_, the notes of the first part being -more divided, while the latter part is shriller. - -A nest of this Warbler (Smith. Coll., 3476), obtained on the northern -shore of Lake Superior by Mr. George Barnston, is but little more than -a nearly flat bed of dry, matted stems of grass, and is less than an -inch in thickness, with a diameter of about three inches. It is not -circular in shape, and its width is not uniform. Its position must -have been on some flat surface, probably the ground. The eggs resemble -those of all the family in having a white ground, over which are -profusely distributed numerous small dots and points of a -reddish-brown, and a few of a purplish-slate. They are of an -oblong-oval shape, and measure .68 by .50 of an inch. - -A nest from near Springfield, Mass., obtained by Professor Horsford, -the parent bird having been secured, was built in a low clump of -bushes, just above the ground. It is well made, woven of fine hempen -fibres of vegetables, slender stems of grass, delicate mosses, and -other like materials, and very thoroughly lined with hair. It measures -two and three fourths inches in diameter and two in height. The cavity -is two inches wide and one and three fourths deep. The eggs measure -.60 by .50 of an inch, are oblong-oval in shape, their ground-color a -pearly white, marked in a corona, about the larger end, with brown and -purplish-brown spots. - - -GENUS PARULA, BONAP. - - _Chloris_, BOIE, Isis, 1826, 972 (not of Moehring, 1752). (Type, - _Parus americanus_.) - _Sylvicola_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Journ. III, July, 1827, 169. (Not of - Humphrey, Mus. Calonnianum, 1797, 60; genus of land mollusks.) - (Same type.) - _Parula_, BONAP. Geog. & Comp. List, 1838. (Same type.) - _Compsothlypis_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 20. (Same type.) - -GEN. CHAR. In the species of this genus the bill is conical and acute; -the culmen very gently curved from the base; the commissure slightly -concave. The notch when visible is further from the tip than in -_Dendroica_, but usually is either obsolete or entirely wanting. -Bristles weak. The tarsi are longer than the middle toe. The tail is -nearly even, and considerably shorter than the wing. Color, blue -above, with a triangular patch of green on the back; anterior lower -parts yellow. - -Two species—one with three varieties—of this genus, as lately -restricted, are known in America, only one, however, has as yet been -detected within the limits of the United States. They may be -distinguished as follows:— - -P. americana. Eyelids white. Yellow beneath restricted to -anterior half. - - Two white bands on wing; a dusky collar across the jugulum. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south to Guatemala; - Bahamas; Cuba; Jamaica; St. Croix; St. Thomas. - -P. pitiayumi. Eyelids dusky. Yellow beneath, extending back -along sides to the crissum. - -_Two white bands on wing._ - - Above plumbeous-blue; lores and eyelids deep black. Abdomen - wholly yellow. Wing, 2.20; tail, 1.75. _Hab._ South America - from Bogota to Paraguay … var. _pitiayumi_.[34] - - Above ashy-blue; lores and eyelids scarcely darker. Abdomen - wholly white. Wing, 2.35; tail, 2.05. _Hab._ Tres Marias - Islands, Western Mexico … var. _insularis_.[35] - -_Only a trace of white on wings, or none at all._ - - Above indigo-blue. Wing, 2.10; tail, 1.70. _Hab._ Costa Rica - and Guatemala … var. _inornata_.[36] - - [Line drawing: _Parula americana_, Bonap.] - -_Compsothlypis gutturalis_, CABANIS (_Parula gut._, BAIRD, Rev. Am. -B.), and _Conirostrum superciliosum_, HARTLAUB (_Parula superciliosa_, -BAIRD, Rev.), have been referred by later systematists to this genus; -but they are much more closely related to _Conirostrum_,—a genus -usually assigned to the _Cærebidæ_. The _“P.” gutturalis_ is confined -to Costa Rica; but _“P.” superciliosa_ is a species of the table-lands -of Mexico, and likely to be detected in Arizona or New Mexico. The -characters of this species are as follows:— - -_Conirostrum superciliosum_, HARTL. R. Z. 1844, 215. Whole dorsal -region, including rump, olive-green; rest of upper parts ashy. -Anterior half beneath yellow, with a crescentic bar of chestnut-brown -across the jugulum; posterior lower parts white, ashy laterally. A -conspicuous superciliary stripe of white. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.10. - - -Parula americana, BONAP. - -BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER. - - _Parus americanus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. I, 1758, 190. _Motacilla - am._ GMELIN. _Sylvia am._ LATH., AUD. _Sylvicola am._ RICH., - AUD.—JONES, Nat. in Bermuda, 1839, 59. _Parula am._ BON. List - Birds N. Am. 1838.—GOSSE, Birds Jam. 1847, 154 (Jamaica).—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 238; Rev. 169.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 202 - (Xalapa).—IB. Ibis, 1859, 10 (Guatemala).—IB. Catal. 1861, 26, - 163.—NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 143 (Santa Cruz; winter).—CASSIN, Pr. A. - N. S. 1860, 376 (St. Thomas).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba; very common). _Compsothlypis am._ CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, - 20.—IB. Jour. III, 1855, 476 (Cuba). _Ficedula ludoviciana_, - BRISSON. _Motacilla lud._ GM. _Motacilla eques_, BODD. _Sylvia - torquata_, VIEILL. _Thryothorus torq._ STEPHENS. _Sylvia pusilla_, - WILS. _Sylvicola pus._ SWAINS. - Figures: AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. xv.—IB. Birds Am. II, pl. xci.—VIEILL. - Ois. Am. II, pl. xcix.—WILS. Am. Orn. IV, pl. xxviii.—BUFFON, pl. - enl. dccxxxi, fig. 1; dccix, fig. 1. - -SP. CHAR. Above blue, the middle of the back with a patch of -yellowish-green. Beneath yellow anteriorly, white behind. A -reddish-brown tinge across the breast. Lores and space round the eye -dusky; a small white spot on either eyelid; sides of head and neck -like the crown. Two conspicuous white bands on the wings. Outer two -tail-feathers with a conspicuous spot of white. _Female_ similar, with -less brown on the breast. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.34; tail, 1.90. Nest -of long moss. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, north to the Lakes -(“Greenland”), west to the Missouri Valley; in winter, south to -Guatemala (not seen on the west coast of Mexico). West Indies; -Bahamas; Cuba; Jamaica; St. Croix; St. Thomas; Jalapa, Guatemala -(SCLATER); Orizaba, winter (SUMICHRAST); Yucatan (LAWRENCE); Porto -Rico and Inagua (BRYANT). - -Autumnal males are browner on the chin, yellower on the throat and -jugulum. Head tinged with greenish; secondaries edged with -greenish-yellow. Autumnal females are light greenish-olive above, -dirty-white beneath. - - [Illustration: _Parula americana._ - 2219] - -In very brightly colored spring males, there is frequently (as in -58,335, Philadelphia) a well-defined, broad blackish band across the -jugulum, anterior to an equally distinct and rather broader one across -the breast, of a brown tint, spotted with black, while the sides are -much spotted with chestnut-brown; the blue above is very pure, and the -green patch on the back very sharply defined. - -HABITS. The Blue Yellow-Back is one of our most interesting and -attractive Warblers. Nowhere very abundant, it has a well-marked and -restricted area within which it is sparingly distributed. It is found -from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic, and from Canada -southward. In its winter migrations it visits the West Indies, the -Bahamas, and Central and South America. Halifax on the east, and -Platte River on the west, appear to be the northern limit of its -distribution. Dr. Woodhouse met with it in the Indian Territory during -the breeding-season. Mr. Alfred Newton found this species, apparently -only a winter visitant, in the island of St. Croix. Most of the birds -left about the middle of March, though a few remained until early in -May. - -A single specimen of this species was taken at South Greenland in -1857. - -This Warbler has been found breeding as far to the south as -Tuckertown, N. J., by Mr. W. S. Wood; and at Cape May, in the same -State, by Mr. John Krider. At Washington, Dr. Coues found it only a -spring and autumn visitant, exceedingly abundant from April 25 to May -15. Possibly a few remained to breed, as he met with them in the first -week of August. In the fall they were again abundant from August 25 to -the second week in October. He found them inhabiting exclusively high -open woods, and usually seen in the tops of the trees, or at the -extremities of the branches, in the tufts of leaves and blossoms. - -Even where most common it is not an abundant species, and is to be -found only in certain localities, somewhat open and swampy thickets, -usually not of great extent, and prefers those well covered with the -long gray lichens known as Spanish moss. In such localities only, so -far as I know, do they breed. - -This Warbler has also been ascertained to breed in Southern Illinois, -where Mr. Ridgway found it in July, engaged in feeding fully fledged -young birds. It is there most common in spring and fall. - -A true Warbler in most of its attributes, this bird has many of the -habits of Titmice. Like these it frequents the tops of the taller -trees, feeding on the small winged insects and caterpillars that -abound among the young leaves and blossoms. It has no song, properly -so called, its notes are feeble and few, and can be heard only a short -distance. - -The song of this species is said by Mr. Trippe, of Orange, N. Y., to -be a somewhat sharp and lisping, yet quite varied and pleasing, series -of notes. - -Mr. Audubon speaks of this species as breeding in Louisiana, but his -description of the nest differs so entirely from such as are met with -in Massachusetts as to suggest doubts as to the correctness of the -identification. He describes them as flitting over damp places, the -edges of ponds and streams, and pursuing their prey with great -activity. They resort to the woods as soon as the foliage appears on -the forest trees, and glean among the leaves for the smaller winged -insects. - -The nests of this Warbler, so far as has fallen under my observation, -have always been made of long gray lichens still attached to the trees -on which they grow. With great skill do these tiny architects gather -up, fasten together, and interweave, one with the other, the hanging -ends and longer branches. By an elaborate intertwining of these long -fibres they form the principal part, sometimes the whole, of their -nests. These structures are at once simple, beautiful, ingenious, and -skilfully wrought. When first made, they are somewhat rude and -unfinished, but as their family are gathered, the eggs deposited, -incubated, and hatched, a change has been going on. Little by little -has the male bird busied himself, when not procuring food for his -mate, in improving, strengthening, and enlarging the nest. These same -acts of improvement upon the original nests are noticed with -Humming-Birds, Vireos, and a few other birds. - -The nests are sometimes constructed on the sides of trunks of trees, -when covered with the long gray lichens, but are more frequently found -hanging from branches usually not more than six or eight feet from the -ground. Thus surrounded by long hanging mosses in clumps not -distinguishable from the nests themselves, they would not be readily -recognized were it not that those familiar with the habits of the bird -may be readily guided to the spot by the artless movements of the -unsuspecting parents. - -These birds are confiding, easily approached, and rarely exhibit any -signs of alarm. Even when their nest is disturbed they make but little -complaint, and do not manifest any very great signs of emotion. When -built against a trunk these nests consist only of an interweaving of -the moss above and below a very small opening, within which a small -cup-shaped flooring has been made of the same material, and usually -cannot be removed without destroying all semblance of a nest. When -pensile they are imperfectly circular in shape, with an entrance on -one side, and rarely with any lining. Occasionally they are models of -symmetry and beauty. - -The eggs, four or five in number, have a clear white ground, and are -sparingly spotted with markings of reddish-brown, slate, purple, and -lilac. In some the first predominate, in other the last three shades -are more abundant, and usually form a confluent ring around the larger -end. They measure from .62 to .65 of an inch in length, and from .49 -to .50 in breadth. - - -SECTION SYLVICOLEÆ. - -This section has been already characterized as having a distinctly -notched bill, well provided with bristles. Of the two genera one, -_Perissoglossa_, has the bill slender, acute, something like -_Helminthophaga_, and with the tongue lengthened and much lacerated at -end; the other, _Dendroica_, with less acute bill and tongue shorter, -merely notched at tip, and a little fringed only. - - -GENUS PERISSOGLOSSA, BAIRD. - - _Perissoglossa_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 181. (Type, _Motacilla - tigrina_, GM.) - - [Line drawing: _Perissoglossa tigrina_, Baird.] - -GEN. CHAR. Form of _Dendroica_, but bill slender, acute, with very -obsolete notch; the commissure gently arched or curved from the base; -the gonys also straight, or even slightly concave. Tongue lengthened, -narrow, deeply bifid (for one third), and deeply lacerated or fringed -externally at the end; the edge along the median portion folded over -on the upper surface, but not adherent. - -The curvature of the bill in _Perissoglossa tigrina_ is quite peculiar -among the _Sylvicolidæ_ with notched bills. Some Helminthophagas -(without notch) approximate this character, though in none, excepting -_H. bachmani_, is it in equal amount,—all the others having the gonys -very slightly convex, instead of straight, or even slightly concave. - -It is most probable that the _Helinaia carbonata_ of Audubon belongs -here, as it appears very closely allied to the type of this genus. The -two species may be distinguished as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. _Male._ Top of head black. Above olive, -becoming yellowish on rump. Head, neck, and lower parts bright -yellow, becoming whitish posteriorly. Dorsal feathers with black -centres; breast and sides streaked with black. A black streak -through the eye. - - P. tigrina. Large white patches on inner webs of - tail-feathers. - - Sides of head and middle of throat tinged with chestnut. One - large white patch on wing, covering both rows of coverts. - Outer web of lateral tail-feather blackish. - - P. carbonata. No white patches on tail-feathers. - - No chestnut about head. Two bands on the wing, the anterior - one white, the posterior yellow. Outer web of lateral - tail-feather whitish. - - - -Perissoglossa tigrina, BAIRD. - -CAPE MAY WARBLER. - - _Motacilla tigrina_, GMELIN, Syn. Nat. I, 1788, 985. _Sylvia tig._ - LATH. _Dendroica tig._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 286.—SCLATER, - Catal. 1861, 33, no. 198; P. Z. S. 1861, 71 (Jamaica, - April).—MARCH, Pr. An. Sc. 1863, 293 (Jamaica; breeds).—A. & E. - NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 144 (St. Croix. Notes on anatomy of - tongue).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; not rare).—SAMUELS, - 240. _Perissoglossa tigrina_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 181. - _Sylvia maritima_, WILSON, Am. Orn. VI, 1812, 99, pl. liv, fig. - 3.—BON.; NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. V, pl. ccccxiv.—D’ORB. La Sagra’s - Cub. 1840, 70, pl. x. _Sylvicola mar._ JARD., BON., AUD. Birds Am. - II, pl. lxxxv. _Certhiola mar._ GOSSE, Birds Jam. 1847, 81.—IB. - Illust. _Rhimamphus mar._ CAB. Jour. III, 1855, 474 (Cuba.) - -SP. CHAR. Bill very acute, conical, and decidedly curved. Bill and -feet black. Upper part of head dull black, some of the feathers -faintly margined with light yellowish-brown. Collar scarcely meeting -behind; rump and under parts generally rich yellow. Throat, forepart -of breast, and sides, streaked with black. Abdomen and lower -tail-coverts pale yellow, brighter about the vent. Ear-coverts light -reddish-chestnut. Back part of a yellow line from nostrils over the -eye of this same color; chin and throat tinged also with it. A black -line from commissure through the eye, and running into the chestnut of -the ear-coverts. Back, shoulder, edges of the wing and tail, -yellowish-olive; the former spotted with dusky. One row of small -coverts, and outer bases of the secondary coverts, form a large patch -of white, tinged with pale yellow. Tertials rather broadly edged with -brownish-white. Quills and tail dark brown, the three outer feathers -of the latter largely marked with white on the inner web; edge of the -outer web of the outer feathers white, more perceptible towards the -base. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.84; tail, 2.15. - -_Female._ Above olivaceous-ash, most yellowish on rump; no black nor -chestnut on head. Wing-coverts inconspicuously edged with whitish. -Tail-spots very inconspicuous. Beneath dull white tinged with -yellowish on the breast, and streaked as in the male, but with dusky -grayish instead of black. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, north to Lake Winnipeg and -Moose Factory; all the West Indies to St. Croix. Breeds in Jamaica. -Not recorded from Mexico or Central America. - -The chestnut about the head in adult males varies in amount with the -individual; sometimes (as in 20,633, May, Moose Factory, Hudson’s Bay -Territory) there is an oblong spot of chestnut in the middle of the -crown, but generally this is absent. Very frequently the chestnut -tinges the throat. All variations in these respects appear, however, -to be individual, and not dependent at all on locality. West Indian -specimens appear to be absolutely identical with those from North -America. - -Autumnal specimens are browner, the chestnut markings much obscured. - - [Illustration: PLATE XII. - - 1. Perissoglossa tigrina, _Gm._ ♂ H. B. Ter., 20633. - 2. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 678. - 3. “ carbonata, _Aud._ (Copied from Audubon). - 4. Dendroica virens, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 941. - 5. “ occidentalis, _Towns._ ♂ Cal., 5518. - 6. “ chrysopareia, _Scl. & Salv._ ♂. - 7. “ townsendi, _Nutt._ ♂ Guat., 8017. - 8. “ nigrescens, _Towns._ ♂ Ariz., 1908. - 9. “ coronata, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 8384. - 10. “ cærulescens, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 3419. - 11. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 2308. - 12. “ coronata, _Linn._ ♀.] - -HABITS. This somewhat rare species, so far as its history and -distribution are known with certainty, is migratory in the principal -portions of the United States, in the spring and fall passing to the -north of the 42d parallel to breed. The first specimen was obtained -near the extreme southern point of New Jersey by George Ord, in 1811, -and described and figured by Wilson. From this accidental circumstance -it derives its inappropriate name of Cape May Warbler. Wilson never -met with a second specimen, and Mr. Nuttall was wholly unacquainted -with it. Mr. Audubon also never met with a specimen in all his -wanderings, and was able to add nothing to its history. Those figured -by him were procured by Mr. Edward Harris, near Philadelphia, through -which region these birds appear to pass rapidly in their northern -migrations. - -Mr. J. A. Allen obtained a specimen near Springfield, Mass., May 15, -1863, and specimens have also been procured at East Windsor Hill, -Conn., by Dr. Wood. It was not met with in Western Maine by Mr. -Verrill, but in Eastern Maine and in New Brunswick Mr. Boardman has -found it a not uncommon summer visitant, though of irregular -frequency. He has no doubt that they remain there to breed. They reach -Calais as early as the second week in May, or as early as their -appearance usually in the neighborhood of Philadelphia has been -noticed. Mr. Kumlien has also obtained specimens from year to year, -about the middle of May, in Southern Wisconsin, where they do not -remain to breed, and Mr. Ridgway has taken them in the beginning of -May in Southern Illinois. - -It is also by no means uncommon in Cuba; was met by the Newtons as a -migrant in St. Croix, and is not only one of the birds of Jamaica, but -is resident and breeds in the highlands of that island. It is not -known to occur in Central America, Mexico, or west of the Mississippi -River. Specimens were procured at Moose Factory about May 28. - -Its nests and eggs have not been, with certainty, obtained in the -United States, though an egg obtained in Coventry, Vt., in 1836, and -attributed at the time to this bird, closely resembles its identified -eggs from Jamaica. Specimens of the bird, as well as its nests and -eggs, have also been received from St. Domingo by Mr. Turnbull of -Philadelphia. In the summer of 1871 a nest of this species was found -by Mr. H. B. Bailey on the Richardson Lakes, in the extreme -northwestern part of Maine. The nest was in a low spruce-tree, less -than five feet from the ground, and when found contained only a single -egg. Unfortunately it was left until more eggs were deposited, and in -the mean while the tree was cut, and the nest and eggs were destroyed. - -Mr. W. T. March of Jamaica, in his notes on the birds of that island, -states that this species may always be found, in its various changes -of plumage, about the mangrove swamps and river-banks. During the -summer months it was common about Healthshire and Great Salt Pond, and -at other times very generally distributed over the island. He also met -with several specimens of its nests and eggs, but their position was -not stated. The nests had apparently been taken from a bush or tree, -were three and one fourth inches in diameter by two and one half in -height, with cavities unusually large and deep for the size of the -nests. They were wrought almost entirely of long strips of thin -flexible bark, strongly and firmly interwoven. The outer portions -consisted of coarser and longer strips, the inner being much finer and -more delicate. With the outer portions were also interwoven bits of -mosses, lichens, and the outer bark of deciduous trees. The entire -fabric was a remarkable one. - -The eggs measure .70 by .55 of an inch, have a pinkish-white ground, -blotched with purple and brown of various shades and tints. They are -disposed chiefly about the larger end, usually in a ring. The eggs are -oval in shape and slightly pointed at one end. - - -Perissoglossa carbonata, BAIRD. - -CARBONATED WARBLER. - - _Sylvia carbonata_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 308, pl. lx - (Kentucky).—NUTT. _Helinaia carbonata_, AUD. Syn.—IB. Birds Am. - II, 1841, 95, pl. cix. _Dendroica carbonata_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 287; Rev. Am. Birds, 207. - -SP. CHAR. Bill brownish-black above, light blue beneath. Iris hazel. -Feet light flesh-color. Upper part of the head black. Forepart of the -back, lesser wing-coverts, and sides dusky, spotted with black. Lower -back dull yellowish-green, as is the tail, of which the outer web of -the outer feather is whitish. Tip of the second row of coverts white, -of the first row yellow; quills dusky, their outer webs tinged with -yellow. A line from the lore over the eye; sides of the neck and the -throat bright yellow. A dusky line behind the eye. The rest of the -under parts dull yellow, excepting the sides. Length, 4.75 inches; -bill above, 4.42; tarsus, .75. (AUDUBON). - -HAB. Kentucky. - -This species continues to be known only by the description and figure -of Audubon. - -Judging from the description, this species is closely related to _P. -tigrina_, but seems to be distinct in the pure black of the top of the -head, the absence of orange-brown on the cheeks, the white of the wing -being on the middle coverts instead of the greater, and the -tail-feathers being yellowish-green; the outer web of outer feather -white, instead of a large spot on the inner web, etc. The back appears -more distinctly streaked. - -HABITS. Two specimens of this Warbler, obtained near Henderson, Ky., -May, 1811, by Mr. Audubon, are all its claim to be recognized as a -good species. None have since been seen. These birds are described as -having been busily engaged in collecting insects among the branches of -a dogwood tree. Their motions were like those of other Warblers. This -is all we as yet know as to the history of this species, and its -claims to be regarded as a good and distinct species are involved in -doubt. - - -GENUS DENDROICA, GRAY. - - _Sylvicola_, GRAY, Genera Birds, 2d ed. 1841, 32. (Not of Humphreys - nor Swainson.) - _Dendroica_, GRAY, Genera Birds, Appendix, 1842, 8. - _Rhimamphus_, HARTLAUB, Rev. Zool. 1845, 342. (Not of Rafinesque, - Am. Monthly Mag. 1818, and Jour. de Phys. 1819.) - - [Line drawing: _Dendroica coronata._ - 38714] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, attenuated, depressed at the base, where it -is, however, scarcely broader than high, compressed from the middle. -Culmen straight for the basal half, then rather rapidly curving, the -lower edge of upper mandible also concave. Gonys slightly convex and -ascending. A distinct notch near the end of the bill. Bristles, though -short, generally quite distinct at the base of the bill. Tarsi long; -decidedly longer than middle toe, which is longer than the hinder one; -the claws rather small and much curved; the hind claw nearly as long -as its digit. The wings long and pointed; the second quill usually a -very little longer than the first. The tail slightly rounded and -emarginate. - -_Colors._ Tail always with a white or yellow spot; its ground-color -never clear olive-green. In _D. æstiva_ edged internally with yellow. - -Eggs usually with a white or a bluish-white ground, marked with -purplish-brown and obscure lilac; in some, mingled with varying shades -of sienna-brown. Nest, so far as known, in bushes and trees, except -_D. palmarum_, which is on the ground. - - [Illustration: _Dendroica auduboni._] - -The genus _Dendroica_ is one of the most extensive as to species of -any in North America, and scarcely admits of any subdivision. There is -a little variation in the bill, wings, etc., the chief peculiarities -being in _D. castanea_ and _pennsylvanica_, in which the bill is -broader, and more depressed, with longer bristles; in _D. striata_, -where the bill is narrow with scarcely any bristles; and in _D. -palmarum_ and _kirtlandi_, where the wings are very short, scarcely -longer than the tail. _D. palmarum_ has the tarsus unusually long. The -colors in all are strongly marked, and the species are among the most -beautiful of all belonging to our fauna, and are the most conspicuous -for their numbers and in their migrations. - -The difference in manners between certain members of this genus is -remarkable; thus, the _D. palmarum_ is very terrestrial in its habits, -walking upon the ground with the ease and grace of a Titlark -(_Anthus_), and, like these birds, it has a wagging motion of the -tail. On the other hand, the _Dendroica dominica_ is as much a Creeper -as is the _Mniotilta varia_; creeping not only along the branches, but -the cornices and lattices of buildings, with the facility of a -Nuthatch (_Sitta_). Both these species, however, may often be seen -hopping among the foliage of the trees, now and then snapping an -insect on the wing, in the manner of others of the family. - -Species and Varieties. - - Inner webs of tail-feathers with a large patch, or broad - edge, of yellow GROUP A. - - Inner webs of tail-feathers with a large patch, or broad - edge, of white. - Wings with conspicuous white markings GROUP B. - Wings without conspicuous white markings[37] GROUP C. - -Group A.—_Golden Warblers._ - - Rump and crissum without rufous markings _Series I._ - Rump and crissum with rufous markings _Series II._ - -_Series I._ - -Prevailing color rich yellow, shaded on upper parts with -olive-green. ♂ with streaks of chestnut across the breast and -along the sides, and with or without a greater or less tinge of -the same on the crown. ♀ with the streaks beneath obsolete or -entirely wanting; no rufous on crown. _Juv._ paler and duller -than the ♀, sometimes quite ashy. - -A. Tarsus less than .65 of an inch. Outer webs of tail-feathers -with yellow predominating. - - 1. D. æstiva. Crown generally pure yellow, sometimes with - only a tinge of rufous; lower webs of wing-coverts and - tertials pure yellow; rump and upper tail-coverts much mixed - with the same. Wing-formula,[38] 12, 3; wing, 2.60; tail, - 2.05; bill, from nostril, .30; tarsus, .62. _Hab._ Entire - continent of North America; in winter south to Bogota and - Cayenne; Trinidad (only locality in West Indies). - -B. Tarsus not less than .70 of an inch. Outer webs of -tail-feathers with dusky predominating. - - _a._ Crown without any rufous, or with only a tinge. - - 2. D. petechia. _Nape olive-green_ (except in _juv._); - _sides streaked_ (except in _juv._). Crown greenish, - sometimes tinged with orange-rufous anteriorly; lower webs of - wing-coverts, etc., not pure yellow, and rump and upper - tail-coverts without any admixture of yellow. _Hab._ West - Indies (except Barbadoes and Trinidad); not on the Continent. - - Lower part of throat streaked; outer webs of wing-coverts - hardly appreciably different from the general surface. - Above golden yellowish-olive; crown generally without a - trace of rufous. Wing-formula, 23, 4, 1, 5; wing, 2.55; - tail, 2.10; bill, .30; tarsus, .80. _Hab._ Cuba and the - Bahamas … var. _gundlachi_.[39] - - Lower part of throat not streaked; outer webs of - wing-coverts decidedly yellowish, and quite different from - the general surface. Above greenish yellow-olive; crown - almost always strongly tinged with rufous. Wing-formula, 4, - 3, 2, 5, 1, 6; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.25; bill, .35; tarsus, - .79. _Hab._ Jamaica and Hayti? … var. _petechia_.[40] - - Whole throat sometimes streaked; back also sometimes with - streaks of dark castaneous; green above lighter than in - var. _petechia_, the rump sometimes tinged with yellow. - Wing-formula, 2, 3, and 4 equal, 51; wing, 2.50; tail, - 2.00; bill, .34; tarsus, .78. _Hab._ Porto Rico, St. - Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Bartholomew … - var. _ruficapilla_.[41] - - 3. D. aureola.[42] _Nape always ashy; sides never - streaked._ Abdomen, anal region, and axillars nearly white; - forehead and crown strongly tinged with rufous; nape dark - ashy. Wing-formula, 2, 3, and 4 equal, 5, 16; wing, 2.55; - tail, 2.00; bill, .32; tarsus, .75. _Hab._ Galapagos Islands. - - _b._ Crown with only a sharply defined ovate patch of dark - purplish-rufous. - - 4. D. capitalis.[43] A broad superciliary stripe of pure - yellow; wing-formula, 3 = 4, 2, 1 = 5; wing, 2.30; tail, 2.00; - bill, .30; tarsus, .70. (♀ distinguishable from that of the - varieties of _petechia_ by the distinctly yellow upper - eyelid, and considerably shorter tarsus.) _Hab._ Barbadoes - Island, West Indies. - - _c._ Head all round rufous. - - 5. D. vieilloti. (♀ not distinguishable from that of other - species.) _Hab._ Continental Middle America. - -_Breast and sides with broad streaks of rufous; outer webs of -wing-coverts and tertials pure yellow._ - - Rufous of the throat with the posterior outline sharply - defined against yellow of jugulum. Wing-formula, 3, 4, 2, - 1, 5; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.10; bill, .34; tarsus, .75. - _Hab._ New Granada (Carthagena, etc.) … var. _vieilloti_.[44] - - Rufous of the throat covering the jugulum and blending with - the streaks of the breast. Wing-formula, 3, 2, 4, 1, 5; - wing, 2.45; tail, 2.05; bill, .27; tarsus, .64. _Hab._ - Isthmus of Panama … var. _rufigula_.[45] - -_Breast and sides with only very narrow or scarcely appreciable -streaks of rufous; outer webs of wing-coverts, etc., scarcely -different from general surface._ - - Rufous of the head confined to it, and abruptly defined all - round. Wing-formula, 3, 2 = 4, 1, 5; wing, 2.70; tail, - 2.25; bill, .31; tarsus, .72. _Hab._ Mexico (from Honduras - and Yucatan to Mazatlan) … var. _bryanti_.[46] - -_Series II._ - -Prevailing color yellow; crown, rump, and crissum with spots of -rufous; a band of the same on the side of the head, from bill -(meeting both on forehead and on chin) around eye and over -ear-coverts. - - 6. D. eoa.[47] _Hab._ Jamaica (GOSSE). - - -Group B. - -Base of primaries with white patch. - - Two white bands on wing _Series I._ - No white bands on wing _Series II._ - -Base of primaries without white patch. - - Rump yellow. - Crown with a yellow spot _Series III._ - Crown without a yellow spot _Series IV._ - Rump not yellow. - Throat white (with black streaks in _striata_ - and _pharetra_) _Series V._ - Throat yellow or orange _Series VI._ - Throat black, or mixed with black _Series VII._ - -_Series I._ - - 7. D. olivacea. ♂. Head and neck, all round, fine light - orange-rufous; a broad black “spectacle” along side of the - head. ♀. Head yellowish, dusky on top; spectacle obsolete. - _Hab._ Whole of Eastern Mexico; Guatemala. - -_Series II._ - - 8. D. cærulescens. ♂. Head dark blue above and black - underneath; a black patch covering whole lateral and under - side of head and lateral lower parts. Rest of upper parts - dark blue; bases of primaries and abdomen pure white. ♀. - Above olive, with a light superciliary stripe; beneath wholly - light greenish-buff; base of primaries white. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of United States; in winter south into Cuba, - Jamaica, and St. Domingo. - -_Series III._ - - 9. D. coronata. A yellow patch on each side of the breast; - above ashy streaked with black; belly white. ♂. Breast more - or less black; upper parts ash with a bluish tinge. ♀. Breast - only streaked with black; ash of upper part grayish or - brownish. - - Throat white; a white superciliary streak; two white bands - on wing. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, north to - Alaska and Greenland; in winter south to Panama and West - Indies (resident in Jamaica!) … var. _coronata_. - - Throat yellow; no white superciliary streak; one white - patch formed by the fusion of the two bands on the wing. - _Hab._ Western Province of North America from British - Columbia, south to Cape St. Lucas and Jalisco, Western - Mexico; east to Rocky Mountains. … var. _auduboni_. - -_Series IV._ - - 10. D. maculosa. Whole lower parts bright yellow; black - streaks across breast and along sides; crown ash; lores, - auriculars, and back black. ♀ scarcely different. _Hab._ - Eastern Province of North America, from Fort Simpson to - Panama; Cuba and Bahamas. - -_Series V._ - -A. Above ashy-blue, or soft bluish-green. - - 11. D. cærulea. Lower parts pure white or greenish-white; - with or without a narrow band across the breast; above fine - ashy-blue, or soft bluish-green; if blue (♂), the back and - crown streaked with black; if green (♀ and _juv._), these - streaks obsolete. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States - (rare northward except in Mississippi Valley), south to - Bogota in winter; Cuba. - -B. Above not ashy-blue nor bluish-green, but streaked with -black upon an ashy greenish-olive or yellowish ground, or else -bright olive-green. - - _a._ Sides more or less rufous, and without black or dusky - streaks on under surfaces. - - 12. D. pennsylvanica. ♂. Crown pure yellow; throat and - auriculars pure white; ♀ _ad._ similar, but crown greenish, - and more or less streaked. _Juv._ Above bright olive-green, - nearly grass-green, _without streaks_ except on the back; - side of head, and sides, clear ashy, the latter with or - without a trace of chestnut; eyelids and medial lower parts - pure white. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south - to Panama; Bahamas. - - 13. D. castanea. ♂. Crown reddish-chestnut; throat and - sides rufous; auriculars black. ♀ similar, but crown thickly - streaked, sometimes without a trace of rufous; jugulum and - throat only tinged with rufous. _Juv._ Above greenish-olive, - streaks obsolete; beneath, _including lower tail-coverts_, - pale greenish-buff, or whitish-buff, and without any trace of - streaks on the sides (distinction from ♀ of _D. striata_) the - sides usually with a tinge of chestnut. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of North America, from Hudson’s Bay Territory to New - Granada. - - _b._ Sides without any rufous, and with black or dusky streaks. - -_Medial lower parts not streaked; inner webs of tail-feathers -with broad patch of white._ - - 14. D. striata. ♂. Crown deep black; auriculars and lower - parts white; throat with two series of black streaks, - converging and forming an angle on the chin. Above ashy - streaked with black. ♀ similar, but crown greenish streaked - with black; lower parts tinged with greenish. _Juv._ Above - greenish-olive, the streaks obsolete; beneath pale - greenish-yellow; _the lower tail-coverts pure white_. _Hab._ - Eastern Province of North America, north to Greenland and - Kodiak, south to Bogota, Cuba, and Bahamas. - -_Medial lower parts streaked with black; inner webs of -tail-feathers merely edged with white._ - - 15. D. pharetra.[48] ♂. Above grayish-white, with broad - streaks of black; posteriorly, plain brownish-gray; lower - parts with cuneate spots of black. _Hab._ Jamaica. - -_Series VI._ - -A. A black “mask” around the eye and on auriculars, and -extending down the side of the throat; a light superciliary -stripe continued back into a large space, of similar color, on -side of neck. - - 16. D. blackburniæ. Crown with an orange or yellowish spot - (exposed or concealed); superciliary stripe, side of neck and - throat, intense orange-red (♂ ad.), or varying from this to - pale buff (_juv._). ♀ intense black above; back streaked with - white or yellowish. ♀ olive-gray above, streaked with black. - _Juv._ olive-gray above without distinct streaks. _Hab._ - Eastern Province of United States, south to Ecuador; Bahamas. - - 17. D. dominica. Crown without an orange or yellowish spot; - superciliary stripe and side of neck pure white; throat - gamboge-yellow; above ash, without streaks. - - Superciliary stripe bright yellow anterior to the eye. - Bill, .45; tarsus, .60; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.00. _Hab._ - Atlantic United States and West Indies … var. _dominica_. - - Superciliary stripe pure white anterior to the eye. Bill, - .35; tarsus, .60; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.20. _Hab._ - Mississippi region of United States; Mexico (Yucatan on - east coast, and Colima on west coast); Guatemala and - Honduras … var. _albilora_. - -B. No black “mask.” Superciliary stripe scarcely reaching -behind the eye. Sides of neck ashy like the back. - - 18. D. graciæ. Auriculars, neck, crown, and upper parts - generally, ashy; a supra-loral stripe, a crescent on the - lower eyelid, and the anterior lower parts gamboge-yellow. - Crissum white. - -_Back and sides streaked with black; abdomen white._ - - Yellow of throat terminating abruptly at the jugulum; - supra-loral stripe extending about .20 of an inch past the - eye, this portion of it white; dorsal streaks broad. Wing, - 2.60; tail, 2.20. _Hab._ Arizona (Fort Whipple) … - var. _graciæ_. - - Yellow of throat covering whole jugulum, and not ending - abruptly; supra-loral stripe scarcely passing the eye, and - wholly yellow; dorsal streaks narrow. Wing, 2.20; tail, - 1.95. _Hab._ British Honduras (Belize) … var. _decora_. - -_Back and sides not streaked with black; abdomen yellow._ - - Yellow of throat extending back to the crissum; supra-loral - stripe as in the last; dorsal streaks wanting. Wing, 2.10; - tail, 1.95. _Hab._ Porto Rico … var. _adelaidæ_.[49] - -_Series VII._ - -Throat black in ♂, mixed with black in ♀. - -A. Sides streaked; black of throat with its posterior outline -concave. - - _a._ Side of head white and black. - - 19. D. nigrescens. A small yellow spot over the lore; above - ash; beneath white. ♂. Whole crown, uniform glossy black; - back streaked with black. ♀. Crown ash streaked with black; - throat mixed with white anteriorly. _Juv._ Crown and cheeks - ashy; throat mostly white; back without streaks. _Hab._ - Western and Middle Province of United States, south, in - winter, into Western Mexico (Oaxaca). - - _b._ Side of head yellow and black, or yellow and olive. - -_Black of throat covering jugulum; a hidden yellow spot in middle -of forehead._ - - 20. D. chrysopareia. Black above, pure white below; no - tinge of yellow behind the black jugular patch. _Hab._ - Eastern Middle America, from Guatemala to Texas (San - Antonio). - - 21. D. virens. Olive-green above, the crown and back - without streaks; beneath white, the breast and anal region - tinged with black. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, - from Greenland to Panama; Cuba; Oaxaca; Heligoland, Europe! - -_Black of throat confined anteriorly to the jugulum; no yellow -spot on forehead._ - - 22. D. townsendi. Above olive-green, the crown and back - with conspicuous black streaks; beneath yellow anteriorly, - and white posteriorly. ♀, black of throat mixed with yellow; - _juv._, no black on throat, and streaks on back obsolete. - _Hab._ North and Middle Province of United States, south, in - winter, into Guatemala. - -B. Sides not streaked; black of throat with its posterior -outline convex. - - 23. D. occidentalis. Above ash tinged with olive; beneath - white. Head nearly all yellow. ♂. Top of head yellow with a - few small black spots; nape black; back streaked with black; - sides pure white. (♀ not seen.) _Juv._ Yellow of crown - overlaid by olive; above greenish-plumbeous, without any - black on nape or back; throat yellowish-whitish; sides tinged - with ashy. _Hab._ Western and Middle Province of United - States, south to Guatemala. - - -Group C. - -A. Above ash; no supra-loral stripe; eyelids not yellow. - - 24. D. kirtlandi. Above, including side of head and neck, - bluish-ash; crown and back streaked with black; beneath - (except crissum) pale yellow; breast speckled, and sides - streaked with black; lores and orbital region, black; eyelids - white. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States (Cleveland, - Ohio), and Bahamas. - - 25. D. pityophila.[50] Above, including side of head and - neck, dull ash; the forehead and crown olive-green; crown and - back not streaked; beneath white; the throat and jugulum - yellow; sides ashy; no specks on breast, nor streaks on - sides, but a few along side of neck, between the ash and - yellow. _Hab._ Cuba. - -B. Olive-green or brown above; a supra-loral stripe of yellow; -eyelids yellow. - - _a._ Above olive-green, without streaks; crissum white; sides - of breast with obsolete grayish streaks. - - 26. D. pinus. Forehead and ear-coverts olive; abdomen - white; yellow supra-loral stripe not continued behind the - eye. ♀ more grayish; _juv._ above umber, beneath light - grayish-brown, tinged with yellow. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - United States; Bahamas. - - ? 27. D. montana. Forehead and ear-coverts yellow; abdomen - yellow; yellow supra-loral stripe continued past the eye into - the yellow of the auriculars. (♀ and other stages unknown.) - _Hab._ “Blue Mountains of Virginia.” - - _b._ Above olive-green, the back streaked with chestnut; - crissum yellow; streaks of black on sides. - - 28. D. discolor. Bright gamboge-yellow beneath; streak on - lores and along side of neck, as well as along sides and - flanks, deep black; dorsal feathers chestnut medially. ♀ - duller, but similar; _juv._ not seen. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of United States: in winter, throughout West Indies. - - _c._ Above olive-brown, the back not streaked; crissum - gamboge-yellow; streaks of reddish-chestnut on sides. - - 29. D. palmarum. _Ad._ Forehead and crown deep rufous; - superciliary stripe bright yellow, continued back over - auriculars; sexes alike. _Juv._ and _ad._ in winter. Crown - brownish, streaked with dusky; streaks on sides more dusky. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, north to Fort - Simpson and Hudson’s Bay; Bahamas; Cuba, St. Domingo, and - Jamaica, in winter. - - -Dendroica æstiva, BAIRD. - -YELLOW WARBLER; SUMMER YELLOW-BIRD. - - _Motacilla æstiva_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 996.—_Sylvia æstiva_, - LATH.; VIEILL. II, pl. xcv.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. xxxv. 93. - _Sylvicola æst._ SWAINS.—AUD. Birds. Am. II, pl. lxxxviii. - _Rhimamphus æst._ BON.; CAB. Jour. III, 472 (Cuba). _Dendroica - æst._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 282; Rev. 195.—SCLATER, Catal. - 1861, 32, no. 194 (Ecuador, Cayenne, N. Granada).—TAYLOR, Ibis, - 1864, 81 (Trinidad).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, II, 1859, 181 - (N. W. coast).—SAMUELS, 237.—DALL & BANNISTER, (Alaska).—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 87. _Sylvia carolinensis_, LATH. Ind. Orn. II, - 1790, 551. _? Sylvia flava_, VIEILLOT, II, 1807, 31, pl. lxxxi. - _Sylvia citrinella_, WILS. II, pl. xv, fig. 5. _Sylvia childreni_, - AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. xxxv (young). _? Sylvia rathbonia_, - AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. lxv. _Sylvicola r._ AUD. Birds Am. - II, pl. lxxxix. _Motacilla rubiginosa_, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-Asiat. - I, 1831, 496 (Kodiak). _Rhimamphus chryseolus_, BON. Bull. Soc. - Linn. Caen, II, 1851, 32 (_D. æstiva_, from South America; - Cayenne). - Other localities: _Xalapa_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 363. _Guatemala_, - SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, page 11. _Panama_, winter, LAWR. - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 322. _Turbo, N. Granada_, CASS. Pr. A. N. - Sc. 1860, 191. _Bogota_, SCLATER, Pr. 1855, 143. _City of Mexico_, - IB. 1864, 172. - -SP. CHAR. Bill lead-color. Head all round, and under parts generally, -bright yellow; rest of upper parts yellow-olivaceous, brightest on the -rump. Back with obsolete streaks of dusky reddish-brown. Fore breast -and sides of the body streaked with brownish-red. Tail-feathers bright -yellow; the outer webs and tips, with the whole upper surfaces of the -innermost one, brown; extreme outer edges of wing and tail-feathers -olivaceous like the back; the middle and greater coverts and tertials -edged with yellow, forming two bands on the wings. _Female_ similar, -with the crown olivaceous like the back, and the streaks wanting on -the back, and much restricted on the under parts. Tail with more -brown. Length of male, 5.25; wing, 2.66; tail. 2.25. (No. 940.) -_Young._ Dull brownish-olive above; pale ochraceous-yellow beneath, -with the throat more whitish; the yellow of tail restricted to inner -half of inner webs. The latter feature will serve to distinguish it -from any other North American species. - -HAB. Entire North America, and in winter into South America as far as -Ecuador, Cayenne, and Trinidad. Not recorded from West Indies, where -replaced by allied species. - -In the great abundance of this species and its wide range of -distribution, there are many variations in size and color, though none -that are not readily understood. In young birds the yellow of the -tail-feathers is more restricted, sometimes confined to the edge of -the inner webs. In adults there is occasionally a tinge of orange in -the forehead. - -_Sylvia rathbonia_ of Audubon is described with even tail, and the -tail-feathers brown, edged externally with yellow; the reverse of -_æstiva_. It is generally, however, considered a synonyme. - -Birds of this type (“Golden Warblers”) of six or eight additional -species are known to occur in the West Indies, the Galapagos, and in -Middle America; one of them, _D. bryanti_, possibly to be met with in -Southern Arizona. (See Baird, Review Am. Birds, 193.) - -After comparing a series of about one hundred and twenty North and -Central American specimens (the latter being winter visitors to the -region where obtained), nothing really characteristic of any -particular region can be detected. Specimens from the Pacific coast of -the United States are perfectly identical in colors with those from -the Atlantic States; and they agree in size and proportions, except of -the bill, which is appreciably longer and broader in the Eastern than -in the Western birds. The most highly colored examples are from the -interior regions, along the Mississippi Valley from Louisiana to -Northern Illinois, and over the plains north to Fort Simpson. The -majority of the specimens from this region are just appreciably -different from others, in having the yellow more intense and -prevalent, almost subduing the olive shades above; the crown more -tinged with orange. Sometimes (as in No. 4,301, Calcasieu Pass, La.) -the rump and upper tail-coverts are absolutely _pure_ yellow, only a -medial stripe on the feathers being olivaceous like the back. The -orange-rufous tinge on the crown is deepest in Nos. 4,665, Fort -Lookout, and 4,300, Calcasieu Pass. - -Three adult summer males from Alaska (Nos. 54,429, Kodiak; 54,425, -Yukon River; and 27,267, Fort Yukon), as well as one from Maine -(52,378, Calais), differ from others in having the olive pervading the -whole surface above, even to the bill, the forehead being only tinged -with yellow, and the edges of wing-coverts merely inclining to this -color. The lower parts are much as in Southern specimens, though the -yellow is less intense. - -Females from Arizona (as 49,712, Camp Grant, May; 40,664, Fort -Whipple, May; and 34,340, Los Pinos, New Mexico, June) differ from -others in very bleached plumage, the lower parts being almost white, -and the upper surface quite ashy. But this is, in fact, an actual -bleaching, frequently to be seen in birds from that region. - -HABITS. The geographical range of the common Summer Yellow-Bird is -very nearly coextensive with North America. In its northern -distribution it is found as far toward the arctic shores as any of our -land birds. Richardson speaks of it as well known throughout the fur -countries as far as the woods extend, and mentions meeting with it -among the earliest arrivals in spring, coming in company with the -equally well-known Robin and the Grakle. At Fort Franklin, latitude -66°, he saw it the 15th of May, about the time of its first appearance -in New England. This was supposed to be the limit of its northern -range, but more recent observations give abundant evidence of its -presence, in considerable numbers, to the very shores of the Arctic -Ocean. The late Mr. Hepburn, in manuscript notes, states it to be a -common summer visitant both of California and Vancouver’s Island, and -that along the coast he has traced it as far north as the frontier -line of 54° 40′, where it arrives at the beginning of May, but does -not nest until the end of the month. - -Mr. Dall, in his notes on the birds of Alaska, states that this -Warbler is a rather common bird all through that territory, and gives -its arrival as about the 10th of May. - -Its extreme southern limit is not so distinctly traced, but is at -least as far as the northern portions of South America, inclusive of -Cayenne and Ecuador. In all of the West Indies except Trinidad it is -replaced by several closely allied species or local races. In -Trinidad, Mr. E. C. Taylor states that he found this species common, -and could perceive no difference from North American specimens. In -Guatemala it is abundant in the winter. - -Dr. Coues found this Warbler abundant in Arizona, where it is a summer -resident, from April 25 to the middle of September. There, as -elsewhere, its preference for watercourses was noticed. Wherever -found, it is always most abundant in alluvial meadows, and more rare -in other localities. - -Dr. Samuel Cabot found this Warbler common in Central America, and Dr. -Cragin, of Surinam, sent the Boston Society several specimens from -Guiana. Dr. Woodhouse found it abundant in Texas and New Mexico, as -did Drs. Suckley and Cooper in Washington Territory and California. It -breeds over the whole area of North America, from Georgia on the -southeast and from Mexico, northward. Dr. Sumichrast found it, only as -a migratory bird, abundant on the plains of Mexico. - -The notes of Mr. Kennicott and the memoranda of Messrs. McFarlane, -Ross, and Lockhart attest the extreme abundance of this species in the -farthest Arctic regions. In nearly every instance the nests were -placed in willows from two to five feet from the ground, and near -water. In one instance Mr. Ross found the eggs of this species in the -nest of _Turdus swainsoni_, which had either been deserted or the -parent killed, as the eggs were in it, and would probably have been -hatched by the Warbler with her own. - -Dr. Cooper found this Warbler very abundant in Washington Territory, -and noticed their arrival in large numbers at the Straits of Fuca as -early as April 8. - -The Summer Yellow-Bird arrives in New England with great uniformity -from the first to the middle of May. Its coming is usually the -harbinger of the opening summer and expanding leaves. Unlike most of -its family, it is confiding and familiar, easily encouraged, by -attention to its wants, to cultivate the society of man. It -confidingly builds its nest in gardens, often in close vicinity to -dwellings, and in the midst of large villages and cities, among the -shrubbery of frequented parks. This Warbler, soon after its arrival, -begins the construction of its nest. It is usually placed in low -bushes, three or four feet from the ground. Occasionally very -different positions are chosen. Hedges of buckthorn and hawthorn, -barberry-bushes, and other low shrubs, are their favorite places of -resort. On one occasion the nest was placed some forty feet from the -ground, in the top of a horse-chestnut tree overhanging the main -street of a village. Such high positions are, however, not very -common. - -The nest is invariably fastened to several twigs with great firmness, -and with a remarkable neatness and skill. A great variety of materials -is employed in the construction of their nests, though not often in -the same nest, which is usually quite homogeneous. The more common -materials are the hempen fibres of plants, fibrous strips of bark, -slender stems of plants and leaves, and down of asclepias. Interwoven -with these, forming the inner materials, are the down from willow -catkins, the woolly furze from fern-stalks and the _Eriophorum -virginicum_, and similar substances. These are lined with soft, fine -grasses, hair, feathers, and other warm materials. Cotton, where -procurable, is a favorite material; as also is wool, where abundant. I -have known instances where nests were built almost exclusively of one -or the other material. A pair of these birds, in 1836, built their -nest under a parlor window in Roxbury, where all their operations -could be closely watched. When discovered, only the framework, the -fastening to the supporting twigs, had been erected. The work of -completion was simple and rapid. The female was the chief builder, -taking her position in the centre of the nest and arranging the -materials in their places as her mate brought them to her. -Occasionally, with outstretched wings and expanded tail, she would -whirl herself round, giving to the soft and yielding materials their -hemispherical form. At intervals she arrested her revolutions to stop -and regulate with her bill some unyielding portion. When her mate was -dilatory, she made brief excursions and collected material for -herself, and when the materials brought her were deemed unsuitable, -they were rejected in a most summary and amusing manner. The important -part of the tail-feathers in shaping the nest and placing the -materials in position was a striking feature in this interesting -performance. The greater portion of the nest was thus constructed in a -single day. - -The wonderful sagacity displayed by this Warbler in avoiding the -disagreeable alternative of either having to abandon its own nest or -of rearing the young of the intrusive Cow Blackbird, when one of these -eggs is dropped in her nest, was first noticed by Mr. Nuttall. The egg -of the parasite, being too large for ejectment, is ingeniously -incarcerated in the bottom of the nest, and a new lining built over -it. Occasionally, either by accident or design, the intrusive egg has -been fractured. Mr. Nuttall states that where the parasitic egg is -laid after her own, the Summer Yellow-Bird acts faithfully the part of -a foster-parent. This, however, is not according to my observations. -In several instances I have known the Summer Yellow-Bird utterly -refuse to act the part of a foster-parent, and, rather than do so, -sacrifice her own eggs. So far as I know, this Warbler will never sit -upon or hatch out the egg of the Cowbird, under any circumstances. -Some powerful instinct, bordering closely upon reason, seems to teach -these intelligent Warblers the character of the intruder, and they -sacrifice their own eggs rather than rear the parasite. In this -dilemma they will always, so far as I know, incarcerate their own eggs -with the Cowbird’s and reconstruct the nest above them. In one -instance the same pair of Yellow-Birds twice, in the same nest, -covered up alien eggs in this manner, building, in fact, three nests -one above the other, between the walls of which had been successively -included two eggs of the Cowbird. This three-storied nest measured -seven inches in length, and was built almost exclusively of raw -cotton. The covering of the imprisoned eggs was about two thirds of an -inch thick. In both instances the Cowbird’s eggs had been broken, -apparently by design. - -So far as I am aware this Warbler raises but one brood in -Massachusetts in a season. In Pennsylvania it is said to raise two, -and even three. The eggs are usually five and occasionally six in -number. - -This Warbler is conspicuous in its devotion to its young, evincing a -strong attachment and an anxiety in regard even to an unoccupied nest, -and betraying the site by this solicitude. They will also resort to -various expedients to draw one away from their nest, by feigned -lameness and other stratagems and manœuvres. - -The song of the Summer Yellow-Bird is simple but pleasing, and is -easily recognized when once known, though liable to be confounded with -that of the Maryland Yellow-Throat, and also said to resemble the song -of several other Warblers. - -In confinement they usually become very tame, confiding, and -reconciled to their imprisonment, and have been known to perch on an -outstretched finger, and to catch flies in a room. - -Their eggs vary in length from .61 to .70 of an inch, and in breadth -from .49 to .52. They have a ground-color of a light green. Their dots -and blotches vary greatly in number, size, and manner of distribution. -Their colors are light purple, darker purplish-brown, and other shades -of brown and lilac. - - -Dendroica coronata, GRAY. - -YELLOW-RUMP WARBLER; MYRTLE WARBLER. - - _Motacilla coronata_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 333. _Sylvia - coronata_, LATH.; VIEILLOT; WILS.; NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - cliii. _Sylvicola coronata_, SWAINS.; BON.; AUD. Birds, Am. II, - pl. lxxvi.—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 59 (abundant in April). _Dendroica - coronata_, GRAY, Genera, 1842, 2.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 272; - Rev. 187.—MARCH, P. A. N. Sc. 1863, 292 (Jamaica, in summer; - breeding).—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; common).—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, ii, 1859, 180 (Puget Sound).—SAMUELS, - 226.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 89. - _Rhimanphus cor._ CAB. Jour. 1855, 473 (Cuba). _Motacilla - canadensis_, LINN. 12th ed. 1766, 334 (_Ficedula canadensis - cinerea_, Br. III, 524, pl xxvii, fig. 1). _Parus virginianus_, - LINN. 12th ed. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 342. _Motacilla umbria, cincta, - pinguis_, GM. _Sylvia xanthopygia_, VIEILL. _Sylvia xanthoroa_, - VIEILL. - Localities quoted: _S. Greenland_, REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5. - _Cordova_, SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 291. _Xalapa_, IB. 1859, 363. - _Guatemala_, SCL. & SALV. 1859, 11. _Panama_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. - Lyc. VIII, 63. _Cuba_, winter, CAB. Jour. III, 473. _Bahamas_, - winter, BRYANT, Bost. Pr. VII, 1859. _Jamaica_, GOSSE, Birds Jam. - 155. _St. Domingo_, SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 231. _Costa Rica_, LAWR. - _Orizaba_, winter, SUMICHRAST. - -SP. CHAR. Above bluish-ash, streaked with black. Under parts white. -The forepart of breast and the sides black, the feathers mostly edged -narrowly with white. Crown, rump, and sides of breast yellow. Cheeks -and lores black. The eyelids and a superciliary stripe, two bands on -the wing and spots on the outer three tail-feathers, white. _Female_ -of duller plumage and browner above. Length, 5.65; wing, 3.00; tail, -2.50. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America, and northward, extending -sparsely along United States boundary to Pacific Ocean; Denver City, -Colorado; Fort Yukon; Greenland; Eastern Mexico to Panama R. R.; -Western West Indies and Bermuda. Breeds in Jamaica! - -Autumnal and winter birds are very much duller and more obscurely -colored, the upper parts of an umber cast with the streaks almost -obsolete; the black of the breast wanting or but just indicated, and -the yellow patches on crown almost concealed by the brown tips to the -feathers, and those on side of breast quite dull. - -A spring male (52,283) from Washington is remarkable in having the -adjoining series of feathers down the middle of the back with their -inner webs broadly edged with yellow. In this respect it differs from -all others that we have noticed. - -HABITS. The Yellow-crowned Wood Warbler is one of the most common -species of this genus, as well as one of the most widely distributed. -It is found, at different seasons, throughout the eastern part of the -continent, as far west as the Great Plains, extending at the far north -to the Pacific Ocean. It has been found in Greenland, three specimens -having been taken within twenty years, and on the shores of the Arctic -Ocean, and during the winter in the West India Islands, Mexico, and -Central America. Specimens from Florida and Fort Steilacoom, Panama, -Guatemala, and Jamaica, and from Fort Rae, Anderson River, and the -Yukon, in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, attest its -wide distribution. In Jamaica, in the neighborhood of Spanishtown, -this species has been known to breed. In view of the fact that this -bird is regarded, with good reason, as one of our most northern -species, breeding to the very shores of the frozen seas, the -occurrence seems erratic and remarkable. Yet it is not without -corresponding vagaries in other species, the _cærulescens_ breeding in -Cuba and the _tigrina_ in St. Domingo and Jamaica. - -Mr. Paine, of East Randolph, Vt., states that these Warblers arrive in -his vicinity about the first of May, and remain there nearly two -weeks, and then all pass north. They do not return on their southern -flight until the last of September, when they remain about three -weeks. It is a very active, restless bird, chirping continually and -very sharply as it flies around in search of insects, but has not, so -far as he knows, any song. - -In Southern Illinois, as Mr. Ridgway informs me, this bird is a common -winter sojourner, remaining late in spring with the migratory species. -It is very abundant throughout the winter in woods, orchards, and -door-yards. - -Mr. Salvin found this species frequenting the more open districts -about Duenas, Guatemala, apparently preferring scattered bushes to the -denser underwood, and was an abundant species there throughout the -winter season. - -It is but quite recently that we have known with certainty its place -and manner of breeding. Neither Wilson, Nuttall, nor Audubon appear to -have met with its nest, though the latter received one from Professor -McCulloch of Halifax. - -In the summer of 1855, early in July, I obtained a nest of this -species in Parsboro’, Nova Scotia. It was built in a low bush, in the -midst of a small village, and contained six eggs. The parents were -very shy, and it was with great difficulty that one of them was -secured for identification. Though late in the season, incubation had -but just commenced. - -The nest was built on a horizontal branch, the smaller twigs of which -were so interlaced as to admit of its being built upon them, though -their extremities were interwoven into its rim. The nest was small for -the bird, being only two inches in depth and four and a half in -diameter. The cavity is one and a half inches deep and two and a half -wide. Its base and external portions consist of fine, light, dry -stalks of wild grasses, and slender twigs and roots. Of the last the -firm, strong rim of the nest is exclusively woven. Within, the nest is -composed of soft, fine grasses, downy feathers, and the fine hair of -the smaller mammals. - -Mr. Audubon, who observed very closely the habits of these birds -during a winter in Florida, describes them as very social among -themselves, skipping along the piazza, balancing themselves in the air -opposite the sides of the house in search of spiders and insects, -diving through the low bushes of the garden after larvæ and worms, and -at night roosting among the orange-trees. In his visit to Maine he -found them very abundant in early May. The woods seemed alive with -them, and wherever he landed, on his way to Labrador, he found them in -great numbers. - - [Illustration: PLATE XIII. - - 1. Dendroica auduboni, _Towns._ ♂ Rocky Mts., 11965. - 2. “ blackburniæ, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 939. - 3. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 944. - 4. Dendroica castanea, _Wils._ ♂ Pa., 2231. - 5. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 949. - 6. “ pinus, _Wils._ ♂ Pa., 2942. - 7. Dendroica pennsylvanica, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 2233. - 8. “ “ “ ♂ _juv._, Ill., 60883. - 9. “ striata, _Forst._ ♂ Pa., 1545. - 10. Dendroica cærulea, _Wils._ ♂ Ohio, 7349. - 11. “ “ “ ♀ Mo., 6980. - 12. “ striata, _Forst._ ♀ Pa., 978.] - -This Warbler is an expert flycatcher, feeds chiefly on insects, and is -a great devourer of small caterpillars; but in the winter its food is -largely composed of berries, especially those of the _Myrica -cerifera_. It will also feed on grass-seeds. In the warmer wintry days -in Florida, when insects are abundant, Mr. Audubon states that these -birds are particularly active in their pursuit, and the trees seem -full of them. At this time they emit, at each movement, a single note, -_twēēt_, so very peculiar that they may be at once recognized by the -cry. - -Wilson states that these Warblers appear in Pennsylvania, from the -North, early in October, and stay there several weeks. Some of them -remain in the Southern States all winter. They feed with great avidity -upon the berries of the red cedar. - -In Western Massachusetts it is a very abundant spring and autumn -visitant, making but a brief stay in spring, but passing northward in -large numbers. In autumn it remains longer, and passes south more -leisurely. Mr. B. P. Mann found its nest and eggs in Concord, but this -was probably an exceptional instance. In Eastern Maine it arrives May -25, and, as Mr. Boardman thinks, remains to breed. Both Dr. Suckley -and Dr. Cooper met with this species in Washington Territory, where it -is very rare. - -No writers have observed or noted the song of this bird, except Mr. T. -M. Trippe (American Nat., II. p. 171), who states that during its -spring migrations it has a very sweet song or warble, uttered at short -intervals. - -It reaches the high northern latitudes late in May, and leaves that -region in September. The observations of Mr. McFarlane show that the -nests of this bird are moderately common at Anderson River, and are -generally built in low spruce-trees four or five feet from the ground. -In one or two instances it was placed on the ground. - -The eggs of this Warbler vary from .72 to .80 of an inch in length, -and from .50 to .55 in breadth. Their ground-color is white, often -tinged with a bluish shade, and blotched and spotted with -reddish-brown, purple, and darker shades of brown. They are of a -rounded oval shape. - - -Dendroica auduboni, BAIRD. - -AUDUBON’S WARBLER; WESTERN YELLOW-RUMP. - - _Sylvia auduboni_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, II, 1837.—IB. - Narrative, 1839, 342.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 52, pl. cccxcv. - _Sylvicola auduboni_, BON. List. 1838.—AUD. Birds Am. II, 1841, - 26, pl. lxxvii. _Dendroica auduboni_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 273; Rev. 188.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298 (Oaxaca; October); - 1860, 250 (Orizaba).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 273 (San - Geronimo, Guat.).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, II, 1859, - 181.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1864, 172 (City of Mexico).—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 88. - -SP. CHAR. Above bluish-ash, streaked with black, most marked on the -middle of the back; on the head and neck bluish-ash. Middle of crown, -rump, chin, and throat, and a patch on the side of the breast, -gamboge-yellow; space beneath and anterior to the eyes, forepart of -breast and sides, black; this color extending behind on the sides in -streaks. Middle of belly, under tail-coverts, a portion of upper and -lower eyelids, and a broad band on the wings, with a spot on each of -the four or five exterior tail-feathers, white; rest of tail-feathers -black. _Female_ brown above; the other markings less conspicuous and -less black. Length, 5.25; wings, 3.20; tail, 2.25. _Young_, first -plumage, whole body, including head all round and rump, conspicuously -streaked with slaty-black upon an ashy ground above and white below. -No yellow on crown, rump, breast, or throat. Wings and tail as in -autumnal adult. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of the United States; Cape St. -Lucas; Western Mexico and Orizaba? Oaxaca (cold regions, October, -SCLATER); Guatemala (SALVIN). - -This bird is very closely allied to _D. coronata_, but is -distinguished by the yellow (not white) throat; the absence of a -superciliary white stripe (the eyelids white, however); the -restriction of the black of the face to the lores, and to a suffusion -round the eye; and the presence of one broad band on the wings, -instead of two narrow ones. - -HABITS. This beautiful Warbler, so strikingly simulating the _D. -coronata_ in the character of its markings, and now so well known as a -common species on the Pacific coast, was first met with by Mr. -Townsend near the Columbia River, where he found it very abundant. His -account of its habits is inconsistent, and probably not reliable. Mr. -Nuttall, who was with Mr. Townsend, differs, also, essentially in his -account. He states that he first saw them about the middle of April, -and that their song bore a very close resemblance to that of the _D. -æstiva_, but was delivered in a much superior style. They remained his -summer companions, breeding among the shady firs on the borders of -prairie openings, where there was an abundant supply of insect food. -By the 8th of June he found their young already out, in small and busy -flocks, solicitously attended by their parents. They greatly resembled -the young of the _coronata_. These birds frequented large trees, -particularly the water-oaks, and the lower branches of gigantic firs. - -Dr. Cooper found this Warbler one of the most abundant species of -Washington Territory, and believed them to be, to some extent, a -resident species, as he met them about the Straits of Fuca in March. -He speaks of its song as lively, and heard everywhere on the borders -of the woods, even near the coast, where few of the smaller species -ever visit. In the fall he noticed straggling flocks of the young -wandering about the low shrubbery in large numbers. The same writer -also states that this species is in winter a very abundant bird in the -southern part of California, flitting about among the bushes and low -trees. The males are then in the dull plumage of the females, and do -not put on their richer hues until March or April. He saw none south -of San Francisco after May 1, but they began to reappear in September. -As he found newly fledged young near Lake Tahoe, he thinks they breed -throughout the higher Sierra Nevada. At the sea level in latitude 37° -they appear late in September, and remain until March 20. - -Dr. Suckley regarded this bird as the most abundant species visiting -the western portion of Washington Territory. Near Fort Steilacoom it -was found principally among the oak-trees on the plains. - -Dr. Woodhouse found it abundant in New Mexico, confining itself to the -timbered and mountainous districts, and especially plentiful among the -San Francisco Mountains, feeding among the tall pines. Dr. Coues found -it exceedingly common in Arizona, where some spend the winter, and a -few possibly remain in the summer to breed. - -Dr. Heermann found them remaining in the Sacramento Valley throughout -the winter, and quotes Dr. Kennerly as finding these birds on the Boca -Grande and at different points in Sonora. Mr. Gambel found these -Warblers on all his route from New Mexico to California in great -abundance, their habits greatly resembling those of the _D. coronata_. -They display a great deal of familiarity, entering the towns, -resorting to the gardens and hedge-rows, and even the corrals of the -houses, descending also to the ground in company with Blackbirds and -Sparrows. - -This Warbler is thus shown to have a very extended distribution. It is -now known to be found, at different seasons, from Central America to -British Columbia, and from New Mexico to the Pacific. - -We are indebted to the late Mr. Hepburn for all the knowledge we -possess in reference to its nests, eggs, and breeding-habits. He -procured their nests and eggs in Vancouver’s Island. They were built -in the forked branches of small shrubs. Around these the materials of -which they were built were strongly bound, and to it the nests were -thus securely fastened. They were quite long and large for the bird, -being four inches in height, and three and a half in diameter. The -cavity is small, but deep. The external periphery of the nest is made -of coarse strips of bark, long dry leaves of wild grasses, and strong -stalks of plants, intermingled with finer grasses, pieces of cotton -cloth, and other materials. The inner nest is also a singular -combination of various materials, yet carefully and elaborately put -together. It is made up of fine grasses, feathers, lichens, mosses, -fine roots, etc., all felted together and lined with a warm bedding of -fur and feathers. Mr. Hepburn’s observations, so far as they go, seem -to show that this bird does not usually build in such lofty positions -as Nuttall and others conjectured. - -According to Mr. Hepburn, they arrive in Vancouver’s Island in the -middle of April, and generally frequent high trees, constructing their -nests in the upper branches, though also frequently building in low -bushes, a few feet from the ground. The number of their eggs is four. -These, he states, have a pure white ground, and are spotted, usually -chiefly about the larger end, with red markings. - -Mr. Salvin met with both this species and the _D. coronata_ at San -Geronimo, November, 1859. They congregated together on the ground, -where they principally obtained their food. - -Dr. Cooper, in his paper on the fauna of Montana, mentions this -Warbler as the only one of the genus seen by him between Fort Benton -and Fort Vancouver. It was very common throughout the mountains, and -he found it in every portion of the country west of them, even where -scarcely a bush was to be seen. - -According to the careful observations of Mr. Robert Ridgway, this -Warbler, during the summer months, in the Great Basin, chiefly -inhabits the pines of the high mountain ranges, as well as the cedar -and piñon woods of the desert mountains. In winter it descends to the -lower portions, being then found among the willows, or, in small -roving companies, hopping among the tree-tops in the river valleys. In -manners it is said by him to resemble the _coronata_, but in their -notes they differ very widely. A nest, containing three young, was -found by Mr. Ridgway near the extremity of a horizontal branch of a -pine-tree, about ten feet from the ground. - -The eggs of the Audubon Warbler do not resemble those of any -_Dendroica_ with which I am acquainted, but are most like those of the -Hooded Warbler. They measure .70 by .50 of an inch, have a reddish or -pinkish white ground, and are sparingly marked with fine brown -markings, tinted with a crimson shading. - - -Dendroica maculosa, BAIRD. - -BLACK AND YELLOW WARBLER. - - _Motacilla maculosa_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 984. _Sylvia m._ LATH.; - VIEILL.; BON.; NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, II, V, pl. 1. 123. - _Sylvicola m._ SWAINS.; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. xcvi. - _Rhimanphus m._ CAB. Jour. III, 1855, 474 (Cuba). _Dendroica m._ - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 284; Review, 206.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859, 363, 373 (Xalapa).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1859 - (Bahamas).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—LAWRENCE, - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 322 (Panama; winter).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. - 1861, 326 (Cuba; very rare).—SAMUELS, 238. _Sylvia magnolia_, - WILS. III, pl. xxiii, fig. 3. - -SP. CHAR. _Male, in spring._ Bill dark bluish-black, rather lighter -beneath. Tail dusky. Top of head light grayish-blue. Front, lore, -cheek, and a stripe under the eye, black, running into a large -triangular patch on the back between the wings, which is also black. -Eyelids and a stripe from the eye along the head white. Upper -tail-coverts black, some of the feathers tipped with grayish. Abdomen -and lower tail-coverts white. Rump and under parts, except as -described, yellow. Lower throat, breast, and sides streaked with -black; the streaks closer on the lower throat and fore breast. Lesser -wing-coverts, and edges of the wing and tail, bluish-gray, the former -spotted with black. Quills and tail almost black; the latter with a -square patch of white on the inner webs of all the tail-feathers (but -the two inner) beyond the middle of the tail. Two white bands across -the wings (sometimes coalesced into one) formed by the middle and -secondary coverts. Part of the edge of the inner webs of the quills -white. Feathers margining the black patch on the back behind and on -the sides tinged with greenish. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.50; tail, -2.25. Autumnal males differ in absence of black of back, front, sides -of head, and to a considerable degree beneath, and in much less white -on the wings and head. - -_Female in spring._ Similar, but all the colors duller. Black of the -back restricted to a central triangular patch. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America to Fort Simpson; Eastern Mexico -to Guatemala and Panama; Bahamas; Cuba (very rare). - -HABITS. The Black and Yellow Warbler, one of the most beautiful of -this attractive family, was supposed by our earlier writers to be -exceedingly rare. Wilson never met with more than two specimens,—one -in Ohio, the other on the Mississippi,—and spoke of it as a very -scarce species. In regard to its song he was quite at fault, denying -to it any notes deserving the name of song. Nuttall, who had only seen -it occasionally in Massachusetts, in the middle of May, regarded it as -rare, and was unacquainted with its notes. Its history is now much -better known, and neither its great rarity nor its deficiency as to -melody can any longer be admitted. - -At certain seasons and in particular places it is a very common -species. It may be found during the breeding-season throughout North -America east of the Great Plains, between latitude 44° and Fort -Simpson in the fur country. During its migrations it may be met with -in most of the Eastern States, in Eastern Mexico, and the northern -portions of South America. It has been found in the Bahamas, and also -in Cuba, where it is not common. Specimens have been received from -Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, and from Fort Resolution, Rupert House, -and Fort Simpson, in Arctic America, and as far to the west as the -mouth of Vermilion River. Dr. Bryant met with it in the Bahamas as -early as the 15th of March, where it was quite common. M. Boucard -found it at Playa Vicente, in the hot portion of the State of Oaxaca, -Mexico. - -In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen found it a common spring and -autumn visitor, occurring in its northern flights from the middle of -May to the first of June, and in the autumn as late as September 20. -Professor Verrill found it in Western Maine, but not common, both in -spring and fall, but had no reason to believe that it bred there. Mr. -Boardman does not include it in his list of Calais birds, and I did -not find it among the islands in the Bay of Fundy. In the vicinity of -Halifax, during the months of June and July, it is one of the most -common of the Warblers, occurring in every direction. - -Mr. Audubon observed these Warblers in Louisiana, in their migrations, -as early as the middle of March; but its appearance there, as well as -in Kentucky and Ohio, appeared to be occasional and accidental. In -autumn he has met with them in large numbers among the mountains of -Northern Pennsylvania, They were passing southward with their young. -While on his way to Labrador he noticed them in Maine, near Eastport, -in May, very abundant along the roads, the fields, and the low woods, -as well as in the orchards and gardens. The season was then not -advanced, the weather cold; and these birds sheltered themselves by -night among the evergreens, and were often so chilled as to be readily -taken by the hand. He also met them wherever he landed in the -neighboring islands in the Bay of Fundy and at Labrador. - -The song of this Warbler is clear and sweetly modulated, and surpasses -that of most of this family. It seems to prefer the interior of low -woods, where its notes may chiefly be heard during the early summer, -as it sings while it is searching for its food among the branches, in -the manner of the Vireos. - -Like nearly all the members of this family, in its search for food it -blends the habits of the Creepers with those of the Flycatchers, -feeding upon insects in their every form, running up and down the -trunks for the ova, larvæ, and pupæ, expertly catching the insect on -the wing, and equally skilful in hovering over the expanded bud and -searching the opening leaves. - -Mr. Audubon found its nest placed deep among the branches of low -fir-trees, supported by horizontal twigs, constructed of moss and -lichens, and lined with fibrous roots and feathers. One found in -Labrador, in the beginning of July, contained five eggs, small and -rather more elongated than is common in this genus. They were white, -and sprinkled with reddish dots at the larger end. The female -fluttered among the branches, spreading her wings and tail in great -distress, and returning to her nest as soon as the intruders were a -few yards off. In August he saw a number of their young already -following their parents and moving southward. In his expedition to -Texas, Mr. Audubon again met this bird, in considerable numbers, early -in April. Their eggs, he states, measure three fourths of an inch in -length by nine sixteenths in breadth. In some the ground-color, -instead of pure white, is of a yellowish tinge. - -The writer found this Warbler abundant near Halifax in the early -summer of 1850, frequenting the thick hemlock woods, confiding in its -habits, unsuspicious, and easily approached. The distress, as -described by Audubon, manifested in behalf of its own young, it is as -ready to exhibit when the nest of a feathered neighbor is disturbed. A -pair of Hudson’s Bay Titmice, protesting against the invasion of their -home, by their outcries brought a pair of these Warblers to their -sympathetic assistance; and the latter manifested, in a more gentle -way, quite as much distress and anxiety as the real parents. With -expanded tail and half-extended wings they fluttered overhead among -the branches, approaching us almost within reach, uttering the most -piteous outcries. - -Sir John Richardson found this Warbler as common and as familiar as -the _D. æstiva_ on the Saskatchewan, and greatly resembling it in -habits, though gifted with a much more varied and agreeable song. - -Mr. Kennicott met this Warbler on Great Slave Lake, June 12, 1860, -where he obtained a female, nest, and five eggs. The nest, loosely -built, was placed in a small spruce about two feet from the ground, -and in thick woods. The bird was rather bold, coming to her nest while -he stood by it. This nest was only one and a half inches deep, with a -diameter of three and a half inches; the cavity only one inch deep, -with a diameter of two and a half inches. It was made almost entirely -of fine stems of plants and slender grasses, and a few mosses. The -cavity was lined with finer stems, and fine black roots of herbaceous -plants. - -The eggs of this Warbler are, in shape, a rounded oval, one end being -but slightly more pointed than the other. They measure .62 of an inch -in length and .49 in breadth. Their ground-color is a light ashen hue, -or a dull white, and this is more or less sprinkled with fine dots and -blotches of a light brown. For the most part these are grouped in a -ring about the larger end. - -Mr. R. Deane, of Cambridge, found this bird breeding near Lake -Umbagog. Its nest was in the fork of a low spruce about three feet -from the ground. The nest contained four eggs, and was made of dry -grasses, spruce twigs, and rootlets. It was lined with fine black -roots, being a rather coarse structure for a Warbler. The eggs were -nearly spherical, averaging .62 by .51 of an inch. Their ground-color -was a creamy-white, sparsely marked with a few large blotches of lilac -and umber. - - -Dendroica cærulea, BAIRD. - -CÆRULEAN WARBLER; WHITE-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. - - _Sylvia cærulea_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 141, pl. xvii, fig. 5. - _Sylvicola c._ SWAINS.; JARD.; RICH.; BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. - xlix; NUTT. _Dendroica c._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 280; Rev. - 191.—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very rare).—SAMUELS, 579. - _Sylvia rara_, WILSON, II, pl. xxvii, fig. 2.—BON.; AUD. Orn. - Biog. I, pl. xlix. _Sylvia azurea_, STEPH. Shaw, Zoöl. X, - 1817.—BON. Am. Orn. II, 1828, pl. xxvii (♀).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - pl. xlviii, xlix; NUTT. _Sylvia bifasciata_, SAY, Long’s Exped. I, - 1823, 170. _Sylvia populorum_, VIEILL. Encyc. Méth. II, 1823, 449 - (from Wilson). - Other localities: _Bogota_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 18. _Panama R. - R._, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 322. _Yucatan_, LAWR. - _Veragua_, SALV. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Above bright blue, darkest on the crown, tinged with -ash on the rump; middle of back, scapulars, upper tail-coverts, and -sides of the crown, streaked with black. Beneath white; a collar -across the breast, and streaks on the sides, dusky-blue. Lores, and a -line through and behind the eye (where it is bordered above by -whitish), dusky-blue; paler on the cheeks. Two white bands on the -wings. All the tail-feathers except the innermost with a white patch -on the inner web near the end. _Female_, greenish-blue above, -brightest on the crown; beneath white, tinged with greenish-yellow, -and obsoletely streaked on the sides; eyelids and a superciliary line -greenish-white. Length, 4.25; wing, 2.65; tail, 1.90. - -HAB. Eastern United States, north to Niagara Falls; Cuba (very rare); -Guatemala; Veragua, Panama, and Bogota. Not recorded from Mexico -(except Yucatan), or West Indies (except Cuba). - -The autumnal adult plumage of both sexes is, in every respect, exactly -like the spring dress. Young males in late summer are very similar to -adult females, but are purer white below, and less uniform -greenish-blue above, the dark stripes on sides of the crown and black -centres to scapulars being quite conspicuous; the young female, at the -same season, is similar in pattern to the adult, but is dull green -above, without any tinge of blue, and light buffy-yellow below. - -There is considerable variation in adult males, especially in the -width of the pectoral collar; one (No. 60,877, Mt. Carmel, Wabash Co., -Ill., Aug. 9) has this entirely interrupted. In this individual there -is no trace of a whitish supra-auricular streak; while others from the -same locality, and obtained at the same date, have the band across the -jugulum continuous, and a quite distinct white streak over the -ear-coverts. - -HABITS. Of this somewhat rare Warbler very little is as yet well -known. Its habits and distribution during the breeding-season need -more light than we now possess to enable us to give its story with any -degree of exactness. Its appearance in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, -and Missouri early in May, when Warblers that go north to breed are on -their way, at first suggested its belonging to that class. It is not -known to proceed any farther north, except in accidental instances; -though the writer has been assured, and has no reason to doubt the -fact, that it abounds and breeds in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls. -I can find no good evidence that it ever occurs in Massachusetts. -Individuals have been obtained in northern South America, Panama, and -Cuba. Dr. Woodhouse describes it as quite common in Texas and in the -Indian Territory, where it breeds, as he obtained both the old and the -young birds. It was also abundant among the timbered lands of the -Arkansas and its tributaries. It was not obtained in any other of the -government expeditions, nor was it found in Arizona by Dr. Coues. Mr. -T. M. Trippe noticed a single individual near Orange, N. Y. Wilson -supposed them to breed in Pennsylvania, though he was never able to -find their nests. He usually met with these birds in marshes or on the -borders of streams among the branches of poplars. Their habits were -those of the Flycatchers. He saw none later than the 20th of August. -Describing this species as the Blue-green Warbler, as met with by him -on the banks of the Cumberland early in April, he mentions its -gleaning for food among the upper branches of the tallest trees, -rendering it difficult to be procured. Its resemblance, in habits, to -Flycatchers, he again remarks. Its only note was a feeble _cheep_. - -According to Audubon, this Warbler appears in Louisiana, where it also -breeds early in spring, and leaves the first of October. Like all its -family, it is quite lively, has a similar flight, moves sideways up -and down the branches, and hangs from the ends of the twigs in its -search for insects. - -Mr. Audubon also states that the liveliness of the notes of this -Warbler renders it conspicuous in the forests, the skirts of which it -frequents. Its song, though neither loud nor of long continuance, he -speaks of as extremely sweet and mellow. He found it as numerous in -the State of Louisiana as any other Warbler, so that he could -sometimes obtain five or six in a single walk. - -The nest he describes as placed in the forks of a low tree or bush, -partly pensile, projecting a little above the twigs to which it is -attached, and extending below them nearly two inches. The outer part -is composed of the fibres of vines and the stalks of herbaceous -plants, with slender roots arranged in a circular manner. The nest is -lined with fine dry fibres of the Spanish moss. The eggs are five in -number, of a pure white with a few reddish spots about the larger end. -When disturbed during incubation, the female is said to trail along -the branches with drooping wings and plaintive notes, in the manner of -_D. æstiva_. After the young have left the nest, they move and hunt -together, in company with their parents, evincing great activity in -the pursuit of insects. They are also said to have a great partiality -for trees the tops of which are thickly covered with grapevines, and -to occasionally alight on tall weeds, feeding upon their seeds. - -In his visit to Texas, Mr. Audubon met a large number of these birds -apparently coming from Mexico. On one occasion he encountered a large -flock on a small island. - -Mr. Nuttall mentions finding these birds very abundant in Tennessee -and also in West Florida. - -In only a single instance has the writer met with this Warbler. This -was about the middle of June, at the Fairmount Water Works in the city -of Philadelphia, where, among the tops of the trees, a single -individual was busily engaged in hunting insects, undisturbed by the -large numbers and vicinity of visitors to the grounds. It kept in the -tops of the trees, moving about with great agility. - -Mr. Ridgway gives the Cærulean Warbler as the most abundant species of -its genus in the Lower Wabash Valley, not only during the spring and -fall migrations, but also in the summer, when it breeds more -plentifully even than the _D. æstiva_. It inhabits, however, only the -deep woods of the bottom lands, where it is seldom seen, and only to -be distinguished by the naturalist. Inhabiting, mostly, the tree-tops, -it is an inconspicuous bird, and thus one that easily escapes notice. -In its habits it is perhaps less interesting than others of its genus, -being so retired, and possessing only the most feeble notes. - - -Dendroica blackburniæ, BAIRD. - -BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER; ORANGE-THROATED WARBLER. - - _Motacilla blackburniæ_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 977. _Sylvia - bl._ LATH.; WILSON, III, pl. xxiii.—NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. II, V, - pl. cxxxv, cccxcix. _Sylvicola bl._ JARD.; RICH.; AUD. Birds Am. - II, pl. lxxxvii. _Rhimanphus bl._ CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 19. - _Dendroica bl._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 274; Rev. 189.—SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 363 - (Xalapa); IB. 1860, 64 (Ecuador).—IB. Catal. 1861, 30, no. 187 - (Pallatanga and Nanegal, Ecuador).—SAMUELS, 227.—SUNDEVALL, Ofv. - 1869, 611.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 478. _? Motacilla chrysocephala_, - GMELIN, I, 1788, 971 (_Figuier orangé et F. étranger_, BUFF. V, - 313, pl. lviii, fig. 3, Guiana). _Sylvia parus_, WILS. V, pl. - xliv, fig. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxiv. _Sylvicola parus_, - AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. lxxxiii. _Sylvia lateralis_, STEPH. _? - Motacilla incana_, GMEL. I, 1788, 976. _Sylvia incana_, LATH.; - VIEILL. _? Sylvia melanorhoa_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XI, 1817, 180 - (Martinique).—IB. Encycl. Méth. II, 444. - Localities quoted: _Bogota_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 143. _Panama_, - LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, 62. _Costa Rica_, CAB. Jour. 1860, 328. - _Bahamas_, BRYANT, Bost. Pr. VII, 1859. _Veragua_, SALVIN. - _Orizaba_ (winter; rare), SUMICHRAST. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts nearly uniform black, with a whitish scapular -stripe and a large white patch in the middle of the wing-coverts. An -oblong patch in the middle of the crown, and the entire side of the -head and neck (including a superciliary stripe from the nostrils), the -chin, throat, and forepart of the breast, bright orange-red. A black -stripe from the commissure passing around the lower half of the eye, -and including the ear-coverts; with, however, an orange crescent in -it, just below the eye, the extreme lid being black. Rest of under -parts white, strongly tinged with yellowish-orange on the breast and -belly, and streaked with black on the sides. Outer three tail-feathers -white, the shafts and tips dark brown; the fourth and fifth spotted -much with white; the other tail-feathers and quills almost black. -_Female_ similar; the colors duller; the feathers of the upper parts -with olivaceous edges. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.83; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States; Eastern Mexico, and south to -Bogota and Ecuador; Bahamas alone of West Indies with certainty. - -Autumnal males resemble the females. They have two white bands instead -of one; the black stripes on the sides are larger; under parts -yellowish; the throat yellowish, passing into purer yellow behind. - -Autumnal young birds have the same pattern of coloration, but the dark -portions are dull grayish-umber, with the streaks very obsolete, and -the light parts dull buffy-white, tinged with yellow on the jugulum; -there is neither clear black, bright yellow, nor pure white on the -plumage, except the latter on the wing-bands and tail-patches. - -HABITS. This somewhat rare and very beautiful Warbler requires -additional investigation into its habits before its history can be -regarded as satisfactorily known. Save in reference to its wider -distribution during its southern migrations, little more is known as -to its habits than where Audubon left its history nearly thirty years -since. The Smithsonian collection has specimens from Pennsylvania, -Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, and from Central America. Mr. -Sclater has received specimens from Mexico, and from Ecuador in South -America. Other writers mention having specimens from Guiana, -Martinique, and Panama, and Dr. Bryant found it in the Bahamas. It is -thus known to have a wide distribution from the Atlantic to the -Mississippi River, as far to the north probably as Labrador. Its area -of reproduction is not known with exactness, but the southern limit is -supposed to be the high wooded districts of Pennsylvania, New York, -and New England. A young bird was taken by Holböll, October 16, 1845, -at Frederikshaab, Greenland. In 1837 an egg was sent me from Coventry, -Vt., which purported to belong to this bird; and in the following -summer its nest and eggs were procured in a wild, secluded part of -Roxbury, Mass. In neither case was the identification entirely free -from doubt. - -Dr. Bachman states that when a resident of Lansingburg, N. Y., in -1833, he saw a pair of these birds in the act of constructing their -nest. Mr. Allen has no doubt that a few breed in the vicinity of -Springfield, Mass., as he has obtained them as late as June 24. He -found it most common in mixed or hard-wood forests. It arrives about -the middle of May. Professor Verrill gives it as a summer resident of -Western Maine, though rarely seen on account of its habit of keeping -concealed among the dense foliage. Mr. Boardman gives the same account -of its residence in summer in the neighborhood of Calais. - -Mr. Audubon did not regard this bird and his “Hemlock Warbler” as the -same species, but gave distinct and different accounts of their -habits. We have therefore to receive with caution these records of -peculiarities. He found the Blackburnian Warbler breeding in -Northeastern Maine, in New Brunswick, in the Magdaleine Islands, and -in Labrador and Newfoundland. He states, correctly, that it has a very -sweet song of five or six notes, much louder than seemed possible from -the size of the bird. It pursues its insect prey among the branches of -the fir-trees, moving along after the manner of the common Redstart. - -Mr. McCulloch, of Halifax, gave Mr. Audubon a nest of this bird with -three eggs. The nest was formed externally of different textures, -lined with fine delicate strips of bark and a thick bed of feathers -and horse-hair. The eggs were small, conical, with a white ground -spotted with light red at the larger end. The nest was in the small -fork of a tree five feet from the ground, and near a brook. - -The nest obtained in Roxbury was in a bush, a few feet from the -ground, in a very wild region of forest and rocks. Externally, except -in its length, which was less, it resembled a nest of the _G. -trichas_, being made of coarse, dry grasses. Internally it was much -more warmly lined with feathers and soft fur than is the case in nests -of the Yellow-Throat. The eggs were of a crystal whiteness, marked at -their larger end with dark purple, and but for their smaller size -might have been mistaken for those of _G. trichas_. The position of -the nest, however, was conclusive in regard to this point. The egg -from Coventry was substantially similar, except that reddish-brown -dots were mingled with the purple markings, in the form of a wreath -around the larger end. - -Wilson describes this Warbler as songless, but attributes to its -counterpart, the Hemlock Warbler, a very sweet song of a few low -notes,—a very different account from that given by Audubon of the song -of the Blackburnian. - -Mr. Paine states that this species is resident during the summer -months in Randolph, Vt. It is, he says, a very close companion of the -_D. virens_, arriving at the same time with it even to a day, or about -the 10th of May. Its dry chirping song may then be heard in striking -contrast with the sweet notes of the _virens_. He was not able to find -its nest. - -Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with this species as a winter resident at Alto, in -Colombia, South America. Its upward range seemed to be terminated only -by the paramos. Among the oaks on the Pamplona road he found it very -common just under the paramo, the bright orange throat of the male -making it a very conspicuous bird. He was led to believe that they -were not found there at a lower elevation than five thousand feet. - - -Dendroica dominica, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. - - _Motacilla dominica_, L. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. 1766, 334 (_Ficedula - dominica cinerea_, BRISS. III, 520, pl. xxvii, fig. 3). _Dendroica - dominica_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 209. _Motacilla superciliosa_, - BODDÆRT, Tableau Pl. enl. 686, fig. 1, 1783. _Dendroica - superciliosa_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 289.—SCLATER (Xalapa, - Oaxaca, Jamaica, Mexico).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 274 - (Duenas, Guat.; Sept.).—MARCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1863, 293 - (Jamaica).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very common). - _Motacilla flavicollis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 959. _Sylvia - fl._ LATH.; WILS. II, pl. xii, fig. 6. _Motacilla pensilis_, - GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 960. _Sylvia p._ LATH.; VIEILL. (St. - Domingo).—BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lxxxv; NUTT. _Sylvicola - pens._ RICH; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. lxxix.—GOSSE, Birds Jam. - 1847, 156 (Jamaica). _Rhimanphus pens._ CAB. Jour. III, 474 (Cuba). - Other localities: _Cordova_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 291. _St. - Domingo_, SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 231. _Jamaica_, GOSSE, Birds Jam. - 156. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts uniform grayish-blue. Chin and throat bright -yellow; under parts white. Forehead, and sometimes most of crown, -lores and cheeks, sides of throat, and numerous streaks on the sides -of the breast, black. A stripe from the nostrils over and behind the -eye, a crescent on the lower eyelid, the sides of the neck behind the -black cheekpatch, and two conspicuous bands on the wings, white. -Terminal half of the outer webs of the outer two, and terminal third -of the third tail-feathers, white. _Female_ almost precisely similar. -Length, 5.10; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.30. (3,322.) - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, north to Washington and -Cleveland; in winter abundant in Cuba; St. Domingo and Jamaica; Mexico -(Colima on west coast), and Guatemala. Resident in Jamaica? - -An autumnal male (No. 1,098, Washington, D. C.) has the bluish-ash -above obscured by a wash of brown; the black “mask” less sharply -defined, the streaks on forehead wanting; the yellow paler and duller, -and the white beneath soiled with brownish. - -In general pattern of coloration this species resembles two others; -one from Arizona, the other from Porto Rico. The diagnoses are as -follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Upper parts ash-gray, the forehead and sides -of vertex black. A line from nostril to above eye (passing into -white behind), chin, and throat, yellow, margined laterally with -blackish; crissum, inside of wings, axillars; and two bands on -wings, white. - - Superciliary line extending to the nape, and white, excepting - sometimes anterior to the eye. Cheeks black, separated from the - ash of the neck by a white patch. Eyelids and infra-ocular - crescent white. Back not streaked. Bill lengthened, gonys - almost concave. - - Yellow confined to jugulum; rest of under parts white; the - sides streaked with black … _dominica_. - - Superciliary line scarcely extending beyond the eye, and - yellow, excepting at extreme end. Cheeks ashy, like sides of - neck; dusky only near the eye, and not bordered on side of neck - behind by white. Eyelids and infra-ocular crescent yellow. Back - streaked. Bill short, gonys slightly convex. - - Yellow of under parts confined to jugulum; rest of under - parts white; the sides streaked with black … _graciæ_. - - Yellow of under parts extending to crissum. Sides scarcely - streaked … _adelaidæ._[51] - - [Illustration: PLATE XIV. - - 1. Dendroica æstiva, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 940. - 2. “ maculosa, _Gm._ ♂ D. C., 20634. - 3. “ montana. (From Audubon.) - 4. “ olivacea, _Giraud_. ♂ Mex., 30692. - 5. Dendroica kirtlandi, _Baird_. ♂ Ohio, 4363. - 6. “ dominica, _Linn._ ♂ Ga., 3322. - 7. “ “ , _var._ albilora, _Ridgw._ ♂ Ohio, 7701. - 8. Dendroica palmarum, _Gm._ ♂ N. S., 26929. - 9. “ discolor, _Vieill._ ♂ Pa., 1091. - 10. “ graciæ, _Coues_. ♂ Ariz., 40680. - 11. Seiurus aurocapillus, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 1433. - 12. “ noveboracensis, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 2434. - 13. “ ludovicianus, _Aud._ ♂ Pa., 964.] - -In the Review (p. 209) several variations in this species are noted; -but at that time there was not a sufficient number of specimens to -warrant our coming to a conclusion as to their value. Now, however, we -have better material before us, and upon the examination of about -thirty specimens, including two series of nearly equal numbers,—one -from the Atlantic States and the West Indies, the other from the -Mississippi region and Middle America,—find that there are two -appreciably different races, to be distinguished from each other by -points of constant difference. All birds of the first series have the -bill longer than any of the latter, the difference in a majority of -the specimens being very considerable; they also have the superciliary -stripe bright yellow anteriorly, while among the latter there is never -more than a trace of yellow over the lores, and even this minimum -amount is discernible only in one or two individuals. The West Indian -form is, of course, the true _dominica_, and to be distinguished as -var. _dominica_; as none of the synonymes of this species were founded -upon the Mexican one, however, it will be necessary to propose a new -name; accordingly, the term var. _albilora_ is selected as being most -descriptive of its peculiar features. - -The following synopsis, taken from typical specimens, shows the -differences between these two races:— - - (No. 3,322, ♂, Liberty County, Georgia.) Bill (from nostril), - .45; tarsus, .60; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.00. Superciliary - stripe, anterior to eye, wholly bright yellow; yellow of chin - and maxillæ extending to the bill. _Hab._ In summer, Atlantic - States of United States, north to Washington. In winter, and - possibly all the year, in Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica … - var. _dominica_. - - (No. 61,136, ♂, Belize, Honduras.) Bill (from nostril), .35; - tarsus, .60; wing, 2.70; tail, 2.20. Superciliary stripe - wholly white; yellow of chin and maxillæ bordered narrowly - next the bill with white. _Hab._ In summer, the Mississippi - region of United States, north to Lake Erie; common in South - Illinois. In winter, and possibly all the year, in Mexico, - south to Guatemala, Yucatan on the Atlantic, and Colima on - the Pacific side … var. _albilora_. - -HABITS. The history of the Yellow-throated Warbler is very imperfectly -known. Its geographical distribution is irregular and apparently -eccentric. Found occasionally, rather than frequently, in the Southern -Atlantic and Gulf States, it occurs irregularly as far north as -Washington, New York City, Cleveland, O., Union County, Ill., and -Kansas. In the last place it is supposed also occasionally to breed. -West of this it has not been traced in any portion of the United -States. It was obtained in Tamaulipas, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, -and on the western coast Mr. Xantus found it at Colima. Mr. Sclater -has also procured it from other portions of Mexico, and M. Boucard -took it at Oaxaca. It has been obtained in Guatemala and Jamaica. In -the latter place it is found the entire season. In Cuba, in the -winter, it is quite common. It has also been found in St. Domingo, and -probably in the other West India Islands. Mr. Gosse states that these -birds do not appear in Jamaica before the 16th of August, and that -they leave by the first of April. On the other hand, Mr. March, in his -notes on the birds of that island, states that on the 8th of August he -obtained an old bird and two young, the latter of which he was -confident had been hatched on the island, and his son had met with the -birds all through the summer, and had procured a specimen on the 4th -of June. - -Wilson states that the habits of this species partake more of those of -the Creeper than of the true Warbler. He met with it in Georgia in the -month of February. He speaks of its notes as loud, and as resembling -those of the Indigo-Bird. It remained some time creeping around the -branches of the same pine, in the manner of a _Parus_, uttering its -song every few minutes. When it flew to another tree, it would alight -on the trunk and run nimbly up and down in search of insects. They are -said to arrive in Georgia in February, after an absence of only three -months. Wilson states that they occur as far north as Pennsylvania, -but does not give his authority. The food of this species appears to -be larvæ and pupæ, rather than winged insects. Those dissected by Mr. -Gosse in Jamaica were found to have quite large stomachs, containing -caterpillars of various kinds. - -Nuttall and Audubon are very contradictory in their statements -touching its nesting, and it is not probable that the accounts given -by either are founded upon any reliable authorities. The former -describes a nest remarkable both for structure and situation, said to -have been found in West Florida, suspended by a kind of rope from the -end of branches over a stream or a ravine. This nest, entirely -pensile, is impervious to rain, and with an entrance at the bottom. He -gives a very full and minute description of this nest, but gives no -authority and no data to establish its authenticity. We can therefore -only dismiss it as probably erroneous. - -On the other hand, Mr. Audubon claims to have seen its nest, of which -he gives a very different account. He describes it as very prettily -constructed, like the nests of any other of this genus, its outer -parts made of dry lichens and soft mosses, the inner of silky -substances and fibres of the Spanish moss. The eggs are said to be -four in number, with a white ground-color and a few purple dots near -the larger end. He thinks they raise two broods in a season in -Louisiana. These nests are not pensile, but are placed on the -horizontal branch of the cypress, from twenty to fifty feet above the -ground. It closely resembles a knot or a tuft of moss, and therefore -is not easily discovered from below. - -A nest containing a single egg, found by Mr. Gosse near Neosho Falls, -and supposed to belong to this species, but not fully identified, was -built in a low sapling a few feet from the ground, and is a very neat -structure, such as is described by Audubon. The egg is pure -crystal-white, oblong and pointed, and marked with purple and brown. - -Mr. Ridgway informs me that in Southern Illinois, at least in the -valley of the Lower Wabash, the Yellow-throated Warbler may be said to -be at least a regular, though not common, summer sojourner. Though it -inhabits chiefly the swampy portions of the bottom-lands, it makes -frequent visits to the orchards and door-yards, less often, however, -in the breeding than in the migrating season. In its manners it is -almost as much of a Creeper as the _Mniotilta varia_, being frequently -seen creeping not only along the branches of trees, but over the eaves -and cornices of buildings, with all the facility of a Nuthatch. - -Eggs supposed to be of this species, taken near Wilmington, N. C., by -Mr. Norwood Giles (16,199, Smith. Coll.), have a ground-color of dull -ashy-white, with a livid tinge. They are thickly speckled, chiefly -around the larger end, with irregular markings of rufous, and fainter -ones of lilac interspersed with a very few minute specks of black. -They are broadly ovate in form, and measure .70 by .55 of an inch. - - -Dendroica graciæ, COUES. - -ARIZONA WARBLER. - - _Dendroica graciæ_ (COUES), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, April, 1865; - p. 210.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. Am. I, vi.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 563 (Appendix). - -SP. CHAR. _Adult male_ (No. 40,680, May 1, 1865, Dr. E. Coues). Whole -upper parts, including ear-coverts and sides of neck, ash-gray; small -cuneate streaks over the crown, coalesced laterally into a broad -stripe on each side, with larger cuneate streaks on the interscapular -region, and inconspicuous linear streaks on upper tail-coverts, black. -Two conspicuous white bands across the wing, formed by the tips of -middle and secondary coverts; secondaries passing externally into -light ash. Lateral tail-feather entirely white, except about the basal -third of the inner web (the dusky running some distance toward the end -along the edge), and a broad streak covering most of the terminal -fourth of the outer web, which are clear dusky; the next feather has -the outer web exactly the same, but almost the basal half of the inner -is dusky; on the next the white is confined to an oblong spot (not -touching the inner edge) on about the terminal third, while the outer -web is only edged with white; the rest have no white at all. A -superciliary stripe extending about .20 of an inch behind the eye -(that portion behind the eye white), the lower eyelid, maxillæ, chin, -throat, and jugulum pure gamboge-yellow. Rest of lower parts, -including lining of wing, pure white; the sides conspicuously streaked -with black; lores, and a few obsolete streaks along the junction of -the ash and yellow, dusky. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.20; bill (from -nostril), .30; tarsus, .60. _Adult female_ (40,685, May 24). Similar -to the male, but colors duller, and markings less sharply defined. -Wing, 2.45; tail, 2.00. _Young_ (36,992, August 11). Above -brownish-gray _without streaks_. Beneath ochraceous-white, obsoletely -streaked along the sides. Yellow superciliary stripe not well defined, -and only a tinge of yellow on the jugulum, the throat being -grayish-white. Wings and tail nearly as in the adult. The young in -autumnal plumage is similar, but the yellow occupies its usual area; -it is, however, much duller, as well as lighter, than in the adult. - -HAB. Fort Whipple, near Prescott, Arizona. Belize, British Honduras -(var. _decora_). - -This species is most closely related to _D. adelaidæ_, from Porto -Rico; but in the latter the yellow beneath extends back to the -crissum, covering even the sides; there are also no streaks on the -sides or back; the proportions, too, are quite different, the wings -and tail being scarcely three fourths as long, while the bill and feet -are much the same size, the tarsi even much shorter. A specimen (No. -41,808 ♂) from Belize, Honduras, differs so essentially from the Fort -Whipple specimens, that it is, beyond doubt, entitled to a distinctive -name. The differences between these two very well marked races can -best be expressed in a table, as follows:— - - (40,680, ♂, Fort Whipple, Arizona). Bill (from nostril), .30; - tarsus, .60; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.20. Superciliary stripe - extending .20 behind the eye, that portion behind the eye - white; yellow of jugulum not spreading over breast (ending - 1.35 from the bill). Streaks of crown coalesced into a broad - stripe on each side; those of back broad, and those on upper - tail-coverts almost obsolete. Wing-bands, .20 wide. Lore - dusky-grayish. _Hab._ Fort Whipple, near Prescott, Arizona; - abundant, breeding (COUES) … var. _graciæ_. - - (41,808, ♂, Belize). Bill, .30; tarsus, .60; wing, 2.20; tail, - 1.95. Superciliary stripe scarcely passing the eye, wholly - yellow; yellow of jugulum spreading over breast (ending 1.60 - from the bill). Streaks of the crown scarcely coalesced along - its sides; those on back not longer than those on crown, and - those on upper tail-coverts very conspicuous. Wing-bands, .10 - wide. Lore deep black. _Hab._ Belize, Honduras, resident? … - var. _decora_. - -HABITS. We are indebted to Dr. Elliott Coues for all that we at -present know in reference to this recently discovered species. He -first met with it July 2, 1864, in the Territory of Arizona. Dr. Coues -first noticed this bird among the pine woods covering the summit of -Whipple’s Pass of the Rocky Mountains. He saw no more in his journey -into Central Arizona until he was again among the pines at Port -Whipple. There he again found it, and it proved to be a very common -bird. Dr. Coues anticipates that this species will yet be found to -occur in the forests of the San Francisco Mountains, and that its -range will be ascertained to include all the pine tracts of New Mexico -and Arizona, from the valley of the Rio Grande to that of the Great -Colorado River. He also has no doubt that it breeds near and around -Fort Whipple. - -Specimens found at Belize, first believed to be identical with those -from Arizona, are now referred to a race called _decora_. - -According to Dr. Coues’s observations, the Warbler arrives at Fort -Whipple about the 20th of April, and remains in that neighborhood -until the third week in September. It is found almost exclusively in -pine woods, is active, industrious, and noisy, and possesses very -marked flycatching habits, flying out from its perch to catch passing -insects. It has been, so far, found almost exclusively among the -tallest trees. - -In regard to the song of this species, Dr. Coues states that it -appears to have several different notes. One of these is the ordinary -_tsip_, given out at all times by both old and young of all kinds of -small insectivorous birds. Its true song, heard only in spring, -consists of two or three loud sweet whistles, sometimes slurred, -followed by several continuous notes, resembling _chir-r-r_, in a wiry -but clear tone. Their notes are of great power for the size of the -bird. It also has another and quite different song, which Dr. Coues -thought greatly resembled the notes of the common American Redstart. - -As all the birds he noticed had mated by the first of May, he has no -doubt that they raise two broods in a season; and the fact that he -found newly fledged young as late as the middle of August seems to -corroborate the correctness of his supposition. In regard to the eggs, -nest, or breeding-habits of this species, we have as yet no -information. - - -Dendroica pennsylvanica, BAIRD. - -CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. - - _Motacilla pennsylvanica_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 333, no. 19; - GMELIN. _Sylvia p._ LATH.; WILSON, I, pl. xiv, fig. 5. _Dendroica - p._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 279; Rev. 191.—SCLATER & SALVIN, - Ibis, 1859, 11; 1860, 273 (Coban, Guat.; November).—SAMUELS, 231. - _Sylvia icterocephala_, LATH. Ind. Orn. II, 1790, 538.—VIEILL.; - BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lix. _Sylvicola ict._ SWAINS.; JARD.; - AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. lxxxi. _Dendroica ict._ SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859, 363 (Xalapa), 373 (Oaxaca). - Other localities: _Bahamas_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1859. _Costa - Rica_, CAB. Jour. 1860, 328. _Panama_, winter, LAWR., Ann. N. Y. - Lyc. 1861, 322. _Yucatan_, LAWR. _Veragua_, SALV. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Upper parts streaked with black and pale -bluish-gray, which becomes nearly white on the forepart of the back; -the middle of the back glossed with greenish-yellow. The crown is -continuous yellow, bordered by a frontal and superciliary band, and -behind by a square spot of white. Loral region black, sending off a -line over the eye, and another below it. Ear-coverts and lower eyelid -and entire under parts pure white, a purplish-chestnut stripe starting -on each side in a line with the black mustache, and extending back to -the thighs. Wing and tail-feathers dark brown, edged with bluish-gray, -except the secondaries and tertials, which are bordered with light -yellowish-green. The shoulders with two greenish-white bands. Three -outer tail-feathers with white patches near the end of the inner webs. - -_Female_ like the male, except that the upper parts are -yellowish-green, streaked with black; the black mustache scarcely -appreciable. Length, 5.00; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.20. - -HAB. Eastern Province of the United States; Bahamas; Guatemala to -Costa Rica and Panama R. R. Not recorded from Mexico proper or West -Indies, except Bahamas. - -The young in autumn is very different from either male or female in -spring. The entire upper parts are of a continuous light olive-green; -the under parts white; the sides of the head, neck, and breast -ash-gray, shading insensibly into and tingeing the white of the chin -and throat. No black streaks are visible above or on the cheeks, and -the eye is surrounded by a continuous ring of white not seen in -spring. In this plumage it has frequently been considered as a -distinct species. - -The male in this plumage may usually be distinguished from the female -by possessing a trace, or a distinct stripe, of chestnut on the -flanks, the young female at least lacking it. - -HABITS. The geographical distribution of this common species during -its season of reproduction is inferred rather than positively known. -So far as I am aware, it is not known to breed farther south than -Massachusetts. Yet it is probable that, when we know its history more -exactly, it will be found during the breeding-season in different -suitable localities from Pennsylvania to Canada. Mr. H. W. Parker, of -Grinnell, Iowa, mentions this bird as common in that neighborhood. - -Until recently it was regarded as a rather rare species, and to a -large extent it had escaped the notice of our older ornithological -writers. Wilson could give but little account of its habits. It passed -rapidly by him in its spring migrations. He did not regard it as -common, presumed that it has no song, and nearly all that he says in -regard to it is conjectural. Mr. Audubon met with this species but -once, and knew nothing as to its habits or distribution. Mr. Nuttall, -who observed it in Massachusetts, where it is now known to be not -uncommon in certain localities, also regarded it as very rare. His -account of it is somewhat hypothetical and inexact. Its song he very -accurately describes as similar to that of the _D. æstiva_, only less -of a whistle and somewhat louder. He represents it as expressed by -_tsh-tsh-tsh-tshyia_, given at intervals of half a minute, and often -answered by its mate from her nest. Its lay is characterized as simple -and lively. Late in June, 1831, he observed a pair collecting food for -their young on the margin of the Fresh Pond swamps in Cambridge. - -Mr. Allen has found this species quite common in Western -Massachusetts, arriving there about the 9th of May, and remaining -through the summer to breed. He states—and his observations in this -respect correspond with my own—that during the breeding-season they -frequent low woods and swampy thickets, nesting in bushes, and adds -that they are rarely found among high trees. They leave there early in -September. - -Professor Verrill found this Warbler a common summer visitant in -Western Maine, arriving about the second week in May, and remaining -there to breed. Mr. Boardman thinks it reaches Eastern Maine about the -middle of May, and is a common summer resident. I did not meet this -species either in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, nor was Dr. Bryant -more fortunate, but Lieutenant Bland gives it in his manuscript list -of the birds found in the neighborhood of Halifax. - -Mr. Ridgway informs me that this species breeds in the oak openings -and among the prairie thickets of Southern Illinois. - -During the eight months that are not included in their season of -reproduction, this species is scattered over a wide extent of -territory. Their earliest appearance in the Northern States (at -Plattesmouth) is April 26, and they all disappear early in September. -At other times they have been met with in the Bahamas, in Mexico, -Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama. It has not yet been detected in the -West Indies. M. Boucard obtained specimens at Playa Vicente, in the -hot country of Oaxaca, Mexico. - -In the neighborhood of Calais, Mr. Boardman informs me that this -Warbler is common, and that its habits resemble those of the -Black-poll Warbler more than those of any other of the genus. It -always nests in bushes or in low trees, and in the vicinity of swamps. - -Among the memoranda furnished to the late Mr. Kennicott by Mr. Ross is -one to the effect that the Chestnut-sided Warbler was observed at Lake -of the Woods, May 29. How common it is at this point is not stated. - -Mr. C. S. Paine regards the Chestnut-sided Warbler as one of the -sweetest singers that visit Vermont. He describes it as very confiding -and gentle in its habits. It is chiefly found inhabiting low bushes, -in the neighborhood of taller trees, and it always builds its nest in -the fork of a low bush, not more than from three to five feet from the -ground. He has seen many of their nests, and they have all been in -similar situations. They will permit a very near approach without -leaving their nests. These are constructed about the last of May. -Their song continues until about the last of June. After this they are -seldom heard. - -J. Elliot Cabot, Esq., had the good fortune to be the first of our -naturalists to discover in June, 1839, the nest and eggs of this -Warbler. It was fixed on the horizontal forked branch of an oak -sapling, in Brookline, Mass. The female remained sitting on her nest -until so closely approached as to be distinctly seen. The nest was of -strips of red-cedar bark, and well lined with coarse hair, and was -compact, elastic, and shallow. It contained four eggs, the -ground-color of which was white, over which were distributed numerous -distinct spots of umber-brown. These were of different sizes, more -numerous towards the larger end. - -In regard to their breeding in Pennsylvania, Mr. Nuttall mentions in -the second edition of his work that he met them among the Alleghanies -at Farranville in full song, and had no doubt that they were nesting -there at the time. - -The Chestnut-sided Warbler usually constructs its nest in localities -apart from cultivated grounds, on the edges of low and swampy woods, -but in places more or less open. Quite a number of their nests have -been met with by Mr. George O. Welch, of Lynn, Mass. Their more common -situation has been barberry-bushes. The nests vary from about two and -a half to three and a half inches in external height, and have a -diameter of from three to four inches. The cavity is about two inches -deep. They are usually composed externally of loosely intertwined -strips of the bark of the smaller vegetables, strengthened by a few -stems and bits of dry grasses, and lined with woolly vegetable fibres -and a few soft hairs of the smaller animals. They are usually very -firmly bound to the smaller branches by silky fibres from the cocoons -of various insects. These nests were all found in open places, in low, -wild marshy localities, but none far from a cultivated neighborhood, -and the situations chosen for the nests do not differ materially from -those usually selected by the common _D. æstiva_. - -The eggs of this Warbler are of an oblong-oval shape, have a -ground-color of a rich creamy-white, and are beautifully spotted, -chiefly about the larger end, with two shades of purple and -purplish-brown. They measure .65 by .49 of an inch. - - -Dendroica striata, BAIRD. - -BLACK-POLL WARBLER. - - _Muscicapa striata_, FORSTER, Phil. Trans. LXII, 383, 428. _Motacilla - s._ GMELIN. _Sylvia s._ LATH.; VIEILLOT; WILS.; BON.; NUTT.; AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxiii.—LEMBEYE, Av. Cuba, 1850, 33. - _Sylvicola s._ SWAINSON; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. - lxxviii.—REINHARDT, Vid. Med. for 1853, 1854, 73 (Greenland).—MAX. - Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 113. _Mniotilta s._ REINH. Ibis, 1861, 6 - (Greenland). _Rhimanphus s._ CAB. Jour. III, 475 (Cuba). - _Dendroica s._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 280; Rev. 192.—COUES, Pr. - A. N. Sc. 1861, 220 (Labrador coast).—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba; rare).—SAMUELS, 233.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska). _? D. - atricapilla_, LANDBECK, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1864, 56 (Chile). - Other localities quoted: _Bogota_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 143. - _Bahamas_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1839. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Crown, nape, and upper half of the head black; the -lower half, including the ear-coverts, white, the separating line -passing through the middle of the eye. Rest of upper parts -grayish-ash, tinged with brown, and conspicuously streaked with black. -Wing and tail-feathers brown, edged externally (except the inner -tail-feathers) with dull olive-green. Two conspicuous bars of white on -the wing-coverts, the tertials edged with the same. Under parts white, -with a narrow line on each side of the throat from the chin to the -sides of the neck, where it runs into a close patch of black streaks -continued along the breast and sides to the root of the tail. Outer -two tail-feathers with an oblique patch on the inner web near the end; -the others edged internally with white. _Female_ similar, except that -the upper parts are olivaceous, and, even on the crown, streaked with -black; the white on the sides and across the breast tinged with -yellowish; a ring of the same round the eye cut by a dusky line -through it. Length of male, 5.75; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern Province of all North America to Arctic Ocean; Alaska; -Greenland; Cuba, in winter (rare); Bahamas; Bogota. Chile? Not -recorded from intermediate localities. - -The autumnal dress of young birds is very different from that of -spring. The upper parts are light olive-green, obsoletely streaked -with brown; beneath greenish-yellow, obsoletely streaked on the breast -and sides, the under tail-coverts pure white, a yellowish ring round -the eye, and a superciliary one of the same color. In this dress it is -scarcely possible to distinguish it from the immature _D. castanea_. -The differences, as far as tangible, will be found detailed under the -head of the latter species. - -The young bird in its first dress is also quite different, again, from -the autumnal-plumaged birds. The upper parts are hoary-grayish, the -lower white; each feather of the whole body, except lower -tail-coverts, with a terminal bar or transverse spot of blackish, -those on the upper parts approaching the base of the feathers along -the shaft. Wings and tail much as in the autumnal plumage. - -HABITS. The appearance of this beautiful and familiar Warbler in New -England is the sure harbinger of the summer. The last of the migrants -that do not tarry, it brings up the rear of the hosts of hyperborean -visitors. This species ranges over the whole extent of eastern North -America, from Mexico to the Arctic seas. It has not been found farther -west than the Great Plains and the Rio Grande. Wherever found it is -abundant, and its lively and attractive manners and appearance render -it a pleasing feature. It is not known to stop to breed in -Massachusetts, but it lingers with us till the last blossom of the -apple falls, and until the Bluebird and the Robin have already -well-fledged broods, sometimes as late as the 10th of June, and then -suddenly disappears. - -Dr. Woodhouse found it abundant in Texas and the Indian Territory, and -individuals have been procured in Missouri and Nebraska. It has been -found abundant in the Arctic regions, around Fort Anderson, Fort -Yukon, and Fort Good Hope. A single specimen was taken near Godhaab, -Greenland, in 1853, as recorded by Professor Reinhardt. Dr. Bryant met -with it in the Bahamas, in the spring of 1859, where it was abundant -from the 1st to the 10th of May. He describes its habits as similar to -those of the _Mniotilta varia_, climbing around the trunks of trees in -search of insects with the same facility. Single specimens have been -procured from Greenland on the northeast, and from Bogota and Cuba. -Dr. Coues found it abundant in Labrador in all well-wooded situations, -and describes it as a most expert flycatcher, taking insects on the -wing in the manner of the _Contopus virens_. - -Mr. Allen has never noted the arrival of this bird in Western -Massachusetts before the 20th of May, nor later than the 1st of June. -They again become abundant the last of September, and remain into -October. In Eastern Maine Mr. Boardman reports them abundant, and as -remaining to breed. They are there more numerous about open pastures -than most Warblers. They nest in low trees, about swampy places. - -In Central Vermont, Mr. Paine states, the Black-Poll is the last of -all the migrant birds that come from the South, and is seen only a few -days in the first of June. It seldom stays more than a day or two, and -then passes north. It appears singular that a bird coming so late -should go yet farther north to breed. He states that its song consists -only of a few low, lisping peeps. It may usually be seen wandering -over fields in which there are a few scattered trees, and seems to be -a very active, restless bird. - -The writer also met with them in great abundance about Eastport, and -in the islands of the Grand Menan group. It was the most common -Warbler in that locality. The low swampy woods seemed filled with -them, and were vocal with their peculiar love-notes. - -Wilson states that he occasionally found this Warbler in Pennsylvania -and New Jersey, and was confident they would be found to breed in -those States, but this has never been confirmed. He regarded it as a -silent bird, and Mr. Audubon does not compliment its vocal powers. Yet -it is a pleasing and varied, if not a powerful singer. Mr. Trippe -speaks of its song as faint and lisping, and as consisting of four or -five syllables. - -None of our birds, before its history was well known, has been made -the occasion for more ill-founded conjectures than the Black-Poll. -Wilson was at fault as to its song and its Southern breeding, and -imagined it would be found to nest in high tree-tops, so as not to be -readily detected. Nuttall, on the other hand, predicted that it would -be found to breed on the ground, after the manner of the _Mniotiltae_, -or else in hollow trees. Mr. Audubon, finding its nest in Labrador, -indulges in flights of fancy over its supposed rarity, which, seen in -the light of our present knowledge, as an abundant bird in the -locality where his expedition was fitted out, are somewhat amusing. -That nest was in a thicket of low trees, contained four eggs, and was -placed about four feet from the ground, in the fork of a small branch, -close to the main stem of a fir-tree. Its internal diameter was two -inches, and its depth one and a half. It was formed, externally, of -green and white moss and lichens, intermingled with coarse dry -grasses. It was lined, with great care, with fine, dry, dark-colored -mosses, resembling horse-hair, with a thick bed of soft feathers of -ducks and willow grouse. - -In passing north, these Warblers, says Audubon, reach Louisiana early -in February, where they glean their food among the upper branches of -the trees overhanging the water. He never met with them in maritime -parts of the South, yet they are abundant in the State of New Jersey -near the sea-shore. As they pass northward their habits seem to -undergo a change, and to partake more of the nature of Creepers. They -move along the trunks and lower limbs, searching in their chinks for -larvæ and pupæ. Later in the season, in more northern localities, we -again find them expert flycatchers, darting after insects in all -directions, chasing them while on the wing, and making the clicking -sound of the true Flycatcher. - -They usually reach Massachusetts after the middle of May, and their -stay varies from one, usually, to nearly four weeks, especially when -their insect-food is abundant. In our orchards they feed eagerly upon -the canker-worm, which is just appearing as they pass through. - -Around Eastport and at Grand Menan they confine themselves to the -thick swampy groves of evergreens, where they breed on the edges of -the woods. All of the several nests I met with in these localities -were built in thick spruce-trees, about eight feet from the ground, -and in the midst of foliage so dense as hardly to be noticeable. Yet -the nests were large and bulky for so small a bird, being nearly five -inches in diameter and three in height. The cavity is, however, small, -being only two inches in diameter, and one and a fourth to one and a -half in depth. They were constructed chiefly of a collection of -slender young ends of branches of pines, firs, and spruce, interwoven -with and tied together by long branches of the _Cladonia_ lichens, -slender herbaceous roots, and finer sedges. The nests were strongly -built, compact and homogeneous, and were elaborately lined with fine -panicles of grasses and fine straw. In all the nests found, the number -of eggs was five. - -It is a somewhat noticeable fact, that though this species is seen in -New England only by the middle of May, others of its kind have long -before reached high Arctic localities. Richardson records its presence -at the Cumberland House in May, and Engineer Cantonment by the 26th of -April. Mr. Lockhart procured a nest and five eggs at Fort Yukon, June -9. All the nests taken in these localities were of smaller size, were -built within two feet of the ground, and all were much more warmly -lined than were those from Grand Menan. In a few instances Mr. -McFarlane found the nests of this species actually built upon the -ground. This, however, is an abnormal position, and only occasioned by -the want of suitable situations in protected localities. In one -instance a nest was taken on the first of June, containing -well-developed embryos. Yet this same species has frequently been -observed lingering in Massachusetts a week or more after others of its -species have already built their nests and begun hatching. - -The eggs of this species measure .72 by .50 of an inch. Their shape is -an oblong-oval. Their ground-color is a beautiful white, with a slight -tinge of pink, when fresh. They are blotched and dotted over the -entire surface with profuse markings of a subdued lavender, and deeper -markings of a dark purple intermixed with lighter spots of -reddish-brown. The usual number is five, though six are occasionally -found in a nest. - - -Dendroica castanea, BAIRD. - -BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. - - _Sylvia castanea_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 97, pl. xiv, fig. 4.—BON.; - NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lxix. _Sylvicola castanea_, SWAINS.; - JARD.; RICH.; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. lxxx. _Rhimanphus - castaneus_, CAB. _Dendroica castanea_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 276; Rev. 189.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1860, 193 (Isthmus Darien; winter).—LAWRENCE, Ann. - N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 322 (Isthmus Panama; winter).—SAMUELS, 228. - _Sylvia autumnalis_, WILS. III, pl. xxiii, fig. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, pl. lxxxviii. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Crown dark reddish-chestnut; forehead and cheeks, -including a space above the eye, black; a patch of buff-yellow behind -the cheeks. Rest of upper parts bluish-gray streaked with black, the -edges of the interscapulars tinged with yellowish, of the scapulars -with olivaceous. Primaries and tail-feathers edged externally with -bluish-gray, the extreme outer ones with white; the secondaries edged -with olivaceous. Two bands on the wing and the edges of the tertials -white. The under parts are whitish with a tinge of buff; the chin, -throat, forepart of breast, and the sides, chestnut-brown, lighter -than the crown. Two outer tail-feathers with a patch of white on the -inner web near the end; the others edged internally with the same. -_Female_ with the upper parts olive, streaked throughout with black, -and an occasional tinge of chestnut on the crown. Lower parts with -traces of chestnut, but no stripes. Length of male, 5.00; wing, 3.05; -tail, 2.40. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America to Hudson’s Bay; Guatemala, -south to Isthmus of Darien. Not recorded from Mexico or West Indies. - -The female and immature males of this species differ much from the -spring males, and are often confounded with other species, especially -with _D. striata_. A careful comparison of an extensive series of -immature specimens of the two species shows that in _castanea_ the -under parts are seldom washed uniformly on the throat and breast with -yellowish-green, but while this may be seen on the sides of the neck -and breast, or even across the latter, the chin and throat are nearly -white, the sides tinged with dirty brown, even if the (generally -present) trace of chestnut be wanting on the sides. There is a buff -tinge to the under tail-coverts; the quills are abruptly margined with -white, and there are no traces (however obsolete) of streaks on the -breast. In _D. striata_ the under parts are quite uniformly washed -with greenish-yellow nearly as far back as the vent, the sides of the -breast and sometimes of the belly with obsolete streaks; no trace of -the uniform dirty reddish-brown on the sides; the under tail-coverts -are pure white. The quills are only gradually paler towards the inner -edge, instead of being rather abruptly white. - -HABITS. The Bay-breasted Warbler is one of the many species belonging -to this genus whose history is yet very imperfectly known. Everywhere -quite rare, it is yet distributed from the Atlantic to the Great -Plains, and from the Gulf of Mexico far into the Hudson Bay Territory. -In the winter it is known to extend its migrations as far to the south -as the northern portions of South America. It has not been traced to -Mexico nor to the West India Islands, but has been procured by Mr. -Salvin in Guatemala. Nearly all the specimens obtained in the United -States have either been taken before the 12th of May or in the autumn, -indicative of a more northern breeding-place. In Eastern Massachusetts -it is exceedingly rare, passing through after the middle of May and -returning in September. Mr. Maynard has obtained a specimen as late as -June 19, which, though not necessarily proving that any breed there, -indicates that the line of their area of reproduction cannot be -distant. In the western part of the same State, Mr. Allen has found it -from May 20 to the 25th, and has obtained one specimen in July. In -Western Maine, Mr. Verrill has noted its occurrence from the middle of -May to June, but it is very rare; and Mr. Boardman reports the same -for Eastern Maine, where it is a summer resident. He writes that he -has several times shot specimens in the early summer, but that he -could never find the nest. It is also given by Lieutenant Bland as one -of the birds found in the vicinity of Halifax. It was not observed by -any of the governmental exploring expeditions, nor found in Arizona by -Dr. Coues. Mr. Lawrence has received specimens from Panama, obtained -in winter, Mr. Cassin from Darien, and Mr. Sclater from Guatemala. - -This species so far eluded the notice of Mr. Audubon as to prevent him -from giving any account of its habits. He only mentions its occasional -arrival in Pennsylvania and New Jersey early in April, and its almost -immediate and sudden disappearance. He several times obtained them at -that period, and yet has also shot them in Louisiana as late as June, -while busily searching for food among the blossoms of the -cotton-plant. - -Wilson also regarded this species as very rare. He reports it as -passing through Pennsylvania about the middle of May, but soon -disappearing. He describes these birds as having many of the habits of -Titmice, and displaying all their activity. It hangs about the -extremity of the twigs, and darts about from place to place with -restless diligence in search of various kinds of larvæ. Wilson never -met with it in the summer, and very rarely in the fall. - -Mr. Nuttall noticed this species passing through Massachusetts about -the 15th of April. He regarded it as an active insect-hunter, keeping -in the tops of the highest trees, darting about with great activity, -and hanging from the twigs with fluttering wings. One of these birds -that had been wounded soon became reconciled to its confinement, and -greedily caught at and devoured the flies that were offered. In its -habits and manners it seemed to him to greatly resemble the -Chestnut-sided Warbler. - -Mr. T. M. Trippe speaks of this Warbler as one of the last to arrive -near Orange, N. Y. Owing to the fact that at that time the foliage is -pretty dense, and that it makes but a short stay, it is not often -seen. He speaks of it as not quite so active as the other Warblers, -keeping more on the lower boughs, and seldom ascending to the tops of -the trees. - -Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with this species at Naranjo, in Colombia, South -America. - -Eggs of this bird obtained by Mr. George Bush at Coldwater, near Lake -Superior, are of an oblong-oval shape, measuring .75 by .52 of an -inch, and except in their superior size and fewer markings might be -mistaken for eggs of _D. æstiva_. Their ground-color is a bluish or -greenish white. The markings are very few and fine, except those in -the crown around the larger end, and there the blotches are deeper and -more numerous. Their colors are dark reddish-brown and purple. - -Mr. Maynard found this species the most abundant of the _Sylvicolidæ_ -at Lake Umbagog, where it breeds. Two nests were taken in June. One -was found June 3, in a tree by the side of a cart-path in the woods, -just completed. It was built in the horizontal branch of a hemlock, -twenty feet from the ground, and five or six from the trunk of the -tree. By the 8th of June it contained three fresh eggs. The other was -built in a similar situation, fifteen feet from the ground, and -contained two fresh eggs. - -These nests were large for the bird, and resembled those of the Purple -Finch. They were composed outwardly of fine twigs of the hackmatack, -with which was mingled some of the long hanging _Usnea_ mosses. They -were very smoothly and neatly lined with black fibrous roots, the -seed-stalks of _Cladonia_ mosses, and a few hairs. They had a diameter -of about six inches, and a height of about two and a half inches. The -cavity was three inches wide and an inch and a quarter deep. The eggs -varied in length from .71 to .65 of an inch, and in breadth from .53 -to .50. Their ground-color was a bluish-green, thickly spotted with -brown, and generally with a ring of confluent blotches of brown and -lilac around the larger end. Occasionally the spots proved to be more -or less of an umber-brown, and in some specimens the spots were less -numerous than in others. - -These birds were found in all the wooded sections of that region, -where they frequented the tops of tall trees. Their song, he states, -in its opening, is like that of the Black-Poll, with a terminal warble -similar to that of the Redstart, but given with less energy. - - -Dendroica cærulescens, BAIRD. - -BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. - - _Motacilla canadensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 336 (not p. 334, - which is _D. coronata_). _Sylvia canadensis_, LATH.; WILSON.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxlviii, clv.—SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 231 (St. - Domingo). _Sylvicola canadensis_, SWAINS.; JARD.; BON.; AUD. Birds - Am. II, pl. xcv. _Rhimanphus can._ CAB. _Dendroica canadensis_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 271.—IB. P. Z. S. 1861, 70 - (Jamaica).—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very - common).—SAMUELS, 224. _Motacilla cærulescens_, GM. S. Nat. I, - 1788, 960. _Sylvia cær._ LATH.; VIEILL. II, pl. lxxx.—D’ORB. - Sagra’s Cuba, Ois. 1840, 63, pl. ix, figs. 1, 2. _Dendroica cær._ - BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 186. _Sylvia pusilla_, WILS. V, pl. - xliii, fig. 3 (Juv.). _Sylvia leucoptera_, WILS. _Sylvia - palustris_, STEPH. _Sylvia macropus_, VIEILLOT. _Sylvia - sphagnosa_, BON.; NUTTALL; AUD. _Sylvicola pannosa_, GOSSE, Birds - Jam. 1847, 162 (female).—IB. Illust. no. 37. - -SP. CHAR. Above uniform continuous grayish-blue, including the outer -edges of the quill and tail-feathers. A narrow frontal line, the -entire sides of head and neck, chin and throat, lustrous black; this -color extending in a broad lateral stripe to the tail. Rest of under -parts, including the axillary region, white. Wings and tail black -above, the former with a conspicuous white patch formed by the bases -of all the primaries (except the first); the inner webs of the -secondaries and tertials with similar patches towards the base and -along the inner margin. All the tail-feathers, except the innermost, -with a white patch on the inner web near the end. Length, 5.50; wing, -2.60; tail, 2.25. - -_Female_, olive-green above and dull yellow beneath. Sides of head -dusky olive, the eyelids and a superciliary stripe whitish. Traces of -the white patches at the base of the primaries and of the tail. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States; Jamaica, Cuba, and St. Domingo -in winter; very abundant; Bahamas (BRYANT). Not recorded from Mexico -or Central America. - -The white patch at the base of the primary, together with the total -absence of outer markings on the wings, is peculiar to this species, -and is found in both sexes. The female is more different from the male -than that of any other species. - -The plumage of the male in autumn is similar to the spring dress, but -the back and wings are washed with greenish, and the black of the -throat variegated with white edges to the feathers. A younger male -(788, October 10, Carlisle, Penn.) differs in having the black -appearing in patches, the throat being mostly white; there is also a -narrow white superciliary stripe. - -HABITS. The Black-throated Blue Warbler, at different seasons of the -year, is distributed over nearly the whole eastern portion of North -America. Abundant in the West Indies in winter, as also in the South -Atlantic States in early spring and late in fall, it is found during -the breeding-season from Northern New York and New England nearly to -the Arctic regions. A few probably stop to breed in the high portions -of Massachusetts, and in late seasons they linger about the orchards -until June. They undoubtedly breed in Vermont, New Hampshire, and -Maine. - -Dr. Woodhouse states that he found it abundant in Texas; but this is -the only instance, so far as is known, of its occurring west of the -Mississippi Valley. - -Towards the close of the remarkably mild winter of 1866, a pair of -these birds were observed for several days in a sheltered portion of -Boston. They were in excellent condition, and were very busily -employed hunting for the larvæ and eggs of insects and spiders in the -corners and crevices of the walls of houses and out-buildings, -evidently obtaining a full supply. In Southern Illinois, Mr. Ridgway -cites this Warbler as one of the least common of the spring and fall -visitants. - -Audubon found this species in nearly every Southern and Southwestern -State during their migrations. They arrive in South Carolina late in -March, are most abundant in April, and leave early in May. They keep -in the deep woods, passing among the branches about twenty feet from -the ground. He traced them as far north as the Magdaleine Islands, but -found none in Newfoundland, and but a single specimen in Labrador. -They breed in Nova Scotia, and a nest was given him found near Halifax -by Dr. MacCulloch. These were said to be usually placed on the -horizontal branch of a fir-tree, seven or eight feet from the ground, -and to be composed of fine strips of bark, mosses, and fibrous roots, -and lined with fine grasses and a warm bed of feathers. The eggs, five -in number, were white, with a rosy tint, and sprinkled with -reddish-brown dots, chiefly at the larger end. - -This Warbler is an expert catcher of the smaller winged insects, -pursuing them quite a distance, and, when seizing them, making the -clicking sound of the true Flycatcher. So far as they have been -observed, they have no song, only a monotonous and sad-sounding -_cheep_. - -Nuttall, in the second edition of his Manual, mentions having observed -several pairs near Farranville, Penn., on the Susquehanna, and among -the Alleghanies. It was in May, and in a thick and shady wood of -hemlock. They were busy foraging for food, and were uttering what he -describes as slender, wiry notes. - -In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen states it to be common from the -15th to the 25th of May, and again in September. They were found by -Mr. C. W. Bennett on Mount Holyoke during the breeding-season, and by -Mr. B. Hosford on the western ridges during the same period. They are -common, Mr. Boardman states, in the thick woods about Calais, through -all the breeding-season. - -In Jamaica, during the winter, it exclusively frequents the edges of -tall woods in unfrequented mountainous localities. They are found in -that island from October 7 until the 9th of April. Mr. Gosse, who has -closely observed their habits during winter, speaks of their playing -together with much spirit for half an hour at a time, chasing each -other swiftly round and round, occasionally dodging through the -bushes, and uttering at intervals a pebbly _cheep_. They never remain -long alighted, and are difficult to kill. Restlessness is their great -characteristic. They often alight transversely on the long pendent -vines or slender trees, hopping up and down without a moment’s -intermission, pecking at insects. They are usually very plump and fat. - -De la Sagra states that this bird occasionally breeds in Cuba, young -birds having been killed that had evidently been hatched there. The -record of this Warbler, as presented by different authors, is -apparently inconsistent and contradictory: rare with some observers, -abundant with others; remaining in Jamaica until well into April, yet -common in South Carolina in March, and even appearing in Massachusetts -in midwinter; supposed to breed in the highlands of Cuba, yet, except -in the case of the nest taken near Halifax, its manner of breeding was -unknown until lately. It is probably rare in lowlands everywhere, and -nowhere common except among mountains, and, while able to endure an -inclement season where food is abundant, is influenced in its -migratory movements by instinctive promptings to change its quarters -entirely in reference to a supply of food, and not by the temperature -merely. Its presence in Boston in winter was of course a singular -accident; but its plump condition, and its contented stay so long as -its supply of food was abundant, sufficiently attested its ability to -endure severe weather for at least a limited period, and while its -food was not wanting. Mr. Trippe states that these birds reach -Northern New Jersey during the first week of May, and stay a whole -month, remaining there longer than any other species. At first they -have no note but a simple chirp; but, before they leave, the males are -said to have a singular drawling song of four or five notes. - -Mr. Paine states that this Warbler is a resident, but not very common -bird, in Randolph, Vt. He has usually noticed it in the midst of thick -woods, not generally in tall trees, but among the lower branches or in -bushes. The song he describes as very short and insignificant, its -tones sharp and wiry, and not to be heard at any great distance. He -knows nothing as to its nest. They arrive at Randolph from the South -about the middle of May. - -We are indebted to Mr. John Burroughs for all the knowledge we possess -in relation to the nest and eggs of this species, which had previously -baffled the search of other naturalists. He was so fortunate as to -meet with their nest in the summer of 1871. Early in July, in company -with his nephew, Mr. C. B. Deyoe, Mr. Burroughs visited the same -woods, in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., in which he had in a -previous year found the nest of the Mourning Ground Warbler. The trees -were mostly hemlock, with an undergrowth of birch and beech. They -first noticed the parent birds with food in their bills, and then set -about deliberately to find their nest by watching their movements. But -the birds were equally vigilant, and watched them quite as -determinedly. “It was diamond cut diamond.” They were so suspicious, -that, after loading their beaks with food, they would swallow it -themselves, rather than run the risk of betraying their secret by -approaching the nest. They even apparently attempted to mislead them -by being very private and confidential at a point some distance from -the nest. The two watched the birds for over an hour, when the -mosquitoes made it too hot for them to hold out any longer, and they -made a rush upon the ground, determined to hunt it over inch by inch. -The birds then manifested the greatest consternation, and when, on -leaping over an old log, the young sprang out with a scream, but a few -feet from them, the distracted pair fairly threw themselves under -their very feet. The male bird trailed his bright new plumage in the -dust; and his much more humbly clad mate was, if anything, more -solicitous and venturesome, coming within easy reach. The nest was -placed in the fork of a small hemlock, about fifteen inches from the -ground. There were four, and perhaps five, young in the nest, and one -egg unhatched, which, on blowing, proved to have been fresh. - -The nest measures three and a half inches in diameter, and a trifle -more than two in height. The cavity is broad and deep, two and a third -inches in diameter at the rim, and one and a half deep. Its base and -periphery are loose aggregations of strips of decayed inner bark from -dead deciduous trees, chiefly basswood, strengthened by fine twigs, -rootlets, and bits of wood and bark. Within this is a firm, compact, -well-woven nest, made by an elaborate interweaving of slender roots -and twigs, hair, fine pine-needles, and similar materials. - -The egg is oval in shape, less obtuse, but not pointed, at one end, -with a grayish-white ground, pinkish when unblown, and marked around -the larger end with a wreath, chiefly of a bright umber-brown with -lighter markings of reddish-brown and obscure purple. A few smaller -dottings of the same are sparingly distributed over the rest of the -egg. Its measurements are .70 by .50 of an inch. It more nearly -resembles the eggs of the _D. maculosa_ than any other, is about five -per cent larger, a little more oblong, and the spots differ in their -reddish and purplish tinge, so far as one specimen may be taken as a -criterion. - - -Dendroica olivacea, SCLAT. - -OLIVE-HEADED WARBLER. - - _Sylvia olivacea_, GIRAUD, Birds Texas, 1841, 14, pl. vii, fig. 2.— - SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 66. _Sylvicola olivacea_, CASSIN, Ill. - Birds Texas, etc. 1855, 283, pl. xlviii. _Rhimamphus olivaceus_, - SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 291 (Cordova). _Dendroica olivacea_, - SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298 (Oaxaca; cold region).—IB. P. Z. S. - 1859, 363 (Jalapa).—IB. Catal. 1861, 31, no. 190.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. - B. 1864, 205. _Sylvia tæniata_, DUBUS, Bull. Acad. Brux. XIV, - 1847, 104.—IB. Rev. Z. 1848, 245. _Sylvicola tæniata_, BON. Consp. - 1850, 309. - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck all round, with jugulum, brownish-saffron, -with a greenish tinge on the nape. Rest of upper parts ashy. Middle -and tips of greater wing-coverts white, forming two bands on the wing; -a third white patch at the bases of the primaries (except the outer -two), and extending forwards along the outer edges. Secondaries edged -externally with olive-green. Inner webs of quills conspicuously edged -with white. Under parts, except as described, white, tinged with -brownish on the sides; a narrow frontal band, and a broad stripe from -this through eye and over ear-coverts, black. Outer tail-feather -white, except at base and towards tip; greater portion of inner web of -next feather also white, much more restricted on the third. Length, -4.60; wing, 2.88; tail, 2.15; tarsus, .75. - -A female specimen (14,369), perhaps also in autumnal plumage, has the -saffron replaced by clear yellowish, except on the top of head and -nape, which are olive-green. The black frontal and lateral bands are -replaced by whitish, leaving only a dusky patch on the ears. - -HAB. Mexico (both coasts to the southward); Guatemala. - -This species is given by Mr. Giraud as occurring in Texas, but it is -possible that he may have been misled as to the true locality. It may, -however, be yet detected along the southern border of the United -States. - -Nothing is known of its habits. - - -Dendroica nigrescens, BAIRD. - -BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. - - _Sylvia nigrescens_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, II, 1837, 191 - (Columbia River).—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 57, pl. cccxcv. - _Vermivora nig._ BON.; NUTT. _Sylvicola nig._ AUD. Birds Am. II, - pl. xciv. _Rhimanphus nig._ CAB. 1850. _Dendroica nig._ BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 270; Rev. 186.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298; - 1859, 374 (Oaxaca; high mountains in March).—HEERMANN, P. R. R. - Rep. X, iv, 40.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, ii, 1859, - 180.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 90. _? Sylvia halseii_, GIRAUD, - Birds Texas, 1838, pl. iii, fig. 1, ♀ (suggested by Sclater). - -SP. CHAR. Head all round, forepart of the breast, and streaks on the -side of the body, black; rest of under parts, a stripe on the side of -the head, beginning acutely just above the middle of the eye, and -another parallel to it, beginning at the base of the under jaw (the -stripes of opposite sides confluent on the chin), and running further -back, white. A yellow spot in front of the eye. Rest of upper parts -bluish-gray. The interscapular region and upper tail-coverts streaked -with black. Wing-coverts black, with two narrow white bands; quills -and tail-feathers brown, the two outer of the latter white, with the -shafts and a terminal streak brown; the third brown, with a terminal -narrow white streak. Bill black; feet brown. Length, 4.70; wing, 2.30; -tail, 2.10. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States. Migratory -southward into Western Mexico (Oaxaca); Orizaba (winter, SUMICHRAST). - -Female (53,373, East Humboldt Mountains, Nev., July 14). Similar to -the male, but crown ash medially streaked with black, instead of -continuous black; the streaks on back narrow and inconspicuous; the -black of the throat confined to the jugulum, appearing in spots only -on anterior half. A young female (No. 53,376, East Humboldt Mountains, -August 10) is plain brownish-ash above, lacking entirely the streaks -on the back, and those on sides of crown extremely obsolete. There is -no black whatever on throat or jugulum, which, with the well-defined -supra-loral stripe and lower parts in general, are soiled white, more -brownish laterally. The other features, including the yellow spot over -the lores, with the wing and tail markings, are much as in the adult. -A young male (53,375), same locality and date, differs from the last -in having the sides of the crown black, and the throat-patch almost -complete, but much hidden by the broad white borders to the feathers. -An adult autumnal male (7,690, Calaveras River) is like the spring -adult, but the ash is overspread by brownish, nearly obliterating the -dorsal streaks, and dividing the black of the crown; the black -throat-patch is perfectly defined, but much obscured by white borders -to the feathers. - -HABITS. The Black-throated Gray or Dusky Warbler, so far as is now -known, belongs to the Western and Middle Provinces, occurring -certainly as far to the south as San Diego, in California, and as far -to the north as Fort Steilacoom, in Washington Territory, penetrating -in winter into Mexico. The most easterly localities in which it has -been met with are in Arizona and New Mexico. The Smithsonian -Institution has received specimens also from Columbia River, -Calaveras, Cal., and Fort Defiance. - -This species was first obtained and described by Mr. Townsend, who -found it abundant in the forests of the Columbia, where it breeds and -remains until nearly winter. Its nest, which he there met with, -resembles that of _Parula americana_, only it is made of the long and -fibrous green moss, or _Usnea_, peculiar to that region, and is placed -among the upper branches of oak-trees, suspended between two small -twigs. - -Mr. Nuttall states that it arrives on the Columbia early in May, and -from the manner in which its song was delivered at intervals, in the -tops of deciduous trees, he had no doubt that they were breeding in -those forests as early as May 23. This song he describes as delicate, -but monotonous, uttered as it busily and intently searches every leafy -bough and expanding bud for insects and their larvæ in the spreading -oak, in which it utters its solitary notes. Its song is repeated at -short and regular intervals, and is said by Mr. Nuttall to bear some -resemblance to _t-shee-tshāy-tshaitshee_, varying the feeble sound -very little, and with the concluding note somewhat slenderly and -plaintively raised. Dr. Suckley speaks of this bird as moderately -abundant near Fort Steilacoom, generally met with on oaks, and very -much resembling _Dendroica auduboni_ in its habits. Its arrival there -he gives as occurring in the first week in April, or a month earlier -than stated by Nuttall. - -Dr. Cooper met with a pair at Puget Sound that appeared to have a -nest, though he sought for it in vain. He describes its note as faint -and unvaried. - -Dr. Coues met with this Warbler in the vicinity of Fort Whipple, -Arizona. He speaks of it as common there as a spring and autumn -migrant. He thinks that a few remain to breed. It arrives in that -Territory about April 20, and is found until late in September. It is -most common among the pine-trees, and in its general habits is stated -to resemble the new species _D. graciæ_. - -Dr. Heermann found a few birds of this species near Sacramento, and -also on the range of mountains dividing the Calaveras and the -Mokelumne Rivers. During the survey by Lieutenant Williamson’s party, -Dr. Heermann met with a single specimen among the mountains, near the -summit of the Tejon Pass. It was in company with other small birds, -migrating southward, and gleaning its food from among the topmost -branches of the tallest oaks. He states that its notes closely -resemble the sounds of the locust. - -Dr. Cooper states that these birds appear at San Diego by the 20th of -April, in small flocks migrating northward, and then uttering only a -faint chirp. They frequent low bushes along the coast, but as they -proceed farther north they take to the deciduous oaks as the leaves -begin to expand, early in May, at which time they reach the Columbia -River. He has never met with any in California after April. - -Mr. Ridgway observed this species only in the pine and cedar woods of -the East Humboldt Mountains, where, in all probability, they were -breeding. He observed numerous families of young birds following their -parents in the months of July and August. He met with them only among -the cedars and the woods of the nut-pine, and never among the -brushwood of the cañons and ravines. He states that the common note of -this bird greatly resembles the sharp chirp of the _Dendroica -coronata_, and is louder and more distinct than that of _D. auduboni_. - -Mr. A. Boucard obtained specimens of these birds at Oaxaca, Mexico, -during the winter months. - - -Dendroica chrysopareia, SCL. & SALV. - -YELLOW-CHEEKED WARBLER. - - _Dendroica chrysopareia_, SCLATER & SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1860, 298.—IB. - Ibis, 1860, 273 (Vera Paz, Guatemala).—IB. 1865.—DRESSER, Ibis, - 1865, 477.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 183.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 93. - -SP. CHAR. (229, Salvin collection.) Head and body above black, the -feathers with olive-green edges, especially on the back, obscuring the -ground-color; rump clear black. Entire side of head (extending to -nostrils and on lower jaw), and the partially concealed bases of the -feathers on the median line of the forehead, yellow, with a narrow -black line from lores, through the eye, widening behind, but not -crossing through the yellow. Beneath, including inside of wings, -white; a large patch of black covering the chin and throat, and -occupying the entire space between the yellow patches of the two sides -of the head and neck, and extended along the sides in a series of -streaks. Feathers of crissum with black centres. Wings above ashy, -with two white bands across the coverts, the scapulars streaked with -blackish; first quill edged externally with white, the rest with gray. -Tail-feathers blackish, edged externally with ashy, the lateral with -white at the base. Outer tail-feather white on the inner web, except a -stripe along the shaft near the end; second similar, but the white not -reaching so far towards the base; third with a short patch of white in -the end. Bill and legs brownish-black. Bill unusually thick. Length, -4.50; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40; tarsus, 2.75. - -HAB. Vera Paz, Guatemala; San Antonio, and Medina River, Texas. -(HEERMANN and DRESSER.) - -The capture of specimens of this species at San Antonio, Texas, by Dr. -Heermann, and on the Medina River by Mr. Dresser, entitles it to a -place in our fauna. The specimen described above is Mr. Salvin’s type. - -HABITS. A single specimen is said to have been taken near San Antonio, -Texas, by Dr. Heermann. It is thought to be probably a bird belonging -to the fauna of Arizona and New Mexico, and is given hypothetically by -Dr. Cooper among the birds of California. In its appearance it -resembles _D. virens_, _D. townsendii_, and _D. occidentalis_. It was -originally described by Salvin from a single specimen obtained in -Guatemala. Another pair was afterward obtained by Mr. Salvin on the -highest point of the road between Salama and Tactic. In regard to its -habits, nothing is on record. - - -Dendroica virens, BAIRD. - -BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. - - _Motacilla virens_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 985. _Sylvia virens_, - LATH.; VIEILLOT; WILS. II; NUTT.; BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, pl. - cccxcix.—GÄTKE, Naumannia, 1858, 423 (Heligoland, Europe, an - original description). _Sylvicola virens_, SW.; AUD. Birds Am. II, - pl. lxxxiv.—REINHARDT, Vid. Med. for 1853, 1854, 72, 81 - (Greenland). _Rhimanphus virens_, CAB. Mus. Hein. Jour. III, 1855, - 474 (Cuba; winter).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 291 (Cordova). - _Dendroica virens_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 267; Rev. - 182.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 1 (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859, 363 (Oaxaca?); 373 (Xalapa); Ibis, 1865, 89.—LAWRENCE, Ann. - N. Y. Lyc. VII, 1861, 293 (Panama).—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 232.—SAMUELS, 222. _Mniotilta virens_, - REINHARDT, Ibis, III, 1861, 5 (Julianhaab, Greenland). - -SP. CHAR. Male. Upper parts, exclusive of wing and tail, clear yellow -olive-green; the feathers of the back with hidden streaks of black. -Forehead and sides of head and neck, including a superciliary stripe, -bright yellow. A dusky olive line from the bill through the eye, and -another below it. Chin, throat, and forepart of the breast, extending -some distance along on the sides, continuous black; rest of under -parts white, tinged with yellow on the breast and flanks. Wings and -tail-feathers dark brown, edged with bluish-gray; two white bands on -the wing; the greater part of the three outer tail-feathers white. -_Female_ similar, but duller; the throat yellow; the black of breast -much concealed by white edges; the sides streaked with black. Length, -5 inches; wing, 2.58; tail, 2.30. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States; Greenland; Heligoland, Europe; -south to Panama R. R. In Mexico, Xalapa, Cordova, and Oaxaca? Cuba -alone in West Indies. Mexico (everywhere in winter, SUMICHRAST). - -The autumnal male has the black of throat and breast obscured by -whitish tips. Females are yellowish-white beneath, tinged with grayish -towards the tail. - -As shown in the generic chapter, _D. virens_ is the type of a section -of olivaceous Warblers with black chin and throat. The following more -elaborate diagnoses of the group may facilitate its study, the species -being quite closely related:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Upper parts more or less olivaceous-green, with the -feathers streaked centrally with black (sometimes concealed). Sides of -head yellow. Chin and throat black; rest of the under parts, including -inside of wings, white, with or without yellow on breast. Wings with -two white bands. Inner web of lateral tail-feather almost entirely -white from the base. - - Above bright olive-green with concealed black streaks; - tail-coverts ashy. Sides conspicuously streaked with black; - crissum unspotted. Jugulum sometimes faintly tinged with - yellowish. An obscure dusky-olive stripe through the eye, and a - crescentic patch of the same some distance beneath it … - _virens_. - - Above olivaceous-ashy (rump pure ash), with more distinct black - spots. Top and sides of head clear yellow, the feathers of the - crown tipped with black, or clouded with dusky plumbeous. No - dark markings or stripes on side of head. No distinct black - streaks beneath; black of throat restricted to front of neck … - _occidentalis_. - - Prevailing color of upper parts black, with olivaceous edgings - on the back; rump and upper tail-covert pure black. Sides and - crissum streaked with black. A simple black stripe through the - eye; no patch beneath it … _chrysopareia_. - - Above olive-green. Upper tail-coverts ashy, with central black - streaks. Feathers of head above black, with olive-green edges. - A broad olivaceous black stripe through eye from lores, - involving the ears, in which is a yellowish crescentic patch - below the eye. Black feathers of throat and chin edged with - yellow. Jugulum and sides of breast also yellow. Sides streaked - with black. No distinct black streaks on crissum … _townsendii_. - -HABITS.—The Black-throated Green Warbler, like nearly all the members -of this highly interesting genus, has, to a very great degree, escaped -the closer observations of our older ornithologists. Wilson only -noticed it as it passed through Pennsylvania in its early spring -migrations. He mentions its frequenting the higher branches of forest -trees in search of the larvæ of the smaller insects that feed upon the -opening buds, and describes it as a lively, active bird, having only a -few chirping notes. All had passed on by the 12th of May. Their return -he was never able to notice, and he became afterwards satisfied that a -few remained all the summer in the higher grounds of that State, -having obtained several in June, 1809. - -Audubon met with this bird from Newfoundland to Texas, but never found -it breeding. Nowhere abundant, there were large tracts of country -where he never met with it, or where it was of rare occurrence. He -found it most abundant in the vicinity of Eastport, Me. He also met -with it during summer, in New England generally, Northern -Pennsylvania, and New York, but not in Labrador. He describes its -habits as a mingling of those of the Warblers and of the Vireo, and -its notes as resembling those of the latter. In its search for food he -found it quite regardless of the near presence of man. In its spring -migrations it passes through the woods usually in pairs, in the fall -reappearing in flocks of six or seven. In breeding it occurs only in -single pairs, and each pair appropriates to itself a large tract of -territory within which no other is usually found. After October, all -have passed beyond the limits of the United States. - -During the winter months it appears to be quite common in different -parts of Mexico and Central America. In the large collection of -Guatemalan skins collected by Dr. Van Patten, and purchased by the -Boston Natural History Society, this bird was one of the most abundant -of the migratory species. Specimens were taken by Mr. Boucard at Playa -Vicente, in the hot country of Oaxaca, Mexico. - -Dr. Woodhouse found this Warbler common in the Indian Territory and in -Texas, and Lieutenant Couch met with it in Tamaulipas, Mexico, in -March, 1853. With these exceptions it has not been observed in any of -the government surveys, or found west of the valley of the Rio Grande. -Besides the points named, it has been obtained in Ohio, Illinois, -Missouri, and in the West Indies, in Central and in the northern -portions of South America. Reinhardt gives it as accidental in -Greenland. A single stray specimen was obtained in Heligoland, Europe, -October 19, 1858. - -Mr. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., notes the arrival of this bird about the -10th of May. He speaks of it as a very sweet singer, and as usually -seen in the tops of tall trees, the hemlock being its favorite resort. -There it chants its sweet sad notes through even the heat of the day. -It continues in song nearly throughout the summer. Later in the season -it frequents the open fields, in which it is seldom seen in the -breeding-season. Its food, which it catches on the wing in the manner -of Vireos, consists of the smaller winged insects, caterpillars, and -other larvæ. In the fall, according to Mr. Audubon, it feeds upon -various kinds of small berries. - -It reaches Massachusetts the first of May, and is most numerous about -the 15th, when the larger proportion pass farther north. In Western -Maine, Professor Verrill states it to be a summer but not a common -visitant; and near Calais, Mr. Boardman has found it breeding, but -does not regard it as at all common, though in the year 1867 he found -it quite abundant in the thick woods in that neighborhood during its -breeding-season. Dr. Bryant also speaks of it as one of the most -common of the Warblers observed by him near Yarmouth, N. S. A single -specimen was taken at Julianhaab, Greenland, in 1853, and sent to the -Royal Museum of Copenhagen. - -In the vicinity of Boston, especially in the high grounds of Norfolk -and Essex Counties, it is a not uncommon species, and its nests are -found in certain favorite localities. Nuttall regards May 12 as the -average of their first appearance. Busy, quiet, and unsuspicious of -man, they were seen by him, collecting, in early October, in small -groups, and moving restlessly through the forests preparatory to -departing south. June 8, 1830, he found a nest of this species in a -solitary situation among the Blue Hills of Milton, Mass. The nest was -in a low and stunted juniper (a very unusual location). As he -approached, the female remained motionless on the edge of the nest, in -such a manner as to be mistaken for a young bird. She then darted to -the ground, and, moving away expertly, disappeared. The nest contained -four eggs, which he describes as white inclining to flesh-color, -variegated at the larger end with pale purplish points interspersed -with brown and black. The nest was formed of fine strips of the inner -bark of the juniper, and tough white fibrous bark of other plants, -lined with soft feathers and the slender tops of grass. The male -bird was singing his simple chant, resembling the syllables -_tē-dē-teritsé-a_, pronounced loud and slow, at the distance of a -quarter of a mile from the nest. He describes his song as simple, -drawling, and plaintive. He was constantly interrupting his song to -catch small flies, keeping up a perpetual snapping of his bill. - -Several nests of this bird, given me by Mr. George O. Welch of Lynn, -have been found by him in high trees in thick woods on the western -borders of that city. They are all small, snug, compact structures, -built on a base of fine strips of bark, bits of leaves, and stems of -plants. The upper rims are a circular intertwining of fine slender -twigs, interwoven with a few fine stems of the most delicate grasses. -The inner portions of these nests are very softly and warmly bedded -with the fine down and silky stems of plants. They have a diameter of -three and a quarter inches, and a height of one and a half. The cavity -is two inches in diameter, and one and a half in depth. The eggs -measure .70 by .50 of an inch, have a white or purplish-white ground, -and are blotched and dotted with markings of reddish and purplish -brown, diffused over the entire egg, but more numerous about the -larger end. One end is much more pointed than the other. - - -Dendroica townsendi, BAIRD. - -TOWNSEND’S WARBLER. - - _Sylvia townsendi_, “NUTTALL,” TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, II, 1837, - 191.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, pl. cccxciii. _Sylvicola t._ BON.; - AUD. Birds Am. II, 1841, pl. xcii. _Dendroica t._ BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 269; Rev. 185.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 298 (Oaxaca; high - lands in winter); 1859, 374 (Totontepec; winter); Ibis, 1865, - 89.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, II, 1859, 179 (Cal.).—TURNBULL, Birds of - East Penn., etc. 1869, 42.—SUNDEVAL, Ofvers. 1869, 610 - (Sitka).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 91. - -SP. CHAR. _Spring male._ Above bright olive-green; the feathers all -black in the centre, showing more or less as streaks, especially on -the crown, where the black predominates. Quills, tail, and upper -tail-covert feathers dark brown, edged with bluish-gray; the wings -with two white bands on the coverts; the two outer tail-feathers white -with a brown streak near the end; a white streak only in the end of -the third feather. Under parts as far as the middle of the body, with -the sides of head and neck, including a superciliary stripe and a spot -beneath the eye, yellow; the median portion of the side of the head, -the chin and throat, with streaks on the sides of the breast, flanks, -and under tail-coverts, black; the remainder of the under parts white. -Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.65; tail, 2.25. - -_Spring female._ Resembling the male, but the black patch on the -throat replaced by irregular blotches upon a pure yellow ground. - -HAB. Western Province of United States, north to Sitka; Mexico, into -Guatemala. Migratory. Accidental near Philadelphia. - -The autumnal adult male is much like the spring female, but the black -throat-patch is perfectly defined, though much obscured by the yellow -edges of the feathers, instead of broken into small blotches. The -young male in autumn is similar in general appearance, but there are -no streaks above, except on the crown, where they are mostly -concealed; the stripe on side of head is olivaceous, instead of black; -and nearly all the black on the throat is concealed. - -A fine adult male of this species was taken near Philadelphia, Penn., -in the spring of 1868, and is now in the collection of the late W. P. -Turnbull, Esq., of that city. - -HABITS. In regard to the habits of this very rare Western Warbler very -little is as yet positively known, and nothing whatever has been -ascertained as to its nesting or eggs. The species was first met with -by Mr. Townsend, October 28, 1835, on the banks of the Columbia River, -and was named by Mr. Nuttall in honor of its discoverer. It is spoken -of by these gentlemen as having been a transient visitor only, -stopping but a few days, on its way north, to recruit and feed, -previous to its departing for the higher latitudes in which it spends -the breeding-season. It is, however, quite as probable that they -disperse by pairs into solitary places, where for a while they escape -observation. When the season again compels them to migrate, they -reappear on the same path, only this time in small and silent flocks, -as they slowly move toward their winter quarters. These birds also are -chiefly to be found in the tops of the loftiest firs and other -evergreens of the forests, where it is almost impossible to procure -them. - -Dr. Cooper observed one of this species at Shoalwater Bay, December -20, 1854. It was in company with a flock of Titmice and other small -birds. The following year, in November, he saw a small flock in -California, frequenting the willows in a low wet meadow, and was so -fortunate as to procure a pair. - -Ridgway met with it in the East Humboldt Mountains, where it was -rather common in September, inhabiting the thickets of aspens, alders, -etc., along the streams. - -Mr. P. L. Sclater obtained several fine specimens of this Warbler from -the west coast of Central America, and Mr. Salvin found it a winter -visitant at Duenas, where he met with it even more frequently than the -_Dendroica virens_, with which he found it associated. Skins were -found among the birds taken by Dr. Van Patten in Guatemala. A single -specimen has been taken in Pennsylvania. - -Mr. A. Boucard obtained specimens of this species in the mountainous -district of Totontepec, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. - - -Dendroica occidentalis, BAIRD. - -WESTERN WARBLER. - - _Sylvia occidentalis_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, ii, 1837, 190 - (Columbia River).—IB. Narrative, 1839, 340.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, pl. - lv. _Sylvicola occ._ BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. xciii. - _Dendroica occ._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 268; Rev. 183.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, R. R. Rep. XII, ii, 1859, 178 (N. W. coast).—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 92. _Dendroica chrysopareia_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1862, 19 (La Parada, Mex.) (not of P. Z. S. 1860, 19); Ibis, 1865, - 89; 1866, 191. _Dendroica niveiventris_, SALVIN, P. Z. S. May 26, - 1863, 187, pl. xxiv, fig. 2 (Guatemala). - -SP. CHAR. _Spring male._ Crown with sides of the head and neck -continuous bright yellow, feathers of the former edged narrowly with -black; rest of upper parts dark brown, edged with bluish-gray, so much -so on the back and rump feathers as to obscure the brown, and with an -olivaceous shade. Chin, throat, and forepart of breast (ending -convexly behind in a subcrescentic outline), with the nape, black; -rest of under parts white, very faintly streaked on the sides with -black. Two white bands on the wing, two outer tail-feathers, and the -terminal portion of a third, white; the shafts, and an internal streak -towards the end, dark brown. Bill jet-black; legs brown. Length, 4.70; -wing, 2.70; tail, 2.30. - -_Spring female._ Similar, but duller gray above; the yellow of the -head less extended, and the throat whitish spotted with dusky. - -HAB. Western Province of United States and Mexico (Moyapam, winter, -SUMICHRAST) to Guatemala. Not seen at Cape St. Lucas. - -An autumnal adult male (30,681, Guatemala, December, received from Mr. -Salvin, and a type specimen of his “_niveiventris_”) is much like the -spring male, having the throat wholly black, the feathers, however, -faintly margined with whitish; there are no black spots on the crown, -but, instead, an olivaceous stain; the nape is olivaceous instead of -black, and the black centres to dorsal feathers more concealed; the -ash above is less pure, and there is no trace of streaks on the sides. -A female (autumnal?)—38,141—from Orizaba, Mexico, is grayish-olivaceous -above, including the whole top of the head, except beneath the -surface; the feathers on top of head have conspicuous black centres, -but there are none on the back; the sides of the head, and the bases -of the feathers on its top, are soiled yellow; the throat is dirty -white, with the feathers dusky beneath the surface; the breast and -sides have a strong brownish tinge. Another female, and an autumnal -one (probably of the year), is more brown above, the specks on the top -of the head exceedingly minute; there are also obscure streaks along -the sides, where there is a strong brownish tinge. - -HABITS. The Western or Hermit Wood Warbler, so far as known, is -limited in its distribution to the Pacific coast from Central America -to Washington Territory. Specimens procured from Volcan de Fuego, -Mexico, Arizona, and California, are in the collection of the -Smithsonian Institution. But little is positively known as to its -history or habits. Nuttall, who first met with it in the forests on -the banks of the Columbia, had no doubt that it breeds in the dark -forests bordering on that river. He described it as a remarkably shy -and solitary bird, retiring into the darkest and most silent recesses -of the evergreens, and apparently living among the loftiest branches -of the gigantic firs of that region. In consequence of its peculiar -habits it was with extreme difficulty that his party could get a sight -of this retiring species. Its song, which he frequently heard from -these high tree-tops at very regular intervals for an hour or two at a -time, he describes as a faint, moody, and monotonous note, delivered -when the bird is at rest on some lofty twig, and within convenient -hearing of its mate. - -Mr. Townsend, who was one of the same party, shot a pair of these -birds near Fort Vancouver, May 28, 1835. They were flitting among the -tops of the pine-trees in the depths of the forest, where he -frequently saw them hanging from the twigs, in the manner of Titmice. -Their notes, uttered at different intervals, he describes as very -similar to those of the Black-throated Blue Warbler (_D. -cærulescens_). - -Dr. Suckley obtained, June, 1856, two specimens at Fort Steilacoom. He -also describes them as very shy, feeding and spending most of their -time in the tops of the highest firs, so high up as to be almost out -of the reach of fine shot. The species he regards as not at all rare -on the Pacific coast, but only difficult of procuring, on account of -the almost inaccessible nature of its haunts. - -Dr. Coues procured a single specimen of this species in Arizona early -in September. It was taken in thick scrub-oak bushes. He thinks it may -be a summer resident of that Territory, but, if so, very rare. - -A single specimen was also obtained at Petuluma, Cal., by Mr. Emanuel -Samuels, May 1, 1856. - -It was also observed, August 29, by Mr. Ridgway, -among the bushes of a cañon among the East Humboldt Mountains. He -describes its single note as a lisped _pzeet_. - -Three individuals of this species were collected by Mr. Boucard in -Southern Mexico in 1862, and were referred by Dr. Sclater to _D. -chrysopœia_ (P. Z. S., 1862, p. 19). Subsequently Mr. Salvin described -as a new species, under the name of _D. niveiventris_, other -individuals of the _D. occidentalis_ obtained by him in Guatemala. The -true specific relations of the specimens both from Southern Mexico and -Central America have since been made clear by Dr. Sclater, Ibis, 1865, -p. 87, enabling us to give this species as a winter visitant of the -countries above named. Mr. Salvin states (Ibis, 1866, p. 191) that -these birds were found in most of the elevated districts where pines -abound. He procured specimens in the Volcan de Fuego, in the hills -above the Plain of Salama, and near the mines of Alotepeque. - - -Dendroica pinus, BAIRD. - -PINE-CREEPING WARBLER. - - _Sylvia pinus_, WILS. Am. Orn. III, 1811, 25, pl. xix, fig. 4.—BON.; - NUTT.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxi. _Thryothorus pinus_, STEPH. - _Sylvicola pinus_, JARD.; RICH.; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. - lxxxii.—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 59 (abundant in Oct.). - _Rhimanphus pinus_, BON. _Dendroica pinus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 277; Rev. 190.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 31, no. 189.—COUES, Pr. - A. N. Sc. 1861, 220 (Labrador coast).—SAMUELS, 229.—BRYANT, Pr. - Bost. Soc. 1867, 67 (Inagua). _Sylvia vigorsii_, AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1832, 153, pl. xxx. _Vireo vigorsii_. NUTT. - -SP. CHAR. _Spring male._ Upper parts nearly uniform and clear -olive-green, the feathers of the crown with rather darker shafts. -Under parts generally, except the middle of the belly behind, and -under tail-coverts (which are white), bright gamboge-yellow, with -obsolete streaks of dusky on the sides of the breast and body. Sides -of head and neck olive-green like the back, with a broad superciliary -stripe; the eyelids and a spot beneath the eye very obscurely yellow; -wings and tail brown; the feathers edged with dirty white, and two -bands of the same across the coverts. Inner web of the first -tail-feather with nearly the terminal half, of the second with nearly -the terminal third, dull inconspicuous white. Length, 5.50; wing, -3.00; tail, 2.40. (1,356.) - -_Spring female._ Similar, but more grayish above, and almost -grayish-white, with a tinge of yellow beneath, instead of bright -yellow. _Young._ Umber-brown above, and dingy pale ashy beneath, with -a slight yellowish tinge on the abdomen. Wing and tail much as in the -autumnal adult. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, north to Massachusetts; -winters in United States. Not recorded in West Indies or Middle -America (except Bahamas and Bermuda?). - -Autumnal males are much like spring individuals, but the yellow -beneath is softer and somewhat richer, and the olive above overlaid -with a reddish-umber tint. - -HABITS. The Pine-creeping Warbler is found more or less abundantly -throughout the United States from the Atlantic to the Valley of the -Mississippi. Dr. Woodhouse states that it is common in Texas and New -Mexico. It was not, however, met with by any other of the government -exploring parties. Dr. Gerhardt found it quite common in Northern -Georgia, where it remains all the winter, and where it breeds very -early in the season. On the 19th of April he found a nest of these -birds with nearly full-grown young. It has not been found in Maine by -Professor Verrill nor by Mr. Boardman, nor in Nova Scotia by -Lieutenant Bland. Mr. Allen has found it breeding abundantly in the -western part of Massachusetts, where it is one of the earliest -Warblers to arrive, and where it remains until October. In 1861 they -were abundant in the pine woods near Springfield as early as April 4, -although the ground at that time was covered with snow. During the -last weeks of April and the early part of May they frequent the open -fields, obtaining much of their food from the ground in company with -_D. palmarum_, the habits of which, at this time, it closely follows. -Later in the season they retire to the pine forests, where they remain -almost exclusively throughout the summer, chiefly on the tops of the -tallest trees. For a few weeks preceding the first of October they -again come about the orchards and fields. In its winter migrations it -does not appear to leave this country, and has not been found in any -of the West India Islands, in Mexico, nor in South or Central America. -It breeds sparingly in Southern Illinois. - -Mr. Jones found these birds numerous in Bermuda late in September, but -they all disappeared a few weeks later. Dr. Bryant found them at -Inagua, Bahamas. - -Wilson first noticed this Warbler in the pine woods of the Southern -States, where he found it resident all the year. He describes it as -running along the bark of pine-trees, though occasionally alighting -and feeding on the ground. When disturbed, it always flies up and -clings to the trunks of trees. The farther south, the more numerous he -found it. Its principal food is the seeds of the Southern pitch-pine -and various kinds of insects. It was associated in flocks of thirty in -the depths of the pine barrens, easily recognized by their manner of -rising from the ground and alighting on the trunks of trees. - -Audubon also speaks of this bird as the most abundant of its tribe. He -met with them on the sandy barrens of East Florida on the St. John’s -River early in February, at which period they already had nests. In -their habits he regarded them as quite closely allied to the Creepers, -ascending the trunks and larger branches of trees, hopping along the -bark searching for concealed larvæ. At one moment it moves sideways -along a branch a few steps, then stops and moves in another direction, -carefully examining each twig. It is active and restless, generally -searching for insects among the leaves and blossoms of the pine, or in -the crevices of the bark, but occasionally pursuing them on the wing. -It is found exclusively in low lands, never in mountainous districts, -and chiefly near the sea. - -Its nest is usually placed at considerable height, sometimes fifty -feet or more from the ground, and is usually fastened to the twigs of -a small branch. In Massachusetts it has but a single brood in a -season, but at the South it is said to have three. - -The flight of this Warbler is short, and exhibits undulating curves of -great elegance. Its song is described as monotonous, consisting merely -of continuous and tremulous sounds. Mr. Audubon found none beyond New -Brunswick, and it has never been found in Nova Scotia so far as I am -aware. - -Both old and young birds remain in Massachusetts until late in -October, and occasionally birds are seen as far to the north as -Philadelphia in midwinter. At this season they abound in the pine -forests of the Southern States, where they are at that time the most -numerous of the Warblers, and where some are to be found throughout -the year. - -In the summer their food consists of the larvæ and eggs of certain -kinds of insects. In the autumn they frequent the Southern gardens, -feeding on the berries of the cornel, the box grape, and other small -fruit. Mr. Nuttall states that their song is deficient both in -compass and in variety, though not disagreeable. At times, he states, -it approaches the simpler trills of the canary; but is usually -a reverberating, gently rising or murmuring sound like -_er-r´-r´r´r´r´r´-ah_, or in the springtime like _twe twe-tw tw tw-tw -tw_, and sometimes like _tsh-tsh-tsh-tw-tw-tw-tw_, exhibiting a -pleasing variety in its cadences. The note of the female is not unlike -that of the Black and White Creeper. - -On the 7th of June, Mr. Nuttall discovered a nest of this Warbler in a -Virginia juniper-tree in Mount Auburn, some forty feet from the -ground, and firmly fixed in the upright twigs of a close branch. It -was a thin but very neat structure. Its principal material was the old -and wiry stems of the _Polygonum tenue_, or knot-weed. These were -circularly interlaced and inter-wound with rough linty fibres of -asclepias and caterpillars’ webs. It was lined with a few bristles, -slender root-fibres, a mat of the down of fern-stalks, and a few -feathers. Mr. Nuttall saw several of these nests, all made in a -similar manner. The eggs in the nest described were four, and far -advanced towards hatching. They were white, with a slight tinge of -green, and were freely sprinkled with small pale-brown spots, most -numerous at the larger end, where they were aggregated on a more -purplish ground. The female made some slight complaint, but -immediately returned to the nest, though two of the eggs had been -taken. - -Mr. Nuttall kept a male of this species in confinement. It at once -became very tame, fed gratefully from the hand, from the moment it was -caught, on flies, small earthworms, and minced flesh, and would sit -contentedly on any hand, walking directly into a dish of water offered -for drink, without any precautions, or any signs of fear. - -Mr. J. G. Shute found a nest of these Warblers in Woburn as early as -May 8. It contained four eggs, the incubation of which had commenced. -Three other nests were also found by him in the same locality, all of -them between the 8th and the 24th of May, and all built on branches of -the red pine and near the top. Several nests of this Warbler, found in -Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O. Welch, are alike in their mode of -construction, and differ in their materials from other accounts. They -are all somewhat loosely put together, and are composed externally of -fine strips of the bark of the red cedar, fine inner bark of several -deciduous trees, dry stalks of plants, the exuviæ of insects, and fine -dry grasses. The cavities of these nests, which are comparatively -large and deep, were lined with the fur of the smaller mammals, the -silky down of plants, and feathers. A few fine wiry roots were also -intermingled. These nests are about two and a half inches in height -and three in diameter. - -The eggs of this Warbler are of a rounded oval shape, have an average -length of .72 of an inch, and a breadth of .55. They resemble in size -and appearance the eggs of the _D. castanea_, but the spots are more -numerous, and the blotches larger and more generally distributed. The -ground-color is a bluish-white. Scattered over this are subdued -tintings of a fine delicate shade of purple, and upon this are -distributed dots and blotches of a dark purplish-brown, mingled with a -few lines almost black. - - -Dendroica montana, BAIRD. - -BLUE MOUNTAIN WARBLER. - - _Sylvia montana_, WILS. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 113, pl. xliv, fig. 2 - (“Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania”).—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 294 - (“California”!) _Sylvicola montana_, JARD.; AUD. Birds Am. II, - 1841, 69, pl. xcviii. _Dendroica montana_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 279; Rev. 190. _Sylvia tigrina_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, - 1807, 34, pl. xciv (U. S. and St. Domingo). - -SP. CHAR. This species is four inches and three quarters in length; -the upper parts a rich yellow-olive; front, cheeks, and chin yellow, -also the sides of the neck; breast and belly pale yellow, streaked -with black or dusky; vent plain pale yellow. Wings black; first and -second rows of coverts broadly tipped with pale yellowish-white; -tertials the same; the rest of the quills edged with whitish. Tail -black, handsomely rounded, edged with pale olive; the two exterior -feathers on each side white on the inner vanes from the middle to the -tips, and edged on the outer side with white. Bill dark brown. Legs -and feet purple-brown; soles yellow. Eye dark hazel. (Wilson.) - -HAB. “Blue Mountains of Virginia.” St. Domingo? - -This species is only known from the description of Wilson, Vieillot, -and Audubon, and we are not aware that a specimen is to be found in -any collection. If described correctly, it appears different from any -established species, although the most nearly related to _D. pinus_, -which, however, differs in the absence of a yellow frontlet, in having -a greener back, less distinct streaks beneath, and in the white of the -anal region. - -HABITS. Whether the Blue Mountain Warbler is a genuine species or an -unfamiliar plumage of a bird better known to us in a different dress -is a question not altogether settled to the minds of some. It was -described by Wilson from a single specimen obtained near the Blue -Ridge of Virginia. Audubon found another in the collection of the -Zoölogical Society. From this he made his drawing. A third has also -been met with and described by Vieillot. We know nothing in regard to -its habits, except that its song is said to be a single _screep_, -three or four times repeated. Its breeding-habits, its manner of -migration, and the place of its more abundant occurrence, yet remain -entirely unknown. - - -Dendroica kirtlandi, BAIRD. - -KIRTLAND’S WARBLER. - - _Sylvicola kirtlandi_, BAIRD, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, June, 1852, 217, - pl. vi (Cleveland, Ohio).—CASSIN, Illust. I, 1855, 278, pl. xlvii. - _Dendroica kirtlandi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 286; Rev. 206. - -SP. CHAR. Above slate-blue, the feathers of the crown with a narrow, -those of the middle of the back with a broader, streak of black; a -narrow frontlet involving the lores, the anterior end of the eye, and -the space beneath it (possibly the whole auriculars), black; the rest -of the eyelids white. The under parts are clear yellow (almost white -on the under tail-coverts); the breast with small spots and sides of -the body with short streaks of black. The greater and middle -wing-coverts, quills, and tail-feathers are edged with dull whitish. -The two outer tail-feathers have a dull white spot near the end of the -inner web, largest on the first. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.70. -(4,363.) - -HAB. Northern Ohio, and Bahamas. - -In addition to the type which is in the collection of the Smithsonian -Institution, a second specimen was obtained by Dr. Samuel Cabot, of -Boston, taken at sea between the islands of Abaco and Cuba. It must, -however, be considered as one of the rarest of American birds. - -HABITS. Kirtland’s Warbler is so far known by only a few rare -specimens as a bird of North America, and its biography is utterly -unknown. The first specimen of this species, so far as is known, was -obtained by Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, of Cleveland, O., in May, 1851. It -was shot by that naturalist in woods near that city, and was by him -given to Professor Baird, who described it in the Annals of the New -York Lyceum. It appears to be closely allied to both the _D. coronata_ -and _D. auduboni_, and yet to be a specifically distinct bird. A -second specimen, in the cabinet of Dr. Samuel Cabot, Jr., of Boston, -was obtained at sea, between the islands of Cuba and Abaco. A third -specimen was obtained June 9, 1860, near Cleveland, and is in the -collection of Mr. R. K. Winslow, of that city. Another specimen is -also reported as having been obtained in the same neighborhood, but -not preserved; and Dr. Hoy, of Racine, Wis., is confident that he has -seen it in the neighborhood of that place. At present all that we can -give in regard to its history, habits, or distribution must be -inferred from these few and meagre facts. - - -Dendroica palmarum, BAIRD. - -YELLOW RED-POLL WARBLER. - - _Motacilla palmarum_, GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 951 (based on Palm - Warbler, LATHAM, Syn. II, p. 498, no. 131, St. Domingo). _Sylvia - p._ LATH.; VIEILLOT, II, pl. lxxiii.—BON.; D’ORB. Sagra’s Cuba, - Ois. 1840, 61, pl. viii. _Sylvicola p._ SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 231 - (St. Domingo). _Dendroica p._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 288; Rev. - 207.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 33, no. 199.—IB. P. Z. S. 1861, 71 - (Jamaica; April).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1859 (Bahamas).—IB. - 1867, 91 (Hayti).—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1867, 139.—GUNDLACH, Cab. - Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very common).—SAMUELS, 240. _Sylvia - petechia_, WILS. VI, pl. xxviii, fig. 4.—BON.; NUTT.; AUD. Orn. - Biog. II, pl. clxiii, clxiv. _Sylvicola petechia_, SWAINS.; AUD. - Birds Am. II, pl. xc. _Sylvicola ruficapilla_, BON. _Rhimanphus - ruf._ CAB. Jour. III, 1855, 473 (Cuba; winter). - -SP. CHAR. _Adult in spring._ Head above chestnut-red; rest of upper -parts brownish olive-gray; the feathers with darker centres, the color -brightening on the rump, upper tail-coverts, and outer margins of wing -and tail-feathers, to greenish-yellow. A streak from nostrils over the -eye, and under parts generally, including the tail-coverts, bright -yellow; paler on the body. A maxillary line; breast and sides finely -but rather obsoletely streaked with reddish-brown. Cheeks brownish (in -highest spring plumage chestnut like the head); the eyelids and a spot -under the eye olive-brown. Lores dusky. A white spot on the inner web -of the outer two tail-feathers, at the end. Length, 5 inches; wing, -2.42; tail, 2.25. Sexes nearly alike. - -Autumnal males are more reddish above; under parts tinged with brown, -the axillars yellow. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America to Fort Simpson and Hudson’s -Bay; Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, and St. Domingo in winter. Not noted from -Mexico or Central America. - -This species varies considerably in different stages, but can -generally be recognized. Immature specimens resemble those of _P. -tigrina_, but differ in the chestnut crown, browner back, less bright -rump, brighter yellow of under tail-coverts, smaller blotches on tail, -no white bands on the wings, etc., as well as in the shape of the -bill. - -HABITS. The Red-Poll Warbler belongs, in its geographical -distribution, to that large class of birds which visit high northern -latitudes to breed, passing back and forth over a wide extent of -territory, from the West India Islands to the extreme northern -portions of the continent. Specimens have been procured from Cuba, -Jamaica, St. Domingo, and the Bahamas, in fall, winter, and spring, -where, at such times, they seem to be generally quite common. It has -not been observed in Mexico or in Central or South America. It has -been met with on the western shore of Lake Michigan, but nowhere -farther to the west. It has been found in the Red River Settlement, -Fort George, Fort Simpson, and Fort Resolution, in the Hudson Bay -Territory. It is not known, so far as I am aware, to breed south of -latitude 44°. Wilson and Nuttall both state that this bird remains in -Pennsylvania through the summer, but they were probably misinformed; -at least, there is no recent evidence to this effect. Wilson also -states that he shot specimens in Georgia, near Savannah, early in -February, and infers that some pass the entire winter in Georgia, -which is not improbable, as this bird can endure severe weather -without any apparent inconvenience. - -There are several marked peculiarities in the habits of this Warbler -which distinguish it from every other of its genus. Alone of all the -_Dendroicæ_, so far as is known, it builds its nest on the ground, and -is quite terrestrial in its habits, and, notwithstanding the -statements of earlier writers, these are quite different from all -others of this genus. It has very little of the habits of the Creeper -and still less of the Flycatcher, while it has all the manners of the -true Ground Warbler, and even approximates, in this respect, to the -Titlarks. - -My attention was first called to these peculiarities by Mr. Downes of -Halifax, in the summer of 1851; and I was surprised to find it nesting -on the ground, and yet more to note that in all its movements it -appeared fully as terrestrial as the Maryland Yellow-Throat, or the -Towhee Finch. Since then Mr. Boardman and other naturalists have found -its nest, which is always on the ground. - -Mr. MacCulloch, in the fourth volume of the Journal of the Boston -Natural History Society, has given an interesting paper upon the -terrestrial peculiarities of this species, showing them to be nearly -identical with those of the _seiuri_, with whom he thinks it should be -classed. In its terrestrial movements this bird is shown to be quite -at home, while other Warblers, when driven by necessity to feed upon -the ground, are awkward, and manifest a want of adaptation. - -Dr. Henry Bryant, another very close and accurate observer, in his -notes on the birds of the Bahamas, referring to this Warbler, speaks -of it as extremely abundant, but confined to the sea-shore. “Its -habits,” he adds, apparently with some surprise, “are decidedly -terrestrial, and it approaches, in this respect, to the Titlarks. They -were constantly running along the edges of the road, or else hopping -amongst the low branches in the pastures. I did not see a single -individual seeking for food amidst the large trees. These birds could -be constantly seen running up and down in the market in search of -small flies. These they caught either on the ground or else by hopping -up a few inches, scarcely opening the wings, and alighting directly.” - -Mr. J. A. Allen, in his Birds observed in Western Massachusetts, shows -that these peculiarities of habits in this Warbler had not escaped his -notice. He speaks of it as “frequenting, in company with _D. pinus_, -the edges of thickets, orchards, and open fields, _and is much on the -ground_.” - -Mr. George A. Boardman, writing me from St. Stephen, March, 1867, -says: “The Yellow Red-Poll is one of our most common Warblers, and, -unlike most other Warblers, spends much of its time feeding upon the -ground. It is no uncommon thing to see a dozen or two on the ground in -my garden at a time, in early spring. Later in the season they have -more of the habits of other Warblers, and are in summer expert -flycatchers. In the fall we again see them mostly upon the ground, -feeding with the Blue Snowbirds (_Junco hyemalis_) and the Chipping -Sparrow. They breed in old brushy pastures, and very early, nesting -alongside of some little knoll, and, I think, always upon the ground. -The nest is very warmly lined with feathers.” - -Mr. MacCulloch, in the paper already referred to, states that during -their autumnal migrations they seem invariably to exhibit the habits -of true _Sylvicolidæ_, gleaning among branches of trees for the -smaller insects, and not unfrequently visiting the windows of -dwellings in search of spiders and insects. - -In their migrations through Massachusetts these Warblers are -everywhere quite abundant in the spring, but in their return in autumn -are not observed in the eastern part of the State, though very common -in the western from September into November, remaining long after all -the other Warblers are gone. None remain during the summer. - -In Western Maine, Mr. Verrill states, it is quite common both in -spring and in fall, arriving in April, earlier than any other Warbler, -and again becoming abundant the last of September. - -I found it plentiful in the vicinity of Halifax, where it occurs -throughout the summer from May to September. - -Mr. Ridgway gives this species as perhaps the most numerous of the -transient visitants, in spring and fall, in Southern Illinois. It is -very terrestrial in its habits, keeping much on the ground, in -orchards and open places, and its movements are said to be wonderfully -like those of _Anthus ludovicianus_. - -In the vibratory motions of its tail, especially when upon the ground, -these birds greatly resemble the Wagtails of Europe. They have no -other song than a few simple and feeble notes, so thin and weak that -they might almost be mistaken for the sounds made by the common -grasshopper. - -The Red-Poll usually selects for the site of its nest the edge of a -swampy thicket, more or less open, placing it invariably upon the -ground. This is usually not large, about three and a half inches in -diameter and two and a half in depth, the diameter and depth of the -cavity each averaging only half an inch less. The walls are compactly -and elaborately constructed of an interweaving of various fine -materials, chiefly fine dry grasses, slender strips of bark, stems of -the smaller plants, hypnum, and other mosses. Within, the nest is -warmly and softly lined with down and feathers. - -Mr. Kennicott met with a nest of this bird at Fort Resolution, June -18. It was on the ground, on a hummock, at the foot of a small spruce, -in a swamp. When found, it contained five young birds. - -Their eggs are of a rounded-oval shape, and measure .70 of an inch in -length by .55 in breadth. Their ground-color is a yellowish or -creamy-white, and their blotches, chiefly about the larger end, are a -blending of purple, lilac, and reddish-brown. - - -Dendroica discolor, BAIRD. - -PRAIRIE WARBLER. - - _Sylvia discolor_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 37, pl. xcviii.— - BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. xiv; NUTT.—LEMBEYE, Aves Cuba, 1850, - 32, pl. vi, fig. 2. _Sylvicola discolor_, JARD.; RICH.; BON.; AUD. - Birds Am. II, pl. xcvii.—GOSSE, Birds Jam. 1847, 159. _Rhimanphus - discolor_, CAB. Jour. III, 1855, 474 (Cuba; winter). _Dendroica - discolor_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 290; Rev. 213.—NEWTON, Ibis, - 1859, 144 (St. Croix).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1859 - (Bahamas).—IB. 1866 (Porto Rico); 1867, 91 (Hayti).—GUNDLACH, Cab. - Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba; very common).—SAMUELS, 241. _Sylvia - minuta_, WILSON, III, pl. xxv. fig. 4. - -SP. CHAR. _Spring male._ Above uniform olive-green; the interscapular -region with chestnut-red centres to feathers. Under parts and sides of -the head, including a broad superciliary line from the nostrils to a -little behind the eye, bright yellow, brightest anteriorly. A -well-defined narrow stripe from the commissure of the mouth through -the eye, and another from the same point curving gently below it, also -a series of streaks on each side of the body, extending from the -throat to the flanks, black. Quills and tail-feathers brown, edged -with white; the terminal half of the inner web of the first and second -tail-feathers white. Two yellowish bands on the wings. _Female_ -similar, but duller. The dorsal streaks indistinct. Length, 4.86; -wing, 2.25; tail, 2.10. - -First plumage of the young not seen. - -HAB. Atlantic region of United States, north to Massachusetts; South -Illinois; in winter very abundant throughout all the West India -Islands, as far, at least, as the Virgin Islands. Not recorded from -Mexico or Central America. - -Autumnal specimens have the plumage more blended, but the markings not -changed. A young male in autumnal dress is wholly brownish olive-green -above, the whole wing uniform; the forehead ashy, the markings about -the head rather obsolete, the chestnut spots on the back and the black -ones on the sides nearly concealed. - -HABITS. The Prairie Warbler, nowhere an abundant species, is pretty -generally, though somewhat irregularly, distributed through the -eastern portion of the United States from Massachusetts to Georgia -during its breeding-season. The Smithsonian Museum embraces no -specimens taken west of Philadelphia or Washington. I have had its -nest and eggs found in Central New York. Mr. Audubon speaks of its -occurring in Louisiana, but his accounts of its nesting are so -obviously inaccurate that we must receive this statement also with -misgivings. Wilson, however, obtained specimens in Kentucky, and gave -to it the inappropriate name of _Prairie_ Warbler. Nuttall regarded it -as rare in New England, which opinion more careful observations do not -confirm. They certainly are not rare in certain portions of -Massachusetts. In Essex County, and, according to Mr. Allen, in the -vicinity of Springfield, they are rather common. The Smithsonian -possesses specimens from the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Croix, St. Thomas, -and other West India islands. Dr. Gundlach speaks of it as common in -Cuba. In the Bahamas, Dr. Bryant found these Warblers more abundant -than he had ever known them in the United States. In January all the -males were in winter plumage, some not having changed by April to -their summer costume. He regarded them as constant residents of those -islands. They had all paired off by the middle of April. - -In the island of St. Croix, Mr. Edward Newton observed these Warblers -from the 10th of September to the 27th of March. They were present on -the island about two thirds of the year, and while they were found -were very common. - -In Jamaica, according to Mr. March, they are numerous throughout the -entire year, though less abundant during the summer months. They were -always plentiful in the gardens about the _Malpighia glabra_, -capturing small insects from the ripe fruit. - -Mr. Gosse, on the contrary, regarded it as only a winter visitant of -that island, appearing by the 18th of August, and disappearing by the -11th of April. He observed them among low bushes and herbaceous weeds, -along the roadside, near the ground, examining every stalk and twig -for insects. Others flew from bushes by the wayside to the middle of -the road, where, hovering in the air, a few feet from the ground, they -seemed to be catching small dipterous insects. Their stomachs were -filled with fragments of insects. - -Wilson found them usually in open plains and thinly wooded tracts, -searching most leisurely among the foliage, carefully examining every -leaf or blade of grass for insects, uttering, at short intervals, a -brief _chirr_. They did not appear to be easily alarmed, and he has -known one of these birds to remain half an hour at a time on the lower -branch of a tree, and allow him to approach the foot, without being in -the least disturbed. He found their food consisted of winged insects -and small caterpillars. - -In 1858, Mr. John Cassin wrote me: “The Prairie Warbler certainly -breeds in New Jersey, near Philadelphia. I have seen it all summer for -the last twelve years, and have seen the young just able to fly, but -never found the nest. It has a very peculiar note, which I know as -well as I do the Catbird’s, having often followed and searched it out. -It frequents cedar-trees, and I suspect breeds in and about them.” - -Dr. Coues found the Prairie Warbler mostly a spring and autumn -visitant in the vicinity of Washington, being quite abundant during -those seasons. A few were observed to remain during the -breeding-season. They arrive earlier than most of this family of -birds, or about the 20th of April. He found them frequenting, almost -exclusively, cedar-patches and pine-trees, and speaks of their having -very peculiar manners and notes. - -Both Wilson and Audubon were evidently at fault in their descriptions -of the nest and eggs. These do not correspond with more recent and -positive observations. Its nest is never pensile. Mr. Nuttall’s -descriptions, on the other hand, are made from his own observations, -and are evidently correct. He describes a nest that came under his -observation as scarcely distinguishable from that of the _D. æstiva_. -It was not pensile, but fixed in a forked branch, and formed of strips -of the inner bark of the red cedar, fibres of asclepia, and -caterpillars’ silk, and thickly lined with the down of the -_Gnaphalium plantagineum_. He describes the eggs as having a white -ground, sharp at one end, and marked with spots of lilac-purple and of -two shades of brown, more numerous at the larger end, where they -formed a ring. He speaks of their note as slender, and noticed their -arrival about the second week of May, leaving the middle of September. - -At another time Mr. Nuttall was attracted by the slender, filing notes -of this bird, resembling the suppressed syllables _’tsh-’tsh-’tsh-’tshea_, -beginning low and gradually growing louder. With its mate it was -busily engaged collecting flies and larvæ about a clump of -locust-trees in Mount Auburn. Their nest was near, and the female, -without any precautions, went directly to it. Mr. Nuttall removed two -eggs, which he afterwards replaced. Each time, on his withdrawal, she -returned to the nest, and resorted to no expedients to entice him away. - -Several nests of this Warbler have been obtained by Mr. Welch in Lynn. -One was built on a wild rose, only a few feet from the ground. It is a -snug, compact, and elaborately woven structure, having a height and a -diameter of about two and a half inches. The cavity is two inches wide -and one and a half deep. The materials of which the outer parts are -woven are chiefly the soft inner bark of small shrubs, mingled with -dry rose-leaves, bits of vegetables, wood, woody fibres, decayed stems -of plants, spiders’ webs, etc. The whole is bound together like a web -by cotton-like fibres of a vegetable origin. The upper rim of this -nest is a marked feature, being a strongly interlaced weaving of -vegetable roots and strips of bark. The lining of the nest is composed -of fine vegetable fibres and a few horse-hairs. This nest, in its -general mode of construction, resembles all that I have seen; only in -others the materials vary,—in some dead and decayed leaves, in others -remains of old cocoons, and in others the pappus of composite plants, -being more prominent than the fine strips of bark. The nests are -usually within four feet of the ground. The eggs vary from three to -five, and even six. - -The late Dr. Gerhardt found this bird the most common Warbler in -Northern Georgia. There its nests were similar in size, structure, and -position, but differed more or less in the materials of which they -were made. The nests were a trifle larger and the walls thinner, the -cavities being correspondingly larger. The materials were more -invariably fine strips of inner bark and flax-like vegetable fibres, -and were lined with the finest stems of plants, in one case with the -feathers of the Great Horned Owl. In that neighborhood the eggs were -deposited by the 15th of May. - -In Massachusetts the Prairie Warbler invariably selects wild -pasture-land, often not far from villages, and always open or very -thinly wooded. In Georgia their nests were built in almost every kind -of bush or low tree, or on the lower limbs of post-oaks, at the height -of from four to seven feet. Eggs were found once as early as the 2d of -May, and once as late as the 10th of June. The birds arrived there by -the 10th of April, and seemed to prefer hillsides, but were found in -almost any open locality. - -In Southern Illinois, Mr. Ridgway cites this species as a rather rare -bird among the oak barrens where it breeds. He also met with it in -orchards in the wooded portions, in April, during the northward -migration of the _Sylvicolidæ_. - -The eggs are of an oval shape, pointed at one end, and measure .68 by -.48 of an inch. They have a white ground, marked with spots of lilac -and purple and two shades of umber-brown. - - -SUBFAMILY GEOTHLYPINÆ. - - -SECTION SEIUREÆ. - -The diagnosis of the subfamily will be found on page 178. The -_Seiureæ_, as there stated, have the wings pointed, and rather longer -than the nearly even tail, which is unspotted. The genera differ in -proportion rather than absolutely, _Oporornis_ having longer wings and -larger claws. The coloration, however, is always distinctive, as -follows:— - - Under part white or whitish, thickly streaked … _Seiurus._ - Beneath yellow, without spots … _Oporornis._ - - -GENUS SEIURUS, SWAINSON. - - _Seiurus_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 171. (Sufficiently - distinct from _Sciurus_.) (Type, _Motacilla aurocapilla_, L.) - _Henicocichla_, GRAY, List of Genera, 1840. - - [Line drawing: _Seiurus aurocapillus._ - 1433] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather sylvicoline, compressed, with a distinct notch. -Gonys ascending. Rictal bristles very short. Wings moderate, about -three quarters of an inch longer than the tail; first quill scarcely -shorter than the second. Tail slightly rounded; feathers acuminate. -Tarsi about as long as the skull, considerably exceeding the middle -toe. Under tail-coverts reaching within about half an inch of the end -of the tail. Color above olivaceous; beneath whitish, thickly streaked -on the breast and sides. Wings and tail immaculate. Nests on the -ground, often arched or sheltered by position or dry leaves. Eggs -white, marked with red, brown, and purple. - -This genus is decidedly sylvicoline in general appearance, although -the spots on the breast resemble somewhat those of the Thrushes. The -three species may be grouped as follows:— - -A. Middle of crown brownish-orange, bordered by blackish. No -white superciliary streak … _S. aurocapillus._ - -B. Crown like the back. A well-defined superciliary light -stripe. - - Thickly streaked beneath, including crissum. Ground-color and - superciliary stripe yellowish. Bill small … _S. noveboracensis._ - - Sparsely streaked beneath; throat and crissum immaculate. - Ground-color and superciliary stripe white. Bill very large … - _S. ludovicianus._ - - -Seiurus aurocapillus, SWAINS. - -GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. - - _Motacilla aurocapilla_, LINN. S. N. I, 1766, 334. _Turdus aur._ - LATH.; WILS. Am. Orn. II, pl. xiv, fig. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - cxliii. _Sylvia aur._ BON. _Seiurus aur._ SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. - III, 1827, 171.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 260; Rev. 214.—MOORE, P. - Z. S. 1859, 55 (Honduras).—MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 177.—JONES, Nat. - Bermuda, 27. _Henicocichla aur._ SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 25, no. - 159.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba). _Seiurus aur._ D’ORB. - Sagra’s Cuba, 1840, 55.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, - 278 (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 218. _Turdus coronatus_, VIEILL. Ois. II. - 1807, 8. - Other localities quoted: _Cordova_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 293. _St. - Domingo_, SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 231. _Guatemala_, SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, I, 1859, 10. _Santa Cruz_ (winter), NEWTON, Ibis, - 1859, 142. _Cuba_ (winter), Cab. Jour. III, 471. _Jamaica_, GOSSE, - Birds, 152.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1861, 70. _Costa Rica_, CAB. Jour. - 1861, 84. _Orizaba_ (winter), SUMICHRAST. _Yucatan_, LAWR. - _Chiriqui_, SALV. - -SP. CHAR. Above uniform olive-green, with a tinge of yellow. Crown -with two narrow streaks of black from the bill, enclosing a median and -much broader one of brownish-orange. Beneath white; the breast, sides -of the body, and a maxillary line, streaked with black. The female and -young of the year are not appreciably different. Length, 6.00; wing, -3.00; tail, 2.40. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America, north to English River, H. B. -T., and Alaska; west to mouth of Platte, and Denver City, Colorado; -Mazatlan; whole West Indies; Eastern Mexico; Honduras, Guatemala, and -Costa Rica; Bermuda in autumn and winter (JONES). - - [Illustration: _Seiurus aurocapillus._] - -HABITS. The Golden-crowned Thrush, or Oven-Bird, as in some portions -of the country it is exclusively called, inhabits the whole of eastern -North America, as far to the west as the Great Plains, and to the -north at least as far as English River. In the winter season it has -been found in Mexico, St. Domingo, Jamaica, Cuba, and other West India -islands, and in Central America is also very common. Mr. Sumichrast -also speaks of it as common at Orizaba during the same season, and it -has been found in the Bermudas and the Bahamas. In all these places it -usually appears early in the autumn and remains until the ensuing -spring. It breeds as far to the north as it has been known to go. -Richardson met with its nest on the banks of the Saskatchewan, and was -convinced that it bred at even still higher latitudes. Among some -memoranda I received from the late Mr. Kennicott is one stating that -he met with this Thrush breeding near English River, July 15. These -birds arrive in the fur country about the first of May. How far to the -south they breed we have no positive information. I have never -received its eggs from any point south of Philadelphia, nor did I ever -meet with it or hear its notes in summer in the vicinity of -Washington. Audubon was of the opinion that a few remain to breed even -in Louisiana, and states that he found them abundant in Texas in the -middle of May, but he may have confounded this species with the -Louisiana Thrush. - -In Jamaica, where its habits have been carefully studied by Mr. Gosse, -it arrives in September and leaves about the 20th of April. Mr. -Würdemann obtained specimens at Cape Florida, September 24 and 25. Mr. -Audubon mentions their appearing in Louisiana as early as the first of -March. Wilson never noticed it in Louisiana before the last of April, -nor after September. The Smithsonian possesses no specimen obtained -earlier than May 1, except some procured April 25 from the mouth of -Platte River. Mr. Allen notes its arrival in Western Massachusetts May -10. Mr. Verrill gives the early part of May as the time of its -reaching Western Maine, and Mr. Boardman May 1 for the vicinity of -Calais. - -Though not found on the California coast, specimens of this bird have -been taken in winter near Mazatlan, Mexico, showing probably that in -their migrations they cross the mountains of Northern Mexico, as do -the _Mniotilta varia_ and a few other of our Eastern species. - -In Eastern Massachusetts it usually appears from the 1st to the 10th -of May, just as the first leaves of the trees are expanding, and is to -be found only in thick woods, often near their edges. Occasionally -found perched on the low limbs of trees, it is quite terrestrial in -its habits, keeps a good deal on the ground, running about among the -fallen leaves, more in the manner of a small quadruped than a bird. -Mr. Audubon speaks of its frequenting shady woods, watered by creeks -and rivulets. I have found them rather more abundant in woods upon -high and dry ground, usually upon slopes of wooded hillsides. In this -respect it appears to differ in a marked manner from its near of kin, -the Water Thrush (_S. noveboracensis_). - -This bird, and indeed all of this genus, have the peculiar vibratory -motions of the tail noticed in the Wagtail of Europe, and also -observed in our own Red-poll Warbler, and in the Titlarks. In -consequence of these peculiarities this species is known, in Jamaica, -as _Land Kickup_, and the _noveboracensis_ as the _Water Kickup_. Mr. -Gosse found in its stomach gravel, various seeds, mud-insects, -caterpillars, and small turbinate shells. - -The usual and more common song of this species is a very peculiar and -striking one, unlike that of any other of our birds. It is said to -somewhat resemble the song of the _Accentor modularis_ of Europe. It -is loud and clear, enunciated with great rapidity, and uttered with -great emphasis at its close. It is characterized by energy and power, -rather than variety or sweetness, yet it is not unpleasing. Audubon -calls it a “simple lay,” and again “a short succession of simple -notes,”—expressions that would give one who had never heard its song -an altogether incorrect idea of its true character. Wilson is still -more in error when he states that this bird has no song, but an -energetic twitter, when, in fact, it has two very distinct songs, each -in its way remarkable. Nuttall describes its song as “a simple, long, -reiterated note, rising from low to high, and shrill”; Richardson -speaks of it as “a loud, clear, and remarkably pleasing ditty”; and -Mr. Allen calls it “a loud, echoing song, heard everywhere in the deep -woods.” In reference to the songs of this bird, and the injustice that -has been done by writers to this and other species of our birds, Mr. -Boardman of St. Stephen has written me the following just -observations. - - “Many of our common Warblers, Thrushes, and other birds, - have rare songs they reserve for some extra occasions, and - many of our common birds do not get credit for half their - real power of song. Once last spring, as I was watching for - some birds, I heard a new and very pretty warble, something - like the trill of a Winter Wren, and found that it came from - our common slate-colored Snowbird (_Junco hyemalis_), a bird - that I see every day that I go to the woods, and yet these - notes I had never heard before. It is the same with the - Golden-crowned Thrush. When it gets into the top of a tall - tree, its strain is so rare and beautiful that but few know - it as from that bird. The same is true of the Water Thrush, - and also of both _Turdus pallasi_ and _Turdus swainsoni_.” - -The Oven-Bird always nests on the ground, and generally constructs -nests with arched or domed roofs, with an entrance on one side, like -the mouth of an oven, and hence its common name. This arched covering -is not, however, universal. For a site this species usually selects -the wooded slope of a hill, and the nests are usually sunk in the -ground. When placed under the shelter of a projecting root, or in a -thick clump of bushes, the nest has no other cover than a few loose -leaves resting on, but forming no part of it. - -A nest from Racine, Wis., obtained by Dr. Hoy, is a fine typical -specimen of the domed nests of this species. The roof is very perfect, -and the whole presents the appearance of two shallow nests united at -the rim, and leaving only a small opening at one side. This nest was -five inches in diameter from front to back, six inches from side to -side, and four inches high. The opening was two and a quarter inches -wide, one and three quarters high. The cavity was two inches deep, -below the brim. At the entrance the roof recedes about an inch, -obviously to allow of a freer entrance and exit from the nest. -Externally this nest is made of wood, mosses, lichens, and dry leaves, -with a few stems and broken fragments of plants. The entrance is -strongly built of stout twigs, and its upper portion is composed of a -strong framework of fine twigs, roots, stems, mosses, dry plants, -etc., all firmly interwoven, and lined with finer materials of the -same. - -On the 7th of June, 1858, I came accidentally upon a nest of this bird -of a very different style of structure. It was in a thick wood in -Hingham. The nest was built in a depression in the ground at the foot -of some low bushes, and its top was completely covered by surrounding -vines and wild flowers. It would probably have escaped notice had not -my daughter, then a child of four years, attempted to gather some wild -flowers growing directly over its entrance. This flushed the mother, -who until then had remained quiet, although we were standing with our -feet almost upon the nest, and the bird fluttered and tumbled about at -our feet with well-feigned manœuvres to distract our attention. The -child in great glee sought to catch it, but it eluded her grasp, and, -running off like a mouse, disappeared. The nest contained six eggs, -was entirely open, and with no other cover than the wild plants that -clustered above it. As to its identity there was no doubt, as the -parent was afterwards snared upon its nest. This nest was somewhat -loosely constructed of skeleton leaves, dry slender stalks, grasses, -and pine-needles, and was lined with a few slender grasses and leaves. -It had a diameter of six inches, and was two and a half inches deep. -The cup had a diameter of three and a half inches and a depth of two, -being very large for the size of the bird, probably owing to the shape -of the cavity in which it was sunk. - -The nest of this bird seems to be a favorite place of resort for the -Cow Blackbird to deposit its egg. In one nest, found by Mr. Vickary in -Lynn, no less than three eggs of these parasites had been placed. - -The eggs of the Golden-crowned Thrush are subject to considerable -variations. Their markings differ in their colors and shades, and yet -more in number, size, and manner of distribution. The eggs are oval in -shape, one end being but very slightly smaller than the other. Their -average length is .82 of an inch, and their breadth is .55 of an inch. -Their ground-color is a beautiful creamy-white. They are marked, -usually principally about the larger end, with dots and blotches, -intermingled, of red, reddish-brown, lilac, darker purple, and -ferruginous. Occasionally these make a beautiful crown around the -larger end, leaving the rest of the surface nearly free from spots. - - -Seiurus noveboracensis, NUTT. - -SMALL-BILLED WATER THRUSH. - - _Motacilla noveboracensis_, GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 958. _Sylvia nov._ - LATH.; VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lxxxii. _Seiurus nov._ - NUTT.; BON.; AUD. Birds Am. III, pl. cxcix.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 261, pl. lxxx, fig. 1; Rev. 215.—MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, - 121.—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 220. _Henicocichla nov._ - CAB. Schom. Guiana, III, 666; Jour. 1860, 324 (Costa - Rica).—SCLATER (Tobago).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba). - _Mniotilta nov._ GRAY. _?? Motacilla fuscescens_, GMELIN, S. N. - 984 (based on _Ficedula jamaicensis_, BRISSON, III, 512, Jamaica). - _Turdus aquaticus_, WILS.; AUD. Orn. Biog. 1839, 284, pl. - ccccxxxiii. _Sylvia anthoides_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XI, 1817, - 208. _Seiurus tenuirostris_, SW. 1827; GAMB. _Seiurus_ - _sulfurascens_, D’ORBIGNY, Sagra’s Cuba, 1840, 57, pl. vi. - _Seiurus gosse_, BON. Consp. 1850, 306 (Jamaica). _? Anthus - l’herminieri_, LESS. Rev. Z. 1839, 101 (Colombia). - Other localities quoted: _Xalapa_, SCLATER. _Guatemala_, SCLATER & - SALVIN. _Panama_, LAWRENCE. _Carthagena_, CASSIN. _Santa Cruz_ - (winter), NEWTON. _Cuba_, CAB. _Jamaica_, GOSSE.; SCL. - _Venezuela_, SCL. & SALV. _Yucatan_, LAWR. _St. Bartholemy_, SUND. - _Veragua_, SALV. - -SP. CHAR. Bill, from rictus, about the length of the skull. Above -olive-brown, with a shade of green; beneath pale sulphur-yellow, -brightest on the abdomen. Region about the base of the lower mandible, -and a superciliary line from the base of the bill to the nape, -brownish-yellow. A dusky line from the bill through the eye; chin and -throat finely spotted. All the remaining under parts and sides of the -body, except the abdomen, and including the under tail-coverts, -conspicuously and thickly streaked with olivaceous-brown, almost black -on the breast. Length, 6.15; wing, 3.12; tail, 2.40. Bill, from -rictus, .64. Sexes similar. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America, north to Arctic Ocean and -Yukon (westward along northern border of United States to Cascade -Mountains); Fort Bridger, (DREXLER); Arizona (COUES); whole West -Indies; Southeastern Mexico; all Central America; Panama and Eastern -South America (Bogota; Carthagena; Brazil). - -A very young bird (22,619, Fort Simpson, August 10) is very different -from the adult in coloration. The upper parts are fuliginous-black, -each feather with a broad terminal bar of pale ochraceous, -wing-coverts tipped with the same, forming two distinct bands; streaks -below as in the adult, but broader and less sharply defined. - -HABITS. This species has a general distribution, at certain seasons, -throughout the whole of eastern North America as far to the north as -the Arctic Ocean. North of the United States it is also found on the -Pacific coast as far south as the Cascade Mountains. In the winter it -is quite common in all the West India Islands, in Southeastern Mexico, -Central America, Panama, and the eastern part of South America to -Brazil. From about latitude 43° northward it breeds throughout all -North America. Sir John Richardson met with it at the Carlton House, -where it was found frequenting the moist and thickly wooded banks of -the river. These birds made their first appearance in May, and the -greater portion soon after disappeared, as if proceeding still farther -north to breed. - -Among other memoranda given me by the late Mr. Kennicott was one -furnished him by Mr. Lockhart, to the effect that, at Yukon River, -June 21, 1859, he had shot a female Water Thrush as she flew from her -nest. This contained five eggs, and was concealed under a small pile -of drift, close to the river, but under large willow-trees. This was -not lined with down. At the same locality another nest with six eggs -was also obtained. This also was on the ground at the foot of some -willows near the water. It was made of moss, and lined with very fine -grass. - -All that has been given by our earlier authors as to the habits of -this species must be received with more or less uncertainty. The -difference between this bird and that known as the Louisiana Thrush -has not been sufficiently clear to these writers to enable us always -to determine which of the two they had in view. And even now the -distribution in summer of the _ludovicianus_ is hardly definable with -precision. - -Wilson describes the habits of those he observed in Pennsylvania as -evincing a remarkable partiality for brooks, rivers, ponds, and the -vicinity of water generally, wading in shallow pools in search of -aquatic insects, and giving, as it moves it along, an almost -continuously vibratory motion to its tail. He speaks of it as very -shy, darting away with signs of alarm whenever approached, and -uttering a sharp cry. In all other respects his account of this bird -probably refers to the Louisiana species. - -This is also, without doubt, true of nearly all Audubon gives in -connection with the history of this Thrush, which in all probability -does not breed in Louisiana, nor remain there through April, being at -that time well on its way to more northern regions. - -Mr. Gosse, in his notes on the birds of Jamaica, states that this bird -reappears in that island about the end of August. He noticed them -about the muddy margins of ponds, and they soon became abundant. -Individuals were also to be seen running on the road, especially near -the sea-shore, and by the edges of morasses. They ran rapidly, often -waded up to their tibiæ in water, or ran along the twigs of a fallen -tree at the brink, and now and then flew up into the branches of a -pimento or an orange-tree. Whether running or standing, they were -continually flirting up their tails, after the manner of the European -Wagtail. During its winter residence in Jamaica it has no song, only a -monotonous cry, a sharp _chip_. Its stomach was found to contain -water-insects and shells. Mr. March has noticed their arrival in -Jamaica as early as August 5. They all leave by the first of April. - -Mr. Allen found these birds not uncommon both in spring and in fall in -the vicinity of Springfield. He thinks a few breed there, as he has -met with them in the months of June, July, and August, very sparingly -however. They arrive about the 12th of May. I have once, at least, met -with its nest and eggs near Boston. - -Dr. Coues says this bird is quite common, both in the spring and fall, -near Washington, and breeds sparingly, having been found there in -July. They arrive about the first of May, are eminently aquatic, -frequent swampy thickets and thick dark woods interspersed with pools, -where they associate with the Solitary Tatler. - -In Southern Illinois this species, Mr. Ridgway states, is found only -during its migrations and in mild winters. He never met with it in the -breeding-season, when the _S. ludovicianus_ is so abundant. But it -returns early from the North, and he has shot numbers of them in -August. During the whole fall they are common about all swampy places, -or the margin of creeks in the woods; and in mild winters a few are -found in the swamps of the bottom-lands, where the dense forest -affords them comfortable shelter. On warm days in December and -January, he has heard them singing with all the vigor of spring in -such localities. In notes, as well as in manners, Mr. Ridgway has -noticed little difference between this species and _S. ludovicianus_. -The song, however, is decidedly weaker, though scarcely less sweet, -and the two are very easily distinguished at sight by one familiar -with them. - -These birds breed, though they are not very abundant, in the vicinity -of Calais, and also in the western part of Maine. Professor Verrill -states that they reached the neighborhood of Norway, Me., about the -first of May, a fortnight earlier than Mr. Allen noted their arrival -in Springfield. Mr. Verrill demonstrated the fact of their breeding in -Western Maine, by finding, June 8, 1861, a nest and eggs in a dense -cedar swamp near Norway. This was built in an excavation in the side -of a decayed moss-covered log, the excavation itself forming an arch -over the nest in the manner of, yet different from, that of the -Golden-crowned. The nest itself was an exceeding beautiful structure, -four and a half inches in diameter, but only an inch and a half in -depth, being very nearly flat, the cavity only half an inch deep. The -entire base was made of loose hypnum mosses, interspersed with a few -dead leaves and stems. The whole inner structure or lining was made up -of the fruit-stems of the same moss, densely impacted. The outer -circumference was made up of mosses and intertwined small black -vegetable roots. - -This nest contained five eggs, the brilliant white ground of which, -with their delicately shaded spots of reddish-brown, contrasted with -the bright green of the mossy exterior, and set off to advantage by -the conspicuous and unique lining, produce a very beautiful effect. - -Mr. George A. Boardman of Calais, Me., an observing and accurate -naturalist, has furnished me with the following interesting account of -the habits of this species and its congener, the _aurocapillus_, in a -letter dated St. Stephen, March 23, 1867. “Did you ever notice their -walk on the ground? You know that most of our birds are hoppers. These -two, _S. noveboracensis_ and _S. aurocapillus_, have a beautiful -gliding walk, and of all our other birds I only remember two that are -not hoppers, the _Anthus ludovicianus_ and _Molothrus pecoris_. I do -not think that a naturalist should ever say, as Wilson was constantly -doing, that any bird has no note or song whatever, unless he is well -acquainted with them, at all times, especially while breeding. Many -birds seem really to have nothing to say except when mating. I think -that our little walker, the Water Thrush, has been particularly ill -used by writers in this respect, for I regard him as one of our -liveliest singers. Its note is very high and clear, begins with a -sudden outburst of melody, so as almost to startle you, is very clear -and ringing, as if the bird had just found its mate after a long -absence. It then keeps falling until you can hardly hear it. Its note -is very sweet, and can be heard when you are in a canoe or boat a very -long ways. Like most of our Warblers and Thrushes, when singing, they -do not like intrusion, and it was a long while before I could make out -the bird that uttered these notes. I could only do it by going in a -boat or canoe. They hide in thick trees, over the water, where it is -impossible to walk up to them. I almost always find them on some -island, in a river, that, has been overflowed, and always very near -the water.” - -Their eggs vary in length from .81 to .87 of an inch, and in breadth -from .65 to .69. They have an oblong-oval shape, tapering to a point -at one end and rounded at the other. Their ground is a clear -crystal-white, and they are more or less marked with lines, dots, and -dashes of varying shades of umber-brown. These markings are more -numerous around the larger end, and are much larger and bolder in some -than in others, in many being mere points and fine dots, and in such -cases equally distributed over the whole egg. In others a ring of -large confluent blotches is grouped around the larger end, leaving the -rest of the egg nearly unmarked. - - -Seiurus ludovicianus, BONAP. - -LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH. - - _Turdus ludovicianus_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 99, pl. xix. _Seiurus - ludovicianus_, BON.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 262, pl. lxxx, fig. - 2; Rev. 217.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 363 (Xalapa); 373 (Oaxaca); - 1861, 70 (Jamaica).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 273 - (Guatemala).—SAMUELS, 579. _Henicocichla lud._ SCLATER, Catal. - 1861, 25, no. 161 (Orizaba). _? Turdus motacilla_, VIEILL. Ois. - Am. Sept. II, 1807, 9, pl. lxv (Kentucky). _Seiurus motacilla_, - BON. 1850. _Henicocichla mot._ CAB. Jour. 1857, 240 - (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Jour. Orn. 1861, 326. _Henicocichla major_, CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1850 (Xalapa). - -SP. CHAR. Bill longer than the skull. Upper parts olive-brown with a -shade of greenish. A conspicuous white superciliary line from the bill -to the nape, involving the upper lid, with a brown one from the bill -through the eye, widening behind. Under parts white, with a very faint -shade of pale buff behind, especially on the tail-coverts. A dusky -maxillary line; the forepart of breast and sides of body with -arrow-shaped streaks of the same color. Chin, throat, belly, and under -tail-coverts, entirely immaculate. Length, 6.33; wing, 3.25; tail, -2.40; bill, from rictus, .75. Sexes similar. Young not seen. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States as far north as Carlisle, -Penn., and Michigan; Cuba and Jamaica; Southern Mexico (Colima) to -Guatemala. - - [Line drawing: _Seiurus ludovicianus_, Bonap.] - - [Line drawing: _Seiurus noveboracensis_, Nutt. - 2434] - -Autumnal specimens have a more or less strong wash of ochraceous over -the flanks and crissum, and the brown above rather darker and less -grayish than in spring birds. - -This species is very similar to _S. noveboracensis_, although readily -distinguishable by the characters given in the diagnoses. The -differences in the bill there referred to are illustrated in the -accompanying diagram. - -HABITS. The Water Thrush described by Wilson as most abundant in the -lower part of the Mississippi Valley, as well as that given by Audubon -as the Louisiana Water Thrush, though its position as a genuine -species was afterwards abandoned, are undoubtedly referable to a -closely allied but apparently distinct _Seiurus_, now known as the -Louisiana Water Thrush. This bird has a very close resemblance to the -_noveboracensis_, differing chiefly in size and in having a larger -bill. Although its distribution is not yet fully determined, it seems -to belong rather to the South and Southwestern States, and only -accidentally to be found north of the Middle States. Still a single -specimen has been obtained in Massachusetts, and it has been several -times found in Michigan and Missouri. Specimens of this bird have also -been procured in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Cuba, -Jamaica, and Guatemala. - -Its recognition as a distinct species from the common Water Thrush is -so recent, and the two species so closely resemble each other, that as -yet its habits and history are imperfectly known. Wilson refers to the -birds he had met with in Mississippi and Louisiana, which we presume -to have been the same, as being there in abundance, and eminently -distinguished by the loudness, sweetness, and expressive vivacity of -their notes. These he describes as beginning very high and clear, and -as falling with an almost imperceptible gradation until they are -scarcely articulated,—a description that would also answer very well -for the song of the true Water Thrush. During their song, he adds, -they are perched on the middle branches of a tree over the brook or -river-bank, pouring out a charming melody, so loud and distinct that -it may be heard at the distance of nearly half a mile. The voice of -this bird appeared to him so exquisitely sweet and expressive that he -was never tired of listening to it. - -It is also quite probable that nearly all of Audubon’s accounts of the -habits of the Water Thrush were derived from his observation of this -species, and not of its Northern congener. He describes its song as -fully equal to that of the Nightingale, its notes as powerful and -mellow, and at times as varied. He states that it is to be found at -all seasons in the deepest and most swampy of the canebrakes of -Mississippi and Louisiana. Its song is to be heard even in the winter, -when the weather is calm and warm. - -He describes its flight as easy and continued, just above the brakes, -or close to the ground. When on the ground, it is continually -vibrating its body, jerking out its tail and then closing it again. It -walks gracefully along the branches or on the ground, but never hops. -He states that it feeds on insects and their larvæ, and often pursues -the former on the wing. - -He describes the nest as placed at the foot and among the roots of a -tree, or by the side of a decayed log, and says they are often easily -discovered. They are commenced the first week of April. The outer -portions are formed of dry leaves and mosses, the inner of fine -grasses, with a few hairs or the dry fibres of the Spanish moss. - -The eggs, four in number, are described as flesh-colored, sprinkled -with dark red at the larger end. They are hatched in fourteen days. -The young leave the nest in about ten days, and follow the parent on -the ground from place to place. When disturbed on her nest in the -earlier periods of incubation, she merely flies off; but later, or -when she has young, she tumbles about on the ground, spreads her wings -and tail, utters piteous cries, and seems as if in the last agonies of -despair. This species Mr. Audubon never met with farther east than -Georgia, nor farther north than Henderson, Ky. - -Of late years, or since attention has been more drawn to the specific -difference between this species and the Water Thrush, it has -apparently become more numerous, and has been obtained in considerable -numbers in the vicinity of Washington. In that neighborhood, once -considered so rare, it was found by Dr. Coues to be not at all -uncommon at certain seasons and in particular localities. From the -10th of April to the 20th of May it was always to be met with among -the dense laurel-brakes that border the banks of and fill the ravines -leading into Rock Creek and Piney Branch. He believes they breed -there, but they were not observed in the fall. They were usually very -shy, darting at once into the most impenetrable brakes, but were at -other times easily approached. He always found them in pairs, even as -early as the 20th of April. Their call-note was a sparrow-like chirp, -as if made by striking two pebbles together. They also had a loud, -beautiful, and melodious song, the singularity of which first drew his -attention to the bird. - -Mr. Ridgway informs me that in the Wabash Valley this bird, familiarly -known as the “Water Wagtail,” is an abundant summer sojourner. It -inhabits the dampest situations in the bottom-lands, the borders of -creeks, lagoons, and swamps, living there in company with the -Prothonotary Warbler (_Protonotaria citrea_). In its movements it is -one of the quickest as well as the most restless of the _Sylvicolidæ_, -though it is eminently terrestrial in its habits. It is usually seen -upon the wet ground, in a horizontal position, or even the posterior -part of its body more elevated, and its body continually tilting up -and down; if it fancies itself unobserved, it runs slyly beneath the -brushwood overhanging the shore; but if startled, it flies up suddenly -with a sharp and startling chatter. He adds that in early spring (from -the latter part of February to the beginning of April) its rich loud -song may be heard before the trees are in leaf, for it is one of the -earliest of the Warblers to arrive. When singing, it is usually -perched upon the lower branches of a tree overhanging the water, but -he has frequently seen it among the topmost branches. Wilson and -Audubon have not exaggerated the merits of the song of this bird, for -among all its family there is certainly not one of our North American -species that compares with it. In richness and volume of its very -liquid notes it is almost unrivalled, though the song itself may not -be considered otherwise remarkable. - -Mr. Salvin met this species in different portions of Guatemala in the -months of August, September, and November, 1859. A dry watercourse in -the forest, or in the bottom of a barranco, seemed to be its favorite -resort, while its near congener, the _noveboracensis_, was observed to -seek rather the more open streams. - - -GENUS OPORORNIS, BAIRD. - - _Oporornis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 246. (Type, _Sylvia agilis_, - WILS.) - - [Line drawing: _Oporornis formosus._ - 517] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill sylvicoline, rather compressed; distinctly notched at -tip; rictal bristles very much reduced. Wings elongated, pointed, much -longer than the tail; the first quill nearly or quite the longest. -Tail very slightly rounded; tail-feathers acuminate, pointed; the -under coverts reaching to within less than half an inch of their tip. -Tarsi elongated, longer than the head; claws large, the hinder one as -long as its digit, and longer than the lateral toes. Above -olive-green; beneath yellow; tail and wings immaculate. Legs yellow. - -This group of American Warblers is very distinct from any other. The -typical species is quite similar in color to _Geothlypis -philadelphia_, but is at once to be distinguished by much longer -wings, more even tail, and larger toes and claws. It is also very -similar to _Seiurus_, differing chiefly in the longer wings, larger -claws, and absence of spots beneath. - - Throat and crown ash-color; a white ring round the eye. No - black on the side of the head … _O. agilis._ - - Throat and superciliary stripe yellow; top of the head and a - streak beneath the eye black … _O. formosus._ - - -Oporornis agilis, BAIRD. - -CONNECTICUT WARBLER. - - _Sylvia agilis_, WILS. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 64, pl. xxxix, fig. 4.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxviii; BON. _Sylvicola ag._ JARD.; AUD. - Birds Am. II, pl. xcix. _Trichas ag._ NUTT. _Oporornis ag._ BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 246, pl. lxxix, fig. 2: Rev. 218. _? Trichas - tephrocotis_, NUTT. Man. 2d ed. 1840, 462 (Chester Co., Penn.; top - of head pure ash).—SAMUELS, 208. - -SP. CHAR. _Spring male._ Upper parts and sides of the body uniform -olive-green, very slightly tinged with ash on the crown. Sides of the -head ash, tinged with dusky beneath, the eye. (Entire head sometimes -ash.) Chin and throat grayish-ash, gradually becoming darker to the -upper part of the breast, where it becomes tinged with dark ash. Sides -of the neck, breast, and body olive, like the back; rest of under -parts light yellow. A broad continuous white ring round the eye. Wings -and tail-feathers olive (especially the latter), without any trace of -bars or spots. Bill brown above. Feet yellow. Length, 6 inches; wing, -3.00; tail, 2.25. _Female._ The olive-green reaching to the bill, and -covering sides of head; throat and jugulum pale ashy-buff. _Young_ not -seen. Nesting unknown. - -Autumnal specimen nearly uniform olive above; the throat tinged with -brownish so as to obscure the ash. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States. - - [Illustration: PLATE XV. - - 1. Oporornis agilis, _Wils._ ♂ Ill., 35031. - 2. “ “ “ ♀. - 3. “ formosas, _Wils._ ♂ Ill., 60873. - 4. Geothlypis macgillivrayi, _Aud._ ♂ Oreg., 1861. - 5. “ “ “ ♀. - 6. “ philadelphia, _Wils._ ♂ Pa., 689. - 7. “ trichas, _Linn._ ♂ D. C., 26024. - 8. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 385. - 9. “ philadelphia, _Wils._ ♀ Pa., 1037. - 10. Myiodioctes mitratus, _Gm._ ♂ Pa., 2226. - 11. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 2228. - 12. Icteria virens, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 2260.] - -A specimen in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, killed by -Mr. Krider, has the darker ash of the jugulum of a decided sooty -tinge. - -A peculiarity in the history of this species is shown in the fact that -it is quite abundant in Illinois, Wisconsin, etc., in the spring, and -very rare in the autumn; precisely the reverse being the case near the -Atlantic border, where only two or three spring specimens have been -announced as captured by collectors. It is possible that they go north -in spring, along the valley of the Mississippi, and return in autumn -through the Atlantic States. Their summer abode and breeding-place are -as yet unknown. - - [Illustration: _Oporornis agilis._] - -HABITS. Of the history of this rare and beautiful species but little -is as yet known. It was first met with by Wilson, in the State of -Connecticut, and he afterwards obtained two other specimens near -Philadelphia. Others have since been procured at Carlisle, Penn., at -Washington, Loudon County, Va., near Chicago, Racine, and in Southern -Illinois. September 25 to October 1, and May, from the 15th to the -28th, appears to be the epoch of their fall and spring occurrence. -They are more frequently noticed in the autumn. It is supposed to be a -migratory bird, going north to breed. - -It was found by Wilson, in every case, among low thickets, and seemed -to be more than commonly active, not remaining for a moment in the -same position. Mr. Audubon obtained only two specimens, a pair, -opposite Philadelphia in New Jersey. When he first observed them they -were hopping and skipping from one low bush to another, and among the -tall reeds of the marsh, emitting an oft-repeated _tweet_ at every -move. They were chasing a species of spider that ran nimbly over the -water, and which they caught by gliding over it. Upon dissecting them, -he found a number of these spiders in their stomachs, and no other -food. These two birds were not at all shy, and seemed to take very -little notice of him, even when close to them. - -Mr. Trumbull, in his list of the birds of Eastern Pennsylvania, marks -it as a summer resident of that State, which is probably not the fact. -Mr. Lawrence includes it in his list of birds found near New York -City. It is not given by Mr. Verrill or Mr. Boardman as occurring in -any part of Maine, and has not been detected in Western Massachusetts -by Mr. Allen, though it has been occasionally met with in the eastern -part of the State by Dr. Cabot, Mr. Maynard, and others. More -recently, in the fall of 1870, and again in that of 1871, this species -has been found quite abundant in a restricted locality in the eastern -part of that State. It was first observed by Mr. H. W. Henshaw, -a promising young naturalist, in the early part of September, 1870, -among the Fresh Pond marshes in Cambridge. They appeared to be quite -numerous, and several specimens were obtained. He communicated the -discovery to his friend, Mr. William Brewster, and more than fifty -specimens of this rare Warbler were obtained during that season. In -the following autumn, in September and during the first few days of -October, these birds were observed in the same locality, apparently in -greater numbers, and more specimens were obtained. - -Mr. Henshaw writes me that he first saw this species, September 7, -1870, when he obtained a single specimen. From that time until -September 27 it was very common throughout the Fresh Pond swamps, to -which locality it seemed to be restricted. It again made its -appearance in 1871, and at about the same time, and remained until -October 5. It was in even greater numbers than during the preceding -year. - -Their habits, while with us in the fall, appear to be very different -from those of the individuals observed by Wilson and Audubon, which -were described as being of a remarkably lively disposition, and hence -the name of _agilis_. Mr. Henshaw found them almost constantly engaged -in seeking their food upon the ground. When startled, they would fly -up to the nearest bush, upon which they would sit perfectly -motionless, in a manner closely resembling the Thrushes. If not -further disturbed, they immediately returned to the ground and resumed -the search for food among the leaves. If greatly startled, they took a -long flight among the bushes, and could rarely be found again. The -only note he heard them utter was a single sharp chirp, emitted -occasionally, when surprised. They were all remarkably fat, so much so -as to make it difficult to obtain a good specimen. - -About sunset, standing on the skirts of the swamp, he has repeatedly -observed these birds alight, in great numbers, on the edge, and -immediately pass in, evidently intending to remain there over night. -He judged that they migrate entirely by day. On only one or two -occasions did he observe these birds feeding in the tops of -willow-trees. At such times they appeared equally lively in their -movements with the _Dendroica striata_, in company with which they -were associated. The birds he saw were nearly all in immature plumage, -adults being comparatively rare. - -Dr. Coues states that the Connecticut Warbler is found near Washington -in the month of October, but that it is rather uncommon. He did not -meet with it in spring. He speaks of its frequenting old buckwheat and -corn fields, searching for food among the dry, rank weeds, and also in -swampy places among low thickets. - - -Oporornis formosus, BAIRD. - -KENTUCKY WARBLER. - - _? Sylvia æquinoctialis_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 26, pl. - lxxxi, Penn. (not of GMELIN). _Sylvia formosa_, WILS. Am. Orn. - III, 1811, 85, pl. xxv, fig. 3.—NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. - xxxviii. _Sylvicola formosa_, JARD.; RICH.; BON.; MAX. - _Myiodioctes formosus_, AUD. Syn.—IB. Birds Am. II, pl. - lxxiv.—LEMBEYE, Av. Cuba, 1850, 37. GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba). _Oporornis formosus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 247; Rev. - 218.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, I, 1859, 10 (Guatemala). - Other localities cited: _Mexico_, SCLATER. _Isthmus Panama_, - LAWRENCE. _Veragua_, SALV. _Costa Rica_, LAWR. - -SP. CHAR. _Adult male._ Upper parts and sides dark olive-green. Crown -and sides of the head, including a triangular patch from behind the -eye down the side of the neck, black, the feathers of the crown -narrowly lunulated at tips with dark ash. A line from nostrils over -the eye and encircling it (except anteriorly), with the entire under -parts, bright yellow. No white on the tail. _Female_ similar, with -less black on the head. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.95; tail, 2.25. -_Young_ not seen. - -The adults in autumn are exactly the same as in spring. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, north to Washington and -Chicago; west to Republican Fork of Kansas River (Coues). Cuba, -Guatemala, and Isthmus Panama. Not recorded from West Indies except -Cuba. - -HABITS. The Kentucky Warbler is an abundant species in the Southern -and Southwestern States, and has been found, though more rarely, as -far to the north as Southern New York in the east and to Southern -Wisconsin in the west. It has also been obtained at Fort Riley, in -Kansas. Its nest and eggs have been procured near Cleveland, O., by -Dr. J. P Kirtland, and also in Chester County, Penn., by Mr. Norris. -It is a winter inhabitant in Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, and Cuba. - -Wilson speaks of having met with this bird in abundance from Kentucky -to the mouth of the Mississippi, everywhere quite common, but most -especially so in the States of Tennessee and Kentucky. At the Balize -he several times heard it twittering among the high rank grass of -those solitary morasses. He found it frequenting low damp woods, and -building its nest either in the middle of thick tufts of rank grass, -in the fork of a low bush, or on the ground. The materials of which -these nests were made were loose dry grass, mixed with the pith of -wood, and lined with hair. He found the eggs from four to six in -number, pure white, sprinkled with reddish specks. He met with the -female sitting upon her eggs as early as May. These birds, he adds, -are seldom seen among high branches, but prefer to frequent low bushes -and canebrakes. In their habits they are very lively and sprightly. -The song is loud, comprising three notes, and resembles -_tweedle-tweedle-dweedle_. It makes its appearance in Kentucky from -the South about the middle of April, and leaves the region about New -Orleans on the approach of cold weather. Wilson was assured that it -never remains there during the winter. - -Wilson characterizes these birds as a reckless fighting species, -almost always engaged in pursuing its fellows. - -Mr. Audubon states that this Warbler is the most common and abundant -species that visits the State of Louisiana and the whole region about -the Mississippi River, but is not so common in Kentucky or Ohio. He -describes it as an extremely lively and active bird, found in all the -low grounds and damp places near watercourses, and generally among the -tall rank weeds and low bushes growing in rich alluvial soil. It is -continually in motion, hopping from stalk to stalk, and from twig to -twig, preying upon insects, larvæ, or small berries, rarely pursuing -an insect on the wing. He describes its song as agreeable and -emphatic. He has never known this species fly farther than a few yards -at a time. Its flight is low, and is performed in a gliding manner. It -makes its first appearance about the middle of March, and remains -until the middle or last of September. He states that it rears two -broods in a season. His description of its nest, as “small, -beautifully constructed, and attached to several stems of rank weeds,” -etc., does not agree in position, size, or appearance with any that I -have ever seen. - -According to Mr. Audubon, it feeds largely upon spiders, which it -obtains by turning over the withered leaves on the ground. The young -birds resemble their mother until the following season, when the males -attain the full beauty of their plumage. They remain with their -parents until they migrate. - -The late Dr. Alexander Gerhardt, an accurate and observing naturalist -of Northern Georgia, informed me, by letter, that the nest of the -Kentucky Warbler is usually built on the ground, under a tuft of -grass, often on a hillside and always in dry places. The eggs are -deposited from the 4th to the 15th of May. Nearly all the nests he met -with were made externally of a loose aggregation of dry oak and -chestnut leaves, so rudely thrown together as hardly to possess any -coherence, and requiring to be sewed to be kept in place. The interior -or inner nests were more compactly interwoven, usually composed of -fine dark-brown roots. Instead of being small, they are large for the -bird, and are inelegantly and clumsily made. They measure four inches -in their diameter, three in height, and two in the depth of their -cavity. One nest, the last received from Dr. Gerhardt, obtained by him -at Varnell’s Station, in Northern Georgia, June 5, 1860, is large and -peculiar in its construction. It is nearly spherical in shape, with an -entrance partially on one side and nearly arched over. The periphery -of this nest is composed exclusively of partially decayed deciduous -leaves, impacted together, yet somewhat loosely. Within this outer -covering is a fine framework of stems, twigs, and rootlets, and within -this a snug, compact lining of hair and finer rootlets and fibres. -This nest is six inches in diameter and five in height. It contained -four eggs. - -These eggs have an average length of .69 of an inch and a breadth of -.56 of an inch. They have an oblong-oval shape, a crystalline-white -ground, and the entire surface is sprinkled over with fine dots of red -and reddish-brown. These, though most abundant about the larger end, -are nowhere confluent, and do not form a crown. - -A nest of this bird from Chester County, Penn., is a very flat -structure, evidently built in a bed of fallen leaves. It has a -diameter of six inches and a height of only two. The cup is a mere -depression only half an inch in depth. Its base is loosely constructed -of dried leaves, upon which is interwoven a coarse lining of long, -dry, and wiry rootlets and stems of plants. It was given to Mr. J. P. -Norris, from whom I received it, and it is now in the Boston -collection. - -Mr. Robert Ridgway furnishes the following valuable information in -regard to the abundance and general habits of this species as observed -in Southern Illinois: “It is a very common summer bird in Southern -Illinois, where it arrives in the Wabash Valley towards the last of -April. It is a wood-loving species, and of terrestrial habits, like -the _Seiurus aurocapillus_, but generally frequents rather different -situations from the latter bird, liking better the undergrowth of -‘bottom’ woods than that of dry forests. In all its manners it closely -resembles the _Seiuri_, especially the two aquatic species, -_ludovicianus_ and _noveboracensis_, having the same tilting motion of -the body, and horizontal attitude when perching, so characteristic of -these birds. The nest I have never found, though well aware of its -actual situation. I knew of one somewhere among the ‘top’ of a fallen -tree, but it was so well concealed that the closest search did not -enable me to discover it. In most cases the nest is probably on the -ground, among the rubbish of fallen tree-tops, or low brushwood. - - “The usual note of this Warbler is a sharp _tship_, almost - precisely like that of the Pewee (_Sayornis fuscus_), - uttered as the bird perches on a twig near the ground, - continually tilting its body, or is changed into a sharp - rapid twitter as one chases another through the thicket. - Their song is very pretty, consisting of a fine whistle, - delivered very much in the style of the Cardinal Grosbeak - (_Cardinalis virginianus_), though finer in tone, and - weaker.” - -Dr. Coues found this Warbler rare at Washington, and chiefly in low -woods with thick undergrowth, and in ravines. They were very silent, -but not shy, and a few breed there. - - -SECTION GEOTHLYPEÆ. - -GENUS GEOTHLYPIS, CABAN. - - _Trichas_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Journ. III, July, 1827, 167 (not of - Gloger, March, 1827, equal to _Criniger_, Temm.). - _Geothlypis_, CABANIS, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847, I, 316, 349.—IB. - Schomburgk’s Reise, Guiana, 1848. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill sylvicoline, rather depressed, and distinctly notched; -rictal bristles very short or wanting. Wings short, rounded, scarcely -longer than the tail; the first quill shorter than the fourth. Tail -long; much rounded or graduated. Legs stout; tarsi elongated, as long -as the head. Olive-green above, belly yellow. Tail-feathers -immaculate. Legs yellow. - - -Synopsis of Species. - - Throat yellow … _Series I._ - Throat ash … _Series II._ - -_Series I._ - -A. Black mask extending beneath the eye and on the auriculars. - - 1. G. trichas. Black mask bordered along its posterior edge - with pale ashy or whitish; maxillæ black. Sexes dissimilar. ♀. - Olive-brown above; throat only, distinctly yellow; no black - mask. _Juv._ Without either black or pure yellow; above - olive-brown, like ♀, beneath pale ochraceous-buff. - - Abdomen almost always whitish; occiput russet-olive. Bill, - from nostril, .30;. tarsus, .70; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.15. - _Hab._ Whole of United States; in winter most of West Indies, - and Middle America, north to Guatemala … var. _trichas_. - - Colors similar; abdomen yellow. Bill, .45; tarsus, .90; wing, - 2.50; tail, 2.50. _Hab._ Nassau; New Providence; Bahamas … - var. _rostrata_.[52] - - Abdomen bright yellow; occiput whitish-ash tinged with - yellow. Bill, .32; tarsus, .75; wing, 2.45; tail, 2.50. - _Hab._ Eastern Mexico (Jalapa?) … var. _melanops_.[53] - - 2. G. æquinoctialis. Black mask not bordered posteriorly by - ashy or whitish; much narrower on forehead than on auriculars; - maxillæ yellow. Sexes similar. - - Black of the auriculars bordered posteriorly by the - olive-green of the neck. Bill, .17 deep; wing, 2.50; tail, - 2.35. _Hab._ Northeast South America (Cayenne, Trinidad, - etc.) … var. _æquinoctialis_.[54] - - Black of the auriculars bordered posteriorly by the ash of - the crown. Bill, .14 deep; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50. _Hab._ - Brazil … var. _velata_.[55] - -B. Black mask not extending underneath the eye, but confined to -lores and frontlet. - - 3. G. poliocephala. Bill much as in _Granatellus_. Above - olive-green; the crown light ash; beneath yellow. Sexes - dissimilar. - - Eyelids white; nape and auriculars olive-green; abdomen - whitish. Bill, .30, .15 deep; wing, 2.20; tail, 2.50. _Hab._ - West Mexico (Mazatlan) … var. _poliocephala_.[56] - - Eyelids black; nape and auriculars ashy; abdomen wholly - yellow. Bill, .35, .18 deep; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50. _Hab._ - Guatemala (Retaluleu) … var. _caninucha_.[57] - -_Series II._ - - 4. G. philadelphia. Head all round ashy; lores only, black. - Sexes nearly similar. - - Eyelids dusky (except in ♀); a black patch on jugulum of ♂. - ♀. Throat tinged with yellow. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - North America; in winter south to Panama … var. _philadelphia_. - - Eyelids white; no black patch on jugulum. ♀. Throat not - tinged with yellow. _Hab._ Western and Middle Province of - United States; in winter south to Costa Rica (Western Coast) … - var. _macgillivrayi_. - - -Geothlypis trichas, CABAN. - -MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT; BLACK-MASKED GROUND WARBLER. - - _Turdus trichas_, LINN. S. N. 1766, 293. _Sylvia trichas_, LATH.; - AUD., etc. _Geothlypis trichas_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 16.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 241; Rev. 220.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 - (Cuba).—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 27, no. 167.—MARCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. - 1863, 293.—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, 115 (N. W. - Boundary).—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 29.—SAMUELS, 205.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 95. _Sylvia marilandica_, WILSON. _Trichas mar._ - BON. _Regulus mystaceus_, STEPHENS. _Trichas personatus_, - SWAINSON. _Sylvia roscoe_, AUD. _Trichas brachydactylus_, SWAINS. - Other localities quoted: _Xalapa_, _Oaxaca_, _Cordova_, SCL. - _Guatemala_, SCL. & SALV. _Bahamas_, BRYANT. _Costa Rica_, CAB.; - LAWR. _Orizaba_ (autumn), SUM. _Yucatan_, LAWR. - Figures: VIEILL. Ois. II, pl. xxviii, xxix.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - II, V, pl. xxiii, cii, ccxl.—WILS. I, pl. vi, fig. 1.—BUFFON, Pl. - enl. 709, fig. 2. - - [Line drawing: _Geothlypis trichas._ - 26017] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 26,024 ♂.) Wings a little shorter than the somewhat -graduated tail. Bill slender, the depth contained about two and a half -times in distance from nostrils to tip. First quill about equal to -seventh. Forehead to above the anterior edge of the eye, and across -the entire cheeks, ears, and jaws, and ending in an angle on sides of -neck, black, with a suffusion of hoary bluish-gray behind it on the -crown and sides of neck; the occipital and nuchal region -grayish-brown, passing insensibly into the olive-green of the upper -parts. Chin, throat, jugulum, edge of wing and crissum rich yellow -(the latter paler); rest of under parts, with lining of wings, -yellowish-white, the sides tinged with brownish; outer primary edged -with whitish, the others with olive-green. Bill black; legs yellowish. -Total length, 4.40; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.30; graduation, .25; width of -outer tail-feather, .28; difference between first and third quills, -.15; length of bill from forehead, .52; from nostril, .30; along gape, -.60; tarsus, .75; middle toe and claw, .66; claw alone, .18; hind toe -and claw, .48; claw alone, .26. - -Male in winter, and the female, without the black mask; the forehead -tinged with brown, the yellow of the throat less extended, the eyelids -whitish, and a yellowish superciliary line. - -HAB. The whole United States, from Atlantic to Pacific, and south to -Costa Rica; Bermuda (October); Bahamas; Cuba; Jamaica. - -The young bird is brownish-olive above, becoming more virescent on the -rump and tail; eyelids, and whole lower parts, soft light buff, with a -faint tinge of yellow on the breast and lower tail-coverts. - - [Illustration: _Geothlypis trichas._] - -There is very much variation manifested in a large series (containing -more than one hundred and thirty specimens, principally North -American), though but very little that accords with any distinctions -of habitat. As a rule, however, those from the Atlantic States are the -smallest of the series, and have most white on the abdomen, the yellow -being restricted to the throat and jugulum, and the lower -tail-coverts. In most specimens from the Mississippi Valley the yellow -beneath is quite continuous, and the size considerably larger than in -the series above mentioned, in these respects approaching the _G. -melanops_ from Eastern Mexico, in which the yellow pervades the whole -surface beneath; but in this the whitish border above the black mask -is extended over the whole crown, leaving the nape only distinctly -brownish, and the size larger than the average of the series alluded -to. However, No. 61,135 ♂, Liberty County, Ga., has even more white on -top of the head, the whole occiput being of this color; while No. -7,922 ♂, from Racine, Wis., is quite as long as the type of _melanops_ -(the tail only, shorter), and there is nearly as much yellow beneath. -The Georgia specimen, however, in other respects, is most like the -Atlantic style. Specimens from the Pacific coast have just appreciably -longer tails than Eastern ones, and the olive-green above is brighter. -Jamaican and Guatemalan specimens are identical with many from the -United States. The _G. rostratus_ of Bryant, from the Bahamas, appears -to be merely a gigantic insular race of the common species. - -HABITS. This well-known and beautiful little Ground Warbler is a -common, abundant, and widely diffused species, occurring throughout -the United States from ocean to ocean, and from the Gulf of Mexico to -Canada and Nova Scotia. It is found, during the winter months, in -Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Yucatan, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, -and, in the fall, in Bermuda. On the Pacific coast it has been found -from Cape St. Lucas to the British territories. It breeds from -Northern Georgia to Halifax, inclusive. - -In Central America, Mr. Salvin states that this Warbler is by far the -most common of the _Mniotiltidæ_, but is wholly migratory. It was -usually found in the neighborhood of water, frequenting the reeds that -surrounded Lake Duenas, and the bushes on the banks of its outlet. It -was also taken by Mr. Boucard at Totontepec, among the mountains of -Oaxaca, Mexico. - -It was observed as far to the north as Lake of the Woods, by Mr. -Kennicott. Several were there observed, both males and females, May -29. It is everywhere quite common, and is, I think, as numerous in New -England as in the Middle States. - -For the most part it seems to prefer wild lands, especially those -overgrown with briers and low bushes, to open or cultivated grounds. -Yet this preference is not exclusive, as I have known a pair, or their -offspring, to visit the same garden nine or ten successive summers. It -is also more generally found in low lands than in high, and is -probably attracted to moist thickets of briers and underbrush by the -greater abundance of its favorite food. This Warbler is eminently -terrestrial in its habits, never being found among higher limbs, but -always either on the ground or among the lower branches of bushes, -vines, and weeds. It is a diligent rather than an active or nimble -bird, is always on the move, and incessantly in search of its food. -This consists of insects in all their forms, but more particularly of -larvæ, small beetles, and spiders. They are of great service in the -destruction of several forms of injurious grubs, and but that their -mode of life exposes them to destruction by prowling cats, I doubt not -they would readily adapt themselves to living in our gardens. -Occasionally they are found in fields of grain, where their presence -is due to the abundance of destructive insects. - -The Yellow-Throat appears shy and retiring because it prefers to move -back and forth among low shrubs and brambles, where it most readily -procures its food, but it is not a timid bird. They are unsuspecting, -and will as readily permit as fly from the near presence of man. I -have frequently had them approach within a few feet, especially when -at rest; and even when in motion they will continue their lively song, -as they move about from twig to twig. Though able to capture an insect -on the wing, they are not expert fly-catchers, and chiefly take their -prey when it is at rest. - -Their song is a very lively and agreeable refrain, easily recognized, -though exhibiting at times marked differences, and occasionally -closely resembling the song of the Summer Yellow-Bird. The same brief -series of notes, usually sounding like _whi-ti-tēē-tēē_, is constantly -repeated at short intervals, while the singer continues his perpetual -hunt for insects. - -The male is very affectionate and devoted to both mate and offspring. -The pair are never far apart, and during incubation the male is -assiduous in the collection of food, feeding its mate, and afterwards -assisting in collecting for their young. They rely upon concealment -for the protection of their nest, and rarely show any open solicitude -until it is discovered. Then they will make the most vehement -demonstrations of alarm and distress, flying about the intruder and -fearlessly approaching him to within a few feet. In Massachusetts they -rarely, if ever, have more than one brood in a season. The young are -able to take care of themselves early in July. At that time the song -of the male ceases, or is abbreviated to a single _whit_, and parents -and young form a family group and together hunt in the more secluded -thickets, the edges of woods, and other retired places, for their -food. Early in September they take their departure. - -The Yellow-Throat is distributed, in suitable localities, over a large -area, and wherever found is apparently equally common. Dr. Gerhardt -found it quite abundant in Northern Georgia. Wilson and Audubon -thought it more common in the Middle States than farther north, but I -have found it quite as numerous about Halifax and Eastport as I have -at Washington. Dr. Cooper speaks of it as “very common” in Washington -Territory, though not so abundant as MacGillivray’s Warbler. The same -writer also states it to be a “very common bird” in California. Their -earliest arrival at San Diego was on the 17th of April, about the time -they reach Pennsylvania. They appear in New England early in May. - -Their nest is almost invariably upon the ground, usually in a thick -bed of fallen leaves, a clump of grass or weeds, at the roots of low -bushes or briers, or under the shelter of a brush-pile. Occasionally -it has been found among high weeds, built in a matted cluster of -branches, four or five feet from the ground. Sometimes it is sunk in a -depression in the ground, and often its top is covered by loose -overlying leaves. I have never found this top interwoven with or -forming any part of the nest itself. - -The nest is usually both large and deep for the size of the bird, its -loose periphery of leaves and dry sedges adding to its size, and it -often has a depth of from five to six inches from its rim to its base. -The cavity is usually three inches deep and two and a quarter wide. -Generally these nests are constructed on a base of dry leaves. An -external framework, rudely put together, of dry grasses, sedge leaves, -strips of dry bark, twigs, and decaying vegetables, covers an inner -nest, or lining, of finer materials, and more carefully woven. At the -rim of the nest these materials sometimes project like a rude palisade -or hedge. Usually the lining is of fine grasses, without hair or -feathers of any kind. - -In some nests the outer portion and base are composed almost entirely -of fine dry strips of the inner bark of the wild grape. - -The eggs vary from four to six in number, and also differ greatly in -their size, so much so that the question has arisen if there are not -two species, closely resembling, but differing chiefly in their size. -Of this, however, there is no evidence other than in these marked -variations in the eggs. - -In the Great Basin, Mr. Ridgway found this bird abundant in all the -bushy localities in the vicinity of water, but it was confined to the -lower portions, never being seen high up on the mountains, nor even in -the lower portions of the mountain cañons. - -Their eggs exhibit a variation in length of from .55 to .72 of an -inch, and in breadth from .48 to .58 of an inch; the smallest being -from Georgia, and the largest from Kansas. They are of a beautiful -clear crystalline-white ground, and are dotted, blotched, and marbled -around the larger end with purple, reddish-brown, and dark umber. - - -Geothlypis philadelphia, BAIRD. - -MOURNING WARBLER. - - _Sylvia philadelphia_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 101, pl. xiv; AUD.; - NUTT. _Trichas philadelphia_, JARD.—REINHARDT, Vidensk. Meddel. - for 1853, and Ibis, 1861, 6 (Greenland). _Geothlypis phila._ - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 243, pl. lxxix, fig. 3; Rev. - 226.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 27 (Orizaba).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. - 1861, 322 (Panama).—SAMUELS, 207.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 476. - Figures: WILS. Am. Orn. II, pl. xiv.—AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. ci. - -SP. CHAR. Wings but little longer than the tail, reaching but little -beyond its base. _Adult male._ Head and neck all round, with throat -and forepart of breast, ash-gray, paler beneath. The feathers of the -chin, throat, and fore breast in reality black, but with narrow ashy -margins more or less concealing the black, except on the breast. Lores -and region round the eye dusky, without any trace of a pale ring. -Upper parts and sides of the body clear olive-green; the under parts -bright yellow. Tail-feathers uniform olive; first primary, with the -outer half of the outer web, nearly white. _Female_ with the gray of -the crown glossed with olive; the chin and throat paler centrally, and -tinged with fulvous; a dull whitish ring round the eye. Length, 5.50; -wing, 2.45; tail, 2.25. _Young_ not seen. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States to British America; Greenland; -Southeastern Mexico, Panama R. R., and Colombia. Not recorded from -West Indies or Guatemala. Costa Rica (LAWR.). - -Specimens vary in the amount of black on the jugulum, and the purity -of the ash of the throat. The species is often confounded with -_Oporornis agilis_, to which the resemblance is quite close. They may, -however, be distinguished by the much longer and more pointed wings, -and more even tail, shorter legs, etc., of _agilis_. The white ring -round the eye in the female _philadelphia_ increases the difficulty of -separation. - -The adult male in autumn is scarcely different from the spring bird, -there being merely a faint olive-tinge to the ash on top of the head, -and the black jugular patch more restricted, being more concealed by -the ashy borders to the feathers; the yellow beneath somewhat deeper. - -HABITS. The Mourning Warbler was first discovered and described by -Wilson, who captured it in the early part of June, on the borders of a -marsh, within a few miles of Philadelphia. This was the only specimen -he ever met with. He found it flitting from one low bush to another in -search of insects. It had a sprightly and pleasant warbling song, the -novelty of which first attracted his attention. For a long while -Wilson’s single bird remained unique, and from its excessive rarity -Bonaparte conjectured that it might be an accidental variety of the -Yellow-Throat. At present, though still of unfrequent occurrence, it -is by no means a doubtful, though generally a comparatively rare -species. Audubon mentions having received several specimens of this -Warbler, procured in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, New York, and -Vermont, all of which were obtained in the spring or summer months. He -met with a single specimen in Louisiana, and thinks its habits closely -resemble those of the Maryland Yellow-Throat. - -Nuttall met with what he presumes to have been one of these birds in -the Botanical Garden at Cambridge. It had all the manners of the -Yellow-Throat, was busy in the search of insects in the low bushes, -and, at intervals, warbled out some very pleasant notes, which partly -resembled the lively chant of the _Trichas_, and in some degree the -song of the Summer Yellow-Bird. - -Professor Reinhardt states that two individuals of this species have -been taken in Greenland,—one in Fiskenæsset, in 1846, and the other at -Julianhaab, in 1853. - -Mr. Turnbull gives it as still quite rare in Eastern Pennsylvania, -arriving there in the middle of May on its way farther north. Mr. -Lawrence includes it in his list of the birds of New York. Mr. Dresser -obtained five specimens early in May, in Southern Texas. - -It has been met with as far to the north as Greenland by Reinhardt, -and in Selkirk Settlement by Donald Gunn. It has been procured in -Eastern Mexico, in Panama, in Carlisle, Penn., Southern Illinois, -Missouri, Nova Scotia, and various other places. It has been known to -breed in Waterville, Me., and is not uncommon in Northwestern and -Northern New York. A single specimen of this bird was obtained at -Ocana, in Colombia, South America, by Mr. C. W. Wyatt. - -Late in May, 1838, I have a note of having met with this species in -Mount Auburn. The bird was fearless and unsuspecting, busily engaged, -among some low shrubbery, in search of insects. It suffered our near -presence, was often within a few feet, and was so readily -distinguishable that my companion, with no acquaintance with birds, at -once recognized it from Audubon’s plates. Its habits were the exact -counterpart of those of the Yellow-Throat. We did not notice its song. - -Mr. Maynard states that, May 21, 1866, Mr. William Brewster shot a -male of this species in Cambridge, on the top of a tall tree. Another -specimen was taken at Franconia Mountains, New Hampshire, August 3, -1867. It was in company with four fully fledged young, which it was -feeding. The young were shy, and could not be procured. The old bird -was catching flies, after the manner of Flycatchers. Mr. Maynard has -met this species but once in Massachusetts, and then in May, among low -bushes and in a swampy place. He has since found it rather common at -Lake Umbagog, Maine, in June, where it breeds. He states that it -frequents the bushes along fences, stone walls, and the edges of -woods. The male often perches and sings in the early morning on the -top rail of a fence, or the dead branch of a tree. Its song he speaks -of as loud and clear, somewhat resembling that of the _Seiurus -noveboracensis_. - -Mr. Paine considers this Warbler to be very rare in Vermont. He once -observed a pair, with their young, at Randolph. The male was singing a -quite pleasing, though somewhat monotonous song. - -Mr. George Welch met with these birds in the Adirondack region, New -York, in June, 1870. They seemed rather abundant, and were evidently -breeding there. He obtained a single specimen. - -Mr. John Burroughs, of Washington, was so fortunate as to obtain the -nest and eggs of this Warbler near the head-waters of the Delaware -River, in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y. “The nest,” he writes me, -“was in the edge of an old bark-peeling, in a hemlock wood, and was -placed in some ferns about one foot from the ground. The nest was -quite massive, its outer portions being composed of small dry stalks -and leaves. The cavity was very deep, and was lined with fine black -roots. I have frequently observed this Warbler in that section. About -the head of the Neversink and Esopus, in the northwest part of Ulster -County, New York, they are the prevailing Warbler, and their song may -be heard all day long. Their song suggests that of the Kentucky Ground -Warbler, but is not so loud and fine.” Mr. Burroughs states elsewhere -that “the eggs, three in number, were of light flesh-color, uniformly -speckled with fine brown specks. The cavity of the nest was so deep -that the back of the sitting bird sank below the edge.” - -Their eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, pointed at one end. They -measure .75 by .55 of an inch. Their ground-color is a pinkish-white, -and they are marked with dots and blotches, of varying size, of dark -purplish-brown. - - -Geothlypis macgillivrayi, BAIRD. - -MACGILLIVRAY’S GROUND WARBLER. - - _Sylvia macgillivrayi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 75, pl. cccxcix. - _Trichas macg._ AUD. _Geothlypis macg._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 244, pl. lxxix, fig. 4; Rev. 227.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 27 (Jalapa - and Guat.).—IB. P. Z. S. 1859, 363, 373 (Xalapa, Oaxaca).—CAB. - Jour. 1861, 84 (Costa Rica).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, - II, 1859, 177.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 96. _Sylvicola macg._ - MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 118. _Sylvia tolmiæi_, TOWNS. J. A. N. - Sc. 1839. _Trichas tolmiæi_, NUTT. Man. I. _Trichas vegeta_ - (LICHT.), BP. Consp. 1850, 310; _fide_ Cab. Jour. 1861, 84 - (Mexico). - -SP. CHAR. _Adult male._ Head and neck all round, throat and forepart -of the breast, dark ash-color; a narrow frontlet, loral region, and -space round the eye (scarcely complete behind), black. The eyelids -above and below the eye (not in a continuous ring) white. The feathers -of the chin, throat, and fore breast really black, with ashy-gray tips -more or less concealing the black. Rest of upper parts dark -olive-green (sides under the wings paler); of lower, bright yellow. -_Female_ with the throat paler and without any black. Length of male, -5 inches; wing, 2.45; tail, 2.45. _Young_ not seen. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States, to northern -boundary; east to Fort Laramie; south to Costa Rica. - -The white eyelids of this species distinguish its males from those of -_G. philadelphia_, in which there is a black jugular patch not seen in -the present species. The females can only be known by the slenderer -bill and more rounded wing, the first quill being intermediate between -the fifth and sixth, instead of being considerably longer than the -fifth. - -The autumnal adult male is as described above, except that there is a -faint tinge of green on the crown, and the ashy borders to feathers of -throat and jugulum broader, concealing more the black. The adult -female in autumn is considerably more dully colored than in spring. - -HABITS. This comparatively new Warbler was first met with by Townsend, -and described by Audubon in the last volume of his Ornithological -Biography. It has since been found to have a wide range throughout the -western portion of North America, from Cape St. Lucas to British -America, and from the Plains to the Pacific. It has also been obtained -at Choapan in the State of Orizaba, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard, and in -Guatemala by Mr. Salvin, who states that throughout the district -between the volcanoes of Agua and Fuego this was a common species, -frequenting the outskirts of the forests and the edges of the -clearings. It breeds in abundance in Utah, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, -Washington Territory, and probably also in Northern California. - -Townsend first met with it on the banks of the Columbia. He states -that it was mostly solitary and extremely wary, keeping chiefly in the -most impenetrable thickets, and gliding through them in a cautious and -suspicious manner. Sometimes it might be seen, at midday, perched upon -a dead twig, over its favorite places of concealment, at such times -warbling a very sprightly and pleasant little song, raising its head -until its bill is nearly vertical. - -Mr. Nuttall informed Mr. Audubon that this Warbler is one of the most -common summer residents of the woods and plains of the Columbia, where -it appears early in May, and remains until the approach of winter. It -keeps near the ground, and gleans its subsistence among the low -bushes. It is shy, and when surprised or closely watched it -immediately skulks off, often uttering a loud _click_. Its notes, he -states, resemble those of the _Seiurus aurocapillus_. On the 12th of -June a nest was brought to Mr. Nuttall, containing two young birds -quite fledged, in the plumage of the mother. The nest was chiefly made -of strips of the inner bark of the _Thuja occidentalis_, lined with -slender wiry stalks. It was built near the ground in the dead, -moss-covered limbs of a fallen oak, and was partly hidden by long -tufts of _usnea_. It was less artificial than the Yellow-Throat’s -nest, but was of the same general appearance. On his restoring the -nest to its place, the parents immediately approached to feed their -charge. - -Dr. Suckley found this Warbler very abundant between the Cascade -Mountains and the Pacific coast. Like all Ground Warblers it was -entirely insectivorous, all the stomachs examined containing -coleoptera and other insects. He did not find them shy, but as they -frequented thick brush they were very difficult to procure. - -Dr. Cooper found this species very common about Puget Sound, -frequenting the underbrush in dry woods, occasionally singing a song -from a low tree, similar to that of the Yellow-Throat. He found its -nest built in a bush, a foot from the ground. It was of straw, loosely -made, and without any soft lining. Dr. Cooper found this species as -far east as Fort Laramie, in Wyoming. They reach the Columbia River by -the 3d of May. - -The same writer noticed the first of this species at Fort Mojave, -April 24. He regarded their habits as varying in some respects from -those of the _Trichas_, as they prefer dry localities, and hunt for -insects not only in low bushes but also in trees, like the -_Dendroicæ_. Dr. Cooper twice describes their eggs as white, which is -inaccurate. He thinks that some of them winter in the warmer portions -of California. He regards them as shy, if watched, seeking the densest -thickets, but brought out again by their curiosity if a person waits -for them, and the birds will approach within a few feet, keeping up a -scolding chirp. - -The nests of this species obtained by Dr. Kennerly from Puget Sound -were all built on the ground, and were constructed almost exclusively -of beautifully delicate mosses, peculiar to that country. They are -shallow nests, with a diameter of four and a height of two inches, the -cavity occupying a large proportion of the nest. Its walls and base -are of uniform thickness, averaging about one inch. The nests are -lined with finer mosses and a few slender stems and fibres. - -Mr. Ridgway found these Warblers breeding in great numbers, June 23, -1869, at Parley’s Park, Utah, among the Wahsatch Mountains. One of -these nests (S. I., 15,238) was in a bunch of weeds, among the -underbrush of a willow-thicket along a cañon stream. It was situated -about eight inches from the ground, is cuplike in shape, two inches in -height, three in diameter, and somewhat loosely constructed of slender -strips of bark, decayed stalks of plants, dry grasses, intermixed with -a few fine roots, and lined with finer materials of the same. The -cavity is one and a half inches in depth, and two in diameter at the -rim. - -The eggs, four in number, are .75 of an inch in length and .50 in -breadth. Their ground-color is a pinkish-white, marbled and spotted -with purple, lilac, reddish-brown, and dark brown, approaching black. -The blotches of the last color vary much in size, in one instance -having a length of .21 of an inch, and having the appearance of -hieroglyphics. When these spots are large, they are very sparse. - -“This species,” Mr. Ridgway writes, “inhabits exclusively the -brushwood along the streams of the mountain cañons and ravines. Among -the weeds in such localities numerous nests were found. In no case -were they on the ground, though they were always near it; being fixed -between upright stalks of herbs, occasionally, perhaps, in a brier, -from about one to two feet above the ground. The note of the parent -bird, when a nest was disturbed, was a strong _chip_, much like that -of the _Cyanospiza amæna_ or _C. cyanea_.” He also states that it was -abundant in the East Humboldt Mountains in August and in September, -and also throughout the summer. A pair of fully fledged young was -caught on the 21st of July. - - - - -SUBFAMILY ICTERIANÆ. - -SECTION ICTERIEÆ. - - -In this section there are two American genera; one found in the United -States, the other not. The diagnoses are as follows:— - - Size large (about 8 inches). Lower jaw not deeper than upper - anterior to nostrils. Tail moderate. Partly yellow beneath, - olive-green above … _Icteria_. - - Size smaller (about 6 inches). Lower jaw deeper than upper. - Tail almost fan-shaped. Partly red beneath, plumbeous-blue - above … _Granatellus_.[58] - - -GENUS ICTERIA, VIEILL. - - _Icteria_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, iii and 85. (Type, - MUSCICAPA VIRIDIS, GM. _Turdus virens_, LINN.) - - [Line drawing: _Icteria virens._ - 2260] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill broad at base, but contracting rapidly and becoming -attenuated when viewed from above; high at the base (higher than broad -opposite the nostrils); the culmen and commissure much curved from -base; the gonys straight. Upper jaw deeper than the lower; bill -without notch or rictal bristles. Nostrils circular, edged above with -membrane, the feathers close to their borders. Wings shorter than -tail, considerably rounded; first quill rather shorter than the sixth. -Tail moderately graduated; the feathers rounded, but narrow. Middle -toe without claw about two thirds the length of tarsus, which has the -scutellæ fused externally in part into one plate. - -The precise systematic position of the genus _Icteria_ is a matter of -much contrariety of opinion among ornithologists; but we have little -hesitation in including it among the _Sylvicolidæ_. It has been most -frequently assigned to the _Vireonidæ_, but differs essentially in the -deeply cleft inner toe (not half united as in _Vireo_), the partially -booted tarsi, the lengthened middle toe, the slightly curved claws, -the entire absence of notch or hook in the bill, and the short, -rounded wing with only nine primaries. The wing of _Vireo_, when much -rounded, has ten primaries,—nine only being met with when the wing is -very long and pointed. - -Of this genus only one species is known, although two races are -recognized by naturalists, differing in the length of the tail. - -I. virens. Above olive-green; beneath gamboge-yellow for the -anterior half, and white for the posterior. A white stripe over the -eye. - - Length of tail, 3.30 inches. _Hab._ Eastern United States to - the Plains; in winter through Eastern Mexico to Guatemala … - var. _virens_. - - Length of tail, 3.70 inches. _Hab._ Western United States - from the Plains to the Pacific; Western Mexico in winter … - var. _longicauda_. - - -Icteria virens, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. - - _Turdus virens_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 171, no. 16 (based - on _Œnanthe americana_, _pectore luteo_, Yellow-breasted Chat, - CATESBY, Carol. I, tab. 50). _Icteria virens_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. - 1864, 228. _Muscicapa viridis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 936. - _Icteria viridis_, BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxxvii.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 248. _Icteria dumecola_, VIEILL. _Pipra - polyglotta_, WILS. _? Icteria velasquezi_, BON. P. Z. S. 1837, 117 - (Mexico).—SCLATER & SALV. Ibis, I, 1859, 12 (Guatemala). - Localities quoted: _Costa Rica_, CABAN. _Orizaba_ (winter), SUM. - _Yucatan_, LAWR. - -SP. CHAR. Third and fourth quills longest; second and fifth little -shorter; first nearly equal to the sixth. Tail graduated. Upper parts -uniform olive-green; under parts, including the inside of wing, -gamboge-yellow as far as nearly half-way from the point of the bill to -the tip of the tail; rest of under parts white, tinged with brown on -the sides; the outer side of the tibiæ plumbeous; a slight tinge of -orange across the breast. Forehead and sides of the head ash, the -lores and region below the eye blackish. A white stripe from the -nostrils over the eye and involving the upper eyelid; a patch on the -lower lid, and a short stripe from the side of the lower mandible, and -running to a point opposite the hinder border of the eye, white. Bill -black; feet brown. Female like the male, but smaller; the markings -indistinct; the lower mandible not pure black. Length, 7.40; wing, -3.25; tail, 3.30. Nest in thickets, near the ground. Eggs white, -spotted with reddish. - -_Hab._ Eastern United States, west to Arkansas; rare north of -Pennsylvania; south to Eastern Mexico and Guatemala. Not noticed in -West Indies. - - [Illustration: _Icteria virens._] - -Both sexes in winter apparently have the base of lower mandible -light-colored, the olive more brown, the sides and crissum with a -strong ochraceous tinge. It is this plumage that has been recognized -as _I. velasquezi_. - -HABITS. The Yellow-breasted Chat is found throughout the Eastern -United States, from Massachusetts to Florida, and as far to the west -as Fort Riley and Eastern Kansas. Mr. Say met with it among the Rocky -Mountains as far north as the sources of the Arkansas. It is not very -rare in Massachusetts, but a few breed in that State as far north as -Lynn. It has been found in Mexico and Guatemala, but not, so far as I -am aware, in the West Indies. - -Probably no one of our birds has more distinctly marked or greater -peculiarities of voice, manners, and habits than this very singular -bird. It is somewhat terrestrial in its life, frequenting tangled -thickets of vines, briers, and brambles, and keeping itself very -carefully concealed. It is noisy and vociferous, constantly changing -its position and moving from place to place. - -It is not abundant north of Pennsylvania, where it arrives early in -May and leaves the last of August. The males are said always to arrive -three or four days before their mates. - -This species is described by Wilson as very much attached to certain -localities where they have once taken up their residence, appearing -very jealous, and offended at the least intrusion. They scold -vehemently at every one who approaches or even passes by their places -of retreat, giving utterance to a great variety of odd and uncouth -sounds. Wilson states that these sounds may be easily imitated, so as -to deceive the bird itself, and to draw it after one; the bird -following repeating its cries, but never permitting itself to be seen. -Such responses he describes as constant and rapid, and strongly -expressive both of anger and anxiety, their voice, as it shifts, -unseen, from place to place, seeming to be more like that of a spirit -than a bird. These sounds Wilson compares to the whistling of the -wings of a duck, being repetitions of short notes, beginning loud and -rapid, and falling lower and lower. Again a succession of other notes, -said to closely resemble the barking of young puppies, is followed by -a variety of hollow, guttural sounds, each eight or ten times -repeated, at times resembling the mewing of a cat, only hoarser,—all -of these, as he states, uttered with great vehemence, in different -keys and with peculiar modulations, now as if at a considerable -distance, and the next moment as if close by your side; so that, by -these tricks of ventriloquism, one is utterly at a loss to ascertain -from what particular quarter they proceed. In mild weather this -strange melody of sounds is kept up throughout the night during the -first of the pairing-season, but ceases as soon as incubation -commences. - -They construct their nest about the middle of May. These are placed -within a few feet of the ground, in the midst of low brambles, vines, -and bushes, generally in a tangled thicket. They build a rude but -strongly woven nest, the outer portions more loosely made of dry -leaves; within these are interwoven thin strips of the bark of the -wild grape, fibrous roots, and fine dry grasses. - -The eggs, four or five in number, are usually hatched out within -twelve days, and in about as many more the young are ready to leave -their nest. - -While the female is sitting, and still more after the young are -hatched, the cries of the male are loud and incessant when his nest is -approached. He no longer seeks to conceal himself, but rises in the -air, his legs dangling in a peculiar manner, ascending and descending -in sudden jerks that betray his great irritation. - -The food of this bird consists chiefly of beetles and other insects, -and of different kinds of berries and small fruit, and it said to be -especially fond of wild strawberries. - -Audubon states that in their migrations they move from bush to bush by -day, and frequently continue their march by night. Their flight at all -times is short and irregular. He also states that when on the ground -they squat, jerk their tails, spring on their legs, and are ever in a -state of great activity. Although the existence of this bird north of -Pennsylvania is generally disputed, I have no doubt that it has always -been, and still is, a constant visitor of Massachusetts, and has been -found to within a score of miles of the New Hampshire line. Among my -notes I find that a nest was found in Brookline, in 1852, by Mr. -Theodore Lyman; in Danvers, by Mr. Byron Goodale; in Lynn, by Messrs. -Vickary and Welch; and in many other parts of the State. It certainly -breeds as far south as Georgia on the coast, and in Louisiana and -Texas in the southwest. On the Pacific coast it is replaced by the -long-tailed variety, _longicauda_. - -A nest of this species from Concord, Mass., obtained by Mr. B. P. -Mann, and now in the collection of the Boston Natural History Society, -has a diameter of four inches and a height of three and a half. The -cavity has a depth of two and a quarter inches, and is two and a half -wide. This is built upon a base of coarse skeleton leaves, and is made -of coarse sedges, dried grasses, and stems of plants, and lined with -long, dry, and wiry stems of plants, resembling pine-needles. Another -from Pomfret, Conn., obtained by Mr. Sessions, is a much larger nest, -measuring five inches in diameter and three and three quarters in -height. The cup is two and a half inches deep by three in width. It is -made of an interweaving of leaves, bark of the grapevine, and stems of -plants, and is lined with fine, long wiry stems and pine-needles. - -Their eggs are of a slightly rounded oval shape, vary in length from -.85 to .95 of an inch, and in breadth from .65 to .70. They have a -white ground with a very slight tinge of yellow, and are marked with -reddish-brown and a few fainter purplish and lilac spots. - - -Icteria virens, var. longicauda, LAWR. - -LONG-TAILED CHAT. - - _Icteria longicauda_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, April, 1853, - 4.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 249, pl. xxxiv, fig. 2; Rev. - 230.—SCLATER, Catal. 42, no. 253.—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. Brem. 1870, - 331 (Mazatlan).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 98. _? Icteria - auricollis_ (LICHT. Mus. Berl.), BON. Consp. 1850, 331. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _virens_. Fourth quill longest; third and -fifth shorter; first shorter than the seventh. Above ash-color, tinged -with olive on the back and neck; the outer surface of the wings and -tail olive. The under parts as far as the middle of the belly bright -gamboge-yellow, with a tinge of orange; the remaining portions white. -The superciliary and maxillary white stripes extend some distance -behind the eye. Outer edge of the first primary white. Length, 7 -inches; wing, 3.20; tail, 3.70. - -_Young_ (8,841, Loup Fork of Platte, August 5; F. V. Hayden). Above -light grayish-brown; beneath yellow on anterior half as in adult, but -yellow less pure; rest of under parts (except abdomen) ochraceous; -markings on head obsolete, the eyelids only being distinctly white. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States, east to Missouri -River and Texas; Cape St. Lucas and Western Mexico. - -The most tangible difference between this bird and typical _virens_ -consists in the longer tail. In addition, the upper plumage is -grayish, with hardly any olive tinge, and the white maxillary stripe -extends farther back; the bill is not so deep as that of the Eastern -bird. All these differences, however, are in strict accordance with -various laws; the more grayish cast of plumage is what we should -expect in birds from the Middle Province, while the restriction of the -yellow from the maxillæ we see also in Western specimens of -_Helminthophaga ruficapilla_; the longer tail, also, is a well-known -characteristic of Western birds, as distinguished from Eastern of the -same species. - -Upon the whole, therefore, taking into consideration the absolute -identity of their habits and notes, we can only consider the _I. -longicauda_ and _I. virens_ as restricted, as being merely -geographical races of one species. - -This variety, as well as the Eastern, has in autumn and winter a -slightly different plumage. A pair (53,348 ♂, and 53,347 ♀, West -Humboldt Mountains, Nevada) obtained September 4 differ in the -following respects from spring adults: the upper plumage is decidedly -brown, with even a russet tinge,—not gray, with a greenish wash; the -lores are less purely black, and the sides and crissum are deep -cream-color, instead of pure white; the female has a shade of olive -across the jugulum; both male and female have the lower mandible -almost wholly white, and the commissure broadly edged with the same. - -No. 38,402 ♂, Laramie Peak, June, has the throat and jugulum strongly -stained with deep cadmium-orange. - -HABITS. The Western or Long-tailed Chat has an exclusively Western -distribution, and has been found from Mexico and Cape St. Lucas to -Oregon, on the Pacific coast, and as far to the east as the Upper -Missouri. - -According to Dr. Cooper, these birds appear in San Diego and at Fort -Mojave in the latter part of April. They are said to inhabit chiefly -the warmer valleys near streams and marshes, rarely on the coast. At -Fort Mojave, Dr. Cooper found a nest of this bird May 19, built in a -dense thicket of algarobia. It contained three eggs, and one of the -_Molothrus_. The nest was built of slender green twigs and leaves, -lined with grass and hair. The eggs were white, sprinkled with -cinnamon, somewhat in the form of a ring near the larger end, and -measured .75 by .64 of an inch. - -These nests were usually very closely concealed, but one that he found -at Santa Cruz, near the coast, was in a very open situation, only two -feet above the ground. When the nest is approached, the old birds are -very bold, keeping up a constant scolding, and almost flying in the -face of an intruder. At other times they are very shy. The notes and -sounds uttered by the Western bird Dr. Cooper states to be the same as -those of the Eastern species, and with the same grotesqueness. They -leave the State of California on or before the first of September. - -Dr. Gambel states that the Chat appears in California about the middle -of April, resorting to the hedges, vineyards, and bushy portions of -gardens to breed. - -Mr. Xantus found a nest of this bird (S. I., 896) at Fort Tejon, -California, in May. It is a very symmetrical and exactly circular -nest, six inches wide and three in height. The cavity has a diameter -of three inches at the brim, and a depth of two. It is built of soft -strips of bark, large stems, and branches of dry plants, leaves, -twigs, and other vegetable substances. These are very neatly and -compactly interwoven. The nest is elaborately lined with finer stems -and flexible grasses. Another nest (S. I., 1816), obtained at Neosho -Falls, Kansas, by Mr. B. F. Goss, is of irregular shape. Its height is -four inches, and its diameter varies from three and three quarters to -five inches. It was built in a depression in the ground, and its shape -adapted to its location. The base is composed entirely of leaves, -impacted when in a moist and decaying condition. Within these is -interwoven a strong basket-like structure, made of long and slender -stems, strips of bark, and fine rootlets, lined with finer grasses and -stems of plants. - -A nest of this species from Sacramento is composed, externally, of -fine strips of inner bark of the grape and of deciduous trees, coarse -straws, stems of plants, twigs, and dried remains of weeds, etc. It is -lined with finer stems and long wiry roots, resembling hair. This nest -has a diameter of four inches and a height of three. The cavity has a -diameter of three inches at the rim, and a depth of two. - -In regard to this variety Mr. Ridgway writes: “In no respect that I -could discover does this Western bird differ from the Eastern in -habits, manners, or notes. The nesting-habits are exactly the same.” - -The eggs of this species are, for the most part, larger than are those -of the _virens_. They vary in length from .95 to 1.00 of an inch, and -have an average breadth of .70 of an inch. Their markings do not -differ essentially in shadings from those of the common species. - - -SUBFAMILY SETOPHAGINÆ. - -GEN. CHAR. Sylvicoline birds with the characters of Flycatchers; the -bill notched at tip, depressed and broad at the base, though quite -deep; the rictus with well-developed bristles reaching beyond the -nostrils, sometimes to the end of the bill. First quill rather less -than the fourth, or still shorter. Size of the species rarely -exceeding six inches. Colors red, yellow, and olive. - -The species of this section resemble the small Flycatchers of the -family _Tyrannidæ_ in the structure of the bill, etc., and in the -habit of capturing insects more or less on the wing, though they are -more restless in their movements, seeking their prey among trees or in -bushes, rapidly changing their place, instead of occupying a perch and -returning to it after pursuing an insect through the air. The yellow -or orange crown found in many species also carries out the analogy; -but the strictly Oscine characters of the tarsal scutellæ and the nine -primaries will serve to distinguish them. - -The _Setophaginæ_ have their greatest development in Middle and South -America, no less than nine genera and subgenera being on record, of -which only two extend into the United States. Of one of these, -_Setophaga_, we have only a single species of the many described; the -other, _Myiodioctes_, has no members other than those found in the -United States. - -The following diagnosis is prepared to distinguish our genera from the -South American:— - -A. Wings pointed; the first quill longer than the fifth; the -third as long as or longer than the fourth. Tail nearly even, or -slightly rounded (the difference of the feathers less than .20); -the feathers broad and firm; the outer webs of exterior feathers -narrow at base, but widening to nearly double the width near the -end. - - 1. Bill from gape nearly as long as skull, broad at base and - much depressed; rictal bristles reaching half-way from - nostrils to tip. Culmen and commissure nearly straight. Wings - equal to the tail. Tarsi long; toes short; middle toe without - claw, about half the tarsus … _Setophaga_. - - 2. Bill from gape nearly as long as skull, broad at base, but - deep and more sylvicoline; rictal bristles reaching but - little beyond nostrils. Culmen and commissure straight to the - tip. Wings longer than the almost even tail. Middle toe - without claw, three fifths the tarsus … _Myiodioctes_. - - 3. Bill from gape much shorter than head, wide at base, but - compressed and high; the culmen and commissure much curved - from base, scarcely notched at tip; rictal bristles reaching - nearly half-way from nostrils to tip. Wings about equal to - the almost even tail. Middle toe without claw, about three - fifths the rather short tarsus … _Cardellina_. - -B. Wings rounded; the first quill shorter than in the preceding -section; always less than the fifth. South American genera.[59] - -Several species of _Setophaginæ_ have, on not very well established -grounds, been assigned to the southern borders of the United States. -They are as follows:— - - Cardellina rubra, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 264. (_Setophaga - rubra_, SWAINSON.) _Parus leucotis_, GIRAUD, Birds Texas. - _Hab._ Mexico. Rich carmine-red. Wing and tail-feathers - brown. Ear-coverts silvery white. Length, 4.70; wing, 2.40; - tail, 2.55. - - Basileuterus culicivorus, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 246. (_Sylvia - culicivora_, LICHT.) _Muscicapa brasieri_, GIRAUD, Texas - Birds. _Hab._ Southern Mexico; Guatemala and Costa Rica. Top - of head with two black stripes enclosing a median of yellow. - Back olivaceous-ash. Beneath entirely yellow. No rufous on - side of head. Length, 4.90; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.25. - - Basileuterus belli, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 247. _Muscicapa - belli_, GIRAUD, Texas Birds. _Hab._ Mexico and Guatemala. Top - of head and face chestnut. A yellow superciliary stripe - bordered above by dusky. Back olive; beneath yellow. Length, - 5.10; wing, 2.28; tail, 2.50. - - -GENUS MYIODIOCTES, AUD. - - _Myiodioctes_, AUDUBON, Synopsis, 1839, 48. (Type, _Motacilla - mitrata_, GM.)—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 291. - _Wilsonia_, BONAP. List. 1838 (preoccupied in botany). - _Myioctonus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 18. (Type, _Motacilla mitrata_.) - - [Line drawing: _Myiodioctes mitratus._ - 2226] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill broad, depressed; the lateral outlines a little -concave; the bristles reaching not quite half-way from nostrils to -tip. Culmen and commissure nearly straight to near the tip. Nostrils -oval, with membrane above. Wings pointed, rather longer than the -nearly even but slightly rounded tail; first quill shorter than the -fourth, much longer than the fifth; the second and third quills -longest. Tarsi rather lengthened, the scutellar divisions rather -indistinct; the middle toe without claw, about three fifths the -tarsus. - -This genus is distinguished from _Setophaga_, mainly by stouter feet -and longer toes; shorter and more even tail, narrower bill, etc. The -species are decidedly muscicapine in general appearance, as shown by -the depressed bill with bristly rictus. The type _M. mitratus_ is very -similar in character of bill to _Dendroica castanea_, but the wings -are much shorter; the tail longer and more graduated; the legs and -hind toe longer, and the first primary shorter than the fourth (.15 of -an inch less than the longest), not almost equal to the longest. The -species are plain olive or plumbeous above, and yellow beneath. They -may be grouped as follows:— - -A. Tail with white patches on the inner feathers. - - 1. M. mitratus. Head and neck black. Front, cheeks, and under - parts yellow. Back olive-green. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - United States, south to Panama and West Indies. - - 2. M. minutus. Olive above; yellowish beneath. Two white - bands on the wings. _Hab._ Eastern United States. - -B. Tail without white patch on the outer feathers. - - 3. M. pusillus. Crown black. Forehead, cheeks, and under - parts yellow. Back olive. - - Yellow of forehead without an orange tinge; upper parts dull - olive-green; pileum with very dull steel-blue lustre. _Hab._ - Eastern Province and Rocky Mountains of North America, south - to Costa Rica … var. _pusillus_. - - Yellow of forehead with an orange cast; upper parts bright - yellowish-green; pileum with a bright steel-blue lustre. - _Hab._ Pacific Province of North America, from Sitka to Costa - Rica … var. _pileolata_. - - 4. M. canadensis. Streaks on the crown, stripes on sides of - head and neck, with pectoral collar of streaks, black. Rest of - under parts, and line to and around the eye, yellow. Back - bluish. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south to - Ecuador. - - -Myiodioctes mitratus, AUD. - -HOODED WARBLER. - - _Motacilla mitrata_, GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 293. _Sylvia m._ LATH.; - VIEILL.; BON.; NUTT.; AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cx. _Sylvicola m._ - MAX. _Sylvania m._ NUTTALL, Man. I, 1840, 333. _Setophaga m._ - JARD. _Wilsonia m._ BON. 1838.—ALLEN, Pr. Essex Inst. 1864. - _Myiodioctes m._ AUD. Syn. 1839, 48.—IB. Birds Am. II, pl. - lxxi.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 291 (Cordova); 1858, 358 - (Honduras).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 292; Rev. 239.—JONES, Nat. - Bermuda, 1859, 26 (March).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 - (Guatemala).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 63 (Panama R. - R.).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 326 (Cuba).—SAMUELS, 245. - _Myioctonus m._ CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851.—IB. Jour. Orn. III, 1855, - 472 (Cuba). _Muscicapa cucullata_, WILSON, III, pl. xxvi, fig. 3. - _Muscicapa selbyi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. ix. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Bill black; feet pale yellow. Head and neck all -round and forepart of the breast black. A broad patch on the forehead -extending round on the entire cheeks and ear-coverts, with the under -parts, bright yellow. Upper parts and sides of the body olive-green. -Greater portion of inner web of outer three tail-feathers white. - -_Female_ similar, but without the black; the crown like the back; the -forehead yellowish; the sides of the head yellow, tinged with olive on -the lores and ear-coverts. Throat bright yellow. - -Length, 5.00; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.55. (Skin.) - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States, rather southern; Bermuda; -Cuba; Jamaica; Eastern Mexico; Honduras and Guatemala to Panama R. R. -Orizaba (autumn, SUMICHRAST); Yucatan (LAWRENCE). - -A young male in second year (2,245, Carlisle, Penn., May) is similar -to the female, but the hood is sharply defined anteriorly, though only -bordered with black, the olive-green reaching forward almost to the -yellow; there are only very slight indications of black on the throat. -Apparently the male of this species does not attain the full plumage -until at least the third year, as is the case with _Setophaga -ruticilla_. - - [Illustration: _Myiodioctes pusillus._] - -HABITS. This beautiful and singularly marked Warbler is a Southern -species, though not exclusively so. It is more abundant in South -Carolina than any other State, so far as I am aware. It is, however, -found as far to the north as Northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and -Southern New York, and, farther west, as far north as the shores of -Lake Erie. It has also been found in Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, Eastern -Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Throughout Central America it appears -to be abundant during the winter. - -Mr. Audubon also states that it abounds in Louisiana and along the -banks of the Mississippi and the Ohio. It occurs on the Hudson to some -distance above New York. It appears from the South early in March, and -has young already hatched, in Louisiana, early in May. - -It is said to be one of the liveliest of its tribe, and to be almost -constantly in motion. It is fond of secluded places, and is equally -common in the thick canebrakes, both of the high and the low lands, -and in the tangled undergrowth of impenetrable swamps. It has a -peculiarly graceful manner of closing and opening its broad tail, that -at once distinguishes it from every other bird, as it gambols from -tree to tree, now in sight, and now hid from the eye, but ever within -hearing. - -Mr. Audubon adds that its call-note so closely resembles that of the -_Spiza ciris_ that it requires a practised ear to distinguish them. -But its song is very different. This consists of three notes, and is -loud, lively, and pleasing. This song is said to be made of sounds -resembling the syllables _weet, weet, weetēē_. Extremely vocal in the -early spring, it becomes nearly silent as soon as its brood is -hatched. It resumes its song when its mate is again sitting on her -eggs, as they have more than one brood in a season. - -They are described as expert flycatchers, full of activity and spirit, -flying swiftly after their insect prey; and catching the greater part -on the wing. Their flight is low, gliding, and often protracted. - -Mr. Bachman narrates a striking instance of its courage and conjugal -devotion. While a pair of these Warblers were constructing a nest, a -Sharp-shinned Hawk pounced upon and bore off the female. The male -followed close after the Hawk, flying within a few inches and darting -at him in all directions, and so continued until quite out of sight. - -Wilson states that it builds a very neat and compact nest, generally -in the fork of a small bush. It is formed of moss and flaxen fibres of -plants, and lined with hair or feathers. The eggs, five in number, he -describes as of a grayish-white, with red spots at the larger end. He -noticed its arrival at Savannah as early as the 20th of March. Mr. -Audubon adds that these nests are always placed in low situations, a -few feet from the ground. - -The late Dr. Gerhardt, of Varnell’s Station, Georgia, informed me, by -letter, that the Hooded Warbler deposits her eggs about the middle of -May, laying four. The nest is not unlike that of the _Spiza cyanea_, -but is larger. It is constructed of dry leaves and coarse grass on the -outside, and within of dry pine-needles, interwoven with long yellow -grasses and sometimes with horsehair. They are built, for the most -part, in the neighborhood of brooks and creeks, in oak bushes, four or -five feet from the ground. The female sits so closely, and is so -fearless, that Dr. Gerhardt states he has sometimes nearly caught her -in his hand. - -In another letter Dr. Gerhardt describes a nest of this species as -measuring three inches in height, three in external diameter, and an -inch and a quarter in the depth of its cavity. Externally it was built -of dry leaves and coarse grasses, lined inside with horsehair, fine -leaves of pine, and dry slender grasses. It was constructed on a small -oak growing in low bottom-land, and was three feet from the ground. -The complement of eggs is four. - -Mr. Ridgway states that this species is a common summer resident in -the bottom-lands along the Lower Wabash, in Southern Illinois, -inhabiting the cane-brakes and the margins of bushy swamps. - -The eggs of this Warbler are oval in shape, with one end quite -pointed. They measure .70 by .50 of an inch. Their ground-color is a -beautiful bright white, when the egg is fresh, strongly tinged with -flesh-color. The spots are of a fine red, with a few markings of a -subdued purple. - - -Myiodioctes minutus, BAIRD. - -SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa minuta_, WILSON, Am. Orn. VI, 1812, 62, pl. 1, fig. 5.— - AUD. Orn. Biog. V, pl. ccccxxxiv, fig. 3.—IB. Birds Am. I, pl. - lxvii. _Sylvia minuta_, BON. _Wilsonia m._ BON. List, 1838. - _Myiodioctes minutus_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 241. _Sylvania - pumilia_, NUTT. Man. I, 1840, 334. - -SP. CHAR. Wings short, the second quills longest. Tail of -moderate-length, even. General color of upper parts light -greenish-brown; wings and tail dark olive-brown, the outer feathers of -the latter with a terminal white spot on the inner web; a narrow white -ring surrounding the eye; two bands of dull white on the wings; sides -of the head and neck greenish-yellow; the rest of the lower parts pale -yellow, gradually fading into white behind. Male, 5 inches long; -extent, 8.25 inches. - -HAB. Eastern United States. - -HABITS. All that is known in regard to this species we receive from -Wilson and Audubon, and there is a decided discrepancy in their -several statements. Wilson states that his figure was taken from a -young male shot on the 24th of April, but in what locality he does not -mention. He adds that he afterwards shot several individuals in -various parts of New Jersey, particularly in swamps. He found these in -June, and has no doubt they breed there. - -Audubon claims that Wilson’s drawing was a copy from his own of a bird -shot by him in Kentucky on the margin of a pond. He throws a doubt as -to the correctness of Wilson’s statement that they have been found in -New Jersey, as no one else has ever met with any there. That may be, -however, and Wilson’s statement yet be correct. The same argument -carried out would reject the very existence of the bird itself, as no -well-authenticated records of its occurrence since then can be found. -They are at least too doubtful to be received as unquestionable until -the genuine bird can be produced. Mr. Nuttall, it is true, states that -Mr. Charles Pickering obtained a specimen of this bird many years ago, -near Salem, Mass., and that he had himself also seen it in the same -State, at the approach of winter. In the fall of 1836, when the writer -resided in Roxbury, a cat caught and brought into the house a small -Flycatcher, which was supposed to be of this species. It was given to -Mr. Audubon, who assented to its correct identification, but -afterwards made no mention of it. The presumption, therefore, is that -we may have been mistaken. - -In regard to its habits, Wilson represents it as “remarkably active, -running, climbing, and darting about among the opening buds and -blossoms with extraordinary agility.” Audubon states that in its -habits it is closely allied with the _pusillus_ and the _mitratus_, -being fond of low thick coverts in swamps and by the margin of pools. -He also attributes to it a song of rather pleasing notes, enunciated -at regular intervals, loud enough to be heard at the distance of sixty -yards. These peculiarities seem to separate it from the true -Flycatchers and to place it among the Warblers. - - -Myiodioctes pusillus, BONAP. - -GREEN BLACK-CAPPED FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa pusilla_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 103, pl. xxvi, - fig. 4. _Wilsonia pus._ BON. _Sylvania pus._ NUTT. _Myiodioctes - pus._ BON. Consp. 1850, 315.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 291 - (Cordova); 1858, 299 (Oaxaca Mts.; Dec.); 1859, 363 (Xalapa); - 373.—IB. Catal. 1861, 34, no. 203.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 293 - (in part); Rev. 240 (in part).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 - (Guatemala).—SAMUELS, 246. _Myioctonus pus._ CAB. M. H. 1851, - 18.—IB. Jour. 1860, 325 (Costa Rica). _Sylvia wilsoni_, BON.; - NUTT. _Muscicapa wilsoni_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. cxxiv. - _Setophaga wilsoni_, JARD. _Myiodioctes wilsoni_, AUD. Birds Am. - II, pl. lxxv. _Sylvia petasodes_, LICHT. Preis-Verz. 1830. - -SP. CHAR. Forehead, line over and around the eye, and under parts -generally, bright yellow. Upper part olive-green; a square patch on -the crown lustrous-black. Sides of body and cheeks tinged with olive. -No white on wings or tail. Female similar, the black of the crown -replaced by olive-green. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.30. - -HAB. Eastern portions of United States, west to the Snake and Humboldt -Rivers; north to Alaska, south through Eastern Mexico and Guatemala to -Costa Rica; Chiriqui (SALVIN). - -HABITS. Wilson’s Black-Cap is found throughout the United States from -ocean to ocean, and as far to the north as Alaska and the Arctic -shores, where, however, it is not common. Mr. Dall shot a specimen, -May 30, on the Yukon River, where it was breeding. Mr. Bischoff -obtained others with nests and eggs at Sitka, and afterwards found it -more abundant at Kodiak. On the Pacific coast Dr. Suckley found it -very abundant in the neighborhood of Fort Steilacoom, where it -frequented thickets and small scrub-oak groves, in its habits -resembling the _Helminthophaga celata_, flitting about among the dense -foliage of bushes and low trees in a busy, restless manner. He -describes its cry as a short _chit-chat_ call. In California, Dr. -Cooper notes their first arrival early in May, and states that they -migrate along the coast, up at least to the Straits of Fuca. At Santa -Cruz he noted their arrival, in 1866, about the 20th of April. They -were then gathering materials for a nest, the male bird singing -merrily during his employment. As they have been observed in Oregon as -early as this, it has been conjectured that some may remain all winter -among the dense shrubbery of the forests. - -This bird winters in large numbers in Central America, where it is -apparently very generally distributed. Mr. Salvin found it very common -at Duenas. It was taken at Totontepec, among the mountains of Oaxaca, -Mexico, by Mr. Boucard. - -Mr. Ridgway found it very common during the summer and autumn months -among the willows of the fertile river valleys, and among the rank -shrubbery bordering upon the streams of the cañons of the higher -interior range of mountains. It was found in similar situations with -the _Dendroica æstiva_, but it was much more numerous. During -September it was most abundant among the thickets and copses of the -East Humboldt Mountains, and in Ruby Valley, at all altitudes, -frequenting the bushes along the streams, from their sources in the -snow to the valleys. - -Wilson first met with and described this species from specimens -obtained in Delaware and New Jersey. He regarded it as an inhabitant -of the swamps of the Southern States, and characterized its song as “a -sharp, squeaking note, in no wise musical.” It is said by him to leave -the Southern States in October. - -Audubon states that it is never found in the Southern States in the -summer months, but passes rapidly through them on its way to the -northern districts, where it breeds, reaching Labrador early in June -and returning by the middle of August. He describes it as having all -the habits of a true Flycatcher, feeding on small insects, which it -catches on the wing, snapping its bill with a sharp clicking sound. It -frequents the borders of lakes and streams fringed with low bushes. - -Mr. Nuttall observed this species in Oregon, where it arrived early in -May. He calls it a “little cheerful songster, the very counterpart of -our brilliant and cheerful Yellow-Bird.” Their song he describes as -like _’tsh-’tsh-’tsh-tshea_. Their call is brief, and not so loud. It -appeared familiar and unsuspicious, kept in bushes busily collecting -its insect fare, and only varied its employment by an occasional and -earnest warble. By the 12th of May some were already feeding their -full-fledged young. Yet on the 16th of the same month he found a nest -containing four eggs with incubation only just commenced. This nest -was in a branch of a small service-bush, laid very adroitly, as to -concealment, upon a mass of _Usnea_. It was built chiefly of hypnum -mosses, with a thick lining of dry, wiry, slender grasses. The female, -when approached, slipped off the nest, and ran along the ground like a -mouse. The eggs were very similar to those of _Dendroica æstiva_, with -spots of a pale olive-brown, confluent at the greater end. - -A nest found by Audubon in Labrador was placed on the extremity of a -small horizontal branch, among the thick foliage of a dwarf fir, a few -feet from the ground and in the very centre of a thicket. It was made -of bits of dry mosses and delicate pine twigs, agglutinated together -and to the branches and leaves around it, from which it was suspended. -It was lined with fine vegetable fibres. The diameter of the nest was -three and a half and the depth one and a half inches. He describes the -eggs, which were four, as white; spotted with reddish and brown dots, -the markings being principally around the larger end, forming a -circle, leaving the extremity plain. - -In this instance the parents showed much uneasiness at the approach of -intruders, moving about among the twigs, snapping their bills, and -uttering a plaintive note. In Newfoundland these birds had already -begun to migrate on the 20th of August. He met with them in -considerable numbers in Northern Maine in October, 1832. Mr. Turnbull -mentions it as a rather abundant bird of Eastern Pennsylvania, -appearing there early in May, _in transitu_, and again in October. - -Mr. T. M. Trippe has observed this species at Orange, N. J., from the -19th to the 30th of May. It is said to keep low down in the trees, and -is fond of haunting thickets and open brush fields. Occasionally he -has heard it utter a loud chattering song, which it repeats at short -intervals. - -A nest of this species from Fort Yukon (Smith. Coll., 13,346), -obtained May 20, by Mr. McDougal, contained four eggs. These varied -from .60 to .63 of an inch in length, and from .45 to .49 in breadth. -They were obovate in shape, their ground-color was a pure white; this -was finely sprinkled round the larger end with brownish-red and lilac. -No mention is made of the position of the nest, but it is probable -this bird builds on the ground. - - -Myiodioctes pusillus, var. pileolatus, RIDGWAY. - - _Motacilla pileolata_, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso Asiat. I, 1831, 497 - (Russian America). _Myiodioctes pusillus_, var. _pileolata_, - RIDGWAY, Report U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. _Myiodioctes - pusillus_, AUCT. (all citations from Pacific coast of North and - Middle America).—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. Woolw. IV, 1864, 115 (Br. - Col.).—DALL & BANNISTER (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 101. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _pusillus_, but much richer yellow, scarcely -tinged with olive laterally, and deepened into an almost orange shade -on the front and chin. Above much brighter and more yellowish -olive-green. The black pileum with a brighter steel-blue gloss. Bill -much narrower, and deep, light brown above, instead of nearly black. -Measures (4,222 ♂, San Francisco, Cal.), wing, 2.15; tail, 2.00. - -HAB. Pacific coast region of North America, from Kodiak (Alaska); -south through Western Mexico (and Lower California) to Costa Rica. - -This is an appreciably different race from that inhabiting the eastern -division of the continent; the differences, tested by a large series -of specimens, being very constant. - -A Costa-Rican specimen before me is almost exactly like specimens from -California. - -HABITS. The remarks, in the preceding article relative to specimens -from the Pacific coast belong to this variety. - - -Myiodioctes canadensis, AUD. - -CANADA FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa canadensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 327. (_Muscicapa - canadensis cinerea_, BRISSON, II, 406, tab. 39, fig. - 4.)—GMELIN.—WILSON, III, pl. xxvi, fig. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - ciii. _Setophaga can._ SWAINS.; RICH.; GRAY. _Myiodioctes can._ - AUD. Birds Am. II, pl. ciii.—BREWER, Pr. Bost. Soc. VI, 5 (nest - and eggs).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1854, 111 (Ecuador; winter); 1855, - 143 (Bogota); 1858, 451 (Ecuador).—IB. Catal. 1861, 34, no. - 204.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 11 (Guatemala).—LAWRENCE, Ann. - N. Y. Lyc. VI, 1862.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 294; Rev. - 239.—SAMUELS, 247. _Euthlypis can._ CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, - 18; Jour. Orn. 1860, 326 (Costa Rica). _Sylvia pardalina_, BON.; - NUTT. _Sylvicola pardalina_, BON. _Myiodioctes pardalina_, BON. _? - Muscicapa bonapartei_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 27, pl. v. - _Setophaga bon._ RICH. _Wilsonia bon._ BON. _Sylvania bon._ NUTT. - _? Myiodioctes bon._ AUD. Syn.—IB. Birds Am. II, 1841, 17, pl. - xvii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 295. _Setophaga nigricincta_, - LAFR. Rev. Zoöl. 1843, 292; 1844, 79. - -SP. CHAR. Upper part bluish-ash; a ring around the eye, with a line -running to the nostrils, and the whole under part (except the -tail-coverts, which are white), bright yellow. Centres of the feathers -in the anterior half of the crown, the cheeks, continuous with a line -on the side of the neck to the breast, and a series of spots across -the forepart of the breast, black. Tail-feathers unspotted. _Female_ -similar, with the black of the head and breast less distinct. In the -_young_ obsolete. Length, 5.34; wing, 2.67; tail, 2.50. - -HAB. Whole Eastern Province of United States, west to the Missouri; -north to Lake Winnipeg; Eastern Mexico to Guatemala, and south to -Bogota and Ecuador (SCLATER). Not noted from West Indies. - -HABITS. This is a migratory species, abundant during its passage, in -most of the Atlantic States. It breeds, though not abundantly, in New -York and Massachusetts, and in the regions north of latitude 42°. How -far northward it is found is not well ascertained, probably as far, -however, as the wooded country extends. It was met with on Winnepeg -River, by Mr. Kennicott, the second of June. It winters in Central and -in Northern South America, having been procured at Bogota, in -Guatemala, and in Costa Rica, in large numbers. - -Mr. Audubon states that he found this bird breeding in the mountainous -regions of Pennsylvania, and afterwards in Maine, New Brunswick, Nova -Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. Although he describes with some -minuteness its nests, yet his description of their position and -structure is so entirely different in all respects from those that -have been found in Massachusetts, that I am constrained to believe he -has been mistaken in his identifications, and that those he supposed -to belong to this species were really the nests of a different bird. - -“In Vermont,” Mr. Charles S. Paine, of Randolph, informs me, “the -Canada Flycatcher is a summer visitant, and is first seen about the -18th of May. They do not spread themselves over the woods, like most -of our small fly-catching birds, but keep near the borders, where -there is a low growth of bushes, and where they may be heard -throughout the day singing their regular chant. A few pairs may -occasionally be found in the same neighborhood. At other times only a -single pair can be found in quite a wide extent of territory of -similar character. They build their nests, as well as I can judge, -about the first of June, as the young are hatched out and on the wing -about the last of that month, or the first of July. I have never found -a nest, but I think they are built on the ground. They are silent -after the first of July, and are rarely to be seen after that period.” -The song of this bird is a very pleasing one, though heard but seldom, -and only in a few localities in Massachusetts. - -Near Washington Dr. Coues found the Canada Flycatcher only a spring -and autumnal visitant, at which seasons they were abundant. They -frequented high open woods, and kept mostly in the lower branches of -the trees, and also in the more open undergrowth of marshy places. -They arrive the last week in April and remain about two weeks, -arriving in fall the first week in September, and remaining until the -last of that month. - -The first well-identified nest of this bird that came to my knowledge -was obtained in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O. Welch, in June, 1856. It -was built in a tussock of grass, in swampy woods, concealed by the -surrounding rank vegetation, in the midst of which it was placed. It -was constructed entirely of pine-needles and a few fragments of -decayed leaves, grapevine bark, fine stems, and rootlets. These were -so loosely interwoven that the nest could not be removed without great -care to keep its several portions together. Its diameter was three and -a half inches, and it was very nearly flat. Its greatest depth, at the -centre of its depression, was hardly half an inch. It contained four -young, and an unhatched egg. - -Another nest found in June, 1864, by the same observing naturalist, -was also obtained in the neighborhood. This was built in a tussock of -meadow-grass, in the midst of a small boggy piece of swamp, in which -were a few scattered trees and bushes. The ground was so marshy that -it could be crossed only with difficulty, and by stepping from one -tussock of reedy herbage to another. In the centre of one of these -bunches the nest was concealed. It measures six inches in its larger -diameter, and has a height of two and a quarter inches. The cavity of -this nest is two and three quarters inches wide, and one and three -quarters deep. It is very strongly constructed of pine-needles, -interwoven with fine strips of bark, dry deciduous leaves, stems of -dry grasses, sedges, etc. The whole is firmly and compactly interwoven -with and strengthened around the rim of the cavity by strong, wiry, -and fibrous roots. The nest is very carefully and elaborately lined -with the black fibrous roots of some plant. The eggs, which were five -in number, measure .72 of an inch in length by .56 in breadth. Their -ground-color is a clear and brilliant white, and this is beautifully -marked with dots and small blotches of blended brown, purple, and -violet, varying in shades and tints, and grouped in a wreath around -the larger end. - - -GENUS SETOPHAGA, SWAINS. - - _Setophaga_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Dec. 1827, 360. (Type, - _Muscicapa ruticilla_, L.)—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 297. - _Sylvania_, NUTTALL, Man. Orn. I, 1832. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Setophaga ruticilla_, SW.] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill much depressed, the lateral outlines straight towards -tip. Bristles reach half-way from nostril to tip. Culmen almost -straight to near the tip; commissure very slightly curved. Nostrils -oval, with membrane above them. Wings rather longer than tail, -pointed; second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal; first -intermediate between fourth and fifth. Tail rather long, rather -rounded; the feathers broad, and widening at ends, the outer web -narrow. Tarsi with scutellar divisions indistinct externally. Legs -slender; toes short, inner cleft nearly to base of first joint, outer -with first joint adherent; middle toe without claw, not quite half the -tarsus. - -The genus _Setophaga_ is very largely represented in America, although -of the many species scarcely any agree exactly in form with the type. -In the following diagnosis I give several species, referred to, -perhaps erroneously, as occurring in Texas. - - Belly white. End of lateral tail-feathers black. Sexes - dissimilar. - - Ground-color black, without vertex spot. Sides of breast and - bases of quills and tail-feathers reddish-orange in male, - yellowish in female … _ruticilla_. - - Belly vermilion or carmine red. Lateral tail-feathers, - including their tips, white. Sexes similar. - - Entirely lustrous black, including head and neck. No vertex - spot. A white patch on the wings … _picta_.[60] - - Plumbeous-ash, including head and neck. A chestnut-brown - vertex spot. No white on wings … _miniata_.[61] - - -Setophaga ruticilla, SWAINS. - -AMERICAN REDSTART. - - _Motacilla ruticilla_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 186 (Catesby, - Car. tab. 67). _Muscicapa ruticilla_, LINN.; GMELIN; - VIEILLOT; WILS.; BON.; AUD. Orn. Biog. I, pl. xl. _Setophaga - rut._ SWAINS. Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 358.—BON.; AUD. Birds - Am.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. (Ecuador, Bogota, Cordova, Oaxaca, City - of Mexico).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 12 - (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 297; Rev. 256.—MAX.; - SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857 (St. Domingo).—NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 143 - (St. Croix; winter).—CAB. Jour. 1856, 472 (Cuba); 1860, 325 - (Costa Rica).—GUNDLACH, IB. 1861, 326 (Cuba).—BRYANT, Pr. - Bost. Soc. VII, 1859 (Bahamas).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. - 1861, 322 (Panama R. R.).—SAMUELS, 249. _Sylvania rut._ - NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 291 (type of genus). _Motacilla - flavicauda_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 997 (♀). - - [Illustration: PLATE XVI. - - 1. Setophaga ruticilla, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 984. - 2. Myiodioctes minutus, _Aud._ (Copied from Aud.) - 3. “ pusillus, _Wils._ ♂ Cal., 7683. - 4. “ “ “ ♀ Pa., 2325. - 5. Setophaga ruticilla, _Linn._ ♀ Pa., 2281. - 6. Myiodioctes canadensis, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 945. - 7. Progne subis, _Linn._ ♀ 40704. - 8. Tachycineta bicolor, _Vieill._ ♂ Pa., 2896. - 9. Hirundo horreorum, _Bart._ ♂ Pa., 1452. - 10. Progne subis, _Linn._ ♂. - 11. Tachycineta thalassina, _Swains._ ♂ Oreg., 1895. - 12. Stelgidopteryx serripennis, _Aud._ ♂ 32269. - 13. Petrochelidon lunifrons, _Say._ ♂ 6622. - 14. Cotyle riparia, _Linn._ ♂ 20641.] - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Prevailing color black. A central line on the -breast, the abdomen, and under tail-coverts white; some feathers in -the latter strongly tinged with dark brown. Bases of all the quills -except the inner and outer, and basal half of all the tail-feathers -except the middle one, a patch on each side of the breast, and the -axillary region, orange-red, of a vermilion shade on the breast. -_Female_ with the black replaced by olive-green above, by -brownish-white beneath, the red replaced by yellow; the head tinged -with ash; a grayish-white lore and ring round the eye. Length, 5.25; -wing, 2.50; tail, 2.45. - -HAB. Eastern and in part Middle Provinces of North America to Fort -Simpson, west to Great Salt Lake; Fort Laramie; Denver City; most of -the West Indies; Mexico to Ecuador. - -The young male in early autumn greatly resembles in plumage the adult -female, but has the upper tail-coverts and tail deep black, sharply -contrasted with the olive of the rump, instead of having the upper -tail-coverts olive, the tail simply dusky; in addition the back is -more greenish-olive, and the abdomen and crissum pure white. The male -does not obtain the perfect adult plumage until about the third year. - - [Illustration: _Setophaga ruticilla._ - 984] - -HABITS. The so-called Redstart has an extended distribution from the -Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, and from Florida to high northern -latitudes, having been found breeding at Fort Simpson by Mr. Ross, and -at Fort Resolution by Mr. Kennicott and Mr. Lockhart. It is generally -abundant in suitable localities, and probably breeds wherever found -north of the Potomac. It winters in large numbers in Guatemala and in -other parts of Central America, as well as in the West Indies. It is -common in St. Croix in the spring, and is especially seen about -houses, according to Newton. It remains there until the end of April. - -Richardson found this species abundant on the Saskatchewan, as far to -the north as the fifty-eighth parallel. It appeared there the last of -May, and left early in September. He found it frequenting moist, shady -lands, flitting about among the moss-grown and twisted stems of the -tall willows that skirt the marshes. It was easily recognized by the -red lining of its wings as it flitted through the gloomy shades in -pursuit of mosquitoes and other winged insects. - -Among the memoranda of the late Mr. Kennicott, we find two to the -effect that on the 26th of May he found both males and females of this -species common near Rainy Lake, and that on the 6th of June he also -observed these birds near Lake Winnepeg. June 14, at Fort Resolution, -he obtained a female Redstart with nest and four eggs. The nest was -built in the fork of a willow, in a thick but low wood of alder and -willow. It was entirely unprotected by leaves or branches. The female -was taken on the nest. - -The Newtons found this a very common species in St. Croix, in the -spring of the year, and it was especially seen about houses. For about -a week, at the end of April, 1857, they were extremely numerous. On -their return from their summer quarters, they were first observed -September 6. Mr. Taylor also mentions them as common in Trinidad. Mr. -Ridgway found it a common species among the willow thickets of the -river valleys, west as far as the Great Salt Lake. - -This species, in its spring and autumnal migrations, is abundant in -Louisiana and Texas, as well as in the Gulf States. Wilson speaks of -meeting with it in the then “Mississippi Territory.” Audubon gives it -as abundant in Louisiana, and Nuttall as found throughout Louisiana -and Arkansas into Mexico. Mr. Dresser also mentions it as very common -near San Antonio in the spring and autumn, arriving on the Medina the -27th of April. - -Dr. Coues says that the Redstart near Washington is chiefly a spring -and autumnal visitant, and but very few remain to breed. In the spring -it is very abundant from April 25 to May 20, and in the fall from the -1st to the 20th of September, in all woody and swampy situations. He -found it in the habit of running along slender twigs, sideways, and -having a note very similar to that of _D. œstiva_. - -Although placed among the _Oscines_, where, as an excellent singer, it -clearly has a good right to be classed, it is yet also a true -Flycatcher in habits and manners. It is a lively, active bird, ever on -the wing, and continually in pursuit of insects. In this pursuit it -never awaits the approach of its prey, but, espying them at a -distance, darts with great velocity in pursuit, and the continued -clicks of its bill attest the rapidity and frequency with which it -will overtake and catch insect after insect. Even when lamenting the -loss of a part of its brood, and flying around with cries of distress, -the sight of passing insects is a temptation not to be resisted, and -the parent bird will stop her lamentations to catch small flies. - -Its notes are a varied twitter, rather than a song, a repetition of -two simple notes, uttered every few seconds as it seeks its prey, -flying among the thick foliage usually in dense groves. Its common -habit is to glide along a branch, between its smaller twigs, at times -darting forth into more open spaces in quest of insects it has espied. - -Their nests are usually, though not always, built in a low branch, -eight or ten feet from the ground, in the midst of a thick grove. I -have known it to build in an open field and in close proximity to a -dwelling. It keeps to groves and thickets, and frequents moist places -rather than dry, evidently because of the greater abundance of -insects, and not because of timid or retiring habits. It is indeed far -from being timid, and will permit a near approach without any -exhibitions of uneasiness. When its nest is visited, the male bird -manifests great disturbance, and flies back and forth around the head -of the intruder with cries of distress. The female is far less -demonstrative, and even when her nest is despoiled before her eyes is -quite moderate in the expression of her grief. - -Its flight is graceful, easy, and rapid, varied by circumstances as it -glides in its intricate course among small interlacing branches, or -darts rapidly forth into more open space. As it moves, it is -continually opening out, closing, or flirting from side to side its -conspicuous tail, the white spots in its expanded feathers constantly -appearing and disappearing. - -In the construction of the nest there is a general uniformity of -character, although the materials differ and the localities are far -apart. They are never pendent, but are placed among three or more -small upright branches, around which it is firmly woven with vegetable -flax-like fibres. A nest obtained in Lynn, by Mr. George O. Welch (S. -I. 3,778), in June, measures two inches in height by three in -diameter. It is a small, compact, and homogeneous nest, composed -almost entirely of shreds of savin-bark intermixed with soft vegetable -wool. Within are loosely intertwined minute vegetable fibres and -strips of bark, and a lining of horsehair, fine pine leaves, and dry -grasses. The nest contained four eggs. Another nest found in Grand -Menan, June 24, 1851, was very similar in size, structure, and -materials. It was in the centre of a thick, swampy thicket, five feet -from the ground, and contained five eggs. - -Another nest of this bird, obtained in Lynn by Mr. Welch, is only a -reconstruction of a nest begun by a pair of _Dendroica œstiva_, and -either abandoned by them, or from which they had been driven. Above -the original nest of the Warbler the Redstarts had constructed their -own. The base is composed of the downy covering of the under sides of -the leaves of ferns, mixed with a few herbaceous stems and leaves. -Within this was built an entirely distinct nest, composed of long and -slender strips of bark, pine-needles, and stems of grasses. These are -firmly and elaborately interwoven together. - -A nest found in Hingham, built in a tree in an open space near a -dwelling, was seven feet from the ground, and of the usual size and -shape. In this the more usual strips of bark were replaced by hempen -fibres of vegetables, thistle-down, bits of newspaper, and other -fragments. Within is a strong lining of hair and fine stems of -grasses. In this nest there were two young, about half fledged, and -two eggs nearly fresh. The latter were taken, the female parent being -present and making only a very slight protest, stopping, from time to -time, to catch insects. - -The eggs of the Redstart vary considerably in their size and in their -general appearance, but resemble somewhat those of the common Summer -Yellow-Bird. They vary in length from .55 to .68 of an inch, and in -their breadth from .45 to .53. Their ground-color is a grayish-white, -blotched and clotted with purple, lilac, and brown. - - - - -FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ.—THE SWALLOWS. - - -CHAR. Bill short, triangular, very broad at base (nearly as wide as -long) and much depressed, narrowing rapidly to a compressed, notched -tip; mouth opening nearly to the eyes. Primaries nine, graduating -rapidly less from the exterior one; tail-feathers twelve. Feet weak; -tarsi scutellate, shorter than middle toe and claw. Number of joints -in toes normal; basal joint of middle toe partially or entirely -adherent to lateral toes. Wings long, falcate. Tail forked. Eyes -small. Plumage compact, usually lustrous. All the American species -with a white patch on the sides under the wing, and with the irids -hazel or brown. - -The _Hirundinidæ_ form a very well marked group of birds easily -distinguished from all others. They exhibit a close resemblance, in -external appearance and habits, to the _Cypselidæ_; from which, apart -from the internal structure, they are readily distinguished by the -possession of nine, instead of ten primaries; twelve, instead of ten -tail-feathers; scutellate tarsi, toes with normal number of joints (1, -2, 3, and 4, respectively, exclusive of ungual phalanges), instead of -a different proportion; differently shaped nostrils, etc. In both -families the wings are developed to an extraordinary degree; the outer -primary nearly twice or more than twice the length of the inner, and -enabling its possessor to sustain flight almost indefinitely. The -relations of the family among the _Oscines_ appear closest to the Old -World _Muscicapidæ_. - -In comparing the wings of the _Hirundinidæ_ with those of the -_Cypselidæ_ we readily notice one of the essential characters of the -_Oscines_, namely, that the greater wing-coverts hide only half or -less than half of the secondary quills, instead of reaching much -beyond their middle, or nearly to the end. (See Sundevall, Ornith. -Syst.) - -The precise character of scutellation of tarsus is somewhat difficult -to make out, owing to a tendency to fusion of the plates, although not -essentially different from most _Oscines_. There is a series of -scutellæ along the anterior face of the tarsus, and a longitudinal -plate on each side, meeting, but not coalescing, behind. The anterior -scutellæ sometimes appear to fuse into the outer lateral plate; or -sometimes the latter is more or less subdivided; the inner plate is -generally more distinct from the anterior scutellæ, and usually -entire, except perhaps at the lower extremity. - - -Genera of North American Hirundinidæ. - -A. Nostrils broadly oval, or circular; opening upwards and -forward, and exposed; without overhanging membrane. - - _a._ Edge of wing smooth. Tarsus short, stout; equal to middle - toe without claw; feathered on the inner side above. Nostrils - almost or entirely without membrane. - - Bill stout; culmen and commissure much curved. Frontal - feathers without bristles. Tail deeply forked. Color - lustrous-black; belly and crissum sometimes white … _Progne_. - - Bill rather weaker; commissure and culmen nearly straight to - near tip. Frontal feathers bristly. Tail nearly even. Throat, - rump, and crissum, and usually forehead, rufous; belly white … - _Petrochelidon_. - - _b._ Edge of wing smooth. Tarsus longer than in last; equal to - middle toe and half the claw. Nostrils bordered along posterior - half by membrane, but not overhung internally. Bill very small. - Tail forked. Crissum dusky except in _Neochelidon fucata_. - Various genera and subgenera, none North American, as - _Atticora_, _Notiochelidon_, _Neochelidon_, and _Pygochelidon_. - - _c._ Edge of wing armed with stiff recurved hooks. Tarsus as in - preceding (tarsus and toes much as in _Pygochelidon_). Bill - larger and more depressed. Tail emarginate only. Crissum white … - _Stelgidopteryx_. - -B. Nostrils lateral; bordered behind and inside, or overhung by -membrane, the outer edge of which is straight, and directed -either parallel with axis of bill or diverging from it. - - _a._ Tarsus short; about equal to middle toe without claw. - Tibial joint feathered; feathers extending along inside of - upper end of tarsus. - - Tarsus bare at lower end. Lateral claws reaching only to base - of middle. - - Tail very deeply forked, much longer than closed wings; - lateral feathers linear and very narrow at end, twice the - length of central. Upper parts and pectoral collar - steel-blue; front and throat, sometimes under parts, - rufous. Tail-feathers with large spots … _Hirundo_. - - Tail with shallow fork, not exceeding half an inch, shorter - than closed wings. Feathers broad. Color blue or green - above, with or without white rump; white beneath. - Tail-feathers without spots … _Tachycineta_. - - Tarsus with a tuft of feathers at lower end. Lateral claws - lengthened, reaching beyond base of middle claw. - - Tail slightly forked. Color dull-brown above; beneath - white, with brown pectoral collar … _Cotyle_. - - _b._ Tarsus long; equal to middle toe and half claw; entirely - bare. Tail considerably forked, about equal to closed wing. - Color green above; white beneath … _Callichelidon._[62] - - -GENUS PROGNE, BOIE. - - _Progne_, BOIE, Isis, 1826, 971. (Type, _Hirundo purpurea_ vel - _subis_, L.)—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 314. - -GEN. CHAR. Body stout. Bill robust, lengthened; lower or commissural -edge of maxilla sinuated, decidedly convex for basal half, then as -concave to the tip, the lower mandible falling within its chord. -Nostrils superior, broadly open, and nearly circular, without any -adjacent membrane, the edges rounded. Legs stout. Tarsus equal to -middle toe without claw; the joint feathered; lateral toes about -equal; the basal joint of the middle toe half free internally, rather -less so externally. Claws strong, much curved. Nest in hollow trees. -Eggs white. - -The species of this genus are the most powerful and robust of the -Swallows. Some are entirely glossy-black, others whitish below. The -following diagnosis will show the relationship of the several forms -usually recognized as distinct species:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -P. subis. Above lustrous blue-black; beneath lustrous blue-black or brownish-gray, -uniform, or with the abdomen and crissum white, or whitish. Females -always with the throat and jugulum gray. - -A. Adult males entirely steel-blue. - - _a._ Females and young males with the abdomen pure white. - -_Feathers about the anus smoky-gray beneath the surface._ - - Wing about 6.00; fork of tail, .80 deep. ♀ and _Juv._ - Abdominal and crissal feathers always with dusky shafts, and - with the concealed portion grayish. Forehead and nape hoary - grayish. _Hab._ Continental North America, south into - Northern Mexico … var. _subis_. - - Wing, 5.25; fork of tail considerably less. ♀ and _Juv._ - unknown. _Hab._ Galapagos … var. _concolor_.[63] - - Wing, 5.80; fork of tail, 1.10 deep. ♀ and _Juv._ unknown. - _Hab._ Chili … var. _furcata_.[64] - -_Feathers about the anus snowy-white beneath the surface._ - - Wing. 5.50; fork of tail, .90 deep. ♀ and _juv._ Abdominal - and crissal feathers entirely snowy-white,—never with dusky - shafts (except ♂ _juv._ in transition). Forehead dusky - grayish-brown; nape steel-blue. _Hab._ Cuba and Florida Keys … - var. _cryptoleuca_. - - _b._ Females and young with the abdomen dusky grayish-brown. - - Wing, 5.50; fork of tail, .80. ♀. Lower parts dusky - grayish-brown, the feathers bordered with lighter grayish, - producing a squamate appearance. _Juv._ similar, but feathers - of the upper parts bordered with whitish. _Hab._ Paraguay - (Vermejo River) … var. _elegans_.[65] - -B. Adult males with the abdomen and crissum pure white. - - _a._ Lower tail-coverts with the shafts pure white. ♂ (adult) - with the throat, jugulum, and sides steel-blue. - - ♀ and _juv._ scarcely distinguishable from those of - _cryptoleuca_. _Hab._ Porto Rico and Jamaica (St. Domingo - also?) … var. _dominicensis_.[66] - - _b._ Lower tail-coverts with their shafts dusky. ♂ (adult) with - throat, jugulum, and sides brownish-gray. - - Sides of the jugulum with a blue-black patch in the ♂. Wing, - 5.50; fork of tail, .70 deep. _Hab._ Bolivia … - var. _domestica_.[67] - - Sides of the jugulum without a blue-black patch in the ♂. - Wing, 5.20; fork of tail, .55 deep. _Hab._ Middle America, - from Southern Mexico to New Granada … var. _leucogaster_.[68] - - -Progne subis, BAIRD. - -PURPLE MARTIN. - - _Hirundo subis_, LINN. S. N. 10th ed. 1758, 192 (_Hirundo cœrulea - canadensis_, EDWARDS, Av. tab. 120, Hudson’s Bay). _Progne subis_, - BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 274. _H. purpurea_, LINN. S. N. 12th - ed. 1766, 344 (_H. purpurea_, CATESBY, Car. tab. 51).—AUD. Orn. - Biog. I, pl. xxiii.—IB. Birds Am. I, pl. xlv.—YARRELL, Br. Birds, - II, 232, 274 (England and Ireland, Sept. 1842).—JONES, Nat. - Bermuda, 34 (Sept. 22, 1849). _Progne purpurea_, BOIE, Isis, 1826, - 971.—BREWER, N. Am. Ool. I, 1857, 103, pl. iv, fig. 47 - (eggs).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 314.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. - Rep. XII, 2, 186 (Fort Steilacoom).—BLAKISTON, Ibis, 1863, 65 - (Saskatchewan)—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 113.—SAMUELS, 260. - _Hirundo violacea_, GM. _H. cœrulea_, VIEILL. _H. versicolor_, - VIEILL. _H. ludoviciana_, CUV. - - [Line drawing: _Progne subis._ - 1561] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 1,561 ♂.) Entirely lustrous steel-blue, with a purplish -gloss; the tail-feathers and the wings, except the lesser and middle -coverts, and edge inside, dull black scarcely glossed. Tibiæ dark -brownish. A concealed patch of white on the sides under the wings. -Concealed central portion of anal feathers light whitish-gray. - -(No. 1,129 ♀.) Above somewhat similar, but much duller. Beneath smoky -brownish-gray, without lustre, paler behind, and becoming sometimes -quite whitish on belly and crissum, but all the feathers always with -dusky shafts, and more or less clouded with gray centrally, even -though fading into whitish to the edges. This is particularly -appreciable in the longer crissal feathers. The edges of the dark -feathers of throat and jugulum are usually paler, imparting somewhat -of a lunulated appearance, their centres sometimes considerably -darker, causing an appearance of obsolete spots. There is a tendency -to a grayish collar on sides of neck, and generally traceable to the -nape; this, in one specimen (5,492) from California, being hoary gray, -the forehead similar. - -The young male of the second year is similar to the female, with the -steel-blue appearing in patches. - -Total length (of 1,561), 7.50; wing, 6.00; tail, 3.40; difference -between inner and outer feather, .75; difference between first and -ninth quills, 2.88; length of bill from forehead, .55; from nostril, -.34; along gape, .94; width of gape, .74; tarsus, .61; middle toe and -claw, .80; claw alone, .25; hind toe and claw, .54; claw alone, .27. - -HAB. The whole of the United States and the Provinces; Saskatchewan; -Cape St. Lucas and Northern Mexico (winter); Orizaba (SUMICHRAST); -Bermuda. Accidental in England. South American and West Indian birds -apparently belong to other races. - -Many Western adult males are considerably less violaceous than any -Eastern one; but there is so much variation in this respect among -specimens from one locality, that this difference in lustre does not -seem of much importance. - - [Illustration: _Progne subis._] - -An adult female (No. 61,361, G. A. Boardman) from Lake Harney, -Florida, is so unlike all other specimens in the collection as to -almost warrant our considering it as representing a distinct local -race. It differs from females and young males of all the other races -(except _elegans_, from which it differs in other striking -particulars) in the following respects: Above, the lustrous steel-blue -is uninterrupted, the forehead and nape being uniform with the other -portions; beneath, dark smoky-gray, inclining to whitish on the middle -of the abdomen; the jugulum and crissum have a faint gloss of -steel-blue, the feathers of the latter bordered with grayish-white. -The chief difference from _elegans_ is in lacking the conspicuous -grayish-white border to the feathers of the whole lower part, the -surface being uniform instead of conspicuously squamated. Wing, 5.60; -tail, 3.00; fork of tail, .80 deep. - -HABITS. The Purple Martin is emphatically a bird common to the whole -of North America. It breeds from Florida to high northern latitudes, -and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is very abundant in Florida, -as it is in various other parts of the country farther north, and the -large flocks of migrating birds of this species which pass through -Eastern Massachusetts the last of September attest its equal abundance -north of the latter State. It occurs in Bermuda, is resident in the -alpine regions of Mexico, and is also found at Cape St. Lucas. -Accidental specimens have been detected in England and in Ireland. It -is abundant on the Saskatchewan. Burmeister states that this species -is common in the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro, and that it is -distributed in moderate abundance through the whole of tropical South -America. Von Pelzeln also cites it as occurring on the Rio Negro and -at Manaqueri through the three winter months, nesting in old buildings -and in holes in the rocks. It is, however, quite possible that they -refer to an allied but distinct species. - -In a wild state the natural resort of this species, for nesting and -shelter, was to hollow trees and crevasses in rocks. The introduction -of civilized life, and with it of other safer and more convenient -places, better adapted to their wants, has wrought an entire change in -its habits. It is now very rarely known to resort to a hollow tree, -though it will do so where better provision is not to be had. -Comfortable and convenient boxes, of various devices, in our cities -and large towns, attract them to build in small communities around the -dwellings of man, where their social, familiar, and confiding -disposition make them general favorites. There they find abundance of -insect food, and repay their benefactors by the destruction of -numerous injurious and noxious kinds, and there, too, they are also -comparatively safe from their own enemies. These conveniences vary -from the elegant martin-houses that adorn private grounds in our -Eastern cities to the ruder gourds and calabashes which are said to be -frequently placed near the humbler cabins of the Southern negroes. In -Washington the columns of the public buildings, and the eaves and -sheltered portions of the piazzas, afford a convenient protection to -large numbers around the Patent Office and the Post-Office buildings. - -The abundance of this species varies in different parts of the -country, from causes not always apparent. In the vicinity of Boston it -is quite unusual, though said to have been, forty years since, quite -common. There their places are taken by the _H. bicolor_, who occupy -almost exclusively the martin-houses, and very rarely build in hollow -trees. - -Sir John Richardson states that it arrives within the Arctic Circle -earlier than any other of its family. It made its first appearance at -Great Bear Lake as early as the 17th of May, when the ground was -covered with snow, and the rivers and lakes were all icebound. - -In the Southern States it is said to raise three broods in a season; -in its more northern distribution it raises but one. Their early -migrations expose the Martins to severe exposure and suffering from -changes of weather, in which large numbers have been known to perish. -An occurrence of this kind is said to have taken place in Eastern -Massachusetts, where nearly all the birds of this species were -destroyed, and where to this day their places have never been supplied. - -Within its selected compartment the Martin prepares a loose and -irregular nest. This is composed of various materials, such as fine -dry leaves, straws, stems of grasses, fine twigs, bits of string, -rags, etc. These are carelessly thrown together, and the whole is -usually warmly lined with feathers or other soft materials. This nest -is occupied year after year by the same pair, but with each new brood -the nest is thoroughly repaired, and often increased in size by the -accumulation of new materials. - -The Martins do not winter in the United States, but enter the extreme -Southern portions early in February. Audubon states that they arrive -often in prodigious flocks. On the Ohio their advent is about the 15th -of March, and in Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania about the 10th of -April. About Boston their appearance is from the 25th of April to the -middle of May. Mr. Audubon states that they all return to the Southern -States about the 20th of August, but this is hardly correct. Their -departure varies very much with the season. In the fall of 1870 they -were to be found in large flocks, slowly moving southward, but often -remaining several days at a time at the same place, and then -proceeding to their next halt. Their favorite places for such stops -are usually a high and uninhabited hillside near the sea. - -The Martin is a bold and courageous bird, prompt to meet and repel -dangers, especially when threatened by winged enemies, never -hesitating to attack and drive them away from its neighborhood. It is -therefore a valuable protection to the barnyard. Its food is the -larger kinds of insects, especially beetles, in destroying which it -again does good service to the husbandman. The song of the Martin is a -succession of twitters, which, without being musical, are far from -being unpleasant; they begin with the earliest dawn, and during the -earlier periods of incubation are almost incessantly repeated. The -eggs of the Purple Martin measure .94 of an inch in length by .79 in -breadth. They are of an oblong-oval shape, are pointed at one end, are -of a uniform creamy-white, and are never spotted. They are quite -uniform in size and shape. Eggs from Florida are proportionally -smaller than those from the Northern States. - - -Progne subis, var. cryptoleuca, BAIRD. - -CUBAN MARTIN. - - _Progne cryptoleuca_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 277. _Hirundo - purpurea_, D’ORB. Sagra’s Cuba, Ois. 1840, 94 (excl. syn.). - _Progne purpurea_, CAB. Jour. 1856, 3.—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 34,242, ♂). Color much as in _P. subis_,—rich -steel-blue, with purple or violet gloss; the wings and tail, however, -much more decidedly glossed, and with a shade of greenish. The -feathers around the anus and in the anterior portion of crissum with -dark bluish down at base, pure snowy-white in the middle, and then -blackish, passing into the usual steel-blue. The white is entirely -concealed, and its amount and purity diminish as the feathers are more -and more distant, until it fades into the usual gray median portion of -the feather. The usual concealed white patch on the sides under the -wings. Total length, 7.60; wing, 5.50; tail, 3.40; perpendicular depth -of fork, .86; difference between first and ninth primary, 2.75; length -of bill from forehead, .55; from nostril, .34; along gape, .86; width, -.58; tarsus, .53; middle toe and claw, .79; claw alone, .24; hind toe -and claw, .52; claw alone, .25. - -_Female_ (17,730, Monte Verde, Cuba, May 2; C. Wright). Above -steel-blue, less glossy than in the male, and becoming lustreless dark -smoky-brown on the forehead. Head, laterally and beneath, with jugulum -and sides, uniform brownish-gray (without darker shafts or lighter -borders to feathers, as in _subis_); whole abdomen, anal region, and -crissum snowy-white, including the shafts. Wing, 5.40; tail, 2.80; -fork of tail, .70 deep. - -_Young male_ (10,368, Cape Florida, May 18, 1858; G. Wurdemann). -Similar to the female, but the steel-blue above more brilliant and -continuous, the forehead and wings being nearly as lustrous as the -back; throat and jugulum mixed with steel-blue feathers, and crissum -with some feathers of steel-blue bordered with whitish. Wing. 5.40; -tail, 2.90; fork of tail, .80 deep. - -HAB. Cuba, and Florida Keys? (Perhaps Bahamas.) - -This species has a close external resemblance to _P. subis_, for which -it has usually been mistaken. It is of nearly the same size, but the -feet are disproportionately smaller and weaker; while the wings are -shorter, the tail is as long and more deeply forked; the feathers -considerably narrower, and more attenuated (the outer .40 wide, -instead of .46). The colors above are more brilliant, and extend more -over the greater wing-coverts and lining of wings, while the quills -and tail-feathers have a richer gloss of purplish, changing to -greenish. An apparently good diagnostic feature is the concealed pure -white of the feathers about the anal regions, replaced in _subis_ by -grayish, rarely approximating to whitish. - -A _Progne_ collected by Mr. Wright, at Monte Verde, is duller in color -than that from Remedios, but has still more concealed white below, in -the median portion, not only of the anal feathers, but of those of the -entire crissum and of the belly. A female bird, which I presume to be -the same species, can scarcely be distinguished from the female of -_dominicensis_, except in the brownish shafts of the longer crissal -feathers, and an almost imperceptible tinge of brownish in the webs of -the same feathers. It is almost exactly like the _P. leucogaster_ of -Mexico and Central America. - -This species is included in the North American fauna in consequence of -the capture of a specimen (No. 10,368 ♂ _juv._, May 18, 1858) at Cape -Florida, which is with scarcely a doubt referable to it. This specimen -is a young male in its second year, so that it is difficult to -ascertain positively its relationship to the two allied species; but -as it agrees perfectly in its proportions with _cryptoleuca_, and its -plumage differs from the corresponding one of _subis_ in essential -respects, we have little hesitation in referring it to the former. - -Nothing distinctive is recorded as to the habits of this bird. - - -GENUS PETROCHELIDON, CABANIS. - - _Petrochelidon_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 47. (Type, _Hirundo - melanogaster_, SWAINS. = _P. swainsoni_, SCL.) - - [Line drawing: _Petrochelidon lunifrons._ - 18322] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill stout and deep, somewhat as in _Progne_. Nostrils -entirely superior, open, without overhanging membrane on the inner (or -upper) side, but somewhat overhung by short bristles, seen also along -base of inner mandible and in chin. Legs stout; the tarsi short, not -exceeding the middle toe exclusive of its claw; feathered all round -for basal third or fourth, though no feathers are inserted on the -posterior face. Tail falling short of the closed wings, nearly square -or slightly emarginate; the lateral feathers broad to near the ends, -and not attenuated. - -Of this genus as restricted we have but one species in North America, -although several others occur in the West Indies and the southern -parts of the continent. All have the back steel-blue, with concealed -streaks of white; the rump, crissum, and a narrow nuchal band, and -usually the forehead, chestnut. - - -Petrochelidon lunifrons, BAIRD. - -CLIFF SWALLOW; EAVE SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo lunifrons_, SAY, Long’s Exp. II, 1823, 47 (Rocky Mts.).— - CASSIN; BREWER, N. A. Ool. I, 1857, 94, pl. v, no. 68-73 - (eggs).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 309.—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. - 1861, 317 (Panama R. R.; winter).—VERRILL, Pr. Bost. N. H. Soc. - 1864, 276 (migration and history).—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. Woolwich, - IV, 1864, 16 (Br. Col.; nesting).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. XII, - II, 184 (Wash. Terr.).—DALL & BANNISTER, 279 (Alaska).—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 104.—SAMUELS, 256. _Petrochelidon l._ BAIRD, - Review, 1864, 288. _H. opifex_, CLINTON, 1824. _H. respublicana_, - AUD. 1824. _H. fulva_, BON. (not of VIEILLOT).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - pl. lviii.—IB. Birds Am. I, pl. xlvii.—MAXIM. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, - 100. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 18,322 ♂.) Top of head glossy black, with greenish -lustre; back and scapulars similar, but rather duller, and somewhat -streaked by the appearance of the white sides of the feathers,—the -bases of the feathers, however, being plumbeous. Chin, throat, and -sides of head, chestnut-brown, this extending round on the nape as a -distinct continuous collar, which is bounded posteriorly by dull -grayish. The chestnut darkest on the chin, with a rich purplish tinge. -Rump above and on sides paler chestnut (sometimes fading into -whitish). Upper tail-coverts grayish-brown, edged with paler, lighter -than the plain brown of the wings and tail. Forehead, for the length -of the bill, creamy-white, somewhat lunate, or extending in an acute -angle, a little over the eye; a very narrow blackish frontlet; loral -region dusky to the bill. A patch of glossy black in the lower part of -the breast, and a few black feathers in the extreme chin, the latter -sometimes scarcely appreciable. Under parts dull white, tinged with -reddish-gray on the sides and inside of the wings. Feathers of crissum -brownish-gray, edged with whitish, with a tinge of rufous anteriorly -(sometimes almost inappreciable). Nest of mud, lined; built against -rocks or beams; opening sometimes circular, on the side; sometimes -open above; eggs spotted. - -Total length, 5.10; wing, 4.50; tail, 2.40, nearly even; difference of -primary quills, 2.10; length of bill from forehead, .38, from nostril, -.25, along gape, .60, width, .50; tarsus, .48; middle toe and claw, -.72; claw alone, .22; hind toe and claw, .44; claw alone, .20. - -HAB. Entire United States from Atlantic to Pacific, and along central -region to Arctic Ocean and Fort Yukon; Panama in winter. Not noted at -Cape St. Lucas, in Mexico, or in West Indies. - -There is no difference between the sexes, but the young bird is very -different from the adult in the following particulars: the steel-blue -above is replaced by a lustreless dusky-brown, the feathers (except on -head) being margined with a creamy tint; the neck merely tinged with -rufous; the throat has only a dusky suffusion, and the chin is much -mixed with white; the frontal patch is obsolete. - -A closely allied species from Mexico, _P. swainsoni_ (see Baird, Rev. -Am. Birds, 1865, 290), possibly yet to be found near our southern -border, differs as follows:— - - Frontlet reddish-white, with narrow band of black along upper - mandible … _lunifrons_. - - Frontlet chestnut-brown, without black at base of upper mandible. - Size smaller … _swainsoni_. - -Sometimes (as in 11,027 ♀ and 11,025 ♂, Fort Bridger) the black patch -extends upward, somewhat broken, however, to the bill. - -HABITS. The early history of the Cliff Swallow must always remain -involved in some obscurity, so far as concerns its numbers and -distribution before the first settlement of the country, and even down -to the early portion of the present century. Its existence was unknown -to Mr. Wilson, and it was unknown to other naturalists until obtained -by Say, in Long’s expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1820. It is now -known to occur nearly throughout North America, and to breed from -Pennsylvania to the Arctic regions, and from the Atlantic to the -Pacific. Yet to many parts of the country it is a new-comer, where, a -few years since, it was entirely unknown. It seems to be probable that -at first this species was to be found only in certain localities that -offered favorable places whereon to construct their nests. Where high -limestone cliffs abound, these birds may have always occurred, -although escaping observation. - -In the same year that Long discovered this species among the Rocky -Mountains (1820), Sir John Franklin’s party also met with it between -the Cumberland House and Fort Enterprise, and on the banks of Point -Lake, in latitude 65°. In June, 1825, a number of these birds made -their first appearance at Fort Chippewyan, and built their nests under -the eaves of the house. This fort had then existed many years, and -trading-posts had been in existence a century and a half, and yet this -was the first instance of its placing itself under the protection of -man throughout that wide extent of territory. Mr. Audubon met with -this species at Henderson, on the Ohio, in 1815. Two years later he -found a colony breeding in Newport, Ky., which dated back to the same -year. Several other colonies in that neighborhood also first appeared -in the same year. In 1837 I received their eggs from Coventry, Vt., at -which time they were a new species to me. They were there known as the -“Eave Swallow,” and the time of their first appearance could not be -determined. I first met with them in 1839, at Jaffrey, N. H., where -they had made their first appearance the year before, and were not -then known to be anywhere else in that vicinity. The same year I -afterwards found them in Burlington, Vt., where they had been known -only for three years. When or where they first appeared in -Massachusetts is not known. I first observed a large colony of them in -Attleborough in 1842. Its size indicated the existence of these birds -in that place for several years. The same year they also appeared, -apparently for the first time, in Boston, Hingham, and in other places -in the neighborhood. - -In 1824, De Witt Clinton read a paper to the New York Lyceum, stating -that he had met with these birds at Whitehall, N. Y., at the southern -end of Lake Champlain, in 1817, about the time of their first -appearance on the Ohio; and Rev. Zadock Thompson met with them in -Randolph, Vt., at about the same period. General Dearborn noticed them -for the first time in Winthrop, Me., in 1830. They first appeared at -Carlisle, Penn., in 1841. - -Professor Verrill discovered, in 1861, a large colony of these birds -breeding on the high limestone cliffs of Anticosti, apparently in -their original condition, and entirely removed from the influences of -man. This suggested an inquiry as to their early presence in -Northeastern America. From the information he received, he was led to -conclude that this Swallow was known to certain parts of Maine earlier -than its first discovery anywhere in the West. Whether these birds -were indigenous to the West or not cannot now be determined. That they -were discovered there only so recently as 1820 proves nothing. We only -know that in certain localities—such as Rock River on the Mississippi, -and at Anticosti on the St. Lawrence—their occurrence in large numbers -in their former normal condition of independence suggests in either -locality an equally remote beginning. It is possible, and even -probable, that in favorable localities in various parts of the country -they existed in isolated colonies. The settlement of the country, and -the multiplication of convenient, sheltered, and safe places for their -nests, gradually wrought a change in their habits, and greatly -multiplied their numbers. At St. Stephen, N. B., and in that -neighborhood, Mr. Boardman found this species as abundant in 1828 as -they have been at any time since. They were then very plentiful under -the eaves of several old barns in that part of the country. Yet twelve -years afterward they were entirely unknown on the lower Kennebeck. - -Dr. Cooper found this to be an abundant species in California, on the -coast, where they breed on the cliffs, and have all the appearance of -being indigenous. They appear at San Diego as early as March 15, a -week before the Barn Swallow, and do not leave until October. They -build even in the noisy streets of San Francisco. Dr. Cooper observed -them catching young grasshoppers, which is certainly unusual food for -Swallows, and one that has proved fatal to young Barn Swallows when -fed to the latter in confinement. At Santa Cruz they bred as early as -April 12, and had second broods July 5. - -The nests of this Swallow, when built on the side of a cliff or in any -exposed position, are constructed in the shape of a retort, the larger -portion adhering to the wall, arched over at the top and projecting in -front, with a covered passage-way opening at the bottom. The normal -original nest, in a state of nature, is an elaborate and remarkably -ingenious structure, sheltering its inmates from the weather and from -their many enemies. Since they have sought the shelter of man and -built under the eaves of barns and houses, the old style of their -nests has been greatly changed, and the retort-like shape has nearly -disappeared. - -In building and in repairing their nests they work with great -industry, and often complete their task with wonderful celerity. Where -they exist in a large colony, it is not an uncommon thing to see -several birds at work upon the same nest,—one bird, apparently the -female owner, always assisting and directing the whole. After the work -of construction has gone so far as to permit the occupation of the -nest, it is often to be observed that the task of completing and -improving the structure is kept up by the male. In a large colony of -these Swallows, whose nests were built under the projecting roof of a -barn in a small island in the Bay of Fundy, every nest was as open as -are those of the Barn Swallow. These birds had been encouraged to -build by the owner, and boards had been placed above and below their -nests, of which they at once took advantage to build an unusual nest. -These nests are made of various kinds of adhesive earth and mud. They -are neatly and warmly lined with fine dry grasses and leaves, -intermingled with feathers, wool, and other soft, warm substances. It -has been thought that the mud of which these nests are composed is -agglutinated by the saliva of the birds; but of this I have never been -able to detect any evidence in the nests themselves, the crumbling -nature of which when dry is against this supposition; and the birds -themselves are often to be seen about puddles of water, apparently -gathering materials. - -When the nests of a large colony are invaded, the birds manifest great -uneasiness, collecting in a swarm over the head of the intruder, -wheeling around in circles, uttering loud outcries, and even flying -close to his head, as if to attack him, with loud snapping of the -bills. - -The song of this Swallow is an unmusical creak, rather than a twitter, -frequent rather than loud, and occasionally harsh, yet so earnest and -genial in its expression that its effect is far from being unpleasant. - -The ground-color of their eggs is white, and they are marked with -dots, blotches, and points of reddish-brown. These markings vary -greatly in size, number, and distribution. They are usually chiefly -about the larger end. In shape they are usually less elongated than -those of the Barn Swallow, and their markings are larger. This is not, -however, invariable, and the two kinds are not always distinguishable. -In length they vary from .875 of an inch to .75, and their average -breadth is .60. - - -GENUS HIRUNDO, LINN. - - _Hirundo_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 10th ed. 1758, 191. (Type, _H. - rustica_, LINN.) - - [Line drawing: _Hirundo horreorum._ - 1452] - -Under the generic head of _Hirundo_ I propose to combine several -groups of American Swallows agreeing in moderate, depressed bill, with -straight commissure, and lateral nostrils overhung by membrane; the -tarsi feathered only at the upper end, or else entirely bare; the -lateral claws moderate, not extending beyond the base of the median; -the edge of the outer primary without hooks; the tail variable in -character, from a very deep fork to a slight emargination only. - - -Subgenera. - -Tarsi slightly feathered on inner face at upper end; equal in -length to middle toe without claw. - - Tail very deeply forked … _Hirundo_. - Tail slightly forked or emarginate … _Tachycineta_. - -Tarsi entirely naked; lengthened equal to middle toe and half -its claw. - - Tail considerably forked … _Callichelidon_.[69] - - -SUBGENUS HIRUNDO, LINN. - -GEN. CHAR. Nostrils lateral. Tarsi short, not exceeding middle toe -without its claw; the upper joint covered with feathers, which extend -a short distance along the inner face of tarsus. Tail very deeply -forked; the lateral feather much attenuated, twice as long as the -middle. Basal joint of middle toe free for terminal fourth on outside, -for half on inside. Nest partly of mud, and lined with feathers; eggs -spotted. - -In type, and in American species, the forehead and throat rufous; a -black pectoral collar; tail-feathers with large light spots on inner -webs. - -But one species, so far as known, of this subgenus as restricted, -belongs to America. There are, however, quite a number known in the -Old World. - - -Hirundo horreorum, BARTON. - -BARN SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo horreorum_, BARTON, Fragments N. H. Penna. 1799, 17.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 308; Rev. 294.—A. & E. NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 66 - (Sta. Cruz; transient).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 13 - (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1864, 173 (City of Mex.)—LAWRENCE, - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 316 (Panama).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. - Rep. XII, II, 184 (south of Columbia River).—DALL & BANNISTER, 279 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 103.—SAMUELS, 254. _Hirundo - rufa_, VIEILL.—CASSIN, Ill.—BREWER, N. Am. Ool. I, 1857, 91, pl. - v, fig. 63-67 (eggs).—CAB. Jour. IV, 1856, 3 (Cuba; spring and - autumn).—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Greenland; two - specimens).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 328 (Cuba; common). - _Hirundo americana_, WILSON; RICH.; LEMBEYE, Aves de Cuba, 1850, - 44, lam. vii, fig. 2. _Hirundo rustica_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - clxxiii.—IB. Birds Am. I, pl. xlviii.—JONES, Nat. Hist. Bermuda, - 34 (Bermudas; Aug. and Sept.). - - [Illustration: _Hirundo horreorum._] - -SP. CHAR. Tail very deeply forked; outer feathers several inches -longer than the inner, very narrow towards the end. Above glossy blue, -with concealed white in the middle of the back. Throat chestnut; rest -of lower part reddish-white, not conspicuously different. A steel-blue -collar on the upper part of the breast, interrupted in the middle. -Tail-feathers with a white spot near the middle, on the inner web. -Female with the outer tail-feather not quite so long. Length, 6.90 -inches; wing, 5.00; tail, 4.50. - -HAB. Whole of the United States; north to Fort Rae, Slave Lake; -Greenland; south in winter to Central America and West Indies; Panama -(LAWR.); Plateau of Mexico (breeds, SUMICHRAST); Veragua, Chiriqui -(SALVIN). Not found at Cape St. Lucas. South America? - -In young birds, the frontal chestnut band is maller and less distinct. - -It is still a question whether a South American resident species (_H. -erythrogaster_) is identical or not. The only two specimens of the -latter (21,007 and 21,008, Vermejo, Feb., 1860; C. Wood) have a very -much less violaceous upper plumage than North American examples, the -blue above having even a greenish tinge. They are moulting, -unfortunately, so that they cannot be satisfactorily compared; except -in the respect pointed out, however, they appear to be identical with -North American examples. - -The European _H. rustica_ is perfectly distinct, though closely -allied. It differs essentially from the American _H. horreorum_ in -much longer outer tail-feathers, and in having a very broad, -continuous collar of steel-blue across the jugulum, entirely isolating -the chestnut of the throat; the abdomen appears to be much more -whitish than in the American species. - -Many specimens of _H. horreorum_ show a continuous collar, but then -the two lateral crescents are but just barely connected. In No. 2,191 -♀, Carlisle, Penn., May, there is an indication of as broad a collar -as in the European species; but the area, though sharply bounded, is -not uniformly black, being much mixed centrally with light rufous. - -Specimens of _H. horreorum_ from both coasts of North America appear -to be perfectly identical. - -HABITS. No one of all our North American birds is more widely -diffused, more generally abundant, wherever found, or better known, -than the graceful and familiar Barn Swallow. And no one is more -universally or more deservedly a favorite. Found throughout North -America from Florida to Greenland and from ocean to ocean, and -breeding nearly throughout the same wide extent, its distribution is -universal. Venturing with a confiding trust into our crowded cities, -and building their elaborate nests in the porches of the dwellings, as -well as entering in greater numbers the barns and farm-buildings of -the agriculturists and placing themselves under the protection of man, -they rarely fail to win for themselves the interest and good-will they -so well deserve. Innocent and blameless in their lives, there is no -evil blended with the many benefits they confer on man. They are his -ever-constant benefactor and friend, and are never known, even -indirectly, to do him any injury. For their daily food, and for that -of their offspring, they destroy the insects that annoy his cattle, -injure his fruit-trees, sting his fruit, or molest his person. Social, -affectionate, and kind in their intercourse with each other; faithful -and devoted in the discharge of their conjugal and parental duties; -exemplary, watchful, and tender alike to their own family and to all -their race; sympathizing and benevolent when their fellows are in any -trouble,—these lovely and beautiful birds are bright examples to all, -in their blameless and useful lives. - -This Swallow passes the winter months in Central and South America as -far south as Brazil and Paraguay, and the West Indies, and is found -throughout the year in the Plateau of Mexico. It appears in the -Southern States in March, and in the Central States early in April. In -the latter part of this month it reaches New York and New England, -becoming abundant near Boston about the first of May. Sir John -Richardson found them breeding as far north as latitude 67° 30′. They -reached Fort Chippewyan, latitude 57°, as early as the 15th of May, -taking possession of their nests. It has been found throughout Canada -and in all the British Provinces, has been met with in New Mexico, and -is common in certain portions of Texas and the Indian Territory. Dr. -Cooper states it to be less abundant on the Pacific than on the -Eastern coast,—a fact attributable to the lack of suitable places in -which to build. As settlements have multiplied, these birds have -gradually increased about farms near the coast. In the wild districts -they build in the caves that abound in the bluffs along the sea-shore -from San Domingo to Columbia River. Dr. Suckley found them also -moderately abundant about the basaltic cliffs, near Fort Dalles, -Oregon. They are much more abundant about the coast than farther -inland. - -Mr. Ridgway found this Swallow a very common species in all the rocky -localities in the vicinity of water, but not so numerous as the -_lunifrons_. - -In May it was particularly numerous in the neighborhood of Pyramid -Lake, where its nests were built among the “tufa domes,” attached to -the roofs of the caves. It was seldom that more than one or two pairs -were found together. - -In July he found a nest that contained young, in a cave among the -limestone cliffs of the cañons of the East Humboldt Mountains, at an -altitude of about eight thousand feet. Many of their nests were found -in May, in the caves of the tufa rocks, on the shores of Pyramid Lake, -as well as on the islands in the lake. - -Mr. Hepburn writes that he found this Swallow widely diffused along -the Pacific coast, as far to the north as Sitka. In California he -found it very local, common near the coast, rare inland. Its earliest -appearance is March 26, the great bulk leave in August, and the last -stragglers are gone before the last of September. They breed in caves -and crevices of rocks, and also under the sides of the wooden bridges -that span the gullies at San Francisco. Two broods are hatched in a -year. The earliest egg was found on the 30th of April, but they are -usually a fortnight later. The second laying is about the first of -July, and no eggs were found later than the 4th of August. It is at -all times quite common to find nests with fresh eggs close to others -with half-grown young. - -Mr. J. K. Lord publishes an interesting account of a visit made by a -solitary pair of Barn Swallows to his party when encamped at -Schyakwateen, in British Columbia. A small shanty, loosely built of -poles, and tightly roofed, was in constant use as a blacksmith’s shop. -Early one summer morning late in June, a pair of Swallows perched on -the roof of this shed, without exhibiting the slightest fear of the -noise made by the bellows or the showers of sparks that flew all -around. Presently they entered the house and carefully examined the -roof and its supporting poles, twittering to each other all the while -in the most excited manner. At length the important question appeared -to be settled, and the following day they commenced building on one of -the poles immediately over the anvil. Though the hammer was constantly -passing close to their structure, these birds kept steadily at their -work. In about three days the rough outline of the nest had been -constructed. Curious to see from whence they procured their materials, -Mr. Lord tracked them to the stream where, on its edge, they worked up -the clay and fine sand into a kind of mortar with their beaks. They -worked incessantly, and in a few days their nest was finished, the mud -walls having finally been warmly lined with soft dry grasses and the -feathers and down of ducks and geese. This trustful pair seemed to -know no fear. The narrator often stood on a log to watch them, with -his face so near that their feathers frequently brushed against it as -they toiled at their work. Soon the nest was completed. Five eggs were -laid, which were never left once uncovered until they were hatched, -the female sitting the greater part of the time. They were fed with -great assiduity by the parents, and grew rapidly. In leaving the nest, -two of the young birds fell to the ground, but were picked up by the -blacksmith, and placed with the others on their roosting-place. A few -days’ training taught them the use of their wings, and they soon after -took their departure. - -Professor Reinhardt records its occurrence in Greenland, at -Fiskenæsset and at Nenontalik. - -The natural breeding-places of these birds, before the settlement of -the country, were caves, overhanging rocky cliffs, and similar -localities. Swallow Cave, at Nahant, was once a favorite place of -resort, and in the unsettled portions of the country they are only -found in such situations. As the country is settled they forsake these -places for the buildings of the farm, and their numbers rapidly -increase. In the fur countries and in all the Pacific coast, they -still breed in and inhabit caves, chiefly among limestone rocks. - -Where the opportunity offers, they prefer to place their nests on the -horizontal rafters of barns. Built in this situation, the nests have -an average height and a breadth of about five inches. The cavity is -two inches deep and three inches wide, at the rim. The nests are -constructed of distinct layers of mud, from ten to twelve in number, -and each separated by strata of fine dry grasses. These layers are -each made up of small pellets of mud, that have been worked over by -the birds and placed one by one in juxtaposition until each layer is -complete. These mud walls are an inch in thickness. When they are -completed, they are warmly stuffed with fine soft grasses and lined -with downy feathers. When built against the side of a house, a strong -foundation of mud is first constructed, upon which the nest is -erected. In this case the nest is much more elongate in shape and more -strongly made. - -A striking peculiarity of these nests is frequently an extra platform, -built against, but distinct from the nest itself, designed as a -roosting-place for the parents, used by one during incubation at night -or when not engaged in procuring food, and by both when the young are -large enough to occupy the whole nest. One of these I found to be a -separate structure from the nest, but of similar materials, three -inches in length and one and a half in breadth. This nest had been for -several years occupied by the same pair, though none of their -offspring ever returned to the same roof to breed in their turn. Yet -in some instances as many as fifty pairs have been known to occupy the -rafters of the same barn. - -In one instance Mr. Allen has known a pair of these Swallows to take -possession of the nest of a pair of Cliff Swallows, placed under the -eaves of a barn, driving off the rightful owners. The next year they -built a nest in the same place, the old one having fallen down. But -such instances are rare, and the attempt is often a failure. - -The wonderful activity of this bird, its rapidity and powers of -flight, are too striking a peculiarity of this species not to be -mentioned. During their stay with us, from May to September, from morn -to night they seem to be ever in motion, especially so before -incubation, or after their young have flown. The rapidity of their -tortuous evolutions, their intricate, involved, and repeated zigzag -flights, are altogether indescribable, and must be witnessed to be -appreciated. Wilson estimated that these birds fly at the rate of a -mile a minute, but any one who has witnessed the ease and celerity -with which they seem to delight in overtaking, passing, and repassing -a train of cars moving at the rate of thirty miles an hour must -realize that this estimate is far from doing full justice to their -real speed. - -The song of this Swallow, especially when on the wing, is very -pleasing and sprightly. It is a succession of twittering notes uttered -with great rapidity and animation. When alighted, their notes are -delivered more slowly and with much less animation. - -The attention of these birds to each other when sitting upon the nest, -and to their young when hatched, is unremitting. The estimated numbers -of small insects they collect for their own consumption and that of -their nestlings is almost incredible. When the young are old enough to -leave their nests the manœuvres of the parents to draw them out, and -their assistance to them when practising their first short flights, -are among the most curious and interesting scenes one can witness in -his ornithological experiences; but space would fail me were I to -attempt their details. - -The number of the young is from four to six, and there are often two -broods in a season. As soon as the second brood can fly, or early in -September, they all prepare to leave. They usually collect in flocks -of from one to several hundred, and depart within a few days of their -first assembling. Large flocks pass along the coast of Massachusetts, -from the north and east, early in September, often uniting as they -meet, and passing rapidly on. - -Their eggs have a ground-color of clear white, with a roseate tint -when unblown. They are marked with spots of reddish and -purplish-brown, varying in size and number, and chiefly at the larger -end. They are smaller and more elongate than those of the _lunifrons_, -and the markings are usually finer. Their greatest length is .94 of an -inch, their least .75, and their mean .78. Their mean breadth is .56 -of an inch, the greatest .62, and the least .50. - - -SUBGENUS TACHYCINETA, CAB. - - _Tachycineta_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 1851, 48. (Type, _H. thalassina_, - SW.) - - [Line drawing: _Hirundo thalassina._ - 1895] - -GEN. CHAR. Nostrils lateral, overhung or bordered internally by -incumbent membrane. Tarsi with the tibial joint covered by overhanging -feathers, adherent a short distance along inner face, about equal to -middle toe without claw. Lateral toes equal. Adhesion of basal joint -of middle toe variable. Tail emarginate only, or slightly forked; fork -not exceeding half an inch in depth. Color blue or green above, with -or without metallic gloss; with or without white rump. Entirely white -beneath. Nest usually in holes of trees or rocks; eggs pure white, -unspotted. - -Of this section there are two North American species, differing as -follows, both being green above and white beneath:— - - -Species. - -Plumage above soft and velvety without metallic gloss. Sides of -head, space around eyes, and whole under parts, white; with the -feathers all plumbeous at base. Female duller in plumage. Young -with bases of throat-feathers gray to roots. - - T. thalassina. Above velvety-green, with various shades and - tinges of violet and purple. - -Plumage above compact, and with rich green metallic gloss. Sides -of head to line with eyes like its upper part. Beneath white; the -feathers of chin and throat, and generally of crissum, white to -base. A concealed spot in jugulum. Female duller. Young with -bases of throat-feathers pure white to roots. - - T. bicolor. Above metallic-green. Inside of wings and - axillars ash-color. - - -Hirundo bicolor, VIEILL. - -WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo bicolor_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 61, pl. xxxi.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. I, pl. xcviii.—IB. Birds Am. I, pl. - xlvi.—CASSIN.—BREWER, N. Am. Oöl. I, 1857, 100, pl. iv, fig. 47 - (eggs).—LEMBEYE, Aves de Cuba, 1850, 46, lam. vii, fig. 2.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 310.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, - 15 (Br. Columbia; nesting).—JONES, Bermudas, 34 (Sept. 22, - 1849).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, II, 184.—DALL & - BANNISTER, 279 (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 257.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 106. _Petrochelidon bicolor_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 201.—IB. - 1859, 364 (Xalapa).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 13 (Guatemala). - _Tachycineta bicolor_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850, 48; Jour. Orn. 1856, - 4 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Jour. Orn. 1861, 330 (common in Cuba). - _Hirundo_ (_Tachycineta_) _bicolor_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 296. - _Hirundo viridis_, WILS. _Hirundo leucogaster_, STEPHENS. - -SP. CHAR. Glossy metallic bluish-green above; entirely white beneath. -_Female_ duller in color. Length, 6.25 inches; wing, 5.00; tail, 2.65. - -_Young bird_ dull sooty-gray above, much like that of _H. thalassina_; -but may readily be distinguished by the feathers of the throat being -pure white to their roots, instead of having the concealed bases -grayish as in that species. - -HAB. Whole United States, and north to Slave Lake, south to Guatemala; -Bermuda; Cuba, common in winter. Breeds on table-lands of Mexico. - - [Illustration: _Hirundo bicolor._] - -HABITS. This Swallow has quite an extended distribution. Found -throughout North America in the seasons of its migrations, or -breeding, it is only a little less restricted in its area of nesting -than the preceding species. It breeds from latitude 38° to high Arctic -regions, and is also resident throughout the year in the Plateau of -Mexico. It is abundant in winter in the West Indies, in Central -America, and in Northern South America. It is a common bird about -Boston, where it replaces the Purple Martin, and is even more abundant -in the British Provinces. Dr. Cooper also found it a very common -species in the western portions of Washington Territory, where it was -invariably found to breed in hollow trees. In California he states it -to be a more or less constant resident, a few wintering in the -southern portion of the State. He met with it both at San Diego and at -Stockton, in February. He regards them as the hardiest of the -Swallows, preferring the coast and the mountain-tops for their -residence in that State. At Santa Cruz five or six pairs in 1866 were -resident through the winter, where he saw them in January during the -coldest of the season. They roosted in the knot-holes in the houses in -which they had previously raised their young. - -This Swallow, in the more thickly settled portions of the country in -which it breeds, exhibits a marked departure in many of its habits -from those observed in wilder regions. In the latter places we find it -a comparatively wild species, avoiding the society of man, and -breeding exclusively in hollow trees and stumps, and deserving the -name by which it is known in the British Provinces, of the “Wood -Swallow.” In the islands of Grand Menan, in 1851, where repeated -attempts had been made to induce these birds to build in martin-boxes, -the endeavor had been entirely unsuccessful. Yet the birds were so -abundant that hardly a hollow tree or stump, on certain of the smaller -islands, could be found, that did not contain a nest of this species. -This is still the case on the Pacific coast, though not exclusively -so. It was not until after the publication of his Ornithological -Biography that Audubon was aware of any departure from this mode of -nesting on the part of this Swallow, although it had not escaped the -notice of Wilson. - -In Eastern Massachusetts these birds have undergone an entire change -of habit, breeding there exclusively in martin-boxes, and rarely, if -ever, nesting in hollow trees,—a fact perhaps attributable to the -scarcity of these opportunities along the sea-coast, where this bird -is principally found. In Western Massachusetts, Mr. Allen states them -to be not very common and the least abundant of the Swallows. Any -sheltered and accessible box, however rough it may be, will answer its -purpose, whether the more elaborate martin-house, or a mere candle-box -with an open end. Mr. Audubon has known them to drive away a Barn -Swallow from its nest, and to take possession, but this was probably -exceptional. In one case, two small houses for birds put up in the -same yard were taken possession of by a single pair of Swallows, and -nests built in each; only one, however, of these was made use of. -Whether this freak was the result of indecision or from a grasping -selfishness, it is not possible to conclude, but apparently the -former. - -In the rural districts, even on the coast, these birds are not so -abundant as in the cities, as in the latter they are less annoyed by -other birds. The common Robin is often especially aggressive, seeking -to drive them off his assumed premises. In one instance the Robin has -been known to station himself on a platform in front of its nest for -hours, and persistently refuse to permit its visits. Assistance was -sought, and all the Swallows in the neighborhood came to the rescue. -They sailed with angry cries over the head of the offender, at times -darting down upon him as if to strike at him, but accomplishing -nothing. The besieger maintained his ground until the writer -intervened and drove him away, when the Swallows once more took -possession, and fed their hungry nestlings in peace. - -This species breeds from about latitude 38° to the extreme northern -regions, and along the Arctic seas, wherever facilities for nesting -are found. Richardson found them breeding in hollow trees on the -Mackenzie River, in latitude 65°. Everywhere on both coasts they are -very common, but are less numerous in the interior. Mr. Dall found it -in Alaska from Fort Yukon to the sea. It was known to the Russians as -the River Swallow. It was also met with in Sitka, by Bischoff. It has -not been observed in Greenland. - -During the breeding-season this species is more quarrelsome than any -of its kindred, and is often more than a match for larger birds. -Coming earlier in the season than the Purple Martin, it will often -intrude itself into its premises and maintain possession. They are -devotedly attached to their offspring, and bewail any accidents to -them or any threatened peril. The same pair will return year after -year to the same premises, and they soon become on familiar terms with -the members of a family they frequently meet, so much so as to watch, -when they have received materials for their nests, for a further -supply, and will fly close to the person from whom they receive them. -A pair which had thus, year after year, received supplies of feathers -for their nests from the younger members of the family in whose yard -their nest was built, would almost take them from the hands of their -providers. This pair sat so close as to permit themselves to be taken -from their nest, and when released would at once fly back to their -brood. They build a loose, soft, and warm nest of fine soft leaves and -hay, abundantly lined with down and feathers, with which the eggs are -not unfrequently covered. The addition of soft and warm materials is -often made during incubation, and the nest is thoroughly repaired -before it is used for a second brood, of which they usually have two -in a season. - -The eggs are of a uniform pure white, and are never spotted. They have -a delicate pinkish shade before they are blown. They are of an -oblong-oval shape, one end more pointed than the other, and they vary -considerably in size. They vary in length from .75 to .875 of an inch, -and in breadth from .50 to .56. - -Mr. Hepburn states that the great mass of these birds leave California -in August, but that a few are resident during the winter. The -principal accession to their numbers takes place about the end of -February, and they become quite abundant by the end of March. In -Vancouver they are a month later. In 1853 Mr. Hepburn states that a -pair constructed their nest in a piece of canvass at the end of the -yard-arm of a store-ship that lay off the levee at Sacramento. He -first noticed them on the 28th of April, when the nest had already -made some progress. By the 19th of May there were seven eggs in it -which were slightly incubated. The nest was a great mass of hay and -dried grasses, in the midst of which was a cup-shaped depression very -neatly lined with feathers, some of which bent over, forming a slight -dome. - - -Hirundo thalassina, SWAINS. - -VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo thalassina_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 365 (Mexico).— - AUD.—BREWER, N. A. Oöl. I, 1857, 102 (the fig. pl. v, fig. lxxiv - of egg belongs to another species).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 311.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, 115 (Vancouver - Isl.; nests in holes of trees).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. - XII, II, 185 (W. T.).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 107. _Chelidon - thalassina_, BOIE, Isis, 1844, 171. _Tachycineta thalassina_, CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1850, 48. _Hirundo_ (_Tachycineta_) _thalassina_, - BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 299. _Petrochelidon thalassina_, SCLATER - & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 13 (Guatemala).—IB. P. Z. S. 1864, 173 (City - of Mex.). - -SP. CHAR. Tail acutely emarginate. Beneath pure white. Above soft -velvety-green, with a very faint shade of purplish-violet concentrated -on the nape into a transverse band. Rump rather more vivid green; -tail-coverts showing a good deal of purple. Colors of female much more -obscure. Length, 4.75; wing, 4.50; tail, 2.00. - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States., south to -Guatemala, east to the Upper Missouri. Breeds on Plateau of Mexico -(SUMICHRAST). - -Young birds are of a dull velvety grayish-brown, not unlike the shade -of color of _Cotyle riparia_, but may be distinguished by the absence -of the tuft of feathers at base of toes, and the gray (not white) -bases of the feathers of under parts. There is only an ashy shade -across the breast, not a pectoral band. - -There is much variation among individuals regarding the distribution -of the semi-metallic tints of the upper parts; generally the whole -dorsal region is overlaid by a “dusting,” as it were, of soft -brownish-purple; in specimens colored thus, the upper tail-coverts are -pure dark-green, without a tinge of purple. In other specimens, on the -contrary, the dorsal region is nearly pure green, that of the upper -tail-coverts less golden, and mixed with a very beautiful rich soft -violet. - -Winter specimens from Guatemala and Mexico have the upper secondaries -very sharply and broadly bordered terminally with pure white. - -HABITS. The Violet-green Swallow is a common bird, from the central -plains of North America to the Pacific coast, and is found at -different seasons from Washington Territory to South America. It has -been found as far east as Nebraska, and in abundance at Fort Bridger, -in Utah. - -As observed, in Washington Territory, by Drs. Suckley and Cooper, it -is said to arrive at Puget Sound early in May, and to frequent -entirely the high prairies bordered with oak and other deciduous -trees, in the knot-holes of which, or in deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, -it breeds. Its song is described as pleasing and varied, but rather -weak. They found it to be quite abundant in the interior of Oregon and -of Washington Territory, and in its habits and mode of flight hardly -distinguishable from the _bicolor_. - -In California, according to the observations of Dr. Cooper, it arrives -in Santa Clara Valley as early as March 15, where it chiefly frequents -the groves of oaks along the sides of the valleys, across the whole -Coast Range, excepting in the immediate neighborhood of the sea. Their -nest, so far as known, is always in the knot-holes of oaks, and they -have never been known to breed in the immediate vicinity of dwellings, -excepting only when their favorite trees were so situated. It is -generally in an inaccessible place, and their eggs are not often -obtained. These are pure white, resembling those of the _bicolor_ and -the _riparia_. Townsend states that he found them nesting in the -deserted nests of the _H. lunifrons_, but in this he may have been -mistaken. The eggs he gave to Mr. Audubon as those of this species -undoubtedly belonged to the _lunifrons_. They leave California for the -south in September. - -Dr. Coues also found this Swallow in Arizona, where it was the most -abundant and characteristic Swallow of the pine regions of that -Territory. It is a summer resident at Fort Whipple, where it arrives -about March 20, and remains until late in September. - -In the Province of Vera Cruz, Mr. Sumichrast found this Swallow -resident, not only in the hot belt of the coast, but also in the -temperate region and throughout the plateau, at almost all heights, -and was almost everywhere very common. - -Mr. Salvin also states that early in March great numbers occur near -Duenas, Guatemala, where they remain for a short time. During that -time they are to be found flying over the open land to the south of -the Lake of Duenas. - -Mr. Hepburn states that this Swallow has quite an extensive range -along the Pacific coast, but is restricted as to the localities it -inhabits. At the Pulgas Ranche, near San Francisco, it is even more -common than the _bicolor_, while a few miles from thence not one is to -be seen. He has also seen it on the banks of the Fresno, near its -junction with the San Joaquin River, and again in the Yosemite Valley, -without meeting with a single specimen in the intervening country. -About Victoria this was the prevailing species. These Swallows, so far -as Mr. Hepburn observed, always build in holes of trees. Their nest, -he states, is formed of a few fine dry stems of grass, placed at the -bottom of the hole, covered over with a thick mass of feathers. The -eggs, he adds, are pure white, large for the size of the bird, -measuring .81 of an inch in length by .50 in breadth. These Swallows -have two broods in a season. In 1864 he noted their arrival in San -Mateo County on the 28th of March. - -Mr. Ridgway writes that he first met with the Violet-green Swallow in -May, on the islands in Pyramid Lake. He there found it very abundant -among the cliffs of calcareous tufa of which the island was composed. -They were seen to enter the fissures of the rock to their nests -within, which it was found impossible to reach. They were again seen -in July among the limestone cliffs along the cañons of the East -Humboldt Mountains, associated with the White-throated Swift, building -like them in the small horizontal crevices or fissures on the face of -the precipice. He was not able to get at more than two of their nests, -the first in a horizontal fissure just wide enough to admit the hand, -and about eight inches from the entrance. It contained five young. The -nest was similar to that of the Bank Swallow, and was composed of -sticks, straws, and feathers. In the other the female was dead on her -nest, and the eggs were broken. They were white, like those of the _H. -bicolor_. - -In its flight this bird is said to greatly resemble the White-bellied -Swallow, but is distinguishable by the contrast of the three colors of -its upper plumage. These two species are rarely to be seen in the same -localities, the _bicolor_ preferring wooded, and this species rocky -localities. - -Mr. Lord states that this beautiful Swallow was common from the coast -along the entire course of the boundary line, to the summit of the -Rocky Mountains. They were among the earliest visitors at Colville, -arriving in small flocks in March, but in greater numbers in May and -June. They build in June, making their nests in holes in dead trees as -high as they can get, and lay four or five eggs. The nest is made of -feathers and soft hair. They assemble in large flocks before migrating -in September. Mr. Lord felt pretty sure their nesting-holes were -excavated in the soft wood by themselves, though their soft beak seems -ill adapted to perform such labor. - - -GENUS STELGIDOPTERYX, BAIRD. - - _Stelgidopteryx_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 312. (Type, _Hirundo - serripennis_, AUD.) - - [Line drawing: _Cotyle serripennis._ - 32269] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather small; nostrils oval, superior, margined -behind, but scarcely laterally by membrane, but not at all overhung; -the axes of the outline converging. Frontal feathers soft, and, like -chin, without bristles. Tarsi equal to middle toe without claw; the -upper end covered with feathers all round, none at lower end. Basal -joint of middle toe adherent externally nearly to end; internally, -scarcely half. Lateral toes about equal, their claws not reaching -beyond base of middle claw. Tail slightly emarginate; the feathers -broad, and obliquely rounded at end. Edge of the wing rough to the -touch; the shafts of the fibrillæ of outer web of outer primary -prolonged and bent at right angles into a short stiff hook. Nest (of -_S. serripennis_) in holes in banks; eggs pure white, unspotted. - -Color dull brown above. - -The great peculiarity of this genus consists in the remarkable -roughness of the edge of the wing, said to occur also in -_Psalidoprocne_, CAB. The object is uncertain, but is probably to -enable the bird to secure a foothold on vertical or inclined rocks, -among or on which it makes its nest. A favorite breeding-place of _S. -serripennis_ is in the piers and abutments of bridges, and these hooks -might render essential aid in entering into their holes. - -The birds of this genus have usually been referred to _Cotyle_, which, -however, they resemble only in color. The nostrils are exposed, -instead of being overhung; the tarsus is bare below, not feathered, -and the lateral claws are considerably curved, and not reaching beyond -the base of the lateral, as in _Cotyle_. The structure of the wing is -very different. - -There are at least five species or races of this genus in America, -although only one belongs with certainty to the United States. A -second, however, (_S. fulvipennis_), Mexican and Guatemalan, is not -unlikely to occur in Arizona or New Mexico. This differs in having the -chin and throat reddish-fulvous, not mouse-gray; the belly tinged with -yellow. - - -Stelgidopteryx serripennis, BAIRD. - -ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo serripennis_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 593.—IB. Birds Am. - I, 1840, 193, pl. li. _Cotyle s._ BON. Consp. 1850, - 342.—CASSIN.—BREWER, N. Am. Oöl. I, 1857, 106, pl. iv, fig. 50 - (eggs):—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 313.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, - 1864, 116 (Br. Columbia).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. R. Rep. XII, II, - 186 (W. Terr.).—HEERMANN, P. R. R. X; Williamson’s Rep. 36 (San - Antonio, Tex.; breeding).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 110. - _Stelgidopteryx s._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 312; Rev. 314. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 32,269 ♂.) Above smoky-brown, rather deeper on the -head, perhaps a little paler on the rump. Larger quills and -tail-feathers dusky-brown; the secondaries and greater coverts -sometimes lighter along their external edges. The under parts (for -about half the total length) from bill to and including breast, with -the sides of body and lining of wings, mouse-gray, rather lighter -along the throat; the rest of under parts, including crissum, white, -the latter with the shafts sometimes dusky, and very rarely with dusky -blotches at the ends of the longer feathers. - -Young birds (as in 1,120) differ in a tinge of reddish-fulvous on the -upper parts; the wing-coverts, secondaries, and inner primaries -margined more or less broadly with a brighter shade of the same. The -gray of the under parts is also washed with this color, especially on -the chin and across the breast. The hooks of the edge of the wing have -not yet become developed. - -(No. 32,269 ♂, fresh specimen before being skinned.) Total length, -5.40; expanse of wings, 12.20; wing from carpal joint, 4.50. - -(No. 32,269 ♂, prepared specimen.) Total length, 5.20; wing, 4.50; -tail, 2.25, depth of fork, .15; difference of primaries, 2.28; length -of bill from forehead, .40, from nostril, .24, along gape, .56, width -of gape, .43; tarsus, .45; middle toe and claw, .57; claw alone, .19; -hind toe and claw, .41; claw alone, .16. - -HAB. Whole United States (exclusive of Northeastern States?) south to -Central Mexico. - -HABITS. The Rough-winged Swallow was first met with by Audubon, in -Louisiana, but described by him from specimens afterwards procured -near Charleston, S. C. He knew nothing in regard to its habits, and -its distribution was equally unknown to him. It has since been found, -but nowhere very abundantly, in various parts of the United States. It -has not been met with on the Atlantic coast farther to the north than -New Jersey and Pennsylvania. On the Pacific coast it is more common. -Dr. Suckley speaks of it as quite abundant both in Oregon and in -Washington Territory. Dr. Cooper, in his Zoölogy of Washington -Territory, speaks of it as common about the sandy cliffs of the bays -and inlets of that coast, arriving near the Columbia in May, and -remaining only until the middle of August, when all these Swallows go -southwards, though their last brood is hardly able to fly. He says -that they burrow holes in the soft sandy banks near the tops of -cliffs, and have generally the same habits as the common Bank Swallow. -They have no song, only a few chirping calls. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Report on the birds of California, further states -that this Swallow, in summer, is found throughout the lower portions -of that State. He saw them at Fort Mojave as early as the 27th of -February, and as he has met with them at San Diego in November, and -also in January, he thinks they may winter within the State. He -describes their burrows in the sandy banks of rivers as being to the -depth of three feet, crowded very near together, and near the upper -edge of the bank, in no wise different from the nesting of the common -_C. riparia_. The nests are composed chiefly of dry grasses, with a -few feathers, and contain five white eggs. Occasionally, however, they -resort to natural clefts in the bank or in buildings, and to knotholes -in trees. In the fall they congregate in great numbers about certain -favorite spots, and keep much together in flocks. At night they roost -in their burrows. In Arizona, according to Dr. Coues, they are summer -residents, breeding abundantly, arriving late in April and remaining -until nearly the last of September. - -At Eagle Pass, Mr. Dresser met these birds, arriving from the South, -on the 21st of February. There, and also at San Antonio, they were -very common, breeding in the towns, making their nests under the eaves -and in holes in the old walls, depositing their eggs by the 25th of -April. Dr. Kennerly also found this Swallow very abundant along the -Colorado River in February. Its flight seemed to him to be like that -of the common Barn Swallow. Dr. Heermann frequently met with this -species during the journey from the junction of the Gila and Colorado -Rivers through Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas, to San Antonio. In the -latter place he found them breeding almost entirely in crevices in the -walls of houses. - -In the vicinity of Washington, Dr. Coues found this Swallow a summer -resident, but rather rare, arriving in the third week of April, and -leaving about the middle of September. - -Mr. Ridgway speaks of this bird as one of the most abundant Swallows -of the West, inhabiting the river valleys, and breeding in holes in -the banks of the rivers. He says that in Southern Illinois it is much -more abundant than the _C. riparia_, though both nest in the same -banks. - -This species was first found breeding in Carlisle, Penn., by Professor -Baird, in the summer of 1843. The following year I visited this -locality early in June, and had an opportunity to study its habits -during its breeding-season. We found the bird rather common, and -examined a number of their nests. None that we met with were in places -that had been excavated by the birds, although the previous season -several had been found that had apparently been excavated in banks in -the same manner with the Bank Swallow. All the nests (seven in number) -that we then met with were in situations accidentally adapted to their -need, and all were directly over running water. Some were constructed -in crevices between the stones in the walls and arches of bridges. In -several instances the nests were but little above the surface of the -stream. In one, the first laying had been flooded, and the eggs -chilled. The birds had constructed another nest above the first one, -in which were six fresh eggs, as many as in the other. One nest had -been built between the stones of the wall that formed one of the sides -of the flume of a mill. Two feet above it was a frequented footpath, -and, at the same distance below, the water of the mill-stream. Another -nest was between the boards of a small building in which revolved a -water-wheel. The entrance to it was through a knot-hole in the outer -partition, and the nest rested on a small rafter between the outer and -the inner boardings. - -The nests were similar in their construction to those of the Bank -Swallow, composed of dry grasses, straws, and leaves, and lined with a -few feathers; but a much greater amount of material was made use of, -owing, perhaps, to the exposed positions in which they were built. - -The eggs, six in number, in every instance that we noticed, were pure -white, about the size of those of the _riparia_, but a little more -uniformly oblong in shape and pointed at one end. Their length varies -from .78 to .69 of an inch, the average being .75. Their average -breadth is .53 of an inch. - - -GENUS COTYLE, BOIE. - - _Cotyle_, BOIE, Isis, 1822, 550. (Type, _Hirundo riparia_, L.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill small; nostrils lateral, overhung by a straight-edged -membrane. Tarsus about equal to middle toe without claw; feathered at -upper end, especially on inner face, and having also a small tuft of -feathers attached to posterior edge near the hind toe. Middle toe with -basal joint adherent externally to near the end, half-way internally, -the claws comparatively little curved, the lateral reaching beyond the -base of the middle. Tail slightly forked. Color dull lustreless brown -above, in _riparia_ white beneath with gray pectoral band. Nests in -holes in banks; eggs white. - - [Line drawing: _Cotyle riparia._ - 20641] - -Many American birds have been referred to _Cotyle_, but the only one -really belonging to the genus is the cosmopolitan _C. riparia_. The -peculiarity of the genus consists essentially in the tuft of tarsal -feathers at the base of the hind toe, and the unusual length of the -lateral claws, combined with the lateral nostrils overhung by -membrane. By these characters the genus is very easily distinguished -from _Stelgidopteryx_. - - -Cotyle riparia, BOIE. - -BANK SWALLOW; SAND MARTIN. - - _Hirundo riparia_, LINN. S. N. I, 1766, 344.—WILS.; AUD.—LEMBEYE, - Aves de Cuba, 1850, 47, lam. vii, fig. 3.—JONES, Nat. Hist. - Bermuda, 34 (occasional, Aug. and Sept.). _Cotyle riparia_, BOIE, - Isis, 1822, 550.—CASSIN.—BREWER, N. A. Oöl. I, 1857, 105, pl. iv, - fig. 49 (eggs).—CAB. Jour. 1856, 4 (Cuba).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 313; Rev. 1864, 319.—IB. 1861, 93 (Costa Rica - [?]).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 330 (very rare in Cuba).—MARCH, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1863, 297 (Jamaica; very rare). HEERMANN, P. R. R. - X, 36 (California; abundant?).—DALL & BANNISTER, 280 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 110.—SAMUELS, 258. _Hirundo - cinerea_, VIEILL. _Hirundo riparia americana_, MAX. - -SP. CHAR. _Adult._ Above grayish-brown, somewhat fuliginous, with a -tendency to paler margins of the feathers. Beneath pure white, with a -band across the breast and the sides of the body like the back. -Length, 4.75; wing, 4.00; tail, 2.00. - -Young birds have less emarginate tails, and the feathers of back, -rump, and wings edged with whitish. - -HAB. The whole of North America; Bermudas; Greater Antilles; Costa -Rica; Western Brazil (PELZ.). Also found in the northern parts of the -Old World. - -A critical examination has failed to reveal any difference between -European and American specimens of this bird. - - [Illustration: _Cotyle riparia._] - -HABITS. The common Bank Swallow as we know it, or Sand Martin as it is -called in England, is nearly or quite cosmopolitan in its -distribution. Found throughout Europe in the season of reproduction, -and in portions of Africa in the winter months, it is equally common -throughout North America in the summer, and probably winters in Mexico -and in Central and South America, though it is not mentioned by -Sumichrast as a bird of Vera Cruz. It is said to occur in various -parts of the continent of Africa, and in Europe it extends its -migrations to the extreme northern regions. It has also been met with -in India and in Siberia. Mr. Salvin obtained several specimens at -Duenas, Guatemala, in September, 1861, having previously observed it -about the Lake of Yzabah. - -On both continents it is somewhat local in its distribution, in -favorable localities being quite abundant, and in others not known to -exist. It is an early spring visitant wherever found, appearing in -England by the 24th of March, and even in our high Arctic regions -early in May, often in such inclement weather that it is obliged to -take refuge in holes. Mr. Dall met with this species in Alaska, in -favorable situations, in immense numbers. He counted on the face of -one sand-bluff over seven hundred nest-holes made by these birds, and -all of them apparently occupied, so that the bluff presented the -appearance of an immense honeycomb alive with bees. He states that it -takes the bird four days to excavate its nest. Rev. F. O. Morris, on -the other hand, who has closely watched their operations in England, -says that it requires a fortnight, and that the weight of sand a pair -of these birds removes is twenty ounces in a day. Pebbles of more than -two ounces in weight have been known to be taken out by them. - -The flight of this species is rapid, but unsteady and flickering. In -searching for their food they skim low over the surface of both land -and water, dropping upon the latter, as they fly, to drink or to -bathe. Their food consists of the smaller kinds of winged insects, -which they pursue and capture, dashing at them at times even on the -water. They usually feed their young with larger kinds than they eat -themselves. - -It has not been observed in Greenland, but Richardson found it in -colonies of thousands at the mouth of Mackenzie’s River, in the 68th -parallel. It is a very social bird, usually breeding together in large -communities, and is more independent of man than most of its family, -owing him no other favors than those incident to excavations through -sand-banks, of which it avails itself. The nests of these Swallows are -placed in excavations made by them in the banks of rivers, cliffs by -the sea-shore, and similar favorable situations. These are usually as -near the surface of the ground as the nature of the soil permits to be -readily penetrated, though the bird has been known to work its way -even through hard gravel. Their depth varies from fourteen inches to -four feet, though two feet is the usual distance. - -Mr. Augustus Fowler mentions a remarkable instance of sagacity and -provident forethought in these birds, not easily separable from -reason. In the town of Beverly, in a stratum of sandy loam, he -observed each season a colony of some twenty or thirty pairs of these -birds. In this place these birds never burrowed more than two or three -feet. Within a mile of this place another colony excavated a bank in -which the layer of loam was mixed with small stones. In this bank they -excavated to the depth of five, seven, and even nine feet. Why was -there this extraordinary difference in the length of burrows made by -the same species, in situations not more than a mile apart? The reason -for this difference, upon examination, became very obvious. We give -the explanation in Mr. Fowler’s own words: “In one bank, where the -earth was of a fine sandy loam, easily perforated, from the entrance -to the extremity the burrows did not exceed three feet in length; -while in the other bank, with harder loam to work in, one burrow was -found nine feet in length. After examining six holes of nearly equal -length, it appeared that these little birds had sufficient reason for -extending their labors so far into the earth. In every instance, where -they met with a spot free from stones they finished their burrows; -thus showing great care for the welfare of their eggs or young by -avoiding, in the stony soil, a catastrophe so great as would befall -their treasures if by accident one of these stones should fall upon -them.” - -The work of perforation they perform with their closed bill, swaying -the body round on the feet, beginning at the centre and working -outwards. This long and often winding gallery gradually expands into a -small spherical apartment, on the floor of which they form a rude nest -of straw and feathers. The time occupied in making these excavations -varies greatly with the nature of the soil, from four or five days to -twice that number. - -Their eggs are five in number, pure white, and when unblown have a -fine roseate hue. They are oval in shape, larger at one end, and -pointed at the smaller. Their average length is .72 of an inch, and -their average breadth .47. - - * * * * * - -We now come to the consideration of three families of Oscine birds, of -pre-eminently dentirostral type, having certain common characters by -which they are distinguishable, with but little difficulty, from all -others. In their close relationship it has been questioned by many -whether they do not all belong under one head, but they are more -generally considered distinct. The common characters, and those -peculiar to each, are as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Bill stout, and considerably hooked at tip, or with -the point bent abruptly downward; with a deep notch, and sometimes a -tooth or lobe just behind the notch; the tip of the lower mandible -likewise frequently bent up, and with a notch behind it. The nostrils -lateral, the bristles of the mouth generally well developed. The -primaries are ten (except in a few _Vireos_), the outer from one -fourth to one half the second. Tail variable. Tarsi scutellate -anteriorly; sometimes with a tendency to division on the lateral -plates; hitherto not met with. Basal joints of toes more adherent. -Separated from _Turdidæ_ by greater adhesion of toes; from -_Troglodytidæ_ by notched and hooked bill, etc. - -A. Basal phalanx of anterior toes abbreviated; that of median toe -decidedly shorter than the basal of inner, or the two basal of outer, -and adherent for its whole length on both sides to the lateral (i. e. -not free at all). Lateral plates of tarsus undivided, except at -extreme lower end. - - Vireonidæ. Gonys more than half the length of lower jaw (from tip - to angle of mouth), usually longer than width of mouth, which is - narrow. Bill conical, much compressed, decurved at end and notched, - but scarcely toothed. Frontal feathers bristly and erect, or bent - but slightly forward. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus longer - than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes generally unequal; outer claw - reaching half-way along middle claw. - -B. Basal phalanx of middle toe about as long as the basal of inner, -or the two basal of outer; free externally, at least for about one -third its length, internally for about one half. Lateral plates of -tarsus with decided tendency to subdivision (except in _Myiadestinæ_). - - Ampelidæ. Gonys decidedly less than half the length of lower jaw, - or than width of mouth, which is very broad and deeply cleft. Bill - triangular, much depressed, decurved at end and notched, with - moderate though decided tooth. Frontal feathers rather soft, - scarcely bristly or erect. Nostrils overhung by membrane. Tarsus - equal to or shorter than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes nearly - equal; outer claw reaching only to base of middle claw. - - Laniidæ. Gonys about half the length of lower jaw; about equal to - width of mouth. Bill very powerful and raptorial, much compressed, - with a strongly marked hook, notch, and tooth at end. Frontal - feathers very bristly, and directed forwards, so as to conceal - nostrils and base of bill. Nostrils with bony walls, except behind. - Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw, sometimes much scutellate on - sides. Lateral claws nearly equal; outer claw reaching a little - beyond base of middle claw. - - - - -FAMILY VIREONIDÆ.—THE VIREOS. - - -The essential features of this family appear to consist in the -combination of the dentirostral bill, notched in both mandibles; the -ten primaries (except _Vireosylvia_), of which the outer is usually -from one fourth to one half the second; the rather short, nearly even -tail, with narrow feathers, and the great amount of adhesion of the -anterior toes,—the whole basal joint of the middle being generally -united on both sides to the adjacent joints, and decidedly shorter -than the basal of inner or two basal of outer. The outer lateral toe -is generally appreciably longer than the inner, reaching considerably -beyond the base of the middle claw. The tarsi are always distinctly -scutellate anteriorly. The young are never spotted, or streaked as in -the Thrushes; nor, indeed, do the adults exhibit such markings. - -The _Vireonidæ_ are peculiar to the New World, and are widely -distributed, although but one genus belongs to the United States. - - -GENUS VIREO, VIEILL. - - _Vireo_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 83. (Type, _Muscicapa - noveboracensis_, GM.) - -No great violence will be done by considering all the American Vireos -as belonging to one genus, divisible into three subgenera, as, however -different the extremes of the series may be from each other, the -gradation is quite complete. - -The North American species take a wide range during their southern -winter migration, only paralleled in this respect by the -_Sylvicolidæ_; they do not visit the West Indies, save as very rare -stragglers to Cuba (_V. olivaceus_, _solitarius_, _flavifrons_, and -_noveboracensis_). They all have a melodious song, and, so far as -known, make a deep nest, suspended by its upper edge between the forks -of a horizontal twig. The eggs are white, generally with a few reddish -or brown blotches. - -Quite a number are characterized by having the eyes white, red, or -yellow. - - -Subgenera. - -Vireosylvia. Bill compressed, narrow; culmen and commissure -straight, the tip abruptly curved (or, if this is not the case, -there is no trace of light bands on the wing; see section “_b_”). -Superciliary stripe continued back to the occiput. No trace of -light bands on the wing. No conspicuous ring round the eye. - - _a._ No spurious primary. Bill compressed, its tip abruptly - hooked; culmen and commissure straight. Crown decidedly more - ashy than the back … - Sp. _flavoviridis_, _barbatulus_, _olivaceus_, _philadelphicus_. - - _b._ An acute spurious primary. Bill depressed, the tip only - slightly hooked; culmen slightly curved. Crown scarcely more - ashy than back … Sp. _gilvus_. - -Lanivireo. Bill compressed, stout; culmen arched from the base, -commissure curved. Superciliary stripe stopping at posterior -angle of the eye and curving under it, enclosing the eye in a -conspicuous orbital ring, interrupted only in front. Two -conspicuous white bands on the wing. - - _a._ No spurious primary … Sp. _flavifrons_. - - _b._ With an acute spurious primary … Sp. _solitarius_, _plumbeus_. - -Vireo. Bill stout, scarcely compressed, sub-cylindrical. First -primary not spurious, or, if so, not acute. - - _a._ Two conspicuous light bands on wing … - Sp. _atricapillus_, _noveboracensis_, _huttoni_. - - _b._ One distinct light band on wing, and this not sharply - defined, the anterior one being almost obsolete … - Sp. _belli_, _pusillus_, _vicinior_. - - -SUBGENUS VIREOSYLVIA, BON. - - _Vireosylvia_, BON. Geog. Comp. List, 1838. (Type, _Muscicapa - olivacea_, LIN.) - _Phyllomanes_, CAB. Arch. 1847, I, 321. (No type mentioned; name - proposed as substitute for _Vireosylvia_.) - - [Line drawing: _Vireo olivaceus._ - 40089] - -GEN. CHAR. Wings long and pointed, one third or one fourth longer than -the nearly even or slightly rounded tail. First quill very small (less -than one third the second), sometimes apparently wanting. Second quill -longer than the seventh, much longer than the secondaries. Tarsi short -(scarcely exceeding .70 of an inch); toes rather long. Body slender -and elongated. Bill slender, narrow, straight; the culmen straight for -its basal half, the commissure quite straight; light horn-color, paler -beneath. Feet weak. Type, _V. olivaceus_. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. All species olive above, white or yellowish -beneath. An ashy or brownish cap, contrasting more or less -abruptly with the olive back. A whitish superciliary stripe -extending to the nape, and a dusky one to and behind the eye. No -light bands on the coverts. Inside of wings (flanks sometimes) -and crissum yellowish, otherwise usually white beneath. - - No spurious primary … _Series I_. - A spurious primary … _Series II_. - -_Series I._ (_No spurious primary._) - -A. A dusky “mustache” or cheek stripe along each side of the -throat. - - 1. V. calidris. Eyes red? - - _a._ No distinct dusky line along side of the crown. - - Light stripes of the head dingy brownish-buff; crown scarcely - ashy; back olive-brown; crissum and lining of the wing pure - pale yellow. Wing, 3.20; tail, 2.25; bill, .42. _Hab._ - Jamaica; Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Santa Cruz, St. Thomas, - and Sombrero … var. _calidris_.[70] - - Light stripes of the head dingy grayish-white; crown - distinctly ashy; back grayish-olive; crissum and lining of - the wing scarcely yellow. Wing, 3.20; tail, 2.35; bill, - .42. _Hab._ Cuba, Bahamas, and South Florida … - var. _barbatulus_. - - _b._ A distinct dusky line along each side of crown. - - Colors as in _barbatula_, but “mustache” broader and more - conspicuous, and crown much purer ash. Wing, 3.30; tail, - 2.50; bill, .48. _Hab._ Barbadoes … var. _barbadense_.[71] - -B. No “mustache.” - - _a._ A dusky line along each side of crown. - - 2. V. olivaceus. Grayish olive-green above; beneath white, - tinged laterally with dull olive; crissum and lining of wing - scarcely yellow; inner edges of quills white. Eyes red. - - 1. Wing, 3.30; tail, 2.40; bill, .38. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of North America, south to Northern South America … - var. _olivaceus_. - - 2. Wing, 2.50; tail, 1.80; bill, .33. _Hab._ Eastern South - America … var. _chivi_.[72] - - 3. V. flavoviridis. Yellowish olive-green above; beneath - white medially, bright greenish olive-yellow laterally; - crissum, lining of wings, and inner edges of quills, light - yellow. Eyes yellow. - - 1. Wing, 3.15; tail, 2.55; bill, .41. _Hab._ Middle America - north of Panama … var. _flavoviridis_. - - 2. Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.25; bill, .36. _Hab._ South America, - from Buenos Ayres northward; Guatemala … var. _agilis_.[73] - - _b._ No dusky line on side of crown. - - 4. V. magister.[74] Large. Above sooty-olive, more - virescent posteriorly; crown without ashy tinge. Beneath - similar, but lighter, whitish medially. Crissum and lining of - wing very faintly yellow; inner edges of quills white. Eyes? - Wing, 3.05; tail, 2.40; bill, .45. _Hab._ Honduras (Belize). - - 5. V. philadelphicus. Small. Above grayish-green; crown - ashy. Beneath light yellow, deepest on the jugulum, whitish - on belly. Eyes? Wing, 2.70; tail, 1.95; bill, .27. _Hab._ - Eastern Province of North America; in winter south to Costa - Rica. - -_Series II._ (_A spurious primary._) - -C. No dusky line along side of crown. No “mustache.” - - 6. V. gilva. Eyes hazel (in all?). - - _a._ Crown nearly like the back. - - Above olive-gray, rump more virescent; crown more ashy. - Beneath dingy whitish, with a strong tinge of dingy buff - from bill along sides and across breast. Bill, .14 deep, - .30 long; wing, 2.85; tail, 2.05. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of United States … var. _gilvus_. - - Similar, but above more grayish, and beneath with the buff - tinge almost absent. Bill, .11 deep, and .22 long; wing, - 2.80; tail, 2.15. _Hab._ Western Province of United States … - var. _swainsoni_. - - _b._ Crown very different from the back (dark brown). - - Above olive-brown; rump more virescent; crown dark - snuff-brown. Beneath uniform light yellow, throat whitish. - Bill, .15 deep, .30 long; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.10. _Hab._ - Middle America, from Ecuador to Honduras … var. _josephæ_.[75] - - -Vireosylvia calidris, var. barbatulus, BAIRD. - -FLORIDA GREENLET. - - _Phyllomanes barbatulus_, CAB. Jour. III, 1855, 467 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, - Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba).—IB. Repertorio, Cuba, 1865. - _Vireosylvia barbatula_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 331. _Vireo - altiloquus_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1848, 127 (Florida).—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 354 (Florida). _Vireosylvia altiloqua_, CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1851, 152.—IB. Illust. 1854, 8, and 221, pl. xxxvii - (Florida).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. V, 1859, 113 - (Bahamas).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1860 (Cuba). - -SP. CHAR. (No. 25,958 ♂, Cuba.) Proportion of quills as in var. -_calidris_, 2 = 3, 4, 1, 5, but the tips of the quills closer -together, and the first quill about half or a little less than half -the distance between fifth and fourth; the quills narrower. - - [Line drawing: _Vireosylvia barbatulus._ - 25958] - -Colors similar to those of var. _calidris_, but of a purer and paler -olive above; the back tinged with ash; the cap purer ash, and better -defined, without olivaceous wash, its dusky edge more distinct. The -superciliary stripe whitish or grayish, with the cheeks paler, and -both, as well as the chin, without the buff tinge. Under parts nearly -pure white, very faintly tinged across the breast with ashy; the sides -olivaceous; the crissum and axillars pale sulphur-yellow. Total -length, 5.50; wing, 3.15; tail, 2.50; difference of first and second -quills, .18; of fifth and second, .22; length of bill from forehead, -.82, from nostril, .46, along gape, .89; tarsus, .72; middle toe and -claw, .60; claw alone, .21; hind toe and claw, .50; claw alone, .23. - -HAB. Cuba; the Bahamas; and Charlotte Harbor, Florida. (Western -Coast.) - - [Illustration: PLATE XVII. - - 1. Vireosylvia barbatula, _Caban._ ♂ Fla., 24282. - 2. “ olivacea, _Linn._ ♂ Pa., 1440. - 3. “ gilvus, _Vieill._ ♂ Pa., 988. - 4. “ philadelphica, _Cass._ - 5. Lanivireo flavifrons, _Vieill._ ♂ Pa., 2217. - 6. Vireo atricapillus, _Woodh._ ♂ Tex., 6818 - 7. “ vicinior, _Coues_. ♂ Ariz., 40697. - 8. Lanivireo solitaria, _Wils._ ♂ D. C., 37497. - 9. “ cassini, _Xantus_. ♂. - 10. “ plumbea, _Coues_. ♂ Ariz., 37011. - 11. Vireo noveboracensis, _Gm._ ♂ D. C., 29248. - 12. “ huttoni, _Cass._ ♂ Cal., 3725. - 13. “ belli, _Aud._ ♂ Neb., 1296. - 14. “ pusillus, _Coues_. ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 16354.] - -This _Vireo_ has been taken several times at Charlotte Harbor, in -Florida, and is thus entitled to a place in our fauna. Its distinction -from a closely allied race in Jamaica, Hayti, etc., var. _calidris_, -is shown on page 359. - -A specimen belonging to Mr. Salvin (“No. 187”), from “Isthmus of -Panama,” we cannot distinguish satisfactorily from typical examples of -the present race, with which it is to be compared, and not with -_calidris_. The colors are quite identical with those of _barbatulus_. -In size it is slightly larger, the wing measuring 3.25 instead of -3.15; the tail 2.50, instead of 2.35 (from exposed base of feathers); -the bill is thicker, being .20 instead of .18 deep; the third quill is -longest, the second intermediate between it and the fourth; the first -intermediate between the fourth and fifth. In _barbatulus_ the second -is longest, the third and fourth successively a little shorter. It is -not improbable that other specimens from that locality may show -greater differences, as the specimen under examination is in rather -worn plumage, and has the tip of the bill broken off. - -HABITS. This species only claims a place in our avifauna on the ground -of its presence in Florida. How abundant it is there is not -determined, further than it has been observed within a restricted -locality by Dr. Heermann. This was at Charlotte Harbor, on the -southwestern coast. They appeared to be visitors only, from a more -southern clime. They reached Florida in their northern migrations, -remaining only for a short season, but evidently staying long enough -to breed. Dr. Heermann states that this species resembles, in manners -and in appearance, the common Red-eyed Vireo of the more northern -States. He describes its song as clear and musical, and very -distinctly uttered. It was constantly on the search for insects, and -appeared even more active than any of the northern species, darting -among the foliage, peering into crevices and cobwebs, suspended from -branches with its back downward, and occasionally chasing a flying -insect in the manner of a true Flycatcher. These movements were -usually accompanied by a song. This species was not abundant, though -Dr. Heermann saw it frequently, and obtained several specimens. - -Dr. Bryant found this species very abundant at the Bahamas, arriving -there about the first of May. All the specimens he obtained were -males, the females not arriving there until after the 13th of May. The -notes of these birds, he states, vary, though the most common one -resembles _whīp tom kĕllȳ pheūū_, pronouncing the first word -distinctly. - -This bird,[76] in Brown’s History of Jamaica, is called -“Whip-tom-kelly,” from the supposed resemblance of its notes to these -articulate sounds, and this popular appellation has been given it by -various other writers. Mr. Gosse, however, in his Birds of Jamaica, -calls this bird “John-to-whit,” and can find no resemblance in its -notes to the words referred to. He describes its song as uttered with -incessant iteration and untiring energy, and as resembling -_Sweet-John! John to whit! sweet John to whit!_ After July the notes -change to _to-whit-to-whoo_, and sometimes to a soft, simple chirp, -whispered so gently as scarcely to be audible. The name of -Whip-tom-kelly Mr. Gosse never heard applied to it in Jamaica. Yet it -is a bird often heard, and one whose notes have a similarity to -articulate sounds, and naturally suggest a common appellation. It is -very vociferous and pertinacious in its calls, repeating them with -energy every two or three seconds. - -This species, he states, does not ordinarily sit on a prominent twig, -or dart out after insects, though it has been seen in eager pursuit of -a butterfly. It seems to live in the centre of thick woods. It does -not pass the winter in Jamaica, but leaves at the beginning of -October, returning as early as the 20th of March. Its food he states -to be both animal and vegetable, as he found in its stomach the seeds -of the tropical plants and berries. In April, Mr. Gosse observed it -hunting insects by the borders of the Bluefields River, and so intent -upon its occupation as to allow of a very near approach. It sought -insects among the grass and low herbage, perching on the stalks of -weeds, and darting out after both vagrant and stationary prey. They -incubate in June and July. - -Like all this genus the Long-billed Vireo builds a pensile nest of -great architectural ingenuity and beauty. It is a deep cup, usually -about two thirds of a sphere in shape, truncated at the top. The -materials of which it is made are often somewhat coarse. Mr. Gosse -describes it as about as large as an ordinary teacup, narrowed at the -mouth, composed of dry grasses, silk, cotton, lichens, and -spiders’-web. It is usually suspended from the fork of two twigs, the -margin very neatly overwoven to embrace them. The materials are well -interwoven, and the walls firm and close, though not very thick. The -whole is smoothly lined with slender vegetable fibres resembling human -hair. One nest had its cavity nearly filled with a mass of white -cotton, interwoven with the other materials, which, being picked -cotton, had evidently been taken from some yard or building. - -The eggs of this species are three in number, of a brilliant white, -delicately tinted with pink, and marked with a few fine red and -red-brown spots, usually about the larger end. - -An egg of the variety from Cuba is of an oblong-oval shape, slightly -pointed at one end, and the markings of faint purple and of dark -purplish-brown, in bold dashes, are all about the larger end. Another -from the same locality is more distinctly rounded at one and pointed -at the other end, and is marked with fine brown dots distributed over -the whole egg. These eggs measure, one .825 by .55 of an inch, and the -other .78 by .55. An egg from Jamaica is of an extremely oblong-oval, -measuring .88 by .55 of an inch, and is boldly marked more or less -over the entire egg with large blotches of purplish-brown. - -The Messrs. Newton describe the nest of the _calidris_ of St. Croix as -a beautiful structure, shaped like an inverted cone, composed -outwardly of dried blades of grass, dried leaves, and wool, woven -round the twigs, to which it was attached with spiders’-webs, lined -inside with finer blades of grass, and about three inches and a half -in diameter, and five in height. The eggs, three in number, were -white, with a few black spots, chiefly disposed about the larger end. - - -Vireosylvia olivaceus, BONAP. - -RED-EYED GREENLET. - - _Muscicapa olivacea_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 327 (based on - EDWARDS, tab. 253, and CATESBY, pl. liv).—WILS. _Lanius - olivaceus_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, 49 (N. Amer.). _Vireo olivaceus_, - VIEILL.; BON.; SWAINS. II.—AUD.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 331.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. 270. _Vireosylvia oliv._ BON. Geog. - Comp. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 329.—REINHARDT, Vid. Med. f. - 1853, 1854, 82 (Greenland).—IB. Ibis, III, 7.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1855, 151 (Bogota); 1859, 137, 363 (Xalapa).—A. & E. NEWTON, Ibis, - 1859, 145.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 12 (Guatemala).—LAWRENCE, - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, 1860, 246 (Cuba).—? Ibis, 1864, 394 (Derby, - Engl. May, 1859).—BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 333. _Phyllomanes - oliv._ CAB. Mus. Hein. 1850-51, 63.—IB. Jour. 1860, 404 (Costa - Rica).—GUNDL. Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba; very rare). _? Vireo - virescens_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 84, pl. liii - (Penna.).—? GRAY, Genera, I, 267, pl. lxv. _Vireo bogotensis_, - BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1860, 227 (Bogota).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. - Y. Lyc. 1863 (Birds Panama, IV, No. 378). - - [Line drawing: _Vireo olivaceus._ - 40089] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 1,418 ♂, Carlisle, Penn., May, 1844.) Upper parts -olive-green. Top of head, from bill to nape, ash-color. A white line -from nostrils above and beyond the eye, bordered above by a dusky line -forming the edge of the ashy cap, and below by a similar, perhaps -paler, loral and post-ocular cheek-stripe. Beneath, including tibiæ, -white, with perhaps a tinge of olivaceous-ash across the breast; the -sides of the neck like the back; sides of the body with a faint wash -of olive. Axillars and crissum faintly tinged with sulphur-yellow; -lining of wings and its edge, the latter especially, nearly white. -Quills blackish-brown, edged externally, except at ends of primaries, -with olive, internally with white. Tail-feathers lighter brown, edged -externally like the back, internally with pale olivaceous-white. Bill -dusky above, pale below; tarsi plumbeous; iris red. Length, 6.33; -extent of wings, 10.25; wing, 3.33; tail, 2.50. - -_Female_ similar, but duller in plumage. - -HAB. Whole of Eastern North America (Greenland, Halifax, Fort -Simpson), west to base of Rocky Mountains, reaching Fort Bridger, and -still farther northward to Bitterroot Mountains and Kootenay; south to -Panama and Bogota, in winter (Xalapa only in Mexico); very rare in -Cuba (only West Indian locality). Accidental in England. Trinidad. -(FINSCH.) - - [Illustration: _Vireo olivaceus._] - -HABITS. The common Red-eyed Vireo is an abundant species throughout -Eastern North America, from Florida to Nova Scotia on the northeast, -to Lake Winnepeg on the northwest, and as far west as the Rocky -Mountains. It apparently breeds wherever found, and in especial -abundance in the Central States. It is a familiar and fearless -species, often found, like the Warbling Vireo, in the very midst of -crowded cities, and making its lively and pleasant notes heard in -their public squares and private gardens, amid the ruder sounds of the -neighboring streets. It breeds in Texas and Louisiana, at the -Southwest, and also in abundance, at least as far as Halifax, in the -opposite direction. At Fort Resolution, at the Cumberland House, and -at Fort Simpson, the nests and eggs of this species were procured by -Kennicott and Ross. A single specimen of the bird has been procured in -Greenland, and another accidental specimen was shot in England. -Specimens have also been procured in Central America. - -This Vireo, like all of its peculiar and well-marked genus, prefers -the forests or the tops of large and shady trees, obtains its food -usually among, their upper branches, and very rarely approaches the -ground. It is not exclusively sylvan, as at times it may be found -around dwellings, hunting for insects and spiders; and although it -hunts for food among the tree-tops, its nest is not always in such -high situations, often not more than four or five feet from the -ground. - -In their migrations these birds enter the United States early in -March, but do not make their appearance in Pennsylvania until the last -of April, or in New England until the middle of May. - -The Vireos procure their food, for the most part, by moving about and -along branches, and among the twigs of trees, hopping from one -position to another, and securing their prey without the click of a -Flycatcher. The insects they capture are usually not in motion, though -occasionally they will take them on the wing. They also feed on -several kinds of ripe berries in the autumn. - -The song of this Vireo is loud, musical, simple, and pleasing. It is -uttered in short, emphatic bars, and at times has a very marked -resemblance to the melodious chant of the Robin, though without its -volume and power. This Vireo is one of the earliest of our spring -musicians, as it is also one of the most constant and untiring in its -song, continuing to sing long after most of the other vocalists have -become silent, and even until it is about to leave us, at the close of -September. The tender and pathetic utterances of this Vireo, uttered -with so much apparent animation, to judge from their sound, are in -striking contrast to the apparent indifference or unconsciousness of -the little vocalist who, while thus delighting the ear of the -listener, seems to be all the while chiefly bent on procuring its -daily supply of food, which it pursues with unabated ardor. - -This Vireo builds the neat pensile nest of its race, suspending it -from the fork of two or more twigs of a forest tree, at various -heights of from five to fifty feet from the ground. It is cup-like in -shape, and always dependent from small twigs, around which its upper -edges are firmly bound. Externally it is woven of various materials, -fine strips of bark, the hempen fibres of vegetables, and webs of -spiders and of various caterpillars. These are compactly pressed and -woven, and, as some suppose, agglutinated by the saliva of the -builder. Sometimes the unmanageable materials give to the outside of -the nest a rude and unfinished appearance, at others they are evenly -and smoothly wrought. They are very strong, uninjured by the storms of -winter, and are often made use of by other birds, by mice, and even by -the same bird a second season. - -A nest of this bird (S. I. Coll., 3,353) was obtained at the -Cumberland House by Mr. Kennicott. It is pensile, like all others, but -is composed almost exclusively of pine-needles,—a dry and hard -material, difficult of management in making such a nest. With these -are intermingled a few bits of moss, fine strips of bark, and -flax-like vegetable fibres. Within this rude basket is an inner nest, -made up of fine dry grasses, strips of bark, and pine leaves. The -external fabric is loosely put together,—an unusual feature,—but the -inner portion, in the firmness and strength with which it was made, is -in remarkable contrast. - -The Red-eyed Vireo’s nest is often chosen by the Cowbird for the -deposition of her parasitic eggs, and these foster-parents are -singularly devoted in the care of their alien guests, whom they -tenderly nurture, even to the neglect of their own offspring. In one -instance three eggs of a Cowbird were deposited in the nest of the -Vireo before any of her own, and, without laying any, the female Vireo -proceeded to sit upon and hatch the intruders. In another case, where -two of the Vireo’s had been laid, two Cowbird’s eggs were added. The -Vireo stopped laying, and proceeded to incubate. In each instance the -female Vireo seemed to forego her own natural aspirations, and at once -conform to the new situation. - -The male Vireo often evinces great courage and spirit in the defence -of his nest, when the young are hatched driving away intruders, and -even flying in the face of a man who approaches too near. - -Mr. Nuttall states that the young of the Red-eyed Vireo feed eagerly -upon the berries of the cornel and the _Viburnum dentatum_, and other -shrubs. A young bird kept in confinement soon became very gentle, and -readily ate flies and grasshoppers from his hand, and viburnum -berries. A tame Kingbird in the same room was very jealous of and -tyrannized over him, so as to compel him to seek protection from his -captor. The Vireos, like Flycatchers, have the power to regurgitate by -the bill pellets of indigestible portions of their food. - -The eggs of this Vireo vary greatly in size, according to the -locality; the farther south the smaller they are found. One, marked on -the shell East Tennessee, June 1, 1858, Alex. Gerhardt, measures .78 -by .52 of an inch, while one from Halifax, Nova Scotia, measures .95 -by .65. The ground-color of all is a clear crystal-white, and they are -marked chiefly at the larger end with spots and finer dots of -red-brown. - -Mr. Robert Kennicott, in his notes, speaks of finding a nest of the -Red-eyed Vireo at the Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, June 28. -Incubation had not yet commenced. The pensile and neatly built nest -was suspended about four feet from the ground, upon a hazel-bush. The -parent, when scared from it, remained near until she was killed. - - -Vireosylvia flavoviridis, CASSIN. - -YELLOW-GREEN VIREO. - - _Vireosylvia flav._ CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Feb. 1851, 152.—IB. VI. - pl. ii (Panama).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 298 (Cordova).—IB. 1859, - 375 (Oaxaca; April).—IB. Catal. 1861, 44, no. 264.—SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, I, 1859, 12 (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Rev. 336. _Vireo - flav._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 332. _Phyllomanes flav._ CAB. - Jour. 1861, 93 (Costa Rica). - - [Line drawing: _Vireo flavoviridis._ - 38929] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 3,976 ♂.) Above olive-green; the whole top of head and -nape ash-color, the edges of this cap and a loral line dusky, but not -very decidedly so. A grayish-white line from nostrils over the eye. -Beneath white, the sides of the neck, breast, and body bright -olivaceous-yellow; the axillars and crissum rich sulphur-yellow. On -the breast the yellow extends almost to the median line, the color of -opposite sides separated by a narrow interval. Quills dusky-brown; -margined externally, except at ends of primaries, with olive-green, -internally with grayish-white of a decided yellow shade. Tail-feathers -dark olivaceous-brown, bright olive externally, internally -olivaceous-yellow. Iris yellow or “red.” - -Bill horn-color, paler below. Legs plumbeous. Wings long and pointed. -Second and third quills nearly equal; fourth a little less; first -about intermediate between fourth and fifth. Total length, 6.00; wing, -3.20; tail, 2.60. - -HAB. From northern border of Mexico to Isthmus of Panama, especially -on west side. - -This species has not yet been recorded as taken within the limits of -the United States, but it comes so near to our southern border that it -doubtless sometimes crosses the line. Nothing distinctive appears to -be known of its habits. - - -Vireosylvia philadelphicus, CASSIN. - -PHILADELPHIA GREENLET. - - _Vireosylvia philadelphica_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Feb. 1857, - 153.—IB. VI, pl. i, fig. 1 (Philadelphia).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, - I, 1859, 12 (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 340. _Vireo - philadelphicus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 335, pl. lxxviii, fig. - 3. _Vireosylvia cobanensis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1860, 463 - (Coban).—IB. Ann. Mag. N. H. 1861, 328. - - [Line drawing: _V. philadelphicus._ - 4364] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 20,643 ♂.) Above dark olive-green, tinged with -plumbeous-ash except on the rump; top of head and nape purer -plumbeous-ash, not edged with dusky, the line of demarcation -indistinct. Beneath light sulphur-yellow, paler and almost white on -chin and middle of abdomen; sides more olivaceous. A whitish stripe -from bill over eye, as also a patch beneath it and the eyelids. A -dusky loral and post-ocular spot. Quills and rectrices brown, edged -externally with olive, internally with whitish; the larger coverts -with paler outer edges. Bill blackish, paler plumbeous below. Legs -plumbeous. Spurious outer or first quill (seen in _gilva_) wanting; -the outer about equal to fifth; third longest; second and fourth not -much shorter. Total length, 4.80; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.25. - -HAB. Eastern North America to Hudson’s Bay and Maine, south (in -winter) to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Veragua (SALVIN). Not recorded -from Mexico or West Indies. - -Specimens vary somewhat in purity of tints, and especially in -intensity of yellow of under parts, which color is deeper in autumnal -skins. - -Specimens from Costa Rica and Guatemala, being merely winter visitors -to that region, are quite identical with North American examples. - -HABITS. This but little known species was first described by Mr. -Cassin, in 1851, from a specimen shot by him in some woods near -Philadelphia nine years previously, which was then unique, and -remained so for some time after. This fact, and its resemblance to _V. -gilva_, led to the impression that it might be only a variety of that -species. Since the publication of the description other specimens have -been procured from different localities,—Moose Factory, Maine, Ohio, -Wisconsin, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. But little is as yet known in -regard to its habits or its distribution. It is quite abundant in the -spring in Southern Wisconsin, where it appears only as a migrant -passing north, none remaining to breed. As it makes its appearance -late in May, and usually passes rapidly on, it seems natural to infer -that it cannot be far from its breeding-place at the period of its -appearance. The specimen obtained by Mr. Cassin was shot in September, -on its southward journey. It was in the upper branches of a high tree, -capturing insects; and his attention was drawn to it by its slow and -deliberate movements. - -Mr. Thure Kumlien, of Dane County, Wis., informs me that he has been -familiar with this Vireo since 1849, and has collected it every year -since that period, finding it both in the spring and fall. It appears -occasionally as early as the 10th of May, the time varying with the -season from the 10th to the 27th. In 1857, when the season was very -backward and May very cold, they did not arrive until June 2. They -were unusually numerous, and remained only a day or two. So far as he -has been able to ascertain, none stop to breed. They are very quiet, -have no song at the time they are passing, and seem only intent on -collecting their food and in proceeding on their way. They are very -tame and unsuspecting, and one can readily get to within a few feet of -them. In the fall they are returning south from the 7th to the 19th of -September. - -The nest and eggs remain to be obtained. - - -Vireosylvia gilvus, CASSIN. - -WARBLING GREENLET. - - _Muscicapa gilva_, VIEILL. Ois. I, 1807, 65, pl. xxxiv. _Vireo - gilvus_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, no. 123.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, pl. - cxviii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, pl. ccxli.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 335.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. 273. _Vireosylvia gilva_, CASSIN, Pr. - A. N. Sc. 1851, 153.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 298 (Cordova); (?) - 1858, 302 (Oaxaca; June) (perhaps _V. swainsoni_).—BAIRD, Rev. Am. - B. 342. _Muscicapa melodia_, WILS. Am. Orn. V, 1812, 85, pl. xlii, - fig. 2. - - [Line drawing: _Vireo gilvus._ - 988] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 1,017 ♀) Above olive-green, strongly glossed with ashy; -the head and nape above more distinctly ashy, but without decided line -of demarcation behind, and without dusky edge; rump pure olive. Stripe -from nostrils over eye to nape, eyelids, and space below eye, -creamy-white. A rather dusky post-ocular and loral spot, the latter -not extending to the bill. Under parts white, with tinge of -greenish-yellow (occasionally of creamy fulvous or buff), especially -on breast; sides more olivaceous. Crissum and axillars scarcely more -yellowish. Quills and rectrices wood-brown, edged internally with -whitish, externally with olivaceous, except perhaps on longer -primaries. Edge of wing white. Larger wing-coverts grayish-brown, with -paler edges, and no trace of olivaceous. Bill horn-color above, paler -below. - -First quill very short or spurious; second about equal to, generally -rather longer than sixth; third longest; fourth, then fifth a little -shorter. - -Fresh specimen: Total length, 5.33; expanse of wings, 8.35; wing from -carpal joint 2.85. Prepared specimen: Total length, 4.80; wing, 2.75; -tail, 2.25. Sexes alike. Iris brown. - -HAB. Eastern North America to Fort Simpson. Cordova and Oaxaca only -southern localities recorded. Not West Indian. - -A very young bird has a very cottony plumage, and differs in tints, -having the top of the head and the nape a soft whitish isabella-color, -this tingeing the back; the lower parts are wholly unsoiled white; the -middle and secondary coverts are obscurely tipped with light brown, -forming two indistinct bands across the wing. - -A specimen (No. 54,262) from Orizaba is, in positively every respect, -exactly intermediate between this species and _V. josephæ_ of Costa -Rica, Ecuador, etc. (See footnote on page 360.) The crown is brown, -decidedly darker than, and different in tint from, the back, but less -so than in _josephæ_; the back is less olive than in the latter, and -less gray than in the former. The lower parts are more yellow than in -_gilvus_, and less so than in _josephæ_, the superciliary stripe -whiter and extending farther back than in the former, and less pure -white and shorter than in the latter, etc. - -HABITS. The Warbling Vireo has only a slightly less extended -distribution than the Red-eyed, being found throughout all Eastern -North America, as far north as Fort Simpson and Selkirk Settlement, -and west to the Missouri River, and breeding as far south as -Louisiana. It is stated by Audubon to be found on the Columbia River, -but in this he probably referred to the Western race, _V. swainsoni_. -That writer never observed this species in Louisiana or Kentucky, nor -in the maritime part of Georgia, and its manner of entering the United -States he was unable to ascertain. Where it moves to in the winter is -also unknown, none having been met with in the West Indies, and only -at a few points in Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca, and the State of Vera -Cruz. It was, however, found breeding at Calcasieu, Louisiana, by Mr. -Würdemann. - -It breeds abundantly from Virginia to Nova Scotia, and throughout the -Northwestern States. West of the Rocky Mountains it is replaced by a -closely allied species, the _V. swainsoni_. This Vireo, more than any -other of its genus, if not exclusively, is to a large extent a -resident of villages, towns, and even cities. It is by far the -sweetest singer that ventures within their crowded streets and public -squares,—although Mr. Cassin gives his preference to the notes of the -Red-eyed,—and the melody of its song is exquisitely soft and -beautiful. It is chiefly to be found among the tall trees, in the -vicinity of dwellings, where it seems to delight to stay, and from -their highest tops to suspend its pensile nest. It is especially -abundant among the elms on Boston Common, where at almost any hour of -the day, from early in the month of May until long after summer has -gone, may be heard the prolonged notes of this, one of the sweetest -and most constant of our singers. Its voice is not powerful, but its -melody is flute-like and tender. Throughout the last of May, and in -June and July, their charming song may be heard amid the din of the -city from earliest dawn till nightfall, and rarely ceases even in the -noontide heat, when all other birds are silent. It is ever in motion, -while thus singing; and its sweetest notes are given forth as it moves -among the tree-tops in search of insects. It is not only one of our -most constant singers, but it remains musical almost until its -departure for the South in October. - -The Warbling Vireo appears in the Middle States about the 15th of -April, and reaches New England early in May. The path of its northern -migrations, and of its return, is somewhat in doubt. It is abundant in -winter, according to Sumichrast, about Orizaba, and probably enters -Texas and passes north and east along the Mississippi and the Ohio -Rivers. In certain portions of the country this species is evidently -on the increase, becoming more and more common as the country is -settled, and towns and villages spring up. - -The Warbling Vireo builds its nest usually in more elevated positions -than any others of this family. For the most part in the vicinity of -dwellings, often over frequented streets, they suspend their -elaborately woven and beautiful little basket-like nest, secure from -intrusion from their human neighbors, and protected by the near -presence of man from all their more dreaded enemies. Audubon narrates, -in an interesting manner, the building of their nest by a pair of -these birds on a poplar-tree, near his window, in Camden, N. J. It was -suspended between the body of the tree and a branch coming out at an -acute angle. The pair were at work, morning and evening, eight days, -first attaching slender blades of grass to the knots on the branch and -the bark of the trunk, and thence working downward and outward. They -varied their materials, from time to time, until at last he traced -them, after a prolonged absence, to a distant haystack, from which -they brought fine, slender, dry grasses, with which they completed and -lined their nest. - -The nests of the Warbling Vireo, while they resemble closely those of -the other species in all the characteristics of this well-marked -family, are yet, as a rule, more carefully, neatly, and closely built. -They are usually suspended at the height of from thirty to fifty feet, -in the fork of twigs, under and near the extremity of the tree-top, -often an elm, protected from the sun and storm by a canopy of leaves, -and quite out of reach of most enemies. They vary little in size, -being about two inches in height and three and a half in their -greatest diameter, narrowing, toward their junction with the twigs, to -two inches. They are all secured in a very firm manner to the twigs -from which they are suspended by a felting of various materials, -chiefly soft, flexible, flax-like strips of vegetable fibres, leaves, -stems of plants, and strips of bark. With these are interwoven, and -carried out around the outer portions of the nest, long strips of soft -flexible bark of deciduous trees. They are softly and compactly filled -in and lined with fine stems of plants. - -The eggs are usually five in number, and, like those of all the -Vireos, are of a brilliant crystal-white, sparingly spotted at the -larger end with markings of dark brown, and others of a lighter shade. -They are less marked with spots than usual in the genus, and are often -entirely unspotted, and pure white. Occasionally, however, they are -found with well-marked blotches of reddish-brown. They vary in length -from .75 to .70 of an inch, and average about .55 in their breadth. - - -Vireosylvia gilvus, var. swainsoni, BAIRD. - -WESTERN WARBLING GREENLET. - - _Vireo swainsoni_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 336 (Pacific coast).— - ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. A. I, vii. _Vireosylvia swainsoni_, - BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 343. _Vireosylvia gilva_, var. _swainsoni_, - COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 116. _Vireo bartramii_, SWAINSON, F. B. - A. II, 1831, 235 (in part; spec. from Columbia River?). - - [Line drawing: _Vireo swainsoni._ - 12891] - -(No. 5,321 ♂.) Similar to _V. gilva_, but smaller; colors paler. Bill -more depressed. Upper mandible almost black. Second quill much shorter -than sixth. Total length, 4.75; wing, 2.71; tail, 2.35; difference -between tenth quill and longest, .58; exposed portion of first -primary, .58, of second, 1.82, of longest (measured from exposed base -of first primary), 2.10; length of bill from forehead, .56, from -nostril, .29, along gape, .65; depth of bill, .13; tarsus, .70; middle -toe and claw, .56; hind toe and claw, .43. - -HAB. United States, from Rocky Mountains to Pacific coast. - -In the present bird the bill is darker in color, much smaller, and -more depressed, the depth at the base being less than the width, -instead of being equal to it as in var. _gilvus_. The wing is more -rounded, the second quill much shorter than the sixth, generally -shorter or but little longer than the seventh. In var. _gilvus_, the -second quill is about equal to the sixth. The second quill is about -.30 of an inch (or more) shorter than the longest in _swainsoni_, -while in _gilvus_ it is only about .20 shorter. The feet of -_swainsoni_ are weaker, and the colors generally paler and grayer. The -iris, according to Coues, is dark brown. - -Young birds in autumnal plumage have the crown decidedly ash, the -sides more greenish; the wing-coverts pass terminally into a light -brownish tint, producing an inconspicuous band. - -HABITS. This Western representative of the Warbling Vireo is found -throughout the western portions of our Union, from the Great Plains to -the Pacific, and from Arizona to the extreme northern boundary of -Washington Territory. - -Dr. Cooper characterizes this as a lively and familiar songster. It -arrives, he states, at San Diego about April 10, and reaches Puget -Sound toward the middle of May, occupying nearly all the intermediate -country throughout the summer. It frequents the deciduous trees along -the borders of streams and prairies, coming into gardens and orchards -with familiar confidence, wherever cultivation has reclaimed the -wilderness. Like its Eastern prototype, its cheerful and varied song -is heard all day long until quite late in the autumn. They too build -their nests in the shade-trees of the parks of busy cities, singing -ever their delightful strains, unconscious of the busy and noisy crowd -that throngs the neighboring streets. - -Dr. Cooper states that its nests are pendent from the forks of a -branch high above the ground, sometimes to the height of a hundred -feet. - -Mr. Ridgway, who observed the habits of this species in Utah and -Nevada, speaks of it as the characteristic Vireo of the West. It was -found by him in all the fertile localities, and was one of the most -common birds in the wooded regions. He found it very generally -distributed through the summer, inhabiting the copses along the -streams of the mountain cañons, and the open groves of the parks, as -well as the cottonwoods and willows of the river valleys. In the fall -the berries of a species of the cornel that grows along the mountain -streams constitute its principal food. Its notes and manners are -identical with those of the Eastern species. - -The nests of this species are not distinguishable, except in the -necessarily varying materials, from those of the Eastern birds. In -position, size, and shape they are the same. The eggs, four or five in -number, are white, spotted with brown and reddish-brown, and measure -.78 by .58 of an inch. The spots are somewhat darker than those of the -_V. gilvus_, and the shape more of an oblong-oval, in all that I have -seen. But this difference may disappear in the examination of a larger -number. - -A nest found by Mr. Ridgway near Fort Churchill, Nevada, June 24, was -suspended from the extremity of a twig of a sapling of the cottonwood, -in a copse of the same growing in a river-bottom. It has a height of -two and a half inches, and a diameter of three. It is composed -externally of an elaborate interweaving of spiders’-webs, willow and -cottonwood down, and strong cord-like strips of fine inner bark. These -are strongly bound around the twigs from which the nest is suspended. -It is one of the most elaborately interwoven, homogeneous, and -well-felted nests of this bird I have ever met with. Another nest, -from Parley’s Park, Utah, obtained June 28, differs in having the -external portion woven almost exclusively of fine strips of bleached -bark, and is lined with fine wiry grasses. In each of these the eggs -were four in number, all oblong-oval in shape, but much more pointed -at one end in the latter nest. - -This species was found breeding in Napa Valley, Cal., by Mr. A. J. -Grayson, and at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus. - - -SUBGENUS LANIVIREO, BAIRD. - -CHAR. Body stout, head broad. Bill short and stout, broad at the base, -the culmen curved from the base, the commissure considerably arched. -Bill blue-black. Feet stout. Type, _V. flavifrons_. For figure, see -page 379. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. A broad stripe from bill to and around, but -not beyond, the eye. Two broad white bands across the wings. Bill -plumbeous-blue, black toward culmen. Iris brown in all species? - -1. L. solitarius. Spurious primary exposed. Throat and orbital -ring white. - - _a._ Spurious primary well developed,—.60 or more long, .10 - broad. - - Nape and side of neck plumbeous; upper tail-coverts - olive-green. Crissum tinged with yellow, but none on side of - throat, nor across breast. Wing, 3.05; tail, 2.40; bill, from - nostril, .27; tarsus, .66. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United - States, straggling westward to the Pacific Coast, especially - in its migration southward into Mexico, where it penetrates - in winter as far as Guatemala … var. _solitarius_. - - Above continuous olive-brown; below ochraceous-white, with a - buffy tinge across breast, and deeply olivaceous along sides. - Crissum tinged with yellow. Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.15; bill, 30; - tarsus, 66. _Hab._ Pacific Province of United States, - straggling in autumn eastward into the Middle Province … - var. _cassini_. - - Above continuous ashy-plumbeous. Beneath pure white, ashy - along sides, and very slightly so across breast. Wing, 3.25; - tail, 2.50; bill, .30; tarsus, .66. _Hab._ Middle Province of - United States, south, in winter, through Western Mexico to - Colima … var. _plumbeus_. - - _b._ Spurious primary very minute,—about .30 long by .04 wide. - - Nape and side of neck olive-green; upper tail-coverts - plumbeous. Crissum not tinged with yellow, but sides of the - throat and across the breast are. Wing, 3.10; tail. 2.20; - bill, .29; tarsus, .64. _Hab._ Coban, Vera Cruz, Guatemala; - resident? … var. _propinquus_.[77] - -2. L. flavifrons. Spurious primary concealed. Throat and -orbital ring yellow. - - Anterior half of body olive-green above, lemon-yellow below; - posterior half plumbeous-ash above, white below. Wing, 3.00; - tail, 1.90; bill, .32; tarsus, .70. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of United States, south, in winter, to Costa Rica, and very - rare in Cuba. - - -Lanivireo solitarius, BAIRD. - -BLUE-HEADED VIREO. - - _Muscicapa solitaria_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 143, pl. xvii, fig. - 6. _Vireo solitarius_, VIEILL.—AUD. I.—CASSIN, Sc.—SCLATER, P. Z. - S. 1856, 298 (Cordova); 1859, 363 (Xalapa); 375 (Oaxaca?).—SCLATER - & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 31 (Guatemala).—CAB. Jour. III, 468 - (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba; very rare).—SAMUELS, - Birds N. Eng. 277. _Vireo_ (_Lanivireo_) _sol._ BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 329. _Vireosylvia_ (_Lanivireo_) _solitaria_, BAIRD, - Rev. Am. B. 1864, 347. - - [Line drawing: _Lanivireo solitarius._ - 29274] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 300 ♂.) Above olive-green, including upper -tail-coverts; the top and sides of head and nape ashy-plumbeous; sides -of the neck plumbeous-olive. Broad line from nostrils to and around -eye, involving the whole lower eyelid, white. A loral line involving -the edge of the eyelid, and a space beneath the eye, dusky plumbeous. -Beneath white; the sides yellow, overlaid with olive, this color not -extending anterior to the breast. Axillars and base of crissum pale -sulphur-yellow, the long feathers of the latter much paler or nearly -white. Wings with two bands and outer edges of innermost secondaries -olivaceous-white; the quills dark brown, edged externally with -olive-green, internally with white; tail-feathers similarly marked, -except that the lateral feather is edged externally also with white, -the central without internal border. Bill and legs blackish-plumbeous. -Iris brown. - -First quill spurious, rather more than one fifth the second, which is -intermediate between the fifth and sixth; third longest. - -Fresh specimen: Total length, 5.40; expanse of wing, 9.00. Prepared -specimen: Total length, 5.25; wing, 2.95: tail, 2.35. - -HAB. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific; Cape St. Lucas. Not -recorded from Southern Rocky Mountains, where replaced by _L. -plumbeus_. South to Mexico and Guatemala. Vera Cruz (winter, -SUMICHRAST). Very rare in Cuba. - -Spring specimens show sometimes a gloss of plumbeous on the back, -obscuring the olive, the contrast of colors being greater in the -autumnal and young birds. Sometimes the crissum appears nearly white. -The length of the spurious primary varies considerably, from .45 to -.75 of an inch. - -In autumn the colors are similar, but slightly duller and less sharply -defined, while the back is considerably tinged with ashy. - -HABITS. The Solitary Vireo appears to be found, irregularly, -throughout the United States. Nowhere abundant, so far as I am aware, -it seems to be more common in California than on the Atlantic, while -there are also large tracks of intervening territory in which we have -no knowledge of its presence. On the Atlantic it has been met with -from Georgia to the Bay of Fundy. In Massachusetts it has been found -in a few restricted localities; in one or two of them, they are as -abundant as the White-eyed. Mr. Dresser found it in Texas, near San -Antonio, late in the autumn, and early in spring, but none remained to -breed. Mr. Boardman gives them as a summer visitant at Calais, but not -common, and Professor Verrill makes a similar statement for Western -Maine, where it arrives in the second week of May. According to Mr. -Allen, it reaches Western Massachusetts by May 1, but it is there -quite rare. A few are presumed to stop and breed. - -In California, Mr. Gambel states that it is quite abundant in the -latter part of summer, and throughout the winter, frequenting low -bushes and thickets. Dr. Heermann also frequently met with it. Both at -the East and the West it is undoubtedly only migratory to about the -40th parallel, and does not, except in mountainous localities, breed -south of that line. Professor Baird found it breeding in the South -Mountains, near Carlisle, Penn., in May, 1844. It occurs in Guatemala -in the winter. - -Dr. Cooper states that it reaches Puget Sound by the first of May, and -he has also observed it in the Colorado Valley, after the 14th, where -they made themselves conspicuous by their song, but in a few days had -all passed northward. He has met them nesting in May at the eastern -base of the Coast Range, and has also found them quite common, in -summer, on the Columbia River. Their favorite resorts are the -deciduous oaks. - -These birds were found breeding at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus, and at -Vancouver by Mr. Hepburn. - -Mr. Ridgway met with a few in September, in the thickets along the -streams flowing from the Clover Mountains. - -This species was taken in winter by Mr. Boucard, at Talew, in the -State of Oaxaca, Mexico. - -Mr. Audubon’s statement that this bird is rather abundant, and that it -breeds in Louisiana, is undoubtedly incorrect, and his description of -its nest and eggs belongs rather to the Yellow-throated, and agrees -with none that I have ever seen of this species. That he found them -abundant in Maine, and traced them as far north as Pictou, Nova -Scotia, is more probable. Dr. Bachman speaks of this species becoming -each year more abundant in South Carolina, coming in February and -remaining through March. - -Mr. Nuttall, who met with this species on the Columbia, about the -beginning of May, describes its song as a plaintive, deliberate -warble, intermediate between the song of the _olivaceus_ and the -_flavifrons_. Mr. Burroughs describes the love-notes of these birds as -being inexpressibly sweet and tender in both sexes. The song of the -male, as I have heard it, bears no resemblance to that of any other -Vireo. It is a prolonged and very peculiar ditty, repeated at frequent -intervals and always identical. It begins with a lively and pleasant -warble, of a gradually ascending scale, which at a certain pitch -suddenly breaks down into a falsetto note. The song then rises again -in a single high note, and ceases. For several summers the same bird -has been heard, near my house in Hingham, in a wild pasture, on the -edge of a wood, always singing the same singular refrain, during the -month of June. - -Mr. Nuttall found a nest of this species suspended from the forked -twig of a wild crab-tree, about ten feet from the ground. The chief -materials were dead and withered grasses, with some cobwebs -agglutinated together, externally partially covered with a few shreds -of hypnum, assimilating it to the branch on which it hung, -intermingled with a few white paper-like capsules of the spiders’ -nests, and lined with a few blades of grass and slender root-fibres. - -Seven nests of this species, found in Lynn and Hingham, Mass., exhibit -peculiarities of structure substantially identical. In comparison with -the nests of other Vireos, they are all loosely constructed, and seem -to be not so securely fastened to the twigs, from which they are -suspended. One of these nests, typical of the general character, -obtained in Lynn, May 27, 1859, by Mr. George O. Welch, was suspended -from the branches of a young oak, about twelve feet from the ground. -The external depth of this nest was only two and a half inches, the -diameter three and a quarter, and its cavity one and three quarters -inches deep, and two inches wide at the rim. It was constructed -externally of strips of yellow and of gray birch-bark, intermingled -with bits of wool and dry grasses. The external portion was quite -loosely put together, but was lined, in a more compact manner, with -dry leaves of the white pine, arranged in layers. Another nest, found -in Hingham, was but two feet from the ground, on a branch of a hickory -sapling. In its general structure it was the same, only differing in -shape, being made to conform to its position, and being twice as long -as it was broad. It contained four young, when found, about the 10th -of June. One nest alone, built on a bush in Lynn, exhibits even an -average degree of compactness in its external structure. This is -largely composed of cocoons, which are woven together into a somewhat -homogeneous and cloth-like substance. Within, decayed stems of grasses -take the place of the usual pine-needles. - -In the summer of 1870 a pair built their nest in a dwarf pear-tree, -within a few rods of my house. They were at first very shy and would -not permit themselves to be seen at their work, and suspended all -labor when any one was occupied near their chosen tree. Soon after the -construction of the nest two Cowbird’s eggs were deposited, which I -removed, although the female only laid two of her own before she began -to sit upon them. By this time she became more familiar, and would not -leave her nest unless I attempted to lay hands upon her. She made no -complaints in the manner of the White-eyed, nor sought to attack like -the Yellow-throated, but kept within a few feet, and watched me with -eager eyes, until I left her. Unfortunately, her nest was pillaged by -a Black-billed Cuckoo, and I was unable to observe her feed her young, -as I had hoped to do. - -The eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, moderately pointed at one end, -and of a white ground, less crystalline than in the other species of -its kind. They are spotted pretty uniformly over the entire egg with -dots of dark red and reddish-brown. They are usually five in number. - - -Lanivireo solitarius, var. cassini, BAIRD. - -CASSIN’S VIREO. - - _Vireo cassini_, XANTUS, Pr. A. N. S. Phil. May, 1858, 117.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 340, pl. lxxviii, fig. 1; Review Am. B. I, - 1865, 347 (sub _V. solitaria_), RIDGWAY. - -SP. CHAR. Third and fourth quills nearly equal, fifth shorter, second -longer than seventh. Spurious primary very narrow, falcate, acute; -less than one third the second quill, and a little more than one -fourth the third. Above, including edges of wing and tail-feathers, -clear olive-green, becoming dusky ashy on the top and sides of head. -Beneath fulvous-white, tinged with ill-defined olive-green on the -sides (scarcely on the crissum). Two broad bands on the wing-coverts -and the outer edges of the innermost secondaries greenish-white; the -outer edge of outer tail-feather, with a broad ring round the eye, -extending to a frontal band, dull white. Length about 5 inches; wing, -2.75; tail, 2.30. - -HAB. Fort Tejon, Cal. (XANTUS); West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada -(RIDGWAY). - -Since the type of this variety was obtained, two other specimens (Nos. -53,418 ♀ and 53,419 ♂, September, 1867; R. Ridgway) have been secured -by the United States Geological Survey of the 40th Parallel, in -command of Mr. Clarence King, in the West Humboldt Mountains, Nevada. -These specimens are even more different from true _solitarius_ than is -the type of this race, showing that it is really distinct, as a -variety. In the same thickets at the same season, perfectly typical -specimens of _V. solitarius_ were obtained; the latter having, no -doubt, come from their more northern summer home on their passage -southward into Mexico. - -In the Humboldt Mountain specimens the crown shows no trace of ash, -and is even darker and more brownish than the back. In fact, the -relation of the _V. cassini_ to _V. solitaria_ is an almost exact -parallel to that of _V. josephæ_ to _V. gilvus_, as far as coloration -is concerned, in each case the extreme being widely different, but -connected by specimens showing intermediate characters. - -Nothing is known of the habits of this race. - - -Lanivireo solitarius, var. plumbeus, COUES. - -LEAD-COLORED VIREO. - - _Vireosylvia plumbea_, COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1866 (Fort Whipple, - near Prescott, Arizona).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 119.—ELLIOT, - Illust. Birds N. A. I, vii. _V._ (_Lanivireo_) _plumbea_, BAIRD, - Rev. 349. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 37,011.) Whole upper parts and sides of head uniform -plumbeous; the lower part of the back with a faint wash of olivaceous. -A white line from bill to and around eye; a dusky line from corner of -eye to bill. Sides of breast and flanks plumbeous, paler than the -back; the flanks very slightly tinged with olive-green. Rest of under -parts white; the axillars ashy, edged with white. Wings above with two -conspicuous white bands; the innermost quills edged externally and the -longer ones internally with white, the latter edged externally with -light ash. Bill and legs dark plumbeous, “Iris hazel.” Tail-feathers -narrowly edged all round with white, narrowest internally, and -increasing from central to lateral feathers. Upper tail-coverts clear -ash. - - [Line drawing: _Vireosylvia plumbea._ - 37010] - -As the specimen in finest plumage (described above) is moulting the -quills, the measurements are taken from another (37,010). In this the -first quill is not quite one third the second, which equals the sixth, -the third and fourth longest. - -(No. 37,010.) Fresh specimen: Total length, 6.10; expanse of wings, -10.80. Prepared specimen: Total length, 5.75; wing, 3.25; tail, 2.70; -difference between tenth and longest quill, .95; exposed portion of -first primary, .75, of second, 2.34, of longest, third (measured from -exposed base of first primary), 2.54; length of bill from forehead, -.55, from nostril, .31, along gape, .70; tarsus, .75; middle toe and -claw, .60, claw alone, .21; hind toe and claw, .50, claw alone, .23. - -HAB. Southern Rocky Mountains; East Humboldt Mountains, Nevada -(RIDGWAY). In winter to Colima, Mexico. - -While the pattern of coloration is precisely similar to that of -_Lanivireo solitarius_, the difference in the colors appears to be -occasioned merely by removing, as it were, the yellow stain, which on -the plumbeous produces the olive-green tinge, and exists in a purer -tint along the sides, leaving, essentially, only clear plumbeous and -pure white; there is, however, in the most typical specimens, always a -faint tinge of green on the rump, and a stain of yellow along the -side. Though identical with _solitarius_ in most of its proportions, -the wings and tail are considerably longer than in the average of that -form. - -There are many specimens from the Rocky Mountains and westward that -are so decidedly intermediate between _solitarius_ and _plumbeus_, -that, considering also the lack of essential difference in form and -coloration between the two, we do not hesitate to consider them, along -with _cassini_ and _propinquus_ (see page 373), as races of a single -species, of which each is the representative in a particular region. -Thus, _V. solitarius_ breeds in the Eastern Province of the United -States (and possibly in the Western, following the same route far to -the northward that many Eastern birds pursue in straggling westward), -and migrates in winter into Middle America as far as Guatemala; those -which breed in the Northwest pass directly southward, thus crossing -the region where _cassini_ and _plumbeus_ breed, which accounts for -their being obtained together. _V. cassini_ is the representative on -the opposite side of the continent; but the history of its migrations -is yet obscure. _V. plumbeus_ is the Middle Province and Rocky -Mountain representative, breeding alone in that region, and in winter -migrating southward through Western Mexico as far as Colima. _V. -propinquus_ is another permanent race, but a local one, being resident -in the country where found, though mixed in winter with visitors of -_solitarius_ from the North. - -HABITS. Of this very recently discovered race, very little is at -present known. It was first described by Dr. Coues, who met with it in -Arizona, near Fort Whipple. He says it is especially abundant in the -northern part of that Territory. It was by far the most common Vireo -at Fort Whipple, where it is a summer resident, arriving there about -the 15th of April and remaining until October. - -It was found to be common about Laramie Peak, by Dr. R. Hitz, and was -also met with in winter on the plains at Colima, Mexico, by Xantus. - -It was seen in the summers of 1868 and 1869, by Mr. Ridgway, among the -cedar and nut-pine woods on the slopes and among the brushwood in the -cañons of the East Humboldt Mountains, being most partial to the -former situations. There, too, it undoubtedly breeds, as in the latter -part of July young birds, unable to fly, were met with by him. He also -states that the common notes of this Vireo very closely resemble those -of the Western Wood Wren (_Troglodytes parkmanni_). - - -Lanivireo flavifrons, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. - - _Vireo flavifrons_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 85, pl. liv.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, 1834, pl. cxix.—IB. Birds. Am. IV, pl. - ccxxxviii.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1851, 149.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1857, 227 (Vera Cruz); 1860, 257 (Orizaba).—SCLATER & SALVIN, - Ibis, I, 1859, 12 (Guatemala).—CAB. Jour. III, 468 (Cuba; - winter).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba; rare).—CAB. Jour. - 1860, 405 (Costa Rica). _Vireo_ (_Lanivireo_) _flav._ BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 341. _Vireosylvia_ (_Lanivireo_) _flavifrons_, BAIRD, - Rev. 346. _Muscicapa sylvicola_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 117, pl. - vii, f. 3. - - [Line drawing: _Vireosylvia flavifrons._ - 2217] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 28,390.) Head and neck above and on sides, with -interscapular region, bright olive-green. Lower back, rump, tail, and -wing-coverts ashy. Wings brown, with two white bands across the -coverts, the outer edges of inner secondaries, and inner edges of all -the quills, with inside of wing, white. Outer primaries edged with -gray, the inner with olive. Tail-feathers brown, entirely encircled by -a narrow edge of white. Under parts to middle of body, a line from -nostrils over eye, eyelids, and patch beneath the eye (bordered behind -by the olive of neck) bright gamboge-yellow; rest of under parts -white, the flanks faintly glossed with ashy. Lores dusky. Bill and -legs plumbeous-black. - -No spurious primary evident: second quill longest; first a little -shorter than third. - -Length, 5.80; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.00; difference of longest and -innermost quills, .90; tarsus, .73. - -HAB. Eastern United States, south to Costa Rica. Veragua (SALVIN). -Very rare in Cuba. - -Autumnal birds, perhaps more especially the young, are more glossed -with olivaceous, which invades the ashy portions, and tinges the -white. - -HABITS. All the older ornithological writers, in speaking of the -Yellow-throated Vireo, repeat each other in describing it as -peculiarly attracted to the forest, seeking its solitudes and gleaning -its food chiefly among its topmost branches. Such has not been my -experience with this interesting and attractive little songster. I -have found no one of this genus, not even the _gilva_, so common in -the vicinity of dwellings, or more familiar and fearless in its -intercourse with man. All of its nests that I have ever met with have -been built in gardens and orchards, and in close proximity to -dwellings, and they have also been exclusively in comparatively low -positions. In one of the most recent instances a pair of these birds -built one of their beautiful moss-covered nests in a low branch of an -apple-tree that overhung the croquet-ground, within a few rods of my -house. It was first noticed in consequence of its bold little builder -flying in my face whenever I approached too near, even before its nest -contained any eggs. The grounds were in frequent use, and the pair -were at first a good deal disturbed by these constant intrusions, but -they soon became reconciled to their company, and would not leave -their position, even though the game was contested immediately under -their nest, which was thus often brought within a foot of the heads of -the players. Before this nest was quite finished, the female began her -duties of incubation. Her assiduous mate was constantly engaged at -first in completing the external ornamentation of the nest with -lichens and mosses, and then with a renewal of his interrupted -concerts of song. These duties he varied by frequent captures of -insects, winged and creeping, most of which he duly carried to his -mate. His song was varied, sweet, and touchingly beautiful. Less -powerful than the notes of several others of its family, except those -of the _Warbling_, I know of none more charming. - -These birds reach New England about the 10th of May, and usually have -their nests constructed early in June. Their habits, in all essential -respects, are the same as those of all its family. They are somewhat -confiding and trustful of man, are readily approached, and soon become -so well acquainted with those among whom they have a home as to -fearlessly come to the windows of the house in pursuit of spiders or -flies, and even to enter them. In the latter case they cannot readily -make their exit, and soon lose their self-possession, beating their -heads against the walls and ceiling in vain attempts to get out, -unless caught and released. In one instance a young bird, that had -entered my barn-chamber, became so entangled in cobwebs, around his -wings and feet, as to be unable to escape again. When taken in the -hand, and his meshes one by one picked out from about his feet and -quills, he was very docile, made no resistance or outcry, nor any -attempt to escape, until he was entirely freed from his bonds, -although it required some time and care to accomplish it. When -entirely freed from these clogs, and permitted to go, he flew away -very deliberately to a short distance, and occupied himself with -dressing his disordered plumage. - -The nest of this species is also a pendent structure, and -hemispherical in shape. It may always be readily distinguished from -any other nest of this family by the profusion of lichens and mosses -with which its outer portion is adorned and covered, giving it the -appearance of a large moss-covered knot. - -In most of the towns in the vicinity of Boston this species, though -not abundant, is quite common. Their nests, built usually in low and -rather conspicuous positions for birds of this kind, occur most -frequently in gardens and orchards. One of these, found suspended from -a moss-covered branch of an apple-tree in Roxbury, may be taken as -typical of its kind. Its rim was firmly bound around the fork of a -branch by a continuation of the materials that form the outside of the -nest itself. These are an interweaving of spiders’-webs, and silky -threads from insect cocoons, largely intermingled with mosses and -lichens, and thus made to conform closely in appearance to the -moss-grown bark of the tree. The under portion of the nest is -strengthened by long strips of the inner bark of the wild grape. -Within is an inner nest made of fine grassy stems and bark. It forms -exactly a half-sphere in shape, is symmetrical, and is very thoroughly -made. Its diameter is four, and its height two and one fourth inches. - -Mr. Nuttall describes a nest of this bird, found by him suspended from -the forked twig of an oak, near a dwelling-house, as coated over with -green lichens, attached very artfully by a slender string of -caterpillars’ silk, the whole afterwards tied over by almost invisible -threads of the same, so nicely done as to appear to be glued on. The -whole fabric was thus made to resemble an accidental knot of the tree, -grown over with moss. Another nest, observed by the same writer, was -fixed on the depending branches of a wild cherry, and was fifty feet -from the ground. So lofty a position as this is probably very unusual. -I have never met with any higher than ten feet from the ground. - -The food of this Vireo is chiefly insects, and in the breeding-season -is altogether so. Later in the season they mingle with these various -kinds of small berries. - -The eggs of this species vary from .95 to .88 of an inch in length, -and from .65 to .60 in breadth. Their ground-color is white, often -with a very perceptible tint of roseate when fresh. In this respect -they differ in a very marked manner from the eggs of any other of this -genus, except, perhaps, the _barbatula_, and may thus always be very -easily recognized. They are more or less boldly marked with blotches -of a dark roseate-brown, also peculiar to the eggs of this species, -though varying greatly in their size and depth of color. - -This Vireo winters, in great numbers, in Central America, and was -largely represented in the collection of Dr. Van Patten from -Guatemala. It was also found at Pirico, in Colombia, South America, by -Mr. C. W. Wyatt. It occurs in abundance as far to the west as -Grinnell, Iowa, where Mr. W. H. Parker found it to be a very common -summer resident. - - -SUBGENUS VIREO, VIEILL. - - _Vireo_, VIEILL., Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 83. (Type, _Muscicapa - noveboracensis_, GM.) - - [Line drawing: _Vireo noveboracensis._ - 29248] - -CHAR. Wings short and rounded, a little longer than the tail, equal to -it, or shorter. First primary distinct and large, from two fifths to -half or more the length of the second, shorter or not longer than the -eighth. - - [Illustration: _Vireo noveboracensis._] - -The characters of _Vireo_ are essentially those of _Vireosylvia_; the -bill, however, is shorter; the first quill always present, better -developed, sometimes more than half the second. The wings are shorter, -and more rounded; the tarsi usually longer. The, sections are as -follows:— - -Vireo. Wings pointed; first quill less than half the second, which -is about equal to seventh or eighth, and decidedly longer than the -tenth primary and the secondaries. Type, _V. noveboracensis_. - -Vireonella. Wings rounded, scarcely longer than the tail; the first -quill half as long as the second (or more than half), which is not -longer than the tenth primary and secondaries, or even less. Bill and -feet generally much stouter than the preceding. Type, _V. gundlachi_. - -None of the species of _Vireonella_ are found in the United States. - - -Species. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. All the species olivaceous or ashy above, -beneath whitish, or olivaceous-yellow. Wings with light bands. A -light stripe from bill over the eye, but not beyond it, except in -_carmioli_. Iris brown, as far as known, except in _V. noveboracensis_, -where it is white. - - A. Two conspicuous light bands on wing. - - _a._ Sexes different. Whole lore white. - - 1. V. atricapillus. Above olive-green, outer edges of - tail-feathers bright yellowish-green; wing-bands - greenish-white. Sides olivaceous-yellow. _Male._ Head and - neck (except lore, orbital ring, chin, and throat) deep - black; lower parts pure white medially. _Female_ with the - black replaced by dull slate; lower parts ochraceous-white - medially. Wing, 2.30; tail, 1.80; tarsus, .68; bill, from - nostril, .24. _Hab._ Southern Texas; Mazatlan, Mexico. - - _b._ Sexes alike. Lore dusky, with light mark above it. - - 2. V. carmioli.[78] Above brownish olive-green. Beneath, - with supra-loral stripe, orbital ring, and light markings - on the wings, light ochrey-yellow more whitish on the - throat. Wing, 2.55; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .66; bill, .26. - _Hab._ Costa Rica. - - 3. V. noveboracensis. Above olive-green, ashy across the - nape. Supra-loral stripe and orbital ring deep yellow. - Beneath ashy-white on throat, purer white on abdomen; - sides, and a tinge across the breast, light yellow. Iris - white. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .63; bill, .26. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south (in winter) - to Guatemala (and Bogota?); very rare in Cuba; abundant and - resident in Bermuda. - - 4. V. huttoni. Above grayish-olive, more olive-green - toward tail. Below pale grayish-buff. Orbital ring very - broad, yellowish-white. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.05; tarsus, - .67; bill, .24. _Hab._ California; in winter, Western - Mexico to Oaxaca. - - B. Only one band on wing, and this indistinct. - - 5. V. belli. Above ashy-olive, more virescent - posteriorly. Markings on side of head not well defined. - Below dull white, with a slight buffy tinge, strongly - stained with yellow on sides and flanks. Upper feathers of - middle row of wing-coverts passing into paler at tip, - producing an indication of an anterior band. Wing, 2.20; - tail, 1.80; tarsus, .69; bill, .25. _Hab._ Plains between - the Mississippi Valley and the Rocky Mountains, from Dakota - to Texas; in winter south to Tehuantepec, Mexico. - - 6. V. pusillus. Above grayish-ash, very slightly tinged - with olive on rump. Below dull white, ashy laterally, the - flanks with the slightest possible tinge of yellow. Wing, - 2.30; tail, 2.20; tarsus, .69; bill, .24, .13 deep. _Hab._ - Arizona; Cape St. Lucas, Lower California; California north - to Sacramento City. - - 7. V. vicinior. Above bluish-ash, below ashy-white, - scarcely more ashy laterally. Lores entirely ashy-white. - Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.40; tarsus, .67; bill, .26, .18 deep. - _Hab._ Fort Whipple, Arizona. - - -Vireo atricapillus, WOODHOUSE. - -BLACK-CAPPED VIREO. - - _Vireo atricapillus_, WOODHOUSE, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1852, 60 (San Pedro, - Tex.).—IB. Sitgreaves’s Rep. 1853, 75, pl. i, Birds.—CASSIN, - Illust. 1854, 153, pl. xxiv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 337; Rev. - 353.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 121. - - [Line drawing: _Vireo atricapillus._ - 6818] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 6,818.) Top and sides of head and neck black; rest of -upper parts olive-green. Wing and tail feathers almost black on their -upper surface, the quills and rectrices edged with olive (paler on the -exterior primaries), the wing-coverts with two greenish-white bands on -a blackish ground. Broad line from bill to and around eye (not meeting -on forehead) with under parts white; the sides of body olivaceous; the -axillars and inner wing-coverts (perhaps crissum) yellowish. Bill -black; feet plumbeous; iris bright red. First quill less than half the -second, which about equals the tenth; third little shorter than fourth -(longest). - -_Female._ With the black replaced by dull slate; lower parts -ochraceous-white medially. Possibly a distinct species (Mazatlan). - -(No. 6,818.) Fresh specimen: Total length, 4.75; expanse of wings, -7.25; wing from carpal joint, 2.12. Prepared specimen: Total length, -4.10; wing, 2.25; tail, 1.95. - -HAB. Southern border of Western Texas; Mazatlan. - -The black head of this species, as far as known, makes it unique in -the genus. It is extremely rare, but three or four specimens being -known. - -We refer to this species a specimen—probably a female—obtained at -Mazatlan, on the western coast of Mexico, in April, by Colonel Grayson -(S. I., No. 55,046). This specimen differs from those from Texas in -having the black of the head replaced by a dull dark slate-color, the -olive above rather less virescent, and the lower parts not pure white, -but somewhat buffy. As all the other essential characters are -identical, there being in both the white space covering the whole -lore, and orbital ring interrupted on top,—features not seen in any -other species,—we have little hesitation in considering them the same -species; which opinion is moreover strengthened by the fact, that -among the Texas specimens, all with black caps, there are no females. - -HABITS. Of the general history and habits of this rare species very -little is known. It was first met with by Dr. Woodhouse, on the 26th -of May, 1851, in Western Texas. This was on the Rio San Pedro, within -ten miles of its source. He found it among some cedars, and was -attracted by its very singular notes. It was in continual motion, like -a Wood Warbler, and was by him at first supposed to be one of those -birds. He obtained two specimens, both of which proved to be males. - -Mr. John H. Clark, the naturalist of the Mexican Boundary Commission, -likewise found this species in Texas, and not far from the same -locality in which it was discovered by Dr. Woodhouse. His attention -also was drawn to the bird by its shrill discordant chirp, which it -uttered incessantly in its pursuit of insects. Three specimens only -were seen, and all of them at one locality, the valley of the Rio San -Pedro, to which it seemed to be confined. It was not at all shy, and -showed no concern when Mr. Clark approached within a few rods. Its -constant motion, hopping incessantly from branch to branch, made it a -matter of some difficulty to procure specimens. It was found in June, -and the single specimen shot by Mr. Clark was also a male. - - -Vireo noveboracensis, BONAP. - -WHITE-EYED VIREO. - - _Muscicapa noveboracensis_, GM. Syst. Nat. I 1788, 947 (_Green - Flycatcher_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 389). _Vireo noveb._ BON. - Obs. Wilson, 1825.—AUD.; CASSIN.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 338; - Rev. 354.—MAX.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 204 (Xalapa); 228 (Vera - Cruz).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, II, 1860, 274 (Coban, - Guat.).—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 71 (resident).—CAB. Jour. III, - 469 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba; rare).—SAMUELS, - Birds N. Eng. 275. _Vireo musicus_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, - 1807, 83, pl. liii. _Muscicapa cantatrix_, WILS. II, 1810, 266, - pl. xviii. - Figures: AUD. Orn. Biog. pl. lxiii.—IB. Birds N. A. IV, pl. ccxl. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 10,193 ♂, Illinois.) First primary about half the -length of second, which is longer than secondaries, and about equal to -the eighth; the fourth longest; third and fifth little shorter. - -Above quite olive-green; sides of neck, and a gloss on its upper -surface, ashy. The middle concealed portion of feathers of lower back -and rump pale sulphur-yellowish. Beneath white; the chin and lower -cheeks with a grayish tinge; the sides of breast and body, with -axillars and base of crissum (more faintly), bright yellow; the inner -wing-coverts and rest of crissum much paler, almost white. A broad -yellow line from nostrils to and continuous with a yellow ring round -the eye, which is encircled exteriorly by olivaceous; a dusky loral, -but no post-ocular spot. Wings with two covert-bands and innermost -secondaries externally, broadly yellowish-white; rest of quills edged -externally with olive, except the two outer and tips of other -primaries, which are grayish. Rectrices edged externally with olive, -except outermost, which is bordered by grayish. All the long quills -bordered internally by whitish. Bill blue-black, paler on the edges; -legs dark plumbeous. Iris white. Total length, 4.90; wing, 2.40; tail, -2.20. - -HAB. United States, west to base of Rocky Mountains; south to -Guatemala; Bogota? Very rare in Cuba. Abundant and resident in the -Bermudas. - -Specimens vary slightly in a greater amount of ashy on the head, and -less brilliancy of the yellow of head and sides. Sometimes there is a -decided ashy shade in the white of throat and jugulum, which again has -a very faint tinge of yellowish. - -HABITS. The White-eyed Vireo is one of the most common and one of the -most widely diffused of its genus in all parts of the United States -east of the Rocky Mountains. It apparently breeds in all parts of the -Union, from Texas and the Indian Territory on the southwest to Iowa -and Wisconsin, and as far to the northeast as Massachusetts. In the -last-named State it becomes exceedingly rare, and beyond it is -apparently not found, none having been met with either by Messrs. -Verrill or Boardman in any part of Maine. In Western Massachusetts it -was not found by Mr. Allen, though it occurs in the eastern part, -along the coast. Mr. Dresser found it common in Western Texas, many -remaining there to breed, and Dr. Woodhouse also found it abundant in -Texas, New Mexico, and the Indian Territory, where it frequented the -thickets bordering on the streams. It breeds abundantly in the -Northwest States of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. It also breeds in -the islands of Bermuda. - -In the winter months this species retires to the more southern States, -and to Mexico and Central and South America, though Sumichrast does -not give it as occurring in the Department of Vera Cruz. Nuttall found -it in South Carolina in the middle of January, and Wilson met with -them in full song in Georgia in February. The fact that it was seven -weeks after this before they made their appearance in Pennsylvania is -given by that writer as evidence of the gradual progression made by -this species in its movements northward, regulated by the development -of the season. Audubon, however, states the first of March as about -the time of its first appearance in Louisiana. He also mentions that -this species is a constant resident in the Floridas during winter, and -also in the lower portions of Alabama and Georgia. A large number also -pass farther south, as is shown by the abundance of the arrivals in -early spring on the coast of Texas. Mr. Audubon states also that -Townsend met with them on the Columbia River, and that he himself -found them along the coast in Maine, Nova Scotia, and Labrador. This, -however, I am inclined to consider a misstatement, as they have not -since been detected either west of Dakota or north of the 42d -parallel. - -This Vireo is one of the most conspicuous singers of this family. Its -songs are more earnest and louder than those of any of our Eastern -species, and exhibit the greatest variations, beginning in the earlier -part of the season with a simple low whistle, but changing in May into -a very quaint and peculiar succession of irregular notes. Some of -these are very softly and sweetly whistled, while others are uttered -with a vehemence and shrillness that seem hardly possible in so small -a bird. - -This is an unsuspecting and familiar bird, permitting a near approach, -and when whistled to will often stop and eye you with marked -curiosity, and even approach a little nearer, as if to obtain a better -view, entirely unconscious of any danger. This is not so, however, -when they have a nest. On this occasion they exhibit great uneasiness -when their nest is visited, approaching very near to the intruder, -looking down upon him with marked expressions of uneasiness, and -scolding all the while with great earnestness, and with a hoarse -mewing that is very peculiar. This display is continued even after the -fledglings are full grown and able to take care of themselves. - -The food of this species in early summer is almost exclusively small -insects, which it gleans with great assiduity. In Eastern -Massachusetts, like all its kindred, it feeds eagerly upon the young -larvæ of the destructive canker-worm, and doubtless, in the wilder -portions of the country, is of considerable service in restricting the -increase of this scourge. - -The White-eyed Vireo may usually be found in wild, swampy, open -grounds, near the edges of woods, and where there are small thickets -of smilax and other briers and wild vines, in the midst of which it -often builds its pensile nest. These nests are rarely, if ever, more -than three or four feet from the ground. Two nests of this bird, one -from Neosho Falls, Kansas, the other from Lynn, Mass., may be taken as -characteristic of the species. They are almost exactly hemispherical -in shape, their height and diameter being the same,—three inches. They -were suspended from low bushes, hanging from the extreme ends of the -twigs, among which the nests were fastened by fine impacted masses of -wood-mosses, which are very nicely and elaborately interwoven with the -lower portions of the outer covering of the nest. The latter is -composed of a singular medley of various materials, among which may be -noticed broken fragments of dry leaves, bits of decayed wood and bark, -coarse blades of grass, various vegetable fibres, lichens, fragments -of insects, mosses, straws, stems, etc. These are all wrapped round -and firmly bound together with strong hempen fibres of vegetables. -Within this outer envelope is an inner nest, made of the finer stems -of grasses and dry needles of the white pine, firmly interwoven. For -the size of the bird, these nests are proportionally larger and deeper -than any others of the common kinds. The cavity is two or two and a -half inches deep. - -The eggs are usually five in number. One from Georgia measures .77 by -.55 of an inch, and is of an oblong-oval shape; another, from -Massachusetts, is much more broadly ovate, measuring .80 by .62. Their -greatest breadth is .65 of an inch, and their length .80. They have a -clear crystal-white ground, spotted about the larger end with fine -dark-purple and reddish-brown dots. - -This species is one of the most common foster-parents of the Cowbird, -the eggs of which are always tenderly cared for, and the offspring -nurtured by them, always to the destruction of their own nestlings. - - -Vireo huttoni, CASSIN. - -HUTTON’S VIREO. - - _Vireo huttoni_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1851, 150 (Monterey, - Cal.).—IB. 1852, pl. i, fig. 1.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 339, pl. - lxxviii, fig. 2; Rev. 357.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 302 (Oaxaca); - 1862, 19 (La Parada).—IB. Catal. 1861, 358, no. 256.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 121. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 3,725.) First quill rather less than half second, which -about equals the tenth; third a little longer than seventh; fourth and -fifth nearly equal, and longest. Tail slightly rounded, shorter than -wings. Bill very small. - - [Line drawing: _Vireo huttoni._ - 3725] - -Above olive-green; brightest behind, especially on rump and edging of -tail, duller and more ashy towards and on top and sides of head and -neck. Wings with two bands on coverts, and outer edges of innermost -secondaries rather broadly olivaceous-white; other quills edged -externally with olive-green, paler towards outer primary; internally -with whitish. Lateral tail-feather edged externally with -yellowish-white. Feathers of rump with much concealed yellowish-gray. - -Under parts pale olivaceous-yellowish; purest behind, lightest on the -throat and abdomen; the breast more olivaceous, the sides still deeper -olive-green, the breast soiled with a slight buffy tinge. Axillars and -crissum yellowish; the inside of wings whitish. Loral region and a -narrow space around eye dull-yellowish, in faint contrast to the olive -of head. Bill horn-color above, paler below; legs dusky. - -Total length, 4.70; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.05; difference between tenth -and longest quills, .43; exposed portion of first primary, .72, of -second, 1.52, of longest, fourth, and fifth (measured from exposed -base of first primary), 1.90; length of bill from forehead, .45, from -nostril, .29, along gape, .60; tarsus, .72; middle toe and claw, .50, -claw alone, .16; hind toe and claw, .45, claw alone, .22. - -HAB. California and Western Mexico, to Oaxaca; La Parada (SCL.); -Orizaba (alpine region, resident, SUMICHR.). - -The description just given is based upon the type specimen, probably -in winter plumage. Spring specimens do not vary materially except in -greater purity of white edgings of the feathers. Two Mexican specimens -are rather larger, the wing measuring 2.50, the tail 2.30. No other -differences are appreciable. In general the first primary is about -half the second, sometimes rather less. - -This species is readily distinguished from other Vireos, excepting _V. -modestus_, which it greatly resembles in the small bill, form, -coloration, and size; nor indeed is it easy to separate them. In -_modestus_, however, the first quill is usually more than half the -second, not less; the wing shorter, and less pointed; the tail longer. -The upper parts are more uniform, not much brighter towards rump. - -HABITS. This species is one of comparatively recent origin, and of its -history but little is as yet known. It was first described by Cassin, -in 1851, from a specimen obtained in Monterey, Cal. It has been found -in various parts of California, in the valley of the Gila, and in the -northern and eastern portions of Mexico. Mr. Sumichrast gives it as a -resident of the alpine region of the Department of Vera Cruz. - -Dr. Cooper has observed this bird near San Diego, late in February, -where he at first mistook it for the Ruby-crowned Wren, a bird that -winters there in abundance, and which he states resembles this species -closely in appearance and habits. Two of them came to within a few -feet of where he sat, scolding in a harsh tone. He recognized then -their larger size and different plumage, as well as their remarkably -large eyes, and a peculiar slowness and deliberation in their -movements as they searched the foliage for insects. - -Dr. Cooper has since found them wintering plentifully up to latitude -38°. Having observed but few of them in the Coast Range, in May, he -thinks that most of them go farther north in summer. At San Diego, -however, he shot a female, on the 9th of March, containing an egg -nearly ready to be laid. He had not been able to find the nest, which -is presumed to be built in the dense shade of the evergreen oaks -(_Quercus agrifolia_). Their song is said to consist of a few short -and quaint notes. Among the memoranda of Mr. Xantus, made at Fort -Tejon, I find the following: (No. 1,827.) Nest and eggs of _Vireo -huttoni_, found May 8, one foot from the ground, under high trees, -suspended from three high stems of weeds, fastened to them, but very -loosely put together. The eggs had been incubated. He furnished no -further description of nest or eggs. - - -Vireo belli, AUD. - -BELL’S VIREO. - - _Vireo belli_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1844, 333, pl. cccclxxxv (Missouri - River).—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1851, 150.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 337; Rev. 358.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 42, no. 258.—BON. - Consp. 1850, 330.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 123. - - [Line drawing: _Vireo belli._ - 1926] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 1,926.) Above olive-green, brightest on the rump; -tinged anteriorly with ashy; the top and sides of head ashy, in faint -contrast. A line from nostrils to eye (scarcely beyond it), and -eyelids very pale yellowish-white; lores dusky. Under parts, including -inner wing-coverts, and edge of wing, creamy-white; the sides, -axillars, and crissum pale yellow (sides of lower neck and of breast -glossed with olivaceous, faintest on the longer feathers of the -latter). Two rather narrow bands on the wing-coverts, and the outer -edges of innermost secondaries white; the other quills edged with -faded olivaceous. Inner edges of quills whitish. Tail-feathers brown, -edged externally with olive; internally fading into paler brown. -Median portion of rump feathers concealed with pale yellowish. Bill -horn-color above, pale below. Legs plumbeous. “Iris brown.” - -First quill spurious; not quite half the second, which is about equal -to the eighth; third and fourth quills longest; fifth scarcely -shorter. Tail nearly even, or a little rounded, the feathers narrow. - -Total length, 4.20; wing, 2.18; tail, 1.90; tarsus, .75. - -HAB. United States, from Missouri River to base of Rocky Mountains; -Tehuantepec, Mexico (October, SUMICHRAST); Missouri (HOY); Iowa -(ALLEN); Southeast Illinois (RIDGWAY). - -The above description is taken from a type specimen received from Mr. -Audubon, and represents the average spring plumage. Autumnal skins are -rather brighter, and there is occasionally an ochraceous tinge on the -white of the under parts. - -This species at first sight appears like a miniature of _V. gilvus_, -the head being almost exactly similar. The back is, however, much -brighter olive, the sides and crissum deeper yellow. The superciliary -light stripe is shorter. The white markings of the wings are wanting -in _gilvus_. The wing, tail, and feet are entirely different in their -proportions. - -HABITS. This species was first procured by Mr. Audubon’s party in the -excursion to the Yellowstone River, in what is now known as Dakota -Territory. In his account of it Mr. Audubon states that it is usually -found in the bottom-lands along the shores of the Upper Missouri -River, from the neighborhood of the Black Snake Hills, as far as they -ascended that river. In its habits he describes it as more nearly -allied to the White-eyed Vireo than any other. - -Dr. Woodhouse, in his report of the Zuñi River Expedition, mentions -finding this species abundant in Texas. Mr. Dresser also speaks of it -as not uncommon, during the summer, near San Antonio, and remaining -there to breed. He mentions finding a nest on the 2d of July in a -_wesatche_ bush near the San Pedro, containing three eggs of this -species and one of the Cow-Bunting. Being anxious to procure the -parent bird he left it, but on his return the nest had been torn and -the Vireo’s eggs smashed. Dr. Heermann found a nest on the Medina -about the same time. He describes this nest as beautifully formed of -fine grasses, and hung from the small twigs of a tree. The eggs, four -in number, were very small, white, with an occasional reddish dot at -the larger end. The nest found by Dr. Heermann was attached to the -pendent twigs of a willow. The stomachs of these Vireos were found to -contain small green caterpillars. - -Dr. Coues met with this species near Fort Riley, May 23. It appeared -to be quite common, and was found inhabiting thickets and clumps of -bushes, like _V. noveboracensis_, but having a very different song, -the peculiarity of which first attracted his attention. Mr. Ridgway -found it to be a common summer resident in the thickets and copses of -Southern Illinois, especially in the prairie districts. He first met -with it on the 8th of June, 1871, on Fox Prairie, in Richland County. -His attention was drawn to it by its peculiar song, which has a -general resemblance to that of the White-eyed Vireo, having the same -odd delivery, but being more sputtering, reminding one somewhat of the -song of _Troglodytes ædon_. - -This Vireo appears to have quite an extended distribution during the -breeding-season, or from Texas to the Upper Missouri, and even as far -as the eastern edge of Southern Illinois. It breeds also as far to the -east as Eastern Kansas. Its western limits are not so clearly defined. -It was not found by Mr. Ridgway in Nevada or Utah, nor by Dr. Coues in -Arizona. - -A nest of this species, found in June, near Neosho Falls, Kansas, by -Mr. B. F. Goss (S. I. Coll., 1,875), is pensile; suspended from two -small twigs, which make the basis of three fourths of its rim. Over -these is strongly bound a finely felted webbing of the flax-like -fibres of plants, interwoven with slender stems. With these are -connected and interwoven also the materials that make up the periphery -of the nest itself. This is composed of long and slender strips of -bark, fragments of dry leaves, bits of wood, and various other -fragmentary substances. The nest, unlike others of this family, is -lined with down, and the fine long hair of some animals, instead of -with vegetable stems. The diameter as well as the height of this nest -is about two and a half inches. - -Another nest from West Texas, obtained by Captain Pope, is essentially -different in its general characteristics. It is three inches in -diameter, and but one inch and three quarters high. The opening is -circular, but only one and a half inches wide. Below the rim the -cavity widens until it is two and a half inches in diameter. The outer -nest is made up of an interweaving of fine strips of bark and dry -leaves, intermixed with and firmly bound around by strong flax-like -fibres of different plants. Within, it is lined with fine flexible -grasses and stems of plants. - -The eggs of this species are from .73 to .76 of an inch in length, and -from .52 to .56 in breadth. They are pure white, sparingly spotted -with fine red dots distributed around the larger end. - - -Vireo pusillus, COUES. - -LEAST VIREO. - - _Vireo pusillus_, COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1866.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. - B. 360.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. A. I, vii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 124. _? Vireo belli_, COOPER, Pr. Cal. Acad. 1861, 122 (Fort - Mohave). - - [Line drawing: _Vireo pusillus._ - 31893] - -SP. CHAR. Somewhat similar in general appearance to _Vireosylvia -gilva_ and _swainsoni_, but smaller. Bill very small; tarsi -lengthened. Wings about equal to the tail, which is lengthened, -graduated, and with the feathers narrow and pointed. Exposed part of -first primary about half that of the second, which is intermediate -between seventh and eighth; the fourth and fifth longest. - -Above grayish-ash, with a tinge of olive behind. Beneath, including -the inside of the wings, white, with a soiled tinge on the sides of -the throat and across the breast. Axillars and flanks exhibiting a -faint trace of greenish-yellow. Eyelids and a short line from the -nostrils to the eye whitish; no other stripe apparent. A dusky loral -spot. Primary coverts edged indistinctly with whitish, producing an -obscure band (a second on the middle coverts hardly appreciable). -Quills and tail-feathers edged externally with pale grayish-olive, the -innermost secondaries with whitish. Bill dusky above, whitish beneath. -Legs plumbeous. Iris of two specimens marked as “light brown,” of -another as “rufous.” - -The details of structure taken from No. 23,785, of color from No. -23,788: Length, of 23,785 ♂, 4.80 when fresh, of skin, 4.25; wing, -2.25; tail, 2.25; bill above, .37; tarsus, .73; middle toe and claw, -.50; hind toe and claw, .42. First quill, .70; second, 1.40; longest -(fifth), 1.64. (Cape St. Lucas.) - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas; San Diego; Fort Mohave, and Arizona; Sacramento, -California (RIDGWAY). - -This species scarcely needs comparison with any other, except, -perhaps, _V. pallens_ of Middle America, which, however, besides -belonging to _Vireonella_, and not _Vireo_, as restricted, differs in -many minor, but no less essential points. The coloration of the two is -remarkably similar, but _pusillus_ has only one indistinct band on the -wing, instead of two sharply defined ones. The bill is much smaller, -and the tail longer, than in _pallens_. _V. belli_ is less ashy above -and less pure white beneath, the sides much more yellowish; the wing -is also longer, and the tail much shorter. _V. vicinior_ is much -larger, with the wing longer than the tail, instead of shorter; the -ash above has a bluish instead of a greenish cast; the lores are -wholly grayish-white, etc. - -HABITS. The Least Vireo is a recently described species of its genus, -and one in regard to whose history comparatively little has been -ascertained. It was first met with at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, -and described by Dr. Coues in 1866. Dr. Coues assigns as its habitat -Lower and Southern California, Sonora, and Arizona, at least as far -north as Fort Whipple. Dr. Cooper also found it at Fort Mohave. Dr. -Coues met with it fifty miles south of Fort Whipple, where he found it -breeding abundantly. He gives no information in regard to its habits. -Dr. Cooper states that he found it rather common along the upper part -of Mohave River, in June, 1861; and in the following spring, about -April 20, they began to arrive at San Diego in considerable numbers. -In its habits Dr. Cooper thinks it greatly resembles _V. gilvus_, -though it differs entirely in its song. The notes of those that he -heard singing resembled very much those of the Polioptilas uttering a -quaint mixture of the notes of the Wrens, Swallows, and Vireos. They -also seem to possess more or less of imitative powers. At Sacramento -he saw and heard, in the willows along the river, individuals which, -from their peculiar notes, he had no doubt were of this species, but -he did not verify his conjectures. His suppositions were confirmed -later by the observations of Mr. Ridgway, who states that he found -these birds the most abundant as well as the most characteristic -Greenlet in the vicinity of Sacramento. It is a species, he adds, -easily recognized, being in all respects quite distinct from any -other. The character of its notes, as well as its habits, show it to -be a true Vireo. Its song, though weaker, bears a great resemblance to -that of the White-eyed. A nest of this species was found by him near -Sacramento. It was placed about three feet from the ground, in a low -bush in a copse of willows. Like all the nests of this genus it was -pensile, being attached to and suspended from the twigs of a branch. - -Two nests of this interesting species were also obtained near Camp -Grant, Arizona, in 1867, by Dr. E. Palmer. They are wrought like all -the nests of this kind, below the small forked branches of a tree, -suspended from the extremity of its twigs. They each have a diameter -of about three and a half inches, a height of two, with a cavity an -inch and a half deep and two wide. The external portion, like the -nests of the _V. belli_, is wrought with woven hemp-like vegetable -fibres, strongly bound around the ends of the twigs and covering the -entire exterior. Within this is placed a strong, firmly made basket, -composed of slender strips of bark and long, fine, and flexible -pine-needles, with a lining of finer materials of the same. In one of -these nests there were three eggs of the Vireo, and one of a -_Molothrus_ (_obscurus?_). The former were of a bright crystalline -whiteness, marked with very minute and hardly discernible spots of -red, and measure .69 by .56 of an inch. The egg of the _Molothrus_, -except in its much smaller size, is hardly distinguishable from those -of the common _M. pecoris_, and measures .75 by .56 of an inch. - -In the other nest were also three eggs of the Vireo. They correspond -in size, but are much more distinctly marked with larger spots of a -dark red and reddish-brown. In this nest there is a somewhat larger -proportion of fine strips of inner bark, and mixed with these are also -a few silky insect cocoons, by means of which the nest is firmly bound -around the twigs from which the whole is suspended. - - -Vireo vicinior, COUES. - -ARIZONA VIREO. - - _Vireo vicinior_, COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1866.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. - B. 361.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. A. I, vii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 125. - - [Line drawing: _Vireo vicinior._ - 40697] - -SP. CHAR. (No. 40,697 ♂.) Bill stout, considerably compressed and -deep. Wings moderately pointed, about equal to tail, which is -decidedly graduated; first quill rather more than half the second, -which about equals ninth and the secondaries; the fourth and fifth -longest. Tarsus considerably longer than middle toe and claw; lateral -toes quite conspicuous for their disproportion, the inner claw -reaching only to base of outer, and falling short of base of middle; -the terminal digit of inner toe reaching only to end of second joint -of middle toe. - -Upper parts, with sides of head and neck, ashy or light plumbeous, -faintly olivaceous on rump. Beneath white; slightly ashy on sides of -breast. Flanks and inside of wings showing a faint trace of yellow, -only appreciable on raising the wings. An obsolete line from bill to -eye, and a more distinct ring round the eye, white. No bands on the -wing, except a faint edging of whitish on the greater coverts; the -quills edged internally with white. Bill and legs plumbeous. “Iris -brown. Mouth livid, bluish-white.” (COUES.) - -Fresh specimen: Total length, 5.60; expanse of wings, 8.60. Prepared -specimen: Total length, 5.10; wing, 2.50; tail, 2.60, its graduation, -.22; difference of tenth and longest quills, .40; exposed portion of -first primary, .85, of second, 1.65, of longest (measured from exposed -base of first primary), 1.95; length of bill from forehead, .50, from -nostril, .32, along gape, .61; depth of bill, .18; tarsus, .72; middle -toe and claw, .51, claw alone, .16; hind toe and claw, .40, claw -alone, .19. - -HAB. Prescott, Arizona. - -This species might at first sight be taken for a small specimen of _V. -plumbeus_, the colors, character of bill, etc., being very similar, -except that the white of lores and around eye is much less distinct, -the lore without any blackish before the eye, and there is only one -faint band on wing, instead of two conspicuous ones; the -tail-feathers, too, lack the distinct white edgings. The much more -rounded wing, and the first primary half the second or more, will, -however, readily distinguish them. The form of the bird is very much -that of _V. pusillus_, which it resembles considerably also in color. -The outer quill is, however, longer, the bill deeper and more -compressed, the inner lateral toe considerably shorter, and the size -larger. The colors are purer, without the olive of the back or the -yellowish of the under parts; the bill, too, is entirely dark -plumbeous, instead of horn-color, whitish beneath. From _V. pallens_ -it is distinguished by a smaller, darker bill; longer tail and wing; -one wing-band, not two; and purer colors. - -HABITS. In regard to the habits of this well-marked but very rare -species but little is as yet known. It was first described, in 1866, -by Dr. Coues, from a single specimen obtained by him near Fort -Whipple, Arizona. It was shot May 4, 1865, and is supposed by Dr. -Coues to be a summer resident of Arizona wintering in the Gila and the -Lower Colorado Valleys, or in Sonora. - - - - -FAMILY AMPELIDÆ.—THE CHATTERERS. - -The characteristics of the _Ampelidæ_ have already been presented in -the synopsis of allied families; chief among them, the short, broad, -depressed, and triangular bill with short gonys, the deeply cleft -mouth, the short tarsus, and the tendency to subdivision of its -lateral plates. - -The South American genus, _Dulus_, probably forms the type of a -subfamily _Dulinæ_, characterized by the much arched gape of mouth, -the metatarsal scutellæ in two series, and the body streaked beneath, -as in young _Ampelis_. The two other subfamilies may be defined as -follows:— - -Subfamilies. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Grape of mouth nearly straight. Metatarsal -scutellæ in three series. Body plain beneath. - - Ampelinæ. Wings very long and much pointed, longer than the - short, even tail. First primary excessively rudimentary; the - outermost about the longest. Gape without bristles. Frontal - feathers extending forward beyond the nostrils. - - Ptilogonatinæ. Horny appendages like red sealing-wax at end - of shaft of secondaries. Wings rounded, shorter than the - graduated tail. First primary nearly half the second. Gape well - bristled. Frontal feathers falling short of the nostrils. No - red horny appendage to wing-feathers. - - -SUBFAMILY AMPELINÆ. - -CHAR. Legs moderate. Nostrils elongated, linear, with the frontal -feathers extending close to the edge and to anterior extremity, -concealing them; these feathers short, velvety, and erect, with few -bristles. Wings very long and acute; outer or first primary so much -reduced as to be almost inappreciable; the second nearly the longest. -Wing nearly twice the length of the short, narrow, even tail. Under -coverts of tail reaching almost to its tip. Secondary quills with flat -horny appendages at end of shaft like red sealing-wax. Young birds -streaked beneath as in _Dulus_. Adults plain. - -Of this family as restricted, we have but a single genus in America. - - -GENUS AMPELIS, LINN. - - _Ampelis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. I, 1766, 297. (Type, _Lanius - garrulus_, L. Named Linnæus in 1735.) - -GEN. CHAR. Tail even. Tertials and secondaries with horny appendages -like red sealing-wax. A well-developed soft crest. - -A more elaborate diagnosis of this genus could be readily given (see -Rev. Am. Birds, 404), but the above characters, as entirely peculiar, -will serve to establish it. - - -Species. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. A lengthened crest of soft blended feathers. -Colors, soft silky brownish becoming more vinaceous anteriorly, -and ashy posteriorly above. A black stripe on side of head, from -nasal feathers across lores through the eye and behind it beneath -crest, and a patch of the same on chin, with a white streak -between them, on side of lower jaw. - - A. Wing variegated. Lower tail-coverts rufous. Crest much - developed. Forehead and side of head bright purplish-rufous. - Black patch covering whole throat, and sharply defined. No - white line between black of lore, etc., and brown of forehead. - Inner webs of primaries tipped narrowly with white. - - _a._ Terminal band of tail red. - - A. phœnicopterum.[79] Greater coverts tipped with red, - producing a band across the wing. No yellow on tips of - primaries. _Hab._ Japan and Eastern Siberia. - - _b._ Terminal band of tail yellow. - - A. garrulus. Secondaries and primary coverts tipped with - white, forming two broad short bands. Primaries with outer - webs tipped with yellow. _Hab._ Arctic regions of both - hemispheres; in winter south into northern United States, - and along Rocky Mountains as far as Fort Massachusetts, New - Mexico. - - B. Wings unvariegated. Lower tail-coverts white. Crest - moderately developed. Forehead, etc., not different from crest. - Chin only black, this fading gradually into the brown of - throat. A white line between black of lore, etc., and brown of - forehead. Inner webs of primaries not tipped with white. - - _a._ Terminal band of tail yellow. - - A. cedrorum. Wing bluish-ashy. _Hab._ Whole of North - America, from 52° N., south (in winter?) to Guatemala; - Jamaica and Cuba in winter. - - -Ampelis garrulus, LINN. - -NORTHERN WAXWING; BOHEMIAN CHATTERER. - - _Lanius garrulus_, LINN. “Fauna Suecica 2, no. 82.”—IB. Syst. Nat. - 10th ed. 1758, 95. _Ampelis garrulus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. - 1766, 297 (Europe).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 317; Rev. - 405.—BOARDMAN, Pr. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. IX, 1862, 126 (Calais, - Me.).—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Acad. II, 1861 (1863), 122 (Fort Mohave, - Ar.). _Bombycilla garrula_, BON. Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, - 50.—RICH.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 462, pl. ccclxiii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, - 169, pl. ccxlvi.—MAYNARD, B. E. Mass., 107.—DALL & BANNISTER, 280 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 127.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. - 264. _Bombycilla garrula_, KEYS. & BLAS. Wirb. Europas, 1840, - 167.—DEGLAND, Ornith. Europ. I, 1849, 349 (European).—WOLLEY, Pr. - Z. S. 1857, 55 (nest and eggs).—NEWTON, Ibis, 1861, 92, pl. iv - (nesting).—NORDMANN, Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 307, and VII, 1859, pl. - i (nesting). (European.) - Other figures: BON. Am. Orn. III, pl. xvi. - - [Illustration: PLATE XVIII. - - 1. Ampelis garrulus, _Linn._ ♂ Montana, 11055. - 2. “ cedrorum, _Vieill._ ♂ H. B. T., 42622. - 3. Phænopepla nitens, _Swains._ ♂ Cal., 8275. - 4. “ “ “ ♀. - 5. Myiadestes townsendi, _Aud._ ♂ Cal., 16168. - 6. “ “ “ _juv._, N. T., 21444.] - -SP. CHAR. Crest lengthened. Body generally soft, silky brownish-ashy, -with a purplish cast, the wing-coverts and scapulars more brownish, -becoming more reddish anteriorly and ashy posteriorly; the rump and -upper tail-coverts, as well as the secondaries, being nearly pure ash. -Anteriorly the color passes gradually into deep vinaceous-chestnut on -the forehead to behind the eye and on the cheeks; abdomen -yellowish-white. Lower tail-coverts deep chestnut. A stripe on side of -the head, covering the lores and nasal feathers (scarcely meeting -across the forehead), involving the eye and continued back toward the -occiput and beneath the crest, with a large patch covering the chin -and throat, deep black; a narrow crescent on lower eyelid, and a short -stripe between the black of the throat and that of the chin at the -base of the lower mandible, two very broad bars on the wing, one -across ends of primary coverts, and the other across ends of -secondaries (the first occupying both webs, and the latter the outer), -white. Primary coverts, primaries, and tail slaty-black, the latter -growing gradually ashy basally. A broad band across end of tail, and a -longitudinal space along end of outer web of primaries, -gamboge-yellow,—the marks on primaries, however, sometimes white, only -stained with yellow. Each of the secondaries with an expanded -continuation of the shaft, in form of flattened, very thin, somewhat -elliptical appendages, of a bright vermilion-red resembling red -sealing-wax. _Male_ with the white of outer web of primaries continued -around end of inner webs also. _Female_ without white on terminal edge -of inner webs of primaries, and with the “sealing-wax” appendages -smaller. _Young_ not seen. Length, 7.40; wing, 4.50; tail, 3.00. - - [Line drawing: _Ampelis garrula._ - 19221] - -HAB. Northern parts of Europe, America, and Asia. In America not -hitherto found in the Pacific Province. In winter extending along the -Rocky Mountains and the Plains as far south as Fort Massachusetts and -Fort Riley; regular visitor to shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. -East of this rarely seen along the United States border. Fort Mohave -(???) (COOPER). - -The specimen seen by Dr. Cooper, at Fort Mohave, if really of this -species, fixes the most western locality on record. - -For many years authentic eggs of the Bohemian Chatterer were greatly -sought after, but it was not until 1856 that any were brought to the -notice of the scientific world, when the late Mr. H. Wolley discovered -them in Lapland. Early duplicates from his collection were sold at -five guineas each, and although a good many have since been obtained, -they are yet considered as great prizes. A nest, with its eggs, of -those collected by Mr. Wolley, has been presented to the Smithsonian -Institution by Mr. Alfred Newton. The only instances on record of -their discovery in America are of a nest and one egg by Mr. Kennicott, -on the Yukon, in 1861, and a nest and single egg on the Anderson -River, by Mr. MacFarlane, both of which, with the female parents, are -in the possession of the Institution. Although there is frequently -considerable difference between individuals, there appears to be no -difference between those from the two continents. - -HABITS. The Waxwing is, in many respects, one of the most interesting -and remarkable of the birds of North America. The roving character of -its life, the mystery, still only imperfectly solved, of its habits -and residence during its breeding-season, and its somewhat -cosmopolitan residence in Europe, Asia, and America, impart to it an -interest that attaches to but few other species. Though not common in -any portions of the United States, and only appearing at all during -midwinter, yet in the more northern States, in which it is -occasionally found, it moves in such large flocks, and is so -noticeable and conspicuous a bird, that it never fails to make a -lasting impression, and hardly seems to us so very rare as it -undoubtedly is. - -In a single instance, in midwinter, somewhere about 1844, during a -severe snow-storm, a large flock of these birds made their appearance -in Boston, and alighted on a large horse-chestnut tree that stood in -an open and retired place. There were at least twenty or thirty in the -flock; they remained in their shelter undisturbed for some time, and -their true specific character was plainly noticeable. - -Several specimens were procured near Worcester, Mass., and given to -Dr. Bryant. Eleven individuals of this species were shot in Bolton by -Mr. S. Jillson, January, 1864, and others have since been noticed in -Watertown by Mr. William Brewster. They have also been obtained near -Hartford, Conn., by Dr. Wood. - -Prior to this, as Mr. Audubon states, specimens had been procured near -Philadelphia, and in the winters of 1830 and 1832 several of these -birds were also shot on Long Island. - -Mr. Boardman mentions that they are occasional, in winter, near -Calais; and Professor Verrill, who did not meet with it in Norway, -Me., cites it as accidental and rare in the State. - -It is not common in the Arctic regions. Specimens of the bird were -obtained on Anderson River, in 1862, by Mr. MacFarlane, but he was not -able to find the nest. At Fort Yukon, July 4, Mr. Kennicott met with -the nest of this species. The nest, which contained but one egg, was -about eighteen feet from the ground, and was built on a side branch of -a small spruce that was growing at the outer edge of a clump of thick -spruces, on low ground. The nest was large, the base being made of -small, dry spruce twigs. Internally it was constructed of fine grass -and moose-hair, and lined thickly with large feathers. The female was -shot, as she rose from her nest, by Mr. Kennicott’s hunter, who had -concealed himself near the spot for that purpose. Mr. Kennicott had -seen the nest and both parents near it before it was taken, and had -thoroughly satisfied himself as to its complete identification. - -Ross speaks of them as not rare throughout the district in which they -winter, but yet not numerous. He adds that at Great Bear Lake they are -very plentiful, and that they are reported to nest there. Mr. Dall -states that they were quite common at Nulato, where they did not -arrive before June 10, or later. He obtained a number of skins from -the Indians, taken in his absence. He adds that it breeds, and its -eggs have been obtained at Fort Yukon. - -Except in a few instances, where Dr. Cooper noticed this species, in -September, at Fort Laramie, and also when he obtained an individual on -the Colorado, none of these birds have been seen west of the Rocky -Mountains. The bird obtained by Dr. Cooper was, in his opinion, a -straggler from some neighboring mountain. It made its appearance -January 10, after a period of stormy weather, and was shot while -feeding on the berries of the mistletoe. - -This bird was first noticed in America, in the spring of 1826, near -the sources of the Athabasca River, by Mr. Drummond, and in the same -season by Sir John Richardson, at Great Bear Lake, latitude 65°. In -the latter region he states that they appeared in flocks about the -24th of May. At that time the spring thaw had exposed the berries of -the _Arbutus_ and the _Vaccinium_, that had been covered during the -winter. It stayed only a few days, and none of the Indians knew where -it bred, or had ever seen its nest. Afterwards, early in May, 1827, -Sir John Richardson saw a large flock of three or four hundred -individuals at Carlton House, on the Saskatchewan. They all alighted -in a grove of poplars, on one or two trees, making a loud twittering -noise. They stayed only about an hour in the morning, and were too shy -to be approached within gunshot. - -In England they have been known to appear as early as August. They are -always shy, and not easily approached. In their activity and incessant -change of position and place, they are said to resemble the Titmice. -They feed on the berries of the mountain-ash, the hawthorn, and the -ivy. They will also feed on insects, catching them as dexterously as -Flycatchers. Their call-note is a single chirp, frequently repeated. - -Mr. McCulloch, writing to Mr. Audubon, gives a touching account of the -devotion shown by one of these birds to its wounded mate. The latter -had been so crippled that it was hardly able to move. Its mate -stationed itself on the top of the tree in which it had sought -shelter, and with great vehemence continually uttered the notes -_tzee-tzee_, in alarm and warning, and, when danger approached, flew -against it and urged it on to flight, and stayed to share its fate, -rather than leave its partner. - -The nest and eggs of this species remained entirely unknown until the -spring of 1856, when the late Mr. John Wolley, an enthusiastic English -oölogist, first discovered them in Lapland. The season was unusually -backward and cold, and the nests contained their full complement by -the 12th of June. One of the nests, obtained in Finland, June 19, 1861 -(S. I., 5,327), contained five eggs. It is of remarkable size in -proportion to that of its builder, measuring eight inches in diameter. -It is flattened in shape, and its cavity, though large, is not deep. -The height of the nest is three and a quarter inches, and the depth of -the base is fully two and a half inches. The cavity is less than an -inch deep, and is four inches in diameter. The base and outer -periphery of this nest are of a coarse interlacing of the small ends -of branches of fir and spruce trees. Within this is built a close, -compact inner nest, chiefly composed of a lichen peculiar to Arctic -regions, called tree-hair, which hangs abundantly from the branches of -trees in northern forests. It resembles a mass of delicate black -rootlets. These are not uncommon ingredients in the nests of northern -birds, especially of European. In America, Arctic nests of the _A. -carolinensis_ are occasionally built of similar materials. With these -lichens are also mingled fragments of dry leaves and soft dark-colored -mosses. The rim of the nest is strongly made, almost exclusively of -these fine dark-colored lichens. This kind of lichen is not always -black, but is often brown, and even whitish. In some of these nests -silvery fibres of grass-leaves are mingled with the lichens, and in -one or two there is a slight lining of feathers. - -The Lapland nests were built on the branch of a tree, at a distance -from the trunk, and stood up from it unsupported by the surrounding -twigs, and at the height of from six to twelve feet from the ground. -They were generally much exposed, and were, for the most part, built -in the more open portions of the forests. The general number of the -eggs was five, in one instance it was six. - -The nest from the Yukon, obtained by Mr. Kennicott (S. Coll., 6,326), -is smaller, and bears but little resemblance to the European. It is -but five inches in diameter, of irregular shape. In height and cavity -it nearly corresponds. In place of the lichens of the European, this -nest is made of fine grass-stems, strips of bark, and a few feathers. - -The eggs of this bird, the gift of Mr. Wolley, measure an inch in -length, and from .70 to .67 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color -varies from a light slate to a yellowish stone-color. They are marked, -blotched, and dotted with spots of various hues and size. These are -chiefly of a dark purple, at times approaching black. Mingled with -these are markings of a yellowish-brown. Nearly all these spots are -surrounded by a peculiar penumbra, or shading, such as forms so marked -a feature in the eggs of the common Cedar-Bird. - -The egg obtained by Kennicott on the Yukon is smaller than the -European specimen, measuring .90 by .65 of an inch. Its ground is more -of a greenish-slate or stone-color, and the spots are of a dark brown, -with a deep violet shading. - - -Ampelis cedrorum, SCL. - -SOUTHERN WAXWING; CEDAR-BIRD. - - _Ampelis garrulus_, var. β, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 297. - _Bombycilla cedrorum_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 88, pl. - lvii.—IB. Galerie Ois. I, 1834, 186, pl. cxviii.—CAB. Jour. IV, - 1856, 3 (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Cab. Jour. 1861, 328 (Cuba; rare). - _Ampelis cedrorum_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 299 (Cordova); 1858, - 302 (Oaxaca; January); 1859, 364 (Xalapa; Cordova); 1864, 172 - (City of Mexico).—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 13 - (Guatemala).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 318; Rev. 407.—TAYLOR, - Ibis, 1860, 111 (Honduras).—MARCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. 1863, 294 - (Jamaica).—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. WOOLWICH, IV, 116 (British - Columbia; nesting).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. Rep. XII, II, 187 - (Washington Ter.).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 129.—SAMUELS, Birds - N. Eng. 265. _Ampelis americana_, WILS. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 107, pl. - vii. _Bombycilla americana_, JONES, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 29 - (winter).—RICH. _Bombycilla carolinensis_, BRISSON, Orn. II, 1760, - 337 (not binomial).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 227, pl. xliii.—IB. - Birds Am. IV, 1842, 165, pl. ccxlv.—WAGLER. _Ampelis - carolinensis_, GOSSE, Birds Jamaica, 1847, 197 (January).—BON. - -SP. CHAR. Crest moderate. General color soft vinaceous-cinnamon, -deepest anteriorly, more olivaceous on back, scapulars and -wing-coverts, passing into pure light ash on the rump and upper -tail-coverts, and into dingy yellow on flanks and abdomen. Lower -tail-coverts white. Whole of the wing posterior to the greater coverts -slaty-ash, almost black along end of inner webs of primaries, the -outer webs of which are narrowly edged with hoary whitish. Tail slate -passing into black terminally, tipped with a broad, sharply defined -band of gamboge-yellow. A broad stripe of intense velvety-black on -side of head, starting from nostril, passing across lore, and -involving the eye, continued from it beneath the crest to the occiput; -chin dull black, blending gradually into the brownish of the throat. A -narrow white line across the forehead and along side of crown, between -brown of crown and black of lore, etc., a narrow crescent on lower -eyelid and a stripe between black of lore and that of the throat, -white. _Male_ with each secondary quill terminated by a bright red -horny appendage to the shaft. _Female_ with these very small and few -in number, or entirely absent. _Young._ In general appearance similar -to the adult female. Colors more grayish, with obsolete concealed -whitish streaks on nape and down back, these stripes becoming very -conspicuous on the sides and flanks and across breast. No black on -chin. Rump grayish-brown; abdomen and flanks dingy whitish. No -appendages to secondaries, and the yellow band across end of tail -narrower than in adult. - -HAB. Whole of North America as far north as Lake Winnipeg and Hudson’s -Bay, south branch of Saskatchewan, latitude 52½° (RICHARDSON); south -to Guatemala; Jamaica and Cuba in winter. - -A specimen from Guatemala (No. 50,455 ♂) is almost identical with -examples from the United States, but differs in having a small spot of -yellow at the tip of each primary; also there are red appendages on -the tip of a few tail-feathers, as well as the longest feather of the -lower tail-coverts. The colors, generally, are softer, the brown more -purplish, and the ash finer and more bluish, than in a fine spring -male from Washington, D. C. - -A specimen (No. 53,396 ♂, Humboldt River, Nevada, September 10, 1868, -C. King, R. Ridgway) from the Middle Province of the United States, -differs considerably from any other in the collection. The colors are -much paler, the anterior portions being almost ochraceous, the whole -abdomen nearly white. The white band across the forehead is very -broad; the extreme point of the chin only black. Whether it is a -representative of a style peculiar to the Great Basin, or merely a -bleached individual, cannot be decided without additional specimens -from the same region. - -There is so much variation in different specimens in regard to the red -wax-like appendages, that the Guatemalan specimen mentioned above can -hardly be considered as more than a very highly developed individual. - -HABITS. The habits of the common Cedar-Bird are eminently nomadic, -and, so far as those of the Waxwing are known, correspond in all -respects, except in the more general and especially the more southern -distribution of the present species. They are found throughout North -America at least so far as the wooded country extends, and they breed -from Florida to the Red River country. They are a common bird in New -England, and would be much more so but that their fondness for -cherries and other small fruits, and their indifference to danger, -makes them an easy and frequent mark for destruction. Their -unpopularity has caused their numbers to be greatly reduced of late -years in the thickly settled portions of the country. - -In Southern Texas Mr. Dresser found these birds very common during the -winter at San Antonio and Eagle Pass, but he observed none later than -the middle of April. They were seen in Tamaulipas, by Lieutenant -Couch, in March, and afterwards in April at New Leon, Mexico. -Sumichrast states that these birds are found everywhere and in great -abundance in winter throughout Vera Cruz. They are there known as the -_Chinito_, and are highly appreciated by the Mexican epicures. They -are equally abundant in northern parts of South America, and also -throughout Central America. - -In Washington Territory and in Oregon Dr. Cooper speaks of them as -less common than in the Atlantic States, and he only met with a few, -in single pairs, in the summer. Townsend states that he found them in -Oregon, but Dr. Suckley never met with any west of the Rocky -Mountains. - -In California Dr. Cooper has seen small flocks in winter, as far south -as San Diego, feeding on the mistletoe berries. He found their nests -at Fort Vancouver, and has no doubt that they also breed in various -parts of California. - -Mr. Robert Kennicott states, among other memoranda of his route, that, -May 31, on an island in Winnipeg River, he saw a large flock of these -birds, numbering fifty or more. - -With some irregularity as to their appearance, they are found -throughout the year in New England, their presence being usually -regulated by their food. They are, by preference, eaters of berries -and other vegetable food, except in spring and early summer, when they -eat insects almost exclusively, feeding upon the larvæ of the spanworm -and the canker-worm, and small caterpillars, and supplying these to -their young. They also feed their nestlings with various kinds of -berries and small fruits, both cultivated and wild. They do not nest -until late in June or early in July, and with so much irregularity -that I have found them sitting on their unhatched eggs as late as the -12th of October. They are a greedy bird, feeding voraciously where -they have an opportunity. They are very much attached to each other -and to their offspring. Once, when one had been taken in a net spread -over strawberries, its mate refused to leave it, suffered itself to be -taken by the hand, in its anxiety to free its mate, and when set at -liberty would not leave until its mate had also been released and -permitted to go with it. In the summer of 1870 a nestling, hardly half -fledged, fell from its nest, and was found injured by its fall, taken -into the house, and fed. Whenever exposed in its cage its parents came -about it, and supplied it with cherries and other fruit, unmindful of -the near presence of the family. The young bird lived, and became -perfectly tame, feeding from the hand, and preferring to be fed rather -than feed itself. Besides its low lisping call, this bird had a -regular faint attempt at a song of several low notes, uttered in so -low a tone that it would be almost inaudible at even a short distance. -It became perfectly contented in confinement, and appeared fond of -such members of the family as noticed it. - -The noticeable feature of the Cedar-Bird, its crest, it has the power -to erect or depress at will. In confinement it generally keeps this -depressed, only erecting it when excited from any cause, such as -alarm, or desire to receive food. - -Wilson states that in Pennsylvania they collect in August in large -flocks and retire to the mountains, feeding on the fruit of the -_Vaccinium uliginosum_, which grows there in great abundance. Later in -the season they descend to the lowlands to feed on the berries of the -sour-gum and the red-cedar. In confinement they are very fond of -apples, bread soaked in milk, and almost any kind of soft food. They -are also very fond of flies, and are expert flycatchers, snapping at -all that venture within the cage. - -In their migrations their flight is graceful, easy, and continued, and -is performed at a considerable height. - -It is unfortunate for the horticulturist that this bird has done so -much to merit his prejudices and reprobation, and that he does not -appreciate to the full the immense services it renders to him each -spring in the destruction of injurious insects. A flock of these birds -will, in a short space of time, devour an immense number of the larvæ -of the destructive canker-worms (_Phalænæ_) that infest the apples and -elms of Massachusetts, and, if permitted, would soon greatly reduce -their numbers. But these prejudices cannot be softened by their good -deeds, and the Cherry-Bird is still hunted and destroyed. - -Their nests are usually constructed late in June or early in July, and -are placed in various positions, sometimes in a low bush or tree not -more than three or four feet from the ground, and rarely more than -twenty. Their nests are large and bulky, but strongly made of various -materials. Generally they build a strong external framework, six or -seven inches in diameter, composed of the ends of twigs, coarse stems -of vegetables, and grasses. Within this they build a compact, -well-made fabric of grasses, grapevine bark, and other finer -substances, lining the whole with leaves and fine root-fibres. The -cavity is large and deep for the bird. The parents are fourteen days -in incubating before the young are hatched out, and all this while are -remarkably silent, hardly uttering a sound, even their faintest -lisping note, when the nest is meddled with, though they evince great -anxiety by their fearless indifference to their own danger. - -The eggs, usually five, sometimes six, in number, have a marked -resemblance to those of the Waxwing, but are smaller. Their -ground-color varies from a light slate-color to a deep shade of -stone-color, tinged with olive. These are marked with blotches of a -dark purplish-brown, almost black, lighter shades of a dark purple, -and penumbræ of faint purple, sometimes by themselves or surrounding -and continuing the darker spots. They vary in length from .80 to .88 -of an inch, and average about .85. In breadth they are from .60 to .70 -of an inch, and in shape they differ also from an oblong-oval to one -of a quite rounded form. - -Nests of these birds from the Arctic regions are more elaborately -built and more warmly lined, being often largely made up of the fine -dark-colored lichens that cover the forest trees of those regions. - - -SUBFAMILY PTILOGONATINÆ. - -CHAR. Legs moderate. Nostrils oval, with wide naked membrane above and -to some extent behind them; the frontal feathers not reaching to their -border, and rather soft. Wings graduated, shorter than the somewhat -broad, fan-shaped tail; the first quill nearly half the second. Adults -plain. - -Although we find it convenient for the present to retain the genera -_Ptilogonys_ and _Myiadestes_ in the same subfamily, there seems -little doubt that they belong to very different families, the latter -being more properly placed in _Turdidæ_, as shown in Rev. Am. Birds. -It is not necessary that the subject be discussed here, however, and -we merely give the diagnosis of the two groups of which these genera -are the types respectively:— - -Ptilogonateæ. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly; not longer than middle -toe and claw. - -Myiadesteæ. Tarsi with a continuous plate anteriorly; longer than -middle toe and claw. - - -SECTION PTILOGONATEÆ. - -CHAR. Tarsus stout, shorter, or not longer than the middle toe and -claw; conspicuously scutellate anteriorly, and frequently on one or -other or on both sides; sometimes with a row of small plates behind. -Wings much graduated; the second quill not longer than secondaries. -Outline of lateral tail-feathers parallel or widening from base to -near tip. Tail unvaried, or else inornate at end. Quills without light -patch at base. Head crested. Young birds not spotted. Not conspicuous -for song. - -There are two genera of this section having in brief the following -characters:— - - Crest narrow, pointed, its feathers stiff, their webs compact; - outer primaries broad. Tail rounded … _Phænopepla_. - - Crest broad, decumbent, soft, the feathers loose; outer - primaries attenuated. Tail even or cuneate … _Ptilogonys_. - -The genus _Ptilogonys_ has two species, one Mexican, the other -Costa-Rican, neither coming within the limits of the United States. -The type is _P. cinereus_, SWAINSON (BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 412), a -species of the tablelands of Mexico, which may yet be found within the -southern borders of the United States in New Mexico or Arizona. - - -GENUS PHÆNOPEPLA, SCLATER. - - _Phænopepla_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 543. (Type, _Ptiliogonys - nitens_, SWAINS.) - -GEN. CHAR. Crest narrow, pointed behind. Outer primaries broad, not -attenuated nor pointed at end; the first half the second. Tail -rounded, fan-shaped; feathers very broad, wider towards end. Bill -feeble, rather narrow, well bristled; nostrils somewhat overhung by -frontal feathers. Sexes dissimilar; male black; quills with median -white patch on inner webs; tail not varied. - -The single known species is glossy black in the male; the female -brownish-ash. - - -Phænopepla nitens, SCLATER. - -SHINING-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. - - _Ptiliogonys nitens_, SW. An. in Menag. 1838, 285.—BON. Consp. 1850, - 335.—HEERMANN, Jour. A. N. Sc. Phila. II, 1853, 263.—CASSIN, Ill. - Birds Texas, etc. 1854, 169, pl. xxix. _Cichlopsis nitens_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 320, 923. _Phænopepla nitens_, SCLATER, P. Z. - S. 1858, 543; 1864, 173 (City of Mexico).—BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, - 416.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 131. “_Lepturus galeatus_, LESS.” - -SP. CHAR. (No. 8,275 ♂.) Tail broad, almost fan-shaped; graduated -slightly; not at all emarginate, and longer than wing. First quill -broad, slightly falcate, scarcely attenuated; more than half the -second, which about equals the tenth; sixth longest; third equal to -seventh. Feathers on nape rather full, with a lengthened, pointed, -narrow, occipital crest. - -_Male_ (No. 8,275) entirely glossy greenish-black; the inner webs of -all the primary quills with a large, lengthened patch of white, which -does not reach the inner margin; their outer webs very narrowly edged -with ashy, as are also lateral tail-feathers externally. - -_Female_ (No. 8,274) brownish-ash, paler below; the white of inner -webs of quills obsolete; the greater coverts and quills edged -externally with whitish, the anal and crissal feathers edged and -tipped with the same; the outer tail-feather with narrow edge of white -externally towards end. - -Immature birds show every gradation of color between the two extremes -described above. - -Total length, 7.60; wing, 3.80; tail, 4.35; length of bill from -forehead, .46, from nostril .31, along gape, .66; tarsus, .70; middle -toe and claw, .65. - - [Line drawing: _Phænopepla nitens._ - 8275] - -HAB. Mountainous region of the southern portions of Western and Middle -Provinces of United States, and south to Orizaba; Cape St. Lucas; -Plateau of Mexico (resident, SUMICHRAST). - -HABITS. So far as known, this bird occurs in the mountainous portions -of the United States, from Fort Tejon, Cal., to Mexico, and from the -Rio Grande to San Diego. It is closely allied, in its appearance, as -also in many of its habits, both with the Waxwings and the -Flycatchers. - - [Illustration: _Phænopepla nitens._] - -This species was first detected within the United States by Colonel -McCall, who obtained it in California in 1852. Its habits, as he -observed them, partook of those of the true Flycatcher. They are said -to be remarkable for their slender, active form, in which their long -and ample tail, and the elongated feathers of their head, capable of -being erected into a crest, are conspicuous features. Colonel McCall -first met with them in a clump of trees on the borders of a mountain -brook, between Valliecita and El Chino. A number of them were together -actively engaged in the pursuit of insects. They were light and -graceful on the wing, though less swift and decided in their motions -than the true Flycatchers. In these evolutions the bright white spot -on the wing, visible only when the wing is spread, was quite -conspicuous, and in fine contrast with the glossy black of the general -plumage. In his journey Colonel McCall afterwards met this bird -several times, either in small companies or singly. They were always -either on mountain sides, or in the timbered borders of mountain -streams. - -Dr. Henry met with this species near the Little Lagoon, on the -Colorado Desert. It was perched on a mezquite-tree, jerking its tail -almost incessantly, as do other kinds of Flycatchers, and, from time -to time, dashing in irregular curves high into the air in pursuit of -insects. It became quite abundant as he approached the Colorado, -occurring in companies of twenty and thirty. At Fort Yuma he also met -with them in considerable numbers late in November, as they were -migrating southward. Dr. Henry describes its note as a low, plaintive -whistle. He ascertained that it breeds in California by finding -specimens of young birds. He likewise met with this species near Fort -Webster, in New Mexico; and Dr. Kennerly also noticed it, in February -and March, between Big Sandy Creek and the Colorado River. - -Mr. Dresser obtained two specimens of this species at Eagle Pass. One -of these had its stomach filled with the berries of a species of -mistletoe that grows abundantly on the mezquite-trees. He noticed that -it carries its crest erect and much recurved, after the manner of the -European _Parus cristatus_. - -Sumichrast states that this species, called _Reyecito_, is well -distributed throughout the Plateau of Mexico, but only ranges in the -valley of the Orizaba, to the height of about 1,500 metres, rarely -coming as far as that. It is also common at Tehauntepec and other -places. - -Dr. Cooper found them quite numerous, in winter, near the Colorado. He -also found them common, in December, about the Mohave River, and in -summer, from Los Angeles to San Diego. They were found to prefer the -trees in which the mistletoe grows, on the berries of which they -largely feed, though they occasionally pursue insects in a zigzag -course similar to that of the _Sayornis nigricans_. - -They almost constantly utter a loud cry of alarm, and when pursued are -very wild. When wounded, they conceal themselves so closely in the -thick tufts of the mistletoe as to be found with difficulty. Many left -the Colorado Valley in April, but a few remained. Their notes Dr. -Cooper describes as similar to those of the Crested Flycatchers, but -sweeter. - -It was found by Feilner, at Fort Crook, in April, 1860, but has not -been met with near the coast so far to the north. - -A nest of this bird, obtained by Dr. Cooper, on the 27th of April, was -built on a horizontal branch of the mezquite (_Algarobia_), twelve -feet from the ground. It was found near Fort Mohave, on the Colorado -River. The nest is a very flat structure, four inches in diameter, and -less than two in height. The cavity is less than an inch in depth. The -nest is made almost entirely of hempen or flax-like fibres of plants, -interwoven with fine grasses, stems of plants, and stalks of a larger -size. It is lined with a soft downy substance of a vegetable -character. - -The eggs, two in number, are of an oblong-oval shape, nearly equal at -either end, and with a ground-color of a light slate, tinged with a -yellowish-green. They are marked and blotched equally over the entire -egg, with spots and blotches of various lines, from a light, faint, -obscure purple to deeper tints of purplish-brown, even to black. It is -a very marked egg, and unique in its appearance. They measure .90 by -.60 of an inch. - -Dr. Coues found this species a summer resident in Arizona, somewhat -rare about Fort Whipple, but found very abundantly a little farther -south, and a permanent resident in the southern portions of that -Territory. It inhabits rather open country in preference to densely -wooded regions. He describes it as a shy, wild, and restless bird, -with a superb song, powerful and finely modulated. Dr. Coues appears -to think that this species has but little affinity with the forms with -which it is usually grouped. - - -SECTION MYIADESTEÆ. - -CHAR. Tarsus slender, longer than middle toe and claw; undivided as in -_Turdidæ_. Toes deeply cleft. Wings more pointed; second quill much -longer than secondaries. Lateral tail-feathers cuneate, or narrowing -from base towards tip; generally whitish at end of inner web. Quills -with their extreme bases, especially of inner webs, buffy yellow, -showing a light patch inside. Head not crested, though the feathers -sometimes full. In the young all the feathers with light rounded -spots. Pre-eminent as melodious singers. - -But a single genus of this group belongs to the United States, -although two others (_Cichlopsis_ and _Platycichla?_) occur in South -America. As already stated, the affinities of _Myiadesteæ_ are much -closest to _Turdidæ_, and this would seem the proper family for it. - - -GENUS MYIADESTES, SWAINSON. - - _Myiadestes_, SWAINSON, Jard. Nat. Library, XIII. Flycatchers, “1838,” - 132. (Type, _M. genibarbis_, SW.) - - [Line drawing: _Myiadestes townsendi._ - 38426 - 16168] - -GEN. CHAR. Occipital feathers full and soft. Plumage rather loose. -Bill weak, much depressed. Commissure nearly straight. Hind toe longer -than inner lateral. Toes deeply cleft. Closed wing externally with an -exposed light band across the base of the quills, and another nearer -the end, separated by a darker one. Tail somewhat graduated on the -sides. - -Of the ten or more described species of this genus, only one belongs to -the limits of the United States, although several others occupy -adjacent territory in Mexico. Several are peculiar to islands of the -West Indies. - -The only two species closely related to the _M. townsendi_ are the _M. -unicolor_ and _M. obscurus_, which belong to Mexico. They may be -distinguished as follows:— - -An ochraceous band across base of secondaries and upper primaries, -conspicuous on outer surface. - - 1. M. townsendi. Generally dull ashy, paler beneath. Throat and - abdomen whitish. _Hab._ Middle and Pacific Provinces of United - States only. - -No ochraceous on outer webs of secondaries and primaries. - - 2. M. obscurus.[80] Back and wings rusty-olive. Head and beneath - ashy, top of head deepest ash. _Hab._ Mountains of Mexico and - Guatemala; Tres Marias Islands. - - 3. M. unicolor.[81] Entirely dark bluish slate-color, lighter - beneath. Lores black. _Hab._ Central Mexico and Guatemala. - - -Myiadestes townsendi, CABAN. - -TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE. - - _Ptiliogonys townsendi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 206, pl. ccccxix, - fig. 2. (For other references see Birds N. Am. 321.)—NEWBERRY, P. - R. Rep. VI, Whipple’s Rep. Zoöl., 82. _Culicivora towns._ DE KAY, - N. Y. Zoöl. II, 1844, 110. _Myiadestes towns._ CABANIS, Wieg. - Arch. 1847, I, 208.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 5; 1858, 97.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 321; Rev. 429.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, P. R. Rep. - XII, II, 187.—KENNERLY, P. R. Rep. X, Whipple’s Rep. 25.—LORD, Pr. - R. Art. Inst. WOOLWICH, IV, 116 (Br. Col.).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 134. - -SP. CHAR. Tail rather deeply forked. Exposed portion of spurious quill -less than one third that of the second; fourth quill longest; second a -little longer than the sixth. Head not crested. General color -bluish-ash, paler beneath; under wing-coverts white. Quills with a -brownish-yellow bar at the base of both webs mostly concealed, but -showing a little below the greater coverts and alulæ; this succeeded -by a bar of dusky, and next to it another of brownish-yellow across -the outer webs of the central quills only. Tertials tipped with white. -Tail-feathers dark brown; the middle ones more like the back; the -lateral with the outer web and tip, the second with the tip only, -white. A white ring round the eye. Length, 8 inches; wing, 4.50; tail, -3.85. (8,234). - -HAB. Mountainous regions of Middle and Western United States. (Not -found at Cape St. Lucas nor in Mexico.) - -Young birds have a large triangular pale-ochraceous light spot on the -end of each feather (rather paler below), bounded externally by a -narrow border of blackish; the quill and tail feathers as in the -adult. - -HABITS. The first specimen of this somewhat remarkable bird was shot -by Captain Brotchie, at Fort George, Astoria, and presented to Mr. -Townsend, and by the latter given to Mr. Audubon. For some time this -remained unique, and the habits of the species unknown. Through the -government explorations, however, we have been made more familiar with -its habits and peculiarities. - - [Illustration: _Myiadestes townsendi._] - -Dr. Newberry, in his report on the Zoölogy of Lieutenant Williamson’s -explorations, mentions finding this bird very abundant in the Des -Chutes Basin. It did not frequent either dense forests or prairies -destitute of trees, but seemed to select surfaces covered with a -scattered growth of pine and cedar. His party first met with it at the -base of Mount Jefferson, in the cañon of Mpto-ly-as River. In picking -his way with infinite difficulty down this gorge, his attention was -drawn by its new and attractive song. There were several of them in -the pines and cedars growing on the face of the cliff. He describes -its song as clear, full, and melodious, like that of a true _Mimus_. -The next day, as he followed down the river, in the bottom of the -cañon the deep gorge was filled with a chorus of sweet sounds from -thousands of these birds. He describes them as having a habit of -sitting on the branch of a tree projecting over a stream, or hanging -from some projecting crag, and at times flying out in narrow circles, -after insects, precisely in the manner of Flycatchers. - -Afterwards, in another cañon, the terraced banks of which were -sparsely set with low trees of the Western cedar, he again found these -birds quite numerous, and had every opportunity both of hearing and of -seeing them, watching them for hours while feeding and singing. They -began their songs with the first dawn of day, and at sunrise the -valley was perfectly vocal with their music. He describes their song -as not greatly varied, but speaks of all their notes as particularly -clear and sweet, and with strains of pure gushing melody that were -both spontaneous and inspiring. At that time, September 30, they were -feeding on the berries of the cedar. They were very shy, and could -only be obtained by stratagem. - -Dr. Kennerly, in his Report on the birds observed in the explorations -under the charge of Lieutenant Whipple, speaks of meeting with these -birds in the Rocky Mountains, in the vicinity of the Pueblo of Zuñi, -in New Mexico. Thence, westward, he occasionally met with it, and -usually in the cedar thickets. - -Dr. Suckley mentions, in his Report on the Zoölogy of Washington -Territory, obtaining a specimen of this species at Fort Steilacoom, -April 28, 1856. It was very wild and difficult of approach. It was the -only specimen obtained, and he considered it accidental west of the -Cascade Mountains. Dr. Cooper, in the same Report, speaks of obtaining -a specimen near Fort Laramie in October, where it seemed to be not -uncommon. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Birds of California, dwells with much emphasis upon -the delightful melody of this species. Having always found them -silent, and with habits like the Flycatchers’, he was quite unprepared -to hear them singing in the Sierra Nevada, and, if he had not obtained -the bird, would not have believed that one of this family was capable -of singing with such power. Their song, he says, can be compared with -nothing uttered by any other bird he has ever heard in the United -States; for, he adds, it excels that of the Mocking-Bird in sweetness, -besides being entirely original. - -He met with only a few of this species among some junipers on the -western slope near the summit, in September, 1863. He has always met -with them nearly singly. Dr. Henry found them at Fort Webster, New -Mexico, in large numbers, both in fall and in winter. Their home, Dr. -Cooper thinks, seems to be in the vicinity of the great deserts of the -central regions, or the cedar-covered mountains that intersect them. - -Dr. Woodhouse obtained several specimens on the Zuñi Mountains in New -Mexico, and from there westward found it exceedingly abundant. Its -food seemed to be exclusively berries, and chiefly those of the cedar. - -Dr. Coues also found these birds rare summer residents in Arizona, and -confirms its possession of rare local powers, producing a rich, sweet, -and finely modulated song. - -Mr. Robert Ridgway, in accompanying Mr. King’s party of explorations, -writes that he found this curious bird only occasionally, most -frequently among the pines of the Sierra Nevada, and only once or -twice among the mountains east of that range. In July, 1867, he found -a nest of this bird. It was in a deep ravine on the western slope of -the Sierras, at an altitude of five thousand feet. It was placed in a -cavity of the rocks forming the perpendicular upper bank of a sluice -constructed for mining purposes, through which ran the waters of a -considerable mountain stream. The nest was about a foot above the -water, and was as bulky as that of the _Harporhynchus rufus_, and -similarly constructed, being composed almost entirely of sticks. It -contained four young. When he approached, the female was much excited, -flying before, or running on the ground in the manner of a true -Thrush. Mr. Ridgway makes no mention of its song. - -Mr. Lord met with these birds only once, and then at Colville, towards -the end of November. All the leaves had fallen, the ground was deeply -covered with snow, and the cold was intense. His attention was first -attracted by hearing a low sweet song, not unlike that of the Song -Thrush of Europe, which at that season was a most unusual sound. On -looking around he saw about twenty of these birds perched on the top -sprays of some white thorn-bushes. In their mode of darting off and -returning again they reminded him of a Shrike. He shot six, and could -detect no material difference in plumage between males and females. In -the stomachs of those he opened were the remains of small coleopterous -insects and a few haws. - - - - -FAMILY LANIIDÆ.—THE SHRIKES. - - -CHAR. Bill very powerful, strong, and much compressed, the tip -abruptly hooked, deeply notched, and with a prominent tooth behind the -notch; both mandibles distinctly notched, the upper with a distinct -tooth behind, the lower with the point bent up. Tarsi longer than the -middle toe, strongly scutellate. Primaries ten; first primary half the -second, or shorter (occasionally wanting). Wings short, rounded; tail -long and much graduated. Sides of tarsi with the plates divided on the -outside. - -Of this family only a single genus is known in North America. - - -GENUS COLLURIO, VIGORS. - - _Collurio_, VIGORS, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1831, 42. (Type, _Lanius - excubitor_, L.) - _Lanius_, AUCT. (not of LINNÆUS, whose type is _L. cristatus_). - _Collyrio_, G. R. GRAY.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 323. - - [Line drawing: _Collurio excubitoroides._ - 38423] - -GEN. CHAR. Feathers of forehead stiffened; base of bill, including -nostrils, covered by bristly feathers directed forward. Bill shorter -than the head, much compressed, and very powerful. Culmen decurved -from base, the mandible abruptly bent down in a powerful hook with an -acute lobe near the tip. Tip of lower mandible bent upwards in a hook; -the gonys very convex. Rictus with long bristles. Legs stout; the -tarsi rather short, and longer than the middle toe; the lateral equal; -the claws all very sharp and much curved. Wings rounded; the first -primary about half the second, which is equal to the sixth or seventh. -Tail longer than the wings, much graduated, the feathers broad. - -But few species of this genus belong to America, and these are -confined to the northern portion. For the purpose of more readily -identifying the species we present a brief diagnosis, and then furnish -descriptions of all (including a European ally) in a single table. - - -Species. - -A. Outer webs of secondaries wholly white for basal half -(mostly concealed by coverts, however). Upper eyelid white. - - C. excubitor.[82] Nasal tufts grayish-white. In other - respects, as regards colors, like _excubitoroides_. Wing, - 4.20; tail, 4.00; tarsus, .95. _Hab._ Europe. - -B. Outer webs of secondaries black to the base. Upper eyelids -black. - - _a._ White crescent on lower eyelid. Beneath with wavy bars of - dusky in all stages. Tarsus less than 1.00; wing more than - 4.50. - - C. borealis. Upper half of nasal tufts white. Black - spectacle bordered above the ear-coverts by hoary whitish. - Scapulars and upper tail-coverts approaching white. Wing, - 4.70; tail, 4.70; tarsus, .93. _Hab._ Arctic America; in - winter south into United States, especially into the northern - portions. - -_b._ No white crescent on lower eyelid. Beneath without bars, -except in young. Tarsus more than 1.00; wing less than 4.50. - - C. ludovicianus. Black spectacle not bordered over - ear-coverts with whitish. - -_White patch on primaries reaching nearly as far as end of first -quill. Nasal tufts entirely black._ - - Black of lores and nasal tufts bordered above with hoary - whitish. Tail white at base; inner webs of secondaries - paler toward margin, but not abruptly white. Beneath - entirely white, without ashy tinge laterally, or across - breast. Axillars whitish. Upper tail-coverts ashy-white, - scapulars pure white. Wing, 4.10; tail, 4.20; tarsus, 1.10; - bill, .50. _Hab._ Western North America from Pacific Coast - east to a little beyond the Mississippi, and to Texas. - Nearly all of Mexico … var. _excubitoroides_. - - Black of lores, etc., not bordered above by whitish. Tail - black at base. Inner webs of secondaries pure white to the - shaft on basal half. Beneath tinged with ashy laterally and - across breast. Scapulars and upper tail-coverts hardly - different from back. Bill, .60. _Hab._ California and fur - countries … var. _robustus_. - -_White patch on primaries reaching only about half-way to end of -first quill. Nasal tufts hoary-grayish above._ - - Black of lores bordered above by hoary-whitish. Tail as in - _elegans_,—secondaries as in _excubitoroides_. Beneath very - strongly tinged with plumbeous laterally and across breast. - Upper tail-coverts like the back, posterior scapulars only - inclining to white. Axillars plumbeous. Wing, 3.80; tail, - 3.95; tarsus, 1.00; bill, .50. _Hab._ South Atlantic and - Gulf States … var. _ludovicianus_. - -We now proceed to give a more detailed table of these species, and -under the heading of each shall omit any further description:— - -GENERAL COLOR. Bluish or plumbeous ash above; the outer edges of -scapulars, sometimes the forehead and rump, paler. Beneath white, -sometimes with waved transverse dark lines. A broad black stripe -from side of upper bill through eye (extending more widely -beneath than above it, sometimes wanting above) to end of -ear-coverts. Wings (except lesser coverts) and tail black; the -former with a white patch across base of primaries, sometimes on -inner webs of secondaries; the secondaries tipped with white; the -tail with broad white tips to the lateral feathers, the concealed -bases of which are also usually white. - - A. Black cheek-stripes involving eyelid only on upper border - of eye, and not meeting across the forehead. A crescentic patch - of white in the black below the eye; upper edge of black stripe - behind the eye bordered by hoary whitish. Breast and belly - always with distinct, transverse waved lines of dusky. Bill, - when mature, entirely black. Length about 10 inches. - - Above light ash. Upper tail-coverts and forehead much paler - than the back, the former without waved lines. Axillars - whitish. - - Inner webs of secondaries paler towards edges, but not of - well-defined white. Concealed bases of tail-feathers, - except sixth, white. Tarsus shorter than the gape of mouth. - Length, 10.00; extent, 14.50; wing, 4.70; tail, 4.70; bill - above, .85; tarsus, .93 … _borealis_. - - B. Black cheek-stripes not involving upper border of eye or - upper eyelid, which is whitish, and not meeting across the - forehead, its upper edge behind the eye with scarcely a lighter - border. No patch of white on lower eyelid. Under parts unvaried - white; in female obscurely waved. Base of under mandible - whitish. Length about 9 inches. - - Above light ash. Upper tail-coverts and forehead decidedly - paler than the back. Axillars whitish. - - Inner webs of all secondaries (except innermost) white to - shaft, except for less than terminal half, which is black - along the shaft. Concealed base of tail white, except on - sixth feather. Tarsus equal to the gape … _excubitor_. - - C. Black cheek-stripes involving upper eyelid, as in A, but - without patch of white below the eye; meeting in a narrow, - sometimes inconspicuous, line across the forehead, its upper - edge behind the eye not bordered by lighter. Beneath plain - white, or very obscurely waved in _ludovicianus_ (the female?). - Bill, when mature, entirely black. Length about 8.50 inches. - - Above dark plumbeous-ash. Upper tail-coverts and forehead - scarcely paler than the back. Sides and breast tinged with - bluish-gray. - - Black of loral space rather hoary along upper border. - Frontal dark line inappreciable or wanting. Inner webs of - secondaries paler only along the marginal half, and not - abruptly white. Axillars plumbeous. Tail-feathers, except - the innermost, with a concealed well-defined white patch at - base, largest on the more exterior one. Bill from nostril, - .50. Under parts often with very obscure faint waved lines - (in the female?). White patch on wing reaching about to - middle of first primary. Tarsus equal to the gape. Length, - 8.50; wing, 3.72; tail, 4.10; bill above, .82; tarsus, 1.00 … - _ludovicianus_. - - Black of loral space without any lightening above it. - Frontal black band well marked. Inner webs of secondaries - (except innermost) pure white to shaft, except along rather - more than terminal half, where the shaft is bordered by - black. Axillars whitish. Tail-feathers black to base, - except the loose fibres, which are grayish. Bill from - nostril, .60. Under parts without waved lines. White patch - on wing reaching nearly opposite to end of first primary. - Tarsus about equal to the gape. Length, 8.75; wing, 4.20; - tail, 4.40; bill above, 1.00; tarsus, 1.20 … _elegans_. - - Above light ash-color. Upper tail-coverts and forehead much - lighter than the back, the former sometimes almost white. - Sides and breast generally nearly pure white. - - Black of loral space with conspicuous hoary margin above - it. Inner web of secondaries much as in _C. ludovicianus_. - Axillars whitish. Tail-feathers with concealed white patch - at bases of all the feathers. Bill from nostril about .50. - No waved lines beneath. White patch on wing reaching nearly - opposite to end of first primary. Tarsus longer than the - gape. Length, 8.50; wing, 4.05; tail, 4.25; bill above, - .83; tarsus, 1.12 … _excubitoroides_. - - [Illustration: PLATE XIX. - - 1. Collurio borealis, _Vieill._ ♂ H. B. T., 19549. - 2. “ “ “ _juv._, 17192. - 3. Collurio excubitoroides, _Swains._ ♂ Neb., 38423. - 4. “ ludovicianus, _Linn._ ♂. - 5. Certhiola bahamensis, _Reich._ ♂ Bahamas, 11951.] - - -Collurio borealis, BAIRD. - -GREAT NORTHERN SHRIKE, OR BUTCHER-BIRD. - - _Lanius borealis_, VIELLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 90, pl. 1.—SW.— - AUD. Syn.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 130, pl. ccxxxvi.—CASSIN.—MAX. - Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 190 (Upper Missouri).—JONES, Nat. Bermuda, - 1857, 51 (Bermuda).—DRESSER & SHARPE, P. Z. S. 1870, 590. - _Collyrio borealis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 324.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, P. R. Rep. XII, II, 1860, 188 (Washington - Territory).—DALL & BANNISTER, 280 (Alaska).—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. - 268. _Collurio borealis_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 440. _Lanius - excubitor,_ FORSTER, Phil. Trans. LXII, 1772, 382 (not of - LINNÆUS).—WILSON, I, 1808, 74, pl. v, fig. 1. _Lanius - septentrionalis_, BON. Syn. 1828, 72 (not of GMELIN, which cannot - be identified as an American species).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 137.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1857, 213.—MURRAY, Ed. New Phil. Jour. - XI, 1859, 223 (H. B. T.). - -HAB. Whole of America north of United States; in winter south to -Washington, St. Louis, Prescott (Arizona), and North California; -Bermuda (winter, JONES). - - [Illustration: _Collyrio excubitoroides._] - -The description of this and the succeeding species will be found on -page 413. In winter, the colors, especially of the immature birds, are -quite different from those described. The plumage of the adult, in -winter, differs from that of spring as follows: the lores and nasal -tufts are whitish, instead of pure, sharply defined black, with, -however, some of the hair-like fibres blackish. The ash above is a -little less clear, the white beneath less pure; the under mandible -whitish at the base. An immature bird, in winter, has the ash above -overlaid by a wash of reddish-brown, producing a prevailing uniform -light-brown tint; the black on side of head is reduced to an obsolete -patch on the ear-coverts. The dull white beneath is everywhere—sometimes -even on the lower tail-coverts—covered with numerous bars of dusky, -more sharply defined, and darker than in the adult. - -Eastern specimens appear to have as much white on the rump as Western -ones. - -HABITS. In the breeding-season this species of Shrike is found in all -North America north of the United States, and is said to breed also -within our territory, in mountainous districts. Such, at least, is the -statement of Mr. Audubon, and Wilson leaves us to infer the same thing -by giving a minute description of its nest and eggs. But Audubon may -have confounded this species with the _excubitoroides_, and Wilson, -apparently believing our species and the _excubitor_ of Europe to be -identical, may have had the nest and eggs of the European bird in view -in his description. We know of a single recent instance in which this -bird has bred within the limits of the United States, though it may -breed in Northern and Eastern Maine. Mr. Boardman spoke of it as -common only in winter, near Calais, but he has since met with its nest -in New Brunswick, within twelve miles of St. Stephen. It was supposed -by his informant to be the nest of the Canada Jay, but proved, on -shooting the parent, to be that of the Northern Shrike. When found, it -contained four eggs, but these had hatched out before it was secured. -The nest was found on the last of April, and was built in a low -spruce-tree. Mr. Boardman has since seen these birds in his -neighborhood during the summer. Professor Verrill thinks it is only -common in the autumn and winter in Western Maine. In Western -Massachusetts, Mr. Allen cites it as not very common, but a regular -winter visitant, from the last of October to the middle of April. - -Mr. Ridgway met with it frequently in the neighborhood of Carson City -during the winter, among the willows bordering the streams that flow -from the mountains. Dr. Coues also found it as far south as Arizona, -though Mr. Dresser did not meet with any in Texas, nor did Dr. -Woodhouse notice any in his expedition to the Zuñi. Captain Feilner -found this species common, in the colder months, in the northeastern -portions of California, and Dr. Cooper gives it as abundant at the -Columbia River in October. - -Mr. Audubon further states that in severe winters he has met with it -as far south as Natchez on the Mississippi. It is also not uncommon in -Kentucky during the same season, but he never met with it near the -seaboard. - -Mr. Kennicott’s memoranda in reference to this species are to the -effect that he observed one individual at Fort Simpson, September 23, -and again October 22, but on no other occasion. Both of these -specimens, when first observed, were singing. Their notes, he states, -were low and irregular, but were varied and quite musical. Captain -Blakiston found these birds winter residents on the Saskatchewan. - -In the fall and winter of 1871, a pair of these birds was attracted to -the Common, in Boston, by the large number of half-domesticated -European Sparrows. For a while they made daily inroads upon these -favorites, killing one or more for several days in succession. They -appeared to keep themselves secreted most of the time, showing -themselves each day early in the forenoon, and pouncing upon their -victims, unaware of their near presence, in the manner of a Hawk, -aiming always at the heads, which were torn off and devoured; -generally the headless remains were left uneaten. In one instance -where a Sparrow had been struck on the back, an ugly wound was made, -the bird escaped alive, and was soon after seen, in the middle of -Tremont Street, apparently not seriously injured. These Shrikes were -so bold and destructive that pains had to be taken to watch for and -shoot them. Three were killed, on different days, and each with a dead -Sparrow in its claws, upon which it was feasting when shot. - -Both Mr. Audubon and Mr. Nuttall refer to this Shrike’s imitating the -cries of other birds, apparently to decoy them within its reach. The -former has heard it utter cries like those of the Sparrow screaming in -the claws of a Hawk, to induce them to come out of their coverts and -rescue their suffering fellows, and has seen them dart suddenly into a -thicket in pursuit of one, from which would soon issue the real cries -of the bird it had seized. Nuttall states that in some parts of New -England this Shrike is called a Mocking-Bird, on account of its -imitations of the notes of smaller birds. Its more usual note -resembles the discordant creaking of a signboard hinge. He also states -that it has been known to mimic the quacking of ducks, so that these -would answer to it as to a decoy. He heard one of these birds, as late -as November 10, uttering a low and soft warble, resembling that of the -Song Sparrow, immediately after changing it to the notes of the -Catbird. - -When in pursuit of small birds, it will dart down with closed wings, -in the manner of a Hawk, and seldom fails to obtain the object of its -pursuit, following it with rapidity and pertinacity through the -thickets in which it seeks shelter. When it seizes its prey, it -alights on its back, and tears open its head. - -Its bold audacity and perseverance are quite remarkable, and are often -displayed, in the fall, in the manner in which it will enter an -apartment through an open window and attack a Canary, even in the -presence of members of the family. It rarely fails, if it gains access -to the cage, to destroy its inmate before the latter can be rescued by -the intervention of those present, and only by great promptness in -sheltering the cage. In one instance the writer was sitting at a -closed window reading, with a Canary hanging above him. Suddenly there -was a severe blow struck at the pane of glass near the cage, and the -frightened Canary uttered cries of alarm and fell to the bottom of its -cage. The cause was soon explained. A Shrike had dashed upon the bird, -unconscious of the intervening glass, and was stretched upon the snow -under the window, stunned by the blow. He revived when taken up, and -lived several days, was sullen, but tame, and utterly devoid of fear. -He refused raw meat, but eagerly tore in pieces and devoured small -birds when given to him. His tameness and indifference to our presence -may have been occasioned by stupor arising from his injury. In another -case a Shrike made a similar attack, but escaped unharmed, and though -he remained about the house several days, was too wary to allow -himself to be decoyed within gunshot. - -A nest of the Northern Shrike, containing six eggs, was obtained by R. -R. McFarlane, at Anderson River Fort, June 11, 1863. This is in many -respects in striking contrast with the nests of its kindred species of -the Southern States, far exceeding them in its relative size, in -elaborate finish and warmth. It is altogether a remarkable example of -what are known as felted nests, where various materials are most -elaborately worked together into a homogeneous and symmetrical whole. -It is seven inches in diameter and three and a half in height. The -cavity is proportionately large and deep, having a diameter of four -and a half inches, and a depth of two. Except the base, which is -composed of a few twigs and stalks of coarser plants, the nest is made -entirely of warm and soft materials, most elaborately interworked -together. These materials are feathers from various birds, fine down -of the Eider and other ducks, fine mosses and lichens, slender stems, -grasses, etc., and are skilfully and artistically wrought into a -beautiful and symmetrical nest, strengthened by the interposition of a -few slender twigs and stems without affecting the general felt-like -character of the whole. The egg measures 1.10 inches by .80, and is of -a light greenish ground, marbled and streaked with blotches of -obscure-purple, clay-color, and rufous-brown. - -Sir John Richardson found this a by no means uncommon bird in the -woody districts, at least as far as the sixteenth parallel. On account -of its resemblance to the Canada Jay, the Indians called it the “White -Whiskey-John.” It remains all winter in the fur regions, but is much -more numerous in summer. He states that the nest is built in the fork -of a tree, of dry grass and lichens neatly intertwined, and lined with -feathers. - - -Collurio ludovicianus, BAIRD. - -SOUTHERN SHRIKE; LOGGERHEAD. - - _Lanius ludovicianus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 1766, 134 (based on _Lanius - ludovicianus_, BRISSON, II, 162, tab. xv, fig. 2).—AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1831, 300, pl. xxxvii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, pl. ccxxxvii.—CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1857, 213. _Collyrio ludovicianus_, BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 325. _Collurio ludov._ BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 443. - _Lanius ardosiaceus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 81, pl. - li. _Lanius carolinensis_, WILS. Am. Orn. III, 1811, 57, pl. xxii, - fig. 5. - -HAB. South Atlantic (and Gulf?) States. - -The young bird is quite different from the adult, differing as does -that of _excubitoroides_, but the colors are all darker than in the -corresponding age of that species. - -HABITS. This species, if we regard it as distinct from the -_excubitoroides_, has apparently a very restricted distribution, being -confined to the South Atlantic and Gulf States. I am not aware that it -has been found farther north than North Carolina. It is not common, -according to Audubon, either in Louisiana or Mississippi, and probably -only occurs there in the winter. I have had its eggs from South -Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Dresser speaks of this Shrike as -common in Texas in summer, and Dr. Woodhouse states that he found it -very abundant in Texas and the Indian Territory. These observations -may probably apply to the kindred race, _excubitoroides_, and not to -this form. - -It is said to be exclusively a bird of the lowlands, and never to be -met with in the mountainous parts, even of its restricted habitat. - -Dr. Coues found this species very common in the neighborhood of -Columbia, S. C., frequenting the wooded streets and waste fields of -that city. On one occasion he observed a Loggerhead busily foraging -for insects in the grounds of the Capitol. From the top of a tall bush -it would occasionally sally out, capture a large grasshopper, and -carry it to a tree near by, full of sharp twigs. It would then proceed -to impale the insect on one of these points, remain awhile watching -the result of its performance, and then resume its post on the bush, -watching for more grasshoppers, some of which, one by one, it caught -and impaled in like manner, others it ate on the spot. - -This curious habit of impaling insects, more or less common to the -entire family of Shrikes, seems to admit of no satisfactory -explanation. In this case the bird thus secured them when apparently -hungry, eating some and impaling others. Yet, so far as I know, it -never makes any use of those it thus impales. - -Mr. Audubon states that in South Carolina it is quite common along the -fences and hedges about the rice plantations at all seasons, and that -it renders good service to the planters in the destruction of -field-mice, as well as of many of the larger insects. He speaks of its -song as consisting only of shrill, clear, creaking, prolonged notes, -resembling the grating of a rusty hinge. His account differs, in many -respects, from the more minute and exact descriptions of Rev. Dr. -Bachman. In pursuing its prey, he states that it invariably strikes it -with its bill before seizing it with its claws. - -In reference to its song, Dr. Bachman states that it has other notes -besides the grating sound mentioned by Audubon. During the -breeding-season, and nearly all the summer, the male bird posts itself -at the top of some tree and makes an effort at a song, which he -compares to the first attempts of a young Brown Thrush. This is a -labored effort, and at times the notes are not unpleasing, but very -irregular. - -Dr. Bachman also claims that the male evinces marked evidences of -attachment to his mate, carrying to her, every now and then, a -grasshopper or a cricket, and driving away hawk or crow as they -approach the nest. - -He also states that he has usually found the nest on the outer limbs -of trees, often from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground, and only -once on a bush so low as ten feet from the ground. He has occasionally -seen these birds feeding on mice, and also on birds that had been -apparently wounded by the sportsman. It will sometimes catch young -birds and devour them, but its food consists chiefly of grasshoppers, -crickets, coleopterous and other insects, including butterflies and -moths, which it will pursue and capture on the wing. Dr. Bachman has -observed its habit of pinning insects on thorns. In one instance he -saw it occupy itself for hours in sticking up, in this way, small -fishes thrown on the shore, but he has never known them to devour -anything thus impaled. - -This Shrike is partially migratory in South Carolina, as a few may be -found all winter, but only one tenth of those seen in summer. It is -also very fond of the little changeable green lizard, which it pursues -with great skill and activity, but not always with success. - -It is said also to breed twice in a season. Dr. Bachman describes -their eggs as white, and Mr. Audubon speaks of them as greenish-white. -Neither make any reference to their spots. - -All the nests that I have ever seen of this species, in the simplicity -of their structure and in their lack of elaboration, are in remarkable -contrast with the nests of both the _borealis_ and the _excubitoroides_. -They are flat, shallow structures, with a height of about two inches -and a diameter of five. They are made externally of long soft strips -of the inner bark of the basswood, strengthened on the sides with a -few dry twigs, stems, and roots. Within, it is lined with fine grasses -and stems of herbaceous plants. - -The eggs, often six in number, are in length from 1.02 to 1.08 inches, -and from .72 to .78 of an inch in breadth; their ground-color is a -yellowish or clayey-white, blotched and marbled with dashes, more or -less confluent, of obscure purple, light brown, and a purplish-gray. -The spots are usually larger and more scattered than in the eggs of -_C. borealis_, and the ground-color is a yellowish and not a bluish -white, as in the eggs of _C. excubitoroides_. - - -Collurio ludovicianus, var. robustus, BAIRD. - -WHITE-WINGED SHRIKE. - - _?? Lanius elegans_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, 122.—NUTTALL, Man. I, - 1840, 287.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1857, 213.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 327. _Collyrio elegans_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 328. - _Collurio elegans_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 444.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 140. (According to DRESSER & SHARPE, P. Z. S. 1870, - 595, who have examined the type, the _L. elegans_ of Swainson is - the same as _L. lahtora_, SYKES, of Siberia.) - -HAB. California? - -The description already given is taken from a specimen in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy, labelled as having been -collected in California by Dr. Gambel, and is very decidedly different -from any of the recognized North American species. Of nearly the size -of _C. excubitoroides_ and _ludovicianus_, it has a bill even more -powerful than that of _C. borealis_. In its unwaved under parts and -uniform color of the entire upper surface, except scapulars, it -differs from _borealis_ and _excubitoroides_, and resembles -_ludovicianus_. In the extension of white over the inner webs of the -secondaries, it closely resembles _C. excubitor_. The great -restriction of white at the base of the tail—the four central feathers -being entirely black, and the bases of the others grayish-ashy—is -quite peculiar to the species. - -The specimen in the Philadelphia Academy we originally referred to the -_L. elegans_ of Swainson, alleged to have come from the fur countries, -as although some appreciable differences presented themselves, -especially in the coloration of the tail, these were considered as -resulting from an imperfect description. Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser, -however, as quoted above, show that Swainson’s type really belongs to -_L. lahtora_, an Old World species. We therefore find it expedient to -give a new name to the variety, having no reason to discredit the -alleged locality of the specimen. - - -Collurio ludovicianus, var. excubitoroides, BAIRD. - -WESTERN LOGGERHEAD; WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. - - _Lanius excubitoroides_, SWAINSON, F. B. A. II, 1831, 115 - (Saskatchewan).—GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1847, 200 (Cala.).—CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1857, 213.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1864, 173 (City of - Mexico). _Collyrio excubitoroides_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 327. - _Collurio excub._ BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1864, 445.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 138. _? Lanius mexicanus_, BREHM, Cab. Jour. II, 1854, - 145.—SCLATER, Catal. 1861, 46 (Mexico). _Lanius ludovicianus_, - MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 191 (Upper Missouri).—DRESSER & SHARPE, P. - Z. S. 1870, 595. - -HAB. Western Province of North America, as far north as Oregon; Middle -North America, to the Saskatchewan, and east to Wisconsin, Michigan, -and Illinois; south to Orizaba and Oaxaca, and City of Mexico; Cape -St. Lucas. - -The precise boundaries between this species and _C. ludovicianus_ are -difficult of definition, as the transition is almost insensible. - -The young bird is pale fulvous-ash above, everywhere with transverse -crescentic bars of dusky. Two bands of mottled pale fulvous across -wings, on tips of middle and greater coverts. Tail tipped with -ochraceous, the white feathers tinged with the same. Breast and sides -with obsolete bars of dusky. Black band on side of head rather -obsolete. - -In its extreme stage of coloration it differs from _ludovicianus_ in -paler and purer color; the ash of back lighter; the under parts -brilliant white, not decidedly plumbeous on the sides as in the other, -and without so great a tendency to the usual obsolete waved lines -(noticed distinctly only in winter or immature birds); the axillars -bluish-white, not plumbeous. The white of wings and tail is more -extended; the hoary of forehead and whitish of scapulars more -distinct. The bristles at base of bill somewhat involving the feathers -are black, forming a narrow frontal line, not seen in the other. The -most striking difference is in the rump and upper tail-coverts, which -are always appreciably and abruptly lighter than the back, sometimes -white or only faintly glossed with plumbeous; while in typical -specimens of _ludovicianus_ these feathers are scarcely lighter at -all, and generally more or less varied with blackish spots at the end. -The legs and tail are apparently longer, the latter less graduated. -These differences are, however, most appreciable in specimens from the -Middle and Western Provinces. Those from the Western States, east of -the Missouri River, as far north as Wisconsin, are more intermediate -between the two, although still nearest to the Rocky Mountain bird as -described; the back darker, the rump and axillars more plumbeous, the -sides more bluish. There is little doubt that the examination of -series from the States along the Mississippi will show a still closer -resemblance to typical _C. ludovicianus_, and that the gradation -between the two extremes will be found to be continuous and unbroken. -It therefore seems reasonable to consider them all as one species, -varying with longitude and region according to the usual law,—the more -western the lighter, with longer tail. The only alternative is to -suppose that two species, originally distinct, have hybridized along -the line of junction of their respective provinces, as is certainly -sometimes the case. The approximation in many respects of coloration -of the Shrikes of the Pacific coast to those of the South Atlantic -States is not without its importance in the discussion of the subject. -However it may be, it is necessary to retain the name of -_excubitoroides_, as representing, whether as species or variety, a -peculiar regional form, which must be kept distinctly in mind. The -comparatively greater size of the bill in the Cape St. Lucas specimens -is seen in other species from this locality (No. 26,438 of adjacent -figure). - - [Line drawings: 26438 - 13600] - -The intensity of the black front in this species varies considerably, -being sometimes very distinct, and again entirely wanting. This may -probably be a character of the breeding-season, the dulness of black -anterior to the eye and the lighter color of the bill having a close -relationship here, as in other species, to maturity, sex, and season. - -HABITS. This variety was first described from specimens obtained in -the territory of the Hudson’s Bay Co. Richardson states that it was -not found farther north than the fifty-fourth degree, and there only -in the warm and sandy plain of the Saskatchewan. Its manners, he says, -are precisely similar to those of the _borealis_, feeding chiefly on -the grasshoppers, which were very numerous on the plains. Mr. Drummond -found its nest in the beginning of June, in a bush of willows. It was -built of the twigs of the _Artemisia_ and dry grass, and lined with -feathers. The eggs were six in number, of a pale yellowish-gray color, -with many irregular and confluent spots of oil-green, mixed with a few -of smoke-gray. - -Mr. Ridgway met with it, in his Western explorations, in all -localities, but most frequently among the _Artemisia_ and in the -meadow-tracts of the river valleys. It is also seen on all parts of -the mountains, among the cedar groves, localities in which the -_ludovicianus_ is said never to be found. - -Dr. Cooper describes this bird as abundant in all the plains-region of -California, but not as far as the Columbia River. South of latitude -38°, they reside all the year. They were abundant about Fort Mohave -all winter, and nested as early as the 19th of March in a thorn-bush. -They had young early in April. At San Diego they nested later, about -April 20. He speaks of their singing as an attempt at a song, the -notes being harsh, like those of a Jay, but not imitative. They catch -birds, but do so very rarely, depending upon grasshoppers and other -insects. - -The nests of the _excubitoroides_, so far as I have had any -opportunity to examine them, always exhibit a very marked contrast, in -the elaborateness of their structure, to any of the _ludovicianus_ -that have fallen under my notice. They resemble those of the -_borealis_ in their size and the felted nature of their walls, but are -more coarsely and rudely put together. They have an external diameter -of about eight inches, and a height of four. The cavity is also large -and deep. These nests are always constructed with much artistic skill -and pains. The base is usually a closely impacted mass of fine -grasses, lichens, mosses, and leaves, intermingled with stout dry -twigs. Upon this is wrought a strong fabric of fine wood-mosses, -flaxen fibres of plants, leaves, grasses, fur of quadrupeds, and other -substances. Intertwined with these are a sufficient number of slender -twigs and stems of plants to give to the whole a remarkable strength -and firmness. This is often still further strengthened by an external -protection woven of stouter twigs and small ends of branches, stems, -etc. The whole is then thoroughly and warmly lined with a soft matting -of the fur of several kinds of small animals, vegetable down, and a -few feathers. - -The eggs, five or six in number, measure 1.00 by .73 of an inch, and -strongly resemble those of both the _borealis_ and the _ludovicianus_. -Their ground-color is pale greenish-white, over which are marks and -blotches, more or less confluent, of lilac, purplish-brown, and light -umber. - -Mr. Ridgway, who is familiar with this bird in Southern Illinois, -informs me that in that section it is a resident species, being -abundant during the summer and by no means rare in the winter. It is -there, strangely enough, often called the Mocking-Bird, its similar -appearance and fondness for the same locality leading some persons to -confound these very different birds. In districts where the true -_Mimus_ is not common, young birds of this species are frequently -taken from their nests and innocently sold to unsuspecting admirers of -that highly appreciated songster. - -This bird inhabits, almost exclusively, open situations, being -particularly fond of waste fields where young honey-locusts -(_Gleditschia triacanthos_) have grown up. Among their thorny branches -its nests are almost utterly inaccessible, if beyond the reach of -poles. In such localities this bird may often be seen perched in an -upright position upon some thorn-bush, or a fence-stake, quietly -watching for its prey, remaining nearly an hour at a time motionless -except for an occasional movement of the head. - -The flight of this bird, Mr. Ridgway adds, is quite peculiar, utterly -unlike that of any other bird except the _Oreoscoptes montanus_, which -it only slightly resembles. In leaving its perch it sinks nearly to -the ground, describing a curve as it descends, and, passing but a few -feet above the surface, ascends in the same manner to the object upon -which it is next to light. The flight is performed in an undulating -manner, the bird sustaining itself a short time by a rapid fluttering -of the wings, and sinking as this motion is suspended. As it flies, -the white patch on the wing, with the general appearance of its gray -and white plumage, increases its resemblance to the Mocking-Bird. - -Though very partial to thorn-trees (honey-locust), other trees having -a thick foliage—as those canopied by a tangled mass of wild -grapevines—are frequently occupied as nesting-places; while a pair -frequently make their home in an apple-orchard, selecting the old -untrimmed trees. The situation of the nest varies according to the -character of the tree; if in a thorn-bush, it is placed next the -trunk, encased within protecting bunches of thorns; but if in an -apple-tree, it is situated, generally, near the extremity of a -horizontal branch. The number of eggs is generally six, but Mr. -Ridgway has several times found seven in one nest. No bird is more -intrepid in the defence of its nest than the present one; at such -times it loses, apparently, all fear, and becomes almost frenzied with -anger, alighting so near that one might grasp it, were he quick -enough, and with open mouth and spread wings and tail threatening the -intruder, its attacks accompanied by a peculiar crackling noise, -interrupted by a harsh, grating _qua_, _qua_, _qua_, slowly repeated, -but emphatically uttered. - -The habit peculiar to the Shrikes of impaling their victims Mr. -Ridgway has observed frequently in this species; for this purpose the -long and extremely sharp thorns of the honey-locust serve it -admirably; and “spitted” upon them he has found shrews, mice, -grasshoppers, spiders, and even a Chimney-Swallow (_Chætura -pelagica_); and, in another instance, but upon the upright broken-off -twig of a dead weed in a field, a large spider. He has also known this -bird to dart at the cage of a Canary-Bird, and frighten the poor -inmate so that it thrust its head between the wires, when it was -immediately torn off by the powerful beak of the Butcher-Bird. - -The young of this species becomes a very pleasing and extremely docile -pet. Mr. Ridgway has known one which, though fully grown, with power -of flight uninjured, and in possession of unrestrained freedom, came -to its possessor at his call, and accompanied him through the fields, -its attachment being rewarded by frequent “doses” of grasshoppers, -caught for it. It had been fully feathered before taken from the nest. -Unfortunately the vocal capabilities of this Shrike are not sufficient -to allow its becoming a general favorite as a pet; for, although -possessing considerable talent for mimicry, it imitates only the -rudest sounds, while its own notes, consisting of a grating, sonorous -_qua_ and a peculiar creaking sound, each with several variations, are -anything but delightful. - - - - -FAMILY CÆREBIDÆ.—THE CREEPERS. - - -As already stated on page 177, there is little to distinguish the -_Cærebidæ_ from the _Sylvicolidæ_, except by the longer and more -protracted tongue, and by the narrower gape in some of the forms. The -genera _Certhiola_, _Cæreba_, _Diglossa_, etc., have peculiarities by -which they are easily recognized; but when we come to such members as -_Dacnis_, _Conirostrum_, etc., it becomes very difficult to separate -them from the slender-billed Tanagers, the Wood Warblers, and the -_Helminthophagas_. - -Although the family is one widely distributed, in numerous genera, -over Middle and South America, but one, _Certhiola_, belongs to North -America, this being represented by a species, or rather a race, -abundant in the Bahamas, and occasionally met with in the Florida -Keys. We shall therefore give only the diagnosis of this family. - - -GENUS CERTHIOLA, SUNDEVALL. - - _Certhiola_, SUNDEVALL, Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockholm, 1835, 99. (Type, - _Certhia flaveola_, LINN. - - [Line drawing: _Certhiola flaveola_, Sund.] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill nearly as long as the head; as high as broad at base, -elongated, conical, very acute, and gently decurved from base to tip. -Culmen uniformly convex; gonys concave. No bristles at base of bill. -Tail rounded, rather shorter than the wings. Tarsi longer than the -middle toe. Iris brown? Nest pensile and arched. Eggs with yellowish -ground dotted thickly with rufous spots. - -This genus is one of those especially characterizing the West Indies, -almost every island as far as known having its peculiar species, -differing, it is true, in very slight characters, but always constant -to the normal type. Cuba alone has so far furnished no representative -of this genus, its place being supplied apparently by _Cæreba cyanea_. -The specimens from St. Thomas I cannot distinguish from those of Porto -Rico, but this is, so far as the series before me indicates, the only -case where one species occurs on two islands. All the West Indian -species, nine or ten in number, agree in having the whole upper part -nearly uniformly dusky or blackish; the head and back being -concolored, while of the three or four South American all but one (_C. -luteola_) have the back more olivaceous, the head much darker. Again, -the West Indian species, with a single exception (_C. bananivora_), -have both webs of lateral tail-feathers broadly and about equally -tipped with white; while in all the South American this white is more -restricted on the inner web, and on the outer reduced to a narrow -border. _C. caboti_ from Cozumel, near the eastern coast of Yucatan, -exhibits the Continental impress in possessing the character last -mentioned. - - [Illustration: _Certhiola flaveola._ - 38055] - -In all the species from the Greater Antilles and the portion of -Continental America west and directly south of this group, there is a -distinct external white patch at base of quills; while this disappears -in the species of the Lesser Antilles and eastern South America, or is -only faintly traceable. Again, in the species of the Lesser Antilles, -with the disappearance of the white wing-patch, the greater and middle -wing-coverts show a faint edging of lighter, by which, as well as by -the darker back, they are distinguished from their South American -allies. - -The shape of the white patch at base of the quills on the outer web -furnishes, in combination with the color of the throat, excellent and -permanent specific characters. This in the Jamaican, Haytien, and -Bahaman forms is elongated, extending gradually and uniformly behind -to the outer edge of the quill, while in those of Porto Rico, St. -Thomas, Cozumel, and the South American species, where it exists, the -posterior outline is nearly transverse, and only running out a little -along outer web. - -As a general rule South American species have shorter tails than the -West Indian. - -It is a nice question what are really species in this genus, and what -merely races or varieties; but it would probably be not far from -correct to assume that the various forms described are simply -modifications of one primitive species, produced by geographical -distribution and external physical conditions. In the following -diagnosis I shall treat all the varieties as occupying the same rank, -without attempting any discrimination. Although but one of these -belongs to the United States, and that as a straggler from the -Bahamas, I give the table of the whole, to show the interesting -relationship between them. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above dusky-olive or blackish; the rump -olivaceous or yellowish; the head and cheeks always black, and -sometimes darker than back. Chin and throat ashy or black. Rest -of under part yellow, duller behind. A broad white stripe from -bill above eye to nape. A white patch at base of primaries; -generally visible externally, sometimes concealed. Lateral -tail-feathers tipped with white. Bill black; legs dusky. - -A. Head uniform in color with rest of upper parts; dark -sooty-brown or blackish. Both webs of outer tail-feather tipped -with white (except in _luteola_). All West Indian except -_luteola_, which, however, occurs in Tobago and Trinidad, and -generally belongs to the shores of the Carribean Sea. - - 1. A distinct and conspicuous external white patch at base of - primaries. Wing-coverts not margined with paler. - - _a._ Throat uniformly but decided dark ash-color, varying in - shade, never entirely black, however, nor ashy-white. - - Throat very dark ash, not contrasting or appreciably - different from blackish of cheeks. - - Wing-spot elongated; the white running out gradually - and obliquely behind to the outer edge of the - primary, reaching shaft of outer primary. Yellow of - breast decidedly ochraceous. Rump as bright yellow - as the belly. _Hab._ Jamaica … _flaveola_.[83] - - White patch of wing more quadrate on each quill; - transverse; not tapering off gradually and uniformly - behind; not reaching the shaft on outer primary. - Breast without ochraceous; rump olivaceous-yellow; - the color different from that of belly. _Hab._ Santa - Cruz … _newtoni_.[84] - - _b._ Chin and throat lighter ash (but not at all whitish); in - decided and appreciable contrast with blackish of cheeks. - Jugulum yellow, like under parts generally. - - Lateral tail-feather broadly tipped with white on both - webs. Rump olivaceous-yellow. - - Wing-spot on each primary nearly quadrate, as in - _newtoni_. _Hab._ Porto Rico and St. Thomas … - _portoricensis_.[85] - - Lateral tail-feather with inner web only broadly tipped - with white. Rump bright yellow like belly. Bill very small. - - White of wing as in _flaveola_, but less extended, and - margining edge only of outer primary. _Hab._ Hayti and - St. Domingo … _bananivora_.[86] - - White of wing as in _newtoni_. Size much larger; darker - above. _Hab._ Tobago, Trinidad, and north shore of South - America … _luteola_.[87] - - _c._ Chin, throat, and jugulum white, with a tinge of ashy. - Yellow of under parts much restricted. - - Depth of bill less than half distance from nostril to tip. - Superciliary stripe reaching to nape. Yellow of under part - restricted to a triangular patch on breast. White spot on - wing large, tapering off gradually on each primary, as in - _flaveola_; on the outer reaching shaft. Both webs of outer - tail-feather about equally tipped. _Hab._ Bahamas and - Florida Keys … _bahamensis_.[88] - - Depth of bill fully half distance from nostril to tip. - Superciliary stripe reaching the occiput only. Yellow of - under parts more extended. White spot on wing restricted; - more quadrate, as in _newtoni_; edge only of outer primary - involved. Outer web of outer tail-feather scarcely tipped. - _Hab._ Cozumel Island, Yucatan … _caboti_.[89] - - 2. No external white patch at base of primary quills. - Wing-coverts obscurely margined with paler. Both webs of outer - tail-feathers tipped about equally with white. Rump olivaceous; - this color of but slight extent. - - _a._ Throat black; continuous with black of cheeks; or else - very dark plumbeous, scarcely distinguishable from the - cheeks. - - Median line of throat white, the sides black like the - cheeks; chin alone black. Superciliary stripes not - confluent anteriorly. _Hab._ Martinique … _martinicana_.[90] - - Whole throat blackish. No white frontal band? - - Wing 2.50 inches. Belly ochraceous. _Hab._ Dominica - Island, West Indies … _dominicana_.[91] - - Wing 2.20 inches. Belly more yellow. _Hab._ Barbadoes … - _barbadensis_.[92] - - Whole throat very dark plumbeous. A whitish frontal broad - band connecting the superciliary stripes which extend in - front of the eye. _Hab._ Antigua, West Indies … - _frontalis_.[93] - - A grayish frontal band; superciliary stripes narrow; not - extending in front of eye. Trace of white patch at base of - primaries … _bartholemica_.[94] - -B. Head blackish, in distinct contrast to the more olivaceous -back. Outer tail-feather with outer web scarcely tipped with -white. Wing-coverts not margined with paler. Throat light ash, in -distinct contrast to black of cheek. - - 1. A distinct external white wing-patch at base of primaries. - - Rump olive-green. _Hab._ Mexico and Central America, but - hardly reaching line of Panama R. R. … _mexicana_.[95] - - Rump olive-yellow. _Hab._ Panama R. R.; south along Andes - to Peru … _peruviana_.[96] - - _a._ No external white wing-patch. - - Rump olive-green. _Hab._ Brazil and Guiana … - _chloropyga_.[97] - -The preceding table is based upon a critical examination of many hundred -specimens belonging to the Smithsonian Institution.—S. F. BAIRD. - - -Certhiola bahamensis, REICH. - -BAHAMA CREEPER. - - _Certhia flaveola_, var. β. LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, I, 1766, 187. - (“_Certhia_” _bahamensis_, CATESBY, Car. tab. 59. Bahamas.) - _Certhiola flaveola_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 924, pl. lxxxiii, - f. 3 (Indian Key, Fla.). _Certhiola bahamensis_, REICH. Handb. I, - 1853, 253 (CATESBY, Car. tab. 59, Bahamas).—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. - Ph. 1864, 271. _C. bairdi_, CABANIS, Jour. Orn. 1865, 412 (_C. - flaveola_, BAIRD, Birds N. A.). - -SP. CHAR. (11,951 ♂, Bahamas.) Above dark dusky-brown; scarcely darker -on the head; the rump yellow. Edge of wing and a triangular patch -covering the front of breast (the angle behind) pale yellow; the rest -of under parts pale ashy-white, purest on front and sides of neck and -on crissum; on flanks somewhat soiled and rather darker. A broad -superciliary white stripe (not crossing the forehead) from bill to -nape, but little lighter than the throat; the line of feathers -immediately behind the nostrils, and a small patch at base of lower -mandible under the tips, with the usual stripe from bill through the -eye, being blackish. White spot at base of quills very distinct -externally; the posterior outline on each outer web of the primaries -not quadrate, but running out obliquely behind and on the outermost -quill reaching the shaft. Edges of quills narrowly margined with -grayish-white; on the secondaries continued round the tips. No -distinct bands on the coverts. Outer tail-feathers broadly tipped with -white; this even involving the innermost, but reduced to a narrow -edge. Total length, 4.40; wing, 2.30; tail, 1.80. - -Bill: Length from forehead, .62; from nostril, .41; along gape, .59; -depth at base, .17. Legs: Tarsus, .75; middle toe and claw, .58; claw -alone, .17; hind toe and claw, .45; claw alone, .20. - -HAB. Bahamas and Keys of southeast coast of Florida. - -A specimen from the Florida Keys (10,367) is rather darker than those -from the Bahamas, the white less extended, and not quite reaching the -shafts in the outer quills. - -HABITS. This species, belonging properly to the Bahaman group of the -West Indian Islands, was found at Indian Key, Fla., January 31, 1858, -by Mr. Würdemann, where it appeared to be not at all rare. Nothing is -known of its habits, but they are doubtless nearly the same as those -of the allied species. The _C. flaveola_ is known in Jamaica as the -Banana Quit, Honey-Sucker, and Black and Yellow Creeper. According to -the description of them given by Mr. Gosse, these birds, scarcely -larger than the Humming-Birds, are often seen in company with them, -probing the flowers for similar purposes, but in a very different -manner. Instead of hovering like the Humming-Bird in front of the -blossom, for which its short wings would be incompetent, these birds -alight on the tree and proceed in a very business-like manner. Hopping -from twig to twig in an active manner, they carefully examine each -blossom. In doing this they throw their bodies into a variety of -positions, often clinging by the feet with the back downwards, the -better to reach the interior of a blossom with their curved beaks and -peculiar tongue. The objects of these researches are the small insects -which are always found in the interior of flowers. This bird is -unsuspecting and familiar, and very freely resorts to the blossoming -shrubs of the gardens and yards. Mr. Gosse mentions, in evidence of -this familiarity, that a large moringa-tree under his window, as he -was writing, and which all through the year was profusely set with -fragrant blossoms, and was a favorite resort of these birds, was being -carefully scrutinized by two active little Creepers. Although within a -few feet of his window, they pursued their examinations, perfectly -undisturbed by his looking on. As they move about they utter a soft -sibilant note. - -The nests of this little bird are usually built in those low trees and -bushes to which are fastened the nests of the brown wasps, and in -close contiguity to them. Mr. Gosse regards this singular predilection -as a remarkable exercise of instinct, if not of reason, as the evident -object of it is the protection afforded by the presence of those -formidable insects, though upon what terms of amity this defensive -alliance is kept does not appear. - -These Creepers incubate during the months of May, June, and July. On -the 4th of May, Mr. Gosse observed one with a bit of “silk-cotton” in -her beak, and found the skeleton of the nest just commenced in a bush -of the _Lantana camara_. It was evidently to be of dome shape, and so -far had been constructed entirely of silk-cotton. The completed nests -are made in the form of a globe, with a small opening below the side. -The walls are very thick, composed of dry grasses intermixed -irregularly with the down of asclepias. One of these nests was fixed -between the twigs of a branch of a _Bauhinia_ projecting over a -highway. Another, found towards the end of June, was built in a bush -of _Lantana_, and of the same structure. It contained two eggs, -greenish-white, thickly but indefinitely dashed with reddish at the -larger end. Mr. Gosse quotes a Mr. Robinson as giving their dimensions -at .44 by .31 of an inch, while his own specimens are much larger than -this, measuring .63 by nearly .50. Two eggs of _C. flaveola_, from -Jamaica, in my cabinet, measure, .68 by .51 and .68 by .49 of an inch. -In one the ground is a dull white, so generally and thickly covered -with minute but confluent dots of reddish-brown as to impart a pinkish -tinge to the whole egg. In the other the ground is a dull white, -sparingly marked with blotches of brown over about three fourths of -its surface, but at the larger end covered with a crown of larger and -confluent blotches of subdued purple and dark umber, intermingled with -a few lines of a darker hue, almost black. - -Two eggs of _G. newtoni_, from St. Croix, are of a more rounded-oval -shape, and measure .69 by .45 and .65 by .44 of an inch. They have a -dull white ground, but this is so uniformly and generally covered with -confluent reddish-brown markings as to be nowhere very distinct. - -The St. Croix species is called the Sugar-Bird in that island, from -its habit of entering the curing-houses, through the barred windows, -probably attracted thither by the swarms of flies. It is a very -familiar species, haunting gardens, and often entering houses, and -never manifesting any alarm. It keeps in pairs, and breeds from March -to August. Mr. Newton states that it builds a domed and often pensile -nest, with a small porch, or pent-house roof, over the entrance, -generally at the extremity of a leafy bough. The nest is generally -very untidy on the outside, and is composed of coarse grass and -cotton, with feathers on the inside. It deposits its eggs before the -completion of the nest, “rather to the discomfiture of the oölogist, -who delays inserting his finger into the structure while he sees one -or both of the birds busy with a tuft of grass or cotton in their -bills, until at last he finds their eggs already hatched.” Mr. Newton -observed one instance in which two broods were reared in the same -nest, with only an interval of ten days between the time the young -left it and the laying of an egg. - - - - -FAMILY TANAGRIDÆ.—THE TANAGERS. - - -CHAR. Primaries nine. Bill usually conical, sometimes depressed or -attenuated, usually more or less triangular at base, and with the -cutting edges not much inflected; sometimes toothed or notched. Legs -short; claws curved; colors usually brilliant. - -We confess our entire inability to present a diagnosis that shall -define and separate satisfactorily by external characters the closely -allied families of _Cærebidæ_, _Sylvicolidæ_, _Tanagridæ_, and -_Fringillidæ_, agreeing as they do in the main in every respect. The -only attempt at distinction is based upon the shape of the bill, and -this in what are generally called _Tanagridæ_ presents every variety -of shape, from the attenuation seen in _Dendroica_ to the stoutest -form of the _Fringillidæ_. The _Cærebidæ_ have peculiarities of the -tongue, not appreciable, however, in the skin. In view, therefore, of -the difficulty in question, we shall copy the conventional names and -unsatisfactory definitions of other authors, in our inability to -present a satisfactory arrangement of our own. - -Carus and Gerstæcker in Handbuch der Zoologie, I, 277, adopt a -classification of the _Oscines_ based on the palatine bones in which -_Fringillidæ_ and _Tanagridæ_ are distinguished from the _Sylvicolidæ_ -as follows:— - -Suborder OSCINES, SUNDEVALL. Of the ten primaries, the first is short, -rudimentary, or wanting; the number of secondaries is rarely more than -nine. Tarsus entirely booted, or else with an undivided plate on the -sides. Lower trachea completely formed by the help of the trachea and -bronchiæ; generally with four pairs of muscles, distributed before and -behind. - -GROUP I. SPIZOGNATHÆ. Outer lamella of the palatine bone developed in -a vertical plane, with the hinder border more or less emarginated; the -anterior palatine process broad, and united by a truncated border to -the high and broad upper mandible. - -FAMILY 1. _Ploceidæ._ Ten primaries. - -FAMILY 2. _Fringillidæ._ Bill encircled by a more or less distinct -swelling at base. Frontal feathers not forming lateral angles. Edges -of the jaws drawn in as far as the corner of the mouth; nine -primaries; the first three usually longest. Legs with undivided plates -behind. - -FAMILY 3. _Tanagridæ._ Bill more or less triangular at the base. -Culmen always more or less curved. Frequently a tooth or notch in the -upper bill, sometimes fine serrations. Wings moderate; somewhat -pointed; primaries nine. Tarsus and toes short and stout. Hind toe -stout and long. Claws curved. - -GROUP II. CORÆOGNATHÆ. Palatine bone broad and rather flat behind, the -external angles prolonged, not extended into a vertical plate. Base of -bill generally narrower. Primaries nine or ten. This section embraces, -of North American forms:— - - Mniotiltidæ, - Motacillidæ, - Alaudidæ, - Sylviidæ, - Turdidæ, - Cærebidæ, - Hirundinidæ, - Ampelidæ, - Laniidæ, - Troglodytidæ, - Certhiidæ, - Paridæ, - Icteridæ, - Corvidæ, - -all of which have already been described in the present work, with the -exception of the last two. - -The family of Tanagers is peculiar to the New World, which abounds in -species of a great variety of forms. Only one genus, _Pyranga_, -actually enters within the limits of the United States, with four -well-marked species, there being many others in Central and South -America. - - -GENUS PYRANGA, VIEILL. - - _Pyranga_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, iv.—IB. Analyse, 1816, - 32.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1856, 123. - _Phœnisoma_, SWAINSON, Class. Birds, II, 1837, 284. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill somewhat straight; subconical, cylindrical, notched at -tip; culmen moderately curved; commissure with a median acute lobe. -Wings elongated; the four first primaries longest. Tail moderate, -slightly forked. Colors of the male chiefly scarlet, of the female -yellowish. - - [Line drawing: _Pyranga rubra._ - 34177 ♂] - -The rictus is well provided with bristles, which bend downwards, but -if brought forward would reach the nostrils. These are rounded, and -are closely crowded by the frontal leathers. The tarsus is shorter -than the middle toe, scutellate anteriorly, and smooth on the sides -behind. The lateral toes are about equal; the basal joint of the -middle toe united for half its length to the inner toe, and by almost -the whole length to the outer. - -The following table may serve to distinguish the males of the several -species of this genus. The females of all differ from the males in -having the red replaced, the dusky of upper surface by olive-green, -the brighter tint of lower parts by yellow.—R. RIDGWAY. - - -Species and Varieties. - -A. Wing and tail blackish, or deep black, in more or less -striking contrast to the color of the upper parts. Wing with two -light bands (except in _P. rubra_). - - _a._ Body and head red in the ♂; yellow in the ♀. - -_Wings intense black in the ♂; back not streaked._ - - 1. P. rubra. Wing without any bands, or with merely - indications of bright scarlet ones. ♂. Intense pure scarlet; - wings and tail intense black. ♀. Olive-green above (including - wings and tail), pale yellow below. _Juv._ ♀. Olive-green - above, yellow below; wings and tail black. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of United States. - - 2. P. erythromelæna. Wing with two bands of pure white. ♂. - Bright scarlet; wings, tail, and lores intense black. ♀. - Olive-green above, yellow beneath; wings and tail slaty. - - Forehead, eyelids, and anterior half of cheeks - velvety-black; red of a carmine shade. _Hab._ Middle - America, north to Mirador … var. _erythromelæna_.[98] - - Forehead, eyelids, and anterior half of cheeks scarlet - (lores only black); red of a scarlet shade. _Hab._ Northern - South America … var. _ardens_.[99] - -_Wings brownish-dusky in the ♂; back streaked with black._ - - 3. P. bidentata.[100] Wing with two bands of pinkish-white - (♂), or yellowish-white (♀). ♂. Above reddish-brown; head and - beneath minium-scarlet. ♀. Above olive-green; head and - beneath yellow. _Hab._ Middle America (both coasts) from - Costa Rica to Middle Mexico. - - _b._ Body always yellow; head red in the ♂. - -_Lesser wing-coverts black or dusky._ - - 4. P. ludoviciana. Wing with two light yellow bands. ♂. - Back, wings, and tail intense black; head crimson. ♀. Above - olive-green, tinged with ashy on the back; beneath pale - greenish-yellow; wings and tail dusky olive-green; no red on - head. _Hab._ Western Province of United States. - -_Lesser wing-coverts and middle coverts yellow._ - - 5. P. rubriceps.[101] Wing without light bands. ♂. Back and - rump olive-green; wings and tail black; head crimson. _Hab._ - New Granada. - -B. Wing and tail reddish or greenish, of the same general color -of the upper parts; wing without any light bands. - - _a._ Wing, 3.00. Body always yellow; head red in the ♂. - - 6. P. erythrocephala.[102] Above olive-green, beneath - yellow. ♂. Head red. Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.70. _Hab._ Mexico - (Temiscaltipec). - - _b._ Wing 3.50 or more. Body and head red in ♂. - -_Commissure with a distinct tooth; bill bluish._ - - 7. P. hepatica. Bill small, not swollen laterally; culmen - gently curved terminally, straight basally; commissural tooth - small. ♂. Above reddish-ashy, becoming brighter reddish on - the head above; beneath minium-scarlet medially, much tinged - with ashy laterally. ♀. Ashy-green and greenish-yellow, - instead of reddish. _Juv._ ♂, similar, but throat tinged with - orange-red. - - Auriculars grayish like the back; eyelids light red; lores - grayish. Wing, 4.10; tail, 3.40; bill, .50. _Hab._ - Table-lands of Middle America, north into southern Rocky - Mountains of United States … var. _hepatica_. - - Auriculars reddish like the neck; eyelids and lores well - defined, buffy-white. Wing, 3.60; tail, 3.25; bill, .46. - _Hab._ Paraguay … var. _azaræ_.[103] - - 8. P. saira. Bill large, much swollen laterally, the culmen - curved both terminally and basally. ♂. Above dark - brownish-red, beneath deep scarlet, duller laterally. ♀. - Bright olive-green and intense orange-yellow, instead of - reddish. - - Commissural tooth indistinct; forehead considerably - brighter reddish or yellowish than the back. ♂. Beneath - almost entirely pure vermilion-scarlet. ♀. Beneath almost - wholly pure gamboge-yellow. Wing, 4.00; tail, 3.40; culmen, - .80. _Hab._ Eastern South America (Brazil and Trinidad) … - var. _saira_.[104] - - Commissural tooth distinct, prominent; forehead scarcely - brighter reddish or yellowish than the back. ♂. Beneath - brownish-scarlet medially, more brownish laterally. ♀. - Beneath Indian-yellow medially, greenish laterally. Wing, - 3.70; tail, 3.20; culmen, .80. _Hab._ Southern Middle - America, on the Atlantic (Belize, Rio Manati, Costa Rica, - Angostura, and Veragua) … var. _testacea_.[105] - -_Commissure without an appreciable tooth; bill pale brownish._ - - 9. P. æstiva. ♂. Above purplish-red, beneath pure, fine, - rosaceous-vermilion. ♀. Above brownish olive-green, beneath - ochraceous-yellow. - - Head above scarcely brighter reddish or yellowish than the - back. Bill, .55, or less, from nostril; primaries, .84 - longer than secondaries. Wing, 3.81; tail, 2.96; bill, .52. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, south, in winter, - through Eastern Middle America to Peru … var. _æstiva_. - - Head above decidedly brighter reddish or yellowish than the - back. Bill, .60 or more, from nostril; primaries, 1.16 - longer than secondaries. Wing, 4.24; tail, 3.68; bill, .64. - _Hab._ Southern Middle Province of United States (Upper Rio - Grande region and Lower Colorado Basin); in winter south, - through Western Mexico, to Colima … var. _cooperi_. - -C. Body ashy; wings, tail, and pileum dull purplish-red; -throat, lining of wing and crissum dilute rose-pink in the ♀. - - 10. P. roseigularis.[106] Sides of head, nape, back, and - scapulars deep ash, the dorsal region with a faint purplish - cast; lores, eyelids, cheeks, and lower parts in general, - paler, and with a dingy buff tinge,—paler on the abdomen, and - more strongly marked with ash across the breast and along - sides. Whole pileum, from bill to nape and down to the upper - edge of lores, eyes, and auriculars, wings, upper - tail-coverts, and tail, dark purplish-red. Whole throat - dilute vermilion, or rose-pink sharply defined; crissum and - lining of wings a paler shade of the same. Wing, 3.05; tail, - 2.75; bill, from nostril, .45; its depth at the base, .40, - its breadth, .30; tarsus, .80. _Hab._ Yucatan. - - -Pyranga rubra, VIEILL. - -THE SCARLET TANAGER. - - _Tanagra rubra_, LINN. I, 1766, 314.—GMELIN, I, 1788, 889.—WILSON, - Am. Orn. II, 1810, 42; pl. xi, f. 3, 4.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, - 388; pl. cccliv. _Pyranga rubra_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, - 1807, iv; pl. i, f. 12 (Head.).—SWAINSON, F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, - 273.—BON. List. 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850.—AUD. Syn. 1839, - 136.—IB. Birds Am. II, 1841, 226; pl. ccix.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. - Soc. 1855, 156.—IB. 1856, 123.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, - 270.—SAMUELS, 251. _Phœnisoma rubra_, SW. Birds, II, 1837, 284. - _Phœnicosoma rubra_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 24. _Pyranga - erythromelas_, VIEILLOT, “Encyc. Méth. 800.”—IB. Nouv. Dict. - XXVIII, 1817, 293. - -SP. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head. Second quill longest; first and -third a little shorter. Tail moderately forked. _Male._ Whole head and -body continuous, pure, intense scarlet, the feathers white beneath the -surface, and grayish at the roots. Wings and tail, with the scapulars, -uniform intense black; the middle-coverts sometimes partly red, -forming an interrupted band. Lining of wing white. A blackish tinge -along sides of the rump, concealed by wings. Bill pea-green; iris -brown; tarsi and toes dull blue. _Female._ Olive-green above, -yellowish beneath. Wing and tail feathers brown, edged with -olivaceous. Length, 7.40; wing, 4.00; tail, 3.00. - -_Hab._ Eastern Province North America, north to Winnepeg (west to El -Paso? HEERMANN). In winter, south to Ecuador (Rio Napo, SCL.). Bogota -(SCL.) Cuba (SCL. & GUNDL.); Jamaica (SCL. & GOSSE); Panama (LAWR.); -Costa Rica (LAWR.); Vera Cruz (winter, SUMICHRAST). - - [Illustration: _Pyranga ludoviciana._] - -At least three years seem to be required for the assumption of the -perfect plumage of the male. In the first year the young male is like -the female, but has black wings and tail; in the fall red feathers -begin to make their appearance, and the following spring the red -predominates in patches. - -HABITS. The Scarlet Tanager is one of the most conspicuous and -brilliant of all our summer visitants. Elegant in its attire, retiring -and modest in manners, sweet in song, and useful in its destruction of -hurtful insects, it well merits a cordial welcome. This Tanager is -distributed over a wide extent of territory, from Texas to Maine, and -from South Carolina to the northern shores of Lake Huron, in all which -localities it breeds. A few are found once in a while as far east as -Calais, in the spring, and they are rather occasional than common in -Eastern Massachusetts, but are more plentiful in the western part of -the State, becoming quite common about Springfield, arriving May 15, -and remaining about four months, breeding in high open woods and old -orchards. In South Carolina it is abundant as a migrant, though a few -remain and breed in the higher lands. Mr. Audubon states, also, that a -few breed in the higher portions of Louisiana, and Dr. Heermann found -them breeding at El Paso, in New Mexico. They are far more abundant, -however, in the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and -throughout the Mississippi Valley, arriving early in May, and leaving -in October. Though occasionally found in the more sparsely settled -portions of the country, in orchards and retired gardens, they are, as -a rule, inhabitants of the edges of forests. - -Their more common notes are simple and brief, resembling, according to -Wilson, the sounds _chip-charr_. Mr. Ridgway represents them by -_chip-a-ra´-ree_. This song it repeats at brief intervals and in a -pensive tone, and with a singular faculty of causing it to seem to -come from a greater than the real distance. Besides this it also has a -more varied and musical chant resembling the mellow notes of the -Baltimore Oriole. The female also utters similar notes when her nest -is approached, and in their mating-season, as they move together -through the branches, they both utter a low whispering warble in a -tone of great sweetness and tenderness. As a whole, this bird may be -regarded as a musical performer of very respectable merits. - -The food of this species is chiefly gleaned among the upper branches, -and consists of various coleopterous and other insects and their -larvæ. Later in the season they consume various kinds of wild berries. - -When their nest is approached, the male bird usually keeps at a -cautious distance, as if fearful of being seen, but his much less -gaudy mate hovers about the intruder in the greatest distress. Wilson -relates quite a touching instance of the devotion of the parent of -this species to its young. Having taken a young bird from the nest, -and carried it to his friend, Mr. Bartram, it was placed in a cage, -and suspended near a nest containing young Orioles, in hopes the -parents of the latter would feed it, which they did not do. Its cries, -however, attracted its own parent, who assiduously attended it and -supplied it with food for several days, became more and more -solicitous for its liberation, and constantly uttered cries of -entreaty to its offspring to come out of its prison. At last this was -more than Mr. Bartram could endure, and he mounted to the cage, took -out the prisoner, and restored it to its parent, who accompanied it in -its flight to the woods with notes of great exultation. - -Early in August the male begins to moult, and in the course of a few -days, dressed in the greenish livery of the female, he is not -distinguishable from her or his young family. In this humble garb they -leave us, and do not resume their summer plumage until just as they -are re-entering our southern borders, when they may be seen in various -stages of transformation. - -This species is extremely susceptible to cold, and in late and -unusually chilly seasons large numbers often perish in their more -northern haunts, as Massachusetts and Northern New York. - -The nests of the Scarlet Tanager are built late in May, or early in -June, on the horizontal branch of a forest tree, usually on the edge -of a wood, but occasionally in an orchard. They are usually very -nearly flat, five or six inches in diameter, and about two in height, -with a depression of only about half an inch. They are of somewhat -irregular shape, or not quite symmetrically circular. Their base is -somewhat loosely constructed of coarse stems of vegetables, strips of -bark, and the rootlets of wooded plants. Upon this is wrought, with -more compactness and neatness, a framework, within which is the -lining, of long slender fibrous roots, interspersed with which are -slender stems of plants and a few strips of fine inner bark. - -Mr. Nuttall describes a nest examined by him as composed of rigid -stalks of weeds and slender fir-twigs tied together with narrow strips -of _Apocynum_ and pea-vine runners, and lined with slender wiry stalks -of the _Helianthemum_, the whole so thinly plaited as readily to admit -the light through the interstices. - -The eggs, four or five in number, vary in length from an inch to .90, -and have an average breadth of .65. Their ground-color varies from a -well-marked shade of greenish-blue, to a dull white with hardly the -least tinge of blue. The spots vary in size, are more or less -confluent, and are chiefly of a reddish or rufous brown, intermingled -with a few spots of a brownish and obscure purple. - - -Pyranga ludoviciana, BONAP. - -LOUISIANA TANAGER. - - _Tanagra ludoviciana_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 27, pl. xx, f. - 1.—BON. Obs. 1826, 95.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 385; V, 1839, 90, - pl. cccliv, cccc. _Tanagra_ (_Pyranga_) _ludoviciana_, BONAP. Syn. - 1828, 105.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 471. _Pyranga ludoviciana_, - RICH. List, 1837.—BONAP. List, 1838.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 137.—IB. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 211, pl. ccx.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1856, - 125.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 145. _Pyranga erythropis_, - VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XXVIII, 1819, 291. (“_Tanagra columbiana_, - JARD. ed. Wilson, I, 317,” according to Sclater, but I cannot find - such name.) - -SP. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head. Tail slightly forked; first -three quills nearly equal. _Male._ Yellow; the middle of the back, the -wings, and the tail black. Head and neck all round strongly tinged -with red; least so on the sides. A band of yellow across the middle -coverts, and of yellowish-white across the greater ones; the tertials -more or less edged with whitish. _Female._ Olive-green above, -yellowish beneath; the feathers of the interscapular region dusky, -margined with olive. The wings and tail rather dark brown, the former -with the same marks as the male. Length, 7.25; wing, 3.60; tail, 2.85. - -HAB. Western portions of United States, from the Missouri Plains to -the Pacific; north to Fort Liard, south to Cape St. Lucas. Oaxaca -(SCL.); Guatemala (SCL.); Orizaba (SCL.); Vera Cruz (winter, -SUMICHRAST). - -HABITS. This bird is one of the many instances in which Wilson has -been unfortunate in bestowing upon his new species a geographical name -not appropriate at the present time. We have no evidence that this -bird, called the Louisiana Tanager, is ever found within the modern -limits of that State, although it occurs from the Great Plains to the -Pacific, and from Fort Liard, in the northern Rocky Mountains, to -Mexico. - -It was first met with by Lewis and Clark’s party, on the Upper -Missouri, a region then known as Louisiana Territory. They were said -to inhabit the extensive plains in what was then called Missouri -Territory, building their nests in low bushes, and even among the -grass, and delighting in the various kinds of berries with which those -fertile prairies were said to abound. - -Mr. Nuttall, who met with these birds in his Western excursions, -describes them as continually flitting over those vast downs, -occasionally alighting on the stems of some tall weed, or the bushes -bordering the streams. Their habits are very terrestrial, and from -this he infers that they derive their food from the insects they find -near the ground, as well as from the seeds of the herbage in which -they chiefly dwell. He found them a common and numerous species, -remaining in the country west of the Mississippi until the approach of -October. In his first observations of them he states that though he -had seen many of these birds, yet he had no recollection of hearing -them utter any modulated or musical sounds. They appeared to him shy, -flitting, and almost silent. - -He first observed these birds in a thick belt of wood near Laramie’s -Fork of the Platte, at a considerable distance east of the Black -Hills. He afterwards found them very abundant, in the spring, in the -forests of the Columbia, below Fort Vancouver. In these latter -observations he modified his views as to their song, and states that -he could frequently trace them by their notes, which are a loud, -short, and slow, but pleasing warble, not very unlike that of the -common Robin, delivered from the tops of lofty fir-trees. Their music -continues, at short intervals, during the forenoon, and while they are -busily engaged in searching for larvæ and coleopterous insects, on the -small branches of the trees. - -Dr. Suckley found this Tanager quite abundant at certain seasons in -the vicinity of Fort Steilacoom. In one year a very limited number -were seen; in another they were very abundant. From frequent -opportunities to examine and to study their habits, he was inclined to -discredit the statement of Nuttall that they descend to low bushes, -the reverse being the rule. He found it very difficult to meet with -any sufficiently low down in the trees for him to kill them with fine -shot. Their favorite abode, in the localities where he observed them, -was among the upper branches of the tall _Abies douglassii_. They -prefer the edge of the forests, rarely retiring to the depths. In -early summer, at Fort Steilacoom, they could be seen during the middle -of the day, sunning themselves in the firs, or darting from one of -those trees to another, or to some of the neighboring white oaks on -the prairie. Later in the season they were to be seen flying very -actively about in quest of insect food for their young. On the 10th of -July he saw one carrying a worm in its mouth, showing that its young -were then hatched out. During the breeding-season they are much less -shy, the males frequently sitting on some low limb, rendering the -neighborhood joyous with their delightful melody. - -Their stomachs were found filled with insects, chiefly coleoptera; -among these were many fragments of the large green _Buprestis_, found -on the Douglass fir-trees. - -Dr. Cooper adds to this account, that this bird arrives at Puget Sound -about May 15, and becomes a common summer resident in Washington -Territory, especially near the river-banks and among the prairies, on -which are found deciduous trees. He compares its song to that of its -black-winged relative (_P. rubra_), being of a few notes only, -whistled in the manner of the Robin, and sounding as if the bird were -quite distant, when in reality it is very near. He met with these -birds east of the Rocky Mountains and up to the 49th parallel. - -In California the same observer noticed their arrival near San Diego, -in small parties, about the 24th of April. The males come in advance -of their mates, and are more bold and conspicuous, the females being -rarely seen. He saw none of them in the Coast Range toward Santa Cruz, -or at Santa Barbara, in summer. He also found them in September, 1860, -in the higher Rocky Mountains, near the sources of the Columbia, in -latitude 47°. In the fall the young and the old associate in families, -all in the same dull-greenish plumage, feeding on the berries of the -elder, and other shrubs, without the timidity they manifest in spring. - -Mr. J. K. Lord states that he did not once meet with this species west -of the Cascade Mountains. He found them on the Spokan Plains and at -Colville, where they arrive in June. Male birds were the first to be -seen. On their arrival they perch on the tops of the highest -pine-trees, and continually utter a low piercing chirp. They soon -after pair, and disappear in the forest. Where they breed, Mr. Lord -was not able to discover, though he sought high and low for their -nests. As he never succeeded in finding them, he conjectured that they -must breed on the tops of the loftiest pine-trees. They all leave in -September, but do not assemble in flocks. - -These Tanagers breed at least as far to the south as Arizona, Dr. -Coues having found them a summer resident near Fort Whipple, though -rare. They arrive there in the middle of April, and leave late in -September. - -Mr. Salvin states that this Tanager was found between the volcanoes of -Agua and Fuego, at an elevation of about five thousand feet. Specimens -were also received from the Vera Paz. - -Specimens of this species were taken near Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. -Boucard, where they are winter residents. - -Mr. Ridgway writes that he first met with these Tanagers in July, -among the pines of the Sierra Nevada. There its sweet song first -attracted his attention, it being almost exactly similar to that of -its eastern relative (_P. rubra_). Afterwards he continually met with -it in wooded portions, whether among the willows and cotton wood of -the river-valleys, or the cedars and piñons of the mountains. In May, -1868, among the willows and buffalo-berry thickets of the Truckee -Valley, near Pyramid Lake, it was very abundant, in company with -Grosbeaks and Orioles, feeding upon the buds of the grease-wood -(_Obione_), and later in the summer among the cedars and nut-pines of -East Humboldt Mountains, where the peculiar notes of the young -arrested his attention, resembling the complaining notes of the -Bluebird, but louder and more distinct. In September he noticed them -feeding, among the thickets bordering the streams, upon the pulpy -fruit of the thorn-apple (_Cratægus_) that grew plentifully in the -thickets. To the eastward it was continually met with, in all wooded -portions, as far as they explored. - -In manners, it is very similar to the _P. rubra_. The songs of both -birds are very nearly alike, being equally fine, but that of this -species is more silvery in tone, and uttered more falteringly. Its -usual note of _plit-it_ is quite different from the _chip-a-ra´-ree_ -of the _P. rubra_. - -He met with their nest and eggs at Parley’s Park, Utah, June 9, 1869. -The nest was on the extreme end of a horizontal branch of a pine, in a -grove, flat, and with only a very slight depression, having a diameter -of four and a half inches, with a height of only an inch. It was -composed externally of only a few twigs and dry wiry stems, and lined -almost entirely with fine vegetable rootlets. - -The eggs, usually three in number, measure .95 by .66 of an inch. In -form they are a rounded-oval. Their ground-color is a light -bluish-green, sparingly speckled, chiefly at the larger end, with -marking of umber, intermingled with a few dots of lilac. - - -Pyranga hepatica, SWAINSON. - - _Pyranga hepatica_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 124.—SCLATER, Pr. - Zoöl. Soc. 1856, 124.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 302, pl. - xxxi.—KENNERLY, 131.—RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. 1869, 132.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 1870, 144. _Phœicosoma hepatica_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, - 25. _Pyranga azaræ_, WOODHOUSE, Sitgreave’s Expl. Zuñi, 1853, 82 - (not of other authors). - -SP. CHAR. “Length, 8.00”; wing, 4.12; tail, 3.36; culmen, .68; tarsus, -.84. Second quill longest, first intermediate between fourth and -fifth. Bill somewhat shorter than that of _æstiva_, but broader and -higher at the base, becoming compressed toward the end; a distinct -prominent tooth on commissure; its color plumbeous-black, paler, or -more _bluish_ plumbeous on lower mandible. _Male._ Head above -brownish-red, purer anteriorly; rest of upper parts and sides -brownish-ashy, tinged with reddish; edges of primaries, upper -tail-coverts and tail, more reddish. Beneath, medially, fine light -scarlet, most intense on the throat, growing gradually paler -posteriorly. Lores and orbital region grayish-white; eyelids pale-red; -ear-coverts ashy-red. - -_Female._ Above ashy-greenish-olivaceous, brightest on forehead; edges -of wing-feathers, upper tail-coverts, and tail more ashy on the back; -beneath nearly uniform olivaceous-yellow, purer medially; lores ashy; -a superciliary stripe of olivaceous-yellow. _Young male_ similar to -the female, but forehead and crown olivaceous-orange, brightest -anteriorly; superciliary stripe bright orange, whole throat, abdomen, -and breast medially rich yellow, most intense, and tinged with -orange-chrome on throat. - -HAB. Mountain regions of Mexico and southern Rocky Mountains of United -States. Oaxaca (Oct., SCLATER); Xalapa (SCL.); Guatemala (SCLATER); -Vera Cruz (not to alpine regions, SUMICHRAST). - -This species differs from all the others in the great restriction of -the red; this being confined principally to the head above, and median -lower surface, the lateral and upper parts being quite different -reddish-ashy. The _shade_ of red is also peculiar among the North -American species, being very fine and light, of a red-lead cast, and -most intense anteriorly. - -HABITS. A single female specimen in full plumage of this beautiful -bird was obtained by Dr. Woodhouse in the San Francisco Mountains of -New Mexico. It was an adult female, and so far is the only one known -to have been found within the limits of the United States. It is not -rare in the highlands of Mexico, whence it probably extends into the -mountainous portions of the United States. - -Specimens have also been procured from Guatemala, and Mr. Boucard met -with it at Choapam, a mountainous district in the State of Oaxaca, -Mexico. - -Nothing is known of its habits. - - -Pyranga æstiva, var. æstiva VIEILL. - -SUMMER REDBIRD. - - _Muscicapa rubra_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 326. _Tanagra æstiva_, - GMELIN, I, 1788, 889.—WILSON, I, 1810, 95, pl. vi, f. 3.—AUD. Orn. - Biog. I, 1831, 232; V, 1839, 518, pl. xliv. _Pyranga æstiva_, - VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XXVIII, 1819, 291.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 136.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 222, pl. ccviii.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1855, 156.—IB. 1856, - 123.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 301.—HEERMANN, P. R. R. X, p. - 17.—RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. 1869, 130.—MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, - 109. _Phœnisoma æstiva_, SW. Birds, II, 1837, 284. _Phœnisoma - æstiva_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 25. _? Loxia virginica_, - GMELIN, I, 1788, 849. (Male changing.) _? Tanagra - mississippiensis_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 889. _Pyranga - mississippiensis_, MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 272. _Tanagra - variegata_, LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 422. (Male changing.) - _Tangare du Mississippi_, BUFFON, Ois. V, 63, pl. enl. 741. - -SP. CHAR. Bill nearly as long as the head, without any median tooth. -Tail nearly even, or slightly rounded. _Male._ Vermilion-red; a little -darker above, and brightest on the head. Quills brown, the outer webs -like the back. Shafts only of the tail-feathers brown. Bill light -horn-color, more yellowish at the edges. _Female._ Olive above, yellow -beneath, with a tinge of reddish. Length, 7.20; wing, 3.75; tail, -3.00; culmen, .70, tarsus, .68. - -HAB. Eastern Province United States, north to about 40°, though -occasionally straying as far as Nova Scotia; west to borders of the -plains. In winter, south through the whole of Middle America (except -the Pacific coast) as far as Ecuador and Peru. Cuba; Jamaica. - -In the accompanying cut we give outline of the bill of the two -varieties of _Pyranga æstiva_ as compared with a near ally, _P. -saira_, of South America. (13,190, _P. æstiva_; 34,344, _P. æstiva_ -var. _Cooperi_; 50,994, _P. saira_.) - - [Line drawings: 13190 - 34344 - 50994] - -This species is one of wide distribution; its habitat in the United -States including the “Eastern Province,” north to Nova Scotia, and -west toward the Rocky Mountains, along the streams watering the -plains, through Texas, into Eastern Mexico, Central America, and the -northern part of South America, as well as some of the West India -islands. - -In the different regions of its habitat the species undergoes -considerable variations as regards shades of color and proportions. -Specimens from Texas and Eastern Mexico exhibit a decided tendency to -longer bills and more slender forms than those of the Eastern United -States; the tails longer, and colors rather purer. In Central America -and New Granada the species acquires the greatest perfection in the -intensity and purity of the red tints, all specimens being in this -respect noticeably different from those of any other region.[107] - -Specimens in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, from Peru -(39,849 ♂, 39,849 ♂, and 39,850 ♀, head-waters Huallaga River), are -undistinguishable from those killed in the eastern United States. - -The young male exhibits a variegated plumage, the red appearing in -patches upon the other colors of the female; in its changing plumage, -the red generally predominates on the head, and often individuals may -be seen with none anywhere else. In this condition there appears to be -a great resemblance to the _P. erythrocephala_ (see synoptical table), -judging from the description, but which appears to be considerably -smaller, and perhaps has the red of the head more continuous and -sharply defined. - -The young male in first summer resembles the female, but has the -yellow tints deeper, the lower tail-coverts approaching orange. - -HABITS. The Summer Redbird is found chiefly in the Southern States, as -far north as Southern New Jersey and Illinois. Mr. Audubon speaks of -their occurring in Massachusetts, but Mr. Lawrence has never known of -their having been found farther north than the Magnolia Swamps near -Atlantic City, N. J. One or two recent instances of the capture of -these birds in Massachusetts, as also in New Brunswick and Nova -Scotia, have occurred, but these must be regarded as purely accidental. - -This species is said by Mr. Salvin to enjoy an almost universal range -throughout Guatemala. It occurred in December at the mouth of the Rio -Dulce, in the pine ridges near Quisigua, and along the whole road from -Isabel to Guatemala, a distance of eighty leagues. - -Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with these birds also, in all varieties of -plumage, throughout Colombia, South America, at Herradura, Cocuta -Valley, and Canta. Mr. Boucard obtained them at Plaza Vicente, Mexico. -Dr. Woodhouse observed this species throughout the Indian Territory, -Texas, and New Mexico, where it seemed solitary in its habits, -frequenting the thick scrubby timber. It has been known to breed at -various points in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and -Texas. To the northward it breeds more or less abundantly, as far as -Washington, D. C., on the east, and Southern Illinois and Kansas on -the west, being much more common in the Mississippi Valley than in the -States on the Atlantic in the same parallel of latitude. - -Mr. Dresser found it quite common about San Antonio, Texas, during the -summer season, arriving there about the middle of April, which is just -about the period at which the three specimens were taken near Boston. -It is comparatively rare in Pennsylvania, though abundant in the -southern counties of New Jersey, and in Delaware, Eastern Maryland, -and Virginia. It is also abundant in the Carolinas, in Georgia, -Florida, and the Gulf States. - -Wilson, in describing the nest and eggs of this species, has evidently -confounded them and some of their habits with those of the Blue -Grosbeak. Their eggs are not light-blue, nor are the nests, so far as -I know, as described by him. Audubon and Nuttall copy substantially -his errors. - -The food of this species during the spring and early summer is chiefly -various kinds of large coleopterous insects, bees, wasps, and others. -Later in the season, when whortleberries are ripe, they feed chiefly -on these and other small fruit. In taking its food it rarely alights -on the ground, but prefers to capture its insects while on the wing. - -The usual note of this bird, which Mr. Audubon pronounces unmusical, -resembles the sounds “_chicky-chucky-chuck_.” The same writer states -that during the spring this bird sings pleasantly for nearly half an -hour in succession, that its song resembles that of the Red-eyed -Vireo, and that its notes are sweeter and more varied and nearly equal -to those of the Orchard Oriole. - -The late Dr. Gerhardt of Varnell’s Station, in Northern Georgia, -informed me that these birds are quite common in that section of -country. The nest is usually built on one of the lower limbs of a -post-oak, or in a pine sapling, at a height of from six to twenty -feet. They are usually constructed toward the extremity of the limb, -and so far from the trunk as to be very difficult of access. They are -generally built from the middle to the end of May. The eggs are four -in number. - -In Southern Illinois, according to Mr. Ridgway, the Summer Redbird -arrives about the 20th of April, staying until the last of September. -It is more abundant than the Scarlet Tanager, and much less retiring -in its habits, frequenting the open groves instead of the deeper woods -and the forests of the bottom-lands, being especially attached to the -parks and groves within the towns. From its similarity in appearance, -manners, and notes to the Scarlet Tanager, it is seldom distinguished -by the common people from that bird, and those who notice the -difference in color between the two generally consider this the -younger stage of plumage of the black-winged species. Its song is said -to be somewhat after the style of the Robin, but in a firmer tone and -more continued. It differs from the song of the _P. rubra_ in being -more vigorous, and delivered in a manner less faltering. Its ordinary -note of anxiety when the nest is approached is a peculiar -_pa-chip´it-tūt-tūt-tūt_, very different from the weaker _chip´-al, -rā-rēē_ of the _P. rubra_. The nest is placed on a low horizontal or -drooping branch, near its extremity, the tree being generally an oak, -or sometimes a hickory, and situated near the roadside or at the edge -of a grove. In its construction it is described as very thin, though -by no means frail, permitting the eggs to be seen through the -interstices from below. Mr. Ridgway never found more than three eggs -in one nest. - -A nest of this species (Smith. Coll., 589) from Prairie Mer Rouge, -Louisiana, has a diameter of four inches and a height of two. Like all -the nests of this family, the cavity is very shallow, its deepest -depression being hardly half an inch. So far from corresponding with -the descriptions generally given of it, this nest is well and even -strongly put together, although a portion of the base and some of the -external parts are somewhat openly interwoven, as if for ventilation. -These materials are fragments of plants, catkins, leaves, stems, and -grasses. These seem to constitute a distinct part of the nest, and are -of unequal thicknesses in different parts of the structure. Within -this external frame is a much more artistic and elaborately interwoven -basket, composed entirely of fine, slender, and dry grasses, -homogeneous in character, and evidently gathered just at the time its -seed was ripening. It is of a bright straw-yellow, and forms the whole -internal portion of the nest. - -The eggs vary somewhat in size and shape, from an oblong to a rounded -oval. Their length is from .80 of an inch to an inch, and their -breadth averages .68. Their color is a bright light shade of -emerald-green, spotted, marbled, dotted, and blotched with various -shades of lilac, brownish-purple, and dark-brown. These are generally -well diffused equally over the entire egg. - - [Illustration: PLATE XX. - - 1. Pyranga cooperi, _Ridgw._ ♂ N. Mex., 34344. - 2. “ “ “ ♀. - 3. “ ludoviciana, _Wils._ ♂ Neb., 38388. - 4. “ “ “ ♀. - 5. “ æstiva, _Gm._ ♂ Ga., 13190. - 6. Pyranga æstiva, _Gm._ ♀. - 7. “ rubra, _Linn._ ♂ Iowa, 34177. - 8. “ “ “ ♀. - 9. “ hepatica, _Swains._ ♂ Mex., 22414. - 10. “ “ “ ♀.] - - -Pyranga æstiva, var. cooperi, RIDGWAY. - - _Pyranga cooperi_, RIDGWAY, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. June, 1869, - p. 130, fig. .—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 142. - -SP. CHAR. Length, 8.60 (fresh specimen); extent, 13.50; wing, 4.24; -tail, 3.68; culmen, .84; tarsus, .80. _Male._ Generally rich pure -vermilion, similar to that of _æstiva_, but lighter, brighter than in -eastern examples, and less rosaceous than in Central American -specimens. Upper surface scarcely darker than lower, the head above -being hardly different from the throat, and abruptly lighter than the -back, which, with the wings and tail, is of a much lighter dusky-red -than in _æstiva_; exposed tips of primaries pure slaty-umber, -primaries faintly margined terminally with paler (in the type, this -character is not apparent, owing to the feathers being somewhat worn; -in other specimens, however, it is quite a noticeable feature, -although possibly not to be entirely relied on). _Female._ Above -orange-olivaceous, beneath more light yellowish, purest medially; -crissum richer yellow than other lower parts, being in some -individuals (young males?) intense Indian-yellow, with the inner webs -of the tail-feathers margined with the same; quite distinct line of -orange-yellow over the lores. - -HAB. Upper Rio Grande and Colorado region of Southern Middle Province; -south, in winter, along Pacific coast of Mexico as far as Colima. - -This bird, quite different from Eastern _æstiva_, is, however, -probably only a representative form of the same species in the -Colorado and Upper Rio Grande region, migrating south in winter, -through Western Mexico to Colima, as specimens from Texas and Middle -Mexico appear to be quite intermediate, at least in form. - -HABITS. This is a new form, whose claim to distinctness was first made -known by Mr. Ridgway, in 1869. In appearance, it most resembles the -_P. æstiva_, but is larger. It has been found in the Middle Province -of the United States, from Fort Mohave at the north, to Colima and -Mazatlan in Mexico. - -Dr. Cooper found this bird quite common near Fort Mohave, after April -25, in the Colorado Valley, latitude 35°. They chiefly frequented the -tall cottonwood, feeding on insects, and occasionally flew down to the -_Larrea_ bushes after a kind of bee found on them. He states also that -they have a call-note sounding like the words _ke-dik_, which, in the -language of the Mojave Indians, signifies “come here.” They sing in a -loud, clear tone, and in a style much like that of the Robin, but with -a power of ventriloquism which makes the sound appear much more -distant than it really is. The only specimens of this species known to -have been obtained in the United States were taken at Los Pinos, New -Mexico, by Dr. Coues, and at Fort Mohave by Dr. Cooper. Other -specimens have been procured from Western Mexico. - - - - -FAMILY FRINGILLIDÆ.—THE FINCHES. - - -CHAR. Primaries nine. Bill very short, abruptly conical, and robust. -Commissure strongly angulated at base of bill. Tarsi scutellate -anteriorly, but the sides with two undivided plates meeting behind -along the median line, as a sharp posterior ridge. Eyes hazel or -brown, except in _Pipilo_, where they are reddish or yellowish. Nest -and eggs very variable as to character and situation. - -I still labor under the inability expressed in Birds of North America -(p. 406), in 1858, to satisfactorily define and limit the subfamilies -and genera of the _Fringillidæ_ of North America, and can only hope -that by the aid of the figures of the present work no material -difficulty will be experienced in determining the species. The -distinctions from the allied families are also difficult to draw with -precision. This is especially the case with the _Tanagridæ_, where we -have much the same external anatomy, including the bill, nearly all -the varying peculiarities of this member in the one being repeated in -the other.—S. F. B. - -All the United States species may be provisionally divided into four -subfamilies (the European House-Sparrow forming a fifth), briefly -characterizable as follows:— - -Coccothraustinæ. Bill variable, from enormously large to quite -small; the base of the upper mandible almost always provided with a -close-pressed fringe of bristly feathers (more or less conspicuous) -concealing the nostrils. Wings very long and pointed, usually one half -to one third longer than the forked or emarginate tail. Tarsi short. - -Pyrgitinæ. Bill robust, swollen, arched above without distinct -ridge. Lower mandible at base narrower than upper. Nostrils covered; -side of maxilla with stiff appressed bristles. Tarsi short, not longer -than middle toe. Tail shorter than the somewhat pointed wings. Back -streaked; under parts not streaked. - -Spizellinæ. Embracing all the plain-colored sparrow-like species -marked with longitudinal stripes. Bill conical, always rather small; -both mandibles about equal. Tarsi lengthened. Wings and tail variable. -Lateral claws never reaching beyond the base of the middle claw. - -Passerellinæ. Sparrow-like species, with triangular spots beneath. -Legs, toes, and claws very stout; the lateral claws reaching nearly to -the end of the middle ones. - -Spizinæ. Brightly colored species, usually without streaks. Bill -usually very large and much curved; lower mandible wider than the -upper. Wings moderately long. Tail variable. - - -SUBFAMILY COCCOTHRAUSTINÆ.—THE TRUE FINCHES. - -CHAR. Wings very long and much pointed; generally one third longer -than the more or less forked tail; first quill usually nearly as long -as or longer than the second. Tertiaries but little longer, or equal -to the secondaries, and always much exceeded by the primaries. Bill -very variable in shape and size, the upper mandible, however, as broad -as the lower; nostrils rather more lateral than usual; and always more -or less concealed by a series of small bristly feathers applied along -the base of the upper mandible; no bristles at the base of the bill. -Feet short and rather weak. Hind claw usually considerably longer than -the middle anterior one; sometimes nearly the same size. - -In the preceding diagnosis I have combined a number of forms, all -agreeing in the length and acuteness of the wing, the bristly feathers -along the base of the bill, the absence of conspicuous bristles on the -sides of the mouth, and the shortness of the feet. They are all -strongly marked and brightly colored birds, and usually belong to the -more northern regions. - -The bill is very variable, even in the same genus, and its shape is to -a considerable extent of specific rather than of generic importance. -The fringe of short bristles along the base of the bill, concealing -the nostrils, is not appreciable in _Plectrophanes_ (except in _P. -nivalis_), but the other characteristics given above are all present. - - -Genera. - -A. Bill enormously large and stout; the lateral outline as long -as that of the skull. Culmen gently curved. - -_Colors green, yellow, and black._ - - Hesperiphona. First quill equal to the second. Wings one half - longer than the tail. Lateral claws equal, reaching to the base - of the middle claw. Claws much curved, obtuse; hinder one but - little longer than the middle. - -B. Bill smaller, with the culmen more or less curved; the -lateral outline not so long as the skull. Wings about one third -longer than the tail, or a little more; first quill shorter than -the second. Claws considerably curved and thickened; hinder most -so, and almost inappreciably longer or even shorter than the -middle anterior one. Tarsus shorter than the middle toes. Lateral -toes unequal. - -_a. Colors red, gray, and black, never streaked._ - - Pyrrhula. Bill excessively swollen; as broad and as high as - long, not half length of head; upper outline much curved. - Tail-coverts covering two thirds the tail, which is nearly - even, middle and hinder claws about equal. - -_b. Colors red and gray, or streaked brown and white._ - - Pinicola. Bill moderately swollen; longer than high or broad, - upper outlines much curved; the tip hooked. Tail-coverts - reaching over basal half of tail, which is nearly even. Middle - claw longer than hind; outer lateral claw extending beyond base - of middle (reaching to it in _Pyrrhula_ and _Carpodacus_). ♀ - and _juv._ not streaked. - - Carpodacus. Bill variable, always more or less curved and - swollen; longer than high or broad; the tip not hooked. - Tail-coverts reaching over two thirds the tail, which is - decidedly forked. Middle and hind claw about equal. ♀ and - _juv._ streaked. - -_c. Colors black and yellow._ - - Chrysomitris. Bill nearly straight. Hind claw stouter and - more curved, but scarcely longer than the middle anterior one. - Outer lateral toe reaching a little beyond the base of the - middle claw; shorter than the hind toe. Wings longer and more - pointed. Tail quite deeply forked. - -C. Hind claw considerably longer than the middle anterior one, -with about the same curvature; claws attenuated towards the -point, and acute. Lateral toes about equal. Wings usually almost -one half longer than the tail, which is deeply forked. Tarsus -shorter than middle toe. - -_a. Points of mandibles overlapping._ - - Curvirostra. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. Bill much - compressed, elongate falcate, with the points crossing like the - blades of scissors. Claws very large; lateral extending beyond - the base of the middle. Colors red or gray. Streaked in _juv._ - -_b. Points of mandibles not overlapping._ - - Ægiothus. Tarsus equal to the middle toe. Bill very acutely - conical; outlines and commissure perfectly straight. Lateral - toes reaching beyond the base of the middle one. No ridge on - the side of the lower mandible. Streaked; a crimson pileum - (except in one species). - - Leucosticte. Culmen slightly decurved; commissure a little - concave. Bill obtusely conical; not sharp-pointed. A - conspicuous ridge on the side of the lower mandible. Claws - large; the lateral not reaching beyond the base of the middle - one. Colors red and brown. - -D. Hind claw much the largest; decidedly less curved than the -middle anterior one. Tarsus longer than the middle toe. Lateral -toes equal; reaching about to the base of the middle claw. Hind -toe as long or longer than the middle one. Bill very variable; -always more or less curved and blunted. Palate somewhat -tuberculate; margins of lower jaw much inflexed. Tail slightly -emarginate or even. Wings one half longer than the tail. First -quill as long as the second. - - Plectrophanes. Colors black and white. With or without rufous - nape or elbows. Much white on tail. - - -GENUS HESPERIPHONA, BONAP. - - _Hesperiphona_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXXI, Sept. 1850, 424. (Type, - _Fringilla vespertina_.) - - [Line drawing: 16770, _Hesperiphona vespertina_. - 18597, _Coccothraustes vulgaris_.] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill largest and stoutest of all the United States -fringilline birds. Upper mandible much vaulted; culmen nearly -straight, but arched towards the tip; commissure concave. Lower jaw -very large, but not broader than the upper, nor extending back, as in -_Guiraca_; considerably lower than the upper jaw. Gonys unusually -long. Feet short; tarsus less than the middle toe; lateral toes nearly -equal, and reaching to the base of the middle claw. Claws much curved, -stout, and compressed. Wings very long and pointed, reaching beyond -the middle of the tail. Primaries much longer than the nearly equal -secondaries and tertials; outer two quills longest; the others rapidly -graduated. Tail slightly forked; scarcely more than two thirds the -length of the wings, its coverts covering nearly three fourths of its -extent. Nest and eggs unknown. - -This genus is allied to the European _Coccothraustes_, but differs in -wanting the curious expansion of the inner secondaries, as shown in -Fig. 18,597. Species are said to occur in Asia, but we have only two -in America,—one peculiar to Mexico (_H. abeillii_), the other _H. -vespertina_. - -The American species may be thus distinguished:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Wings and tail black, the tertials with more -or less whitish; body concolored, with more or less of a -yellowish tinge. ♂. Body yellowish, more olivaceous above; no -white at base of primaries. ♀. Body grayish, merely tinged with -yellow; a white spot at base of primaries. Nest and eggs unknown. - - 1. H. vespertina. ♂. Head olivaceous-sepia, with a yellow - frontal crescent and a black occipital patch. ♀. Crown - plumbeous-brown; a dusky “bridle” down side of the throat; - upper tail-coverts tipped with a white spot. - - Yellow frontal crescent broad, as wide as the black behind - it; inner webs of tertials partially black; secondaries and - inner webs of tail-feathers tipped with white. _Hab._ - Northern mountain regions of United States and interior of - British America … var. _vespertina_. - - Yellow frontal crescent narrow, less than half as wide as the - black behind it; inner webs of the tertials without any - black; secondaries and inner webs of tail-feathers without - white tips. _Hab._ Southern Rocky Mountains of United States, - and mountains of Mexico … var. _montana_. - - 2. H. abeillii.[108] ♂. Head entirely black, sharply defined. - ♀. Crown (only) black; no dusky “bridle” on side of throat; - upper tail-coverts without white tips. _Hab._ Mountains of - Guatemala and Southern Mexico. - - -Hesperiphona vespertina, BONAP. - -EVENING GROSBEAK. - - _Fringilla vespertina_, COOPER, Annals New York Lyceum, N. H. I, ii, - 1825, 220 (Sault St. Marie).—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 515; V, - 235, pl. ccclxxiii, ccccxxiv. _Fringilla_ (_Coccothraustes_) - _vespertina_, BON. Syn. 1828, 113.—IB. Am. Orn. II, pl. xv. - _Coccothraustes vespertina_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 269.—AUD. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 217, pl. ccvii. _Hesperiphona vespertina_, - BON. Comptes Rendus, XXXI, Sept. 1850, 424.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 409.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 195.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 174. - _Coccothraustes bonapartii_, LESSON, Illust. de Zoöl. 1834, pl. - xxxiv. ♀ (Melville Island). _Loxia bonapartii_, LESS. Bull. Sc. - tab. xxv. _Hesperiphona vespertina_, var. _vespertina_, RIDGWAY - (new variety from Mexico and the southern Rocky Mountains). - -SP. CHAR. Bill yellowish-green, dusky at the base. Anterior half of -the body dusky yellowish-olive, shading into yellow to the rump above, -and the under tail-coverts below. Outer scapulars, a broad frontal -band continued on each side over the eye, axillaries, and middle of -under wing-coverts yellow. Feathers along the extreme base of the -bill, the crown, tibiæ, wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail black; -inner greater wing-coverts and tertiaries white. Length, 7.30; wing, -4.30; tail, 2.75. - -The female differs in having the head of a dull olivaceous-brown, -which color also glosses the back. The yellow of the rump and other -parts is replaced by a yellowish-ash. The upper tail-coverts are -spotted with white. The white of the wing is much restricted. There is -an obscure blackish line on each side of the chin. - -HAB. (Var. _vespertina_.) Pacific coast to Rocky Mountains; Northern -America east to Lake Superior. (Var. _montana_.) Southern Rocky -Mountains of United States into Mexico; Orizaba! (SCLATER, 1860, 251); -Vera Cruz (alpine regions, breeding) SUMICHRAST, Pr. Bost. Soc. I, -550; Guatemala, SALVIN. - - [Illustration: _Hesperiphona vespertina._] - -The variety with broad frontal band and increased amount of white -appears to characterize Northern specimens, while that with narrow -frontlet and the greatest amount of black is found in Guatemala, -Mexico, and the southern Rocky Mountains, and may be called _montana_. - -In size it is also a little smaller. Specimens from Mirador (where -breeding) and those from New Mexico are nearly identical in size, -proportions, and colors. - -HABITS. This remarkable Grosbeak was first described by Mr. William -Cooper, from specimens obtained by Mr. Schoolcraft in April, 1823, -near the Sault Sainte Marie, in Michigan. Sir John Richardson soon -after found it to be a common inhabitant of the maple groves on the -plains of the Saskatchewan, where it is called by the Indians the -“Sugar-Bird.” He states that it frequents the borders of Lake Superior -also, and the eastern declivity of the Rocky Mountains, in latitude -56°. - -Captain Blakiston did not find this Grosbeak on the Saskatchewan -during the summer, but only noticed it there during the winter. He saw -none after the 22d of April, and not again until the middle of -November. They were seen in company with the Pine Grosbeak, feeding on -the keys of the ash-leaved maple. He adds that it has a sharp clear -note in winter, and is an active bird. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Notes on the Zoölogy of Washington Territory, -states that this species is a common resident in its forests, but adds -that as it frequents the summits of the tallest trees, its habits have -been but little observed. In January, 1854, during a snow-storm, a -flock descended to some low bushes at Vancouver, and began to eat the -seeds. Since then he had only seen them flying high among the tops of -the poplars, upon the seeds of which they feed. They were uttering -their loud, shrill call-notes as they flew. - -The same writer, in his Report on the birds of California, makes -mention of the occurrence of this Grosbeak at Michigan Bluffs, in -Placer County, in about latitude 39°. Specimens were obtained by Mr. -F. Gruber, and were probably the variety designated as _montana_. The -same form doubtless occurs along the summits of the Sierra Nevada, and -they have been traced among the Rocky Mountains to Fort Thorn in New -Mexico. - -These birds do not come down near the sea-coast even at the mouth of -the Columbia, and in California have not been met with in the Coast -Range. They are said to feed chiefly on the seeds of the pine, spruce, -and cottonwood trees, occasionally seeking other seeds near the -ground. They are silent when feeding, but utter a loud call-note as -they fly from place to place. In spring, Dr. Cooper states, they have -a short but melodious song, resembling that of the Robin or -Black-headed Grosbeak. He afterwards met with a flock in the winter -near Santa Cruz, where they remained until the end of April. Their -favorite resort was a small grove of alders and willows, close to the -town, where their loud call-notes could be heard at all times of the -day, though he never heard them sing. In the early spring their -favorite food was the young leaves of various wild plants that grew -under the trees. They also fed on the buds of the _Negundo_, and -frequented the large pear-trees in the old mission garden. They were -very tame, and allowed an approach to within a few yards, when -feeding. Mr. Townsend, in 1836, found this Grosbeak abundant about the -Columbia River. Late in May they were quite numerous in the pine -woods. They were very unsuspicious and tame. Under the impression that -these birds were only musical towards night, they have been styled the -Evening Grosbeak. But this, according to Mr. Townsend, is a misnomer. -He also contraverts several other statements made in reference to -their habits. He found them remarkably noisy from morning until night, -when they quietly retire like other birds, and are not heard from -until the next day-dawn. They go in large flocks, and are rarely met -with singly. As they feed upon the seeds of the pine and other trees, -they proceed by a succession of hops to the extremities of the -branches. They also feed largely on the larvæ of the large black ant, -for which object they frequent the tops of the low oaks on the edges -of the forests. Their ordinary voice is said to be a single screaming -note, uttered while feeding. At times, about midday, the male attempts -a song, which Mr. Townsend describes as a miserable failure. It is a -single note, a warbling call like the first note of the Robin, but not -so sweet, and suddenly checked, as if the performer were out of -breath. - -Mr. Sumichrast met with the variety of this species designated as -_montana_, May, 1857, in the pine woods of Monte Alto, about twelve -leagues from Mexico; and although he has never found it in the alpine -region of Vera Cruz, he thinks it probable it will be found to be a -resident of that district. - -Lake Superior has been stated to be its most eastern point of -occurrence, but, though this may be true as a general rule, several -instances of the accidental appearance of this nomadic species much -farther to the east are known. On February 14, 1871, Mr. Kumlien, -while out in the woods with his son, saw a small flock of these birds -in Dane County, Wisconsin. There were six of them, but, having no gun, -he did not procure any. Later in the season he again met with and -secured specimens. In the following March, Dr. Hoy of Racine also -obtained several near that city. He also informs me that during the -winter of 1870-71 there were large flocks of these birds near -Freeport, Ill. One person procured twenty-four specimens. One season -he noticed them as late as May. They frequent the maple woods, and -feed on the seeds fallen on the ground. They also eat the buds of the -wild cherry. Their visits are made at irregular intervals. In some -years not a single individual can be seen, while in others they make -their appearance in December and continue through the whole winter. - -Specimens have also been obtained near Cleveland, Ohio, and at -Hamilton, Canada; and Mr. Thomas McIlwraith states that Mr. T. J. -Cottle of Woodstock, Ontario, shot several of these birds in his -orchard in the month of May. They were quite numerous, and remained -about the place several days. - - -GENUS PINICOLA, VIEILL. - - _Pinicola_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 4, pl. i, f. 13. - “ _Strobilophaga_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816.” - “ _Corythus_, CUVIER, R. An. 1817.” - -CHAR. Bill short, nearly as high as long; upper outline much curved -from the base; the margins of the mandibles rounded; the commissure -gently concave, and abruptly deflexed at the tip; base of the upper -mandible much concealed by the bristly feathers covering the basal -third. Tarsus rather shorter than the middle toe; lateral toes short, -but their long claws reach the base of the middle one, which is longer -than the hind claw. Wings moderate; the first quill rather shorter -than the second, third, and fourth. Tail rather shorter than the -wings; nearly even. - -Of this genus one species is found in northern America, and is now -considered as identical with that belonging to the northern regions of -the Old World. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXI. - - 1. Pinicola enucleator. ♂ N. Y., 12846. - 2. “ “ ♀. - 3. Carpodacus frontalis, _var._ frontalis. ♂ Cal., 10223. - 4. “ cassini. ♂ Rocky Mts., 53471. - 5. “ “ ♀ Cal., 18027. - 6. “ frontalis, _var._ frontalis. ♀ Cal., 6429. - 7. “ purpureus. ♂ Pa., 796. - 8. “ “ ♀ Pa., 2139. - 9. “ frontalis, _var._ rhodocolpus. ♂ Cal. - 10. “ _var._ californicus. ♂ Cal., 10230. - 11. “ “ ♀ Cal., 10231. - 12. “ frontalis, _var._ hæmorrhous. ♂ Mex.] - - -Pinicola enucleator, CABANIS. - -THE PINE GROSBEAK. - - _Coccothraustes canadensis_, BRISSON, Orn. III, 1760, 250, pl. xii, - f. 3. “_Corythus canadensis_, BREHM, Vögel Deutschlands” (1831?). - _Pinicola canadensis_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 167.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 410.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. Sc. I, 1869, 281 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 151.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. 283. - _Pinicola americana_ (CAB. MSS.), BP. Consp. 1850, 528. _Loxia - enucleator_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 299.—FORST. Phil. Trans. LXII, - 1772, 383.—WILS. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 80, pl. v. _Pyrrhula - enucleator_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 414, pl. ccclviii. - _Corythus enucleator_, BONAP. List. 1838.—AUD. Syn. 127.—IB. Birds - Am. III, 1841, 179, pl. cxcix.—BON. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. des Loxiens, - 1850, 9, pl. ix, xi, xii.—DEGLAND & GERBE, Orn. Europ. I, 258. - _Pinicola enucleator_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. I, 1851, 167. - - [Line drawing: _Pinicola enucleator._ - 12846] - -SP. CHAR. Bill and legs black. _Male._ General color light carmine-red -or rose, not continuous above, however, except on the head; the -feathers showing brownish centres on the back, where, too, the red is -darker. Loral region, base of lower jaw all round, sides (under the -wing), abdomen, and posterior part of the body, with under -tail-coverts, ashy, whitest behind. Wing with two white bands across -the tips of the greater and middle coverts; the outer edges of the -quills also white, broadest on the tertiaries, on secondaries tinged -with red. _Female_ ashy, brownish above, tinged with greenish-yellow -beneath; top of head, rump, and upper tail-coverts brownish -gamboge-yellow. Wings much as in the male. Length about 8.50; wing, -4.50; tail, 4.00. _Young_ like female, but more ashy. - -HAB. Arctic America, south to United States in severe winters. - -A careful comparison of American with European specimens of the Pine -Grosbeak does not present any tangible point of distinction, and it -appears inexpedient to preserve the name of _canadensis_ for the bird -of the New World. There is considerable difference in the size, the -proportions of the bill, and the color of different specimens, but -none of appreciable geographical value. - - [Illustration: _Pinicola enucleator._] - -A considerable number of specimens from Kodiak (perhaps to be found in -other localities on the northwest coast) compared with eastern have -conspicuously larger bills, almost equal to _cardinalis_ in this -respect. In No. 54,465 the length from forehead is .80; from nostril, -.50; from gape, .66; gonys, .40; greatest depth, .51. In a Brooklyn -skin (12,846) the same measurements are from forehead, .60; from -nostril, .44; from gape, .60; gonys, .34; greatest depth, .40. A -Saskatchewan skin is intermediate. A European specimen has the bill as -long as that from Kodiak, but less swollen. A Himalayan species (_C. -subhimachalus_) is much smaller, and differently colored. - -These Kodiak specimens approach the European bird more nearly in form -of the bill, in which there is a tendency to a more abruptly hooked -upper mandible than in the birds from the eastern portions of British -America. As a general thing, the red tint is brighter in American than -in European birds. - -HABITS. The Pine Grosbeak is, to a large extent, a resident of the -portions of North America north of the United States. In the northern -parts of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as in -western America, it is found throughout the year in the dark evergreen -forests. In the winter it is an irregular visitant as far south as -Philadelphia, being in some seasons very abundant, and again for -several winters quite rare. - -Mr. Boardman mentions it as abundant, in the winter, about Calais, and -Mr. Verrill gives it as quite common in the vicinity of Norway. It is -found every winter more or less frequently in Eastern Massachusetts, -though Mr. Allen regards it as rare in the vicinity of Springfield. It -is not cited by Dr. Cooper as a bird of Washington Territory, but he -mentions it as not uncommon near the summits of the Sierra Nevada, -latitude 39°, in September. It probably breeds there, as he found two -birds in that region in the young plumage. They were feeding on spruce -seeds when he first saw them, and lingered even after their companions -had been shot, and allowed him to approach within a few feet of them. - -Mr. R. Brown (Ibis, 1868) states that during the winter of 1866, while -snow was lying on the ground, two pairs of this species were shot at -Fort Rupert, Vancouver Island. - -Wilson met with occasional specimens of these birds in the vicinity of -Philadelphia, generally in immature plumage, and kept one several -months, to note any change in its plumage. In the summer it lost all -its red colors and became of a greenish-yellow. In May and June, its -song, though not so loud as that of some birds, was extremely clear, -mellow, and sweet. This song it warbled out for the whole morning, and -also imitated the notes of a Cardinal, that hung near it. It became -exceedingly tame and familiar, and when in want of food or water, -uttered a continual melancholy and anxious note. - -In the winter of 1835, and for several following seasons, these birds -were exceedingly abundant in the vicinity of Boston. They appeared -early in December, and remained until quite late in March, feeding -chiefly on the berries of the red cedar. They were so unsuspecting and -familiar that it was often possible to capture them alive in -butterfly-nets, and to knock them down with poles. Large numbers were -destroyed and brought to market, and many were taken alive and caged. -They were tame, but unhappy in confinement, uttering mournful cries as -the warm weather approached. In the winter of 1869-70 they again made -their appearance in extraordinary numbers, in a few localities on the -sea-coast of Massachusetts, where they did considerable damage to the -fruit-buds of the apple and pear. - -Sir John Richardson states that this bird was not observed by his -expedition higher than the 60th parallel. It lives, for the most part, -a very retired life, in the deepest recesses of the pine forests, -where it passes the entire year, having been found by Mr. Drage, near -York Fort, on the 25th of January, 1747. Richardson adds that it -builds its nest on the lower branches of trees, and feeds chiefly on -the seeds of the white spruce. - -Dr. Coues speaks of it as not at all rare along the coast of Labrador, -where he obtained several specimens. It was confined entirely to the -thick woods and patches of scrubby juniper. A female remained -unconcernedly on a twig after he had shot her mate, uttering -continually a low soft _shep_, like that of the Fox-colored Sparrow. -Another note was a prolonged whirring chirrup, uttered in a rather low -tone, apparently a note of recognition. - -A lady resident in Newfoundland informed Mr. Audubon that she had kept -several of these Grosbeaks in confinement, that they soon became very -familiar, would sing during the night, feeding, during the summer, on -all kinds of fruit and berries, and in the winter on different seeds. -Mr. Audubon also often observed that, when firing at one of their -number, the others, instead of flying away, would move towards him, -often to within a few feet, and remain on the lower branches of the -trees, gazing at him in curiosity, entirely unmingled with any sense -of their own danger. Mr. Audubon quotes from Mr. McCulloch, of Pictou, -an interesting account of the habits of one of these birds, kept in -confinement. The winter had been very severe, the storms violent, and, -in consequence of the depth of snow, many birds had perished from -hunger and cold. The Grosbeaks, driven from the woods, sought food -around the barns and outhouses, and crowded the streets of Pictou. One -of these, taken in a starving condition, soon became so tame as to -feed from his hand, lived at large in his chamber, and would awaken him -early in the morning to receive his allowance of seed. As spring -approached, he began to whistle in the morning, and his notes were -exceedingly rich and full. As the time came when his mates were moving -north, his familiarity entirely disappeared, and he sought constantly, -by day and by night, to escape by dashing against the window-panes, -and during the day filled the house with his piteous wailing cries, -refusing his food, so that in pity he was let out. But no sooner was -he thus released than he seemed indifferent to the privilege, and kept -about the door so persistently that he had at last to be driven away, -lest some accident should befall him. - -The Pine Grosbeaks were found by Bischoff at Sitka and at Kodiak, and -are said by Mr. Dall to be extremely common near Nulato, and wherever -there are trees throughout the Yukon Territory. They frequent groves -of willow and poplar, near open places, and especially the water-side -in winter, and in summer seek more retired places for breeding. Their -crops, when opened, were always found to contain the hearts of the -buds of poplars, with the external coverings carefully rejected, and -were never found to include anything else. Mr. Dall noticed no song, -only a twitter and a long chirp. He found them excellent as an article -of food. European eggs of this bird, taken by Mr. Wolley in Finland in -1858, are of an oblong-oval shape, and have a light slate-colored -ground with a marked tinge of greenish, broadly marked and plashed -with faint, subdued cloudy patches of brownish-purple, and sparingly -spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with blackish-brown and dark -purple. They measure 1.02 inches in length by .70 in breadth. - -No positively identified eggs of the American Pine Grosbeak are as yet -known in collections, but Mr. Boardman has found a nest, near Calais, -about which there can be little doubt, although the parent was not -seen. This was placed in an alder-bush in a wet meadow, and was about -four feet from the ground. It was composed entirely of coarse green -mosses. The eggs were two, and were not distinguishable from those of -the European _enucleator_. - - -GENUS PYRRHULA, PALLAS. - -_Pyrrhula_, “BRISSON, Orn. 1760.” PALLAS. - - GEN. CHAR. Bill very short and thick, higher than long, swollen. - Lower jaw broader at base than upper jaw, and broader than length of - gonys. Nostrils and base of mandible concealed by a thick tuft of - rather soft feathers. Tail nearly even, shorter than the pointed - wings; upper coverts reaching over nearly two thirds the tail. - Middle and hind claws about equal. - -This genus is closely related to _Pinicola_, but has a more swollen -and much shorter bill, the lower jaw disproportionately larger, and -wider than long along gonys, instead of being about equal. The nasal -tuft is thicker and more feathery and less bristly than in _Pinicola_. -The upper tail-coverts are much longer, the tail less emarginate. -Other differences exist in the grooves and ridges of the palate, which -need not be here referred to. The middle claw is about equal to hind -claw; not longer, as in _Pinicola_. - - [Line drawing: _Pyrrhula cassini._ - 49955] - -The genus _Pyrrhula_ is an Old World one; extending across from the -Atlantic to the Pacific, six or eight species or varieties being -recognized by naturalists. All have the back ash-colored; the wings -and tail, with top of head, lustrous black; the under parts ash, -generally with vermilion on the cheeks and chin, sometimes extending -over the whole under surface; the rump and crissum white: the females -similar, but lacking the vermilion. Its introduction into the North -American fauna rests on the collecting by the naturalists of the -Russian Telegraph Expedition in Alaska of a specimen which—if a -full-plumaged male, as stated—differs from all of its congeners in the -entire absence of any vermilion tint. - - -Pyrrhula cassini, BAIRD. - -CASSIN’S BULLFINCH. - - _P. coccinea_, var. _cassini_, BAIRD, Trans. Chicago, Ac. Sc. I, - 1869, ii, p. 316.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, 281 - (Alaska). _P. cassini_, TRISTRAM, Ibis, 1871, 231.—FINSCH, Ornith. - N. W. Amerikas, 1872, 54. - - [Illustration: _Pyrrhula cassini._] - -SP. CHAR. Description of specimen No. 49,955: Upper parts clear -ash-gray, as are the alula, and the lesser and middle secondary and -the primary wing-coverts. Under parts and the sides of head -cinnamon-gray; the inside of wings and axillars, anal region, tibia, -crissum, and rump white; wings and tail, including upper tail-coverts, -the entire top of head (to level of eyes), the base of bill all round, -and the chin, lustrous violet-black. Greater wing-coverts black, with -a broad band of ashy-white across the ends; outer primaries, -externally, with a narrow border of grayish-white near the ends; inner -edges suffused with the same. Outer tail-feathers with an elongated -patch of white in the terminal half, along the shaft, but not reaching -the tip. Bill black; feet dusky. - -Dimensions (prepared specimen): Total length, 6.50; wing, 3.55; tail, -3.25. Exposed portion of first primary, 2.65. Bill: Length from -forehead, .44; from nostril, .34. Legs: Tarsus, .75; claw alone, .26; -hind toe and claw, .45; claw alone, .25. - -No. 49,955, adult male. Nulato, Yukon River, Alaska. January 10, 1867. -W. H. DALL (No. 553). - -The specimen referred to above is the first record of the occurrence -in America of a genus heretofore considered as belonging exclusively -to the Old World. - -This bird was described in 1869 as a possible variety of _P. coccinea_ -of Europe. On submitting the typical specimens to Mr. H. B. Tristram -of England, it was decided to be a well-marked and distinct species, -as explained in the following extract from a letter received from him. - - “The coloration of the back is the same as in males of _P. - coccinea_ and _P. rubicilla_, and differs from the coloration of - the ♀ in all three species. In all the ♀ has the back brown - instead of slate-colored. Your bird, however, differs from _P. - coccinea_ in having the under parts of the same color as the ♂ of - _P. griseiventris_ with a slightly redder hue on the flanks, - while _P. coccinea_ is a brilliant blazing red. In this your bird - is like _P. murina_ of the Azores, but that has no white on the - rump. - - “Nor can it be ♂ juv. of _P. coccinea_, because it has the - _black_ head, and the young assumes the black head and red breast - simultaneously, or rather the red begins first. It differs from - _P. nipalensis_ in having a black head and broad white rump, as - well as in size.” - -Dr. O. Finsch, of Bremen, agrees with Mr. Tristram in considering it -as specifically distinct, and says that the long white shaft-streak on -the outermost tail-feather is to be considered as one of the peculiar -characters, and that in general it resembles the female of _P. -griseiventris_, LAFR., but differs in having the back beautiful -ash-gray. - -HABITS. This new species of Bullfinch, having a close resemblance to -the _P. coccinea_ of Europe, was obtained by Mr. Dall, near Nulato, -Alaska, January 10, 1867. An Indian brought it in alive, but badly -wounded, having shot it from a small tree near the fort. He had never -seen anything like it before, nor had any of the Russians. Captain -Everett Smith had, however, met with several flocks of the same -species near Ulukuk. This specimen was a male, with black eyes, feet, -and bill, and was the only bird of the kind met with by Mr. Dall. - -In size it is about equal to _P. coccinea_, which is now quite -generally considered to be simply a large race of the common Bullfinch -(_P. vulgaris_), and the habits of the American bird are doubtless -similar to those of its congeners. The European races inhabit the -mountainous regions of Northern and Central Europe, appearing in large -flocks in December and January in the more southern regions. In their -return in spring to their summer quarters, they move in smaller -numbers. They nest in the mountain forests, on trees or bushes. Their -nest is usually but a few feet from the ground, is beautifully wrought -in a cup shape, made externally of small twigs, blades of grass, and -rootlets, lined with coarse hair. They lay five eggs, the ground-color -of which shades from a light blue to a bluish or a greenish white, -with brown and violet-colored spots, that usually form a ring around -the larger end. Their food is grain and small seeds, and, in spring, -the buds of certain trees. - -The Bullfinch is a favorite cage-bird, soon reconciled to confinement, -and capable of being taught to whistle whole airs of opera music with -wonderful exactness and beauty. - - -GENUS CARPODACUS, KAUP. - - _Carpodacus_, KAUP, “Entw. Europ. Thierw. 1829.” (Type, _Loxia - erythrina_, PALL.) - _Erythrospiza_, BONAPARTE, Saggio di una dist. met. 1831. - _Hæmorrhous_, SWAINSON, Class. Birds, II, 1837, 295. (Type, _Fringilla - purpurea_, GMELIN.) - - [Line drawing: _Carpodacus frontalis._ - 796 ♂] - -CHAR. Bill short, stout, vaulted; the culmen decurved towards the end; -the commissure nearly straight to the slightly decurved end. A slight -development of bristly feathers along the sides of the bill, -concealing the nostrils. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe; lateral -claws reaching to the base of the middle one. Claw of hind toe much -curved, smaller than the middle one, and rather less than the digital -portion. Wings long and pointed, reaching to the middle of the tail, -which is considerably shorter than the wing, and moderately forked. -Colors red, or red and brown. _Female_ with the red replaced by brown. - -The genus _Carpodacus_, including the American Purple Finches, is -composed of species the males of which are more or less red in full -plumage, while the females are brown-streaked. They are spread over -North America, and species also occur in considerable numbers in -Northern Europe and Asia. - - -Species and Varieties. - -A. Culmen only slightly curved. Tail and wing feathers edged -with reddish in the male. - - _a._ ♂. Crown much brighter purple than the rump or throat. ♀. - Without lighter superoral and maxillary stripes, the whole head - being pretty uniformly streaked. - - 1. C. cassini. ♂. Crown bright crimson; rest of head, - breast, rump, etc., much lighter purple-pink; _lower - tail-coverts with a shaft line of dusky. Hab._ Mountain - regions of the Middle Province, south, through the - table-lands and alpine regions of Mexico, to Mirador. - - _b._ ♂. Crown scarcely brighter purple than the rump or throat. - ♀. With conspicuous superoral and maxillary stripes. - - 2. C. purpureus. Crown purple; rest of head, breast, rump, - etc., nearly similar in tint; _lower tail-coverts_ without - dusky shaft-lines. - - Purple tints of a rosy carmine cast; first quill longer - than the fourth. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America … - var. _purpureus_. - - Purple tints of a darker purplish-rose cast; first quill - shorter than the fourth. _Hab._ Pacific Province of North - America … var. _californicus_. - -B. Culmen much curved. Tail and wing feathers edged with -grayish in the male. - - 3. C. frontalis. ♂. A frontal and superciliary band of - crimson; a patch of same on the rump, and another on the - throat and jugulum; abdomen and crissum streaked with dusky. - - ♂. Red restricted to the portions mentioned above. - - Red of an intense carmine tint, sharply defined, and - strictly restricted within the limits indicated. _Hab._ - Plateau of Mexico … var. _hæmorrhous_.[109] - - Red of a lighter carmine, and with a greater or less - tendency to escape its boundaries. _Hab._ Middle Province - of the United States … var. _frontalis_. - - ♂. Red not restricted, but spread over the crown, tingeing - the back and other portions, excepting wings and tail. - - Red tint varying from scarlet to wine-red. _Hab._ Pacific - Province of United States, including the peninsula of - Lower California … var. _rhodocolpus_. - - -Carpodacus cassini, BAIRD. - -CASSIN’S PURPLE FINCH. - - _Carpodacus cassini_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. S. Philad. VII, June, 1854, - 119; Birds, N. Am. 1858, 414, pl. xxvii, f. 1.—LORD, Pr. R. A. - Inst. iv, 1864, 119 (Br. Col. between Rocky Mts. and - Cascades).—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X, pl. xxvii, f. 1.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. 1, 155. - -SP. CHAR. Larger than _C. purpureus_. Bill, .55 of an inch above. -Second and third quills longest; first longer than fourth. _Male._ -Above pale grayish-brown, the feathers streaked with darker brown, and -with only an occasional gloss of reddish, except on the crown, which -is uniform deep crimson, and on the rump. Sides of the head and neck, -throat, and upper part of breast with rump, pale rose-color; rest of -under parts white, very faintly and sparsely streaked with brown. -_Female_ without any red, and streaked on the head and under parts -with brown. Length, 6.50; wing, 3.60; tail, 2.60. - -HAB. Mountainous regions of Middle Province of United States, from -Rocky Mountains to Sierra Nevada. British Columbia (LORD). City of -Mexico (SCLATER & SALVIN, 1869, 362). Breeds in pine region of Mt. -Orizaba. - -This species, though somewhat resembling _C. purpureus_, may be easily -distinguished from it by the streaked lower tail-coverts (of both -sexes), and by the pileum being much more intensely red than any other -portion in the male. The female resembles more in markings that of -_frontalis_, but has an entirely different shaped bill, and is much -larger; the streaks above very conspicuous, instead of nearly -obsolete. The side of the head lacks the conspicuous light and dark -longitudinal areas observable in _purpureus_. - -The young of both sexes resemble the adult female, but the streaks are -less sharply defined, and the wing-feathers are broadly edged with -light earth-brown. - -In autumn and winter, as in all the other species, the red tints are -softer and more purplish than in spring and summer. - - [Illustration: _Carpodacus frontalis._] - -HABITS. Cassin’s Purple Finch is the largest of the American birds of -this genus, and is not only conspicuously different from all in size, -but also in other respects. It is found between the great Central -Plains and the coast range of mountains, being one of the common birds -of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Eastern California. Dr. Cooper found -these birds in large numbers about Lake Tahoe in California. They were -all in their brown plumage, and seemed so much like the _C. -californicus_ in their habits that he mistook them for that species. -He noticed in them a very peculiar call-note as they flew, reminding -him of that of _Pyranga_, and quite different from the other -_Carpodaci_. The song of these birds, as he afterwards heard it, was -much louder and finer than that of _C. californicus_, and more -original in style. He is not familiar with their other habits, and has -never met with them in the Colorado Valley. They have been procured -from Fort Thorne, Pueblo Creek, and Alberquerque, New Mexico. Mr. -Ridgway met with these birds in the Wahsatch Mountains, June 26, 1869, -in Parley’s Park, Utah, where he found them breeding. Their nest was -in the top of a cottonwood-tree near the cañon stream, about forty -feet from the ground. It is a soft homogeneous structure, flattened in -shape, and with only a slight depression. It is composed principally -of roots and twigs, lined with softer materials of the same, -interspersed with moss, cotton, and other soft substances. It is two -inches in height with a width of four and a half inches. The cavity is -about an inch deep. - -In his Report on the birds of Mr. King’s survey, Mr. Ridgway states -that he found this Linnet in the greatest abundance among the pines of -the Sierra Nevada, near Carson City. It was next seen among the cedars -and nut-pines of the East Humboldt Mountains, and again in the pine -woods and cottonwood-trees along the streams on the Wahsatch -Mountains. It breeds in all these localities, and is in its habits -essentially, though not exclusively, resident among the pines. March -21, 1868, Mr. Ridgway observed flocks of these birds near Carson City. -They were found in every portion of the woods, feeding among the -branches of the pine-trees. They were all in full song, the females as -well as the males. A week later he again found them common among the -isolated pines in the fields at the foot of the Sierras, alighting on -the trees in companies. Their notes resemble the song of the _C. -purpureus_, but are finer and more musical. They have a great -resemblance to the warblings of the _Vireo flavifrons_, but the -passages in its song as much excel those of the Vireo in sweetness as -they are surpassed in richness by the warblings of the latter. When -one of two females of this species had been killed, the survivor, -missing her companion, returned immediately to the tree and hopped -from branch to branch, and then alighted on the ground by the side of -her dead associate, lamenting her in sweet and plaintive cries. - -By the 4th of April the pine-trees about Carson City were alive with -these handsome birds, all of whom were in full song. So many were -singing simultaneously that the chorus was almost deafening, yet was -most exquisitely pleasing. - -The nests of this bird were found by Mr. Ridgway in various -situations, such as a box-elder bush, the tops of cottonwood and aspen -trees, and similar situations. The eggs, four in number, are in size -.82 by .63 of an inch, oval in shape, pointed at the smaller end, of a -light bluish-green ground, dotted around the larger end with slate, -lilac, and a blackish-brown. - -Specimens were obtained by Dr. Sartorius, during the breeding-season -(June, 1864), in the pine forests of Mt. Orizaba. A careful comparison -shows no difference from birds procured in the same month in Nevada. - - -Carpodacus purpureus, GRAY. - -EASTERN PURPLE FINCH. - - _Fringilla purpurea_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 923.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. I, 1808, 119, pl. vii, f. 4.—IB. V, 1812, 87, pl. xlii, f. - 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 24; V, 200, pl. iv. _Hæmorrhous - purpurea_, SWAINSON, Birds, II, 1837, 295. _Erythrospiza - purpurea_, BP. List, 1838.—AUD. Birds Am. III, 1841, 170, pl. - cxcvi. _Carpodacus purpureus_, GRAY’S Genera, 1844-49.—BON. & - SCHLEGEL, Mon. des Loxiens, 14, tab. xv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 412.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. 285. _? Loxia violacea_, LINN. Syst. - Nat. 1766, 306, 43. (Very uncertain.) _Purple Finch_, CATESBY, - PENNANT, LATH. _Hemp-Bird_, BARTRAM. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill longest; first shorter than third, considerably -longer than the fourth. Body crimson, palest on the rump and breast, -darkest across the middle of back and wing-coverts, where the feathers -have dusky centres. The red extends below continuously to the lower -part of the breast, and in spots to the tibiæ. The belly and under -tail-coverts white, streaked faintly with brown, except in the very -middle. Edges of wings and tail-feathers brownish-red; lesser coverts -like the back. Two reddish bands across the wings (over the ends of -the middle and greater coverts). Lores dull grayish. Length, 6.25 -inches; wing, 3.34; tail, 2.50; bill above, .46. _Female._ -Olivaceous-brown above; brighter on the rump. Beneath white; all the -feathers everywhere streaked with brown, except on the middle of the -belly and under coverts. A superciliary light stripe. - -HAB. North America, from Atlantic to the high Central Plains. - -HABITS. The Purple Finch is a common species from Georgia to the -plains of the Saskatchewan, and as far west as the Great Plains, -beyond which it seems to be replaced by another race, or closely -allied species. It breeds from about latitude 40° to perhaps 60°, and -in most parts between these parallels is a rather common bird in -suitable localities. A few are occasionally found during the winter in -Massachusetts, but usually they all pass farther south. In the State -of South Carolina they are especially abundant throughout the winter, -or from October until April. - -Dr. Coues states that the Purple Finch is a very abundant winter -resident near Washington, arriving early in October and remaining -until May, being eminently gregarious. Stragglers were seen until -nearly June, but the majority had departed as the leaves expanded. -They were most common in high open woods, and were observed to feed -chiefly on tender young buds of trees. They were in full song before -they took their departure. - -They make their first appearance in regular migrations, in -Massachusetts, from the 10th to the 20th of May, and occasionally a -few are seen earlier. They are often unwelcome visitors to the -fruit-growers, having a great fondness for the blossoms of the peach, -cherry, plum, and apple. They will also feed upon other kinds of buds -and blossoms. They have a great predilection for evergreen trees, -especially the fir, the spruce, and the red cedar, and most generally -build their nests in these trees. In summer they feed on seeds, -insects, and berries of the honeysuckle and other shrubs. - -The Purple Finch, or, as it is generally known in New England, the -Linnet, is one of our sweetest, best, and most constant songsters, and -is often trapped and sold as caged birds. They soon become accustomed -and partially reconciled to their confinement, but sing only during a -small part of the year. When one of these birds, confined in a cage, -is hung outside the house, in the country, he is sure to draw around -him quite a number of his species, and this furnishes the dealer a -ready means of capturing them. - -This Finch was once regarded as quite rare in the vicinity of Boston, -so much so that during a four years’ residence in Cambridge, when -collections of nests and eggs had many votaries, not a single nest of -this species was obtained by any one. Since then, from some cause, -probably the increase of gardens, groves of evergreens, and other -localities favorable for their preservation and reproduction, these -graceful little Finches have become quite abundant in places -propitious for their residence. No less than seven pairs of these -favorite songsters took up their abode in my grounds at Hingham in a -single summer, and two had nests in the same tree, one of which was at -least sixty feet from the ground, on the very top of a tall fir. These -several pairs, as a general thing, lived together very harmoniously, -save only when one would approach too near the favorite station of -another, when the latter would begin to bristle up his crest, and give -very evident hints that his near presence was not agreeable. The -extreme southern end of the ridge-pole of the house had been, for -several summers, the favorite post for the patriarch of the flock, -from which at morning and at evening he made the neighborhood vocal -with his melody. If in his absence any other of these birds ventured -to occupy his position, there was always sure to be a disturbance on -his return, if it was not instantly vacated. These encounters were -frequent, and always very amusing. Discretion usually took the place -of valor on the part of the intruder. - -The song of the Purple Finch resembles that of the Canary, and though -less varied and powerful, is softer, sweeter, and more touching and -pleasing. The notes of this species may be heard from the last of May -until late in September, and in the long summer evenings are often -continued until after it is quite dark. Their song has all the beauty -and pathos of the Warbling Vireo, and greatly resembles it, but is -more powerful and full in tone. It is a very interesting sight to -watch one of these little performers in the midst of his song. He -appears perfectly absorbed in his work, his form dilates, his crest is -erected, his throat expands, and he seems to be utterly unconscious of -all around him. But let an intruder of his own race appear within a -few feet of the singer, and the song instantly ceases, and in a -violent fit of indignation he chases him away. - -The flight of the Purple Finch is said by Mr. Audubon to resemble that -of the Green Finch of Europe. They fly in compact flocks, with an -undulating motion, alighting all at once, and then instantly, as if -suddenly alarmed, take again to flight only to return to the same -tree. They then immediately make each his separate way to the ends of -the branches, and commence eating the buds. The food they take to -their young is juicy berries and the softer portions of the young -cones of the fir and spruce. - -They nest generally in firs, spruces, or cedar-trees, though -occasionally on the upper branches of a high apple-tree. Their nests -are usually placed upon a branch, rather than interlaced between its -forked twigs. I have known them not more than five feet from the -ground, and at other times on the highest point of a lofty fir-tree. -The nests are, for the most part, somewhat flat and shallow -structures, not more than two and a half inches in height, and about -three and a half in breadth. The walls of the nest average less than -an inch, and the cavity corresponds to its general shape and form. The -framework of the nest is usually made of small denuded vegetable -fibres, stems of grasses, strips of bark, and woody fragments. The -upper rim of the nest is often a curious intertwining of dry -herbaceous stems, the ends of which project above the nest itself in -the manner of a low palisade. The inner nest is made up of minute -vegetable fibres, closely interwoven. There is usually no other lining -than this. At other times these nests are largely made up of small -dark-colored rootlets of wooded plants, lined with finer materials of -the same, occasionally mingled with the down of birds and the fur of -small animals. - -The eggs of the Purple Finch vary greatly in size, and somewhat in -shape. Generally they are of an oblong oval, pointed considerably at -one end. Their length varies from .92 to .81 of an inch, and their -breadth from .70 to .60. Their color is a pale shade of emerald-green, -spotted with dark brown, almost black, chiefly about the larger end. -The ground-color is much brighter when the eggs are fresh, and soon -fades upon exposure to light, and even when kept in a close drawer. - - -Carpodacus purpureus, var. californicus, BAIRD. - -THE CALIFORNIA PURPLE FINCH. - - _Carpodacus californicus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 413, pl. lxxii, - f. 23.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 196.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 154. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _purpureus_. Third quill longest; first shorter -than the fourth. Purple of head and rump much darker than in _C. -purpureus_; the head with a broad supra-orbital lateral band of -lighter purple. Length 6.20; wing, 3.20; tail, 2.60. - -HAB. Pacific Province of United States. - -The female of the western type differs from that of the eastern in -being more olivaceous above, and in having the streaks below rather -larger, and not so well defined. There appears to be a difference in -the marking of the wings. In eastern _C. purpureus_ there is usually a -well-marked whitish band across the ends of the middle coverts, while -the greater coverts, though margined externally by paler, have a still -lighter bar across the posterior extremity, which is not seen in the -western bird. - -HABITS. The Californian Purple Pinch is found throughout the Pacific -coast, from the Straits of Fuca to California, as far south as -Monterey. Dr. Cooper states that this species is rather a northern -bird, being common at the Columbia River, and even farther north, -while in California it has not been found south of Monterey on the -coast, and Fort Tejon in the Sierra Nevada. In summer they frequent -the mountain forests, especially those in part composed of _Coniferæ_. -In winter they descend to the valleys, where they are found -associating with the more common and familiar _C. frontalis_. He met -with them in May on the summits of the coast range toward Santa Cruz, -but they were not very numerous. They then had nests, though he did -not succeed in finding them. - -The song of the California Linnet is quite loud and varied, often -resembling that of other birds, especially _Vireos_ and _Dendroicæ_, -for which Dr. Cooper has often mistaken it. Their food consists of -seeds, berries, and the buds of trees. Their nest and eggs are -unknown, but probably resemble those of _C. purpureus_. - - -Carpodacus frontalis, SCLATER. - -HOUSE LINNET; CRIMSON-FRONTED FINCH; BURION. - - _Fringilla frontalis_, SAY, Long’s Exped. R. Mts. II, 1824, 40. (For - other synonymes see under the different varieties.) - -SP. CHAR. Bill short, nearly as deep as broad; culmen much curved, -commissure arched; lower mandible nearly as deep as the upper. Tail -more than three fourths as long as wing, slightly emarginated. Wing -and tail feathers without reddish edges; lower tail-coverts and -abdomen with broad streaks of dusky. General color above, including -wings, tail, and upper tail-coverts, brownish-gray, the feathers with -lighter edges. Beneath white, each feather with a medial streak of -dusky. _Male._ A broad frontal crescent, extending back in a -superciliary stripe to the occiput, a patch on the rump (not the upper -tail-coverts), and an area covering cheeks, chin, throat, and jugulum -red,—bright scarlet in spring, rosy in fall. _Female_ without the red, -which is replaced by a uniform streaking. _Young_ resembling the -female, but streaks less sharply defined; those above more distinct. -Wing-coverts broadly edged with light earth-brown. - -This species inhabits the western regions of North America, from the -Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; and Mexico, except, perhaps, the -eastern portion. In this range of distribution it occurs in three -races, which, taking extreme examples, are well marked, but when a -large series is examined are found to grade insensibly into each -other. - -The above description is general, being modified only by _additional_ -characters in the several races. The normal plumage is perhaps -represented in the central race,—the true _frontalis_, as -restricted,—which inhabits the Middle Province of the United States, -and is nearly as described above; the red of the male of this style is -of a bright scarlet tint, and in nearly all specimens shows a tendency -to escape the boundaries above indicated. As we go south into Mexico, -we find the red strictly confined within those limits, very sharply -defined; and, under the tropical influence, intensified into a very -bright carmine tint; this latter is the _C. hæmorrhous_ of authors. -Following the var. _frontalis_ westward, we find it gradually -changing, the red invading more and more the other portions, until, in -specimens from the coast of California and from Cape St. Lucas, it is -spread over all portions, except the anal region, wing, and -tail,—though always brightest within those outlines which confine it -in the two preceding varieties. In extreme examples of the latter -race,—the _C. rhodocolpus_ of Cabanis,—the red even obliterates the -streaks on the abdomen. The spreading of the red is seen in other -birds of the Pacific region, this case being exactly paralleled by the -_Sphyropicus ruber_, in its relation to _S. nuchalis_ or _S. varius_. - -The females and young of the three races are quite difficult to -distinguish from each other, the locality being the best means of -identifying them. - - -Carpodacus frontalis, var. frontalis, GRAY. - -CRIMSON-FRONTED FINCH; BURION. - - _Fringilla frontalis_, SAY, Long’s Exp. II, 1824, 40.—(?) AUD. Orn. - Biog. V, 1839, 230, pl. ccccxxiv. _Pyrrhula f._ BONAP. Am. Orn. I, - 1825, 49, pl. vi. _Erythrospiza f._ BON. List, 1838.—IB. P. Z. S. - 1837, 112.—(?) AUD. Syn. 1839, 125.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 175, - pl. cxcvii.—GAMB. J. A. N. S. 2d series, I, 1847, 53. _Fringilla - (Pyrrhula) f._ GAMB. P. A. N. S. I, 1843, 262. _Carpodacus f._ - GRAY, Gen. 1844-49.—MCCALL, P. A. N. S. V, 1851, 219.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 415. _? Carpodacus obscurus_, MCCALL, P. A. N. S. V, - June, 1851, 220, Santa Fé, N. M. _Carpodacus familiaris_, MCCALL, - P. A. N. S. VII, April, 1852, 61, Santa Fé, N. M. - -SP. CHAR. (♂ 58,589, Great Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1, 1869.) Above -brownish-gray, faintly glossed with red on the nape and back; wing and -tail feathers passing into lighter on their edges, and dorsal feathers -with obsolete shaft-streaks of darker. A frontal band, about as wide -as the length of the culmen, continuing back in a superciliary stripe -to the occiput, throat, jugulum, and a patch on the lower part of the -rump (but not on upper tail-coverts) carmine-scarlet. Rest of lower -parts white, each feather with a medial streak of brown like the back. -Wing, 3.10; tail, 2.60; culmen, .38; tarsus, .65; middle toe, .52. - -(♀ 58,590, Salt Lake City, June 21, 1869.) Similar, but red entirely -absent, the throat and jugulum being white streaked with brown, and -the front, rump, etc., grayish, obsoletely streaked with darker. Wing, -3.00; tail, 2.40. - -(_Juv._ 40,799, Fort Whipple, Arizona, June 5, 1865.) Generally -similar to the ad. ♀, but more brownish, and the wing-feathers passing -into dull buffy-ochraceous on their edges; streaks beneath narrower -and less distinct. - -In winter the red is softer and less sharply defined, and usually of a -more purplish tint; the markings generally more blended. - -HAB. Middle Province of the United States, from Rocky Mountains to the -interior valleys of California. - -HABITS. This form of the House Finch appears to be a very common bird -throughout the interior region of the United States, extending to New -Mexico and Arizona on the south and southeast, and probably to Mexico. -On the Pacific coast it is replaced by another and closely allied -variety. - -Dr. Woodhouse states that his attention was first called to this -interesting little songster while at Sante Fé. It was there known to -the American residents as the “Adobe Finch.” By the Mexicans they were -called _Buriones_. He found them exceedingly tame, building about the -dwellings, churches, and other buildings, in every nook and corner, -and even entering the houses to pick up crumbs. They are never -disturbed by the inhabitants. He adds that at the first dawn of the -morning they commence a very sweet and clear warble, which he was -quite unable to do justice to by any verbal description. He has often -in the early morning listened with admiration and gratification to the -song of this bird, which is deservedly a great favorite. He found it -throughout New Mexico, and beyond. He did not distinguish it from the -coast variety. - -Dr. Coues also found this bird very abundant in Arizona, where it is a -permanent resident, but most abundant in spring and fall. He describes -it as eminently gregarious. He found it in all situations, but most -common in the spring among the groves of willows and poplars, on the -buds of which it feeds. He met with this species all the way from the -Rio Grande through New Mexico and Arizona to California, and appears -to have noted no differences between this form and the coast variety. -He also mentions finding, during a few days’ stay in the New Mexican -village of Los Pinos, near Alberquerque, on the Rio Grande, this -pretty little Finch the most common and characteristic of the local -birds. It was there breeding indifferently in the courtyards, sheds, -under porticos or eaves, and also in the forks of trees in the -streets. It had sharp conflicts with the Barn Swallows, whose nests it -often took possession of, and was a lively and most agreeable feature -in the dirty towns which it honored with its presence; and its songs -were at once sweet, clear, and exquisitely melodious. - -Dr. Cooper met with these birds among the barren and rocky hills near -the Colorado. - -Mr. Ridgway, who found these birds breeding in large numbers at -Pyramid Lake, informs me that their nests were usually placed in -clefts in rocks, or in a cave. Near Salt Lake City they were also very -common, building their nests among the shrubs known as the wild -mahogany, on the hills, but never frequenting the higher regions of -the mountains. - -The eggs of this bird, which are not distinguishable from those of the -Pacific coast form, have a delicate pale-blue ground-color, which is -very fugitive, and fades even in the drawers of a cabinet. They are -sparingly marked, chiefly around the more obtuse end, with spots and -lines of black and a dark brown. They are of oval shape, elongate and -pointed at one end, and measure .80 of an inch in length by .60 in -breadth. - - -Carpodacus frontalis, var. rhodocolpus, CABAN. - -CALIFORNIA HOUSE-FINCH; RED-HEADED LINNET; BURION. - - _? Pyrrhula cruentata_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 101. _Carpodacus - rhodocolpus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 166.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1856, 304. _Carpodacus frontalis_, BON. & SCHLEG. Mon. des Lox. - 1850, tab. xvi, f. 1.—IB. Consp. 1850, 533.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 415 (in part).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 156. _House Finch_, - GRAYSON, Hesperian, II, 1859, 7, plate. _Carpodacus familiaris_, - HEERMANN, X, 50 (nest). - -SP. CHAR. (♂ 12,973, Cape St. Lucas.) Head, neck, jugulum, breast, -upper part of abdomen and sides, and rump, bright carmine-scarlet, -dullest on the centre of the crown and auriculars; rest of the upper -parts brownish-gray, glossed with red except on the wings, which have -the feathers with distinctly lighter edges. Anal region, flanks, and -crissum white, the feathers with shaft-streaks of brown. Wing, 3.00; -tail, 2.60; culmen, .45; tarsus, .62; middle toe, .50. - -_Female_ and _Juv._ similar to var. _frontalis_, but colors darker. - -HAB. Coast region of Pacific Province, and peninsula of Lower -California. - -The male described above represents about the average plumage of this -form; an extreme example is No. 26,546, Cape St. Lucas, which is -almost entirely of a wine-red color, this covering the whole lower -parts, except the anal region, and obliterating the streaks; the wings -even are tinged with red. Still, on the head the red (a wine-purple -tint) is brightest within those limits to which it is confined in the -normal plumage. - -HABITS. This variety of the House Finch is a very common bird -throughout the Pacific coast, from Oregon to Mexico. Mr. Ridgway -states that he found this species the most common and familiar of all -the birds of the Sacramento Valley. It is a very common cage-bird, -being highly prized for its song, which in power is hardly inferior to -that of the Canary, while it far surpasses it in sweetness. Its -beautiful plumage also renders it still more attractive. The -peculiarly soft and musical _tweet_ of this bird is also very similar -to that of the Canary, and is very different from the common note of -the Purple Finch. This bird breeds very numerously among the -shade-trees in the streets of Sacramento, as well as among the oak -groves on the outskirts of that city. The males are very shy, but the -females, when their nest is disturbed, keep up a lively chirping in an -adjoining tree. The nest is generally situated near the extremity of a -horizontal branch of a small oak, usually in a grove, occasionally in -an isolated tree. In one instance it made use of an abandoned nest of -a Bullock’s Oriole, and in another of that of a Cliff Swallow. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of this bird as being especially abundant in all the -southern portions of California, and also, according to Dr. Newberry, -throughout all the valleys northward into Oregon. It is a species that -is everywhere peculiar to the valleys, while the others of this genus -are equally confined to the wooded mountains. Dr. Cooper also met with -this species in the plains near the coast, where there are no plants -higher than the wild mustard, on the seeds of which they feed. They -also frequent the groves and the open forests on the summits of the -coast range, but in small numbers, in company with the _C. -californicus_. They at times feed on buds of trees, and seeds of the -cottonwood and other plants. It is most abundant among ranches and -gardens where, Dr. Cooper states, it does much mischief by destroying -seeds and young plants, fruit and buds. For these depredations even -its cheerful and constant song is not regarded as an adequate -compensation; and unlike the New-Mexicans in their treatment of its -kindred race, the California cultivators wage an unrelenting war upon -these birds. - -At San Diego, Dr. Cooper found them building as early as the 15th of -March, and even a little earlier. Both the situation and the materials -of their nest vary. He has found them nesting in trees, on logs and -rocks, on the top rail of a picket fence, inside a window-shutter, in -the holes of walls, under tiles, on the thatch of a roof, in barns and -haystacks, and even between the interstices in the sticks of which the -nest of a Hawk had been made, and once in the old nest of an Oriole. -About dwellings they always seek the protection of man, and seem to be -quite unconscious of having deserved or incurred his enmity. The -materials of their nests are usually coarse grasses and weeds, with a -lining of hair and fine roots. They raise two, sometimes three, broods -in a season, and in the autumn assemble in large flocks, but migrate -very little, if any, to the south. - -Dr. Cooper states that their songs are very different from those of -the other species. They are very varied and very lively, and are heard -throughout the year. They are easily kept as cage-birds, but soon lose -the beauty of their plumage in confinement, their bright purple colors -changing to a dirty yellow. - -Nuttall did not observe any of this species in Oregon. - -The eggs of this bird vary from four to six in number, and are of a -pale blue which readily fades into a bluish-white, and are marked with -spots and lines of a dark brown or black. They are of an elongate-oval -shape, and measure from .82 to .75 of an inch in length, with an -average breadth of .60. - - -GENUS CHRYSOMITRIS, BOIE. - - _Chrysomitris_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 322. (Type, _Fringilla spinus_, - LINN.) - _Astragalinus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 159. (Type, _Fringilla - tristis_, LINN.) - _Hypacanthus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 161. (Type, _Carduelis - spinoides_.) - - [Line drawing: _Chrysomitris tristis._ - 1521 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather acutely conic, the tip not very sharp; the -culmen slightly convex at the tip; the commissure gently curved. -Nostrils concealed. Obsolete ridges on the upper mandible. Tarsi -shorter than the middle toe; outer toe rather the longer, reaching to -the base of the middle one. Claw of hind toe shorter than the digital -portion. Wings and tail as in _Ægiothus_. - -The colors are generally yellow, with black on the crown, throat, -back, wings, and tail, varied sometimes with white. - -The females want the bright markings of the male. - -This genus differs from _Ægiothus_ in a less acute and more curved -bill, a much less development of the bristly feathers at the base of -the bill, the claw of the hind toe shorter than its digital portion, -the claws shorter and less curved and attenuated, and the outer -lateral toes not extending beyond the base of the middle claw. - -The species exhibit many differences among themselves, especially in -the size and shape of the bill, which have been made the basis of -generic distinctions. They may be distinguished as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -A. No streaks anywhere on plumage; base of tail-feathers black -or white. Sexes dissimilar. (_Chrysomitris._) - - _a._ No yellow on the wings. - - 1. C. tristis. Inner webs of tail-feathers always whitish - terminally (except in _Juv._). ♂. Forehead and crown, wings - and tail, deep black; rest of plumage, including the back, - rich lemon-yellow; tail-coverts white. ♀. Body grayish above, - dingy whitish beneath, stained with yellow; no black on head; - wings and tail duller black. _Juv._ Fulvous-umber above, with - markings of reddish-ochraceous on the wings; beneath, - dilute-yellow washed with fulvous. _Hab._ Whole of temperate - and warm North America. - - 2. C. psaltria. Inner webs of tail-feathers never whitish - terminally. ♂. Beneath yellow, including the lower - tail-coverts; above black, with or without olive-green on the - back. ♀. Without any black, the yellow duller. - -_Tail with white on inner webs; tertials with large white spots._ - - ♂. Auriculars, nape, back, and rump olive-green. _Hab._ - Rocky Mountains of United States … var. _psaltria_. - - ♂. Auriculars black; nape, back, and rump green clouded - with black. _Hab._ Arizona … var. _arizonæ_. - - ♂. Auriculars, nape, back, and rump entirely black. _Hab._ - Middle America … var. _mexicana_. - -_Tail without any white on inner webs; tertials without white -spots._ - - ♂. Auriculars, nape, back, and rump wholly black. _Hab._ - Panama and New Granada … var. _columbiana_. - - _b._ Terminal half of outer webs of wing-coverts and - secondaries yellow. - - 3. C. lawrencii. Prevailing color ashy, lighter beneath. ♂. - A large patch on the breast, the rump, and most of the outer - surface of the wing, yellow; forehead, crown, lores, all - round base of bill, chin, wings (beneath the yellow), and - tail black. ♀. Lacking the black, and with the yellow only - indicated. _Hab._ California and Southwestern Arizona. - -B. Whole body and head thickly streaked; bases of tail-feathers -yellow. Sexes alike. (_Astragalinus._) - - 4. C. pinus. Above brownish-gray, beneath white, with - conspicuous dusky streaks everywhere; two light bands on the - wing; bases of secondaries and primaries yellow. _Hab._ Whole - of North America. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXII. - - 1. Hesperiphona vespertina, _var._ vespertina. ♂ H. B. Ter., 16770. - 2. Ægiothus canescens, _var._ exilipes. ♂ H. B. Ter., 19686. - 3. “ linaria, _var._ fuscescens. ♂ Lab’r, 18098. Summer. - 4. Hesperiphona vespertina, _var._ montana. Mex., 35150. - 5. Ægiothus linaria, _var._ fuscescens. Pa., 900. Winter. - 6. “ flavirostris, _var._ brewsteri. Autumn. - 7. Chrysomitris tristis. ♂ Pa., 1531. Summer. - 8. “ “ _ad._, ♂ Pa., 2205. Winter. - 9. Chrysomitris psaltria. ♂ Cal., 6401. - 10. “ “ ♀ Cal., 3930. - 11. “ mexicana, _var._ arizonæ. ♂ Ariz., 37091. - 12. “ “ _var._ mexicana. Mex., 4078. - 13. Chrysomitris psaltria, _var._ mexicana. ♀ Mex., 22432. - 14. “ lawrencii. ♂ Cal., 6405. - 15. “ “ ♀ Cal., 40836. - 16. “ pinus. ♂ Rocky Mts., 11095.] - -Three species of _Chrysomitris_, given by Mr. Audubon, are to be -erased from the list: _C. stanleyi_, _C. yarrelli_, and _C. -magellanica_. If, as he states, he killed specimens of the latter in -Kentucky, they must have belonged to the _C. notata_ of Dubus, a -Mexican species, not since met with in our limits. The other two were -given him as coming from California,—a statement we now know to be -incorrect, both belonging to South America. - - -Chrysomitris tristis, BON. - -YELLOW-BIRD; THISTLE-BIRD. - - _Fringilla tristis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 320.—WILS. Am. Orn. - I, 1808, 20, pl. i, f. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 172; V, 510, - pl. xxxiii. _Carduelis tristis_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. - 96.—AUD. Birds Am. II, 1841, 129, pl. clxxxi.—MAX. Cab. Journ. vi, - 1858, 281. _Chrysomitris tristis_, BON. List, 1838.—NEWBERRY, - Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VII, IV, 1857, - 87.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 421.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 197.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 167. _Astragalinus tristis_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. - 1851, 159 (type). _Carduelis americana_, (EDWARDS,) SW. & RICH. F. - B. A. II, 1831, 268. _Golden Finch_, PENNANT. _American - Goldfinch_, EDWARDS. _Chardonneret jaune; Chardonneret du Canada; - Tarin de la Nouvelle Yorck_, BUFFON.—IB. Pl. enl., pl. ccii, f. 2, - pl. ccxcii, f. 1.—SAMUELS, Birds N. Eng. 288. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Bright gamboge-yellow; crown, wings, and tail black. -Lesser wing-coverts, band across the end of greater ones, ends of -secondaries and tertiaries, inner margins of tail-feathers, upper and -under tail-coverts, and tibia white. Length, 5.25 inches; wing, 3.00. -_Female._ Yellowish-gray above; greenish-yellow below. No black on -forehead. Wing and tail much as in the male. _Young._ Reddish-olive -above; fulvous-yellow below; two broad bands across coverts, and broad -edges to last half of secondaries pale rufous. - -HAB. North America generally. - -In winter the yellow is replaced by a yellowish-brown; the black of -the crown wanting, that of wings and tail browner. The throat is -generally yellowish; the under parts ashy-brown, passing behind into -white. - -There are no observable differences between eastern and western -specimens. - - [Illustration: _Chrysomitris tristis._] - -HABITS. The common American Goldfinch is found throughout the greater -portion of North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Sir John -Richardson met with it in the fur regions, where it is one of the -tardiest of the summer visitors, and whence it departs early in -September. The specimen described by him was taken June 29. At the -extreme South it is not uncommon, according to Dresser, around San -Antonio, and Dr. Woodhouse found it abundant both in Texas and in the -Indian Territory. Dr. Coues did not find it in Arizona, nor does -Sumichrast give it as a bird of Vera Cruz. Dr. Newberry found this -Finch quite common throughout his route to the Columbia, this sweet -songster, he states, having been a constant source of pleasure in the -interior both of California and Oregon, far from the haunts of men, -where everything else was new and strange. But Dr. Suckley, though he -looked carefully for this species about Puget Sound, in the most -appropriate situations, was unable to find any, and did not believe -that any existed there. Dr. Cooper states that it is, however, quite -abundant on the Columbia and along the coast near its mouth. - -The last-named writer states that this species is a constant resident -in all the western parts of California, but he met with none on the -Colorado. They become rare on the coast at the Columbia, but farther -in the interior are found as far north as latitude 49°. They breed as -far south as San Diego, but seem to avoid the hot interior valleys, as -well as the mountains. Their favorite resorts are where thistles and -other composite plants abound, and also groves of willow and -cottonwood, upon the seeds of which they feed largely. In winter the -seeds of the buttonwood supply their chief subsistence. - -The common Goldfinch was seen in abundance by Mr. Ridgway only in the -vicinity of Sacramento City, associated with the _Carpodacus -frontalis_, and often nesting in the same tree. In the interior this -species was rarely seen, and only one specimen was secured in the -Truckee Valley in May, and not noticed afterwards. It was, however, -found breeding in the Uintah Mountains, where its nest and eggs were -obtained. The nests procured by Mr. Ridgway were all found about June -6, except one, ten days later, showing that these birds are four or -five weeks earlier in their breeding on the Pacific than on the -Atlantic coast. In the Uintah Mountains they were breeding, as at the -East, in July. - -The Goldfinch is to a large extent gregarious and nomadic in its -habits, and only for a short portion of the year do these birds -separate into pairs for the purposes of reproduction. During at least -three fourths of the year they associate in small flocks, and wander -about in an irregular and uncertain manner in quest of their food. -They are resident throughout the year in New England, and also -throughout the greater portion of the country, their presence or -absence being regulated to a large extent by the abundance, scarcity, -or absence of their favorite kinds of food. In the winter, the seeds -of the taller weeds are their principal means of subsistence. In the -summer, the seeds of the thistle and other plants and weeds are sought -out by these interesting and busy gleaners. They are abundant in -gardens, and as a general thing do very little harm, and a vast amount -of benefit in the destruction of the seeds of troublesome weeds. As, -however, they do not always discriminate between seeds that are -troublesome and those that are desirable, the Goldfinches are -unwelcome visitors to the farmers who seek to raise their own seeds of -the lettuce, turnip, and other similar vegetables. They are also very -fond of the seeds of the sunflower. - -Owing possibly to the scarcity of proper food for their young in the -early summer, the Goldfinches are quite late before they mate and -raise their single brood. It is usually past the 10th of July before -their nests are constructed, and often September before their broods -are ready to fly. - -The song of the Goldfinch—very different from their usual plaintive -cry or call-note, uttered as they are flying or when they are -feeding—is very sweet, brilliant, and pleasing; most so, indeed, when -given as a solo, with no other of its kindred within hearing. I know -of none of our common singers that excel it in either respect. Its -notes are higher and more flute-like, and its song is more prolonged -than that of the Purple Finch. Where large flocks are found in the -spring or early summer, the males often join in a very curious and -remarkable concert, in which the voices of the several performers do -not always accord. In spite of this frequent want of harmony, these -concerts are varied and pleasing, now ringing like the loud voices of -the Canary, and now sinking into a low soft warble. - -During the warm summer weather the Goldfinch is very fond of bathing, -and the sandy shelving margins of brooks are always their favorite -places of resort for this purpose. I do not think they ever raise more -than a single brood in a season in New England, and are in this -somewhat irregular, depositing their eggs from July 10 to September, -as it may happen. - -They usually select a small upright tree, such as a young elm, apple, -or pear, or a tall shrub, for their nest, which they rarely place -higher than ten feet from the ground. Than the nest of our Goldfinch -we have no more beautiful specimen either of the basket in shape or -the felted in structure. Symmetrical in form, delicately and -beautifully woven, and ingeniously and firmly fastened around the -forked twigs with which it is interlaced, it is an exquisite example -of architectural beauty and finish. A beautiful specimen from -Wisconsin may be taken as typical. It measures three inches in -diameter and two in height. The cavity is one and a half inches wide -at the rim, and the depth is the same. The base of this nest is a -commingling of soft vegetable wool, very fine stems of dried grasses, -and fine strips of bark, all being in very fine shreds. The sides, -rim, and general exterior of the nest is made up, to a large extent, -of fine slender vegetable fibres, interwrought with white and -maroon-colored vegetable wool. These materials are closely and densely -felted together. The inner nest is softly and thoroughly lined with a -softer felting made of the plumose appendages or pappus of the seeds -of composite plants. - -The eggs, usually five, rarely six in number, are of a uniform -bluish-white, sharply pointed at one and rounded at the other end. -They measure from .65 to .67 of an inch in length and from .50 to .55 -in breadth. Dr. Cooper gives their measurement as .60 by .50; but of -the contents of seven nests before me not an egg is less than .65 in -length, and but one so small as .50 in breadth. - -A nest of this Finch, built in a young elm-tree in Hingham, eight feet -from the ground, was begun July 27, finished and the first egg laid -August 1. By the 4th five eggs had been deposited, and on the 16th -they had all been hatched. - - -Chrysomitris psaltria, var. psaltria, BONAP. - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOLDFINCH; ARKANSAS GOLDFINCH. - - _Fringilla psaltria_, SAY, Long’s Exped. R. Mts. II, 1823, 40.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 85, pl. cccxciv. _Fringilla (Carduelis) - psaltria_, BON. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 54, pl. vi, f. 3. _Carduelis - psaltria_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 117.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 134, pl. - clxxxiii. _Chrysomitris psaltria_, BP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. - 1850, 516.—GAMBEL, Jour. A. N. S. 2d series I, 1847, 52 - (female).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 422.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 168. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Upper parts and sides of head and neck olive-green. -Hood, but not sides of head below eyes, lores (or auriculars?), upper -tail-coverts, wings, and tail black. Beneath bright yellow. A band -across the tips of the greater coverts, the ends of nearly all the -quills, the outer edges of the tertiaries, the extreme bases of all -the primaries except the outer two, and a long rectangular patch on -the inner webs of the outer three tail-feathers near the middle, -white. _Female_ with the upper parts generally, and the sides -olive-green; the wings and tail brown, their white marks as in the -male. Length, 4.25; wing, 2.40; tail, 1.85. _Young_ like the female, -but wing-bands more fulvous. - -HAB. Southern Rocky Mountains to the coast of California; north to -Salt Lake City (June 19; RIDGWAY), and Siskiyou Co., Cal. (VUILLE); -south to Sonora (Arispe, Feb. 26; E. S. WAKEFIELD). - -With quite a small series of specimens, a perfect transition can be -shown from the typical _C. psaltria_, as above described, to the _C. -columbianus_, the opposite extreme (see table, page 471). The former -is the most northern, the latter the most southern form; _arizonæ_ and -_mexicana_, intermediate in habitat, are also as strikingly so in -plumage. The difference is in the _quantity_ of the black, this color -predominating over the olive of the back and the white of wings and -tail, in proportion as we go southward. There cannot, upon the whole, -be any doubt that they are all specifically the same. The females can -scarcely be distinguished. - -HABITS. The Arkansas Finch was first discovered in Long’s expedition -to the Rocky Mountains, and described by Say in 1823. It has since -been met with in New Mexico and in various parts of California. Dr. -Cooper did not find this species in the Colorado Valley, although Dr. -Kennerly met with it along Williams Fork, in New Mexico. Dr. Woodhouse -did not see it in his route to the Zuñi River, either in New Mexico or -the Indian Territory. - -Dr. Kennerly met with these birds in the month of February. He found -them very abundant all along the banks of the Bill Williams Fork. They -were feeding on the young buds of the cottonwood trees. At that season -they were in small flocks, and the only note he heard from them was a -short chirp, as they hopped from twig to twig, or flew from one tree -to another. - -Dr. Heermann states that he found these Finches abundant in the -northern mining regions of California, frequenting and feeding in the -same localities with the _C. lawrencii_, and often associated with the -Pine Finch. He adds that, while thus associated, he shot a large -number of both species. They seemed to be employed, at the time, in -picking out the fine gravel mixed in the mud used as mortar for a -chimney, flying away at each discharge of the gun, but returning, in a -few minutes, to the same place. - -Mr. Audubon regarded this species as accidental in Louisiana, having -procured individuals a few miles from Bayou Sara. - -The Arkansas Goldfinch was found by Mr. Ridgway among the Wahsatch -Mountains, his attention being at once drawn to it by its curious -notes. He first met with it in “City-Creek Cañon,” near Salt Lake -City, where individuals of it were frequently found mixed in with -flocks of _C. pinus_. The note of this bird is remarkable for its -power and very sad tone. The ordinary note is a plaintive, mellow, -whistling call, impossible to describe, and so inflected as to produce -a very mournful effect. When the bird takes to flight, it is changed -to a simple _cheer_, similar to the anxious notes of the male -_Agelaius phœniceus_, uttered when its nest is disturbed. This species -was quite rare, not being so common as either _C. pinus_ or _C. -tristis_. Its nest was found in Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, -June 22, in the top of a willow-bush near a stream. - -At San Diego, and along the whole coast border of California, Dr. -Cooper thinks that this Finch is rather rare. In the interior valleys -they seem to be quite common. They also breed in small numbers in the -Coast Range, near Santa Cruz. He states that their habits are very -similar to those of the _C. tristis_, though they feed more on the -ground, and more upon weeds than on trees, and are even more -gregarious, remaining associated in flocks up to the first of June. -Their song greatly resembles that of the common Goldfinch, but is much -fainter. - -Dr. Cooper never met with their nest, nor has he received any -description of it. Mr. Xantus found one, containing four eggs, on the -branch of an _Obione_, about ten feet from the ground. This was at -Fort Tejon, the first of May. Dr. Canfield has also found their nests, -in considerable numbers, near Monterey. They are built in the forks of -trees, in the same manner with the _tristis_, are structures of -remarkable beauty, and evince great skill in the architects. They -contain usually four or five eggs. Except in size, their eggs greatly -resemble those of the _C. tristis_, being of a uniform greenish-white, -unspotted, of a rounded-oval shape, sharply pointed at one end. They -measure .60 by .50 of an inch. - - -Chrysomitris psaltria, var. arizonæ, COUES. - -ARIZONA GOLDFINCH. - - _Chrysomitris mexicana_, var. _arizonæ_, COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866.— - COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 170. - -SP. CHAR. (♂ 37,092, Fort Wingate, Arizona, June 28, 1864.) Above, -including auriculars, glossy black, with a faint bluish reflection; -nape, back, and rump much mixed with olive-green, this rather -predominating; larger coverts broadly tipped with grayish-white; -tertials, with almost the entire exposed portion of the outer webs, -white; a patch on base of primaries, and the inner webs of the -tail-feathers, except the ends, white. Beneath entirely lemon-yellow. -Wing, 2.50; tail, 1.70; culmen, .35; tarsus, .50. - -HAB. Southern boundary of Arizona and New Mexico, extending southward -into Mexico, and gradually changing into _mexicana_, and northward -into _psaltria_. - -The specimen described above is from a series collected in Arizona by -Dr. Coues: these examples vary in the relative amount of black and -olive on the back, some having one, and others the other color -predominating; the type selected is one which represents about the -average plumage of this species from Arizona. - -HABITS. Dr. Coues found these birds abundant summer residents of -Arizona, where they are said to arrive the last of April and to remain -until the middle of September. In August the males are stated to -assume the dull plumage of the females. In autumn they become -decidedly gregarious, and feed almost exclusively upon buds and seeds. -He thinks they are not so numerous in the southern portions of the -Territory. In a letter received from him he remarks:— - - “This bird was found to be common in New Mexico near Fort - Wingate, at the eastern base of the main chain of mountains. - I first observed it on the 28th of June, when I found quite - a number together, and secured several specimens. They were - in small troops on a rugged hillside covered with a sparse - growth of junipers and stunted pines, feeding in company - with the _Poospiza bilineata_. Judging from their actions, - and from the fact that none but males were taken, I presume - they were breeding in the vicinity. I found some difficulty - in securing specimens, partly owing to the broken nature of - the locality, and partly to the birds’ timidity in the - unaccustomed presence of man. Those that were shot were all - found to have the æsophagus as well as the gizzard crammed - with seeds. They constantly uttered a plaintive lisping - whistle as they gathered food, or as they flew from one tree - to another, but their song did not strike my ear as - precisely the same as that of the Goldfinch. These specimens - were all in what I take to be perfect plumage, although the - back was mixed with olive and black in nearly equal - proportions, and the black of the pileum did not reach below - the eyes to cut off the yellow under eyelid from the other - yellowish parts of the head; thus closely resembling true - _psaltria_. - - “Upon my arrival at Fort Whipple in July, I found birds of - this type abundant, and took a good many during the two - following months, when they disappeared, and I saw none - until about the first of May. A small ravine close by the - fort, choked with a rank growth of weeds, was a favorite - resort; there the birds could be found at nearly all times - in season, in large troops, feeding in company with Chipping - Sparrows, and the _Spizella atrigularis_. They were very - tame during the latter part of the summer, would only rise - when very closely approached, when they flew in a hesitating - manner a short distance, and then pitched down again among - the weeds to resume their busy search for food. In their - undulating flight they utter their peculiar note, generally - with each impulse of the wings, and keep up a continual - chirping when feeding; but I did not hear their true song at - this season. Some of the specimens taken were very young - birds, and the species unquestionably breeds here, although - I never succeeded in finding a nest. - - “I should not omit to add, that whilst at Santa Fé, New - Mexico, I saw caged birds that were thriving well, and - apparently reconciled to confinement.” - -A nest of this bird, obtained near Camp Grant, Arizona, by Dr. Palmer, -is a flat and shallow structure, having a diameter of three inches, -and a height of one and a quarter. The cavity is only a slight -depression. This nest is made of a felting of various materials, -chiefly the cotton-like down of the cottonwood-tree and other soft -vegetable matter, fine stems of grasses, fragments of mosses, and -various other similar materials, lined with finer materials of the -same. Except in their slightly smaller size, the eggs are not -distinguishably different from the preceding. - - -Chrysomitris psaltria, var. mexicana, BONAP. - -BLACK GOLDFINCH; MEXICAN GOLDFINCH. - - _Carduelis mexicanus_, SWAINS. Syn. Birds Mex. Phil. Mag. 1827, - 435.—WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 525. _Chrysomitris mexicanus_, BP. Consp. - Av. 1850, 516 (quotes AUD. tab. 427).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 423, pl. liv, f. 1. _Astragalinus mexicanus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. - 1851, 159.—IB. Journ. für Orn. 1861, 7 (with synonymy).—COUES, P. - A. N. S. 1866, 82. _Fringilla melanoxantha_ (LICHT.), WAGLER, - Isis, 1831, 525. _? Fringilla catotol_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, - 914. _Fringilla texensis_, GIRAUD, 16 Sp. Birds Tex. 1841, pl. v. - f. 1 (gives white belly).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 169. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts continuously and entirely black; the feathers of -the rump white subterminally, and showing this through the black; a -few of the feathers with greenish-yellow between the white and the -black; a few, perhaps, without black tips. The bases of the third to -seventh primaries, and the ends of the tertiaries externally white. -The tail is black, except the outer three feathers, in which the outer -webs and tips only are this color; the rest white. Inside of wing -black. Under parts of body pale yellow. _Female_ with the black of the -head and body replaced by olive-green. Length, 4.12 inches; wing, -2.25; tail, 2.00. - -HAB. Mexican side of the valley of the Rio Grande, southward; Oaxaca, -June (SCL. 1858, 302); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 303); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis -I, 19); Costa Rica (CAB. J. 1861, 7); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, -331; winter). - -HABITS. The Mexican Goldfinch is distributed from the western side of -the Rio Grande, through Mexico and Central America, to Panama. -Sumichrast mentions it as found throughout the State of Vera Cruz, but -most abundant in the temperate region. It breeds in the vicinity of -Orizaba. It was taken in Central America, by Mr. Skinner, and has been -reported from Costa Rica, and from Panama in the winter. Of its -distinctive peculiarities we have no information, but they probably do -not differ from those of the other forms of _C. psaltria_. - - -Chrysomitris lawrencii, BONAP. - -LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH. - - _Carduelis lawrencii_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Oct. 1850, 105, pl. v - (California). _Chrysomitris lawrencii_, BON. Comptes Rendus, Dec. - 1853, 913.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 424.—HEERM. X, S, 50 - (nest).—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. B. I, pl. viii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 171. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Hood, sides of head anterior to the middle of the -eye, chin, and upper part of throat, black. Sides of head, neck, and -body, upper part of neck and the back, and upper tail-coverts, -ash-color. Rump and lesser wing-coverts yellowish-green. Throat below -the black, breast, and outer edges of all the quills (except the first -primary, and passing into white behind), bright greenish-yellow. Wings -black. Tail-feathers black, with a white square patch on the inner -web, near the end; outer edges grayish; quills black. _Female_ -similar, with the black of the head replaced by ash. Length, about -4.70; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.30. _Young_ like the female, but wing-bands -pale fulvous, instead of yellow. - -HAB. Coast of California; Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. -1866, 83). - -HABITS. This species, now known to be so common throughout the greater -portion of California, was first described by Mr. Cassin in 1850. Dr. -Heermann afterwards found them very abundant throughout the northern -mining regions of California, frequenting the hillsides covered with -brush, the seeds and buds of which they eat with great avidity. Later -in the season he found them at San Diego, in quest of grass-seeds on -the level plains. They were in large flocks, and so closely packed -that he shot thirteen at one discharge. Their nests, he states, are -built in the fork of a bush or stunted oak, and are composed of fine -grasses, lined with hair and feathers. They contain four or five pure -white eggs. - -Mr. Ridgway only met with this Goldfinch near the foot of the western -slope of the Sierra Nevada. - -Dr. Cooper met with a few of this species at Fort Mohave, on the -Colorado, but found them more numerous near the coast as far north as -San Francisco, at least, and also in the more northern mining regions. -He has seen them about San Francisco in December, and has no doubt -that they remain all the winter throughout the lower country. They -seem to avoid the mountainous regions, and have not been met with in -Oregon. - -Their habits and their song are, in general respects, similar to those -of the Goldfinch (_C. tristis_), but their voice is much weaker, and -is higher in its pitch. Their nests, Dr. Cooper thinks, are placed, in -preference, on the live-oaks; at least, he has never met with them in -any other situation. They are built very much in the style of those of -the Goldfinch, but are much smaller, the cavity measuring only an inch -in depth and one and a half in breadth. The eggs he describes as four -or five in number, pure white, and measuring .80 by .46 of an inch. He -adds that they sometimes feed on the ground, on grass-seeds, as well -as on buds and seeds of various weeds and trees. They were regarded by -him as more of a sylvan species than the Goldfinch, and not so fond of -willows and other trees growing along streams and in wet places. In -the Colorado Valley they feed on the seeds of the artemisia. He did -not notice any there after the middle of April. Eggs, in my own -cabinet, from Monterey, identified by Dr. Canfield, are of a uniform -greenish-white, exactly similar to those of _C. psaltria_ and -_tristis_, and measure only .58 by .45 of an inch, or less in length -by .22 than as given by Dr. Cooper. - -Three nests of this species obtained at Monterey, Cal., by Dr. -Canfield, all exhibit more or less variations as to material and style -of make. They are all more or less felted, and beautifully wrought, -fully equal in artistic skill to the nests of the Goldfinch. They are -about one and a half inches in height and three in diameter, and the -cavity is an inch in depth and one and three quarters in diameter. The -walls of these nests are soft, warm, and thick, composed of wool, both -vegetable and animal, fine stems of grasses, down, feathers, and other -materials, all closely matted together, and lined with the long hair -of the larger animals. One of these nests is made up entirely of the -finer grasses, strongly matted together. - - -Chrysomitris pinus, BONAP. - -PINE GOLDFINCH. - - _Fringilla pinus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 133, pl. xvii, f. 1.— - AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 455; V, 509, pl. clxxx. _Fringilla_ - (_Carduelis_) _pinus_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 103. _Linaria - pinus_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 115.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 125, - pl. clxxx. _Chrysomitris pinus_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, 515.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 425.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 197.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 172.—SAMUELS, 290. _?? Chrysomitris macroptera_, DUBUS, Esq. - Orn. tab. 23 (Mexico).—BP. Conspectus, 1850, 515. - - [Line drawing: _Chrysomitris pinus._ - 11096 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Tail deeply forked. Above brownish-olive. Beneath whitish, -every feather streaked distinctly with dusky. Concealed bases of -tail-feathers and quills, together with their inner edges, -sulphur-yellow. Outer edges or quills and tail-feathers -yellowish-green. Two brownish-white bands on the wing. Length. 4.75; -wing, 3.00; tail, 2.20. Sexes alike. _Young_ similar, but the white -below tinged with yellow, the upper parts with reddish-brown, and -there are two pale ochraceous bands on the wing. - -HAB. North America from Atlantic to Pacific; Vera Cruz, plateau and -alpine region (SUMICHRAST, I, 550). - -Specimens from all parts of North America appear to be the same, but -there is a great deal of variation among individuals. No. 10,225 ♂, -Fort Tejon, California, and 51,636, Colorado Territory, are almost -entirely white beneath, the streaks being hardly observable. 32,765, -Mexico, and 9,524, Washington Territory, are unstreaked medially. No. -11,096, Fort Bridger, has the streaks on the sides unusually broad, -and very black. - -In autumn and winter a reddish-brown tinge overspreads the upper -parts. - -HABITS. Though classed with the Goldfinches of this country, the Pine -Finch, in many respects more nearly resembles, in its habits and -nidification, the _Carpodaci_. It is found throughout the United -States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In the winter it extends its -irregular migrations into the Central States, as far as Northern -California on the Pacific, and Southern Pennsylvania on the Atlantic. -It breeds throughout the British Provinces, Northern Maine, New -Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, and thence to Washington -Territory, in all the evergreen forests. - -At Calais, Me., it is resident throughout the year, and breeds there, -but is much more common in the winter than in the summer. In Western -Maine, Professor Verrill observed it very common, both in the spring -and in the fall, but never found it breeding. He found it very -abundant about the Umbagog lakes in July, where it was evidently -breeding. It breeds also abundantly among the White Mountains. - -Mr. Ridgway first saw the Pine Finch on the East Humboldt Mountains, -where, through July and August, it was quite common, and where -undoubtedly it breeds, as a young bird unable to fly was obtained. On -the Wahsatch Mountains it was a very abundant species, inhabiting the -pines as well as the groves of aspens in the alpine regions. It is -gregarious at all times, flying in roving, screeching flocks. The -notes it utters on all occasions resemble a very peculiar -pronunciation of _swe-er_, given in a very sharp tone. When the flock -suddenly takes to flight, this is changed to a more rattling outcry. A -nest, containing no eggs, was found in an aspen-tree; and another, -containing one egg, similar to those described elsewhere, was found in -a fir-tree (_Abies_) situated near the extremity of a horizontal -branch about twenty feet from the ground. - -The Pine Finch is also a very common and resident bird in the plateau -of Mexico and in the alpine regions of the State of Vera Cruz. Its -common name there is _Dominiguito montero_. In the alpine regions -Sumichrast states that it is found to the height of six thousand five -hundred feet, and does not, to his knowledge, descend below three -thousand feet. It most especially frequents the plateau. - -Captain Blakiston met with this species on the plains of the -Saskatchewan, near the Rocky Mountains, August 6, 1858. - -In the eastern portion of Massachusetts it is somewhat irregular in -its movements and appearance, which are supposed to be affected by the -abundance or scarcity of its food elsewhere. Here it feeds chiefly on -seeds of grasses and weeds, probably only after the seeds of the -hemlock and other forest trees have failed it. They are usually most -abundant late in the season and after heavy falls of snow farther -north have diminished their means of subsistence. Mr. Maynard found it -very numerous in the winter of 1859-60, remaining until quite late in -the season, and again in the winter of 1868-69, remaining until the -last week in May. In Western Massachusetts, according to Mr. Allen, it -is a regular winter visitant, but never abundant. It arrives early in -October, and may be seen in small flocks from that time to the third -week in May. It sometimes frequents the apple-orchards, where it feeds -on the _Aphides_. According to Dr. Coues, this species occasionally -strays as far to the south as the Carolinas, but it is not common -there. - -Wilson observed these birds near Philadelphia, where they were feeding -on the seeds of the alder. Later in the season they collected in -larger flocks and took up their abode among the pine woods. In one -particular locality, he states, a flock of two or three hundred of -these birds regularly wintered, for many years in succession, where -noble avenues of pines furnished them with abundant food throughout -the season. Early in March they all disappeared. While there, they -were so tame as to allow a person to approach within a few yards. They -fluttered among the branches, frequently hanging from the cones, at -the same time uttering notes closely resembling those of the Goldfinch. - -In severe winters Mr. Audubon has met with the Pine Finch as far south -as Henderson, Ky., and Charleston, S. C., but such visits were always -brief. In August, 1832, he met with flocks of these birds in Labrador. -They were in company with the Crossbill, and were feeding on the seeds -of the fir-trees, and also on those of the thistle. When at the -Magdalen Islands he frequently saw flocks moving from various -directions. At Bras d’Or, towards the end of July, they were in great -numbers, and the old birds were accompanied by their young. They -frequented thickets of willows and elders in the vicinity of water, -and were very fearless and gentle. According to his account they sing -while on the wing, and their notes are sweet, varied, clear, and -mellow, and, while somewhat resembling the song of the _C. tristis_, -are perfectly distinct from it. Its flight is exactly similar, both -gliding through the air in graceful and deep curves. - -In Washington Territory Dr. Cooper found this Finch an abundant and -constant resident, migrating to the coast in winter, where it feeds on -the seeds of the alder. In summer they were gregarious, even when -occupied with their nests and young. He has never met with any in -California, not even in the Sierra Nevada, though they have been found -by others along its whole western slope, as far south as Fort Tejon. -They feed on the seeds of both coniferous and deciduous trees. - -Early in May, 1859, a pair of these birds built their nest in the -garden of Professor Benjamin Peirce, in Cambridge, Mass., near the -colleges. It was found on the 9th by Mr. Frederick Ware, and already -contained its full complement of four eggs, partly incubated. This -nest was three inches in height and four in diameter. The depth of the -cavity, as well as its diameter at the rim, was two inches. The base -of this nest was a mass of loose materials, and the lower portions of -the sides were hardly different. The upper and the inner portions of -this fabric were much more compactly and neatly woven, or rather -felted together. The outer layers consisted of small twigs of the -_Thuja_, dried stems and ends of pine twigs, grasses, sedges, stalks -of small vegetables, fine roots, bits of wool, and coarse hair. The -whole was very closely lined with fine dry roots of herbaceous plants -and the hair of small quadrupeds. - -The eggs are of an oblong-oval shape, of a light green ground-color, -spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with markings of a light -rusty-brown. They measure .71 by .50 of an inch. They have a marked -resemblance to the eggs of the _Linariæ_, but the ground-color is of a -slightly lighter shade. - -A nest of this species, found May 15, 1868, at Brunich, Canada, was -composed almost entirely of pine twigs interlaced in a very neat and -artistic manner. Its diameter was three and a half inches, and its -height two inches. It was lined with hair. The cavity was one and a -half inches deep and two inches wide. - - -GENUS LOXIA, LINNÆUS. - - _Loxia, Linnæus_, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 758. (Type, _Loxia curvirostra_, - L.) - _Curvirostra_, “SCOPOLI, 1777.” (Type, _L. curvirostra_.) - - [Line drawing: _Loxia americana._ - 5803 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Mandibles much elongated, compressed and attenuated; -greatly curved or falcate, the points crossing or overlapping to a -greater or less degree. Tarsi very short; claws all very long, the -lateral extending beyond the middle of the central; hind claw longer -than its digit. Wings very long and pointed, reaching beyond the -middle of the narrow, forked tail. - -Colors reddish in the male. - -The elongated, compressed, falcate-curved, and overlapping mandibles -readily characterize this genus among birds. This feature, however, -only belongs to grown specimens, the young having a straight bill, as -in other Finches. - -The United States species of _Loxia_ are readily distinguished by the -presence of white bands on the wing in _leucoptera_ and their absence -in _americana_. Neither form, however, is to be considered as -specifically distinct from their European allies. The differences are -as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -L. curvirostra. Wings dusky, without white bands. - - 1. Bill from forehead, .74; wing, 3.90; tail, 2.40. Lower - mandible much weaker than the upper. _Hab._ Europe … - var. _curvirostra_.[110] - - 2. Bill from forehead, .80 or more; wing, 4.00; tail, 2.50. - Lower mandible as strong as the upper. Hab. Rocky Mountains of - United States, and mountainous regions of Mexico … var. _mexicana_. - - 3. Bill from forehead, .60 or less; wing, 3.30; tail, 2.20. - _Hab._ North America generally … var. _americana_. - -L. leucoptera. Wings deep black, with two broad white bands. - - 1. Body and head pomegranate-red; black of scapulars nearly - meeting across lower back. Hab. Northern North America; - “Himalayas”; “Japan” … var. _leucoptera_. - - 2. Body, etc., cinnabar-red; back nearly wholly red. _Hab._ - Europe … var. _bifasciata_.[111] - - -Loxia curvirostra var. americana, BAIRD. - -RED CROSSBILL. - - _Curvirostra americana_, WILS. Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 44, pl. xxxi, f. - 1, 2.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 426.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 198.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 281 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 148.—SAMUELS, 291. _Loxia americana_, BON. List, 1838.—BON. & - SCHLEGEL, Mon. Loxiens, 5, tab. vi.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. California and - Oregon Route, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 87.—BON. & SCHLEGEL, - Mon. Lox. 5, pl. vi. _Loxia curvirostra_, FORSTER, Phil. Trans. - LXII, 1772, No. 23. AUD. Biog. II, 1834, 559; V, 511, pl. - cxcvii.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 186, pl. cc. “_Loxia pusilla_, - ILLIGER” (Bp.). “_Loxia fusca_, VIEILLOT” (Bp.). - -SP. CHAR. _Old male_ dull red (the shade differing in the specimen, -sometimes brick-red, sometimes vermilion, etc.); darkest across the -back; wings and tail dark blackish-brown. _Young male_ yellowish. -_Female_ dull greenish-olive above, each feather with a dusky centre; -rump and crown bright greenish-yellow. Beneath grayish; tinged, -especially on the sides of the body, with greenish-yellow. _Young_ -olive above; whitish beneath, conspicuously streaked above and below -with blackish. Male about 6 inches; wing, 3.30; tail, 2.25. - - [Illustration: _Loxia americana_.] - -HAB. Northern America generally, coming southward in winter. Resident -in the Alleghany and Rocky Mountains. - -There are considerable differences both in color and size, especially -of bill, in specimens from various parts of North America, and to a -less degree from the same locality. While those of the Atlantic and -Pacific coast have bills of much the same size, in skins from the -mountains of California this member is much stouter; in this character -approaching the _L. mexicana_ of Strickland, in which the bill -presents its maximum of the North American form. - - [Line drawing: _California_. - ♂ 18034] - -It would not probably be far out of the way to consider the European -and all the American common Crossbills as the same species, differing -only as races, and perhaps including _L. himalayana_, which is smaller -even than _americana_. - -We have not observed any American Crossbills with two reddish bands -across the wing-coverts, corresponding to the variety _rubrifasciata_ -of Europe. - -_L. pytiopsittacus_ of Europe is much the largest of all the species, -measuring seven inches in length, and with the bill seven lines high -at base. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXIII. - - 1. Loxia americana. ♂ W. Ter., 6442. - 2. “ leucoptera. ♂ Philad., 1215. - 3. “ “ ♀ Alaska (Yukon), 27360. - 4. “ americana. ♀. - 5. Leucosticte griseinucha. ♂ Unalaska, 54244. - 6. “ littoralis. Ft. Simpson, V. I. - 7. “ campestris. Colorado, 41527. - 8. “ tephrocotis. Nebraska, 10255. Winter. - 9. “ “ Colorado. Summer. - 10. “ arctous. Siberia, 9244. - 11. Pyrrhula cassini. ♂ Alaska (Nulato), 49955. - 12. Pyrgita domestica. Europe.] - -In the intensity, as well as the shade of the red in the males, there -is a great range of variation. Generally it is of a tint almost -precisely like that of _L. curvirostra_, though deeper. The most -highly colored specimen is 54,795, Philadelphia (J. H. McIlvaine), -which is entirely continuous deep tile-red, approaching vermilion on -the rump. The abdomen and crissum are light pinkish. In No. 31,459, -Fort Rae, April, the red is of a curious and very unusual purplish -wine-red shade. - -The average of western specimens, particularly those from the -northwest coast of the United States, have bills scarcely larger than -in the average of eastern examples; thus, 18,037, Fort Crook, N. Cal., -has the bill of the same size as No. 5,803, Philadelphia, while No. -53,482, East Humboldt Mountains, has the bill smaller than any other -in the collection. - -In color, there are scarcely any tangible differences between the -European _Loxia curvirostra_ and the two American varieties, the -distinctive character being in the form of the bill and the size; the -_C. mexicana_ is the largest of the three, and the bill is quite -peculiar in form, the lower mandible almost equalling the upper in -length, and exceeding it in thickness. _L. curvirostra_ is slightly -smaller, and has the lower mandible much smaller and less, powerful -than the upper, being inferior to it both in length, breadth, and -thickness. The colors also appear to be rather less intense than in -_C. mexicana._ - -The _C. americana_ is in every way, the bill especially, smaller than -either of the preceding. The lower mandible, although but slightly -shorter than the upper, is still much weaker, as in the European bird. -The majority of western birds have the bill but slightly larger than -eastern, and most of those with large bills are only intermediate -between _americana_ and _mexicana._ In some specimens the bill, -although almost equalling in length that of the latter, has yet the -form of the former; on the other hand, there are specimens with the -proportions of the mandibles as in _mexicana_, while the size is -intermediate. - -The following figures will illustrate the differences in the size of -the bills of the different races. - - [Illustration: - - 1 Var. _mexicana_. 29703 ♂, Mexico. - 2 Var. _curvirostra_. 17010 ♂, Europe. - 3 Var. _americana_. 18036 ♂, California. - 4 Var. _americana_. 5803 ♂, Philadelphia.] - -Specimens from the Columbia River region and northwest coast of the -United States appear to have the red more rosaceous and the bill more -slender than the typical style. One specimen (No. 31,459, Fort Rae) is -altogether a very peculiar one; the shade of red is different from -that of any other specimen, being a dark maroon-carmine, with a clear -ash suffusion on the back. There are two distinct dusky stripes on the -cheek, one over the upper edge of the ear-coverts, the other along the -lower edge. The lining of the wing is without any red tinge, seen in -all specimens of the true _americana_ and _mexicana_; the wings and -tail are pure sepia-brown, quite different from the others; and the -feathers show no red margins. The lower mandible is very much curved. -(May not this be like some Siberian style?) - -No 21,868, from Washington Territory, has the bill nearly as slender -as in _C. leucoptera_, but there is nothing else peculiar. - -HABITS. The common Red Crossbill of America is a bird of very -irregular distribution, abundant in some places at certain seasons, -and again rarely seen for several years. It is a Northern species, -found in summer chiefly in the more northern portions of the United -States, and also found throughout the year in the Alleghanies, in -Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, to Georgia. A closely allied -variety is also found in the alpine regions of Vera Cruz and other -departments of Mexico. - -Dr. Suckley found this species quite abundant at Puget Sound, in -certain seasons. This was especially so in the spring of 1854, though -afterwards he met with but few. He noticed a pair on the ground near a -pool of rain-water. They were very tame, and allowed a near approach. -Dr. Cooper found it very abundant near the coast, where it feeds, in -winter, on the seeds of the black spruce, retiring in summer to the -mountains to breed, but returning in September. He never observed any -in the fir forests of the Coast Range. In the Sierra Nevada, latitude -39°, Dr. Cooper found these birds in considerable numbers, September, -1863, and in winter they have been obtained about San Francisco. They -seem to be most attracted to the forests of spruces, cypresses, and -red-woods, the cones of which are most readily broken. They -occasionally descend to the ground, in the Rocky Mountains, in search -of the seeds of small plants, and also for water. - -Mr. Bischoff obtained specimens of this species at Sitka, but it was -not noticed in the territory of the Yukon River by Mr. Dall, or any of -his party, and it was met with by Mr. Ridgway on the East Humboldt -Mountains only. There they were occasionally seen among the willows -and small aspens bordering the streams. Their common note was a fine -and frequently repeated _chick-chick-chick_, very different from the -plaintive notes of the _C. leucoptera._ - -In New England they are of somewhat irregular occurrence, though in -Maine and in the northern portions of Vermont and New Hampshire they -are more or less resident. In Eastern Massachusetts they are -comparatively rare, excepting that, at irregular intervals, they come -in large flocks during the winter. This was so to a remarkable degree -in the winter of 1832, and more recently in 1862, when, Mr. Maynard -states, they remained until April. They were then in their summer -plumage, and also in full song. In August 1868, they again became -quite numerous, and had just before appeared in large numbers in -Western Maine, doing great damage to the oats, and disappearing as -soon as these had been harvested. Mr. Maynard thinks that these birds -were the same with those afterwards so numerous in Massachusetts. - -The same peculiarities of irregular appearance have been observed by -Mr. Allen, in Springfield, where it is often a very abundant visitor, -but generally not so common. In the winter of 1859-60 the pine woods -in the vicinity of that city abounded with them, and in February they -were already in full song. They are at all times gregarious, and are -sometimes seen in large flocks. - -They have, as they fly, a loud, peculiar, and not unmusical cry. This -call-note they do not utter when at rest or when feeding. Their song -in the spring and summer is varied and pleasing, but is not powerful, -or in any respect remarkable. This song is especially noticeable in -caged birds, who soon become very tame, and feed readily from the -hand, even when taken at an adult age. Their manners in confinement -are very like those of the Parrots, clinging to the top of the wires -with their claws, hanging with their heads downward, and, when -feeding, holding their food in one claw. On the trees, their habits -and manner are also said to be similar to those of Parrots. - -Mr. Audubon has found these birds, in August, in the pine woods of -Pennsylvania, and inferred that they breed there. This does not -necessarily follow. They breed so early at the north as to give ample -time for their migrations, even in midsummer, to remote places. -Professor Baird, however, informs me that during a summer spent in the -mountains of Schuylkill County, Penn., in the coal region, he saw them -nearly every day, moving about or feeding, in pairs. - -The Crossbills are extremely gentle and social, are easily approached, -caught in traps, and even knocked down with sticks. Their food is -chiefly the seeds of the _Coniferæ_, and also those of plants. -Audubon’s statement that they destroy apples merely to secure the -seeds is hardly accurate. They are extravagantly fond of this fruit, -and prefer the flesh to its seeds. Their flight is undulating, -somewhat in the manner of the Goldfinch, firm, swift, and often -protracted. As they fly, they always keep up the utterance of their -loud, clear call-notes. They move readily on the ground, up or down -the trunks and limbs of trees, and stand as readily with their heads -downward as upright. - -Wilson states that in the interior of Pennsylvania this species -appears in large flocks in the winter, and during the prevalence of -deep snows they keep about the doors of dwellings, pick off the clay -with which these huts are plastered, and are exceedingly tame and not -easily driven off. - -So far as is known, these Crossbills breed in midwinter, or very early -in the spring, when the weather is the most inclement. The nest and -eggs of this species were procured by Mr. Charles S. Paine, in East -Randolph, Vt., early in the month of March. The nest was built in an -upper branch of an elm,—which, of course, was leafless,—the ground was -covered with snow, and the weather severe. The birds were very tame -and fearless, refusing to leave their eggs, and had to be several -times taken off by the hand. After its nest had been taken, and as Mr. -Paine was descending with it in his hand, the female again resumed her -place upon it, to protect her eggs from the biting frost. The eggs -were four in number, and measured .85 by .53 of an inch. They have a -greenish-white ground and are beautifully blotched, marbled, and -dotted with various shades of lilac and purplish-brown. - - -Loxia curvirostra, var. mexicana, STRICKLAND. - -MEXICAN CROSSBILL. - - _Loxia mexicana_, STRICKLAND, Jardine Contrib. Orn. 1851, 43.—SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1859, 365.—IB. 1864, 174, City of Mexico.—SALVIN, Ibis, - 1866, 193 (Guatemala). - -SP. CHAR. Colors of _americana_, but red brighter, more scarlet. Bill -very large, the lower mandible nearly or quite equal to the upper in -strength and length. Wing, 4.00; tail, 2.50; bill (from forehead) .82. - -HAB. Mountainous regions of Southern North America, from Guatemala, -north into Rocky Mountains of United States; Mexico, Orizaba. - -This bird is quite as well marked as any of the plain-winged -“species,” differing from _curvirostra_ and _americana_ quite as much -as they do from each other. - -All specimens from Mexico, as well as from the Central Rocky Mountains -of the United States, are referrible to this form, though in winter -the _americana_ may also be found in the latter region, as a migrant -from the north. - -HABITS. The occurrence of this well-marked race among the mountainous -districts of Mexico is a very interesting and suggestive fact in -regard to the distribution of birds, demonstrating, as it does, the -close connection between high latitudes and high elevations as -favoring similar forms. It was first described by Strickland from -specimens obtained on the plateau near the city of Mexico. Another -specimen is referred to by Mr. Sclater as having been received from -Jalapa, Mexico; and Mr. Sumichrast obtained also a single specimen of -this species at Moyoapam, in the alpine region of Orizaba, where it is -known as the _Pico cruzado_. It was taken at an elevation of about -7,500 feet. Mr. Sumichrast was unable to determine whether this bird -was resident, or only a migratory visitant in the winter. I can find -no reference to any distinctive peculiarities of habits. - - -Loxia leucoptera, GMELIN. - -WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. - - _Loxia, leucoptera_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 540.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, - 1838, 467, pl. ccclxiv.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 190, pl. - cci.—BON. & SCHL. Mon. Loxiens, 1850, 8, pl. ix.—GOULD, B. Gt. - Britain, V, 1864 (killed England, Sept. 17). _Curvirostra - leucoptera_, WILS. Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 48, pl. xxxi, f. 3.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 427.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 281 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 149.—SAMUELS, 293. _Crucirostra - leucoptera_, BREHM, Naumannia, I, 1853, 254, fig. 20. _Loxia - falcirostra_, LATH. Index, Orn. I, 1790, 371. - -SP. CHAR. Bill greatly compressed, and acute towards the point. Male -carmine red, tinged with dusky across the back; the sides of body -under the wings streaked with brown; from the middle of belly to the -tail-coverts whitish, the latter streaked with brown. Scapulars, -wings, and tail black; two broad bands on the wings across the ends of -greater and median coverts; white spots on the end of the inner -tertiaries. _Female_ brownish, tinged with olive-green in places; -feathers of the back and crown with dusky centres; rump bright -brownish-yellow. Length about 6.25; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.60. - -HAB. Northern parts of North America generally; Greenland (REINH. -Ibis, III, 1861, 8); England, (September 17, GOULD, Birds Great -Britain). - -The white bands on the wings distinguish this species from the -preceding, although there are some other differences in form of bill, -feet, wing, etc. There is less variation in form and color among -specimens than in the preceding. It differs from the European -analogue, _L. bifasciata_, according to authors, in the more slender -body and bill, and in having the body pomegranate-red, with blackish -back, instead of cinnabar-red, as in _curvirostra_ and _americana_, -Bonaparte and Schlegel quote the American species as occurring in the -Himalaya Mountains, and perhaps Japan, but throw doubts on the -supposed European localities. - -HABITS. Both the distribution and habits of this species are probably, -in all essential respects, the same with those of the preceding. It -is, if anything, a more northern bird, and it has not been detected -anywhere on the Pacific coast south of British America. It was found -in the Arctic regions by Sir John Richardson, where the other species -was not observed. He found it inhabiting the dense white-spruce -forests of the fur country, feeding principally on the seeds of their -cones. Up to the sixty-eighth parallel he found them ranging through -the whole breadth of the continent. It is supposed to go as far as -these woods extend, though it has not been traced farther than the -sixty-second degree. It was found feeding on the upper branches, -clinging to them when wounded, and remaining suspended even after -death. In September they collected in small flocks, and flew from tree -to tree with a chattering noise. In the depth of winter they retire -from the coast to the thick woods of the interior. - -A few individuals of this species are recorded by Professor Reinhardt -as having been taken in South Greenland. - -In Pennsylvania this species is much more rare than the _americana_, -and Wilson only met with a few specimens. Since his day it has been -found more abundantly, occasionally in the neighborhood of -Philadelphia. - -Mr. Dall states that these birds were not uncommon near Nulato in the -winter. Several specimens were obtained in February and April. None -were found there in the summer. He speaks of their great expertness in -opening the spruce cones with their curved bills, and extracting the -seeds. - -Its appearance in Eastern Massachusetts is much more irregular both as -to numbers and time than that of the other species. In the fall and -winter of 1868 and 1869 they were uncommonly abundant, appearing early -in the fall, and remaining until quite late in the spring. They were -even more fearless and tame than the _americana_, and in one instance -a pair were taken by the hand, and afterwards kept in confinement. -They appeared around Boston in large flocks, and remained through -April. One was shot in Newton by Mr. Maynard, June 13. It was found in -an apple-tree, and its crop was full of canker-worms. In Eastern Maine -it is resident throughout the year, and, like the other species, -breeds in winter. In Western Maine Professor Verrill has found it a -common winter visitant, but it is not known to be resident. - -Near Springfield Mr. Allen considered this species a much less -frequent visitor than the preceding. In the winters of 1854 and 1860 -he found them very abundant, occurring in large flocks. - -Mr. Audubon, on his way to Labrador in 1833, found these birds quite -common, in May, among the islands of the Bay of Fundy, evidently -migrating, on their way to more northern regions. I, however, observed -none there during my visits in the summers of 1850 and 1851, although -a specimen was afterwards obtained on the Murre Islands, on the 30th -of June. - -So far as they are known, the habits of this species are exactly -similar to those of the preceding. They feed in the same manner and -upon like food. Their flight is undulating and well sustained, and -their movements in the trees are not perceptibly different. - -In the spring of 1869, Mr. Jillson, of Hudson, Mass., sent me a pair -of these birds which he had captured the preceding autumn. They were -very tame, and were exceedingly interesting little pets. Their -movements in the cage were like those of caged parrots in every -respect, except that they were far more easy and rapid. They clung to -the sides and upper wires of the cage with their feet, hung down from -them, and seemed to enjoy the practice of walking with their head -downward. They were in full song, and both the male and the female -were quite good singers. Their songs were irregular and varied, but -sweet and musical. They ate almost every kind of food, but were -especially eager for slices of raw apples. An occasional larch cone -was also a great treat to them. Although while they lived they were -continually bickering over their food, yet when the female was -accidentally choked by a bit of eggshell her mate was inconsolable, -ceased to sing, refused his food, and died of grief in a very few -days. - -The White-winged Crossbill was seen more frequently by Mr. Ridgway -among the East Humboldt Mountains than the other species. It was first -noticed on the 12th of August among the cedars on the mountains. Its -fine plaintive cry of “_wēēk_” was entirely different from the -hurriedly uttered notes of the _C. americana_. - -Several specimens of this Crossbill have been taken in Europe, where -their occurrence is of course accidental, irregular, and rare. - -A nest of this species (S. I., 13,452), taken at Fredericton, New -Brunswick, by Dr. A. Adams, in 1868, is deeply saucer-shaped, and -composed of a rather thin wall of fibrous pale-green lichens, encased -on the outside with spruce twigs, and thinly lined with coarse hairs -and fine shreds of inner bark. Its external diameter is a little less -than four inches, the rim being almost perfectly circular; the cavity -is an inch and a half deep by two and a half broad. - -The one egg is pale blue, the large end rather thickly spattered with -fine dots of black and ashy-lilac; is regularly or rather slightly -elongate-oval, the small end rather obtuse. It measures .80 of an inch -in length by .56 in breadth. - - -GENUS ÆGIOTHUS, CABAN. - - _Acanthis_, BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, not of Bechstein, 1802, nor of - Keys. & Blas. 1840. - _Ægiothus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 161. (Type, _Fringilla linaria_, - LINN.)—COUES, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1861, 373; 1863, 40; 1869, - 180. - - [Line drawing: Ægiothus linarius. - 39364 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Bill very short, conical, acutely pointed, the outlines -sometimes concave; the commissure straight; the base of the upper -mandible and the nostrils concealed by stiff, appressed bristly -feathers; middle of the mandible having several ridges parallel with -the culmen. Inner lateral toe rather the longer, its claw reaching the -middle of the middle claw; the hind toe rather longer, its claw longer -than the digital portion. Wings very long, reaching the middle of the -tail; second quill a little longer than the first and third. Tail -deeply forked. - - [Illustration: _Ægiothus linarius._] - -Difficult as it sometimes is to define with precision the characters -of closely allied species of birds, there are few genera where this is -the case more strikingly than in _Ægiothus_. Leaving out of view the -peculiar European species, it has been a mooted question whether North -America, including Greenland, possesses one, two, or six species, -owing to the strictly boreal distribution of these birds, and the fact -that their summer resorts are seldom invaded by the naturalist. The -necessary means of determining the proper distribution of the forms -and the variations with season, locality, and sex, are scarcely to be -met with in any public museum, that of the Smithsonian Institution, -however, being the most complete in this respect. - -To Dr. Coues, as quoted above, we owe the most satisfactory -indications of the different species and varieties, his papers in the -Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences (1861, -375; 1863, 40; and 1869, 180) being models of ornithological criticism -and discussion. His labors have enabled us to define with precision -the various forms, both European and American, found in the genus, and -have brought us to satisfactory conclusions in reference to their -limitations. - -Mr. Ridgway has lately made a careful revision of the specimens of -_Ægiothus_ in the Smithsonian collection, and with a general -concurrence in the conclusions of Dr. Coues in regard to the -differences observable, he suggests, as an application of the laws -more recently verified by him and myself in our examination of the -North American land-birds, that we may best consider the actual -species to be two in number, namely, _canescens_ and _linarius_, -ranging the other forms under these, either as geographical races or -as seasonal stages. Bearing in mind the general law that the more -boreal or Greenland-born specimens should be larger than the more -southern or Continental, and that the peculiar dark plumage of -_fuscescens_ and _rostratus_ only occurs in summer breeding specimens, -he considers these as identical with _linarius_ and _holbölli_; the -winter plumages respectively of the same two races of one species, -_linarius_; the latter race, _holbölli_, being the larger or Greenland -form. If _fuscescens_ be darker than summer _linarius_ from Europe, it -is simply another instance of the darker tints of Arctic American -birds as compared with European. - -_Ægiothus canescens_ and _exilipes_ Mr. Ridgway considers as the -Greenland (larger) and Continental (smaller) races of one species, -which perhaps do not differ so much with season as do those of -_linarius_. The differences in the size and proportions of bill, and -perhaps of feet, Mr. Ridgway does not think of much importance, as -great variations are observable in this respect in specimens from the -same locality, and the actual differences of the bill are obscured by -the greater length of the bristly feathers around its base in winter, -making it appear considerably shorter. Indeed, Professor Alfred Newton -maintains that the same bird will have the bill considerably longer in -summer, after living on soft insect food, and shorter in winter when -worn down by use on hard seeds. Mr. Ridgway finds, too, that specimens -of _linarius_ from Kodiak differ in a much longer and more slender -bill than usual, in this respect resembling Alaska specimens of -several other _Fringillidæ_. - -The following synopsis expresses Mr. Ridgway’s views as indicated -above: a critical examination of a series of more than two hundred -specimens, in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, being the -basis of his conclusions.—S. F. B. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. _Adult._ Above streaked with dusky upon a -brownish, or brown and whitish, ground; wing-coverts tipped with -whitish or pale brown. Beneath whitish, streaked on the sides -with dusky. An indistinct, lighter superciliary stripe. _Male._ -Rump tinged with rose-pink. _Female._ Rump not tinged with -pinkish. _Juv._ Without any red, and with the whole lower parts -thickly streaked. - -A. Crown with a quadrate patch of crimson, in adult; throat and -chin with a dusky spot; quills and tail-feathers not edged -conspicuously with white. ♂ with the breast tinged with red. - - 1. A. canescens. Rump unstreaked white (both sexes, at all - seasons); the lower tail-coverts with white shafts; the red - tinge on the breast in the ♂, of a delicate pale rosaceous pink - tint. - - Bill very short and thick, its height through the base nearly - equalling the length of the culmen. Wing, 3.20; tail, 2.65. - Bill: culmen, .35; height, .30. _Hab._ Greenland … - var. _canescens_. - - Bill much smaller, more acute, its height through the base - much less than the length of the culmen. Wing, 3.00; tail, - 2.50. Bill: culmen, .30; height, .22. _Hab._ Continental - arctic America … var. _exilipes_. - - 2. A. linarius. Rump always streaked; lower tail-coverts with - dusky shaft-streaks; the red tinge on the breast of the ♂ of a - rosaceous-carmine tint. - - Bill about .35 in length by .22 in height; wing, 2.80; tail, - 2.40. _Hab._ Continental arctic and cold temperate North - America … var. _linarius_. - - Bill about .40, or more, in length, by .30 in height; wing, - 3.20; tail, 2.60. _Hab._ Greenland in summer, and Continental - arctic and cold temperate North America in winter … - var. _holbölli_. - -B. Crown without any red; throat and chin without any dusky -spot; quills and tail-feathers of adult male edged conspicuously -with white. ♂ without red tinge on the breast. - - 3. A. flavirostris. Rump rose-pink in the ♂, brown streaked - with dusky in ♀. No red on crown or breast. - - ♀. Above umber-brown streaked with dusky; ground-color of - rump light brown; throat and jugulum strongly - ochraceous-buff. _Hab._ Europe … var. _flavirostris_. - - ♀. Above olive-brown streaked with dusky; ground-color of - rump sulphur-yellow; throat and jugulum faintly - sulphur-yellow, tinged with buff. _Hab._ North America … - var. _brewsteri_. - - -Ægiothus linarius, CABANIS. - -LESSER RED-POLL. - - _Fringilla linaria_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 322.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - IV, 1838, 538, pl. ccclxxv. _Fringilla (Acanthis) linaria_, - KEYS. & BLAS. Wirb. Europ. 1840, No. 115, page 161.—_Acanthis - linaria_, BP. Conspectus, 1850, 541. _Ægiothus linaria_, - CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 161.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 428.—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. Nov. 1861, 382.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 198.—SAMUELS, 294.—MAYNARD, B. E. Mass. 1870, 110.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Acad. I, 1869, 281.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 159. _Linaria minor_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 267.—AUD. - Syn. 1839, 114.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 122, pl. clxxix. ? - _Linaria holbölli_, BREHM, Vögel Deutschlands. _Acanthis - holbölli_, BP. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Loxiens, 1850, 50, pl. liii. - _Ægiothus holbölli_, COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1861, 385. _Linaria - americana_, MAX. Cab. Journ. VI, 1858, 338. _Ægiothus - fuscescens_, COUES, P. A. N. S. Aug. 1861, 222 (Labrador; - breeding dress).—IB. p. 380. _Ægiothus rostratus_, ELLIOT, - Illust. B. Am. I, pl. ix.—COUES, P. A. N. S. Nov. 1861, 378 - (Greenland).—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. A. I, pl. x. - -I. _Spring and Winter Plumage._ - -SP. CHAR. _Adult._ Ground-color of the occiput, nape, scapulars, and -interscapulars, brownish-white, each feather with medial streak of -dusky-brown; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with the streaks in -sharper contrast. Wings clear brownish-dusky with two conspicuous -white bands, formed by tips of middle and secondary coverts; tertials -broadly, and secondaries narrowly, edged with white; tail-feathers -narrowly edged with white, this broader on inner webs. A narrow -frontal band (tinged with brownish), an obscure superciliary stripe, -and the lower parts in general, white; sides streaked with dusky, and -lower tail-coverts each with a medial streak of the same. On the -forehead and vertex a somewhat quadrate patch of intense carmine. -Nasal plumuli, lores, and a small, somewhat quadrate, gular spot, dark -silky-brown. Bill yellow, the culmen and gonys black. - -♂. Throat, jugulum, and breast, rosaceous-carmine (extending upward -over the maxillæ, and backward over the sides almost to the flanks); -rump tinged with the same. - -Var. _linarius_ (21,577, Philadelphia). Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.35; bill, -.35 and .22; tarsus, .55; middle toe, .30. - -Var. _holbölli_ (39,263, Quebec). Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.40; bill, .42 -and .29; tarsus, .60; middle toe, .37. - -Var. _holbölli?_ (52,457, Kodiak). Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.40; bill, .47 -and .25; tarsus, .55; middle toe, .35. - -♀. No red except on the crown, where its tint is less intense; dusky -gular spot larger, extending farther on to the throat. - -Var. _linarius_ (902, Penn.). Wing, 2.70; tail, 2.30; bill, .32 and -.23; tarsus, .55; middle toe, .32. - -Var. _holbölli_ (39,362, Quebec). Wing, 3.10; tail, 2.50; bill, .42 -and .29; tarsus, .61; middle toe, .39. - -Var _holbölli?_ (52,460, Kodiak). Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.30; bill .39 and -.23;. tarsus, .54; middle toe, .32. - -II. _Summer or Breeding Plumage._ - -The pattern the same as above, but the dark tint intensified and -spread so as to almost entirely obliterate any lighter markings, -except the streaks on the rump; the wing-bands as well as the dorsal -streaks obsolete; streaks on the sides broader; frontal band dusky -like the occiput. Red tints slightly intensified. Bill wholly dusky. - -♂. Throat, jugulum, breast, and tinge on sides and rump, rosy-carmine. - -Var. _linarius_ (type of “_fuscescens_”). Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.30; -bill, .36 and .25; tarsus, .53; middle toe, .33. - -Var. _holbölli_ (type of “_rostratus_”). Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.35; bill, -.41 and .30; tarsus, .60; middle toe, .40. - -Var. _holbölli?_ (54,477, Kodiak, July). Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.20; bill, -.40 and .25; tarsus, .56; middle toe, .32. - -♀. No red except on the crown. - -Var. _linarius_ (♀ type of “_fuscescens_”). Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.30; -bill, .35 and .25; tarsus, .52; middle toe, .34. - -_Young_ (first plumage). (54,478, Kodiak, July.) Streaks covering -whole head, neck, and breast; no red (RIDGWAY). - -HAB. Circumpolar regions. In North America breeding in the sub-arctic -regions, and in winter descending into the northern United States. - -The two races of _Æ. linarius_ are quite differently colored in summer -and in winter. In the latter season the plumage is softer and more -lax, and the markings better defined, though in autumn with a -considerable ochraceous suffusion. In spring the colors are purer, and -the markings most sharply defined; in the breeding-season the plumage -assumes a burnt appearance, the dark tints intensify and spread, so -that sometimes the upper parts appear almost uniformly dusky; the bill -appears larger, in consequence of the less development of its basal -tufts, than in winter. In this dusky summer condition these birds form -the _Æ. fuscescens_ and _Æ. rostratus_ of Coues, the latter being the -summer plumage of var. _holbölli_, the former that of var. _linarius_. -In the series of over two hundred examples examined, all midsummer -specimens are in the plumage of _fuscescens_ or _rostratus_, while the -latter is not seen in any autumnal, winter, or spring birds. - -Specimens of the var. _holbölli_ have been received from Quebec, -collected by Mr. W. Couper. - -HABITS. Accepting as variations due either to locality, latitude, or -season the differences already referred to in the plumage of this -species, it is not necessary to consider the question of races in -connection with our story of their habits. We possess but very little -information as to their peculiarities as races in these respects. -Treating, then, the Lesser Red-Poll, though appearing in four -differing phases, as one species, we claim it to be common to the -northern portions of both hemispheres. - -It is found throughout northern North America from the Atlantic to the -Pacific, is abundant in the boreal regions of Europe, and probably of -Asia also. On the Pacific coast, Dr. Cooper has observed it only as -far south as Washington Territory. Farther north it is much more -abundant. Mr. Bannister found it common at St. Michaels, both in -summer and in winter. At Nulato Mr. Dall found this species very -common in winter, and very little less so in summer. He states that -the nest is usually lined with hair, and covered externally with moss, -dry grass, and like materials, built in bushes, near the ground. They -begin to build the 15th of May. The eggs are laid about the 1st of -June, and the young are flying near the end of July. The young of the -first year are dark, with a small patch of brown on the breast. After -their second year the males increase the amount of rose-color on the -head and breast, and the very old birds are quite brilliant in the -breeding-season. At St. Michaels, where there are no trees and very -few bushes; these birds frequently build their nests in the grass. - -Mr. Dall states that this bird has no song, but that their cheerful -twittering and chirping, their fearless and sociable ways, their -bright plumage and elegant nests, are quite enough to make them -general favorites. - -Richardson found this neat and hardy little bird one of the few -permanent residents of the fur countries, where it was seen, in the -coldest weather, on the banks of lakes and rivers, hopping among the -reeds or clinging to their stalks. - -Mr. Lord found this species a rare bird in British Columbia. It was -found in swampy places, where the alders grew thickly, and where there -were large water-plants. To these it clings, pecking at their -seed-pods, or, searching the remaining flowers, feeds upon any insects -they may contain. Their song he describes as a soft and pretty warble, -coming in bursts, the singer perching himself boldly on the top of a -plant, as if to be more plainly heard by his companions. In early -spring they feed on the catkins of the alder and hazel. They winter in -small flocks in Vancouver’s Island. - -Holböll states that this species is found irregularly distributed over -Greenland, coming always in the first half of April, a little later -than the Snow-Bunting. It migrates to Greenland from America, and is -much rarer in Iceland. In June it is found nesting near the shore, -and, contrary to the usual nature of birds, is very wild, though at -all times else it is very fearless. At this time the male loses its -beautiful crimson breast, resembles the female, and is much less -gorgeous than in winter. It nests in birches, alders, or willows, and -lays five bluish-white eggs, spotted with clear brown. Towards the end -of August and in September they are seen in small flocks about the -settlements, the male resuming its red breast, and all, both old and -young, being very fearless. In confinement they soon became very tame, -and in a few days would perch upon his hand and struggle with each -other for the hemp-seed that he held to them, though there was plenty -of food in their cage. They feed on seeds and the tops of lichens. By -October they all disappear, and are not seen in Greenland in the -winter. - -Wilson states that, in his day, these birds were very common in -Northwestern New York, where they appeared always with the first deep -snow, and were, on that account, called Snow-Birds. In severe winters -they were occasionally, though very rarely, seen in the neighborhood -of Philadelphia, where they were very fond of the seeds of the common -alder, and hung head downwards while feeding, in the manner of our -Goldfinch. They were very unsuspicious, and permitted a near approach -without manifesting any signs of alarm. Mr. Ord, in a subsequent -edition of Wilson, states that these birds rarely visit Philadelphia, -and that it was many years before he could procure specimens. In the -winter of 1813-14 they appeared in a flock of nearly a hundred, and -were so intent in feeding upon the seeds of the _Atriplex hastata_ -that they could be closely approached. Their call exactly resembled -that of the Goldfinch. These birds lingered in that neighborhood until -about the middle of April. - -Their migration southward in winter is evidently caused more by want -of food than by the state of the temperature. They remain in high -northern regions in the most inclement weather, and often appear among -us in seasons not remarkably cold, and remain until late in the -spring. In 1833, by the 7th of November, the weather still being quite -mild, Nuttall states, they appeared in Massachusetts in considerable -flocks. They regularly assembled in the birch-trees every morning to -feed on the seeds, and were so intent on their employment that it was -often possible to approach the slender trees on which they were -feeding, and strike them off, before they would take wing. They hung -on the twigs with great tenacity, and moved about in reversed -positions, in the manner of the Chickadees. They are described by him -as having a quailing call, similar to that of the Goldfinch, and when -crowding together, in flight, as making a confused chirping, with a -rattling noise, and moving off with a simultaneous twitter. They were -attracted to the pines by the Crossbills, and were busily employed in -collecting the seeds, dropped from the cones as the Crossbills opened -them. They at times fed on the buds of fruit-trees. They were always -found to be fat, even on their first arrival, and there were no -obvious reasons for their movements. - -Mr. Boardman speaks of them as common at Calais by the first of the -winter. At Norway, Me., Professor Verrill found them very common in -fall, winter, and spring, and most abundant in March and April. In -Springfield they are, according to Mr. Allen, an irregular and -occasional visitant, coming in very large flocks one year, and again -not seen for several years. In a more recent paper (1870) Mr. Allen -states that during the preceding five years these birds have been -several times very numerous in Massachusetts, appearing in quite large -flocks. - -Mr. Audubon met with these birds in Labrador the last of July, and -obtained specimens of different ages. He thinks their notes more like -those of the Siskin of Europe than of our Goldfinch, uttered both when -the birds are on the wing and when they have alighted. They were in -small parties of seven or eight, evidently members of the same family. -They were tame and familiar, and fearlessly returned to the same spot -after having been shot at. They were also remarkably affectionate, and -he frequently observed them passing seeds one to the other in the most -loving manner. - -Dr. Coues also observed this bird in Labrador, and described it as _Æ. -fuscescens_. He found it abundant along the coast, and was struck with -its resemblance, in habits, to the _Chrysomitris tristis_. It was -remarkably unsuspicious and familiar, and showed no signs of fear even -when very closely approached. It frequented, almost exclusively, the -scrubby junipers that grow everywhere in open places in thick -impenetrable patches. He describes its flight as irregular, rising and -falling in curves, and seldom protracted to any great distance. While -passing overhead, it uttered a peculiar rattling chirp. He thinks it -has no song. - -Dr. Kirtland informs me that early in the winter of 1868 his grandson -picked up a wing-broken male Red-Poll, and placed it in his -greenhouse. It began at once to feed on crumbs of bread and hay-seed, -and rapidly recovered. It soon acquired the habit of leaping from -shelf to shelf, among the plants, and was finally seen climbing up -some stately _Pelargonium_ shrubs, and suspending itself, parrot-like, -by its feet from the limbs, capturing aphides. From that time it took -no other food, living exclusively on the parasitic insects of the -plants. So active was it in capturing these, that for two months it -was not necessary to fumigate the greenhouse to destroy them. From day -to day a female Red-Poll hovered over the building, and her calls were -responded to by the invalid. Later in the season he escaped from his -confinement, and was seen to rejoin his faithful mate, which had -remained near him all the winter. As in Europe, this species in the -Arctic regions of America has been found nesting in low trees and -bushes, from two to six feet from the ground. - -The habits and appearance of the birds observed in Europe appear -identical with those of our own. Mr. Yarrell states that of all birds -these are the most easily tamed, and can be readily made to breed in -confinement. In Scotland and in parts of England it is resident -throughout the year, in the summer retiring to the bases of the -mountains, and there breeding in the underwood that skirts the banks -of the mountain streams. It nests in bushes or low trees, such as the -alder and the willow. These are constructed of mosses and the stems of -dry grasses, intermingled with down from the catkins of the willow, -and lined with the same, making them soft and warm. The young are -produced late in the season, and are seldom able to fly before the -first of July. The parent birds are devoted in their attachment. -Pennant relates that in one instance where this bird was sitting on -four eggs, she was so tenacious of her nest as to suffer him to take -her off with his hand, and after having been released she still -refused to leave it. In the winter they descend to the lower grounds, -and there feed on the buds of the birch and alder, to reach which they -are obliged, like the Titmice, to hang from the ends of the branches, -with their backs downward. So intent are they on their work that they -are easily taken alive by means of a long stick smeared with birdlime. -Mr. Selby states that its notes during the breeding-season, though not -delivered in a continuous song, are sweet and pleasing. Captain -Scoresby relates that in his approach to Spitsbergen several of these -birds alighted on his ship. They were so wearied with their long -journey as to be easily caught by the hand. The distance of the -nearest point of Norway renders it difficult to imagine how so -delicate a bird can perform this journey, or why it should seek such a -cold and barren country. European eggs are five in number, of a pale -bluish-green, spotted with orange-brown, principally about the larger -end. They measure .65 by .50 of an inch. - -American eggs of this species average .65 by .53 of an inch. Their -color is a light bluish-white, which varies considerably in the depth -of its shading, and this tinge is exceedingly fugitive, it being -difficult to preserve it even in a cabinet. The eggs are generally and -finely dotted with a rusty-brown, and are of a rather rounded oval -shape. - - -Ægiothus canescens, CABANIS. - -MEALY RED-POLL. - - _Linaria canescens_, GOULD, “Birds Europe, pl. cxciii.” _Linota - canescens_, BONAP. List, 1838. _Acanthis canescens_, BON. - Conspectus, 1850, 541.—BON. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Loxiens, 1850, 47, - tab. li.—ROSS, Ed. Phil. Jour. 1861, 163. _Ægiothus canescens_, - CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 161.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 429.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 388.—SAMUELS, 295. “_Fringilla - borealis_, TEMMINCK, 1835. Not of Vieillot.” Bonaparte. _? - Fringilla borealis_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 87, pl. cccc. _? - Linaria borealis_, AUD. Birds Am. III, 1841, 120, pl. clxxviii. - “_Linaria hornemanni_, HOLBÖLL, Kroyer Nat. Tidskr. 1843.” - _Ægiothus exilipes_, COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. Nov. 1861, 385.—ELLIOT, - Illust. N. Am. Birds, I, pl. ix. - -SP. CHAR. _Autumnal female._ Greenland race (_canescens_). (23,377, -Greenland, Univ. Zoöl. Mus. Copenhagen.) In general appearance like -the corresponding plumage of _Æ. linarius_, but the whole rump -immaculate white; frontal band more than twice as wide as in -_linarius_, and better defined; lower tail-coverts without streaks, -their shafts even being white. Carmine vertical patch only a little -wider than the whitish frontal patch; head with a strong ochraceous -suffusion. Wing, 3.30; tail, 2.90; bill, .35 and .30; tarsus, .60; -middle toe, .32. Wing-formula, 1, 2, and 3. - -HAB. Greenland. Variations with season probably as in smaller -Continental race. - -_Adult of both sexes in spring._ Continental race (_exilipes_). As -described for the Greenland form, but without the ochraceous -suffusion. Sides very sparsely streaked. - -_Male in spring._ Breast only tinged with delicate peach-blossom-pink, -_this extending farther back medially than laterally_,—just the -reverse of _Æ. linarius_; a very faint tinge of the same in the white -of the rump. Measurements (No. 19,686, Fort Simpson, April 30, 1860; -B. R. ROSS, COUES’S type): Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.55; bill, .29 and .25; -tarsus, .52; middle toe, .30; wing-formula, 2, 1, 3, 4. - -_Female in spring._ Similar, but lacking all red except that of the -pileum, which is less intense, though not more restricted, than in the -male. Measurements (No. 19,700, Fort Simpson, April 28; B. R. ROSS): -Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.35; bill, .25 and .22; tarsus, .51; middle toe, -.30. - -_Both sexes in autumn._ (♀, Fort Rae.) The white of the whole plumage, -except on the rump, overspread by a wash of pale ochraceous, this -deepest anteriorly; on the anterior upper parts a deep tint of -ochraceous entirely replacing the white; wing-markings broader and -more ochraceous than in the spring plumage. Wing, 2.85; tail, 2.50; -bill, .30 and .25; tarsus, .51; middle toe, .30. - -HAB. Continental arctic America. In winter south into the United -States (as far as Mount Carroll, Illinois). - -Though _Æ. canescens_ is nearly identical with _Æ. linarius_ in size, -these two species may always be distinguished from each other by -certain well-marked and constant differences in coloration; the -principal of these have been mentioned in the synoptical table, but a -few other points may be noted here. In spring males of _canescens_ the -delicate rosaceous-pink of the breast does not extend up on to the -cheeks, and backward it extends farther medially than laterally, -scarcely tingeing the sides at all; while in _Æ. linarius_ the -intensely rosaceous, almost carmine, tint covers the cheeks, and -extends backward much farther laterally than medially, covering nearly -the whole sides. - -Though the weakness, or shortness, of the toes compared with the -tarsus, is a feature distinguishing, upon almost microscopical -comparison, the _Æ. canescens_ in its two races from the races of _Æ. -linarius_, it will not by any means serve to distinguish _canescens_ -and _exilipes_, since, as will be seen by the measurements given, the -proportion of the toes to the tarsus is a specific, and not a race, -character. (RIDGWAY.) - -HABITS. The history of the Mealy Red-Poll can only be presented with -some doubts and uncertainties. We cannot always determine how far the -accounts given by others may have belonged to this species, and we can -only accept, with some reserve, their statements. - -This form, whether species or race, is known to inhabit Greenland, -where, according to Dr. Reinhardt, it is constantly resident, and I -have received its eggs from that country, where its identification was -apparently complete. Whether this bird is resident in, regularly -migratory to, or only accidental in, Europe, is as yet a question by -no means fully settled. Degland gives it as resident in Greenland -only, and as accidental in Germany, Belgium, and the north of France. -He states that it is known to nest in shrubs and in low trees, and -that, in all essential respects, its manners are identical with the -common Red-Poll. One of these birds was taken alive in a snare in the -vicinity of Abbeville, and kept in a cage, making part of the -collection of M. Baillon. - -Yarrell thought that sufficient evidence existed of its specific -distinctness, but Mr. Gould regarded it as a matter of doubt whether -the birds found in Europe were natives, or only arrivals from northern -America. He states that among the London dealers this bird, called by -them the Stone Red-Poll, is well known, and is considered distinct, -but that its occurrence is very rare. Occasionally, at great -intervals, they are said to have been abundant. - -Mr. Doubleday, of Epping, procured several specimens of this bird in -Colchester, in January, 1836, and afterwards obtained a living pair, -which he kept for some time. Their notes were much sharper than those -of the _linarius_. Its occurrence was most frequent in winter, many -specimens having been obtained in England, and some also in Scotland. -Its habits throughout the year are supposed to be very similar to -those of the common Red-Poll. Its food is said to be chiefly the seeds -of various forest trees. - -Mr. Temminck describes what is undoubtedly this species, under the -title of _borealis_. If this supposition be admitted to be correct, -its geographical distribution becomes much more clearly defined. He -states that it is found during the summer in Norway and Sweden, and is -resident of the Arctic Circle throughout the year, and is also found -in Northern Asia, as well as in America and in other parts of Europe. -He has received specimens from Greenland, and also from Japan, -differing in no respect from those found in Europe. - -Audubon states that he procured four specimens of this bird in -Newfoundland. In their habits he could see no difference between them -and the common Red-Poll, but did observe a noticeable difference in -their song. He also states that one was shot by Mr. Edward Harris near -Moorestown, N. J. - -Mr. John Wolley, in his expeditions to Lapland, found there only one -species of this genus which was clearly referrible to the Mealy -Red-Poll, and was a common resident bird. One of these eggs from -Lapland is larger, and a much lighter-colored egg, than any of the -common _linarius_. The ground is a greenish-white, sparingly spotted -with dark reddish-brown about the larger end. Its measurement is .80 -by .58 of an inch. An egg from Greenland is not perceptibly different -in size, color, or markings. - -Holböll, in his papers on the fauna of Greenland, demonstrates very -distinctly the specific differences between this bird and the -_linarius_. These are its stronger and broader bill, the difference in -colors at every age, its much greater size, its very different notes, -and its quite different modes of life, the _canescens_ being a -strictly resident species, and the _linarius_ being migratory. - -In the summer this species is found to the extreme north of Greenland, -and has never been known to nest farther south than the 69th parallel. -It is more numerous in North Greenland than the _linarius_, which is -rare at the extreme north, while this is very common even at latitude -73°. This bird builds its nests in bushes in the same manner with -_linarius_, and its eggs closely resemble those of that bird. Its -notes, he adds, do not at all resemble those of the Red-Poll, but are -like those of the _Ampelis garrulus_. - -It is a resident of Greenland throughout the year, and in the winter -keeps on the mountains in the interior, but is much more numerous at -latitude 66° than farther south. In February, 1826, Holböll saw many -flocks on the mountains between Ritenbank and Omanak, and in the -journey taken in 1830 by a merchant from Holsteinborg into the -interior of the country a great many flocks were observed. They are -also frequently met with by reindeer-hunters, who go far into the -interior. It is rarely found in South Greenland at any time, and never -in the summer. In mild winters they sometimes come about the -settlements, as happened in the winter of 1828-29, and again in -1837-38. In the intervening winters it was not seen at Godhaab, and in -severe winters it is never to be found near the coast, only single -specimens occurring there in spring and autumn. - -Mr. MacFarlane thinks this species spends the winter at Fort Anderson, -as he has met with it as late as December and as early as February, -and believes it to have been present in the vicinity in the interval. -It nests in May. Mr. Harriott found one of its nests on the branch of -a tree, about five feet from the ground. It contained five eggs. - -The egg of this species resembles that of the _linarius_ except in -size and its lighter ground-color. The ground is a bluish or greenish -white, dotted with a tawny-brown. The egg is of a more oval shape, and -measures .75 by .60 of an inch. - - -Ægiothus flavirostris,[112] var. brewsteri, RIDGWAY. - -BREWSTER’S LINNET. - -SP. CHAR. General appearance somewhat that of _Æ. linarius_, but no -red on the crown, and the sides and rump tinged with sulphur-yellow; -no black gular spot. ♀ _ad._ Ground-color above light umber, becoming -sulphur-yellow on the rump, each feather, even on the crown, with a -distinct medial streak of dusky. Beneath white, tinged with -fulvous-yellow anteriorly and along the sides; sides and crissum -streaked with dusky. Wings and tail dusky; the former with two pale -fulvous bands; the secondaries, primaries, and tail-feathers narrowly -skirted with whitish sulphur-yellow. A dusky loral spot, and a rather -distinct lighter superciliary stripe. Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.50; tarsus, -.50; middle toe, .30. Wing-formula, 1, 2, 3, etc. - -HAB. Massachusetts. - -As the present article on _Ægiothus_ is going to press, we have -received, through the kindness of Dr. Brewer, a specimen of what -appears to be a third species of _Ægiothus_, allied to the _Æ. -flavirostris_ of Europe, obtained in Waltham, Mass., by Mr. William -Brewster, of Cambridge. This bird was killed in a flock of _Æ. -linarius_, of which five were also shot at the same discharge. None of -the others, nor indeed of any of ninety specimens prepared by Mr. -Brewster during the winter, were at all like the present one, which is -entirely different from anything we have ever seen from North America. - -The relationship of this bird appears to be nearest to the _Æ. -flavirostris_ of Europe, with the ♀ of which it agrees in many -respects, as distinguished from _linarius_ and _canescens_. The -European bird, however, lacks the sulphur-yellow tinge (which gives it -somewhat the appearance of _Chrysomitris pinus_), has the throat and -jugulum strongly reddish-buff, instead of dingy yellowish-white, and -is much browner above; besides which the tail is longer and less -deeply forked, with narrower feathers. - -HABITS. Nothing distinctive was observed by Mr. Brewster in regard to -the habits of the specimen killed by him. - - -GENUS LEUCOSTICTE, SWAINSON. - - _Leucosticte_, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor. Am. II, 1831, 265. (Type, - _Linaria tephrocotis_, SW.) - - [Line drawing: _Leucosticte tephrocotis._ - 19255 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, rounded, rather blunt at the tip; the culmen -slightly convex; the commissure slightly concave; the nostrils and -base of commissure concealed by depressed bristly feathers; a -depressed ridge extending about parallel with the culmen above the -middle of the bill. Another more conspicuously angulated one extending -forward from the lower posterior angle of the side of the lower -mandible, nearly parallel with the gonys. Tarsus about equal to the -middle toe and claw. Inner toe almost the longer, its claw not -reaching beyond the base of the middle one. Hind toe rather longer, -its claw longer than the digital portion. Wings very long; first quill -longest; all the primaries longer than the secondaries. Tail forked. - -This genus differs from _Ægiothus_ in the more obtuse and curved bill, -the less development of bristly feathers at the base, the ridge on the -lower mandible, the lateral toe not reaching beyond the base of the -middle one, and possibly a longer hind toe. Its relationship to the -other allies will be found expressed in the synoptical table of -_Coccothraustinæ._ - - [Illustration: _Leucosticte tephrocotis._] - -The number of American species, or at least races, of this genus has -been increased considerably since the publication of Birds of North -America, five now belonging to the American fauna, instead of the -three there mentioned. Of the species usually assigned to the genus, -one, _L. arctoa_, is quite different in form, lacking the ridge of the -mandible, etc., and in having the ends of the secondaries graduated in -the closed wing, instead of being all on the same line. The colors, -too, are normally different; in _arctoa_ being dusky, with -silvery-gray wings and tail, without rose tips to the feathers of the -posterior part of body; and in _Leucosticte_ proper, the wings and -tail being dark-brown narrowly edged with whitish, or more broadly, -like the ends of the feathers of the body behind, with rose-color. For -the present, however, we shall combine the species, not having before -us any American specimens of _L. arctoa_. - -From the regular gradation of each form into the other—the extremes -being thus connected by an unbroken chain of intermediate forms—it -seems reasonable to consider all the North American forms as referable -to one species (_L. tephrocotis_, SW., 1831) as geographical races. -They may be distinguished as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Body anteriorly chocolate-brown; posteriorly -tinged with rose-red. Wing-coverts (broadly) and quills edged -with the same. Head above light ashy or silvery-gray, as are also -the feathers around the base of upper mandible; the forehead and -a patch on crown blackish. Throat dusky. - -_Additional Characters._ The chocolate-colored feathers and the -secondary quills, sometimes the tail-feathers and greater -wing-coverts, edged with pale brownish-white or fulvous; the -interscapulars with darker centres. Rose of rump and upper -tail-coverts in form of transverse bands at end of feathers, that -of abdomen more a continuous wash. Lining of wings and axillars -white, tinged with rose at ends of feathers. Feathers of crissum -dark brown, edged with whitish, sometimes tinged with rose. Bill -generally reddish or yellowish, with blackish tip. - - A. Auriculars chocolate-brown. - - 1. Whole side of head below the eye, including the - auriculars, chocolate-brown. Chin not bordered anteriorly - with ash. In the breeding-season, head darker and ash - wanting. Wing, 4.35; tail, 3.00; bill, .44; tarsus, .72. Hab. - Interior regions of North America … var. _tephrocotis_. - - 2. Cheeks, lores, and anterior border of the chin ash-color. - Wing, 4.00; tail, 2.80; bill, .44; tarsus, .70. Hab. Colorado - and Wyoming Territories … var. _campestris_. - - B. Auriculars ash-color. - - 3. Wing, 4.30; tail, 3.00; bill, .40; tarsus (?). Chocolate - of the breast, etc., light, exactly as in tephrocotis; rose - beneath restricted to the abdomen; lores and chin light ash. - Hab. Northwest coast from Kodiak to Fort Simpson, east to - Wyoming Territory … var. _littoralis_. - - 4. Wing, 4.60; tail, 3.40; bill, .40; tarsus, .78. Chocolate - very dark, inclining to sepia; rose extending forward on to - the breast; lores blackish; chin dusky gray. Hab. Aleutian - Islands (St. George’s, Unalaschka, and Kodiak) … - var. _griseinucha_. - -A closely allied species[113] from Kamtschatka and the Kurile Island -differs mainly in having the nasal feathers as well as the head -blackish, but without distinct patch on the top, and the nape rusty, -in contrast with the back. It is about the size of _L. tephrocotis_. -This species may yet be detected in the westernmost Aleutians. - - -Leucosticte tephrocotis,[114] SWAINSON. - -GRAY-CROWNED FINCH. - - _Linaria (Leucosticte) tephrocotis_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 255, - pl. 1. _Leucosticte tephrocotis_, SW. Birds II, 1837.—Bon. Consp. - 1850, 536.—BAIRD, Stansbury’s Salt Lake, 1852, 317.—IB. Birds N. - Am. 1858, 430.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 164. _Erythrospiza - tephrocotis_, Bon. List, 1838.—AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, - 1841, 176, pl. cxcviii. _Fringilla tephrocotis_, AUD. Orn. Biog. - V. 1839, 232, pl. ccccxxiv. - -SP. CHAR. (No. 19,255.) _Male in winter._ General color dark -chocolate-brown or umber, lighter and more chestnut below; the -feathers to a considerable degree with paler edges (most evident in -immature specimens), those of back with darker centres. Nasal bristly -feathers, and those along base of maxilla, and the hind head to nape -ash-gray, this color forming a square patch on top of head, and not -extending below level of eyes. A frontal blackish patch extending from -base of bill (excepting the bristly feathers immediately adjacent to -it), and reaching somewhat beyond the line of the eyes, with convex -outline behind, and extending less distinctly on the loral region. -Chin and throat darker chestnut, not grayish anteriorly. Body behind -dusky; the feathers of abdomen and flanks washed, and of crissum, -rump, and upper tail-coverts tipped, with rose-red; wing-coverts, and -to some extent quills, edged with the same; otherwise with white. Bill -yellowish, with dusky tip; feet black. Length before skinning, 6.50; -extent, 11.50. Skin: Length, 6.50; wing, 4.30; tail, 3.00. - -_Young._ Pattern of coloration as in the adult of _L. tephrocotis_; -ash similarly restricted, but with the black frontal patch badly -defined. The brown of the plumage, however, is of an entirely -different shade from that of adult specimens of _tephrocotis_, being -of a blackish-sepia cast, much darker, even, than in _griseinucha_; -each feather also broadly bordered terminally with paler, these -borders being whitish on the throat and breast, brownish on the nape -and back, and light rose (broadly) on the scapulars. The whole -abdomen, flanks, and crissum are nearly continuously peach-blossom -pink, which, with that of the lesser and middle wing-coverts and rump, -is of a finer and brighter tint than in adults. The other edgings to -wings are pale ochraceous; under side of wing pure white. Bill dull -yellow, dusky toward tip. Wing, 4.20; tail, 3.80. (60,638, Uintah -Mountains, Utah, September 20, 1870; DR. F. V. HAYDEN.) - -The young specimen described was obtained during the summer of 1871 in -the Uintah Mountains; and were it not unmistakably a bird of the year, -it would be considered almost a distinct species, so different is it -from adult specimens of _tephrocotis_. - -HABITS. Of the history and habits of this well-marked and strikingly -peculiar bird, but little is known. It was first described by Swainson -from a single specimen, obtained on the Saskatchewan Plains, in May, -by Dr. Richardson’s party. Specimens were afterwards procured in -Captain Stansbury’s expedition, near Salt Lake City, Utah, in March, -1850. Dr. Hayden found them very abundant on the Laramie Plains during -the winter season, and Mr. Pearsall obtained numbers about Fort -Benton. Dr. Cooper has also seen one specimen brought from somewhere -east of Lake Tahoe, in Washoe, by Mr. F. Gruber. They were said to be -plentiful there in the cold winter of 1861-62. Dr. Cooper thinks it -probable that they visit the similar country east of the northern -Sierra Nevada, in California. - -A single flock of what is presumed to have been this species was seen -by Mr. Ridgway, on the 5th of January, in the outskirts of Virginia -City, Nevada. The flock was flitting restlessly over the snow in the -manner of the _Plectrophanes_. - -Nothing has been ascertained, so far as we are now informed, as to its -nest, eggs, or general distribution during the breeding-season. - -Mr. J. K. Lord states that he met with a flock of these rare and -beautiful birds on the summit of the Cascade Mountains. It was late in -October, and he observed a flock of nine or ten birds pecking along -the ground, and feeding somewhat in the manner of Larks. Puzzled to -know what birds they could be at such an altitude so late in the year, -he fired among them and secured three, a female and two males in fine -plumage. (Perhaps var. _littoralis_.) - -In July of the following summer, on the summit of the Rocky Mountains, -near the Kootanie Pass, he again saw these birds feeding on the -ground. He shot several, but they were all young birds of the year. It -is therefore rendered probable that these Finches breed on the Cascade -and Rocky Mountains, in both at about the same altitude, or seven -thousand feet, coming into the lowlands during the winter, as it is -not likely that they could endure the cold of the summits, or find -there a sufficiency of food, the winter being very severe, and the -snow three feet, or more in depth. - -Mr. Charles N. Holden, a promising young ornithologist of Chicago, who -observed these birds among the Black Hills, near Sherman, at an -altitude of eight thousand feet above the sea, has furnished me with -interesting observations in regard to them. He informs me that he did -not meet with these birds there in summer. They came in small flocks -in the coldest part of winter. Their food consisted of small seeds and -insects. In some instances he found the crops so distended with seeds -as to distort their shape. They become very fat, and are excellent -eating. In one specimen, a young male, the plumage was almost black, -as described at the beginning of this article. These birds were quite -numerous, and nearly forty specimens were secured. He was not able to -learn anything in reference to their breeding-places. Except by -dissection, he found it difficult to distinguish between a young male -of the first year and a female. - -If the specimen referred to in the foot-note at the beginning of this -article as collected by Mr. Allen on Mount Lincoln be really this -species, an important advance in its history will have been reached, -showing that their summers are spent in the high mountain summits, and -that the rest of the year is passed lower down on the plains. - - -Leucosticte tephrocotis, var. campestris, BAIRD. - -THE GRAY-CHEEKED FINCH. - - _Leucosticte campestris_, BAIRD, COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 163, 1870. - -SP. CHAR. Body light chocolate-brown, the feathers edged with paler, -those of the back with rather darker centres. Feathers of anal region, -flanks behind, crissum, rump, and upper tail-coverts, wing-coverts, -and primary quills, edged with rose-red; secondary quills and -tail-feathers with pale fulvous; little or no trace of rose on under -wings. Forehead and patch on crown blackish; the hind head to nape, -cheeks immediately under the eye (but not including the auriculars, -except, perhaps, the most anterior) and base of lower mandible all -round, ashy-gray. Throat dusky. Bill yellowish, with dusky tip. Legs -dusky. - -No. 41,527, near Denver City, Col., January, 1862 (DR. C. WERNIGK). -Length, 7.00; wing, 4.00; tail, 3.00; exposed portion of first -primary, 3.10. Bill from forehead, .60; from nostril, .40; tarsus, -.75; middle toe and claw, .80; claw alone .24; hind toe and claw, .80; -claw alone, .37. - -HAB. Colorado Territory (DR. WERNIGK); Wyoming Territory (MR. H. R. -DURKEE). - -This form bears a close resemblance to _L. tephrocotis_, and may, -indeed, be a variety of it; but as it differs in the characters that -appear generally to be those most constant in _Leucosticte_, and as, -in fifty skins of the _tephrocotis_ from one locality, we have seen -nothing like it, we are inclined to consider them distinct. The size -and general appearance are much the same, the difference being that in -_tephrocotis_ the whole cheeks are chocolate below the level of the -eye, the chin without any gray; while in _campestris_ the sides of -head below the eye, but not including the ears, with a narrow border -of the chin, are of this color. - -From _littoralis_ this form may be distinguished by the less extent of -ash on the cheeks, which in _littoralis_ covers the whole ears, and -extends back farther on the head all round. _L. griseinucha_ is marked -like _littoralis_, and is much larger than either. Possibly it may be -well to entertain the idea of its being a hybrid between _tephrocotis_ -and _littoralis_ or _griseinucha_. - -The specimen described was presented to the Smithsonian Institution by -Dr. Wernigk, and at the time was supposed to be _L. tephrocotis_. - -Of this form, nothing as to its habits is known with certainty. It -probably does not differ in any important respect from the allied -races. - - -Leucosticte tephrocotis, var. littoralis, BAIRD. - -HEPBURN’S FINCH. - - _Leucosticte griseinucha_, ELLIOT, Illust. Birds Am. X. _Leucosticte - littoralis_, BAIRD, Tr. Ch. A. S. I, 1869, 318, pl. xxviii, f. - 1.—DALL & BANNISTER, IB. p. 282.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 162. - -SP. CHAR. Body chocolate-brown, the feathers narrowly margined with -paler, those of the back with rather darker centres. Abdomen, flanks, -crissum, rump, upper tail-coverts, wing-coverts, and quills edged with -rose-red, more or less continuous (least so on the rump); the outer -edges of secondaries and tail-feathers pale fulvous, the latter with a -rosy shade. Head silvery-gray; the forehead and patch on crown black; -the chin gray, continuous with that of cheek; the throat dark brown, -shading into the chocolate of breast. Bill yellowish, the extreme tip -dusky. Nasal feathers white. Length, 7.10; wing. 4.30; tail, 3.10; -exposed portion of first primary, 3.40. Length of bill from forehead, -.60; from nostril, .35. Tarsus, .76. - -HAB. Kodiak (BISCHOFF); Sitka (BISCHOFF); Fort Simpson, British -Columbia (HEPBURN); Gilmer, Wyoming (DURKEE). - -This race, which we believe to be the Southern coast representative of -_griseinucha_, bears much resemblance to that bird, but is -considerably smaller; the colors are brighter and lighter, more like -those of _tephrocotis_, and the bill is shorter and more conical, the -dark patch on the head more restricted, the chin more ashy, and the -brown of the head not so far forward. From _tephrocotis_ it is -distinguished by the extension of the ash of head below the eye; and -from _campestris_ by having the ear-coverts ashy, instead of the -anterior portion of the cheeks only; and there is apparently a greater -extent of gray on the chin. - -Specimens obtained at Kodiak in February are distinguishable from -specimens of _griseinucha_, obtained with them at the same place, only -by their much smaller size, and lighter chocolate tints. The -occurrence of both these races at the same place, at the same time, is -a subject for speculation. A perfectly typical specimen (No. 59,906) -is in the collection from Gilmer, Wyoming Territory, obtained by Mr. -H. R. Durkee, a frequent contributor to the collections of the -Smithsonian Institution, and sent by him along with numerous specimens -of _L. tephrocotis_, with which it appears to have been mixed. - - -Leucosticte tephrocotis, var. griseinucha, BAIRD. - -THE GRAY-EARED FINCH. - - _Passer arctous_, var. γ, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-asiat. II (1831), 23. - _Fringilla (Linaria) griseinucha_, BRANDT, Bull. Acad. St. - Petersburg, Nov. 1841, 36. _Montifringilla (Leucosticte) - griseinucha_, BON. & SCHL. Mon. Loxiens (1850), 35, pl. xli. - _Leucosticte griseinucha_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 430.—KITTLITZ, - Denkwürdigkeiten (1858), I, 291.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. Sc. - I, 1869, 282.—BAIRD, IB. p. 317, pl. xxviii, f. 2.—ELLIOT, Illust. - Am. B. pl. xi.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 161. _Leucosticte griseigenys_, - GOULD, Voy. Sulphur. - -SP. CHAR. Description of specimen No. 54,246: General color dark -brownish-chocolate anteriorly, the feathers of back rather darker in -the centre, and with paler edges. Forehead and crown black; rest of -the head, including the cheeks and ears, of a rather silvery gray; -throat blackish, shading off insensibly into the chocolate of breast. -Feathers of abdomen (and hinder part of breast to a less degree), -flanks and crissum, with the rump and upper tail-coverts, and lesser -and middle wing-coverts, tipped with dark pomegranate or rose-red, -allowing more or less of thin dusky bases to be seen, especially -above, where there is an appearance of bars. Wing and tail feathers -brown, nearly all, including the greater wing-coverts, edged with pale -yellowish-gray with only a faint tinge of rose. Bill dusky; darkest at -tip. Legs black. - -Dimensions: Total length, 7.50; wing, 4.80; tail, 3.50. Exposed -portion of first primary, 3.50. Bill, from forehead, .69; from -nostril, .42. Legs: tarsus, .95; middle toe and claw, .92; claw alone, -.35; hind toe and claw, .69; claw alone, .38. - -HAB. Aleutian Islands (St. George’s and Unalaschka). - -This is considerably the largest of the American species of -_Leucosticte_, and has a longer bill. It also has the chocolate and -rose color darker, and the rose extending farther forward on the -breast than in other species. It could only be confounded with _C. -littoralis_ as to color, both having the head above, and on the sides, -ashy, covering the whole ear-coverts; but the dusky patch on the crown -is more extended, the ash of chin more restricted, and the throat -darker. The rose extends farther along the breast, and the tints are -different. The size is much larger. - -A specimen, apparently young, perhaps a female, differs in duller -tints, and a tinge of ochreous-yellow on the middle of the abdomen and -crissum. The lining of the wings is without any rose-color. - -Bonaparte and Schlegel describe the young of this species as without -rose-color. - -Specimens of this bird were obtained at St. George’s Island, with the -eggs (which are white), by Mr. W. H. Dall. Dr. Minor found it at -Unalaschka. - -HABITS. The Gray-eared Finch is the largest species of this remarkable -genus known to inhabit North America. Thus far, except in one -instance, it has been met with only in the Aleutian Islands and -Unalaschka. In the latter place they were met with by Dr. T. T. Minor, -and in the former by Mr. Dall. - -Mr. R. Brown (Ibis, 1868, p. 432) states that a single specimen of -this very rare bird was taken at Fort Rupert, Vancouver Island, in -June, 1862, by Mr. P. M. Compton, the officer in charge of that -station. This, however, may have belonged to the var. _littoralis_. - -Mr. Dall states that they abound on the Pribylow and the other -Aleutian Islands. A number of specimens were obtained on the St. -George’s in August, though at that time they were moulting. At that -season this bird had no song except a clear chirp, sounding like -_wéet-a wèet-a-wée-weet_. It was on the wing a great part of the time, -rarely alighting on the ground, but darting rapidly in a series of -descending and ascending curves. At one time it would swing on the -broad top of an umbelliferous plant, and at another alight on some -ledge of the perpendicular bluff, jumping from point to point, as if -delighting to test its own agility. Mr. Dall adds that its nest is a -simple hollow on one of the ledges, provided with a few straws or a -bit of moss. They deposit their eggs in May, and these are four in -number. In August their young were fully fledged. - -They feed on the seeds of grasses and other small plants, but in the -crop of one Mr. Dall found two or three small beetles. They were also -received from Kodiak, through Mr. Bischoff. - -Their eggs are of a grayish-white, with a slight tinge of yellowish, -and measure .95 by .70 of an inch. - - -GENUS PLECTROPHANES, MEYER. - - _Plectrophanes_, MEYER, “Taschenbuch, 1810.” Agassiz. (Type, _Emberiza - nivalis_.) - _Centrophanes_, KAUP, “Entw. Gesch. Europ. Thierwelt, 1829.” Agassiz. - (Type, _E. lapponica_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill variable; conical; the lower mandible higher than the -upper; the sides of both mandibles (in the typical species) guarded by -a closely applied brush of stiffened bristly feathers directed -forwards, and in the upper jaw concealing the nostrils; the outlines -of the bill nearly straight, or slightly curved; the lower jaw -considerably broader at the base than the upper, and wider than the -gonys is long. Tarsi considerably longer than the middle toe; the -lateral toes nearly equal (the inner claw largest), and reaching to -the base of the middle claw. The hinder claw very long, moderately -curved and acute, considerably longer than its toe; the toe and claw -together reaching to the middle of the middle claw, or beyond its tip. -Wings very long and much pointed, reaching nearly to the end of the -tail; the first quill longest; the others rapidly graduated; the -tertiaries a little longer than the secondaries. Tail moderate, about -two thirds as long as the wings; nearly even, or slightly emarginated. - - [Line drawing: _Plectrophanes nivalis._ - 19632] - -The species of this genus are essentially boreal and cosmopolitan, -although America possesses four species not found, like her two -others, in the Old World. They are all ground-birds, collecting in -large flocks, in autumn and winter, on prairies and plains, some of -the species passing far to the southward. There is much variation in -the color, and in the details of structure of bill and feet. In _P. -nivalis_ alone is the fringe of bristly feathers along the side of the -bill very distinct. The gonys also is exceptionally short, being less -than half the length of the culmen. - - [Illustration: _Plectrophanes nivalis._] - -The females are less strongly marked than the males, lacking the -distinct patches of black (which, however, are nearly always faintly -indicated), and other characters, and are streaked like the -_Spizellinæ_. - - -Species and Varieties. - -A. Prevailing color white. - - 1. P. nivalis. ♂. Back, scapulars, ends of tertials, alula, - terminal half of primaries and the middle tail-feathers, deep - black; otherwise pure white. ♀. The black replaced by grayish - with black spots; crown grayish spotted with black. Young - considerably tinged with ochraceous. _Hab._ Circumpolar - regions; south in winter into the United States. - -B. Above brown, spotted with black. ♂. Crown black. - - _a._ Six to ten middle tail-feathers almost wholly black; the - rest without black ends. ♂ with a nuchal collar of rufous or - buff, and without rufous on the wings. - - 2. P. lapponicus. ♂. Head, all round, and jugulum, deep - black; a post-ocular stripe, running downward behind the - black jugular patch, and entire lower parts from the jugulum, - white. Nuchal collar chestnut-rufous. ♀ with the black areas - merely indicated by a dusky clouding, and merely a tinge of - rufous round the nape. _Hab._ Circumpolar regions; south in - winter into the United States. - - 3. P. pictus. ♂. Head above and laterally deep black, - bordered anteriorly and below with white; a post-ocular - stripe, and an ovate auricular spot of the same. Nuchal - collar and entire lower surface bright buff. ♀. Pale - grayish-buff, darker above; above distinctly, and on the - jugulum obsoletely, streaked with black. _Hab._ Interior - plains of North America, north to Arctic Ocean. - - 4. P. ornatus. ♂ Head above, and whole breast and abdomen, - black; a superciliary stripe, side of head, chin, throat, - anal region and crissum, white; nuchal collar rufous. ♀ - hardly distinguishable from that of _P. pictus_. - - _a._ Lesser wing-coverts brownish-gray; black feathers of - breast, etc., without rufous edges. _Hab._ Interior plains - of United States … var. _ornatus_. - - _b._ Lesser wing-coverts black; black feathers of breast, - etc., with rufous edges. _Hab._ Southern plains of North - America, and table-land of Mexico … var. _melanomus_. - - _b._ Only two middle tail-feathers almost wholly black; the - rest with black ends. ♂ without a nuchal collar of rufous or - buff, and with rufous on the wings. - - 5. P. maccowni. ♂. Crown, and a broad crescent on the - jugulum, black; rest of head and neck ashy, approaching white - on the throat and over the eye; beneath white, above - grayish-brown, streaked with black; middle wing-coverts - rufous. ♀. Above yellowish-umber, beneath yellowish-white; - thickly streaked above, unstreaked beneath. No rufous on - wings, and no black on head or jugulum. _Hab._ Plains, from - Texas, northward. - -There seems to be no special reason for subdividing this genus, -although this has been done,—_P. nivalis_ being alone retained in -_Plectrophanes_; _P. maccowni_ forming the type and sole member of the -genus _Rhyncophanes_ (Baird, 1858), and the rest coming under -_Centrophanes_ (Kaup). The characters upon which these are based are -very trivial, being mainly the varying degree of size of the bill and -length of the hind claw. In this latter respect there is too much -individual variation in the same species to admit of this being -available as a specific, much less as a subgeneric character, while -the size of the bill is not of more than specific importance. - - -Plectrophanes nivalis, MEYER. - -SNOW-BUNTING. - - _Emberiza nivalis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 308 (not _Fringilla - nivalis_, L.).—FORSTER, Phila. Trans. LXII, 1772, 403.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. III, 1811, 86, pl. xxi.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 575; V, - 1839, 496, pl. 189. _Emberiza (Plectrophanes) nivalis_, BON. Obs. - 1825, No. 89. “_Plectrophanes nivalis_, MEYER.”—BON. List, - 1838.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 103.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 55, pl. - 155.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 345 (Spitzbergen).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 432.—NEWTON, Ibis, 1865, 502.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. A. - S. I, 1869, 282 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 177.—SAMUELS, 296. - _Emberiza montana_, GMELIN, Syst. I, 1788, 867, 25. _Emberiza - mustelina_, GMELIN, Syst. I, 1788, 867, 7. _Emberiza glacialis_, - LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 398. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Colors, in spring plumage, entirely black and white. -Middle of back between scapulars, terminal half of primaries and -tertiaries, and two innermost tail-feathers, black; elsewhere pure -white. Legs black at all seasons. In winter dress white beneath; the -head and rump yellowish-brown, as also some blotches on the side of -the breast; middle of back brown, streaked with black; white on wings -and tail much more restricted. Length about 6.75; wings, 4.35; tail, -3.05; first quill longest. _Female._ Spring, continuous white beneath -only; above entirely streaked, the feathers having blackish centres -and whitish edges; the black streaks predominate on the back and -crown. _Young._ Light gray above with obsolete dusky streaks on the -back; throat and jugulum paler gray, the latter with obsolete streaks; -rest of lower parts dull white. Wing-coverts, secondaries, and -tail-feathers broadly edged with light ochraceous-brown. - -HAB. Northern America from Atlantic to Pacific; south into the United -States in winter, as far as Georgia and Southern Illinois. - -Specimens from North America and Europe appear to be quite identical; -there is, however, a great amount of variation among individuals. - -HABITS. The common Snow Bunting is found throughout northern North -America to the shores of the Arctic Sea, and in the winter months -extends its migrations into the United States as indicated above. - -Mr. Dall states that in Alaska, when observed, they went altogether in -flocks. It was at times excessively common, and at others entirely -absent. It builds its nests on the hillside, generally on the ground, -under the lee of a stone. He obtained a large number of these birds at -Nulato, in the winter of 1867-68. It was much more common there than -the _P. lapponicus_, which was only seen in the spring, while this -bird was there all the year round. Mr. Dall also met with these birds -on St. George’s Island, and Mr. Bischoff obtained them at Sitka. -According to Mr. Bannister’s observations it was altogether less -abundant than the _P. lapponicus_, and seemed to prefer rather -different situations. On St. Michael’s Island he never saw one of this -species far from the shore, while the other species was abundant -everywhere in the interior of the island. During the summer he never -saw more than one or two of these birds at once, nor anywhere except -on rocky points or on small rocky islands near the shore. These -localities they seemed to share with the Ravens and Puffins. In the -autumn they are more gregarious, but still seem to prefer the vicinity -of water. Mr. Bannister also observed this bird at Unalaklik, where it -is common. - -Wilson was of the opinion that these birds derive a considerable part -of their food from the seeds of certain aquatic plants, and this he -supposed one of the principal reasons why they prefer remote northern -regions intersected with streams, ponds, lakes, and arms of the sea, -abounding with such plants. On Seneca River, near Lake Ontario, in -October, he met with a large flock feeding on the surface of the -water, supported on the close tops of weeds that rose from the bottom. -They were running about with great activity, and the stomachs of those -he shot were filled not only with the seeds of that plant, but also -with minute shell-fish that adhered to the leaves. - -Richardson states that this species breeds in the most northern of our -Arctic islands, and on all the shores of the continent, from -Chesterfield’s Inlet to Behring Strait. The most southerly of its -breeding-places known to him was Southampton Island, in the 62d -parallel, where Captain Lyons found a nest on the grave of an -Esquimaux child. Its nest was usually made of dry grass, neatly lined -with deer’s hair and a few feathers, and is generally fixed in the -crevice of a rock, or in a loose pile of timbers or stones. The eggs -are described as of a greenish-white, with a circle of irregular -umber-brown spots round the larger end, with numerous blotches of -subdued lavender-purple. July 22, in removing some drift timber on a -beach at Cape Parry, he discovered a nest on the ground, containing -four young Snowbirds. Care was taken not to injure them, and while -they were seated at breakfast, at a distance of only two or three -feet, the parent birds made frequent visits to their offspring, each -time bringing grubs in their bills. The Snowbirds are in no apparent -haste to leave for the South on the approach of winter, but linger -about the forts and open places, picking up seeds, until the snow -becomes too deep. It is not until December or January that they retire -to the south of the Saskatchewan. It returns to that river about the -middle of February, by April it has reached the 65th parallel, and by -the beginning of May it is found on the shores of the Polar Sea. At -this period it feeds on the buds of the _Saxifraga oppositifolia_, one -of the earliest of the Arctic plants. The young are fed with insects. - -The Snow Bunting is also an inhabitant, during the breeding-season, of -the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia, and the islands of the Arctic -Sea. Scoresby states that it resorts in large flocks to the shores of -Spitzbergen, and Captain Sabine includes it among the birds of -Greenland and the North Georgian Islands, where it is among the -earliest arrivals. Mr. Proctor, who visited Iceland in 1837, found the -Snowbird breeding there in June. He found their nests placed among -large stones or in the fissures of rocks, composed of dry grass lined -with hair and feathers. The eggs were from four to six in number. The -male attends the female during incubation. Mr. Proctor states that he -has seen this bird, when coming from the nest, rise up in the air and -sing sweetly, with its wings and tail spread in the manner of the Tree -Pipit. Linnæus, in his Tour in Lapland, mentions seeing these birds in -that country about the end of May, and also in July. He also mentions -that this bird is the only living thing that has been seen two -thousand feet above the line of perpetual snow in the Lapland Alps. -This bird also breeds on the Faroe Islands. Mr. Hewitson found its -nest in Norway. It contained young, and was built under some loose -stones. Young birds have also been noticed early in August among the -Grampians, in Scotland, rendering it probable that they breed in that -locality, and perhaps in considerable numbers. As the severity of -winter increases, they leave the heaths where they have fed upon the -seeds of grasses, and descend to the lowlands, frequenting the -oat-stubbles, and, when the snow is deep, approaching the coast. Their -call-note is pleasing, and is often repeated during their flight, -which they make in a very compact body. Before settling on the ground -they make sudden wheels, coming almost into collision with each other, -uttering at the same time a peculiar guttural note. They run on the -ground with all the ease of Larks, and rarely perch. Temminck states -that they are very abundant in winter along the sea-coast of Holland. - -Their appearance in Massachusetts is usually with the first heavy -falls of snow, in December and January. They are most abundant in the -open places near the sea-coast, and formerly were very numerous in the -marshes between Boston and Brookline. A wounded male in full adult -plumage was taken by me, in 1838, and kept some time in confinement. -It would not accustom itself to a cage, and a large box was prepared -in which it could run more at large. It fed readily on grain and -cracked corn, delighted to bathe itself several times in the day, but -would not be reconciled to my near presence. On my approach it would -rush about its prison, uttering its peculiar call-notes, blending with -them a loud guttural cry of alarm. As the spring approached, it -warbled occasionally a few notes, but uttered from time to time such -mournful cries, as if bewailing its captivity, that it would have been -released, had its crippled condition permitted it to take care of -itself. It was given in charge of a friend, but did not live through -the heat of the ensuing summer. - -It is stated that a nest of this bird was found among the White -Mountains by Mr. Kirk Boott, of Boston, in the summer of 1834. It -contained young birds. This, if the identification was correct, was -probably an accidental occurrence. None have been noticed there since, -nor have I ever been able to find any of the permanent residents among -the mountains that have met with these birds in that region, except in -winter. - -The only authenticated nest and eggs (10,433) in the Smithsonian -collection were received from Mr. R. MacFarlane, with the parent, -taken on the Arctic coast east of Fort Anderson, and having on the -label, “Nest situated in a cave in a sand-bank.” The nest is deeply -saucer-shaped, and composed of wiry grass-stems, with a few feathers -in the lining; external diameter 3.75 inches, internal about 3.00; -depth, 2.50 externally and 1.50 internally. The eggs, five in number, -are of a dull white, with perhaps a faint bluish cast, sprinkled and -spattered with dilute yellowish-rufous, the markings most numerous -toward the larger end; they measure .95 of an inch in length by .64 in -breadth. - - -Plectrophanes lapponicus, SELBY. - -LAPLAND LONGSPUR. - - “_Fringilla lapponica_, LINN. Fauna Suecica, 1761, sp. 235.”—IB. - Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 317. FORSTER, Phil. Trans. LXII, 1772, 404. - _Emberiza (Plectrophanes) lapponica_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 248, - pl. xlviii. _Emberiza lapponica_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 473, - pl. 365. _Plectrophanes lapponicus_, “SELBY,” BON. List, - 1838.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 98.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 50, pl. - 152.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 433.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. A. - S. I, 1869, 283 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 178.—SAMUELS, 300. - “_Centrophanes lapponicus_, KAUP, Entw. Gesch. Europe Thierw. - 1829.”—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 127. “_Fringilla calcarata_, - PALL. Itin. 710, sp. 20,” French ed. III, 1793, 464, pl. i. - _Centrophanes calcaratus_, GRAY, List Gen. 1841, App. 1842, 11. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Head all round, and neck black, extending on the -jugulum in a crescentic patch; a broad line from above and behind the -eye, sides of neck, a patch in the black of hind head, and whole under -parts, white; the sides of body streaked broadly with black. A broad -half-collar of chestnut on back of neck, separated from the hood -narrowly, and from the auriculars and throat broadly, by the white -stripe from the eye. Above brownish-black, the feathers sharply edged -with brownish-yellow. Outer tail-feathers white, except the basal -portion of inner web, and a shaft streak at end; next feather with a -white streak in end, rest black. Legs black; bill yellow, tipped with -black. In winter plumage the black and other markings overlaid by -rusty and fulvous; beneath by whitish. _Female_ with the black -feathers of head edged with yellowish-rusty; the throat white, -bordered on the sides and behind by blackish; feathers edged with -grayish-white, the rufous of nape obscure, and streaked with blackish. -Length of male, 6.25; wing, 3.90; tail, 2.80. - - [Line drawing: 19647 ♂] - -HAB. Northern portions of the Old and the New World; breeding in -arctic and subarctic regions, and in winter descending southward, as -far at least as New York, Southern Illinois, and Fort Garland, New -Mexico. - -Autumnal specimens, of both sexes, differ in having the pattern of -coloration obscured by ochraceous borders to the feathers, and a -general rusty cast to the plumage. - -There appears to be no difference between North American and European -specimens of this bird. - -HABITS. The Lapland Longspur is an Arctic resident, belonging equally -to the two continents, rarely descending even in winter to temperate -regions, and then chiefly in its immature plumage. In Europe, -according to Yarrell, only a few specimens have been found in the -British Islands, and these were single individuals, mostly found in -company with Larks. They have also been taken in France, in Belgium, -and in different parts of Germany. Degland states that these birds are -occasionally snared on the coast at Dunkirk, and in the neighborhood -of Antwerp, but these are always young males in their winter plumage. - -Pennant states that it is found in Siberia, and near the Ural -Mountains, migrating in the winter as far south as Switzerland; and, -according to Necker, they have also been taken, always in company with -Larks, in the vicinity of Geneva. It inhabits Norway, Sweden, the -Faroe Islands, Spitzbergen, Iceland, and Greenland, in the summer. - -Richardson mentions that the Lapland Bunting is common in the fur -regions, wintering on the coast of Hudson’s Bay. During its stay it -feeds on grass-seed, the fruit of the juniper, and the pines. As he -never met with these birds during the winter, he suspects that their -principal retreats are on the borders of Lakes Huron and Superior, and -the country westward. In 1827 they appeared on the plains, at the -Carlton House, about the middle of May, in very large flocks, in -company with Shore Larks and the _P. picta_, frequenting the open -spots where the fires had destroyed the grass. In the same season they -came a few days later to the Cumberland House, and kept constantly -about the furrows of the new-ploughed fields. The year before they had -been, in smaller flocks, in the vicinity of Fort Franklin, latitude -65°, in the beginning of May. Their crops were found filled with seeds -of the alpine arbutus. - -Mr. Audubon met with them in enormous flocks in Kentucky, about -February 15, 1819. They were in company with the Shore Larks and the -Snow Buntings. None of these were in perfect plumage. - -Mr. Ridgway cites this as a common winter visitant in Southern -Illinois, abundant in unusually severe winters, either in large flocks -by itself, or a few individuals mixed up in flocks of Shore Larks. - -Mr. Dall gives May 12 as the date of the first arrival of these birds -at Nulato, and adds that it is not at any time a very common bird. He -was not able to find its nest at Nulato, but was informed by the -Indians that it builds on the bare hillsides, in hillocks of grass, -and that it does not leave the nest when any one approaches, but sits -perfectly still, and thus often escapes detection. He considers it a -very fine singer. Specimens were received from Sitka, obtained by -Bischoff. To this account Mr. Bannister adds that it is by far the -most abundant of the land-birds found at St. Michael’s. It appeared on -that island about the 6th of May, and from that time until about the -middle or latter part of September they were observed in great numbers -all over the island. He, too, was not successful in finding its nest, -though the birds were started up by hundreds on every walk over the -island. From this he infers that they must be very carefully -concealed. He often searched for them, but always with the same -result. Mr. Bannister regarded this species as decidedly the best -songster of its family. - -In the far North it is an extremely abundant species from one ocean to -the other, in the winter moving farther south, to the United States, -in large flocks. It has not been found in California, but in the -central and eastern regions has been obtained as far south as -Leavenworth, Kan., Racine, Wis., Boston, and New York. It is stated by -different observers, that, like the Lark, it sings only while in -motion in the air, or while suspended, and that its notes are -agreeable and melodious. - -According to Richardson, they breed in moist meadows on the shores of -the Arctic Sea, the nest being placed in a small hillock, among moss -and stones. It is composed externally of dry stems of grass, -interwoven to a considerable thickness, and lined very neatly and -compactly with deer’s hair. The eggs, seven in number, he describes as -pale ochre-yellow, spotted with brown. Sir James Ross found them by no -means numerous in the higher northern latitudes, and obtained one -nest, containing five eggs, in July. - -According to Holböll, this bird is common along the shores of both -North and South Greenland. They reach Godhaab in the beginning of May, -and Godhaven a month later. Their migrations do not take place all at -once, but they are constantly arriving during the month. It remains in -South Greenland until the beginning of September, and longer if the -deep snows do not drive it away. This bird is never met on shipboard -until the vessels are in Davis Strait, proving that their migrations -must be from America. The Greenlanders call it Narksamatak (inhabitant -of the plains),—an appropriate name, as it only lives on the lowlands -near the sea-shore, where it builds its nest in the manner of the -Lark, in the grass, or among the lichens. Its five eggs, of a dirty -olive-color spotted with brown, are smaller than those of _P. -nivalis_. The song of the male bird, as it hovers in the air or rocks -on a swaying twig, is very clear and melodious. It is even known as -the Greenland Nightingale. Its food is seeds, and it is not known to -seek insect-larvæ on the houses of the Greenlanders, as does the _P. -nivalis_. In their winter dress they all resemble the female in her -summer plumage, only in the male some black is seen in the -head-feathers. - -Fabricius describes its eggs as five or six in number, of a -reddish-gray with brownish spots. Degland describes their ground-color -as an ashy-gray, covered with spots of light brown, with lines and -spots of deep brown, and also of clear black. - -Eggs from Anderson River exhibit great variations in their appearance, -more from the difference in the distribution of their spots than from -variations in colors. Where distinctly visible, the ground-color -appears to be of yellowish-gray, frequently so thickly spotted as not -to be recognizable. The blotches are of various shades of brown, with -shadings of olive, purple, or red, and at times almost black. In some, -fine olive-brown dots cover the egg so completely as to make it appear -as of one uniform deep color. In others the brown is lighter and more -of a reddish hue, and again in others the markings are in irregular -distribution, and of different shades. They measure .80 by .60 of an -inch. - -Nest with eggs (7414), collected on Anderson River, Franklin Bay, June -27, by R. MacFarlane, was built on the ground, and is deeply -saucer-shaped, measuring 3.75 in external and 2.30 in internal -diameter; the depth 2.75 exteriorly and 1.50 interiorly. It is -composed of coarse wiry grass-stems, and softly lined with feathers of -_Lagopus_. The eggs, five in number, have the ground-color light -umber-drab, this faintly blotched with deeper livid slate, and with a -few straggly black lines, much as in certain _Icteridæ_ and in -_Chondestes_. They measure .86 of an inch in length by .63 in breadth. - - -Plectrophanes pictus, SWAINSON. - -SMITH’S BUNTING; PAINTED LONGSPUR. - - _Emberiza (Plectrophanes) picta_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 250, pl. 49 - (spring).—NUTT. Man. II, 589. _Plectrophanes pictus_, AUD. Syn. - 1839, 99.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 52, pl. cliii (Richardson’s - specimen).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 434.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. - A. S. I, 1869, 283 (Alaska). _Emberiza picta_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, - 1839, 91, pl. cccc. _Centrophanes pictus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, - 127. _Plectrophanes smithi_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1844, 337, pl. - cccclxxxvii (winter). - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Spring. Top and sides of head black. A line from -bill over the eye, lores, lower and posterior border of the black -cheeks, ears (encircled by black), and a small patch in the nape, -white. Entire under parts, and extending round neck to nape (where it -bounds abruptly the black of head), buff or light cinnamon-yellow; the -under tail-covert paler; the inside of wings, white. Feathers of upper -surfaces black, edged with yellowish-gray; shoulders or lesser coverts -and the greater black; middle white, forming a conspicuous patch. -Quills edged externally with white, this involving the whole outer web -of outermost primary. Whole of outer and most of second tail-feather -white. Bill dusky; lower mandible and legs yellowish. Length, 5.50; -wing, 3.50; tail, 2.75; bill, .45. - -_Female._ The markings of male faintly indicated, but the black and -buff wanting. Head above brown, streaked centrally with paler. A -narrow dark line on each side the throat, and brownish streaks across -the jugulum, and along sides of body. Traces visible of the white -marks of the head. Bill and feet as in the male. - -HAB. Prairies of Illinois and Missouri Plains, in winter; in summer -north to the Arctic Ocean. - -This species is quite similar in form to _P. lapponicus_, although -with slenderer bill, and perhaps longer hind claw. While the colors of -adult males are very different, the females have a decided -resemblance; they may, however, be distinguished in all stages by the -black or dusky legs of _lapponicus_ and the yellow of _pictus_, and -perhaps by the more dusky upper mandible of the latter. - -HABITS. This species was first obtained by Sir John Richardson’s -party, and described by Swainson in the _Fauna Boreali-Americana_. It -was observed associating with the Lapland Buntings on the banks of the -Saskatchewan, but no information was obtained in regard to its -breeding-habits. No specimens in the mature plumage are known to have -been obtained in the United States, but birds in the immature plumage -are not unfrequent, in early spring, throughout Illinois. Mr. Audubon, -in company with Mr. Harris and Mr. Bell, obtained specimens of these -birds near Edwardsville, and described them as a new species. Mr. Bell -states, in regard to these birds, that he found them very abundant on -the low prairie near a lake, a few miles from Edwardsville. They were -generally in large flocks, and when once on the ground they began to -separate. They ran very nimbly, in a manner resembling that of the -Grass Finch, and when they arose, which they rarely did unless they -were nearly approached, they uttered a sharp click, repeated several -times in quick succession, and moved with an easy undulating motion -for a short distance and then alighted very suddenly, seeming to fall -perpendicularly several feet to the ground. They preferred the spots -where the grass was shortest. When in the air they flew in circles, to -and fro, for a few minutes, and then alighted, keeping up a constant -chirping or call, somewhat like that of the Red-Poll. - -These birds were observed in large numbers at Fort Anderson, and on -the Lower Anderson River, by Mr. MacFarlane, and a large number of -their nests obtained. These were all on the ground, and usually in -open spaces, but also in the vicinity of trees. The usual number of -eggs found in a nest appears to have been four. The nests, for the -most part, were constructed of fine dry grasses, carefully arranged, -and lined with down, feathers, or finer materials similar to those of -the outer portions. In a few there were no feathers; in others, -feathers in different proportions; and in a few the down and feathers -composed the chief portion of the nest, with only a few leaves as a -base to the nest. They were sometimes sunk in excavations made by the -birds, or placed in a tussock of grass, and, in one instance, placed -in the midst of a bed of Labrador tea. - -They were also obtained at Fort Yukon, at the mouth of Porcupine -River, by Strachan Jones. They were much more abundant in the -Mackenzie River district. - -Specimens of this bird, in the fall plumage, were obtained from Fort -Simpson, where Mr. B. R. Ross states that it appears on its way north -in May. They resort to the fields around the fort in search of grain. -Although these birds keep entirely apart from the _P. nivalis_, Mr. -Ross has frequently observed several _P. lapponicus_ associating with -them. - -When their nests are approached, the female quietly slips off, while -the male bird may be seen hopping or flying from tree to tree in the -neighborhood of the nest, and will at times do all he can to induce -intruders to withdraw from the neighborhood. - -The eggs, five in number, have a light clay-colored ground, are marked -with obscure blotches of lavender and darker lines, dots, and blotches -of dark purplish-brown. They measure .80 by .65 of an inch. - - -Plectrophanes ornatus, TOWNS. - -CHESTNUT-COLLARED BUNTING; BLACK-BELLIED LONGSPUR. - - _Plectrophanes ornatus_, TOWNSEND, J. Ac. Nat. Sc. VII, 1837, 189.—IB. - Narrative, 1839, 344.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 99.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 53, pl. cliv.—NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 537.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 435. _Emberiza ornata_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 44, pl. - cccxciv, f. 1. _Centrophanes ornatus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, - 127. - -SP. CHAR. Bill dark plumbeous. _Male._ Crown, a narrow crescent on the -side of the head, with a line running into it from behind the eye, -entire breast and upper part of belly all round, black; throat and -sides of the head, lower part of belly and under tail-coverts, with -bases of the tail-feathers, white. The white on the tail-feathers runs -forward as an acute point. A chestnut band on the back of the neck -extending round on the sides. Rest of upper parts grayish-brown, -streaked with darker. Middle coverts with a white patch. Lesser -wing-coverts like the back. Legs dusky, bill blue, darker at tip. -Length about 5.25 inches; wing, 3.20; tail, 2.30; tarsus, .75. - -_Female_ lacking the black and chestnut colors; the black of the -breast indicated by dusky streaks and a line of streaks each side of -the throat. - -HAB. Plains of the Upper Missouri. San Antonio, Texas, spring -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 486). - -HABITS. This species was first discovered by Mr. Townsend, who -procured a single specimen, a male, on the Upper Missouri River. He -describes it as by no means a common bird, keeping in pairs and living -exclusively on the ground. It was remarkably shy, and Mr. Townsend was -not able to procure more than a single specimen. - -Mr. Nuttall states that he met with this bird early in May, on the -wide grassy plains of the Platte. The birds were already paired for -the season. He heard them utter no notes other than a chirp, as they -kept busily foraging for their subsistence. - -Mr. J. A. Allen (American Naturalist, May, 1872) speaks of this bird -and the Lark Bunting as by far the most interesting species seen by -him in Western Kansas. They were not only characteristic of the -region, but were also among the few birds strictly confined to the -arid plains. They were quite abundant, but were only met with on the -high ridges and dry plateaus, where they seemed to live somewhat in -colonies. At a few localities they were always numerous, but elsewhere -would be frequently not met with in a whole day’s drive. They were -very wary and tenacious of life, often flying a long distance after -having been shot through vital parts. Most of the specimens had to be -killed on the wing, at a long range. They are strong fliers, and seem -to delight in flying in the strongest gales, when all the other birds -appear to move with difficulty, and to keep themselves concealed among -the grass. This bird sings while on the wing. - -Mr. H. E. Dresser, in his paper on the birds of Southern Texas, -mentions finding the Chestnut-collared Bunting in flocks early in the -spring, on the prairies near San Antonio, but it was not a common bird -there. - -Dr. Woodhouse found this species quite rare in the Indian Territory, -where he was only able to secure a single specimen. - -Captain Blakiston met with this species on the Saskatchewan Plains on -the 15th of May, 1858,—a higher range than has been noticed by any one -else. - -Dr. Heermann, while on a trip to the Rocky Mountains in 1843, met with -this species in small flocks and pairs, scattered over the prairies of -the Platte River, and was so fortunate as to meet with one of its -nests. It was built on the ground, and was made of an interweaving of -fine grasses and lined with hair. He describes the eggs, which were -four in number, as having a white ground, with black lines at the -larger end, and a few faint blotches of a neutral tint scattered over -their whole surface. - -This description does not quite correspond with the eggs collected by -Mr. Audubon on the Upper Missouri. These have a clay-colored ground -with the slightest possible tinge of green, and are marked with fine -dots of purplish-brown, and larger markings, blotches, and short lines -of dark brown. They measure .70 by .55 of an inch, and have a strong -resemblance to the eggs of both _P. pictus_ and _P. maccowni_. - -Five eggs of this species, obtained at Fort Hays, Kansas, June 1, -1871, by Mr. J. A. Allen, measure .75 of an inch in length by .58 in -breadth. They are small in proportion to the bird, and are somewhat -pointed at one end. Their ground is a gray or grayish-white shade of -stone-color, and this is somewhat sparingly marked with blotches of -dark brown, almost black, and lighter markings of purplish-brown. The -nest was placed on the ground, and was composed altogether of fine -stems of grasses. - - -Plectrophanes ornatus, var. melanomus, BAIRD. - -BLACK-SHOULDERED LONGSPUR. - - _Plectrophanes melanomus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 436, pl. lxxiv, - f. 2.—HEERMANN, X, c, 13. - -SP. CHAR. Bill yellowish, dark brown along the culmen. _Male._ Crown, -a short stripe behind the eye, and a short crescent behind the -ear-coverts, entire breast as far back as the thighs, and the lesser -wing-coverts, black. The black on the breast margined with dark -cinnamon. Sides of head, chin, throat, and region behind the black of -the belly, white. A broad half-collar of dark cinnamon-brown on the -back of the neck. Tail-feathers mostly white; the innermost tipped -with dark brown; the white ending in an acute angle. Length, 5.30; -wing, 3.40; tail, 2.60. (No. 6,290.) - -HAB. Eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, Mexico, on the table-lands, -north to Upper Missouri. Orizaba (SCLATER, 1860, 251); San Antonio, -Texas, spring (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 486); Fort Whipple, Arizona -(COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 84); Vera Cruz, plateau, breeding -(SUMICHRAST, I, 551). - -As already stated, this bird is very similar to _P. ornatus_. It -appears to be a very little larger, or, at any rate, with considerably -longer wings. The bill, however, is shorter and stouter; the hind claw -decidedly longer. The chestnut of the back of the neck is darker. The -white on the outer web of the tertiaries and secondaries is much purer -and wider. The rufous margins of the pectoral feathers we have never -seen in _P. ornatus_. The most striking peculiarity, however, is in -having the shoulders black, instead of brown like the rest of the -wing-feathers, edged with paler. Both have the white posterior row of -lesser wing-coverts. - -An immature male (6,291) has the black of the head mixed with brown, -and a maxillary series of spots on each side of the throat. A female -has a similar series of spots; the under parts generally being -brownish-white, the shafts across the breast and along the sides -streaked with brown, the concealed portions of the feathers light -brown, fading out to the whitish exterior. There is no black on the -shoulder, nor chestnut on the nape. - -Fully mature specimens of this bird and of _ornatus_ are so rare in -collections as to render it difficult to decide positively as to their -true relationship. It is by no means impossible that they merely -represent different conditions of plumage of one species, but for the -present, at least, we prefer to consider them as distinct. The _P. -melanomus_ is resident on the table-lands of Mexico. - -HABITS. Of the habits and general history of this species, very little -is known. Its close resemblance to _P. ornatus_ is suggestive of its -probably equally close similarity in nesting, eggs, and manner of -feeding. Specimens have been received from Mexico, from Fort Thorn, -from New Mexico, Pole Creek, and the Black Hills. From the last-named -places they were obtained in August and September. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds observed in Lieutenant -Parke’s route near the 32d parallel, mentions having met with these -birds, which he calls the Black-shouldered Longspur, at a large -prairie-dog village some miles west of Puerto del Dado. They were in -flocks, and were associated with _P. maccowni_. From that point to the -Rio Grande he found both of these species abundant wherever they -struck isolated water-holes, these being the only places for miles -around where drink can be procured. When shot at, they rise as if to -go away, but are forced to return, after describing a few curves, to -the only spot where they can procure their necessary drink. They may -thus be killed in great numbers. Dr. Heermann states that he has seen -from a hundred to a hundred and fifty thus brought down in four or -five discharges of a gun. - -Mr. Dresser states that on the 4th of April a small flock of what was -at first supposed to be the _P. ornatus_ was noticed near the town of -San Antonio. They were pursued, and found on the banks of the San -Pedro. They were not very shy, and specimens were procured which -proved to be of this species. This is the only time that they have -been observed in that part of the country, though they may have been -mistaken for other species. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXIV. - - 1. Plectrophanes maccowni. ♂ Dakota, 35951. - 2. “ nivalis. ♂ Ft. Resolution, B. A., 19632. - 3. “ ornatus. ♂ Ft. Union, Dakota, 1907. - 4. “ pictus. ♂ Ft. Simpson, B. A., 19659. - 5. “ “ ♀ 19664. - 6. “ melanomus. ♂ Dakota, 35359. - 7. “ lapponicus. ♂ Ft. Resolution, B. A., 19647. - 8. Passerculus savanna. D. C., 10145. - 9. “ sandwichensis. Washington Ter., 6343. - 10. “ anthinus. Cal. (Petaluma), 5555. - 11. “ alaudinus. Utah, 53483. - 12. “ rostratus. Cal. (San Diego), 6340.] - -Dr. Coues mentions the taking of a single specimen of this species, -October 17, on the open grassy plains of Arizona. - -This species is also given by Mr. Sumichrast as a resident throughout -the year of the great plains of the plateau of Mexico. From them it -occasionally descends to the distant intervals, as far as Orizaba, or -at the elevation, above the gulf-level, of 1,220 metres. - - -Plectrophanes maccowni, LAWRENCE. - -CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED LONGSPUR; MACCOWN’S BUNTING. - - _Plectrophanes maccowni_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, Sept. 1851, - 122. Western Texas.—CASSIN, Illust. I, viii, 1855, 228, pl. - xxxix.—HEERM. X, c, p. 13.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 437. - - [Line drawing: _Plectrophanes maccownii_, Lawr. - 6282 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. _Male in spring._ Top of head, a broad stripe each side the -throat from lower mandible, and a broad crescent on jugulum, black; -side of head including lores and band above the eye, throat, and under -parts, ashy-white; ear-coverts bordered above and behind by blackish, -running out at the maxillary stripe. Breast just behind the black -crescent and sides, showing dark bases of feathers. Upper parts ashy, -tinged with yellowish on the mandible, and streaked with dusky; least -so on nape and rump. Lesser wing-coverts ashy; median chestnut-brown, -with blackish bases sometimes evident; the quills all bordered broadly -externally with whitish, becoming more ashy on secondaries. -Tail-feathers white except at the concealed bases and the ends, which -have a transverse (not oblique) tip of blackish; the outermost white -to the end; the two central like the back. Bill dark plumbeous; legs -blackish. In winter the markings more or less obscured; the bill and -legs more yellowish. - -_Female_ lacks the black markings, which, however, are indicated -obsoletely as in other _Plectrophanes_; there is no trace of chestnut -on the wings, no streaks on the breast. Length, 5.50; wing, 3.60; -tail, 2.50; bill, .46. - -HAB. Eastern slopes of Rocky Mountains, from Texas to Upper Missouri. - -This species varies considerably in markings, but is readily -recognized among other _Plectrophanes_ in all stages by short hind -toe, very stout bill, and the transverse dark bar at the end of all -tail-feathers except the inner and outer. - -HABITS. Maccown’s Lark Bunting is yet another of the various species -of our birds whose history is very little known, and in regard to -which the most we are able to state, at present, is that they appear -in different parts of the interior plains of the United States, -between the Rocky Mountains and the Missouri River and the lower -tributaries of the Mississippi, extending from New Mexico and Texas -northward, during the breeding-season, to the northern boundary of the -United States. It was first discovered by Captain Maccown, who -obtained it in Texas, where he found it in company with a flock of -Shore Larks, and where it winters in considerable numbers. Mr. Dresser -afterward met with it in small flocks, early in April, on the prairies -near San Antonio. It was not very common, and he was only able to -obtain two specimens during his stay in that section. - -Dr. Heermann found this species congregated in large flocks, in -company with the Black-shouldered Bunting. They were engaged in -gleaning the seeds from the scanty grass, on the vast arid plains of -New Mexico. Insects and berries formed also a part of their food; in -search of these they showed great activity, running about with -celerity and ease. In the spring, large flocks were seen at Fort -Thorn, having migrated thither from the North the previous fall. With -the return of mild weather they again departed for the North for the -purposes of incubation. Among these large flocks Dr. Heermann noticed -also the Shore Lark, but they formed only a small proportion of the -whole number. - -In a letter to Mr. Cassin, Dr. Heermann states that he found this -species congregated with large numbers of other birds about the -isolated water-holes in the barren plains of New Mexico. - -Mr. J. A. Allen states (Am. Nat., May, 1872) that, during a few weeks’ -stay near Fort Hays in midwinter, he found Maccown’s Longspur -tolerably frequent in that vicinity. - -An egg of this species, in the collection of the late Dr. Henry -Bryant, measures .80 by .60 of an inch. Its ground-color is a light -bluish clay-color, marbled, dotted, blotched, and lined with light -neutral tints of lavender and darker markings of purplish and reddish -brown. The nest was placed on the ground, and is composed entirely of -coarse grass-stems (No. 3,521, J. Pearsall, Fort Benton). - - -SUBFAMILY PYRGITINÆ. - -The introduction into the United States, at so many distant points, of -the European House Sparrow (_Pyrgita domestica_) renders it necessary -to introduce it with any work treating of the birds of North America, -although totally different in so many features from our own native -forms. I follow Degland and Gerbe in placing the genus _Pyrgita_ in a -separate subfamily (_Pyrgitinæ_, see page 446), without any distinct -idea of its true affinities, as it does not come legitimately within -any of the subfamilies established for the American genera. In some -respects similar to certain _Coccothraustinæ_, in the short tarsi and -covered nostrils, the wings are shorter and more rounded, the sides of -the bill with stiff bristles, etc. The much larger, more vaulted bill, -weaker feet, and covered nostrils, distinguish it from _Spizellinæ_. - - -GENUS PYRGITA, CUVIER. - - _Pyrgita_, CUVIER, R. A. 1817. (Type, _Fringilla domestica_, LINN.) - _Passer_, BRISSON, Orn. 1760. Same type. DEGLAND & GERBE, Orn. Europ. - I, 1867, 239. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill robust, swollen, without any distinct ridge; upper and -under outlines curved; margins inflexed; palate vaulted, without any -knob; nostrils covered by sparse, short, incumbent feathers; side of -bill with stiff, appressed bristles. Tarsi short and stout, about -equal to or shorter than the middle toes; claws short, stout, and -considerably curved. Wings longer than tail; somewhat pointed. Tail -nearly even, emarginated, and slightly rounded. - - -Pyrgita domestica, CUV. - -THE HOUSE SPARROW. - - _Fringilla domestica_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. 323, 1766. _Pyrgita - domestica_, CUV. Reg. An. 2d ed. (1829), I, 439. _Passer - domesticus_, DEGLAND & GERBE, Ornith. Europ. I, 1867, 241. - - [Line drawing: _Pyrgita domestica._ - 18788] - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Above chestnut-brown; the interscapular feathers -streaked by black on inner webs; the top of head and nape, lower back, -rump, and tail-coverts plain ashy; narrow frontal line, lores, chin, -throat, and jugulum black; rest of under parts grayish, nearly white -along median region. A broad chestnut-brown stripe from behind eye, -running into the chestnut of back; cheeks and sides of neck white; -outside of closed wing, pale chestnut-brown, with a broad white band -on the middle coverts, and behind showing the brown quills; the lesser -coverts dark chestnut like the head stripe. Tail dark brown, edged -with pale chestnut. Bill black; feet reddish. Iris brown. - -_Female._ Duller of color, and lacking the black of face and throat; -breast and abdomen reddish-ash; cheeks ashy; a yellow-ochre band above -and behind the eyes, and across the wings. Head and neck above -brownish-ash; body above reddish-ash, streaked longitudinally with -black. - -_Male in winter._ The colors generally less distinct. Length, 6.00; -wing, 2.85; tail, 2.50; tarsus, .70; middle toe and claw, .60. - -The House Sparrow of Europe has been introduced into so many parts of -the United States as to render it probable that at no distant day it -will have become one of our most familiar species. Brought over to the -New World within a comparatively few years, it has commenced to -multiply about the larger cities, especially in the environs of New -York, as also about Portland, Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia. The -first effort made to naturalize it about Washington failed in -consequence of the death of three hundred individuals imported by the -Smithsonian Institution. A second, however, in 1871, was more -successful. One thousand birds were let loose in the public squares of -Philadelphia in the spring of 1869. In and about Havana it is said to -be common, as also about Great Salt Lake, where it was recently -introduced by the Mormons, according to Mr. J. A. Allen. - - [Illustration: _Pyrgita domestica._] - -HABITS. The common House Sparrow of Europe has, within the past few -years, achieved a right to a place in the avi-fauna of North America -by its complete introduction, and its reproduction in large numbers, -in various parts of the country, from Portland, Me., to Washington -City, as also about Salt Lake. - -The first attempt to introduce these birds, within my knowledge, was -made by a gentleman named Deblois, in Portland, Me., in the fall of -1858. Six birds were set at liberty in a large garden in the central -part of the city. They remained in the neighborhood through the -winter, and in the sheltering porch of a neighboring church they found -places of shelter and security. In the following spring three nests -were built in dwarf pear-trees in the garden in which they were first -set at liberty. One, at least, of these nests, was successfully -occupied, and six young birds were reared from it. A second nest, with -four young, was also hatched by the same pair. Neither of these nests -was globular in shape, but open and coarse, built of hay and straws. -These nests were taken, after their use, and came into my possession. -Since then I have been informed that these birds increased and -multiplied, and for a while were quite abundant in that portion of the -city, and a large colony of this Sparrow appeared in the winter of -1871 in Rockland, Me. - -Two years later, Mr. Eugene Schieffelin, of New York, imported and set -at liberty, near Madison Square, in that city, twelve of these birds, -and this he repeated for several successive summers. In 1864, fourteen -birds were set at liberty in Central Park, by the Commissioners. Other -birds were also brought from England, by different parties, in the -Cunard steamers, and released at Jersey City. These have increased -very largely, and have spread to the adjoining cities, until these -birds have become familiar and social residents in all the large -cities and towns within an extended area around New York, as well as -in all parts of that city. - -They were introduced into Boston by the City Government in 1868. Two -hundred birds were purchased in Germany, but unfortunately all died on -their passage except about a score. These were set at liberty in June, -but, weakened by their sea-voyage, several of them were found dead in -the deer-park, and the rest disappeared. The following summer more -were imported, but all died except ten. These were well cared for, and -only released when in excellent condition. For some months nothing was -seen of these birds, and the experiment was supposed to be a failure, -when it was ascertained that they had betaken themselves to the -vicinity of stables in the southern part of the city, had increased -and multiplied in large numbers, reappearing in the winter to the -number of one hundred and fifty. They were regularly fed by the city -forester each day in the deer-park, and roosted at night in the thatch -of the roofs of the buildings. Since then they have very largely -increased. About twenty, that same summer, were set at liberty in -Monument Square, Charlestown. - -In 1869 about one thousand birds were imported, by the City -Government, into Philadelphia. Fortunately they came in good -condition, and being released early in May immediately separated into -scattered parties and prepared for themselves new homes. Some appeared -in Morristown and other distant towns in New Jersey. Others wandered -to Germantown, and the remoter suburbs of Philadelphia, where they -found the cherry-trees in full blossom, and where their exploits in -stripping the blooms from the trees gave a not very favorable first -impression of these new-comers. - -It has been exceedingly interesting to watch the manners and habits of -these strangers in their new homes. They have become quite tame, are -fearless and gentle, and as they have been very kindly treated live in -a condition of semi-domestication. At first they built their nests, -and passed their winters, in New York, among the thick ivies that -cover the walls of so many churches, in such cases building globular -nests. As soon, however, as suitable boxes were prepared for them in -sufficient quantities, these were taken possession of in preference to -anything else. - -At the time of their introduction the shade-trees in the parks and -squares of New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Newark, and other places, -were greatly infested with the larvæ of the measure-worms that -destroyed their foliage. Since then these worms have almost entirely -disappeared. A doubt has been expressed whether the Sparrows destroy -these insects. That they eat them in the larvæ form I do not know, but -to their destruction of the chrysalis, the moth, and the eggs, I can -testify, having been eye-witness to the act. - -Apprehensions have been expressed lest these new-comers may molest and -drive away our own native birds. How this may be when the Sparrows -become more numerous cannot now be determined, but so far they -manifest no such disposition. Since their introduction into Boston the -Chipping Sparrows appear to have increased, and to associate by -preference with their European visitors, feeding with them unmolested. -I have been unable to detect a single instance in which they have been -molested, in any manner, by their larger companions. Their predatory -aggressions, however, upon the rights of the common Robin have been -noticed, and deserve mention. The Sparrows appear to be extravagantly -fond of earthworms, but not able to hunt for them themselves. They -have learned to watch the Robin as it forages for these worms, keeping -around, at a respectful distance, and as soon as one, with much toil, -has dragged a worm from its place of concealment, down swoops the bird -and impudently carries it off. The poor bewildered and plundered Robin -essays a late and vain attempt to protect its food. The Sparrow is too -nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner can turn to -face the robber. - -The Sparrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any -apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, contented, and noisy -with the thermometer at zero as at any other time. They are quite -fearless, especially in New York, running about under the feet of the -passers-by with perfect indifference and confidence. In Boston I have -noticed their nests in convenient places, a few feet above crowded -sidewalks. In winter they come regularly about the houses to be fed. - -The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it -has become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly -increasing in that quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana, -Cuba. - -In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution, -and is resident wherever found. It is very abundant in the British -Islands and throughout the northern and central portions of Europe. In -Spain and in Italy it is replaced by two closely allied species or -races. This bird, however, is also found in North Africa, in the -Levant, at Trebizonde, and among the mountains of Nubia. Specimens -have also been received from the Himalayas, from Nepaul, and the -vicinity of Calcutta. - -Both in Europe and in this country the Sparrows pair early in the -season. I have known them sitting on their eggs, in Boston, in March. -They are very prolific, have broods of five, six, and even seven at a -time, three or four times in a season. They are full of life and -animation, somewhat disposed to brief and noisy quarrels, which are -always harmless. - -Their great attachment and devotion to their young is dwelt upon by -all English writers as quite remarkable. They evince a great -partiality for warmth, and even in midsummer line their nests with all -the feathers they can pick up. In New York it is a favorite amusement -with the children to carry with them to the public parks quantities of -feathers, which they throw, one by one, to the Sparrows, to witness -their amusing contests for possession. - -The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, pointed at one end, with a -ground of a light ashen color, blotched, dotted, and streaked with -various shades of ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95 -of an inch in length, and from .60 to .65 in breadth. - - -SUBFAMILY SPIZELLINÆ.—THE SPARROWS. - -CHAR. Bill variable, usually almost straight; sometimes curved. -Commissure generally nearly straight, or slightly concave. Upper -mandible wider than lower. Nostrils exposed. Wings moderate; the outer -primaries not much rounded. Tail variable. Feet large; tarsi mostly -longer than the middle toe. - -The species are usually small, and of dull color, though frequently -handsomely marked. Nearly all are streaked on the back and crown, -often on the belly. None of the United States species have any red, -blue, or orange, and the yellow, when present, is as a superciliary -streak, or on the elbow edge of the wing. - -In the arrangement of this subfamily, as of the others belonging to -the _Fringillidæ_, we do not profess to give anything like a natural -system, but merely an attempt at a convenient artificial scheme by -which the determination of the genera may be facilitated. - -A. Tail small and short; considerably or decidedly shorter than -the wings, owing either to the elongation of the wing or the -shortening of the tail. Lateral toes shorter than the middle -without its claw. Species streaked above and below. (Passerculeæ.) - - _a._ Thickly streaked everywhere above, on the sides, and - across the breast. Wing pointed; longest primaries considerably - longer than the secondaries. Tail forked. - - Centronyx. Hind claw very large; rather longer than its - digit. The hind toe and claw, together, as long as or longer - than the middle toe and claw. Other toes as in _Passerculus_. - Claws gently curved. Tertials shorter than the secondaries. - Tail forked, but the lateral feathers shorter. - - Passerculus. Hind claw as long as its digit; the toe equal - to the middle one without its claw; lateral toes falling - considerably short of the middle claw. Wings very long; first - primary longest. Tertials as long as the primaries. Tail - forked; feathers acute. - - Poocætes. Hind claw shorter than its digit; the whole toe - less than the middle toe without its claw. Lateral toes - nearly equal to the middle one, without its claw. Tertials - but little longer than secondaries. Tail stiffened, forked; - feathers acute, outer ones white. - - _b._ Moderately streaked above, on the sides, and on the - breast, the latter sometimes unstreaked; the dorsal streaks - broader, the others fainter than in the last. Wings short, - reaching a little beyond the base of the tail. Not much - difference between the primaries and secondaries. Tail short, - graduated, and the feathers lanceolate, acute. - - Coturniculus. Bill short; thick. Tertials almost equal to - the primaries; truncate at the end. Claws small, weak; hinder - one shorter than its digit. Outstretched feet not reaching - the tip of the tail. Tail-feathers not stiffened. (In one - species tail nearly equal to the wing.) - - Ammodromus. Bill slender, small at base, and elongated. - Tertials not longer than the secondaries; rounded at the tip. - Claws large, hinder one equal to its digit. Outstretched toes - reaching considerably beyond the end of the stiffened, almost - scansorial tail. - -B. Tail longer and broader; nearly or quite as long as, -sometimes a very little longer than, the wings, which are rather -lengthened. The primaries considerably longer than the secondaries. -None of the species streaked beneath, and the back alone streaked -above. (Spizelleæ.) - - _a._ Tail rounded or slightly graduated. - - Chondestes. Tail considerably graduated, not emarginated. - Lateral toes considerably shorter than the middle toe, - without its claw. Wings very long, decidedly longer than the - tail, reaching the middle of the tail. First quill longest. - Head striped. Back streaked. White beneath. A white blotch on - the end of the tail-feathers. - - Zonotrichia. Tail moderately graduated. Wings moderate, - about as long as the tail, reaching about over the basal - fourth of the tail; first quill less than the second to - fourth. Feet large. Head striped with black and white, or - with brown and ochraceous. Back streaked. - - Junco. Tail very nearly equal to the wings, slightly - emarginate, and decidedly rounded. Outer toe rather longer - than inner, reaching the middle claw. No streaks anywhere - except in young; black or ash-color above; belly white; with - or without a rufous back and sides. Outer tail-feathers - white. - - Poospiza. Tail lengthened, slightly graduated; the feathers - unusually broad to the end. Bill slender. Wings about as long - as the tail, reaching but little beyond its external base. - Tertials broad, and, with the secondaries, rather lengthened. - Second to fifth quills nearly equal, and longest. Bill dark - lead-color. Tail black. Uniform ashy-brown above; white - beneath. Sides of head with stripes of black and white. - - _b._ Tail decidedly forked; a little shorter than the wing, - sometimes a little longer. - - Spizella. Size rather small. Wings long. Lower mandible - largest. Uniform beneath, or with a pectoral spot or the chin - black. - -C. Tail lengthened and graduated; decidedly longer than the -wings, which are very short, scarcely extending beyond the -external base of the tail. Feet reaching but little beyond the -middle of the tail. Species all streaked above; streaked or -nearly unicolor beneath. No white on wings or tail. Outer lateral -toe the longer. First quill not the shortest of the primaries. -(Melospizeæ.) - - Melospiza. Culmen and commissure nearly straight. Claws - stout; hinder one as large as its digit. Tail-feathers rather - broad. Body streaked beneath. - - Peucæa. Culmen and commissure curved. Claws weak; hinder - one not much curved, decidedly shorter than its digit. - Tail-feathers narrow. Without streaks beneath, excepting a - narrow maxillary stripe. - -D. Tail rather short, and much graduated; longer than the -wings; the midrib more median. Culmen curved. Tarsus considerably -longer than middle toe. Outer toe longer. But little difference -in the length of the quills; the outer ones much rounded; even -the second quill is shorter than any other primary except the -first. - - Embernagra. Color, olive-green above. - - -GENUS CENTRONYX, BAIRD. - - _Centronyx_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 440. (Type, _Emberiza bairdi_, - AUD.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill elongated; the lower mandible smaller; outlines nearly -straight. Tarsus lengthened, considerably exceeding the middle toe. -Lateral toes equal, not reaching the base of the middle claw. Hind toe -very large; the claw rather longer than its digit, and in its -elongation resembling _Plectrophanes_, but more curved; the digit and -claw together rather longer than the middle toe and claw. Wings very -long, reaching beyond the middle of the tail, and beyond the end of -the coverts. Tertials shorter than the primaries, and but little -longer than the secondaries. Tail short, much less than from the -carpal joint to end of secondaries; little more than two thirds the -entire wing. It is slightly forked, and moderately rounded laterally; -the feathers all acute. Color somewhat as in _Passerculus_. - -This genus differs from _Passerculus_, as stated in the description of -the species farther on. It would be taken for _Plectrophanes_ on -account of its lengthened hind claw, which, however, is more curved -than in that genus; the tarsi are much longer, the tertials less -elongated, and the coloration different, though closely resembling -that of the female _Plectrophanes_. But one species has thus far been -recognized. - - -Centronyx bairdi, BAIRD. - -BAIRD’S BUNTING. - - _Emberiza bairdi_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 359, pl. d., - _Coturniculus bairdi_, BON. Syn. 1850, 481. _Centronyx bairdi_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 441. - - [Line drawing: _Centronyx bairdi, Baird._ - 1885] - -SP. CHAR. Somewhat similar in general appearance to _Passerculus -savanna_. Back grayish, streaked with dusky. Crown nearly covered by -black streaks, but divided by a broad median band of brownish-yellow. -Eyelids and a faint superciliary stripe yellowish-white. Beneath -white, with a maxillary blackish stripe and some narrow streaks on the -upper part of the breast, and sides of the throat and body. Outer -edges and tips of tail-feathers white; the two outer feathers -obsoletely white. Bend of wing white. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.80; tail, -2.20. - -HAB. Mouth of the Yellowstone River. One specimen only known. - -This species has somewhat of the general appearance of _Passerculus -savanna_, but with important differences both of form and color. The -bill is much longer, and more slender in proportion. The wings are -quite unusually long; the primaries more than half an inch longer than -the tertiaries; the first quill as long as the fourth, and but little -less than the second and third. The tail is very short; the feathers -narrow and pointed. The feet are large; the hind claw very long and -considerably curved, as are the other claws generally. - - [Illustration: _Centronyx bairdi._] - -The species was based by Mr. Audubon on a skin brought by him from the -mouth of the Yellowstone River, in 1843, in rather defective and worn -plumage. This has hitherto served as the basis of all the descriptions -of the species which is justly considered one of the rarest in the -North American fauna. - -HABITS. In regard to the habits, distribution, or general history of -this very rare species, but little is known, only one specimen having -been met with. This was procured by Mr. Audubon’s party to the -Yellowstone River, in Dakota, on the last day of July, 1843. That it -is a resident where obtained, certainly during the breeding-season, is -a natural inference from the circumstances of its capture. That it may -be a common bird in certain other portions of the region, immediately -north of Dakota, is quite probable. Its close habits, as described by -Mr. Audubon, favor its escaping notice wherever it may exist. - -The specimen was met with in a wet place, overgrown closely by a kind -of slender rush-like grass, from the midst of which the notes of these -birds were heard, and at first mistaken for those of the Marsh Wren. A -search was immediately instituted for the singers, which Mr. Bell soon -ascertained could not be the Wren in question, the notes being much -softer and more prolonged. Much difficulty was encountered in the -endeavor to raise them from the long close grass to which they closely -confined themselves, and they were several times nearly trodden on -before they would take wing, almost instantaneously realighting within -a few steps, and running like mice through the grass. After a while -two were shot while on the wing, and proved to be adult male and -female. The party found this species quite abundant in all such -situations, and there seems to have been no doubt that it was -breeding. - - -GENUS PASSERCULUS, BONAP. - - _Passerculus_, BONAP. Comp. List Birds, 1838. (Type, _Fringilla - savanna_.) - - [Line drawing: _Passerculus savanna._ - 7108] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill moderately conical; the lower mandible smaller; both -outlines nearly straight. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe. -Lateral toes about equal, their claws falling far short of the middle -one. Hind toe much longer than the lateral ones, reaching as far as -the middle of the middle claw; its claws moderately curved. Wings -unusually long, reaching to the middle of the tail, and almost to the -end of the upper coverts. The tertials nearly or quite as long as the -primaries; the first primary longest. The tail is quite short, -considerably shorter than the wings; as long as from the carpal joint -to the end of the secondaries. It is emarginate, and slightly rounded; -the feathers pointed and narrow. - -The essential characters of this well-marked genus lie in the -elongated wings, longer than the tail, the tertiaries equal to the -primaries, the first quill almost longest. The legs are long, the -outstretched toes reaching to the end of the tail; the lateral toe -considerably shorter than the middle, which is not much longer than -the hinder. The tail is short, narrow, and emarginate; the feathers -acute. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above grayish-brown, beneath white; whole -upper surface, as well as the breast and sides, streaked with -dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a whitish maxillary one, -the latter bordered above and below by stripes of coalesced dusky -streaks. - - A. Bill small, the culmen slightly concave in the middle - portion; a median light stripe on the crown. - - 1. P. savanna. Superciliary stripe yellow anteriorly; - streaks on the back blackish, sharply defined. - -_Throat and upper part of abdomen unstreaked; vertex-stripe -without yellow tinge._ - - Bill .34 from forehead and .25 in depth at the base; wing, - 2.85; tail, 2.30. Colors deep; outer surface of wing (in - spring) decidedly reddish. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North - America … var. _savanna_. - - Bill, .32 and .20, or less; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.10. Colors - very pale; outer surface of wing (in spring) pale ashy. - _Hab._ Western Province of North America, except coast of - California, where replaced by var. _anthinus_ … - var. _alaudinus_. - - Bill, .37 and .27, or considerably more; wing, 3.10; tail, - 2.40. Colors as in _savanna_. _Hab._ Northwest coast of - North America … var. _sandwichensis_. - -_Throat and upper part of abdomen streaked; vertex-stripe -strongly tinged with yellow._ - - Bill, .33 and .19; wing, 2.50; tail, 1.90. Colors darker - than var. savanna, the ground-color more uniform, and the - black streaks heavier and more numerous. _Hab._ Coast of - California … var. _anthinus_. - - 2. P. princeps. Superciliary stripe white anteriorly; - streaks on the back sandy-brown, badly defined. Wing, 3.25; - tail, 2.60; bill, .45 and .23; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .80. - _Hab._ Eastern Massachusetts (northern regions in summer?). - - B. Bill robust, the culmen arched; no median light stripe on - the crown. Superciliary stripe white anteriorly; streaks on the - back sandy-brown, obsolete. - - 3. P. rostratus. - - Bill, .43 and .30; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.25. Ground-color - above fulvous-gray, beneath white; the streaks, above and - below, sandy-brown. Colors much as in P. _princeps_. _Hab._ - Coast of California, to the mouth of the Colorado River; - Cape St. Lucas in winter … var. _rostratus_. - - Bill, .33 and .22; wing, 2.55; tail, 2.00. Ground-color - above plumbeous-gray; beneath white; streaks - blackish-brown. Hab. Cape St. Lucas (resident?) … - var. _guttatus_. - - [Illustration: _Passerculus savanna._] - -A careful examination of the very large series of _Passerculus_ allied -to _savanna_ in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, recently -made, brings us to the same conclusion as that reached in 1858, -namely, that, granting a single species extending over the whole of -North America, there are several geographical races in different -regions. Thus, taking the eastern bird as the standard, with its dark -colors, reddish wings, and deep yellow superciliary stripe, and the -comparative or entire absence of spots on the lower part of breast, we -have in the middle province, and to some extent in the western, a race -rather smaller, with more attenuated and longer bill, and paler -colors; the wings grayish, the yellow of head being scarcely -appreciable (var. _alaudinus_). On the coast of California, another -series of the size and proportions of the last, but with dark yellow -superciliary stripe,—the vertex-stripe even yellowish,—dark colors, -and the lower part of breast, as well as the throat, decidedly -streaked, as well as the jugulum (var. _anthinus_); and finally on the -northwest coast, from Puget Sound to Kodiak, a fourth race, much -larger than typical _P. savanna_, but absolutely undistinguishable in -color, proportion of bill, etc. (var. _sandwichensis_). _P. anthinus_ -is not found north of California, but the other two of the western -race may occur together at any point of the coast north, perhaps, of -the Columbia River. - - -Passerculus savanna, BONAP. - -SAVANNA SPARROW. - - _Fringilla savanna_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 55, pl. xxii, f. - 2.—IB. IV, 1811, 72, pl. xxxiv, f. 4.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, - 63; V, 1839, 516, pl. cix. _Passerculus savanna_, BON. List, - 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 480.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 131.—BAIRD, - BIRDS N. Am. 1858, 442.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 223.—SAMUELS, - 301. _Emberiza savanna_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 103.—IB. Birds Am. III, - 1841, 68, pl. clx. ? _Fringilla hyemalis_, GM. I, 1788, - 922.—LICHT. Verzeichniss, 1823, No. 250. Gmelin’s description, - based on Pennant Arctic Zoöl. II, 376 (winter Finch), applies - equally well to a large number of species. _Linaria savanna_, - RICHARDSON, List, 1837. - -SP. CHAR. Feathers of the upper parts generally with a central streak -of blackish-brown; the streaks of the back with a slight rufous -suffusion laterally; the feathers edged with gray, which is lightest -on the scapulars, and forms there two gray stripes. Crown with a broad -median stripe of yellowish-gray. A superciliary streak from the bill -to the back of the head, eyelids, and edge of the elbow, yellow, paler -behind. A yellowish-white mandibular stripe curving behind the -ear-coverts, and margined above and below by brown. The lower margin -is a series of thickly crowded spots on the sides of the throat, which -are also found on the sides of the neck, across the upper part of the -breast, and on the sides of body, a dusky line back of the eye, making -three on the side of head (including the two mandibular). A few faint -spots on the throat and chin. Rest of under parts white. Outer -tail-feathers and primaries edged with white. Length, 5.50; wing, -2.70; tail, 2.10. - -_Young._ Ground-color of the upper parts (except wings and tail) light -ochraceous, more brownish on top of head, upper part of back, and on -upper tail-coverts; the streaks blacker and more conspicuous than in -the adult. Beneath with an ochraceous tinge anteriorly, the streaks -broader, and deeper black, than in the adult, though less sharply -defined. The infra-maxillary streak expanded into a broad blackish -elongated blotch. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the Missouri plains, and northwest to -Alaska. Cuba, winter (CAB. JOUR. IV, 6). - -Specimens vary considerably in size, color, and shape of bill, but the -average is as described. Spring birds have the markings sharper and -clearer, the dark streaks with little or no suffusion of rufous. - -HABITS. The Savanna Sparrow is an abundant species throughout North -America, from the Atlantic sea-board to the Great Plains. It is, -however, everywhere much less common in the interior than nearer the -shore. The Smithsonian specimens are from points as far south as -Georgia and Louisiana, and as far west as the Black Hills of Wyoming. -It passes north through Massachusetts, from the first to the middle of -April, and some remain to breed in the eastern part of the State. Mr. -Maynard speaks of it as a common summer resident. This, however, is -true only of a few restricted maritime localities, but is not so of -the entire eastern portion of the State. It occurs both in the salt -marshes of Charles River and in the vicinity of Fresh Pond, but I -could never trace it in any of the neighboring towns. It is -occasionally met with in inland situations where we would not -naturally look for it. In the summer of 1869, Mr. William Brewster -found quite a colony of these birds in an open field near the Glen -House, at the foot of Mt. Washington. They had nests with eggs the -last of July and the first of August. - -In Western Massachusetts, according to Mr. Allen, it rarely or never -stops to breed. In Western Maine, Mr. Verrill mentions it as a common -summer visitant, and as breeding there in the latter part of May. In -the vicinity of Eastport, and in all the islands of the Grand Menan -group, I found these Sparrows very abundant. They almost invariably -built their nests in depressions on the edge or just under the -projecting tops of high bluffs of land near the sea. They were by far -the most abundant of the land-birds, and it was quite common to find -their nests in close proximity one to another. They arrive there in -April, and leave in September, passing slowly south more in reference -to the abundance of their food than the severity of the season, until -the weather becomes very severe, when they all disappear. They winter -in the Southern States, from Virginia to Georgia, and are especially -abundant in the Carolinas. Dr. Coues states that they were very common -about Columbia from October to April, moving in large flocks and -associating with other species. Wilson states that he met with this -species, from Savannah to New York, in all the low country, and -regarded it as resident in those places, but rarely found at a -distance from the sea-shore. He found them especially numerous at -Great Egg Harbor, N. J. - -Dr. Coues, in his visit to Labrador, in 1860, found this Sparrow -abundant in that region in low moist meadows and marshy tracts near -the sea-shore, but never noticed it in any other situations. He -frequently observed it there feeding on the beds of dried eel-grass -along the rocky shores, searching for food in company with the -Titlarks and small Sandpipers. - -During my visits to the islands of the Bay of Fundy, in one of which I -remained a number of days, I had a good opportunity to notice these -birds. In many respects their habits undergo noticeable changes during -the breeding-season. As they pass north or south in their migrations, -they are not particularly shy or difficult to approach, but when they -had nests they seemed to become particularly cautious and mistrustful. -The male and female sat by turns upon their eggs, but generally one -remained within hailing distance, and always gave promptly a signal of -danger when the nest was approached, at which the other would glide -from the nest, running off on the ground like a mouse. I found it -impossible to identify by shooting the parent on the nest, and only -accomplished its identification by means of snares. When once lost in -the tall grass, it was impossible to find it again, or if it -reappeared it was impossible to tell which of the many chirping -Sparrows, all of them out of reach of shot, and keeping a sharp -lookout on my movements, had any connection with the nest. This -manœuvre was gone through with in every nest I found, but I soon -learned to distinguish them without the need of gun or snare. - -This Sparrow is eminently terrestrial, confining itself almost -entirely to the ground, and rarely alighting on anything even so high -as a fence. Though frequenting low moist grounds, its nest is always -in a dry spot and usually somewhat elevated. The nest is almost always -sunk into the ground, is made very simply and loosely of dry grasses, -with a lining of softer materials of the same. I have never found any -other material than this in the many nests I have examined, although -nests of var. _alaudinus_, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, are -frequently lined with feathers or deers’ hair, according to -MacFarlane. - -The eggs, five or six in number, vary considerably in their -appearance. In shape they are a rounded oval, one end being much more -pointed than the other. They measure .68 by .55 of an inch. In some -the ground-color, which is of a greenish-white, is plainly visible, -being only partially covered by blotches of brown, shaded with red and -purple. These blotches are more numerous about the larger end, -becoming confluent and forming a corona. In others, the ground-color -is entirely concealed by confluent ferruginous fine dots, over which -are darker markings of brown and purple and a still darker ring of the -same about the larger end. - - -Passerculus savanna, var. alaudinus, BONAP. - -WESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW. - - _Passerculus alaudinus_, BP. Comptes Rendus, XXXVII, Dec. 1853, 918, - California.—IB. Notes Ornithologiques Delattre, 1854, 18 (reprint - of preceding).—_Baird_, Birds N. Am. 1858, 446, pl. xlvi.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 197, pl. xxviii, f. 2.—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. B. III.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 181. _Passerculus savanna_ and _P. anthinus_, DALL & BANNISTER, - Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, pp. 283, 284. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _P. savanna_, but smaller; the bill slenderer and -more elongated. Little of yellow in the superciliary stripe (most -distinct anteriorly); the rest of the head without any tinge of the -same. General color much paler and grayer than in _P. savanna_. Breast -with only a few spots. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.30. - -HAB. Middle and Western Provinces of North America; south to Orizaba, -north to Alaska (Kodiak) and the Arctic coast. Oaxaca (SCL. Oct.); -Vera Cruz (winter, SUMICHRAST). - -This western race of _P. savanna_ is smaller, considerably paler in -general colors, the superciliary stripe with little yellow in it, and -the bill more slender, and longer. In coloration, some Atlantic coast -specimens often exhibit an approximation, especially in the pale tint -of the superciliary stripe; but the bill is always decidedly more -attenuated in _alaudinus_. - -The Western Savanna Sparrow is a common species throughout the Western -Province of North America, from the plains to California, and from -Alaska to Mexico. In California it appears to be replaced along the -Pacific coast by the variety _anthinus_, a quite different and very -local form. In Alaska, specimens were obtained by the naturalists of -the Russian Telegraph Expedition at various localities, chiefly in the -interior, and on the Yukon it was obtained by Mr. Lockhart. Dr. Cooper -found it at Fort Steilacoom, in Washington Territory, where it was in -company with _P. sandwichensis_, in the wet meadows. In California -this species inhabits chiefly, according to Dr. Cooper, the dry plains -of the interior of the State. The statement of the occurrence of this -form anywhere along the coast of California should be received with -considerable doubt, since in the large series of these birds all -specimens from this region are of the variety _anthinus_, an -exclusively littoral type. - -HABITS. The Western Savanna Sparrow was found throughout the Great -Basin, by Mr. Ridgway, in all wet, grassy situations, in which -preference it is like its eastern relative. It was very abundant at -Carson City, inhabiting exclusively the meadows. At Salt Lake City it -was also very abundant, frequenting the wet meadows near the Jordan. - -This bird was also obtained at Sitka by Bischoff, and was found on the -Yukon by Mr. Lockhart. It is the only species found in the Valley of -the Mackenzie, up to the Arctic coast. - -Dr. Cooper also met with it among the low meadows of Washington -Territory, where they arrived in March, and remained until late in -October. They were usually found among the grass, from which they -rarely rise, except to sing their faint and lisping trill from a weed -or some low bush. Mr. Ridgway represents this song as corresponding -with the syllables _witz-witz-wih´-tzull_. This, he states, is uttered -in a weak and lisping manner, as the bird perches on a bush beside the -brook, or on a fence, or as it nestles among the grass on the ground. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of them as only winter visitants in California, and -there residing only on the dry interior plains, as far south as San -Diego, where they remain in large flocks until April. He has never met -with this bird during the summer months, though some are supposed to -remain and breed in the high prairies. He did not meet with any about -the summits of the Sierra Nevada, in September. They appeared to -prefer the dry rolling prairies to marshes, though they were -occasionally found in the latter. - -This species is also a migratory visitant to the Department of Vera -Cruz, Mexico, where they are said by Sumichrast to pass the winter. - -Their nests are built upon the ground, and are composed almost -entirely of the dry stems of grasses, and are lined with finer -materials of the same. Their eggs measure .75 of an inch in length by -.52 in breadth, have a greenish-white ground, over which are -distributed numerous markings, spots, and blotches of various sizes, -of a light purplish-brown and a deeper red-brown, confluent about the -larger end, where they form a crown. - -Near Fort Anderson nests were found in great numbers, no less than two -hundred and four having been obtained during four summers in that -locality. These nests were all taken on the ground, under low grass, -in dry spots in a large marshy prairie, and it is stated that they -were never found in any other situation or locality. - - -Passerculus savanna, var. sandwichensis, BAIRD. - -NORTHWESTERN SAVANNA SPARROW. - - _Emberiza sandwichensis_, GM. I, 1788, 875. _Emberiza arctica_, - LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 414. _Fringilla arctica_, VIGORS, Zoöl. - of Blossom, 1839, 20 (perhaps one of the smaller - species).—“BRANDT, Icon. Ross. 2, 6.” _Euspiza arctica_, BP. - Conspectus, 1850, 469. _Zonotrichia arctica_, FINSCH, 1872. - _Emberiza chrysops_, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-As. II, 1811, 45, tab. - xlviii, fig. 1 (Unalaska). _Sandwich Bunting_, LATH. Syn. II, - 1783, 202. _Unalaska Bunting_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 363, 320, - No. 229 (not of p. 364, No. 233). _Passerculus sandwichensis_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 444.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, - 1869, 284.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 180. _Passerculus savanna_, DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 283. - -SP. CHAR. Almost exactly like _P. savanna_, but half an inch longer, -with much larger bill. Length, 6.12 inches; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.55. -Bill above, .50; below, .36; gape, .56; depth, .27. - -HAB. Northwestern coast from the Columbia River to Russian America. - -Specimens of this race from Sitka are absolutely undistinguishable -from eastern _P. savanna_ except in size; the colors and proportion of -bill being the same. A young bird (from Kodiak) differs from that of -_savanna_ in larger size, and a bright reddish-fulvous tinge to upper -parts, and a deep yellowish-fulvous tinge on jugulum and along the -sides. - -HABITS. This variety is the northwest-coast form of the common Savanna -Sparrow, and is found during the summer from Oregon to Alaska. Dr. -Suckley states that he found this species an abundant spring visitor -at Fort Steilacoom. Dr. Cooper, in his Zoology of Washington -Territory, states it to be only a passenger through that section, -migrating northward, at the end of April, in pairs, and not returning -until the end of September. They come back in flocks, and frequent the -shores and prairies along the sea-coast. Their plumage seems to be the -same at all seasons. Nothing is known of their note. They are supposed -to spend their winters in Southern Oregon and California, though their -actual presence has not been detected in either State. They do not -remain during the summer near the Columbia, but pass to the north, or -to the interior plains east of the Cascade Range. Dr. Cooper states -that their habits closely resemble those of _P. anthinus_. - -Mr. Dall states that two specimens of this species were taken at Sitka -by Mr. Bischoff. - - -Passerculus savanna, var. anthinus, BONAP. - -CALIFORNIA SHORE SPARROW. - - _Passerculus anthinus_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXVII, Dec. 1853, 919, - Russian America.[115]—IB. Notes Ornith. Delattre, 1854, 19.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, p. 445.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 183. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _P. savanna_, but smaller. Beneath tinged with -reddish. Breast and upper part of belly thickly spotted with sharply -defined sagittate brown spots, exhibiting a tendency to aggregation on -the middle of the belly. Superciliary stripe and one in the middle of -the crown decided greenish-yellow, the head generally tinged with the -same, as also the back and sides of the neck. Under tail-coverts -somewhat streaked. Length, 5.00; wing, 2.66; tail, 2.24. - -HAB. Coast of California, near San Francisco; “Russian America, -Kodiak” (BONAPARTE). - -This is the most strongly marked of the several races of _P. savanna_, -differing from all the others in several important respects. The -markings beneath are more generally dispersed, extending back upon the -lower part of the breast, and forward over the throat; the lower -tail-coverts have distinct medial blackish streaks, though they are -somewhat concealed. The median stripe on the crown is decidedly -greenish-yellow, not pale ashy; the whitish edges to the interscapular -feathers, so conspicuous in the other races, are more concealed, -presenting a more uniformly brown surface above, with broader black -stripes. The broad lateral stripes of the crown are deep olive or -hair-brown, with narrow, sharply defined, intense black streaks, -instead of pale grayish as in _alaudinus_ (spring dress), or light -brown as in _savanna_ (spring), with broader, less deep, black -streaks. - -HABITS. The Shore Sparrow of California is said to be, to a remarkable -degree, the peculiar marsh species of the Pacific coast of that State. -Dr. Cooper states that he very rarely met with these birds out of the -salt marshes, where they lie so close and run so stealthily among the -weeds that they are flushed with difficulty. They rise only to fly a -few rods, and drop again into their covert. They are not at all -gregarious, except when migrating, and are found singly or by pairs. -They are abundant about San Francisco in the winter, though Dr. Cooper -is not sure that any are found so far south in the summer. Near San -Diego, in February, they had already begun to utter their short and -pleasant song, as they perched on the top of some tall weed. Dr. -Cooper observed them in that neighborhood into April, but did not -succeed in finding any of their nests, nor was he ever able to meet -with this species at San Pedro in summer. - -Dr. Coues speaks of (Ibis, 1866, p. 268) finding three species of the -difficult group of _Passerculi_, and all of them very abundant, in -Southern California in November. These were _P. rostratus_, _P. -alaudinus_, and _P. anthinus_. The _anthinus_ seemed confined to the -moist salt grass and sedgy weeds of the sea-shore itself. It was -flushed with great difficulty, and then its flight was very rapid and -irregular. It would alight again almost immediately, and run with -great celerity among the roots of the thick grasses, and was therefore -exceedingly difficult to procure. _P. alaudinus_ was common two or -three miles away from the coast, but Dr. Coues did not find one mixing -with _P. anthinus_. It was a brush and weed, rather than a grass, -species, associating with _Anthus ludovicianus_ and _Zonotrichia -coronata_. - - -Passerculus princeps, MAYNARD. - -IPSWICH SPARROW. - - _Centronyx bairdi_, MAYNARD, Naturalist’s Guide, 1870, 117, - frontispiece (Ipswich, Mass.). _Passerculus princeps_, MAYNARD, - American Naturalist, 1872. - -SP. CHAR. Bill small, exactly the same in form and size as that of -_Centronyx bairdi_; but proportionally smaller; tertials scarcely -exceeding the secondaries; tail emarginate, the feathers acute, the -intermediæ attenuated terminally. Outstretched feet reaching about -half-way to the end of the tail. In color almost exactly like _P. -rostratus_, but different in markings. Above light ashy, the dorsal -feathers light sandy-brown centrally, producing an obsoletely spotted -appearance; shafts of dorsal feathers black. Outer surface of the -wings pale sandy-brown, the feathers darker centrally; tertials with -their outer webs whitish, and with a conspicuous black central area. -Crown becoming darker brown anteriorly, where it is divided by a -rather indistinct line of ochraceous-white; an indistinct superciliary -stripe, and a very conspicuous maxillary stripe of the same; the -latter bordered above, from the rictus to the end of the auriculars, -by a narrow stripe of dusky; lores and sub-orbital region like the -superciliary stripe; auriculars pale brownish like the crown, bordered -along the upper and lower edge with a dusky narrow stripe. Beneath -white, slightly tinged with ashy on the flanks; sides of the throat, -whole breast, sides, and flanks, with narrow streaks of sandy-brown, -more blackish toward the shaft; abdomen, crissum, and lining of the -wing, immaculate; throat with a few minute specks, but along each side -bordered by a “bridle” of suffused streaks. - -♂. (Collector’s No. 1,744, Ipswich, Mass. Dec. 4, 1868; C. J. -Maynard.) Wing, 3.25; tail, 2.60; culmen, .45; tarsus, .95; middle -toe, .80; hind claw, .40. - -♀. (Collector’s No. 6,245, Ipswich, Oct. 15, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing, -2.90; tail, 2.40; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .65; hind -claw, .30. - -(Collector’s No. 6,224, Ipswich, Oct. 14, 1871; C. J. M.) Wing, 3.00; -tail, 2.30; culmen, .50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .60; hind claw, .30. - -The specimens described above were at first supposed to be _Centronyx -bairdi_, having several points of resemblance to that species, a -comparison with the type in Professor Baird’s collection at first -failing to establish a difference, as it was in faded and much worn -summer plumage, while the Massachusetts specimens were in perfect, -blended fall dress, so that a satisfactory comparison was almost -impossible. A more recent examination, however, with the advantage of -two additional specimens of the Massachusetts bird, has fully -convinced Mr. Maynard that his specimens are not _Centronyx bairdi_, -and that, indeed, they are referrible in all respects to the genus -_Passerculus_. - -In carefully examining the type of _Centronyx bairdi_, it is seen that -its characteristic features are the following: Outstretched feet -reaching beyond the end of the tail; hind claw as long as its digit, -and much curved;—whereas in Mr. Maynard’s specimens the outstretched -feet reach to only about the middle of the tail, while the hind claw -is much shorter than its digit, and only slightly curved. With a wing -.10 to .45 of an inch longer, they have the tarsus not any longer, and -proportionally more slender. In coloration they are still more -different. The most striking feature in _C. bairdi_ is a broad and -very conspicuous median stripe of ochraceous-buff on the crown, -bordered on each side by an aggregation of black streaks, which form -the predominating color of the lateral stripes; of this median stripe -there is scarcely any trace in the specimens under consideration, -while the crown generally is grayish-brown, with small dusky streaks; -_C. bairdi_ has broad, conspicuous, black stripes on the back, while -_P. princeps_ has obsolete sandy-brown ones; in _C. bairdi_ there are -only a few small streaks of black across the jugulum and along the -sides and flanks, while in _P. princeps_ the whole breast, as well as -the sides and flanks, are thickly streaked with broader marks of -sandy-brown. - -In point of coloration, as well as in the feet, there is in reality a -much closer resemblance to _Passerculus rostratus_; but in this the -very different bill and different arrangement of markings are -sufficient distinctive characters. - -Upon the whole, therefore, there can be little doubt that the present -birds are well entitled to the name which Mr. Maynard has given them; -for after making all possible allowance for seasonal differences in -coloration, we have found it impossible to reconcile them with the _C. -bairdi_. - -In this species there is a slight superficial resemblance to _Poocætes -gramineus_; but upon comparison it will be found to be entirely -different: thus, _P. gramineus_ lacks the median light stripe on the -crown, has the lesser wing-coverts rufous and the lateral -tail-feathers white, while the streaks are all blackish and the -ground-color different; the generic details, too, are quite different. - -HABITS. This species has been obtained only in Eastern Massachusetts, -where, in the neighborhood of Ipswich, it was found among the -sand-hills by the sea-shore. The place where the individuals taken -were met with is a rather remarkable tract, three miles in length and -nearly one in breadth. It is as treeless as the Great Plains, and as -bleak and barren, with no vegetation except a scant growth of coarse -grass. Mr. Maynard obtained his first specimen early in December, -1868. Although others were seen, yet this was all he was then able to -obtain. He has since taken others in the same place and season. -Nothing is known as to its habits. It uttered, as it rose, a short -chirp of alarm. - - -Passerculus rostratus, BAIRD. - -SAN DIEGO SPARROW. - - _Emberiza rostrata_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. VI, 1852, 348. _Ammodramus - rostratus_, CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 226, pl. xxxviii. _Passerculus - rostratus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 446.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 184. - -SP. CHAR. Bill very long (.55 of an inch above). Whole upper parts and -sides of head and neck pale brownish-gray (almost fulvous), nearly -every feather with a darker central blotch, darkest along the shaft. A -scarcely appreciable central stripe in the crown, an obscure -yellowish-white superciliary, and a whitish maxillary one. Under parts -pure white; streaked on the breast and the sides of throat and body -with dark brown (the streak paler externally). Under tail-coverts -unspotted white. Tail and wing feathers and wings margined with the -color of the back; the edges of tertiaries rather paler. Length, 5.30; -wing, 2.90; tail, 2.30. - -HAB. Coast of California, south to Cape St. Lucas; mouth of Colorado -River (DR. PALMER). - -The bill of this species is very long and conical, the cutting edge -nearly straight. The wings are rather long, the tertiaries nearly as -long in the closed wing as the primaries; the second, third, and -fourth quills longest, the first rather longer than the fifth. The -tail is short and emarginate, the feathers narrow, acute, and -moderately stiff. The tarsi are long; the claws little curved. - -This species resembles the _Passerculus savanna_ rather more than any -of the other sparrows with spotted breasts; the bill is, however, very -much longer and larger, exceeding any of our American species of its -size, the upper outline more convex. Its colors are much paler, and it -lacks the yellow on the head and wing. The much shorter tail and -entire absence of rufous distinguish it from the spotted _Melospizas_. -In shape the bill is like that of _Ammodromus caudacutus_, but it is -larger; the head lacks the yellow, etc. - -In some specimens the streaks on the back are almost obsolete. - -HABITS. So far as is known, this bird seems to have a somewhat -restricted habitat, being apparently confined to the sea-coast of -Southern California. There it was first met with by Dr. Heermann, in -the neighborhood of San Diego, and was described by Mr. Cassin as an -_Ammodromus_, with which genus of birds it seemed to have many -peculiarities in common. Dr. Heermann first met with this bird in -1851, on the shores of the bay of San Diego, in company with other -species, apparently in search of grass-seed. Afterwards, in the -Pacific Railroad Survey, with Lieutenant Williamson, he again met with -these birds in considerable numbers at Santa Barbara and San Pedro. In -all the places in which he met with it he found it frequenting low -sandy beaches, and the heavy sedge-grass which abounds on the shores. -On the former it seemed to be feeding on marine insects and seeds -thrown up by the tide, and in the latter to find places for easy and -immediate concealment when alarmed or pursued. Naturally it appeared -to be a quiet and unsuspicious bird. He heard it utter no other note -than a short sharp chirp. - -Dr. Cooper thinks this species has a much greater affinity to the -_Ammodrami_ than to the _Passerculi_, both in its bill and claws, as -well as in its habits. He found them very abundant, both at San Pedro -and San Diego, at all seasons, and he does not think that they migrate -at all from those localities. He found them frequenting the shores of -the bays and the sea-beaches. They also came confidently and -familiarly about the buildings near the water, feeding on any seeds or -insects they could find. On the beach they run along the sand, in the -rows of drifted sea-weeds, seeking their food, and rarely take to -flight unless surprised, and then only fly a short distance. Dr. -Cooper has never known them to alight on any bush, nor does he think -that they have any song. The only note he has ever heard them utter is -a short chirp. At San Pedro he saw them, in July, feeding their young, -but he has never found a nest that he was certain belonged to this -species. - -Dr. Coues found this bird abundant in Southern California, where it -kept among the thick weeds of the dry plain, and was much on the -ground, where it ran as easily as a _Pipilo_, often flying up into the -bushes and resting there quietly. They were to be seen also in great -numbers sunning themselves and catching flies on the piles of lumber -on the wharf, so tame as to be almost liable to be struck by a cane. - -It is a winter resident at Cape St. Lucas, where Mr. Xantus found them -abundant. They were not seen there in summer, though it is probable -they reside on the shores in its neighborhood. Their nest and eggs -remain unknown. - - -Passerculus rostratus, var. guttatus, LAWR. - -ST. LUCAS SPARROW. - - _Passerculus guttatus_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 1867, - 473.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 185. - -SP. CHAR. Above plumbeous-gray; the feathers of the back with dusky -centres and paler edges; the top of head also streaked with dusky and -with an almost inappreciable median stripe of lighter. Upper -tail-coverts slightly darker in the centre. No rufous edgings to the -feathers. Head with a pale yellowish-white band from bill over the -eye; and a mandibular one, nearly white, bordered above and below by -the dusky line of other _Passerculus_. Under parts white, thickly -streaked on jugulum, breast, and flanks with dusky, faintly on under -tail-coverts. Bill and legs rather dusky; iris brown. Length, 5.00; -wing, 2.50; tail, 1.95; tarsus, .80; middle toe and claw, .75; bill -above, .51; gape, .56; greatest height, .25. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas (Dec., 1859). - -This bird, of which a single specimen only is so far known, is very -closely related to _P. rostratus_, though very easily distinguished -from it. It is considerably smaller than _rostratus_, the bill more -slender, the upper parts much darker, being plumbeous, not -sandy-colored; the stripes beneath darker; the bill and legs more -dusky. These differences may not indicate a distinct species, but as -the specimen here described differs entirely from all the specimens of -a large number of _P. rostratus_, it is yet entitled to consideration -as a marked variety,—probably the resident race at Cape St. Lucas, -where the var. _rostratus_ is merely a winter visitor. - -HABITS. The St. Lucas Finch is a new species, in regard to the habits -of which nothing whatever is as yet known. It was obtained at San -José, in Lower California, by Mr. John Xantus, in December, 1859. It -was found in company with a flock of _Passerculus rostratus_, and the -presumption is that its habits may resemble those of that little-known -species. - - -GENUS POOCÆTES, BAIRD. - - _Poocætes_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 447. (Type, _Fringilla - graminea_, GM.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather large; upper outline slightly decurved towards -the end, lower straight; commissure slightly concave. Tarsus about -equal to the middle toe; outer toe a little longer than the inner, its -claw reaching to the concealed base of the middle claw; hind toe -reaching to the middle of the middle claw. Wings unusually long, -reaching to the middle of the tail as far as the coverts, and pointed; -the primaries considerably longer than the secondaries, which are not -much surpassed by the tertiaries; second and third quills longest; -first little shorter, about equal to the fourth, shorter than the -tail; the outer feathers scarcely shorter; the feathers rather stiff; -each one acuminate and sharply pointed; the feathers broad nearly to -the end, when they are obliquely truncate. Streaked with brown above -everywhere; beneath, on the breast and sides. The lateral tail-feather -is white. Shoulder chestnut-brown. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXV. - - 1. Passerculus guttatus. Cape St. Lucas, 26615. - 2. “ princeps. Ipswich, Mass. (Type.) - 3. Centronyx bairdii. Ft. Union, Dakota, 1885. - 4. Coturniculus passerinus. Ga., 22405. - 5. “ henslowi. ♀ S. Ill., 61191. - 6. “ lecontei. Texas, 50222. - 7. Ammodromus caudacutus. N. J., 609. - 8. “ maritimus. Pa. - 9. Zonotrichia leucophrys. ♂ _juv._, 817. - 10. “ leucophrys. ♂ _ad._, Pa., 1506. - 11. “ gambeli. ♂ _ad._, Nev., 53505. - 12. “ “ ♂ _juv._, Nev., 53500.] - -The essential character of the genus consists in the long and pointed -wings, longer than the tail and without long tertials; and the rather -stiff, forked tail, with its acute feathers. But one species is -recognized at present. - - -Poocætes gramineus, BAIRD. - -GRASS SPARROW; BAY-WINGED BUNTING. - -Var. gramineus. - - _Fringilla graminea_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 922.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1831, 473; V, 502, pl. xc. _Emberiza graminea_, WILSON, Am. - Orn. IV, 1811, 51, pl. xxxi, f. 5.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 102.—IB. Birds - Am. III, 1841, 65, pl. clix.—MAX. Cab. Jour. vi, 1858, 342. - _Fringilla_ (_Zonotrichia_) _graminea_, SWAINSON, F. B. Am. II, - 1831, 254. _Zonotrichia graminea_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 478. _Poocætes gramineus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 447.—SAMUELS, 303. - - [Line drawing: _Poocætes gramineus_. - 11123 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Tail-feathers rather acute. Above light yellowish-brown; the -feathers everywhere streaked abruptly with dark brown, even on the -sides of the neck, which are paler. Beneath yellowish (sometimes -reddish) white; on the jugulum and sides of neck and body streaked -with brown. A faint light superciliary and maxillary stripe; the -latter margined above and below with dark brown: the upper stripe -continued around the ear-coverts, which are darker than the brown -color elsewhere. Wings with the shoulder light chestnut-brown, and -with two dull whitish bands along the ends of the coverts; the outer -edge of the secondaries also is white. Exposed portion of outer -tail-feather, and edge and tip of the second, white. Length, about -6.20; wing, 3.10; tail, 2.50; bill, .33 from frontal feathers to -point, by .33 in depth at base; tarsus, .72. Bill yellow, dusky above; -legs yellow. (Measurement of No. 10,147 ♀, Washington, D. C.) - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States. - - -Var. confinis. - - _Poocætes gramineus_, var. _confinis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - p. 448 (in text under _P. gramineus_). - _Poocætes gramineus_, COOPER & SUCKLEY, 200.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 186. - -SP. CHAR. Resembling _P. gramineus_, but colors paler, the dark -streaks narrower. Bill more slender, tarsi longer. (Measurement of -40,803 ♂, Fort Whipple, Arizona: Bill, .36 from point of frontal -feathers by .25 in depth through base; tarsus, .78; wing, 3.35; tail, -2.80). - -HAB. Western and Middle Provinces of United States, south into Mexico; -Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 379; March). - -This species is readily identified by the absence of a median stripe -on the head, the chestnut-brown of the shoulder, and the white lateral -tail-feathers. The young birds have the ground-color above more -whitish, the streaks blacker, in sharper contrast; the streaks on -jugulum, etc., less sharply defined; - -the general appearance, however, is not different from the adult. -Sometimes there is a decided cinnamon wash beneath. Western specimens -(var. _confinis_) appear to be paler, with longer wings, and longer -and more slender bills, in this respect resembling other Finches -(_Melospiza_, _Passerculus_, etc.). - -All specimens from west of the Rocky Mountains are to be referred to -var. _confinis_. - - [Illustration: _Poocætes gramineus._] - -HABITS. The Bay-winged or Grass Finch is a very abundant species -wherever found, and has a very extended distribution. Accepting as one -species the slightly variant races above indicated, this bird extends -from Florida and Mexico, on the south, to the 57th parallel of -latitude, and from the eastern to the western shores. It was found by -Richardson frequenting the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it -arrives early in May and leaves in September, and where it nests -abundantly in the short withered grass of that sterile region. -Richardson did not trace it farther north than the 57th parallel, and -it was not obtained on the Yukon or Anderson Rivers by Mr. MacFarlane -or Mr. Lockhart. It breeds from Northern Virginia north. - -In the Middle States it is partially resident, a portion remaining all -the winter. South of Washington it is chiefly migratory, only found, -in any numbers, from November to March, and probably but few remaining -to breed. Audubon states that he never saw any of this species in any -portion of Louisiana, Missouri, Kentucky, or Ohio. Mr. Dresser, on the -other hand, found them common about San Antonio in August and -September, and also in May and June, and had no doubt that some remain -to breed. - -It is very abundant throughout New England, arriving in some seasons -as early as March 11, and remaining until quite late in the fall, -often through November. It is found chiefly in dry open fields and -pastures, where it nests, with no pains at concealment, on the ground, -in depressions made by its own work. It is an unsuspicious and -fearless species, neither seeking nor avoiding the companionship of -man. It does not usually build near houses, yet is not unfrequently -known to do so. It may be often found perched on fences along the -roadside, chanting its simple and pleasing lay, and quite as -frequently in the road feeding and dusting itself. The latter -operation it is very fond of practising, and almost any day in the -summer these birds may be found in such situations. - -West of the Great Plains is found a marked variety of this species, -differing in many respects from the eastern. The western species or -race of this Finch, Mr. Ridgway states, is an abundant summer bird in -all the elevated grassy portions of the West. It is especially -characteristic of the higher grassy slopes of the elevated mountains, -particularly in the Rocky Mountain regions, and its sweet and simple -song is one of the pleasant associations of those regions. It -descends, in the autumn, to the lower districts, having been observed -during September in the greatest abundance among the “rye-grass” -meadows of Senot Valley, at the northern end of the East Humboldt -Range. It nests on the ground in grassy banks, in various situations. - -Dr. Suckley found this bird abundant on the Nisqually Plains, about -Puget Sound; and Dr. Cooper says it is common, in summer, on the -prairies of the interior of Washington Territory. Dr. Cooper also -found it wintering in the Colorado Valley, in considerable numbers, -but all disappeared in April. He thinks they breed in Northern -California, though he has never found them doing so. Dr. Newberry -states that they are common in the Sacramento Valley, both in the -summer and in the fall. It was found by Mr. Boucard, in winter, near -Oaxaca, Mexico. - -Their song is a very simple and pleasant succession of soft notes, -resembling that of the Canary, but thinner and feebler. It is begun -early in the morning and continued a few hours, and then renewed at -sunset and kept up often until after dark. It is also not unlike the -song of the Song Sparrow, but is neither so varied nor so loud and -strong. It continues to sing until late in the season. - -They feed in the road, eating insects, seeds, and grain. They are fond -of searching also in ploughed fields, and keep principally upon the -ground, exclusively so when they are searching for their food. - -Although as unsuspicious as the Song Sparrow or the Chipping Sparrow, -this Finch rarely, like them, comes about the house for crumbs of -bread, but seems to prefer to forage for itself in the fields and by -the roadside. Taken from the nest, these birds may be readily tamed, -and soon become very interesting and familiar little pets, though -Nuttall states that where several are thus kept they become very -jealous of each other, and quarrelsome. - -Their nest is always placed upon the ground, and is very simply -constructed of dry stems of grasses, with no other lining than soft -fine materials of the same. They have two, and sometimes three, broods -in a season. When their nest is approached, they make use of various -artifices to draw away the intruder, and often vary their devices in a -very striking manner. In May, 1836, crossing a field within a few rods -of my home in Roxbury, I nearly stepped upon a female sitting upon her -nest. She immediately tumbled forward towards me, counterfeiting the -most extraordinary lameness, so much so that I supposed that I had -really stepped upon and severely injured her. I stooped to pick up -what I supposed to be a wounded bird, and found her nest and four -eggs. Visiting her nest again, as I approached she flew from it -quietly and silently, and immediately began the same manœuvres, at -some little distance from her nest, which she discontinued as soon as -she noticed that I was examining her treasures. These devices she -varied several times in a very remarkable manner. In Massachusetts I -have known this species to have its complement of eggs by the 15th of -April. - -The eggs of this species are usually five, often four, and rarely six -in number. They are of an oblong-oval shape, the smaller end but -slightly more pointed than the other. They vary greatly in size, -ranging from .90 to .80 of an inch in length, and averaging about .65 -in breadth. Their ground-color is a pale greenish-white, marked with -spots, lines, dots, and blotches of various shades of reddish and -purplish brown. In some eggs the spots are few and small, chiefly -confluent in a ring about the larger end, while the ground-color is -very plainly distinguishable. In others the ground is nearly concealed -by the abundance of the spots. - - -GENUS COTURNICULUS, BONAP. - - _Coturniculus_, BONAP. Geog. List, 1838. (Type, _Fringilla - passerina_, WILS.) - - [Line drawing: _Coturniculus passerinus._ - 38741 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very large and stout, (except in _C. lecontei_); the -under mandible broader, but lower than the upper, which is decidedly -convex at the basal portion of its upper outline. Legs moderate, -apparently not reaching to the end of the tail. The tarsus appreciably -longer than the middle toe; the lateral toes equal, and with their -claws falling decidedly short of the middle claw; the hind toe -intermediate between the two. The wings are short and rounded, -reaching to the base of the tail; the tertiaries almost as long as the -primaries; not much difference in length in the primaries, although -the outer three or four are slightly graduated. The tail is short and -narrow, shorter than the wing (except in _C. lecontei_), graduated -laterally, but slightly emarginate; the feathers all lanceolate and -acute, but not stiffened, as in _Ammodromus_. - -This genus agrees with _Passerculus_ in the short and narrow tail. The -wings are much shorter and more rounded; the feet shorter, especially -the middle toe, which is not as long as the tarsus. The tail-feathers -are more lanceolate. The bill is much larger, and more swollen at the -base. - -The essential characters of this genus consist in the swollen convex -bill; the short toes, compared with the tarsus; the short and rounded -wings; and the very small, narrow, slightly graduated tail, with its -lanceolate acute feathers (except in the South American _C. manimbe_). - -In some respects there is a resemblance to _Ammodromus_, in which, -however, the bill is very much more slender; the wings still shorter, -and more rounded; the tail-feathers much stiffer, and even more -lanceolate; the toes extending beyond the tip of the tail; the middle -toe rather longer than the tarsus, instead of considerably shorter. - -_C. lecontei_ has the same general form, but a much smaller bill. - - -Synopsis of Species. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Crown and back streaked with black upon an ashy, -olive, or chestnut ground; beneath whitish, tinged across the breast -with ochraceous or ashy, plain, or with blackish streaks on the -breast. A light superciliary stripe. - - A. Tail-feathers attenuated, acute at ends, much graduated. - On the crown a median light stripe. - - _a._ A dusky streak on each side of the throat, and one above - the light ochraceous maxillary stripe. - - 1. C. henslowi. Bill very robust, .35 along culmen by .30 - deep at base. Wing, 2.25; tail, 2.20. Head ochraceous or - greenish olive, lighter on the throat; a blackish stripe on - each side of the crown. Breast streaked with black at all - ages. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States. - - _b._ No dusky streak on side of throat nor above the maxillæ. - - 2. C. lecontei. Bill very narrow, only .16 broad by .20 - deep at base. Median stripe of the crown ochraceous for - anterior third, the remaining part ashy-white; superciliary - stripe wholly ochraceous; edge of wing white; breast - sparsely streaked in the adult. Wing, 2.15; tail, 2.20. - _Hab._ Plains west of the Missouri, from Texas to Dakota. - - 3. C. passerinus. Bill robust, .23, or more, broad, by - .24, or more, deep at base. Median stripe of the crown - ochraceous throughout; superciliary stripe yellow - anteriorly, ashy posteriorly; edge of wing bright yellow, - breast unstreaked in the adult, streaked in the young, in - which the head stripes are ashy, with no yellow on wing or - over lore. - - Colors dark, the black markings predominating above. - _Ad._ Anterior lower parts deep buff at all seasons. - _Juv._ Dusky streaks on breast very distinct. Bill, .33 - and .30; wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of United States, and West Indies … var. _passerinus_. - - Colors pale, the light markings predominating above. - _Ad._ Buff of the breast scarcely observable in summer. - _Juv._ Dusky streaks on breast scarcely appreciable. - Bill, .33 and .24; wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90. _Hab._ Western - Province of United States … var. _perpallidus_. - - B. Tail-feathers broad, rounded at ends; only slightly - rounded. Crown not divided by a median stripe. - - 4. C. manimbe. Head clear ashy, whitish on throat; crown - uniformly streaked with black. Supra-loral streak and edge - of wing bright yellow. No streaks on breast in adult. - - Breast tinged with ashy; black streaks on upper parts - much narrower than the intervening ones of the ashy - ground-color; dorsal feathers rufescent-umber medially, - edged with ashy, and with a shaft-streak of black. Wing, - 2.35; tail. 2.00. _Hab._ Brazil … var. _manimbe_. - - Breast tinged with ochraceous; black streaks on upper - parts much broader than the ashy ones of the - ground-color; dorsal feathers black, edged with ashy; - wing, 2.25; tail, 1.90. _Hab._ Buenos Ayres and Uruguay … - var. _dorsalis_. - - -Coturniculus henslowi, BONAP. - -HENSLOW’S BUNTING. - - _Emberiza henslowi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 360, pl. lxxvii.—IB. - Syn. 1839, 104.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 75, pl. clxiii.—NUTTALL, - Man. I, 1832, App. _Coturniculus henslowi_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 451.—MAYNARD, - Birds E. Mass. 1870, 117.—SAMUELS, 306. _Fringilla henslowi_, - NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 571. - - [Illustration: _Coturniculus passerinus._] - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts yellowish-brown, the hood, neck, and upper parts -of back tinged with greenish-yellow. Interscapular feathers dark -brown, suffused externally with bright brownish-red; each feather with -grayish borders. Tertiaries, rump, and tail-feathers abruptly dark -chestnut-brown, darkest centrally, paler externally, and narrowly -margined with gray. Crown with a broad black spotted stripe on each -side; these spots continued down to the back. Two narrow black -mandibular stripes and one post-ocular on each side of the head, and -an obscure black crescent or spot behind the auriculars. Under parts -light brownish-yellow, paler on the throat and abdomen. The jugulum, -upper part of the breast, and the sides of the body, conspicuously -streaked with black. Edge of wing yellow. A strong tinge of pale -chestnut on the wings and tail. The median tail-feathers and upper -coverts chestnut or rufous brown, with sharply defined shaft-streaks -of black. Length, 5.25; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.15. - -HAB. Eastern United States as far north as Massachusetts; westward to -the Loup Fork of Platte. - -This species is related to _C. passerinus_, but readily distinguished -by the well-marked stripes on breast and sides, the greenish-yellow, -not chestnut-brown, of head and nape, and the two mandibular dusky -stripes. The middle tail-feathers are reddish with only a very narrow -sharply defined median shaft-streak of black, instead of having the -greater portion of the centre dusky with scalloped edges. I have not -seen young birds, but they probably differ little from the adults. - -HABITS. The history and general distribution of Henslow’s Bunting is -still somewhat imperfectly known. Mr. Audubon first met with it, in -1820, in Kentucky, nearly opposite to Cincinnati. It was seen on the -ground, amongst the tall grass, and is said to have exhibited all the -peculiarities of this tribe. He was afterwards informed that this bird -is abundant in the State of New Jersey, and that it breeds there; and -in evidence of this he mentions receiving a specimen from Dr. Trudeau, -obtained by that gentleman himself. Mr. Audubon also mentions that -both Dr. Bachman and he have procured a great number in South -Carolina, where they abound, in the latter part of autumn, and where, -also, a portion remain during the winter. In Florida, Mr. Audubon -again met with these birds in the winter. They were in great numbers -in all the pine barrens of that State, in light and sandy soil, and in -woods but thinly overgrown by tall pines. They never alight on trees, -but spend their time on the ground, running with great rapidity -through the grass, in the manner of a mouse. - -In New Jersey they were found in ploughed fields, where they are -presumed to have been overlooked and mistaken for the Yellow-winged -Sparrow. Mr. Audubon supposed that they were not found farther -eastward than that State. - -Specimens in the Smithsonian collection have been procured in Georgia -in December; in Maryland in July; at Fort Riley, Kansas, Southern -Illinois, and in Nebraska, in June. - -In Massachusetts they are regular summer visitants, though as yet they -have been met with in only a few instances and in a somewhat -restricted locality. They are now met with nearly every year, and -several nests have been taken. Mr. Maynard obtained two specimens, May -10, in a wet meadow in Newton. Their song-note he describes as like -the syllables _see-wick_, the first syllable prolonged, the latter -given quickly. This bird was first obtained in Berlin, in that State, -by Mr. E. S. Wheeler, who discovered its nest and eggs. It was -mistaken for Bachman’s Finch, and was at first so placed on the -record, though the error was immediately corrected. Since then, in -that town, and in one or two others in its neighborhood, other nests -have been met with. Mr. William Brewster obtained several specimens in -Lexington, May 14, 1872. It is quite probable that it has been -confounded with _C. passerinus_, and it is now supposed to be more -common in the eastern part of the State than that bird. - -One specimen of this Bunting was taken near Washington, during the -summer season, from which circumstance Dr. Coues gives it as an -exceedingly rare summer resident of the District of Columbia. - -In 1871, Mr. Ridgway ascertained that, so far from being rare, -Henslow’s Bunting is very abundant on the prairies of Southern -Illinois, as well as the Yellow-winged species, but far exceeding the -latter in numbers. Though entirely similar to that bird in habits and -manners, it may be readily distinguished by its note, which is said to -be an abrupt _pil-lut_, much more like the common summer-call of the -Shore Lark than the lisped grasshopper-like chirp of the _C. -passerinus_, and to be uttered as the bird perches on the summit of a -tall weed, the tail being depressed, and the head thrown back at each -utterance. A number of unidentified eggs were sent to me several years -since, by Mr. Kennicott, from near Chicago. They resembled somewhat -the eggs of _C. passerinus_, but were not the eggs of that species. I -have now no doubt they belonged to this bird. - -The nest is built in the ground, in a depression, or apparently an -excavation scratched out by the bird itself, and is a well-made -structure of coarse, dry, and soft reeds and grasses, well lined with -finer materials of the same description. The eggs, five or six in -number, somewhat resemble those of the _C. passerinus_. Their -ground-color is a clear bright white, and they are spotted with -well-defined reddish-brown markings, and more subdued tints of purple. -The markings, so far as I have seen their eggs, are finer and fewer -than those of _C. passerinus_, and are distributed more exclusively -around the larger end. The eggs measure .78 by .60 of an inch, and are -of a more oblong-oval than those of the common Yellow-Wing. - - -Coturniculus lecontei, BONAP. - -LECONTE’S BUNTING. - - _Emberiza lecontei_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 338, pl. - cccclxxxviii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 340. _Coturniculus - lecontei_, BON. Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 452. - -SP. CHAR. Bill much more slender than in _C. henslowi_. First quill -the longest, the rest diminishing rapidly. Tail emarginate and -rounded, with the feathers acute. Upper parts light yellowish-red, -streaked with brownish-black; the margins of the feathers and -scapulars pale yellowish-white. Tail-feathers dusky, margined with -light-yellowish. Lower parts, with the cheeks and a broad band over -the eyes, fine buff. Medial line yellowish anteriorly, nearly white -behind. The buff extending to the femorals and along the sides, -streaked with brownish-black. Throat, neck, and upper parts of the -breast, without any streaks, and plain buff. Length, 4.40; wing, 2.13; -bill along ridge, .37; edge, .50. Legs flesh-color; bill dark blue. - -HAB. Mouth of Yellowstone, to Texas. - -Since the regret expressed in the Birds of North America (1858) at the -loss of the single specimen known of this species, another has been -received by the Smithsonian Institution from Washington Co., Texas, -collected by Dr. Lincecum. It is in very poor condition, having been -skinned for an alcoholic preparation, and does not admit of a -satisfactory description of the colors. In its unspotted breast, the -rufous feathers of the hind neck, the absence of maxillary stripes, -and apparently in the markings of the wings, it is most like _C. -passerinus_. Although the inner tail-feathers have the narrow stripe -of _henslowi_, the bill is much smaller, as stated by Audubon, than in -the others, and is apparently bluish, not yellow. The vertical stripe -is deep buff anteriorly, and pale ashy posteriorly, instead of buff -throughout, and the superciliary stripe is continuously buff, instead -of yellow anterior to, and ashy behind, the eye. In the comparative -length of wing and tail, it is most nearly related to _henslowi_, but -the bill is very much narrower than in either. Upon the whole, there -can be no doubt of its actual specific distinctness from both its -allies. - -HABITS. Leconte’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow was procured by Audubon in his -expedition to the Yellowstone. He speaks of its having very curious -notes, which he describes as of a sharp, querulous nature, and a -general habit of keeping only among the long, slender green grasses -that here and there grew up in patches along the margins of the -creeks. So closely did it keep in the coverts to which it resorted, -that it was very difficult to force it to rise on the wing, when only -it could be procured. Mr. Audubon did not meet with its nest or young, -and they remain unknown. - -This type specimen was presented by Audubon to Professor Baird. A -second was sent to the Smithsonian Institution, from Texas, by Dr. -Lincecum. - - -Coturniculus passerinus, BONAP. - -YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING. - - _Fringilla passerina_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 76, pl. xxvi, f. - 5.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 180; V, 497, pl. cxxx. _Fringilla - (Spiza) passerina_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 111. _Coturniculus - passerina_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 481.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 450.—SAMUELS, 305. _Emberiza passerina_, AUD. - Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 73, pl. clxii. _Fringilla - savanarum_, (GM.) NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 494.—IB. (2d ed.) 1840, - 570.—(GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 921?) _?? Fringilla caudacuta_, - LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 459.—NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 505. _? - Passerina pratensis_, VIEILLOT. _Coturniculus tixicrus_, GOSSE. - LOCALITIES: Oaxaca, March (SCL. 1859, 379). Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, - 18). Cuba (winter, common, CAB. Journ. IV, 7). Costa Rica (CAB. - Journ. VIII, 1860, 411; LAWR. IX, 103). Vera Cruz (winter, SUM. - Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 552). - -SP. CHAR. Feathers of the upper parts brownish-rufous or -chestnut-brown, margined narrowly and abruptly with ash-color; reddest -on the lower part of the back and rump; the feathers all abruptly -black in the central portion; this color visible on the interscapular -region, where the rufous is more restricted. Crown blackish, with a -central and superciliary stripe of yellowish tinged with brown, -brightest in front of the eye. Bend of the wing bright yellow; lesser -coverts tinged with greenish-yellow. Quills and tail-feathers edged -with whitish; tertiaries much variegated. Lower parts brownish-yellow -or buff, nearly white on the middle of the belly, darkest on the -jugulum. The feathers of the upper breast and sides of the body with -obsoletely darker centres, these sometimes wanting. Sides of breast -against bend of wing with a few black streaks, usually concealed. -Length about 5 inches; wing, 2.40; tail, 2.00. - -HAB. Eastern United States; south to Guatemala; Jamaica, resident; -Porto Rico. - -The young of this species have the jugulum and sides of the breast -streaked with black, much more distinct than in the adult, and -exhibiting a slight resemblance to _C. henslowi_. The upper parts are -less varied. - -Specimens from the Far West have the bill more slender, the reddish of -the back considerably paler, the dark markings of the back restricted, -the light stripe on the head with scarcely any yellow, a decided spot -in front of the eye quite yellow, and little or no ochraceous on the -breast. - -The young bird, with streaked jugulum, may be most readily -distinguished from _C. henslowi_ by the grayer plumage without any -shade of chestnut or greenish-yellow, the sparseness of streaks on the -side, the absence of the two mandibular dusky stripes, and the broad -dusky centres of the middle tail-feathers. - -Quite a fine series of specimens from Jamaica and other West India -Islands affords ample material to judge of the validity of the _C. -tixicrus_ of Gosse. It is scarcely possible to distinguish these -Jamaican specimens from examples from the Eastern Province of the -United States, though minute differences are observable. Their size is -somewhat smaller, but they are resident in the region where obtained; -and the shades of color are just appreciably darker. There are, -however, no differences sufficient to justify retaining the name -_tixicrus_, to designate even a variety. - -All the specimens in the collection from Mexico and Guatemala are in -the autumnal or winter dress, so that it is probable that they are not -resident there; they appear to be identical with North American -specimens, and referrible to the variety _passerinus_ as restricted. - -Between summer and winter specimens great differences are observable; -in the former season the edges of the feathers become worn, so that -often the chestnut spots disappear entirely, while the other markings -become poorly defined, leaving the black blotches predominant. - -HABITS. The common Yellow-winged Sparrow appears to be a bird of -irregular and unequal distribution, found in certain localities in -great abundance, and not seen in the intervening districts. According -to some writers, it is partial to sandy places near the sea, and this -is certainly true of the neighborhood of New York City, and also of a -large portion of the New Jersey coast. It is likewise the case in -certain portions of Eastern Massachusetts, as, according to Mr. -Maynard, this species is very numerous in Nantucket, where it breeds -abundantly. I have never met with this Sparrow in Massachusetts, -except in a single instance, near Boston, nor in any collections of -eggs have I seen any that I supposed could be those of this species; -yet in the western part of the State, according to Mr. Allen, it is an -abundant summer visitant, arriving there about the first week in May, -and leaving early in September, breeding in dry fields and pastures, -and raising two broods in a season. According to Mr. Boardman, it is -an occasional visitant in the neighborhood of Calais, yet rare; -arriving there the first of April, five weeks earlier than it shows -itself in Springfield. Yet that this bird has ever been met with -between Boston and Calais does not appear. It was not seen in Western -Maine by Professor Verrill. - -In the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., this bird appears also to be a not -uncommon summer resident. In 1860, I received from Mr. T. S. Brandigee -several nests found in that neighborhood. They were all constructed on -the ground, in a field of thin grass, and their tops were all nearly -covered over. - -Dr. Heermann states that he found this bird a not uncommon species, in -the summer season, near San Antonio; and Mr. Dresser also procured a -specimen there in the early summer. Dr. Lincecum mentions it as a -common resident in Washington County, in the same State. He describes -it as a close-hiding Grass Sparrow, running on the ground in the -manner of a mouse, and never seen to alight on trees. Dr. Coues speaks -of it as a resident species in South Carolina, especially abundant -during the period of migration. - -It has been found quite common, during the winter months, in Central -America, specimens having been procured there by Señor Constancia, Mr. -Skinner, and Dr. Van Patten. It was also found at Oaxaca, Mexico, by -Mr. Boucard. - -Mr. Nuttall and Mr. Audubon speak of it as occurring in Oregon, but -Dr. Cooper did not meet with it on the Pacific coast. Dr. Kennerly -obtained a single specimen on one of the forks of the Colorado, in -February. Mr. Ridgway met with the western form of this species, in -suitable places, in the Sacramento Valley and the Great Basin, and -proposes for it the name of _perpallidus_. - -In the vicinity of Newark, N. J., I have found this species apparently -one of the most abundant in that neighborhood, having obtained there -in the month of June more eggs of this than of any other species. - -In Northfield, Ill., near the lake shore, Mr. Robert Kennicott met -with the nests of these birds in great abundance. From these facts I -infer that it is not necessarily or exclusively a bird of the -sea-shore, but that in certain favorable localities it is as abundant -in the interior as on the coast, and that at intervals it may be met -with from Texas to Maine, and from the Atlantic to the interior, -nearly or quite to the Pacific coast. - -In Jamaica, Mr. March states, this species is not uncommon in the -savannas and grass lands near Spanish Town. It is a resident in that -island, and breeds there in considerable numbers, nesting in tufts of -grass-roots. It is only common in certain localities. - -I have never heard its note to know it. Wilson speaks of it as a -short, weak, interrupted chirp. According to Mr. Ridgway, it bears a -close resemblance to the note of a grasshopper. Nuttall says they sing -in an agreeable voice, something like that of the Purple Finch, though -less vigorously; and Audubon characterizes it as an unmusical ditty, -composed of a few notes weakly enunciated at intervals. - -It is terrestrial in its habits, living, nesting, and feeding on or -near the ground. It subsists on larvæ, insects, and the seeds of -grasses and small weeds. - -This bird builds its nest on the ground, usually in a small tuft of -grass or in a cluster of plants. It is made of dry grasses, and is -lined with fine bent and horsehair. The young are said to follow their -parents for a short time, but soon separate, and learn to take care of -themselves. This species is not gregarious, and is never seen in -flocks, not even when just about to migrate. - -Wilson and Nuttall describe the eggs as grayish-white, sprinkled with -brown. Audubon says they are dingy-white, sprinkled with brown spots. -This is not accurate. The ground-color is a clear crystalline white, -beautifully dashed and marbled with bold markings of an almost golden -brown. These spots vary in size, are often quite large, and -occasionally make a corona about the larger end. The eggs are of a -rounded oval, almost spherical, shape, measuring .75 by .63 of an inch. - - -Coturniculus passerinus, var. perpallidus, RIDGWAY. - -WESTERN YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING. - - _Coturniculus passerinus_, var. _perpallidus_, RIDGWAY, Report of - U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. - _Coturniculus passerinus_, COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 189. - -SP. CHAR. Adult (No. 58,605 ♂, Antelope I., Great Salt Lake, June 4, -1869; U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th parallel) similar to var. _passerinus_, -but the light tints above prevailing, the ground a pale ash-color, and -the chestnut spots in excess of the black ones. Specks on the nape -very minute. Buff tinge to cheeks, throat, and jugulum so faint as to -be scarcely appreciable. Wing, 2.60; tail, 1.90; bill, .33 from -frontal feathers by .24 in depth at base; tarsus, .70. _Young_ (No. -53,942 Ruby Valley, Nev., July 22, 1868) differing from young of var. -_passerinus_ in a predominance of the light, instead of the dark, -markings on upper surface, streaks across breast so faint as to be -just appreciable, instead of distinct, and nearly black. - -HAB. Western Province of United States, from eastern base of Rocky -Mountains to the Pacific. - -This very appreciably different race replaces the restricted var. -_passerinus_, in the Western Province of the United States. In its -paler colors and much more slender bill than its eastern -representative, it agrees with _Passerculus alaudinus_, _Poocætes -confinis_, etc., as compared with _P. savanna_, _P. gramineus_, etc. -It is to this race that the biographical notes in the preceding -article refer, as far as based on western specimens. - - -Genus AMMODROMUS, SWAINSON. - - _Ammodromus_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827. (Type, _Oriolus - caudacutus_, GM.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very long, slender, and attenuated, considerably -curved towards the tip above. The gonys straight. A decided lobe in -middle of cutting edge of upper bill. The legs and toes are very long, -and reach considerably beyond the tip of the short tail. The tarsus is -about equal to the elongated middle toe; the lateral toes equal, their -claws falling considerably short of the base of the middle one; the -hind claw equal to the lateral one. Wings short, reaching only to the -base of the tail; much rounded; the secondaries and tertials equal, -and not much shorter than the primaries. The tail is rather shorter -than the wings, and graduated laterally; each feather stiffened, -lanceolate, and acute. - - [Line drawing: _Ammodromus caudacutus._ - 609 ♂] - -_Color._ Streaked above and across the breast; very faintly on the -sides. - -The essential characters consist in the slender and elongated bill; -the long legs reaching considerably beyond the tail, with the lateral -claws falling considerably short of the middle one; and the very short -rounded wings, rather longer than the cuneate tail, with its stiffened -and lanceolate feathers. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above olivaceous or ashy, the crown washed -with brown laterally, the dorsal feathers darker centrally; -beneath white, tinged across the jugulum with ochraceous or ashy; -jugulum streaked; a dusky “bridle” on each side of throat; above -it a maxillary stripe of ochraceous or white. - - 1. A. caudacutus. _Ad._ Above olive, the dorsal feathers - darker and edged with whitish-ochraceous; superciliary and - maxillary stripes deep ochraceous; jugulum and sides tinged - with the same, and sharply streaked with black. _Juv._ Wholly - ochraceous, darker above; crown and back streaked with black, - the former divided medially by a pale-brown stripe; breast and - sides streaked with black. _Hab._ Atlantic coast of United - States. - - 2. A. maritimus. _Ad._ Above ashy, the dorsal feathers - obsoletely darker centrally; superciliary stripe - yellowish-ashy, bright yellow over the lores; maxillary stripe - white; jugulum and sides tinged with ashy, the former - obsoletely streaked with dark ashy. _Juv._ Above olivaceous, - the crown and back streaked with black, the former not divided - by a lighter median line; breast and sides washed with - ochraceous and distinctly streaked with black. _Hab._ Atlantic - coast of United States. - - -Ammodromus caudacutus, SWAINSON. - -SHARP-TAILED BUNTING. - - _Oriolus caudacutus_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 394.—LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, - 1790, 186 (not _Fringilla caudacuta_, LATH.). _Fringilla - caudacuta_, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 70, pl. xxxiv, f. 3.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 281; V, 499, pl. cxlix. _Fringilla (Spiza) - caudacuta_, BON. Syn. 1828, 110. _Passerina caudacuta_, VIEILLOT. - _Ammodramus caudacutus_, SWAINSON, Birds, II, 1837, 289.—AUD. - Synopsis, 1839, 111.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 108, pl. - clxxiv.—BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 482.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 453.—SAMUELS, 307. _Fringilla littoralis_, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, - 504 (2d ed. 1840, 590). _Sharp-tailed Oriole_, PENNANT, Arctic - Zoöl. II, 261, New York. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts brownish-olivaceous. Head brownish, streaked -with black on the sides, and a broad central stripe of ashy. Back -blotched with darker; edges of interscapular feathers and inner -secondaries whitish, just exterior to a blackish suffusion. A broad -superciliary and maxillary stripe, meeting behind the ashy -ear-coverts, and a band across the upper breast, buff-yellow. The -sides of the throat with a brown stripe; the upper part of the breast -and the sides of the body streaked with black; rest of under parts -whitish. Edge of wing yellowish-white. Bill yellowish below; dusky -above. The female appears to have more buff on the breast than the -male. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.30. - -HAB. Atlantic coast of the United States. - - [Illustration: _Ammodromus caudacutus._] - -The young is of a more yellowish tinge above and below; the streaks on -the back more conspicuous; the scapular feathers without the whitish -edging. - -In autumnal and winter specimens the buff tints are much deeper than -in spring; the sides of the crown, as well as the dark markings on the -back, more intensified, and in greater contrast with the lighter ashy -and olive tints. - -HABITS. The Sharp-tailed Finch is one of the most striking and -well-characterized of land-birds, and as peculiar to the sea-shore as -the _Tringæ_. In habits it very closely resembles the whole family of -Waders in many striking respects. Like them it feeds upon small -crustaceans and minute marine insects, keeping about the water’s edge, -walking upon the floating weeds and other substances raised by the -tide, preferring this mode of life to a more inland residence, and -only resorting to the uplands to feed upon the seeds of grasses and -sedges when their food fails them at the water’s edge. - -Dr. Coues is of the opinion that this bird does not breed in the -neighborhood of Beaufort, N. C., and that it leaves for the North in -May, having a more northern habitat than _A. maritima_. He does not -coincide with those who detect a resemblance between the actions of -the _Ammodrami_ and of the Sandpipers. He thinks the manner in which -they climb the reeds, slide up and down, and hang from them in various -attitudes, is more like that of Nuthatches and Titmice. On the ground -they seem to him unmistakably sparrow-like. - -This Sharp-tailed Finch is abundant along the coasts of Connecticut -and Rhode Island, and is also found in Massachusetts, though -sparingly, and only in a few congenial localities. In the marshes of -Charles River, near Boston, this species is occasionally common in the -breeding-season. In the summer of 1869, Mr. H. W. Henshaw found quite -a number of their nests. Mr. Maynard has also taken it among the -marshes of Ipswich, which is probably about its extreme northern -limit. It has not, so far as I am aware, been traced to Maine. In -these localities it probably raises two broods in a season, as it -appears there in May, and remains until into October. They are -eminently terrestrial, run on the ground like mice, are difficult to -flush, and can only be shot while on the wing. They lie close to the -ground, and conceal themselves in the grass. - -They are also very numerous in the marshes in the neighborhood of New -York, and especially so in New Jersey, breeding along that coast to -Cape May. How much farther south than this they are found I cannot -state, but I did not meet with any at Cape Charles, where the -_maritimus_ was very abundant. - -In the winter this species is found in large flocks along the shores -of South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Audubon, however, did not find any -in Florida. In the marshes near Charleston they are found in immense -flocks, so much so that Audubon has known of forty being killed at a -single shot. They search in the sedgy marshes for their food when the -tide is out, and, on the approach of the returning waters, retreat to -the higher shores and to the rice embankments. - -The flight of this species is quite different from that of any other -bird, and by it they may at once be recognized. In flying, they also -drop their tails very low. - -Mr. Audubon states that during the winter the Sharp-tailed Finch is -furnished with an extra quantity of feathers on the rump, for which he -finds it difficult to account. - -These birds are essentially maritime, are found only in the vicinity -of the sea, and always keep immediately about the water, except when -the inclemency of the weather drives them to the high grass of the -uplands for shelter. They walk and run, or remain feeding on the -floating weeds and other substances raised by the tide, with all the -ease and fearlessness with which they move on the land. They are -gregarious in the winter, and in the Southern marshes are found -feeding in companies. During the breeding-season they keep more in -pairs, and are found more isolated. At this time they are also shy, -and difficult to detect. Their usual call-note is only a single -_tweet_, and in the love-season their series of twitters Mr. Audubon -thinks hardly worthy to be called a song. They feed indiscriminately -on seeds, insects, small crustaceans, and various forms of refuse -matter floated or thrown up by the tides. - -On the coast of New Jersey, where these birds are found in the -greatest abundance, they have at least two broods in a season. Their -nest is on the ground, in a small tussock of grass or sedges, but -little removed from the reach of the tide, and is placed in a -depression apparently excavated for the purpose. They are loosely made -of soft and slender grasses, arranged in a circular form. The nest is -large for the bird, spacious and deep, and is softly lined with finer -and similar materials. - -Their eggs, five or six in number, are of a somewhat rounded oval -shape, having an average breadth of .59 of an inch, and vary in length -from .78 to .70. Their ground-color is a light green, occasionally a -dull white, with hardly a perceptible tinge of greenish, thickly -sprinkled equally over the entire egg, with fine rusty-brown dots. -These are of various sizes, but all fine. In a few the larger dots are -confluent in a ring around the larger end; in others, the finer dots -are so small as to be only distinguishable under a glass, concealing -the ground-color, and giving to the egg an almost uniform rusty color. -These eggs vary but little in shape, and are nearly equally rounded at -either end, though never entirely so. - - -Ammodromus maritimus, SWAINSON. - -SEASIDE BUNTING. - - _Fringilla maritima_, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 68, pl. xxxiv, f. - 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. xciii. _Ammodromus maritimus_, SW. - Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 328.—BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, - 482.—AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 110.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 103, pl. - clxxii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 454.—SAMUELS, 308. _Fringilla - (Ammodromus) maritima_, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 592. - _Fringilla macgillivrayi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 285; IV, - 1838, 394; V, 1839, 499, pl. ccclv. _Ammodromus macgillivrayi_, - BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 482.—AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 106, pl. clxxiii. _Fringilla (Ammodromus) - macgillivrayi_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 593. - -SP. CHAR. Above olivaceous ashy-brown; nearly uniform, but with the -centres of interscapular feathers darker and edged faintly with paler; -very obsoletely, almost inappreciably streaked elsewhere, especially -on the head, which has a faintly defined median stripe of purer ashy. -Beneath white; the breast and sides and under tail-coverts with rather -indistinct streaks of dark ashy-brown, tending to form a large spot in -centre of breast; an ashy mandibular stripe continued into the ashy -sides of neck, and cutting off and enclosing a white stripe above it. -A spot of yellow anterior to eye, continued over it as an almost -inappreciable grayish stripe. Edge of wing sulphur-yellow. Bill -lead-color; feet dusky. Length about 6 inches; wing, 2.50. In autumn -the breast and sides tinged with fulvous; the back with rufous. - -Young birds (_A. macgillivrayi?_) have markings much more distinct, -and closely resemble _A. caudacuta_, though larger. They will be most -readily distinguished by the absence of the fulvous superciliary -stripe. - -HAB. Atlantic sea-coast of United States, northward to Long Island -Sound. - -The same seasonal differences in coloration are observable in this -species as in _A. caudacutus_. - -HABITS. The Seaside Finch has very nearly the same distribution, -habits, and manners of life, as the Sharp-tailed species, and the -description of these in one would answer almost equally well for the -other. There are, however, certain shades of difference in several -respects to be observed. - -This bird is, if anything, more southern in its distribution than the -other, and does not extend its visits in summer so far north. While -the Sharp-tailed Finch is not an uncommon bird on the shores of the -New England States, as far to the north as Ipswich, the Seaside Finch -is comparatively rare, much more so now than it was formerly. Mr. -Maynard states that he has searched carefully for it from the -Merrimack to the extreme southern shores of Massachusetts without -finding any specimens, nor could he find any on the island of -Nantucket, a very natural and congenial locality. Dr. Coues states -that it is abundant on the New Hampshire coast, but recent endeavors -have failed to detect it. In 1836 and 1837 a few isolated pairs built -in the marshes of Stony Brook, near Boston, above tide-water, nesting -not on the ground, but in low bushes. They were identified by Mr. -Audubon. - -In the summer of 1852 I found this species very abundant on the low -sandy islands of Cape Charles, Va. There, in every instance, their -nests were in low bushes, about a foot from the ground. They were the -only land-birds found on these islands. - -Rev. C. M. Jones informs me that at Madison, Conn., on the coast, the -Seaside and the Sharp-tailed Finches occur in about equal numbers in -the salt marshes. He was not able to observe any specific difference -in their mode of nesting, except that the _maritimus_ seemed to be -more common in that part of the marsh nearest the shore, while the -_caudacutus_ was more abundant farther back towards the highlands, -though this was not the invariable rule. He sometimes found the nests -suspended in the salt grass, the latter being interwoven with the -other materials. In all such cases the entrance was on the side of the -nest, in the manner of the Marsh Wren. At other times he found the -nest placed under a quantity of lodged grass, but resting on a portion -still lower. In such cases it is generally open at the top. He has -also found them on the ground, and, when thus placed, always much more -bulky than when built as above, a considerable quantity of dead grass -being laid down to keep the nest above the wet, though not always with -success. On Cobb’s Island, Va., Mr. Jones only found the _maritimus_, -the nests of which were in bushes, from one foot to eighteen inches -from the ground. - -The call-note of this species is said to be a monotonous chirp, and -its song hardly to deserve that name. The notes of which it is -composed are few, and have neither variety, emphasis, nor -attractiveness. - -Dr. Coues states that this Finch begins to sing when mating, and is -afterwards, during the incubating, particularly earnest and -persevering about it. Each pair usually claims some particular copse, -and the male usually has his favorite singing-post, to which it -continually resorts. He adds that its simple song is something like -that of the Yellow-shouldered Sparrow, beginning with a few slow -notes, then a rapid trill, finally slurred, till it sounds like the -noise made by some of the grasshoppers. - -These birds are at all times shy and difficult to be approached. When -their nest is visited, the parents leave it and secrete themselves, -and cannot be traced without great difficulty. When thus hidden, they -will almost suffer themselves to be trodden upon before they will fly -up. - -Mr. Audubon thinks they have two broods, their first being hatched out -early in June. Their nests, he states, are usually placed next to the -ground, but not sunk in it. Their food consists of marine insects, -small crabs, and snails, as well as small sand-beetles and seeds. -Their flesh has a rank, unsavory flavor, so much so that, having had -some made into a pie, he could not eat it. He states also that they -are resident in the Southern States, and are found along the Gulf -coast as far as Texas. - -The nest is strongly but coarsely woven of dry sedges, stems, and -grasses, and is lined with similar but finer materials. The eggs are -five in number, have a grayish-white ground, and are spotted and -blotched with reddish-brown. The blotches are distributed over the -entire egg, and are much larger than in the _caudacutus_. There is, -indeed, no similarity between the two eggs. They measure .88 by .68 of -an inch. - - -GENUS CHONDESTES, SWAINSON. - - _Chondestes_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435.—IB. Fauna Bor.-Am. - II, 1831. (Type, _Chondestes strigatus_, SW., equal to _Fringilla - grammaca_, SAY.) - - [Line drawing: _Chondestes grammaca._ - 5557 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill swollen; both outlines gently curved; the lower -mandible as high as the upper; the commissure angulated at the base, -and then slightly sinuated. Lower mandible rather narrower at the base -than the length of the gonys; broader than the upper. Tarsi moderate, -about equal to the middle toe; lateral toes equal and very short, -reaching but little beyond the middle of the penultimate joint of the -middle toe, and falling considerably short of the base of middle claw. -Wings, long, pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the tail; the -tertials not longer than the secondaries; the first quill shorter than -the second and third, which are equal. The tail is moderately long, -considerably graduated, the feathers rather narrow, and elliptically -rounded at the end. - -Streaked on the back. Head with well-defined large stripes. Beneath -white, with a pectoral spot. Only one species recognized. - - -Chondestes grammaca, BONAP. - -LARK SPARROW. - - _Fringilla grammaca_, SAY, in Long’s Exped. R. Mts. I, 1823, 139.— - BON. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 47, pl. v, f. 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, - 17, pl. cccxc. _Chondestes grammaca_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 479.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 456.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 200.—MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 112 - (Massachusetts).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 193. _Emberiza grammaca_, - AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 101.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 63, pl. - clviii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 343. _Chondestes strigatus_, - SWAINSON, Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 435. - -SP. CHAR. Hood chestnut, tinged with black towards the forehead, and -with a median stripe and superciliary stripe of dirty whitish. Rest of -upper parts pale grayish-olive, the interscapular region alone -streaked with dark brown. Beneath white, a round spot on the upper -part of the breast, a broad maxillary stripe cutting off a white -stripe above, and a short line from the bill to the eye, continued -faintly behind it, black. A white crescent under the eye, bordered -below by black and behind by chestnut, on the ear-coverts. -Tail-feathers dark brown, the outermost edged externally and with more -than terminal third white, with transverse outline; the white -decreasing to the next to innermost, tipped broadly with white. -Length, 6 inches; wing, 3.30. - -HAB. From Wisconsin and Illinois (also in Michigan and Ohio) to the -Pacific coast; Cape St. Lucas, south to Texas and Mexico. Oaxaca (SCL. -1859, 379); Vera Cruz (winter, SUMICHRAST, 552); Eastern -Massachusetts, accidental (MAYNARD). - -The colors of the female are duller than in the male, the chestnut -less bright, the black not so intense; the pattern, however, is the -same. - - [Illustration: _Chondestes grammaca._] - -The young bird has the breast and throat with a good many spots of -dark brown instead of the single large one on the breast. The other -markings are more obscure. - -HABITS. The Lark Finch is found from Eastern Illinois to the Pacific, -and from Oregon to Texas. Within this wide area of distribution it is -everywhere abundant in the open prairies and plains. It is not found -in wooded regions. This bird was described by Say, and was first met -with by Long’s expedition to the Missouri River. It was not known to -either Wilson or Audubon, and its habits were very imperfectly known -to Nuttall. - -Mr. Dresser found this bird very abundant in Texas throughout the -summer, arriving in the neighborhood of San Antonio in March, and -leaving there early in October. He found their nests quite common, and -usually built in a mesquite tree or bush, of fine roots and grasses. -Dr. Heermann also found it abundant in New Mexico. In Arizona, Dr. -Coues found it, chiefly in spring and autumn, a migrant, and, at those -seasons, very numerous. Many remain during the summer to breed, and a -few are found in the winter. It was met with near New Leon, Mexico, by -Lieutenant Couch, but was not obtained in Vera Cruz by Sumichrast. It -was taken near Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard. A single specimen was -obtained at Fort Dalles in Oregon, by Dr. Suckley, but it was not met -with by him west of the Cascade Mountains. Mr. Townsend states that he -also found it in that region. - -Dr. Cooper did not find this species in the Colorado Valley, though it -has been obtained at Fort Yuma in December; and, as he has met with -them in large flocks in the valleys of San Diego in February, he -concludes that they winter in the southern part of California. They -breed from San Diego throughout California, and as far north as the -Columbia, where they arrive early in May. Dr. Cooper has never found -their nest in California, but has frequently met with it in Kansas and -Nebraska in May and June. He found them on the ground, and their nests -were constructed chiefly of grass. - -He speaks of them as singing very sweetly, and states that in their -song they resemble the Canary more than any other bird. They frequent -the open plains, usually in the neighborhood of trees, upon which they -often alight in flocks. Their food consists of the seeds of grass and -other small plants, which they collect on the ground. - -A single specimen of this bird was shot in Massachusetts in 1845, by -Mr. Samuel Jillson. It was taken in Gloucester, on the coast, where -its appearance was, of course, purely accidental. - -We are indebted to the careful observations of Mr. Ridgway for the -principal portion of our knowledge of the manners and mode of life of -this species, which he has recently ascertained to be an abundant -summer resident in Southern Illinois. It is probably equally abundant -throughout the State, and is found as far east as Ohio, where it -becomes rare. - -The Prairie Lark-Finch was found by that accurate observer very -abundant at Sacramento, Cal., where it frequented alike the oak -groves, the cottonwood and willow copses, and the weedy fields and -meadows. At Sacramento it was eminently arboreal, quite in contrast -with its habits as observed in Illinois. It was also met with in the -interior, wherever the locality was suited to it. Near Salt Lake City -it is one of the most numerous of the birds inhabiting the artemisia -grounds, in the outskirts of the town, in company with _Poospiza -bilineata_ and _Spizella breweri_. It is called by the Utah boys the -Snake-Bird, from the supposed resemblance of its striped head to that -of a snake. At Sacramento it is greatly prized as a cage-bird, and -young birds readily sell there for four dollars a pair. He states that -the delightful song of this bird has no parallel among the North -American _Fringillidæ_, and claims that in this respect it is -pre-eminently superior to that of all the other members of this -family. As it perches upon the summit of a small tree, on the -telegraph wire, or upon a fence, its notes may be heard throughout the -day, in the morning before those of any others, and late in the -evening, when all except for this irrepressible songster is silence. - -The song of this species is described as composed of regularly divided -parts, almost perfect in compass, in vigor and continuity unsurpassed, -if not unequalled, by any other North American species. It begins with -a series of chants, the style reminding one somewhat of the -_Cyanospiza cyanea_, but each syllable loud, rich, and clear, and -uttered with a peculiar emotional trill, the whole seemingly delivered -in a hurried manner, in one continuous gush of sprightly silvery -notes, each accompanied by a metallic _tremolo_. As if exhausted, the -singer falters, and the notes become scarcely audible, then suddenly -reviving, as if in great joy, the song is resumed in all its vivacity, -until the bird at last really appears to be overcome by its efforts. - -Dr. Coues met with this species in Arizona in the winter. He writes me -as follows: “The most eastern point where I observed this species was -at St. Louis, Mo. I saw a good many in the suburbs of that city in -May, 1865. It is one of the most abundant Sparrows about Fort Whipple, -particularly during the migrations; the majority pass northward in -April and May, but many breed in the vicinity, and some pass the -winter in sheltered situations. It is generally seen in companies, -frequenting the skirts of woods, the underbrush along mountain -rivulets, and similar situations, where the seeds of various plants -are procurable; its general habits resemble those of the species of -_Zonotrichia_.” - -The nests were found by Mr. Ridgway in various situations; the larger -number were upon the ground, but several were in trees varying in -height from six to twenty feet from the ground. They were found from -the latter part of May through June. A nest obtained in Southern -Wisconsin by Mr. Thure Kumlien is very homogeneous in structure, -consisting entirely of loosely intertwined stems of dry grasses, -sedges, and carices. It was built on the ground, is nearly flat, and -has only a very shallow cavity. Its entire height is less than two -inches, and the depth of its depression not half an inch. The diameter -of the nest is three and a half inches, and that of the cavity at the -rim three inches. - -The maximum number of their eggs is five. Their average measurement is -.85 by .65 of an inch. The ground-color is usually a grayish-white, -rarely a light brown, marbled and streaked with waving lines, and a -few dots of black or a blackish-brown. - - -GENUS ZONOTRICHIA, SWAINSON. - - _Zonotrichia_, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor.-Am. II, 1831. (Type, _Emberiza - leucophrys_.) - - [Line drawing: _Zonotrichia leucophrys._ - 1506 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Body rather stout. Bill conical, slightly notched, somewhat -compressed, excavated inside; the lower mandible rather lower than the -upper; gonys slightly convex; commissure nearly straight. Feet stout; -tarsus rather longer than middle toe; the lateral toes very nearly -equal. Hind toe longer than the lateral ones; their claws just -reaching to base of middle one. Inner claw contained twice in its toe -proper; claws all slender and considerably curved. Wings moderate, not -reaching to the middle of the tail, but beyond the rump; secondaries -and tertials equal and considerably less than longest primaries; -second and third quills longest; first about equal to the fifth, much -longer than tertials. Tail rather long, moderately rounded; the -feathers not very broad. - -Back streaked. Rump and under parts immaculate, except in young. Head -black, or with white streaks, entirely different from the back. - -This genus embraces some of the most beautiful of American Sparrows, -all of the largest size in their subfamily. - -All the species properly belonging to this genus are North American; -several South American species, have, however, been assigned to it; -but they are none of them strictly congeneric with those given below. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Feathers of interscapular region blackish -centrally, passing into rufous-brown and edged with paler. Rump -and upper tail-coverts uniform olivaceous-ashy brown. Two white -bands on the wings; the tertials edged with rufous. Beneath -without streaks. Head above marked with black, and generally with -white. Cheeks plumbeous. - - A. Black of the crown divided by a median light stripe. - Jugulum ashy. - - _a._ Throat ashy, uniform with the breast. - - 1. Z. leucophrys. Median stripe of the crown white. A - black stripe from behind the eye, and a white superciliary - stripe. - - α. A black stripe from the eye to forehead, across lore. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, west throughout - Rocky Mountains; Cape St. Lucas in winter … - var. _leucophrys_. - - β. No black streak in front of eye, the lores being - wholly ashy. _Hab._ Western Province North America, east - to Rocky Mountains … var. _gambeli_. - - 2. Z. coronata. Median stripe of crown yellow for - anterior and ash for posterior half. Black of crown coming - down to eye and ear coverts, leaving no light superciliary - stripe. _Hab._ Pacific Province of North America; - accidental east of Sierra Nevada. - - _b._ Throat pure white, in sharp contrast with the dark ash - of cheeks and jugulum. - - 3. Z. albicollis. Median stripe of crown white. A light - superciliary stripe, yellow anterior to the eye, and white - behind it; a black streak along upper edge of ear-coverts. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America. - - B. Black of the crown not divided, but continuous. Jugulum - white. - - 4. Z. querula. Lores, forepart of cheeks, with the chin - and throat, deep black; whole side of head behind the eye, - ashy. Lower parts pure white. _Hab._ Missouri Plains. - - -Zonotrichia leucophrys, SWAINSON. - -WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. - - _Emberiza leucophrys_, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, 382, - 426.—GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 874.—WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, - 49, pl. xxxi, f. 4. _Fringilla (Zonotrichia) leucophrys_, SW. F. - B. Am. II, 1831, 255. _Zonotrichia leucophrys_, BON. List, - 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 478.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 458, pl. - lxix, f. 2.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 224.—_Maynard_, Birds E. - Mass. 1870, 118.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 196.—SAMUELS, 309. - _Fringilla leucophrys_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 88; V, 515, pl. - cxiv.—IB. Syn. 1839, 121.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 157, pl. cxcii. - _? Spizella maxima_, BONAP. Comp. Rend. 1853 (either this or _Z. - gambeli_). _White-crowned Sparrow_, PENNANT. - Figured in BUFFON, Ois. IV, 192, pl. ccxxiii, f. 2. Winter. - -SP. CHAR. Head above, upper half of loral region from the bill, and a -narrow line through and behind the eye to the occiput, black; a -longitudinal patch in the middle of the crown, and a short line from -above the anterior corner of the eye, the two confluent on the -occiput, white. Sides of the head, forepart of breast, and lower neck -all round, pale ash, lightest beneath, and shading insensibly into the -whitish of the belly and chin; sides of belly and under tail-coverts -tinged with yellowish-brown. Interscapular region streaked broadly -with dark chestnut-brownish. Edges of the tertiaries brownish-chestnut. -Two white bands on the wing. - -_Female_ similar, but smaller; immature birds in first winter, with -the black and white stripes on the crown replaced by dark -chestnut-brown and brownish-yellow. Length, 7.10 inches; wing, 3.25. -_Young of the year_ thickly streaked with dusky on the breast. The -lateral stripes of the crown dull brown, the median one streaked -whitish. - - [Illustration: _Zonotrichia leucophrys._] - -HAB. United States from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, where -they become associated with _Z. gambeli._ Cape St. Lucas; Greenland -(REINHARDT, Ibis, III, 7). Breed in Wahsatch Mountains (RIDGWAY). - -The white of the crown separates two black stripes on either side, -rather narrower than itself. The black line behind the eye is -continued anterior to it into the black at the base of the bill. The -lower eyelid is white. There are some obscure cloudings of darker on -the neck above. The rump is immaculate. No white on the tail, except -very obscure tips. The white on the wings crosses the ends of the -middle and greater coverts. - -The character distinguishing the western representative (_Z. gambeli_) -of _leucophrys_ is apparently very trifling, but is very constant. - -HABITS. The White-crowned Sparrow is found from the Rocky Mountains -eastward to the Atlantic, and in all the intervening territory, from -the Southern States to the Arctic regions. In the high meadows of the -Wahsatch Mountains, Mr. Ridgway found this bird very abundant, and one -very characteristic, breeding there quite as numerously as any other -species. In all that region Mr. Ridgway did not meet with a single -individual of _Z. gambeli_, its western representative. At the -encampment at Parley’s Park these birds soon became on very familiar -terms with the party. They were very sociable, and paid frequent -visits to the cook’s tent, and picked up, without the slightest signs -of fear, the crumbs from the ground. Their sweet morning carol was, he -states, delightful to the ear, and they were held in great favor by -all. A nest of these birds was found on the ground, at Parley’s Park, -June 26. It was built in a bunch of _Geranium_. Specimens of this -species were obtained, in winter, at Cape St. Lucas, Lower California, -by Mr. Xantus. - -Although an eastern species, passing, in its migrations, through the -Southern Atlantic States to Labrador in the spring and returning in -the fall, it is a rare species in all New England. Mr. Boardman says -that it is not common in Eastern Maine, and Mr. Verrill that it is -rare in the western part of that State. In Eastern Massachusetts it is -very rare. Mr. Maynard mentions obtaining a single specimen, May 27, -and regards it as quite a rare migrant. I have never met with the bird -near Boston, and do not believe that it is found there, except singly -and rarely. In the western part of the State, though less rare, it is -very far from being common. It is found there in the spring, from the -20th to the 30th of May, and in October from the 1st to the 15th. Mr. -Allen met with it from May 7 to June 6, in 1861, when these birds were -more common than usual. At this period, farther west, in Ohio, Western -Pennsylvania, and New York, these birds are very abundant. From April -10 to the latter portion of May, in 1852, they were abundant in the -neighborhood of Washington, the Capitol grounds being full of them. -They were familiar and fearless, and seemed to delight to search for -food under the large Norway spruces, branching down to the ground. -Their abundance that spring may have been exceptional, as Wilson -appears to have met with but very few specimens. - -Mr. Audubon found these Sparrows very abundant in Labrador, where they -were apparently late in breeding. It was not until the 6th of July -that he found one of their nests. This was placed among the moss at -the foot of a low fir. It was made externally of dry hypnum mosses, -matted in bunches like the coarse hair of some quadruped, and -internally of fine dry grasses, arranged with great neatness, to the -thickness of half an inch, with a full lining of the delicate yellow -fibrous roots of the _Coptis trifolia_. The nest was five inches in -its external diameter, and two in depth, the cavity two and a quarter -wide and one and three quarters deep. The eggs, five in number, he -describes as of a light sea-green color, mottled towards the larger -end with brownish spots and blotches, a few spots of a lighter tint -being dispersed over the whole. All the nests found were placed on the -ground or among the moss, and all were alike in their construction. By -the beginning of August the party met with young that were able to -fly. By the middle of that month they had commenced their southern -migrations. - -Dr. Coues also found this Sparrow breeding in great numbers along the -entire coast of Labrador. Found in all situations, it seemed to be -particularly fond of deep, thickly wooded, and secluded ravines, -surrounded by high precipitous cliffs, and, when in more open -districts, confining itself to tangled patches of juniper and scrubby -firs. He describes it as a very active and sprightly bird, almost -continually in motion. It seldom alights without rapidly jerking and -flirting its tail, and uttering its loud chirpings. While the female -is incubating, the male usually mounts to the top of the cliff or a -neighboring tree, and repeats his loud and not unpleasing, though -somewhat monotonous, notes for the space of half an hour or more. He -describes its song as very similar to that of the White-throated -Sparrow, consisting of two long-drawn syllables with a rising -intonation, then three more in a quick, hurried manner, with a falling -cadence,—_pēé-dēé-dē-dē-dē_; the whole is delivered in a mellow -whistle. If approached while thus engaged, the performer becomes -instantly silent, and dives hastily into the nearest cover. The nest -was always placed on the ground, and usually in little patches of low -heath, abundant wherever the ground was dry. He found a nest on the -23d of July, containing young just hatched. The female flutters off in -silence when her nest is disturbed, but the male bird vociferates his -angry remonstrance, flirting his tail and jerking his body in an -energetic manner. - -The food of this bird, in Labrador, was found to consist of small -coleopterous insects, grass-seeds, a variety of berries, as well as -minute shell-fish, for which they searched the margins of ponds near -the sea-shore. They were also seen to pursue insects on the wing. Mr. -Audubon speaks of its song as consisting of six or seven notes, and -describes it as loud, clear, and musical, although of a plaintive -nature, diminishing in power to the last note. Its flight he describes -as low, swift, and protracted. - -Dr. Coues did not find this bird abundant in South Carolina during the -winter, and conjectures that it does not go so far to the south. Its -migrations do not appear to be well defined, and nowhere is it known -to be abundant during this season. Lieutenant Couch met with it at -Brownville, Texas, and Tamaulipes, Mexico, and at Charco Escondido, in -March, at which time they were in flocks, indicating a more southern -migration than is generally supposed. - -It extends its northern migrations to the extreme northern and -northeastern portions of the continent, and also to Greenland. On the -Yukon and Anderson Rivers it is replaced by the _Z. gambeli_. It is -not abundant in Greenland. Holböll obtained a single specimen only in -August; and afterwards met with a flock of young birds. He infers that -they breed in the interior, but are restricted to a very narrow strip -of territory. - -Eggs of this species, from Wyoming Territory, measure from .90 to .95 -of an inch in length by .70 in breadth, and are of an oblong-oval -shape. The ground-color is a light greenish-white, thickly marked with -reddish-brown and lighter markings of an obscure purplish-brown. The -intensity, depth of coloring, and size of the darker brown markings, -vary. They are principally disposed about the larger end. - - -Zonotrichia leucophrys var. gambeli, GAMBEL. - -WESTERN WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. - - _Fringilla gambeli_, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 556.—GAMBEL, Pr. - A. N. Sc. Phila. I, 1843, 262 (California.) _Zonotrichia gambeli_, - GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d series, I, Dec. 1847, 50.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 460, pl. lxix, f. 1.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 119 - (British Columbia).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 201.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. - Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 195. - _Zonotrichia leucophrys_, NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. - P. R. R. VII, iv, 1857, 87. - -SP. CHAR. Precisely similar to _Z. leucophrys_, but rather smaller; -the lores are gray throughout, this color continuous with a white -superciliary stripe along the side of the head. Length, 6.25; wing, -2.83; tail, 3.08. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, north to Nulato and Fort -Kenai, east through the valley of the Mackenzie River, and south to -Jalisco and Mazatlan, Mexico. - -As stated in the previous article, the only appreciable and constant -difference between this race and _Z. leucophrys_ is found in the -character of the black stripe on the side of the crown. In -_leucophrys_ the black passes down over the upper half of the lores, -and in front of the eye, to a line continuous with the cutting edge of -the bill, and sends back a short branch to the eye, which cuts off the -white superciliary stripe. In _gambeli_ the superciliary stripe passes -continuously forward to the ashy lores, cutting off the black from the -eye. The lower edge of the black anteriorly is much higher than in -_leucophrys_, and nearly on a line with the nostrils. - -We cannot give any positive character by which immature specimens of -_leucophrys_ and _gambeli_ may be distinguished, unless that the short -dark line from forehead to eye of the former is indicated by a greater -amount of dusky at the base of the feathers of that region. - -The young of this species, like that of _leucophrys_, is streaked with -blackish on side of the throat, across the breast, and on the sides of -body, instead of being entirely unmarked beneath, as in the adult. - -One specimen, collected in the West Humboldt Mountains, connects this -form with _leucophrys_, and may possibly be a hybrid. In this there is -a black spot in front of the eye, but separated from the black of the -crown by the usual light superciliary stripe of _gambeli_. - -Some specimens from the coast region of California have the ash of -head and breast duller, and with a brownish cast, and the spots on the -back black instead of deep dark brown. - -HABITS. The Western White-crowned Sparrow is found in great abundance, -from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, between the Rocky Mountains and the -Pacific. Dr. Suckley found this bird very abundant at Fort Dalles and -at Puget Sound, at both of which places it is a constant summer -resident. It was always found in excellent condition. He states that -it makes its nest in low bushes, among the stalks of lupins and other -shrub-like weeds. Dr. Cooper also mentions that this bird is very -abundant in all the prairie districts of Washington Territory, -especially where there are low bushes. Unlike most of the Sparrows, it -was also common on the coast prairies, where he found it breeding. -They arrive at the Straits of Fuca at the end of March in large -numbers, and leave for the South in October. He afterwards found them -at Fort Mohave, in the Colorado Valley, quite common throughout the -winter, some remaining until the 15th of May, but he does not think -that any remain there to breed. They are also abundant, in winter, -from San Francisco south, through all the inhabitable country. In -summer they are found in the Sierra Nevada, to their summits, and are -also plentiful in the regions north of the Columbia. A few remain, -during the summer, in the cool district about San Francisco. In June, -1854, Dr. Cooper met with its nest near the mouth of the Columbia. It -was built in a bush, about a foot from the ground, formed of neatly -interwoven grasses, and lined with softer materials. He describes its -song as loud, but short and melancholy, heard at intervals during the -whole year, and frequently at night. - -The Western White-crowned Sparrow was first met with by Mr. Ridgway, -at the Summit Meadows, near the summit of Donner Lake Pass of the -Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of about seven thousand feet. It was -there an abundant and characteristic bird. The males were in full song -in all parts of the meadow, and were nesting in such numbers that on -the evening of July 9, on halting for the night, in a hurried search -no less than twenty-seven of their eggs were obtained within about -fifteen minutes. In every instance the nests were embedded under a -species of dwarf-willow, with which the ground was covered. The birds -were extremely unsuspicious, the male often sitting on a bush within a -few feet of the collector, and chanting merrily as the eggs were being -blown. In one instance, having occasion to repass a spot from which a -nest had been taken, the female was found sitting in the cavity from -which its nest had been removed. This species is only a winter -visitant of the lower country, but is there universally distributed, -and always found in bushy localities. - -Mr. Bannister states that this bird was tolerably abundant among the -alder-bushes in certain parts of St. Michael’s Island. Mr. Dall found -it common at Nulato, and especially so at Fort Yukon. It arrived at -Nulato about May 20. Its nests and eggs were obtained from Indians at -Nowikakat, on the Yukon River. Dr. Kennerly met with these birds, in -February, at White Cliff Creek, New Mexico. They were first observed -on approaching the Big Sandy, and from thence to the Colorado they -were found in abundance. They were mostly in flocks, and were -generally found among the bushes, in the vicinity of water. He also -met with it in the valley of the Rio Grande, Corralitos, and Janos -Rivers. It seemed to prefer the vicinity of settlements, where it was -always seen in greater numbers than elsewhere. - -Mr. Dresser found these birds common about San Antonio, Texas, during -the winter, arriving late in September. Some may remain and breed, as -several were observed there in June. Dr. Coues also found them -abundant in Arizona, where he first observed them September 15. After -this they became exceedingly numerous, and remained so until January. -Later than this only a few stragglers were seen, until April, when -they again became abundant. By far the greater part left, and -proceeded north to breed. - -These Sparrows were found breeding on the Yukon and at Fort Anderson -in great numbers by Messrs. MacFarlane, Lockhart, and Ross. Their -nests were in nearly all cases found upon the ground, often in tufts -of grass, clumps of Labrador tea, or other low bushes. They were -composed of hay, and, in nearly every instance, were lined with deer’s -hair, and in a few with feathers. A few were without any lining. In -selecting a situation for their nests, they seemed generally to give -the preference to open or thinly wooded tracts. The male bird was -usually seen, or its note heard, in the immediate vicinity of the -nest. The eggs were obtained from the 4th of June to the 1st of July. -Their maximum number was six; the most common, four. - -Mr. B. R. Ross states that this species arrives at the Arctic Circle -from about the 15th to the 20th of May, and at Slave Lake only a few -days earlier. They are then no longer in flocks, but have already -paired. They commence nesting almost immediately upon their arrival at -the Yukon and at Fort Good Hope. Mr. Ross found nests made as early as -May 20 to 25, while there was still considerable snow upon the ground. -They mostly nest, however, in the first half of June, the young -usually hatching between the 15th and 30th, and leaving the nests when -less than a month old. They all leave the Arctic Circle about the -middle of September. A few were seen at Fort Simpson in the latter -part of that month. When starting, they gather in small flocks. The -nest is built on high ground, among low, open bushes, always at the -foot of some shrub or bush, and more or less protected and concealed -by grass. It is never placed in the edges of marshes, like _Melospiza -lincolni_; nor on small prairies, like the _Passerculus savanna_; nor -in thick woods, as does sometimes the _Z. albicollis_. The nest is -neatly built, is more compact and of finer materials than that of the -latter. It is large and deep, formed externally of coarse grass, and -lined with finer materials. - -When started from her nest, the female flies off a few yards and -flutters silently along the ground to divert attention. If -unsuccessful, she flies about her nest uttering sharp, harsh notes of -anxiety. The male is less bold on such occasions. Their favorite -habitat is light open bushes, affecting neither open plains nor deep -woods and never perching so high as twenty feet from the ground, and -usually, in all their movements, keeping close to the earth. - -Its food, so far as could be observed, consisted almost wholly of -seeds, sought mostly on the ground. It hatches only a single brood in -a year. - -Mr. B. R. Boss adds that this is the most abundant Sparrow throughout -the Mackenzie River region, and also the most interesting. Through the -spring and summer its melodious song, which strongly calls to mind the -first notes of the old air, “O Dear! what can the Matter be?” may be -heard from every thicket, both night and day. When sleeping in the -woods, Mr. Boss states that he has often been awakened by several of -these birds singing near him, answering each other, throughout the -short night, when all the other birds were silent. On this account, -but for the richness and melody of its song the bird would have made -itself quite disagreeable. - -The Cree Indians name this Sparrow _Wah-si-pis-chan_, because they -think this resembles its notes, the last of which are supposed to -imitate the sound of running water. It sings long after the -breeding-season is past, and its notes may be heard even into August. - -The eggs measure .85 of an inch in length by .65 in breadth, and have -a ground of a greenish-white marked with a rusty-brown. They are of a -rounded-oval shape. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXVI. - - 1. Zonotrichia coronata. ♂ _ad._, Columb. R., 2780. - 2. Junco oregonus. ♂ _ad._, Cal., 3920. - 3. “ caniceps. ♂ Utah, 11159. - 4. Zonotrichia querula. ♂ _ad._, Ft. Union, Dakota, 1940. - 5. Junco hyemalis. ♂ Pa., 1287. - 6. “ aikeni. ♂ Colorado, 61302. - 7. Zonotrichia querula. Autumn. - 8. Poospiza bilineata. ♂ _ad._, N. Mex., 6316. - 9. “ belli. _Ad._, Nevada, 53516. - 10. Zonotrichia albicollis. ♂ _ad._, Pa., 1434. - 11. Spizella atrigularis. ♂ _ad._, Coahuila, Mex., 4935. - 12. “ “ ♀ _juv._, Cape St. Lucas, 23866.] - - -Zonotrichia coronata, BAIRD. - -GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. - - _Emberiza coronata_, PALLAS, Zoög. Rosso-Asiat. II, 1811, 44, plate. - _Zonotrichia c._, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 461.—HEERM. X, _S_, 48 - (nest).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 201.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, - 1869, 284 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 197. _Emberiza - atricapilla_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 47, pl. cccxciv (not of - GMELIN). _Fringilla atricapilla_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 122.—IB. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 162, pl. cxciii. _Fringilla aurocapilla_, - NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d. ed.,) 1840, 555. _Zonotrichia aurocapilla_, - BON. Consp. 1850, 478.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. - R. R. VI, IV. 1857, 88. _Emberiza atricapilla_, GM. I, 1788, 875 - (in part only).—LATH. Ind. 415. _Black-crowned Bunting_, PENNANT, - Arc. Zoöl. II, 364.—LATH. II, I, 202, 49, tab. lv. - -SP. CHAR. Hood, from bill to upper part of nape, pure black, the -middle longitudinal third occupied by yellow on the anterior half, and -pale ash on the posterior. Sides and under parts of head and neck, -with upper part of breast, ash-color, passing insensibly into whitish -on the middle of the body; sides and under tail-coverts tinged with -brownish. A yellowish spot above the eye, bounded anteriorly by a -short black line from the eye to the black of the forehead. This -yellow spot, however, reduced to a few feathers in spring dress. -Interscapular region, with the feathers, streaked with dark brown, -suffused with dark rufous externally. Two narrow white bands on the -wings. Bill dusky above, paler beneath; legs flesh-color. - -Autumnal specimens have more or less of the whole top of head -greenish-yellow; the feathers somewhat spotted with dusky; the black -stripe of the hood reduced to a narrow superciliary line, or else to a -spot anterior to the eye. Length about 7 inches; wing, 3.30. - -HAB. Pacific coast from Russian America to Southern California; West -Humboldt Mountains, Nev. Black Hills of Rocky Mountains? - -HABITS. This species, described and figured by Mr. Audubon as the -_Fringilla atricapilla_, is found in western North America, from -Alaska to Southern California and Cape St. Lucas, and is almost -entirely confined to the Pacific Province, being known east of the -Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada only as stragglers. In its general -habits it is said to greatly resemble the _Z. gambeli_. In the -vicinity of Fort Dalles, and also in the neighborhood of Fort -Steilacoom, Dr. Suckley found it quite abundant in the summer. - -Dr. Cooper says that it is only a straggler in the forest regions west -of the Cascade Mountains, but that it probably migrates more -abundantly to the open plains eastward of them. He met with them but -once near Puget Sound, May 10, when they were apparently migrating. -Dr. Cooper found a few of this species wintering as far south as San -Diego, associating with _Z. gambeli_. They were much less familiar, -did not come about the houses, but kept among the dense thickets. They -were then silent, nor has he ever heard them utter any song. He met -with none near the summit of the Sierra Nevada. - -Dr. Newberry found these birds abundant in the vicinity of San -Francisco in winter. - -Mr. Nuttall met with the young birds of this species on the central -tablelands of the Rocky Mountains, in the prairies. They were running -on the ground. He heard no note from them. He afterwards saw a few -stragglers, in the early part of winter, in the thickets of the -forests of the Columbia River, near Fort Vancouver. He also met with -them, in the winter and until late in the spring, in the woods and -thickets of California. - -Dr. Heermann found this species very abundant in the fall season, -generally associated with the California Song Sparrow and the _Z. -gambeli_. It resorts to the deep shady thickets and woods, where it -passes the greater part of its time. In the mountainous districts it -prefers the hillsides, covered with dense undergrowth. It occasionally -breeds in California, as Dr. Heermann found its nest in a bush near -Sacramento City. It was composed of coarse stalks of weeds, and lined -internally with fine roots. The eggs were four in number, and are -described as having been of an ashy-white ground, with markings of -brown umber, at times appearing almost black from the depth of their -shade. They were marked also with a few spots of a neutral tint. - -Many of these birds were obtained in Sitka and in Kodiak, by Bischoff, -and also in British Columbia by Elliot. - -Only one specimen of this species was met with by Mr. Ridgway in his -explorations with Mr. Clarence King’s survey. This was taken October -7, 1867, in the West Humboldt Mountains, in company with a flock of -_Z. gambeli_. - - -Zonotrichia albicollis, BONAP. - -WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. - - _Fringilla albicollis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 926.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. III, 1811, 51, pl. xxii, f. 2.—LICHT. Verz. Doubl. No. 247 - (1823). _Zonotrichia albicollis_, BP. Consp. 1850, 478.—CAB. Mus. - Hein. 1851, 132.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 463.—SAMUELS, 311. - _Passer pennsylvanicus_, BRISSON, 1760, Appendix, 77. _Fringilla - pennsylvanica_, LATH. Index, I, 1790, 445.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - 1831, 42; V, 497, pl. viii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 121.—IB. Birds Am. III, - 1841, 153, pl. cxci.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 276. _Fringilla - (Zonotrichia) pennsylvanica_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 256. - _Zonotrichia pennsylvanica_, BON. List, 1838. - -SP. CHAR. Two black stripes on the crown, separated by a median one of -white. A broad superciliary stripe from the base of the mandible to -the occiput, yellow as far as the middle of the eye and white behind -this. A broad black streak on the side of the head from behind the -eye. Chin white, abruptly defined against the dark ash of the sides of -the head and upper part of the breast, fading into white on the belly, -and margined by a narrow black maxillary line. Edge of wing and -axillaries yellow. Back and edges of secondaries rufous-brown, the -former streaked with dark brown. Two narrow white bands across the -wing-coverts. Length, 7 inches; wing, 3.10; tail, 3.20. Young of the -year not in the collection. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America to the Missouri. Breeding in -most of the northern United States and British Provinces, and -wintering in the United States almost to their southern limit. -Aberdineshire, England, August 17, 1867 (Zoölogist, Feb., 1869, 1547; -P. Z. S. 1857, 52). Scotland (Newton, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1870, 52). - -Female smaller, and the colors rather duller. Immature and winter -specimens have the white chin-patch less abruptly defined, the white -markings on the top and sides of the head tinged with brown. Some -specimens, apparently mature, show quite distinct streaks on the -breast and sides of throat and body. - -HABITS. The White-throated Sparrow is, at certain seasons, an abundant -bird in all parts of North America, from the Great Plains to the -Atlantic, and from Georgia to the extreme Arctic regions. A few breed -in favorable situations in Massachusetts, especially in the extreme -northwestern part of the State. It breeds abundantly in Vermont, New -Hampshire, and Maine, and in all the British Provinces. - -Sir John Richardson states that they reach the Saskatchewan in the -middle of May, and spread throughout the fur countries, as far, at -least, as the 66th parallel, to breed. He states that he saw a female -sitting on seven eggs near the Cumberland House, as early as June 4. -The nest was placed under a fallen tree, was made of grass, lined with -deer’s hair and a few feathers. Another, found at Great Bear’s Lake, -was lined with the _setæ_ of the _Bryum uliginosum_. He describes the -eggs as of a pale mountain-green, thickly marbled with reddish-brown. -When the female was disturbed, she ran silently off in a crouching -manner, like a Lark. He describes the note of this bird as a clear -song of two or three notes, uttered very distinctly, but without -variety,—a very incomplete description. - -Mr. Kennicott states that this species does not extend its migrations -as far to the north as _Z. gambeli_, and is even much less numerous on -the south shores of the Slave Lake, where he did not observe half so -many of this as of the other. It also nests later, as he found the -first nest observed on the 22d of June, with the eggs quite fresh, -incubation not having commenced, and found others after that date. On -English River he found two nests with eggs on the 9th and 17th of -July, and one near the Cumberland House on the 30th of June. Two of -these were in low swampy ground among large trees, the other on high -ground among small bushes. They were constructed on large bases of -moss, and lined with soft grasses. When startled from her nest, the -female always crept silently away through the grass. - -He met with this species in considerable flocks, accompanied by small -numbers of _Z. leucophrys_, on the north shore of Lake Superior, on -the 11th of May. He saw individuals on the 29th of May, near the Lake -of the Woods, and it doubtless breeds as far south as that region. In -the fall it was not seen at Fort Simpson later than the last of -September. As it is a much more eastern bird than _Z. gambeli_, it is -probably in greater abundance on the eastern end of Slave Lake. Its -song he regards as by no means so attractive as that of _Z. gambeli_ -or of _Z. leucophrys_. Its general habits are very much like those of -the former, and though by no means a strictly terrestrial bird, it -rarely perches high on trees, and generally flies near the ground, -except in its long migratory flights. - -Notwithstanding the slighting manner in which the song of this bird is -spoken of by some writers, in certain parts of the country its clear, -prolonged, and peculiar whistle has given to it quite a local fame and -popularity. Among the White Mountains, where it breeds abundantly, it -is known as the Peabody Bird, and its remarkably clear whistle -resounds in all their glens and secluded recesses. Its song consists -of twelve distinct notes, which are not unfrequently interpreted into -various ludicrous travesties. As this song is repeated with no -variations, and quite frequently from early morning until late in the -evening, it soon becomes quite monotonous. - -Among the White Mountains I have repeatedly found its nests. They were -always on the ground, usually sheltered by surrounding grass, and at -the foot of bushes or a tree, or in the woods under a fallen log. In -that region it retained all its wild, shy habits, rarely being found -in the neighborhood of dwellings or in cultivated grounds. But at -Halifax this was not so. There I found them breeding in gardens, on -the edge of the city, and in close proximity to houses, apparently not -more shy than the common Song Sparrow. - -Wilson states that these birds winter in most of the States south of -New England, and he found them particularly numerous near the Roanoke -River, collecting in flocks on the borders of swampy thickets, among -long rank weeds, the seeds of which formed their principal food. He -gives the 20th of April as the date of their disappearance, but I have -observed them lingering in the Capitol grounds in Washington several -weeks after that date. They pass through Eastern Massachusetts from -the 10th to the 20th of May, and repass early in October. A few -stragglers sometimes appear at earlier dates, but irregularly. In -Western Maine, where it is quite common, Professor Verrill states that -it sometimes arrives by the middle of April. Near Springfield, Mass., -Mr. Allen noted their appearance between the last of April and the -20th of May; in fall, from the last of September through October. -Their favorite haunts are moist thickets. The young males do not -acquire their full plumage until the second spring, but sing and breed -in the plumage of the females, as Mr. Allen ascertained by dissection. -Mr. Hildreth observed a pair near Springfield during three successive -summers, and although he could not find the nest, he saw them feeding -their scarcely fledged young birds. - -At Columbia, S. C., Dr. Coues found these Sparrows very abundant, from -October through April. They sing, more or less, all winter, and during -the last few weeks of their stay are quite musical. Many hundreds pass -the months of March and April in the gardens of that city, though -during the winter they were mostly to be found in thickets and fields, -in company with many other species. - -A single specimen of this bird was killed in Aberdeenshire, August 17, -1867, and a second was lately captured alive near Brighton (P. Z. S., -June 4, 1872). - -Mr. Audubon says that this bird visits Louisiana and all the Southern -districts in winter, remaining from November to March, in great -numbers. They form groups of from thirty to fifty, and live together -in great harmony, feeding upon small seeds. At this time they are -plump to excess, and are regarded as a great delicacy. - -When kept in confinement these birds become quite tame, and in the -spring will sing at all hours of the day or night. - -The nest of this bird is usually, if not always, on the ground, but in -various situations, as I have found them on a hillside, in the midst -of low underbrush, in a swampy thicket, at the foot of some large tree -in a garden, as at Halifax, by the edge of a small pond, or in a -hollow and decaying stump. Their nest is large, deep, and capacious, -with a base of moss or coarse grasses, woven with finer stems above -and lined with hair, a few feathers, fine rootlets of plants or soft -grasses. The eggs vary from four to seven in number. Their -ground-color is of a pale green or a greenish-white, marked over the -entire egg with a fox-colored or rusty brown. Occasionally these -markings are sparsely scattered, permitting the ground to be plainly -visible, but generally they are so very abundant as to cover the -entire egg so closely as to conceal all other shade, and give to the -whole a deep uniform rufous-brown hue, through which the under color -of light green is hardly distinguishable. They measure .90 by .68 of -an inch. - - -Zonotrichia querula, GAMBEL. - -HARRIS’S SPARROW; BLACK-HOODED SPARROW. - - _Fringilla querula_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 555 (Westport, - Mo.). _Zonotrichia querula_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d Ser. I, 1847, - 51.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, 478.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 462.—ALLEN, - Amer. Naturalist, May, 1872. _Fringilla harrisi_, AUD. Birds Am. - VII, 1843, 331, pl. cccclxxxiv. _Fringilla comata_, PR. MAX. Reise - II, 1841.—IB. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 279. _Zonotrichia comata_, BP. - Consp. 1850, 479. - -SP. CHAR. Hood and nape, sides of head anterior to and including the -eyes, chin, throat, and a few spots in the middle of the upper part of -the breast and on its sides, black. Sides of head and neck ash-gray, -with the trace of a narrow crescent back of the ear-coverts. -Interscapular region of back with the feathers reddish-brown streaked -with dark brown. Breast and belly clear white. Sides of body light -brownish, streaked. Two narrow white bands across the greater and -middle coverts. Length about 7 inches; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.65. - -HAB. Missouri River, above Fort Leavenworth. Chillicothe, Mo. (HOY). -Very common in Eastern Kansas (ALLEN). San Antonio, Texas, spring -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 488). - -The bill of this species appears to be yellowish-red. More immature -specimens vary in having the black of the head above more restricted, -the nape and sides of the head to the bill pale reddish-brown, lighter -on the latter region. Others have the feathers of the anterior portion -of the hood edged with whitish. In all there is generally a trace of -black anterior to the eye. - -This species has a considerably larger bill than _Z. leucophrys_, the -mandible especially. - -HABITS. This species was first described in 1840, by Mr. Nuttall, from -specimens obtained by him near Independence, Mo., near the close of -the month of April. He again met with them on the following 5th of -May, when not far from the banks of the Little Vermilion River, a -branch of the Kansas. He found them frequenting thickets, and -uttering, chiefly in the early morning, but also occasionally at other -parts of the day, a long, drawling, faint, solemn, and monotonous -succession of notes, resembling _tē-dē-dē-dē_. - -Since then but little additional information has been obtained in -regard to their general habits, their geographical distribution, or -their mode of breeding, single specimens only having been taken at -considerable intervals in the valley of the Missouri and elsewhere -until 1872. Two specimens were secured by Mr. Dresser, near San -Antonio, in Western Texas, occurring on the Medina River during their -spring migrations. More recently this bird was taken twice by Mr. H. -W. Parker, in Jasper County, Iowa. The latest of these was secured May -19. - -Professor F. H. Snow, in his List of Kansas Birds, published April, -1872, enumerates this species as a bird frequently taken in Kansas in -the winter, and probably resident; and Mr. J. A. Allen (American -Naturalist, May, 1872) states that Harris’s Finch was, next to the -Cardinal, the most abundant species of the family of Sparrows and -Finches in the vicinity of Leavenworth, as it was also one of the -largest and handsomest. He found it almost exclusively frequenting the -damper parts of the woods, associating with the White-throated -Sparrow, much resembling it both in habits and in song. Nothing has so -far been published respecting the nest and eggs. - - -GENUS JUNCO, WAGLER. - - _Junco_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831. (Type, _Fringilla cinerea_, SW.) - _Niphæa_, AUDUBON, Syn. 1839. (Type, _Emberiza hyemalis_, GM.) - - [Line drawing: _Junco oregonus._ - 32411 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill small, conical; culmen curved at the tip; the lower -jaw quite as high as the upper. Tarsus longer than the middle toe; -outer toe longer than the inner, barely reaching to the base of the -middle claw; hind toe reaching as far as the middle of the latter; -extended toes reaching about to the middle of the tail. Wings rather -short; reaching over the basal fourth of the exposed surface of the -tail; primaries, however, considerably longer than the secondaries and -tertials, which are nearly equal. The second quill longest, the third -to fifth successively but little shorter; first longer than sixth, -much exceeding secondaries. Tail moderate, a little shorter than the -wings; slightly emarginate and rounded. Feathers rather narrow; oval -at the end. No streaks on the head or body; color above uniform on the -head, back, or rump, separately or on all together. Belly white; outer -tail-feathers white. Young birds streaked above and below. - -The essential characters of this genus are the middle toe rather -shorter than the short tarsus; the lateral toes slightly unequal, the -outer reaching the base of the middle claw; the tail a little shorter -than the wings, slightly emarginate. In _Junco cinereus_ the claws are -longer; the lower mandible a little lower than the upper. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Prevailing color plumbeous; abdomen, crissum, -and lateral tail-feathers white. - - A. Bill entirely light flesh-colored, dusky only at extreme - point. Color of jugulum (deep ash or plumbeous-black) abruptly - defined against the pure white of the abdomen. - - _a._ Posterior outline of the dark color of the jugulum - convex; sides pinkish. - - 1. J. oregonus. Back and wings more or less tinged with - dark rusty, in sharp contrast with the black (♂) or ash (♀) - of the head and neck. _Hab._ Pacific Province of North - America, from Sitka southward; east across the Middle - Province of United States, to the Rocky Mountains (where - mixed with _J. caniceps_[116]) occasionally to the Plains - (where mixed with _J. hyemalis_[117]). - - _b._ Posterior outline of the dark color of the jugulum - concave; sides ashy. - - 2. J. hyemalis. Back and wings without rusty tinge. - - Wing without any white; three outer tail-feathers only, - marked with white. Bill, .40 and .25; wing, 3.10; tail, - 2.80; tarsus, .80. _Hab._ Eastern Province North America. - Straggling west to Arizona (COUES); in the northern Rocky - Mountains, mixed with _J. oregonus_ … var. _hyemalis_. - - Wing with two white bands (on tips of middle and greater - coverts); four outer tail-feathers marked with white. - Bill, .50 and .30; wing, 3.40; tail, 3.20. _Hab._ High - mountains of Colorado (El Paso Co., AIKEN) … var. _aikeni_. - - 3. J. caniceps. Back (interscapulars) rufous; scapulars - and wings uniform ashy. _Hab._ Central Rocky Mountains of - United States. (Along southern boundary mixed with _J. - cinereus_.[118]) - - B. Bill with the upper mandible black, the lower yellow. Ash - of the jugulum fading gradually into the grayish-white of the - abdomen. - - 4. J. cinereus. Whole back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and - tertials rufous. - - Throat and jugulum pale ash; back bright rufous. Wing, - 3.10; tail, 3.00; bill, .34 and .25; tarsus, .80. _Hab._ - Tablelands and mountains of Mexico … var. _cinereus_.[119] - - Throat and jugulum deep ash; back dull, or - olivaceous-rufous. Wing, 3.15; tail, 3.10; bill, .44 and - .34; tarsus, .90. _Hab._ High mountains of Guatemala … - var. _alticola_.[120] - - -Junco hyemalis, SCLATER. - -SNOWBIRD. - - _Fringilla hyemalis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (10th ed.,) 1758, 183 (not - of GMELIN or LATHAM).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 72; V, 505, pl. - xiii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 277. _Fringilla (Spiza) hyemalis_, - BON. Syn. 1828, 109. _Emberiza hyemalis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, - 1766, 308. _Struthus hyemalis_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, - 475. _Niphæa hyemalis_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 106.—IB. Birds Am. - III, 1841, 88, pl. clxvii. _Junco hyemalis_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. - Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 468.—COUES, P. A. N. S. - 1861, 224.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284.—SAMUELS, - 314. _Fringilla hudsonia_, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, - 428.—GMELIN, I, 1788, 926.—WILSON’S Index, VI, 1812, p. xiii. - _Fringilla nivalis_, WILSON, II, 1810, 129, pl. xvi, f. 6. - -SP. CHAR. Everywhere of a grayish or dark ashy-black, deepest -anteriorly; the middle of the breast behind and of the belly, the -under tail-coverts, and first and second external tail-feathers, -white; the third tail-feather white, margined with black. Length, -6.25; wing, about 3. Female paler. In winter washed with brownish. -Young streaked above and below. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri, and as far west as Black -Hills. Stragglers at Fort Whipple, Arizona, and mountains of Colorado. - - [Illustration: _Junco oregonus._] - -The wing is rounded; the second quill longest; the third, fourth, and -fifth, successively, a little shorter; the first longer than the -sixth. Tail slightly rounded, and a little emarginate. In the full -spring dress there is no trace of any second color on the back, except -an exceedingly faint and scarcely appreciable wash of dull brownish -over the whole upper parts. The markings of the third tail-feather -vary somewhat in specimens. Sometimes the whole tip is margined with -brown; sometimes the white extends to the end; sometimes both webs are -margined with brown; sometimes the outer is white entirely; sometimes -the brownish wash on the back is more distinct. - -Some specimens (No. 52,702 and 52,701, males) from Sun River, Dakota, -appear to be hybrids with _oregonus_. They have the general appearance -of _hyemalis_, the back being nearly uniform with the head (with a -wash of sepia-brown, however), and the head and neck of the same dark -plumbeous; the sides, however, are pinkish, and the plumbeous on the -jugulum has its posterior outline convex, as in _oregonus_. If, as -there is every reason to believe, these specimens are really hybrids, -then we have the two extreme forms of the genus connected by specimens -of such a condition; thus, _hyemalis_ with _oregonus_, _oregonus_ with -_caniceps_ (= _annectens_, Baird), and _caniceps_ with _cinereus_ -(= _dorsalis_, Henry). It may perhaps be considered a serious question -whether all (including _alticola_) are not, in reality, geographical -races of one species. However, as there is no possibility of ever -proving this, it may be best to consider them as representative -species, and these specimens of intermediate characters as hybrids. - -HABITS. The common familiar Snowbird of the Eastern States is found -throughout all North America, east of the Black Hills, from Texas to -the Arctic regions. Wherever found, it is at certain seasons a very -abundant and an equally familiar bird. - -It nests as far south, in mountainous regions, as Virginia, and thence -to New York and the northern parts of the New England States, breeding -only in the highlands, but descending more and more into the plains as -we proceed north. As it is a very hardy bird, its migrations are -irregular and uncertain. In some seasons I have observed but few at -irregular intervals; and in others, in which the spring was cold and -backward, I have met with them in every month except July and August. - -Mr. Kennicott found but few birds of this species breeding as far -south as Fort Resolution or Slave Lake, and was unable to find any of -their nests, though he met with a few birds that were evidently -breeding there. He found it afterwards nesting in the greatest -abundance about latitude 65°. They were very numerous on the Yukon, -and Mr. MacFarlane found them breeding plentifully on the Anderson -River, at the edge of the barren-ground region. - -The nests found by Mr. Kennicott were all on the ground, more or less -concealed in tufts of grass, dry leaves, or projecting roots. Some -were in thick woods, others in more open regions, and were lined with -moose-hair. - -Mr. Ross states that this species frequents all the Mackenzie River -region in summer, arriving about the 20th of April, and leaving about -the 10th of October. Besides its call-note, or chirp, it has a very -pretty song. - -Mr. Dall also remarks that they were quite common at Nulato in the -spring, not arriving there, however, until about the first of June. - -According to Mr. Dresser, it is found occasionally about San Antonio -in winter, and Dr. Woodhouse says that it is also common in the Indian -Territory in fall and winter. According to Mr. Audubon, it makes its -appearance in Louisiana in November, and remains there until early -spring. It is also abundant in South Carolina, arriving there in -October and leaving in April. - -This species was observed by Mr. Aiken in Colorado Territory for about -three weeks following March 20, after which they were seen no more. - -It breeds more or less abundantly in the northern and eastern portions -of Maine. About Calais and in all the islands of the Bay of Fundy, and -throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I found this by far the most -common and familiar species, especially at Pictou, where it abounded -in the gardens, in repeated instances coming within the outbuildings -to build its nests. In a woodshed connected with the dwelling of Mr. -Dawson, my attention was called to the nests of several of these -birds, built within reach of the hand, and in places where the family -were passing and repassing throughout the day. In Pictou they were -generally called the Bluebird by the common people. On my ride from -Halifax to Pictou, I also found these birds breeding by the roadside, -often under the shelter of a projecting bank, in the manner of the -_Passerculus savanna_. I afterward found them nesting in similar -situations among the White Mountains, the roadsides seeming to be a -favorite situation. In habits and notes, at Pictou, they reminded me -of the common _Spizella socialis_, but were, if anything, more -fearless and confiding, coming into the room where the family were at -their meals, and only flying away when they had secured a crumb of -sufficient size. - -In Western Massachusetts they breed in all parts of the range of Green -Mountains, from Blandford to North Adams. They appear about -Springfield in October and November, and are for a while abundant, and -are then gone until March, when they return in full song, and remain -numerous into April, and less common until into May. In the eastern -part of the State they are found from October to late in May, with -some irregularity and in varying numbers. Mr. Audubon did not meet -with any on the coast of Labrador, and Dr. Coues did not find them so -abundant as he expected, and did not observe any until the latter part -of July, at which time the young were already hatched, and they were -associated in small companies. They kept entirely in the thick woods, -and seemed rather timid. - -Their food is small berries, seeds of grasses and small plants, -insects, and larvæ. They seek the latter on the ground, and in the -winter are said to frequent the poultry-yards, and avail themselves of -the services of the fowls in turning up the earth. On the ground they -hop about in a peculiar manner, apparently without moving their feet. -At night and during storms they shelter themselves in the thick -branches of evergreens, and also in stacks of hay and piles of -brushwood. - -During the winter the Snowbird appears to be rather more numerous in -the Middle and Southern States than in New England. In the former they -appear late in October, at first on the borders of woods, searching -for food among the fallen and decaying leaves. Later in the season, as -the weather becomes colder, and the snow deprives them of this means -of feeding, they resort to the roadsides and feed on the seeds of the -taller weeds, and to the farm-houses and farm-yards, and even enter -within the limits of large cities, where they become very tame and -familiar. They are much exposed to attacks from several kinds of -Hawks, and the apparent timidity they evince at certain times and -places is due to their apprehensions of this danger. The sudden rustle -of the wings of a harmless fowl will cause the whole flock to take at -once to flight, returning as soon as their alarm is found to be -needless, but repeated again and again when the same dreaded sounds -are heard. - -Neither Wilson, Nuttall, nor Audubon appear to have ever met with the -nests or eggs of this bird, though the first met with them breeding -both among the Alleghanies, in Virginia, and the highlands of -Pennsylvania and New York. In Otsego County, in the latter State, Mr. -Edward Appleton was the first to discover and identify their nest and -eggs, as cited by Mr. Audubon in the third volume of his Birds of -America. They were found in considerable numbers in the town of -Otsego. Their nests were on the ground in sheltered positions, some of -them with covered entrances. Their complement of eggs was four. One of -their nests was sent me, and was characteristic of all I have since -seen, having an external diameter of four and a half inches and a -depth of two. The cavity was deep and capacious for the bird. The base -and periphery of the nest were made of slender strips of bark, coarse -straws, fine roots, and horsehair, lined with fine mosses and the fur -of smaller animals. The eggs were of a rounded-oval shape; their -ground-color is a creamy yellowish-white, marked with spots and -blotches of a reddish-brown confluent around the larger portion of the -egg, but rarely covering either end. They measure .75 by .60 of an -inch, not varying in size from those of _J. oregonus_. - - -Junco hyemalis, var. aikeni, RIDGWAY. - -WHITE-WINGED SNOWBIRD. - -SP. CHAR. Generally similar to _J. hyemalis_, but considerably larger, -with more robust bill; two white bands on the wing, and three, instead -of two, outer tail-feathers entirely white. No. 61,302 ♂, El Paso Co., -Colorado, December 11, 1871, C. E. Aiken: Head, neck, jugulum, and -entire upper parts clear ash; the back with a bluish tinge; the lores, -quills, and tail-feathers darker; middle and secondary wing-coverts -rather broadly tipped with white, forming two conspicuous bands. Lower -part of the breast, abdomen, and crissum pure white, the anterior -outline against the ash of the jugulum convex; sides tinged with ash. -Three lateral tail-feathers entirely white, the third, however, with a -narrow streak of dusky on the terminal third of the outer web; the -next feather mostly plumbeous, with the basal fourth of the outer web, -and the terminal half of the inner, along the shaft, white. Wing, -3.40; tail, 3.20; culmen, .50; depth of bill at base, .30; tarsus, -.80. - -HAB. El Paso County, Colorado. - -At first sight, this bird appears to be a very distinct species, being -larger than any other North American form, and possessing in the white -bands on the wing characters entirely peculiar. Its large size, -however, we can attribute to its alpine habitat, agreeing in this -respect, as compared with _J. hyemalis_, with the _J. alticola_ of -Guatemala, which we can only consider an alpine or somewhat local form -of _J. cinereus_. That the white bands on the wing do not constitute a -character sufficiently important to be considered of specific value is -proved by the fact that in many specimens of _J. oregonus_, and -occasionally in _J. hyemalis_, there is sometimes quite a distinct -tendency to these bands in the form of obscure white tips to the -coverts. - -HABITS. But little is known as to the habits of this variety; probably -they do not differ from those of its congeners. It was met with by Mr. -C. E. Aiken, near Fountain, El Paso County, in Colorado Territory, in -the winter of 1871-72. They were rare in the early winter, became -rather common during the latter part of February and the first of -March, and had all disappeared by the first of April. During winter -only males were seen, but, in the spring, the females were the most -numerous. They were usually seen singly, or in companies of two or -three, and not, like the others, in larger flocks. - - -Junco oregonus, SCLATER. - -OREGON SNOWBIRD. - - _Fringilla oregona_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VII, 1837, 188.—IB. - Narrative, 1839, 345.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 68, pl. cccxcviii. - _Struthus oregonus_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, - 475.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. VI, iv, 1857, - 88. _Niphœa oregona_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 107.—IB. Birds Am. III, - 1841, 91, pl. clxviii.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 134. _Junco - oregonus_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 466.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 120 (British - Columbia).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 202.—COUES, Pr. Phil. Ac. 1866, 85 - (Arizona).—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 284.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 199. _Fringilla hudsonia_, LICHT. Beit. Faun. Cal. in - Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, for 1838, 1839, 424 (not _F. hudsonia_, - FORSTER). “_Fringilla atrata_, BRANDT, Icon. Rosso-As. tab. ii, f. - 8” (CAB.). - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck all round sooty-black; this color extending to -the upper part of the breast, but not along the sides under the wings, -and with convex outline behind. Interscapular region of the back and -exposed surface of the wing-coverts and secondaries dark rufous-brown, -forming a square patch. A lighter, more pinkish tint of the same on -the sides of breast and belly. Rest of under parts clear white. Rump -brownish-ash. Upper tail-coverts dusky. Outer two tail-feathers white; -the third with only an obscure streak of white. Bill flesh-color, -dusky at tip. Legs flesh-color. Length about 6.50 inches; wing, 3.00. - -HAB. Pacific coast of the United States to the eastern side of the -Rocky Mountains, and north to Alaska. Stragglers as far east as Fort -Leavenworth in winter and Great Bend of Missouri. - -Sitka and Oregon specimens have the back of a darker rufous than those -from California and the Middle Province, in which this portion of the -body, as well as the sides, is paler, and in more abrupt contrast with -the head. - -Immature and the majority of winter specimens do not have the black of -the head and neck so well defined, but edged above more or less with -the color of the back, below with light ashy. - -The Oregon Snowbird in full plumage is readily distinguishable from -the eastern species by the purer white of the belly; the more sharply -defined outline of the black of the head passes directly across the -upper part of the breast, and is even convex in its posterior outline, -without extending down the side of the breast, with its posterior -outline strongly concave, as in _hyemalis_. The absence of black or -ashy-brown under the wings, with the rufous tinge, are highly -characteristic of _oregonus_. The head and neck are considerably -blacker; the rufous of the back and wings does not exist in the other. -The wings and quills are more pointed; the second quill usually -longest, instead of the third, etc. The dusky of the throat reaches in -_J. oregonus_ only to the upper part of the breast; to its middle -region in _hyemalis_. - -Sometimes, in adult males, the middle and greater wing-coverts are -faintly tipped with white, indicating two inconspicuous bands. - -In a large series of _Juncos_ collected at Fort Whipple, Arizona, by -Dr. Coues, are several specimens so decidedly intermediate between _J. -oregonus_ and _J. caniceps_ as to suggest the probability of their -being hybrids; others, from Fort Burgwyn and Fort Bridger, are exactly -like them. With the ashy head and jugulum, and black lores, as well as -bright rufous back, of the latter, the sides are pinkish as in the -former; while, as in this too, the posterior outline of the ash on -jugulum is convex, not concave, and the rufous of the back has a -tendency to tinge the wings, instead of being confined to the -interscapulars. (See foot-note to synoptical table, p. 579.) - -HABITS. Dr. Suckley found this bird extremely abundant in Oregon and -Washington Territory, where it holds about the same position that the -_hyemalis_ does in the Eastern States. Dr. Cooper states it to be a -very common bird in Washington Territory, especially in the winter, -when it comes about the houses and farms with precisely the same -habits as the common Atlantic species. In the summer it is seen about -Puget Sound, in which neighborhood it breeds. He met with young -fledglings as early as May 24. At that season they were not -gregarious, and were found principally about the edges of woods. - -Mr. Ridgway also regards the western Snowbird as, in all appreciable -respects, an exact counterpart of the eastern _hyemalis_. In summer he -found it inhabiting the pine woods of the mountains, but in winter -descending to the lowlands, and entering the towns and gardens in the -same manner with the eastern species. - -Dr. Cooper states this species to be numerous in winter in nearly -every part of California. In the summer it resides among the mountains -down to the 32d parallel. On the coast he has not determined its -residence farther south than Monterey. The coolness of that locality, -and its extensive forests of pines extending to the coast, favor the -residence of such birds during the summer. At San Diego he observed -them until the first of April, when they retired to the neighboring -mountains. A few also were found in the Colorado Valley in the winter. -On the Coast Mountains south of Santa Clara he found them breeding in -large numbers in May, 1864. One nest contained young, just ready to -fly, as early as May 13. This was built in a cavity among the roots of -a large tree on a steep bank. It was made of leaves, grasses, and fine -root-fibres. On the outside it was covered with an abundant coating of -green moss, raised above the surface of the ground. The old birds -betrayed the presence of the nest by their extreme anxiety. On the -20th he found another nest on the very summit of the mountains, -supposed to be a second laying, as it contained but three eggs. It was -slightly sunk in the ground under a fern, and formed like the other, -but with less moss around its edge. It was lined with cows’ and -horses’ hair. The eggs were bluish-white, with blackish-brown spots of -various sizes thickly sprinkled around the larger end, and measuring -.74 by .60 of an inch. - -The only song Dr. Cooper noticed, of this species, was a faint trill -much like that of the _Spizella socialis_, delivered from the top of -some low tree in March and April. At other times they have only a -sharp call-note, by which they are distinguishable from other -Sparrows. While some migrate far to the south in winter, others remain -as far north as the Columbia River, frequenting, in large numbers, the -vicinity of barns and houses, especially when the snow is on the -ground. They raise two broods in a season. - -Dr. Coues found this species a very common winter resident in Arizona, -arriving at Fort Whipple about October 10, soon becoming very -abundant, and continuing so until the second week in April. Stragglers -were seen until May 10. - -Dr. Woodhouse also observed numbers of the western Snowbird on the San -Francisco Mountains, in the month of October, where they were very -abundant. Many specimens were obtained in Sitka by Mr. Bischoff. None -have so far been recorded from the Aleutian Islands. - -Dr. Kennerly frequently saw these birds near the Pueblo of Zuñi in New -Mexico; in the months of October and November they were very abundant -among the cedars to the westward of that settlement as far as the -Little Colorado. Dr. Heermann also met with them near Fort Yuma in -December, having previously noticed them during the fall, migrating in -large flocks. - -Mr. Aiken frequently found this species throughout the winter in -Colorado. It was very common during March and the first of April. By -May only a few straggling females were seen, and then they all -disappeared. - -The nests of this species have a general resemblance in structure to -those of the common _hyemalis_. They are well constructed and -remarkably symmetrical, made externally of mosses and other coarse -materials, within which is very nicely woven an inner nest of fine, -bent stems of grasses, lined with hair. The eggs, four or five in -number, resemble those of the _hyemalis_, but are lighter. They have a -ground-color of greenish-white, marked about the larger end with fine -dots of reddish-brown. Their measurement is .75 by .60 of an inch. - - -Junco caniceps, BAIRD. - -RED-BACKED SNOWBIRD. - - _Struthus caniceps_, WOODHOUSE, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. VI, Dec. 1852, - 202 (New Mexico and Texas).—IB. Sitgreaves’s Report Zuñi & - Colorado, 1853, 83, pl. iii. _Junco caniceps_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 468, pl. lxxii, f. 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 201. - -SP. CHAR. Bill yellowish; black at the tip. Above ashy (of the same -shade before and behind); the head and neck all round of this color, -which extends (paling a little) along the sides, leaving the middle of -the belly and crissum quite abruptly white. Lores conspicuously but -not very abruptly darker. Interscapular region abruptly reddish -chestnut-brown, which does not extend on the wings, and makes a -triangular patch. Two outer tail-feathers entirely white; third with a -long white terminal stripe on the inner web. Young streaked with -blackish above and below, except along middle of belly and behind. -Length, 6.00; wing, 3.23; tail, 3.04. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains; from Black Hills to San Francisco Mountains, -Arizona. Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains (RIDGWAY). - -This species is similar to the common _J. hyemalis_ in color, though -paler; the tint of the under parts and sides is not quite so dark, and -is less abruptly defined against the white. The conspicuous chestnut -patch on the back and the dusky lores will distinguish them. The edge -of the outer web of the third tail-feather is brown, not white. It -differs from _oregonus_ and _cinereus_ in having no chestnut on the -wings, especially the tertials, and from the former in the extension -of the ash of the neck along the sides and much lighter head. - -Young birds are streaked above and below as in other species; they may -be distinguished from those of _cinereus_ by the rufous being confined -to the interscapular region, the same as in the adult. - -The type skin of _Junco dorsalis_ of Dr. Henry (see foot-note to -synoptical table, p. 580) differs mainly in having the whole upper -mandible entirely black, as in _J. cinereus_; and, as in the latter, -the jugulum is pale ash, fading gradually into the white of the -abdomen, instead of deep ash abruptly defined. It is very probably, as -suggested by Mr. Ridgway, a hybrid with _J. cinereus_. - -HABITS. This species was first discovered and described by Dr. -Woodhouse from specimens obtained by him among the San Francisco -Mountains in Arizona. When procured, it was feeding in company with -the _Junco oregonus_ and various species of _Parus_. Its habits -appeared to be very similar to those of the western Snowbird, as well -as to those of the common _J. hyemalis_. - -Dr. Coues states that he found this bird a not very common winter -resident at Fort Whipple, where its times of arrival and departure, as -well as its general habits, were identical with those of _J. -oregonus_, with which it very freely associated. From this we may -naturally infer that in New Mexico and Arizona it appears only as a -winter visitant, and that in summer it goes elsewhere to breed. Its -summer resorts, as well as our knowledge of its breeding-habits, nest, -and eggs, remain to be determined, or are only imperfectly known. It -evidently retires to the highlands and to mountain regions to breed, -and probably has a much more extended habitat than that of which we -now have any knowledge. Upon this problem Mr. Ridgway’s observations -have already shed some valuable and suggestive light. He met with this -bird only among the pine woods of the Wahsatch Mountains, where, -however, it was a very common bird, and where it was also breeding. -Its manners and notes were scarcely different from those of _J. -oregonus_. It is, however, a shyer bird than the latter, and its song, -which is only a simple trill, is rather louder than that of either the -_hyemalis_ or the _oregonus_. - -Dr. Coues writes me that both “the Gray-head and the Oregon Snowbirds -are common species about Fort Whipple in winter, arriving about the -middle of October, and remaining in numbers until early in April, when -they thin off, although some may usually be observed during the month, -and even a part of the next. _Oregonus_ far outnumbers _caniceps_. So -far as I could see, their habits are precisely the same as those of -the eastern Snowbird. During snow-storms they used to come familiarly -about our quarters, and I once captured several of both species, -enticing them into a tent in which some barley had been strewn, and -having the flap fixed so that it could be pulled down with a string in -a moment. They always associated together, and once, on firing into a -flock, I picked up a number of each kind, and one _Junco hyemalis_. -The latter can only be considered a straggler in this region, although -I secured three specimens one winter.” - -This species was very rare in Colorado, according to Mr. Aiken, in the -winter of 1871-72, but became common in March, and a few remained up -to the 3d of May. No females of this species were observed by him. - -Mr. J. A. Allen mentions first meeting with this species at an -elevation of seven thousand feet, and from that height it was common, -on the slopes of Mount Lincoln, to the extreme limit of the timber -line. - - -GENUS POOSPIZA, CABANIS. - - _Poospiza_, CABANIS, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847, I, 349. (Type, - _Emberiza nigro-rufa_, D’ORB., or _Pipilo personata_, SW.) - - [Illustration: _Poospiza bilineata._] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill slender, conical, both outlines gently curved. Under -jaw with the edges considerably inflected; not so high as the upper. -Tarsi elongated, slender; considerably longer than the middle toe. -Toes short, weak; the outer decidedly longer than the inner, but not -reaching to the base of the middle claw. Hind toe about equal to the -middle without its claw. All the claws compressed and moderately -curved. Wings rather long, reaching about over the basal fourth of the -exposed portion of the rather long tail. Tertiaries and secondaries -about equal, and not much shorter than the lengthened primaries; the -second to fifth about equal and longest; the first considerably -shorter, and longer than the seventh. Tail long, slightly emarginate, -graduated; the outer feather abruptly shorter than the others. -Feathers broad, linear, and rather obliquely truncate at the ends, -with the corners rounded. - -_Color._ Uniform above, without streaks. Beneath white, with or -without a black throat. Black and white stripes on the head. - -We are by no means sure that the two North American specimens here -indicated really belong to the genus _Poospiza_, but we know no better -position for them. They may be distinguished as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Lores and beneath the eye black, a white -orbital ring, white spot above the lore (in _bilineata_ continued -back in a superciliary stripe); a white maxillary stripe. Lateral -tail-feathers, with outer web, and terminal border of inner, -hoary or pure white. - - A. Throat black in adult; sides not streaked. - -_A continuous white superciliary stripe._ - - 1. P. bilineata. Black patch of throat covering jugulum, - with a convex outline behind. Crown and back without streaks, - concolored. Wing-coverts without white bands; lesser coverts - ash. Wing, 2.75; tail, 2.85; bill, from nostril, .37; tarsus, - .65. - -_No white superciliary stripe._ - - 2. P. mystacalis. Black patch of throat not extending on - jugulum; its posterior outline truncated. Crown and back with - distinct black streaks. Back scapulars and rump rufous in - contrast with the ash of head and neck. Wing-coverts with two - narrow, sharply defined white bands; lesser coverts black. - Wing, 2.80; tail, 3.30; bill, .40; tarsus, .80. _Hab._ - Mexico. - - B. Throat white; sides streaked. - - 3. P. belli. No white superciliary stripe. A dusky spot in - middle of the breast. Upper parts ashy, concolored, with - indistinct streaks on the back. Wings somewhat more brownish, - the coverts with two indistinct light (not white) bands. - - α. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.50; bill, .31; tarsus, .74. Dorsal - streaks obsolete. _Hab._ California … var. _belli_. - - β. Wing, 3.20; tail, 3.20; bill, .35; tarsus, .76. Dorsal - streaks distinct. _Hab._ Middle Province of United States … - var. _nevadensis_. - - -Poospiza bilineata, SCLATER. - -BLACK-THROATED SPARROW. - - _Emberiza bilineata_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. V, Oct. 1850, 104, - pl. iii, Texas.—IB. Illust. I, v, 1854, 150, pl. xxiii. _Poospiza - bilineata_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 470.—IB. Mex. Bound. II, Birds, 15.—HEERM. X, c. 14.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 203. - - [Line drawing: _Poospiza bilineata._ - 6316] - -SP. CHAR. Above uniform unspotted ashy-gray, tinged with light brown; -purer and more plumbeous anteriorly, and on sides of head and neck. -Under parts white, tinged with plumbeous on the sides, and with -yellowish-brown about the thighs. A sharply defined superciliary and -maxillary stripe of pure white, as also the lower eyelid, the former -margined internally with black. Loral region black, passing insensibly -into dark slate on the ears. Chin and throat between the white -maxillary stripes black, ending on the upper part of the breast in a -rounded outline. Tail black, the lateral feathers edged externally and -tipped on inner web with white. Bill blue. Length, 5.40; wing, 2.75; -tail, 2.90. Sexes alike. - -HAB. Middle Province of United States north to 40°, between Rocky -Mountains and Sierra Nevada. (As far west as Janos and the Mohave -villages.) Matamoras (rare at San Antonio; DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 488). - -This species in external form is very similar to _P. belli_, and will -probably fall in the same genus. The cutting edges of the bill are -much inflexed. The first quill is shorter than the sixth. The tail is -a good deal rounded; the feathers broad. - -The white maxillary stripe does not come quite to the base of the -under jaw, which there is black. There is a hoary tinge on the -forehead. The white superciliary stripes almost meet on the forehead. - -In the immature bird the throat is white with a dusky clouding along -each side; the upper part of the breast streaked with brown. - -HABITS. The Black-throated Sparrow, generically associated with Bell’s -Finch, has several well-marked distinctive peculiarities in habits. -Their eggs are also totally unlike those of the present species, being -much more like those of the _Peucæa_ and of _Leucosticte griseinucha_, -and, like them, white and unspotted. - -This species was first described by Mr. Cassin from specimens obtained -in Western Texas by John W. Audubon, and its habitat was at first -supposed to be restricted to the valleys of the Rio Grande and the -Gila, but more recent explorations show it to have a much wider -distribution. It is found from Western Texas through part of Mexico, -New Mexico, the Indian Territory, and Arizona, to Southern California, -and towards the north throughout the region of the Great Basin to an -extent not yet fully determined. In portions at least of this -territory it is migratory, and only resident in the summer months. - -Mr. Dresser found this Sparrow very abundant during July and August in -the mesquite thickets in the town of Matamoras. In December it was -equally common at Eagle Pass, but at San Antonio it was quite a rare -bird. He only observed it on two or three occasions at a rancho on the -Medina River, and late in June a nest and four eggs were obtained. -Between Laredo and Matamoras, after crossing the Nueces, he found -these birds very numerous, and near Laredo met with several nests, -some containing young and some eggs nearly hatched. One taken on the -20th of July contained three fresh eggs, probably indicating a second -laying. This nest was in a low bush, carefully concealed. It was -composed of straws and lined with fine roots. The eggs, when fresh, -were nearly white, with a delicate bluish tinge. On his journey down -the river he found many nests, all empty or containing young. Some of -these were partially lined with cotton. Though not wild, the birds -were so restless that he found it difficult to shoot them. Dr. -Woodhouse obtained one specimen on the Rio Pedro, in Texas. - -In Mexico this Sparrow was found by Lieutenant Couch to be numerous in -parts of Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon, Coahuila, and other States on the Rio -Grande, immediately south and west of the limits of the territory of -the United States. It was first seen at Santa Rosalio, and specimens -obtained, though none were noticed at Brownsville, only twenty miles -east, during a month’s residence. At Charco Escondido, forty miles -farther in the interior, it was very plentiful, and although it was -early in March, had already reared a brood of young, one specimen -appearing to be a young bird only a few weeks old. Its favorite home -appeared to be the scattered mesquite, on the plains east of the -Sierra Madre. During the warm hours of the day it does not seek the -shade, but may always be found chirping and hopping from one bush to -another. South of Cadoreita the birds disappeared, but after a month’s -loss of their company he again met with them among some flowering -_Leguminosa_, between Pesquieria and Rinconada. He thus found it -several times entirely absent from districts of considerable extent, -but always reappearing again throughout his journey. The usual note of -this bird, at the season in which he met with it, was a simple chirp; -but on one occasion, having halted during a norther in Tamaulipas, he -heard a “gay little black-throated fellow,” regardless of the bitter -wind, from the top of a yellow mimosa then in bloom, give utterance to -a strain of sprightly and sweet notes, that would compare favorably -with those of many more famed songsters. - -Dr. Coues found this Sparrow very abundant in the southern and western -portions of Arizona, though rare at Fort Whipple, where the locality -was unsuited to it, as it seemed to prefer open plains, grassy or -covered with sagebrush. - -Mr. J. H. Clarke, who met with these birds in Tamaulipas, Texas, and -New Mexico, speaks of them as abundant and widely distributed. He -found them on the lower Rio Grande, but more abundantly in the -interior, seeming to prefer the stunted and sparse vegetation of the -sand-hills and dry plains to the cottonwood groves and willow thickets -of the river valleys, where they were never seen. They would be very -inconspicuous did not the male occasionally perch himself on some -topmost branch and pour forth a continuous strain of music. In the -more barren regions they were the almost exclusive representatives of -the feathered tribes. - -Dr. Heermann first remarked this Finch near Tucson, in Arizona, where -he found it associated with other Sparrows in large flocks. They were -flying from bush to bush, alighting on the ground to pick up -grass-seeds and insects. They were quite numerous, and he traced them -as far into Texas as the Dead Man’s Hole, between El Paso and San -Antonio. - -Dr. Cooper found a few of these birds on the treeless and waterless -mountains that border the Colorado Valley, in pairs or in small -companies, hopping along the ground, under the scanty shrubbery. In -crossing the Providence Range, in May, Dr. Cooper found their nest, -containing white eggs. - -Both species of _Poospiza_, the _belli_ and the _bilineata_, according -to Mr. Ridgway, are entirely peculiar in their manners, habits, and -notes. Both, he states, are birds characteristic of the arid artemisia -plains of the Great Basin, and, with the _Eremophila cornuta_, are -often the only birds met with on those desert wastes. The two species, -he adds, are quite unlike in their habits and manners. They each have -about the same extent of habitat, and even often frequent the same -locality. While the _P. bilineata_ is partial to dry sandy situations, -inhabiting generally the arid _mesa_ extending from the river valleys -back to the mountains, the _P. belli_ is almost confined to the more -thrifty growth of the artemisia, as found in the damper valley -portions. The _P. belli_ is a resident species, and even through the -severest winters is found in abundance. The _P. bilineata_ is -exclusively a summer bird, one of the latest to come from the South, -and much the more shy of the two; its manners also are quite -different. - -Both birds have one common characteristic, which renders them worthy -of especial remark. This is the peculiar delivery and accent, and the -strange sad tone of their spring song, which, though unassuming and -simple, is indeed strange in the effect it produces. This song, so -plaintive and mournful, harmonizes with the dull monotony of the -desert landscape. - -Mr. Ridgway states that the _P. bilineata_ is not so abundant as the -other species, and is more retiring in its habits. It principally -frequents the desert tracts and sandy wastes, on which are found only -the most stunted forms of sage-brush. Its song, though quite simple, -is exceedingly fine, its modulation being somewhat like -_wut´-wut´-ze-e-e-e-e-e_, the first two syllables being uttered in a -rich metallic tone, while the final trill is in a lower key, and of -the most liquid and tremulous character imaginable. This simple chant -is repeated every few seconds, the singer being perched upon a bush. -He adds that this bird arrives on the Truckee Reservation about the -13th of May. The nest is built in sage-bushes, and the eggs are found -from the 7th to the 21st of June. The nests are usually about one foot -from the ground, or thereabouts. - -The eggs vary in size from .70 by .55 of an inch to .75 by .60. They -are of a rounded-oval shape, and of a pure white with a slight tinge -of blue, somewhat resembling the eggs of the Bachman Finch. - - -Poospiza belli, SCLATER. - -BELL’S SPARROW. - - _Emberiza belli_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. V, Oct. 1850, 104, - pl. iv (San Diego, Cal.). _Poospiza belli_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. - Soc. 1857, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 470.—HEERM. X, s. p. 46. - _Zonotrichia belli_, ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. Am. I, pl. - xiv.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 204. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts generally, with sides of head and neck, uniform -bluish-ash, tinged with yellowish-gray on the crown and back, and with -a few very obsolete dusky streaks on the interscapular region. Beneath -pure white, tinged with yellowish-brown on the sides and under the -tail. Eyelids, short streak from the bill to above the eye, and small -median spot at the base of culmen, white. A stripe on the sides of the -throat and spot on the upper part of the breast, with a few streaks on -the sides, with the loral space and region round the eyes, -plumbeous-black. Tail-feathers black; the outer edged with white. -Wing-feathers all broadly edged with brownish-yellow; the elbow-joint -tinged with yellowish-green. Bill and feet blue. Length, 5.70; wing, -2.80; tail, 2.90. (Largest specimen, 6,338 ♂, Cosumnes River). - -HAB. Southern California. - -The colors are softer and more blended in the autumn; the young are -obsoletely streaked on the breast. - -HABITS. Bell’s Finch has apparently a more restricted distribution -than the Black-throated species, and is resident wherever found. It -has been met with at Posa Creek, Cal., by Dr. Heermann, at Fort Thorn -by Dr. T. C. Henry, and along the Colorado River by Drs. Kennerly and -Möllhausen. It has likewise been found in Southern California, as far -north as Sacramento Valley, and in the valley of the Gila. - -Dr. Cooper states that all the extensive thickets throughout the -southern half of California are the favorite resorts of this bird. -There they apparently live upon small seeds and insects, indifferent -as to water, or depending upon what they obtain from dews or fogs. -They reside all the year in the same localities, and were also -numerous on the island of San Nicolas, eighty miles from the mainland. -In spring the males utter, as Dr. Cooper says, a low monotonous ditty, -from the top of some favorite shrub, answering each other from long -distances. Their nest he found about three feet from the ground, -composed of grasses and slender weeds, lined with hair and other -substances. The eggs, four in number, he describes as pale greenish, -thickly sprinkled over with reddish-brown dots. At San Diego he found -the young hatched out by May 18, but thinks they are sometimes -earlier. It is also a common bird in the chaparral of Santa Clara -Valley, and also, according to Dr. Heermann, along the Cosumnes River. - -In Arizona, according to Dr. Coues, it is rather uncommon about Fort -Whipple, owing to the unsuitable nature of the locality, but is -abundant among the sage-brush of the Gila Valley, where it keeps much -on the ground, and where its movements are very much like those of a -_Pipilo_. - -Drs. Kennerly and Möllhausen met with these Sparrows on the Little -Colorado River, in California, December 15. They were found during -that month along the banks of the river wherever the weeds and bushes -were thick. It was never observed very far from the water, and its -food, at that season, seemed to consist of the seeds of various kinds -of weeds. Its motions were quick, and, when started up, its flight was -short, rapid, and near the earth. - -Dr. Heermann states that in the fall of 1851 he found this species in -the mountains bordering the Cosumnes River, and afterwards on the -broad tract of arid land between Kerr River and the Tejon Pass, and -again on the desert between that and the Mohave River. He often found -them wandering to a great distance from water. With only a few -exceptions, these were the only birds inhabiting the desolate plains, -where the artemisia is the almost exclusive vegetation. When -undisturbed, it chants merrily from some bush-top, but, at the -approach of danger, drops at once to the ground and disappears in the -shrubbery or weeds. Its nest he found built in a bush, composed of -twigs and grasses, and lined with hair. The eggs, four in number, he -describes as of a light greenish-blue, marked with reddish-purple -spots, differing in intensity of shade. - - -Poospiza belli, var. nevadensis, RIDGWAY. - -ARTEMISIA SPARROW. - - _Poospiza belli_, var. _nevadensis_, RIDGWAY, Report on Birds of - 40th Parallel. - -SP. CHAR. Resembling _P. belli_, but purer ashy above, with the dorsal -streaks very distinct, instead of almost obsolete. Wing, 3.20 (instead -of 2.50); tail, 3.20 (instead of 2.50); bill (from forehead), .35; -tarsus, .76. (Type, No. 53,516 ♂, Western Humboldt Mountains, Nev., -United States Geol. Expl. 40th Par.) - -_Young._ Streaked above, the crown obsoletely, the back distinctly. -Whole breast and sides with numerous short dusky streaks upon a white -ground. Markings about the head indistinct, wing-bands more distinct -than in the adult. - -HAB. Middle Province of United States, north to beyond 40° (resident). - - [Line drawing: _Poospiza belli_, var. _belli_. - 11211] - -The difference in size between the race of the Great Basin and that of -the southern Pacific Province, of this species, is quite remarkable, -being much greater than in any other instance within our knowledge. -This may, perhaps, be explained by the fact that the former is not -migratory, but resident even in the most northern part of its range; -while the California one is also resident, and an inhabitant of only -the southern portion of the coast region, not reaching nearly so far -north as the race of the interior. - -The coloration of the two races is quite identical, though in all -specimens of var. _belli_ the dorsal streaks are obsolete, sometimes -even apparently wanting, while in the var. _nevadensis_ they are -always conspicuous. The former appears to be more brownish above than -the latter. - -HABITS. These birds, Mr. Ridgway states, have a very general -distribution, extending as far west as the eastern base of the Sierra -Nevada. At Carson City, February 27, he heard for the first time their -sweet sad chant. A week later he found the sage-brush full of these -birds, the males being in full song and answering one another from all -directions. In walking through the sage-brush these Sparrows were seen -on every side, some running upon the ground with their tails elevated, -uttering a chipping twitter, as they sought to conceal themselves -behind the shrubs. Some were seen to alight upon the tops of dead -stalks, where they sit with their tails expanded almost precisely -after the manner of the Kingbird. The song of this bird is feeble, but -is unsurpassed for sweetness and sadness of tone. While its effect is -very like the song of a Meadow Lark singing afar off, there is, -besides its peculiar sadness, something quite unique in its modulation -and delivery. It is a chant, in style somewhat like the spring -warbling of the Shore Lark. - -On the 24th of March, at Carson City, he found these Sparrows very -abundant and everywhere the predominating species, as it was also the -most unsuspicious and familiar. It was even difficult to keep them -from under the feet. A pair would often run before him for a distance -of several rods with their unexpanded tails elevated, and when too -nearly approached would only dodge in among the bushes instead of -flying off. - -On the 9th of April, walking among the sage-brush near Carson City, -Mr. Ridgway found several nests of this Sparrow, the female parent in -each instance betraying the position of her nest by running out, as he -approached, from the bush beneath which it was concealed. With -elevated tail, running rapidly and silently away, they disappeared -among the shrubbery. In such cases a careful examination of the spot -was sure to result in finding an artfully concealed nest, either -embedded in the ground or a few inches above it in the lower branches -of the bush. He did not find this species east of the northern end of -Great Salt Lake, nor was it seen in the neighborhood of Salt Lake -City, where the other species was so abundant. - -The eggs of this species differ very essentially from those of the _P. -bilineata_. They are oblong in shape, have a light greenish ground, -marked all over the egg with very fine dots of a reddish-brown, and -around the larger end with a ring of confluent blotches of dark purple -and lines of a darker brown, almost black. They measure .80 by .60 of -an inch. They resemble very closely a not uncommon variety of the eggs -of the _Spizella pusilla_. - - - - -Footnotes: - - -[1] We are indebted to Professor Theodore N. Gill for the present -account of the characteristics of the class of Birds as distinguished -from other vertebrates, pages XI-XV. - -[2] Dr. Coues, in his “Key to North American Birds,” gives an able and -extended article on the general characteristics of birds, and on their -internal and external anatomy, to which we refer our readers. A paper -by Professor E. S. Morse in the “Annals of the New York Lyceum of -Natural History” (X, 1869), “On the Carpus and Tarsus of Birds,” is of -much scientific value. - -[3] Carus and Gerstaecker (Handbuch der Zoologie, 1868, 191) present -the following definition of birds as a class:— - -Aves. Skin covered wholly or in part with feathers. Anterior pair of -limbs, converted into wings, generally used in flight; sometimes -rudimentary. Occiput with a single condyle. Jaws encased in horny -sheaths, which form a bill; lower jaw of several elements and -articulated behind with a distinct quadrate bone attached to the -skull. Heart with double auricle and double ventricle. Air-spaces -connected to a greater or less extent with the lungs; the skeleton -more or less pneumatic. Diaphragm incomplete. Pelvis generally open. -Reproduction by eggs, fertilized within the body, and hatched -externally, either by incubation or by solar heat; the shells -calcareous and hard. - -[4] _Methodi naturalis avium disponendarum tentamen._ Stockholm, -1872-73. - -[5] This group is insusceptible of definition. The wading birds, as -usually allocated, do not possess in common one single character not -also to be found in other groups, nor is the collocation of their -characters peculiar. - -[6] Corresponding closely with the Linnæan and earlier Sundevallian -acceptation of the term. Equivalent to the later _Oscines_ of -Sundevall. - -[7] As remarked by Sundevall, exceptions to the diagnostic pertinence -of these two characters of hind claw and wing-coverts taken together -are scarcely found. For, in those non-passerine birds, as _Raptores_ -and some _Herodiones_, in which the claw is enlarged, the wing-coverts -are otherwise disposed; and similarly when, as in many _Pici_ and -elsewhere, the coverts are of a passerine character, the feet are -highly diverse. - -[8] _Laminiplantares_ of Sundevall plus _Alaudidæ_. - -[9] _Scutelliplantares_ of Sundevall minus _Alaudidæ_. - -[10] Nearly equivalent to the Linnæan _Picæ_. Equal to the late (1873) -_Volucres_ of Sundevall. - -[11] A polymorphic group, perfectly distinguished from _Passeres_ by -the above characters in which, for the most part, it approximates to -one or another of the following lower groups, from which, severally, -it is distinguished by the inapplicability of the characters noted -beyond. My divisions of _Picariæ_ correspond respectively to the -_Cypselomorphæ_, _Coccygomorphæ_, and _Celeomorphæ_ of Huxley, from -whom many of the characters are borrowed. - -[12] Groups G., H., and I. are respectively equal to the -_Charadriomorphæ_, _Pelargomorphæ_, and _Geranomorphæ_ of Huxley. - -[13] In the true conirostral or fringilliform genera the under -mandible has high strong tomia, bent at an angle near the base; the -corresponding portion of the upper mandible is deep, so that the -nostrils are nearer the culmen than the tomia. The whole bill is more -or less bent in its axis from the axis of the cranial base, so that -the palate curves down, or is excavated or, as it were, is broken into -two planes meeting at an angle,—one plane the anterior hard -imperforate roof of the mouth, the other the back palate where the -internal nares are situate (Sundevall). The single North American -genus of _Tanagridæ_ (_Pyranga_) is here conventionally ranged on -account of its high nostrils and conic bill, although it does not show -angulation of the tomia. The _Icteridæ_, with obviously angulated -tomia, shade into the _Fringillidæ_ in shortness and thickness of -bill, and into other families in its length and slenderness. - -[14] These two genera, _Psilorhinus_ and _Gymnokitta_, of the family -_Corvidæ_, have naked nostrils, as under _dd_, but otherwise show the -characters of _Corvidæ_. - -[15] With the _Paridæ_ the authors of this work include the Nuthatches -as a subfamily _Sittinæ_, which I prefer to dissociate and place as a -group of equal grade next to _Certhiidæ_. - -[16] In the genus _Ampelis_ and part of the _Vireonidæ_ it is so -extremely short as to appear absent, and is displaced, lying concealed -outside the second (apparently first) primary, like one of the primary -coverts; however, it may always be detected on close examination, -differing from the coverts with which it is associated in some points -of size and shape, if not also of color. - -[17] In _Ampelis_ there is tendency to subdivision of the lateral -plates; in _Myiadestes_ the anterior scutella are obsolete. - -[18] Excepting _Picoides_, in which the true hind toe (hallux) is -wanting; the outer or fourth toe being, however, reversed as usual, -and taking the place of the hind toe. - -[19] Excepting _Sphyrapicus_, in which the tongue is not more -protrusible than in ordinary birds. - -[20] Our species falls rather in a restricted family _Aridæ_, as -distinguished from _Psittacidæ_ proper. - -[21] In a perfectly fresh specimen of _Turdus mustelinus_, the basal -half of the first phalanx of the inner toe is connected with the first -joint of the middle toe by a membrane which stretches across to within -two fifths of the end of the latter; there appears, however, to be no -ligamentous adhesion. The basal joint of the outer toe is entirely -adherent, and a membrane extends from nearly the basal half of the -second joint to the distal end of the first joint of the middle toe. -When this connecting membrane becomes dried the division of the toes -appears considerably greater. - -When the toes are all extended in line with the tarsus, the hind claw -stretches a little beyond the lateral and scarcely reaches the base of -the middle claw. - -The plates at the upper surface of the basal joints of the toes are -quadrangular and opposite each other. - -[22] See Baird, Review American Birds, I, 1864, 7, 8. - -[23] _Harporhynchus ocellatus_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 18, pl. -iii. - -[24] _C. ardesiacus_, SALVIN, Ibis, N. S. III, 121, pl. ii. - -[25] _C. pallasi_, TEMM. Man. d’Orn. I, p. 177.—SALVIN, Ibis, III, -1867, 119. (_Sturnus cinclus_, var. PALLAS, Zoögr. R.-As. I, 426.) - -[26] _S. azurea_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 62. (_S. azurea_, -SWAINSON.) - -[27] _Parus meridionalis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 293.—BAIRD, Rev. -81. - -[28] _Parus sibiricus_, GMEL. S. N. 1788, p. 1013. - -[29] This remark applies to the Mexican race. - -[30] _N. rufa_, BAIRD. (_Alauda rufa_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, -798.) - -[31] _P. bogotensis_, BAIRD. (_Anthus bogotensis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. -1855, 109, pl. ci.) - -[32] _Anthus (Notiocorys) rufus_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, 156 -(_Alauda rufa_, GM.). _Hab._ Isthmus of Panama. - -[33] _Anthus (Pediocorys) bogotensis_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1864, -157 (_Anthus bogotensis_, SCLATER). _Hab._ Ecuador, Colombia. - -[34] _Sylvia pitiayumi_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. II, 1816, 276. _Parula -pit._ SCLAT. Catal. 26, no. 165.—BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1865, 170. - -[35] _Parula insularis_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. X, Feb. 1871. - -[36] _Parula inornata_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, I, 1865, 171. - -[37] Or if with white markings, the prevailing color yellow, as in _D. -pinus_, in which only the adult ♂ has the wing-bands ashy-white. - -[38] The wing-formula, though varying among individuals, is -nevertheless in a measure characteristic. An average specimen is in -each case chosen. - -[39] _D. gundlachi_, BAIRD, Review Am. B. I, 1865, 197. - -[40] _Dendroica petechia_, BAIRD, Review, 199. (_Motacilla petechia_, -LINN. 1766.) - -A specimen from Port au Prince is smaller, measuring, wing, 2.50; -tail, 2.10; bill, .31; tarsus, .74. It is perhaps lighter green above -than Jamaican specimens. These features may only be characteristic of -the particular individual. - -[41] _D. ruficapilla_, BAIRD, Rev. 201. - -A single specimen from Porto Rico differs in some respects from the -average of a series from the other islands named. The chief -differences are, less thickly streaked throat, and distinct -shaft-streaks of dark chestnut on the back. However, one or two -specimens of true _ruficapilla_ from St. Thomas have the upper part of -the throat streaked, and one of them has the streaks on the back. In -all probability other specimens from Porto Rico would be more like -typical species of this race as seen in the majority of those from St. -Thomas and St. Bartholomew. - -[42] _D. aureola_, BAIRD, Rev. 194. (_Sylvicola a._ GOULD, Voyage -Beagle, 1841, 86.) - -[43] _D. capitalis_, LAWR. Pr. Phila. Acad. 1868, 359. Barbadoes. -_Dendroica_, BAIRD, Rev. 201. - -[44] _D. vieilloti_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. May, 1860, 192. (Panama, -Carthagena.)—BAIRD, Rev. 203. - -[45] _D. rufigula_, BAIRD, Rev. p. 204. The habitat as Martinique, W. -I., was there queried, but without any reason for so doing other than -that this was the locality of Vieillot’s species, with which the type -described in Review nearly agreed. Should _Vieillot’s_ species be -really from Martinique, in all probability the present bird will be -found to be different, and therefore not entitled to the name here -given. Provided such is the case, the name “_ruficeps_,” Cabanis, -cannot with propriety be used, as under that head he includes -specimens from Carthagena (true _vieilloti_), Costa Rica, and Mexico -(the latter _bryanti_). - -[46] _D. vieilloti_, var. _bryanti_, RIDGWAY. - -[47] _Sylvicola eoa_, GOSSE, Birds of Jamaica, 1847, 158; -Illustrations Birds Jam. _Dendroica eoa_, BAIRD, Rev. 195. The true -position of this species is very uncertain, owing to the imperfect -description, or rather the incomplete plumage, of the types. There is -no doubt, however, that it is entirely different from any other, and -in its having, as expressly stated, the inner webs yellow, thus -bringing it into close relation with the “Golden Warblers.” - -[48] _D. pharetra_, BAIRD, Rev. 192. (_Sylvicola pharetra_, GOSSE, -Birds Jam. 1847, 163.) - -[49] _D. adelaidæ_, BAIRD, Rev. April, 1865, 212. - -[50] _D. pityophila_, BAIRD, Rev. 208. (_Sylvicola p._ GUNDL. Ann. N. -Y. Lyc. Oct. 1855, 160.) - -[51] _Dendroica adelaidæ_, BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 212. _Hab._ Porto Rico. - -[52] _Geothlypis rostratus_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. March, 1867, -67, Inagua. - -[53] _Geothlypis melanops_, BAIRD, Review Am. Birds, I, April, 1865, -p. 222. - -[54] _Geothlypis æquinoctialis_ (CABANIS), BAIRD, Rev. I, p. 224. -(_Motacilla æq._ GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 972.) - -[55] _Geothlypis velata_ (CABANIS), BAIRD, Rev. I, 223. (_Sylvia vel._ -VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 22, pl. lxxiv.) - -[56] _Geothlypis poliocephala_, BAIRD, Review Am. Birds, I, April, -1865, p. 225. - -[57] _Geothlypis poliocephala_, var. _caninucha_, RIDGWAY. - -The _G. speciosa_, SCL. (P. Z. 1858, 447; and BAIRD, Rev. 1864, p. -223), from Mexico, and _G. semiflavus_, SCL. (P. Z. S. 1860, 273, -291.—BAIRD, Rev. I, 1864, 223), from Ecuador, are species allied to -_G. trichas_, and possibly referable to it. The original descriptions -afford no tangible distinctive characters. It is barely possible, -however, that they are distinct. - -[58] _Granatellus_, DUBUS. BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 230. (Type, -_G. venustus_, DUBUS.) - -[59] Genera _Myioborus_, _Euthlypis_, _Myiothlypis_, _Basileuterus_, -_Idiotes_, and _Ergaticus_. All Middle and South America. - -[60] _Setophaga picta_ (SWAINSON), BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 256. _Muscicapa -leucomus_, GIRAUD, Texas Birds. _Hab._ Mexico and Guatemala. - -[61] _Setophaga miniata_ (SWAINSON), BAIRD, Rev. 1865, 256. _Muscicapa -derhami_, GIRAUD, Texas Birds. _Hab._ Mexico. - -[62] _Hirundo_ (_Callichelidon_) _cyaneoviridis_ (BRYANT), BAIRD, Rev. -Am. Birds, 1865, 303. Bahamas. This species may yet be detected on the -Florida coast. - -[63] _Progne subis_, var. _concolor_. _Hirundo concolor_, GOULD, P. Z. -S. 1837, 22 (James I., Galapagos). _Progne c._ BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. -1865, 278. _Progne modesta_, GOULD, Birds Beagle, 39, pl. v. (Same -specimen.) - -[64] _Progne subis_, var. _furcata_. _Progne furcata_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. -B. 1865, 278. (Chile.) - -[65] _Progne subis_, var. _elegans_. _Progne elegans_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. -B. 1865, 275. (Vermejo River. _? Progne purpurea_, DARWIN, B. Beagle -38 (Montevideo, November), Bahia Blanca, Buenos Ayres, September.) - -[66] _Progne_ (_subis_ var?) _dominicensis_. _Hirundo dominicensis_, -GM. S. N. I, 1788, 1025. _Progne d._ MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, 295; -BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 279. - -[67] _Progne_ (_subis_ var?) _domestica_. _Progne domestica_ (VIEILL.) -BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 282. (Paraguay and Bolivia.) (_Hirundo -domestica_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict, xiv, 1817, 521.) - -[68] _Progne_, (_subis_ var?) _leucogaster_. _Progne leucogaster_, -BAIRD, Rev. Am. B. 1865, 280. (Southern Mexico to Carthagena.) _Progne -dominicensis_ and _P. chalybea_, AUCH. (nec GMEL.). - -From a careful examination of specimens of the above forms, the -opinion that they are all local differentiations of one primitive type -at once presents itself. The differences from the typical _subis_ are -not great, except in the white-bellied group (_dominicensis_ and its -allies), while an approach to the white belly of these is plainly to -be seen in _P. cryptoleuca_; again, some specimens of _dominicensis_ -have the crissum mixed with blackish, while others have it wholly -snowy-white. While the male of _cryptoleuca_ is scarcely -distinguishable, at first sight, from that of _subis_, the female is -entirely different, but, on the other hand, scarcely to be -distinguished from that of _dominicensis_ and _leucogaster_. Adult -males of the latter species are much like adult females of -_dominicensis_, while Floridan (resident) specimens of _subis_ -approach very decidedly to the rather unique characters of _elegans_. -It is therefore extremely probable that all are merely local -modifications of one species. - -[69] _C. cyaneoviridis_, BRYANT; BAIRD, Rev. 303 (Bahamas). - -[70] _Vireosylvia calidris_, BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1865, 329. -(_Motacilla calidris_, L. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 184.) - -[71] _V. calidris_ var. _barbadense_, RIDGWAY. - -[72] _V. olivacea_ var. _Chivi. Vireosylvia chivi_, BAIRD, Rev. 327. -(_Sylvia chivi_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XI, 1817, 174.) - -[73] _V. flavoviridis_ var. _agilis_. _Vireosylvia agilis_, BAIRD, -Rev. 338. (_Lanius agilis_, LICHT. Verz. Doubl., 1823, no. 526.) - -[74] _V. magister_, BAIRD. - -[75] _V. gilva_ var. _josephæ_. _Vireosylvia josephæ_, BAIRD, Rev. -1865, 344 (_Vireo josephæ_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 137, pl. cliv). -Comparing typical examples of this “species” with those of _gilvus_ -from North America, they appear very widely different indeed, so far -as coloration is concerned, though nearly identical in form. But a -specimen from an intermediate locality (54,262, Orizaba, Mexico, F. -SUMICHRAST) combines so perfectly all the characters of the two, that -it would be impossible to refer it to one or the other as distinct -species. It therefore becomes necessary to assume that the _V. -josephæ_ is a permanently resident tropical race of a species of which -_V. gilvus_ is the northern representative; which theory is -strengthened by the fact that of the latter there are no specimens -found south of the United States, indicating that in winter it does -not pass beyond their limit, or at least not far to the southward. - -[76] The Jamaican bird is _V. calidris_, not _barbatulus_. In all -probability, however, they do not differ in habits and notes.—R. R. - -[77] _Vireosylvia propinqua_, BAIRD, Rev. 1865, p. 348. This appears -to be merely a permanent resident race of _solitarius_, which itself -visits Guatemala only in winter. Closely resembling the latter, it -differs essentially in the respects pointed out above. The difference -in coloration is produced by a shifting, as it were, toward the head -of the yellow and olive, leaving the upper tail-coverts clear ash, and -the lower pure white, and encroaching upon the ash anteriorly to the -crown and ear-coverts, and the white alongside of the throat. In the -_V. plumbeus_ these tints are simply almost entirely removed, leaving -clear ash and pure white, with a tinge, however, of olive on the rump -and of yellow on the sides. In _V. cassini_ the tints are darkened and -browned by the peculiar influence of the region where found, there -being neither clear ash, nor olive-green, nor pure yellow or white, in -the plumage. - -[78] _Vireo carmioli_, BAIRD, Review Am. B. I, 1865, p. 356. _Hab._ -Costa Rica. - -[79] _Bombycilla phœnicopterum_, TEMM. Pl. Col. II, 1838; pl. 450. The -_A. phœnicopterum_ is stated by Temminck to have the nasal setæ so -short as to leave the nostrils exposed, and to lack the sealing-wax -appendages; the latter condition may, however, result from the -immaturity of the specimen, as it is very common to find the same -thing in individuals of the other species. - -[80] _Myiadestes obscurus_ (LAFRES.), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1866, -430. _Hab._ Mountains of Mexico to Guatemala and Tres Marias Islands. - -[81] _Myiadestes unicolor_ (SCLATER), BAIRD, Rev. Am. Birds, 1866, -428. _Hab._ Central Mexico and Guatemala. - -[82] _Lanius excubitor_, LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 94. - -[83] _Certhia flaveola_, LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, 119. - -[84] _C. flaveola_, A. & E. NEWTON, Ibis, 1859, 67. _Hab._ St. Croix. -_C. newtoni_, BAIRD. - -[85] _C. flaveola_, var. _portoricensis_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. -Jan. 1866. _Hab_. Porto Rico. - -[86] _Motacilla bananivora_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 951. -(_Bananiste_, Buffon, St. Domingo.) - -[87] _Certhiola luteola_, CAB. M. H. 1851, 96. _C. major_, CAB.; _C. -minor_, BON. - -[88] _Certhiola bahamensis_, REICH. Handb. I, 1853, 253. _C. -flaveola_, BAIRD, B. N. A.; _C. bairdi_, CAB. - -[89] _C. caboti_, BAIRD, MSS. - -[90] _C. martinicana_, REICH. Hand. I, 1853, 252. _C. albigula_, BON. - -[91] _C. dominicana_, TAYLOR, Ibis, 1864, 167. - -[92] _C. barbadensis_, BAIRD, MSS. - -[93] _C. frontalis_, BAIRD, MSS. - -[94] _C. bartholemica_, SUNDEVALL & SPARRMANN, Vetensk. Akad. -Förhandl. 1869, 622. - -[95] _C. mexicana_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 286. - -[96] _C. peruviana_, CAB. Journ. 1865, 413? Perhaps different. - -[97] _C. chloropyga_, CAB. M. H. 1851, 97. _C. brasiliensis_, BP. - -[98] _Pyranga erythromelæna_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. Lond. 1856, 126. -(_Tanagra erythromelas_, LICHT. Preis.-Verz. d. Saüg. u. Vög. no. 69; -1831.) - -[99] _Pyranga ardens_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 126. (_Phœnisoma -ardens_, TSCHUDI. Wieg. Archiv, 1844, 207.) - -[100] _Pyranga bidentata_, SWAINS. Philos. Mag. 1827, 428. - -[101] _Pyranga rubriceps_, GRAY, Gen. B. fol. p. 364, pl. lxxxix, -1849. - -[102] _Pyranga erythrocephala_, BONAP. R. Z. 1851, 178. (_Spermagra -erythrocephala_, SWAINS. Phil. Mag. 1827, 437.) Were it not for the -small size, one would, without seeing a specimen, be inclined to -suspect this as being a young male of _P. æstiva_, which often occurs -in very similar plumage. - -[103] _? Pyranga azaræ_, D’ORB. Voy. p. 264. RIDGWAY, Pr. Ac. N. S. -Philad. June, 1869, p. 132, fig. 2. - -[104] _Pyranga saira_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 124. RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. -S. June, 1869, p. 131, fig. 1. (_Tanagra saira_, SPIX, Av. Bras. II, -48, fig. 1.) - -[105] _Pyranga testacea_, SCLATER & SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1868, 388. -RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. June, 1869, p. 133, f. 1. - -[106] _Pyranga roseigularis_, CABOT. (Description from the type.) - -[107] Of this highly colored form, the average length of five -specimens is 7.55; in twelve the average is, wing, 3.67; tail, 2.86; -culmen, .67. The bill appears to be slightly darker than in North -American examples. - -[108] _Coccothraustes abeillii_, SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 123 (_Guiraca -abeillii_, LESSON). - -[109] _Carpodacus frontalis_, var. _hæmorrhous_, _Carpodacus -hæmorrhous_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 304. (_Fringilla hæmorrhous_, -LICHT. Verz. 1831.) - -[110] _Loxia curvirostra_, LINN., Syst. Nat. 299. - -[111] _Loxia bifasciata_, DE SELYS-LONGCHAMPS, Faune Belge, 76. BONAP. -& SCHLEGEL, Mon. des Loxiens, 7. - -[112] _Fringilla linaria_, TEMM. Mass. Orn. 1835, 267 (not of -Linnæus). “_Fringilla rufescens_, VIEILL. Faun. Franç. tab. 41, f. 1.” -_Linota montium_, BP. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Lox. 1850. “_Linaria -flavirostris_, BREHM.” - -[113] _Leucosticte brunneinucha. Fringilla (Linaria) brunneinucha_, -BRANDT, Bull. Acad. St. Petersburg, 1841, 35. _Montifringilla -(Leucosticte) brunneinucha_, BON. & SCHLEGEL, Mon. Loxiens, 1850, 36, -pl. xlii. - -[114] As this sheet is going through the press, we have been permitted -by Mr. J. A. Allen to examine a series of birds, obtained by him in -July, 1871, on Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, above the timber line, where -they were breeding abundantly. Although very different from winter _L. -tephrocotis_, they yet strongly suggest the idea of their being that -species in summer dress. They present the following characteristics:— - -_Breeding plumage._ Differing from the stage first described above, in -entire absence of any ash about the head, and in deep black, instead -of yellowish bill. ♂ with the red tints intense carmine, instead of -peach-blossom pink, that of the abdomen extending farther forward. ♀ -lacking the red, or with only a tinge of it. Hood dark vandyke-brown, -becoming nearly black on the forehead; rest of head light -chocolate-brown, similar to, but more faded than, that of the winter -plumage; nasal tufts grayish-white. - -Ten specimens collected by Mr. Allen all agree in the characters -pointed out, by which they differ from the winter plumage of _L. -tephrocotis_. Taking into consideration the fact of their black -instead of yellowish bill, more intense red, and generally more dusky -colors, as well as the other points of distinction from the previously -known plumages of _L. tephrocotis_, and also that they are identical -in size and proportion, while specimens of _L. tephrocotis_ in the -breeding plumage have not before been seen, it seems very reasonable -to suppose that these specimens represent the breeding plumage of that -species. There is some resemblance to _L. brunneinucha_, which, from -the plate in Bonaparte and Schlegel’s monograph of the _Coccothraustinæ_, -seems to differ mainly in being lighter colored. Mr. Allen says that -these birds were breeding abundantly in the locality where they were -found. - -[115] From the fact that this form is not found in any part of Alaska, -nor, indeed, north of California, it is probable that the localities -of _anthinus_ and _alaudinus_ were transposed in Bonaparte’s original -descriptions. - -[116] Hybrid between _oregonus_ and _caniceps_, = “_annectens_,” -BAIRD, Geol. Surv. Cal. Orn. I, p. 564. - -CHAR. Pinkish sides and convex outline to ash of breast, as in -_oregonus_, with the bright rufous back and ashy head, with black -lores of _caniceps_; a tendency in the rufous of back to tinge the -wings, as in _oregonus_. _Hab._ Southern Rocky Mountains. (Fort -Whipple, Arizona, COUES; Fort Bridger, Wyoming, DREXLER; Fort Burgwyn, -Mountains of Colorado, AIKEN.) - -[117] Hybrid between _hyemalis_ and _oregonus_. - -CHAR. Plumbeous back of _hyemalis_, with pinkish sides of _oregonus_; -or else reddish back of _oregonus_ and plumbeous sides of _hyemalis_, -or colors mixed both above and below. _Hab._ Sun River, Dakota; -McKenzie River District? Fort Whipple, Arizona; and Fort Bridger, -Wyoming. - -[118] Hybrid between _caniceps_ and _cinereus_, = “_dorsalis_,” HENRY, -Pr. Phil. Ac. 1858, 117; BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 467. - -CHAR. Rufous restricted to interscapular region, as in the former, -with black upper mandible, and pale ash throat of the latter. _Hab._ -Fort Thorn, New Mexico. - -[119] _Junco cinereus_, CABANIS, Mexican Snowbird. _Fringilla -cinerea_, SW. Syn. Birds Mex. in Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 435. _Junco -cinereus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 134.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, -465. “_Fringilla rufidorsis_, LICHT.,” BONAPARTE; probably a catalogue -name. _Junco phæonotus_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 526.—BONAP. Comptes -Rendus, XXXVII, 518. - -SP. CHAR. Ash-color above; with a broad quadrate interscapular patch -of rufous-chestnut, this extending over the wing-coverts and inner -secondaries. Beneath paler ash, lighter in middle region below, but -without distinct line of demarcation. Lores and anterior region of eye -dusky; in decided contrast. Outer three tail-feathers white, but dusky -at base and on outer web at end; the amount increasing internally. -Upper bill entirely black; lower yellow. Length, 6.40; height of bill, -.25; culmen, .46. _Hab._ Table-lands of Mexico. - -[120] _Junco alticola_, SALVIN, Guatemalan Snowbird. _Junco alticola_, -SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1863, 189 (Highlands, Guatemala).—IB. Ibis, 1866, -193. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _J. cinereus_, but darker than Mexican species, -with less contrast between the rufous of back and the ash of head. -Tail with less white. Bill much larger: height, .34; culmen, .56. -_Hab._ Highlands of Guatemala. - - - - -INDEX TO PLATES OF LAND BIRDS. - - Ægiothus brewsteri, I. 501, pl. 22, fig. 6 - exilipes, ♂ “ 498, “ “ 2 - fuscescens, ♂ “ 493, “ “ 3 - “ “ “ “ “ 5 - Agelaius gubernator (_shoulder_), ♂ II. pl. 33, “ 4 - gubernator, ♀ “ 163, “ “ 8 - phœniceus, ♂ “ 159, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - “ (_shoulder_), ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 - tricolor (_shoulder_), ♂ “ 165, “ “ 5 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 6 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 - Alauda arvensis, “ 136, pl. 32, “ 3 - Ammodromus caudacutus, I. 557, pl. 25, “ 7 - maritimus, “ 560, “ “ 8 - Ampelis cedrorum, ♂ “ 401, pl. 18, “ 2 - garrulus, ♂ “ 396, “ “ 1 - Antenor unicinctus, III. 250. - Anthus ludovicianus, I. 171, pl. 10, “ 3 - pratensis, “ 173, “ “ 4 - Antrostomus carolinensis, ♂ II. 410, pl. 46, “ 1 - nuttalli, ♂ “ 417, “ “ 3 - vociferus, ♂ “ 413, “ “ 2 - Aquila canadensis, III. 314. - Archibuteo ferrugineus, “ 300. - sancti-johannis, “ 304. - Astur atricapillus, “ 237. - Asturina plagiata, “ 246. - Atthis heloisa, ♂ II. 465, pl. 47, “ 6 - Auriparus flaviceps, I. pl. 7, “ 11 - - Bonasa sabinei, III. 454. - umbelloides, “ 453, pl. 61, “ 10 - umbellus, “ 448, “ “ 3 - “ “ “ “ “ 9 - Bubo arcticus, “ 64. - pacificus, “ 65. - virginianus, “ 62. - Budytes flava, I. 167, pl. 10, “ 2 - Buteo borealis, III. 281. - calurus, “ 286. - cooperi, “ 295. - elegans, “ 277. - harlani, “ 292. - krideri, “ 284. - lineatus, “ 275. - lucasanus, “ 285. - oxypterus, “ 266. - pennsylvanicus, “ 259. - swainsoni, “ 263. - zonocercus, “ 272. - - Calamospiza bicolor, ♂ II. 61, pl. 29, “ 2 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 - Callipepla squamata, ♂ III. 487, pl. 63, “ 6 - Calypte anna, ♂ II. 454, pl. 47, “ 7 - costæ, ♂ “ 457, “ “ 8 - Campephilus principalis, ♂ “ 496, pl. 49, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - Campylorhynchus affinis, I. 133, pl. 8, “ 6 - brunneicapillus, “ 132, “ “ 5 - Canace canadensis, III. 416, pl. 61, “ 5 - “ ♀ “ “ pl. 59, “ 6 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 - franklini, ♂ “ 419, “ “ 3 - fuliginosus, “ 495. - obscurus, ♂ “ 422, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - richardsoni, ♂ “ 427, “ “ 4 - Cardinalis coccineus, ♂ II. pl. 30, “ 8 - igneus, ♂ “ 103, “ “ 0 - phœniceus, “ “ “ “ 9 - virginianus, ♀ “ 100, “ “ 6 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 7 - Carpodacus californicus, ♂ I. 465, pl. 21, “ 10 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 - cassini, ♂ “ 460, “ “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - frontalis, ♂ “ 465, “ “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - hœmorrhous, ♂ “ “ “ “ 12 - rhodocolpus, ♂ “ 468, “ “ 9 - purpureus, ♂ “ 462, “ “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - Catharista atrata, III. 351. - Catherpes mexicanus, I. 139, pl. 8, “ 4 - Centrocercus urophasianus, ♂ III. pl. 60, “ 2 - “ ♂ “ “ “ 4 - “ “ 429, pl. 61, “ 6 - Centronyx bairdi, I. 531, pl. 25, “ 3 - Centurus aurifrons, ♂ II. 557, pl. 52, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - carolinus, ♂ “ 554, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - uropygialis, ♂ “ 558, “ “ 2 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Certhia americana, I. 125, pl. 8, “ 11 - mexicana, “ 128. - Certhiola bahamensis, ♂ “ 428, pl. 19, “ 5 - Ceryle alcyon, ♂ II. 392, pl. 45, “ 6 - cabanisi, ♂ “ 396, “ “ 9 - Chætura pelagica, ♂ “ 432, pl. 45, “ 7 - vauxi, ♀ “ 435, “ “ 8 - Chamæa fasciata, I. 84, pl. 6, “ 8 - Chamæpelia passerina, ♂ III. 389, pl. 58, “ 6 - Chondestes grammaca, ♂ II. 562, pl. 31, “ 1 - Chordeiles henryi, ♂ “ 404, pl. 46, “ 4 - popetue, “ 407. - texensis, ♂ “ 406, “ “ 5 - Chrysomitris lawrenci, ♂ I. 478, pl. 22, “ 14 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 15 - arizonæ, ♂ “ 476, “ “ 11 - mexicana, “ “ “ 12 - “ ♀ “ “ “ 13 - pinus, ♂ “ 480, “ “ 16 - psaltria, ♂ “ 474, “ “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 - tristis (_summer_), ♂ “ 471, “ “ 7 - “ (_winter_), ♂ “ “ “ “ 8 - Cinclus mexicanus, “ 56, pl. 5, “ 1 - Circus hudsonius, III. 214. - Cistothorus palustris, I. 161, pl. 9, “ 6 - stellaris, “ “ “ “ 7 - Coccygus americanus, ♂ II. 477, pl. 48, “ 3 - erythrophthalmus, “ 484, “ “ 5 - minor, “ 482, “ “ 4 - Colaptes auratus, ♂ “ 575, pl. 55, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - chrysoides, ♂ “ 583, pl. 54, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - hybridus, ♂ “ 582, “ “ 3 - mexicanus, ♂ “ 578, pl. 55, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - Collurio borealis, ♂ I. 415, pl. 19, “ 1 - “ (_Juv._) “ “ “ “ 2 - excubitoroides, ♂ “ 421, “ “ 3 - ludovicianus, ♂ “ 418, “ “ 4 - robustus, “ 420. - Columba fasciata, ♂ II. 360, pl. 57, “ 2 - flavirostris, ♂ “ 366, “ “ 3 - leucocephala, ♂ “ 363, “ “ 4 - Contopus borealis, ♂ “ 353, pl. 44, “ 1 - pertinax, ♂ “ 356, “ “ 2 - richardsonii, ♂ “ 360, “ “ 4 - vireus, ♂ “ 357, “ “ 3 - Conurus carolinensis, (_Ad._) “ 587, pl. 56, “ 1 - “ (_Juv._) “ “ “ “ 2 - Corvus americanus, ♂ “ 243, pl. 37, “ 5 - carnivorus, ♀ “ 234, “ “ 6 - caurinus, ♂ “ 248, “ “ 3 - cryptoleucus, “ 242, “ “ 8 - floridanus, “ 247, “ “ 9 - mexicanus, ♂ “ 233, “ “ 4 - ossifragus, “ 251, “ “ 7 - Coturniculus henslowi, ♀ I. 553, pl. 25, “ 5 - leconti, ♀ “ 552, “ “ 6 - ochrocephalus, II. pl. 46, “ 6 - passerinus, I. 553, pl. 25, “ 4 - perpallidus, “ 556. - Cotyle riparia, ♂ “ 353, pl. 16, “ 14 - Crotophaga ani, ♀ II. 488, pl. 48, “ 2 - Cupidonia cupido, III. 440, pl. 61, “ 1 - “ “ “ “ “ 7 - pallidicincta, “ 446. - Cyanocitta arizonæ, II. 292, pl. 41, “ 2 - californica, ♂ “ 288, pl. 40, “ 1 - couchi, “ 293. - floridana, ♂ “ 285, “ “ 4 - sordida, “ 292, pl. 41, “ 1 - sumichrasti, ♂ “ pl. 40, “ 2 - woodhousei, ♂ “ 291, “ “ 3 - Cyanospiza amœna, ♂ “ 84, pl. 29, “ 11 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 - ciris, ♂ “ 87, “ “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - cyanea, ♂ “ 82, “ “ 13 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 14 - parellina, ♂ “ “ “ 6 - versicolor, ♂ “ 86, “ “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 - Cyanura coronata, ♂ “ pl. 39, “ 4 - cristata, ♂ “ 273, pl. 42, “ 3 - frontalis, ♂ “ 279, pl. 39, “ 2 - macrolopha, ♂ “ 281, “ “ 3 - stelleri, ♂ “ 277, “ “ 1 - Cyrtonyx massena, III. 492, pl. 61, “ 2 - “ ♂ “ “ pl. 64, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - - Dendroica æstiva, I. 222, pl. 14, “ 1 - albilora, ♂ “ 240, “ “ 7 - auduboni, “ 229, pl. 13, “ 1 - blackburniæ, ♂ “ 237, “ “ 2 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 - cærulea, ♂ “ 235, “ “ 10 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 - cærulescens, ♂ “ 254, pl. 12, “ 10 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 11 - castanea, ♂ “ 251, pl. 13, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - chrysopareia, ♂ “ 260, pl. 12, “ 6 - coronata, ♂ “ 227, “ “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 - discolor, ♂ “ 276, pl. 14, “ 9 - dominica, ♂ “ 240, “ “ 5 - graciæ, ♂ “ 243, “ “ 10 - kirtlandi, ♂ “ 272, “ “ 5 - maculosa, ♂ “ 232, “ “ 2 - montana, “ 271, “ “ 3 - nigrescens, ♂ “ 258, pl. 12, “ 8 - occidentalis, ♂ “ 266, “ “ 5 - olivacea, ♂ “ pl. 14, “ 4 - palmarum, ♂ “ 273, “ “ 8 - pennsylvanica, ♂ “ 245, pl. 13, “ 7 - “ (_Juv._) ♂ “ “ “ “ 8 - pinus, ♂ “ 268, “ “ 6 - striata, ♂ “ 248, “ “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 - townsendi, ♂ “ 265, pl. 12, “ 7 - virens, ♂ “ 261, “ “ 4 - Dolichonyx orizyvorus, ♂ II. 149, pl. 32, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - - Ectopistes migratoria, ♂ “ 368, pl. 57, “ 5 - Elanus leucurus, III. 198. - Embernagra rufivirgata, II. 47, pl. 28, “ 3 - Empidonax acadicus, ♂ “ 374, pl. 44, “ 11 - difficilis, “ 380. - flaviventris, ♂ “ 378, “ “ 12 - hammondii, ♂ “ 383, “ “ 7 - minimus, ♂ “ 372, “ “ 10 - obscurus, ♂ “ 381, “ “ 6 - pusillus, ♂ “ 366, “ “ 9 - traillii, ♂ “ 369, “ “ 8 - Eremophila cornuta, ♂ “ 141, pl. 32, “ 1 - “ (_Juv._) “ “ “ “ 2 - Euspiza americana, ♂ “ 65, pl. 28, “ 11 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 12 - townsendi, ♀ “ 68, “ “ 13 - - Falco anatum, III. 132. - candicans, “ 111. - columbarius, “ 144. - femoralis, “ 155. - isabellinus, “ 171. - islandicus, “ 113. - labradora, “ 117. - pealei, “ 137. - polyagrus, “ 123. - richardsoni, “ 148. - sacer, “ 115. - sparverius, “ 169. - suckleyi, “ 147. - - Galeoscoptes carolinensis, I. 52, pl. 3, “ 5 - Geococcyx californianus, ♂ II. 492, pl. 48, “ 1 - Geothlypis macgillivrayi, ♂ I. 303, pl. 15, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - philadelphia, ♂ “ 301, “ “ 6 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 9 - trichas, ♂ “ 297, “ “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - Glaucidium californicum, III. 81. - ferrugineum, “ 85. - Guiraca cærulea, ♂ II. 77, pl. 29, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Gymnokitta cyanocephala, ♂ “ 260, pl. 38, “ 2 - - Haliaëtus albicilla, III. 324. - leucocephalus, “ 326. - Harporhynchus cinereus, I. 40, pl. 4, “ 2 - crissalis, “ 47, “ “ 1 - curvirostris, “ 41, pl. 3, “ 3 - lecontei, “ 44, pl. 4, “ 3 - longirostris, “ 39, pl. 3, “ 2 - palmeri, “ 43. - redivivus, “ 45, pl. 4, “ 4 - rufus, “ 37, pl. 3, “ 1 - Hedymeles ludovicianus, ♂ II. 70, pl. 30, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - melanocephalus, ♂ “ 73, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - Heliopædica xantusi, ♂ “ 467, pl. 47, “ 3 - Helminthophaga bachmani, ♂ I. 194, pl. 11, “ 3 - celata (_var._ Cape Lucas), “ 204, “ “ 4 - “ (_var._ Florida), “ “ “ 6 - “ (_var._ Rocky Mts.), I. 202, “ “ 5 - chrysoptera, ♂ “ 192, “ “ 2 - luciæ, “ 200, “ “ 9 - peregrina (_in spring_), “ 205, “ “ 10 - “ (_in autumn_), “ “ “ “ 11 - pinus, ♂ “ 195, “ “ 1 - ruficapilla, “ 196, “ “ 7 - “ (_var._ Calif.), “ “ “ 8 - virginiæ, “ 199, “ “ 12 - Helmitherus swainsoni, “ 190, pl. 10, “ 9 - vermivorus, “ 187, “ “ 10 - Hesperiphona montana, “ 449, pl. 22, “ 4 - vespertina, ♂ “ “ “ “ 1 - Hirundo horreorum, ♂ “ 339, pl. 16, “ 9 - Hylotomus pileatus, ♀ II. 550, pl. 56, “ 4 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 - - Icteria longicauda, I. 309. - virens, ♂ “ 307, pl. 15, “ 12 - Icterus auduboni, ♂ II. 186, pl. 35, “ 1 - baltimore, ♂ “ 195, “ “ 5 - bullocki, ♂ “ 199, pl. 34, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 - cucullatus, ♂ “ 193, pl. 35, “ 6 - parisorum, ♂ “ 188, “ “ 7 - spurius, ♂ “ 190, pl. 34, “ 4 - “ (_Juv._) ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - wagleri, ♂ “ pl. 35, “ 2 - Ictinia mississippiensis, III. 203. - - Junco aikeni, ♂ I. 584, pl. 26, “ 6 - caniceps, ♂ “ 587, “ “ 3 - hyemalis, ♂ “ 580, “ “ 5 - oregonus, ♂ “ 584, “ “ 2 - - Lagopus albus, III. 457, pl. 61, “ 8 - “ (_summer_), ♂ “ “ pl. 62, “ 1 - “ (_winter_), ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 - “ (_summer_), ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - leucurus (_summer_), ♂ “ 464, “ “ 6 - rupestris (_winter_), ♂ “ 462, “ “ 4 - “ (_summer_), ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Lanivireo cassini, ♂ I. 376, pl. 17, “ 9 - flavifrons, ♂ “ 379, “ “ 5 - plumbea, ♂ “ 377, “ “ 10 - solitaria, ♂ “ 373, “ “ 8 - Leucosticte arctous, “ pl. 23, “ 10 - australis, “ “ “ 9 - campestris, “ 507, “ “ 7 - griseinucha, ♂ “ 508, “ “ 5 - littoralis, “ 507, “ “ 6 - tephrocotis, “ 504, “ “ 8 - Lophophanes atricristatus, “ 90, pl. 6, “ 2 - bicolor, “ 87, “ “ 1 - inornatus, “ 91, “ “ 3 - wollweberi, “ 93, “ “ 4 - Lophortyx californicus, III. 479, pl. 61, “ 4 - “ ♂ “ “ pl. 64, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - gambeli, ♂ “ 482, “ “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Loxia americana, ♂ I. 484, pl. 23, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - leucoptera, ♂ “ 488, “ “ 2 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 3 - mexicana, “ “ - - Melanerpes angustifrons, ♂ II. 573, pl. 53, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - erythrocephalus, ♂ “ 564, pl. 54, “ 4 - formicivorus, ♂ “ 566, pl. 53, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - torquatus, ♂ “ 561, pl. 54, “ 5 - Meleagris gallopavo, III. 404. - mexicana, “ 410. - Melopeleia leucoptera, ♂ “ 376, pl. 58, “ 4 - Melospiza fallax, ♀ II. 22, pl. 27, “ 10 - guttata, “ 27, “ “ 12 - heermanni, ♂ “ 24, “ “ 9 - insignis, “ 30, “ “ 8 - lincolni, “ 31, “ “ 13 - melodia, “ 19, “ “ 6 - palustris, ♂ “ 34, pl. 28, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - rufina, “ 29, pl. 27, “ 11 - samuelis, “ 26, “ “ 7 - Micrathene whitneyi, III. 87. - Milvulus forficatus, ♂ II. 311, pl. 43, “ 1 - tyrannus, “ 309. - Mimus polyglottus, I. 49, pl. 3, “ 4 - Mitrephorus pallescens, ♂ II. 386, pl. 44, “ 13 - Mniotilta varia, ♂ I. 180, pl. 10, “ 6 - Molothrus pecoris, ♀ II. 154, pl. 32, “ 6 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 - obscurus, ♂ “ “ “ 8 - Motacilla alba, I. 165, pl. 10, “ 1 - Myiadestes townsendi, ♂ “ 409, pl. 18, “ 5 - “ (_Juv._) “ “ “ “ 6 - Myiarchus cinerascens, ♂ II. 337, pl. 43, “ 8 - crinitus, ♂ “ “ “ 7 - lawrencii, ♂ “ “ “ 9 - Myiodioctes canadensis, ♂ I. 320, pl. 16, “ 6 - minutus, “ 316, “ “ 2 - mitratus, ♂ “ 314, pl. 15, “ 10 - “ ♀ “ “ “ 11 - pileolatus, “ 319. - pusillus, ♂ “ 317, pl. 16, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - Nauclerus forficatus, III. 192. - Neocorys spraguei, ♀ I. 175, pl. 10, “ 5 - Nephœcetes niger, ♀ II. 429, pl. 45, “ 4 - Nisus cooperi, III. 230. - fuscus, “ 224. - mexicanus, “ 231. - Nyctale richardsoni, “ 40. - acadica, “ 43. - Nyctea scandiaca, “ 70. - - Onychotes gruberi, “ 254. - Oporornis agilis, ♂ I. 290, pl. 15, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - formosa, ♂ “ 293, “ “ 3 - Oreopeleia martinica, ♂ III. 393, pl. 58, “ 1 - Oreortyx pictus, ♂ “ 475, pl. 63, “ 5 - Oreoscoptes montanus, I. 32, pl. 3, “ 6 - Ortalida macalli, II. 398, pl. 57, “ 1 - Ortyx texanus, ♀ III. 474, pl. 63, “ 4 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 - virginianus, ♂ “ 468, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - Otus brachyotus, “ 22. - wilsonianus, “ 18. - - Pandion carolinensis, “ 184. - Panyptila melanoleuca, ♂ II. 424, pl. 45, “ 5 - Parula americana, ♂ I. 208, pl. 10, “ 7 - Parus atricapillus, “ 96, pl. 7, “ 1 - carolinensis, “ 102, “ “ 4 - hudsonicus, “ 105, “ “ 7 - montanus, “ 95, “ “ 5 - occidentalis, “ 101, “ “ 3 - rufescens, “ 104, “ “ 6 - septentrionalis, “ 99, “ “ 2 - Passerculus alaudinus, “ 537, pl. 24, “ 11 - anthinus, “ 539, “ “ 10 - caboti, II. pl. 46, “ 9 - guttatus, I. 544, pl. 25, “ 1 - princeps, “ 540, “ “ 2 - rostratus, “ 542, pl. 24, “ 12 - sandwichensis, “ 538, “ “ 9 - savanna, “ 534, “ “ 8 - Passerella iliaca, II. 50, pl. 28, “ 7 - megarrhyncha, “ 57, “ “ 10 - schistacea, “ 56. - townsendi, ♀ “ 53, “ “ 8 - Pediœcetes columbianus, III. 434, pl. 60, “ 1 - phasianellus, “ 436, “ “ 3 - Perisoreus canadensis, ♂ II. 299, pl. 41, “ 3 - “ (_Juv._) “ pl. 42, “ 4 - capitalis, ♂ II. 302, pl. 41, “ 4 - obscurus, “ “ - Perissoglossa carbonata, I. 214, pl. 12, “ 3 - tigrina, ♂ “ 212, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - Petrochelidon lunifrons, ♂ “ 334, pl. 16, “ 13 - Peucæa æstivalis, II. 39, pl. 28, “ 4 - arizonæ, “ 41. - carpalis, “ pl. 46, “ 8 - cassini, “ 42, pl. 28, “ 5 - ruficeps, “ 45, “ “ 6 - Phainopepla nitens, ♂ I. 405, pl. 18, “ 3 - “ ♂ “ “ “ 4 - Phonipara zena, ♂ II. 93, pl. 29, “ 15 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 16 - Phyllopneuste borealis, I. pl. 5, “ 5 - Pica hudsonica, ♂ II. 266, pl. 38, “ 1 - nuttalli, ♂ “ 270, “ “ 3 - Picicorvus columbianus, “ 255, “ “ 4 - Picoides americanus, ♂ “ 532, pl. 50, “ 2 - arcticus, ♂ “ 530, “ “ 1 - Picus albolarvatus, ♂ “ 526, “ “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - borealis, ♂ “ 524, pl. 49, “ 8 - gairdneri, “ 512. - harrisi, “ 507. - lucasanus, “ 519. - nuttalli, ♂ “ 521, pl. 50, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - pubescens, ♂ “ 509, pl. 49, “ 6 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 7 - scalaris, ♂ “ 515, pl. 50, “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - villosus, ♂ “ 503, pl. 49, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - “ (_Juv._) ♂ “ “ “ “ 5 - Pinicola enucleator, ♂ I. 453, pl. 21, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - Pipilo aberti, ♂ II. 128, pl. 31, “ 7 - albigula, ♂ “ 127, “ “ 11 - alleni, “ 112. - arcticus, ♂ “ 119, “ “ 5 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - chlorura, ♂ “ 131, “ “ 4 - crissalis, ♂ “ 122, “ “ 8 - erythrophthalmus, ♂ “ 109, “ “ 2 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 3 - megalonyx, ♀ “ 113, “ “ 9 - mesoleucus, ♂ “ 125, “ “ 10 - oregonus, ♀ “ 116, “ “ 12 - Plectrophanes lapponicus, - ♂ I. 515, pl. 24, “ 7 - maccowni, ♂ “ 523, “ “ 1 - melanomus, ♂ “ 521, “ “ 6 - nivalis, ♂ “ 512, “ “ 2 - ornatus, ♂ “ 520, “ “ 3 - pictus, ♂ “ 518, “ “ 4 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Polioptila cærulea, “ 78, pl. 6, “ 5 - melanura, “ 81, “ “ 7 - plumbea, “ 80, “ “ 6 - Polyborus auduboni, III. 178. - Poocætes gramineus, II. 545, pl. 29, “ 1 - Poospiza belli, I. 593, pl. 26, “ 9 - bilineata, ♂ “ 590, “ “ 8 - nevadensis, “ 594. - Progne cryptoleuca, “ 332. - subis, ♀ “ 329, pl. 16, “ 7 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 10 - Protonotaria citrea, “ 184, pl. 10, “ 8 - Psaltriparus melanotis, “ 108, pl. 7, “ 8 - minimus, “ 109, “ “ 9 - plumbeus, “ 110, “ “ 10 - Pseudogryphus californianus, III. 338. - Psilorhinus morio, ♀ II. 304, pl. 42, “ 2 - Pyranga æstiva, ♂ I. 441, pl. 20, “ 5 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 6 - cooperi, ♂ “ 444, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - hepatica, ♂ “ 440, “ “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 10 - ludoviciana, ♂ “ 437, “ “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - rubra, ♂ “ 435, “ “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - Pyrgita domestica, “ 525, pl. 23, “ 12 - Pyrocephalus mexicanus, ♂ II. 387, pl. 44, “ 5 - Pyrrhula cassini, ♂ I. 457, pl. 23, “ 11 - Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, ♂ II. 95, pl. 30, “ 3 - - Quiscalus æneus, “ 218. - aglæus, ♂ “ 221, pl. 37, “ 2 - macrourus, ♂ “ 225, pl. 36, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - major, ♂ “ 222, “ “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - purpureus, ♂ “ 214, pl. 37, “ 1 - - Regulus calendula, I. 75, pl. 5, “ 9 - cuvieri, “ “ “ “ 7 - satrapa, “ 73, “ “ 8 - Rhinogryphus aura, III. 344. - Rostrhamus sociabilis, “ 209. - - Salpinctes obsoletus, I. 135, pl. 8, “ 3 - Saxicola œnanthe, “ 60, pl. 5, “ 6 - Sayornis fuscus, ♂ II. 343, pl. 45, “ 2 - nigricans, ♂ “ 340, “ “ 1 - sayus, ♂ “ 347, “ “ 3 - Scardafella inca, ♂ III. 387, pl. 58, “ 7 - Scolecephalus cyanocephalus, - ♀ II. 206, pl. 35, “ 3 - ferrugineus, ♂ “ 203, “ “ 4 - Scops asio, III. 49. - flammeola, “ 58. - floridana, “ 57. - kennicotti, “ 53. - maccalli, “ 52. - Seiurus aurocapillus, I. 280, pl. 14, “ 11 - ludovicianus, ♂ “ 287, “ “ 13 - noveboracensis, ♂ “ 283, “ “ 12 - Selasphorus platycercus, ♂ II. 462, pl. 47, “ 5 - rufus, ♂ “ 459, “ “ 4 - Setophaga picta, ♂ “ pl. 46, “ 7 - “ ♂ “ pl. 56, “ 3 - ruticilla, ♂ I. 322, pl. 16, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 5 - Sialia arctica, “ 67, pl. 5, “ 4 - mexicana, “ 65, “ “ 2 - sialis, “ 62, “ “ 3 - Sitta aculeata, “ 117. - canadensis, ♂ “ 118, pl. 8, “ 7 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 8 - carolinensis, ♂ “ 114, “ “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - pusilla, “ 122, “ “ 9 - pygmæa, “ 120, “ “ 10 - Spheotyto hypogæa, III. 90. - Spermophila moreleti, ♂ II. 91, pl. 29, “ 17 - Sphyropicus nuchalis, ♂ “ 542, pl. 51, “ 3 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 4 - ruber, ♂ “ 544, “ “ 6 - thyroideus, ♂ “ 547, pl. 56, “ 6 - varius, ♂ “ 539, pl. 51, “ 1 - “ ♀ “ “ “ “ 2 - williamsoni, ♀ “ 545, “ “ 5 - Spizella arizonæ, “ 11. - atrigularis, ♂ I. 15, pl. 26, “ 11 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 12 - breweri, II. 13, pl. 27, “ 4 - monticola, “ 3, “ “ 5 - pallida, “ 11, “ “ 3 - pusilla, ♀ “ 5, “ “ 2 - socialis, “ 7, “ “ 1 - Starnœnas cyanocephala, - ♂ III. 395, pl. 58, “ 5 - Stelgidopteryx serripennis, - ♂ I. 350, pl. 16, “ 12 - Stellula calliope, ♂ II. 445, pl. 47, “ 9 - Strix pratincola, III. 13. - Sturnella magna, ♂ II. 174, pl. 34, “ 2 - neglecta, ♂ “ 176, “ “ 1 - Sturnus vulgaris, ♂ “ 229, pl. 35, “ 8 - Surnia ulula, III. 75. - Syrnium cinereum, “ 30. - nebulosum, “ 34. - occidentale, “ 38. - - Tachycineta bicolor, ♂ I. 344, pl. 16, “ 8 - thalassina, ♂ “ 347, “ “ 11 - Thaumatias linnæi, II. 468. - Thryothorus berlandieri, I. 144, pl. 9, “ 2 - bewicki, ♂ “ 145, “ “ 3 - “ “ “ “ “ 4 - leucogaster, “ 147. - ludovicianus, “ 142, “ “ 1 - spilurus, “ 147. - Trochilus alexandri, ♂ II. 450, pl. 47, “ 1 - colubris, ♂ “ 448, “ “ 2 - Troglodytes ædon, I. 149, pl. 9, “ 5 - alascensis, “ 157, “ “ 8 - hyemalis, “ 155, “ “ 9 - pacificus, “ “ “ 10 - parkmanni, “ 153. - Turdus aliciæ, “ 11, pl. 1, “ 3 - auduboni, “ 21, “ “ 8 - confinis, “ 27, pl. 2, “ 1 - fuscescens, “ 9, pl. 1, “ 5 - iliacus, “ 23, pl. 2, “ 4 - migratorius, “ 25, “ “ 3 - mustelinus, “ 7, pl. 1, “ 1 - nævius, “ 29, pl. 2, “ 2 - nanus, “ 20, pl. 1, “ 7 - pallasi, “ 18, “ “ 6 - swainsoni, “ 14, “ “ 4 - ustulatus, “ “ “ 2 - Tyrannus carolinensis, ♂ II. 316, pl. 43, “ 2 - couchi, ♂ “ 329, “ “ 6 - dominicensis, ♂ “ 319, “ “ 3 - verticalis, ♂ “ 324, “ “ 4 - vociferans, ♂ “ 327, “ “ 5 - - Vireo atricapillus, ♂ I. 383, pl. 17, “ 6 - belli, ♂ “ 389, “ “ 13 - huttoni, ♂ “ 387, “ “ 12 - noveboracensis, ♂ “ 385, “ “ 11 - pusillus, ♂ “ 391, “ “ 14 - vicinior, ♂ “ 393, “ “ 7 - Vireosylvia barbatula, ♂ “ 360, “ “ 1 - flavoriridis, “ 366. - gilva, ♂ “ 368, “ “ 3 - olivacea, ♂ “ 363, “ “ 2 - philadelphica, “ 367, “ “ 4 - swainsoni, “ 371. - - Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, ♂ II. 167, pl. 32, “ 9 - “ ♀ “ “ pl. 33, “ 9 - Xanthoura luxuosa, “ 295, pl. 42, “ 1 - - Zenaida amabilis, ♂ III. 379, pl. 58, “ 3 - Zenaidura carolinensis, ♂ “ 383, “ “ 2 - Zonotrichia albicollis, ♂ I. 574, pl. 26, “ 10 - coronata, ♂ “ 573, “ “ 1 - gambeli, ♂ “ 569, pl. 25, “ 11 - “ (_Juv._) “ “ “ “ 12 - leucophrys, (_Juv._) ♂ “ 566, “ “ 9 - “ ♂ “ “ “ “ 10 - querula, (_Ad._) ♂ “ 577, pl. 26, “ 4 - “ (_autumn_) “ “ “ “ 7 - - - - -INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. - - - Ani, II. 488. - - Bee Martin, II. 316. - Bird of Paradise (Texas), II. 311. - Birds of Prey, III. 1. - Blackbird, Brewer’s, II. 206. - Cow, II. 154. - Crimson-shouldered, II. 163. - Crow, II. 214. - Red and White shouldered, II. 165. - Redwing, II. 159. - Rusty, II. 203. - Savanna, II. 488. - Swamp, II. 159. - White-winged, II. 61. - Yellow-headed, II. 167. - Black Warrior, III. 292. - Bluebird, Eastern, I. 62. - California, I. 65. - Rocky Mountain, I. 67. - Bobolink, II. 149. - Bob-White, III. 468. - Bull-Bat, II. 401. - Bullfinch, Cassin’s, I. 457. - Bunting, Arctic, II. 119. - Baird’s, I. 531. - Bay-winged, I. 545. - Black-crowned, I. 573. - Black-throated, II. 65. - Blue, II. 82. - Cañon, II. 125. - Chestnut-collared, I. 520. - Green-tailed, II. 131. - Henslow’s, I. 550. - Indigo, II. 82. - Lark, II. 61. - Leconte’s, I. 552. - Long-clawed, II. 113. - Maccown’s, I. 523. - Painted, II. 87. - Seaside, I. 560. - Sharp-tailed, I. 557. - Smith’s, I. 518. - Townsend’s, II. 68. - Varied, II. 86. - Western Yellow-winged, I. 556. - Yellow-winged, I. 553. - Burion, I. 465, 466, 468. - Bush-Titmouse, Black-eared, I. 108. - Lead-colored, I. 110. - Least, I. 109. - Yellow-headed, I. 112. - Butcher-Bird, I. 415. - Buzzard, Harris’s, III. 250. - Turkey, III. - - Cardinal, Cape, II. 103. - Grosbeak, II. 100. - Texas, II. 95. - Catbird, I. 52. - Cedar-Bird, I. 401. - Chacalacca, Texas, III. 398. - Chaparral Cock, II. 472. - Chat, Long-tailed, I. 309. - Yellow-breasted, I. 390. - Chatterer, Bohemian, I. 396. - Chewink, II. 109. - Florida, II. 112. - White-eyed, II. 112. - Chickadee, Brown-capped, I. 105. - Chestnut-backed, I. 104. - Eastern, I. 96. - Hudson’s Bay, I. 105. - Long-tailed, I. 99. - Mountain, I. 95. - Southern, I. 102. - Western, I. 101. - White-browed, I. 95. - Chippy, II. 7. - Chuck-Will’s Widow, II. 410. - Cock of the Plains, III. 429. - Condor, California, III. 338. - Cowbird, II. 154. - Creepers, I. 124, 425. - Creeper, Bahama, I. 428. - Brown, I. 125. - Mexican, I. 128. - Crossbill, Mexican, I. 488. - Red, I. 484. - White-winged, I. 488. - Crow, Carrion, III. 351. - Clarke’s, II. 255. - Common, II. 243. - Fish, II. 251. - Florida, II. 247. - Northwestern Fish, II. 248. - White-necked, II. 242. - Cuckoos, II. 470. - Cuckoo, Black-billed, II. 484. - Mangrove, II. 482. - Yellow-billed, II. 477. - Curassows, III. 397. - - Dipper, American, I. 56. - Dove, Carolina, or Common, III. 383. - Ground, III. 389. - Red-billed, III. 363. - Scaly, III. 387. - White-winged, III. 376. - Zenaida, III. 379. - - Eagle, American, III. 326. - Bald, III. 326. - Caracara, III. 178. - Golden, III. 314. - Ring-tailed, III. 314. - Emerald, Linnæus’s, II. 468. - - Falcons, III. 103. - Falcon, American Peregrine, III. 132. - Aplomado, III. 155. - Black Peregrine, III. 137. - Prairie, III. 123. - Finches, I. 466. - Finch, Black-faced, II. 93. - Blanding’s, II. 131. - California Purple, I. 465. - Cañon, II. 122. - Cassin’s Purple, I. 460. - Crimson-fronted, I. 465, 466. - Eastern Purple, I. 462. - Gray-cheeked, I. 507. - Gray-crowned, I. 504. - Gray-eared, I. 508. - Hepburn’s, I. 507. - Lazuli, II. 84. - Lincoln’s, II. 31. - Mountain, II. 3. - Painted, II. 87. - Summer, II. 39. - Yellow-throated, II. 65. - Flicker, II. 575. - Cape, II. 583. - Hybrid, II. 582. - Red-shafted, II. 578. - Flycatcher, Arkansas, II. 324. - Ash-throated, II. 337. - Buff-breasted Least, II. 386. - Canada, I. 320. - Cassin’s, II. 327. - Crested, II. 334. - Fork-tailed, II. 309. - Great-crested, II. 334. - Green Black-capped, I. 317. - Hammond’s, II. 383. - Least, II. 372. - Little, II. 366. - Mexican Olive-sided, II. 356. - Olive-sided, II. 353. - Red, II. 387. - Shining-crested, I. 405. - Small-headed, I. 316. - Small Green-crested, II. 374. - Swallow-tail, II. 311. - Traill’s, II. 369. - Western Yellow-bellied, II. 380. - Wright’s, II. 381. - Yellow-bellied, II. 378. - - Gerfalcon, Black, III. 117. - Iceland, III. 113. - McFarlane’s, III. 115. - White, III. 111. - Gnatcatcher, Arizona, I. 80. - Black-capped, I. 81. - Blue-gray, I. 78. - Eastern, I. 78. - Lead-colored, I. 80. - Goatsuckers, II. 398. - Goatsucker, Long-winged, II. 401. - Short-winged, II. 410. - Goldfinch, Arizona, I. 476. - Arkansas, I. 474. - Black, I. 478. - Lawrence’s, I. 478. - Mexican, I. 478. - Pine, I. 480. - Rocky Mountain, I. 474. - Goshawk, American, III. 237. - Grakle, Boat-tailed, II. 222. - Bronzed, II. 218. - Florida, II. 221. - Great-tailed, II. 225. - Purple, II. 215. - Greenlet, Florida, I. 360. - Philadelphia, I. 367. - Red-eyed, I. 363. - Warbling, I. 368. - Western Warbling, I. 371. - Grosbeak, Black-headed, II. 73. - Blue, II. 77. - Evening, I. 449. - Pine, I. 453. - Rose-breasted, II. 70. - Ground-Tits, I. 83, 84. - Grouse, III. 414. - Canada, III. 416. - Dusky, III. 422. - Franklin’s, III. 419. - Oregon, III. 454. - Oregon Dusky, III. 425. - Pinnated, III. 440. - Richardson’s Dusky, III. 427. - Ruffled, III. 448. - Sharp-tailed, III. 434. - Shoulder-knot, III. 448. - Spotted, III. 416. - Willow, III. 457. - Gyrfalcon. _See_ Gerfalcon. - - Hang-Nest, II. 195. - Harrier, American, III. 214. - Hawk, American Sparrow, III. 169. - Baird’s, III. 263. - Band-tail, III. 272. - Black, III. 304. - Broad-winged, III. 259. - California Squirrel, III. 300. - Cooper’s, III. 230. - Cooper’s Red-tailed, III. 295. - Duck, III. 132. - Fish, III. 184. - Gruber’s, III. 254. - Harlan’s, III. 292. - Marsh, III. 214. - Mexican, III. 246. - Mexican Blue-backed, III. 231. - Pigeon, III. 144. - Red-bellied, III. 277. - Red-shouldered, III. 275. - Red-tailed, III. 281. - Rough-legged, III. 304. - Sharp-shinned, III. 224. - Sharp-winged, III. 266. - Swainson’s, III. 263. - Swallow-tailed, III. 192. - Heathcock, Black-spotted, III. 416. - High-Holder, II. 575. - Hoot-Owl, III. 34. - House-Finch, California, I. 468. - Hummer, Ruffed, II. 457. - Humming-Birds, II. 437. - Humming-Bird, Anna, II. 454. - Black-chinned, II. 450. - Broad-tailed, II. 462. - Calliope, II. 445. - Costa’s, II. 457. - Heloisa’s, II. 465. - Ruby-throated, II. 448. - Rufous-backed, II. 459. - Xantus’s, II. 467. - - Indigo-Bird, II. 82. - - Jackdaw, II. 222. - Jay, Alaskan Gray, II. 302. - Blue, II. 273. - Brown, II. 304. - California, II. 288. - Canada, II. 299. - Florida, II. 285. - Green, II. 295. - Long-crested, II. 281. - Maximilian’s, II. 260. - Rocky Mountain Gray, II. 302. - Sierra, II. 279. - Steller’s, II. 277. - Ultramarine, II. 293. - Woodhouse’s, II. 291. - - Kestrel, American, III. 169. - Kingbird, II. 316. - Couch’s, II. 329. - Gray, II. 319. - King-Buzzard, III. 178. - Kingfishers, II. 391. - Kingfisher, Belted, II. 392. - Green, II. 396. - Texas, II. 396. - Kinglet, Cuvier’s, I. 75. - Golden-crowned, I. 73. - Ruby-crowned, I. 75. - Kite, Black-shouldered, III. 198. - Blue, III. 203. - Everglade, III. 203. - Fork-tailed, III. 192. - Hook-bill, III. 203. - Mississippi, III. 203. - White-tailed, III. 198. - - Lanner, American, III. 123. - Lark, Meadow, II. 174. - Old Field, II. 174. - Western, II. 176. - Linnet, Brewster’s, I. 501. - House, I. 465. - Red-headed, I. 468. - Log-Cock, II. 550. - Loggerhead, I. 418. - Western, I. 421. - Longspur, Black-bellied, I. 520. - Black-shouldered, I. 521. - Chestnut-shouldered, I. 523. - Lapland, I. 515. - Painted, I. 518. - - Magpie, II. 266. - Yellow-billed, II. 270. - Martin, Cuban, I. 332. - Purple, I. 329. - Sand, I. 353. - Marsh-Wren, Long-billed, I. 161. - Short-billed, I. 159. - Merlin, American, III. 144. - Black, III. 147. - Richardson’s, III. 148. - Mocking-Bird, I. 49. - Moose-Bird, II. 299. - - Night-Hawk, II. 401. - Texas, II. 406. - Western, II. 404. - Nonpareil, II. 87. - Nuthatch, Brown-headed, I. 122. - Pygmy, I. 120. - Red-bellied, I. 118. - Slender-billed, I. 117. - White-bellied, I. 114. - - Orioles, II. 147. - Oriole, Audubon’s, II. 186. - Baltimore, II. 195. - Bullock’s, II. 199. - Hooded, II. 193. - Orchard, II. 190. - Red-winged, II. 159. - Scott’s, II. 188. - Osprey, American, III. 184. - Owls, III. 4. - Owl, American Barn, III. 13. - American Hawk, III. 75. - American Snowy, III. 70. - American Sparrow, III. 40. - Barred, III. 34. - Burrowing, III. 90. - California Pygmy, III. 81. - Feilner’s, III. 58. - Great Gray, III. 30. - Great Horned, III. 62. - Kennicott’s, III. 53. - Kirtland’s, III. 43. - Lesser-horned, III. 18. - Little Red, III. 49. - Long-eared, III. 18. - Marsh, III. 22. - Mottled, III. 49. - Red-tailed, III. 85. - Richardson’s, III. 40. - Saw-whet, III. 43. - Short-eared, III. 22. - Spotted, III. 38. - Western-barred, III. 38. - Western Great-horned, III. 64. - Western-mottled, III. 52. - White-fronted, III. 43. - Whitney’s, III. 87. - - Paisano, II. 472. - Parakeet, II. 587. - Parrots, II. 585. - Parrot, Carolina, II. 587. - Illinois, II. 587. - Orange-headed, II. 587. - Partridge, III. 448, 466, 468. - Massena, III. 492. - Mountain, III. 453. - Plumed, III. 475. - Scaled or Blue, III. 487. - Spruce, III. 416. - Pewee, II. 343. - Black, II. 340. - Say’s, II. 347. - Short-legged, II. 360. - Western Wood, II. 360. - Wood, II. 357. - Pheasant, III. 448. - Phœbe-Bird, II. 343. - Pigeons, III. 357. - Pigeon, Band-tailed, III. 360. - Blue-headed, III. 395. - Key West, III. 393. - Passenger, III. 368. - White-headed, III. 363. - Wild, III. 368. - Pipit, American, I. 171. - European, I. 173. - Sprague’s, I. 175. - Poor-Will, II. 417. - Prairie-Chicken, III. 440. - Prairie-Hen, III. 440. - Texas, III. 446. - Ptarmigan, White, III. 457. - Rock, III. 462. - White-tailed, III. 464. - - Quail, III. 468. - California, III. 479. - Gambel’s, III. 482. - Mountain, III. 475. - - Raven, American, II. 234. - Redbird, II. 100. - Summer, I. 441. - Redbreast, American, I. 25. - Red-Poll, Lesser, I. 493. - Mealy, I. 498. - Redstart, American, I. 322. - Red-Tail, Eastern, III. 282. - St. Lucas, III. 285. - White-bellied, III. 284. - Reedbird, II. 149. - Ricebird, II. 149. - Road-Runner, II. 472. - Robins, I. 25. - Robin, Cape St. Lucas, I. 27. - Golden, II. 195. - Ground, II. 109. - Oregon, I. 29. - Oregon Ground, II. 116. - - Sage-Cock, III. 429. - Sapsucker, Larger, II. 503. - Lesser, II. 509. - Scissor-Tail, II. 311. - Screech-Owl, III. 49. - Sea-Eagle, Gray, III. 324. - Seed-Eater, Little, II. 91. - Sharp-Tail, Columbia, III. 436. - Shore-Lark, II. 141. - Shrikes, I. 412. - Shrike, Great Northern, I. 415. - Southern, I. 418. - White-rumped, I. 421. - White-winged, I. 420. - Skylark, II. 136. - Missouri, I. 175. - Snowbirds, I. 580. - Snowbird, Oregon, I. 584. - Red-backed, I. 587. - White-winged, I. 584. - Snow-Bunting, I. 512. - Solitaire, Townsend’s, I. 409. - Sparrows, I. 528. - Sparrow, Arizona, II. 41. - Artemisia, I. 594. - Bachman’s, II. 39. - Bell’s, I. 593. - Black-chinned, II. 15. - Black-hooded, I. 577. - Black-throated, I. 590. - Brewer’s, II. 13. - California Shore, I. 539. - Cassin’s, II. 42. - Chipping, II. 7. - Clay-colored, II. 11. - Field, II. 5. - Fox-colored, II. 50. - Golden-crowned, I. 573. - Grass, I. 545. - Harris’s, I. 577. - Heermann’s Song, II. 24. - House, I. 525. - Ipswich, I. 540. - Kodiak Song, II. 30. - Lark, I. 562. - Little Brown, II. 5. - Northwest Savanna, I. 538. - Oregon Song, II. 27. - Rufous-crowned, II. 45. - Rusty Song, II. 29. - St. Lucas, I. 544. - Samuel’s Song, II. 26. - San Diego, I. 542. - Savanna, I. 534. - Song, II. 19. - Swamp, II. 34. - Texas, II. 47. - Thick-billed, II. 57. - Townsend’s, II. 53. - Tree, II. 3. - Western Chipping, II. 11. - Western Savanna, I. 537. - Western Song, II. 22. - Western White-crowned, I. 569. - White-crowned, I. 566. - White-throated, I. 574. - Starlings, II. 228. - Starling, II. 229. - Swallows, I. 326. - Swallow, Aculeated, II. 432. - Bank, I. 353. - Barn, I. 339. - Chimney, II. 432. - Cliff, I. 334. - Eave, I. 334. - Rough-winged, I. 350. - Violet-green, I. 347. - White-bellied, I. 344. - Swifts, II. 421. - Swift, Black, II. 429. - Oregon Chimney, II. 435. - White-throated, II. 424. - - Tanagers, I. 431. - Tanager, Louisiana, I. 437. - Scarlet, I. 435. - Thistle-Bird, I. 471. - Thrasher, Brown, I. 37. - California, I. 45. - Cape St. Lucas, I. 40. - Gray Curve-Bill, I. 41. - Leconte’s, I. 44. - Palmer’s, I. 43. - Red-vented, I. 47. - Sage, I. 32. - Texas, I. 39. - Thrushes, I. 1. - Thrush, Alice’s, I. 11. - Dwarf Hermit, I. 20. - Golden-crowned, I. 280. - Gray-cheeked, I. 11. - Hermit, I. 18. - Louisiana Water, I. 287. - Rocky Mountain Hermit, I. 21. - Olive-backed, I. 14. - Oregon, I. 16. - Red-wing, I. 23. - Rufous-tailed, I. 18. - Small-billed Water, I. 283. - Swainson’s, I. 14. - Tawny, I. 9. - Varied, I. 29. - Wilson’s, I. 9. - Wood, I. 7. - Titlark, I. 171. - Titmice, I. 86. - Titmouse, Black-capped, I. 96. - Black-fronted, I. 87. - Black-tufted, I. 90. - California, I. 91. - Gray-tufted, I. 91. - Striped-headed, I. 93. - Texas, I. 90. - Tufted, I. 87. - Wollweber’s, I. 93. - Towhees, II. 109. - Towhee, Abert’s, II. 128. - Brown, II. 122. - Cape, II. 127. - Troupial, II. 184. - Turkey-Buzzard, III. 344. - Turkeys, III. 402. - Turkey, Mexican, III. 410. - Wild, III. 404. - Tyrant Flycatchers, II. 306. - - Vireo, Arizona, I. 393. - Bell’s, I. 389. - Black-capped, I. 383. - Blue-headed, I. 373. - Cassin’s, I. 376. - Hutton’s, I. 387. - Lead-colored, I. 377. - Least, I. 391. - White-eyed, I. 385. - Yellow-green, I. 366. - Yellow-throated, I. 379. - Vultures, III. 335, 338. - Vulture, Black, III. 351. - Red-headed, III. 344. - - Wagler, I. 578. - Wagtails, I. 164. - Wagtail, White, I. 165. - Yellow, I. 167. - Warblers, I. 177. - Warbler, Alaska Willow, I. 70. - Arizona, I. 243. - Audubon’s, I. 229. - Bachman’s, I. 194. - Bay-breasted, I. 251. - Black and White, I. 180. - Black and Yellow, I. 232. - Blackburnian, I. 237. - Black-masked Ground, I. 297. - Black-Poll, I. 248. - Black-throated Blue, I. 254. - Black-throated Gray, I. 258. - Black-throated Green, I. 261. - Blue Mountain, I. 271. - Blue-winged Yellow, I. 195. - Blue Yellow-backed, I. 208. - Cærulean, I. 235. - Cape May, I. 212. - Carbonated, I. 214. - Chestnut-sided, I. 245. - Connecticut, I. 290. - Creeping, I. 180. - Golden Swamp, I. 184. - Golden-winged, I. 192. - Hooded, I. 314. - Kentucky, I. 293. - Kirtland’s, I. 272. - Lucy’s, I. 200. - Macgillivray’s Ground, I. 303. - Maryland Yellow-throat, I. 297. - Mourning, I. 301. - Myrtle, I. 227. - Nashville, I. 196. - Olive-headed, I. 258. - Orange-crowned, I. 202. - Orange-throated, I. 237. - Pacific Orange-crowned, I. 204. - Pine-creeping, I. 268. - Prairie, I. 276. - Prothonotary, I. 184. - Rocky Mountain, I. 199. - Swainson’s Swamp, I. 190. - Tennessee, I. 205. - Townsend’s, I. 265. - Virginia’s, I. 199. - Western, I. 266. - Western Yellow-rump, I. 229. - White-throated Blue, I. 235. - Worm-eating Swamp, I. 187. - Yellow Red-poll, I. 273. - Yellow-rump, I. 227. - Yellow-throated Gray, I. 240. - Water Ouzel, I. 56. - Waxwing, Northern, I. 396. - Southern, I. 401. - Wheat-Ear, I. 60. - Whippoorwill, II. 413. - Nuttall’s, II. 417. - Whiskey-Jack, II. 299. - Woodcock, Black, II. 550. - Woodpecker, Black-backed Three-toed, II. 530. - Brown-headed, II. 547. - California, II. 566. - Cape, II. 519. - Downy, II. 509. - Gairdner’s, II. 512. - Gila, II. 558. - Hairy, II. 503. - Harris’s, II. 507. - Ivory-billed, II. 496. - Ladder-backed, II. 515. - Lewis’s, II. 561. - Narrow-fronted, II. 573. - Nuttall’s, II. 521. - Pileated, II. 550. - Red-bellied, II. 554. - Red-breasted, II. 544. - Red-cockaded, II. 524. - Red-headed, II. 564. - Red-naped, II. 542. - White-backed, Three-toed, II. 532. - White-headed, II. 526. - White-rumped, II. 564. - Williamson’s, II. 545. - Yellow-bellied, II. 539, 557. - Yellow-shafted, II. 575. - Wrens, I. 130. - Wren, Alaska, I. 157. - Berlandier’s, I. 144. - Bewick’s, I. 145. - Cactus, I. 132. - Cañon, I. 139. - Cape Cactus, I. 133. - Great Carolina, I. 142. - House, I. 149. - Long-tailed House, I. 145. - Parkman’s, I. 153. - Rock, I. 135. - Western Wood, I. 153. - White-throated Rock, I. 139. - Winter, I. 155. - Wood, I. 149. - Tit, I. 84. - - Yellow-Bird, I. 471. - Summer, I. 222. - - - - -INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES. - - - Aburria, III. 397. - Acanthis, I. 491. - canescens, I. 498. - holbölli, I. 493. - Acanthylis, II. 431. - pelagica, II. 432. - vauxi, II. 435. - Accipiter, III. 220, 222. - æsalon, III. 142. - ardosiacus, III. 225. - carolinensis, III. 169. - cauda furcata, III. 192. - cooperi, III. 220, 222, 230. - dominicensis, III. 167. - falco freti hudsonis, III. 111. - falco islandicus, III. 113. - falco maculatus, III. 132. - falco niger, III. 137. - falco piscator antillarum, III. 184. - falco piscator carolinensis, III. 184. - fringillarius, III. 222. - fringilloides, III. 225. - fuscus, III. 224, 225. - gyrfalco, III. 111. - lithofalco, III. 142. - mexicanus, III. 231. - milvus carolinensis, III. 192. - minor, III. 169. - palumbarius, III. 144. - pennsylvanicus, III. 225. - pileatus, III. 230. - piscatorius, III. 184. - ruficaudus, III. 282. - trinotatus, III. 220, 222. - velox, III. 225. - Aëtos, III. 312. - Ægiothus, I. 448, 491. - brewsteri, I. 493, 501. - canescens, I. 493, 498. - exilipes, I. 493. - flavirostris, I. 493. - fuscescens, I. 493. - holbölli, I. 493. - linarius, I. 493. - rostratus, I. 493. - Ægithaliscus, I. 107. - melanotis, I. 108. - flaviceps, I. 111, 112. - Ægolius, III. 17. - Æsalon, III. 107, 142. - columbarius, III. 144. - lithofalco, III. 142. - Agelainæ, II. 147, 148. - Agelaius, II. 148, 158. - assimilis, II. 159. - bullocki, II. 199. - gubernator, II. 159, 163. - icterocephalus, II. 167. - longipes, II. 167. - phœniceus, II. 158, 159. - tricolor, II. 159, 165. - xanthocephalus, II. 167. - Agrodoma spraguei, I. 175. - Alauda, II. 135; III. 519. - agrestis, II. 136. - alpestris, II. 139, 143. - arvensis, II. 136. - cælipeta, II. 136. - chrysolæma, II. 144. - cornuta, II. 143. - italica, II. 136. - ludoviciana, I. 171. - magna, II. 171, 174. - minor, II. 144. - montana, II. 136. - pennsylvanica, I. 171. - pratensis, I. 173. - rubra, I. 171. - rufa, I. 164, 170, 171; II. 144. - segetum, II. 136. - spraguei, I. 174, 175. - vulgaris, II. 136. - Alaudidæ, I. 164, 431; II. 135. - Alcedinidæ, II. 391. - Alcedo alcyon, II. 391, 392. - americana, II. 396. - cabanisi, II. 396. - guacu, II. 392. - jaguacate, II. 392. - rudis, II. 391. - viridis, II. 396. - Amazilia xantusi, II. 467. - Ammodromus, I. 529, 556. - Ammodromus bachmani, II. 39. - caudacutus, I. 557. - macgillivrayi, I. 560. - maritimus, I. 560; III. 515. - palustris, II. 34. - rostratus, I. 542. - ruficeps, II. 45. - samuelis, II. 26. - Ampelidæ, I. 3, 356, 395, 431. - Ampelinæ, I. 395. - Ampelis, I. 395. - americana, I. 401. - cedrorum, I. 396, 401. - garrulus, I. 396, 401. - phœnicopterurn, I. 396. - sialis, I. 63. - Angusticolles, II. 492. - Anorthura, I. 131, 149. - Antenor, III. 105. - Anthinæ, I. 164, 169. - Anthus, I. 149, 170. - aquaticus, I. 171. - bogotensis, I. 164, 170. - l’herminieri, I. 284. - ludovicianus, I. 170, 171, 175, 286; III. 509. - pennsylvanica, I. 171. - pipiens, I. 171. - pratensis, I. 170, 173. - reinhardti, I. 171. - rubens, I. 171. - rufus, I. 170. - spinoletta, I. 171. - spraguei, I. 175. - Antrostomus, II. 399, 400, 408. - Antrostomus carolinensis, II. 409, 410; III. 523. - cubanensis, II. 409. - macromystax, II. 409. - nuttalli, II. 409, 417. - vociferus, II. 409, 413. - Aphelocoma, II. 282. - californica, II. 288. - crissoleucus, II. 529. - floridana, II. 285. - Apternus, II. 528. - americanus, II. 532. - arcticus, II. 530. - hirsutus, II. 532. - kamtchatkensis, II. 529. - tridactylus, II. 529. - Aquila, III. 105, 312. - albicilla, III. 324. - americana, III. 184. - canadensis, III. 313, 314. - chrysaëtus, III. 313. - fulva, III. 314. - haliætus, III. 183. - leucocephala, III. 324, 326. - melanaëtus, III. 314. - nobilis, III. 314. - ossifraga, III. 324. - piscatrix, III. 184. - regia, III. 314. - valeria, III. 313. - Archibuteo, III. 105, 297. - ferrugineus, III. 298, 300. - lagopus, III. 298. - regalis, III. 300. - sancti-johannis, III. 299, 304. - Argyrtria maculata, II. 468. - Asio, III. 17. - brachyotus, III. 22. - bubo virginianus, III. 62. - crassirostris, III. 61. - galopagoensis, III. 23. - hypogæa, III. 25. - macrorhyncha, III. 61. - mexicana, III. 61. - nævia, III. 49. - otus, III. 17. - peregrinator, III. 18. - scops carolinensis, III. 49. - Astragalinus mexicanus, I. 478. - tristis, I. 471. - Astur, III. 220, 236. - atricapillus, III. 237. - borealis, III. 282. - cinerea, III. 245, 246. - cooperi, III. 230. - fuscus, III. 224, 275. - hyemalis, III. 275. - latissimus, III. 259. - palumbarius, III. 236, 237. - pennsylvanicus, III. 225, 259. - plagiata, III. 245, 246. - striolatus, III. 245. - unicinctus, III. 249. - velox, III. 225. - Asturina, III. 105, 244. - nitida, III. 245. - Asyndesmus, II. 559. - torquatus, II. 561. - Athene cunicularia, III. 90. - ferruginea, III. 85. - gnoma, III. 81. - hypogæa, III. 90. - nana, III. 85. - noctua, III. 97. - phalænoides, III. 43. - socialis, III. 90. - whitneyi, III. 86, 87. - wilsoni, III. 43. - Attagen rupestris, III. 462. - Atthis, II. 438, 439, 464. - anna, II. 454. - heloisæ, II. 445. - Aulanax, II. 339. - fuscus, II. 343. - nigricans, II. 340. - sayus, II. 347. - Auriparus, I. 86, 111. - flaviceps, I. 112. - - Balbusardus, III. 182. - Basileuterus belli, I. 313. - culicivorus, I. 312. - Bathmidurus major, II. 306. - Bidens aurantius, III. 129. - dominicensis, III. 166. - sparverius, III. 166. - Blacicus pallidus, II. 351. - Blagrus, III. 320. - Bæolophus, I. 86, 87. - bicolor, I. 87. - Bombycilla americana, I. 401. - carolinensis, I. 401. - cedrorum, I. 401. - phœnicopterum, I. 396. - Bonasa, III. 414, 446. - cupido, III. 440. - sabini, III. 447, 454. - sylvestris, III. 446. - umbelloides, III. 447, 453. - umbellus, III. 446, 448. - Brachyotus, III. 5, 17, 18. - americanus, III. 23. - cassini (_plate_.), III. 23, 102. - galopagoensis, III. 23. - palustris, III. 22. - Bubo, III. 6, 60. - albifrons, III. 43. - arcticus, III. 60, 64. - asio, III. 49. - clamator, III. 61. - crassirostris, III. 61. - ludovicianus, III. 62. - magellanicus, III. 61, 64. - maximus, III. 60. - mexicanus, III. 60, 61. - otus, III. 17. - pacificus, III. 61, 65. - pinicola, III. 62. - subarcticus, III. 64. - virginianus (_plate_), III. 60, 62, 64, 65, 98, 99, 100, 101. - virginianus arcticus, III. 64. - virginianus atlanticus, III. 62. - virginianus pacificus, III. 64, 65. - Budytes, I. 164, 167. - flava, I. 167, 168. - Butaëtes, III. 297. - lagopus, III. 299. - sancti-johannis, III. 304. - Butaquila, III. 297. - strophiata, III. 297. - Buteo, III. 105, 254. - albicaudatus, III. 266. - albonotatus, III. 272. - americanus, III. 282. - ater, III. 304. - bairdi, III. 263. - borealis, III. 257, 281, 282. - calurus, III. 258, 292. - cenchris, III. 203. - cinereus, III. 263. - cooperi, III. 258, 275, 295. - costaricensis, III. 285. - elegans, III. 257, 277. - ferrugineocaudus, III. 282. - fuliginosus, III. 266. - fulvus, III. 282. - fuscus, III. 275. - gallinivorus, III. 282. - galapagoensis, III. 254. - gutturalis, III. 263. - hamatus, III. 209. - harlani, III. 258, 292. - harrisi, III. 250. - hyemalis, III. 275. - insignatus, III. 263. - krideri, III. 258, 284. - lagopus, III. 299, 304. - leverianus, III. 282. - lineatus, III. 257, 275. - lucasanus, III. 285. - montanus, III. 263. - niger, III. 304. - oxypterus, III. 256, 266. - pennsylvanicus, III. 256, 259. - sancti-johannis, III. 304. - spadiceus, III. 304. - swainsoni, III. 256, 263. - unicinctus, III. 249, 250. - vulgaris, III. 263. - zonocercus, III. 257, 272. - - Cacicus alaudarius, II. 174. - Cæreba cyanea, I. 425. - Cærebidæ, I. 163, 425, 431. - Calamospiza, II. 59, 60. - bicolor, II. 61. - Calandritinæ, II. 135. - Callichelidon, I. 327, 338. - cyaneoviridis, I. 338. - Callipepla, III. 466, 487. - californica, III. 479. - gambeli, III. 482. - picta, III. 475. - squamata, III. 487. - strenua, III. 487. - venusta, III. 482. - Calliphlox anna, II. 454. - Calocitta, II. 264. - Calothorax calliope, II. 445. - cyanopogon, II. 445. - Calypte, II. 438, 439, 453. - anna, II. 453, 454. - costæ, II. 453, 457. - floresi, II. 453. - helenæ, II. 453. - Campephilus, II. 493, 494. - bairdi, II. 496. - imperialis, II. 496. - principalis, II. 494, 496. - Campylorhynchus, I. 130, 131. - affinis, I. 131, 133. - brunneicapillus, I. 131, 132; III. 508. - scolopaceus, I. 131. - Canace, III. 415. - canadensis, III. 416. - franklini, III. 419. - fuliginosus, III. 421, 425. - obscurus, III. 421, 422. - richardsoni, III. 422, 427. - Caprimulgidæ, II. 398. - Caprimulginæ, II. 398. - Caprimulgus albicollis, II. 399. - acutipennis, II. 400. - acutus, II. 400. - americanus, II. 401. - brachypterus, II. 410. - carolinensis, II. 408, 410. - clamator, II. 413. - exilis, II. 400. - macromystax, II. 409. - nuttalli, II. 417. - popetue, II. 401. - pruinosus, II. 400. - rufus, II. 410. - semitorquatus, II. 400. - texensis, II. 406. - virginianus, II. 400, 401, 413. - vociferans, II. 413. - vociferus, II. 413. - Caracara, III. 176. - vulgaris, III. 177. - Cardellina, I. 179, 312. - rubra, I. 312. - Cardellineæ, I. 179. - Cardinalis, II. 60, 99. - carneus, II. 99. - coccineus, II. 99. - igneus, II. 99, 103; III. 518. - phœniceus, II. 99. - sinuatus, II. 95. - virginianus, I. 295; II. 99–101. - Carduelis lawrenci, I. 478. - luxuosus, II. 86. - mexicanus, I. 478. - spinoides, I. 470. - psaltria, I. 474. - tristis, I. 471. - Carpodacus, I. 447, 459. - californicus, I. 460, 465. - cassini, I. 459, 460. - familiaris, I. 466, 468. - frontalis, I. 460, 465, 466. - hæmorrhous, I. 460. - obscurus, I. 466. - purpureus, I. 459, 462. - rhodocolpus, I. 460, 468. - Catharista, III. 337, 350. - atrata, III. 355, 356. - californianus, III. 338. - Cathartes, III. 337, 339, 343, 350. - atratus, III. 351. - aura, III. 344. - burrovianus, III. 344. - californianus, III. 338. - falklandicus, III. 345. - fœtens, III. 351. - iota, III. 345, 351. - ruficollis, III. 345. - urubu, III. 351. - vulturinus, III. 338. - Cathartidæ, III. 1, 335. - Cathartinæ, III. 335. - Catharus melpomene, I. 3. - occidentalis, I. 3. - Catherpes, I. 130, 137. - conspersus, I. 139; III. 508. - mexicanus, I. 137–139. - Centrocercus, III. 414, 428. - phasianellus, III. 436. - urophasianus, III. 429. - Centrophanes, I. 510. - calcaratus, I. 515. - lapponicus, I. 515. - ornatus, I. 520. - Centronyx, I. 529, 530. - bairdi, I. 531, 540; III. 514. - Centureæ, II. 492, 553. - Centurus, II. 553. - aurifrons, II. 554, 557. - carolinus, II. 553, 554. - carolinensis, II. 587. - elegans, II. 557. - flaviventris, II. 557. - hoffmanni, II. 554. - hypopolius, II. 558. - santacruzi, II. 557. - subelegans, II. 554. - sulfureiventer, II. 558. - tricolor, II. 554. - uropygialis, II. 554, 558; III. 523. - Ceophloeus pileatus, II. 550. - Cerchneis sparverius, III. 169. - Certhia, I. 124. - americana, I. 125, 128. - caroliniana, I. 142. - costæ, I. 124, 125. - familiaris, I. 124, 125. - flaveola, I. 425, 428. - fusca, I. 125. - maculata, I. 180. - mexicana, I. 125, 128. - palustris, I. 158, 161. - pinus, I. 195. - Certhiadæ, I. 124. - Certhiidæ, I. 431. - Certhiola, I. 425. - bahamensis, I. 427, 428. - bairdi, I. 428. - bananivora, I. 427. - barbadensis, I. 428; III. 512. - bartholemica, I. 428. - caboti, I. 427; III. 512. - chloropyga, I. 428. - dominicana, I. 428. - flaveola, I. 427, 428. - frontalis, I. 428; III. 512. - luteola, I. 427. - major, I. 427. - maritima, I. 212. - martinicana, I. 428. - mexicana, I. 428. - minor, I. 427. - newtoni, I. 427; III. 512. - peruviana, I. 428. - portoricensis, I. 427. - Ceryle, II. 391. - alcyon, II. 392. - americana, II. 396. - cabanisi, II. 396. - Chætura, II. 422, 427, 431. - cinereiventris, II. 431. - pelagica, II. 431, 432. - pelasgia, II. 432. - poliura, II. 431. - sclateri, II. 431. - spinicauda, II. 432. - vauxi, II. 431, 435; III. 523. - Chæturinæ, II. 422, 427. - Chalcophanes macrurus, II. 225. - major, II. 222. - quiscalus, II. 215. - virescens, II. 203. - Chamæa, I. 83. - fasciata, I. 83, 84; III. 507. - Chamæadæ, I. 83. - Chamæpelia, III. 375, 389. - albivitta, III. 389. - granatina, III. 389. - pallescens, III. 389. - passerina, III. 389. - Chamæpelieæ, III. 375. - Chamæpetes, III. 397. - Chelidon thalassina, I. 347. - Chloris, I. 207. - Chloroceryle, II. 391. - Chlorœnas fasciata, III. 360. - flavirostris, III. 366. - monilis, III. 360. - Chondestes, I. 529, 562. - grammaca, I. 562. - strigatus, I. 562. - Chordeiles, II. 399, 400. - acutipennis, II. 400, 406. - brasilianus, II. 406. - henryi, II. 400, 404. - labeculatus, II. 400. - minor, II. 400; III. 523. - peruvianus, II. 400. - popetue, II. 400, 401. - saptii, II. 406. - texensis, II. 400, 406; III. 523. - virginianus, II. 401. - Chrysomitris, I. 447, 470. - arizonæ, I. 471, 476; III. 513. - columbiana, I. 471. - lawrenci, I. 471, 478. - macroptera, I. 480. - mexicana, I. 471, 476, 478. - notata, I. 471. - pinus, I. 471, 480. - psaltria, 470, 474; III. 513. - tristis, I. 470, 471. - Ciccaba, III. 28. - Cichlopsis nitens, I. 405. - Cinclidæ, I. 1, 2, 55. - Cinclus, I. 55. - americanus, I. 56. - aquaticus, I. 58. - ardesiacus, I. 56. - mexicanus, I. 55, 56. - mortoni, I. 56. - pallasi, I. 56. - townsendi, I. 56. - unicolor, I. 56. - Circus, III. 104, 212. - axillaris, III. 197. - campestris, III. 214. - cinereus, III. 214. - cyaneus, III. 213. - cyaneus hudsonius, III. 214. - frenatus, III. 214. - histrionicus, III. 214. - hudsonius, III. 214. - hyemalis, III. 275. - jardini, III. 212. - macropterus, III. 212. - pygargus, III. 213. - uliginosus, III. 214. - Cistothorus, I. 131, 158. - elegans, I. 159. - paludicola, I. 161. - palustris, I. 160, 161. - stellaris, I. 159, 162; III. 509. - Cladoscopus, II. 535. - nuchalis, II. 542. - ruber, II. 544. - varius, II. 539. - Cleptes, II. 264. - hudsonicus, II. 266. - nuttalli, II. 270. - Coccoborus, II. 76. - cæruleus, II. 77. - ludovicianus, II. 70. - melanocephalus, II. 73. - Coccothraustes abeillii, I. 449. - canadensis, I. 453. - cardinalis, II. 100. - ludoviciana, II. 70. - melanocephala, II. 73. - rubricollis, II. 70. - vespertina, I. 449. - virginiana, II. 100. - vulgaris, I. 448. - Coccothraustinæ, I. 446. - Coccyginæ, II. 470. - Coccygus, II. 470, 475. - americanus, II. 476, 477. - bairdi, II. 477. - dominicus, II. 472, 477, 484. - erythrophthalmus, II. 477, 484. - julieni, II. 477. - melanocoryphus, II. 476. - minor, II. 476, 482. - pyrrhopterus, II. 477. - seniculus, II. 482. - Colaptes, II. 492, 573. - auratus, II. 575. - ayresii, II. 582. - chrysocaulosus, II. 575. - chrysoides, II. 575, 583. - collaris, II. 578. - hybridus, II. 582. - mexicanoides, II. 574. - mexicanus, II. 574, 578, 582. - rubricatus, II. 574, 578. - Collocallia, II. 422. - Collurio, I. 412. - borealis, I. 413–415. - elegans, I. 414, 420. - excubitor, I. 412, 414. - excubitoroides, I. 413, 415, 421. - ludovicianus, I. 413, 414, 418. - robustus, I. 413, 420; III. 512. - Columba, III. 357, 358. - albilinea, III. 359. - americana, III. 368. - araucana, III. 359. - canadensis, III. 368. - caribœa, III. 359. - carolinensis, III. 381, 383. - corensis, III. 360. - cyanocephala, III. 394, 395. - denisea, III. 359. - fasciata, III. 358, 360. - flavirostris, III. 360, 366. - griseola, III. 389. - hoilotl, III. 376. - inornata, III. 360, 366. - leucocephala, III. 359, 364. - leucoptera, III. 376. - livia, III. 358. - marginata, III. 383. - martinica, III. 392. - meridionalis, III. 359. - migratoria, III. 367, 368. - monilis, III. 360. - montana, III. 393. - mystacea, III. 393. - passerina, III. 389. - rufina, III. 359, 360. - solitaria, III. 366. - squamosa, III. 387. - trudeaui, III. 376. - zenaida, III. 378. - Columbidæ, III. 357. - Columbigallina montana, III. 393. - Columbinæ, III. 357. - Compsothlypis, I. 207. - americanus, I. 208. - gutturalis, I. 208. - Conirostrum ornatum, I. 112. - superciliosum, I. 208. - Contopus, II. 308, 350. - bahamensis, II. 352. - bogotensis, II. 360. - borealis, II. 350, 353, 356. - brachytarsus, II. 351. - caribæus, II. 351. - cooperi, II. 353. - hispaniolensis, II. 351. - lugubris, II. 351. - mesoleucus, II. 353. - ochraceus, II. 352. - pallidus, II. 351. - pertinax, II. 351, 356. - plebeius, II. 360. - punensis, II. 352. - richardsoni, II. 352, 360. - schotti, II. 351. - sordidulus, II. 360. - virens, I. 249; II. 352, 356, 357. - Conurus, II. 585, 586. - carolinensis, II. 587. - ludovicianus, II. 587. - Cooperastur, III. 220, 222. - Coracias, II. 264. - mexicanus, II. 299. - Coræognathæ, I. 431. - Coragypys, III. 350. - Corthylio, I. 72. - calendula, I. 75. - Corveæ, II. 231. - Corvidæ, I. 431; II. 231. - Corvinæ, II. 231. - Corvus, II. 231, 232. - americanus, II. 243–247. - cacalotl, II. 234. - canadensis, II. 297, 299. - carnivorus, II. 233, 234. - caurinus, II. 233, 248. - columbianus, II. 254, 255. - corax, II. 232. - corone, II. 243. - cristatus, II. 271, 273. - cryptoleucus, II. 233, 242; III. 520. - floridanus, II. 233, 247, 285. - hudsonicus, II. 266. - jamaicensis, II. 234. - leucognaphalus, II. 234. - littoralis, II. 234. - lugubris, II. 234. - megonyx, II. 255. - mexicanus, II. 233. - minutus, II. 234. - nasicus, II. 234. - ossifragus, II. 233, 251. - palliatus, II. 288. - peruvianus, II. 294. - pica, II. 264–266. - stelleri, II. 277. - ultramarinus, II. 288. - Corydalina, II. 60. - bicolor, II. 61. - Corythus, I. 452. - canadensis, I. 453. - enucleator, I. 453. - Coturniculus, I. 529, 548. - bairdi, I. 531. - dorsalis, I. 549. - henslowi, I. 549, 550. - lecontei, I. 549, 552. - manimbe, I. 549. - mexicanus, II. 38. - passerinus, I. 195, 549, 553. - perpallidus, I. 549, 556; III. 515. - tixicrus, I. 553. - Cotyle, I. 327, 353. - riparia, I. 347, 353. - Cracidæ, III. 397. - Cracinæ, III. 397. - Craxirex, III. 248, 254. - unicinctus, III. 250. - Crotophaga, II. 470, 486. - ani, II. 486–488. - lævirostra, II. 488. - major, II. 487. - minor, II. 488. - rugirostra, II. 488. - sulcirostris, II. 487. - Crucirostra leucoptera, I. 488. - Cuculidæ, II. 469, 470. - Cuculus americanus, II. 475, 477. - auratus, II. 573, 575. - carolinensis, II. 477. - cinerosus, II. 477. - dominicensis, II. 477. - dominicus, II. 477. - erythrophthalmus, II. 484. - minor, II. 482. - seniculus, II. 482. - Culicivora atricapilla, I. 81. - cœrulea, I. 78. - mexicana, I. 78, 81. - townsendi, I. 409. - Cuncuma, III. 320. - Cupidonia, III. 414, 439. - americana, III. 440. - cupido, III. 440. - pallidicinctus, III. 440, 446. - Cureus americanus, II. 477. - Curvirostra, I. 448. - americana, I. 484. - leucoptera, I. 488. - Cyanocephalus, II. 259. - Cyanocitta, II. 264, 271, 282. - arizonæ, II. 284, 292. - californica, II. 283, 288; III. 521. - couchi, II. 284, 293. - cristata, II. 273. - floridana, II. 283, 285. - macrolopha, II. 281. - sordida, II. 284, 292. - stelleri, II. 277. - sumichrasti, II. 283. - superciliosa, II. 288. - ultramarina, II. 284. - unicolor, II. 284. - woodhousei, II. 283, 291. - Cyanocorax californicus, II. 288. - cassini, II. 260. - cristatus, II. 273. - cyanicapillus, II. 295. - floridanus, II. 285. - luxuosus, II. 295. - stelleri, II. 277. - unicolor, II. 284. - yncas, II. 295. - Cyanogarrulus cristatus, II. 273. - stelleri, II. 277. - ultramarinus, II. 293. - Cyanoloxia cærulea, II. 77. - Cyanospiza, II. 59, 81. - amœna, II. 81, 84. - ciris, II. 81, 87. - cyanea, II. 81, 82. - leclancheri, II. 82. - versicolor, II. 81, 86. - Cyanura, II. 264, 271; III. 521. - coronata, II. 272. - cristata, II. 271, 273. - diademata, II. 272. - frontalis, II. 272, 279. - galeata, II. 272. - macrolopha, II. 272, 281. - stelleri, II. 272, 277. - Cyanurus cristatus, II. 273. - floridanus, II. 285. - stelleri, II. 277. - Cymindis cinerea, III. 245. - leucopygus, III. 208. - Cypselidæ, I. 326; II. 421. - Cypselinæ, II. 422, 423. - Cypseloides, II. 422. - Cypselus, II. 422. - borealis, II. 429. - melanoleucus, II. 424. - niger, II. 429. - pelasgius, II. 432. - poliurus, II. 431. - spinicauda, II. 431. - spinicaudus, II. 432. - vauxi, II. 435. - Cyrtonyx, III. 466, 491. - massena, III. 492. - ocellatus, III. 492. - - Dædalion, III. 220, 236. - nitidum, III. 245. - Dædalium, III. 220, 236. - Dendragapus, III. 421. - obscurus, III. 422. - richardsoni, III. 427. - Dendrochelidon, II. 422. - Dendrocopus principalis, II. 496. - pubescens, II. 509. - varius, II. 539. - villosus, II. 503. - Dendrofalco, III. 142. - Dendroica, I. 178, 215. - adelaidæ, I. 220, 241. - æstiva, I. 70, 200, 215, 216, 222, 234, 237, 246, 277, 318, 324, - 325. - albilora, I. 220, 241; III. 510. - atricapilla, I. 248. - auduboni, I. 215, 219, 229, 260, 272; III. 509. - aureola, I. 217. - blackburniæ, I. 220, 237; III. 510. - bryanti, I. 218, 223; III. 509. - cœrulea, I. 219, 235; III. 510. - cærulescens, I. 218, 254, 267. - canadensis, I. 254. - capitalis, I. 217. - carbonata, I. 214. - castanea, I. 215, 219, 248, 251, 271, 313; III. 510. - chrysopareia, I. 221, 260, 262, 266, 268. - coronata, I. 215, 219, 227, 230, 231, 254, 260, 272. - decora, I. 220, 244; III. 510. - discolor, I. 222, 276. - dominica, I. 215, 220, 240, 241; III. 510. - eoa, I. 218. - graciæ, I. 220, 241, 243, 244, 260. - gundlachi, I. 216. - kirtlandi, I. 215, 221, 272. - maculosa, I. 219, 232, 257. - montana, I. 222, 271. - nigrescens, I. 221, 258; III. 511. - niveiventris, I. 266. - occidentalis, I. 221, 261, 262, 266, 268; III. 511. - olivacea, I. 218, 258. - palmarum, I. 215, 222, 269, 273. - pennsylvanica, I. 215, 219, 245. - petechia, I. 216, 217. - pharetra, I. 220. - pinus, I. 222, 268, 271, 274. - pityophila, I. 221. - ruficapilla, I. 217. - ruficeps, I. 217. - rufigula, I. 217. - striata, I. 215, 219, 248. - superciliosa, I. 240. - tigrina, I. 212. - townsendi, I. 221, 261, 262, 265; III. 511. - vieilloti, I. 217. - virens, I. 221, 239, 261, 262. - Despotes tyrannus, II. 309. - Diplopterus viaticus, II. 472. - Dolichonyx, II. 148. - agripennis, II. 149. - bicolor, II. 61. - oryzivorus, II. 149; III. 519. - Dryobates, II. 500, 502. - harrisi, II. 507. - homorus, II. 512. - leucomelas, II. 503. - pubescens, II. 509. - turati, II. 512. - villosus, II. 503. - Dryocopus pileatus, II. 550. - principalis, II. 496. - Dryopicus, II. 548. - pileatus, II. 550. - Dryotomus, II. 548. - pileatus, II. 550. - principalis, II. 496. - Dyctiopicus, II. 501, 514. - scalaris, II. 515. - Dyctiopipo, II. 514. - scalaris, II. 515. - Dysornithia, II. 297. - canadensis, II. 299. - - Ectopistes, III. 357, 367. - carolinensis, III. 383. - marginata, III. 383. - marginellus, III. 383. - migratoria, III. 368. - Elanoides, III. 190. - cæsius, III. 197. - furcatus, III. 192. - yetapa, III. 192. - Elanus, III. 104, 196. - axillaris, III. 197. - cæsius, III. 197. - cœruleus, III. 197. - dispar, III. 198. - furcatus, III. 192. - leucurus, III. 197, 198. - minor, III. 197. - notatus, III. 197. - scriptus, III. 197. - Emberiza americana, II. 65. - amœna, II. 84. - arctica, I. 538. - atricapilla, I. 573. - bairdi, I. 530, 531. - belli, I. 593. - bilineata, I. 590. - cærulea, II. 82. - canadensis, II. 3. - chrysops, I. 538. - cinerea, II. 30. - ciris, II. 87. - coronata, I. 573. - cyanea, II. 82. - cyanella, II. 82. - erythrophthalma, II. 109. - glacialis, I. 512. - grammaca, I. 562. - henslowi, I. 550. - hyemalis, I. 578, 580. - lapponica, I. 510, 515. - lateralis, II. 106. - lecontei, I. 552. - leucophrys, I. 565, 566. - mexicana, II. 65. - montana, I. 512. - mustelina, I. 512. - nigro-rufa, I. 589. - nivalis, I. 510, 512. - olivacea, II. 93. - ornata, I. 520. - oryzivora, II. 148, 149. - pallida, II. 11, 13. - passerina, I. 553. - pecoris, II. 154. - picta, I. 518. - pratensis, II. 50. - pusilla, II. 5. - rostrata, I. 542. - rufina, II. 29, 53. - sandwichensis, I. 538. - savanna, I. 534. - shattucki, II. 11. - townsendi, II. 68. - unalaschkensis, II. 53. - Embernagra, I. 530; II. 46. - blandingiana, II. 131. - chlorura, II. 131. - rufivirgata, II. 47. - Empidias fuscus, II. 344. - Empidonax, II. 308, 362. - albigularis, II. 365. - acadicus, II. 365, 374. - axillaris, II. 363, 365. - bahamensis, II. 352. - bairdi, II. 363. - brachytarsus, II. 351. - brunneus, II. 363; III. 521. - difficilis, II. 364, 378, 380. - flavescens, II. 363. - flavipectus, II. 364. - flaviventris, II. 363, 378. - fulvifrons, II. 385. - griseigularis, II. 365. - griseipectus, II. 365. - hammondi, II. 364, 383. - hypoxanthus, II. 378. - magnirostris, II. 365. - minimus, II. 364, 372; III. 521. - obscurus, II. 364, 381; III. 521. - pectoralis, II. 364. - pusillus, II. 365, 366. - rubicundus, II. 385. - trailli, II. 365, 366, 369. - wrighti, II. 381. - Ephialitis, III. 47. - Ephialtes asio, III. 49. - choliba, III. 52. - Eremophila, II. 135, 139. - alpestris, II. 140, 141. - chrysolæma, II. 140, 144. - cornuta, II. 143. - occidentalis, II. 140. - peregrina, II. 142, 144. - Ergaticus, I. 179, 312. - Erythraca arctica, I. 67. - wilsoni, I. 63. - Erythrophrys, II. 475. - americanus, II. 477. - erythrophthalmus, II. 484. - seniculus, II. 482. - Erythrospiza, I. 459; III. 220, 222. - frontalis, I. 466. - purpurea, I. 462. - tephrocotis, I. 504. - Euhierax, III. 127. - Euspina, II. 65. - americana, II. 65; III. 518. - Euspiza, II. 59, 65. - americana, II. 65. - townsendi, II. 65, 69. - Eustrinx, II. 10. - Euthlypis, I. 312. - canadensis, I. 320. - Eutolmaëtus, III. 312. - - Falco, III. 103, 106, 107, 127. - æruginosus, III. 212. - æsalon, III. 142, 148. - albicaudus, III. 324. - albicilla, III. 320. - albicilla borealis, III. 324. - albigularis, III. 130. - americanus, III. 184. - anatum, III. 128, 132. - aquilinus, III. 282. - arundinaceus, III. 183. - atricapillus, III. 237. - auduboni, III. 144. - aurantius, III. 129. - axillaris, III. 197. - bonelli, III. 312. - borealis, III. 254, 282. - brasiliensis, III. 176, 177. - buffoni, III. 214. - buteo, III. 254, 263. - buteo, β, III. 111. - buteoides, III. 275. - cæsius, III. 143. - canadensis, III. 314. - candicans, III. 108, 111, 112. - candicans islandicus, III. 113. - candidus, III. 327. - carolinensis, III. 184. - cassini, III. 132. - cayennensis, III. 184. - cenchris, III. 159. - chrysætos, III. 312. - chrysaëtus, III. 313. - cineraceus, III. 212. - cinereus, III. 115. - cinnamominus, III. 168. - clamosus, III. 197. - cœruleus, III. 197. - columbarius, III. 143, 144, 225. - communis, III. 127, 128, 132. - communis, ζ, η, III. 132. - cooperi, III. 230. - cucullatus, III. 130. - cyanescens, III. 155. - cyaneus, III. 212, 214. - deiroleucus, III. 129. - dispar, III. 198. - dominicensis, III. 167. - dubius, III. 225. - emerillus, III. 143. - feldeggii, III. 109. - femoralis, III. 154, 155. - ferrugineus, III. 300. - forficatus, III. 190, 192. - frontalis, III. 127. - fulvus, III. 314. - furcatus, III. 190, 192. - fuscocœrulescens, III. 155. - fuscus, III. 224. - gabar, III. 220, 222. - gracilis, III. 166. - grœnlandicus, III. 111. - gyrfalco, III. 107, 108, 113. - gyrfalco norvegicus, III. 108. - haliætus, III. 182, 183. - hamatus, III. 207, 209. - harlani, III. 292. - harrisi, III. 248, 250. - hinularius, III. 324. - hæmorrhoidalis, III. 130. - hudsonius, III. 214. - hyemalis, III. 275. - icthyaëtus, III. 320. - imperator, III. 322. - intermixtus, III. 142, 144. - isabellinus, III. 171. - islandicus, III. 108, 111, 113, 114. - jugger, III. 107, 109. - labradora, III. 108, 117. - lagopus, III. 111, 297, 299, 304. - lanarius, III. 108, 109, 113. - latissimus, III. 259. - leucocephalus, III. 326. - leucogaster, III. 327. - leucophrys, III. 161. - leucopterus, III. 322. - leverianus, III. 282. - lineatus, III. 275. - lithofalco, III. 142. - lugger, III. 109. - macei, III. 320. - macropus, III. 129. - melanaëtus, III. 314. - melanogenys, III. 129. - melanopterus, III. 196–198. - melanotus, III. 324. - mexicanus, III. 109, 123. - mississippiensis, III. 202, 203. - nævius, III. 132. - niger, III. 137, 304, 314. - nigriceps, III. 132. - nisus, III. 220, 222. - nitidus, III. 244, 245. - novæhollandiæ, III. 220, 236. - obscurus, III. 144. - obsoletus, III. 263. - orientalis, III. 128, 132. - ossifragus, III. 324, 327. - palumbarius, III. 220, 236, 237. - pealei, III. 129, 137. - pelagicus, III. 320, 322. - pennatus, III. 312. - pennsylvanicus, III. 225, 259. - peregrinus, III. 127, 128, 132. - plancus, III. 177. - plumbea, III. 202. - plumbeus, III. 203. - polyagrus, III. 109, 110, 123, 137. - pterocles, III. 254. - pygargus, III. 213, 324, 327. - regulus, III. 142. - richardsoni, III. 148. - rostrhamus, III. 208. - rufigularis, III. 129, 130. - rusticolus, III. 111. - sacer, III. 108, 110, 115. - sancti-johannis, III. 304. - sibiricus, III. 143. - spadicens, III. 214. - spadiceus, III. 304. - sparverius, III. 159, 166, 169. - subæsalon, III. 143. - subbuteo, III. 142. - sublanarius, III. 109. - suckleyi, III. 143, 147. - temerarius, III. 144. - tharus, III. 177. - thermophilus, III. 109. - thoracicus, III. 130, 155. - tinnunculus, III. 159. - tinus, III. 220, 222. - uliginosus, III. 214. - unicinctus, III. 249. - velox, III. 225. - vulturinus, III. 312. - wilsoni, III. 259. - Falconidæ, III. 1, 103. - Falconinæ, III. 103, 106. - Ficedula canadensis cinerea, I. 227. - dominica cinerea, I. 240. - jamaicensis, I. 283. - ludoviciana, I. 208. - Fringilla æstiva, II. 39. - æstivalis, II. 37, 39. - albicollis, I. 574. - ambigua, II. 154. - americana, II. 65. - amœna, II. 84. - arborea, II. 3. - arctica, II. 116. - atrata, I. 585. - atricapilla, I. 573. - aurocapilla, I. 573. - bachmani, II. 39. - bicolor, II. 60, 61, 93. - blandingiana, II. 131. - borealis, I. 498. - brunneinucha, I. 504. - cærulea, II. 77. - calcarata, I. 515. - canadensis, II. 1, 3. - cardinalis, II. 100. - catatol, I. 478. - caudacuta, I. 553, 557. - chlorura, II. 131. - cinerea, I. 578; II. 27, 30. - comata, I. 577. - crissalis, II. 122. - cyanea, II. 82. - domestica, I. 525. - erythrophthalma, II. 104, 109. - fasciata, II. 19. - ferruginea, II. 50. - flavicollis, II. 65. - frontalis, I. 465, 466. - gambeli, I. 569. - georgiana, II. 34. - graminea, I. 544, 545. - grammaca, I. 562. - griseinucha, I. 508. - henslowi, I. 550. - hudsonia, I. 580, 585. - hyemalis, I. 534, 580; II. 19. - hypoleuca, II. 90. - iliaca, II. 49, 50. - juncorum, II. 5, 580. - lapponica, I. 515. - leucophrys, I. 566. - linaria, I. 493, 501. - lincolni, II. 31. - littoralis, I. 557. - ludoviciana, II. 70. - macgillivrayi, I. 560. - mariposa, II. 87. - maritima, I. 560. - melanocephala, II. 73. - melanoxantha, I. 478. - melodia, II. 16, 19. - meruloides, II. 53. - monticola, II. 3. - nivalis, I. 580. - oregona, I. 584. - palustris, II. 34. - passerina, I. 548, 553. - pecoris, II. 153, 154. - pennsylvanica, I. 574. - pinus, I. 480. - psaltria, I. 474. - purpurea, I. 459, 462. - pusilla, II. 5. - querula, I. 577. - rufa, II. 50. - rufescens, I. 501. - rufidorsis, I. 580. - savanna, I. 532, 534. - savanarum, I. 553. - socialis, II. 1, 7. - spinus, I. 470. - tephrocotis, I. 504. - texensis, I. 478. - tristis, I. 470, 471. - townsendi, II. 53. - xantomaschalis, II. 73. - vespertina, I. 448, 449. - zena, II. 93. - Fringillidæ, I. 431, 446; II. 1. - - Galeoscoptes, I. 3, 51. - carolinensis, I. 52. - Gallopavo sylvestris, III. 404. - Garrulinæ, II. 231, 263. - Garrulus cærulescens, II. 285. - californicus, II. 282, 288. - canadensis, II. 299. - cristatus, II. 273. - cyaneus, II. 285. - floridanus, II. 285. - fuscus, II. 299. - luxuosus, II. 295. - sordidus, II. 284. - stelleri, II. 277, 281. - trachyrrhynchus, II. 299. - ultramarinus, II. 288, 293. - Gennaia, III. 107. - lanarius, III. 109. - Geococcyx, II. 470. - affinis, II. 471. - californianus, II. 471, 472; III. 523. - mexicanus, II. 472. - variegata, II. 472. - velox, II. 471. - viaticus, II. 472. - Geophilus cyanocephalus, III. 395. - Geopicus, II. 573. - campestris, II. 573. - chrysoides, II. 583. - rubricatus, II. 574. - Geothlypeæ, I. 179, 295. - Geothlypinæ, I. 178, 279. - Geothlypis, I. 179, 295; III. 511. - æquinoctialis, I. 296. - caninucha, I. 296. - macgillivrayi, I. 297, 303; III. 512. - melanops, I. 296, 298. - philadelphia, I. 296, 297, 301, 303. - poliocephala, I. 296. - rostratus, I. 296. - semiflavus, I. 296. - speciosa, I. 296. - trichas, I. 296–298; III. 512. - velatus, I. 296. - Geotrygon, III. 375. - martinica, III. 393. - Glabirostres, II. 399. - Glaucidium, III. 6, 79. - californicum, III. 81, 83. - ferrugineum (_plate_), III. 81, 85, 98–101. - gnoma, III. 81. - infuscatum, III. 81. - passerinum, III. 80. - siju, III. 79. - Glaucopteryx, III. 212. - Goniaphea, II. 69. - cærulea, II. 77. - ludoviciana, II. 70. - melanocephala, II. 73. - Gracula barita, II. 215, 222. - ferruginea, II. 203. - purpurea, II. 215. - quiscala, II. 212, 215, 222. - Granatellus, I. 179. - venustus, I. 306. - Gryphinæ, III. 335. - Guiraca, II. 59, 76. - abeillii, I. 449. - cærulea, II. 77; III. 518. - ludoviciana, II. 70. - melanocephala, II. 73. - tricolor, II. 73. - Gymnokitta, II. 232, 259. - cyanocephala, II. 259, 260. - Gymnorhinus, II. 259. - cyanocephalus, II. 260. - Gypagus, III. 337. - Gyparchus, III. 337. - Gypogeranidæ, III. 2. - - Hadrostomus affinis, II. 306. - aglaiæ, II. 306. - Hæmorrhous, I. 459. - purpurea, I. 462. - Haliaëtus, III. 105, 320. - albicilla, III. 320, 323, 324. - icthyaëtus, III. 320. - leucocephalus, III. 323, 326. - leucogaster, III. 320. - nisus, III. 324. - pelagicus, II. 323. - vocifer, III. 320. - washingtoni, III. 327. - Harpes redivivus, I. 35, 45. - Harporhynchus, I. 3, 35. - cinereus, I. 35, 36, 40. - crissalis, I. 35, 37, 40, 47; III. 505. - curvirostris, I. 35, 36, 41; III. 505. - lecontei, I. 44, 47. - longirostris, I. 39, 41, 144. - ocellatus, I. 35, 36; III. 504. - palmeri, I. 43; III. 505. - redivivus, I. 35, 37, 40, 45, 48; III. 505. - rufus, I. 33–37, 40, 46, 58; III. 505. - Hedymeles, II. 59, 69. - capitalis, II. 70. - ludovicianus, II. 70. - melanocephalus, II. 70, 73. - Heleothreptus, II. 399. - Heliaptex arcticus, III. 64. - Helinaia, I. 178, 186. - bachmani, I. 194. - carbonata, I. 211, 214. - celata, I. 202. - chrysoptera, I. 192. - peregrina, I. 205. - protonotaria, I. 184. - rubricapilla, I. 196. - solitaria, I. 195. - swainsoni, I. 190. - vermivora, I. 187. - Heliopædica, II. 438, 440, 466. - castaneocauda, II. 467. - melanotis, II. 466. - xantusi, II. 466, 467. - Helminthophaga, I. 178, 191. - bachmanni, I. 191, 194. - celata, I. 192, 200, 202, 204, 205, 317. - chrysoptera, I. 191, 192. - citrea, I. 184. - gutturalis, I. 191. - luciæ, I. 192, 200; III. 509. - lutescens, I. 192, 204; III. 509. - obscura, I. 192. - ocularis, I. 191. - peregrina, I. 191, 192, 205. - pinus, I. 191, 195. - rubricapilla, I. 191, 196, 199, 201, 203, 206, 310. - solitaria, I. 195. - virginiæ, I. 192, 199; III. 509. - Helmitherus, I. 178, 186. - bachmani, I. 194. - chrysopterus, I. 192. - migratorius, I. 187. - peregrinus, I. 205. - protonotarius, I. 184. - rubricapilla, I. 196. - solitarius, I. 195. - swainsoni, I. 186, 187, 190; III. 509. - vermivorus, I. 186, 187; III. 509. - Hemiaëtus, III. 297. - Hemiprocne, II. 427. - pelasgia, II. 432. - Henicocichla, I. 279. - aurocapilla, I. 280. - ludoviciana, I. 287. - major, I. 287. - motacilla, I. 287. - noveboracensis, I. 283. - Herpetotheres sociabilis, III. 208. - Hesperiphona, I. 447, 448. - abeillii, I. 449. - montana, I. 449; III. 513. - vespertina, I. 449. - Hesperocichla, I. 3, 4, 28. - Hieracospiza, III. 220, 222. - Hieraëtus, III. 312. - Hieraspiza, III. 220, 222. - Hieroaëtus, III. 312. - Hierofalco, III. 107. - candicans, III. 111. - gyrfalco, III. 108. - grœnlandicus, III. 111. - islandicus, III. 113. - Hirundinidæ, I. 326, 431. - Hirundo, I. 327, 338. - americana, I. 339. - dominicensis, II. 429. - bicolor, I. 185, 331, 344. - cærulea canadensis, I. 329. - cayanensis, II. 423. - cinerea, I. 353. - cyaneoviridis, I. 327. - fulva, I. 334. - horreorum, I. 339. - leucogaster, I. 344. - ludoviciana, I. 329. - lunifrons, I. 66, 334. - melanogaster, I. 334. - nigra, II. 428, 429. - opifex, I. 334. - pelagica, II. 432. - pelasgia, II. 432. - purpurea, I. 327, 329, 332. - respublicana, I. 334. - riparia, I. 353. - riparia americana, I. 353. - rufa, I. 339. - rustica, I. 339. - serripennis, I. 350. - subis, I. 329. - thalassina, I. 344, 347. - versicolor, I. 329. - violacea, I. 329. - viridis, I. 344. - Holoquiscalus, II. 213. - Hybris, III. 10. - Hydrobata, I. 55. - mexicana, I. 56. - Hydropsalis, II. 399. - Hylemathrous ædon, I. 149. - Hylocichla, I. 4, 22, 28. - Hylotomus, II. 494, 548. - pileatus, II. 550. - Hypacanthus, I. 470. - Hyphantes abeillei, II. 184. - baltimore, II. 195. - bullocki, II. 199. - solitaria, II. 190. - Hypomorphnus unicinctus, III. 249. - Hypotriorchis, III. 142. - æsalon, III. 142. - aurantius, III. 129. - columbarius, III. 144. - femoralis, III. 155. - - Icteria, I. 179, 306. - auricollis, I. 309. - dumecola, I. 307. - longicauda, I. 307, 309, 310. - velasquezi, I. 307. - virens, I. 307. - viridis, I. 307. - Icterianæ, I. 178, 179, 306. - Icteridæ, I. 431; II. 147. - Icterieæ, I. 179, 306. - Icterinæ, II. 147, 179. - Icterus, II. 179. - abeillei, II. 184. - agripennis, II. 149. - auduboni, II. 182, 186. - auricapillus, II. 183. - baltimore, II. 183, 195; III. 520. - bullocki, II. 183, 199; III. 520. - cucullatus, II. 183, 193; III. 519. - dominicensis, II. 182. - emberizoides, II. 154. - frenatus, II. 167. - graduacauda, II. 186. - gubernator, II. 163. - hypomelas, II. 182. - icterocephalus, II. 167. - melanocephalus, II. 182. - melanochrysura, II. 188. - parisorum, II. 183, 188. - pecoris, II. 154. - perspicillatus, II. 167. - phœniceus, II. 159. - portoricensis, II. 182. - prosthemelas, II. 182. - scotti, II. 188. - spurius, II. 183, 190. - tricolor, II. 165. - vulgaris, II. 181, 184. - wagleri, II. 182, 188. - xanthocephalus, II. 167. - Icthierax, III. 127. - Icthyætus, III. 320. - Ictinia, III. 104, 202. - mississippiensis, III. 203. - plumbea, III. 203. - Idiotes, I. 312. - Ispida, II. 391. - ludoviciana, II. 392. - - Jerafalco, III. 107. - Jeraspiza, III. 220, 222. - Jerax, III. 220, 222. - Junco, I. 530, 578; III. 516. - aikeni, I. 579, 584; III. 516. - alticola, I. 580, 584. - caniceps, I. 579, 587. - cinereus, I. 580, 584. - hyemalis, I. 137, 274, 282, 579, 580. - oregonus, I. 579, 584; III. 516. - phænotus, I. 580. - - Kieneria aberti, II. 128. - fusca, II. 121, 122. - rufipilea, II. 131. - - Lagopus, II. 690; III. 414, 456. - albus, III. 456, 457. - americanus, III. 462. - brachydactylus, III. 457. - ferrugineus, III. 300. - grœnlandicus, III. 462. - islandorum, III. 462. - leucurus, III. 456, 464. - mutus, III. 456, 462. - reinhardti, III. 462. - rupestris, III. 456, 462. - subalpinus, III. 457. - Lampornis, II. 438, 440. - aurulentus, II. 440. - mango, II. 440. - porphyrurus, II. 440. - virginalis, II. 440. - Laniidæ, I. 356, 412, 431. - Lanius agilis, I. 359. - ardosiaceus, I. 418. - borealis, I. 415. - carolinensis, I. 418. - cristatus, I. 412. - elegans, I. 420. - excubitor, I. 412, 415. - excubitoroides, I. 421. - garrulus, I. 395, 396. - lahtora, I. 420. - ludovicianus, I. 418, 421. - olivaceus, I. 363. - septentrionalis, I. 415. - tyrannus, II. 316, 319. - Lanivireo, I. 358, 372. - cassini, I. 373, 376. - flavifrons, I. 358, 373, 379. - plumbea, I. 358; III. 512. - plumbeus, I. 373, 377. - propinquus, I. 373. - solitaria, I. 358. - solitarius, I. 373; III. 512. - Laphyctes, II. 315. - verticalis, II. 324. - vociferans, II. 327. - Leptostoma, II. 470. - longicauda, II. 472. - Lepturus galeatus, I. 405. - Leuconerpes albolarvatus, II. 526. - Leucospiza, III. 220, 236. - Leucosticte, I. 448, 502. - brunneinucha, I. 504. - campestris, I. 504, 507. - griseigenys, I. 508. - griseinucha, I. 504, 507, 508. - littoralis, I. 504, 507. - tephrocotis, I. 504; III. 513. - Ligonirostres, II. 492. - Linaria americana, I. 493. - borealis, I. 498. - canescens, I. 498. - flavirostris, I. 501. - holbölli, I. 493. - hornemanni, I. 498. - lincolni, II. 31. - minor, I. 493. - savanna, I. 534. - tephrocotis, I. 504. - Linota canescens, I. 498. - montium, I. 501. - Lithofalco columbarius, III. 144. - Lophophanes, I. 86. - atricristatus, I. 87, 90. - bicolor, I. 87, 92. - cristatus, I. 93. - galeatus, I. 93. - inornatus, I. 87, 88, 91; III. 507. - missouriensis, I. 87. - wollweberi, I. 87, 93. - Lophortyx, III. 466, 478. - californica, III. 479. - gambeli, III. 479, 482. - plumifera, III. 475. - Loxia, I. 483. - americana, I. 483, 484. - bifasciata, I. 483; III. 513. - cærulea, II. 76, 77. - canora, II. 92, 93. - cardinalis, II. 99, 100. - curvirostra, I. 483. - enucleator, I. 453. - erythrina, I. 459. - fusca, I. 484. - himalayana, I. 484. - leucoptera, I. 483, 488. - ludoviciana, II. 69, 70. - mexicana, I. 483, 488. - obscura, II. 70. - pusilla, I. 484. - pityopsittacus, I. 484. - rosea, II. 70. - violacea, I. 462. - virginica, I. 441. - Lurocalis, II. 399. - - Macrocercus pachyrhynchus, II. 586. - Megaceryle alcyon, II. 392. - Megapicus, II. 494. - Megaquiscalus, II. 214. - Megascops, III. 47. - Melampicus, II. 559. - Melanerpes, II. 553, 559. - albolarvatus, II. 526. - angustifrons, II. 561, 575. - erythrocephalus, II. 560, 564. - flavigula, II. 561. - formicivorus, II. 560, 566. - ruber, II. 544. - rubrigularis, II. 545. - striatipectus, II. 561. - thyroideus, II. 547. - torquatus, II. 560, 561. - williamsoni, II. 545. - Meleagridæ, III. 402. - Meleagris, III. 403. - americana, III. 404. - fera, III. 404. - gallopavo, III. 403, 404. - mexicana, III. 410. - mexicanus, III. 403. - ocellatus, III. 404. - sylvestris, III. 404. - Melittarchus dominicensis, II. 319. - Mellisuga heloisa, II. 465. - Melopelia, III. 375, 376. - leucoptera, III. 376. - Melospiza, I. 530; II. 16. - cinerea, II. 29. - fallax, II. 18, 22. - gouldi, II. 26. - guttata, II. 19, 27, 29. - heermanni, II. 18, 24. - insignis, II. 19, 30. - lincolni, II. 19, 31; III. 516. - melodia, I. 146, 158; II. 18, 19. - mexicana, II. 18. - palustris, II. 19, 34; III. 517. - pectoralis, II. 18. - rufina, I. 158; II. 19, 27, 29. - samuelis, II. 18, 26. - unalashkensis, I. 158. - Melospizeæ, I. 530. - Merula, I. 4. - Methriopterus, I. 35. - Micrathene, III. 6, 86. - whitneyi, III. 87. - Microglaux, III. 79. - Micronisus, III. 220, 222. - Microptynx, III. 79. - passerina, III. 80. - Milans, III. 196. - Milvulus, II. 307, 308. - forficatus, II. 309, 311. - savanus, II. 309. - tyrannus, II. 309. - violentus, II. 309. - Milvus cenchris, III. 203. - dispar, III. 198. - furcatus, III. 192. - leucurus, III. 198. - mississippiensis, III. 203. - Mimimæ, I. 2, 31, 34. - Mimus, I. 3, 48. - carolinensis, I. 52. - curvirostris, I. 41. - longirostris, I. 39. - montanus, I. 32. - orpheus, I. 49. - polyglottus, I. 33, 46, 49, 52; III. 506. - Mitrephorus, II. 308, 385. - fulvifrons, II. 385. - pallescens, II. 385, 386. - phæocercus, II. 385. - Mniotilta, I. 178, 180. - borealis, I. 180. - longirostris, I. 180. - noveboracensis, I. 283. - rubricapilla, I. 196. - striata, I. 248. - varia, I. 180, 181, 216, 243, 249. - virens, I. 261. - Mniotilteæ, I. 178, 179. - Mniotiltidæ, I. 298, 431. - Molothrus, I. 182, 310; II. 148, 153. - obscurus, II. 154. - pecoris, II. 154. - Monedula purpurea, II. 215. - Montifringilla brunneinucha, I. 504. - griseinucha, I. 508. - Morphnus unicinctus, III. 249. - Motacilla, I. 164, 165. - æquinoctialis, I. 296. - æstiva, I. 222. - alba, I. 165. - americana, I. 208. - aurocapilla, I. 279, 280. - auricollis, I. 184. - bananivora, I. 427. - blackburniæ, I. 237. - cærulea, I. 77, 78. - cærulescens, I. 254. - calendula, I. 72, 75. - calidris, I. 359. - cana, I. 78. - canadensis, I. 227, 254. - chrysocephala, I. 237. - chrysoptera, I. 192. - cincta, I. 227. - citrea, I. 183, 184. - coronata, I. 227. - dominica, I. 240. - eques, I. 208. - flava, I. 167. - flavicauda, I. 322. - flavicollis, I. 240. - flavifrons, I. 192. - fuscescens, I. 283. - hudsonica, I. 171. - incana, I. 237. - juncorum, II. 5. - ludoviciana, I. 208. - maculosa, I. 232. - mitrata, I. 313, 314. - noveboracensis, I. 283. - œnanthe, I. 60. - palmarum, I. 273. - pennsylvanica, I. 245. - pensilis, I. 240. - pileolata, I. 319. - pinguis, I. 227. - protonotaria, I. 184. - regulus, I. 72. - rubiginosa, I. 222. - ruticilla, I. 322. - sialis, I. 62. - striata, I. 248. - superciliosa, I. 240. - tigrina, I. 211, 212. - umbria, I. 227. - varia, I. 180. - vermivora, I. 186, 187. - virens, I. 261. - yarrelli, I. 165. - Motacillidæ, I. 163, 164, 431. - Motacillinæ, I. 164, 165. - Muscicapa, I. 4. - acadica, II. 374. - animosa, II. 316. - atra, II. 343. - belli, I. 313. - bonapartei, I. 320. - brasieri, I. 312. - canadensis, I. 320. - cantatrix, I. 385. - carolinensis, I. 51, 52; II. 344. - cooperi, II. 353. - crinita, II. 334. - cucullata, I. 314. - derhami, I. 322. - dominicensis, II. 319. - forficata, II. 311. - fulvifrons, II. 385. - fusca, II. 343. - gilva, I. 368. - guttata, I. 18, 20. - inornata, II. 353. - ludoviciana, II. 334. - melodia, I. 368. - minuta, I. 316. - nigricans, II. 340. - noveboracensis, I. 357, 382, 385. - nunciola, II. 343. - olivacea, I. 358, 363. - phœbe, II. 343, 360. - pusilla, I. 317; II. 366. - querula, II. 357, 374. - rapax, II. 357. - rex, II. 316. - richardsoni, II. 360. - rubra, I. 441. - ruticilla, I. 322. - savana, II. 309. - saya, II. 347. - selbyi, I. 314. - semiatra, II. 340. - solitaria, I. 373. - striata, I. 248. - sylvicola, I. 379. - trailli, II. 369. - tyrannus, II. 309, 316. - verticalis, II. 324. - virens, II. 350, 357. - virginiana cristata, II. 334. - viridis, I. 306, 307. - wilsoni, I. 317. - Muscicapidæ, I. 326. - Myiadesteæ, I. 408. - Myiadestes, I. 3, 408. - genibarbis, I. 408. - obscurus, I. 409. - townsendi, I. 22, 409. - unicolor, I. 409. - Myiarchus, II. 307, 329; III. 521. - antillarum, II. 332. - cinerascens, II. 332, 337. - cooperi, II. 331. - crinitus, II. 331, 334. - erythrocercus, II. 331. - irritabilis, II. 331. - lawrencei, II. 333. - mexicanus, II. 331, 337. - nigricans, II. 340. - nigricapillus, II. 333. - nigriceps, II. 333. - pertinax, II. 337. - phæocephalus, II. 330. - phœbe, II. 332. - stolidus, II. 331, 332. - tristis, II. 332, 333. - tyrannulus, II. 330. - validus, II. 331. - yucatanensis, II. 331. - Myiobius borealis, II. 353. - crinitus, II. 334. - nunciola, II. 343. - pallidus, II. 351. - sayus, II. 347. - stolidus, II. 332. - virens, II. 357. - Myioborus, I. 179, 312. - Myioctonus, I. 313. - mitratus, I. 314. - pusillus, I. 317. - Myiodiocteæ, I. 179. - Myiodioctes, I. 179, 312, 313. - canadensis, I. 313, 320. - formosus, I. 293. - minutus, I. 313, 316. - mitratus, I. 313, 314. - pardalina, I. 320. - pileolata, I. 313, 319; III. 512. - pusillus, I. 313, 314, 317, 319. - wilsoni, I. 317. - Myionax crinitus, II. 334. - Myiothlypis, I. 312. - - Nauclerus, III. 104, 190. - forficatus, III. 191, 192. - furcatus, III. 191, 192. - Neocorys, I. 164, 170, 174. - spraguei, I. 175. - Neophron iota, III. 351. - Nephœcetes, II. 427, 428. - niger, II. 429; III. 523. - Nertus, III. 202. - mississippiensis, III. 203. - plumbeus, III. 203. - Niphæa hyemalis, I. 580. - oregona, I. 584. - Nisastur, III. 220, 222. - Nisus cooperi, III. 224, 230. - fuscus, III. 224, 225. - hyemalis, III. 275. - mexicanus, III. 224, 231. - pacificus, III. 225. - pennsylvanicus, III. 225. - unicinctus, III. 249. - Noctua aurita minor, III. 49. - brodiei, III. 79. - ferruginea, III. 85. - passerina, III. 80. - Notiocorys, I. 164, 170. - Nucifraga columbiana, II. 255. - Nucifrageæ, II. 232. - Nudinares, II. 492. - Nyctale, III. 6, 39. - abietum, III. 39. - acadica, III. 40, 43. - albifrons, III. 43. - funerea, III. 39. - harrisi, III. 40. - kirtlandi, III. 39, 43. - pinetorum, III. 39. - planiceps, III. 39. - richardsoni (_plate_), III. 39–41, 97–101. - tengmalmi, III. 39. - Nyctalops stygius, III. 17. - Nyctea, III. 6, 60, 61. - arctica, III. 61, 70. - candida, III. 70. - nivea (_plate_), III. 61, 70, 98–102. - scandiaca, III. 61. - Nyctibius, II. 398. - Nyctidromus, II. 399, 400. - affinis, II. 399. - albicollis, II. 399. - americanus, II. 399. - derbyanus, II. 399. - grallarius, II. 399. - guianensis, II. 399. - - Ochthæca sayi, II. 347. - Odontophorus maleagris, III. 492. - Onychotes gruberi, III. 252–254. - Oporornis, I. 178, 279, 290. - agilis, I. 290, 291, 301. - formosus, I. 290, 293. - Oreopeleia, III. 392. - martinica, III. 393. - montana, III. 393. - Oreophasinæ, III. 397. - Oreophasis derbianus, III. 397. - Oreortyx, III. 466, 475. - pictus, III. 475. - Oreoscoptes, I. 2, 31. - montanus, I. 32, 33, 40, 41. - Oriolus baltimore, II. 195. - castaneus, II. 190. - caudacutus, I. 556, 557. - costototl, II. 184. - dominicensis, II. 182. - ferrugineus, II. 202, 203. - fuscus, II. 154. - icterus, II. 184. - ludovicianus, II. 215. - mutatus, II. 190. - niger, II. 203, 215. - phœniceus, II. 158, 159. - spurius, II. 190. - varius, II. 190. - Oriturus wrangeli, II. 122. - Ornismya anna, II. 454. - arsenni, II. 466. - costæ, II. 453, 457. - heloisa, II. 464, 465. - montana, II. 462. - tricolor, II. 462. - viridissima, II. 468. - Orpheus carolinensis, I. 52. - curvirostris, I. 41. - leucopterus, I. 49. - longirostris, I. 39. - meruloides, I. 29. - montanus, I. 31, 32. - Ortalida, III. 397, 398. - maccalli, III. 398. - poliocephala, III. 398. - Ortyginæ, III. 466. - Ortyx, III. 466, 467. - californica, III. 479. - castaneus, III. 468. - cubanensis, III. 468. - floridanus, III. 469. - massena, III. 491, 492. - montezumæ, III. 492. - picta, III. 475. - plumifera, III. 475. - squamata, III. 487. - texanus, III. 468, 474. - virginianus, III. 467, 468. - Oscines, I. 1, 163, 326. - Otocoris, II. 139. - rufa, II. 144. - Otocorys alpestris, II. 143. - chrysolæma, II. 144. - cornuta, II. 143. - occidentalis, II. 143. - peregrina, II. 142, 144. - Otus, III. 5, 17. - albicollis, III. 17. - americanus, III. 18. - arboreus, III. 17. - asio, III. 17, 52. - aurita, III. 17. - brachyotus, III. 18, 22, 24. - communis, III. 17, 18. - crassirostris, III. 61. - europæus, III. 17. - galopagœnsis, III. 23. - gracilis, III. 17. - italicus, III. 17. - macrorhynchus, III. 61. - mexicanus, III. 61. - nævius, III. 49. - palustris, III. 22. - siguapa, III. 18. - stygius, III. 17, 18. - sylvestris, III. 17. - virginianus, III. 62. - vulgaris, III. 17. - wilsonianus (_plate_), III. 17, 18, 98–101. - - Pachyramphus aglaiæ, II. 306. - major, II. 306. - Pandion, III. 104, 182. - alticeps, III. 183. - americanus, III. 184. - carolinensis, III. 183, 184. - fasciatus, III. 184. - fluvialis, III. 183. - haliætus, III. 182, 183. - indicus, III. 183. - leucocephalus, III. 183. - planiceps, III. 183. - Panyptila, II. 422, 423. - cayanensis, II. 424. - melanoleuca, II. 424; III. 523. - sancti-hieronymi, II. 424. - Paridæ, I. 69, 86, 431. - Parinæ, I. 86. - Paroides flaviceps, I. 112. - Parula, I. 178, 207. - americana, I. 207–209, 259; III. 509. - inornata, I. 208. - insularis, I. 207. - pitiayumi, I. 207. - superciliosa, I. 208. - Parus, I. 86, 93. - albescens, I. 99. - americanus, I. 207, 208. - annexus, I. 93. - atricapillus, I. 91–96, 100, 102, 103, 105, 128, 157. - atricapillus canadensis, I. 96. - atricristatus, I. 90. - bicolor, I. 86, 87. - carolinensis, I. 88, 94, 97, 102, 185. - cristatus, I. 86, 87. - erythrocephalus, I. 107. - fasciatus, I. 83, 84. - hudsonicus, I. 94, 97, 105. - inornatus, I. 91. - leucotis, I. 312. - littoralis, I. 105. - major, I. 93. - meridionalis, I. 94, 102. - minimus, I. 109. - montanus, I. 92–95, 118. - occidentalis, I. 94, 100, 101, 104. - palustris, I. 96, 103. - rufescens, I. 94, 104; III. 507. - septentrionalis, I. 94, 97, 99, 101, 107. - sibiricus, I. 95, 105. - virginianus, I. 227. - Passer, I. 525. - arctous, I. 508. - bicolor bahamensis, II. 93. - canadensis, II. 3. - domesticus, I. 525. - pennsylvanicus, I. 574. - Passerculeæ, I. 529. - Passerculus, I. 529, 532. - alaudinus, I. 533, 537; III. 515. - anthinus, I. 533, 537, 539. - cassini, II. 42. - guttatus, I. 533, 544. - lincolni, II. 31. - princeps, I. 533, 540; III. 515. - rostratus, I. 533, 542. - sandwichensis, I. 533, 538. - savanna, I. 533, 534. - zonarius, II. 31. - Passerella, II. 49; III. 518. - cinerea, II. 27. - iliaca, II. 50. - megarhynchus, II. 49, 57; III. 518. - obscura, II. 50. - rufina, II. 29. - schistacea, II. 49, 56. - townsendi, II. 29, 49, 53. - unalashkensis, II. 53. - Passerellinæ, I. 446; II. 48. - Passerina, II. 81. - caudacuta, I. 557. - ciris, II. 87. - cyanea, II. 82. - nigricollis, II. 65. - oryzivora, II. 149. - pecoris, II. 154. - pratensis, I. 553. - Patagiænas, III. 357. - leucocephalus, III. 363. - Pediocætes, III. 414, 433. - columbianus, III. 434, 436, 446. - kennikotti, III. 434. - phasianellus, III. 434. - Pediocorys, I. 164. - Pendulinus, II. 179. - affinis, II. 190. - ater, II. 203. - cucullatus, II. 193. - dominicensis, II. 188. - flavigaster, II. 182. - hypomelas, II. 182. - lessoni, II. 182. - nigricollis, II. 190. - portoricensis, II. 182. - spurius, II. 190. - viridis, II. 182. - Penelope, III. 397. - Penelopina, III. 397. - Penelopinæ, III. 397. - Percnopterus aura, III. 345. - urubu, III. 351. - Perdicidæ, III. 466. - Perdix borealis, III. 468. - californica, III. 479. - marilandica, III. 468. - plumifera, III. 475. - virginiana, III. 468. - Perisoreus, II. 264, 297. - canadensis, II. 298, 299. - capitalis, II. 298, 302. - infaustus, II. 298. - obscurus, II. 298, 302. - Perissoglossa, I. 178, 211. - carbonata, I. 212, 214. - tigrina, I. 211, 212. - Perissura, III. 381. - carolinensis, III. 383. - Petrochelidon, I. 327, 334. - bicolor, I. 344. - lunifrons, I. 334. - swainsoni, I. 334. - thalassina, I. 347. - Peucæa, I. 530; II. 37. - æstivalis, II. 34, 38, 39. - arizonæ, II. 38, 41; III. 517. - bachmani, II. 39. - botterii, II. 38. - boucardi, II. 38. - carpalis, III. 517. - cassini, II. 41, 42. - lincolni, II. 31. - notosticta, II. 38. - ruficeps, II. 38, 45. - Phabotypus, III. 220. - Phænicosoma æstiva, I. 441. - hepatica, I. 437. - rubra, I. 435. - Phænisoma, I. 432. - æstiva, I. 441. - rubra, I. 435. - Phænopepla, I. 405. - nitens, I. 405. - Phæthornithinæ, II. 438. - Phasianus columbianus, III. 436. - motmot, III. 398. - Phileremos, II. 139. - Phlœotomus, II. 548. - Pholeoptynx, III. 88. - Phonipara, II. 60, 92. - bicolor, II. 93. - canora, II. 93. - marchi, II. 93. - olivacea, II. 93. - omissa, II. 93. - pusilla, II. 93. - zena, II. 93. - Phrenopicus, II. 501, 523. - Phrenopipo, II. 523. - borealis, II. 524. - Phyllobasileus, I. 72. - Phyllomanes, I. 358. - barbatula, I. 360. - flavoviridis, I. 366. - olivacea, I. 363. - Phyllopneuste, I. 69, 70. - borealis, I. 70, 71. - kennicotti, I. 70, 71. - sylvicultrix, I. 71. - trochilus, I. 71, 72. - Pica, II. 264. - albiventris, II. 265. - cærulescens, II. 285. - caudata, II. 265. - chloronota, II. 295. - cristata, II. 273. - europea, II. 265. - hudsonica, II. 265, 266. - melanoleuca, II. 265, 266. - morio, II. 303, 304. - nuttalli, II. 265, 270. - rusticorum, II. 265. - stelleri, II. 277. - Piceæ, II. 492, 493. - Picicorvus, II. 232, 254. - columbianus, II. 255. - Picidæ, II. 469, 491. - Picinæ, II. 491, 492. - Pico cruzado, I. 488. - Picoides, II. 494, 529. - americanus, II. 529, 532. - arcticus, II. 528, 530. - crissoleucus, II. 529. - dorsalis, II. 529, 532. - europæus, II. 529. - hirsutus, II. 532. - tridactylus, II. 529. - Picolaptes brunneicapillus, I. 132, 134. - Picumninæ, II. 491. - Picus, II. 493, 500. - albolarvatus, II. 502, 526. - americanus, II. 532. - arcticus, II. 530. - atrothorax, II. 539. - auduboni, II. 503. - auratus, II. 575. - aurifrons, II. 557. - bairdi, II. 515, 517. - bogotus, II. 515. - borealis, II. 501, 523, 524. - cafer, II. 578. - canadensis, II. 503. - carolinus, II. 554. - chrysoides, II. 583. - dorsalis, II. 532. - erythrauchen, II. 554. - erythrocephalus, II. 559, 564. - gairdneri, II. 501, 512; III. 523. - gracilis, II. 515. - graysoni, II. 501, 515, 517. - griseus, II. 554. - harrisi, II. 501, 507. - hirsutus, II. 532. - hudsonica, II. 266. - hybridus aurato-mexicanus, II. 582. - hylocopus, II. 507. - inornatus, II. 507. - jardini, II. 507. - lathami, II. 578. - leconti, II. 509. - leucomelanus, II. 503. - leucomelas, II. 503. - leucotis, II. 524. - lewisii, II. 561. - lucasanus, II. 501, 517, 519, 520. - martinæ, II. 503. - martius, II. 500. - medianus, II. 509. - melanopogon, II. 566. - meridionalis, II. 509, 512. - mexicanus, II. 578. - montanus, II. 561. - nataliæ, II. 547. - nuttalli, II. 501, 517, 520, 521. - obscurus, II. 564. - orizabæ, II. 515. - ornatus, II. 557. - parvus, II. 515. - phillipsi, II. 503. - pileatus, II. 550. - principalis, II. 496. - pubescens, I. 103, 185; II. 501, 502, 509. - querulus, II. 524. - ruber, II. 544. - rubricapillus, II. 503. - rubicatus, II. 578. - scalaris, II. 501, 514, 515, 520. - septentrionalis, II. 503. - submexicanus, II. 574. - thyroideus, II. 535, 547. - torquatus, II. 559, 561. - tridactylus, II. 528, 530. - turati, II. 512. - undatus, II. 532. - undosus, II. 532. - undulatus, II. 532. - varius, II. 535, 539. - vieilloti, II. 524. - villosus, II. 500, 503, 520. - williamsoni, II. 545. - wilsoni, II. 521. - zebra, II. 554. - Pilumnus, II. 535. - ruber, II. 544. - thyroideus, II. 547. - varius, II. 539. - Pinicola, I. 447, 452. - americana, I. 453. - canadensis, I. 453. - enucleator, I. 453; III. 513. - Pipile, III. 397. - Pipilo, I. 34; II. 60, 104. - aberti, II. 106, 126, 128; III. 519. - albicollis, II. 121, 122. - albigula, II. 121, 122, 127. - alleni, II. 108, 112. - arcticus, II. 109, 116, 119. - ater, II. 109. - carmani, II. 109. - chlorosoma, II. 105. - chlorurus, II. 106, 131; III. 519. - crissalis, II. 121, 122. - erythrophthalmus, II. 105, 106, 108, 109; III. 518. - fuscus, II. 106, 121. - lateralis, II. 106. - macronyx, II. 105. - maculatus, II. 105, 108. - megalonyx, II. 108, 113. - mesoleucus, II. 121, 122, 125; III. 518. - oregonus, II. 108, 116. - personata, I. 589. - superciliosa, II. 106. - virescens, II. 105. - Pipra polyglotta, I. 307. - Pitylus cardinalis, II. 100. - guttatus, II. 73. - Planesticus, I. 4, 22, 24, 28. - Platypsaris affinis, II. 306. - Platyrhynchus pusillus, II. 366. - virescens, I. 374. - Plectrophanes, I. 448, 510. - lapponicus, I. 511, 515. - maccowni, I. 511, 523. - melanomus, I. 511, 521. - nivalis, I. 511, 512. - ornatus, I. 511, 520. - pictus, I. 511, 518. - smithi, I. 518. - Ploceidæ, I. 431. - Plyctolophinæ, II. 585. - Podager, II. 399. - Podagrinæ, II. 398. - Pœcile atricapilla, I. 96. - carolinensis, I. 102. - melanotis, I. 108. - minima, I. 109. - rufescens, I. 104. - Pœcilopternis, III. 254. - borealis, III. 282. - lineatus, III. 275. - wilsoni, III. 259. - Pœcilornis, III. 159. - cinnamominus, III. 168. - sparverius, III. 169. - Pœcilopteryx, III. 202. - plumbeus, III. 203. - Polioaëtus, III. 320. - Polioptila, I. 77, 201. - cærulea, I. 78; III. 506. - lembeyi, I. 78. - melanura, I. 78, 79, 81; III. 507. - mexicana, I. 78. - plumbea, I. 78, 80. - Polioptilinæ, I. 69, 77. - Polyborus, III. 103, 176. - auduboni, III. 178. - brasiliensis, III. 177, 178. - cheriway, III. 177. - tæniurus, III. 249. - tharus, III. 176–178. - vulgaris, III. 177, 178. - Pomatorhinus turdinus, I. 41. - Pontoaëtus, III. 320. - Poocætes, I. 529, 544. - gramineus, I. 545. - Poospiza, I. 530, 589. - belli, I. 33, 590, 593; III. 516. - bilineata, I. 589, 590. - lateralis, II. 106. - mystacalis, II. 589. - nevadensis, I. 590, 594. - Psittacidæ, II. 469. - Progne, I. 326, 327. - concolor, I. 328. - cryptoleuca, I. 328, 329, 332. - domestica, I. 328. - dominicensis, I. 328, 329. - elegans, I. 328, 330. - furcata, I. 328. - leucogaster, I. 329, 333. - modesta, I. 328. - purpurea, I. 328, 332. - subis, I. 328, 329, 332. - Protonotaria, I. 178, 183. - citrea, I. 183, 184, 289. - Psaltria, I. 107. - flaviceps, I. 112. - melanotis, I. 108. - plumbea, I. 110. - Psaltriparus, I. 86, 107. - melanotis, I. 107, 108. - minimus, I. 108, 109, 120. - personatus, I. 108. - plumbeus, I. 108, 110. - Psarocolius auricollis, II. 199. - baltimore, II. 195. - caudacutus, II. 149. - cyanocephalus, II. 206. - gubernator, II. 163. - melanocephalus, II. 186. - pecoris, II. 154. - perspicillatus, II. 167. - phœniceus, II. 159. - Pseudaëtus, II. 312. - Pseudogryphus, III. 337, 338. - californianus (_plate_), III. 338, 355, 356. - Pseudoprocne, II. 423. - Psilorhinus, II. 264, 303. - cyanocephalus, II. 260. - mexicanus, II. 304. - morio, II. 304. - Psittaca carolinensis, II. 587. - Psittacidæ, II. 585. - Psittacinæ, II. 585. - Psittacus caroliniensis, II. 587. - ludovicianus, II. 587. - militaris, II. 586. - pascha, II. 586. - strenuus, II. 586. - thalassinus, II. 587. - Pteroaëtus, III. 312. - Pterocircus, III. 212. - Ptilogonateæ, I. 404. - Ptilogonatinæ, I. 395, 404. - Ptilogonus cinereus, I. 405. - Ptilogonys, I. 405. - nitens, I. 405. - townsendi, I. 409. - Pipilo rufipileus, II. 131. - Pulsatrix, III. 28. - Pygargus, III. 212. - Pyranga, I. 432. - æstiva, I. 434, 441. - ardens, I. 433. - azaræ, I. 434, 440. - bidentata, I. 433. - cooperi, I. 434, 444. - erythrocephala, I. 433. - erythromelæna, I. 433, 435. - erythropis, I. 437. - hepatica, I. 433, 440; III. 512. - ludoviciana, I. 433, 435, 437. - mississippiensis, I. 441. - roseigularis, I. 434. - rubra, I. 34, 432, 435. - rubriceps, I. 433. - saira, I. 434. - testacea, I. 434. - Pyrgita, I. 525. - arctica, II. 119. - domestica, I. 525. - Pyrgitænas passerinus, III. 389. - Pyrgitinæ, I. 446, 524. - Pyrocephalus, II. 308, 386. - mexicanus, II. 387; III. 522. - nanus, II. 387. - obscurus, II. 387. - rubineus, II. 387. - Pyrrhula, I. 447, 456. - cassini, I. 457; III. 513. - coccinea, I. 457. - cruentata, I. 468. - enucleator, I. 453. - falcirostris, II. 90. - frontalis, I. 466. - ludoviciana, II. 70. - Pyrrhuloxia, II. 60, 95. - sinuata, II. 95. - - Quiscalinæ, II. 147, 202. - Quiscalus, II. 202, 212. - æneus, II. 213, 218. - ænius, II. 218. - aglæus, II. 213, 221. - assimilis, II. 214. - baritus, II. 213, 221. - brachypterus, II. 213. - breweri, II. 206. - ferrugineus, II. 203. - gundlachi, II. 213. - inflexirostris, II. 214. - macrurus, II. 214, 225. - major, II. 214, 222. - mexicanus, II. 214. - niger, II. 213. - nitens, II. 215. - palustris, II. 214. - peruvianus, II. 214. - purpuratus, II. 215. - purpureus, II. 213–215. - tenuirostris, II. 214. - versicolor, II. 215, 218. - - Raptores, III. 1. - Regulinæ, I. 69, 72. - Reguloides proregulus, I. 72. - Regulus, I. 72. - Regula calendula, I. 34, 75; III. 506. - cuvieri, I. 75. - mystaceus, I. 297. - rubineus, I. 75. - satrapa, I. 75, 104. - Rhimamphus, I. 215. - æstivus, I. 222. - blackburniæ, I. 237. - canadensis, I. 254. - castaneus, I. 251. - chryseolus, I. 222. - coronatus, I. 227. - discolor, I. 276. - maculosus, I. 232. - maritimus, I. 212. - olivaceus, I. 258. - pensilis, I. 240. - pinus, I. 268. - rufus, I. 273. - striatus, I. 248. - tigrina, I. 273. - virens, I. 261. - Rhinogryphus, III. 337, 343. - aura (_plate_), III. 344, 355, 356. - burrovianus, III. 344. - Rhinoptynx, III. 60. - Rhinostrix, III. 60. - Rhynchodon, III. 127. - Rhynchofalco, III. 107, 154. - Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, II. 586. - Rostrhamus, III. 104, 207. - hamatus, III. 209. - niger, III. 208. - plumbeus, III. 208, 209. - sociabilis, III. 208. - tæniurus, III. 209. - - Sagræ, II. 332. - Salpinctes, I. 130, 134. - obsoletus, I. 135, 140; III. 508. - Saltator viridis, II. 46. - Sarcorhamphidæ, III. 335. - Sarcorhamphus, III. 336, 337. - californicus, III. 338. - gryphus (_plate_), III. 355, 356. - papa (_plate_), III. 356. - Saurothera bottæ, II. 472. - californiana, II. 472. - marginata, II. 472. - Saxicola, I. 59. - œnanthe, I. 59, 60; III. 506. - œnanthoides, I. 60. - Saxicolidæ, I. 1, 2, 59, 69. - Sayornis, II. 307, 339; III. 521. - aquaticus, II. 340. - cinerascens, II. 340. - fuscus, I. 295; II. 343. - latirostris, II. 340. - nigricans, II. 340. - pallidus, II. 347. - sayus, II. 347. - Scaphidurus palustris, II. 214. - Scardafella, III. 375, 387. - inca, III. 387. - squamosa, III. 387. - Scolecophagus, II. 202. - cyanocephalus, III. 203, 206. - ferrugineus, I. 77; II. 203. - mexicanus, II. 206. - niger, II. 203. - Scops, III. 6, 47. - albifrons, III. 43. - asio (_plate_), III. 48, 49, 51, 98–101. - enano, III. 48. - flammeola, III. 58. - floridanus, III. 48, 51. - kennicotti, III. 48, 53, 55. - maccalli, III. 49, 52. - semitorques, III. 56. - trichopsis, III. 53. - zorca, III. 47. - Scotiaptex, III. 5, 28, 29. - cinereum (_plate_), III. 29, 30, 98–102. - lapponicum, III. 29, 30. - Scotophilus acadicus, III. 43. - Securirostres, II. 492. - Seirureæ, I. 178, 279. - Seiurus, I. 178, 279. - aurocapillus, I. 279, 280, 295, 304. - gosse, I. 284. - ludovicianus, I. 280, 285, 287, 295; III. 511. - motacilla, I. 287. - noveboracensis, I. 280, 281, 283, 289. - sulfurascens, I. 284. - tenuirostris, I. 283. - Selasphorus, II. 438, 439, 458. - costæ, II. 457. - flammula, II. 459. - heloisæ, II. 465. - platycercus, II. 458, 462. - rufus, II. 459. - scintilla, II. 459. - Setirostres, II. 399. - Setophaga, I. 179, 312, 322. - bonapartei, I. 320. - canadensis, I. 320. - miniata, I. 322. - nigricincta, I. 320. - picta, I. 322; III. 512. - rubra, I. 312. - ruticilla, I. 322, 323. - wilsoni, I. 317. - Setophageæ, I. 179. - Setophaginæ, I. 178, 179, 311. - Sialia, I. 59, 62. - arctica, I. 62, 66–68. - azurea, I. 62, 63. - cæruleocollis, I. 65. - macroptera, I. 67. - mexicana, I. 62, 65, 66, 68; III. 506. - occidentalis, I. 65. - sialis, I. 62, 66, 68. - wilsoni, I. 62. - Siphonorhis, II. 399. - Sitta, I. 114. - aculeata, I. 92, 114, 115, 117. - canadensis, I. 114, 117, 118, 121, 122. - carolinensis, I. 114, 117, 122. - melanocephala, I. 114. - pusilla, I. 114, 120, 122; III. 507. - pygmæa, I. 92, 114, 120; III. 507. - varia, I. 118. - Sittace, II. 585. - militaris, II. 586. - pachyrhyncha, II. 586. - Sittacinæ, II. 585. - Sittinæ, I. 86, 113. - Sparvius, III. 220. - cirrhocephalus, III. 220, 222. - platypterus, III. 259. - Speotyto, III. 6, 88. - cunicularia, III. 90. - domingensis, III. 89, 90. - fusca, III. 89, 90. - grallaria, III. 89. - guadeloupensis, III. 90. - hypogæa (_plate_), III. 90, 93, 98–101. - Spermophila, II. 60, 90. - albigularis, II. 91. - moreletti, II. 91. - Spheotyto hypogæa, III. 90. - Sphyropicus, II. 494, 535. - nuchalis, II. 538, 542. - ruber, II. 538, 544. - thyroideus, II. 538, 547. - varius, II. 537, 539; III. 521. - williamsoni, II. 538, 545. - Spilocircus, III. 212. - Spinites, II. 1. - atrigularis, II. 15. - monticolus, II. 3. - pusillus, II. 5. - socialis, II. 7. - Spiza, II. 81. - amœna, II. 84. - ciris, I. 315; II. 87. - cyanea, I. 315; II. 82. - versicolor, II. 86. - Spizacircus, III. 212. - Spizageranus unicinctus, III. 249. - Spizella, I. 530; II. 1. - arizonæ, II. 2, 11. - atrigularis, II. 3, 15. - breweri, II. 13; III. 516. - canadensis, II. 3. - maxima, I. 566. - monticola, II. 2, 3; III. 516. - pallida, II. 2, 11. - pinetorum, II. 2. - pusilla, II. 2, 5. - shattucki, II. 11. - socialis, II. 2, 7; III. 516. - Spizelleæ, I. 529. - Spizellinæ, I. 446, 528. - Spiziacircus, III. 212. - Spizinæ, I. 446; II. 58. - Spizognathæ, I. 431. - Sporophila, II. 90. - moreletti, II. 91. - Starnœnadeæ, III. 375. - Starnœnas, III. 375, 394. - cyanocephala, III. 395. - Steatornis, II. 398. - Steatornithinæ, II. 398. - Stegnolæma, III. 397. - Stelgidopteryx, I. 327, 350. - serripennis, I. 350. - Stellula, II. 438, 439, 445. - calliope, II. 445. - Stenopsis, II. 399. - Stolida lucaysiensis, II. 332. - Stolidus dominicensis, II. 332. - Streptoceryle, II. 391. - alcyon, II. 392. - Stridula, III. 10. - Strigiceps, III. 212. - hudsonius, III. 214. - uliginosus, III. 214. - Strigidæ, III. 1, 4. - Stringopinæ, II. 585. - Strix, III. 5, 10. - acadica, III. 43, 80. - acadiensis, III. 43. - acclamator, III. 30. - albifrons, III. 43. - aluco, III. 28. - americana, III. 13. - arctica, III. 64, 70. - asio, III. 47, 49. - brachyotus, III. 17, 22. - bubo, III. 60, 62. - californica, III. 90. - canadensis, III. 75. - cinerea, III. 28, 30. - clamata, III. 61. - crassirostris, III. 61. - cunicularia, III. 88, 90. - delicatula, III. 13. - eluta, III. 81. - ferruginea, III. 85. - flammea, III. 10, 11. - freti hudsonius, III. 75. - frontalis, III. 43. - funerea, III. 75. - furcata, III. 12. - guatemalæ, III. 11. - havanense, III. 79. - hudsonia, III. 75. - huhula, III. 28. - hypogæa, III. 90. - javanica, III. 13. - macrorhyncha, III. 61. - maculata, III. 61. - maximus, III. 62. - mexicana, III. 60, 61. - nævia, III. 49. - nacuruta, III. 61. - nebulosa, III. 34. - nivea, III. 61. - nyctea, III. 61, 70. - otus, III. 17. - passerina, III. 39, 43, 79. - passerinoides, III. 81. - peregrinator, III. 18. - perlata, III. 12, 13. - phalænoides, III. 43. - pratincola (_plate_), III. 11, 13, 98–101. - pusilla, III. 80. - pygmæa, III. 80. - scops, III. 47. - tengmalmi, III. 39, 40. - torquatus, III. 28. - ulula, III. 74. - virginiana, III. 62. - wapacuthu, III. 64. - Strobilophaga, I. 452. - Struthus atrimentalis, II. 15. - caniceps, I. 587. - oregonus, I. 584. - Sturnella, II. 148, 171. - collaris, II. 174. - hippocrepis, II. 172, 176. - ludoviciana, II. 174. - magna, II. 172, 174. - meridionalis, II. 172. - mexicana, II. 172. - neglecta, I. 33; II. 173, 176. - Sturnidæ, II. 228. - Sturnus, II. 228. - cinclus, I. 55, 56. - collaris, II. 174. - junceti, II. 154. - ludovicianus, II. 174. - nove-hispaniæ, II. 154. - obscurus, II. 154. - prædatorius, II. 159. - vulgaris, II. 228, 229. - Surnia, III. 6, 74. - ferruginea, III. 85. - hudsonia, III. 75. - nævia, III. 49. - passerina, III. 80. - ulula (_plate_), III. 39, 75, 98–102. - Sylvania bonapartei, I. 320. - mitrata, I. 314. - pumilia, I. 316. - pusilla, I. 317. - ruticilla, I. 322. - Sylvia æquinoctialis, I. 293. - æstiva, I. 222. - agilis, I. 290. - americana, I. 208. - anthoides, I. 283. - auduboni, I. 229. - auricollis, I. 184. - autumnalis, I. 251. - azurea, I. 235. - bachmani, I. 194. - bifasciata, I. 235. - blackburniæ, I. 237. - cærulea, I. 235. - canadensis, I. 254. - carbonata, I. 214. - carolinensis, I. 222. - castanea, I. 251. - celata, I. 202. - childreni, I. 222. - chivi, I. 359. - chrysoptera, I. 192. - citrinella, I. 222. - coronata, I. 227. - culicivora, I. 312. - discolor, I. 276. - domestica, I. 149. - flava, I. 222. - flavicollis, I. 240. - flavifrons, I. 192. - formosa, I. 293. - halseii, I. 258. - icterocephala, I. 245. - incana, I. 237. - juncorum, II. 5. - lateralis, I. 237. - leucogastra, I. 196. - leucoptera, I. 254. - ludoviciana, I. 141, 142. - macgillivrayi, I. 303. - macropus, I. 254. - maculosa, I. 232. - magnolia, I. 232. - marilandica, I. 297. - maritima, I. 212. - mexicana, I. 196. - minuta, I. 276, 316. - missouriensis, I. 205. - mitrata, I. 314. - montana, I. 271. - nashvillei, I. 196. - nigrescens, I. 258. - noveboracensis, I. 283. - occidentalis, I. 266. - olivacea, I. 258. - palmarum, I. 273. - palustris, I. 254. - pardalina, I. 320. - parus, I. 237. - pennsylvanica, I. 245. - pensilis, I. 240. - peregrina, I. 205. - petasodes, I. 317. - philadelphia, I. 301. - pinus, I. 195, 268. - populorum, I. 235. - protonotaria, I. 183, 184. - pusilla, I. 208, 254. - rathbonia, I. 222, 223. - ruficapilla, I. 191, 196. - sialis, I. 63. - solitaria, I. 195. - sphagnosa, I. 254. - striata, I. 248. - swainsoni, I. 186, 190. - tæniata, I. 258. - tigrina, I. 212, 271. - tolmiæi, I. 303. - torquata, I. 208. - townsendi, I. 265. - trichas, I. 239, 297. - troglodytes, I. 155. - velata, I. 296. - vermivora, I. 187. - vigorsii, I. 268. - virens, I. 261. - wilsoni, I. 317. - xanthopygia, I. 227. - xanthocoa, I. 227. - Sylvicola, I. 207, 215. - æstiva, I. 222. - agilis, I. 290. - americana, I. 208. - auduboni, I. 229. - bachmani, I. 194. - blackburniæ, I. 237. - cærulea, I. 235. - canadensis, I. 254. - castanea, I. 251. - celata, I. 202. - chrysoptera, I. 192. - coronata, I. 227. - discolor, I. 276. - formosa, I. 293. - icterocephala, I. 245. - kirtlandi, I. 272. - macgillivrayi, I. 303. - maculosa, I. 232. - maritima, I. 212. - mitrata, I. 314. - montana, I. 271. - nigrescens, I. 258. - occidentalis, I. 266. - olivacea, I. 258. - palmarum, I. 273. - pannosa, I. 254. - pardalina, I. 320. - parus, I. 237. - pensilis, I. 240. - peregrina, I. 205. - petechia, I. 273. - pinus, I. 268. - pusilla, I. 208. - rathbonia, I. 222. - rubricapilla, I. 196. - ruficapilla, I. 273. - solitaria, I. 195. - striata, I. 248. - swainsoni, I. 190. - tæniata, I. 258. - townsendi, I. 265. - vermivora, I. 187. - virens, I. 261. - Sylvicoleæ, I. 178, 211. - Sylvicolidæ, I. 1, 69, 163, 164, 177. - Sylvicolinæ, I. 178, 179. - Svlviidæ, I. 2, 69, 431. - Sylviinæ, I. 69. - Syrnia nyctea, III. 70. - Syrnium, III. 5, 28. - aluco (_plate_), III. 28, 97. - cinereum, III. 28, 30, 31. - fulvescens, III. 29. - lapponicum, III. 30. - nebulosum, III. 28, 29, 34. - occidentale, III. 28, 29, 38. - sartorii, III. 29. - - Tachycineta, I. 327, 338, 344. - bicolor, I. 344. - thalassina, I. 344, 347. - Tachytriorchis, III. 254. - Tænioptynx, III. 79. - Talpacota, III. 375. - Tanagra æstiva, I. 441. - columbiana, I. 437. - cyanea, II. 81, 82. - ludoviciana, I. 437. - mississippiensis, I. 441. - rubra, I. 435. - variegata, I. 441. - Tanagridæ, I. 431. - Telmatodytes, I. 131, 141, 158. - arundinaceus, I. 161. - bewickii, I. 141. - leucogaster, I. 141. - spilurus, I. 141. - Teraspiza, III. 220, 222. - Terestristeæ, I. 179. - Terestristis, I. 179. - Tetrao albus, III. 457. - bonasia, III. 446. - californicus, III. 478, 479. - canadensis, III. 415, 416, 419. - cristata, III. 487. - cupido, III. 439, 440. - franklini, III. 415, 419. - fusca, III. 419. - guttata, III. 492. - islandicus, III. 462. - lagopus, III. 456, 457, 462. - lagopus islandicus, III. 462. - lapponicus, III. 457. - leucurus, III. 464. - marilandicus, III. 468. - minor, III. 468. - mutus, III. 462. - obscurus, III. 415, 421, 423, 425. - phasianellus, III. 429, 433, 436. - rehusak, III. 457. - richardsoni, III. 427. - rupestris, III. 462. - sabini, III. 454. - saliceti, III. 457. - togatus, III. 448. - tympanus, III. 448. - umbelloides, III. 453. - umbellus, III. 448, 454. - urogallus, III. 434. - urophasianellus, III. 436. - urophasianus, III. 428. - virginianus, III. 467, 468. - Tetraonidæ, III. 414. - Tetrastes, III. 446. - Thalassoaëtus, III. 320, 322. - Thaumatias, II. 440, 468. - linnæi, II. 468. - Theromyias saya, II. 347. - Thryomanes, I. 130, 144. - Thryothorus, I. 130, 141, 142, 148, 158. - arundinaceus, I. 161. - bewickii, I. 142, 145. - berlandieri, I. 39, 141, 144. - leucogaster, I. 147; III. 508. - littoralis, I. 142. - louisianæ, I. 142. - ludovicianus, I. 39, 137, 141, 142; III. 508. - mexicanus, I. 137. - pinus, I. 268. - spilurus, I. 147, 154. - torquatus, I. 208. - Tiaris omissa, II. 93. - pusilla, II. 93. - Tichornis, III. 159. - Tinnunculus, III. 107, 159. - alaudarius, III. 159. - australis, III. 166. - cinnamominus, III. 168. - columbarius, III. 144. - dominicensis, III. 166, 167, 171. - isabellinus, III. 166, 167. - leucophrys, III. 161. - phalœna, III. 169. - sparveroides, III. 161, 162. - sparverius, III. 161, 166, 167, 169, 171. - Tolmaëtus, III. 312. - Toxostoma curvirostris, I. 41. - lecontei, I. 44. - longirostre, I. 39. - rediviva, I. 45. - vetula, I. 35, 41. - Trichas, I. 295. - agilis, I. 290. - brachydactylus, I. 297. - macgillivrayi, I. 303. - marilandicus, I. 297. - personatus, I. 297. - philadelphia, I. 301. - tephrocotis, I. 290. - tolmiæi, I. 303. - vegata, I. 303. - Trichoglossinæ, II. 585. - Trichopicus, II. 502. - Trichopipo, II. 502. - Tridactylia, II. 509, 528. - arctica, II. 530. - dorsalis, II. 532. - undulata, II. 532. - Triorchis, III. 182, 297. - Trochilidæ, II. 437, 466. - Trochilinæ, II. 438. - Trochilus, II. 438, 439, 447. - alexandri, II. 450. - anna, II. 454. - aureigaster, II. 448. - calliope, II. 445. - colubris, II. 448. - icterocephalus, II. 454. - leucotis, II. 466. - maculatus, II. 468. - mango, II. 440. - melanotus, II. 466. - platycercus, II. 462. - rufus, II. 458. - tobaci, II. 468. - tobagensis, II. 468. - tobago, II. 468. - Troglodytes, I. 131, 148. - ædon, I. 146, 148, 149, 162. - alascensis, I. 149, 157. - americanus, I. 136, 149, 151, 153. - arundinaceus, I. 141, 142. - aztecus, I. 148. - bewickii, I. 144, 145, 147. - brevirostris, I. 159. - fulvus, I. 149. - hyemalis, I. 149, 155, 158; III. 508. - latisfasciatus, I. 135. - leucogaster, I. 147. - ludovicianus, I. 142, 146. - mexicanus, I. 138. - obsoletus, I. 134, 135. - pacificus, I. 149, 155, 158. - palustris, I. 161. - parkmanni, I. 148, 153, 162. - spilurus, I. 147. - stellaris, I. 158, 159. - sylvestris, I. 153. - Troglodytidæ, I. 130, 431. - Trupialis, II. 148. - Tryphæna heloisa, II. 465. - Turdidæ, I. 1, 2, 59, 69, 130, 431. - Turdinæ, I. 2, 3, 31. - Turdus (_subgenus_), I. 2, 4, 22, 59. - aliciæ, I. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 16. - aonalaschkæ, I. 20. - ater, II. 182, 190. - auduboni, I. 5, 7, 15, 16, 21; III. 504. - aurocapillus, I. 280, 286. - carolinensis, I. 52. - confinis, I. 24, 27. - coronatus, I. 280. - densus, I. 8. - fuscescens, I. 4, 6, 9, 15–21. - guttatus, I. 18. - hudsonius, II. 203. - iliacus, I. 22, 23. - jamaicensis, I. 24. - jugularis, II. 182, 190. - labradorius, II. 203. - ludovicianus, II. 287. - melodus, I. 8. - merula, I. 27. - migratorius, I. 13, 23–25, 27, 28, 30, 48. - minimus, I. 14. - minor, I. 3, 14, 18. - montanus, I. 32. - motacilla, II. 287. - musicus, I. 30. - mustelinus, I. 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 19. - nævius, I. 28, 29. - nanus, I. 5, 7, 16, 20, 21; III. 504. - noveboracensis, II. 203. - No. 22, II. 203. - olivaceus, I. 14. - pallasi, II. 4–7, 11, 12, 14–16, 18, 282. - pilaris, I. 23. - polyglottus, I. 48, 49. - rufus, I. 37, 144. - silens, I. 9, 21. - swainsoni, I. 4, 5, 7, 11–13, 14, 16–18, 282. - trichas, I. 297. - ustulatus, I. 5, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20, 46. - variegatus, I. 131. - virens, I. 306, 307. - viscivorus, I. 3, 22. - wilsonii, I. 9. - Turtur carolinensis, III. 383. - leucopterus, III. 376. - Tyranni, II. 307. - Tyrannidæ, II. 306. - Tyrannula acadica, II. 374. - caribæa, II. 351. - cinerascens, II. 337. - coronata, II. 387. - crinita, II. 334. - flaviventris, II. 378. - fusca, II. 343. - hammondi, II. 383. - minima, II. 372. - nigricans, II. 340. - obscura, II. 381. - pallida, II. 347. - phœbe, II. 360. - pusilla, II. 362, 366, 378. - richardsoni, II. 360. - saya, II. 347. - Tyrannula trailli, II. 369. - virens, II. 357. - Tyrannuli, II. 307. - Tyrannus, II. 307, 314. - acadicus, II. 374. - antillarum, II. 332. - atriceps, II. 360. - borealis, II. 353. - carolinensis, II. 315, 316. - cassini, II. 327. - cooperi, II. 353. - couchi, II. 315, 329. - crinitus, II. 334. - dominicensis, II. 315, 319. - forticatus, II. 311. - fuscus, II. 343. - griseus, II. 319. - intrepidus, II. 316. - leucogaster, II. 316. - ludovicianus, II. 334. - matutinus, II. 319. - melancholicus, II. 315, 329. - mexicanus, II. 311. - nigricans, II. 340, 353. - phœbe, II. 332, 360. - pipiri, II. 316. - pusillus, II. 366. - savana, II. 309. - sayus, II. 347. - trailli, II. 369. - verticalis, II. 315, 324. - virens, II. 357. - vociferans, II. 315, 327; III. 521. - - Ulula brachyotus, III. 22. - cunicularia, III. 90. - flammea, III. 13. - nebulosa, III. 34. - otus, III. 17, 18. - passerina, III. 43. - virginiana, III. 62. - Uraspiza, III. 220, 222. - Uroaëtus, III. 312. - Urospizia, III. 220, 222. - Urubitinga unicincta, III. 249. - - Vermivora bachmani, I. 194. - celata, I. 202. - fulvicapilla, I. 187. - nigrescens, I. 258. - pennsylvanica, I. 187. - peregrina, I. 205. - protonotaria, I. 184. - rubricapilla, I. 196. - solitaria, I. 195. - swainsoni, I. 190. - Vermivoreæ, I. 178, 183. - Vireo, I. 357, 358, 382. - atricapillus, I. 358, 382, 383. - belli, I. 81, 358, 383, 389. - bogotensis, I. 363. - carmioli, I. 383. - cassini, I. 376. - flavifrons, I. 357, 379. - flavoviridis, I. 366. - gilvus, I. 368. - huttoni, I. 358, 383, 387. - musicus, I. 385. - noveboracensis, I. 357, 358, 383, 385. - olivaceus, I. 357, 363. - philadelphicus, I. 359, 367. - pusillus, I. 358, 383, 391; III. 512. - solitarius, I. 357. - swainsoni, I. 371. - vicinior, I. 358, 383, 393. - vigorsii, I. 268. - virescens, I. 363. - Vireonella, I. 382. - gundlachi, I. 382. - Vireonidæ, I. 70, 306, 356, 357. - Vireosylvia, I. 357, 358. - agilis, I. 359. - altiloqua, I. 360. - barbadense, I. 359. - barbatula, I. 357, 359, 360. - calidras, I. 358, 359. - chivi, I. 359. - cobanensis, I. 367. - flavifrons, I. 379. - flavoviridis, I. 357, 359, 366. - gilva, I. 359, 360, 368, 371. - gilvus, I. 357. - josephæ, I. 360. - magister, I. 359. - olivacea, I. 357, 359, 363; III. 512. - philadelphica, I. 357, 367. - plumbea, I. 377. - propinquua, I. 373. - solitaria, I. 373. - swainsoni, I. 360, 371. - Vultur albicilla, III. 324, 327. - atratus, III. 350, 351. - audax, III. 312. - aura, III. 343, 344, 351. - aura niger, β, III. 351. - californianus, III. 338. - gryphus, III. 337. - iota, III. 345, 351. - papa, III. 337. - urubu, III. 351. - Vulturinæ, III. 335. - - Wilsonia, I. 313. - minuta, I. 316. - pusilla, I. 317. - - Xanthocephalus, II. 148, 167. - icterocephalus, II. 167. - perspicillatus, II. 167. - Xanthornus, I. 179, 182. - abeillei, II. 184. - bullocki, II. 199. - gubernator, II. 163. - melanocephalus, II. 186. - parisorum, II. 188. - phœniceus, II. 159. - Xanthoura, II. 264, 294. - guatemalensis, II. 295. - incas, II. 295. - luxuosa, II. 295. - Xenocraugus, III. 526. - albolarvatus, II. 526. - Xenopicus, II. 502, 526. - albolarvatus, II. 526. - - Yunginæ, II. 491. - Yphantes, II. 179, 183. - - Zebrapicus, II. 553. - kaupii, II. 558. - Zenaida, III. 375, 378. - amabilis, III. 379. - aurita, III. 379. - hypoleuca, III. 379. - leucoptera, III. 376. - maculata, III. 379. - martinicana, III. 379. - montana, III. 393. - Zenaideæ, III. 375. - Zenaidinæ, III. 357, 374. - Zenaidura, III. 375, 381. - carolinensis, III. 382, 383. - graysoni, III. 382. - marginella, III. 383. - yucatensis, III. 382. - Zonotrichia, I. 530, 565. - albicollis, II. 186, 574. - aurocapilla, I. 573. - belli, I. 593. - boucardi, II. 38. - cassini, II. 42. - chlorura, II. 131. - comata, I. 577. - coronata, I. 573. - fallax, II. 22. - fasciata, II. 22. - gambeli, I. 566, 569; III. 516. - graminea, I. 545. - leucophrys, I. 566. - melodia, II. 19. - monticola, II. 3. - pennsylvanica, I. 574. - plebeja, II. 47. - querula, I. 577. - Zygodactyli, II. 469. - - - - -Transcriber’s Note: - -Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like -this_. Small capital letters were replaced with all capitals. - -The index of English names and index of scientific names appear only -in Volume III; they are reproduced at the end of this book for the -convenience of readers. - -Archaic and obsolete spellings were left unchanged, as were variant -spellings of local place names. - -Missing punctuation was added to ends of sentences and abbreviations. -Unprinted letters and numbers were added, where appropriate. A -description of the illustration on the title page was added. - -Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and moved to the end of the -book, preceding the Index to Plates. - -In the discussion of the Florida Greenlet, the author used a ‘y’ with -a breve above it to describe the song sound. As this character is not -easily reproduced in UTF-8, a macron was used instead of a breve. - -Obvious printing errors were corrected, such as duplicate words, -upside down letters, numbers printed backwards, and letters or spacing -in the wrong order. - -Changes for consistency with other entries: italics were changed to -capital letters for HABITAT, and umlauts were added to Zoö-. - -Spelling changes: - - ‘swainsonii’ to ‘swainsoni’, Plate 1, figure 4 - ‘_ludovicicianus_’ to ‘_ludovicianus_’ (caption to illustration ‘7113’) - ‘moves’ to ‘move’ …They move with rapidity and precision… - ‘Guatamela’ to ‘Guatemala’ (habitat, Chestnut-sided warbler) - ‘taill’ to ‘tail’ (Townsend's Warbler) - ‘Totontopec’ to ‘Totontepec’ …at Totontepec, among the mountains… - ‘fellows’ to ‘follows’ …They are as follows:… - ‘Lambeye’ to ‘Lembeye’ (references, Barn Swallow) - ‘groundcolor’ to ‘ground-color’ …The ground-color of all is… - ‘subdivison’ to ‘subdivision’ …tendency to subdivision of… - ‘olivacaceous’ to ‘olivaceous’ …to the more olivaceous back.… - ‘Phœnicosoma’ to ‘Phœnisoma’ …Phœnisoma æstiva… (references, Summer Redbird) - ‘Cardueles’ to ‘Carduelis’ (references, Yellow-bird; Thistle-bird) - ‘Is’ to ‘It’ …It is gregarious at all… - ‘Linceceum’ to ‘Lincecum’ …from Texas, by Dr. Lincecum… - figure number of index entry for Cardinalis ignius from ‘0’ to ‘10’ - volume number from ‘II’ to ‘III’ for index entries: Columba fasciata, - Columba flavirostis, Columba leucocephala, Ectopistes migratoria, - and Ortalida macalli. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A History of North American Birds, by -Spencer Fullerton Baird and Thomas Mayo Brewer and Robert Ridgway - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS *** - -***** This file should be named 55191-0.txt or 55191-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/9/55191/ - -Produced by Greg Bergquist, Carol Brown, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by Biodiversity Heritage Library.) - - -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. 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